Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Sparrow Hawk grunted, “See how she missed me? You think that dark haired green eyed buck is this one’s father or you? I think my first wife expected Red Eagle to walk in with her brother carrying our scalps and that girl and her bastard son would go to see your father with tears in her eyes and deceit in her heart. You think Mouse Dog sent my second wife to you or was it my first wife? I’m thinking it was Tatsinuupi. She never told me what Mouse Dog did to her, but I knew. When that did not kill her, Tatsinuupi used your body to shame her in your eyes and mine.” Sparrow Hawk kept smiling as they rode up, “Smile my brother. It is a good day to set out a line for bottom feeders. The worms have moved in before my body is even cold in the ground. What do you think she would do if I showed her his prick?”

  Gage looked at the child in his arms and back to the man who was waving at him. Gage closed his mouth. There in front of him was Tom Dugan, the man who introduced him to Jade in Delight, Arkansas. The man who helped get him into her bed drunk enough not to remember most of what happened that night. Gage cursed, “The little gold diggers.” Gage smiled, “I have questions for them. Don’t kill them yet.” Gage waved back calling out, “Tom Dugan! Imagine finding you here. Jade, honey look who I found. Did you loose something?”

  Bryan lift Jenny in his arms. She was as dead weight. She turned her head from him and kept her eyes shut as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Bryan entered the teepee and gently laid her on the buffalo skins. He looked down on his wife. This had been the longest week of his life. In one short week, he had rashly declared undying love for a total stranger, been hand fasted, chased his wife across the Texas high plains, been inducted as a Comanche, delivered her child and handed it to Sparrow Hawk and found himself in the middle of an Indian range war. He now faced orders to return to the fort without her. Even worse, to leave her mourning for her child like this was making him wish he had a stiff drink before he had to say good-bye. But for the moment, all he could think of was a nap before he had to get back on that horse. He couldn’t stay. If he was going to give Lacy anything that would give her any peace, it needed to be soon. While his mind knew that this was the safest place for Jenny, there was a part of him that felt like he was turning her back over to her Indian husband and by the time he could come back, there might not be anything left for him to come back to claim.

  Bryan found a blanket and covered her and lay down by her. She was still rocking some invisible infant in her arms. He had no words to take this type of pain from her. Bryan wrapped her in his arms, and rocked with her until he felt her fall into sleep. Then he closed his own eyes and slept.”

  A couple hours later Bryan felt Jenny stir and he opened his own eyes blinking as his mind came back to what Jenny like to call the now that is. She wasn’t rocking. That was a good sign, but she wasn’t talking or taking water or anything he offered for her to eat either. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do about her depression. Then there were still questions about what a guest should or shouldn’t do. He needed to speak to Gage before he left. If he was lucky that colicky baby might keep her occupied, but if not, there was going to be a lot of time on her hands to dwell on her lost son.

  Bryan used his doctor’s voice as he tried to reassure her, “Lacy, I know you’re hurting right now, but things will get better. I can’t think of a rougher way to start a marriage. It’s not something I’d wish on my worst enemy. But look on the bright side, we’ve learned a lot about each other haven’t we?”

  Gage stuck his head in the teepee, “Travers you just called my sister Lacy. From the looks of her, I’d say she’s come out the worse for wear this week. I hate to be the one to bring her more pain, but I brought the Major’s guest. Sparrow Hawk wants you to show her Jenny’s backside so she will understand the type of man she’s traveling with clearly. Gage held the teepee flap open for Tatsinuupi.

  She was tall, slender, with fine features. She held her head high like a fine lady, but right at this moment she had the distinct look of relief on her face like she had just escaped a hangman’s noose. Tatsinuupi walked over to where Jenny lay and uncovered her. Tatsinuupi lifted Jenny’s dress to her upper thighs with no regard for Gage being present and pressed hard on the bruises. When she heard Jenny cringe in pain she nodded like she approved. Bryan put his hand on hers and squeezed until she yelped out in pain looking shocked.

  Bryan said, “You’ve seen it. Now go do something useful like get your clothes and belonging packed and ready for when I come for you. You do not want to test me. I will not be as kind as Sparrow Hawk. When Jenny was our guest, she slept with camels. Maybe I should put you with Beast or better yet with our Chief’s wife so she can remind you of how badly Mouse Dog behaved toward her.”

  Tatsinuupi asked, “This is way you treat guests?”

  Bryan said, “I have been told we are not as civilized as Indians. They might be right. Now leave us.” Tatsinuupi looked Bryan in the eyes, “He will die, then you will see how well we treat our guests too I think when a new war chief takes his place. Your treaty say I safe, I tell your Chief and he make you sorry you touch me.” Tatsinuupi didn’t wait to see if Bryan would strike her. She ran for the flap and kept running.

  Gage looked at Bryan and said casually, “You know, I think you just killed that woman.” Bryan rose and looked out the flap. There was Sparrow Hawk with a tomahawk in his hand as Tatsinuupi jumped on a horse and slashed the ropes behind Jade and Tom Dugan’s backs. They were tied to stakes in the center of the village as honored guests for tonight’s celebration of the return of Sparrow Hawk. Tatsinuupi had given their plans up in exchange for her own skin. Tom jumped on the back of Tatsinuupi’s horse and pushed her off as he tried to escape. Gage took his rifle and aimed, then lowered it as Sparrow Hawk jumped up on his own horse and took off after the man. Jade had found another pony and picked up Tatsinuupi.

  Bryan asked, “So are you marrying the girl? Do we need to save her neck or should we let them go?”

  Gage laughed, “No. Little gold digger admitted he was her husband. They were after a stake in my father’s ranch. They plotted with Tatsinuupi and Red Eagle to help depose the current war chief and me then claim the boy was the only surviving grandson.”

  Bryan said, “So the boy’s colic gave Tatsinuupi a chance to send Sparrow Hawk into a trap, but I guess we spoiled that.”

  Gage frowned, “Looks like Sparrow Hawk got Tom off his horse. Now let’s see which one wins.” That got Jenny’s attention. She rose and held on to Bryan and she looked out on the unfolding fight. The men were rolling fighting hand to hand. Tom had the knife Tatsinuupi had used to cut them free and was slicing at Sparrow Hawk’s mid-section. Jenny hid her face in Bryan’s chest. She couldn’t look. Either way this went it was going to be bloody and violent. He was in a fight to the death. Bryan didn’t take his eyes off the two men and covered her head with one hand and supported her against him with the other. As the man lunged, Sparrow Hawk grabbed his arm twisted the knife from his hand and came down on him with his tomahawk and split open his skull. Sparrow Hawk took his scalp with his own knife in short order yelling out as he held the man’s raven black hair up in victory. Then he mounted and went after the women. There was Wolf and Eagle Feather by his side and another dozen men following not far behind.

  Bryan asked, “What happens to them?”

  Gage said without remorse, “Justice happens. They kill him or he will kill them both as traitors. Anything less and he might as well kill his sons and himself right now. The only question is whether to kill the child too.”

  Bryan looked at Gage, “Kill the child? What do you mean kill it. What did it do? I thought he was trying to save children and he’s going to slaughter an innocent boy?” Jenny mouth was open like she didn’t believe what she heard. She was asking Gage in sign where the child was.

  Gage ignored her and answered Bryan like she wasn’t there, “It’s white. They don’t want to, but they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place Bryan. They can’
t adopt it. They could just leave him I guess. Let the coyotes and wolves take him or I guess we could give him to the Friar. He might find a home, and then again he might not with that black hair like a Comanche. They might think he was Injun.”

  Jenny took her fist and beat Gage’s chest asking again, where the child was and she knew he knew what she said. Bryan took her fist and held them firmly, but trying not to hurt her as he said, “What happens to Sparrow Hawk if they find two dead white people killed in his village?” Jenny stopped struggling and waited for the answer.

  Gage said, “Nothing, because they’re not going to find them. Tom is a deserter. He should have been conscripted. I could claim I shot him trying to run from service. But she’s a bit more of a problem. Dallas already knows about her. I say she just refused to marry me, and I take the boy off her hands.

  Jenny turned putting her hands up into a prayer and covering her heart and his. Jenny signed she would walk him, feed him, change smelly covers, let her take the child.

  Gage said, “I think it’s better for it not look like he’s keeping a child hostage Jenny. I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to ask Dad to keep him for me at the ranch. He wasn’t too impressed with how I left Jake, so maybe I should take the opportunity to spend a few days and soften him up. But that was an excellent idea about you staying busy. I’ll let Sparrow Hawk know you’ll help. You’ll do that for me won’t you?”

  Jenny nodded that she would help.

  Gage kept looking out until he saw the braves bringing back two bodies draped over the ponies. There were arrows in their backs. Gage closed the flap and whispered something to Bryan then hugged his sister, “You know you’re a great Mom. My nephews are the greatest kids, even the ones who take after their Uncle Gage. If anyone can help those women get over their grief and start fresh, it’s you. Perhaps you could do me one little favor while I take care of a little business first. Could you manage to keep Cole for me until I’m ready to go? Cole, that’s what I’m naming him.”

  Bryan asked, “If he’s hungry do we need to find a goat?”

  Gage asked, “Is she clean of it?”

  Bryan replied, “No chills or sweats. I think it’s safe.”

  Gage turned to Jenny, “If you want to let him nurse, it would be a blessing. I know I’m being a prick, but I can’t seem to help it. I’ve never been a Dad before and I’m just feel like I owe his Mother something. Maybe if I had been a better man, she wouldn’t have been here. You understand that?”

  Jenny hugged Gage and nodded she understood. Jenny knew something of that pain to realize a person’s life was changed because of one thing you did in your past. Gage hugged her and said, “Thanks Sis. Your the best. I’ll be right back.”

  Jenny thought, “Yes the best, but not good enough to trust alone with him. Bryan will stay until the boy has suckled all he wants.” She would bet on that.

  Gage returned with the little boy in a cradle board. He was squirming, wet and hungry. Gage put the cradle board up against a pole, smiled and left quickly.

  Bryan’s eyebrow rose, “You’re back. So Cole, which do we need to do first you think? Bryan loosened the laces tying the boy in his cradle and slipped him out taking his swaddling blanket off. Jenny tied a sling and took the boy to her breast. The yelling noise stopped as he once again proceeded to help relieve the swelling in her breasts. Her milk was in, but with only the occasional suckling, she knew this might be the last time she held a baby like this. Maybe if there was a new mother whose milk did not come in, but time was ticking. Without a baby nursing full time, what milk she had would eventually disappear. Like Sparrow Hawk, she felt suddenly old.

  Bryan lay down beside where she sat on the ground cover. He had something he needed to say before he left as well, “I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you. I know you’re hurting right now and not just from my belt. I wish I could take that pain away.” Bryan touched her arm, “Please talk. I asked you to yell at me then punished you because you did. We both have things to learn, give me another chance.” Jenny looked at Bryan a little puzzled, then grinned as if she thought of something funny.

  Jenny turned her face toward Bryan, “If that is your wish, then I will embarrass you in front of your friends with my poor words.”

  Bryan replied, “That is my wish. I do not want a wife that is afraid to speak to me. I only want you to understand how your words should be used and should not be used. It is not an easy thing to learn. Not even if you had been raised in only one world.”

  Jenny looked amused, “My words may be stiff, but my mind is not. You do not need to sound like an Indian.”

  Bryan sighed, “Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like you couldn’t understand me.”

  Jenny said, “I will try not to embarrass you while we are here. He must be in much pain today. He has come back to treachery after I spoke with such hate in my heart for the loss of our child. Will you stay tonight and talk with him?”

  Right now, Bryan didn’t want to see Sparrow Hawk. He could imagine well enough the pain he would see in his eye. He would drink and eat peyote tonight to drown out any thought of Tatsinuupi’s betrayal and the beating Jenny had taken. Bryan said, “No, in times like this, it is best to let him deal with his rage alone. He knows we care. I don’t want you to come out of this teepee tonight. Some people might not be too happy with how things went today.” Jenny moved Cole from one side to her other breast and the greedy little boy latched on and smacked as he suckled.

  Jenny said, “You punish me for what they did?”

  Bryan replied, “No not punish. I just don’t want you out there inviting trouble from some of the men.”

  Jenny said, “So you think we invite trouble by just being. Like Lacy invited Mouse Dog to take her with his prick?”

  Bryan said, “Well, I’m sure she didn’t realize what trouble she would get into when she left, but yes, if she stayed home, it wouldn’t have happened.”

  Jenny swallowed, “Did you realize what trouble we would get into when you left with me? Did you know better and still go?”

  Bryan said, “No.”

  Jenny said, “Then why would she? She came for you and her love of her husband’s friend and yet you blame her for something you did as well. Were we not all fighting for our lives?”

  Bryan replied, “I see your point. Let’s not leave like this Jenny. Dallas promised Lacy I’d come back to be there for her. I’ve got to go.” Jenny frowned looking down at the boy still happily getting his fill.

  Jenny could still feel her heart tugging at her as she watched his lips take the nourishment from her breast knowing Cole would never see his mother again. For what ever reason, it did help to hold him. She imagined little Chibitty in her arms like this as she struggled to get the question out, “We leave them now…to help her?”

  Bryan nodded, “She has a hard decision to make and I may need to treat her. I’m the fort’s doctor. My place is there.”

  Jenny said, “We will be away how long?”

  Bryan said, “You’re expected to stay as a guest until the hostilities are settled. Plus Gage may need your help.”

  Jenny replied, “Your Albert Pike very confused man. Make big fuss over saying I must leave here and live free and now make big fuss saying I must stay without a choice. Am I now a slave?”

  Bryan said, “Of course you’re not a slave, why would you think that?”

  Jenny bit down on her tongue, “I can not say this before you leave. What if you die before I see you again and that is the last word we share. You are a wise man. Maybe you should ponder on this while you travel, but not so long you don’t see the arrow coming at your back. It is war. He goes to war tonight. It is not safe to travel alone and if they are scared to have me in their fort what would they do to a party of braves escorting you home? I think the gray soldiers would kill all of you by the time you crossed that wagon road without waiting to see if any were white.

  Bryan chuckled, “I think he’s done. You
want me to burp him?”

  Jenny looked down at the boy as he dozed in her arms, “What if they attack Gage? Should I go? I could hide once we get on his ranch behind my tombstone.”

  Gage walked in just in time to hear Jenny talking about hiding on the ranch. He grinned, “It’s too small. I tried that once and he found me in no time. Strapped my bottom but good to for walking on your grave.” Gage had hardly walked through the flap when Sparrow Hawk ducked his head and invited himself inside looking at Jenny’s face and back to Gage and Bryan.

  Sparrow Hawk looked at the boy Cole in Jenny’s arms, “We ride with you to the borders of your father’s ranch if you wish.”

  Gage looked at Sparrow Hawk, “I am honored by your offer, but a lone rider may attract less attention. Your men should hear the treaty tonight. I will wait as you wished.”

  Sparrow Hawk addressed Bryan, “My brother, Onaabi is packed and waiting for when you leave. Tell your Chief, I am sorry to give him extra guests, but the boy is too young to be without his mother. I will send braves to escort her until the wagon station, then your Chief should have men to take them on to your fort.”

  Bryan looked at Gage. His brow rose, “I can take her if you need your men here.”

  Sparrow Hawk replied, “I am honored by your offer, but the trip covers grounds that are unsafe. It may take all of you to arrive with your skin. I would not want your Chief to think I did not value the guest I give him to keep or your life.”

  Then Sparrow Hawk addressed Jenny, “You may stay in my teepee wife of my brother. You will not cry out in sorrow or show fear for your husband or brother’s safety. Your fear puts them at more risk as well as my sons. If you can not do this, tell me now and I will post a guard here and you sleep alone.” Sparrow Hawk leaned a little to one side as his head cocked toward Jenny expecting a response. When it didn’t come out he added, “Peekwi and Wasapi need you to be strong for them tonight. They know you will cook for them and act as their mother and my brother’s sister in our teepee until this treaty is not needed. Will you not do this for them?”