Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Bryan replied, “You’re claustrophobic? Wonderful.”

  Dallas looked at Bryan, “You know if he comes, we’re going to have to kill them. If her son is with him, he’s going to die with the rest of them Bryan.”

  Bryan answered, “I know. Better for her to be down in the cave than see it. Can you put the cover back on. She’ll be safer if they don’t know where she went.”

  Dallas said, “You don’t think she’ll panic?”

  Bryan said, “No, she had no problem with darkness, just make sure she can lift it if we’re not here to help when she gets back.”

  Gage said, “Well before I become a mattress. I’ve got something I need to attend. Gage loped off for the barn and came back with a shovel and started digging a hole where Jenny’s body should be. He dug it about three feet down, placed a shallow long box down and covered it back up.

  Dallas asked, “Do I want to know what you buried?”

  Gage said, “Cole’s mother. I figure I owed her that much and if he checks her grave, he’ll smell a woman rotting in the ground.”

  Bryan said, “That’s both comforting and disgusting all at the same time Gage. You think he’s going to see if she died?”

  Gage said, “Sure. Why fight if the bone is gone. She dies, he’s won. That’s why Jenny said she was going to bring back bones. She was going to put them there, but the man has a very good sense of smell. Short of a burial fire to cremate her remains, he could tell.”

  Dallas asked, “Both of you are convinced that she’s not bringing him back up that well with her along with his braves? If she knows where that was, I have to think he does too.”

  Bryan said, “But if he saw us burn her body, he wouldn’t have to come would he?”

  Dallas said, “Gage dig that woman back up. We’ll use a wagon and stack wood underneath and light a bomb fire he can see for miles.”

  Thirty minutes later, Mr. Travis, Dallas, and Gage stood while taps sounded on the bugle. At the end, Gage lit the wood pile as they paid their last respects to Jade Shanahan. Gage bounced the little boy and made sure he had a milk bottle in his hand trying to get Cole to drink. Cole squalled as Gage pinched his legs under the blanket as he tried to console the boy, “Sorry buddy. But you owe her this much.”

  Mr. Travis looked on. Dallas thought he might have seen one tear in his eyes. He threw one of Jenny’s rag dolls on the pile, “It’s done. His murdering hide gets away with this and there’s nothing to be done but bury the ashes in the morning.” With that he left and shut the doors behind him.

  Bryan asked Gage, “You didn’t tell him it wasn’t her did you?”

  Gage said, “That Bryan was sweet revenge. Him making me feel like it was my fault all my years and treat me like some crazy kid that needed to be locked away. He was never going to forgive her.”

  Dallas said, “We’ve got company. He’s on that ridge. I see them in the moon light.”

  There was a single pistol shot from inside the house. Anna screamed out, “No, this can not be!” Gage ran into his father’s study. There was Mr. Travis standing with his pistol still smoking as he told Gage, “Well scream out in grief or go wail on the porch for Christ sake. The man’s on that ridge watching just like you wanted. It’s me he’s mad at after all. He won’t leave until he thinks I died from grief.”

  Gage looked at him, “I’m not doing that. He’d think I was weak. Gage looked around and found the Conquistador’s helmet and emptied several bullets of gun powder inside and ran outside.

  Mr. Travis cursed, “Of course you’d take that.”

  Gage took the helmet holding it up to the light of the fire, “You may have won this battle Sparrow Hawk, but I will claim the Conquistadores revenge for my sister who loved you beyond the stars and my father who’s hate of you was hotter than the sun burns! Her spirit flies free of this world. She can be hurt no more!” Gage threw the helmet into the flames and watched the powder flash into the night sky.

  Sparrow Hawk looked on with Itsee as a great flash went up in the air then faded into smoke. Their face were painted with war paint and their eyes full of bravado from the wokwave and drink they had consumed. Itsee said, “It is done. She can not haunt my dreams when her spirit is not on the earth father. She has flown off to meet Chibitty.”

  Sparrow Hawk said, “Nahuu was right. The Great Spirit has a strange sense of humor that he makes me pay for my mother’s revenge with such pain to my heart. She will not suffer at my hands again and my son Chibitty will find his mother and give her peace. She may forgive me yet, but not tonight. May Snow Bird find her quickly and ease her pain. It is time we leave this cursed place.”

  Gage asked, “So did he leave?”

  Bryan chuckled, “Can’t see a damned thing after that flash. He could shoot us and I’d never know what direction the arrow came from.”

  Dallas was squinting, “You could have given us a heads up. I’ve got spots in front of my eyes.”

  Gage grinned, “Sorry, my Dad was faking his death. I had to improvise. I don’t think he was letting me throw his bones on the fire.”

  Dallas said, “Smart of you to say your Dad was wrong like that.”

  Mr. Travis walked up and stayed out of the light, “Who was wrong? I think that was you if you think I’m ever going to recognize Cole or should I say Chibitty or what ever name they gave him? I know that bastard’s face even if you don’t. Not your son Gage.”

  Captain Bowman walked up, “Sir, he’s gone. I guess we’ll find out soon enough if he changes his mind in the morning.”

  Dallas said, “Pissing match is over. As far as he’s concerned, Mr. Travis has paid for the grief he brought to his family and he has a witness that the boys don’t have another choice waiting for them. Their mother died before the old man.” Dallas said, “Sparrow Hawk was one sick bastard for sure.”

  Mr. Travis broke down, “Now you see what I was dealing with. That sick bastard killed my Jenny. She gave him five sons and he killed her.”

  Jenny was dragging a set of arm bones up from the well. She heard her father say he was sorry she died and asked a little confused, “Who killed me? I just get bones for grave in case they come. Not dead yet.”

  Mr. Travis’ eyes bugged out, “Oh my God she’s back from the dead.”

  Jenny backed away quickly with an arm bone in her hand, “You sorry I’m not dead. You back to living in barn.”

  Gage’s face made a wry grin, “It needed to seem real.”

  Mr. Travis replied, “You didn’t kill one of my workers did you? That was flesh burning. Tell me you didn’t kill anyone Gage.”

  Gage said, “No, it was just a recently deceased body. We needed to create a stink so he’d know it was flesh and not some corn stalks or something.” Gage wasn’t admitting who it was. That would bring up a whole new set of questions he wasn’t in the mood to answer.

  Dallas looked at Jenny covered in muck and nudged Bryan, “Maybe someone could fill a tub and let her take a bath in the barn.”

  Bryan spoke to Mr. Travis, “Could we borrow your tub and maybe a shift or soft dress.”

  Mr. Travis replied, “Diego will help bring the washtub. Ask Anna if she can find something that might fit her. Now once again, I bid you good night. It would be nice to get at least an hour of sleep before the sun rises.”

  Gage took Jenny’s hand, “Come on let’s look and see what will fit you. Tomorrow I thought you and I could go down to the caves nice and early before it gets hot. You could show me where you found those coins that you showed JC. You remember JC, the little boy you took back into the caverns?”

  Jenny said, “Yes, You think Itsee’s idea was good one? You buy land for me?”

  Gage said, “Why sure I will. I’ll buy a place where they will treat you fine. You won’t have to cook or anything. I’ll get you lots of picture books you could read and drawing paper.”

  Anna brought out some dresses and a night gown. Jenny took the gown, “I think man’s woven cotton shirt and skirt wit
h drawstring so not tight. I like how buckskin is loose. White clothes makers could learn something. You think if I made buckskin dresses, white people would buy?”

  Anna looked at Jenny in her torn dress and boots up to her shins, “Maybe boots or make a jacket with fringe and beads. But not shift. Our men like to see our figure.”

  Jenny said, “Easy to see our figure, he just lift skirt.”

  Gage blushed, “Maybe too easy to see your figure. Give her a petticoat Anna. Remind her how she should dress, alright?”

  Jenny said, “Bryan not complain about how I dress. I could mend this one.”

  Gage said, “No, we don’t want Sparrow Hawk to figure out you’re alive. Better you not wear your old clothes.”

  Jenny asked, “And Bryan not mind?”

  Gage said, “He wants you to rest and get well. You won’t need your buckskin. Just some comfortable clothes.”

  Jenny said, “I never have such a good man. He tries hard to make me happy when there is nothing but darkness in my path. Someday you find a woman who makes you happy like that.”

  Gage thought to himself, “Definitely still high. At least we’re not we’re all dogs now.” Gage said, “Lacy is like that for Dallas. He loves her a lot. You know JC was his child, like Cole is mine. She took him in as her own and now they have one of their own together. He’s very worried for her.”

  Jenny said, “Yes, as is Bryan. He must go to help. She faces hard decision, but I think she not asked. I think her husband has decided for her. Bryan should ask her. Does she not have any say?”

  Gage swallowed, “She’s young. I think he feels they will have more children.”

  Jenny said, “Sparrow think that until he didn’t. There is nothing certain.” Jenny touched Gage’s hand, “Tomorrow we go to cave like old days, but now I must wash their stench from my skin.” Jenny looked at Gage, “You feel like Lacy’s man? Would you hate me if you saw Lizard’s child grow in me?”

  Gage swallowed, “It won’t. It will be alright Jenny. You’re not having another child like that. There are things that can help make this night go away.”

  Jenny said, “Maybe, maybe not. If I did, you think Bryan would love it? He has good heart. He offer to take Cole even with colic.” Jenny looked back toward the house where her father was talking with Dallas and Bryan, “Maybe he want bath first or you brother. I think I stink worst.”

  Gage chuckled, “That you do, but I think it would hurt him. Let his ribs rest some tonight. You go ahead. We can wait. Don’t need your leg getting an infection.” Gage looked at Jenny, “Did you eat wokwave? I don’t think I could have walked on that, much less climbed down a well and back up.”

  Jenny looked straight at Gage, “I did not expect to live through this night when Red Cedar present me with the honor. Either I shamed my self by eating, or shamed Bryan and Sparrow Hawk’s family. I did not eat all that Red Cedar gave me. Just the honor piece. Lizard ate the sweet revenge thinking he deny me peace, but Red Cedar already tell me there was a better day coming, but not tonight. Lizard not feel what killed him, but he still dead. I will feel this cut tomorrow. No more bread. If I shake, maybe Bryan think it normal to shake from such a cut and not beat me again.”

  Gage asked, “He beat you?”

  Jenny said, “Not by choice. Always my bad choice.” Jenny looked at Gage, “I think he will not forgive me. He say never Jenny, never.” Jenny felt the water. It was warm, but not hot. She started to slip out of her shift, then stopped. Gage saw the bruises that were still dark purple and black where Bryan’s belt had strapped her. Jenny said, “You go now and find Cole and Hope. Time to be pillow. I will not be long. I think you sleep by me so we not wake Bryan with wet clothes. Put oil cloth on shirt, you be fine.”

  Dallas walked with Mr. Travis toward his home, “Sir, as far as anyone knows, Jenny died tonight. You understand that? Most likely we’ll have to relocate her under a new name once our job is done here. She needs to re-adjust and of course we’ll pay for her stay at a hospital where they’ll treat her until they deem her safe to reenter society.”

  Mr. Travis said, “And do I have to stay dead?”

  Dallas said, “Of course not. Just stay inside this week. I’m pretty sure he knows Gage well enough to know that was for the boy’s sake. To send him a clear message. One that Sparrow Hawk agreed with as far as them not coming back. But Jenny, that would be rubbing salt in an open wound if one of the boys ever discovered her alive.”

  Mr. Travis replied, “Yes, I see. I’m more likely to die before they would ever know Gage lied through his teeth. Now good-night Major.”

  Dallas address Bryan, “You’re needed back at the fort. Gage can handle this. His sister.”

  Bryan looked at Dallas,“My wife.”

  Dallas said, “No, she’s not. She’s dead, Gage burned her body tonight. Jenny May Travers is dead. This only works if she stays dead until he’s well out of Texas.”

  Bryan said, “My God, she’s right. She’s a slave. She’s graduated from captive to slave.”

  Dallas replied, “More like a victim and one that could be having another bastard from what I witnessed. They will take care of that too. The same as I expect you to do with Lacy.”

  Bryan asked, “Where are they sending her?”

  Dallas replied, “I don’t know yet. I’m sorry. I really am. But at some point she would be looking at you wondering why you aren’t interested in her and think you just used her and her children which we did. Then she will kill you.”

  Bryan said, “She’s my wife as much as Lacy is yours Dallas. I don’t care what type of paper you wrote on or whose names. I meant what I said and so did she and you don’t have the right to commit her and neither does Gage. We’re hand fasted if nothing else.”

  Dallas said, “Just where would you suggest she stay?

  Bryan said, “Gustavo Beauregard’s ranch. If we get that gold, he could afford to give her a cottage on his ranch. Not a lot of people out there to gossip and certainly not on his ranch. She could cook and sew. She does nice bead work and she could wear pants and dress like she came out of the mountains. Maybe she could run a trading post further to the Southwest or one of those port shops where you dump your cotton for the blockade runners. She’s got skills. She managed a war chief’s house hold. Just give her a chance.”

  Dallas grinned, “So you think she could ever ride a camel? Maybe one of the port towns where her accent wouldn’t matter. Or maybe you could go rock hunting in Delight before the Federals cut it off.”

  Bryan’s eye brow rose as he considered Delight, “That’s not such a bad idea. A trading post. Your idea about milling lumber or a grist mill. Not so much news coming out of the backwoods that anyone would notice or care. Shoot, Gage could come and handle the trading. I could teach. It would give us time to find that volcanic rock and who knows what we might find besides lumber.”

  Dallas said, “I was thinking more like a quick trip. Get in and get out Bryan and report back if it’s worth a longer stay. Things are a little busier up there than when we left. Once Gage has the cave mapped, get her treatment, then when she’s better take her on horse back up to Delight. No babies or anything to slow you down. Find that place and take a good look and haul yourself back. That would give me enough time to see if they would consider giving me a replacement doctor for the fort and letting you setup on the coast. You’d take the cotton from San Antonio to the coast and handle the goods coming back from the blockade runners. She would stay on the coast. Run one of those shops the British like so much that sells native crafts and western boots, spurs, fancy beading and such.”

  Bryan confirmed, “The children. Her milk will be dried up before we could get back.”

  Dallas said, “She’s high. Bryan she shouldn’t have been able to walk with that cut. If she can’t stay out of it, wouldn’t it be better if she’s not nursing or keeping a child? Doesn’t she deserve a chance to be free of it?”

  Bryan nodded, “I thought I could help her.�
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  Dallas replied, “You have. But she has to want to be free of it more than her body craves it. She had more of it on her tonight. It’s not that easy to break a habit she’s probably had for years. Time to let someone else try.”

  The Price of a Promise

  Bryan arrived back at Camp Verde late the next day. He hardly recognized the place. There were long horn heads, camels parked around the grounds. Pikes with buzzards perched waiting for the poor soul that tried to cross what was now water filled death traps. From the looks of the ashes of the perimeter fires, he wondered if they had resorted to cremating remains too or just lit the place up like a Halloween Social at night.

  There was Captain Tyler ordering around the men and the women were busy refilling the water barrels, melting lead, and in general preparing best they could for a battle. One that wasn’t coming, but they didn’t know that yet. When Mrs. Bowman saw their rag tagged group pass the sentries with one wagon and only half dozen men, she screamed to bloody hell. She screamed so loud that Bryan grabbed the side of the wagon bed and tried to rise and gave out his own yelp as his ribs told him what his mind refused to accept. He was one of the wounded and could not rise without someone else helping. They soon found themselves surrounded as the women who were lucky enough to spot a husband fell on the ground praising the Lord for delivering them safely home. Those who didn’t stood shell shocked waiting for confirmation their men were dead and left to the savages.

  If Lacy had felt they blamed her for this mess, she now had company. The dirty filthy squaw was now the root of all evil that had passed over their small spot of earth. Their fatherless children would curse the day she was born. Bryan tried to raise his hand and Mrs. Tyler yelled out, “Captain Travers, what has that woman done to our brave doctor?” Lacy ran for the wagon. Was Dallas laying inside? Was he dead? Where were the rest of the men? A dozen questions plagued her as she she pulled herself up over the backboard. There lay Bryan holding on to two babies who at this point decided to do some crying of their own.