Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Bryan looked up, “Help. I need help. Someone take them before I throw up. I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Lacy reached down and took the girl about the time Bryan moaned and leaned to the side and heaved not knowing whether to scream in pain or just try to relax and let his bile come up. Her face looked at him trying to find a gun shot or arrow hole but then she saw the bandages around his ribs. Captain Tyler jumped up into the bed and took the boy as Sergeant Major Vincent rode up and greeted the Captain, “Sir, I’m afraid the Captain here has come back the worse for wear. He broke some ribs and it’s been a rough trip. We tried to prop him up and it jarred him too much. We lay him down and everything he drank or ate tries to desert him. And there was those two squalling in his poor ears.”

  Captain Tyler asked, “Casualties?”

  The Sergeant Major looked at the women waiting for the news. Sergeant Major Vincent frowned, “First, can we get our good doctor out of the sun before he dies of a heat stroke. As I said, it’s been a rough trip.” With that Bryan found himself carried off on a stretcher to Lacy’s home. Lacy asked Mrs. Tyler to try to get some water into him as she stayed in the yard waiting for news of Dallas.

  The Sergeant Major waited until he saw Captain Travers well out of ear shot, “Now that the good Captain is safely out of harms way, you should know, well how do I say to keep so many from swooning right away. We won. Sparrow Hawk has left.” There was not a sound in the yard.

  Captain Tyler asked again, “Are you saying you are all that is left and we won?”

  Sergeant Major Vincent frowned, “No Sir, I apologize in advance if I gave that impression. There was one casualty. Mrs. Travers gave her life defending the Captain. She did not survive her wounds. which is why I wished him removed before I gave you the report. Ladies, your men are alive and well. No more than the normal scrapes and cuts. They will be back once everything is tidied up. Our Major has discovered a system of underground caves that the Comanche used and intends to have our men sealing the entrances. It will be a safer Texas we live in when they come home.” You could hear the women let out their breath. The yard was filled with hugs and tears of joy as they grabbed every child and every man in sight laying kisses and heart felt thanks on the returning soldiers.

  Sergeant Major Vincent held up his hand for a moment of silence as he addressed the two young infants, “These two babies need a a woman’s touch. I will warn you they were both nursed and are contrary to the bottle. The boy’s name is Cole, the girl’s name is Hope. The boy suffers greatly from colic. The girl, well, she is a princess for sure, but otherwise getting her health back rightly enough.”

  One of the women asked, “What of their parents?”

  Sergeant Major Vincent said, “Their mother has died. The father is occupied and will be back for them. Some of you may know him, Captain Gage Travis, formerly of the Rangers and stationed here a while back.”

  One widow asked, “Isn’t he dead? I heard he died.”

  Sergeant Major Vincent cleared his throat, “It appears the rumor of his death was incorrect. Our good Captain escaped from a Northern prisoner of war camp and is back serving here at Camp Verde. At least for now.” He didn’t need to remind them that any of them could be sent to a different front. With the threats to Vicksburg and traffic along the Mississippi, Comanche’s weren’t the only worry these days.

  A hand raised from the back, “I knew Gage when he was here. I don’t mind Pa. I’ll keep them.”

  Sergeant Major Vincent grimaced, “Mary Jane, don’t you think our house is full enough?”

  Mary Jane Vincent smiled as she moved up to take a closer looked at the two babies, “Ah, she has his face for sure Pa, and look at those green eyes and coal black hair. I don’t mind. Really.”

  One more thing, “Captain Travis wants a live in house keeper and Nanny for his children. You might find yourself stuck with them while he’s out there.” Sergeant Vincent paused trying hard to figure out how to say this nicely, “He is a PIU agent and his temperament is well suited to their duties. Maybe one of our widow ladies might be best suited to his needs?”

  Lacy shut her gaping mouth as the man had just pretty much said all PIU agents were wanton men. She spoke up holding out the baby for the ladies to see, “You might get a husband out of it. Look at that sweet face. Just like her Papa. Gage Travis stood up with my husband at our wedding and what ever he may be here is the proof, he cares enough to own up for what is his. He helped save my life and JC’s more than once. You could do a lot worse.”

  Mary Jane blushed, “He was never anything but a gentleman. Sure he stole a kiss, but that’s a good thing isn’t it? Mom said you did and Gage reminds me of you. If he found someone who made him happy then good for him. It was probably thoughts of these that kept him alive in that camp. Of course he’s not giving them up to some foundling home.”

  Lacy saw the cribs in the back. One was labeled Gage and the other Jenny, Lacy said, “I think it would be fine if Mary Jane took them and setup his house.

  Sergeant Major Vincent looked at his daughter, “Now, Mary Jane. The good Captain said to make sure who ever took them knows that himself will decide when he gets back on who he feels most comfortable taking care of his children. He might not pick you. He’s no stay at home husband either. He is a typical Ranger. Always one boot in the stirrup and a grin on his face as he leaves you cleaning up his mess.”

  Captain Tyler nodded, “Mam, so where do you think we need to put those tonight? And don’t say in my house. It is full of water.”

  Mary Jane said, “I think we need to let Captain Travers rest. How about I take these to Captain Davidson’s home for tonight. Then we can clear the dust out and get it ready for Captain Travis when he returns. Poor Captain Travers may not want to be in there now that his wife is gone. It might remind him she’s not coming back.”

  Captain Tyler said, “I’ll go over to help pack up Captain Davidson’s personal items and Mrs. Tyler can help the girl setup for Captain Travis’ return with Mrs. Sander’s permission.

  Lacy said, “That’s a good idea Captain Tyler. I’ll let Maria know I can handle things at my home. She can help Mary Jane get his pantry and linens setup. I have some gowns, extra blankets and nappies. Mary Jane, you are welcome to anything you need.”

  Mrs. Owens said, “I have a few bottles and nipples Mary Jane. Some boy clothes for little Cole.”

  Mrs. Vince said, “I have an extra pot to use to warm them up and a Nanny goat you’re welcome to milk.” Before long, Mary Jane had enough donations being offered to keep their buns dry and warm, their mouths fed, and even a rocking chair. Lacy handed over Hope into her arms. Her father said he would relocated her bed to the Captain’s sparsely furnished house and remove the whiskey and liquor that was sure to be lining his cabinets.

  Lacy figured she knew why Bryan was here instead of recuperating on some ranch a lot closer to where he was hurt. She wasn’t sure she was ready for what Dallas had suggested now that the time was actually here. But at least they would be able to talk about it. It wasn’t like he was going to be able to surprise her this time with some concoction slipped in her morning coffee that would put her to sleep so he could slip a baby. That’s exactly what he would have done. Never told her and pretended nature had caused her to lose the child.

  Well first things first, she had a patient to attend. Lacy went into Bryan’s office and found tape to re-wrap his ribs, a tea marked as for fevers, reduces swelling and aches. Lacy smiled, “The very thing he needed along with a stiff drink to help him sleep. She took the bag and left for her house.

  Back in the caverns Gage looked over toward Jenny, “Why did you bring me here? Does that look like a chest of coins? We’ve been walking for hours.”

  Jenny looked at the hot springs in front of them, “It help Bryan. I thought, maybe you like? Warm waters very soothing.”

  Gage said, “What will help is you showing me the gold. That’s all I asked to see today was the gold. The other
openings and special places where you found special rocks, arrow heads, flints, stalagmites, and stalactites can wait. God I forgot what a rock hound you were.”

  Jenny said, “I thought today was a day to share parts of our lives.”

  Gage said, “We have time for all of that. But the gold needs to be found first. Maybe I didn’t make that clear.”

  Jenny said, “It is late. My leg hurts. We stay here or walk out?”

  Gage said, “Walk out. I can’t stay in here much longer.”

  Jenny asked, “You feel like chest being pressed on?”

  Gage said, “Yes, the walls are coming in on me. I can’t stand to be here, alright? Closed in spaces makes my skin crawl.”

  Jenny said, “Then gold not matter we leave now.”

  Gage responded, “NO, GOLD DOES MATTER.”

  Jenny said, “What matters if it is tomorrow you bring out some?”

  Gage said, “Proof, then we can get more men to help carry it out. I need to see it exists and I need to bring out proof.”

  Jenny took his hand and placed it on the floor, “Feel. You feel the marks that feel like sun with rays at top?”

  Gage said, “Yes, I can feel it.”

  Jenny said, “Sun rays take you toward easy way out if you get lost. Squiggle lines point toward water. White man’s cross tip point toward dead men guarding their treasure.”

  Gage said, “A marked path? So it’s gone? You were just leading me to some chest with a few coins scattered around it?”

  Jenny said, “Cross lead to bat cave where dead men guard with broken bones. The wall of pain. And yes some coins in dead men’s’ eyes, under helmets, middle of ribs, places that make you think before taking it. No chest there.” Jenny looked over at the deep end of the pool. The small bubbles were starting to pop up like a pot on a hot stove. Jenny said urgently, “Not bathe today, Must go. Snakes run, we run.”

  Jenny pointed to the bubbles as they started to get larger in the deep end of the pool and the sound of something slithering on the floor could be heard. Jenny said louder, “Hurry!”

  Jenny pulled him taking her shoes off and ran feeling the marks with her feet as she counted as she turned and chose each fork. Behind them Gage could hear the rumble of water against the side of the walls and what seemed like an army of water snakes and coming up behind them. Jenny yelled, “Run do not wait for me. Jump into the stream Gage!”

  Gage reached down lifted her into his arms and ran like he was being pursued by a herd of long horns and jumped feet first into the deep pool below the falls as Jenny hugged his neck and took a deep breath.

  As they sank in the pool Jenny pulled him deeper down to the bottom of the falls. Gage was considering if she was trying to drown them both as his lungs were about to explode then he saw it. A few coins at the bottom of the falls being pushed up in a stream of warm water and bubbles. Jenny picked up one in her hand then pulled him toward the surface. Gage came up choking on the ledge and looked back. The cave was dry as a bone and what ever snakes he thought he head heard were no where to be found. Jenny pulled herself laughing as she handed him the gold coin, “You scared bad. That was fun was it not?”

  Gage grinned, “Alright you got me good. I guess I deserved it, but what was that?”

  Jenny said, “Some say it dead men’s spirits trapped in walls, Others say snakes, I think maybe steam. It sound like steam locomotive, but no whistle. I have dream about it sometimes. I am putting gold in carts and they roll like small train toward home but I never get home. The way out always caves in right before I get there. Then I wake up and I’m still in Sparrow Hawks teepee and it’s just his nose making whistle sound”

  Gage said, “He snores. The great warrior snores.”

  Jenny answered, “Too often now. Broke his nose when Wasapi learn to use club and he not looking. Got him good. Nose broke, but he was proud. Red Cedar say he great war chief some day.”

  Gage said, “War Chief? Huh, I guess I didn’t think about that. We might end up on the opposite sides some day.”

  Jenny replied, “I thought about it. But not know if he war chief if I take him and he hate whites or he hates whites because he remembers me, or if he war chief because he was white and made war against Sparrow Hawk. All are too much to think about while Chibitty come into the world. I guess it is because he will kill all whites he rides against one day.” Jenny looked straight at Gage. There wasn’t a smile on her face, just a sad acknowledgment of the most likely scenario based on what she knew today.

  Gage swallowed, “Maybe and maybe not. Maybe Cole will be his friend or we never meet? This war could kill me long before he grows up.” Gage turned his mind back to the cave, “So how often does it do that?”

  Jenny said, “Do not know. Women don’t visit that cave unless man take her blindfolded to baths. Not looked on as welcome here, but Red Cedar teach me to hold breath in this pool. Second wife to chief, must be prepared for water challenge to save family. Must learn to not care if you drown. Good place for that, plus Red Cedar want me to get him coins that come up.”

  Gage asked, “That coin JC had didn’t come from here did it?”

  Jenny said, “No, not here.”

  Gage said, “I’d like you to take me to where you took JC the day Mouse Dog attacked.”

  Jenny said, “My brain not right to do that. Full of wokwave and dreams of past times.”

  Gage said, “I know. But you found something. JC had a helmet and a coin. It sounded like he played in gold from what Lacy told Dallas.”

  Jenny asked, “Each piece is this important to you?”

  Gage answered, “Yes this important Jenny. Many men’s lives hang on us finding a way to supply our troops. Worth more than me or you or buying all of Texas. I’m sorry, I can’t buy Texas for you. But they will help you after you show me the way. They’ve promised to help you get better.”

  Jenny looked at Gage, “Bryan say I not own Texas. It is alright he own Texas. You still live with us? I help with Cole and Hope?”

  Gage swallowed. Jenny looked at his face and read the expression in his eyes. It was familiar to her. The same look he gave her when he turned down her offer to nurse when he refused to give her Cole. Jenny asked, “They do not cry for me tonight? There is no one coming to take us back to let them suckle?”

  Gage replied, “I sent them back to the fort with Bryan. Texas wants you here with me. Other women will take care of the babies.”

  Jenny asked, “Why you not ask father to show you room? He knows. He showed me.”

  Gage answered, “I did. He won’t help. He thinks I’m crazy. That’s why I’m asking you. If I can help do this for Texas, they’ll let me stay in the Calvary. I’ve never been anything but a soldier Jenny. I wouldn’t know how to do anything else.”

  Jenny asked, “They will say you did a good job and reward you for this?”

  Gage replied, “Yes, very good job Jenny.” Jenny took a deep breath and dove down into the water. She used the rock face of the falls to pull herself down to the bottom . There was one more coin. She took it in her hand and pushed off the rocks. As she did she felt a sharp pain of a stab in her leg. The air escaped her lungs as she looked up holding out the coin toward Gage. It was too painful to kick and she tried to pull her self toward the surface with her hands away from the cursed wall as a snake slid through the deep water back into the safety of it’s hole. She could feel the fire in her calf from the bite as Gage dove in and pulled her back up.

  Gage gasped, “Good God Jenny. Where are you hurt?” Jenny clutched the single coin and put it in his hand as she grabbed the calf of her leg.

  Gage quickly took off his scarf and tied it above her knee trying to cut off the circulation to her heart. He sliced the wound and started sucking and spitting the blood laced with snake venom. She was shaking like a leaf when she told him, “Stop. It either is or it is not.”

  Lacy made stew from potatoes and steak for their dinner. She had made tea steeped with the leaves from Bryan�
�s supply. It was rather earthy smelling, but not terribly bad considering what passed for coffee these days was chicory root. Her own muscles were aching. Maybe she would make herself a cup too. She brought a tray into Bryan and helped him prop up in the bed and fed him one bite at a time.

  Bryan wave her off after a few bites, “Maybe later. Perhaps some tea and then I think I should wait a little before trying anything else. I’d rather talk if you don’t mind.”

  Lacy gave him a cup of tea, “No, I don’t mind. I found this in your office. It said it was good for aches and you look like you could use something.”

  Bryan sniffed, “Hum, well, I guess it couldn’t hurt any. I feel like an invalid and here I’m suppose to be taking care of you Lacy. So how are you?”

  Lacy said, “I’ve been better, but compared to what you went through, it was nothing. Not worth even mentioning Bryan. I’m so sorry to hear about Jenny.”

  Bryan choked on the tea, “Well yes, it came as quiet a shock. What exactly did he say out there?”

  Lacy swallowed, “That she died from her wounds. He didn’t say how or describe how but I can imagine what she went through. Did they kill him?”

  Bryan said, “Who, the man who attacked her or Sparrow Hawk?”

  Lacy said, “The ones she fought.”

  Bryan nodded, “Yes they died, they all died. They were the remains of Red Eagle’s men. Not one lived. They died like the scum they were.”

  Lacy said, “Good. I’m glad they’re dead.”

  Bryan looked at Lacy, “Are you sleeping alright? You look a little stressed.”

  Lacy said, “Well, we thought we were about to be attacked when Captain Tyler returned and we’ve been busy putting up some defenses. Pretty scary don’t you think?”

  Bryan started to chuckle, but his ribs put a short stop of that, “Ugh, yes, definitely would have made them think all of you were on wokwave.”

  Lacy asked, “Wokwave? What’s that?”

  Bryan said, “Peyote, high on the Indian’s version of loco weed combined with poppy juice. You know what the boys gifted us with in our lemonade. That’s what they were on only a lot more than we took when they attacked us. Gives you bravado to do things you couldn’t imagine and Jenny told me the reason they gave it to her was to kill pain, but even more to make it so she wasn’t scared to die. Numbs your self preservation instinct. Let’s you go quietly or at least not caring into the night when normal people would be fighting for their last breath.”