Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Lacy took a quick glance, “Yes, what was that?”

  Bryan said “Eucommia bark.”

  Lacy said, “How much do I need to use?”

  Bryan said, “I think the Whiskey might have done more for us than this. It’s something one of our camel herders gave me and said the Chinese used it for knee joints and pains, but it may be one of those things you have to keep taking to be helpful. I don’t think it hurt any, just not sure it helped my ribs that much.”

  Lacy looked Bryan in the eyes, “This didn’t cause me to get my monthly did it?”

  Bryan answered, “Absolutely not. You’ve drank coffee in my office before haven’t you? Well, this is what I use to make coffee. Less acidic than chicory root is, and I was hoping it would help my knees.”

  Lacy frowned, “It better not have. That wasn’t your decision or Dallas’ to make alone for me you know. He could have least come home so we could have talked about it instead of sending the messenger to do his dirty work for him!”

  Bryan backed up, “Well, I see. Good thing we didn’t have to do anything isn’t it, Lacy. Things worked out on their own. I’ll think I’ll just pass on breakfast. I have work to catch up on. Good Day.” With that Bryan left. Bryan thought to himself, “Well, Dallas, she is your problem now. I have to buy all of Texas, or at least one ravine in Kerr County. Let them just try to relocate her.” A half hour later Bryan arrived with a covered wagon in Kerrville. In another twenty minutes he walked out with a land grant of prime plateau land due west and southeast of the Travis ranch including one Comanche Sands ravine and land west toward the mountains. It might not be all of Texas, but it was enough. He either owned a large hole in the ground with a hot springs or the Spanish gold depending on what Jenny had actually found. Bryan thought to himself, “Sparrow Hawk had the right idea. Life was so much simpler with Jenny. All she wanted to do was pleasure him and take care of what ever he expected her to do.”

  As the sun rose in the morning sky, the Major’s group of PIU men road up the trail to the top of the ravine and looked down on the other side. There was the opening to the bat cave. Dallas pointed, “There. That’s where her sons hid her. Lacy said they used it when they were attacked. There is a large cavern past that opening, but it’s about a thirty foot drop and needs a new ladder down.”

  About that time Gage took a hammer and pounded a stake in the ground and painted the words ‘No Trespassing’ across the stake. Bryan smiled approvingly, “Why hello there. You might noticed that the ravine is now under new ownership.”

  Dallas chuckled, “Travers what have you done.” Dallas lead the way down into the ravine calling out, “Gage! Get your ass down here.”

  Jenny showed her head, “Too late. Bryan buy all of Texas, You too late!”

  Bryan chucked, “Well, not all of Texas, but enough Jenny.”

  Gage yelled out from behind the scrub brush, “We found it Dallas. You had breakfast yet? We’ve got coffee and Jenny’s working on pan biscuits with bacon.”

  Corporal Gibbons licked his lips, “Sure beats dried jerky, Sir.”

  Sergeant Long asked, “Captain Travis, this is Sergeant Long. You remember me? Your sister there, she a fair cook you think?”

  Gage grinned at Jenny as he showed her how to make the biscuits, “Sparrow Hawk didn’t kill her. I guess he liked her cooking well enough, but don’t worry Sergeant, she only scalped the pig.” Jenny stuck her finger in the biscuit dough and frowned. This white flour was tasteless. She looked around and saw a pepper bush and carefully picked a few and diced them finely and added to the dough.

  Jenny frowned, “Not me. Not kill this pig. Bryan buy scalped pig. I cook.”

  Gage addressed Dallas, “You should have seen the rock formations, the geodes and fossils in the wall and you never heard anything like we did going toward Sparrow Hawk’s falls in your whole life Dallas. Scary, and deadly. Jenny got snake bit. You know, I must have sucked all the peyote out of her getting the venom. Not one chill or shiver or shake the whole night or today. Bryan even dressed her wounds and put stitches in them this morning. Should have heard her yell.”

  Dallas looked at Bryan’s sign as he topped the hill, “You know, we can just take it.”

  Bryan didn’t disagree, “You can. But the sign is a warning. The ground’s not stable. You could die in there too. There is a natural hot springs and maybe a geyser that blows down there. Seems to me you need us.”

  Jenny smiled and handed Dallas a pate, “Eat.”

  Lieutenant MacLeod asked, “Mam, you think I could have one of those? Looks mighty tasty.”

  Jenny looked at the man, “You not own me. You can not name me and I not want your help. Bryan good doctor, help enough.”

  The Lieutenant looked at the Major shocked to be accused by the woman, “I just follow my orders. Just like your brother Mam.” MacLeod put the blame back on Gage making it clear he wasn’t the only one.

  Bryan looked at Dallas, “I’m an official sponsor, so don’t give me the paper wasn’t proper or any of that.”

  Dallas said, “Blood brother might take a priority.”

  Gage looked at Dallas, “Oh no you don’t. I’m not getting between her and her husband. I married them. That’s right, done it in the presence of Sparrow Hawk and half his tribe. Go ask if you don’t believe me.”

  Dallas chuckled, “Sparrow Hawk gave away the bride I suppose.”

  Gage shrugged his shoulders, “Actually, he was the best man, wasn’t he Bryan? I think Red Cedar gave away the bride.”

  Bryan’s eyebrow rose as he considered the fact that Gage Travis was siding with him over Dallas. Well, no use looking a gift horse in the mouth. Bryan replied, “That’s right.”

  Jenny frowned, “Not me. Gage’s business with Sparrow Hawk’s new brides not me.”

  Dallas grinned, “Really? So you’re saying Gage and Bryan aren’t telling the truth?”

  Gage looked Jenny, “You change your mind about him?”

  Jenny said, “Not matter what I think, that not true. Do not want strangers to think I not tell truth when asked.”

  Bryan eyebrow rose as he considered that, “And after I bought you Texas, you’re throwing me out already. Fickled, thy name is woman!” Bryan sighed, “Don’t worry Dallas, you can have all the treasure you can get out of there in the next month or two. That should be plenty of time don’t you think? I was actually thinking of a Spa if I could tap into that hot springs some day. Nice thermal baths, massages, mud treatments for the ladies, that sort of thing. Something to build on after the war is over.”

  Dallas replied, “Let me get this straight. Your not claiming the treasure. Just the natural resources and land?”

  Bryan stood up slowly, “That’s right, and my wife. I want Jenny released to me.”

  Gage looked at Bryan, “She’s raised enough kids.”

  Bryan looked at Gage, “I have no problem with that. She doesn’t need to be having kids.”

  Jenny looked at Bryan, “You don’t trust me?”

  Bryan replied, “You don’t think helping with Hope and Cole are enough? Lacy gets to know you better, the Major as two young children as well. The fort is full of them and if they won’t let us stay there, surely the Major can arrange for us to relocate together if they get as much gold as I think is down there. That’s going to be a feather in someone’s cap.”

  Jenny looked at Gage, “Not banned from home?”

  Gage said, “I can’t speak for Dad Jenny. But as for me I think it best we have separate homes. I’m a grown man. I have needs and the last thing I want is you to walk in on me someday. You know I won’t be a bachelor forever.”

  Bryan chuckled, “You won’t be one for very long at all if Mary Jane Vincent gets her way.” Bryan whispered, “Sergeant Major Vincent’s daughter is sweet on your brother.” Jenny nodded her approval, “Good strong Grandfather.”

  Gage handed out the rest of the plates, “Did he remember we met before?”

  Bryan said, “Oh, I would
say he remembered and Mary Jane certainly made it clear you met before. Just think, you’ll have Jake as a visiting uncle to your children one day.”

  Bryan turned to Dallas, “Your wife is fine by the way other than being in her monthly. She didn’t need any help and I wouldn’t suggest you admit you asked me to give any when you get back. Maybe you should buy her some flowers. She likes large pink ones.”

  Dallas’ eye brow rose, “Hum, so Brianna?”

  Bryan said, “She’s being weaned as are Hope and Cole.”

  Jenny smiled, “I like wild flowers. Used to like camellias too.”

  Bryan smiled as Jenny took some of the coffee he handed her, “Drink it all. It has medicine in it.”

  Jenny sniffed the liquid cautiously, “You like this? Water is better.” She put the cup down on a rock. Private Anderson casually strolled by picked it up and pretended to inhale and turned his back to the crowd as he placed powdered peyote in her cup then sat it back down.

  Bryan replied, “True, but this helps aches and pains in my knees. You will grow to like it.” Bryan handed her two more cups to pass out.

  Jenny kept one cup and put the other over by the one on the rock.

  Jenny made a face after taking a sip, “My knees not hurt.”

  Bryan smiled, “I still want us to drink a cup each morning for now.”

  Jenny looked at Bryan, “You have much of this?”

  Bryan grinned, “Yes, much of it.”

  Jenny grinned, “Then I try to fix it up and we send it elsewhere. Aloe Vera cactus better than this for aches and helps skin heal faster. Maybe we grow some cactus for you.”

  Jenny found the honey and added a little to each of the cups on the rock except the one Private Anderson had taken a sip from. He apparently was of like mind to Bryan and like the bitter coffee. Jenny smiled, “Yours.” She sipped her own and tried to look like it was not some bitter concoction that wasted the water it was made with.

  Private Anderson smiled, “Do like the Doctor says now, drink it all.” Jenny heart was racing as she looked him in the face and ran back to the wagon and found a bottle with brown liquid and opened it and sniffed. She smelt the warm aroma of oak and stuck her finger in and tasted something they called whiskey. It would do. It burned a little, but the braves said it gave them courage like wokwave. She took a long swig. Bryan seemed to think highly of it and she knew why now.

  The men helped themselves to the drop biscuits and split them where Bryan could fork out a piece of pan fried ham. MacLeod looked at Anderson asking if he finished his chores. Anderson replied, “Yes, Sir. Just as ordered.”

  Bryan motioned to the cups, “Your coffees are there.”

  Dallas started to take one when Gage handed him a fresh cup that he had liberally dashed whiskey in, “Tolerable at best, but the whiskey helped. Loved the biscuits Jenny. Just what did you add?”

  Dallas looked at Gage’s plate. It was clean short of a few crumbs. His face was a little red and his eyes were watering. His own cup was empty and he went back for another and didn’t even stop to add the whiskey. He had a grin from ear to ear as he considered what was about to transpire.

  Bryan looked at the rest of the men, “Well, don’t just stand on ceremony, no one’s saying grace. That’s good ham and drop biscuits.” Bryan looked cautiously at the biscuit. There were red pieces embedded. He asked Gage quietly, “Wokwave doesn’t come in red does it? Tell me those are peppers.”

  MacLeod frowned, “Heavenly Father, thank you for the food we are about to receive and the removal of Sparrow Hawk and the heathen from Texas. May they rot in hell, the whole lot of them. AMEN.” There was the sound of men chiming in and saying their own AMEN and Glory Be, and various forms of agreement to his last part of his prayer.

  Gage had his hand on Jenny’s arm holding her back from throwing the knife in her hand as he grinned, “Really hot ones. Hope you got plenty of that coffee.”

  The men thanked Bryan taking their plates and sitting cross legged on the ground. One after another took a bite and chewed except MacLeod.

  Lieutenant MacLeod said, “So who’s our guide today?”

  Dallas couldn’t let Gage do it, “Those biscuits are Southern Texas style. You don’t like chili’s you might better settle for the ham.”

  Jenny took a large bite of biscuit and ham and crewed and swallowed. All the men watched like they were expecting some reaction and when it didn’t come, they relaxed and started to eat their own. Jenny turned to Bryan, “Good scalped pig.” Jenny had her biscuit and ham in her one free hand and took another large bite and mouthed, “You eat. Time for cave after we eat.” She washed the biscuit down with Bryan’s coffee and finished her biscuit and scalped pig. Every eye was watching including Gage, Dallas, and Bryan. Bryan’s head was cocked like a school teacher who knew something was afoot but not what yet. His hand was wrapped around a biscuit and about to put it in this mouth. Dallas had already decided she was high. That’s why she wasn’t showing any sign of those peppers burning. He had taken a bite and downed the entire cup of liquid. It was good, but it was like breathing fire.

  Jenny raised her hand and rattled off instructions and assurances faster than the men could keep up with her. You’d think she was some Northern lady who talked too fast. Jenny was blabbing, “Me. You not die with me. First thing you make ladder to climb out of that hole. Don’t fall, big drop past entrance. Need way to lift heavy treasure. Not want to climb wall with treasure stuffed in pockets or strapped to chest if in a hurry. If steam blows, you have to run very fast and no time to waste. Lots of bones and old Conquistadores down there, anyone have problems with bats in eyes or snakes on floor or tight spots?” Jenny looked around. None of the men were admitting to a problem but there was the look on their face as if they knew way too much about her and it made all of them uneasy.

  Lieutenant MacLeod spoke up and his hand went back down to his plate and put the biscuit and ham back for now, “Your leg is hurt. I don’t think we could ask you to do all that walking again today Mam. Captain Travis can show us his markings and give us notes on what you showed to him yesterday. The Major has orders for Captain Travers and well, seems you’re part of those, so we shouldn’t hold you up.”

  Jenny looked at Dallas, “You give her flowers like Bryan say. Touch her neck behind her ears and run your thumb over her skin as you smell her scent. Let her feel your heart beating with hers, and pleasure her until she squeezes the last drop from you as you both scream out for the other. Let her know nothing can touch what you have between you.”

  Private Anderson took a large bite as he watched the drama play out. Then the chili’s took hold of his mouth, tongue and throat. It was so hot he thought he’d swallowed fire. He coughed and gulped down his coffee and looked at Jenny like she had tried to kill him.

  Sergeant Long gave him a whack on the back, “You were warned son. What, your Mamma never fed you chili peppers?”

  Private Garner gingerly took his ham out and left the biscuit. He sipped the coffee and frowned, “Can’t, sorry. Don’t drink alcohol.”

  Corporal Gibbons tried a small bite, swallowed quickly, then looked pleased and ate the rest and drank the Irish coffee licking his fingers like he was ready for second helpings.

  Dallas was blushing and not just from the chili’s, “I’ll try to remember that Jenny. I’m sure Lacy would want you to know, things will be alright. We’ve certainly been through a few tight situations ourselves where things seemed pretty dark before everything worked it’s way out.”

  Jenny grinned, “Pretty dark, cave pretty dark and tight. You funny man Major like Guardians in treasure room. They always had look on face like surprised to see you came to visit.”

  Gage grimaced, “Red bat’s eyes, crawling spiders in their mouth, I didn’t think they were so funny. Maybe they’re at peace now Jenny.” Gage took another biscuit and downed it quickly looking at Gibbons daring him to out eat him.

  Jenny looked at Lieutenant MacLeod, “I forget. Gage
put guardians to sleep. You may want to wake up.”

  Lieutenant MacLeod looked puzzled, “Guardians?”

  Jenny said, “Levers that look like bones.”

  Sergeant Long asked, “What would these levers do?”

  Jenny said, “Guard gold. Stop mule.”

  Gage took another drink to clear his throat then addressed Jenny with a little concern, “Those bones fell apart. They didn’t feel like any lever being pulled.”

  Jenny answered as if it was a foregone conclusion, “You should get father. Let him help fix.”

  Lieutenant MacLeod looked at Jenny, “Not so fast. What makes you think he’s in any condition to go down into that hole? He’s not exactly a spring chicken.”

  Jenny laughed, “Spring Chicken. That funny too.” Then Jenny brow furrowed as she realized he thought she was trying to kill him. He thought the gold wasn’t important if it was her father’s life. How did this man even know her father? Jenny asked, “It matter what condition he is in? Not matter what condition I was in. Gold all important. Why you care?”

  Lieutenant MacLeod stepped up to Jenny and turned her face toward him looking straight into her eyes, “Yes, it matters. You almost got killed trying to outrun that geyser. Do you want to kill him that badly or just Gage?”

  Jenny swallowed, “Not try kill anyone. Not Father. Not Gage. Why you think that?” Was he hiding in the cave to know she ran for her life? Gage not speak to him this morning. How he know this?

  Bryan stopped packing up his medical bag and slowly started over to confront the Lieutenant, “Kindly take you hand off her Lieutenant. I don’t believe she said anything about her father going down into the hole did you Jenny?” There was the click of pistols being cocked as Lieutenant MacLeod’s team covered Gage, Dallas, and Bryan.

  Sergeant Long pointed his pistol toward Bryan, “Just relax Sir. You can’t do anything but make it harder on her. Just why would she be all up and about like this unless she’s high on something. I see those bruises and cuts. I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more I can’t see too.”