Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Corporal Gibbons said, “I thought we were suppose to pull a lever.”

  Mr. Travis heard the sound, “GOD DAMNED FOOLS! WHAT DID YOU JUST DO!”

  Corporal Gibbons replied, “Maybe not that one.”

  The Mule rolled up to where the cart was under the slide and Mr. Travis put the breaks on, “Gage, Dump everything NOW. We’ve got to get away from here.”

  Sergeant Long looked at Mr. Travis, “What can I do?”

  Mr. Travis answered, “Get ready to join me on this cart and find something we can use to break. Bones, sticks, anything, but make it snappy!”

  Gage asked, “You ready?”

  Mr. Travis cussed, “I said I was, dump the shit!”

  Gage and Corporal Gibbons pushed bucket after bucket down the slide. There was the sound of steam building up in the walls as the chain started dragging something back toward their position. Sergeant Long asked, “What is that?”

  Mr. Travis said, “Carts, it’s pulling carts of dirt, rock, snakes, you name it. What ever exploded over by the falls is in those carts and it’s coming our way. We’ve got to leave before it takes the switch and rails out.” Mr. Travis looked at the cart, “GAGE, STOP. WE”RE FULL. LEAVE SON. GET OUT NOW! MOVE EVERYONE AWAY FROM THE RAVINE!”

  Sergeant Long brought back the torches and stuffed the sticks down where the breaks should be, “Alright, time to go Mr. Travis.”

  Gage yelled back, “LOVE YOU DAD. See you at home, alright. Don’t die on me old man.”

  Mr. Travis yelled back, “Let’s see who gets home first Gage. Now run like Jenny runs!”

  Gage and the Corporal grabbed two more buckets of jewels in each hand and ran up toward the wall of pain. Gage yelled out, “GOT TO LEAVE NOW!” Gage spoke to Corporal Gibbons, “You have to tell Captain Travers. You understand, tell him about the dessert schooner trip. He needs to know, that’s an order Corporal!”

  Corporal Gibbons yelled back, “I don’t have a death wish Gage. Don’t you think that’s best coming from you or Bo?”

  Gage yelled back, “Use the old deaf trick to tell him. I can’t Ryan. He’d never believe me. That damned ship has rose up again and he needs to take her before MacLeod gets the assignment.”

  Private Garner looked back as he wrapped the bucket in a tarp and pulled for the camel to lift it up, “HE SAYS WE NEED TO LEAVE SIR!”

  Corporal Gibbons yelled as he ran, “GARNER, FOUR BUCKETS MORE, GET READY!”

  Gage and Corporal Gibbons rounded the tunnel as each of the men grabbed a square of tarp and hooked the buckets together and tugged. Once they had the buckets the men grabbed the rope and yelled out to pull. Daisy dug in her heels and plodded down the ravine pulling the men up to the top quickly. Sergeant Tyler felt the rope go slack, “Come on Daisy, time to leave, HUP HUP!”

  Dallas, Lieutenant MacLeod, Gage, Private Garner, Corporal Gibbons, and the Sergeant Major ran with the camels away from the ravine as the ground started to shake and roll.

  Bryan stopped, “You feel that?”

  Jenny said, “Wrong lever. Go fast Bryan.”

  Bryan said, “Back or away?”

  Jenny said, “Away, can not help them if we dead too.”

  Bryan looked back, “They’re out. Shit, here comes the camels.” Bryan slapped the reigns and they took off, “Hang on Jenny!”

  Mr. Travis yelled out, “Put your back into it man, we just have to get it started, then gravity will do the rest!”

  Sergeant Long was straining trying to push the lever down, “Shit, your daughter did this at what age?”

  Mr. Travis said, “Twelve her first time. You’re stronger than a girl aren’t you? Push that lever up!”

  Sergeant Long looked around, “Shit, the other lever.” He pushed the lever up causing the wheel to start to roll and jumped on the car and pumped. The rumble was louder. What ever was in that wall was coming at them quickly. Sergeant Long cussed, “Holy Mother of Mary, God give me strength! The walls were starting to crumble around the edge of the tunnel as dirt and rocks started to fall on top of them. Sergeant Long yelled at the top of his lungs, “PUSH OLD MAN. I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE ON THIS DAMNED CART!”

  Mr. Travis said, “WELL TAKE THE BREAKS OUT YOU FOOL.”

  Sergeant Long pulled the sticks and the cart picked up speed. Mr. Travis moved quickly to the same side as Sergeant Long, “Now was that so hard? Don’t you throw those away either.” Gravity took the cart and it was a dead heat whether the carts of dirt and rocks were going to get to the switch before they did. Sergeant Long was pumping along with Mr. Travis trying to beat the impending collision.

  There was a rumble and water and steam exploded upwards out of the ravine as the top of the ground collapsed downward opening the caverns up briefly as rocks, dirt, coins, plates, knives, forks, and spoons flew through the air. Gage looked back as they watch the sky rain what remained of the treasure room. Lieutenant MacLeod looked around. As soon as the dust settled he ordered Corporal Gibbons and Private Garner to get something and pick it all up.

  Corporal Gibbons looked at the Lieutenant, “What did you say Sir? My hearing a little off.”

  Lieutenant MacLeod said, “Find a bucket and start collecting the gold, jewels, and silver out there!”

  Corporal Gibbons couldn’t hear a thing, “Yes, Sir. I think you’re right, the squaw knew what she was talking about.”

  Gage looked back toward the ravine, “Wonder if they made it?”

  Dallas asked, “Sergeant Long?”

  Gage said, “And my Dad. He brought the mule and warned us. So you think it’s done?”

  Corporal Gibbons rubbed his ears, “Guess I better see if I can get down there. They might still be alive you know.”

  Lieutenant MacLeod repeated, “Gold first. Pick up the gold first.”

  Corporal Gibbons started to walk back, “That’s right Sir, people first. Not like that gold is going anywhere is it? But you feel free to pick it up while the rest of us see if we can get down to where they were. Maybe they have an air pocket and didn’t drown, or get burned to a crisp like we would have been if we listened to you.”

  Bryan’s wagon pulled up, “Anyone hurt?”

  Dallas looked at Bryan, “Mr. Travis and Sergeant Long are missing.”

  Jenny poked her head out, “Father?”

  Gage walked over to the end of the wagon, “He came. Sergeant Long and Dad loaded up the mule. They were on their way home when it blew. He saved our lives.”

  Jenny looked toward the ravine and pointed toward the ranch, ‘That way, we check over there.”

  Gage said, “Yes he’s probably over there somewhere, but you’re not in any shape to be wondering around down there. Go with Bryan, Jenny.”

  Jenny said, “If mule make it from home, probably make it back, but might be wild ride if no brakes.”

  Sergeant Long was holding on for dear life as Mr. Travis commanded, “Put those breaks back in son. We’re going to need them soon.”

  Sergeant Long stuffed a torch back through each of the break holes, “Sir, are we going faster than normal you think? That looks like a curve Sir.”

  Mr. Travis listened. He could still hear the sound of running water below them. The steam off the water was rising creating fog. Mr. Travis said, “Well, that bump we got when the geyser went up, probably added a little speed, but don’t brake yet. There is a trellis up there. We need a little speed to make the incline, then we brake all the way to the end.”

  Sergeant Long quizzed, “Trellis Sir. Like over a gorge type of trellis? You think it’s still there? I can’t see in front of my nose.”

  Mr. Travis sighed, “Well, take your pick, boil to death when that super heated water gets above this track, or smack into the bottom of a pit. I’m voting for the pit, at least it’s over quicker.”

  Sergeant Long swallowed, “Pit it is Sir. You think anyone is coming to help?”

  Mr. Travis asked, “Jenny up there or did you kill her?”

  Sergeant Long said, “No Sir, s
he was shot in the arm and Lieutenant MacLeod dislocated her pinky then ignored the warning about those levers, but Captain Travers came back for her. They were probably in ear shod of this.

  Mr. Travis smiled, “Then as long as we don’t die in that pit, she’ll be there. Good thing too, Gage hates wells and tight spaces. Sure hope he got out. I heard the fools loading up more before they left. You’d think those Conquistadors all lined up like that would make a person think twice about what’s more important, gold or their lives.”

  Sergeant Long said, “Yes, Sir. But war does funny things to men and what they’ll do. All this and I’m still not sure it’s enough. It’s pretty rough going in the East for General Lee and Beauregard. I hear, there’s even Union men down at Indianola now and Brownsville.”

  Mr. Travis said, “I fought in the Mexican War. To see my son fight against the very men I fought with doesn’t sit too well. But I understand why he does. It’s a sorry war Sergeant when we’re sending our sons to lie and cheat to get what ever we can lay our hands on to buy weapons, powder, and food for our boys. I thought my son was dead, and now he might be because I was a stubborn old man.” Mr. Travis felt the grade rising, “You feel it? Get ready Sergeant.”

  Sergeant Long replied, “Yes, Sir. Why don’t you move in front of me. I can hold both of these sticks and pull harder Sir.” With that, they cart rose and slowed as they topped the incline, then the cart started pulling forward as gravity took it down the trellis. Sergeant Long pulled back on the brake sticks and sparks flew from the wheels as the weight from the gold pulled it forward at an ever increasing speed.

  Oh Brother

  Private Garner, Corporal Gibbons, Gage, Bryan and Dallas looked down at the new lake at the bottom of the ravine. There was steam coming off the water. Private Garner asked, “Any other openings we could try?”

  Dallas said, “There’s a dry well at the ranch. We might blast through there.” Dallas looked around, “Captain Tyler tie the two camels we already have loaded to the back of Captain Traver’s wagon. Lieutenant MacLeod, you and Corporal Gibbons search the grounds. We’ll leave you a couple buckets and a tent to setup camp for tonight. I’m taking the other four camels and the men with me.”

  Bryan looked at MacLeod, “You might try showing him what you want. The hearing loss might wear off, or it might not. Good news is there are plates, spoons, forks, and knives out there and hot water.”

  Lieutenant MacLeod looked at Travers, “Oh no. That hasn’t been inventoried yet.”

  Dallas said, “What would you suggest?”

  Lieutenant MacLeod replied, “All the camels stay together. We take them all to the Travis ranch and I go with them. Travers takes her back to the Camp Verde like we planned and they get the guard house ready.”

  Dallas asked, “And what about any laying around?”

  Lieutenant MacLeod said, “Maybe Travers wants to pick it up. I’ll leave Gibbons, he needs medical supervision. He can ride back with them.” There was a smirk on his face as he made the offer.

  Bryan’s eyebrow rose at the challenge, but he considered Jenny health and was about tell him where he could stick that suggestion when Corporal Gibbons answered, “Yes Sir Captain Travis was plum crazy and needs supervision all right to ever have considered taking her into that hole. But that wouldn’t have been the first time he almost got the both of them killed would it? Good thing her Daddy doesn’t care if you ask me.”

  MacLeod frowned, “Corporal Gibbons, I don’t remember asking your opinion about the Captain.”

  Corporal Gibbons replied, “The Cave Sir? Well, I think we shouldn’t take anything heavy out further like that wagon. That explosion could have weakened the rocks covering those caverns. We might invite opening up a sink hole or even worse, the water might have created quicksand.” MacLeod personally came up to Corporal Gibbons and took his face in his hand like he had Jenny’s and spoke slowly in his face, “Shut up before you find yourself picking it up by yourself with that camel to help you Corporal. You remember how well that went don’t you?”

  Corporal Gibbon’s face went white and looked back toward Jenny, “Yes, Sir. Sorry I thought you addressed me.”

  Dallas grinned, “That a good idea. Daisy could pack up the heavier stuff, keep them from breaking an axle on the way back.”

  Bryan asked the Corporal mouthing the words slowly and loudly, “YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE?”

  Corporal Gibbons looked back to Lieutenant MacLeod and over to the Major then answered Bryan, “Yes Sir, but I’m no camel driver, don’t ask me to lead that beast. Every time I bent over they bit me in the rear. Very embarrassing asking her to doctor me there.”

  Gage coughed like he was choking trying to keep the conversation from going any further. He could already see Dallas taking in the fact that the PIU recovery team assigned to Comanche Sands had prior experience and some of it included camels. Gage tried to end the talk and looked at Dallas in his best commanding look like Dallas was just a Sergeant under him again, “I think we leave Daisy for Bryan. He can handle the camel. Best they step carefully and bring small loads back.” Gage turned to Bryan, “Let’s hope your coffee worked.” Gage road over to where Jenny was crawling out the back of the wagon trying to find a cactus pad to whack Gage on the back. Gage chuckled, “Oh no you don’t. If you can walk to get that prickly pear to hit me with, then I think Bryan’s cure worked and you can help pick up so Bryan doesn’t have to bend over. You’d do that wouldn’t you?”

  Jenny glared at Gage like she still wanted to beat him and might still, but she looked at Bryan and relaxed so the pain in her leg and arm couldn’t be seen by the men around her, “Yess. I walk with Many Scars. Bryan make sure she not bite us.”

  Bryan asked, “Many scars?”

  Corporal Gibbons responded, “Yes Sir?”

  Bryan chuckled, “Welcome to Camp Camel. I guess you’re with us.”

  After the men left for the ranch, Bryan considered how three invalids were going to cover the ground around the ravine without ending up falling through some newly weakened cave ceiling and ending up parboiled. Maybe that was exactly what MacLeod had been after. There seemed to be more than what either Gage, Jenny or MacLeod were admitting between the three of them. Bryan tied two ropes to Daisy’s saddle, one on each side and told both Jenny and Corporal Bryan to keep it tied around their waist. Bryan figured he’d check the ground Daisy passed over, but if either Jenny or the Corporal fell, Daisy could pull them out. If he had doubts about the safety, it was soon answered when Corporal Gibbons yelled out, “Sir! Pull me out of this!”

  Bryan looked over where the Corporal was sinking into the sand as he let go of the coin in his hand and put both hands on the rope tethering him to Daisy. Bryan stood still as the Corporal started to sink further into the sand and asked, “Tell me about how you know my wife Corporal.” Jenny’s head turned from the object she had just picked up. She looked under Daisy to see Many Scars sinking in the quicksand and Bryan seemed alright with it.

  Corporal Gibbons said, “Sir could you pull me out first? I might hear better without sand in my ears.”

  Bryan chuckled, “That you might, but maybe you should just talk faster before you mouth is full of those snakes further down.”

  Corporal Gibbons cringed, “She went with us West. I didn’t do her Sir. Not me. Bet on her, but didn’t do that. Never won a bet against that boy. Now could you just have that beast get me out? I swear I won’t tell anyone about that trip.”

  Jenny quickly turned as if she didn’t hear what he said putting the treasure in her hand in the bag and looked quickly to find something else she could reach. Bryan lips were pursed, “Oh yes you will. You’re going to tell me all about that trip before this day is done Corporal. Every little detail.” Bryan pulled Daisy forward pulling the Corporal from the sand pit.

  Corporal Gibbons started picking up any stone that he could find, forks, spoons, knives, plates, goblets and coins as fast as he could manage trying to pretend he couldn’t
hear Bryan as he looked over to Jenny and mouthed the words, “M sorry.”

  Jenny looked back under the camel and said, “Not hide truth.”

  Bryan kept walking but address both of them, “I hear just fine Jenny. You want to tell me or should I find another sand pit for the Corporal and let him sink this time. That bark doesn’t work that good or I could bend down too. You found more?”

  Jenny shook her head, “Yess. Gage try to get it out, but I found more. It is good I did. Gage said gold is everything, every piece count, but if we have trading post like he said, then Indians think wokwave better than gold. You give me back to Gage now? He not care so much.”

  Bryan eyes blinked as he considered what she just said. Bryan asked, “What? You want to belong to Gage now that he’s going to open some trading post with you. That was my idea and he told you before I got a chance to get it approved? Exactly what did you two do last night Jenny? You seemed really close when I drove up.”

  Jenny swallowed, “He give me body. You gave me to him. I was his to do as he wish.”

  Corporal Gibbons cussed, “Damned, missed out again. It’s just not fair. That man has more lives than a cat too. Last time I saw him he name was Sergeant McCloud and in charge of Indian relations.”

  Bryan’s attention turned back to the Corporal, “Indian relations indeed. Not Travis?”

  Corporal Gibbons said, “No Sir. He didn’t know Sparrow Hawk back then and he sure wasn’t inviting him to scalp him if he had to go visit.”

  Bryan asked, “Did Captain Travis realize who she was on that trip? Did Bo know she was his sister?”

  Jenny didn’t wait for the Corporal to guess. She said, “No. They not see my face only know I called ‘M’ like brand for man who owned me. He cut his letter into me.”

  Bryan swallowed, “He branded you? Where. I don’t remember seeing that.”

  Jenny said, “It heal. Use Aloe Vera and now only little scar among many.”

  Bryan said, “Show me.”

  Jenny held out her thumb and there on the tip was a thin line that looked like a ‘M’, “Said it was for all the mothers who left their children wanting something they could not have like I would want wokwave. He hurt me a little each day as wokwave left. Good way to make dog hunt is to send it out hungry is it not?”