Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas
Page 56
Her father walked up and held out his hands as Lacy gave him her daughter. Tommy was admiring one the ladies that came in on the stage with Lacy. She looked a little lost. Tommy didn’t hesitate, he tipped his hat and addressed her, “Mam, could I be of service? You look like you could use a hand. I could take that bag for you.”
The young girl smiled, “Well, I guess, but we haven’t been introduced Sir.”
Lacy said, “Miss Mandy Cartwright, this is my brother, Corporal Tom Richardson and my father Captain John Richardson.”
Tommy grinned, “There, that’s out of the way, now let me carry that for you. Where to Miss Cartwright?”
Mandy blushed, “My father owns the General Store just down there Sir. I guess he must be busy with a customer.”
Tommy took her bag, “Well, that’s good all around. He has a customer, and I get the pleasure of walking you down the street. I’m stationed here with the Arkansas 36th, Mam. Mrs. Sanders there lives in Texas so we thought we’d try to meet up before we move on to Vicksburg. New little niece there. Looks like she takes after my Dad with those dark locks.”
John Richardson chuckled, “She’s beautiful Lacy. A real cutie pie.” He made all kinds of baby noises and tickled her belly and pretended to pinch her nose off.
Lacy asked, “How’s Ma?”
John tried to avoid her eyes, “She didn’t make it Lacy. She died in childbirth when Lilith was born.”
Lacy frowned, “I didn’t know. Is the baby alright?”
John shook his head, “No we lost her shortly after her mother. Never thought I’d say I missed Bryan, but I sure wished he had been there. Old Doc Whitney tried, but I think Bryan would have listened when she said something was wrong.”
Lacy said, “Well, Brianna was his first delivery, I’m sure Doc Whitney did his best Paw. So what about Susan? Did she ever have her baby?”
John’s face smiled, “Why yes she did. A handsome little boy too. They named him John Junior.” Luke’s been promoted to Lieutenant and getting honors left and right.”
Lacy asked, “So is Luke keeping Harry, Grace, Paulie, and Candice?”
John said, “No, your Grandmother Parker has taken them for now, but I thought maybe we could talk to you about that while you’re here Lacy. It’s just a matter of time before Little Rock falls. I thought if you wouldn’t mind, maybe they could stay with you and Dallas down on that ranch his father owns. Seems like a safer place right now.”
John handed Brianna back and took their bags and loaded them up into the wagon he brought. Lacy looked at her Paw, “Do they need to leave too?”
John said, “You just try to get them to leave. Stubborn as a mule, but when Little Rock falls, I’d rather the children not be left trying to run the farm. Luke said he’ll manage getting help with the crops for me while we’re out of state.”
Lacy looked at her Paw, “I thought you were staying here?”
John helped her into the wagon and looked over where Tommy was at, “Tom, you coming?”
Tommy called back, “I think I’ll stay a little longer Paw. You go on.”
John looked over to Miss Cartwright, “Well, she is pretty and not a lot of girls for these boys to meet around here Lacy. You’ll see him again once her father puts him back in his place. Strong man Mr. Cartwright. Doesn’t put up with any flack or foolishness from the soldiers.”
John slapped the reigns, “I guess Dallas didn’t want to spoil it. I asked him to let me tell you so don’t go blaming him. Tommy and I, well we have to leave in less than two weeks. We’re moving to backup Vicksburg against Grant.”
Lacy asked, “Grant? Who is that?”
John said, “And there is another reason why I’m glad you’re where you’re at. We’ve got a fight on our hands for sure. It might be a while before we see home again.”
Lacy asked, “Well what about home? If Little Rock’s in danger how come they’re sending you to Mississippi?”
John replied, “Now Lacy you know why. We’ve been through this before. Vicksburg is the key to who controls the Mississippi River. It falls and they have our states divided and supplies cut off like those cattle they sent to General Beauregard. And yet another reason I’d like your brothers and sisters in Texas. At least there’s food out on that range you can go shoot. Might be with a bow and arrow, but less Union troops and more land to hide in if you have to.”
Lacy thought about telling her Paw about the Comanche, Apache, Kiowa, and Wichita Indians and what else they had to worry with like caverns, peyote, swarming bats, and vipers everywhere you looked, but she could tell he was worried, and he didn’t need to hear about what she had been through. He was asking for her help. Lacy said, “Don’t worry Paw. You know they always will have a home with us. You and Tommy too if you need it.”
John Richardson asked his daughter, “So Dallas, how’s your Ranger doing? I was a little surprised you didn’t bring the boy?”
Lacy said, “JC stayed with Dallas. You know how it is when you’re in charge. Lots of things to manage. He helped recover some more funds for the war and worked with Albert Pike to help relocate some tribes into Indian Territory. Dallas is going to try to make sure JC gets to see some of his family. Bo and Victoria are back from their cattle drive. There are troops coming from the West and this might be the last chance they all get to go Santa Fe before the fighting starts blocking the stage line. Victoria has a sister out there and we sort of promised she’d get to spend time with him too.”
John looked at his daughter. He could tell that wasn’t all to the story. He needed her to take his children. He wasn’t sure he wanted to dig deeper into why Dallas and JC weren’t with her right now. Maybe she’d open up to him later. Mr. Richardson asked, “So is Bryan still going by Travers or has he back to Dr. Josiah Jones or some other fake name to hide his sins?”
Lacy blushed, “No, he’s still using his own name. His parole is pretty strict. Everything has to be approved by the top brass or they could make a lot of trouble for him. This one Captain threatened to hang him because he left the fort and went back out to help his wife. Can you imagine that?”
John looked at Lacy, “Bryan is married to a woman?”
Lacy said, “To a former captive. No one and I mean no one including her own family would help her. Too old to change and she was a powerful War Chief’s squaw. There is a price for helping someone like that and Bryan paid it for sure. Almost got him killed if Dallas hadn’t stepped in when he did. Really sad case. Maybe someday I’ll tell you more about her, but right now I want to fix you and Tommy some of my shortbread and strawberry jam. I brought some makings just in case Paw.”
John smiled, “Why that would be special Lacy. Dallas will have to get himself up here before some Sergeant decides to steal you from him.”
Lacy turned to her Paw, “So how long do you think before you need to send for the rest of the family?”
Her Paw swallowed, “Well, I got a telegram from Luke. He’s says you should go pick them up now. I figure we put you on the morning stage and that gives us about four days to get Dallas’ hunting cabin ready for you or maybe you’d prefer tents.” John Richardson looked at Lacy, “Good thing you’re used to army life girl, I’ve seen the cabin. Right now it’s home to a family of raccoons and a beaver has the creek damned up to where you have to walk a ways for water. But the good news is there’s plenty of squirrels and rabbits, so a few good traps should get you plenty of meat. You still got your bowie knife?”
Lacy looked shell shocked, “Now? But I haven’t even asked Dallas to talk to his Dad yet Paw? You mean to leave them all with me here? Shoot, I haven’t even met his family yet. We’re fighting Victoria in the courts for JC, and I think he’s leaving me for Victoria’s sister Anna Maria and Bryan is married. He married someone else Paw and I was nearly killed by Comanches and Camp Verde is wide open to Indian attacks. They don’t even have a good solid wall around the fort.”
John Richardson sighed, “Lacy, Dallas sent me a letter.
I’m sorry about this Mouse Dog or who ever he was and what happened to you, but I need you to help your brothers and sisters. There’s no one else girl, so take a breath. Dallas isn’t leaving you. Matter of fact I got a telegram this morning. He’s on his way with JC, and the new Indian agent for this part of the county. They’ve settled the custody and he’s yours. That highfalutin snob has admitted you and Dallas are his parents and I don’t want to know anymore about how or when that happened you hear me? He knows your brothers and sisters and says, it’s fine. He has all the help he needs to keep them safe while I’m away. Sorry about the fort not being everything you expected, but at least you got a roof over your head. That’s more than we’ve seen since we got here Now buck up Private Luellen. At least you’re not with child. After what happened to your Ma, I don’t care if you never have another baby.”
Lacy looked sheepishly at her belly, “Well, maybe one more?”
Her Paw’s eye looked closer at what she wore, “Damned his horny toad hide! No wonder you’ll all emotional. He was going to leave you and you’re newly with child? Shoot fire. If we weren’t leaving, I’d have a word or two with him before he took you back.”
Lacy asked, “Back? But Bo Callahan took over his command. I thought he was staying here?”
John Richardson cursed, “PEEUU that’s the hole lot of them. Leave me to tell you this too?” Lacy’s Paw took a couple of breaths, “Things must have changed. You’re going back to Camp Verde. Anything else you’ll have to get from him when he gets here. John stopped in front of what was a burned out cabin. The only thing that looked half way solid was the chimney and an open fire pit. John took one look and started to turn around, “You’re not staying out here by yourself. I’ll see if Mr. Cartwright will put you up until the stage comes tomorrow.”
Lacy saw the arrow lodged in the wall, “Indians?”
Her Paw said, “Since Texas decided to make them move north, we’ve had a few who decided they’d rather raid us than fight against the Union or we have some Union sympathizers dressed like our feathered friends trying to make us think they’re Indians. Either way, I don’t want you out there by yourself. Who ever that Indian Agent is can fend for himself when he gets up here. He might rather find another spot too.”
Dallas heard stirrings in the back as JC woke from his nap. JC looked around and crawled up next to Dallas, “Are we there yet?”
Dallas chuckled, “No, but we’re getting closer. I think I need to make water. You want to come with me? Looks like a trading post up there.”
JC nodded, “Eh huh.”
Dallas stopped and called back to Bryan, “We’re taking a small break. Anyone needed to go, now’s your time. Might be the last outhouse we see for a while.”
A horse rode up at a good clip and Sergeant Major Vincent saluted Dallas as he gave him an update, “He’s coming, Sir. He’s got White and Gibbons. They didn’t come back last night and he’s dragging them behind them.”
Dallas nodded, “Don’t attack unless I give the signal. He hasn’t killed them so he wants to talk, Sergeant Major Vincent.” Dallas took JC and found the outhouse behind the stage coach way station, “Go on and take care of you business. I need to talk to Unc Bryan son.”
Bryan opened his eyes and looked down at Jenny, “You feel like taking a walk?”
Jenny looked up, “Is Priest still alive? Why we not stop to sleep or cook?” Bryan helped her up and she squinted from the brightness of the sunshine as her eyes adjusted.
Bryan looked around at the station. It wasn’t much to speak of, but the sign read ‘Texarkana Station’. Bryan answered Jenny, “He was dead enough Jenny. I don’t know, but I’m sure Dallas has reasons. We’re on the border. That’s my home state right over there. It won’t be long now.”
Dallas motioned toward the station. “While they’re eating, I’ve got something I need to talk to you about.”
Dallas requested a fresh team of horses from the station master. Bryan waited while Dallas ordered and paid for a slice of soft cheese, fresh bread, and crackers. He cut a wedge and put it between the crackers for JC and made himself a sandwich. He offered Jenny and Bryan part.
Jenny looked and thought better of it. She shook her head, “We have tubers, apples, and could fish or get rabbits for stew. My stomach not tolerate so much cheese and your wheat bread. Mush, corn, those better.”
Dallas said, “Sure, but we’d have to camp and it would cost us time. Better eat something now, I’m not planning on stopping before dark once we leave here.”
Jenny just shook her head, “How you can eat only this, I do not know. My stomach roll and your farts stink of this cheese worse than beans.”
The storekeeper took exception to the comment, “I made that cheese. You act like it’s Limburger. Taste fine to me.” He took a slice and ate it as if to demonstrate that it was fresh and still good.
Then as if to demonstrate Jenny’s point of view, JC cut one loose and Jenny covered her nose and ran outside. Dallas watched, “Very good JC that worked just like I hoped. Dallas paid the shop owner for a piece of smoked jerky, and hot boiled peanuts, and a piece of rock candy and told him to go share what he didn’t want with Auntie Jenny.
Bryan shook his head, “My wife is never going to forgive you. She can’t tolerate cow’s milk.”
Dallas said, “Really, I thought it was the cactus she ate causing that. You have to admit, she’s bound to have emptied her stomach out by now.” Dallas looked around the store and picked out a loose dress for Lacy and put it on the counter for the clerk to wrap.
Bryan said a little frustrated, “She’s weak and she’s getting dehydrated. She’s been pushed too hard, Dallas. We’re stopping long enough for me to fix her some mush or something she can eat before you kill her for Sparrow Hawk. You don’t think I see what’s happening here. I’m not blind and I’ve about reached the end of my patience, friend or not.” Bryan asked the storekeeper if he had some cornpone and goat’s milk. Bryan looked through the women’s clothes and then went over to the men’s and picked out a buckskin shirt and pants.
Dallas looked suspiciously at the clothes, “You got plans to go somewhere I don’t know about Bryan? Your uniform doesn’t look that worn to me.”
Bryan retorted, “Jenny likes buckskin. She might be able to wear it with a few modifications. She sews.”
Bryan picked out a calico dress that buttoned down the front and an garden apron and night shift and added it to his stack. Bryan turned to Dallas, “Surely you don’t object if I buy my wife some decent clothes. She’s going to give someone the wrong idea in that peasant blouse. Her buckskin covered her better than that.”
The storekeeper wrapped the clothes and put the cornpone and bottle of milk in bag. Bryan watched Jenny out in the yard as JC tried to give Jenny the peanuts as he munched on the jerky and had the rock candy in his other hand. Jenny took one peanut then made a face and turned green and lost her stomach. She took the peanuts and put them in Dallas’ saddle bag and took the other piece of jerky and added it to the stash she couldn’t eat. JC looked at her pitifully and handed over his rock candy as she traded him his candy for half of an apple from the wagon.
Bryan started to take the milk and cornpone out to Jenny when Dallas stopped him and pointed toward the rear of the store. Dallas told Bryan, “Lacy’s Ma died in childbirth Bryan.”
Bryan felt bad about what he just said now that he knew why they were in a rush, “That’s terrible Dallas. And the baby?”
Dallas said, “Didn’t make it either and now her Paw has orders to leave.”
Bryan asked, “Can you get a transfer back to Searcy?”
Dallas said, “No, and I wouldn’t if I could. Not the best place to be these days. Doc Rayburn’s Phantom Ghosts have taken to the hills, Calhoun is over in Eastern Arkansas trying to shore up the Southeastern parts of the state which leaves us holding off any movement toward Texas.”
Bryan asked, “And the Parkers or Susan. Surely they can help.”
Bryan said, “More like her Grandfather is too mad at John Richardson for not having sense enough to know when enough is enough if I was to guess.”
Dallas thought about Lacy, “Well, sometimes things happen that you don’t exactly plan, but that doesn’t really matter now. Those kids need a home.”
Bryan asked, “So what are you going to do Dallas? You’re going to have three of your own soon.”
Dallas said, “If I take all those kids you realize I’ll have five under six years old and Candace and Paulie? Candace might help, but Paulie?”
JC was back in the store looking longingly at the strings of fresh cooked sausage and smoked ham. Jenny offered the storekeeper a nice piece of flint for a small piece of meat. He shook his head, “Don’t need that. What else you want to trade? I like that shawl. You can have a pickle for the flint.”
Jenny’s brow furrowed, “Boy need good meat. I trade this and spear head for three good bites.”
The storekeeper shook his head, “Nope. What use do I have for those? Injuns aren’t welcome in here.” Jenny looked at him, “But I am?”
Bryan’s eyebrow rose, “Hum. Can you imagine. It’s Gage, you and Bo all over isn’t it? Maybe Jenny should warn Candace not to do her brothers a favor if the Indians get them.”
The Storekeeper looked Jenny over a little closer and noticed she had been treated pretty roughly, “You talk funny don’t you Dearie. Nothing to trade but Injun knickknacks on you? Maybe you should take him outside where he’s not into everything.”