Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas

by Eaton, Rosemary

  Dallas sent JC off his lap as he showed his gun, “Bryan brought her to keep a promise. Gage promised she could hunt rocks in Arkansas when he asked her to show him the treasure room in the caves. I brought her to introduce her to her new family. The same children you hold with my wife in your camp she will take care of every day until their father can come home. He is a soldier and older than you. His wife died and he needs help. Sons are nice, but it’s the women who care for the children and rub your feet, legs, and back is it not at the end of a hard day. She needs children in her life. I need Bryan in mine. I trust him with my wife’s health. Babies haven’t come easy for her and this one was not planned. I don’t want to lose either of them.”

  Bryan stroked Jenny’s hair, “She doesn’t notice the pain when she’s active, but let her think too long about what’s she’s lost and you can see what happened in just a week. Not a mean bone in her body unless you come after those she considers family. Then you’d better watch your back. Maybe Jenny meant those Aloe Vera pads as a warning for you, brother. How long before another brave challenges you? There is no honor in killing her today or three white men against how many braves? This is a misunderstanding, and we all know why the other is here now don’t we. No one needs to die. We all walk away and you have nice gifts to show as reasons why we sought you out today.” Sparrow Hawk put his knife back in his knife sheave and Dallas uncocked the trigger gently on his pistol laying it in his lap. Jenny eyes fluttered like she was trying to wake, but sunk back into the blackness of the chloroform sleep.

  Sparrow smiled, “Look she tries. She wants to live.” Dallas didn’t change his expression, but he knew that was just the excuse Sparrow Hawk needed. He didn’t feel he had no choice but to end things here.

  Bryan chuckled, “She wants a million children. I don’t know why, but she does.”

  Dallas looked at Bryan, “Four is a start, but you’re going to have to get busy Bryan.”

  Sparrow Hawk pushed gently on her shoulder and patted her face with no effect. He took her hand and squeezed gently and took her body into his arms singing a chant. Nothing worked. Sparrow Hawk laid her down. He took the black pearl and put it back in the haversack and rose to leave.

  Bryan asked, “The captives?”

  Sparrow Hawk said, “You take these men outside as sign of my good word. Sparrow Hawk opened his medicine bag and pulled out a rocket plant leaf and handed it to Bryan. This help you give her your seed. Chew it before you wish to take her. It has worked well for me.”

  Bryan looked at the leaf, “Some sort of greens?”

  Sparrow Hawk nodded, “Pecker plant for man. She say you call it rocket. My gift to brother, better than Aloe Vera for most important joint.”

  Dallas was trying to keep a straight face as Sparrow Hawk offered him a sample, “No, that’s fine. My wife is with child. Maybe Bryan should keep that.”

  Bryan pursed his lips as he brought the conversation back to the Lacy and Captain Richardson’s children, “And the others?”

  Sparrow Hawk replied, “They are not here. I will send them back after we are safe in Indian Territory.”

  Dallas said, “Maybe I should just go get them before you reach Indian Territory? That’s a long walk back.”

  Sparrow Hawk looked into Dallas’ eyes, “You would make her come and see her sons leave again? You would make me explain to my young sons that their dead mother is alive and they can not be with her?”

  Dallas looked at Sparrow Hawk, “No. She doesn’t even need to know you were here. I can go get my family and she’ll never know about this little misunderstanding and neither will your sons. She goes on with Bryan to Delight to hunt her stones after we leave. My horse is outside.”

  Bryan said, “He’s afraid if he doesn’t go with you one of those yahoos on the hill will open fire if they don’t see him come out.”

  Sparrow Hawk nodded, “I see. They think I killed him and holding you hostage. So what happen if they not see you too?”

  Dallas said, “Not true. I’m afraid of what Lacy will think if it’s not me that shows up. I don’t need a first wife mad at me. I saw what happened with Tatsinuupi and I’m not letting her think Jenny is pleasuring me while I send Bryan to bring her back.” Dallas told Sparrow Hawk, “He can take those two idiots and they can drive while he tends to Jenny in the back. The other four strangers will go with us. My men will take them off your hands. I have a few questions for them myself after I pick up my wife.”

  A day later, Bryan’s wagon drove into Delight. To his surprise the Arkansas 36th Infantry had moved out the day before toward Vicksburg. Captain Richardson and Tommy had been sent to Camp Verde as replacements for men lost in the Indian wars almost as soon as Lacy was on to Searcy. Jenny had woke up once, but after one or two untimely comments from Private White, Bryan decided to keep her sedated. She needed the rest and the trip would be less eventful if he didn’t have to deal with what happened in company that didn’t need to know the details of what they said.

  Private White and Corporal Gibbon’s reported to the Texas 12th who were still camped out behind the Inn. They found themselves reassigned from Camp Verde and Camp Davis and reported to a company headed for Shreveport, Louisiana.

  Bryan reported in to the commander to find his orders hadn’t lied about him being the new Indian Agent/medic for the troops left in Southwestern Arkansas and northern Texas. There were no new orders sending him back to Camp Verde or Santa Fe. Perhaps those would come after Dallas talked to Albert Pike and perhaps not.

  Major Traywick was over joyed to see him. That young whippersnapper Lieutenant LaBlanc from Camp Davis could hardly be understood with his deep Cajun accent. If you didn’t speak French or hail from the swamps near New Orleans or work on the Beauregard ranch, it was a hard row to hoe to figure out what he was telling you. A real live English speaking older doctor was exactly what he requested and he was pleased as punch to have him on board.

  Major Traywick introduced his wife, Leotie. Major Traywick grinned, “That means flower of the prairie in Cherokee. You don’t have any problems delivering women do you Captain Hunter? Cause if you do, you best get over it. There’s no midwives here that will touch her.”

  Leotie looked down at her bulging belly and smiled, “I tell him we not need them, but he worries too much.”

  Bryan felt for the baby’s positions and felt two heads. He figured she was about six months along. Bryan smiled, “Twins. Well how about that. We’ll have to keep a good watch on you for the next couple months. Twins can be earlier and we want their heads down when your time comes.”

  Leotie smiled, “I like this one. He knows difference between two and one with four legs and arms. This other man say I have a sea monster.”

  Major Traywick chuckled, “He thought they were an octopus and she was possessed just because her mother was Cherokee. Leotie can show your wife some of the old Indian sites if she’d be interested.”

  Bryan looked back in the wagon bed. Jenny was still in her buckskin. There was no hiding what she had been even with new names. Bryan said, “I’m sure May would like that Leotie. Her baby came too soon and she’s still pretty weak. But the fresh air up here will do her good. Her Comanche name was Nahuu, I believe that translates to knife in English. Not as pretty as yours, but I’m guessing it was because she was a pain in someone’s side, very stubborn when she sets her mind to something.”

  Leotie smiled shyly, “It is not because she was a pain in side. It is a warning to those who would challenge this man who had her. He has a weapon that will defend his family to the death and has proven it. It is a high honor to have that name. She has lost more than this last baby has she not?” Leotie looked down, “I am sorry. I should not talk of this other man and family to you when your pain of loss of your child is so fresh. You will try again and have children of your own.”

  Major Traywick took Bryan by the arm as he considered what Leotie said, “Well, we’ve got a cure for that don’t we Doctor. You know where yo
u’re going out there? The old Indian settlement above the lake sits on a nice site for that lumber and grist mill. You’ll know it by the old graves at the bottom of the rise. There is an old abandoned one room school. If you hear that bell ringing you better find a hole to duck into.”

  Bryan chuckled, “I lived in tornado alley. My mother and I slept in the cellar on more than one night, but thanks for the warning.”

  Bryan requisitioned a tent for their use and headed out toward the spot he had taken his class on a field trip years ago. On a rise above the fields Bryan found the perfect view of the surrounding valley. If there was a place to raise a million children, surely this was it. On one side was a stream feeding into a lake. There was forest with deer, rabbits, squirrels, and eagles flying over the cliff on the western side of the plateau that might have been the center of a volcano in earth’s early history if you looked at it just the right way. There was volcanic blue gray clay and rocks mixed with good brown dirt on the slopes and in the valley below.

  Much to Bryan’s relief, Major Traywick’s assessment of the lack of any settlers in the area held true. This was further off the beaten path than Dallas’ cabin. The old abandoned school house was still there, although in bad repair. Just as described there were what looked like old graves leading up to the rise. There were no new dates, but there were several that were close together as if some disaster had taken a toll on the settlement. Perhaps the rest had left by choice, or as the results of the forced Indian relocation. There were lots of artifacts of ancient settlements, and some more recent ones that were abandoned to the woods to reclaim. Bryan chuckled at the thought. His pack rat was going to have a field day between the rocks, arrow heads, flints, geodes, and garbage dump of hundreds of years of native American villages.

  Bryan pitched his tent and had everything they needed for the night moved before he gently moved her into her temporary home. He cooked up a nice broth from carrots, onions, potatoes, and a little beef he was given by Leotie to help her get her strength back.

  As the stew simmered, Jenny started to come out of the effects of the chloroform and woke looked around confused as to how she got there. The last she remembered was chasing JC in the yard. Then she saw the bandage on her hand and her memories flooded back. The conversations in the trading post with Bryan saying he would never have a child with her and didn’t even want to touch her like that again. Gage wanting her to go West and get the last of the pearls and make a good map. The Major saying she couldn’t talk anymore for fear of what she’d say to the wrong person about her forever husband and friends. But the scariest of all was when she was watching from about her head again as the venom coursed through her veins in her limp body below. There was the Priest commenting on what took place below her. He made sure he pointed out Sparrow Hawk was there to kill her dead and those hugs were only to see if she wasn’t already or not and the rest had lied through their teeth.

  Jenny’s Mother took the Priest by the chin and told him, “She didn’t need you to say that Thomas. She has eyes and ears. She’s no fool. I’m sending her back. And as for you, you’ll wish you had listened when she told you the truth. Go write in the clouds God is a woman one hundred times.”

  MacLeod sighed as he addressed Jenny, “Looks like you were right about two things.”

  Sister Abigail asked, “So you’re sorry now? You regret doubting her?”

  MacLeod looked at Sister Abigail with contrition, “Yes Mam, she was definitely right about where Hell is, and you don’t respect your betters like the Bible said any better than she does.” Jenny was shaking her head and trying to cover his mouth before he said one more word that would surely damned him right along with her. The Priest grabbed Sister Abigail’s chin and proclaimed, “That’s Blasphemy and I won’t do it. Get thee away from me serpent of the Devil!”

  Sister Abigail frowned, “Then join her back where both of you belong!” The next thing Jenny knew she was dealing with Private White again as he once more offered to take care of her needs for the good Doctor if he wasn’t up to the task. Jenny made a bee dive for the back of the wagon just as Bryan’s hand went over her nose and the black sleep came over her again.

  Jenny’s eyes were wide open as she shook off the memories and crawled out of the tent to see Bryan cooking for her as the the sun was setting over the western sky. She looked around in amazement, “You found it. Our place to raise a million children? This is it?” Jenny looked at the bandage on her hand, “Did I fall and hit my head and hand? I don’t remember how I got here.”

  Bryan grinned, “You had a little accident and you’ve slept. I didn’t see any reason to wake you. You needed the rest and I like to cook. I used to cook for my mother when she was sick.” Bryan changed the subject to a happier one and pointed to the valley, “Right down there is where we get to start our hunt for stones. Over there is a lake to fish, and next to it are plenty of woods to hunt fresh game and they’re lots of old camp sites for you to find all the junk you want. You think it will do?”

  Jenny said, “It is beautiful. So many trees. I never see this many trees before and water so pretty. Look at this soil. It is so rich. We could grow corn, carrots, onions, turnips, tubers, squash and anything else you want like melons. I have not eaten melons in forever, but I remember eating one once. You think we get to stay?”

  Bryan pulled out his sextant, “Well, maybe we find exactly where we are, then we see if it is available to buy if you decide you want to stay. We might have to wait until the war is over before we build a big home. Seems the neighbors have been burning each other out, that’s why we’re not staying in the Major’s cabin. Someone burned it last week. But there is an old school house I could fix up over there. Comes with a ready made dinner bell. That would work for now.”

  Jenny asked a little worried, “You think they still here? Should we take turns sleeping? Should we put fire out? Easy to see on hill top.”

  Bryan looked at his stew, “After you eat something. I’ll put the fire out if you’re worried.” It didn’t take long for Bryan to get a bowl of stew into her. Every survival and protection instinct Sparrow Hawk and Red Cedar had taught her kicked in as she found a knife and laid it close as they ate. The moon was rising and the night was clear. Bryan doused the fire and they sat enjoying the night sky. Jenny kept an ear pealed for any unusual sounds, but after a while relaxed as Bryan showed her the different constellations and told her stories about how each got it’s name. Jenny would tell him the names the Indians gave the same stars and the story behind it. After a couple of hours, Bryan laid his head on her lap and eventually closed his eyes as the day came to a end.

  Jenny sighed, “How can I tell you I do not want to share you with anyone else? Will you think me so selfish that you throw me away?”

  Bryan opened his eyes but didn’t move. He let the breath out of his chest then answered her, “Hum, so I guess that means we’re not having a million children? Not even one?”

  Jenny said, “If you want one, I will try not to die this time. But JC make me realize how old I am. Feel like Grandmother, not young mother chasing child. Itsee would not have gotten within ten feet of that snake before I had his backside off the ground. Perhaps time to let others run after them and we just watch. He did not get bit did he?” Jenny watched his eyes to see if that pleased Bryan.

  Bryan replied, “No, he’s fine. I’m sure the Major spanked him good for that. Turns out his Grandfather is getting to stay at Camp Verde with his uncle Tommy. Lacy’s should be there to meet them any day now. I’m afraid it’s just you and me again.” Bryan hesitated then said what was on his mind, “They say your own is always easier than another person’s child to deal with Jenny, but what if they’re not. What if they’re meant to punish you for your mistakes or even worse like the Bible says for the sins of the father. My father left my mother and me when his dreams didn’t come true. I watched my mother die, pining for someone who wasn’t coming back. I know you can’t tell it from looking at us, but Dallas
is my half-brother. Same father different mother. Then he left Dallas and his mother too. If JC is a sample of what’s in store, what do you think the two of us would spawn?”

  Jenny grunted, “Hum, so you are scared of what our child might be like? This is what holds you back from wanting a son?”

  Bryan admitted, “Yes. I’ve done terrible things and lived a lot longer than Dallas.”

  Jenny ran her fingers though his hair and smoothed the frown lines on his brow, “Do not worry. If that was true, Wasapi would be holy terror and he is best of all. Red Cedar say he will be great war chief one day.”

  Bryan rose up to his elbow, “You think he’s going to succeed in killing Sparrow Hawk and take his place?”

  Jenny said, “No, I think he is going to kill Gage. Sparrow Hawk will be dead long before Wasapi take over tribe. My white son they say is Indian, will be Indian at heart and kill all whites on plains that day. That is almost funny if it were not my son and my brother.”

  Bryan asked, “But what if we raised him?”

  Jenny said, “Then maybe Sparrow Hawk and Wasapi’s brothers die and Sparrow Hawk’s seed is no more. Maybe you are right. It is better to not temp fate with another child.”

  Bryan puzzled the question they debated, “But what if us not having a child changes everything for the worse. Maybe Wasapi would be friends with our son and never kill Gage or his father and brothers. Maybe these terrible things that Sparrow Hawk yelled out will never come to pass.”

  Jenny replied, “You have heard these too? They make me weep to know these may come to pass. Red Cedar and Sparrow Hawk have a gift that opens their minds to dreams that come to pass. Sometimes it is a curse. He has tried so hard to figure out how to find better days for his people, but all he can think of is to make many sons so that one may succeed where he has failed.” Jenny tried to apologize for what she said about Cole. This man controlled her destiny and she was sure the Priest would show back up somewhere in their path. The man had more lives than a cat.