The Visitor_Texas 1863_1869

by Barbara Svetlick

  Dominic spotted the scouts several times. They never attempted to approach but would stand at the top of a distant hill watching before they would turn and disappear. They continued to travel due west along the river. The warriors would appear more and more frequently and the night drums would go on and on well into the night.

  Like a ghost, the new moon rose while the skies cleared making the stars more brilliant. They camped on a ridge overlooking the river and in the distance you could see the campfires of the village. Meeks was sitting looking out over the river when Mirisa sat down with him. The drums had a very hushed tone almost like a heartbeat.

  “I am going to them tonight.” Mirisa said it like it was a certainty. “I would appreciate it if you would come with me but I understand if you can’t.”

  Meeks was stunned at her statement since she’s the one who cried over the smallest issue. He assumed that she really had no idea how ferocious they could be because she had never had to sit and listen to the screams of the hostages as they were tortured for hours and hours before being killed.

  “Alright, but don’t ever say I never did anything for you.” Mirisa smiled and rested her head on Meeks’ arm as she intertwined her fingers in his. Dominic walked up behind them and sat down.

  “Is there not a moment in life that I don’t have to watch you?”

  “Dominic, I thought you enjoyed watching me.”

  He lit a cigar and sat down on the ledge. “I do. It’s the times when I’m not watching that concern me.”

  Mirisa turned away from the village to look at her husband. “And they should.”

  The warriors were in full paint as they danced around the fire. Dog Moon was sitting cross legged just outside his tent and the medicine man was sitting next to him filling the calumet with the calling grass. He lit it, blew out green smoke and waved his hand through it so that it covered his face. He passed it to the Chief who did the same and passed it on. Seven or eight of his best warriors were seated near him and the women were moving in and out serving them food and drink. He was fasting and would sit with his eyes closed calling her. The song they were singing was the song to bring her to them.

  Over five hundred people lived in the village and the ritual circle was large enough to hold thirty to forty dancers allowing the people to get up and down during the night changing places and changing dancers. They had been doing this for three weeks knowing that she would come soon; the spirit had promised them this. It was close to midnight when Dog Moon stood up. The dancers stopped and the women quit singing because he had never before stood up in the middle of a calling. The drummers changed tempo to a very slow soft roll.

  There was a parting of the people when the five riders slowly crossed the river and soon there was an open path through the crowd to the circle. The scouts, who had been following them for weeks, fell in behind them. Dominic was riding next to Mirisa and Meeks; James and Garnett were behind them with their rifles drawn. None of them were particularly happy with the situation but never had they refused to stand with Dominic. There had been no reports of issues with the Choctaw but also no treaty. Their horses walked slowly through the crowd and every once in a while someone would reach out and touch Mirisa but she never took her eyes off of the circle.

  Dominic stopped about thirty yards from the warriors and dismounted. Meeks realized that he was not wearing his holster nor was Mirisa. He handed the reins to Meeks and walked over and helped Mirisa down. Everyone was watching every move she made and they found her even more beautiful than the mothers had said but they found Dominic by far more interesting for he had the look of their chief despite being a white man.

  Garnett started to dismount and Dominic stopped him and handed him the reins to Mirisa’s horse. Dog Moon’s warriors stood up when the crowds parted. The sound of the drums increased to a very hollow and deep echo. Mirisa hesitated before she walked to Dog Moon and bowed her head in respect. This man wore death like a badge. Dog Moon was about Dominic’s height and wore a breechcloth and leggings that were painted and decorated with quillwork depicting his many victories and kills of his enemies. His body and face were painted to depict a fierce warrior that commanded fear and respect. Mirisa knew Dog Moon had been in the circle with Conrad and Dominic and he was in her recent dreams. She was there to close the circle, to finish what was started that night and as though someone had cleared the clouds in front of the sky everything fell into place.

  Conrad stood on the mound with his legs apart and the muscles in his body glistening in the firelight. Mirisa looked at her palm glancing back to Conrad realizing that the ceremony in the circle was to take away any fear. She acknowledged Conrad before she looked back at Dog Moon. Mirisa reached around her neck untying the old tattered yellowed sinew and pulled it out so the small neck piece was suspended between her hands. Mirisa tied it laying it gently in the medicine man’s hands as he started the ceremony. When he had cleaned it of any unknown spirits he handed it to Dog Moon’s hands completing what had started in the circle.

  Dog Moon held it high as he talked to the people but the hush remained over the village as the medicine man drew a circle around them and chanted while throwing red powder into the air. It floated slowly in the firelight covering her blonde hair as it settled at their feet. Mirisa put her hand over his heart as he put his right hand over hers and when he did blood began to run down his chest. The people watched silently for they did not know this part of the story. Dog Moon released her as she stepped back he addressed the people and a deafening roar filled the night as Dog Moon thanked Mirisa for his ancestors and the people of the nation.

  Dog Moon spoke to Dominic and Mirisa turned to Dominic. “He welcomes you, his brother, to his home whenever the wind brings you by.”

  Mirisa mounted her horse as Dominic held the reins finally he mounted turning as the crowds parted. The people reached out touching her as they left the village. By the time they got back to the camp they were wound too tight to sleep so they decided to break camp and head to Dallas.

  “That was more adrenaline than I needed tonight.” Meeks bit off the end of his cigar and spit it into the dark as he mounted his horse.

  Mirisa smiled as they turned and headed south. The night was beautiful and she felt relieved. She never knew all the dreams of adventure and stories of rugged cowboys would pale compared to her life at that moment. She also never knew that she could love so many men for so many different reasons.

  DALLAS WAS A TOWN of about six hundred people bordered by ranches and homesteaders. Up and down main street were numerous dry-goods stores, groceries, a drugstore, an insurance agency, doctors offices, a boot and shoe shop, brickyards, and saddle shops, as well as a weekly newspaper and a three-story brick hotel. The streets were wide and overflowing with town’s people and those passing through.

  Riding in late on the second day, they dismounted in front of the hotel. Mirisa stretched her back as James watched appreciating every movement of her body. She caught his eyes and smiled sweetly before climbing the stairs to the hotel. Mirisa found James to not only be a fervent man but an outrageous open flirt both of which she loved. She frequently wondered if she had taken time to know all four of them would she still have picked Dominic as her husband. She had no answer for each of them held her attention as though no one else existed. Mirisa turned back around and looked at James who still had the most beguiling smile on his face as though he was reading her mind. That is the part she loved the most. The rooms were such a welcome and the smell of fresh bread from the kitchens made her hungry.

  The flyer on the horse auction was on the counter at the front desk so Garnett walked down to the auction office and signed up providing the documentation from the Army allowing them to purchase and transport horses. The horse auction ring was south of town while the cattle stockyards were west of town. They spent the first few days enjoying everything the town had to offer including two great saloons with young dancing girls. By the time of the auction, they had expended t
heir appetites and were completely at ease. Mirisa had trouble being near them because their sexual receptiveness seemed to ooze out of their pours confusing her ability to conduct herself suitably. Dominic reaped her highly energetic responses to being around them as she would not allow him out of her bed except when he took her shopping.

  Mirisa walked up to the railing and climbed up so she could watch them bring out the horses. She looked out into what seemed like fifty horses and dozens of men talking and pointing. Dominic was looking at a beautiful black horse with one white sock on the front and a white patch down his nose. Dominic finally came back to the railing to talk to Garnett.

  “Dominic?” He turned toward Mirisa. “Are you going to buy him?”

  “I’ll have to get a closer look at him.”

  “Is this when you look at his teeth?”

  James put his head down so that he wouldn’t laugh. “Yes, I guess this is when you look at his teeth but more importantly you have to feel his bone structure, how he holds himself, the strength of the muscles in his legs and his hooves.”

  “But what do the teeth tell you other then they are big and hurt like hell.”

  “Mirisa!”

  “What?”

  “I don’t think picking up that language is appropriate for a lady.”

  “But Dominic, you let me say it when we’re playing cards.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well they do and they let me drink too.” James had to walk away and Garnett just smiled.

  “Mirisa.”

  “What Dominic?” She batted her eyes at him and Meeks walked away.

  “Mirisa.”

  “What darling? Are you going to buy me a horse?”

  “I’ll get you anything you want if you stop picking up their bad habits.”

  Mirisa leaned over and whispered in Garnett’s ear. Garnett shook his head slipping under the railing and walked across the pen to talk to the auctioneer. Meeks walked back up to the railing carrying a canteen and started to hand it to Dominic. Mirisa reached over, almost falling off the railing, before Dominic took it out of her hands while Meeks pulled her back up.

  “Thank you for being such a gentleman and catching me.”

  “You remind me of that red head who fell off the barstool last night.” He winked at her turning to Dominic. “What’s Garnett doing? Buying a horse already?”

  Dominic leaned back from the fence without letting go. “No, Garnett is buying Mirisa a horse. And I hope it is a very, very expensive horse.” Garnett came back to the fence, climbed up and sat sideways on the rail.

  “Last night didn’t cost you enough Garnett?” Meeks bit off the end of the cigar, lit a match on the post cupping it in his hands until the aroma filled the air surrounding her.

  “Last night was a waste of my money and my time.”

  “Good reason to stay the week.”

  “Did you catch the redhead too?” They all turned and looked at Mirisa but didn’t respond.

  A lanky stable boy with a defined limp walked over to them leading a bay with dark mane and tail. Dominic bent under the railing stepping into the pen. Mirisa watched as he looked the horse over. He said something to Garnett and next thing she knew all four were in the pen. God, she loved them so much.

  Mirisa reached out lifting the canteen away from the post but when she took a swig she fell backwards off of the top railing. Dominic looked up when she screamed and smiled broadly.

  “Jess, damn it’s been a long time.” He reached over and shook Jess’ free hand since his other one was around Mirisa. “I see you have met my wife, Mirisa.” Jess set her down on her feet and took off his hat nodding to her.

  “Hasn’t anyone told you not to drink from a canteen when you straddle a rail unless you hook your toe under the rail?” Mirisa picked up the canteen putting the top back on and handed it to James before slipping under the railing and away from this strange man. She walked up and nuzzled the horse while laying her cheek along her soft nose. Mirisa loved the smell of a horse and the feel of the fur as you ran your palm down the neck.

  “Would she also be your expert in horse quality?” They all turned but weren’t surprised to see her talking to a horse. “I’m heading west for a job but I’ll be in town for the night if you are interested in a game of cards.”

  “We lost track of you but obviously you aren’t in uniform any longer.”

  “Naw, it is a lot more lucrative to be in private service.”

  “Well, you can get three of us but I’m afraid that Dominic is no longer allowed to play in saloons.” Jess looked at him turned to Mirisa and raised his eyebrows.

  “Well Dominic, I didn’t think this would be a day I would ever see.”

  Dominic turned to his wife. “Mirisa?”

  “Yes darling.” She straightened up and looked at them. James thought it would be worth its weight in gold to watch Dominic try to explain that he wanted to spend the night in the saloon with his friends.

  “Would you like to play cards tonight?” They all looked at him at the same time.

  “Can I say bad words?”

  “As long as I don’t hear them.”

  “Then I will have to sit across the table from you.”

  “Alright.”

  “Can I drink with Meeks?”

  Dominic thought about it and looked at Meeks who shrugged as if he wasn’t responsible for what she said.

  “Well you can try but you might not like the next morning.”

  “Can I cheat? You know they always let me cheat.”

  “You can’t cheat when playing in a saloon.”

  James bit his lip and Jess looked from her to Dominic. “Well, this ought to be an interesting game.”

  “Garnett.”

  He was leaning up against the railing with the canteen in his hand. He didn’t respond so she looked at him while still petting the horse. “I think I want her.”

  “I’m sure your husband will have no problem buying her then.”

  “Thank you.” She leaned down and climbed out of the pen stepping on the first rail trying to take the canteen away from Garnett but he wouldn’t let go.

  “Not until you are successful in bidding on the horse.” She turned to Dominic, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him before whispering in his ear.

  Jess smiled and wondered exactly what brought this group into such a strange relationship with one woman. “I’ll see you guys around 9:00 at the Golden Horse.”

  They all shook hands and turned back as the auctioneer started the bidding on a large white stallion. Mirisa found it so incredibly exciting though she couldn’t keep up with whom was bidding or the price and was always surprised at the end when the wrong person came and took the horse. Dominic finally won the bay for her and she threw her arms around him yelling as Garnett walked out and paid.

  Meeks was standing on the other side of Mirisa. “First time I have ever seen Garnett pay when there was nothing in it for him.”

  “Sometimes you do things out of love even if you don’t realize it because you can’t admit that you are in love.”

  “You are a very unusual woman, Mirisa.” Meeks watched as Dominic came across the pen talking to James.

  They spent most of the day at the auction and when it was over they had over thirty horses that were going to be delivered to Natchez at the end of the month. Dominic provided the auctioneer with the paperwork from the government allowing them to be transported to Mississippi without being seized. He knew most would be purchased by the Army making them a very healthy profit. They settled up the debt and rode back to the hotel for dinner.

  It was a clear night with a light breeze that would have been enjoyable if it weren’t for the wind coming from the direction of the stockyards. Mirisa spent an hour soaking in the tub before dressing in a mid-calf red skirt and light yellow blouse. She put her leg on the chair to lace up her boot before she lifted her skirt to look at them.

  “If you will take off everything e
xcept the boots…”

  She raised her eyebrows and wondered exactly how many sides of him she hadn’t found yet. He was sitting near the window cleaning his gun so she undressed as she approached him, took the gun out of his hand and straddle his lap so that they were facing each other. He slid his hand slowly up her spine as she bit his ear. The smell of the newly cut leather and the softness of her skin was all he needed as she took control of his senses.

  Dominic held open the swinging door as she walked into a room that was bathed in a haze of smoke and dirty yellow light. Everyone turned when they came through the door slowly going back to their conversations or card games. The man at the piano had a lit cigarette in the corner of his mouth as he pounded on the keys in what would never pass as music while the woman sitting on the piano was singing some tune that was very questionable but made everyone laugh. Her voice was pretty, her proudly displayed breasts were very large and her legs were covered in black fishnet stockings held up with red lace garters. Dominic walked Mirisa over to the far corner where the boys were already playing cards and drinking. She could not identify the smell since it was part cigar, part alcohol and something overly sweet.

  A very thin buxomly blonde was standing behind Garnett holding onto the back of his chair. Her hair was held up in big curls, the rouge on her cheeks was darker than Mirisa’s lip paint. When she leaned forward everything strained against the material trying to break out of her low cut purple dress. Meeks gave Mirisa his chair and grabbed another one, turned it backwards and looked at his cards before putting them down on the table. Dominic sat next to her and handed a passing girl a gold coin to bring him a new bottle and two shot glasses.

  Mirisa looked around the room taking in the women who were loud and brassy. They were either sitting on someone’s lap or running their hands provocatively in places in not so subtle movements. The men on the other hand seemed to be better dressed than a lot of the men who were on the streets. She leaned over to Dominic. “Don’t they allow the regular cowboys in here?”