Asha smiled. “I love Rosa and John. They are so funny at times.”
“At times they is a right handful but they have good hearts.” Wilma gazed at her making her close her eyes. It was if Wilma could see right into her heart.
“You grown feelings for your baby, ain't ya?”
Asha nodded but didn’t open her eyes.
“Thank the Lord. Now we have more reason to celebrate Thanksgiving.”
“Do you think Little Beaver will be back by then?”
“Who knows, child. I hope so. I miss that young man too.” Wilma stood. “You get some rest now. You will feel better after a nap.”
Wilma left the room after giving Asha a quick kiss on the forehead. The woman had shown her more love than her own mother yet until a few weeks ago they were strangers. Asha’s eyelids grew heavier. They kept closing and eventually she stopped fighting.
Chapter 36
Little Beaver led the soldiers back to the fort.
“You ain’t planning on heading into the fort with us, are you?” Mulligan asked Little Beaver softly. The captain was riding further back and the sergeant obviously didn’t want to be overhead.
“I thought I would rest my horse and visit my people before going home. You do not agree?”
“I don’t fancy your chances of getting back out of there alive. Why don’t you go now? We can manage from here.” Mulligan kept looking behind him. He was starting to make Little Beaver nervous.
“I won’t leave my horse. Your captain isn’t any better at treating animals than he is humans.”
Mulligan shrugged. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Little Beaver kept walking. Maybe Mulligan was right. Perhaps he was being foolish going to the reservation but part of him wanted to see Asha’s father. Maybe he would agree to their union now. He had decided they would marry and head into the mountains together. He could build a small log cabin, somewhere safe for all of them. They could be happy together away from all the bitterness and hatred. He could trap and grow most of their food. His friends in Clover Springs would help with the rest.
A shot rang out piercing his thoughts. Instinctively he ducked just in time for the bullet to whizz past his arm. Turning, he found himself looking down a rifle.
“Some payment for saving your life. A bullet in the back.”
Captain Shopshire didn’t respond. “Wakefield, tie up this prisoner. We’ll hang him at the fort.”
“Hang him? For what?” Mulligan came running.
“I don’t need a reason. Not for him. You on the other hand will get a trial, although the outcome is already known. Mutiny is a serious offense.”
“Mutiny, Sir?”
“You can drop the act Sergeant. From the start of this exercise you were trying to turn the men against me. Wakefield told me a lot of interesting information.”
“Why you…” Mulligan made a charge for Wakefield but the captain stopped him with a shot to his shoulder. Stunned, the sergeant stared at his captain before falling to his feet. “Clayton, Miles, take the sergeant to the surgeon. We want him fit for trial.”
Shopshire turned his attention to Little Beaver. “Go on now, move.” Using his weapon, he prodded Little Beaver forward. At first, he resisted, but after a couple of blows he complied. There was little point giving this animal an excuse to inflict pain. Little Beaver knew the captain got a thrill out of hurting others.
Walking slowly, he let out a soft animal call. It went unanswered. Little Beaver grinned to himself. Black Elk had disappeared. Hopefully he had gone for help and not just ran to save himself. It didn’t take long to reach the fort.
Captain Shopshire instructed Little Beaver be locked up away from Mulligan. The soldier escorting Little Beaver apologized but said he had to follow orders. Murphy arrived some time later with food and drink.
“Ain’t right what’s happening to you and Mulligan. We are trying our best for you. Just don’t make trouble. Give us a chance.”
Little Beaver didn’t reply. Exactly how much trouble could he make with his hands and legs tied.
Chapter 37
Clover Springs
“Sheriff, this Indian man is a friend of Little Beavers. He came to the school to find help.”
“Why didn’t you come straight to me? You in some kind of trouble.”
The Indian moved back from the sheriff, his gaze shooting left and right.
“Sheriff. Stop it. You’re scaring him. He’s got information on Little Beaver,” Wilma said. “Go on, tell him what you told me.”
“Captain Shopshire, he wants to hang Little Beaver. He is an evil man. His heart full of black spirits,” Black Elk frowned.
“What’s Little Beaver done?” Sheriff Willis asked.
“Nothing.” The Indian spat. “He had a chance to kill the captain but instead he saved his life. He took cowards way and now he is paying price.”
“Little Beaver ain’t a murderer. He ain’t no coward neither,” Wilma lectured the Indian waving her finger in his face.
“Sheriff, what we going to do? Can you send your friend a telegram?”
“I’ll do that, Wilma, but you best get someone to go out to Davy’s place and round up a couple of the men. The sooner we get out to the reservation the better.” The sheriff looked at the Indian scout. “What they call you?”
“Black Elk. I am scout.”
“Come on Black Elk. You best tell me the whole story on the way to the telegraph office. Wilma, you still here?”
“I is going, Sheriff.”
Wilma picked up her skirt and hurried back to the school where Miss Ellen and the children were waiting in the classroom. “Miss Ellen, I got to go see Davy Sullivan. Little Beaver is in trouble,” she whispered when she called Miss Ellen out of the school. “Probably best we don’t tell the children or Asha just yet.”
“Ben will go, Wilma. You can’t go riding out of here like some young girl.” Wilma started to protest but saw the wisdom of Ellen’s words. Ben would get their faster.
Wilma went to the jailhouse, her stomach churning. Would they get to the reservation on time? What had Little Beaver done? Please God don’t let anything happen to him.
It didn’t take long for Davy, Aaron and Paul Kelley to ride back into town. By that time, Black Elk had told his story over and over. Wilma was torn between being proud of Little Beaver for not killing the captain to wanting to shake him for being on the mountain in the first place.
“Samuel, you’ll have to wear this while I am away.”
The sheriff handed Samuel a badge.
“Sure thing, Sheriff, but hope we don’t get any trouble. My shooting skills aren’t what they used to be.”
“That’s okay, Mr. Samuel. I can shoot just fine.”
“Maybe I should be deputizing you, Wilma.”
The joke lightened the atmosphere some, although it was obvious they were all concerned for their friend.
“Ride safely. You best be back in time for the Thanksgiving party, or you will have me to answer too.” Wilma waved them off.
“Hope they don’t arrive too late,” Samuel murmured as they watched the men until they were out of sight.
“That’s no way to be talking. They’ll find him and bring him home safe. You just see.”
Wilma hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. A man who abused innocent girls wasn’t one to be trusted to uphold the law.
“We can’t tell Asha any of this. You hear me? She’ll only blame herself.”
“Sheriff was right, he should have put you in charge, Wilma.”
Chapter 38
The men rode hard through the following days and nights reaching the reservation in good time. They were stunned to find their arrival coincided with that of a friend of the sheriff.
“Baden, got your telegram. It’s been a long time.”
“You look mighty pretty in all those stripes, you old dog.”
The Clover Springs men watched as the two old friends embraced in a warm hug.
“Been too long. You put up a lot of weight. Don’t keep you too busy in that little town of yours do they?”
“Well, it was right peaceful until a passel of orphans decided to come live in Clover Springs. All married those men over there.” Sheriff pointed at Davy and the others. “Been nothing but trouble since. And now your captain is pushing me toward the next life. I can’t remember the last time I spent so long in the saddle.”
The General guffawed. “Bradon Willis saddle sore. That just takes the biscuit. If only old Davis was here to see it. He’d never let you live that one down.”
The general turned toward the Clover Springs men. “Why don’t you men join me for breakfast. Soldier, see to their horses and bring their Indian friend in to join us.”
The soldier stared at the general.
“What’s the matter, soldier? I sprouted two heads?”
“Yes, Sir, I mean No, Sir. Oh he…heck.”
“Soldier, you listen to me. I don’t stand for cursing or bad behavior. You’re wearing the uniform of the United States Army. You best respect it and be proud to wear it. Once you are done with the horses, I want those boots of yours shined so bright I can see my face in them.”
“Yes, Sir.” The soldier saluted before almost running way.
“Do you remember old Grimes doing that to us, Baden? I shined my boots so many times the leather nearly wore off.”
The men followed the sheriff and the general. All apart from Aaron who elected to go follow the soldier and find Little Beaver.
The soldier led the way into what looked like a barn although it was way too dirty for any animal to use. Inside, he pulled Little Beaver to his feet, awkwardly given his hands and feet were secured with rope.
“About time you showed up.” Little Beaver’s greeting went some way to ease the shock on Aaron’s face who had bent down to cut the ropes.
“You alright? Those rope burns look infected to me and I ain’t no doctor.”
“I am fine. How did you get me out?”
“I didn’t. Turns out the sheriff knows some big wig general. The two of them were hugging a few minutes ago like a pair of old women. Seems they fought together in the war.”
Little Beaver stopped to speak to a soldier. “Is Mulligan still locked up?”
“Yes. He’s alright though. We been sneaking him food and drinks when we could.”
“Since when are you friends with Sergeant Mulligan?”
Aaron knew the sergeant from reputation only after listening to Nandita talk of her trips to the reservation.
Little Beaver shrugged. “Long story.”
“Well, don’t tell me now. I got my own story to tell you Little Beaver.”
“Is it Asha? Did she have the baby? Is she well?”
“No, she ain’t had the baby yet. At least, she didn’t have it before we left but that was some days ago.”
Little Beaver moved toward the door. He couldn’t wait to feel cool air on his face. The pungent smell of old manure and rodents in the barn was enough to turn his stomach.
“What’s troubling you?” He said softly. Aaron was uncomfortable but instinct told him it was more than being surrounded by armed soldiers.
“Listen, I got to tell you before you find out from someone else. I asked Asha to marry me. She said yes.”
“You what?” Little Beaver roared causing soldiers to stare in their direction.”
“Calm down or you’ll get us both tied up. I did it for you.”
“How is marrying my woman helping me?” Little Beaver snarled.
“We didn’t get wed. Sheriff stopped us in time. I was doing it to keep her and the baby safe. I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing.”
Aaron grabbed Little Beavers shirt and pulled him around to face him. “I owe you my brother’s life. Asha didn’t want to marry me. She loves you, you donkey.”
“She tell you this? When? Before or after she agreed to marry you.”
“Listen to me and listen good you stubborn ass. I did it to save the woman you love. But we didn’t get married. Asha is free. She can stay in Clover Springs.”
“She can? But how?”
“Ask the sheriff. He made it happen. Anyways now you know.”
“You were really going to marry my woman?” Little Beaver shouted.
“Will you quit yelling at me. If you’d been in Clover Springs and not chasing your revenge, you could have married her.”
Little Beaver didn’t react. What could he say? Aaron was right. He should have been with Asha not chasing his pride around the mountain.
They walked slowly toward the general’s quarters. “How do you know Asha wants me?”
“The whole town knows Asha wants you. Though why she wants to live with a stubborn, cranky, bad tempered mule like you is anyone’s guess.”
Little Beaver glared at his friend who burst out laughing. “Come on, I am starving. Eating jerky for almost a week sure builds up an appetite. Hope whoever’s cooking has made plenty.”
Little Beaver wasn’t hungry. His thoughts were all confused. He couldn’t believe he had nearly lost Asha to Aaron. One minute he was tied up in a stable, now he was being taken to have breakfast with a general. It was like something out of one of the books in Miss Ellen’s classroom.
Chapter 39
There was no comparison between the smelly stable and the sumptuous surroundings of the generals quarters. He ignored the soldiers, turning to hug each of his friends. The sheriff he left for last. “Thank you for coming.”
“Just wait till I get you back to Clover Springs. I will lock you up for stupidity.” The sheriff’s voice was low as the words were for his benefit only. He couldn’t feel anger, his friend was right. His actions planning revenge on the captain had led directly to the death of one man, his own imprisonment and that of Mulligan. He hung his head as shame overwhelmed him.
The general’s question made him look up. “So you are the man who saved my men?”
“With help from others,” Little Beaver said, his tone low but not deferential. He was an equal to this man.
“Yes, so I hear. Black Elk and Mulligan.”
“Mulligan is a brave man. He almost lost fingers helping men to escape blizzard. He cares more for those men than himself.”
“There is one man he doesn’t care for at all. Captain Shopshire.”
Little Beaver didn’t reply.
“Please take a seat and eat. I have just sent for Captain Shopshire. I imagine you would like to hear his side of the story.”
“I will not sit at the same table as that man.” Little Beaver stood with his arms folding over his chest.
“I didn’t invite the captain for breakfast. You sit and eat. He will talk.”
Little Beaver caught the gleam in the sheriff’s eye. He sat.
“Keep that temper of yours under control. Let the general deal with Shopshire,” the sheriff growled in his ear.
Little Beaver said nothing. His appetite disappeared as his attention focused on the door. It seemed to take ages before a soldier announced the captain. Little Beaver wasn’t even conscious of the fact he had moved until he felt the sheriff’s hold on his arm.
“Watch,” the older man hissed.
Captain Shopshire marched into the room, saluting the general. It seemed to take him minutes to realize who was seated at the general’s table.
Little Beaver watched him intently, scrutinizing every second of his reaction. He could see shock and fear in his enemy’s eyes before they widened with anger.
“What is he doing here? He's my prisoner.”
“Correction, he's my guest. He was your prisoner for reasons I am sure you will explain. Now.” The General didn’t shout. He didn’t have to.
“Sir, I must protest. This is private Army business.”
“See, Captain, that is your first mistake. There is no private Army business. Our duty is to keep American Citizens safe wouldn’t you agree?”
Little Beav
er saw the captains inner struggle.
“Yes, of course, Sir. The man is a menace, hence why he was under guard. He tried to kill my whole platoon.”
“From what I heard, one man died but it wasn’t at the hand of the Indian. In fact, the only man at risk was yourself. Perhaps, justifiably so.”
Captain Shopshire's Adam’s apple bounced up and down as he swallowed.
“Sir, I...”
"I am waiting, Captain. I want to hear what charges you brought against this man. I also believe you have Sergeant Mulligan in custody. You are aware the sergeant served with me, side by side through the whole Civil War.”
The captains groan was audible. Little Beaver sat up straighter. He was starting to enjoy this.
“I believe you have met my friend, Bradon Willis. Sheriff of Clover Springs over Colorado direction. Bradon, you remember sergeant Mulligan don’t you. He was a private then, one of the youngest soldiers in our troop.”
“Yet one of the bravest from what I recall.”
Little Beaver stared at the sheriff. His old boss was really enjoying himself. He turned his attention back to what the general was saying.
“He saved my life.” The general continued as if he was having a normal conversation. “But then you wouldn't remember that. You'd been injured and sent on leave.”
Captain Shopshire’s face lost what little color he had left. The man looked as if he was about to pass out.
“So perhaps, Captain, you could explain yourself to two war veterans why a career soldier with an exemplary record and a young man who became deputy sheriff at an age when boys like you were still in school, would be in your custody.”
“They conspired against me. Mulligan ordered a mutiny.”
“Mutiny? That is a serious accusation.”
Captain Shopshire was sweating now. “The snow came in, caught us unawares. Jeffries died when he tried to desert.”
“Desertion was it? Or was the poor man trying to get help as Little Beaver tells it?”
Captain Shopshire ignored the question. “Mulligan instructed the men to follow that... man's orders rather than mine.”
Thanksgiving In Clover Springs Page 13
