Shatto's Way

by Roy F. Chandler

"Down the road we'll put up our sign. They'll laugh at it, but I figure they will also get their armored car ready and have it lead their column.

  "The worst fear I've got is that their army will be all stretched out. They're certainly an undisciplined pack of scavengers, so they will probably straggle and extend so far down the road we won't get them all in the trap. Some will close up while they are getting their car ready, but that might not take enough time for them all to get caught, so here is what will happen next.

  "Up here at the north end we'll throw up a barricade of old junk, but we'll leave a hole in it as though we really inspect and let traffic through. Seeing that will keep them from maneuvering and just charging the thing.

  '"When the time looks right, I'll step out and hold up a hand for them to stop. It's possible that they'll just try to roll right over me and if they do, Chop will explode the road charge under the armored car and we'll go on as planned. I've got a big hole all ready and I'll dive into it. Quicker than I did at Kin Kora, by the way.

  "More likely, they'll stop. I figure the Governor won't be able to pass up the chance to bellow through his amplifier and announce our last chance to surrender. That's when I delay him as long as I can, because his people will crowd up to see the fun and the tighter they get in, the better it will be for us.

  "I'm going to try to stop that car right on top of our charge. That will be better than timing it while he's rolling.

  "When I'm ready, I'll dive into the hole and Chop will blow the car to hell."

  Chop was muttering, but Toby knew his objection and went on.

  "While I'm doing this, Johnnie and his people will come out of the draw in the cliffs and close up behind them, When the action starts up front, John, you open up with all you've got from the rear.

  "Bill, you and your men will be up front with me, so when I duck, you start killing everybody you can see."

  Somebody said, "Whew!" but Toby was visualizing the action.

  "They'll dive for cover as sure as I am standing here. Some will get under the cliffs and those we will leave strictly alone unless they attack.

  "The rest will hit the woods. Immediately, each of our parties must set the brush afire so that Kellog's people will face a fire wall on each end.

  "Davy Comp has volunteered to hide along the river bank and do the same there before he swims like the devil for a raft.

  "Anyway, once they are in the woods, Chop will start the explosives in the trees. I'm expecting the brush fires, your shooting, and the dynamite to drive them, but just in case, appoint a few men to yell things like, 'Quick get under the cliffs!' or, 'Across the road before they kill us!' We'll just make sure they get the idea.

  "Those who come into view along the river will get hammered by the raft men so there will be only one place to go and that's into the boulders under the cliffs.

  "Once they start across the road don't bother them. Let' em go without being shot at.

  "Then, when Chop thinks it's time, he'll dump the cliffs right on top of them, After the dust settles we'll go in carefully and clean out any who might be hiding in the woods."

  He ended, slapping his hands in finality, "So, that's It, Now let's hear whatever you've got to say."

  Freet beat Chop to the main objection. "Toby, we aren't questioning your plan, but you can't go standing out in front making a handy target, Hell, your chances of getting safely into that hole are about nothin'. Man, it's worse than the Killing Ground.

  "My God, Toby, a dozen things can go wrong and that whole army could shoot you into rags." Chop growled concurrence, as did Bill Long.

  Toby nodded understanding but not agreement. "Look, about the last thing I want to do is stand out there with my face hanging out, but it's got to be done. We've got to try to pull that whole crowd into the ambush. We have to draw their attention so John can get in behind without being noticed, and don't forget the Governor and his car. If we get him and his machine guns we've really hurt them.

  "No, I don't like it either, but it's the best way and it is me old Kellog will be pleased to see. Remember, I've been jerking him around for almost a year now. He'll love facing me down and making me crawl. Somebody else? Well, he might not wait."

  "Hell, Toby, he doesn't know what you look like. Anybody could do the job."

  "Well, there are two answers for that. He may have his man with him and he surely knows me. Second, I can't let someone else do the job because it's too dangerous for me, now can I?" They could answer, but Toby wasn't really going to listen, so after a while they all silently agreed.

  "Ok, Toby, then that's the way we'll do it, but that doesn't mean we like the part you're playing, and if we could get anything through your skull we'd do something else." Chop paused to wrinkle his brow in thought. "Somehow it always turns out the same. In the end, we all decide to do it Shatto's way."

  +++

  After that, it drew down to waiting. Toby posted a lookout above the ambush site who would make sure nothing disturbed the dynamite or the rafts.

  A number of times each day they made radio checks with the warning team near the river junction. If a radio failed, Toby intended to know it and get another en route.

  He also had a large sand pile dumped near the community fire. The children played in the sand but when the time came he could model the ambush terrain in the sand and explain everyone's part in the battle.

  Routines continued of course. Fields were worked, cows were milked, and construction was built. Some half forgot the inevitability of approaching combat while others sweat daily with the knowledge of it. Toby Shatto didn't sweat, but all other considerations fell far behind his contemplation of the coming war.

  Had he figured it right? Could he make it work? His mind said "Yes," but often specters of terrible failure shook him. Those doubts he shared with no one. To all he must appear as certain as he was of the sun's rising. Their strength lay in his people's trust that he would be right and to doubt or question himself this late in the game would be shattering.

  +++

  The radio came to life in midafternoon on a blistering September day. The excited voice announced the Governor's crossing of the Susquehanna and continuing march toward the Amity Hall cutoff where he would choose either the Susquehanna or the Juniata route.

  At Shatto's Way horns blew and people assembled. Before they settled Toby could announce with satisfaction that Governor Kellog had turned onto the Susquehanna trail and that the plan was in motion.

  Toby was ready to address his population before the sand table was quite ready. Unwilling to have attention split, he waited until Freet and a helper had finished modeling in the river, cliffs, and other appropriate features.

  The moment he stepped forward silence dropped. He looked grim, and so did the other leaders. No one doubted their time had come, and they waited his words with pounding hearts and sweaty palms.

  "Word's come in that Kellog's army is on its way. They've crossed the river at Clark's Ferry and are coming North on Routes 11 and 15.

  "They are doing exactly as we hoped and things are looking good, so . . . we will be ready to march from here one hour after this talking is done.

  "Now everyone knows his own job, but most don't know the whole plan or exactly where we are going. I'll explain it all to you now."

  Pointing out each position and each duty on the sand table made the scheme look simple and invincible. When he pushed the sand cliffs in on the enemy he could feel the lift of spirit and surge of confidence. He didn't waste words with "ifs" or "whys" and he was finished in ten minutes.

  He completed his plans and raised his eyes for comment. A man named Jack Logan was already rising. His face was angry and his jaw thrust forward aggressively. He did not wait for Toby's acknowledgment.

  "Three hundred men, is that your count, Toby Shatto?"

  Unsure of the man's intentions, Toby replied cautiously, "That's the number we expect and the scouts figure we are about right."

  "Three hundred hu
man beings! You are asking us to go out and murder three hundred unsuspecting people?"

  Toby felt his patience sway. What in hell was the man talking about? Where had he been for the past months when they discussed it all to death? This was not the time to plant doubts and confusions!

  He placed Logan as a later arrival, a farmer with a family who had come from somewhere, but Logan allowed him no time for recalling.

  "What sort of Christian are you? It was bad enough when you killed unsuspecting people at Kin Kora, but to plan the murder of hundreds is beyond condoning. The devil has you, Toby Shatto, and he is using you to gain the souls of these good people.

  "Well, you'll not do it, Shatto. The Lord will not allow it!"

  Toby could hear Chop rumbling like a volcano beside him and John Freet was already sidling closer to the man. Toby chose quickly and raised his voice in demand for silence. Logan held his words but his bearing gave not an inch. This argument had to be crushed immediately. Many were afraid and surely others harbored unspoken doubts. Arguing now could cut the courage right out of them.

  He fixed Logan with his coldest eye and turned a cutting edge into words that bit like barbed wire. He used his clenched fist and pointing finger like mace and pike to emphasize his meaning and some swore that he grew inches in height and that a visible aura of righteous anger enveloped him.

  "Logan, you are a fool. If we fail to act, those animals you champion will kill you and rape your wife.

  "They will destroy this place and, if your children live, they will be homeless orphans.

  "These are killers, Logan. They have proven it wherever they have touched. They kill, loot, and pillage exactly as barbarians have since earliest history."

  "God will . . ."

  "God has given us the wits and tools to help ourselves, Logan. You speak freely of God and devils but even the dullest of fools must know that if either is concerned, it is the devil who rides with Kellog's Huns."

  "You cannot just kill three hundred . . ."

  "Logan, I could kill any number of human hogs to save a single innocent. Every one of those who march with Kellog that we kill will spare the lives of innocent people here or elsewhere."

  "Who gives you the right to . . ."

  "Logan, we cannot bother with you now. Your words are wasted and harmful at this war council. Right now we are about to fight to the death for what we love and cherish and you divide us and weaken our determination with prattling about the goodness of man.

  "Now hear me clearly, Jack Logan. When we need every heart and every rifle, you question our right to fight for what we have . . . for our very lives in fact.

  "If you had doubts, you have also had opportunities to raise them. Yours is not my philosophy nor is it the covenant that forms this community. Now you are too late. We have a job to do and we are going to do it!

  "Finally, hear this: A man unwilling to face the facts of man's brutality to man and do his utmost to strike it down is not worthy of our attention. Peace and prosperity have always been earned and often defended through bloody battle. A man who will not fight for himself or his people has no place here. Those who will not help will not share. So, when we return from protecting our village, our lives, and our loved ones, be gone from here.

  "Remove only what you brought and be far enough away that those whom you have deserted do not with clear conscience tar and feather your craven carcass.

  "Now leave this meeting and bother us no more!"

  Chop was already stepping down to help Logan along and Toby barely saw the man's flushed features turned away.

  He glanced angrily at his watch and shook his head in annoyance. "We've wasted valuable time, but you all know what to take so we will make it up.

  "This is the last time we will all be together until the fighting is over, so I'll just add my thanks for your courage and clearheadedness.

  "We are going to win this battle. Just as we will win any that appear tomorrow or ten years from now.

  "Perry Countians haven't ever been known for giving up or for sneaking off when the going was tough. Once it's brought to us, we have always figured on winning, and this war is no different.

  "You've one hour so, let's get to it."

  +++

  Using two tractors they towed four long hay wagons. With everybody riding they would arrive fresh and without danger of straggling. Jammed aboard with weapons and blankets they were a warlike looking band alright. Could they stand fast and weather the storm of musketry that would come their way? Well, their forefathers had from Breed's Hill through Gettysburg. Toby believed they too would hold their ground.

  He used a few final moments instructing Hanna to be sure that Jack Logan did not leave the village until the following afternoon. It seemed improbable that the man would go to the extreme of warning Kellog of the ambush but they could not take the chance.

  Everyone was not going to the fighting of course. No women were included among the fighters nor did any of them suggest that they should be. Old men remained behind to guard and supervise but both Toby and Chop put more faith in Hanna's Rangers than the abilities of the rheumy-eyed oldsters.

  Chop had listened to Toby's instructions concerning Logan and at the end he turned away chuckling.

  "What's so funny, Chop?"

  "You are, Toby. My God, telling that fool Logan he might get tarred and feathered. Hell, Toby, where would anybody get tar to waste like that?"

  "You're a nit-picker, Clouser! Now get aboard or we'll make you walk." The banter helped ease Toby's mind and he walked away pretending to grumble about "oratorical license" . . . or something.

  As they arrived at the ambush site their radio reported Governor Kellog making camp at New Buffalo. Undoubtedly Kellog would march in the morning and expect to arrive at Shatto's Way with time to trample their defenses before good shooting light failed. If that was his plan, he was about to be surprised.

  Freet put his people in camp well up the draw he would use to close off the enemy's rear and came back to help raise the roadblock.

  Using the tractors, they dragged some old car bodies into position and stacked logs and some destroyed building parts against them. They left an inviting hole through the center and checked to make sure that it looked good from the direction Kellog would be coming. Someone laid a long two by four waist high across the opening and that looked even more tantalizing. With a little touching up it looked like a typical border crossing obstacle that an armored vehicle could enjoy driving through.

  While Long's men chose firing positions behind the roadblock, the raft men anchored their clumsy rafts in just the right places. They used a leaky old rowboat to come ashore in and would return the same way at dawn.

  They checked the wires to Chop's lookout and placed a pair of freshly charged batteries handy as support in case the generator faltered—overkill, but this was not the time to hold back. A man took the sign down the road to hang where Kellog's army could not miss it.

  Then all that was left to do was wait.

  +++

  They sat close in encroaching darkness, each thinking of the coming battle.

  Bill Long spoke up. "Maybe we ought to send a good shot down the trail and pick old Kellog off before he gets here."

  "No way, Bill. Hell, they'd probably keep right on coming, but then they'd be wary and push scouts out. Ever stop to think what would happen to our scheme if they had flankers up on the cliffs? Nope, we want them overconfident and downright disdainful."

  Chop added, "One thing not to forget is for everybody to get in all the bathroom calls they can stand until just before the fight. Otherwise there will be a lot of wet pants in this outfit."

  Men chuckled nervously but knew the point was sound. Most could feel the anxious need already.

  After the others had gone to sleep Toby said, "You feel alright about doing the exploding, Chop?"

  "It's the job I'd want most, Tob. And never fear, I won't get excited and blow anything too soon."

&
nbsp; "I know you won't, Chop. That's why I wanted you for it." He was silent for a moment.

  "We've been a team for a long time, Chop. Ever think back on it?"

  "Real often, Toby. We've had some times alright. This one'll be the biggest though, Tob. Man, there's a lot riding on this play."

  "We'll make it work, don't doubt it."

  "Oh, I figure on it working, Tob, that isn't my main worry. Hell, I'm more worried about you standing out there with a machine gun almost sticking in your guts.

  "Damn it, Toby, you watch yourself tomorrow. I really don't like that part of it."

  "Chop, I'm taking every precaution I can. I'm figuring on being deep in that hole. Just make sure you set her off the instant I dive in. After that, I'll be the safest one around and I'm not coming out until the cliffs are down and the stones stop rolling."

  "Good luck tomorrow, Toby. We'll all be needing it."

  "Luck to you too, Chop, but don't worry. We're here to make our own."

  +++

  Kellog's army marched reasonably early. They headed out with only about half of them ready. The rest broke camp and scurried along trying to catch up. Toby's radio men stayed within sight and reported constantly.

  In a proper military manner, the army halted for a break at the end of the first hour and the stragglers caught up. When they started off again, the column was reported as more compact and Toby breathed easier.

  He sat on a log at the roadblock listening to Bill Long re-explaining to his men how they would light their grass clumps and hurl them over the obstacles as soon as Chop blew up the armored car. He was mightily uncomfortable in two armored vests and one of Chop's huge shirts. Either vest would stop a pistol bullet and probably most shell fragments. Would two of them turn a 7.62 millimeter machine gun bullet? He hoped to hell he didn't have to find out.

  The radio stuttered that Kellog had arrived at the sign. The governor himself was reading it. There was a lot of laughing and pointing. Someone shot a hole in it, and at the roadblock they heard the shot echo and re-echo.

  Move by move, the radio reported and Toby felt his hands gripping his thighs painfully. Bill Long muttered, "Come on. Come on." Softly, the radio said, "They're unhooking the horses. Yep, here they come. They're startin' up the car!"