“No!” Melly cried, and grabbed ahold of Baldy’s arms. “No! You can’t go out there. I won’t let you!”
Adam frowned and grabbed ahold of Baldy’s pant leg. “I won’t let you either,” he said. “I need you to teach me. We all need you to take care of us.”
“That’s right,” Louisa said. “There must be another way.”
“Steve, keep Baldy inside this house. That’s an order. You three with me,” his father said and then stepped outside, leaving the door open. He took a bold stance, feet wide apart and hands resting on his pistols.
Samuel, Thomas, and Cornelius, all holding longrifles, stood slightly behind their father.
“Old Bill, please translate for me,” his father said.
Old Bill nodded.
“My name is Stephen Wyllie. These are my sons.”
“I am Capitán Tomás Fernández of the Royalist Army of the Kingdom of Spain.”
The Spaniard’s eyes reminded Samuel of a rattlesnake already coiled up and ready to fight.
Could his father induce the Capitán to uncoil?
“Sir, my sons and I and those we associate with did not support Commander Long. In fact, we told him several times that his plans were foolish and treasonous to the United States. As far as Dr. Grant is concerned, he is a family friend and makes his living as the settlement’s physician, not as a preacher. He does not hold church services or conduct any type of religious ceremonies.”
That was true. Baldy looked upon the whole earth as his alter and all living things as his flock—man and animal. But would funerals and weddings be considered religious ceremonies? Samuel wondered.
Father continued, “You have my word that although he is indeed a man of God, he does not preach against the Catholic faith or attempt to convert those who practice Catholicism. Unlike your Spanish government, Americans believe in the right to religious freedom for all faiths and the right to practice that faith as we see fit.”
“I’m going out there before he gets himself shot,” Samuel heard Baldy say behind him.
Samuel glanced back. Steve, although only sixteen was already taller than Baldy. He stood in front of the doctor with his hand on Baldy’s chest. Samuel could tell that Baldy was not getting past him. Melly, her eyes wide and frightened, was also helping to hold her husband back. Samuel’s gaze returned to his father.
His father took a step forward. “Dr. Grant is one of the many settlers who have come here to settle this land. Spain has encouraged our settlement here so that we might fight the Indians for you and bring prosperity to this remote area between our two countries. We have done both of those things. Last week, we killed Indians right where your horses stand now. And behind us, our cattle graze over many acres. These are cattle that could feed Spanish soldiers as well as American soldiers.”
“Spain claims all the land to the Red River,” the Capitán shot back as soon as Old Bill translated.
“And the United States bought land stretching from here to Canada from France,” his father countered. “Can we not agree that boundary lines should be left to the politicians?”
“Politicians like Commander Long you mean?”
“Certainly not. He is a filibuster acting on his own. He does not represent me, my sons, or Dr. Grant. Our politicians are in Washington.”
Capitán Fernández’s lips pursed and his dark eyes bored into Samuel’s father. “Mr. Long is but one of a succession of filibusters and zealots. These men—Mexican revolutionists, American land seekers, and democratic crusaders—are disloyal to Spain and the Royalist Army. They continue to challenge us because they have the clandestine support of men like you, Mr. Wyllie.”
“Respectfully, Capitán, I am a mere cattleman. I raised cattle in Kentucky before coming here, and my sons and I are raising beef here to sell to the forts in Arkansas and the Missouri Territory. If the Spanish army is interested, we could also sell to them as well. You’ll find no better beef in the Province.”
“Mr. Wyllie, I am not here to discuss your filthy cows,” Fernández said with a sneer. “I am here to arrest enemies of Spain.”
After he heard the translation, Father took another step forward. “Spain has no enemies here. Dr. Grant and I have no interest in politics. We would be happy to treat you and your men to a beefsteak. And should any of your men require medical attention, I am certain Dr. Grant would be happy to treat them. His clinic and apothecary are right over there,” he said and pointed. “But first, we must have your assurance that Dr. Grant will be allowed to continue practicing medicine and may live here peacefully with his wife.”
Fernández cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “As a matter of fact, one of my men has a hand that’s being poisoned by a thorn.”
“Do I have your word that Dr. Grant will be left alone to practice medicine here at the settlement?”
The leader shrugged. “Oh, but of course. We have no desire to rob this community of a good doctor.”
Something in the man’s voice and the glint of his eyes made Samuel suspicious.
His father said, “One moment.” Then he stepped back inside and Old Bill, Samuel, Thomas, and Cornelius followed.
“It’s up to you, Baldy,” his father said quietly. “We can fight them now if you don’t want to take the risk of going out there to treat the soldier. You know we will all stand with you.”
“I’m with you,” Old Bill said.
Father nodded thanks at the trapper. “That means we have seven men. Melly and Louisa can reload for us.”
“You know you can count on my rifle,” Samuel said. “And my pistols. If it comes to a fight, though, since there are twenty of them, this will likely end in a fight to the knife.”
“And the knife to the hilt,” his father agreed with a fierce look on his face.
Samuel knew what that meant. It would be a bloody, vicious battle. Only by fighting savagely would they stand a chance against brutal, experienced soldiers. He snatched a hatchet off the wall and stuck it in his belt.
His brothers did the same.
Adam, who was holding Louisa’s hand, said, “I’ll fight too.”
“Make that seven men and one feisty little boy,” Samuel said. But he hated the thought of the child getting mixed up in this battle.
With a glance at Adam, Louisa shook her head. “No. Fighting them will be far too dangerous. We must find a way to reason with them. They are after Long and my father. Not us. Perhaps if we treat them with kindness, they will see that we are no threat to them or to Spain.”
“I agree,” Baldy said. “But for a different reason. If we fight them, that’s an even bigger risk than my going out there to face their accusations. One or more of you could be killed. We are outnumbered more than two to one.”
“I don’t trust Capitán Fernández,” Samuel said. “Or his men.”
“Neither do I,” his father said. “I fear it’s a ruse. The capture of a protestant preacher would be a feather in his cap. A way to impress his superiors. But it’s Baldy’s decision.”
Baldy exhaled deeply. “I can’t risk Adam’s, Louisa’s, or your sons’ lives. I have to do this.”
Melly collapsed into a chair and sobbed into her hands.
Louisa gripped Melly’s shoulders sympathetically. “Don’t worry. We’ll stop this…somehow.”
Baldy went to his wife, took her face in his hands, and kissed her. “I love you. Remember, whatever happens, I will always love you.”
Baldy strode to the door. Holding his head high, he stepped onto the porch. “I’m Dr. Grant. Which soldier’s hand needs attention?”
Before Samuel could stop her, Louisa also slipped out and spoke up saying, “I’m Louisa, Dr. Grant’s assistant. I will help him treat the soldier. Then we will prepare a nice meal for all of your men.”
Samuel stood beside her as she smiled at the Capitán. He understood what she was doing. But Fernández wasn’t interested in a peaceful solution to this situation.
“Mrs. Grant
is a fabulous cook,” she said. “Why don’t you all rest under that oak while we prepare a feast for you. My husband’s brothers can slaughter a cow and you can enjoy the best beef you’ve ever tasted.”
As Old Bill quickly translated, the Spaniard smiled back at Louisa admiringly. The hungry look in his eyes wasn’t for food.
She turned her head toward Samuel. “Will you and your brothers go slaughter a cow? Melly, can start cooking vegetables. I’ll be in to help shortly. I’m going to go assist Dr. Grant now.”
Naïve and guileless, Louisa didn’t understand that she was playing with fire. She marched off without waiting for Baldy toward the apothecary and clinic.
Stunned, Samuel called after her. “Louisa, come back here!”
“Louisa, go back inside. I don’t require help,” Baldy called to her, but she ignored him too and kept walking.
Samuel hurdled off the porch to run after her.
“Seize the doctor and the girl!” the Capitán shouted.
Louisa gasped and turned around. Her eyes widened with astonishment and then panic.
Baldy grabbed Samuel’s arm and whispered, “Stay here. You will only inflame the situation if you fight them and maybe get Louisa shot. Come for us later. Timing is everything.”
The soldiers seized first Louisa and then Baldy.
They tied Louisa’s hands in front of her and tossed her onto a spare horse. Her luminous eyes were wide with fear as she glanced back at Samuel.
“Capitán, don’t do this. Louisa and Dr. Grant have done nothing wrong,” Samuel pleaded. “Louisa is my wife now. Leave them both and I will go with you to help you find Commander Long. He is the only one who is guilty of anything.”
The shrewd Capitán narrowed his eyes and asked, “Of what is he guilty?”
“Mostly of being an idiot,” Samuel said, his patience growing threadbare.
The Capitán cackled and then his dark eyes turned cold. He nodded toward Baldy.
The two soldiers that held Baldy shoved him to the ground and kicked him.
“No!” he heard Melly cry out from the porch. “Please, stop!”
“Stop!” Samuel yelled as he attempted to pull one of the soldiers away from Baldy. Two more soldiers yanked him off to the side. He gritted his teeth as he struggled to suppress his mounting anger. “For Christ’s sake, he’s a man of God!”
The soldiers ignored their pleas and continued to boot Baldy viciously while Old Bill rapidly translated.
Stoically, Baldy accepted the blows from their boots without even grunting. The doctor wouldn’t give them the satisfaction, Samuel thought.
“Capitán,” his father shouted out, his voice full of authority and simmering anger. “The Almighty’s angels will shower retribution upon you for this injustice. We are not peasants to be bullied.”
A glimmer of unease shown on the Capitán’s face. “Suficiente.”
Enough. Enough to cause Samuel’s thoughts to race dangerously. This man would pay for his actions. Not now, but soon. Very soon.
The soldiers picked Baldy up, hauled him toward another spare horse, and tied him on the mount.
Samuel’s heart wrestled with his mind as he tried to figure out what to do. Baldy was right, to resist now would only light the fuse of this powder keg. And if it blew, they might all die in the process. He could risk his own life, but not Louisa’s or his family. But the sight of those soldiers touching his wife and beating Baldy made every muscle on his body clench with anger and rage surge through his veins. He was seconds away from doing something, anything, to stop this madness when he felt his father and brothers dragging him back inside.
“No!” Samuel shouted as the soldiers turned to leave.
His father slammed the door and threw down the bar.
Chapter 25
“Damn that double-crossing, treacherous man to hell!” Samuel shouted. “They’re riding away with Louisa and Baldy.” Anger boiled inside him, but he couldn’t afford to be rash. He had to keep his head if he was going to successfully rescue the two.
“Oh, God, please help us,” Melly cried.
“They took my sister! And Dr. Grant too,” Adam wailed and started sobbing in earnest.
“I’m going to follow them,” Samuel said. “When they stop for the night, I’ll sneak in while they’re sleeping and get them out.”
“That’s too risky for you,” Thomas said.
“And it may be too late for Louisa,” Melly said. “By then, that captain may have…” she hesitated. “You know.”
Samuel seethed with anger, clenching his teeth. “No!” he shot back. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Let me follow them,” Old Bill offered. “They don’t see me as a threat. Only as a trapper and translator, which they value. Samuel can follow behind me at a distance.”
“I don’t expect you to get tangled up in this,” Samuel said. “This isn’t your problem.”
“Friends don’t desert friends in time of need,” Old Bill said with a look of implacable determination. “So, I’m here for the duration of this trouble.”
“Our deepest thanks, Old Bill,” his father said. “In case the worst happens, and we pray it doesn’t, do you have family somewhere that we should know about?”
At his father’s invitation, Old Bill had made himself a comfortable campsite behind the main cabin. But other than the stories the trapper had told, they knew little about this uncommon man.
“No, the great trapper in the sky took my family many years ago. You’re the closest I’ve come to having a family in many years.”
Stephen nodded. “When this is over, you’re welcome to share our hearth fire for as long as you like or just when your travels take you this way.”
Old Bill’s eyes filled with gratitude. “I thank you for that.”
His father turned to Samuel. “You should both go. When you determine where they’ve camped, Old Bill can come back for the rest of us. We’ll follow a mile or so behind the two of you.”
“I agree,” Thomas said. “But if they somehow discover they’ve been followed, Samuel and Old Bill will need our help sooner rather than later. A mile is too far away.”
“You’re right, Thomas. You two go first,” his father told Samuel and Old Bill. “Thomas, Cornelius, Steve, and I will follow a short distance behind you.”
Samuel nodded. “It won’t be hard for us to follow the tracks of twenty horses.”
“Melly, I must ask you to stay here with Adam,” Samuel told her.
“Stay here in our cabin, it’s more secure. And be sure you have enough water so you won’t have to go outside for anything,” his father told her. “If we’re not back by tonight, and Indians come to steal your and Louisa’s horse, just let them take them.”
“All right. I’ll get some food sacked up for you to take with you. No telling how long you’ll be gone.” She turned toward the kitchen. “Come on, Adam, take that bucket and we’ll get fresh water from the spring house.”
“After you get the food together,” Samuel told Melly, “teach Adam how to reload your weapons.”
“I already know how,” Adam said and swiped at the tears on his face. He snatched up the water bucket and headed to the door. “Louisa taught me.” He paused in front of Samuel and stared up at him. Despite his youth, the boy put steel in his gaze. “I’m countin’ on you to bring my sister back. And Dr. Grant too.”
“I will,” Samuel told him. He would rescue his wife if he had to die to do it. Married only a day and they were already facing the troubles Wetmore had talked about. Well, the Capitán wouldn’t get far with his wife. And he would pay for mistreating the good doctor.
Samuel, his father, and brothers all quickly gathered up additional weapons that hung on both sides of their front door, leaving Melly and Adam with two loaded rifles and two pistols. Beneath the mounted weapons, two side tables held large containers of powder and shot. A half-dozen extra powder horns, crafted from cow or buffalo horn, hung on a peg. Horn was natura
lly waterproof and already hollow inside, so it made a perfect vessel for frontiersmen, who were often outdoors or traversing rivers, to carry their powder. They each grabbed an extra powder horn and filled it. They also stuffed pouches with ball and buckshot. Next, they snatched up the bedrolls stored beneath their beds and filled their canteens with the fresh water that Melly and Adam just carried in.
After clipping a knife inside his boot, and giving Adam a quick hug, Samuel bolted for his horse.
Old Bill’s horse was already saddled since he had expected to be leaving right after that now cold cup of coffee.
As soon as Samson was saddled, he sheathed his longrifle. There was no inaccuracy in the rifle, and she always shot true as long as he could hold his hands steady. He prayed he would be able to. Normally, that wasn’t a problem for him. But now, both Louisa’s and Baldy’s lives were at stake.
As he led Samson out of the barn, his father and brothers hurried toward the horse shed.
His father handed him a saddle pack. “Baldy’s pistols are in there. They’re loaded. We’ll stay about a quarter mile back. If you need us, send Old Bill back to me.”
“I will,” Samuel said and tied the pack to Samson’s saddle.
His father’s square jaw tensed visibly. “Be careful, son. I don’t say it often, but I love you and I’m proud of you.”
“I feel the same.” He hugged his father and then glanced toward his brothers. “All of you youngsters be careful as well.” Losing any one of them would be like losing a part of him. “I’ll need all of you to get our new home built before winter.”
“Don’t worry,” Thomas said. “We’ll all be there.
“You’re gonna need me to be sure you don’t cut logs as crooked as the Red,” Cornelius said.
Steve grinned and flexed his arm, “And me to do your heavy lifting.”
Samuel swallowed the lump clogging his throat. Moments later, he leaned forward on Samson, urging the horse to a fast trot. Old Bill followed.
Once they neared the soldiers, they would fall back into the cover of the woods. The soldiers weren’t heading into the settlement, as Samuel had suspected. Instead, they were headed south to Trammel’s Trace—the road to Nacogdoches. Trammel’s Trace from Pecan Point crossed the Sulphur River. The road eventually met the Camino Real de los Tejas, the road to San Antonio, commonly known as the King’s Highway.
Red River Rifles (Wilderness Dawning—the Texas Wyllie Brothers Series Book 1) Page 23
