“Where’s Father? Maybe he’s already doing that.”
Samuel searched the tree line hoping to spot their father or one of the others. Hidden in the woods, he didn’t see any of them.
Louisa heard more shots. Then another and another in rapid succession. Shots rang out over and over. Men and horses shrieked again and again. She squeezed her eyes shut, but it didn’t keep out the appalling sound of men dying or the acrid scent of black powder.
What was happening? She doubted that she could withstand the agony of not knowing much longer. Suspense squeezed her heart and stole her breath. She wanted to help. Still flat on the ground, she glanced around the tent frantically looking for a weapon but found none.
Suddenly, to the left of the tent, she heard arrows, one after another, hum through the air. Their ghastly, swift tune ended in thwacks as arrows collided with flesh.
Indians!
Men were dying out there.
Were any of them Samuel? Or his brothers? Father Wyllie? Baldy?
God, save them. Save them all!
Chapter 27
“Look!” Steve said and pointed.
Samuel couldn’t believe his eyes.
Kuukuh appeared from nowhere. From the woods and perched on his magnificent horse next to the tent, the brave fired one arrow after another into the five remaining Spanish soldiers. Like lightning, the shafts slashed through the air with blinding speed raining a quick death upon the soldiers. Not one of the brave’s arrows, fired in astoundingly rapid succession, missed their target. With arrows through the middle of their chests, the soldiers all fell dead before they could react.
In another moment, the campsite grew quiet. It was over.
“Stay here,” he told Steve. Samuel leaped upon Samson and cautiously approached the campsite. With Samson’s reins in his mouth, he held both pistols at the ready. Guiding Samson with his knees, he took it slow, watchfully moving toward the tent. None of the soldiers moaned or moved. They all appeared to be dead.
“Louisa!” he shouted when he neared the tent. He sheathed one of his pistols and then bounded from the saddle, praying she was unharmed.
She flung open the tent flaps. “Samuel!”
In a blink of tears, they were in each other’s arms fiercely hugging each other. “Oh, my darling, are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
“No, you came just in time!” she said, with tears of joy spilling from her beautiful eyes. “Oh, Samuel, I was so frightened for you.”
“Frightened for me?”
“Yes. I wasn’t frightened for me. I knew you would come for me. I never doubted that.”
Relief washed over him as he kissed her tears away and then hugged her tightly to his chest before releasing her.
She held a blanket over her shoulders as she glanced around and took in the carnage. “Lord, have mercy.” Then her eyes widened at the sight of a soldier nearby with a knife in his chest.
Samuel recognized it as Baldy’s knife. Beside the dead man lay the Capitán with a sizeable hole in his head from Samuel’s longrifle.
“Don’t look. It’s over. You’re safe,” he said.
Louisa's eyes darted around them. “What about Father Wyllie and your brothers? Where’s Baldy?”
“I only caught a glimpse of some of them in the woods,” he said. Worried himself, he looked for them but only saw his father standing next to Baldy. Then Thomas emerged on his horse and Cornelius stepped out leading his mount. He didn’t see Steve, but since they’d just been together, he wasn’t too worried about him.
“The Capitán cut my gown with his knife,” she cried. “In front of all his men.”
“I saw, from the woods.” When Samuel saw the man point his knife at Louisa and then rip her clothing apart in front of the other soldiers, he’d nearly jumped out, guns blazing. If he had, it would have ruined their plan, and he’d be a dead man. So he’d clenched his jaw so tight it still hurt.
“It made me doubly glad to shoot him,” Samuel hissed. He tied the blanket in front of her and then hugged her until they heard the sound of the others coming toward them. Remembering Kuukuh, he turned around and searched for the brave.
“Where did the arrows come from?” Louisa asked him. “I was terrified that you were fighting Indians too.”
“Kuukuh.”
“Kuukuh came to help? Where is he?” she asked. “We should thank him for helping you.”
“I don’t know,” he said. “He was there next to the tent one minute and then gone the next. He killed five of the soldiers.” He searched the woods again for some sign of the brave.
Kuukuh was nowhere to be seen.
His father, leading George, and Baldy both strode over to them. Their expressions were grim.
“Is everyone okay?” Louisa asked them.
Baldy glanced over his shoulder. Thomas, Cornelius, and Steve were coming toward them. The doctor waited until the three were there before he spoke. “With extreme regret, I must say Old Bill is dead. He took a shot to the heart. There was nothing I could do.” He shook his head and sighed. “A waste of a fine man.”
Shock and grief ripped through Samuel like a knife. “This wasn’t even his fight.”
“You’re wrong, son,” his father said. “On the frontier, we all fight for one another. Any one of us would have fought for him if he needed our help.”
“Kuukuh came to help us too,” Samuel said.
“I saw Kuukuh kneel next to Old Bill,” Thomas said. “He put his hand on Old Bill’s wound and then the Indian touched his temples with Old Bill’s blood. Strangest thing I ever saw. Then he mounted that big white horse of his and rode off without a word.”
Their father nodded. “It’s an ancient ritual to pay homage to a man or animal who nobly sacrifices his life.”
“He’s some sort of uncanny spirit,” Cornelius said.
Samuel thought Cornelius might be right. The brave’s timely help saved not only Louisa but also the rest of them.
Steve remained quiet, and his face wore a detached look. Understandably, his brother seemed to be shaken by all the killing. Samuel suspected Old Bill’s death hit Steve particularly hard.
“Listen, all of you,” his father said. “As we have learned the hard way, we do not live in a place where the rule of law prevails. Here we must, as we have today, defend ourselves and those we love against evil men who would do us harm. Their motives may be greed, power, lust, or just plain meanness. Here on the frontier, though it is a hard thing for a man to do, killing is sometimes the only path to justice or safety. You did well.”
His eyes downcast, Steve still appeared to be numb with shock.
“Steve, I am particularly proud of you,” his father said.
Steve glanced up. Those few words made his eyes brighten.
Their father continued addressing his youngest son. “You became a man today, Steve. This was your first real battle. But you must realize, there will be others and you should steel yourself to that hard fact.”
“Indeed,” Baldy said. “Earthy battles are a part of life. And they come in many forms. But when they come, always remember to look up before you fight them.”
Samuel knew that Steve would certainly face future trying battles, but he’d seen his brother become a man right before his eyes. For a man must recognize a time to fight with courage and a time when danger tells you to wait. With this threat, he’d had to learn that lesson himself. Although Steve’s journey into manhood had only just begun, Samuel vowed to stand beside his brother, and Thomas and Cornelius, whenever he could in the years to come.
“I want to thank each of you for rescuing us,” Baldy said. “I’m certain execution awaited me in Nacogdoches. Someone in the settlement must have informed them of my humble efforts to spread God’s word and love.
“We can’t stay here any longer,” his father said. “I don’t want any of us found with twenty dead members of the Spanish army.”
“I’m going to check these soldiers to be sure they
are all actually dead. I won’t leave a wounded man to suffer,” Baldy said and, with pistol drawn to be sure he wasn’t shot, he began going from one body to another.
“With the arrows in some of them, perhaps their deaths will be blamed on the Indians,” Cornelius suggested.
“I don’t like the idea of Indians being blamed for this,” Samuel said.
“You’re right,” their father said. “It might cause the Spanish army to retaliate and cause an Indian war.”
“I’m going to remove Kuukuh’s arrows and keep them,” Samuel said.
He found the five men Kuukuh had killed, the last soldiers to die here. While he collected the arrows, he remembered that Indian arrows and butchery had killed his friend Billy. He’d flung those arrows away in anger. But now, he stared down at the arrows with gratitude. An Indian’s arrows had helped to save his wife and perhaps the life of one of his family. Kuukuh’s arrows would serve as a powerful reminder that he should always judge the worth of a man not by his skin but by his heart.
“Steve, knock out those fires,” his father ordered. “Thomas and Cornelius, wrap Old Bill’s body in a blanket and then load and tie him on his horse.”
“Be certain you’ve reloaded,” Samuel said. “Then let’s get out of here straightaway. At night, we’re likely to meet more enemies than friends on the road going home.”
“Just let me get my knife,” Baldy said.
Chapter 28
With a glowing full moon and a starlit sky, they were able to ride all night toward home. Since their horses were weary from being ridden all day, they could only proceed at a slow walk and had to stop often to rest and water their mounts. And their efforts to hide their tracks also slowed them. Several times, they rode well up the path of streams hiding their horses’ hoof prints beneath flowing water. And twice, they separated into small groups and rode off in different directions before rejoining down the well-traveled trail.
None of them spoke because they wanted to be able to hear any threat. The hours of silence certainly made the trip seem slower and the darkness more foreboding.
Still wearing the blanket on her shoulders, Louisa rode in front of Samuel on Samson. When she’d shivered with chill and fatigue, he’d given her his coat too. With her head resting against his chest, she was able to find a few hours’ sleep. But her sleep was fitful, and she moaned aloud every so often. It would take her a while to fully recover from this ordeal and the other terrors that had filled her life.
Baldy rode with Stephen on George. The powerful stallion was big enough to carry them both for a good part of the night. Then Baldy switched over to Thomas’ horse and finally to Steve’s for the last leg of their journey home. They hadn’t taken one of the soldiers’ horses for him to ride because they didn’t want to be found with a horse that belonged to the Spanish army. That could get a man hanged.
Thankfully, they’d met no enemies on the ride home. Although, a pack of wolves trailed them for a while. And Samuel heard the growl of a cougar once. The sound sent a shiver racing down his spine and made goosebumps on his still scratched arms.
By the time they finally reached the cabins, Samuel’s eyes burned from sleeplessness and his muscles screamed from the long hours in the saddle. When they stopped, Louisa woke and she smiled up at him. The warmth of her smile was enough to refresh him.
Wisps of sweet-smelling smoke from oak wood burning in the hearth welcomed them home. And the dim lights inside told them that Melly was still awake. She’d probably paced and prayed all night long.
Samuel and the others stayed on their weary horses while Baldy dashed inside briefly to let Melly know he was home and safe but that Old Bill had died in the battle and needed burying. Melly stayed behind with Adam who was sound asleep. As soon as Adam woke up, she would let him know that his sister was safe.
Baldy remounted and then by moonlight, they searched for a site to bury Old Bill. They selected a nice high spot, about a hundred yards from the cabins, surrounded by towering pines and oaks.
Since they were all exhausted, the brothers each took a turn digging the earth. While each one dug, the others stood by wearily, listening to the occasional hoot of an owl and every now and then, the yap of coyotes in the distance.
When they were ready to lower the body into the grave, Samuel knelt down next to Old Bill. He unwrapped the blanket that covered the body and removed the bear claw necklace that Old Bill wore. Blood from the wound in the trapper’s heart stained a few of the claws. Samuel would keep the necklace and let the stains remind him of a man who gave his life’s blood to help new friends.
Respectfully, he rewrapped the blanket. “Farewell friend. And thank you.”
“Goodbye, Old Bill,” Steve said.
Although Samuel had only known the trapper a short time, the man felt like family to him and reminded Samuel a great deal of his Uncle Bear. Perhaps, in the end, Old Bill was family. For he’d fought for them as though he was. Not only had he saved Louisa from the three Osage braves that pursued her, but he’d also killed three Spanish soldiers before dying himself. He’d literally given his heart for his friends.
Baldy began saying a few words, but given the late hour and their exhaustion, he soon concluded, “May the good Lord welcome Old Bill into the lush forests of heaven. And may those in heaven enjoy his company and stories as much as we did.”
Samuel and his brothers were learning that the Texas frontier was a rock hard place. A place where good collided with evil. Sometimes, it was man against nature. At times, it was man against beast. And far too often, it was man against his fellow man. There was no rule of law—only the rule of honor, virtue, and righteousness. And since there were no sheriffs, no courts, or even a recognized government, those values were defended with the rifle. And reliable pistols and sharp knives.
Even more than good weapons, the defense of the frontier required a man’s courage. It wasn’t just pluck or guts, it was bravery that never faltered. The kind of valor that stood by family and friends no matter what. The same courage Old Bill had shown.
The same courage his father had always shown.
Samuel hoped that in the battle with the Spaniards he’d shown that same kind of courage.
The others left for the cabins to get a couple of hours sleep. Only he and Louisa remained by the grave, standing beneath the moon-splashed trees. He waited, sensing that she had something to say before they could leave.
“I feel so bad,” Louisa said as she gazed down at the fresh mound of earth and rock. “Did I cause this by going out and letting the soldiers see me? Did I do something to cause them to abduct me?”
“No, Louisa, of course not. I’m sure someone told the captain that Pate had a beautiful daughter. In another minute or two, he would probably have demanded that you come out. Then I would have had to challenge him because I wouldn’t have let you go out there.”
“I don’t doubt that. And you would have been killed if you did so.”
“That would have been likely,” he agreed. “I only stopped myself when I did because Baldy whispered to me that I should keep my head and come after you later.”
“Old Bill’s death wasn’t my fault then?” She sounded guilt-stricken and nibbled on her bottom lip. “I keep thinking that if I hadn’t invited them to a nice meal, none of this would have happened.”
“No, that wasn’t what caused this. Long’s blatant calls for rebellion raised someone’s ire and that someone notified the Spanish authorities. Either that or someone in the settlement is an informant for the Spanish. And, don’t forget, they were after Baldy too. The Spanish have little mercy for Protestant preachers. Even if they hadn’t taken you, we would have had to go after Baldy to rescue him.”
“It’s so wrong to want to kill a man because he doesn’t worship God as you do.”
“It is. It’s a terrible injustice. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of unfairness and ignorance in this world.”
Her eyes glistened under the light of the stars. �
��Sometimes too just being a woman is unfair. Women are harassed, dominated, and denied rights simply because of our sex.”
“Only some men do that to women. The same ones who treat slaves, Indians, and others with little forbearance or even cruelty. Other more honorable men, respect and value women, treat them as equals. As I do you. And as my father did with my mother. As Baldy does with Melly.”
She nodded, but her voice broke as she said, “You’re right, Samuel. You’ve always only treated me with kindness and respect. And your father is as different from my father as day is from night. My father was…”
Abruptly, tears began to stream down her face. Samuel could almost see the bitterness within the teardrops. He was actually glad to see them for they were tears she’d been holding inside for far too long. He took her in his arms. As his brave little wife sobbed against his chest, she released the resentment, the anger, the hurt that festered inside her.
“My father is dead,” she choked out, as though the realization finally hit her. “I feel guilty because I’m…”
“Glad?’ he asked.
She nodded. “I shouldn’t be, but I am. I’m relieved.”
“He’s the one who made you feel that way, Louisa. Not you.”
Great, racking sobs poured out of her. She tried to speak, but couldn’t. He felt her shudder against his chest. He let her cry a while and then gave her his handkerchief. He would wait until she could speak of the inner torment that was gnawing at her.
She blew her nose and then said, “When I told Adam he was dead, he said we wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore. That’s how I felt too. I don’t fear my father now. Nevertheless, and I know it doesn’t make sense, the memories of him still scare me sometimes. They cause me to want to put my guard up again.” She glanced down at the grave. “Old Bill told me that if your heart and mind are free, your spirit is free. My heart is free now, but my mind still tries to run from those memories.”
“Your father may be gone, but his hurt remains. You have to accept that you and Adam were abused. And you were betrayed. The important thing is despite what your life was like, you now have a better life. You must have the courage to learn from the past. But you can’t dwell there, or your hurt will become hate. Focus on the present. Someday, you may even be able to forgive.”
Red River Rifles (Wilderness Dawning—the Texas Wyllie Brothers Series Book 1) Page 25
