The Hidden Rose
Page 46
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We headed back to our camp. I had been so sure it would and did happen right then it scared me. Had I really seen them standing in front of that house and then start running toward me.
Chuck had been standing next to me the whole time and hadn't seen anything.
“Maybe some of them will come out later. The old woman kind of gives me the creeps. It's like she sees everything the way she looks around and her gaze stops on you. Kind of like she is measuring your worth. She is definitely looking for something or someone, but who, or what is a complete mystery,” Chuck said.
“Chuck I need you to move your men to a new camp.” I got out the map and showed him where I wanted them to move to. “From there you'll be outside of where the enemy is gathering,” I said.
“What about you Sam? You can't seriously be thinking of trying a rescue of those people,” he said.
“Promise me you won't bring your men in to the combat zone for my men and I. Chuck keep that camp for two days, if we haven't joined you by then break camp and head back to base,” I said.
“No Sam we aren't leaving you,” he said.
“If we haven't rejoined you in two days Chuck it'll be because we're dead. I need you to trust me on this one, I can't explain other than if you try to help before we rejoin you it will only get you and your men killed. I know you think I'm crazy, but there are three people in that house counting on me and I have to do all I can to get them out of there, their lives and mine depend on it,” I said.
“Sam you know damned well if I report this to General Talbot he'll crucify you this time. You have two days to join us or I'm calling for backup and coming after you,” he said.
As soon as Chuck and his men were gone I looked at the men in my unit. And wondered if I really had gone insane. Everyone of these men were here because they trusted me to do the right thing, to give orders that made sense, and what I was about to do didn't even make sense to me.
“You know Sam sometimes you just have to trust it to make sense in the future,” Mac said.
“Mac what is that supposed to mean? Do you have any idea what we're doing here?” I asked.
“What we always do. Saving as many lives as we can,” he said.
“I could be getting us all killed this time, Mac. Even to me this isn't making any sense,” I said.
“Sir if I might. Major Jacobs said some times the things that make the least sense are the things that are the most important. When he heard you were going to be putting your unit back together he said any of us lucky enough to have you choose us should jump at the chance, because you're the best,” one of the men I got from Rose company said.
I looked at all my men not really sure what to think any longer. It seemed even Chris trusted me enough to tell his men they should feel honored if they ever got the chance to serve with me in command. I needed sleep and knew tonight would likely be the last chance any of us would get any for at least two days.
“I want everyone to get some sleep tonight so we'll have three man teams keeping watch rotating every two hours. Everyone needs to be sharp tomorrow because all hell is going to break lose and we're going to be right in the middle of it all. Mac I want you Curtis and Stinky to set up the schedule. I noticed Colonel Wright left us ample crossbow bolts, so as soon as the sun comes up in the morning we'll start hunting. Until I give the word no one is to use their guns, and when I give the word I don't want to have to do so twice,” I said.
The men that had been with me before knew I hated guns if we could accomplish the job with crossbows, arrows or knives. Guns made noise that drew attention and we were a gorilla unit and making noise was anathema to what we did, but the new men looked puzzled that I would give such an order.
I didn't worry about what they thought of the order only that they obeyed it for now. I didn't know if they would still be part of my unit when we got back and if not there was no reason I should have to explain if Chris hadn't explained.
Chuck took all the tents with him so we wouldn't be burdened with them trying to make our escape, I had insisted on a cold camp so I laid down with the small blanket I carried in my gear and my jacket I used my pack for a pillow and was gone before I heard what was decided on the watch schedule.