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Life from 1770-1865 for our ancestors. History, fiction and family lore. |
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Chapter 13 May 5th 1797 To James, my son and heir; I'm writing this letter in complete exuberance over our win with my younger brother, Barlow. I had been in England for six months until we finally reached a settlement with my Brother. In our settlement we agreed that when he dies the land and Earldom will pass on to me and my descendants. I'm sure he agreed because he has but one child and that is a daughter, who can't inherit the Earl-ship. I'm sure Barlow felt he didn't lose anything, but it was the principle to me that mattered. He can't choose who his successor is any longer. That will be for me and mine to decide. With the document that I now have in my hands, it vehemently says he was in the wrong to have seized our inheritance. It is my hope that when this letter finds you, you and yours will be hale and hearty. Our granddaughter, Jeanie was married last year to a young apprentice in her Dad's firm. Her husband's name is John McGuffey, and he's a second generation Scot. His Grandfather fled Scotland after their rebellion fell in 1746. Jean's husband, Dan, thinks he's a good chap, so we're all happy about the union. Jeanie is expecting a child, at any time now. Our granddaughter, Jennifer, caught the eye of a grandson of my partner in business, so at seventeen, she is betrothed. We were starting to wonder if she might become an old maid. It will be another year before they will wed. Even though we have six grandchildren here in Norfolk, including Lenard, who is three already, we can't help but wish we could be closer to Sara's and your children. Come see us and don't leave so soon like last time. As far as us coming to see you, I don't think your Mother could survive the trip. I have no more news to share at this time so I will close with wishing you the best of luck with all your endeavors. Your Loving Father and Earl-in-Waiting William Bertie James closed the letter and sat with it on his lap. He thought about what he had just read, 'I can't imagine going off to England helter-skelter and trying to hobnob with a bunch of Nobles. Maybe if I passed my Lordship to one of my sons? Richard? No, I don't think so. He just got married and his wife and him would never fit in. Besides Jonathan would feel passed over and I couldn't blame him. Decisions don't need to be made now. Maybe one of my younger sons could someday go back to England. As far as where Jonathan is, I think he is back in Tennessee. Richard has moved into the old cabin with his wife. She insisted on putting windows in place of the gun ports and installed a back door and putting in a lean-to out the back door. I hope that makes my daughter-in-law, Barbara, happy.' James had many things to be happy about. He and Julie had a four year old girl that they had named Deborah, and a two year old son that they had named Nimrod. It was the middle of summer when James got his Dad's letter, and they had planted more tobacco than ever before. There was even talk of Rockford starting up a tobacco factory. If that happened, James would no longer have to take the cured tobacco to Salem. For the first two years after Layla was kidnapped, Mary kept busy with anything she was asked to do and acted.... numb. Like the joy had gone out of her. Then two years ago, James had taken Mary and Markus with him to Salem to sell tobacco and to get Mary out and about. While James was waiting to unload the wagon, Mary started talking to a farmer that was waiting in line to sell his tobacco. Mary was quiet as usual when they went home and James thought nothing of it until Mary began talking to him about it. “Dad, you know that young farmer that I was talking to at the tobacco factory in Salem? He said his name is John Farmer. Ya, I know. A farmer whose name is Farmer. He got to talking, and I realized why he seemed so sad. John lost his wife this spring from childbirth. I felt sorry for him and I guess he liked that I listened to him. Anyway, he asked where we lived and I told him. I think he felt that Markus was my brother and I didn't say any different. If he comes around, I don't want to scare him off by telling him right away about Markus and Layla, alright?” Mary continued talking, “John talked to me about his deep faith in God and about bending his knee to do God's will in everything. If he thinks I am a fallen girl right away, he'll never get to know me or me him. Being from Salem, he must belong to the Moravian Church. I'm eighteen now and I want more out of life than staying an old maid.” “I'll talk to Julie about this and I think we can stay mum about Markus.” James said, thinking Markus was more his child then Mary's anyway. When Mary married John Farmer, Markus stayed behind and became more of James's shadow if he hadn't been already. When Nimrod cried and fussed, Markus was right behind James in getting out of the house. When Mary had married John Farmer two years ago, it had to be in the Moravian Church in Salem. After the wedding John took Mary to his farm, north of Salem, which was close to his folk's place. James didn't complain that he never saw Mary more than once a year after her wedding. That was because James had set up a standing date with Mary and John. On the 4th of July he gathered everyone that would go with him and visited Mary and John Farmer. Shortly after Layla had been kidnapped, Bill had convinced Sara to throw off her black morning clothes and marry him. There was a Methodist Minister that preached two Sunday's a month in Rockford and Bill brought Sara to Rockford on one of those Sunday's to tie the knot. Sara's boys, Bob and Will had become excellent backwoodsmen and were perfectly happy with Bill and Sara being married and Bill being their step father. Bill and Sara now had a three year old girl, Chelsea, and a one year old boy named Jacob. The trail to Leonora had been widened into a road, and the buggy could make the trip easily. Fifteen miles seemed to get shorter all the time. Needless to say, James and Julie or Bill and Sara visited each other once a month. When James looked around now, it became obvious to him that Surry County was no longer a part of the frontier. Surry County was changing fast. For every person that lived in Surry County during the Revolutionary War, there were now ten. Land was becoming scarce to buy and a lot of immigrants were moving through the country without stopping until they reached Tennessee. Caleb Trent and his wife and children were now living in Tennessee and the last James had heard, Jonathan had moved there as well. There was a knock on James's front door so he put down the letter from his Dad and went to the door. Opening the door, he saw a short little gray haired man with a white beard. “Can I help you?” “Yes, I seem to be lost. I came up the creek to see James and Nancy Bertie, but now I seem to have lost my way. Can you give me directions?” It took a moment for James to collect himself. Standing in front of him was Will Shelly and apparently Will didn't know who James was. “Can you give me a moment?” Turning his back on Will, James went to the door of the dining and waved at Joel, “Joel, can you come here?” “What is it Dad?” Joel asked, moving to the living room. “Can you saddle up two horses for me? I need to take this fella back to where he belongs.” Turning to face Will he asked, “You're Will Shelly, aren't you?” “Yes, I'm Will. How do you know me?” It was apparent Will had no recollection of who the man was standing in front of him. “We met a long time ago. My son is saddling a couple of horses and we will try to find who you're looking for.” At that moment Julie walked into the front room, “What's Joel saddling the horses for?” she asked. “Nancy! What are you doing here? You're looking older. Has it been that long since I last saw you?” “Who are you?” “Nancy, don't pretend you don't know me! I'll get a switch for you in case I forget to do what you tell me.” Comprehension dawned on James, to what Will was. He was a man that was losing his mind. He had heard about this happening to even young adults and how families couldn't cope with taking care of those people that were losing their minds. If a person turned violent, there wasn't much that could be done except put the insane person down. No one needed that! “Will, Nancy doesn't want anything to do with you. So I'm taking you back where you belong. Come on, let's go!” “Nancy, what did I do that was so horrible? Tell me and I won't do it again!” Will got down on the floor and started kissing her bare feet, “Tell me what to do and I'll do it!” Julie looked at James and mouthed, “What do I do?” James mouthed back, “Tell him!” and pointed to the door. “You don't belong here anymore. You have a wife now. I want you to leave and never come back!” “Are you sure that is what you want me to do? Don't you love me anymore?” “No I don't. Your wife loves you and wants you home. James will give you a ride. Now go on!” “I have a wife?” James could see that Will wasn't putting on a look of ignorance, he really didn't remember. “Come on Will. How did you get here?” A look of bewilderment came into Will's eyes and he answered. “I swam?” James looked at him in disgust and said, “Let's go!” Joel helped Will onto a horse, but Will didn't seem to know what to do with his hands. Joel looked at his Dad and said, “I'll get a hackamore and rope so you can lead the horse. I hope he will hang on for you.” They took the road to the Rockford ferry and the ferrier took one look at Will and asked, “You taking him home?” “Yes, I am.” “Good! I'm not charging you anything for taking you across the river. He's been scaring the folks in Rockford by peering into houses and eating scraps. At first no one knew who he was.” “I appreciate that. Although I feel somewhat responsible for bringing him into this county.” “Don't blame yourself. I've seen this before and there's no rhyme or reason to it. It can happen to the best of us!” “That means a lot to me. Thank you!” Will all at once spoke up with, “You're James Bertie! I thought you were dead! How come you ain't dead?” James looked over at Will and into Will's eyes. It was like a veil had been lifted, “Why did you think I was dead?” “Stella would wake me up when I was having nightmares. I would tell her that you were coming to kill me. She said that wasn't possible since you were dead. After a while I didn't have nightmares.” “Will, I think you were feeling guilty and thought you deserved me killing you. I forgave you a long time ago. I'm not going to come and kill you! Alright?” Will looked at James and started to speak. But his eyes glazed over and he stared off into space. They past through town and took the north road. On the way to the Bonnet Farm, Will spoke up, “I wonder if Nancy will cut my hair?” James didn't answer but just shook his head. The thought that went through James's mind was, 'Man oh man, he's past crazy!' As James and Will turned off the main road, James found himself on a fair road and a bridge that crossed the creek. The log house was still there that the neighbors had built twenty some years ago. But it was now surrounded by barns. James let out a yell, “Hello the house.” Mrs. Shelly came to the door and said, “James, is that you?” She completely ignored Will. “Yes it is. I brought Will home. I heard he has probably been gone for at least a week. Is that right?” “Could be. For a long time Will would leave and come back before dark. We thought he was hunting or getting out of work. Then he started staying away for a couple of days. After a while we could no longer rely on him to do anything. He'd get that glazed look in his eyes and walk away.” “Well, he's getting to the point where he is scaring the people around these parts. He was over at our place this morning and he thought Julie was my first wife, Nancy. I think he was looking for a haircut and a shave.” Will all at once spoke up, “Nancy will shave me. And she'll make me hoe the garden! But don't make her mad. She'll take a switch to you for sure!” Mrs. Shelly scowled and said, “I'll switch you, you little twerp.” For a second Will flinched and then ran around behind the cabin to the outhouse. “Mam, maybe if you would cut his hair and trim his beard he wouldn't frighten so many people when he does run away. We have no insane asylums in this state and when a person goes crazy, it's the family that has to take care of them. Did you and Will have any children?” “Yes, we do. James is twenty years old and Sissy is sixteen.” “Why I'm asking is, I think it would be a good idea if someone 'bird dogged' Will. Would Sissy be able to do something like that?” “We've tried, but it's hard on her. Will doesn't like to be followed. James is busy year round with this farm. Tom's just down the road and helps when he can and I have married daughters around here as well, but they all have their hands full with babies and husbands.” “Well, I would suggest, if nothing else, clean him up so he doesn't go scaring people. He's all yours! I'm got to get home.” “Before you go, I have to tell you something. My son James is not named after my first Husband. He's named after you! You saved our lives when you stepped in and helped build this cabin. I'll never quit being thankful.” “I don't know what to say, I didn't do that much and Jim more than paid me back by letting me buy his ox. But I thank you for your kind words. Good day!” Stella watched James shaking his head as he rode away and said, “Thank you.” once more. Then she turned around, squared her shoulders, and faced the day to day realities. Thank goodness for her son James. He was a big strapping boy and nothing like Will. James rode away from the Bonnet Farm, somewhat confused. Why did her appreciation of him seem more than what he thought was necessary? Had Strongheart told her what his solution would have been if he hadn't intervened? Was James giving Will to her, created this appreciation? She had almost acted like he was her hero. Or, was she like Nancy? Maybe there was a lot of women like her! Desiring something you can't have, but abusing and neglecting what you do have. By the time James reached Rockford he had quit gnawing on the bone. It was too old and tasteless to worry about. The next time James heard from Will was in the middle of harvest. The crew on the farm were cutting tobacco and taking it to the curing barn to dry. James smelled an unwashed body and looked up to see Will cutting stalks with an eighteen inch knife that had been dropped at the end of the field. Will's hair was short, but he had a weeks worth of whiskers on his face. James hardly paused when he saw Will, but kept on cutting. When Joel came back with the wagon and horses, James had a word with him, “Tell Julie that Will's here for lunch and Jean should serve it.” “Alright Dad.” When James and Will reached the end of the field, James started down another row and Will followed. When James reached the end of that row, Will was half way down his row, but he was just standing there. James turned around and started up Will's row. When he reached Will, James asked, “Are you alright Will?” “Who are you?” “I'm James Bertie.” “I should know you. Can you tell me where Mommy is?” For a moment James just stared at Will. He had heard of people slipping into their childhood but had never seen it, “Would it be alright if I take you to Mommy?” “Would you? Please!” “Let's saddle up a couple of horses and see if we can find her.” “Thank you. I'd like that!” After slipping into the house to tell Julie what was happening, James saddled the horses and they were on their way. When they got to the ferry, the man looked and commented, “I see you're taking him home again. I can't keep giving you free passage, you know?” “I know. I wouldn't expect you to.” “He's been around Rockford for a couple of days. It's really a shame. How old do you think he is?” “I don't think Will ever knew for sure. I would say, fifty four or five. He told me once that as a child, his family and him where held in Newgate Prison in London because of his father's debts. He was brought to Virginia by a sea captain that I think abused him and then sold him into an indenture-ship for seven years.” Will spoke up, “Captain Newton hurt me bad. I couldn't sit down for a week, it hurt so bad.” All at once Will started crying, “Momma is in England. I'll never see her again!” Tears ran down his cheeks, making James and the ferrier uncomfortable. Grown men weren't supposed to cry! When James and Will reached the Bonnet place no one answered at the cabin. James heard some noise over the hill behind the barn and they went to investigate. James and Will found James, Stella and Sissy Shelly, working at harvesting the tobacco. Stella looked up from her labors and said, “You found him! We lost track of him about three days ago and haven't had time to go looking for him.” The two young adults kept working. James all at once had a suspicion of how Will was being treated and why. Stella had an unconcerned attitude toward Will because she had used him, every way she could but didn't love him. All three people in front of him looked at Will as a burden. Maybe he was a burden, but James saw how things were at Will's house. The thing was, they weren't taking care of Will out of love but out of obligation. It made James MAD when he realizing this. Will had given twenty some years of his life working with and for them, and they could care less what happened to Will! James wondered how fast this condition of Will's would deteriorate and when would it lead to Will becoming violent. Will had dismounted and was using Stella's knife to cut the trunk of the tobacco plants as he walked down the row. Stella walked over to James while James was still on his horse and said, “He'll be working like that until all at once he'll walk away. Sometimes he hears us telling him to come back, but not so much anymore. I hate to have to build a jail to put him in.” “I'm sure you're doing the best you can. Have you ever heard him asking for Momma?” “Yes I have. He talks in his sleep a lot.” “I gathered that. I'd better get back. We have a lot left to get done before winter!” James didn't remember riding home. All he thought about was Will and where Will was. James had young children at home and he couldn't bring Will home with him. James finally began to chide himself saying out-loud, “This is Stella's problem, I can't fix it!” In another week would be the time when the area celebrated Thanksgiving and a day of Prayer. President George Washington had asked the states to adhere to spending a day in thanksgiving every fall. The family was preparing for the day by having Joel ride to Leonora and giving the Hart's an invitation to spend Thanksgiving with them. Grandma Rachel Trent was sixty eight and was getting feeble and Julie was using that as an excuse to have Thanksgiving at the Bertie's. Richard's wife, Barb, had been busy helping Julie in the Kitchen House as well as drying fruit and vegetables for the winter, so Julie thought they should gladly take a day of thanksgiving. Joel arrived home and had reported that the Hart's would be at the Bertie's a day or two before Thanksgiving. In preparation for their stay a full sized tick had been refilled with fresh Maple Leafs to be used in the Kitchen House and could be propped up in the corner in the daytime. When the Hart's arrived late one afternoon, there was the normal catching up with everybody's lives. All the children loved getting together and as soon as the Hart's feet hit the ground, they were off and playing while the women congregated in the Kitchen House. Bill looked over at James after they had supper that evening and said, “James, I think we should go hunting in the morning and see if we can find a Turkey.” “That sounds like a great idea. If we're going we should leave before daybreak. I'll tap on the Kitchen door when I get up.” James knew something more than hunting was on Bill's mind. Julie looked over at James and said, “We already have ham and duck. If you shoot a turkey, make sure it's a small young one and not too skinny!” The eastern sky was turning bright enough to see where one was walking as James quietly knocked on the door of the Kitchen House. A few minutes later Bill appeared through the door and they walked silently past the fields into the woods. James knew the trees where the turkeys would usually roost overnight. Bill had his long bow and James let him decide which bird Bill chose to kill. Bill let the turkeys all float down to the ground before he pulled his bow back and let an arrow fly. No longer needing to be quiet James said, “That's a good one.” as James went and picked it up. “Let's go get it cleaned.” “James.” Bill said as they headed back to the farmyard, “This summer I took Bob out on an extended run to build up his stamina. We headed into Tennessee and I thought we would stop and see some of my friends. When we got to the Shawnee village we found a little girl with gray hair and eyes that answered to the name of Layla. I asked about her and met her Mom, Maini. She was not for sale and I think I upset Layla's Mother, because they were gone the next day. Everybody in the village said they didn't know where they went. I thought you should know even if we never find her again.” “Thank you Bill. It does my heart good to think Layla is healthy and happy. I'm not going to say anything to anybody except Julie. I don't need to upset Mary. She has two more children now and she's happy. We'll let sleeping dogs lie. Maybe someday we can tell Layla about her White Family. I hate to say this, but we can only hope for the best.” “Do you see Mary often?” “Once a year on the 4th of July. She says her priority is with her husband and family, but I think that's all she can handle. On the last 4th she watched Markus, probably more than she should have. I was surprised that her husband didn't notice.” James had a thought, “Maybe Mary is reaching a point in her life where she would like her husband to know everything about her?” November slipped into December and the weather turned colder. Richard went out to the woods and found a young boar to slaughter and hang in a tree. Before Christmas it was a steady diet of pork roasts, and pork stew. The hams had been smoked, salted and hung in the attic until needed. The Bertie's had been told by Sara, at Thanksgiving, that she wanted her husband and children to have Christmas at Leonora. As Sara explained to Julie, “Bob was growing up way too fast and would soon want to spread his wings. Bob is sixteen, going on seventeen and is already making more money trapping and trading with the natives, than most grown men.” “But he's only sixteen! Surely he won't be flying the coop yet?” Julie couldn't imagine John leaving home in four years or even wanting to. “It wouldn't surprise me. Bill has told me that he's been making eyes at a little native girl, west of the pass. I don't think he'll go native, but Bill feels he might want to steal her and bring her back here.” A day before Christmas, James went out to the Turkey Roost and shot a big turkey since Julie was sick of pork and wanted a turkey for Christmas. It was a quiet Christmas with the children getting some clothes and the men getting socks. Blankets and trinkets were always a favorite with the wives and the trading-post was stocked up this year. After the presents were handed out, James read from the family Bible and talked about how blessed they were. Will had been dosing for a while when he woke up in the old rocking chair that he sat in when Stella wasn't home. The fire in the fireplace was about out and he got up to put a little wood onto the fire. It wasn't cold in the cabin, but it would be by morning if the fire wasn't tended at least once a night. Will looked around and no one was there except him. Dimly he remembered his son, James, telling him to stay home. Will looked around; 'This wasn't home! He tried sorting out where home was. He didn't remember, but that wasn't going to stop him. He would go home. Will saw a coat in the corner and put it on, then went out into the night. He didn't think about where he was traveling. Just that he was going home. Every time he came upon a cross road, he didn't hesitate. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew, this is the right way. It was cold outside, but Will didn't realize he didn't have his cap or mittens on. The walking kept him warm until he got to Rockford. After looking into a few cabins and houses, he could see everyone was sleeping and no doors would open for him. Stepping behind a cabin out of the wind, he squatted down and put the coat over his head. A dog and then another dog came around to sniff him and then laid down beside him. All three were looking for warmth from the cold night. The next morning Will awoke with the sun. He looked around the town. Everywhere he look appeared very strange but at the same time familiar. All Will really knew was that he was hungry. Carl Standish was up and looked out of his window and commented to his wife, “That's such a shame. Here it is Christmas morning and there's Will Shelly walking around town like he's lost. I swear, if Stella wasn't such a good customer, I'd put her across my lap and wail on her awhile. Why isn't she in town looking for him? Honey, Why don't you make flapjacks this morning and I'll invite Will in for breakfast? It's Christmas and it's the right thing to do!” “I'll make him breakfast, but he's not sitting down at the table with us. The last time I passed him on the street, he stank! Doesn't his wife know how to keep him clean? Lands sake's almighty!” Carl had a desk in the entryway where he could take care of correspondence after hours of working and hobnobbing with customers. He put some flapjacks on the desk and a glass of water and then went looking for Will. He found him at the end of the street, looking out across the water towards the far shore. Carl walked up to him and said, “Will?” He received no reaction from his voice. This time he used a louder, sterner voice, Will Shelly!” “No Captain, NO! I'll be good. But not that!” “Will? Would you like some breakfast? I have flapjacks for you. Would you like that?” “You're NOT Captain Newton? Thank you Lord!” And Will looked up at the sky. Then he looked at Carl and said, “I'm hungry! Do I know you? Momma says I shouldn't talk to strangers.” “I'm Carl. I'm friends with your Momma. Follow me Will.” Carl had seen enough of Will, and knew that you didn't argue with Will, but told him what he wanted to hear. Carl took him into his house and sat Will down and went into the kitchen to eat his own breakfast. As soon as Carl was finished eating, his wife was pointing to the front door. Carl went to look in on Will and saw Will was staring off into space. His plate was empty, so Carl squeezed Will's shoulder and said, “It's time to go.” At the front door, Carl said, “Go home Will.” Will walked to the edge of the water and looked across it. That was the way home, but how would he get across it? He walked over to the ferry and got on it. He tugged on the rope that stretched across the river but the ferry wouldn't budge. He saw a log-chain tied to a tree with a padlock holding it. He sat on the boat and ever so often he would tug on the rope. He finally gave up on the ferry and started walking along the shore. He came upon a small fishing boat and got in. After a while he realized there was no oar. He had forgotten that if someone was afraid their boat might be stolen, they took the oar to the house. Will got out of the boat and walked into the trees. He found a tree branch on the ground and took that back to the boat. Will had enough realization that he couldn't get wet because it was too cold. He pushed the boat into the water, jumped into the boat, and used the branch to push off from the shore. By the time he got across the Yadkin River he was ten miles downstream. Will maneuvered the boat to the shore and climbed out. Like a homing pigeon, he put his head in the right direction and started walking. It was Christmas day and no one was traveling. The air was cold and brisk with a breeze on his back. Will missed the road that moved away from the river to the Bertie's. Instead he followed the shore line until he recognized the creek that led uphill to the spring. At last he came to the Bertie Place and the Kitchen House, and like twice before, turned towards there. By this time it was the middle of the night and he felt like he needed to get out of the cold. The Kitchen House was unlocked so he walked in and put some wood into the fireplace where live embers were glowing. Will then curled up in front of the fireplace and went to sleep. The next morning Julie walked into the Kitchen House, ready to start the fire in the fireplace when she saw Will in front of it. (James had told her all about her sister Nancy and the games she had played with Will.) She noticed that the wood bin was about empty and would need wood before she could start breakfast. She also saw that the fireplace had live coals in it. She quickly put the rest of the wood on top of the coals so they would restart the fire. “Nancy, what are you doing here?” “Making breakfast of course. Now you need to go out and bring me in some more wood off the woodpile. And while you're at it, bring me a switch. You don't belong here anymore and every time you show up, I'll give you a switching until you quit coming around.” Julie didn't know what James had planned for Will except for giving him a ride back home. In exasperation she exclaimed, “This the third time. This has got to stop!” “Don't say that! Nobody loves me except for you and James. Don't look at me like that! I'll get the switch.” Will wondered what he had really done to be switched. “Maybe you should just forget the switch and go hang yourself.” Julie saw a great sadness pass over Will's face before he turned around and walked out of the kitchen. Julie saw she had hurt Will's feelings and thought, “Maybe he'll leave now!” Julie got out the cornmeal to put a breakfast together. 'This was a good morning for corn-pone.' she thought, 'I'm about out of lard. That pig we butchered didn't have much fat to render. I wonder if it was too late for James to find a fat bear, or were they all hibernating by now?' Will walked out of the Kitchen House and toward the Horse Barn. He kept hearing, 'Go hang yourself!' He didn't know where he'd find a rope until he looked into the barn. There was rope, hanging on a post. Will grabbed it up and went on through the barn and out into the woods. There was one big tree still standing all by itself. It seemed to be softly calling to him. He climbed the tree and tied the rope to a branch. Then he tied the rope to his neck and jumped. Unfortunately it was a short rope and he didn't fall far enough to break his neck and he suffocated to death. Unfortunately his feet never touched the ground. Fortunately he wouldn't freeze to death when he went wandering away from home in the middle of the winter. Or a predator could have found him in the woods and ate him, because Will had forgotten how to defend himself. When everybody was rounded up to eat breakfast, Julie asked, “Where's Will?” James looked at her and swallowed the food in his mouth. “What do you mean, where's Will?” “I found him sleeping in front of the fireplace this morning and I told him to go get some wood. He never came back and Barb brought in the wood. Has anybody else seen him” Julie was hoping he had gone back to Rockford. Everyone stated they hadn't seen Will. James spoke up, “I'll saddle up a couple of horses and look around for him.” “Why do you have to do that James? You take him home and he just keeps coming back. Isn't there anything that can be done about him?” “I feel responsible for him! I brought him here, and until this affliction kills him, I'll take him home. That's all that can be done for him!” James couldn't understand why Julie could get so upset about a crazy old kook. 'Maybe' he thought, 'Except for the grace of God, there goes I! She's fearful of her own mortality!' After breakfast, James and Richard went to the horse barn and saddled up Blue and Buster. They were about ready to lead the horses out of the barn when Markus came running into the barn all excited, “Dad, there's a man hanging from a tree out behind the barn!” “What?” both James and Richard exclaimed, “Show me Markus.” James said. Markus ran to the open doorway on the back of the barn and pointed, “Right there!” “Hell's fire, what the heck? Well, I guess we'd better take a closer look and see if he's alive.” James ran to the tree and looked up at Will and thought, 'His pain is over.' Then Will gave a jerk. “He's alive Dad!” exclaimed Richard. “Richard, go to Rockford and get the Constable.” “ But aren't we going to let him down Dad?” “No, we're not. This is what he would want and what he chose. All of his pain is over and we are not going to prolong that pain for him. Go get the Constable, Richard!” “Yes Dad.” Markus looked at James and James returned the look. “Son, there are very few times in this world where you are able to choose what is best for someone else. This is one of those times. This is best for Will. He was a good friend that got the short end of the stick in life and now that life is over. Our Declaration of Independence says 'All Men are Created Equal' but all men are not created under equal circumstances. He's one of those people that didn't stand a chance in hell in being what he should have been. Good bye William Shelly. I hope you're in a better place now.” The two walked back to the house. Markus sensed his Dad wanted quiet and James felt older than his forty seven years. It was five hours later when Richard and the Constable rode into the yard. Jedadiah Price looked the part of a Constable. He had squatted on a piece of land, and while on it his wife and children helped him live off the land. The kids were raised and because he had no money to buy the land, the land was sold out from under him. Price moved to town and got the job of Constable, reporting what took place in the county. Richard had informed him what had taken place on their farm and Jed was more than skeptical. In his mind, no one would hang themselves. Unbelievable! When he got to the tree and he saw the footprints around the body, Jed knew this had to be foul play. “Well, I'm sorry you had to be the one to put Will out of his misery, James, and no one will fault you for hanging this unsavory character. Now you can tell me what happened here. Did he turn animalistic on one of your women folk or violent? You can tell me.” “Constable Price, he hung himself! That is what happened!” “Suit yourself. I have to fill out my report the way I see it. I'm heading back to town before it gets dark. See you in town sometime. The County would appreciate it if you go ahead and take care of the body. Good day, Mr Bertie.” James shook his head, and thought, “I guess it's better than twenty years ago, when we didn't have a constable and just did away with the body. But I wonder with writing the hanging down, years from now, people will think I was an unsavory character!” James walked to the tree and cut the rope. James picked up Will and walked to the house. It had been cold all day, but already Will was starting to smell like death. There was a small single sized tick in the linens that had never been used and James, Richard and Joel slid Will into it. Then James, with the help of Richard carried Will out to the buggy. Will's weight was only seven to eight stones and James could have carried Will by himself. That night, when they went to bed, Julie turned to James and said, “I have to tell you something Dear. This morning I told Will to go hang himself and he did. Why would he do what I told him to do. I feel so guilty!” “If he did what you told him to do, you didn't know he would do it. You can't blame yourself. Maybe you did him a favor. He was a lost soul and his own family didn't care about him. This winter he was heading towards freezing to death, getting eaten by some animal or getting clubbed over the head because he looked in the wrong person's house. Now let's go to sleep. If you could go with me, I would like that. Hopefully we can reach Stella's by mid morning tomorrow. The next day they headed to Rockford at daybreak. The ferrier was on duty and they were soon through town and heading towards the Shelly's. By mid morning they were driving into the clearing, but no one came to the door when James hollered. “What should we do?” Julie asked. “Well, I had planned on staying long enough to bury Will, but I didn't bring a shovel. Let me check the door.” The door was latched and locked up tight so James said, “Let's put Will on the porch and leave. We're not making this trip again.” After depositing Will on the porch, James said, “Good bye Will. I hope you're in a better place than when you were here!” James turned to Julie, inspired, “Like Jesus, Will was sacrificed for his family, unwilling as it might have been. He came to America, unloved, and he left this world, unloved.” James thought about his unreasonable resentment toward Will. Will had paid for any part in Nancy's indiscretions over the last twenty two years. “Julie, I can't do this! Let's take Will home and berry him alongside Nancy.” Chapter 14 To James, my son and heir; July 18, 1802 I have received word that my brother, Barlow, has died. He was jumping a ditch while riding his horse. He was in the middle of one of our favorite pastimes as young men. He was participating in what is known as, 'chasing the foxes.' At his age he should have known better than to still pursue the hounds. I got the letter of his demise yesterday, and found his death was two months past. I booked a passage on the Triumph yesterday, and I am leaving tomorrow. The Frigate is supposedly quite fast but it could be as long as six weeks crossing the Atlantic. I'm seventy seven this year and your Mother is worried about my going, but I need to reassert my rights before the Crown levees an edit. If that would happen, all would be lost. I do have a third cousin once removed that has the last name of Bertie. If he could arrange an audition with the King and find favor, he could overturn everything that I had agreed to. Keep me in your prayers, and I will send another letter to you once I have reestablished my position and rights. Your loving Father, William Bertie William enclosed the letter into an envelope and put what stamps he needed on it and trudged off to bed. This would be the final night to spend sleeping next to his wife before leaving in the morning. It could be as long as six months before he would see her again and he was dreading the months ahead. The next morning Jean arrived at the house with her three younger children waiting to say goodbye and William was almost wondering why he needed to go. He had to be at the ship by ten that morning and he had a surrey coming to pick him up. Saying goodbye to his wife was harder than he thought it would be. He knew it would be goodbye for more than just a day or two. In a daze, William said goodbye to everyone and climbed into the buggy with his sea-trunk and away they went. Everyone in the city was already at work and the only buggies on the streets were delivery wagons, so traffic was light and it wasn't long before they were at the docks. The Frigate was standing large and tall in the bay with rowboats oaring back and forth from the dock, moving merchandise and supplies to the ship. It wasn't the largest ship by any means and was mainly a merchant ship. It had ten gun ports below deck on each side for protection from pirates. The ship was a hundred and twenty feet long and thirty five feet wide, making it more streamlined and faster then a Galleon and therefore safer to be on. The day before when William was looking for passage to England, he had been forced to book passage on this ship, since it was the only ship suitable to travel on. He had approach the man that had paid for a sole occupant cabin and paid the man what it was worth to have a roommate. Sailing to England at a moment's notice had not been cheap. The cabin was but a six foot by ten foot room with two single beds in it. The beds were a tick stuffed with wool and were on a raised platform. After a week the tick would have indentions on it that would fit the man's body. William was rowed out to the ship and hoisted up onto the deck along with his sea-chest. After being welcomed by the captain and receiving directions to his cabin, he deposited his luggage and went back on deck to enjoy the air and meet his fellow passengers. The ship was mainly used to haul cargo and not passengers, so there were only seven other people on the fore-deck doing nothing but watching the activity of sailors getting ready to sail. Among the passengers was William's cabin mate, Jacob Yaytes. Jacob had been sent to the states to touch base with the distributor of Soho Manufacturing. Soho Manufacturing was a large company that made high quality plated kitchenware, buttons, buckles, boxes and ornaments. Soho was a forerunner in mass production and could produce and ship their products to the states, cheaper then the states could make the items. John and Amanda Seymour were honeymooners, that were going to live in England. John was originally from England and had met Amanda during his five year business stay. Like many Englishmen, John was past thirty before he married. It was a serious business supporting a wife and a household and a man needed to be established in his profession before he married. His bride was another matter. She was a young lady that had just turned eighteen and was trying to look and act like a grownup. She hadn't really wanted to leave her family and friends but her Father had insisted that John was too good of a catch to worry about such minor things. John's Father was gentry and a business man and well-to-do. Thus the winning argument for Amanda's parents prevailed; 'What more could a girl want in a husband?' Murrey Beachamp and Jake Preston were seasoned fur-traders and trappers that had spent their youth in Canada making a fortune. They had left England when Jake had been accused of getting a young girl pregnant and now at fifty four years of age they were returning; hopefully to marry and raise families. They both had sampled the native girls and Jake had a native family that he was leaving behind. There was a young Scot that the two men had met ten years ago that had married one of Jake's daughters. The Scot would continue to look out for the extended family and continue in the fur business. Everyone seemed to be happy except Jake's widow, because with Jake gone he was also considered dead. Jake had mixed feelings about the whole situation. Nunavut was ten years his junior, but looked ten years his senior. With the weight she had gained through the years, Jake had fallen out of being enchanted with her, but still felt somewhat responsible for her. Henry and Elizabeth Pen-borough were a couple of approximately sixty years of age and had spent the last year visiting their daughter's family in Virginia. Their son-in-law's family were plantation owners that had been Troy Loyalists and had sent their son to school in England where he met his wife, the Pen-boroughs daughter. When William had approached the group and was introduced all around, he noticed that Elizabeth was already chatting with Amanda and getting to know her. That was perfectly understandable since they were the only women on the ship. Jacob seemed like a nice bloke to William as well as Henry, but Jake and Murrey seemed to have a hard edge around them and William noticed that they had knives and pistols on their bodies. The first day of their trip across the Atlantic was a time of adjusting to the routine of the ship. Captain Knight ran a tight ship and everything ran like clockwork. The passengers ate in the galley with Captain Knight, and later the crew ate. Once Captain Knight was done eating, he gave them another five minutes and told them they had to make way for the crew at which time the first mate led the crew in. The cabin boy walked around in the morning and knocked on doors to awaken them. At eight o'clock they were expected to be ready to eat. William remembered the first crossing of the sea and tried to eat light. Several of his fellow passengers had tipped their heads over the railing and upchucked but all that William felt was queasy. By the third day the ship ran into some rough sea and most of the sails were lowered. With the rolling of the ship, William became sick to his stomach and spent the day in the cabin with his head over the chamber pot. On the fourth day, William still was having a terrible time keeping anything down. He felt a tightness in his chest and had a hard time breathing. That night in his sleep he felt an excruciating pain in his chest and woke up moaning. As the moaning became louder, Jacob finally came awake with all the moaning, just as Williams heart gave out and quit beating. When William died, his bowls released and Jacob hurriedly left the room to report to Captain Knight and get away from the smell. Captain Knight woke the first mate up and the first mate in turn grabbed the night watchman and they moved William onto the deck. Jacob Yaytes was left with the task of cleaning and airing out the cabin and trying to get back to sleep. The next morning the first mate didn't need to be told what to do. He instructed four sailors to slide William Bertie into a tick with a ballast rock that they brought from the hold to put under his feet. The ship's surgeon pronounced William dead. Then they sewed the tick closed. If this had been a sailor, his friends would have dressed him up in his nicest clothes and stitched his noise to the tick. At high noon everyone gathered on deck and had a time of prayer. Then over the side of the ship William Bertie went to his final resting place. The remaining passengers went to the mess hall with Captain Knight to eat. The only ones that seemed to eat with an appetite were Murrey and Jake. The first mate returned to the room shared by Jacob and William. He picked up William Bertie's sea-chest and took it to Captain Knight's cabin, where it would remain until they reached England. Then the sea-chest would be given to the ship's firm and their solicitor would go through William's belongings and find out who to contact. November 21, 1802 To James, my dear brother; I am writing this letter with a heavy heart. Our Father, William Bertie died last July while crossing the ocean for England. They buried Father at sea and Mother didn't get a notice until September. Mother wishes he had never left home to go on what she calls his obsession to receive his birthright. When Mother married Father, as a young girl, she had thought that it would be fun to be considered a lady. Now, she wishes she could have Father back and wishes he had never left. Mother's doing alright, but she seems to have aged overnight. If you could, please come see us. Allen and I are getting older as well, as I'm sure you are feeling the same way. Our son, Theodore, is twenty and in college, studying to become a lawyer, like his Father. Catherine is seventeen and is at home and learning how to keep house. Teddy, (Theodore, yes we call him Teddy just like our baby brother.) under his Father's direction, escorts Catherine to plays and dances. She is somewhat plain, but we're hoping for the best. She shows interest in young men and we hope she won't be disappointed. Clarissa is fourteen and is still in finishing school. She thinks she should be able to do everything her older sister does but her Father is trying to hold her down and slow her up. Already boys are flirting with her and it is driving my Husband crazy. Lenard, bless his heart, is eight now and I'm afraid I spoil him, much like our Mother did with our baby Brother. He's such a scamp and seems to always be getting into trouble with his shenanigans. Because of his mischievous behavior, Allen plans on sending him to a Military School when he's old enough. We'll see. Write soon! Your loving sister Jean. It had taken six weeks to receive a letter from Norfolk and it was now in the middle of January. James laughed to himself about the last part of the letter and thought, 'It's hard not to spoil some children!' Markus was always planning or doing things. When he discovered woven wire at the trading-post, he commenced planing a chicken run so the vermin couldn't grab one through the day when the chickens were outside. It seemed that twelve year old Markus, and his dogs were constantly doing something or hunting something. When James turned fifty, two years ago, Julie presented him with another child named, Sally. For some reason Sally was slow in developing and although she was two years old she kept Julie busy. She needed more attention at this age than any of the other children. Seven year old Nimrod and nine year old Deb were always playing and fighting together while being ignored by their older siblings. Fifteen year old Nancy and seventeen year old John had adult things they wanted to think about and his daughter Jean was already married and on her own. Twenty four year old Joel lived in the old cabin with his wife, and Richard with his wife and three children were buying a hundred twenty acres with annual payments. James's thoughts turned to Bill and Sara and their children. This was the start of Bill's and Bob's busy season and traveling around in this weather could not be fun. Bob Fraser had been gathering furs on his own for two years. Over two years ago, in the fall, Bob had decided he had to approach Dala-gon-ta's (Always Smiling) Father and offer him wampum to make her his squaw. That summer Bob had spent two months off and on, talking to Always Smiling and holding her hand. If he offered enough wampum to her Father he might be allowed to take Always Smiling as his wife and move her in by his Mother in Leonora. Bob had been getting uneasy about Always Smiling staying in her village. Too many Braves had been eyeing her. It had gotten to the point where Bob had to claim her as his squaw or forget about her. When he had approached Always Smiling's Dad, with wampum in hand, he had discovered her Dad had already given her away. Since then he had saved his money and avoided girls if he could. At that time Bob had asked his Father, Bill, to give him the territory north of Leonora for his use only to avoid seeing Always Smiling, even in passing. He took to visiting the Shawnee, northern Cherokee, the Delaware and even some Algonquins and Seneca. Bill was more than happy to agree, since it kept him closer to home and in a little warmer weather. In the winter of '03' Bob was doing some fur trading with a middle aged squaw that was of the Cherokee tribe in Virginia. Bird lived in a longhouse with her extended family that included two sisters, their husbands and children along with their Mother. The squaw started bartering for a higher price for the tanned furs. Bob expected this and always started the price low when buying furs. A price was finally agreed upon and Bob made the mistake of asking, “Does your family have any more furs that they would like to part with?” “We have some fur under the blankets that you might like to buy. Just one moment!To-ju-wa, come here!” In his mind, Bob translated To-ju-wa as Red Bird. Walking out to the woman was a teenage girl with red hair and green eyes, “Bird,” exclaimed Bob, “I make it my rule that I don't buy young squaws when I travel.” Bob was also wondering why the Father wasn't making the arrangements for a marriage. And he couldn't believe that this mother would be selling a young girl as a 'Wife to just anybody!' “You don't think I am earnest. Let me get my Husband.” “The Mother walked into the Lodge. Bob looked at Red Bird and saw she was very beautiful. “You want to be married, Red Bird?” “Yes, I want to be married! My family treats me like a slave and makes fun of my red hair and turquoise eyes. I would like a great hunter, but I will settle for a good provider. A trader is good! Right?” Bird came back outside with her Husband. He was a small dark native that looked at his wife in...fear? He stepped in front of his Wife and said, “Would you like to buy my Daughter? She will not be cheap!” The bargaining had begun. “I would buy in wampum or crown. Or I could trade in blankets, buttons, needles, buckles, knives, whatever is your pleasure.” Bird stepped up and nudged her Husband to the side. “We would like to trade in wampum, except for a new knife for my Husband. You pointed out that there are too many nicks in the furs. A better knife might help my husband with skinning the animals out.” For a minute Bob just looked at her. A Brave might skin out a critter but a mate would never acknowledge that she didn't do all the skinning. Yet here she was disrespecting her Husband, saying in front of his face that all the nicked hides were his fault and his doing. Bob looked over at Red Bird. 'Like Mother, like Daughter?' Was she young enough to grow up to be different? She was so pretty with her high cheekbones and red hair. And those eyes! That Brave had to be her Stepfather!' Bob thought, 'My wampum is about gone. I hope she understands English coins or a simple barter.' “Would you accept something besides wampum? I have only six white beads and four black beads. You know that the four black bead is the same as having twelve white beads.” “I think twenty black beads would be a place to start.” Bird thought she was starting at a point that would keep this young trader interested. “Could I interest you in a shilling for every black bead?” “Yes, all your wampum and fourteen coins!” “All my wampum and ten shillings.” “All your wampum and twelve shillings.” “I will do that. Even though I feel you might be happy to sell your Daughter because she is lazy, and would have taken much less, we have a deal. Let me go to my pack and dig the coin and wampum out.” Bob couldn't believe a Mother would sell her child for what amounted to an English Pound. No matter how obstinate or lazy a teenage child could be. All he could think that could possibly have happened, would have been before the child was even born, or maybe before the child was even conceived. Bird turned toward her husband who had been silently standing by her side the whole time she had been selling their daughter. “Quiet Brave, go get our Shaman and tell him he has a uniting of two people before the sun sets.” Quiet Brave scurried off and Red Bird went back into the longhouse and Bob went to his packs to retrieve the money from his packs. Red Bird went back into the Lodge and put her clothes into a bag. Her three younger sisters were watching her and had tears in their eyes as they watched her pack. Red Bird spoke to them and said, “I will see you again, sisters of mine. You can have my corn cob dolls and this dress. I've outgrown them and you can have them! It will be alright.” The old medicine man with his rattler came up to Bob and asked him for his blanket that Bob slept in. Bob took it off his pack and gave it to the old man. Red Bird came out of the longhouse and the old man asked that they kneel on the ground. He threw the blanket over them and shook his rattler while in a singsong voice gave them the charge of marriage. Red Bird looked over at Bob and said, “I'm ready to go.” “I will lead the pack mules and you follow. We need to cover some ground before dark.” Bob wondered what he had gotten himself into. Whatever it was, he would take it one day at a time. Bob tied the blanket back over the pack on the mule and lead the three mules away from the village with Red Bird following along behind. Bob estimated he still had a couple of hours of daylight left. From where Bob was at, he figured the best place to unload his furs would be Anderson's Bottom. From where they were at in Virginia, it would take about three days worth of walking. He hoped Red Bird was used to walking. As the sun was setting, Bob pulled off the trail and found the spot where he had camped before. Red Bird watched what Bob was doing to prepare for the night. He unloaded the mules and put hobbles on them and then he turned two of them loose. The third one he staked out around a good sized tree. The third one was one that refused to be caught in the mornings and therefore suffered the consequences of his actions. Bob built a fire among the rock that he had fashioned into a fire-pit and the two people gathered dead branches that were on the ground to feed the fire. He swept the small rock and twigs from a spot by the fire and laid his blanket down. He pulled a canteen and hardtack from the pack next to him and sat down on the blanket. He gestured for Red Bird to sit down by him and offered her some jerky. Bob could see that Red Bird was nervous and wouldn't look at him. Bob could see it was time to talk. He waved his hand around into the dark woods and said, “When you woke up this morning, you weren't expecting this, were you.” “No I wasn't. I'm sure you weren't either.” Red Bird looked off into the dark and said, “My Mother never has treated me like she does my younger sisters. She didn't treat me with...I guess you could say with love. She was cold to me! You see, she was sold into a marriage to a trader, just like you. He took her with him for two moons and then brought her back and left her. Mother was carrying me and felt she had no choice but to marry the Father that I know. I know you couldn't believe it when Bird sold me for what amounted to an English Pound. I think you thought something was wrong with me to sell me so cheaply. The truth is, she just needed to get me out of her sight. Father knew she was being unreasonable but he stopped arguing with her a long time ago. He has learned through the years that dis agreeing with her just doesn't pay.” “What happened to your Mother's first marriage won't happen with us. If we treat each other with respect and care and work for each other, there is no reason why we can't be happy with each other. You observed what I did to make camp tonight and you will start helping more as you know what you can do. Now you come and lie down with me and do what a married couple does.” As Bob was saying this he realized how heartless it sounded. Bob's statement affected Red Bird the wrong way and Bob could see it. Not saying anything at first, Red Bird looked off into the dark and then looked into Bob's eyes, “Before we make the two hump beast, could we get to know each other better. This is all so new. Yesterday I was a child, now I'm supposed to be a wife. Can we learn to like each other first?” It was Bob's turn to look off into the night, “You are right Red Bird. We should get to know each other better. We have a long walk ahead of us tomorrow. At night we have to post a guard. Let me get another blanket out of my pack here and you go to sleep. I will stand guard until I get sleepy and then I will wake you up while I sleep. Alright?” “I'm not sleepy now. Could I stay up for a while and you sleep? When the moon is straight up in the sky, I will wake you.” “Alright!” Bob pulled another blanket out of his pack, layed down and went to sleep. Red Bird walked around the camp but her mind was busy with thoughts about the future. Bob was a nice, handsome young man and from what she knew of him, he would be a good provider. For the first time in her fourteen years of life, she didn't have to worry about her Mother yelling at her or finding her with a switch if she didn't come running. Life all at once had gotten better, except for her sisters. She would miss them. Red Bird sat down under a tree and took the weight off her legs. Tomorrow would be a long day of walking. It would be nice to see something more than her little village. She yawned and thought that maybe it was time to wake Bob. Then she went to sleep. Bob woke up with a headache and a Brave looking down on him, with a grin on his ugly face. As he regained coherence he realized his hands were tied behind his back and his feet were tied together. The reason he could see the young man's face was there was a large fire going where his little campfire had been. He saw two braves sitting by his fire, laughing and smirking, like they were sharing a huge joke between them. Then he heard moaning coming from behind him. He knew what it was, having slept with natives in longhouses and cabins from time to time when he felt he could trust the people. In spite of himself a grimace passed over his face and the Brave above him laughed. The Brave above Bob had reason to laugh. Muskwe, meaning Ugly in the Mohawk tribe, had gotten his name, not only from his outward appearance, but also from his outlook on life. He knew he had gotten an unfair lot in life with a mother that survived as a Wife of Many and didn't know who his father was. When he had lashed out against a tormentor and killed him, the tribe had determined he could no longer live with the tribe and banished him. He had become what every tribe had a few of, and that was a Renegade. The two bucks that had been laughing at Bob's expense were from a Cherokee village that was the north-eastern tip of the Cherokee Territory. They had been expelled from their village because of righteous anger against a bully. The two had dispatched the man but had been kicked out because it had been two to one and the bully was the Chief's son. No tribe had the ability to punish tribal laws except to either kill the perpetrator or banish the person. To banish someone almost meant curtain death for them, because he became open season if anyone of the tribe saw the Renegade. They could shoot him on sight, so Renegades grouped together for protection and if there became enough of them, they would start stealing women and would become a tribe in their own right. Bob had the bad luck of falling in the pathway of a nucleus of a new tribe. Ugly knelt down so he was at Bob's level and started speaking. To Bob hearing a new native language was unsettling, but he could understand most of what was said. “You were very unwise to trust a squaw to stand guard, and it was our good fortune to see you leave the village with your mules loaded with furs. However, you are fortunate that Red Bird has promised to become Spirit Catcher's squaw if we allow you to remain alive and Red Bird has given her word to come with us willingly. Spirit Catcher was from the Delaware tribe. He was, by looking at him, more French than Delaware. He stood a good six feet, with light skin and gray eyes. He had a chiseled face without a blemish on it. He had been kicked out of his tribe by popular vote because too many wives were constantly waylaying him. He was so popular that he had to sneak out of his village if he wanted to go hunting. Before Ugly had quit talking, Spirit Catcher and Red Bird walked into the fire light. Spirit catcher strutted like a handsome young buck would, after having successfully mated with his squaw. Red Bird had her head down and wouldn't look Bob's way. The other two young Braves had left the clearing and the sky had started lighting up in the east. Ugly had remained kneeling down by Bob's side. The mules were brought to their packs of furs and the mules were loaded. Bob's weapons were leaving with the men as well. “We promised Red Bird you would leave you alive if she would come with us willingly. We will keep that promise, but I have to make sure you will not follow us and give us problems.” “Red Bird is not a reason that would make me follow you. You let her chose and she chose Spirit Catcher. So be it!” said Bob trying to give Ugly a sense of security. “I thought about hamstringing you and turning you loose, but I think I will just take your clothes.” Ugly took out his knife and commenced cutting Bob's clothes off his body. Bob did nothing except to allow Ugly to do the deed. No way was Bob going to give Ugly a reason to do him bodily harm. Ugly cut the rope tying his hands and taking his clothes, left. When the Renegades left, Bob quickly undid the bindings on his feet. This was still February and it had gotten well below freezing overnight. He spent a few minutes making sure of what direction the mules were traveling, which was south-west. Bob then took off at a dead run, to get warm, but traveling to the south-east. He was heading straight towards Anderson's Bottom to get weapons and clothing. He knew the proprietor there, and had in the past sold his furs to him, before heading south-west to collect furs on his way to Leonora. Anderson's Bottom was less than thirty miles away. Bob had done around eighty miles in one day as a teenager with Bill, but that had been with clothes on. He had heard from Bill, that when Bill was in his prime he had ran one hundred and twenty miles in a given day. Six miles down the trail, Bob hit the main road leading to Anderson's Bottom. A couple more miles down the road, Bob caught up with a freight wagon going in the same direction. Bob ran along the wagon, trying not to frighten the old teamster and asked for a ride and some clothes. “Lands sake man, where are your clothes?” Seeing a naked man running down the road, along side him, was not something the teamster had ever seen before. “I got jumped last night and they took everything I had. You got an extra pair of clothes with you? I'm going to Anderson's Bottom to get refitted and I'd rather not run around naked anymore than I have to.” By this time Bob had jumped into the wagon and was catching his breath. “If you don't mind wearing dirty duds. That's all I got left after being on the road for two weeks.” “I got more fresh air than I know what to do with. I won't mind a bit. Are you stopping at the trading-post at Anderson's Bottom? I'll leave your clothes there if you let me borrow them! Have you got a container with some water in it. I've worked up a powerful thirst!” “I don't mind a bit, lad. We really need to do something with these pesky redskins. Get them out of the country is what I say. No ones safe while they're around these parts.” By this time Bob had clothes on, so he jumped out of the wagon, bid the teamster goodbye, and was trotting down the road. Four hours later, Bob ran into the trading-post at Anderson's Bottom and stopped inside the door, leaning over panting. “Lands sake's Bob, what the heck happened to you? Heck, you smell worse than normal. Where did you get your duds if I might ask?” Sid, the store owner, was all ears to a story he knew had to be interesting. “A teamster loaned them to me up the trail. I got waylaid last night and lost everything I had with me. In a couple or three hours, a teamster is going to be dropping in looking for these clothes. Could you back me, in outfitting me, until the next time I bring you furs?” “Sure, I trust you. But I'll still have to charge you interest. I got a new pistol you might find interesting. It fires four shots after recharging. Now we have a Kentucky long rifle, powder horn and balls along with a long-bow and arrows. Knives and all the sheaths to put everything in. Buckskin moccasins and a set of clothes. Blankets, and straps to hold the blanket pack on your back. Anything else that you will need?” “I might need a lot of skill and luck to get my furs back before they sell them. Give me a jug for water and some hardtack.” Bob walked out of the trading-post and flowed into a jog, appearing as fresh as when he had met the morning. Coming to a fork in the road outside of town, he turned to the left and headed south-west, hoping to intersect his mules hoofprints. That afternoon while jogging along, with his head down, Bob almost passed a sassafras tree. He stopped and striped some bark off a branch. He continued on, chewing on the bark as he ran. The sun was going down when the deer path he was following crossed a trail. It took but a matter of seconds to see that the hoofprints on the trail were his mules. He slipped off the trail and bedded down. It was time to rest and rise with the sun. Every couple of hours throughout the night, Bob would stand and stretch to keep from getting a debilitating cramp. The sassafras bark helped, but he wasn't taking any chances. The trail led straight to a Cherokee village. Bob became more upset as he heard how the four braves had traded in the furs for two young girls and a widow. Now the mules were loaded down with the widow's belongings and the squaws. And Bob had lost his furs and a year's profit. The Fathers couldn't be held responsible for taking a deal that was too good to pass up. Besides, they had believed the Braves would be good providers to have accumulated that many furs. To Bob, the injustice was unbelievable! He was now truly on the warpath, and started demanding that he get his furs back. Nevertheless, the two Fathers listened and were sympathetic to Bob's plight. They offered Bob another incentive to keep tracking the thieving bucks. Their plan was, if he would bring the girls back he would be given back half the furs and he could buy the rest for a price. For the Fathers this was a huge decision and compromise since the returned girls would be treated like poor widows, relying on the Dads for their daily substance. The Chief was on Bob's side and helped convince the Fathers to agree. But to Bob, it had been a wast of precious time. The visit to the village had taken a full day, having to hobnob with the Fathers and the Chief. Once Bob was on the trail again, he couldn't wait to catch up with the Renegades. Renegades was how Bob still viewed the four bucks, but they were no longer Renegades. With the two Cherokee Braves and their wives, the other two bucks would be welcomed into a Cherokee Village. As long as they got along with the people there, they could gradually assimilate themselves into the village. The choice of going after the four men had been made by Bob and the society that he lived in. He knew he would have to kill the four Braves and he had no choice. If he wouldn't kill them, he would be treated as less of a man by the White Society and the surrounding Native Society. He could no long be a fur trader because the natives would take every advantage they could with him and laugh at him behind his back. It would be the first time he killed a man by any color of skin. With the blending of society as he knew it, White Man or Red Man, skin color seemed less and less an issue. It was up to him to seek justice! After Bob was once more on the mule tracks and had figured out where the Renegades were going, he quit looking at the tracks and increased his pace to a full run. The tracks were a day old and hard to see any more. While he was running, he was working on a plan on how he could reach them sooner rather than later. They were heading south, toward the village of the girl he had courted years ago. Once they entered the village it would be almost impossible to get them out. Bob looked down at the trail once more and realized the track were now only a couple of hours old. He could hardly believe it. Bob knew the area like the back of his hand and knew where two trails were less than a half mile apart, connected by a path the deer used and occasionally people used. Bob turned onto the path and started dodging tree branches as he ran. Hitting the new trail he started running at a full sprint. He was less than two miles away and feared he was already too late. Bob would have been too late if Ugly hadn't decided that a little honeymooning should be the priority of the day. The group had stayed in one spot for a day, well off the beaten path and spent the day getting to know each other better. When the two trails merged, Bob was only a half mile from the village and there were no hoofprints of his mules. He started back up the trail, until he heard a noise ahead of him. Bob decided he'd better get into the trees by a bend and be ready for whoever was coming. No sooner was he set with an arrow in his bow, when Ugly appeared coming around the bend on the trail. Bob barely had released the arrow when he dropped the bow and ran to Ugly. When he slit Ugly's throat and drug him into the underbrush, Bob knew the rest of the party would be coming soon. The two Cherokee Braves were walking in front of the mules when Bob stepped onto the trail with his pistol and fired. The two Braves were so close that Bob couldn't miss. Red Bird let out a cry, “NO,” and when Bob ran on the backtrack to find Spirit Catcher, she screamed, “Don't kill him!” The other two Cherokee girls looked like they were in shock, while the widow stood still and very straight, as a smile crossed her face. Bob ran about five hundred feet when he saw a pair of moccasin footprints stop in the middle of the trail and then head into the woods. Bob fell and rolled as an arrow went flying over him. He jumped up and ran toward the flight of the arrow and then jumped behind a tree as he anticipated another arrow flying his way. Then everything was quiet as both men tried to hear what the other one was doing. Bob heard a twig snap off to his left and realized his opponent was trying to slip around to get a clear shot at him. Bob slipped around the tree to peer out to find where Spirit Catcher was. He heard a crash in the underbrush and came face to face with Red Bird. “I begged for your life because I went to sleep while standing guard. Now I'm begging for my Husband's life.” “The Shaman says I am your Husband, even though you have been unfaithful to me.” “Because I had to be! But that is unimportant. What is important is we never laid together and Spirit Catcher would always be between us. If you kill him now and take me,I promise you that someday you will wake up dead.” “He will take more squaws, I'm sure. Will you be able to share?” “I will always be the first Squaw! Besides, if you leave him, he will owe me. I will always be first! That is enough and that's how we squaws understand our Braves!” Red Bird's eyes were drilling into Bob's eyes until his wavered. “Very well! You take him into the village. But if he ever comes looking for me, he will be dead. Understand?” “I understand Bob. I will make sure he never comes after you. Spirit Catcher, come out. Bob won't harm you. He is an honorable man. Unlike a few men we both know!” Bob looked at Red Bird and looked at Spirit Catcher coming out from behind a tree and thought, 'Marrying her was too close for comfort. Spirit Catcher is going to regret living with her every time he does something wrong.' Bob walked out of the woods and found his mules and the squaws on the trail in front of him. “Did you take the weapons off your husbands bodies?” The widow spoke up, “We didn't touch them. And we aren't going to either!” Bob reloaded the cylinder of his pistol and said, “We're all going back to the bodies and you will all say goodbye to Red Bird and Spirit Catcher and then we are going back to your village.” That remark was met with a wall of silence. Bob jumped on one of his mules and kicked him into the ribs. He passed the two Braves on the ground and went to Ugly's carcass that was laying in the underbrush, where Bob commenced taking back his long-rifle, knife and whatever else that was valuable. The widow, Sad One, came up to Bob as he was completing his search of Ugly's body. “What are you going to do with us?” Was the first thing out of her mouth. “I'm taking you back to your village and getting my furs. After that you'll never have to see me again.” “I don't want to go back. You killed my man, so you have to take his place!” “I don't have to do anything, Sad One. Tell me, did you lie under the blankets with Ugly?” “I had too! I had no choice.” “And tell me, how many other Braves have there been?” “Three, with my two dead men.” “You've seen what happens sometimes to Wife of Many, haven't you?” “Yes, they shrivel up and die. The Braves that visit her too.” “How do we know if Ugly didn't have that wasting disease? We don't! It might take a year before you know. I think you should go back to the village and cure hides for bachelor Braves for food and someday find an older Brave that will take you as a second wife.” “I would go with you and cure your hides. After a year maybe you will change your mind.” Bob looked at her. She was only about eighteen years old. She could have had three children by now, but didn't. Bob had a thought, 'Maybe she is one of those females that never have children?' Those women were deemed as valuable to natives as squaws that had children. They were for the most part as strong as a man and could do anything a squaw could do. “Alright, you can come with me, but only to help. And I will give you a new name! It will be, Hopeful.” It took some time to repack the mule with the assortment of weapons and Hopeful's household wares. When the three girls and Bob turned around to head back to the village where the girls had come from, Red Bird and Spirit Catcher were walking on foot towards the village behind them and a new life. Bob then climbed on a mule behind Hopeful, glad he didn't have to run for a while. Needless to say, it had been a stressful week. Chapter 15 Mansfield, Wearg, and Arden; Esq's May 29, 1803 Mr. James Eresby Bertie; Dear Sir; This is the second effort on our part to make contact with you. The death of your Father has been noted in our courts and it has been established that you are the heir apparent to the Earldom that you are inheriting. It has been a mark of prestige to receive this elevated position of nobility. It also includes nine hundred acres of fine English soil. Before your Uncle Barlow died, he had taken on a debt and had taken out a lien on the land with The Bank of England. The land comes with the honor of becoming an Earl and money should not be an issue with becoming an Earl. Being an Earl opens doors to our finest citizens and opportunities into the future. We represent the Bank of England and when you come to Great Britain to become Earl of Kinsey, be prepared to lift the lien from your land at that time. Please let us know when we might expect you to arrive in England so we may be at your service and give you the due you deserve. Sincerely your servants, Esq's, Mansfield, Wearg, and Arden James sat back in his chair and thought about what he just read. His Uncle Barlow had taken a loan out on his land and used or squirreled away the money. James was pretty sure the money wouldn't be part of the inheritance. It might be possible that the only thing left would be the honor of Earl-ship. James thought of the situation and his Uncle, 'That old fox! It's almost like he planned this in case he died suddenly. Could he have stashed the money in his daughter's name somewhere? If so it's gone! I'd better find out what land is worth over there, and what the lien is!' Last week James had been to the trading-post and had bought a copy of The Business Guide from Salem. In it was an article that everybody was talking about. The United States was buying the Louisiana Territory from the French for fifteen million dollars. James couldn't wrap his head around that much money. The article stated that it amounted to pennies per acre. In James's mind that was pennies per acre for the right to tell the French they had no right to be in America. James shook his head and thought, 'Such a waste! We should just keep going west and tell the blankety-blank French, Spanish, or any other Foreign Country to kiss our behinds.' James thought it was funny that it took two months to receive a letter from England, but only ten days to read that President Thomas Jefferson had announced the purchase of land for the United States. James could visualize a writer, listening to President Jefferson giving his speech on the 4th of July, writing the article, making copies, and then sending riders out to newspapers, selling the article. 'AMAZZING!' The article also stated that Jefferson was building a boat and putting together an expedition to go up the Mississippi to find a water-way to the Pacific Ocean. James's thought was, 'More money being wasted! Taxing the poor American People, just to spend it foolishly. Like building a Capital out of nothing for our Country. Spending money our Country doesn't have. The Federalist Party has gone crazy! And now, Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party was just as bad as the Federalists!' James opened his ink bottle and dipped his quill in the ink and began composing a letter to the law firm in England. Mansfield, Wearg, & Arden; Solicitors of England; James paused for a moment and smiled. His intentionally leaving the Esq's off their title and calling them Solicitors, which they were, should get them to see that he didn't see them as exalted, in any way shape or form. His thoughts were, 'Why didn't they just tell him how much money it would take to lift the lien on the land, this was maybe, their way to get him to come to England in hopes of him paying a small fortune. Maybe they needed more than what he had?” James's thoughts wandered back to the last 4th of July. While Jefferson was making his speech, the family was visiting his daughter's family north of Salem. He was pleasantly surprised when Mary's husband, John, took Markus to the side, to speak to him, “Mark, I need to apologized to you for not seeing and knowing that you meant more to Mary than just a brother. Since Mary and I have been married, she has not been completely happy and now I understand why. It has to be terrible to have a child ripped out of your arms and not be able to publicly acknowledge another child.” As Mark spoke, it felt funny rolling off his lips, “Mom knew I was happy were I was at. I wish we could find Layla though. Maybe someday!” Even though Markus thought of Mary as his Mother, it felt funny saying it out loud. James had left Mark behind at John Farmer's place and he still missed that little bugger. James felt like Markus should still be his shadow and he missed Markus. Markus wasn't so little anymore as he had a growth spurt and was as skinny as a bean pole. He could look his Grandpa in the eye now, even though he was so thin that a small breeze could blow him over. Bob Fraser, was at the moment at Fort Albany, Canada because it was the closest buying point that the Hudson Bay Fur Country had to the United States, and they still dealt exclusively with British currency. Bob had been asked by Sid at Anderson's Bottom to help make this run to Canada to sell Sid's furs. Sid felt he had to stay close to the trading-post, but he didn't trust too many people to make the run up north without him. Sid however, did trust Bob, so he was leading eleven mules north along with five men who acted as guards for the train of mules. Bob had plenty of time to think while he lead the lead mules. He thought back to when Bill and him had put up a small framed house behind Bill's cabin in Leonora. There he had left Hopeful. She lived there and tanned hides there. Sara and her had become fast friends and were thick as thieves, with Hopeful learning all she could about being White. Sara was in turn learning from Hopeful on the best ways to make buckskin clothing. It was just like Bob thought, 'thick as thieves!' It had been five months since Bob had brought Hopeful home and Hopeful seemed happy and content to live with them. She didn't seem to be affected with the wasting diseases and she was more than hopeful. Bob thought about what he had heard concerning the Louisiana Purchase and had a few thoughts about it that were different from his Uncle James's. If the United States Government was sending an expedition across the continent to the Pacific Ocean he would like to be a part of it. What an adventure that would be! A Chance in a lifetime is what it was! There was a keel boat being built in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania by the Government to transport them. Bob would give his eye teeth to be on it. But he had one person he couldn't disappoint. HOPEFUL! He couldn't just disappear for two years and not hurt her feelings. Bob thought about the English Pound and the American Dollar. The United States Government had decided to construct the Dollar to compare to the Pound. And then to gain acceptance and confidence of the people, the Government also issued a half penny. Before the Revolutionary War, the states had their own currency. That currency, before the War, had become almost worthless for some states. The United States was determined to cut all ties with England and discourage any Tories from trying to rejoin Great Britain. It was only twenty years ago, in 1783 that the United States had finally won their independence from the Mother Country. Now most people in the United States couldn't see pledging themselves to an Island Country no matter what connections there where. The United States had more than doubled in size and was fifty times in size that the country of England was. Bob's thoughts were interrupted by one of the guards, Jake Butcher, who was standing in the path, waiting for Bob to approach. “There's a village to the west of that trail about a quarter mile. With the blueberries turning ripe and with them making fresh pemmican, I was wondering if you could buy some for us?” Bob held out the lead rope for the lead mule and said, “Sure! Keep the train walking and I'll be right back.” To Bob, the idea of walking while chewing on some pemmican would extend the hours of walking each day and shorten the day's spent on the road. Bob ran into the village and looked around, thinking a chief would approach him and ask his business there. All he saw and smelled were dead people, until a Brave struggled to his feet and came staggering over to him, “Run away from here! We have the Black Death. It is death to everybody!” Bob turned and started running out of the village. He knew what he was seeing. Smallpox! Then he stopped. He remembered reading an article in a newspaper that said Europe was trying to transfer live Cowpox to the New World so they could vaccinate against Smallpox. He also remembered reading in that article that inoculation of Smallpox could be done with a fresh cut to the skin and the smallpox wouldn't be as sever with a shorter buildup of the Smallpox in a person's system. He turned around while drawing his knife. The Brave, who warned Bob, thought he was going to be killed. Bob cut his own forearm and scrapped a blister from the Braves arm, rubbing the puss into the fresh wound on Bob's arm. In the Cherokee language Bob said thank you, not knowing if it was a Cherokee Village he was in or a Huron Village he was in. Then Bob turned and ran back to the mule train. “They have Smallpox!” Bob exclaimed as he took the rains from Jake. Jake backed away from Bob with just a hint of a smirk on his lips. He than turned around and ran back to the scouting point of the expedition. Bob thought that Jake's reaction to the news was a little strange, but then on second thought realized that Smallpox had become quite common placed. Always on the lookout, Bob was suspicious of anything Jake did, simply because Bob didn't like the guy. Bob realized, because of exposure to the Smallpox, he had a limited time to get to Albany and started pushing the mules harder. Five days latter the train arrived in Albany. They took the furs to the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Company, where they would be shipped to England. Once the furs were in England, the fur and hides would be turned into felt for hats and other accessories. The next day Bob got paid in British Pounds and Bob paid the guards and gave them instructions to take the mules back to Anderson's Bottom. It was the sixth day since Bob had inoculated himself and was already feeling woozy and light headed. He knew he would have to hole up somewhere and hide, especially with having all of Sid's money with him. People were killed for a lot less then what he was carrying. With his pack of traveling needs on his back, he headed south. After a few miles, he found a creek flowing east and headed west in the creek. When he found a spot where the north shore was rocky he stepped out onto the rocks and headed north. He traveled until late afternoon, looking for a creek. Traveling along the creek until he found what he was looking for. It was a dense wooded area with a thick underbrush in it. While he had been traveling he had shot a young deer that he had cut the hind quarters off of and carried those with him. Crawling into a dense thicket, he started a small fire and cooked the venison over his fire in his small skillet. As the meat was cooked and cooled, he ate some and put the rest into a bag that he had. Then he pulled out his blanket and immediately went to sleep. The next morning Bob woke up with a splitting headache. He was feeling chilled and dizzy. Bob looked at his bag of meat and thought, 'A bear could have been in here after that food last night!' He grabbed his rope and the bag and headed out of the thicket. Fifty feet away he found a tree to hang the meat in and opened the sack to have his breakfast. He ate a couple of bits and felt he wasn't hungry. He leaned against the tree to catch his breath and dozed. The next thing he heard was a rifle cock. He opened his eyes and looked down the rifle barrel into Jake's beady eyes. “Thought you'd get away from me, didn't cha? You didn't know this but I'm a pretty good tracker, if I do say so myself. Now you just set still for a minute and I'll put you out of your misery.” Bob threw himself to the side and the gun exploded with a bullet whizzing past his head. Then there was a body falling over him, shaking and twitching. Bob quaked and pushed until he was out from under Jake and saw an arrow protruding out of Jake's back. He looked around and saw a Brave, with bow in hand, emerging from around a tree. From the other side of the tree an adolescent girl also came out from behind the tree. Bob shook his head and thought he must be hallucinating because the girl had gray hair. The two people walked up to Bob and the girl's eyes opened wide in understanding when Bob uttered in disbelief, “Layla!” Layla spoke in the Cherokee Language to her companion, “This is why Oowatie. Sometimes bad things must happen for the better good for all.” Bob knew he had to be delirious. Oowatie meant 'the ancient one'. The man in front of him was a young man. Nothing old about him. Layla turned to Bob and asked, “How do you know me?” “I'm your cousin, Layla!” Bob just knew that when he quit hallucinating he would wake up and Jake would no longer be laying dead by him and the two people in front of him would be gone. “You must tell me how that is. But before that you must tell me why you are here?” “I infected myself with Smallpox from a village that had it and now I'm waiting for it to run its course.” “But you don't look sick. The pox kills our people and yet you say you have it. I don't understand.” “See this cut on my arm? It is oozing with puss. That puss has the Smallpox virus in it. When it heals, I will never be able to get Smallpox again.” “Could this be?” Layla almost spoke to herself, grasping what this would mean to the Cherokee people. After staring into space for a few minutes, Layla spoke again, “You must show me how to do this! I must infect our people.” Bob drew his knife out of his sheath and grabbed Layla's arm, “This will hurt.” he said as he made a small cut. Then he scraped the puss from his wound and rubbed the puss into Layla's arm, “Now you are infected. You must wait seven days for your arm to puss like mine is. Then do what I did! Now I need to find my blanket and sleep.” Bob was putting his knife back into its sheath when Layla stopped him. Layla put her arm on Bob's and said, “I'll help you cousin. Now, do this to Oowatie.” Bob looked down at Layla and thought, “She's thirteen years old? She's the one that should be called ancient.” Bob slept around the clock and woke the next morning feeling fresh. He looked around the thicket he was in and thought, 'That was one wild crazy dream. Where's my meat bag? I'm hungry! Did I really put it in the tree? I'd better look.' He crawled out of the thicket and stood up and stared at what was before him. Layla and Oowatie were kneeling before a fire cooking corn pone in a skillet. 'She's not a dream?' Bob walked over and sat down, “What did you do with Jake?” Bob asked anyone who would answer while looking at the sky, thinking that might answer him. Oowatie answered him, “I drug him away from here and cut his clothes off him. He smelled so bad, I thought if I didn't strip him no predator would want him no matter how hungry they might be! I hope they don't get too sick.” Chuckling at his remarks, Bob shook his head. 'This hadn't been a dream. This was real!' Layla looked at Bob and said, “This is very real. But I also dreamed it before it became real. You're almost healed!” She exclaimed and continued, “We need to start back.” “How did you end up coming up here? Did the Great Spirit guide you?” Bob knew about the Natives god and was starting to believe that Layla had been told to come up here into Canada. “No, I was taken by some dirty Hurons. Oowatie came and rescued me.” Layla patted Oowatie's knee. “In Cherokee, Oowatie means ancient one. I can't picture him as ancient. His name that I will call him in English is Uwatie. That's very similar to your last name of Bertie.” “I have a last name?” Layla exclaimed. “Oh yes! And you have a blond haired, blue eyed mother whose name is Mary.” “Then why do I have this ugly hair and ugly eyes?” “They're not ugly! They are you! Special! Your natural father is Cherokee. His name is Tsula.” “That's why my Mother, Maini, is sister to Tsula and he has a second wife.” Layla's face lit up like the sun and like a weight had been lifted. “We have to go!” All at once, time couldn't move fast enough for Layla. Too much to do with places to go. Bob was skeptical, “I don't know if we should do that. I don't know if I'm ready!” “We'll take it slow today and Oowatie and I will carry your weapons and pack.” Bob looked at Layla and Uwatie. Could he trust them? He'd have to. “We need to stop at Anderson's Bottom and give Sid some money.” Layla smiled, “Alright, we'll stop at Anderson's Bottom. It's on the way to our village anyway.” Once they were on the trail, Bob felt like he was shirking in doing his share of carrying the load. He had his bow in hand but was using it as a staff. He had a sheath of arrows on his back and his knife in its sheath at his side. Layla carried his bag filled with his cookware, blankets and money. Uwatie carried his own bow and arrows, plus his blanket and Bob's rifle and pistol. Bob was feeling better and decided to fill Layla in on everything she had missed while she had been gone. “You have two brothers and two sisters. The older brother is your twin. He has black hair and black eyes. His name is Markus Alexander Bertie. Your Mother's name is Mary Farmer. Her Husband's name is John Farmer. Your Mother had you when she was your age.” Layla looked at Uwatie and asked, “If I went to see my birth Mother, would they hold me captive and make me stay?” Bob knew what she was thinking and looked at Uwatie. “I don't think they would do that, but your stepfather John, is a Christian and does believe that a relationship should result into a marriage. And a Father should approve of who his daughter will marry. That doesn't mean that since Uwatie is Cherokee, he wouldn't be allowed to marry you. It means that if Uwatie is not a Christian, he wouldn't be allowed to marry you. If they could convince you to voluntarily stay, they would be very happy. But if you aren't a Christian, they wouldn't give you a moment's peace until you became one. “I want to meet my Mother, but I can't and won't give up Oowatie. What should I do?” Layla was facing a dilemma and knew it. “I'll think about it and think of something. Where is your village at? “We live under Jack Martin's protection and live in his land boundaries. We have a wise Chief guiding us and keeping us safe from Indian Haters.” The first day of travel was a short day since Layla insisted on stopping to rest in the middle of the afternoon. The next day Bob insisted on carrying his own gear. The third day they jogged part of the day. On the fourth day they jogged most of the day. By late that afternoon the trading-post at Anderson's Bottom had materialized and Bob opened the door of the building and yelled inside, “Sid, come outside! I need to talk to you, OUTSIDE! Sid walked outside with a puzzled expression on his face, “What's going on here Bob?” “I have your money here Sid, but I can't come in. I might still be contagious with Smallpox. I know Uwatie and Layla are coming down with Smallpox as we speak.” “Since when are you traveling around with Indians, Bob?” “Since they saved my life, that's when! You won't ever have to worry about seeing Jake Butcher again. He tried to take my life and your money until Uwatie stepped in and put an end to his plans.” “I didn't hear that! We don't need a Constable asking questions and having a inquest taking up our time. All he has is a brother around here and I'll tell him the last time I saw him and leave it at that! Take care of yourself!” By the sixth day they were looking at Jack Martin's stone house. During the time on the trail, Bob's cut on his arm along with the pox that had formed was healed and all three looked fine. That night, the village gathered for a powwow and to listen to the adventures that Oowatie and Layla had while they were gone. Oowatie arose to stand in front of the people and waxed into his story. “When the despicable Huron slipped into our village and took my Layla away, I ran after them to take her back. They had two Braves waiting for me in ambush, but I killed them both. There had to be ten to fifteen Braves I was following, but I was not afraid. I also was careful after the first two Braves and watched for places they might lay in wait for me. On the fifth day, something strange was happening. Braves were lying along the trail with sores on their bodies and they didn't care if I crashed their heads in with a rock. The next day Layla guided me into the deep woods where she told me to shoot a white man in the back. This man had his rifle pointed at that man. His name is Bob and he is a Christian. He has a God that is all powerful and he said his God told him we were there to save him. He also told us about his God who was going to save us. Tomorrow Bob says Layla and me will have the Black Death, but it will come and go and we will be fine because we allowed Bob to cut our arm for Jesus, who is now our God.” There were gasps and doubts as the village of people started talking to each other. 'How could anyone know the future unless it was in a dream?! The sun must have addled poor Oowatie's brain! He was not in his right mind! He has spent too much time with that spooky Layla with her gray eyes staring at us all the time.' No one believed a white man could see into the future, no matter how strong his God was. But at the same time they were uneasy about what tomorrow would bring. COULD IT BE TRUE?? Would Uwatie and Layla really have the Black Death?' The next morning Uwatie and Layla were at the center of the village, siting on a blanket, with Bob standing above them. Bob began his rant, “Look you people. It is as I said. These two have the Black Death on their arm, but is not on their body. It is because I cut their arms with my knife and gave them Smallpox. But only on their arm and only a weak case of the Black Death. These two will get over their Smallpox infection and will never get the Black plague ever again. This reassurance has been given to me by the Great Spirit and his Father, the God of heaven and earth who gives to us all things! The God of Heaven gives us the good things we receive in this life. If you believe in this truth, let me and these two, cut your arms and share this good thing God has given you. For all who believe in the God of all things, form a line and we will share God's goodness with you!” Bob tried to hide his disappointment when he saw only a handful of people form a line. Then his eyes got wide when he realized that squaws were returning with their young children. Then about half of the teenagers and older children joined their parents. When it was all said and done, Bob and his two fellow cohorts had vaccinated about three fourths of the people in the village. For the next seven days the people in the village were somber and afraid of the future. It didn't help that on the third day a young girl broke out with a full blown case of Smallpox. Layla had a reason that she spread around the village. “This maiden was captured with me and the Huron gave her this pox. This is what will be happening to all of you who did not get cut. You can see that my cut is healing and I am alive. Now, to all of you that do not wish this death, come to this girl and get cut and infected, NOW, before it is too late!” Once again a line was formed and the last of the people were vaccinated. By the eighth day most of the tribe was down with a weak case of Smallpox. Beside the young maiden that had died, there was another six that had a case of Black Death and tried to break their fever by jumping into the creek. After three weeks, everyone recovering from Smallpox, except the seven that had died. Bob had a preacher that was visiting the Martin Plantation come to assist him in the next part of his plan. Bob and Uwatie gathered everyone around and made another speech. Bob spoke first, “We are celebrating today because Uwatie has taken a new spirit to replace the old spirit of selfishness. This spirit is the Great and Holy Spirit sent by the God of all things. Today this representative for God is here by my side to Baptize Uwatie and give him a name he has chosen. From now on he will be known as David Uwatie and today he is to officially become a Christian. To all who wish to become Christians today, we will baptize you if you will form a line.” Preacher Baxter looked in amazement as the people started lining up to get baptized. Every Preacher wants to save a soul or two and here were over two hundred people lining up to receive Jesus into their lives. It was a warm day and Preacher Baxter was in the creek all day, baptizing adults and children. That evening, the Reverend Baxter gave the ceremony of marriage to David and Layla with Bob acting as the Bondsman and witness to the uniting of the two. The next day Bob, David and Layla left with Pastor Baxter. The Pastor was a traveling minister and David spent all the time he could with Baxter, learning all he could about the Bible and all the Christian precepts. It was two weeks after the two had been married that they found themselves in a rural church, north of Salem. Bob nudged Layla and pointed to a blond lady across the aisle. For the rest of the sermon that Reverend Baxter was preaching, Layla couldn't take her eyes off her Mother. When the sermon was over and the last song was sung, Layla walked up to her Mother, ignoring everyone around her, “Mother?” Mary turned around and exclaimed, “Layla! My little girl, where have you all been?” As Mary engulfed Layla in her arms, with tears running down her eyes. “Getting big Mother! Ten years is a long time for a child. I found cousin Bob, and he told me all about you. Are these my sisters and brother? And your husband? What are their names again?” “This is my husband John. And our seven year old son Joe, and our three year old Caroline, and little baby Elizabeth. She's actually a year and a half old and getting quite big. What a beautiful deer skin dress. What did you use to turn it white like that?” “Thank you! We'll talk about that later. Hello Joe. I'm your big sister. Did you know you had a big sister?” “You're beautiful! Layla! What a pretty name. Momma told us last summer about you and Mark. I met him this summer. You're nothing like him. But Momma says you're twins?” Bob listened to the chatter around him and basked in the contentment he felt. He was sure David would be accepted as a son-in-law and he was happy. He thought about getting back to Leonora and wondered about all the time that had passed. It was almost October and soon he would be in the wilds gathering furs again. He wondered how Hopeful was doing with the rest of his family. It was past time for him to be gone. Bidding Mary's family ado the next morning, Bob traveled light and set out at a jog. It was but a two days travel and he was soon at Uncle Bertie's. Uncle James's family was overjoyed when they heard that Layla was back! They were excited to learn she was with the Farmer's, visiting, along with the wonderful news that Layla was married to a young man by the name of David Uwatie. Mark, after hearing where his sister was exclaimed, “I hope she hasn't left yet! I've got to see her! I'm leaving in the morning and I'm taking a horse. Dad, I don't know when I'll be back.” “Take all the time you need, son. We'll see you when we see you!” James was a little concerned for his grandson but knew that in order to be accounted for as a man in these volatile times, a boy had to grow up hard and fast. By the next evening, Bob was entering Leonora and home. The sun had just gone down and Bob could still smell the aroma of the supper that had been served. Crossing the creek behind the cabin, he passed Hopeful's stick house. He heard voices and one of them he recognized as his brother Will's (William). “I am waiting for Bob to do the right thing by me, Will.” Hopeful sounded adamant but at the same time a little lost. “Bob should have been home this summer, Sweety. He shouldn't expect a girl to not get lonesome if he's not around to talk to you. Let me give our two week intentions Sunday morning and two weeks from Sunday the Preacher from Rockford can marry us!” Bob sat and thought about what he was hearing. He was trying to wrap his mind around this news not certain what he was thinking or feeling. After a few minutes he then got back on his feet and walked to Bill's cabin, leaving the two undisturbed. Bob opened the cabin door and in a loud voice yelled, “Anyone home?” “Bob, you're home!” Sara ran to hug her son while his sister and brother hung back, not knowing what to say. Nine year old Chelsea and seven year old Jacob hadn't seen much of Bob for the last three years and with his full beard, he almost looked like a stranger. “Where have you been all summer?” “Here and there! Where is Bill?” “I'm right here Bob.” Bill came out from the curtained divider, that held a raised tick, that made up a bedroom. Bob had seen Bill in the past spring and now Bill looked half the size he had been. “Bill, what's happening? Have you been losing weight? You look so thing!” “I'm infected with the croup. The Doctor in Rockford let out some bad blood, but it didn't seem to help. I hope you will stick around and help take care of your Mother because I don't think I'll be around for long.” “I'm sorry Dad but I don't think so.” Bob motioned his head toward the back of the cabin. “You saw?” “I heard! Sweety?” “That's what she wants to be called. Will nicknamed her and that's what she wants to be.” “Well, Will can have her. I think I'm going to disappear again and go back up north. Anderson's Bottom is calling. I'll probably see you again at Christmas. Tell Will I won't be standing up for him.” “Bill flinched at Bob words, telling him how it was going to be, “I won't be going out this year to gather furs. Will traveled with me last year and I'll send him out by himself this year. I'll keep him south of the line we decided on and I'm sure he'll stay out of your way.” “Sorry Dad! Once the shock wears off, I'll be alright. It's not like I've been around much, It's just that I thought she was more set on me and I read more into it than there was. I need to tell you about Layla. She found me this summer!” Bob went on to tell them all about his adventures that past summer. It was past midnight before he climbed into the loft to sleep and Will never did show his face. When Bob came down the ladder the next morning he knew he had slept late. His family along with Sweety and Will were around the table having breakfast. “Good morning everyone. Good morning Hopeful.” Will interrupted Bob with, “Bob, she likes the name Sweety. That's what we call her. “Who named her Sweety?' Bob knew Will had just walked right into it. Shit happens! “ I did!” “Then I guess in that case, she is your problem.” Bob saw Sweety winch when she was referred to as a problem. After breakfast, Bob said, “Mom, I'll try to make it back before Christmas.” He looked at his little brother and sister and said, “You two obey our Mom and don't get into much trouble. Thank you for the breakfast Mom. I'll talk to you outside Dad. Goodbye everybody.” Picking up his traveling backpack he led the way outside and stated, “There was a post at Anderson's Bottom saying that the Louis Expedition is looking for volunteers with native language skills. The post said Jefferson is looking for a water passageway to the Pacific Ocean. I think it is just a way to gallivant around on the land and establish dominance, exerting our right to the land.” “You may be right Bob, but imagine our country extending from Ocean to Ocean. It's mind boggling! We're fifteen states now. How many will we be then? Are you thinking of joining up with the expedition?” “I don't think so. In a couple of months I'll start collecting furs. I have enough adventure with the frontier I know. Going way out there sounds kind of risky. I'll see you at Christmas Bill.” “I wish you weren't leaving now. Don't let Will get to you.” “He's not! I just don't want Will having second thoughts or Hopeful feeling torn between us. Talk to you later Dad. Tell Mom goodbye, for me. I'm not walking back in there now.” With that Bob threw his back pack on and walked away. Bill watched him walk away as Sara walked out of the cabin. “Goodbye Bob. I hope you find what you're looking for!” Sara walked up to her husband while watching Bob jogging away, “Is Bob alright?” “Ya, I think he is. He just needs to find what he's looking for. I hope it's soon! Let's just pray we see him at Christmas.” For the next few days Bob pushed himself. Exerting himself was a pleasure for Bob. He felt it cleared his head and he could think more clearly when he got the blood pumping and he slipped into an exhausted state. He didn't even stop at Martins Plantation but flew right on by. Two hours before dark, he'd slowed to a leisure walk. He chewed on hard tack, and drink water from his jug. Before dark he'd find a thicket to hide out in and fell sleep with one ear open for any sound that was unusual. By the third day he had reached an understanding of what he should do with himself, 'You take yourself too seriously. It's time you cut loose and just be totally unreasonable. Don't try to be everything to everybody! Don't worry what anyone else thinks. You have two months of doing nothing or anything!”' When he got to Anderson's Bottom and walked into the trading-post, he quizzed Sid about his mules and what the news was circulating in this part of the country. The last question Bob asked was, “You stock any good whiskey Sid? Not that rotgut stuff you water down.” “Oh yes, I have some whiskey that'll knock your socks off. What the heck brought this on?” “I want to let loose and not worry about a dang thing, if you insist on knowing. What's it to you?” “Just wanting to know if you were in your right mind.” Sid reached under the counter and brought out a two gallon jug. “This is prime stuff, so be careful when you sip it. It kinda slips up on you. You want me to measure up a pint for you?” “Ah, how about if I buy the whole jug from you. How much would that be?” “Well, there's about a half gallon missing from this jug, so how about a pound and six shillings?” “Shoot, That's more than what I paid for that redhead a while back!” “Wasn't that the time you were running down the road naked, about to freeze?” “Yes well, that was all about her! This is about me!” “There you go. Give me the money and enjoy yourself. And don't drink it all at once! Sip it slowly and leave some for tomorrow.” Four days later, Bob was back. He stumbled a little like he had just woken up and seemed thinner, if that was possible. He sat himself down at the counter and asked, “Do you have any more of those corn squeezins you sold me yesterday? That's some good stuff!” Sid just looked at him for a moment and then spouted, “That was four days ago! Don't tell me you really think that was yesterday?” “Well I did wake up a couple of times cold.” “When was the last time you ate?” Sid didn't know what to think about his friend. “I guess it was the day I bought the whiskey? I'm not sure.” Bob knew he wasn't helping with his chances of getting more liquor. “Bob, I don't know what you're trying to prove, but I'm not selling you any more whiskey until you've got something to eat! Alright?” Sid knew if Bob didn't want to quit drinking, Bob would just go someplace else to find it. Sid watched him go out the door and across the street to the local eatery. Sid looked around the store and found his son, Pete, filling shelves. “Pete, I need you to do something for me. You can recognize Bob Frazer, can't you?” Sid sometimes got disgusted with Pete, wondering what he ever did to deserve Pete. Pete was eighteen this summer and didn't seem to have any more ambition than to stock shelves and sleep. Pete thought his Dad didn't give him enough credit. “Ya, I know Bob. I've talked to him before when he's brought furs in and I stored them away. Why?” “I want you to go home and get your Mom to give you food for a few days and an oiled skin in case it rains. Take some blankets and make a backpack. Then come back here and wait. I need you to follow Bob and keep an eye on him.” “That's all! What about stocking the shelves for you?” Pete couldn't believe what his Dad was asking. What he heard was, 'Go walk around out in the woods and take it easy while you keep track of a drunk!' “I'll have to do a little more after I close the store. Your Mom can help too. Hopefully Bob won't stay drunk for too much longer. He's trying to work something out in his head and I hope he figures it out soon. Now, git on home so you can get back here quick.” By the time Bob had his corn liquor bought from Sid, Pete was trailing Bob back to the river that flowed through the valley. Bob sat down against a tree by the nine foot drop off that hung over the river and popped the cork off the jug. He didn't worry about a cup but took the liquor straight from the jug. Pete shook his head and withdrew about four hundred feet away and set up his bedding among the trees. Bob knew Pete had trailed along behind him and thought, 'Sid's worried about me and sent his kid to keep an eye on me? I guess it can't hurt!' After a couple of days a Native Brave, called Sly, came walking along the river bank. He looked at the jug Bob had and heard Bob slur, “What you looking at?” About that time he saw Pete standing up and answered, “Nothing.” and kept walking. That evening, after dark, Jake Butcher's brother, Carl, came slipping through the trees. He had heard from Sid that his brother had disappeared after taking the furs to Albany and that was all Sid knew. He thought Sid was holding back information and he knew Bob had been drinking by the river. Carl felt this was a good time to get the truth out of Bob. Everyone knew drunks didn't lie and the only way Carl was going to get close to Bob was if he was drunk. Bob's snoring led Carl right to Bob and Carl had his hog string ready. A few flicks of Carl's wrists and Bob's hands were tied. While Bob woke up and struggled Carl tied his feet together. Carl slapped Bob's face and asked, “Is Jake dead?” Pete had been dozing but woke up when he heard Carl ask, “Is Jake dead?” Bob looked off into thin air and said, “Yes, Jake is dead!” “Did you kill him?” “No, I didn't kill him. But he needed killing!” “What do you mean by that?” “I had Small Pox. I woke up with a fever and here was Jake with a rifle pointing at me, telling me goodbye. He was going to pull the trigger when he fell on me with an arrow in his back. Scarred me half to death! I think he planned to take Sid's money and leave me for dead. That's why he needed killing.” “Who killed him?” “That I can't tell you. You don't need to know!” “And you didn't kill him?” “No, I told you. I didn't kill him!” “Mm, I think I'll start a fire up. A few hot embers on your skin will loosen your tongue up.” Carl commenced to gather dead branches from under the trees. Once Carl had a fire started by the river bank, he turned to Bob and said, “Are you ready to feel a few blisters or are you ready to talk?” Sid's voice rang out from the trees, “Don't do this Carl. Your Daddy doesn't have any more sons to give away. Just leave and we'll forget about this.” “An arrow! It's got to be a dirty Indian. Who is he?” “He's a Christian! That's more than I can say for you.” Bob spoke up, grateful Sid had come to his rescue. “I don't care! An eye for an eye is what we Butchers live by.” Sid chuckled, “Well in that case I'd better shot you. You wouldn't want to change a little would you?” “Well, when you put it that way, I guess I'd better.” “That's the spirit Carl. And Bob, you don't need any more of this drinking! Right?” “You're right Sid! I should only worry about the big things in life and forget about the little things in life, including fickle squaws!” Bob all at once realized he had it darned good. Sid spoke up, “Carl, I think Bob would like you to have the rest of that jug. Isn't that right Bob?” “That's right! Sorry about your brother Carl.” “I am too. Thank you Bob.” |
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