Cutter was the first to speak.
I sure hope this situation don’t continue. My stones is near to shriveled and gone.
My leg, said Cole, my leg. I cain’t hardly feel my leg.
Amos, said Cutter, how likely are visitors anytime soon?
Can’t say. All my stock’s gone though, Henry. I know that.
Oh God, Henry, my leg, cried Cole.
JESUS JUMPIN CHRIST. STOP, TEDDY, STOP. NO MORE.
Henry, I’m afraid I’ll lose it sure.
Yeah well, that ain’t my fault is it?
Cutter noticed the boy’s silence.
How about ye, boy? Ye awake?
Been so for an hour.
There, see, Teddy? Been awake fer an hour an’ not a peep. Take notice. Hell, he’s probably calculatin’ the end of our confinement, right boy?
No response.
Well dammit, what’s the bump on yer side, boy? Ye got a better view?
The boy leaned forward as much as his bindings would allow. He craned his neck and squinted to peer through the moist gray air. Slowly a figure on horseback emerged; Eli Jumper was returning, an antelope carcass draped across his horse’s shoulders.
The boy smiled. Do now, he said.
---
At great distance it was difficult to identify number or species of the specks that slowly emerged on southern horizon. The rising heat of the day threw waves across the images and because Miles was walking next to his oxen, he had to stop and shield his eyes from the glare to be certain he saw anything at all. Since his wagon was leading the train all of the wagons halted, and immediately firearms were drawn. Several men ran forward to ascertain the danger, and opinions multiplied by the time Chambers rode back from his reconnaissance in advance of the train. Buffalo. Indians. Mormons.
Chambers dismounted, drew a spyglass and steadied it across his saddle. Spears, a nervous, slightly built Ohio farmer, spoke. Savages, captain? His face whitened as he gripped his musket. Should we prepare for an attack?
Well, said Chambers, squinting into the glass. Too far to tell exact. He looked at the pilgrims. Not many. Not much dust. Appears to be movin’ this way.
Chambers telescoped the glass and put it back in his warbag. He scanned the men around him. Slow as we are, he said, whoever that is will catch up to us if that’s their intention. We may as well take a closer look. Miles, we’ll ride out there a ways. If it’s trouble we’ll be back on the double quick. The rest of ye look to your wagons .
He looked at Spears.
Til then it won’t help to get all skeery.
Til then it won’t help to get all skeery.
The two men mounted and rode away at a trot. Miles carried a heavy dragoon revolver in his waistband. The pistol’s cold weight pressed against his abdomen, and suddenly he couldn’t remember the last time he loaded it. Totally irresponsible, he thought. Irresponsible. He removed his hat and wiped his brow, silently vowing to check his weapons every night.
Ain’t nothin’ to concern ye, said Chambers. The savages ain’t likely to behave in an untoward fashion.
Meaning what?
Foolish behavior. I seen Injuns perform all manner of oddness, but never so few come out in plain view for trouble.
After several hundred yards Chambers held up his hand.
Hold here.
He reined up, drew out his glass again and focused on the images. Well now, he said.
He handed the glass to Miles.
The boy walked in the lead; Cole limped along to the rear, using a section of rail fence from the tavern’s corral as a crutch. To shade himself Cutter wore a headdress of leaves and he rode Jumper’s pony. The Indian walked beside Wilson. The group had skinned and dressed out Jumper’s antelope and each one had thin strips of drying meat draped on his shoulders. To hide their nakedness they fashioned short breech cloths from the orange-colored hide, which they tied to their bodies with sinew and lengths of their bindings. Along with his pony Jumper had given Cutter his shirt but the Indian kept his blanket, which he wrapped about his dark shoulders. He still carried his bow and knife, the group’s only weapons.
Wilson, Cole and the boy had been walking for three days without shoes, so their feet were swollen and raw, rippled with angry welts from sandburs and thistles. Their unwashed bodies still bore the bruises and ligature marks administered by the drunken Pawnee.
When Chambers and Miles stopped to raise the spyglass Cutter could tell he was being observed, so he raised both arms in greeting.
Ho! He yelled. We’re Christians!
He looked at his companions. Boys, he said, I believe our salvation is at hand. Now open your ears and keep your goddam lips sealed. I’ll offer all descriptions. Understand?
He looked at Cole. Understand Teddy?
Hell yes. What do you think, I’m stupid?
Cutter kicked the pony into a trot, his eyes still on the group.
Behave yourselves. Follow me.
He rode toward Chambers and Miles, smiling and waving an arm over his head. When he was within two hundred yards of them he began shouting.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord.
When he was within fifty feet he dismounted and fell upon his knees, clasping his hands in prayer.
We thank the dear Lord for this. Yessir, the dear Lord must be looking out for us.
Chambers spoke.
What’s happened here? Who are you?
Merchants, said Cutter. Merchants and tradesmen, sir. Honest, God-fearing men like yourself. We been wanderin’ these prairies for the past three days, just as ye see us… wounded and sore. Hopin, prayin, sir, we’d be found.
And how did you come to this circumstance sir? asked Miles.
Cutter turned to look back at his group, now limping in behind him. When he turned back he removed his leaf hat. Tears glistened on his cheeks.
Three days ago, he said, his voice breaking, twenty mile below this spot, we was attacked and robbed by a band of thievin’ savages. Pawnee,they was. Them red niggers shot my cousin in the leg, burnt up our dugout and stole all our goods and horses, ‘cept this here pony, which belongs to that Injun there, who was spared on account of he was huntin’, away from our group.
He stopped, blew his nose between his fingers and wiped his cheeks with his shirtsleeve.
Heathens even took our boots, he continued.
He read the horror on Miles’s face and addressed him.
Sir, our difficulties grow by the hour. A little Christian charity, that’s all we ask.
He removed a string of antelope meat from his shoulder and held it out. We have some jerked antelope. Be honored to share it with your company. It’s all we got.
After several hundred yards Chambers held up his hand.
Hold here.
He reined up, drew out his glass again and focused on the images. Well now, he said.
He handed the glass to Miles.
The boy walked in the lead; Cole limped along to the rear, using a section of rail fence from the tavern’s corral as a crutch. To shade himself Cutter wore a headdress of leaves and he rode Jumper’s pony. The Indian walked beside Wilson. The group had skinned and dressed out Jumper’s antelope and each one had thin strips of drying meat draped on his shoulders. To hide their nakedness they fashioned short breech cloths from the orange-colored hide, which they tied to their bodies with sinew and lengths of their bindings. Along with his pony Jumper had given Cutter his shirt but the Indian kept his blanket, which he wrapped about his dark shoulders. He still carried his bow and knife, the group’s only weapons.
Wilson, Cole and the boy had been walking for three days without shoes, so their feet were swollen and raw, rippled with angry welts from sandburs and thistles. Their unwashed bodies still bore the bruises and ligature marks administered by the drunken Pawnee.
When Chambers and Miles stopped to raise the spyglass Cutter could tell he was being observed, so he raised both arms in greeting.
Ho! He yelled. We’re Christians!
He looked at his companions. Boys, he said, I believe our salvation is at hand. Now open your ears and keep your goddam lips sealed. I’ll offer all descriptions. Understand?
He looked at Cole. Understand Teddy?
Hell yes. What do you think, I’m stupid?
Cutter kicked the pony into a trot, his eyes still on the group.
Behave yourselves. Follow me.
He rode toward Chambers and Miles, smiling and waving an arm over his head. When he was within two hundred yards of them he began shouting.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord.
When he was within fifty feet he dismounted and fell upon his knees, clasping his hands in prayer.
We thank the dear Lord for this. Yessir, the dear Lord must be looking out for us.
Chambers spoke.
What’s happened here? Who are you?
Merchants, said Cutter. Merchants and tradesmen, sir. Honest, God-fearing men like yourself. We been wanderin’ these prairies for the past three days, just as ye see us… wounded and sore. Hopin, prayin, sir, we’d be found.
And how did you come to this circumstance sir? asked Miles.
Cutter turned to look back at his group, now limping in behind him. When he turned back he removed his leaf hat. Tears glistened on his cheeks.
Three days ago, he said, his voice breaking, twenty mile below this spot, we was attacked and robbed by a band of thievin’ savages. Pawnee,they was. Them red niggers shot my cousin in the leg, burnt up our dugout and stole all our goods and horses, ‘cept this here pony, which belongs to that Injun there, who was spared on account of he was huntin’, away from our group.
He stopped, blew his nose between his fingers and wiped his cheeks with his shirtsleeve.
Heathens even took our boots, he continued.
He read the horror on Miles’s face and addressed him.
Sir, our difficulties grow by the hour. A little Christian charity, that’s all we ask.
He removed a string of antelope meat from his shoulder and held it out. We have some jerked antelope. Be honored to share it with your company. It’s all we got.
The appearance of the strangers hastened the train’s midday halt, and while the outsiders waited a respectful distance from the wagons a few women searched their family trunks for spare clothing. Every one of the unfortunates except Jumper received at least a shirt, trousers, socks and a pair of worn brogans or boots. In addition Cole received some carbolic solution to bathe his leg wound. The boy was even luckier; his youth garnered him a set of drawers and some camphorated wrappings for his feet.
Once they had washed with soap, combed their wet hair and dressed they were invited to take a brief meal – coffee, biscuits with molasses, and a cup of beef soup. It was as good a meal as any had eaten for some time.
Sarah Miles assisted her mother and three other women in preparing the meal, took up two plates and cups, filled them, and walked them over to where the newcomers sat on the prairie. She served Cutter first.
Sarah Miles assisted her mother and three other women in preparing the meal, took up two plates and cups, filled them, and walked them over to where the newcomers sat on the prairie. She served Cutter first.
Oh bless ye, daughter, he said, smiling, baring his white teeth. Thank ye kindly.
She blushed with embarrassment and nodded and said you’re welcome in a voice barely audible and moved over in front of the boy, who just stared at her until she became even more embarrassed. Cutter came to her rescue.
Go ahead boy. Take the food. It ain’t likely to feed itself to ye.
The boy came to and gently took the dishes from her hands, his fingers accidently brushing hers. Sarah quickly turned away and started back to the wagons. Cutter shouted after her.
Thank ye, daughter. Bless ye and your folks.
Thank ye, daughter. Bless ye and your folks.
He looked at the boy, whose eyes were still on the girl.
Well now. Which dish is the tastiest? He laughed. Cole snickered and spoke up.
I know that answer, he said.
When they finished eating Cutter motioned them to gather around. He spoke as he stacked their plates and cups.
Listen to me, he said. This train is headed to Oregon. There may be something in this if we play it smartly.
Listen to me, he said. This train is headed to Oregon. There may be something in this if we play it smartly.
What are ye sayin, Henry? asked Wilson. Oregon territory? The only thing we got is some other man’s clothes, and ye sit there, contemplatin’ a walk across a thousand miles of God’s pisspot?
Cutter gave him a sharp look.
Watch your tongue, Amos. These folks ain’t used to ignorant speech.
He looked at the group.
And that goes for all of ye. Keep your traps shut. Let me handle this. I intend better for all of us, and this is as good a place to start as any.
Watch your tongue, Amos. These folks ain’t used to ignorant speech.
He looked at the group.
And that goes for all of ye. Keep your traps shut. Let me handle this. I intend better for all of us, and this is as good a place to start as any.
I ain’t certain I want to go anywheres with them, said Cole.
Then ye and your pussed leg can stay here, said Cutter.
He rose and marched the plates and cups back to the wagons, where he engaged Miles and the scout in conversation. The boy could tell by his body language and gestures he was insinuating himself in the train’s business, and when they finished they shook hands. The deal was struck.
Cutter came back and knelt in the middle of the group.
We’ll travel with them as far as Fort Kearny. That’s six or seven days from now. In the meantime make yourselves useful. Firewood, water, whatever needs totin’. Do it. And keep your rude tongues and bad manners out of sight.
We’ll travel with them as far as Fort Kearny. That’s six or seven days from now. In the meantime make yourselves useful. Firewood, water, whatever needs totin’. Do it. And keep your rude tongues and bad manners out of sight.
He nodded to Eli Jumper and the Indian mounted his pony and rode south, bow in hand.
