An Honorable Soldier in General Washington's Army: Chapter 10
by Tami B.
Disclaimer: The following work has been written solely for the enjoyment of fans and not for monetary profit. The rights to the characters initially created for the Daniel Boone series belong to 20th Century Fox and Fess Parker. All other characters are of the author's own creation. No copyright violation is intended.
The whip sung out but fell short of tipping any of the pewter cups sitting on the porch. "Ah, gee," Israel complained. "I missed it again."
"You got closer that time, Israel," Adam said encouragingly. "Besides, that whip is made to be handled by someone strong like Mingo."
"Why don't you try, Adam?" asked Israel. "You're big enough even if you're not as big as Mingo."
"Israel, you seem to forget that Adam's ribs are sore. He's supposed to take it easy," Mingo informed him. "Perhaps, another demonstration?"
"Yeah!" Israel shouted gleefully.
"Stack the cups in a pyramid, Israel," Mingo instructed.
Placing three cups in the bottom row, followed by two cups in the middle row, and finally a single cup completed the desired construct. Israel then stood beside Adam who was far enough away from Mingo and his whip to avoid any inadvertent contact.
"I shall tip over each cup individually starting at the top of the pyramid," Mingo explained. Throwing the whip behind him, Mingo concentrated on the first cup. With a flick of an wrist, the whip traveled through air and tipped the top cup to the ground with not one of the other cups disturbed.
"Bravo!" Adam cheered.
The successive cups fell one by one until none remained standing. Adam and Israel clapped their hands in delight.
"An amazing talent, Mingo," Adam declared. "When my ribs are better, would you consider teaching me?"
"It would be a pleasure," Mingo told him. "Israel, set them up again."
"How?" Israel asked.
"Any way you wish," Mingo said.
Israel set to begin his labors when his eyes looked behind where Mingo and Adam were standing and saw his father and another man coming towards the cabin. "Pa!" Israel shouted and dashed to greet his father.
Mingo and Adam turned simultaneously to see Israel being scooped up into his father's arms. There was a huge smile crossing Daniel's face as he ruffled his son's hair. The man with him kept his eyes trained on Adam as they continued their walk to the cabin. Mingo went inside the cabin to inform Rebecca of Daniel's return.
A flood of negative emotions flowed through Adam. His rage built the closer his father came. Dressed in his uniform, Adam thought that a proper way to meet him. Adjusting his jacket, Adam marched from the porch fully prepared for the confrontation.
Daniel put Israel down and whispered in his ear to go to his mother after seeing the cold dark look in Adam's face. Any chances of this concluding in a peace settlement was practically nonexistent judging from the young man's countenance.
"Hello, son," Markes said neutrally even though it sickened him to see his son wearing the uniform of the enemy.
Rebecca and Jemima waited on the porch. They weren't given sufficient time to greet Daniel before Adam went to meet his father. Mingo moved in behind Adam to give him moral support.
"Do you realize how much harm you've caused?" Adam asked accusingly.
"Adam, I want you to come home," Markes pleaded.
"Come home? I am home. This is my home. The army is my home. I choose where my home is. You do not," Adam informed him. "I'll ask you again: do you know the pain you've caused this family?"
"It was never my intention for the bounty hunters to hurt anyone. They were..." Markes began.
"I don't give a whit about your intentions. You hire men without scruples and you expect them to act like gentlemen?" Adam said incredulously. "Look at her!" Adam pointed to Rebecca. "Look at her face. Do you see the bruises that Jackson brutally put there? If that wasn't enough, he cut her arm and threatened her life. I thank God Jackson and the rest of those thugs did no further harm. And that's not all. Those kids had to suffer not knowing whether they were going to see their mother again. You should be on your knees begging their forgiveness!"
"Adam, this is just a misunderstanding," Markes surmised.
"Have you heard a word I said?" Adam asked, his anger growing. "Your actions cost the Boone family needless anxiety and grief. The least you can do is apologize to them."
"That's enough of your disrespect, boy! I am your father and you'll keep your tongue civil. You don't issue orders to me like I was some common foot soldier," chided Markes.
"You can't even apologize to them, can you?" Adam observed. "What kind of monster are you?"
Markes reddened. "What's become of you? What's become of the son I knew? The one who used to be a gentleman. What has that rebel army turned you into?"
"I'll tell you what the patriotic army has made of me. I am an honorable soldier in General Washington's army," Adam said proudly. "And before the bounty hunters came, this family knew that there was someone who paid them the utmost respect at all times. How have you shown them you're a gentleman? All you've brought them is trouble. You can show you have some semblance to being a gentleman by apologizing to them now."
"I've had enough of your demands, boy!" Markes shouted. "I'm your father. You'll do as I say. Pack your things and let's go."
Adam shook his head. "I don't take orders from you. Not anymore. Since you won't take my suggestion to express your regret to this fine family, looks like I'll have to teach you some manners." With that, Adam charged his father, his fists flying. Some blows found their mark, others did not.
Markes was surprised by his son's attack but he recovered quickly and landed two quick blows to the boy's midsection. Adam went down in a heap and stayed there with his arms clinging to his pained ribs.
"Adam Markes, I have never been so ashamed of you as I am at this moment," Markes said, breathing hard.
Mingo helped Adam to his feet. "You don't know what shame is!" Adam cried, lurching to spring on his father once more. Mingo held him back.
"Mr. Markes," Daniel said stepping between the two. "Nothing is being accomplished here. I'll escort you to the fort now." Taking Markes by the arm, he started him in the direction of the fort.
"This isn't over, Adam," Markes shouted. "You're coming home to New York."
"Never!" Adam answered defiantly.
"Adam," Mingo said, "I'll let you go if you give me your word you won't go after him." There was a pause as Mingo waited for Adam's answer. When one wasn't forthcoming, Mingo spoke again. "Adam, your word."
"My word," he said at last.
Mingo immediately released him. Having seen all of his father he wanted to for one day, he turned in the opposite direction only to see the worried look on Rebecca's bruised face. She was holding her children close. It was then Adam realized his behavior was less than stellar. "Mrs. Boone, I'm very sorry. I..." Hanging his head in disgrace, Adam made his way to the woods.
"Adam!" Rebecca called out, attempting to follow him.
"Let him go, Rebecca," Mingo advised. "He needs to be alone to sort things out."
Rebecca was sorely tempted to ignore Mingo's suggestion but decided he was right and remained on the porch.
"Ma, is Adam coming back?" Israel asked.
"Of course, he is," Jemima piped in.
"Well, when he comes back, Pa needs to teach him how to whup. He's terrible," Israel said.
"How true," Mingo agreed. "Adam may be an honorable soldier in General Washington's army but he makes a lousy fighter."
"Enough. All of you," Rebecca commanded then led her brood into the cabin.
Pacing to the window and back to her rocker, Rebecca wrung her hands in solicitude. Daniel sat calmly on the bench cleaning his rifle. The only sound heard in the cabin was Rebecca's shoes hitting the wooden floor.
"Becky, won't you sit down? You're wearing the floor down to splinters," Daniel said.
"How can you sit there like nothing's wrong?" Rebecca questioned. "It's late and no one knows where Adam is. He's hurt, you know. He could be unconscious somewhere."
Taking his wife's hand as she passed him again to peer through the window, Daniel said, "Becky, you're exaggerating his condition. He'll be home when he's ready. Don't worry."
"Dan, you didn't see the look on his face when he took off for the woods. He was deeply ashamed. Whether it was about his father or himself I don't know," Rebecca explained. "He may be so humiliated he can't bear to bring himself back."
"He'll be back," Daniel said. "If for nothing else, his orders will bring him back. He's still under my command."
"I don't believe he's thinking clearly to realize whose command he's under," Rebecca said, resuming her pacing.
"I think he is. That's nothing he would ever forget," Daniel said. "He thinks of himself solely in terms as a soldier and an honorary one at that. He's not going to suddenly become unclear as to his duty."
"That was before his father showed up and unnerved him," Rebecca concluded.
"Give Adam some credit. He's a lot stronger than you realize," Daniel said.
"How strong do you have to be, Dan," Rebecca injected, "to hear your father say he's ashamed of you and it not break your heart?"
Daniel was silenced. Her point was well taken. He may have taken Adam's mental suffering lighter than he ought. Maybe he should go look for him. Where would he start the search? Adam could be anywhere. Daniel decided to hunt for his soldier if he didn't return by daylight.
"Becky, you're a wise woman," Daniel told her. "Sometimes I forget that. Tonight you reminded me."
"If you like, I'll remind you a lot more often," Rebecca said, hugging Daniel's neck.
The couple broke apart when the sound of the latch on the door was raised and Adam walked in looking none the worse for wear. He closed the door behind him quietly. Daniel was relieved he wouldn't have to search for him in the morning. Adam made it easier on all of them.
"I hope you're not waiting up for me," Adam said meekly.
"We were," Daniel said. "In case you wanted to talk."
"There's nothing more to be said." Adam took a seat at end of the table crossing an arm across his ribs while Rebecca stood beside Daniel.
"I really lost my temper this afternoon," admitted Adam. "He made me so mad. All I wanted him to do was admit he was wrong and apologize. He wouldn't do it. Unforgivable. Then I acted like a drunken fool. Picked a fight with him and lost. All in all, quite a performance for one who doesn't practice the arts."
"Yes, it was. We may take it on the road. I'm sure we could get an engagement playing before the crowned heads of Europe," Daniel quipped.
Adam half-smiled. "The crowned heads of Europe will have to wait, Colonel. I doubt General Washington will cancel my enlistment so I can take up the theater."
"About this afternoon," Daniel began, "in your conversation with your father you didn't say anything about the bounty or Jackson hurting you. I wondered why."
"It wasn't that important," Adam explained. "I wanted my father to realize the harm he brought to your family."
"What about the harm he brought upon you?" Rebecca asked.
"What about it?" Adam asked. "Both of you and your family were drawn into this feud between my father and I when there just wasn't any reason for it. What he does or says to me is irrelevant when compared to that."
"It matters to us, Adam," Rebecca said.
"I appreciate what you're trying to say, Mrs. Boone," Adam said. "My father thinks he's better than almost anybody else. If doesn't consider you a peer, he'll run you over like you weren't there. That's why he wouldn't apologize. To him, you're less than he is so you deserve no courtesy. That's the way he is and I have hated it and have been ashamed of it. I would rather hear him run me down than treat my friends worse than dogs."
"If it makes you feel any better, Adam. We don't need or require an apology from your father. I knew what kind of man I was dealing with when I spoke with him back at his campsite," Daniel revealed.
"What kind of man would that be, Colonel?" Adam asked.
"The one you just described," Daniel replied.
"Doesn't that anger you, sir?" asked Adam.
"No, it makes me feel sorry for him in a way," Daniel replied honestly. "He'll never know the joy of accepting folks for what they are rather than what they can give him."
"I never thought of it that way before," Adam said. "Colonel, you knew my father was responsible for Mrs. Boone getting hurt. Why didn't you take it out on him? He deserved it."
"An eye for an eye, is that it, Adam?" Daniel asked.
Nodding, Adam responded, "Yes, sir."
"I wanted to," Daniel said truthfully, deciding not to tell him that he did punch his father once, "but nothing would be gained by doing so. Becky's wounds wouldn't suddenly disappear. The one who actually put them there was taken care of. That was enough."
"Was it enough for you, Mrs. Boone?" Adam asked.
"Yes, more than enough," Rebecca replied. "Except for one thing."
"What's that?" Adam asked, confused.
"I know ever since this happened," Rebecca said, pointing to the bruises on her face, "you've tried everything in your power to make up for it. While we were on the trail, you gave me all the food leaving none for yourself. You protected and watched out for me. I told you then and I tell you again now, you're not responsible for this. As for what happened this afternoon, you had taken all you could take. I took no offense in it. You were pushed beyond your tolerance and you exploded. I'm surprised you didn't try clobbering your father sooner. You're forgiven, Adam. Furthermore, there's nothing you should be ashamed of. You'll walk with your head held high because you are a gentleman and I'm proud of what you are."
A stunned Adam just stared at Rebecca glancing at Daniel with eyes. He finally found his voice. "That was a pretty speech, lady," Adam said, mocking Jackson's words. "Too bad you didn't team up with Benjamin Franklin when he negotiated aid from France. If you were there to speak before the French court, they would have handed over their treasury to you as well as their whole blooming army and navy."
"I'll serve my country in any capacity I can," Rebecca told him, walking past him while patting him on the shoulder.
"Colonel, now that I know how Mrs. Boone feels about me. I'd like to know something from you," Adam began. "When my father looks at me, he sees a misguided little boy who needs his constant supervision. What do you see?"
"I see," Daniel replied without hesitation, "an honorable soldier in General Washington's army."
Adam broke into a broad grin. "That, sir, is what I had hoped you would say."
"And I see a hungry honorable soldier in General Washington's army," Rebecca added, placing a heaping plate of food before him. "Bon appetite."
"Thank you, ma'am, sir, " Adam said with gratitude then dived into the plate, relishing every bite. Rebecca went to her husband's side, throwing an arm across his shoulders. Watching Adam eat gave her joy. His world was put back together again and it better not fall apart anytime soon or she would have somebody's head on a platter. Better not do that, she thought. Adam might try eating it. She smiled at her own musing.
Adam thought he dropped food on his shirt and began inspecting it closely. Rubbing his midsection, he felt nor found any food.
"Whatever are you doing, Adam?" Rebecca asked, thinking perhaps his ribs were causing him some pain.
"Mrs. Boone, would you mind terribly mending my shirts? Adam requested.
"Of course not. What's wrong with them?" Rebecca asked.
"I've spotted a target painted there. The bull's eye is right on my ribcage," Adam said, referring to the number of times he'd taken a beating in that area.
Rebecca laughed. "Don't worry, Adam dear, I'll take care of it immediately."
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