An Honorable Soldier in General Washington's Army: Chapter 16
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.
Rebecca sprang for her rifle over the fireplace while Adam bolted for his leaning on the wall by his bed. Once he had it, he swung the door open and ran outside into the yard with Rebecca following, stopping on the porch. They saw Jemima and Israel running with all their strength towards the cabin. Pursuing them were four Indians who were closing the gap but would not reach the two before they were ensconced in the cabin. Once the two were inside, Adam took a position at the window nearest to his bed while Rebecca manned the other. Although breathing hard, Jemima remained composed, grabbed the other rifle from over the fireplace, and went to stand beside her mother. Israel squatted behind a beam trying to catch his breath.
"Adam, don't shoot until I tell you so," Rebecca ordered.
"Yes ma'am," Adam said.
Having ceased their pursuit, the Indians stood loitering over one hundred fifty yards away. They talked among themselves and were armed only with bows and arrows. They made no threatening moves towards those in the cabin.
"What are they doing?" Adam asked, failing to understand their behavior.
"I don't know," Rebecca asked. "Jemima, do you know why they were chasing you?"
"No, Ma," Jemima answered. "Israel and I were picking berries when we heard what sounded like war whoopin' and hollerin'. We then ran for home and they followed us."
Israel joined Adam at his station and peered out. "They look like Cherokees. They're not wearing war paint," Israel observed.
The Indians continued standing in a group conversing among themselves.
"This is odd," Rebecca said. "Very strange."
"They seem amiable enough. Couldn't we just ask them what they're up to?" Adam asked.
Rebecca shook her head. "Until we know for certain what they're after, we're all going to stay inside."
"But I can ask them from here, Mrs. Boone, in a clear loud voice," Adam suggested.
"Adam, no. I don't like the idea," Rebecca said.
"Why?" Adam asked.
Stumbling for an answer, Rebecca then said firmly, "I don't know why. I just don't. We're going to sit tight and see what happens and that's final."
Hearing the sternness in her voice, Adam bowed to her discretion and didn't insist on having his way. He still didn't think it would hurt to question their intent. Isn't that what Daniel did when he walked into the middle of a war council not long ago? She was in charge so he was duty bound to obey and he would.
"Ma, how about us snuckin' up on 'em and..." Israel said, wanting to go on the offensive.
Interrupting him, Rebecca said, "Israel, didn't you hear me? I said we're not moving from the cabin."
Israel looked at Adam for help, but all he received was a shrug. "Sorry, pal," Adam said. "Whatever your ma says goes."
"It's boring just sitting around," Israel complained.
"It may be boring, Israel," Jemima told him, "but it's safer for all of us."
"I don't want to be safe," Israel declared. "I want to whup the Injuns."
"Israel, you're staying right here and I don't want to hear another word about it. You'll not be snuckin' or whuppin' any Injuns today," Rebecca said firmly.
"But, M.." Israel began to protest but Adam placed his hand over the boy's mouth. Rebecca held back a laugh.
"Israel, give it up. This isn't a battle you're going to win," Adam advised.
"Oh, all right," Israel said, sitting on his haunches by Adam's feet. He rested his face on his fists and his elbows to his bent knees. Adam smiled and patted his young friend on the back.
Looking past the Indians, Adam thought he saw movement in the woods. "Did you see that, Mrs. Boone?" Adam asked.
"See what?" Israel asked excitedly and planted himself into the window that was Adam's station.
"I think so," Rebecca answered.
"I hope that's not reinforcements," Adam said.
"It's not. It's Pa!," Israel exclaimed as Daniel's form became clear and he went to converse with the Indians.
"And Mingo's with him," Jemima stated from the window standing by her mother.
Daniel and Mingo spoke with the Indians and there were shared smiles. The meeting broke up with the Indians heading back into the direction they had come and Daniel and Mingo making for the cabin.
"Looks like the crisis is over," Adam observed.
"That remains to be seen," Rebecca said sternly, carrying her rifle with her as she went out the cabin door.
Israel bounded out and into his father's arms as Jemima and Adam joined Rebecca on the porch. "Daniel Boone, do you mind explaining what those Indians were doing here giving us all quite a scare?" she asked harshly.
The grin that had crossed Daniel's face suddenly vanished. "Well, Becky, Mingo and I were tracking them when they got a little out of hand."
"Did you know that they badly frightened your children? They were out in the woods when the Indians screamed and chased them," Rebecca explained angrily.
"They didn't mean any harm, Becky," Daniel stated. "Mima, Isra'l, I'm sorry for scaring you both that way."
Israel embraced Daniel as Jemima came off the porch to do the same. All was forgiven in their eyes.
"The next time you decide to play with your Indian friends, would you mind doing it well away from our cabin? I don't want to see our children terrified for their lives because you and your friends are just frolicking about in the woods. You should be ashamed of yourself, Daniel Boone," Rebecca said in a rant. Turning on her heel, Rebecca stomped back into the cabin. Sheepishly, Daniel looked to Mingo then Israel, Jemima, and finally Adam.
Crossing his arms, Adam said. "Colonel, allow me to paraphrase a line of scripture - you reap what you sow."
Daniel knew Adam referred to the time when he insisted Adam discuss with Rebecca the possibility of him staying with Mingo just so he could experience Rebecca's wrath firsthand. This was Adam's way of saying, "I told you so". Adjusting the grip he had on his rifle, Daniel wordlessly strolled inside the cabin to make amends with Rebecca because a happy Rebecca made a happy household.
Sitting in a chair on the porch, Adam propped his legs against the column and was reading the Bible. He knew his hateful feelings towards his father were wrong, so he sought comfort in the words from the gospels. Forgiveness was a major theme in each of them. If only it were a simple manner of applying that to his heart and soul, but it wasn't. Harboring resentment and bitterness got in the way. He wanted to yield these to the Lord, yet he wanted to keep them as well. There was much he needed to think through.
Jemima joined him on the porch. "What are you reading about?" she asked while taking a seat beside him.
"The Sermon on the Mount," Adam answered. "I need the inspiration and motivation to learn to forgive my father."
"It must be a terrible thing to hate your father," Jemima said with sympathy. "I can't ever imagine hating my pa."
"Your pa is a good man," Adam confirmed. "You'll never have to concern yourself about that. My father was like yours - once."
"Did you know that Ma hated her pa for a spell?" Jemima asked.
"Really? She did? Why?" Adam asked.
"Grandpa was and still is a wanderer. He would drift in and out of her life when she was a child. She gradually grew angry at the neglect," Jemima replied. "He came to Boonesborough and they reconciled."
"How did she come to forgive him?" Adam asked, intrigued.
"Israel become very ill. He had to stay awake all night or he might have not awakened in the morning. Grandpa entertained him to keep him from falling asleep. It was close to dawn, I guess, when he was out of danger. Ma instantly forgave him because he saved Israel," Jemima explained.
"So what you're saying is that someone has to get sick and forgiveness is easily obtained," Adam surmised.
Jemima laughed. "You draw the strangest conclusions sometimes," she said.
"That was a beautiful story, Jemima. It gives me hope. Thank you for telling this. I also have a greater admiration for your mother, if that is possible. She's a remarkable woman," Adam said.
"She is," Jemima agreed.
"It goes without saying that your father is a remarkable man," Adam said.
"Then why did you say it?" Jemima asked then waited for Adam to laugh which he did right on cue. "Ever since I was captured by the Indians and Pa rescued me, I've seen him as something very special."
"You were abducted by the Indians? Tell me about it," Adam practically demanded.
"The Indians were a potential threat at that time unlike the other day. We were staying at the fort for safety's sake. Pa told me to stay close to the fort, but I was tired of being holed up there, so a couple of friends of mine and I took to the river. It was there we were set upon by five Indians, who captured us. I screamed as loud as I could hoping Pa would hear me. One Indian threatened to cut my throat if I didn't shut up so I did. We headed north.
"I had hurt my foot my a few days earlier and all that walking strained it. Whenever I stumbled or tripped, sometimes on purpose and sometimes not, I screamed in mock pain. We tried everything we could think of to slow our progress. When night fell, we were tied up without food or water. The next morning we continued north through thick brush. By this time, we were very tired, scared, and distraught. I knew Pa would come, but the longer our captivity went on the more I became disheartened. On the third day, I saw Pa on his belly in the brush. His eyes told me to keep quiet. Then shots rained down from those that came with Pa. One Indian was killed and the others fled. I rushed into Pa's arms feeling safe and secure again. I vowed I'd never disobey him again."
"The Indians didn't harm you?" Adam asked.
"No. Except for capturing us and not letting us go, they were actually gentlemen," Jemima answered.
"I can understand your fear in that situation. Mingo gave me a fright I'll not soon forget. Did you have that same feeling the other day?" Adam asked.
"A little," she answered. "But that all melted away once Israel and I were in the cabin."
"It must be a great comfort to you knowing your father and mother will always protect you," Adam concluded.
Jemima nodded. "I wish your father was the same way."
"Me, too," Adam agreed. "But he's not, so I have to learn to live with that knowledge."
"I was on my way to get Israel at the fort. Why don't you come with me?" Jemima asked.
"I'd like to, but I feel unnerved without my or someone's rifle along," Adam replied.
"Ask Pa if you can take yours," Jemima said.
"It's not that simple, Jemima," Adam explained.
"Sure it is. If he says you can't then I'll bring one," Jemima suggested. "Come on," she said, pulling him from the chair.
Into the cabin they went where they found Daniel and Rebecca drinking coffee at the bench seat. Jemima pushed Adam towards Daniel.
"Jemima, I thought you had left to fetch Israel," Rebecca said.
"I was, but I stopped to talk to Adam and he decided to come along," Jemima explained. "He has to ask you something, Pa."
"Yes, well, Colonel, I don't think it's wise to go to the fort without one of us taking a rifle. Being that I'm a soldier, I should be allowed to carry one," Adam said.
"I don't know about that," Daniel said with reserve.
"Colonel, I promise you as an honorable soldier in General Washington's army to use my rifle only to defend and protect," Adam vowed.
"All right," Daniel gave in.
Adam quickly retrieved his rifle and cartridge pouch before Daniel changed his mind. Opening the door for Jemima, Adam prepared to follow her through when Daniel called Adam's name.
"You're on your word of honor, Corporal. Don't betray that trust," Daniel warned him.
"Indeed I won't," Adam said with resolve.
Jemima and Adam made an uneventful walk to the fort. With Israel in tow, they began the journey back home.
Daniel peered through the window for the umpteenth time since Jemima and Adam left. Rebecca watched him with amusement. "Dan, worried about your soldier?" she asked coyly.
"No, not at all," Daniel said as he wandered to the bench seat and sat, trying to act nonchalant.
"Of course, you're not worried, Dan. You're practically at your wit's end," Rebecca concluded. "Trust him, darling," she said, leaning down to kiss her husband on the forehead.
Israel bounded into the room followed by Jemima and Adam. Daniel came to his feet trying not to appear anxious as he observed Adam calmly lean his rifle on the wall near his bed just like all the other times.
Daniel looked as if he was waiting for a report so Adam decided he better supply one. "No problems, Colonel. We went straight to get Israel and returned."
"Fine, Adam," Daniel said, returning to the bench seat.
Rebecca gave Daniel a knowing glance and a smile. Daniel returned it and then crossed his arms and one leg over the other as Israel took a seat beside him.
"I mentioned to Mr. Cincinnatus that his roof was in need of repair. I offered to do that for him next week," Adam said, taking a seat at the table.
"Adam, are you sure you're not overdoing it?" Rebecca asked. "You've made so many commitments I can't keep track of them."
"You don't have to, Mrs. Boone. I know who I have made promises to and for what," Adam explained.
"Pa, when Adam goes to fix Cincinnatus' roof, may I go too so I can play with Andy Rand?" Israel asked eagerly.
Daniel laughed. "You never miss an opportunity, do you, boy?"
Grinning, Israel made no comment.
Over the course of the next few days, Daniel allowed Adam the luxury of taking his rifle with him on outings. He hunted mostly to supply the settlers with much appreciated meat. There were no incidents, but Daniel wasn't sure that if Adam should meet up with his father that Markes would be on the losing end of it. Although there had been no sign of Markes, Daniel knew he hadn't gone away forever. Markes would show himself and when he did, Daniel was going to make certain he was nearby to intercede.
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