An Honorable Soldier in General Washington's Army: Chapter 17
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.
A rambunctious Israel had collided with the porch chair breaking it. Daniel now instructed him in the fine art of chair repair. Israel listened but he longed to be with Adam and Jemima in the nearby woods. Jemima convinced Daniel to allow them to go as far as the rope swing without little brother tagging along. Daniel consented. Knowing his disappointment, Daniel decided to keep Israel occupied with fixing the chair.
As they worked, Daniel noticed Markes approaching. No one had seen him since the incident with the Redcoats and his presence could only spell trouble. Daniel had been expecting him to turn up sometime and here he was.
Israel saw him coming as well. "Pa, want me to fetch your rifle?" he asked.
"No, son, that's not necessary. Stay on the porch," Daniel ordered as he met Markes in the yard.
"I want to talk to my son, Boone," Markes said sternly.
"No," Daniel told him flatly. "You've done all the talking your going to."
"You can't keep me from my son. I demand to see him," Markes firmly said.
"Adam's feelings towards you have changed significantly. If he sees you, it won't be talking you'll be doing. You'll be running for your life," Daniel explained.
Markes snickered. "Are you trying to tell me in your feeble way that my son intends to kill me? Preposterous! I've heard a great many far-fetched stories in my day, Boone, this one ranks right there with them."
"You don't know Adam anymore, Mr. Markes. He's in rage over your treatment of him while with the Redcoats. You'd be wise to stay clear of him. He's threatened to kill you and I fear he would follow through," Daniel expounded.
"If my son is so unstable, why do you continue to house him?" Markes asked.
"Adam's anger is only directed towards the one who has instigated the trouble, namely you. My family is in no danger from him. In fact, quite the contrary is true," Daniel stated.
"You're reputed to be an honest man, Boone. I can only conclude you are exaggerating Adam's intent. I'm his father. He can't possibly wish me dead and dead by his own hands at that. Let me speak with him so this nonsense can be settled," Markes said.
Daniel shook his head. Was Markes really this hardheaded? How could he be so obsessive concerning his son? Daniel couldn't understand it. "I told you once and I will tell you again. You won't be talking with Adam today or any other day. He's in no mood for palavering. He's bent on causing you harm and I'm wanting to prevent that for his sake not yours," Daniel said, trying to drive home to Markes that he was a marked man.
"I'm not gullible, Boone. What you're saying doesn't describe my son. Why are you so resistant to allowing me to simply converse with my son?" Markes asked.
Daniel repeated what he had already said hoping he could get through to the man that he was running a great risk if he met with his son. And if the second retelling didn't take hold, he would have run out of time because Jemima and Adam would be returning then. He'd have to get Markes clear of the area for Adam was armed. He didn't want to be caught in the odd position of protecting Markes from Adam.
Jemima and Adam enjoyed their walk to the rope swing. The sun beamed through the trees that struck Adam with its magnificence. He thought of the Psalm that said one could recognize God by his creation. To Adam, God made Kentucky just for him. Then he snorted at his fanciful musing.
"What are you grinning about?" Jemima asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking silly things," Adam replied.
"Should I ask what silly things?" she queried.
"You can ask but I won't tell you," Adam responded. "You know, you really should have allowed Israel to come along with us. He was practically devastated."
"All he would have done is tease me relentlessly. He never lets up," Jemima said truthfully.
"That's what little boys do best. Much to my everlasting regret I did the same to my sisters," Adam admitted.
"You, Adam? I can't imagine it," Jemima said.
"It's true and when I was with them last I started right where I left off. I think it's just natural for little brothers to tease older sisters," Adam concluded. "You can always turn the table on him."
"Then I would get into trouble for picking on him," Jemima said.
"Probably," Adam said, laughing.
At last, they reached the rope swing. Adam handed Jemima his rifle and he placed his leather boot into the foothold. "Give me a shove, won't you?" Adam asked, but it was really an order.
Jemima pushed off his legs that sent Adam swaying to and fro. "Swing me higher. Real high, Jemima," he strongly requested.
"If you insist," she told him and with all her might, she propelled him in what seemed far above the treetops.
"Yippee!" he exclaimed in delight. "I'm flying!"
"You could be an eagle," Jemima said as he sailed by her for the umpteenth time.
Extending his arms outward and flapping them, Adam squawked. The noise he made was torturous to the ears. Jemima had to refrain from covering hers.
"What's that sound suppose to be?" she asked thankful that her question caused him to stop bellowing that dreadful noise.
"An eagle," he yelled back.
"It sounded like a very sick eagle," Jemima commented.
He laughed then lost his grip and fell from the swing. He crashed to the ground hard and Jemima feared he had injured himself. "Adam!" she screamed as she moved to his prostrate side. "Are you all right?"
Rising to his feet, he said, "I'm fine. Clumsy but fine. I guess that ends my turn. Ready for yours?"
She nodded and Adam helped her into the foothold. He got her swinging then sent her a warning. "Don't fall. Your father will skin me alive, if I bring you home with a broken leg."
"Unlike you," she said, "I'm not clumsy. Swing me as high as you were."
"All right. Just be careful," Adam told her and reluctantly he sent her flying. He readjusted the strap on his rifle as the exertion caused it to slip from his shoulder. In so doing, he almost caught his chin on the bayonet. I really am clumsy today, Adam thought.
Jemima giggled until the rope swing lost its momentum and slowly came to rest. "That was fun," she said.
Assisting her to the ground, Adam said, "Next time we come, we'll bring another rope and have two swings going."
"That should make for some excitement," Jemima said as they made their way through the woods for the cabin.
The hair on the back of Adam's neck rose and he became alert for danger. Spinning on his heel, he saw three men almost on them. "Jemima, run!" he shouted. She did and raced for home as fast as her legs would carry her.
Leveling his rifle at the advancing men and slowly backing away from them, Adam prepared to keep himself between them and Jemima. "What do you want?" he asked them.
"If you be Adam Markes, it's you we want. Heared tell there's a bounty on you, but me and the boys figured we'd just kidnap you and collect a ransom. Reckon your pa will pay whether you be dead or alive and I'm leanings towards dead because you're already causing trouble. Now, be a good boy and set that rifle down so's we don't get hurt," the man said.
"You've got a real problem for threatening my life," Adam told him and in one swift movement he plunged the bayonet into the man's chest killing him instantly. Adam placed a foot on the prone man's midsection and extracted his weapon. He didn't know how these men knew who he was or about the bounty. It didn't matter anyhow he was going to make sure they couldn't collect.
The other two men were so stunned by Adam's quick action they didn't think to shoot him. Instead they fled. Adam aimed his rifle and shot one of them in the arm. Then he went running after them. "'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord'," Adam said aloud. "And I will be his instrument of destruction and no one will stop me."
Jemima was almost to the cabin when she discovered to her horror that Adam wasn't behind her. She had to get him help. "Pa! Help! Pa!" she screamed.
Hearing his daughter's cry for help, Daniel ducked into the cabin to snatch his rifle and accessories then ran in the direction of his daughter's voice. Markes trailed behind.
Rebecca emerged from the cabin wondering what was happening. Knowing that there was something drastically wrong for Daniel had not offered an explanation when he grabbed his rifle, Rebecca retrieved hers as well. She and Israel anxiously waited on the porch.
Relieved to see her father coming towards her, Jemima fell into his arms with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Pa, three men came out of the woods. I think they're after Adam," she explained quickly.
Alarmed, Daniel said, "Go home, Mima." He then ran in the direction that Jemima had come hoping to save his soldier. His pace quickened when a rifle report rang out. Fearing for Adam's life, it seemed his long legs would not move as swiftly as he wished.
Jemima had done as Daniel instructed but wanted to follow after her father to find out about Adam. Confident that Daniel would aid Adam, she tried not to worry. It took every ounce of effort not to turn around and join her father, but she wouldn't disobey him. Upon reaching their home, Jemima informed her mother and brother what was happening.
Markes struggled to keep up with the tall frontiersman but was losing that battle. The distance between them began to widen. Marveling at how effortlessly Daniel moved through the woods, Markes tried imitating him. It did nothing to close the gap so Markes trudged onward as best he could.
Not far from Adam, Daniel saw him hurriedly aim and shoot his rifle missing his human target by several feet. Adam ran after the pair with Daniel following. When he had gotten within throwing distance, Adam stopped to pick up a rock and flung it with all his might. It fell short of the mark. "Adam!" Daniel shouted as he came to the lad's side. "What's going on here?"
"Those buggers tried to kidnap me!" Adam proclaimed angrily. "They threatened to kill me, if my father didn't pay a ransom. And even if he did, they considered doing away with me anyway. I'll show them whose going to be six feet under!"
Adam started to go after the men, but Daniel grabbed Adam's hunting jacket. He saw the rage in lad's eyes, a cold darkness that he never thought he'd see in the even-tempered young man he knew. "This isn't the way, Adam. It's over now. They got more than they bargained for. They won't be back."
Jerking his arm free, Adam shouted, "It's not over! It's not over by a long shot. I'm going after them and they're going to get exactly what they deserve from the business end of my rifle." Adam swung his empty rifle, bayonet still crimson with blood, and pointed it towards Daniel threateningly. "Stand down, Colonel. This is my fight not yours." Adam resumed his pursuit of the men. Daniel reached out to stop him but couldn't snag him because he moved so quickly.
Having seen bloodlust before, Daniel hoped he could still reach Adam. The boy had hit his limit. The trouble with the bounty hunters, the Redcoats, and everything else his father had done had taken its toll. He was fighting back based on emotion and not using sense. Daniel had to step in before he did something he would long regret. Daniel took off after him. When in range, Daniel dropped his rifle and tackled Adam. The two of them crashed to the ground that separated Adam from his hat and rifle. "Let me go!" Adam screamed. To his surprise, Daniel did and was swiftly on his feet to prevent Adam from resuming the chase.
When Adam was upright, he charged Daniel with tremendous fury. Daniel blocked his blows easily. With each strike, Adam's strength waned until at last he was thoroughly exhausted. Backing a few steps away from Daniel, Adam rested his hands above knees taking in great breaths.
Now was the time to present Adam with certain truths to derail this irrationality. Daniel knew exactly what to say to grab his attention. If that didn't work then nothing would. "Adam, what you're planning is wrong. It's murder. You're not a murderer, son," Daniel explained. "What you are is an honorable soldier in General Washington's army."
Struck to the soul by Daniel's brief words, Adam raised his head to look into the frontiersman's kind eyes. Then he straightened feeling the weight of shame and remorse. The fury was gone and was replaced with tears that filled his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. "Why can't they leave me alone?" he cried.
Daniel approached him and threw an arm around him. "It's all right, Adam. It's all right now," Daniel said gently. Adam dissolved into uncontrollable weeping as Daniel supported him until he had calmed.
>From a distance, Markes watched the scene unfold. He was discomfited with Daniel comforting his son. That was his place as his father. It seemed his son had reached this condition because of his actions, Markes reasoned. His heart ached to see Adam in such an emotional state. He needed to rethink his strategy and headed into the woods to decide what he would do next.
Retrieving both his and Adam's rifle, Daniel and Adam began their journey home. Adam followed dutifully behind Daniel without comment. Knowing Adam was emotionally spent, Daniel left him to his own thoughts.
Nearing the cabin, Adam had a few things to say that needed to be said to Daniel in privacy. "Colonel, may we stop, please?" he asked.
"Certainly," Daniel responded, "Need to rest?"
"No," Adam began. "Colonel, about what happened back there. I realize you must report my insubordination and assault upon your person and punish it. First of all, I want you to know I'm sorry for pointing my rifle at you and for hitting you. I offer no excuse. That said, I stand ready to accept discipline." Adam came to attention.
If Adam knew how pitiful he looked with darkened rims around his eyes, he would understand that no one with a heart could possibly punish him. "What do you suggest?" Daniel asked.
That stunned Adam. He didn't know exactly how to respond. The most common punishment in the army was a whipping although individual officers decided such matters. He had never heard of an officer asking the recipient his preference of punishment. "Ah...umm...I'm uncertain, sir," Adam replied.
"So am I. Let's just forget it," Daniel said, preparing for the argument he knew would soon follow.
"But, sir, regulations demand insubordination and assault be punished...somehow," Adam explained.
"Maybe so, Adam. But you don't know what that is and I don't either," Daniel countered. "We'll just have to let it go."
"Yes, sir," Adam readily agreed. "Thank you, sir." What was a lowly corporal to do if his officer refused to discipline him? He accepted his good fortune with gratitude.
"One thing I do know is that Isra'l is going to be mighty proud of you. You whupped those fellas. Got the better of them you did. I bet they still haven't stopped running," Daniel said.
Adam smiled. "I reckon I did," he said, adopting the local vernacular. "Colonel, I wondered if you wouldn't mention to anyone that display of unmanliness of mine."
Daniel winked. "It's forgotten."
"Thank you, sir," Adam said.
"We better get home. No use in keeping Becky worried any longer than we have to," Daniel said as the two of them resumed their way home.
As they drew close to the cabin, they saw Israel sitting on the porch. Israel spotted them and shouted into the cabin, "Ma! Pa's back and Adam's with him." He then raced towards the two. "Pa, what happened?"
"All that happened, Isra'l, was that Adam single-handedly whupped two men much bigger than himself and sent them packing to parts unknown. He didn't even need my help," Daniel elaborated.
"Now, Colonel," Adam began to protest the exaggeration.
"Criminitly," Israel said in awe. "You whupped 'em, Adam. You really whupped 'em." There seemed to be a renewed admiration in the younger boy for the older. Seeing Rebecca and Jemima approach, Israel delivered the news to them. "Ma, Adam whupped 'em. He really did."
Ignoring Israel's remark, Rebecca took a hold of Adam's shoulders and looked into his darkened eyes and drawn face, "Adam, you look a fright. What you need is a good meal and some peace and quiet," she announced.
"Food sounds wonderful," Adam agreed.
The Boone family and Adam made their towards the cabin where Rebecca promptly fed her brood. After the meal, Rebecca sent Adam to bed where he promptly fell asleep. She knew he was exhausted and intended to keep a close watch on him the rest of the day.
A knock came at the door and Israel rushed to answer it. "Mingo!" he exclaimed in delight.
"Hello, Israel," Mingo greeted as he entered.
"Guess what, Mingo. Pa said Adam whupped 'em," Israel informed him.
Somewhat confused at the revelation, Mingo asked, "Adam whupped who, Israel?" He looked around for the champion and found him in his bed. Strange, Mingo thought. You'd think he'd be celebrating his victory.
"I'll tell you all about it as we take care of a little bit of nasty business," Daniel said, reaching for his cap and rifle.
"Pa, where you goin'? I want to come," Israel practically demanded.
"No, Isra'l, not this time," Daniel said firmly. "Becky, if Adam awakens before we get back, he's to stay inside the cabin."
"All right, Daniel," Rebecca responded, knowing the reason behind the order.
The men left the cabin and Daniel filled Mingo in on the latest happenings. Daniel enlisted Mingo's help in burying the man Adam had killed in self-defense.
When that chore was done, they returned to the cabin to find Adam still asleep. Mingo had originally come by to ask Daniel if he wanted to go hunting. He took a delighted Israel instead since Daniel thought it better if he stayed nearby for Adam's sake.
Adam awoke at last and joined Daniel at the table where Rebecca brought him some cider and bread. Daniel informed Adam that he could not go anywhere without an armed unescorted. Adam accepted the unwelcome news in stride and without complaint. In fact, Adam didn't say much of anything throughout the day. He would answer when spoken to but would not elaborate. Rebecca's concern for him mounted.
An excited Israel entered the cabin. "Ma! We got a pheasant for supper!"
"Wonderful, Israel," Rebecca praised.
"Mingo's cleaning it now. C'mon, Adam, let's help him," Israel said, pulling Adam towards the door.
Adam was sitting at the table with a knife he was suppose to sharpen against a whetstone but was just staring at it. At Israel's nudging, Adam compliantly followed the younger boy outside.
Daniel and Rebecca watched him leave then looked at each other hoping one would have some sliver of wisdom to help him. Neither did. Rebecca resumed her work and Daniel joined the fellows in cleaning the bird.
The pheasant was quickly consumed at supper. Adam ate hardly any of it. Rebecca tried encouraging him to eat more but didn't want to press him. He continued to be very quiet and Rebecca thought he had reached despondency. She wished he'd open up to someone. Daniel had attempted to get Adam to do just that, but he remained closed-mouthed..
After Mingo's departure, everyone sat around the table playing whist except Rebecca. Daniel and Israel were partners. Jemima and Adam completed the foursome.
After an hour or so, another game came to completion.
"Ah, Pa, we lost again!" Israel complained. "Let's play it again."
"Israel, you've lost two games already. Isn't that enough?" Jemima asked.
"No, we're going to play until me and Pa win," Israel declared.
Adam sat with his head bent down staring at his folding hands not completely aware of what was going on around him.
"Shuffle the cards, Adam," Israel ordered then rephrased after seeing the disapproving look on his mother's face. "Please shuffle the cards, Adam."
Continuing his study of his hands, Adam didn't answer Israel.
"Adam?" Israel asked.
Hearing his name this time, Adam stirred. "What? What did you say, Israel?"
"Shuffle the cards. It's your turn, you know," Israel told him.
"Oh, ah, actually, Israel, I think I'm through for the evening," Adam told him, rising from his chair.
"But Pa and I haven't won yet," Israel informed him.
"We'll play again sometime, Israel. Just not tonight," Adam explained gently. "I think I'll turn in now. Good night, everyone."
A round of good night wishes was extended then Daniel sent the children to their own beds for it was getting late. Before heading towards their bedroom. Rebecca detoured momentarily to check Adam who was already sound asleep. She secured the blanket closer to his face and tenderly touched the side of it. Helping her to her feet, Daniel encircled his wife's waist and they walked away from him both very concerned for his well being.
The next morning Rebecca busied herself preparing breakfast. Everyone was helping except for Adam who was still slumbering. After dishing out the oatmeal into bowls, Rebecca said, "Someone better wake Adam. Breakfast is ready."
"I'll do it," Israel announced and ran towards Adam's bed while Daniel took a seat at the head of the table. Rebecca and Jemima took their places as well.
Israel found Adam lying on his side. He shook him but received no response. He shook him again a little harder and still nothing. The third time Israel shook him so hard he thought he rattled Adam's teeth. Adam did not stir. Israel rocked back on his heels, scared.
"Pa!" Israel yelled as he darted towards his father. "Adam won't wake up! He won't wake up!"
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