An Honorable Soldier in General Washington's Army: Chapter 19
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 next morning as Daniel and Rebecca emerged from the bedroom, they found Adam's bed empty. Rebecca looked at Daniel for an explanation, which he had none.
"I thought you ordered him to stay put," Rebecca said, worried
"You know I did," Daniel said, making for the door.
When Daniel opened the door, Adam was preparing to open the door from the outside. He entered bearing a bucket of water. "Good morning, Colonel, Mrs. Boone," he greeted pleasantly then went to empty the water in another bucket by the fireplace.
"Adam, what are you doing out of bed? The Colonel ordered you to stay put," Rebecca scolded.
"But I'm fine now," Adam explained, grinning the whole time. "I've been up for at least an hour now. I took a little walk about the place. Always within sight of the cabin, Colonel. The fresh Kentucky air was invigorating. I would have asked permission, but I didn't want to disturb either of you."
"Nevertheless, you were quite ill yesterday and to exert yourself now is unwise," Rebecca explained.
Shaking his head, Adam said, "Dear Mrs. Boone, you underestimate your involvement in my recovery. Your special soup rejuvenated me so that I'm as, Mr. Cincinnatus would say, fit as a fiddle. My health is such I could march with a full pack all the way to Morristown and back three times on my hands and knees with only your soup to sustain me. Mrs. Boone, you should be reveling in your healing ability rather than questioning my ability to expend energy." Walking past Daniel and Rebecca, Adam exited the cabin to return the bucket to the well.
"Dan? Do something," Rebecca said, turning to her husband.
"Like what, Becky? Adam seems fine to me," Daniel explained. "The dark circles around his eyes are gone. His face isn't pale. He seems sufficiently rested, speaking coherently, no tremors, and looks quite well. If that isn't a description of a healthy person I don't know what is. Before you argue with me, I'll limit Adam's activities for the day. Is that agreeable?"
"All right," she concurred reluctantly. "But I don't think he's as well as you or he thinks. It's just not possible for that boy as sick as he was yesterday to be completely recovered today."
"The moment you see any sign of illness you can send him to his bed. Fair enough?" Daniel asked, trying to appease his wife.
"You win, Daniel. I'll have Israel dance again to celebrate," Rebecca said in jest causing Daniel to snicker.
The morning was spent in quiet activity and after lunch Adam played teacher as he instructed Israel in certain elements of reading, math, and history. Israel responded well and was especially quizzical to Adam's brief telling of the fall of Rome.
"Criminitly," Israel said in awe. "Constance made the city of Constance Noble Christian."
Adam chuckled. "Essentially yes, Israel. However, the ruler's name was Constantine and his capital city was Constantinople. The Empire that once persecuted Christians now welcomed Christianity under Constantine's reign. Ironic, isn't it?"
"What does ironic mean?" Israel asked.
"It means that no would have expected the Roman Empire to accept something they never wanted around in the first place and violently opposed, but that's precisely what they got. Do you know what the real lesson is that should be learned from this?" Adam asked him
Israel shook his head still enraptured.
"The lesson is that nobody, not even the great and mighty Roman Empire, could stop God's message from spreading throughout the world. You see, Israel, when God has a plan no mere mortal or any other entity can thwart Him. God can't be defeated or overthrown. He will be the sole and only occupant on the heavenly throne," Adam explained.
"How do you know all this?" Israel asked.
"From Reverend Miles who I spent a great deal of time with was a fountain of knowledge and made sure I learned everything he knew," Adam answered.
"I think we've all gotten an education today," Rebecca remarked, sipping her coffee. "Have you thought about becoming a teacher, Adam? You'd make a fine one."
Adam shook his head. "I've given my future much thought and come to the conclusion that farming and raising my family right here in Kentucky seems so very right. My children will benefit from my instruction for I intend to fill them with as much knowledge as they can absorb."
"Your plan seems sound to me," Rebecca said. "And I for one wouldn't mind having you and your family as neighbors."
Adam smiled. "I thought you'd say something like that."
An incessant rapping of the door caused Daniel to hurriedly answer it. There stood Adam's father looking quite weary. "Mr. Boone, the tavern keeper told me that Adam was very ill. Please may I see him."
"Certainly. Come in," Daniel said, ushering him into the main room of the cabin.
Markes found Adam sitting at the table looking the picture of health. Was he lied to? What would that accomplish? Confused, Markes said, "Son, you look well. I fail to understand why the tavern keeper informed me that you were ill."
"That was yesterday. Today I'm fine thanks to the Boone family and especially Mrs. Boone's soup," Adam said, giving credit to those that deserved it.
Rebecca stood near the fireplace noticing how much the sickened Adam resembled his father. Markes held the same dark circles around his eyes and drawn face. She marveled that Adam didn't respond to Markes with his characteristic anger, nor did he try dispatching him. Adam had returned to his normal effervescent self and if Markes tried changing that, she would clout him herself.
"It pleases me to find you well, Adam. Good day," Markes said then made for the door. Just as he lifted the latch, he gently lowered it back into its slot. Turning back to Adam, he took a few steps towards him then stopped. "I came to tell you something and I'll not leave until I've said it. Son, I was wrong. Wrong to treat you the way I did. My goal was simply to get you home and distract you from your rebel ways. It never occurred to me that others would not act according to my wishes. My actions almost got you killed," Markes confessed.
Adam was shocked. His father was admitting wrongdoing. Was the sky falling? Adam's figurative jaw had dropped to the floor. Managing to set it back in place, he was barely able to comprehend what his father was saying.
"I release you, Adam. You've made your decision and though I strongly disagree with it, I will no longer interfere in your life. I believe you understand the consequences of your decision, as I now understand what mine cost you. Of course, as soon as I reach New York the bounty will be retracted. You've chosen to act like a man and I will treat you as such," Markes declared.
Wishing he could say something to his father, Adam found that he had suddenly gone dumb. He had prayed for this. Now, that it had come to pass, he was having difficulty grasping the reality of it.
"Mrs. Boone," Markes said, staring into her big blue eyes, "I apologize for causing you a great deal of physical harm. Thankfully, you seem healed. Your home was invaded and your entire household was disrupted. I truly regret that. You have shown Adam incredible kindness and I have repaid that wickedly. Rest assured, I will compensate you for your untold suffering. Whatever the cost I will pay it."
Struggling not to slip out of his chair, Adam continued to be amazed. His father, at last, apologized to Rebecca with sincerity. He rubbed his legs with his hands just to test that he was tangible and existing and not in some dream world.
"Mr. Markes," Rebecca addressed him, "thank you for your thoughtful words."
Turning now to Jemima and Israel, Markes said to them, "Children, my actions separated you from your mother for a period of time, uncertain whether she would return to you. I extend my apologies to you as well for the unnecessary anguish you endured."
Facing Daniel now, Markes said to him, "Mr. Boone, my son's admiration in you is not unfounded as I have discovered. In many ways, you have been the father to him that I should have been but failed to be. You have sheltered, protected, and rescued him from me, his own father, and those that I engaged for my nefarious actions. I am sorry for all that I've put you and your family through. I deserve nothing less than to be loathed and despised."
Adam twisted in his chair to gaze at Rebecca looking for assurance, for he was completely overwhelmed at his father's transition. Seeing something in his eyes, Rebecca advanced towards Adam and placed her hands on his shoulders. She smiled at him and he returned it. Instantly he was comforted. Whatever his father did next he felt he was prepared.
Markes started to leave but stopped short and addressed Adam once more. "Son, my greatest desire would be that you would forgive me someday. It will take some time but I'm willing to wait. You're welcome in our home anytime whether in uniform or not. I promise you that I will be the right kind of father to you from now on. I'm not ashamed of you. I'm ashamed of me. I'll always be proud of the man you've become, Adam. Believe it or not, I do love you."
Rebecca squeezed Adam's shoulders as his heart raced. When was the last time he heard his father tell him he loved him? He was just a little boy then. His father was proud of him. If Rebecca hadn't had a hold of him, he knew he would have fallen out of the chair. What was he to do with this latest revelation? He screamed in his head, somebody tell me what I'm suppose to do. He looked towards Daniel but couldn't read the man's face to receive direction.
Markes was at the door, lifting the latch. Adam stood and approached him. "Father," he called. "You're forgiven."
The latch dropped from Markes' hand. "Adam," he said, turning to face his son. "You can't forgive me that quickly. I've done too much."
"I have forgiven you, Father," Adam explained. "Just recently as a matter of fact. I had to or God wouldn't forgive me and I needed His forgiveness."
Markes' eyes welled with tears. Adam embraced him and Markes returned it. "Thank you, son. Thank you." They separated and he saw Adam fighting back his own set of tears. "Mr. Boone, my son and I have much to talk about. I was wondering if he and I could go someplace to be alone."
"Of course, Mr. Markes, if Adam wishes the same," Daniel agreed, thankful for Markes' change of attitude.
"I do," Adam immediately replied.
"Then it's settled. Mr. Markes, Adam was very ill yesterday. I wouldn't do anything that would tax him," Daniel requested. "Also, keep a lookout for those that don't know you've rescinded that bounty. It wouldn't be advisable to leave him alone. After bounty hunters, Redcoats, and kidnappers, it pays to be extra cautious."
"Do not worry, Mr. Boone, I will care for Adam as if my life depended upon it as a good father should," Markes assured him.
Father and son left the cabin for the nearby woods. Daniel leaned against the door after the pair had left. He took the time to reflect on these most recent events.
"Criminitly," Israel said. "This is just like Rome."
"Like Rome? How, Israel?" Jemima asked.
"Adam's pa fought and fought against Adam like Rome fought against the Christians. Them Romans couldn't beat the Christians no matter what they did and Adam's pa couldn't beat Adam. Rome ended up joining the Christians just like Adam's pa joined with Adam."
"That, Israel," Daniel observed, "is very insightful on your part. You learned your lesson very well. I'm proud of you, son."
"Thanks, Pa," Israel said. "I'm proud of me too."
The family joined in a round of laughter. Daniel couldn't help himself and ruffled his son's hair. Israel didn't seem to mind.
At dusk a vibrant Adam entered the cabin. His smile was pure joy to behold. He plopped in a chair beaming from ear to ear. "This has been the best day of life," he announced.
"What have you been doin', Adam?" Israel asked.
"Spending time with my father. My real father. The one I had when I was your age, Israel," Adam replied. "We talked at length even spoke about my patriotism without either us getting angry. Miraculous!"
"It certainly is. Have you had supper, Adam?" Rebecca asked.
"In a way. We ate Mr. Cincinnatus' fare," Adam responded.
Rebecca looked horrified. "Then you haven't had anything. Good thing I saved a plate for you."
"Adam, your father walked you home, didn't he?" Daniel asked.
"Yes, sir. I asked him to join us but he said he thought it better to return to the fort," Adam answered.
Rebecca set the plate of food before Adam and she didn't have to tell him to eat it as he immediately dived in. "I asked my father how was it that he had such a change of heart. Want to know what he told me?"
"Yes!" Israel shouted.
"He said after the incident with the kidnappers he did a lot of soul searching and he didn't like what he saw in himself. He'd become despicable and controlling. He came to realize that his pursuit of money had damaged, perhaps irreparably our relationship that he once treasured. Then he remembered almost everything you told him, Colonel. Then he remembered what I had said to him at our first meeting concerning the harm he brought to your family. He finally reached the conclusion it was time to begin anew."
"It took longer that I liked, but, at least, your father came around," Daniel said. "Unfortunately, your father is very hardheaded."
"I don't think he will be anymore, Colonel. He's mellowing," Adam said. "Even Mr. Cincinnatus likes him now. He told me so."
"What Cincinnatus has blessed let no one say anything against," Daniel quipped.
"Mr. Markes' conversation reminds me of Paul's on the road to Damascus," Jemima said.
Adam slapped the table. "Why didn't I think of that? It's a perfect analogy."
"You can't think of everything, Adam," Jemima told him. "Will you be seeing him again?" Nodding his head, Adam said after he swallowed, "He's coming by tomorrow morning unless I can coax the Colonel in escorting me to the fort. Mrs. Rand has a few small chores for us in exchange for lunch."
"Do me a favor please, Adam..." Rebecca began.
"I know, Mrs. Boone, I know," Adam interrupted, holding his hands up in surrender. "The chores Mrs. Rand has for us isn't of a heavy nature so I won't be exerting myself."
"That's not the favor I was asking for," Rebecca corrected him.
"Oh," Adam said, thinking he had it all figured out. "Then what favor can I do for you?"
"Please don't think Agnes' cooking is better than mine," Rebecca teased.
Adam laughed. "Not possible, Mrs. Boone, not possible."
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