An Honorable Soldier in General Washington's Army: Chapter 8
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.
If the pace was swift the day before, it was even more so now. Rebecca somehow managed to never to lose her footing. Adam remained beside her although he stumbled at times as if he was tiring. She couldn't be certain of her assessment, as they didn't speak on the subject. Their concentration was centered on the terrain. They traveled in the wooded area near the road and the going was rough. Roots from trees, rocks, and uneven ground littered the route.
Looming ahead was an especially large root which Adam's tired leg didn't quite clear. He crashed to ground with a thud. Rebecca immediately knelt along side of him. "Adam, are you all right?"
Rolling onto his haunches, Adam reached for his ankle. "Ah, I think I broke it." Then he winked at her hoping she would take the clue and play it up.
"Boy, what did you do?" Jackson asked harshly as he drew near.
"It appears he's hurt his ankle, but I don't think it's broken," Rebecca said as she manipulated his ankle. Adam groaned appropriately but not to the point of overacting.
"You'll have to walk on it, boy. We have to keep moving," Jackson said.
"He won't make it far," Rebecca explained. "His ankle isn't going to support him."
"How do you know so much about it? You ain't no doctor," Jackson snapped.
"I'm a wife and mother," Rebecca said, rising to her feet. "Learning to recognize what's broken, bleeding, or hurting and mend it is common practice on the frontier. I've seen my share of each. I didn't feel anything broken in Adam's ankle but he couldn't move it much without being in pain. That means he stretched the ankle beyond it's limits and it will need rest with little activity."
"That was a pretty little speech, lady," Jackson said, "but we ain't got time to stop and rest the kid's ankle."
"Then what do you propose to do? Forcing him to walk may injure the ankle further and that will slow you up even more," Rebecca said.
Jackson considered his options. There weren't many. What he needed was a handcart to haul the boy in and he suddenly remembered seeing one a few miles back at some farm. "Taylor, Michaels, remember that farm we passed and you wanted to steal some chickens? Well, boys, go steal and bring back that handcart with you. We'll use it to carry the kid."
"That place has gotta be ten miles back," Taylor complained.
"Then you better get started. Use the road. That's faster than what we came through and be quick about it," Jackson ordered.
The men grumbled but complied and headed down the road. Adam smiled inwardly. The odds just increased in their favor. Two to two or perhaps two to three if Daniel happened to be nearby. He'd seen no sign of Daniel but learned he could be right on you and not know it until it was too late.
"We'll wait for them here," Jackson ordered. "Collins, tie our prisoners up. Leave the kid's busted up ankle be."
"Why don't you tie them up? My head hurts," Collins complained, taking a seat in the shade of a giant oak tree.
"Because I told you to do it," Jackson argued.
"Do it yourself. My head hurts I tell you," Collins said unrelenting.
"Collins, get off your lazy duff and tie the prisoners up!" Jackson shouted.
Reluctantly, Collins did as Jackson commanded. He slowly walked towards Rebecca and Adam casting looks of annoyance at Jackson. Suddenly, a rifle report was heard. Collins went down. Adam was instantly on his feet charging towards Jackson while Rebecca retrieved Collins' dropped rifle. He wouldn't be needing it anymore nor did he complain further about his aching head.
Before Jackson could bring his weapon to bear on Adam, the young man had his hands on it trying to wrench it from Jackson. It was losing battle for Adam. Jackson's strength was much greater than his own. Bringing the rifle up unexpectedly and swinging Adam around caused him to lose his grip sending him to the ground. In a flash, Adam was back on his feet kicking the rifle out of Jackson's hands as he was preparing to aim it at him. Jackson doubled his fists and landed several hard connecting blows to Adam's ribs before he lost his balance. Adam struggled to breathe. Approaching the boy, Jackson intended to finish him off, but a rifle ball hit him square in the chest. Before he hit the ground himself, he saw the smoking end of Collins' rifle with Rebecca standing behind it.
Daniel and Mingo came on the run. Daniel went immediately to Rebecca and Mingo headed towards the fallen Adam. Drawing his wife into an embrace, he said, "Becky, are you all right?" She seemed well enough except for the awful bruising on her face and a splotch of blood on her arm.
"I am now," she said, returning the embrace and finding comfort in her husband's strong arms. "Dan, we need to see to Adam."
They started towards Adam who was sitting up now. "Adam, how are you?" Daniel asked. "Colonel, I am well and very glad to see you," he replied as Mingo helped him to his feet. He stood slightly stooped but tried not to let on that his ribs were less than perfect. Staring at Jackson's dead body, he added, "He got exactly what he deserved."
"If everyone is fit to travel, we better get going. Those other two may be on their way back," Daniel suggested.
Gathering the rifles, powder horns, and cartridge pouches, the foursome headed towards Boonesborough. They hadn't gone far when they spotted Taylor and Michaels coming down the road on the run. With rifles at the ready, the group darted from the woods and surrounded the bounty hunters. They stopped when they saw Daniel blocking their path. Daniel stood in front of them and ordered, "Put down those rifles."
They did as ordered. Mingo collected the rifles and promptly destroyed them by slamming each against the ground. All that was left was useless pieces of metal.
"Your companions are dead," Daniel informed them. "Unless you want to join them I suggest you hightail it far from Kentucky."
Taylor and Michaels resumed running down the road with nary a backward glance. They realized they had lost the bounty. There was no hope to regain the boy. There were easier bounties to collect in the east and that's where they intended to go.
"I'll follow them to make sure they don't double back," Mingo said.
"Fine, Mingo. Meet us at the Ward's cabin," Daniel said. "Adam, how about you taking point. Becky and I will bring up the middle."
Adam nodded and started down the road alert for trouble while Mingo went in the opposite direction.
Rebecca held her husband's arm as they walked together. "I can't tell you how happy I was to see you. I told Adam you'd come sooner or later."
"Did I arrive sooner or later?" he asked her.
"Sooner than I anticipated," she replied. "You must have really stretched those legs. I bet you've added another foot to your height. Daniel, I do believe you're taller."
Daniel chuckled. "Mingo and I came as quickly as we could. We've been following you for the last hour waiting for a good time to attack. It worked out almost perfectly when the bounty hunters split up. I was able to get a bead on one of them, but Mingo lost the other in the trees. That's the one that you eventually shot."
"Good riddance to them," Rebecca said matter-of-factly.
Daniel had a pressing question. "Becky, who hurt you?"
"The one I shot," she replied.
"Then Adam was right. He got what he deserved," Daniel agreed.
"Are the children upset over all this?" Rebecca said, changing the subject slightly.
"Somewhat. They were fine when I left them with Agnes Rand," Daniel answered. "Now, tell me what happened if you're up to it."
Rebecca began her tale and didn't stop until she had relayed ever detail.
Following the bounty hunters from a discreet distance, Mingo saw that they were nearing a campsite and approached a man waiting there. Mingo could only hear snatches of conversation. Two words he was able to make out was Markes. As he got closer, he had no trouble hearing what was being said.
"You bumbling fools!" Markes shouted.
"Mr. Markes, it wasn't our fault, " Michaels said defensively.
"Of course not," Markes said. "Tomorrow morning you'll lead me to my son."
"No," Taylor said. "This has turned into something more than I bargained for. I'm getting out of Kentucky right now."
"I'm with Taylor," Michaels said.
"I'll pay you twenty pounds each to lead me to my son," Markes offered.
"He's probably headed back to Boonesborough. Just follow the road. It'll take you there," Taylor suggested.
"I may need your help retrieving him," Markes said. "Twenty pounds is better than leaving Kentucky with nothing."
"He's right, Taylor. Maybe we should take him up on it," Collins said.
"You have a deal, Mr. Markes, but we won't leave until the day after tomorrow. Your boy isn't going anywhere we can't find him. Collins and I have been many days without a day of rest and we will have one tomorrow," Taylor told him.
"Agreed," Markes conceded. Another day shouldn't matter.
Mingo silently moved to rejoin Daniel and the others bearing news that was sure to bring another shock into young Adam's life.
The Boones and Adam continued their march towards the Ward cabin. There they would find food and a place to sleep. Adam had reached a point where he was just concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. He kept thinking he was one more step closer to something to eat and a warm place to slumber tonight. He wasn't feeling well, his stomach was churning, and his ribs were hurting. Keep going, he told himself.
Rebecca watched Adam and her concern for him was growing. "Dan, I think something is wrong with Adam."
"Like what?" Daniel asked not observing anything that suggested Adam was having a problem.
In the middle of his next step, Adam felt lightheaded and became wobbly.
"Like that," Rebecca said as Daniel ran towards Adam.
Daniel gripped Adam's arm to keep him from falling. "Easy, boy, I've got you." Daniel led him off the road to a place with soft grass. Rebecca met them there.
"I'm sorry, Colonel. Just give me a few minutes," Adam told him.
"Take all the time you need, Adam," Daniel said.
Rebecca was kneeling beside him with her arm across his shoulder and a hand on his forehead. "Dan, he's quite warm."
"I'm fine. Really." Adam assured them. "I just need a few minutes. Colonel, you mind if I lay down? My head is swimming."
"Not at all," Daniel said, helping him by placing a hand on his back and easing him to the ground.
Adam wrapped his arms around his injured ribs since the movement caused an increased amount of pain. When he was supine, he stared into the towering leaves and branches with the blue sky as backdrop. "That's better," he admitted.
"Adam, you mind if I take look at those ribs?" Daniel asked. There might be an answer to Adam's sudden weakness. Perhaps, his injury was worse than they were aware.
"Be my guest," Adam said with his eyes closed.
Daniel opened Adam's shirt and saw some swelling and bruising on his ribs. Then Adam raised his head to observe himself how bad off he was. "Quite colorful," he quipped. Then looking into Rebecca's own bruised face, he added, "We could make matching bookends." Then wanted to kick himself for making such a cruel remark.
Before she could stop herself, she laughed. "Adam," was all she managed to say.
Smiling himself, Daniel buttoned Adam's shirt. "I reckon you'll be all right - in time."
"I agree, Colonel. In fact, I'm feeling much better now. Maybe we should be on our way again," Adam suggested.
"Not yet," Rebecca said. "Just lay there a bit more Adam. I could use the rest."
"As you wish, Mrs. Boone. Is Mrs. Ward as good a cook as you?" Adam asked, still thinking of the meal that awaited them.
"Does it matter?" Rebecca asked him.
"Not really. Right now, I could eat a bear raw," Adam admitted. "I guess I should have eaten that jerky Jackson gave us." As soon as the words were out, Adam knew he couldn't take them back. Rebecca wasn't supposed to know about that. Now, she would certainly want to know about it. He wasn't going to tell her before he opened his big mouth. Oh, she's going to be mad, he thought.
"What did you do with your portion of the jerky?" she asked testily.
"I gave it to you because you were injured and your need was greater than my own," Adam explained.
"When was the last time you ate, Adam?" Daniel asked before Rebecca lectured the boy.
"Almost two nights ago at supper," Adam answered.
"No wonder you're half-sick," Rebecca exclaimed. "Well, tonight you'll get quadruple portions even if I, Daniel, and Mingo have to relinquish ours."
Reaching into his pack, Daniel withdrew some jerky and handed the strips to Rebecca. "We're going to do something about your hunger, Adam," he informed him while he helped him sit up.
Adam grunted as his ribs again protested the movement. Rebecca slapped some jerky into his hand, smirking. "Bon appetite," she jibed.
Breaking into a smile, Adam took more than a bite size and chewed with pleasure. "Thank you, Colonel. Got this in Mrs. Boone's apple pie flavor?"
"Sorry, Mingo ate the last of it," Daniel teased then turned serious. "Adam, I appreciate you looking after Mrs. Boone these last couple of days. You showed remarkable courage, restraint, and sacrifice. I'm grateful to you."
Blushing, Adam said, "I just did my duty, Colonel, as an honorable..."
"...soldier in General Washington's army," Daniel and Rebecca finished saying together, then the group broke into laughter.
Peering down the road, Daniel saw movement and knew it was his friend on the run. "I'll go meet Mingo. Becky, you better eat a little of that jerky, too. I don't want you fainting by the wayside."
The two men met out of earshot from Rebecca and Adam. "Everything all right here, Daniel?" Mingo asked, noticing that they were resting near the road.
"Adam nearly passed out. It seems he hasn't eaten for a couple of days. He's doing better now," Daniel summed up quickly.
"Can he make it to the Ward cabin?" Mingo wondered.
"I think so. He's putting some jerky in his belly now. That ought to revive him enough to get to the Wards," Daniel answered.
Mingo nodded. "Those two bounty hunters we let go didn't do as you instructed. They're camped a few miles up the road and they've got the ring leader with them."
"Markes?" Daniel asked.
"Most definitely. They're planning on coming for Adam the day after tomorrow. Markes has every intention of getting his son back," Mingo revealed.
"Adam won't go with him willingly, especially now. This situation could become explosive," Daniel said.
"It's too bad Markes can't accept his son's decision to soldier in the Continental Army," Mingo observed.
"Maybe I can make him understand," Daniel remarked. "Tomorrow morning I'll pay Markes and company a visit while you escort Becky and Adam home."
"Daniel, I don't think even you can persuade him to leave his son alone," Mingo warned.
"I have to try. Adam's furious with his father. Nothing is going to stop him from soldiering or turn from his patriotism. That leaves Markes to change his mind," Daniel reasoned.
"This mission may well be an impossible one," Mingo said. "But I've seen you change the impossible to the possible."
"And if all goes well, this will be another instance," Daniel said, leading his friend towards Rebecca and Adam to resume the journey to the Ward cabin.
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