Howdy Do, Kinfolk: Chapter 5
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.
"She's gonna have a what?" Yadkin asked incredulously. He had stopped by the Boone cabin to ask Daniel if he wanted to go hunting with Alvin and him. Rebecca had told Alvin she needed to speak with Yadkin privately, and had ushered him inside to tell him the news.
"A baby, Yadkin. A baby," Rebecca replied.
"Another one? Don't she got enough?" Yadkin complained. "How'd this happen anyway?"
Rebecca pursed her lips. "I believe it happened in the traditional way."
"No," Yadkin said, shaking his head, "I mean why did it happen now? And how come she just now knows about it?"
"Yad, forget all that. The fact is Virginia is going to have a baby," Rebecca said. "And I'd think you would be happy for her."
"Oh, I'm as happy as a turkey struttin' his feathers," Yadkin jested. "But what are we goin' to do now?" He began to pace back and forth in front of her. "It's bad enough with three extra people in my cabin. But with a baby comin'--"
"Yad --"
"All that cryin' and fussin' and carryin' on. Ain't nobody goin' to get any sleep. And what about Paul? Maybe I should fetch him. He should be here for the birthin' of his young 'un, don't you reckon?"
She grabbed his arm as he moved in front of her. He stopped and faced her. "Yadkin, if you will give me a chance, I will tell you something that will erase your fears." Rebecca released him. "Virginia isn't expecting to give birth for at least five or six months. She will be home by then. so there won't be anybody in your cabin but you."
Yadkin smiled broadly. "That is good news."
"Yad, Virginia requested that only Dan, Cincinnatus, Mingo, me, and you are to know about this," Rebecca said. "The reason is she lost two children after Gilly was born, and she doesn't want to raise her family's hopes. She'll tell them when the time is right, although I told her that Lydia should be told so she can look after her a bit closer than usual."
"All right, but why'd you have to tell me?" Yadkin asked. "Why couldn't I have been kept in the dark as much as the others?"
"Because you still have to care for her until she decides to go home. I expect it won't be much longer. She's getting anxious to leave and tell her husband the good news."
"Her secret is safe with me," Yadkin vowed. He smiled as he thought about how close he was to getting back his bachelor life.
"Good. Come on. I'll let you speak with her. She's asleep, but it won't hurt to wake her now." Taking his arm, Rebecca pulled him towards her and Daniel's bedroom.
"What fer do I need to talk with her?" Yadkin asked as he tried to dig his heels into the hardwood floor.
"Yad, just congratulate her and wish her and the baby well," Rebecca suggested.
"I-I-I don't know," Yadkin stammered. "I don't reckon we oughta disturb her. We oughta just let her sleep." He didn't understand why, but he was uncomfortable acknowledging Virginia's pregnancy.
"You're acting like I'm leading you to be burnt at the stake. Now, get in there," she pointed to the bedroom, "and tell your sister you're happy for her!"
"He doesn't have to, Becky," Virginia said wearily from the bedroom door. "I know in his own way he is."
"Virginia, you look you tangled with a panther," Yadkin observed.
She smiled slyly at him as she approached the table. "Dear brother, it wasn't a panther I tangled with, but a real he-man of a man, who goes by the name of Paul Jenkins." Virginia sat at the table and Rebecca brought her a cup of tea. After taking a sip of it, she said, "You're about to be 'uncle-d' again."
"I'm...I'm happy for you, Virginia," Yadkin said, sliding in beside her. "I wish you and the baby well." He produced a half-grin.
She leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Carolina. It took a lot of courage on your part to say that."
"Not so much," Yadkin admitted. Then he shifted in his seat. "Alvin's waitin' for me. We're goin' huntin'. If'n it's all right with you both, we'll take the boys with us."
"How nice," Rebecca commented.
"Carolina, this wouldn't be your way of losin' my Gilly in the woods, would it?" Virginia asked.
Yadkin rose with mock horror on his face. "Virginia, would I do that? Why, he's kin. Now, if'n he happens to get into some trouble, I'll have to think twice about rescuin' him." He smiled and made his way to the door. As it opened it, he looked back at the women. "If'n I don't make it back with him, I reckon you won't miss him much, considerin' you got another one comin'. And I got a feelin', that one is goin' to be just like him." With a grin, he shut the door behind him.
Virginia turned her head towards Rebecca. "Just what I need. Another child just like my brother."
There was some activity at the fort, but overall it was quiet when the three teenage girls came walking through the front gate. They saw Jack Miller running towards them with Puppy Dog trotting alongside of him.
"Howdy, girls," he greeted them.
"Hello, Jack," Darla answered for the trio.
"Glad I ran into y'all," Jack said. "I was out trappin' the other day and you won't believe what I caught."
"You're right. We won't believe it," Jemima stated. She lifted the pot of Irish stew to shoulder level and turned to the other two girls. "I'll take this to Cincinnatus while Jack tells you a tall tale." Then she turned on her heel and started toward the tavern.
"There I was a'standin' beside the river, when out of the woods come a bear, a panther, and two Shawnee. They was all lookin' mean and ready to kill at any moment-"
Jemima rolled her eyes. This story was shaping up to be a whopper of a tall tale. She wondered if Jack believed the stories he told. He acted like he did, but maybe it was just that; an act.
A moment later she opened the tavern door and stepped inside to find Cincinnatus putting a leg back into the seat of a wooden chair. "Howdy, Cincinnatus," she greeted him as she approached . "I brought Irish stew that Ma made special for you."
A grin spread across his face. "Thank you, Jemima. Eatin' your ma's Irish stew is always something I look forward to. Just set it on the counter. I'll get to it directly. This chair needs mendin' first."
She set the pot down and picked up a newspaper that was laying there. It was four months old. Still, any news, no matter how old, was welcome on the frontier. She scanned through it until an article caught her attention. "Cincinnatus, have you read this newspaper, the Salem Gazette?"
"Not all of it. Why?" he replied.
"Pa's in it," Jemima answered. She brought it to Cincinnatus and pointed to the article.
"I'll be dogged," he said as he quickly glanced at the article Jemima was showing him. "Well, girl, don't just stand there like a knot on a log. Read it."
Jemima did as Cincinnatus requested and read the article aloud:
- 'Daniel Boone, the founder of Boonesborough, Kentucky, a territory of Virginia, recently attended a celebratory ball hosted by the Royal Governor, Lord Dunsmore, at his mansion in Williamsburg, Virginia. Also in attendance were Mr. Boone's wife, Rebecca, and several other Boonesborough settlers. The gala was reported to have been a delightful affair, but was considered peculiar. None of the prestigious people the governor is usually known to patronize were in attendance.
It has been asserted that Mr. Boone charmed the governor, and that a petition will be placed before Parliament to grant the territory of Kentucky a charter so that it may become the sovereign fourteenth colony. If such a charter were to be bestowed, Mr. Boone would be assured not only an appointment as Kentucky's First Royal Governor, but would also most certainly have conferred upon him, with the blessings of His Majesty, King George the Third of England, the title of 'Lord'.
In addition, the Crown has promised the construction of a fort near Boonesborough to support at least three regiments of soldiers who will protect and defend the frontier from Indian uprisings, as well as from the local population. It has been speculated that there will be those who will oppose Kentucky's admittance as a colony and seek to create opposition and mayhem after the fact; not before.
Patrick Henry was quoted as saying that he seriously doubted Daniel Boone could be involved in the events as described. At this time, according to Mr. Henry, Kentucky has too small a population to be considered as a viable fourteenth colony.
As it stands today, Kentucky remains a territory of Virginia, and Daniel Boone remains without governorship and peerage.'
She lowered the paper. "Gosh, do you think it's true, Cincinnatus? Did you think Parliament will make Kentucky the fourteenth colony, and Pa its Royal Governor?"
"Jemima, that there is a pack of lies," Cincinnatus explained as he tested the leg on the chair he had just repaired. He pushed down on the back of it and it seemed sound enough. "That 'ball' they're talkin' about was the time when some of the settlers, your ma and pa included, invaded Dunsmore's mansion. He was tryin' to steal our lands, remember?" He watched as she nodded her head. "He said he had title to all our lands, but Mingo got a title to Virginny from the Cherokees. So, we had us a hoe-down in his mansion while Dan'l and Dunsmore ripped up titles. There wasn't any talk about Kentuck becomin' a fourteenth colony or your pa, a governor, or anythin' else."
"But why would they print such things if they weren't true?" she asked.
"That's the newspaper business," Cincinnatus said, moving towards the counter. "The more outlandish, the more newspapers get sold." He lifted the lid from the pot and savored the aroma. Then he dipped his finger into the pot, withdrew it, and sucked on it. He closed his eyes as he took in the moment. After he opened his eyes, he said, "Tell your ma that her Irish stew is heavenly, and pass her my thanks."
"I will," Jemima said as she laid the newspaper on the table and started for the door. She suddenly stopped and looked his way. "Cincinnatus, would you mind if I took the newspaper home to show Ma and Pa? I'll return it to you to tomorrow."
Cincinnatus waited until he had swallowed before answering. "Go ahead. I'm sure Dan'l and Becky will have a good laugh over it. Once the news gets around, which will be no later than tomorrow, I reckon, there won't be a soul in Boonesborough who won't be callin' your folks Lord and Lady Boone." He chuckled and then took another mouthful of Irish stew.
It was past dinner time when Daniel arrived at his cabin. He hoped Rebecca had saved supper for him. If he recalled correctly, she was serving Irish stew; one of his favorites. He'd have to share his meal with Mingo since his friend had accompanied him home, but he was willing to make the sacrifice.
As they approached the cabin, they found Virginia's horses and wagon parked nearby. "I reckon Virginia and her clan are visitin' tonight. Be real friendly," he teased.
"Do you think that is wise, Daniel?" Mingo asked. "Two of her daughters are infatuated with me. I'd think I should avoid any contact with them."
"You could, or you could just get used to saying ' Howdy do, kinfolk'," Daniel said, smiling.
"Do you mean that in the way I think you mean that?"
"It could be worse, Mingo," Daniel continued, "you could hafta marry the both of them."
Mingo looked peeved. "Daniel, I have no intention of marrying anyone, let alone two teenagers who are practically little girls."
"Give 'em a year or two. Then you might change your mind." He laid his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You may never find anyone as devoted to you as those two. And marryin' into Yad's family has its benefits."
"Which would be?" Mingo crossed his arms over his chest.
"You'll have enough kinfolk to have your own tribe and you, " Daniel poked him in the chest, "will get to be their chief." He displayed a lopsided grin.
"Daniel, if you think you are being amusing, you are sadly mistaken." Mingo said in all seriousness. "Perhaps if I were not so famished, I might consider this a pleasant conversation. However, it is only serving to delay our arrival at your dinner table."
"Mingo, I apologize," Daniel said, placing his hand over his heart. "It's unseemly to keep a starvin' man from a meal."
They made their way to the cabin and, after they had crossed the porch, Daniel opened the door and stepped inside. He saw, standing near the table, his family, the Jenkins clan, Yadkin, and Cincinnatus. In unison, they said, "Good evening, your lordship." Then the males bowed and the females curtsied. When they all had resumed their normal posture, they broke into gales of laughter.
Daniel stared at them in confusion before turning to Mingo, thinking he might have an explanation for their odd behavior. Mingo only shrugged his shoulders at his unspoken question. Daniel turned his attention back to the group who were still gathered around the table. "Evenin', folks," he said in greeting . "Would one of you mind explainin' what your little show of respect means?"
"Pa," Jemima said, as she approached him, carrying a newspaper in her hand, "It's this article from the Salem Gazette." She showed him the article.
Daniel took the newspaper And then, with Mingo looking over his shoulder, they read it to themselves. When he had finished, Daniel lowered the newspaper and displayed a lopsided grin. "All of you know that this story is a tall tale. Jack Miller must have written it."
"That's what Cincinnatus said," Jemima said. She turned in time to see the tavernkeeper take another bow. Then she turned back to her father. "Except about Jack Miller writing it."
"Well, your ladyship," Daniel said to Rebecca, "this lord is hungry and my feathered friend standin' beside me is in dire need of a meal too. You reckon you can scrounge up some vittles that will fill our gentry bellies?"
"Come forth, gentlemen, and your dinner will soon be on the table. I have kept it warm on the hearth," Rebecca said with a huge smile. Then she began to move towards the fireplace.
"Mrs. Boone, no!" Dineen screeched.
Startled, Rebecca stopped in her tracks and faced Dineen, waiting for an explanation.
"You can't serve supper. It ain't right with you bein' a lady and all," she said seriously.
"Dineen, if I don't do it, who will?" Rebecca asked, holding back a smile.
"Well, I can't since I'm a princess," Darla said. She smoothed her purple skirt as if that act confirmed her noble position.
"Stop this nonsense, Dineen," Virginia chastised, her tone indicating that she was in an angry mood. "Dan'l and Mingo are goin' to faint away from hunger if'n they don't eat soon. Leave Mrs. Boone alone." She turned Dineen in the direction opposite the fireplace and pushed her forward.
Daniel and Mingo sat at the table and Rebecca dished out a bowl of Irish stew to each of them. Sitting at the table as well were Cincinnatus and Yadkin. The teenage girls stood quietly behind Mingo, with Lydia and Alvin beside them holding hands. The boys played marbles by the door.
"How was huntin', Yad?" Virginia asked as she sat beside him, her manner once again pleasant. "Did Gilly give you any trouble?"
"Not a lick," Yadkin answered. "The trouble with you, Virginia, is that you don't know how to handle young 'uns. I warned Gilly right off that if there was any sort of trouble from him, I'd-"
"You'd what?" Virginia interrupted, growing testy once again.
When Yadkin didn't reply right away, Alvin did. "He said he'd throw him into the deepest part of the Kentucky River with a rock tied to his leg." The young man chuckled.
"What!" Virginia screeched, coming out of her chair. "Carolina E. Yadkin, tell me you didn't mean it!"
"I didn't mean it," Yadkin quickly agreed. "I said it as a joke. What for do you keep goin' off half-cocked tonight? Do you really think I'd drown Gilly?" He chortled. "I'd never do that. There are other ways that are simpler and easier." He pulled at his mustache as if the action helped him contemplate those methods.
"Alvin threatened to tie him to a tree and leave him there when we was coming to Boonesborough," Lydia added with a laugh.
Israel and Gillam looked in the adults' direction and grinned. They were both enjoying Gillam being the subject of their conversation.
"But what I really wanted to do was drag him behind the wagon with the horses running full out," Alvin added in jest . More laughter followed his comment.
Yadkin pulled at his mustache again. "We happened on a deer today when we was huntin'," he said to everyone, "and just as I was gettin' ready to shoot, I heard Gilly draw in a breath that sounded like the roar from a cannon. I hurried my shot since I figured that deer had heard Gilly just like I did. That ole deer dropped like a rock had done been brought down on its head. Then I turned around right fast and snatched Gilly by the back of the shirt and the seat of his breeches. I carried him that way until we came across a patch of poison ivy. I held him over it, " he turned in his seat to find Israel and Gillam laughing with their hands covering their mouths, "and he got to yell all he wanted. Once I got his word that he'd keep his bear trap of a mouth shut the rest of the time, includin' not breathin' loud, only then did I let loose of him."
"He let me go," Gillam piped in, "by dropping me in a mound of sand. I got sand in my eyes and everywhere. Then, Uncle Carolina threw Israel into the sand too."
"After that," Alvin continued, laughing as well, " he threw Gilly back into the sand, since he figured he hadn't really learned his lesson."
All of the group was amused by Yadkin's story, except one; Virginia. In her view, the treatment her son had received while with his uncle was not at all a laughing matter.
Her brother should have known that was not how one should care for a child. She was also bothered by the fact that Rebecca didn't seem upset that her brother had treated Israel almost as shabbily. Her friend had laughed with the rest of them. . She didn't understand it and felt she had to say something to straighten them all out. The matter was serious and they all had to be made aware of it. . "This isn't funny!" Virginia screeched. "All this talk about hurtin' Gillam. Why don't you just pull out your knife, Carolina, and cut him up the way Israel was. . That'd show him, wouldn't it? That'd teach him to behave. " She finished and then turned and stormed into Daniel and Rebecca's bedroom.
Stunned silence followed as everyone in the cabin looked at everyone else.
Gillam ran to Lydia and threw his arms around her waist. There were tears in his eyes. "What's wrong with Ma?" he asked her. He had never seen her act this way and it frightened him. "Did I make her mad?"
"No, Gilly," Lydia said, running a hand through his hair. "Ma's just out of sorts tonight is all. You haven't done anythin' wrong to make her mad. She'll be all right in a spell. You'll see. Go finish your game with Israel while I talk to her."
The boy started towards Israel but suddenly turned on his heel and headed straight for Yadkin. He reached for his uncle.
Yadkin was uncertain what to do at first, but gave in and sat his nephew on his lap. He tapped Gillam's shoulder. "It'll be all right, boy," he said as comfortingly as he could.
After laying his head in the crook of his uncle's neck, Gillam placed his hand over Yadkin's arm and squeezed it. "Uncle Carolina, until Ma's feelin' better, is it all right if I stay right here?"
"Sure, boy," Yadkin agreed. "But wouldn't you rather be with one of your sisters?"
"No, I like it here just fine," Gillam replied.
Following Gillam's lead, Israel headed for his father and Daniel obliging took him on his knee. "Pa, tell us a story," he requested.
"Israel, " Yadkin said, "let me tell you a story about the time me and your pa got caught in the middle of a buffalo stampede. You see, it happened this way-"
As Yadkin began to tell the story, Lydia and Rebecca left the room. They entered the bedroom to find Virginia sitting on the bed drying the tears from her eyes.
"Ma, are you all right? Is there somethin' I can do for you?" Lydia asked with concern.
Virginia looked their way and smiled. "I'm fine, Lydia. I know you, Alvin, and Carolina were jokin' about Gilly. I just took it the wrong way. I guess I'm meaner than a three-toed bear tonight. Takin' it out on y'all was uncalled for."
Lydia sat beside her and placed an arm around her shoulder. "It's all right, Ma. We all get grumpy sometimes."
"Tell her, Virginia," Rebecca said. "Tell her why you're not yourself. She has a right to know."
"Tell me what?" Lydia asked, looking from Virginia to Rebecca and back again.
"Nothin', dear," Virginia said, leveling an icy stare at her friend. "I'm just grumpy like you said."
"Tell her, Virginia," Rebecca repeated, "or I will."
"Will somebody tell me somethin'?" Lydia asked in frustration.
"Oh, all right," Virginia surrendered. She took her daughter's hand in hers. "Lydia, God's blessed me again. I'm goin' to have another baby."
"Ma, that's wonderful," she replied as she embraced her mother. "Pa will be so happy when he hears of this."
Taking Lydia by the shoulders, Virginia said, "You aren't to breathe a word of this to anyone; not to Alvin, and especially not to the terrible trio. They'll shout it from high atop the Cumberland Mountains, and that's not how I want your pa to be told about this."
"All right, Ma," Lydia agreed. "It'll be hard not to say anything, especially to Alvin, but I won't."
"Thank you, darling," Virginia said, smiling. "I knew I you would be trustworthy, even if Becky can't be." She glared at her friend.
"That look could drill a hole through the back of my head, Virginia, but I don't care," Rebecca explained, " Lydia needed to be told so she can take care of you properly." "And that means you be thinkin' that I can't take care of myself?" Virginia asked.
"I be thinkin'," Rebecca said, using her friend's speech pattern, "that somebody needs to look after you. Everybody knows you're not yourself. At least now Lydia knows why, and can help you."
Virginia walked to stand beside Rebecca at the doorway to the bedroom. She pointed a finger into her face. "You're startin' to sound like me. You be thinkin' you know as much as I do, huh? Well, you don't. I know more about carryin' babies, havin' 'em and raisin' 'em than you'll ever know. How you could raise them two young 'uns of yours and them turn out so well, without my advice still amazes me. How could you have done it without me?"
Rebecca smiled. "I muddled through somehow," she answered.
Lydia joined them. Virginia grinned as she placed an arm around her shoulders. "I reckon we best get back to the others. I have apologies to make."
"Now's not the time for that apology, Virginia," Rebecca advised, " look." She pulled the curtain aside and urged Virginia and Lydia to peer past it. They saw Yadkin. He was regaling Gillam with a tall tale. The boy was on his lap and Yad had an arm around Dineen's waist. Darla stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders. The children were smiling and enjoying the tale their uncle was telling. "You wouldn't want to interrupt that, would you?" she asked.
Virginia shook her head. She thought how far her brother had come. He had held the children at arm's length since they had first arrived, and now he was allowing himself to be surrounded by them. But, there was something more miraculous than that. She pondered it a moment before voicing it aloud. "He's even managed to get Darla and the Purple Princess away from Mingo."
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