Knife Point: Chapter 2
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.
Yadkin fled to the Boone cabin. Jemima let him in after he had rapped forcefully on the door. He then ran in with Hannibal giving chase, nipping him in the back of the leg. “Israel!” he hollered. “Get this fool goose offa me.”
With hearty laughter, Israel gathered Hannibal in his arms and put him back outside.
“When are you goin’ to teach that good for nothin’ goose some manners?” he asked the boy grouchily after he had shut the door.
“Maybe if you were nice to him, he’d be nice to you,” Israel said.
“Be nice to that waddlin’ honkin’ no-count bird?” Yadkin asked skeptically. “It just ain’t in me.”
“And it ain’t in Hannibal to be nice to you,” Israel retorted, but his giggle showed there was no animosity in his statement.
Yadkin deposited his rifle and powder horn by the door, and from there he and Israel proceeded quickly to the table where he found them all just finishing their breakfast.
Twisting in his seat, Daniel faced his newly arrived friend. He saw misery in his face. “Somethin’ else wrong, Yad? You look about as happy as a bloodthirsty Shawnee without a scalp to take.”
“Somethin’ much worser'n Shawnee, Dan’l; my sister,” Yadkin replied, taking the seat beside him. “Only she’s not chasin’ me. She’s goin’ to put my cabin in order, and she was goin’ to force me to help her by threatenin’ me with a hunting knife!”
“Yad, Virginia was teasing you. I’m sure of it,” Rebecca said.
“She put the point of my new huntin’ knife right here.” Yadkin pointed to his chin. “She said she’d skin me alive if’n I didn’t help her clean. So I did what any confirmed bachelor does; I lit out, and I ain’t goin’ back until that woman is done cleanin’ or out of my cabin; one or the other.”
“Admirable,” Mingo said, and then took a sip of his coffee.
Yadkin ignored Mingo’s remark. “I aim to do some buffalo huntin’ today. You want to come along, Dan’l?”
“Yeah, sure. Mingo?” Daniel looked towards his Cherokee friend.
Shaking his head, Mingo said, “I believe I will rest my ankle today, gentleman, but good hunting to you.”
“Pa, can I come?” an excited and expectant Israel asked.
Daniel glanced at Rebecca who nodded her head in assent. “Sure, son. Mima, you want to come along too?”
“No thanks, Pa.” Jemima replied. “I was wondering though if I could spend the day with the O’Tooles. I wanted to help finish that quilt for Jennifer. She’s getting married in a few days.”
“Certainly, dear,” Rebecca agreed. “But help me with the dishes first.”
“Yes, Ma,” Jemima said with a smile.
Rebecca chuckled. “Since all my family is taking a day off from the regular routine, I think I’ll join Virginia so we can catch up on the last eleven years. Mingo, do you wish to join us?”
“Don’t do it,” Yadkin advised. “Gettin’ in the middle of women talk is enough to drive a man mad.”
Mingo grinned. “If it is all the same to you, Rebecca, I will stay here and allow you and your friend time to yourselves.”
“As you wish,” Rebecca replied, and then looked at her husband. “Dan, you will be back before dark, won’t you?
“As you wish,” Daniel said with a lopsided grin.
“You see, Dan’l,” Yadkin complained. “Women are always tellin’ a man what to do, when to come out of the woods, and when to clean the cabin. If they had their way, we’d have to ask permission to take our next breath.”
Rebecca smacked Yadkin’s arm as she came his way while clearing the table. “That’s not so, Carolina E. Yadkin,” she teased.
“And don’t sound like my sister,” Yadkin ordered.
“Dan, I think you’d better take Yad to the woods. He’s getting grumpy,” Rebecca advised.
“You bet I’m grumpy,” Yadkin said, rising to his feet. “And it’s because of women. They pester a man so. I was content until Virginia showed up and turned everything upside-down.” He marched to the door and collected his gear. “Comin’, Dan’l?”
“Yeah, sure,” Daniel said. He grinned as he watched Yadkin leave the cabin. “Ready, son?”
“Yes, Pa!” Israel raced for the door and joined Yadkin outside.
Daniel moved to grab his coonskin cap, rifle, and powder horn. Once he got his cap on his head, he kissed Rebecca, who had followed him to the door. “We’ll be back before dark.”
“You had better or I’ll take Yad’s new hunting knife, point it at your chin, and listen as you beg for your life,” Rebecca teased.
“In that case, we’ll be back long before dark,” Daniel said, going along with the spirit of the joke.
“Take care, Dan, and take care of our boy,” Rebecca said.
He nodded and left the cabin with Jemima following him. She was going to retrieve water from the well.
As Rebecca made her way to the alcove, she stopped to talk to Mingo. “I don’t think Yad realizes what a good sister he has in Virginia. She’s cheerful and kind. And there’s nothing wrong with a clean cabin.”
“For Yad, any kind of intrusion into his blissful bachelor life would be a colossal crisis. He relishes his solitude.” Mingo sighed “Perhaps, a bit too much, but that is Yad.”
“Yes, that is Yad.” Rebecca moved on to the alcove and prepared to wash dishes.
Mingo stood and only limped slightly as he made his way to the alcove as well.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I intend to assist you in washing dishes,” Mingo told her.
“How about that? I must tell Virginia. I got a man to help me without threatening to use a knife on him.”
As Jemima drew the water from the well, she noticed in the distance a man walking towards a far hill. Was this the same man that she and Israel had seen the day before? She couldn’t tell as he was much too far away. Besides, he wasn’t bothering them, so it didn’t really matter. Thinking no more of it, she untied the rope from the bucket and headed towards the cabin.
Mingo tested his ankle all the way from the Boone cabin to the fort. It was very much on the mend and hardly hurt at all. Soon, he sat in a chair in the tavern, sipping tea, with his legs resting on another chair. He listened as Cincinnatus practiced playing his fiddle for the upcoming wedding. At that moment, the tavern door opened, and Rebecca and Virginia entered.
“Mingo, what are you doing here?” Rebecca asked when she saw Mingo sitting near the fireplace.
“Resting, Rebecca,” he answered. “The ankle is much better.” He held it up and flexed it. “I could dance all night.”
“Could you now?” Rebecca asked skeptically.
“Let’s find out,” Virginia suggested. She went to Mingo and took his hand. “Sir, would you care to dance?”
“I would be delighted, madam,” Mingo responded gallantly. “Cincinnatus, play a lively tune, if you please.”
Cincinnatus chuckled. Then he began to play a spirited song as Mingo rose.
The two clasped hands and began to spin around the room. Rebecca clapped and tapped her foot in time with the music. A little over halfway through the song Virginia unexpectantly unhooked her hand from Mingo’s and waved Rebecca over to take her place. She did so. Mingo then spun Rebecca around the room.
When the song came to an end, they all offered their thanks to Cincinnatus for providing the music. Then they all sat at the table Mingo had occupied prior to the dance.
“I’d say that ankle is as good as new,” Virginia remarked. “Mingo, you’re a fine dancer. We will have to do this again soon.”
“It would be my pleasure, ladies,” Mingo said with a huge smile.
“Virginia, we must get the things we need and get back to the cabin. We have a lot of work to do before it gets dark,” Rebecca advised.
“I’d rather stay here and dance with Mingo, but my brother’s cabin must be cleaned,” Virginia said to Rebecca. She then rose and looked at the Cherokee. “I look forward to our next dance, Mingo.”
“As do I,” he remarked.
Rebecca and Virginia moved to the counter to place their order with Cincinnatus. At that moment, Mingo overheard Virginia say, “Where do Indians learn to dance like that? I wished now I had married one.”
Rebecca and Virginia spent an enjoyable day in one another’s company. They worked together to get the inside of Yadkin’s cabin looking as clean as the Royal Governor, Lord Dunsmore’s mansion. They talked endlessly about their lives since their parting eleven years before.
As the sun was setting in the west, Rebecca decided she should return home. As she opened the door to leave, Yadkin was just about to enter.
“Welcome back, Carolina,” Virginia said. “I was just about to put supper on.”
Yadkin came into the cabin, leaned his rifle against the wall, and hung his powder horn and tricorn hat on the peg. “Are you stayin’ for supper, Becky?” he asked.
“No,” Rebecca answered. “I must get home. If you’re back, Dan must be as well.”
Yadkin shook his head. “We met up with Blue Eagle, a Creek warrior, and a few of his braves. They were fussin’ about us takin’ their buffalo so Dan’l stayed behind to smooth their ruffled feathers. I brought Israel home and left him with Mingo. Dan’l said he’d try to be home in a couple of days.”
“A couple of days?” Virginia asked. “It takes that long to get a Creek’s nose back in joint?”
Rebecca nodded. “I think Dan spends half his time trying to keep peace with the Indians, but if it averts a war, it’s well worth it.”
“That’s for sure,” Yadkin agreed. “I’ll walk you home, Becky.”
“Why walk? Take the horse,” Virginia offered.
“I’m still goin’ along. We can ride double,” Yadkin said.
“Thank you, Virginia. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rebecca then left the cabin with Yadkin following.
After he saddled the horse, he helped her mount, and then he settled in behind her. “Did you and Virginia cluck like chickens today?” he asked in jest.
“Yes,” she answered. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear us while you were on the buffalo hunt.” When he didn’t say anything further, she picked up the conversation again. “Yad, you should spend time with Virginia while she’s here. She is your sister.”
“I didn’t ask her to come,” Yadkin said.
“You’re being cruel, Yad,” Rebecca chided him. “Has she done something to offend you?”
“No…I mean, yes,” he answered. “She comes here and right off starts givin’ me orders. Clean the cabin, Carolina. Fetch the wood, Carolina. Chink the walls, Carolina,” he said in a mocking tone. “She did that to me when we were kids, and I won’t have it in my own house.”
“Old habits are hard to break. She doesn’t mean to be demanding. It comes with being the oldest sister. I’ve heard Israel complain about Jemima over the same thing, but someday he’s going to realize what a caring sister he had when he was young. When are you going to realize that?”
“Aw, Becky, I know she cares,” he agreed and then paused to think a moment. “I should give up now or you two women will pester me until I do. I’ll go along with Virginia for awhile, but if she pushes me too far, I’m goin’ to the woods and I’m not comin’ back for a long, long spell.”
After seeing Rebecca home, Yadkin returned and walked into his clean cabin. Virginia already had supper waiting on the table for him. After he placed his things by the door, he took a seat beside her.
“You did a right smart good job cleanin’ up the place,” he told her. The cabin was in perfect order. The tools had been collected into a wooden box. The traps hung from nails on the wall. Not a speck of dust remained.
“Becky helped a lot. Actually, Carolina, if I may be honest with you.” She laid her hands on his arm. “We had such a good time that I was glad you went huntin’. It was just us two women, talkin’ and talkin’, and talkin’ some more. And there were no menfolk or young ‘uns interruptin’ us. I always did love Becky, and I had forgotten what good company she is.”
“Well, whenever you two want to get together, I’ll be happy to light out to the woods and take Dan’l and the young ‘uns with me,” Yadkin offered.
“I’m sure Becky and I will take you up on that.” She folded her hands together and placed them in her lap. “Carolina, after Becky and me talked some things over and I done some thinkin’, I want you to know that I’m goin’ to try to be a gracious guest and make our visit a good one. I will be pleasant and nice, and no more tellin’ you what to do all the time.” Then she added quickly. “But you try raisin’ a husband and seven young ‘uns and not come off soundin’ like a militia commander.”
Yadkin laughed and patted his sister’s back. “When you put it that way, I understand, but what was your excuse when we were young ‘uns?”
“Besides you to look after, there was Jersey, York, and Georgia. And those were just the ones Ma named for the colonies. Then came the young ‘uns with titles for their names; Earl, Baron, and Duchess. Poor Earl and Baron. Bless their souls. They died when they were so little.”
“Why didn’t Ma name us like everybody else?” he asked.
“I don’t know why,” she answered. “I never thought to ask her as I was too busy tellin’ my little brothers and sisters what to do.” She smiled and Yadkin did as well.
“Where’s my new knife?” Yadkin asked suddenly.
“Right there on the table.” Virginia pointed to it.
After taking his old knife out of the sheath at his waist, he set it on the table. He picked up the new one, admired it, and sheathed it. “You’re not threatening me with the point of my new knife anymore.”
She quickly picked up his old knife and placed its tip on his chin. “Then I will use your old one on you. Now, eat, Carolina,” she teased. “I command it insist.” She then placed the knife back down on the table.
He began dishing food onto his plate and smiled.
Virginia eyed the old knife. She frowned. “Oh, Carolina, that knife is filthy. How can a self-respectin’ hunter carry around a knife as dirty as that one?”
The nagging had already started, and after she had just got done saying she wasn’t going to do it anymore. Yadkin drew in a breath and contemplated bolting for the door again. He soon decided not to for two reasons; . one, he was hungry, and two, he practically promised Rebecca he would spend time with his sister. “I won’t be carryin’ it since I have a new knife,” he said at last.
“Still, that’s no excuse for havin’ such a dirty knife. I’ll clean it for-“ She suddenly stopped when she saw the disparaging look on her brother’s face. “It’s your knife. I reckon you can do what you want with it.”
“Thanks. I will,” Yadkin said, not failing to note the change in her demeanor. At that moment, she really was trying not to be a militia commander. “Aren’t you goin’ to eat?” he asked as he was about to take a bite.
“My, yes, I worked up quite an appetite today,” Virginia said. “Tell me about your day. I want to hear all about it.”
Yadkin looked at her in surprise. “You want to hear about huntin’? You’ve never wanted to hear it before.”
She nodded. “I want to now. Start talkin’, big man, or I’ll….” Her hand moved towards the old hunting knife.
He slapped his hand over hers. When he released her hand, she withdrew it. Then he picked up the old knife and threw it toward the wall, where it lodged in the timber, the handle quivering. He watched in amusement as shock registered on his sister’s face. “Now, I’ll tell you all about my day huntin’ without the threat of you usin’ that knife against me.”
Jemima closed her eyes and began to count as her little brother scampered to a hiding place. They were playing on the tall hill that their father affectionately called “Boone’s Hill”. It was located near the cabin and offered the best pickings for concealment. Israel didn’t take long to decide where to hide. His blond hair bounced as he ran towards a spot where he knew his sister would be sure to find him. The sport in the game to him was the chase. His competitive spirit drove him to make it back to the tree designated as home before she could catch him. The sooner she found him, the quicker to the chase, and quicker to the real fun of the game.
“Ten!’ Jemima called. Then she immediately began her search. She spotted him right away. He leaned against a tree no bigger than himself that was only a few inches thick at the base. She could see that he was watching her and just waiting for her to come after him. Obliging him, Jemima began her pursuit. Israel pushed off of the tree and ran in the opposite direction from home. The sound of his giggles echoed in the woods.
For one so small, he moved quickly, but Jemima was closing the gap until she suddenly came to a stop. “Israel!” she yelled. “You’re outside the boundary. I win by default.”
Israel heard her but kept running. He knew he had run past the established playing area. He also knew his sister would follow. The chase was sure to be a long one, and that thought filled him with delight. The boundary Jemima designated was much too small for his preference, so he just expanded it to suit him.
“Israel!” Come back here!” Jemima shouted as he disappeared out of her sight. “Israel! I’m telling Ma if you don’t get back here right now!” She leaned against a tree and waited for him to return.
He ignored her and kept running, but he eventually stopped when he realized she wasn’t coming after him. Then he pouted.
Why couldn’t his sister act like he expected her to? Resigned to the fact that the chase was over, he walked slowly back to the top of Boone’s Hill.
“Looking for me, boy?” a gravelly voice said from behind him and he felt someone grab the back of his shirt.
Israel turned around to see a man, a stranger, standing behind him. He appeared drunk and smelled like it, too. “No,” he replied. “Please, mister, let me go. I have to get to my sister.”
The man shook his head. “Can’t do that. You’ve been bad. You must be punished,” he told him.
Israel didn’t know what the man was talking about, but he was scaring him. He struggled to get away, but the man kept a firm grip on him. Calling for his sister to help him was out of the question. He feared the man would hurt her. He decided he would have to get out of this predicament himself. There was no one else nearby that he could think of to help him. “Please, mister,” Israel pleaded. “I gotta get home. My ma will be worried if I don’t come home soon.”
The man pulled the back of Israel’s shirt so hard the boy tumbled to the ground and landed on his back. “Your ma won’t have to bother herself with punishing you. I will do it for her.” The man pulled the shirt open, placed a knee in the middle of the boy’s chest and withdrew a knife from his sheath. Then he held it in front of Israel. “This will be a lesson to you to obey. One you will always remember.” Then the man swiftly made a downstroke and cut the skin on Israel’s chest across the heart. Blood immediately ran.
Shocked, Israel made no outcry. There was some pain, but it was tolerable. He was so filled with fear that tears sprung into his eyes. He wished his father would come to his rescue.
After laying his knife on the ground, the man pulled his own shirt open at the neck to reveal a scar that ran across his own heart. “You see, I had to learn this lesson too.” He picked up the knife and placed the point of it on Israel’s chin. “You won’t talk about this or anythin’ else. You won’t talk at all. If I hear you talkin’, I’m comin’ after you, and I’ll cut your heart out. You understand me, boy?”
Israel nodded. He was so frightened he could hear the beats of his heart ringing loudly in his ears.
“I mean it, boy, you talk and I’ll cut out your heart.” The man sheathed the knife and rose to his feet. “Run, boy.”
Not hesitating, Israel scrambled to his feet and ran from the man and away from Boone’s Hill. He turned his head to find the man was running after him. He knew he had to find a hiding place soon, because the man would catch up to him if he didn’t. Looking over his shoulder again, Israel didn’t see the man, but knew he still needed to hide. He found a thick stand of bushes and buried himself in them, and then took a moment to look around. The man wasn’t in sight. Israel decided to stay put for awhile, but not in the bushes themselves. He took a step back and felt himself lose balance. What he didn’t know was that he had positioned himself over a crevice. He desperately tried to cling to the branches of the bushes to keep himself from falling, but it was too no avail; he slipped to the rocks below.
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