Knife Point: Chapter 4
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.
Daniel attempted to trail after the man, but wasn't certain what direction he had taken. The man moved stealthily, and with no moon to light his tracks, Daniel knew he might be searching for him all night. He took one last look around, and made his way back to the settlement.
Yadkin met him not far from the fort. "Who were you runnin' after?" he asked.
"A stranger. He was about to come into the tavern, but lit out instead," Daniel explained.
"He probably got one look at my sister dancin' with an Indian and it scared the liver out of him," Yadkin said with a chuckle.
Daniel chortled. "That must have been it. Come on. I have to interrupt the party to make an announcement. It concerns what I suspect happened to Israel."
The two arrived back at the tavern just as Virginia and Mingo concluded their dance. He warned the patrons that someone had injured his son, and to beware of strangers lurking about. He asked them to spread the news to those that lived near them. Daniel knew it wouldn't be long before the whole settlement had been alerted. He also knew some would embellish the story, and that he would have to set everyone straight on just what the truth of the matter was.
Yadkin and Virginia went to visit the Boones. When Rebecca answered the door, she was delighted to see them. "Come in," she said with a smile.
"We came by to see how you all were doin'," Virginia explained as they stepped inside.
"We're doing fine. Israel is improving.somewhat," Rebecca said as her eyes landed on her son who was sitting at his father's feet and playing marbles on the floor near the fireplace. . She remembered how he had clutched the marble bag when Mingo returned it to him. It had seemed to give him a measure of comfort.
"I have something for him," Yadkin said to Rebecca. Then he moved towards the boy. "Howdy, Dan'l," he greeted the tall frontiersman sitting on the bench.
"Howdy, Yad," Daniel said.
When Yadkin came near, the boy looked up at the man with a mustache. He had a friendly face and Israel knew immediately that this wasn't the bad man.
"Israel, look what I have for you," Yadkin said as he held out his palm and knelt down beside him.
The boy peered into his hand and a smile broke across his face. He took the marbles from Yadkin's hand and then hugged him tightly. Then he mixed the new marbles with the old ones and started his game over again. Yadkin joined him.
"It was Carolina's idea to get him gift. She said nothin' cheers a body more than somebody givin' 'em a present."
"Israel thanks you both and maybe one day he will tell you that," Rebecca said.
"His smile is enough, Becky," Virginia said. "While Carolina and Israel are playin' their game, I suggest us ladies talk over a cup of coffee."
"Virginia, I was just going to suggest that as well." After Rebecca brought out the coffee pot, the two women sat at the table and began to talk.
A second knock at the door brought Daniel off the bench. The ladies continued their chat oblivious to everything except what they said. .Daniel opened the door to find his Cherokee friend standing before him. "Mingo, come on in."
"I need to speak to you privately, Daniel," Mingo said seriously.
"All right," he said. He exited the cabin and shut the door behind him. "Trouble?"
Mingo nodded. "A group of Cherokee warriors were on a hunt when one of the small boys with them wandered away. When they found him, he was pinned to the ground by a white man, who was holding a knife to the boy's chest. The man ran when he saw the hunters approach. They pursued him, but he had made good his escape. Whoever this man is, he is an excellent woodsman. He covers his tracks very well. The hunters were unable to find him, and they conducted a thorough search."
"Sounds like this man could be the one who harmed Israel," Daniel said.
"The cases are very similar," Mingo agreed. "The hunters and the boy provided a very good description of the man. He's tall, heavy-set, wears greasy buckskins and smells of alcohol. His hair is dark; his eyes are brown, and he's clean-shaven. We should inform the settlers so they can watch for this man."
Daniel eyes went wide. He had seen him . "That describes the man that came to the tavern that night when we went to warn the settlers. He gripped his rifle tighter and his voice became edgy. "I should have found him that night."
"Had you known then what you know now, you would have," Mingo assured him. "I am on my way to the area where he was last seen to search it myself. I knew you would want to come as well."
"I do. ." Daniel placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll tell the settlers that if they find him, they are to restrain him, and bring him in for trial in Salem. Yad's inside. We'll take him along. That is, if he's done shootin' marbles with Israel."
Away from Israel's ears, Daniel explained the situation to Rebecca. He also gave her the description of the man as Mingo had related it to him. After a stop at the settlement to spread the word about the man, Daniel, Mingo, and Yadkin made their way to the area where the incident with the Cherokee boy had taken place. Like the Cherokee hunters, they also conducted a thorough search, but they came no closer than the Indians had to identifying the man. They stayed the night in the area and resumed the search the next day. Still, they found nothing of significance. In the end, all they had were their suspicions that the man was loitering in the area. Still, each of them believed that eventually he would turn up, and when he did, they all wanted to be in vicinity.
A few days later Israel sat on the porch shooting marbles as Daniel chopped firewood. He set his booted foot atop the tree stump and stopped to watch his son for a moment. Then, with a two-handed grip on the ax handle, he laid it across his leg. Israel lifted his head and smiled at Daniel, who returned the grin in kind. The boy then rose and went inside the cabin. He soon returned bearing a mug. Rebecca followed behind him.
He handed the mug to his father and Daniel accepted it. "Thanks, son." After gulping the drink, Daniel wiped his mouth with his rolled up sleeve. He saw Rebecca glare at him in response to his uncouth behavior, but she said nothing. At that moment, Daniel's stomach growled loudly.
Rebecca laughed and Israel grinned broadly.
"Isra'l, I'm a mite hungry. Would you bring me some carrots?" Daniel asked as he rubbed a hand across his stomach.
Israel immediately made his way to the cabin. Then he stopped suddenly and turned to face them. He held up two fingers. Daniel held up five of his. Without further ado, Israel mounted the porch and went inside their home.
Daniel straightened and placed an arm around his wife's shoulder. "Now, there's somethin' good to see."
"In his own way, he asked how many carrots you wanted," Rebecca concurred. "Little by little he is improving." She was pleased with this positive step.
They became silent and Daniel knew what they both were thinking. How soon before the boy was his usual self? Only God knew, and Daniel had entrusted his son to His care some time ago. He was willing to be patient for however long it took.
Israel emerged from the cabin, bearing the carrots. He was joined by Hannibal as he waddled around the corner of the cabin. When Israel reached Daniel, he handed the carrots to him. "Thanks, son. Would you like one?"
Israel looked up into his father's green eyes. He wanted to answer him, but the bad man might hear. Instead, he turned and went back to the porch with Hannibal on his heels to play with his marbles. The goose then wandered away.
"Good try, Dan," Rebecca remarked. "Maybe next time he'll answer."
Daniel nodded and then bit off a portion of the carrot as he stared into the distance.
Coming into view were Jemima, Yadkin, and Virginia. He watched as Jemima waved and he waved back. Then, with his peripheral vision, he watched as a blond- haired boy race towards the trio.
"Israel, be careful!" Rebecca hollered. "Dan, if he falls -"
"It's all right, Becky," Daniel reassured her. He knew she feared Israel would fall and land on his head injury, but they couldn't restrain him completely.
Yadkin opened his arms and Israel ran into them. Then he threw the boy up in the air. As he did, he heard Rebecca gasp. He caught him on the way down and carried him for a short time before setting him down. Yadkin then made a quick look around for the goose. He was relieved it was nowhere in sight. The whole group met Daniel and Rebecca on the porch.
"Yadkin." Rebecca said, her tone stern. She placed her hands on her hips. "What if you had dropped Israel just now? He's already recovering from - one serious injury; he doesn't need to add more."
"I'm sorry, Becky," Yadkin apologized . "I didn't think is all. It won't happen again." He knew it was best not to argue with her when she was protecting her young. If he tried, he'd be hurt worse than what Israel had been.
Still miffed at him, Rebecca, nonetheless became the congenial hostess. "Let's all go inside, shall we?"
Israel went to collect his marbles as the others proceeded inside. He followed them into the cabin and then shut the door behind him before joining them at the table. He came to stand beside Jemima, who had brought mugs to the table. Rebecca then began pouring out tea for those that desired it. When she had finished, everyone took their seats except for Israel who moved to stand behind his father, and placed his small hands on his big shoulders.
"Israel, I brought you something." Yadkin held out his fisted hand.
Israel moved to stand beside his father's friend and reached for Yadkin's hand. Immediately, he began to pry his fingers apart. The boy's face turned to delight when he saw what they held. There were five more marbles to add to his growing collection. After he hugged Yadkin's neck, he took the marbles and went back to stand behind his father. He put the new marbles inside of his bag and left it open. .
"We came by to show you the new hunting knife my husband made for Yadkin. Well, that's the excuse we're using." Virginia chuckled. "Anyway, the old one he had couldn't cut the hide off a squirrel. Carolina, show them the knife."
Yadkin brought the knife out of the sheath and handed it to Virginia, who held up for all to see. It was a fine piece of craftsmanship. The handle was engraved with Yadkin's name, and the blade was made from the finest blue steel. They all looked at it as if it was the greatest of all knives.
Israel wasn't among the admirers. When he saw the knife, he turned pale, took a step back, and dropped his marble bag. The marbles crashed to the floor and some rolled out of it. They all raised their heads at the unexpected sound and looked towards Israel. Rebecca instantly started around the table to be with her son.
As he took another step back, Israel placed his fingertips atop his chest wound. Taking an additional step, he slipped on a marble and fell to his knees. By that time, Rebecca was standing in front of him. He clutched at her skirt and pulled himself up. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his head into her side. 'Ma', he thought. 'Make the bad knife go away. Ma, I'm so scared. Please, make the bad knife go away. It wants to hurt me. The bad man cut me with a bad knife. Please, Ma. Please, make the bad knife go away.'
Rebecca placed her hands on her son's back and felt him tremble. It didn't take a genius to realize how frightened the boy was. His death-like grip on her was uncomfortable, but she decided she wouldn't attempt to talk him into releasing it. She had another plan. "Israel, come with me." As she led him to his bed, he didn't loosen his hold whatsoever. Rebecca sat on the bed and as she did, Israel released her long enough to wrap his arms around her neck.
Daniel joined them. He didn't have anything to offer to ease the situation. He stood by the pair, ready to come to his wife's or his son's aid when they needed him.
Just then, Jemima came over carrying Israel's marble bag. She held it in front of him. "Israel, look. Here are your marbles, and here are the new ones Yad gave you."
The boy opened his eyes to see his marbles in her hand. He took them from her and then sat on the bed beside his mother. Rebecca placed her arm around his shoulder. He was no longer trembling. In fact, he seemed quite calm now. He held up a bright blue marble to her and placed it near her eye and smiled.
"The color of the marble matches your eyes, Becky," Daniel observed.
Israel looked at his father and then back to his marble bag. He extracted one and held it for Daniel to see.
"I reckon that matches my eyes, son," Daniel said.
"It does," Jemima chimed in.
Virginia came into Israel's view and he leaned back towards his mother. Did she bring the bad knife with her? No, he decided. Her hands were empty. He sat back up again and began fingering his marbles.
"I want to apologize," Virginia said, her voice cracking. "I would never want to hurt your boy. I am so sorry for upsettin' him."
Rebecca came to her and she embraced the older woman. "If you could have known how he would react, I know you wouldn't have shown him Yadkin's gift. He's fine as you can see. Nothing a few marbles couldn't fix."
Virginia went and sat beside the boy. "Israel, I am very sorry. The next time I show you a gift I will be certain you will like it."
Israel looked up at her, smiled, and showed her a brown marble that matched her eyes. All was forgiven, Virginia decided.
Rebecca insisted that she would stay home with Israel while Daniel and Jemima attended Jennifer O'Toole's wedding that afternoon and the grand party afterwards. The elder Boones feared that Israel might react badly to something like he did when he had seen Yadkin's new knife. Since they weren't certain what had happened to Israel that day, they didn't know what might upset him. And yet, he hadn't taken a step backwards because of the incident. In spite of it all, he had improved a little by starting to nod and shake his head in response to 'yes' and 'no' questions. He didn't always do it, but Rebecca accepted whatever positive progress he made.
She sat on the porch snapping beans while Israel tied a rope around the porch columns. His marble bag was at his feet. At that moment, Yadkin approached them, riding on his sister's horse.
"Howdy, Becky. , Israel," Yadkin greeted them and then dismounted. He hid an object behind his back.
"You left the party early, Yad," Rebecca remarked.
"Yep, I brought you and Israel a little somethin'," Yadkin explained. He brought an object out from behind his back. He pulled the cloth back and there was wedding cake.
Israel drew near and peered at it and licked his lips.
"I think Israel is pleased with the treat." She laid the beans aside, stood, and then addressed her son. "Israel, go inside and set the table. When you're done, we'll eat cake."
The boy smiled and quickly made his way to the interior of the cabin.
"Becky," Yadkin said as he came to stand beside her. "How's he doin'? After the other night, I thought he might be worse off."
"All I can say, Yad, is that he's improving," Rebecca answered.. "The bump on his head is almost gone, as well as the bruising. The chest wound is almost healed. As far as him talking, there hasn't been a peep from him, but he will talk again. I'm trusting the Lord to help him recover completely from whatever he experienced that awful day."
"I'm sure he will," Yadkin agreed. "And if I get a hold of the man who hurt him -"
"You'll restrain him so he can stand trial in Salem," Rebecca finished for him. "We're trying to build a civilized land, and that can't happen if we take justice into our own hands."
"Have you been talkin' to Dan'l? You sound just like him."
She smiled and entered the cabin to find that Israel had the plates and forks on the table. He had even included a plate for Yadkin. They had just begun to sit down when Israel darted outside.
"Somethin' wrong with the cake?" Yadkin asked, looking at it intently.
Rebecca chuckled. "I think he left his marble bag outside. He's never without it lately."
Before retrieving his marble bag and returning for the cake, Israel decided to go to pet the horse. . It nickered at the attention it was receiving.
From behind the other side of the horse, a familiar man appeared. Israel took a step back. The bad man had come. He didn't know why. He had obeyed him. He hadn't spoken. And yet the bad man was here. 'Ma! Ma!' he screamed in his head. 'Help me! Ma, help me! The bad man is going to cut out my heart.'
"I told you I was coming back for you, boy," the man said sinisterly as he pulled his knife out of its sheath. He rounded the horse to its front. "I'm going to drive the point of my knife straight into your heart and then pluck it out."
Israel shook his head and took another step back. He stepped on his marble bag and lost his balance as some of the marbles rolled out, but was able to stay upright. Then he took another step backward as the man continued to advance.
A moment later, he watched the man step on the marbles and crash to the porch. In his fright he didn't think clearly, and instead of running for the confines of the cabin, Israel ran for the woods. The man rose and followed the scared boy.
Rebecca and Yadkin hurried out of the cabin to see a man chasing after Israel. With rifle in hand, Yadkin ran after him. He wasn't about to allow the man to harm a hair on the boy's head.
Israel ran into a gully and followed it back towards the cabin. He hoped he was small enough that the bad man couldn't see him. Soon he realized his strategy had worked because the bad man's pace slowed considerably and he dropped out of sight.
The man turned towards him and raised his knife. "Drop the knife and come along peaceable," he ordered.
The man sneered and said snidely, "What do you aim to do?"
"You're bound for Salem to stand trial for harmin' two little boys. Though, if I had my way, I'd drop you dead right here and right now."
"I just may let you do that, mister," the man said with a quirky grin that sent shivers down Yadkin's spine. "The old man, my stepfather, always told me I'd come to a bad end. He used to punish me all the time. He was the one who put this here scar on me when I was a young 'un." The man pulled his shirt back to reveal a scar running diagonally across his chest over his heart, and pointed to it with his knife. "He told me that some are born with bad hearts; full of blackness and evil, and I was one of them. There are others like me, so I find young'uns and punish them when I see they're bad."
Yadkin waited a few moments and then approached the still figure. He then picked up the knife that the man had dropped after he shot him. He looked it over and noticed it had ornamentation similar to his own. 'No wonder the boy was upset when he saw mine,' he thought. "You miserable piece of slime," Yadkin addressed the corpse, " you got what you deserved. You'll not hurt another child, and I hope your soul is burnin' in perdition's flames right now."
He kicked dirt on the body, threw the knife so that it was planted in the ground not far from its head, and then made his way back to the Boone cabin to check on Israel. He hoped the boy had returned there, otherwise, he would have to go look for the terrified child.
When Yadkin came around the corner of the cabin, he heard Israel crying from within. He entered the cabin through the open doorway and saw Rebecca holding him in her lap as he wept on her shoulder. She murmured comforting words to him. He heard her tell him that the bad man was gone and would never hurt him again. He was safe in his home.
When Rebecca looked towards the door, Yadkin mouthed, 'He's dead.'
She nodded. Then she planted a kiss to the top of her son's head.
As quietly as Yadkin entered, he left to inform Daniel that the one who had harmed his son was dead, and that his wife and child needed him at home.
"Ma?" a sweet voice asked.
"Yes, dear," Rebecca answered while stirring the squash in the pot over the fire.
"Are we goin' to be eatin' soon? I'm really hungry."
"Well, darling, as soon as your father and Jem-" Rebecca stopped suddenly. She straightened and then she turned slowly to see Israel moving towards the table. She watched him take a seat and rest his chin in the palm of his hand. His fingers drummed a beat against the side of his face. It was the day after the bad man had come after him. Since then, he had become more like himself, although he had not yet spoken until just this moment. She was in shock. It had been three weeks since she last heard his voice. "You didn't have much to eat all day. Would you like bread and butter?" she offered.
He enthusiastically nodded his head.
She brought the bread and butter to the table. She hesitated before picking up the knife to slice the bread. The sight of it might send him into that pit of terror he had emerged from. Still, she felt she had to test the waters. Slowly, she picked up the knife. Israel watched as she did so. Then she sliced the bread, put butter on it, and handed it to him.
"Thanks, Ma," he said with a smile. Then he took a huge bite. It made him look like chipmunk that had loaded its mouth full of acorns. After he swallowed, he started to take another bite, but stopped himself.
"Israel," Rebecca asked hesitantly, "do you remember the day you were playing on Boone's Hill with Jemima?"
The boy ate and thought at the same time. "Yep," he finally answered. "We took Hannibal with us."
Rebecca knew by that he did recall events prior to his injury. "Do you remember going to Boone's Hill after the time when Hannibal went along?"
"Nope," he replied. "We haven't been back since. You want to go, Ma? We can go together."
"Not today, dear." She was having a difficult time believing that he couldn't remember the man who had hurt him on Boone's Hill. She decided to continue questioning him. "Have you seen anyone not from Boonesborough lately?"
"Yep," he replied with a nod. "Yad's sister, Virginia. She has a lot of kids. I wish she'd brought them with her so I could play with them."
"Besides Virginia, have you met any other new people?
"Nope, but I want to see Yad. Do you reckon he'll bring me more marbles?"
"I think Yad has given you enough marbles," Rebecca answered. It seemed Israel was able to recollect most all events except the one that had caused him injury. She didn't pretend to understand how this could be, but she was thankful for it.
"Ma, when's Pa gettin' back?" he asked suddenly.
"He should be home soon," Rebecca replied as she took a seat beside him.
"Today?" he asked excitedly.
"I should think so."
"He thought he might be a spell makin' a deal with Blue Eagle." Israel took his last bite of bread.
Rebecca realized that Israel's memory had reverted to the time when his father had met up with the Creek warrior, Blue Eagle. That incident had occurred before his injury. Was it really possible he couldn't recall the man who had terrorized him with a knife? She prayed it was so. As far as she could tell he was acting in his usual way, as if that terrible day had never happened.
The cabin door came open and Daniel was the first across the threshold. Jemima, Yadkin, and Virginia followed him. Immediately after Daniel deposited his rifle and powder horn by the door, his son came flying into his arms.
"Pa, did you make a deal with Blue Eagle?" the boy asked.
Stunned, Daniel didn't say anything. His formerly mute son was talking now and appeared to be himself. He couldn't help but think he was holding a miracle in his arms. The others with him were just as astonished and were as speechless as Israel had once been. "Ah.ah." he stammered. "Yes, yes, I made a deal with Blue Eagle."
"I knew you could do it, Pa," Israel said with a smile. Then he looked towards Yadkin, who was standing beside his father. His eyes roamed down and locked on Yadkin's knife. "Did you get a new huntin' knife, Yad?"
"Ah..ah..yeah, I got a new knife," Yadkin replied. Then he covered the handle with his hand.
"Can I see it?" the boy asked expectantly.
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Virginia said, recalling the first time when Israel had become filled with great fear.
"Not right now, Israel." Daniel put his son down. "Maybe another day."
Yadkin absentmindedly uncovered the knife's handle. Israel, who had been watching closely, raced to see it. Yadkin tried to cover it again with his hand , but it was too late. Israel had already seen it clearly.
"Gosh almighty, it's got your name on it, and it's so purty too," Israel said. "Where'd you get it?"
"Virginia's husband made it for me," Yadkin replied.
"When I get old enough, you reckon your husband will make me a knife like that with my name on it, and all that fancy stuff on the handle?" Israel asked Virginia.
"I'm sure he will," she assured him.
The group moved towards the table, but Virginia stayed by the door. Rebecca noticed and joined her there. "Something wrong?" she asked the other woman.
"Oh, no. Everythin' is right as rain. Israel is goin' to be fine just as you said. He's that delightful boy I met when I first arrived. It's an answer to prayer, isn't it?"
Rebecca nodded.
"Israel is mended and except for the first day or two, I have had an enjoyable visit with my brother. Have I told you? We have a truce; I don't tell him what to do, and I can sing and dance at the tavern all I want. See, everything is practically perfect," Virginia explained. "Also, I've decided to leave soon, and I'd like to take Jemima and Israel back with me. Would you consider swappin' them for a couple of my orneriest young 'uns?"
Rebecca shook her head. "Not even if you pointed a knife-" She paused, thinking her joke was inappropriate given recent events. "I mean no."
"No?" Virginia asked incredulously. "All right, how about if I just give you a couple of kids? Take more if you like."
"Virginia, quit trying to give them young 'uns of yours away," Yadkin said as he came to stand beside his sister. He had heard her offer to Rebecca as he approached the women. "She even tried to give a few of them to me."
"And he refused his own kin. What kind of uncle is that?" Virginia asked.
"The best kind," Israel said as he came alongside Yadkin. "He brings me presents. Yad, do you have anymore marbles for me?"
"Only what's fallen out of my head, boy," Yadkin replied. He reached behind his ear and then presented his fist to Israel, who opened his hand. In it were three new marbles.
They broke into laughter and joined the others at the table.
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