Spider's Web: 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.
After Daniel entered the camp, he looked around. He didn't find anything out of the ordinary. He saw that Hattie was sitting on the ground with Rebecca hovering over her. "Becky, are you all right? Who screamed?"
"That was Hattie," Rebecca answered. "She saw a spider."
"I.hate.spiders," Hattie cried, between sniffles. "I hate 'em. I hate 'em. I hate 'em."
"You screamed like that because you saw a spider?" Daniel asked incredulously. "Young lady, you scared half the life out of me. I thought you and Becky were in serious trouble."
"It was big and black, and creepy lookin'," Hattie replied angrily. She pulled the haversack strap away from her neck and then came to stand before him with her hands on her hips. She had to throw her head way back to see the bottom of Daniel's chin; he was much taller than she was. "I got scared and screamed, and if you don't like it then you can just go kiss that spider." She lifted her knee and stomped on Daniel's foot. He howled and hopped around as she ran into the woods.
"Dan, you've upset her," Rebecca chided him. "I agree she over-reacted, but she was frightened."
How was it possible for him to always be on the wrong side of these women? He longed to be with Mingo, who accustomed to life in the woods. He was never this much trouble. "Becky, it was only a spider." Daniel put weight on his foot to test it for damage. There didn't appear to be any.
"It was only a spider to you, but to her it may as well have been a grizzly bear," Rebecca explained. "Now, go apologize to her."
"Apologize?" Daniel asked. "For what? I didn't do anything. She should apologize to me for scaring me like she did, and for stomping on my foot."
"Daniel, apologize because you know it's the right thing to do." Rebecca decided to put it in terms he would readily understand. Doing the right thing was one of Daniel Boone's mottos.
Snarling, Daniel said, "If I weren't a man, I'd scream."
"Try a sigh, dear. It might make you feel better."
"I don't sigh either," Daniel groused as he moved towards the woods. "Not if I can help it anyway."
The tall frontiersman limped slightly as he called for Hattie, but there was no answer. He finally found her not far from camp, leaning against a tree. Her back was towards him. She seemed to have calmed down and was drying her eyes with her sleeve. "Hattie, I'm sorry." He didn't know why he was apologizing, but if it would bring peace to the camp then so be it.
"It's not your fault, Daniel," Hattie said, turning around to face him. "I got real scared is all. I'm sorry I hurt your foot."
"No harm done." He raised his foot and wiggled it to show her it was still flexible. "What do you say we get back to camp? I haven't had my supper yet and I'm a mite hungry."
"All right," Hattie answered as she hooked her hand into his proffered arm and covered her bag with the other.
As they walked back towards the camp, Daniel turned playful. He smiled broadly. "Hattie, there's a snake above your head," he said as he pointed to a branch. Hattie drew in a breath and was about to bellow another scream, but Daniel clamped a hand over her mouth. Apparently, she didn't understand he was teasing. "Let me guess. You're afraid of snakes too." He watched as she nodded. "I'm sorry again. It was only a joke; a very bad one. Can we make a deal? You don't scream anymore, and I won't josh you about spiders and snakes." After she nodded her head again, Daniel withdrew his hand. "Oh, and one more thing. Don't tell my wife about that lame snake joke. She'll read me the riot act all night long."
"I won't," Hattie said as she smiled, "until I need to."
"Thanks.I think." He escorted Hattie back to the camp. Once there, Rebecca then served them what was left of the stew. Hattie declined since she had already eaten. Daniel took what was left, and then the three of them talked for awhile around the fire. When he was close to finishing, Daniel remembered he had something to tell his wife. "Oh, by the way, their names are Luke and Barney."
Hattie looked at Daniel intently. He didn't notice because his head was turned as he was preparing to scoop another bite of stew. Rebecca stared at him as well.
"You mean those men you shared our stew with?" Rebecca asked.
While he nodded his head, Daniel took in another mouthful. He waited to speak until he had chewed and swallowed. "You wanted me to find out, so I did."
"Thank you. I'll be able to sleep tonight knowing that those strangers aren't nameless anymore," Rebecca jested, and then she munched on a biscuit.
"Barney was downright joyous to get the stew." Daniel drank from his mug of coffee to wash down the last of the stew. "Luke didn't seem to care one way or the other. I don't think he knows what Barney and I know. That stew was great. You've outdone yourself, Becky."
"Thank you, dear," Rebecca said. "I'm pleased it pleases you."
Hattie stood and smoothed out her skirt. "I think I'll walk around in the woods a bit. I'm feeling restless."
"That's not a good idea," Daniel advised. "It's dark, and there are spiders out there."
Rebecca smacked Daniel's arm as he gave her a lopsided grin.
"I'll be fine. I just need to walk. I'm missin' my Jake something fierce right now, and I need to be alone," Hattie explained. "You understand, don't you?"
"Certainly." Rebecca poured herself another mug of coffee. "Don't be too long. It really isn't safe to stray too far."
As she turned towards the woods, she placed her hand securely on the top of her haversack. "I won't," she agreed.
The Boones watched Hattie leave camp. Daniel's thoughts were on something peculiar he had noticed about Hattie. "Becky, why do you think she wears that bag around her neck? She hasn't parted with it since we picked her up this morning."
"Maybe she's attached to it," Rebecca replied with a laugh.
"You're quite the comedian," Daniel observed as he smiled in her direction. "I've never seen anyone carry a pouch like that with them all the time. I bet she sleeps with it tonight."
"Dan, it's really not any of our business. Besides, some folks might consider it odd that you keep a knife in your boot," Rebecca pointed out.
"What folks?"
"No one in particular," Rebecca answered, before returning to their original topic of discussion. "What are you thinking? What do you think she's carrying in her haversack?"
"Something valuable. Well, at least, valuable to her," Daniel answered.
"Do you propose forcing her to part with it just so you can sneak a peek inside?"
"Not without cause. Still, you have to admit it's mighty peculiar." Daniel squeezed his chin in thought. "I do know that it isn't filled with spiders and snakes. I found out she's afraid of snakes too."
"She's not the only one," Rebecca said. "Ireland is a sensible land. It doesn't have snakes. I remember when we were courting and that copperhead snake appeared; seemingly out of nowhere. It was the first snake I had ever seen in my life." She hugged herself as if to ward off the worst effects of recalling the incident. "It still sends shivers down my spine when I think of that day."
"It gives me a headache when I think of it," Daniel said as he rubbed the side of his head. "In your fright, you clouted me first; then the snake."
"I told you then I was sorry and that it was an accident." Rebecca impersonated a little girl and made a pouty face. "Besides, it didn't bother you too much, or you wouldn't have married me."
"Becky, I was so in love with you back then you could have clouted me many times over and I wouldn't have cared."
"And now?" Rebecca prodded.
"And now what?" Daniel asked.
"And now are you still so in love with me?"
Daniel knew he was being set up. "Is there some doubt?" he teased.
"Daniel Boone!" Rebecca chided.
"Let this answer your question," Daniel said as he leaned towards her. Then, he wrapped his arms around her and then planted a passionate kiss on her lips. They remained that way for some time. Later, he released his hold, but kept her in his embrace.
"Yep." She smiled. "You still do."
"I do what?" Daniel asked.
"You still love me as much now as you did back when we courted," Rebecca replied.
Daniel shook his head. "I love you more now." He locked lips with hers again.
Hattie approached the kissing pair and sighed. "Oh, how I'd love to be smoochin' with my Jake just like you're doing now." As she watched, they broke apart. Daniel looked a little embarrassed, while Rebecca just smiled. "I didn't know old people like you all still do that."
"We do," Daniel admitted, "but not usually in front of an audience."
The following afternoon, Daniel lay on top of the supplies as they traveled the road. It was Rebecca who had insisted on driving the team so he could rest today. Leaving her with a warning to be on the alert for highwaymen, he had found a soft spot and prepared to sleep. As he did, he thought about their quest. He had kept watch all night and noticed that Hattie did indeed slumber with her haversack draped around her neck. He wondered again what it could contain that she couldn't bear to be parted from. As Rebecca had said it wasn't really any of his business, and yet is curiosity had been aroused. He would find out what it was she was protecting - eventually.
With a glance over her shoulder, Rebecca checked on her husband. His eyes were closed, so she assumed he was asleep. Last night, she had offered to stand half the watch, but he wouldn't allow it. He had stayed awake all night to ensure their safety.
"You care a lot for him, don't you?" Hattie asked from her seat beside the redhead.
"It shows, doesn't it?" Rebecca answered as Hattie nodded. "We've been married for more years than I care to count, and yet it only seems like yesterday when we were as young as you and just starting our lives together. If I had to choose all over again, I'd still choose him. He's not perfect. He can be stubborn, hardheaded, and too determined for his own good, but he can be so loving and caring too. What about your Jake?"
Hattie smirked. "Jake's nothing like Daniel. He was always pretty shiftless. Then he decided to join the army. Now, he only sees his army duty and having a wife gets in the way of that. Becky, I was wondering - would it be all right if I rode back to Salem with you? That is, if you're going back to Salem. I know Jake won't let me stay with him."
"I'm sure that will be fine, but I'll have to check with Dan," Rebecca replied. "We're just staying overnight in Colonel Ives' camp. You won't have much time with Jake."
"I'd like to stay with Jake longer, but he'll probably want me to ride back with you for safety reasons," Hattie said as she adjusted the haversack strap to rest on her shoulder.
"It's probably wise, Hattie."
Suddenly, Skinny took off at a run. The resulting jerk nearly caused Daniel to roll off the wagon. However, as Rebecca pulled back on the reins and quickly regained control of the horse, he was able to catch himself. Almost immediately, the animal went back to walking.
Daniel sat up. "Becky, if you wanted me awake a simple 'Dan, wake up' would have sufficed. You didn't have to nearly toss me to the ground."
"I didn't want you awake, but Skinny must have," Rebecca countered with a grin.
"When we get back to Salem, I'm going to ask Walter why he teamed two horses together who are so very different from one another. Skinny wants to run, and Missy wants to drag her feet."
"Maybe he's trying to work Missy up to Skinny's standards," Rebecca suggested.
"Maybe, but we're the ones having to fight Skinny to keep her slowed down. Why don't you let her trot for now and work out some of that spirit she has today."
"Hang on," Rebecca warned the other two as she sent the horses into a gallop. Daniel was pretty sure that wasn't what he had ordered, but he got it nonetheless. He held on as Hattie did the same until Rebecca sensed that Skinny was ready to walk again.
That evening after attending to the horses, Daniel went to the creek and hauled out enough fish to feed the three of them. After he returned to camp, he impaled the fish on a stick and placed them over a fire. He knelt as he rotated the stick so that the fish cooked evenly. Then he stood and turned towards the wagon. To his surprise, he ran into Hattie, who had her haversack open and was arranging some of the items inside. She crashed to the ground. As she did, an object rolled out of her bag. She scrambled to retrieve it, but before she could, Daniel saw that it was a bottle of ink. Hattie scooped it up and quickly returned it to her haversack in an attempt to conceal what it was. Daniel bent down to help her to her feet all the while wondering why she would be so protective of a bottle of ink. "I apologize, Hattie. I thought you were by the wagon with Becky. I didn't know you were standing so close." Daniel let his hand fall to the bag as he helped her up. "Here, let me give you a hand."
Hattie jerked the haversack away from him and held it close to her body. "Don't touch it!" she shouted. "It's mine!"
Startled, Daniel said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anythin'. I was just tryin' to help." He was puzzled by her negative reaction.
"You've already helped quite enough," Hattie said angrily. "You tried running me over on the road and again just now. What's the matter with you?"
"Dan can be clumsy." Rebecca stepped between the two of them. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"I'm fine, Becky. I don't think your oaf of a husband could really harm me," Hattie retorted, still angry.
"Not intentionally," Rebecca said in defense of her husband.
Hattie quieted and sighed. She brought one hand up to the side of her head. "I'm sorry, Daniel. This bag and what's in it belonged to my father. He gave it to me before he died, and it's my most precious and treasured possession. I'm very fond of it."
Daniel wanted to say that she was obsessed with it, but thought better of it. "I understand. I'll try to be a little less clumsy and stay clear of your bag. Agreed?"
"I would appreciate that."
"I think supper's ready. Shall we eat?" Rebecca said, trying to lighten the air. Then, she went to the wagon to retrieve the bowls, mugs, and utensils that Daniel was going to get before he knocked Hattie down.
"Please start without me." Hattie brushed a tear from her eye. "I need to be alone."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Rebecca asked.
"No, I need to be by myself to think about my father," Hattie answered as she turned towards the woods.
As soon as she was sufficiently far away from the camp, Hattie looked into her bag and fingered the items inside. She smiled. Nothing was broken or damaged. "Everything is all right, Luke, my darling," she whispered. "The plan can proceed without alteration."
There was a small rustle in the bushes and two men stepped into Hattie's view. "Hattie," Luke said as he greeted her. His outstretched arms reached for her and she melted into them. As she kissed his cheek, he added, "Hattie, may I introduce my new associate, Barnabas Roland."
"Good evening, dear lady." Barney took her hand in his and kissed it. He was dressed in his finest, which certainly wasn't the case when they had unexpectedly run into Daniel Boone a few nights before. "You are very beautiful. Your husband, Jay Cobb, is a lucky man."
Hattie remained silent at first, but glanced at Luke. His eyes told her to go along with what Barney said. "Yes, yes, he is. I'll be sure to tell him that."
"Now that the introductions are out of the way we have business to discuss." Luke pointed at Hattie's haversack. "Do you have everything you need in there?"
She patted the bag and grinned. "Everything."
"Good. Let's go over the plan then." Luke led his companions farther into the woods.
Back at the camp, the Boones sat around the campfire eating supper in silence. Daniel was deep in thought. He took a bite of fish. "Becky, wouldn't you say that Hattie had another over-reaction?" He looked towards the tree line as if he expected she might appear any minute.
"It seemed that way," Rebecca replied, "but she did explain about the bag."
"I think she's hiding something, but I can't be sure of what it is," Daniel admitted. "Being a woman, you might have a better understanding than I do. Do you have any ideas?"
"I can't imagine what she could be hiding either," Rebecca admitted. "Maybe she's just a little unstable. That could be the reason her husband joined the army. Perhaps he couldn't tolerate her sudden changes in mood."
"Could be, but I think there's something more going on, and it has something to do with that bottle of ink that rolled out of her bag. She didn't want us seein' it or knowin' what it was."
"You may be right, Dan. We'll just have to watch her and see what she does next." Then, Rebecca chuckled. "You seem to evoke these outbursts in her. What are you going to do next?"
"I don't know, but I'll come up with something. Here she comes," he said when he noticed Hattie's approach. "Pucker up. We'll give her another show."
Rebecca slapped his arm as he chortled. Hattie came to sit beside them. She seemed her cheery self once again. "Feeling better, Hattie?" she asked.
"Much. All I needed was a few moments to myself." Hattie reached for a bowl of the fish and vegetable mix that Rebecca had fixed.
Daniel sipped his coffee while he looked at Hattie's bag and then he quickly averted his eyes when she caught him staring. He didn't want to arouse her suspicions of him and that might have done it. Still, she was probably jittery around anyone that came close to her haversack. Daniel frowned. Given just cause, he would take the bag from her and find out what she was hiding. The remainder of the evening passed uneventfully. The three of them settled in for the night and resumed their journey the next morning.
By the middle of the afternoon on the following day, Daniel and company had caught up with Colonel Ives and his soldiers. They were camped near the widest part of Reed Creek, which was five feet across. Three soldiers, standing picket duty, ordered the wagon to a halt a few yards from the camp.
"Howdy." Daniel raised his hand in greeting. "I'm deliverin' supplies from Salem for Colonel Ives. I think we're expected."
"You sure are," the sergeant said. "I'll take you in." The soldier walked ahead and Daniel followed but not too closely in case Skinny was in the mood to run somebody over. The soldier led them to the area where the supplies were kept and ordered some other soldiers to unload them. He then helped the ladies to the ground.
"Would you mind showing us to the colonel?" Daniel asked.
"He's mighty busy. I don't reckon I ought to disturb him," the sergeant informed him.
"Tell him Daniel Boone is here. He'll see me."
"All right. Follow me, please," the sergeant answered. He led them to a tent and told the guard outside that Daniel Boone wished to speak to the colonel. The guard nodded his head and dashed inside. Soon, the colonel emerged from the tent with the guard behind him. The officer was all smiles.
"Hello, Colonel," Daniel greeted him as he held out his hand. "Congratulations on your promotion. A well deserved one I might add."
Ives shook Daniel's hand vigorously. "Thank you. But, Dan'l, what are you doing here?" he asked in his Irish lilt.
"While Becky and I were in Salem, Walter Bedford roped us into delivering your supplies," Daniel explained. "It seems we were his last hope."
"Mrs. Boone," Ives greeted Daniel's wife and took her hands into his. "'Tis even better to see you again. Come inside out the sun."
"Before we do, may I present Hattie Brookes." Daniel pointed in the young woman's direction. "Hattie, Colonel Robert Ives."
"A pleasure, Colonel," Hattie said as Ives nodded his head. "My husband Jake is in your army. He speaks well of you."
"Thank you," Ives said. "Sergeant, take Mrs. Brookes to her husband. I'm sure she's most anxious to see him."
While the sergeant led Hattie to Jake, the Boones entered Colonel Ives' tent. They sat on logs inside. "May I offer you a cool drink?" Ives asked. Both Boones declined. "It's been a little over a couple of years since we parted company. We had quite an adventure back then, didn't we, Dan'l?"
"We certainly did," Daniel agreed. "We went to make a treaty with the Five Nations and uncovered a British plot to create a war between the settlers and the Indians."
"And a woman by the name of Madeline Lorne nearly walked us into a trap that could have gotten us killed, along with the entire militia that had been with us," Ives further recalled. "She pretended to be a patriot, when in reality she was working for the British."
"The tables got turned on them though and that group of the British were defeated." Daniel crossed one leg over the other. "A treaty was signed, and the frontier was safe.from that threat anyway."
"We were victorious and I was promoted because of it," Ives said, before changing the subject. "Are you holding the frontier?"
Daniel nodded. "We have our share of trouble from time to time, but we've managed to keep the British and the Indians in their employ from overrunning us."
"That's what I wanted to hear," Ives said. Then, he turned to Rebecca. "Mrs. Boone, I know you've worked hard in that endeavor as well, and I personally thank you."
"You don't have to thank me, Colonel," Rebecca said. "It is our home we're defending."
"Yes, and I know you'll keep on protecting it. I'm doing my best to keep the whole country safe from these bloody Lobsterbacks as well."
Rebecca snickered which made Ives looked at her curiously. "I'm sorry, Colonel Ives. You put me in mind of other army officers who have used that same term."
"We have other terms, but they aren't for a lady's ears." Ives reached for his map case, extracted a large paper, and laid it out on the table. "You might be interested in my mission." Daniel and Rebecca came to the table and peered down at the map. "A most reliable and accurate mapmaker from South Carolina drew this one up. It was personally approved by Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia. As you can see, the primary location of interest is Charleston, South Carolina. The British hold it and we intend to take it back. A few regiments from the Continental Army, and the Virginia and North Carolina militias are moving towards the rendezvous point at Charlotte, North Carolina. Once all of us are in place around Charleston, we'll lay siege to the town. With our ships attacking from the sea, the British will be boxed in, and we'll retake the town."
"That's a lot of territory to cover even with a large army," Daniel observed.
"We're supposed to be supplied along the way, but I have word that if the British get wind of it, the assault will be called off," Ives elaborated. "We're months from attacking, so anything is possible, but I would like to win back Charleston and hold her this time. The British are most arrogant about possessing it, and to rub their noses in a surrender would give me great personal pleasure."
"If all your superiors share your determination, Colonel, then Charleston is as good as won," Daniel said.
"You know, Dan'l, I could use a good scout," Ives suggested.
"No, you don't, Colonel," Rebecca said, grasping Daniel's arm. "You're not taking him. He's needed on the frontier, remember?"
"I just need to borrow him for a little while," Ives argued. "I promise he'll be home in time to carve the Christmas goose."
"No," Rebecca stated, unwavering in her position. "Dan and I are scheduled to return to Salem and then home to our son."
"The commander has spoken." Daniel raised his hands in surrender. "'Pears like I'll have to continue to defend the frontier, and leave you to run the British out of Charleston."
"If you ever change your mind," Ives said, "you can join me at anytime. You know the plan."
"I might take you up on that," Daniel said with a smile.
"You will not, Daniel Boone," Rebecca insisted.
"She's determined to keep you from my little expedition, Dan'l."
"Seems so. I reckon she thinks the Charleston raid will be too much for me, and would rather I stay at home to chink the cabin, plow the fields, chop firewood, and such." Daniel watched as Rebecca narrowed her eyebrows at him. "Or maybe not," he quickly added as he noted how displeased she was with his flippant comment.
Ives covered his mouth with his hand in an effort to conceal his smile. "Are you intending to stay the night?"
"Yes," Daniel replied.
"I can't offer you much," Ives apologized. "Is a junior officers' tent suitable?"
"More than acceptable, Colonel," Rebecca answered.
"Come along then. I'll show you the way." Ives led them to a tent much smaller than the one they had emerged from. Ives ordered the junior officers' items removed and the Boones' things moved in. Afterwards, Rebecca and Daniel strolled around the camp while Colonel Ives attended to his business. They came upon Hattie. She rushed to them hand in hand with a young man who was presumably her husband.
"Daniel, Becky." Hattie adjusted the pack she carried in her arms. Daniel noticed she still had her haversack strapped around her neck. "This is my husband Jake."
"Howdy," Jake said, shaking Daniel's hand and then Rebecca's.
"Pleased to meet you, Jake," Rebecca said.
"Thanks for bringin' Hattie here, but I was wonderin' if you would take her back to Salem with you, too?" Jake asked. "She doesn't belong here."
"We'll be glad too. We'll be leavin' in the mornin'." Daniel looked at Hattie. He could tell she was unhappy, but willing to be obedient to her husband's wishes.
"Thank you," Jake said as he turned towards Hattie. "We can spend what time you have left together."
"All right, Jake," Hattie replied, trying to sound cheery. "Let's go sell some needles and thread to the officers. They like to keep their uniforms looking good." She took him by the hand and they went off to do just that. Daniel watched as she reached into her pack and extracted thread and needles to sell to a young lieutenant. He passed her some coins and then she and Jake moved on to conduct business with another soldier. After watching several transactions, Daniel and Rebecca inspected the rest of the camp. Then they strolled along the creek.
Later, after having dinner with Colonel Ives, Daniel and Rebecca retired to their tent to sleep. The night was a warm one, but both were too exhausted from the long day to take much notice of it. A few hours later they were awakened by shouts of "Fire! Fire! Turn out! Turn out! Fire! Fire!" Daniel quickly donned his boots, snatched his shirt, and ran from the tent. The soldiers were forming lines from the creek to the fire, filling buckets and passing them along hoping to use the water to douse the flames. Daniel stopped to watch them as Rebecca drew up close behind him.
"The woods are on fire," he told her as he shrugged into his shirt and then began buttoning it across his moderately hairy chest. "I'm going to help out. You wait here, but if it looks like the fire is getting out of hand, hitch up the team and move out of its path. I'll join you when I can." Daniel then ran towards one of the water lines. Ives caught his eye and motioned for him to help organize another. Soon, it seemed the entire camp had turned out to eliminate the threat to lives and property.
For some time, Rebecca watched as empty buckets were passed down one line and buckets filled with water passed back up another to be thrown on the flames. Then something drew her attention away from the scene, and she noticed Hattie emerging from Colonel Ives tent. She frowned. What was she doing in there? Rebecca decided to confront her then and there, and started towards her. At that moment, Skinny and Missy began to neigh. She stopped. They must have gotten a whiff of smoke and became frightened. She ran to them instead. She would talk to Hattie later.
Hattie looked around and saw Rebecca running towards the horses. Had the older woman seen her coming from Colonel Ives tent? She had tried to be extra careful. Most likely, the redhead hadn't noticed her. Hattie walked quickly into the woods where she met Jake. "Start writing, Jake," Hattie ordered as she pulled out paper, ink, quills, and candles from her haversack. Jake lit the candles with a flint and steel, and they huddled together duplicating the papers she had stolen from Colonel Ives tent. "Look, Jake," Hattie said. "A map. Won't Luke like that?"
"Yeah, get to writing, Hattie," Jake warned. "We don't have much time. These papers and map have to be copied and returned before they get that fire out. The rebels mustn't suspect for a moment they've been stolen or tampered with."
"Certainly, my darling," Hattie said, picking up a quill and writing quickly.
"Quit calling me that," Jake said irritability. "Save it for your real husband."
"I've been at this spy game for so long I sometimes wonder if Luke is my true husband."
"He is." Jake continued to write even though he was engaged in a heated conversation with Hattie. "He warns everybody to treat you respectively because you are his wife. Too bad he doesn't do the same for me; his only brother."
Hattie continued to write as quickly as her fingers would let her. "I met his new partner, Barney, last night. Luke didn't tell him that he and I are married. He thinks I'm married to you. He calls you Jay Cobb."
"Who cares what he calls me. I don't know him and don't want to know him. All I want is to see these rebels defeated soon and - as payment for my help in achieving that objective - me, Jacob Brookes, as a rich landowner."
"It won't be long, Jake. When Luke and Barney take Daniel Boone prisoner on our journey back to Salem, the frontier will be left leaderless and will fall. Our spy web will cause the American army to fall apart at the seams. The colonies will have no choice but to surrender," Hattie proclaimed.
"That is, if all goes as planned, and you know, Hattie, that things have a habit of not going as planned."
"Jay Cobb, you worry too much," Hattie teased. "Luke has everything under control."
Jake wasn't as optimistic as Hattie, but he said nothing more about it. The pair wrote fast and furiously as the soldiers battled the fire that was advancing towards the camp.
Back at the fire, the colonel encouraged his men to pass the water buckets more rapidly. The air had grown thick with acrid smoke, heat, and shouts as orders continued to be given. With shovel in hand, Daniel did what he could. He dug into the ground and threw dirt on small fires that persistently broke out near the big one Ives was trying to extinguish. Other soldiers in Daniel's vicinity were doing the same. He had to stop to cough on more than one occasion; the smoke was so dense.
Daniel didn't know it, but in close proximity to where he was working, a large tree, weakened by old age and a fire burning unnoticed at its base, began to topple. It started to fall towards him, but he remained unaware of it, so intent was he on dousing the little fires around him.
Ives noticed what was happening and screamed a warning. "Daniel! Get out of there!"
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