1859-The Last Good Year: Book No. 8 of the Wolde Family Saga

By Bill Conner

Penny was sitting on the tailgate of Henry's wagon, wrapped in a blanket, and crying silently when Jason and the others approached and stopped a few feet away. Jason took two steps forward, and she slid right off the wagon into his arms, sobbing so hard she was almost convulsing. After a few minutes, Penny pushed herself back so she could see his face and demanded, "Where's David? Where's my husband? I thought you were my friend, Jason, why won't anybody tell me?"

"I'm sorry, princess, David's gone, the bastards killed him," Jason replied as tears formed in his eyes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503556195

Bill Conner

I retired on the last day of the year 2008. I was seventy-eight years old, and it was a sad day; I found it very hard to let go. After several weeks of listening to my growling and complaining about having nothing to do, my wife gave me a challenge I could not refuse. I had talked for years about writing a book but claimed I never had time to do it. My wife said I now had plenty of time so I should get to it, and that’s what I did. I had no idea how to begin, but somehow I managed, and The Last Good Year is my eighth book to be published. I am halfway through writing the ninth and promised myself I would write a total of ten before I quit and retire again. It’s a pretty lofty goal for a man now eighty-four years old.

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Copyright © 2015 by Bill Conner.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015904584

ISBN:   Hardcover    978-1-5035-5618-8

     Softcover     978-1-5035-5620-1

             eBook          978-1-5035-5619-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ev. date: 03/25/2015

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CONTENTS

Author’s Note

Cast Of Characters

Prologue

PART ONE - HOSTILE TERRITORY

PART TWO - FAMILY REUNION

PART THREE - BALTIMORE

PART FOUR - SCOTLAND

PART FIVE - NEBRASKA AND WYOMING

PART SIX - ELK LODGE

Epilogue

DEDICATION

Several months ago, I had the good fortune to regain contact with two old friends from my home town. Both men are Air Force veterans of the Korean War, as I am too, which ties us even closer together. I am envious of their careers as Air Crew Members; they flew high into dangerous skies. Alas, I am a mere writer of books; one cannot have everything.

I dedicate this book to them, to the memories of times long gone by, and to the good times we shared together when we were young. We cannot go home again, you see; ’tis no longer there. The small country town of our youth has changed over the years; as have we.

If perchance you have read my books, there is a very wise saying in one of them that I have found to be true. Having a friend is far better than a sack of gold buried in a hole in the ground.

I dedicate this book to Bobby Alderman and Lane Slusher, mi amigos.

Bill Conner

AUTHOR’S NOTE

I have taken some liberties with the dates of certain happenings, in order for them to fit the flow of a completely fictitious tale, but no changes were made to the event or occurrence itself. The character’s names were made up by the author, and any resemblance to that of any actual person, is purely coincidental, and unintentional. I have treated my characters with love, kindness, respect, and honor, the same as I do my family; which, in a way, they are. I have also taken special care not to write anything I feel would embarrass the reader. I hope you enjoy my book.

Bill Conner

CAST OF CHARACTERS

NATHANIEL (NATHAN) WOLDE -–Adopted son of Ethan and Sarah Wolde. Farmer/Preacher/Senator’s Aide/Statesman. Husband of Mary Catherine Collingsworth. Parents killed in Indian wars. Adopted at age 6.

MARY CATHERINE COLLINGSWORTH -–Born out of wedlock daughter of Baron Robert MacTavish, Dundee, Scotland, and Judith Conaway. Raised by Judith’s sister, Maddie and her husband Clarence Collingsworth as their own child. Mother of 5 children. Step-sister of Ian MacTavish.

ROY, CHARLES RALEIGH (Riley), MARTHA JANE, SARAH, LUCY -–Children of Nathan and Mary Catherine Wolde.

IAN MACTAVISH–-Son of Baron Robert and Anne-Leigh MacTavish. Born in Jamaica, raised in Scotland. Mother was a Portuguese Dona. Half-brother of Mary Catherine. Actually a Baronet, he overseas the family enterprises world wide. Mentor of nephew, Charles Raleigh Wolde.

HANS AND INGA WILHELM–-Long time members of the MacTavish household staff. Tutor of Ian, and accompany him on his travels.

CAPTAIN THOMAS STUART–-CAPTAIN of the MacTavish flagship, Catherine Ross, a China Clipper.

LAWRENCE ROTHCHILD–-Grandson of Sylvester. New York Solicitor

MARTHA SAWYER–-Widow of Albert, who drowned in the flood. A very wealthy lady, and Mary Catherine’s good friend. Companion of David Sullivan.

PATRICK AND LUCY O’CONNOR–-Good friends and neighbors of Nathan and Mary Catherine.

SEAN, MICHAEL, AND MEGAN O’CONNOR–-Children of Patrick and wife, Elizabeth, who died from influenza when the children were young.

DAVID SULLIVAN–-Nephew of Lawrence Rothchild. Comes to territory seeking his fortune. Lives for a while with the Wolde family. A uniquely talented young man who becomes very wealthy and influential in family matters.

SAM JENSEN–-Solicitor extraordinaire’. Classmate of Lawrence Rothchild. Attorney at Law, Fairmont, Va. Retained by MacTavish. A very affable person.

JOHN WILSON JUNIOR–-Son of John and Elizabeth. West Point graduate, degreed engineer. Captain’s commission, having served two years active time in Army. Partner with David Sullivan in real estate venture on West Fork. Marries Lyllith Smythe.

IAN MACTAVISH–-Son of Robert. Marries Ruth Rabinawitz.

MARY CATHERINE WOLDE–-Daughter of Robert and Judith Conaway.

PENNY LEIGH MACTAVISH–-Adopted daughter of Robert MacTavish and Esther Rabinawitz.

OLIVER OLSEN–-Great, great, great, grandson of Geraldine Olsson nee MacTavish, First Mate of Catherine Ross, owner of Horse Country farm. Manchester, England. Nephew of Robert MacTavish.

KRISTINA OLSEN–-Wife of Oliver. Born and reared in Iceland.

DAVID OLSEN–-Son of Oliver and Kristina. Marries Penny MacTavish.

STEPHEN OLSEN–-Son of Oliver and Kristina. Marries Alicia Fleming.

SEAN CULBERTSON–-Manages shipyard at Newport. Marries Esther.

ALICIA FLEMING–-Household staff, The Barony. Marries Stephen Olsen.

CELIA FITZGERALD–-Household staff, The Barony. Adopted daughter of Grant and Bridget Fitzgerald. Born in the Netherlands. Marries Charles Raleigh MacTavish.

GEOFFREY GORDON–-Overseer of MacTavish estate, Dundee, Scotland.

MARY GORDON–-Wife of Geoffrey, head housekeeper, The Barony.

CADIZ, KENTUCKY

GILBERT WELLS–-General manager of MacTavish holdings, Trigg County.

SALLY WELLS–-Wife of Gilbert. Manages store.

JACK WELLS–-Son of Gilbert and Sally Wells. Marries Rebecca O’Shaunessy.

TREY AND BENNIE SMYTHE–-Twin sons of Lew and Sarolin Smythe. Skilled carpenters.

JOHN O’SHAUNESSY, ROBERT AND JESSE GRAY, JACK, JASON, JOEY, AND HENRY STRICKLAND, WESLEY GRAINGER, AND HAROLD STONE -–People who came with the wagon train from Virginia to work for Oliver Olsen.

LIAM O’CASEY–—The young man who manages Oliver’s bank.

SAM JENSEN–—The attorney who came from Virginia with Oliver.

HERMAN BLEVINS–-Mayor of Cadiz, Kentucky.

GILES LEE STEDMAN–-Doctor

BOYD MacCALLEN–-Oliver’s head of construction at Cadiz.

SHANNON MacCALLEN–-Boyd’s daughter. Doctor Stedman’s nurse.

HANS STOTTELMEYER–-Owner of brick kiln.

HENRY GUSTAFFSON–—Wagon master extraordinary

MONIQUE (MONNIE) CHAMBERLAIN–-Indian lady, Kristina’s housekeeper.

ALIETTA CHAMBERLAIN–-Assists Sally in the store. Marries Liam O’Casey.

REVEREND DONALD BUCHANAN–-Presbyterian minister.

MARY GORDON–-Oliver’s secretary. Daughter of Reverend Buchanan. Marries Sam Jensen.

WALTER (OZZIE) CLEMMONS–-Oliver’s first and best friend in Cadiz.

1859

The Last Good Year

PROLOGUE

JESSE, WE REALLY GOT LUCKY WHEN WE RAN INTO THAT JUDGE, MISTER HAYES, BACK THERE AT NEVADA. YOU KNOW SOMETHING JESS, THE NAME OF THAT TOWN STRUCK ME AS BEING A LITTLE ODD; KNOW WHY? WHEN WE WENT UP TO WYOMING LAST YEAR, A FELLER I MET ON THE TRAIL TOLD ME ABOUT A BIG SILVER STRIKE IN THE TERRITORY OF NEVADA. I ASKED A MAN WHERE THAT WAS, AND HE SAID WAY OUT WEST NEXT TO CALIFORNIA". MIGHTY PUZZLING, JESSE, WONDER WHICH ONE A THEM PLACES GOT NAMED FIRST?"

ROBERT, JESSE SAID, A LITTLE PUT OUT BY HIS BROTHER’S CONSTANT CHATTERING, WHERE DO YOU GET ALL THESE DAD-BURNED FOOL NOTION’S FROM? HERE WE ARE DRAGGING OUR TAILS IN THE SAND, ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF OUR HORSES, TRYING TO GET TO FORT SCOTT IN A BIG HURRY, AND YOU’RE WORRYING ABOUT WHY SOMEBODY NAMED THAT TOWN NEVADA.

YOU’RE RIGHT, OF COURSE, BROTHER, ROBERT REPLIED. THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS IN THAT TOWN THAT’S WAY STRANGER THAN IT’S NAME. I BELIEVE SOME A THEM PEOPLE EVEN HATE THEMSELVES, WAY THEY TALKED. I’M GLAD YOU SPOTTED THE COURTHOUSE AND THOUGHT IF WE WENT DOWN THERE WE MIGHT FIND SOMEBODY THAT HAD SOME SENSE.

YEAH, ROBERT, BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR JUDGE HAYES, HE TALKED FAIR AND SQUARE TO US, BUT HE LOOKED AS NERVOUS AS A MAN TRYING TO STEP ACROSS A BARBED-WIRE FENCE THAT WAS SIX INCHES HIGHER THAN HIS STRADDLE. I THINK HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT WHY DAVID WAS KILLED, KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

"SURE I DO, JESS, BUT IT DON’T MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL. THEM PECKERHEADS DIDN’T KNOW WHO WE WAS, BUT ONE A THEM SHOT POOR DAVID ANYWAY. THE JUDGE FELT SOME A THE SLAVE STATERS THOUGHT WE WAS TRYING TO SNEAK ACROSS THE LINE SO WE COULD VOTE WITH THE FREE STATERS.

I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT WHEN HE SAID ONE TOWN IN KANSAS, LAWRENCE, I THINK IT WAS, HAD BEEN COMPLETELY WIPED OUT BY RAIDERS; BUSHWHACKERS, HE CALLED THEM. IF I’M REMEMBERING RIGHTLY, THAT TOWN’S NOT TOO FAR FROM TOPEKA, RIGHT WHERE WE’RE HEADING. WE GOT TO GET OURSELVES OUTTA’ THIS COUNTRY, JESS, AND I MEAN FAST. YOU RECKON WE’LL FIND ANY SOLDIERS AT FORT SCOTT? I SURE HOPE WE DO.

ROBERT, IF YOU HAD TO GUESS, WHERE DO YOU RECKON HENRY AND THE WAGONS ARE RIGHT NOW? I THINK HE OUGHT TO BE ACROSS THE OSAGE RIVER, DON’T YOU?

YEAH I DO, JESSE, AND HE’S GETTING CLOSER TO NEVADA EVERY MINUTE. THAT MEANS WE NEED TO GET OURSELVES ON TO FORT SCOTT AND SEE IF THERE’S ANY HELP TO BE HAD. THEN WE GOT TO HURRY BACK AND TELL HENRY WHAT WE’VE LEARNT BEFORE HE GETS HIMSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING HE DON’T NEED NO PART OF.

FORT SCOTT WAS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT TO BOTH THE YOUNG MEN, FOR IT LOOKED LIKE ALL THE SOLDIERS WERE BUSY TEARING THINGS DOWN AND LOADING THEM ON WAGONS, OR PUTTING THEM IN A BIG PILE.

HOW MANY SOLDIERS DO YOU COUNT, JESS, AIN’T MANY, ARE THERE? ROBERT ASKED HIS BROTHER.

OFFHAND, ROBERT, I’D SAY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN, JESSE REPLIED. YOU SEE THAT BIG FELLER STANDING DOWN YONDER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YARD? HE KEEPS HOLLERING AND WAVING HIS ARMS; I BET HE’S THE MAN IN CHARGE, DON’T YOU THINK?

YEAH, I WOULD SAY SO. I DON’T SEE NOBODY WITH A GUN GUARDING THE GATE, SO LET’S RIDE ON IN AND HAVE US A CHAT WITH THE BIG MAN.

ROBERT, WE BETTER HOLD BOTH OUR HANDS UP HIGH SO THEM SOLDIERS CAN SEE ’EM. I’D HATE TO COME ALL THIS WAY AND GET SHOT BECAUSE ONE A THEM GOT NERVOUS. SLOW AND EASY DOES IT.

HOLD ON A MINUTE, MEN, LIEUTENANT LORNE CAMPBELL CALLED OUT TO THE SOLDIERS SCURRYING TOWARD THE STACKED ARMS. LET’S SEE WHAT THEM FELLERS WANT FIRST; THEY’RE SHOWING EMPTY HANDS; PALMS UP.

WHO ARE YOU MEN; WHAT DO YOU WANT? HE HOLLERED IN A LOUD VOICE. JESSE AND ROBERT KEPT WALKING THEIR HORSES CLOSER. THINGS ARE KINDA’ AWKWARD HERE RIGHT NOW, AND TWO ARMED MEN LIKE YOURSELVES SHOWING UP REAL SUDDEN LIKE, MAKE MY SOLDIERS NERVOUS. YA’LL RIDE ON UP HERE NEXT TO ME AND CLIMB OFF THEM HORSES, BUT KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE ’EM.

ROBERT AND JESSE DID AS HE’D BID THEM TO DO; GOT DOWN AND WALKED AROUND IN FRONT OF THEIR HORSES TO FACE THE MAN. WE MEAN YOU NO HARM, SIR, MY BROTHER AND I ARE HOPING YOU CAN GIVE US SOME INFORMATION, AND MAYBE SOME HELP TOO. THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE. MY NAME IS JESSE GRAY, AND HE’S MY BROTHER, ROBERT.

ALL RIGHT BOYS, I’M LIEUTENANT CAMPBELL, U. S. ARMY, 9TH CAVALRY DETAIL OUT OF FORT RILEY, KANSAS, HE SAID, AND REACHED TO SHAKE HANDS WITH JESSE AND ROBERT. YOU MEN, GO AHEAD WITH YOUR WORK, HE SAID TO THE SOLDIERS, THESE TWO ARE LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF INFORMATION, SO I’LL SEE WHAT THEY WANT. JUST CARRY ON AS YOU WERE; I WANT TO PULL OUTTA’ HERE TOMORROW.

LIEUTENANT CAMPBELL, JESSE SAID, YOU GOT A PLACE WE CAN SET DOWN ON SOMETHING BESIDES A HORSE FOR A FEW MINUTES? I DON’T KNOW ABOUT MY BROTHER, BUT I AIN’T UP TO JUST STANDING HERE TALKING, AND THAT’S WHAT WE NEED TO DO A LOT OF, IS TALK TO YOU. IT’S VERY IMPORTANT, SIR, AT LEAST IT IS TO US. SO WHAT DO YOU SAY, LIEUTENANT?

WAIT A MINUTE, SIR, ROBERT SAID. OUR HORSES NEED SOME WATER; YOU GOT ANY AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE?

OF COURSE WE’VE GOT WATER, BUT IT’S WAY BACK YONDER WHERE YOU SEE OUR HORSES; BACK NEXT TO THAT OLD BUILDING WITH MOST OF IT’S ROOF CAVED IN. I’LL HAVE ONE MY TROOPERS WALK YOUR HORSES BACK THERE; GIVE ME A MINUTE. HE SAID, AND BECKONED TO ONE OF THE SOLDIERS STANDING CLOSE BY.

BEGGING YOUR PARDON, SIR, BUT WE NEED TO GET OUR RIFLES OFF THE HORSES; WE’LL UNBUCKLE THE SCABBARD AND LEAVE THE WEAPON STRAPPED IN IT. JESSE SAID.

LIEUTANANT CAMPBELL WAS DEFINITELY NOT OVERJOYED BY JESSE’S COMMENT, BUT NODDED HIS APPROVAL. JUST REMEMBER WHAT I SAID AT FIRST BOYS, TENSION IS VERY HIGH OVER THIS WHOLE AREA AND YOU DON’T WANT TO GET YOURSELF SHOT BECAUSE YOU MADE A WRONG MOVE. BESIDES, I WANT A LOOK AT ONE A THEM RIFLES YOU BOYS ARE A CARRYING. NOW COME ON; LETS GO INSIDE HERE AND YOU CAN SET ON A BENCH IF YOU CAN FIND ONE THAT WILL HOLD YOU UP.

THERE WAS NOTHING INSIDE THE BUILDING BUT A COUPLE OF RICKETY OLD TABLES AND FOUR BENCHES BIG ENOUGH TO SEAT TWO PEOPLE ALL RIGHT YOU TWO, SIT DOWN OVER THERE ON WHICHEVER ONE A THEM LOOKS SAFEST TO YOU, AND LAY THEM RIFLES ON THE FLOOR. NOW THEN, HE SAID, LET’S HEAR THAT STORY YOU’RE DYING TO TELL. YOU LOOK TO BE THE OLDEST, HE SAID, POINTING AT JESSE, SO YOU GO FIRST. DON’T BE GIVING ME NO BIG FANCY TALE NEITHER; I GOT NO TIME TO WASTE ON HOT AIR; I MEAN TO BE AWAY FROM THIS PLACE BY NOON TOMORROW.

LIEUTENANT, ME AND ROBERT ARE SCOUTS FOR A TRAIN OF 10 WAGONS FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY, BOUND FOR THE TERRITORY OF WYOMING. MORE AT HAND, WE LEFT SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, HEADING FOR TOPEKA, KANSAS, FOLLOWING A TRAIL THAT COST THE LIFE OF OUR LEADER. A JUDGE IN THE TOWN OF NEVADA TOLD ME AND ROBERT SOMETHING OF THE MESS WE’D GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO, AND I’M ASKING YOU IF YOU CAN HELP US GET OUT OF IT SOMEHOW.

HOW’D YOUR MAN GET KILLED, LIEUTENANT CAMPBELL ASKED.

HE WAS SHOT FROM AMBUSH, SIR; THERE WERE THREE A THEM UP ON A RIDGE. POSTMASTER IN SPRINGFIELD TOLD ME THEY WERE CALLED PECKERHEADS. I SAW A BUNCH A THEM THERE HANGING AROUND HIS POST OFFICE TILL HE COME OUT WITH A SHOTGUN AND RAN ’EM OFF.

I’M SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MAN BEING KILLED, BUT THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF BUSHWHACKING GOING ON IN BOTH KANSAS AND MISSOURI LATELY. WHAT BECAME OF THE THREE PECKERHEADS, JESSE?

HE KILLED THEM, SIR, JESSE REPLIED, I MEAN ROBERT DID; HE SHOT ALL THREE OF THEM, AND WE BURNED THEM. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANYBODY ELSE ON THAT RIDGE AND NO HORSES. THEY WERE USING OLD MUZZLE LOADERS; WE BURNED THEM TOO.

WHERE’S THIS WAGON TRAIN NOW; WHERE DID YOU BOYS LEAVE IT? WERE THEY STILL MOVING OR ARE THEY WAITING FOR YOU TO COME BACK?

NO SIR, ROBERT RESPONDED, THEY’RE NOT WAITING ON US, THEY ARE STILL ROLLING, BUT THEM OXEN DON’T WALK VERY FAST. ME AND JESSE FIGURE THEY OUGHT TO BE SOMEWHERE NEAR NEVADA TOMORROW. WHAT WE DON’T KNOW, IS WHICH WAY THE WAGON MASTER WILL GO WHEN HE LEAVES THERE. WE WERE SUPPOSED BE BACK IN TIME TO TELL HIM WHICH TRAIL TO FOLLOW. SO YOU SEE, SIR, IT’S IMPORTANT WE GET BACK THERE TONIGHT AT THE LATEST.

ALL RIGHT, I GOT THAT STRAIGHT, BUT WHAT IS IT YOU EXPECT FROM ME? YOU PROBABLY KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THIS AREA AS I DO. I ONLY CAME HERE A WEEK AGO FROM FORT RILEY TO CLOSE THIS PLACE DOWN AND BRING BACK ALL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY OF ANY USE AND BURN THE BUILDINGS. WAIT A MINUTE, IS THERE SOME SPECIAL REASON WHY YOU ALL WANT TO GO TO TOPEKA?

NO, JESSE REPLIED, "EXCEPT WE WERE DEFINITELY TOLD NOT TO GO NEAR KANSAS CITY OR INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, OR ANY PLACE CLOSE TO THEM TOWNS.

WE’D BEEN FOLLOWING A TRAIL MARKED ON A MAP FOR US BY SOME PEOPLE IN NEW YORK CITY. THEIR LETTER THAT CAME WITH THE MAP, SAID WHEN WE GOT TO SPRINGFIELD, WE’D HAVE TO FIND OUR OWN WAY FROM THERE TO TOPEKA. ALL I CAN TELL YOU SIR, IS THAT WHEN WE GOT TO TOPEKA, WE WAS SUPPOSED TO FERRY ACROSS THE KAW RIVER, GO STRAIGHT NORTH TO NEBRASKA, FIND THE OREGON TRAIL THEM EMIGRANTS USED, AND FOLLOW IT ALL THE WAY TO WYOMING.

"LISTEN TO ME, BOYS; MAYBE I CAN HELP YOU AFTER ALL. I SAID I WAS FROM FORT RILEY, KANSAS; RIGHT? WELL, THAT’S WHERE ME AND THE TROOPERS ARE GOING BACK TO. THE FORT IS NEAR THE CITY OF MANHATTAN, BUT CLOSER TO A LITTLE PLACE CALLED JUNCTION CITY. THERE WAS A TRAIL MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN THE ARMY HAD TROOPS HERE, THAT LEADS STRAIGHT FROM FORT SCOTT, TO FORT RILEY. IT WAS USED TO SUPPLY THE FORT, OR TO MOVE TROOPS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES. IF YOU CAN HURRY UP AND GET YOUR WAGONS HERE BEFORE I MOVE OUT, YOU CAN FOLLOW US TO FORT RILEY.

NOW HOLD ON A MINUTE; YOU CAN GET TO NEBRASKA AND THE OREGON TRAIL QUICKER AND EASIER FROM THERE THAN YOU CAN FROM TOPEKA. THERE’S A GOOD ROAD THAT FOLLOWS THE LITTLE BLUE RIVER ALL THE WAY FROM MANHATTAN TO FAIRBURY, NEBRASKA; I’VE BEEN UP AND DOWN IT MYSELF. YOU GO BRING THEM WAGONS HERE IN A HURRY, BOYS; YOU UNDERSTAND? I’LL GIVE YOU TWO DAYS, THEN I’M GONE. WHEN THEY BOTH NODDED, HE ADDED, NOW, I WANT TO SEE ONE A THEM RIFLES, AND HEAR HOW YOU COME BY THEM.

HE EXAMINED THE WEAPON THOROUGHLY, BUT SAID NOT A WORD. APPARENTLY SATISFIED BY WHAT HE SAW, HE HANDED IT BACK TO ROBERT. LIEUTENANT CAMPBELL THEN GOT UP FROM THE BENCH, WALKED OUTSIDE, AND BECKONED TO AN OLDER TROOPER JESSE AND ROBERT COULD SEE THROUGH THE DOORWAY. SERGEANT MACDOUGALL, HE CALLED OUT, COME IN HERE PLEASE; I WANT YOU TO COME TALK TO THESE FELLERS

"SERGEANT, THESE MEN ARE BROTHERS, JESSE AND ROBERT GRAY, AND BOYS, THIS HERE’S GRANT MACDOUGALL. I RECKON YOU CAN SEE BY HIS STRIPES, HE’S A SERGEANT.

"MACDOUGALL, THESE TWO YOUNG MEN ARE RIDING SCOUT FOR A WAGON TRAIN, TEN WAGONS THEY SAID, OUT OF KENTUCKY AND BOUND FOR THE TERRITORY OF WYOMING. THAT’S WAY UP YONDER IN THEM REALLY BIG MOUNTAINS WHERE IT GETS MUCH TOO COLD FOR THE LIKES OF ME.

WE TALKED ON IT A BIT, MACDOUGALL, AND I FEEL LIKE WE OUGHT TO GIVE THESE PILGRIMS A HAND. IF WE CAN GET THEM WAGONS HERE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, WELL -—NAH, I DON’T THINK THAT’S GONNA’ HAPPEN, BUT SAY, THE NEXT DAY, THEY CAN FOLLOW US ALL THE WAY TO FORT RILEY. BOYS, THAT’S THREE DAYS, AND THAT’S ALL THE TIME I CAN WAIT.

SIR, I THINK THAT’S VERY COMMENDABLE OF YOU, BUT WHAT PART IS IT YOU WANT ME TO PLAY IN THIS? WAY YOU HOLLERED, I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA’ HAVE TO FIGHT SOMEBODY.

DON’T BE SO SURE YOU’RE NOT, SERGEANT. I WANT YOU TO FIND TROOPER CUNNINGHAM, AND THE TWO OF YOU GO HELP THESE LADS. I NEED YA’LL TO BRING THAT WAGON TRAIN IN HERE AS FAST AS YOU CAN. IF YOU’RE ATTACKED, I EXPECT YOU TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT, BUT DO WHATEVER YOU MUST TO BRING THAT WAGON TRAIN TO FORT SCOTT. NOW GET OUT OF HERE, ALL OF YOU, BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND.

YES SIR, SERGEANT MACDOUGALL SALUTED, LIEUTENANT, WE ARE GOOD AS GONE, HE SAID, AND LEFT.

YOU, YOU, AND YOU, SGT. MACDOUGALL YELLED AT THREE TROOPERS WHO’D STOPPED WHAT THEY WERE DOING, AND WERE HAVING A BIT OF CONVERSATION AMONGST THEMSELVES. GET YOUR SORRY BUTT’S OVER HERE TO ME; NOW! JESSE AND ROBERT DECIDED IT WAS BEST THEY GOT OUT OF MAN’S WAY, AND KEPT THEIR MOUTH’S SHUT.

THE THREE SOLDIERS TROTTED OVER, EXPECTING TO HEAR ONE OF SGT. MACDOUGALL’S FAMOUS SPEECHES ABOUT SLACKERS, AND WERE SURPRISED WHEN HE SAID, ANDERSON, I WANT YOU TO GO DOWN YONDER AND PICK OUT THE LIVELIEST PACK MULE WE GOT, PUT A DIAMOND HITCH ON THE MULE’S BACK, AND MEET ME AT OUR SUPPLY WAGON IN THIRTY MINUTES. GOT IT? THEN GO!

CRAIG, FIRST THING YOU DO IS FIND TROOPER CUNNINGHAM AND TELL HIM I NEED TO SEE HIM, LIKE YESTERDAY. AFTER YOU DO THAT, YOU GO ON DOWN WHERE THE HORSES ARE, AND HELP CLARK. GET ME TWO HORSES SADDLED WITH FULL FIELD EQUIPMENT, AND BRING ’EM ON BACK UP HERE. I GIVE YOU ONE HOUR, AND YOU DON’T WANT ME TO COME HUNTING FOR YOU, DO YOU? NOW GO!

ALL OF A SUDDEN SGT. MACDOUGALL REALIZED JESSE AND ROBERT HAD BEEN STANDING BACK OUT OF HIS WAY, QUIETLY WATCHING. EITHER ONE A YA’LL EVER DONE A HITCH IN THE MILITARY? HE ASKED, AND THEY SHOOK THEIR HEADS NO. HMPH, THOUGHT NOT, HE MUTTERED TO HIMSELF, THEN WENT ON. WELL, I EXPECT I DONE ABOUT ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF YOU, AND MYSELF TOO. MY ENLISTMENT RUNS OUT TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW AND I BEEN THINKING STRONGLY ABOUT HANDING THESE STRIPES TO SOMEBODY ELSE. WE’LL TALK LATER; WE GOT TO GET RIDING IF WE MAKE NEVADA BY DAYLIGHT. ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR YOU BOYS NEED? HOPE YOU DON’T NEED CARTRIDGES FOR YOUR WEAPONS, CAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ANYTHING THAT’LL FIT.

"SERGEANT, WE GOT MORE AMMUNITION THAN WE GOT FOOD, AND WE NEED TO FILL OUR CANTEENS. I HEARD YOU TELL THAT MAN TO GO GET A PACK MULE, WHICH IS A GREAT IDEA, SO MAYBE YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE FEED FOR OUR HORSES TOO.

"BOYS, YA’LL CALL ME GRANT; THAT’S MY FIRST NAME AND I WANT TO GET USED TO HEARING MYSELF CALLED THAT. I CALL THE TWO OF YOU BOYS BECAUSE YOU’RE BOTH A LOT YOUNGER THAN I AM.

"CAN’T HELP YOU MUCH WITH THE FOOD; MOSTLY ALL WE GOT IS HARDTACK AND JERKY AND I BET YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT IS. MOST TIMES, WE SORTA’ LIVE OFF THE LAND; KNOW WHAT I MEAN. YOU’LL NOT DIE FROM STARVATION, LADS, IT’S THEM BULLETS YOU GOT TO LOOK OUT FOR.

"I GOT PLENTY TO DO AND HERE COMES THE OTHER MEMBER OF OUR SQUAD, PRIVATE BLAIR CUNNINGHAM. COME OVER HERE, BLAIR, AND MEET THESE GENTLEMEN RIGHT QUICK, THEN YOU AND ME GOT TO TALK; WE’RE DOING A LITTLE UNAUTHORIZED CAPER FOR THE LIEUTENANT.

PRIVATE CUNNINGHAM LOOKED TO BE IN HIS MID-TWENTIES, WORE HIS HAIR LONG, AND HAD A BEARD; HE STOOD SIX FOOT SIX IN HIS STOCKING FEET. THERE WAS A PISTOL IN THE HOLSTER ON HIS LEFT, AND A BOWIE KNIFE IN A SCABBARD TO HIS RIGHT.

JESSE, YOU AND YOUR BROTHER GOT A FUNNY LOOK ON YOUR FACES WHEN YOU SHOOK BLAIR’S HAND, AND I SEEN YOU LOOK BACK AND FORTH AT EACH OTHER A TIME OR TWO. YA’LL AIN’T SEEN HIM BEFORE, HAVE YOU? HE’S BEEN LIVING WITH INDIANS FOR A WHILE.

NO SERGEANT, WE HAVEN’T, JESSE ANSWERED, BUT I’M PRETTY SURE WE’VE MET HIS COUSIN; HE’S A MAN NAMED HENRY GUSTAFFSON, THE CAPTAIN OF OUR WAGON TRAIN.

JESSE AND ROBERT GOT A LESSON THAT NIGHT FROM SERGEANT MACDOUGALL ON THE BEST WAY TO MAKE TIME ON HORSEBACK. "BOYS, MOST PEOPLE IN A BIG HURRY WILL GO AT A GALLUP, AND THEY’LL STAY AT IT UNTIL THE HORSE GOES DOWN. OTHERS WILL RUN A HORSE, SAY FIFTEEN MINUTES OR SO; THEN LET THE HORSE WALK FOR A WHILE TO GIVE HIM A BREATHER. THIS IS GOOD FOR THE HORSE, BUT YOU LOSE WHATEVER AMOUNT OF TIME YOU THINK YOU’VE GAINED. OF COURSE, IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION.

"THE CAVALRY PREFERS JOGGING; EVER HEARD A THAT WORD, BOYS? IT’S A SLOW, EASY TROT, AND HORSES CAN HOLD THAT GAIT FOR HOURS. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH GROUND YOU CAN COVER IN A HURRY, AND NOT DAMAGE YOUR MOUNT. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO TONIGHT. ME AND BLAIR WILL LEAD THE WAY AND I BET YOUR HORSES PICK UP THE GAIT AFTER AN HOUR OR SO; YOU’LL SEE.

DAWN WAS BREAKING AS THE FOUR MEN RODE UP THE WESTERN SIDE OF A LONG, LOW, HILL; THE TOWN OF NEVADA WAS ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF AWAY, ON THE OTHER SIDE. JUST AS THEY TOPPED THE HILL, A STRONG BREEZE CARRIED A SOUND TO THE HILLTOP THAT WAS FAMILIAR TO THEM ALL.

THEM’S GUNSHOTS SURE AS HELL, ROBERT SAID, SOMEBODY’S AFTER THE WAGONS, JESS. HE PULLED HIS RIFLE FROM IT’S SCABBARD, AND STARTED TO PUT THE SPURS TO BUCKY’S FLANKS.

HOLD ON LITTLE BROTHER, JESSE HOLLERED. LISTEN TO HOW THEM SHOTS SOUND, ROBERT; HEAR THAT SHARP CRACK? THEM’S WINCHESTERS. OUR BOY’S ARE POURINGING LEAD ON SOMEBODY. YOU GO RIDING DOWN THERE HELL-BENT FOR LEATHER, AND YOU’RE LIABLE TO GET YERSELF KILT. NOW JEST HOLD STEADY BOY, TILL WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT’S BEST TO DO. YOU GOT ANY GOOD IDEAS, SERGEANT?

"I RECKON MAYBE I HAVE, BOYS, SOMETHING I NEVER GOT AROUND TO TELLING YOU; DIDN’T THINK I’D NEED TO. OLD BLAIR HERE, HE’S THE COMPANY BUGLER. WHY HE CAN PLAY THE CALL TO CHARGE WITH ONE HAND AND FIRE HIS PISTOL WITH THE OTHER. HERE’S WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO.

I AGREE WITH YOU JESSEE, THEM’S MOSTLY WINCHESTERS FIRING DOWN THERE, AND WE GOT TO TRY AND FIND OUT WHERE THAT SHOOTING’S COMING FROM. LET’S MOSEY A LITTLE FURTHER ON DOWN THE HILL AND SEE IF WE CAN DO THAT. BE REAL QUIET, BUT WE GOT TO HURRY A BIT TOO; IT’S GETTING LIGHTER ALL THE TIME.

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, THEY WERE A HUNDRED YARDS CLOSER TO THE FIRING, AND IT WAS LIGHT ENOUGH THEY COULD BEGIN TO MAKE OUT A FEW THINGS. SUDDENLY, ROBERT STOPPED AND HELD UP HIS HAND. THE OTHER THREE REINED IN CLOSE AROUND HIM. LISTEN CLOSE, HE SAID, IN A LOW VOICE, I THINK I’M HEARING A LOT OF HORSES MOVING AROUND OVER THERE TO THE LEFT; NOW LISTEN A MINUTE.

A LITTLE WHILE LATER, BLAIR SAID, HE’S RIGHT, GRANT, I HEAR ’EM TOO.

YEAH, I DO TOO. SERGEANT MACDOUGALL WHISPERED. "CAN’T BE MORE’N A COUPLE A HUNDRED YARDS IN FRONT OF US EITHER. WE GOT TO MOVE IN A HURRY BEFORE ONE A THEM SEE’S US. I’D VENTURE TO SAY THEM WAGONS ARE A GOOD THREE OR FOUR HUNDRED YARDS FURTHER DOWN THE HILL, AND WIDE TO THE RIGHT. BLAIR, HAND ME YOUR REINS; JUMP DOWN AND GET ME FOUR STICKS OF DYNAMITE OFF THE MULE. CUT THE FUSES ABOUT THREE INCHES; HURRY.

HERE’S THE PLAN. WE’LL EASE UP ABOUT TEN YARDS FURTHER, AND MORE TO THE LEFT; I’M HOPING THAT’LL PUT US BEHIND THEM FELLERS. EVERYBODY’S GOT A MATCH, RIGHT? HE ASKED, AND THE OTHER THREE NODDED. "WHEN I SAY GO, BLAIR WILL THROW HIS STICK FIRST, SO HE CAN PLAY THE CHARGE. I WILL GO NEXT, THEN YOU, JESSE, AND FINALLY, ROBERT. BE QUICK ABOUT IT AND THROW THAT DYNAMITE AS FAR AS YOU CAN.

"BLAIR, YOU SOUND THE CHARGE THE MINUTE ROBERT’S STICK OF DYNAMITE GOES OFF. AFTER THAT, MEN, IT’S BOOT HEELS AND SIXGUNS. WE’RE GOING TO RIDE RIGHT THROUGH WHOEVER’S OUT THERE, AND HEAD STRAIGHT TOWARD THE WAGONS. BLAIR, YOU KEEP ON BLOWING THAT BUGLE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT; AND IT MIGHT? HOW ABOUT YOU JESSE, ROBERT? ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? LEAVE THEM PEOPLE TO GO AS THEY WILL AND MAKE FOR THE WAGON TRAIN. IT’S IMPORTANT WE GET IT TO FORT SCOTT AS QUICK AS WE CAN.

THAT’S ENOUGH TALKING MEN; LET’S DO IT. THROW IT BLAIR!

1859

The Last Good Year

PART ONE

HOSTILE TERRITORY

HENRY GUSTAFFSON PROVED HIS METTLE AS THEY ALL CAME RUNNING AND CROWDED AROUND HIM, SHOCKED, FRIGHTENED BY THE GUNFIRE, AND NOT SURE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. JESSE MANAGED TO TURN AROUND AND MUMBLE,DAVIE’S BEEN KILT, WHICH STUNNED THEM ALL. THEY SEEMED UNABLE TO BELIEVE JESSE’S WORDS, THINKING HE MUST BE MISTAKEN, BUT JUST BEYOND THE STAMPING FEET OF THE RESTLESS BLACK HORSES, LAY POOR DAVID OLSEN’S ALMOST HEADLESS BODY.

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YOU ALL BACK OFF A WAYS, HENRY SAID, "GO ON NOW, BACK UP, GIVE ME SOME ROOM. I’LL GET TO YOUR QUESTIONS IN A MINUTE; RIGHT NOW, I GOT OTHER THINGS TO DO, AND THEY GOT TO BE DONE IN A HURRY.

JESSE, YOU AND ROBERT RIDE BACK OUT THERE AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE OUT FOR ME. I’LL TALK TO YOU AS SOON AS I GET THINGS SORTED OUT HERE. ROBERT, I SAW YOU GO UP THAT HILL; GOD WAS WITH YOU, SON. NOW GO ON, BOTH OF YOU.

JACK, YOU HELP JASON AND GRACIE, AND YOU ALL PUT MISSUS OLSEN IN THE BACK OF MY WAGON. NO, NO; NO QUESTIONS NOW, JUST DO IT. GRACIE, YOU DO THE BEST YOU CAN FOR THE POOR LADY WHILE I TRY TO GET THINGS TAKEN CARE OF OUT HERE. JASON, YOU AND JACK HURRY BACK HERE, I NEED YOU TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

JOSHUA, I WANT YOU TO MAKE ME A BOX AND I NEED IT BUILT FAST. IF YOU NEED PLANKS, STRIP THE BED OFF THAT WAGON IN FRONT OF YOU. IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH, TAKE A FEW HERE AND THERE OFF THE OTHER WAGONS; I’LL LEAVE IT TO YOU TO DO AS YOU SEE FIT. JUST GET IT DONE QUICK, JOSHUA; I NEED THAT BOX SO WE CAN BURY POOR DAVIE BEFORE HIS WIFE WAKES UP. WAIT A MINUTE; JOHN, YOU’RE REAL HANDY WITH TOOLS; YOU GO HELP JOSHUA.

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JASON AND JACK WERE BACK IN MINUTES. WHAT WAS IT YOU WANTED, HENRY, JASON ASKED.

"JASON, I NEED YOU AND JACK FIND SOMETHING WE CAN USE TO WRAP DAVID’S BODY AND BURY HIM IN IT. JOSHUA AND JOHN ARE GOING TO MAKE ME A BOX TO USE FOR HIS COFFIN, AND JASON, WE’VE GOT TO BURY OUR FRIEND BEFORE POOR MISSUS OLSEN COMES TO. I KNOW SHE’S GOING TO WANT TO SEE HIM, BUT JASON, I JUST CAN’T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. I’LL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DOING THIS, SO NO BLAME WILL FALL ON YOUR SHOULDERS. SOON AS YOU GET HIM WRAPPED, YOU GO LOOK FOR A PLACE WHERE WE CAN DIG A GRAVE. JACK, YOU GO CHECK ON YOUR WIFE AND THE CHILDREN; MAKE SURE EVERYBODY’S ALL RIGHT; THEN COME FIND ME.

WAIT A MINUTE; HERE’S WHAT ELSE I’M FIXING TO DO. I’M GOING TO MOVE ALL THE WAGONS FORWARD FAR ENOUGH SO THAT JOSHUA’S WAGON WILL BE PAST WHERE THE KILLING TOOK PLACE. UNDERSTAND?

YEAH I DO, AND HENRY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING CHARGE WHEN NONE A THE REST OF US HAD OUR WITS ABOUT US. MAKES ME FEEL PROUD TO BE PART OF YOUR TRAIN. ALL RIGHT, I’LL BE BACK SHORTLY.

DANIEL, YOU, LUTHER AND LENNIE, FIND SOME OLD RAGS AND SOME SOAP AND WATER. I WANT YOU BOYS TO CLEAN ALL THIS BLOODY MESS OFF MISS PENNY’S WAGON. WE CAN’T HAVE HER SEEING ANY OF THIS. NOW GO ON, TIME’S A FLYING. IF YOU CAN FIND THAT BIG OLD STIFF BRUSH YOUR MAMMA USES ON THE FLOORS, YOU MIGHT OUGHT TO BRING IT TOO.

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PA, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME AND GUNTHER TO DO; YOU AIN’T SAID NOTHING TO US YET?

FOSTER, YA’LL WALK AROUND THE WAGON WITH ME TO WHERE WE CAN SEE A BIT FURTHER UP THE TRAIL. COME HERE, BOYS; DO YOU SEE HOW THE TRAIL CURVES SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AWAY FROM THE RIDGE? I’D LIKE TO GET ALL THE WAGONS UP THERE AROUND THAT CURVE. PULL THE WAGONS UP CLOSER TO ONE ANOTHER. FOSTER, YOU BETTER HOLLER AT YOUR MA, AND TELL HER WHY YOU’RE MOVING HER. NOW GET TO IT. WHEN THAT POOR LADY WAKES UP I’M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

PA, DO YOU THINK SHE’LL WANT TO GO BACK TO KENTUCKY, FOSTER ASKED.

SON, I BEEN THINKING ON THAT MYSELF; I DON’T THINK SO, BUT I CAN’T SAY FOR SURE IT WON’T HAPPEN. NOW, I’M GOING TO HELP YOU BOYS GET STARTED; I’LL TAKE KING AND WE’LL WALK UP THE TRAIL TO WHERE I THINK YOU OUGHT TO STOP. GUNTHER, YOU BRING THE OLSEN’S WAGON. TRY NOT TO UPSET THEM CHILDREN; TALK TO THEM A LITTLE AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU’RE FIXING TO DO. YOU MIGHT TELL REBECCA THAT I’VE GOT JACK DOING THINGS, AND HE’S ALL RIGHT. DANIEL AND THE LITTLE ONES ARE TO STAY ON THE WAGON TILL THEY’VE GOT EVERTHING CLEANED UP GOOD. ALL RIGHT, LET ME GO FIND KING.

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IT WAS A SOLEMN GROUP OF YOUNG MEN WHO CARRIED THE BOX CONTAINING DAVID OLSEN’S BODY UP THE HILL TO THE GRAVE JASON, JACK, AND JOHN HAD DUG. THEY HAD FOUND A SPOT NEAR AN OUTCROPPING OF GRANITE ALMOST SIX FEET TALL. JOSHUA SAID HE WOULD TAKE A HAMMER AND CHISEL AND MARK THE GRAVE.

HENRY GUSTAFFSON READ THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM FROM HIS BIBLE, AND THEN SAID A PRAYER FOR HIS YOUNG FRIEND, WHO LEFT BEHIND A WIFE, PENNY AND TWO YOUNG SONS, DAVID JUNIOR, AND ROBERT. AFTER THAT, EVERYONE SAID THEIR GOOD-BYES, JASON, JOEY, AND HENRY STRICKLAND, JESSE AND ROBERT GRAY, JACK WELLS, JOHN O’SHAUNESSY, JOSHUA, AND FOSTER, GUNTHER, AND DANIEL GUSTAFFSON. EACH ONE THEN TOOK A TURN WITH THE SHOVEL, AND HAD ALMOST FINISHED FILLING THE GRAVE, WHEN SHE SCREAMED.

JASON GAVE HIS SHOVEL TO JACK WELLS, AND TURNED TO HENRY. "I THINK YOU’D BETTER COME WITH ME, SHE’S BOUND TO WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS OF BOTH OF US. ROBERT, MAYBE YOU AND JESSE BETTER COME TOO. LETS HURRY; I DON’T WANT HER TO GET ANY MORE UPSET THAN SHE MUST BE NOW. I EXPECT GRACIE WOULD LIKE A LITTLE HELP TOO.

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SHE WAS SITTING ON THE TAILGATE OF HENRY’S WAGON, WRAPPED IN A BLANKET AND CRYING SILENTLY, WHEN JASON AND THE OTHERS APPROACHED, AND STOPPED A FEW FEET AWAY. JASON TOOK TWO STEPS FORWARD, AND SHE SLID RIGHT OFF THE WAGON INTO HIS ARMS, AND BEGAN SOBBING SO HARD, SHE WAS CONVULSING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, PENNY PUSHED HERSELF BACK SO SHE COULD SEE HIS FACE, AND DEMANDED, WHERE’S DAVID? WHERE’S MY HUSBAND? I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND, JASON; WHY WON’T SOMEBODY TELL ME?

I’M SORRY, PRINCESS, DAVID’S GONE; THE BASTARDS KILT HIM.

SHE BEGAN SCREAMING, AND SOBBING SO HARD SHE COULD HARDLY CATCH HER BREATH; ALL THE TIME, PULLING ON HIS SHIRT. SUDDENLY SHE STOPPED; I WAN’T TO SEE HIM, JASON! I WANT TO SEE MY HUSBAND NOW! IF YOU’RE REALLY MY FRIEND, YOU’LL TAKE ME TO SEE HIM; PLEASE JASON. SHE ASKED; NOW BEGGING.

I CAN’T DO THAT, PENNY, WE’VE ALREADY BURIED HIM, JASON MANAGED TO SAY BEFORE HIS VOICE FAILED, AND HIS EYES FILLED WITH TEARS.

≈≈≈

HENRY GLANCED QUICKLY TOWARD GRACIE, WHO SHOOK HER HEAD, YES, AND HE COULD SEE TEARS ON HIS WIFE’S FACE TOO. STIFFENING HIS SHOULDERS, HE REMOVED HIS HAT AND STEPPED FORWARD. JESSE AND ROBERT QUICKLY REMOVED THEIRS TOO. JASON LOST HIS WHEN HE JUMPED FROM THE WAGON, AND HAD NOT HAD A CHANCE TO GO LOOK FOR IT.

MISSUS OLSEN, IT GRIEVES ME TO TELL YOU THIS, BUT I’M THE ONE WHO MADE THE DECISION TO BURY YOUR HUSBAND AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD. I DID THIS TO SAVE YOU FROM UNSPEAKABLE NIGHTMARES AFTER HAVING SEEN HIS BODY. I SIMPLY COULD NOT ALLOW YOU TO SUBJECT YOURSELF TO A WORSE HORROR THAN THE ONE ALREADY INFLICTED UPON YOU. I ASSURE YOU WE GAVE YOUNG DAVID A PROPER BURIAL AND I, MYSELF, READ SCRIPTURE FROM THE BIBLE AND SAID A PRAYER OVER HIS GRAVE. JOSHUA IS PRESENTLY CHISELING YOUR HUSBAND’S NAME AND THE DATE ON A BIG PIECE OF GRANITE STONE NEARBY WHERE WE BURIED HIM.

PENNY LOOSED HERSELF FROM JASON’S ARMS, AND WENT TO HENRY. HE EMBRACED HER AND SHED THE FIRST TEARS ANYONE HAD SEEN COME FROM HIS EYES. SHE LOOKED UP INTO THE FACE OF THIS GOOD, STRONG MAN. HE THOUGHT HIGHLY OF YOU, YOU KNOW, AND DAVID WAS HAPPY THAT YOU HAD AGREED TO LEAD US. IT’LL BE HARD FOR ALL OF US WHO KNEW HIM TO GO ON, BUT SOMEHOW WE MUST.

≈≈≈

THEY STOOD THAT WAY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, AND FINALLY HENRY TOOK HOLD OF HER SHOULDERS AND MOVED HER BACK UNTIL HE COULD SEE HER FACE. WE’LL SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY AND TONIGHT GETTING OURSELVE’S BACK TOGETHER, AND IN THE MORNING, I’LL TURN THE TRAIN AROUND AND WE’LL HEAD BACK TO KENTUCKY.

NO HENRY, SHE ALMOST SHOUTED, "WE CAN’T DO THAT. MY HUSBAND HAD BIG PLANS FOR WYOMING BUT HE KEPT THEM MOSTLY TO HIMSELF. DAVID COULD HARDLY WAIT TO GET STARTED BACK UP THERE. IT’S TOO LATE NOW; BUT I NEVER ASKED HIM WHY, AND NOW HE’S GONE. BUT BY GOD, FORGIVE ME LORD, I INTEND TO FIND OUT FOR MYSELF WHAT’S UP THERE THAT COULD HAVE POSSESSED HIM SO STRONGLY. I’D LIKE US ALL TO GO TOGETHER JUST LIKE HE’D PLANNED.

DAVID TOLD ME THERE WERE NO TOWNS NEAR BY, BUT THAT DIDN’T MATTER, WE WOULD BUILD ONE OF OUR OWN. SO THAT’S WHAT WE’LL DO, AND NAME IT, DAVIDSON, AFTER MY HUSBAND. IF WE HAVE A RANCH SOMEDAY, WITH THE HUNDRED’S OF HORSES HE BRAGGED ABOUT CATCHING, WE’LL CALL IT HORSE COUNTRY AFTER HIS HOME IN ENGLAND. YOU’LL HELP ME, WON’T YOU JASON, SHE ASKED.

YES PRINCESS, I WILL; FOR AS LONG AS I WALK THIS EARTH, HE REPLIED.

THANK YOU, JASON, SHE SAID, AND HENRY, OUR STRONG AND WISE LEADER, WILL YOU CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER US IN THIS NEW COUNTRY? YOU CAN BE THE BOSS OF IT ALL.

HENRY LOOKED AT GRACIE, WHO NODDED HER APPROVAL. ME AND JESSE TALKED ABOUT IT ONE DAY, AND HE SAID HE RECKONED IT WOULD BE SORTA’ LIKE A NEW BEGINNING FOR ALL OF US. SOUNDED PRETTY GOOD TO ME WHEN HE SAID IT; STILL DOES. YES, I’LL GO.

NOW THAT WE’VE SETTLED THAT, I WANT YOU AND JASON TO TAKE ME TO SEE MY HUSBAND’S GRAVE. GRACIE, WOULD YOU COME WITH US, PLEASE.

≈≈≈

THEY HAD TAKEN BUT A FEW STEPS WHEN PENNY SUDDENLY STOPPED. WAIT A MINUTE, DO YOU KNOW WHO KILLED MY HUSBAND?

JESSE, WHO HAD BEEN WALKING ALMOST BESIDE HER, ANSWERED, YES WE DO, MA’AM,

WELL, CAN’T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? DO YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE, OR MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE SAID, WHERE THEY ARE? HOW ABOUT IT, JESSE?

WE KNOW FOR SURE WHERE THEY ARE, MISSUS OLSEN, AND WHAT THEY ARE TOO, BUT WE DON’T REALLY KNOW WHO THEY ARE, MA’AM.

"HOLD ON NOW, JESSE, I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING; YOU DON’T WANT TO TELL ME SOMETHING. NOW STOP THIS FUNNY TALKING AND TELL ME WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.?

I KILT ’EM, MISSUS OLSEN, ROBERT GRAY SAID. THEIR BODIES ARE STILL LAYING UP THERE ON TOP OF THAT RIDGE. ME AND JESSE HAVE TO GO BACK UP THERE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.

SHE GRABBED ROBERT’S ARM, BURN ’EM, ROBERT; SEND ’EM STRAIGHT TO HELL. IS THAT PLAIN ENOUGH FOR YOU, JESSE? SHE ASKED.

YES MA’AM, ’TIS. ME AND LITTLE BROTHER WILL SEE TO IT RIGHT NOW.

≈≈≈

JESSE, YOU AND ROBERT HOLD ON A MINUTE. SOON AS YOU TAKE CARE OF THAT SITUATION ON THE RIDGE, YOU BOYS LOOK TO YOUR HORSES, GET ALL YOUR GEAR TOGETHER, THEN GO REST UP. I WANT YOU TO LEAVE AT FIRST LIGHT AND FIND US A WAY OUT OF THIS HELL-HOLE. NOW GO ON, BUT COME SEE ME LATER; WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE MAP TOGETHER. JASON, I’D LIKE FOR YOU TO BE THERE TOO.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, SHE GRABBED JASON’S ARM AND SPUN HIM AROUND.

OH MY GOD, SHE GASPED, WHERE ARE MY BABIES? HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN MY BOYS. OH GRACIE, HOW WILL I EVER TELL THEM ABOUT THEIR FATHER; DAVY’S BOUND TO ASK. DEAR LORD, JASON THERE’S SOMEONE ELSE THAT’S GOT TO BE TOLD TOO, AND I DON’T THINK I CAN.

WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, MISSUS OLSEN, HENRY ASKED, AND IMMEDIATELY REALIZED HE ALREADY KNEW THE ANSWER.

SHE’S TALKING ABOUT OLIVER AND KRISTINA, HENRY, JASON RESPONDED. DAVID TOLD ME HIS PARENTS PLANNED TO GO STAY IN SCOTLAND A WHILE AND THEN VISIT HIS BROTHER IN ENGLAND.

YES, THAT’S TRUE, JASON, PENNY SAID, THERE’S NOT MUCH I CAN DO ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW ANYWAY. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A POST OFFICE IN TOPEKA, AND I COULD MAIL A LETTER; BUT WHERE WOULD I SEND IT?

AREN’T WE SUPPOSED TO MEET SOME A YOUR FOLKS WHEN WE GET TO WYOMING, HENRY ASKED, I SEEM TO REMEMBER DAVID SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THAT’S RIGHT, HENRY, PENNY REPLIED, ROY OWNS SOME PROPERTY SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO CHEYENNE, AND I KNOW DAVID GOT A LETTER FROM ROY THAT TOLD HIM WHERE THEY COULD MEET.

MISSUS OLSEN, HENRY SAID, "WHEN ME AND DAVID BEGAN MAKING PLANS FOR THIS TRIP, WE HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO DO, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THEM A LOT. SOME THINGS WE COULD GO AHEAD WITH AND OTHERS WE COULDN’T FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. YOUR HUSBAND TOLD ME, HENRY, WE’RE WASTING OUR TIME TRYING TO DEAL WITH EVERYTHING AT ONCE, WHAT WE MUST DO IS CONCERN OURSELVES WITH WHAT WE CAN DO NOW, AND DEAL WITH THE REST WHEN WE CAN. LET’S DON’T WORRY OVER SOMETHING WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT. I BELIEVE THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW."

YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, HENRY, AND I THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME. PENNY SAID. I KNOW YOU’RE ALL GOING TO THINK I’VE LOST MY MIND, AND YOU WOULDN’T BE FAR WRONG, BUT I’D LIKE TO GO BACK AND BE WITH MY BABIES; I CAN’T HELP POOR DAVID, BUT OUR BOYS NEED TO BE WITH THEIR MOTHER. I CAN SEE THE PLACE WHERE YOU BURIED HIM YONDER BY THE ROCKS, SO I’LL WALK UP THERE BY MYSELF IN THE MORNING AND SPEND A FEW MINUTES WITH HIM BEFORE WE LEAVE. LET’S GO BACK TO THE WAGON, I WANT TO HOLD MY BOYS AND TALK TO THEM. GRACIE, I’LL WELCOME ANY ADVICE YOU WANT TO OFFER.

MISS PENNY, YOU’RE FIXING TO DO THE BEST AND ONLY THING YOU NEED CONCERN YOURSELF WITH; THAT’S TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND THE TWO CHILDREN. THE REST OF US CAN DEAL WITH ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. YOU MAKE YOUR GOOD-BYES WITH YOUR MAN AND LOOK AFTER THEM BABIES; THAT’S ALL.

≈≈≈

BOYS, YA’LL GATHER ROUND HERE, HENRY SAID THAT EVENING, WE GOT TO MAKE A PLAN AND I WANT TO BE SURE WE ALL AGREE ON IT. JASON, GRAB THAT END A THIS MAP AND LETS SPREAD IT ACROSS MY TAIL GATE. I’M GUESSING AT THIS, BUT I THINK IT’S CLOSE ENOUGH FOR OUR PURPOSE WHEN I SAY WE’RE RIGHT HERE, HE SAID, USING HIS PENCIL TO MARK THE SPOT. "THE HEAVY LINE MARKS THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN MISSOURI AND KANSAS. WE GOT THIS MAP FROM NEW YORK AND IT DON’T SHOW ANYTHING BETWEEN WHERE WE ARE NOW, AND THAT TOWN CALLED NEVADA, BUT IF YOU LOOK CLOSE, YOU CAN SEE THREE OR FOUR TINY DOTS IN THAT AREA. I’M THINKING THE DOTS MIGHT BE TOWNS THEY DIDN’T KNOW THE NAME OF, OR THOUGHT THEY WEREN’T IMPORTANT.

"I BELIEVE THIS LINE RIGHT HERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TRAIL, BUT ME AND DAVID FOLDED THIS MAP RIGHT ON TOP OF IT SO MANY TIMES, WE ALMOST WORE IT OUT. I HOPE IT IS A TRAIL, BECAUSE THAT’S THE WAY I PLAN TO GO OUT OF HERE IN THE MORNING.

"JESSE, I WANT YOU AND ROBERT TO GIT AWAY FROM HERE SOON AS YOU CAN SEE. BY THE TIME WE GET OURSELVES HOOKED UP AND READY TO MOVE, YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO SEE WHETHER OF NOT IT REALLY IS A TRAIL. IF IT AIN’T, HURRY ON BACK HERE AND WE’LL TRY SOMETHING ELSE. IF I DON’T SEE YOU BY THE TIME I’M READY TO GO, WE’LL FOLLOW YOUR TRACKS RIGHT ON OUTTA’ HERE.

HENRY, I’M PRETTY SURE YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THIS BEING A TRAIL BECAUSE ME AND ROBERT ALREADY BEEN ABOUT A MILE FURTHER ON UP FROM WHERE WE ARE NOW. I THINK IT’LL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT ON TO THIS TOWN HERE, NAMED NEVADA. DO YOU WANT US TO RIDE IN TO TOWN AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND THE TERRITORY AND COME BACK TO MEET YOU.

WELL, MAYBE SO, JESSE, BUT THERE’S SOMETHING ELSE I WANT TO SHOW YOU BEFORE WE PLAN ANYTHING. ALL OF YOU LOOK RIGHT BELOW THE POINT OF MY PENCIL AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE.

JASON WAS THE FIRST TO LOOK UP. HENRY, I MAKE IT TO BE FORT SCOTT, AND IT APPEARS TO SIT RIGHT ON THE STATE LINE BETWEEN KANSAS AND MISSOURI.

HOW ABOUT IT ROBERT, HENRY ASKED.

I AGREE WITH JASON, ROBERT REPLIED, BUT THERE’S SOMETHING ELSE RIGHT UNDER THE WORDS, FORT SCOTT. IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE ONE A THEM MARKS YOU USE WHEN YOU’VE WROTE SOMEBODY A QUESTION.

"THAT’S WHAT IT IS YOU CLOD-HOPPER, JESSE EXCLAIMED, AS HE STRAIGHTENED UP, DIDN’T YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM MARTHA SAWYER?"

WELL, YEAH I DID, BIG BROTHER, I LEARNED SHE’S A MIGHTY PRETTY LADY, ROBERT REPLIED, AND WHISTLED.

BOYS, WE GOT NO TIME FOR FOOLISHNESS; THAT’S CALLED A QUESTION MARK. EVEN I KNOW THAT ROBERT, AND I NEVER BEEN TO SCHOOL A DAY IN MY LIFE. MY MOMMA TAUGHT ME MY LETTERS AND HOW TO DO SUMS. ALL THAT ASIDE, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT QUESTION MARK IS THERE? JASON, YOU GOT ANY IDEAS?

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I MIGHT HAVE, HENRY, JASON REPLIED. "WHOEVER DREW THE MAP DIDN’T KNOW SOMETHING; BUT I DON’T THINK HE MEANS THERE MIGHT NOT BE A FORT. IF THAT WERE TRUE, WHY WOULD HE PUT IT ON HERE. I THINK THE MAP MAKER NEVER SAW A FORT, AND HE WROTE IT ON HERE BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE TOLD HIM ABOUT IT. THAT’S ALSO WHY THE LINE FOR THIS TRAIL IS STRAIGHT. THE MAN WAS SITTING DOWN AT A TABLE OR DESK, WHEN HE USED HIS PENCIL AND A STRAIGHT-EDGE TO DRAW IT.

"SOMEBODY SAID, MISTER, THERE’S A FORT RIGHT OVER THERE IN KANSAS, BUT I AIN’T SURE THEY GOT ANY MEN THERE NOW. IT’S RIGHT HERE,STRAIGHT ACROSS FROM THIS TOWN CALLED NEVADA." I’M A SAYING THAT MISTER MAP-MAKER WROTE FORT SCOTT ON THERE BECAUSE HE WAS TOLD IT WAS THERE, AND HE ADDED THE QUESTION MARK BECAUSE HE WASN’T SURE IF THERE WERE SOLDIERS AT THE FORT."

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THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME, JASON, HENRY SAID, AND TURNED TO ROBERT AND JESSE. "YOU BOYS HI-TAIL IT TO KANSAS AND SEE IF YOU CAN FIND THAT FORT THEN HURRY BACK THIS WAY AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU’VE FOUND. I FIGURE IT’S GOING TO TAKE THE TRAIN CLOSE TO THREE DAYS TO COME TO THIS TOWN OF NEVADA AND I PLAN TO GO AROUND IT INSTEAD OF RIGHT DOWN MAIN STREET. I BELIEVE IF I CAN HOLD TO THE SOUTH OF TOWN, I WON’T HAVE TO CROSS NO RIVERS UNTIL WE GET IN KANSAS. THEN, IF I HEAD FOR TOPEKA, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE’S FOUR OF THEM TO CROSS.

YOU BOYS BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU DO AND SAY, ESPECIALLY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO DAVID; THAT IS, UNLESS YOU’RE TALKING TO SOMEONE WITH AUTHORITY. I RECKON THAT’S ALL I HAVE TO SAY, OH, NO IT AIN’T EITHER; IF YOU BOYS HAPPEN TO COME BACK AFTER DARK, FIRE ONE SHOT, THEN TWO SHOTS, FOLLOWED BY ONE MORE. USE YOUR RIFLES, SO WE’LL RECOGNIZE THEM WINCHESTERS.

HENRY AND JASON SHOOK HANDS WITH THE LADS; THEN WISHED THEM GOOD LUCK AND A SAFE RETURN TO THE WAGON TRAIN. JASON, I NEED TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR DRIVERS; HOW ABOUT YOU GOING DOWN AND TELLING THE BOYS IN THE LAST FIVE WAGONS AND I’LL GET THE ONE’S UP FRONT. LET’S MEET AT JOSHUA’S WAGON IN A FEW MINUTES.

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"MEN, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WAY YOU’VE HANDLED YOURSELVES TODAY. MAYBE WE CAN ALL SET DOWN TOGETHER ONE DAY, AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED HERE THIS MORNING; WE WERE ALL VERY CLOSE TO YOUNG DAVID OLSEN, BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO GRIEVE OR LOWER OUR GUARD.

"JESSE AND ROBERT WILL BE LEAVING EARLY IN THE MORNING TO SEE WHAT’S UP THE TRAIL AHEAD, AND MAYBE, FIND SOME HELP. WE’LL ALL HAVE TO BE ESPECIALLY ALERT UNTIL THEY COME BACK. NOW, HERE’S WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO.

"JASON, YOU MOVE UP AND DRIVE THE OLSEN WAGON WITH THEM FOUR RAMBUNCTOUS BLACK HORSES; JACK, YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT MULES; YOU AND REBECCA COME OVER TO WAGON NUMBER 3 WHERE JASON WAS BEFORE. JOHN, YOU TAKE JACK’S PLACE.

"YOU SEE HOW CLOSE FOSTER AND GUNTHER TIGHTENED UP THE WAGONS? WHEN WE GET STARTED IN THE MORNING, I WANT YOU TO STAY JUST LIKE THAT. ANYBODY STARTS STRAGGLING, STOP AND LET HIM CATCH UP. SOMETHING ELSE I’D LIKE YOU TO DO, IF THIS TRAIL WIDENS OUT SO WE CAN; I WANT YOU TO FORM TWO COLUMNS OF FIVE. DANIEL, YOU WOULD BE THE LEAD WAGON IN THE SECOND LINE.

ONE MORE THING, MEN, AND I’M ABOUT FINISHED. I WANT EVERY WAGON TO HAVE A WINCHESTER RIFLE, A SHOTGUN, AT LEAST ONE PISTOL, AND PLENTY OF AMMUNITION FOR EACH WEAPON. IF IT SEEMS LIKE I’M GETTING READY FOR WAR, YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS ON IT. YOU’RE GOING TO SEE ME TOTING A WINCHESTER TOMORROW INSTEAD OF THAT TREE LIMB, HENRY SMILED, CAUSING THE REST OF THEM TO LAUGH. IF ANYBODY’S GOT QUESTIONS, NOW’S THE TIME FOR ’EM. ALL RIGHT, JOEY, LET’S HAVE IT.

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"CAPTAIN HENRY, WHAT DO YOU