the Cherokee Trail (1982) Read online

  Won't your folks be worried about you?" There was a long silence. "I got no folks. Ain't nobody going to be worried about me, and I don't need anybody:

  "Everybody needs somebody, Wat. I have Peg, but if you'll let me, I'll have you, too.

  His "I don't need nobody."

  "I know you don't, Wat, but we do, Peg and I. We're all alone, and we are not as strong as you are. If you have no place to go, why not stay here with us? At least until you decide to move on?"

  "Well-all right. I got to earn me enough to buy a horse. A man without a horse an" saddle-well, he ain't very much, ma'am."

  The shadows were long, and the sun was gone. A small wind stirred the leaves, and she shivered, looking around. For just a moment, her thoughts turned homeward, back to Virginia and the plantation before the war. The great white house with its columns, the carriages pulling up before the door, her father greeting the guests-it was all gone, gone forever now. From inside came a rattle of dishes; then a light glowed as a lamp was lighted. .

  The night air was cool, and as she looked back along the valley, she smelled the hay from the barns, heard the movements of the horses . . . .

  Was this to be her world now? Was all the rest really gone? Or would it be what she wanted if a time came to go back?

  "That man," she said suddenly, "said he would come back?" "Yes, ma'am. He'll do it, too.

  He's got to . . . or leave the country. He won't leave. He's got too much workin' for him."

  "What do you mean, Wat?"

  "Oh . . . nothin". Just seems him bein' around so long, with his friends and all. I just figured he'd not want to leave: was It was not at all what he had been thinking. He had something else in mind when he first spoke, she was sure of that. What did Scant Luther have "workin' for him"?

  "Wat? Why don't you go in and help the girls clean up"...[*macr] "No, ma'am."

  "No? Why, Wat, I thought-was was ma'am. I'll do chores. I'll fetch wood or water. I'll feed the stock. I'll muck out behind the horses, but I won't do woman's work. I got my pride, ma'am. I hatched some, doin' my own cookin', washin', and the like, but that's different." was "Batched"?"

  "Yes, ma'am. That's what they call it when a man lives by hisself and does for hisself. Like when he's a bachelor, they call it batching." I see. I guess I have a lot to learn, Wat."

  "I'll help, ma'am." He gestured around.

  I never worked in such a place, but I've been around stock all my life. I can hitch a team, if need be, or saddle a horse or herd cattle.

  I can carry messages a-horseback, grease wheels, and I don't mind fetchin' an' carryin'."

  Temple Boone was lingering over his coffee when she went in, and he glanced from her to Wat, a faint, halfhidden smile in his eyes. "Found you a man, I see."

  She smiled. "Yes, it seems I have. He's going to stay on and help." Her first thought had been for Peg and herself to sleep in the small cottage intended for them, but the more she considered it, the less the idea appealed to her. It would mean leaving Matty alone in the station, and it would be better if they were all together. She had her husband's rifle, and it was loaded. As a child, with her father, she had often hunted ducks. or geese along the river, and she could shoot.

  "I wish we had a gun for you, too, Matty."

  "It would be better, mum, but there's never a house without its weapons. There's the butcher knife yonder and sticks of stove wood, lids from the stove, and there's pepper in the shaker. As for that, we could keep some water hot. Boilin' water has a way of changin' men's minds. We will have to do with what we have, mum."

  Hands on her hips, she looked around. "We could take a bit of that clothesline and stretch it across the door not quite so high as a man's knee. When they come in an' trip, we could take the firewood to them or the poker from the fireplace."

  "You might kill one of theml"

  "Yes, mum, but when a body comes in your home of a night, breakin' in or sneakin' in without permission, he's talon' his own chances."

  "You're right, Matty. Just for luck, we'll keep some water boiling, too." "Yes, mum.

  Many's the man was killed before ever gun was invented, an' not havin' a gun never stopped anybody from killin' who was a mind to. Nor a woman, either."

  Temple Boone, sipping his coffee in silence, had said nothing. "Doesn't look like you're goin' to need me," he commented. "We didn't know you were going to help."

  "I sort of had it in mind, but maybe I'll just set around and watch the fun. The trouble is, you may have roped the wrong calf:" "What do you mean?"

  "Supposin' Scant Luther pays you no mind at all? He doesn't have to come near you to put you out of business. This here station is your responsibility, so what if he just drives off your horses? Or sets fire to your hay?

  "Scant Luther is no fool. He can get himself hung bothering a woman, and he knows it. He might even do that, but if he does, he'll have it happen when nobody is mound to see and when he can make it look like Injuns done it or something."

  Of course, Temple Boone was right. Mary's immediate thought had been that he would want to strike back at her personally, but if she were hidden in the house, awaiting an attack, he could do whatever he wished outside. "Thank you, Mr. Boone. You are right.

  We are short of weapons here, but-was "Mum? I do have a pistol. It ain't much for size, but it's a comfort to have about."

  "Better leave the barn and corrals to me,"

  Boone suggested. "I'm not going anywhere, and I have a horse out there, too."

  "I cannot ask you to do that, Mr. Boone. You might be killed." "There isn't much a man can do west of the Mississippi where he might not get killed, ma'am. I've seen men gored by steers, killed in stampedes, thrown from buckin' horses, an' dragged with a foot caught in a stirrup.

  "A man can fall off a cliff, have a boulder or a tree drop on him, or his mine tunnel can cave in on him. There's a hundred ways a man can get himself killed out here that has nothing to do with guns or Injuns or outlaws. It's a rough country, ma'am."

  "But this is my problem."

  "Mine, too. I'll be sleepin' out there, and folks prowlin' in the night worry me some."

  "You'll make enemies."

  "I've had a few here and there. Enemies are good for a man. Keeps him from gettin' careless with himself."

  His When he had stepped outside, Mary closed the door and dropped the bar in place. She went to the table and sat down. Matty brought her some food and a pot of coffee. "Better eat, mum. It's going to be a long night." "Yes, of course.

  Where's Peg?"

  "She was tired, so I made up a bed from the things you brought on the stage. She's fast asleep."

  "Who is he, Matty?"

  "Temple Boone? Don't you be thinkiri about him, ma'am. He's one of those who are just here, there, and around. He'll drift, and you'll see no more of him."

  "He's a strange man."

  "That he is."

  She was tired. Hungry though she was, it was an effort to eat. She turned the wick down so the lamp gave off only a feeble glow. Then she went into the room where Peg lay sleeping and lay down beside her.

  Tomorrow there would be much to do. First to clean up the mess Luther had left behind, then to organize some efficient procedure for handling the stages, feeding the passengers, and getting them on the road again. She wished she could visit some of the other stations along the Cherokee Trail to see how they were doing it.

  In the darkness, the man called Boone was only another shadow in a maze of shadows cast by the barn, the corral, the house across the road. The only sounds came from the horses, and his senses isolated their vague sounds from the others, leaving a vacant place where strange sounds could register.

  Near a corner of the corral where the shadows were deepest, he sat on the ground, the rifle stock on the earth between his lggs, the barrel leaning against his shoulder. His And then, for a long time, there was only stillness, with the wind moving, a soft wind, barely stirring the leaves, a wind so light that its stirring l
eft a place for the faint sounds of a man moving. Inside the house, there was only a dim, reddish glow from the dying embers in the fireplace and a faint glow of light around the turned-down lamp. Outside, the leaves rustled, and Matty turned over on her cot dreaming of the sea rustling on the sands of Kerry.

  Mary Breydon awakened suddenly. Her eyes flared open, but she lay still, unmoving, listening, every sense alert.

  At first, there was no sound but the whisper from the kettle on the fire. From where she lay, she could see, in the faint glow from the turned-down lamp the movement of the door latch. Ever so gently, it was lifted. There was a pressure on the door, which held firmly in place; then the latch eased down again.

  Mary Breydon threw back the blankets and swung her feet to the floor, feeling for her slippers. She stood up, slipping into her robe. What was it Matty had said? Anything was a weapon if you used it as such. Even if much of the water had boiled away, the teakettle should be half full, the coffeepot, also.

  Somebody was trying to get in. Scant Luther?

  Perhaps. Or Temple Boone? After all, what did she know about him? Why had he stayed behind? Did he really wish to help or was he simply- .

  She waited, listening. How silly could she be?

  It was probably only Boone wanting a cup of coffeel It must be cold out there, and he was keeping watch.

  If anyone came to the stage station, he would surely know. She glanced at the window. The shutters were closed. Walking to the fireplace, she added water to the kettle, then replaced the lid and edged it closer to the coals. She thought about her rifle. If only it wasn't so long) What she needed was a handgun, something that could not be wrested from her hands. Still, if she could shoot fast enough-- Her husband had said he had heard of men firing a rifle from waist level, but could she? And be sure of hitting anything? Of course, at that distance--

  She sat down at the table with her coffee, suddenly realizing what she had was cold coffee in a cold cup. How sillyl She had forgotten to fill her own cup before putting fresh water in the coffeel Why not go back to sleep? It had probably just been Boone. Anyway, nothing had happened, and she might have imagined it. No, she had not. She had seen the latch lifla She was so tired, so very tired. Nobody could get in with that bar across the door, so why not go back to sleep?

  Returning to the bedroom, she lay down again. From where she lay, the door was in view. Her eyes closed.

  Outside in the darkness, the wind stirred, and dried leaves skittered across the hard-packed earth of the yard.

  The man named Boone opened his eyes. He had not slept, only closing his eyes, resting a little, but his senses were alert. He heard nothing, yet he was uneasy, and he had learned to trust those feelings.

  Usually, they stemmed from some subconscious awareness his consciousness had not noted. Luther was a bitter, brutal man, not accustomed to being thwarted in any way. Careful to make no sound, Boone shifted his position, taking the rifle in his hands.

  He looked toward the house. He would like a cup of coffee, but to go there now might frighten them, and that Irish girl had a pistol. He eased his belt gun into a better position and tightened his coat around him. It was chilly, mighty chilly. What had he gotten into this for, anyway? It was none of his business. If a woman wanted to come out here comand take a job like that, she should expect trouble.

  A very pretty woman, too. And a lady.

  Anybody could see that. Her way of looking at you, the way she gathered her skirts, the way she moved--

  One of the horses blew softly, showing alarm.

  Boone took a fresh grip on his rifle and looked around carefully, searching every shadow. Some of those horses were broncs, wild stuff broken to drive. They were as alert as any wild animal would be.

  Nothing . . . no sound, no--

  It was just a whisper of sound, some coarse material brushing against something else. The corral bars?

  Perhaps.

  Mentally, he swore. He was not in a good position for quick movement. To rise up now would make some sound, however small, and if it was Scant Luther come back, he would not be alone.

  Then, so close it scared him, he heard a faint whisper. "She'll have the door barred."

  "I say take the horses an' go. That's a good bunch of stock. was "Like hell! What d'you think I brought this whip along for? We're goin' in there!

  Hell, that bar don't mean nothin'! I lived here too long! I can get that bar out of the way! What d'you think I done the time Buck passed out in there?

  Him with the door barred? I got in, didn't I?"' I don't like it, Scant. What about that Boone feller?" "Aw, he's long gone! What would he stick around fore" "Maybe he's gettin" sweet on her. He taken up for her, didn't he?" They moved away, and Boone reached up, grasping one of the corral bars to pull himself erect.

  He had an urge to shoot, but beyond them was the house, and a bullet from. his rifle would go through several inches of pine, and he might injure one of the women or that little girl. A man with a gun had not only to think of what he was shooting at but where the bullet might go if it missed, and almost any kind of a gun might carry up to a mile. If he could just get across the corral and come up on their flank- He rested a boot on the lower pole, then the next.

  Quickly,- he threw himself over and landed on his feet on the soft earth inside. His boots made a soft thump as he landed.

  A boot grated on gravel, and someone whispered hoarsely, "What was that?" Luther's tone was impatient. "A horse, damn itl just a horse stampin'!" Like a ghost, Boone crossed the corral. They were at the house now. Luther said he could unbar the door from the outside. How? There might be a crack in the door through which a stick or a stiff wire might be slipped to lift the bar. Of course, when it fell, it would make a sound, but they would be inside before there could be any reaction.

  He hesitated. Should he take a chance and go over the corral bars? Or should he shoot from the partial protection of the corral? It was a little safety to be traded for increased mobility, and he wanted to go over. They would be doubly alert now.

  One of them thought he had heard something, and also, as they were nearing the house, their every sense would be alert.

  Inside the house, Mary Breydon turned restlessly in her half sleep. Her robe, which she had kept on, had tightened around her legs, and irritated by it, she had half sat up to free herself from it when she heard a faint scratching from the door.

  Instantly, she was on her feet, tightening her robe. The sound was coming from the door.

  Frightened, she stepped into the room. What should she do? What could she do?

  Suddenly, unbelievably, the bar seemed to lift of its own volition. It tipped back, then fell to the floor with a thump. Instantly, the latch lifted, and men plunged into the room. Turning swiftly, without thinking, she caught up the coffeepot and with one sweeping, swinging movement, threw the scalding coffee into their faces!

  A man screamed as the scalding coffee struck and began pawing at his eyes as if he would tear them out.

  Another wheeled and plunged through the door, fighting to get out. At the door, he tripped and fell sprawling, and Scant Luther leaped over him to get into the room. Dropping the now-empty coffeepot, Mary grabbed up the broom but did not swing it. At the moment it came into her hands, she remembered something the major had told her long ago, and as Luther lunged to grab her, she thrust hard with the end of the broomstick.

  The thrust caught him in the pit of the stomach, and he stopped, gasping for a breath.

  Swiftly, she struck again. Out of wind, his wild grasp at the broom failed, and he took a glancing blow to the face that ripped his cheek. From outside, there was a shot, then another one.

  Luther scrambled for the door, and she struck him again, this time with the business end of the broom.

  Many appeared in her door, pistol in hand.

  Mary Breydon stopped, staring after them, half sick with fright. "They're gone, mum," Matty said. "You did "em in."

  From outside, there
was a sound of running, then of horses charging away into the night.

  Temple Boone appeared in the doorway, rifle in hand. He stepped inside, picking up the now-empty coffeepot. "Now ain't that hell? Just when I wanted a good cup of coffee)"

  Chapter Three.

  Mary awakened in the first gray light of day and lay still, staring up at the ceiling and trying to organize her day.

  She had moved in and taken charge, and she had survived that and her first night. The word that she was a woman would by now have reached Mark Stacy, who was division agent, and running a stage station was no job for a lady. That would be his first thought. Yet she had taken charge, and she had fired Scant Luther. No man could have done it better. Yet he would be coming soon, and what he must find was a better station. No, not a better one. It must be the best.

  It must be neat, clean, with good food ready to serve when the stages arrived.

  The teams must be changed promptly, the barns must be clean, all the mess Scant Luther had left must be cleaned up.

  How much time did she have? A day? Two days?

  She might even have a week. There were other stations, and Stacy was a busy man. The station first, for here they would feed the passengers, handle the mail and any shipments there were, and that would be the first place Stacy would notice.

  Above all, good food, served hot, something passengers could go away talking about. They had begun cleaning but had barely touched the work to be done. That needed to go forward.

  Next, an inventory of what supplies were on hand and what was needed. A careful check of the stables to see what needed to be done. At that moment, she thought of her father.

  Sitting up in bed, she swung her feet to the floor, feeling friend her slippers. "Thank God, papa," she whispered to herself, "you never had a sonl" He would have been shocked to hear her say it, but had there been a son, she would never have learned how to do so many things that now she knew. He had loved having her ride out with him in the morning, and she had learned how to handle horses, how to keep a stable, even how to use a whip. "This will all be yours someday," her father had said, "and you'd better know how to run it. If the man you marry is no better than some of those I've seen coming around here, you will need to know. "And, honey, you handle your own affairs yourself.