Written By: Julie Dieck
Chapter 10 “A Sad Story”
A week later Alan, Linda, and Captain Henderson all sat in the captain’s quarters. The young girl, whose name they found out was Kathy, was propped up in the bed with some pillows, a healthy pink now tinging the pretty face. But no smiles were present; all faces were sober as Kathy was asked to recount her story.
“Me, momma, and Dad were traveling to a town near Jacksboro,” she began slowly. “There was some land that Dad was interested in and he said we were going to build a new ranch there. Start a whole new life as he put it. We’d been traveling for many days and were going through this valley. I remember Momma was singing in the wagon while dad drove the team and we were all laughing.”
Alan felt the squeeze already clamping down on his heart as the blue eyes looked down at her fidgeting hands. He had seen firsthand the product of what was coming next.
“Suddenly the Indians came out of the trees; all screaming something terrible and shooting their arrows and rifles. I think there were around twelve of them. Mamma and me ducked down in the wagon and Dad drove the horses as hard as they would go. I don’t really know how, we must’ve hit a rock, but suddenly the whole wagon tipped over and the horses broke loose and ran away. Mamma and me were okay though and Dad joined us inside, shooting at the Indians as they rode around us in a big circle. We only had one rifle; Mamma reloaded it for him when it went empty and I handed her the bullets. Then some of the Indians began shooting flaming arrows and the wagon caught fire. Mamma and me tried to put it out but it just spread too fast and soon the wagon was burning down around us. Dad told us to run for the trees on the nearby hill and that he’d try to cover us. I remember Mamma took my hand and told me to be brave as she smiled at me, but I know she was crying. I saw tears in her eyes. I was awfully scared, but I did as she asked. We ran as fast as we could, but we’d barely gotten away from the wagon when…”
Kathy choked as her voice quivered. Linda came to sit next to her on the bed, putting a reassuring arm around her. Finally Kathy continued on, though her voice would often break as tears began to fall.
“…When Mamma fell down beside me. I tried to get her up, but she wouldn’t say anything to me. Dad was suddenly there with us and I remember him yelling Mamma’s name. I’d never seen Dad cry before, but he was then. He told me to run; run as fast as I could and not to look back. I started to, but then I realized he didn’t come with me. I knew I shouldn’t’ve, but I looked back anyway, and saw he was still by Mamma, shooting as fast as he could. And then … I saw an arrow hit him and he fell down too.” The tears were spilling over in rivers and the lower lip quivered, but she bravely continued, Alan’s hand now encouragingly on hers. “I don’t know why I didn’t run then. I knew I should’ve, and I was so scared; but when I saw them laying there … I couldn’t just leave them. So I ran back and I took Dad’s rifle out of his hands. I began shooting back at the Indians. I wanted to make them pay for what they did.” For a brief second, a fire burned in her glistening eyes then died away. “They began running towards me on their ponies and I was firing as fast as I could. The last thing I remember was something hit my back and everything went all fuzzy and dark, then I woke up here. That’s all.”
A heavy silence filled the small room, broken only by the sniffs of the young survivor of that awful account. It was a sad tale indeed, and a hard blow to the girl who suddenly found herself orphaned and without any family. Linda pulled her close, laying her cheek on the blond head, unable to hold back her own tears.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “But it’s all over now. You’re safe now.”
“Aye,” Alan said, still holding the smaller hands in his; which Kathy readily clutched to. “And we’re gunna be right here for ya’. Ya’ ain’t alone no more.”
Nothing more was said as the young girl’s heart spilled forth. Henderson slowly rose and left the three alone, though not eager to relay the account to the men he knew were waiting outside.
The days that followed were rough ones, filled with many sudden fits of tears for the recovering girl whenever the truth came back to haunt her, and nightmares often kept sleep absent. Alan and Linda were always near to give their support and comfort when she needed it, but Kathy took it all bravely; much more so than they’d expected. She was rather grown up for her young age, and Alan told her that no soldier could have done better.
A few days later when any danger was past, Henderson got his quarters returned to him when Kathy was moved to the guest’s quarters; which had been patched, cleaned, and tided by the men of the outfit. They’d been more than willing, especially after hearing her story, and the sympathetic side to the troop was seen in their careful work. Linda’s contribution was a beautiful new comforter she’d made for the bed.
During her journey to full recovery, Alan took his responsibility to the “little lass” very seriously, and was never farther than a whistle away; in fact, that’s how she called him. Having a past (and personality) in common, the two hit it right off and Kathy nearly doted upon Alan as her hero. Linda also came regularly and the two girls became quick friends. But Kathy’s popularity didn’t stop there; it spread across the fort like wildfire and soon the other men were coming and going, often bringing small trinkets and toys to help pass the time and also candies and treats. As Karson said: “A growin’ sprout’s gotta have strength”. Captain Henderson was once heard saying that she got better treatment from his men than he did; but everyone knew that he too had been captivated by the young girl’s warmth and charm and could be seen sneaking a visit to Kathy from time to time.
With so much care and attention, Kathy’s recovery was a speedy one. As soon as she was soon back on her feet, she was everywhere on the fort, bursting with curiosity. Everything fascinated her and the men readily answered her questions, showing her life on the fort, and doting on her as much as she did on all them. In a way, Kathy had adopted them all as her new family; but of all the men, she stuck by Alan’s side the most, and the privet enjoyed every minute of it.
(The next chapter will be released next Saturday, January 20, 2024)
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