Written by: Julie Dieck
Chapter 16 “True Heart”
It was getting dark when the troop finally rode safe and sound through the inviting gates of Fort Bravado. They halted in the compound and the weary but elated men dismounted. As Alan’s boot touched the ground, he heard a young voice shout from behind.
“Alan!”
He turned and smiled when he saw the familiar girl in a cavalry hat running toward him, Linda only a short ways behind. Alan greeted Kathy with open arms, swooping her up in a bear hug as she squealed in delight. He let her slip back to the ground just as Linda came rushing up, a wide smile on her face. She wrapped her arms around Alan’s neck and gave him a quick hug.
“Oh, I’m so glad to see you’re alright, Alan. When the troop didn’t come back on time, I got so worried.”
Alan smiled at her reassuringly. “T’ain’t ta’ worry. I’m quite able ta’ take care of meself.”
“I’m fine too. Thanks for noticing,” a voice said and Captain Henderson came walking up, a twinkle in his eye. “How do you like that? We get back from a mission and I’m the last one on the list my daughter checks to make sure is still alive.”
A tinge of pink rose to Linda’s cheeks as she quickly let go of Alan and hugged her father. “Oh, Dad. You know I was worried about you. I’m glad to see you safe too.”
Chuckling, Henderson gave her a squeeze. “Don’t worry, honey. I know you were.”
Just then, a loud whoop echoed through the compound as Foster waved his hat above his head in glee while doing an odd version of a war dance. After he’d finished, he gave a relieved sigh.
“I’ve been waiting for over an hour to do that! The hardest thing I’ve ever done!” He spread his arms out toward the fort compound. “This old fort never looked so good!” He gave another whoop and this time was joined in by dozens of others.
Linda looked questioningly at her father and Henderson proceeded to relay the story of what had happened, with Alan filling in some of the places that the captain couldn’t account for. And as he did, the two girls’ eyes grew bigger and bigger. By the end, they seemed as wide as saucers. Kathy stood with mouth open, staring up at Alan with more admiration than ever.
“Wow,” was all she got out.
Linda laid a hand on his arm, her expression one of alarm. “Oh, Alan. I … I don’t know what to say.
When the troop didn’t show up on time, I had a feeling you were in trouble, but I never imagined you were in that much danger! I’m so glad you weren’t hurt – or killed!”
Alan gave a light shrug. “Ah, danger comes with the job of bein’ ah’ soldier. But t’aint nothing I can’t handle nohow.” The casual manner in which he presented it relieved the tension and Linda snickered. Then his brow lined slightly as he continued, “Though I can’t be knowin’ if the chief will go so far as ta’ talk peace; but at least I got the notion in his head.”
Henderson nodded thoughtfully. “I think it might do some good. Even though Nibaw did try to stage war on us, he’s always been a man of his word and holds his honor sacred. I think he’ll do something about it. Maybe sometime soon we’ll be able to come to terms with him. I wouldn’t even be surprised if we were able to get a treaty signed.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Dad,” Linda said happily.
Henderson shook his head. “Well, don’t look at me. Branegan is the one who made it possible.”
Linda’s gaze came up to meet Alan’s, admiration written in her face. Alan started to grin, but then found he couldn’t as he realized deep down that he didn’t deserve that admiration. His eyes fell to the ground.
“T’ain’t me that deserves yer credit. If it’d been solely up ta’ me … t’wouldn’t’ve turned out this way. If I’d got revenge that day like I’d wanted, the entire troop would’ve been …” Alan trailed off.
They knew what the rest was. They would have all been dead by now; no one would have survived. Alan suddenly felt ashamed; ashamed that if he had been out there alone in the woods that day, things may not have turned out the same. It would not have stopped with just the troop either. A whole Indian uprising would have swept across the valley; the entire territory plunged into a bloody war with thousands upon thousands of lives lost – all from one mistake; all from one man’s hate.
Alan continued, “I wanted ta’ get even at the time; but now I’m glad I didn’t. If anyone be deservin’ the credit ‘round here; it be this fine lass.” He knelt down before Kathy, hands on her shoulders. “I guess it’s you I have ta’ be thankin’ for me life. Took me quite a pile ah’ years, but I finally learned that it don’t pay ta’ hang on ta’ yer hate; it only git’s ya’ into a pack a trouble later on. And ya’ helped me ta’ learn it, lass. If it hadn’t been for ya’ … well, things would’ve turned out a lot different; and t’wouldn’t’ve been for the better I might add.”
Kathy smiled at him. “But you made the decision, Alan. You’re still my hero and I’m proud of you!” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight.
Alan hugged her back then stood to his feet. There was another matter on his mind, and he figured he might as well get it over with right now. He turned to Henderson, standing at attention. “Captain, I’m sorry ‘bout what I done out there. I disobeyed yer direct orders even after ya’ made ‘em fully clear and deserted me post; but I felt we had ta’ try somethin’, so I … well, I thought …”
“You thought you’d take matters in your own hands and be a hero,” the captain interrupted.
“Beggin’ the captain’s pardon; but no, sir. Not ta’ make meself a hero, but ta’ give these lads ah’ chance ta’ see another day. They all be me friends and I couldn’t let ‘em die without knowin’ I tried everythin’ I could ta’ help ‘em. If this was goin’ ta’ be me last day, I wanted ta’ go down fightin’ for them, not just for meself.”
Henderson nodded knowingly. “I know that, Branegan. I just wanted to hear you say it. It isn’t often a captain hears something like that come from his men. It’s rare and a refreshing change.” He suddenly straightened so fast that Alan had to resist the urge to step back. “But now that you’ve had your say; now I have something I want to say. Privet Branegan,” Henderson started, voice firm, “I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not, but you’re a hot tempered Irishman and reckless fool; plus you’re more stubborn than a mule in a clover patch. And furthermore –”
There was a second’s pause and Alan prepared himself for the next words he figured was coming next. He could almost see that guardhouse door shutting from an inside view.
“–One of the best men I’ve had in a long time.”
Alan’s face must have looked quite shocked, for the captain laughed out loud.
“That’s right. You’re a natural born leader, Branegan; I’ve always seen it. The way you handled the situation out there shows it; and besides that, it takes a good man to be able to overcome hate – which is what you did. Even if you did need help in conquering it, it also takes a certain man to be able to accept help when he needs it. You’re a good man at heart, and I knew you had it in you to make the right decision; I just had to wait until you found it yourself. And I don’t think such rare qualities should be wasted in a privet’s uniform. That’s why I’m promoting you back to your old rank.” He held out his hand to the stunned ex-privet.
“Congratulations ... Sergeant Branegan.”
Still in a daze, Alan slowly reached out and grasped the hand and shook it. Than a wide smile spread across his face. “I don’t know just how ta’ be thankin’ ya’, Sir!”
“Just do your job well and that’ll be payment enough.” Henderson didn’t have a chance to say much else as Alan was smothered by a new flood of hugs from Kathy and Linda.
(The final chapter will be released next Saturday.)
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