Forever Ecstasy (59 page)

Three camps were made as dusk appeared: Crow, Red Heart, and white. Yet men from each visited others and chatted with new friends and allies. The prisoners were held in the white camp by soldiers, to be taken to Fort Tabor the next day. It was decided to hold them there until after the treaty council
to prevent any distractions from its importance. Men were assigned to take charge of Orin’s trading post until a decision was made concerning it. They were ordered to search for the stolen payroll shipment from June eleventh, if the money wasn’t already spent on illegal guns and whiskey. Horses were fetched and tended. Wounded were treated. Meals were cooked and eaten. Chores were completed. Groups gathered to talk about this shared coup, the impending treaty, and future plans.

They were to split up in the morning. Sun Cloud and his band would ride home to prepare for their journey to Fort Laramie, to place the two warriors on death scaffolds, to send his people on the way to their winter camp, and to make Wind Bird their next shaman. Clay Thorne was to travel with them to speak with Buckskin Girl and Morning Star. He would journey to the meeting with his grandmother’s tribe, with whom he would live. Then he would visit his family and people—the Cheyenne. Black Moon and his party would ride home to make their preparations to attend the joint council far away. Troops would ride to Fort Tabor with the prisoners, most to remain there until they were relieved in a month. The agent, Stede, Joe, and three soldiers would head for Laramie.

While Tom wrote out a report on this episode, Stede and Joe visited Sun Cloud’s campsite. The three chatted genially for a time, with Sun Cloud praising the work of “Tanner” and his daughter. Neither white man revealed the truth of Joe’s identity. That was something that needed to be handled in private and after the treaty was signed. Once the big council was over, Joe would go after Morning Star and expose the truth.

The treaty talk was scheduled to begin on September seventh, so each group had to hurry with their camp tasks and get to Laramie. Joe wanted to be present, and wished his love could be there. He wanted to witness the termination of their mission. He wanted to view the historic event so he could tell their children about it one day. It would enable Morning Star to leave home knowing peace ruled her land and protected her family and people.

Joe was eager to see her, hold her, kiss her. He dreaded the revelations they must make to Sun Cloud of their love and deceit.
He had come to like and respect the chief more and more during his stay here. He prayed that time would soften the drushing blow. He grasped that what they must do would hurt the noble chief deeply. Joe hoped understanding and forgiveness would not be long in coming.

As the sun rose on a glorious day, Sun Cloud bid Stede and “Tanner” farewell until he saw them again at Horse Creek. He rode homeward with his band, a changed son, a new medicine chief, and two dead Oglalas. He carried his coup prize with him: Orin’s mask. Elation surged through him as he imagined his parents—Gray Eagle and Alisha/Shalee—and his brother, Bright Arrow, witnessing this event from the Great Spirit’s side. He knew how happy his beloved wife would be to see his safe return and to hear of their victory. There would be much celebrating in his camp when they reached home. He never suspected what grim news awaited him…

One of the main reasons Clay— Sky Warrior—Thorne accompanied the Red Hearts was to tell Morning Star not to expose anything about the couple’s scandalous plan until Joe returned home with her father. Joe had asked him to warn her that if Sun Cloud learned they’d all tricked him, he might think he’d be tricked again at the peace council. “He mustn’t have any doubts about the treaty or refuse to attend the meeting,” Joe commanded. “Don’t do or say anything to stop your father from coming.” If Morning Star let their secret slip, he would be there to defend Joe’s motives and character. Clay knew Morning Star might need his support and encouragement. He also wanted to ask Flaming Star for his daughter in joining, even though Buckskin Girl had already accepted him. By the time he returned from Laramie, the woman would have their tepee ready and their joining ceremony could take place. At last, his heart and mind were at peace. He felt he belonged here living as an Indian in the Dakota territory with a fine woman. He wished Joe and Morning Star the same happiness, but felt it would be long in coming.

Joe waved to Clay and Sun Cloud and watched them ride out of sight. He walked to the spot Zeke Randall was bound to
force out of him the final piece of information he needed. Before he began, he had one of the soldiers take Farley to another area. “There’s something I have to know, Zeke. Who—”

“You sorry bastard, I ain’t telling you nothing!”

“I think you will. I know a few more things you’ve done here that I haven’t mentioned in my reports yet. Be stubborn, and I’ll gladly add them to the list of charges against you. That information should make certain you’re hanged, or put a lot more years on your prison sentence. Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll keep it to myself.”

“What’s so damn important to you?” Zeke sneered.

“I came here in early spring with a friend, Tanner Gaston, son of that man over there,” Joe explained. “While we were in Pierre, somebody put a knife in him and murdered him. I want to know who’s responsible. If you did it, I’ll still honor my deal with you. I have to know who killed him before my mind can rest. His death is one of the main reasons I was so determined to defeat all of you. I’m offering you a good deal, Zeke, one you don’t deserve. I advise you to accept it and not rile me again. I think you’ve witnessed how dangerous I can be when crossed.”

“He a dark-haired man about your age, looked half-breed?”

“Yes,” Joe answered. He was angered by Zeke’s insulting tone and surprised the miscreant complied. “Tanner overheard something by accident, and one of you made certain he couldn’t repeat it. Fact is, he lived long enough to give me a few clues that put me on your trail. It was probably about that wagon trip you took when we met. Talk. We don’t have much time left.”

“Ain’t nothing you can do about it now; Clem gutted your friend. He’s dead. It was his loose tongue that Gaston overheard, so the boys told him he had to clean up his mess. Me and Farley wasn’t in Pierre that night, but they told me about killing a spy. Guess that was him. Too bad the boys didn’t know about you that night and slit your miserable neck.”

“Yep, it’s a real shame they didn’t commit two murders!” Joe growled. “If you’ve told the truth, our deal stands. If you lied, I’ll let you hang for his death, guilty or not.” Joe had Zeke
gagged to make certain the big man didn’t shout any warnings to his buddy. He went to the spot where Farley was captive, out of hearing range from his companion.

Joe intimidated Farley into talking. He was relieved in a strange way to hear the same account from him. Maybe it was because he knew he finally had the truth about Tanner’s murder, and the killer was dead. Justice had been carried out without his participation. He had Farley returned to the others and Zeke’s gag removed. While he waited for his party to move out, he completed his own report for Tom and the authorities. He left nothing out, and felt no remorse over duping Zeke. When Stede joined him, he related what he had learned about Tanner’s death, and both grieved the heavy loss in silence for a time.

The detail mounted and departed with the prisoners, riding east to Fort Tabor. Joe was glad to have them out of his life forever. He was also glad the officer in charge was taking care of those false accusations against him and Morning Star. With Sergeant Bart Carnes in custody, the man would stand trial for the murder of Captain James Thomas and the deserter, George Hollis. Joe had liked Jim, and was sorry he had been slain while helping to solve this case.

Black Moon had left about the same time the Oglalas had, so the clearing was rather quiet, with only six men and horses present. Everything was packed and ready. The smallest group mounted and rode southwest. They entered the northwest section of the Black Hills to journey to the grasslands beyond it and on to Fort Laramie. The trek would require six or seven days.

As they traveled, Joe thought about Morning Star and his family. He wondered what she was doing as she spent her last few weeks with her family. He knew she must be experiencing an array of emotions. He was anxious to get finished here and head home. He wanted to see his parents, sister, and her family. He wanted to make certain everything and everyone there was all right. He wanted to roam the plantation, and enjoy life and peace to the fullest. He had experienced enough excitement and adventure to last him a long time. He was ready to get married, to settle down, to build his own home, and to
have children. He knew the perfect spot on the Lawrence property for them to live. Soon, he kept telling himself, his dreams and goals would be realized.

The men made camp an hour before dusk. They were exhausted from yesterday’s tense episode and their journey today. The weary horses, dusty and sweaty, were eager to rest and graze after being unsaddled. Joe and one of the soldiers cooked the evening meal. Tom and Stede conversed and relaxed. As they ate, another scout from Fort Laramie arrived, an extra horse in tow.

He dismounted, and one of the men tended his fatigued animals. He walked to the campfire and asked, “Which one of you is Stede Gaston?”

“I am,” Stede replied, a curious sensation attacking his gut.

“Urgent message, sir.” As he unfastened his pouch and withdrew the letter, he explained, “Colonel Mitchell ordered me to bring it to you at Fort Tabor. The boys there sent me to find you at Bear Butte. Before I reached it, I met the detail heading in with prisoners. They told me which route you were taking back to Fort Laramie. I rode across country to intercept you. This is it, sir,” he finished his report and handed over the missive that was marked URGENT across the front in two places.

Stede tore open the envelope with shaky hands, fearing it was bad news about his older sister or her family. He had lost his only son here, and he prayed he wasn’t about to learn he had lost another loved one during his long absence. He was shocked by the contents of the letter.

“What is it, sir?” Joe asked, concerned by his friend’s reaction.

Stede’s dark gaze, filled with sadness, met the younger man’s. His voice was hoarsened by emotion as he revealed, “Bad news, Joe, about your father. It’s from Annabelle. She thought I could locate you and get you home quickly. Joseph’s very ill, Son, dying.”

Joe paled, and a shudder raced over his body. He tossed his plate aside, intense apprehension flooding him.
Father, dying,
his mind echoed.

Stede had no choice but to continue with the terrible news. “The doctor says he can’t linger more than six or seven weeks. Annabelle wants you to get home as soon as possible. She hired a man to deliver this to me, so it was written only a few weeks ago. If you hurry, there should still be time to reach home before…”

Joe was glad Stede didn’t finish that awful sentence. His mind was dazed with many thoughts about getting home swiftly and about Morning Star. Retrieving his love and perhaps battling to win her from Sun Cloud would require precious time his father might not have.
Only weeks more to live …
and it took that many to reach home without any delays.
Any delays
…

Stede grasped how upset the man was, so he offered some suggestions. “If you leave in the morning for Tabor, you can catch a steamer there. At St. Louis, you can get a horse and cut across country to Richmond to the plantation. That’s the quickest route. You can leave Star at Tabor. I’ll see to him after the treaty. When Sun Cloud gets to Laramie, I’ll explain everything to him. I’ll visit his camp and tell Morning Star what happened. If you want, Son, I’ll bring her to Virginia. You have to get home fast to spend any last days with him. You lost your best friend here, and I’ll be losing a good one there. Life makes these demands on us.”

Joe stood, paced, and protested, “I can’t just leave for… I don’t know how long without seeing her, sir. She’ll be upset and afraid. She might not come with you, and I don’t know when I can return. Sun Cloud may not let her leave home if I’m not there to persuade him I love her.”

Stede understood his dilemma, but stressed that if he took the time to visit her or fight for her, he could reach home too late. “I haven’t gotten over the fact I wasn’t with Molly or Tanner when they died,” he confided. “You need to speak with Joseph, Son; you didn’t leave home with his blessing. And your mother needs you. Love is strong; it can wait a while.”

“If you start trouble with Sun Cloud in your state of mind and rush him,” Tom added, “you could stop him from attending the peace conference. We’ve all worked hard for this treaty
to succeed, Joe. Don’t ruin it now. I’m sure she’ll either wait for your return or go with Stede. Will you be able to forgive yourself if you get there too late because of romantic notions? You have years ahead with her, but not with your father, from how it sounds.”

Stede withdrew money from his pocket, handed it to Joe, and said, “You’ll need this for passage and to buy a horse in St. Louis. Don’t worry about anything here. I’ll make sure the treaty is fair to Sun Cloud and his tribe. I’ll tell you everything when I bring Morning Star to you in Virginia.”

“You can use my other horse,” the scout offered. “You can travel faster by changing mounts every few hours. Just leave him at Tabor, and the boys there will bring him to me when they return to Laramie. Both of them are fast and surefooted.”

Those kindnesses touched Joe deeply. “Thanks, you two. I’ll leave right now,” he decided, but Stede halted him with a grip on one wrist.

“No, Son. You and those horses are exhausted. You wouldn’t get far before both of you collapse. Clear your head and don’t be rash. It’s a long and hard journey facing you. The trail is fraught with perils. Get a good night’s sleep and ride out fresh and alert at dawn. We’ll have your horses and supplies ready at first light. I’ll see to Morning Star, I promise. Go straight home, Joe,” he urged.

“I will, sir. Right now, I need to be alone for a while.” Joe headed into a copse of hardwoods to get his emotions under control.