Authors: Mercedes Keyes
“
When am I going? Hmmm, no…the question my son, is, when are we going? I have no intention of leaving any of you behind. Not this time, for this, we go together…all of us.” He informed them. “Mamah too papah?!” Celina asked.
“
Oh yes, mamah too!” He lifted her into the air, feeling a sense of relief that the decision had been made.
“
Ya-a-ay!!” The children cheered, jumping up and down singing, “We’re going to Webster Fie-e-e-lds! We’re going to Webster Fie-e-e-elds! We’re going to Papah’s ho-o-o-ome, home to Webster Fie-e-e-lds!!” Hope sang along taking Lolita by the hands dancing around as all sang.
Turning to his wife, Mike took her into his arms, resigned, yet, he wondered had he made the right decision. She could see the fear and uncertainty in his eyes. She understood, she knew it was a decision that was not easy for him to make. He hugged her close as the kids laughed and played with Hope in their midst doing the same, keeping up a loud racket.
“
Do not worry, it is time my husband, it is time. There is nothing for us to fear.” She assured him.
“
Jefé, do not worry…I will be with you, all will be fine. You will see.” Esteban added
moving next to his father. Mike reached over cupping his head, pulling him into his side for a hug. “It’s going to be a long trip; I’m going to need your help along the way, that’s for certain.”
“
We can handle it, no problem.”
“
Oh I can’t believe we’re going!!!” Lolita yelled out so happy.
“
Okay, okay, okay, quiet down now; time for bed-…” Maria directed to get control of her small brood. “Aaah, we’re too happy to go to bed!” Felix whined and began inching back towards the door.
“
You heard what your mother said – Felix! Get here now!” Mike barked, aware of his notorious reputation for escaping to avoid bedtime; which meant that he and Esteban usually ended up having to hunt him down. Felix whimpered, shaking his upper body in a mild fit. “Papah, is jus’ now getting’ dark, a little mo’time out please!”
“
Felix – now!” The three adults ordered simultaneously, used to his tactics.
Felix stomped from the door past Esteban, elbowing him on the way by; Esteban’s natural reflex was to charge him, punching him in the back hard enough to end it.
“
Ai-i-i-h!” Felix cried out, loud as he could. “Esteban hit me in the ba-a-ack!!”
“
He stabbed me with his elbow!” Esteban defended his actions. Mike shook his head; it was going to be a long trip, a very long one. With an impatient growl, he barked. “To bed, now!”
Later on that night Mike and Maria lay together in their small abode. With Hope there, they could now sleep alone in the one that Mike usually occupied. “I love you so much. I don’t think you have any idea.” Maria softly murmured with her head on his chest, reaching up to caress his bristly face. “I, myself cannot believe you are taking us with you.” She continued.
Mike tightened his embrace as he tilted his head slightly to look down at her. “And I cannot believe you would think that I would leave you behind.” He lifted a hand to tilt her head back so he could look into her eyes. “You are my wife, I love you. Unless it is absolutely necessary that I do, I have no intention of leaving you at any time. Wherever I go, if it is safe for you to follow, then you shall come as well, you and our brood. Besides, if by some miracle she is there, she would never forgive me for leaving my family behind.”
“
Do you think – if she is there that is – that she will like me?”
He smiled gently as he took in her stunning dark features. “My God, do you know how beautiful you are?” He gently stroked her brow. “She will love you, even if only because I love you, and I do.”
“
With all that is possible for a man to love a woman, I love you. I am so proud to have had the good fortune to have found you. With you behind me-…”
“
Beside you!” She corrected with lovely eyes blinking. Humor filled Mike as he shook his head, “What are women coming to? Yes…beside me, I can make it - I can make it through anything. Never give up on me, I don’t know how, but things will get better for us. I promise.”
“
I hope so, with our life as it is now, I don’t know how much longer I can stand it. Every time you leave, to do whatever it is you do…I fear never seeing you again. It frightens me, how would I care for our children – how-…”
“
Shhh.” He placed his finger over her lips. “I know…I know, it is always on my mind as well. It is the reason – well, that I’ve decided to go. Who knows, maybe…I don’t know.” He quieted in thought.
Gazing once more upon his wife’s incredible features, his palm cupping her cheek, he lowered his face towards hers whispering, “Just give me time, a little – time – is all I ask.”
Maria closed her eyes to the dizzying sensation that only her husband could ignite. This man, now kissing her softly, touching her heatedly, caressing her in ways he understood she needed, was her dream come true. She would give him time, she had no choice. The idea of living without him was enough to send her off into madness. With every stroke and squeeze, she moaned her pleasure. He made her melt inside as she realized no amount of anything would ever come to equal him, and what he meant to her. Without him, life held no rhyme or reason, just as he positioned himself between her thighs, she anticipated the moment when they could join as one.
Her head dug back into the pillow as she held onto his shoulders. The thick, hard length of him sank deep and firm, sending her mind into a spin. Holding nothing back, she gave eagerly, telling him all the wonderful things he did to her, the heat of their passion engulfing them both.
Within a week of his decision, they were ready to go.
He decided once again that he had better bring along backup; Juan and Eugene joined them for the long journey. Max and Hector were left in charge of the camp, both highly respected by those who dwelled within.
They altered two of the covered wagons, each of them loaded with two large, water filled barrels, along with their weapons, and plenty of ammo. For food they took dried and salted meats, vegetables, sacks of oats, flour, meal and beans aplenty.
Maria and Hope packed skillets, a large black stew kettle, sewing needles, as well ponchos for everyone. Both wagons had a mattress in the back, and plenty of clothing for changes.
The third was loaded with extra needs that wouldn’t fit on the two with the mattresses.
By the time they were ready to leave, Santiago still had not returned and Mike was glad that he hadn’t. Esteban’s horse was tethered onto the wagon with Mike’s, and Juan tethered his to the other wagon, his passengers were Lolita and Felix. Their journey began with Eugene riding his horse as scout.
Three wagons pulled out, Mike driving the first, Esteban the second, and Juan the third. They traveled long days, stopping only occasionally to let the children stretch, relieve themselves and switch from one wagon to another with Eugene driving and Esteban now riding.
The water was carefully rationed out for two reasons. One because of the distance between water holes, and two because Mike complained it made the kids, need to relieve themselves too much. More importantly, they needed to keep the horses well watered with them carrying the burden of all they brought along. It meant that they would suffer a bit but for the miles that lay ahead, it was unavoidable. They crossed three minor streams and took a rest the day following each crossing, filling up all water bottles and skins before heading out. Otherwise, they kept on the road until the moon was high in the sky and Mike felt it was enough each day.
Maria tried to get him to stop earlier, so that she could cook and make tortillas for them to munch on the next day, but he felt they were going slow enough. With their final destination still so far in the distance, he was determined to cover as much ground as he could. Therefore, Maria and Hope were left to cook at night while the men were resting, preparing what would be quick and ready at hand for the next days travel, leaving the women to nap in the early hours when they were underway again.
Mike’s main concern was keeping the team well watered and fed. He only allowed five hours respite from midnight, and then it was back out again. He, Eugene, Juan and Esteban did most in driving, with Hope and Maria giving them the occasional break to explore ahead together on their horses. This was to locate a good spot to stop, or if possible, do some hunting or fishing, bringing it back for a meal later.
They endured three agonizing weeks of crossing some high and low hills hard to maneuver, where Mike would order everyone out of the wagons to walk until he, Juan and Eugene brought the wagons to a level of safety, steering the team down as they leaned heavily on the brake for control. Once they reached the center of Louisiana, Mike finally set his mind to stopping for a two-day rest but he would wait until they were on the outskirts of the Louisiana & Mississippi border, then they would rest a few days.
Another week and a half of hard traveling and they were there. Settling down outside of a small town mostly occupied by Indians and a few traders called Okelousa. The scenery was mostly low planes and swamp land. Moss covered maples and weeping willows. Once he made the shout to bring the wagons to a halt, they were thoroughly exhausted. During the three day rest, Mike replenished a lot of their supplies. He also purchased a change of clothing for himself, Juan, Eugene and Esteban. He wanted them to look the part for the area they were in.
One thing that influenced the decision to purchase clothes there was the fact that the owner of the trading post was a large man of similar stature to Mike and so had shirts and breeches that would fit him, ready to wear. To find ready made clothing was rare.
Their good fortune was due to the fact that the trader’s wife loved to sew and make clothing for her husband and sons. Following her idea, her husband set a display with a few odds and ends she’d stitched. Mike bought all on display, and dressed himself in a beige loose fitting shirt, brown breeches, and high top suede boots. Depending on the area, he wanted to look as much like the long knives as possible, which meant adding buckskin pants and shirts to their attire. Esteban, Juan and Eugene were like dressed. They kept their weapons strapped on because the territory they would be passing through was crowded with traders and trappers alike. Mixed in among them were Indians, causing a catalyst for drunkenness, rowdiness and fights. Prostitutes were also prevalent, brought on by the heavy invasion of European settlers, causing the opening of many saloons and brothels along the Mississippi river and Louisiana border. He had to stay on his guard because of his wife and children as well, mainly Maria and Esteban. Mexican and Indian women were often stolen, raped, and abused. Broken by their captor to be forced into prostitution at a brothel, where many chose to stay because their shame would not allow them to return to their people.
His eldest son also bore his curse, the threat that he could be snatched and sold as a slave before he could bat an eye.
Their travel was indeed a gamble, with Esteban being so dark and young, of very attractive features, he would bring a good price; Mike swore someone would die first. Due to this fear, Esteban stayed by his father’s side; should anyone say anything to him, Mike had coached him long and hard to remember never to look anyone in the eye; keep his head down and direct them to his master…which would be Mike.
“
Do you understand son? It is vital that you never call me father before others…mainly with white present. I am your master, and you don’t leave my side for any reason!” He had instructed while driving the horses.
“
I don’t call you father anyway.” Esteban had responded.
“
I know you don’t, but you can’t call me Jefé either for that matter. Most important…never ever leave my side son, not ever!”
For the most part, he and Maria were to stay hidden in the back of the wagon until they had passed through a territory not so populated. Hope as well was not safe from being taken against her will.
Even with the backup of Juan and Eugene, he never knew what they might come up against, being constantly on guard was a must, and they were to be diligently watchful. During the trip, Mike allowed a beard to grow, with his height and breadth it added a certain menace to his features. This was an effective deterrent to any stranger. One look at him, his carriage, his dress, his walk and they would look the other way. After the three days rest, they picked up and faced another week of travel, bringing them to the ferry crossing which would take them across the Mississippi River. Having missed it, they stopped near the ferry docks to camp and rest for the night until it returned sometime the next day.
There was a mercantile store located nearby, a saloon and restaurant. After the men unhitched the horses, watered and rubbed them down, Mike headed for the shop while Hope and Maria set up camp, along with Eugene and Juan. With an arrogant swagger of confidence in his long purposeful strides, his tall muscular body displaying masculine virility, with admiration, Maria watched her husband head off. Her gaze was soft, loving, bordering on worship.
‘God, look at my husband, I love him so.’
She thought with an aching heart and a lusty yearning. Her excitement was high, so anxious to meet the woman who gave birth to something so splendid. With a sigh, she turned back to gather the girls things to take them to bathe at the low bank, hidden beyond the high shrubs, a distance from where she made camp. Juan followed, where he would stand guard over them at a distance.
At the merchant, Mike browsed through the store picking up needed items. Maria and Hope were complaining, they wanted to fancy themselves up a bit now that they were getting close to the end of the their trip to Webster Fields. Taking his time in order to be thorough, he chose some rose scented soap and plain old lye for the boys and men. A mirror to replace the one Felix had broken when he was jumping around in the back of the wagon. The thought brought forth a slight chuckle, moving him to shake his head. He didn’t know who to feel sorrier for, himself, the other adults, or the children. With some consideration, he decided Esteban wasn’t so bad, but after all he was able to ride and help out with the scouting. As for the others, they were trail crazy, constantly asking over and over – tiredly, “Papa-a-a-ah, when we gonna get there?” He would hear that often within an hour by each child.