Authors: Mercedes Keyes
“
How is it I know this is the real thing Capíton? Emm, maybe you try to cheat Santiago?”
“
Check it, four bags of gold nuggets. It’s all I could get my hands on in such short notice. Take it, or leave it – the choice is yours.” Pryce invited him confidently.
Grinning in his aggravating way, Santiago reached in for one of the bags as Pryce knew he would; pulling from it one a nugget that he held up to admire in the sun, then tested it with his teeth. This being the first time he would have actually handled raw gold; he was satisfied with the results pretending to be a professional at knowing the difference.
“
Very good Capíton, very good… remember, the hideaway and the girl – they are mine. She is to be left unharmed and tied up in the chapel for me.” He reminded the captain of their agreement.
“
I remember and you remember this – those guns had better be there. This had better not be a trap. If it is, pray I do not survive it, because if I do, I will not rest until I find you; even if I have to track you to hell and bargain with the devil to claim you...I will.”
Santiago grinned, chewing the end of a cheroot and winked at him.
* * * * *
Seven days passed from the departure of Mike’s family. Juan, as instructed, had escorted them over the difficult mountain pass and through the bayou to the Louisiana border. Feeling secure that they could safely make the remainder of the trip without him, he said his farewell. Before he left, he advised them to stay on the main trail until they reached their destination, which would take five or six days travel to Lake Charles. Mounting his horse, he was gone – anxious to get back to the camp.
The entire time up to his leaving them, the only members of the family talking were Juan, Maria or Esteban. Hope remained withdrawn, keeping her thoughts and concerns to herself. Maria maintained a brave front for the benefit of the children.
Now with Juan leaving them, Maria dealt with the uncomfortable silence, having only Esteban and the children to talk to. An hour or more following his departure, Maria was driving the team with Hope sitting quietly beside her. Esteban had ridden ahead a ways to a lake location to set up camp, he would then return to them in order to lead them there.
“
Hope…” Maria started with hesitation. “I know you did not want to leave your brother. Neither did I but there is nothing we can do but wait. We have to believe that he will be okay. Or else I will be unable to deal with this separation and not knowing.”
“
He’s alone…he’s back there…all alone.” Hope stressed.
“
He has his men; they will be there with him.” Maria returned with a show of more confidence than she actually felt.
“
How long do you think it will be before Esteban’s return?” Hope asked.
“
He’s been gone for quite some time; I imagine he should be returning shortly. Why?”
“
Just wondering, that’s all.”
Maria’s brows came together in puzzlement as Hope turned and climbed in the back of the wagon and began going through her things. She found her loose fitting tan breeches she always wore when practicing shooting or riding. Her off white long sleeve shirt reaching to her hips, then her buckskin calf high boots. “Papo, Felix, go sit up front with your mother. I need to change.” She ordered. They sat unmoving, dumbfounded as to why. “Go – now!” She insisted. They turned, one following the other onto the bench. She tied the flap closed behind them. Lolita and Celina sat wide eyed watching.
“
Why have you two come up front?” She heard Maria ask the boys, , “Tia is changing, she told us to come here while she did.” Papo answered.
“
Changing - for what?” She asked them concerned.
Both shrugged without a word; yet even for their age, they had a clue as to why, they knew their tia. Maria’s heart started pounding in fear, despite it she carried on leading the team, powerless to react to what she suspected.
After dressing, Hope strapped on her pistols in a cross harness which placed them in easy reach below each breast; hanging her pouch of gunpowder from its loop and her pouch of balls from the same. She tied her belt at the waist, securing the scabbard by tying the leather cords around her thigh, securing it into place. The last to be tied on was the scabbard for her dagger, securing it around the calf of her right boot.
She vigorously brushed her hair up to the top of her head and braided the long mass quickly, winding it into a tight knot and jabbing hair pin after hair pin to secure it in place. She ignored Lolita’s silent tears; unable to stop herself, she whimpered. “Please don’t go tia.”
Hope’s jaw was grinding from her fight to control her emotions. She grabbed up the hat her brother had purchased for her and sat it loosely on her head, next she picked up her folded black poncho and her sword. With needed items in hand, she opened the flap that gave privacy to the back just as Maria was about to ask her what she was doing.
“
Hope-…”
“
You two can come back now.” She ordered the boys, who looked from her to their mother. Maria nodded for them to obey.
They climbed past her as was instructed, this being th
e first time they’d seen their tia act in such a way with them. She wasn’t exactly being mean, but there was a hard determination in the way she spoke.
“…
-what’s going on Hope? What are you doing?” Maria asked. Esteban was now in sight, riding back to the wagon with a smile on his face and a rope of fresh fish that he’d caught for their dinner.
“Mirar madre!
- (look mother)” He spoke in Spanish. “See what I caught.”
“
That is good hijo.” She returned, distracted by Hope.
“
Stop the wagon Maria.”
“
Please don’t Hope-…”
“
Maria-…”
“
Your brother wants you to be safe! Don’t go back there.” She shook her head, her heart hammering.
“
Stop – the wagon – now.” She ground out trying to keep her emotions under control. Maria pulled on the reigns, straining to set the brake. The horses tossed their heads, snorting and clawing. Without hesitation, Hope leapt from the seat to the ground walking up to Esteban, who was looking down at her confused and incredulous.
“
Get off the horse.” She ordered mildly, looking him straight in the eyes.
“
Why? What are you doing tia? Why are you dressed in such a way and carrying your weapons?” He asked in shock.
“
Hope – going back there could endanger your-…”
“
He’s my brother!!!” She shouted, shaking with emotion as she stared hard at Maria. “He’s my brother. He’s back there - alone!” Again she clamped her teeth, grinding them down hard as she fought back the threat of tears. “He could be in great danger. I will not – do you hear…not – stand around wondering about him!”
She turned from Maria to a stunned Esteban. “Did you hear what I said? Get off of that horse – right now.” She dictated with gruff fierceness.
“
But tia-…”
“
Right now – right now!! Do not argue with me!!”
Maria sat silent, saying nothing more as her children gathered in the opening of the wagon looking out at Hope as Esteban, shaking his head, slowly dismounted. He was about to take the rifle from the saddle holster when Hope commanded, “Leave it! There are three others in the wagon.”
He looked like he was about to say something when his mother called to him. “Esteban – walk away; your tia has spoken.” Hope stuffed her poncho in the saddle bag, sheathed her sword and mounted the horse, grabbing its reigns.
The Palomino danced sideways as she turned it towards the direction they’d just come from.
She looked at Maria, Esteban and the other children, hoping they understood, because if they didn’t, it mattered not to her, she was going back.
“
Take care of my brother’s children – they should be your first concern, not me. I will see you – when I see you.”
Maria nodded.
Hope snapped the reigns and rode off.
* * *
The giant front gate swung open quickly, closing immediately behind the camp guard whose duty it was to look out for anything unusual. Mike, Max, Hector and Eugene met him in the center of the courtyard as he brought his horse to an abrupt stop. Pure fright was etched into his face, his eyes wide with panic as Josh leapt from his skittish horse. His heart was thumping like that of a hunted rabbit, shouting his report.
“
Dios mio!! Yanquis! Many many…” Sweating, he made a cross of prayer from head to chest, shoulder to shoulder. “…many come, Jefé! Soldiers down from the mountain passage as I speak. We have been betrayed!!”
Mike experienced an adrenaline surge through his body, making his heart pound and his pulses soar. Their fears had been founded upon fact. What Hector had warned was indeed happening.
Mike exploded into action, spinning quickly he began barking orders; his tone urgent and critical as he ran to the rifle shed; removing guns they already had. He would not use those that were stolen; if they were conquered, it would only offer evidence of their guilt.
“
Pedro, get the women and children into the chapel – make them stay inside! Max, Haden and Wallis – cover the front gate!” He ordered, passing out firearms and ammo. “Any of the women who can shoot and are willing to fight – supply them with weapons!”
There was an intense scurrying, women carrying their children rushed towards the church; while one man after another grabbed up arms and moved to a place at the wall as Mike ordered.
“
I want you covering the wall up to ten feet apart! Loaded rifle in hand of shooter, with a re-loader below readying the next! No shooting until I give word!!”
Mike ran the circumference of the wall – checking and appointing someone where he felt there might be too big a gap. Most of the camp prostitutes served as re-loaders, with swords, daggers and large rocks in place.
“
T
obias and Kemp – cover the back gate! Come on people move i-i-it!!! Eugene, make sure they all had enough ammo near! No wasting shot and powder! Every shot needs to count! If they reach the wall – run the bastards through! Place your swords and rapiers near and be ready!!” He barked, many of his men repeating his orders to those around the wall; a frightened desperation pushing all to hurry without a moment to waste. Chickens squawked and flapped while pigs squealed running out of the way to avoid being trampled upon.
“
They are coming down the mountain now!!!” Josh yelled with sweat pouring from his brow as he once again crossed himself in fear. Hector ran giving Jona, Wheatly and Juanita extra weapons and ammo. All reserve fighters knew to stand in readiness to fill a spot lost by someone wounded or killed. Hector ran back to Mike stating as he ran along with him. “My first shot will be trained on that traitor Santiago!”
“
Saving your first shot for him my friend may get you killed! What’s to come for Santiago will come! For now – we must all survive this!” Mike gasped as he finished suiting up with all of his weapons. With Hector at his side, Mike raced up the ladder to the wall facing the side of the mountain where – sure enough, the soldiers were coming out and lining up like a legion of ants. He cursed indignantly, using profanity that described their trapped position.
Pryce barked orders to his men as they cleared the mountain side with the camp in sight. “Men, completely surround the wall! No one shoot! I want to talk to him first!”
“
How many prisoners are we to take captain?” Corporal Perry asked. “Just the women, children and Miguel; the rest…kill them.” He ordered stone faced. The corporal rode off with his men to move into position as instructed.
“
Pvt. Harold, I want you to find a way inside that wall. Take Clarke with you, when I order the attack, I want those gates open so we can rush them, understand?”
“
Yes sir but – sir…if we take the women and children as prisoners, what are we to do with them? We have no facilities to jail them?”
“
They will be escorted to Fort Jacques. The children sent up North to orphanages. Enough questions…your orders have been given.”
Captain Pryce knew that he could not take any of these dangerous criminals back to the fort with him. Doing so would jeopardize the safety of the settlers under his protection. Besides, there were too many to bother with. He decided killing them would save him the trouble. The main catch on his list was Miguel, he was the ultimate prize. He might possibly be the ticket out of the godforsaken, sweltering fort.
To gain recognition as the one bringing down the notorious bandit would not only bring praise from his superiors, but give him the status to call his place in whatever fort he chose.
He smiled, visualizing the murderous criminal standing against a wall before the firing squad about to receive his just punishment. ‘Yes, they will reward me. Perhaps even a medal will adorn my uniform.’
“
They are surrounding our camp.” Josh whispered to Hector. “Shush! You think we cannot see!” He hissed impatiently.
“
Here comes their captain now.” Mike observed. “Everyone get ready!” He issued the warning and Hector told Josh, who told Wheatley – who turned telling another, and so on through the camp.
“
Do not trust them Jefé – they are liars! Men of treachery, one and all.” Hector warned.
“
Train your rifle at his heart and do not waver.” Mike instructed him, giving no other comment, because the moment of confrontation was at hand.
When captain Pryce was satisfied that all of his men were in position he rode close enough to the wall to be heard by Mike; very much aware of the weapon trained on him.
“
Alright that’s close enough!” Mike called down. The captain stopped, pushing his hat back a bit to get a clear view of Mike.
“
So – we finally meet! I take it you are Miguel – the bandit leader here?!” He yelled up.
“
No need to yell sir…I can hear you quite well. Yes, I am Miguel, however, what is this bandit leader business you speak of? I am not familiar with it - nor do I understand where this rumor comes from?”
A few hearing Mike’s reply laughed, until Hector turned and shot them a fierce look. They quickly sucked in their humor, his glare reminding them of the seriousness of this event.
Pryce’s eyes narrowed. “So, we are about playing games are we? Okay, a bandit can be called by many labels, for instance… an outlaw, rebel, criminal, thief, murderer – snake-…”
“
Excuse me captain – I lack, neither knowledge of the term, nor an understanding of who might be guilty of such an act. In fact, I am prone to believe there are more bandits wearing uniforms such as yours; outlaws the lot of you, thieving lands, murdering all who might dare stand in your way. Yes…I know well of the term…bandit, thieves. As for me, I am no guiltier of crimes than that of your own leaders, of those who have placed you so strategically to further their own assault on the innocent.” Mike informed him confidently.
“
Question is…why have you, traveled here to our humble camp – where I assure you – innocence dwells?”