Timecachers (65 page)

“Alice,” Benjamin said, “You have indeed become like part of our family, and we will keep you with us in our hearts, but you should do as John Carter says.”

Adam glanced at his three companions. Tom and Sal looked noncommittal; they would go along with his decision. Alice’s face was puffy and her eyes red from crying, and she had become tearful once again. The decision was his to make. He still didn’t like the idea of leaving the Rogers and Wards, nor did he want to split his group up again. Ross’s Landing was only a dozen miles or so further, and John and Jimmy were right, once they got there, they’d be stranded. They had no money to pay for riverboat passage. Going with Carter’s group seemed to make sense. He peeked at the LANav. The display indicated a single point for their present location, and a new anomaly point, clearly in the direction of North Carolina.

“My advisors appear to be unanimous,” Adam said. “Looks like we’re going to North Carolina.”

“Then we are settled,” said John Carter. “Let us make the most of our time. We should break camp and leave within the hour.”

Packing up the camp took them very little time. They spent the better part of their hour on farewells, each group wishing the other well and promises of prayer for their safety. Adam and Jimmy spoke again of Jimmy’s ideas about agricultural technology; Adam insistent that Jimmy promise to continue to pursue his dreams when he reached the western territory. Rebecca thanked Adam profusely once again for the part he played in her rescue.

“We will miss you, Adam, and think of you every time we have to catch sheep,” Rebecca said with a sly grin. She hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek.

Adam reddened, embarrassed by the kiss. Even in worn-out clothing and grime from the trail, Rebecca was still one of the most beautiful women he knew.

Alice helped Catherine and Silvey load the Rogers’ belongings into the wagon, while Benjamin and Isaac hitched up the horses. Billy sat off by himself, quiet and depressed, as he had been since Sally’s death the previous night. Finished with the loading, Alice went and sat next to him.

“I miss her too, dear,” Alice told him.

“It’s not just that I miss her.” Billy’s voice quavered as he spoke. “I keep thinking about all the things I said I’d do for her and never did. I remember the times I lost my temper with her, and the times I made fun of her for being silly or not being able to do something as well as I could. I wish I had spent more time with her and done more of the things she asked of me.” Tears streaked his face. He wiped at them, embarrassed at showing emotion in front of Alice.

“Sally loved you very much,” she told him, trying to withhold her own emotions. “She told me several times how much you always did for her, like teaching her how to hunt birds, and taking her with you even when you would have rather gone by yourself. When we lose someone, it is normal to think about all the things we should have done, but you know, I think Sally would want you to remember the good times you had together.”

“I know she would, but I can’t help thinking about the other things.”

“Of course you can’t. In time though, those thoughts will be replaced with fonder memories. It will happen quicker for you than for your mother and father, because you are younger. They are going to need your help to live with their heartbreak. Helping them is something you can still do for Sally.”

Billy picked up a pebble and tossed it into the woods, mulling over Alice’s words. “I guess you’re right; I’ll try.”

“I’m sure if you try, you will succeed.” They both stood, and Alice gave the young man a hug. “Thank you for making me feel welcome in your home, and for teaching me how to hunt birds with a blowgun.”

“That was fun. Thanks for all the stories you told us. They were, uh, …”

“Cool?”

Billy looked perplexed. “Your stories were cool? What do you mean?”

“It’s just something we say where I come from. When we think something is exciting or interesting, we say it’s cool.”

“I like it. Cool.”

“Please be careful on your journey, Billy dear,” Alice said in a more solemn tone. “It will be very long and difficult.”

“I know, and I will be cautious. Besides, once we get out there, there will be many new things to discover. I think some of them will even be cool.”

Alice thought that she could see a faint twinkle in his red eyes. “I’m sure they will be, honey,” she said, smiling, amazed that he could see anything positive in what he was being put through. “I’m very sure.”

When the packing was complete and all were ready, John Carter called the group together once again. “It is time for our brief reunion to come to an end. Sadness, such that we have never known, envelops us; yet we must not let it overcome us. Although we have chosen different paths, the choices we make would not be necessary if not for the greed and avarice of the Georgians. I, like yourselves, am connected to this land in my very soul. Our people have lived and hunted here for generations, and our claim to title predates the
Yonegas
by centuries. This land was given to our ancestors by god himself. Despite the legitimacy of our claim, we are vastly outnumbered and overpowered. They have caused undue suffering to us and our children, and I am certain beyond all doubt that we can no longer remain here. We will never forget our homeland, but we must leave the lands we love behind. We will keep that love in our hearts, whether we go westward or escape to the remote mountains of North Carolina. We will also remember the greed and maltreatment. We will remember, but we will not allow those dark feelings to subjugate us, for that is not the way of the Tsalagi. The Principal People will endure. Let us go now on our separate paths. I wish you all a safe journey.”

After a few more hugs and handshakes, the two parties set off, Benjamin’s family and the Deerinwaters taking the Federal Road to Ross’s Landing, and the others taking the smaller trail eastward. The latter group resumed their previous formation, sending a scout ahead who would double back at regular intervals to assure the main body of travelers that the trail ahead was clear. They also appointed a trailer, a person who would follow along behind making sure that they were not approached from the rear.

John Carter cautioned them to travel quietly, reminding them that Benjamin had heard their approach even before their advanced scout reached him. “The militia will be searching for absconders, particularly this close to the Federal Road.” He considered dividing the group, reasoning that smaller groups could travel more quietly with less chance of discovery. All except Adam’s group were skilled hunters, used to moving stealthily through the forest, so there were advantages to keeping the group together; a large group was safer for the women and children, and communication was much simpler if it became necessary to take evasive action to avoid a militia patrol.

John and Guwaya had planned a route that would take them back to the Cohutta mountain area, keeping to less traveled hunting and wildlife trails as much as possible. It would be impossible to avoid all of the known roads, since they were limited by the numerous creeks and rivers which had to be crossed wherever they could be safely forded. Their biggest obstacle was the Conasauga River which formed the boundary between Whitfield and Murray counties. If they could keep up a good pace, they could reach his preferred river crossing just before nightfall and ford the river while they still had enough light to pick their way across.

They halted in the foothills just before reaching the Conasauga. It was darker than John would have liked for a safe crossing, but the weather had been dry and the water level was down. He and Yonah scouted the area around the river while the others waited in a secluded part of the foothills. Once they determined there was no one else around, they signaled the others to join them at the riverbank.

John Carter addressed the group, raising his voice enough to be heard over the sound of the rushing river. “We will cross now, and make our way to the foothills on the other side. Once across, it is only a short hike to a hunting camp where it should be safe to spend the night. Tomorrow we will have the rugged mountains to deal with, which will mean traveling slower, but they will give us good cover as we make our way north.”

Guwaya led the way. He had crossed this river often on more enjoyable occasions while tracking game, and knew there were easier places to cross, but those places were more likely to be watched by the militia. If everyone followed his lead and tread carefully, they should reach the other side without incident, even with the dwindling light. He carried his boy, Sagi, atop his shoulders. Woyi followed close behind carrying the bundled baby. Yonah came next; he was also familiar with this ford, and led the way for Adam and his team. John Carter would bring up the rear, leading the string of pack horses.

Proceeding single file across the river, they reached a point where they were nearly waist deep. Guwaya passed word along that this was the deepest spot, but the river bottom would be fairly flat and sandy until they reached shallower water.

Alice, trying to watch her footing in the faint light, failed to notice a log floating down the river heading toward her. Sal, right behind her, saw the log and shouted a warning, then lunged ahead to shove her out of its path. He struck the center of her back with both hands, propelling her safely out of the way. Caught unaware by the blow from behind, she plunged face first into the water. Sal tried to use his momentum to dive past the careening log, but lost his footing in the sand, and caught a glancing blow to his midsection as the log floated past. He emitted an “oomph” as the air was knocked from his lungs, and disappeared underwater.

Tom caught Alice by the arm, pulling her to the surface. Drenched, with hair dripping, she turned and sputtered a shriek, “Sal, you jerk! What the heck did you do that for?” before realizing he was nowhere to be seen. As she stood looking for Sal, another unseen blow from behind once again sent her sprawling into the river. This time it was Yonah, diving past her to the spot where Sal had vanished. Tom caught her arm again and helped her to her feet, just in time to see Sal emerge from the river with Yonah holding him up, his arms around Sal’s waist. Yonah gave Sal a squeeze to clear the water from his lungs, causing Sal to emit a stream of water into Alice’s face.

Alice’s eyes flashed in anger. “That does it!” she said. She balled her fist and threw a punch at Sal, hitting him squarely on the nose. The blow would have knocked him back into the river if he hadn’t been supported by Yonah. Alice stood her ground, glaring at Sal through her dripping wet hair, daring him to retaliate.

Sal was far too dazed to consider a counterattack. He gasped for air and felt his nose, checking for damage, then looked at Yonah in disbelief. Yonah shrugged, and with a lopsided grin said, “You certainly have a way with women, Squirrel-man,” producing laughter from everyone who had gathered around them; everyone except for Sal and Alice who continued to glower at each other.

John Carter stepped between them and flashed a grin. “I hate to interrupt the games of two young lovers,” he said, causing Alice and Sal to break their stare at each other and cast it on him. “But if you are done with your frolic, I must remind you we are in the middle of a river and should be on our way.” He gestured toward the shore where Guwaya already stood waiting, and winked at Yonah. Tom walked alongside of Alice, explaining to her about the log; that Sal was only trying to prevent her from being hit, and what had happened to him. Her anger vanished as it was replaced by embarrassment, ashamed that she had acted so foolishly rash. Obviously she would apologize profusely to Sal and thank him for putting himself at risk for her. She also agonized over the interminable chastising she’d receive from him, probably for the rest of her life. She supposed she deserved it; she had socked him pretty hard.

Yonah determined Sal was steady enough to make his own way and released his grip. He plodded through the river between Sal and Alice, like an attentive parent separating two misbehaving children. He could not help chuckling as he walked.

“I’m glad you’re amused, Tonto. She could have broken my nose!” Sal sneered sarcastically.

“I believe she could have. She must be of stout warrior stock. Good thing she likes you and did not put all of her strength into that punch. I am glad you were not severely injured.” He kept facing forward so that Sal could not see the immense look of amusement on his face.

“She’s the one who could have been injured! It’s a good thing you were holding me, dude!”

“Indeed. If I was not, her blow would have put you in the river again.”

“No way, man. I would have clobbered her good if she wasn’t a girl!”

“I am not so sure, Squirrel-man. She is a most robust woman, smart and attractive as well. Perhaps you should consider her for a wife. I believe she would give you fine, strong children, and could protect you against aggressors. Your poor face cannot take much more abuse.”

“Say what?” Sal exploded. “I don’t need anyone to protect me, Tonto, and she’s the last person I’d pick for a wife!”

Yonah laughed so hard he nearly stumbled. “You are right, Squirrel-man. Best for her to have someone who can handle such a strong woman, he said through his guffaws. “We will find you a meek Cherokee woman from my sister’s clan.”

Sal grumbled something like “goofy old Indian,” fully aggravated by the goading. At least it distracted him from the dull ache in his side and his throbbing nose.

Chapter fifty-four