The Last Patrol

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus had just sat down in front of his tent. He'd made his rounds answered the questions of some of the higher ups and did his best to avoid Dick.

Dick's men could be heard arguing over something clear across the yard. Cyrus was glad to see his men had organized a knife throwing contest amongst themselves. He was pleased with the way he had balanced the personalities of the men in his group. While Dick had chosen some inexperienced people and people looking to make a reputation for them selves Cyrus had a good mix. The more seasoned scouts had a reputation and nothing to prove while the younger men could learn from them, if they were smart. The more seasoned ones were not afraid to put the youngsters in their place. They were even getting Chris straightened out. He was still making a few comments, but much less offensive than before. Apparently Scarlet had taught him if he was going to dish it out he better be able to take it because the others where teasing him and he was taking it well.

Billy had finished his drills and was now off duty. He couldn't find Cyrus fast enough, seeing the man just sitting down he ran over.

"Is it true Cyrus? Tell me it's not!" Billy said breathlessly.

"What is it Private Glass?"

"They're saying your people are deserting you. That Teddy was one of them. Teddy ain't no deserter!"

Cyrus's face turned red, knowing who 'they' were. "Teddy ain't no deserter son. He's not gonna ride out on me and he's not gonna ride out on you with out telling you. If Teddy was a deserter he woulda ridden out on us a lot sooner than this. We been in worse crap holes then here."

"What about Scarlet and Ella?" Billy asked.

"Those ladies are not deserters and neither are the men that ride with them." Cyrus yelled as he stood back up causing Billy to jump back.

"Don't worry Glass, I don't shoot the messenger." Cyrus said starting to pace in front of his tent trying to think of how he was going to handle this.

Billy's head rotated one way then the other watching Cyrus pace. "Don't ever turn into Dick Billy. There is a special kind of hell for people like him."

Billy cocked his head to the side not entirely how to take 'don't ever turn into a Dick'.

Finally Cyrus calmed down, stopping in front of Billy. "Just tell who ever says something to you that it's not true and there is a special kind of hell for the liar that started the rumor. If they have any questions they can come see me." Cyrus smiled liking the answer.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

He'd been too tired to sleep...or too excited.  Fritz couldn't tell which.  So he spent the time sewing the shoulder boards onto his new shirt.  When he slid the shirt on, he looked at his reflection in the shaving mirror he carried.  It was a strange mix; the old wool trousers and the new blue shirt.  And he hadn't worn shoulder boards in quite some time.  But it somehow felt right.

"Am I disturbing you?"  Captain Schurmann lifted the tentflap.

"No sir...just following orders."

"Couldn't sleep, could you?"  No, Fritz hadn't changed much.  "They look good on you."

Fritz grabbed his slouch.  "Do you think the General will see us now?"

Bill smiled.  "Let's find out."

[Elegant Ella]

After the third time she dismounted to gather wild onions and greens, Ella decided she might as well stay on foot.  It wasn't that far back to the fort.  She asked, "How many people are we planning to feed?"

[Scarlet Angel]

"I'd say a mess o folks." Teddy said riding up next to her.

One of the men had a string of rabbits, two had a small elk tied to their saddles.

"I'd day we could dry some for later but I don't know if we will have time." One of the men said.

"That ol' cook probably has something to good to bring to the party too, he keeps dried fruits some times." One of the other's said.

"The men will have a fire ready hoping we will have gotten something." Teddy replied.

[Scarlet Angel]

Richard watched from where his scouts were camped. Cyrus's men were putting together a large fire pit, one of them had a large pot but he couldn't tell what was going in it. Some of the others had fixed ropes in the tree. Richard looked over his shoulder, his men in foul moods, some of them were starting to drink while others were agitating one another. Some were actually getting along playing cards.

Richard walked over to the camp, looking at the man with the large pot. "What are you people doing?" He demanded to know.

The man looked up. "Yer that Dick fella aintcha?"

Richard took a deep breath trying not to lose his temper.

Cyrus peered around his tent, a grin playing on his lips. "This is going to be interesting." He thought to himself.

He'd been told his men were like a pack of wild animals in the past. Wolf packs kept their own in line; they could be sneaky and viscous at the same time, especially when they were thinking of taking down an intruder. Watching them he knew that rumor was true.

A couple of the men stepped around behind Richard.

"You the one that said our people are deserters?" One of the men behind Richard said.

Richard spun around; startled by the gruff voice. He knew the face but couldn't believe his eyes. It was the man the other scouts called Blackbeard. Nobody knew if the man was related to the pirate but he looked an awful lot like he could be, he had a reputation as being merciless to the enemy.

Richard swallowed hard, afraid Blackbeard might be viewing him as an enemy.

[Elegant Ella]

Boston

Alan woke up earlier than usual.  He had expected to sleep badly, with dreams that replayed the quarrel.  But his dreams had been unusual.  Instead of being based on recent events, these dreams seemed like visions of a possible future.  They were happy, hopeful dreams.

He headed downstairs to the kitchen.  The cook hadn't arrived yet, so he helped himself to bread and cheese.  Why hadn't he ever learned how to cook oatmeal for himself?  Boiling water for tea was the limit of his kitchen skills.

He settled at the kitchen table to work on the lecture until it would be a reasonable hour to call on the Widow Erdbeer.  When the cook arrived, she showed him how to cook himself a bowl of oatmeal, then prepared Samuel's breakfast omelet. 

After eating, he thanked Sarah and left through the back door.  It was a pleasant morning for a walk.

The Widow Erdbeer was surprised to see him when she opened her door.  "Dr. Coatsworth, come in, be seated, would you like tea?" she invited.  "How are you today?  Have you heard from Mrs. Coatsworth lately?"

"I had a letter from her only yesterday," replied Alan.  "That's actually the beginning of the reason I've come to see you.  Can you suggest a rooming house for me to live in?"

"Did you quarrel with Dr. Abramson?  You should talk to the rabbi if you need help to patch up the quarrel."

"Yes, I quarreled with him, but patching up the quarrel might cost me my wife."

"Probably true.  His advice would not aid a marriage.  He never learned to be a good husband."

"I didn't know that he was ever married."

"The matchmakers paired him with my sister.  They didn't suit each other.  Our parents appealed to the rabbi, and Dr. Abramson was persuaded to give her a divorce before he could crush her spirit or maybe kill her body.  My parents moved away with her and she remarried a couple years later.  Matchmakers never found another candidate to marry Dr. Abramson."

Alan thought about how Dr. Abramson had talked to Ella, and imagined what more he might have said and done to someone who could not leave and had no one to witness or intervene.

"If only I had left Ella with you when I went to Vienna," sighed Alan. 

"I might have kept her here for six months, one year at the most," she replied sadly.  "Living in a city was hard on her." 

"She never complained."

"No, she wouldn't complain to you.  She had been taught it was her duty to make your home a refuge for you.  So she would smile and be cheerful, even when she felt the city smothering her.  Her escape from the confines of city expectations was horses.  Did you ever see her riding in competition?"

"I am ashamed to admit that I did not even know she rode competitively.  What else about my wife that I don't know can you tell me?"

"Her barrenness troubled her a great deal."

"Our lack of children is not her fault but mine.  Should I give her a divorce so that she can marry someone who can give her children?" 

"That is an answer only she can give you.  Your wife will be the subject of many conversations between us after you move in here."

"How much will you charge for room and board?  Money might be tight for me. Since I am leaving Dr. Abramson's practice, my only assured income will be the stipend I'm receiving for a lecture series." 

"I am happy to repay part of what I owe Ella by taking care of her husband." 

"Thank you.  I'll bring my trunks this afternoon, after today's lecture." 

[Scarlet Angel]

"Are you that Dick fella?" One of the others asked.

Richard was trying to think what to do, get ahold of the fear that was trying to creep up his spine. What kind of rock did Cyrus find these kind of people hiding under anyhow?

He straightened his back and turned back to the man with the pot.

"My name is Richard Kane. I asked you a question and I expect an answer."

Cyrus looked back towards Dick's men. Not a one of them had a clue he was missing or about to get himself in deep trouble. That was Dick's problem, if you didn't have loyal men you needed to be over there building it. Cyrus knew his men would have been right in the middle of this should he be in his brothers current shoes.

Dick didn't know what happened he just felt his feet coming out from underneath him. The next thing he knew they were stringing him in the tree they had set up for dressing out the animals.

"I ain't never skinned a Dick 'fore." Blackbeard laughed causing laughter in the rest of the group.

"Ask Scarlet, experience tells me she just might be able to give you a few pointers." Chris said trying to be in good humor.

His remark sent a roar of laughter through the group.

The man with the pot stood up and took the lid off. Inside was a bunch of potatoes and onions. He had even talked the cook out of some butter as he knew Ella was tired of things cooked in grease.

"We are hoping to have some meat to go with this here stuff." He said gesturing towards the pot with his eyes. "I guess now we got some. We didn't even have to go out ta fetch it. It crawled right inta our camp."

Cyrus was enjoying this. He knew his men wouldn't do too much damage to Dick. They played up to some of the rumors that were said about them, joked about others, but when Dick had started the rumor that spread quickly about their group having deserters riding with them he had crossed the line of tolerance.

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus had sat down so he could watch what his men intended to do to Dick.  He wondered just how warped his mind was that he was enjoying this, but he just couldn't seem to help himself. 

"Cut me down damn you heathens."  Richard squealed.

Blackbeard stood back drew his knife and let it fly, the blade stuck in the tree to the right of Dicks torso.

"Oh let me try ta cut him down!" one of the other men said drawing his knife and throwing it, sinking the blade in the tree between Richards spread legs.

The gates of the fort swung open and the riders that had been rumored to have deserted rode through. Some of the soldiers began to whisper and look at them.

Scarlet's eyes moved from side to side watching the people. "What happened while we were gone." She whispered.

"Don't know but damn sure gonna find out." Teddy replied kicking his horse forward followed by the rest of the group. They skirted the pitched tents until they came to Cyrus's.

"Cyrus what's going on? People are pointing and whispering at us?" Teddy said.

Cyrus looked up at him then stood and walked over to his horse. He pointed at Dick and began to tell them what happened.

Cyrus had seen Teddy that mad before and it was never good. Teddy was the man that walked softly and carried the big stick.

Teddy stepped off his horse and tossed the reins to Cyrus.

"Hey I didn't put a stop to it because I know they weren't really going to hurt him." Cyrus said.

Teddy bent over and picked up one of the boards that had been left over from building some of the structures.

"I won't let you down Cyrus. I never have. That man's going to think twice 'fore he starts lying. I may be a lot of things but I'll not stand for that kind of reputation hung on me." Teddy said walking towards the tree.

"The deserters have returned!" He announced bringing the board up to shoulder height.

A few of Richard's men had followed the group of riders over to see if they could overhear anything being said about the fact they rode off. Spotting Richard they stood wondering what was going on and if they should intervene.

Teddy swung the board putting all the strength he had behind it. The board sounded thunder as it splintered into tiny pieces just below Richard's head.

Richard thrashed around yelling for Cyrus.

Teddy turned on the scouts that had come over to see what was going on pointing the end of the splintered board at them he said. "You help spread the rumor?"

"No Sir." One of them threw up his hands and backed up.

"Let 'im down." Teddy said to Blackbeard who carried out the request.

"Pick up yer trash and take 'im back to yer own camp." Teddy said to the others.

"You Teddy Grey?" one of them asked stepping forward.

Teddy eyed the boy knowing somehow the kid suddenly felt like he might be somebody if he took on a man with a reputation. "Look kid, if you're looking for a reputation you make it by doing a good job. Watchin' the backs of the people you ride with, not sneakin' around tellin' dirty lies. But it's your choice if you want to die today."

"You're threatening my boss there. So I would be watchin' the back of the man I ride for."  The kid drew his knife and threw it.

The knife made a dull thump as it stuck into the board Teddy blocked it with.

"You got a lot to learn kid. Now you're unarmed and I have your knife. You were slow and I could read your every move. On another day that may get you killed. Now go home and take Dick there with you." Teddy said calmly.

The kid backed up not taking his eyes off the group until he was out of knife range then turned and ran to catch up with the others.

Teddy pulled the knife out of the board and found a place for it on his belt. "Now we got some skinnin' and eattin' to do!"

Cyrus handed the reins back to him and patted him on the back. "Well done." Looking at the group "All of you, especially those of you who have been gathering decent stuff to eat."

The man with the pot approached Ella. Paul removed his hat. "Miss Ella, I got potatoes and onions peeled and cut up in the pot and got some real butter from the cook, you have any suggestions on what to do with it?"

[Elegant Ella]

"Butter is wonderful!  Can we get flour as well, and make butter biscuits?" she asked, a little eagerly. 

"I'm planning to make real bread tomorrow, since there isn't time for it today.  I think the rabbits belong in the pot with the potatoes and onions, while some of the venison roasts.  The fish are going to be stuffed with greens and roasted on a grill.  We're going to have ourselves a feast!  By the way, if no one else wants the skins, I would like them for practice tanning."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

How easily he fell back into line, one pace to the rear and one to the left.  They walked down the dusty street, two old war veterans.  Even the new blue shirt couldn't hide that. 

Fritz had expected someone of General Crook's stature to commandeer the C.O.'s quarters.  So he was pleasantly surprised to find the General resided in a simple wall tent, much like Captain Bill's.  He hadn't met Crook during the war.  His war record was unremarkable.  But Crook had built a solid reputation as an Indian fighter in the years after the war.  The tent flap was open, and Fritz looked inside.  The quarters were austere, spartan even.  There were none of the usual trappings of a man of his rank.  Just a cot, stove, map table and a few chairs adorned the tent.

The General wore a simple uniform, not at all pretentious.  Fritz had heard that on campaign, Crook wore a simple canvas riding suit.  He liked him already.  The General looked up from his maps.  Bill and Fritz saluted.  The salute was returned.

"Come in gentlemen," Crook said.

"General," Schurmann said, "this is my exec, Lieutenant Fred King.  I call him 'Fritz.' for short."

"A pleasure," Crook said, extending his hand.

"For me as well sir," Fritz's replied.  Crook had a strong grip.

"Sit down please.  So, Fritz is it?  Captain Schurmann tells me you're the best noncom he's ever had.  I'm glad to see he brevetted you again.  We need experienced men.  Especially now."

They looked over the maps.  Terry and Gibbons paths had been marked in ink.  Crook had been penciling in his line of march. 

"As you know, late last year, the government gave an ultimatum for all Indians to return to reservation lands.  Any Indian not on the reservation by January 1st would be considered hostile, and dealt with appropriately.  Our job is to get them to surrender, and escort them back to reservation lands.  The plan is to box them in on three sides, and cut off their avenues of escape.  This is, to date, the largest expedition of its kind.  Our command alone will field over 2,000 soldiers."

"Sir," Fritz said, "As you know, there was no way those Indians could have come in during the winter.  The Army runners didn't make it out there until almost the end of the year.  You saw first hand how treacherous winters here are."

Crook nodded.  This one wasn't a 'yes man' like so many before him.  He was pragmatic; a realist even.  "Go on."

"Those Indians didn't come in because they didn't want to come in.  They are a society of hunter-gatherers.  They're not farmers...they're a warrior culture.  We see this as a simple problem, with a simple solution.  For the Sioux, the problem's not so simple.  We're asking them to change their whole way of life...a way that's been unchanged for a thousand years, maybe longer."

"Lieutenant King, you and I both know we don't create policy.  We implement policy.  Our government has determined that the Indian way of life is not compatible with our way of life.  If we can urge them to surrender, we may be able to save their lives.  If we don't, their culture will die along with them.  I've known Bill Schurmann a long time.  He obviously places great confidence in you.  I'm sure it's well-deserved.  But I have to know...can I count on you?"

The General stared at him intently.

"Of course, sir" Fritz said.

Crook looked to the Captain.  "Bill, what does the Second need to get ready for this fight?"

"I'm going to introduce the men to Fritz here.  Many of them have never met him before.  Then I'd like Fritz to evaluate the unit, and see what our needs are.  We have a little over a month to get ready.  I plan to use that time wisely."

"Then I won't keep you gentlemen," Crook said.  "Dismissed."



   

           

   

 

[Scarlet Angel]

Paul looked around. "I bribed the cook ta get the butter, told him he could join us. Heck he even said he had some canned fruit and would bring that." He whispered. "What could we trade for flour?" He said looking around. "Oh wait, I'll just tell him that's less folks ta cook for and he can come to our fire." Paul was excited of the possibility of a home cooked meal, well as close to it as he'd had for some time.

"I'll see what I can work out." He said. "come on Joe wez gonna go talk to that nice cook man."

Cyrus watched them go. He almost wanted to call out and tell them to watch their backs but he knew that's why his men traveled in no less than two.

Teddy smiled at Ella's request. "You done tanning before Ella? I'm gonna tan my own elk, I can help you if you like."

"You could sew all the rabbit pelts together and make something." One of them said.

The man called Sam spoke up. "You can tan my elk ma'am. If you want the practice, but I could sure use it when you're done if you wouldn't mind."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

"Jesus Fritz," Bill said.  "I didn't expect you to wax poetic in there."

"Sir," Fritz replied, "wasn't it you who taught me "if you ask the question, don't be offended by the answer?"

Bill laughed.  "You would bring that up, wouldn't you?"

When they got back to their wall tent, Captain Schurmann sent the orderly to get the Trumpeter Sergeant.  A few minutes later, Sergeant Dave Powell arrived.  He was just as Fritz remembered him.  A bit greyer if that was possible, but the same man nonetheless.  Dave snapped to and brought his hand up.

"Don't you dare Dave," Fritz said.  "How are you?"

Dave smiled.  "I'm well.  You look like you've done well."

Fritz looked at the shoulder boards.  "These are temporary, I'm sure.  How's your wife?"

"She wishes I were home more, but the Army's all I know."

"Dave, call assembly.  I want the men to meet their new Exec."

Sgt Powell moved out, followed closely by the orderly with their guidon.     

[Elegant Ella]

"Thank you.  I've helped on a mountain lion hide, and tanned a few rabbit pelts last summer with lots of advice.  I would appreciate your help with Sam's elk hide.  I saved the pelts from the trip up here, so I'm sure I have enough to make something.  Maybe a baby blanket, if the furs come out nice and soft."

She looked around at the fire to see what was available and what she needed.  "Can I get some help to bring more cookware from my packs?"

She headed for the stable to fetch the dutch oven and grill that she considered standard cookware as long as she wasn't trying to travel light.  Her larger soup kettle would serve as a mixing bowl.  Sam and another man escorted her, and took the items from her to carry back.  She only had the tin of baking powder to carry. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Teddy was impressed with Ella's enthusiasm. He didn't know any white women who would even want to know about the process of tanning a hide much less do it themselves.

"You familiar with tanning hides." He said looking at Scarlet.

"I've tanned a few in my time." She replied.

"Oh?" Teddy said with a raise of an eyebrow.

Scarlet grinned. "Mr. Grey there was one way to grow up in my house. You didn't ask anybody to do anything unless you were willing to do it yourself, and then being the daughter you'd best be able to clean yourself up, put on your best dress and charm the pants off the guests. If it is tanning a hide that will charm you I am prepared, however ball gowns will not be seen at that time." She did a deep curtsy and smiled pleasantly.

Teddy chuckled.

"Now there are animals to be skinned. I will leave the retrieval of the brains for you and Ella to do." Scarlet said.

"Who taught you to tan a hide?" Teddy asked.

"I learn what I can from who ever will teach me Teddy. My mother and father both taught me what to do with every piece of an animal. I went to a little different finishing school then the other girls." she paused for a moment. "I am no stranger to Indian camps either." She said.

"Comanche."

"Yes." It was her turn to look at him questioningly.

"The way you fought with Chris, Bo has taught you many things. I watched the way he fights, you have similarities, but also I have seen Comanche fight, you have similarities. They also are the best horseman I know. I bet you ride this horse with no saddle and no reins "Teddy said running his hand along Lucky's neck "and watching him I know he is your partner. This horse has never been broke; his soul, like yours, still races the wind." Teddy grinned wickedly. "And like his partner he enjoys some attention but there is only one he will yield to, I believe anyone else would die trying to ride him."

Scarlet's mouth dropped open for a second then she shook her head and laughed softly. "You are very good at reading horses and women."

"Keeps me from getting into trouble where I don't belong." He said lifting the deer from Lucky's back. "My horse will let anybody handle him, if you don't mind I will hang the deer if you will put my horse away."

"I don't believe you are much like your horse Mr. Grey." She laughed taking the horse's reins.

"It would have gotten me killed along time ago." He chuckled back.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella was thoughtful while her hands were busy making biscuits. 

Because most of Cyrus's men liked her and wanted to impress her, Ella thought that hanging around their camp working on hides, learning the Crow language, and admiring their skills would help keep them from getting into fights with the other bands of scouts or the regular soldiers.  Scarlet complained that the walls of the fort made her feel confined.  Ella thought Scarlet might be sensing an emotional fog of men in cramped quarters facing danger.  At least they were almost all young men and reasonably healty, so Ella wasn't sensing pain that called to be relieved. 

Ella would be able to make some clothing from the deer hides, if she didn't wind up using it to hold bandages in place.  The vision that Grey Eagle had reported left her wondering whether the supply of linen and gauze she had brought was going to be enough.  But she had brought all that she had available at the Starr. 

She hoped that Teddy's and Sam's elk hides would not end up used for their shrouds. 

The first batch of biscuits were ready. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus watched the people around him, he was proud of them. Tensleep and Scarlet had fallen in step together taking the horses back to the stable with a couple of the other men. He noticed Tensleep's people tended to travel in no less than pairs also. He had been a little concerned putting this particular group together, most of which he'd ridden with at one time but he'd brought together different creeds and colors and then topped it off with women. Most of the men he chose to ride with had to get along with Teddy. Cyrus and Teddy had ridden together for along time and Teddy tolerated little when folks started picking on him because of the red color of his skin. 

While some men had to organize team building activities to get their men to work together Cyrus let his people choose their own. Realizing he seemed to be the only one standing around he stepped up and began to skin one of the animals.

"Was nice of you to offer to help Ella tan the hides." Cyrus said to Teddy.

"She's good people." He stated.

"And if we get into battle?"

Teddy half smiled. "The men like and have come to respect those two women and the men they ride with. I believe Scarlet and Chris have even come to an understanding and will not shoot each other but stand together if they have to."


Teddy looked over at Cyrus. "Have you heard who we will be riding for yet?"

"No can't say as I've had anybody come round to introduce themselves, neither have the other camps though. I spect someone is trying to come up with who best suits whose style." Cyrus replied.

"I spect someone is trying to figure out who will tolerate the fact you've never saluted anybody in all your life and who will tolerate you're mouth should they tell you to do something you think is not right." Teddy teased. "I can hear it now. Look I've got this group of crazies. If you know how to handle them you won't find better."

"Better than riddin' for Dick. I've got this other group. If you can focus them and liked to be saluted every time you turn around." Cyrus said then his face grew somber. "I still feel bad 'bout that last time, wasn't right that commander tried to run you and Chris into the ground. I didn't tolerate it then and I won't now."

"I never blamed you for that Cyrus. You know that. I know some people don't care for the color of our skin or the language we speak. I'm glad you stood up for me and didn't let them send me to the stocks when his horse spooked and he fell of and broke his arm." Teddy said.

"Anybody could have tied them snake rattles to that bridle, the man was not liked by many." Cyrus replied.

Before they knew it the meat was ready, the men and women were gathered around the fire and they were enjoying the rewards of the days events.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

At the first note of "assembly," 1stSgt Crisp was out of his tent and heading to the front of the formation.  He took the C.O.'s position and waited for his troopers to fall in.  The men reported in, and Scott about-faced.  Bill stepped forward and received the report.

"Sir, the company is formed.  All are present or accounted for."

"Take your post," Bill replied.  Scott stepped around and took his place, one pace to the left, and one to the rear.

Captain Schurmann bellowed, "Executive Officer, front and center!"

Fritz marched in and saluted.  "First Lieutenant King reporting as ordered, sir."

Scott's face fell, but he maintained his bearing.     

[Scarlet Angel]

Sounds of laughter and good natured teasing soon filled the air within the camp around the group of people that rode with Cyrus Kane.

[Elegant Ella]

"Miz Ella, you said you might make a baby blanket out of the rabbit skins.  Who's having a baby?" asked one of the scouts. 

"I can't rightly say," replied Ella gaily.  "But I expect Tensleep's wife to need a midwife sooner or later." 

That comment prompted another round of teasing and cheerful advice to Tensleep.

[Tensleep]

Tensleep took the good natured ribbing cheerfully then he winked at Ella.
"Been readin' my mail have ya?"