AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As they finished, Hattie offered to help with the dishes, but the woman explained her children would see to it. As they helped their children with their homework from the local school, Hattie and Lee took a stroll around the place.
“I’ve never seen such a pretty place in my life, nor been treated so sweetly by a white woman. These are very special people, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they are. I was hoping you would see this too. The wheel is already on the wagon. I offered the man pay, but he wouldn’t take it.”
“I’m so glad we are leaving Alabama behind and going to Texas,” Hattie cried, clinging to Lee.
“Oh. Why?”
“Because we are getting to see what the rest of the country is all about. It’s like an education for the children. I’m so happy, Lee,” Hattie cried.
“It’s just the beginning honey, you will see,” Lee assured her.
As they returned to the cabin, they heard Jonah reading a story from the Bible and they saw Lily, Daisy, and Violet curled up close to the Amish children to listen. Then they were all sent to bed and tucked in with love.
That night, Lee and Hattie lay in a bed holding each other close and dreaming of their future together in Texas.
The weather turned colder as they headed out the next morning. The children were sad to leave their new friends.
Joe made mention of Jonah and Sarah the next night when they made camp. “I never seen such gentle, quiet people. At first, I thought they was unfriendly because they didn’t speak much, but I soon realized it was just their way. They sure do work hard. They were all up before we got started to leave.”
“Can we come back someday, daddy?” Lily asked.
“Maybe…someday.” Lee smiled. “Now get some rest, we have a long day of travelin’ tomorrow.”
Mississippi was another state torn by the war and they witnessed the Chickasaws and Chocktaws along the way. The kids were especially curious about homes their funny shaped homes called Wattle houses, and they were greeted by them with a “Chokma.”
“It is a friendly greeting,” Lee informed them.
“Aren’t Indians big fighters?” Sam asked when he saw them farming and paying little attention to them traveling over the land.
“They used to be, but since the treaties have been signed and many are on the reservations now, there is little fighting, especially from these tribes. It’s the Comanche and Apache you have to worry about,” Lee informed him.
“What kind of Indian Village do we go to?” Hattie asked.
“They are the Shawnee’s. My friend, Chase Rivers and his wife, Katherine, are not full blooded, but Chase is the son of the chief and he is a very good person, as is his wife.”
“How did Chase save your life?” Sam asked, riding up beside the wagon.
Lee recalled the time, “It wasn’t long after I left you two, that I stumbled upon Chase and Katherine. Katherine was raised as a white. She knew nothing of her Indian heritage. Her white folks died of a fever. They lived at a stagecoach station, so Katherine decided to try and run it with her only surviving brother. But it wasn’t to be; the Comanche attacked the station and Chase, who had come in on the stage, took her and me and were headed for the Shawnee camp. I was a soldier at a fort who was sent to her station to help and defend it. We were attacked by the Comanche again, but it wasn’t Indians that hurt me, it was a renegade outlaw named Hawks. Chase pulled me all the way to safety with his bare hands; it was close to twenty miles. If he hadn’t, I’d have been killed by the Comanche, as my commanding officer at the time was gonna leave me there.”
“Chase Rivers, that’s some name…” Joe chuckled.
“He is one of the bravest and best men I know…” Lee said. “If you could have seen him, you’d understand. He pulled me on a travois, wrapped around his head, in unbearable heat. It was remarkable.”
One night, as they camped on the LouisianaTexas borders, Lee held Hattie close to him, feeling a peace flow over him. “How are you feelin’?”
“I’m tired, but very happy.” Hattie smiled, laying her head on his shoulder as he pulled her up against him. The others were asleep; the children lay beside them and Joe and Sam camped out under the wagon.
“We’re getting closer now. It won’t be long and we’ll be home,” Lee promised.
“Lee, what will we do if the Indians war with the whites?” Hattie asked.
“The Shawnee are a peaceful tribe; they war with no one now. They farm like we do. They raise their children and tell tales of the old days I’m sure. But there won’t be any more wars now. It’s true, if they move, then we’ll move with them.” Lee sighed.
“Will we still make love every night?” she asked breathlessly.
“After the baby comes we will…” he assured her.
