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approached.
They left while we were on our way to the depot, apparently. No
one knows where they went. They were just gone the next morning.
Can I help you, Corporal? I do know how to cook.
Thank you, Mrs. Sawyer, but you will get that lovely dress
mussed in here.
Do not be silly, Jed. Dresses can wash, but stomachs need food.
Now, let me clean those potatoes. Are you putting them in the fire to
The Major s Wife 149
cook? He nodded, flustered by her presence. The meat on the spit
smells good. What is it?
Best, ma am, you do not know.
Nonsense. What is it?
He mumbled as he spoke. Horse. One of the ones wounded in the
fighting yesterday.
Lucretia felt herself gag, but she fought it down. It was a horse. So
what? she thought. Is it much different from a cow or a rabbit? Yes, it
was. She was ravenous, but doubted she could eat any of it. Thinking
so, she found another potato to wash for the fire. She would have a
second potato. That would do just fine.
The men from outside the gate wandered in singly and in pairs.
She pointed to a bucket of water warming by the fire pit. They looked
at her, uncomprehending. Jed spoke. The lady warmed you some
water to wash up before you eat.
Once they understood, they practically tripped over one another to
get to the water first. She was horrified that they skipped the towels
she had laid on the table, preferring to wipe their clean hands on their
filthy, blood-covered trousers.
She walked away a few yards, closed her eyes, and bent her head
forward. To herself she said, Dear God, this is a place fit for no one.
I am so afraid I will die a lonely death like so many have done in the
past few days. I am the only woman here and the looks from some of
these men leave no doubt in my mind what they want to do to me. I
think the only thing that stops them is Captain Grant. They are afraid
of him, and so am I now. He is not the same man who Jeffrey brought
to our bed.
150 Beverly Sims
Chapter 47
Are you praying, Mrs. Sawyer? I hope so. Pray for all of us,
because our time is short. She had not heard him approach until he
spoke. He touched her shoulder and she jumped away. Are you so
frightened of me? I am sorry. I will not hurt you, I promise. You do
not have to like me, but I would appreciate your respect. Eagle s
gaze was unblinking but not unkind.
Is there any reason, Captain, that I should respect you? I know
you feel nothing like that toward me.
You are wrong, Mrs. Sawyer. I do respect you. When I saw you
cooking and trying to civilize the men with a bucket of water, you
earned my respect. Now, will you join us for supper? He left her no
choice, as he took her arm and led her to the table. Several men were
already eating when they arrived, but when a couple stood like
gentlemen, so did the others.
They had started to reseat themselves when she spoke. Please
remain standing. Those of you with hats, please remove them. Now,
let us bow our heads. Only Black Eagle Grant stood staring ahead.
Dear Heavenly Father, she said softly, but loud enough for all to
hear her. Please bless our food that it may strengthen our bodies for
the ordeal ahead. Please bless those who sacrificed their lives to
protect us. Welcome them to your side and everlasting life. Forgive us
of our sins. Our Father who art in Heaven& Only Lucretia spoke the
words. Slowly, other voices joined hers, hesitant at first, and then
louder until most of the men were praying with her. Amen. Now
enjoy this meal, prepared by Jed Dryer.
The Major s Wife 151
She carefully put two potatoes on her plate and one lonely biscuit,
which was hard as a rock. She sat beside the corporal and slowly ate.
Now and then, she contributed a little to the conversations, but
otherwise lost herself in her memories.
Lucretia returned to her cabin to find her mattress already on her
bed and water warming on the stove. A pile of wood was stacked
neatly within easy reach from her cocoon for tomorrow. A lantern
burned dimly on the table, giving the cabin a glow that welcomed her
home. She sat at the table with her head on her arms, feeling the
loneliness that only a widow or widower can feel. She missed Jeffrey,
if only for his presence.
Come in, she replied to the soft rapping on the door. Once
again, his presence filled the doorway. Hello, Captain. What can I do
for you?
Mrs. Sawyer, I want to personally thank you for your presence
tonight. It boosted morale more than anything I have seen in weeks.
The prayer helped a lot, too, for those who believe in it.
Captain, do you not believe in prayer?
Yes, I do, but my beliefs are different from yours. My Indian
people pray to many gods for individual needs. For a successful hunt
or a healthy child.
I do not think that is too much different, really. We pray to only
the Lord, but we ask for the same things. Tonight again, I will pray
for our rescue. What will you pray for?
Eagle thought a moment. I will pray for that, too, but I will pray
hardest for our messenger to have reached the depot and telegraph
office.
A messenger? You sent a messenger? When? Should he be there
by now?
Not so fast, Lucretia. He used her first name. She noticed it, but
somehow did not mind. Actually, a messenger has gone out every
night since the ambush of your party. We have no way of knowing if
152 Beverly Sims
they reached the depot or fell into the hands of our enemies. All we
can do is wait.
Do you think, Captain, that any of them made it? If they were
captured, would they be killed?
Probably not and yes. Probably not made it and yes, killed, in
most horrible ways. It is the Indian way to punish enemies. There is
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