Chapter Two
(One month later)
Daniel Boone awoke with a start when a hand clamped itself over his mouth. He reached instantly for his knife, then relaxed when he realized that the hand belonged to his friend, Mingo. He nodded, sheathed the knife again, and sat up.
"Come quietly and quickly, Daniel," Mingo whispered. He rose silently to his feet and waited while Daniel grabbed his rifle, Tick Licker.
Mingo led the way through the woods to a clearing, stepping carefully and silently. It was early morning, just before first light. The two Kentuckians had been on a hunting expedition. Mingo paused behind a fallen log and gestured to the open field before them. A small herd of about ten does and two bucks were grazing quietly. One of the bucks remained alert, his ears moving to catch any possible noise. The buck kept constant watch on the meadow. Each vole or squirrel merited a flick of his tail or a swivel of his ears. At each motion, the other deer lifted their heads cautiously. The does and the other buck continued grazing as Daniel and Mingo watched. The men sat patiently, careful to make no noise or sudden movement to startle the grazing deer. Daniel gestured toward Tick Licker, wondering if Mingo intended to shoot one of the deer. He shook his head. His finger went to his lips to indicate that Daniel should remain silent.
Suddenly a glossy black horse cantered into the field. The deer seemed unsurprised by the horse's sudden appearance. The does continued grazing as the horse circled the meadow.
Mingo's hand found Daniel's sleeve. "Watch, Daniel!" whispered the Cherokee. His dark eyes never left the open meadow.
Suddenly the horse wheeled itself around and darted toward the deer. Its speed increased as it gathered itself and sprang into the air. And neatly leapt over six of the standing deer. The deer scattered to the four winds, as the horse circled the meadow, clearly pleased with itself.
Daniel's mouth fell open in astonishment, and the Cherokee laughed out loud at Daniel's surprise.
"I saw him do it last evening, and thought I had dreamed it. He's done it several times already this morning while you slept."
"What in tarnation. . . ?" Daniel took off his cap and scratched his head.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Daniel," Mingo chuckled. "The deer seem not to be bothered by the horse. They scatter every time he plays his prank, but they gather again, and he leaps over them again. I think the deer are having as much fun as the horse!"
The two men gathered their rifles and stepped out of the woods into the meadow. The horse spied them and came trotting up, shaking its shining black head and tail.
Daniel held out his hand, and the horse came close, unafraid of either man. Daniel and Mingo stood admiring the animal as Daniel searched in his bandolier for something to use as a hackamore for the animal. The animal was well-cared for, with large intelligent eyes, tossing his head, almost as if he expected a reward for his performance.
"I doubt that any of the settlers would have the time or knowledge to train a horse to perform a trick like that," Mingo observed, as Daniel fashioned a crude halter and slipped it over the animal's head. "I've seen this sort of stunt performed at Philip Astley's riding school in England. There are displays of horsemanship, trick riding, things of that nature. What other kind of person owns an animal like this?"
"I ain't never seen anything like it, Mingo," Daniel shook his head, "Reckon this horse is lost. Might as well head for Boonesborough and see if anyone's lookin' for him - he's important to someone, that's for certain."
Mingo grinned, "Yes, by all means, let us find out. Perhaps we should hope that Rebecca wasn't counting on serving venison tonight!"
**********
"Pa!" Israel Boone came flying out of the open gates as Daniel and Mingo approached the fort. "Guess what!?" The white-haired child's excitement changed to astonishment as he spied the black horse his father was leading. "Pa, that's the horse the man is lookin' for!"
"Israel Boone," laughed his father, as he ruffled the boy's hair. "What are you doin' at the fort? Where's your ma and 'Mima?"
Daniel quickly handed the lead to Mingo and caught Israel as the boy launched himself into the air.
"They're in the tavern with Cincinnatus, Pa," the boy responded, "Pa, guess what!? There's gonna be a circus in Boonesborough! And the man who owns the circus lost his horse!"
Daniel and Mingo exchanged confused looks. When they had encountered Philip Astley in Salem, the man had said nothing of his circus being anywhere near Boonesborough.
Suddenly a Scottish voice called, "Cornplanter!" The horse, to their astonishment, suddenly bowed to the owner of the voice.
A dark-haired man of average height, of a wiry build came striding out of the tavern. "Cornplanter, you naughty fellow! Where did you escape to?" The man hurried over to the horse, and began running his hands up and down the horse's legs, while the horse nuzzled him affectionately, searching his pockets for a treat.
"'Cornplanter'?" Daniel asked. "Strange name for a horse."
The man smiled at Daniel as he took a piece of sugar out of his vest pocket and palmed it for the horse to eat.
"Yes, I bought him from General Washington in New York. He was already named after an Indian fellow of the general's acquaintance. Seneca chief, I believe I was told. I understand that you are Daniel Boone, the man this settlement was named after?"
Daniel nodded, "Yep, I'm Boone. This is my friend, Mingo." Mingo bobbed his head in greeting.
The man extended a hand first to Daniel. He hesitated before offering his hand to Mingo.
"I am John Bill Ricketts, formerly of Scotland, now of New York City," he said smiling broadly. "And this young man," he gestured at Israel, still perched on Daniel's hip, "I understand to be your son? I have a boy about his age."
Daniel nodded, "Yep, he's mine. What's this about a circus coming to Boonesborough?"
Ricketts assumed a pose and began a spiel, obviously recited many times. "Not merely a circus, Mr. Boone! An extravaganza of equestrian skill, trick riding, tightrope walking, clowns, jesters, jugglers, and oddities of the human condition! A display to stagger the imagination, sir!"
Mingo grinned and shook his head, "Mr. Ricketts, I have lived in London. I'm afraid that you will find it difficult to stagger my imagination!"
Ricketts was taken aback by Mingo's cultured accent. "If you will pardon my curiosity, sir, I must ask: a savage who speaks the King's English better than I do?"
Mingo nodded, "My mother was of the Cherokee. My father was born near Oxford. I was educated there."
"Indeed, sir, indeed," Ricketts said, but changed the subject smoothly. "Mr. Boone, where did you find my lost Cornplanter?"
"We discovered him in a meadow cavortin' with deer," Daniel began, but Ricketts interruped impatiently.
"Was he leaping over them?" As Daniel and Mingo nodded in surprise, Ricketts continued, "He can leap over six horses all standing 16 hands high. He is quite full of his own importance! I believe him to be the best trained horse in America!"
"You said you bought him off General Washington in New York?" Daniel questioned.
"Yes, indeed," the Scot seemed to swell with his own consequence. It seemed that the man and the horse shared an overweening ego. "I gave the General $100 for him just three years ago! I taught him all his tricks."
"It seems odd that such a valuable horse should be wandering around the wilderness alone," Mingo probed.
"Cornplanter is a horse of many talents, my dear sir. One of his skills is that he can remove his own saddle, and he can also untie knots. The stable boy left in charge was unused to Cornplanter's little pranks. When he fell asleep, Cornplanter simply freed himself and set off."
"Thought you said a circus was comin'," Israel reminded them. "Just you and one horse ain't no circus! Where's your elephant? Pa and Mingo saw an elephant in Salem!"
Daniel and Mingo laughed, but Ricketts looked faintly annoyed. "My dear Master Boone," he said, "I came in search of Cornplanter. The remainder of my circus is following in a caravan of wagons. They should reach Boonesborough by tomorrow afternoon. We shall be pleased to present a performance on the afternoon following. All and sundry are invited." He surveyed Mingo from moccasins to the feathers atop his head, and added, "If you would care to make our presence known to the aborigines of your tribe, I assure you that they would be welcome too."
Daniel still had questions. "Mr. Ricketts, why are you and your circus out here in the backwoods of Kaintuck? I hope that you're aware that though we're at peace with the Cherokee, there are still plenty of hostile Indians in the territory."
Ricketts smiled. "Mr. Boone, I am planning on erecting a permanent circus in New York City. We are traveling there from New Orleans, where I hired a pair of aerialists for my troupe. I am giving my performers a chance to perfect their skills as we travel, on the unschooled audiences of Kentucky before exposing them to the more sophisticated tastes of your capital city!"
Ricketts was a consummate showman. "Mr. Boone, to express my gratitude to you and your Indian companion for finding and returning Cornplanter, I would deem it a great honor if you and your families would be my guests at our performance!"
Israel's face lit, "Mingo, will you go and fetch Tommy? I ain't seen him in a month of Sundays!"
Tommy Tall Trees was Israel's newest and very best friend - a half-Cherokee, half-white boy giant who had ambushed Mingo the winter before. He and his companion, Billy Baggett had been raiding Daniel's and Mingo's trap-lines. Tommy had redeemed himself in Daniel's eyes by saving both him and Mingo from the evil Billy. Mingo had taken Tommy with him back to the Indian village at Chota, where Tommy had, at long last, found a place he belonged.
The Cherokee smiled at Israel and nodded, "I will indeed go to Chota and fetch Tommy. My uncle has been making sure that Tommy receives a proper Cherokee education. I have not been able to spend as much time with him as I had hoped.." Mingo then turned toward Ricketts. "I will also make sure that the rest of the 'aborigines of the tribe' know they are welcome too!" Mingo added, in mocking tones.
Israel jumped to the ground, and took off for the tavern whooping, "Ma! 'Mima! Guess what?! Tommy's comin' to see the circus!"
************
Two days later as the Boones, Mingo, and Tommy approached the clearing where the circus would perform, they each received a printed handbill. Rebecca and Jemima spread out quilts on the ground where a good-sized crowd had assembled, and everyone took a seat.
"'The Famous American Horse, "Cornplanter", will at the Word of Command Un-girth his Saddle, and take it Off his Back - He will also Pick Up a Handkerchief or Glove. . .'" Jemima was reading the handbill aloud to the fascinated Tommy, who had never learned to read, and Israel. "'The Horse was Purchased in New York three years Ago, and only Cost One Hundred Dollars. Mr. Ricketts is Conscious of His being the Best Trained Horse in America. . . .'"
Tommy's delight in seeing the Boones again was contagious. The giant boy had clearly flourished during his time with the Cherokee. He had put on weight, and seemed to have grown in confidence with his acceptance by Mingo's tribe. He was thrilled to be in the company of Israel and Jemima, who could not take her eyes off Tommy. There was quite a lot of Tommy to see - the boy giant had grown nearly six inches over the summer, bringing him to nearly a head taller than Daniel .
Daniel was amused to see that Tommy's voice had finally changed from falsetto to a more manly tone.
"Mingo," Daniel whispered to his friend, "Tell me if'n I'm wrong, but that boy looks like he's grown a head taller!"
Mingo grinned, "Your eyes haven't deceived you, Daniel. The women of the tribe are all in competition to feed the boy. He lives in my lodge when I am in the village, but my uncle, Menewa, has welcomed Tommy into his lodge when I am absent. He's quite a favorite with my uncle and my cousin Tekawitha!"
Jemima turned at the mention of Tekawitha's name and scowled at Mingo, who pretended not to notice
The tavern keeper, Cincinnatus, was passing in front of the crowd of excited spectators calling "Popcorn! Rock candy! Licorice!" He was carrying a kettle of popped corn, sweetened with honey. A basket was slung over his arm holding candy, and the old man was trying to carry both.
As the wily old man stopped in front of the Boone party, Daniel called, "How 'bout some of that popcorn, Cincinnatus?"
Cincinnatus wiped his sweating forehead on his shirt sleeve. "Put some o'them handbills to use, Dan'l."
Daniel nodded and rolled the handbill into a cone. He gave the point a twist, and Cincinnatus ladled popcorn into the cone and handed it to Israel. Daniel rolled more cones, and Cincinnatus ladled popcorn into each one. Soon Israel, Jemima and Tommy were busy eating sticky popcorn. Becky and Mingo shared a cone between them, while Daniel laughingly dumped popcorn into his mouth.
Cincinnatus handed chunks of rock candy to Tommy and Israel and winked at Daniel, "No need to worry about payin' me, Dan'l," he said airily, "I'll just put it on your tab!" Daniel grinned and nodded, and Cincinnatus hurried off to make the circuit of the crowd, calling, "Popcorn! Rock candy! Licorice!"
"When do you suppose Mr. Ricketts will begin to 'stagger our imagination,' Daniel?" Mingo asked as he popped a bite of the sticky popcorn into his mouth and chewed.
Daniel had eaten his popcorn, and was lying back on the quilt, hands under his head. He lifted his head, surveyed the crowd and grinned back, "Looks like most of us bumpkins are already here, Mingo."
Most of the families in and around Boonesborough were present, seated like the Boones on quilts and blankets. The crowd had begun to gather as early as sunup. Some had brought food in baskets and were prepared for the duration. Many, like the Boone party, had found shady spots with a good view of the events to take place. There was a holiday feeling in the air. Few, if indeed any, of the settlers had ever seen such a thing as a circus.
The performance would take place on several canvas tarpaulins laid on an area of grass which had been scythed flat. From the number of tarpaulins laid out, Daniel guessed they were in for quite a show. Two tall poles had been planted in the ground with a rope pulled taut extended between them. Wooden rails marked out a large, crude circle.
"Pa," said Israel, through a mouthful of popcorn, "You ever seen a circus?"
"Not a circus like this," admitted Daniel. "I've seen trick ridin' when I was a boy in Pennsylvania. Mingo says he's seen 'em in London."
"Yes, indeed," Mingo agreed absently. "What are the odds, Daniel, that both Ricketts and Philip Astley should be in the Colonies simultaneously?" he asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Daniel admitted. "Coincidence?"
"There is no such thing as coincidence, Daniel. With Philip Astley already here, I suspect Ricketts may have an ulterior motive. I don't like the man, or trust him."
Before Daniel could respond, Tommy interrupted eagerly, "What's the rope for, Mingo?"
Three pairs of young eyes turned to the Cherokee, who was clearly an expert on circuses.
"I believe it will be used by the tightrope walker, Tommy," answered Mingo. "There are three kinds of rope walking. There is tight-rope, which we will probably see here today: slack-rope where the aerialist moves the rope with his balance, and high rope, where the aerialist does the same stunts as the tightrope walker, only considerably higher in the air. I think the high rope can only be used in a building, not out of doors."
Tommy nodded, his mouth open in astonishment.
"What else do you reckon they'll have, Mingo?" asked Jemima.
Mingo pursed his lips consideringly before answering. "Oh, there might be cord dancers, or tumblers, juggling, or trained animals, I suppose."
Israel's eyes were rapt, as he stared at Mingo, "You ever seen any of 'em in London, Mingo?"
Daniel waited for his friend's answer. Mingo seldom discussed any details of his life in London before returning to Kentucky.
"Yes, Israel. My father saw to it that I was suitably entertained while I lived in London," Mingo answered drily.
"Your pa took you to the circus?" Israel persisted.
Mingo shook his head, looking uncomfortable. "No, Israel. I spent very little time in my father's company. I was allowed to accompany the servants to Bartholomew Fair, when I was a little older than you. There were sideshows, prize-fighters, musicians, rope-walkers, acrobats, puppets, freaks and wild animals."
It was clear that Mingo did not wish to answer any more questions about his English boyhood; Daniel caught the eyes of his children and Tommy and shook his head, indicating that the subject should be closed.
Just then, a dwarf emerged from one of the wagons at the far side of the tarpaulins. He carried a bass drum which he began to beat upon. Tommy, Jemima and Israel all were fascinated - none of them had ever seen a person so small.
The dwarf began to shout in a bored, nasal voice, "Come one, come all! Come one, come all! Mr. John Bill Ricketts begs your attention while he demonstrates the famous American horse, 'Cornplanter'!"
The Boone party all sat tall in expectation as Ricketts and Cornplanter came from behind the wagons and stepped into the ring.
The riderless horse began to canter steadily around the ring while Ricketts stood in the center watching. Suddenly, Ricketts took a running start, sprang into the saddle and rose to his feet. The crowd gasped as Ricketts thundered around the ring standing with one foot on the saddle and the other on the horse's neck. Suddenly he bent double, and proceeded to stand on his head while Cornplanter continued to canter around the ring. Ricketts went on displaying his tricks. Another black horse joined Cornplanter in the ring. Ricketts demonstrated his ability to ride with one foot on each horse as they galloped around and around the ring. The group of Boonesborough settlers went wild, cheering loudly.
Daniel grinned at the amazement of the children and the crowd. He looked to Mingo for his reaction. The Cherokee was sitting expressionless, apparently not surprised or impressed by the exhibition. Daniel was puzzled. Even Mingo's previous experience of circuses in London could not account for his attitude of polite but bored disinterest.
Ricketts continued his performance. He hung from Cornplanter's saddle by one leg, brushing his hat on the tarpaulin beneath the black horse's feet. Two men brought out poles with a ribbon stretched between. They stood about six feet apart near the wooden railing. The poles stretched the ribbon at least 12 feet into the air. As the astonished settlers watched, Cornplanter cantered around the ring without breaking stride, neatly passing between the poles. Suddenly Ricketts somersaulted into the air, over the ribbon, and landed on his feet again on the black horse's back. The dwarf returned to the ring bearing a basket. From it, the dwarf drew oranges and threw them to Ricketts as he passed, still standing on Cornplanter's back. Ricketts seized them in mid-air and deftly began to juggle the oranges as he thundered around the ring on horseback. Finally Ricketts pulled his sword from its scabbard and pierced all four oranges as the crowd roared its approval. He bowed from his waist, still standing on Cornplanter's saddle, and jumped lightly to the ground. A hostler hurried from behind the wagons and removed the saddle on Cornplanter's back, and replaced it with a large canvas pad. He led the second glossy black horse from the ring. Only Cornplanter remained.
The crowd rose to its feet clapping and roaring their approval. John Bill Ricketts and Cornplanter stood in the center ring, acknowledging the crowd's approval, but showing neither pleasure nor modesty in their own accomplishments. They stood silently for a few moments. Then Ricketts gestured to the wagons. A small boy of perhaps six ran out. Cornplanter again began to canter around the ring. Boy and man stood watching for a few moments. Then Ricketts somersaulted onto the horse's back again. Sitting, he bent low and extended a hand to the child. The child ran and grabbed the hand; Ricketts swung him onto his shoulders. The child immediately stood on Ricketts' shoulders. Ricketts himself stood and the two, standing on the pad, went round and round the ring. The crowd was frantic in shouting their praise.
"Master Francis Ricketts and Mr. John Bill Ricketts perform 'Flying Mercury'," intoned the dwarf, who apparently did double-duty as ringmaster for the little show.
The little boy and his father bowed and left the ring while Cornplanter continued to canter around and around. The horse finally stopped, took himself to the middle of the ring, and bowed as Daniel and Mingo had seen him do for Ricketts. The crowd continued to roar.
Israel's eyes were like saucers. Tommy too looked as if he too wanted to become a trick rider. Daniel grinned and shook his head. Mingo glanced from Tommy to Israel and began to laugh. Before Daniel could open his mouth to speak, Becky had pounced.
"Israel Boone! You get that thought right out of your head, right now!" Daniel's red-headed wife sputtered. "Tommy Talltrees, you can forget it too! Mingo!" she appealed to the laughing Cherokee.
"Tommy," said Mingo, trying to stifle his laughter, "I'm afraid that you are too tall for any of these horses. We'll have to search for a giant steed for you, boy!"
Daniel added his opinion, "Son, you could probably tuck one of those horses under each arm and run around the ring sooner'n you could do what Ricketts is doin'."
Tommy and Israel eyed each other in speculation. Just then Ricketts and Cornplanter returned to the ring. Ricketts placed the saddle he carried on the black horse's back and fastened it securely in place. He pulled on the straps to indicate that no trickery was involved. The horse immediately seized the girth with his teeth and pulled and teased until the girth had come loose. The horse grasped the saddle, pulled it from his own back and dropped it triumphantly at his master's feet.
"Jumpin' Jehosaphat!" exclaimed Tommy as Israel simultaneously cried "Criminently!" The two boys' heads spun around and they said in unison, "Mingo?"
The Cherokee studied them for a moment, then grinned. "It's an old trick, boys. Mr. Ricketts clicked his fingers together, and the horse took that as the cue to ungirth his saddle."
Just then, Ricketts and the trick horse left the ring. The dwarf announced in his flat tones, "Mr. Ricketts and Cornplanter will circle the crowd, and demonstrate Cornplanter's ability to pick up gloves, handkerchiefs, and sundry items!"
Ricketts and Cornplanter had apparently tired of their own performance. They circled the crowd desultorily. The horse pulled a bonnet off one woman's head and waved it while the crowd laughed loudly. He plucked a kerchief from one man's pocket, and picked up gloves or items that the crowd obligingly tossed for him.
When the horse stopped in front of Jemima and pulled the ribbon from her hair, Mingo had seen enough.
He rose suddenly and smiled at Becky, "Rebecca, if you will excuse me, I find that watching popinjays gives me a touch of megrim."
Becky looked surprised. She had never known Mingo to complain of any ailment, much less headache. "You'll rejoin us for supper, won't you?"
Mingo nodded, smiling. "Of course I will join you," he assured her. "You are serving stew tonight, are you not?"
Becky's concerned eyes followed him as he strode off. Daniel patted her hand reassuringly. "Mingo ain't ever been one to suffer fools gladly," he told his wife. "This Ricketts is a mighty fine rider, but his vanity and conceit are a mite hard to swaller."
The ring was being readied for the next act, a troupe of dogs and a small pony the bored dwarf called a "dog and pony show". Ricketts and Cornplanter were still working the crowd. Suddenly the crowd began to cheer. Ricketts' eyes narrowed and he turned to see what had caused this reaction.
Tommy had risen to his full height, now more than 7 feet tall, and was pretending to dance around the ring as Cornplanter had done. Israel Boone was standing on the giant boy's shoulders, his arms extended. Tommy's huge hands were clamped on the little boy's ankles. Israel had always been a great favorite among the settlers of Boonesborough, and Tommy, too, was well-liked. They were obviously imitating the "Flying Mercury" stunt that Ricketts and his son had just performed. Both boys were laughing as Tommy danced.
John Bill Ricketts was watching them intently.
Becky shivered suddenly, uncontrollably.
"Somethin' wrong, Becky?" Daniel asked her, as he beckoned for the boys to return to their quilt for the next act.
She tried to laugh, and failed, "I'm fine! I guess a goose just walked across my grave."