The Mary Spence story

Chapter 4

Flint sat quietly for several minutes, then he gently maneuvered the crying boy onto his lap. He rubbed his back and whisper calming words to the boy. Matt unconsciously leaned into the warmth of the scout arms. Suddenly Matt realized the stinging swats had stopped and he was crying into McCullough's shirt. He tried to remember when the spanking had stopped and the hugging had started.

Then the words that Mr. McCullough was saying began to sink in. "It's okay boy; cry it all out, you have a right to hurt. Im not going to leave you; I'll stay right here as long as you need me. It's okay son, it's all over now." Flint stroked the boy's hair as he offered these comforting words.

Matthew pushed back from Flint and turned his eyes, to look at him. Matt quickly stood. His face flashed red, as he thought how he was too old to be crying on someone's lap.

"Let's go wash our faces," Flint said as he placed an arm around the boy's shoulder and guided him to the stream.

As Matthew splashed the cool water onto his face he had to smile a little, thinking how nice that cool water would feel and put out the flame on his backside.

"Well, Matt we had better start back, the Major will have my hide if we're late for his meeting."

"Yes, Sir Mr. McCullough," Matt said as he walked toward the waiting pony, As he stepped up and swung his leg over the saddle, Flint couldn't help but smile when he heard Matt mumble.

"Whoa, this is gonna smart," said Matt as he slid gingerly into the saddle.

As they rode back toward the wagon train would be making camp, Flint began to think back to when he was a twelve-year-old kid running wild at Fort Bridge. His reminiscences were cut short.

"May, I have the gun?" asked Matthew.

Flint looked up and saw the buck, so he quietly passed the rifle to the boy and held his breath, as he watched Matt carefully take aim. As the shot rang out and the deer fell, both faces shone with pride.

"Good shot, young fella," Flint grinned.

They had the deer taken care of in short order and were off again, arriving back at camp just in time to care for their mounts before getting to the Majors meeting.

Major Adams looked at each of the boys gathered around the fire. By the looks on their faces the Major knew they had some idea why they were here.

"Uh-um," the Major cleared his throat as he started "Boys' it has come to my attention that your behavior lately has done nothing to honor your father's memory or respect your mother. I'm here to tell you, that all stops tonight. With your mother's blessing and permission, I am here to restore some order…" pausing, Major Adams looked around the circle to see that all were listening. He nodded at the smile he saw on Mrs. Mary Spence's face, before continuing. "From now until we reach California, you will all behave just as your father would expect. If we have any problems, Mr. Hawks, Mr. McCullough, or I will take matter into our hands, and I think each of you know what that means."

Matthew looked at Flint and rubbed his backside as he said "Yes Sir."

Major Adams then gave out a list of chores. He placed his hand on his hip and added,"And I had better not hear of you boys giving you ma anymore trouble it that clear?"

"Yes Sir" all three boys answer in unison.

"Good, I can get back to running a wagon train" Major Adams tipped his hat to Mary, and excused Himself. He and Bill walked off together.

"Mary, may I have a seat?" Flint asked, as he pulled up a stool.

"Sure, Flint and thank you for all your help. Would you like some stew and coffee?" offered Mary, reaching for a plate.

"Don't mind if I do," Flint said flashing his winning smile. "After we eat I would like to share a story with ya'll," Flint wasted no more time he took a big bite of stew.

Everyone ate hardy, as all the evening chores were finished the boys sat down around they're ma to listen to Mr. McCullough's story….