Chapter 4
The constable's voice was adamant. "It's a good idea, Mingo, but I don't see how I can leave Salem just now. I am the only law, with the exception of a deputy or two when I need one. I can't be gone as long as this trip requires. Let me think awhile. Why don't you go and get two rooms at the Holiday House? Tell Mr. Beamer that the town will pick up the cost. No, don't argue. I feel responsible for this the same as you do. I'll try to think of a way to help you accomplish your journey and protect both of you. Come back at 1:00 and we'll devise a plan at that time. Agreed?" The constable held out his hand to his tall Cherokee visitor. Mingo took the hand and nodded. Taking Tempest's hand in his the two walked out of the office. The constable remained standing, looking out of his office window, frowning in thought. Suddenly his face lit with an idea. He wheeled and rapidly crossed the floor of his office to the door, exited, and was gone.
Mingo and Tempest were at the office precisely at 1:00. Tempest had greatly enjoyed her first meal in an inn, and Mingo was very pleased at her reaction. The little girl was bright and possessed an inquisitive nature. Her blindness, her previous situations and the resulting natural anger had masked her true personality. She smiled at Mingo several times a day and did his bidding without complaint or argument. Mingo's resolve strengthened with each passing hour. He would do everything in his power to see this child given the chance to live a happy life.
When the two opened the constable's office door they found the constable seated behind his desk with a visitor opposite him. Mingo excused himself and began to pull the door shut, but the constable called for him to enter.
"Come on in, Mingo, Tempest. This is Ollie Schumann. If you agree, Ollie will accompany you to Williamsburg. "
Mingo extended his hand and looked full into Ollie's blue eyes. A flash of warning shot through Mingo's mind as he struggled to place the reason for his unease. Ollie extended his hand and grasped Mingo's strongly. The blue eyes held his own for several seconds, then a smile lifted Ollie's thin lips. Releasing Mingo's hand, the youth sat back in his chair. The constable seemed ready to laugh, a reaction that caused Mingo to grow even more uncomfortable.
"Sit down you two. Let's discuss this potential journey, shall we?" The constable's voice betrayed humor. Mingo frowned.
"Now, Mingo, Ollie is from Williamsburg and has been visiting relatives here in Salem. A journey home was already planned for tomorrow with the mail courier. If you agree, Ollie can go with you two instead and provide the escort that you two need. What do you think?"
Mingo turned to look into Ollie Schumann's eyes again. The feeling of unease grew. Something was not as it seemed and Mingo was fighting to understand what it was. Ollie's light brown eyebrows shot up questioningly. Then understanding flashed in the light blue eyes.
"Mr. Mingo, I am a woman. I dress this way for comfort when I travel. Under the circumstances I think that I am just the escort that you need. Don't you?" The laugh was light and musical.
Mingo sat staring at the youth beside him. When he became aware of that fact he turned his eyes to gaze out of the office window. Beside him Tempest was humming and rocking. Before him the constable smiled humorously.
"Don't you think this is the perfect solution to the problem, Mingo? Ollie is going to Williamsburg anyway and you get a travel companion that you don't need to hover over. She can shoot and handle a pack mule. And no one can claim that you did anything improper on the trail. Ollie is the perfect witness, and she can help you care for Tempest." The four people sat quietly for several seconds, then Mingo turned to the constable and nodded.
"It is a perfect solution, constable, and once again I find myself in your debt. I accept you Ollie, and I thank you. When do you plan to leave tomorrow?"
"First light. I have a mule at the livery and my pack is all ready."
"Fine. I will purchase our necessary supplies and add the pack to your mule. Is that acceptable?"
"It is. And I strongly suggest that you purchase a boy's clothing for Tempest. It will be easier on the trail and anyone who may object to a little girl in our company will think the child is a little boy. Agreed?"
"Agreed. And I was thinking of buying a small mule for her to ride. Our journey will be much easier for her that way. Any objections?"
"None. The livery owner, Mr. Peidmont, has a few animals to choose from. And he's honest. Shall I meet you at the livery at daybreak tomorrow, Mr. Mingo?"
"Yes, and my name is Mingo. No mister. And this is Tempest." Mingo took Tempest's hand and placed it in Ollie's. The woman bent forward and looked into Tempest's face as she replied.
"Tempest, my name is Ollie. I will be going with you tomorrow, and I am so glad to meet you."
Tempest lifted her head to inhale Ollie's scent. The young woman sat still and allowed the girl to lift her hand and smell it. After several seconds, Tempest dropped Ollie's hand and took hold of Mingo's in a possessive gesture that was not lost on the three adults. They exchanged looks of understanding. Mingo rose and took Tempest out of the office. Ollie sat talking to the constable for several more minutes, then shook his hand and followed her new companions through the office door.
The journey went well. Three weeks passed and the travelers approached Williamsburg from the west. Tempest remained very possessive of Mingo and neither adult did anything to discourage her emotions. As the evening fell on the twenty-second day Ollie recommended stopping beside a small stream for the night. Mingo nodded and she tied the pack mule to a small water oak. He lifted Tempest off of her mule and placed her with her back against a large elm nearby. While Ollie unpacked the camp equipment Mingo cared for the two mules. When they were safely picketed to graze he took Tempest's hand and brought her to the campfire. Ollie already had coffee brewed and gave a cup to them both.
"How does fresh meat sound to you girls?" Mingo asked. When they both nodded Mingo took his gun and disappeared into the surrounding forest. The summer locusts began their evening buzz as the fog rose from the stream.
"Tempest, you and I need to talk while Mingo is gone. Will you talk to me?"
Tempest sat on the ground and gave no evidence that she had heard Ollie's question. Sighing, Ollie proceeded.
"I know that you like Mingo very much. But honey, he can't be your daddy. He is an Indian, Tempest. You are a little white girl. He and I will try very hard to find a white family to love you. You need to know this and prepare to let him go when we get to Williamsburg. Do you understand, Tempest?"
The girl sat unmoving for several seconds, then began to pat along the ground to find the blankets that were spread for their beds. She pulled them to her nose one by one, and when she found Mingo's she sat with it balled into her lap.
Ollie saw the possessive gesture and understood. She was very worried that Mingo did not understand the depth of Tempest's attachment to him. She bit her lip as she thought, then leaned back against her pack and sipped her coffee. Mingo and she needed to have a long conversation alone, and soon.
When he returned with a fat turkey Ollie had the fire prepared and the seasoning all ready. The bird was plucked, cleaned and spitted in record time. Tempest sat downwind and sniffed the air appreciatively. Ollie gave her two cold biscuits to tide her over until the bird was roasted.
With her stomach at ease and the warm summer air around her Tempest closed her eyes and lay down. In a short time her breathing indicated that she was asleep. In her arms she still clutched Mingo's blanket.
Mingo's eyebrows had raised questioningly when he saw his blanket in Tempest's arms. Ollie shook her head in warning. Now, with the child asleep, the two adults could discuss the depth of Tempest's attachment to Mingo.
"She is not going to let you go easily." Ollie's voice was quiet but filled with worry. "Mingo, she has claimed you as her father and you can't blame the child. You are the first and only person to truly care about her in a very long time, maybe ever. She is going to be lost without you. How are you planning to help her let you go?"
In the firelight Mingo's face was all angles and planes. The deep dimples in his cheeks were filled with shadow. His large expressive eyes were cast down as he thought. He sighed and looked up into Ollie's face. It was plain to the young woman that the tall man had no plan for helping Tempest release him.
"I don't know, Ollie. I have no experience at all. When I found her in the Salem alley all I could think of was finding a way to help her. I gave no thought to the possibility that she would bond with me. And in these subsequent weeks I knew that the bond was growing, but I didn't know how to prevent it. I still don't."
"I've been thinking all the while you were hunting. May I make a suggestion?"
"Please. I welcome any ideas at this point."
"We are close to Williamsburg. Let me be the one to care for her in the few days before we arrive. And by the way, I don't think that the bond between you is a bad thing. I think it has helped her very much."
Mingo nodded. He knew that Ollie was entirely right in her assessment. Tempest had to begin letting him go. In his sensitive heart he knew that the child would be gravely wounded and feel abandoned all over again. He understood abandonment. He also knew that she needed to draw on her inner strength and learn to live apart from him. He wasn't sure how he was going to handle his own coming pain.
When the turkey was roasted he woke Tempest. Ollie handed the girl a slice of turkey and gave her a cup of water taken from the nearby stream. Reaching for Mingo, Tempest turned carefully in a tight circle. Mingo extended his hand, but Ollie grabbed it and shook her head. He lowered his hand and Ollie reached for Tempest.
"Tempest, here. Mingo is right here beside me. Sit and eat. The turkey's really good." Ollie gave a steady pull on Tempest's hand. The two adults could see the child wrestling with her emotions. Then she sighed and allowed Ollie to seat her. Mingo remained seated on Ollie's other side. They exchanged a look of wary satisfaction and the meal progressed without further conflict.
While Tempest was eating Mingo took his blanket and spread it several feet away from Tempest's. Ollie nodded in approval. When the child finished eating Ollie took her by the hand to the nearby timber. Upon returning Ollie led Tempest to her blanket, laid her down and pulled the edge around the child's shoulders. Tempest reached out and called Mingo's name.
From beyond the fire Mingo responded that he would be in the camp when she awoke but would not sleep beside her. The child's response alarmed both adults. She stiffened, then curled into a tight little ball and rocked back and forth on the ground. She made no sound. Ollie sat beside the grieving child and sang softly. After several minutes Tempest reached out a hand and Ollie took it gently. From across the camp Mingo sighed deeply, then lay on his blanket and watched the young woman humming softly beside the needy child. His eyes closed as the melody flowed softly around him and he was asleep.