Daniel lunged at Alderton's legs as the sound of rifle split the air. He didn't know if it was Rebecca firing or Alderton - or both. All he knew is that Rebecca wouldn't shoot to miss, and he couldn't bear the thought of her carrying the burden of killing someone - even if it was in defense of his life. He rolled to the side as Alderton hit the ground with a thud. It took him some seconds to recover himself, and then crawling, he looked down at Alderton. What he saw filled him with shock.
"Rebecca?" He called out looking around wildly. "Rebecca!"
***DB***
Mingo and Yadkin ran hard through the darkness of the trees not slowing until they neared the camp. Mingo pulled Yadkin back, stalling him as the light of the fire from the camp came into view.
"Wait! We don't know what happened! We need to look first!" Mingo said breathlessly.
"Yeah." Yadkin gasped. "You're right."
They crawled slowly forward but could see only a lone figuring lying in the grass. They glanced to their left and right.
"Right there!" Yadkin said pointing to where Rebecca Boone lay in the grass. They ran to her immediately.
"Becky!" Yadkin said. "Becky?"
They skidded to a stop and knelt down next to her. She was rising slowly, and had been calling Daniel's name.
"Where's Dan?" She looked up at them with wide panicked eyes. "Where's Dan?"
"I dunno." Yadkin said putting a hand under her arm to help her rise. Rebecca winced in pain.
"Alderton came." She said sobbing. "Where's Dan!"
"We'll find him, Rebecca." Mingo said holding onto her other arm. The two men walked to her to where Alderton lay on the ground. He had fallen at the top of a hill and as they approached they could see Daniel scrambling up the side, wild eyed and frantic.
"Becky! Becky!" He called out. "Rebecca? Where are you?"
"She's right here." Mingo said stepping closer and reaching out a steadying arm. "She's alright, Daniel. She's right here."
"Becca?" He asked turning and seeing her at last. "Are you alright?"
"Did he hurt you?" She asked him at the exact same time.
"Darlin'?"
"Daniel?"
"Oh, for pity's sake. You two are alright. You are both fine." Yadkin said.
He gave Daniel a gentle push towards Rebecca, and then turned away from them as they fell sobbing into each other's arms. He was overwhelmed with relief and slightly embarrassed that seeing their joy at finding one another safe, had filled his eyes with tears and so he busied himself by rubbing the toe of his boot in the earth, but his eyes drifted toward where Alderton lay. Seeing him, his eyes widened in surprise, and he looked back to where Daniel and Rebecca were still locked in a tight embrace.
"What happened here?" He asked. "Mingo, look."
Mingo stepped close and looked down at the man who lay on the ground near them.
"Rebecca, what kind of bullets did you put in that gun?" He asked turning to her.
"Regular ones." She said from within her husband's arms. "I had to shoot him. He was going to kill Dan."
"You didn't shoot him, sweetheart." Dan said gently, kissing the side of her head.
"You didn't." Mingo agreed. "I hate to hurt your pride, Rebecca. I know you are a good shot, but you missed this time."
"I fired the gun." She said confused.
"You did, but you missed, and I can't say I'm sorry about it, darlin'." Daniel said keeping his arms tight around her.
"But he's dead." She said without looking up.
"Go on and look, Rebecca." Daniel said gently.
"No, I don't . . ." She began, sounding frightened.
"Go on, Rebecca." Mingo said.
She turned slowly from within the circle of Daniel's arms to look where Alderton lay on the ground. She moved hesitantly toward him.
"Go on." Daniel said keeping a strong arm around her.
She looked down. Alderton was indeed dead - there was no mistaking that. But no bullet had felled him.
"But . . ." She looked up at Daniel, her face stained with tears. "Who?"
"If you look though that grove of trees you might just see Grey Beaver." Daniel said quietly. He pointed in the far distance and a lone figure made its way toward them, flanked on either side by two braves.
"Sheltowee." Grey Beaver said approaching them. "You are well then?"
"We are well." Daniel said, his arm locked tight around Rebecca's waist.
"Thank you, Grey Beaver." Rebecca said stepping forward, and reaching for his hand. She squeezed his fingers gently. "We are grateful to you, again."
"Sheltowee has been a friend to us. We know he will continue to be when trouble comes." He glanced down where Alderton lay. "All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief, but there are some who turn away from that which is true. Their hearts grow twisted and sick."
"Yes." She said softly nodding her head.
"They are like weeds in the garden." Grey Beaver continued. "If they continue to grow, they might choke out the life of the good things growing there." He nodded at Rebecca and Daniel. "You are going home?"
"Yes." Daniel said. "We are going home."
"Your woman," He nodded at Rebecca. "She has been wounded. The journey is long. Wait here. My braves and I will bring horses. She must rest."
"Yes." Daniel said surprised by Grey Beaver's kindness and thoughtfulness. "She must."
"You are wounded, too, Sheltowee; even a mighty warrior must pause to regain his fighting spirit." He glanced around. "If you can travel a little more, there is glade not far. There is a stream, and cave. It is a place to wait and rest. If she can manage."
"I can manage." Rebecca said with a weary smile.
"She is strong, is she not?" Grey Beaver said with eyebrows raised.
"She is indeed." Daniel said proudly.
"It is needful for the woman of a warrior." Grey Beaver nodded. "We will bring horses to the glade. Look for us after two sunsets." He glanced around at the four gathered together. "We will bring horses for your woman, but not for the Cherokee." He considered Mingo with disdain.
"I have no need of a horse. I am strong enough to walk." Mingo said somewhat haughtily.
"It shall be uncovered." Grey Beaver said and nodding toward Daniel, he led the two braves away and out of the small camp. The four of them stood silently watching him go.
"He sure don't cotton to you." Yadkin said with a glance at Mingo. "But then, neither did I at first. You take gettin' used to." He gave Mingo a playful shove.
"As do you." Mingo retorted. He glanced over at Daniel and Rebecca, who had returned to a tight embrace.
Yadkin shook his head. "I reckon if we can get the two of them to leave off the huggin' and kissin', we could pack this camp up and head to better ground. I'm weary and would be overjoyed to be settled and restin' before nightfall."
"We ought to bury him." Mingo said thoughtfully. "Let's get the lovebirds tucked away, and you and I can double back and bury him."
"Oh, great!" Yadkin said. "One more thing."
"What else is there?" Mingo asked.
"You dropped them birds you snagged earlier when we lit out so fast. We'll have to wrestle up some food, too. He ain't gonna let her go now." Yadkin said, thumbing toward Daniel.
"No." Mingo agreed. "Alright, then. Let's get packed up. They might be done kissing by then."
Yadkin looked over at the Boones, and sighed, "I doubt it."