The 51 a Christmas story
I own no part of Gunsmoke
The stage rolled into the small Railroad town. Kitty was pleased, for they had a hotel. Matt felt insecure and looked around for some other place to stay. He explained that the hotel was not the kind a lady should stay at. Kitty laughed. "Well, if I see a lady, I will tell her. Hey, maybe we can get adjoining rooms." Matt cautiously walked into the so-called hotel. "Sir, I need a room for myself and my friend.
"Kitty raised her eyebrows. "One room?"
The man behind the counter seemed not to be concerned about the marital state of his guests. Looking up from his newspaper, he inquired, "Will you be needing any extra entertainment?" Matt shifted his weight. "No, she is enough" The man at the counter looked Kitty up and down. "I can get you a sweet deal. For her, it is a long time before the next stage. She could earn you a good piece of change." Matt stood at his full height. "She is my woman. Understand? How much for the room?" The man again eyed up Kitty. "Ten dollars." Matt wanted to go somewhere else, thought they would be safer outside, but agreed to the outrageous price. Once in the room, Matt put a chair under the doorknob and moved a stand in front of the window. Kitty stood hand on hip. "I am sure we will be ok. I am going to see if we can get some water. I need a bath."
In the commanding voice of a U.S. Marshall, "No! you stay in this room. Wash in whatever water is in that picture but Remember, that's all the water we have. Sleep in your clothes. I wish I had known the bridge at Waltman's pass was washed out; we would have waited for the train. You are not safe in this neck of the woods. You would be wise to remember that." Kitty laughed. "I know I do not have anything to worry about with you here to protect me."
A knock on the door made Kitty jump. Matt drew his gun. "Who is it?"
Sergeant Holly yelled back, "Open the door, Marshal, big fist. I know you have that fine woman in there." He banged on the door, yelling for a while, then softly said," I need your help."
The last person Matt wanted to spend his vacation with was this loudmouth sergeant, who Kitty seemed attracted to. He could not think of any way around it. He opened the door. The Sargeant grabbed Kitty around the waist .you sure you don't want to run away with me? We could be in Mexico by the end of the week." Kitty's eyes sparkled with the attention. "Sure, let's go; it has to be more fun than this trip." Matt was getting downright mad. He stepped out into the hall to see who might be chasing Holly or what the trouble was. He turned around and saw Holly pawing Kitty. For one brief second, he thought about blowing him to kingdom come but holstered his gun. "You better explain yourself …Now."
The Sargeant sat down on the squeaky bed. "It was a stroke of luck that you are here. I ain't much into all that religious stuff, but the saints be thankful." Matt was more than a little confused. "You best get to the telling."
Sergeant Holly Lost his cocky attitude. "The Las Purse have attacked a mission near here. We have reports of thirteen killed." Matt sat down. "An Indian uprising? I don't think my six guns would be much help." Sergeant Holly stood up and adjusted his gun belt. "Fort Grason is sending up the Colorado volunteers. I figure they will get here in about twenty-one days. That is why we have to work fast. The Indians have taken about fifty hostages, mostly children. You're friends with Chief Tall Trees."
Matt was terrified at what he heard. "The militia should get here long before that. I have not seen Chief Tall Trees in many a year. I doubt he would welcome me to his camp."
Sargeant produced a flax and offered it to Kitty. She refused. He then took a big swig. "I have it on good authority that the Sergeant who was to lead those volunteers up here has gone AWOL. Must be on a week's drunk. The lieutenant in charge couldn't find a hole in the ground, no less an unproven trail. If the Indians are attacked before the captives are released, they will kill them all. I intended to negotiate the release myself. My chance for success is slim as Chief Tall Trees thinks unkindly of me, and I don't have much to offer as a ransom. The fur traders shop has what we need, but they want cash money. The Hudson Fur Company has offered some goods; I could buy most of the little children with what I got. The Indians have taken some of the young women as wives. I have heard Chief Tall Trees has taken one as his wife. I shudder to think what is happening to those not chosen. These captives would demand a high price." Kitty looked very pale as unkind memories flowed over her like the descent of night. Sargent Holly again grabbed her "You still carry that wad of bills in your garter?"
Matt wondered how Holly knew what was in Kitty's garter belt. Kitty removed a sizeable wad. "You are welcome to it. I have more in my bag. I will need enough to make the trip back to Dodge, but you can have the rest."
Later that day, Matt discovered all transportation had been canceled due to the uprising. He knew Kitty could not ride horseback back to Dodge herself. It just was not safe for a woman riding that far alone. No train, no stage, Kitty would have to stay put until he got back from the mission.
Checking out the small-town, Matt became more aware Kitty was not safe. No matter how tough she was, one woman against a town of men used to having their own way was not good. Kitty would have to go with them, a prospect neither he nor Sargent Holly liked. Matt gave Kitty his pants, a shirt, coat, hat, and bandana. She rolled the pants up and stuck her hair up in the hat, but the hat still fell over her eyes. The coat almost reached her knees. The army boots supplied by Sargent Holly were three sizes too big, making it awfully hard to walk. Matt instructed her not to speak to anyone. After she was dressed, Matt and Sargent Holly stood back to check her out. The funny thing was she still was the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. "This ain't going to work." A poncho solved the problem. Matt instructed her not to speak to anyone and to do as she was told. Kitty again put her hand on her hip. "You bring me on the best vacations." Matt smiled shyly. "I am sorry, Kitty. I wish there were something else we could do. We need everyone to think you are a man for your own good. This trip will be extremely dangerous. You must be very careful."
With three boats full of goods, the group headed out. The trip upriver was kind of pleasant. Matt's coat and the poncho served to keep Kitty warm against the icy November night. Kitty had lived in the west for many years and traveled by stage and train, but never got to see the remote backcountry. As she floated slowly up the river, she relaxed and took in the beauty of forested canyons and high granite walls. She delighted in seeing the towering Ponderosa Pines and fantastic wildlife. Matt seemed to be in a lousy mood, and Sargent Holly was always standing guard with a rifle in hand. Neither wanted to speak to her. Both looked like their face might crack if they managed to smile. She had seen many horrible things and knew whatever awaited them would be terrifying, but she would deal with that when she had to. For now, the river provided a sense of magic with energy and renewed spirits of adventure; fall colors dotted the evergreen forest and only accentuated the beauty of ice floating by, Ferns coated the hemlocks, cedars, firs, and maple that towered overhead. The river ran slowly, with leaves floating down to be whisked away in the rippling tide. With childlike wonder, Kitty questioned if fairies and gnomes were found in this area. Matt frowned at her, kind of grunting his disapproval. Sargent Holly smiled a little, "If there be hell on earth, this is it. The fairies and gnomes that live here surely bite." The wind grew cold as night set upon them. Kitty sunk down to the bottom of the boat, staring up at the deep purple starlit sky.
She dreamed of a life with Matt, children climbing on a white picket fence as small ponies ran around. She would set a large outdoor table with many settings. Doc's place would be at the head of the table, Matt on the far end Festus at Doc's right and her on Matt's left, and a whole herd of youngsters. The table was lit with many candles that sparkled like stars in the night.
She woke up to stormy weather with rain. The land became almost invisible due to the massive shifts in cloud coverage. Winds whirled around them with great force, throwing the boat back and forth,
Kitty was glad when the boats were put ashore as they had to be carried past a waterfall. The cascading waterfall tied together all that she had seen and was a symbol of incredible beauty. The crashing of the water on the rocks reminded her of the trouble to come.
The trip was fast-paced as every passing second could mean the death of one of the captives. Matt's mood got worse as they came in view of the fort. He said to the boat driver, "If we're not back by high noon, get these boats out of here." Sargent Holly addressed the driver, "First destroy the supplies. Then you all get on one boat and move as fast as you can. Run for your life as you surely will be." Matt looked long and hard into Kitty's eyes as if he were trying to devote her image to memory in the event he never saw her again. He took her by the hand-squeezed it. They moved close to sure; Matt and Sargent Holly got out, for they were going to make their way to the Nass Purse camp to make a deal with the chief. The boats moved into the center of the river and slowly continued on their way toward the fort.
The river that seemed so nice just a few minutes ago seemed dreadful now. The fog lifting off the river made an eerie look to everything. The trees overhead now presented shadows of a witch's fingers on the mist. Everything seemed creepy, especially the things moving in the trees. Kitty knew most of the eyes that glowed in the trees were animals, yet some were human. She hated the feeling of being watched. Worse was the strong wind blowing that howled like a lonesome wolf.
Minutes seemed like hours as the moon climbed high in the sky. Fear that something terrible had happened to Matt continued to grip her every breath. They anchored in the middle of the river alongside the fort. She watched the guard walk back and forth, wishing she were in those thick walls. The driver said they were better off where they were because the fort was just a trading post not fortified with a lot of soldiers. If the Indians attacked, it would surely fail. He said they should get some sleep as nothing was going to happen tonight. If the chief ordered the negotiators killed. The Indians would have a big party and would make a sport of torturing the men.
"They won't come after us until both men are dead. Holly and the Marshal are strong men. They will buy us the time we need to get away." Kitty did not know if he was trying to calm her or himself, but it sure did not help her nerves. Cloud cover blocked out the moon, and it became so dark you could not see your hand in front of you. Kitty must have fallen asleep for the next thing she knew. The boat drivers were yelling at each other. A small group of Nass Purse and a few soldiers from the fort were signaling the boats to come in on the shore. The drivers were debating whether to comply or run. After some debate, the boats moved ashore. The goods were unloaded and they were told to wait. The Indians and soldiers took the goods and moved on. Once again, they sat in the early morning fog.
Suddenly a huge figure came toward them, heavy footsteps moving fast through fog-shrouded woods. The drivers felt a sensation of a threatening presence and an overwhelming feeling of terror. Kitty looked into the fog but felt unafraid of this strange figure. Out of the fog, he ran with two very young children under each arm and one on his back. The huge Marshal was a striking figure, almost monster-like. Matt yelled, "We have fifty coming, seventeen to a boat. Once your boat is full, move out. Kitty, keep a headcount." He almost threw the children onto the boat as he turned and ran back into the fog. Sargent appeared next with his arms loaded and a small group of children at his heels. Then out of the mist, a group of small children came running. There was no time to comfort these terrorized little ones. Just grab them, place them in the boat, and send them off. Their little hands were blood-red from the cold. Dressed in rags and worn-out shoes gave them no protection from the falling snow. The second boat moved out. That's when Kitty noticed her - a small, dark-skinned child of about eleven barking orders to the other children, helping the little ones and trying to lessen the fears of those who did not want to get in the boats. Two boats filled with 17. Only seventeen more to go. The last boat was filled. Matt grabbed the young girl and tried to put her in the boat. She kicked him hard. She yelled, "Jimmy not here! Can't go without Jimmy." Out of the fog came a six-year-old crying. Matt knelt down in front of the young girl. "He is Welsh. We have only ransomed the Americans. We cannot take him." He once again tried to put her in the boat. She bit, scratched and kicked her way lose. "He has no one; we cannot leave him!" Kitty ran and grabbed the boy. "Matt, we can't leave him." Sargent Holly tried to explain. "If we take him, the Indians might think we stole him and kill all of us." Matt tried to pull the child from Kitty's arms. He explained, "It is better to save fifty than have fifty killed to save one. And get that one killed in the process." He pulled the child from her arms. Sargent Holly carried the young girl onto the boat. Matt dragged Kitty, and the boat pulled out, leaving the six-year-old boy crying on the bank. "Sargent Holly again tried to explain. "The boy will be better off with the Indians as the settlers would not welcome a child of Welsh decent."
Matt yelled, "Hold up!" 'Both he and Sargent Holly stepped out of the boat into the icy water. Matt took out the gun that saved his life many times placed it on the ground. Sargent Holly put his hat on the ground. Matt added his vest with his badge, Sargent Holly added his boots and a belt. "You think that is enough?" Matt looked at the woods "no, not without the chief's protection, but it might slow them down a bit as they decide whether to kill us. If we're doing this, we better hustle." Grabbing the little boy, both men returned to the boat. Everyone grabbed an oar and started rowing as fast as they could. It was not long before they heard a shot. Both Kitty and Matt recognized it as from Matt's 44. "Row faster, "Matt yelled. Holly yelled, "We're in for it now. Just five more shots." Kitty looked confused. Matt smiled. "A six-gun is no good without bullets, Holly's boots had holes in them. The Indians might think we tricked them."
Kitty took off the poncho, put it around a group of children, then removed Matt's coat and used it as a blanket; she covered a group more. The dark-skinned little girl slivered out from under the coat and put in three younger children.
Seeing that Kitty was without a doubt a woman, the driver explained, "Thank God, I thought I was turning into a Sissie boy."
The day got long. The men got tired. Kitty started to relieve them. The young dark-skinned girl yelled orders at the older girls, who took a turn at the oars. Kitty sat down next to Matt. "These kids are tougher than we will ever be, "Sargent Holly. pointed toward the dark-skinned young girl. "Her name is Mary Ann. She is the daughter of an Indian Princess that died giving birth to her sister. Her father is a very famous trailblazer. She saw the attack firsthand. 'That one over there is the sqa…. wife of chief Tall Trees. She was treated better than most as the others were the property of the tribe." Kitty closed her eyes as thoughts of the dog soldiers sent terror through her body. "They are so young."
It was not long before Kitty realized all the children were sick, maybe scarlet fever or measles. She tried to remember what Doc told her about the disease.
The individual sneezes repeatedly, and there is an acrid discharge from the nostrils; the eyes are also inflamed, red and watery. There is also soreness of the throat, hoarseness, and a dry, painful cough. At the same time, there is usually a chilly sensation, perhaps shivering.
Then begins a fever, usually less intense than that of scarlet fever. The appetite is impaired, nausea and vomiting; pain in head and limbs. In children, there are convulsions and bleeding at the nose, and an attack of croup. After a time, about four days from the beginning of the symptoms, a rash is usually first seen on the forehead, rapidly spreading over the face and neck. Within forty-eight hours, the entire body is covered. With it comes a high fever. Therefore, the spread of the rash in measles is less rapid than in scarlet fever or small pox.
Kitty was beside herself. She had no way to comfort these children. She had the kids lay on the boat's bottom so they would not get any overspray from the freezing river. This did not help much, for the boat's bottom was slightly warmer than the river's temperature. She would have given her front teeth for a bottle of Paregoric.
Matt was trying to hook up a fishing line as Kitty wiggled her way through the blanket of children. Trying hard not to cry and control her voice, she said, "I think all the children have scarlet fever or Rubeola perhaps consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis). Marry-Ann looked up with bloodshot eyes. "Rubeola, I had it, but I am over it now. We need food and water." Kitty smiled at this sick child. "Thank you, I need all the help I can get. Matt, we have to get them out of this water." Matt looked around at the fifty-one. "There is nothing we can do. Try to keep them warm."
They traveled for two days, fighting the cold, hunger, and the river. Everyone was tired. The boats were all soiled, and the kids were all sick.
The morning would have been beautiful with a purple and red morning sunrise reflecting on the ice-dipped river if it weren't for the three children who had seizures. Mary Ann was rocking a child who was either dying or dead. No one wanted to check on the child as there was nothing they could do to help. Kitty had her own problems as she was overrun with children clinging to her. Kitty was trying her best to comfort them to no avail. The look of hopelessness and shock distorted Kitty's looks.
One of the drivers from another boat came over to Sargent Holly. "These kids can not take much more of this. Do you remember during the war we camped around here? "Sargent Holly studied the landscape and the water. "Isn't there a creek up there just beyond the bend?" The driver said softly, "We will have to carry the boats back." Sargent Holley" If we stay on this path, we will make town in two days. If we take the creek, it will take at least four more days." Silence came over the men as, Mary Ann set the child she was rocking down, removed the blanket from it, and placed it around another shivering child, lifted that child into her lap, and began rocking again. Kitty broke loose from the children that were clinging to her to check on the discarded child. Mary Ann stood up, the child in hand to face Kitty. "Don't touch her. She is my'n. You will not put her in the river." Kitty tried to explain she was only checking on the child. Mary Ann said, "She is my sister and she is dead, but you are not going to put her in the river." Kitty noticed movement in the child's chest. She scooped the child up and placed it inside of her shirt. Mary Ann began punching Kitty. Matt grabbed Mary Ann. He sat down and began to rock her. Sargent Holly said, "Take the creek. We will follow you." In Matt's strong warm arms, Mary Ann fell asleep as the moon got high in the air. Matt did not want to lie the child down, for, in her sleep, she made small sobbing noises. Kitty saw a small tear slide out of the eye of the seasoned Marshal and roll quietly down his cheek until it fell, softly on Mary Ann.
Matt was unaware of the change of plans. He did not become aware of it until the river became narrow and increased in speed. The sound of dropping water sent him to his feet.
" Don't get your panties all bunched up. We are aware of the waterfall," Holly said. Matt assessed the situation. Snow was falling heavily, the temperature had dropped, the wind was cutting through them like a knife, the woods looked dark and gloomy. "You expect us to wake these children so they can walk through the woods to get around a waterfall we did not need to go around?" Holly snickered, "Yeah… you want to make something of it?" Matt wanted to flatten him, but movement in the boat was challenging as there were children everywhere.
Then the boat hit something, knocking the aging Marshal over. It was all Matt could do not to fall on the children. The driver jumped out of the boat and secured it to a tree. "I will break a path." Matt was plenty mad. Sargent Holly reassured him that everything was going to be alright. Matt responded, "If we ever get out of this, I will take great pleasure in knocking some sense into that thick skull of yours." The driver soon returned saying, "I strung a rope through the pass. We will have to lift them up on the far end. Sargent Holly organized the move of ten children to one adult him in front and Matt bringing up the rear for protection. Matt shook his head. He was placed in the back for protection with no gun. Maybe the Indians would just let them go because of his good looks. His good looks against twenty-six rifles That will work!. One of the drivers said, "Don't worry about the rifles. The powder we gave them got wet coming upriver." Matt got a real bad headache. "We gave the Indians wet gun powder, my six gun without bullets and boots with holes in them. This trip just keeps getting better and better." The driver turned and looked Matt in the eyes "I don't figure the Indians deserved being paid for what they did to these children." Matt had not thought of it that way. The way he saw it, they were paying ransom to get the children back, not paying the Indians. The thought that they were rewarding the Indians had not occurred to him. Matt knew the army was going to march against the Indians with an overwhelming force. Getting the children out before that happened was the right move.
The snow was falling heavily, the wind picked up, making it feel like the group was being pelted with ice balls. Once the boats were unloaded, they were dragged to some brush. The men hurried to get the boats covered and hoped the snow would cover any trace of them. The snow was about four inches deep. Sargent Holly sent one of the drivers ahead. The sun went down and the temperature was dropping at an alarming rate. Clouds moved in, covering the full moon and wrapping the group in pitch-black darkness. The children held hands so they would not get lost on the trail. The snow started accumulating. The small children's little legs were covered with snow. Matt was growing madder with each passing step. Seeing sergeant Holly struggling along in his bare feet was the only bright spot. After about twenty minutes, all the kids' hands, feet, and faces turned bright red. Kitty and Matt tried to carry the smallest ones, but their efforts did little to solve the worsening conditions.