Chapter 5 – A Wild Ride
The afternoon sun had broken through the overcast sky and was low in the west. Finally, the wagon with five armed guards was ready to transport Jefferson's small treasure chest back to Monticello. Mr. Brute checked the harnesses on the team of horses hitched to the wagon, climbed onto the driver's bench and took the reins.
"Straight home, Mr. Brute," Jefferson called to his driver. Mr. Brute nodded and flicked the harness reins and the wagon slowly rolled out. The guards in the wagon bed were prepared for any threats to their precious cargo. Jefferson and Madison followed a short distance behind on their own horses. They entered the darkening forest on a trail that wound through the tightly packed tree trunks and dense underbrush.
"I am so glad that you don't think I need the blindfold this time," Jemmy said to Thomas, "you know I am a bit out of place in this wilderness. I could never find my way back here, let alone tell anyone else how to find it."
Jefferson smiled, he knew his friend was right.
Jemmy continued to chat as they rode along, "Now, tell me your theory on how Spanish gold turned up at a native burial mound."
"Well, I have no proof," Jefferson answered, "but I suspect pirates buried it with the idea that superstitions about the mound would help protect it."
Jemmy was intrigued and nodded eagerly, "Yes, I see, very interesting."
"We know the natives who once inhabited this area were too primitive to mine precious metals or to mint coins, especially Spanish coins," Jefferson stated, "ipso facto, my theory is pirates."
"You have certainly thought everything through, dear fellow," Jemmy replied, "and if true, you may recover an entire pirate's treasure. You had better hope some dreaded scoundrel of the seas does not come looking for his stolen treasure, Thomas."
"I trust you will warn me of any skull and cross bone flags approaching," Jefferson replied, and they both laughed. Ahead of them the wagon rattled onward over the rough and uneven forest trail, walled on both sides by the dense forest.
"How much further to the road?" Jemmy asked.
Jefferson gazed thoughtfully at the trail ahead, "This route takes us through more forest then on our way in here," he answered, "I wish to avoid the wagon and cargo being seen on the road."
"You're a master of details," Jemmy gushed.
"I would estimate another hour to reach the road. Then a short jaunt to Monticello for a delicious dinner and some fine wine," Jefferson said enticingly and Jemmy smiled.
They rode on in silence and Jemmy noticed the forest growing darker around them. Daylight was fading, and a fearful thought crossed his mind, "Are there many wild beasts roaming this forest?" he asked.
Jefferson chuckled, "Put your mind at ease, dear man, any wild beasts we encounter will soon fear us. We have a wagon full of armed men."
"Oh yes but carrying pirate's gold from a savage's burial mound, through a dark forest teeming with wild beasts is far more adventure than I am accustomed to," Jemmy fretted.
"Relish it!" Jefferson enthused, "adventure is the spice of life."
Just then a primal, high pitched scream erupted from the forest. The piercing sound came from ahead and to the left of the trail. Everyone craned their necks to locate the source, but nothing was visible in the dense green leaves, The scream rose in intensity and volume, and became an unearthly howl.
The sound frightened the horses and Jefferson and Madison struggled to keep their mounts under control. Ahead of them, Jefferson saw Mr. Brute struggling to restrain the wagon's panicky team. Brute pulled tightly on the reins to prevent the horses from bolting ahead, and wagon stopped.
At the same instant, the scream from the forest ended. A deafening silence engulfed them, and every man noticed the growing darkness surrounding them.
Jefferson spurred his horse ahead and called to Brute, "Move out!" and to the men in the wagon he ordered, "stay alert, all of you."
The wagon surged forward again. Mr. Brute continued to struggle with the frightened horses who wanted away from this place quickly as possible.
Jefferson allowed the wagon to pass and fell in beside Madison at the rear. Jemmy's frighten eyes were wide, "What on earth was that sound, Thomas?"
Jefferson had no idea but lied, "I believe it was a Red Crested Screech Hawk."
"A Red Crested Screech Hawk?" Jemmy repeated, "I'm astonished. It was a bird?"
"Quite probably," Jefferson lied, knowing that a harmless fiction would calm Jemmy's nervous tendencies, "they are a rare specimen in this part of the country. I am not surprise you have not heard of them."
Jemmy's trepidation instantly vanished, "Oh Thomas, how exciting! Do you think we may actually see this rare specimen?"
Jefferson eyed the darkening forest around them with a growing sense of dread, "I have no idea," he said and flashed a reassuring smile at Jemmy, "Excuse me dear friend, I must have a word with Mr. Brute."
"I will keep an eye out for that rare bird," Jemmy said.
"Look for the red crest," Jefferson replied as his horse trotted forward. He approached Mr. Brute and called, "Darkness is falling, and I want us out of this forest. Go as quickly as possible, but mind the wagon, we need it."
Brute nodded and gave the horses some free rein. The nervous animals instantly quickened their gait and the wagon rattled onward.
Jefferson fell in beside Jemmy again when from the trees to right of the trail another blood curdling scream ripped the air. The wagon team attempted to bolt again, and Mr. Brute groaned as he pulled them back and the horses stopped again.
The horrid screaming continued and Jemmy stood in the stirrups looking in the direction of the sound, "I still don't see it," he called out.
Jefferson's fearful horse reared and spun around fighting his control. He called to the men in the wagon, "Scrum and Crooks, go in there," Jefferson nodded toward the trees, "and silence that."
The two men jumped from the wagon with their guns ready. They fought their way through the tangled mass of brush along the roadside and vanished from sight. Suddenly the screaming stopped again.
"Are they going to shoot the Screech Hawk, Thomas?" Jemmy called in a disappointed tone, "I do want to see it alive."
Jefferson nodded and waved to Jemmy, who fought to control his own horse.
All eyes were fixed on where Scrum and Crooks had disappeared into the underbrush.
"You boys all right?" one of the guards in the wagon called. There was no reply.
Suddenly they heard the frenzy of crashing leaves and snapping branches as if something large was moving quickly through the forest. A ferocious, guttural, growl rang out and a rifle shot split the air, followed by another. The three men in the wagon began cheering.
"Shut up you, fools!" Jefferson commanded and the men reluctantly fell silent.
The momentary silence was filled with more rattling leaves and crashing, snapping branches and finally a man's screams of terror. More shots sounded over the feral growling and human screaming.
Another man leaped from the wagon, "I'm coming Scrum!" he cried frantically and crashed through the brush. He was instantly swallowed by the forest. Seconds later were more screams, as if the man were being ripped apart. All the while the monstrous roars and growling continued.
"Thomas!" Jemmy cried in alarm as his terrified horse jerked backward and twisted his neck. The reins were ripped from Jemmy's hands and the frightened horse shot forward at a gallop. The terrified animal raced past the wagon and disappeared down the dark trail. For an instant, Jefferson saw Jemmy's arms flailing as he tried to remain in the saddle and then he was gone.
Jefferson roared at Brute, "Get this wagon out of here and don't stop!"
Brute firmly slapped the reins and the frantic horses leaped forward into a gallop. The two remaining guards in the wagon held on for dear life.
A roar of inhuman rage rose from the forest followed by something crashing through the underbrush. It was coming toward the trail. Jefferson released the reins on his struggling horse and spurred the animal forward. He sprinted around the wagon and chased after Jemmy. Aboard the speeding wagon, Brute watched Jefferson vanish into the darkness.