Chapter 3
Daniel decided to accompany Mingo and Rocinante to Ste. Genevieve. As he explained to Mingo, only partially in jest, "You'll just get yourself into trouble without me. I'm goin'." Mingo's reply was that the trouble usually came because of something DANIEL did, not himself, but he welcomed the frontiersman's company. They were outfitted and ready by the next morning to set off with the rising sun at their backs.
Israel begged Mingo not to take the horse to Ste. Genevieve, pointing out that the animal was very fond of the Cherokee man and his choice of masters should be honored. "Israel, it is not honest to do what you are suggesting. It may be that I come back here with Rocinante. We don't know. But I must do what is right. You wouldn't want me to behave dishonorably, would you?" Mingo's dark brown eyes held the little boy's blue ones. His face wore a tender expression that was very familiar to the entire Boone family. The three adults stood and waited for Israel's answer.
Israel dropped his eyes and softly replied, "No sir. I don't want you to do somethin' dishonest." Then his blonde head rose and he looked Mingo full in the eyes. "But I do want you to come back with him. And that ain't wrong, is it?"
"No, son, that's not wrong. I confess that I want the same thing. Here, before I go, I want to give you something." Mingo reached into his pouch and brought out a wisp of silver hair. He had cut it from the horse's mane to give to Israel as a keepsake, a remembrance of the Spanish horse. Israel took it from Mingo's hand and passed it through his little fingers. He nodded his thanks, hugged the tall man, and went back into the cabin. Becky kissed Daniel goodbye, waved at Mingo, and followed her son. The two men and the Spanish horse began their journey. As they walked rapidly toward the west, the horse paced himself behind Mingo's right shoulder, his velvety muzzle against Mingo's head, his warm breath breezing Mingo's cheek.
Within a fortnight they were camped only a few miles from Ste. Genevieve. The thickly wooded land created dark heavy shadows well before the sun set. The horse had followed Mingo the entire distance from Boonesborough, never breaking the stride that matched the man's. Several times Daniel mentioned how unusual the horse's behavior was, sometimes even joking that the Indian must have put some kind of "spell" on the animal to make it act so. Mingo always returned the jest, but in his secret heart he was worried that if the horse did belong to someone at the fort he would be unable to graciously give up the wonderful horse.
As the two men bedded down for the night Rocinante continued to stay within sight of the campfire, grazing. Ghostly white in the moonlight, the Spanish horse lent an unearthly aspect to the camp. Mingo's eyes followed the beautiful animal and Daniel noted the expression on his friend's face. Pursing his lips, the Kentuckian sighed. He knew how attached Mingo was to Rocinante.
The fire burned low, and the two men rolled in their blankets to sleep. There was no need to stand guard as the Spanish horse was a very effective alarm. They slept deeply and rose as the dawn light reached rosy fingers into the thick timber. Rocinante was standing relaxed over Mingo, his heavy head inches from the man's chest. Mingo's first action upon waking was to gently pet the grey muzzle. Then he rolled away from the horse and stood, stretching. Beside him Daniel did the same. The two men breakfasted on coffee and jerky, then broke camp and began the final leg of their journey.
The sentry at the fort called for them to halt just outside the gates. A Spanish officer strutted through the massive gate accompanied by two private soldiers, muskets pointed at the two frontiersmen. In halting English and broken Spanish the three men conversed. Mingo and Daniel were escorted into the stockade. The Spanish horse continued to follow at Mingo's shoulder, though his large brown eyes had taken on an expression of disquiet. As they walked farther into the compound the horse's steps slowed, and Mingo placed his hand on the animal's neck as both a comfort and guide. From the commander's cabin came the sound of rapid speech as the commander scolded some unfortunate soldier. The Spanish horse laid his ears back at the sound, and Mingo was instantly alerted. He continued to stroke the dappled neck and began to whisper soft calm words into the horse's flattened ear.
Out of the cabin burst the Spanish commander. He wore a smile of cruel power as he crossed the parade ground. Beside Mingo the horse tensed and backed away to stand behind the man he had claimed as his own. Mingo and Daniel exchanged a look of understanding. The commander continued to advance and extended his soft hand to Daniel.
"How unexpected to see you again, Senor Boone. And your Indian friend also. I see that I owe you thanks for bringing Relampago Blanco back to me. I have greatly missed him. He is a magnificent animal, as you can see." Here the Spanish commander reached out a hand to the horse, who shifted to stand on Mingo's other side. No one in the stockade missed the horse's action. Men on the stockade wall exchanged knowing glances. The commander blushed but smiled crookedly in an attempt to hide his anger.
Out of the stockade's stable walked a small man with bright red hair. His blue eyes sparkled with delight in seeing the Spanish horse. Beside Mingo Rocinante bugled. Startled, Mingo turned his head to look at the approaching man. The horse stepped excitedly toward him. The commander spoke without moving.
"Take Pago to his quarters and groom him. Tie him TIGHTLY this time. If he runs away again, you will pay the price. Do I make myself clear?" The commander spoke in English so that his two unwelcome guests would have no doubt that he was in change of both the horse and the garrison. Then he wheeled on his heel and entered his office, slamming the wooden door.
The groom stood beside Rocinante and ran his hands down the horse's arched neck as Mingo had been doing for the past weeks. The horse laid his head on the man's thin shoulder, and the gesture made a knot rise in Mingo's throat. The groom turned and the Spanish horse followed him exactly as he had followed Mingo. Turning to Daniel, Mingo gestured that they should leave the stockade and head back to Boonesborough. As they were about to pass through the gate, the groom shouted at them. He gestured for them to follow him and the horse into the stable. Exchanging a puzzled look, the two tall Kentuckians did as he bade them.
Inside the stable the groom led Pago into his own large box and shut the gate. He measured out a small amount of oats and poured them into the manger. As the horse crunched the oats, the groom told Daniel and Mingo about Pago's escape.
In halting English the small man explained that he himself had released the horse weeks ago. He had made it look like Pago had chewed the rope around his neck and run through the open gate. The guard at the gate had been severely punished for the escape, and the groom felt badly about that, but he felt no sorrow about releasing the horse. The commander was as cruel to the horse as he was to the men. Hanging his head, he disclosed that he loved the horse and though he knew that he could never possess so wonderful an animal he couldn't stand to see the commander misuse the horse. Could the two men somehow take Pago back with them?
Mingo and Daniel frowned as they listened to the tale. Daniel began to explain why they couldn't steal the horse when Mingo raised his hand to stop Daniel's flow of words. A light began to shine in the Cherokee's dark eyes and Daniel could see that an idea was growing in his friend's agile mind. Mingo nodded to the groom and grasped Daniel's arm, pulling him a few feet away to discuss the idea.
After Mingo explained his idea, Daniel stood looking into his friend's brown eyes. A smile slowly grew until it became the familiar lopsided grin. He nodded and Mingo returned the grin. Then the two men waved to the groom and left the stable, heading to the commander's quarters.