"And what if I'm not satisfied? What about that? You all know each other. I'm the outsider. I might have known I'd not get a fair shake!" Master Jacobs voice rose angrily. He was displeased with Israel's punishment to say the very least.
The entire settlement had gathered to hear Israel's punishment. The town council had decided to levy a fine of fifty dollars against Israel for the harm and discomfort he had caused to Master Jacobs. It had taken many hours of talk to agree to this. Most of the council thought that no punishment was really necessary, but recognizing that their personal opinions of Master Jacobs, and of Israel might be clouding their judgment, they had hoped the substantial fine would satisfy the school master. Unfortunately, they were wrong.
"The fine Israel must pay is severe. It's more money than you'll ever see teaching school." Tom Walker said.
"As if I'll ever see that money! He's the son of a trapper! Is he going to pay me in beaver pelts?"
"I have your money, sir." Israel said. "I'll bring it to you this afternoon. I just need to go home and fetch it."
"You do?" Master Jacob's said in surprise.
"I've been saving up for my own cabin for quite a spell." Israel said calmly.
"Well, that's a shock. Still, I plan to ask in Salem if there's anything else I can pursue. I was viciously attacked!"
"You are. . ." Rebecca rose up out of her seat in fury but Daniel pulled her back down.
"You are going to Salem? You are leaving?" Tom Walker asked suppressing a grin.
"You would hardly expect me to stay! I can't teach in this environment! I won't teach slaves, or Indians, or others who've got no business being in a civilized classroom."
The tavern fell completely silent. All eyes turned from Master Jacobs to Tom, their designated spokesman.
"I see. It's your right to pursue this further, but I doubt you'd get different results elsewhere. Israel will bring you your money today. This matter is closed."
Everyone stayed where they were as Master Jacobs stormed out. As the door shut a voice called out, "Well, good riddance." The room exploded with noise then. Rebecca moved to throw her arms around Israel, but Anna beat her to it. Watching, Daniel hugged her to him. "Gotta wait your turn, Ma." He said gently.
***DB***
Israel counted out every single dollar he had saved. Sighing he put it in a leather pouch and prepared to hand it over.
"Israel," Katie and Rose stood at the doorway of his room. "We want to give you something." Katie said and then nudged Rose with her shoulder.
Rose handed Israel a small bundle of coins and dollars. "It's our egg money. You can have it."
"Oh no, I couldn't take it. I have the fine here already." He smiled at them.
"No, it's for your house; for you and Anna Lee." Rose said.
"It's sort of an early wedding present." Katie said. "Please take it Israel. Rose will be so sad if you don't."
Israel smiled at his sisters. "Thank you." He said accepting their small fortune. He kissed Rose on the cheek. "I am lucky to have such good sisters." They stepped out into the main room of the cabin.
"It pains me to see you give up all that hard-earned money." His mother said. "Especially to that . . . to him."
"It is a small price to pay to have Anna's name and your name defended." Israel said.
"Amen to that!" Daniel said with a grin. "Which is why your Ma and I decided to share the burden with you." He handed Israel a pile of gold coins. "That's twenty dollars. It ought to help."
"Oh, but Pa! You were saving that for Ma! I couldn't take it." He pushed it back into his father's hands.
"Israel Boone! Just because you have found yourself a wife and are nearly grown, don't think you don't have to mind us! Your Pa and I set that aside for you and you'll take it! I'm only thinking of Anna Lee. If she's going to have to put up with your running off hunting for days on end, she ought to at least have a pretty home." He smiled at his mother's angry face.
"Yes Ma'am." He said tucking the money away. "Well, the debt will be paid with some left over for Anna's house. I've got time. She won't turn sixteen for eight months."
"Time enough for you and I to clear the land." His father said. "Look on the bright side, Becky, you might be loosing your boy, but you might just be gaining a husband; what with all that work, it might just keep me here at home."
"Thank you, Israel!" She said with a grin. "I suppose I ought to thank Anna Lee."
"I'll thank her for ya, Ma. I'll take this money to Master Jacobs and then I'm to have supper with Anna and her family." He winked at his Ma and kissing her cheek he said, "Just think of all the work I'm saving you, not having to cook for me." He whistled as he walked out the door.
His mother stood at the window watching him overwhelmed with a sharp memory of him running home just before dark - a joyful seven year old bringing her the gift of a muddy toad. She sighed. She felt Daniel's familiar fingers wrap around her own. He said nothing but stood beside her. She squeezed his fingers and forcing herself to turn away from watching him disappear towards his new life, she said, "Well I suppose, we ought to get supper on. Israel or not, I imagine there's a few hungry folks here!" She smiled at her husband as she let go his hand and he winked at her.
"You might want to make some extra, Ma, just in case. I've eaten Anna's cooking." Katie said with a smile. "Maybe we could spend the next few months teaching her."
"Then again," Daniel said mischievously, "if you don't teach her, Israel's much more likely to come home from time to time!"
He smiled at his wife who shook her head at him saying, "Daniel!"
"Don't you pretend the thought hadn't already crossed your mind, Rebecca Anne!"
It was as they laughed over this that there was a knock at the cabin door. Swinging it wide, Rose was delighted to see Mingo standing in the open doorway!
"Mingo!" She cried and jumped into his arms. "But where's Chandrika?"
"She's at home. I had heard Israel got himself into a bit of trouble and thought I would make a quick visit." He kissed Rose and set her down.
"We've missed you." Daniel said smiling and shaking Mingo's hand. "Seems like we don't see you near enough these days." He grinned at Mingo. "Something keeping you at Chota? That pretty little wife of yours maybe?"
"Maybe." Mingo grinned back.
"You came just in time, Mingo. We were just about to have some supper." Rebecca hugged him and he smiled at her. "I wish you'd brought Chandrika. I miss her! Come on and have a seat. I'll get you a plate." She turned back toward the pantry.
"Well, I can't say I've missed Daniel's endless stories near as much as I've missed your cooking. But tell me about Israel."
***DB***
Mingo pushed his plate away. "I couldn't eat another bite."
"There's pie left." Katie said.
"Oh Lord no! I couldn't possibly eat another bite. Well, wait, what kind of pie is left?" He winked at her. Katie laughed and brought a piece to him.
"So, Israel plans to marry. It hardly seems possible." He turned towards Daniel, "And how is the Mother Bear holding up?"
"She's now officially withholding pie from you!" Rebecca said taking the plate away as Mingo laughed. She rose from the table clearing the plates.
"She's a mite touchy." Daniel said.
"Daniel Ignacious Boone! There'll be no pie for you either!" She called from the pantry.
"Ignacious?" Mingo laughed surprised.
"I do not have a middle name!" Daniel shouted to his wife. Turning to Mingo he said, "She just makes one up when she's riled." He turned and called in her direction. "You quit your teasing', Becky Anne! We got company!" He turned towards Mingo and confided, "She's got a middle name though but she doesn't like it much - especially if you call her Becky Anne!"
"Mingo, you can take your brother there back to Chota. Maybe you can teach him some manners!" She brought them each a cup of coffee.
"Well, now, I'm not sure I can take him off your hands this trip but both Chandrika and I plan to come for a nice visit a few months from now. We will be bringing an extra guest too."
"Who?" Rose asked.
"Well, I can't say exactly, but it will either be a boy or a girl." Mingo beamed.
"Mingo!" Rebecca threw her arms around him.
"What?" Daniel asked perplexed.
"Oh, Dan! Mingo's going to be a pa!" She grinned.
"Well, how about that! Congratulations, Mingo!" Mingo laughed as his family swarmed him with hugs and good wishes.
"Does that make me an Aunt again?" Rose asked.
"No, I think it means you are getting a new cousin." Mingo told her lifting her up and onto his lap. "Unless your Pa here wants to adopt me." He raised an eyebrow at Daniel.
"Nope! You eat too much. I might consider adopting Chandrika. She's a good cook and Becky and her get along like two peas in a pod." He glanced over at his wife who had finally sat down with a cup of coffee. "Are you crying? Why are you crying?" They all turned to her surprised.
"Oh, now. I'm just happy. Israel's found his love. Mingo and Chandrika are going to be parents. I feel like having a happy cry, if that's alright with you Daniel Jedidiah Boone." She wiped her eyes.
"It's a good thing you are beautiful because you are downright ornery sometimes." He said to her with a grin. But he rose and handed her his handkerchief and squeezed her shoulder gently as he did. "Womenfolk! I warned you didn't I Mingo?"
"Indeed you did, Daniel. But what can we do? We are helpless in their grasp." He smiled at Rebecca.
"Aint that the truth!" Daniel said smiling at his wife, and laughing she rose and disappeared into their bedroom. She returned holding a small knitted blanket. She handed it to Mingo.
"I've been saving this for you." She said softly.
"Oh, Rebecca! Its beautiful. Chandrika will be so thankful." He said holding it in his hands and feeling it's softness. He suddenly remember seeing little Patrick wrapped up snugly in it. "I remember this blanket." He said very softly, meeting Rebecca's eyes.
"It belonged to every one of our babies from Jim on down to Rose. We wanted to be sure it stayed in the family." She smiled as Dan came and stood beside her putting his arm around her.
Mingo glanced down once, and then suddenly setting the heirloom aside, he rose and wrapped his arms around her. Kissing her on the cheek, his voice thick with emotion he said, "Thank you, Rebecca. We are greatly honored by the gift." She smiled at him, and he glanced at Daniel somewhat embarrassed. He turned and picked the blanket up again, wiping his eyes as he did.
"Can we have our pie back now, mo shearc?" Daniel asked with a wink.
"I suppose." She said grinning. "You children give your uncle a kiss and then to bed. Its getting late already." She turned back to the pantry for the pie.
***DB***
Just a few days later, Daniel Boone stood on the porch watching as Mingo disappeared into the early morning darkness. He had wanted to make an early start, eager to get back to his sweet wife.
"There will be some difficult days ahead, Daniel." Mingo had told him.
"I feared it." He said. "Where do the Cherokee stand?" Daniel asked him.
"Well, this Cherokee and his wife will stand beside his brother. I would never lift a hand to harm you or your family, Daniel. We are brothers. As for the rest of the Cherokee, there is some division. Chandrika and I may head to her families tribe for a time. If there is fighting, I don't wish to be here for it. Why don't you take Rebecca and the children to 'Mima and her husband. This isn't really your fight. It is about the new settlers, really."
"You know I can't leave. It is my name on the front of that fort." Daniel sighed. "But please, go away with Chandrika, if trouble comes. I don't want you involved. You've a family to think of now." Daniel said.
"As do you." Mingo hesitated. "I would rather be here to see you safe though. You can be downright foolhardy in a fight - especially without me keeping you safe."
"You? I've had to rescue you more times than I can count!" They grinned at one another. MIngo reached out and shook Daniel's hand.
"Listen, if something does happen, you make sure Rebecca and the children are safe. Take them to 'Mima. Becky won't wanna leave, but you pick her up and carry her if you have to. You know how headstrong she is. You can tell her I only want her safe. Tell her I order it." He smiled, and Mingo tried to imagine Rebecca responding to orders.
"I pray that tensions will ease, and we won't have to leave. Both Chandrika and I pray there will be no fighting." Mingo said.
"Becky and I are lifting up prayers for peace too. She's the prayingest woman I've ever known, maybe He'll bring us a miracle. We sure could use one. You take care of that pretty little Chandrika, and if you don't bring that baby to us, Becky will come after you." He nodded and watched Mingo leave.
He watched his blood-brother as he disappeared into the trees just beyond the cabin. He sighed half-wishing that they were both free to go out on a hunt. He did not begrudge Mingo the happiness he had found with Chandrika, but he did miss the days when the two of them would disappear for weeks out in the wilds of Kentucky. Both he and Rebecca had been filled with joy the first time he had brought her to meet them. She was sweet, a bit strong-willed, and could tease Mingo to no end. Seeing the way she could make Mingo smile, they loved her almost immediately. They had been equally joyful to stand with them a few months later at Chota, to witness their marriage ceremony. Of course, things were much too tense these days for a simple hunting trip.
"Awful lot of change in just a little space of time." His wife's voice startled him.
"Lord! Woman! How do you do that? Honestly, one of these days I'm gonna just keel over from the shock." She laughed at him.
"Maybe I'll explain it to you sometime. Mostly, it involves waiting until someone is lost in thought or distracted."
"You giving away your secrets now?" He said putting his arm around her.
"Just that one. I'll tell you another in another twenty years or so."
"I'll be here." He said glancing down at her. She slid her arm around his waist and leaned against him.
"I was hoping you would be." They stood together and watched the sun rise.
"I guess I better get to work." She said at last. "You and Israel going to go work on his land again?"
"Yup. Gotta build those children a cabin." He smiled at her.
"I'll pack you some food." She said and disappeared inside.
He stood a moment longer scanning the horizon. He sighed contentedly. He loved Kentucky. But truth be told, Boonesborough was becoming a bit crowded for him. He could remember how it was when he'd first seen it - nothing but bring green trees and grass and not a structure for as far as you could see. More and more people had come, and he couldn't help but feel guilty knowing that it was something he had helped make happen. He had led countless families here, and now their presence changed the land that he so loved. A new tension was building too. The old agreements, alliances and peace treaties were being stretched and tested by the new settlers. He hoped they would hold the strain.
He thought of Chota, and Mingo and Chandrika. He knew the settlers were changing their world too. He hoped that their baby would grow up in a world of peace between all those who lived in Kentucky. He was, however, doubtful. Trouble was coming and he knew it. It was something that he tried to keep hidden from Becky, but she was a wise frontier woman who understood the complexities of life in this land as well as he did. He thought of Israel and Anna Lee just starting out and wondered what kind of country they would inherit.
"Daniel! Did you wander off? The latch broke on this cupboard again! Can you fix it?" Becky called from inside. He could hear the chatter of his children pulling him back to the hear and now.
"I'm coming, General!" He called to her with a grin, and turned to the problems of the day. The problems of the future would just have to wait.