Israel Boone stood at the far right of the wall. He was watchful as the late afternoon sun beat down on him. The attacks came at night mostly, but a few days ago, there had been a brief but deadly skirmish in the late afternoon. The settlers had not expected it, and as a result two good men had died. In all, they had lost six men and one woman.
The people of Boonesborough were weary but united. In the two weeks since they had moved inside the safe walls of the fort, things had gone from bad to worse. It seemed that every single tribe in all of Kentucky were gathered just beyond the river, and waiting to strike. Things looked bleak. Every single man, woman and child who was old enough took a turn at the wall. If he looked to his left, he would see his mother standing watch, wearing a hat that once belonged to him to hide her bright red hair.
"Alright, Israel. Why don't you get some food and rest?" William Edwards said as he came to replace Israel on the wall. Israel climbed down.
"You seen my father anywhere?" He asked.
"Inside the tavern, last I saw. They were trying to come up with some sort of strategy." William said.
"Be careful." Israel told him, and waved to Peter Anders who was waiting for him. He nodded at him, and they walked over to where his mother stood watch. She seemed small.
Just two days ago an arrow had struck Isaac Wheaton who had been standing just to the left of her. He had fallen over backward; the arrow piercing his heart. As they carried Isaac away she had stayed in her spot, pale and trembling. No one could convince her to come down and take a rest.
Finally his father had climbed up beside her and had gently led her down. She sat with wide frightened eyes as he took her rifle and set it down beside her. She hadn't said a single word as his father washed the blood that had splattered on her when the arrow had hit Isaac.
"Becky?" He had said softly wiping her cheek with his handkerchief. "It's alright now, love. They retreated."
She had looked up and said, "They will be back." And rising abruptly went into the tavern to help prepare the evening meal.
Since then she had been nearly silent. He knew his father was worried. He was worried too. The trouble was there was no time for worrying; or talking. There was no time really for anything except watching, fighting and surviving.
"Ma, can you come on down? Peter's gonna take your spot for a spell." Israel called up to her.
Her eyes grew wide and she said, "Has something happened? Where's your Pa?"
Israel felt horrible when he realized how it must have sounded to her. "No, Ma. Pa's fine. I just need to talk to you and him for a minute. I'm sorry, Ma. I didn't mean to frighten you."
She climbed down and put an arm around him. "That's alright, Israel. I'm just edgy, I guess." She sighed and followed him into the tavern.
His father was looking over the old agreements that they had made with the tribes over the years, trying to see if there was something they could offer to return peace to the land. He looked up as they approached and Israel was surprised at how tired he seemed.
"Becky," He said seeing them. "Are you hungry? There's some food over there." He kissed her cheek.
"Pa, can I talk to you a minute?" Israel asked.
"What is it Israel?" He asked.
"Would you mind coming with me a minute? We can talk where it is private." His parents followed him outside the tavern and over behind the side of it. Anna Lee was waiting there with her parents.
"What is this?" Daniel said. "I think we are about to get ambushed, Becky."
"Anna and I wanted to talk to everyone because we were hoping that we could get married." Israel reached over for Anna's hand as they faced their parents together.
"You already have our permission." Matthew Bradley said.
"Pa, we want to get married today." Anna said softly. This request was met with shocked silence.
"But, why . . ." Grace began.
"I know it is sudden." Israel said. "But Anna, turned sixteen two months ago. I know we all agreed on this fall, after the harvest, but . . ." He wasn't quite sure how to proceed.
"But there might not be a harvest, or a fall." Anna finished for him. "Ma, I want to be Israel's wife. If something were to happen, I would want to have at least that."
Israel looked at her parents, and waited holding his breath. Both he and Anna, were prepared for her parents to say no, but they hoped. Matthew Bradley looked at his daughter standing beside Israel. He couldn't look at her without seeing the tiny baby she used to be. It seemed that she grew up all of the sudden. He sighed and looked at Grace. She smiled at him sadly and he winked at her, remembering once, not so long ago really, standing before her father waiting with hope.
"Alright, Anna. You have our permission." He said softly taking his wife's hand.
"Pa?" Israel asked. His father glanced down at his mother who was shockingly silent.
"Of course, Israel. Let's gather everyone together. We'll have your wedding in about an hour. Does that sound fine?"
Grinning the young couple nodded and turned to run off and make preparations, meager though they might be. Before she left, Anna paused and said softly, "Thank you! I know it must be difficult for all of you to allow us this, but we are so grateful. Thank you!" She turned to catch up to Israel.
Daniel cleared his throat and turning to Matthew and Grace said, "Good Lord, you did a good job raising that child. I love that girl, I honestly do."
"Good thing you do, Daniel, as she's about to be your daughter too." Grace said with a sad smile. Turning to Becky she said, "You are frighteningly quiet, Becky."
"Oh," She said sighing. "I, I can't seem to . . .I was just thinking that it is so sweet and so very sad. It is sort of like embracing hope and giving up hope all rolled up together." She said and turned suddenly and walked away before anyone could speak.
Grace looked up at Daniel. "I don't think she's slept in days. She was up all night with Martha before she finally passed. Is it true that Isaac Wheaton was standing beside her when he got hit?"
"Yes, his blood was on her arm and face. She won't talk about it. She's gotten to be as quiet as Katie-Grace." He sighed remembering her silent and shaking, the light in her eyes dim.
"Well, she'll talk when she's ready. She's stubborn as the day is long." Grace said reaching out and squeezing Daniel's arm.
"Truer words have never been spoke." He watched her as she disappeared around the corner. "Well, looks like we've got a wedding to put together."
***DB***
The last time they had all gathered was less than twenty-four hours ago when they had lain Isaac Wheaton to rest. Daniel looked up at the community gathering and felt the weight of responsibility again. They had all trusted him; trusted that they could build a life here in Kentucky. Now it all seemed foolish, and dangerous.
"Pa," Katie-Grace said. "They sent me to tell you everyone is ready." He looked at her. She was wearing an old dress of Jemima's. He was surprised to see how tall and beautiful she looked. It seemed like everyone was growing up all of the sudden. "Pa?" She said again. He shook himself out of his thoughts and kissing her he said, "Alright, where's your Ma? Let's get your brother married." Katie smiled and pointed to the storeroom. Becky stood just outside the door. He walked over to her.
"She's ready." She said.
"But are you?" He asked resting his hands on her shoulders.
"I. . ." She hesitated. "Dan, you can't waste any time or focus worrying about me, right now. I promise you, if . . .when this over, I'll talk to you about everything, alright."
"Rebecca, thinking about you is not a waste of anything." He pulled her close to him. But she pushed herself away.
Blinking back tears, she said, "Come on, love, everyone's waiting on us. Don't make poor Israel wait longer."
He frowned at her, unable to remember a single time that she had ever pushed him away.
"Becky." He said, trying not to sound hurt.
"I'm sorry. Please, Dan. I don't want to fall apart. I'm so tired and things have been so . . .if you even take my hand, I know I'll fall apart completely. I don't want to spoil Israel's wedding. We got just these few hours of peace right now and I don't want to waste them."
He nodded and forcing himself not to take her hand or embrace her, they walked to the center of the tavern. A hush fell over the room as Israel Boone and Anna Lee Bradley stood before the magistrate of Boonesborough, Kentucky and were married. And so it was that in the midst of some of the darkest days that the settlement had ever seen, Daniel Boone presided over the wedding of his only living son.
***DB***
It was a joyful evening that everyone appreciated. Although, they had been conserving food, the womenfolk had managed to make three pies, and everyone enjoyed a small slice. They generally had been keeping things quiet, but on this night there was music and dancing.
Katie-Grace and Rose had spent the afternoon, with the help of Peter Anders, cleaning out an unused shed near the back wall of the fort. It was the only private space in all the fort and Katie had made a sign that read: Israel and Anna Lee Boone, and Rose had drawn a heart around their names.
As the new couple turned to go to their home, Tom Walker reminded Israel, "Your turn on the wall is at dawn. Don't be late!" He laughed. Israel had just grinned and walked out the door with his wife.
Daniel found his bride cleaning up the celebration with Grace. The two were talking quietly and he was pleased to see her smile at least once. He could always count on Grace to keep an eye on Becky. He greatly appreciated his wife's closest friend.
"I don't suppose there's any pie left?" He asked them. The two of them laughed at his question.
"A couple of the young boys licked the pans clean. Not a crumb left." Grace said. She glanced at Becky.
"I can finish this up, Becky. You are due back on the wall tomorrow. Why don't you get some rest. I know Dan's turn is in a few hours. Who knows when the two of you will have a free moment at the same time again." Grace said.
"Oh, I can't leave all this work . . ." She began.
"Sometimes are you stubborn just for the sake of tradition?" Grace asked her. "Honestly, if you don't go away right now, I will carry you out myself. You know I could do it. I outweigh you by about twenty pounds."
The two women stood staring at one another, and Daniel was just about to step in, when Becky suddenly threw her arms around Grace and kissing her cheek she said, "Grace, I love you like my own sister. I meant what I said. You and I, we've been family for years and now our children have made it official. Thank you for looking out for me."
"You do the same for me. It's what sisters do. Go on, now. Let Daniel look after you for once." Grace said wiping tears from her face. She winked at Daniel who smiled at her and reaching for Becky's hand he led her out into the starry night.
Looking up, they could see the people taking their turn along the wall. "Everyone alright, Tom?" Daniel called as they passed him.
"All is quiet for now." He called down to them. "Taking your girl out? Make her get some rest. Her cooking is always better when she is well-rested." Tom waved to them.
"Her cooking is always good." Daniel said defensively. She laughed and took his hand.
"Be careful, Tom." She called. They walked to the farthest end of the fort. There was a small bench with a large stone beside it.
"Oh, taking me to Lover's Corners, I see." She said sitting on the bench.
"I heard the young folks talking about that. So this is the spot?" He looked around.
"Desperate times." She explained.
"Feel like talking now?" He asked her, but she shook her head.
"Too much has happened. Where would we start?" She glanced off in the distance turning her face away from him. She let out a long sigh. "What do you think about Israel getting married off?" She asked him at last.
"I don't know, Becky. We aren't old. How is that so many of our children are grown?" He smiled at her. "I still haven't gotten used to Mima being married. Did you see Katie? She looked . . ." He sighed.
"Do you think 'Mima heard of the trouble here? I hate for her to worry." She studied him thoughtfully. 'Dan, tell me the truth, please, are you worried?" She asked him.
"I don't know. If the militia doesn't come soon, Israel and Anna won't have too many days together. Maybe you and the girls could make a run for Salem. I wish I'd sent you to 'Mima. I don't care so much what happens to me, but you and the girls. . . "
"I wouldn't leave you; not ever. Besides, you have a better rifleman than me?" She asked him.
"Nope. You got the straightest shot 'round these parts ever since Yadkin left. You should probably get some rest though. When's the last time you really slept?"
"When I close my eyes, I see Isaac." She said softly. "And I've never been good at sleeping alone."
"I'm sorry about that. You must have been scared." He took her hand.
"It wasn't really scary until after. We were talking. He was telling me to stay low; that no hat could truly hide my hair and then there was this sound, and something wet hit my face and arm. I saw him tumble over and that was it." She looked up at him. "Do you think it was my hair? Maybe I shouldn't be on the wall."
"Nels Anders said that Isaac was smoking his pipe. Was he?"
"I don't remember. Maybe. He usually did."
"They probably saw the light then." He lifted her face by her chin. "It scared me. They said someone had been hit and it was right where you were standing. I don't think I can manage worrying about you in a fight. Becky, listen, don't tell anyone, but when trouble comes, go inside. Hide in the root cellar with the children, please. No one will have to know."
"No." She said surprised. "I would rather die at your side, then hide like a coward. Besides you need me. I'm a good shot. I won't do it. I'm no fool, Dan. I know that if the militia doesn't show up, we will all be dead. I agreed to stay at your side all those years ago, and no one can talk me out of keeping that promise; not even you."
The starlight spilled all around her and his heart ached. He loved her devotion. It comforted him, but it hurt him too.
"Becky, death might be the easy part. You are much more likely to get taken. You know what that would be like. If it is a choice between dying with me and running. Run! Run as far as you can." He put his hands on her face and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and rested against his shoulder.
"I'm not wasting one second on tears or sorrow." She said her voice stronger than it had been in days. "If we only have a few more days together, let's spend them loving." She looked up into his green eyes. "I'm still happy to be here. I'm still grateful you married me. And I still believe that we were right to believe that this land is big enough for all of us to live in peace. I won't give up. I believe in you, Dan, I do." She smiled at him and he felt inappropriately joyous. He knew that it was unlikely that they would survive and yet, her faith in him made him feel invincible." She wrapped her long fingers around his neck and kissed him. He forgot everything except her.
"That's enough! You kids break it up! Time for lights out!" A voice called to them. They broke apart and saw Esa Greene standing near them. Lifting the lantern he carried, his eyes grew wide with shock as he recognized them.
"Oh, uh, pardon me. Daniel. Rebecca. I uh, thought you were some young folk sneaking out. Sorry for, uh, interrupting." Embarrassed he turned and fairly ran back towards the tavern. Daniel turned towards his wife and they both laughed. He rose and said, "Shall I escort you home, miss?"
"Oh, please, sir." She curtsied and accepted his hand. He walked her back to the tavern. "Its my turn on the wall." He said. Reaching out and brushing her bangs off her forehead he asked, "You think you can sleep?"
"I'll try. I'll see you in the morning." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him again. Holding her tightly he said, "'Night Becca. Sleep peacefully, love." And kissing her one last time he turned abruptly and left her standing watching after him, in a halo of starlight.