Tom, Matt and Mingo stood before her in the darkness of the worst morning of her life.

"Will they let us bring him home?" She asked her voice small.

"We will try." Matt said.

"But you will stay with him? You'll stay to . . .to the end? I should be with him." She hung her head.

Mingo put his arm around her steadying her. "No, Rebecca. No. You stay here. I promise you, I'll stay with him. I won't leave his side. I promise."

She nodded and said nothing. She shook with tears.

"We can't leave her alone." Tom said knowing that they had to - everyone was needed for their desperate plan.

"I'll be alright." She said softly looking up at them. "I know you are planning something. I don't expect it to work. I know it is just desperation." They stared at her in surprise. "I just want to say that I'm thankful-no matter what happens. I am - Dan and I - are grateful that you would even try." She smiled sadly and kissed each one on their cheek.

"Pray, Becky. God will surely hear the prayers of a faithful woman like you." Tom said.

***DB***

Rebecca Boone was standing alone next to a river as the light of dawn spread across the sky. The day dawned golden and full of promise. As the leaves shivered in the early morning breeze, she lifted the song as though it were a sacred prayer:

Rest tired eyes awhile

Sweet is thy baby's smile

Angels are guarding

And they watch o'er thee.

Sleep, sleep grah mo chree

Here on your Mama's knee

Angels are guarding

And they watch over thee.

The birdeens sing a fluting song

They sing to thee the whole day long

Wee fairies dance over hill and the dale

For the very love of thee.

Silence settled over the surrounding valley as her song ended. She had closed her eyes as though in prayer. As she opened them she was surprised to see a doe staring at her not thirty feet away. Their eyes locked for several seconds and then suddenly the deer bolted and watching it run she saw that it was running to meet its mate. It was seeing the deer together that reminded her, and thinking of it made her weep.

"Oh, don't shoot him! Look there's his doe!" She had said putting her hand on his arm as he lifted the rifle.

"Rebecca, we'll need meat come winter. You scared him off." He shook his head at his young wife. She was dressed in buckskin and had a rifle slung over her shoulder. He'd been stunned discover she had near dead-on aim.

"I know. But she was watching. You couldn't kill her beloved right in front of her."

"I don't think it's the same for deer, sweetheart." He couldn't help but grin at her. She was a puzzle to him; her moods and thoughts confused him at times. Yet he found her intoxicating. They had been married nearly five months now and he was nowhere nearer unraveling the mystery of Rebecca Ann Bryan. Of course, he reckoned he'd have a life time to try.

"I'm sorry." She said her eyes downcast. "I'm moody of late."

"That's alright, darlin', we'll find another one."

"Dan," She said softly. "There's a reason I'm moody."

"I hadn't noticed it, Becky. Don't fret." Lifting his rifle he turned to go.

"Dan, you are going to be a Pa." He turned and stared at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

"You're? You're?" His voice shook.

She nodded her head. "Yes, ah Grah, I am."

Laughing he threw his arms around her. "Rebecca! But you shouldn't be out hunting with me! Sweetheart!"

"Oh, I am fine." She laughed and leaning forward he kissed her.

"I'm taking you home." He said still smiling. Taking her hand, they turned to go together.

"Look, Dan." He turned to where she pointed and saw the buck standing beside his doe, who nuzzled him gently.

"Maybe you're right, sweetheart or maybe you're one of them fairies from those Irish stories you tell; you sure got me bewitched. I've no doubt you could put a couple of deer under your spell. Love just pours out of you like sunshine in summertime."

It was while she was lost in memories, that Rebecca Boone's husband was brought before the firing squad.

***DB***

Daniel Boone was led into the bright sunshine his hands tied behind his back. They led him to a small fenced-in area. He turned and faced four men with rifles. He drew in a deep breath and closing his eyes, tried to remember everything he could about Rebecca starting with her beautiful long legs.

"Ready!"

He thought of the first time he ever kissed her. She was sixteen years old still bound to Cincinnatus and he had just asked her to marry him. He had dreamed of kissing her since the first moment he'd seen her, and finally kissing her soft lips he felt his heart stop and start all at the same time.

"Aim!"

He remembered the day James was born. Rebecca lying in the bed weary and unbelievably beautiful holding a tiny baby in her arms. She lifted James up and he held his tiny son for the very first time. James opened his eyes. They were bright blue just like his mothers. "Rebecca!" He said his eyes full of tears. She smiled up at him.

"Fire!"

The sound of rifle fire split the air.