No Justice For Jeremy Chapter Thirteen
"Doc, you put that cautery iron in your bag the other day, didn't you?" asked Matt.
Several of the men were gathered around where Doc was examining Jeremy after he was bitten on the neck by a snake.
"Yes, I did, Matt. By golly, you're right!" Doc answered.
"Well, Doc, burn the heck out of that snakebite before that venom has a chance to spread any further." Matt told him.
Doc rummaged through his medical bag and took out the cautery iron. He heated it in the fire there on the riverbank.
When the tool was ready, Doc asked Matt and Brother Len to hold Jeremy down. Jason and Joshua were right there with their brother, but Doc felt that it would be difficult for them to hold him down for such a painful procedure.
Just as Doc was about to place the burning iron to Jeremy's neck, there was a cry from the woods.
"STOP! Don't hurt the Sweet One, please!"
A young Native American woman ran up to the group. "My name is Whispering Dove. I am a member of the Shakayla Tribe. We are a friendly People. My mother is a Medicine Woman. There is a better way to treat snakebite."
Whispering Dove reached into the leather pouch which was hanging on her shoulder. She took out some large leaves which looked similar to cabbage leaves. She also brought out a vial of oil.
"These leaves are Pompow leaves from the Pompow bush. This oil is Screaming Beaver Oil. It is made from the tip of a beaver's tail." She explained.
"Why do you call it Screaming Beaver Oil?" Joshua asked.
"Because when you cut off the tip of a beaver's tail, he screams." Whispering Dove laughed.
The men gathered there laughed too. "Thank you, Whispering Dove, we needed that." Jason chuckled. "Will your leaves and oil save Jeremy's life?"
"Yes, they will." She answered as she moved to the fire.
Whispering Dove held the Pompow leaves over the fire until they were hot. She walked back to Jeremy. She poured the oil on the hot leaves.
Whispering Dove placed the hot oily leaves on Jeremy's snakebite. Jeremy cried out in pain. He reached with his hand to try to brush the leaves off his neck.
Jason caught Jeremy's hand. "Easy, Jeremy, easy. It's alright." Jeremy calmed a bit at the sound of Jason's voice.
Jeremy's breathing was rapid due to the pain.
"Doctor, will you hold the leaves in place, please while I get something from my pouch?" Whispering Dove asked.
"Yes, young lady, I will be glad too. This is actually working. It's drawing the venom out." Doc said.
Jason and Joshua exchanged a look and smiled at each other.
Whispering Dove pulled a tiny jar from her pouch. She opened the jar and dipped the tip of her finger into a granulated substance. It was a Native American pain remedy similar to Laudanum.
She placed her fingertip on Jeremy's lips causing him to gasp. When his mouth was opened, Whispering Dove put her finger on his tongue giving him the granulated substance.
In about two minutes, Jeremy sighed, and his breathing returned to normal.
Whispering Dove and Doc used the Screaming Beaver Oil and Pompow leaves on Jeremy's snakebite two more times that night. When Doc was satisfied that all but a tiny trace of the venom was out of Jeremy's system, Jeremy and Candy were placed in the back of Jake Coulter's buckboard. Jake along with Jason, Joshua, Biddie, and Whispering Dove took them back to the wagon train.
While Whispering Dove and Doc had been treating Jeremy, the ladies had taken care of Candy. When Candy woke up and asked for Jeremy a few times, the ladies explained that he was sick and getting medical care. Kitty assured Candy that her husband was fine.
Jeremy and Candy were placed in the medical tent. The two oldest Bolt brothers, Biddie, Whispering Dove, Mat, and Kitty agreed to take turns sitting with the injured couple.
Kitty and Matt sat with them first. Doc stayed in the tent. The others went outside to the table.
"Whispering Dove, you saved Jeremy's life. We are forever grateful to you." Jason told her.
Yes, thank you very much. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but may I ask why you saved Jeremy's life?" Joshua inquired.
"It is fine for you to ask. The answer is simple. I love the Sweet One with all of my heart. Do not worry. I am aware that Sweet One has a wife and she carries his child. I give you my oath I am no threat to their marriage or their family. I would have been pleased and honored if I could have been Sweet One's beloved and could have borne his children for him. It was not meant to be. I am grateful that my Sweet Love has found his soul mate. I would not want him to traverse this world alone." Whispering Dove replied.
"When did you see Jeremy to fall in love with him?" Jason inquired.
"Yesterday evening during his Beloved's operation, he walked to the river to calm his nerves. I was in the woods close by searching for roots and herbs. It was impossible for me not to hear him. He began singing a God song like Brother Len and Sister Pauline do. It was the one about grace and how amazing it is. Sweet One's voice was so glorious, I found myself weeping. I had to see who The Lord blessed with the ability to make such a lovely sound. When I walked to the edge of the woods, I could see him facing the river. At this point, Sweet One finished the God song. He was quiet for a minute. Then he began talking to God. I know it is impolite to listen to something so personal, but I was so touched by the tenderness and the love in his voice as he spoke of his Beloved that I could not stop myself from listening. As I listened to Sweet One speak, I felt love for him in my heart." Whispering Dove had tears streaming down her cheeks. "Your brother is a very special man."
"Yes, he is. He has always had a tremendous ability to love. Even when he was a very young child, our mother would say that love just seemed to pour out of him." Jason said.
During the next few days, people took turns sitting with Jeremy and Candy. Both of them made steady progress in their recoveries.
When Jason felt confident that his youngest brother and his sister-in-law were out of danger, he went to Cheyenne. He sent a telegram to his friend, Judge Everett Terry.
This is the wire that Jason sent.
To: Everett Terry, Olympia, Washington Territory
From: Thomas Winthrop, Undisclosed Location
Been to town, lately? Suggest that you go soon.
Fox in the hen house? Please reply soon. Thanks.
A few minutes later, the Judge replied that he would go to Seattle soon to find out what is going on and let him know.
A few days later, Jason returned to Cheyenne. He found this telegram waiting for him.
To: Thomas Winthrop, Undisclosed Location
From: Everett Terry, Olympia, Washington Territory
Went to town. Train stalled. Waiting for Fox to attack.
After yore kin, gent.
Jason gulped as he read the last line of the wire. Elijah Harmon was after Joshua and Jeremy. But who was working for him or helping him on the wagon train? Jason had wondered why the wagon train was staying in one place so long. But because of everything that had happened the past few weeks with his brothers and their wives, he had not had time to discover the reason.
When Jason returned to the wagon train, he talked to Joshua, Biddie, Sister Pauline, and Brother Len about the wire from the Judge. Everyone agreed to be vigilant. They also agreed to wait a few more days before telling Candy and Jeremy.
Another week went by. The wagon train had not moved. Some of the travelers were complaining to Mr. Connors. He said he was waiting for the okay to proceed from the company office. Mr. Connors had been advised that the scouts had not reported on the conditions of the trail ahead. Freddie Connors agreed that it was taking an unusual amount of time to get permission to move on.
Jason was feeling a little skittish. Was Mr. Connors in with Elijah Harmon? Or was it someone at the company office?
"Jason, Candy and I are going crazy resting so much. We asked Doc if we could get out some. He said it was alright." Jeremy complained. "You know we aren't kids. We don't have to do what you say."
"No, Jeremy, you don't have to do as I say. But do you remember what Lottie told you and Josh the last time Elijah Harmon was after you two?" Jason asked quietly.
"Yes, I remember. Lottie said that you and she had the right to tell Josh and me what to do because both of you love us and you would die a little if something happened to either of us." Jeremy answered.
"Yes, that's what Lottie said. However, she didn't express it quite strong enough. I expect she was trying to maintain some control of her emotions. Jeremy, I would be an empty shell of a man if something happened to you or Josh or Candy or Biddie. Don't give me that aw, Jason, you're exaggerating look. You and Josh and the ladies are my family and my life. Without you, I have nothing. Without you, I am nothing. So, what it comes down to is, yes, you have to do as I say."
Jason elaborated.
Jeremy took a deep breath. He studied his brother for a minute. "All of us love you dearly too, Jason. Please allow me and Candy to get out at least for half an hour, okay?"
Jason smiled. "Alright, Jeremy. You two have been cooped up for awhile. Don't go past the river, agreed?"
"Agreed!" Jeremy grinned.
That afternoon, Candy and Jeremy went for a walk down to the river. It was a beautiful day. Both of them were happy to be outside at least for a little while.
Jeremy wanted to sit down on the riverbank.
"I don't know, Jeremy. After that snake bit you, I'm scared for us to sit on the ground close to the water." Candy said.
"Alright, we can go stand in the shade under this tree over here. Unless you think there might be flying snakes landing in the tree." Jeremy teased.
"Jeremy! Don't make fun of me! That snake that bit you came flying through the air, remember because the dog slung it out of his mouth."
Candy scolded.
"Oh, yeah, I remember! I was just playing, Candy. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry." Jeremy looked at her with puppy dog eyes.
"It's okay, Jeremy. I'm not upset. It's just that you could have so easily….." Candy couldn't finish her thought.
Jeremy put his arm around his wife. "I'm fine, sweetheart. Don't worry. I love you."
"I love you, Jeremy." She whispered giving him a tiny kiss on his shoulder.
They stood quietly in the cool shade hugging each other.
"Hello, I hope I'm not disturbing you." Whispering Dove walked out of the woods.
"Hello, no you aren't disturbing us. You must be Whispering Dove. Doc and my brothers told me that you saved my life. Thank you." Jeremy replied.
"Yes, thank you so much. We are very grateful. It was most kind of you to help Jeremy." Candy looked at her.
"You are both welcome. I told Sweet One's brothers that I saved him because I love him." Whispering Dove explained.
Candy let go of her husband and glared at him. "Jeremy, do you have something to tell me?"
"What? Why would I have something to tell you?" He said incredulously.
"What? This beautiful young woman just said that she loves you. Do you love her? Have you been seeing her?" Candy was livid.
"Okay! You caught me! Between being in New Orleans thinking Josh was dead and you being shot during a train robbery, and me being snake bit, I have been cheating on you with Whispering Dove here in Wyoming!" Jeremy yelled. He put his hands on his hips and turned his back to Candy.
Candy looked sheepishly at Whispering Dove who was trying hard not to laugh.
Candy walked over to her husband. "Jeremy." She said softly as she rubbed circles on his back. "I'm very sorry. I was foolish to accuse you. Please forgive me, darling. I guess the strain of all we have been through is getting to me. Come on, sweetheart, forgive me, please."
Jeremy turned to face his wife. "I forgive you, Candy. We have been through a lot. I love you."
"I love you, darling. Thank you for forgiving me." Candy said sweetly.
"You're welcome, sweetheart." Jeremy gave her a kiss on her lips.
"Let's go back under the shade. It's hot, today." Jeremy said.
They went back under the shade tree. The couple had been talking to Whispering Dove for a few minutes, when they heard a noise.
All at once, Malinda Pearl Tate stepped out from behind a tree. She had a shotgun pointed at Jeremy.
"Ms. Malinda! What are you doing?" Jeremy asked as he motioned for Candy and Whispering Dove to get behind the trees.
The two women moved as he directed them. Jeremy also got behind a tree.
"I'm sorry, Jeremy. I have to do this. Elijah said if I don't kill you, he will have Calico killed. You're a nice young man, but I can't lose my girl." Malinda Pearl said.
"I don't understand. You helped get your own son killed to save me and now you have to kill me?" Jeremy was watching her very closely peeking around the tree.
"I was supposed to help Wesley kill you that day. I chickened out because you were so kind to Calico and she thinks so much of you, Jeremy." Malinda Pearl explained.
"Elijah is my cousin. He still holds a grudge against you and Joshua about Will being killed at the logging camp. He won't be satisfied until you and your brother are dead." told him.
"Ms. Malinda, that was a terrible accident. You can't believe that Josh and I would kill someone like that." Jeremy spoke calmly.
"It doesn't matter what I think, Jeremy. All that matters is keeping Calico safe." Malinda Pearl raised the shotgun.
"If you kill me, you will keep Calico safe from Elijah for how long? A week, a month? Is that anyway to live? Being a puppet for a madman?" Jeremy tried to reason with her.
"It's not a good way to live, but it's better than living without my daughter!" Malinda Pearl screamed. "Come out from behind that tree before I put a bullet in your wife's head!"
The raving woman took a few steps toward the trees where Jeremy and the ladies were taking cover.
Jeremy stepped from behind the tree. "Okay. I'm here in the open. Please put the gun down, Ms. Malinda."
"Always so polite. Please put the gun down. Please don't kill me. Please
don't put a bullet in my wife's head. Sorry, Jeremy, your good manners won't save you this time!" She shrieked.
Malinda Pearl aimed the shotgun at Jeremy's chest. As she pulled the trigger, Calico ran out from behind a tree.
Calico ran toward Jeremy screaming, "No, Mama! No!"
Jeremy ran toward Calico shouting, "Hit the dirt, Sweetie!"
Whispering Dove ran faster than Calico or Jeremy. She lunged at Calico knocking her to the ground. Jeremy grabbed Whispering Dove pulling her to the ground with him.
The three of them laid on the ground in a heap for a minute.
Malinda Pearl Tate fell to her knees crying, "What have I done? What have I done!"
Candy was hidden behind the tree trembling and crying. She was afraid to look. She was horrified that Jeremy had likely been killed.
Jeremy is my husband. I must see what has happened to him. Candy thought.
Slowly, Candy looked around the tree. Jeremy was getting up off the ground. He appeared to be alright. He helped Calico get up. She looked okay.
Jeremy knelt to help Whispering Dove. She was lying in a puddle of blood. Jeremy took off his shirt and used it as a tourniquet wrapping it tightly around her midsection where she was wounded.
"Oh, no! Whispering Dove!" Jeremy still knelt beside her. He took her in his arms. "You will be alright! Doc will help you!"
"Is the child alright? Are you okay, Sweet One?" Whispering Dove asked weakly.
"Yes, we are fine. Thanks to you, Whispering Dove. Thank you for saving us. Let me carry you to the wagon train. Doc can help you." Jeremy had tears in his eyes.
Candy came and knelt by Jeremy. Calico was comforting her mother.
"No, Sweet One, it is too late for me." She gasped.
"Oh, Whispering Dove! I feel so terrible. Twice, you have saved my life. Now I have cost you yours. I'm so sorry!" Jeremy sobbed.
"Don't be sorry. I have full filled a great purpose by giving my life for the man I love. I know it sounds strange that I loved you the first time I saw you. But my grandmother told me when I was a child that I would know my Beloved when his heart spoke to my heart." Whispering Dove said.
A memory was awakened in Jeremy's mind. Could it be? He wondered.
"I see remembrance in your eyes" She smiled. "I lied to your brothers. I didn't know if you had told them about us."
"No, I didn't tell them. I thought they would ask too many questions and I was afraid Joshua would laugh at me. Not because of you, but because I was so young and inexperienced." Jeremy told her. "When did you change your name?"
"On my eighteenth birthday. I thought Whispering Dove sounded more mature than…." She paused.
"Snow Blossom." Jeremy said softly. "I'm sorry that I didn't recognize you."
"It's alright, Sweet Jeremy. It has been a few years. Please don't be upset, Candy. He told you the truth earlier." Whispering Dove said.
"When did you meet the first time?" Candy asked.
Jeremy looked at Candy. "Well, it was the first time, Whispering Dove saved my life."
"What happened, sweetheart? When was this?" asked Candy.
"It was when I was sixteen. I got lost in an awful snowstorm. Whispering Dove who was Snow Blossom then and her people took me in. They kept me from freezing to death." Jeremy explained.
"Oh, Jeremy! She has saved you from dying three times! I think it is a blessing that the two of you know each other." Candy kissed his shoulder.
"Jeremy, Sweet One, there is something I must tell you. I have lied to you as well as to your brothers. This was a lie of omission." Whispering Dove said.
Before Jeremy could ask Whispering Dove what she wanted to tell him, he heard someone coming. He looked in the direction of the wagon train.
"Jeremy! Candy! Are you both alright?" Jason shouted as he came into view. He was driving a buckboard. Joshua, Doc, Kitty, and Matt were also in the wagon.
When the buckboard came to a halt, Doc got out fast. He made his way to Whispering Dove and began to examine her.
"I was scared to death when I realized how long you two have been gone." Jason said as he and the rest of the group got out of the wagon.
Jeremy and Candy told them what had happened.
"Jason, we need to get Whispering Dove back to the wagon train. She needs surgery to remove that bullet. Jeremy, you did an excellent job with the tourniquet. I believe you saved her life." Doc said.
Matt and Jason stepped forward to get Whispering Dove to place her in the buckboard.
"Just a minute, please. I must tell Jeremy something. You need to hear this as well, Candy." Whispering Dove said.
"Okay, but be quick, young lady." Doc told her.
Everyone walked back to the buckboard to give Jeremy, Candy, and Whispering Dove some privacy.
Candy and Jeremy were on their knees beside Whispering Dove.
"What do you want to tell us, Whispering Dove?" Jeremy asked.
Doc had folded a blanket and put it under the injured young woman's head as a pillow.
Whispering Dove looked into Jeremy's eyes. "Jeremy, we have a daughter."