Land of the Free Read online

  Marina sighed. “Forgive me please, Grandmother. If he calls again, I shall attend, so long as you agree to stay in the room.”

  Rachael knitted her brow. “No. If you feel that way you should not see him.”

  “Thank you.”

  October 15, 1805

  Wapakoneta, Ohio Country

  Catecahassa, or Black Hoof in English, was the civil chief of the Shawnee. A distinguished looking man with intelligent eyes, he had led his people in the Northwest Indian War where he was defeated by “Mad” Anthony Wayne in 1795. “You look bad, Yangee,” he observed without preamble, gesturing toward Yank’s battered face.

  Yank chuckled and shook the smaller man’s hand. “And you look good, Catecahassa.”

  “We heard that you have married an Indian.”

  “True,” Yank said.

  “From what tribe?”

  “Mexican.” Yank was prepared to explain but Black Hoof simply nodded and asked no questions. “Have you been contacted by the British?”

  “No.”

  “We have heard that they are arming some nations and encouraging them to fight us.”

  “I have heard these rumors.”

  “Are they true?”

  “They could be.”

  “Who must I talk to in order to learn the truth?”

  “The British.”

  “You’re not being terribly helpful, Catecahassa.”

  “I am not wearing war paint and have abided by the Treaty of Greenville.”

  “Yes. But that is a matter of law between the Shawnee and the United States. I was speaking of matters of friendship. Are we no longer blood brothers?”

  “A blood brother of the Shawnee would not have married outside the tribe without first seeking permission.”

  Yank was completely unprepared. “I was far away, where the Big Muddy empties into the southern sea.” He stammered. “My mission could not be postponed and I needed the woman that I married to translate for me.”

  “Ah.” Black Hoof raised his eyebrows. “I had not heard this.”

  “Heard what?”

  “That you married the woman for her service.”

  Sensing some new trap, Yank tried to extricate himself. “I married her for her service but I have – I have become attached to her now.”

  Black Hoof nodded. “Bring her here and we can welcome her to the nation. Then all will be well.”

  “We have a child and are expecting another soon.”

  Black Hoof nodded. “To have children is a fine thing, Yangee.”

  “The journey from my home to here is far and dangerous.”

  Black Hoof nodded.

  October 29, 1805

  Manhattan Island, New York

  Rachael walked into the library. “Marina,” she said in a sharp tone, “I have changed my mind. You really must see Lieutenant Percy.” She handed Marina a card.

  Marina glanced at it and tucked it into the pages of the book she was reading. “Why must I?”

  “He’s been here nearly every day for a month.”

  “Is it not somehow against your rules for a man to pursue a married woman?”

  “What harm is there in speaking to the boy?”

  “Is he in love with me?”

  “Of course.”

  “And you still want me to see him?”

  “What possible harm can it do?”

  Marina closed her book. “Very well. Is he in the parlor?”

  “Yes.” Rachael started for the door.

  Marina stood up. “Then I have changed my mind too and I would like to speak to him alone.”

  Rachael stopped and turned around. “You said you were afraid to see him alone.”

  “You misunderstood. Or perhaps you didn’t.” She sighed. “In any event, I now prefer to see him privately. If you still insist that I see him.”

  Rachael put her hand to her head. “I don’t understand.”

  Marina walked to the mirror and examined her reflection. “He excites me.”

  “He what?” Rachael gasped.

  “My neck, face and chest will flush, my breathing will become rapid, and my nipples will become erect. You or anyone else in the room would see it. I prefer to avoid that embarrassment.”

  “Marina,” Rachael stammered. “I…”

  Marina turned back toward Rachael. “At the Astor’s ball I thought I might faint. My heart was pounding so that I was sure you could hear it. My body was on fire.”

  Rachael closed her eyes and muttered something under her breath.

  “I am truly sorry to distress you, Grandmother, but I have done my best to avoid this discussion.”

  Rachael gave her an angry look. “Are you often overcome by your passion?”

  “No,” Marina returned the glare in kind. “Nothing like this has ever happened before. Not even with my husband, who I love more than my life.”

  “Dear God.”

  “Perhaps it is my Indian blood suddenly rising to show itself and take command of my emotions. Or perhaps I am simply a bad woman; a sinner in the depths of my heart.”

  “No.” Rachael walked to Marina and took her hands. “No. You’re not bad nor are you a sinner. We are all the daughters of Eve, tempted by forbidden fruit.”

  Marina rolled her eyes. “Temptation is a word that I did not clearly understand until now.”

  “Well,” Rachael released Marina’s hands. “The question now is what to do. The young man is waiting downstairs hoping that I will convince you to see him.”

  “I must go down.”

  “With me.”

  Marina shook her head. “It would be mortifying for you to witness my weakness.”

  “Surely you can suppress these feelings.”

  Once again, Marina shook her head. “I cannot trust myself to do so.”

  “Can you trust yourself not to go with him if he asks?”

  “I will tell him that I am pregnant. Once he knows that, he will go away.”

  “What if he does not?”

  “Then I cannot say.”

  Rachael paced the floor three times then stopped. “Very well. You must see him alone. But as you speak to him, think of your children. When I was very young I had a similar experience, perhaps not so powerful as yours, but the thought of losing my children and my family’s good graces prevailed.”

  Marina checked her reflection in the mirror again, pushed back a stray lock of hair and then hurried from the room.

  October 30, 1805

  Vincennes, Indiana Territory

  “Well,” Governor Harrison said, “I did tell you that the Shawnee blood brother ceremony was serious business.”

  “It was foolish of me and it accomplished nothing. I’ve regretted it ever since. But, there’s nothing I can do about it now.”

  Harrison looked thoughtful. “When is your baby due?”

  “Christmas.”

  “When the tribe’s on the march, Shawnee women squat by the side of the road, have their babies and then run to catch up. Black Hoof just isn’t going to understand why your wife can’t come.”

  Yank waved his hand dismissively. “He understands the difference between white women and Indian women.”

  “But to him, your wife is an Indian.”

  Yank closed his eyes and groaned. “You’re right, of course. I hadn’t considered that.”

  “Go home, Yank.”

  “I cannot until I have completed my mission, Governor.”

  “If you’ve offended Black Hoof you don’t have any allies among the Shawnee which means you’ve got no hope of success.”

  Yank shook his head. “If I can’t go among my Shawnee friends I’ll go among my Shawnee enemies.”

  “Tecumseh will eat your liver.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Listen to me, Yank.” Harrison leaned forward in his chair. “Tecumseh is not some primitive savage that you can sweet-talk and bribe with wampum. He thinks like a Philadelphia lawyer and he has a grudge against your Uncle
Thomas for his participation in George Rogers Clark’s destruction of Chillicothe.”

  Yank shrugged. “What choice do I have?”

  “I don’t know, but visiting Tecumseh isn’t one of them.”

  “What about Joseph Brant?”

  “Tenskwatawa’s confederacy includes Joseph Brant.”

  Yank shook his head in disappointment. “Where does William Wells stand in all this?”

  “I can’t say for certain.”

  “He’s still the Indian Agent, is he not?”

  Harrison nodded. “But his allegiance is very questionable.”

  “Why? What’s happened?”

  “When Jefferson was elected, Wells requested that he establish a trading post at Fort Wayne. Jefferson established the post but then he appointed John Johnston as the manager. Wells and Johnson mix like oil and water. I tried to smooth it over by appointing Wells as Justice of the Peace and commissioning him to establish the mail route between Fort Wayne and Fort Dearborn. But when I was negotiating the Treaty of Vincennes, Wells sided with Little Turtle, in opposition to the treaty.”

  “Little Turtle’s his father-in-law.”

  “I know that,” Harrison said in a sour tone, “but Wells also opposed the Quaker Agriculture missions to the Miami. I’ll never completely trust him again.”

  “Well.” Yank rubbed his eyes tiredly. “My options are so narrow that, at this point, I have no choice but to trust Wells.”

  November 2, 1805

  Manhattan Island, New York

  Marina shook her head. “I don’t think I should go, Grandmother.”

  “Why on earth not?” Rachael asked.

  “I’m much too fat.”

  “Nonsense. In the right dress it will go unnoticed.”

  “I’d rather not attend.”

  “Dolley Madison will be there.”

  “Please give her my best.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, Grandmother, I’m quite sure.”

  “Very well, but once your confinement starts, you’ll wish you’d taken every opportunity to enjoy life.”

  “Confinement won’t be necessary, in my case.”

  “Why, pray tell?”

  “I traveled from Albuquerque to Van Buskirk Point by way of Florida, Cuba and Washington during the last weeks of my pregnancy with Jack and I suffered no ill effects.”

  “We’ll see how you feel in another few weeks.”

  Marina nodded.

  “What it I were to tell you that Lieutenant Percy will not be there?”

  “His ship is still in the harbor.”

  “I know. I also happen to know that he is not on the guest list.”

  “You happen to know or you arranged it?”

  “Why does that matter?”

  “It matters because everyone in New York is talking about us.”

  “About you and Lieutenant Percy?”

  “Yes.”

  “What can they possibly have to talk about? You’ve seen him twice. Once at the Astor’s and then once here.” She narrowed her eyes. “Unless there’s something you haven’t told me.”

  Marina glared at her.

  “That was insulting,” Rachael said. “Forgive me.”

  Marina waved her hand in annoyance. “Lieutenant Percy has apparently announced to some of his fellow officers that he intends to steal me away from John and marry me.”

  “Where on Earth did you hear that?”

  “One of the maids told me.”

  “Which one? I will dismiss her immediately.”

  “For telling the truth?”

  “For carrying tales.”

  “I will not tell you her name.”

  Rachael chewed her lip. “If what she said is true, Yank will hear of it.”

  “I think that is exactly what Lieutenant Percy has in mind.”

  “What?”

  “He has apparently said that I will be his when John is forced to challenge him to a duel.”

  “The boy is a fool. Dueling is no longer legal in New York or New Jersey. Yank could not possibly agree, it would be in terribly bad form.”

  Marina laughed out loud then covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh. I do most sincerely apologize.”

  “What’s so damned funny?”

  Marina tried to keep a straight face but failed. “Your reaction to the idea of a duel.” She giggled. “No thought of your grandson being killed, only of the legality and social form of it.” She laughed again. “I don’t think I will ever understand you.”

  “Have a pleasant evening, Marina.” Rachael stalked out and slammed the door.

  Marina looked at the closed door for several seconds then walked to her bed and sat down. Her mind was in a terrible turmoil. The story she had told Rachael was a lie. It was not a maid but Percy himself who had told her of the plan last night when he had once again climbed the trellis.

  She picked up the open Bible and read the passage from Proverbs again. “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adventuress.”

  November 3, 1805

  Indiana Territory

  Williams Wells was the youngest son of Captain Samuel Wells who served in the Virginia militia during the American Revolutionary War. After the war, when William was nine, the family moved to Kentucky where William’s mother soon died and his father was killed in an Indian raid. Three years later, he was taken captive by Miami Indians of Kenapakomoko and was adopted by a chief named Gaviahate. His red hair earned him the name Apekonit, meaning Carrot Top in English.

  In 1793, Wells was appointed captain in the Legion of the United States, acting as a scout and interpreter for General “Mad” Anthony Wayne where he had met Major Yank Van Buskirk.

  “Governor Harrison’s accusation is slanderous,” Wells said to Yank. “I never opposed the Quaker Agriculture missions. In fact I wrote the letters inviting them on behalf of my father-in-law.”

  “What harm has it done?” Yank asked.

  “Beyond damaging my reputation and making me suspect?”

  Yank decided that it would be best to change the subject. “How are Sweet Breeze and your children?”

  Wells went pale.

  “What?”

  “Governor Harrison didn’t tell you that she who was my wife died this summer?”

  “No.” Yank looked shocked. “No, no. He didn’t tell me. I would never have mentioned your wife’s name. Forgive me, please.”

  “He did it purposely knowing that you would ask.” Wells shook his head. “He is not a man to be trusted, Yank. He manipulates and misleads to achieve his goals.”

  “He is a politician, William. Manipulating and misleading is what politicians do for a living.”

  Wells waved his hand in disgust. “He’s mean-spirited and cruel.”

  “Have you had much contact with the Shawnee?” Yank asked, changing the subject abruptly.

  “I’ve had enough to know that Black Hoof is damned irritated at you.”

  “Any advice?”

  “Sure thing. Bring your wife to meet him and marry her again in the tribe.”

  “She’s pregnant and we have a very small child.”

  “That’s a white man’s excuse. It’ll hold no water with any Indians.”

  “Help me find the tribes that the British are helping and none of this will be necessary.”

  “There may not be any such tribes, but you made a commitment to the Shawnee that you should honor. Go home for Christmas and then after the birth of your child come back.”

  “I can’t travel with a newborn, regardless of my responsibilities to Black Hoof.”

  “Leave the children with your family.”

  “My wife will never agree to that.”

  Wells shook his head. “I can have no respect for a man who cannot manage his wife.”

  December 14, 1805

  Manhattan, New York
<
br />   The sun was not quite up when Rachael Van Buskirk bustled into the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Grandmother.”

  Rachael gasped, stopped short, put her hand to her throat and then squinted at the table. “Dear Lord. You almost frightened me to death, Yank. What are you doing sitting here in the dark? No. The proper question is what are you doing here at all? Are you hurt? Is something wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong.” He stood up and walked around the table to kiss her on the cheek. “I made a pot of coffee. Would you like some?”

  “Army coffee?” She made a disgusted face and shuddered. “I think not. You should have wakened Betty to make you a proper breakfast.” She walked toward the bell pull.

  “I wanted to be alone,” Yank said.

  Rachael hesitated with her hand on the pull. “You know? I haven’t had any army coffee in a very long time. Perhaps I would like a cup at that.”

  “Let me get it for you.”

  “No. I’d prefer to do it myself. It takes a lot of milk and sugar to make army coffee palatable.” She busied herself with the coffee then sat down across from him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No, thank you, Grandmother.”

  Rachael sipped the coffee and made a face. “Eww. That brings back memories.”

  Yank smiled.

  “You have a new son. He’ll be a week old tomorrow.”

  “I heard. How is he?”

  “Perfect.”

  “And Marina?”

  “She was up and out of bed the following morning.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Thomas. What else? How did you hear about him?”

  “I travelled from Albany on a navy brig that makes the trip weekly. I knew several of the officers. Your nephew David was among them. He sends you his love.”

  “David Van Buskirk?”

  “Yes. He’s sailing this morning for the Mediterranean.”

  “And so he told you about baby Thomas?”

  “Yes. Other than the child’s name, he seemed well informed about the goings-on here.”

  “I should say he is.” She tried to read Yank’s face for a moment then dropped her eyes.