PLUS
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HORSE THREW A shoe three days from Albany, and although Emmett and Diana did their best to lighten his load by walking beside the dray, within a few miles he was favoring his leg. A small farmhouse beckoned just off the main road. It was gray stone and there was a well-tended kitchen garden in front, with a large stone well in the center. The farmer and his family were working in the garden when Diana and Emmett approached.
The man's name was Abraham Duval. He was in his late middle-age, and he worked the farm with his wife and two grown daughters—one of whom had a child on her hip. Except for exotic, hawklike features and long, straight black hair, they looked like any other Colonial farm family. But they were Senecas.
They spoke no English—just their own language and a French/Iroquois patois that Shannon understood from his many years in the area. Diana could not make out a thing, but gathered from the initial smiles and the friendliness of Abraham's tone that he was willing to help.
Then his wife, whose hair was streaked with pure white, said something sharp, and Abraham's brow furrowed and his tone became hesitant, with a touch of embarrassed sadness. Nods of welcome turned to reluctant shakes of the head.
They spoke no English—just their own language and a French/Iroquois patois that Shannon understood from his many years in the area. Diana could not make out a thing, but gathered from the initial smiles and the friendliness of Abraham's tone that he was willing to help.
Then his wife, whose hair was streaked with pure white, said something sharp, and Abraham's brow furrowed and his tone became hesitant, with a touch of embarrassed sadness. Nods of welcome turned to reluctant shakes of the head.
"What's wrong?" she asked Shannon.
"I'm not sure," he said. "But I get the idea we came at an inconvenient time. He keeps telling me to go away. But then he says come back later."
Then the child's contented coos turned to a squall of anger as something fell to the ground. The squall ended abruptly when his mother scooped up the object and handed it back to him. It was a string of colorful beads—like the ropes of wampum less settled Indians favored for money. The child wrapped a strand around his pudgy fist and stuffed it into his mouth—revealing swollen gums pebbled with buttons of budding teeth.
Shannon puzzled at the beads, then his face brightened. "Now, I understand," he told Diana, but before she could ask him exactly what he understood, he was waving his hands and jabbering at the farmer.
Soon everyone was smiling broadly. One of the daughters patted at Diana's dusty clothes and made motions of washing up. Before she knew it, she was being pulled toward the house and Abraham was helping Emmett unhitch Horse. She stood on her toes, craning her neck, trying to get Shannon's attention as they led Horse toward the barn.
He spotted her bewildered expression and laughed. "It's all right, Diana," he shouted. "It's only that they're Catholic." For a while that mysterious explanation was all she got.
After a scouring with hot water and herbal soap, a change of clothing and a light meal, Diana found herself in the main room of the farmhouse, sitting in a straight-backed chair next to Emmett. The Duval family bustled around, making preparations. For what, Diana still didn't know. Emmett filled her in.
Abraham had been raised by Jesuit missionaries in Canada and had been a farmer all his life. He had grown weary of the constant and violent shifts of tide that one day made the English the enemy, the next the French, and the day after, a neighboring tribe. He'd sold his farm and bought this one six or seven years ago.
Here they'd prospered, and the only sadness was that his son and his daughters' husbands had been caught up in the current conflict. Shannon hadn't asked on what side they were fighting, and Abraham hadn't volunteered. Emmett was beyond caring. An enemy was only a man pointing his rifle in the wrong direction.
Here they'd prospered, and the only sadness was that his son and his daughters' husbands had been caught up in the current conflict. Shannon hadn't asked on what side they were fighting, and Abraham hadn't volunteered. Emmett was beyond caring. An enemy was only a man pointing his rifle in the wrong direction.
"But what does this all have to do with what went on outside?" Diana asked—a little hot, because at the moment she felt that her temper was being unfairly tested.
"As I said: they're Catholic. It was a rosary the child was suckling on. Today is Sunday, and we came along as they were getting ready for their service. Abraham said the sheriff in these parts is a tolerant man—for a sheriff—but if we were to complain ..." An eloquent shrug of his shoulders filled in the rest. "But everything was fine when I explained that we were Catholic as well."
He lifted a questioning eyebrow at this, but Diana patted his hand. She didn't mind. The service was relaxed and, Diana thought, very sweet. She was used to thunderings from a pulpit, but here, first Abraham, and then the women, took turns reciting prayers, which gave way to gentle discussion.
The only religious decoration was a cross Abraham's wife brought from another room. On it, the Christ figure was twisted and tormented in the agonized style of the French Catholic.
The only religious decoration was a cross Abraham's wife brought from another room. On it, the Christ figure was twisted and tormented in the agonized style of the French Catholic.
Emmett explained it was a "Mass in Spirit," much like the ones he remembered his mother conducting, except the Duvals mixed in a little of their ancestors' beliefs. It included, he. explained, a public confession of the sins the Duvals thought they had committed since the preceding week. And a paltry lot of sins they were; he chuckled.
There was a pause, and then Abraham broke in with a question to Emmett. Was there anything he—or Diana-felt a need to confess? Emmett started to give him a quick no, but then hesitated. He couldn't help but be moved by the service. It had brought back memories of his mother's rich voice reciting from Garden of the Soul. Words of prayer were the first he could read—thanks to his grandfather. There also was that small voice in him saying someday his soul might regret this missed opportunity.
He told them about the wagon master he had murdered. Then he told them about the other, possibly greater sin: letting the Hessian live, only because his act of mercy might wash away the murder. It was a deed of selfishness, not contrition, Abraham agreed. But under the circumstances, he said, he was sure God would understand. And forgive.
Personally, Abraham said, I would have shot them both, so I must be at heart a greater sinner than you. Why don't we pray together that He forgive us both? Me for thought, you for deed. The Jesuits say both are equal, although no matter how hard I have studied and prayed, I can't understand their reasoning. Can you?
Emmett, having never met a priest—much less a Jesuit—couldn't answer. So he bowed his head and prayed. A few moments later he felt hot tears on his cheeks and then Diana's soft hand wiping them away.
Personally, Abraham said, I would have shot them both, so I must be at heart a greater sinner than you. Why don't we pray together that He forgive us both? Me for thought, you for deed. The Jesuits say both are equal, although no matter how hard I have studied and prayed, I can't understand their reasoning. Can you?
Emmett, having never met a priest—much less a Jesuit—couldn't answer. So he bowed his head and prayed. A few moments later he felt hot tears on his cheeks and then Diana's soft hand wiping them away.
Later, after they had been fed again and Abraham had helped Emmett shoe Horse and treat his soreness, Shannon and Diana sat together on the porch while the Duvals went about the light work of a farm Sabbath. There was a late afternoon breeze, bringing the scent of the maple grove.
Diana held his hand quietly, thinking over the events since New Kent and wondering what lay ahead. Once again the thinking led to a question that for Shannon, at least, seemed to come from nowhere. "Tell me, Emmett. How were your father and mother wed? Was it difficult for them— as Catholics, I mean?"
"No. A little elaborate, but not difficult," he said, after thinking a moment. "My mother said they posted the banns and were wed in a legal church. They had no choice, but I recall her being a little bitter about it.
"She said she insisted on a proper Catholic wedding that same night. They got together some people of like faith and had them witness their vows. My mother said she would have felt like a harlot otherwise. As far as she was concerned, an English wedding was no wedding at all."
Shannon gave her a small, apologetic smile. "My mother had some odd ideas," he said.
"Not at all," Diana said. "I understand her meaning perfectly. Now, tell me, Emmett dear, when we get to Cherry Valley, how will we marry?"
"Oh, that's no trouble at all. We'll post the banns, and you can stay with Ruth, and I'll ask a friend to take me in until the proper time. Then we'll go to the church and . . ."
His voice trailed off as he realized what Diana was getting at.
"You don't want to make a harlot of me, do you, Emmett?" she said with a little laugh.
"It's a little hard to have a Catholic wedding in Cherry Valley," Shannon said. "It's not like Boston, with all its people. I think our neighbors would give us grief over the matter. Especially in the mood they seem to be in now."
Diana kissed him on the cheek. "Why don't we ask Abraham?" she said. And so they did.
The service was performed that evening. Diana was led into the main room by Abraham's wife, who was standing in as her mother. His older daughter performed the same role for Emmett. The Duvals held to the Iroquois tradition of marriage being a maternal function, in which men had no legal standing.
With Mrs. Duval's help, Diana had done a hasty remake of one of her dresses. She had tucked it in here and there and let a few seams out, and added a sash at her waist and a small blue bow that she'd shaped like a flower in early bud. On her head she wore a bit of lace that Mrs. Duval had donated. It was old and the color of fine ivory.
Emmett stood in the center of the room. He had been scrubbed a bright sunburn color, his face was clean-shaven, and his boots were shiny black with axle grease. Each of them thought they had never seen another man more handsome or a woman quite so beautiful.
Emmett stood in the center of the room. He had been scrubbed a bright sunburn color, his face was clean-shaven, and his boots were shiny black with axle grease. Each of them thought they had never seen another man more handsome or a woman quite so beautiful.
Emmett asked Abraham what they were supposed to do. First you give each other a gift, he said. But Diana knew this already. She had been coached by Mrs. Duval through the universal hand signals of impending marriage. She passed Emmett a cloth containing two rounds of unleavened corn bread.
This is the proper gift for a woman to give a man, Abraham said. Now it's your turn. Shannon was embarrassed. He didn't have anything to give, he explained. Nor did he know what it should be. It should be something from the hunt, Abraham said. From the chase. A bit of meat or fish. Something to show you can provide for her. Emmett agonized.
Abraham finally solved his dilemma by fishing a rifle ball from Shannon's store of ammunition. He placed it in a small pouch with a leather thong and gave it to Emmett. This should do, he said.
Abraham finally solved his dilemma by fishing a rifle ball from Shannon's store of ammunition. He placed it in a small pouch with a leather thong and gave it to Emmett. This should do, he said.
Emmett presented the little pouch to Diana, who blushed like it was a gift of gold, and tucked it in her bodice. Then they stood there in clumsy silence for what seemed like an eternity. "What do we do now?" he asked Diana.
"I don't know," she said. "I've never married a Catholic before." She grew flustered at her words. "I mean, I've never been married at all!"
Abraham asked him what they were waiting for. Shannon said neither one of them knew what came next. For the first time since they came to the Duval farm, Abraham showed irritation. He asked Shannon if he loved the woman and wanted to be her husband, with all the responsibilities that went with it.
Or was he just trifling with Diana? If so, neither he nor his family wanted any part of this, and would Emmett leave his house as soon as possible. Shannon said of course he loved her! Of course he wanted to marry her! He just didn't know how to go about it. Then tell her, man, Abraham said. Tell her.
Or was he just trifling with Diana? If so, neither he nor his family wanted any part of this, and would Emmett leave his house as soon as possible. Shannon said of course he loved her! Of course he wanted to marry her! He just didn't know how to go about it. Then tell her, man, Abraham said. Tell her.
"I love you, Diana," Shannon blurted. "I want you to be my wife." Then he turned bright red.
"I love you, Emmett," Diana said. "And I want you for my husband."
There was a loud whoop from Abraham and squealing cheers from the other Duvals. There was no translation necessary. They were husband and wife.
* * * *
That night while the Duvals slept, Emmett and Diana took their blankets outside under the trees. Their bed was as comfortable as anyone could ask, and Abraham had given them a private room. But it seemed close in the house, and they felt shy with the others about.
Besides, Diana whispered to Emmett, after all these weeks under the stars, it seemed indecent to make love with a roof over their heads. Shannon warned her that if that were so, they'd get awful cold come winter.
Besides, Diana whispered to Emmett, after all these weeks under the stars, it seemed indecent to make love with a roof over their heads. Shannon warned her that if that were so, they'd get awful cold come winter.
Diana tugged him close and promised him, as long as they were wed, she would never let him feel the cold.
NEXT: The Return Of Frenchy McShane
What if the Cold War never ended -- but continued for a thousand years? Best-selling authors Allan Cole (an American) and Nick Perumov (a Russian) spin a mesmerizing "what if?" tale set a thousand years in the future, as an American and a Russian super-soldier -- together with a beautiful American detective working for the United Worlds Police -- must combine forces to defeat a secret cabal ... and prevent a galactic disaster! This is the first - and only - collaboration between American and Russian novelists. Narrated by John Hough. Click the title links below for the trade paperback and kindle editions. (Also available at iTunes.)
*****
S.O.S. ALLAN'S NEW NOVEL
Between February and May of 1942, German U-boats operated with impunity off the Florida coast, sinking scores of freighters from Cape Canaveral to Key West and killing nearly five thousand people. Residents were horrified witnesses of the attacks—the night skies were aflame and in the morning the beaches were covered with oil and tar, ship parts and charred corpses. The Germans even landed teams of saboteurs charged with disrupting war efforts in the factories of the North. This novel is based on those events. For my own purposes, I set the tale in the fictitious town of Juno Beach on the banks of the equally fictitious Seminole River—all in the very real Palm Beach County, a veritable wilderness in those long ago days. Among the witnesses were my grandfather and grandmother, who operated an orchard and ranch in the area.
*****
A DAUGHTER OF LIBERTY
The year is 1778 and the Revolutionary War has young America trapped in the crossfire of hatred and fear. Diana, an indentured servant, escapes her abusive master with the help of Emmett Shannon, a deserter from the desperate army at Valley Forge. They fall in love and marry, but their happiness is shattered and Diana Shannon must learn to survive on her own. From that moment on she will become a true woman of her times, blazing a path from lawless lands in the grips of the Revolution, to plague-stricken Philadelphia, to the burning of Washington in the War Of 1812.
*****
TWO NEW AUDIOBOOKS ONLY $4.95!
Tales Sometimes Tall, but always true, of Allan Cole's years in Hollywood with his late partner, Chris Bunch. How a naked lady almost became our first agent. How we survived La-La Land with only the loss of half our brain cells. How Bunch & Cole became the ultimate Fix-It
Boys. How an alleged Mafia Don was very, very good to us. The guy who cornered the market on movie rocks. Andy Warhol's Fire Extinguisher. The Real Stars Of Hollywood. Why they don't make million dollar movies. See The Seven Pi$$ing Dwarfs. Learn: how to kill a "difficult" actor… And much, much more.
THE TIMURA TRILOGY: When The Gods Slept, Wolves Of The Gods and The Gods Awaken. This best selling fantasy series now available as trade paperbacks, e-books (in all varieties) and as audiobooks. Visit The Timura Trilogy page for links to all the editions.
NEWLY REVISED KINDLE EDITIONS OF THE TIMURA TRILOGY NOW AVAILABLE. (1) When The Gods Slept;(2) Wolves Of The Gods; (3) The Gods Awaken.
*****
A NATION AT WAR WITH ITSELF: In Book Three Of The Shannon Trilogy, young Patrick Shannon is the heir-apparent to the Shannon fortune, but murder and betrayal at a family gathering send him fleeing into the American frontier, with only the last words of a wise old woman to arm him against what would come. And when the outbreak of the Civil War comes he finds himself fighting on the opposite side of those he loves the most. In The Wars Of The Shannons we see the conflict, both on the battlefield and the homefront, through the eyes of Patrick and the members of his extended Irish-American family as they struggle to survive the conflict that ripped the new nation apart, and yet, offered a dim beacon of hope.
*****
NEW: THE AUDIOBOOK VERSION OF
THE HATE PARALLAX
What if the Cold War never ended -- but continued for a thousand years? Best-selling authors Allan Cole (an American) and Nick Perumov (a Russian) spin a mesmerizing "what if?" tale set a thousand years in the future, as an American and a Russian super-soldier -- together with a beautiful American detective working for the United Worlds Police -- must combine forces to defeat a secret cabal ... and prevent a galactic disaster! This is the first - and only - collaboration between American and Russian novelists. Narrated by John Hough. Click the title links below for the trade paperback and kindle editions. (Also available at iTunes.)
*****
THE SPYMASTER'S DAUGHTER:
A novel by Allan and his daughter, Susan
After laboring as a Doctors Without Borders physician in the teaming refugee camps and minefields of South Asia, Dr. Ann Donovan thought she'd seen Hell as close up as you can get. And as a fifth generation CIA brat, she thought she knew all there was to know about corruption and betrayal. But then her father - a legendary spymaster - shows up, with a ten-year-old boy in tow. A brother she never knew existed. Then in a few violent hours, her whole world is shattered, her father killed and she and her kid brother are one the run with hell hounds on their heels. They finally corner her in a clinic in Hawaii and then all the lies and treachery are revealed on one terrible, bloody storm- ravaged night.
BASED ON THE CLASSIC STEN SERIES by Allan Cole & Chris Bunch: Fresh from their mission to pacify the Wolf Worlds, Sten and his Mantis Team encounter a mysterious ship that has been lost among the stars for thousands of years. At first, everyone aboard appears to be long dead. Then a strange Being beckons, pleading for help. More disturbing: the presence of AM2, a strategically vital fuel tightly controlled by their boss - The Eternal Emperor. They are ordered to retrieve the remaining AM2 "at all costs." But once Sten and his heavy worlder sidekick, Alex Kilgour, board the ship they must dare an out of control defense system that attacks without warning as they move through dark warrens filled with unimaginable horrors. When they reach their goal they find that in the midst of all that death are the "seeds" of a lost civilization.
*****
TALES OF THE BLUE MEANIE
NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!
 |
Venice Boardwalk Circa 1969
|
In the depths of the Sixties and The Days Of Rage, a young newsman, accompanied by his pregnant wife and orphaned teenage brother, creates a Paradise of sorts in a sprawling Venice Beach community of apartments, populated by students, artists, budding scientists and engineers lifeguards, poets, bikers with a few junkies thrown in for good measure. The inhabitants come to call the place “Pepperland,” after the Beatles movie, “Yellow Submarine.” Threatening this paradise is "The Blue Meanie," a crazy giant of a man so frightening that he eventually even scares himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment