THE CRUEL PARTING
"OH! I'm so glad--for mother's sake!" exclaimed Bob, his first thought
being of that beloved, patient little woman, who had stood shoulder to
shoulder with her husband through all the hard times of the past.
"Yes, now she can have some of the things other women own," said Sandy,
gleefully; "for father will have to go to Richmond, and can bring back
with him many comforts that we never expected to get here."
"If only he does not have to cross the big water!" sighed Kate,
proving that there was a fly in the ointment, after all, and that this
possibility loomed up mountain high even in the midst of her joy.
Crossing the ocean in those days was a tremendous undertaking, with
the sailing craft subject to all whims of the fickle weather for many
weeks; and few contemplated such a voyage lightly.
"But father often said that if this long postponed case was decided in
his favor he would only have to go to Richmond to be put in possession
of his own!" remarked Bob. "So I wouldn't worry about it, Kate, dear.
But let us go on to the cabin, for I can see mother looking this way,
and beckoning."
They found a happy group when they reached the log building. The
neighbors had come to rejoice with the Armstrongs over the glorious
news; for only too well did every housewife know the privations that
had followed the loss of Mr. Armstrong's little fortune; and how
delightful it was to realize that things were now about to take a
decided turn for the better.
Others came flocking to the scene, and that night was one never to be
forgotten. Such good news as this seldom came to any of the pioneers.
As a rule those hardy men had to build their own fortunes by daily
contact with the rough edges of life, clearing first one acre of land,
and planting it to crops; and then slowly adding to their holdings,
year by year.
Mr. Armstrong knew that it was absolutely necessary that he proceed
east at the very earliest day in order to get back before winter had
settled in earnest over the mountains, since they would be utterly
impassable once this occurred.
He consulted with some of his best friends; for since they had been
neighbors many months now they had come to know each other fully.
His wife was both happy and oppressed. She knew that her little family
would be rendered better able to withstand the hardships of pioneer
life after David had been to the east, and returned, bringing the many
things so needed to make them comfortable; but the thought of the
separation gave her much pain, since the pair were very devoted to each
other.
But it was considerable pleasure to be able to make out a long list of
things which the good man was to secure, after he had come into his
own. Several pack animals would be needed on which to transport all
he expected to bring to the Ohio. The neighbors, almost to a family,
thought of various little things they needed; and Mr. Armstrong was
commissioned to purchase these.
"Why," he laughed, as another day had passed, with his list growing
to a formidable length, as still more of the settlers' wives came,
with money and a request that he buy them this article or that; "if
this keeps on I'll surely have a regular caravan under my charge, as
numerous as the one with which we first crossed the mountains, and
found this beautiful spot on the Ohio."
"But, father," said far-seeing Bob, "that will be all the better, for
it has been some time since there was a pack train out of Virginia
headed this way, and I am sure quite a lot of people will want to join
you. They have been hearing stories about this golden west a long time
now; and we know what that means."
"Yes," observed the good wife, as she looked up into the bronzed face
of the pioneer; "and if the company is large, the better I shall be
pleased, David, because it will mean that you are safe. Bring them
along, all who yearn to come hither. We will stand by them--the men to
help build cabins before the winter sets in; the women to assist in
fitting their homes up, so as to give the newcomers a start. There is
room in plenty here in this glorious country, where people can really
breathe without paying taxes to a king three thousand miles away."
That evening the neighbors flocked to the Armstrong cabin to spend a
few hours with those for whom they had come to feel so much respect and
affection. If some of them secretly envied the Armstrongs their great
good fortune, they managed to conceal the fact, for every one seemed
bubbling over with happiness.
On the morrow the start was to be made. All preparations had been
completed looking forward to the event. It happened, fortunately, that
several parties were expecting to leave for the fields of Virginia
about this time; and, since greater safety would follow if they went
together, they had managed to set upon this day, close upon the verge
of fall, for a start.
Often during the evening Bob caught his father's eyes fastened upon
himself and Sandy. He knew well what thoughts must be passing through
the mind of the pioneer. And again and again did Bob promise himself
that he would strive to do everything in his power to fill that
father's place while the head of the family was absent.
There was really little sleep under that humble roof that night. First,
the excitement attaching to the visit of so many neighbors broke into
the routine of their daily life. Then, after these good friends had
departed, it was found that a number of things had been neglected that
were absolutely necessary for the comfort of the traveller.
The party anticipated making an early start in the morning, so none
of these could be postponed. Besides, it was only natural that every
member of the family should be worked up to a high degree of nervous
anxiety, and lie awake long after they had sought their cots, thinking
of a thousand and one matters.
Early indeed were they astir. Breakfast was prepared as usual; but,
on this morning, no one had much heart for merriment. Mrs. Armstrong
indeed kept a smile on her face, but it was forced simply to encourage
her husband; since she knew only too well how he must feel at the idea
of thus separating himself from all he held dear on earth.
Bob, Sandy and Kate tried their best to appear natural, but it was
indeed hard work. Often Kate would make some excuse for darting out
of the room, and, when she came back a little later, there was always
a suspicious redness about her eyes that told plainly how she had
indulged in a cry to ease the numb pain in her girlish heart. And even
fun-loving Sandy dared not take her to task, for he was on the verge of
a breakdown himself.
Mr. Armstrong, seeing how his wife exerted herself to sustain him, and
ashamed to let her bear the whole burden, made a great effort, and
mastered his feelings. He took Bob aside as they left the table, and
with a hand on the shoulder of his oldest boy said:
"Be very careful, son, while I am away. Your mother will have no one
but you to stand by her, for Sandy, though a well-meaning lad, is
hardly to be depended on in times of stress. Be vigilant and watchful.
Remember that we have to deal with a cunning and merciless foe, and,
should there be an attack on the settlement, see to it that your mother
is quickly taken inside the stockade. I depend much on you, Robert;
and, if it were not so, nothing could induce me to leave home with
these ugly rumors of trouble floating to our ears. You promise me to do
everything a man could for your sister's and your mother's well-being?"
And Bob, looking firmly into the face of his father, managed to say in
reply:
"I promise to try and fill your place, father, as best I may. But oh!
we will count the days till your return. If Pat O'Mara comes in while
you are away, perhaps he may agree to stay with us. Try and think all
is going well. Sandy and I have many plans ahead; but we will stick as
close to our home as may be. Do not fear for us. And, just to think,
how happy we will all be when we see you come home again, bringing so
many things to make our dearest mother happy."
That was all. These two understood one another, so that many words were
not necessary. Bob had always been a serious lad, and right well did
his father know that in trusting him he was not putting his faith in
jeopardy.
Apparently the entire settlement had gathered to witness the departure,
as well as wish the travellers Godspeed on their way.
Even little Kate brightened up with all this clamor around her, and
smiled; though, after the parting had taken place, she would doubtless
sob her heart out on her mother's breast.
Dogs barked, men called, horses neighed, and women chattered. It had
indeed been a long time since the new settlement on the river had
witnessed such excitement. Each of the men had a horse upon which he
expected to make the long mountain trip. Two of them did not intend to
return again to the Ohio; but the third man had business at the coast,
and was taking advantage of this favorable opportunity to make the
double trip in good company.
And then, finally, came the moment when, for the last time, David
Armstrong took his wife and children into his strong arms, to give
them a hug and a farewell kiss.
Tears fell in showers from the blue eyes of Kate; and even many of
the women could not refrain from weeping, affected by the scene;
but, through it all, gentle Mrs. Armstrong maintained her sweet and
encouraging smile, and she looked into the troubled face of her
husband, as she put him from her, with the same brave expression.
But Bob knew only too well how hard it was for her to keep up, and
that, once she could be free from all those curious eyes, the wells of
her sorely-stricken heart would burst out in silent weeping. But no
mortal eyes would witness her sorrow, nor would any of her dear ones be
discouraged by seeing her give way.
Now the four men had mounted. Tied to their saddles were numerous
packages containing things intended for their comfort on the long and
arduous trip. Each carried a blanket wrapped in a roll, and, of course,
a gun, with plenty of powder in the horn, as well as bullets in the
pouch that hung suspended from their shoulders, as was the custom.
One last look at his little family, and then, as the word was given,
David Armstrong dug his heels into the sides of his horse, to follow
after his comrades of the trail.
A cheer burst forth from the assembled settlers. Then some one started
a hymn, one of those old-time tunes which had ever been a source of
comfort to the pioneer families when peril threatened. Every person,
old and young, chimed in; and, high above all the rest, the sweet voice
of Mary Armstrong was carried to the ears of the departing adventurers.
Once Mr. Armstrong turned in the saddle. This was just before a twist
in the trail would hide him from the view of those whom he had left
behind. Raising his hat he waved it in the air once, twice, thrice.
Then the trees swallowed the figures of horse and rider from view. He
was gone!
Bob heaved a long sigh, but valiantly repressed the tears that tried to
dim his sight. He felt that he must more than ever show himself a man,
now that his father depended so on him to look after his little flock
during his absence; and it was surely not manly to cry.
Sandy had no such compunctions, however, though he managed to hide his
own emotion in trying to comfort poor little Kate.
The bitterness would soon wear away with these younger members of the
family, for they had the abounding spirits of youth and good health to
carry them through; but many times would that good wife sit by herself,
engaged in her duties, and tears dim her eyes as her thoughts went out
to the absent husband and father.
Well did she know the nature of the deadly perils that beset that path
back to the fertile fields of Virginia; how wild beasts lurked in
thicket and forest, ready to spring upon unsuspecting travellers; and
still more savage Indians laid ambuscades and traps, in which to catch
their hated paleface foes.
In a day or two things had settled down again at the Armstrong cabin.
Bob and Sandy took up their duties manfully. The mother might well
feel proud of having two such boys upon whom to lean in her necessity.
They were determined to keep the family larder plentifully supplied
with fresh meat; and at the same time increase the store of pelts that
sooner or later would prove so fine a harvest, when they could get them
to a market.