Army Days

CHAPTER ONE

He was dreaming. Back at the ranch, running through the fields, his mother close behind shouting with joy for him to slow down. If anything, this spurred him on, and he was sprinting; arms and legs pumping, head thrown back, eyes closed, luxuriating in the sheer pleasure of being alive. He didn’t see the fallen tree until he was upon it, and he tripped and fell headfirst into the ground. Rolling over and over, his mother’s concerned voice calling him as he tumbled, Wake up, Cole! Wake up!

Reuben Cole sprang awake and sat up, startled, but instantly alert. The big, cheery face of Sergeant Burnside filled his immediate line of vision. Sergeant Burnside, who had guided him during the enlistment process, helping him to find his way around the camp, smiled broadly. Cole had spent an uncomfortable night on a makeshift camp-bed inside a large tent. Get your things together and I’ll take you over to your barrack room. That’s where you’ll be staying from now on.

The two men marched across the parade ground, the sun nothing more than a smudge in a misty-grey dawn. Already, Cole found himself shivering in his thin, threadbare shirt. Quartermaster will fit you out with extra clothing, said Burnside, giving Cole the once-over. It’ll be blazing hot in a few hours, but these early mornings are chilly, as is the night. You should forever be prepared, soldier.

Stopping abruptly before a long line of nondescript wooden huts, Burnside pointed across to the entrance to one of them. That’s yours. Come on, I’ll take you to meet your companions.

’Morning, gentlemen, said Burnside, and introduced Cole to two rough-looking types lounging on the steps of the first hut. They were dressed in buckskin clothes and slouch hats, guns tied down at their hips.

This here is Alvin Cairns and Augustus Renshaw, said Burnside. They are from Kansas and are the best-damned trackers we have. You stick close to them and learn what you can. You won’t go far wrong that way, Reuben. Believe you me.

That was the last time Burnside ever called him Reuben. From now on, he was Private Cole, foraging scout for Company D of the 10 th United States Infantry Regiment out of Pennsylvania.

Cole snapped to attention and gave a rigid, well-drilled salute. Burnside smiled, casually returned the salute, and strode off.

He must like you, drawled Cairns, cutting off a hunk of chewing tobacco from a pouch he kept at his waist. Ain’t ever seen him look so cheerful. Ain’t that right, Augustus?

Sure is.

Get yourself some food young fella. Load your guns, and make sure you have plenty of water. Maybe a coat or something to keep you warm. We is going for a ride.

Wait a minute, said Cole, quickly. Going for a ride? Where to?

You’ll see soon enough.

But, I’ve only just got here. I need time to get to know everything and everyone. Besides, we can’t just ride out of here without telling anyone!

You think we is idiots, squirt?

Yeah, piped up Renshaw, is that it? You think us is idiots?

I never said that, protested Cole, looking from one snarling face to another. I’m just making sure, that’s all.

Making sure? Cairns laughed, a grating, mocking sound. Who do you think you are, squirt?

Yeah, who do you think you are?

Cole was about to say something, bring up the obvious point that Augustus Renshaw, his big, lanky frame towering over him, was nothing but an echo of his associate Cairns, when he decided against such an action. These men looked and were dangerous. Each sported a brace of Navy Colts and bore a grizzled look. It seemed clear to Cole that these men were seasoned killers, quick to violence. Burnside had hinted that Cairns was a skilful tracker. Renshaw, however, remained something of a mystery. For one thing, he appeared clean, which was rare for any soldier, let alone a scout who spent most of his time out on the plains. Perhaps Cole should ask around the barracks, find out about their reputation, and discover if they were men not to be crossed. Until then, he decided to keep his mouth closed.

Get your stuff from your bunk, squirt, said Cairns. And, in the future, you just do as you’re told. No more questioning my authority.

Cole nodded once, avoiding Cairn’s icy glare. Before he stomped out, the tracker spat out a long line of tobacco juice, which barely missed Cole’s boot. Renshaw giggled.

I didn’t mean nothing by it, said Cole, quietly, thinking it best to offer up some sort of explanation.

Renshaw tilted his head. Just get your stuff.

I wouldn’t want you to think I am – damn it, I’m sorry is what I’m trying to say.

Renshaw’s hand moved in a blur, striking Cole resoundingly across the cheek. Cole reeled to the side, the blow so powerful it felt as if it almost tore his head off.

Don’t cuss, said Renshaw, and left, leaving Cole to clutch at his smarting face, eyes wet with the shock of the assault.

Stepping inside his barrack room, he avoided the questioning stares of his fellow soldiers, most of whom were young recruits like himself.

What happened to you? one young recruit asked, sitting on his bunk adjacent to Cole’s. He was busily polishing his boots, which looked as if they were about to fall apart.

Unconsciously, Cole brushed the back of his hand against his cheek. It felt hot to the touch. Ah, nothin’.

Sergeant Burnside stored your equipment under your bed, said the recruit. He struck out a hand. Name’s Andrew Stamp.

Pleased to meet you, said Cole, relieved to find a friendly face.

Smiling, Cole reached under his bunk and pulled out his bedroll. Inside, wrapped in an oily cloth, was the handgun his father had presented to him on the morning he left the ranch. It was an eighteen-fifty-eight Remington-Beals Army revolver, his father’s pride and joy, and he insisted Reuben take it rather than the bulky Colt Dragoon he’d acquired. I’ll take this old dependable as back-up, he’d told his father.

Now, crouching down, weighing the Remington in his hands, he knew he needed to travel light. He left the Dragoon behind, gathered up his blanket and canteen, and tipped his hat towards Stamp. I’ll be gone for a few days, he said.

Action? You going into action? Damn, that makes me jealous.

Wouldn’t be too anxious about getting into a scrape, interjected another recruit, a powerfully built fellow who strolled over to them. Heard from some other fellas that the army lost a lot of buddies last time they mixed it with the Rebs. Said the safest place to spend any time during a war is in the bunkhouse.

Not sure the colonel would agree, said Stamp, returning to his polishing. Where is it you’re going?

Cole shrugged. Don’t know. My immediate superior has all of that information. I’m just a ‘squirt’, or so he keeps telling me.

Is that Cairns, the tracker? asked the big one.

Yeah. You know him?

I know of him. Saw him take apart two regulars a couple of weeks ago. That man is mean, mean and as hard as nails. I have never seen anyone move and swing punches the way that man did. Laid ‘em both out cold, one of ‘em with a broken jaw. Best just keep your head down and do as he says.

I reckon you’re right, said Cole. He gave them both a parting smile and went out into the sunlight to find the quartermaster’s office and choose himself a coat.

CHAPTER TWO

They did not halt on that first day. Sauntering along, all three with their hat brims pulled down as protection from the unrelenting sun, they finally camped down by a small brook just as evening drifted into night. Underneath some willow oaks, they sat and munched down a selection of corn biscuits and hard-tack. I’ll make coffee in the mornin’, said Renshaw, but nobody was listening. Exhausted from a long day in the saddle, each man settled down and soon the only sound was that of their snoring. I guess I’ll take first watch too, he said and slowly rolled himself a cigarette.

It seemed to Cole he had barely closed his eyes when strong, insistent fingers gripped hold of his collar and shook him awake.

Cole, hissed Renshaw. We got company.

Scrambling to his feet, Cole instinctively reached for his Remington-Beals and whispered, Who? Where?

Yonder, said Renshaw. He was nothing but a dark grey smudge against the darkness of the night, so Cole could not make out his expression. There was no disguising the concern in his voice, however.

Have you roused Cairns?

Cairns has gone.

Gone? Cole grabbed hold of Renshaw’s arm and hauled himself to his feet. What do you mean, gone?

What I say. Told me he was going to relieve himself – his words, not mine. I thought nothing of it at first, but he has been gone too long. Then, I heard horses. A few, I reckon. Maybe six. Smelled ‘em, too. They is Rebs, I reckon.

Augustus, we need to get the hell away from here. We can’t go up against six or more Rebs. They must have already taken out Cairns. We’ll slip away, real quiet-like.

What in the hell are you talkin’ about, you mealy-mouthed coward? I ain’t leaving Cairns behind, no way!

He tore himself free of Cole’s grip and drew his own handgun. You run if you want to, you bastard, but I ain’t going anywhere until I have found Cairns.

I ain’t running anywhere, damn you. What I mean is, we should return to the camp and get more men.

I said no cussin’!

The hand came around again, but this time, Cole was ready. He blocked the blow with his left arm and, with the other, rammed the barrel of his gun under Renshaw’s chin. You try that again and I’ll blow your damned head off.

Renshaw’s eyes flashed white in the gloom. You better mean what you say, squirt, or I’ll be doing the same to you.

Cole felt Renshaw’s gun prod into his midriff. He groaned. I ain’t the pushover you think I am, I promise you that. We’ll settle this afterwards, once we’ve found Cairns.

All right, but settle it we will, I promise you that.

The pressure in his gut eased as Renshaw withdrew. Cole grunted and dropped his gun into its holster. Seeing as you won’t do the sensible thing, let’s try and figure out from which direction them riders is coming, then we’ll flank ‘em and see if we can even up the odds a little.

They quietly slipped off into the dark. Within a couple of dozen paces, Cole had lost Renshaw in the night, his figure blending in amongst the surrounding trees. Kneeling, he squeezed his eyes shut and did his best to better adjust his eyes to the gloom. When he opened them again, he could make out a little more, but not much. The smell of horse sweat and leather, however, was closer than it had been. He made out