Free Woman of Three Worlds by Jeanne Williams Page B

head. “They waylaid the command about half a mile from the deserted stage station. The troopers fought their way to the station and had shelter, but water was six hundred yards away.”
    He pointed at the hills south and east above the spring. “The Apaches had rough stone breastworks built on the crests of both hills. Naturally they could fire down at the soldiers without being in much danger till the two twelve-pounder howitzers were brought to the middle of this wide wash. Shells from them finally drove the Apaches from the fortifications three to four hundred feet above, and the troops drank at the spring and filled their canteens. They settled into the stage station for the night while the commander sent six cavalrymen back to warn the supply wagons and followed with twenty-eight men to escort it through the dangerous pass.”
    â€œThose troopers must have been half dead.”
    â€œA nineteen-hour march, a six-hour fight to reach the station, and then the battle for the spring—yes, the ones who marched back fifteen miles to the wagon train must have been tough fellows.”
    â€œDid they make it through?”
    â€œThey reached the train about two in the morning, rested about three hours, and started for the pass, cavalry in front, with infantry flanking either side. By the time the wagons reached the stage station, some of the animals were dying of thirst.”
    â€œCouldn’t they water at the spring?”
    â€œNo, the Apaches were back at their hilltop fortifications. But Captain Roberts saw that everyone had a good breakfast of bacon and flapjacks. He formed the wagons in a hollow square in the stone corral and gave the teamsters rifles to defend them. The howitzers and skirmishing troops moved up the canyon, and the howitzers soon shelled the Indians out of the breastworks. The cavalry pursued them and the water was won. Men and animals drank, rested, and went on next day to the east, where they were to wait for General Carleton’s main force.”
    â€œNo wonder the general decided a fort was needed at the spring!”
    â€œYes, he established it less than two weeks after the battle.” O’Shea chuckled. “Folks who complain about it now should have been here when it was only thirteen tents to shelter a hundred men. You can bet the first thing the commander did was to get a wall built around those tents. For the first few years the garrison lived in hovels, most of them dug into the hillside, but in 1868 the fort was moved to where it is now and permanent adobes were put up.”
    Brittany glanced at the encircling hills as they rode along the canyon. “I suppose an eastern bride would still have found it raw and frightening.”
    â€œIt was certainly that. Travelers, freighters, mail coaches, and riders were frequently attacked till 1872, when Cochise agreed to peace provided the Chiricahuas were given a reservation in their regular stomping grounds.” The lieutenant shrugged. “Well, the old chief’s buried in a secret place and less than half his people have gone with his sons to San Carlos. I expect we’re in for a warm time from the four hundred or so that Agent Jeffords reckons have escaped.”
    Brittany heard again the shrieking attackers, the screams of dying animals and men. She began to tremble, though they were near enough the post to be perfectly safe. O’Shea must have noticed, for his gauntleted hand reached out to touch hers sympathetically.
    â€œIt’ll get better, Miss Brittany. But you must have wanted to take the first stage home.”
    â€œI don’t have a home.” At his questioning look, she briefly explained.
    â€œThat’s a shame. Doesn’t make me proud of my government.” He gave her a smile that lit up his gray-blue eyes. “I’m selfish enough to be glad you’re here, though. From what you’ve seen of army life, do you think you could stand to marry into