“Indians,” Joel said simply. “It’s safer to stay in groups. We only got one cavalry squad to protect us.” He turned and caught each boy’s eye. “You listen to me on this. Don’t go off on your own, you hear?”

Will and Jonah nodded.

They arrived at Jacksonville again on Friday, June 17. After they unloaded their supplies, Sergeant Geisy announced an extra day in town. “Rather than leave on the Sabbath,” he told the packers, “we’ll wait until Monday. Supplies don’t need to move so fast you can’t have a restful Saturday night.” He flashed a wicked grin.

“Joel,” Jonah said, “will you take us to the saloon? You promised.”

Joel nodded. “You’ve earned it. But if the barkeep throws you out, I ain’t leavin’ with you.”

“They won’t throw us out if we’re with the cavalry and packers,” Jonah scoffed. “We ain’t that young.”

Jonah was right. No one looked twice at Will and Jonah when they entered the bar and ordered their whiskey. Will sipped his slowly, shuddering as it burned his gut. Jonah started slowly as well, but soon ordered a second.

When Jonah finished his second drink, Joel cuffed him on the side of the head. “You two young’uns better head to camp,” he told his younger brother and Will. “You’ve had enough.”

“What about you?” Jonah challenged.

“I’m used to drinkin.’ I’ll be back soon enough.” But Will saw Joel wink at a scantily clad woman across the room.

“You gonna spend time with that whore?” Jonah asked.

“Esther’d have my hide for sure if I taught you more bad habits,” Joel replied.

Will swallowed hard as he stared. The woman’s breasts were almost fully bared. He wondered if Maria’s mother had dressed similarly. Then he and Jonah ambled out the door and back to their campsite. He didn’t hear Joel return, but the older Pershing spent most of Sunday sleeping and lollygagging around camp.

And so the days passed. The supply train hauled cargo back and forth from Jacksonville to Klamath. Will learned to predict most of his mules’ wiles and counter them. He grew easier in the rough mountain terrain. He even enjoyed the days outside as the weather warmed and the snow melted—though snow remained on the mountaintops of the Cascades the entire time.

Pay from hauling freight on two mules wouldn’t make him wealthy, but it was enough to feel he was earning a man’s wage, an honest living. Jonah spouted about how he’d never go back to farming, but Will had already decided the life of a packer was not for him—he had to fulfill his obligation on the expedition, but then he would leave.

But what then? Would he work outside or mostly in an office like Mac? Even Mac enjoyed spending time outside. A man in the West needed to be comfortable in the fresh air, and Will was a man of the West.

June 21, 1864. Heading to Klamath. I wonder if the reconnaissance expedition will be harder than these back-and-forth treks to Jacksonville. How will I adapt when we move into uncharted wilderness? Surely, if Mama and Mac could handle the Oregon Trail, I can manage in the militia.

Chapter 31: Abercrombie Interferes

On Sunday, June 19, Mac took his family to church. After the service, Daniel approached Mac. “Esther had a baby girl Thursday. Esther’n the baby are doin’ well, but we ain’t settled on a name yet. I can go to Eugene soon, if you still wanna go.”

“What if we leave Tuesday?” Mac suggested. “On the steamboat. We might need to stay a few days if we learn where the boys went after Eugene. But if not, we could return on Wednesday.”

Daniel agreed.

But Monday morning as Mac dealt with his pending correspondence in his office, Milton Elliott, an attorney with an office down the street, walked in. “Morning, McDougall,” Elliott said. “Do you still represent Ezekiel Pershing? You’ve handled legal matters for him in the past.”

Mac stood and shook the lawyer’s hand. “Does Zeke need representing?” he asked.

“He will,” Elliott said. “I’m filing a lawsuit this morning on behalf of Samuel Abercrombie. I’ve brought you a copy.”

Mac swore as he took the proffered papers. “What does Abercrombie allege?”

“That Mr. Pershing has reduced Mr. Abercrombie’s water rights.” Elliott gestured at the papers. “Apparently, the two men have a dispute over a creek channel.”

“Did you try talking to Pershing?” Mac asked as he skimmed the document. It dealt with the shift in the waterway from its former location. “I’ve spoken to them both. I thought they’d resolved their differences.”

“Not to Mr. Abercrombie’s satisfaction,” the attorney said. “Good day.” He tipped his hat and left.

Mac put aside his correspondence and went home to saddle Valiente. He would have to talk to Zeke. He wondered whether he and Daniel could leave town tomorrow if he had to deal with this lawsuit—assuming Zeke wanted Mac to represent him. Still, Mac thought he was the best person to try to settle the dispute between Abercrombie and Zeke—he’d known them both for more than fifteen years.

He rode first to Zeke’s claim and found him tilling corn fields. “Damn weeds,” Zeke said, wiping his brow against the heat of the day. “Can’t stay ahead of ’em.”

“Here’s something else to get ahead of,” Mac said, handing Zeke the legal papers. “Abercrombie is suing you.”

“Again?” Abercrombie had sued Zeke years ago over another land dispute. That had been resolved in Zeke’s favor, and Abercrombie still bore a grudge. “We whupped him last time.”

“I don’t see how he wins this case either,” Mac said. “But we need to respond in court. Unless we can get him to drop the matter.”

Zeke snorted. “Abercrombie drop a lawsuit? That’ll be the day.”

“I’m going to visit him next. Find out what he says.”

“Ain’t you leavin’ town tomorrow? You’n Daniel?” Zeke asked.

“I’d planned to. But maybe we should delay. I don’t like leaving you to deal with Samuel while I’m traveling with his son. It’s been so long since the boys left that a week’s delay probably won’t make any difference.”

“I hate to see you lose a chance to find Jonah and Will,” Zeke said. “That old bastard Samuel probably filed the case now just to spite us.”

“If so, he’s succeeding,” Mac said.

He then rode to Daniel’s claim and found Daniel and his father both working there. By now, the hottest hour of the afternoon bore down on them all. Mac was increasingly irritated at Samuel’s fractiousness. “Fancy finding you both,” he began. “What’s the purpose of your lawsuit against Zeke?” he asked the elder Abercrombie.

“Ask my lawyer,” Samuel responded, leaning on his hoe. “He said it’s the only way to settle the matter once and for all.”

“What matter?” Daniel asked, looking bewildered.

“Your father sued Zeke,” Mac snapped. “Because the creek channel shifted.”

Daniel frowned. “But Zeke said you could have the water, Pa.”

“Zeke’s word don’t make it so,” Samuel said. “I want it written down.”