Mac wasn’t sure how to get the boy talking. A few minutes later, he said, “You have a new brother. His name is Andrew. Born on your birthday. We named him after my father.”
Will glanced at him, eyebrows raised.
“He came early,” Mac added.
Will stopped abruptly. “Is Mama all right?”
Mac was glad Will cared about Jenny. “She’s fine. So is the baby.” Then he tried again. “My father died in September.”
Will resumed walking. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said in a stilted tone.
Mac sighed. “We’d been estranged for many years. Ever since I left home in forty-seven. My father was a hard man to please. I never wanted to be that kind of father.”
“You haven’t been.” Will’s response lifted Mac’s heart.
“I don’t feel I’ve done well by you, son.” Will winced as Mac called him “son.” So the boy still hadn’t come to terms with his paternity. Mac tried again to reach him. “Your mother has missed you. So have I.”
Will nodded.
Mac patted his pocket. “I have a letter for you from Cal.” He handed it to Will.
Will read it aloud, “‘Dear Will, I’m sorry I said I hated you. I don’t. I didn’t mean to make you leave. Please come home with Pa. Your brother, Cal.’” He gave a short laugh. “I didn’t leave because of Cal.”
“I know,” Mac said. “You had a lot more on your mind than a brothers’ squabble.” He sighed, wishing Will’s stiffness with him could be settled as easily as the dispute between the two boys. “You will come home with me, won’t you?”
Will shrugged. “Well, I don’t want to stay with the militia.”
Chapter 58: Authorities Clash
Mac had more to do before taking Will home to Jenny. He and Daniel spent the afternoon purchasing food and supplies at the fort. They had their horses and mule examined by the stable master and made sure the boys’ horses were also inspected.
That evening, Mac found Joel drinking with other mule packers and called him aside. “What were you thinking, taking those boys on the expedition?” Mac demanded.
Joel eyed him. “I already discussed this with Daniel.”
“Well, you’re discussing it again with me.”
“I signed on as a packer afore the boys arrived. I couldn’t back out, not and keep my good name in these parts. The militia needed more packers, and Jonah and Will were eager to go along.”
“Why didn’t you send the boys home? Or send me a telegram—there’s a direct line through Oregon now? Or at least have Will and Jonah write home before they left?”
Joel shrugged. “They’s old enough to make their own decisions. As old as I was when we set out for Oregon. I did a man’s job then. I figured they could do the same.”
“What’s your plan now? Are you coming north with us?”
Joel stared at the darkening sky. “Told Daniel I’m staying put here.”
“Will said you’d told him you were returning to Oregon City.”
“Changed my mind.”
“Why?” Mac asked.
“Bein’ with family makes me feel trapped. Like I can’t get any air. I need open space. I need to be able to move on.”
“This expedition kept you trapped, doing what the Army required.”
“I’ve had enough of that, too. Think I’ll go prospectin’.”
“What do we tell your family—Esther, Zeke, and the others?”
“I’ll visit ’em sometime. Maybe next spring.”
Before he left Klamath, Mac also wanted a word with Lt. Col. Drew. The morning after the expedition returned, he sought the officer out in his quarters. “Might I have a moment, Colonel?”
Drew looked up from paperwork, then stood and held out his hand. “You’re Caleb McDougall, William’s father?”
“I am.” Mac shook his hand, then sat when Drew gestured to a chair across from him. “I’m here to inquire why you took two underage boys with you on a military expedition.”
“They told Captain Kelly they were eighteen.”
Mac raised his eyebrows. “And you took them at their word? Did Joel Pershing confirm his younger brother’s age?”
“I always take my men at their word until they give me reason not to.” Drew took two cigars out of a drawer and offered one to Mac.
