Michael spent a miserable week in the stockade. Cooper had been by twice to torment him with the threat of court martial and hanging. As soon as they sobered up, his two companions were released, leaving him alone to worry about his fate. They had smelled, it was true, but at least they had been some sort of distraction.
He went over and over the events of the race day and each time came to the same conclusion: he could have done nothing differently. It was wrong to fire on women and children even in wartime. And they were not at war. Or had not been then, he thought bitterly. Cooper’s order had been a criminal one and he was right not to have followed it. But, sweet Savior, he didn’t want to hang for his righteousness.
He wondered how many had been killed and if Antonio and his wife had gotten away.
He was a soldier. He had killed men before, because they were trying to kill him. He had admired the fierce warriors of the plains. But he had never come to know any of them as well as he had come to know Antonio and Serena.
If they didn’t hang him, if they only gave him a dishonorable discharge, maybe it would be all to the good. He was getting tired of watching proud and independent people reduced to beggars. It was going to happen here, with him or without him, of course. That was what he had always told himself. And it was true. One man couldn’t hold back the greed of many. But if they threw him out, he might just welcome it.
* * * *
He was summoned to the colonel’s headquarters the afternoon of the colonel’s return. Michael, who had always been so careful of his appearance, looked like a drunken private after a week without shaving and bathing. He brushed his uniform off as best he could and rubbed the toe of his boots on the back of his legs in a useless attempt to shine them.
When he was led into headquarters he saw that both Major Wheeler and Mr. Cooper were there. Día, wasn’t he just living up to the lieutenant’s opinion of him as a dirty mick, he thought with an inward groan, knowing he smelled as bad as he looked. But he stood at attention as proudly as though he were in his best uniform.
“At ease, Master Sergeant Burke,” said the colonel. “I have just heard of the events of last Sunday from several sources and I wanted to hear your account.”
“Begging your pardon, Colonel,” said Lieutenant Cooper, “but the account of a traitor will hardly be helpful.”
“Begging your pardon, Mr. Cooper, but before I make any decisions about your recommendation for court martial, I wish to hear all sides. Sergeant Burke?”
“Well, sir…. I only know bits and pieces, ye see. It all happened so quickly. Em, I was watching the race between Manuelito and Mr. Cooper. We all were, of course, because the betting had been so heavy.”
“Did you place a bet, Sergeant?”
“Em, yes, sir.”
“On whom?”
“On Manuelito, sir.”
The colonel had a hard time keeping a straight face, and he had to raise his hand to silence the major, who had immediately burst out with “You see, sir, a traitor.”
“It is hardly treason to bet on what you think is the winning horse, Major Wheeler,” Colonel Gray said dryly. “Go on, Sergeant Burke.”
“Em…well…we all saw that the lieutenant and Manuelito were in front when all of a sudden, and ye couldn’t tell why, ye understand, sir, Manuelito seemed to lose control of his horse.”
“Yes?”
“The lieutenant came in first, of course. And when Manuelito finally got in, well, we could see that his rein had been cut.”
“And how did you know that, Sergeant.”
“I was close enough to see that it was a fairly new bridle, sir. And it wasn’t frayed, but sliced cleanly.”
“Then what?”
“The judges, they gave the race to the lieutenant, even though the Navajo protested. They only wanted a rematch, sir, not to be given the race by default.”
“The race was won fairly by Mr. Cooper, sir,” the major interjected. “The other judges and I were convinced a rematch would have caused a riot, for our soldiers had bet so heavily.”
“Was the rein cut, Major?”
“It would seem to be a possibility, sir.”
“Mr. Cooper.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you have anything to do with Manuelito’s rein being cut?”
Cooper turned red, then white. His voice was shaking as he tried to answer calmly. “Sir, I give you my word as an officer and a gentleman that I had nothing to do with such a disgraceful act.”
Michael believed him. Much as he disliked the man, he knew that Cooper’s pride would have kept him from such an act.
“I apologize, Mr. Cooper,” said the colonel, “but I had to ask. Who do you guess to be responsible?”
“All of the men bet heavily on me, sir. Manuelito’s horse was rumored to be very fast. Probably one of the enlisted men wanted to ensure his wager.”
The colonel turned back to Michael. “Please go on, Sergeant.”
“Em, the soldiers had hoisted Mr. Cooper on their shoulders, sir, and were going into the fort and closing the gate behind them, Some Navajo tried to follow and was shot.”
“Was the man armed?”
“I don’t know, sir. The doors opened again and the women and children were being fired upon. It was then Captain Taggert ordered me into the stockade.”
“And I ordered you to get the howitzers,” Cooper interjected. “Following the major’s orders, you understand, Colonel,” Cooper added obsequiously.
“And I got the howitzers. Me and Private Elwell,” continued Michael. “It was when I was ordered to open fire that I refused, sir.”
“And why did you refuse to obey a direct order, Sergeant?”
“Sir,” protested the major, “what difference does it make why. He has admitted his refusal. He should be court-martialed.”
“He should be hanged,” added Cooper.
“Lieutenant!” barked the colonel.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“I did disobey a direct order, sir. It seemed a criminal order, sir, to fire on men, women, and children who were not firing on us.”
“Yes, Sergeant. Major Wheeler, why did you order the howitzers brought out?”
“Why? I think it would be obvious, sir. To subdue the hostiles.”
“But they hadn’t been hostiles until one of your men fired on them. Isn’t that true, Major? It was a peaceful gathering like all the race days have been. Warriors don’t bring their women and children with them if they intend to attack, do they, Major?”
“No, sir…b-but things had progressed in such a way…” stammered the major.
“Progressed! Progressed, sir! Things had deteriorated in such a way that you overreacted. In twenty minutes or less, Major, you managed to destroy the peace we have had these past months. A fragile one, I grant you, but all the more reason to take care of it.” The colonel fell silent for a moment, collecting himself. “But you were, after all, in charge and made the best decision you were capable of. So did Lieutenant Cooper. And so did Master Sergeant Burke.”
Both officers sputtered a protest.
“There will be no court-martial over this, I assure you. It was not an order given in war, but in peacetime.” The colonel turned to Michael. “Nevertheless, it was an order, Sergeant Burke.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I could discharge you, you know.”
“Yes, sir.”
“But I think that would be foolish, don’t you agree, Major? Sergeant Burke is an experienced Indian fighter and we will need all of those we can get, it would seem,” the colonel said bitterly. “However, I am formally reprimanding you, and demoting you from master sergeant to sergeant, Burke.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And reassigning you to Mr. Lanier’s company. Mr. Cooper, you will strip Sergeant Burke of his stripes.”
“With the greatest pleasure, sir,” said Cooper as he ripped them off Michael’s sleeve.
“You are dismissed, Major Wheeler, Mr. Cooper.”
“Yes, sir.” The two men saluted sharply and left red-faced and furious.
“At ease, Sergeant Burke.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Michael with fervent gratitude. “For everything.”
“Don’t thank me, Burke. Thank my wife. And Mrs. Woolcott. They were very observant witnesses and eloquent advocates for you. In this instance, there were extenuating circumstances. I hope you understand that I am not a man who tolerates insubordination.”
“No, sir.”
“I’ve watched you, Burke. You’ve acted very professionally in a difficult situation. I know you worked hard for your master sergeant stripes and I know you are an excellent noncommissioned officer, but there was no choice but to demote you.”
“I understand, sir.”
“You are dismissed, Sergeant Burke.”
Michael saluted and turned sharply on his heels. At least he was walking out a free man. And still a cavalryman. Eight years it took to master sergeant, he thought, and all wiped out in an instant. Well, he would make the best of it. It was better than hanging!
When he got back to his quarters, he stripped for a much-needed bath. It was wonderful to get out of his filthy uniform, but it was very hard, after he was bathed and clean, to rip the stripes off his clean one. When he walked out to report to his new assignment, Private Elwell was on the front steps waiting for him.
“Well, Burke, I see they decided not to hang you,” said Josh jokingly, but with a questioning look in his eyes.
“Thanks be to God,” said Michael with a wry smile. “But I am surprised they didn’t promote you.”
“As a matter of fact, they did,” Elwell admitted sheepishly. “To corporal.”
“And I’m back to sergeant meself. But sure, I’m lucky not to be taking orders from you!”
“It was a lousy order, Michael,” Elwell said vehemently. “I admire you for not obeying it. I wish I had had the courage.”
“I don’t know that it was courage, Josh, or just that I’m a rebellious, bloody-minded mick. And I doubt you’d be admiring me for it if I were to be swinging from a rope. I’d likely be cursing meself for a fool in that case.”
Josh smiled, “Still friends, then?”
“Good friends are hard to find, Josh.” Michael smiled and put out his hand. Elwell took it and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Well, I’m off wood detail, Josh, and out from under Cooper at least. I’ve been assigned to Mr. Lanier’s company.”
“He’s a good officer. Not brilliant, but with a lot of experience in the territory.”
“God spare me brilliance and brilliantine, Josh!” said Michael with a twinkle in his eye.
Elwell laughed. “You’ll like serving under the lieutenant.”
“I’m sure I will,” said Michael, “but believe it or not, I’ll be missing me men and me mules, Josh!”