Chapter
3

Isaac, I think you’re making a mistake.” Adam Browning watched his brother closely. They sat together at the table in the mission house. “Bringing a city girl here to help is going to be more trouble than it’s worth.”

“Mercy is hardly a city girl. She endured the Oregon Trail and a great deal more. It’s true I haven’t seen her since we left Oregon City, but I’m sure she’s capable.”

Adam ran his fingers through his coal-black hair. “But what if she isn’t? What if she’s all lace and frills? We don’t need that here. None of us have time to watch over her. Besides that, I can’t imagine many white women living comfortably in the midst of the native people. She might come here with all sorts of prejudices and cause our hard work to be completely upended.”

Isaac looked at him with an amused smile. “You sound mighty worried about this.”

“I am. Bringing this woman here is bound to spell trouble. She’ll be more work for all of us.”

“Look, I prayed this through. Eletta needs someone to help her until the baby is born.”

“But the Tututni women are happy to help. The tribe has been good to Eletta—to all of us.”

“Yes, but Eletta knows Mercy and her sisters, and it would give her added comfort. Maybe when you have a wife of your own, you’ll understand.”

Adam frowned and turned his focus back to the slate boards he was cleaning. “I just hope she won’t prove to be silly and scared of her own shadow.”

Isaac laughed. “I’ve never known any of the Flanagan sisters to be frightened of much, nor were they fussy or ridiculous. Although the middle one, Hope, was flirty and a bit silly when she was young.”

Adam shook his head. “We especially don’t need flirty.”

This made Isaac laugh even harder. “Who would she flirt with? You? Maybe that’s what’s got you all bothered about having her here.”

“I’m not worried about her flirting with me. I just don’t want to be surrounded by silly women. You know as well as I do that this is a hard life.” Adam stood and put the stack of slate boards away. “If she comes here only to find life too difficult, then she’ll fuss and fret until you take her back to her people. We haven’t got time for that.”

Isaac sobered and pulled on his coat. “I appreciate your concern, Adam, but I assure you that Mercy Flanagan won’t fuss and fret. Besides, we don’t even know if she’ll be able to come. By now she could have gone and gotten herself married. News travels slow around here.” He opened the door. “I’ll be gone for at least two weeks. I know you understand what’s needed while I’m away, but I want to show you a couple of projects we need to address before the cold sets in.”

Adam nodded and took up his own coat. “I know there’s plenty to tend to.”

Isaac was talking about the tasks they would need to accomplish, but Adam’s mind was on the young woman who might join them soon. He didn’t know why the idea struck him as such a bad one. Usually he trusted his older brother’s decision making, but this time Adam couldn’t help but feel concerned. Life at the mission was a hard but good life if you didn’t mind its more primitive setting. Even he had found adjusting to the isolation a little difficult. Coming from back east, where towns were plentiful and well supplied, life on the Rogue River had been a rude awakening. Here, no matter what you needed, you had to make, grow, or find it for yourself. Supplies could be had, of course, but they had to be ordered well in advance and then picked up downriver on the coast. He couldn’t imagine most women being content without stores and conveniences to make their lives easier. Mercy Flanagan would find her work cut out for her here, and Adam hated to think of what would happen if she proved to be too weak or ill-tempered to be useful.

He sighed and shook his head. He just had a feeling that this Flanagan woman was going to cause a great deal of upheaval. As far as he was concerned, she already had, and she hadn’t even arrived.

Mercy hadn’t known what to expect of Port Orford. As the only main port between Astoria and San Francisco, she had imagined it to be larger than most coastal towns. Instead she found a series of docks and a small number of buildings that constituted the “town.” Beyond this were numerous houses and tents, but overall the place was rather disappointing . . . and very dirty.

But it’s better than being on the ship.

The weather had turned stormy, and their last day at sea had left her feeling queasy. Thankfully the seas had calmed and the winds died down just long enough for them to make their destination, but already the weather was worsening, with a cold steady rain soaking them to the skin.

“Looks like the customs office is this way,” Alex said, raising his voice as the wind began to blow.

Mercy nodded and bent her head toward the ground. She kept her eyes on the back of Alex’s boots to avoid rain blowing in her face. The building was close to the dock as expected, but not near enough that they could avoid being soaked clear through by the time they reached it. Mercy was thankful for the refuge and was even more grateful when the man in charge led her to the stove so she could warm up and dry out.

“We’re looking for Isaac Browning,” she heard Alex tell the customs agent as she held her wet gloved hands toward the stove.

“He’s been here several times today,” the man replied. “I expect him back almost anytime.” He paused and pointed out the window. “In fact, here he comes now.”

Isaac was just as Mercy remembered him, albeit a little older. He was tall and muscular with broad shoulders, but it was his kind face that she remembered most. His was a gentle, welcoming expression that had always made her feel at ease. She smiled when he came to greet her.

“I’m so glad you’ve come,” he said. “I heard from some of the volunteer militia that the ship was due in. I’m surprised you made such good time, what with the storm.”

“I think it actually got us here faster,” Alex said with a smile. He shook the water off his hat. “It was a rough passage this past twenty-four hours, and we weren’t even sure we could make it into port.”

“Well, you’re on solid ground now. I was going to arrange for my people to canoe us to Ellensburg, but the seas have been rough for weeks.”

Mercy was intrigued. “You have canoes capable of ocean travel?”

“Indeed, Miss Mercy. Long canoes created exactly for that purpose.” Isaac paused and shook his head. “Goodness, but just look at you all grown up. You were just a little girl when I saw you last.”

“It has been several years.” Mercy felt chilled to the bone, and the stove was doing little to warm her up.

“We’d best get out of here. No sense drying out only to get drenched again.” Isaac went to the door where the customs agent was speaking to one of the dock workers. “Would you please have their things delivered to the Hulls’ right away?”

Both men confirmed this request, and Isaac led Mercy and Alex out into the rain.

“We have a regular army fort, of sorts,” Isaac told them, pointing across the small group of buildings. “The Third Artillery are here to keep peace. There’s also some Dragoons stationed here, and of course the civilian militia. Every miner who failed to strike it rich has joined up. Big money has been promised to any white man willing to slaughter Indians. Apparently the government is paying for murder now.”

“What of the danger, Isaac?” Alex asked.

He shrugged. “The entire territory is in danger of attack. Nothing new about that, as you well know. If you’re asking about the dangers for Mercy, I’d say they’re minimal. Our people are loyal to us. It’s not like things were at the Whitman Mission.”

“That was exactly my concern,” Alex said, sounding worried.

Isaac continued. “We’ve been here long enough to prove to them our support and truthfulness. I have no concern there. Some of the other area tribes are questionable, as they’re known to war amongst themselves, but given the pressure put on them by the government, many have fled deeper into the mountains.”

“You said other tribes.” Mercy held the brim of her bonnet as the wind picked up. “I thought they were all Rogue River Indians.”

“That’s just a name given them by the whites. They call them Rogues or even Rascals. In truth, there are several tribes represented in the group called the Rogue River Indians. There are Shasta, Tututni, Takelma, Coquille, and Tolowa just to name a few, and within those tribes are subsets. The government finds it easier to just call them all Rogues.”

“And what of your people?” Mercy lost her footing in the mud, but Alex righted her before she could fall. She smiled her thanks, and Alex gave a nod and smile in return. Isaac didn’t seem to notice that anything was amiss and continued talking.

“Our people are the Tututni, with a few women from other tribes having married into their number. They treat us with great affection. Of course, that didn’t come about overnight.”

Alex looked skeptical. “Still, there’s a lot of fighting going on, the way we’ve heard it.”

“There is, but the reason I don’t think Mercy will be in much danger is twofold. One, the worst attacks and killings are being done by the whites. No white man is going to harm a white woman, even in a mission setting where she’s working with the Indians. And second, the area soldiers and militia know our people are peaceful, so there’s no need for attack. Even with the tribal roundup, the officials have allowed our people to stay put. Eventually they’ll force them to go north to the reservation as well, but for now they’re leaving us alone.

“Not only that, but the really bad fighting is taking place on the other side of the mountains. That’s where the army really started the roundup. There’s a reservation there called Table Rock, but as I understand it, there’s been nothing but difficulty in keeping the peace. Even so, the army makes regular treks upriver and throughout our area. So I’m not overly concerned about our safety.”

Mercy took in this information and considered the days to come. Having overheard more than one conversation on the ship, she knew that the government leaders were set on containing the Indians so the whites could spread out and take over the land wherever they pleased.

“What about getting back to your mission?” Alex asked, bringing Mercy’s attention back to the conversation. “Aren’t the dangers increased if you travel by land?”

“I’ve arranged for us to go south with the army. We’ll travel under heavy protection and large numbers, so I doubt there will be any danger. Alex, honestly, I wouldn’t have agreed for Mercy to come had I thought there would be any real threat to her well-being. The government claims to have this situation all but wrapped up. They tell us that by spring, all of the tribes will be en route north. Eletta and I plan to go north as well. We intend to minister on the reservation. We can bring Mercy with us and arrange to get her home from there.”

Alex looked around the tiny town. “I don’t suppose there’s a decent hotel here.”

Isaac smiled for the first time. “I have something better. Friends who own a store and live on the backside of it. They have a couple cozy rooms over the store they’ve set up for guests. Seems someone is always coming or going and needs a room. If you’ll follow me, I’ll introduce you.”

Sadie and Ephraim Hull were a generous and lively couple in their fifties. They welcomed Mercy and Alex as if they were long-lost relatives and treated them with great affection. Sadie’s first order of business was to get Mercy dry and warm, and for that reason if nothing else, Mercy adored her. Now, an hour after their arrival, Sadie satisfied Mercy’s remaining need by feeding them a hearty supper.

“Child, you need to eat more than the small bit you took,” Sadie said, ladling more stew into Mercy’s bowl.

“I’ve had so much already, but it is delicious.” Mercy picked up her spoon again as Sadie turned her attention to Alex.

Alex made no protest at being given more food. “This is the best I’ve had since starting this trip,” he told Sadie.

She laughed and gave him a wink. “Don’t you go sweet-talking me. There’s no need. I’ll continue to put food on the table until you’ve had your fill, whether you praise it or not.”

“It’s her way,” Ephraim said, as if anyone needed an explanation.

Sadie reclaimed her seat. “Any friend of Isaac’s is a friend of ours.”

Mercy appreciated the kindness more than she could say, but she was so tired, and the bed that awaited her upstairs was all she could think of.

“How’s that brother of yours?” Sadie asked Isaac.

“Adam is doing well. He’s taken to life at the mission as if he were born to it.” Isaac turned to Alex and Mercy. In this setting, he was much more relaxed and lighthearted. “My younger brother Adam joined me a year ago last May. He felt God’s calling to preach the gospel to the various Indian tribes here.”

Mercy nodded. “Eletta said that in one of her letters earlier this year.”

“He’s been a tremendous help. There are often times when I must leave the mission, trips like this one either to retrieve supplies . . . or people.” He smiled and continued. “I feel confident leaving Adam with Eletta and Faith. He, however, often travels into the surrounding areas to preach to some of the other tribes.”

“What happens if you both need to be gone from the mission at the same time?” Alex asked.

Isaac took a drink of the hot coffee Sadie had served before answering. “I have had to leave the girls there alone, but the Tututni provided safety and assistance in every way. I’m not afraid to leave Eletta and Faith there when it’s absolutely necessary.”

“That truly speaks to your confidence in the natives there,” Alex said. “I can’t imagine you leaving them if there was a threat.”

“Indeed no.” Isaac turned back to Sadie, smiling. “Adam sends his love and a request for your sourdough bread. And he said if you were feeling particularly generous, he’d love some of your shortbread as well.”

The older woman chuckled. “I guess I’d best get to baking.”

“The army won’t be ready to leave for several days,” Isaac reminded her, “so I think you’ll have plenty of time.”

“I’d love to help you.” Mercy wasn’t sure if Sadie would welcome her offer or not, but she felt compelled to make it all the same. “This sourdough bread was delicious, and I’ve never made shortbread. I’d love to learn your recipe.”

“Your help and company would be much appreciated. Adam can eat his weight in shortbread,” Sadie replied. “We’ll get started on it in the morning.”

“Tell me more about this brother of yours,” Alex said to Isaac, finishing off the contents in his bowl. He picked up a piece of Sadie’s sourdough bread and sopped up the remaining broth.

“He’s grown up to be quite a credit to our family. He graduated from Harvard after studying theology and European history. After that, he returned to our native Georgia, where he immediately went to work with a longtime friend of the family.”

“Doing what?” Alex asked.

“Preaching. He has a definite passion to see the lost brought to salvation,” Isaac replied. “Adam’s brilliant, much smarter than I ever was. He earned top marks in all of his classes and memorized a large portion of Scripture. Not only that, he has a way of speaking and teaching that draws folks to him. His love of the Word is evident in all of his sermons.”

Mercy covered a yawn, then asked, “Is he your only sibling?”

“No. We have two sisters between us. Adam and I are bookends, our mother used to say. Our sisters are married with children of their own. They both still live in Georgia.” He shook his head. “I haven’t seen them in nearly ten years.”

“And your folks?” Alex asked, pushing back his bowl.

“Both are gone now.”

Fighting another yawn, Mercy bowed her head. She didn’t want to be rude, but if she didn’t excuse herself soon, she was going to fall asleep at the table.

“I think our young gal here needs a bed more than a piece of pie,” Sadie declared. “Am I right?”

Mercy looked up and nodded. “I do apologize. I didn’t sleep much last night, what with the storm. However, I don’t want to leave you to clean up by yourself.”

“Nonsense.” Sadie got up from the table. “You come along with me. I’ll show you the washroom and where the privy is. You have a basin in your room if the need arises in the night.”

Following on feet that felt leaden, Mercy bid the others good night. Sadie rambled on about the house, but none of it made a bit of sense to Mercy. After a few minutes, Sadie seemed to realize this and just smiled.

She picked up a lighted candle in a decorative tin from a small table in the hall and handed it to Mercy. “Get on upstairs with you, and don’t you worry about waking up any too soon. There will no doubt be plenty of ruckus going on in the store, which is right under your room, but we won’t open until seven, so you should have plenty of time to get your sleep out.”

“Thank you so much. I appreciate all that you’ve done.”

“Pshaw! Ain’t nothin’ to it. Just doing what the Lord would have us do. Feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty.”

Mercy smiled. “And a bed to the exhausted.”

A week later, Alex prepared to board The Calliope and return to Oregon City. The weather had been bad enough to keep everyone under cover, but now that the worst seemed to have passed, everyone was eager to get on with their business. With the sun warming the air and drying out the ground, the army too was anxious to be on the move.

Mercy hated to admit it, but Alex’s plan to return home made her uncomfortable. She knew he longed to be with Grace and the children, and to get back to his work at the lumber mill. No doubt Uncle Edward missed his help. Still, it was hard to see him go. Sadie and Ephraim had been wonderful company, and Isaac was always kind and considerate of her needs, but Alex was her last connection to her sisters. At no time in her life had Mercy been separated from both of them as she was now.

She didn’t want to worry Alex. He’d been so good to come this far with her. She would just have to be strong. Tears threatened, but she was determined not to cry. “Don’t forget to give Hope and Grace their letters from me.”

Alex patted his pocket. “I have them right here, along with the shortbread you made.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Tell them I’ll be home in the spring.”

He smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. “You’re going to be just fine. I might have had questions coming down here, but I’ve been praying about it, and God’s given me peace. I think you’re going to be amazed at what He shows you here.”

“I’m sure you’re right. Oh, I nearly forgot.” Mercy reached into her pocket. “This letter is for Beth. I tried to write her some words of encouragement. I’d like you to read it, Alex. If you think it the wrong advice, then just discard it. Otherwise, I’d appreciate it if you could deliver it to her.”

“I will.” He reached into his coat and put the letter with the others. He gave Mercy a smile. “Don’t look so forlorn. God’s got you right where He wants you.”

“Looks like they’re ready for you to come aboard, Alex,” Isaac announced, coming to join them. “Tell your wife and sister-in-law that Mercy is in good hands. Between me and Adam, she’ll be well cared for.”

Alex and Isaac shook hands, then embraced almost as an afterthought. “Mercy’s not nearly the trouble her sisters are,” Alex declared. He threw her a teasing smile. “She’s the calmest of the three Flanagan sisters.”

Isaac actually laughed. “I know it well. Thanks again for all the supplies you brought down. Adam will be glad for the McGuffey Readers, and Eletta will cherish the flannel.”

“We’re glad to help.” Alex turned back to Mercy to embrace her. “I love you, little sister. You’ll be in my prayers.”

Mercy stood nodding as he let her go. She knew Alex was right. She was where she needed to be—where God wanted her. Now if she could just get on with the job of caring for Eletta and Faith, Mercy knew she’d finally feel settled.