Across the Rio Colorado (33 page)

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Authors: Ralph Compton

BOOK: Across the Rio Colorado
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“Amen,” McQuade said.
“I just want us to be like we were before,” said Mary. “What can we do?”
“Nothing,” McQuade said. “The rest of these people are going to have to see this just as Maggie explained it. It's a personal thing, like salvation, and those who are blind to it will stumble on to Judgment Day. Nothing matters to them except what they want. There's evidence that Monclova's bunch is about to make a move that will affect all of us. Maybe that will pull us all together and remind us of our true purpose for being here.”
McQuade slept little that night, spending some time with the men who had come down the trail with him from St. Louis. To his satisfaction, most of them agreed with him, even the Burkes. The teamsters—most of whose wagons were still loaded—had a request.
“See can we unload these wagons, movin' the goods into the fort,” said Slaughter. “I can live in my wagon as long as I have to, but not with it full to the bows. I slept on the ground all the way from St. Louis.”
“I'll talk to Houston about it,” McQuade said. “It's not an unreasonable request.”
The rest of the teamsters—especially those who had women—expressed their approval of making temporary homes in their wagons by removing their goods into the fort. Before breakfast the next morning, McQuade spoke to Houston.
“By all means, all supplies should be moved into the fort. I regret that your plans for the cabins proved unworkable,
but I believe you're doing the right thing. We must settle this question of independence, making do with our circumstances.”
Summerfield and McLean rode in at noon. Without a word to anyone, they reported to Sam Houston, and within minutes, Houston had called a meeting that included everybody except the men on watch.
“Summerfield and McLean have brought the information I have been expecting,” said Houston. “Monclova and his entire command is traveling downriver, and I suspect they're bound for Matagorda Bay. There is a strong possibility they're meeting an incoming sailing ship from Mexico City, with food, medical supplies, and ammunition. It is our intention, if indeed such a vessel arrives, to confiscate its cargo, once it has been unloaded.”
Thunderous shouts interrupted him, for those assembled were hearing of the bold plan for the first time. Houston held up his hand for silence, and when they quieted, continued.
“As some of you may know, we have men watching Matagorda Bay, and at the first sign of an approaching Mexican sailing ship, they will warn us. We will then have plenty of time to get our own forces into position, for we want the ship to depart before we attack Monclova and seize the cargo.”
“Count me in,” a man shouted.
“Me,” a hundred more shouted, virtually in a single voice.
“I will prepare a list and post it,” said Houston. “There is no hurry. We won't ride out until we receive word a ship has been sighted.”
Men surrounded Houston, and it was a while before McQuade could talk to him.
“I'd like some of my emigrants, including myself, to be part of that attacking force you'll be sending to Matagorda Bay,” McQuade said. “Some of us need to redefine our purpose for being here.”
“I understand the need for that,” said Houston. “I will
choose a hundred of these men from my original force, and fifty from yours. Since you are familiar with your men, I will accept your recommendations.”
“You'll have them,” McQuade said.
Most of McQuade's party had seen him talking to Houston, and guessing his purpose, besieged him with questions. McQuade welcomed their interest, for it seemed the issue that threatened to divide them—the ill-conceived construction of dwellings—had been set aside for this more serious endeavor.
“Houston will take fifty of us as part of the attacking force,” said McQuade, “and I'll be talking to all of you during the next several days. While all of us can't go, this is the start of our becoming involved in this fight for independence.”
McQuade spoke to them for more than an hour, and when he was finished, he found Mary in a much better frame of mind.
“This couldn't have come at a better time,” Mary said. “While I dread the thought of you and the rest of these men attacking Monclova's forces, we all need to feel like we're in some way helping to gain Texas independence and secure our grants.”
“What about those people who were hell-bent on having living quarters?”
“There's still a few,” said Mary. “I'm hoping they'll back off, when they learn the rest of us have given it up.”
“If some of them are so determined, let them go ahead,” McQuade replied. “I'm damn tired of trying to talk sense to people who want none of it. How are the rest of the women feeling about living out of the wagons?”
“Most of them have accepted it,” said Mary, “and we have Maggie to thank for that. Once she saw how we were becoming divided, she set out to change the minds of all the others.”
The news of an impending attack on Monclova's forces had the desired effect on most of the men in McQuade's
party. They gathered, discussing the bold move proposed by Sam Houston, intrigued by the taking of supplies from the Mexicans. The Burkes—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—confronted McQuade with a request.
“We want to be part of that bunch that rides downriver tomorrow,” said Mark. “See that you get us included.”
“I'll see,” McQuade promised. “Before this is done, there'll be plenty of fighting for us all. If you don't go this time, I'll see that you're included the next.”
That satisfied them, and McQuade realized he hadn't seen old Andrew Burke since their arrival at Houston's fort. Choosing fifty men to join Houston's forces required some thought, and it was almost supper time before McQuade presented Houston with a list. But the movement of Monclova's forces toward Matagorda Bay was only the start of a series of events that quickly took on ominous overtones. After supper, the men who had been assigned to watch Matamoros arrived on lathered horses. Houston went to meet them, as they all but fell from their horses, and when they spoke, it was loud enough for all to hear.
“Mex soldiers are ridin' north, along the coast. More'n three hunnert of 'em.”
“My God,” said Houston, “when did they leave Matamoros?”
“Near dawn this mornin',” one of the tired riders said.
Just for a moment, there was a shocked silence, and then all hell broke loose. There were shouts from a hundred men, all demanding to be heard. Somebody drew a pistol and began firing into the air.
“Silence,” Houston shouted.
It took a while to restore order. Joshua Hamilton, Stockton Saunders, and Alonzo Holden conferred with Houston, who then beckoned to McQuade. Apparently there was some disagreement among the four men as to the implications of this new development, and it was to McQuade that Houston directed a question.
“We are at odds as to what we should do, regarding these reinforcements. Have you a suggestion?”
“Yes,” said McQuade. “With Monclova's bunch headed downriver and with all these reinforcements riding along the coast, I think we'd better prepare ourselves to attack a much larger force.”
“I don't see any immediate need for it,” Joshua Hamilton said, “unless a Mexican sailing ship arrives, and I now have my doubts about that.”
“I reckon you have a reason,” said McQuade.
“I do,” Hamilton replied, in a manner that rubbed McQuade the wrong way. “There is no reason to believe that Monclova's forces are riding downriver for any purpose other than a rendezvous with the reinforcements from Matamoros.”
“I still believe there'll be a Mexican ship sailing in with supplies,” said McQuade. “Did you ask these
hombres
that just rode in whether or not these three hundred soldiers have pack mules?”
“Well, no,” Hamilton admitted, “but …”
“There were no pack mules,” said Houston. “I know what Mr. McQuade's getting at, and I quite agree. Santa Anna wouldn't increase Monclova's forces to such an extent, without sending provisions, medical supplies, and ammunition, and what better method than by water?”
“While that may be the case,” Stockton Saunders said, “why are Monclova's forces on their way to the coast? Surely all those men won't be needed to unload a supply ship.”
“Precisely my point,” said Houston. “Santa Anna's no fool. These men are gathering for the purpose of protecting that ship's cargo, to prevent us from successfully accomplishing what we are planning to do.”
“Damn right they are,” McQuade said, “and if the little schoolin' I've had wasn't all for nothing, they'll have us outnumbered.”
“Granted that you're right,” said Alonzo Holden.
“What do you propose? That we mount every man we have, and ride in pursuit?”
“Only a damn fool would even consider that,” McQuade said, his hard eyes boring into Holden's. “We dare not leave our women, the fort, our wagons, and our supplies at the mercy of the Comanches.”
“Well, God be praised,” said Holden, “if you have some magic in your hat, perhaps you will share it with us.”
Dozens of men had crowded close, seeking to learn what would be done to counter this new threat, and McQuade spoke loudly enough for them all to hear.
“We're not going to fight this battle one-on-one. Too many of us will die. I'm going to ask Mr. Houston, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Holden to meet with me in the fort, in private. In addition, I want Riley Creeker, Doctor Puckett, and Will Haymes there. I promise all of you that before we ride out in the morning, each of you will know what I am about to propose. Allow us an hour. Fair enough?”
“Fair enough,” they shouted, a hundred strong.
“Very well,” said Houston. “Let us retire to the fort and begin.”
The eight men made their way into the fort. Houston, Hamilton, Saunders, and Holden took seats on one side of a rough table, while McQuade, Creeker, Puckett, and Haymes seated themselves on the other.
“Begin, Mr. McQuade,” Houston said.
“I propose we increase our force another fifty men,” said McQuade. “Two hundred. The rest will remain here, securing the fort against possible attack by Comanches.”
“I can't agree to that until you explain to my satisfaction how you intend to overcome three hundred and fifty men with a force of two hundred,” Joshua Hamilton said.
“For starters,” said McQuade, struggling to contain his temper, “we won't ride out in direct confrontation. Are you familiar with the term ‘ambush,' Mr. Hamilton?”
“I am,” Hamilton gritted, his ruddy face becoming even more ruddy.
“We won't make our move until the ship's cargo has been completely unloaded and the Mexicans have settled in a permanent camp,” said McQuade. “Fifty of us will then attack the camp, inviting Monclova's bunch to pursue us. We'll lead them into the guns of the rest of our men. All one hundred and fifty of them. Do I have to ride it on to the end of the trail, or do you understand what I'm proposing?”
“I understand perfectly, McQuade,” Hamilton said. “I also understand that you may be sending fifty men to their deaths. Who do you have in mind to lead this suicidal charge?”
“The four of us across the table from you,” said McQuade, “and the others will all be volunteers. We can easily draw that many from our emigrants, if you fear for the safety of your men.”
Hamilton had a difficult time containing himself, but Sam Houston regarded McQuade with what might have been satisfaction. But McQuade wasn't finished, and spoke as though he wasn't in the least put out by Hamilton's obvious anger.
“As I am sure Mr. Houston recalls,” said McQuade, “we have several kegs of black powder and plenty of fuse. This was taken from a band of outlaws, and has nothing to do with the powder for use in our weapons. Tonight, with the help of Creeker, Haymes, and Doc Puckett, I aim to assemble some black-powder bombs. These will be kept handy by the hundred and fifty men waiting in ambush. Throw a few of these, with fifteen-second fuses, and I can promise you Miguel Monclova's bunch will be afoot
pronto.
While we can't cut them all down from ambush, we can be sure that all who escape are without horses. Do any of you have questions?”
“I don't,” said Houston. “Joshua? Stockton? Alonzo?”
Not trusting himself to speak, Joshua Hamilton shook his head.
“I'm satisfied,” Saunders said. “It's a plan that borders on brilliance.”
“It's the least dangerous proposal I've ever heard,” said Holden. “Let's go with it.”
“It's your plan, Mr. McQuade,” Houston said. “I suggest you choose the additional men from within your own ranks, and you are welcome to explain the procedure to all of those who are waiting impatiently outside.”

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