Robert Conroy - 1882 - Custer in Chains

Martin grinned. “And do you know how many people have told me I should have waited another half hour before showing up? Or maybe stopped for lunch and a beer? Custer is not overwhelmingly popular among the military.”

Sarah smiled at the thought. “And after that, my brother says you had a number of postings out west and helped keep the Indians pacified.”

“Let’s just say I tried. Many Indians hate us and don’t want to be pacified. To them this means being confined to those open air prisons called reservations, all the while being swindled by government agents who are supposed to distribute food and clothing to them. I tried to put a halt to that but was singularly unsuccessful. The agents have too many powerful political connections here in Washington. It’s another reason I’m not all that popular here.”

“It sounds like you sympathize with the Indians.”

“I do. They’ve been treated brutally and I hope that the country someday realizes the shame of it. Now please tell me something about yourself.”

They had walked more than a mile so she steered him to a bench in a small park. They could still see the White House from where they were seated.

“I was married at seventeen and widowed at twenty. My parents loved the idea of my getting married. They were afraid I’d become an old maid. My husband wasn’t much taller than me and quite possibly just as skinny.”

“If I may be bold, I don’t think you’re skinny.”

She smiled and flushed. “Thank you. At any rate, Walter was an incredibly hard worker and, shortly after our marriage, his parents died in a train accident and left their businesses to him. He tried hard to run them, but it was overwhelming. I helped him and learned a lot. In fact, I think I ultimately knew a lot more about the world of business than he did. Then one day he simply keeled over at his desk and died. The doctor said it was likely a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Again thank you, but it was five years ago and, while I was fond of him and have warm memories, that part of my life is over. I sold off most of his properties except a house and small farm in Maryland, and formed my own investment company with the proceeds. I buy stocks in companies I think will do well in the future and, so far, I’ve won far more than I’ve lost.”

“I’m impressed,” he said truthfully.

“Sometimes it’s so annoying when I find that some laws do not permit women to do certain things in the world of business, while some men flatly refuse to deal with a woman regardless of the law. Fortunately, I do have a brother and a father who front for me when the occasion arises. Please don’t tell me that you believe women have no brains and should be confined to the kitchen.”

“Not anymore,” he said with a laugh.

“I also have vices, although I don’t think they’ll consign me to hell. I like an occasional cigarette and a nice brandy is a delight. I also like horseback riding, but I cannot abide riding side-saddle. If circumstances permit, I like to wear men’s clothing and go out in the country where I can ride like a man. Since I am small I can wear a hat and most will think I’m a boy.”

“I would never make such a mistake.”

They stood and began the walk back to the hotel. Ryder realized that he would have to go back to his damn regiment and he didn’t want to. He wanted the evening to continue.

“Do you consider Washington a great city, Colonel?”

The question surprised him. “No. Our nation’s capital in no way compares with New York or Boston or Philadelphia.”

“What about Paris, London, or Rome?”

“If I’d ever been to them, I might be better able to answer the question. From what I know and have read, Washington is nothing compared with them. Quite frankly, Washington is still very squalid.”

“Agreed,” she said. “President Custer wants us to be a great country, but we can’t be one until our capital is a great one as well. Look around you. The White House is lovely, but it is miniscule compared with the palaces of Europe or even the new palaces of the wealthiest Americans. Our Washington Monument has been under construction for almost forty years and still isn’t completed. And the original city plans called for a park in the mall running from the Capitol Building to the Potomac, but what exists there now is a weed-choked field with the remains of a canal off to its side that has become a sewer. Worse, there are slums all around the city and most of the roads are muddy tracks. And yes, I know that all cities have slums, but ours are terrible and they are so close to the center of government. Something should be done.” she said and laughed at herself. “Oh dear, once again I’ve begun a lecture.”

Ryder thought about suggesting that the two of them tour Europe someday, but decided to wait for another time and place. “May I ask you a question, Mrs. Damon?”

“Only if you call me Sarah and I will call you Martin.”

Ryder grinned like a little kid who had just passed a test he hadn’t studied for. “I would love to take you riding in the country and I would not be offended or shocked if you dressed as you wished.”

“Then give your men Sunday off and pick me up in the morning.”

They were almost at the hotel. They’d been so wrapped up in themselves that they hadn’t noticed that it had gotten dark. Washington in the night was not the safest place in the world and Ryder was suddenly concerned that he’d made a mistake by suggesting that they walk so far.

They were only a dozen or so yards from the hotel door when two men jumped out of an alley and grabbed at Sarah’s purse. She screamed and pulled back. An astonished Martin was staggered by a punch to the top of his head from the second man who pulled a knife and lunged at him.

Ryder regained his balance as best he could and ducked as the knife man lurched past him. He punched the man hard in the kidneys and he dropped to the ground but did not let go of the knife. Ryder stomped on the man’s hand and heard bones break. The man who’d grabbed Sarah’s purse jumped on Martin’s back and began to claw for his throat and eyes.

Suddenly, the attacker screamed and let go. He staggered backwards and Ryder saw Sarah standing there with a long metal hat pin that was nearly a stiletto held tightly in her hand. The man grabbed his crotch and Martin realized just where Sarah had jabbed him.

They’d had enough. The two would-be robbers ran and limped down the street. It had taken only seconds and the few other pedestrians hadn’t had time to react.

Sarah smoothed her clothing. She had begun to shake and was trying to hide it. “Well, that was exciting. Are dinners with you always like this? You are all right, aren’t you?”

“Yes, and are you?”

He reached over and touched her hand. She put her other hand over his. She took a couple of deep breaths and smiled.

“Of course. I may be petite, but I do know how to protect myself. Things like this have happened to me before, as they have to so many women. Now, will I see you Sunday or has this little incident alarmed you?”

The HMS Shannon was classified by the Royal Navy as a First-Class Armored Cruiser. She displaced almost six thousand tons and was armed with two ten-inch and seven nine-inch muzzle-loading cannon, along with a miscellany of smaller guns. Her top speed was only twelve knots and, even though she had a steam engine, she still carried masts and a full complement of sails.

Although only constructed in 1875 and recently re-fitted, the Shannon was considered a poorly designed warship. She was slow, had chronic engine troubles, and her coal bunkers were considered inadequate. The Shannon was considered a poor investment by the British government. She was, therefore, expendable.