William Keener - Pearl and the Nigger

“Just a minute. Hold it a minute,” the doctor said. “If you could substantiate your claim, this would be a different matter. But who in hell can prove this for you?”

“Molly. By Ms. Molly Campbell herself,” interjected Andy.

“Do you think her word would have value or weight at camp?” asked the surgeon.

“Why wouldn’t it?” asked Andy.

“I’ll tell you why. Listen. Keep still until I finish my say. Lieutenant LaCrosse is recovering very nicely. He tells an entirely different version of what happened here at the Pines. You must agree he is your superior officer and this young chap’s reputation and word will go at camp since he has some very tangible evidence to substantiate his story.”

“Dr. Brown,” cried Andy, “he is lying to save his own skin. He knows he must tell something other than the truth, or they would have his own hide. Millbaugh and LaCrosse have been enemies of mine ever since our troop was organized in Chicago. They have planned deliberately to destroy me. Isn’t my word and Molly’s equal to LaCrosse’s?”

“Hell no! Not when he has blood-splattered maps and troop charts and plans of operations for the Union armies in Western Virginia in his possession. They are maps and charts you have been making for our operation headquarters. Andy, how did she get them?” asked the doctor.

Andy bolted upright, off the bed, stood erect beside Molly, at first speechless. Recovering, he said, “I-I don’t know, Doctor. I haven’t any idea how she could have gotten them.”

“You don’t know?” asked Dr. Brown, with a note of sarcastic doubt in his voice.

“God knows I don’t know. Molly, do you know what he is talking about?” asked Andy.

“I haven’t the least idea,” replied Molly.

“LaCross says you know. Says you gave them to her,” Dr. Brown answered.

“Dr. Brown, he lies. He knows as well as I that he lies,” answered Andy.

“Be quiet and listen. This is LaCrosse’s story. He says that when the three of them arrived here at this cabin, they found you here, with the girl, explaining the maps and charts to her. They saw you turn them over to her and wish her a speedy journey to meet General Lee. At this point, he contends, they entered the house, demanding the papers, and you and the girl opened fire on them. The maps and charts were found where Millbaugh lay wounded, and you don’t know how they got there?” asked Dr. Brown, again showing doubts.

“I do not, Dr. Brown. I am completely los—” Andy hesitated and began again. “Wait a minute. Maybe I do. You know I have never carried any of the charts or maps on me. They have only been at the shack where I worked. They could have stolen them and planned on stashing them here as evidence against Molly.”

“Well, it looks bad, Yates. There is no question that you are in a lot of trouble, but I thought I should tell you,” replied the doctor.

“Does Captain Bloome believe LaCrosse?” asked Andy.

“I was just coming to that. LaCrosse claims that Captain Bloome assigned him and Millbaugh to watch the girl and the cabin. Captain Bloome substantiated his claim that they were acting under orders,” replied Dr. Brown.

“You think there is no chance for me to establish the truth and convince them that I am not a traitor?” asked Andy.

“The truth will, in all probability, be established,” answered the surgeon. “For you to convince anyone at camp that you have not been disloyal, well, that—that’s an impossibility. I repeat, it looks bad, my boy, if you ever go back to camp. That is, if you go.”

“Dr. Brown, you’ve known me from childhood and you know my family. Have you lost faith in me, have you—have you deserted me too?” asked Andy.

“Why do you think I have been here for days? Does saving your life mean I have deserted you?” he answered Andy. “Did you think I did it just because of your father?”

“Oh, you won’t tell him, will you, Dr. Brown?” asked Andy.

“Do you think I would tell him his son ran away from his command and killed two comrades because of a girl? Perhaps, on second thought, it would be better to tell him than to explain your death. It would break his heart to believe his son turned traitor to his country.”

Andy nodded, smiled, and shook the surgeon’s hand.

“Good-bye,” bade the surgeon. “I’ll be back in a few days. Your extent of exercise is to walk no farther the porch.”

Molly exited the room with Dr. Brown, and Andy lay back on the bed and began to assess his predicament.

Andy lay there for some time, thinking. Remembering the time they had enlisted in the Dragoons. He recalled how he punched Millbaugh in the face for showing his animal nature and insulting a waitress before leaving recruiting quarters for the Gray Dragoons in Chicago. How LaCrosse came to Millbaugh’s defense and the hostility shown by both men. Millbaugh said then he’d get me. The confrontation had been festering all this time He knew that someplace and at sometime the festering would erupt. Was th is the time and method of evening the score?

How had LaCrosse gained possession of his charts and drawings? He had never carried any of the charts or drawings or any detailed duty away from the barracks. They were only exhibited to proper authorities and then only for explanation and planning. He had been especially cautious and careful, for he had been admonished and cautioned against it by Captain Bloome and the chief engineer who had solicited his services and under whose direction he made the charts and drawings. At no time had Molly seen them; nor did she know what his duty was for the Dragoons. But, nevertheless, they had been found, in her house, beside or under the wounded LaCrosse.

It looked completely logical that anyone would believe him guilty. It’s very plain that Millbaugh planned it. This was his revenge. But, how did they get the maps and drawings? He could understand how they got to Molly’s place and why they were found with the wounded LaCrosse. The question—but how did they get them—kept flowing in Andy’s thoughts.

Quickly he sprang up saying to himself, “I see —I see it all now. It’s very clear. They stole the drawings. When I returned to my room for duty from meeting Molly that morning, there was evidence that my papers had been moved. Only Captain Bloome and the chief engineer had access to the room. It’s all plain enough now—that night—Millbaugh, in a drunken stutter, said, “He had the papers.” Who will believe me? I have no proof. Boy! I’m up against it.”

Surgeon Brown was right. He did not have a chance. Innocent of treason, innocent as he was of disloyalty, he was helpless. The cards were stacked against him. He could not clear the charges against him. He would be court-martialed and shot. If he did not —if he did not—Andy had arrived at his decision. He must escape, but how?

The house was unusually quiet and Andy was deep in thought, planning how to escape, when he was startled by Rachel, the black servant girl. She had brought his supper (dinner, to the Dragoon). Rachel set the meal down and left the room, leaving Andy with his thoughts. In about an hour she returned for the dishes. Andy had no appetite He had not eaten because of the upsetting news of the morning and thinking of how to get away.

“Lawdy sakes alive, mah boy! You ain’t gonna’ eat dem vit’les! Look at dem yams, and dat pork chop, and dat bread! Dem vit’les scrumptious. Deh’s all got cold now. Molly had de las’ pig on de place killed jes’ for you. Nanny warm dem steamin’ hot yams and an’ you-all got to eat dem,” persuaded Rachel.

“Wait—wait—wait,” demanded Andy. “You say Molly had the last pig killed just for me? She’s always thoughtful, Nanny.”