The Dawn of Fury Read Free Page A

Union army was a-comin’.”
    Growl for growl, Cotton Blossom was facing up to the other dog, and Nathan waited for Ichabod or Immanuel to end the standoff. Neither did, and a big woman in bonnet and homespun dress opened the door and stomped out on the porch. She spoke to the hound and it slunk under the porch, continuing to growl deep in its throat.
    â€œMa’am,” Nathan shouted, “I’m hungry. I have a little money, and I can pay.”
    â€œEmma Meekler never turned away a hungry man,” she said. “Come on in. You’re invited to supper, and you keep the little money you got.”
    By the time Nathan reached the cabin, Ichabod and Immanuel had stepped out on the porch. Both were brawny, bearded, over six feet, with long sandy hair. Nathan judged that either of them could have caught and soundly thrashed a bobcat with one hand. They wore patched overalls, faded flannel shirts, and brogan shoes. The pair eyed Nathan without friendliness, stepping aside to allow him to enter the cabin.
    â€œThese are my sons, Ichabod and Immanuel,” said Emma.
    â€œI’m Nathan Stone, and I’m half starved. I haven’t had a decent meal since the war ended.”
    â€œWhich side was you on?” one of the bearded men asked bluntly.
    It was a touchy question, one that could cost Nathan the meal he desperately needed. But Emma came to his rescue.
    â€œIchabod, that’s not a proper question, and it’s none of your business.”
    â€œIt sure as hell is, ma,” Ichabod shouted. “Them damn Yankees ..”
    â€œIchabod,” Emma snapped, “you watch your tongue.”
    â€œSorry, ma” said Ichabod, not looking sorry at all.
    â€œI was with Lee,” Nathan said, “and spent six months in a Yankee prison.”
    Ichabod and Immanuel were silent, and Nathan thought Emma was a little uncomfortable. He doubted that either of the men had ever been off the farm.
    â€œI’ll have supper on the table in a few minutes,” said Emma. “There’s a pan, water, and soap on the back stoop if you’d like to wash up.”
    Ichabod and Immanuel took their seats at the table, while Nathan continued on through the kitchen to the back door. The very odor of frying ham left him staggering. It had a similar effect on Cotton Blossom, for he was already on the back porch.
    â€œAfter supper,” said Emma from the kitchen, “I’ll give you some leavings for your dog.”
    â€œThank you,” Nathan said. “He’s about as used up as I am.”
    Nathan sat down on the bench next to Emma, across from Ichabod and his surly brother. There was fried ham, fried eggs, cornbread, and molasses. At each plate was a mug, and there were two pitchers of water on the table.
    â€œSorry we have no coffee or milk,” said Emma. “Not much variety, but for what there is, we have plenty.”
    Nathan found himself unable to eat very much. One thing that distracted him was the predatory look in the eyes of Ichabod and Immanuel. There was little doubt the pair had heard him tell Emma he could pay for his food, and if Nathan Stone were any judge of men, these two were contemplating the money he had and pondering a means of getting their hands on it. It seemed Emma was the only one with an appetite and there was an enormous amount of cornbread and fried ham left.
    â€œYou’re welcome to sleep in the barn, Mr. Stone,” Emma said.“There’s hay and I’ll get you a blanket. There’s a mess of ham scraps for your dog, but take him with you. That no-account varmint of Ichabod’s won’t leave him alone.”
    Nathan said nothing, but when Ichabod’s eyes met his, there was a hostility that put Nathan on his guard. When Emma returned, she had a blanket and two cloth-wrapped parcels.
    â€œThis is for your dog,” she said, handing him the smaller one, “and this one is leftover ham and cornbread.