The Miller Party

            Run Wild Run Free

Suzanne Marsh

They traveled by the dark of night, legs rubbed raw from the leather saddles. They had to keep moving, the men after them meant to murder them. There were no choices except to continue, up into the Davis Mountain range. The horses were growing tired, they were tired, but they had to reach the safety of Fort Davis. Miss Ellen Maynard was scared, thus far she and Jim Knight had not been sighted by the Kiowa raiding party that had held them captive. Their only plan was to keep moving, what else could they do?

Ellen had been a Kiowa prisoner for several weeks, she was to be ransomed shortly or become the chief’s third wife. Jim Knight had been sent by her father John Maynard to rescue her. He managed to get her away from the Kiowa; now both were in grave danger. Recapture would mean instant death for both.

Close as Jim Knight could reckon they were two hours away from Fort Davis, they would continue until they arrived at the fort around two o’clock. They rode on until Fort Davis was in sight, then at a full lope they rode up to the front entrance of the fort they heard a voice:

“Who is there?”

Jim quickly answered:

“Jim Knight and Miss Ellen Maynard, we escaped from the Kiowa, we need protection.”

Several moments later the gates squeaked open, causing Ellen to shiver. They entered Fort Davis, there they were taken to Captain Tom Johnson’s office, he stood as Ellen and Jim entered the room:

“Please come in, I understand the two of you escaped from the Kiowa, can you tell me

anything about where their camp is located? The more I know the better chance we have

of getting them back on the reservation.

That made sense to Jim Knight:

“We followed the Rio Grande out of a large canyon, then we turned north toward the

Davis Mountains. The Kiowa have rifles and several other captives. We were

kept separated from the others, Miss Maynard’s father had agreed to pay them

ransom for her safety. There were a great many braves, I think at one point before

we escaped they may have been doing a war dance. I can’t be sure since we are not allowed

outside of the teepee.”

The captain looked over at his corporal:

“Tomorrow morning I want patrols sent out in the same direction as these folks came.”

He turned back to Jim and Ellen pointing toward a map on the wall:

“Where exactly was the camp? Take your time, I am sending out patrols beginning

tomorrow morning. I can’t spare a platoon, we are somewhat understaffed here

at Fort Davis, and we are waiting on recruits to come. Believe me, you are perfectly

safe here inside the Fort.” Tom smiled at Ellen as he said that. He wanted to make her feel at ease, especially since she had been a captive.

Jim Knight stood tall as he strode toward the map, he pointed to a large secluded canyon, and Tom nodded. He also smiled at Ellen, and abruptly she stood up:

That is the canyon, I remember seeing it when the Miller Party, I was traveling with was

attacked by those savages. Big Man Fighting pulled me up behind him, later I learned

he was their chief. I don’t know what happened to the Millers, I heard screams and whoops

but saw nothing. The Canyon is their stronghold, there were quite a few braves, and the squaws

beat me with twigs. Big Man Fighting intervened, he had me brought to his tent where I

remained for several days. When he discovered that my father was John Maynard he

decided to ransom me. He then told me if my father refused to pay the ransom I would

his third wife. Several nights later Jim snuck into their camp, he stampeded their horses,

cut a slit in the teepee and I was free. While the Kiowa were chasing their horse we snuck

out of their camp. That is exactly what happened, Captain do you know what happened to

the Millers?”

Tom felt as if he had been thrust into a corner with no way out:

“Miss Maynard the Miller Party was found dead they were buried on the trail.

I am sorry.”

Ellen flinched then tears began to fill her huge brown eyes:

“No, that can’t be! Why? They are very nice people, did they happen to find a little blond boy?”

Tom thought his heart was being wrenched out of his chest:

“Yes, he had an arrow in his back.”

The following morning, a Commanche scout led the patrol, they rode out of the Fort Davis as Ellen and Jim watched. Jim had volunteered to show them where the Kiowa encampment was but Tom nixed that idea stating that it would be better if Jim stayed where he was, if there was fighting there would be bloodshed. He could not take that chance with a civilian. The patrol had been gone for two days when the Commanche scout loped into the Fort. He ran toward Captain Tom Johnston’s office. He pulled open the door:

“Captain, the patrol was ambushed, Sergeant McDuff told me ride to get help. I wait

I show you where.”

Tom turned to his Corporal:

“Sound Boots and Saddles, we leave immediately.” Tom turned to Jim Knight:

“Jim, you still want to fight the Kiowa? You heard what Gray Eagle said.”

Jim and most of the regulars were ready to leave within the hour. Before Jim left he went to tell Ellen he would return and to stay inside the fort for her own safety.

Ellen faced Jim:

“I promise I will stay put if you promise to return.”

Later that evening the Kiowa attacked Fort Davis, the few soldiers who were guarding the fort began to shout:

“Women and children take cover now.” Ellen found herself hiding under the bed in the room she was staying in. She heard the war whoops, she could smell burning wood. She knew she had one choice, she had to find Big Man Fighting and beg him to end the fighting. She thought if she could get him to listen she would be safe as his wife. She knew her father would send someone to rescue her.

Ellen entered the melee looking for Big Man Fighting, she did not have to look for long. Big Man Fighting was over six foot tall, he saw the small blond figure waving at him. He rode his paint horse over toward and extended his arm pulling her up behind him. He whooped, and the Kiowa rode away. Ellen realized then she wished to stay with Big Man Fighting, at least until such time as she was rescued once again.