A Cry in the Wilderness
Copyright© 2025 by Megumi Kashuahara
Chapter 12
On one of the many excursions to Fort Laramie, Will and Slim had passed the area near Sutler’s Store where the sale of Native Indian females was pretty much a bi-weekly event.
Will had spoken with the commanding officer of Fort Laramie about it. Seems slavery was legal in the Nebraska Territory. The official line of the military was they didn’t like or approve of it, but because of its legality, they turned a blind eye to it.
On one of their treks to Sutler’s Store, the crowd around the auction block was more crowded than usual. Out of curiosity, they decided to take a look. Surprisingly, there was a white woman with a boy and girl on the block for sale: $15 for all three.
Slim cocked his head saying, “Boss, don’t she look mighty familiar? I jus’ need ta think a might, but I’s gonna gets it...”
Will replied, “Yeah, she sure do.”
Slim pointed at her saying, “I’ll be! The Jenkins! They’s the ones throw’d off the train. Her husband stole that jug of molasses! She be the Jenkins woman, an’ they be her kids!”
“Well I’ll be,” Will replied. “You’s right!”
“Boss, I’s gonna buy her freedom. Can ya lend me the money ‘til we get back?”
“I’s gotcha covered, Slim.”
The bidding was stalled at $12 for all three. Slim raised his hand and spoke out, “Twenty dollars for the three of them!”
A man would need to work two, maybe three weeks for twenty dollars.
Heads turned and the seller smiled, dropped the gavel, “Goin’ once, goin’ twice, Sold! For twenty dollars to that fine gentleman there in the back.”
As Slim made his way to the block, they cut the ropes binding the family’s hands. When Sarah Jenkins looked up and saw who bought them, she immediately burst into tears.
Slim and Will briskly moved them away from the area. In a quieter place, Sarah sat down with Will and Slim to explain what had happened. “As soon as the wagon train was out of sight, a few hours later some highwaymen pulled up in a schooner and asked Samuel for our money. When he refused, they shot him in the head, killing him instantly. They took our shoes, then put us in the cage inside that schooner.”
“Mr. Johnson—” Slim cut her off. “My name is Richard, but you can call me Slim.”
“Yes, Slim. I lost a child ... my baby, Tommy. He starved to death. We buried him near Chimney Rock.”
Will cut in, “Slim, I got to get back to the ranch. You folks do what you gots ta do.” Will gave him 5 golden eagles and excused himself, quipping, “Don’t forget 3 new cots for the tent.” He chuckled.
Slim suggested going to Sutler’s and buying a few things. Slim got Sarah and Cassie 2 dresses each, undergarments, and a pair of boots and some socks, along with new coats. He bought Albert two pair of pants, shirts and socks, boots and a new coat.
Sarah asked Slim, “Why? Why do all this for us?”
“Well, Sarah,” Slim said, “I’ll get right to the point. You and your children need a safe place to heal and figure out what comes next. You’s been through hell, and you don’t need to worry about nothin’ right now except gettin’ your strength back.”
Sarah looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I ... I don’t know how to repay such kindness.”
“You don’t owe me nothin’, Sarah. Just get yourself and these young’uns settled. We got plenty of room at the ranch, and you can help with cookin’ and such when you’re ready. No rush on anything else.”
Sarah nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Slim. We ... we accept your offer.”
They loaded up their supplies and 3 cots and drove the wagon toward their temporary new home, Sarah and her children finally safe for the first time in months.
The ranch had transformed into a bustling construction site. Will stood surveying the organized chaos before him - lumber stacks growing taller by the day, the sound of hammers and saws echoing across the valley, and men working with the focused determination of those who knew winter would come calling soon enough.
“We’re gonna need housing for twenty more men,” Will called out to Angus, who was directing the placement of foundation stones for what would become the main ranch house. “Plus family quarters for the Jenkins.”
Angus wiped sweat from his brow and nodded. “Aye, the bunkhouse foundation’s nearly ready. We can start framing tomorrow if the weather holds.” He paused, looking toward the eastern pasture. “And that breeding barn needs to be finished before the first snow. These mares won’t wait for our convenience.”
The scope of their operation had expanded beyond anything they’d originally envisioned. What started as a simple ranch had become a small community - a place where families could build futures and broken people could find new starts. Sarah Jenkins and her children were proof of that possibility.
Tessa moved between the work sites like a general commanding troops, her notebook always in hand, checking supplies and coordinating schedules. “We’ll need another trip to town for nails and hinges,” she called to Will. “And more lamp oil - these longer days are eating through our supply.”
“I’ll take Angus with me tomorrow,” Will replied. “We can check on those laborers Pete mentioned, maybe hire a few more hands.”
The next morning brought crisp air and clear skies - perfect weather for the journey to Fort Laramie. Will and Angus loaded the wagon with items to trade and a list of supplies longer than Tessa’s arm.
“Don’t you go buyin’ any more strays,” Tessa teased as they prepared to leave. “We got enough mouths to feed as it is.”
Will laughed. “Can’t promise anything. You know how Slim gets around folks in trouble.”
The trip to town proved productive. They found three experienced carpenters willing to work through the winter and secured promises for regular lumber deliveries. As they walked through the dusty streets, checking off items from Tessa’s list, Angus spotted a vendor selling jerky and dried meat.
“Haven’t had good venison in weeks,” he said, approaching the weathered man behind the makeshift counter. “What’s fresh?”
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