The Boys in Blue and Gray
By Chris James
Chapter Twelve
The letter arrived in early summer and Zach was the first to see it when he returned from lunch. Abe and Matthew had gone to see Mr. Lu, a final visit for a wound that had healed amazingly well. It was time to remove the splint which had supported the bones for six weeks.
"Matthew Rollins," The envelope said, "Drake House, San Francisco." Zach had no idea who it was from. He was going to the club but this was important, he changed his clothing and hurried off towards the Golden Palace.
The sight of the tall blonde haired young man walking up the street caused some attention. His name had been in the newspapers recently, but not for his music. Zach was learning the game of baseball, and with his youth and vitality he'd been stood up for the pitcher's position for the Golden Gate Club.
Abe and Matthew were astounded, they had no idea Zach had any interest in games of sport. The city employees had tried to get Matthew involved with their patchwork quilt of a team, a group that fueled their energy with excessive drinking and cussing at the other teams. The boy would have nothing to do with them.
Unlike Matthew who was stocky and strong like his uncle, Zach was lean, with long arms and large hands. The strength in those hands was the product of many hours of practice on his violin. There was only one agreement he had made with his team of players, he would not catch a ball hot off the bat with his bare hands.
Evan had acquired some well made, and hand stitched baseballs from New York. Back east the game had acquired rules and conventions had been held to codify how the game was played, things were a little looser in the west. Still, a two foot bat and barehanded play made for a lively time... and of course there were wagers.
Gambling was at a fever pitch during some matches. Men who had come west to gamble in the mines thought nothing of a wager on a game of sport. Some might be surprised to find out that the Chinese bet on the games as well, just as any random event or contest was fair game for the betting tables. Only Lin Po seemed to be doing well at betting, but then he had insider knowledge.
Sometimes the casual conversation at the dining table in his apartments would turn to the sport, and either Matthew or Zach would venture an opinion on who was favored and why. There were almost a dozen teams now playing in a roughed out league, some from the city and others coming in from as far away as Sacramento. The Golden Gate Club was not always the leader but they were becoming the most well known.
Zach doffed his hat to the ladies as he hurried up the street, a few people shouted his name and he waved, but he finally made it to Lin Po's. By now all the waiters smiled, the boys were well known. Zach moved across the dining room and into the back hall where he knocked on Lin's door.
"Zachery, welcome back, my friend... didn't you just leave here a few minutes ago?" Lin asked.
"I have this," Zack said, holding up the letter. "It's for Matthew."
"What?" Matthew said, taking the envelope. "Well I'll be... it's from my mother in St. Louis."
"Your mother... ?" Abe said.
"Yes, I wrote her this past Christmas," Matthew said. He carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the sheet of paper. The room became silent as he read her words, there was only half a page, and when he was done he folded it once again.
"Um, she's mad at me, about what I expected," Matthew said. "The good news is that my Uncle Tom got married up in Oregon, someplace called Eugene. He's settled in, won't be traveling any more."
"So your mother did not approve of your move to California?" Lin asked.
Matthew nodded. "She didn't know I was coming here at all, I made that decision." He stopped and picked up the letter again. "I miss my uncle... and now he has a family, my family."
Abe nodded. "So go on... say it."
Matthew sighed. "I want to go... I need to go see them."
"You mean take off, just like that?" Zach said.
Matthew smiled. "I guess, won't be the first time now... will it? A couple of weeks travel, I could get there easy."
"Alone? I'm not sure that's a good idea, Matthew," Abe said.
"Would you take company?" Lin asked. "I have a suggestion."
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Matthew asked.
"I have business interests in a place called Red Bluff, a small community of Chinese who work the mines. I would send my nephew and his friend with you," Lin said.
"I don't know, have they ever traveled across country... do they even know how to ride horses?"
Lin smiled. "I assure you, they both have extensive experience with travel. I would provision your trip and provide expense money. They will be of no burden, Matthew."
He nodded and gave Lin his hand. "It's a deal, how soon can we go?"
"You have many virtues, Matthew, but it seems patience is not one of them," Lin said. "I will make the arrangements within five days, does this agree with you?"
"Wonderful," Matthew said.
In those brief days Matthew resigned his job and went thru his possessions. They would have three horses and four mules to carry the goods Lin needed to deliver to the Chinese in Red Bluff. Matthew had a hundred dollars saved up, and used some of that to purchase a wedding gift for the new bride.
In conversation with Abe and Zach he figured he would be gone for at least six months, maybe longer as he didn't want to travel during the winter months.
"But I will be back," Matthew assured them. "I don't imagine there are more than a few hundred folks in Eugene, that's just too small a place for me. Besides, I'll miss you... you're just as much family to me as my uncle."
Abe handed over the Spencer rifle; he figured the boy needed it more than he did. The wilds of northern California were just as fraught with danger as any they had encountered on the trail west. The Indians there were peaceful, the white man less so. But as they sat for a final meal with Lin, the boys were told a little story about the man's nephew.
"He was raised by my cousins in northern China because his family had too many children. They worked him hard on the farm, possibly too hard. And one day he walked away...Jun was only eight years old.
"From that small community in the north he traveled over a thousand miles to Canton, arriving when he was fifteen in the company of another boy, Shen Woo... the friend who is still with him. Their adventures along the way are worthy of legend, but he is well versed with the treachery of man and will overcome any adversity.
"You only know a little of my culture, but both Jun and Shen have learned the art of fighting by hand and foot, we call this kung-fu. Just know that you may be well versed in the combat of guns, but they can easily defend themselves if necessary."
"And you have them washing dishes?" Abe said.
Lin nodded. "It was what I needed at the time. Jun understands English; he is just embarrassed to speak it. Shen is learning, and so now they will become part of my business. Your journey will be a test of their commitment to me; I would never doubt your loyalty, Matthew."
"Then I am honored to be in such good company," Matthew said. He looked at his three companions and raised his beer bottle. "To friendship," He said, and they all toasted to the good fortune of his journey.
And so the morning came and Matthew rode up to find Jun and Shen sitting on their horses behind the Golden Dragon. Lin Po and Mr. Chen stood quietly as Matthew joined them.
Lin smiled. "I will pray for a speedy journey, may good fortune smile upon you."
Matthew dismounted and walked over. "This is how we say it in my family," He said, and then he gave Lin a hug. Chen smiled in understanding; Matthew was a favored son to the old man. Matthew mounted his horse and looked down at Lin.
"Keep the tea hot, I'll be back," He said.
"I will do as you ask," Lin said with a smile, but there were tears in his eyes.
The journey to Red Bluff was fairly easy, the road up the center of the state was well worn and lacked any major concerns. After fours days of travel they arrived, and Matthew knew he would miss Shen's cooking. He wasn't looking forward to the long hard days of passage on his own thru the mountains to Oregon.
Jun and Shen were treated like lords by the small Chinese community. The men here looked ragged and weary from working the mines to the east; Matthew didn't imagine they were treated very well. The housing they shared was little more than a grouping of shacks so poorly built they looked like they were about to fall down. Matthew decided to sleep outside.
Shen awoke him in the morning with hot tea and a bowl of noodle soup, something Matthew greatly appreciated. Jun joined them by the small fire and they ate.
"I will miss your company... and your noodles," Matthew said with a smile.
Jun nodded. "There is nothing to miss. We have concluded our business here, we are going with you."
"You... how is this possible?" Matthew asked.
"My uncle deems it necessary, you are his honored friend and he worries for your safety. You will visit your family and we will take a ship back to the city on the bay."
Matthew inclined his head. "I am grateful for your company."
The distance to Oregon was greater, a ten day journey thru the mountains until they reached the Willamette River Valley. There were fewer settlements that far north, which meant fewer eyes upon those with bad intentions.
For three days they rode with the mountains looming ahead and the hills closing in around them. The only thing ahead now was Grants Pass... and the four men who stood in the road demanding their money and their horses.
Calmly Matthew looked down the barrels of several rifles and dismounted, Jun and Shen did the same.
"Mighty kind of you to see it our way," The leader of the robbers said with a laugh.
Matthew didn't see how it was possible but Jun smiled at the closest man and produced a wallet from beneath his coat. He held it out and the man made the foolish mistake of reaching for it, everything after that was a blur. Jun's hands took away the man's rifle and with a tremendous kick sent the man sprawling.
The second rifleman fared no better as Shen threw an object he'd produced like magic, which struck the man square between the eyes and he went down like a stone. Matthew drew his pistol and shot number three as he reached for the pistol in his belt. The fourth man was spared as he got down on his knees and begged for his life.
Jun nodded, and pointed the rifle. He would have killed if Matthew hadn't stopped him.
"I see nothing good about killing these men, they've learned a valuable lesson today," Matthew said.
"They will rob and murder again, it is their way," Jun said.
"We'll haul them up to Grants Pass and let the sheriff decide their fate."
Jun shook his head. "Your kindness will not change their fate."
And he was right. There was no sheriff in Grants Pass, just a group of irate citizens who had been robbed by these same men. The two were immediately strung up by the neck from the nearest tree.
Jun smiled and Shen shrugged. "It is good to be kind," Jun said. "But it is difficult to change the fate of men when they are snakes."
Matthew soon learned that if Jun could strike an enemy with a hand or a foot the result would be death. Shen was armed with little metal stars, and at thirty paces he had deadly aim with their sharp points.
"My countrymen do not own guns, they cannot afford them," Jun explained. "You learn to make a defense with what you have at hand."
"I respect that," Matthew said. "I could have used you out on the plains when the Indians attacked."
And thus ensued a four hour conversation about the Indians as neither of these men had ever seen one. So went the days as they rode down into the Willamette River Valley and moved north. Matthew studied the fertile land and understood why his uncle had settled here. There was plenty of game, water and a spectacular view of the mountains.
After a distance into the valley Matthew stopped at a log home built beside the river. The man there put down his axe and picked up his rifle at the sight of three strangers, two of them Chinese. His wife stood in the door of the rough home with two small kids at her side.
"Hello," Matthew called. "I'm looking for Tom Rollins, do you know him?"
"You kin of his?" The man asked.
"I'm his nephew, Matthew Rollins... these are...um, my friends."
The man looked at the Oriental faces, and then smiled, putting down his rifle. "It figures, you have to be related. Tom said you was a strange one, comin from him I'd take that as a compliment."
Matthew laughed. "Do you know where we can find him?"
"About eight miles up, take the left fork in the trail until you come to the road, you can't miss his place."
"Thank you, Mr... ?"
"Davies, Albert Davies."
"Mr. Davies, thank you for the directions," Matthew said.
"Be seein ya, young man. Give my regards to Tom."
Eight miles, and then three more passed by until they reached a rough road running east and west. Across the way stood a large cabin with two chimneys, the land was surrounded with trees covered in white blossoms.
"A most beautiful sight," Jun said. "Is this your uncle?"
"I'll soon find out," Matthew replied, and he let out a Sioux war cry that shattered the silence. For a moment there was no response and then they heard a low growl as a huge red-headed man burst thru the cabin door.
"There ain't no Sioux within a thousand miles... Matthew!"
Matthew dismounted and Tom picked him up in a bear hug, the both of them laughing at the joy of reunion. Tom shook hands with Jun and Shen as Matthew quickly explained their presence. And then he looked up at the door to the cabin and saw a pretty woman with a baby in her arms, but beside her stood a beautiful young lady with a familiar face.
"Beth... ?" Matthew said.
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