The Rough Rider (30 page)

At once there was movement to his side, and he turned to see Deborah sitting beside him, wearing a white dress with bloodstains on it. Her face was ivory by the lamplight and her eyes were enormous. She came and put her hand on his forehead. It was cool and she whispered, “You’re awake.”

“Deborah!” Lewis reached up and took her hand and said, “What’s wrong? I can’t move my legs!”

“You’re wounded—just lie still. You’ve had a bad fever and we thought—”

Lewis was aware of the coolness of her hand, struggling to fight down the fear that coursed through him. “What day is this?”

Deborah said, “You’ve been here four days, but your fever was so bad that I don’t think you even knew it. Some kind of infection—a lot of the men have it. Thank God, you don’t have yellow fever!”

“Where’s Aaron?”

“He brought you in, but he had to go back to the unit. We’ll send word at once that you’re all right.” Deborah straightened up and took a deep breath. “I’ll go get Dr. Burns. He wanted to know as soon as you woke up.” She turned to leave, but his voice caught her, and when she turned back, she saw a tension in his hollow cheeks. “You mustn’t be disturbed. You’re alive and that’s what counts!”

“But, my legs—I can’t move them!”

Deborah hesitated. Some of the men who had been brought in had had to have their legs amputated, and some had died. Looking at him, she said, “We’ll trust in God, Lewis! He’s the healer. Now, you lie still while I go and get Dr. Burns.”

Lewis lay there, with troubled thoughts swirling through
his mind, but he was confused and in pain, and could not sort them out. After a few minutes, he looked up and saw Burns bending over him.

“Well, you’ve come out of it!”

“My legs—” Lewis began, but the doctor raised his hand and stopped him.

“You got hit by a bullet very close to your spine. We were able to get it out, though,” Burns said, “but it was nip and tuck. Another fraction of an inch and you’d be dead. Now, I want to look at the wound. It may hurt when I turn you over.”

Lewis knew Burns was trying to be gentle as he turned him, but the pain was still intense. Lewis was past caring about that. He endured the pain stoically, and when Burns rebandaged the wound and turned him back over, Lewis said, “How does it look?”

“The infection is almost all gone and so is the fever. You’re going to make it!” Even though Lewis had escaped death, Burns saw the fear in the young man’s eyes and said, “I know you’re worried about your legs, but we’ll hope you get the feeling back. I’ve seen that happen before.”

“But what if I don’t?”

“We won’t talk about that now. I want you to eat something and get your strength built back up. Nurse Laurent?”

Deborah came at once to his side.

“Bring him something to eat. We’ve got to get him filled out a little bit.” He paused, then said, “I’ll send word to your brother. He’ll want to come see you.”

The doctor turned and left, moving down the rows of cots. Lewis closed his eyes. He felt weak, and the darkness that had engulfed him during his feverish coma tugged at him, beckoning him to return. He thought how wonderful it would be to drift off to sleep and sink back into the comforting sea of unconsciousness, but somehow, his spirit rose within him. He fought against the temptation to give up. He began to pray, seeking God, and for a long time, he lay there silently. Finally, he drifted off into a natural sleep.

****

“How is he, Gail?”

“The fever’s gone and the wound is healing cleanly.” Gail had been changing the dressing on the foot of a young soldier when Aaron had suddenly appeared beside her. She rose and smiled brightly at her patient, saying, “You’ll be all right now, Roger.” Then she turned toward Aaron and the two walked out of the ward. Outside, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and the falling sun had cast afternoon shadows across the island. “Come along—there’s a place where we can sit down and talk. When did you get back?”

“I just got here. I couldn’t get away any sooner.”

She led him to the quarters that she shared with Deborah and said, “Come inside. There’s some cool water in the
olla.
He sat down and she removed the jug, produced two glasses, and poured them full of water. Hanging the olla back up on the peg on the wall, she sat down and said, “I’m glad you’re all right.” Her eyes were thoughtful and she asked, “Was it bad, Aaron?”

As he sipped the water, she noticed there were hollows in his cheeks. It had only been a few days, but the heat and the strain of the battle had pared him down. “We took the hill,” he said. “But we lost a lot of good men.”

“I know—the hospital’s full of the wounded. And to make matters worse, yellow fever has broken out among some of the men.”

Aaron sat there, his sweaty uniform clinging to his shoulders. His beard had grown out to bristles, which were surprisingly of a reddish tint. His eyes were slightly sunken, and he looked tired to the bone. “For all practical purposes, the war is over. It’s just a matter of time until they surrender,” he said abruptly.

Gail was startled. “You mean, there’ll be no more fighting?”

“Oh, there’ll be a few skirmishes here and there, but the Spaniards are whipped. It’s just a matter of mopping up now.”

“I’m so glad!” Gail said, leaning forward, clasping her hands together on the table. “Thank God it’s over!” Then she shook her head with a slight gesture. “It isn’t over really. This is a terrible country, Aaron. It’s a perfect hotbed of malaria, and there is no ground whatever in which to camp. With the lack of sanitation, we’re going to have all kinds of sickness spread. It has already started—men are dropping in their tracks almost as if they were hit by bullets. I heard that General Shafter has cabled the States at once, wanting to immediately transport the troops back to the United States. He said if it’s not done, the death rate will be appalling.”

She looked at Aaron’s strained face, then said slowly, “You’re worried about Lewis.”

“Will he ever be able to walk again?” The question was abrupt, and he shot it at her almost in a harsh fashion.

“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone can know. With that kind of wound it’s almost impossible to tell.”

“Has he moved his legs at all?” Aaron asked almost plaintively. He reached out to her as if for assistance. She took his hand and he held on to it. “He’s
got
to walk, Gail! He’s got to! God wouldn’t let it happen—God wouldn’t let him be a cripple the rest of his life.”

“I’m praying every day. And Deborah and Dr. Burns are too,” Gail said quietly. She saw the pain make sharp points in Aaron’s eyes, and she wanted badly to say, “And God wants you, too. . . .” but she knew this was not the time. He was holding her hand so tightly that it hurt, but she allowed her hand to remain in his grasp till finally he loosed it. Softly she drew it back and said, “Come on—he’ll want to see you.”

“I don’t think I can take it, Gail.”

“Yes, you can. He needs you now, Aaron. He needs all of us.” She reached out, took his arm, and pulled him to his feet. When he rose, she said quietly, “We mustn’t let him see any doubt or fear.”

“That’s all right for you,” Aaron said. “You have faith in God, but I don’t.”

“I think you do,” Gail answered slowly. “All your life you’ve known about Jesus. You’ve told me what wonderful Christians your mother and father are, and you’ve told me about Jubal, how he believed so strongly in God.”

“And he died, didn’t he?” The answer was bitter and Aaron shook his head, saying, “And what if Lewis never walks again?”

“Then he won’t walk. That’s hard, but his fate is in God’s hands. He’s trusting Jesus Christ.” Gail had not meant to say this to try to force her faith upon Aaron, but now she saw a vulnerability in the planes of his face. The battle had not broken him, but the plight of his brother had done something to him. He seemed almost weak as he stood there, and she waited for one moment, then said, “Come—we’ll go talk to him.”

As if walking in a stupor, Aaron allowed Gail to lead him to the hospital. When they found Lewis, Aaron was surprised to see that he was sitting propped up in a cot.

“Hello, Aaron! I’m glad to see you! Are you all right?”

“Sure—I’m fine!” Aaron said, forcing a cheerful grin. “How are you?”

“Oh, doing well.” He looked down at his legs and said, “Still waiting for the feeling to come back in the old legs, but that will come!”

“Sure it will!” Aaron said quickly. “It’s just a matter of time.” He sat down and talked to Lewis a little about the unit back at San Juan Hill. After half an hour, he rose and said, “I’m going to go try to find a bath.”

“Are you going back to the troops?”

“No, the colonel said to get you back home as soon as possible. I’m taking you back to the States on the first ship that leaves here.”

“Well, you must have some influence,” said Lewis in surprise.

“No, Roosevelt saw you pull the lieutenant out from underneath the firing. He said you’ll receive a Congressional
Medal of Honor for that, or he’ll have somebody scalped.” He reached over and put his hand on Lewis’s shoulder. “You’re a pretty important chap; at least Teddy Roosevelt thinks so.”

For one moment, Lewis listened, then he shook his head and said softly, “Well, it’ll be good to get home again, won’t it?”

“Sure.” Aaron smiled, adding, “You won’t have a good-looking nurse like Deborah to take care of you, I’d guess. Gail tells me she’s pampered you.”

“I guess she has at that.” The two men talked, then Aaron left, and later that morning when Deborah came by with a basin of water, Lewis sat up. “I can shave myself, Deborah.”

“You’d cut your throat,” she said, a slight smile turning at the corners of her mouth.

Deborah had appeared early in his confinement with a basin of hot water, a bar of shaving soap, and a straight razor. She’d announced that he looked like a bum under a bridge, and had proceeded to administer a shave. She’d been surprisingly good at it, and now as she sat down and tied a towel around his neck, she said, “Aaron had good news.”

“Yes, the war’s over—or so he says.” He sat quietly as she lathered the brush and applied the rich white lather to his stubbled face. It gave him a luxurious feeling, and he closed his eyes, muttering, “If you ever leave the nursing profession, you can open up a barber shop.”

The idea amused Deborah, and she laughed. “Maybe I will. Would you bring all your friends in for a shave and a haircut?” She was a witty girl, and kept him amused as she moved the razor carefully over his skin. “Do your lip tight—” she commanded, and the razor moved swiftly across his upper lip.

Lewis was suddenly aware of the nearness of the young woman. Her hand was resting on his shoulder, and her smooth face was very close. She had bathed, and he could smell the fragrance of the soap on her skin. She was so intent on what she was doing that he could study her without fear of offending. Her skin, he saw, was smooth and clear, tanned
a delicate shade of brown. A row of tiny freckles adorned the bridge of her nose; her lips were full and evenly pressed together as she concentrated.

Without thinking, Lewis said, “You know, you’re a fine-looking woman, Deborah—ouch!” He lifted his hand, touched his cheek, and then stared at the tiny spot of blood.

“If you wouldn’t talk, you wouldn’t get cut,” Deborah scolded. His compliment had brought a glow to her smooth cheeks, and as she dabbed alcohol on the cut, Lewis saw that she was disturbed.

“I always talk without thinking,” he shrugged. “But I just told the truth. You
are
nice looking. I’ve always thought so.”

“You’re just trying to get some extra favors from your nurse.”

Seeing that she was really embarrassed, Lewis suddenly reached out and took her free hand. “No, I’m not—and I’ve got to tell you how much I owe you, Deborah.”

Deborah was acutely aware of his hand holding hers. She looked at him and smiled. “I’m your nurse. I’ve just done my job.”

“You’ve done more than that,” Lewis murmured. He held her hand and his eyes were serious. “I was in a pretty deep hole, Deborah. Dr. Burns says you saved my life. I don’t know how to thank you for that.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Maybe not—but I
want
to.” Lewis grinned, looking suddenly very boyish. “I like owing you my life. When we get home and I get on my feet, I’ll find some way of showing how much I appreciate your help.” A thought came to him, and he said eagerly, “Maybe you and Alice and I can go out and celebrate together!”

Deborah pulled her hand free, then wiped the soap from his face. “Maybe we will,” she said evenly. She rose and took the shaving things away without another word. Lewis sat watching her, a puzzled expression on his face. He thought of what he had said, but nothing in his remarks seemed
offensive. He lay down on the bunk, thinking of home and of Alice Cates—and from time to time he thought of how soft Deborah’s hands had been on his face.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

After the Battle

“You’re going home! Start getting your things ready.” Gail and Deborah turned to stare at Dr. Burns, who had just come in almost at a run.

“Are you sure, Dr. Burns?” Deborah asked.

“Yes! I’ve been talking with one of the officers. If we waited for the wheels of the military to turn, he said all of us could die here. But Roosevelt got tired of waiting around and got the job done!”

“How did he do that? He’s just a colonel, isn’t he?” Gail inquired.

“The way it came to me, General Shafter couldn’t get the government to do anything, so he had Roosevelt write a letter to the President. But he allowed it to leak to the papers back home. When President McKinley read it, so the story goes, he wanted to fire everybody! But the upshot of it all is that we’re loading on the transport right away! We ought to be home in ten days.”

“Well, I’m ready to go home, and I think everybody else is too,” Deborah said. “It seems that all I hear now are the bugles blowing taps over the dead.” There was a sadness in her voice as she thought of all the courageous young men who had come to fight an enemy, but were struck dead instead by malaria, yellowjack, or high fever. The new cases of fever among the soldiers—mostly yellowjack—had reached epidemic proportions. In all, more than three thousand men
were sick, mostly suffering from the dreaded malaria, but with growing numbers of yellow fever cases showing up.