“Why, General?” a man asked. “Why did they do this?”’
“Revenge. West must have had observers behind the main column yesterday. They reported back, and this,” he waved his hand, “is their reply to us.” Ben turned to Dot. “You know where the other camps are located?”
“Most of them. But… what about the dead here?” she asked.
“You have no earthmoving equipment, Dot. And I didn’t bring any body bags with me. So unless you people want to spend several days digging holes for the bodies-which the dogs and other wild animals will dig up as soon as you’re gone-I suggest we put all the bodies in one barracks and burn them.”
“And … then?” Canby asked.
“We go wipe out what is left of West’s operation.”
The smoke from the controlled burn poured black and greasy into the morning sky. The unmistakable odor of burning human flesh filled the still air.
The scene was nothing new to the small contingent of Rebels that stood impassively by and watched. Many of them had been with Ben for years; they had seen much worse than this during the years of traveling.
But to the civilians of Dyersburg, the scene was awful.
“Got a long way to go to make these folks fighters, General,” Captain Chad said quietly. “If it’s possible at all.”
“I’ll opt for the latter, Captain,” Ben said. “And I’m not downgrading them for it. I think we can train them to become a pretty good militia force, as long as some of us are around to lead.”
“And that’s up to me and my troops, right, General?” Captain Chad asked.
“That’s it, Captain. This outpost idea was just a thought. We’ll review what’s happened next spring. Take it from there.”
The captain thought about the small city. “First thing we do is clean up the town. Got to give the people some purpose; keep them busy. Elect a leader and set up work teams. But the people will have to think they’re the ones who thought of it and implemented the plan.”
“The chief of security will be Charles Leighton. Let him pick his own security people; he’ll do a good job. Watch Doctor Barnes, Captain. The man is living in a dream world.” Ben was thoughtful for a moment. “I believe Barnes is a good man. But he’s no Rebel and never will be. He’s going to question every decision you make, Captain.”
“What you’re saying, sir, is that the man is going to be a pain in the ass.”
“Very aptly put, Captain.”
Ben sent out scout teams of his own people, with Charles Leighton guiding them, to reconnoiter the largest of the forced work camps. While that was being done, he sent a jeep back to get West.
“Doctor Barnes isn’t going to like that, General,” Canby told Ben.
“He probably won’t,” Ben agreed.
Ralph Barnes returned with West. The man was clearly upset and made no effort to conceal his ire.
“I demand to know why you ordered this man taken from his bed and brought here, General?” he said. “Can’t you see he is clearly in pain?” The doctor sniffed several times. “What is that smell?”
“Burning bodies,” Ben told him. “Several hundred of them.” He told Barnes what they had discovered at the camp.
Sitting in the Jeep, under guard, West laughed. Barnes flushed at the taunting laughter.
“Real nice fellow, isn’t he?” Ben asked. “Has the milk of human kindness flowing strongly through his veins.” Ben looked at West. “You’d better hope your men think enough of you to swap you for the prisoners, West. “Cause if they don’t, you won’t be laughing when I put a noose around your dirty neck.”
West’s laughter ceased as quickly as it came. He sat in the jeep and glared at Ben.
The woman Rebel manning the radio called to Ben. “All the prisoners have been grouped together at one camp, General. They’re still alive. Our scouts have made contact and are keeping the camp under visual.”
“Tell them we’re on the way,” Ben told her. He turned to Doctor Barnes. “Coming with us, Doctor?”
“You couldn’t keep me away, Raines.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that, Ralph,” Ben told him.
The doctor met the Rebel’s eyes. “Just a figure of speech, General.”
“Uh-huh,” Ben muttered.
“What’s the procedure, West?” Ben asked.
Ben stood by the jeep where West sat. The outlaw was clearly in pain, his face slick with sweat and pale. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked at Ben.
“I don’t know,” West finally said. “Nothing like this ever happened before.”
“Then I’ll tell you,” Ben said. “We’ll make an even swap. You for the prisoners.”
A sly look came into the outlaw’s eyes. “You know damn well you ain’t got the people to overrun my boys, don’t you, Raines?”
“Maybe. But we could sure put one hell of a dent in your number.”
“Yeah,” West admitted.
“Think about it, West. You’ll have to shut down your labor camps, but you’d be alive.”
“And you’d keep your word?” the outlaw asked, suspicion in his eyes and voice.
“Yes.”
“You got a bullhorn?”
“No. But we have walkie-talkie’s.”
“Gimme one.”
A field radio was brought to the jeep. West checked the frequency and called in. He spoke for a moment, listened, then his voice became harsher. He turned to Ben.
“The guys don’t trust you, Raines. Hell, I don’t trust you. But it’s the only game in town, so I gotta play it.”
“When the last prisoner walks free of that camp,” Ben said. “You’re free. That’s it.”
“Hey!” West protested. “That ain’t worth a shit, man.”
“You said it, West. It’s the only game in town. Take it or leave it.”
“Awright, awright.” He lifted the walkie-talkie, and spoke for a few seconds. He again turned to Ben. “They’s comin” out now.” His eyes shot hate at Raines. “This ain’t the end, Raines. You takin’ a hell of a chance turnin’ me loose. You know I’m gonna be comin’ after your ass.”
“A lot of folks have tried, West. I’m still around,” Ben told him.
“You ain’t never had me on your ass, Raines. I’ll get you for this. And that’s a flat promise, buddy.”
Ben smiled, thinking that his newest odyssey would prove quite interesting.
Chapter 7
Ben’s Rebels and the newly armed civilians ringed the big camp, keeping the outlaws penned until the last of the prisoners were being safely trucked away back to Dyersburg.
Ben lifted his walkie-talkie. “You and your men are free to leave, now, West. Lay down your weapons and start walking.” “What?” West screamed, the word bouncing out of the walkie-talkie.
“You heard me,” Ben radioed. “Start walking.”
“No goddamn way, Raines. We take our guns and vehicles.”
“Captain Chad,” Ben called. “Put ten rounds of mortars, H.e., into that camp.”
“Yes, sir,” the captain grinned.
A long barracks-type building went first, the high-explosive round sending bits of splintered wood flying. A guard tower was blown all over that part of Tennessee; another building was blown, then a mortar round shattered the big front gates of the labor camp.
“All right, goddamn it!” West screamed. “All right, you bastard. Cool it!”
“Cease firing,” Ben ordered.
“I cain’t walk outta here, Raines,” West’s voice whined out of the speaker. “Gimme a break, man.”
Charles Leighton whispered into Ben’s ear. Ben grinned and lifted his walkie-talkie. “All right, West. You can ride out. On a mule.”
West did not need a walkie-talkie. His cursing could be heard for half a mile.
“You got anything to say about that, Doctor Barnes?” Ben asked the man.
