The Crow Legacy

Chapter 6

San Diego was bustling with activity. The harbor was full of ships from all over the world. The discovery of gold in the north back in "48 had changed California forever. Men of every nation still flocked to the Golden State in hopes of becoming rich.

Jedadiah Crow was walking down a street close to the ocean when a voice called out, “Isaiah! Isaiah Crow!”

Jed turned to see a man, short in stature but powerfully built. He was dressed in black and wore a captain"s cap. As the man rushed up with his hand extended, he stopped. With a look of surprise on his face, he said, “I apologize young man. I thought you were someone else.”

“You knew Isaiah Crow? He was my father.”

“Was?” asked the man.

“My father died a few years ago. I"m Jed, Jedadiah Crow.”

“I"m sorry to hear of your father"s passing. I"m Captain King. Your father saved me a great deal of money once. We became good friends. I even attended his wedding.”

“I"m headed for the cantina down the street. Would you care to join me?” asked Jed.

“Why yes, I feel the need for something to eat. My ship sails tonight and it will be some time before I"ll have food from a cantina again.”

It was an enjoyable meal. Jed listened, fascinated by Captain King"s stories. When it came time to go, Jed asked, “I know it"s late notice, but could I purchase passage aboard your ship?”

“You want to go to Boston, do you?”

“Yes and no. I actually want to go to Washington. I have heard about the War of Rebellion and thought I would travel overland. However, if I can get passage on your ship…”

“You plan on joining the army, do you?”

“Yes sir, cavalry if they"ll have me. I"m good with horses, and I can read and write.”

“Son, you are welcome aboard my ship and to sail for nothing. The money your father saved me paid your passage long ago. Say, you don"t happen to own any books do you?”

“I have several of my father"s books with me.”

“Yes, it will be a pleasure having you aboard. When we leave here, I"ll show you where to be at five this afternoon. I will send a boat to pick you up.”

* * *

The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with color as The Boston Queen"s bow sliced through the Pacific waters. Jed stood alone, breathing in the smell of the ocean. They were headed for The Cape of Good Hope, “Around the Horn,” as Captain King put it; around the Horn and on to a new life.

The trip to Boston took nearly seven months. Crow bid farewell to Captain King and went into Boston to purchase two horses; one for riding and another as a pack animal to carry his kit. Two days later, Crow was headed to Washington, where he hoped to join the Cavalry.

The trek to Washington took Crow twelve days instead of ten because he was fascinated with the countryside and the people he met. Arriving in Washington, he found a rooming house run by a widow lady. The widow introduced him to the man at the livery, and he boarded his horses there.

President Lincoln continued the construction of the capitol building during the war and Crow spent several days watching its development. One day, when Crow returned to the livery, the owner approached him. “Mr. Crow, I have something that might interest you.”

Crow followed the man to the back of the stables. There, the liveryman stopped at the last stall. “He"s in there.”

In the stall was a magnificent black stallion. As Crow approached, the Black charged the gate. “Watch him,” called out the Liveryman, “He bites!”

Crow held his hand flat, and the horse went for it. Quick as a Cobra, Crow had the Black by its upper lip in a vice-like grip. The Black froze in place. Crow reached out with his other hand and gently stroked the Black"s nose, whispering. Then Crow released the lip of the Black and it backed away. Crow continued speaking in a low voice, and the horse came back. But his time, he bumped Crow"s hand to ask for more attention. “I ain"t ever seen anything like it,” said the Liveryman in a whisper.

“Is he for sale?” asked Crow.

“Yes, sir, he is and cheap too, only a hundred and fifty dollars. The man who owns him can"t control him, and it bites him.”

“See if he would be interested in a trade, my mount with saddle and tack for the Black. If you can convince him, I will give you my pack horse.”

The next day Crow owned the Black and the Liveryman owned a pack horse.

Crow spent the next four weeks training the Black as his father had taught him.

One day, Crow left the livery and walked to a building with a sign that read Henry Repeating Arms. Inside, Mr. Hall, the proprietor, was surprised by the number of pistols and the Henry Rifle purchased by the young man named Crow. Crow impressed Mr. Hall, even more, when he paid cash for it all. “It has been a pleasure serving you, Mr. Crow. Should you ever need anything in firearms in the future, I hope you will call on me.”

Crow carried two canvas bags containing his purchases. Crow saw a sign that read, “Red Rooster Saloon.” "I think I"ll stop for a drink and some food," thought Crow and stepped inside.