“Howdy. My name’s David Crockett. Who is your chief?”
A tall man with eagle feathers in his hair walked out of the group and stood before Davy.
“My name is Red Star. I am the chief of this band.”
Davy stuck out his hand. “Glad to meet you, Red Star. My friends and I came here because your warriors attacked a settlement last week. We want to live in peace, but we must protect our homes.”
“As must we,” said Red Star as he shook Davy’s hand. “The white chief told us we could live on these lands forever. Now white settlers are moving onto the lands and taking them from the Indians. We must protect our homes also.”
Davy nodded. “Yes, you must. We did not know of the white settlers taking your lands. When I get back home, I will go to the government and have them remove the settlers from your lands.”
Red Star looked puzzled. “You will do this for us?”
Davy smiled. “Sure as my name’s David Crockett. I give you my word and I give you my hand that as long as I am able, I will do everything I can to see you get to keep your home.”
“Then I give you my word and my hand that as long as the settlers stay off our land, there will be peace.”
Davy smiled. “Sounds like we have a deal. Now Red Star, this marching and fighting has made me hungry. Do you think your tribe can rustle up some food for us before we start back?”
Several hours later, Addie, Dylan, and Braden walked beside Davy as they headed for his cabin.
“Gosh, Davy,” Dylan said. “I can’t believe that the Indians would be so ready to make peace with you.”
Davy stopped and looked back toward the Indian village. “Dylan, they’re just folks like anybody else. They love their homes and their families and want to protect them, just like I would. I meant what I said about doing what I can to help them keep their land.”
“Davy, are you going to run for the legislature like the men talked about?” Braden asked.
Davy turned around and started walking. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it. Right now I just want to get home and see my wife and family. I guess tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Chapter Six
Addie, Dylan, and Braden sat under a tree and watched as Davy paced back and forth in front of the cabin door. They had never seen Davy look so worried. Inside the cabin a doctor and some of the local women were taking care of Polly. She had become sick and Davy had sent for the doctor, but she did not seem to be getting any better. Davy stopped his pacing and leaned against the wall of the cabin. His eyes were closed, and his lips moved in a silent prayer.
“I wish there was something we could do for him,” Braden whispered to Addie.
“So do I,” she replied. “He looks so sad.”
The door to the cabin opened and the doctor walked out. He was drying his hands on a towel. He walked over to Davy and put his hand on his shoulder. Davy looked at the doctor with hope in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Davy. We did all we could. She was just too sick. I’m afraid she is gone.”
Davy’s shoulders slumped. He leaned against the wall to keep from falling to the ground. He lifted his head and tried to speak, but no words came from his mouth. Addie saw a tear fall from his eye and run down his cheek. For several moments everyone was silent. Finally, Davy brushed the tear from his cheek and straightened up. He looked at the doctor.
“Thank you for all you did for her.” He put out his hand, and the doctor took it. “I would like to see her alone now.”
The doctor called the women who had been assisting him outside. The children watched as Davy walked into the house and closed the door. A while later, Davy came outside. His eyes were red, but he forced a smile.
“I will bury her on that little hill overlooking the valley. It was her favorite place. Once again, thank you all.”
The day of Polly’s funeral was cloudy, and a soft rain fell. The preacher gave a short service, and the neighbors who had come to the funeral all gave their support to Davy. When the service was over and the people had left, Davy walked around inside the empty cabin. He seemed to be hearing laughter and voices from happier days.
Finally he walked out of the cabin into the rain and headed to the woods. The children hurried after him. He walked deep into the forest and finally stopped under a giant tree. He sat down and leaned back against the tree trunk. Addie and the boys sat down next to him and waited for him to speak. After several minutes, Dylan spoke up.
“What are you going to do now, Davy?”
Davy looked at the children as if he did not know they were there.
“I don’t know. I think I’ll just pack my gear and head off into the forest. I’ll live out here and I won’t have anybody to bother me.”
“You can’t do that,” Braden said.
“And why can’t I?” Davy asked.
Braden looked at Davy. “A lot of people look up to you. They are counting on you to help make this country a safe place to live.”
“He’s right, Davy,” Addie said. “You can make this a better place to live for a lot of people.”
Davy shook his head and looked down at the ground.
“Why do I care if this is a better place for other people to live? What makes you think I could do anything to make this better anyway?”
Dylan got up and walked over and stood in front of Davy.
“Because you are Davy Crockett. And nobody can do the things you can do. I know you are sad right now, but tomorrow I think you will believe that you should help make this country better. Remember what you told the Indians? They are trusting in you too. You have a lot to offer everyone, and you can’t do it if you are hiding in the forest.”
Addie reached over and took his hand. “Davy, whether you like it or not, people look up to you and count on you. You don’t have a choice. You are Davy Crockett.”
Davy looked at the children.
“Yes, I’m Davy Crockett. I wish I was David Crockett, because he could walk off into the forest and forget everything. But this Davy, he is the one that has to help people and make something of this country.” He stood up and brushed off his pants. “So, I guess that Davy needs to get back. I believe there is an election to win.”
Chapter Seven
The campaign was a success, and Davy was elected to the state legislature. He worked hard to pass bills that would permit settlers to have new land, while at the same time he kept his promise to the Indians that they could keep their homes.
Davy worked hard, and when he had a chance, he liked to go hunting in the nearby forests and hills. One day while he was out hunting, he found the track of a large bear. Addie, Dylan, and Braden watched as Davy followed the track for several miles. Suddenly he stopped and the children saw a cave in the side of a small mountain.
Davy slowly walked toward the cave, being careful to stay hidden in the trees. When he got to the edge of a clearing, he stopped and watched the cave. The children sat next to Davy and did not say a word. After a while, the bear walked out of the cave and sniffed the air. Davy slowly raised the gun to his shoulder and prepared to fire.
Before he could pull the trigger, three bear cubs came tumbling out of the cave. They ran to their mother and playfully tugged at her. Davy slowly lowered his rifle and slipped quietly back into the woods. The children followed him, and when they were away from the cave, Braden walked beside Davy.
“Why didn’t you shoot that bear? It would have made a nice rug.”
Davy put his hand on Braden’s head. “Those cubs need a mother much more than I need a rug. One thing you should remember is that you should never kill something for no reason. All God’s creatures have a right to live. That bear had a family to take care of. It would not be right to take her from her family for no reason except I want something to put on my floor.”
The children followed Davy back to his room. When they got there, they found several men waiting for them.
“Davy, glad you are back.” One of the men stuck out his hand to Davy. “We have something we want to talk to you about.”
Davy shook the man’s hand. He opened the door to his room so they could enter.
“What’s on your minds?” he asked.
“Well, Davy, you have done a fine job here in the state legislature. But we think you could do an even better job for us in Washington. We want you to run for the United States Congress.”
Davy sat in silence. The children watched him as he thought about the man’s request.
“The United States Congress. That is quite a step up. I don’t know if enough folks know me to get elected to that position.”
The men smiled. “Don’t worry, Davy. Lots of folks know who you are. You’d be surprised how popular you are in this state. And you know Andrew Jackson, the President. You were in the Indian wars with him. That would be a big help in getting laws passed to help our area.”
The children saw a smile slowly cross Davy’s face.
“I believe that you are right. I think I will have a go at this Congress business. When do we start?”
The men all smiled and slapped Davy on the back. “We’ll get started right away. There is a debate tomorrow. Your opponent has heard that we wanted you to run. He is writing a speech just to make fun of you.”
Davy looked at the children. “That so? Well, we might have some fun with him ourselves.”
The next day, a large crowd had gathered to hear the candidates speak. Davy’s opponent was a wealthy landowner from the eastern part of the state. He spoke first.
“My fellow Tennesseans. You have the opportunity to select a man to represent you in Congress who can do great things for this state and for you. I know many influential men who could use their influence, at my request, to help us move forward.” His speech was interrupted by a flock of guinea hens that flew in front of him, making a loud noise. When the guinea hens had left, he continued. “My opponent cannot offer you this. He is nothing but a ‘gentleman’ from the cane. We all know what these canebrake folks are like. They do not have the intelligence, the education, or the ability to lead us where we need to go. That’s why I am asking you to vote for me for Congress. Together we can move this state forward to a new era of great growth and wealth. Thank you.”
He bowed to Davy as he sat down. Davy sat looking at the crowd for several moments. Then he rose and slowly walked to the center of the stage. He smiled out at the crowd.
“Well, after listening to my opponent, I guess I’m just wasting my time and yours by being here. Yes, I am from the canebrake. But so are most of you. I found that there are some nice, hard-working folks living in the canebrake. People who are not afraid to get their hands dirty doing an honest day’s work. People who are willing to help out a neighbor when he needs it. Shoot, I guess I don’t know any better than to be proud that I’m from the canebrake. I know this: I don’t know many rich folks like this fellow here does, but I know many of you, and if you elect me then I promise you I will do all I can to see that you get what you need. When that flock of guinea hens interrupted my opponent, I was trying to make out what they were saying. I finally figured it out. They were saying ‘Crockett! Crockett! Crockett!’ I would greatly appreciate your vote.”
The crowd cheered and laughed as Davy sat down. The man who asked him to run for Congress leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“You better get ready to move to Washington, Congressman Crockett.”
Chapter Eight
Davy looked around the small room where he would be staying in Washington. He had won the election and had come to the nation’s capital to begin his career as a congressman from Tennessee. The children watched him as he unpacked his few belongings.
“Well, Davy,” Braden said. “How do you feel now that you’re a member of Congress?”
Davy sat down on the bed. “I guess I don’t feel much different. I feel more responsibility for the folks back home. I need to make sure I represent them well. But you know, I have always lived by the motto, ‘Be always sure you are right, then go ahead.’ I think if I live up to that, then everything will be all right.”
Addie looked out the window. “Washington sure is a busy place. People are everywhere.”
Dylan stood by her side. “Yes. They look like a bunch of ants, scurrying every which way. It sure is different from the forests of Tennessee.”
Davy nodded his head. “Sure is. I guess it will take some getting used to.”
Someone knocked at the door, and Davy opened it. A small man in a fancy suit was standing at the door.
“Congressman Crockett? I am Silas Cooper. I am a secretary for President Jackson. He requests that you stop by for a visit today. Would three o’clock be all right?”
Davy looked at the small man standing there. “President Jackson wants to see me? Well then, I suppose I should go meet the President. Mr. Cooper, tell President Jackson that I would be honored to meet with him at three o’clock.”
Silas Cooper bowed and backed out of the door. “I shall, Congressman Crockett.” He turned and walked down the hall.
Davy shut the door and walked back into the room. “I wonder what he wants,” he said. “I haven’t seen General…I mean, President Jackson, since the Indian wars.”
“Maybe he just wants to talk about old times,” Braden said.
Davy nodded. “Could be. I don’t remember him as being someone who just sits down and visits without wanting something. I guess we will find out shortly.”
At three o’clock, Silas Cooper led Davy into a large office. The three children followed. President Jackson was sitting behind a large desk signing some papers. He looked up as Davy walked in. The President smiled and rose from his chair. He walked around the desk and shook Davy’s hand.
“It’s good to see you again, Congressman Crockett.”
“It’s good to see you too, Mr. President.”
President Jackson motioned to a chair. “Have a seat, Davy. I think I will call you Davy instead of Congressman Crockett, if you don’t mind.”
Davy sat in the chair. “I don’t mind at all, Mr. President.”
President Jackson sat down behind his desk and lit a cigar. He offered one to Davy, but he declined.
“Now, Davy. You are probably wondering why I asked to meet with you.”