Thomas was finally back in the saddle and he loved it. Being stuck in Washington behind a desk was something that Thomas hated. The Indian Tribes caused so many problems that even those who apposed Thomas, needed a man like him out west. Thomas wasn't going out west to help anyone back in Washington. He was going there to try and help everyone. Thomas believed that the whites & the Indians could live together in peace without killing each other. However, there were those on both sides of the conflict that couldn't be reasoned with. Thomas understood why the Indians were killing. He would have done the same, had he been in their position. But as Thomas said, two wrongs don't make a right. Battles between the Indian warriors & the army soldiers were one thing. However, innocents on both sides were being killed as well. Thomas's first duty was to keep his area of Arizona peaceful. He met with the leaders of the Apaches who lived around the fort. Thomas listened to their concerns and their needs. He knew these chiefs wouldn't put much trust in his words, or promises. They had heard it all before from other white officers. Thomas needed to prove himself by actions and not words.
Thomas spent many days and weeks working on how to help the Apache under his care. This brought him in conflict with the local Indian Agent, a man called Silas Meacham. The Apache hated Meacham because he cheated them every chance he got, which was all the time. At his store where the Apache came for supplies. Meacham had his scale for weighing beef off by 50lbs. This meant that the Apache would get less meat. He also shorted them on corn and flour. The only thing he handed out in large quantities was liquor. The stuff which was called whiskey could hardly be called that. It wasn't fit for humans to drink. Meacham handed out this poison to all the Apache males who'd take it. This often sent them on rage filled attacks which then Thomas was forced to stop. 4 months after taking command of Fort Apache, Thomas, out of his own pocket bought 400 head of beef cattle and give it to the local Apache chiefs. At least for a while, they could have good beef which wasn't spoiled, nor under weight. This gift showed many Apache that Thomas wasn't just another cavalry officer who'd do nothing. He was honest in his words of help to the Apache.
Thomas was however hand tied when it came to Meacham. He could do little against the man because he wasn't in the army. Meacham was a civilian working for the Government. Thomas needed to catch Meacham cheating the Indians before he could bring charges against him. By giving the Apache food, Thomas had made their trips to Meacham's store unnecessary. For now, Meacham would remain in business. Since Meacham didn't hand out his rot gut whiskey from his store, Thomas couldn't touch there ether. It was illegal to hand out whiskey from a military post, or Government store. Meacham had ways around this and Thomas could do nothing unless Meacham was caught in the act. Thomas's gift to the Apache pissed Meacham off. He told Thomas of his powerful friends in Washington and how they'd have something to say about this. Thomas had Quincannon toss Meacham out of his office. No one came into Thomas's office and made threats. Thomas knew that Meacham's threats were empty. He was a low level thug in the corruption that was the Indian Agency.
Because Thomas had showed himself to be a man of honor. Some Apaches joined his command as scouts. These Apache would be paid and could provide things for their families. One of these was a young 19 year old named Wolf. He was a handsome young men with long black hair. His wasn't as built as Thomas was. Wolf stood 5'9" and weighed 130 pounds. He was lean, but yet strong. Wolf's family lived outside the fort not far from a small river. This river fed a small pond near an area of forest land. Wolf's father was one of the local chiefs who made peace with Thomas. It wasn't until Wolf joined the army as a scout that he saw Jamie. She had worked to bring her body back to where it was before the baby came. Wolf had never seen a woman wearing pants before. This always amazed the young Indian. He'd watch her riding around on horseback. Often hiding in the nearby woods, or some tall grass. Wolf found himself growing very fond of Jamie, but she was forbidden. Jamie was the wife of Thomas and Wolf's father said she to be left alone. He didn't want to cause trouble with the only white man who kept his word with the Apache.
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