Part Four

A day had swept past and Spot had seen almost nothing of Bambi. When he wasn’t in his cabin, he was either at the recreation hall or the dining hall. He had eaten supper with Bambi, but they hardly said a word to one another.

Spot told no one of the ruse Bambi was playing of them being husband and wife. If they were in two separate cabins, then there was no reason to tell anyone about this. His cabin mates were rowdy, but impersonal and did not ask about that girl he took his meals with.

Bored by the lack of things to do on this trip, Spot went to the recreation hall to play some cards. Having brought some money with him, perhaps he could win some extra in a round of poker.

He entered the recreation hall and found five men gathered around a table, playing a round of five card stud. Spot walked up to the table as one man won the round with three ladies.

“Got room for one more?”

“Believe so.” One said. “Pull up a chair.”

He reached behind him and pulled out a chair. Seating himself, he was dealt five cards and told that the bet was five, and nothing was wild. He examined his cards, removed two and set them away from him. He was dealt two more.

“I fold.” Two men said at once.

The bet was on, and Spot tossed another five cents into the bet. Another player folded. The player who allowed Spot to join doubled the bet.

“Two rich for me.” The other stated.

“I’ll take that bet ‘n’ double it.” Spot said, taking two dimes from his pocket and placing the bet.

Shrugging, the final player folded his cards. “All right. Show me what you beat me with.”

Spot revealed his cards. They were all red: the three of diamonds, the six of diamonds, the eight of diamonds, the queen of diamonds, and the three of hearts. Most of the players thought it was a flush at first glance until they saw the three of hearts. Spot had beaten the player with a pair of threes!

“Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln!” the player shrieked as Spot collected his winnings. “Who taught you to play like that?”

“Where ya from?”

“Brooklyn.”

“Ever heard of Spot Conlon?”

“You mean that arrogant leader of those newsies? Yes, I’ve heard of him. I take it he taught you.”

Grinning, Spot extended his hand. “Spot Conlon. Pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

The player’s face burned red as the other players began to snicker. He accepted Spot’s handshake, but very solemnly.

“Sorry about the comment.”

“Ah, that’s okay. I’ve had worse. Whaddaya they call ya?”

“Name’s Ripley. If you’re that leader of the newsies, what’re you doing here?”

“My stepdaddy died. Gonna take care ‘f ‘is business in Maine.”

“I see.”

The game continued on, and Spot won several more rounds, increasing his winnings to more than double with what he had come with. Two players had backed out of the game just so they could watch. In fact, a crowd was gathering to watch this game.

It wasn’t long before Spot heard a familiar and unwelcome voice. Scowling, he peered over his shoulder to find Bambi standing behind him. Her face was painted with a sweet smile that only Spot could see past.

“There you are, darling.” She said smoothly. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Who’s this?” one player wondered, looking Bambi over from head to toe.

“This…this’s my…old lady.”

He could see the muscles in her face jerking when she tried not to burst at the term he gave her.

“And a lovely little lady she is too.” Ripley observed. “How long have you two been married?”

“Just three months.” She replied quickly. “Although it seems like just a few days.” She returned her attention to Spot. “What have I told you about gambling?”

His jaw dropped. What was she trying to pull? This was the best poker game he had ever played. Now she thought she could drag him from it?

“Exactly what I thought. Come along, we have some matters to discuss.”

He had no other choice but to go with her. Shrugging, he complied and said farewell to the poker players. Then he followed Bambi to her cabin to talk to her.

“Whaddaya think you’re doing?” he demanded. “Ya can’t jus’ drag me from th’ best poker game ‘f my life!”

“Are you trying to find quick ways to get rid of your money? We can’t afford losing any money right now. We’ll need every cent we have.”

“But I jus’ doubled what I started out with.”

“I don’t care. Gambling is no way to gain money. There’s too great a risk involved for losing money.”

“Speak for yourself. You’re not really my wife, or my mudder either. I can do what I want.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Do you really think you can talk to me like that?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I can take what I want from you right now and get the bracelet without you.”

“Fine! Ya really think I’m that greedy? Well, I ain’t! An’ t’ prove it,” he grabbed the shoelace and removed it from his neck, “here it is. You take it! An’ when we get t’ Maine, I’m headin’ right back t’ Brooklyn. This trip’s been nothin’ but a disaster t’ start with!”

Bambi stood there, wide-eyed at the key in her palm. Before she could say anything, he stormed down the hall to his cabin and slammed the door behind him.

* * *

Spot crossed his arms over the railing and sighed. He missed Louisa. If only he hadn’t gone on this stupid treasure hunt. What would Louisa say if she heard of this? He didn’t want to lose her. She was too special to him.

A gusty saltwater breeze tousled Spot’s hair about his face. He was used to having sea air blow into his lodging house and welcomed it, but now, it was making him nauseous. He looked out into the sea and saw the waves rising and falling with the movement of the wind.

He looked further down and saw silvery creatures along the side of the hull. Squinting his eyes, he saw a fin rise, as well as a spurt of water. Two dolphins were swimming with the ship. Spot grinned as he watched the dolphins swim, leap, and dodge the side of the ship. He had never seen dolphins before, and this was certainly a treat.

Soon, his smile faded. He could hear footsteps coming his way and sensed that it was Bambi. When he stood next to him, he turned his head away from her.

“Whaddaya want?” he muttered.

“I want to apologize for yesterday.”

“Apology accepted. Now go away.”

“I’m not finished yet. I’m sorry, but I’m a tightwad. This trip is not meant for one. It’s meant for two because there’s too many perils involved. You’re the only person who I can trust on this trip. And you already knew there was treasure involved. If I found someone different, it would take weeks to get him ready for the trip. The auction is in twelve days.”

“Why should I care if ya wanna get rich? I jus’ thought it’d be ‘n interesting experience. Plus, I’d get some pleasure outa it, gettin’ th’ one treasure good ol’ Wyatt wanted t’ get ‘is hands on but I ended up getting.”

“Then simply come along for that reason. Please.” She opened her hand and held out the key. “You take this. And don’t try to give it back. Because I’m telling you now, if you don’t go on this hunt with me, then there’s no point in going at all.”

Spot couldn’t understand anything at all. Bambi wasn’t telling the truth. Or at least, not all of it. He frowned. Would she really forgo that auction because of him? There was more to it than she was mentioning.

When he didn’t answer, Bambi grabbed his hand and put the key in it. Closing his fingers over the key, she said the one thing she needed to.

“The ship arrives at the port in four hours.” She informed. “I’ll get off there. And I’ll wait for you. If you don’t come with me, I’ll go by myself.”

“But ya said that it was dangerous.”

“It is. But I’m gonna get that bracelet if it kills me. And it would be your fault if that happened.”

And with a twist of her hips, she waltzed away from Spot. It was up to him now to either go home with nothing to tell, or go on the treasure quest his stepfather had yearned to go on for so many years. Only one way had a winner. And that way was with Bambi.

Even still, Spot wasn’t sure if even he would be the winner then. He still didn’t trust Bambi. And as far as he was concerned, he wasn’t her pawn. In this game of chess, he was going to be the king. It was time that she became the pawn.

* * *

Bambi tapped her foot impatiently. It had been nearly fifteen minutes since she stepped off the boat. Had her little confession worked on him? If it hadn’t, she was ruined. Especially if she didn’t have the key. Then nothing would work at all.

The ship was leaving the dock. With a loud blare, steam erupted from the smokestacks, and within five minutes, it was sailing out toward Wales. And still, Bambi still couldn’t see Spot anywhere. Shrugging, she plopped down heavily on a nearby crate. He wasn’t coming.

‘I should’ve pulled out some tears on him.’ She thought. ‘No, I should’ve begged. Anything. Now everything’s hopeless.’

A figure stepped in front of her. Refusing to look up, her defenses rose and her fists balled. She was not in the mood to be confronted, and prepared to defend herself.

“Get away from me.” She growled.

“That’s no way to talk to your husband.”

Her head shot up. Spot was standing before her; the pack on his back, hands on his hips, and a big, playful grin decorating his face. Bambi was ready to attack him.

“You bum!” she shrieked, leaping to her feet. “How dare you do that to me?”

“T’ teach ya a lesson.” His grin faded. “But I’m only ‘ere on a two conditions.”

“Name them.”

“My own money’s my own money. I cin spend it, use it, or gamble it away if I want.”

“Fine.”

“An’ th’ second is this. I’m in charge.”

“Excuse me?” she spat, shocked.

“I’m in charge ‘f this. For one, I’m used t’ bein’ obeyed. An’ I ain’t gonna let my reputation down for a girl. An’ I still don’t trust ya. Ya gotta give me some reason t’ trust ya.”

“But I have all the information on getting there.”

“Yeah, you got th’ info, an’ I got th’ key. Both’ve gotta work t’gether if we’re both gonna be happy.”

Darkness clouded Bambi’s eyes. Oh, she was mad all right. She knew that Spot was stubborn, but to her, he was impossible. She wanted to annihilate him. But she doubted he would hand over the key as easily as he had the first time. Plus, she needed him if everything was to work out.

Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she needed Spot. Regardless of his bull-headedness, his attitude, and his striking good looks, she had no choice but to bring him along. She held her hand out.

“All right. It’s a deal.”

Spot spit into his hand, and she drew her hand away. He laughed at her action.

“That’s disgusting.”

“If I’m gonna be in charge, ya might as well start with learnin’ t’ spit int’ your hand b’fore ya shake.”

Rolling her eyes, Bambi reluctantly spit into the palm of her hand and shook Spot’s hand. Afterward, she wiped her hand on her pants, and Spot snickered again.

“Oh, shut up.” She muttered. “Get your stuff together. We’ve got one day to get to the right cave. If we wanna get their before sunset tomorrow, we need to leave now. But we need supplies first. If you need anything, get it now. Meet me back here in one half-hour.”

* * *

Spot counted out his money. Having begun this trip with five dollars and then doubling that with the poker game, he had ten dollars to spend for supplies. However, all he needed was another pair of socks, a pack of matches and some food to bring along. He had purchased a sack of corn dodgers for four bits, and there was enough to keep him tied over till he returned to Brooklyn.

Bambi would be coming along soon. Spot waited where she told him too and began to make plans of his own. He needed to figure out a way for Bambi to prove that he could trust her. He also needed to know her estimate on what money the bracelet would bring them. He wouldn’t want half of the money, as she had promised, but maybe enough to keep him secure for a few years.

Perhaps with this money he could impress Louisa’s parents and convince them to allow her to marry him. He would be the happiest man alive if they allowed him to. Just thinking about her brought a smile to his face.

However, his thoughts were snapped when Bambi came bounding toward him. She seemed to be being chased by someone, and didn’t alert Spot. She rushed past with an angry vendor on her heels. Spot leapt to his feet and followed.

Eventually, Bambi led the vendor down behind an isolated building. Spot peered around the corner to see the vendor draw a pistol from his belt and pointed it at Bambi. Spot yanked his slingshot out from his back pocket and loaded a green walnut, ready to launch it at the vendor.

Then, Bambi gritted her teeth, swung her legs around and kicked the gun from the vendor’s hand. Then she arched her hand and hit him in the neck, sending him to the ground. Within seconds, he was apprehended and completely defenseless.

Dusting her clothes off, Bambi strode out into the open and grinned at a gaping Spot.

“What’re you standing there for? We’re late enough as it is.”

Blinking, Spot put the slingshot back in his pocket and the walnut in his sack. As they left the village, Spot began to wonder why that vendor had pulled a gun on Bambi. Now that they were a safe distance away, he knew that now was the time to ask.

“Why was ‘e chasin’ ya?” he wondered.

“The money I used was counterfeit.”

“Counterfeit? Ya mean ya cheated ‘im?”

“I didn’t know it was.”

“Ya liar. Ya knew.”

“Alright, I did know. I wanted to get rid of that money and he looked dumber than he was so I thought he wouldn’t notice.”

“Ya know you could get arrested for that.”

“Spot, you’ve got a lot to learn about me.” She shifted her pack. “We should stop about an hour after dark. So by my estimate, we should arrive at the cave by three o’clock tomorrow, give or take a half an hour or so.”

She seemed too sure of herself. Spot frowned, with conclusions forming in his head. There was one in particular that he was beginning to believe, but he needed more proof first. And he had the feeling that the proof would come to him within the next few days.

* * *


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