Chapter 14

Alfred let Jack fall into a slow trot as they headed away from the house, at the tree line Alfred stopped Jack and turned around looking back at the house and grounds. Shifting in the saddle Alfred looks away from his home and nudges Jack forward heading to the west. Alfred goes to the train station and after making sure everything is in order and that Jack was comfortable Alfred sits in the car bench and waits for the train to get rolling. Falling asleep once the train gets rolling Alfred sleeps through the trip to the Parkersburg. Getting shaken awake by conductor Alfred blinks not sure where he is at first.

"You need to get up Sir; the train has stopped at its final destination."

"Really?" Alfred looks out the window. "Oh!"

The Conductor stepped back when Alfred stands up, "Sorry, do you know if the horse have been unloaded yet?"

"Their being unloaded right now."

"Thanks." Alfred grabs his pack and leaves the car, going to the horse car.

Alfred stays off to the side waiting for the horses to be unloaded before he was able to get his own. Taking the reins of Jack Alfred led him through the town heading for the Ohio River. At the docks Alfred looks around for a steam boat that could take him to Cairo. Talking with different people Alfred finds out that there is a military steamship ready to go and heading in the direction he was going. After talking with some of the men Alfred gets permission to be on the ship joining with the group that is also going to Springfield. After a couple of hours of preparing the ship they were under way. Sitting with some of the soldiers Alfred spends the time talking with them.

As the time passes Alfred looks out to the water watching life on the banks, slowly the American can see that they were approaching the city they were heading for. Moving away from the railing Alfred goes to check on Jack, petting the horse's neck as he shifts sensing everyone getting ready to get off. An hour later they dock and Alfred helps unload, afterwards he takes Jack away from the docks and checks out the town. In a park Alfred takes out his map and looks it over trying to think how he should go. The unit he was with at the moment will take another ship up to St. Louis and then a train to Rola. But the blond wasn't sure that was where he wanted to go. If he headed right for Springfield he would be alone and will get their quicker.

"What do you think Jack? Should we go to cross country or stay with the guys?" Alfred asked the horse showing him the map.

The horse bumps against Alfred and continues grazing, the American hums and nods.

"Springfield it is." Alfred rolls the map back up and stands up.

Putting the map away back in the saddle bag the American quickly mounted and took up the reins. Steering Jack to turn around the horse around and nudges him into a trot towards the docks. Finding the man in charge was easy; he was the one yelling at everyone. Reining Jack in beside the man Alfred looked at the squad that the man was yelling at.

"I don't think you yelled at them quite enough Captain."

"Not now Jones."

"Ah come on, look see that one paused." Alfred points at a soldier who is following a group in loading the ship.

The man looks at Alfred unamused, "What do you want."

"You ruin all of my fun."

"We're at war."

"Exactly the time to remember that everything isn't about being angry all of the time."

"Jones."

"Fine fine, I came over to tell you I'm going by land."

"What? What about the men who are suppost to be with you?"

"Leave word for them to meet me in Spirngfield, I'm sure they can manage to make it there on their own."

"The higher ups won't like this Jones."

"So what? They can yell at me once I return home. Now I am free to do what I want until I meet with Brigadier General Lyon."

"Jones."

"Bye Captain." Alfred spins Jack around and encourages him into a run.

"Jones!"

Alfred hunches over Jack's neck helping to guide him through the street and out of the town.

A/N Sorry about the long delay, this chapter kept getting lost. Also sorry that it is short I wanted to get it out before I lost it again.