The Black Jacks

"Ah, Singletary," said Lamar, as the City Gazette's editor approached. "How are you today?"

"Never better, Mr. President, thank you. Hello, Captain. It is a pleasure to see you fully recuperated." Singletary glanced past Lamar at the pair of riflemen. "And who are these gents?"

Lamar grimaced. "My bodyguards. General Johnston insisted I have them until the Comanche threat is passed."

"Regular army? It's only fitting that the general assigned an entire company to your protection, sir."

Lamar smirked. "Amusing, Singletary. Very amusing."

"It's just that this is the largest contingent of the Texas Regular Army I have ever seen assembled in one place."

"That's because I had put my faith—and the republic's funds—in the Ranger companies." Lamar glanced with displeasure at Wingate. "I had depended on the Rangers for the protection of the frontier. And yet, to my knowledge, not a single Ranger managed to engage the Comanches."

Wingate grimaced. "My men have bottomed out their horses patrolling between here and San Antonio. We figured the hostiles would show up sooner or later. They obviously split into small groups after the Plum Creek fight and slipped through. Besides, we have three companies down on the Nueces Strip. They couldn't be summoned in time, and it would have been unwise to do that anyway, on account of the Mexicans might've taken advantage of the situation and launched a raid of their own. And then there's Caldero and his bunch. Colonel Karnes and his men were responsible for the protection of San Antonio. That leaves two companies strung out north of here all the way to the Cross Timbers, in case the Comanches turned due north. We need more men. That's the long and short of it. I've always said so and I guess I'll always have to."

"More men means more money," said Lamar.

"You could always levee a new tax, Mr. President," said Singletary wryly.

"This is hardly the appropriate time for such a measure, and you know it."

Singletary nodded, sympathetic. "Yes, I see your point, sir. Why give Sam Houston any more political ammunition?"

At the mention of his nemesis, Lamar's features darkened into a scowl. "So you've heard that Houston intends to challenge me for the presidency."

"And I was hoping for a comment from you on that subject. One suitable for publication."

Lamar gave the request a moment's careful consideration. "I trust the citizens of this great and glorious republic will elect the candidate who has demonstrated by his deeds that he has their best interests at heart."

"Meaning you, of course, Mr. President."

"I would hope that the people will have better sense than to elect a drunkard and an Indian lover," said Wingate.

"I've heard Houston has foresworn strong spirits," remarked Singletary.

"Big Drunk couldn't swear off liquor any more than a dog could swear off biting fleas," retorted the Ranger captain.

"Mind if I quote you?"

Wingate shrugged supreme indifference. Lamar said, "Of course you may print that, Singletary. Just make sure you give the captain the credit."

Singletary nodded. He understood completely. In the great tradition of American politics, Lamar would let his lieutenants hurl the truly vile slanders and i

"I'm told David Burnet has already been to attack Houston's integrity," he said. "In the Telegraph, over the signature of 'Publius.' "

"Has he?" Lamar could not disguise the fact that he was pleased. "And what has he said?"

"The usual things. He's charged Houston with committing just about every category of vice degrading to humanity."

"Well, well." Lamar chuckled. "There's little love lost between those two."

Singletary knew well the truth of that statement. David Burnet had left his clerking job in New York City forty years ago to seek adventure with Miranda in Venezuela. Later he had roamed the far western frontier, living with the Indians. It was said that he never went anywhere without a Bible in one coat pocket and a loaded pistol in the other. During the Texas Revolution, Burnet had been elected provisional president of the new republic. He and Sam Houston had not gotten along. Burnet kept insisting that Houston turn and fight the Mexican Army, and when Houston just as consistently refused, Burnet accused him of cowardice. After the guns had fallen silent at San Jacinto, Burnet appeared at the battlefield and confiscated a stallion, formerly the property of a high-ranking officer in Santa A

Matters got worse. Burnet negotiated a treaty with the captured Santa A

During Houston's term as the republic's first elected president, Burnet had constantly heckled him and ridiculed his policies, particularly in regards to making peace with the Indians. Now Burnet was Lamar's vice president. He spent most of his time in Galveston. Singletary was certain he would become Lamar's chief hatchet man in the upcoming campaign. Already he was sharpening his claws on Houston's hide with those articles in the Houston Telegraph and Texas Register, under the pseudonym of Publius.

"If memory serves," said Singletary, "Burnet once challenged Houston to a duel. It will be interesting to see what happens this time around."

"They are both quick-tempered men," observed Lamar, nodding.

"Houston would be a fool to allow himself to be baited into an affair of honor. Live or die, he would lose. After the Goodrich-Laurens business, dueling is greatly out of favor here."

Lamar smiled. "I'm sure you will do your part, sir, to make sure Mr. Houston loses. Now, if you will excuse me . . ." He and Wingate and the two bodyguards proceeded down Congress Avenue. Singletary, though, wasn't so easily dispensed with. He fell in step alongside the president.

"You seem to be afraid of me," said the newspaperman.

That stopped Lamar in his tracks. "What makes you think so?"

"The City Gazette has consistently supported your policies, Mr. President."

"Yes, yes. That's true."

"You might say I have dipped my poison pen in the blood of your enemies."

"Quite so," conceded Lamar. "But why? I do not perceive your motives, sir. If you have convictions, political or otherwise, they are concealed from me, and everyone else. If you do not know why a man is doing something for you today, then how can you be sure he won't turn on you tomorrow?"