She squealed in delight as she unfolded a length and threw it over her shoulder. She went to the little oval mirror and turned and twisted several times as she admired its softness and color. "It"s beautiful, Uncle Thad!"
She ran to him and hugged and kissed him. "Thank you for remembering. Can"t you picture the lovely dress it wil make?"
Thad laughed at the way she danced around the room with the cloth. He slyly suggested, "When you get that fancy new dress finished, we"l have to find a suitable young man to come a-caling. She joined his joking and quipped back, "Uncle Thad, you"re impossible! I think I"l remain a spinster and live here with you forever. Besides, I don"t recal meeting any "suitable" young men around here. I don"t care to court any of those I"ve met here."
"Now, now, my girl," he chided her gently. "It"s about time for you to start thinking about a family of your own, though I"l put up a fight to lose you. Most young ladies are settled and have their own homes and families by the time they"re seventeen or eighteen, especialy the ones as pretty as you. You turned twenty today. You don"t want folks caling you a femme seule, do you? I"m afraid they wil if you continue to refuse al gentlemen calers."
She stuck her pert nose in the air and pouted prettily. "Wel, I don"t care what they cal me or say. Give me the name of one man here worth my time and attention and I"l pursue him post-haste. Besides, I haven"t noticed any gentlemen calers."
"There is Fort Pierre," he added slyly. "I hear there are quite a few handsome, available officers over there. I could arrange a visit few handsome, available officers over there. I could arrange a visit on business to show you off in that new green dress," he teased.
"Might find a good catch over there ..."
"Don"t worry, Uncle Thad. I"m sure the right man wil come along soon and when he does, I"l know. I promise you"l be second to know. Give me just a little more time to get accustomed to this land and its people. I have a lot to learn about life before I marry."
"As you say, my child. You have a lot of your mother in you. She was stubborn and headstrong until she married your father. I don"t think I ever knew any couple happier than those two. You"re stil young and there"s plenty of time for you to find a good man to marry and settle down. I only hope I live to see that happy occasion."
They laughed and talked for a long time. Thad missed the seriousness in Alisha"s voice and face when she had said she would not marry any of the men she had met here. Al young girls felt that way until they met a very promising young man and fel in love. Alisha knew she was serious, for none of them had made her heart flutter and her senses reel as he.... Forget him, Lese, she scolded herself. He is the last man you could or should ever love. Sadly she added, if only I had known what he was like before I had those feelings about him. Once begun, how do I stop them or control them? Oh why did I have to see and want him of al men?
After the meeting, Thad had sent some men to cut the brave free to move around the smokehouse." Without her knowledge, he had told the men to place a heavier bar on the door to secure it. Gray Eagle was free to move about in the confines of the smokehouse.
smokehouse.
They had not decided what to do with the brave at the meeting held in Ben"s cabin. They had reasoned and argued, but could not agree on the best way to hadle this delicate and dangerous problem. Their final decision could have a major effect on al their lives and futures.
Simon had informed them of his belief the brave was the son of a chief. He based his reasoning on the amulet the brave wore around his neck. A trapper had shown him a similar one taken from the body of a slain Cheyenne chief"s son. The trapper had told him this kind of necklace was believed to hold great magic and could be worn only by chiefs and their sons. If this were true, he would be a most valuable hostage in the event of an attack by his tribe. They wouldn"t dare attack as long as he was their captive. Most of the men felt it was impossible to release him after what they had done to him this afternoon. Surely, he would return with his warriors for revenge. Thad refused to consider kiling him and secretly burying him, as some suggested. Thad decided it would be best to wait and see what happened in the next few days. They needed more time and cooler heads to come up with a solution. After a lot of heated arguing, they agreed to go along with him and wait, but for only three days.
Ben, Jed and Horace talked after the meeting, their voices floating to the nearby smokehouse and Gray Eagle"s ears. Jed said, "I don"t give a d.a.m.n what Thad says. I say if there"s no trouble by tomorrow we kil him."
The other two men nodded in agreement. Ben suggested, "What we kin do is sneak him out one night, take him to the forest and take care of him ourselves. Thad ain"t the only one around here with a vote and stake in this. He ain"t nothing but an ole fuddy-with a vote and stake in this. He ain"t nothing but an ole fuddyduddy."
He laughed maliciously and continued, "We could have us a bit of fun with him first and then kil "im. Hel, we could hide the body where no one would find it. Thad wouldn"t be the wiser.
"Sides, what could he do then?"
Jed grinned devilishly and agreed, "Yeh ... I got me a few ideas I"d like to try on him. What we need around here is a new leader. Thad ain"t got the guts for dealing with these redskins. He made a heluva leader on the way out here. He had the smarts and silver tongue to keep the people in line. But out here, he"s no good to any of us. I say we git the people to elect you, Ben. We don"t need his talking and smarts anymore. What we do need is a man, a real man, to lead us now. I say we force him out."
Horace chimed in, "And I"l take care of that niece of his. She needs a few lessons from a real man and I"m just the one to give them to her. She"s turned me down for the last time."
Ben jumped in at those words. "I can"t let you harm Miss Alisha, Horace. She"s a real lady and an angel. Our quarrel is with Thad, not her. I can"t let you harm a friend of mine."
"I didn"t mean I was gonna harm her. What I aim to do is marry her. She"s the most beautiful woman I"ve ever seen and I"ve seen plenty. She makes my blood boil every time I"m near her."
"Now what makes you think you can git her to marry you?"
taunted Jed. "From the looks of things, I"d say she hates the ground you walk on. She"s paid that Injun more attention than she"s paid you."
"Is that so, Jed? I got the advantage over him cause I"m white and he ain"t. Besides, I"m available and he ain"t," he reasoned further. Thinking of the way she had looked at the handsome further. Thinking of the way she had looked at the handsome warrior, he flared, "I"d like to set a flame to that manhood he"s so proud of and shows off with that tight loincloth. Heck, I bet he ain"t got enough to satisfy a baby heifer. If we could"ve finished with that lesson this afternoon, she would have seen him crying and begging for mercy. She wouldn"t have been so impressed with him then. Before I"m finished with him, he"l be sorry he ever turned her head his way."
They talked on for a while longer, planning Gray Eagle"s tortures and death. Later, they walked off in separate directions to go to their own cabins.
Gray Eagle paced around the smokehouse loosening stiff muscles, ready to spring on the first person to enter the door. He thought on the words of the three men and sneered cynicaly. If the girl dared to come again, he would capture her and threaten her life in exchange for his freedom. Then, she would know what it was to feel the flame and the knife...
The next morning Gray Eagle awoke refreshed and eager to be gone. Morning was crawling by like a snail when his attention was claimed by the voices of two men in conversation near the side of the smokehouse. He eased to the wal nearest them and put his ear close to a crack. He recognized the voices of the two men known as Ben and Thad. He listened...
The old man was teling the giant man he could not go hunting with him today. He told of a secret dugout in his cabin to be used by the gra.s.s-eyed girl in case of an attack by his people. He said it had not been completed yet and he wanted it finished today. He told how he had concealed it under the boards of the floor under the table. Gray Eagle noted the worry and concern in the voice of the old man. He fears greatly for the life of the girl, he thought. the old man. He fears greatly for the life of the girl, he thought. Gray Eagle heard Thad say, "I"d never forgive myself for bringing her here if anything happened to her. She"s like my own daughter. Ben..." he continued hesitantly, "If anything ever happens to me, look out for her, wil you?"
Ben nodded and replied, "You don"t ever have to ask that, Thad. I"l not let anyone hurt Miss Alisha, not as long as I have life and breath. I"l take care of the hunting today and you work on that trench. We been having good luck lately. Shouldn"t be no trouble to get some deer and elk today." Ben was very confident about his hunting and trapping skils; he was one of their best hunters. Thad returned to his cabin to finish the work on the dugout. Ben caled the hunting party together to plan the directions for each smal group of men. They al took his suggestions and prepared to leave.
Even though Gray Eagle received no food or water that day, he was glad to be free to move around and to have overheard this new piece of information. It is good she wil be safe during the raid, but hers wil be the only life spared if she does as I command. He flamed at the thought of having her at his mercy. "E-cana ..." he vowed heatedly, "E-cana..."
He became alert as a certain voice touched his ears. He peered out a crack and saw the gra.s.s-eyed girl washing clothes and hanging them out to dry beside her cabin. He strained to hear her soft voice singing low as she worked. His eyes strayed to where the man caled Horace was standing, watching her with great desire. Gray Eagle"s eyes narrowed and hardened. He watched the man strol over to where she worked and lean against the cabin wal. The girl tried hard to ignore him as he talked to her. Gray Eagle concentrated his eyes and ears on the scene before him. Eagle concentrated his eyes and ears on the scene before him. As if drawn by some mystical force, Alisha turned and gazed wistfuly at the smokehouse. Horace folowed her line of vision and clenched his teeth in anger. Slowly, she turned back to her work unaware of Horace"s cold fury. He sneered, "You been in to see your Injun this morning?"
She glared at him and retorted, "He isn"t my Indian. No, I haven"t been back to see him." Without meaning to, she added, "Nor do I plan to go again. It appears he doesn"t want my help. I can thank the way al of you treated him for it. I doubt if he trusts any white person, male or female, and I can"t blame him."
Feigning shock, he commented innocently, "Don"t tel me you"ve wised up to him already! Whatsa matter, Alisha? That beautiful face and body had no effect on a savage? He must be blind, or maybe not innerested in ladies. He"s probably the only man who"s seen you who hasn"t wanted to..."
"Horace!" she screamed at him as a red flush lit her face.
"That"s enough! You"re despicable. Why should I care if I have any effect, as you cal it, on him? Not al men are filthy-minded like you. He"s more of a man than you can ever hope to be." She flashed him a look of cold contempt.
"I have work to do and I a.s.sume you do, too. Didn"t I see the other men leaving for a hunt?" She dismissed him with the turn of her back and silence.
Believing her words were only spoken to anger him and because he had embarra.s.sed her, he merely chuckled and walked away to join the other men outside the fortress. One day, he thought, that uncle of yours wil be dead and you"l be looking for someone to take care of you. I"l see to it that I"m the only one to choose from. If you take too long in coming to me, I might have to choose from. If you take too long in coming to me, I might have to arrange that little deed sooner than fate, he threatened mentaly. He glared at the smokehouse as he pa.s.sed it, and vowed, pretty soon you won"t be around for her to compare me with, you red son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h. I"l show her which of us is the better man...
Gray Eagle watched until Horace was out of sight and returned his gaze to Alisha. Although I wil not feel her touch again, I am glad it wil not be the girl who feels my revenge when I flee. That white dog wishes to have her also, but he wil not. Maybe, I wil let him watch as I take her. Instantly, he knew he would not. For some unknown reason, her dislike and rejection of Horace pleased him. But he was far more satisfied by her words about him. He decided he would think on these things later. This was not the time or place to ponder her meanings and thoughts. As the hot afternoon moved up into late evening, Gray Eagle excitedly got up to his feet when he heard the horned owl signal from his friend. The hoot sounded three times, twice, then three times again. He was overjoyed and relieved. White Arrow had come and was close by. He waited tense and alert until the night was nearly gone and the moon low in the western sky. White Arrow"s entrance was so stealthful, Gray Eagle almost did not hear him. He smiled as the tal, lean form of his friend was outlined in the doorway by the waning moonlight.
"I am here, Wanhinkpe Ska. Yekiya wo," he ordered and went to join his companion.
As quiet and unnoticeable as shadows in the night, they crept across the yard to the fortress"s rear wal. Like agile antelope, they were over the fence easily and quickly with the aid of White Arrow"s rawhide rope. He led Gray Eagle through the trees to where he had hidden two horses. They mounted and were riding where he had hidden two horses. They mounted and were riding homeward before the first streaks of dawn were seen. With unsuppressed bitterness and anger, Gray Eagle related the story of his capture and treatment to his friend. White Arrow listened patiently, but could not conceal his growing anger as the story unfolded.
When Gray Eagle had finished his account of the past few days, White Arrow said, "When Chula returned without you, I knew you were in danger. I folowed your trail to that wasichu camp. I have watched al day to learn where they held you captive. There were many wasichu in the forest today. They hide many traps for the animals and Oglalas. When I found the place they had snared you, I was careful not to be tricked in the same way. I do not trust men who use traps for their enemies."
Gray Eagle went into greater detail about the strengths and weaknesses of the fortress. He spoke heatedly about the evil the men had done to him. He explained al his thoughts and observations to White Arrow. When they had finished their talk about the men and the fortress, he told White Arrow about Alisha. White Arrow smiled and watched his friend curiously as he spoke of the gra.s.s-eyed white girl who had made such an impact on Gray Eagle. He carefuly listened to the words and tones of his friend"s speech. He was amused and surprised by the details of his friend"s study of the ska wincinyanna. Gray Eagle left no action, word or contact concerning her untold.
White Arrow listened in amazement and disbelief as he heard al about Alisha"s help to Gray Eagle and his treatment of her. He could not believe anyone could be so bold or innocent. The more he heard and learned about this unusual girl, the more intrigued he became about her. If such a creature existed, he would see and became about her. If such a creature existed, he would see and know more of her. The look on Gray Eagle"s face told him more about her beauty and gentleness than his words did. Truly, she must be a rare flower to so impress the fierce warrior Wanmdi Hota. Lucky the brave who took her in the coming raid, for surely there would be revenge for this evil act against the son of their chief. He was not surprised when Gray Eagle related his plans for the taking of the fortress and the men responsible for his treatment. However, he was more than surprised when Gray Eagle said the girl would be his. No other brave was to harm or touch her, only Wanmdi Hota.
"Do my ears hear right, Wanmdi Hota? You wish to keep the gra.s.s-eyed girl for yourself? Surely, you do not wish to hurt and torture her again? Did you not tel me just now how she went against her people to prevent your death and torture and later she came in secret to care for you and feed you? It cannot be in the heart of my friend to be so cruel and unwise. It is not like you to harm one who has helped you. Wil you not show mercy and kindness to this girl?"
"Your words and thoughts are true and wise, my friend. I have never kiled one who gave help to Wanmdi Hota, even an enemy. But this time, I must walk lightly and carefuly, for this girl stirs things in me that I do not understand. I must remember we are enemies. I fear the thoughts and feelings which come into my mind at the sight and thought of her. It is not good for a warrior to feel fear and hunger for his enemy, especialy one who is so different from the Indian. I do not like the weakness I feel at her touch and presence. I desire her greatly as a winyan. She wil greatly warm my mat in the winters."
A black scowl touched his features and he continued, "Also, I cannot alow another to take and use her. She is like the flower of cannot alow another to take and use her. She is like the flower of the plains, delicate, white and fragile. She would wither and die as they do when touched many times or handled roughly...."
White Arrow considered the words and feelings of his best friend. "It is unlike you, my koda, to so desire a woman. I feel she wil not only warm your mat, but also your heart."
Gray Eagle cast a troubled, cynical look at White Arrow and averred, "I wil alow no woman to rule the heart and life of Wanmdi Hota, especialy a white slave! Do not misjudge her value and place, my koda."
White Arrow suppressed a secret smile, knowing his friend was the one trying to underestimate the value he placed on the girl and his desire for her. Could it be the great warrior has met his match? he mused. Wil it be a white slave who wil win the heart of his koda? In time, we wil see ... We wil see ...
"The wasichu must pay for their dishonor to you. They must suffer and bleed as you did at their hands. Al the Oglala warriors wil want to come and help you punish them. It wil be as you say."
"We wil give them time to learn fear or become lazy with their guard. In time, their pride wil be their downfal. We wil strike swiftly and secretly. We wil take our enemies in nine hunwi. I have spoken."
White Arrow nodded agreement and a.s.serted, "It wil be so. You wil take the enemy and the white girl with the gra.s.s eyes."
They picked up speed and rode hard and fast to return to the vilage as soon as possible. Many plans would have to be made and the warriors selected for this task. He smiled a crooked half-smile as he realized Alisha would be his in nine days. He did not know White Arrow was observing him very closely and guessed the reason for the look and smile. She would soon be a surprise to both reason for the look and smile. She would soon be a surprise to both men.
They stopped at midmorning to water and rest the horses and themselves. As the animals drank and nibbled at the gra.s.s by the stream, White Arrow told Gray Eagle the news from his camp. Gray Eagle listened carefuly as he informed him of the news sent from the councils of the other six tribes of the Sioux nation during his absence. The increase in white settlers, trappers and traders was also being felt and resented in nearby areas. "ou must go speak with the other leaders when we return. They have much to tel you. You must speak for our people against the wasichu coming."
Gray Eagle frowned as he imagined what the other warriors of the area would say and think when they learned the fierce Wanmdi Hota has taken a white slave to his tent. He must prepare himself for the teasing and taunting he was sure to receive when the news was told. No doubt the words would travel swiftly when someone of his importance and power was involved. I must be very careful to keep the girl in her place as a slave, he resolved. I wil not alow her to bring shame and dishonor on the name of Wanmdi Hota. She is but a woman... she wil do as I say... she wil fear me too much to defy my commands. I wil see to it from the start...
He recaled how they had tried to scare the trappers and traders out, but they had failed. The value of the furs, skins and shiny rocks outweighed their fear of his people or death. Either they must kil them or accept their unwanted presence, for they refused to be driven back to their lands. Such foolish thoughts and greed to cost a man his life and blood, he muttered softly. Many of the other tribes were just as angry at the wanton slaughter of the animals and destruction of the forest as was his. He recaled the many wildfires which had burned away many trees and recaled the many wildfires which had burned away many trees and kiled many animals. He thought on how careless many of the whites were with their campfires. He had seen entire gra.s.slands black and dead. He was aware of the numerous warriors who had been ambushed, robbed and scalped. The kiler would take the warrior"s jewelry, life, possessions and scalp. Each time Gray Eagle found the evidence of such a deed, he became enraged" and tracked down the culprit when possible and avenged the dead warrior. He would have laughed at the whites who pretended to own the land and sel it to others, if the situation were not so serious and deadly to both sides. He mused over the white man"s obsession with the thing he caled money and the shiny rocks from the streams and mountains nearby.
White Arrow was speaking of the ones, who came from the East teling the Indians of a strange G.o.d who sees, hears and knows al. "They say He made the lands, animals and people. They say we are created by Him and not the Great Spirit. They speak with two tongues and the truth is not in their hearts. They speak of love and friendship with the Oglala and his brothers, but they do not live this love and peace. They live death and hate to us. They cal us heathen and savage. They say we must worship this G.o.d of theirs or He wil punish us. They lie! It is the wasichu who wil feel the wrath of Wakantanka.
"Do they expect us to give truce to them when they bring the firesticks of death to kil us and the buffalo on the plains? Many were injured in the last stampede the firesticks caused."
Hate swirled in him like a maelstrom when he recaled the white dogs he had captured while stealing the sacred possessions of falen warriors from their death scaffolds. The wasichu would stop at nothing! he thought heatedly.
at nothing! he thought heatedly.
White Arrow told Gray Eagle of the murder of Chenuhula and the raping and kiling of Okiliea by the wasichu in the area. "The warriors cried out for vengeance. They await your return to lead them. It is good we did not attack the fortress where the kilers hid, for you could have been harmed in the attack."
They remounted and rode on at a steady galop. They hoped to reach their vilage by late afternoon. They were both silent for the remainder of their ride, each lost in deep thoughts and plans. Near dusk, they arrived at the Oglala camp. His tribe was overjoyed to see him safely returned. He shook many hands and slapped many backs in fond affection. He laughed and joked with a few of his warriors. He told them he would meet with the tribal council after he had rested and eaten. White Arrow stood quietly as he watched his friend duck and enter his teepee. His friend needed to have this time alone to come to terms with the meaning of his capture and the meeting of the white girl. It is a grave thing to order the deaths of many people, even one"s enemies. It was even harder for his friend to accept the fact he desired one of them as he had never desired one of his own kind. He was happy Wanmdi Hota had the power and strength of mind and body to be a great leader of the Oglala. It was easy for him to see why his people loved and respected his friend above al others. But greatness has its costs, he thought sadly. You wil have a bitter, harsh lesson to learn, my koda. The path you chose wil be treacherous and painful for you and the white girl if my eyes and ears do not trick me.... The fortress was a cauldron of mixed emotions the next day when Gray Eagle"s escape was discovered. Panic and terror ruled the scene for a time. The escape had been brought to light when several of the men and Thad went to the smokehouse to give him several of the men and Thad went to the smokehouse to give him food and water. Ben and Jed stationed themselves by the door as Thad unlocked it to enter.
At Thad"s hesitation and ashen expression, Ben and Jed peeped over his shoulder. They al stared at the empty smokehouse as reality set in.
Jed was the first to react. He shouted, "He"s gone! That b.l.o.o.d.y b.a.s.t.a.r.d"s escaped!"
Horace shoved past several onlookers and gaped at the room. He asked suspiciously, "n.o.body heard or saw nothing? How"d he git out without help?" He whirled around and glared at Alisha"s door.
Jed fumed, "I told you we ought to kil him. I betcha he"s out there now planning to attack us. Why wasn"t there a guard on the smokehouse?"
Thad muttered something about not thinking it necessary because of the bar on the outside of the door. Everyone quickly realized the brave had been given help by someone, but whom?
Who would have dared to release a bloodthirsty kiler like that?
Hel, they al knew what the revenge from him could be like. Al except...
Janie began to cry and scream. Her fear and agitation were so great that she fainted. Martha was raving how they would al be tortured and scalped. "We"re done for! They"l kil us al!"
People were frantic and confused. Alisha came out ofher cabin and stood by the stoop, trying to discover what al the loud commotion was about. Were the people trying to form another mob and take the life of the brave in their hands again? Why was her uncle just standing there silently? Wasn"t he going to stop them this time, too? Something was gravely wrong....
time, too? Something was gravely wrong....
She listened carefuly to the screams and comments from the group by the smokehouse. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief when the truth became evident to her. He had escaped! She watched the frenzy of the people in confusion. Did they realy fear one warrior this much? She thought rebeliously, they should have thought of this before they tortured and tried to kil him. If they feared him and his people this much, then why didn"t they try to make friends with him?
Her own reality of his departure touched her. He"s gone... I"l never see him again.... When she became aware of her sad thoughts, she asked herself why his leaving brought such feelings and thoughts to her. She scolded herself, be glad he"s gone and they can"t hurt or kil him now. Even if he had stil been their prisoner, what good would it have done her? They were worlds apart.
Her attention returned to the scene before her. She wondered what good regrets or questions did now. He was gone without a trace. Ben was yeling for the people to be quiet and listen.
"There"s nothing we kin do about him now. Like Jed said, we shoulda kiled him when we had the chance. Best we git things ready Sure as that sky"s blue, he"l be back."
The men agreed with his words and angrily appointed him their new leader. With sadness in his face, Thad lowered his head in embarra.s.sment for letting his people down. He was to blame for the Indian"s escape and if he came back with his warriors for a raid, he would be to blame for what happened then. If he had it al to do again, would he stil stop the torture and death of the brave? Sadly he shook his head, for he could not honestly answer his query. Now, only Ben had the power to make the men obey his Now, only Ben had the power to make the men obey his orders and do what was necessary to defend the fortress. There could be no doubt he was better experienced in fighting and kiling than Thad. Thad bowed to Ben"s place as the new leader and waited with the other men for his orders. He was relieved their destiny was no longer in his hands.
Guards were posted around the inside wals of the fortress at al times, night and day. Weapons were cleaned and primed. Ammunition was placed at strategic points along the wals. Ben ordered the women to check on the food, water and wood supply. He told them this siege could last for many days and the supplies were to be used sparingly and wisely. They dared not leave the fortress to stock up on these things. Who even knew, they could be out there right this minute waiting for them to do just that? They couldn"t leave the fortress unguarded or put themselves in a trap or ambush. Time would tel what the brave"s plans for them were. When everything and everyone was prepared, the waiting began.... Day after day pa.s.sed with no sign or hint of a raid. Tension and pressure built daily in the close confines of the fortress. The stress and strain of the situation were teling on nearly everyone. How much longer could they live like this? They were beginning to act like savages themselves. The men rebeled at having to crouch in fear in their own homes. Pride was taking a beating and it was hard to take. To be forced to see oneself as a weakling or coward was unnerving to men like Ben and Thad. Horace was too busy being aware of who was the cause of it al and what Alisha had thought of him.
Time traveled on. Many of the women became edgy and tearful. Men fidgeted nervously and paced the fortress grounds. Even the children weren"t immune to the turmoil. They fussed and Even the children weren"t immune to the turmoil. They fussed and fought amongst themselves constantly. There appeared to be very few left untouched by the consuming fear that gripped the little fortress. Arguments started breaking out at a single word or action. Tempers flared. Gray Eagle had surmised the effect of his escape accurately. They would help win his battle for him. As the meat supply ran low and the men feared to risk a hunt, stil no raid came. What were the Indians waiting for? They al asked. Why didn"t they attack and get it over with?
Ben cursed and ranted, "d.a.m.n! We"re prisoners in our own homes. They"re probably out there right now just waiting for us to show ourselves. Hel, they"d pick us off with those arrows like flies. I can hear him laughing at us now. If I ever git my hands on him again, I"l strangle him bare-handed."
"We can"t wait here forever like cowards," Jed blurted out.
"Our water supply is nearly gone, too. Maybe the b.a.s.t.a.r.d has done learned his lesson and don"t want to tangle with us again. I bet he ain"t as brave and powerful as most of you think he is."
"I wouldn"t count on that, Jed. He didn"t seem like the type to forget or forgive easily. He"l be back. Just you mark my words."
The people were forced to eat cold food when the firewood gave out. Ben ordered the people to do no washing or bathing until this trouble ended. Women began to taunt the men for not having the courage to take care of "one little Injun." As things became harder for everyone, cruel accusations and foolish actions took place daily.
Martha chided some of the men, "You"re gonna let that one Injun keep us from eating and drinking? How long are you gonna stay cooped up here like chickens before you men act like men and bring us some food, wood and water? Maybe the women should go bring us some food, wood and water? Maybe the women should go fetch the food and water if you men are too scared. What difference does it matter if we die from an arrow or from starvation and thirst?" No one could argue with her last point, but stil the men resisted immediate action.
Black moods and impatience pa.s.sed from one to the other as the days went by. Kathy Brown cornered Alisha one day and told her flatly it was al her fault the Indian got away and they were in this predicament. "If you had"na been so holy and pure, if you had"na tried to save him, Horace and the others would have taken care of him proper. We wouldn"t be in the trouble if you had"na interfered. Ask the others. They"l tel you the same thing."
Alisha knew it wouldn"t do any good to argue with Kathy, so she just turned and walked away from her, wondering how many of the others realy did blame her for this turn of events. She observed how the Indian"s capture and escape had changed things and people at the fortress. It was as if she were seeing these people for the very first time, without their masks of civilization. She felt she didn"t know them at al anymore, not even her uncle and her friend Ben. Most of al, she feared and hated the change she witnessed in them. But she was unaware of the effect the situation was having on her personaly.
Another day pa.s.sed as things went from bad to worse. She kept to her cabin as much as possible to avoid the cold stares from several of the people. Most ofthe others just miled about. The lack of work and abundance of time took the major tol, just as Gray Eagle planned ...
On the eighth day, Ben, Simon and a few others decided it was time to risk a hunt and try for fresh water. Ben caled the men together and stated, "We"ve got to have meat, Indians or no together and stated, "We"ve got to have meat, Indians or no Indians! Horace, I want you to watch the gate. Be ready to open it at the first yel or sign of danger. We won"t go far. Jed, you and a few others try to cut some firewood for cooking. You other men come with me. If we stay here like this much longer, we"l either starve or cut each other"s throats!" The others al laughed, but knew the truth in his words.
The men prepared for their a.s.signed duties. The gate was slowly and cautiously opened. They al went their way and the gate was secured once more. Everyone was beside himself with anxiety until the groups returned unharmed and laden with meat, water and firewood. Simon carried some wild fruit he had found for the children. The people lifted loud voices in cheers and praise for the men and their courage.
Thomas said, "Those Injuns must not be strong enough to attack us or they woulda been here by now. If he was from a long way off, maybe he didn"t even make it back to his vilage."
Matt agreed, "Yeh. He might not be coming or able to come at al. He didn"t have a weapon or horse. I bet he could be just laying out there somewhere dead or injured."
Ben spoke up, "Coulda been kiled by some animal." He laughed and added, "Or by some other Injun. I hear they kil and scalp each other and that one didn"t have no weapons for protection. We didn"t see any sign of anything unusual in the woods. I bet he ain"t coming back either. I knew al along he weren"t nothing but al show. Even if he did make it back to his camp, he"s too scared to attack us. I say he don"t want no more of what we gave him."
"We gotta show "em we ain"t afraid of "em," Jed quipped. "If they do come, we"l give "em a lesson they won"t never forgit. I say they do come, we"l give "em a lesson they won"t never forgit. I say we kil any of "em we capture from now on. We should hang their hands on the gates as warning to others. Let "em know we won"t tolerate none of their foolishness."
Two more days went by uneventfuly and others began to agree with them. Their opinion gained popularity. Soon, it was accepted by al as fact. The strain and mood of the little fortress relaxed and began to return to normal for everyone but Alisha. Things would never be the same in her mind and heart. She was more confused than ever about her own people and the brave. The men were so confident and puffed up with pride by the tenth day, they left the gate open while they worked in the nearby forest. No one noticed as the bushes began to close in or the slight movement of the leaves as bodies pa.s.sed between them quietly and quickly.
It was Janie McDoogan who glanced up, looking for a sign of her husband returning from the forest, to see an Indian near the edge of the forest. He was painted in fiendish detail for war. Once seen, he pointed a finger at her in warning, declaring she was to die this day. She froze in terror as she stared at his outstretched arm and the finger of death. She screamed, "Injuns outside! Injuns outside!" She fled in fear to her cabin, crying and screaming. Horace was on guard duty while some of the men were cutting wood in the forest. At the cry of alarm, he began to shove the gates closed in a panic with little thought of the men outside. The only time they used a guard was when the men outside carried no weapons. There had been no shouts of warnings from them. Wel, he wasn"t about to keep the gate open to find out! They would have to fend for themselves now! He had himself and the others to think about, didn"t he?
didn"t he?
Almost immediately, war whoops and yels were heard, "Hieee-yaaah!" "Eeee-iiay!" "Yekiya wo!" The bloodcurdling cries instiled horror and fear in the bravest of hearts. Many of the people cringed in fear, children cried at their mother"s knees and shaking hands grabbed for guns and powder. What they had stopped fearing was now becoming a grim reality. The brave had returned with his band of warriors for revenge. This would be a fight to the death of one side or the other. There would be no peace or truce now, only defeat and death. Ben shouted hasty orders to the men, teling them where to go and what to do first. He turned and shouted orders to the women nearby to take the children inside. He caled out to others to prepare to help with the gun loading and to tend the wounded.
Alisha had run outside her cabin to see what was going on now. She stood motionless, listening to the words of the people nearby. Did they realy say he was back? She heard the whoops of the warriors outside and saw the frenzy of the people inside. In al her life, she had never heard any sound so eerie or frightening. It was like a nightmare. Was he actualy going to attack and try to kil al of them? Could the warnings coming from those around her be real? Would they do such terrible things to them? Was this why they had feared to release him? If they had not harmed him, would he have stil come back to raid the fortress? The others seemed to believe this.