by Rita Karnopp
"Were they from a wagon train?"
"I do not know. I didn't want to even be looking for their belongings, but I worried they had horses tied to a tree somewhere."
"I never thought of that."
"I found their horses still harnessed to their wagon, out in the middle of the valley, the hot sun beating down on it. It was during the home days, little wind helped ease the heat. They hadn't even sought out a tree for shelter."
"They must have been tenderfoots for sure."
"Call them what you like. I call them ignorant. I rode up to the wagon with a feeling of fear. I looked inside and found, huddled in a corner, three small children."
She watched Two Shadows idle stare, his mind reliving the time. "Were they dead?"
"They weren't far from it. Their lips were cracked and swollen from the sun and heat. Their eyes had become sunken in their faces, dark circles surrounded them. Their fear showed as great as their thirst. I told them I would take them to my white parents. I don't think they believed me, but what choice did they have?"
"How old were they?"
"The oldest, Tara Jean, had been eight. The boy, Matthew, looked about five, and Anna, the one-year-old, instantly stole my heart. You see, you weren't the first woman I gave my heart to."
Whispering Sun smiled, glad to see a little humor return to his sober nature. "You took them to your white parents?"
"I did what my heart told me to do. What I believed my dream told me to do. I took them to my childless white parents. Lemuel tended to their illnesses and Beulah to their hunger and love. In a short time they became a family. A very happy family. They are my white brother and sisters now."
"Didn't they have relatives that would take them in?" She regretted the question the moment it left her lips. Two Shadows stood, his jaw tense. "We probably should have tried to find out if they had kin, but the children didn't know of any, and the Williams were so happy to have a family. It seemed right to leave them together. I did not question what Napi had decided."
"I understand. It's wonderful those children have parents to love them. I'm proud to love a man who has such a big heart."
"Someday soon I will take you to meet my white family. They will love you the minute they set eyes upon you. Now is not the time. I have taken far too much time to talk. I sound like an old woman with nothing but time to waste."
"I'm glad you took time to talk with me. I only wish you didn't have to go."
"But I must. Many Horses and He Who Listens were finishing their meals. It won't be long and they will be ready to leave. I will get the horses ready," he said, reaching into another paraflech that hung in line with the others. "Here is paper to write what you saw Giles Rutledge do. I will take it to your father. Explain to him your leg has been injured and you are unable to travel."
Whispering sun stared at him for a moment, then said, "I'm not sure I want him to know where I am."
"If you do not write this letter, then we will not be able to accuse this man of doing wrong. With your letter, Melody's story and mine, I believe your father will have to believe the truth."
"I hope you're right. I still think I should go with you."
"We do not have time to argue this. You will stay. I will come back with the good news that our people are no longer being accused of attacking rifle shipments. I hope to return with Trail Walker."
"Hurry home to me, Two Shadows. Already I miss you." She moved into her husband's arms. He held her at arm's length, she stared into his face.
"Never have I felt such love in my heart for anyone."
She stretched to meet his lips with hers, welcome and demanding. She quivered at the sweet tenderness of his kiss, responding with urgency, lingering, savoring every second. She knew he would be gone all too soon, and he was.
Chapter Eighteen
"You wait here," Dirk whispered. I will go in and talk with Trail Walker. I will return as soon as I can."
"We will wait as you ask. It will not be easy," Horse Racer said, rubbing his pony's long neck. "I have much doubt that it will be easy to prove a white man is guilty. Why will they believe an Indian over a white man?"
"You forget, my friend, I am a white man, now. Look at me. My hair is short. My clothes, my language, even my horse looks like that of the white man. He sees only what he wants to see. That can be good for us, and in some ways that can be bad. We will try to make it our advantage. Trust me. I have Whispering Sun's letter. I feel its power in my pocket. Napi is pushing me to make this right. You will see, our people will be celebrating when it's all over."
"We will wait," He Who Listens said. "We will be ready to help when you need us."
Two Shadows mounted his horse, then rode hard and fast. The sun slipped behind the Pahtsis Stuksi, darkness settled around him. It had been a hot, grueling day, he welcomed the coolness the Crazy Mountains offered with the setting sun.
Dirk tipped his soiled, brimmed hat. A single white eagle feather nestled beneath the horsehair braided band.
"Ho, there. Speak your name and purpose, Mister," the guard shouted down to him.
"Name's Dirk Williams. I've been traveling a piece. Just came up from Three Forks for the rendezvous. Heard old Trail Walker had been hurt. Decided to come take a look for myself."
"Barley, open the gate," the guard shouted to a man inside the fort.
Dirk noted the guard keeper's deep voice suggested formidable power. The striking muscular man of around thirty years had close-clipped hair and a blond beard, which seemed to part naturally at the point of his chin. He stood, feet spread, rifle ready, suspiciously staring back at him.
"Where would I find the old Indian?"
"Well, I'd check under the big cottonwood, outside the infirmary," he said, pointing to the right section of the fort. "Once they moved his cot out there, he refused to let them carry it back in," he said, removing his cap and scratching his head. You been around these parts before? You're seeming mighty familiar, just can't place you."
"Don't recall seeing you before. I've been by the fort a time or two to see Trail Walker. Maybe you noticed me then."
"Could be. How'd you come to know Trail Walker?"
Dirk knew the way of the smooth-talking white man. One question led to another. He wondered why these people believed they had a right to know another's business. "Three Forks. A rendezvous few years back. Old Indian impressed me with his stories and roll of the die."
"You know the man. Luckiest damn Indian I ever met. Luck wasn't with him when that wagon rolled over on his legs though. Damn! Must hurt like hell."
"I'm sure you're right. Well, I'd best be gettin' on." Dirk pressed his knees into the sides of his well-trained horse, speeding away from the guard. Damn nosy tribe, he thought to himself.
Within seconds Dirk spotted a cot nestled under the over-grown tree. Its low boughs shaded a figure stretched prostrate across white sheets.
Dirk slid from his mount, looping the reins around a hitching post, then walked toward his friend. He stopped, shocked at the man before him. The once muscular, handsome warrior now appeared dried and shriveled by sun and age. His once shiny black hair, that he'd worn loose and flowing, now hung in long, braided, white ropes. His twisted body cried out in defeat and pain.
Clearing his throat in order to make Trail Walker know of his presence, Dirk stood patiently. Dark, sad eyes glanced back at him. "Is that you, Howls At The Moon? I have been expecting you." Dirk saw recognition set in, the old man's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Two Shadows!" he called out, then quickly looked around, hoping no one heard. "Dirk, my son," he corrected. "My heart soars to see you." Holding back his emotions, Trail Walker watched the man he considered his son. He'd grown into a fine warrior, an honest white man, and a particularly impressive Blackfeet warrior. At one time he'd worried how the man would adjust to having two shadows. He truly looked and sounded like a white man this day.
"Hangs The Rope told me what happened. I should have come sooner. My
dreams have been troubling me, I should have listened to them."
"Sit," Trail Walker said, motioning to the edge of his cot. "We must keep our eyes at watch. We must not let anyone hear what I am to tell you."
Dirk nodded with understanding.
"My heart is filled with gratitude that you have settled the matter with the buffalo skinners. Another shipment of rifles is due into the fort soon," he whispered. "Many Tipi's son, Howls At The Moon, has joined Giles Rutledge's outlaws. Being a half-breed they have accepted him as one of them. The men dress up like Blackfeet warriors, then attack rifle shipments. They kill all the soldiers so no one is left to tell the truth. They leave plenty of signs that the Blackfeet have done this terrible deed."
"Why haven't you gone to the General with Howls At The Moon? Surely his testimony would prove what is going on."
Trail Walker drew in a deep breath. "We gave it much thought. I have come to believe the General would not believe the word of a half-breed any more than he would believe me. My greatest fear is the General would put Howls At The Moon in the white man's court. They would hang him for sure."
"I think you're wise in protecting Howls At The Moon." Watching Trail Walker rise on an elbow, Two Shadows noted pain traced the corners of his old friend's mouth.
"I have tried talking to General Bryson. He will listen to me about many matters, but not about Giles Rutledge. Because of my known hatred for Giles, the General has chosen to believe I only wish to make Rutledge's life miserable."
"I'll see that the General listens to the facts. In the meantime, what is Giles doing?"
Trail Walker slid back down against the pillow. "What I must tell you is most distressing. I want you to prepare yourself for upsetting news." To tell Two Shadows about Sarah distressed him. He didn't miss the shadow of alarm that touched Two Shadow's face.
"I want you to understand, and believe, that when Napi told you to go after the buffalo skinners, you had no choice. We are guided by forces that we do not always understand. Napi decides what will, or will not, happen."
"You are preparing me for bad news? It is not necessary. I can only guess what Giles Rutledge is capable of doing. Do not keep me wondering."
Trial Walker swallowed, fighting the feelings of loss that always rose when he thought of his daughter, Sarah. Feelings of despair reminded him he'd not been there when she needed him most. "While you were gone, Giles and a man named René arranged to trick Sarah and Melody. It is a long story, but for Sarah's safety, they believed they had to leave the fort. Later, they found out René stole white women and sold them to saloons and trappers."
"How do you know this?"
"Melody came to me in the night. She told me how Sarah protected her when the Sioux attached the wagons of women that René had gathered. The war party killed everyone but her and Sarah. It appears the Sioux believed Sarah to be gifted. Her tone and long, yellow hair had them convinced she had special powers."
"How did Melody get away from the Sioux?"
"There is much about Melody's story that I do not believe. She told one story to the fort, another to me."
"What do you mean?"
"Melody told everyone that she and this René' were married. That he died trying to save her from the Sioux. That he hid her in a small opening in a rock wall, placing bushes in front of it. I do not know an Indian that would not see the signs and find her. Even the Sioux are that smart. The girl said the Sioux killed everyone, including Sarah."
"What story did Melody tell you?"
"Melody came to me. She told me that Sarah protected her from the Sioux. That the war party took them hostage. One of the warriors tried to claim Melody for his wife. Melody said she'd become hysterical, clawing at the Indian. Sarah tried to help and the Indian stabbed and killed Sarah by mistake. The Sioux thought they had killed a gifted one. Hoping for forgiveness, they let Melody go. They gave her a pony, food and water. She nearly died trying to get back to the fort."
"Drags The Rope told us this white woman had returned to the fort."
"Then you know our Sarah is dead. You know that I did not keep my promise to you and her. That I didn't protect her when she needed me most. If there had been the slightest hope Sarah still lived, I'd crawl if I had to, to find her."
"Your guilt is wrongly placed. I am not certain why this Melody feels she cannot tell the truth. I suspect she doesn't want you searching for Sarah. If Sarah returned, you would hear the truth. A truth, I suspect, that would be different than Melody's."
"What are you saying, Two…Dirk?"
"I am saying Sarah, Whispering Sun, is alive. I am telling you this to be true because she is my wife!" Trail Walker bolted to a sitting position, Dirk jumped. "I see pain in your face, are you going to be all right?" Dirk asked.
"I am better than I have been for a long time. Tell me I heard you right. Sarah is alive? She is your wife? Did you call her Whispering Sun?"
"No problems with your hearing, old man! Yes, she is alive and has asked me to send you her love. She wants you to know she is the happiest she has ever been. She loves being a part of the village. She is held in high respect for helping me kill the buffalo skinners. That is another story, one we will discuss at a later time. Right now―" Dirk paused, giving Trail Walker a moment to accept the truth. Tears of humility, relief, happiness streamed down his old, weathered cheeks.
"I feel no shame that you see how much I love Sar…Whispering Sun. It has been a long time since I have wanted to live. Now I will fight to stay alive. At least long enough to make sure Giles Rutledge pays for what he has done to my daughter.
A silence settled between the men. Dirk knew Trail Walker would need a few minutes to accept the great news.
"I have much confusion right now. Melody lied, there is a reason. Why did Giles and this René take the girls away? I think Giles had more reason than just having Sarah sold for the money. I have not been able to do anything but lie here and think this over. I have come to believe Sarah, Whispering Sun, caught the snake in the act. He had to get rid of her or she would tell what she had learned. To arrange an accident might cast doubt. Yes, I am convinced Giles Rutledge is in the middle of all of this."
"You are right. I have a letter in my pocket from Whispering Sun. It tells she saw Giles looking at the shipment logs. She is not certain how he found out she had seen him do this, but she is certain he did find out. We are hoping this Melody will come forward. If she tells the General that Giles and René had planned the abduction, then we have the testimony of two white women, plus Howls At The Moon. Surely General Bryson would have to believe Giles is guilty."
"We should be careful not to make Giles suspect that we are onto his plan. I will go see the General, then I will return to Horse Racer and He Who Listens and let them know all that has happened."
"We have another problem. In my condition, I am not certain how many moons ago, but Giles Rutledge and two solders left the fort. There has been talk that a trapper spotted a white woman with long, yellow hair at a Blackfeet village. I hoped for a short time that it might be Sarah. The hopes of a foolish old man, riddled with guilt, I wanted to believe it, but I believed Sarah was dead and ignored the talk." Trail Walker thought for a moment, then looked over at Dirk.
"What is it? I know you well enough to know you've realized something is wrong."
"I have done a bad thing. I have taken you away from Sarah. Now she is unprotected from Giles."
Watching Trail Walker adjust his crippled body, wince from the pain, then look up. Dirk felt a rush of fear for Whispering Sun fill him. "Giles and his men would be looking for her in the camp of the Sioux, as Melody told them, not Blackfeet. If we are lucky, the Sioux will kill him for us."
"You are wrong, my son. Melody may have said Sioux, but the trapper saw the white woman in the village of the Blackfeet. Giles and his men headed for Ahkaitowaktai. The white men know the Blackfeet go to the rendezvous this time of year."
"She is there. I will go back at once."
> "No. You send He Who Listens and Horse Racer. If Giles and his men have Sarah, Whispering Sun, let them bring her. Have our warriors watch and make sure of her safety. If Giles plans to kill her, be sure he will try to make it look like an accident. We will be clever. We will be two steps ahead of his moccasins."
"I think you are right. I will go back and send my friends on their way. Then I will come back and speak to the General."
"No. You go speak to the General. Howls At the Moon should come to me this night. I have been waiting for him. I will tell him what has happened, and send him with your message. Your friends will protect your wife, and my daughter."
Even though Dirk knew the old warrior's plan had been cleverly planned, it didn't stop the worries that surfaced. "Because I admire your great leadership, I will accept your decision. It is a fact that you love Whispering Sun as much as me. I will trust your plan."
"You have become a wise warrior. I am proud of the man you have become."
Which man, my friend? The white man you see before you, or the Indian that cries to come forward?"
"I am proud of the man who is both shadows. Without one, you could not be the other. You have done well to be both, which in fact makes you one."
Dirk thought of the old Indian's words, then realized the wisdom in them. Right now, he needed to be white. A white man to be devious. A white man so the General would believe his words. A white man to clear his Indian people and to make Giles Rutledge pay for what he had done to Whispering Sun and Trail Walker.
Glancing around the fort area, Dirk turned back to Trail Walker. "How will you meet with Howls At The moon? Surely he can't ride into the fort and sit down and talk with you."
"I am a useless old man, of this I know. Do not fear, our young warrior is able to come to me. This old tree is very useful."
"I think it is as useful as you, old friend. You are doing much for our people, as you always have. I must go and speak with the General. I am anxious to have this over with. I am anxious to return to the village, and Whispering Sun.