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noticing the small splotch of blood. He looked on the ground and saw a pointed rock with a trace of the red stain. He better take a look to make sure it wasn’t serious.
“I’m sure it’s nothing but a deep scratch, David, but let me see.”
He began to unbutton the shirt without any protest from the injured party but he was experiencing a funny feeling in his gut when his knuckles touched soft skin. Seth opened the shirt to find the chest tightly bound. This was very odd, he thought, but he didn’t harp on it seeing blood seep through the wrappings. Deciding to unbind the material, he untied the knot in the back and unwound the cloth. His eyes were on the location of the wound, and he studied the cut.
“It’s not that bad but it has to be cl...?” His eyes were on their way to the face but stopped midway noticing the small, white breasts. Although, he never had seen a woman’s breast before, he knew this was no boy. Seth jumped back and landed on his rump and sat staring like an idiot for a long time before he looked up into a confused face.
“You’re a girl!” He stood and picked Daphne up, hugging her, repeating, “You’re a girl! You’re a girl!” He started to cry and then laughed. And cry and laugh at the same time. He was so overjoyed that he placed kisses over her face. “I’ll be damned, no wonder I was so attracted to you.” Then he shouted for all to hear. “I’m normal!”
Birds took to flight from the sound of his voice. He put her at arms length and studied the beautiful torso before his dark eyes. “Why?” he asked the girl who couldn’t answer him. “Why
would anyone pass you off as a boy? Such loveliness shouldn’t be hidden.”
There had to be a good explanation and, by God, he’d find out. Then, on second thought, what did it matter as long as he knew the truth? Leaving the binding on the ground, he re-buttoned her shirt and wondered how he’d explain seeing her bare chest. He’d be too embarrassed to tell Melissa, but the wound needed tending so it wouldn’t get infected. He decided to confide in his mother. It was the most awkward moment in his seventeen years on the God’s green earth. His heart feeling so much lighter, he escorted the girl back to camp and very uncomfortable, he explained to his mother what had happened.
“Turn around while I tend to her injury,” his mother ordered. He thought there was no need since he had already laid his eyes on her beautiful breasts but he’d be embarrassed with his mother looking on. He recalled the look on his mother’s face when he brought the girl to her; she
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was surprised but not shocked. Then she sat him down and calmly told why it was necessary to pass the girl off as a boy.
His heart sank when hearing of her brutal rape and how she witnessed her parent’s deaths. No wonder she went into shock. To make matters worse, she was carrying someone’s child. Coping with the knowledge that he might have been different was hard enough, but this? This hurt more. He left the wagon to think and his mother walked Daphne to her wagon. An explanation would have saved him a lot of grief.
Seth went into the tall prairie grass and did something he had not done in years. He wept and then he became a coward and stayed away, but he had seen the sadness in Melissa’s eyes when he had bumped into her a few times. He tried avoiding the young woman but it was
impossible sometimes. He probably gave her the impression that he was angry at her when he didn’t speak but it wasn’t Melissa he was mad at; it was himself for being such a coward. He was braver when he believed he was sinning in his heart for lusting after a boy. Now, though relieved she was a girl, he couldn’t get rid of the picture of another man being inside of her. He was tormented by the knowledge that she was carrying someone else’s child when it should have been his.
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NINE
Blue Thunder picked up a pile of shafts that were measured and cut for proper length, bark peeled away. He had made sure they were straitened of any cures, shaved with a knife to make his arrows as identical as possible. He notched one end for fletching, and grooved on the other for a piercing head. Strong sinew and glue made from buffalo hooves for securing the points was also gathered; no part of the bison went to waste. During the long winter months, he chiseled stones onto arrowheads, a chore he enjoyed. Now it was time to go hunting.
He laid his weapons outside the chief Dasodaha’s huge dwelling and called out, “May I enter?” When permission was given, Blue Thunder ducked inside and said, “Father, I am going out to scout with a few of the tribe’s men,” he declared in his Athabscan language. His father had pretty much mastered the art of the white man’s tongue but he refused to accept the changing times.
“I hope my son finds the buffalo; the deer you killed last week was enough for us and your aunt, but our bellies are growing hungry again.”
Blue Thunder made a rude sound, disgusted with the white men massacring the animal for skins then leaving the meat to rot on the plains. His people do not waste any part of the huge beast. They also needed many hides, tallow, meat and bones to make scrapers for hides, and salt
from the desert to trade with the Pueblos for pottery, cotton, blankets, turquoise, corn and other goods. The Apache’s gorilla war tactics came naturally to him and his people were unsurpassed. Seldom Apaches went to war, but often went on raids to punish their enemies. Albeit, they struck fear in the hearts of Pueblo tribes, they had managed to maintain generally peaceful relations with their neighbors. But sometimes, when a brave saw what he wanted, he simply took it. Among the Pueblo villages, Apaches were known by another name, Apachu, “the enemy.”
He had heard of the war going on between the north and the south. In his heart he prayed that the white savages kill one another, but it did not stop many of their kind from traveling west.
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Though the Apache often warred, killing his own kind was wrong in his mind. He was a proud White Mountain Apache, and his people were a fierce fighting nation; he could not change what was in his Indian blood any more than he could change the dry land into greenery.
“...and to keep… Son? Your head is in the clouds?”
“Huh? Blue Thunder was a few words back. “Sorry, my father, I will be gone awhile, be safe while I am away.”
Dasodaha grumbled. “It is not I you have to worry about.” He slapped him proudly on the broad back. “You are twenty-one summers, and developed into a handsome man. It saddens your father that my son’s mother never lived to see what we had created. Is Star Gazer joining you and the men?” inquired his father as he sat, crossed legged, lighting his pipe.
“No, he is helping the women plant the corn.”
Dasodaha blew out the smoke with a disgruntled puff. “You brother would much rather
harvest and study the stars at night than to ride with his peers.” He shook his head. “Where did I go wrong?”
Blue Thunder threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Father, you are too hard on the boy. He is different, I agree, but he is special, and he is from your loins” he chuckled knowing his teasing only annoyed his father further.
Dasodaha waved him away and closed his eyes.
Blue Thunder was dismissed without another lecture on respecting his elders. Once outside, his dog, Licks Too Much, ran up to his master. He hankered to the mutt’s level and scratched behind the ear. “Hon Dah Licks Too Much,” he laughed when the dog did what he was named for and Blue Thunder tried to push the canine away. “Yuuuck! Sit boy. I had my swim this morning, I do not need another face washing,” he chuckled, and stood. The dog pounced around him.
Blue Thunder knew he shouldn’t have gotten so attached to the animal, but the mutt had been with him since he was eighteen summers. Dogs were raised for meat among some of the clans, and when he and his father visited another tribe, the pup was caged along with others. Blue Thunder couldn’t resist going over and putting his hand through the cage. The pup immediately ran over and slobbered all over his fingers. It was love at first sight. Dasodaha had to do much
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&nb
sp; trading for the dog and he was not pleased, either. But Blue Thunder promised to make it up and bring home many deer and buffalo hides and meat to pacify the old man.
“Come, boy, we must see that Laughing Tree tends to you while I am gone. I do not want you to wind up in someone’s belly while I am away,” he chuckled lightly at his own banter. The
dog barked as if to agree with him. He continued to laugh. “But, old friend, I do not think you have to worry much. I am sure you are too old and you hide is too tough.”
Licks Too Much growled at his remark, then ran ahead to show his master he was still full of spunk.
Blue Thunder called to his aunt.
“Come in nephew.” Like her brother Dasodaha, she learned little English; and claimed to be too old. Blue Thunder had reminded her many times that she is not like Licks Too Much; and that she can learn to master the language. The older woman was sitting by the pit, working on a new dress Blue Thunder assumed was for her daughter, Little Turtle. He kissed her weather-beaten cheeks and sat beside her, fingering the fawn-colored hide. She was still comely for a woman of many summers; her long ebony hair showed only a few silver strands. Her dark eyes were still clear with wisdom and she was well respected by the tribe.
“You still do the finest bead work in the whole tribe, more so than the young maidens, aunt.” He saw her blush. She was modest about her skill and it annoyed him that Little Turtle never helped. That thought made him asked, “Where’s Little Turtle?”
Laughing Tree shrugged and he now regretted asking, knowing the answer. She was probably visiting another village and another brave’s mat. But he couldn’t condemn the girl, since they were also lovers. He quickly changed the subject. “Will my aunt feed and look after Licks Too Much when I am gone?”
Laughing Tree nodded. “Nephew never has to ask, you know I like your dog as much as you do.”
“Yes, I wish my father felt the same,” he touched her arm, tenderly. “Aunt has a good heart, not stubborn like her brother.” That remark brought fourth a smile, making her eyes crinkle with laughter.
She snorted, “My brother, the chief was behind a tree when the god’s handed out
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compassion,” she chuckled. He knew she was teasing. His father maybe set in his ways, but he does have a good heart, just tougher. Before he left the wickiup, the dog was allowed in and he immediately sat by Laughing Tree, laying his head on her lap as if to say, “Thank you.”
She patted its head, and replied, “You are welcome.”
Blue Thunder mounted Night Rider and nine of his men followed. They rode out of the valley, past the sentries, into the open range where the hot sun glittered brightly and soft white daisies dotted the land. He loved his land but hated the white men for destroying it slowly, day by day. They traveled four days without seeing a herd. Again dawn broke peacefully on the fifth day but by that afternoon, buzzards were spotted flying in the distance, circling the skies. He knew it meant only one thing. Nudging his horse over the ridge, he reined in Night Rider with a white man’s curse on his lips. Lying before him was a scene that he feared, a scene he had witnessed too many times; a dozen or so carcasses lay wasted on the hot ground. Flies had already covered the dead beasts like a blanket.
“Come,” he waved his men forward. “Let us find the men, they cannot be very far.”
They traveled as nightfall came in a blazing splash of color, but Blue Thunder was in no mood to enjoy the beauty. Another day passed and the white hunters weren’t anywhere close by.
As the band traveled, his disposition grew darker and darker; somebody was going to pay and he wasn’t going to be choosy.
“I think it would be wise to return to the village,” commented Eskaminzim. My friend wears an angry mask ever since we discovered the slaughtered buffalo. I cannot blame you, I also hate the white eyes as much, but it had been peaceful for awhile and I know Dasodaha would not be pleased if his son stirred up trouble.”
Blue Thunder threw a rabbit bone into the fire with an oath, then stood and walked a few feet away. He didn’t want to mince words with his friend, knowing harmful ones could never be taken back. Since he was in such a fowl mood, he found it necessary to hold his tongue. Stretching to remove some of the tension in his shoulders and kinks from being on top of Night Rider these past days, he needed to exercise to release his pent-up anger. Without saying a word, he ran for three miles, and then returned to find all the braves asleep.
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TEN
A month passed since the incident with her sister. Seth hadn’t come around to see Daphne and the distraught girl retreated into her shell. Melissa as well as Effie worried constantly. Vida apologized relentlessly to her for her misjudgment about her son. She couldn’t blame Seth for being upset; he was young and terribly confused. He needed time and she prayed that he would forgive her and come visit again.
Though Daphne was in her seventh month and she was showing more, her sister was still to thin. At first, Melissa prayed that her sibling would lose the baby; now she prayed that it would be healthy. Seven months since that horrible day and she had hated a bastard growing inside of her sweet, innocent sister but she chided herself for such awful thoughts. That child was just as innocent as its mother. It will have enough problems in this world without its aunt’s hate. The baby was not her only concern; Daphne wasn’t eating as she should. Something had to be done! Sam was back to driving the team again, so that day she ran ahead. Upon reaching the Adam’s wagon, she saw Seth was alone, driving.
“Seth, I want a few words with you!” Melissa jumped onto the slow-moving vehicle and climbed next to him, ignoring her presence. Seth snapped the whip and the team moved on, picking up the pace. She sat a few minutes, studying his profile. He seemed thinner and there were dark circles under his eyes. She knew he was suffering also.
“This isn’t going to be easy but I must ask a favor of you.” She put up her hand so he wouldn’t interrupt. “Hear me out, please. I know you’re upset at what happened and I don’t blame you. It was a shock to have to find out the truth the way you did, but you have to believe me, I was going to tell you that very night. Seth, what you think of me now is of no importance. There is a very sad little girl back there that didn’t deserve what she got. If you knew my sister before this happened, you would have loved her.”
She touched his arm. “She was a sweet, sensitive child and now needs you more than
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anyone ever needed you. Please put away your bitterness and be her friend again. There are two people that may die without your help.”
Melissa put her head in her hands and wept. She never begged anyone before, and she did not expect to feel his arms around her but she appreciated the gesture. She heard Seth take a deep, soulful breath.
“I didn’t have to know Daphne before because I’ve already fallen in love with her. Until I knew she was a girl, it tore me apart thinking there was something wrong with me. She will never know how much I love her. I feel ashamed of my selfish actions.”
The boy stiffened and drew away. He had gone through such hell these past weeks and she was partly to blame. “I’m sorry Seth. I had no idea.” She wiped her nose on her sleeve wishing she could take away all the hurt. It seemed that damn war took away all the innocence in everybody and in the country. Nothing would ever be the same. Ever!
He lifted his shoulders as one does when ones in a dilemma. “I understand your reasons
for what you did and I don’t hate anyone who would go through such lengths to protect a loved one. You did what you thought was right but if I hadn’t entered the picture things would have been different. I probably made things worse.”
“Oh, no, Seth, you brought back light into her vacant eyes. Without you she wouldn’t have improved so much. Please spend time with her. Try to forget what happened and show her your love. I’ve heard true love conquers all.”
Seth nodded. “You’re right and I’ve been such a fool wallowing in self-p
ity. I love her beyond reasoning, I’ll tell her tonight.” He wiped his wet face on the back of his hand. “I have to confess, I never showed such emotion in front of anyone before, not even my mother. But this talk made me feel a closeness I’d never experienced with someone who wasn’t family. Things will be all right; I’ll see to it and make it up to Daphne. You’re right; your sister wasn’t at fault. I almost let my stupid pride ruin the best thing that ever happened to me.” Swallowing, he admitted, “Someday she may return to reality and I want to be with her when she does.”
“Thank you,” Melissa whispered, her own voice stuck in the back of her throat. She walked back to her wagon and removed her bonnet. The weight of her problems seemed to fall from her shoulders, along with her flowing tresses. She shook her head gently, closing her eyes
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as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Her arm was still resting on her forehead when she felt the air rush past her face and a whizzing sound. At first she thought it was an insect but when she opened her eyes, her heart stopped. An arrow was still vibrating in the side of the wagon.
She froze.
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ELEVEN
When his band of Indians reached the top of a ridge, Blue Thunder raised his hand to single the braves to halt. “See! There are more pale faces coming to take our land!” he said this in his native tongue, though Eskaminzim and many of the braves with the leader spoke English. “We must stop them before they kill all our buffalo.”
The others mumbled but only Eskaminzim spoke out. “They outnumber us; we came to scout, not raid. We do not kill people, but only deprive them of the means to raid Apaches by taking their horses and food supplies. We do not kill enemy unless in self defense! They are not the ones responsible for the slaughter we saw,” he pointed out.
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