He sat heavily in his chair, absentmindedly playing with his ring of keys. It was all too easy and convenient for them, he thought. The night of the party, the door opened without any force. Something wasn’t right. Tapping his keys on the desk, he figured someone had to have helped them, but who and why? Whoever planned it knew the prisoners wouldn’t be checked until morning. They also knew enough to supply the private with a bottle of whiskey. He threw the keys on the desk, and then stared at them for a long time before he noticed his key to the stockade was missing. The light went on in his head. It could only be his wife!
“Dear, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Blanche fretted, hiding her sweaty hands in the folds of her dress.
“Don’t you?!” Sanders snapped, throwing the keys in her lap. “You’re the only one who had access to them.” He paced, running his hands through his thick gray hair. “Why? Why did you do it?”
Blanche sighed, heavily. “It pained me to deceive you but the big brave and Melissa are
176
husband and wife. I thought of Melissa and lost all reason. I’m sorry, dear.” Tears fell freely. “They have children together and---”
“What in blazes are you babbling about, woman?”
It took a while for his tearful wife to compose herself and to relate the story. He couldn’t believe his ears. “Have you gone mad!? Do you know what this could do to me if anyone finds out?”
Blanche nodded and sniffled into her handkerchief while he paced the floor, feeling his face hot with anger. With another curse, he sat heavily on the chair, making it protest under his weight. My own wife! he cursed inwardly. After a long minutes pause, he said more calmly that he was, “I cannot take the chance of sending men after them,” he put his head into hands and grunted. “I will have to retire from my post. I can’t live with this secret and take the chance of being discovered. I would lose all I worked for and my pension. You better pray that it was worth it.” Blanche wept bitterly.
177
THIRTY-SIX
Blue Thunder and his handful of men made it home before the heavy winter snows. It didn’t give them much time to stock up on meat but what they could kill might save his people from starving. After staggering into camp with his braves, he discovered his wife had been missing for three weeks. He didn’t think about hunting for game, the tribe’s men would have to do their best without him. He supplied himself with blankets and a few rations, and then headed out to track down his wife.
He thought about Dasodaha and Laughing Tree’s words, not able to understand why his wife, swollen with child would leave their daughter. Did she fall in love with Hawk Nose in his absence? They were very close all the time he was there. Blue Thunder thought the brave had strong feelings for his Moon Glow; it showed in the other man’s eyes. If that was the case, he’d kill Hawk Nose and take his wife back home. But there would be no room in his heart for what she did to him and their child. She would remain to care for their children, but she would never warm his mat again.
That thought broke his heart. Would he be able to stay away from her warm, creamy flesh again? He wasn’t sure. At that moment, he hated and loved her with a passion. He also remembered his aunt saying how his wife pined for him, not eating and ignoring Blue Moon. Did she really miss him that much or was she confused over her love for Hawk Nose? Was she taken against her will or did she go willingly? He was not sure he really wanted to find the truth. But it was the truth that drove him on even though his body still ached from the long confinement without exercise.
Blue Thunder picked up their trail in the ice crusted snow. He believed that Hawk Nose had no reason to believe they’d be followed, so he made no attempt to hide their tracks. He was sure the brave believed he was dead. He was fatigued from traveling without much rest and closed his eyes many times, but he would snap awake and catch himself before falling from
178
Night Rider. Would he find his wife alive? Would he find her in someone else’s arms? It would be a fate worse than death for him.
He lost the tracks when he came upon a stream but then the next day he found their trail again. He had no idea where the two were going. At first, he thought they were headed toward the destroyed village, but then they headed in another direction. Another week passed when he realized they were headed for the treacherous mountain range. He prayed he would make it before a blizzard hit. Blue Thunder never experienced such misery in his life. Even in prison his heart was not torn apart like it was now.
179
THIRTY-SEVEN
Not long after they left the camp, Melissa realized her terrible mistake and believed they had been traveling in circles. Hawk Nose never took her to his village. When she queried him, he just shrugged with indifference and grunted he lost Blue Thunder’s tracks. It was a blatant lie but she accepted his answer even though her gut feeling told her he wasn’t being honest. Sometimes, he would be quiet and moody and this was not like the way she knew him to be. The look in his dark eyes frightened her when he starred at her. Some days he stroked her hair and arms when she was close, if she pulled away, his face clouded with anger. She feared him and hoped he had nothing else in mind.
Sometimes, he glanced at her swollen stomach and he lifted a corner of his mouth. She wasn’t sure if it was a beginning of a smile or sneer. She cringed. Would she put up a fight if he tried taking her? The thought of another man loving her was repulsive and Melissa prayed that he wouldn’t put her to the test. At night, silent tears were shed for her husband; she missed her daughter and prayed she would be all right. Rubbing her lower back, she tried to ease the pain that had been increasing daily. The days on horse back were not good for her body and the unborn child. If she lost the baby, she’d never forgive herself.
With the belief she was doing the right thing and the misconception that they would be traveling so far, her decision to look for Blue Thunder had been made under great distress. They should have come across her husband by now, or found some sign of him and his party. Now she believed Hawk Nose had taken her far beyond his village and had no intention of helping her find her mate. What would become of her and her baby? Would it be born out here in the wilderness? When she saw Hawk Nose look at her, she lowered her gaze; there was no use in making him angry. They were here and she made up her mind to make the best of the situation.
“Oh, Blue Thunder,” she sighed, softly. What a fool I was not to trust Dasodaha and to ignore Laughing Tree’s advice.
180
The morning dawned gray. Before Melissa opened her eyes, a wet, sloppy tongue shocked her lids to pop open. She was looking into two black eyes and being still in a sleepy state, she thought it was a wild beast. Her screams made Licks Too Much bark. Realization hit her full force and she squealed with delight. “Oh, how did you..? Where did you come..? Oh, my!” Overjoyed, she pulled him to her and hugged the stuffing out of him, making him yelp.
Hawk Nose was relieving himself in the bushes and her scream must have alerted him. He probably feared she was in danger from a wild animal. With his knife drawn he ran to her aid only to stop short seeing her hugging her canine. “How in hell did the dog find us?” he spat. Melissa saw the brave come closer with his weapon drawn. She clutched the dog fearing for its life. She knew about Indians eating them, and she’d starve first before letting him kill the pet. She was in enough trouble, never mind slaughtering Blue Thunder’s friend. Her eyes wide with fear, she hissed, “You’d better not be thinking what I’m thinking, because you’ll have to kill me first!” She knew it was a hollow threat, but it seemed to work. Hawk Nose placed the knife back into its sheath. He walked away grumbling what she suspected were curses in his native tongue. That man who had talked to her like a brother wasn’t here with her now. This Indian was mad, and as savage as any beast.
Later, the dark skies brought light snow. Hawk Nose told her that they had to find shelter. They had been traveling up the mountain for two days and he hoped there was a cave nearby.
The deranged brave seemed truly worried about her, saying he feared she might go into labor
On her mount, Melissa snuggled deeper into her blanket, feeling cold, weary, and hungry. The snow stung her face and the need to urinate made her uncomfortable. She hated to stop again so soon, but the baby was causing her to pass water quite often now. If he didn’t stop, she’d have to ask Hawk Nose to let her see to her needs. Damn mortifying. Just as she was about to speak, Hawk Nose halted his horse and turned.
“We camp up there.” He told her and pointed to a large boulder partly covered by thick bushes. She was happy that the brave found a hidden cave. It didn’t have the warmth of a wickiup and it was damp but it was better than staying outside. In no time, Hawk Nose built a fire and soon her cold bones began to warm.
“This will be our home until spring,” she was told. His words were for her but his eyes
181
were on the damn dog. And the animal’s eyes never left Hawk Nose and there were times the dog bared its teeth at him. The hatred between them was mutual; it was only a matter of time to see who ate whom. Melissa looked at the Indian, her own eyes full of questions, but she didn’t say anything. What good would it do? She was at his mercy. She wondered how they would survive when the snow covered the entrance to the cave. Tired and hungry, she didn’t want to think or care just then and she and the canine snuggled for warmth.
The next two months passed slowly. Hawk Nose was able to tunnel out of the snow with his bare hands. She was amazed at his determination and knowledge of survival. He caught rabbits and small game. Once he had killed a wolf. It took all of Melissa’s will power not to gag on the meat but she and the baby needed nourishment. Finding dry wood was harder but he had stocked up with poles and brush before the heavy snow. They saved the fire for meals only.
Melissa shivered constantly under blankets and small pelts of fur that Hawk Nose skinned from the animals he had killed. She was very uncomfortable because the baby had dropped a few days before and was lying on her spine. Now, she had only to wait.
On a day when the sun was strong and the snow was melting fast, Hawk Nose had gone out to hunt and the dog followed. He had admitted to her that the mutt came in handy for tracking down small animals. Melissa was tired of looking at the cave walls; how many times had she counted the veins in the rocks? Deciding to walk outside for some fresh air and sun on her face, she wrapped herself in a fur blanket and stood near the cave opening. She breathed in the fresh air, lifting her face towards the sun. The warmth was wonderful when it kissed her cold flesh. Her eyes shut tight, she soaked up the rays. She took another deep breath feeling wetness down her legs. Her water broke. Gasping, she grabbed her belly, losing the fur blanket. Waiting for the pain to pass, she noticed a small amount of blood by her feet.
She groaned, “Not now.”
Alone, and no idea when the brave would return, she slowly turned into the cave to lie down. Her time was near, her contractions were very close. She screamed in pain, calling for Hawk Nose. She needed him. Praying for help between bouts of pain, her face and body were bathed in perspiration despite the cold. She screamed again, and then heard movement.
182
“Hawk Nose?” she whispered. Her eyes opened only to be confronted by many pairs of beady, black eyes. Her vision blurred, she didn’t perceive the danger she was in. Then she heard the low growls. Terror struck her heart.
God! This couldn’t be happening. They might kill her and her baby.
That was her last thought.
Hawk Nose heard the screams as he neared the cave. He had caught a rabbit and was heading back; the game dropped from his hand at her first cries. He and the dog ran to her and he spotted the blanket and blood on the ground, he also saw the paw prints and realized she was not alone. Three wolves had circled the cave and he knew that the wolves saw and smelled the red blood lying on the snow near the fur blanket. Thinking it was a wounded animal, they descended into the cave to see what meal waited for them.
Licks Too Much was way ahead of him and ran into the open mouth. Drawing his long knife, Hawk Nose crept in fearing he might be too late. Snarling reached his ears before his eyes grew accustomed to the dim cave. His blood ran cold in his veins when seeing the wolves were too interested in the unconscious form on the ground to notice him or dog. When Licks Too Much growled, one turned and he saw in the animal’s cold eyes that the wolf was not going to miss a meal. It lunged for the dog and Hawk Nose knew his best defense was to try to kill the one closest to him, behind the other two.
Moon Glow looked unharmed for now. He prayed for strength and with his knife he cut the animal’s throat in one swift slice. The wolf’s death cry warned the others. One of the wolves turned instantly, chomping his leg with its sharp fangs, while the other leaped, clamping its mighty jaw onto his thrashing arm. Hawk Nose stumbled to the ground dropping his knife. He had to fight with all his strength if he wanted to save himself and Moon Glow. The pain in his arm and leg was so unbearable, he cried out but he managed to kick at the wolf that was gnawing on his leg. The wolf wouldn’t let go and this only caused the animal to dig deeper into his flesh.
He pounded on the head of the other but it would not release its grip either. As he struggled to get up, he found a large rock with his free hand and swung it around with all his might. The canine howled and released his bloody arm; the stunned animal yapped and fell,
183
whining. He dragged himself to his knife and attacked the other wolf with vengeance. He plunged the blade into the beast over and over until nothing was left but a mass of blood and guts.
Staggering, he saw the wounded one slowly rise to its feet but Hawk Nose plunged the knife into its heart, and then faulted, trying to stay conscious. He was covered with blood from head to foot; his arm and leg pulsated with unbearable pain. Unable to put any weight on his injured leg, he crawled, seeing Licks Too Much bloodied body lying next to the dead wolf. The dog had fought bravely also, but he was sure the brave canine wouldn’t survive. And, he wasn’t too certain about himself.
Hawk Nose heard Moon Glow moan and was coming around. She opened her eyes to see his bloodied body and then swooned into a faint again. With what strength he had left, Hawk Nose pushed her dress up. He was losing blood fast and it would not be long before darkness would overtake him. The baby’s head was between her legs. With trembling hands, he grabbed the small skull and did his best to assist when waves of pushing overtook her. His hands were slippery with blood and mucus so it was not easy. But luckily, he was able to grab under the tiny chin and with one good pull, it swished out. The baby gasped for his first breath of air, then let out a howling wail. He was a strong, healthy boy. Drawing what little strength he had left, Hawk Nose cut the cord and wrapped the baby in a small fur pelt, then placed it on the mother’s stomach. He had the mind to shove some pelts between her legs before passing out himself.
184
THIRTY-EIGHT
On the trail, Blue Thunder had succumbed to white man’s influenza. If the small band of Indians hadn’t found him unconscious in the snow two months ago, he would have died. They took him back to their village and nursed him back to health. They said he had been delirious for two weeks. It took him another three weeks to regain his strength. By then, the ground was covered with heavy white powder. When spring was in the air, he left and returned to the spot where he was discovered by the small band of Indians. The trail was gone but he would search every inch of the region until he found signs. His intuition told him that they would be in a cave somewhere. His wife would be in no condition to travel; his child would be born any day. Blue Thunder climbed and searched small caves with no luck. He rested a while on a ledge and searched the sky for answers but only wispy clouds drifted by. He watched a hawk circle, wishing he had the wings of a bird.
“You think that hawk knows where Moon Glow is?” he asked Night Rider. The horse whinnied as if he understood his words. He sighed. “Well, it is time to move on. Let
us hope the spirits are kind to us.”
It was a baby’s wail that made him stop in his tracks. Without waiting a moment, he ran towards the sound, his heart racing like the wind. He found that the crying led him to a large cave. Drawing his knife, he crept forward, wondering what he would find. What he found made his blood turn to ice.
To his horror, dead wolves lay by an unconscious Hawk Nose and his wife. He studied the scene before him believing all were dead, and realized one of the wolves was his pet. Then a crying alerted his senses and he saw the tiny bundle lying on his wife’s stomach. There was no time to figure out what had happened. He rushed to her side; his child was bawling, with tiny fists flailing in the air. His face was beet red and he kicked the animal pelt off with his feet. Blue Thunder picked the baby up. He had a son. A feeling of total love and protection filled his soul.
185
His heart filled with pride. A son!
This was the first thing his wife saw when she opened her eyes and she gasped, “Had I died and gone to heaven? Could this be my husband standing before me with an infant in his huge arms? Blue Thunder?” she whispered.
He knelt before her and kissed her cheek. She went into darkness again and he tapped her cheek a few times. “Wake up, it is I, your husband.!”.
His wife bolted upright. “No!” She struggled against his arms that encircled her trembling body. She cried, refusing to be restrained by whoever was holding her.
“Moon Glow, open your eyes. It is me, your husband.”
It took a moment for his voice to sink in. “Blue Thunder?” she rasped as her eyes opened. “Oh, God! I was afraid you were dead. I thought....” Unable to finish, she swallowed her words and collapsed against him.
Blue Thunder Page 21