“What do you call this?” Tilly said waving her hands around.
“A safety precaution.” Broken Wing replied sharply before leading Fiona away. Tilly stared after them for a second, then looked again toward the Chief. He ignored her although she knew he saw her glance at him. Uttering a word she would have never admitted to knowing a few days previously, she followed Fiona and Broken Wing. How on earth were they going to get away from the Indians now?
Chapter 5
Almanzo rode alongside David in silence. He saw the older man look around him as he was doing the same. There were no dust clouds, no sign of Harvey or his men coming. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t lying in wait somewhere. Almanzo wasn’t sure if Harvey was dumb enough to set foot on David or Scott’s land. David would report everything back to the paper he wrote for. The paper was unusual in that it didn’t take the usual anti-black, anti-Indian approach most papers did. In fact, the editor had been accused of being an abolitionist. Almanzo wasn’t sure if he was or not but he knew David believed in equal rights for everyone. He could remember his pa grumbling about David Clarke and his love for blacks only his pa had used a much more horrible word. Almanzo tried to shut down the part of his mind, he didn’t want to think about his pa now or ever. He had thought he hated him when he left him behind to die. But it was nothing to how he felt when Rick and Jo had finally told him the truth about his pa’s role in kidnapping Becky. He’d been 15 and despite his age had to run out of the house to be violently sick. He couldn’t believe, after everything Scott, Rick and Jo not to mention the rest of the party had done for him, his pa had put them in danger. His pa hadn’t even checked on whether his own kid had survived. He hadn’t cared enough. Neither had his ma.
“Open eyes my friend,” Walking Tall stated as Almanzo almost ran over him. He’d been so caught up in his thoughts, he hadn’t noticed they were almost at the camp. He colored. He should have been more alert. The Indians always posted sentries, especially now they knew they were being threatened.
“He Who Runs is with my father. He sent me to bring you to him. Hello David,” Walking Tall greeted David with a big smile.
“You look well, Walking Tall. How are your wife and child?”
Walking Tall looked so proud. “My wife is with child again and our son will be two years this summer. He is very smart and wise already. Paco says he like him.”
Almanzo smiled. Typical of Paco to take the credit. He couldn’t imagine being married with children yet Walking Tall was only a year or so older than him. If he was going to marry anyone, it would have been Sarah. His heart twisted as he pushed her from his mind. His adopted sister was in love with Edwin Jarret and had been for years.
They walked over to the camp where the men were gathered around the fire. Almanzo didn’t see any of the women which meant the conversation was serious. He greeted Paco and the other Indian braves he knew and took a seat beside Scott.
“Did they hear about the missing women?” he whispered.
Scott nodded but didn’t say anything. He gestured to Almanzo to stay quiet. David sat on his other side but didn’t say a word, his gaze focused on Paco. Almanzo was shocked at the change in Paco, he looked so much older than the last time he saw him. It had been about six months. Not long enough for Paco to have aged. He looked smaller and more troubled than ever.
“My scouts tell me what you say is true. A wagon was attacked and two young women were taken hostage. Their men were killed,” Paco stated.
“Have they been harmed?”
“Not yet,” Paco replied to David’s question. Almanzo didn’t like the emphasis on yet.
“What can we do?” Scott asked.
“It is difficult. In the past, our tribes were enemies. We have been friends for a while but it is not a deep friendship. We must proceed with caution.”
“So we can't do anything?” Almanzo asked forgetting he was supposed to stay quiet. It was very rude for a younger man to address the Chief without waiting to be asked for his opinion. He felt the stares of everyone as all but Paco turned to look in his direction. “I am sorry, I forgot my place.”
“You are impetuous my friend. A little like He Who Runs when he was younger. These women, they are friends of yours?”
“No, Paco, but …" Almanzo faltered.
“But…” Paco prompted.
“The men in town aim to bring all Indians to justice. They hate you and the tribe almost as much as they hate David Clarke.”
“We are honored to be among good company,” Paco said smiling at David. The two men shared a deep bond of friendship, each recognizing a kindred spirit.
“Forget about the men in town. The sheriff will handle them. Bradley Rodgers may not be vocal enough for my liking but he is not a coward and doesn’t hold with vigilantes,” David said calmly. “But we would like to try to get these women back. We must help. They deserve to be back with their families. What’s left of them.”
Silence lingered for a while before Walking Tall spoke up.
“Let me go, Father. I will take Al and a couple of the other men. We can go hunting and pretend to stumble over the camp.”
“I will bring furs and some food with me, make it look like we are coming back from Canada. Maybe we can trade.” Almanzo added, his blood feverish with the wish to be included.
“Rick will have my head if you go off looking for these women,” David protested, looking at Almanzo
“Rick doesn’t have to know. He would help if he wasn't ill. You know that,” Almanzo argued back. Paco stayed silent letting the whites fight it out between themselves as he always did.
“I am going. I am not a child,” Almanzo insisted. “Thanks to Walking Tall, I can ride and fight as well as any Indian.”
“Not quite any Indian my friend. I can still beat you,” Walking Tall said, an amused expression on his face. The smile slid off quickly as his father said something. Almanzo didn’t understand the words, but the body language was easy to read. Paco was telling his son to take the matter more seriously. Almanzo knew Walking Tall was hurt but he didn’t reply to his father. That would be disrespectful. Walking Tall always made light of the most dangerous situations. It was his way. Usually, Paco indulged him but not this time. That only showed how worried Paco was, not just about his tribe but also about the captives.
“We should go now. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it is for these women,” Walking Tall said.
“If the white men show up, the Indians will kill the women first.”
Paco’s comment made them all think.
“Scott and I will head into town and see if we can stop Harvey and his friends,” David stated. “Walking Tall, please keep Almanzo out of trouble. I do not wish to face my wife or her sister should anything happen to him.”
Almanzo was about to protest but didn’t. He knew the men cared about him. They considered him part of the Thompson extended family. Only he wasn’t family was he? He was just another orphan from the trail.
Chapter 6
It took two days and two nights to reach the camp where the women were being kept hostage. Almanzo had colored his face and skin to blend in with the other warriors. It wouldn’t fool anyone close but from a distance, he didn’t look like a white man.
“You can pass for my half-brother,” Walking Tall said smiling.
“I smell like your brother,” Almanzo retorted his nose wrinkling at the stink of bear grease his friend had insisted he rub into his skin.
They watched the camp but couldn’t see any sign of the women. Walking Tall and the other braves argued about how best to approach the camp. In the end, it was decided Walking Tall would go in alone. Almanzo didn’t agree but there was no arguing with Walking Tall once his mind was made up. He was definitely Paco’s son.
Almanzo sat on his hands as he waited for Walking Tall to return. He couldn’t move about as the others said he made too much noise. He didn’t think he did, he thought it was because Running Bear was with them. The Indi
an brave hated whites as much as Harvey hated Indians. Almanzo wasn’t sure why the brave was in Paco’s group. He had been told Running Bear’s father had been a good friend of Paco. Almanzo couldn’t understand the Indian he knew being friendly with a man who hated anyone ,least of all whites. But then he of all people should. his pa was just like Running Bear, full of hatred for an entire race. As Mr. Price had said often enough, the only good Indian was a dead Indian.
It seemed like forever, but it was only an hour or so later, Walking Tall returned, scowling.
“They have the women but refuse to let them go.”
“What do they want?” Almanzo asked. “Don’t they know the soldiers will attack?”
“They want a promise their lands will not be taken and they will be free,” Walking Tall responded, his frustration obvious from his facial expression.
“Nobody is going to promise them that,” Almanzo stated the obvious but before he could expand, Running Bear interrupted him.
“Why shouldn’t they ask for what is rightfully theirs? Your white friends came and stole from us.”
“Running Bear, enough,” Walking Tall spoke sharply. “Al is a friend of mine. Do not show disrespect.”
“I was going to say, I don’t agree with them losing their lands,” Almanzo clarified slowly. “But people will die if they don’t let those women go free. Do you want that on your conscience Running Bear?”
“In war, men die,” Running Bear spat back, his hostility clear for everyone to see.
“It's not just the men. Women, children, old people, babies, the white men who come won’t care. They will kill anyone they find, not just those who attacked the train.” Almanzo spoke sharply but Running Bear kept silent. He knew Almanzo was right.
“That was a big puzzle,” Walking Tall stated. “The Indians say they not attack train but found women later. They say white men did it.”
Almanzo turned toward Walking Tall. “But that’s not what Harvey said?”
“You believe this Harvey because he is white?” Running Bear taunted, his face a sneering mask.
“No, he is a lying dog but the women would be able to tell their rescuers what happened,” Almanzo spoke his thoughts aloud.
“Dead people do not speak,” Running Bear spoke louder.
Almanzo and Walking Tall’s gaze caught. “It’s a trap. We must get those girls back to town so they can tell Sheriff Rogers what happened to them. Quickly before it is too late.” Almanzo didn’t wait for anyone’s permission but headed to his horse.
“Wait, I am coming with you. I need to translate.”
Almanzo flashed his friend a grin. He had forgotten most Indians didn’t speak English as well as Walking Tall and while he knew a few Indian words, he was more likely to get into trouble than to rescue the girls.
They approached the camp carefully. The Indians were waiting for them. Almanzo greeted the Chief, surprising him by speaking a few words. Although they weren’t the Chief’s language, he knew enough of the tribal languages to understand. Judging by his pleased expression, Almanzo had done the right thing. The Chief explained his position again to Walking Tall and the other Indians. Almanzo couldn’t understand as they were speaking so fast so he took the opportunity to study their surroundings. The other men surrounding the Chief didn’t look as friendly but they weren’t hostile either. If anything, they looked fed up and more than a little frustrated. Almanzo sensed they were angry at being blamed for something they hadn’t done. So, it was true the Indians hadn’t attacked. He found it easier to believe these strangers than he did Harvey whom he had known for the last eight years.
As Almanzo looked around, he spotted an Indian woman staring at him. She looked away when he stared back at her but then she looked at him again. He couldn’t see her face properly as she was too far away but something about her was familiar. She had a young child with her, a girl about six years old. The child was curious about the meeting, tugging at the woman’s hand trying to get free but the woman held onto her tightly.
He wanted to meet her but that was the quickest route to being killed. These Indians didn’t want white men near their women. Unlike some other tribes, they didn’t sell or trade their women to the whites.
Almanzo glanced again in the direction of the woman but she was gone as was the child. He waited until there was silence between the Indians before asking Walking Tall if they could speak to the white women. Walking Tall confirmed the Chief had ordered the women brought to him.
It took several minutes for the women to arrive and when they did, Almanzo could see why. One of the girls was fighting and kicking every step of the way. She reminded him of Becky. The other girl was more docile although her eyes were looking at everything, taking note of things. They widened when they landed on Almanzo.
Almanzo stood as the girls came closer. They were dressed in their own clothes but on their feet, they appeared to be wearing moccasins. A hint they had been taken in a hurry?
He addressed them in English forgetting he was dressed as an Indian. The pale redhead listened although she tried to give the impression she wasn’t. The other one stopped fighting long enough to spit in his direction before sending a kick aimed at the nearest Indian’s lower leg.
“Calm down, please. You are not helping,” Almanzo instructed quietly.
“I don’t intend assisting in my own degradation.” The woman retorted. She spoke very well, her accent clipped. She wasn’t local to the area.
“My name is Almanzo Price. The Indians with me are my friends. We came to rescue you.”
“You? You look as much like a savage as the men around us. In fact, you look like those who attacked our train and murdered our …” Her voice caught on the last word. She dashed her hand against her face, he saw then they were bound in front of her.
“Walking Tall, can you ask them to release the bonds?”
“I did. They said no as she is like fire. Nice to look at but dangerous to touch,” Walking Tall responded, his eyes lit up with admiration for the girl.
Almanzo looked at the woman who was glaring at Walking Tall.
“He is a fine brave man who came to help you. Don’t look at him like that,” Almanzo’s tone was insistent causing her to glare at him.
“He's a savage.”
“He is your only hope of life. The savages are the white men who attacked your train, killed your people and aim to destroy this village on the pretext it was the Indians who were the aggressors.” He paused long enough to get her attention. “You will not live to tell the truth unless you let us help you.”
Tilly paled at his words but only for a second or two. Then she thrust her head back. “Why should I believe you?”
“Why not? I don’t see anyone else trying to rescue you.
“I don’t need your help. Fiona and I were doing just fine.”
“Listen, lady, you need to simmer down. You and your friend Fiona are in grave danger.”
“I…”
“Use your ears woman. God gave you two for a reason,” Almanzo hadn’t realized he’d spoken so sharply until the Indians started laughing. He glared at them which made them laugh more. “Just what is so funny?”
“Fire Daughter has burnt you too. She has been the same since they rescued her. They had to bind her hands as she kept trying to kick or slap them.” Walking Tall spoke in English. “They do not like mistreating people but she refused to see they were trying to help.” Walking Tall gave the woman a long stare before going back to sit with the Chief.
Almanzo looked at the woman and saw she had the grace to look ashamed. Yet she didn’t apologize. She shut her eyes and when she opened them again the shame was gone, replaced by defiance.
“I wish to go to the nearest city. I need to speak to the Sheriff. You must escort me now,” Tilly said in the haughtiest tone imaginable. Almanzo should have been annoyed at being addressed as a servant but instead, he was full of admiration for the woman. She must be terrified but she wasn’t going to l
et anyone see her fear. Unfortunately for her, her attitude was only going to endanger her more.
“Yes my lady, anything you say. Just let me try and prevent wholesale slaughter first.” Almanzo bowed to her as he saw his sarcasm hit home.
“Slaughter?”
“The men who attacked your train want to kill all these people. Apart from binding your wrists, have they mistreated you in any way?”
She shook her head.
“Have they given you food and drink?” Almanzo asked, his tone kinder.
She nodded the shame back on her face.
“Perhaps you could think about that for a couple of minutes. If they wanted to rape and kill you, would they feed you first?” Almanzo asked softly.
Her horror at his words showed in her eyes. He was just about to apologize when her next words stopped him.
“You sir are no gentleman to speak of such a thing in a lady’s presence.”
“In case you haven't noticed, darlin', you are in the middle of an Indian camp, not at a Boston tea party,” he drawled as her eyes opened wider. “Your life and the lives of every person in this camp is at stake right now. Perhaps you could stop thinking of yourself for one minute and look around you.”
Almanzo returned to where Walking Tall was sitting and sat down beside him.
“She has made an impression,” his friend whispered but Almanzo was far too angry to respond. He had been rude, something Rick and Jo had taught him not to be.
“I am trying to get the Chief to move his tribe closer to ours. Then we may be able to help protect each other,” Walking Tall confided.
“He does not want to?” Almanzo asked.
“No, he says there is no danger as he provided shelter to the women just as he did to other women in the past.”
Almanzo’s head shot up. “Other women? You mean there are more white women living here with these Indians?”
“Yes, my friend and you should change your expression as your disapproval crosses the language barrier. These men provided shelter for those who were missing or ill. You should not judge them badly,” Walking Tall said quietly.
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