by Karen Kay
For an instant, the wagon master stared at her as though she might be as alien as this land over which they traversed.
After a short pause, she went on to say, “In truth, Mr. Russell, it sounds to me as if you and the others are worried over nothing but a little nasty gossip.”
For such a sweetly stated remark, Mr. Russell surely appeared shocked. Recovering quickly, he stuttered out, “M-Ma’am?”
“If it will set your mind at ease, go ahead and tell Mr. Hudson and the rest of the folks who are worried that I’ll be more than happy to cook for Mr. Hudson, his children and his mother. It will be my pleasure. However, please be certain to tell Mr. Hudson that I am not looking for a wedding or a family in the bargain.”
The wagon master didn’t say a word, simply stared at her.
“Also, just so you and I are straight on a few things, Mr. Russell, I am probably more afraid of Mr. Hudson and his mother than I am of any Indian on this train.”
Mr. Russell grunted. “If’n it was up to me, I wouldna have them Injuns as part of this outfit. Then there wouldna be this problem. But on this trail, they’s necessary.”
“Yes, they are, and I suppose that’s my point. The way I see it, you—meaning of course yourself and the others on the caravan—are going to expect these Indians—the ones who are scouting for us—to hunt food for us, lead us to water, scout out enemy tribes and keep the caravan safe from attack. That’s true enough, isn’t it?”
“I reckon so, though it’s the duty of us all to keep the wagon train safe.”
“Yes, that’s a good point. That’s true.” She smiled. “But, as I understand it, you also expect my brother and the Indians to fight with you and defend you against not only the elements, but against animals and foes, as well? To give their lives for you, if need be?”
Mr. Russell paused, as if reluctant to agree or disagree. However, after only a sight hesitation, he said, “Yes, ma’am. That’s true enough, I suppose. But see here, they…they ain’t like us. They’s heathens, and being such, they—”
“And my brother and the Indians will be expected to defend the women and the men if need be, fight side by side?”
Pulling his hat from his head, Russell glanced down at it, then began to fiddle with its brim in his hands. “Yes, but it’s their duty.”
“Well, then, if that be the case, I should think it would be my duty, as well as every other woman’s and every other man’s duty on this wagon train, to make all the scouts, whether they’re white or Indian, feel comfortable and welcome. Seems only fair to me, that if they’re expected to give their lives for us, then the least we can do is be civil to them.”
“Ma’am?”
“Please understand, I am willing to have Mr. Hudson’s protection. I’m willing to cook for him and his family, as well. But I must admit that I am shocked that you have listened to gossip about me and acted on it without first seeking my own opinion and confronting me with what has been said.” She hesitated, casting a deliberately hard glance at the man. If Mr. Russell noticed, he did nothing to show it—perhaps he was too busy fiddling with his hat. So she continued, “I do think it unfair that you would represent the others in the caravan…” she smiled again, this time sweetly, then added rather dramatically, “…and not me.”
“What?” Mr. Russell looked stricken. “But I do represent ye too, ma’am…” His voice trailed away, and glancing down at his feet, he shuffled about, still twiddling that hat in his hands. Though he appeared doubtful now, he said, “I do.”
“Do you? Well, then, perhaps you would be so kind as to tell the others that I accept their protection, and will honor their feelings. However, if I find that anyone is being unkind, refusing to speak to or treating the Indians or my brother unfairly, I might just ask my brother and the Indians not to protect any who are found to be doing it—at all. Not ever.”
“Ma’am?”
“Tell them this. It’s the only fair way. If you and the others expect protection, food and good shelter, then we certainly expect kindness. After all, no one has to defend or feed another, do they?”
“Ah… They’s gettin’ paid to do it.”
“Oh? Are they?”
“Well,” said Mr. Russell, his attention riveted to his feet. “Leastwise, your brother’s gettin’ paid money. The Injuns think differently and don’t value money. They scout and fight for their honor, and of course for their keep.”
“Their keep? But they bring in the food and water. You must give them more than that.”
“They also get a new set of clothes.”
She frowned. “But they make their own clothes. Is that all you do for them?”
“Sometimes they get a horse.”
“A horse?” Angelia’s expression stilled, then she smiled sweetly once again. “Well, I think that’s the least you could do, don’t you?” Deliberately, she let the silence that intervened between them speak for her, for the injustice she felt.
“Yes, ma’am.” At length, the wagon master gazed up at her, hat still in hand. “I’ll tell the others that you’ll accept the help, but I don’t think they’ll like the rest.”
“No,” she said, “I don’t expect they will, but it still needs to be said.”
“Ah, dad-blast it. Maybe it does.”
“Maybe?” Again she grinned at him. “You will tell them?”
“I’ll tell ’em.”
Russell placed his hat squarely on his head. “Though I don’t know what will happen.” He sighed and looked heavenward. “The daughter of a preacher man, huh?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you’re still goin’ to teach them Injuns and all?”
“Yep,” she said. “I sure am. And I would think that others should follow suit too.”
Russell shook his head. “Ye sure do sound like some do-gooding preacher’s daughter, that’s for sure. And I guess I’ll have to let ye take in all the stray sheep ye want. Jest be aware that some of them sheep may be wolves, miss. And because of that, we’ll have a sheepdog on duty.”
“Yes, Mr. Russell. And thank you.”
With that said, Mr. Kit Russell turned away, while Angelia sat still, frowning thoughtfully, watching his figure as he strode off. The entire conversation had been more than a little upsetting. However, only one fact remained to bother her…there was a Vigilance Committee, right here on this train, now. This was not good news. Not good news at all.
Chapter Thirteen
Dressed and out in the sunshine we were all happy. There stretched out before us was a new-coined day, a fresh-minted world under a glorious turquoise sky. Sunbonnets bobbed merrily over cooking fires, on the air a smell of coffee.
Marian Russell
Land of Enchantment: Memoirs of Marian Russell Along the Santa Fe Trail
A Vigilance Committee?
As Angelia sat atop the wagon, looking outward, she formed an opinion. The West was indeed a glorious place, yet it was also a very crude place. Certainly the atmosphere here afforded one opportunity. However, Vigilance Committees had begun to spring up all over this country, and the men who ran them—who were usually anonymous—were more feared than any court system in the land. For a Vigilance Committee always hung a murderer or a thief—even a person suspected of murder—and it particularly would assault and hang an Indian man caught making love to a white woman. No shotgun wedding would be ordered, no questions asked. It would simply be done.
It was something she could not allow to happen.
Uneasily, Angelia bit her lip. One would think that she would have learned better than to have become smitten with a man like Swift Hawk. After all, hadn’t she lived her life in the shadow of her father? Hadn’t she witnessed too closely the results of championing the underdog?
What had she been thinking?
Clearly, she hadn’t been thinking. That was part of the problem. Make no mistake, she had fallen for Swift Hawk…hard.
Though it had been only the one morning, she knew that theirs w
as a meeting of the spirit, a coming together not only of body, but of soul. It was a strange feeling, one she had not thus far experienced. Deep in her heart she knew that no matter what the future might hold, the affair was one she would cherish all her life.
But she was going to have to do something about it. What?
Of course it went without saying that she and Julian would have to be even more diligent and cautious than ever. From now on, they would have to be constantly alert for news, in case that news carried information about them. Further, they would have to watch more closely for the appearance of bounty hunters or government agents within this caravan.
But what about herself and Swift Hawk?
She supposed that if she didn’t care so much about these two men in her life, she and Swift Hawk could continue to sneak off together. If they could find a place where no one would see them. But that just wasn’t right. Forget for the moment that such an action would label her as a woman of easy virtue. Forget, too, the danger. There was simply something inherently wrong with having to steal away, as though a love so beautiful should be hidden.
Besides, in a wagon train of this size, it was almost impossible to do anything unnoticed, and sneaking around would, sooner or later, be found out. And when it was discovered—as it surely would be—not only would there be trouble for Swift Hawk, but speculations would be made about her. Someone might investigate her further, might come to learn of Julian’s deception, as well as her crime, and his.
But if not an affair with Swift Hawk, then what was she to do? End it? She feared this might be her only choice.
Your life, and mine, may change now. But do not worry. When two people wish it, the impossible can be theirs. The words came back to haunt her. That day, Swift Hawk had left her with this thought. His speech had done much at the time to fill her with promise, with hope, and with the idea that maybe, if they both worked at it, they could create a bit of heaven, here in this prairie wilderness.
She wanted that heaven too. She let her mind drift back to that time only a few days ago…
True to his word, Swift Hawk had helped her to dress that day, and the style of the white woman’s clothing had brought expressions to his countenance that were most amusing.
Holding one of her petticoats up to his waist, Swift Hawk had given her a puzzled look.
“Is this a dress?” he asked.
“No,” she replied with a smile. “It is a petticoat.”
“A coat? Do white women wear coats, like the white men do?”
“Yes, women do, but this is not a coat.”
“That is good…” he grinned at her, “…for I see no holes in it for the arms.”
Angelia shook her head at him. “Be serious.”
“I am serious.”
She had snatched the petticoat from him and had commenced dressing herself. In truth, she had almost completed the task, had sat down to pull on her hose and boots, when Swift Hawk, coming onto one knee, had bent down before her. In his hands, he held both hose and boots. Looking up at her, he said, “Do you wish to take my duty from me?”
“Your duty?”
He nodded. “It is my duty to help dress you. But I have done very little thus far. The least you can do is allow me to clothe your feet with”—he glanced at her boots with some dislike—“these.”
She smiled. “I would be most honored, sir, if you would be so kind.”
Kneeling before her, he had pulled her hose up and over her knee. He accomplished the action with much pomp and ceremony, massaging first her calf muscles, then her feet.
“Hmm, that feels good.”
“It should. The feet and leg muscles bear the brunt of all we do, and seldom do they receive the attention they deserve.”
“How true. How true.”
“And your shoes are heavy.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “They must be so, if they are to last me until we arrive in Santa Fe.”
“Humph!”
“That seemed a rather derogatory humph, Mr. Hawk. Do you know a better way of shoeing the feet?”
Swift Hawk shrugged as he drew one boot on her foot and tied it fast. “There is the Indian way.”
“Oh? And what way is that?”
“To carry the hide with you to make another pair of moccasins. No good warrior leaves his lodge without a bit of buffalo skin for this purpose. You see, when the footwear is light, a person may run more quickly in case there is a need. It could save his life.”
Angelia sat there and stared at Swift Hawk. Odd, this feeling of being on the brink of cognizance. Was there purpose to all that the Indian did? Was her own culture being wise in wishing to wipe away the Indian title to this land?
But all she said was, “Ah,” with a quick bob of her head. “There is a reason behind the Indian sort of footwear then?”
“Of course.”
Then he was done with it, and sitting back on his heels, he surveyed her. “You look good, beautiful, but…”
“But?”
“I should comb your hair.”
“You? Comb my hair?”
He gave her a bland look. “It is my duty.”
“Is it, now?”
“Haa’he.” He motioned her to turn around.
“But I have brought no brush.”
“I will use my fingers,” he told her, and when she failed to spin around on her own, he gently took hold of her shoulders, positioning her so that her back was to him. He commenced to run his fingers through her long locks.
“Oh,” she purred, “that…that’s heavenly.”
“Hmmm, it is. Your hair is different from mine.”
“Yes, I know. Yours is dark, mine is light.”
“But it is different in more ways than its color.”
“Oh? Is it?”
“Yes,” he said. “Yours is softer to my fingers than my own. Perhaps yours is simply thinner than mine.”
“Yes, perhaps.”
“The braids I will make for you will not be very thick, I fear.”
“You are going to braid my hair?”
“It is my duty.”
“Another duty, have you? You seem to have many of them.”
“Haa’he, I do.” He proceeded to plait her hair into two neat braids at the sides of her face. “Now, you look good. You look…” He spun her around to face him, where he scrutinized her up and down. “No…you look still white.”
She laughed.
He gazed at her with such affection that she could only smile back at him, returning the favor. Truly, this must be love.
He took her in his arms then. For a long moment, he did no more than hold her as if he might be blending their bodies together into one neat whole. At last, however, he bent toward her, bringing his forehead to hers. So softly she could barely hear him, he whispered, “Your life, and mine, may change now because of what we have done. But do not worry. When two people wish it, the impossible can become as commonplace as the earth upon which we tread. Know this, Little Sunshine, as I now belong to you, you also belong to me.”
And then he kissed her.
It was a delicious kiss too. A coming together of lips, tongue and sweet desire. It made her wonder if perhaps he wished to memorize the very taste of her, so sweetly did he dally over her.
The thought was a heady one, one that sent her pulse soaring, even as excitement cascaded through her.
As she stood up against him, breast to breast, hip to hip, she closed her eyes. Happiness swept over her, and a feeling of rightness comforted her.
But then, quick as that, he was gone. One moment he was there, the next she was holding on to nothing.
Opening her eyes, Angelia could see no trace of him, no notice of where he had gone. No footprints, no telltale sign of grasses weaving about unnaturally, no noise though the bushes, no splashing of water.
It gave her a strange feeling, as though she had imagined the whole thing, as though he had not been there.
And yet it had been real. The
gentle ache, there between her legs, stood witness to that.
Little Sunshine, he had called her. Little Sunshine.
She liked it very much, almost as much as she loved him.
Jubilant, Angelia had run all the way back to camp. “You belong to me.”
It had seemed right, so very right, for in truth she had felt as if she did belong to him, and he to her. To her he was beautiful; moreover, he was now a part of her…
“Angel, I’ve come to let you know that…” Julian pulled up alongside their wagon, reining in his horse. Jerked back to the present, Angelia tried hard to pretend she hadn’t been caught daydreaming. She was astonished to realize she hadn’t been roused by the sound of the many hooves galloping toward her.
She sighed, closed her eyes momentarily, then looked up. Before her not only was Julian sitting astride his pony, but so too were Swift Hawk and Red Fox. Both Indians sat on their mounts, off to the side of Julian, and Angelia couldn’t help but cast a glance at Swift Hawk.
It was a sweet point in time. For as Swift Hawk gazed at her, it was as though no one else in the world existed. Simply her and him. He did not hide his feelings from her, either, she noted, as she had often heard that Indians were inclined to do.
Certainly, within that gaze, Angelia could feel Swift Hawk’s affection for her, and so full was it, she was almost taken aback by it. Almost. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to leap off this wagon and go straight into his arms. And to the devil with anyone else’s opinion.
But now was not the time, if indeed there ever would be another time.
“What was that you said?” Angelia asked of Julian, tearing her glance from Swift Hawk’s. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t hear you.”
Julian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stared at her, then to Swift Hawk, then back again at her.
Angelia noted her brother’s response, and her heart sank. Were she and Swift Hawk being that obvious?
Her brother scratched his jaw, looking for all the world as if his beard itched him. “That’s all right, sis. I’m just stopping by to tell you that the scouts and outriders will be traveling ahead of the caravan, watching for river crossings that will need covering, and scouting out any enemy tribes that might lurk out there. Don’t look for me tonight.”