by Joany Kane
Annie arrives with Chato. She is dressed in a beautiful gown and looks absolutely stunning. Mark joins her. Now he's the one blushing, his breath catching, his insides dancing with desire. “You're beautiful.” He manages to say.
“Thank you, Captain.” Annie replies as her cheeks turn as red as Mark’s. They try to focus on the evening and not each other; they look at Chief Red Hawk mingling with the people.
“How do you think it went today?” Annie asks Mark.
“I think what you have accomplished with Chief Red Hawk is extraordinary.” Annie appreciates Mark’s comment with a smile.
“He has better manners than most of the men in my company.” Mark adds.
“A kind way to avoid my question, Captain.” Annie recognizes.
Mark sighs. “Unfortunately, I don't think the visit to the village mattered in the least. The commissioners are here to have the treaty signed and to take more land from the Arapaho. I doubt even the arrival of the Savior Jesus would stop these government men from taking what they want.”
Annie's expression goes from disappointed in the truth of Mark's words to unexpected delight. Mark turns to see whom Annie is pleased to see. Annie has just locked eyes with Captain Harmon Taylor. He joins Annie and Mark.
Annie and Harmon clasp each other's hands, cordially, yet with some familiarity. Mrs. Landon, it is good to see you again. Captain Taylor beams.
“And it is good to see you, Captain Taylor.” Annie replies.
“You look lovely.” Captain Taylor compliments. “It appears leaving Pennsylvania has served you well.”
The two captains officially greet each other. “Hello, Captain Caldwell.”
“Captain Taylor. Where are you coming from?”
“I've been with General Howard meeting with Chief Joseph and the Nez Percé up north. I'm headed for Apache country.”
The band finishes a song and starts another. Captain Taylor extends his hand to Annie. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Landon?”
Annie is pleased with the request. “I haven't danced since my wedding.”
Annie takes Captain Taylor's hand as he leads her to the dance floor. Mark looks upset that he didn't beat Captain Taylor to the punch. Chief Red Hawk watches Annie and Captain Taylor dance. A couple of commissioners corner Mark for conversation.
The song and dance end. Another song begins, Captain Taylor clearly wants to continue to dance. Annie is willing. As they dance, they converse.
“It is good to see you again, Mrs. Landon.” Captain Taylor states.
“Seeing you brings back memories.” Annie shares.
“I hope not all painful.”
“Time and experience has removed much of the pain.”
“Glad to hear it. Would you be agreeable if I called you Annie?”
Mark has had enough. He excuses himself from his conversation and interrupts Captain Taylor and Annie. “May I cut in?”
Captain Taylor steps aside, Mark is higher up in captain rank and decoration. But the song ends. Another begins. A slow, romantic song.
Mark pulls Annie into a cordial dance embrace. Their dance starts out politely, with a respectable distance between them.
“How do you know Captain Taylor?” Mark inquires.
“He served with my husband. My husband thought highly of him. Captain Taylor was with Caleb when he died. He was the one who delivered the news to me.”
“Captain Taylor is a good man.” Mark affirms.
He pulls Annie closer to him, which she doesn't object to. He whispers in her ear, his lips brushing across her cheek. “So am I, Annie.” He says her name with such tenderness, her heart quickens and her cheeks flush.
Mark pulls her even closer and again, she doesn’t object. Her heart races and he can feel it, his heart pounding as well. He holds he as close as he can while remaining respectable in the public event. He can smell the freshness in her hair, the touch of perfume on her neck. He never wants to let her go, and now as she responds to his touch and his closeness, she never wants him to. Captain Taylor watches, knowing that he’s been licked.
A short time later, as the dance continues, Annie takes a breather from the festivities. Chief Red Hawk spies Annie alone, not attended to by either captain. He excuses himself from his conversation and approaches her.
He takes her elbow and escorts her to a quiet, private place, out of sight but still within earshot of the music. No one has seen them. He scolds her. “You have not taught me.”
“What do you mean?” Annie is confused.
“This important lesson, you did not teach me,” the chief restates with more conviction.
“What important lesson?” Annie asks curiously.
“The dance lesson. I wish to learn now.”
Annie is reluctant. Red Hawk encourages. “Teach me this, now.”
Annie obliges. “You place one hand here, and the other hand clasped in your right hand. This hand.” Annie hesitantly lets Red Hawk take her in his arms like he has been observing all night.
“You move your feet in tune with the music. One, two, three, one, two, three.” Annie instructs. He awkwardly tries to move to the music.
“Yes, that's good.” Annie encourages.
Annie and Red Hawk share a robust dance together. The song ends. The dance ends. Red Hawk leans in close to Annie's ear, mimicking Mark's move. His lips brush past her ear. “Thank you.”
Flustered, Annie manages a polite yet tender reply. “You're welcome.”
*****
Later in the evening, when the festivities are over, Chief Red Hawk rides his horse towards his village. He stops just outside the village. He looks longingly at his village as if deep down he knows he won't see it this way much longer. He then looks up to the sky, seeing the million stars above.
At the same time on the road to Beaver Creek Mark drives a buggy; Annie sits next to him. She quietly hums a tune. Of all the tunes played this evening, and all the dances she danced with the three men, she hums the tune that she danced to with Mark when he called her "Annie."
He smiles knowingly to himself as he listens. Then he stops the buggy.
“What’s wrong?” Annie asks.
Mark looks up at the sky, marveling at the millions of stars twinkling as far as the eye can see. “I never had a view of the stars like this back home in Boston. Remarkable.” Mark shares. “This is such beautiful country. I can't even begin to imagine what this situation is like for the Indians. To be forced to give up your home, your land, extraordinary places like this that have been in your family for generations, just because others believe they are entitled to it is fundamentally wrong.”
Annie compassionately touches Mark's cheek in response to his sensitivity and wisdom. He places his hand over hers, relishing her touch. He looks deeply into her eyes, touching her soul with his gaze. "Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you did my heart fly at your service."
Annie's cheeks turn crimson as a bolt of energy charges her heart and soul with love and longing. “That is not Emerson, Captain Caldwell, that is Shakespeare.” Annie says, attempting to flirt.
“Who better to quote to convey my feelings for you, Annie?” He pulls her close, wraps his arms around her as his lips find hers. At first the kiss is tender, romantic, sweet. But soon longing and desire take over. The kiss turns into a passionate and explosive kiss filled with hunger and intensity; it’s epic and unforgettable.
She pulls away, breathless, her eyes misting. “I don't know if I can handle being in love with another Army man, most especially you. If I were to lose you, the loss would be the greatest most unbearable agony imaginable.”
Not knowing how to reassure her with words he envelops her in a strong embrace, hoping his strength and love will comfort her. They remain embraced under the night sky for quite some time, neither one wanting to let go of the other.
Later the buggy finally enters the town. Mark parks it in front of Selma's place. He hops out of the buggy and helps Annie out of the
buggy. As she is in his cordial embrace hopping out of the buggy, He pulls her into a hug. He doesn't let go. She doesn't pull away. He takes in the scent of her hair as he brushes his lips against her head. She holds him tight, not wanting to let go. Ever.
He pulls back just enough to lock eyes. His lips reach down to hers. And they kiss again. Another kiss filled with passion, love, longing. Powerful and timeless. Annie pulls away. With tears in her eyes she rushes into the house. Mark hops in the buggy and rides away.
Inside the saloon Dick and Carl Rush play poker, manhandle the saloon girls and down shots of whiskey. Clara has been staying clear of the table. Glen enters the saloon and approaches Clara. She cowers away from him. “Don't be scared, Clara. I've got some news for ya. Your Indian friend is waiting outside.”
Clara's eyes light up. She's young, naive, and believes Glen. Clara heads outside and down the alley to meet Chato. Chato is not in the alley. Glen has followed her into the alley. He grabs her and slaps her around. She tries to scream, and tries to fight him off, but he is mean and strong, hitting her and kicking her. He is just about to rape her when Chato arrives.
“Get your hands off of her!” Chato hollers. He hurries to Clara's rescue. Glen attacks Chato. They fight. Glen pulls a gun on Chato. Chato overpowers Glen. In self defense he turns the gun on Glen. The gun goes off and kills Glen.
Chato runs over to Clara and embraces her. “Are you okay?”
Clara is shaken, bruised and battered. Carl Rush exits the saloon. He stumbles down the alley looking for his brother. “Will ya hurry it up with the whore, Glen?” Carl slurs.
“We have to get out of here, Chato.” Clara whispers to Chato. Clara and Chato run out of the alley. Carl gets a quick glimpse of Chato. He hurries down the alley and finds his dead brother. Carl hollers at the top of his lungs for his brother Dick.
Inside Selma’s house Annie is asleep. She is quickly awakened by a bang on the door. She gets out of bed, puts her robe on, lights a lamp, and opens the door. Chato and Clara hurry inside. Annie sees that both Clara and Chato are badly beaten up. “Dear God, what happened?”
Chato dims the lamp. “Keep the light low, Miss Annie.”
“Glen Rush attacked me. Chato saved me, but he killed Glen. It was in self defense, honest.” Clara explains with tears running down her cheeks.
“Did anyone see you?” Annie asks.
“I think Glen's brother saw us. Glen knew somehow that I meet Chato behind the saloon. He told me Chato was waiting for me. They gotta figure it was Chato who killed Glen. They'll shoot him dead as soon as they find him. Please don't let that happen, Miss Annie. I love him.” Clara pleads. Chato holds Clara tight.
Annie looks out the window. She sees the two drunk Rush brothers and a few of their drunk buddies searching the streets. Annie, Chato and Clara wait quietly until the drunkards have disappeared down the street.
Annie removes her wedding ring and hands it to Chato. “Here, Chato, take this. You can get some money for it. Go to Santa Fe. Find Peter and Jenny Newton. They are staying at the Curtis Ranch. Tell them that I sent you. They will take you in and help you.”
“Thank you, Miss Annie.” Chato replies with heartfelt gratitude.
Annie opens the door. Clara and Chato steal away together in the dark.
*****
It’s the next morning, the day of the negotiations. Annie leaves Selma’s house, walks across the street and enters the jail. “Good morning, Marshal.”
The marshal is enjoying a cup of coffee at his desk. “Good morning, Mrs. Landon. You hear all the commotion last night?”
“I heard the drunken Rush brothers like I do every night.”
“We're minus one brother,” the marshal informs Annie.
“You'll forgive me if I don't mourn. I need a favor. Chato is late in picking me up and I need to get to the fort.”
“Sure thing.” The marshal offers. He stands and escorts Annie outside, preparing to give her a ride to the fort.
“It just so happens the Rush brothers, minus one, got a posse up this morning and headed out in search of Chato,” the marshal tells Annie.
Annie feigns ignorance. “Why Chato?”
“They think he killed Glen over one of the double breasted mattress thrashers.”
Annie is insulted by this reference. “Excuse me?”
“I'm sure Chato had his reasons. It's a shame he didn't take out the other two brothers,” the marshal adds.
“Perhaps Jim Ringo had his reasons, too.” Annie points out.
*****
The Rush brothers ride hard through the Colorado wilderness with their posse. They search high and low for Chato and Clara. The posse comes across two teenage Arapaho Indians on horseback. The Rush brothers don't care that the Indians aren't Chato. They shoot the two defenseless teenagers and then ride off.
At Fort Mills…
A long table is set up outside the main building. The signing of the treaty is given full pomp and circumstance. Chief Red Hawk sits across from the commissioners. Mark is nearby.
The marshal's wagon arrives. The commissioners and Chief Red Hawk notice the arrival. Mark hurries over to the wagon and helps Annie down. He is relieved to see her. “I was just about to come and find you.”
“Something's happened with Chato.” Annie tells Mark.
“We can't deal with him now.” Mark says as he escorts Annie over to the table to join the proceedings.
Chief Red Hawk looks comforted to see Annie and shares a smile with her. “I am now ready to begin the negotiating,” the chief tells the commissioners.
“There will be no negotiating, Chief Red Hawk.” Mr. Murphy declares. “The Great White Father in Washington has a new treaty that needs to be signed.”
Red Hawk looks at Annie. She looks devastated by this news.
“Mr. Steele will read the treaty to you.” Mr. Murphy informs the chief.
Commissioner Steele begins to read the treaty. “From this day forward peace between the parties to this treaty should forever continue. The government of the United States desires peace, and its honor is hereby pledged to keep it.”
At the same time out in the Colorado wilderness…
One of the Arapaho teenagers isn't quite dead and manages to get back on his horse and ride away, carrying his dead brother. The fatally wounded Arapaho meets up with several warriors. He tells the warriors the white men killed his brother for no reason. Then he dies. This news sets off the Indian warriors. The Indian warriors go off in search of the white men.
At Fort Mills…
Mr. Steele continues to read the treaty. "The Indians desire peace, and they hereby pledge their honor to maintain it. If bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the United States, shall commit any wrong upon the person or property of the Indians, the United States will proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States.”
At the same time out in the Colorado wilderness…
The warriors ride hard through the countryside. Fueled with anger, they want to avenge the two teenage brothers wrongfully murdered. The warriors come upon a small contingent of cavalrymen. The warriors open fire on the cavalrymen. One of the cavalrymen that gets killed is Captain Taylor. Two of the cavalrymen manage to escape and head for the fort.
At Fort Mills...
Mr. Steele continues reading the treaty. “The Arapaho Indians, parties to this treaty, hereby agree to accept for their permanent home the land between Rattlesnakes Buttes and the Arkansas River.”
Red Hawk stands up. He is enraged. “That is less than half of the land we have now. You cannot forcibly take my father's land. I will not sign this treaty.”
“You are breaking the peace, Chief Red Hawk.” Mr. Murphy retorts. “Do you want to be at war with the United States Government?”
“You only want peace if it is on your terms,” the chief proclaims.
“This is a generous treaty. You tribe
is dwindling. You do not need the amount of land you have now. We do.” Mr. Murphy counters.
“It does not matter to you that my people have lived on this land for as long as the stories have been told?”
“Times are changing, Chief. You need to change with them.” Mr. Murphy says smugly.
“We have been changing ever since you came to our land. We used to be as many as the stars at night. Now we are few. We used to be strong and swift, and now, you bring us whiskey and disease. We used to have life, liberty and happiness. You continually take those inalienable rights from the Indian. I would rather die a free man on my land than live a life of dishonor.” Chief Red Hawk defiantly leaves the proceedings.
One of the commissioners approaches Annie and Mark. “You better get him to sign that treaty or else we will forcibly remove his people from the land.”
Annie hurries to Chief Red Hawk. “Chief Red Hawk.”
He is so angry he ignores her. Red Hawk hops on his horse, not once looking at Annie. He rides off.
In the Colorado wilderness…
Chief Red Hawk rides away from the fort. He meets up with the angry, hostile Arapaho warriors. One of the warriors tells the chief what happened. “The white man killed Little Raven and Prairie Turtle. For no reason. We're hunting them.”
“I will join you. There will be no treaty. There will be no peace.” Red Hawk rides off with the warriors.
At Fort Mills…
The two wounded cavalrymen make it back to the fort. They hurry to find Captain Caldwell who is with Annie. “Captain, the Arapaho opened fire on us. They killed five men, sir.”
“Did you provoke them?” Mark asks.
“No sir. They were riled up about something. I've never seen them so angry.”
“Call the men to attention, we're riding out after the warriors.”
Annie touches Mark’s arm. “Captain, may I have a word?”
Annie motions to talk to Mark in private. He joins her. “This, I think, has something to do with Chato.”
“What happened?” Mark asks.
“He killed one of the Rush brothers last night. They know it was him. A posse is after him.”
Mark lets out a sigh. He knows that an act like that can start a war, and it appears it has. “How do you know this?”