His eyes fell on the two women, and he strode over to where they were seated on the ground. He grabbed Sabrina by the hair and twisted her head up. “I ought to take your scalp—as I was paid to do!” Fire Cloud began to curse her. He slapped her with his free hand, and when she looked back at him defiantly, this angered him even more. “You are proud! You won’t be for long!” He grabbed her coat and ripped it as he pulled at it. “I’ll have you now! I’ll make a squaw out of you! You not be proud then!”
———
Sabrina knew there was no escaping this man, and she prayed a formless, wordless supplication, knowing that her life was in her Lord’s hands. But still she was shocked that she knew so little fear.
Fire Cloud gave her hair another jerk as he threw her down and pulled at her clothing. Sabrina was fighting him off as well as she could when suddenly a shot broke the stillness of the night. Instantly Fire Cloud fell onto Sabrina with a grunt. He lay on her inertly for a moment before Sabrina realized he had been shot. She struggled to shove his body off, and by the light of the fire she saw the other Indians scrambling to their feet. Several shots rang out, and she saw two of the Indians fall at once and one run blindly into the darkness. Still more shots rang out, and a voice cried out in English.
Sabrina scrambled to huddle beside Hannah, trying to stay out of the path of the gunfire.
“They’ve come for us!” Hannah cried in a glad voice. “Look, there they are!”
Sabrina could see little, for her eyes were filled with tears, but then a man was before her, and she felt his hands take hers, and he lifted her to her feet. Before she knew what was happening, she felt herself enfolded in his arms. “Sion!”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“I have to tell you, Sabrina. When I thought I’d lost you, it was as if the sun went out.”
Sabrina was trembling. Now that she was safe, the weakness she had kept at bay since she had been captured was suddenly overwhelming her. She knew she would fall if he let go of her.
“I prayed you’d come,” she whispered.
He kissed her cheek and then held her tightly. “God is good,” he whispered.
“Yes, He is.”
Hannah heard all of this, and then suddenly Fox was there sitting beside her.
He did not touch her for a moment, and then he traced the tears running down her face with a shaky hand. “You’re all right,” he said quietly. She moved closer and put her arms around him. She kissed him, and when he lifted his head, he said, “I need you, Hannah.”
Hannah said as simply as she had ever spoken in her life, “And I need you, Fox.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
A Wedding and a Proposal
Andy Jackson was a man possessed of a violent temper. On most occasions he was able to keep it under control, for he knew the dangers of uncontrolled anger. Now, however, as he stood before Caleb Files on the street, the rage that had been just beneath the surface boiled over. He took a step toward Files, who suddenly turned pale and held up his hand as if to stop Jackson physically.
“You’re a scoundrel, Files!” Jackson continued to reel off a string of derogatory names until finally, glaring at the smaller man, he declared, “I may not be able to prove it in court, but I know you’re behind that Indian raid on my client!”
“I had nothing to do with it!”
“Shut your foul mouth!” Jackson said. “Your henchman, Jack Fry, did the dirty work, but everybody in the territory knows you give him his orders.”
“I tell you, Jackson, I know nothing about it! Fry had a grudge against the Fairfax woman’s servant. They had trouble earlier. You know that.”
“The man—that Kenyon—wasn’t convinced. It was the woman who was carried off. One of the Indians didn’t die. With a little persuasion he told the whole story. They were supposed to kill the woman. That was Fry’s order, and that’s why Fry himself was killed. That Cherokee he hired—Fire Cloud—decided to keep the two women alive, and when Fry tried to kill them, he got an ax in his brain. The world won’t miss him much. But as for you, I’ve had enough of you!” Jackson slapped Files across the face. “There! I’ll let you choose weapons. Knives. Guns. Whatever you want.”
“I won’t fight you, Jackson.”
“You won’t! You sniveling coward! I’m gonna get my whip out of my buggy and use it on you!”
A crowd had gathered around the two men, hugely enjoying the scene. Files was not a popular man, and Andrew Jackson always provided good drama. One of the men in the back said, “He’s going to cut Files to pieces with that whip. I wish my brother were here to see this.”
Jackson glared at Files, his face pale with anger. “You’re lower than a snake’s belly. I’m going to cut you into ribbons, and when you get over it, I’m going to hunt you up and do it again. So either fight or get out of Tennessee Country!”
Files swallowed hard, and his face worked. Every man in the crowd saw that his hands were trembling uncontrollably.
Suddenly Files turned and ran down the street, and a great roar went up from the crowd. Jackson relaxed then. He laughed, and his eyes sparkled. “Well, folks, I rid you of at least one scoundrel.”
One of the spectators said, “Come along, Andy. Let’s have that poker game now. I intend to clean you out.”
“Nope. I’ve got to go see a lady. I’ve got some good news for her!”
****
Hawk and Elizabeth sat on the front porch enjoying the warm March afternoon, sipping their hot tea. Hawk reached over and picked up Elizabeth’s hand with his free one and said, “You know, I don’t think I’ll mind being a grandfather, but I’m sure going to hate being married to a grandma.”
Elizabeth simply laughed at him. “Don’t step on your beard, Grandpa.”
“Well, we’ve been the finest-looking couple in the whole Territory South of the River Ohio. Now we’ll be the finest-looking grandparents.”
“You’re pretty sure about all of this? Fox hasn’t even asked for Hannah’s hand in marriage yet.”
“It’s going to happen any day now.”
“Yes, I imagine you’re right. She and Fox are so in love. Isn’t it sweet?”
“I remember it was pretty sweet when I was courting you.”
“You! You weren’t much of a courting man. I had to do most of the courting.”
“But I made up for it. I’ve been studying up. I’ve been working on a poem for you. When I get it finished, I’m going to read it to you. Why, you’ll cry your eyes out over it, it’s so sweet.”
“I don’t think I’ll hold my breath waiting for you to write a poem,” Elizabeth said as Fox rode up on his fine bay stallion. He stepped out of the saddle and tied the horse up.
“Hello, sir. How are you, Mrs. Spencer?”
“We’re fine. Have a seat, Fox.”
“No, sir. I’ve got something to say to you.”
“Well, you can’t have her,” Hawk said abruptly. He saw the distraught look on Fox’s face, and then Elizabeth reached over and slapped at him.
“You shut your mouth, Hawk Spencer! This is serious.”
Hawk stood up. “I’m too much of a joker, I guess. Of course Hannah’s mother and I are pleased to give our daughter to you. That is what you were going to ask me, isn’t it?”
Fox drew a hand that was not steady across his forehead. “Yes, sir. It took more nerve to come here and ask you than it did to attack those Indians.”
“I don’t know of any man who I’d rather have as a son-in-law. Well, go on in and see if you can convince her. It’s not hard to handle a woman. Just cut yourself a switch. Use it on her every time she don’t behave as you’d like.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, you’ve worn out quite a few switches on me.”
Fox laughed with her. “I imagine I’d use about the same number on Hannah. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Ma,” he said as he went into the cabin.
“He called me Ma,” Elizabeth said. “Isn’t that swee
t?”
“He’s hungry for a mother’s love. He needs a ma and pa just like their kids will need a good, fine, handsome grandpa, and a grandma, too, of course.”
———
Fox found Hannah washing dishes. She turned to him, and before she could speak he said, “Well, woman, it’s time we started.”
Hannah was startled at his abrupt beginning. “Started doing what?”
Fox drew her into his arms. “Building a cabin. Planting crops.” He laughed and winked at her. “Starting a family.”
Hannah put her hands against his chest. “Just a second. You haven’t asked my parents yet.”
“Yes I have. They were tickled to death to get such a fine son-in-law. What about you?”
Hannah could not resist his new mood. He was lighthearted and his eyes danced. She put her arms around him and said, “I’m ready, Fox.”
Fox kissed her and whispered, “I’ve waited for you all my life, Hannah Spencer!”
****
The church was packed for the wedding of Nathanael Carter and Hannah Spencer. Sabrina sat beside Sion in the row next to the front. Always before in church he had kept himself far back as befitted a servant, but she had taken his arm and said, “Come along.”
Sion pressed her hand and led her down the aisle, and they took their seat. They sat there while Fox and Hannah came to stand before Rev. Paul Anderson. Sabrina glowed as the couple said their words firmly and with such obvious love that it touched her.
Finally the pastor said, “By the authority vested in me by the United States Territory South of the River Ohio, I now pronounce you man and wife. You can kiss your bride, Nathanael.”
Fox turned and kissed Hannah soundly.
The church was small, and everyone took their turn at wishing the bride and groom and their parents the best, then they all gathered for the reception. Sabrina joined the other young women who served, and finally Hannah was free of well-wishers long enough to come over. “You look beautiful, Hannah. It was a lovely wedding.”
“It was, wasn’t it? I know I’ll never forget it.”
“You and Fox will be very happy together.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” Sabrina asked with surprise.
“When will you get married?”
Sabrina looked down and did not answer for a time. “I haven’t been asked.”
“Of course you haven’t been asked. Sion’s your servant. He can’t ask you. You’ll have to ask him.”
Sabrina blinked with surprise. “I’d never ask a man to marry me.”
“That’s your pride speaking,” Hannah said. “But pride isn’t much of a bed partner on cold nights.”
Sabrina stared at Hannah and then nodded. “I think you’re right.” She turned and watched Sion, who was talking with Sequatchie over to one side eating cake, and something changed in her face. It grew softer, gentler, and she tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You may be right, Hannah. You may be right.”
****
Sion was outside splitting wood as Sabrina prepared their supper. He had been moody ever since the wedding two days ago, and Sabrina had kept to herself a great deal. She had been praying a lot, trying to find who she really was and what she wanted to do. She had also spent a good deal of time with Elizabeth Spencer, who had been a great comfort to her. So much had happened to Sabrina that at times she wondered if she was still the same woman she had been in England. She thought back to the selfishness that had marked her early life and could not believe some of the things she had done. She finally had confessed to Elizabeth that she was grieved over the selfishness and the sins of those times.
“They’re all buried in the sea of God’s forgiveness,” Elizabeth had said firmly. “You are a new woman now starting all over again. God has given you a clean sheet, and what will be there will be what you put there.”
Andrew Jackson had also paid a visit to triumphantly tell her that the land was now hers free and clear. “I’ve run Files out of the territory,” he had said triumphantly as he handed her the deed. “You own this land. It’s yours forever, Miss Fairfax.”
Now a firmness and a resolve came to Sabrina. She straightened up, and a smile touched the corners of her lips. “All right, Mr. Sion Kenyon,” she said aloud. “We’ll see what’s in you.” Walking to the door, she called loudly, “Sion, that’s enough wood! Come in. Supper’s on the table.”
Sion said little as the two ate. He listened as Sabrina talked about Fox and Hannah and their plans for a new life. “They’re going to build a house. Not a cabin, but a real house out of boards, with glass windows in it.”
“I know. Fox told me. I’m going to help him. I’m a pretty fair carpenter.”
“Could you build a house by yourself?”
“I couldn’t saw the boards up into lumber. A sawmill has to do that, or else you can do it in a saw pit.”
“What’s a saw pit?”
“You put a log on a high platform. You dig a hole, and one man gets in the hole and the other man gets on top. You start moving the saw up and down. It’s not much fun being in the pit. Sawdust in your mouth, eyes, everywhere.”
“But you could do it, couldn’t you?”
“Why, of course I could, Sabrina. You know I can build anything I set my mind to.”
Sion became more talkative and his good humor returned as he explained how he would build a house if he ever had the chance. Sabrina listened to him and asked him lots of questions. After the meal he bit into the huckleberry pie she had made and said, “You’ve become a good cook.”
“Thank you. Not as good as Hannah or Elizabeth.”
“Well, you’ve got time to learn. I’m not as good a woodsman as Hawk or Josh either.”
“You’ve done wonderfully well, Sion.”
His cloudy mood seemed to return and he looked to be filled with doubt. Sabrina turned to wash the dishes as Sion settled in the chair by the fire with his feet resting next to Ulysses, who was stretched out to soak up the warmth of the fire.
Sabrina glanced at Sion from time to time as she washed the dishes. It was clear that something was bothering him. He held a book in his hand, but it was unopened. He was staring into the fire, and while he was not looking she was admiring his profile. He had always been a strong man, and his wilderness experience had made him even stronger. Not just physically, but in his spirit.
Sabrina dried her hands and then went over to the table and opened the chest where she kept letters and papers. She took two documents out and stood holding them for a minute. She glanced at Sion and for a moment her nerve almost failed, but she straightened up and told herself, Come along, Sabrina. You must do this.
She walked over to stand by Sion. “I have two things to show you.”
Sion stood up at once, as he always did in her presence. He took the paper Sabrina held out to him and stared at it. “This is the title to your land,” he said, looking up.
“Yes, but it’s a clear title now. Mr. Jackson says there’s no question about it. The land is ours.”
Her words caught at Sion. “Not ours. It’s yours.”
Sabrina did not answer. She hesitated and then handed him the second paper. “I want you to have this, Sion.”
Sion looked at it. It was the paper he had signed agreeing to be her indentured servant for five years. He saw that she had written something at the bottom and held it up to the fire. He read the words aloud. “‘I do hereby set Sion Kenyon free from the articles described in this agreement. Sabrina Fairfax.’” He turned to her.
Sabrina knew that Hannah had been right. Sion would never ask for her hand as long as he was her servant. Now she felt fear run through her. What if he refused her? She didn’t want to even consider that possibility. Instead, she very boldly put her arms around his neck. “You’re not a servant now, Sion. You’re just a man. You’re free.”
“I’m free to do what?” Sion said, conscious of her arms going around his neck and of her body so close to hi
s.
“Free to do—anything you want.”
Sion searched her eyes, and Sabrina looked at him with longing. He kissed her, and she clung to him with a sense of dependence. He held her for a long time and then said quietly, “But I have nothing. People will say that I want you for your land.”
“Do you want me?”
“You know I do.”
“For my land?”
“Of course not.”
“Then do what a man does when he loves a woman.”
Suddenly Sion Kenyon saw a new life opening up before him, and he knew that he would share it with this woman. “I love you more than I love air or water or food.”
“Tell me how beautiful I am and how much you love me. Say all the things that men say to women they love.”
Sion held her tight, then kissed her again and said, “Will you have me then?”
“Yes, we’ll have each other.”
The World Is Spiraling Toward Destruction, and One Man Receives a Divine Mandate. . . .
Young Noah has found life good and wholesome . . . until he steps outside his village and discovers a world of temptation. Drawn by a beautiful woman yet repulsed by the pagan practices of her tribe’s dark worship, his inner struggle keeps him in torment.
Noah strains to hear the voice of God—through the warnings of a prophet, through the kind teachings of his grandfather Methuselah, through the loving concern of his family, and ultimately through personal confrontation. The message he receives is terrifying. Will he find the courage to obey?
Opposition intensifies to the call he has received, and a precious medallion handed down from ancient times reminds him of who he is—a man with a . . .
Heart of a Lion
Around the River's Bend Page 26