“Leave us alone!” Amanda cried from where she stood nearby.
Holding his rifle with one hand, Seth lifted her chin roughly with the other. He bent down and placed a smothering kiss forcefully against her mouth.
Mary pulled away angrily and spit in the evil man’s face.
He responded by slapping her hard across the face. Then he turned to the crowd and hollered, “Hey, friends, have any of ya ever kissed a woman whose lips don’t move? Well, maybe ya oughta try it sometime!”
The men laughed uproariously, but their mirth was quickly interrupted by the sudden appearance of a horse and rider.
A young mountain man sat straight and tall on the back of his horse, a compelling silhouette with the sun at his back. His dark eyes, barely visible under his hat, flashed angrily. “Let the woman go!” he shouted.
Mary looked up at the man and felt pure relief. Buck McFadden, tall and rigid, looked as if he was waiting for Seth to make a wrong move. He had come to their rescue yet again.
“This ain’t none of your business, boy, but if ya really want to make it so, then get on down from that horse of yours, and we’ll settle this matter man to man!” Seth bellowed.
“Leave the women alone, and there won’t be any trouble,” Buck said, squinting his brown eyes into slits as he dismounted his horse.
“No way! This one’s comin’ with me.” Seth clutched Mary’s arm even tighter. “Now, if ya don’t wanna fight, get outta here right now!”
Some of the men who moments ago had encouraged Seth, cowered back and made a wide berth around the two opponents. Others lit pipes and stood smirking, as if hoping for a good fight to begin. Still others reached deep into their pockets, bringing out money to place bets.
Buck gave Seth a piercing look; then his gaze darted quickly to Amanda, whose face had turned ashen. Turning to face Seth and Mary again, he said sternly, “Let her go!”
Seth shook his head. “No way! She’s mine for the takin’, and ya ain’t stoppin’ me this time.”
“Ah, let her be,” one of the onlookers hollered. “There ain’t no sense in gettin’ into a fight that might lead to someone’s death or could get ya kicked outta Rendezvous, all because of some purty woman.”
“Women ain’t nothin’ but trouble anyways—especially an Injun,” another man spoke up. “Besides, if ya take her, you’ll be strapped with the brat kid.”
Seth relaxed a bit and shrugged his broad shoulders. “Guess you’re right about that. This woman ain’t worth much anyhow.” He eyed Amanda, who was visibly shaking. “I’ll have a chance some other time with you, purty lady, just ya wait and see.” He leaned close to Mary. “Why don’t ya go on back to your man—wherever he may be?” He said it loudly, as though for the benefit of those who were listening. Then, in a hoarse whisper he mumbled, “This ain’t the end of it, though. Remember these words: You two women ain’t seen nor heard the last of old Seth Burrows.”
CHAPTER 31
Amanda trembled as she watched Seth turn and walk away with a group of other uncouth men. She could almost feel Buck’s eyes upon her, and that made her quiver even more. She swallowed hard and forced herself to look at him.
Buck studied Amanda as though he was seeing her for the very first time. Then he reached out and placed a gentle hand on her arm.
She swallowed hard and fought against the burning tears that threatened to spill over. Whether it was from fright or anger over what had happened to Mary, a few of the tears escaped and trickled down. Just the mere fact that Buck was standing here was enough to make her cry. She felt ever so grateful he’d shown up when he did.
Buck went to Mary. “Did he hurt you?”
Mary rubbed her arm where Seth had held her in his grip. “I be fine now. I glad you are here.”
Buck glanced around. “Where’s Jim? Why wasn’t he here to defend you and Amanda?”
Mary’s shoulders slumped as she lowered her head. “Jim dead.” Buck’s eyes widened as he jerked his head and drew in a sharp breath. “Wh–what happened?”
Mary explained about the rattlesnake bites. “I try to save him, but it be too late. Amanda and me bury Jim’s body and come to Rendezvous with his furs.”
Buck looked questioningly at Amanda, and she nodded. “It was a shock to both of us.”
He rubbed the heel of his palm against his chest. “This is bad news. I feel a great sadness in my heart hearing this.” His mouth twisted grimly. “Jim was like a big brother to me. I-I will miss him very much.”
“Me also,” Mary said, her voice trembling.
Amanda’s heart went out to them, knowing firsthand how hard it was to lose a loved one. She, too, felt the loss of the intimidating man. In good time, Jim had softened up to her, and Amanda had felt safer with him around.
“What will ya do now?” Buck questioned.
“Sell Jim’s furs,” Mary replied. “Then head to winter home near Lapwai Creek.” She reached over her shoulder and touched the cradleboard holding her son. “I need to see family. Little Joe need to meet grandparents.”
Amanda blinked. This was the first time since Jim’s death that Mary had mentioned going home to her people. “Does that mean you will accompany me to the Spalding Mission?” she asked.
Mary nodded. “Me, you, Little Joe, and Thunder. We all go west when done here at Rendezvous.”
Buck shook his head vigorously. “That’s not a good idea, Mary. It wouldn’t be safe for you to travel without a man.”
“We have no man,” Mary said. “Have Jim’s gun and dog for protection.”
“Huh-uh. I won’t allow it,” Buck insisted. “If you’re set on goin’, then I’ll be traveling with ya. The least I can do for my friend Jim is to make sure his family is kept safe.” He glanced at Amanda. “But there’s one thing I need to make clear.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“You can read your Bible and pray all ya want, but there’s to be no preachin’ on this trip. At least not to me,” he quickly added.
That will be hard, Amanda thought. But having Buck travel with them to show the way and offer protection was an answer to prayer. She met his gaze. “I shall not say one word about the Bible or God, unless you ask me first.”
“That ain’t never gonna happen,” he shot back.
We’ll have to wait and see about that. Amanda looked at Mary and said, “In the meantime, I think we should find a place to put up our tent for the night, because I am tired, and I’m sure you and the baby are, as well.”
Mary nodded. “We sleep good tonight. Trade furs in the morning.”
Mary made sure that Joseph’s cradleboard was tied securely to her back, then she mounted her mare. Amanda did the same. Leading the pack mules and the other two horses, they rode through the camps of white men and Indians alike. Mary was uncertain of where to set up their camp. She knew they must find a place where they’d feel safe from Seth Burrows, so she couldn’t risk putting up their tent in a secluded area where they’d be by themselves.
They ended up stopping in front of a band of Flatheads, since Mary knew they had always been friendly with her people. She dismounted and spoke to one of the Indian men in sign language, asking if they might be welcome to camp among them. The man nodded and pointed to a small clearing where they could set up their tent. Buck pitched his tent close by and went to tend the horses. Mary would go to bed feeling safer than she had since the death of her husband. How thankful she was that Buck had shown up. Deep down, she knew it would not be safe for her and Amanda to travel alone, but she would have done it if necessary. She would do anything to be back with her family. She only hoped they would be happy to see her and would accept Little Joe.
While the women got some grub together, Buck took care of the horses and pack mules, watching as they munched hungrily on the grasses. It was good to be around Mary and Amanda again, and his stomach growled loudly, eager for food. But Buck needed some time alone with thoughts of his good friend Jim.
How could
this have happened? Jim was the one who had taught Buck everything he knew about survival in the mountains. “Always be conscious of your surroundings,” Jim would say. “That’s the best way to make sure you’re safe.”
Once, when they’d traveled to one of the forts together, Jim had saved Buck from a rattlesnake he hadn’t noticed that was coiled near his feet. “Not all rattlers warn ya,” Jim had said. “Some strike without givin’ any kind of notice.” Buck had never forgotten Jim’s words, and it had saved him several times after that.
Could this be what happened to Jim? Buck wondered. The rattler gave no warning? He groaned. If only I’d been with him. If I just hadn’t left to hurry home to my cabin. If I’d agreed to travel to Rendezvous with ’em, maybe Jim would still be alive.
It did no good to dwell on these things. All the “if onlys” got a person nowhere, especially when it came to death. He had learned early on that once something, or someone, took a person’s life, that was the way it was, and no amount of praying or wishing could change the situation. It was hard to think about Little Joe growing up without his father, and Mary now without her husband.
Trying to shake off his negative thoughts, Buck watched twilight fall upon them. The first stars appeared overhead as the day’s light slowly faded. Here in the valley, he could see far into the horizon. He looked back toward the mountains standing tall against the blackening sky.
After he’d healed from the bear attack, he’d longed to return home. Usually opening the door to his little cabin had been inviting, but this time, it felt empty and lonely. What was the difference from before, when the silence and solitude had always been most welcome? Buck knew the answer was right on his lips, and try as he might to repel the thoughts, his mind kept wandering to what it would be like to share his life with someone. He couldn’t stop thinking about a woman being there to welcome him home each time he went out trapping. What would it be like to have a son of his own? Someone to teach all the things Jim had taught him. Buck even wondered how it would be to marry someone like Amanda. She sure was pretty. But it could never work. He had known right from the start that he couldn’t live with someone as religious as her. Their views about things were too different. Better to just be friends, and nothing more.
The smell of food cooking reached Buck’s nostrils, and Thunder came to stand by his feet. “Is it time to eat, ol’ boy?” Buck asked, reaching down to pet the dog’s head.
As if understanding what Buck had said, Thunder turned in a circle, then headed back to the campsite where Amanda and Mary had a fire going. Thunder woofed a couple of times, as though to make sure that Buck was following.
“I’m comin’!” Buck called. He checked on the horses one more time and headed for the campsite. All I need to do is get Amanda to the mission, he decided. Then there will be no more thoughts of her.
CHAPTER 32
When morning dawned with a bright, full sun, many Indians and trappers had already begun to make their way back to the main camp, where traders had set out their goods and were anxiously awaiting the first buyers of the day.
Mary decided to try to make her trades so they could be on their way. She had no plans to stay until Rendezvous was over, as so many others in attendance would do. She wanted to leave as soon as possible. That way, hopefully no one would follow them. Buck had gone hunting for fresh game, and Amanda had agreed to watch Little Joe while Mary was at the main camp trading her furs. After the encounter they’d had with Seth Burrows the day before, she knew better than to put her son in a dangerous position again. If trading went well, they could leave and get as far away as possible from that man.
Mary made sure that Jim’s gun was with her this time. She would be ready to take on anyone who might offer trouble, for she had too much to live for now.
In a flurry of frenzied activity, furs of all kinds were either being sold or traded for guns, ammunition, traps, blankets, tools, and various food supplies.
Just as Mary was finishing up with her business, she heard loud, obnoxious laughter. She turned and saw Seth Burrows heading her way.
Instinctively, her hand tightened over the rifle she held by her side. She was fully prepared to shoot the man, but only if it became necessary.
“I see you’re still tryin’ to peddle your furs. Need some help now, do ya?” Seth asked, grinning slyly as he stepped up to her.
“I need no help,” Mary answered firmly.
“Now look here, I’m gettin’ a little fed up with all your sass! I’m thinkin’ that trapping beaver is a sight easier then figurin’ out a woman, especially one like you. I thought maybe ya might be glad to see me, seein’ as to how your man don’t seem to be around. Maybe you don’t have a man a’tall. Is that how it is?”
Before Mary could offer a reply, Seth pulled a knife from his sheath and held it next to her side. “I’ve been denied the pleasure of your company before, and I won’t be deprived of it again. I aim to take ya as my woman, so there ain’t no use in fightin’ it.” The ill-bred man smiled wickedly. “I’m glad to see ya ain’t got that brat kid of yours with ya today, ’cause you’re goin’ with me!”
Seth held the tip of the knife against Mary’s back, and she knew it would be impossible to raise her rifle and fire without being stabbed. She looked around helplessly, hoping someone might see what was happening and come to her aid. Everyone appeared to be engrossed in their trading business. No one seemed to care that she was about to either be killed or taken at knifepoint. No one except for her faithful dog.
Thunder, who had been standing on the other side of Mary, let out a low, throaty growl. Seth pulled his knife back momentarily, as he took a moment to glance at the dog.
In that brief instant, Thunder leaped at the man, toppling them both to the ground. It was impossible for anyone in the area to ignore the man and dog rolling around in the dirt. Thunder growled and snapped, while Seth cursed between gasps of ragged breath.
Mary raised her gun but held her fire. She could not run the risk of hitting Thunder instead of the evil man so she would wait until she could get a clearer shot.
“Do not shoot him, Mary! That would be murder!”
Mary turned. Amanda stood directly behind her, holding Little Joe. Next to her stood Buck, rifle in hand. Suddenly, Seth cried out. Mary looked back at her enemy on the ground. A deathly silence hung in the air, as the dog moved slowly away from Seth’s unmoving body.
Mary gasped when she saw that Seth’s own knife was stuck firmly into his chest. In trying to slay her dog, he’d fallen against his weapon.
“Is he dead?” one of the traders asked in a casual sort of way.
“Looks like it. He don’t seem to be breathin’,” another man said, as he bent down for a closer look. He placed his hand on Seth’s bleeding chest. “Nope. There ain’t no heartbeat a’tall.”
Amanda could hardly believe that Seth Burrows lay dead on the ground, and no one seemed to care. Apparently these ill-bred men needed the Lord as much as—or even more than—the Indians she felt compelled to minister to.
Two men stepped forward and carried the body away. The others carried on with their business, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Apparently Seth Burrows had no friends among these crude mountain men.
“It is good that you did not take revenge on him, Mary,” Amanda said. “Revenge is God’s business, not ours.”
Mary silently reached for Little Joe and held him tight.
Buck stood, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Mary. I shoulda got here quicker. I came as soon as I got back from hunting and Amanda told me where you’d gone.”
“I fine now, thanks to Thunder,” Mary said.
As Amanda led Mary away from the crowd, Mary paused and said, “My dog. Must see to him. He could be wounded.”
“I’ll take a look,” Buck offered. He bent to examine Thunder. “He ain’t hurt, Mary,” he said, smiling as he looked up at her.
Relieved, Mary called for Thunder to follow them.
<
br /> “We no longer have anything to fear from that evil man, Mary. I am glad God kept you from taking revenge,” Amanda said as they made their way back to their tent.
Buck snorted, but Mary gave no reply.
“God was watching over you, Mary. He cares for His children.”
Still no response.
I hope Mary’s faith isn’t wavering, Amanda fretted. Surely she must see that God’s hand of protection was over her today. I am thankful Mary didn’t shoot Seth.
Even though Mary had confessed her sins and accepted Jesus as her Savior, she needed to learn more about God. In the days ahead as they traveled farther west, Amanda hoped to teach Mary many more things, and hopefully, Buck would learn them, as well.
CHAPTER 33
Amanda slept better that night than she had in several weeks. The knowledge that Buck was sleeping outside their tent and had agreed to be their guide gave her a measure of hope and peace that she’d not had in many days. Instead of waking up every hour or so, thinking she’d heard something, Amanda slept until the sweet singing of birds awoke her.
She stepped from the tent, feeling renewed of body, mind, and spirit. Stretching, Amanda looked toward the sunrise and breathed in the dawn’s cool air. It was a glorious morning, with a sky so bright and blue it nearly took her breath away. This place reminded her of the lake near her home in New York, where she had often gotten up early just to catch a glimpse of the sun rising, its soft colors reflecting in the water.
Amanda rubbed both arms. It was a bit chilly, but all too soon the day would warm up, and any shade they found would be most welcome.
She walked toward the campfire, fully expecting to see Buck stretched out by the log where he’d placed a sleeping mat the night before. To her surprise, he was not there. Neither was the buffalo hide he’d slept on. She scanned the area quickly, but there was no sign of Buck. The only evidence that he’d been there was the burning embers from the fire.
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