Travis smiled. “I got me ten men waiting nearby in case of trouble. Only a fool would travel alone with that much money or this many supplies. They were to ride in if we didn’t show ourselves soon.”
Chambers laughed. “Like I said, Saunders, you’re a smart man. Been a pleasure doing business with you and Tom.”
As the wagon vanished behind a hill, Harvey joined Claude Chambers, who was grinning broadly. “You get them crates swapped?”
“Yep. Good thing we’ll be long gone before that Saunders finds out won’t more than twenty of them rifles work and most of that ammunition ain’t worth as much as this dirt,” he said, kicking the sand beneath his filthy boots. “You sure pulled a sly one on him. Like he said, his friend shoulda stayed with us all the time as ordered. Made it real easy.”
Between wicked chuckles, Chambers concurred, “Yessirree, the new owner will take over in two days and we can be on our merry way. I sure am glad I didn’t have time to return that bad lot of guns and ammunition. Gave me a chance to sell ‘em twice and avoid any problems.”
“Saunders ain’t gonna be none too happy when he gets past the top row in each of them crates. You sure he won’t stop and check ‘em?”
“He examined them real careful inside and he don’t know you and Slim were given time to swap the crates. If they use any of them blankets or knives or cornmeal tonight or pull out any of them top rifles, they’ll be fooled by good stuff. He won’t discover his mistake for days, and then it’ll be too late. We’ll be heading for St. Louis.”
“Them folks who wants them guns and ammunition ain’t gonna be happy with them two scouts. They might even think them scouts are trickin’ ‘em. Hell, they might even kill ‘em. Ain’t that a shame?”
“Yep,” Chambers agreed. “A cryin’ shame. That Saunders thinks he’s real clever, but ain’t no man been born who can outwit me.”
It was the morning of the full moon and Wild Wind was very much aware of the significance of this day in her life. She apprehensively carried out her last chores in Lone Wolf’s tepee. Before this sun passed, her life would change drastically. She could not stop her cold hands from shaking or her mind from drifting constantly to the half-blooded man who had failed to return before this awesome moment of decision had arrived. She had been haunted by her strange enchantment by him. She had thought about him and dreamed about him for days. At last a real man had entered her life and she worried that perhaps it was too late to study him and the potent attraction between them, though she believed he had felt it too. She knew he had been told of her “bad ways,” and she realized that he might have been merely showing kindness to Lone Wolf’s sister. After all, he could be so arrogant and infuriating! How could she reveal this pull she felt toward a white man? How could she reject her Oglala role? She had promised Lone Wolf and herself that she would relent to her destiny, and she dreaded it.
For the past few days, she had encountered curious stares and tension-building silence that had bewildered her, actions she could not understand because she had been on her best behavior. As soon as her Indian brother returned from his latest council meeting, she would have to relate her choice to him. Her heart pounded in panic and dismay. Then suddenly unusual noises captured her attention and set her pulse racing in suspense. He had returned! She put aside her task and went to investigate.
Travis Kincade halted the loaded wagon before the ceremonial lodge and jumped to the ground. The warriors who had traveled with him dismounted and awaited the approach of the chief and the council. Travis and Lone Wolf exchanged smiles and grasped forearms in greeting. A few words passed between them. Sighting her, Lone Wolf called Wild Wind to join them and to share this joyous moment.
Suddenly her feet seemed as heavy as large rocks and her legs as stiff as posts. Anxiety rushed through her. She chided herself for her cowardice. Swallowing with difficulty, she ordered her body to obey the summons. She walked forward and halted at Lone Wolf’s side, affectionately gazing at him and ignoring Travis’s intimidating presence. She dared not look at him, fearing her expression would reveal her turmoil. She was glad she had scrubbed her hair and taken care with her appearance.
In Oglala, the chief announced to everyone, “Our Hunkpapa brother, White Eagle, has returned with many weapons and supplies for the defense and survival of our people. He has shown much courage, cunning, and generosity. As chief of the Oglalas and friend to White Eagle, I say he has earned a coup feather for his deed. What say the Oglalas?” he cleverly asked, initiating his ploy to release Wild Wind.
Sounds of agreement and praise filled the air. Lone Wolf placed the coup feather in Travis’s headband as he stated, “White Eagle will be our honored guest this moon when your chief takes his first wife.”
Wild Wind observed the proceedings, appearing proud and calm before the green gaze that watched her intently and obviously. She was glad she did not tremble and her cheeks did not glow like the fire. She sensed that something was about to happen, but she did not realize what. She was too ensnared by thoughts of how to stall her joining tonight. If only White Eagle had visited her camp sooner!
As he had planned, Lone Wolf queried, “What can Lone Wolf and the Oglalas do to reward my friend and brother for saving our people?”
In an unwavering tone, Travis casually replied, “I desire to join with Wild Wind this sun. I offer all you see in trade for her,” he stated, motioning toward the wagon filled with weapons and supplies.
Wild Wind’s mouth fell open and her eyes widened in astonishment as she whirled to stare into Travis’s unreadable face. When Travis’s gaze shifted to hers, he smiled confidently and enticingly. Before she could gather her wits and force her tongue to respond, Lone Wolf had accepted the bargain and everyone around them began cheering. Wild Wind’s gaze raced to her brother’s grinning face, then moved to the beaming ones of those around them. She did not know what to think or feel at this unexpected turn of events.
Black Hawk instantly stepped forward and declared, “I have spoken for Wild Wind. The daughter of Soaring Hawk must not join to a half-breed.”
Silence fell over the assembled group at the insulting claim. Lone Wolf focused angry eyes on the belligerent warrior. “I am chief. White Eagle is called friend and brother. Your words shame you. Lone Wolf did not accept Black Hawk’s offer; it was not enough for Wild Wind. Do you offer more than White Eagle for her trade?”
Black Hawk’s gaze slipped over the heavily loaded wagon, then he eyed Travis with contempt and hatred. “It is wrong to send the daughter of Soaring Hawk and sister of Lone Wolf away with a half-white man. He lives in the white lands, in the white ways,” he argued.
“His heart is Lakota; his deed is Lakota. His honor and courage are high. He is a good mate for the sister of your chief. Why do you dishonor Black Hawk and his people with dark words and feelings?”
“Wild Wind belongs with her people,” the warrior continued offensively, trying to prevent his loss of the flaming-haired beauty.
Lone Wolf glanced at each council member and asked, “Is there one among you who agrees with Black Hawk?” Because they were all part of this ploy, each man shook his head. Lone Wolf looked at Black Hawk and stated, “Wild Wind will join to the man who brings deliverance from our enemies.”
“It is wrong, Lone Wolf. She does not wish to join him and travel away from our lands,” the jealous warrior reasoned frantically.
“The sister of Lone Wolf will obey her brother and chief and the Oglala council. She has much courage and honor. She would not refuse to join the man who saves her people and lands. I will speak with my sister and hear her words. Come, Wild Wind,” he commanded, taking her arm and leading her inside the ceremonial lodge to talk.
Lone Wolf walked to the center of the large tepee and sat on a buffalo hide. Wild Wind followed his lead. She looked into his entreating gaze and questioned, “Do you truly wish me to marry him and leave our people and lands? I have been raised Indian; I know nothing of the white world. White Eag
le is a stranger to me.” Even as she argued, she was filled with stirring anticipation. She had wanted time to get to know him, but she had never suspected he would ask for her in joining. He had seemed the kind of man who enjoyed his freedom. He wanted her, and today! But his smile had been mischievous and his look smug. Did she dare relent to her wild desires and his control?
“This is the sun of our joining, my sister. Is there a man with more honor and courage to choose, a man who offers more for Wild Wind and her people? Do you seek to insult White Eagle and dishonor your brother and chief by refusing to join to him?”
She was dismayed and hurt by the seeming ease with which he was bargaining and sacrificing her. “Do you seek to punish me for behaving badly many times? For not choosing Rides-Like-Thunder?”
“No, my sister. I do what is best for you and our people. War covers our lands as the spring grasses. Far away with White Eagle, the sister of Lone Wolf will find safety and happiness. Do you forget that your skin and blood are white? There is no dishonor in joining to White Eagle. Think of your people, my sister, not of Wild Wind.”
If only she knew White Eagle and grasped his motives for this unexpected demand, she reflected frantically. He had such a potent effect on her, and she feared losing herself in him. If only he did not insist they join and leave today! Thoughts of being alone with him both alarmed and excited her. “Lone Wolf said that Wild Wind could choose her mate this sun.”
“The sun is high and no choice has been spoken. Before the eyes of White Eagle and our tribe I have accepted trade for you. Will you shame me and hurt me with defiance on our last sun together? Do you fear White Eagle?” he shrewdly inquired. “Do you wish him to ask for another in joining? Who can match the beauty and skills of my sister? Who is more worthy to walk at the side of White Eagle?”
“He is white, my brother, and lives far from our lands. He seizes me too quickly. You cannot force me to join to him and leave. Will he refuse to give our people the weapons if I refuse to join to him? Can you not take the weapons from him? Do you fear his power?” she inquired, wondering why this demand for her had not come as a surprise to her brother and why he was so eager to comply. Had this intriguing man asked for her before leaving camp? she mused. After all, they had been powerfully drawn to each other from the beginning.
“Lone Wolf will not answer such wicked questions. Many times you have shamed and angered Lone Wolf and his people. Many times his heart has known great pain and sadness over Wild Wind’s deeds. If your heart is Oglala and honor lives within you, you will obey my words. It is the vote and will of our council. Do you refuse him?”
It was not Travis she was refusing; it was his intimidating rush. She felt trapped, helpless; others were ruling and controlling her life. “He will carry me far from my brother and people,” she fretted, recalling her fears over her dark dreams and dreading this white challenge. There seemed to be too many changes to accept at the same time.
“Hear my words, sister, for Lone Wolf does not speak falsely of Grandfather’s visions.” He slowly related his past dreams about her departure and why he had taught her to defend herself. He spoke of his fears for her survival during this war with the whites and for the survival of his people. “The moon Grandfather revealed to me in dreams has come. It is time for my sister to tame the wild winds that blow through her head and heart. Grandfather has chosen your path and you must walk it with pride and courage. Far away with White Eagle, Wild Wind will become the woman warrior she hungers to be.”
“I do not wish to become white again,” she protested in dread, apprehensive about the shadows that surrounded her past and uncertain about Travis. She wanted more time with him, more time to explore her feelings.
“You are white, little sister,” he gently reminded. “Go in peace to seek your new destiny and tame it bravely as I have taught you.”
Outside, Travis tried not to appear worried or tense, but he was both. He sensed what was taking place inside the lodge and wondered how he and Lone Wolf would be forced to deal with it. He had to entice her to accept him so they could depart quickly before trouble struck. He wished his offer could have been more than a trick, for he truly wanted her. His gaze shifted to Black Hawk’s, whose expression was cold and taunting.
Suddenly the tepee flap was thrown aside. Lone Wolf approached the group awaiting him, pulling the obviously reluctant girl along with him. He placed Wild Wind’s hand on Travis’s arm. “Lone Wolf accepts the offer of White Eagle and will give his sister in joining.”
Immediately Wild Wind pushed past Travis and the others to head for her tepee without speaking or looking at her intended mate or their audience. Although well acquainted with their customs, she felt betrayed by this “exchange,” which made her the possession of another. She angrily suspected that the two men had plotted secretly. Her life was changing, and she felt helpless. She was confused by her warring emotions and embarrassed by the degrading situation.
Watching her flight, Travis said, “The joining must take place soon, Lone Wolf. The ride is long and hard and we have been away from our lands many suns. White Eagle and his friend must return home to protect them.”
Lone Wolf thought he understood why the man was in such a hurry to claim his adopted sister and be on his way: he did not want to give Wild Wind time to change her mind or to flee and cause trouble. He smiled. “We will prepare for the joining,” he announced happily.
Within ten minutes, Travis and Wild Wind were standing before the ceremonial chief and listening to his Oglala words of joining. At the proper time, Travis turned to the silent girl and lifted the edges of the joining robe, which Lone Wolf had lent him. He tensed again as Wild Wind hesitated briefly before stepping to him so he could wrap the feathered cloak around her body to seal their joining. He could feel her slight trembling and she refused to look up at him. Clearly she did not want to marry him or leave these people. He was baffled by her compliance. No doubt her sharp mind was plotting his defeat and her escape this very minute, neither of which he could allow. A few more words were spoken, then the ceremony ended.
The quicker they left, the sooner she could learn the truth and be free of this farce, he mused dourly. Him, too, for his crazy feelings for her scared the hell out of him. Evidently he had misjudged her attraction to him, and that conclusion did not sit well. “Get your belongings and say your farewells, Wild Wind. We must leave,” he told her, unaware that his voice and gaze appeared chilly to her.
She looked up at him, her stare challenging and her chin held high. She did not like being forced to comply with a demand that would alter her entire life. She feared his magic and her impending return to the white world. He owned her, and he was being the man she did not like again! The least he could have done was ask her first, or warn her! She whispered angrily, “Do not give Wild Wind orders. You have not taken me from my lands and people yet. I only obey the council’s command to save my people and to punish my brother for selling me to a half-breed. I wished to join to Black Hawk or Rides-Like-Thunder; you have ruined all. Perhaps you will be sorry for forcing me to become your mate. Perhaps I will not fit in your white world.”
Travis concealed his anger as he grinned and nodded. Perhaps, thinking he would be gone soon, she had been having fun with him. Perhaps she had used him to make Black Hawk jealous. Either she did not like being forced to marry and leave or she had been using her wits and charms to get her way; in either case, she had lost.
“White Eagle has many bad traits. Perhaps trading is the only way White Eagle could obtain a mate,” she scoffed insultingly. Why wasn’t a man like him joined? she wondered silently. Because he was viewed as a “despicable half-breed"? Did he need a mate and feel she was a good choice because she was white and would not expose his Indian heritage?
“Wild Wind has many bad traits. Perhaps slyly trading her to a stranger was the only way Lone Wolf could be free of her cutting tongue and wild ways,” he taunted devilishly. “Perhaps I can tame them before we rea
ch home. Do not forget, your words and honor bind you to me. If you do forget, I will bind you with thongs or punish you.”
Without replying, she turned and, with great dignity, walked to her tepee. She was distracted as she collected her possessions and stuffed them into several parfleches.
Myeerah entered the tepee and found her immersed in packing. “I wish you did not have to leave,” her lovely friend told her.
Wild Wind did not want to dampen her friend’s happy joining day or leave in such gloomy spirits. She would not give the other girls reason to pity or ridicule her. Her selfsacrifice must be carried out bravely and unselfishly, or at least appear so. She could not help but recall Lone Wolf’s words in the ceremonial lodge. Having been raised by Indians who were firm believers in and followers of visions and dreams, she felt this was the Great Spirit’s will, or His test of her courage and obedience. Perhaps some exciting challenge lay before her, even at the side of that mysterious and vexing male. Perhaps her separation from the Oglalas would not be forever. She smiled and artfully replied, “Do not worry, Myeerah. He is very handsome and brave. I must not show eagerness and joy at his trade, for his pride would grow too great. Wild Wind must force him to seek her heart gently and patiently. As the doe, I will dart and run and hide, and he must chase me. He will not tame the wild wind; she will tame a mighty eagle,” she teased. “White Eagle does me great honor to choose the sister of Lone Wolf and to offer so many trade goods. But you must tell no one of my secret.”
The girl was fooled, and delighted. “My heart is happy that he pleases my friend. His face is handsome and his body virile. He is strong and cunning. If Lone Wolf did not cause fires in Myeerah, her eyes would settle on White Eagle,” she confessed with laughter.
“Be happy with my brother. One sun, Wild Wind will return to visit. I wish to find many children and great joy in this tepee.”
Myeerah left to retrieve a parting gift for her best friend and Wild Wind knelt on a buffalo mat as she continued her packing. Her back to the entrance, she allowed herself to become lost in deep thought. Her mind envisioned the evil white man of her nightmares and she murmured, “No white dog will ever harm me or own me.
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