The finality in her tone was unmistakably clear. Billy had suspected she might change her mind. He was prepared not to expose his dark feelings but to switch to his backup plan. He smiled in sunny resignation and told her it was fine, for he had other matters to handle.
His tone was almost musical as he lightly replied, “Ain’t no never mind. Be more fun with Clay and yore girls. Pierre’s wife and daughter are heading to pick some medicine plants upriver. I wuz gonna guard ‘em in the woods afore we left. I came over to say we couldn’t leave till later. Thought Laughing Face might need some healing herbs. You wanna go along and git some for her? Won’t take more’n an hour.”
Rebecca said it was fine with her if Laughing Face needed and wanted the plants. In the Nakota tongue, which Rebecca had not yet mastered, Billy deceitfully asked Laughing Face if she wanted Rebecca to bring her any magic tokens from Spirit Mound. The woman went into the tepee and brought out a leather bag. She smiled her gratitude and handed it to Rebecca as Billy told the unsuspecting white girl it was for the medicine plants.
Rebecca Kenny and Billy Culpepper set out for the riverbank where Billy said Pierre’s wife and daughter would join them. When they reached it, Billy pointed upstream and said the women were waiting in a clearing not far away. They walked for a time, and Rebecca gradually realized they had traveled much too long. She wondered why they were continuing and if there were some mix-up in the meeting place. “Murray” had told her the location wasn’t far. “Murray, haven’t we—” As she turned to question her companion, Billy’s pistol butt landed across her temple, cutting off her words and rendering her unconscious.
Billy glanced around, finding no one in sight. He would have slain anyone who tried to interfere with his evil scheme. Lifting Rebecca’s limp frame, he carried her into the woods. After locating a sizable hollow tree, he bound and gagged her, then shoved her inside the dark confinement. He placed large rocks and heavy brush at both ends, trapping her in a helpless position should she awaken. He eyed his clever handiwork and chuckled satanically. Everyone would believe she was heading for Spirit Mound, so she wouldn’t be missed for two days, which would give him a considerable head start. She couldn’t get out of her wooden prison, and she wouldn’t be heard through it and her gag. She was his helpless captive. He crept back to the camp, careful to stay out of Laughing Face’s sight.
While most Yanktons were busy starting the new day, Billy gathered his belongings and two horses. He bid Pierre’s family farewell and left. When he returned to where he had concealed Rebecca, he found she was still unconscious. He tossed her over the other horse and secured her to the Army saddle. His chilling laughter filled the silence in the forest, as he anticipated that this woman of Bright Arrow’s would make a nice gift for his Crow friend, Chief Arapoosh…
Chapter Twenty-One
Rebecca slowly came back to awareness. Her face flamed and blood whirled madly inside her head. She seemed to be suffering from a strange and uncomfortable rocking motion that tormented her stomach, hipbones, and breasts. Her arms and legs were cramped and strained, and her fingers were almost numb. She forced her eyes to open and saw the upside-down landscape moving dizzyingly. Her fuzzy brain told her she was lying across the back of a moving horse. As her sherry-colored eyes touched on her arms, which dandled over the horse’s side, she noted that her hands were bound.
She tried to sit up and free herself. She couldn’t. A rope was wrapped securely around her waist and attached to the saddle and horn. It prevented her from slipping off the saddle, from sitting up, and from getting free. She was someone’s prisoner! She lifted her bound wrists to her face and studied the tight knot; it would be impossible to untangle it with her teeth. Her actions alerted Billy to her arousal, and he reined in the horses and dismounted. He came over to her. Seizing a handful of auburn hair, he lifted her head and stared into her confused features. She shrieked in pain and surprise as she confronted her captor.
“Yur position a mite touchy, Mrs. Bright Arrow?” he taunted maliciously, jerking on her hair again as he laughed ominously.
Tears burned in her tawny eyes and she yelped in new pain. “Why are you doing this?” she panted in mounting alarm. Terror had chilled her body at the name he had called her. She didn’t challenge his claim as to who she was; instead she waited anxiously for him to reveal his motive.
“I owes me Crow brothers a favor. Cain’t think of nuthin’ better than givin’ ‘em a valuable slave. Gittin’ old Bright Arrow’s squaw oughta sit real good with Chief Arapoosh. He’ll probably makes me his blood brother. Them Crow don’t hates no Injun worse’n the Eagle and his baby bird. Afore anybody knows what happened to Rebecca, she’ll be givin’ ole Arapoosh great pleasure on his mats. He loves frisky, fightin’ women under him. Ever time I gits me a white captive, I trade ‘er to him or his bucks. Course, Bright Arrow’s squaw is a real prize.”
Rebecca was horrified by his malevolent intentions. “You can’t do this, Murray!” she protested fearfully. “Untie me this instant!”
“Murray my arse! I’m Billy Culpepper. Ya see this scar right here?” he asked hatefully, shoving his hand under her nose. “Yur man gave it to me fur pickin’ up one of his nuggets to study. Put his knife right through me hand. Ya thinks I don’t knows ya and him kilt me friends Lester and Jess? Yessiree, ya gonna pay big,” he threatened harshly, yanking her hair once more. As he pinched her cheek and brought forth a wince, he chuckled maliciously and added, “If’n I liked females, I’d punish ya meself. Cain’t stand ‘em. I’ll let old Arapoosh git revenge fur me. If’n ya don’t gives him a good fight, he’ll make ya. He’s a real mean’un on the mats, worse’n Lester.”
“I’ll be missed! They’ll come after us!” she shrieked in panic.
“Ha!” he sneered. “They won’t be looking no time soon. I told that Injun bitch we wuz going to the Mound, just like we planned—not plant pickin’. By the time theys misses you, we’ll be long gone.”
Rebecca was alarmed by his ominous disclosure. “Bright Arrow will track you down and kill you for this!” she bravely warned.
“I’m tremblin’ in me moccasins,” he mocked her, flipping his fingers and shaking his knees wildly. “Don’t matter If’n he does come after us. Them Crow will be waitin’ fur him. He’ll makes a better prize than a piece of pretty tail.”
“Can I sit up?” she asked softly, cautioning herself not to antagonize or provoke this dangerous and evil man.
“I likes ya just like that,” he stated, walking around to strike her forcefully on the rear several times. She thrashed and cried out in smarting torment. Billy laughed and laughed as he repeated the rough spanking. He lewdly rubbed his hand over her burning rump. “Yep, ole Arapoosh is shore gonna enjoy this sweet tail. You just full of lusty fight, ain’t ya?” He remounted and galloped off at a merciless pace for Rebecca’s tender undersides and clattering teeth.
After an hour or so, Billy slowed his mount. Rebecca knew he was trying to torture her with pain and fear. Her body ached; her teeth were sore; her head pounded, and her buttocks still stung. She was utterly helpless, at the complete mercy of this villain. Billy was determined to make her suffer as much as possible before he delivered her to a horrid fate. She knew there would be no timely rescue for her, for no one realized she was missing. No one knew where to look. No one who cared was around to discover her misfortune and to track her.
Rebecca tried to retain her wits and courage. She had to be ready to spring on Billy and escape if an opportune moment presented itself. She feared Billy was too clever and wicked to thwart, but she knew she had to retain hope; she had to remain on guard; she had to endure. She prayed and wept as the monstrous trip continued.
Billy seemed to know where each tribe camped and avoided those areas. Rebecca wondered how long it would take to reach the Crow camp. She tried to remember Bright Arrow’s schedule, though she realized he could be in a different Crow camp. Even if she escaped from Billy before they reached the camp, she woul
d face many dangers trying to get home. She didn’t know this area or these Indians. If she was too inquisitive or cooperative, Billy would become suspicious and watchful. If she got away from him, she would confront more danger. Rather than ask help from a possible foe of the Oglala, she would have to survive on her own wits. It all seemed so hopeless…
That night when they camped, Billy kept her hands and ankles bound. He tossed her practically raw meat, as if she were some wild dog. He made her lie on her stomach near the stream to drink, refusing to share his canteen. As she did so, he cruelly mashed her face into the mud. He howled with laughter as she squirmed to free herself, then sat up choking and gasping for breath. When Billy hunkered down to obseive her dirtied face, Rebecca almost spit into his; but she wisely controlled that impulsive action, knowing he could slay her without a second thought.
“Yep, ya looks just like a little black slave,” he remarked.
“You’re mean and cruel, Billy Culpepper. God will punish you for your wickedness,” she warned him softly, spitting the dirt and mud from her mouth. She cupped water with her bound hands and washed it from her face. She dared not mention his dead friends, even to claim innocence in their deaths. Arguing and pleading would only fuel his vengeful fire.
“God shouldn’t made no womenfolk and theys wouldn’t be no trouble,” he scoffed. “My ma weren’t worth spittin’ on. Pa punished her good ever’day. When she wuz real bad, he kilt her to stop her evil.”
It was evident that this man was insane—crazy and evil and brutal. He hated women. Rebecca was in more danger than she had realized. The sooner she got free of this demon, the better. But how, unless she killed him? And how could she carry out that incredible feat?
He let the small fire go out. Then he unrolled his sleeping bag and snuggled into it, for the night air was moist and crisp. Rebecca was forced to lie on the ground uncovered, and by midnight she was cold and damp. She shivered and curled into a tight ball. Nothing helped. Her body throbbed. She was miserable, assailed by the dew and the brisk night air. Only through sheer exhaustion did she get any sleep, though the few hours of fitful tossing did nothing to provide the rest she needed. When Billy nudged her roughly with his foot the next morning, her clothes and hair were wet. She shuddered from the chill; her teeth chattered. Billy eyed her up and down, then laughed sardonically.
Anger charged through her, and fear was briefly forgotten. “If you treat me like this for many days and nights, I won’t reach the Crow camp alive!” she snapped at him.
He was surprised by her outburst and logic. “What do ya care?” he queried.
“I have found that any life is better than none, Billy,” she scoffed deviously. “Who knows, perhaps I’ll like this powerful chief.”
“Just like a whore!” he snarled at her. “Ya don’t cares who beds ya as long as he feeds and tends ya! Ya ain’t no different from Ma.”
Rebecca could imagine what that poor woman had gone through, living with this man and his comparable father. She was probably delighted to find death and peace! Her hatred and repulsion for Billy increased. How could she ever have thought him a decent, honorable trapper?
That day, Billy tied Rebecca’s hands to the saddle horn and her feet to the stirrups. He knew if she bolted, she would be sorry. There was no way to get free of those bindings. He took her reins and galloped off, with Rebecca hanging on tightly and nervously.
Bright Arrow and Sun Cloud reached their father’s camp just before noon. The Oglala surrounded them in excitement and joy. Shalee rushed out to greet her two sons. With Sun Cloud hugging her legs, she gazed with teary eyes upon Bright Arrow. She flung herself into his arms and embraced him fiercely. He lay his cheek atop her head and held her tenderly and lovingly for a long time.
Shalee leaned backward and studied his handsome face, which almost mirrored a younger Gray Eagle’s. Love and pride flooded her. “It has been too long, my son. You are home where you belong. Never will we allow you to leave us again. How I have loved you and missed you,” she murmured, hugging him tightly.
Bright Arrow lifted Sun Cloud in his arms. “You have a brave second son, my mother. You must be proud of his courage and strength. We must see father. Does he get better?” he asked worriedly.
Shalee beamed with joy. Surely the heavens had watched over her this day. She had not drugged her husband since two days before. He was stronger and clear headed today. She told the others they could speak with her sons later. Taking them by their hands, she led them into their tepee. Gray Eagle was standing beside his mat, dressing and preparing to investigate the commotion outside.
Sun Cloud ran to him and hugged his knees. Gray Eagle hunkered down and pulled the boy close to his chest. With great animation and excitement, Sun Cloud began to relate his brother’s deeds. He left out nothing of the bold adventure. Gray Eagle listened intensely to his son’s stirring account, then he stood and faced Bright Arrow. Pride and love glimmered in his eyes, but Bright Arrow hesitated in uncertainty. Gray Eagle made the first move. He walked over to his older son. Their eyes met and locked. Gray Eagle put his arms around Bright Arrow’s shoulders and drew him close in a loving and grateful embrace.
“My son is home. My love and pride are great this day, Bright Arrow. You have returned my life and joy. It was wrong to allow our people to send you away. All have suffered. The day has come for your return home. Flaming Star seeks your woman and children. When they return, you will join. You will ride at my side. Your people need you. I need you,” he admitted hoarsely.
Bright Arrow fought back the tears that threatened to spill forth. “I love you, Father. I have missed you and my life here. I feared I would never look into your face and the face of my mother again. I will accept my place here. I will follow you as chief, then my brother Sun Cloud. I will make you proud to call me son and brother.”
“I am proud to call you son. Life will be good again for the Oglala. We must have council. There is much you must tell us.”
“Yes, Father, there is much to tell,” he agreed solemnly.
“First, you must rest and eat,” Shalee insisted, slipping her arm around Bright Arrow’s waist. She called Sun Cloud over to them. Bright Arrow lifted the boy in his arms. The four locked arms and exchanged smiles. “My husband heals more each day. Soon he will be well and strong. My sons have been returned to me,” she murmured, kissing each one. “Flaming Star will return with Rebecca, Little Feet, and Tashina. We are a family once more. Together we are strong. Nothing and no one will ever separate us again,” Shalee vowed.
The three men smiled, then laughed and agreed. They sat down to share their first meal in years. As if no time had passed or anguish had existed, talk flowed freely and merrily. All believed their sufferings and separations were over.
That night in the council meeting, Bright Arrow was readmitted into the Warrior Society. The council listened eagerly, astonished by his tales. He showed them the Crow weapons and possessions he had stolen. He held up the three scalp locks. He revealed the name of the Pawnee warrior who had wounded Gray Eagle, vowing revenge. He swore his loyalty, help, and prowess to his tribe.
The vote for Rebecca’s acceptance was taken. Each council member held two sticks, one black for no and one white for yes. Bright Arrow couldn’t watch as the pile grew with one predominate color. When the voting was done, he dared to glance at the evidence. Gray Eagle and White Arrow smiled at their exhilarated son as he Rock’s. Mind-Who-Roams stared at the stubborn man who was being tricked by his daughter. He reminded the man that the council vote had to be accepted by all.
Standing Rock nodded, then left. The others remained to hear more about Bright Arrow’s recent journeys and feats. They also needed to plan their strategy for revenge against the raids of the Crow and Pawnee. When Bright Arrow made several cunning suggestions, they approved them. He was appointed one of the band leaders. Finally the council was dismissed. Gray Eagle and his son returned to their tepee where Sun Cloud and Shalee eagerly awaited them an
d the news.
That night, Sun Cloud slept on the mat with his brother. The child was fascinated and gratified by this change in his life. He claimed he had the bravest and cleverest brother alive. It pleased Shalee and Gray Eagle to see their sons so taken with each other.
Far away from the Oglala camp and its celebratory air, Rebecca tossed and turned, in danger and dejection. At least she had a blanket to lie on and one to cover her body. Billy had fed her better that day and had been easier on her. Yet she knew it was only the result of her remark that morning. She was bone weary and sore, but sleep eluded her. She couldn’t help but fear she had seen her family for the last time. Billy guarded her as the most valuable prize that had ever existed. Unless he lessened his watchfulness, she would never have a chance to escape. She knew he would not. It seemed she had just closed her eyes and surrendered to slumber when Billy was forcing her to rise and continue the agonizing trek.
In the Cheyenne camp, Windrider was healed. He and Bonnie were talking softly on the mat they now shared. Her face rested against his shoulder as she listened to his stirring words. “It comes time for our joining moon, Sky Eyes. All must know I have chosen you as my honored wife. You have done much for my people; they will be pleased with our union. They will be honored to call Sky Eyes a Cheyenne.”
“And I,” Bonnie murmured contentedly, “will be honored to become the envied wife of Windrider. I have loved no man but you. You have brought such happiness into my life.”
“And pleasure to your body?” he teased huskily, recalling how she had responded so passionately to his lovemaking just minutes before.
Velvety laughter filled his ears. “I cannot deny such truth from the lips of my future husband. You have but to touch me or look at me and I go wild with a craving to have you. We will be happy, my love.”
Stolen Ecstasy Page 39