by Rita Hestand
"Did you have to kill him? Wasn't he your friend?"
"Ya didn't want to give him the necklace did ya?" Slim asked. "And friends are a dime a dozen, lady."
"No…A Kiowa chief gave me this necklace, I treasure it."
"Then it's settled, isn't it? Now you better get some rest. You got your own horse to ride looks like. You can have Butch's horse. We'll leave at day break." Slim told her.
"I can't believe you have so little regard for his life…" She began.
Slim shrugged. "I got a lot of regard for my own. I couldn't let him mess with you. The boss wouldn’t like it. I was doin' what I was told to do. Butch was messin' with things. He was a right fair cowboy, but he didn't have a lot of sense, especially when it came to women."
He threw her the blanket from Butch's horse and she laid down. She shivered with a new fear now. Her thoughts turning to Joe and wondering if he'd come back to camp yet and whether he knew she was gone.
Directly she heard Slim dragging the body away. But he didn't bury the man. He just drug him out of the way. She cringed. She wondered if she were in danger too? Slim was deceiving in that he looked more harmless than Butch, but he wasn't. He was deadly. Right now, her sense of character wasn't too sharp.
Matt Hudson's men were as ruthless as he. What lie in wait for her now? How would Matt Hudson react when she told him she was married? What would he do to her, to her family? A million questions danced in her head, as she tried to close her eyes and go to sleep.
She thought about Wilma who was planning on going to Independence Rock to write their names on it. She thought of all the people she knew on the train and if anyone would miss her. And she worried that Joe would not know where she was or how to find her. Was she doomed to live with Matt Hudson after all?
Chapter Twenty-Two
When Joe came back to camp there seemed some chaos about the train. Everyone was running about, but Joe stopped one of the men and asked. "What's going on?"
"I dunno, seems like that yellow haired doctor woman is missing."
"What!" He yelled. "What do you mean missing?"
"Mrs. Granger's got everyone looking for her."
Joe didn't waste any time in finding Mrs. Granger.
"What is going on?" He asked as he stood in front of the woman.
"Millie's gone again, Joe. She was sleeping in that rocking chair of mine, and when I looked up from my nap, she was gone. Naturally, I looked about for her, but there is no sign of her, anywhere, Joe. Every time she falls asleep in that rocking chair something happens. I'm so worried Joe. She was fretful all day, as though she knew something was about to happen. I tried to make her feel better, but she was nervous as a cat."
"Nervous, about what?" Joe demanded to know.
"She said she had this eerie feeling about Matt Hudson since we were closer to Independence Rock."
Joe's face paled and he stopped moving, almost stopped breathing. "Was she afraid?"
"Yes…she was." Wilma cried. "Joe I'm worried. Maybe she was right. Maybe he came after her."
Joe's face turned into a storm of emotions. "Mrs. Granger, did she ever tell you where this Matt Hudson lived?"
Mrs. Granger thought about it a moment. "Yes, she did, let me think, oh yes, she said he lived about fifty miles due north of Independence Rock."
Joe glanced around the chair and saw tracks. White men's tracks. "They took her…" He said quite finally.
Wilma stared at him, "Who?"
"White men, two of them…their tracks are right here. Look, tell A.J. I've got to go after her. Tell him I'll catch up, to go on, tell him to stay on the trail, everything looks good for about a hundred miles. How long ago did all of this happen?" He asked.
"It was around noon, when we stopped to eat." Wilma told him.
"All right, I'll be back as soon as I can. If I'm gone long, tell him to find the Mills scout and use him until I can return."
"Joe," Wilma caught his arm. "Be careful."
"I aim to. And I aim to bring her back." Joe affirmed.
Wilma nodded and watched him mount up. He took provisions for himself and Millie.
"I'll be back." He nodded.
"Good luck!" Wilma ran to get hold of A.J.
When she caught up to him he was busy. "Joe's gone?"
"He went after her. He knows where to look and said he'd catch up."
"Goll darn it. I can't spare him for this." A.J. fumed.
Wilma put her arm on his, "He's got to bring her back, A.J. He told me to tell you that the next hundred miles are good, and if he isn't back, get the scout from the Mills wagons."
"Yeah, I guess he's right." A.J. saw the tears in Wilma's eyes and took her into his arms. "She'll be all right, honey. I just know it."
"I hope you are right. But they took her, she was right to be so worried."
"Who took her?" A.J. stormed.
"That Matt Hudson and his men, they took her. She was worried about it all day. I should have paid more attention." Wilma told him the whole story and A.J. firmed his lips.
"I only hope he's not too late."
"Me too…" Wilma cried.
~*~
Joe's blood was boiling hot now. If they hurt her he'd kill them.
He found their tracks easily enough, they didn't bother to hide them. But as he began tracking them, he wondered exactly what he would do when he got there. This Matt Hudson would have men working for him. Men that would fight for him. And he might even hurt Millie.
He struck out like a dumb idiot, not even considering what he might run into.
He had to plan this better. There were only two men to follow now, but once he got to the ranch, there would be a lot of men. He had to prepare for that, and form some kind of a plan to get her out of there.
He needed some help and the closest thing to help was an Arapaho camp about twenty miles to the north. Yeah, that's where he'd go. For help. After all, they were his people.
It took him the rest of the day to get to the camp. He was welcomed and he sat around the counsel fire as he asked for their help.
No matter how many times he left his people, he was always welcome back. That was a good feeling for Joe. His father had been a wise counsel for the tribe for many years before he was killed in a battle. His mother mourned him so, she died not long afterwards. They were one soul, Joe believed.
The chief spoke in his native tongue. "It has been many moons since you have been with us…"
"Yes, too many." Joe nodded.
"You are welcome here."
"Thank you. But…you might not think so when I tell you what I have come to do."
They listened quietly.
"I don't want to kill the man, I want the woman back, she is my woman, I married her in the camp of the Kiowa." Joe explained.
"Kiowa?" The chief looked stunned. "Why did you not bring her here to marry."
"It's a long story, and I'll gladly tell you about it later, but first I need to tell you what they have done."
The old chief nodded.
After a long discussion, several of the best warriors went with him that night.
It took two days to find the spread, but it was sprawled in all directions, with prime beef cattle. He had plenty of men working for him too.
Joe had to figure how he was going to get Millie out of the place it was so fortified.
As they camped only a mile or two away, he spoke with the men who came with him. One of them spoke English, Latanka was his name and they discussed the best way.
"We have warred with this man before," Latanka told him.
"Oh yeah, how come?" Joe asked out of curiosity.
"He claimed we stole some cattle from him, he killed one of our tribe."
"How'd you settle it?"
"We first kill his foreman, then we caught the men who did it, and took them to him. He did not believe us though, so another died. He would not punish the white man who did it, so we did!"
"Then what happened?"
&n
bsp; "Nothing, we went our way, he went his. He is not an honorable man though. He cannot say the truth. But since then he has left us alone."
"He's not going to like this I'm afraid."
"Does not matter. You are still Long Knife and she is your woman. You are our brother. As your woman, she is now part of our tribe too."
Joe glanced at the knife on his hip. His father had given it to him as a boy, ever since the tribe called him "Long Knife."
Joe nodded. "She is a medicine woman too."
Latanka twisted his head. "Medicine woman?"
"Yes…"
Latanka nodded, "It is good, my brother."
"Two of us will rescue woman. The rest of us will handle him and his men. We do not kill unless we have to." Latanka said staring into Joe's eyes. "For it is my father's wish that we remain peaceful with the white man."
"Yes, that's a good plan."
Before daylight, they would steal her back…
~*~
"Millie, it is good to see you my dear. I got your letter. I'm so happy you agreed to come out here." Matt Hudson had the cook bring her food and drink as he studied her closely. "You look even more beautiful than I remember."
She ignored the compliment. "Have you kept your promise not to take my folks land?"
"For the time being, yes." But something in the way he said that had her wondering if he was telling the truth.
She studied the man, he was stoutly built, with blonde-gray hair and light colored eyes. He was quite clean and smelled of something sweet.
"I did come, but…I can't marry you, Mr. Hudson."
His expression of happiness faded quickly, "Why not? You agreed to in your letter. What has changed?" He raised his chin as though she'd slapped him.
"I'm already married." She exclaimed.
"Already…. how could that be?" He demanded leaning closer.
"I was captured by the Kiowa. The scout from the train rescued me, and to save me from marrying the chief's son, he married me."
"He…married you?" Mr. Hudson screwed up his face with distaste. "Who married you my dear?"
"The Shaman of the tribe married us."
Hudson broke out in loud laughter. "Well…that's a relief, you didn't think you were really married did you? I mean no white man would recognize that marriage…."
Hudson was laughing so hard he nearly keeled over.
"But he wasn't white, he was a breed, himself."
"It wouldn't hold up in a white man's court." Hudson finally sobered enough to tell her.
Trying to figure a way out of it she stopped him with an arm on his, "But I was with him, as his wife. I am married to him…I belong to him!"
Hudson's eyes pinned her now. His stare was so evil looking now, as though he could strangler her himself. "You mean…you and he…consummated the marriage?"
"Yes, of course, he was my husband." She nodded.
"Damn," his big hand roared to life and slapped her so hard she fell across the room. "You're not a virgin?" He gasped.
"N-no!" She defended herself, struggling to get up and face him some more.
"You tramp! You had to know it wasn't legal. Why, I'm surprised they let you on the train after that." Hudson hollered. "You bitch!"
Again he slapped her and this time she stayed down. She had hit something when she fell and it knocked her out.
He didn't help her up or even look at her until she came too an hour later.
Maybe he wouldn't want her now, was her first thought.
"We'll be married in a week. You'll wear a red gown from the saloon. Everyone will know what a slut you are. And you'll be my prisoner for the rest of your life." He said and stomped from the room. "I told you that you could not win against me. All I required was that you become my wife. I've wanted you since you were thirteen, but a man of my position couldn't take one so young and still be respected, so I waited…"
"That's so evil…" She whispered.
"Evil. I offer you all of this, and you call me evil? Get her out of my sight." He ordered one of his men that stood at the door.
"Yes sir."
"Take her to her room. Feed her once a day, give her drink, and throw Sally's red dress in her room. She'll be married in that. For all to see her wickedness." He boomed.
"Yes sir." The man took his gun out and put it against her ribs. "Let's move now."
She grabbed her jaw that was quickly swelling and glanced at him one last time.
"You're a monster!"
Chapter Twenty-Three
"If she is not alive, what will you do?"
Joe's eyes met his, and darkened, "Then I'll kill him, the Indian way."
Latanka nodded.
Before dawn, two Indians rushed into Millie's room, knocking the guard outside her door out, and grabbing her. from her bed. Putting a hand over her mouth Latanka whispered, "We are here to save you."
She nodded and he took his hand away. "Get dressed we must leave here."
She nodded and the Indian turned away toward the door to stare out in case someone came.
Another guard was outside the house and Latanka knocked him out as they were leaving.
"Where's Joe?" She asked instinctively knowing he had come to save her.
"He must deal with this Matt Hudson himself. He will be along."
"You must help him. Hudson is a mean man." She cried.
"There are two more of us, with him. He is not alone. He will be fine. He wanted you safe." Latanka told her. "I promised him you would be."
She nodded.
They traveled for what seemed like a mile on foot and waited. Latanka watched her carefully. "You accept the marriage between yourself and my brother?"
"Yes, I do. Only…we haven't…." She admitted.
"Why do you wait?"
She studied Latanka for a long moment, he was a handsome Indian, with muscles and strong features. "He's a breed. He comes from two worlds. We must marry in both worlds first, then we will…" She smiled. "And I will have many children for him."
"You do not mind that he is Indian?" Latanka asked curiously.
"No…why should I? He is a good man. And I love him." She smiled. "I knew he would come after me…I trust him and have faith in him. I have learned from a child that one isn't judged by their skin, but by their heart."
"You are much like his mother, then…"
She smiled and nodded, "I guess I am."
"It is good. Then you will be my sister, too!"
"Thank you, for welcoming me…" She smiled.
"You are strong woman, a good woman."
They talked forever and Millie felt as though she had known him for a long time. She loved that they could accept her into their world too.
Three hours later, Joe, the two Indians and Matt Hudson caught up to them. Joe saw her and he grinned.
"Joe…" she cried running to him. Joe took her in his arms, kissed her on the forehead and glared at Hudson after looking at her jaw and cheek.
He took her in his arms again, holding her possessively, and touched her cheek. "Did he do this?"
"Yes," she cried. "But I'm alright." She assured him.
The two Indians that were with him began making something on the ground. They had wood pieces that they drove into the dry hot earth. Millie watched curiously.
Then they stretched Matt Hudson out on the ground, the sun was just coming up. They tied his hands with rawhide. Hudson looked scared, as he sweat as though it was a full sun on him. His face was pale and he thrashed about trying to loosen the rawhide.
"What are you going to do to me?" Hudson yelled.
"We're going to make you talk, and make you reconsider all your plans and then we'll see. We feel you must have a change of heart."
"What do you want to know?"
"Did you foreclose on her family?" Joe asked him as the Indians tied his hands out above his head.
"Yes, a month ago." He admitted.
Millie gasped…"Oh no! Even after I sent the letter?"
"Your letter hadn't reached me. The note was four months passed due. The board voted to foreclose. Nothing goes beyond the four months without foreclosing, I couldn't have stopped it if I wanted to." He said in his own defense. "There was nothing I could do. They foreclose on anyone that is over three months passed due."
"Where is my father and brothers now?"
"I don't know. How could I. We evicted him. I have no idea where he went. I wasn't there, I was here. And as I recall you said you were waiting until you graduated to come out here."
"I wrote another letter…"
"I got it a couple of weeks ago."
Now they stretched his legs apart and tied them. The sun glared in his eyes. "I can't believe this; you are letting them torture me?" He stared at her with wide innocent eyes. It really scared him as they had stripped his shirt off and he lie naked chested on the ground.
"How long must I stay like this!" He screamed. "I'll burn to a crisp in this heat."
"There is no reason to scream right now. The sun is barely up, and the ants aren't out yet."
"Please…whatever you want…"
"How many times did you hit her?" Joe grit his teeth.
Hudson shook his head.
"How many?"
"Twice!"
"Why did you hit her?" Joe's patience grew thin.
"She slept with you…you’re the scout, aren't you? She's a tramp. She should have known that wedding wouldn't hold up in court. She slept with you because she lusted after you! She's used goods. I would have shamed her before everyone."
"She what?" Joe frowned.
Both Hudson and Joe looked at her but Joe smiled. "You lied!" He said softly with a chuckle.
She nodded.
Hudson's face turned red as a beet. "You lied?"
She snickered. "I lied…"
"Why?" He looked confused as he stared up at her.
"I'd do anything to keep you from touching me." She said and turned away so she couldn't see his pathetic face. "I didn't figure you'd want me if you thought we'd…"
