“I hope so. She seems a nice lady. I like her husband, Paco.”
“He is very close to Captain Jones. David said they are like brothers.”
“Yes. I see that,” Becky replied automatically, her thoughts all confused by Paco’s remark. She’d thought she was hiding her feelings really well but obviously not.
“Becky, what is it? Something happen outside?”
“Paco asked if I was in love with Scott.”
Johanna smiled. “Well, it’s obvious so I guess not only we can see it. Do you mind?”
“Scott ignored me. He wouldn’t even look at me. He doesn’t feel the same, yet I can’t understand why. When we are alone, it’s as if I was the only girl in the whole world. But now…” Becky could have stamped her foot in frustration. “Why does life have to be so complicated? If I was a man, I could just ask him to marry me.”
“If you lived in our world you could ask him to share your blanket.”
Startled both girls gasped. They hadn’t felt or seen Paco come in.
“You speak good English. Why do you pretend not to?” Becky demanded.
“It is good soldiers and white men not know I understand.” Paco said shrugging his shoulders and grinning. “They speak freely.”
“What were you saying about Captain Jones?” Johanna asked. Becky guessed her sister was giving her time to calm her temper.
“My brother has what you call demons. He has seen much sorrow and his heart is in pain. I think you are the woman to fix it but you must have patience.”
Becky stared at him wondering what Scott had been through. His wife had died but how? They must have been madly in love and Scott was devastated by her death. That would certainly explain a few things.
“That will be the day. Becky wasn’t born with a patient bone in her body,” Johanna remarked not unkindly. She was simply stating the truth.
“I think we can all find patience if what we want is worth it,” Paco said looked directly at Becky.
“Can you keep him safe, Paco? I know there is something he is planning and he won’t tell me the details. Can you watch out for him?” Becky pleaded.
“I will try. I will also ask our sprits to watch for him. He is good man. He is good match for you and you for him. You are strong woman. I can see this in your eyes. And in your clothes,” he added, his grin showing he understood Becky had taken a stand in the white man’s world by dressing as she did.
Chapter 19
Later, Johanna asked Becky to make some mint tea. She needed water.
“Can you please get some water for me?” Becky asked a young boy whom she took to be Winona’s son. “I need to make some tea for Winona.”
Paco translated for her. The young boy picked up two baskets and headed toward the exit of the wickiup.
“Wait please, I said water.” She looked to Paco who nodded, his expression confused.
“He is going to get you water.”
“In a basket?” Becky asked disbelievingly.
Paco looked from her to the basket and back with a frown on his face. “What else would he carry water in?”
Becky was out of her depth. She looked around for Scott. By the time they brought the basket back, the water would have leaked out.
She waved Scott over to them. His concerned expression made her feel uncomfortable but then she had no choice she needed water.
“I need some water but I don’t think Paco understands. He is sending his son out with a basket not a bucket.”
Scott laughed causing Becky’s temper to rise. “What is so funny?”
“Shoshone use baskets to carry water. It won’t leak.”
Becky stared at him not bothering to hide her disbelief. He spoke rapidly to Paco in their own language and soon he and his son were laughing too. The boy hid his smile at the look of displeasure on Becky’s face.
“We should not laugh. It is small mistake. We use baskets to carry everything from the big things to small pine nuts. Our women make good ones. Nothing drops.”
He must have seen he hadn’t convinced her. “When you are finished, I will show you.”
“Thank you,” Becky answered before turning back to find out what else she could do to help Johanna.
Chapter 20
Sometime later after Winona had been sleeping for a while, Becky took a walk outside. Paco spotted her leaving the wickiup and motioned her to follow him. He led her over to where some of the women were working. He introduced her. The women smiled shyly but none of them spoke English. She watched them work for a while marveling at their skill in turning rushes into weaved baskets.
When Paco returned for her, one of the Indian women handed her a finished one.
“It is for you. A gift.”
Becky smiled and bowed to the Indian lady causing much bowing in return and laughter.
“Your people are very nice.”
“What did you expect? That they would eat you for dinner?”
Becky didn’t look him in the face. She was too ashamed for judging all Indians based on stupid stories she had read back in Virgil.
Sometime later, there was a commotion outside in the camp. Johanna was sleeping so Becky went outside to see what was going on. One of the Indians Paco had left with the horses was dragging someone behind him. She strained to see who it was. Almanzo—what was he doing here? She pushed through the Indians blocking her way. “Let me through. Get out of the way.”
Despite most of the braves being bigger than her, they let her pass. She ran toward Almanzo.
“Almanzo. Are you okay? What have you done to him?” She rounded on the Indian holding on to the end of the rope that was bound around the boy’s hands. “Let him go you heathen. What sort of man ties up a ten-year-old boy and drags him around?”
“Becky, stop.”
“I will not stop. Scott, make them release Almanzo. Can’t you see he needs help?”
“He needs a drink and a rest. Otherwise, he is fine, aren’t you boy?” Scott addressed the child.
Almanzo nodded, the fear in his eyes leaving him unable to speak.
“What are you doing here?” Becky asked him.
“Let the boy drink and rest before you interrogate him,” Scott commanded before he spoke to the Indian who cut Almanzo free but not before making it obvious he wanted to keep him prisoner.
Becky gave the boy some water to drink. While he was doing that, she washed his hands and then his face. He was burnt. Her anger rising, she turned on the Indian and gave him a piece of her mind. Despite not understanding English, the braves knew she was very angry from her tone and body language.
“You just made half my men fall in love with you. He Who Runs will have competition,” Paco said coming toward her.
She turned on him and was about to chew him out, too, when he waved a piece of cloth at her.
“I couldn’t find white. Stop shouting.” Seeing her facial expression, Paco pleaded. “Please. See why boy come? Is there problem at your camp?”
Becky was mortified. She hadn’t stopped to think that’s why Almanzo had come to find them. Ma, Pa, Stephen, Eva and the others. Were they okay?
“Why you come here?” Paco asked Almanzo.
“To find Jo. I protect her.”
Becky saw Paco hide his smile. She looked back at Almanzo. He looked so much younger than ten.
“Oh, sweetheart, Johanna is fine. You nearly got yourself killed.”
“He jumped me.” Almanzo pointed at the Indian holding the rope used to tie him up. “Otherwise, I could have fought him.”
“And the rest? You were brave but foolish,” Paco gestured to one of the younger braves surrounding them. “Walking Tall will bring you to river to wash. Then he will show you some tricks to keep you safe.”
At the word safe, Almanzo went white. Becky hastened to reassure him.
“Paco means in future. We are safe here.”
The relief in Almanzo’s eyes almost brought Becky to tears. She gave the boy a quick hug.
“Johanna and I are in that wickiup. You are not allowed inside but get Paco to tell us if you need us. Go on with Paco’s son. You will be fine.”
Almanzo nodded rubbing at the chaffing on his arms. The ropes had been tied a little too tightly. Becky glared at the Indian holding the rope wishing she could tie him up and drag him along to show him what it felt like.
“Thoughts like that will not help friendship with my people,” Paco whispered beside her. She stared at him in shock.
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“You wear heart in your eyes. You are easy to read,” Paco said smiling at her. Then he was gone.
Chapter 21
They stayed two nights, the girls taking turns to bathe Winona. Rick Hughes had promised to keep the rest of the travelers on track so they wouldn’t lose too many miles. He was worried about the weather turning harsh. Hughes was steady and sensible. The group would be safe in his hands. Scott left David and Almanzo sitting at the fire outside the wickiup where Johanna and Becky were. He needed to speak to the Chief and he knew the Indians wouldn’t speak freely in front of his friends regardless of the fact that the white men didn’t understand their language.
Scott sat cross-legged at the fire with the Chief and his advisors ignoring the glares the medicine man sent in his direction. It was clear things were becoming more difficult. The young braves and those with a lust for fighting were becoming difficult to restrain. They were fed up with white people walking freely over their lands. They didn’t seem to care they were moving on to live in another part of the country. Their wagons were scaring off the animals and destroying the grass and plants. Scott couldn’t help but sympathize with his Indian brothers. If his wife and children were starving, he may feel the same. But it wasn’t the time to show sympathy or weakness. He had to get everyone safe to Oregon and he needed the tribe to help him do that.
Paco had told the tribe Mitchell was around and they were angry. Scott listened to their rants for a while before he gave the same warning to the Chief as he had given to Paco. It was important they let Scott deal with Mitchell. A white man killing another white man would not cause the same repercussions as if it had been an Indian. The Chief was annoyed.
“I can hold my people back from killing innocent white people but that man was responsible for killing the mothers, brothers and sisters of my braves. I cannot ask them not to take revenge.”
“You must.” Silence greeted Scott’s remark. “You know I speak out of love for your people, not out of concern for myself. The army will not care that Mitchell killed so many of your people. They will see it as justification for another attack.”
Silence again. Then the Chief finally spoke.
“I will speak to my braves but I will not order them to keep away from the black hearted devil. Instead, I will tell them the reason why you want to be the one to kill him. But if he should meet a natural or white man death we cannot be blamed.”
He smiled, understanding the Chief’s reasoning. His braves could use Mitchell’s tricks against him. If they hanged him it would seem like the white man administered justice. Hanging was not a method of killing favored by the Indians. If the Indians pretended it was white men who killed Mitchell, there would be no repercussions. It was a good compromise.
Chapter 22
Early the next morning, Scott sent Almanzo off to spend time with Walking Tall, Paco’s son. He wanted to speak to David in private. They sat outside the wickiup where Johanna and Becky were staying.
After he had finished explaining what had been discussed with the Chief, he waited for David’s reaction. It took a while. David was obviously uncomfortable.
“I understand the need for revenge. I could have killed my own father more times than I care to admit but I still think you are wrong. If you kill this man you will make yourself no better than he is. Either capture him and let the authorities deal with him, or forget about him.” Although David spoke quietly, there was no denying his belief in what he said.
He didn’t reply. He couldn’t make David understand that after years of living with Indians, he was more accustomed to their ways than the white man’s.
“Are your horses here?”
He smiled. He had forgotten about them. “Yes, let me take you to see them. Paco’s son has been minding them for me. He will take us. Later when his chores are finished.”
He whistled to a young teenager who ran over to them. The boy couldn’t wait to show him, talking excitedly about the foals who were growing up as majestic as their father. Almanzo followed in his wake.
“I think someone has a real case of hero worship.” David indicated Almanzo to Scott.
“Walking Tall is a good role model. He can teach him a lot.”
By mid-morning, Winona’s temperature had broken. Becky came out to tell Paco. She also told him not to get his hopes by warning him Winona may get ill again. Paco picked up Becky and twirled her around making her laugh loudly. Scott’s gut twisted at her natural reaction, seeing his brother-in-law with the girl he loved made him question his intentions. What if David was right? Was he wrong not to forget Mitchell and enjoy a future with this beautiful woman?
Then Paco’s younger son, walked up to say thank you to Becky for saving his mother. Scott’s throat tightened as he looked at the boy who had been born the same summer as his son. Mitchell had stolen that future away from him. He had to pay.
Becky enjoyed her time at the camp. She had always been curious but if she had been pushed to be honest, also a little afraid of Indians. But two nights among them and she saw they were just like the people in the wagon train. There were nice Indians, grumpy ones and ones that were scary. Winona and her husband were very much in love and their children were so well behaved. She had caught the look of pain on Scott’s face when he saw Paco’s young son. Had he been in love with Winona but she chose Paco over him? He’d said he would explain but he seemed in no hurry.
Paco came over to speak to her. “You remind me of an old Shoshone warrior.”
“I remind you of a boy. Thank you so much.” Her sarcasm seemed to amuse him.
“This woman's name was Sacagawea. When she was ten summers she was kidnapped by another tribe who sold her into slavery. Her white owner married her and they had children together.”
“So why do I remind you of her?” Becky asked mystified.
“She helped the first white men over the Rockies. She wasn’t afraid of anything. Legend has it, she kept the men fed, and also, provided them with horses by introducing them to her brother who had become a Shoshone chief in her absence. It is a big compliment. She is seen as a very brave woman.”
“So Indians let women lead expeditions. And they say your people are the savages.”
Scott laughed. “She didn’t lead the expedition, although, I concede, she was allowed to go. Indians treat their women as being important. They have a lot of rights and freedom, but women are not warriors nor do they become chiefs.”
Becky stuck her tongue out at Scott for teasing her, making Paco laugh.
Chapter 23
Sometime later, Paco came for Becky again. Telling her to bring Johanna with her, he directed them over to a group of women who were all chattering excitedly.
“Take a seat,” he said to Becky.
“Why?” Becky asked, her voice higher than normal due to her nervousness.
“They want to thank you for looking after Winona. It is a great honor to have the leather sewn while on your feet. Usually, only chiefs or brave warriors get this honor.”
“Please thank them but there is no need,” she fidgeted.
“My sister can’t sit still for long, Paco,” Johanna said earning a glare from Becky.
“Yes, she is like bear who sits on bees’ home. Always moving,” Paco said mimicking Becky.
Johanna and Paco laughed as Becky made a face. Despite what she said, she was enjoying the feel of the tanned leather against her feet. The fact that they were made especially for he
r, would make them more comfortable than her current shoes. Sitting still while they sewed the leather pieces together with sinew wasn’t too high a price to pay for comfort.
The moccasins were so comfortable she insisted Johanna get a pair too.
“Your dress will cover them up but they are really comfortable. Try it.”
Johanna took a seat while the ladies fussed over her.
Walking Tall came over with Almanzo trailing him.
“You enjoying yourself?” Becky asked the youngster.
“It’s amazing. Tall here has been teaching me lots of things.”
“Tall?”
“His real name is too long so I shortened it. He calls me Al.”
Becky smiled at the Indian boy who returned her smile shyly.
“Is everyone treating you all right?” she asked in a lower voice even though Paco’s son didn’t speak much English.
“More or less. The medicine man isn’t too happy,” Almanzo added. “Some of his friends keep glaring at me, but I just ignore them.”
“I think that might be Johanna’s fault. The medicine man couldn’t cure Winona and now Johanna has, he looks bad. Silly really as we could learn a lot from each other, but some people can be funny.”
“Like my pa,” Almanzo whispered. “How could he hate all these people? They are just the same as us. Well, if they had white skins, I mean.” Almanzo blushed.
She reached over and ruffled his hair.“You are turning out to be a lovely boy. Johanna and Rick will be so proud of you.”
Almanzo beamed. “Can I go now? It’s not time to go home yet, is it?”
“No, not yet but soon.”
Becky watched the boy as he ran off with his Indian friend. If Mr. Price could see him now, he would probably drop dead from apoplexy. She smiled.
“You seem happy. Why?” Johanna asked.
“Just thinking it’s funny how life turns out. You couldn’t imagine meeting anyone who hates Indians much more than Mr. Price, yet his son has a new best friend. If he was here, he would have a fit.”
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