Certainly, he was the only person in this strange land who had befriended her, even though she hadn't sought his friendship.
Czanna breathed in deeply, fearing sleep would not be found this night. Indeed, now that her stomach was full and her mind was free to think of other problems besides hunger, she revisited the many loving memories of the people she admired most—her father, her mother, her brother and Mr. Henrik, too.
As she began to cry anew, she realized her life was going to change drastically from what she had known so far in this lifetime. Would it be a good change, or would it not? Would she be able to find happiness here? Or would the untamed and dangerous quality of this land eventually wear her down?
Gazing forward, Czanna stared at her brother George, who was still sitting next to Stands Strong. Their obvious camaraderie looked appealing.
Yet, she wouldn't go there. Not only did her younger brother often become cross when she joined into his conversations with others, but he also appeared to be listening intently to whatever Mr. Stands Strong was telling him.
Watching their shadows in the dim light of the stars, she became aware of one simple fact: somehow Stands Strong had won George's cooperation. Perhaps it was because they were all well fed for the first time in days; the fire-roasted buffalo ribs had been so delicious and satisfying, that maybe George had been given no choice but to drop his guard. Although, perhaps George had changed his mind because young men—and George was a young man—found it easier to relate to another male rather than to a female…namely her.
Whatever the cause of the two men conversing, Czanna was happy to not be included in their talk. Or was she?
After all, in addition to the devastating knowledge of the demise of her family, as well as her fear of losing Henrik's support, were her present worries. How was her family to remain alive and safe in this land? And, how was she to ever find her cousin in a land so vast and uncharted?
It was daunting to think of the responsibilities fate had thrown her, nor would her duties change whether or not Henrik remained alive and returned to them. One of these duties was urgent and was now hers and hers alone: she had to find and hire another scout—one who would not betray them and one who would help them to find their cousin who lived in the Glacier Mountains.
But, where was she to find such a scout?
With all this talk of gold—especially in light of Mr. Henrik's recent experience—how was she to know who to trust and who not to? Moreover, because of her own inexperience, would she be thrust into a similar position as Mr. Henrik?
Indeed, her mistake today was only an example of what could be forced upon them unless she quickly learned about this land and its dangers, as well as its rewards—if there were any. She had her own example, certainly, to draw upon to convince herself of her inability to remain alive in this environment. Without Mr. Stands Strong's insistence on putting out the fire after supper, she, George, Liliann and the baby might even now be facing a war party instead of a restful sleep.
But, how could I have possibly known about war parties and what might attract them?
Glancing again at Stands Strong and George, Czanna frowned. Stands Strong possessed skills and familiarity with this environment—skills and familiarity she didn't have—and he had been willing to come to their aid today. Might he possibly extend his goodwill further and help her locate her cousin? If she asked him nicely and offered him enough silver or gold, would he agree to further help them?
True, he had mentioned he was duty bound to complete a mission for his chiefs, but couldn't she be convincing enough to cause him to put his chiefs' requests aside for a little while?
Czanna frowned again. Of all the men she had met so far in this American wilderness, if she were to trust any of them, it would be Stands Strong.
Why? Was it because he had helped her and her family today? Or was it because he had promised to stay with them and lead them all the way to the fort?
Or was it more than any of this? After all, hadn't he told her that he now considered her to be one of his "women"?
Upon this thought came another recently discovered fact about these native peoples: Indian men were allowed to marry more than one woman. Exactly how many "women" did this man have in his life? Was he even now married to several winsome beauties?
Gazing upon him now, Czanna studied him as well as she was able, given the darkness of night. American Indian or not, there was no denying he was a handsome man and one who seemed to be strong enough and manly enough to protect and care for others. Wouldn't these qualities alone attract several young women?
Glancing away from him, a stray thought crossed her mind, and she knew it was most likely true: he was not a man to stray from his woman's side. Therefore, if he were married, her chances of hiring him would be nearly impossible regardless of her offers of gold and silver. Instead, he would complete his mission for his chiefs—whatever it was—and would hurry home. But, as the Lord God was her witness, she would ask for his support anyway. She would at least try.
Arising from the warmth of the blankets and buffalo robe that made up her bed, she paced toward George and Stands Strong, and, bending down near to but outside the invisible circle they made, she sat down on her calf muscles and spread the skirt of her dress out around her.
"When we leave in the morning," Stands Strong was saying to George, "I will show you how to leave a campsite so hidden to the eye it would be almost impossible for a war party to discover the traces of the camp. This is one way to elude an enemy whose numbers are greater than yours."
"You promise you will teach me?" asked George, his young voice breaking over his words.
Stands Strong pointed to himself and said, "This one will show you how it is done."
George smiled. "May I help you to stand watch now?"
"Áa,yes, you may," answered Stands Strong. "Your desire to do this is honorable and right, and I would not think to tell you no. "But, consider this for a moment," continued Stands Strong. "There is much to learn and many lives depend upon a man staying alert on the trail, as you have reminded me. I will not relax my guard despite my lack of sleep, and it is because when there are many lives to be defended, a man must then be the man he is supposed to be. Now, though I agree you are man enough, consider this: I am accustomed to the rigors of this land. Are you?"
"I…I… No, I am not, but I would still like to help."
"And, so it will be. But, I still think you should seek your sleeping robes soon, if you agree. Do you?"
"I…I…" Suddenly, George became aware of Czanna at his side and made a face at her, clearly showing his annoyance. Then, in a whining voice, he asked, "Ah, Czanna, why are you here? What do you want?"
