She didn’t even think to question him on it further. Shehad already learned that when Swift Hawk said something was so, it generally was so.
But he was continuing to speak. “You must stay here. I will find a good hiding spot for you. Then, after I determine what the difficulty is, I will return to you.”
“But—”
“Do you forget that there are bounty hunters who are looking for you and your brother?”
“No, but if bounty hunters are the problem, then they might have Julian and?—”
“We waste time, when I fear I am needed. You will stay here. Do not argue with me further.”
“Swift Hawk, please, I?—”
But he wasn’t listening. His mind was already miles away.
She sighed, and pretending acquiescence, she let Swift Hawk lead her to a tree, where he proceeded to dig a shelter for her. It was a quickly done affair, a place carved out between a tree and a rock. So cleverly was it done, that when he had finished, it practically melded into the countryside.
He gazed at her sternly. “I will return here for you as soon as I know what this danger is, and if it will influence you.”
“I see. And when will that be?”
“I do not know,” he replied, “but I think maybe tonight.”
“Tonight? But it’s only a little past noon now.”
He straightened away and sighed. “Perhaps you can sew yourself a pair of moccasins while I am gone, for you will need them.” He grabbed hold of his parfleche bag, which had been strung on his pony. Turning back to her, he squatted and left the bag on the ground, there within the shelter.
She was not happy about this, and glancing up at him, she pouted. “You know I want to go with you.”
“Yes, and we have already had this conversation.” His look at her was uncompromising.
“Oh! Sometimes you are so stubborn.”
He nodded. That’s all he did. He didn’t appear angry, nor did he repeat himself. Indeed, all he said was, “I will return soon. Wait here.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
She sighed deeply, and having settled herself within the shelter, she watched as he turned to the pony. Once there, he took hold of his trade-blanket and buffalo robe, her shotgun and his, untied the buckskin reins from the animal, and slapping the pony on the rear, he let the animal go.
At first Angelia could barely speak, and then, “Why did you do that?”
He didn’t even spare her a glance as he set her rifle and the blankets next to her. “If the pony is seen, it will cause others to search for your shelter. And if there is a war party near, it will lead them to you. For myself, a scout goes afoot, since, as you might have noticed, it is hard for a man to conceal himself when he is riding horseback.”
Again, she frowned at him. “Very well. But you must know that I am not happy about this.”
“I do, indeed.” With no further words to be spoken, without even a single kiss or a goodbye, he turned and left.
She watched him until he was out of sight. Taking up the leather that he had left her, she proceeded to fashion herself a pair of moccasins.
Perhaps she might have done as Swift Hawk had instructed too, were it not for the gunshot and the scream that was carried to her upon the wind. It had been a man’s voice, that scream.
Throwing down the leather, she stood up. That was that. For good or for bad, there was no stopping her.
Someone had fired a shot.He had best hurry.
With the sun directly overhead and the heat of the day upon them, Swift Hawk slipped into camp unseen. However,had he ridden in attack upon these wagons with war cries and banners waving, he doubted anyone would have noticed him. The hum of talk was everywhere.
