“Yes.”
Rising up slightly, he glanced down at himself, and placing a hand over his side, his fingers came away with blood. “I think I was knocked unconscious when I fell.”
Angelia was crying. She didn’t want to cry. She wanted to be strong. But she couldn’t help it. “You’re alive. You’re alive,” she sobbed over and over.
With his arms wrapped securely around her, she wept.
The sun was leavingthe sky in glorious colors of red, gold and rust, the heavens magnifying the hues until the prairie and everything that covered the earth was bathed in color. His arm in a sling, Swift Hawk sat surrounded by friends and family. Already, he had recounted his story so many times that he was becoming tired of it.
Though it was not the custom of his people that a woman was allowed to sit next to her husband in council, Swift Hawkhad done away with the general rule, and no one seemed to object. After all, if not for Angelia, he would not have broken the spell.
But how was it that the spell had been broken? What had he done? In a way, he had shown the enemy mercy, for he had not killed Black Hat. But it had been in his heart to do so.
These and other questions filled his mind, and in truth, Swift Hawk was patiently awaiting the time when he and Angelia would be left alone with the medicine man, White Claw. Perhaps White Claw might be able to explain it.
Red Fox had joined Swift Hawk in celebration and had taken a place next to him. From every corner of the camp was much talk, laughter and happiness.
Soon a dance was announced, and many of Swift Hawk’s people rose to leave the council. One of these was Red Fox, who appeared to have his eye fixed on a particular Indian maiden.
Though Swift Hawk was happy to be reunited with his relatives, he had to admit he was not unhappy to see them leave the council. It meant that soon he would be alone with White Claw.
Almost at once, having materialized on the prairie, his people had pitched a camp within the grove of cottonwoods, somewhat near the white man’s camp, yet apart from it. If anyone in the caravan wondered where all the Indians had come from, no one said a word. Perhaps the white man was simply happy to discover that the Indians were friendly.
Gay fires scented the evening air, and on the wind was the sound of drums, much singing and joy. One by one, more and more people departed the council until at last, only Swift Hawk, his wife, her brother and White Claw remained.
Julian was the first one to speak. “Thank you, Swift Hawk, for saving my life.” He, too, wore a sling around his arm. “I am in your debt. And I wonder how I can repay you for what you have done for me.”
Swift Hawk raised an eyebrow and slanted a glance towardJulian. “Perhaps you might begin by giving your blessing to your sister and me. And then maybe you might practice scouting, so that you can elude this bounty hunter in the future.”
Angelia opened her mouth as though she might say a word or two, but Julian spoke up first. “That would be good. I am happy for you and my sister, and you have my blessing. And what you say about the bounty hunter is true. Had I been a better scout, this man might not have found me.”
“You are a fine scout,” Swift Hawk was quick to respond. “What you lack is practice…and perhaps patience. But these things can be learned.”
“Yes. And I must learn them, for he will be back.”
“But, Julian.” It was Angelia speaking up at last. “Didn’t you hear? Don’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“Honestly. I thought you knew. I saw you and Red Fox talking, and so I thought… Well, no difference. Earlier, when I went to the wagon train in search of a doctor, I found out…” She smiled at her brother. “Do you remember that the caravan was waiting for a government train to pull in and join them?”
“Yes.”
“Well, an outrider from that train arrived here only hours ago. The outrider carried a letter.”
“Oh?” Julian raised an eyebrow, a gesture quite like that of Swift Hawk’s.
Angelia ignored the look and continued, “It was from our father, who has, indeed, been busy.”
“You mean…?”
“We are absolved, Julian. We don’t have to hide anymore. The man whom I shot never died, and there were many witnesses who saw it, who were only too happy to testify that the shooting was done in self-defense.”
“But what about the girl in Mississippi?”
“It was a lie, Julian. It was all a lie.”
“Then…then I’m free to?—”
