“What do you mean that you have only recently mastered the English language?”
He nodded. “I knew the language from my youth, but it is only recently that I have spoken it so often.”
“I see. Still, you must be a fast learner.”
He shrugged. “So would you be, if the need was great.”
“So there was a need to learn English?” she asked.
Even though she gazed at him quizzically, after several moments of silence, it became apparent that he would not answer. Resignedly, she said, “Yes, well, perhaps we will not tackle English then, but maybe we could begin with…with…”
He held up a hand. “If you would like, I could tell you of the deer hunt. Would you like to hear of it?”
“The hunt? You were hunting deer?”
“It is one of the duties of the scout.”
“Is it?”
“Haa’he.”
“Iwould like to hear of it,” said Julian, who had come awake suddenly and sat up rubbing his eyes. “Angel, would youmake us a fresh pot of coffee?”
“Get it your—” She paused, smiling. “Of course I will.”
She rose meekly and stepped lightly toward the back of the wagon, where she took out fresh coffee beans. Returning to her previous place next to the fire, she began the tedious process of roasting the beans over the fire, listening to the conversation flowing between her brother and Swift Hawk.
“How close do you come to the deer, then, when you make the kill?” It was Julian asking the question.
“If one is to get an arrow quickly to the heart of the animal in order to bring about a fast kill,” said Swift Hawk, “one must come in very close to the prey.” With his hands, Swift Hawk measured the distance.
“That close? How do you do that?”
“There are many ways to sneak up on your prey so that it does not detect you. One must cleanse oneself and disguise oneself; one must hunt with bow and arrow only, so that others are not alerted to one’s presence.”
“How many deer did you get this trip, then?”
“Only enough to carry back the meat and hides without burdening our ponies too greatly. I believe we killed five.”
“Wow. Five. May I go with you next time?”
“Haa’he.I fear that you must. It is expected that the scout will keep the wagon train supplied with fresh meat.”
“Yes, yes, of course that’s right. I knew that.”
With a smile, Swift Hawk glanced directly at Julian, but said nothing, until Julian, as though he could not stand Swift Hawk’s intense gaze, looked away.
At some length, Swift Hawk observed, “If we are to hunt tomorrow, you should get a good night’s sleep. We should be on our way by first light. I will meet you at the corner of the woods.”
“Yes,” said Julian. “Yes, that will be fine.”
Swift Hawk nodded and moved, starting to rise. However,he hesitated when Angelia spoke. “You’re not leaving, are you? I…I am making more coffee—perhaps you would like some, or if you desire, we could do a lesson yet tonight.”
Swift Hawk came fully to his feet. When he glanced down at her, there was a softness in his gaze. “Tomorrow I will have this coffee with you. For tonight, I will leave my pony here, that you may unload this meat. Tomorrow you may begin your lessons with me, if that is suitable for you.”
Angelia nodded. “All right. Tomorrow will be fine. And, Mr. Hawk?”
He had presented his back to her in preparation of leaving, but at her question, he stopped and looked back at her.
