“Oh?” He gazed at her like he expected a confession, but all he said was, “What is it, Angel?”
She cleared her throat, glanced quickly at Swift Hawk, then back to Julian. “Well, I’ve come to learn that there’s a Vigilance Committee with this caravan.”
Julian became suddenly quiet. His face darkened, and he didn’t speak for a good full minute. After a while, he removed his hat and wiped his forehead with his arm. “Who told you that?”
“Mr. Russell, the wagon master. He came to lecture me about being so ‘friendly’ with the Indians, and warned me that the others do not like my teaching Swift Hawk as I’ve been doing. He mentioned the Vigilance Committee at the same time.”
Julian shook his head. “Aw, what does he know about lawmen? And about Indians, for that matter? You’ve only been teaching Swift Hawk reading and writing and arithmetic. Isn’t it like Papa said, ‘There isn’t any place in the house of the Lord for prejudice’?”
Angelia’s heart warmed to her brother, and she beamed at him. Without saying it in words, Julian was letting her know that he would stand by her, no matter what.
She added, “Mr. Russell is part of the Vigilance Committee.”
Again Julian shook his head. “Is he? Well, I’m not afraid of him, or them.”
“I’m not either, Jules. But it does mean that we need to be very careful to whom we speak, and we must make an effort to stay abreast of any news coming into camp, if you know what Imean.”
Julian nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
“I will too. Oh, and by the way,” Angelia said as nonchalantly as possible, “just so that I know, if you’re going to be gone, does that mean that Swift Hawk and Red Fox will be gone, as well?”
“Yep,” said Julian, though Angelia could have sworn he winked at her. “We’ll be together.”
“I see.” Angelia cast a swift glance toward Swift Hawk and spoke to him directly. “What about the lessons we’ve been doing in the evenings? Will you be here for them?”
“Ah, Angel, those’ll have to wait.” It was Julian answering the question. “We’ve more important things to do, especially now that I know there’s a Vigilance Committee here.”
“Yes, that’s true.” She reached out to capture his hand, but he pulled back as though this show of affection might label him a sissy, and she ended up coming away with nothing but air. Settling back on the seat, she said, “You and your friends, you be careful now, hear?”
“Yep, we will, Angel. Thanks for telling me about the committee. I’ll keep watch.” Tipping his hat, Julian reined his horse away from the wagon and galloped off, Red Fox immediately following.
Swift Hawk lingered behind, his dark eyes staring at Angelia. Neither a smile nor a frown touched his lips, and he said nothing. However, with his eyes, he did adore her.
Then he nodded, and turning his pony, he sped away.
Contrary to whatJulian had predicted, Swift Hawk came back to camp that very night. He had done it to please her, she knew he had. There he was, under a starlit sky, sitting across the fire from her—along with, of course, Mr. Hudson, his mother and his two children.
Swift Hawk’s eyes never seemed to leave her. To at least keep up appearances and to protect him, and her, Angelia had purposely dragged out her mathematics textbook. Setting it to the side of her now, she awaited the completion of their evening meal.
It was soon done, and Mr. Hudson arose, excusing himself, and left, taking his mother with him, since the elderly woman needed to retire early. However, Mr. Hudson had promised to return. Or, to Angelia’s mind, he had threatened to do so.
Mr. Hudson’s children had remained with Angelia, and they were, at present, sitting quietly by Swift Hawk’s side. Now and again one or the other of them would send Swift Hawk a quick glance, as though they were fascinated with him but were afraid of him at the same time.
At the moment, Swift Hawk was showing the children how to carve a figure from no more than a piece of wood and a crude knife. Angelia watched too. After a very short time, she picked up the mathematics book and opened it to the right page. “Swift Hawk, it is time for our mathematics lesson.”
Swift Hawk nodded and, looking up, placed his knife and the piece of wood by his side.
“Now,” said Angelia, “I want you children to remain here for this, as well. It will serve you well to learn arithmetic.”
Josh, the sandy-haired boy, became instantly mutinous. He complained, “Aw, I don’t need to learn arithmetic.”
“Yes, you do,” replied Angelia. “Now, come close.”
“Naw, I don’t need to learn it, and I won’t, and if you make me, I’ll tell my pa,” threatened Josh.
Angelia smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but was saved the trouble since Swift Hawk spoke up for her. In a low voice directed toward Josh, he said, “A young man should never speak crossly, nor talk back to his elder. To do so brings dishonor to one’s parents and to one’s relatives.”
“Ah, Pa don’t care what I say or do.”
