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Strong Wolf felt the strong urge to retch as the stench of burned flesh wafted up into his nose. He shook from head to toe in hard shudders, then composed himself enough to reach down and place his hands on the burned flesh of Claude’s arms and dragged him outside, away from the fire.
Proud Heart and White Beaver went to Strong Wolf. They gasped, paled, then turned their eyes from the sight.
“Who could have done this?” Strong Wolf said, his teeth clenched, his face still hot from the flames.
“Someone who does not want us to have such a friend in the Kansas Territory,” Proud Heart said, his voice hollow.
“And he was such a friend,” Strong Wolf said, bending to kneel beside Claude. He took the blanket from around his shoulders and lay it over Claude, then turned toward the sound of approaching horsemen.
“Someone else has seen the flames in the sky tonight,” White Beaver said, his voice wary. “We should have been home safe by now, then questions would not be asked so quickly of us.”
“Let them be asked,” Strong Wolf said, moving to his feet. He wiped some of the soot away from his eyes, then stood with his arms folded across his chest when Colonel Deshong and several of his men came to a halt on their horses a few feet away.
Strong Wolf didn’t take his eyes off the colonel as Patrick came toward him, dressed in full uniform. Patrick rested a hand on a saber at his right side, his eyes on the fire, then on Strong Wolf.
Strong Wolf watched as the soldiers surrounded the Potawatomis warriors, who were still on their horses clustered together.
“This time I don’t have any choice but to arrest you, Strong Wolf,” Patrick said, going to bend to
a knee to take a look at Claude. He choked back the urge to retch, then moved to his feet and stood before Strong Wolf. “Two fires were set tonight, and after you were attacked today while on the hunt? It looks too suspicious to ignore, Strong Wolf.”
Patrick nodded toward one of his men. “Tie his hands behind him,” he ordered. “Let the others go. We can’t arrest the entire Potawatomis nation. Strong Wolf is enough. He speaks and acts for all of his people.”
Strong Wolf winced as tight-binding rawhide ropes were used to tie his wrists together behind him. He said nothing, for he would not humiliate himself tonight before his warriors, or the soldiers who were hell-bent on arresting him for something.
It was hard for Strong Wolf to understand why the colonel would think that he would kill Claude. Patrick knew that he and Claude had been the best of friends, whose hearts were linked together in camaraderie!
But Strong Wolf had to think that the arrest was made to keep face for the colonel. Someone had to be incarcerated for the crimes tonight. It might as well be an Indian!
“Strong Wolf, you will face a judge tomorrow.” Patrick stared at Strong Wolf. “Now go peacefully to the guardhouse. Your fate is no longer in my hands.”
His chin lifted, Strong Wolf went to his horse. With his hands tied behind him, he could not get into his saddle. Proud Heart came to him and helped him.
“What are we to do?” he whispered to Strong Wolf.
“Think, then act,” Strong Wolf whispered back. “But do not chance losing any of our men, or people. There are peaceful ways to settle this. Think about it. You will know the right answers.”
Proud Heart nodded, then stepped aside as the colonel came and stared up at Strong Wolf, then at Proud Heart.
“Proud Heart, take your men back to your village and heed my warning well when I say do not come to the fort with the notion of attacking,” Patrick said, his voice filled with warning. “One shot fired against us will mean the death of Strong Wolf.”
Proud Heart glared at the colonel for a moment, gave Strong Wolf an uneasy stare, then stamped away and swung himself into his saddle.
Patrick appointed those who would ride with Strong Wolf. Others would stay behind and gather up Claude’s remains, then take him to the fort for proper burial.
He mounted his horse and rode off, soon catching up with Strong Wolf, and rode beside him.
Strong Wolf could occasionally feel the colonel’s eyes on him, but he ignored him. He stared straight ahead, knowing that he had done no wrong, except to avenge that which had happened to his people.
As for Claude Odum, Strong Wolf’s heart ached. Then he scowled and thought of those who could be so heartless as to kill such an innocent, warmhearted man.
He wanted to blame one man. Tiny Sharp. But he didn’t think that even he was this ruthless.
No, he doubted he would ever know who killed Claude, or why. Perhaps the fire had started by accident.
He wished to believe that. It was easier to live with.
Then his thoughts shifted to Hannah. What would she say when she discovered that he had been incarcerated? What would she do?
