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“As I see it, Colonel Downing is the only one who is at fault here,” Brave Wolf said tightly. “The soldiers under his command only did as he told them. If they plotted to attack us Crow, it was under his orders.”
“Yes, Brave Wolf, from what I heard, Colonel Downing was the main one who wanted to attack you and your people,” Mary Beth said solemnly. “The others joined, but none sounded as eager as the colonel. They were being egged on. What else could they do but agree?”
“Knowing that, Colonel Anderson, I would suggest you send two of your most trusted soldiers on to Fort Henry and tell them what has transpired. Let us alert them that we are coming with their colonel, and that he is wounded,” Brave Wolf said.
Colonel Anderson nodded. “That is a very good plan and I will do as you suggest,” he said. He wheeled his horse around and moved among his soldiers, as Brave Wolf moved among his warriors, each telling his men of the new plan.
Mary Beth stared at Colonel Downing, who still sat slumped over in the saddle, sliding an occasional downcast look her way. She didn’t trust him at all.
Brave Wolf came back to Mary Beth. He watched the two soldier scouts ride off at a hard gallop toward the fort, then reached over and took Mary Beth’s hands. “We will wait for the soldiers’ return,” he said. “Then it will be safe to go on. We will stay at the fort for only as long as it takes to see that Washington is informed of the colonel’s plans to attack Indians, contrary to his orders. Then we will return home and begin another search for your son, for it would make everything perfect if he could be there to join us for the wedding celebration.”
“It would be wonderful,” Mary Beth said, trying to make out the fort in the distance. She wondered if the sentries had noticed the large contingent of soldiers and warriors so close at hand.
Her heart pounded as she sat there, her eyes watching for the return of the two soldiers. When she finally saw them riding back, her eyes grew wide when she saw how many soldiers from the fort were accompanying the two scouts. For a moment fear squeezed her heart, but it left again when the soldier scouts under Colonel Anderson’s command arrived with the good news that everyone was welcome at the fort, and that Colonel Downing would be detained in the infirmary until orders came from Washington.
Colonel Anderson complimented the soldiers, then rode on ahead to meet those others who were still coming toward them.
Mary Beth watched, wide-eyed, when he reached the soldiers. He was warmly greeted by each soldier.
“He must know them,” Mary Beth said, giving Brave Wolf a questioning look.
“Many of them were at one time or another under Colonel Anderson’s command,” Brave Wolf said, smiling. “The colonel only confided that to me this morning. That was one reason I allowed you to come with us. I knew that once the soldiers at Fort Henry discovered Colonel Anderson was playing such a big role in today’s activities, all would go well.”
Colonel Anderson came back and stopped beside Brave Wolf. “Neither you nor your warriors need go any farther,” he said, reaching a hand over and placing it on Brave Wolf’s shoulder. “I have everything under control.” He smiled at Mary Beth, then grinned at Brave Wolf again. “Go and have a lovely wedding, you two. My only regret is that I shall not be there to celebrate with you. I am going to make it my duty to see that orders come through to deliver Colonel Downing to my fort, where I will put him behind bars.”
“Thank you for everything,” Mary Beth said. “And . . . sir . . . if ever you run across a five-year-old white child among any Indians you meet, ask him his name. Perhaps you will be the one to find my little David.”
“I shall spread word among all I know to keep a watch out for him,” Colonel Anderson said, removing his hand from Brave Wolf’s shoulder. He saluted them both, then rode off, his soldiers all riding with him.
Brave Wolf turned to Mary Beth. “It is done,” he said, smiling broadly. “Now we can put our minds on more important things. Today I will send those warriors who are riding with us in different directions. They will once again search for your son. I shall tell them to return home tomorrow at dawn, though, for I want them to join our celebration of marriage.”
“Tomorrow,” Mary Beth said, blushing. “Actually? Tomorrow? We will become man and wife?”
“Hecitu-yelo, yes, tomorrow,” he replied, smiling.
Mary Beth gazed down at the wildflowers. This time she really did want some for her wedding.
“May I take the time to pick some flowers?” she asked softly.
“You do not have to ask permission of me to do anything,” Brave Wolf said, dismounting.
He held her horse’s reins as she began picking these flowers she loved the most. While she was gathering blossoms, he directed his warriors about the search.
When she heard a thundering of hoofbeats, Mary Beth stopped and stared at the warriors as they rode in every direction.
She gazed heavenward and prayed a soft prayer that this time the search would be a successful one.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Here are fruits, flowers, leaves and branches.
And here is my heart which beats only for you.
—Paul Verlaine
Mary Beth lay snuggled in Brave Wolf’s arms. She smiled when she thought of what this special day was—her wedding day; then she frowned sadly when she remembered what else the day might mean to her. She might again receive word that her son was nowhere to be found.
If only the warriors brought him back safe, this day would be doubly blessed.
