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“Sage, you know that a series of presidential executive orders have added expanse after expanse of land to the Navaho Treaty Reservation,” Adam defended. “I will go further to say that it seems to me that you are too greedy with this land.”
Sage was fighting to control his anger. He glared at Adam. “The reservation is not all good pasture land,” he grumbled. “There are great barren stretches far from water.”
“Yes, I am sure that is true,” Adam said. He purposely softened his tone, afraid to anger Sage too much. He did not want to have to watch his back every time he rode away from the safe confines of his train. “But there are countless new horizons that still exist for not only the Navaho but the white man. Surely you can feel it. Whenever you hear the whistle of a train you should be proud. There is room for everyone’s expansion.”
“The black iron fiend has already brought a new evil to this land,” Sage grumbled. “The Navaho never had much to do with liquor before the train brought drunken white men to our land. The new railroad towns have saloons. The men who frequent them are tough, hard drinkers. These men offer alcohol to our innocent youth. They become shameful in the eyes of their people when they come staggering into town, stinking and drunk.”
“In moderation, alcohol doesn’t hurt anyone,” Adam defended.
“It is a new, cheap way to happiness and security,” Sage said somberly. “Those Navaho who have become discouraged in life are those who are lured into drinking the firewater. The train will bring more and more liquor to our young men. The trains are worthless. I can never approve.”
“Sage, locomotives are a national obsession,” Adam said. “It is only natural that there are differing views of their value.”
“I also do not approve of a town that will scar our beloved land and bring more saloons to our land,” Sage stated. “Our native culture holds the earth as sacred and inviolate. It is not to be torn up, but to be lived in, in a state of grace and harmony with the beneficent power emanating from the rhythm of nature.”
“Sage? Runner? Please listen to reason,” Adam pleaded. “The railroad is a vehicle in the quest for a sense of belonging to this vast country,” he said slowly. “The railway is the artery of the nation’s life. As it will become to the Navaho nation. My town? It will be a place for white people to come and see your people as they are. They will soon see that you are wrongly labeled ‘savage.’”
Stephanie was quiet. She became more tense as the debate wore on. She looked up at Runner and flinched at the bitter expression on his face, then grimaced when she looked over at Sage. She felt surrounded by hate. Her brother may have just ruined all chances of her ever becoming closer to Runner.
Not wanting anyone to see the shine of tears in her eyes, she lowered them.
“Adam, you have said enough,” Sage said, angrily folding his arms across his chest. “I will hear no more talk of railroads or towns that will bear your name.” He stomped out of the hogan. After him went Adam.
Stephanie scarcely breathed. She feared that Adam and Sage might come to blows outside the hogan. Instead, she heard a horse galloping away, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.
Runner went to the door of the hogan and peered outside. “Adam is gone,” he said over his shoulder. “Father is now sitting among the elders.”
Stephanie scrambled to her feet and went to Runner. She placed a gentle hand on his arm. “I’m sorry about my brother’s behavior,” she said, not only stunned by how heatedly Adam had dared to argue with Sage and Runner, but his having left her behind.
“Your brother speaks hastily and with no respect for those of his past,” Runner said. He turned to Stephanie. “But none of this is your fault. You will not be blamed for your brother’s rudeness.”
“But still, I guess I’d better go,” Stephanie murmured. “I think I have overstayed my welcome.”
Leonida went to Stephanie. “My dear, stay as long as you wish,” she said. “Would you stay for supper? That would please me so much.”
Stephanie smiled awkwardly over at Runner, then into Leonida’s warm eyes. “I can think of someone who would not enjoy seeing me share supper with you,” she said. “But thank you, anyhow.”
“I shall escort you home,” Runner said, already ushering her outside by her elbow. “It is not safe for women to ride alone so far.”
She caught him glancing down at her firearm, then smiled up at him. “As you see, I am prepared for being alone,” she said, laughing softly.
“Yet still, it never hurts to have a man at your side,” Runner said.
She stiffened when she looked over at her pack mule and the camera equipment secured on its back. She was afraid that Runner would ask about it. She couldn’t chance angering the Navaho any more today with talk of cameras, especially Runner.
She was glad when he didn’t seem to notice, his interest drawn to his horse as a young lad brought it to them.
“I accept your offer,” Stephanie said. She mounted her horse, thrilled at the thought of being with him, away from the traumas of moments ago. She was glad that he did not cast blame on her for Adam’s behavior.
Perhaps, she and Runner could be closer because of it. He seemed to feel protective of her, possibly to the extent of even wanting to protect her from her own brother.
Again she stiffened when Runner looked at the mule as he swung himself into his saddle. She breathed out a deep sigh of relief when he said nothing, instead nodded for her to follow as he sank his heels into the flanks of the stallion and rode away.
Remembering Adam’s handsomeness, Pure Blossom stood at the hogan door. He was the first man that had caused her to feel like a woman, and he was a man that she feared. He did not seem the sort to be true friends to the Navaho, or to his word. For certain, he was not a man to whom she could trust her feelings and heart.
Trying to forget him, she walked away, toward her own private hogan.
Leonida watched her daughter. She had seen Pure Blossom’s behavior while Adam had been there. Pure Blossom had not been able to take her eyes off the man.
