“My Megan is four years old,” Earl replied, a hint of mockery in his voice.
“And do you have a wife?” Blue Thunder asked, wondering just how this man would choose to lie to him.
“There are only my daughter and myself waiting for a paddlewheeler that will take us away from this godforsaken place,” Earl said. He was suddenly aware of a glint of hatred in the chief’s eyes and wondered what had caused it, especially since it was rumored that this particular chief was friendly to white people.
Not really caring, Earl excused himself and hurried away. He didn’t notice that one of Blue Thunder’s warriors followed him.
Just as Earl walked away, the colonel returned.
Blue Thunder turned to him and shook his hand. “It has been a good trade, a good time of camaraderie,” Blue Thunder said pleasantly. “But now it is time for me and my warriors to return to our homes.
Thank you for the generous food, drink, and smoke. My warriors and I will return later in the fall with even better and thicker pelts for trading.”
“You do not wish to spend the night?” Colonel Cline asked as he slowly took his hand away. “It is the custom, you know, for me to offer the chief a night’s lodging in my home while the warriors sleep in the courtyard.”
“I know, and I thank you for the invitation, but I have an ailing uncle who awaits my return,” Blue Thunder said. Although that was true, Blue Thunder had another reason for making such a quick retreat from the fort. Speckled Fawn awaited his return with news of whether the white man was there with the child.
“I am sorry about your uncle,” Colonel Cline said, walking Blue Thunder to his horse. “Will you give him my best?”
“I shall do that,” Blue Thunder answered, untying the reins as his warriors also prepared their horses for travel, strapping the goods they’d acquired onto the backs of their packhorses.
They all mounted their steeds and rode slowly through the courtyard, then out the wide gate.
Short Robe, the warrior who had followed Earl to learn which cabin was his for the night, soon joined them. He smiled at Blue Thunder. “The dwelling and its location will be easily described to Speckled Fawn,” he said. “Thus far, the plan seems to be working, do you not think so?”
“It is not wise to become too confident about such things,” Blue Thunder replied. “We must still proceed with much caution, and so should Speckled Fawn.”
Soon they entered the dark shadows of the forest, where Speckled Fawn awaited their return, and told her the good news, that the child was there for the taking. They were then forced to wait several hours so that Speckled Fawn’s arrival would not be connected with the Assiniboine’s visit.
When the sun began to lower toward the horizon, Blue Thunder stepped up to Speckled Fawn, and as was planned, he ripped the skirt of her dress, mussed up her hair, and smeared dirt on her face.
When that was done, he held her hands in his. “Are you ready?” he asked as he searched her eyes. “Do you still feel confident about our plan?”
Smiling broadly, Speckled Fawn raised her skirt and patted the knife sheathed at her right thigh. “Here is my confidence,” she said smartly. “Just stay here, close to the fort, so that I will not have to run too far when I escape with the child.”
She and Blue Thunder embraced one another.
And then she left.
Although she had not admitted it to Blue Thunder, Speckled Fawn was actually terrified.
She focused all her energy on playing the role she had undertaken. She faked a limp and made herself look distraught as she walked in the direction of the fort.
When she finally came into view of the sentries at the gate, she pretended to stumble even worse and began screaming for help.
The sentries ran to her.
They stood on each side of her and took her gently by her elbows to hold her steady as she told them she was the only survivor of an Indian massacre. She told how murdering renegades had attacked her homestead; how she had walked for many miles to get to the fort.
She begged for their help.
She was quickly reassured and taken inside.
Speckled Fawn had never been much of a praying woman, but at this moment, she whispered a prayer that all would go well. If Earl saw through her act, both she and Megan would be doomed.
Chapter Twenty-three
Now summon the red current to thine heart—