Wild Thunder

“But this might bring us into a war that none of us wants,” another warrior shouted. “And do you not see, Strong Wolf? You have only today brought our beloved relatives to their new home! Must we already be thinking about moving them to another? If we retaliate against the whites, they might, in turn, retaliate against us.”

“We will fight for what is ours, and if warring is required, so be it!” Strong Wolf cried.

He looked around him, at the throng of people, old and young, weak and strong, and knew that this was the only way. He must make a stand now, or never be able to again. If he and his people were forced from this land by an act of cowardice on their parts, then they would never be a people of pride again!

“Gather up your weapons,” Strong Wolf shouted. “We shall go now and send the whites from our land.” He laughed sarcastically. “They think they can have a crop that was nurtured by Potawatomis hands? They are foolish to think so little about the Potawatomis’s pride and strength! We will burn their homes! We will take what they have harvested!”

He laughed throatily. “We might even thank them for the effort they saved our people!”

Hannah went to Strong Wolf. “Please don’t do this,” she said desperately. “So much is at stake, darling.” She placed her hand on her abdomen. “Our child, Strong Wolf. If anything happened to you . . .”

He placed a gentle hand across her mouth. “My woman, it is because of the child that I do what I must today to make a safe place for our child’s future,” he said solemnly. “Please go inside our lodge with Mother. I will return home soon. You will see then that there was no reason to doubt the abilities of your husband.”

Hannah paled. “I don’t doub

t you,” she murmured, easing his hand from her lips. “It’s just that . . .”

Again he interrupted her. “I will return home soon and then we can all celebrate coming together as one with my people,” he said reassuringly. “It has been a long time since my people have all been together under one umbrella of sky.”

He cast a sharp glance at the darkening heavens. Then he looked around him. “Let us leave now before the inky black of night will distort what we wish to achieve,” he shouted, swinging himself into his saddle.

He gave Hannah a lingering gaze, and then his mother, then he grabbed his rifle from the gun boot at the side of his horse and waved it in the air. “Aieee,” he cried, the war cry sending spasms of fear up and down Hannah’s spine.

She watched him ride away until he was lost from sight, then she took Swallow Song’s hand and led her inside their lodge. Someone had come ahead of them and had gotten a comforting fire started, that which was needed on these cool days of October.

Hannah trembled as she sat down on a pallet of furs before the fire with Swallow Song at her side, but not so much from being chilled, as it was from being afraid. “Our future was so beautifully etched out, until tonight,” she murmured as she gave Swallow Song a wavering look. “Swallow Song, you haven’t said anything. Please tell me how you feel about everything.”

“I trust my son’s judgment in all things,” Swallow Song said softly. She reached a comforting hand to Hannah’s arm. “Please relax and do not worry so much. You must think of the child.” She smiled sweetly. “I have had only one child in my lifetime, and it has been so long since I held that child in my arms. I so look forward to holding my grandchild. It will be like heaven on earth for this woman who never married again, and whose womb has been long barren.”

“It is good to have you here,” Hannah said, suddenly pulling Swallow Song into her arms. “We will be such fast friends. Your grandchild will adore you.”

Hannah never once mentioned her fears of her child having the dreaded seizures. And she was going to guard the secret well, so that her child would never know such seizures existed, unless the child experienced the seizures himself.

“Perhaps we should eat,” Swallow Song said. “It has been awhile since we have. It is not good for the child if you do not eat at regular intervals.”

“I don’t think I can stomach food right now, not while I am concerned over Strong Wolf’s welfare,” Hannah said, settling back down on the pallet, her eyes watching the fire caressing the logs.

“I will go and get something,” Swallow Song said, rising to her feet. “You must try to eat.”

Hannah gave Swallow Song a weak nod.

When Swallow Song left, Hannah looked slowly around the cabin. Ever since she had known that she was with child, she had thought of how wonderful it would be for the child to be there, to share life with them.

Now if anything happened to Strong Wolf . . . !

Chapter 39

Though bright her eyes’ bewildering gleams,

Fair tremulous lips and shining hair,

A something born of mournful dream,

Breathes round her sad enchanted air.

—PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE

As the setting sun cast an orange glow along the horizon in the west, Strong Wolf and his warriors surrounded the cornfield where several white people were plucking corn from the cornstalks.