Candace McCarthy (19 page)

“Captain, are you sure this is a good idea?” Private Holton watched as the Indians consumed more and more of the barrel of whiskey.

“Are you questioning my authority?” the officer said.

The younger man was suddenly frightened. His commander was good to the men, but occasionally a streak of meanness would arise out of nowhere in the captain. It was the meanness none of the men understood, but all of them feared. Warned by his fellow recruits, the soldier didn’t want to anger his superior. “No, sir. Never, sir. I’m sorry, sir, if you thought that.”

The officer’s expression lost its fierceness. “Drunken savages are no threat to us, Private. We’ve got the guns. In their inebriated state, they can barely see their bows, much less shoot an arrow straight.”

Holton smiled. “I see your point, Captain.”

The captain raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad somebody sees the point, because the red bastards cannot see theirs.”

The captain and Holton sat away from the others. The officer had promised that this night would be the night when the private would be initiated into the joys of manhood.

The officer spied his assistant as the man finished refilling the Indians’ cups with spirits. Catching his attention, the captain nodded toward the group of slaves that sat, tied up, near the base of a tree. He crooked a finger, and his assistant, understanding the signal, went to the slaves and dragged two to their feet by the ropes binding their wrists at their back. The two slaves were women,
one with jet-black hair and white creamy skin, the other was a pale, freckled-faced redhead.

Holton’s heart started to thump hard as Lieutenant Rhoades jerked the two women toward where he and the captain sat.

“Private?”

Holton turned to find the captain watching his excitement with amusement.

“Are you ready?”

“Y-yes, sir.”

The officer nodded and shifted his gaze to the two women. He was an attractive man, who didn’t have to resort to force to gain the attention of women, but he enjoyed the game too much to allow nature to take its course.

“Good evening, ladies,” the captain purred. “Nice night for a walk, don’t you think?”

The women glanced at each other, unsure what to make of the captain’s comments. “Yes, sir,” one woman said. It was the raven-haired beauty.

“What’s your name?”

“Mary,” she said with a shy smile. “Mary Black.”

“Untie Miss Black, Lieutenant.”

The woman’s face brightened as the lesser officer complied with his commander’s wishes. “Ah, thank you, sir!”

The officer nodded, before he addressed the redhead. “And your name is?”

The other woman was not inclined to say much. “Cara, sir.”

“Untie Cara as well, then take your leave of us.”

“Aye, Captain,” his assistant said. He didn’t seem surprised by the officer’s request. Apparently, he was used to doing strange things for his superiors.

“Ah, Cara. Do you enjoy a moonlight stroll?”

She gave a shy, hesitant nod.

“Excellent!” the captain said.

“Holton, choose your partner.”

Holton’s face reddened as he studied both girls. “Sir, please, I’d be happy if you’d choose first.”

The captain stared at the private. Holton was suddenly afraid of creating the man’s displeasure. “Cara?” he said, while studying the young girl. “You come with me.” He looked at the private. “Holton, Miss Mary Black will go with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

The two women giggled girlishly.

The couples went in the same direction until they were far from the joint encampment of US soldiers and Sioux Indians.

When the first feminine scream rent the silent night, everyone within the camp, but for the bound captives, were too drunk to hear or to care.

“Dr. Dempsey? John!” Miriam Lathom watched with horror as the two savages pulled the doctor from the group of captives and began to lead him away.

“It’s all right, Miriam,” he said. “Watch over the others. Be careful, and watch yourself.”

They had all been taken during the Sioux attack on the mission. Five women, five children, and one man—John Dempsey. They’d traveled for days, by waterway to land, where they’d been forced to walk behind the Indians, who had acquired horses and rode, tugging their captives by ropes. They made few stops along the way. Occasionally, they would stop at an Indian village, where they were given food and water and forced to sit quietly as their captives visited their Sioux brothers, often trading for supplies, before they set off again to some unknown destination. If one of the captives became tired, they were pushed to continue. Thus far, none of the captives had suffered more than a broken bone, a serious complication had it been left untreated. John Dempsey had set the child’s arm, and the Sioux had let him. Now the Indians were taking John away.

Miriam and the other women sat huddled together in the shade of a rock overhang. They’d left the forest days ago. They were in a land of barren hills and mountains, and some flatlands covered with short stubby grass. Sometimes,
they saw buffalo, large beasts that roamed the plains in great numbers. The days were warm, but the nights were chilly. Miriam’s only thought was how to escape and survive the ordeal. For now, her only option was to hang on and pray for a miracle from God to assist them.

They left the area after about an hour and were on their way again. Miriam had no idea where they had taken the doctor, and she prayed for his safe return. Their Sioux captors stopped in another village that apparently wasn’t theirs. There was much conversation between the head of their group and the chief of the village. The discussion ended, and the women and children found themselves being inspected by the chief and several of his men. The leader of their captors said something to the chief, who shook his head and muttered something back. After several moments of what seemed to be an argument between the two men, the Indians reached some sort of agreement. Two of the women were taken from the group, along with one child, who cried out to be with his mother.

The chief shoved the child back into the group, then eyed the captives as if looking for another slave. Miriam shivered as she felt his dark eyes glide over her form, leave her, only to return to stare at her.

He barked something at her in Sioux. Miriam stared back without moving. Her heart raced, and her palms felt clammy. She didn’t want to stay in the village. As long as she was traveling with the group, there’d be a chance of escape.

She had the choice taken from her when the brave who had captured her grabbed her roughly by the arm and shoved her in the chief’s direction. Miriam stumbled and almost fell, but managed to gain her footing at the last moment.

Someone caught her by the arms, holding her so that
she couldn’t get away. She saw the chief nod to a young brave, and the brave left, then returned with a single pony. Apparently, the chief had traded a horse for three female slaves and a child.

Miriam watched with a sense of dread as her captors left, taking with them two of her friends and their children. She wondered if she’d ever see them again, if they’d survive the trials yet ahead of them.

“Miriam?” a feminine voice whispered.

The young woman turned and saw it was Fiona York. “Fiona, are you all right?” Her gaze fell to the missionary’s leg, which was bruised and swollen, and must be giving her great pain.

“I am healing,” her friend said. She hesitated and glanced about, while they waited for direction as to what was expected from them. “What do you think they’re going to do with us?”

Miriam frowned. “I don’t know.”

The two women looked at each other, their expressions mirroring their fear.

“Maybe we can escape when it’s dark.”

“And go where?” Miriam asked. “I know nothing about this territory, and until we learn something, I think we’re just going to have to bide our time and plan our escape later.”

Her friend shuddered and hugged herself with her arms. She gestured to the right with an abrupt nod of her head. “I believe we’re being summoned.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Pray, sister,” Fiona said.

She did, fervently, as she followed where the Sioux Indian led them.

* * *

“There’s been another attack,” Jack Keller said.

Amelia felt chilled. “On the mission?”

The trader shook his head. “A settlement about a half day’s ride from here.” He turned, grabbed a pouch, and shoved it across the counter in Amelia’s direction. “You’d better keep this near your gun.” He narrowed his gaze. “You do have a gun?”

She nodded. There was the flintlock rifle in the cabin, and she had her father’s pistol, the one she’d taken from his bedchamber during the Sioux attack.

“How did you find out?” she asked.

“That young soldier, Cameron Walters,” he said. “The fellow came to trade, then left this morning at first light.”

“Cameron here?” she asked. Jack Keller nodded. “What did he say?”

“He said that his regiment were on the way to Fort La Pointe when they encountered a fur trapper by the name of Ralph Hewey. The man had come from the settlement just north of Green Bay. The raid had happened the day before. Two men were killed outright. Three women were taken captive before the villagers were able to run their attackers off.”

“Where is Cameron’s army?” she asked. Had they camped in the same area as they had last time?

“I believe they’re at the mission.”

Amelia felt a flicker of excitement. “Do you think they’ve been sent to help?” She picked up the heavy leather pouch.

“The army?” Jack asked. She nodded. “How would they have known?”

“Have there been more Indian attacks on white settlements?”

He seemed reluctant to tell her. “Four, that I’ve heard.”

“Four!”

“Some within this territory, one between here and Detroit.”

“And do you think they’re all Sioux?”

Jack frowned. “All Indian attacks. As for them being all Sioux, I don’t know.”

“Why?” she asked. “Why are they doing this?”

He shrugged. “For slaves, perhaps. Or the white man’s supplies.”

“Is the army at the mission there to protect what’s left?”

“Cameron didn’t say. I got the impression that they were just stopping on their way through.”

Amelia became dispirited. “Oh.” At the clank of the Indian deer-hoof rattles that were tied to the trading-post door to announce customers, she glanced back to see who had entered.

Susie had been playing right outside on Jack’s front porch. She approached Jack and Amelia with a frown.

“Why, Susie, look how you’ve grown!”

The child’s expression warmed. “You say that almost every day, Jack.”

“Because it’s true. You have grown. When your pa gets back, he’ll not recognize you.”

Susie looked alarmed. “He won’t?”

Amelia reached to touch the little girl’s arm. “Jack is teasing you.”

Daniel’s daughter looked relieved. “Are you almost done?” she asked Amelia.

“Yes, sweetheart.” Amelia hesitated. “Why don’t you go outside, and I’ll be there to join you in just a minute. I have some unfinished business with this trader.”

“All right.” Susie left.

“Jack, do you think you could keep an eye on Susie for me?”

Jack studied her with concern. “Of course. But why?” He narrowed his gaze.

“I’d like to go to the mission and speak with the officer in charge. Maybe he can help us.”

“Help us do what?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” How could she make Jack understand that the feeling of being helpless was getting to her? At least, if she went to the mission, she’d feel like she’d done something. She could talk with the Reverend Whitely and Will, as well as ask for a little help from the US Army. After all, they were there to help, weren’t they?

“Amelia, I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to leave the area.”

“I’ll only be going down the road. I should be safe with the army there, don’t you think?”

“Wouldn’t it better if you wait to hear something from Daniel?”

“Daniel was worried about Susie, but he can’t be worried about her when she’s with you. As for me, he was concerned about Indian attacks, but I hardly think the Sioux would attack with the troop of armed soldiers so near.” She saw his doubtful expression.

“Please, Jack.”

He stared at her hard for what seemed to Amelia like a long time, but must only have been seconds, because Susie hadn’t returned to say she was tired of waiting. “All right, I’ll watch Susie, but, Amelia—”

“Yes?”

“Take my horse. It’ll be quicker and …”

“Easier to escape danger?”

He inclined his head.

“Fine, I’ll take your horse.”

“You do know how to ride?”

“Yes.”
A little,
she thought,
but surely enough to get to the mission and back without mishap.

“When do you want to leave?”

It was still early in the day. “Now?”

Jack didn’t look happy about her going. “You’d better send Susie in to me, then.”

Amelia agreed. “Jack, I’ll be there and back before you know.”

“I hope so, Amelia. I sincerely hope so.”

The woman went out to the porch to call Susie in and inform the child of her plans.

“He’s not there. None of the white people from the mission are there.” Daniel battled his frustration as he spoke with his friend. If he returned without her father or any word, Amelia would be devastated … and the last person he wanted to hurt was the woman he loved.

“They cannot be far, Dan-yel,” Black Hawk said. “We will not return to the village. I will send Thick Head ahead to find where they have gone.”

Daniel calculated how long they’d been away. “Can you send word to Amelia?”

“Your woman will be concerned for you.”

“Yes, but like you, I don’t want to go home yet … not until we learn something.”

A fire burned in the Ojibwa’s gaze. “We will find them, and we will bring them home.”

Black Hawk’s expression might have frightened Daniel if he had been the object of Black Hawk’s anger and revenge. He trusted his friend, but he knew that some dark emotion ate away at the Ojibwa war chief, and he wondered if he’d ever find the peace one needed to be happy.

Black Hawk sent the brave, Thick Head—who had
come with Thunder Oak the last time and had seen the white slaves—as scout to track the group who must have come, then left the Sioux village. The youngest, fastest runner left to get word to the village and the trading post about the delay in their return.

The rest of Black Hawk’s band, including Daniel, waited where it was safe and where they could see travelers coming from the east.

The next day, Thick Head returned with the news that they had found another village where at least two white women were seen among the Sioux people.

An hour later, Daniel and the Ojibwa ventured farther into Sioux territory to find the missionaries and John Dempsey.

The soldiers were not at the mission as Jack had been told, but Amelia found Cameron Walters there talking with the minister.

Amelia entered the church after securing Jack’s horse. The men were surprised, but pleased to see her.

“Miss Dempsey!” Cameron saw her first and hurried forward to clasp her hand.

“Mr. Walters.” She smiled at the man behind him. “Reverend, it’s good to see you.” Tears filled her eyes as she approached him. “I’m glad you’re all right.” She caught a glimpse of Will Thornton. “Will, how is your injury?”

“Much better, Miss Dempsey,” the young man said with a shy smile. “Thank you for asking.”

“What are you doing here, Amelia?” Allen Whitely asked.

“I heard the army was staying at the mission.” She frowned. “I guess the news was wrong.” Her concern for
Daniel had become a clutching pain beneath her breast. She had to find him. Her father was gone; she couldn’t lose Daniel, too. She had to know where he was.

Cameron smiled. “They’re not far, Miss Dempsey. We’re camped less than a mile from here.”

Amelia’s expression brightened. “Do you think the army can help find some people—some captives of the Sioux Indians?”

She, with the help of the Reverend Whitely and Will Thornton, explained to the young soldier exactly what had happened on the day of the attack, how women and children were taken … and Amelia’s father, John Dempsey.

“Daniel and the Ojibwa left over a week ago to see if they could find the Sioux village where the Ojibwa believe the captives were taken. I expected them back days ago, and I’m worried. Do you think your captain will help?”

Cameron looked thoughtful. “The captain has had experience with savages, especially the Sioux,” he said. “He’ll most likely be interested in assisting you.”

Amelia managed a smile. “When can I see him?” There was a chance that the captain could rescue Daniel and her father … and the missionaries who were still missing.

“Would you like to see him now?”

The young woman beamed. “That would be wonderful! Thank you.” If anyone can help, then surely it would be the US Army.

It wasn’t until she’d entered the soldiers’ encampment and met the officer in charge that she remembered the horrifying story Cameron had told her about the man shooting an already dead soldier. But it was too late to change her mind. She was here, and there was nothing to do but plead her case, and hope for the best. To her relief,
the captain was not the monster she’d thought, but an extremely handsome and charming man.

No doubt Cameron has a new commander,
she thought, relieved. Then she pleaded her case.