Savage storm (21 page)

"Gabrielle, let's go!" Erica cried as she saw the brave walking toward them. He looked extremely fierce to her and she didn't want to stay and find out if her impression was correct.

Gabrielle ignored her friend's pleas and stood still, for she thought the young Indian's ready smile most appealing. He wore only buckskin leggings, a breechclout, and moccasins

which muffled the sound of his steps as he seemed to glide across the short distance which separated them. His long hair was glossy black and hung loose over his shoulders. His dark eyes sparkled with the brilliance of obsidian in the morning sun. He was tall and well built, as handsome an example of his tribe as had entered the fort that day, and when he stopped in front of her he simply stared, slowly looking her up and down as if he wished to memorize each minute detail of her face and dress.

The auburn-haired beauty returned his smile shyly, hoping such an open glance was not considered rude by his people. "Do you speak English?" she finally thought to ask, hoping to distract him from his close inspection of her appearance with conversation.

The brave laughed at her question, revealing even white teeth which contrasted handsomely with his dark skin. He asked her a question too then, his language as strange sounding to her ears as hers had been to his.

While Erica nearly fainted with fright, Gabrielle began to laugh too because the young man was so friendly, yet they could make no sense of each other's remarks. When Jason suddenly gripped her arm and sent the brave on his way with a sharply worded command, she was astonished by the hostility in his voice. "Really, Mr. Royal, there can be no excuse for such rudeness!"

"No excuse?" he asked in dismay. "What are you two doing wandering around in here? Didn't Clay tell you not to come to the fort alone?" He looked around quickly then, making sure no more of the girls were strolling about the courtyard. He'd found managing fifty wagons and all their owners' problems a slight chore compared to escorting twenty-one pretty young ladies across the country. But none of the girls had gotten into mischief as often as Gabrielle. He was clearly out of patience with her, and his angry frown deepened by the minute.

Gabrielle blushed with sudden insight. "Oh, I am sorry, but

I didn't realize he meant we weren't to come inside without an escort, I thought he meant we couldn't come alone."

Jason looked over at Erica and saw by her frantic nod that the young women had made a most natural mistake. He released his firm grip on Gabrielle's arm and stepped back. "All right, you did come together and that's at least partly reassuring. But you must not come back unless Paul, or Clay, or some other suitable escort accompanies you. That Indian was one of the Dakota tribe who are camped nearby. Their name means 'friendly ones' and I think you'd agree they are aptly named. What you had hoped to accomplish by talking with that brave I can't imagine, but I'll not allow you to be so foolish again. I am walking you back to your wagon where I hope you'll avoid causing any more problems for the rest of the afternoon at least."

"Must you be so mean?" Gabrielle replied defiantly. "Erica and I came here only to look around and that's all we've done. We've caused no disturbance and were nearly ready to leave without having to be told to go. That an Indian would be as curious about us as we are about him should not be any cause to criticize us. We've done nothing wrong!"

Jason stepped between the young women and took each firmly by the arm as he started walking for the gate. "Since the obvious seems to have escaped you. Miss MacLaren, Indian men flirt with pretty young women for the very same reason white men do. Just use your imagination and I think you'll understand what I mean."

Gabrielle was too embarrassed by that rebuke to respond. Since he knew how easily he'd seduced her, he apparently thought any man would have the same success and she was mortified by that totally erroneous conclusion. She hadn't been flirting with the young Indian, not at all. She'd only been curious as to what it would be like to speak with him. She offered no apology, but as they neared the circle of wagons she made a request. "We can find our way from here, Mr. Royal.

You needn't drag us back to our wagon like naughty children."

"Well, since that is what you are, I had thought you needed to be walked all the way to your wagon, but if you'll promise to behave in a more circumspect manner while we're here I'll trust you to make your own way safely." He was only half teasing them, for no matter what order Clayton seemed to give, Gabrielle conveniently found a way to misinterpret it. When neither young woman responded he saw by their expressions that they had not been amused and qui'ckly changed the subject. "Have you had the blacksmith check Sunny's shoes? If he needs to be reshod this is the time to do it."

"It's already been done, Mr. Royal," Gabrielle answered tersely, happy that she had done something right. They were camped beside the fort to make any necessary repairs to the wagons, to reshoe the horses, and purchase provisions. Everyone needed a good rest, but they had so much to do to make ready for the remainder of their journey that no one was idle.

"I'm pleased to hear it, would you check with the others to make certain they have made similar arrangements for their mounts?" Jason always relied upon Gabrielle to assume the responsibility for her companions since she was usually so level-headed and conscientious. "I want to get rolling again as soon as possible. The Dakota are sure to pay us at least one visit and I don't want to provide them with an opportunity to make any more calls."

Erica grew pale at that thought. "What do you mean they will visit us? Must we entertain savages as if they'd been invited?"

Jason chuckled at her innocence. 'This is their homeland. Miss Nelson. They expect the courtesy of being offered one good meal and I'll not disappoint them."

Gabrielle's bright glance swept over Jason's features with far more interest than she had shown in the inquisitive Indian. His gray eyes were fringed with lashes as long and thick as her own,

and his expression was kind as he spoke to Erica. However, his warmth vanished when once again he turned to look down at her. 'The Dakotas camped near the river will prohahly arrive just before sundown tonight. Men, women, and children will be followed by a multitude of dogs. We need provide no more than fresh biscuits and meat; that will satisfy them. We needn'4 prepare the delicacy they would serve to their own guests." Jason waited then, a teasing grin playing at the corners of his mouth for he knew Gabrielle would want to know exactly what that might be.

"Since you said they save the buffalo liver for the children, I can scarcely imagine what they think an appropriate treat for their guests," she responded. As he had expected she was too curious not to inquire.

"As I said they have many dogs. They use them to carry bundles of their possessions when they move about, but they consider the fat pups a real delicacy. They usually grab one, just bash in its skull to kill it, hold the carcass over the fire to singe off the fur, and then toss the little critter into the stew pot.

Erica let out a strangled scream as she ran off. She raised both hands to cover her mouth, wanting only to escape her companions before she embarrassed herself by becoming ill right in front of them. Gabrielle was just as sickened by that tale, but she forced herself to swallow the wave of nausea which swept over her and asked, "Well, how does a puppy stew taste? Would you recommend such a dish yourself?"

Jason laughed at her question. As always he was delighted with her courage. "I have eaten it. Til admit, but I swear I didn't taste a bite since it was all I could do not to run off just as Erica did just now."

Pleased that he would tell her such a thing rather than boast that he frequently ate puppies for breakfast, Gabrielle recalled his earlier comments about his admiration for the Indian tribes. "As you said, their customs do clash with ours, but

perhaps if we both try, we can find some way to live together in peace."

Jason's expression revealed his pain as he admitted, "God help me, Gabrielle, I want only to live in peace with you." He turned back toward the fort then and sprinted away as if he'd forgotten the most urgent of appointments. She stared after him, wondering why he still believed she was the one who made that desire impossible.

When Jason returned later to tell the other emigrants that he'd invited a Dakota chief and his entourage to join them for a light supper, his announcement met with considerable alarm. He reassured everyone quickly that it was no more than a formality he observed on each of his trips and that they need have no fear. However, not until the Indians actually arrived, shy smiles lighting their dark faces, did the travelers begin to relax. They kept the Indians together, however, and watched their wagons closely to be certain the savages did not use the noise of the party to cover thievery. When at last the Dakotas returned to their own camp, the relief which swept the wagon train was evident. First a man appeared with a concertina, then another with a fiddle, and before long several couples had begun to dance to their spirited music. The mood became as light and happy as it had been the night they'd celebrated after the buffalo hunt. Soon the festivities began to attract men from the fort, and the party grew in both size and volume. The men of Fort Laramie joined in the fun and invited the women from the wagon train to dance.

As Gabrielle clapped her hands in rhythm with the music, she thought about the Indian who'd laughed with her at the fort. He'd come to the wagon train with the others, but he'd done no more than smile again and had made no attempt to approach her. Surrounded by his friends, he had eaten his portion of the food they'd served and then had left, apparently preferring the comfort of his tipi to remaining to try to speak with her. She knew friendship between them was not possible

since they could not even converse in the same language; still she was disappointed that she'd been unable to tell him at least one white woman was not afraid of him.

"Do you like to dance?" Marlene whispered softly. "I have never had an opportunity to learn."

Surprised by that admission, Gabrielle assured the shy blonde it was an easy skill to acquire. "I am certain we can teach you before we arrive in Oregon City, for I know the men there will want to dance with us."

"Oh, no. I had not even thought of that, whatever shall I do?" Marlene turned to watch as a tall, thin man in buckskins came out of the crowd to invite Iris to dance and the brunette followed his moves with a quick, light step. "I shall never be able to learn in time!"

"Marlene!" Gabrielle teased with a sparkling smile, "we will not reach Oregon City for months yet, you will be able to dance beautifully by then." She wondered about the others. Erica would surely know how to dance, and Barbara too. Iris obviously could, but perhaps Johanna would think dancing too frivolous since she was such a serious sort. Margaret was as shy as Marlene. Gabrielle reached out to tap her on the shoulder. "Do you like to dance, Margaret?"

"I love to listen to the music, but I know none of the steps," she admitted apologetically. However, her brown eyes were filled with admiration for the dancers moving so energetically nearby.

"You two just come with me for a moment." Gabrielle took their hands, leading them around behind the nearest wagon. "In no more than five minutes' time I can teach you enough to be any man's partner tonight, now just watch closely." She showed them how to do the simple skipping step that was the basis for most of the dances. "All you need do is follow your partner. The man has to lead and he'll show you what to do. Just smile and pretend you know exactly what you're doing and before long you will." She showed them once again exactly

how to move; then she had each of them give it a try. Soon her two pupils were laughing happily as they danced upon the grass, their steps in perfect time to the music.

Jason leaned against one of the wagons. He preferred to remain in the shadows and watch since he felt so little like dancing. He realized the amusement was good for the travelers—there was little fun on the long journey—but he could not dance with one of the brides without dancing with every one of them. Knowing that would take the entire night, he did not want to ask any of them. Clay was dancing with the young women, as were two of the drivers; and the employees of the American Fur Company had taken most of the other girls on their arms. Jason was satisfied that he'd not be missed, but then he noticed Gabrielle was no longer standing on the sidelines. He looked quickly through the assembled dancers, and seeing no sign of her long red hair, he dashed around the perimeter of the enthusiastic group to see where she might have gone. He'd seen the friendly Indian brave that night too and had kept a careful watch on the young man. But had he left quietly with his tribe only to return later alone? Jason pushed his way through the crowd, desperate to find Gabrielle before she came to some terrible harm, and when he found her happily giving dancing lessons he lost all control of his temper.

"You must not wander off by yourselves like this, ladies, the risk is simply too great. Now Til have to tell the musicians to put away their instruments and send everyone to bed if you three can't remember to stay where you belong!"

While Gabrielle was exasperated at finding herself again the object of Jason's wrath, and for the second time in one day, Marlene and Margaret were so devastated by his stinging lecture that their eyes filled with tears and they began to sob pathetically. The pair behaved like rambunctious children being scolded for breaking a piece of their grandmother's highly prized crystal. Coming swiftly to their defense, Gabrielle explained that they had not gone far and were only

practicing a few dance steps so Margaret and Marlene could join in the fun.

It was Jason who was embarrassed then, for he'd not meant to yell at the young women so rudely. "Forgive me if I frightened you; I am overzealous at times, I know. Just go back to the party and enjoy yourselves, and I will want to dance with you myself in a moment." He waited while they turned to go, but Gabrielle pushed her two pupils on in front of her and then returned to speak with Jason in terms so blunt she was sure he'd understand.