Chapter 17 #3
Frantically, she unfastened his blue and white choker, pushing it out of the way, as she pressed her hands against his neck.
The pulse was weak, causing her uncertainty if it was even there.
She tore off his shirt, feeling for a heartbeat, her fingers entangling with the necklace she had once given him.
She pushed the necklace to the side and fumbled over his chest, hunting for a heartbeat.
At last, she found it. She exhaled deeply.
Next, she rubbed her hands over his head, her fingers searching for an injury. In falling had his head hit something? A rock? Wouldn’t the water have cushioned the fall enough to render him little harm?
“Red Hawk, can you hear me?” She picked up his hand, holding it in both of hers. “Don’t you dare frighten me so. And don’t you dare leave me.”
There was no response.
She had to determine if he had hit his head, and as gently as possible, she felt behind and discovered a rather large lump, there on the back side. But it wasn’t from the fall. Something had grazed him, had come dangerously close to killing him.
What was she to do? He continued to be unresponsive to her.
Still holding his hand, she said, “Red Hawk, if you can hear me, do something to show me you can hear me.”
For several moments, nothing happened, but then she felt a light pressure from his fingers.
He groaned, and Effie almost cried. It wasn’t long before he opened his eyes. Looking straight up at her, he took a deep breath, and said, “Are you all right?”
What a question. She almost laughed. “I’m fine,” she said, half crying. “But I fear that you have fallen from your horse.”
“Aa, I think I am aware of having done so.”
Tentatively, she asked, “Can you move your legs?”
He lifted his feet, then he bent his knees. “I can.”
“And how about your arms? Can you lift both of them?”
He held up first one, and then the other, bringing her hands right along with him. “I can do that also. Should I try to sit up?”
She didn’t answer because he did so at once, though he did grab hold of his head in the process.
“Did someone hit me?” he asked. “It feels like I have been in a battle.”
“Apparently, something grazed you a little too closely.” She indicated the spot without touching it.
“I will need to clean the wound. Look at me, for I must stare deeply into your pupils. Oh, dear,” she complained, after a moment, “I’m afraid it’s almost impossible to see the pupils of your eyes, the iris is so dark. ”
At that moment, the sky rumbled, and looking up, she was amazed to discover that clouds had gathered above them. Where had those storm clouds come from? And so quickly?
Gradually, Red Hawk rose to his feet, and as Henry rushed to her with the medicine kit, Red Hawk asked, “Where is my pony?”
Spying the animal, she pointed and said, “She is over there, grazing.”
Even though Effie tried to hold him back, Red Hawk was already striding away from her.
“Red Hawk.” She came to her feet and rushed after him. “Don’t walk away from me. I need to sterilize that wound.”
“It will hold,” he said, not even looking at her.
“But what are you doing? Only moments ago, you were unconscious. I need to make sure you are fine.”
“I am fine.”
“But I need to make sure.”
“When I have finished with what I must do, you can then attend to me. In the meanwhile, I think I know who is following us, and if I am right—and I believe I am—it is only I who can handle him.”
“But—”
“You must become the leader of these wagons, Miss Effie.” He gazed at her with concern. “Please lead the wagons in a northerly direction until you find a good place to camp. Ensure it is near water. You are still in Crow country, and they are friendly. You will be fine.”
“But—”
“If I do not return in a few days’ time, keep heading straight north. Keep to the trails. You will soon find your way to the Gates of the Rocky Mountains.”
“But—”
“Do not try to stop me. If I am right, this is something only I can do.”
“Then you know who is doing this to us?”
“I think I do.”
“Well, who is it? And don’t you want to take Henry or Carl with you as protection?”
“I need no one else. Besides, you will require them more than I, in case I do not return.”
“Do not say that. And I’m certain we could do without them, at least for a little while.”
“They stay.”
“All right,” she said. “Then take me. I would help you, as you have helped me.”
“Saa. ’Tis one battle I must fight on my own.”
“Then before you go, I think you should be aware that I have decided something.”
“Ho!”
“I have decided I will marry you. We will need to find a preacher in order to make it legal under the eyes of God. We will have to find a place to live where people are not horribly prejudiced. But, Red Hawk, I’m in love with you. I cannot live without you.”
For one entire heartbeat, Red Hawk looked as though he had found heaven. But then, glancing away from her, he said, “I love you too. But I cannot stay here now. I must go.”
“Take me.”
“I cannot.”
“Why? Who is it that is doing this?”
“’Tis my own enemy,” he said solemnly. “’Tis the one I have waited all my life to battle.”
“Yes?”
“’Tis the Thunderer.”