Chapter 18 #3
“I, too, believe this to be so,” said Effie. But Red Hawk saw her frown.
“Miss Effie…” Owens’s voice held a note of threat, “…do not think we are deceived. I have seen you wear his feather in your hair, and I have witnessed your particular attachment to the man. Therefore, I have my doubts about your being able to look at this logically, as any real scientist would do. Someone went through your possessions tonight, while we were all away from the camp.”
“Yes, yes, but—”
“This is the third attack upon this group, Miss Effie,” Owens observed, “and as I understand it, the assaults started occurring around the time when you hired this man… Hawk, I believe is his name. Twice, I have been told there were items found that would implicate the Indian, and I for one believe—”
“But don’t you see?” interrupted Effie. “That’s just the problem. If it really were Red Hawk doing these things, he would never leave anything behind. He’s too well trained a scout.”
“Bah!”
“Oh, come now,” reasoned Effie. “Have you never noticed how meticulous Red Hawk is about everything? He observes even the tiniest of peculiarities, and he misses nothing. The weather conditions, not only of today, but of months previous, he knows them all in perfect detail so he can know how long ago tracks were made. He paints himself like the environment to avoid detection. He can tell from a single track if the trail is made by an enemy or a friend. Given that, I must ask you and your daughter to consider your words wisely. Do you really think someone so fastidious would be clumsy enough to leave such obviously personal items behind?”
“Miss Effie,” muttered Owens, his countenance contorted with the beginnings of rage. “The man is Indian, and as such, is inferior to us in every way. Do you really think a savage has the reasoning ability you grant him?”
“I do,” proclaimed Henry.
Carl frowned. “I have to admit that I agree with Effie on this as well.”
Effie shook her head gently, before smiling. “Yes, Mr. Owens. I would have to agree with Henry and Carl. I think Red Hawk has this sort of ability. Now, please, all of you, I need some time alone. I need to think about this. But most of all, I need to gather up my things.”
“I’ll help.” Madeline stepped up to Effie and placed an arm around her shoulders. “And you will too, won’t you, Carl?”
Carl nodded.
“Really, John,” said Madeline, “it’s bad enough that Effie has to find all her things without you adding to her problem. And, Lesley.” She frowned. “Whether you think Effie competent or not, I wish you would help us collect up her things.”
John? thought Red Hawk, raising his brow.
Lesley was frowning. “Yes, you’re right. Just because I think she has a soft spot for the Indian is no reason not to assist her. Of course I’ll help.”
The three women set off toward the prairie, where even now Red Hawk could see many of Effie’s things blowing in the wind.
Interesting. After slipping from the wagon, Red Hawk disappeared from the camp by means of shadows and the cover of the greenery.
It took no genius to realize that someone on this wagon train—or someone following them—was attempting to steal the artifacts that Effie carried.
He had been the scapegoat this time. Who would be next?
It did cause him to wonder exactly who was doing this. Was there more incentive behind these attacks than the mere confiscation of artifacts?
These questions, and a good many others, he could not answer. However, he did intend to find out where John Owens and Fieldman were going, for they had not headed in the direction of their tent.
He found them easily enough. But what were they doing? They were hunched over in the water with pans held tightly in their grip. This action looked familiar.
Ah, the gold seekers. Prospectors.
Why would Owens and his manservant be hunting for gold en route to an expedition? Such behavior seemed very strange indeed.
Shaking his head, Red Hawk turned to make his way back to the wagons. This time he would not bother to disguise his approach. He would be leaving camp soon anyway, as he would need to scout the trail ahead of them for the morrow.
“There he is!” Henry shouted, and Red Hawk lifted his right hand, palm open, the Plains Indian sign to show he held no weapons and that he came in peace.
“Red Hawk has returned.” It was Madeline speaking.
“Red Hawk?” asked Effie, and she dropped whatever of her belongings she had been holding as she set out toward him. “Red Hawk, you’re back!” she shouted with glee. “You have been gone so many days, and we were all afraid something horrible had happened to you.”
Red Hawk smiled, for he knew, with the exception of herself, Henry and possibly Carl, that this was not so.
She raced up to him and stopped. Haiya, how he wanted to open his arms wide and welcome her into them, but he held back, for others watched.
Instead, he grinned at her and said, for her ears alone, “I thank you for defending me, my wife. And now, let us talk about marriage.”
He watched with amusement as she grimaced.