Heart of the Sandhills Read online

  Hawk watched until it was too dark to see any more. He closed up his seeing stick and thrust it into the sash at his waist. He jumped from the tree and went to his tepee. They were few in number, this small band of Bad Faces. Their leader was aging, and he did not want to fight any more whites. Hawk thought that wise, given their lack of young warriors and the number of soldiers camped across the river. All of those things were against him, Hawk knew. And yet, as he lay in his tepee listening to distant wolves howl, Hawk determined that before many more nights, he would have that white horse for his own.

  Nineteen

  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

  —1 Peter 4:9

  No, the Old Chief insisted, he was not going up to Fort Laramie. Bad Indians were up that way and he was a good Indian. He was taking his little band down on the Republican to hunt buffalo. Let the young fools up on the Powder River fight with the white man. He had had his day to fight and now only wanted to live in peace. Yes, he told Elliot, he would come back up the Platte when the government came again to meet, but he had already touched the pen and he only wanted to live in peace. He had come across to the soldier’s camp to invite them all to a feast and to emphasize his feelings of good will.

  That evening the feast was held, and Elliot Leighton smoked the first of many peace pipes in his long career as an intercessor between the United States Government and native America. Daniel and Robert and Big Amos kept guard over the horses. Aaron came back brimming full of stories. He spent the evening alternately sketching what he had seen for Miss Whitrock and thanking his Uncle Elliot for letting him volunteer.

  “Why didn’t you go with us, Ma?” Aaron asked Gen later that night.

  Gen was wiping the last of the cooking pots. She did not turn around, only shrugged and mumbled something about Edward needing her help.

  “It was amazing,” Aaron said with enthusiasm. He held out a sheaf of papers. “Look,” he said. “I’m not the best artist, but isn’t that dancer something?”

  Gen took the papers and glanced down, trying to keep her hands from trembling. She leafed through Aaron’s drawings without comment, then handed them back.

  “What’s wrong, Ma?” Aaron asked.

  Gen shook her head. “Nothing.” She set the last pot in its place in the mobile kitchen and forced a smile.

  Aaron looked down as she rubbed one of her forearms. He had forgotten how badly scarred she was. He reached out and lay his hand over the scars. “I’m sorry, Ma. I didn’t think—I didn’t mean to bring those awful things that happened back.”

  “It’s all right. I’m as surprised as you are it’s bothering me after all this time.” She blinked tears away. “I didn’t think it would. But when the drums started up … and the singing …” She shivered, then forced a weak smile. “I’m glad to see it doesn’t haunt you. Do you remember that day you climbed up in the tree in the rain?”

  Aaron nodded. “That was after Otter tried to hurt you, and Daniel arrived just in time.”

  “You pushed me away. Said not to treat you like a baby,” Gen said. “And then you ran outside and climbed the tree to get away from everything. I wondered if you would ever again be able to smile.” She sighed. “I’m glad to see you can.”

  “God did that,” Aaron said. “I don’t know why it doesn’t bother me anymore. It just doesn’t. And here, I guess I’m so intent on learning—”

  “You don’t have to apologize for not being like me,” Gen said quickly. “I wish I could be more like you.” She rubbed her arms again. “It’s kind of taken me by surprise that I’m so—” She stopped abruptly, unable to think of the right word to describe how she felt. Presently she looked into the darkness toward where Daniel was standing watch over the herd. “I wish he’d come in.”

  “I’ll go get him,” Aaron said.

  “Don’t.” Gen put her hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “He doesn’t need a foolish woman keeping him from doing his job. He’ll be sorry he let me come.”

  A few yards away, Zephyr Picotte was telling another one of his yarns to a group of new recruits. From where he sat listening, Captain John Willets watched the interchange between Genevieve Two Stars and Aaron Dane. He frowned when he saw Gen clutch Aaron’s sleeve and shake her head. When Aaron turned to go, Willets followed him.

  “Is something wrong with Mrs. Two Stars?”

  Aaron paused. “No. Yes.” He sighed. “She wouldn’t want me to say anything.” He cleared his throat. “Do you think I could relieve Daniel so he could come in early?”

  “Of course,” Willets said quickly. “Is she ill?”

  “No. Nothing like that. She just—the parlay over at the Indian camp made her nervous. Memories and all.”

  Willets frowned and looked down at the ground. He pulled on his hat brim and looked out toward where the herd had been taken to graze. “I posted extra guards. I hope she knows I’m not a fool. Spotted Antelope may be peaceful, but no self-respecting Sioux could resist the temptation to run off a few well-fed government ponies. Do you think it would help if I told her that?”

  Aaron considered. “With all due respect, sir, it’s not the horses she’s worried about.”

  “I know that,” Willets interrupted. “I just thought I might be able to allay her fears.”

  “Well, sir, about the only thing that’s going to do that is Daniel. But she doesn’t want to admit it, and she’d be really angry with me if she knew I even told you. She doesn’t want people thinking she’s a fool woman.”

  “Go relieve Two Stars,” Willets said. “Tell him I need him fresh in the morning for a special scouting assignment.”

  “Yes, sir,” Aaron saluted and turned to go.

  “And, Dane—”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Just for the record, I think Mrs. Two Stars is about the least foolish woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. Don’t tell her I said that. But don’t be afraid to let me know if there are any concerns affecting her that I could help.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As he watched Aaron mount up and ride toward the herd, Willets poured himself a cup of terrible coffee and headed for his tent. He thought back to his temporary acquaintance with Miss Parker back in Minnesota, trying to imagine her on such an expedition as this. The image made him smile and shake his head. No, Willets realized, Miss Parker was not the sort of woman one would expect to head West. She would never have climbed Scott’s Bluffs to see fossils and would have had no curiosity about the whereabouts of the people who had carved their names along Mitchell Pass. Minnesota was about all the frontier Miss Parker and women like her would willingly endure.

  The image of Genevieve Two Stars’s shining dark hair falling down her back that night when she and Daniel came back from their late-night swim flashed in his mind.

  A man would be crazy not to admit Daniel Two Stars was one lucky man. And what could be wrong with acknowledging a woman’s admirable qualities, Willets argued when his conscience hinted that he had been watching Mrs. Two Stars and admiring her a little too much lately.

  “Just hold me,” Genevieve whispered.

  Daniel wrapped his arms around her as they lay together in their tent. “What is it, little wife?” She was trembling. He felt her forehead with a sense of dread. “Are you sick?”

  “No,” she muttered. “I’m not sick. It’s—oh, I don’t know,” she sighed. “I don’t know. The music tonight. The drums and the dancing …” she buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

  Not knowing what to do, Daniel did the right thing. He let her cry.

  “I should have stayed with Nancy,” she finally said. She pushed herself away and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Then you wouldn’t have to put up with me.” She began to cry again. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so much trouble.”

  “You are no trouble, Blue Eyes,” Daniel said gently. “You are my love.” He said a silent prayer for understanding, and waited again.

  “I didn’t think I’
d be afraid,” she finally murmured. “But when I saw the tepees and the fire—”

  “There have been other campfires and other villages since we left Fort Randall,” Daniel said.

  “I know,” she sat up and he followed suit. “I know. But this … this is different.” She looked at him. “You know it’s different. We’ve only met peaceful Sioux up until now. There hasn’t been any threat.”

  “I don’t think Spotted Antelope’s band is a threat either, Blue Eyes.”

  “Then why did Captain Willets post extra guards around the herd?” she said abruptly. “Why are the men staying in tight clusters around the campfires? Why aren’t they joking as usual?”

  Daniel smiled and shook his head. “Why aren’t you a little less watchful, Blue Eyes? You would worry less.” He sighed. “Aaron noticed one of the young braves perched in a tree early this morning looking our camp over with a spyglass. It’s probably nothing. But Captain Willets wants us to be more alert. And that is wise.” He grinned. “In the old days, Blue Eyes, I don’t think I would have been able to resist a few good army horses.” He reached out to touch her hair. “But they are a peaceful band and we are watching the horses. I doubt there will be any trouble.” He began to hum the Dakota courting song, tracing her hairline with his finger as he did so. “Don’t be sorry you came, little wife.”

  “I don’t want to be a burden to you,” Gen said.

  “You are not a burden,” Daniel whispered, enfolding her in his arms again. “You are my life.” He kissed her.

  “A woman? You brought a woman on your expedition?” Doctor Beaumont’s sterling gray eyes flickered angrily. “What were you thinking, man! You know this season has been one long skirmish after another with the Sioux or the Cheyenne or both. Why, I’ve threatened to send Libby downriver a dozen times, and if it weren’t for her being a stubborn old battle-ax, she’d have been safe and sound in Omaha weeks ago.”

  Willets smiled. “Now, Henry. I’m glad to hear you and Mrs. Beaumont are still so fond of one another.”

  “Harrumph,” muttered Beaumont, tugging on his moustache. He frowned. “She’s a tough old bird, John. I never knew just how tough until I tried to get her to leave this spring. Says she won’t be sent away and that’s that. Says if she’s to be scalped then so be it but she isn’t leaving me to the wiles of the desperate women in this God-forsaken place. As if there’s any danger of that!” Henry Beaumont twirled the tip of his graying moustache in an unsuccessful attempt to hide his sense of pride in and love for his wife.

  “Well, as I said, I’m glad to see things haven’t changed between you two. That’s exactly why I know you’ll want to help me out by having Mrs. Two Stars as your guest for a few weeks while we go upriver. It’s only a few weeks and her husband will be back to take her home—wherever that ends up being.”

  “What do you mean, wherever that ends up being?” Beaumont asked quickly.

  “If you’ll offer me a cup of coffee, I’ll tell you the whole story,” Willets said.

  Beaumont waved Willets into a chair. He strode to the door, cracked it open and hollered, “Libby! Libby Beaumont!”

  Presently a stately, gray-haired woman swept into the room. Ignoring their visitor, Mrs. Beaumont leaned down to give her husband a peck on the cheek and cooed, “What is it, dear?”

  “We’ve company. And we need some coffee.” With a secretive smile, Beaumont waved his hand toward John, who rose to bow just as Mrs. Beaumont turned around.

  “John Willets!” Libby clapped her hands together. “Captain John Willets!” She grasped him by the arms and inspected his uniform. “My, my. When did that happen?” Without waiting for a reply, Libby headed for the door. She waggled her finger at her husband. “The next time you want coffee, Doctor Beaumont, see to it you say please.” She winked at John. “He’s still an insufferable old poop, John. Hasn’t changed a bit.” She closed the door behind her. They could hear her laughing out in the hall.

  After serving coffee to her husband and John Willets, Libby Beaumont settled into a chair opposite them. She stayed to hear Willets tell about Genevieve Two Stars and the Minnesota Sioux Uprising, about Daniel Two Stars and prison, about Simon Dane and his children, and lastly, about Abner Marsh and his dogs.

  “Mrs. Lawrence and the new baby went to the reservation on the Niobrara. Robert settled her with friends there. But Genevieve—Mrs. Two Stars—insisted on coming with her husband.”

  “I like her already,” Libby said, winking at the doctor.

  “I have to admit that I sort of planned we’d impose on you once we came to Fort Laramie. Of course we hoped things would be more peaceful, but—”

  “Well, they aren’t,” Beaumont interrupted. “I’ve treated more arrow wounds than scurvy in the past two weeks.”

  John frowned and gulped coffee. “We’re supposed to be here for the September 1st parlay. As long as the weather holds in Nebraska, we’ll head back along the Platte after that. Unless, of course, my orders change.”

  “You’re just itching to get some real action, aren’t you?” Beaumont said. “Hoping you’ll be ordered to stay out here.”

  Willets shrugged. “Nothing worse than an army man stationed where there’s no need for army. Fort Ridgely isn’t going to be attacked again. Settlers are pouring in. There’s not much to be done back there.”

  “And not much hope of another promotion unless you see action, is there, Captain?” Libby interjected.

  John smiled. “Well said, Mrs. Beaumont.” He stretched his legs. “One thing you should know about the Two Stars.. They aren’t your typical Indians. At least not what you’re used to out here. They’re Christians.”

  Libby and her husband exchanged glances.

  “No,” Willets said. “I mean it. They are real Christians. Like you two.”

  “What do you mean, like us two?” Libby asked. “You sound like you’re describing a common disease.”

  John laughed softly. “I mean they read their Bibles every day and they try to do what it says.” He thought hard, then cleared his throat. “When they first came to Fort Ridgely and I heard what that homesteader did to Genevieve, I was all set to take a few men to his place and, as I put it, ‘put the fear of God’ into him. Daniel wouldn’t have it. He said everything in him wanted to do just that, but he couldn’t. He said he’d leave it with God. That he wasn’t going to live a life of vengeance anymore.”

  “I’m honored, John, to think you connect that kind of faith with me,” Dr. Beaumont said. “Honored and touched.”

  “If I didn’t know better,” Willets said suddenly, “I’d think God was ambushing me with true Christians.” He laughed at his joke, but neither Doctor nor Mrs. Beaumont did. He swiped his hand over his goatee. “Big Amos and Robert Lawrence are Christians, too. I reckon they’ll be in church on Sunday if you have a minister preaching.”

  “We do,” the doctor said. “And they’ll be welcome. So would you, John.”

  Willets set his empty coffee cup on the serving tray and stood up. “I’ll be bringing Daniel and Genevieve by to meet you, then.”

  “Why not come to dinner after church tomorrow?” Mrs. Beaumont asked.

  “That your way of making it harder for me to skip church?” “No,” Mrs. Beaumont shot back as she bent over to pick up the serving tray. “But if I’d thought of it, I would have used it.” Willets opened the door for her.

  “We’ll see you in church then, John,” Doctor Beaumont said, smiling. “Ten o’clock. Bring all your friends. Bring the whole company if you can.”

  Willets nodded and stepped outside. The sun was dipping behind Laramie Peak in the distance, casting long shadows in the valley. Unhitching his buckskin gelding, he stood for a moment, reins in hand, looking across the parade ground toward the stone church. The cross at the top of the steeple was still illuminated in bright sunlight. He smiled. His mother would be so pleased.

  Twenty

  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 
—Psalm 56:3

  “Oh, Aaron,” Gen swallowed the lump in her throat. She put her hand on the boy’s arm. She hadn’t noticed before, but as she looked down now, she realized Aaron had his father’s hands. How had that happened? She looked back up at him. The goatee he had been nursing along for the past few weeks was actually beginning to show. His hair was longer, too, but pleasingly so. Blond ringlets spilled over his forehead. He hated the curls. The women at Fort Laramie did not. Gen had seen them turn their heads as he walked by. She patted his arm and squeezed it. “I know how much it cost you to say that. And I love you for it. But I wouldn’t dream of keeping you from your duty.”

  She blinked away the tears gathering in her eyes and looked up at him. “You’re a man now, Aaron. You aren’t that little boy who climbed the tree to get away from all the horrible things happening around him anymore. You want to be in the middle of the action.” She inhaled deeply. “And I want you to go.” Do all mothers lie at times like this?

  “You’re sure?” He could hardly keep the excitement from his voice. “You’re sure, Ma?”

  “No,” Gen said, making herself laugh. “I’m not at all sure. Now get out of here before I change my mind. Go tell Captain Willets you’ll be with the company heading up to Phil Kearney.”

  Aaron kissed her on the cheek, grabbed up his hat, and headed for the door. He paused just outside. “I love you, Ma.”

  Gen nodded. Then she buried her face in her hands and wept.

  “Aaron told me what you said.” Daniel put his arm around her. “You still surprise me at times, little wife.”

  “Somehow, sometime this summer he became a man. I didn’t even see it happen.” She paused. “He has Simon’s hands. But I think Ellen is in there, too. There’s a gentleness about him.” She sighed. “I hope he never loses that.”

  “We’ll take good care of him.”

  She said nothing, only wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. “I am trying very hard, best beloved.”