Woman of Courage (26 page)

“Please, Mr. Burrows, leave us alone,” Amanda pleaded. “We want no trouble from you.”

Ignoring Amanda’s request, he tightened his grip on Mary’s arm. “Say, where is that mountain man of yours anyways? Did he get fed up and boot ya outta his cabin?” He eyed their pack mules. “Or maybe you just ran out on him and robbed the poor fellow blind.”

Why doesn’t someone come to our defense?
Amanda wondered.
Don’t they even care that this man is harassing us?

Thunder had been waiting patiently by the horses, but he leaped forward and gave Seth a low, warning growl. The hair on the dog’s back bristled, and Amanda wondered if he remembered the man’s voice. Thunder’s lips curled back, showing his sharp white teeth, never once taking his eyes off the vile man. All Mary had to do was give Thunder the signal, and his teeth would sink into Seth’s skin, just like before.

“Call your dog off now, or I’ll shoot him dead!” Still holding on to Mary, Seth gripped his rifle with his other hand.

Please, Lord. Please help us
, Amanda fervently prayed.

B
e still, Thunder. Man will not hurt us,” Mary said as calmly as possible. She did not wish to let Seth know how afraid she was, nor did she want to create any trouble that might interfere with her trading.

Seth laughed, an evil and sadistic sound. “Now, that all depends on whether ya cooperate with me or not. If your man ain’t about, then I guess you’ll be needin’ some male company.”

He gave her a quick wink and grinned wickedly. “I came from the original site for Rendezvous yesterday, and I know for a fact that supplies worth thousands of dollars were brought here by the St. Louis Fur Company. The old man at the fort said so.” He motioned to the supply wagon nearby. “Now, with all them supplies available, you’ll be needin’ to trade off your beaver pelts to get some necessary things. Supplies is high priced, and a body’s gotta know how to barter real good, or else you’ll get took. I figure a dumb woman like you don’t know much about tradin’ or barterin’. For half of everything you’ve got, I’ll act as your interpreter.” He winked at Mary again.

She stiffened. Her determined gaze moved to his hardened face. “I speak white man talk. No need to talk for me.”

“Is that right? Well, when you’ve had a taste of my sweet lips, I think you’ll change your mind.” He puckered his beefy lips and made a boisterous kissing sound.

The men who stood around hooted with laughter. It was the fuel Seth needed to continue, for he released Mary’s arm and reached out his callused hand to stroke one of her long braids. “Ya can play hard to get all ya want; it makes no difference to me. If your man ain’t here, then you’re fair game for anyone who’s man enough to take ya.”

Seth grabbed Mary’s arm and jerked her so roughly that Little Joe, who was strapped to the cradleboard on her back, began to cry. Mary recoiled, remembering the last time they’d seen Seth and the way he’d treated her and Amanda.

The men standing nearby laughed even harder.

“Now look what you’ve done,” one of them called. “Ya made her papoose start to bawl!” He made a howling sound, mimicking the baby’s cries.

“Stop!” Mary shouted, shaking her fist at him.

“Leave us alone!” Amanda cried from where she stood nearby.

Holding his rifle with one hand, Seth lifted her chin roughly with the other. He bent down and placed a smothering kiss forcefully against her mouth.

Mary pulled away angrily and spit in the evil man’s face.

He responded by slapping her hard across the face. Then he turned to the crowd and hollered, “Hey, friends, have any of ya ever kissed a woman whose lips don’t move? Well, maybe ya oughta try it sometime!”

The men laughed uproariously, but their mirth was quickly interrupted by the sudden appearance of a horse and rider.

A young mountain man sat straight and tall on the back of his horse, a compelling silhouette with the sun at his back. His dark eyes, barely visible under his hat, flashed angrily. “Let the woman go!” he shouted.

Mary looked up at the man and felt pure relief. Buck McFadden, tall and rigid, looked as if he was waiting for Seth to make a wrong move. He had come to their rescue yet again.

“This ain’t none of your business, boy, but if ya really want to make it so, then get on down from that horse of yours, and we’ll settle this matter man to man!” Seth bellowed.

“Leave the women alone, and there won’t be any trouble,” Buck said, squinting his brown eyes into slits as he dismounted his horse.

“No way! This one’s comin’ with me.” Seth clutched Mary’s arm even tighter. “Now, if ya don’t wanna fight, get outta here right now!”

Some of the men who moments ago had encouraged Seth, cowered back and made a wide berth around the two opponents. Others lit pipes and stood smirking, as if hoping for a good fight to begin. Still others reached deep into their pockets, bringing out money to place bets.

Buck gave Seth a piercing look; then his gaze darted quickly to Amanda, whose face had turned ashen. Turning to face Seth and Mary again, he said sternly, “Let her go!”

Seth shook his head. “No way! She’s mine for the takin’, and ya ain’t stoppin’ me this time.”

“Ah, let her be,” one of the onlookers hollered. “There ain’t no sense in gettin’ into a fight that might lead to someone’s death or could get ya kicked outta Rendezvous, all because of some purty woman.”

“Women ain’t nothin’ but trouble anyways—especially an Injun,” another man spoke up. “Besides, if ya take her, you’ll be strapped with the brat kid.”

Seth relaxed a bit and shrugged his broad shoulders. “Guess you’re right about that. This woman ain’t worth much anyhow.” He eyed Amanda, who was visibly shaking. “I’ll have a chance some other time with you, purty lady, just ya wait and see.” He leaned close to Mary. “Why don’t ya go on back to your man—wherever he may be?” He said it loudly, as though for the benefit of those who were listening. Then, in a hoarse whisper he mumbled, “This ain’t the end of it, though. Remember these words: You two women ain’t seen nor heard the last of old Seth Burrows.”

A
manda trembled as she watched Seth turn and walk away with a group of other uncouth men. She could almost feel Buck’s eyes upon her, and that made her quiver even more. She swallowed hard and forced herself to look at him.

Buck studied Amanda as though he was seeing her for the very first time. Then he reached out and placed a gentle hand on her arm.

She swallowed hard and fought against the burning tears that threatened to spill over. Whether it was from fright or anger over what had happened to Mary, a few of the tears escaped and trickled down. Just the mere fact that Buck was standing here was enough to make her cry. She felt ever so grateful he’d shown up when he did.

Buck went to Mary. “Did he hurt you?”

Mary rubbed her arm where Seth had held her in his grip. “I be fine now. I glad you are here.”

Buck glanced around. “Where’s Jim? Why wasn’t he here to defend you and Amanda?”

Mary’s shoulders slumped as she lowered her head. “Jim dead.” Buck’s eyes widened as he jerked his head and drew in a sharp breath. “Wh–what happened?”

Mary explained about the rattlesnake bites. “I try to save him, but it be too late. Amanda and me bury Jim’s body and come to Rendezvous with his furs.”

Buck looked questioningly at Amanda, and she nodded. “It was a shock to both of us.”

He rubbed the heel of his palm against his chest. “This is bad news. I feel a great sadness in my heart hearing this.” His mouth twisted grimly. “Jim was like a big brother to me. I-I will miss him very much.”

“Me also,” Mary said, her voice trembling.

Amanda’s heart went out to them, knowing firsthand how hard it was to lose a loved one. She, too, felt the loss of the intimidating man. In good time, Jim had softened up to her, and Amanda had felt safer with him around.

“What will ya do now?” Buck questioned.

“Sell Jim’s furs,” Mary replied. “Then head to winter home near Lapwai Creek.” She reached over her shoulder and touched the cradleboard holding her son. “I need to see family. Little Joe need to meet grandparents.”

Amanda blinked. This was the first time since Jim’s death that Mary had mentioned going home to her people. “Does that mean you will accompany me to the Spalding Mission?” she asked.

Mary nodded. “Me, you, Little Joe, and Thunder. We all go west when done here at Rendezvous.”

Buck shook his head vigorously. “That’s not a good idea, Mary. It wouldn’t be safe for you to travel without a man.”

“We have no man,” Mary said. “Have Jim’s gun and dog for protection.”

“Huh-uh. I won’t allow it,” Buck insisted. “If you’re set on goin’, then I’ll be traveling with ya. The least I can do for my friend Jim is to make sure his family is kept safe.” He glanced at Amanda. “But there’s one thing I need to make clear.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“You can read your Bible and pray all ya want, but there’s to be no preachin’ on this trip. At least not to me,” he quickly added.

That will be hard
, Amanda thought. But having Buck travel with them to show the way and offer protection was an answer to prayer. She met his gaze. “I shall not say one word about the Bible or God, unless you ask me first.”

“That ain’t never gonna happen,” he shot back.

We’ll have to wait and see about that
. Amanda looked at Mary and said, “In the meantime, I think we should find a place to put up our tent for the night, because I am tired, and I’m sure you and the baby are, as well.”

Mary nodded. “We sleep good tonight. Trade furs in the morning.”

Mary made sure that Joseph’s cradleboard was tied securely to her back, then she mounted her mare. Amanda did the same. Leading the pack mules and the other two horses, they rode through the camps of white men and Indians alike. Mary was uncertain of where to set up their camp. She knew they must find a place where they’d feel safe from Seth Burrows, so she couldn’t risk putting up their tent in a secluded area where they’d be by themselves.

They ended up stopping in front of a band of Flatheads, since Mary knew they had always been friendly with her people. She dismounted and spoke to one of the Indian men in sign language, asking if they might be welcome to camp among them. The man nodded and pointed to a small clearing where they could set up their tent. Buck pitched his tent close by and went to tend the horses. Mary would go to bed feeling safer than she had since the death of her husband. How thankful she was that Buck had shown up. Deep down, she knew it would not be safe for her and Amanda to travel alone, but she would have done it if necessary. She would do anything to be back with her family. She only hoped they would be happy to see her and would accept Little Joe.

While the women got some grub together, Buck took care of the horses and pack mules, watching as they munched hungrily on the grasses. It was good to be around Mary and Amanda again, and his stomach growled loudly, eager for food. But Buck needed some time alone with thoughts of his good friend Jim.

How could this have happened? Jim was the one who had taught Buck everything he knew about survival in the mountains. “Always be conscious of your surroundings,” Jim would say. “That’s the best way to make sure you’re safe.”

Once, when they’d traveled to one of the forts together, Jim had saved Buck from a rattlesnake he hadn’t noticed that was coiled near his feet. “Not all rattlers warn ya,” Jim had said. “Some strike without givin’ any kind of notice.” Buck had never forgotten Jim’s words, and it had saved him several times after that.

Could this be what happened to Jim?
Buck wondered.
The rattler gave no warning?
He groaned.
If only I’d been with him. If I just hadn’t left to hurry home to my cabin. If I’d agreed to travel to Rendezvous with ’em, maybe Jim would still be alive
.

It did no good to dwell on these things. All the “if onlys” got a person nowhere, especially when it came to death. He had learned early on that once something, or someone, took a person’s life, that was the way it was, and no amount of praying or wishing could change the situation. It was hard to think about Little Joe growing up without his father, and Mary now without her husband.