Forever Ecstasy (57 page)

Singing Wind intruded on her concerns. “Can you become white, Morning Star,
forever?”
she asked. “What will happen to you there if Joe dies before your training is complete? You will be alone in an enemy land. What if his parents do not accept you and they reject him for joining you? What if his friends leave his side? Will he remain happy with you? Is his love enough to receive in return for so many sacrifices? Does his love have the strength to help you win the many battles you will face? Think on this more. Once you choose, my daughter, your path leads but one way.”

At Bear Butte, the lookout rode into the clearing to report that a wagon and seven men were sighted: six white-eyes and Wind Bird. The party had halted an hour away while two of the men rode toward them to scout the area. It appeared that Orin McMichael was taking no chances this time, though the red-haired man with an unusual half-beard had not been seen. It was presumed the trader was staying concealed in the “white tepee.”

Everything was ready, every precaution had been taken. Black Moon and a few Crow were camped at the regular meeting site. Soldiers and Red Hearts were concealed behind trees, rolling hills, and bushes that encircled the location, but at a safe distance to avoid discovery by the approaching scouts. Horses, except for the Crow’s, were tethered a mile away to prevent their sounds from alerting the prey to a cunningly baited trap. The signals were arranged—one by Joe and/or one by Tom Fitzpatrick. No one was to fire a weapon or make any movement until either or both was given. Then they were to fire only in self-defense, as they wanted all villains captured alive.

Joe’s hands were bound behind his back and he sat on the earth before a tree. Clay’s rifle was aimed on his spot for quick rescue if things went badly. Other sharpshooters had weapons trained on the scene to make certain no lawbreaker escaped, particularly the boss. Joe and the others would bide their time
until Orin’s motive was uncovered, if possible. Then the trap would close around him and his gang.

The scouts arrived: Zeke Randall and Farley. The husky man eyed his surroundings before he dismounted, and the towhead follow his lead. Zeke glanced at the blond captive, grinned, and turned to the Crow chief.

“What’s the problem, Black Moon? Ain’t we treated you fair?”

“Bad feelings come, Hair Face. We capture man you want. He say Snake-Man no spirit. He say use tricks on Crow. When Spirit come to prove white man wrong, prove great magic and power?”

“Farley’s going after him now. We had to be sure this place is safe. Get him,” Zeke ordered his companion, who obeyed without speaking.

“Why man with big medicine afraid? What can hurt spirit?”

“I meant, safe for his men; we ain’t spirits. Nothing can hurt Snake-Man. You’ll see. He’ll reward you big for that gift.” He pointed to Joe.

Zeke walked to the prisoner, but the others stayed behind. He looked down at the helpless man and chuckled. “I told you I’d get you, boy. You’re gonna suffer good before you’re dead.”

“You didn’t get me, Zeke; the Crow did. I’ve led you a merry chase for a long time. We both underestimated Black Moon; he’s a sly devil. You and Orin won’t fool him much longer.”

Zeke stared at him, then snarled, “Shut up.”

Joe read the threatening glare, but asked, “Why? Afraid Orin’s tricks won’t be strong enough to protect you when Black Moon learns the truth? When he does, he’ll skin the lot of you. He’ll feed-”

Zeke silenced him with a backhanded blow to the cheek as the bearish male growled, “Shut up. Talk again, and I’ll take out your tongue.”

Joe didn’t provoke the enraged man to lose his temper. If he had to be rescued from a beating, the trap would be sprung too early. He was glad Clay and the others hadn’t panicked when he was struck and come to his aid. Joe looked at his enemy with what appeared a contempt for danger.

“Where’s the woman you took from me? She’s been riding with you.”

Joe didn’t answer, just stared with an insulting sneer.

Zeke used his booted toe to kick the bottom of Joe’s foot, several times and hard. “Answer me, dead man,” he ordered.

“First you say to keep quiet, then you ask questions and demand answers. Which do you want, Randall, silence or talk?”

Zeke stroked his beard as he sneered, “Think you’re real brave and smart, don’t you?”

“I haven’t done badly until now, and my trouble didn’t come from you.”

More fury glistened in Zeke’s shiny eyes, so Joe cautioned himself to settle down. He couldn’t be too cocky or Zeke would get suspicious: He was attempting to keep the burly man distracted from the Crow until Orin joined them; he didn’t want any slips from the Bird People. “She’s with Black Moon’s wives. He decided to keep her and to trade me. I tried to bargain with him, but he thought I was more valuable to you than what I had to offer. I tried to convince him he’s being a fool, but you two have him duped good. As to your question, you’ve got it wrong; you stole her from me; I just took back my property. If you’d harmed my wife, you’d be dead by now instead of just mad.”

“Yore wife?” Zeke echoed in surprise.

“That’s right. Little Flower was gathering herbs while I hunted. She was to meet me nearby at noon. You snatched her. You did a pretty good job of hiding your trail back to camp, but I’m an Apache trained ex-Texas Ranger, so I’m not fooled easy. If you’d let her be, we’d have been out of this territory the next day. Then you went and put a ball in my arm and roughed her up. That made me real mad.”

Joe saw that he’d captured Zeke’s attention with his tale, so he continued it. “I guessed what you had in your wagons and what you were up to. Being an ex-lawman and plenty riled, I figured I’d hang around a while and take a little revenge. Trouble is, Randall, you and your boys kept pulling me deeper into your business. I don’t like being accused of murder—Clem, remember? I had a tough time convincing Captain Thomas at Fort Tabor I was innocent, but my Ranger badge carried more
persuasion than your claims. Your lie riled me more. I told Thomas what I suspected was going on, but he believed this Snake-Man stuff was Indian superstition. I could see you boys were going to get away with your crimes. It wouldn’t have drawn me in if you’d left us alone. You didn’t, so I destroyed your guns. We were heading out of this sorry area when the Army came after us for two more murders. That made me mad again. I had you, soldiers, and your Crow friends chasing us with blood in the eye. With Thomas dead and framed good, I figured it was smarter to ride west and forget about you and your dealings, but we ran in to some of Black Moon’s braves.”

“You saying all this trouble was over that woman, a squaw?”

“My
woman, Zeke; that’s a big difference to a man.”

“Why didn’t you ride into my camp and lay claim to her?”

“Texans aren’t fools. You’d have killed me and kept her.”

“Damn right,” he admitted. “I shoulda hired you that night. You’re good, Lawrence. You’ve been a wound in the gut to us.”

Joe glanced at his bonds, chuckled, and said, “But I ain’t perfect, or I’d be free and long gone. Standing too much guard and getting too little sleep dulled my wits.” He realized Zeke was falling for his story and relaxing. The evildoer even seemed to expose a begrudging respect for his prowess.

“You’ll get plenty of rest soon,” Zeke jested.

“In a permanent bed six feet underground?” Joe retorted.

“Yep, so why you so calm?” he asked, glancing around again.

“A man has to die sometime. A Ranger stares it in the face every day; I got used to living on the edge of a grave. Once you accept the fact it’s coming for you and you can’t stop it, you learn not to fear it as much. In your line of work and surrounded by hostiles, I’m surprised you haven’t learned that lesson, too; or maybe you have. Tell me, Randall, why do you boys want to provoke an Indian uprising?”

Zeke looked at Black Moon and his braves at the campfire. He turned to frown at Joe. “You’re talking too much again,” he warned.

“When a man’s gonna die, he needs a reason for it. It isn’t
because I riled you boys a few times. It’s because of why you thought I was challenging you. I’ve guessed that much, but not the why behind it.”

“Who are you? Who you working for?” Zeke demanded.

“Joe Lawrence, like I told you that first night. I’ve been drifting with my wife for about two years. Ever since the Apaches burned our ranch, killed our son, and captured our daughter,” he said in an icy tone, with a frozen glare in his blue eyes. “They didn’t like me using the skills they’d taught me against them. Trouble is, only an Apache can track an Apache, and even I’m not that good. Never could find where they took my little girl. Finally had to give up searching for her to make a fresh start. So, we’ve been drifting around and looking for a new place to settle. We want to stay in the West, we don’t like crowded areas, but we’ve found Indian trouble everywhere we’ve looked, and we don’t want that risk again. You boys stirring up Indians to go on the warpath was part of why I was so riled against you. Too many innocent whites get hurt and killed. Ever seen a real massacre, Zeke? Probably not or you’d think twice about what you’re doing. I bet you don’t have any family to worry about losing to hostile attacks.”

“Nope, just have me. Why’s an Injun hater married to a squaw?”

“Married her before all the trouble. Except for her skin color, she’s as white as you and me. Speaks good English, so she heard all you said. Little Flower figured it was safer and smarter to stay silent.”

“She was a real looker. Be glad she’ll last longer with Black Moon than Snake-Man. He likes to use a strong hand with his women.”

Joe scowled for effect. “I guessed that much from Clem’s slips. You were smart to silence him; a man with a loose tongue and a weakness for whiskey is dangerous. Any chance we can make a deal? You get me back my wife and we’ll clear out of your territory?”

“You ain’t in no seat to deal. It’s too late, Joe.”

“I figured that, but can’t you tell me why I’m dying?”

“So you can yell it to them Injuns?” Zeke jested.

Joe chuckled. “In my place, wouldn’t you use just about any
trick to save your hide?” He laughed again as if resigned to his predicament.

“Wagon come!” Black Moon shouted and stood.

“Your last card’s been played, Joe. Game’s over and lost.”

“Yep, I guess it will be over soon. Leastwise, I’ll meet your boss. I’m real curious about a man with so much power and money. Clever, too.”

Joe watched Zeke join the Bird People, who watched the wagon pull into place. He assumed the other four cutthroats, whom he’d seen at Black Moon’s camp recently, were survivors from his Rake’s Hollow attack. Their employer wasn’t in sight yet, and Joe prayed he was with them. The riders dismounted and tethered their reins. Farley went to Zeke like a moth to a flame. Wind Bird made his way toward Joe, but they didn’t speak or look at each other. Joe was relieved by the brave’s safe return and success.

The tailgate was unbolted and lowered. The string closing the cloth-bowed top was loosened and flared, creating a large opening. A big man stood under the white canvas arch with hands on hips. His lower body was clad in fringed buckskin pants and moccasins. His chest was bare and hairless. Colorful tattoos of fierce snakes began above his wrists, coiled round and round his strong arms, and seemingly crawled over his broad shoulders. Their triangular heads were depicted over each breast with forked tongues, bared fangs, glassy black eyes, and flared pits. The vipers were drawn with effective skill, to entice fear and superstition.

Joe’s alert gaze examined the disguise that covered the leader’s face and half of his head, reaching to behind his ears and to the base of his neck. The painted metal mask that hid his identity was in the shape of a snake’s head. The holes in it— eye, pit, and mouth—were small or shaped to prevent clues. The hair Joe glimpsed was black, dark, and silky. But shoulder length! Even if Orin’s hair was sooted or dyed, Joe reasoned, he knew it wasn’t long! He noticed the shade of the man’s skin, which was much too dark for Orin’s! In fact, Joe decided, the devil hinted at being…an Indian! He was baffled. He recalled Zeke’s curious expression when he mentioned Orin’s name earlier. Was it possible, Joe wondered, that
Orin wasn’t the captain of these land pirates? Either way, he’d know the truth soon.

Zeke whispered a report, then fetched him. As they approached, Snake-Man spoke to the Indians. Despite new facts, Joe was surprised at not hearing a Scottish accent! He didn’t recognize the deep voice, but listened carefully. He knew there had to be clues to glean.

“My friends, why do you doubt me? Have I not proven myself to you? I have given you guns, bullets, whiskey, and many gifts of friendship. Have I not sent word where the Lakotas hunt and camp so you can raid your enemies? Have I not shown you my big medicine? Have I not provoked the soldiers against your enemies? Have I not kept the bluecoats away from your camps? Did I not give Black Moon a magic present?” He tossed the musical watch that Wind Bird had delivered to him back to the Crow chief.

“You promise more rifles, but they no come,” Black Moon replied. “Crow cannot fight enemies with whiskey and trinkets. You say, kill all Sioux. How we kill with no weapons?”

“More will come soon, my friend. You have captured the white man who destroyed your supply and who stopped more wagons.”

The last part was a crafty lie. Joe caught how slowly and carefully the head of the gang spoke. He studied the man’s physique, and culled his memory.

“I will speak with him. Then he will die. He will stop no more wagons from reaching Black Moon. Bring the captive to me, Hair Face. Rest, my friends, while we speak. I must learn if others work with him who will take his place to steal your supplies.”

The Crow returned to the campfire in the center of the clearing, as the wagon was on its edge. Everyone except Zeke and his master joined the Indians there. The husky hireling yanked Joe closer to the lowered tailgate.

“You want me to stay?” he asked.

The man studied Joe a moment, then replied, “No, he will not run. Keep your gun ready. If he does, shoot him down. Strike only his legs.”