Savage Dawn (17 page)

The campfire was burning low as Sam Partain and his men got up to begin a new day of their search.

But things had changed. Several of the men who had ridden with him on his quest to find Nicole Tyler had left angrily in the night.

They had tried to talk Sam into forgetting this nonsense and letting the woman be. When he refused to listen to reason, they snuck away in the darkness.

Now there were only two men riding with Sam, their eyes set on the upper slopes of the mountain.

Searching farther and farther up the mountain had become Sam’s obsession. He would not let the fear of Navaho Injuns spook him out of getting his revenge.

But he had decided that if he hadn’t found Nicole in the next two days, he would finally give up on her and return with his friends to St. Louis. The nights had already proven that winter was not far away. The higher elevations of the mountain were already snow-shrouded.

“Sam, can’t you feel how cold it is this morning?” Ace asked as Sam kicked the last of the dirt on the campfire until all the glowing embers were covered. “Take a gander up yonder. Snow, Sam. There’s more snow on the peaks than yesterday. Don’t that give you a hint of what’s to come? Sam, two more days are two days too many for me. I don’t trust this mountain. It’s haunted by Injuns. Who’s to say when a hard snowfall will suddenly come and cover us like thick, white blankets, sent by the spirits of this damn mountain? Navaho spirits, Sam.”

“You believe in too much superstitious fluff,” Sam said, laughing contemptuously as he placed his blanket in his saddlebag. “Come on. Get in your saddle and let’s go. The sun will soon warm you through and through. You’ll forget the chill of the night. And as for snow? Good Lord, man, it’s too early in the season to think about it, much less cause me to give up my search for the Tyler woman.”

Ace gave Tom a harried look, hoping the other man would back him up. Maybe Tom could come up with some argument that would stop Sam from continuing this idiotic search for a woman who meant nothing at all to Tom, or Ace.

Tom just shrugged and mounted his horse, and Ace had no choice but to follow him.

They gave Sam a harried look, then rode farther up the mountain pass that they had found only yesterday. It was worn enough to tell them
that it was used frequently, no doubt by the Navaho, who were the only ones who came this far up the mountain.

Sam supposed that knowledge should have sent him running for cover, but he was too intent on finding Nicole to care. Once he did, he would get out of this place as fast as his horse would carry him.

He wasn’t as dumb as his friends thought him to be. He knew that he was chancing everything in order to take his revenge.

“She’s got to be on this mountain,” Sam grumbled as he snapped his horse’s reins. “We’ve been all over lookin’ for her. No prints lead farther than this mountain. They’re hers, you know it. We followed them from where she was last. In that Mormon community. I might not be an Injun, but damn it, I’m skilled at trackin’ horses’ prints. And she just can’t have gotten far. We’ll find her today or my name ain’t Sam Partain.”

Suddenly Sam went quiet as he spied something that made him stare with disbelief.

The wolf!

It had to be the same wolf that he had left for dead some months ago after it had come up on him while he was alone at a river.

He was stunned that the wolf had lived after what Sam had done to it. Why, Sam had practically skinned it after stabbing the son of a gun in the side.

He’d left the wolf for dead, and then he and his
friends had hightailed it outta there quicklike in case the wolf ran with a pack that might attack them.

The last time he had looked back at that wolf, it was lying in its life blood, but Sam had noticed that it was still breathing, its golden eyes following Sam’s every move. Sam had thought to go back and put it out of its misery by shooting it. But instead, he had laughingly gone on his way, leaving the wolf half alive.

Damn it, how on earth had that wolf stayed alive?

He grabbed for the rifle in his gun boot, but the wolf was gone in a flash, like a ghost that might materialize and then disappear just as quickly.

A chill rode his spine. What if that had been the ghost of a wolf, come back to haunt Sam?

“What’re you staring at?” Ace asked as he came up beside Sam’s horse. “Why, Sam, you’re as pale as a spook. What scared you?”

“It’s the damnedest thing,” Sam said, idly scratching his brow. “You know that wolf I told you about while we were on our way to Tyler City? The one I left to die?”

“Yeah, what about it?” Ace asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“Well, if’n I didn’t know better, I’d believe I just saw that same damn wolf peering out at me from those bushes over yonder,” he said, pointing with the barrel of his rifle to where he was sure
that he had seen the animal. “It has to be the same one. The deep scar, where no fur grows, shows where I cut that damn wolf. I just know it. It is the same critter.”

“So it lived—” Ace shrugged. “What of it? When you get the chance, shoot it and this time make certain it’s dead. I don’t like the idea of being stalked by a damn, angry wolf.”

“Me neither,” Tom said as he came to Sam’s other side. “In fact, gents, let’s hunt that rascal down and make sure it’s dead this time.”

“That’s a good idea,” Sam growled. He slid his rifle back into his gun boot. The three men took off at a fast clip on their horses in the direction Sam had last seen the wolf running.

But no matter how far they rode, or in which direction, they didn’t find the wolf.

“Well, that’s that,” Sam said, disgruntled. “It’s given us the slip. But keep an eye out for it. I can’t imagine that thing leaving me alive after what I done to it.”

“Another reason we should turn back and hightail it to St. Louis,” Ace said, glaring at Sam. “Sam, I’m tired of this. I’m leavin’ you now. I’ve had it. The thought of that wolf out there is enough to spook me into sayin’ good-bye until we meet again in St. Louis.”

He looked over at Tom. “Joining me?” he asked. “Had enough?”

“Yep, I’d say so,” Tom said, swinging his horse around and heading it back down the mountain.
He looked over his shoulder at Sam. “See ya in hell, Sam, for sure enough, if that wolf has anything to do with it, that’s where you’re gonna wind up. It’s just waitin’ for the right moment to jump out at ya.”

Sam stared disbelievingly at Ace as he joined Tom on the trek downward. “You’re both cowards!” he shouted as he waved a fist at them. “I ought to shoot you for deserting me.”

“I wouldn’t fire that gun if I wuz you,” Ace said. “That would sure enough let the Navaho know they were no longer alone on their mountain.”

“The mountain don’t belong to the Navaho,” Sam shouted angrily at him. “It’s everyone’s.”

“Including the wolf’s,” Ace said, then rode away from Sam with Tom alongside him.

Sam felt bewildered by what had just happened. First he saw what he knew was that same wolf that he had left to die, and then the rest of his friends deserted him?

He heard a rustling behind him.

He turned with a start and gasped. He felt the color drain from his face when he saw the wolf step out from behind the bushes, its golden eyes intent on him.

Sam’s fingers trembled as he yanked his rifle from the gun boot again, and took aim. But just as quickly as before, the wolf was gone again, as though it knew the art of disappearing into thin air.

“You gol’darn animal,” Sam said, breathing hard.

He glanced over his shoulder in the direction his friends were going. He then looked again where he had seen the wolf.

“No wolf is going to get the best of me,” he whispered to himself.

He held on to his rifle as he rode onward. He kept watching for the wolf on all sides, but still he didn’t see it.

“Sneaky son of a gun, ain’tcha?” he said, trying to shake off the fear he was feeling.

He looked over his shoulder again. Something told him that he was making a mistake by not joining his friends, but when Sam Partain made up his mind to do something, gol’darn it, he did it.

Suddenly he heard the yip-yipping of several wolves. It seemed there was not only that one to keep an eye out for, but a whole pack.

His teeth chattered from fear. He tried to blame it on the temperature, which today was colder than yesterday.

He stopped long enough to take a jacket from his saddlebag and put it on. As he started forward again, he heard yip-yipping on first one side of him, and then the other.

Chills rode his spine. He seemed to be riding right toward the wolves’ cries.

And then once again he caught sight of the very one he had injured. It came from behind the bushes once again, as though to purposely taunt
Sam. Again, it disappeared as soon as Sam lifted his rifle.

“You lousy, sneaky animal!” Sam cried, his eyes darting in all directions. All he could see were golden-leafed aspen trees, and all he could hear was the rush of water coming from a waterfall that must be nearby.

He had never felt so alone, or so vulnerable.

If only he could be at a gambling table, cards in hands, money spread out in front of him, as he taunted the other players he knew would lose to him.

He began trembling when he saw the wolf again, but this time if was not standing still, staring at him. It was running up ahead, again as though taunting him.

When it stopped and gave Sam a look, Sam saw it as one of defiance, and…and…of victory.

It was then that Sam knew he had finally lost his largest gamble of all…life!

He screamed when wolves appeared on all sides of him.

He had already fainted dead away when he was knocked from his horse and his neck was slit open by sharp teeth. The wolves howled in victory over a human being that had no place on this earth any longer.

Snow was suddenly falling in white sheets outside Nicole and Eagle Wolf’s tepee. She was troubled because Eagle Wolf had left the village before it started snowing. He and several of his warriors had gone to hunt for smaller game, since the main hunt had been such a success only a month ago.

“Dancing Snow Feather, you don’t look at all concerned about the sudden snowfall,” Nicole murmured as she knelt beside the lovely pregnant woman. She and her sister-in-law were making kneel-down bread for their husbands.

Yes, Nicole was now married to the man she absolutely adored.

She couldn’t be happier except for when she looked at Dancing Snow Feather’s belly, which was growing round with child. Nicole knew that she wanted to be pregnant, too.

She couldn’t understand why she hadn’t become with child, too. Ever since speaking their vows, she and Eagle Wolf had made love almost every night, yet she still wasn’t pregnant!

She knew how much her husband wanted children. In fact, Nicole had actually become somewhat alarmed after they were married because he kept talking about the children he was anxious to have with her.

She had one evening suddenly recalled how he had said that his marriage to his first wife was one of convenience only, and that he had mainly been concerned about her giving him sons.

Nicole had begun to worry that he had not married her for the right reasons, but just because he needed sons.

She knew how important it was to the Navaho to have children. Some whites called them a “vanishing people” because so many had been slain by the cavalry.

Of course, both girls and boys were needed to build the numbers of the Navaho again, but it was sons that Eagle Wolf always spoke of.

When she had told him her fears on this, that he might have married her for the wrong reasons, he had taken her quickly into his arms and convinced her otherwise. He had spoken softly and sweetly to her and made love in a way that left no doubt as to his feelings for her.

She no longer worried about his reasons for marrying her. She knew now that he loved her for herself. Having children with her would only be something that would make their relationship even more precious.

“Nicole?”

Dancing Snow Feather’s sweet voice broke through Nicole’s thoughts. “What did you say, Dancing Snow Feather?” Nicole asked, pausing for a moment in her bread making.

“You were so deep in thought,” Dancing Snow Feather said, wiping cornmeal from her hands on the doeskin apron she wore to protect her pretty beaded dress.

“I’m sorry,” Nicole said, wiping her hands on her own doeskin apron. Dancing Snow Feather had taught her how to make not only that, but also dresses and moccasins.

She had also taught Nicole how to make Eagle Wolf fancy buckskin vests that were embellished with colorful feathers hanging from the hem.

Nicole was an astute student, but she was also a teacher. She taught the Navaho children now five days a week in a log lodge that had been built by the warriors of the village. Everyone was anxious for their children to learn what white children were taught, so that the Navaho would no longer be at a disadvantage when they might have to deal with whites in the future.

Nicole was proud that some of the men and women of the village also came into the classroom and were learning from her, too.

In fact, a larger building was being readied, so that she would have one building for the adults, and one for the children. She was happy to oblige, for she loved teaching anyone who would listen to her lessons.

“I know that you are worried about our husbands being out in this heavy snowfall, but do not be afraid,” Dancing Snow Feather murmured. “They know this land well. No storm will keep them away from their families. Soon you will see them return with many rabbits in their bags. In fact, Nicole, this is a good time to hunt for rabbits, for their tracks will lead our warriors to them.”

“When the snow gets heavier, what do you do when you are all forced to stay inside your lodges both day and night?” Nicole murmured.

“There are many games played inside the lodges beside the fire,” Dancing Snow Feather said, again busy making her bread. She was stirring up a water and corn mixture, after the corn had been ground to the consistency of flour.

Green corn husks had been readied ahead of time and spread open. Now Dancing Snow Feather was pouring some of the mixture into the husks. She then wrapped the husks tightly together, tied them, and set them aside.

“But now that you are here with your teachings, the children will be in school. Half the day will be spent in learning, and then at night they will either share what they learned with their mothers and fathers, or they will play games,” Dancing Snow Feather said. “The children and adults are never without something to do until the warm winds of spring arrive again.”

Dancing Snow Feather noticed that Nicole had
not resumed making bread, but had gone quiet. She was now staring at Dancing Snow Feather’s belly, which was just now big enough to be visible beneath her doeskin dress.

“May I touch it?” Nicole suddenly blurted out.

Dancing Snow Feather smiled. “
Ho
, you may,” she said softly. “Give me your hand.”

Nicole reached out and Dancing Snow Feather took it and slid it up beneath the apron, so that Nicole’s hand was square over the tiny ball where the baby lay.

“My goodness,” Nicole gasped. She had never felt a woman’s pregnant belly before. She was an only child, so she had never shared moments like this with her mother.

She was awed by the wonder of this new life. Then she felt sad that she did not have the same sort of miracle to share with her husband.

Tears in her eyes, Nicole slid her hand away. “I wonder why I haven’t been able to get pregnant,” she said, her voice breaking. “Eagle Wolf wants children so badly. And…so…do I. I love children.”

“I can tell that you do by the way you treat the children you teach,” Dancing Snow Feather said, resuming the preparation of her kneel-down bread.

She would later go outside, where a pit had been prepared for the bread. Live coals waited there even now, keeping the pit hot.

The live coals would be removed just prior to
placing the filled corn husks in the pit. Then the bread would be allowed to bake slowly.

Once the bread was fully baked, the loaves would be removed from the pit oven. The hot husks would be stripped away, revealing a wonderful loaf of bread that was ready to be eaten.

“My mother did not have an easy time getting pregnant,” Dancing Snow Feather murmured. “She was advised by our shaman what the problem might be.”

“And the problem was?” Nicole asked.

“At that time, our shaman was called Swift Star. He told my mother that she was worrying too much about not being with child. Swift Star said all that worry stopped the child from coming,” Dancing Snow Feather murmured. She stopped and gazed into Nicole’s green eyes. “Stop thinking about it and then it will happen.”

“Truly?” Nicole asked, her eyes widening.

Then both looked toward the closed entrance flap when they heard the neighing of horses outside Nicole’s tepee. With the snow so soft and thick, neither of them had heard the approaching horse.

But now the neighing came loud and clear, and Nicole knew that her husband’s white stallion was right outside her lodge.

She wiped her hands on her apron again and stood quickly. Just when she reached the flap, Eagle Wolf was there, off his horse, and opening it himself.

“Eagle Wolf?” Nicole asked. She saw a strange look on his face as he entered. It was the sort of look he got when he was concerned about something.

She glanced quickly over at Dancing Snow Feather. The other woman leaped quickly to her feet and came to stand beside Nicole, her eyes searching Eagle Wolf’s.

“No, do not tell me that you have brought bad news about my husband…your brother…” Dancing Snow Feather said, her hands suddenly on her belly, as though to protect her child from whatever she might hear.

“No, it is not about my brother, but someone else,” Eagle Wolf said. He reached a hand out for Dancing Snow Feather and gently laid it on her shoulder. “I am sorry if I worried you. My brother is right outside my lodge on his horse. He is waiting there with the other warriors, for we will be leaving again.”

“You will?” Nicole asked. “Why are you leaving again after just returning home?” Nicole was more puzzled by the minute at her husband’s strange behavior. “Did you not get enough rabbits? If not, why did you return home? And why is that strange look in your eyes?”

“We found a man,” Eagle Wolf said thickly. “He has been dead for some time, yet his face is still recognizable. Nicole, I would like for you to come with me and identify him.”

“What?” Nicole gasped, feeling her face drain of color. “Why would you want me…?”

“I believe it is the man whose name is Sam Partain, the one responsible for killing everyone in Tyler City,” Eagle Wolf said.

“Why would you think that?” Nicole asked, searching his eyes.

“You have spoken of this man several times. You have described him to me in case he might come on our mountain,” Eagle Wolf said tightly. “This man has the golden color of hair that you described and it is long.”

Nicole shuddered at the thought of Sam Partain lying in the snow, frozen and dead.

“He is alone,” Eagle Wolf said. “He seems to have been attacked by some animal, perhaps a wolf.”

“A wolf?” Nicole repeated, recalling the wolf that she had seen so many times now. “Do you think it was…our…wolf?” she blurted out. “It always seems so gentle.”

“Both you and I have thought that it seemed to be looking for something,” Eagle Wolf said thickly. “Or someone.
Ho
, I believe this is the work of that wolf. I believe it finally found vengeance against the one who left it for dead.”

“I wonder where she is now,” Nicole murmured. She and Eagle Wolf had recently realized that the wolf was a female. They had noticed that its teats seemed larger, of late. It might indicate
that she had pups hidden somewhere, and in the snow, that was not good.

“She is smart and she will be all right,” Eagle Wolf said softly. “So will her pups if she has given birth to some.”

He reached for her hands. “It is not as cold out now as earlier,” he said, searching her eyes. “Are you up to going with me to see the face of this man? If he is Sam Partain, you will never have to worry about him again.”

“But he was alone?” Nicole murmured. “Are you certain of that?”

“There is only one body out there. If others were with him, I believe seeing him attacked by a wolf gave them cause to retreat as quickly as they could from the mountain. They will not return again,” Eagle Wolf said.

Nicole removed her apron. She went to where her warmest coat lay with the blankets that were rolled up along the back of the tepee. She snuggled into the coat, which had been sewn with fur on the inside to keep her warmer.

Then she went and gave Dancing Snow Feather a soft hug. “Can you finish the bread by yourself now that I must leave?” she asked softly.

“Go,” Dancing Snow Feather murmured. “Go and see the face. If it is the man Eagle Wolf thinks it is, you will be able to rest better at night from now on.”

She drew Nicole closer and whispered into her
ear, “Perhaps now you can concentrate on a baby?”

Nicole returned the hug, then stepped away from Dancing Snow Feather with a smile and a nod. Outside, the sun had just come out from behind the clouds, the snowstorm having moved on down the mountain.

“Let’s go,” she said, just as a young brave brought her mare to her.

She rode off among the warriors, with Eagle Wolf close beside her.

When they reached the spot where several warriors guarded the dead man, Nicole did not hesitate to dismount and go to take a look at his face.

“Yes, it is Sam Partain,” she said, feeling a new sense of peace soar through her. She knew that now she would now be able to focus on what was important to her, for the man she hated and dreaded with every fiber of her being was dead and could hurt no one else again.

“And now who loses at this last game of chance, a gamble that you undertook so recklessly?” Nicole said, kicking snow onto his frozen face.

From somewhere in the distance, Nicole heard the sound of yip-yipping, which she now knew was the way wolves communicated with one another. She smiled, for she knew that this time, the wolves were singing a happy song, a song of victory.