Grey Eagle: Savage Ecstasy Part 16

Their last night together forced its way into her thoughts. Would their life together have remained like that if she had not tried to escape? There was a strange closeness between them that night. For once, he had been only a man, not an Indian or a warrior. She had been only a woman, not his slave or his enemy. Had his budding acceptance and perhaps love been the cost of her freedom? Had she turned away just as he was reaching out to her?

Had her escape and his beating cruely torn his newfound feelings for her from his heart?

Alisha was abruptly aware of Lieutenant Gordon's voice. He was arguing with Mrs. Philsey again. She stiffened. What if he forces her to let him in? What wil I do or say? I can't meet a stranger or anyone looking like this. I can't. I look a sight! My hair is dul and lifeless. I've no clothes to put on. My skin is pale and clammy. I'm thin, scarred and bruised. My appearance screams "captivity."

Alisha had been alowed only to sponge off. Doc had said the welts must heal further before she could wet them. She had previously realized she did not have any clothes or possessions to enhance her looks, nor any money to purchase even a brush. Mrs. Philsey had given her two old, over-sized gowns, but that was almost the extent of her entire worldly possessions. What was she going to do? She couldn't expect these strangers to feed and clothe her indefinitely. She feared the day she would have to leave this room, but knew she certainly couldn't remain here forever. Mrs. Philsey's hospitality was already wearing thin. If only she had some way to repay or compensate them for their care, room and board. way to repay or compensate them for their care, room and board. How could she even work or help without begging for money or clothes? She had never been this helpless in her entire life. She listened ... silence. He must-have given up and gone away. The past must be laid to rest and you must begin a new life, Lese, she thought. But how and when?

The door opened and Mrs. Philsey stroled in. "The lieutenant was here to see you. He is getting more and more persistent and irritated. I believe he thinks! am the one who won't alow him in here to visit with you. I think you are being unfair and unkind, Alisha. After al, my dear, he is the one who risked his life and the lives of his men to locate and rescue you. I think you should see him and thank him properly. I'm not sure how much longer I can stal him with these dubious excuses of yours. Why won't you speak with him for just a few minutes? You do owe him that much."

"Why should he be concerned about someone he doesn't even know? I fail to see why he has any right to demand I receive his company if I do not wish it so. If he were a true gentleman, he would understand my hesitation. I am not ready to face the world, as you put it yesterday, Mrs. Philsey. Is a little more time too much to ask after al I've .. ." She turned away and did not finish her sentence. Why did the thought of meeting another man or speaking with him frighten her so much? Perhaps she was skeptical of his deep concern. His deep, melow voice sparked an alarm in her mind. Why, she did not know.

"Jeffery is the officer who found you and brought you here to safety. Do you know how very dangerous it was for him to come into that camp to free you? 'That' gives him the right to know you are al right and recovering. He feels an obligation to your safety and welfare. He said as much himself. Besides, he's a very handsome welfare. He said as much himself. Besides, he's a very handsome young man. He could be just the one to take your mind off your troubles. Most girls around here, or anywhere for that matter, would give an arm to have him so solicitous about them. You should be glad he's concerned enough to cal after ... I mean, that he cals so frequently to inquire after you. If you continue to refuse to see him, he may lose interest and look elsewhere. I might add, Alisha, Jeffery is one of the richest, most charming and wel-bred men out here. You would do wel to think on your future and circ.u.mstances before you continue like this. You forget you are now alone and penniless. He would be a very good catch for you."

Alisha stared at the woman in such a way it caused Mrs. Philsey to feel very uncomfortable and defensive. Stil, she continued, "I don't mean to sound so calous or unkind, but you must realize there aren't many solutions to your kind of problems, other than catching a man like Lieutenant Gordon. I promise you couldn't do any better. I suggest you had better think of the alternatives. The Brown girl isn't as fortunate as you to have your beauty and manner. It's obvious you're from a good background. The Brown girl is whoring for the fort. Is that what you want?" She boldly chalenged Alisha to shock her into some action and decision.

Alisha's face flamed at her gaucherie, then paled at its implication. "I would never lower myself to .. ."she began, but was rudely interrupted by Mrs. Philsey.

"Sometimes, we have little to say about what we do or become. You, of al people, should know this!" Her speech was crisp and tart.

"I'm sorry if I have offended you in some way, Mrs. Philsey. Perhaps my seclusion does appear impolite and selfish to you and Perhaps my seclusion does appear impolite and selfish to you and Lieutenant Gordon. I guess I haven't given any thought to my future yet. Your news about Kathy was such a shock to me. I only meant I could not become what she has. I would rather die first."

"Is your resistance and stubbornness what earned you that beating?" She was hoping to trick Alisha into some type of admission or revelation of some sort.

Alisha refused her baited question. "I was beaten for trying to escape, Mrs. Philsey, which I discovered was a terrible mistake on my part." But she did not explain what the "mistake" was. There was a hushed, strained silence between them for a time. Alisha was the first one to break it. "I wil see this Lieutenant Gordon if you think it best and if it wil make you happy. But I must have a bath and shampoo first. Besides, I have nothing to wear. I certainly can't meet him filthy and draped in a bed sheet!"

Mrs. Philsey informed Alisha she would gladly furnish her with al three of her wants-a bath, a shampoo, and clothes. She told Alisha she had two dresses she had made for her daughter's birthday. She would happily give both of them to her if it would encourage her to return to the land of the living. She added she would borrow some undergarments and shoes from some of the other ladies at the fort. The number of females at the fort was smal, so she would have to make do with the best they could lend. Mrs. Philsey knew they would donate a few items in order to speed up this mystery girl's public appearance. Many of them were anxious to meet her, or even to glimpse her.

Alisha thanked her for her help, but secretly speculated on her true motives. She couldn't quite put her finger on Mrs. Philsey's intentions. There was definitely more to it than compa.s.sion or kindness, but what?

kindness, but what?

Alisha softly said, "I am not up to a palaver at this time. I hope a few words and light banter with a very proper 'thank-you' wil be sufficient for today. When I am bathed and dressed, you can send word to this Lieutenant Gordon that I wil receive him."

Alisha was so close to Elizabeth's size, the dresses would fit as if they had been made for her instead. Mrs. Philsey decided it would be worth the donation of the two dresses for Jeffery's indebtedness. She herself would be sure to take al the credit for persuading Alisha to see him. She would soon be needing Jeffery in her corner. She would need a very special favor from this man, so any help she could give him with Alisha would be reciprocated in a most pleasing way. Within a few more months, she would no longer need to lick the boots of any man, no matter how rich or handsome. Alisha sat calmly waiting for Mrs. Philsey to get things prepared. Mrs. Philsey eagerly sent word to Jeffery, informing him that Alisha would see him later that afternoon.

Alisha did not like having her personal life an open book for al the Fort Pierre people to read. Her face flamed at the remembrance of Lieutenant Gordon's having seen her nude when he rescued her. Doc had told her she had been dressed only in his jacket and a blanket. If he took the time to put his jacket on her, then why couldn't he have put one of her dresses on her? she thought with annoyance. At least that way she would have had something to put on now! To think of him touching and viewing her body while she was unconscious mortified her. How many of the other men had seen and helped him with her? She agonized over this realization. Could this persistent interest be prompted by what the Could this persistent interest be prompted by what the lieutenant viewed that day? Did he realy care about her as a person? How could he? They didn't know each other. I do not trust him or his brotherly concern, she decided. For that matter, neither do I trust Mrs. Philsey's motives. They're anything but altruistic. Alisha knew she had no real reason to doubt or mistrust either of them. Perhaps she had been too critical, too suspicious and too faithless. But neither of them has harmed me in any way, she chided herself. In fact, in different ways they have both helped me. It is not good to be so skeptical and untrusting of one's felow beings. Then why had Mrs. Philsey been so brutal with her news about Kathy? Why would she do such a thing? In the vilage Kathy had no choice, but here? The best thing for me is to get wel and leave this savage land and its people for good. I must find some way back to England, for my heart is not up to my becoming an American-the cost is far too great to pay.

It would be dangerous to remain so close, and yet so far away from Wanmdi Hota. I could not chance our meeting again under any circ.u.mstances. G.o.d help me and let it be over. I must forget him and al he did and was to me. It would be far easier if I did not have his scars on my heart and body to remind me of him. Mrs. Philsey came in with the two dresses. One was a chambray of green and white. It was trimmed with a white colar and cuffs. The other dress was a beautiful paisley in blue, red, green and white designs. It was decorated with a white lace ruche and cuffs. Mrs. Philsey was also carrying undergarments and a pair of black, ankle-high, lace-up boots. She placed the things on Alisha's bed.

bed.

They talked about the clothes for a few minutes. She handed Alisha a volume of poetry left for her by Jeffery. As expected, Mrs. Philsey took al the credit for convincing Alisha to see him. She had coyly played up Alisha's shyness and embarra.s.sment at her position in the Oglala camp.

Jeffery was satisfied with Mrs. Philsey's handling of the situation for a while. He knew she was blatantly lying when she told him Alisha had heard such raving compliments about him that she felt she had to wait until she was more presentable. Being of a roguish, conspiratorial nature himself, Jeffery knew there was far more to this woman's help than she let on. He would learn her reasons for her a.s.sistance with that bewitching, stubborn girl in the back room. He was positive she would be wel worth his time and trouble.

Alisha looked at the book of poetry. It was an impersonal gift from a stranger to a stranger-or was it? It was a colection of sonnets by Wiliam Shakespeare. It included The Sonnets, Venus and Adonis, The Pa.s.sionate Pilgrim, and A Lover's Complaint. The forepage was inscribed with a short, clear message: "For a speedy recovery and a long-antic.i.p.ated meeting. Yours, Jeffery."

She studied the book and the inscription. Mrs. Philsey watched the radiant smile play across her lips. She likes poetry, especialy love sonnets, she mused. Jeffery wil be happy to know his gift pleased her so much. I shal be sure to tel him. I bet he's used that same tactic to woo the hearts of many an unsuspecting girl or lonely wife. Alisha can deal with his roving eye and rakish nature if and when she gets him.

But Alisha's smile was not because of the book, Jeffery's kindness or inscription or its kind. It was for the bittersweet kindness or inscription or its kind. It was for the bittersweet memories of reading this same book with her father very long ago and far away in a flowerfiled garden in Liverpool. Stil gazing down at the book, Alisha hesitantly asked, "What does he say about my being... a captive... about what... happened out there?"

"My dear Alisha, being a captive is no one's fault. He does not blame you for what you could not help or prevent. He has been here long enough to know what these savages are like. He wil not hold any of this against you." She spoke gently to encourage Alisha, hoping she would not change her mind about seeing him. Not after al the trouble she had gone to. Let her discover for herself what Jeffery's opinion is of exslaves, especialy an ex-slave of his worst enemy, Gray Eagle. She could not suppress a sardonic smile that Gray Eagle had put one more thing over on the aristocratic Jeffery Gordon-he had taken this girl he so greatly desired first. She grinned maliciously while thinking how it must gal Jeffery to know she had slept with that savage many, many times. What she couldn't understand was why Jeffery would lower himself to replace Gray Eagle.

Alisha should have felt the first hints of warning in the tone of Mrs. Philsey's voice or the gleam in her eyes. She would learn al too soon of this woman's hatred and contempt for the Indians and anyone who accepted them as people.

"But, Mrs. Philsey..."

"No buts, my dear. It's time to regain your youth and gaiety. Someone wil bring you water for your bath and shampoo. Do not disappoint me and Jeffery. I wil be back later to help you. The captain on duty is seeing to everything. Perk up! You're so young and lovely. Everything wil be fine from now on."

and lovely. Everything wil be fine from now on."

Alisha sat down on the bed to wait for the tub and water to be sent in. She had to admit Mrs. Philsey was right. It was time to bring the old Lese back to life, if she stil lived somewhere deep inside.

Time... She could almost hear her father's deep voice as he quoted his favorite pa.s.sage from the Good Book. "... To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose. A time to be born, a time to die; a time to kil; a time to heal; a time to destroy; a time to rebuild; a time to cry; a time to laugh; a time to grieve; a time to dance; a time to embrace; a time to refrain embracing; a time to get; a time to lose; a time to keep; a time to cast away; a time to be quiet; a time to speak up; a time for loving; a time for hating; a time for war; a time for peace..."

There was so much truth and good advice in those words. Al of those things had been true about her at one time or another. She had found her time for love and hate, her time to cry; her time for getting and losing; and her time for war. Now was the time for her to find her rebuilding, healing, laughter, peace and casting away. Al she lacked was the courage and strength to do it. It was the time for her new beginning... but why al alone?

She could not help but think on the words from her favorite pa.s.sage. Today, they haunted her, for their meaning applied to her personaly. She could understand the emotions and meanings of this pa.s.sage since she had lived it herself.

"Entreat me not to leave thee... Where thou lodgest, I wil lodge: Thy people shal be my people ... If aught but death part thee and me..." She had always thought it such a beautiful, bittersweet lovestory. It was far harder to accept hatred as the thing to part me from my love, she mused. It had not taken death to part to part me from my love, she mused. It had not taken death to part us, my love. It was your vengeance and rejection. I shal go my way and you, yours. Why does my heart ache so for you?

The door behind Alisha silently opened. The tub and water were hauled in and set up. She did not take note of the task going on behind her, nor of the one who did it.

Powchutu finished his task. He observed the girl who sat so gracefuly and proud on the bed, gazing out of the window in such deep thought. She had not seemed to know of his presence. She looked so smal and vulnerable, like a fragile desert flower. He had hoped to see and learn more of this woman of Wanmdi Hota's. At least, more than her size and the color of her reddish-brown hair. He vowed, later, when I return ...

Chapter Thirteen.

The captain on duty should have realized the mistake he was making when he ordered Powchutu to go to Mrs. Philsey's. Every man at Fort Pierre was aware of her intense dislike of the Indians, including Powchutu. He was like a slap in the face to her, for he was an example of an Indian daring to touch a white. Mrs. Philsey would be overjoyed when her husband's tour of duty here would be over and they could return East, hopefuly to that new post she was working so hard on.

She had spent enough time in this wilderness. She hungered for the day they could return to civilized living. She, like most of the others, had never tried to understand or accept the Indians. She considered them vile, filthy, low-born savages. Anyone who had anything to do with them also fel into category.

Captain Tracy was thriled with this golden opportunity to degrade Powchutu. When Powchutu was at the fort, he was under the orders of the captain on duty. The other two officers did not particularly care for Powchutu, but did not try to find ways to put him down in front of the others. But Captain Tracy was different. He looked for anything which was difficult or demeaning for Powchutu to do. He enjoyed nothing better than to stand over him while he performed this kind of service. Until Powchutu was ready to make his move, he tolerated Tracy's att.i.tude.

In Tracy's attempts to belittle Powchutu, he loved to a.s.sign those jobs which were particularly female. He cackled to himself, thinking of the brawny, arrogant scout preparing a lady's bath. This thinking of the brawny, arrogant scout preparing a lady's bath. This is my best taunt yet, he crowed. Just wait until the other men heard about this one. What a stroke of luck! Thank heavens for finicky females!

Powchutu struggled hard to suppress his bitterness at these humiliating tasks. But today, he almost thanked Tracy for this a.s.signment. His mounting curiosity to see this girl of Wanmdi Hota's outweighed his desire to refuse such a ridiculous order. He grinned mockingly and accepted the order, much to Tracy's chagrin. If Mrs. Philsey had not been out back hanging out her wash, she would have prevented the hauntingly bittersweet friends.h.i.+p which would bloom and grow into a tangled vine which would soon entwine both Alisha and Powchutu in its strangling, binding grasp. She did not observe his coming or going, but neither did Alisha. Alisha's rambling thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. Philsey's voice and tap on her shoulder. "Ready, my dear. The water and tub are prepared. I checked and it isn't too hot for your back. I'l return later to rinse your hair for you. Just cal out when you're ready."

Mrs. Philsey closed the window and curtains for privacy, then departed.

Alisha slowly puled the gown over her head and dropped it on the bed. She glowed with modesty as the door abruptly opened and Mrs. Philsey came back into the room, without even knocking!

No stranger, except Wanmdi Hota, had ever seen her naked... that is, while she was aware of it! Mrs. Philsey placed soap, towel and cloth near the tub and departed again.

She lowered herself gradualy into the oblong wooden tub. She relaxed as the warm, scented water surrounded her. Mrs. Philsey had thought of everything, right down to bath oil and fragrant jasmine soap. She scrubbed her hair and skin, feeling fragrant jasmine soap. She scrubbed her hair and skin, feeling relaxed and clean for the first time since coming here. Mrs. Philsey had returned to rinse her hair with warm water from a smal bucket. She immediately left after finis.h.i.+ng, carrying the bucket and the soiled gown.

This bath and shampoo was perhaps the best she had ever taken in her entire life. She felt enlivened, refreshed and at ease, ready to face the world and Lieutenant Gordon, or so she believed. She reluctantly rose from the water and dried herself. She dressed in the green and white chambray, a style of dress her mother would have caled a morning dress. The paisley was a little too dressy for a first meeting, or even to wear at al in this part of the country. It was the kind of dress one would wear to dinner back East. Alisha almost regretted denying Elizabeth that beautiful dress, but she was positive she needed it far worse than Elizabeth did. Alisha toweled her hair and brushed it until it was soft, s.h.i.+ny and silky. Without thinking, she braided it Indian style. Perturbed, she realized this dress b.u.t.toned down the back. She must wait for Mrs. Philsey to return to do her up. Either Elizabeth had servants to help her dress, or Mrs. Philsey did not want to place the b.u.t.tons up the front of this dress. Feeling slightly weakened by this flurry of activity, she sat down on the edge of the bed to rest for a minute. There came a soft, light tapping upon her door. Alisha had left the door slightly ajar to inform Mrs. Philsey she was finished. Thinking it was she, she caled out for her to enter, "I am finished. Come in ..." She was slightly amused at the woman's sudden politeness. Her back was to the door with her dress gaping open as she was putting the il-fitting shoes on her smal feet. How she wished she had her soft, comfortable moccasins.

She stood up and turned. A radiant smile touched her lips and She stood up and turned. A radiant smile touched her lips and eyes, making them sparkle with vitality. She began, "I feel so much better, Mrs. Philsey. This was just what I.. ." Her remaining words froze in her throat. She paled and stiffened in fear and disbelief. The smile had instantly faded, leaving her lips slightly parted. Her green eyes had darkened and widened with panic.

She stared into the handsome face of an Indian who was dressed like a white man, but who resembled Gray Eagle. Her eyes quickly registered his darkly tanned face; his colar-length ebony hair; his red cotton s.h.i.+rt; fawn-colored buckskin pants and vest; his knee-high, fringed moccasins; his height and size; the black hat with the wide brim and red braided band; and his strong, manly, arrogant features.

His tal, muscular body seemed to fil the room. It emanated power and pride. Her eyes were drawn to his by their most unusual, slaty color and the fierce emotions she could read there. It had taken only moments for al these details to reach her mind, but it seemed like hours before she was fuly aware of her reaction to him and her bold, rude gaping. Was this man real or an apparition? He looked Indian, and yet, he did not.

Powchutu had alertly noted her reaction to him. He read the apprehension, disbelief, terror and confusion in her eyes, but he also read more. There had been a brief flickering of other emotions in her eyes. She stared at him more as if she were seeing a ghost, rather than an enemy.

He had not been prepared to see such an overwhelmingly beautiful, desirable woman. She was everything they had rumored her to be, but far more. He could easily understand both Gray Eagle's and Jeffery's interest in her. He was fascinated and astonished by her childlike innocence. She appeared so fragile and astonished by her childlike innocence. She appeared so fragile and dainty, and yet, there was pride and dignity in her expression. Never had he met or seen a female to compare with this girl. She spoke with her eyes, her vulnerability puling at the strings of his embittered heart. She had not moved or screamed. She just stared at him as if she waited to see what he intended to do with her. He was surprised to see only shock and fear in her green eyes. There were no signs of hatred or contempt.

He moved slightly and spoke first, "I didn't mean to frighten you, Miss. I'm Powchutu. I scout for this fort. I'm here to remove the tub and water." Why was he bothering to explain, or to comfort her? He for d.a.m.n sure couldn't explain the grin on his face or his crazy mood. He felt like he was the hot sun, beating down on a delicate white flower while it waited in fear of death or destruction from his power and heat.

When he spoke, her eyes riveted to his lips. Then without any warning, she began to slip to the floor in a faint. She was like a slender blade of gra.s.s succ.u.mbing to a heavy rainstorm. He was instantly at her side before she reached the floor. He tenderly lifted her and laid her on the bed, being very careful of her back. When he had first entered the room, he had seen the cruel marks of the lash upon her back through the gaped opening of her dress. He had inwardly flinched at the sight. Without knowing her, he was inflamed by her abuse. How could any man do something like that to such a girl, even a warrior like Wanmdi Hota?

He took a cloth and wet it in the tub. He came to sit beside her on the bed as he gently wiped her face with the cool, wet cloth. Her eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. He looked down into the most bewitching eyes he had ever seen. For a time, he was lost in their depths. She met his steady gaze in bewilderment as he their depths. She met his steady gaze in bewilderment as he repeated his former words, in case she had not realy understood him.

Sensing no danger or evil in this man, her color quickly returned to her face and the fear disappeared from her eyes. He watched the transformation with pleasure. She relaxed when she realized who he was. Her eyes softened and she smiled up at him. Without being aware of it, she felt a strange warming and disarming attraction to this man. The idea she should fear and despise him never entered her mind. She was embarra.s.sed at her reaction to him, for he had been sent here to help her.

When she answered him, her voice was as sweet and musical as the nightingale's. She smeled of wildflowers. Her skin was as soft as rabbit fur. An eternal flame of love and desire ignited in his heart at that moment.

There was no enmity in her eyes, only a light he had never seen before-acceptance and friends.h.i.+p. He knew without a doubt, here was the girl he had waited for, hungered for and dreamed about. Here was a girl worth possessing, worth fighting the entire world to possess. She recognized him for what he was and it did not matter. She looked at him as a person, a man. It only took a moment to recognize her value. Wanmdi Hota wil suffer a great loss in you! he thought. Or wil he? Would any man give up such a prize without a fight? He grinned as he thought about Jeffery's persistence and impatience about this girl. Now he understood why.

Alisha saw Powchutu return her friendly smile. "I am sorry, Powchutu. I guess you startled me. I was expecting Mrs. Philsey. You're the first person I've seen since I came here. You're an Indian, aren't you?" She had an urge to know who he truly was. Indian, aren't you?" She had an urge to know who he truly was. Automaticaly without thinking, he snapped, "I'm only half Indian! A hanke-wasichun ... or half-breed as the white man says!

At least, that's what I'm most frequently caled." The intense bitterness, unsuppressed hostility and suffering in his eyes and voice tore at her heart. He had never revealed his very heart and soul to anyone before, until this girl...

Alisha could sympathize with his anger and pain. With al honesty and deep sincerity, she apologized to him, "I'm sorry, Powchutu. I didn't know. I wouldn't hurt or embarra.s.s you intentionaly. Sometimes we have no control over who or what we are. Do not be ashamed of your mixed blood. Be proud to carry some of both inside you. Each of them has something good to offer you."

He gazed at this girl in wonder. He thought, she speaks with inteligence, wisdom and understanding. How can one so young be so kind and knowledgeable? Her words are true, but she is the only one who realizes it. Why could the others not be as wise and kind?

Alisha did not know why she spoke so freely and openly to this total stranger, nor the reason she said what she did. The words and thoughts came to her mind and she knew them to be true. She noted how they touched and lightened his bitter heart. She thought, it must be terribly lonely and frightening to be so alone and misunderstood. I am happy I've helped him, if only in some smal way. He seems so nice and pleasant. Why does anyone treat him so cruely? A person cannot be held responsible for his parentage, nor can he change it.

Amazed, Powchutu thought, here is a white girl who cals me by my name and looks me in the eye. She apologizes for my suffering and humiliating by her people. She truly cares what I think suffering and humiliating by her people. She truly cares what I think and feel. How can this be? Yet, it is true, for I see it in those gentle, honest eyes and hear it in her voice. Now, I must comfort and help her.

"I know your fear of the Indian is great, but in time you wil forget the pain they have inflicted on you. It was wrong for them to treat you this way. I am ashamed I carry their blood. If it were possible, I would punish them for this." He had a need to rea.s.sure her.

As he spoke to her, she lowered her eyes in pain and whispered, "Does anyone ever forget such hatred and cruelty, Powchutu? Never feel shame for the actions of others. We cannot control what others say and do. These people out here are confusing to me. We are much alike, you and I, for I cannot seem to fit in with either side."

There was a strong bond of understanding between them. Each was reaching out to the other. There existed a feeling of natural friends.h.i.+p, of finding a kindred spirit. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to sit together, to talk, to laugh and to share their happiness and pain. She felt she could discuss anything with him.

She raised imploring eyes to his and asked, "Why do they hate each other so much, Powchutu?" The soft way she spoke his name caused him to tremble as he listened to her words, both forgetting where they were and how she was dressed. "I mean the whites and the Indians? Except for their skin color and different customs, they're just alike. Why do they hate and kil each other?"

The door flew open and Mrs. Philsey marched in. She gaped at the intimate scene before her eyes in shock and horror. She became livid with rage.

became livid with rage.

Powchutu hastily rose from the bed and faced her. He tried to explain what had happened to her. He wanted to protect Alisha from her anger, for she had no idea of how these people would view and treat her for befriending him. They would not alow them to be friends and she must be made to know this before she was hurt. He would rather give her up than see them do to her what they did to him every day of his life.

Mrs. Philsey's animosity filed the entire room. She shouted, "What the Hel are you doing in here? I don't alow Injuns in my quarters! How dare you come here! You... you savage! I'l have the stripes of the man who sent you in here. This is an outrage! An outrage, I tel you! If you're lying, I'l have you beaten and tossed in the stockade!"

Powchutu tried to calm her down, but she would hear nothing of his explanation. He gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his fury for Alisha's sake. He held back the words which threatened to spil forth. He forced himself to not stare at her with those darkened, angry eyes, which could bring fear with their very coldness of expression. He lowered his gaze to the floor to feign humility and respect, waiting for her tirade to cease.

It did not. "I'l kil you if you don't get out of here. This insult is unforgivable! The officer who sent you here wil be sorry he ever laid eyes on you! Don't you ever come in here again, orders or no orders! Do you hear me Get out! Get out!"

Alisha was taking in this entire exchange in shock and disbelief. Was this woman realy saying what she was hearing? She could not believe the viciousness of her attack on Powchutu. Finding her wits, Alisha spoke up, "Please, Mrs. Philsey. He was only helping me. I was startled and weakened. I nearly fainted. was only helping me. I was startled and weakened. I nearly fainted. He only placed me on the bed and bathed my face with a cool cloth. He was very kind and helpful. He did nothing wrong."

She ignored Alisha's explanation. How dare she defend that sc.u.m? "He had the audacity to touch you! The heathen savage should never touch any white woman for any reason."

Alisha was flabbergasted by her att.i.tude. "But I could have been injured if he had alowed me to fal! He said and did nothing improper. You can't mean those terrible things you said."

"It doesn't matter. The filthy savage put his hands on you and, worse, while you were unconscious. How do you know what he did or didn't do?"

"Mrs. Philsey!" she retorted. "Stop this immediately! You have no reason or right to accuse him or me of such things. I wil not alow you to speak to him in this manner." Powchutu watched and listened to this defense of him. "He is not a savage. He's a scout for this fort. He lives and works here like al the other men."

Mrs. Philsey's anger skyrocketed. She screamed back, "How do you know that? You've been talking with him! I don't believe this! You refused to meet the white officer who saved your life, but you'l sit here al cozy and friendly with one of the same savages who did this to you! Why you act like you prefer this... this sc.u.m to one of your own kind! I can't believe this after al you supposedly went through in their camp. You sit here, half naked, on your bed, unchaperoned, with a total stranger, laughing and talking like two old friends. How can you possibly befriend another one?" Her last sentence was spoken harshly between gritted teeth.

"Another one?" She was definitely insinuating something improper and wrong, even shameful. "What do you mean?"

She acidly answered Alisha's query. There was no doubt in She acidly answered Alisha's query. There was no doubt in her mind the Brown girl's accusations had just grounds. The proof of her love for Injuns was right in front of her. If she were innocent, she would fear and hate al of them. "That Brown girl has told us al about how you helped that Gray Eagle! I bet she told the truth when she claimed you helped him escape. She said you weren't a prisoner. She said you been living with him like some queen. Wel, I say like some harlot! If it hadn't been for your help to him, al of your people would stil be alive. I can see and hear for myself that you prefer them over your own kind. You chose his company over Jeffery's, didn't you?"

Alisha's mouth fel open in shock. Her eyes widened and she inhaled with a loud gasp. "You actualy believe for one minute I could help him escape, to come back and kil my family and friends!

You cannot possibly think I would do such a terrible thing! Kathy is mistaken. I was his prisoner! I did not live like some queen. I worked just the same as she did, as a slave, Mrs. Philsey, a slave! I was tortured and punished just like anyone else when I defied orders. As for choosing Powchutu's company over Jeffery's, we simply spoke! Perhaps you have forgotten why I was bathing and dressing-to meet this Jeffery of yours! And, as for being an Indian lover, if not hating or rejecting them because they are different from me qualifies me for that name and position, then al right-I guess I am an Indian lover! Your attack on both of us in unjust, cruel and untrue. You have no right to speak to either of us this way." Her green eyes flashed a chalenge to the woman.

Mrs. Philsey's expression told Alisha her words had only brought on more coldness and contempt toward her and the scout. It was evident she believed Kathy's lies. "If you would befriend one, Alisha, then you would befriend others. You admitted just now one, Alisha, then you would befriend others. You admitted just now you like and accept them. I have the right to say and think what I so choose in my home, and to the girl I nursed back from the door of death and waited on hand and foot for days. Can you deny you fed and doctored Gray Eagle when he was a captive in your fortress?

Can you deny you touched and helped his vile, filthy body? Do you deny you held a gun on your own people, even threatened to shoot them, if they didn't stop beating and taunting him?"

Her tone, words and eyes chalenged Alisha to deny the statements. Alisha knew it would be useless to try to explain humanity, compa.s.sion and understanding to this woman. There was nothing she could say or do which would change anything this woman thought.

At Alisha's silence, Mrs. Philsey demanded, "Can you deny any of it?"

Alisha defended herself, "Yes, I did help him that day; but I would have done the same for anyone who was being beaten without a just cause. I did feed and care for him because no one else would. For al they cared, he could have died! No one deserves such abuse and contempt, no one! They were whipping him like some wild animal. I think they would have flogged him to death without remorse. I tried to reason with them and they wouldn't listen, just like you're doing now. I had no other choice but to stop them with the only way open to me."

"Would you have shot one of them to protect him?"

Alisha did not have to say yes, for her eyes had. "Do you forget we're supposed to be the civilized Christians? I see none of you practicing this. I've seen white men behave more like savages than they do. As for Powchutu, he isn't like them and you know it. He is not to blame for his parentage, nor can he change it. How He is not to blame for his parentage, nor can he change it. How does his being of mixed blood harm you? How does it justify his abuse and hatred? I cannot accept these ideas of prejudice and hatred."

"They are wild animals!" Mrs. Philsey shot back. "Not only that, but cold-blooded, murdering savages! And you, my dear Alisha, are no better than they are. I can see it al now. That Brown girl was right about everything. Now I know why you wouldn't tel me what he did to you or about your life out there. You didn't dare!

He wasn't holding you captive... you were staying with him because you wanted to! Is that why you been so sad and lonely? Is Gray Eagle the reason you're refused to see Jeffery? You're his woman, aren't you? And to think of al I've done for you! You, acting like the poor, innocent victim ... like some fine lady!"

Aisha could not take any more of her hateful words. "It wasn't like that at al!"

Mrs. Philsey cut her off. "Understand and help an Injun lover, harlot? I have learned the truth about you, haven't I?'