Read Online Black Eagle by Gen Bailey - Free Book Online

golden brown, and from within their depths a smile could be coaxed.
    Once again, the desire to tease the beauty, to witness that smile and feel her response, overrode an inclination to merely sit back and enjoy the show. He had come away from the post where he had been lingering, and had already taken a step forward, when he stopped short. Something was preventing him from proceeding any further.
    â€œDid ye hear me, boy? ”
    Black Eagle looked down at the hand that had taken possession of his own arm. Following that hand up to its owner, Black Eagle grimaced. Where had this man come from? Had he, Black Eagle, been so out of touch with the environment around him, that such a man could sneak up on him?
    It should not have been. Especially since the man’s stench alone should have alerted Black Eagle to his presence. Ah, he thought. What a woman could do.
    â€œI have spoken to several Indians this day,” said the man whose breath seemed to be worse than his general odor, “and I have discovered from each, in turn, that ye is the best guide to be had in this country. I be goin’ to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, into Abenaki territory, and I have need to hire me a damn good scout, since I intend to keep me scalp. What say ye? ”
    Black Eagle didn’t even deem to answer. Instead, he gazed again at the place where he had last seen the beauty. He exhaled. She was gone.
    Disgruntled, he turned his attention to the man who was so demanding of it. Said Black Eagle, “I am not interested in scouting for you. Seek out someone else.”
    â€œBut ye havena even heard how much coinage I aim to be paying ye.”
    But Black Eagle had already made his decision. He disengaged his arm from the other man’s hold.
    â€œNow see here, ye young savage . . .”
    Black Eagle turned, presenting his back to the man, and made to step away, when the brute, who must have been speaking to himself, said, “I reckon I’ll have to tell Miss Marisa that we be delayed yet again.”
    Black Eagle paused. Miss Marisa? Had the beast’s tongue actually spoken the name of the beauty?
    Black Eagle turned back. Looking askance at the man, he said, “Miss Marisa? Will there be others traveling with you into Abenaki territory then? ”
    â€œAye,” said Thompson. “Havena ye been listening to me? I’ll be escorting Miss Marisa and her maid to the east, toward the sea. But I’ll be needing a guide to ensure our safe passage. I’m willin’ to pay ye well.”
    Black Eagle glanced in the direction where he had last seen the enchantress, but as before, her figure was not to be seen. However, it mattered little. Her image was imprinted on the very recesses of his mind.
    To be certain that it was the same person they were both speaking about, Black Eagle questioned, “The one you mentioned, Miss Marisa, and her maid? Who exactly are they? ”
    â€œThey are financier John Rathburn’s niece and her companion. Why be ye asking? ”
    Black Eagle didn’t deem to answer the question. Instead, he said, “Have you a map of your destination so that I might determine where it is and estimate the danger involved? ”
    â€œI do. I have it with me here.” The brute reached into the dirty inner workings of his leather coat. From there, he extracted a sheet of parchment, which he extended toward Black Eagle.
    Black Eagle nodded, reaching out to accept the document from the man. Briefly, he unrolled the paper and scanned the markings on the map, then said, “What you say is true. Your journey will encroach upon Abenaki territory, and as anyone here will know, they can be a fearsome foe.”
    â€œAye. Can ye escort us through there without a cost to life? ”
    â€œI can.”
    â€œYe’ll do it, then? ”
    Black Eagle nodded. “I will. When do you plan to leave? ”
    â€œIn the next few days,” said Thompson. “Can ye be ready?