Read Online Northwoods Nightmare by Jon Sharpe - Free Book Online

Havard?”
    â€œOf course not. I’ve spent my entire life in cities in cultured, mannered society. White society.”
    â€œThat’s nice. But out here culture doesn’t count for much. If we get the Knifes mad at us, we could have a rain of arrows come out of nowhere. Or maybe they’ll sneak into our camp some night and slit a few of our throats from ear to ear. They’ve done it before.”
    Theodore rubbed his chin. “Very well. It’s worth it to get into the good graces of the savages. The woman and her grandfather may stay.” He turned to Fargo. “But make them understand they are not to bother us. They’re not to beg for food or money or any of that. We’ll show them whites can be as kind as anyone, within certain limits.”
    And that was that.
    Teit thanked Fargo when he brought the news. He took them to near the rear of the line, just ahead of Rohan and the pack animals. Rohan was picking lice from his clothes.
    â€œMind? Why would I mind? I’ve got nothing against Injuns. Down to Texas I had a friend name of Blue Dog. He was half Comanch, but him and me got along just fine.”
    Fargo’s estimation of the Texan rose a notch. “Keep an eye on them and let me know if anyone gives them trouble. Mrs. Havard and Allen don’t like the idea.”
    â€œNow there’s a pair. A shrew and a weasel,” Rohan scoffed. “The airs that Allen puts on, I’d love to take a hatchet to his head. Anything that gets him mad, I’m for.”
    Fargo led them through the pass and down the other side. Mostly bare slopes made their going easy the first mile. Then they came to the thick timber.
    Fargo called a halt at the tree line.
    As usual, Cosmo took charge. The tents were put up. Wood was chopped. Fires were kindled. Rohan saw to the horses.
    His Henry in hand, Fargo went to where the maiden and her grandfather were sat quietly by themselves. “I’ll see to it you get some food, and later we can talk if you want.”
    â€œAbout what?” Teit asked.
    â€œYour people. I like to learn about tribes I’ve never met.” Fargo hoped in the bargain to learn about Kenneth Havard.
    Teit gazed out over the vast expanse of peaks and darkening woods. “This land is our land. We have lived here for more winters than anyone can count. We do not like that the whites have come. We especially do not like that the whites act as if the land is theirs.”
    â€œNot all whites. You mentioned a priest you liked.”
    â€œOne of only a few white men with good hearts. If more were like Father Fouquet and K—” Teit caught herself and stopped.
    Fargo would swear she was about to say “Kenneth” but he pretended not to notice. “Maybe before long you’ll add me to that list.”
    Teit smiled. “I would like to.”
    On that promising note Fargo went to the fire nearest the tents. The Havards were not out yet. Their nightly ritual included washing up for supper. Edith, in particular, had a fit if so much as a mote of dust besmirched her powdered skin.
    Cosmo had put coffee on. Squatting, Fargo filled his tin cup. The aroma of simmering stew made his mouth water. “You should be a cook.” The man was a wizard with pots and pans.
    Without looking up from the potatoes he was chopping, Cosmo chuckled. “It is part of my job. I have no passion for it, and a person should always devote him- or herself to something they are passionate about.”
    Fargo thought of his love of the wild places, and of women. “I guess I never looked at it that way.”
    About to add the potatoes pieces to the pot, Cosmo commented, “That’s one of the traits I admire about you.”
    â€œ You admire me ?”
    â€œWhy do you sound so surprised? I like to think of myself as intelligent, and intelligence appreciates quality, wherever it may be found.”
    â€œYou sure like big words.”
    Cosmo