She could almost feel his irritation like the sweat that soaked his shirt.
But she had to know. She’d seen how he outsmarted Tiny and cleverly escaped their trackers. He seemed equally capable with wit or weapon. While she feared and distrusted him, there was something she feared even more.
“I know there are men employed by the government to fight the savages in this area. I was just wondering if you’re one of them.” She held her breath, unsure whether he would answer her, ignore her, or knock her off the horse for bothering him.
After several moments, Kade asked, “And what do you know of savages ?”
“Other than my personal encounter with the one who murdered my father and abducted me?” She let her sarcasm hang there for a moment before continuing. “I know that, since January, ruthless attacks along the South Platte River have left hundreds of white families dead. The savages have burned ranches and stage stations, run off cattle, stolen horses, ripped up telegraph wires, plundered wagon trains, all but cut Denver off from the East. It’s a wonder that we weren’t attacked during our journey out—”
“And where do you get your information?”
“Why, the newspaper, of course. Granted, the last one I had the opportunity to read was several months old. But the Rocky Mountain News is a reputable periodical. You do read, don’t you?”
Kade ignored her query and instead asked, “And did the Rocky Mountain News report on the events leading up to these attacks?”
“What? What events?” Carly felt her guard go up but sensed it was too late.
“Did it tell how Black Kettle, chief of the Cheyenne, along with Bull Bear and White Antelope, put their trust in the government? Did it tell how they led many Cheyenne and Arapaho to surrender after being promised army rations and safe passage to the reservation? Did it tell how they were denied food and shelter at the fort and later attacked while they slept by over seven hundred soldiers?”
Carly didn’t know what to say. She’d never heard any such thing. If the soldiers did attack the Indian camp, surely they had good reason. Didn’t they?
Kade elaborated. “As men, women, and children slept on the banks of Sand Creek, army colonel John Chivington and his men rode into that camp. Trying to calm his frantic people and avoid needless bloodshed, Black Kettle quickly raised the American flag and a white flag indicating his surrender. Yet the soldiers murdered all but a handful of those that managed to escape and bury themselves in the sandy riverbanks to hide. The soldiers scoured the area for hours to make certain no one lived.
“The Rocky Mountain News reported, ‘Colorado soldiers have again covered themselves with glory.’ It bragged of how they paraded through the streets of Denver, waving scalps and patches of hair from the women’s private regions. And this Colonel Chivington had claimed to be a preacher and opponent of slavery. Such was the brutality, I hear his own men are now testifying against him. I respect them for it, but I doubt Chivington will be brought to justice for this atrocity.”
The air felt thick. Carly’s stomach rolled. Her mind reeled. Could this be true? Could her own kind be responsible for, even proud of, such savage behavior?
Kade’s voice sliced the tension like a finely honed blade. “Don’t believe everything you read.”
He suddenly stopped the black and offered his arm. She grabbed it immediately and slid from the stallion’s rump, grateful for the reprieve. She took several deep breaths, anxious to settle her nerves and shake the disturbing thoughts that plagued her.
Every muscle in her thin frame ached. Her backside had never been so sore. She felt sure the flesh looked a great deal like that rabbit Kade had skinned for their breakfast.
At the thought of food, Carly’s stomach rumbled. She’d had little to eat in days. The first decent meal she had been offered didn’t have a chance to stay with
But she had to know. She’d seen how he outsmarted Tiny and cleverly escaped their trackers. He seemed equally capable with wit or weapon. While she feared and distrusted him, there was something she feared even more.
“I know there are men employed by the government to fight the savages in this area. I was just wondering if you’re one of them.” She held her breath, unsure whether he would answer her, ignore her, or knock her off the horse for bothering him.
After several moments, Kade asked, “And what do you know of savages ?”
“Other than my personal encounter with the one who murdered my father and abducted me?” She let her sarcasm hang there for a moment before continuing. “I know that, since January, ruthless attacks along the South Platte River have left hundreds of white families dead. The savages have burned ranches and stage stations, run off cattle, stolen horses, ripped up telegraph wires, plundered wagon trains, all but cut Denver off from the East. It’s a wonder that we weren’t attacked during our journey out—”
“And where do you get your information?”
“Why, the newspaper, of course. Granted, the last one I had the opportunity to read was several months old. But the Rocky Mountain News is a reputable periodical. You do read, don’t you?”
Kade ignored her query and instead asked, “And did the Rocky Mountain News report on the events leading up to these attacks?”
“What? What events?” Carly felt her guard go up but sensed it was too late.
“Did it tell how Black Kettle, chief of the Cheyenne, along with Bull Bear and White Antelope, put their trust in the government? Did it tell how they led many Cheyenne and Arapaho to surrender after being promised army rations and safe passage to the reservation? Did it tell how they were denied food and shelter at the fort and later attacked while they slept by over seven hundred soldiers?”
Carly didn’t know what to say. She’d never heard any such thing. If the soldiers did attack the Indian camp, surely they had good reason. Didn’t they?
Kade elaborated. “As men, women, and children slept on the banks of Sand Creek, army colonel John Chivington and his men rode into that camp. Trying to calm his frantic people and avoid needless bloodshed, Black Kettle quickly raised the American flag and a white flag indicating his surrender. Yet the soldiers murdered all but a handful of those that managed to escape and bury themselves in the sandy riverbanks to hide. The soldiers scoured the area for hours to make certain no one lived.
“The Rocky Mountain News reported, ‘Colorado soldiers have again covered themselves with glory.’ It bragged of how they paraded through the streets of Denver, waving scalps and patches of hair from the women’s private regions. And this Colonel Chivington had claimed to be a preacher and opponent of slavery. Such was the brutality, I hear his own men are now testifying against him. I respect them for it, but I doubt Chivington will be brought to justice for this atrocity.”
The air felt thick. Carly’s stomach rolled. Her mind reeled. Could this be true? Could her own kind be responsible for, even proud of, such savage behavior?
Kade’s voice sliced the tension like a finely honed blade. “Don’t believe everything you read.”
He suddenly stopped the black and offered his arm. She grabbed it immediately and slid from the stallion’s rump, grateful for the reprieve. She took several deep breaths, anxious to settle her nerves and shake the disturbing thoughts that plagued her.
Every muscle in her thin frame ached. Her backside had never been so sore. She felt sure the flesh looked a great deal like that rabbit Kade had skinned for their breakfast.
At the thought of food, Carly’s stomach rumbled. She’d had little to eat in days. The first decent meal she had been offered didn’t have a chance to stay with
Similar Books
