Read Online Song Of The Warrior by Georgina Gentry - Free Book Online Page B

they’ll do it,” Warton nodded, “Chief Joseph’s indicated such. He doesn’t want any trouble. Besides, what could they do? There’s less than eight hundred nontreaty Nez Perce and that counts all the women, children, and old men. They won’t be stupid enough to defy the whole United States Army!”
    Willow felt bereft as she looked at the towering mountains in the distance and the tall forests of trees. She had been gone so long, she had forgotten how wild and free the Nez Perce way of life was ... or was it only in her blood? The tight corset and the dainty shoes abruptly seemed to pinch and torture her body.
    â€œI hope I haven’t disturbed you, Miss Willow.”
    She sighed, “No, you’re right, Lieutenant, the country is becoming civilized and someday it will be very crowded. Maybe there isn’t room for wild, free things anymore.”
    â€œWell, they’ll learn to cope or die,” he snapped, “just like the other tribes.”
    Were they coping or only enduring? Yet it was her job to help them make that transition into civilized society. The hope was with the children. The young could change. Strong, proud men like Bear would never be happy on reservations. He belonged to this wilderness; riding free as the wind.
    Billy Warton cleared his throat. “Miss Willow, perhaps I could accompany you when you feel obliged to come here.”
    â€œI doubt that,” Willow glanced over at him, “since I intend to be coming nearly every day.”
    For a long moment, the only sound was the horse’s hooves on the road. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
    â€œWhy, yes, of course, Lieutenant, did you think I wasn’t?”
    â€œI thought it was a lark, a do-good project for a schoolgirl.”
    She would not lose her temper. “Well, now you know it isn’t. There’s the camp ahead.” She was glad to have this conversation over and now she wasn’t sure she liked Lieutenant Warton very well.
    A chorus of children’s shouts, barking dogs, and running horses greeted them as they drove into the camp and were surrounded by people.
    Lieutenant Warton tried to wave them away, but they ignored him as they clustered around Willow. “I’ve never seen so many children,” he grumbled, “these Indian braves must not do anything but …” His voice trailed off.
    She decided to ignore his remark as she waved happily to the children and reached to gather up her supplies. The number of Indians gathered around the buggy was growing. The crowd was enough to make any soldier uneasy, Willow thought, but then she glanced from the lieutenant’s sweating face to where he was looking. His chin quivered a little and his eyes widened. Willow looked to follow his gaze, see what had unnerved him so.
    Bear had just stepped from his tipi and stood watching them, one hand on the knife in his belt.
    Surely Bear wouldn’t …? But on the other hand, the big savage might be capable of anything.
    â€œLieutenant,” Willow said quickly, “why don’t you stay with the buggy?”
    In the meantime, Bear strode over to them, his rugged face stony and without expression.
    Billy Warton put his hand on his pistol. “I am here as a representative of the United States government,” he said and his voice shook a little, “to protect the young lady—”
    â€œYou are not here on official business,” Bear contradicted, “you have no reason to be on Nez Perce land.”
    â€œI-I invited him along,” Willow put in, more than a little annoyed with Bear who was evidently enjoying scaring the lieutenant, “and I do have official permission to be here.”
    The warrior shrugged and stepped back.
    Lieutenant Warton said, “Miss Willow, perhaps you are right; perhaps I will stay with the buggy until you return.”
    Bear smiled ever so slightly. “It is