Blue Thunder by Spangaloo Publishing Page B

he immediately sat by Laughing Tree, laying his head
on her lap as if to say, “Thank you.”
    She patted its head, and replied, “You are
welcome.”
    Blue Thunder mounted Night Rider and nine of
his men followed. They rode out of the valley, past the sentries,
into the open range where the hot sun glittered brightly and soft
white daisies dotted the land. He loved his land but hated the
white men for destroying it slowly, day by day. They traveled four
days without seeing a herd. Again dawn broke peacefully on the
fifth day but by that afternoon, buzzards were spotted flying in
the distance, circling the skies. He knew it meant only one thing.
Nudging his horse over the ridge, he reined in Night Rider with a
white man’s curse on his lips. Lying before him was a scene that he
feared, a scene he had witnessed too many times; a dozen or so
carcasses lay wasted on the hot ground. Flies had already covered
the dead beasts like a blanket.
    “Come,” he waved his men forward. “Let us
find the men, they cannot be very far.”
    They traveled as nightfall came in a blazing
splash of color, but Blue Thunder was in no mood to enjoy the
beauty. Another day passed and the white hunters weren’t anywhere
close by.
    As the band traveled, his disposition grew
darker and darker; somebody was going to pay and he wasn’t going to
be choosy.
    “I think it would be wise to return to the
village,” commented Eskaminzim. My friend wears an angry mask ever
since we discovered the slaughtered buffalo. I cannot blame you, I
also hate the white eyes as much, but it had been peaceful for
awhile and I know Dasodaha would not be pleased if his son stirred
up trouble.”
    Blue Thunder threw a rabbit bone into the
fire with an oath, then stood and walked a few feet away. He didn’t
want to mince words with his friend, knowing harmful ones could
never be taken back. Since he was in such a fowl mood, he found it
necessary to hold his tongue. Stretching to remove some of the
tension in his shoulders and kinks from being on top of Night Rider
these past days, he needed to exercise to release his pent-up
anger. Without saying a word, he ran for three miles, and then
returned to find all the braves asleep.
     
    40
     
     
     
    TEN
     
    A month passed since the incident with her
sister. Seth hadn’t come around to see Daphne and the distraught
girl retreated into her shell. Melissa as well as Effie worried
constantly. Vida apologized relentlessly to her for her misjudgment
about her son. She couldn’t blame Seth for being upset; he was
young and terribly confused. He needed time and she prayed that he
would forgive her and come visit again.
    Though Daphne was in her seventh month and
she was showing more, her sister was still to thin. At first,
Melissa prayed that her sibling would lose the baby; now she prayed
that it would be healthy. Seven months since that horrible day and
she had hated a bastard growing inside of her sweet, innocent
sister but she chided herself for such awful thoughts. That child
was just as innocent as its mother. It will have enough problems in
this world without its aunt’s hate. The baby was not her only
concern; Daphne wasn’t eating as she should. Something had to be
done! Sam was back to driving the team again, so that day she ran
ahead. Upon reaching the Adam’s wagon, she saw Seth was alone,
driving.
    “Seth, I want a few words with you!” Melissa
jumped onto the slow-moving vehicle and climbed next to him,
ignoring her presence. Seth snapped the whip and the team moved on,
picking up the pace. She sat a few minutes, studying his profile.
He seemed thinner and there were dark circles under his eyes. She
knew he was suffering also.
    “This isn’t going to be easy but I must ask
a favor of you.” She put up her hand so he wouldn’t interrupt.
“Hear me out, please. I know you’re upset at what happened and I
don’t blame you. It was a shock to have to find out the truth the
way you did, but you have to