Song Of The Warrior by Georgina Gentry

approval. My folks are both dead now.”
    â€œI’m so sorry.”
    Lieutenant Warton shrugged. “It’s been awhile; several years after the war.”
    â€œI’m sure they were quite proud of you in your dashing uniform, leading cavalry charges and all.”
    He started to say something, grinned and nodded. “My mother doted on me and Daddy always thought I would follow in his footsteps, but then, something happened …”
    Willow waited for him to continue, but instead, the man frowned and rubbed his receding chin. “Well, here I am going on and on about me, Miss Willow. I understand Reverend Harlow has accumulated one of the finest stretches of land in the valley?”
    â€œI wouldn’t know about that; but then, most of the whites have.” Bear’s dark, stormy face came to her mind. “Just what are the army’s plans, Lieutenant?”
    He frowned and set his punch cup on the table. “I’m afraid there’s going to be trouble, but we all hope the Indians will be reasonable and it won’t come to that.”
    â€œIt appears to me that resolution should be simple,” Willow said as she sipped her punch. “We get off the Nez Perce land, stop digging for gold and polluting their salmon streams. I’m sure that would end all hostilities.”
    â€œSurely you jest.” The lieutenant nodded. “Why, it would be a shame to waste good land when there are so many settlers who are eager to plow and plant it. I might even take a claim myself when my hitch is up. And then, there’s the famous legend of the Nez Perce gold. Tell me, Miss Willow, is there any truth to it?”
    â€œGold?” Willow had to think a moment. “I’m afraid I haven’t given it much thought.”
    He laughed. “Then you may be the only one who hasn’t. Old-timers say there’s nuggets the size of hen’s eggs. Half of them came to this area to search for it. They think anyone with Nez Perce blood knows its secret hiding place.”
    She dismissed the idea with a shrug. “It only makes sense that if there was any gold, the Nez Perce would buy food and supplies for their people.”
    â€œUnless,” he suggested, “they might be afraid that if any of those big nuggets show up, it’ll bring an even greater rush of whites to the area.”
    â€œAnd that might cause an Indian war.”
    He nodded. “That’s why General Howard’s here; to let the Indians know the government means business in case there’s going to be trouble.”
    â€œNonsense!” Willow snapped. “Chief Joseph is a reasonable, peaceful leader; he knows his people are vastly outnumbered. I can’t believe he’d start a war.”
    â€œHe might not, but his brother, Ollokot, leader of the young warriors and braves like that Hohots would fight at the drop of a hat; they don’t like to be pushed or walked on.”
    Bear’s rugged face came to her mind. “No, having met some of them, I could vouch for that. I think some of them would die fighting rather than give up their freedom.”
    â€œThen they may get their chance,” the lieutenant said rather testily, “if they’re rash and uncivilized enough to take on the United States Army.”
    Uncivilized. She felt abruptly defensive. “Some of them are gallant enough to fight, even if they know they can’t win.”
    â€œAnd for what purpose?” Lieutenant Warton snorted. “A smart man; a prudent man weighs the odds. What point is there in dying for a cause, no matter how noble?”
    â€œWhy, Lieutenant, how can you say that when you yourself only a few years back donned the blue uniform to put an end to slavery?”
    He hesitated, cleared his throat. “Of course. Forgive me, Miss Willow, I forget how idealistic young ladies are.”
    She wanted to smack his arrogant face, but she managed to control herself.