The boy finally awakened. When his eyes opened, he started suddenly at the sight of the G-Man sitting beside him next to the warmth of the campfire. “Just hold it there, son,” Jack said calmly in a soothing tone, as he held the boy down, restraining him from rising. “Take it easy, I’m your friend. I’m not going to harm you.”
“White men are not my friends,” the boy growled bitterly.
Jack understood this bitterness and said. “I know white men have mistreated your people, but we are not all like that. If I weren’t your friend, would I have saved you from the Ghost Soldiers?”
The boy thought for a moment, then tried to sit up. Jack released his hold on him so he could rise. “But, I tried to steal your horse. How can you be my friend?”
“Looks to me like you thought you didn’t have a choice. You were scared, alone and hungry. You didn’t know if you could trust me. Besides, you are just a little boy and you need help.”
“I am not a little boy and I was not scared.” The Indian protested. “I am a brave warrior. My name is Little Elk and I have been searching for the Ghost Soldiers. They have stolen my sister and carried her off and I am out to find her. I have been searching for days. Tonight was the first I saw them since they took her.”
Jack listened with interest. “Can you tell me more about what happened? Maybe I can help.”
“Why should you help me?” Little Elk said sullenly. You a white man, a Wasichus.”
“That is exactly why I should help you. White men have wronged your people and I would like to help right those wrongs. Yes, I am white, but I am not a Wasichus. I have no desire for your land, your home. We should all be brothers and help one another. I admire Little Elk’s courage and bravery. It would be an honor to ride with Little Elk.”
Little Elk’s eyes brightened and he smiled, his chest heaved with pride. “You tell truth?” Little Elk asked.
“True as an arrow, my young friend,” Jack answered.
“Then I will call you True Arrow,” the boy said.
“I would be proud that you do.” Then Jack said. “Now will you tell me what has been happening.”
Little Elk relayed the story about the raid on the village and his sister’s abduction and how she had asked him to find her husband Brave Bear and how he had disobeyed and tried to find her on his own. He omitted any mention of the stone on the chain around his neck and hidden beneath his shirt. He didn’t admit to getting lost, merely said he had been searching for days, but Jack knew the boy had lost his way and decided to go to Brave Bear after all.
After the boy had finished relaying the story Clayton said, “You said the braves and warriors had been gone from the camp for several days?”
“Yes, but Brave Bear would not go with them.”
Interesting, Jack thought. If the warriors were away, then who ambushed the wagon train? Were they Indians at all? He should have checked the bodies. Perhaps, they were whites dressed as Indians or renegades mixed in with whites. He wondered.
“And White Fawn said Brave Bear would know where to find her?”
“Yes, but I don’t trust Brave Bear. He is a mean man.”
“Maybe, I can help you find Brave Bear,” Jack said. “I know where he is.”
Little Elk’s eyes widened with fear at the thought.
“Don’t worry.” Jack reassured him. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
Little Elk stared into Clayton’s face warily.
Jack told him about Brave Bear’s incarceration in the guard house at Fort Buford. He omitted that he had fought with Brave Bear and had him arrested. “In the morning,” Jack said. “We’ll ride to the fort and find out from Brave Bear where to look for White Fawn. Is that all right with you?”
“Yes,” said Little Elk. “True Arrow knows what is best.”
“Then I suggest we get some sleep. It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be also. We’ll be riding early before dawn.”
****
Chapter Ten
Return to Fort Buford