Finding Her Read online

  The Major let that sink in before going on.

  "We've got to get them on the reservation and keep them there. This one small group is resisting. We need it stopped. I don't want a war with the Cheyenne as we have to worry about the Sioux getting involved too. We've had reports that south of here, into the Dakotas the Cheyenne have been on a killing spree." The Major said, lighting a cigar and leaning back in his chair. "I've wired Colonel Gibbon and he wired back telling me to get them under control. He said if the Cheyenne comply then possibly the Sioux will see reason.

  "Look Major, Washington gave them land in the Black Hills. That is their territory. They get angry when we mess with them. Besides, that land is part of the reservation and hunting grounds. What do you expect them to do? Be happy to leave it? You got settlers giving them grief about the trees being cut for more shelter down the mountain. Miners and prospectors coming up to take the gold out of the hills. Those hills are crawling with people, not just Indians."

  "Aiden, I can't control what Washington does about the treaties. I can't control all the settlers either."

  "We're getting together a big campaign to driver them out of there and onto a new location."

  "That sounds about normal."

  "Whose side are you on, Aiden?"

  "Wait a minute," Aiden frowned, "One person? You mentioned one person?"

  "That's right, the White Silver Fox."

  "Oh, you've got to be kidding." Aiden put his leg down and leaned his elbows on the desk, "This some kind of joke?"

  "No. I think you are the only one that can catch her!"

  "Why me?"

  "Because you know her, it's that simple. She's causing all kinds of trouble. I want her captured and brought back. If we can get her cooperation, this whole movement will be easy. Now is the perfect time to catch her Aiden, they are settling in those mountains for winter, they won't come down until it thaws, I'm sure of it. What I need is someone who knows the territory to go in there and get her before spring. We catch her then our problems with the Cheyenne are over. Some of the settlers have petitioned to cut down timber up there and float down the river to the settlements below."

  Aiden shook his head, got up and paced the room.

  "Every time you give them land, you turn around and try to push them off it. It isn't right and you know it. You gonna let settlers go in there and possibly get killed doing it. It's almost as though you want war with them."

  "Aiden, I need you to bring her here, let me talk to her, see if we can't settle some of the differences. I can't keep those settlers off the land forever. They'll go there, against my wishes and do what they want and start another war. I've got to have some cooperation."

  "The White Silver Fox?" Aiden's brows furrowed deeply now, his frown marring the atmosphere in the starkly unfurnished room. "What are you going to do with her?"

  "Just talk."

  "That's all?" Aiden twisted his head. "What if she doesn't cooperate?"

  "Then naturally, we'll have to seek other measures."

  "Lucy was raised with the Cheyenne."

  "Lucy?"

  "That's her white name, yes."

  "How well do you know her?" The Major looked at bit shocked.

  "Well enough to know she won't like coming here, alone. Why me?"

  "Because you know her territory, and you know the Indians in this area pretty well. You know how to talk to them without them getting riled. We've been up there too and did little good as you know. They got a wintering camp up high in those hills, and they move so much we can't find them, and I want you to find her and bring her back. I suspect the Sioux are there too. So, you can do both jobs at once."

  Aiden sat down then scooted back in his chair now, totally ill at ease with this.

  "I want to make an example of her, so they will quit fighting us and try to get along."

  "First off, what makes you think she's influencing them?" Aiden asked.

  The Colonel offered him a cigar, but Aiden waved it away.

  "One of my other scouts, Haywood, he came back with the story about her. He said she's the reason they have gone to war. It seems she was raised by them and married one of them. Then…" He paused, blowing his smoke away from him. "Her husband was killed. Since then she's been rallying them to war against the whites. We stop her, we might stop a whole uprising. We've got to get them to the reservations. She's white, Aiden, it's possible we could reason with her."

  "Just how far up in those mountains?" Aiden asked with curiosity.

  "About as far as a man can go. You know as well as I it isn't how high those mountains are, it's how long they reach and the snow you have to plough through to get to them. It's a maze for people who don't know that country. That's why I picked you. They'll hide up there all winter. Now, granted it is the wrong time of year to be going after her, but she might be easier to capture in the winter. They won't be looking for anyone coming after them in the middle of winter in their own territory. I mean that high up, the snow is gonna be one of your biggest enemies. Those mountains are hard to deal with, but I figure you can handle it. I don't want it to escalate into a full-blown war, Aiden. I just want her, that's all."

  The one thing Aiden disliked most about commanding officers was their ability to make everything sound so easy. Naturally they seldom even joined in a fight much less something like this. The man had no idea how hard it would be up in those mountains this time of year.

  "In the first place if they are that high in the mountains, then I'd be all winter up there."

  "True, you would. But since it's already began to snow up there, they won't be coming down for any more raids for a while. I want you to get her before any more are killed. I want her here. If I can persuade her, I'm sure she can do the rest for her people's sake."

  "They think she has spiritual power." Aiden frowned. "Firs I want your word that you just want to talk to her. You're not going to harm her. I won't allow that."

  "Aiden, she's deadly. If things turned out badly, I'd have to take proper precautions."

  "Your word?" Aiden frowned.

  "Alright Aiden, you have it."

  "Major, you cross me on this and I won't scout for you again, understand?"

  "Understood!"

  "You won't harm her?"

  "I've given my word, what more do you want? What's she to you, Aiden?"

  Aiden stared at the Major for a long moment. "A friend. Washington has promised those people so many times, and never kept their word."

  "Aiden, I'm not Washington."

  Aiden pulled the whiskers at his chin, "This isn't my kind of work. And I don’t like bringing a woman in here to be ridiculed and scoffed at. She might be white, but she's been forced to live with them all her life. She doesn't deserve that."

  "On the contrary, you've handled some of the roughest jobs I could give you. You always get your man Aiden. I'd expect no less this time. And if she is your friend wouldn't it be better that you go, than one of the others."

  "In that regard your right.

  Yeah, I guess you're right about that. And in the meantime, I'm still supposed to help them get their little girl back?" Aiden told him.

  "I'll give you some vacation time when you get back." The Major blew his smoke in the opposite direction.

  "Two weeks!"

  "One."

  "That's hardly worth the trouble."

  "Alright, two weeks."

  "Paid."

  The Major scowled. "You drive a hard bargain, but I agree if you bring her in. And no harm will come to her."

  "I expect you to keep that promise Major. Not under any circumstances do I want her hurt."

  Aiden sighed, he knew he'd do it, but something told him it wasn't his kind of job. And even bigger something told him it wasn't right. The Major sought fame and was out to get it. Bringing in The White Silver Fox would put a notch on his sword. But at what price?

  He wasn't sure he could trust the Major, or any soldier at this point. He knew how all
the Colonels were seeking fame fighting the Indians out here. And capturing her would sure be feather in their bonnet.

  "Oh, and are you trying to tell me you aren't?" Aiden grit his teeth.

  "Don't push it Aiden. One thing I'll warn you of, since you have an adversity to hurting women. Bringing her in might even get you a pay raise."

  "When do you want me to leave?" Aiden asked his disgust for the job showing.

  "I'll give you a couple of days to rest up, no more. That Mrs. Winters is as persistent as any woman I've seen."

  "I noticed. I'll make a list of supplies I'll need." Aiden frowned, his voice was like acid, but this whole thing turned his stomach. "Major what if I can't even find her, like you said those mountains go on forever. Colonel Gibbon couldn't find them when he was up that way, he had all kinds of problems. And he had a whole troop with him."

  "I know, I was with him. But I can't go up there myself since the Colonel is gone. If you don't get her, we could have more massacres on our hands by summer. She's attacking troops not civilians. The more they attack, the more likely a war will break out."

  "The pay and the grub around here aren't worth it Major, what if I just quit?"

  "You won't. Look, you catch her, you'll be famous. You don't go, I'll send someone else who might not be as nice to her." The Major said standing up and extending his hand for a shake.

  Aiden stood up now and faced the Major squarely. "If I bring her in, I'll be with her until she leaves and goes back to her people. Understood."

  "You have feelings for this woman?"

  "I do." Aiden didn't hesitate to tell him.

  "I see. I wasn't aware of that."

  "Major," Aiden stared at him. "I've known her since she was ten years old. She's been through hell and back many times in her life. I don't want her hurt."

  "I can promise I won't harm her. What's your real interest in this woman?"

  "The last time I saw her, she wasn't even a woman yet." Aiden stared. "I trust you Major to keep your word. I get her here, under false pretenses, it could go badly."

  "I'll make it clear it is part of the bargain."

  "Alright. I'll do it, against my better judgement. Right now, the only thing I want is a hot bath and a good night or two of sleep." Aiden told him. "Fame is not something I seek."

  "I know that Aiden, another reason I picked you for the job. Get some rest, son. And… thank you!"

  "Don't thank me yet, I don't have her!" He snapped.

  The Major chuckled and slapped him on the back. "No, but you will if I know you!"

  Aiden slammed the door so hard it rattled.

  After making a list of supplies he would need and turning it into the Supply Master, he went to get a bath. An hour later he was soaking in a tub of hot water. He leaned back to relax and nearly went to sleep when the Sergeant came in and started talking.

  "Aiden, didn't know you got back." Sergeant Shaun O'Riley laughed. O'Riley was a twenty-year veteran at the fort and had earned every soldier's respect. He was a bit shorter than Aiden, but stout built and a rugged looking Irish face. His hair was black, his eyes a light blue, and his disposition was usually jolly. Aiden liked him and wondered how he could show up when Aiden needed to relax.

  There were three tubs, a heating stove to warm the water and no windows. There was a rug in front of each tub, drying cloths on the shelves. The room was fairly large allowing room to undress and such. There were three drainage hoses in the floor, making the room colder than most. Still, the iron pot stove kept the room almost comfortable.

  "Just got back," Aiden sighed.

  "You look pretty wiped out, boy."

  "I am. I'm gonna finish enjoying this bath and hit the hay."

  "Got that wagon train over the Platt, did ya?"

  "Yes, they are on their way now. Boy wagon masters are almost as hard-headed as officers. I argued forever with him about changing his route, going around the sickness. But, I gotta admit, I finally won."

  "Guess you've earned some rest."

  "Yeah, if it weren't for commanding officers, I'd get a lot more."

  The Sergeant laughed, "Don't tell me, the Major's got you saddling up and going again?"

  "Yeah… You know one of these days I'm going to quit this job. Go find something respectable to do, like kill officers." Aiden leaned back in the water and used a rag to soap up with.

  The Sergeant laughed. After stripping off his clothes he stepped into a tub, where he'd pour a generous amount of hot water into it. He leaned back to relax and look at Aiden.

  "Where to this time?" The Sergeant asked as he lit a cigar and puffed on it.

  "Up in the mountains. The Black Hills."

  "This time of year. Oh, I wouldn't want to be with you. Who you looking for now?"

  "For one a three-year-old kid. For another The White Silver Fox." Aiden repeated with disgust.

  "No kidding?" O'Riley's smile faded some.

  "Don't know how I got rooked into this." Aiden complained.

  "Sure, you do. You know Indians better than any of us, even the Indian scouts. You been up in those hills many times too. You're about the only one that doesn't get lost when you go. But the White Silver Fox, no one's dared go after her."

  "You knew she was a woman, too?"

  "Sure, seen her a time or two."

  "She's a looker alright, and cunning as they come."

  "Well, I didn't get that close, I guess you did."

  "I suspect the Major is aware that I have an advantage, I know her." Aiden sighed. "Quite well, in fact, I taught her to read."

  "Oh, well now that's different. You taught her to read? Why did she want to read?"

  "She spoke English, but she couldn't read, and she wanted to read the treaties to the Indians, so they knew what they were signing. So, I taught her. She's a beautiful little gal, with a quick sense of humor and the sweetest smile this side of the Mississippi."

  "Oh, why do you say that?"

  "Say what?"

  "Sweet smile?" O'Riley chuckled.

  "She's beautiful. They also call her Spirit Woman. I haven't seen her since she's grown up. Major said she'd married, and her husband was killed."

  "Sounds like you might like her."

  "I do. Always have. She's had it rough from the beginning. She was captured when she was six. Typical story, a wagon train was raided, she was captured. She had no choice but to become one of them."

  "You think she loved her husband?"

  "I don't know," Aiden smiled as if to himself. "You can't tell about Lucy. She hides her feelings deep."

  "Lucy?"

  "That's her white name."

  "Maybe you are the wrong man to go after her. Maybe you’re a bit too close."

  "No, I'm the right man. The only man that can probably catch her and talk her into coming with me. Marsh says he just wants to talk her into helping him corral the Indians to the reservation and stop the Cheyenne from raiding. He doesn't realize she's one of them now. She won't do that willingly. And I'm a little afraid to bring her back here, because I know that. And I also know she'll be ridiculed by white women and even some men. But something is nagging me. I'm not sure I can trust Marsh."

  "You think the Major might do her harm?"

  "The Major, I think it's possible. Look, I know Marsh, we was a West Pointer too, like Gibbon and Custer. More like Custer than Gibbon. He's been overlooked too many times. He'd do just about anything for fame and glory. He's almost as egotistical as Custer. Marsh promised he'd do her no harm, and I just don't know how they'd treat her. He wants fame and it would be quite a feather in his hat."

  The Sergeant was silent a minute, then he glanced at him. "Why ain't you never married, Aiden?"

  "Who'd put up with me?"

  "That's a fact. Who would?" But the Sergeant stared at him a long time.

  "My job is to bring her in, that's all."

  "And you don't want to?" O'Riley bellowed.

  "I don't want to see her hurt anymore." Aiden t
old him. "If I don't do it, they'll put someone else on it, and I don't think it would come out well."

  "Well," the Sergeant sunk down low in the tub and smiled as the warm water comforted him. "I'm glad it ain't me going up there."

  "I'm not looking forward to it, myself." Aiden informed him. "Five or six feet of snow for the horses to trample through. Cold as a well digger's butt. No, I'm not anxious to do it. The weather alone is enough to keep me close to the fort all winter. But no such luck. And if anyone brings her in, it will be me, because I won't let them hurt her."

  The Sergeant let that last remark alone for a moment, knowing Aiden has some strong feelings he was sharing with him.

  "Well, let me think. She usually rides a buckskin."

  "I haven't seen her in a long while. She was about sixteen last time I saw her."

  "I saw her a couple of times myself. She's little but heard tell she's deadly with a knife."

  "I wouldn’t doubt that. Tell you what, why don't I stay here and sleep a while and you go after her. You're about the only other person I'd trust to."

  "Not me. I wouldn't want to travel all over those mountains looking for her. Like trying to find a needle in a haystack. What's her story, though?" The Sergeant asked washing himself as he listened.

  "Not much different than any other captive. She was captured by the Blackfeet from a wagon train, she was six years old. No one knows if her parents were killed in the raid or not. I expect they were. But when the Cheyenne raided their village, they took her, something about the color of her hair had them thinking she was a strong spirit. She was raised by the Cheyenne. She married some buck, he got killed but I don't know how. That's about all I know. She's Indian alright, but she's also white. She's got two sides to her and they battle all the time, worse than a breed. I don't think she's ever figured out where she belongs."

  "Aiden," O'Riley shook his head and frowned. "She can't help it, that she was raised by Indians. And it's natural she'd marry a buck when she grew up. She can't help nothin' the way I see it. She was raised by them, probably forgot most of her white ways. Maybe it's best you just kill her and be done with it. She won't survive long anyway if you bring her back. No white people would respect her. And that's sad when you think about it, Aiden. It wasn't her fault, but it's the life she's been given."