United States or Jordan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The four accomplished it in one breathless group, then stood as if paralyzed. Sunlight flickered through the pines. Molly and Cesca prepared the trail packs. And Kut-le sat beside the spring, eying his visitors grimly. He looked very cool and well groomed in comparison with his trail-worn adversaries. DeWitt pulled out his Colt. "I think I have you, this time," he said.
Then he touched Cesca on the shoulder, lifted Rhoda in his arms and, followed by Cesca, left the sleeping Molly alone on the ledge. Swiftly, silently, Alchise strode up the mountainside, Rhoda making neither sound nor motion. For hours, with wonderful endurance the two Indians held the pace. They moved up the mountain to the summit, which they crossed, then dropped rapidly downward.
Cesca, see that the white squaw keeps moving!" and he handed his rifle to the brown hag who took it with evident pleasure. Molly ran forward as if to protest but at a look from Kut-le she dropped back. Rhoda rose slowly, with her lower lip caught between her teeth. She followed silently after Kut-le, Cesca and the rifle at her shoulder and Molly in the rear.
They average up with the whites, I guess. Molly, get up and help Cesca with these!" He flung some newly killed rabbits at the gaping squaw, who still lay where she had fallen. Rhoda, trembling and glowering, walked unsteadily up and down beneath the cottonwoods. The details of her new existence, the dirt, the roughness, were beginning to sink in on her.
Now we'll fight it out bare-handed and the best man wins." Rhoda looked wildly down the trail, then ran up to the two men. "Stop!" she screamed. "Stop!" Then as she caught the look in the men's faces as they glared at each other she cried, "I hate you both, you beasts!" Her screams carried far in the night air, for in a moment Cesca came panting up the trail.
Now he stooped and lifted Rhoda to her feet, then he raised one of the delicate hands and touched it softly with his lips. "Leave such work to the squaws, dear! You aren't built for it. Cesca, you old lobster, you make me tired! Go fix the turkeys!" Cesca rose with dignity, flipped away her cigarette and walked with a sniff over to the cooking-pot.
But Molly elbowed Cesca aside. "You no listen to her!" she said. "O Molly! Molly!" cried Rhoda. "You are a woman! I'm glad you were here!" And the men's eyes blurred a little as the Indian woman hugged the white girl to her and crooned over her. "You no cry! You no cry! When you come back, Molly come to your house, take care of you!"
Rhoda did not answer, but poured another handful of seed on the metate. "You'll begin to like the life," he went on, "by the time you are educated enough to leave us." He turned teasingly to Cesca. "You think the white squaw can cross the desert soon by herself?" Cesca spat disdainfully. "No! White squaw no good! All time sit, sit, no work! Kut-le heap fool!"
Cesca gave no heed except to murmur, "Burro heap hungry!" "I am going to begin to cook my own meals, Molly," said Rhoda. "I am strong enough now, and Cesca is so dirty!" Kut-le entered the camp in time to hear Rhoda's resolution. "Will you let me eat with you?" he asked courteously. "I don't enjoy dirt, myself!" Rhoda stared at the young man.
When they reached the piñons Kut-le gave the coyote call. It thrilled Rhoda with the misery of the night of her capture. Almost immediately there was an answering call and close in the shadow of the piñon they found Alchise and the two squaws. Molly ran to Rhoda with a squeal of joy and patted the girl's hand but Alchise and Cesca gave no heed to her greeting.
Word Of The Day