This Loving Land - Dorothy Garlock [84]
Summer was never more thankful for her little brother.
Bermaga went to Jack and touched him on the chest. With his stick he commenced to draw men. At first. he drew two men, then a third, from there on he held up his fingers one at a time so Jack would understand many men. Jack nodded. The Apache went to the cabin and patted the wall, as John Austin had done, then he went to Summer and touched her lightly on the shoulder.
“Many men are coming here to get Summer, Jack. That’s what he’s saying.” The boy’s grave face went from one to the other.
“That couldn’t be right, John Austin. Who would want to get me? Ask him again.”
“It is right, Summer,” Jack said slowly. “There’s been woman-stealin’ goin’ on. Try and find out when, John. See if he knows when they’re comin’.”
The boy drew a flat line, added a house and trees, then a sun and an arc. Bermaga watched him closely, and after he completed another house, he tapped him on the shoulder and with his own stick drew two lines, then rubbed out one of them.
“In two days, or maybe one day, Jack.” John Austin proudly grabbed Bermaga’s hand. “Slater said the Indians were real good people. I like him.” Bermaga loosened his hand and touched the boy’s head.
“Ride out and watch for the Indians bringin’ Slater, Luther,” Jack ordered. “For God’s sake don’t let anybody shoot ’em. Pud, you go on out and tell Arnie and ol’ Raccoon what’s happened, and tell ’em I said to keep their eyes peeled and to draw in a mite closer. Fire three quick shots if’n they see anything.”
Tom Treloar, the cowboy from the Rocking S and the three escort riders had joined the group.
“We’re here, Jack, we’re dealin’ in. Tell us where we’d be of a help.” The cowboy had turned his back to Ellen as he spoke. “Ain’t no question of us takin’ Mrs. McLean back till this is settled.”
“Thanks, Tom. If you’re of a mind to, spread out and stay here near the women. I’ll go over to the Keep and have the Mexican women brought in. Teresa’ll look after ’em, she’s done it afore.”
Bermaga jumped to the back of the spotted pony and followed Luther.
“Bermaga.” Summer ran after him. He wheeled the pony and waited. “Thank you, thank you,” she repeated, knowing he didn’t understand the words. The Apache looked deeply into the violet eyes before he bent down and touched the top of her head, much the same as he had done to her brother. He kicked the pony and raced after Luther.
Sadie, holding tightly to Mary’s hand, put her arm about Summer’s shoulder. “It’s goin’ to be all right, honey. It’s sure a lot better than I feared. Jack too. Indians know about doctorin’.”
“I know, Sadie. I’m relieved he’s alive, but he’s bad off. Bermaga would know.”
“Come on, we’ll walk out a little ways. They’ll be comin’ from that way, the same as the Indian did. Jack said for us not to go past the cottonwood tree, so we’ll wait there, less ’n you want to go back and wait with . . . her.”
Summer hadn’t given Ellen a thought since the Indian rode to the house. She glanced back. Ellen was sitting on the porch.
“Let’s walk,” she said to Sadie.
Ellen had stood in the background, taking in every word and gesture during the meeting with the Apache. She understood one thing. Slater wasn’t dead yet. She’d have to wait and see how bad he was before she decided if she would bring her ace out of the hole now or wait until later. She had been completely ignored, disregarded, during the whole thing. It rankled. One thing was sure, none of her men would ever turn their back on her again and offer their services to someone else. When Jesse got back, Tom would go. He would go even if he had been on the ranch longer than any of their other men. She didn’t believe for one minute the story about a gang of outlaws riding on this ranch. There wasn’t a gang that big around here. If there were, Travis would have heard about it and told her. The idea was ridiculous. That little idiot Summer had a nerve walking off with that dance-hall girl and leaving