Free Wind Rider by Connie Mason Page B

not stupid. You will not run away.”
    Seething with anger, Hannah realized that Wind Rider spoke the truth. There were no white settlements nearby, and she greatly feared Indian methods of punishment should she be recaptured. She turned abruptly and walked toward the river, where many trees grew along the bank. Wind Rider watched until she was out of sight, wondering if he should follow.
    Wind Rider wasn’t the only one watching Hannah’s progress through the village. Every young buck lucky enough to be out and about turned to stare after her, including Cut Nose. The ugly warrior’s eyes bulged grotesquely and the air left his chest in an explosion of disbelief when he recognized Wind Rider’s slave. He had been willing to buy her before this miraculous transformation, but now he was more determined than ever to have her in his blankets. From the very beginning he had looked below the dirt and grime and seen something no one else had seen, but never in his wildest imagi nation did he expect anything so spectacular. When he saw Hannah walk in the direction of the river he followed, taking a different route so as not to arouse suspicion.
    Hannah walked a short distance along the river bank, gathering sticks and driftwood along the way. When she had an armful she turned back toward camp. Fear twisted her gut when she saw Cut Nose step from behind a tree. The wood fell from her arms.
    “Stay away from me!” She wasn’t certain he could understand English, but he certainly had to know what she was saying from her tone of voice.
    Cut Nose laughed harshly. He understood the white man’s tongue well enough. Like most Plains Indians, he had picked up the language from traders, mountainmen, and Indian agents. ”A slave has no rights,” His words were slow and stilted but understandable.
    “I belong to Wind Rider,” Hannah felt com pelled to say. The crafty look in Cut Nose’s eyes told her exactly what he wanted from her.
    “He will not mind. Did you not know you will become the village whore when he tires of you? It is our way. You will be sent to live in a lodge at the edge of the village, where our warriors can visit you at will.”
    “No!” Hannah denied vehemently. “Wind Rider would not do that.”
    “It is the custom. But I have decided I can not wait. I will mount you now, while you are still young and desirable and before the others ruin you. My friends are not always gentle, and since you are white they will not care if they hurt you.”
    Without warning he lunged at her. She whirled, attempting to flee, but she wasn’t fast enough. Cut Nose was upon her in seconds, bearing her to the ground. He fell atop her heavily, forcing the breath from her lungs. When his hard hands skimmed her thighs and raised her tunic above her waist she struggled valiantly but to no avail. Inserting his hand between their bodies, he tore his breechclout aside and shoved her legs apart. When she pounded against his chest, he seized her hands and held them above her head, leering at her with evil purpose.
    Hannah let out a shrill screech, steeling her self for Cut Nose’s invasion. “Quiet!” Cut Nose barked. Releasing one of her hands, he clouted her alongside the face to make her more tracta ble. Finding one hand free, Hannah retaliated by digging her sharp nails down his cheek. Cut Nose spit out a guttural curse, drew his hand back, and prepared to deliver another blow. Hannah closed her eyes and waited, hoping he’d strike her hard enough to render her unconscious. But the blow never fell.
    The pressure of Cut Nose’s body eased and then was gone. Hannah opened her eyes, sur prised to see Wind Rider standing over her, his expression fierce. He had kicked Cut Nose from atop her and stood with his fists clenched, his magnificent body tense, ready to strike again as Cut Nose picked himself up from the ground. Though Hannah had no idea what they were saying, their harsh tones and loud voices led her to believe the situation