Free Beneath The Texas Sky by Jodi Thomas

her. “What’s happening?”
    Josh pulled her to him, holding her head to his chest. His fingers threaded through her hair as he fought his way back to reality. “Bethanie,” he mumbled in agony.
    After several minutes, Josh spoke. His words were low, forced out between clenched teeth. “I can’t pick up many words…but it’s obvious they are startled you’re a woman.”
    The Indians’ voices began to rise. Two of the strange men moved toward Bethanie. She huddled closer to Josh, too frightened to breathe. Before she could react, each brave grabbed one of her arms and began dragging her down the bluff to the wooded area near the water. She screamed in fear, kicking madly at the two men.
    Even in her panic, she heard Josh yell. He was fighting wildly as he cursed his captors. As blows rained on him, Bethanie heard Josh beg them with his last words to let her go and kill him. She struggled, but iron grips dragged her closer to the stream.
    Bethanie screamed as the men pulled her into the water. One held her, while the other grabbed her hair and plunged her head underwater. He held her facedowna foot into the muddy stream. Bethanie’s mind raced in panic as her lungs ached for air. They’re drowning me! Her brain grew dark from lack of oxygen as her. struggling stopped.
    As if from far away, she felt the Indians pulling her up. They stood holding her until her breathing grew regular. Then, to her horror they dunked her again. Was this some kind of torture? They repeated the ritual over and over until her arms ached from fighting and her lungs burned for air. Each time they pulled her head up just as she began to pass out.
    When Bethanie had swallowed all the water she could endure, the Indians suddenly stopped, and began dragging her back up toward Josh. She raised her head and, through dripping hair, saw Josh tied to a tree trunk. His eyes were closed and he made no movement. The men holding Bethanie loosened their grip, and she knelt beside Josh. The savages back a few feet away.
    Pushing her wet, tangled red hair behind her, she asked, “Josh, are you all right?” She knew the question was ridiculous, for he was bleeding in several places, but she prayed he wasn’t already dead.
    Josh’s dark eyes opened in surprise. “Bethanie,” he whispered, “what have they done to you?”
    She could see the pain and dread in his face as he waited for her answer. “Nothing,” Bethanie answered, knowing he feared she’d been molested, “except try to drown me.” She pulled her hair back and squeezed water from it. Her clothing was wet and clung to her slender frame, openly revealing her gender.
    The savages stormed around her like angry young bulls, arguing among themselves. They seemed to have no leader. She slid closer to Josh and pushed the blood off his cheek with her wet sleeve. She was trembling hard from cold and fright as she huddled, wishing he could place his protective arms around her.
    “What are they arguing about?” Bethanie whispered.
    Josh shook his head and turned to listen more closely.
    After several minutes, a smile touched his bruised lips. He turned to Bethanie with a look of disbelief.
    “Are they going to torture us or kill us?” Bethanie whispered, tears of helplessness in her eyes.
    “Neither,” Josh smiled softly. “They’ve decided that you’re a sign from the gods. None of them have ever seen red hair. They weren’t trying to drown you; they were trying to get the color out of your hair.”
    “Well, why are they arguing?” she asked.
    “One wants to scalp you. The others think it would be bad medicine.” Josh smiled.
    As Bethanie watched in fear, one brave pulled his knife and moved toward her. His face was serious and his savage stare never left her face. Bethanie closed her eyes as he stepped in front of her. He pulled a wet lock free from the mass and cut it.
    Bethanie looked up as the Indian moved away, waving her hair like a trophy between his fingers. The others