Free Savage Autumn by Constance O'Banyon

would be nice.”
    He smiled and his eyes lit up. Harland had always had hisshare of beautiful women, but this time was different. For the first time in his life, he had met a woman for whom he would gladly give up his freedom.
    “Good night, Captain,” Joanna said, turning away.
    Harland’s thoughts were happy ones as he made his way to his wagon. He would have all winter to woo Miss James at Fort Leavenworth.
    Windhawk stared across the river, wondering which of the many wagons the flaming-haired one slept in. What was she doing now? Was the long knife her husband? Was she now lying in his arms? Was he touching her, making love to her? He felt an ache deep inside.
    “You are my woman, and I will have you,” he whispered. “No one can take you from me, not even Napi himself.”
----
    * The Lightning.

Chapter Five
    Taggart lay on his stomach peering through the thick growth of some evening primrose bushes. He could hear the sounds of laughter coming from the other side of the river. Even though he had been cautioned by Joanna and Franny not to go near the river, he had conveniently forgotten their warning. More than anything, he wanted to catch a glimpse of the Indian who had saved his life.
    Tag’s friend, Bobby, was hunched down behind the trunk of a cottonwood tree, his eyes wide with fright. He wished Tag would tire of gazing across the river so they could return to camp.
    “Come on, Bobby, you are acting just like a silly old girl. There isn’t anything to be afraid of,” Tag told him.
    “I ain’t coming out from behind this tree. Them Indians won’t like you spying on them.”
    “These aren’t bad Indians. You know about the one who saved me from drowning. Besides, if they wanted to, they couldhave already raided our camp. Mr. Clifford says that there are over a hundred Indians camped on the other side of this river. They outnumber us, and yet they haven’t done us any harm.”
    “Ma would give me a licking if she found out I had come to the river. I ain’t about to let them Indians see us spying on them.” Bobby said, hunkering down lower.
    “I can’t see anything from here,” Tag said, standing up. “I think I’ll cross the river so I can get a closer look.”
    Bobby blinked his eyes in disbelief. “You can’t do that! Them Indians will scalp you for sure!”
    “If you are afraid, stay here,” Tag said, rolling up his trouser legs and wading into the river.
    Bobby jumped to his feet. “You ain’t going to cross the river! You’re crazy!”
    Tag hesitated. He was afraid, but he didn’t want Bobby to know it. “I got me a good knife, and I want to see if I can trade it for a tomahawk.”
    Bobby’s eyes brightened with admiration. He wished he could be as brave as his friend. He had visions of Tag being scalped, and he shuddered. Nothing on this earth would persuade him to cross that river.
    “I’m gonna tell your sister on you, Taggart James. She’ll give you a licking,” Bobby threatened.
    “No, you won’t,” Tag said, wading into deeper water. He felt the taste of fear, and wished he hadn’t made such a big show of bravery. He couldn’t back down now, though. He thought about the tomahawk he could trade for, and that gave him the courage to continue.
    “Tag, come back!” Bobby realized he had raised his voice, and he held his breath, expecting any moment to see a group of wild Indians bearing down on him and Tag. He hit the ground hard, and then crawled behind the tree trunk to hide. Peering carefully around the tree, he watched as Tag waded out of the river on the other side.
    Tag ducked behind a tree, thinking how foolish he had been to cross the river. His heart was drumming in his chest. It had been easy to act brave with the river between him and theIndians. If he went back now, Bobby would still think he was brave. With that intention in mind, Tag started back to the river but he had only taken a few steps before he was grabbed from behind and someone clamped a hand