Woman of Courage (27 page)

Trying to shake off his negative thoughts, Buck watched twilight fall upon them. The first stars appeared overhead as the day’s light slowly faded. Here in the valley, he could see far into the horizon. He looked back toward the mountains standing tall against the blackening sky.

After he’d healed from the bear attack, he’d longed to return home. Usually opening the door to his little cabin had been inviting, but this time, it felt empty and lonely. What was the difference from before, when the silence and solitude had always been most welcome? Buck knew the answer was right on his lips, and try as he might to repel the thoughts, his mind kept wandering to what it would be like to share his life with someone. He couldn’t stop thinking about a woman being there to welcome him home each time he went out trapping. What would it be like to have a son of his own? Someone to teach all the things Jim had taught him. Buck even wondered how it would be to marry someone like Amanda. She sure was pretty. But it could never work. He had known right from the start that he couldn’t live with someone as religious as her. Their views about things were too different. Better to just be friends, and nothing more.

The smell of food cooking reached Buck’s nostrils, and Thunder came to stand by his feet. “Is it time to eat, ol’ boy?” Buck asked, reaching down to pet the dog’s head.

As if understanding what Buck had said, Thunder turned in a circle, then headed back to the campsite where Amanda and Mary had a fire going. Thunder woofed a couple of times, as though to make sure that Buck was following.

“I’m comin’!” Buck called. He checked on the horses one more time and headed for the campsite.
All I need to do is get Amanda to the mission
, he decided.
Then there will be no more thoughts of her
.

W
hen morning dawned with a bright, full sun, many Indians and trappers had already begun to make their way back to the main camp, where traders had set out their goods and were anxiously awaiting the first buyers of the day.

Mary decided to try to make her trades so they could be on their way. She had no plans to stay until Rendezvous was over, as so many others in attendance would do. She wanted to leave as soon as possible. That way, hopefully no one would follow them. Buck had gone hunting for fresh game, and Amanda had agreed to watch Little Joe while Mary was at the main camp trading her furs. After the encounter they’d had with Seth Burrows the day before, she knew better than to put her son in a dangerous position again. If trading went well, they could leave and get as far away as possible from that man.

Mary made sure that Jim’s gun was with her this time. She would be ready to take on anyone who might offer trouble, for she had too much to live for now.

In a flurry of frenzied activity, furs of all kinds were either being sold or traded for guns, ammunition, traps, blankets, tools, and various food supplies.

Just as Mary was finishing up with her business, she heard loud, obnoxious laughter. She turned and saw Seth Burrows heading her way.

Instinctively, her hand tightened over the rifle she held by her side. She was fully prepared to shoot the man, but only if it became necessary.

“I see you’re still tryin’ to peddle your furs. Need some help now, do ya?” Seth asked, grinning slyly as he stepped up to her.

“I need no help,” Mary answered firmly.

“Now look here, I’m gettin’ a little fed up with all your sass! I’m thinkin’ that trapping beaver is a sight easier then figurin’ out a woman, especially one like you. I thought maybe ya might be glad to see me, seein’ as to how your man don’t seem to be around. Maybe you don’t have a man a’tall. Is that how it is?”

Before Mary could offer a reply, Seth pulled a knife from his sheath and held it next to her side. “I’ve been denied the pleasure of your company before, and I won’t be deprived of it again. I aim to take ya as my woman, so there ain’t no use in fightin’ it.” The ill-bred man smiled wickedly. “I’m glad to see ya ain’t got that brat kid of yours with ya today, ’cause you’re goin’ with me!”

Seth held the tip of the knife against Mary’s back, and she knew it would be impossible to raise her rifle and fire without being stabbed. She looked around helplessly, hoping someone might see what was happening and come to her aid. Everyone appeared to be engrossed in their trading business. No one seemed to care that she was about to either be killed or taken at knifepoint. No one except for her faithful dog.

Thunder, who had been standing on the other side of Mary, let out a low, throaty growl. Seth pulled his knife back momentarily, as he took a moment to glance at the dog.

In that brief instant, Thunder leaped at the man, toppling them both to the ground. It was impossible for anyone in the area to ignore the man and dog rolling around in the dirt. Thunder growled and snapped, while Seth cursed between gasps of ragged breath.

Mary raised her gun but held her fire. She could not run the risk of hitting Thunder instead of the evil man so she would wait until she could get a clearer shot.

“Do not shoot him, Mary! That would be murder!”

Mary turned. Amanda stood directly behind her, holding Little Joe. Next to her stood Buck, rifle in hand. Suddenly, Seth cried out. Mary looked back at her enemy on the ground. A deathly silence hung in the air, as the dog moved slowly away from Seth’s unmoving body.

Mary gasped when she saw that Seth’s own knife was stuck firmly into his chest. In trying to slay her dog, he’d fallen against his weapon.

“Is he dead?” one of the traders asked in a casual sort of way.

“Looks like it. He don’t seem to be breathin’,” another man said, as he bent down for a closer look. He placed his hand on Seth’s bleeding chest. “Nope. There ain’t no heartbeat a’tall.”

Amanda could hardly believe that Seth Burrows lay dead on the ground, and no one seemed to care. Apparently these ill-bred men needed the Lord as much as—or even more than—the Indians she felt compelled to minister to.

Two men stepped forward and carried the body away. The others carried on with their business, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Apparently Seth Burrows had no friends among these crude mountain men.

“It is good that you did not take revenge on him, Mary,” Amanda said. “Revenge is God’s business, not ours.”

Mary silently reached for Little Joe and held him tight.

Buck stood, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Mary. I shoulda got here quicker. I came as soon as I got back from hunting and Amanda told me where you’d gone.”

“I fine now, thanks to Thunder,” Mary said.

As Amanda led Mary away from the crowd, Mary paused and said, “My dog. Must see to him. He could be wounded.”

“I’ll take a look,” Buck offered. He bent to examine Thunder. “He ain’t hurt, Mary,” he said, smiling as he looked up at her.

Relieved, Mary called for Thunder to follow them.

“We no longer have anything to fear from that evil man, Mary. I am glad God kept you from taking revenge,” Amanda said as they made their way back to their tent.

Buck snorted, but Mary gave no reply.

“God was watching over you, Mary. He cares for His children.”

Still no response.

I hope Mary’s faith isn’t wavering
, Amanda fretted.
Surely she must see that God’s hand of protection was over her today. I am thankful Mary didn’t shoot Seth
.

Even though Mary had confessed her sins and accepted Jesus as her Savior, she needed to learn more about God. In the days ahead as they traveled farther west, Amanda hoped to teach Mary many more things, and hopefully, Buck would learn them, as well.

A
manda slept better that night than she had in several weeks. The knowledge that Buck was sleeping outside their tent and had agreed to be their guide gave her a measure of hope and peace that she’d not had in many days. Instead of waking up every hour or so, thinking she’d heard something, Amanda slept until the sweet singing of birds awoke her.

She stepped from the tent, feeling renewed of body, mind, and spirit. Stretching, Amanda looked toward the sunrise and breathed in the dawn’s cool air. It was a glorious morning, with a sky so bright and blue it nearly took her breath away. This place reminded her of the lake near her home in New York, where she had often gotten up early just to catch a glimpse of the sun rising, its soft colors reflecting in the water.

Amanda rubbed both arms. It was a bit chilly, but all too soon the day would warm up, and any shade they found would be most welcome.

She walked toward the campfire, fully expecting to see Buck stretched out by the log where he’d placed a sleeping mat the night before. To her surprise, he was not there. Neither was the buffalo hide he’d slept on. She scanned the area quickly, but there was no sign of Buck. The only evidence that he’d been there was the burning embers from the fire.

“I think Buck might be gone,” Amanda said when Mary joined her. “Maybe he’s decided not to take us to Oregon Territory after all.”

Mary shook her head. “Buck not go back on his word. He straight-arrow.”

Amanda’s brows lifted. “Straight arrow? What does that mean?”

“He not lie. When Buck say he do something, he do it.”

“Where is he then?”

“He say last night that he had furs yet to sell. He probably doing that now.”

Amanda relaxed a bit. Maybe she just needed more patience. Taking a seat on a log near the fire and opening her Bible, she said, “Would you like to sit with me and listen to some Bible verses before we start breakfast?”

Mary shrugged. “It be okay I guess.”

Amanda wished Mary would have shown more enthusiasm, but at least she hadn’t said no. She opened her Bible to Proverbs and read from
chapter 3
: “ ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ ”

Mary tipped her head as though pondering things. “It be hard to trust when things go bad.”

Amanda nodded. “You’re right, but if we don’t trust God, our faith begins to waver.”

“Waver? What that mean?”

“It means we begin to doubt, and when we start doubting God, we become afraid,” Amanda explained. “Sometimes when our faith wavers, we become sad and discouraged.”

“Me sad when Jim die.”

“I know. Life isn’t always fair, and we need God to help us cope and get through the painful things that happen to us.” Amanda clasped Mary’s hand. “Let’s pray.” She bowed her head, and Mary did the same. “Heavenly Father,” Amanda prayed, “comfort our hurting souls, offer us hope when there seems to be none, and give us the strength to live for You. Amen.”

When Amanda opened her eyes, she noticed a slight movement in the trees bordering the campsite. Was it a deer or some other wild animal? She squinted, trying to get a better look, and then she saw Buck step into the clearing, wearing a buckskin shirt and leggings that reached mid-calf. His flowing red hair was tied behind his neck with a leather band.

She sat motionless as he approached, realizing that her heartbeat had quickened. When he reached her side, he handed her three small fish. “For our morning meal,” he said, grinning.

Amanda took the fish, gratefully returning his smile. “Thank you. I’ll begin cooking them at once.” She turned toward the fire, but glanced back, seeing Buck still standing there watching her. Amanda whispered a prayer of thanks for Buck’s kind gesture.