Heart of a Captive Read online

  Cale tipped his hat to a few of the local women as he passed them, but most looked at him as if he was a stranger and he reckoned he was. He hadn't so much as attended a local barn dance in a couple of years.

  He had an old Indian helping him work the place. He called himself Hodge. Cale figured the missionaries must have given him that name when he learned to speak English.

  It took two hours to ride out to his farm and it was a ride filled with hot dust. It gave a man time to think on things. Farming was a lonely life, and he'd never taken the time to think on a woman much, but that picture stirred something in him, and he wasn't sure what it was. Perhaps it was talk of her fiancé that bothered him most. A man, engaged to a beautiful woman like that, just giving up on her, not knowing if she was dead or alive. Cale would never have given up on her. He'd still be searching for her. He shrugged that feeling away. A man could get rangy without a woman in so long. The thought of having someone to come home to, stirred his blood many times in the past few months. It had been a long hot summer full of work and disappointment.

  Cale pulled his bandana over his mouth and his hat down low. Most of the time this area was a pretty place in the summer, but too little rain had ruined it this year. It was early August and Cale was looking forward to the winter. He wiped the sweat and kept riding.

  Hodge and Cale had gone out several days over the past couple of weeks to find meat. Hodge managed several rabbit traps and he downed a deer.

  Meat and potatoes were about all they had though.

  The hot Texas sun bore down on the land, leaving it parched. The crops picked they'd put what was edible in the shed. They'd spent a week putting up the corn, but that was about the only vegetable they were able to keep. A few squash and one good-sized watermelon and that were the end of fresh vegetables and fruit.

  From the Indians Cale learned to grow squash, watermelons, and a few other vegetables. He'd always found the Huaco's friendly and eager to help him grow things on his farm. They'd taught him many things over the past few years, but he hadn't been to see them in some time.

  Cale's thrifty ways got him through the hard times. Hodge didn't cost him anything, and he provided some company, breaking some of the monotony. Hodge had been with him since his folks died. He just sort of wandered into the farmyard one day looking for work. Since all he asked was a warm bed and food for his stomach, Cale obliged him.

  When he pulled the wagon into the yard, Hodge came out, nodded and headed for the back of the wagon to help him unload.

  Hodge was a thin man, and walked with a gait as he had a clubfoot when he was born. He'd managed to get around well, despite the problems. He wore his long black hair in a braid, he wore a worn out black hat on his head, and he dressed like a cowboy except for the braids. His skin weathered from the sun, his eyes clear and sharp, he was handsome Indian even for his age. Cale didn't know how old Hodge was, but he figured he was probably in his late forties.

  "Hodge, I think we're gonna have to go talk to the Huaco's soon. We will need food for the winter. Don't want to get stuck out here with no food." Cale was telling him as they hefted the supplies and groceries.

  "Um…" Hodge grunted. "Sunup?"

  "Yeah, I reckon so…" Cale nodded, adjusting his hat and wiping the sweat from his brow. "We'll head for the Guadeloupe River, there still some Huaco's down there, but I heard they are fixing to move them to Ft. Belknap. So it might be a good time to make trade."

  "Humph…Want coffee?" Hodge asked.

  "I guess. On a day like this, I feel like finding a pond and taking a dip."

  "You too clean. Only need dip once a year!" Hodge grumbled.

  "Maybe you do, but I need it more than once a year. It could get pretty rank around here if I only dipped once a year."

  "White man sweat too much." Hodge insisted.

  "Yeah, you don't sweat as much, do you?" Cale grinned.

  Hodge shrugged.

  "You think Old Iron Kettle will have something of value to trade us?" Cale questioned.

  "Maybe…if he's still there."

  "Won't hurt to ask, huh? Would like to get a couple of hides from them to make us some coats for winter."

  Hodge just shook his head.

  "I sure wish you'd talk a little more, Hodge. Sometimes I feel as though I'm talking to myself." Cale muttered.

  "Need woman…" Hodge looked at him strangely.

  "Not you too." Cale avoided any eye contact with Hodge, as he knew he'd be smiling now. "I never expected to hear that from you."

  "Man needs woman. Cook, clean, make happy." Hodge threw his hands in his pockets and looked away.

  "Then why don't you pick you out a squaw when we get to the village and bring her back with you. I'm fine with her cooking and cleaning at least." Cale threw back his head and laughed.

  "Hmm…" Hodge rolled his eyes and continued to unload the wagon.

  That evening as they ate a small meal of potatoes and rabbit, Cale sat back in his chair on the back legs and sighed.

  "I need to figure out what I'm gonna trade Old Iron Kettle. Got any ideas?"

  "They can hunt, and they have plenty food. Blankets for the cold winter ahead would make a good trade, or guns for hunting, you could give them whiskey."

  "No…I won't give them whiskey." Cale proclaimed.

  "Why not, they can buy from saloon." Hodge said.

  "Let them. You know I don't drink and I just don't think they need to either. They get a little crazy with that stuff and you know it." Cale's brows drew together.

  "Too bad we can't take milk from Old Josey out there in the barn." Hodge nodded.

  "Can't carry that, it's too far. At least she's still giving milk. Thought we might take her over to McAllister's place and breed her again."

  "Good." Hodge nodded. "Come spring."

  Cale nodded. "Guess we better get some rest, we got a ways to go, tomorrow. Say, there was a picture of a white girl hanging in the General Store. They said the Comanche took her some time ago."

  "Comanche take many captive."

  "I know. She sure was pretty."

  Hodge glanced at Cale for a long moment. He didn't say anything, just stared.

  "You find and take for wife." Hodge snickered.

  Hodge always had simple answers for Cale, sometime they were great for working problems out, but this time Cale's brow rose and he shook his head. "Even if we did find her, she is betrothed."

  "What that mean?"

  "She was supposed to marry a fella, but she was kidnapped I guess before they married."

  "Why he not go after her?"

  "Don't know…"

  "If he not go after her, he not need her." Hodge declared.

  "Maybe he did, and couldn't find her."

  "Maybe he not want to find her." Hodge wrinkled his nose in distaste. He turned away from Cale.

  "Well for one thing, he was a dude, Hodge. He probably didn't know how to go about finding her. Besides, why wouldn't he want to find her?" Cale turned around to look at him.

  "She with Indians." Hodge rolled his eyes as though Cale should have known that.

  "Maybe." Cale muttered reflectively. "You ever get lonely Hodge…for a woman?"

  "Hmm... Woman warm bed, soft. Hodge would like woman to warm bed. But…Too set in ways, I guess."

  "Sarah Lightfeather likes you. She waits on you hand and foot every time we see Iron Kettle."

  "Sarah nice and round and would keep warm in winter. Maybe I take her as wife."

  "Why don't you hook up with her? I wouldn't mind you bringing her here."

  "Me bring her here?" Hodge looked at him.

  "Sure, why not."

  "Maybe…"

  Hodge nodded then looked at Cale. "You?"

  "Sometimes. I think about it, especially on cold winter nights."

  "You need woman."

  "You think so?" Cale stared at him now.

  Hodge grunted and walked off.

  Cale washed the dishes and got ready for be
d. Hodge always slept on the floor, he claimed a bed was too soft.

  "Night Hodge." Cale called as he lay on his bed in the other room.

  Chapter Two

  It was a long ride to the Guadeloupe River and Cale and Hodge were getting weary. They traveled all day and part of the night. Although the scenery was nice, the weather was sweltering hot. August sun seemed to last forever. It was an unforgiving summer. It was early evening and still light out. The wind barely stirred. The grass had grown yellow and dead, the trees began to look dried up and bare. The one reprieve was that the wind hinted a early winter.

  A couple of hawks circled above them. Hodge pointed to them.

  Hodge wanted to stop and go into the camp the next morning, but Cale didn't want to wait.

  They traveled into the night to find their camp.

  A smell of woodsmoke brought them to the camp and several of the Indians greeted them by name. Most had gone to sleep. It was quiet except for the bullfrogs and an occasional hoot from an owl.

  There was a restlessness here that Cale hadn't witnessed before. Cale knew they were going to the reservation soon. He saw the outlying camp of the soldiers not far off. That meant the move would come sooner than he bargained for. At least they might get in a few trades before the army hustled them off to the Brazos.

  He wondered how Old Iron Kettle would take to reservation life. The old chief had guided his people into a peaceful existence and now they faced the ultimate surrender, to live on the reservations. It was a dying out of old times and a fear of uncertainty for the new times. Still, times had changed and the whites had insisted on sending all the Indians to reservations to end the raiding. It was a hard time for the Indian. Yet Cale knew that Iron Kettle's surrender would be one of dignity for himself and his people.

  Old Iron Kettle was quickly roused from sleep to greet them. He looked tired and he was aging quickly now.

  "Iron Kettle good to see you." Cale smiled at his old friend.

  "Friend Cale, Hodge, welcome." The old man said his head rose in greeting. He wore nothing but a breechcloth and leggings. His hair was mussed, but his eyes shined as he watched his two friends greet him with smiles.

  Cale and Hodge waited for the Chief to sit down before joining him, out of respect.

  Hodge nodded and they sat in a circular fashion on the ground to talk. They passed the pipe to smoke. Cale coughed, he wasn't used to the green tobacco. Iron Kettle's toothless grin had Cale turning almost as green as the tobacco.

  "What brings you to my camp?"

  "I'm looking to trade, Iron Kettle. Because of the drought, we have very small crop this year. I need whatever you can spare and maybe some hides. We need winter coats. I've brought blankets and Kentucky tobacco seeds, a few hides for you and we brought a couple of mules. And I shot a deer on the way down here to celebrate your move."

  Iron Kettle stared at him a long time, as though something else were on his mind. The key to talking to Iron Kettle was patience so Cale waited. Iron Kettle seemed to choose his words carefully before he spoke. His face was placid so it was hard to gauge exactly how serious the old chief was. "You have woman?"

  His question was so unexpected, that Cale choked on the smoke, and passed the pipe to Hodge. Eyeing Iron Kettle for a moment, he raised a brow. "Woman? No…"

  "I have woman for Cale…" Iron Kettle announced as though it were settled.

  Cale's frown deepened at this news. He hadn't come here for a squaw. In all his dealings with this chief, he had never expected him to ask such a question. Up until now, their dealings had always been honest. What was the old chief was up to? There was more to this question than the old chief was saying.

  Patience he reminded himself.

  "I appreciate your concern for my love life, chief, but that's not what I came for…"

  "What Cale needs." Iron Kettle assured him. Hodge was nodding too, to Cale's dismay.

  "No…I really need some buffalo hides and food."

  The old Indian stared at the ground for a long moment and sighed heavily. His gift was not welcome and his sadness wore on his face.

  Had he insulted him?

  Seeing the insult he inflicted, Cale wanted to make amends.

  "What's this about, Iron Kettle? You never tried to give me a squaw before." Cale squinted a look at him through the smoke circling the air.

  "We move soon." Cale knew about the move, but he didn't let on. The old chief had a lot on his mind and Cale was about to find out exactly what. Iron Kettle's shoulders slumped and Cale knew that what the old chief was saying was hard for him for some reason.

  "Yes, I saw the soldiers."

  "Go to reservation to the north. Soldiers are over there." He pointed to the other encampment. "We go soon. Before we go, we must leave things behind. We take only blankets, food, clothes. It is part of our treaty."

  "Yes, I heard about that." Cale nodded. "Is that the reason for the concern?"

  "Everyone need food this year. Huaco's have much food at first, but now the food is almost gone and we must move again. Too many traders. Not enough to go around for trade. Other tribes come…make trade with Iron Kettle." Iron Kettle explained. "We have little left. I can give hides for coats, but there is little food. We will share with you what we can, though. But the woman is not an Indian squaw, she's a white woman. And we must be rid of her before we go, or we are in big trouble with white man's chief. The soldiers do not know of her, and we must be rid of her before we start our journey. If not, there could be talk of broken treaty. It is too dangerous. You must take her, friend Cale."

  Cale's head jerked about, and he stared into Iron Kettle's face. The old chief was concerned, and he had every right to be. If the soldiers got wind of a white woman being in camp, the treaty might not hold, and it would not be well for Iron Kettle or his people. But what was he doing with a white woman in the first place?

  "What do you mean, she's a white woman?" Cale let his words sink in a moment before he reacted. "Since when do you take white women captive? I thought you wanted peace."

  The old chief grunted then smiled at Cale's impatience to get to the bottom of this. "Comanche come to our camp early in the winter. They starving. They not grow enough food, either. Have meat, but nothing more except berries. To trade…they offered a captive. I did not want a captive…but…they were starving. It would be an insult to not to take their offering. So I trade. I cannot let another starve. She's been with us all last winter…but we cannot take her to the reservation. It would make big trouble. Must leave her. She is good captive, works hard. Says little. But we must leave her. You want? We did not take her captive, the Comanche took her. Iron Kettle not make war with whites. But the Comanche can barely feed themselves so must give away. Now we must give away too. She is white, she make fine woman for you, friend Cale."

  Cale thought about the girl's picture and wondered if that might be the same girl. If it was he could probably get her back to her people. He didn't need a woman, but he felt something more than pity for the girl and the chief.

  This was serious and now he understood the strife he'd seen in Iron Kettle's face.

  Yet getting involved in this could get him and Hodge in a lot of trouble too if anyone found out.

  Hodge eyed him with a slight smile. "Cale need woman."

  Cale frowned at Hodge. He didn't need Hodge taking Iron Kettle's side in this. The look on Iron Kettle's face told him that he was sincere. "Throw in some hides and what vegetables you can spare, and we'll take her. But how we gonna get her out of here without them seeing?"

  Iron Kettle stared into his eyes. "This white woman good. She no take a warrior. She not slave to my people, but good squaw. She help my people when sick. We are thankful for her. We will find a way to hide her."

  "I see. That's good. If she's who I think she is, then it is very good. She has a man…I will take her to him." Cale decided. "But tell me, why didn't you just hand her over to the soldiers when they came?"

  Iron Kettle
sighed again, this time not looking at either of them. "Soldiers might not understand that she was a trade from the Comanche, they do not believe we speak truth. She not want to go. And I lied to the white chief about having a white captive. To us, she is family, but the white man would not understand this. So I lied. Now I must be rid of her for my people will suffer. I cannot allow them to suffer. White woman belong with white people."

  Cale stared at the old Indian. "Well then what makes you think she'll go with me?"

  "We make her go. Cause much trouble now if they see her. She belongs with white eyes."

  "So how we gonna get her out of here?" Cale stood up and paced.

  "I have worried for many moons on how to get rid of her. Thought of trading her to some French trappers, but they were not good. I see in their eyes their evil hearts and I would not let her go with such men. But I trust friend Cale and Hodge. I thought of having a funeral for her and leaving her until we are gone, then she could sneak away, but then she said we could disguise her as a man and send her off. We could do that, she could leave with you as a man."

  "That's a little risky, don't you think?"

  Iron Kettle nodded. "Still think funeral is the best way."

  "Then let's try that. We could circle back around, pick her up and take her with us. But we'll need to discuss this with her."

  "Yes…tomorrow…she sleeps now."

  "Alright. Tomorrow, we'll discuss it and figure out how to manage it."

  Iron Kettle drew on the pipe once more and then was quiet a long while. Then his eyes met Cale's. "Why you not marry, friend Cale? It is white man's custom to marry, is it not?"

  "Marry? Now wait a minute." Cale fussed. He didn't mind helping the woman or the chief, but marriage…that was going too far.

  "She only marry in Indian way, not white way. But ceremony will make soldiers satisfied."

  Hodge nodded, "Good."

  "No, it's not good. I don’t want to get married. Besides, this woman has a man who wants to marry her." Cale fumed at the casual way both men agreed to such a thing. "What makes you think she'd marry me anyway?"

  Iron Kettle studied Cale a moment then nodded. "Funeral best."