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  Elizabeth noticed the manner of the ranch hands, that they were worried, edgy, scared even. They looked ill at ease. At any other time, it would have been funny seeing the hands act this way towards their friends but not that day.

  Elizabeth recalled speaking to them to ease the tensions.

  “We have guests, my father’s friends, we will not dishonour him or them this day.” They turned to look at her. Understood her meaning and all visibly relaxed. Elizabeth remembered that at that moment she’d wondered if it was her call to make and looked up at Ben. He smiled down at her and nodded, she’d done the right thing.

  Dull Knife, came to a stop in front of her, with his sons behind him surrounded by his men. They were a magnificent sight; it took her breath away. Elizabeth looked beyond Dull Knife to his oldest son. Red Wolf, he was older than Elizabeth by several years. She had not seen him for some time and he had grown and she remembered how strangely he looked at her then.

  Dull Knife had learned English from the missionaries when he was a child and spoke it well, as did his sons. They still believed in the old ways and traditions but knew the value of speech. Some western ideas had crept in over the year’s but they honoured the old traditions. Elizabeth knew, they had come for her.

  Dull Knife had not missed a thing. He looked about him giving each man a full gaze. His eyes settled on Ben for a short time. Feeling no anger or challenge. He turned to Elizabeth and called out.

  “Esa (her father’s pet name for her) “I and my family come today to pay homage to a great man and his family.” Some of the hands did not look convinced. Elizabeth hadn’t cared. She knew these people well.

  “Your father and I shared many enemies and won many battles together. It is with heavy heart that our enemies have struck down both the strength and grace of your family, and we have lost two great friends. Dull Knife acknowledges the great debt owed to your father and the promise shared by blood brothers and our families Esa.” He nodded then continued, ”As your father was father to my sons by showing them the American way, I hope you will honour me, to be father to you in our traditional ways. From this day, our tribes are united in death as they were in life. You are under my protection and we shall never forget.” An Indian cry sung out from his men at his declaration.

  Elizabeth remembered the speech so clearly. She was so moved by the emotion it stirred, not just the sorrow but also the pride. It seemed strange to see such a strong warrior as Dull Knife looking so pale and emotional. Once he had finished speaking. Elizabeth knew she would have to answer him. It was not difficult to do. She liked the grand warrior and the tribe and had spent much time with them when they visited the ranch. It would keep the peace and the goodwill her father had worked so hard for. Elizabeth had moved to the edge of the porch and spoke

  “Dull Knife, you honour me and my parents by coming today. I am lost without them. My father loved this life, this land and both our families. He valued friendship and honesty above all and welcomed, that he shared this with you. He spoke many times of his wish, that in friendship and in blood, we were bonded to this land.” Elizabeth stood quietly for a moment. Raising her head, she had to look up at him. Calmly, with no fear, she answered him. “Thank you, I accept your protection and willingly call you father.”

  The braves behind Dull Knife and his sons rejoiced and cried out again. Dull Knife had looked at her and registered her grief and not for the first time, he was overcome by the strength in her. She was her father’s child. But not a child today.

  “Come visit me soon daughter,” he called softly as he pushed his pony forward towards her. She nodded, no words needed. Dull Knife then bowed to her in respect of her new status and grief, turned his horse and slowly walked away. His place was taken by his oldest son.

  Red Wolf, did not take his eyes off Elizabeth. She gazed at him. Big clear blue eyes shone back at him. He took in all that was still a child but knew the woman she would be and it warmed him. He paused for a long time before speaking, not wishing to break the spell. Elizabeth stood her ground and held his gaze. “Come soon sister, or I shall come for you.” He told her, bowed and pushed his pony on after his father.

  Running Elk took his brother's place and spoke most solemnly. “Sister, it should not be long before we play together,” he told her, smiled then bowed, and walked his pony on.

  Each of the men in Dull Knifes group of braves took the place before Elizabeth and each man she had seen many times before, bowed and followed their Chief. They left as they came, quietly and in much dignity.

  Elizabeth remembered the feeling of calmness following their visit. She realized now, she had been comforted by it and was glad. There would have been many unsaid questions in her mind, following the nature of her parent’s death. From that point forward, she was sure, their visit was as much for her comfort as theirs. For although her parents had died at the hands of Indians, she loved those of her land.

  In time. They had opened a whole new world for her and both Running Elk and Red Wolf had come to the ranch and spent time with her and her uncle, both sharing an understanding of the land. Making the Double T, stronger, richer and more powerful for it.

  Twice a year, the Double T made gifts to the tribe. Horses and cattle and the offer of work to those who wanted it. It was a time of celebration and of giving thanks. Several braves were paid scouts for the herds and men. Others looked after and trained the horses, creating strong bloodlines, that became much prized across the West. Their horses fetched a good price.

  After the second visit to the tribe since her parent’s death, Dull Knife had told her, it was not appropriate for a Chief’s daughter to not have female company to assist her and had instructed his sister's daughter to stay with her. She was also unmarried and was to accompany Elizabeth back to the ranch. Elizabeth had accepted this without question.

  With a smile, she recalled, that White Dove had indeed gone with her and had never left. Ben and White Dove had fallen in love and he married her two years later with the permission of Dull Knife. A bond strengthening both families, but this did not come easy. Both Ben and White Dove suffered at the hands of ‘civilized’ people in town and by some of the hired hands. Ben sacked them of course and shortly after, at Bens request and with the agreement of Elizabeth and Dull Knife, Red Wolf part time, took a hand in the running of the ranch.

  Three years later, he ran the braves and two years after that, Ben had sent her away.

  Brownsville their local town soon came to understand its dependence on the ranch and its people. Money generated business and many did well on the Double T. Within a very short time. A greater respect for the family came about. The townsfolk knew the Double T and what it stood for. It generated a lot of wealth from provisions and business dealings. Had the family been less than honourable, the family could have owned it, Elizabeth remembered. But that’s not what they wanted and two years later, Elizabeth, reluctantly with the permission of her father Dull Knife, was sent East by Ben.

  It had been so hard to leave. Saying goodbye. She swallowed hard at the memory. The family had held a party. People came from all over the county and she travelled to the Indian Village to take her leave of Dull Knife and the tribe. It was the only other time, she had seen him emotional. The only one not there strangely, had been Red Wolf. He had been absent from both.

  When she did see him, it was from a distance. She was riding her pony to Brownsville to catch the stage with Ben. Red Wolf was astride his horse watching from the hills and waiting for her. As they drew up in line with him he turned his pony and rode the ridge to the south of their property. He didn’t ride to her but kept pace with her for a long time, until they neared the border of their land. Then just as suddenly he disappeared from sight. When he reappeared, it was directly in front of her, on the crest of the hills, horse and rider, profiled against the clear blue sky.

  Elizabeth recalled the image of him. Tall in the saddle facing her. He was magnificent. A true warrior. Nineteen seasons he’d r
eminded her, she recalled. It was the first time she saw him as he truly was. Not just as her friend but as a warrior. As she passed him, his horse reared, and her breath caught concerned for him.

  Then he called to her. “No matter where you go, how long you are gone, your life is here. Always. We will be waiting. Never forget.” And then, he was gone.

  She sighed. Soon she would have to face them all. No one knew she was coming home. In the five years Ben and White Dove had been married, they had not been blessed with children. She was all there was.

  As Elizabeth had left to go East, Ben had gone to great lengths to explain that the ranch and land was hers and hers alone. That he was happy to look after it for her, but ultimately, the Double T was her responsibility. She had taken it very seriously and she still did.

  She needed to be home. Needed to be back on the land, it was pulling on her. She was 20 years old, tired of her life in the East and longing for her old one. It was time to go home.

  Her final thoughts as she drifted into exhausted sleep, were recalling children’s games around the village campfires, the stories of their great battles and of their hero’s….

  ***

  At that precise moment Clara her Aunt, returned home early from her vacation with friends in Boston. Her surprise and dismay were unimaginable on finding Elizabeth's note. Clara, elegant and a striking likeness to her niece, immediately went to her writing bureau in her fashionable drawing room and wrote to Ben.

  ‘Dear Ben’, Clara stopped for a moment and considered what a wonder that man has been to them, if it hadn’t been for him, she may never have seen Elizabeth. She was thankful for that. She had never realized how empty her life had been until Elizabeth had arrived. Putting pen to paper she continued. ‘I have just arrived home from my vacation with friends, to find Elizabeth has decided to return home without an escort. The staff tell me she left eight days ago. I am most vexed that I was not informed immediately by staff but it seems, Elizabeth fooled them into thinking I was aware of her intentions and I was happy for her to leave. I believe she took the 2 pm train and with connections should have reached Phoenix 2 days later.

  That would mean she would have been on the Brownsville stage with a 6-day journey ahead of her. As you receive this cable, I believe she should be either at Bleachers Point tonight or on the road to Brownsville. Find her Ben and forgive me. Clara.’ Clara called to her maid.

  “Mary take this to the cable office as fast as you can, and tell them to instruct someone at Brownsville to take it to the Double T immediately it arrives”.

  Mary seeing the worry and concern in her mistress’s eyes replied. “Yes mam.” and hurriedly took the note. “Thank you Mary off you go.”

  “I’m real sorry mam, Ms Elizabeth was very insistent, she would not listen to reason.”

  “I’m sure she was Mary, now off you go, run child.”

  CHAPTER TWO.

  Mr. Wilson woke Elizabeth six hours later. “My dear, we have arrived at the overnight station.” Elizabeth sedately stretched. “Thank you, Mr Wilson, most kind.” Elizabeth was helped down by Duggie the driver.

  “Over there miss, evening meal and somewhere to wash, Mrs. Brown will help you.”

  Elizabeth thanked him and went inside. Bleachers Point was the same as each of the other 5 night stops Elizabeth had made with the stagecoach. Bleak and with few amenities, it was basic but adequate. Mrs. Brown took Elizabeth to her room and said she would call her when food was served. Elizabeth thanked her and started to pour water to clean away today’s dirt.

  Elizabeth washed, brushed out her hair and redressed it and changed her clothes. She knew they would only be here for a couple of hours before moving on so she made the most of it. She was glad that tomorrow she would be in Brownsville, it had been far too long.

  ***

  The cable arrived in haste in the bags of one of the hands, who happened to be in town on his day off. He handed it to a concerned Ben as Elizabeth was sitting down to dinner at Bleachers Point.

  Ben sprang into action, Bleachers Point was nearer the Indian Village than the Double T but they were nearer the Town. He made his mind up quickly. At the same time, he called White Dove to him and several of the hands and scouts. As he spoke all listened, his concern obvious to all.

  “Elizabeth has made her own way back from New York. She should be either at Bleachers Point my now or heading to Brownsville, Hicotai, you and two braves head back to the village, tell Dull Knife his daughter is alone and on her way home and I ask his assistance to watch for her at Bleachers Point. Ride fast go now.” Knowing the honour placed on him, Hicotai, immediately left and rode like the devil himself.

  “Joe, Jake you ride with me, we’re going to Brownsville in case she makes it that far.” Turning to White Dove he gave her a reassuring smile. “Should she be found by either, let the other know.” White Dove kissed her husband and nodded. Within five minutes, they were gone.

  ***

  Duggie, the stage driver, covered in dust and brushing himself down, walked through the stage offices doorway to join the others for dinner. “There’s going to be a short hold up folks, I need to change a wheel after dinner before we change horses and move on.”

  Mr. Wilson frowned “Oh dear, that means we could be here for a few more hours yet.”

  Elizabeth smiled, she felt she could do with the rest. Although she was eager to get home, her back ached as well as her head and she felt she had bruises in places she didn’t know existed. Mrs. Brown a friendly and comely woman, started to serve dinner. Around the table, Elizabeth noted, not for the first time since her journey started, eight men and one woman, her, were seated at it. Elizabeth smiled to herself. The men were all aware of a ladies present, all minding their manners. It was quaint and heart-warming to Elizabeth.

  Even in the middle of nowhere strangers could behave with dignity. Sadly, it was not always the case, she thought. But then, this ‘lady’ had not long ago been sitting in the dirt playing stones.

  Dinner passed as every other meal on the trip had. Good wholesome food, heavy to fill empty bellies. Water to drink, milk if you were very lucky and the conversation limited as you had spent all day together.

  Elizabeth welcomed the quiet. Only Mrs. Brown asked after her and that was expected. After dinner, Elizabeth took a stroll around the station, the air was crisp and clean. The smells a welcome remembrance. The sky never failed to impress her. So clear and vast, it spoke of the unknown.

  ***

  As Elizabeth was starting her stroll, Hicotai, was riding into the village. The urgency of his arrival told all, it was important. Dull Knife and Red Wolf, were discussing the days hunting. Both turned as the rider entered the village at such speed. Quickly, Hicotai, passed on Bens message. Dull Knife looked to his son, concern in his eyes, reaching out he touched his arm. Red Wolf nodded, ran and jumped on his horse and was gone. At the same time, Dull Knife called to his braves, eight joined Red Wolf and rode after him, hard.

  Bleachers Point was four hours from the village. They rode like their lives depended on it and got there sooner.

  ***

  Elizabeth seemed to lose all account of time on her stroll. She had sat for a time breathing in the cool night air and the night fragrances, listening to the sounds around her. She loved the night. How long had it been since she had done this? she couldn’t remember. Time was so regimented in the East. You got up at a certain time, you had breakfast at a certain time, you visited at a certain time, you luncheoned at a certain time, you had afternoon tea’s at a certain time, you had dinner at a certain time, you went to the theatre at a certain time.

  Urrgh, thought Elizabeth shaking her head. She'd hated the formality of it. Her stroll had taken her further than she’d expected but the sight and smell of wildflowers and the beauty of it all had overcome her. It was so good to be nearly home. Looking at the setting Sun, Elizabeth turned to walk back to Bleachers Point.

  As she walked back towards the point, she was met
by Mr. Wilson. “Hello my dear, there you are, I was quite worried and they sent me to look for you.” Elizabeth smiled at the elder man. “That was very kind of you Mr. Wilson, shall we go back?” Mr. Wilson extended his arm and Elizabeth took it.

  As they walked, a breeze came up and several strands of her hair came loose, Elizabeth had had trouble controlling it though-out her journey and had not noticed, but Mr. Wilson gazed at her, how lovely she looked, he thought. It was with such thoughts that they rounded the Point and were walking towards the stage when they noticed from the opposite direction there appeared to be a group of riders, coming fast.

  “Visitors my dear.” Mr. Wilson told her rising his hand to his face to stop the last glow of the sun from getting a clear view. Within a few moments Elizabeth increased her pace, she knew by the way these visitors rode, they were not American.

  She instinctively removed her hand from Mr. Wilson and grasped her gun in her dress coat pocket. “They are Indians Mr. Wilson and we should return quickly.”