Chapter 16
“So this is Indian Territory.” Tempest watched the sluggish Red River wind its way around sandbanks as it meandered east. “I’m glad the river is low. Anna picked up enough red mud as it is.”
“I suppose you want to wash her hooves.”
“I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”
“Just be glad we didn’t have to swim our horses over.”
“Don’t even mention it.” She twisted in her saddle, looking back and forth from her vantage point on top of the bluff. “I don’t see much difference between Texas and Indian Territory.”
“We’re in Chickasaw Nation. We’ll be riding east into Choctaw Nation.”
“Are the Indians still wild?”
“We’ll stay in the Five Civilized Tribes region. They were mostly removed from the Southern states. They’re farmers, hunters, and businesspeople. They publish newspapers, create schools, and build capitol buildings.”
“They sound like Americans.”
“Perhaps Americans sound like them.”
“That’s an interesting idea.”
“Ancient cultures, like those of Turtle Island, develop over time to the benefit of their people.”
“Turtle Island?”
“That is this land’s original name.”
“I like it.” She glanced at him. “You sound like a teacher. How do you know these things?”
“I’m President of the Society for the Preservation of Antiquities.”
“I thought you were a treasure hunter.” She felt concern tighten her chest. What did she really know about this man? How could she have so blithely set out alone with him? What if he was as dangerous as Indian Territory? Yet, president of a society sounded respectable.
“I locate lost property for railways, banks, and others. But I have a special interest in antiquities. They’re treasure, too.”
“Are we going after antiquities?” Now she understood him better. He must be like a Pinkerton detective. He located outlaws or their ill-gotten gains that the law couldn’t find or reach. It sounded like a dangerous line of work. No wonder he was familiar with firearms, saloons, and Indian Territory. He’d also not want most folks to know too much about him, or he couldn’t do his job. She was touched that he trusted her with the truth.
“Yes.”
“Gold? Silver? Precious gems?”
“Even better than that.”
“What other type of treasure could there be?”
“Cultural artifacts.”
“But—”
“There is a big market, especially in Europe, for Indian antiquities.”
“Like those artifacts they found in Egypt?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know we had pyramids.”
“We do, but they’re built of earth. Mounds. Some were for burial while others were platforms for temples or homes.”
“Do you mean that Indians buried stuff with their chiefs like the Egyptians?”
“Yes.”
“But you said there wasn’t gold and silver.”
“Indians used beaten copper, pottery, shells, pearls, crystal, and other natural elements.”
“And it’s valuable now?”
“It’s limited, so collectors will pay a pretty penny.”
“That’s good for Indians, isn’t it? I mean, if they want to part with their heritage.” She cocked her head as she looked at him, feeling as if she couldn’t learn the antiquities business fast enough. If she was going to help him, as well as herself, she needed to understand everything she could about this new world.
“That’s the trouble. These sites are all that is left of ancient cities that haven’t been used in hundreds of years. As far as Americans are concerned, nobody has claim on them. Fortunately, they mostly look like hills, so many are left alone.”
“If you need my help, something must have changed.”
“There’s a site that is vulnerable. Choctaws are farming the area right now, but I’ve heard a rumor that the site has come to the attention of a major antiquities group. They have the resources to go after the site.”
“What about the Choctaw Nation?”
“The Choctaw Lighthorsemen can’t arrest Americans.”
“Deputy U.S. Marshals?”
“Few and far between. Plus, they have to catch the outlaws in the act.”
“But how can we stop them? I don’t even know how to use my .32 yet.”
“We need to get there ahead of them.”
“That’s why you’re in a hurry?”
“Yes.”
“How far is it?”
“Near Fort Smith.”
“That’s a long way. Maybe you should have chosen somebody else.”
“There is no one else.”
“But I talk to ghosts. I don’t hunt outlaws or save antiquities. Besides, I can’t travel fast. I’ll have to take breaks, or I’ll never make it.”
“You’ll be okay.”
“I just don’t believe you’ve thought this through. Maybe I’d better return to the Bend. You need someone with a strong back and a fast gun.”
“Tempest, listen to me. Nobody knows exactly where the artifacts are in that ceremonial complex.”
She felt a chill run up her spine. “You want me to talk to dead Indians and find out.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if that’s even possible. What if they’re all gone?”
“We won’t know till we get there.”
“But what language do they speak?”
“Somehow, you’ll communicate.”
She sighed. “I really doubt this is going to work.”
“We already agreed. I’ll help you and you’ll help me.”
“I think you’re getting the short end of the stick.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
She adjusted her hat in irritation. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re in no rush for you. Nobody knows where the artifacts are, so nobody can find them. Even if we locate a few ghosts, I may not be able to talk with them.”
“I’ll take the chance.”
She looked back longingly toward Texas, wishing she was there right now. She wondered how much time would pass before she got back to the Bend. She already missed her new friends. Who knew what Burt and Bob would have planned by the time she saw them again? In light of Lucky’s plans, they sounded like the rational ones. Now she understood why Lucky hadn’t explained in detail what he wanted until they were across the Red River. A Wild West show put on by amateurs sounded more plausible than lost Indian treasure and thousand-year-old ghosts.
At least she wasn’t as worried about Elmira and Lamira. She trusted Ludmila to get her letter and eagle to them soon. Twenty dollars would make a big difference in their lives. And there was more on the way.
“Might as well get moving,” Lucky said. “Let’s see how far we can get today.”
She glanced at him. She must have been drunk on his whiskey-colored eyes to have agreed to his crazy scheme. When he flashed his dimple, she sighed. Maybe it was his broad shoulders, his narrow hips, his long legs, or simply the entire package called Lucky that had addled her brain.
She felt as if she were handling dynamite. If she ever struck a spark, they’d both catch fire and burn.