Chapter Twenty-Six

Both Carolyn and Lone Arrow were quiet as they left the site of the Medicine Wheel, each lost in thought.

It was true, Carolyn had felt closer to her Maker at that spot, but she had also been disturbed. Whatever the cause of such uneasiness, however, she could not guess.

She did sense that it was as though the spirit who lived here was agitated about something. But what?

Was it her? Should she not have gone there? Had she committed some faux pas by praying there, when she was white, not Indian?

As she and Lone Arrow had descended the mountaintop, Lone Arrow had taken pause to ceremoniously give her the soft deerskin, which had covered her eyes. It was no longer needed, he said.

Wasn’t it? If it were not truly needed, then why did she feel that the spirit that lived there was angry? And possibly at her? She had, after all, taken something from that cave.

Glancing back the way they had come, Carolyn searched out that high spot in the mountains, wondering if she could still see the circle from here. Perhaps wondering, too, if the whirlwind might not make itself known to her once again. For a moment, she was unaware of her surroundings.

She felt a jerk on her buckskin reins, followed by the sound of sliding rocks nearby. Another jerk, another pull, then the horrible din of rocks crashing together.

Spinning around in her seat, she called out, “Lone Arrow.”

No answer.

Dear Lord, what was happening? She did not see him. His pony, yes, but where was he?

Carolyn stared around her.

She and her horse, as well as A-la-pee, were situated on a narrow ridge. Dismounting, Carolyn dropped to her feet and peeked over the ledge.

She gasped. There was nothing below her but a steep drop.

Pure panic filled her soul. Had he fallen down there?

“Lone Arrow?” she called, paying no attention to the fact that if there might be danger of landslide, one should speak softly. In truth, she could barely think.

“Lone Arrow?” she cried once again.

What might have first been panic became horror. Dear God, she prayed, please let him be alive.

What had happened? Just a few moments before, he had been leading their horses. Carolyn had to think. She’d seen nothing, of course; she had been gazing off in the opposite direction. But she had felt the pull on the reins, heard the crash of rocks.

He must have slipped.

Lone Arrow slip? How could that be? He knew these mountains better than anyone else.

But he now carried the cross upon his person.

Groaning Carolyn sat back upon her haunches. How could she have done it? So involved had she been in the story he had weaved around her, she had forgotten to tell him about the cross. And especially that she had planted it on him.

The fault was hers. Hers.

Stunned, Carolyn froze. Why, oh why, she admonished herself, had she not told Lone Arrow about the cross?

Please let him be alive.

Situating herself on her stomach, she once more peered over the ledge. He had to be alive; he just had to be.

But she could see very little, and the wind kept whipping her hair into her eyes. Reaching up, she tried to push that hair behind her ears, but it was useless.

She had to do something. But what? There was no hero here to save the day. There was no one here but her.

What could she do?

She glanced up toward his horse. Was there a rope upon A-la-pee? One that she might be able to use to climb down the face of this mountain?

That was when she saw it.

The whirlwind.

Grass and rocks scattered as it came twisting toward her. On it came, closer and closer, until Carolyn felt certain it might encompass her. But it did not.

Skirting around her, it slid down the mountainside. And following its progress with her gaze, Carolyn came down full length upon the ridge, peeking over the edge to sneak a look below her.

The thing had alit onto another rocky edge of the mountain, one that might have been wide enough to break the fall of a man.

Hope sprang up within her. Carolyn had not seen that projection.

There the thing stopped, and beside it was…what? The figure of…a man?

Was it Lone Arrow? Was he alive?

Quickly but steadily Carolyn stood, and with care, she edged her way toward A-la-pee. Did the pony have a rope tied to her?

No, only the buckskin reins.

Glancing around her, Carolyn despaired. She had nothing, nothing that would get her to him, if it was him.

Could she climb down there? Peering over the ledge, once more on hands and knees, Carolyn thought she might attempt it, but when her first footfall caused a minor landslide, she knew she would have to find another way.

Glancing down, she called, “Lone Arrow, is it you down there? Can you hear me?”

No answer.

“Oh, please wake up.”

Oddly enough the whirlwind twisted around the body there, as though it protected it.

And she said, “Are you the god who lives in the mountain? The same god who protects this place?”

No answer came from it.

“If you are that god, I know that you mean no harm. You once saved me by leading me to Lone Arrow. I am now going to do the same for him, for I think it is Lone Arrow down there on that ledge. But I have to leave here to get a rope.”

She started to rise, thought better of it, and sprawled back out onto the ledge. Glancing over the rocks, she addressed the whirlwind once more, saying, “If that is Lone Arrow, he has the cross upon his person. But he does not know it. I placed it there last night. I meant no harm. I only did it to ensure that the cross was returned to the cave. Please understand,” she cried, when she detected no change, “I am here not to take anything else from the cave, but to return that which I stole from it a little over eight years ago.”

Still, no answer came to her, nor did the whirlwind turn into an eagle like it had in the story of Burnt Face. But it did do another thing.

It centered itself upon the body there, darting from head to feet. And as Carolyn watched, it repeated the maneuver, this time shooting from feet back to head.

And in the next instant, the person awoke. Bringing a hand to his head, he tried to sit up. It was Lone Arrow.

“Don’t move!” Carolyn sobbed, calling down to him from the ledge. “You fell and are on a very thin ridge on the mountain.”

Dazedly, Lone Arrow glanced up at her. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I only heard the crashing of rocks, and then I couldn’t find you.”

Lone Arrow nodded. “I remember.”

“If not for the whirlwind, I would still not know what had happened.”

“Whirlwind?”

“Look to your right.”

Lone Arrow did, but it was of no use. The thing had vanished.

“It was there. I saw it. It found you and brought you back to life.”

Lone Arrow took this knowledge in stride, acknowledging her with a nod. He said, “I think I can climb out of here.”

“No, do not try it,” said Carolyn. “Lone Arrow, I should have told you before now, and I am sorry that I could not muster up courage enough to say it sooner.”

Looking up at her, he asked, “What?”

“The thing that I took…”

Lone Arrow remained silent.

“That thing that I told you was of no value…remember?”

Again Lone Arrow did not speak.

“Well,” she said, “it was a small, golden cross, and it has brought me and my family nothing but bad luck. Know that I have told the truth about my intentions. I have wanted to do nothing more than return the cross to where it belongs, but I have been afraid to tell you. Afraid that you might think badly of me or refuse me aid; afraid that you might insist on taking the cross from me; afraid that if I, and I alone, did not return the cross, that the curse could not be broken.”

Staring up at her, Lone Arrow said, “I am glad that you have decided to tell me, but—”

“You now have the cross.”

“I?”

“Well, I was afraid that you might make me go to the cave naked, after all, and then I would have had no hiding place for it. And so I hid it on you. It is in your quiver and bow case.”

Quickly, Lone Arrow removed his quiver, and taking his arrows from it, reached down into it. Within moments, he brought out the cross, holding it up to her.

He said, “This one?”

“Yes,” she said, “but put it back. Holding it can bring on the worst of luck.”

“It will bring me no bad luck, now that I know I have it.” He tried to stand to his feet, but no sooner had he put weight upon his feet, than he fell over. Rocks scattered everywhere.

“Lone Arrow?” She practically screamed his name.

“I am here.”

Carolyn breathed out heavily.

He said, “I think that I have broken my foot. You are going to have to go and get a rope and pull me up.”

“A rope? Where will I find a rope? There is none on your pony or mine. And I am afraid that we are alone, completely alone.”

“Then you are going to have to retrace your steps and find Pretty Moon and Big Elk. They will know what to do.”

Carolyn cried. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“You must. And you must go as quickly as you can.”

Why? she wondered. Why did they have to be here alone? She was no master trail woman. She could barely find her way on a well-traveled path, let alone within the wilderness. A wilderness filled with bears, wolves and mountain lions.

She said, more to herself, “I am no trailblazer.”

“You do not have to be,” said Lone Arrow. “Call upon your helper, the whirlwind. It will come to you, and it will lead you to a place where there is help.”

“But—”

“Do not fear. Be strong of heart, for it will come to you. Follow it,” he urged again. “And hurry.”

“Yes,” said Carolyn. “Do you have weapons so that you can defend yourself?”

“I have my bow and arrows, and my knife. My shotgun is gone. These are enough. Now go!”

Getting to her feet as quickly, yet as carefully as possible, Carolyn edged her way back toward solid ground.

 

As Lone Arrow had predicted, her helper, the whirlwind, came to her. Urging her to follow, it led her through the high mountain forest. Strangely, while watching the thing, there were moments when Carolyn caught an odd glimpse of it. And in those moments, she could have sworn that she espied a big, black bear.

But, at these times, she would rub her eyes, and the image would quickly fade.

Carolyn rode A-la-pee instead of her own mount. A- la-pee, it seemed, was aware of the danger to her master, and she, too, hurried to help him.

Besides, Lone Arrow had often boasted as to the intelligence of the animal. And Carolyn needed all the assistance she could get.

Meanwhile, they followed the trail of the whirlwind.

Never again, she thought, would she doubt that there was a being who lived in and protected this mountain. Never again would she fear a spirit, for without this one to guide her, she would be lost.

It was early evening when she spotted the fire. Sighing with relief, and dismounting, she approached the camp steadily, not bothering to hide her advance. If what she knew about Big Elk were true, he probably already sensed her presence.

Anticipation at the pleasure of seeing Pretty Moon had Carolyn stumbling, when she should have been watching where she was going.

“Who goes there?”

The words had been in English.

Startled, Carolyn paused. And in her confusion, a shot rang out in front of her, barely missing her.

“Don’t shoot,” she shouted, placing her hands over her ears. “I’m unarmed.”

“A woman? Here?” The words had been said by another voice—those words in English, too.

Where had the whirlwind led her?

“Please don’t shoot,” she said, “I need your help.” And with this said, she stepped into the camp of two men whose appearance brought to mind that of two mangy grizzlies. With fur coats, beards and long hair, they looked more animal than human.

“Ah wouldna belief it iffn I hadn’t seen it with me own eyes. Looky, Dixon, it’s a woman.”

“Ah can see that fer myself. What’s ja doin’ here in these parts, ma’am?”

Carolyn paused to catch her breath. “My…my husband and I have been traveling in these mountains,” she said, “and he has slipped and fallen onto a ledge. I need a rope so I can pull him up. Do you have one?”

“We have a rope, little lady, but yer goin’ to be needin’ our help.”

Carolyn gave the men a weak sort of smile. “I’d be beholden to you if you would help me. Please,” she said, “there’s not much time left before nightfall.”

“Now, see here, ma’am,” said the big, darker one of the two men. “We’ve been trackin’ from one holler to tother and we’re plumb tuckered out. Sit yerself down a spell and have some supper. We’ll git to it soon enough—tomorrow.”

Carolyn sighed. Why, oh why had the guardian spirit led her here. If it had been Big Elk and Pretty Moon, they would already be on their way.

She said, “You don’t understand. The situation is desperate, and we need to leave now. Please, if you would just lend me your rope, I’ll be on my way.”

“Dixon,” said the smaller of the two gents, “why don’t we help the little lady?”

“Because ah’m tired, that’s why.”

“Do you have a rope that I might borrow?” Carolyn asked.

“Borrow?” asked the big, dark man. “Borrow? More’n likely steal it. Naw, ah ain’t given yourn no rope.”

Well, there was nothing else to do. Clearing her throat, Carolyn said, “I have a gold cross I could give you if you will come with me yet this night.”

“A gold what?”

The bigger of the two men was already on his feet.

“A gold cross.”

He said, “Let’s see it.”

“I don’t have it here. It is upon my husband’s person. But I promise that as soon as he is rescued, we can give it to you.”

The big man rubbed his chin. “Now, how big would ya say this cross is?”

Carolyn held up her fingers, exaggerating the cross’s height by perhaps an inch or two…maybe three.

“That big is it? And how fer away is it that he fell?”

“No more than a few hours.” Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, Carolyn anxiously awaited their answer.

However, even she was not ready when, without warning, the big man jumped to his feet and shuffled dirt into their fire.

“Now, why didn’t ja say so in the first place? But I’ll be warnin’ ya. Iffn thar ain’t no cross, we’ll be obliged to have ta kill ya.”

Carolyn did not answer. There was no point. She merely nodded.

Turning around, she quickly jumped onto A-la-pee, and away they went, back the same way she had come.

 

“Is that Injun thar yourn’s husband, ma’am?” asked the tall man, waving a torch down the steep incline.

“He is,” replied Carolyn, “and he has the cross upon him.”

“Injun,” called out the skinnier, shorter of the two men. “We’re a goin’ ta need ta see that cross afore we git ja up here all nice like. Yourn had best throw it up here.”

“Are ya loony?” the bigger man asked, taking a swat at the shorter one. “What if he misses?”

“Wait!” said Carolyn. “Why not have him show you the cross? That way you’ll at least be able to see that I’m telling you the truth.”

“Good idee there, ma’am. Did ja hear that, Injun?” However, Lone Arrow was not being very cooperative. Crossing his arms over his chest, he asked, “Why should I?”

It was Carolyn who answered, Carolyn who said, “Because I have promised these men that they may have it, if they will only help you up.”

“And have they eyes with which to see it in the dark?” came Lone Arrow’s cocky reply.

“Now don’t go being smart, Injun. Jest hold it up.”

With great ceremony, Lone Arrow complied.

As the two men once more swung the torch down the cliff’s incline, Carolyn watched their eyes alight with greed.

Barely daring to breathe, she said, “It is solid gold, and very old.”

“Jest what we need,” said the bigger man, the one who more closely resembled a bear.

But Lone Arrow practically ruined the rescue when he called up to them, “This cross, though it is well made, and as my wife has said, is solid gold, is cursed. You should know this.”

The bigger man laughed. “Oh, ah’m so afraid. Does ya belief in curses, Jordie?”

“Naw,” said the skinnier fellow, though he appeared slightly anxious. “Does you?”

The bigger man did not answer. Instead, he said, “Ah think it’s time we hauled this Injun up here with us folks. We’ll do it real easy like.”

No sooner had the words been spoken, than he produced a rope. One end was tied to his horse’s saddle, the other was thrown down to Lone Arrow.

“Grab hold, Injun, and we’ll bear ya up.”

But the big, reddish horse would not move, and no amount of cursing at the animal did any good.

Finally, Carolyn could stand it no longer, and she said, grabbing the reins out of the shorter man’s hands, “Here, A-la-pee.” She placed the reins within A-la-pee’s teeth. “You know what to do, don’t you, girl? You need to lead this other horse. He’s pulling Lone Arrow up from that ledge down there. You can do that, can’t you, girl?”

A-la-pee whinnied, bobbing her head up and down. And she did exactly as she had been bade.

The sorrel followed her without question, and Carolyn held her breath as steadily, inch by very slow inch, Lone Arrow was hauled up toward them. Finally, he was close enough that the two men were able to pull him up onto the ledge.

First she could see his head, then his torso, then his legs. Finally, gaining purchase on the ledge himself, he rolled to safety. Meanwhile Carolyn, bending down, threw her arms around him.

But Lone Arrow had other things on his mind, and sitting up, he held the cross out to the two white men, saying, “Here is the cross that you were promised. Know, that if you take it, you will be cursed, for that which belongs to the mountain god must remain with the mountain god.”

The big, dark man yanked the cross out of Lone Arrow’s hands. “We ain’t superstitious, Injun.”

“Naw,” said the skinnier gentleman. “Thank ya, ma’am, but we’ll be goin’ on our way now.”

“But it’s dark and—”

“Ah don’t know if we’ll be goin’ right away, Jordan,” said the darker of the two men. “Ah’ve an idee tha’ this here woman’d make a fine widder.”

“Naw, Dixon,” said the smaller gent. “We’s helped the lady, let’s git.”

“He’s only an Injun. Wouldna make a difference iffn we was ta take a little more. Besides, it’d be easy. He’s plumb broke his foot.”

Carolyn gasped. Had Lone Arrow retained his weapons? Were they in a position where he could use them?

But she needn’t have worried.

With a grin, Lone Arrow said, “I think this here Injun might have a thing or two to say about it.” And with a whistle, A-la-pee came running toward him.

“A-wa-ssaa-hii!” he called, whereupon A-la-pee began to rear. Up and down, twice. One of the men fell to the ground beneath her.

“No!” cried the man.

“Call her off! We’ll leave!”

Another whistle from Lone Arrow, and A-la-pee stood still.

That, however, was all the two men appeared to need. Without another word, or so much as a backward glance, they stumbled toward firmer ground, running away so quickly, they might have resembled two scared jackrabbits.

Lone Arrow laughed, and coming up onto his knees, he brought A-la-pee’s head down to him. “Good girl,” he said, as he breathed into her nose. “Good girl.”

But Carolyn was not quite so demure and she stared after the men until they were no more than mere specks. After a moment, she said, “Thank goodness they’ve gone. Let’s get off this ledge and make camp. Then I had better see to your injury.”

“Éeh,” said Lone Arrow, “we will, but before we do that, there is something that you should see.”

“Oh?” she asked. “What is that?”

Digging into his quiver, Lone Arrow produced a handful of gold coins.

“Wh-what? Where did you get these?”

Lone Arrow grinned at her. “On the rocks below us. There was a sign there like this.” Picking up a stick, he scratched into the dirt. “I became curious and began digging, and I found the white man’s gold. There is more there, but I thought this might be enough for you.”

“For me?” she asked. “You mean for my family?”

He nodded. “Did you not say that they need the white man’s riches?”

Flipping one coin after another through her palm, she said, “I think this will be more than enough. But is it safe? Is it cursed?”

“It is not part of the treasure from the sacred cave,” he said. “I have no knowledge where this came from, only that, while you were gone, it was shown to me by the god who lives in the mountain.”

“Then I could keep it?”

“I think there is no one else who could find better use for it.”

While Carolyn laughed. “My goodness,” she said. “Who would have thought that I could have good luck? You know what? I think the miners are right. This Montana Territory certainly is a ‘treasure state.’ In more ways than one.”

And sitting precariously upon the mountain’s rocky projection, the two lovers embraced.