Touch of Compassion by Al Lacy

Author:Al Lacy [Lacy, Al]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-78056-0
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2011-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

It was coming up on noon. A brilliant sun reflected strongly off the snow.

“So how long till your dad retires and you take over the practice?” Gus asked.

“Can’t say for sure, but I’d say it’ll be another year or so. Maybe two. But I can wait. Just getting to work with Dad will be a pleasure. Mom, too. She’s his secretary, receptionist, and all-around helper.”

“Is your mother Irish, too?”

“Oh, yes. Her maiden name was Rafferty. She’s—”

Patrick’s words were cut off by the sound of yapping Indians and the crack of rifle shots on the frigid air. A half-dozen dark-skinned riders in buckskin came toward them from behind a snow-laden mound to their right. Bullets plowed the snow, zipping all around them.

Gus’s horse nickered shrilly and the mule made a whining sound. Patrick’s horse tossed his head and whinnied. Patrick whipped the Colt .45 out of its holster.

“Wait a minute!” Gus said, raising both his arms to make hand signals. “Put the gun away! I’m trying to show them I’m friendly toward them and know their sign language.”

The lead Indian raised his rifle over his head and barked a command to the others. The firing stopped. The Indians kept coming, pushing their horses hard through the deep snow.

“Smile, Doc,” Gus said. “Look friendly. These are Blackfoot. They probably think the bundles on the mule’s pack are full of food. Blackfoot are allies with the Cheyenne. Since I was married to a Cheyenne, I think I can persuade them not to kill us. You pray. I’ll try to negotiate.”

Patrick started praying silently but it didn’t still his heart fluttering in his chest.

When the Indians drew up, their faces looked hard as stone. The leader edged closer to Gus, eyeing him warily, his mouth a thin, brutal line. He stared at Gus for a long moment. When the Blackfoot started conversing in the Cheyenne language, Gus used it, too, and spoke to the leader.

Patrick listened, carefully watching the faces of the Indians. He didn’t understand a word Gus said until the mountain man spoke his name.

The leader spoke a few words back, then Gus talked some more. When he had spoken for some two or three minutes, the leader turned and conversed with his warriors.

Gus spoke to Patrick in a low tone. “The leader’s name is Many Scalps. I told him my name and explained that I was married to Chief White Bear’s daughter. I also told them that Pretty Face was killed when white men’s army attacked White Bear’s village. I told him that I’m still a friend to the Cheyenne and to their allies. Many Scalps is not sure I’m telling the truth about being married to Pretty Face.”

“So what happens if he decides not to believe you?” Patrick whispered.

“You just pray that he does!”

The conversation went on between Many Scalps and his men.

“What are they saying now?” Patrick asked.

“Shh, hold on.”

One of the warriors was saying something to Many Scalps. Most of the warrior’s nose was missing, and a hideous scar ran down his cheek.

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