Wilderness Double Edition #7 by David Robbins

Author:David Robbins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: american frontier, david thompson, piccadilly publishing, adventure 1800s, david robbins, western fiction ebook, nate king, american settlers 1800s
Publisher: Piccadilly Publishing

WILDERNESS 14

TENDERFOOT

To Judy, Joshua, and Shane.

Prologue

THE FIVE GROS VENTRES were far from their home range. They had traveled high into the rugged, majestic mountains to the south of their customary haunts, and were strung out in single file as they crested a sloping ridge.

In the lead rode a tall warrior, who now drew rein to scour the verdant land below. Rolling Thunder was his name. He could boast of having counted over twenty coup, and many of his people were of the opinion that when their aged chief died he would be the successor. A born leader, he had led over a dozen successful war parties and never lost a man.

But today Rolling Thunder was not on a raid into enemy territory. His small band was after elk, which thrived in the high mountain valleys where abundant grass and pristine springs, lakes, and streams made the Rockies an animal paradise. So far the elk had been elusive, but he hoped to find some soon.

“Is it wise to keep going south?” a gruff voice asked behind him. “We are close to Shoshone country.”

Rolling Thunder twisted, regarded the speaker for a moment, then grinned. “Are you turning into an old woman, Little Dog? Are you afraid of the Shoshones?”

Before Little Dog could answer, the third warrior in line snorted in contempt and declared, “Only a fool would fear them! Shoshones are all cowards at heart. They run and hide at the sight of real warriors.”

Rolling Thunder saw Little Dog’s features cloud and spoke to forestall an argument. “I was joking, Loud Talker. All of us know how brave Little Dog is. Was he not the one who saved you from the Dakotas that time they shot your horse out from under you?”

Loud Talker frowned. He had spoken, as usual, without thinking, and as usual, he had upset one of his closest friends. “I did not mean to insult Little Dog,” he said. “Yes, he did save me from the Dakotas that time. If not for him my hair would now be hanging in a Dakota lodge.”

The last two men joined them. One, a husky warrior named Walking Bear, leaned forward and commented, “We are all brave. But we are few and the Shoshones are many. If a large war party should find us, we would be in for the fight of our lives.”

“Good,” said the last man, known simply as Bobcat. “We will give our people something to remember us by.”

No one responded for several seconds. They all knew Bobcat was too bloodthirsty for his own good, but he was otherwise thoroughly dependable and the best man with a bow in their entire tribe. Bobcat had never lost an archery contest. No matter the distance, he always hit his targets dead center.

Little Dog cleared his throat. “I love a fight as much as any of you, but I see no reason why we should needlessly throw our lives away. If we are all slain, who will take word to our people? How will they learn our fate?” He gestured southward.

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