Brave the Wild Wind

Chapter 18

JESSIE and White Thunder went to Black Bear Hunter to tell him of the challenge for the golden horse. He agreed eagerly, too eagerly. Jessica pleaded with him not to kill Chase, to let it be only a battle of strengths, but Black Bear Hunter stared at her stonily. Nothing had changed. He would not be merciful.

The whole tribe turned out to watch the entertainment. Wagers were placed, for the Indians loved to gamble. There weren’t too many takers until Chase stripped down to his pants, and then betting began in earnest. Jessie took heart. She should have remembered those thick muscles. Luckily, Chase and Black Bear Hunter were about the same height, and equally muscular.

“You can still change your mind, you know,” Jessie said to Chase.

But before he could answer, his face hardened, and he said, “What’s he doing here?”

She followed his gaze and saw Little Hawk nearing the crowd.

“I got a good look at him before he knocked me down that day, Jessie,” Chase said angrily.

“Watch what you say! He speaks English,” she hissed at him.

“Is that a warning?” Chase asked disdainfully. “Can I expect him to jump me again?”

Jessie quickly pulled Chase back a few feet and whispered, “Damn it, keep your big mouth shut.” Did he have no sense at all? “He’s not from this tribe, but what you do still matters. You came here because of me, so what you do here reflects on me.”

“But he—”

“I’m not referring only to him. Black Bear Hunter happens to be White Thunder’s brother. I’m asking you not to kill him, Chase.”

“Oh, I’m supposed to just let him kill me?” Chase cried. He no longer cared who heard.

“Of course not,” Jessie hissed impatiently. “But if you kill him, I won’t be able to come here again. I’m just saying... don’t if you don’t have to. Just subdue him. See?”

“Sure, I see,” Chase said sarcastically. Then he turned away from her and walked to the center of the circle. Black Bear Hunter was waiting, and as soon as Chase stood before him, White Thunder stepped between them. He said a few words—Jessie couldn’t hear—and then he tied a long sash around both men’s waists. It bound them together for the contest, making it impossible for one to get away from the other. The struggle was more dangerous that way, because it kept the men within easy cutting distance of each other’s knife.

Chase appeared quite calm. Jessie had warned him about the sash, also telling him there were no rules to the contest. He had shaken his head. No rules?

Black Bear Hunter made the first move, an unexpected leap that caught Chase off guard and sent both men crashing to the ground. They were both on their feet again in an instant, the Indian slashing with short jabs, Chase just barely staying out of reach of each thrust. Then Black Bear Hunter charged, his knife held high for a downward thrust. They locked wrists, each one holding the other’s knife hand. The straining of muscles was awesome. The blades were close, but neither man could gain those extra few inches to draw first blood.

Jessie was horrified when she saw the blade turn in Black Bear Hunter’s hand, stabbing Chase’s forearm. Chase lost his hold, and the blade continued downward, slicing his side. The Indian prepared for another thrust, but Chase blocked it with his bloody forearm, then skillfully tripped him.

Black Bear Hunter was down. The sash brought Chase down with him, but he managed to land on top of Black Bear Hunter. They rolled again and again, each one fighting for the upper position. Chase tried to stand, but Black Bear Hunter used the sash to pull him back down and, with a skillful maneuver of his feet, sent Chase over backward. He landed with a thud.

They were stretched out on the ground, head to head. Black Bear Hunter leaned upward on one arm and brought his knife down viciously with the other hand. It would have landed in the center of Chase’s throat, but Chase saw it and moved, with one second to spare.

The look on his face was murderous, and Jessie felt fear wash over her. Chase’s losing control would give Black Bear Hunter the edge he needed, for anger made a man careless.

Chase stood up, waiting for his opponent to rise. Jessie wanted to scream at him to take the advantage while Black Bear Hunter was still down, but she couldn’t make a sound. The moment the Indian was on his feet, Chase slammed his fist with the knife in it into his belly. Black Bear Hunter doubled over, his feet leaving the ground from the force of the blow.

The crowd was silent. Jessie felt her stomach turn over. Chase had won, but she had begged him not to win that way. And he wasn’t finished yet! His anger drove him to strike Black Bear Hunter again, slamming his other fist into his face, laying the man out cold on the ground.

Then Chase was calmly cutting the sash with his knife. But there was no blood on the sash... or on the blade. Her eyes flew to Black Bear Hunter. There was no blood on him anyplace! Chase had turned the blade away before punching him!

She wanted to laugh. And she nearly did when, at that moment, Chase let out a roaring victory cry and the crowd echoed him. Those who had bet on Chase rushed to congratulate him.

“He did well,” Little Hawk admitted.

It was all Jessie could do not to grin. “Yes, he did,” she said solemnly.

She didn’t know why she was so pleased. Was it only because Chase had vanquished Black Bear Hunter without hurting him?

“Jessie!” Chase was calling her cheerfully. “Get your gear, lady, we’re going home!”

Jessie stiffened. “I’m not leaving with you,” she said.

“But I’m not leaving without you,” he answered firmly, reaching her side and standing there, unmoving.

“You’d better go,” Jessie said uneasily. He looked so determined.

“If you don’t come along with me agreeably, I’m going to pick you up and carry you out of here,” Chase announced.

“They’ll kill you!”

“Then my death will be on your conscience, won’t it?”

They both knew she had no choice. She stared at him, wide-eyed, and fumed. “Damn you, I’ll get even with you for this, Chase Summers. You see if I don’t!”

Chase grinned as he watched her stomp off to the other side of the camp. He turned to fetch his gear and Goldenrod, but he had to pass by Jessie’s two champions. He was in too good a mood to feel intimidated. He stopped for a second, smiling agreeably. “Looks like she’ll be coming home with me, fellows. You see, her mother sent me to get her. She may have put up a fuss about it, but she always makes a fuss about something or other, doesn’t she?”

He nodded to them politely, then kept on going. White Thunder had to restrain Little Hawk from going after him. Chase chuckled to himself, knowing damned well what was happening behind him without having to look. He didn’t care. Damn, he felt good!