Page 43 of Red Hawk's Woman

“Are you all right?” Carl asked as he knelt beside her. Righting the chair first, he then reached down to untie her. It took several moments, allowing Effie a chance to gain her composure.

Still, she didn’t know what to say. She was unharmed, but was she all right?

After several moments, Lesley and Henry stepped into the room, and a little later still, came Carl’s wife, Madeline.

“What happened?” asked Lesley.

Effie wasn’t certain she could tell the story. Luckily, she was saved the effort when Madeline rushed to her side and took her in her arms.

She said, “Don’t bother her with questions right now. Can’t you see she’s terrified?”

Lesley retreated to a corner of the room, while Madeline resorted to cooing, as though comforting a baby.

Oddly enough, it worked. Within moments, Effie felt able to speak. “Someone threatened me with a knife. I think he dropped it here in this room, on the floor.”

Immediately everyone’s attention went to the floor.

“Is this it?” Madeline held it up for Effie’s inspection.

Effie nodded. At that same time, Red Hawk entered the room, but no one acknowledged his appearance. He didn’t come forward, but rather took station at the door.

Effie briefly inspected the object Madeline showed her. Nodding, Effie said, “I think that is it. It was dark. I didn’t see the thing—I only felt it.”

“Look at it. What’s this?” Henry Smith strode forward to get a clearer look at the object. Taking hold of it and turning it over and over in his palm, he said, “If I’m correct in my assumption, this looks like the sort of knife the savages use.”

“Savages?” said Effie.

“The Indians. Do you see its blade?” He pointed it at her, and Effie retreated. “See, its end is sharp, as well as its blade, and on both sides. And look at its black handle—gutta-percha, I believe. It’s a scalping knife, made by J. Russell & Co. of Green River Works. Traders have brought this sort of item into this country by the hundreds to trade with the savages.”

Effie glanced toward the door, the others following her lead. Five pairs of eyes scrutinized the man.

“Is that our new guide?” whispered Madeline.

“Yes,” murmured Effie. Then in a louder voice, “Mr. Hawk, if you will come closer, I will introduce you to my colleagues.”

Red Hawk didn’t move away from the door. He didn’t say a word, either. With arms folded over his chest, he glared back at them all.

“You don’t suppose it was he…?” Madeline’s words trailed away.

“It’s mere coincidence, that’s all,” uttered Effie to fill the silence in the room. “Anyone here could have access to the same knives. To think it was an Indian who attacked me makes no sense. Why in the good Lord’s name would an Indian wish to invade my private room and threaten my life? Wouldn’t they simply kill me?”

The two men nodded, but no one spoke a word.

Effie extended her hand toward Henry. “You will leave the knife with me, won’t you?” she asked. “Though I don’t expect the sheriff to do much, I will still have to report the incident to him.”

“Of course you do, and of course he will,” said Madeline. “Do you want one of us to stay with you through the rest of the night, Effie? Both Lesley and myself would be happy to be with you tonight.”

“No, no,” murmured Effie. From out of the corner of her eye, she caught Lesley’s stifled frown. Ignoring it, she continued, “I think I’ll be fine.”

“Are you certain?” asked Madeline.

Effie nodded. “I…I don’t plan to go back to sleep anyway. I don’t believe I would be capable of it right now. So, thank you, but⁠—”

“We will post a watch by your door nonetheless, Miss Rutledge,” said Carl. “Both Henry and I will take turns.”

“That is kind of you.”

“In fact,” continued Henry, stepping forward, “we will stand guard at your door every night we are here in this town. Once we are on our way, the danger may pass. I fear that perhaps it is the town itself which is at fault. Maybe someone here believes you to be on a treasure hunt and so concludes that you would be carrying something of value.”