Page 91 of Red Hawk's Woman

She sighed. “Do I have to put on my dress?”

“Saa, ’tis better that you do not.”

“It must be in the water, then, where you are taking me?”

“Aa.”

“All right,” she said. “Lead me to it.”

Chapter

Twenty-One

In the end, with the artifacts still tied to her waist, she donned only her chemise. Hand in hand, they stepped into the cold, refreshing water. As soon as the water came to their thighs, they plunged into its depths, both of them diving well under the surface.

Red Hawk took the lead, which was good, for Effie could barely see within its dark void. Though the moonlight cast beams softly into the flowing currents, it was still murky beneath the water’s surface, making her more than a little uncomfortable. How long they remained underwater, she didn’t know, but after a while, she caught up to Red Hawk, tapped him on the foot and pointed upward.

They surfaced at once, each of them treading water. As soon as they had both caught their breath, she said, “Though I love bathing here in the evening, swimming underwater at night is more spooky than I had thought it might be. And I am scantily dressed. Do you think I should return and clothe myself? It might do much to make me feel more comfortable.”

“We could, if you think it best. But the way is not far from here, and I am certain you are in no danger. Besides, with this thing on you…” he indicated the material of her chemise, “…you are well clothed for swimming. You might think of swimming in the nude…or at least with breechcloth only as I wear now. Too many clothes hinders.” He smiled. “Besides, I would enjoy watching you swim in the near nude.”

“Yes, I do believe you would, but… Could you at least tell me where you are taking me, since the way seems to be farther than I had reckoned?”

“I can tell you no more than this: We go to the place where I believe you will find those things you seek.”

“You mean the artifacts?”

“Aa.”

“How can this be? How do you know of this place? And if you have known about it, why haven’t you mentioned anything to me before now?”

“I have only learned of this place this very day.”

She frowned at him. “Today? But I didn’t know you were in camp. I thought you had been visiting—” She stopped. So this is what he had been doing with his time. She sent him a puzzled frown. “I don’t understand.”

“You will.” He took her hand. “Come, follow me, and if you are frightened, don’t let go of my hand.”

Effie didn’t need to be told this twice, for she was frightened. She grabbed hold of him, and on a signal from Red Hawk, they again dove beneath the water’s surface.

Soon they came to a channel that was shallow and narrow, the water coming to just above their knees. This must have been on the far side of the pool, for the place was unknown to her, and she had often explored this pool in her youth. Pine trees grew on both sides, casting long shadows, lending the spot an eerie atmosphere. Occasionally the moon shone through the trees, dispelling the gloom if only momentarily.

Still clasping Red Hawk’s hand, she set her pace to keep up with him, thankful that the bed in the channel was cushioned in sand. It was an odd feeling, traipsing through water, at night, in only her calf-length chemise, her hand in her husband’s.

“Red Hawk, what’s this all about?” she asked in a voice barely over a whisper.

“’Tis only around the bend here, the place where I am taking you. ’Tis located in what the white man calls a tributary of the river, or an inlet. There has been a drought in this part of the country this year, so we are lucky. What I am to show you is quite commonly covered with water.”

“Oh,” was all she said, not knowing how else to respond.

At last, they tread into a completely different pool, only this one’s bed was made of rocks.

“Ouch!” she uttered, as she stepped on something sharp.

Red Hawk turned back to her. “We shall go slower that you may search for good footing before placing your feet on the riverbed.”

And so they did. Soon, the water was deep enough they could paddle along with the current.

Within a few short moments, he stopped. They both stood up in the water, which was no more than waist deep.