She flashed him a quick smile and ate the beef with her fingers. It was
delicious.
'How does the ceremony progress?' she asked. 'The gift has been taken to
the ceremonial tepee with her shaman. She has knelt down on the buckskin
and lain prone to be massaged by her sponsor, and she has run in the
four directions. Tonight she will dance in the ceremonial tepee, and
others will dance in the center of the village.'
He paused, looking at her.
'I am leaving tonight. Nalte will not let you go until this ceremony is
over, and we think it is important that I hurry to Wiltshire with the
news that you have been found.'
'Oh!' Tess said, setting down her bowl and staring at him. Then she
moved across the tent and hugged him close.
'I don't want you to leave. I'm so afraid for you.'
'The Apache will see me past the Comancheros, as they will do for you if
they choose to let you go.'
'If' -- 'Whenl' he assured her.
She pulled slightly away, staring into his deep green eyes and feeling
as if she had found a friend she would cherish all her life. In his
buckskins he appeared very much the Indian, but his words were those of
the white man who knew her society and understoocf her fears.
'Oh, Jon, be careful!' she pleaded with him. 'I'm quite sure he will
be.'
Jamie's deep drawl startled them both. Tess stood quickly. Jon came to
his feet more slowly, staring at Jamie.
'Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt,' Jamie said drily. He ducked beneath
the flap and was gone.
Tess instinctively ran after him.
Jon caught her before she could leave.
'You cannot go to him!' he ordered her hoarsely.
'He has explained to you.
You are still Nalte's. You remain here, untouched, until a decision is
made.
'But he--he misconstrued what he saw!' Tess wailed. Jon offered her a
dry smile.
'Perhaps he deserved to, eh?' She didn't smile in return, and he
hastened to reassure her.
'He is my friend, and I am his. He knows we said goodbye and nothing
more.' He didn't let her answer, but gave her a quick squeeze.
'I'll see you in Wiltshire,' ' he whispered, then he was gone.
And she was left alone. Outside the light was fading. Darkness was
coming, and despite the summer heat of the day, the night was coming
with a chill.
Tess shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, staring miserably at
the center of the tent where the fire burned no longer.
Jamie walked almost blindly into the growing darkness of the night.
Soon, the evening ceremonies for the young girl would begin, but at the
moment, there was a lull as preparations were made. This puberty rite
was one of the most important for the Apache. It was a structured
society, a social one, and respect and honor were tremendously
