their own, she knew.

But it was her hair that seemed to fascinate them most--both that upon

her head and that upon her body.

They didn't tease her long, but gave her a new outfit to wear. It was a

soft, pale buckskin much like Nalte's sister's dress, but with no yellow

on it. It fell just to her knees. Her feet were still sore from her

barefoot treks over the mountain trails, and she had hoped that someone

would give her soft doeskin slippers to wear. But nothing was supplied

for her feet, and when she tried to ask one of the women, the Apache

shook her head. They were preparing to go back to the village, and Tess

was to go with them. Tess wondered again about her chances of escaping,

but she had heard that the Apache women could he every bit as fierce as

their men. The women were excited about the young girl they had dressed

so carefully for her rite, but their eyes were still upon her. She

walked along, weary and desolate, trying to focus her thoughts on her

hatred of von Heusen so that she wouldn't be able to fear her own

future, and to wonder desperately about Jamie Slater.

Her eyes were lowered, her head was down when they came into the

village.

She stumbled and looked up to see where she was going.

Looking across the compound she saw that four Indians were in curious

costumes with huge headdresses, obviously preparing for the rites to

come.

But the Indians were staring across the compound at a stranger who had

come among them. For a moment he looked very much like Nalte. Tess

narrowed her eyes, watching the man, trying to figure out why he looked

so familiar. He was dressed in buckskins from head to toe and he wore a

cap adorned with eagle and owl feathers. His hair was black and straight

as Nalte's, but worn shorter. Even as she stared at him, he turned

slowly, pointing her way.

She gasped, stunned to see that the newcomer was Jon Red Feather. He

smiled at her briefly, a sign of encouragement, she thought, then his

expression quickly sobered again, and he continued to talk to Nalte.

The tall Apache was dressed for the ceremony, too. He wore a fringed

buckskin shirt, buckskin pants, high, laced boots and eagle feathers in

his hair. He was also adorned with a turquoise amulet around his neclq

and silver studs and beads upon his bonnet and shirt. He was listening

to Jori Red Feather--and watching Tess gravely as he did.

Nalte nodded, and Jon let out a whistle.

Then Jamie rode into the clearing. He was in calico shirt, denim pants,

knee-high boots and a Western hat. He didn't glance at Tess, but lifted

a hand to Nalte. When he reached the chief, he slipped from the horse

instantly and approached the man, speaking quickly.

She felt as if her heart slammed hard again. ~t her chest. He was a

fool! she thought. He didn't know Nalte, he didn't know how the Apache

chief hated the white man, nor did he seem to realize the things that

had been done to the Apache by the cavalry. Fool! She wanted to scream

to him, but she couldn't breathe, she could only pray that Nalte

wouldn't slay him right on the spot.

Nalte shook his head violently.

Forty warriors suddenly drew their weapons, facing Jamie.

His Colts were around his waist, but he didn't make a move to touch

them. He spoke calmly once again, and Nalte called out something

sharply. Guns and war clubs were lowered.

Frightened still, Tess cried out, shaking off the hands of the women

around her and racing toward Jamie. She pitched herself against him, but

he caught her shoulders hard and thrust her away.

Thrust her away--straight into Nalte's arms. Her eyes widened with alarm

and fury.

"What in God's name are you doing?" she gasped. She couldn't move.

"Nalte's dark fingers were a vise upon her.

Nor did Jamie seem to want her. His eyes flashed upon her with dark

fury.

"Stop it, Tess."

"But" -- "Stop it! Shut up!"

"Damn you, Jamie" -- He switched into the Apache language, addressing

Nalte.

At the last, he spoke English once again.

"Nalte, may Jon Red Feather take the woman away so that we may speak

without interruption?"

"Speak without interruption!" Tess flared. But Nalte was nodding.

"Tess, come!" Jori called to her.

Apparently she didn't move quickly enough. Jamie reached for her arm and

thrust her toward Jon. He pulled her away even as she protested.

"Jon" -- "Tess, he's trying to negotiate for your return."

"They were going to shoot him! I had to do something." She tugged free

of Jon and turned back to watch Jamie, still talking with Nalte.

"What are they doing now?"

"Talking about prices."

"For what?"

"For you, of course," he told her with a crooked smile. "How can Jamie

pay Nalte?"

"Well, he can't pay him ... not very much, that's why he's arguing

that you aren't worth the price."

"I'm not worth the price!"

"Tess" -- Tears touched her eyes.

"He shouldn't he here to begin with! He must not understand Nalte"

"Nalte would have killed most men by now. He is seeing Jamie because he

knows about him, he knows that Jamie has always been fair. Tess, keep

your mouth shut, all right?" She wanted to keep her mouth shut, but she

was still in terror that the Apache would betray Jamie, as they had been

227 betrayed so many times themselves. She was deliriously glad to see

him and Jon, and she wanted to know about Chavez, but she was afraid to

ask. Her temper was rising because she was so desperately scared of what

was to come. Before she could say more, Nalte came striding by with

Jamie and his guard behind him.

Jamie cast her a fiercely warning glare; Nalte barely glanced her way.

They entered Nalte's dwelling.

"What are they doing now?" Tess demanded. "Negotiating," Jon said

briefly.

She started to shiver. Nalte didn't need to negotiate. He could kill

Jamie and ke~P her. He had all the power. He could do anything he wanted

to do.

"There's no hope!" she whispered.

Jon set his hands on her shoulders.

"Courage, Tess. There is every hope. Nalte's little sister begins her

puberty rite today. The rite goes on for four days. The woman over there

will be her sponsor. She is of impeccable character, and she will stand

for the sister. The man there with the buffalo horns upon his cap and

the white eagle feathers, he is the shaman, the medicine man, and he

will add the sacred religion to the ceremony. The girl is dressed for

her role as White Painted Woman or White Shell Woman, a sacred maiden

and one of the most important of the Apache supernaturals.

She will pray to the sun. The dancers with the headdresses, they are the

Gan, or Mountain Spring Dancers.

It is an expensive ceremony, but Nalte is a great chief, and he has

supplied much for his sister's rite. The Gan dancers symbolize the four

directions.

They are elaborate." Tess watched the dancers as they prepared for the

day.

They were painted black and white, and they carried huge fan racks and

wore buckskin kilts. They carried wands. On their arms were trailers

made of cloth and eagle feathers. Their huge masks had false eyes. The

fan racks portrayed snakes and other creatures.

She shivered, grateful that Jori was there to assure her that the

dancers were involved in a ceremonial rite and were not preparing for

war. She looked into his green eyes and realized that he had kept

talking to ease her mind from worry, and she was grateful to him.

"He must be furious to be disturbed today!" she whispered.

"He is not disturbed. He will make his decision quickly," Jon told her.

An Apache warrior emerged from Nalte's tent. He spoke briefly with Jori

and took Tess by the arm.

"Jon!" she cried.

"Go with him," Jon ordered her.

"He isn't going to hurt you. I'm wan led with Nalte. And you are not."

She didn't want to let Jon out of her sight, but he moved away

resolutely, and she had no choice but to accompany the warrior who took

her by the arm.

Seconds later she was thrust into an empty tepee. The fire that had

burned in the center was nearly out. On rocks beside it were corn cakes

and dried meat. She hadn't been told she could, but she was alone and

she was starving, so she helped herself. She had barely bitten into the

food when she became so nervous she couldn't chew. She set the food down

and began to pace.

After a while she sat again and looked sadly at her tender and torn

feet.

They would never be the same again.

Moments later, she heard a rush of air. She catapulted to her feet,

staring toward the opening of the tepee. Jamie was coming in. She gasped

softly, then raced toward him, flinging her arms around him.

He quickly untangled himself, staring fiercely into her eyes.

"We're going to get out of this. If you can manage to behave."

"Behave!"

"Listen to me!" He shook her so hard that she felt her teeth rattle.

Indignantly she tried to jerk away from him, but his grip on her was

firm and he wasn't letting go. "You're hurting me!"