The search for Rachael ( 2)

by Willie P. Smith

A young Tonto Brave named Young Buffalo had taken over the tribe in the area. Young Buffalo and his warriors were looting and burning all around Jed's ranch. So far, a few of the ranches had not been attacked.

The next morning, as the sun rays peeked through the cracks in the barn walls, Jed saddled his horse. East of his ranch was another small ranch. If lucky, that ranch hadn't been destroyed. Perhaps someone there could provide him with a lead to start his search. The ranch was owned by a middle-aged couple named Willard and Bessie Gunter. The Gunters had no children. As Jed rode up to the ranch house, Bessie met him outside. He asked her if they had seen a group of young Apaches pass their ranch with a white woman? Mrs Gunter said, "Willard and I saw the Apaches, we didn't see a white woman. The Apaches have a way of concealing what they don't want others to see. They could have had your wife dressed like an Apache warrior. We saw smoke from your ranch. Willard rode over there to see what happened. He said there were no signs of life, human or animal, and the house had been burned. Your young wife is of childbearing age, but I am past that point in my life. I guess she was all the Apaches wanted." Jed asked to speak to Willard, Bessie said, "Willard is off hunting."

Jed decided to ride to Cottonwood. Maybe he could find some men to help him search for Rachael. While there, he met a young Tonto Apache Brave. "I heard you asking for men to help you search for your wife, and no one volunteered. My name is Ute; I will help search for your wife. I know all the tribes in the area, and they are willing to talk to me. I can also translate the Apache language for you. He was knowledgeable and could speak the English language. Since it was late, Jed talked to the Blacksmith and asked if he and Ute could spend the night in one of his empty stalls. His request was granted.

Just east of Cottonwood, Jed and Ute met a wagon train with only six wagons. Jed asked Ben, the wagonmaster, if anyone had seen any

Apaches with a white woman. Ben said, "We were attacked by Apaches yesterday. We left Missouri with ten wagons; Now we only have six. Why they looted just four wagons is a mystery. We were able to save some people, but not all. They took some horses and cattle, but no captives were taken. We saw no white woman. The Apaches probably don't take women on a raid.

The days turned into weeks and months, and they had not found

Rachael. Jed was worried that he might never see her again. Ute told him, "Don't give up. There is one more tribe. It is the largest in Arizona. The Chief is Strong Bear. We will visit his camp next." While entering Strong Bears camp, Jed saw Rachael coming out of a tepee. She was pregnant and looked like she could give birth any minute. She saw Jed and ran back into the tepee. She was ashamed to have Jed see her pregnant by another man. They didn't contact her immediately; Ute wanted to talk to Strong Bear first. Ute told the Chief that Jed was Rachael's husband and they had come for her.

As Ute was talking to Strong Bear, Young Buffalo and six of his warriors rode into camp. The Chief explained why Jed and Ute were in the camp. They had come for Rachael. In a rage, Young Buffalo said to the Chief, "She is the spoils of war. We are at war with the white eyes; the woman is mine." (To be continued)

Willie P. 06/02/25

Write A Review

I hope the ones who have read my story enjoyed it, and more is to come.

Willie P. 06/02/25

Pays one point and 2 member cents.

You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.