Auguste stood in the road waiting to see if Nancy would glance back at him. She did. Even at a distance and through dust he could see the blue of her eyes.
Elysée said, "Well, Auguste, close your mouth, put your hat back on and get back up here."
I'm going to meet her again, Auguste thought.
He still wanted just as much to go back to his people. He had not forgotten Redbird. By now, though, she had probably forgotten him. And so, what harm could there be in getting to know this white young lady a little better?
Then their carriage was passing the log wall around the trading post. A shadow fell over his enjoyment at meeting Nancy Hale. He ran his finger down the scar on his cheek.
"Is he in there?" he said abruptly to Nicole.
Her face paled. "He's down— You know about what's going on in the Rock River country, don't you?"
Auguste stiffened. "Has something happened to my people?"
He saw Nicole close her eyes and sigh when he said "my people."
"There has been trouble," said Elysée. "Did no news reach you in New York?"