Auguste thought of his resolve to succeed as a white man. Even so, the Bear spirit was as real as his grandfather.
"I don't just believe, Grandpapa. I know."
Elysée's reply was cut off when a weeping Nicole pushed the door open, followed by Frank and Guichard. Auguste held his aunt in his arms, rejoicing in the strength he felt in her ample body. Guichard brought more chairs from a rear room and set them close to the fire. They sat in a circle, their backs to the dark outside.
"All this going from house to house isn't safe," said Nicole. "Raoul is probably having all of us watched. He won't feel he really owns Victoire as long as Auguste is alive."
Frank said, "He might know that President Jackson sent you back from Washington City. We've been getting regular reports from back East about Chief Black Hawk's tour, and your name wasn't mentioned."
"Do you have any news about the rest of my people?" Auguste asked.
Nicole said, "The Sauk prisoners who walked through here are being held at Rock Island."
Auguste said, "I must go there and find Redbird and Eagle Feather."
Hearing that she was still in Illinois, he wanted more than ever to rescue her from hunger and fear and captivity, to bring her and Eagle Feather here to Victoire.
If I live to do that.