Jonny and the Comanches

Chapter 7: Empty House

It was a beautiful evening and Jonny was sitting among the willow trees down by the creek. He knew he should be heading back but it was so beautiful. He heard the beating of horses behind him. He turned and saw about 500 feet away a group of Comanches galloping toward the house. Two of them galloped his way and he quickly ran down to the creek. He leaped across the stones and up the opposite bank. He ran as fast as he could toward the open prairie. Once there he ducked down among the grass and hid. He did not hear any indians coming. He looked toward the house. All of a sudden he saw a figure slowly walking through the grass about a thousand feet away. The figure had long hair and he knew it was Alisha. He got up and ran toward her. When he was close enough he loudly whispered, "Alisha, over here!" She looked toward him and came. "How did you get out here." Jonny asked. "I went out the back door in search for you. But then I heard indians coming and I dashed across the creek. I also took White-Foot with me. She is tied among the willows on this side of the creek." "Wow, we must get her." Jonny went and got her and both he and Alisha got on her. They galloped far up the creek and then crossed so they would not be seen by indians. They galloped toward the house. "When we get there, I will jump off and run to Will's window. You go and hide with White-Foot in the willows." Soon they came to the house. Jonny leaped off White-Foot and ran toward the bunkhouse. He peered into the window. There was no one there. He ran to the house. He only found a tomahawk with blood on the floor. He could not believe this. He ran back to the willows where Alisha was. "There is no one anywhere at the house." "Really? Where are they then?" "I don't know. "Maybe we could find the indians trail." They galloped toward the prairie. Then Jonny saw a little fresh trail among the grass. "This is their trail." They followed it for a long time at a gallop. White-Foot was getting tired so Jonny pulled her to a walk. Then Alisha said, "What is that on the trail ahead of us?" "It looks like a person." Jonny leaped off the back of White- Foot and investigated. "It is Tasha." he said sadly. "Alisha burst into tears. Jonny felt her pulse. He didn't hear it.. no... Yes he did!! "She is not dead! I hear her heart." He picked her up and took her to Alisha who had gotten off White-Foot. "What should we do?" asked Alisha. "I think you should stay over yonder at the house and I'll follow this trail further. We can't let the indians gain any more distance." "Ok good idea." "Just hide in the barn. Also go into our house and go to the kitchen cupboard, there should be food and things to help Tasha." "Ok I will. Come back for me." "I most certainly will." With that Jonny galloped fast over the trail. He went as fast as he could. After a while of galloping and walking he mounted a hill. When he looked out over a vast prairie he saw a bunch of smoke. It was a huge indian camp. "Surely my family and Alisha's family are there." He galloped fast toward the camp and when he got closer he slowed and stopped. He got off White-Foot and tied her to a tree. He got his bearings so he could remember to come back and then he started sneaking toward the camp. He was stealing nearer when he saw an ugly looking brave step out from behind a big pine tree. He walked away from Jonny. A wave of madness went over him, that his family was stolen by these wretched people. What should he do? He decided to sneak closer. Finally he was so close he could see a fire with a few indians strewn on sleeping mats around it. Over toward a group of trees he saw... no wait what? He saw Willy, Ma, and Charles. They were tied together with an indian guard next to them. Jonny couldn't believe his eyes. The guard was asleep. Jonny dashed silently through the woods and around the indian camp to the other side. Without speaking he put a finger to his lips and tiptoed up to them. Willy's face had a look of surprise and Jonny's mother clapped a hand over her mouth. Charles shook his head and a tear rolled down his face. Jonny pulled out his big knife and cut the rope silently. He bade them come away slowly. They did and no indian followed. Carefully and silently they made their way back to where Jonny had put White-Foot. Jonny and Charles got on White-foot's back while ma and Willy walked. They went as quick as they could. Soon Jonny was satisfied that they were not being followed and they went more easily.

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"Alisha! Alisha!" came a soft whisper. "Alisha woke up from her sleep. Had she dreamed? No someone was calling. All of a sudden she thought of Tasha. She jumped up and ran over to where the sound was from. "Alisha look!" The surprised and happy face said. "I found a bunch of kittens!" Alisha could not believe that her sister was up and walking around. "I'm hungry. she said." They climbed down from the hayloft where they had slept and stepped outside. Alisha saw the house and the bunkhouse, the corrals and the sheds and felt lonely. "We must stay here, Jonny promised he would be back." "He did?" said Tasha. "Yes, but let's go get some food."