bowed politely with a smile, called him "Lord"
and departed. The servants treated him now like a king, and it
sometimes made him nervous.
47 It was Bay Blossom that woke him some hours later. "You are still so
weak," she pleaded. "I know your plan is good, and I think it will
succeed, but couldn't we send someone else, instead?"
48 "It should be me," answered Thundering Dove, "the men have to know
I'm as ready to shed MY blood as they are to shed theirs."
49 Bay Blossom put her hand on his face. "I think they know that
already!" she answered. "But I know what is in your heart. I, too, do
not like to send friends on dangerous missions. We are so much alike
sometimes it frightens me."
50 "I do not think," argued Thundering Dove, "there is a thing in this
world that frightens you."
51 "There is one," said Bay Blossom, "one thing- that I might fall into
a woman's foolishness and lose your love. I cannot help being afraid
for you. I have always accepted the risks of war before, but now I find
that I am more of a woman than I ever thought I was."
52 "Sometimes," comforted Thundering Dove, "being more of a woman will
make you a better fighter than if you ignore those feelings in your
heart. But I don't think you are any different now, than you have ever
been before, you just think you are! I have heard it said, that love
heightens the senses.
Flowers seem brighter, the land fairer. Your senses have merely been
sharpened, that is all. They were always there to begin with!" They
rose and went back to their room.
53 In a few days the strike force marched off to head for the river and
the waiting boats. It would be five days before the signal should come.
Everyone