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shoulders as if  by doing so he could hasten her arrival .
    The cave was much cooler now.  He slipped his light blue trousers on over his underwear.  His dark blue coat had been torn and one of the epaulets was hanging by a thread but it was still wearable.  Only his hat and boots were missing, but hell, Hanlen reflected, he’d been lucky to escape with his skin. Certainly he wouldn't have if those chanting savages had had their way.
    T he light of the full moon shown down , illuminating the mouth of the cave.  Peaceful.  He could hear a bubbling brook nearby.  Everything was calm and serene.  Like the lovely blue-eyed Indian girl.  Her touch had been gentle, yet strong , and her voice as melodious as the night wind through the trees.  John Hanlen found himself anxious to see her again.  There were so many questions he wanted to ask her, so many things he wanted to know about her people, about her . 
    A sudden rustle in the undergrowth  outside th e cave disturbed his reverie , h is training as a soldier instantly put ting him on  guard.  "Damn!"  He'd be easy prey for a mountain lion, bear or two-legged kind of predator, he thought as weak as he was.  Picking up the knife the Indian girl had left , he  prepared himself nonetheless to at l east make an effort to defend himself.  He heard footsteps and waited.  It was the Indian girl.  He could hear her voice calling to him. 
    In a few moments Skyraven appeared at the mouth of the cave, a big smile of greeting on her lips.  The sight of the blond haired white man made her feel lightheaded and lighthearted as none of the young men of her tribe did.  Somehow the feelings  she had for this man were different than anything she had ever experienced.  Perhaps be cause he was so....so unusual.
    "It's you.....!"  John Hanlen let the knife slip through his fingers.  It made a soft thud as it fell to the ground.   "Skyraven..."
    "I have brought you something for your feet and robes to keep you warm during the night.   It  can often grow cold...."
    She stepped closer , placing the moccasins and the two buffalo robes at his feet.  He was looking at her again as he had when he first opened his eyes and gazed upon her face. Only this time he seemed to hold even more admiration for her and this pleased her.
    John Hanlen's eyes raked over her.  Oh, how lovely she looked tonight.  The white doe skin dress with beautiful beading and long fringe clung closely to her tall form.  Around her head was a red beaded head band with three yellow feathers.  Her blue-black hair framed her  pleasingly round face and tumbled down around her shoulders, ending far below her waist.  Her smile was a joy to behold, her teeth were gleaming w hite, her lips full and sensual .  Her large blue eyes were surrounded by thick long black lashes and black arched eyebrows. While she was away he had almost forgotten how truly beautiful she was , but now he feasted his eyes.   
    At first he was speechless, t ongue - tied.  Her beauty took his breath away.  Finally he managed to say  "I missed you while you were gone....."
    "You seem to be feeling better, Yellow-hair, I am glad for that."  She stepped closer, feeling his head for any signs of fever.   There were none.  Lowering herself gracefully to the ground she took a seat beside him. "You call me by my name.  By what  name are you called?"
    "My name is John."
    "John?"  Picking up one of the buffalo robes , she held it out to him. "John...."  She seemed to like the feel of his name on her lips.
    "John Hanlen."  His fingers touched her wrist as he reached for the robe, then moved down to wrap around her hand in a gesture of affection and gratitude.  Her long slim fingers offered no resistance as he entwined them w ith his.  I'm a Major......" 
    "A "bluecoat".  A soldier....  Ye s." A frown touched her brow.
    "I'm a warrior, just like some of the men of your tribe must be."  He could feel the tension in her hand,