The wedding was a lavish affair. Guests came from far and wide. After the wedding the couple started their lives together in the big house on Boot Hill, which was called Ravenswood Manor. The Big Thunder Mining Company was a succes and they digged deeper and deeper. The Indians who lived nearby were worried. The mountain was sacred and they believed a big Thunder Bird lived there, and if he was disturbed, disaster would happen. The Indian Chief and some of his men visited Henry in his office.
"It is dangerous to wake big bird", said the chief.
Henry laughed. "No bird lives in a mountain. Nothing will happen. And leave now, I have more important things to do".
The Indians left, sad to see their sacred mountain invaded.
Thunder Mesa grew and more people came to the small town. Families grew and a school was buildt for the children. There was even talk about a railway. Thunder Mesa was the place to be.
Henry, in the meanwhile, grew restless. He was rich, he had the house and the girl, but still he wanted more. Every morning he ordered his men to dig deeper and deeper into the mountain.
Martha was happy. She didn't see much of Henry, but many friends and family members visited Ravenswood Manor. She made sure the servants served the best food and drinks avaliable. Ravenswood Manor became well known for it's parties. People from far and wide came to the house. Everybody who meant anything, from sherriff to mayor and even congress members, could be seen at such grand occasions. There was only one thing missing for Martha to be really happy. A child. She conceived a few times, but for some reason she lost her precious cargo. The Indians blamed the Thunder Bird that lived in the mountain.
"Your husband is making him very angry", said one of the Indian women to her. "He should leave mountain alone. If bird really awakens there will be nothing but misery for you all".
The Indian women could say what they wanted, the people of Thunder Mesa laughed at them. "Misery? Ha, we have gold here, we can buy anything we like."
A few months later a miracle happened. Martha found out that she was pregnant again. This time she would not take any chances. She used to be active in Thunder Mesa, helping at the school and running a ladiesclub, where ladies came together for the latest gossip, needle work, embroidery and a good cup of tea or coffee. Martha still hosted afternoons for the ladies, but only listened to the gossip. She sat in her rocking chair, with her hands cupped around her belly. She would do anything to protect this little bundle of joy she carried with her.
"Have you heard? These foolish redskin women predicted an earth quake," said Mrs Bumblebee, one of the elderly ladies.
The other ladies laughed, as they always did, but Martha was quiet. She knew the stories too. She had begged Henry not to dig any deeper into Big Thunder Mountain. Henry had laughed at first, but when he saw she was serious he got angry. "You stupid woman. You don't understand. Gold is drying up. We have to dig deeper. Do you know how hard I have worked to be where I am now?"
"Henry, it's dangerous. The Indians...".
"Stop talking about those foolish people. They are mad as a hatter. These stupid gods of them don't exist. They are fools." Henry fumed.
"But darling..."
"Don't darling me. Have you nothing better to do than listen to idle gossip? You know nothing about mining, so shut up and don't do my job for me".
The pregancy went well this time and a little girl was born. Melanie was the spitting image of Martha. Everybody loved the little girl, but non more than Henry. He doted on his daughter. He gave her everything she wanted and more. Martha begged him to stop pampering and spoiling the little girl, but he would have none of it. His daughter ought to have the best clothes, toys, books, teachers, the best of everything.
Melanie grew up and to everybody's surprise she loved the simple things in life. She loved to sneak away from the house and the servants and walk around the huge garden with its flowers, trees and even a pond. On hot days she went swimming in it. She went to the village school, to Henry's horror.
He was still restless. He was the richest man in Thunder Mesa, but still he wanted more. Deeper in the mine his men went. Not only them, but also slaves who were bought on slavemarkets in the area.
The indians never gave up their pleas, but they fell on deaf ears. Henry sent some henchmen to the indian settlement to take care of business. They beat up some men and even killed one of them. Henry didn't care. He wanted the gold and he would get it no matter what.
The indian women visited Martha but there was nothing she could do for them. Melanie loved visiting the indians and learned some indian craft. She loved the stories they told. She made friends with the children, but when Henry found out he was outraged.
"I forbid you to go to these thugs."
"They are people father. Not thugs."
Henry was so angry that he slapped her and locked her up in her room.
"Father, you can not do that. Tonight is the village party."
"You will not go there. You stay here. I won't allow you to go."
Melanie cried. She had wanted to go so badly. Why won't father let her go? She had done nothing wrong. She walked over to her window and looked down. Would she dare to jump out. She toyed with the idea, but she gave up. How would she come back in? Sounds from the village reached her ears. She could hear music and laughter. Not loud, but enough to make her realise that she was missing something. She let herself fall on the bed and cried herself to sleep.