They dragged her back. She had been in their village four days when she found her moment. They had left her tied to the post for two days. Exhausted and hungry, she'd actually been relieved when they'd untied her and turned her over to an old woman. It didn't take long for her to understand that she was the old woman's slave. She gathered wood, cooked, cleaned and did everything she was asked. She suppressed her temper, tucking it away for another time. For her part the old woman wasn't cruel. She was also not friendly. She spoke angrily at Rebecca pointing and smacking her on the head when Rebecca failed to understand. Rebecca was able to sneak food now and again.
All the while, she looked for an opportunity to escape. After four days, she had her chance. She'd been sent to gather wood, and noticed that she wasn't being watched as closely as she had been in the past. Seizing the opportunity, she dropped the wood and ran. Flying through the forest, her hopes were dashed when almost immediately she heard a shout go out behind her. Two warriors flanked her, and grabbing her by the arms, they dragged her back. They brought her before the chief and as before she held her chin high and glared into his eyes. He struck her across the face and pointing at her he spoke angrily. Facing him squarely she said, "You will regret this! You should let me go while you have the chance. When I get my hands on a gun . . . " He hit her again, silencing her. Looking into his steely dark eyes, she understood her punishment would be severe.
The second time she'd escaped, she had made it nearly a mile before they'd caught up with her. She had actually felt hope starting to rise within her when she'd heard their voices. As they dragged her back this time, she feared that she might be killed. They were beyond furious. They tied her back to the post and they beat her, again.
She closed her eyes while they hit her and thought of last spring when Daniel had come home, and they taken all the children to the river for the afternoon. Israel, Daniel and Katie Grace had fished. She and Mima had cooked up a feast to go along with the fish. Katie Grace had caught the most fish, much to Israel's disappointment. Although she caught a small smile of pride cross his face, as he watched his younger cousin present her fish to the family. Israel was unfailingly protective of Katie, and loved her no end. They had sat together in the sunshine eating and laughing, and then in the middle of the meal, Rose had turned toward Rebecca and spoken her first word, "Ma!" Daniel had lifted her up into his arms and she had turned away from him, stretching her arms to Rebecca. "Ma!" She said again. He'd laughed and passed her over into her arms. "Ma!" Rose declared proudly. She'd kissed Rose's soft cheek and turned to smile at Daniel. He met her eyes, his own filled with laughter and love, and then he'd leaned over and kissed her.
Startled, she realized that they'd left her. She struggled to stand. Exhausted she rested as best she could and waited for whatever came next.
They untied her in the morning. She braced herself, waiting for another beating and was surprised to receive none. They took her back to the old woman's tent. Setting her down, the old woman looked at her speaking with great anger and shaking her fist. Then she smiled at Rebecca. Meeting her eyes, Becky began to shake. Turning to look down, she saw the old woman was holding a knife.