Dakota Dreams (Historical Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mother and Running Deer would die!
    Grasping the handle of his knife, he raced forward with no plan in mind, knowing only that he had to do something to save his mother.
    "No, Dakota, no!" his mother cried, scrambling to her feet and clutching the frightened Running Deer to her. "Save yourself, my son."
    Dakota was on a rise above the bear now, and his mother was no more than ten paces away from the hideous killer. He felt fear knot his stomach, but pushed it aside, knowing his father would expect him to act as a warrior. Leaping down the embankment, he landed in front of the bear. For an instant, the animal paused, distracted by his new quarry.
    "Run, Mother. Run toward the river!" Dakota cried, poising his knife in front of him, even though he knew the flimsy blade would do little to deter the bear.
    ***
    Black Otter was halfway across the river when he saw his father and several other warriors riding toward him at breakneck speed. Evidently they had heard the commotion. "Mother—a bear!" Black Otter cried when his father drew even with him. He watched as the warriors rode in the direction he had indicated, but he could not bring himself to follow them. Fear was coiled inside him like a snake and his young body trembled. When he reached the opposite bank, he jumped from his horse, but his knees were too weak to hold him and he fell to the ground, ashamed of his cowardice.
    Women and children gathered about him, and when he could catch his breath, he told them what had occurred. "I rode for help," he said, trying to convince himself, as well as the villagers, that he had acted bravely.
    ***
    The bear swiped at Dakota, and he felt the heavy blow that sent him reeling backward. With pain so intense he could hardly catch his breath, he somehow managed to scramble to his feet. Now, he had the bear's full attention, and the animal had forgotten about his mother. Dakota leaped backward, finding his route of escape blocked by the embankment. Now he had no choice but to fight, for the bear stood between him and freedom. He realized he had little chance of winning against the bear, but he would die as a warrior so his father would be proud of him.
    He still clutched his knife, and with a forward thrust, Dakota buried it to the hilt in the bear's shaggy chest. A mighty roar went up that echoed around the valley, and the bear attacked Dakota, his claws tearing across the young boy's chest and laying the skin open to the bone. As Dakota fell to his knees, his last conscious sight was of the advancing bear!
    Two Moons and his warriors topped the embankment just as the bear reached Dakota. With bow drawn, Two Moons aimed at the animal's heart and released the arrow, praying it would hit the target. The bear stopped, his foam-flecked mouth now red with blood. The other warriors released their arrows and the savage killer toppled to the ground—dead!
    White Wing ran to her wounded son, falling on her knees and pulling him into her arms. Soon her husband joined her, and he lifted the limp body in his arms.
    "He was the bravest warrior I have ever seen," Running Deer said, her eyes brimming with tears. "He did not think about his own safety, but only of saving our lives."
    White Wing's eyes held an urgency. "Will he live, my husband?"
    Two Moons glanced down at the wound that had been laid open by the bear's claws. There was blood on Dakota's face, and his arm appeared to be broken. "He will live," his father said with assurance. "This brave little one has come too far to die now."
    Dakota was unconscious and did not know that he rode in triumph in front of his father's war horse while all the village came out to pay homage to him for saving the life of the chiefs daughter. The story was told and retold about Dakota's bravery.
    Black Otter stood on the outside of his father's tepee, his eyes flashing with jealousy, his heart filled with anger and a growing hatred. When Running Deer came up beside him, he turned angry eyes on her. "I do not