Lucinda Read Online Free PDF Page B

correct, that left one more.
    He saw another rider approaching, and the Apache brave whirled suddenly, and went straight toward him.  The rider’s horse reared, throwing its occupant from the saddle.  The Apache jumped from his horse and ran toward the fallen rider, knife raised.  Henry nearly went into shock when he saw the rider’s hat fall off and he realized it was Lucinda!  He raced to go and help her, but was too far away to shoot without the risk of hitting her instead.  He knew she was going to be killed, and pain laced through his heart in a wave so strong it nearly brought him to his knees.
    Lucinda reacted instinctively, and flipped the Apache brave through the air.  The man landed on his own knife, screaming before he fell unconscious.  She looked around her for more Indians, but to her relief there was no immediate danger… Unless, of course, you counted the angry man bearing down on her as fast as his two legs could carry him.  Lucinda automatically went into a defense position, but Henry didn’t touch her.  He stopped by the Indian to make sure he was dead, and then said, “What the hell are you doing out here, you redheaded brat!”
    “Saving your butt,” she answered sharply, and then added, “I’m not about to let some Apache kill you; that’s my job!”
    “So help me God, I am going to cut a switch and lace your backside, brat.  This is just about the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.   He looked down at the brave once more and said matter-of-factly, “Go get my bag, Lucinda.  This man is still alive.”  When she looked at him in shock, he added, “Now!”
    Lucinda didn’t stop to think about why she was obeying Doc Z; something about the authority in his voice, perhaps?  But she found herself doing exactly what he said, and she hurried right back, carrying the black bag she took from his saddle.  As she handed it to him, she asked, “What about the other man back there?” she asked.  “He’s wounded, too.”
    “His wound isn’t life threatening,” Henry replied.  “This man will die if I don’t stop the bleeding,” he told her.  “Put your hat on right now and cover up your hair.  It’s hard to tell how many other Apache are watching us.  You need your tail end switched until it’s covered with welts, Lucinda, and I aim to live long enough to see it done!” he stated in a forceful tone of voice.  “When are you going to get it through your stubborn head that I did not kill your brother?  I didn’t lie to him, either,” he said as he did his best to stop the Apache from bleeding to death.  He poured a brown liquid over the wound, and the young man moaned, but did not regain consciousness.  Henry prepared to sew the wound together, moving quickly.  “I need to get this done before he wakes up.  You keep an eye on him, Lucinda.  If he regains consciousness, he’s going to start thrashing around… and try to kill us,” he added so matter-of-factly that she cringed.
    “Why are you trying to save him if you know that he’ll do that?” she asked.
    “He is a human being, Lucinda.  I took an oath to help all people, not just the ones I like.”  Henry worked as fast as possible, and once he was done, he bandaged the wound.  “Let’s go and help Sanford, brat.  I’ve done all I can for this one.  He’ll either live or die now.”
    Henry pulled her to her feet and hurried her back to where the other man was sitting, his face drenched in sweat.  “Damn, Doc Z, this hurts!  I’ve heard tell they dip their arrows in poison…?” he looked at the much younger man to inquire.  “My insides are burning something awful, and I can’t see right,” he added, his face a bright red.
    Henry had jerked the arrow out as quickly as he could after the man was shot in the shoulder, but it was entirely possible that Dan Sanford had been poisoned, too.  He examined him, and listened to his heart.  It wasn’t good.  Henry felt helpless.