Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

he said, handing it to Jake to inspect.
    "Yeah, it's gold, all right. Look, it has some kind of markings on it. It ain't English. I can't read, but I know writing when I see it. Can't be no Injun writing. It might be a clue to your past, princess," he said, handing her back the bright object.
    Mara held the golden disk closer to the fire so she could see what was written on it. "It is Egyptian hieroglyphics," she said immediately. She strained her eyes to read the tiny markings. "It says: 'I will seek where I belong.' What can it mean?" she asked in a puzzled voice. For some strange reason she feared the medallion. Her hands were shaking and the golden disc dropped to the floor.
    "How could I know what was written on it? Why can I read and understand hieroglyphics?
    Zeke shook his head and picked up the medallion, handing it back to her. "I don't know, princess. What is this Egypt you speak of?"
    "Egypt is a place."
    "Is it in the United States?"
    "No, it is across the Atlantic Ocean. Do not ask me how I know this, I just do."
    "Do you think you are from this Egypt?" Jake asked.
    "I do not think so. Do I speak English with an accent?"
    Jake grinned. "You speak the language like it was intended to be spoken. You have the accent of the upper class American."
    "This is getting stranger and stranger. Who am I? Where did I come from? How long do you suppose I was with the Indians before you rescued me?" Her voice was rising hysterically.
    Jake stood up and walked over to the corner where he kept his jug of whiskey. Hurrying back to Mara he uncorked the stopper and handed the jug to her.
    "Jake, she can't drink out of the jug," Zeke said, reaching for a tin cup and holding it out for Jake to pour the whiskey into. Kneeling down, her urged Mara to take a sip. She shook her head, but Zeke persisted until she took a small swallow.
    She coughed as the fiery liquid burned a trail down her throat. When she caught her breath she found that she was somewhat calmer.
    Jake helped her to stand then led her over to the ladder. "You go on up and have you a good night's sleep. Things will look better for you in the morning. Who knows, you might wake up knowing who you are."
    Mara nodded, clutching the golden medallion. She started up the ladder. Halfway up she paused and looked down at Jake.
    "How long do you suppose I was a captive of the Indians?"
    "I don't know for sure, princess, but I have been studying on it. All the captives I ever heard of that was took by the Injuns were forced to work like slaves. The women of the tribe live a hard life, they work harder than the men do. It don't appear you was forced to do no work, so you must have recently been captured."
    "Then how do you explain how I am dressed?"
    "I don't, and you shouldn't try to think about it."
    "The memory's a funny thing," Zeke spoke up. "I once knowed a man who got a hard lick on his head. You recall him Jake, Fielder Jack, they called him."
    "Yeh, I knowed him."
    "He clean forgot who he was for three days. Could be that you got a lick on your head and forgot the same way."
    Both men watched as she digested what Zeke had told her. Then she smiled sadly and said, "If you will excuse me, I think I will go to bed. Good night. I thank both of you for rescuing me and treating me with such kindness. To me now, you are the only family I have. I am very fond of you."
    Both men watched her, speechless, as she climbed the ladder to the overhead loft.
    In the loft Mara discovered that Zeke had placed blankets on a pile of soft leaves to make her bed. As she lay down something flickered in her mind. She pulled a second blanket over her for warmth. It was as if she could remember the touch of a hand caressing her body. Closing her eyes, a face flashed through her mind. A pair of dark eyes looking at her lovingly. The image quickly faded, leaving her to wonder whom she had been thinking of. Closing her eyes she willed herself to sleep, for in sleep she could find peace for her tortured