Edge of the Wilderness - By Stephanie Grace Whitson Page 0,44
not made with hands—eternal in the heavens.”
Daniel shook his head. “Simon Dane’s wife said those words to Blue Eyes the night their house burned down up at Lac Qui Parle.” Thinking of Ellen Dane led him back to Genevieve. “Is it wrong to want a wife?”
“Of course not.” Robert swallowed. “But, Daniel, whether God gives you the things you want or not, He is always with you. He will never leave you. It is enough.”
“It is not enough,” Daniel replied angrily.
“It is. But you will never know that until you decide to accept it instead of demanding God send what you want.”
“How do I do that,” Daniel asked, “when everything inside me cries out against the way things are?”
Robert cleared his throat. “You do it by faith, my brother.”
Daniel shook his head. “I don’t have that kind of faith.”
Robert reached behind him and produced a Bible he had brought with him when he came out of his tent. He tried to hand the Bible to Daniel and was ignored. He quoted, “‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’”
“I suppose you are going to tell me just which passage to read that will answer all my questions,” Daniel said sarcastically.
“Do you remember those nights long ago when you came to me—when you were being pulled between Otter’s way and God? Do you remember how often we stayed awake half the night reading and arguing? You chose the name Daniel because you said you had found a way to live with the lions without being devoured.” Robert put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder and shook him gently. “The lions are still roaring, my friend. And I fear that you have decided to let them eat you.” Robert’s voice broke as he cried out, “Don’t let it happen. Listen to God, Daniel—not the roaring lions. Look at His face—not the faces around you. Not even the face of Blue Eyes can fill your empty heart.” Tears streamed down Robert’s cheeks. “I love you, my brother. Don’t let this thing happen.”
“Go to your wife, Robert,” Daniel said. “I know you are my friend.”
“I will go,” Robert said. “But not to my wife. Tonight, I am going to speak to the Father. If it takes all night and another night and another. I will not stop until He breaks through to your stubborn heart.” Robert got up and headed for the parade ground. He paused and turned back. “Faith, Daniel. You can only still the roaring lions by faith. Hebrews, chapter eleven.”
Daniel sat beside the fire staring up at the blazing stars in the night sky and watched Robert walk away. Somewhere in the distance a wolf howled. And then, echoing from the very gulch where Little Crow’s warriors had taken cover when they attacked the fort last year, came the cry of a wildcat.
“It’s a terrible assignment,” Captain Willets said. “And I’m sorry I have to give it out. But if there’s any truth to the rumor that the reservation Indians are trying to cross over the James River and come back into Minnesota, somebody has to talk them into going back. It’s for their own good. If they are seen by any of the whites in this area, you know as well as I do they’ll be shot as hostiles. They must be convinced to stay on the reservation at all costs.” Willets looked at the three Dakota men. “To be honest, I doubt any Sioux headed this way would trust regular army to tell them the truth. Can’t say that I blame them, either.” He cleared his throat. “And some of my men might be a little too eager to use force.” He paused. “Do what you can to find them—and turn them back. Escort them all the way to the reservation if you have to.”
The three scouts left the captain’s headquarters and headed back across the parade ground to the scouts’ camp. Robert and Big Amos went to talk with their wives. But Daniel quickly gathered his things. He saddled his horse, being careful to pack both the journal and Robert’s Bible in his saddlebags. He went to Robert and said abruptly, “You can catch up with me. I’ll leave a good trail.”
Robert frowned. “Captain Willets said we could wait until tomorrow.”
“I know,” Daniel nodded as he climbed into the saddle.
“What if Captain Willets notices you’re already gone?”
“Tell him I’m chasing the mountain lion that was prowling around the fort last night,” Daniel said.