Savage Summer Read Online Free Page B

raised as white, my mother?”
    Joanna took a deep breath, knowing that would be a hard question to answer. Sky Dancer had never before faced prejudice. It would be hard for her to understand how the white race scorned its red brothers. “There are many things I have taught you about the white world, Sky Dancer. I have neglected to tell you that the white man does not love the Indian. That is why you will change your name while you are in Philadelphia. While you are staying with your Uncle Tag, you will go by the name of Skyler Dancing—you must not forget.”
    “Yes, I will remember.” Sky Dancer wrinkled her brow in thoughtfulness. “My grandmother says that the world is large enough for all men to live in peace. Is this not true of the white man?”
    “Sun Woman dreams of a world where the white man and the Indian will walk in harmony. But that is not the way it is, and probably never will be, Sky Dancer. The white man despises and distrusts anyone who is different from himself. That’s one of the reasons that you must not mention that you are half Indian while you are in Philadelphia.”
    Sky Dancer stood up and gazed down at her mother. “I will not like denying who I am. I have no shame in me for the Blackfoot blood that flows through my body. I will not like to live with a people who want me to hang my head in shame.”
    Joanna saw the defiance in her daughter’s blue eyes and felt pride in her. Standing up, she took Sky Dancer’s hand in hers. “I would never want you to be ashamed of who you are. Always remember that you are an Indian princess. You are the daughter of Windhawk, a brave and noble chief. There may be times when you will feel hurt. At those times feel pride in who you are, and know that you are very special to the Blackfoot tribe. Also remember that your Uncle Tag and Aunt Alexandria love you. They will be there for you should you need them.”
    Sky Dancer couldn’t understand why her mother was sending her away if she thought she might be hurt. She only knew that it was important to her mother that she go to Philadelphia. For some reason, her father had agreed.
    “I will be glad when the time has passed and I can returnto you and my father. I will go to this place and I will remember all the things you have taught me about the white man. I will do my best not to shame you or my father.”
    Joanna hugged Sky Dancer tightly to her. “I could never be ashamed of you. You are the kind of daughter every mother wishes for.” The most difficult thing she would ever have to do in her life would be to let her daughter go, but deep inside she knew she was doing it for Sky Dancer’s own good.
    A shadow fell across Joanna’s face and she looked up to see Windhawk watching her closely. He knew what she was feeling and gave her an encouraging smile. Taking his daughter’s hand, he pulled her into his arms. “The time has come for you to leave, Sky Dancer. Your horse has already been saddled and is waiting for you.”
    Sky Dancer looked up at her father. His dark hair held no trace of gray, and his face was handsome enough to make any maiden’s heart beat faster. He was the leader of the fierce Blackfoot warriors, and yet she knew him as a kind and gentle father.
    “Can you not come into St. Louis with us, Father?” she asked hopefully. There was always the chance that her father might change his mind and take her back home, she thought.
    He enfolded her in his arms and laid his face against her dark head. “No, I will stay here and wait for your mother to return.” His dark eyes became soft as they drifted across Sky Dancer’s face. “The sun will not shine so brightly until you return, my daughter. When you leave, you will take with you that part of my heart that belongs to you.”
    Sky Dancer could feel tears building up behind her eyes and she prayed she would not cry in front of her father. “I will be home soon, my father,” she said, turning away quickly and rushing toward the