Forever Ecstasy (45 page)

“Black Moon think on words. Come, we eat. We have Sacred
Arrow Ceremony. You see bravest warriors in land.”

Joe wanted to get them out of camp fast, so he smiled and alleged, “I was ordered to bring these gifts, then return quickly for another task.”

“You sleep in Black Moon’s camp. You friend. You leave on next sun.”

Joe dared not refuse the chief’s hospitality, so he was trapped into accepting. “Thank you, Black Moon.”

“Woman stay with you?”

“Yes, she’s my wife,” Joe laced his arm around his cherished love in a possessive manner.

Black Moon eyed the beauty, particularly the tribal symbols on her garments and accessories that said she was Arapaho— neither enemy nor ally. He shrugged and motioned for them to follow him.

While they ate a hearty meal of rabbit stew, roasted antelope, boiled roots, and fry bread, Black Moon showed Joe a pocket watch and told him that Snake-Man had given it to him as a gift. He opened it to let Joe hear the “magic” music it made, something that amazed Morning Star.

Later, Joe and Morning Star sat with the chief on buffalo mats to observe the Sacred Arrow Ceremony. It was a test of bravery and skills, the rite to select which warrior was to lead in the next battle, with the winner achieving the highest rank of honor and power next to chief in the band.

The couple watched as three warriors took positions in a row, in a clearing for the safety of observers. At a signal, they rapidly fired seven arrows each overhead, then did not move as the deadly shafts fell downward with sharp tips coming straight at them. Any man who moved to avoid a wound or death was a coward and was banished. Any warrior who chose to enter the contest would rather be slain than dishonored and exiled. If he was a skilled shot, his arrows would pierce the earth around him to form a fence of great prowess. By the time the ritual ended, one participant was dead, one was injured, and one was unscathed: Matohota in her tongue.

Morning Star hoped she appeared calm, but she was apprehensive
in the midst of a tribe who had warred with her people for generations. She did not want to imagine what the Bird People would do to her if they discovered her secret or Joe’s cunning tricks. She presumed the winner spoke and understood English, as he had listened with great interest to Joe’s words about Snake-Man. As the fierce warrior returned to the chief for acknowledgment, she prayed the victor’s name wasn’t a bad omen. She knew few creatures or medicine signs were stronger than the Grizzly Bear.

After spending a restive night in the chief’s tepee, Joseph Lawrence and Morning Star left Black Moon’s camp after the early meal. They retrieved the hidden goods and clues to the payroll attack, then headed for the next Crow camp of Talking Wolf at South Folk River. Along the trail, they discussed what they had learned in Black Moon’s camp.

Joe related seeing a half-burned crate with letters
PR
still readable, and he speculated it had come from where Simon worked. “Since he runs the post and Bernard Pratte isn’t around to catch him doing mischief, he could be having guns and ammunition sent to him to pass along to Zeke. Simon does have black hair. If Simon isn’t Snake-Man, he probably works for him. He’s in an excellent position to receive illegal goods without anyone catching him. I wish I could have taken that board as evidence, but I couldn’t figure a way to do it without Black Moon getting too curious. With luck, they’ll be more when we reach Zeke’s rendezvous point.”

After questioning the unfamiliar words, Morning Star said, “I hope Black Moon or Grizzly Bear kills them for us.”

“And does it fast, before Zeke exposes us. I just hope Snake-Man doesn’t have more so-called magic up his sleeve. If he fools Black Moon again, that sneaky bastard will spill his guts about us. That means to tell all he knows. Then we’d have Zeke, his boys, and Crow chasing us.”

A rush of anxiety charged through her and tainted her English words. “Why you think Black Moon believe you and attack spirit man?”

“Men like him live in both worlds, love. They’re sly, greedy, and evil. They want power, and they’ll do almost anything to get it.”

“It not matter if you not catch Snake-Man and kill?”

Joe caught the clue to her apprehension. “All that matters is getting rid of him and his plot,” he soothed. “Once he’s out of the way, things will settle down. Then Tom can make his treaty work. That will stop Black Moon from attacking your people again.”

She glanced at him in concern. “You wish to hurry this task?”

“Yes, to prevent more people from getting hurt and killed.”

His answer delighted her, but it made their separation even more imminent unless something powerful intruded and helped them. She didn’t know if it was right to pray for such divine intervention. Perhaps it was best to wait and see what happened during and after the sacred mission.

On Sunday, they visited with Talking Wolf and his band, who were much less showy and aggressive than Black Moon’s. Joe used his same ruse, and it worked again. That chief also had met Snake-Man and believed in the villain’s magic. He, too, wanted more guns, bullets, and whiskey, and to kill Lakotas. Yet Talking Wolf did not have an impending appointment with Zeke for additional illegal supplies; they didn’t know how to take that information. But, unlike Black Moon, Talking Wolf was afraid to attack “the spirit who come and go in smoke.” Wisely, Joe didn’t entice him to do so.

They spent the night in the chief’s tepee. It rained hard until dawn, a heavy deluge accompanied by awesome thunder and lightning. Yet the sturdy conical dwelling protected the inhabitants from the fierce powers of nature and barely disturbed their slumber.

Shortly after sunrise and a hot meal, the couple departed.

On Monday, they camped on the Grand River beneath a full moon with Two-Bulls. As he spoke little English, Morning Star used her skill with sign language to interpret for the men. Two-Bulls said he would accept the gifts, but he had told Snake-Man and Zeke he did not want war with the Lakotas. He explained he did not want guns, bullets, and whiskey found in his camp by the Army, their friends, but revealed he had accepted one load long ago for his warriors to use while hunting buffalo. He said he had told Zeke and the spirit man he would not take guns with which to attack and slay Lakotas and asked why they had sent Joe to him with another plea.

Joe explained how he didn’t want war or trouble, and how both would come if those evil white men were not slain. He alleged he was leaving the area and not working for them anymore. That seemed to please the chief.

Two-Bulls vowed that he did not fear the spirit man and his white warriors. He related he would kill them if they caused him trouble.

Joe was thrilled, as Two-Bulls was the most influential and powerful Crow leader in the territory. He took great delight in telling the chief how to defeat and expose the villains. That news seemed to interest Two-Bulls, but he didn’t say whether or not he would attempt to destroy them.

Joe was caught off guard and worried when the chief asked if he could buy Morning Star, who still called herself Little Flower. He had her sign that she was his wife and he loved her very much so he couldn’t part with her.

When Morning Star translated, “You good white man to love, accept Indians. She have good man,” Joe smiled and thanked him.

Through her, Joe asked why Two-Bulls didn’t report Snake-Man and his mischief to the Army, as they were “friends.” He was surprised and dismayed when the chief responded that he wasn’t sure he could trust soldiers and the white laws completely, so he always denied knowing anything to prevent trouble. Two-Bulls didn’t want the Army to think he knew the villains so they wouldn’t suspect him of
lying about receiving illegal goods.

Joe and the daughter of Sun Cloud were impressed by the good and wise leader. It relieved her to learn not all Bird People were bad or hated her people. Both made certain the renowned chief knew they respected and liked him, as Two-Bulls could be a big help with the peace treaty.

Tuesday morning, they rode to locate Zeke and his wagons at Bear Butte. They prayed he had panicked at their intrusion and come early with his delivery and to warn the Crow. They hoped he didn’t have many men with him and they could accomplish the crucial task of destroying the weapons before they fell into the hands of the wicked Black Moon. If they rode fast and hard, they could be in position to wait and work in two days.

Joe told Morning Star that Stede and Fitzpatrick should have his and Jim’s reports by now. He was eager to discover who George was, if the scout had a military reason for being in this territory, if Stede knew anything about Simon Adams, and to learn who was buying land here.

The last mention drew a question from Morning Star. She listened as Joe explained the Pre-Emption Law but did not argue its power.

To get her mind off the alarming matter, Joe asked, “How do you know your way around such a big territory? Women don’t leave camp much.”

Morning Star related the joint meetings at many times, places, and seasons that took her across this land. “Long ago,” she added, “Bird People lived and hunted far away. Lakotas lived and hunted in these lands. When summer grows too hot, buffalo travel longer.” She pointed to the cooler north. “We go after, must ride where they go to hunt. Crow come, and we must fight to hunt over the Cheyenne River. To save lives, Red Hearts come here no more if plenty of buffalo where we live. There is more ways.”

“Are
more ways,” Joe gently corrected, then asked, “Like what?”

“Trail signs. I see, read. Marks everywhere if you know how to find and read. Black Moon, he come to same place; easy to find him. I use where
Wi
in sky for that season, where stars glow and how they move.”

Ex-Captain Joseph Lawrence knew about using the sun, moon, and stars for charting courses, and he knew they were in different positions in the sky during each season.

Weeks ago, he had shown her his compass and explained how it worked. He had laughed and told her it was useful only when you knew which direction to follow, and it was particularly helpful on a cloudy day and moonless night. He had made notes, measurements, and drawn a map. He had told her it would be informative later about their journey for the authorities, but both knew it was also for a time when or if he had to travel alone.

When they neared the Belle Fourche River on Thursday, Joe sighted two men heading north. Using his fieldglasses to watch for approaching peril, he made out Zeke and Farley. At that distance, he knew they had not been seen. The couple hid themselves behind the nearest knoll. They rested and chatted until the villains were gone.

“Why he not take guns to Black Moon camp?” Morning Star asked.

“He’s too clever and cautious. He doesn’t want to get caught near an Indian camp with illegal goods. He has to go fetch them because he’s six days early, and I doubt he wants to hang around here longer than need be. His little trip should give us about five days to do our task and be far away when he and those Crow return and find the damage we’ll inflict. This time, we’ll get some undeniable proof to unmask him and to protect us.”

At over four thousand feet, Bear Butte— Mato Paha to the Lakotas— was highly visible long before they reached the sacred mountain as it rose in majestic splendor from the surrounding
plains. Fortunate for the couple, treelines, ravines, and the Bear River were nearby to help with concealment and stealth.

With hopes Zeke had chosen the same spot, they left their horses near the water, at a distance where their
noises
couldn’t be heard by the wrong ears. They discarded anything that might make sounds, and carried only knives for weapons. Morning Star took the initiative to check the wind direction to make certain their scents would not be detected by a guard’s keen nose. They stepped with caution to avoid crunching twigs or anything that might create a telltale noise. They kept watch for animals and birds that could give away their approach and location if disturbed. They heard the “to whitcha, whitcha, whitcha” cry of one bird and the sound of another that reminded Joe of a gosling. They halted to let a deer move along so they wouldn’t spook it. Another time, they stopped to allow a skunk to amble on during his forage for food.

Joe was wearing moccasins to aid his silence on the ground and to avoid boot tracks that would cut or break grass blades rather than bend them as the soft leather shoe did.

More acquainted with the signs of her land, Morning Star led the way. Abruptly she halted Joe once more. When he leaned close, she pointed to a bear trap someone had attempted to conceal. Joe smiled, impressed with her sharp eyes. After they came upon the third one, she warned Joe the traps were set to snare anyone coming close to Zeke’s campsite. Joe realized he may have missed the deadly traps if he was alone or leading them, so he was even happier she was present and in control. As dusk was nearing, she told him they should slip into the river and spy on the area from it. She told him to remove his moccasins, as bare feet were quieter in water.

They neared a place where they could see and smell smoke from a campfire. Morning Star warned Joe about swatting at insects, about mastering control over his breathing, and about jerking his bare foot if a fish, weed, or rock made contact with him. In the fading light, Joe nodded
understanding.

Suddenly, a trap sprang and a snared creature thrashed wildly to obtain freedom. Morning Star grabbed Joe’s wrist and yanked him toward the bank, having already planned this strategy if trouble struck. She covered her mouth and nose with one hand to indicate for him to hold his breath. The wet beauty pushed Joe’s head underwater, ducked, and pulled him beneath tangled debris. She pushed his face to the surface where there was only enough space in the bunched branches for catching air.

Joe was careful not to gulp air or to move a muscle. She did the same. They heard two men rush over and talk.

“What is it, Billy?”

“Justa muskrat or otta. We’ll git him out in the morning.”

“Zeke put out them traps along the bank to catch two nosey people. Think we best reset it?”