Lakota Dawn (25 page)

Rising Bear disclosed that Chase had been scouting at Fort Laramie before he joined them. “Tell us what you learned while there, my son,” he urged.

Chase—who was astonished and elated the others were allowing him, a half-breed, to speak for such a lengthy time— nodded to his father before he explained the Army’s view of the Grattan massacre. “The Bluecoats believed the cow was stolen and they had the duty and right by the treaty to capture and punish those who committed the bad deed. While Grattan was speaking with Brave Bear, one of the Bluecoats became afraid, for he knew of the Lakotas’ prowess and they were outnumbered and surrounded. He fired his weapon without being ordered to do so by Grattan, and other soldiers became afraid when warriors retaliated with a flight of arrows. Things turned out of hand, and all soldiers were slain. The Army is angry about the killings and the raids on the American Fur Company and Bordeau Trading Post, the theft of the thunderstick-wagon mules, and the staking of the horses from the fort. The President and Bluecoat leaders fear if they do not retaliate for those slayings and raids, they will lose face and other bands will think they can do the same without risking punishment.”

“Do the White leaders know of how the man they sent to speak for them insulted and threatened us, for his body was filled and fevered by their firewater?” Spotted Tail scoffed. “Do they know the soldiers attacked first? Do they know Brave Bear, the man they chose as the peace chief, was slain?”

Before Chase could respond, Little Thunder added, “Do they know I asked my people to spare the lives of trader Bordeau and his companions? Do they know High Forehead and his Minneconjous have ridden from this area and will cause no more trouble?”

“One soldier did not die in your camp, Little Thunder,” Chase reminded him. “He told the Bluecoat leader Fleming of
Auguste’s bad words and deeds. He told Fleming the soldiers fired first. But Fleming was angry because all soldiers were slain and many places were raided. Fleming is no longer the Bluecoat leader; one called Hoffman came and took his place; he brought more men and weapons with him; and soon, more will come, many more. If Hoffman does not settle the conflict between our peoples, another Bluecoat—one more powerful and fierce called Harney—will be sent here to do so; and Harney will bring more men and weapons, many giant thundersticks. The soldiers at the fort make more lodges for them; they gather wood and grass; they ride on scouting journeys and many guard the fort. They prepare for war, for they believe we will attack again. Spotted Tail’s raid on the big rolling travois proved their fears are right.” Chase grew silent as Tatanka Yotanka spoke. He had heard much about the mystical powers of the young Hunkpapa, a revered and trusted shaman.

“Why do you provoke the Bluecoats and Whites against all Indians, Spotted Tail?” Sitting Bull asked. “Why did you not restrain your hunger to fight them when their leader did not give an attack order? Why did you not allow Grattan to punish his defiant and weakling warrior? If you had done so, the Bluecoats would be alive and the Army would not be angry at us.”

A strong breeze wriggled his raccoon symbol as Spotted Tail refuted, “They came eager to battle and shame us, Sitting Bull; we attacked while we were strongest and before they could ready the giant thundersticks to roar. We raided the rolling travois to get the shiny yellow stone to pay for the damage Grattan did to Brave Bear and others and to our possessions. It is easy to find a greedy white man who will take gold for weapons and supplies, things we need for war. They are weaklings, for they did not pursue us. It will be the same when we challenge them for
our
lands.”

Chase was cognizant of being watched by the young brave who sat slightly behind Spotted Tail: Tashunka Witco—Crazy Horse—the chief’s nephew by his sister; although only in his teens, already the Oglala brave was known for his prowess and his fierce hatred of the Whites. It was evident to Chase—and
probably to others—that Crazy Horse concurred with his uncle. He saw Red Leaf and Long Chin, brothers of the slain Chief Brave Bear, nod agreement before Chase said, “Hoffman and his men did not follow you because he believed your raid was a trick to lure them away from the fort so you or another band could attack there. When war comes, Spotted Tail, Bluecoats will pursue and challenge any band they encounter, even one that wants peace, for no Indian will be trusted after that dark sun rises. Bluecoats have been ordered to guide and protect stages, wagon trains, supply wagons, and their new outposts along the road. Davis, the war chief to President Pierce, is angry; he wants peace and punishment; he believes Grattan was attacked as a trick to steal the annuity goods and horses. He or others might use those deeds as a reason to attack and enslave all Indians and take all Indian lands. I asked Fleming and Hoffman to make me a scout and translator so I could watch and listen more, but both said peace talks were no good; they will not even send Agent Twiss to parley. Each time you or another band attack Whites, their mistrust, fear, and hatred grow. When it becomes too large to be contained, they will strike at us in great numbers and with powerful weapons.”

“Were you cunning and wary while scouting at the fort so the soldiers did not learn who you are and why you were there?” Two Feathers asked. “Are you sure they did not trail you to this war council?”

I was wondering how long you’d stay silent!
“I am sure, my cousin. Just as I am sure the Army will send out scouts, White and Indian, to learn what the Lakotas will do soon. If we are to defeat them, all bands and tribes must ride as one great force against them. To do so, each warrior must ready himself and his weapons, and must be willing to follow the chosen war party leaders. But we must not act in haste.”

“Do you say we must not punish the Bluecoats and Whites for their bad deeds against us and our Lakota brothers?” Two Feathers asked.

Chase shook his head and struggled to appear calm. “No, my cousin. I say we must not strike the first blow and shed the first blood.”

“The Bluecoats have already done so,” Two Feathers sneered. “Do we sit on our mats and hold our hands while they do so again?”

Control your temper, Chase. Don’t reveal your annoyance with him.
“You hear my words, my cousin, but you do not understand them. Spotted Tail and his party have punished them for the attack on Brave Bear and their joint camp. If our united forces strike next, we will be doing so without being challenged. We must make it as clear as the waters in our streams that we try to honor the treaty and keep our promises and we fight only when we are attacked. Such actions will help to prevent the Army, their war chief, and their President from blaming us for the war which comes. We need more time to ready ourselves and our weapons, to choose party leaders, to make plans, to learn to think and ride as one. I have seen the white man’s large number and powerful weapons. If we begin fighting and more soldiers and weapons are sent here, we cannot win.”

“I say we do not act as cowards and weaklings,” Two Feathers said. “I say we chase them away from our territory as the crow does with the hawk.”

Chase reasoned, “Many crows attack one hawk to make him flee, my cousin. If we attack the Bluecoats, more of their hawks with sharper talons will come. We must defend ourselves with all of our prowess when we are attacked, but let the Bluecoats bring the war to us. If we carry it to them, we will appear as the provokers to the Great White Chief in Washington.”

“Do not forget, my friends and allies,” Sitting Bull reminded, “when Broken Hand Fitzpatrick took eleven of the chiefs who signed the Long Meadows Treaty long ago to Washington, many were frightened by what they saw; one chief was so afraid he sent himself to the Ghost Trail. Others told of large numbers of Whites, many powerful weapons, many strange things. That is what the son of Rising Bear of the Red Shields tells us this moon, and I believe his words are true. I do not fear the white man or Bluecoats, but this is not the season for our Hunkpapas to fight them. In my sacred vision, I saw us
battling and defeating them many circles of the seasons from this one; and their leader had long yellow hair. Until that enemy comes to our lands and challenges us, we will honor the truce.”

Chase was glad Sitting Bull spoke for peace, at least for the time being. Rising Bear voted in the same manner, despite Two Feathers’ protest and scowl. After hearing all he had revealed to them, Red Cloud—as did some other chiefs—also voted for restraint, but recommended constant vigil and preparation. But Spotted Tail, Little Thunder, Red Leaf, Long Chin, and others voted for war.

Those on one side of the conflict continued to try to persuade the other to join their way of thinking. After all chiefs had their say and final vote, the result was split down the middle of the large group. Since it was not a band or tribal vote where all must be in agreement before action was taken or not taken, the bands were not obligated to go along with their allies’ decisions, a point which Spotted Tail made clear to those in favor of restraint. Despite their vast differences of opinion after the meeting ended, most continued to sit around the fire to talk in a genial manner.

When Rising Bear and his group returned to their campsite, except for Two Feathers who stayed behind to prolong his visit with Spotted Tail and others, the chief rested a hand on his second son’s shoulder, smiled, and said in an emotional tone, “I have great pride, love, and trust in you, Cloud Chaser, as I do for Wind Dancer and War Eagle. It is good we will watch and wait to see what the Bluecoats do before we ride against them. As we do so, our warriors will practice, make more weapons, and keep themselves strong and ready for what lies ahead. The cold season is a bad time for war; if food, tepees, and garments are destroyed by the enemy during the snows, our people would suffer and many would die, for those items could not be gathered or replaced then.”

“That is why I spoke so strongly for peace, Father,” Chase told him and the others. “Our people must be kept safe from all harm until the inevitable trouble strikes.”

Rising Bear nodded. “On the next sun, we will return to them.”

Chase was eager to see his wife who awaited him in their winter camp in the sacred Black Hills. He wanted to spend every moment he could with his beloved Macha before that grim day of war came…

“It is good to be together and to hold you again,” Chase murmured into Macha’s ear as she cuddled in his embrace on their sleeping mat. He was both aroused and calmed by the way her head rested on his shoulder and her fingertips drifted over his bare chest. It was elating and enchanting to be in her presence once more, to feel her flesh making contact with his, to hear her sweet voice, to inhale her special scent, and to know he meant as much to her as she did to him. “I have missed you, my cherished wife. When we rode into camp and I gazed upon you, my heart filled with great joy. I love you, Dawn, and needed our reunion.”

The tenderness in his tone, the words he used, and the possessive way he held her thrilled Macha to her very core. She was the luckiest woman alive to have this unique man, and was blessed by his feelings for her. “As I needed it, my husband, for you filled my thoughts each sun and my dreams on every moon while you were gone. My heart sings with much happiness to be touching you once more. Will you leave again to scout?” she asked in dread.

“If so, not for the passings of many suns,” he answered, not wanting to think or talk about war or other evils on this
night. But if she needed to appease her fears, he would allow her to do so.

“My pride in your good deeds and prowess are large.”

“As large as your love and desire for me?” he jested, attempting to guide them away from difficult and painful subjects.

“Nothing matches those feelings within me. I am glad your father, and others, voted for peace. I do not want our people to war with the Whites until it must be so to save our lives and lands. You have been in my Life-Circle for less than four full moons; that is not enough time to be with you in the ways I crave before fighting steals you from my arms and our tepee. Is it bad of me to be so selfish and greedy?”

Chase nestled her closer. “No, my beloved wife, for I feel the same way. Without you, I would not be the man I am now. I thank the Great Spirit for joining us as one.”

Macha shifted her head and gazed into his handsome face. “Soon, we must travel to Bear Mountain to place prayer tokens on the trees growing there to show our thanks to Wakantanka for His many blessings. We must do so before a great snow blankets our land, as I told Him I would.”

“We will go soon, my love,” Chase promised, “for I must also give Him thanks for all He has done for me and given to me this season.”

“We have each other, our families and people, and peace for a while. What more could we ask for?” she murmured dreamily as she caressed him.

“We could ask for this,” he whispered as he nibbled at her earlobe and caused her to wriggle in amusement. “Or this,” he added as his lips trailed over her face and one hand fondled her breast, its peak already taut with yearning. “Or this,” he continued a few minutes later before his questing mouth fastened to hers and his fingers inched their way down her body to the center of her desire.

Unable to control their enormous cravings, they surrendered to a swift and urgent union the first time; then, after they rested for a while, they made slow and titillating love, which rewarded them with a second burst of glorious passion.

* * *

The following day, Chase halted at the ceremonial lodge and observed as the Story Catchers painted symbols on the band’s history hide to record the recent events. His gaze trailed over past ones which depicted the many exploits of Wind Dancer and Chumani, which took place three years ago, including an awesome battle with a grizzly and victorious tricks against the Crow and Whites. He felt honored to have some of his own achievements portrayed there for all time.

When Chumani approached him, he asked her about the hawk she had raised and who had helped her and his brother accomplish some of their past feats. He listened with amazement as the lovely woman—once a warrior and hunter—related those stirring adventures. He wished he had been there in 1851 when they occurred and wished he could have been one of the five sacred vision-quest companions with the couple, War Eagle, Red Feather, and Zitkala. Their talk was interrupted when her son came running up to join them.

“How are you on this fine sun, Tokapa?” Chase asked with a grin as the small boy held out a rock in one hand and a pinecone in the other for Chase to study. “They are good, Tokapa. We must fetch a pouch to put your playthings in. I have one in my tepee.”

“Me go?” the boy asked his mother.

As Chumani nodded permission, Chase put both objects in one hand and the child clasped the other. “I will fetch the pouch and return him soon, Dewdrops. I will guard him until he is in your arms once more.”

Chumani watched the two walk away as Macha joined her and also observed the departing pair as the two males laughed and talked after Tokapa begged a ride on Chase’s back. “He has much love for my husband’s brother, as do I for saving my son’s life. He will be a good father when you two are blessed with a child.”

“I yearn to have one, Dewdrops. I also yearn to help save our people as you did at Wind Dancer’s side long ago, but I cannot travel with Cloud Chaser and do such deeds, for I lack your prowess as a female warrior and hunter.”

“You earned a large coup when you returned Cloud Chaser to life so he could help us during these dark suns,” Chumani said, “and you make him happy as his reward from the Great Spirit for his good deeds. Do not forget, Dawn, you showed large prowess and generosity when you helped save Tokapa’s life, the life of our future chief. Those things mean much to our family and people. We are fortunate you are a Red Shield, for Cloud Chaser’s love for you held him here until we accepted him.”

“Your words are kind, Dewdrops, and give me much joy. You are wise, for I am in the place and walk the path chosen for me by Wakantanka. Now I must go finish my chores before the sun sleeps.”

After Macha left to do her work and Chase returned with a laughing Tokapa, who held a pouch with the rock and pinecone, Chumani took the boy to her tepee to finish her own daily tasks.

Chase joined his father’s wife as she worked at a cookfire near Rising Bear’s tepee. He smiled and greeted her.
“Hau, Winona, anpetu waste.”

The woman stilled her busy hands and glanced at the sunny sky. “Yes, Cloud Chaser, it is a fine day. I am happy you returned to us unharmed. You do many good deeds for us, and I thank you.”

“As you do many good deeds for us as our chief’s wife, and as you did for me long ago when I was a child and my mother lived no more.”

Winona put aside her task. “Walk with me in the forest while I gather wood and where we can speak away from the ears of others.”

Chase followed her into the dense trees where she found a huge fallen pine and sat down upon it. After she motioned for him to sit beside her, he did so, then waited for her to speak. He saw her take a deep breath as if she were deciding what to say and how to say it. He was surprised when she clasped one of his large hands within her two smaller ones, then looked at him and began.

“It is past the time for truth to live between us, Cloud
Chaser. Long ago I was attacked by evil jealousy toward your mother, though Omaste was a good and kind woman, and I hid such wicked feelings from everyone. I feared the feelings which had drawn my husband to her and feared the bond between them in their son, though I knew he did not love her as a man loves a woman or as he loves me. After she was lost to us, I was afraid to accept and love you as my child, for I believed your White blood would take you from us one sun, or the Great Spirit would do so as He had done with Omaste. I understood my husband’s suffering and a man’s needs on the sleeping mat, and I forgave him for his one weakness, but I have not revealed to you my own weakness and wrongs and asked your forgiveness for them. Hatred has never lived in my heart toward you, Cloud Chaser, for you carry the blood of my husband and the Red Shields. Now, greater love fills it for you. I am happy and proud you are of our family and were returned to us. I believe Wakantanka has planned and controlled your existence since He created you from my husband’s seed. It is good you had the courage and prowess to return to us and to endure our tests and doubts before accepting you. Will you forgive my bad deeds and the sufferings I caused you?”

Chase gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He was touched deeply by her enlightening words. “I did so long ago, Winona, for I envisioned what troubled you deeply, as it would anyone who walked in such difficult moccasins following your return from the Pawnee. You are a good mother to your children, a good grandmother to Tokapa, and a superior wife for our chief. You bring great joy to my father’s heart. The truth now lives between and within us. I am proud and happy to call you a second mother and a friend.”

“As I am to call you my accepted son and a friend.”

That night, Macha whispered to Chase, “I do not believe the union of Two Feathers and Robin is a happy one. After you rode away, she did not smile, laugh, talk, or work with other females, only with her mother and grandmother. After your cousin left our camp, she became as her past self again.
Now that he has returned, she is once more the person she became after their joining.”

“If she is unhappy, why does she not speak the parting words before their tepee flap and choose another before there is a child between them?”

“She does not do so out of false pride and great fear. I am certain of it, for I see such feelings in her eyes and movements.”

“You believe she fears him?”

“That is so, my husband.”

“But he would not dare harm her if she leaves him by our custom.”

“Have you forgotten from the bad and bold way your cousin treated you and still treats you in private that Two Feathers dares what he wills? And it would shame Robin and her family to speak against a member of our chief’s family and to part with him unless he abuses her before others. If he harms her in their tepee, he leaves no marks upon her face and body which others could see. Perhaps he only wounds her with cutting words and deeds, for Two Feathers is a sly and cautious man.”

“Your words are wise, my beloved wife. But if Robin lacks joy and finds courage, she will part with him. Let us think and speak of sad things no more. Let us find our own joy and courage in the journey before us.”

Macha looked at him in confusion. “What journey, my husband? Do you speak of the one to Bear Mountain soon?”

“No, I speak of this one, Sunshine of my heart,” Chase disclosed with a grin as his mouth sought and found hers, and he eagerly pulled her close.

When it was Chase’s turn to scout the surrounding area for enemies and other perils, he chose Bent Bow to ride with him, which elated the young brave. They armed themselves, took food and water, and left camp early that morning, as their task would require all day.

As it had been peaceful since reaching that winter location, the two men didn’t think they would encounter any threats yet, both stayed alert for dangers.

It was shortly before midday when trouble struck.

Chase reined in his sorrel and told his companion, “Look there,” as he motioned to fresh prints on the ground. “Iron shoes of a white man’s horse.”

“Two horses, and they ride into the sacred hills,” Bent Bow deduced.

“We must track them to see where they go and what they do here.”

Without further words or hesitation, the two men followed the trail a long way from their camp into the forested foothills and canyons. They halted when they heard gunfire and glanced at each other to signal caution. They dismounted and moved with great stealth toward the ominous noise, taking cover behind large boulders on an incline which overlooked a rushing stream.

Using fieldglasses, it did not take Chase long to assess the situation and locate their positions. He listened as the two White aggressors shouted back and forth between them.

“Don’t waste no more ammo, Hank; he ain’t got no more arrows, so let’s rush ‘im and kill ‘im pronto.” He referred to the one Indian concealed in a rocky area against the other side of the canyon wall. “We cain’t have ‘im escaping to bring down a bunch of redskins on us afore we stuff our pockets and saddlebags with plenty of gold. It’s just laying there waiting fur us to pick it up, and my hands are itching to oblige it.”

“You sure he ain’t got no more arrows?”

“He’da done fired another one by now if’n he did. Good thing he’s a bad shot and we saw ‘im first, or we’d be in big trouble, probably dead.”

“Let’s give him a few more minutes before we charge him. You know these red devils are meaner than a snake and tricky as a fox. He ain’t going nowhere stuck in them rocks with no way out; he can’t make a run for it; we’d cut him down in the open.”

“Well, we cain’t waste much more time on ‘im; it’s acosting us plenty of nuggets and flakes. We gotta be outta here come morning.”

“Hold your horses, Sam; we got plenty of daylight left. Nobody knows there’s gold here excepting us, or these hills
would be crawling with miners and prospectors, Injuns or no Injuns.”

“We’re sure lucky we wuz the ones who stumbled on to it whilst watering our horses. We’re gonna be rich men soon.”

“If we stay alive. We won’t if he gits away.”

“He won’t. We’ll just collect enough to last us until summer. After them Injuns head fur the Plains to hunt buffalo, we’ll sneak back and git plenty more whilst it’s safe.”

Chase squatted and whispered to Bent Bow, “Two white men; they seek the yellow rocks to steal. Two Feathers is entrapped by them; he has used all of his arrows. They seek to slay him so he cannot flee and bring others to slay or capture them. We will sneak up on them and defeat them,” he decided and revealed his bold and dangerous plan.

Using all of the prowess they possessed, Chase crept toward one man while Bent Bow did the same with the other. Though they knew Two Feathers’ life was in jeopardy, they could not move fast, as dislodging a rock or stepping on a small branch would expose their presence; they had ample cover from boulders, trees, and bushes to conceal their advance. Soon, both were positioned to attack the enemies who were focused on Two Feathers to make sure he did not make a daring escape attempt; or if he did, to be sure they killed him, as their weapons were loaded and aimed in that direction.