Lakota Dawn (29 page)

Chase wrote further that most Lakota tribes wanted a peaceful relationship to continue but their warriors would fight if provoked. He urged them not to allow false beliefs and lies and rash behavior on the Brules’ part to provoke a Great Dakota War that would result in many years of bloodshed and loss on both sides. He also urged the President and Secretary of War not to send General Harney there with numerous troops and awesome weapons that would be taken as an intimidating threat; for once a challenge was given, it would be accepted by discontented
warriors and then respected and influential chiefs who recently had voted for peace during a multitribal war council would be uncontrollably drawn into a deadly and costly conflict.

In fact
—Chase warned—
the entire Dakota Nation, which you call the Sioux, will unite and ride as one powerful and determined force against the Army and white settlers. If you truly want peace in this territory, make sincere and swift efforts to negotiate it, to understand the Indians whose lives and futures have been greatly disturbed and altered by the White encroachment, who have been disillusioned and angered by deceptions and insults. I cannot sign this letter for various reasons, but I swear all I have recorded here is true, and in most instances, verifiable through honest sources. I urge you not to take military action in this territory, or the blood of many people—Indian and White—will be upon your hands forever. Peace can be achieved if you offer the Indians an honorable and honest treaty and you hire trustworthy men to carry out its terms and oversee its provisions.

After he finished his arduous and draining task, Chase read the letters several times to make certain he had included everything he could think of in his plea for understanding, compassion, and peace. He closed his eyes and prayed,
That’s all I can do, Great Spirit; the rest is in Your hands.

On Monday, Chase waited until the stage arrived about noon and was ready to depart again within the hour before he handed two of the letters to the driver, who stuffed them into a large leather pouch with
U.S. Mail
branded on its flap. Soon, his missives would be on their three-and-a-half-day trip to Fort Kearny, then onward to two influential men in Washington. Now, all he could do was pray those messages would arrive safely and be heeded.

* * *

Chase waited until it was almost dawn before he evaded the guards and crept to Major Hoffman’s quarters, eased open the door, and left a similar letter inside for the officer. Afterward, he returned to the stable, saddled his sorrel, mounted, and quietly left Fort Laramie, probably for the last time. Soon, he would join his two companions, and he would head for home and his beloved wife.

Despite the trouble which loomed ahead for his people and their allies, he was a lucky and blessed man to have a cozy home, a beautiful and wonderful wife, a child on the way, a special place in his family and people’s lives, and to have been used by the Creator as a tool for making peace. Only six months ago, he hadn’t even imagined such changes in his life. With a little more good fortune—no, Divine guidance—these dark clouds of possible war looming overhead would dissipate.

On the third day after leaving Fort Laramie, Chase and his friends encountered Tatanka Yotanka and five of his Hunkpapa Lakotas. Both small parties halted and greeted each other. Chase, whom Sitting Bull recalled from the war council, introduced Bent Bow and Broken Lance and identified them: son of war chief Blue Owl and son of Pretty Meadow, sister to Rising Bear. After Sitting Bull spoke the names of his followers, everyone dismounted to talk, rest, and eat together.

When questioned about their presence in the area during winter, Chase disclosed where he had been, what he had observed, and what he had done. He was elated and pleased that his ally gave him praise, and offered gratitude for his sharing of information.

“We rode to the joint camp of Spotted Tail and Red Leaf to urge them to cease their attacks on the Bluecoats and Whites, to let things settle down on both sides,” Sitting Bull revealed, “for war is difficult during the cold season when food and tepees are lost. Spotted Tail agreed to hold off on more raids and slayings until spring, unless he is challenged. If what you
saw and heard is true, that challenge will not come for many full moons. That is what I saw in my last vision and what sent me to speak with Spotted Tail and Red Leaf.”

“It is good the Great Spirit sent you that message and our allies agreed to honor it,” Chase said. He was glad he had changed into his Oglala garments in his friends’ camp before their departure and that he spoke Lakota fluently, since he was recognized by the shaman who—to him and others—was a true visionary. There was an undeniable aura of mystical power, wisdom, and keen intelligence about the young chief. He was a great man, one to be respected and admired, one whose counsel should be taken, one who had contact with the Great Being, one who would be fiercely loyal to his people and allies, and one for the enemy to fear and elude. Chase felt honored that Sitting Bull remembered him and appeared to respect him. He was certain his father also would be pleased.

Following more talk and eating, the two groups parted and rode in different directions, with Chase eager to reach home and Macha.

Six days later and just before dark, Chase dismounted at his tepee to tether his horse and to let his wife know he was back. Though weary from riding for days, what he wanted and needed most was to spend private time with his wife. He beamed with joy and excitement and chuckled softly in amusement as she fussed at and fumbled with the flap lacings in eagerness to respond to his call to her, as many people were already enclosed in their dwellings at that hour. She finally untied them, shoved the stubborn barrier aside, ducked, and rushed to join him. Even if every Red Shield was watching, he could not resist clasping his arms around her body, lifting her slightly, and swinging her around as he embraced her. “I have missed you, Sunshine of my heart,” he whispered into her ear, “and I am happy to be home again. My life is cold and empty without you around to warm and fill it.”

Macha laughed and hugged him, surprised and elated by his public greeting. She did not care who saw them behaving in
this romantic manner. She leaned back and looked into his glowing tawny eyes. “You are unharmed and alive. I give thanks to the Great Spirit for protecting you and returning you to me. What of your journey, my husband? Was it good?”

To protect his beloved from a chill, Chase kept his arms wrapped around her shoulders and held her close to his passioninflamed body. “Yes, it was a victory, but I will reveal all things to you later. First, I must speak with Father, and with the council if he wishes. When I return, we will eat and rest on our mat, for it calls loudly to me.”

Macha surmised his true meaning for “rest.” She nodded her head and gazed at his handsome face once more to be certain she was not dreaming, that he was truly standing before her. She smiled and said, “Go and talk. I will be waiting for you to come to me soon.”

Chase hugged her once more and left for his father’s tepee, glancing back and smiling after taking only a few steps.

War Eagle, Bent Bow, and Broken Lance made their way around the sprawling village to summon the council, Shirt-Wearers, and society leaders to the meeting lodge. Wind Dancer went on ahead to build a fire in a shelter made of tall pines and covered with buffalo hides. He ignited two torches already planted in the ground to give sufficient light.

After the men were gathered around the large fire, Chase gave a full report on his findings, on his actions afterward, and on their encounter with Sitting Bull and the Hunkpapas—news which the society leaders would share with their members the next day, as the lodge was not large enough for all Red Shield men to crowd inside it.

The chief and council nodded and murmured approval of his deeds before the discussion of his disclosures. After all questions were asked and answered, it was the opinion of most present that a conflict would be escaped during winter, and some even thought that perhaps a new peace treaty might result from the actions of Chase and Sitting Bull.

“I am proud of you, my son,” Rising Bear said. “You have
done much for your people’s safety and survival, as Wind Dancer and his companions did three circles of the seasons past.”

“As it was in my sacred dream long ago at Long Meadows when we met to speak of the first treaty, he was returned to us to chase away dark clouds during these two seasons,” Nahemana said. “What the sacred owl messenger told me has come to pass. It is good. On the next sun, Cloud Chaser must be honored with a feast and his many coups must be chanted, for he has become a great Red Shield warrior. At the feast, we must give thanks to Wakantanka for His many blessings and for Cloud Chaser’s return to us many full moons past.”

Once more, the others nodded and murmured agreement.

“My brothers and companions must sit and dance with me, Father, Grandfather,” Chase announced, “for they helped me grasp victory and earn those coups: Wind Dancer, War Eagle, River’s Edge, Swift Otter, Red Feather, Bent Bow, and Broken Lance. They, too, must be honored.”

“Your heart is generous and your mind is wise, my grandson,” Nahemana replied in an emotional voice. “It will be so.”

After learning there had been no trouble during his long absence and listening to genial talk of past hunts and victorious exploits, Chase left the lodge when the crowd began to disperse. As he did so, he saw Two Feathers from the corner of his eye; his cousin had been included as a Sacred Bow Carrier, as had War Eagle and Swift Otter. Two Feathers’ expression and behavior remained guarded during the meeting, as Two Feathers wouldn’t dare to say or do anything harmful against him when he was held in such high esteem by their people. But one day, Chase mused, he would have to challenge the embittered man for the truth, as such knowledge was the only way to settle the lingering conflict between them. At least for now, they had a cautious truce. As for Robin’s death, it had been accepted as a tragic accident, and Chase admitted that could be true.

For now, the thing foremost in his mind was to hurry home and into the arms of his cherished wife.

* * *

Twelve days later Chase and Macha cuddled together in their tepee. The sturdy dwelling was cozy with a glowing blaze and their aroused passions to warm their naked bodies as they kissed and caressed each other. Extra wood was piled at the entrance and a buffalo hide lay nearby for use during the chill of the night.

Outside, the hard ground and black boulders were concealed by thick snow under a half-moon and countless stars. Creeks and streams were frozen, leaving animals and birds to drink from waters of swift-moving rivers or in places where hot springs kept water too warm to freeze. Red Shield horses were grazing in safety and comfort in a sheltered canyon. The area’s creatures must now depend upon stored supplies and evergreens and unlucky prey to feed them. Some were hibernating, and others were snug in burrows, caves, crevices, or nests. Butterflies, seasonal birds, and other insects were gone, as were wildflowers. The big snows and frigid weather had finally come to the Lakota’s territory and would no doubt last all winter, providing an impediment to Army and Indian enemy travels. Winter was a huge obstacle to war.

Those circumstances suited Chase and Macha just fine, especially at that glorious moment when all they knew and felt was centered around each other and the sensations flowing over them.

Chase was lying on his side against her, looking into her eyes as he said in a husky voice, “Your beauty is as large as the rainbow’s. You are gentle and strong, brave and wise. You give me great pleasure on our sleeping mat, and joy and pride as big as the mountain beneath every sun. You calmed my restless spirit; you returned laughter and smiles to my lips. I could have no better wife or match than you. I am fulfilled at last, and you are truly the Sunshine which warms my heart and mind. I love you.”

Macha lifted one hand to trail her fingertips leisurely over his strong jawline from ear to ear, pausing at the dent in his chin, then roaming upward to his prominent cheekbones, and finalizing her journey at his full lips. As she did so, she murmured,
“Your looks steal my breath and cause my body to burn as wood in a fire. Your prowess with warrior skills is large. You have great strength and tenderness. You give me more happiness and pleasure than I imagined could be real. No matter where I am or what I do, joy and pride surge through me to be your mate. I could have no better husband or match than you. I, too, am fulfilled and blessed. I love you, Cloud Chaser, and will belong to you forever.”

Their mouths met in a slow and tranquil kiss, which they savored for a while before surrendering to their growing hunger for more. With questing hands, they stroked and caressed each other to new heights of desire, joining at last to seek passion’s summit, which they reached in blissful splendor.

As they lay wrapped in contentment’s embrace, Chase realized, in the
wasicun
world, it was Christmas Day. He could not help but remember past holiday seasons with Tom and Lucy Martin in Oregon. They had been good and loving adoptive parents, despite their small flaws and weaknesses and— yes, in a way selfish—deception. But at the end, truth had prevailed; and it had sent him back to where he belonged. He thought about his mother and felt as if she were smiling down on him.

Tonight, instead of the differences, he thought about the similarities between most Whites and Indians, especially concerning their beliefs in one Creator, love for and loyalty to family and people, and the human emotions—love, hate, joy, sadness—which filled their hearts and controlled their actions. Although he had discarded all ties to the
wasicun
world, he still gave thanks for the birth of the White Creator’s son long ago and asked for His help in the dark days ahead for both sides. Who better, he reasoned, than two—perhaps only one in different forms—Creators to bring true and lasting harmony to this land?