Savage Conquest (41 page)

After the meal, Sun Cloud left her to attend a
council meeting. Miranda relaxed on her assigned
pallet to ponder this momentous day which had gone
extremely well. Her drowsy thoughts were of her
eagerness to meet her cousin, Bloody Arrow, and the
legendary Sitting Bull tomorrow. She was disappointed that the intrepid Blazing Star would not
return to camp before her departure. She snuggled
against the fuzzy hide, inhaled deeply, and totally relaxed as a pleasing odor assailed her hazy senses.
She smiled and pressed her face closer to the hide,
inhaling again. Her mind floated toward a warrior
whose face and body she knew, but not his name.
Perhaps she would describe him and seek his identity
after she had been here a few days, she mused
dreamily. Contented and fatigued, she was soon
sleeping peacefully.

When Miranda awoke the next morning, she felt
wonderful. She ate with her grandfather, again
served by the unfriendly girl of about twenty.
Afterward, Sun Cloud guided Miranda around the
camp, introducing her to everyone who caught his
eye or ear. She smiled each time he called her his
granddaughter, Tamaha, which meant "Rising
Moon." When she asked him why he had selected
that name, he said it had been Sitting Bull's
suggestion. When she probed deeper, he told her that
Morning Star was the name for the moon rising
during the day to cast a faint white image upon the
blue sky, just as she had arisen in her mother's image.

She was touched and moved by the significance
behind the lovely Sioux name which sounded like
she was saying, "Ta-my-ya." Sioux was a difficult
and guttural tongue, but her name sounded soft and
flowing like a gentle stream, as warming as the
spring sun. She thanked him.

Later, she met the man who had chosen her Indian
name. Sitting Bull, Tatanka Yotanka, was a medicine man and spiritual leader. She wondered why the
soldiers thought he was a chief. Said to have great mystical powers and immense courage, Sitting Bull
was very perceptive and intuitive, a prophetic man to
rival the Biblical Isaiah. His silvery tongue had
reached the minds and hearts of Indians and whites.
Little did Sitting Bull or Miranda realize that many
of his letters and speeches would become historical
readings, revelations of the dark blot upon humanity
and American history.

Around forty, Sitting Bull was a tall and powerfully built man. His broad shoulders seemed capable
of taking on the burdens of his tribe, or the entire
seven-tribe Sioux Nation. Only the skills and
prowess of Crazy Horse or Blazing Star could rival
those of Sitting Bull. He possessed piercing eyes
which seemed to cut through one's body and view the
very soul. Upon his chest were the marks of courage
and sacrifice, the scars of the Sun Dance. If ever a man
embodied and exemplified stoic greatness, fierce
courage, keen intelligence, and stamina of mind and
body, here was that man-Sitting Bull.

All Indian tribes knew of him and respected him.
His words could be trusted. Sitting Bull, like Crazy
Horse, had no respect and feeling for those who
condemned themselves to reservations. Sitting Bull
called them fools who would enslave their souls for
rotten food and ragged blankets. As long as he had
breath, he determined to remain free on the lands
given to his people by the Great Spirit, Wakantanka.

Miranda was greatly impressed by this unique
man. How she prayed he could keep his people free
and alive. Having seen how they lived off the land in such harmony and tranquility, it pained her to
envision their defeat. She could not imagine these
proud and vital people lazing around a reservation.
The Indians were the epitome of courage and
strength. Why couldn't they be left in peace? Hadn't
the whites taken enough land and lives?

Sun Cloud had told Miranda how the chief's
bonnet had left the bloodline of Gray Eagle. When
Gray Eagle was fifty-five, he was wounded critically.
The chief's bonnet was passed to his son, Night
Stalker, but only for two years until the grim 1854
massacre. With Bloody Arrow only five and Blazing
Star only eight, Sun Cloud resumed the chief's
bonnet until Crazy Horse won it at age twenty-six
after his successful and daring victory over Captain
William Fetterman and his troop. Seventeen at that
time, Bloody Arrow had been too young and rash to
become war chief, too inexperienced, too distracted
by shameful pride, and too hot tempered. Since then,
her grandfather had confided worriedly, Bloody
Arrow had been unable or unwilling to accept his
loss.

Sun Cloud had just been served his evening meal
when Bloody Arrow swept into the teepee like a
conquering hero returning home after a victorious
raid. As was the Indian custom, Miranda had been
waiting for her grandfather to finish eating before
she was served. Bloody Arrow's audacity shone like a
bright beacon on the darkest of stygian nights. At
first glimpse, he seemed intense, moody, and rebellious; such traits were unusual for a warrior. Clearly, here was a force she would have to reckon with before
this day was over. The warrior halted instantly when
his eyes touched the beautiful Indian girl sitting near
his placid grandfather. His gaze took in her features
quickly, then shifted to his grandfather as he decided
he would enjoy this new slave.

Bloody Arrow took a seat near Sun Cloud and was
served by the Crow captive. His gaze was cold and his
demeanor forbidding as he ordered the slave to see to
the freshly slain deer outside. His dark eyes settled on
Miranda as he commanded her to help the other
woman, warning her of punishment if she disobeyed
or made any mistakes.

Startled by his wintry stare and mood, she did not
know how to respond. Was she supposed to help
with chores in the teepee? Could she skin and cure a
lovely deer? She swallowed with difficulty. Was she
subject to her cousin's orders and whims? Wasn't she
a guest?

Sun Cloud suppressed laughter as he revealed her
identity to the astonished warrior. Bloody Arrow's
gaze narrowed and clouded as he gaped at his cousin.
"You are Tamaha, my cousin?" he asked in disbelief.

"Sha," she cheerfully replied yes in Oglala,
although he had spoken in English.

He came to full alert at her use of his language.
"Tell me why you came to the teepee of Sun Cloud
and Bloody Arrow?" he inquired oddly.

Miranda allowed Sun Cloud to relate her story and
his invitation. She noticed the increasing coolness in
the younger warrior as he watched and heard the warmth and pleasure in their grandfather's eyes and
voice. Surely a blind person could detect the jealousy
and bitterness in Bloody Arrow at her arrival and
treatment, Miranda thought to herself.

Bloody Arrow asked question after question until
he felt he knew everything about this girl and her
visit. Miranda sensed there was something peculiar
about his interest; it certainly appeared to be more
than curiosity about a new relative. He seemed
particularly interested in how she had been received
by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. At the end of their
talk, he asked if she had met Blazing Star. Sun Cloud
told him that Blazing Star had not returned from his
scouting mission and probably would not return
before she left. That statement caught his attention,
and he looked pleased to learn she would be leaving
soon.

At bedtime, Bloody Arrow did not attempt to hide
his irritation when he was told to go outside while
she changed for sleep. He was more vexed to discover
he would have to sleep in his breechclout while she
was there. He teased her about not knowing the ways
of their people, telling her if she remained here long
she must cast aside her modesty and accept them.
Miranda could not imagine sleeping nude even with
family!

As she lay on her pallet listening to the heavy
breathing of both men, she comprehended several
dismaying realities. She had recognized the antagonism in her cousin's voice and eyes when three
names had been mentioned: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Blazing Star. Having met two of the three
men, she could not understand this leashed hatred
and envy. Clearly her cousin did not want her
around, and it would be difficult, if not impossible,
to win his friendship and acceptance. She pondered
how much contention or unhappiness he could
bring to her. But she had discovered another fact
which Sun Cloud had not mentioned, a fact which
would force her to end her visit as planned, for she
now knew that she could never take up permanent
residence in this abode. Blazing Star also lived in this
teepee and would be home soon.

Now she understood why there were three prayer
pipes and so many weapons, items she knew females
were forbidden to touch. Certainly she could not live
with three men. And she and Blazing Star were so far
apart on Gray Eagle's ancestral chart that they could
hardly be called relatives. If they had been children,
living together would not have made a difference; but
they were adults.

And there was another factor. Since Bloody
Arrow's return, the atmosphere in the teepee had
changed drastically. It seemed intimidating and
unfriendly now, and that plagued her. Did her
grandfather feel this chilling atmosphere? She
admitted that hearing about Indian life and living it
were vastly dissimilar. Having Indian blood did not
necessarily make her suitable for this existence. No
matter how much she wanted to fit in, she wondered
if she could, or if her cousin would permit it.

Miranda asked herself why her cousin disliked her and why he was anxious for her to leave. He had
seemed delighted by her presence when he thought
her a helpless captive. There were many conflicts and
ill feelings in that skilled warrior. Why could he not
accept his role in life and in this camp and be happy?
He had accused her of being ignorant of Indian ways
and customs, but his attitude and behavior were
wrong for a warrior-despicable! Her first impression had been accurate; he was trouble and anguish
for her. But did it matter when she had only three
days left here? She had fulfilled her dream, but now
she was so confused. Did she belong to this world?
Was she more Indian or white, or neither? She drifted
off to sleep with these poignant questions haunting
her.

When she awoke the morning of the third day,
Sun Cloud was gone; Bloody Arrow was sitting crosslegged on his mat, watching her intently. She rubbed
her eyes and sat up, holding the light blanket before
her. She smiled faintly and told him good morning.
His stare unnerved her, as he no doubt intended.

He suddenly grinned and teased, "Do you enjoy
sleeping on the mat of Blazing Star? Be glad he has
not returned and joined you. His prowess upon the
sleeping mats is known by many females."

Miranda paled then flushed a deep red at his crude
insinuations. "The lust of Blazing Star does not
interest me, dear cousin. Nor does your childish
dislike of my visit," she told him brazenly, hoping
her chilling displeasure and brave words would
prevent more insults.

He scolded her mischievously. "It is not the way of
Indian women to speak so rudely to a great warrior."

She promptly retorted, "Is it the way of a great
warrior to insult his relatives? Is it acceptable for a
warrior to be rude and hateful to the granddaughter
of Sun Cloud?"

"Your wit is keen and your tongue is quick,
Tamaha. But they are scornful. Perhaps it is because
you have more white blood than Oglala," he
mocked.

"Your wit is black and your tongue sharp, Bloody
Arrow. Perhaps you have more hatred and envy in
your body than pride and intelligence."

"You possess great courage or stupidity to speak so
boldly to me. I will think more on you before we talk
again," he declared sullenly, then quickly left.

"And I will think more on you, too, cousin," she
scoffed softly.

Later that morning, Bloody Arrow watched his
cousin as she walked and talked with Crazy Horse,
unaware the chief was probing her about the defenses
at Fort Sully and things she had perhaps overheard
which might inform him of the soldiers' plans. He
observed the easy and genial manner of the envied
war chief, then noticed the sullen way the Cheyenne
wife of Crazy Horse was furtively observing the two.
Bloody Arrow grinned as he envisioned the warring
teepee of their leader if Crazy Horse revealed too
much interest in this beautiful girl.

Bloody Arrow needed time to think and plan,
things he did best while hunting. He called several braves together for a hunt for the widows of slain
warriors or the families of those warriors who were
away from camp. This was a common practice but
not usually suggested by him. He rode out of camp
with rising pleasure at the game he was plotting, a
sport to defeat more than one rival.

Before leaving, Bloody Arrow commanded the
Crow slave to loan Miranda one of her best dresses,
the one she kept folded inside a leather parfleche for
the day of her escape and return home. The girl was
filled with anger and defiance at this cruel order. Her
feelings altered, however, when Bloody Arrow told
her he wanted his cousin looking her best until she
left their camp, and he promised to bring her a
beautiful doeskin for a new dress in return for her
services to Tamaha. The prisoner sensed spite in her
captor, spite toward the chief he had been secretly
watching all morning and spite against the halfwhite girl who now shared his grandfather's affections. She also wanted revenge on the Sioux, and
agreed to do as commanded. Her captor's scheme
would come to light, and she would enjoy his
punishment.

Miranda was surprised and pleased when the
captive offered her a clean buckskin dress and
undergarment to wear. Her astonishment grew when
the girl suggested a bath and hairwashing with her
assistance. The slave smiled shyly, craftily, as she said
it was to please Tamaha's family, to perhaps inspire
her release for kindness. Of a gentle and trusting
nature, Miranda smiled and accepted the captive's devious words. She followed the girl to the stream
where she bathed and scrubbed her hair. Af ter the sun
dried it, the Crow woman brushed and braided it,
then secured Miranda's headband around her forehead. Donning the fringed and beaded dress, Miranda looked exquisite. The girl told her to return to
camp while she washed her dress for tomorrow.