Lakota Dawn (6 page)

He had tried to pass the time reading portions of James Fenimore Cooper’s
The Deerslayer
and the Martins’ family Bible, both of which he had packed in his saddlebag. But he was becoming edgy, frustrated, and vexed by his coerced seclusion.

As Wind Dancer retrieved his bow and quiver from his weapon’s stand, Chumani asked, “What will happen on this sun, my husband?”

Wind Dancer gazed at his beloved Dewdrops, who held their child in her arms. “Only the Great Spirit knows, my wife,” he said. As he tousled the dark hair on his two-year-old son’s head, he disclosed, “I go to carry out Grandfather’s cunning plan to uncover the truth. Before this sun passes, the decision could be made on whether Cloud Chaser lives or dies.”

“This task is hard and painful for you,” she remarked knowingly as she looked into his sad and worried gaze.

“It will be more difficult and tormenting to lose my brother for a second time than it was to do so the first time; for on this sun, it may be a final loss to death and a black mark of shame on my family.”

“Your family should not be held to blame for his deceit and destiny,” Chumani refuted in a gentle tone.

“He is from the bloodline of Ghost Warrior and Redbird, and from the blood and seed of Rising Bear; if he betrays and endangers the Red Shields, we will be responsible and dishonored, for it is his bond to us which lured him here. Do not forget, my beloved wife, a man is his family, and his family is him; all that happens with one member relates to all in his circle.”

“I will pray that only good lives within and comes from him.”

“As will I, Dewdrops. Guard yourself and our son well on this sun.”

As Chase observed his older brother’s approach and studied Wind Dancer’s resolved expression, he asked himself if the waiting was finally over and a decision about his fate had been reached…

As they mounted and left camp, Wind Dancer told Chase he was taking him along while he scouted the nearby grassland area and perhaps hunted a deer or antelope for their evening meal. In reality and at his grandfather’s suggestion, this outing was a ploy to see if his brother attempted to escape, to abduct him for a hostage, or to slay him. He knew that braves, led by War Eagle, were trailing them in secret to recapture or thwart Cloud Chaser if he tried to flee or to harm him. The taste of this trick was bitter in Wind Dancer’s mouth, but he had to obey his shaman and chief, and he had to know the truth for himself. With each step his well-trained and alert animal took, he prayed nothing bad would happen.

As they crossed a flower-scattered meadow and traveled close to a clear and winding stream, Chase said in the Lakota language, “Thank you, my brother, for it is good to be moving about and sitting upon my horse again. He seems well tended but in need of this ride as much as I am. It is strange and tiring to lie around for many days and do nothing.”

Wind Dancer kept his keen gaze aimed ahead. “How do you still know Lakota so well when it has been so long since you spoke or heard it?”

Chase smiled and explained, “During my return home, I
journeyed with fur traders. One knew Lakota well and helped me remember it.”

“Did he ask why you wished to learn our tongue?”

“Yes, and I told him I planned to live and work in this area, so I should know how to speak with the people who dwelled here.”

“Did he not think it strange you knew much of our tongue?”

Chase was glad he had been given an opportunity to refresh himself on the Lakota verbal and sign languages. He understood how interpreters could make translation errors so easily—or intentionally—during parleys, and hoped he didn’t make serious mistakes during his talks with his family. “I told him I had lived here long ago and learned it in the past, but had forgotten many of the words and signs. It does not matter what I told him, for he fell from a mountain and was killed before we reached this area.”

Following a lengthy silence, Chase asked, “Why was I left alone near camp for so many suns and moons? Was I being tested?”

“Is that not what you told us to do?”

Chase nodded. “Did I find victory or defeat?”

“Which do you think you earned?” Wind Dancer asked.

“I deserve victory, my brother. Did I earn it?”

“If you did not, would you be riding with me on this sun?”

Chase laughed and jested, “You answer each question with another question, my brother. I do not remember you doing so when we were boys.” With hopes of reminding Wind Dancer of old times and feelings, he said, “As children, you spoke to me with clear words and a strong spirit. Do you remember when Grandmother gave you and War Eagle the leather ponies? You told me: ‘Do not be sad, my brother, for you can play with mine. Grandmother lacked enough doeskin to make three.’ When Grandfather placed my brothers beside him and my sister upon his legs and told us stories or taught us many things about the Ancient Ones and our customs, you said, ‘Do not be sad, my brother, for you sit before him and can look into his face while he speaks.’ When our cousin threw rocks at me and called me bad names, you tended my injuries and said to tell
no one, for he was jealous of me and I would show great courage and generosity if I held silent. You helped me make my medicine pouch and gave me a feather from the first bird you slayed to go inside it for good luck. You gave me a red stone chipped from the sacred pipe Father was making and said it was a gift from him for my medicine pouch. I walked in your shadow on many suns. Long ago, you taught me many things and protected me from harm; now, you speak and walk in circles I do not understand and I cannot follow your lead.”

Wind Dancer’s heart was touched by those remembrances, for they were special things only his brother could know. But had Cloud Chaser mentioned them only to trick him? “I am a Strong Heart, Shirt-Wearer, and next chief. My greatest duty is to my people. I must say and do what is best for them. Once you have proven yourself to us, I will speak to you of what lives in my heart and mind.”

“That is good, fair, and wise, my brother,”
but you’re being evasive and wary with me. Something’s afoot, because you’re looking and acting odd. I guess I’ll know soon enough what you’re up to today.
As they rode into the edge of the vast Plains, Chase sought to continue their talk. “The Whites know your name and prowess well, as they do our father’s,” he said. “You will be a great and powerful chief when our father walks the Ghost Trail.”

Wind Dancer nodded gratitude as his keen gaze scanned the terrain before them. The landscape was a mixture of rolling hills, near-flat spans, scattered evergreen groves or singular trees and bushes, various grasses, and ample wildflowers. Behind them were the forested foothills and black rock formations of the sprawling Paha Sapa, and War Eagle’s trailing party. Wind Dancer did not head for totally open ground, which would not provide the group places to conceal themselves. He also made sure he did not raise his left arm for any reason, since that would signal his youngest brother to rush to his aid. “In the seasons yet to come, I will seek to make your words true, Cloud Chaser, if I and my people survive the white man’s greed and encroachment.”

“You and they will survive, Wind Dancer, if you do not
break the treaty and you try to live in peace with the soldiers and settlers.”

“The treaty has been broken, Cloud Chaser, but by the Whites, for their leaders have not honored their words to us and others.”

“How do you know that is true, Wind Dancer, if you cannot read the white man’s words upon the treaty papers?”

“I know, for their words at Long Meadows do not match their actions since that sun.”

As they topped a rolling hill, Wind Dancer sighted three Crow braves riding at its base, who halted in a hurry and looked at him warily. Many courses of response flashed across his mind. He knew what he wanted to do: attack and defeat them for their many evil deeds against his and other Lakota bands. That was what he had been taught and trained to do since birth and what he and his beloved wife had done with glorious success three summers past; but things had changed with the treaty’s warning of lethal retaliation by soldiers. He decided, as a high-ranking leader and future chief, he must not spark a war which could flame into a roaring and destructive wildfire and engulf his people.

Wind Dancer scowled in disappointment as he noted his enemies’ despicable sneers. He headed toward them, with Cloud Chaser following to his rear. He reined in and asked in Crow, “Why do you encroach on Lakota land? It is forbidden by the Long Meadows Treaty, which your people signed. Do you seek to call down the Bluecoats on your tribe?”

The leader responded in his foe’s language. “Long before Lakotas came from far beyond the big muddy waters, this was Apsaalooke land and will be Apsaalooke territory again one day. We ride to visit our allies the Pawnee beyond the Platte River. You forget, Wind Dancer of the Red Shields, the treaty says we can ride across and hunt on this land as we have done since before your people were born. It will not help you to make friends with a few white men, for Bluecoats and Whites hate Lakotas more than other Indians and will one day destroy them.”

“I am Oglala by blood,” Cloud Chaser refuted, glaring at the Bird Warrior who had glanced at him during his final words.

The Crow leader eyed him up and down with a visible show of scorn and scoffed, “You are a half-breed, lower than the turtle’s belly and more foul than the scent of the
maka.
You are too low to even look at me.”

Chase did not like being compared to a skunk and ridiculed for his mixed heritage. He realized he needed to get his hands on a copy of that treaty and soon, for its unknown words could cause mistakes and conflicts on his band’s part, and be used by sly enemies to their advantage. As he observed the confrontation, he wished he had his weapons so he would be prepared to come to his brother’s aid if the Crow charged him, as it would be a large coup for the enemy who took the life, scalplock, and possessions of such a great warrior. He was amazed and pleased by his brother’s bravery, but he hoped Wind Dancer would not incite the Crow to attack since the odds were in the opponents’ favor.

“Do we pass on, my longtime foe, or do we fight here? Do you forget the treaty said no Indian Nation gives up a claim to other lands and may ride, hunt, and fish in any territory covered by it?”

“Dee, Apsaalooke.”

As soon as Wind Dancer told them to leave, the Crow leader laughed in amusement at his enemy’s coerced position, kneed his mount’s sides, and galloped away amidst taunting yips.

“I am proud of you, my brother,” Chase said, “for you showed great courage, patience, and wisdom. Did he speak the truth?”

Wind Dancer frowned. “The words he spoke are in the treaty.”

Chase was confused. “Why would the White leaders divide these lands into separate territories and then give any man permission to encroach on others? It is foolish and dangerous to force enemy bands to share areas and order them not to fight when they come into contact with each other.”

“That is only one of the many reasons why we could not
sign. Lakotas cannot dwell in peace in the same territory with the Crow and Pawnee. We cannot allow them to slay all of the game on our hunting grounds while their herds and other animals flourish. For when the season came and ours were gone, they would not allow us to encroach on their hunting grounds; they would break treaty to have us starve and freeze in winter.”

Chase related his idea about obtaining a copy of the treaty to see what it truly said. “Many times there is no Indian word to match a white man’s word, for words come from the lives we lead. I understand the white man’s language and can translate the treaty words to see if they mean what the interpreter told you at Long Meadows.”

“Where would you get such…papers? How?”

“I am sure the signed papers are with the President, the Great White Chief, far away. But matching papers may be kept at Fort Laramie, for its soldiers are responsible for honoring its terms. I can ride there to learn if they exist and who has them. I can sneak into his work tepee at night and take them. I will bring them to you and read them for you.”

“It would not please others for you to leave and.return.”

“It is the only way to get the treaty, Wind Dancer. I must do this task alone, for I can dress, speak, and act as a white man. You must trust me, my brother, for our people’s survival may depend upon its words.”

“I will think on your plan and reveal it to Father, but I feel its risk is great. Come. We ride to camp. If we sight good game, we will halt to hunt it.”

Chase saw the small party of warriors, led by his younger brother, return to camp not long after he and Wind Dancer had. It was obvious they had been trailed and observed. Even if he had not sighted a man or two along the way, he had sensed their presence. He grinned to himself, concluding he had passed another test. But how many more, he mused, must he take and pass? His challenges couldn’t last much longer with departure looming before them in ten days.

* * *

Nearing dusk, Chase walked into the woods to relieve himself, as he had been given permission to tend that necessity in privacy. He finished quickly and started to return to his campsite when he heard sounds. He halted and listened: it was Dawn’s voice, singing softly as if to herself. He could not resist the urge to meet and speak with her.

“Hau, Macha,”
Chase greeted her from behind after making certain no one was nearby. He noted how she whirled in surprise, her dark gaze widened. “You pick flowers late on this sun.” She glanced around furtively before speaking to him; no doubt she had been ordered not to do so.

“Mother has need of
wayuco-onzinzintka,
and they bloom as the sun goes to sleep,” she explained. “I must hurry, for darkness will come to our land soon.”

“You no longer have the little girl’s face I remember,” Chase said, ignoring the hint she could not tarry. “You now have one of a beautiful young woman. It is good to see you again.”

Macha was warmed by both his compliment and his nearness. He was taller and his chest was broader than she had remembered. And his looks were even more appealing. She tried not to stare or to stammer. “Your words are kind. You no longer have the boy’s face of Cloud Chaser; you have changed much during the many seasons you were gone from us. But you have not lost your stalking skills, for I did not hear or see you approach.”

She was so enchanting that Chase had to order himself not to stare at her. Being with her was like having a wonderful dream come true. He felt his heart pounding with elation and excitement. “I did not mean to stalk or frighten you. As I walked nearby, I heard singing in a voice as sweet as the nightbird’s and was compelled to see who made such lovely sounds.” He knew their time was limited, so he decided to ask an important question: “Do you have a mate and children?”

Macha was surprised by that query and wondered why he asked it. “No. Do you have a mate and children far away?”
She almost held her breath as she waited for him to answer, though doing so only took a short time.

“No. Perhaps it will soon be different, for I have reached twenty-two circles of the seasons. How many are behind you?”

“Eighteen. Will you come with us on the buffalo hunt? We leave soon.”

Chase shrugged. “That is for my father to decide, and he has not done so to this sun, but I hope to go. Do others in our band speak against me?”

She lowered her gaze in shame. “That is not for me to say.”

Chase eyed her bowed head and guessed the truth she didn’t want to voice. “That means the answer is yes.”

“Not all speak…” Macha started to explain, but she halted when their gazes met and she read hurt in his. “Do not put meanings to my words which might be wrong,” she urged him.

Chase smiled. “You still possess a good heart and quick mind. I remember when you played with me and sneaked me treats when other children would not. It is good you have not changed in that way.”