Lakota Surrender (10 page)

Perhaps this was why she was so much in his thoughts. Perhaps when he thought of her he was only trying to understand her spontaneity, her unwillingness to disguise what she felt. She so often did the unexpected.

Tahiska smiled, realizing the futility of his thoughts. How did one make sense of the wind, the rain, all the various moods of Mother Earth? They simply were; one dealt with them.

And so it was with Kristina. Like a sudden cloud burst, he would deal with her.

The fact that she was white, that she came from another culture did not bother him, although he had noted that many white men based their judgments solely on color of skin. He had often wondered about this. Did the white man not know that race meant little? That what was really important came from within, that true worth was measured by one’s regard for others and by one’s unselfish generosity towards others?

Tahiska was no fool. He could see that most whites exercised condescension when dealing with his people. But Kristina did not do this. She was different. Not only fair of face and of figure, she could see beyond such practices, beyond such prejudices. Amongst all men there were good and bad. Race, color of skin meant little. He knew it. Kristina knew it.

Yes, Kristina was truly good medicine.

Filled with the warmth of this realization, Tahiska smiled.

Kristina loved weddings. It wasn’t often that they had an opportunity to witness one since most of the people in this country preferred a simple ceremony. But today was special, and she was involved in the many preparations for the celebration.

She gaily helped out with serving the noon meal, but she glanced often on the fort’s entry. She yearned to see Tahiska. She wanted to include him in the fort’s activities. She didn’t even attempt to stop thinking of him. He was in her thoughts constantly and she found herself watching for him each day. It was funny. He enlivened her whole world. Was it her or was the dew on the grass each morning a little brighter, the sun a little warmer, her friends a little cheerier? Since she had met Tahiska, she found herself smiling more often and humming silly tunes as she performed the drudgery of her daily chores.

Yet, she also worried. Nanny hadn’t been certain that the young Kristina would find happiness among the Indians, only that her destiny belonged there. He was Indian. She was white. She knew of no one who would sanction a relationship between them, and yet she yearned for him in ways she would never mention to anyone. And she took delight in such simple pleasures as a mere glimpse of him.

Kristina glanced up to find a young child staring at her curiously. She smiled, then asked, “I’m sorry. Did you say something to me?”

“Could I have some water, please? Is there a parade or something about to come through the gates?”

“No.” Kristina filled the glass set before her, grinning good-naturedly at the child. “I was only looking for someone.”

The child turned her face to the entry, as well, her chubby hand shielding her eyes. “Look,” she said, her voice low and in a whisper that only Kristina could hear. “Indians.”

Kristina followed the child’s line of vision. Tahiska and his friends stood tall and proud at the fort’s entry. Kristina feasted her eyes upon him, hoping that she would be on the receiving end of his charm today. She could not remember ever being so happy.

“Yes,” Kristina acknowledged to the child and smiled happily. “Indians.”

At first, Kristina had been frightened to come face to face with what she could only call her vision. But now she had become used to it, managing to fit this bit of knowledge into her life as easily as she might a new dress. She could only hope that he somehow returned her feelings. If he did, he was a master of disguising it. She never saw reaction from him when he was about the fort. As a matter of fact, she couldn’t remember that the Indians registered any emotion when at the fort—ever. Perhaps if they were to come more often? He and his friends rarely made visits.

True to his word, while in the fort, Tahiska acknowledged only her translations. Kristina longed to speak to him of many things, yet when the Indians came in to trade, Kristina’s father always attached himself to their party. And Kristina found, to her dissatisfaction, that she was never alone with Tahiska. So all the things she wished to say were left unstated.

She also considered it odd that although he was here to trade, he seldom came in. Since his first visit three weeks ago, his calls upon them numbered less than a handful. This was puzzling to her since she had observed that most Indians, when trading, hung about the fort day after day and only retired at the insistence of their chiefs.

But Tahiska was unlike any of the other Indians she knew. He was wild; he was free; he kept council with himself, and he appeared oddly innocent for so wise a young man. He seemed to shun the ways of the white man and didn’t appear inclined to imitate his white brethren in any way.

Kristina reined in her thoughts. She found it odd that merely looking upon the Indian should throw her into such a state. Scolding herself, she took stock of where she was, and looking around, threw herself into serving the noonday dinner.

He wore the deerskin leggings, moccasins, and breechcloth, as well as a curious article around his neck. Made of bones and porcupine quills and colored white and red and ornamented with leather, it hung down over his chest. It looked to Kristina like a breastplate. Around his arm was a strip of rawhide cured till it was practically white and decorated with beads. In his hair and hanging down his back was the lone eagle feather. He looked magnificent, and to Kristina, who was dishing up dinner smorgasbord style, he provided a welcome distraction.

Julia was standing next to her. She at once marked her friend’s preoccupation. Glancing once at the Indian and then at Kristina, she sighed. “Do you expect me to sanction this flirtation between the two of you?”

“What?”

Julia expelled her breath in a whisper. “I’ll take over here,” she stated. She took possession of Kristina’s serving spoon. “Your pa is nowhere around. I think you could have a few moments alone with your friend. Invite him to eat with us.” Julia untied Kristina’s apron. “You have every right to approach him. The colonel assigned you as his interpreter. Go on. He already knows you’re here. I think that graceful strut you see is for your benefit alone.”

Kristina cast a questioning glance at her friend. “You approve?”

Julia sighed. “No, not really. I can understand your preoccupation, although I have no wish for their company. A safe distance is what I desire.” She helped Kristina off with the apron and watched as her friend folded the article.

Kristina smoothed her hair, then her dress. “Do I look presentable?”

“You look wonderful. But what does it matter? They’re only Indian. Oh, here, take them some food.”

Kristina accepted the tray from Julia. She cast her friend a grateful smile and dashed away.

“Toniktuka hwo?”
Kristina queried as she approached the Indians.

All three extended a greeting to her.

“Tan yan waun, na nis?”
Tahiska responded, then signed, “We are well.” He watched as Kristina drew near, and although he did not smile, admiration gleamed brightly in his glance. His eye had certainly adjusted to her paleness, for he found her beauty growing with each new acquaintance.

She wore a soft yellow dress that caught those same highlights in her hair. And though he did not understand the purpose of her dress, which tore easily, constricted, and did not breathe, he did admit that on her, it was good.

“I’m glad to see you,” she declared in English.

Silence stretched between them. Kristina felt uncomfortable. All three Indians stared at her. No attempt was made to talk or communicate in any way; they simply surveyed her with a steady, unwavering glance. And with the tray of food in her hands, she was unable to convey any of the meaning of her words. “Would you like some food?” She nodded toward the tray.

None of the Indians appeared to understand her.

“Food,” Kristina again inclined her head, but there was no comprehension to be read on the Indians’ faces. With a sigh of exasperation, Kristina forced the food tray toward Tahiska, shoving it at him until he was forced to take it from her.

Dumbfounded, Tahiska looked first to Wahtapah and then to Neeheeowee. Both simply shrugged and appeared as puzzled as he.

With her hands finally freed, Kristina regained her composure.

“We feast today. Two amongst us have been married. I am inviting you to eat with us. This food is for you.”

Now it was Tahiska’s turn to feel ill at ease. With the tray between them, he also could not communicate.

He passed the tray to Wahtapah, who had to be persuaded to take it.

“It is not our custom to feast midday,” Tahiska was able to sign. “But we do not wish to offend you. If this is something you desire, we will join you.”

Kristina smiled and gestured, “We wish it.”

She whirled around, her scan searching for a private place to sit. She observed that none of the three Indians returned her smile. But after their previous visits to the garrison, she should expect this. She had noticed that whenever these Indians were about the fort, they were watchful, on guard, and often moody.

Kristina discovered a spot in the shade of the trading post’s walls, and after pointing it out, she carefully followed the Indians to it. She also let Wahtapah carry the food tray, observing his obvious discomfort at doing what the Indian considered a demeaning task. But he said not a word.

Kristina had chosen this spot well. It was set away from the officers and soldiers and provided her some privacy so that she could speak with the Indians. She had many things she wished to discuss with Tahiska. She was not unaware of the disdainful stares and even a few hateful scowls of several white people. She hoped the Indians did not observe this.

The Indians sat upon the ground, while Kristina was able to perch on a nearby step.

The food was set before them, but not one of them seemed inclined to eat. Kristina gestured toward the food. “Please eat,” she signed. “I have brought this food for you.”

All three Indians exchanged a glance. Finally, Tahiska ate a small portion of the food. Wahtapah and Neeheeowee followed his lead, but they left most of the meat and vegetables untouched, eating only enough to honor her request.

Kristina gazed at them in amazement. Since she had come to the fort, most of the Indians she was acquainted with ate with ferocious appetites, eating almost to the point of gluttony.

Tahiska interrupted her observation.

“We are finished,” he signed. “You may have the rest or it can be shared with another.”

“There is plenty,” she said, scooping her hands upward.

“We are finished! Would you have us eat while others go hungry? In our village we leave most of the food for our women, our children, and our elders.”

“May we join you?”

Startled, Kristina glanced up to see Julia, accompanied by Kenneth Wilson. She wondered if Tahiska would recognize the officer, and she became slightly uncomfortable. But short of being rude, there was little she could do. Besides, this was Julia’s gesture of friendship. No matter what, Julia was stating overtly that she would sanction her friend’s actions.

Kristina grinned warmly at her friend. “Yes, please. Sit with us.”

Kenneth produced a blanket and spread it over the ground. Then, with exaggerated courtesy, he helped Julia to the ground, even to the extent of helping her arrange her skirts. He disappeared, only to return a moment later with three plates of food. One he handed to Julia, another to Kristina, and he kept the third plate for himself.

As they began to eat, Kristina beheld the Indians’ stunned silence. Though not a single emotion showed on their faces, Kristina could perceive their surprise. Culture clash, she thought. She had learned much about the Indian from Many Moons and she knew that Indian men never ate with women. Such would be considered degrading.

To their credit, though, the Indians said nothing, signed nothing. The atmosphere grew tense. Even Kenneth was aware of it, and he eyed the Indians with disgust.

“Tell the savages to look away.”

“What?” Both Kristina and Julia gaped at the man.

“I can’t eat with them looking at me like hungry dogs. Drunken savages. Tell them either to look away or go away.”

“Kenneth!” Julia slapped his knee.

Kristina’s chin shot up. “They’re not savages. I have never seen them drink, and they’re not dogs. They are here as guests, and if you persist in this sort of conversation, I’ll have to ask
you
to go away.”

Kenneth shot Kristina a glare and Tahiska jumped to his feet, his hand on his sheathed knife. He didn’t know what was said, but he knew an insult when it was directed at him. The soldier obviously didn’t like Indians, but Tahiska would allow no one, absolutely no one, to look at Kristina in such a manner.

Kenneth stared at the Indian with a mixture of contempt and fear. Slowly the soldier stood. He waved a hand at the Indian as if to say, “sorry,” then slowly returned to his seat.

Julia ground her elbow into Kenneth’s side, and frowning, whispered at him to keep his tongue. Kenneth merely shrugged and continued his meal.