****
“Very well then, Small Bear, we must call a Council Meeting,” said old Summer Buck. “You must present your accusations against Chief Running Buck properly. The Council will read the truth in his words and in his eyes.” Summer Buck stood and gestured with his hands as he talked.
Small Bear stayed seated on the floor, in deference to the Tribe Elder. “I take no pleasure in this, Old One. George Running Buck has been a good chief, but perhaps he learned too much of the white man ways while he was in their lands. The Council should take away his position as chief, until this is settled.”
“You know that I opposed opening the Tribe to the ways and language of the outside world, Small Bear, so there are things you say that I agree with. But I will not believe that Running Buck is a traitor, Small Bear, regardless of what you may say as evidence against him, unless I learn it directly from him in the proper way."
"Was the shooting of Two Bears proper, Old One? Those responsible must be discovered and brought to justice, even if the one responsible is Chief Running Buck."
“Enough now. It is not proper that we discuss this so much among ourselves, behind his back. It is bad enough that we talk of Tall Fox and Night Hawk. They have been trouble since they were young, so it is natural that they would be suspected. Now it is true that Chief George is giving them a chance, letting them work for him, much as the Tribe gave you your chance to be sheriff, Small Bear. George closely supervises their work, I understand.”
“That is what I fear. Tall Fox and Night Hawk are not themselves smart enough to lead the Reservation drug dealing while evading my police. I finally have some evidence against them, but still I have been looking for their leader. They have been spending much time with Chief Running Buck. So then, what if the Chief is secretly the leader of the drug ring? Do you not see? Then everything falls into place.”
Agitated, Summer Buck began pacing as he responded, shuffling about on old unsteady legs. “No, if what you say were so, everything would fall out of place. Everything! Besides, I still find it hard to believe that there is a Tribe drug problem at all. We will confront Running Buck on these questions at the Council Meeting. It is the right of any Tribe member to ask such questions of another at a Council Meeting, and to expect only truth. That is our way.”
“But what if he denies guilt but is guilty? What if he can lie so well that the Council doubts his guilt?”
“Difficult, but not impossible. Small Bear, I know that your methods as Police Chief have also been influenced by the white man, but we must also trust in our old ways. We cannot brand a man a Traitor, especially a great man such as Running Buck. He must brand himself when confronted. That is the way it must be done.”
“As you wish, Old One. But my recommendation is that he be at least temporarily suspended as chief until this matter is fully settled. You would not be declaring his guilt, you would be only showing caution. Perhaps you yourself would accept temporary duty as acting Chief?”
The old man closed his eyes for a few moments and sighed before answering. “I gave up being Chief nine years ago, not because Running Buck came back from the white man schools with new ideas that he was spreading through the Tribe, but because I knew that I was becoming too old. I am no younger now. I have hope that Great Two Bears will soon recover and continue to provide the leadership we need. He may also be able to name his assassins.
“In the meantime, Chief George is our leader. He has been a good Chief and a better man. Against all that, your wild accusations are far from enough. Temporary suspension is not an option. He will remain Chief unless the Council becomes sure of his guilt.” Exhausted after his long speech, the old man sat down heavily.
“You are right Elder, of course,” agreed Small Bear, as he rose and moved to the door. “Rest now. I will call for an immediate Council meeting in your name. Why not hold it three hours from now, after you have rested?”
“Yes, thank you, Small Bear. That will be good.”
“Yes, Elder.”
Secrets of Goth Mountain Page 24