“Is many miles from here and cannot hear this man’s words. Do you wish Miss Honor to return from her schooling this summer to find you in the stockade?” he asked reasonably.
Dutch looked at his young brother, marveling that a boy just shy of fifteen years old could be so wise. Vellaneau couldn’t keep quiet, however.
“Oh, that’s right. I did speak a moment ago, of your family. You got one of them mulattos for a sister. Hell, I probably do, too!” he said laughing. “My daddy used to have his fun with those house girls. Course you’d never see me living side by side with one of them like you did in that fancy house on those five hundred square miles everyone talks about,” The lieutenant finished.
Dutch wasn’t the only aggravated one in the entire discourse. Col. Caine was becoming angry with the back and forth, too. His loud groan almost gave everyone a jolt on their feet.
“That’s enough! From both of you, you are officers,” he instructed. “Now … if Bright Feather can interpret, I want to see what this brave is up to,” Col. Caine said, effectively changing the subject back where it should have been.
Dutch bowed his head in respect, remembering why he liked Col. Caine.
CHAPTER 21
* * *
Soon they had adjourned to Col. Caine’s large wooden office, which smelled of ash and cedar. Besides his desk, there was a small table and chair at the end of the office where the colonel attended to various issues, but neither was being used at the moment. The colonel had arranged everyone on the various wooden seats in the office while Stalking Wolf had been made to sit in the center of the ring. Bright Feather began asking the questions the officers wanted asked afterward, sitting opposite of Stalking Wolf. They listened to him answer in his language, and then Bright Feather would translate.
“Listen, pony soldier. Stalking Wolf will tell you why I wear war paint,” Bright Feather said for the brave. “Stalking Wolf, Chiricahua! My tribe come here for big peace powwow. But Coyoteros also come,” she finished, translating his first answer to her question about the war paint on him.
“Along with the other tribes represented at the powwow,” the colonel added, still listening to Bright Feather as she interrogated the Indian.
“Chief of Coyoteros kill Stalking Wolf’s father,” Bright Feather relayed from the brave again. “While him still live, Stalking Wolf not worthy to be called loyal son!”
“All personal feuds end here, Stalking Wolf. This is a neutral place,” Col. Caine answered firmly, knowing fully well that Bright Feather would relay that to the big brave.
“Stalking Wolf not care if you and tribes burn tobacco or not. All Stalking Wolf knows is if he sees Coyoteros chief here, one of us will sing the death song!” She translated his instant response with a sigh.
That could also be the death song for the peace conference, Dutch thought to himself.
Having heard enough, Col. Caine stopped the interrogation and ordered everyone outside into the open square of the fort. The colonel had made his decision quite quickly about the brave.
“All right, if he is not going to be cooperative, I am going to let him go,” he said, summoning a nearby corporal and ordering that his horse be returned. “I don’t want to start a peace conference by arresting any braves. You’re free, but I expect no trouble,” he said, glancing at Bright Feather so she could relay his last sentence to the brave.
Bright Feather advised the Indian exactly as the colonel had said, and the man left on his horse with a grim smile. Bright Feather, however, turned to Col. Caine.
“With all due respect to you, Colonel Caine, I am afraid you will not get what you seek that way,” she said quietly, “Stalking Wolf will only have contempt for you now. It is our belief amongst the tribes that if you do not act forcefully, it is because you are weak,” she said softly.
“It is distressing to hear that, ma’am, but I appreciate your insight. I wish I had someone like you at my disposal, Bright Feather. We had an Indian interpreter up until a few days ago, but he got into a fight with another brave over a woman and got himself killed. It wasn’t like we could call off the peace conference. We were going to make due with Sgt. O’Shea since he speaks a smattering of the languages,” Col. Caine explained.
“It’s a hell of a risk though. If O’Shea bungles something in the translation, he could wreck our position with the tribes. Putting our trust in an Irishman seems like courting trouble,” Lt. Vellaneau said disgustedly.
"To you, it would," Dutch said.
“I can help,” Bright Feather said quietly.
“What did you say, injun?” Vellaneau asked.
“Her name is Bright Feather. Use it!” Dutch told the officer.
“My sister said she can help you.” Blue River informed Vellaneau with a proud grin. Col. Caine’s eyes widened in revelation at the same time, his face beaming with appreciation.
“By thunder! Of course, that would make total sense. It probably goes without saying that you know all the languages involved,” he asked her.
“Absolutely,” Bright Feather agreed.
“This has real possibilities. I should have thought of this myself. If we were to take you on here, you would be under my command in general, but you would answer to your friend, Lieutenant Wilde. Being a civilian you would not be under military rules or discipline. You would be free to come and go except when you are urgently needed for things like this peace conference,” The colonel explained to the young woman.
“Wait, are you offering her a permanent posting at the fort?” Dutch asked in surprise and some joy.
“Damn straight I am, Lieutenant. You are aware the Indian that just got himself killed was only one in a series. We haven’t had any luck keeping them … maybe it’s time we tried a woman and your friend seems ideal,” he answered.
“Sir, isn’t this something that needs to be run up the chain of command?” Lt. Vellaneau asked his superior, not quite pleased.
"Ultimately yes, but for the short term, I have the authority to bring Bright Feather in to help us with the peace conference … if she is interested," he said.
Dutch turned to his love immediately, excitement so replete in his blue eyes.
"Is this something you really want to do? I mean, beyond the peace conference that you've already volunteered for … to stay here at the McCallister full time?" he asked her. Their eyes met in an understanding of what it would mean for them personally.
“I have traveled far and wide for many moons. To stay settled would be a welcome change, and if it meant helping my people and yours, how could I refuse?” she answered.
“Sister, may we speak?” Blue River asked, interrupting the whole sudden excitement. Bright Feather frowned briefly but nodded and they went off together for privacy.
“I know you want to help these pony soldiers and to place yourself nearer …” she heard him whisper with a slight smile.
“Nearer to Dutch than I could ever have dreamed possible,” she replied him.
“I understand, my sister. Chief Thunder Cloud may be our mother’s brother, but he still won’t be pleased by all of this. Then there is your other uncle, the one on your father’s side, Black Hawk. When he learns you have joined with the cavalry, it may even further ignite his hatred for whites,” Blue River pointed out as reasonable as usual.
Bright Feather took his hand, fathoming his concerns. “I understand all of this, young one, but I cannot stand in the way of walking the path of goodness as well as being with the man I love because of what my family might think. You must understand this,” she urged him.
“You know that I do, but Thunder Cloud, I fear he is the one who will not,” he responded.
“I need you to ride right now. I imagine you may wish to return to Cedar Ledge, but first return to our camp as planned. Please tell them I have been delayed. Say none of this to anyone. If they press you about my whereabouts, just tell them I remained at Cedar Ledge to visit with my friend Catalina,” she told him.
“A
s you wish,” Blue River nodded, already preparing himself for a long ride back to camp and then to Cedar Ledge, “but you cannot prevent our uncle from finding out. It is as sure as the sun rising in the eastern skies,” he said.
***
As Blue River concluded his talk with his sister and made to leave the Fort, the officers were having their own little meeting and making decisions about the conference that was imminent.
“Lieutenant Vellaneau, the tribes will be arriving soon. Make final preparations,” Col. Caine said to the two officers.
“Yes, sir!” Vellaneau said while saluting his superior and getting one in return.
“And one more thing, now that Wilde has come back a day early, and bringing his Yavapai friend, I am placing him in overall charge of dealing with the quartet of tribes,” The colonel said.
Vellaneau did not look happy about it. He hadn’t been quite happy for over an hour now, ever since Dutch returned.
“But sir …” he argued.
“Dismissed,” Col. Caine said decisively.
The lieutenant left without extra words, gritting his teeth and glaring at Dutch.
“I will dispatch a rider immediately to the telegraph station in Pixley Junction with my request to General Graham,” Col. Caine said, turning to Dutch.
“Before you do that, there is something you need to know about Bright Feather and her family,” Dutch said.
A slight frown appeared on the colonel’s face, but he listened attentively as Dutch told him about Bright Feather’s family ties. Afterward, they turned their attention back to the conference as they went over everything and double-checked the arrangements. Col. Caine wanted no problems that he could not control during this peace conference. The volatility of the event was high enough as it was. Anything could happen, but having a plan should everything take a turn for the worst wasn’t a bad idea.
The troops had already been prepared before the arrival of Dutch. While Stalking Wolf was interrogated in the colonel’s office, some of the men had cleared the fort for the forthcoming proceeding. The compound was free of any extra activities now except the presence of anxious troops who expected the arrival of the various tribes hoping to parlay for peace. The fort felt ready just in time as a dust cloud approached from the open plain beneath the hills. The ground beneath shook with the thunder of approaching horses too, various men looking forward to the end of the conference already.
Dutch joined Bright Feather and they both mounted upon their horses as the tribes emerged into view. The different tribes rode with space between each other but in tight formations. With their various attires, painting, horse clothing, and formations, it was easy to differentiate one tribe from another. The tribal riders eventually slowed as they got close and came to a halt at a respectful distance from the gates of the fort.
“Coyoteros, Mescaleros, and Jicarillas, on schedule and so will trouble be once the Chiricahua come and spot the Coyoteros,” Dutch whispered under his breath, but loud enough for Bright Feather and Col. Caine to hear him.
“No, I see the Chiricahua are riding up peacefully,” Col. Caine said observed.
“I am not worried about the tribe. Just one brave, but he’s all it will take to turn this peace powwow into a tribal war. It’s time for Bright Feather and I to go and greet them,” Dutch said, and Col. Caine nodded.
Their horses hadn’t taken more than a few steps out of the gate when they all heard a whooping from the surrounding boulders. Dutch watched with a stiffened groan as Stalking Wolf rode alone towards the tribes using war cries to get attention. Bright Feather immediately translated Stalking Wolf’s next words.
“My father’s slayer has dared come to die! He says,” she said.
“Stalking Wolf, right on cue. Come on Bright Feather!” Dutch called to his love, and they rode out quickly, hoping to stop him before he caused any trouble.
“Don’t, Stalking Wolf! Hold your arrows!” Bright Feather shouted to the angry brave, riding fast. Dutch could see the tribes beginning to pull out their bows and could see the danger was becoming greater with every second. Just when he thought things wouldn’t get worse, he saw the Coyoteros Chief take an arrow from Stalking Wolf.
That single shot gave him a sudden idea.
“Bright Feather, we have to fall back to McCallister!” he shouted and they turned their horses and raced back, Bright Feather taking his lead without questions. She continued to translate the words she was hearing the Coyoteros shouting slay the Chiricahua! Our Chief is wounded. The Chiricahua have broken the peace! Strike them down!”
Dutch cursed under his breath, knowing there was no way to reach Stalking Wolf to calm things down. All they had left to try would be to stop the fighting in the short term.
"Colonel Caine, the Chiricahua, and the Coyoteros are about to join in battle. Lieutenant Vellaneau, drop a shell in between them, now!” Dutch shouted.
“With pleasure!” he heard Vellaneau yell back to him. It did not take Vellaneau long and a cannon boomed.
The shell did indeed drop between the two tribes, scattering all the tribes to the winds, away from the booming cannon.
CHAPTER 22
* * *
“The peace conference is over before it got started, Colonel,” Dutch said to his commanding officer, and sadly to the ears of those assembled in the office.
“Sure, looks that way, Yankee, and your fancy squaw here that’s supposed to have all them languages jumbling around inside her head didn’t get to do a damn thing unless you count failing to stop Stalking Wolf from letting his arrow fly,” Vellaneau said sarcastically.
The colonel wasn’t having it. “Stow that Yankee crap, son!” he said, “There are no more Yankees or Rebels. We are all one army again. Now back to the issue at hand, there must be some way to settle this and bring back the tribes,” he said.
Bright Feather was glaring at Vellaneau in annoyance, but also set it aside.
“I can be of help, but to do so I must travel to the Coyoteros camp,” she said, “I will seek a way to sooth and satisfy their chief’s anger in a peaceful way,” she told Col. Caine.
“Not alone you’re not,” Dutch inserted.
“We can’t ask for more of you, Bright Feather. Please do all that you can, but you are riding into a stirred-up hornet’s nest. As for you, Lieutenant, any aggression from a member of the United States Army is off limits. We don’t need this spreading any further than a grudge between two tribes,” he told Dutch.
"Understood, sir," Dutch said, nodding.
Soon, he was off with his love to try and stop a war. Uncertainty ate into their minds but being together through it all made being optimistic quite possible as well.
***
The entire events of the afternoon had happened without anyone noticing that the sun was gradually leaving the sky. As the bright light in the sky dimmed, Dutch and Bright Feather rode fast, keeping in the trees and amongst the boulders that were so prevalent in that part of the desert so as to stay unnoticed. They had been riding for over an hour now, the slowly descending sun being the proof of all the time they had spent on the trail. Normally Dutch loved riding with his lover; just the two of them often galloping through the vastness of Cedar Ledge, but in this case, the danger they were riding towards alleviated some of his usual joy. All he could think of was their safety, and if they really could pull the strings they intended to pull once they got to their destination.
“I won’t deny I wouldn’t mind riding up with a detachment of soldiers, but if we rode up with troopers they would just figure we were trying to force them to return to the council. They would fight it,” he said conversationally to his love.
He noticed her soft sigh first before he heard a whooping and suddenly saw two braves waving their weapons at them and coming closer. They had arrived at the Coyoteros Camp.
“We are here now,” Bright Feather told him as the braves drew nearer, “Remember, Dutch, our first sign of fear will be our last,” she said bravely. In
moments, the two braves were in front of them and blocking their path forward.
“We come from the white father at the Fort. We request a powwow with your chief,” Bright Feather said in their language.
She watched as they debated her request but didn’t interrupt. Soon, both warriors nodded while one of them gestured them forward. The camp wasn’t a large one but it held a fair number of braves and their families. None of the Indians were in their paints now, but they held their weapons close, some of them standing in front of a large animal roasting on a stick.
There were tents everywhere, made from strong vines and thick leather as well as hides. Their horses were guided to ride between a few tents before finally reaching a very large one at the middle of the camp. It was the chief’s tent and it was the most richly decorated. The vines were colored and thicker than the rest. The tent had drawings on it too, of various wild animals, lands, strong men, and weapons.
Dismounting their horses and allowed to move towards the tent, Bright Feather stepped forward slowly with Dutch, both of them tilting their heads downwards as they finally stepped into the big tent. She was surprised that they were allowed in easily, but she was not going to lose the chance it afforded them. They both bowed as they entered the presence of the chief who was sprawled on the floor, with blankets arranged around and under him as his bed.
“Great Chief, we come from the pony soldiers’ lodge. I am Bright Feather of the Yavapai and this is Lieutenant Wilde. We hope that we find your wound is not serious,” Bright Feather said, greeting him in his language.
The chief grunted from his bed and raised himself to a sitting position, showing them his full face which was well lined with age. He had long white hair, too, that had been tied in a braid behind him. Though the rest of his body was covered underneath the blankets, he seemed like a very tall and well-built old man.
“The medicine man says it is not. I will rise for many more moons, as many as it takes to avenge my honor,” he responded, shrugging his shoulders to her question and gritted his teeth.
Sing The Death Song: Dutch Wilde & Bright Feather Western Adventure (Half Breed Haven Book 6) Page 16