Buffalo Soldier
Page 25
So some days freedom feels about as far away as it ever been. Some days I want to hang my head and weep.
But then I look at Jim and I feel the weight of his hand in mine, and I look at Liberty Belle and I see our grandchildren growing up fine and strong and I know that I’m free where it counts: free in my heart, free in my head, free in my soul.
And for the rest of it? Well, me and Jim: we’re warriors, ain’t we?
As long as the grass grows and the waters run, as long as we got breath in our bodies, we’ll keep fighting.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
There are some ideas that take hold of you, some characters that seize you by the throat and don’t let go. Charley O’Hara is one of them.
Some years ago I wrote Apache, a novel set in the American west in the late nineteenth century about a girl warrior determined to avenge her brother’s death.
While I was researching for that book – reading the first person accounts of Native Americans who had lived through truly terrible times – I came across references to what they described as ‘Negro soldiers’ who rode in the ‘Blue Coat’ uniforms of the US army against the Apache nations.
I was intrigued. And I was uneasy.
It was just after the American Civil War and African American slaves had been freed. What were these so-called ‘Negro soldiers’ doing? Why were recently emancipated men fighting to take the freedom away from people who had always had it? What were they thinking? Feeling? How did they come to be in Apache territory?
Further reading led me to the Buffalo Soldiers, and in particular the men of the 9th and 10th United States Cavalry Regiments. Many were former slaves who found that, when liberated, there were few, if any, options open to them. They had nothing, and to survive there was no choice but sign up. When I started to read more about their background and history I was struck by the bitter irony of the situation.
And then I came across the story of Cathy Williams, a freed slave who disguised herself as a man and joined the US army as William Cathay. Her true identity was revealed two years later but I began to think that if she had done that – if she had been desperate enough to take that risk – surely there were other women who had done the same and got away with it? Someone like … well, Charley O’Hara?
Cathy Williams opened the door to a world that I felt compelled to write about. It’s taken a long time to complete this book. I headed up dead ends, blind alleys and took a lot of wrong paths. There were times I put the manuscript aside thinking it would never be finished, but every time I gave up Charley appeared, standing at my elbow and nudging me along until I’d finished writing her story.
I was in my fourteenth summer when the Mexicans rode against us. Twelve moons later, I took my revenge. And though Ussen has drawn visions of a terrible future in my mind, I will not be vanquished. I belong to this land: to the wide sky above my head, to the sweet grass beneath my feet. Here must I die.
But first I will live, and I will fight. For I am a warrior.
I am Apache.
“A magnificent account … a disturbing but exhilarating experience.”
The Independent
“Truly remarkable… Tanya Landman … has created a narrative that both sounds and feels utterly authentic. It’s like Cormac McCarthy for kids – brilliant.”
Venue
“I think this novel is a masterpiece. It stands head and shoulders above most current writing for children, and merits all the prizes for which it may be eligible… It deserves to become a modern children’s classic.”
Books for Keeps
“This challenging novel presents the often tragic story of a remarkable woman – Siki – as she and her tribe struggle for freedom and independence.”
Robert Dunbar, The Irish Times
“The story is absolutely gripping and challenging. I recommend it to any reader aged thirteen or above.”
Sunday Express
“Authentic and vivid portrait of a nineteenth-century Native American girl and her tribe’s struggle for survival.”
Publishing News
“It has a strong and appealing central character, an authentic and extraordinary setting, and a powerful and engaging narrative.”
The School Librarian
In the golden Aztec city of Tenochtotlan, people live in fear of the gods.
A girl born under an ill-fated sky, Itacate is destined to a lifetime of submission and domestic drudgery. But she has a secret passion, one which she can tell no one for fear of death. When she falls in love with a Spanish invader and her secret is endangered, Itacate must fight for her life.
Can she defy the gods and escape her destiny?
TANYA LANDMAN is the author of many books for children and young adults including Apache, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and The Goldsmith’s Daughter. Since 1992, she has been part of Storybox Theatre, working as a writer, administrator and performer – a job which has taken her to festivals all over the world. She lives with her family in Devon.
You can find out more about Tanya and her books by visiting her website at www.tanyalandman.com
Books by the same author
For older readers
Apache
The Goldsmith’s Daughter
For younger readers
Poppy Fields Murder Mysteries series
Sam Swann’s Movie Mysteries: Zombie Dawn!!!
Sam Swann’s Movie Mysteries: Tomb of Doom!!!
Flotsam and Jetsam
Flotsam and Jetsam and the Stormy Surprise
Flotsam and Jetsam and the Grooof
Waking Merlin
Merlin’s Apprentice
The World’s Bellybutton
The Kraken Snores
Mary’s Penny
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All statements, activities, stunts, descriptions, information and material of any other kind contained herein are included for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied on for accuracy or replicated as they may result in injury.
First published in Great Britain 2014 by Walker Books Ltd
87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ
Text © 2014 Tanya Landman
Cover photograph: image of battle © Chuck Pefley / Getty Images, Inc
Image of girl © elkor / Getty Images, Inc
The right of Tanya Landman to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data:
a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-4063-5496-6 (ePub)
www.walker.co.uk