As they left on their journey, Spring Flower and Lightning Bolt seemed more like a young couple setting off on a honeymoon than that of elderly parents going off to visit their daughter’s family and some friends. The villagers, getting into the romantic mood they exuded, sent them off as if they were. The route they had chosen to take was selected with an eye to making it as enjoyable as possible. Thus, after leaving Bear River, they followed the coastline along the Basin of High Tides until coming to the Sipekne’katik River, where they visited with friends for a Sunrise. They then travelled upriver until coming to Sipekne’katik Lake.
After spending an enjoyable Sunrise at a favourite spot on the shore, they leisurely travelled down Rocky Lake River to Mi’kmaq and Banook Lakes and the Big Pond. They went up the sea coast to the mouth of the Richibuctou River in Kespek, where Big Beaver’s village was located. It was a long but extremely pleasant journey for all. They were given a lively welcome by the citizens of Big Beaver’s village. To make sure they would be at ease while visiting, they were shown to a comfortable wigwam erected especially for them. That evening, Snow Flake told her parents about her life since they had last seen her, and they did the same.
Big Beaver and Lightning Bolt, as Lightning Bolt had envisioned, spent many happy evenings sitting around warm campfires swapping tales of travels and adventures. During one particularly enjoyable session, Big Beaver told a story about a time when he and his cousin had taken on the elements while they were out on the Bay. “When I was a boy of fourteen Summers, some of our relatives from Siknikt came to visit. They had with them among their children a son named Lazy Bear, who was the same age as me. We got on very well because we had a lot in common, especially an insatiable need to eat lots of good food and explore new territory.
“Now, my son, if my old memory serves me correctly I think the Sunrise the incident happened was the second one after they had settled in with the family for their visit. It began after we ate an enormous breakfast. Wanting to demonstrate to all that I was a good host I invited my cousin on a canoe trip to a small island out on the bay. As the water was calm, and it was a beautiful bright sunny warm Summer morning, I decided, because it was much easier to handle, that we would take a small river canoe instead of a large ocean one.
“Without bothering to tell anyone our plans, we set out with much enthusiasm on our excursion. I knew we were breaking one of our sacred rules of conduct, because a child leaving the mainland without telling an adult in the village where he or she was going was strictly forbidden. It occurred to me that we were going to be in a lot of trouble if we were found out. But, being very confident of returning without anyone knowing, and without incident, I didn’t worry.
“After a routine trip across the Bay, we landed on the island shortly after the sun had climbed about halfway to its zenith. As the sun moved across the sky we had a very interesting and pleasant time exploring coves, swimming and fishing. Lazy Bear was an excellent companion to while away a nice Summer Sunrise with, or for that matter, any Sunrise. He thoroughly enjoyed life, clowning and joking around. I still remember so clearly, even after the passage of so many Summers, many of his pet sayings. For instance, at the ripe old age of fourteen Winters, one of his favourites was, ‘When I was a decent young man in my moccasins.’ He also had a wealth of funny stories he could tell with a lot of expertise.
“Now comes the point where things started to get interesting. Returning to our starting point, around mid-afternoon, we decided to head back to the mainland to get home in lots of time for the evening meal, and, very importantly, to not get caught. But it was food that was the main concern as our bellies were already rumbling.” He paused to laugh and said, “It seems when you’re a young boy eating tops the list of all the things of importance. In Lazy Bear’s case, it was so far ahead of anything else, it was out of sight.
“Shortly after we left the island my cousin pointed out, in the direction in which we were heading, some very black and threatening looking clouds appearing on the horizon. As they appeared to be at least a lifetime of canoe lengths away, they didn’t give me any concern. I calculated we would be safely back on the mainland for a long time before any effect from them was felt.
“This calculation was so far off the mark it wasn’t even in the same country. Suddenly, you could see that storm bearing down on us with the speed of a bolt of lightning. I will never forget the icy terror I felt as I watched it coming lickety-split across the water towards us. I tell you, my son, I don’t recall anything in my eighty-three Summers moving as fast as that storm did.
“When it hit us, it hit with such force that everything was instantly changed. One moment, relative calm, the next, a raging nightmare. In a blink of an eye we were among mountainous waves and soaked to the skin by a deluge of rain and spray from white-capped waves. Lightning was streaking the sky and the thunder claps were deafening. The wind seemed strong enough to blow us off the face of Mother Earth.
“Wallowing in the tumultuous sea our river canoe was taking on water as if it had a thousand leaks. As I tried to keep our canoe facing into the wind I kept yelling to my cousin, ‘bail my brother, bail for your life!’ Strangely enough, after the first shock was over, our humour returned. Lazy Bear yelled back to me, ‘Not to worry, my cousin! With the appetite I have the Great Spirit will find a way to protect His food supply from my ravenous appetite and let us live!’
“By this time we were only about four-thousand paces off the shore of our village. Miraculously, someone on shore had spotted us in trouble out on the bay and spread the word. Thus, when we crested a huge wave we could see a large crowd gathered in the wind and rain, standing by the beach waving their arms frantically. They were probably shouting encouragements, though we could not hear them with the raging storm. The deafening sounds made by the elements nearly chilled us to the heart. We were profoundly humbled. We had to fight for our lives.
“With determination born of desperation, we managed to keep crawling ahead until finally we were almost within reach of safety, about seventy-five paces offshore. I lifted my head, which was not an easy thing to do when completely focused on keeping the craft steady and firmly set on course. I quickly glanced behind us, my gaze set out to sea. It was in that moment I commended my soul to the Great Spirit. Heading towards us with a mighty force was the biggest wave I have ever seen. A split-second later it hit our canoe like a gigantic war club.
“The next seconds determined our fate. Our faithful canoe was not as lucky as we. Our tiny craft, which had performed far beyond its capacity by bringing us so close to safety, was quickly swept under the waves; it was like a mountain had descended upon us. We were tossed into the sea like specks of dust flung around in a windstorm. The last thing I remember was swallowing large mouthfuls of seawater. Then, mercifully, everything went black.”
With the dignity of his many seasons, Big Beaver paused and looked over to the pipe set respectfully in its place. He rose and collected the pipe and tobacco. Nothing was said, as he sat and recollected his memories. He slowly filled the pipe and picked a slender stick next to the fire. He lit the stick by placing its end close to the burning embers and lit the pipe, taking the sacred smoke into his mouth. He let the smoke go to the four directions and passed the pipe to his companion. When the pipe was finished, Big Beaver continued his story.
“The next moment will live forever in my memory. When I opened my eyes again, I thought ‘The Land of Souls isn’t much different from Mother Earth, everything looks the same.’ Then I heard my cousin, who had regained his wits before me, mutter in muffled words that I barely understood, ‘See, my dear cousin, I told you that the Great Spirit would help us to safety in order to keep us from the spirit world and protect His food supply from me.’
“Our parents told us afterwards that the big wave had thrown us almost on shore. Then before the sea could claim us for its own, with the receding wave that immediately followed, two young warr
iors with precise timing had dashed into the water and pulled us to safety. We had one piece of good fortune that Sunrise. In all the excitement of pounding the water out of us and bringing us back to life, the Elders and our parents completely forgot to be mad at us for scaring the life out of them with our reckless behaviour.”
When enjoying oneself, time goes by as if propelled by magic. This is how Lightning Bolt and Spring Flower felt about how fast their vacation melted away. They, with the sadness of leaving the company of loved ones in their hearts, began to prepare and pack their belongings for their return trip to Kespukwitk. Shortly after the last Moon of Summer, amid much embracing and tears, they and their warrior escort set off for home.
On their return trip they followed the coast from Kespek to where the Muddy River flows into the Sea in Siknikt, and they took the river route across Siknikt into the headwaters of the Basin of High Tides. After completing the first leg to the headwaters, because of the special memories it held for them, they travelled along the Basin’s coast and enjoyed its spectacular scenery. It added tremendously to the enjoyment of their travels.
The memories they collected during this happy and carefree interlude would be recalled with pleasure and relived with the same kind of joy that only two lovers could find while entwined in each other’s arms. In fact the young warriors who travelled with them to keep them safe teasingly told them for many Moons afterwards that it was the most pleasant honeymoon they would ever have.
Back home, and safely resettled in their wigwam, Lightning Bolt’s work routine quickly returned to normal. However, without fail, each Summer thereafter he and Spring Flower would pack their things and set off under the watchful eye of a large group of protective warriors for their time alone. Reflective of the love and esteem they were held in by the People, a pact was made among them that they would never disturb them during their vacations for anything other than a national emergency.
Lightning Bolt, during the passage of his Springs, without aspiring to the position of being a mediator, had often found himself mediating disputes among neighbouring countries. Shortly before his seventy-fifth Spring he became involved in a memorable one that would change forever the relationships between the Nations of the eastern coast. His involvement started during separate Winter visits to his wigwam by the leaders of the Penikt and Atikitkas Nations, Chiefs Lone Wolf and Sleeping Bear. They asked him, with good will in their hearts, if he would kindly consider mediating the dispute that had seen their Nations involved in a war for uncountable Moons. The prospect of helping these well-respected personal friends end their war was a challenge he couldn’t resist. He accepted it with enthusiasm and informed both leaders he would arrange a suitable time and place for negotiations to commence.
After pondering it for a few Sunrises, he settled upon the first Sunrise of Summer for a date and tentatively selected Reversing Falls on the River Goes Backwards, a site in Maliseet territory where the river drains into the Basin of High Tides, as the place to hold it. His preference for the site was that it was easily accessible for all parties concerned and was on neutral Maliseet territory, a Mi’kmaq ally of long duration. With the site settled in his mind he contacted Big Mountain, senior Chief of the Maliseet, and asked for permission to hold it there.
Not surprisingly, with Lightning Bolt’s still humble view of himself, he waited with more than a bit of apprehension for a response from Big Mountain. He was the only individual doing so. All others knew with certainty that any reasonable request made by the Grand Chief would without question receive a positive response from the Maliseet Chief. Their certainty was based on the fact that the Grand Chief was viewed as a beloved father figure by the citizens and leaders of the Nation. Whenever they needed his help or advice, he never hesitated to respond to their needs. And very often, over the passing Seasons, he had visited with them just for the sake of enjoying their company. In due time, he was given an open invitation to sit in on their councils. From these encounters had grown in the hearts of the Maliseet a love and respect for the man who knew no equal. Therefore, to give any request of his anything but a positive answer would have been unthinkable.
Ten Sunrises later, a message arrived back from Big Mountain extending a welcome. Lightning Bolt sent word by runner to the Atikitkas and Penikt Chiefs that he had arranged a peace meeting between them for the first Sunrise of Summer at the estuary of the River Goes Backwards. He asked if the time and place was acceptable. They sent word back that they looked forward to the event with enthusiasm.
On the appointed Sunrise, the participants and their hosts assembled, arrayed in their finest and most colourful clothing and ceremonial symbols of office. The meeting-place overlooked the magnificent Reversing Falls, where the waters of the bay and the river collided. With greetings exchanged, the historic event got under way. It was almost unbelievable to many to see Penikt Chief Lone Wolf and Atikitkas Chief Sleeping Bear, with their respective delegations, sit down together to talk for the first time in their lives.
Lightning Bolt, opening the historic event, intoned, “Welcome, my Atikitkas and Penikt sons, to a circle of peace! My sons, over the next several Sunrises of negotiations, with the help of the Creator and good will, I pray that you will find the wisdom to heal your differences and find brotherhood and love for each other. But, before negotiations begin, I want to ask Maliseet senior Elder Little Stone to kindly lead us in praise of the generous and good works of the Great Spirit.” When Little Stone finished, the Elders performed a Sweet-grass Ceremony and a peace pipe was passed around the circle. Then Lightning Bolt resumed, addressing the combatants and their Maliseet hosts.
“My sons, first, I want to express our thanks to our hosts, and point out how very fortunate we are to have the privilege of enjoying the benefit of their excellent food and very comfortable lodgings. In addition, Big Mountain and his advisors have kindly agreed to sit in on our councils and give us the benefit of their wisdom. Big Mountain, my son, on behalf of all the participants gathered here this Sunrise, I thank you and your People for their generosity from the bottom of my heart. For being so kind I pray that the Great Spirit will continue to shine his love and benevolence down upon your Nation for all time. Please honour us, my friend, by saying a few words and leading us in prayer.”
“Thank you, my father, and welcome home. To you my brothers, Chiefs Lone Wolf and Sleeping Bear, I also extend, on behalf of the Maliseet Nation, a heartfelt welcome. We hope, because we view you as visiting brothers, that during your stay with us that you feel at home. If at any time anything is needed to help make anyone’s stay more comfortable don’t hesitate to ask. If available, it will be forthcoming. My friends, before I ask the Great Spirit to assist us in making this peace circle a success, I want to say a heartfelt thanks to our father, Grand Chief Lightning Bolt, who has, by holding this historic conference on our land, shown a great deal of confidence in us. On behalf of my People, my dear esteemed father, please accept our thanks for giving our Nation the honour and privilege of hosting these peace talks. The confidence, faith and trust you’ve shown in us swells our hearts with great pleasure.
“When I mention this, my father, it occurred to me that the faith and trust we have between our Peoples and leaders, which has so closely bonded our Nations together in an alliance that goes so far back in time that no on knows when it started, is a model that our Atikitkas and Penikt brothers could consider using in their deliberations. If they do, and are successful, they can form a relationship between them that has built into it the same trust and faith in each other that ours has.
“That such a relationship is invaluable is proven by this: not once since our alliance was formed, either in peace or wartime, has either side failed to respond to a request for help from the other. This is a wonderful record and accomplishment. The Great Spirit, my father, has truly blessed our Peoples. For such kindness we owe Him our most humble thanks.
“Come, my friends, stand and rai
se your hands with me to the sky and pray that the Great Spirit will help our brothers, the Atikitkas and Penikt, find the way to peace during their historic meeting, and afterwards enjoy the love and respect that spills from it. Oh Great Spirit, we your humble and obedient children ask that You fill us with the wisdom we need to find a solution that will end the dispute that has caused our brothers to spill the blood of their loved ones for so long. I know in my heart great Father, that these Nations have wearied of war and wish to turn their energies instead to peace. With Your help great Provider they will find their way. Thanks, Father of us all, for Your indulgences.”
In an attempt to prepare the ground for what he thought would be hard negotiations, Lightning Bolt resumed speaking, directing his comments mainly to the combatants, beseeching them to have open minds during the process. “My sons, after the heat of the moment has been cooled by the passage of many Moons, if we look for them with open minds, we can find solutions for what seem to be insurmountable disputes between brothers. And, despite how impossible it may appear at first, we can find enough common ground during our search for solutions to help begin the process of healing the wounds that are left by such disputes. Thus, I feel confident in this case, that enough common ground can be found between your Nations during our negotiations to help us find a just solution for your dispute, and heal the wounds.
“And, my sons, I want to emphasize that in good moral conscience we must find a just solution for your dispute quickly. The carnage and destruction caused by it has been a heavy burden for your Peoples to carry for much too long. Because of this, it’s immoral to permit it to continue, and an affront to the Great Spirit. Oh, my sons, it grieves me so much to say this, but ever since I was old enough to remember, I’ve heard an uncountable number of stories about the terrible bloody vengeance your Nations have exacted upon each other. To contemplate that this pursuit of vengeance will continue indefinitely is very sad for me because I’ve come to know and love, through our enjoyable visits together over the Moons, the Peoples of both your Nations as brothers and sisters, and it breaks my heart to think that many of them will die in war. Especially so, when I know they are kind, loving and generous people who have always treated me and my countrymen with brotherly hospitality when we visit.
Chief Lightning Bolt Page 23