Sagebrush

by William Wayne Dicksion

  He watched the flashes of lightning and waited to hear the rumble of the thunder. The time between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder told him that the clouds were a long way off. The sky to the west was blue; the setting sun painted the sky with brilliant colors. He sat alone. The land was like a giant animal settling down to sleep. A feeling of peace settled over him as he listened to the sounds of day become muted, while the sounds of night became dominant. He heard buffalo grunting and bellowing in the distance. Coyotes were yelping and howling as they called to one another—he wondered what they were saying. A whippoorwill called from down by the creek. Once again, he was in communication with, and a part of, the greater scheme of all there was in the universe.

  I’m just a part of something much, much bigger than any single part of the whole. This is something lost to the people who live in cities. They get so busy dealing with their personal problems that the Creator’s universe is lost to them.

  He saw two riders approaching in the twilight. They were following the tracks of his animals. He waited silently and watched. When they came over the rise, they saw his horses. They dismounted and began creeping upon, what they believed, would be a camp of the man or men riding the animals. They were confused by what they saw. There was no campfire, no men sitting around, and no bedrolls. All they saw were the animals. This was different from anything they had ever experienced in the past and thought that they might have walked into a trap set for them. Hoping they had not been seen, they hurried to their horses, mounted, and quickly rode away.

  Sage was pleased. A confrontation had been avoided. If the Indians had tried to steal his animals, he would have had to kill them. The Indians would talk of this strange event as they sat around their campfires. Each would tell the other what he would have done. The men who rode away had made the right decision. The price for making the wrong decision could sometimes be your life when you’re dealing with things where the only rule is the survival of the fittest.

  Sage watched the stars move slowly across the sky, pondering many conflicting thoughts. He tumbled the thoughts around until his mind cleared and then fell asleep. When dawn came, he continued southbound across the undulating prairie. He crossed small creeks and ravines until, in the distance, he saw the Cimarron River. He recognized the terrain as being the same as that which his family and the other two wagons had crossed. The erosion of time had erased all traces of the wagons having passed this way.

  He then followed the south side of the Cimarron, looking for the spot where their wagon train had turned south. He found it just as it was getting dark. Again, he tethered the animals and ate cold meat. He gathered wild fruit to supplement his diet and then spent the night on a knoll overlooking the river where he could keep an eye on his animals and not be seen.

  Before sunrise, he moved on. A great sadness rose as he remembered waking up to the sounds of horses running and seeing his father take an arrow through his chest and the two Comanche warriors fighting with his mother.

  At midmorning, he came to the place where the wagon had overturned and pinned him under it. He found his father’s grave. It was good that he had marked it with stones placed in the shape of a cross. Without the stones, he would never have been able to find it. Nature has a way of erasing all past deeds.

  Sage sat down beside his father’s grave and told him all that had happened. He told him that his promise to Don Diego had been kept. He sat remembering what a fine and honorable man his father was. He then rode to his mother’s grave. The flowers were still growing from the seeds they produce each year. The color reminded him of his mother’s hair. He told his mother about Juanita and wished that she could meet her. He thanked her for loving and caring for him. He remembered her sweet smile and gentle ways. He watched a pair of birds flying to their nest. He felt connected to the memory of the past and was beginning to understand how the past and the future fit together.

  When he got to his cave, he put his animals in the blind canyon. The log that he had used to block the mouth had rotted, so he got another log. He then walked to the opening of his cave, being careful not to leave a trace of his passing.

  He carried a piece of salt pork for cooking oil. He would have fresh meat tonight. He sat beside his cave and watched the animals playing in the meadow. The memory of the lonely days and nights he spent here brought tears to his eyes.

  His cave was unchanged. His things were still there. The only difference was some drawings on the wall showing a man with long hair and beard fighting a pack of wolves attacking two women. Beside it was a drawing of a young woman holding a baby up for the man to see. Evening Star had been in the cave, and she had had a baby!

  Sage had brought a bag of coins back with him. He lit one of the pine torches, placed the bag in a spot he remembered, and covered it with stones, completely hiding it. No one would ever find the bag unless they knew where to look. He remembered the coins his father had left for him and the difference it had made in his life. He wanted to leave the same for his child should he or she ever need money. Then he left a knife, an ax, and the spear, in the main room of the cave. These would be the weapons for his child, the same weapons he had, that helped him. Other than the spear, he had made before he left the cave, these weapons were things Sage had brought from St. Louis.

  After eating a meal of fried rabbit and taking a bath in the waterfall, he sat on the limestone ledge listening to the night and watching the stars. The six years he had spent here had been terrible lonely years. However, as he sat thinking about his life during that time, he realized he had many fond memories. His time in that cave taught him that in life there are predators and prey, and men are not really all that different from animals.

  There is no way to judge the right or wrong of it, because there is no right or wrong. That is just the way the universe works. Is it wrong for an eagle to kill a rabbit to feed its young? For one to live, the other must die. Is it better to be a hawk than a dove? Even a dove, which is one of the creator’s most gentle things, must consume life if it is to live.

  The Indians had a saying—only the rocks live forever. But the Indians were wrong; in time, even the rocks crumble to dust and return to the elements from which they came. Then the elements will, in time, return to the source. They are just energy, and it is the same energy that the entire universe is made of. Any man who can sit completely alone for long periods of time under the dome of heaven and not contemplate the meaning of life isn’t really alive.

  Sage was faced with one of the most important decisions he would ever be called upon to make. He needed this time alone before he went to see Evening Star. He hoped she had found happiness. The only way he could know was to talk to her. When his mind was at ease, he went inside the cave and fell asleep.

  The next morning, when darkness was yielding to light, he set out for the Arapaho village. He carried some of the candy that he had bought in St. Louis. Candy would be a treat for Evening Star. She had never tasted candy and didn’t even know such a thing existed. He spent the night hidden among the trees just outside the Arapaho village looking for Evening Star, but he didn’t see her. He knew she would be going to the river to bathe, so he waited. As expected, she came early, and he could see she was with child. She was no longer a girl but a woman now. He called to her from the cover of vegetation. She recognized his call and looked in his direction. He beckoned for her. Knowing they would be concealed, she ran to him and threw herself into his arms. She was so excited to see him that it was difficult to control her emotions. She asked him to wait near a bend in the stream that they both knew. She said she would return as soon as she had attended the needs of their baby and fed her husband. Black Crow would be angry if she were late coming back from her bath because he would be waiting for his morning meal. Evening Star looked well fed and well cared for. Sage told her he would wait until she came.

  Two hours passed; then he saw her coming. She was with the girl called Little Calf, and Evening Star was carrying a baby
. Little Calf was pregnant, also.

  Evening Star handed the baby to Sage and said with great pride, “This is your son.”

  He was a handsome boy, big and strong. His eyes were dark, but his hair and skin were a little too light for an Indian. He had strong features, and his eyes searched everywhere, and he was interested in everything. He didn’t cry when Sage took him in his arms.

  Sage had mixed feelings, knowing he was holding his son. He wanted to take Evening Star and the baby with him, leave the village, and make a life together. They could go to his cave and then figure out what they should do next. He still had a shipbuilding business in Virginia—he could take them there.

  But how can I take her away? Her life is here.

  “I cannot go,” Evening Star said. “My husband is Black Crow. Little Calf will take care of the baby so we can talk.”

  Little Calf took the baby and withdrew to pick berries. That is what they had told the people they would be doing.

  Sage asked, “Evening Star, what name did you give the baby?”

  She said, “The village named the baby Puma Son of Mountain Lion.”

  “That’s a lotta name for a baby.”

  “Yes, it is, but it’s a good name for an Indian boy. Someday he’ll be a great chief.”

  They sat, each looking very carefully at the other. It had been a long time, and they both had changed. Evening Star had never seen Sage without his long hair and flowing beard. She was pleased with how handsome he looked without the hair. Indian men had very little facial hair, and Michael looked better without his.

  Evening Star had lost that little-girl look and was now she was a woman. She was still pretty, and she had not lost her gentleness. She reminded Sage of a little bird about to take flight. She looked searchingly into his eyes when she told him that she was with child again, this time with the child of Black Crow. She didn’t love Black Crow the way she loved Sage, but he was a good husband. He took care of her and her mother. They had food in their lodge now and, as the wife of a sub-chief, she had a strong standing in the tribe. Other women looked to her for guidance.

  Sage had mixed feelings. He was happy that she was well, and that she was being taken care of, but what about their son? The baby was too young to be taken from his mother.

  “How will Puma ever know of his father?” Sage asked. “Who will raise him? Who will teach him the things he will need to know, to grow up to be a good man?”

  “The whole village loves this baby,” Evening Star said. “They’ll teach him, and I’ll tell him about his father. They are grateful to you for killing the four warriors who had killed so many of our people. The Arapaho are still at war with the Comanche, but they no longer fear them. The Comanche tell stories of the great half-man-half-mountain lion who came into their village in the night and killed four of their greatest warriors all by himself. They say he was so great a warrior that no man could stand against him. Yes, your son will hear plenty of stories about his father.”

  Sage then told her that he had left presents in his cave for their son. He told her what the gifts were, and why he had left them. He then told her about the gold coins, and where they were hidden. He asked her not to give the gifts to Puma until he had become a man. She must never reveal the secret of the cave to anyone other than their son, and not even to him until he had became a man. She promised to keep his secret, and thanked him for returning so she could show him their son.

  “If you, or the baby, ever need my help, leave a message at Bent’s Fort, and I’ll come right away.”

  Evening Star held him close, told him goodbye, and then walked back to her life in the village. He watched her walk away and said goodbye to a chapter in his life, and at that moment, he knew his life and his love were waiting for him back in Santa Fe.

  He was wondering if he would ever see Evening Star or his son again. Perhaps someday, when Puma Son of Mountain Lion, became a man, they would meet again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Back to Santa Fe and Juanita

  When Evening Star returned to Black Crow, Sage returned to his cave, gathered his mother and father’s things, and prepared to load them onto the pack mule so that he would be ready to leave in the morning. He had kept his promise. He had done all he could do for his son and Evening Star.

  Now he would return to Santa Fe and Juanita. He wanted to be back earlier than planned. He would like to get there before the wagons containing the gifts and gold coins arrived, so he could give the presents he had bought in St. Louis to the people. Sage cleaned his cave, one last time, and replaced the now decayed sagebrush at the top of his cave with a large jagged stone that would conceal the opening without blocking the ventilation. He took one last look, made sure everything was as it should be, and then departed. He had a sense of urgency about getting back to Santa Fe. He didn’t know why, but he had a feeling he was needed at the ranch.

  He traveled steadily following the route he and his friends had taken. He knew the way and knew what to expect. He wanted to get to his destination as quickly as possible without overstressing his animals. He rode from before sunrise until after sunset. He gathered food along the way and then ate it when he stopped for the night. He always slept away from his animals.

  He saw a few Indians, but by taking great care, they didn’t see him. When he arrived in Santa Fe, the wagons had arrived just before him, and the drivers were at Maggie’s getting something to eat. Sage went directly to Maggie’s. Someone told her they had seen him ride in, so she had food ready. He sat at the table with his drivers and ate. He told them he was going to the hotel to get cleaned up, get a haircut and shave. He suggested they do the same and meet him at the stable in two hours for the final trip home.

  It was a beautiful summer morning. The journey had been successful. He had purchased all the supplies on the list, and he had special presents for Juanita and Bonnie. Sage’s spirits were high, and he was looking forward to seeing Juanita.

  * * *

  Sage was surprised as the hacienda came into view. He couldn’t see anyone, not even children playing in the courtyard. He signaled for the wagons to stop. Something was wrong! They watched for a while. The hacienda was too quiet.

  “Men,” Sage said to the drivers, “when we get to the ranch, pull the wagons into the barn, unhook the mules, and turn them loose in the pasture. Keep your horses saddled and ready, then wait with the wagons, and stay ready with your guns. If I don’t come back right away, go to my ranch and have Joe bring his vaqueros. Don’t allow yourselves to be taken.”

  Sage knew he was walking into a trap, but he was concerned about Juanita. There was only one possibility. Jose Alvarez had returned and he was desperate, which meant he would be dangerous. He wouldn’t hesitate in killing Juanita to get what he wanted. Sage had to go to her at all costs.

  As he entered the courtyard, two men stepped from behind the gate with guns pointing at him. He allowed himself to be disarmed. When his captors pushed him into the main room, he saw Jose. Juanita was nowhere to be seen. They kept his guns and placed his knife and ax on the table out of his reach. They didn’t know of his skill with that knife or they wouldn’t have left it where he could get his hands on it. He might have a chance after all.

  “Where is Juanita?” Sage asked.

  Jose said in a loud and demanding voice, “I’ll ask the questions. Where’s the money you got for the gold and silver?”

  This question told Sage that Juanita had told her uncle that he had taken all the bullion to St. Louis to sell. That meant that they were holding Juanita until they found out what happened to the gold. Sage heaved a sigh of relief.

  “I’ll tell you nothing until I see Juanita,” Sage replied.

  Jose said to one of his men, “Okay, bring her in.”

  Two men dragged Juanita into the room. One look and Sage knew she was under a lot of stress, but she was unhurt. Her eyes told him that she was relieved to see him.

  Sage gave Juanita one quick reassuring look
, and then looked back at Alvarez. “You want to know what I did with the money. I left it with the silver dealer in St. Louis for safekeeping. I brought this sack of coins back with me.” He threw the sack on the table. “The wagon train goes back and forth twice a year and trades gold and silver bullion with the dealer in St. Louis. I’ve arranged for the dealer to hold our money in safekeeping until we need it. We can draw money anytime from Bent’s Fort.”

  “Don’t give me that. You wouldn’t leave all that money with someone in St. Louis. Where’s the money?”

  “Well, you can see I don’t have it on me. My saddlebags are on my horse in the barn. I have a pack mule out there. You could take a look, but you won’t find any money.”

  “What’s in those wagons?”

  “They’re loaded with freight that I brought back for the ranch. There’s no gold there, either, but you’re welcome to look.”

  “What happened to your drivers?”

  “They had done their jobs, so I told them to release the mules and go home to their families. You could send one of your men to Bent’s Fort to check for yourself. But they won’t give you any money unless I go with the man to verify that the money is for me, and I won’t do that unless you release Juanita in the care of the people at my ranch.”

  “Why should I release Juanita in your care?”

  “It’s the only way you’re going to get any money from me. You have to release Juanita first.”

  Alvarez snarled. “No, there’s another way. If I do away with both of you, the ranch will belong to me. Don Diego should have left it to me instead of leaving it to Juanita’s father. There’s still plenty of gold in that mine. Can you think of a reason I shouldn’t just kill both of you, here and now?”

  “Well, for one thing, if you kill us, how will you get the money for that gold? They won’t give it to you just because you say you own the ranch.”