“What are you talking about?” he chuckled.
“You laugh at me!” Outraged at his conduct, she stood to leave. Uncaring how much she loved him, she refused to sit there watching his handsome face grin at her so stupidly. Hunter jumped in front of her to stop her from leaving. She dodged to the left but he moved the same way blocking her path. She huffed and moved to the other side but he was faster. Sighing heavily, she stood and looked into his eyes. Hurt and confusion filled them, but a hint of mischief lingered on his lips. She could not stop sobbing and he took her hand again.
“I’m sorry I angered you. I didn’t mean to offend you, it was just that you looked so sorrowful and your sad face only made…”
She flew into his unsuspecting arms. Taken off guard, they nearly stumbled backwards. He appeared lost for words at her action and stood mute for many moments.
“I worried that you would be sent away before heart can tell what it feels.” Her words struggled to get out of her throat. She was trying to be brave, afraid she would falter before she spoke her thoughts. Her head on Hunter’s chest, his heart beat wildly in her ear. Praying for strength, she continued. “My life no longer same since you come to village. I cannot sleep and eat without thinking of you. A man’s lips never touched mine before yours. Red men do not practice this custom. Your kiss made me feel funny in my belly and....”
This time it was Hunter’s turn to cut her words short. He placed a finger tenderly under her quivering chin, forcing her to look at him and he kissed her softly. She opened her mouth to receive his tongue when it darted between her lips.
“I love you Summer Wind and I want you to be my wife.”
Those words left her as speechless as a papoose.
TWENTY-TWO
That evening Blue Thunder talked late into the night to Four Toes on Hunter’s behalf, praying to the spirits that the maiden’s father would consent to their marriage.
“I know how you feel,” Blue Thunder spoke Athabscan since Four Toes didn’t know any of the white man’s language. “Four Toes, my father refused to give me permission to marry the white woman, Moon Glow. But as you know, she proved to be a great healer to our people and won favor in Dasodaha’s heart. This Hunter is brave and will care for you and your daughter. They are deeply in love. I will also speak with your chief, Bear Claw. Times are changing, we can no longer keep the white eyes from our land and someday I feel many of our people will join hands with other cultures. It is sad, I know and also tried to fight progress, but when it comes to matters of the heart, I am afraid the heart will win over everything else.”
Four Toes chewed on a long stem clay pipe, smoke made his old eyes squint. “I know my daughter loves white man, but she is only child and I do not want her to be hurt. She is young, but then I remembered taking my wife, Dark Skies to mat when she was but fourteen winters. I will sleep on your words, Blue Thunder.”
Blue Thunder knew Summer Wind sat quietly in the corner. He heard her sigh happy that her father did not flatly refuse.
Casey as well as Blake was not surprised when they heard of Hunter’s love for Summer Wind and his will to stay. She had mixed feelings for she’d miss her brother dearly. Her only regret was that they were so very young and prayed they were doing the right thing. But she was glad he had found happiness in his life. The Indians would teach him their ways. Her brother beamed with pride and love, but Blue Thunder told them that he had to first convince Summer Wind’s father, Four Toes, that the white man was worthy of his daughter.
Hunter paced nervously in his wickiup, annoying Casey with his fretting. Finally, she couldn’t take any more. “Hunter! Please sit,” she scolded. “You’re driving me crazy with your pacing. Summer Wind’s father will be convinced of your love for his daughter. I’m sure she’s confessed her love for you.”
Her brother inhaled deeply and started to respond when Blue Thunder’s deep voice asked permission to enter the dwelling. She didn’t like the serious expression the Indian’s face and her sibling swallowed audibly, rubbing his hands together.
“What did Four Toes say?” he asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“This will not be easy, but he did not say, no. He said he would sleep on it.” Blue Thunder sat on the floor and patted a spot for Hunter to join him. Casey made the motion to leave, but Blue Thunder told her to stay and continued to explain the Apache way. “If Four Toes gives Hunter permission to marry Summer Wind, Hunter must give him a bride price gift.”
Hunter let out a slow breath that ended in a whistle. It wasn’t hopeless she thought; Four Toes didn’t say no. Then her brother drew his thick brows together, not understanding what a bride gift was. Before he had a chance to speak, Casey asked for him, “What is this bride price gift Hunter has to pay?”
“Summer Wind is Four Toes’ only girl child and he is a poor Apache according to red man’s belief. He owns only one horse and it is very old, not even strong enough to carry any burdens. A red man’s worth is in the amount of horses he owns. If he accepts Hunter, he will want six horses for his beautiful daughter.”
Hunter gasped. “You might as well ask me for a thousand dollars. I don’t own a horse, much less six of them. All is lost,” he whispered and slumped heavily.
Casey touched her brother’s arm tenderly. “I have Sadie,” she offered.
He snorted. “Well, that makes five to go.”
Blue Thunder spoke up. “Blake and I will help you round up horses for your bride price.”
Hunter’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with puzzlement. “I don’t understand.”
“There is herd of wild horses in the valley. Bright Spirit, the wild stallion leads his herd every winter into valley; they arrived few days ago. Bright Spirit had never been captured, though many braves gather a few of his mares each year. Four Toes has no son’s to bring him horses. They were killed when Star Gazer and myself were captured by white dog soldiers a few winters ago. Summer Wind’s father has been too ill for many moons to join the chase. I see that he and his daughter have plenty to eat. Summer Wind’s, mother, Dark Skies, was too old when she gave birth. Her heart failed in labor and Four Toes has never been same since wife’s death.”
Then they were told that a warrior seeking a wife would have to bargain with the parents, in this case, her father. Because of the language barrier and Hunter was a white man, Blue Thunder would have to handle the matter. But it had to be Hunter who would take the horse to the maiden’s dwelling. If she viewed his suit with favor, she would feed and water the animal. Blue Thunder guaranteed Hunter that Summer Wind would do this and upon seeing her care for the animal, Hunter would go and fetch his bride. Her brother jumped to his feet when Blue Thunder rose. He gratefully shook the big Indian’s hand vigorously, thanking him over and over until the red man finally pulled away from his well meaning grip.
The next day Hunter joined Blue Thunder and Blake and they rode out into the valley to bring back a bride price. They rode for miles before spotting the wild horses. Blue Thunder pointed to the magnificent white stallion leading his herd. Hunter thought that it was a beautiful sight.
“There! Bright Spirit; he runs like the wind.”
Hunter sat in awe but it was Blake that commented, “You said no one had ever captured Bright Spirit?”
“No. The Apaches believe he should always be free. We believe he was once a great leader of our nation and he come back in horse’s form.”
“Interesting,” murmured Hunter.
It took them quite a while to separate a few horses from the herd. After Blue Thunder admitted that he didn’t think Hunter would be much help, he proved to be a fast learner. When the feat was accomplished, the animals were tied with a rope and hobbled for the night. Blue Thunder told the men that they’d leave after he had his morning run. He bragged that he was the fastest runner in his clan and could race for miles without breaking a sweat.
Hunter merely shrugged. Nothing that big Indian could do would surprise him. Then he became cur
ious as to how the Indians broke horses. He remembered when his father brought home a wild horse, it took his father many bruises and bumps before the animal stood still long enough to be mounted and then there were times when the critter acted up. He still recalled how his father distracted the horse’s attention by holding his head down by the ears while Hunter or Casey mounted. Sometimes his old man would catch the tip of the ear with his teeth. This strange technique caused the critter to stand very still to avoid pain. Casey always barked at the terrible treatment their father did by what was called, “ear down.”
During the night, they woke hearing the cry of a mountain lion, spooking the horses. Hunter rose on his elbows and rasped, “Please don’t tell me what I think that is?”
Blue Thunder stoked the fire. “We are safe. I will quiet the horses. A few minutes later he returned. “The lion is near, but the stallions seemed to have quieted down some.”
“What did you say to the dumb beasts?” Blake asked foolishly.
Blue Thunder chuckled. “They are not as stupid as you think. I rubbed their noses reminding them that there were nine of us against only one pussy cat.” He lied down and gave the men his backs.
Blake simply looked at him bemused. “That Apache is an enigma all right.”
“Well, then,” chuckled Hunter, “I guess we’re safe.” But still, he slept fitfully and before dawn he heard the big brave rise for his run. He returned in what he assumed was a half hour later as the sun rose and nudged Blake with his toe and barked, “Rise sleepy heads.”
Casey was alone with Moon Glow and her children. She adored Blue Moon and Gray Wolf and hope someday to have children of her own. That notion surprised her because she had never given it much thought before. The child came to her and the dog, Licks Too Much wasn’t far behind. The canine licked her leg making her think it was dubbed with the right name. Placing the little girl on her lap and curious, she asked, “How long have you had your pet?”
Blue Moon ordered the animal to sit and he obeyed. “I found him when he was a pup. He followed me one day when I wandered into the woods. I wasn’t supposed to leave my mother’s side, she was feeling sad because we had to leave our camp and burn our old houses. I got bored and went to investigate our new camp. A small dog scampered out from around a rock and began licking me. He followed me back to camp, but his mother didn’t like her cub leaving her, like my mother who scolded me later.” She sighed. “I didn’t know the mother was a wolf and she growled at me and I was in danger, so my father had to kill little Licks Too Much’s mother to save my life. I regret that.”
“Oh my, what a remarkable story, honey,” Casey intoned. It still amazed her how well the child spoke two languages.
“Blue Moon,” her mother called to the child from outside. “Come and watch your brother.”
The girl leaped from Casey’s lap. “Yes, mother.” She hurried along and Casey was amazed how the child quickly obeyed. She had noticed that the Apaches never scolded or punished their children and they were very well behaved.
“Come Casey,” the adorable child took her hand. “Mama, knows many fables, do you know any?”
She was taken aback by Blue Moon’s request. She stopped to think. “Why yes, before my mother went to live with the angels, she told me her favorite story.”
“What is an angel?”
“Well, honey and angel has wings and lives in heaven with…” She wondered if the child believed in the Almighty.
“With God,” the girl answered her question.
“Yes.” She sat outside with the children. “I will tell you a tale about a young angel who fell to earth.”
“Oh, no,” cried Blue Moon. “Was it hurt?”
“No, but I’ll tell you what happened.”
Grey Wolf was still young but he sat quiet sucking his thumb.
“Now, Angelica was playing one day, strolling along the Milky Way when---”
“Do you get mother’s milk there?” asked Blue Moon.
Casey blinked. “Well, um, I guess so.” She figured that was easier to explain then the truth to a child. “Now, the little angel was thinking pleasant things when the winds began to shout and scooped Angelica up, tumbling her all about. She fell through space and landed in a place where the air was cool and the sun was warm.”
“I wonder if uncle Star Gazer ever saw a falling angel. He is always looking up into the sky at night.”
“Well, I guess we just have asked him,” she suggested.
“Now Angelica wanted to get back to where she belonged and she tried but her wings were not very strong. Tired, she fell asleep and when she awoke, she was not alone. Who are you? Asked a creature. Oh, Angelica said, my name is Angelica and I am an angel. The animal replied, my name is Fawn and I’m a deer. You’re welcome on this planet. Where did you come from asked Fawn? The angel informed the deer that she had fallen from the heavens. Fawn then told Angelica that all animals were free to roam. Angelica was now very curious and said goodbye to the deer. She walked awhile until she met two raccoons. She asked then if they could help her get back home. Sorry, they said but ask our friend the giraffe, he has a very long neck and his name is Fred. If you walk awhile you cannot miss him, he’ll have his head in a tree.”
“Wow, have you every seen a giraffe?” piped up Moon Glow.
“Not, a real one, but I have seen pictures of them.”
“Pictures?”
“I’ll draw you one in the sand later,” she promised.
“Oh, goody,” the child clapped her hands.
“Now, let’s see. Oh, yes, Angelica found Fred eating his lunch, chewing on leaves with a loud crunch. Excuse me, sir, but I need your help, she said. Fred looked down and bent his long neck. Well, who are you, he asked? She told the giraffe her name and why she needed help. He told the angel to climb up his neck and he stretched it as long as he could. Angelica flew and flew but her tiny wings grew tired and she returned. I see you are back said Fred. I’m sorry you did not make it but maybe Oscar can help you. He’s a mighty bird who lives in that mountain that almost reaches the sun. Again Angelica had hope and she searched for the bird near a slope. She called out and the bird answered,” Casey lowered her voice to sound disturbed. “Who is so foolish to climb way up here? Or are you so brave you do not have any fear?”
Blue Moon giggled. “The angel was brave, right?”
Casey nodded. “Yes she was and she asked the bird for help to fly home. He said that he would and Angelica held onto Oscar as he few high and when he tired, he said goodbye. Angelica continued on her way, believing that she would soon be home. But sadly, again her wings grew tired and weak, so she glided to earth tired and sad. She mad it back safe and sound but fell asleep on the ground.”
“Poor, Angelica’s, all alone.”
“Oh, but she was not alone because the next morning many animals came with plans to help her fly back home. Even an elephant blew through his trunk into the air, causing powerful winds but nothing worked so she thanked her new friends and went to sleep again.”
“Can you draw me an elpant?”
You mean elephant?”
“Ah, huh.”
The girl’s brown eyes were big with innocent curiosity and Casey again said she would. By now Grey Wolf had dozed off and other children were beginning to gather around, so every time Casey said anything, Blue Moon echoed her words in English. They were all bright eyed and curious.
She continued. “The next morning, Angelica felt different and began to cry. Why are you crying asked a wolf? You are too pretty to be so sad. The angel then realized that it no longer mattered if she returned home because she had a new home with many new friends. So you see, Blue Moon, home is where your heart is.” She tapped the child’s up-turned nose.
“Oh, that is a wonderful fable and I will tell all my friends.” She began to speak Athabscan and the children now gather around the girl.
After her chores, Casey walked down to the lake to do some solitary thinking. The day
had begun exceptionally mild for that time of the year. She decided to take advantage of the warm sun and bathe. Humming, one of her mother’s favorite songs, she stripped and before walking into the cold stream she look around having an eerie feeling that she was being watched. A large lizard leaped from the foliage, looking at her as if she had beaten him to the water. She giggled and said that there was plenty of room for them both. She waded in and quickly, she splashed the water over her body. The melting snows filled the creek with frigid water but she had grown used to bathing in it, as did the Apache’s.
Shivering and her teeth chattering, she dressed. As she bent over to put on her last moccasin, a hand snaked out and covered her mouth. So startled, she froze. A terrible smell accosted her nose, a mixture of whiskey and what she believed was bear grease. Instantly, she believed it wasn’t a bear, but it was certainly a dangerous animal, the two legged kind. She gasped at the pungent odor, realizing what was happening.
Casey struggled, groping with her hands flailing behind her, hoping to strike her attacker’s face. She managed to tug an ear causing the Indian to emit a painful yelp. At the same moment he loosened his grasp she turned quickly breaking the hold. Fear terrorized her and she gaped into the darkest, coldest eyes she had ever seen. Her attacker was there to harm her and she turned to run but before she could flee a sharp pain rendered her unconscious.
TWENTY-THREE
When Hawk Nose arrived at the stream for water, he heard humming and parted the bushes to get a better look at the maiden. But what he discovered was a blonde beauty. He could not believe his luck. It was her, Moon Glow and the white woman’s body was just the way he had remembered it for many moons. Time did not age his love a moment. Her hair still shone like the moon and her body still had that soft golden glow.
It was two autumns since he had been banished from the tribe. He had lost face, but not a day went by that he did not think of his love for her. From their hideout in the foothills, he had spent several years raiding with his friends. Every time he looted and raped a white woman, he pretended he was ravishing his only love, Moon Glow. Now, all his friends had been killed by the army and he returned alone once more to claim the white woman’s heart.
Love by Dawn Page 13