Sunee leaped into action, ready to rescue their families.
“Stop!” shouted Cherokee. “If we go down there, we will be captured, too. We must be careful!”
Sunee stopped. “Cherokee! I need to help protect the young ones!”
“Later!” said Cherokee. “Right now we must stay out of sight. We can do them no good if we are captured, too!”
Sadly they watched the horses being driven away from their home, out of the valley into the unknown.
-2-
No Escape
Cherokee and Sunee waited anxiously. They paced back and forth, tossing their heads and pawing the ground with their hooves. As soon as the men rode out of sight with the herd, the two young horses galloped down to the meadow.
They heard a loud whinny. Turning, they saw Flying Hawk racing toward them. The stallion slid to a stop in front of the young horses.
“Where were you when Man appeared? Why did you not see or hear him coming?” he asked angrily.
Sunee lowered her head.
Cherokee said, “We are sorry, Father. It was such a beautiful and peaceful day, we went for a gallop. When we returned we heard many men and could do nothing to prevent them from stealing our family. We are truly sorry.”
“What’s done is done. Now we must try and make it right. You and Sunee follow at a safe distance. I am going up on the mountain where I will not be seen and watch the men from there.”
“Yes, Father,” said Cherokee.
He and Sunee took off at a steady trot, following the way the men had gone. When darkness fell, they still had not reached the men or the herd. Although they were tired and hungry they refused to stop and rest. Hours later they heard the wild horses milling around and smelled the men and their campfire.
“Sunee?” whispered Cherokee. “Let’s go up on that hill and watch to see what the men are doing with our mothers and sisters and the others. Maybe they will let them go soon.”
“We will watch, Cherokee. But Man will not let them go. They must have a reason for taking our families away.”
“I wonder where Father is. Do you think he has found the herd, too?”
“There is no way for us to know, Cherokee. Be patient. We will know what to do when the time comes.”
When the sun began to lighten the eastern sky, the men were already stirring, making plans to move again. Coffee and breakfast over, they saddled their horses, circled the wild ones, and drove them westward.
One of the cowboys looked up at the ridge behind them and announced quietly, “Hey, Boss! There’s two young ones up there!” Cherokee and Sunee had not been as careful as they thought while they waited for the men to begin their day.
J.D. glanced up at the two young horses, but ignored them.
“Come on, boys, let’s get a move on. Marty and Johnnie, you hang back of the herd. Keep an eye on those two. If you get a real good chance, circle behind ‘em and bring ‘em in. Got it?”
“Sure, Boss,” said Marty, acknowledging the order with a tip of his hat. And the two men pulled their horses in line at the rear of the herd as directed.
The cowboys started out at a slow, steady trot, stopping midmorning to let the horses graze and drink from an inland lake. Their mounts rested, they again started moving the herd forward, but at a slower pace. Cherokee and Sunee had made no attempt to move closer to the herd, staying at least a half mile back from them. Marty and Johnnie had no chance to try and capture the young colts that day.
Every day for five days the men and horses moved west. It seemed to Cherokee that they would travel forever, although he was indeed moving in the direction he wanted to go on his own journey. Once again, the men set up camp, cared for their mounts, fixed supper and guarded the wild herd. Once again, Cherokee and Sunee stood watch over their mothers and siblings and others in the herd.
“I am going to try to get closer,” whispered Cherokee to Sunee.
“No! It is too dangerous. Wait until we see Flying Hawk. He will tell us what we should do.”
“I cannot wait,” answered Cherokee, tossing his head. “When it gets dark, I will make my way to Dancing Shadow. She has surely thought of a plan of escape.”
“What shall I do while you are gone?” asked Sunee.
“Will you stay up here in the shadows? If Man sees me or hears me, call to him and let him see you. Then run away quickly. Perhaps he will follow you and I can free everyone.”
“Alright, Cherokee. I will do as you say, but I think it is not a very good plan.”
“It is the only one I can think of right now. If Flying Hawk were here, he and I could get Man to chase us while you rescued our families. But we must do what we can. It may already be too late.”
J.D. had selected a campsite in a small meadow nearly surrounded by trees. There was a narrow brook flowing gently southward on the west side. He didn’t like the location, but darkness had caught them and the mares and colts were tired.
“Keep a close eye on the wild ones,” said J.D.
to no one in particular. “This is not the best campsite. If that stallion is going to try rescuing this herd, it may be tonight. It’s a good place for it. Has anyone seen him or the two young ones following us?”
“I saw the two colts a couple miles back,” said Marty. “They haven’t given up!”
“And I’ve seen flashes of a big, dark horse off and on for the last two days,” offered Johnnie. “It may be the herd stallion. I can’t get a good clear look at him.”
“We better set up extra guard tonight. We’re only 15 miles or so from Fort Nashboro, and then it’s only 10 miles home to the ranch. Let’s not lose ‘em now,” warned J.D.
Cherokee was almost ready. The moon was a pale yellow sliver in the sky. Crickets chirrup-chirruped in the night. Owls hooted softly and bats flew aerobatics in the darkness. Cherokee watched as the men fell asleep around the banked campfire. Only four men on watch were awake.
“Be patient,” he said to himself. “Just a little while longer.” Not a breath of air stirred in the night.
“Now,” he whispered to Sunee.
He started down the hill and around the camp, planning to enter the woods from the far side. Suddenly he heard a soft “Whuff” and he stopped, holding his breath.
“It’s me, Cherokee,” whispered Flying Hawk. “What are you doing?”
“Father!” said Cherokee, letting out his breath. “Where did you come from? We have been looking for you! We...”
“Shhh!” warned Flying Hawk. We have much to do this night. Where is Sunee?”
“Sunee is waiting up on the hill, near the pine thicket. If Man sees me, she is going to call to him and run away. We think he will follow her and I can rescue Mother and the rest of the herd.”
“A dangerous plan, my son. But we will try. I will be the one to call to Man. Come.”
They slipped quietly into the forest and walked silently side by side until they reached the clearing. The big stallion whuffed again, more softly this time, alerting Dancing Shadow to his presence.
Dancing Shadow quickly raised her head and looked toward the trees. She snorted and pawed the ground in response. Not only did this let Flying Hawk know that she had heard him, but it alerted the other horses as well. They were excited and began to mill around each other. Dancing Shadow stamped her hoof in anger.
“Quiet!” she ordered. “We do not want to warn Man!”
Dancing Shadow kept her eyes on the trees, watching for movement; she flicked her ears back and forth, listening for sounds. She was soon rewarded for her patience, and saw one shadow move quietly to the west, while a slightly smaller shadow moved softly toward her herd. She walked several steps in that direction, bent her head to the ground as though she were grazing and lifted her head again. The smaller shadow came closer and stopped. Danci
ng Shadow took a few more steps, bent her head again, took a bite of grass and lifted her head just enough to be able to watch as Cherokee approached. He slipped quietly to her side and became a part of the herd with Man being none the wiser.
“Where is your father?” whispered Dancing Shadow.
“He has gone toward the camp and plans to fool Man into going in the wrong direction if they hear us,” answered Cherokee softly. “Have you thought of a plan of escape, Mother?” he asked.
“No, my son. Man has kept a careful eye on us. I am afraid that we will not escape this time. Whatever happens this night, promise me you will try to save your sister and her friend, Yellow Bird.” She looked up and back toward her herd. “We will move slowly in the direction of the mares. Unaca is near with Yellow Bird and Little Sister is with them. Come.”
Cherokee and his mother walked and grazed their way to the other horses. Man did not notice there was one more horse in their midst.
But their movements were watched by every pair of eyes in the herd. Upon reaching the other horses, Unaca was waiting as were several others.
“Where is Flying Hawk?” asked Unaca.
“He is in the shadows on the far side of the camp and is planning to fool Man if it becomes necessary,” answered Dancing Shadow.
“What is our plan of escape?” asked the white mare.
“Whatever happens, Cherokee will take Yellow Bird and Little Sister and race for the trees. You and I and the rest of the horses will run back in the direction we came. We can join up later, once we’re free.”
“Mother?” whispered Cherokee.
“Yes, son.”
“It is time. Father should be ready.”
“Unaca,” whispered Dancing Shadow, “Pass the word that we are ready to run. Remember you and I and the herd will run to the east, toward home. Cherokee and the fillies will run to the south into the trees. Flying Hawk will pick his own direction and hope Man will chase him.”
As Unaca slipped away from Cherokee and his mother to tell the others of the escape plan, and the two fillies moved closer to Cherokee waiting anxiously, Dancing Shadow turned to her son and whispered, “Cherokee, remember your land, your home, your family. Have limits, but stretch your spirit. Good bye, my son.”
Suddenly Flying Hawk reared on his hind legs and whinnied loud and long. His piercing voice surprised the men on watch and raised the sleeping cowboys up from their blankets.
“Watch that stallion!” shouted J.D. “Grab your ropes and lasso him. Don’t let him get the herd!”
The mounted men rode after Flying Hawk as J.D. said. The others quickly bridled their horses, mounted bareback and raced after the scattering herd. At the same time the wild horses began to move around attempting to hide Cherokee and the two young fillies as they ran for the trees.
“Run fast, Little Sister!” shouted Cherokee. “Hurry, Yellow Bird! Faster!” Then they slipped out of sight into the dark woods.
As soon as Dancing Shadow saw they were safe, she whinnied to the herd and they started at a dead run to the east, heading for home. But in those few moments, two things happened. The wakened cowboys were already racing for the main herd of wild ones; Flying Hawk stumbled while he was running over an uneven patch of ground and nearly fell, giving the four mounted cowboys time to catch up with him and allowing two of them to drop their lassos over his neck.
In moments, the main herd was circled, slowed and returned to the small meadow. When the stallion discovered he was caught he settled down and allowed two of the men to place him between their horses and lead him back to camp with no trouble. Rolling his eyes, he saw that Cherokee and the two fillies had reached the edge of the trees and slipped out of sight. He was sad that the rest of his mares and colts had been recaptured, but there was still hope. He was with them now.
J.D. approached the men who were leading the stallion and said, “He is sure a beauty. Wonder why he made such a fuss instead of just trying to run off with the mares?”
“Don’t know, Boss,” answered one of the men. “But he’s a good catch. He’s got a brand. Prob’ly broke to the saddle, too.”
The men settled around the banked campfire once again, trying to get a little sleep. J.D. left only two men on watch, feeling that the herd was safe now that the stallion was captured. The men did not notice the fillies were missing.
-3-
Moving West
Cherokee slowed so the fillies could catch their breath. “Follow me farther into the woods, Little Sister. Sunee will meet us at the pine thicket. Come, Yellow Bird. Follow quietly behind me. Stay close.”
There was no danger of them not staying close. The young horses did not know why they had to leave their mothers. But they had been taught to obey their elders and to always do as they were told so they followed Cherokee without question.
Sunee was pacing back and forth, her head bobbing up and down, impatiently waiting for them to arrive. When the three horses moved into sight, she trotted toward them in welcome.
“There was so much noise!” whispered Sunee to Cherokee. “What happened? Did everyone escape?”
“No, Sunee,” reported Cherokee. “Even Father was captured, but I don’t think anyone saw me leave with our sisters.”
“What should we do? Where will we go?” worried Sunee.
“Since everyone has been recaptured, let’s travel in the same direction as Man and our herd for a while. You and I had already talked about traveling west, so let’s continue at their pace. That way we can care for Yellow Bird and Little Sister as well.”
“Yes,” agreed Sunee.
She turned to the frightened fillies and spoke gently. “Hello, Yellow Bird. Welcome Little Sister. Be at peace. We will rest here in the woods for the night. When morning comes, we will get a drink from the river and follow our mothers.”
The two fillies were glad to see Sunee and soon bedded down to rest after their recent ordeal. They fell asleep almost immediately. Cherokee and Sunee remained awake and watchful.
Gradually the darkness began to recede and faint light began to appear in the east. The sky was first pink and then blue. When a small part of the sun began to peek over the mountains, Sunee nuzzled the fillies awake. All four horses watched and waited for Man to complete their preparations for another day of travel.
The men were in a hurry, moving the horse herd out more quickly than on previous days. They were tired of trail food and dust and sleeping on the ground and wanted to get home today. It would be good to get back to the ranch and their bunkhouse. Cookie could make the best steak and biscuits! And his apple pie was so tangy and tasty!
By early afternoon they were just short of Fort Nashboro, located directly on the Cumberland River. They planned to cross the river a mile or so up and head north toward the ranch. As they turned north toward the Cumberland River, they heard the sound of many horses approaching at a gallop. Twenty or so horses and riders appeared around the bend in the trail on the other side of the river.
“Hey, on the other side!” hailed one of the men.
“Hey, yourself,” answered J.D.
“Hold your herd until we cross. We have news.”
After the horses had satisfied their thirst, J.D. instructed his men to move them back from the river. He eyed the approaching men carefully. “They look like farmers and mountain men,” he thought. “Probably the ones called Volunteers,’ conscripted to fight and protect their lands.” There had been trouble between the North and the South since 1820. He knew these men didn’t want to take sides. They just wanted to farm and hunt as had their fathers before them. It seemed as though every man was pressed into battles he did not want.
As the horses splashed through the water, he had time to notice that some of the Volunteers were dressed in fringed buckskins and boots. Some were wearing plaid shirts and coveralls and farm
boots. All of them were carrying rifles or muskets.
The man who led them had shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. His buckskins and boots were beaded; his hat was decorated with beads and feathers.
The men reached J.D.’s side of the river, dismounted and stretched tired legs.
“We just came from Fort Nashboro,” said one man, obviously the spokesman for the group. “Sorry,” he said, offering his hand. “My name is Bill Hanks. These men and I have just come from a meeting with General Thomas. We hear Lieutenant Bragg has holed up with his men on Lookout Mountain. We’ve been sent to check out the situation and report back as soon as we can. You came from that way. Did you see anything?”
“No,” drawled J.D. “We just went horse huntin’ and came back through a little this side of Chattanooga. Sorry we can’t tell you anything.”
“Well, General Hooker thinks we need to take the summit and maybe that will end this War between the States.”
“We’ll hope so,” replied J.D. “No need for us to be a fightin’ each other. Makin’ a livin’ is enough of a fight for most of us.”
“You bet! Guess we’ve rested long enough, boys,” said Hanks. “Let’s mount up!” The men did as they were told, turning their horses, throwing legs over saddles, horses at a full gallop before the men were completely seated.
As they disappeared out of sight, J.D. said, “Let’s move on, fellas. Might as well push these horses into the river right here and take ‘em on home! Johnnie, why don’t you ride ahead and let Cookie know we’re comin’ home for supper?”
Johnnie whipped off his hat and slapped his horse on the thigh. “Yahoo!” yelled Johnnie as his horse jumped into a hard gallop.
Cherokee and Sunee watched their friends and family walk into the Cumberland River, followed by the cowboys who had rounded them up only a few short days before. Sadly they walked out of the woods and followed in the footsteps of those they knew and loved.
Just as the sun was beginning to set, the men trotted the horses over a rise in the trail.
The Adventures of Cherokee Page 2