by Stephy Smith
Donley glanced around the room. “May I see the photograph of Emma again?”
Jerome slid the portrait across the desk toward the older man. Donley wiped an unshed tear from his eye. He reached for the picture with a shaky hand. “For years I wondered about my daughter. Her mother and I begged her not to go west. Our Emma, she was a determined young thing when she left here. She wanted to make a difference in the world, set her mark upon it.”
“And she has, Senator. Her work with the Cheyenne has proven to be successful. My wife, Little Snowbird, or Jo as you know her, is a product of my mother’s work.” Jerome moved close to his wife.
“You mean to tell me she is an Indian?” Donely rubbed his brow.
Little Snowbird glanced at her husband. “Tell him your story.”
Her voice was low. “Bright Eyes brought happiness into our camp. She is the most caring, considerate woman I have ever met. Her work, not only educating the children, but also our elders, helped us to understand things we didn’t know. Without her, our tribe may have perished, for we would have resisted the changes the white man required of us. She made my people realize it was for our own good. That did not change what is in the heart of the white men who continually stomp upon our hearts. These men, who take what the government promised us and replace it with cast-out clothing no longer fit to wear, tainted meat, and worthless papers they do not abide by. It is not the Cheyenne who are causing the problems.”
Donley ducked his head. “Then you know I cannot allow you to stay here. You must go to your mother and tell her of the things you have learned. There is trouble brewing at Pine Ridge. Lives will be lost, and I fear there is nothing I can do to stop it.”
“Why are you telling me these things now?” Jerome tried to still the anger rising in his soul.
“I suppose my mind has been blind to the things it shouldn’t have been closed to. For many years, I have refused to believe the rumors. I didn’t want to face the fact our men would lie about what was actually happening in the camps. I should have known from their bragging they were not telling us the truth.” His voice cracked. “I’m sorry for the way I acted. When you showed me the picture of Emma…well, I knew you were a man of an honest nature. Now, you must go and warn your people. I fear there isn’t much time left before things get out of hand.”
Jerome stepped forward and extended his hand. “I will tell my mother the things you told me. I know she will be happy to hear her family has not forgotten her.”
“We do care for her and are concerned about her. She never mentioned she was married.”
“You never wrote and asked either. Mother thought you no longer cared. She accepted the life she has been dealt. She does not hold a grudge against you or her mother.” Jerome walked Donley to the door.
“Do you hold a grudge?”
“I do not know you well enough, sir. I’m certain my sister would like to meet you. If you are ever near the fort, we would welcome you to spend time to get better acquainted. Good day…Grandfather.” He didn’t miss the quaint smile that spread across the old man’s face.
Chapter Twelve
Falcon Woman glared at her husband. He hadn’t touched his coffee or breakfast. The only move he made was to stare into the fire. When his parents went to the empty tipi they had stayed in when the infant died, Rising Wolf didn’t move. He sat like a statue with his eyes fixed on the flames.
“I know you are waging a war in your mind and heart.” Her voice was low and calm.
“You don’t know how I think or feel about anything.” His words fell harsh, and she accepted them.
“This is so, my husband. You have your own concerns, and no one else matters.”
His head snapped to her. A penetrating glare shot from his eyes. Long strides carried him to the wall where his gun and knife hung. She wondered how far she had pushed him. Hoofbeats sloshed in front of the cabin. She ran to his side, and he shoved her from the opening. He peered out and opened the door wide for his wounded brother to enter.
“The soldiers tried to take the deaf man’s gun. They wouldn’t listen when they were told he did not understand. The soldiers started shooting. The women and children tried to escape. They chased them and killed them. Just like they did at Sand Creek,” Tall Grass panted.
Falcon Woman led him to a chair where she set to work on cleansing the wound in his leg. His eyes closed, and his mouth wrinkled when she doused the wound with turpentine.
Rising Wolf followed and sat in the chair across from Tall Grass. “Where is Prairie Sun?”
“He went to Mother and Father. He is fine. These soldiers want to take our weapons, not just our guns. They are afraid we will retaliate—which we will if we are forced.”
“Our people are unsettled. They are prepared to do what needs to be done. We have word the white man’s gossip has reached the towns spread across the land to be alert we are on a rampage and to kill us if they see us.”
“Then they best pray they see us before we see them.” Falcon Woman’s voice turned the heads of the men.
Tall Grass jerked as she wiped blood from the gunshot wound in his leg. Unaware, she scrubbed harder than she needed. A hundred thoughts raced across her mind. Memories of how she was shunned and made fun of because of her Indian blood boiled up an anger she hadn’t felt in years.
She drew in a deep breath, “You don’t think I’m going to sit here in my home and let settlers, or whoever, walk in here and push me farther from our homes again? I have had enough of the terror these men thrust upon us because of their ignorance of our ways. I will send word to Jerome and Father to let them know what is happening here.”
“What good will it do? Red Eagle’s voice has fallen on deaf ears in Washington, and Silver Hawk is but one man.” Rising Wolf furrowed his brow.
“They are worthy opponents against the white man. Red Eagle can listen to the words in Washington. Father still goes to the fort. Together the two of them can keep abreast of what is going on here.” Falcon Woman lifted her eyes to him.
“Their words will not reach us before the soldiers invade every home in the villages.” Tall Grass narrowed his eyes at her.
“Yes. If every family hides their weapons before the soldiers discover them, they will think we are an unarmed camp.” She raised her brows.
“Falcon Woman…”
“Rising Wolf, this is the way the white men play their game. If we band together and let them think they have won, their guard will be lowered until we can build up a stronger force.”
“Suppose this plan of yours works. It will take years to build up the nation.” Rising Wolf gazed into the eyes of his wife.
“It will also give the people time to recover and the soldiers to forget.”
“What you say makes sense, but I’m reluctant to say our people will wait for these things to happen. Most feel we have been treaded upon too many times already. They want to strike now.” Tall Grass said.
“The two of you must talk to them.” Falcon Woman pressed her lips together. There was so much more she wanted to say to Rising Wolf, but was afraid Tall Grass wouldn’t approve. She pushed her luck saying what she did.
She carried her medicine basket back to the shelf and put on a pot of stew to warm. The Indian agent claimed the food sent by the government for the Indians had been stolen or lost. What little food made it to the reservations was tainted and made the people ill.
The soldiers killed more of the Indians by allowing in diseased settlers and didn’t even have to use weapons. Falcon Woman hid most of her knowledge from Rising Wolf’s family. Jerome had already left D.C., to come home and advise the village about what to do to keep surviving— she hoped. If the people would wait long enough for him to arrive with her father, maybe there would be hope to save them from certain disaster.
She dished out the bowls of stew to the men. She gave them the largest portions of meat from the pot. Her mind set to work on how to draw her husband from the tribe and move closer to her pa
rents.
Enraged by the guilt gnawing on her mind, she knew it would be better to tell Rising Wolf of her plan. She had never withheld information from him before, and she didn’t like it now. It was vital for her to wait until her brother and father were there to help her make him understand. She pulled on her buffalo robe and slipped out the door, leaving Rising Wolf and Tall Grass to talk. She sloshed through the snow to the tree where she hid her small bow and arrows. Rising Wolf wouldn’t like her hunting. He was the provider for the family. As she reached for her weapons, she barely remembered making them while Rising Wolf recovered from the attack by the bear. Never again, would she be caught without some form of defense. Her eyes cast downward to follow the tracks of a rabbit.
They needed more meat to make it through the winter. She let herself dream of the day her father and brother would come. They would bring enough dried meat to last the rest of the winter for her and Rising Wolf and the rest of the tribe. She continued to follow the tracks until they stopped under a tree. The rabbit she had followed lay on top of the snow. With a swift hand she pulled back the string on the bow and let the arrow fly.
Chapter Thirteen
“Your wife is wise, Rising Wolf. You should listen to her. When you speak to her family, I would like to join you if you will allow. Her family is better informed than we are. They live amongst the whites, and as she says have knowledge of their plans.” Tall Grass offered the peace pipe to Rising Wolf.
“I want to know why the whites in Washington have disregarded Red Eagle’s pleas to help the people. He has done nothing to them, yet they seem to mistrust his judgment of their soldiers. He has told them the truth.” Rising Wolf pulled the tobacco smoke into his lungs.
“I too have pondered upon your question. The answer may be he told them the truth. I have no other answer for you.”
The brothers leaned back in their chairs. They were quiet for some time. Rising Wolf mulled over every reason he could think of in his mind. Still there was no logical answer, other than the soldiers couldn’t accept the truth from people they didn’t understand.
He stood and tossed another log on the fire. The cabin lit with a mighty blaze. The interior warmed, and the men moved their chairs closer to the fire.
“Why haven’t you married?” Rising Wolf asked his brother. It was the first time the thought crossed him.
“All the women are now spoken for,” Tall Grass waved his hand in the air. “With fighting soldiers, I don’t see the need to fight a warrior for the sake of marriage. We need all the men we can to help with the battle. Wounded Knee was a massacre. I don’t want the added pressure of protecting a wife until this is all over with.” His voice faded. The knock on the door drew their attention. Prairie Sun entered, walked to the fire and sat on a grass mat.
“I am happy you were not there to see it.” Prairie Sun’s narrowed eyes fixed on Rising Wolf.
“We found Spotted Elk sprawled in the snow. The soldiers refused to let us stay and honor our dead. They said they would pick them up in a wagon and throw them in one long grave.” Tall Grass’s voice rose in anger. “Men, women, and children were killed because the white man refused to listen. They should be—” His words stopped when Falcon Woman entered with two skinned rabbits.
“Welcome, Prairie Sun.” Falcon Woman cut up the rabbits and dropped them into the pot. Taking the pouch in her hands, she poured water in and placed it over the fire. She added wild herbs, onions, and dried berries she collected during the summer and fall, then moved away from the flames.
Rising Wolf glanced at his wife, his lips turned up to show white teeth. “You been hunting. Did you enjoy yourself?” He knew his brothers would have been offended had they had wives that went hunting on their own. Rising Wolf’s chest filled with pride, knowing his wife would be capable of taking care of herself if something were to happen to him.
The life she grew up in taught her to hunt, grow a garden, milk cows, and other things to help provide for her family. It was one of the things to bring love flowing from his heart to hers. A good, strong woman, who knew what had to be done.
With his warrior status and her strong medicine, their children should be leaders. He wasn’t sure if his brothers would ever understand his way of thinking. He had thoughts, from as far back as the first day he met Falcon Woman, of how their union could preserve his people and provide a good wife for him.
He wouldn’t settle for just any woman to warm his bed.
He had chosen to follow his heart. It led him down a path of righteousness, love, and honesty. The right choice had been made, and he would always be thankful to her God and the Great Spirit.
The door flew open and Woman With Small Voice entered, out of breath. She leaned against the door. “Bear… a big bear chased us. The white soldiers…” Her eyes grew wide as her tiny body visibly shook.
“Let us in! Grandmother, open the door.” Silver Hawk’s voice came from the other side of the door. The pounding on the outside intensified.
“How do I know you aren’t the bear coming to eat my frail body?” Woman With Small Voice’s words quivered. Tears welled in her eyes. Rising Wolf wondered how the old woman outran Silver Hawk.
Rising Wolf jumped up and ran for the door. He pulled the old woman away and let Silver Hawk, Bright Eyes, and Red Eagle in before he latched it shut.
Falcon Woman opened a window and peered out. The bear stood on his hind legs. She knocked an arrow to her bow, drew back and let the arrow fly into the heart of the animal. By the time the bear hit the ground, she had lowered her weapon. Quickly she left the cabin with Bright Eyes behind her, and they prepared the beast for the rest of the tribe. She sent the men from tipi to tipi to distribute the hunks of meat she and her mother cut off.
****
“It is nice to see you made it here. How did you get here so fast?” Rising Wolf turned to Red Eagle as they walked through the village.
“I left D.C., as soon as I heard of their plans to take all the weapons. The men in congress didn’t see eye to eye with me on many things while I was there.” Red Eagle’s head bowed.
“I have heard many rumors. We will speak of these matters when we are done here.”Rising Wolf fought his laughter until he was closer to the village. He couldn’t wait to return to his in-laws and tease them about the old woman who could outrun two young virile men. A tale he was sure he would pass down to his own children and grandchildren.
Tall Grass and Prairie Sun met him back at the cabin. Falcon Woman served up the rabbit stew, flavored with wild onions and other herbs she gathered during the spring and summer. Then she tossed in a chunk of the bear meat to simmer all night.
The men sat around the table for a good bit before they moved to the grass mats near the fireplace. Woman With Small Voice, Bright Eyes and Falcon Woman sat at the table and listened to the men tease Silver Hawk and Red Eagle.
The room grew silent. Rising Wolf broke the quiet. “Tell us, Silver Hawk, what kind of talk have you heard at the fort?”
Silver Hawk cleared his throat. “The soldiers want to take all weapons away from the Indians. They want a reason to destroy the tribe; they believe the red men are savages and wish to wage war against the whites. The rumors are lies, but the soldiers hold much clout in the fort and amongst the settlers.”
“The whites believe the Indians cannot be taught their ways. They have closed their minds to the possibility that the Indians are also people who have lived many years and survived on their own before white man came to this land and took it away. They overlook change, and most of them only want to believe in things that will benefit the whites. The Indians are not included.” Red Eagle tossed his hands in the air.
“We are fighting a losing battle with them. If we hunt for food, we are shot. If we own weapons we are imprisoned or killed. Is there no way to live in peace with these men?” Rising Wolf didn’t miss the glances of Silver Hawk and Red Eagle. Deep furrows of doubt and concern crossed their faces as they both shook their h
eads. Rising Wolf heard what he feared to be true.
Tall Grass and Prairie Sun clasped arms with Silver Hawk and Red Eagle. They bid their brother farewell and left the cabin.
Chapter Fourteen
Falcon Woman crossed the floor and sat next to her husband. He glanced at her. “What do you have on your mind?”
“We should leave the reservation and go back to stay with Mother and Father.” She lowered her head and bit her bottom lip. A shudder ran down her spine. Rising Wolf was sure to lose his temper at her suggestion to leave. It would be hard on his pride to walk away from the tribe, knowing they were in a bad situation. Falcon Woman didn’t care for the idea anymore than her husband would. But she had to try since she had another life besides her own to think of.
“You talk of abandoning my people when they need me.” Rising Wolf glared at her.
“No. I talk of you helping to keep your people alive. If the soldiers came on the reservation to kill, they could slaughter the majority of us. Would you like another Sand Creek or Wounded Knee massacre? If we were not here, we have a chance to extend your family.” She touched his arm.
“I cannot keep running from the massacres. I must stand and fight.” His eyes darkened.
“Falcon Woman is right, Rising Wolf,” Woman With Small Voice said. “At Sand Creek, we camped under the flag of truce. We were peaceful, yet the government sent rotten meat. Our men went to hunt and made the soldiers mad. I cannot forget the screams, blood, and torment. The soldiers attacked the camp when most of the men were away. They murdered innocent old men, women, and children, then paraded around as if it were a grand feat for them. The pain of the soldiers’ words stung like hornets. They lied about our people then, and they will lie about them now.”
Bright Eyes comforted the old woman. “I have seen how the whites treat the Cheyenne. When the trapper took me, he tried to blame it on Silver Hawk. Even though I told them it was Harvey Morgan, they still insisted Kale took me, just because he is half Cheyenne. Silver Hawk was lucky his father owned the trading post at the fort. The whites didn’t accept him or Woman With Small Voice, but they did accept his father’s words.”