Guards were posted around the inside wals of the fortress at al times, night and day. Weapons were cleaned and primed. Ammunition was placed at strategic points along the wals. Ben ordered the women to check on the food, water and wood supply. He told them this siege could last for many days and the supplies were to be used sparingly and wisely. They dared not leave the fortress to stock up on these things. Who even knew, they could be out there right this minute waiting for them to do just that? They couldn’t leave the fortress unguarded or put themselves in a trap or ambush. Time would tel what the brave’s plans for them were. When everything and everyone was prepared, the waiting began…. Day after day passed with no sign or hint of a raid. Tension and pressure built daily in the close confines of the fortress. The stress and strain of the situation were teling on nearly everyone. How much longer could they live like this? They were beginning to act like savages themselves. The men rebeled at having to crouch in fear in their own homes. Pride was taking a beating and it was hard to take. To be forced to see oneself as a weakling or coward was unnerving to men like Ben and Thad. Horace was too busy being aware of who was the cause of it al and what Alisha had thought of him.
Time traveled on. Many of the women became edgy and tearful. Men fidgeted nervously and paced the fortress grounds. Even the children weren’t immune to the turmoil. They fussed and Even the children weren’t immune to the turmoil. They fussed and fought amongst themselves constantly. There appeared to be very few left untouched by the consuming fear that gripped the little fortress. Arguments started breaking out at a single word or action. Tempers flared. Gray Eagle had surmised the effect of his escape accurately. They would help win his battle for him. As the meat supply ran low and the men feared to risk a hunt, stil no raid came. What were the Indians waiting for? They al asked. Why didn’t they attack and get it over with?
Ben cursed and ranted, “Damn! We’re prisoners in our own homes. They’re probably out there right now just waiting for us to show ourselves. Hel, they’d pick us off with those arrows like flies. I can hear him laughing at us now. If I ever git my hands on him again, I’l strangle him bare-handed.”
“We can’t wait here forever like cowards,” Jed blurted out.
“Our water supply is nearly gone, too. Maybe the bastard has done learned his lesson and don’t want to tangle with us again. I bet he ain’t as brave and powerful as most of you think he is.”
“I wouldn’t count on that, Jed. He didn’t seem like the type to forget or forgive easily. He’l be back. Just you mark my words.”
The people were forced to eat cold food when the firewood gave out. Ben ordered the people to do no washing or bathing until this trouble ended. Women began to taunt the men for not having the courage to take care of “one little Injun.” As things became harder for everyone, cruel accusations and foolish actions took place daily.
Martha chided some of the men, “You’re gonna let that one Injun keep us from eating and drinking? How long are you gonna stay cooped up here like chickens before you men act like men and bring us some food, wood and water? Maybe the women should go bring us some food, wood and water? Maybe the women should go fetch the food and water if you men are too scared. What difference does it matter if we die from an arrow or from starvation and thirst?” No one could argue with her last point, but stil the men resisted immediate action.
Black moods and impatience passed from one to the other as the days went by. Kathy Brown cornered Alisha one day and told her flatly it was al her fault the Indian got away and they were in this predicament. “If you had’na been so holy and pure, if you had’na tried to save him, Horace and the others would have taken care of him proper. We wouldn’t be in the trouble if you had’na interfered. Ask the others. They’l tel you the same thing.”
Alisha knew it wouldn’t do any good to argue with Kathy, so she just turned and walked away from her, wondering how many of the others realy did blame her for this turn of events. She observed how the Indian’s capture and escape had changed things and people at the fortress. It was as if she were seeing these people for the very first time, without their masks of civilization. She felt she didn’t know them at al anymore, not even her uncle and her friend Ben. Most of al, she feared and hated the change she witnessed in them. But she was unaware of the effect the situation was having on her personaly.
Another day passed as things went from bad to worse. She kept to her cabin as much as possible to avoid the cold stares from several of the people. Most ofthe others just miled about. The lack of work and abundance of time took the major tol, just as Gray Eagle planned …
On the eighth day, Ben, Simon and a few others decided it was time to risk a hunt and try for fresh water. Ben caled the men together and stated, “We’ve got to have meat, Indians or no together and stated, “We’ve got to have meat, Indians or no Indians! Horace, I want you to watch the gate. Be ready to open it at the first yel or sign of danger. We won’t go far. Jed, you and a few others try to cut some firewood for cooking. You other men come with me. If we stay here like this much longer, we’l either starve or cut each other’s throats!” The others al laughed, but knew the truth in his words.
The men prepared for their assigned duties. The gate was slowly and cautiously opened. They al went their way and the gate was secured once more. Everyone was beside himself with anxiety until the groups returned unharmed and laden with meat, water and firewood. Simon carried some wild fruit he had found for the children. The people lifted loud voices in cheers and praise for the men and their courage.
Thomas said, “Those Injuns must not be strong enough to attack us or they woulda been here by now. If he was from a long way off, maybe he didn’t even make it back to his vilage.”
Matt agreed, “Yeh. He might not be coming or able to come at al. He didn’t have a weapon or horse. I bet he could be just laying out there somewhere dead or injured.”
Ben spoke up, “Coulda been kiled by some animal.” He laughed and added, “Or by some other Injun. I hear they kil and scalp each other and that one didn’t have no weapons for protection. We didn’t see any sign of anything unusual in the woods. I bet he ain’t coming back either. I knew al along he weren’t nothing but al show. Even if he did make it back to his camp, he’s too scared to attack us. I say he don’t want no more of what we gave him.”
“We gotta show ‘em we ain’t afraid of ‘em,” Jed quipped. “If they do come, we’l give ‘em a lesson they won’t never forgit. I say they do come, we’l give ‘em a lesson they won’t never forgit. I say we kil any of ‘em we capture from now on. We should hang their hands on the gates as warning to others. Let ‘em know we won’t tolerate none of their foolishness.”
Two more days went by uneventfuly and others began to agree with them. Their opinion gained popularity. Soon, it was accepted by al as fact. The strain and mood of the little fortress relaxed and began to return to normal for everyone but Alisha. Things would never be the same in her mind and heart. She was more confused than ever about her own people and the brave. The men were so confident and puffed up with pride by the tenth day, they left the gate open while they worked in the nearby forest. No one noticed as the bushes began to close in or the slight movement of the leaves as bodies passed between them quietly and quickly.
It was Janie McDoogan who glanced up, looking for a sign of her husband returning from the forest, to see an Indian near the edge of the forest. He was painted in fiendish detail for war. Once seen, he pointed a finger at her in warning, declaring she was to die this day. She froze in terror as she stared at his outstretched arm and the finger of death. She screamed, “Injuns outside! Injuns outside!” She fled in fear to her cabin, crying and screaming. Horace was on guard duty while some of the men were cutting wood in the forest. At the cry of alarm, he began to shove the gates closed in a panic with little thought of the men outside. The only time they used a guard was when the men outside carried no weapons. There had been no shouts of warnings from them. Wel, he w
asn’t about to keep the gate open to find out! They would have to fend for themselves now! He had himself and the others to think about, didn’t he?
didn’t he?
Almost immediately, war whoops and yels were heard,
“Hieee-yaaah!” “Eeee-iiay!” “Yekiya wo!” The bloodcurdling cries instiled horror and fear in the bravest of hearts. Many of the people cringed in fear, children cried at their mother’s knees and shaking hands grabbed for guns and powder. What they had stopped fearing was now becoming a grim reality. The brave had returned with his band of warriors for revenge. This would be a fight to the death of one side or the other. There would be no peace or truce now, only defeat and death. Ben shouted hasty orders to the men, teling them where to go and what to do first. He turned and shouted orders to the women nearby to take the children inside. He caled out to others to prepare to help with the gun loading and to tend the wounded.
Alisha had run outside her cabin to see what was going on now. She stood motionless, listening to the words of the people nearby. Did they realy say he was back? She heard the whoops of the warriors outside and saw the frenzy of the people inside. In al her life, she had never heard any sound so eerie or frightening. It was like a nightmare. Was he actualy going to attack and try to kil al of them? Could the warnings coming from those around her be real? Would they do such terrible things to them? Was this why they had feared to release him? If they had not harmed him, would he have stil come back to raid the fortress? The others seemed to believe this.
Couldn’t they bargain for truce? Couldn’t they beg for peace?
They most certainly could apologize for the way they treated him. Surely that would stop this farce! Were they al just going to fight and kil without any attempts to settle this without bloodshed? I do not understand this at al, she thought. There must be something we not understand this at al, she thought. There must be something we could say or do to stop him and the fight.
The men had fetched their guns and powder hurriedly and readied them for the coming battle. The men took their places like actors on a stage. But this drama was real and deadly. She heard curses and prayers coming from al directions. Another scream tore through the stil air and the blood bath began….
Shooting came from al directions around her. Anguished screams of the wounded were heard instantly. Arrows flew here and there with deadly accuracy. Some set cabins ablaze and some hit live targets which writhed in agony. Franticaly, the men fought against overwhelming odds and conditions. Women with ashen faces and trembling hands primed and loaded guns for the men. The worst wounded were dragged to cover near the cabins, while the less seriously injured had to flee for cover unaided. The dead lay where they had falen. No one could help them now. Without much effort, the Indians were coming over the fence with ropes. They charged with tomahawk, knife and war club, slaying any and al in their path. Men who were unable to reload fast enough used the butts of their guns for defense or their bare hands. No one of either sex or age was immune to death. Both sides were aware of who the victor would be this day.
At the first warning shout, Thad had forced Alisha into the cabin and down into the trench he had dug under the table. She had begged to help with the gun loading and wounded, but her uncle would not hear of either. “Please, Uncle Thad, someone might need my help! Surely, there is something I can do?’
“No, Lese,” he shouted breathlessly at her. “They are far too strong for us to resist for very long. We won’t stand a chance against them. You must stay hidden until you are sure they are gone, against them. You must stay hidden until you are sure they are gone, then flee to Fort Pierre. The soldiers there wil help and protect you. You must do this for me! I cannot fight with you in danger. Promise me you’l remain quiet and hidden. Do as I have told you before. The map is in the trench. Promise!”
Tears glistened in her emerald eyes for she knew they were saying good-by for the last time. She thought her heart would surely break. How could she live here al alone without any family? She whispered, “I love you, Uncle Thad. Please be careful and don’t give up hope yet. He could only mean to frighten and punish us. Maybe he won’t kil us.”
He shook his head in despair and answered, “You have given an old man much happiness and joy. I love you as though you were my own child. Be strong and brave. I shal be careful for both our sakes.” He forced a brave, last smile for her to remember. He placed her into the smal trench and covered the opening with the floorboards. She heard the rasping on the floor as he slid the table back into place. Faintly, she heard, him say before leaving,
“May God watch over each of us this day…”
For a time, al she could hear was her soft sobbing. “I wil never see you again,” she cried. “God forgive us al for bringing this day to pass. Good-by, Uncle Thad. May it be done quickly…”
Chapter Three
Taking his gun and powder, Thad opened the door and went outside. A noise drew him to the side of the cabin. No one was there; then he felt an excruciating pain in his back. It was as if his body were on fire; pain racked his head, then sweet, black oblivion. He colapsed to the ground, a tomahawk buried deep in his back between his shoulder blades. His dying words had been, “I’m sorry Lese … I can… no … longer… help you…”
The gates were thrown open and numerous Indians swarmed in and ran in al directions. Their bodies glistened with war paint and sweat. Hands were raised high brandishing tomahawks and war clubs. Arms were stretched out taut with bows. It seemed as if al were yeling and shouting a sound that made the blood run cold and the spirit quake.
Some of the Indians carried highly decorated buffalo shields for protection and wore breastplates made of the bones of smal animals. Faces were painted with lines, dots, circles and slashes in red, yelow, black and white paints. Each man appeared to have his own colors and design for none looked like the other. They captured guns, horses, supplies and a few people. They took only a few scalps from people who had red or blond hair, as black and brown were common and easily attained. They used these hairs to decorate lances, war vests, jewelry, armbands and shields.
As the battle continued, they slew and maimed with deadly accuracy and speed. The pioneers were vastly outnumbered and accuracy and speed. The pioneers were vastly outnumbered and even worse, they were outskiled in warfare, for the Indians fought with a gruesome vengeance and hatred.
The shooting and fighting slowly diminished and finaly stopped. The only sounds heard now were women crying and screaming and the anguished moans from the stil surviving wounded. The Indians shouted victorious, unknown words and danced about happily. Fires burned here and there, destroying months of hard, back-breaking work. Bodies littered the ground and doorways like tattered, broken dols. Then, the pilage began…
They took any and al of what they wanted and could carry, setting fire to the rest. They herded the captives in a group like cattle and tied them together with ropes going hands-to-hands. Al others had been kiled, some slowly and others quickly, depending upon the warrior at hand.
Jed had been captured while gathering wood in the forest and tied to a tree near the gate. Horace had been taken as soon as the gates were forced open while attempting to flee for cover. Gray Eagle had, as soon as possible, taken his place at the Greeley door. He had previously pointed out the four prisoners he wanted taken, alive if possible. Greeley lay face down near the side of his cabin with a tomahawk wound in his back. Gray Eagle patiently watched until everything was under Indian control and things were being made ready to return to their vilage. Then, he entered the Greeley cabin. He looked around near the table until he spotted the floorboards which did not fit just right. He smiled sardonicaly to himself and walked over to stand beside the table. Alisha had never felt such soul-shaking, heartrending terror. What could be happening? The shooting had ceased and al she could hear were Indian yels, cries of pain, screams, and speech of could hear were Indian yels, cries of pain, screams, and speech of an unknown tongue. This can’t be happe
ning, she thought again and again. It’s al a nightmare and I’l wake up soon. But she knew that it was not and that al were either dead or prisoners. What had happened to Uncle Thad? She knew that she must remain quiet and stil to avoid discovery.
Thoughts of her uncle had brought tears to her eyes. She trembled in fear and uncertainty. What can I do now? she fretted. What if they burn the cabin? I smel smoke already! The trench was only a little more than body size and alowed for almost no movement. What if they find me? What would he do to me? She heard a crash as the table and stools were flung across the floor. Someone was in the cabin! Her heart pounded so loud and hard that she feared they would hear it.
Suddenly, her eyes went wild in panic and she could not suppress the scream in her throat as boards were picked up and thrown aside. Before she could gather her wits as to what was happening, she was roughly yanked up and shoved out the door. She turned to fight her attacker, scratching, biting and kicking. She was immediately held in a vise-like grip. The smel of fire, sweat and blood filed her nostrils. Terror ruled her senses. She was whitefaced and quaking in fear. She stared in disbelieving shock when her captor crushed her to his bare chest and spoke coldly, “Hiya!
Ihakam ya, Pi-zi Ista!”
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