by Joany Kane
“When I was a younger man, we had made winter camp up north past the Platte River. Our camp was attacked one night while my people slept. I was away with a hunting party. When we returned, we found many of our women and children dead. They weren't just dead, they were cut apart. Their body parts were paraded down the main treet of the nearby town. This was the fate of my young wife and my two children. Nothing happened to those white men.”
This story shocks Annie, her eyes misting at the thought of such brutality. “Most white people are not that barbaric and cruel, Chief Red Hawk. And justice does matter to many of us. Aunt Selma says that every orchard has a barrel of bad apples.”
“This is true with Indians. The Shoshone are a barrel of bad apples. Some warriors even in my own tribe if they could would kill. Let us hope the white eyes coming from Washington are not a barrel of bad apples.”
“Let us hope.” Annie encourages with a smile.
Red Hawk picks a flower and hands it to Annie. “What do you call this?”
Annie takes the flower. “A flower. Thank you.”
Red Hawk isn't sure why Annie's thanking him. “Why did you say thank you?”
“Because you gave me this flower. When a man gives flowers to a woman it's taken as a kind gesture. Often it means the man is fond of the woman.” Annie explains.
“I only wanted to know its name,” the chief admits.
“All flowers have different names. There are roses, and daisies, tulips…”
Red Hawk cuts Annie off. “What does ‘fond’ mean?”
Annie stops and thinks about how to answer. “It means that you like someone. You have tender feelings for someone.”
Judging by the blank look on the chief’s face, she doesn't think Red Hawk gets the meaning. Annie continues to walk, studying the flower Red Hawk handed her. Being unfamiliar with the flower, she wonders if it has an official name. “I'm not sure what kind of flower this one is, but it is very pretty.”
Annie feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns. Chief Red Hawk has picked a handful of flowers and hands them to Annie. She is touched by this gesture.
“Thank you very much.” She smiles.
“What does very much mean?” He asks.
“It means that I am especially grateful for your kindness. This gift of the flowers is very special and I am most pleased by your thoughtfulness.”
The chief smiles warmly, his eyes locking with Annie’s. “You’re very much welcome.”
*****
Chato drives the buggy into town with Annie seated next to him. There's a big commotion near the saloon. The Rush Brothers are target shooting cans as other cowboys watch them and place bets on whether or not the Rush brothers can hit the targets.
Glen, the biggest ass of the brothers, hurries over to the buggy, shooting his gun and stopping the buggy. “How about I buy the little lady a drink.” He drunkenly slurs at Annie.
Annie ignores him.
He becomes louder, impatient, anger starting to flare. “I said, how about I buy the little lady a drink. “
Glen looks at Chato and then glares are Annie. “What are you doing with an injun?”
“He's more of a gentleman than you'll ever be.” Annie states defiantly.
Annie’s snub and response infuriates Glen. “He's gonna be a dead gentleman.” Glen cocks his gun, aims it at Chato.
Mark, dressed in his uniform, rides up on his horse. He hurriedly comes between Glen and the buggy. “Move on Glen, before I take your gun away.”
Glen laughs. He re-holsters his gun. “Yes sir, Cap-i-tan.”
Mark hollers to the men to break it up. “Target practice is over.”
“We can do whatever the hell we want, there ain't no crime in shootin' cans.” Carl snarls.
Mark is not at all intimidated by these jerks. “Either you settle down and stop shooting in the streets or I escort you out of town. It's your choice.”
Dick attempts to cock his gun at Mark. In a flash Mark draws both his guns and has them aimed at two of the brothers.
The Marshal walks over to the ruckus with his riffle aimed and ready to shoot. “You all heard the captain, break it up.”
“Don't get yourselves in a lather.” Dick Rush informs the marshal. The Rush brothers and their drunk pals head back into the saloon. The marshal follows them.
Mark turns to Annie, his eyes filled with worry and concern. “Are you okay?”
“I'm glad you're here.” Annie says with heartfelt meaning. She smiles tenderly at Mark.
Mark’s eyes widen. Her answer and the deeper meaning her heard in her words touch his very core. Their eyes lock. Chato smiles at the connection between Mark and Annie, which is broken when they hear the scout let out a sigh.
“I'm glad to be of service.” Mark says as he tips his hat to Annie. His words are laced with the same deeper meaning as Annie’s words. Before he rides off, Mark notices the small bouquet of flowers Annie is holding.
Later in the day, inside Selma’s house, Selma and Annie continue to work on hand sewing the red costume. They hear a ruckus from outside.
“Oh no, is that the Rush brothers?” Annie asks, worried.
Selma listens. Then smiles. “I don't think so.” Selma stands up and heads outside. Annie follows.
The women look down the street and see a small parade of colorful wagons heading for the theatre. The show people are arriving with much song, dance and fanfare.
Folks come out of their homes, businesses and the saloon to watch the spectacle. The entertainers perform for the crowd. They're dressed in costumes - straight out of Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tales.
The Rush brothers stand outside of the saloon hooting and hollering for the show people. Clara stands with the other saloon girls. Clara spies Chato across the street. She catches his eye. There are too many people around, so Chato and Clara only steal a small smile. But Glen notices. And glares with hatred.
The festive parade of wagons and entertainers stops in front of the theatre. Selma rushes to greet the entertainers. They all greet each other like dear, old friends. One performer, a male performer, dressed in costume, his face covered with a partial mask, gives Selma an especially affectionate hug.
Annie looks a bit overwhelmed by the noise and festivities. Mark, keeping an eye on the Rush brothers, joins Annie. “Good evening, Mrs. Landon.” He stands with her his imposing posture lets all around know that he will do anything to protect her. Which she appreciates with a smile. “Good evening, Captain.”
Selma separates herself from her entertainer friends momentarily to join Annie and Mark. “Hello, Captain.” Selma says brightly.
“Good to see you out from behind bars, Selma.” Mark ribs.
“There will be a ticket at the box office waiting for you.” Selma tells Mark.
“Thank you, I appreciate that.” Mark responds.
“I hope you don’t mind sitting with Annie.” Selma teases with a twinkle before rejoining her theatre friends.
Mark locks eyes with Annie. “I don’t mind at all.”
*****
At Fort Mills the next day Mark and Chato load a wagon with supplies. They head out to the Arapaho village.
At the Arapaho village Mark and Chato unload supplies, including blankets, handing them to Indian women and children.
Chief Red Hawk approaches. He stands near Mark. “Aho, Captain Caldwell.”
“Aho, Chief Red Hawk.”
“Have you given flowers to Miss Annie?” The chief inquires.
“I have not. Why do you ask?” Mark wonders, confused.
Chief Red Hawk, looking rather cocky, "hmmhps" and walks away.
As Chato drives the wagon away from the village, heading back to the fort, Mark, seated next to Chato, looks confused. “Chato, why would Chief Red Hawk ask if I gave Mrs. Landon flowers?”
“He gave her flowers yesterday.” Chato tells Mark.
“Why?”
“She has been teaching him manners. She taught him that when a ma
n gives a woman flowers that means he feels tenderness for her.”
*****
It’s opening night. Beaver Creek bustles with life. Townsfolk line up to go into the theatre. The Rush brothers stumble out of the saloon and stagger toward the theatre.
Chato and Clara, thinking they're not being watched, take each other's hand and hurry down the alley. Glen has watched them and a look of pure hatred crosses his face. His two idiot brothers drag him along toward the theatre.
In the backstage of the theatre the performers ready themselves. Annie is with Selma helping her adjust her costume. Selma is dressed like little red riding hood. “How do I look?” Selma asks.
“Red. And dazzling.” Annie answers.
“You do know, Annie, how very proud I am of you. You've endured more than most and yet you've willingly shared your gifts with such an open heart and an unflappable spirit. It's been a joy to see.” Selma tells Annie.
“This is your night.” Annie encourages.
“I'm glad you're here to share it with me.” Selma gives Annie a hug.
“I am, too.” Annie shares, with heartfelt honesty. A couple of the performers motion to Selma that they need her. “I better let you finish getting ready.” Annie says before heading for the lobby.
Annie mingles with townsfolk in the lobby while folks purchase their tickets and head into the performance hall to find their seats.
Mark enters. He's dressed in a tailored suit, clean-shaven, looking unbelievably dashing. He holds an overwhelmingly large bouquet of wildflowers. Annie turns and sees him. Their eyes lock. He joins her and hands her the bouquet of flowers.
“Thank you, Captain. Aunt Selma will be touched by your thoughtfulness.”
“The flowers aren't for her. They're for you,” he tells her. Their gaze is intense, as is the longing. The sound of piano playing breaks the moment.
Mark gives Annie his arm and escorts her into the performance hall. They take their seats.
The show begins. The performers act and dance out a bawdy version of Little Red Riding Hood. Selma is wonderful. Roy's festive piano playing gives the performance buoyancy. The marshal is in the audience and actually loving the show. The wolf is also wonderful and Selma seems to have a great time on stage with the actor in the wolf's costume.
The first act ends. The audience applauds. The actors take a bow and leave the stage. “If you'll excuse me, Captain, I'd like to find my aunt.” Annie says to Mark.
“Certainly.” Mark stands up. Annie leaves, flowers in hand. She goes backstage. No Aunt Selma among the performers. No wolf either. She thinks she spies her aunt leaving through the backdoor.
Annie follows. She is now outside in the back alley behind the theatre. She looks around. She hears her aunt's voice from the side of the theatre. She walks around the corner and sees Selma and the "wolf," both still partially dressed in their costumes, hopping up on horses.
Annie hurries to them. “Aunt Selma, where are you going?”
“Annie, I'd like you to meet Jim Ringo.” Selma reveals.
The wolf removes his mask. He's a devilishly handsome middle-aged man with an affable smile. “Hello, Annie.”
“You're running away?” Annie is aghast.
“No. I'm running to. My life with Jim. My home is with Jim, wherever that leads me. You will find your home here. Trust me.”
Selma looks behind Annie as if looking at someone else. “I think you already have.” Selma looks lovingly at her niece. “Good-bye, Annie.”
Selma and Jim ride off. Annie watches, helplessly. Annie, with a shocked and disbelieving expression, turns to head back into the theatre.
That's when she sees Mark, who clearly has been nearby long enough to have heard the conversation and knows that Selma and Jim are escaping.
“I reckoned there was something going on between Red Riding Hood and that wolf.” Mark says.
“You're not going to get the marshal or stop them?” Annie asks, not sure if she wants him to or not.
“I'm out of uniform.” Mark smiles. Annie looks overwhelmed. Mark tries to relieve her concern. “Jim Ringo is a good man who has made a couple of bad choices. Never, as far as I know, has he killed a man who didn't either deserve it or forced him into it. Unlike the Rush brothers who never made a good decision between them. Jim and your aunt love each other and want to live out their lives together, peacefully. I shouldn’t stand in the way of such a dream.”
Annie’s eyes mist, touched by Mark’s wisdom and insight. He extends his arm to her. “Shall we? The second act has just started.” Annie takes his arm.
*****
The next day, in the Arapaho village Annie walks with Chief Red Hawk. He acts like a perfect gentleman, holding her arm as they walk.
“The men from Washington arrive tomorrow. How do you feel?” Annie asks.
“I feel like my vision has been honored. We ride today, yes?”
“Yes. I brought my horse as you requested.”
“Good. I wish to show you a special place.”
Chief Red Hawk and Annie ride their horses through the Colorado wilderness.Red Hawk rides to a certain location and stops. He hops off the horse and then helps Annie down from her horse. He offers his arm to her as he walks her to the edge of a cliff. He motions for her to look out at the vista.
Annie looks and sees one of the most spectacular sights she has ever seen. It is an absolutely breath-taking panorama view of mountain and valley with a rapidly flowing river. The sound of rushing water envelops her. She can feel it pulsing through her veins. The sight is serene, timeless, unforgettable.
“This is the land of my father. And his father. They are buried in this land with all of my ancestors. Could you give this up?” Chief Red Hawk shares with Annie.
*****
Fort Mills is spiffed up and decorated with patriotic flare. Cavalrymen are dressed to impress. Everyone is on their best behavior as the contingent from Washington DC arrives with much fanfare.
The scouts stand at attention, Annie stands with them. Annie watches as Mark cordially greets the commissioners from the capital. She can tell that Mark is explaining something that involves her because the men look at her and nod. Mark motions for Annie to join him. She does.
“Mrs. Landon, I'd like you to meet Mr. Harney, Mr. Steele, and Mr. Murphy, the Indian Commissioners from Washington.” Annie exchanges hellos with the commissioners.
“Mrs. Landon has been teaching the Indian scouts English, and she has been teaching Chief Red Hawk about our government.”
The men are impressed and express their gratification. “We have a visit to the Arapaho village planned for you today.” Annie tells the commissioners.
The commissioners weren't expecting this. “Why?” Mr. Murphy inquires.
Mark answers. “The Arapaho have invited you to their home, which is a great honor.” Annie appreciates Mark’s response with a warm smile.
“Shall we?” Mark motions to the awaiting buggies. Mark helps Annie up into the buggy, even now, during this important time, the touch between them and the longing it inspires consumes both of their thoughts.
A company of cavalrymen on horseback, led by Mark, along with two buggies holding the commissioners and Annie, ride into the village. The group comes to a stop.
Chief Red Hawk is right there, dressed in his most noble outfit. He helps Annie out of the buggy. The commissioners observe this. They hop out of the buggies. Annie motions to the chief to shake hands.
Picking up on the silent suggestion, Chief Red Hawk extends his hand to Mr. Murphy, the first of the commissioners. “Hello, I am Red Hawk. Chief of the Arapaho.”
Mr. Murphy shakes Red Hawk's hand. “I’m Mr. Murphy.”
Red Hawk shakes the hands of the other commissioners introducing himself as he does. When the introductions are finished, Chief Red Hawk motions to the commissioners to follow him. “Let me show you our village.”
The chief offers his arm to Annie. She takes it as he escorts her through
the village. “We have lived on this land for as long as our stories have been told.” The chief tells the commissioners.
Chief Red Hawk leads the commissioners, Annie and Mark through the village giving them a tour. He stops at various places to explain elements of the Arapaho's way of life. He introduces the commissioners to various villagers. He has the women give the commissioners samples of Arapaho food. He has the children give the commissioners gifts of Arapaho homemade items. The commissioners seem impressed with the tour. Chief Red Hawk is doing his earnest best to show how the Arapaho deserve to stay on their land.
Once the tour has ended the group returns to the buggies and horses.
The chief addresses the commissioners. “I am familiar with your founding fathers, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson. I know their eloquent words.”
Red Hawk proudly recites from the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Mark gives Annie a look of admiration; he’s amazed by the teachings and progress she has made with the chief. Their eyes lock as he nods his respect for her.
The chief continues. “I negotiate with you to allow the Arapaho the same unalienable rights that you had fought so hard to secure for yourselves from the Great Father across the Atlantic. Thank you.”
Not one of the commissioners responds with a "You're welcome." Mr. Murphy looks guilt ridden.
Chief Red Hawk tries again with more conviction. “Thank you.”
Annie knows what Red Hawk is expecting and realizes the commissioners won't reply, so she does. “You're welcome, Chief Red Hawk. I hope we will see you this evening at the fort for the dance.”
“Yes, Miss Annie, I will be there.” He replies, grateful for her acknowledgement.
*****
It’s evening at the fort. The courtyard is decorated for a festive evening. A live fiddle band plays a festive tune. The commissioners mingle with officers, ladies and gentlemen from town.
Chief Red Hawk is the center of attention. Many guests surround him, trying to talk to him. He handles it with grace and dignity.