Bittersweet Ecstasy

by Taylor, Janelle

  The officer inquired, “You know these men, Jackson?”

  The sutler smiled and replied, “That’s Tanner Gaston and Clay Rivera. They been visiting me this afternoon and picking up some goods.”

  The officer looked at the two men and announced pleasantly, “I’m Major William Ames. Pleased to meet you. How’d you rile our scout?”

  “He demanded to know why our horses aren’t shod. Can’t say it’s any of his affair, but we traded them off some friendly Indians, about fifty or sixty miles southeast of here, best I recollect. They’ve been damn good mounts, real strong and fast and alert. We came this way by boat and needed them. Can’t get around this area on foot. It isn’t against the law to trade for Indian horses, is it?”

  As with Captain Smith, this officer was duped by Powchutu’s easy command of the English language, his appearance, and manner. “Nope, especially not from Indians in that area. They’re about as peace-loving and gentle as Indians come. They do a lot of trading with whites. Made a real impression on Lewis and Clark when they traveled through that area. We ain’t had no trouble with them, and don’t expect to. If I can get President Monroe to listen to me about creating an Indian bureau and sending some specialized agents out here, we could solve some problems before there’s more bloodshed. We can’t keep pushing these Indians around and out; there’s too many of them, and they got rights. It’s all a lack of trust and communication. I suppose you two disagree?”

  “Whenever and wherever it’s possible, Major Ames, we work and pray for peace. Seems to me if some giving and sharing and understanding were done, there wouldn’t be so much taking and killing and dying. Like you said, Major, we need some serious talk and trust.”

  “I wish you would take those thoughts and feelings to the President, Mr. Gaston; I can’t seem to catch his ear.”

  “I just might do that after I return home to New Orleans. I can’t ask men to hunt and trap for my company in a land that isn’t safe. We should be riding along, Major Ames; it still gets dark early. Is this the only fort in this area? I’m sure we’ll need supplies again.”

  “There’s a fort in every direction from us, two to five days’ ride. Next time you’re here, drop in to see me,” Ames invited.

  “I’ll do that, sir. It’s refreshing to meet a soldier who thinks with his head and heart instead of his saber and musket. If I see Monroe, I’ll tell him to be certain to heed all letters from you.”

  Powchutu and Bright Arrow mounted, waved, and rode toward the gate. The scout looked at Major William Ames and remarked, “They bad enemies of whites. Do not trust them. They Indian, Sioux.”

  Major Ames laughed heartily. “You’ve been riding with Major Butler and listening to him too long, Red Band. Those gentlemen aren’t any threat to us. They’re about as Sioux as I am. You should be careful who you insult,” he warned. “Where’s Captain Smith? I thought you two were riding out this morning.”

  The scout replied, “Captain in quarters. We leave after sun pass overhead.” Red Band would never tell this officer that Captain Clarence Smith had joined one of the “laundresses” in his bunk for an hour. “I get things ready; captain join; we ride.”

  “Just be careful where you two ride,” Ames cautioned. “We don’t need any trouble before General Cooper arrives. We’ll let him handle the situation, if one arises.” Ames knew those two loved to bait and fight Sioux, especially when they were low on supplies and busy with their spring trek, or out hunting in small parties.

  “We follow Major Butler’s orders. We scout and plan.”

  “Like I said, Red Band, only scout and plan,” Ames stressed. “And I want a full report when you return,” Ames told him, hoping it would be before Butler’s return, as that glory-seeking bastard was always countermanding his orders and pulling dangerous stunts.

  Red Band looked at the major as the officer strolled away. He disliked and mistrusted this man who was becoming an Indian-lover, and Major Ames obviously felt contempt for him. He had to be careful in his siding with Butler and Smith because he needed the cavalry to help wipe out his tribe’s enemies, the Sioux. When that was accomplished, his people could claim this area. He would not report to Major Ames; he and Smith would report to Major Butler as ordered. Butler and Smith were right, he decided; Ames was a threat to all of their plans, and should be slain soon. He knew his instincts had never failed him, and he felt challenged to prove Ames wrong. He glanced at the gate, then headed to the corral for his horse to track the two men. He had enough time to check out his suspicions before Smith was ready to ride. Before he could leave, another white man rode up and dismounted. Red Band eyed his buckskins and curly hair.

  “You know all trappers?” the scout asked.

  “You could say I know most of them, and those I ain’t met, I know about,” the man replied, his curiosity seized.

  “You know man called Tanner Gaston?” Red Band questioned. The tall white man gave the name some thought, then shook his head. “You know man called Clay Rivera?”

  “Sure do,” Murray Murdock replied with a sly grin.

  “When you last see?” the scout asked, eyeing Murray strangely.

  “What’s in your craw, Red Band?”

  “Man called Clay Rivera here today. Red Band no trust, no like.”

  Murray laughed. “You two tangle?” he teased, but the scout shook his head. “I met Clay Rivera years ago. He had a cabin about fifty miles from here. Every so often, we saw each other hunting or at the old trading post. We were guides and hunters for that Lewis and Clark expedition. Never met a braver man or better guide. Saved my hide and I saved his a time or two. He returned to his cabin and family after we finished. He’s got a wife and three girls, probably grown by now. Haven’t seen him since. Is he living and trapping in this area now?” Murray asked innocently. He wondered why Bright Arrow would come to this fort, then decided it was to check out the rumors of the Army’s preparation to begin a full assault on the Sioux next month. He had been good friends with Gray Eagle’s son, as Clay Rivera, and knew him to be a fair and honest man. He had not learned of his true identity until they were parting for the last time. The Sioux had wanted to know what Lewis and Clark were up to, and Bright Arrow had joined the group, found they were no threat, and had left them alone. He could not find fault in the Sioux’s wanting to know what they’re up against, so they could protect their families and homes.

  Murray knew that trappers, often called mountain men, usually were considered kindred spirits by most Indians because these restless white men rarely staked claims on Indian land, and they often married Indian women and sometimes became tribal members—if they earned that right. Most Indians realized that mountain men were similar to them, lovers and protectors of nature, men who wanted to get away from other whites and their evils. Most lived and trapped alone or with a squaw and gave the Indians no trouble or problems. Yet, as hundreds of trappers had followed the path of Lewis and Clark, along with soldiers, forts had been built and they had encouraged the coming of trading posts and fur companies. With these had come the white man’s evils: whiskey, illnesses, weapons, and the items which had made many Indians into dependent creatures who now lived near forts where they could obtain trade goods. The same items—kettles, blankets, guns, knives, hatchets, and such—which had made the Indian’s life easier also took away from his self-sufficiency and pride. Murray knew “Clay Rivera” was not a trapper, just as he knew and understood why he and his tribe were concerned and provoked by the white man’s selfish intentions and abuses of their sacred lands and people. Murray’s replies to Red Band were true, so the scout could not read deception in his expression or tone. “He no look white.”

  “That’s because he isn’t. I was told Clay Rivera is Spanish.”

  “You trust this man?” the scout probed.

  “Haven’t been given any reason not to. Where are they camped?”

  “Chucker’s Creek, they say,” Red Band replied skeptically.

  “I’ll be
riding that way in a few days. I’ll stop by and visit with him. How’s things going here? General Cooper arrived yet?”

  “Major Butler say talk to no man not soldier. Plans secret.”

  Murray shrugged and grinned. “That sounds like you don’t trust anyone, Red Band. Suit yourself. I ain’t got no quarrel with the Indians, so they leave me alone. If I were you and Major Butler, I’d be real careful who I antagonize. If you think you can squash those Sioux, you best talk with some of the old-timers before you find out you’re dead wrong to challenge them.” Murray headed for the sutler’s post, whistling and grinning.

  Captain Clarence Smith joined the scout, strapping on his holster and scowling. He grumbled, “I wish one of them traveling sutlers would come this way with some women who know how to please a man. Them Injun washwomen don’t do nothing but lay there or grunt like pigs. What were you and Murray jawing about, Red Band?”

  The scout related all that had taken place since they had parted earlier. “I say, track them. Red Band have bad feelings.”

  Excitement charged through Clarence Smith. “I ain’t had me a good fight in ages, Red Band. Let’s go.”

  Miles from the fort, Bright Arrow caught up with Powchutu. He chuckled as he told his half-uncle, “When that Crow dog comes after us, he will find nothing but dirt and wind. The day will not come when a Crow dog can track Bright Arrow. We ride home, Eagle’s Arm,” he stated in high spirits. He was eager to reach camp the next day to report their findings.

  Silver Hawk rode into the Oglala camp with several warriors. They dismounted and headed for Gray Eagle’s tepee, to be greeted by Shalee. Silver Hawk looked at the woman who should have been his mother. He knew of the stories which told of how his mother Chela had been disobedient, willful, and overly bold, of how she had tried to kill Shalee who had been living as Gray Eagle’s white captive in those terrible days before it was revealed that she was the longmissing daughter of Black Cloud. If Shalee had joined to his father Brave Bear, he and his sisters would have different lives, better ones. And doubtlessly his father would still be chief, still be alive to leave the chief’s bonnet to him, a rank which he had lost because he had been only five when his father had died, too young to become chief. Gray Eagle was to blame for stealing the daughter of Black Cloud from her people and from her place in his life. She was what a mother and wife should be, and he envied her loss to the Oglala. Even though Shalee had lived over sixty winters, she was beautiful and desirable. If others would not think him mad, he would steal her as his own, for he loved her and often dreamed of possessing her in all ways.

  As was common in the Indian culture, he embraced her and addressed her as mother. “I come to see my other family, Mother. The lands and animals grow restless during their rebirths, as do warriors who are eager to hunt and to raid. We come to learn when our Oglala brothers leave the sacred hills to hunt the buffalo.”

  Shalee halted her task to smile at Silver Hawk and to welcome him to their camp and tepee. There was something about Silver Hawk which troubled her, but she concealed her curious feelings. She knew that the Blackfeet warrior was very fond of her, but she wondered how he would feel if he knew she was not Shalee and was all white. On occasion he would visit his “cousins” Bright Arrow and Sun Cloud, and was considered a good friend to her oldest son. Yet, she always sensed he was after something and was not thinking the same way he spoke.

  “We travel in three moons, Silver Hawk. We await the return of Bright Arrow and Eagle’s Arm from the white man’s fort. Speak the news of your wife and sisters,” she entreated politely.

  He responded hurriedly, then returned to the statement which had caught his ear. “All is good with them, Mother. Why did Bright Arrow ride to the white man’s fort? Who is the man at his side?”

  Shalee patiently related the public story about Powchutu, then revealed their mission at the fort. She witnessed Silver Hawk’s annoyance and disappointment, and was not surprised by his next words.

  “I should be at the side of Bright Arrow in this great coup. “

  Shalee smiled indulgently. “You cannot look white, my son, and would endanger your life and his. Will you stay to hear his words?” she invited cordially, hoping he would not accept, but knowing he would. She scolded herself for feeling intimidated around Silver Hawk and for having such wild speculations about his conduct and feelings, but he touched her frequently and strangely and he observed her intensely: looks and touches of a man who was wooing a woman or a man who desired a woman. If she did not know better… She pushed such foolish charges from her mind, telling herself she was mistaken.

  Silver Hawk questioned, “When does Bright Arrow return?”

  “Before the sun sleeps on the new day, if all goes as planned.”

  “We will remain to hear his words,” Silver Hawk replied without conferring with his three warriors. “Where is Gray Eagle and Sun Cloud? We will share news and words with them.”

  “Gray Eagle sits near the river with others. They make plans and weapons for the buffalo hunt. Sun Cloud is away hunting.” She pointed out the direction and watched them leave. Then she went to find Tashina, to ask her help with preparing a large meal for their guests.

  Sun Cloud was irritated to discover that Silver Hawk was visiting the Oglala camp and had probably taken Singing Wind with him. He had ridden swiftly to the Blackfeet camp with hopes of spending a short time with the adopted daughter of Chief Medicine Bear before having to return home from “his hunt.” He wanted to show Singing Wind that he was very interested in her by promptly returning her recent visit. Soon, their summer camps would place a lengthy distance between them, and spring tasks would consume most of their time and energies.

  As casually as possible, Sun Cloud questioned the chief about Singing Wind. As no one knew of her whereabouts, Medicine Bear said that he suspected she had left with Silver Hawk to visit Gray Eagle and Shalee and had forgotten to tell anyone. Medicine Bear told Sun Cloud that Singing Wind often went riding, even hunting, just to be alone. He revealed how the girl had been observed practicing her skills with the bow, lance, and knife in the depths of the nearby forest. He spoke of how Singing Wind would track and slay animals, then give their meat and hides to those in need. He said it was no secret that Singing Wind had become an expert rider, and she often challenged boastful warriors to races, but none would compete, to her vexation.

  Medicine Bear explained how Singing Wind was changing rapidly these days, and she no longer wanted to be teased or scolded. “It is hard for one with such a brave heart and bold spirit to live as a woman. It is as if the Great Spirit mistakenly placed a warrior in the body of a female. Sometimes I forget she is a girl and I treat her like a son. I wish it could be different for Singing Wind, but it cannot. She is a woman, and she must live and die as one.”

  Sun Cloud listened to the impressive tales about the female who was sounding more and more like his mother in character and appeal. He never doubted Singing Wind’s skills and courage, but he wondered how long she could continue battling everyone who thought she was wrong to behave in the manner described by Medicine Bear. “Perhaps when your daughter finds love and accepts a mate, she will become more like a female. Her spirit is restless and wild, as her mother’s was. Some warrior will conquer her and tame her as Brave Bear did to Chela. It will be a mighty battle of wills, Medicine Bear. The man who accepts her challenge must be brave and blind,” he joked, not wanting the chief to suspect his feelings and motives yet.

  The older man laughed heartily and agreed. “It is so, Sun Cloud. I must seek a warrior with the heart and strength of a bear, the cunning of the wolf, and the patience of a beaver to defeat my daughter.”

  “Do you think such a strong man exists?” Sun Cloud inquired, attempting to extract the name of any male who might be after her.

  “I pray there is at least one such man, and that he finds her and wins her soon. Few women live in their father’s tepee at her number of winters. If she remains with me for her twent
y-fourth winter, others will wonder what is wrong with her. I love her, and I worry about her. I wish her to be happy, to accept herself and rank.”

  “I will help you find a mate for Singing Wind. Her mother was Oglala, so there is a place for her in our camp. The sun moves closer to the breast of Mother Earth; I must return to my camp.”

  “May the Great Spirit go with you and guide you, Sun Cloud. If we do not meet again before we leave the sacred hills, I will see you at the joint buffalo hunt and Sun Dance.”

  “It will be good to ride and to feast with Medicine Bear and the Blackfeet once more.” He wanted to hurry home, envisioning Singing Wind sitting in his tepee this very moment.

  Sun Cloud was mounted and ready to leave when Medicine Bear exclaimed, “There she is! Singing Wind, come to us,” he called to the girl not far away. “We did not know where you were.”

  “I have been riding and hunting,” she informed them. “Why were you seeking me?” she asked, her gaze remaining on the chief. She had overheard enough of Sun Cloud’s playful words to be perturbed. She had hoped that he no longer teased her or joked about her. Why did everyone think she had to be conquered and tamed? She was not an animal. What was she doing that was so terribly wrong? Sun Cloud had offered her friendship and had made romantic overtures toward her; then, behind her back, he made fun of her! Obviously he had not changed his bad opinion of her, but he would one day!

  “Sun Cloud came to visit Silver Hawk and Singing Wind, but your brother is visiting the Oglalas. When we could not find you, we thought you had forgot to tell me you had ridden away with Silver Hawk.”

  “I would never leave camp without telling you, my second father. I would not wish to worry you. I did not know of Silver Hawk’s visit.”

  “If you wish to visit my father and mother, you can ride to our camp with me,” Sun Cloud offered, trying to control his eagerness as he grinned enticingly at her.

  Singing Wind shook her head. “When my brother is away, I hunt for Shining Feather and guard her for Silver Hawk. I will visit them another sun. If you do not hurry, darkness will surround you.”