Bittersweet Ecstasy

by Taylor, Janelle

  “Beats me, but Smith’s gonna miss his Injun scout.”

  “That’s ‘cause Red Band was always making them Injuns’ squaws spend time in Smith’s quarters for free, if you know what I mean.”

  “Smith best watch himself. One of them squaws might stick a knife in his gullet one night. His tongue and his ways ain’t nice to ’em. You think Smith’s right about them Sioux being out there watching us and waiting to pick us off when we ride out?”

  “Don’t matter what they’re doing or planning. But if they try to retaliate with an ambush, Smith’s trap will work. If’n anybody follows us tomorrow, we’ll have ‘em trapped between us. Course, I’d rather be riding behind them Sioux with Smith instead of before ‘em.”

  By the time Bright Arrow reached his band, the others had returned. The warriors exchanged information. Although he did not want to repeat what the men had said about him and his brother, Bright Arrow felt he should reveal every word, in case there was a helpful clue hidden amongst them. He was relieved when none of his men agreed.

  “We will watch the fort and trail those who leave when Wi lights our lands. It is not wise or safe to attack their camp now; there are too many in one place. It is better to pick them off in smaller groups.”

  “What about the supply wagons?” one warrior inquired.

  “They are empty, so there is no need to burn them. It would only alert them to our presence. It is best to nibble cautiously and slowly at our prey, not devour it rashly and swiftly; it could choke us in our rush, or it could be bait to lure us into peril, or it could be tainted to kill us. We will slay those who leave soon, then we will seek this new leader they speak of. We must learn of his size and power.”

  “What of the man who captured you long ago?” Night Rider asked.

  “He is mine,” Bright Arrow declared coldly.

  “How will we know him?” Night Rider asked.

  “His hair is like flames of a fire and his eyes are as blue as the best summer sky we have seen. I will point him out to you.”

  “What of the other men whose names you know?” Good Tracker inquired, recalling what they had been told about those white men.

  “We must slay them all,” Touch-the-sky declared. “As with the Sacred Bow carriers and Cheyenne dog-rope wearers, we must never surrender to our foes. We must fight till death, or honorably retreat to battle them another day. We must slay all whites,” he stressed.

  “No, we must try to spare the lives of our white friends, for they are few and could help us another sun. Surrender is sometimes necessary, Touch-the-sky, to survive to find a chance to escape, to seek victory and vengeance another day. Guards must be posted while others sleep,” Bright Arrow told them, ending the conversation.

  The sentry continually scanned the area from which the signal would come if there was trouble. Suddenly a flash of light caught his eye. “Major Ames and his men just passed the lookout, sir,” he called down to the waiting officers, then watched that area intently.

  Smith said, “If any Sioux start following them, we’ll get another signal, then Ames will be alerted. He’s to keep riding for ten minutes while we get into position, then his detail is to turn and fight.”

  Butler laughed wickedly and whispered, “I bet that order stuck in his craw, and he hopes we’re wrong. I can’t wait to see his red face when we have to rescue him from Sioux. You sure you told Sims to warn him? Shame if he got killed before we could reach him.”

  Smith chuckled with his commanding officer and good friend. “Afraid so. Too many men out there with him. Wouldn’t look good on me to lose another troop. We’ll get Ames another day, real soon.”

  “I’m depending on you, Clarence. Your neck’s in this noose too if Ames tattles on us. Best knock off Daniels too; they’re real close.”

  “Red Band was going to handle them for us, and the fool went and got himself and my men killed. Must have been sleeping to let them Sioux sneak up on him. We still got us an Ace or two,” he hinted.

  “You mean that two-faced brave?” Butler probed. “What will he do for us? We’ve already double-crossed him. We weren’t suppose to attack that war council, and I bet he’s boiling mad, if he’s still alive.”

  Smith grinned and replied smugly, “Don’t you worry none; I’ll have him eating out of my hand in a week or so. We know each other and how to get in touch. He’ll get rid of Ames and Daniels for us, and Cooper too. I’ll even let him get rid of Bright Arrow and Sun Cloud for us before we do him and his Blackfeet in. He’s real greedy and crazy, and the fool thinks he needs us.”

  “You didn’t tell any of the men about Gray Eagle’s visit, did you?”

  “No way. They’d be wetting their pants if they learned who strolled in and out of here with that so-called Clay Rivera.”

  The sentry stared through his field glasses, then saw it again. He called down, “Major Butler, there she is; they’re being followed by Sioux like Captain Smith said. Message was, they’re hanging back right now, probably waiting until they’re out of our hearing range to attack.”

  “They’ll reach that box canyon in about fifteen minutes. Mount up,” he shouted to the men who were waiting beside their horses.

  “How do you plan to get that brave’s help again?” Butler asked skeptically as his company prepared to leave to spring their trap.

  To make certain no one heard him, Smith leaned toward Butler. “Make him two offers he can’t refuse: silence and rewards. I’ll have him convinced the attack on the war camp was a mistake, on Ames’s part naturally. I’ll persuade him you can make him the most powerful chief in this area. ‘Course, for my help, I’ll let him give me that chief’s daughter Red Band pointed out to me. Singing Wind…Yep, she’ll have me singing happily real soon,” he murmured satanically. “I might even share her with you, old friend.”

  “You mean, if there’s anything left after two days in your quarters. Let’s ride, men,” Butler shouted to his troops. “We got to make sure they follow Ames into that canyon and we don’t let them out again.”

  Flaming Star had turned to speak to Night Rider when he saw the flash of light from a hill behind them. He realized the soldiers before them had been riding slowly, as if going nowhere. As they neared the entrance to the canyon, he realized where they were heading, or being led. He reined in sharply and yelled, “Stop! It is a trap! I saw their signal. This is the only path to and from this place.” He related his observations and suspicions, and the others concluded he could be right.

  The warriors concealed themselves to check out this suspicion before pursuing the men ahead of them, which soon proved to be a wise decision when a large troop passed, led by the man wearing a red bandana. It was obvious another clever trap was in progress. As there were too many soldiers to challenge, the Oglala band had no choice but to slip away carefully, which galled Bright Arrow, who had recognized Clarence Smith—his father’s slayer—among them.

  “Good Tracker, take the duty and coup for slaying the white-eyes who sent the shiny signals; it will be our warning, to show them they cannot trick us. Slay him and join us as we ride. We will seek out this General Cooper to see if he is all they claim,” Gray Eagle’s oldest son scoffed irritably, for he was fatigued from his exertions and lack of sleep and from his minor defeat, and he was perturbed by the evil soldier who seemed to know their moves and thoughts.

  The band rode in the direction from which Cooper and his regiment were said to be approaching. Once that joined the one at Fort Dakota, it would be difficult to battle such a combined force. The warriors rested little all day. By the time they sighted the large regiment, which had just halted for the night, it was after six o’clock. The soldiers looked tired, as if they had been pressed onward at a murderous pace. It appeared that they were setting up camp for more than one night in this spot. The Oglalas concealed themselves in the woods to wait for dark to arrive, resting and sleeping and eating as they did so. Good Tracker arrived, grinning in pleasure and victory.

  “T
hey will be slow to seek to trap us again,” Bright Arrow praised his friend’s success, then focused on the task at hand. “We will sneak to their camp as we did the fort and hear their plans,” he suggested, as the quarter moon put out little light to expose their approach.

  Night Rider argued, “There are many of them; they camp in the open, and there are guards everywhere. This leader is careful and cunning. I say it is too dangerous to sneak to their tepees, and few are awake to talk,” he remarked on the exhausted camp.

  “If you do not wish to help us, Night Rider, Flaming Star and Bright Arrow will go alone,” Bright Arrow informed him peevishly. “How can we defeat men and plans which we do not know?”

  Touch-the-sky protested, “Do not endanger your life to seek the man with flaming hair and sky eyes. You can slay him another sun or moon. Night Rider’s words are true and wise; it is too risky.”

  “On the last moon, did you not say it is better to die than to surrender? Allowing this chance to learn about our worst and newest foe to slip from our grasp is a defeat we cannot accept. If we must risk our lives for our people’s safety and survival, so it must be. I will not try to find and slay my former foe; I will only seek information to help our people in this new war. I wish to study this new leader before he is hidden behind the fort walls,” Bright Arrow debated, duping the others and himself, for he truly did not realize how much he had to prove to himself if Timothy Moore was in that camp nearby.

  Good Tracker remarked, “If I could speak or understand the white man’s tongue, I would go with you, my friend and future chief.”

  “You are brave and cunning, my friend Good Tracker. There is little light from Hunwi’s face, so we will be hidden in the darkness. Many do sleep, so our task is easier. We will seek those who are restless in mind and body, and learn why.”

  Flaming Star eyed his friend intently, and worried. He, too, was against this action, but he would follow the band leader’s orders. He could tell that Night Rider and Touch-the-sky were annoyed with Bright Arrow, but the others appeared pleased with his words and deeds.

  It was hours before Bright Arrow rejoined them, holding a blue and yellow uniform in his hand. All eyes widened as they viewed his newly cut hair, which was resting far above his shoulders, and listened to his recent behavior: he had slain a soldier, stolen a uniform, cut his hair shorter, and visited the center of the camp in his disguise!

  “I will save this, for I may need it again,” the overly confident warrior announced. “It is a good trick. Perhaps we should steal many uniforms and fool them during a raid.”

  “We cannot pass for white as you can,” Night Rider reminded him.

  “That does not matter. We need only to fool them until we can get within striking distance,” Bright Arrow reasoned wishfully.

  “That would work only at night, and only if we also stole their horses and gear,” Touch-the-sky debated his confidence and reckless idea.

  “We will decide that matter another time. What did you learn?” Flaming Star asked eagerly.

  “He is there,” Bright Arrow carelessly revealed. “I could not get to him; for two soldiers guard his tepee. Another sun, and he will die.”

  “Why did you not slay his guards? To kill their leader would bring disunity and confusion,” Night Rider inquired in dissatisfaction.

  “Their leader?” Bright Arrow echoed, exposing the warrior’s mistaken impression before he could halt his words. “I could not get near his tepee,” he quickly explained, “for many guards are posted around it. I see he fears the Oglalas before he confronts us. It is good. I did hear two white-eyes talking who are angry with him, as are most. He has forced them to march all day and half of the night for weeks, for he is eager to get to Fort Dakota to take control. They said he is heartless; they do not like or respect him; this is good. They did not wish to come to our lands and battle us; they are afraid. They do not know my father is dead; this news has been kept from them.”

  “We must use this fear,” Night Rider suggested.

  “Yes, we must use this fear of the Oglalas and Gray Eagle,” he agreed. Unaware Cooper had altered his plans without informing his troops, Bright Arrow reported what he had overheard, “The leader, General Cooper, plans to leave half of his men and supplies here to fool us, for he thinks we may be watching the fort and he does not wish us to know how strong they are. We must seek help from other tribes to attack here and destroy half of them while they are divided.”

  “Will the one with flaming hair be left behind?” Night Rider asked.

  Bright Arrow turned and eyed him strangely. “Yes,” he replied.

  “It would take many warriors to destroy this camp. That would leave our camp and others vulnerable to this new leader.”

  “More vulnerable than after they unite and ride against us, Touch-the-sky? We must strike swiftly and lethally while we are strongest.”

  “What of the war council in three moons? It will take nearly two suns to get home and to ride to where it will meet. How long will these bluecoats camp here? Is there time to warn others and collect warriors to help us? It will not look good if you are not present at the council.”

  “Your words are wise and true, Night Rider, but which is more important: losing this chance to even the odds once more or attending a council where men will talk until the sun rises before they decide to do what is best for all? We must strike before they know we have discovered this camp and their plans.”

  “They will know as soon as they find the soldier’s body.”

  Flaming Star suggested, “Why not take it with us? It will look as if he has run away during the night, if we hide our tracks.”

  “It is good, my friend,” Bright Arrow concurred, smiling.

  Night Rider, a Sacred Bow carrier, and Touch-the-sky, a shirt wearer, both eyed Bright Arrow closely and curiously, and both decided they should watch him and his deeds even closer in the future, before the next vote for chief…

  The Oglala band rode for hours, with two warriors trailing them and covering their tracks. Flaming Star noticed how often Bright Arrow grimaced in discomfort and gingerly rubbed his left forearm. When they halted to rest, he demanded to look at it, and discovered one of Bright Arrow’s “mourning cuts” had become infected.

  “See how it festers and flames? We must build a fire to clean it and burn it, or it will poison your body and mind,” his friend warned.

  “No, we must ride home quickly,” Bright Arrow protested.

  “If we do not tend this injury, you will not live to battle your foe again,” his friend retorted almost angrily, aware that Bright Arrow’s actions were not sitting well with some of his band, nor with him.

  Their gazes met, and Flaming Star frowned. “You must clear your head of revenge, my brother, for it worries others and causes them to doubt your motives,” he whispered in deep concern. “You must know when to ride and when to halt. These past suns have been hard on each of us. Remember the bluecoats’ words against their leader who pushes them too hard and long,” he hinted meaningfully.

  Bright Arrow stole a glance around his camp, and realized his friend was right. “Do what must be done, Flaming Star.”

  The eldest son of White Arrow built a fire, heated his knife, and prepared a potion from his own pezuta wopahte, medicine bundle. He lanced the injury, drained it, sealed it with his white-hot blade, placed a mixture of healing herbs on it, then wrapped it with a stolen cloth. He looked at Bright Arrow, whose pallor, glazed eyes, beads of sweat, and quiverings exposed his sorry condition.

  “We must go,” Bright Arrow said, wincing with pain as he tried to rise. When his friend firmly pressed him to the sleeping mat, he asked, “What if a foe saw our fire? If we are attacked and I cannot ride, you must leave me and save yourselves.” He felt weak and shaky, for it had taken all of his strength and courage to hold still and quiet while Flaming Star tended his throbbing arm. He wished his brother’s words about the danger of such cuts would leave his troubled mind.


  “No. The fire is out and we will set a guard. The horses must rest and graze, and we must eat and sleep,” Flaming Star refuted. “Take this,” he offered, pushing a piece of a medicinal root into his friend’s mouth to ease his pain and to help him sleep.

  Miles apart, many things took place on the second of May. General Phillip Cooper disguised himself as a captain, took only a few of his men, and left his camp to complete his arduous journey to Fort Dakota, where he would claim to be an advance unit sent to “let the commander and soldiers there know that General Cooper would be arriving in three or four days,” but actually his devious plan was to check out the men without their knowledge. Major Timothy Moore was left behind to take charge of this secret camp and to arrive at Fort Dakota on the morning of the fifth with half of the troops, while the other half were to arrive on the seventh, unless Cooper changed those orders.

  Near the fort, Captain Clarence Smith left a message for Silver Hawk in the usual manner and place, asking for a meeting the day after the war council on Friday, which his Indian scouts had discovered.

  Far away, Bright Arrow and his band rode swiftly toward their camp. Singing Wind and Silver Hawk made separate plans to visit the Oglala camp. Little Feet and Thunder Spirit prepared for their joining the next morning; Tashina helped her sister and fretted over her own impending fate; and Sun Cloud did whatever was needed by his people.

  On the morning of May third, Little Feet and Thunder Spirit were joined by the ceremonial chief. As they raced happily into their new tepee, Tashina and Sun Cloud took charge of her two small sons. Tashina had no way of knowing that faraway, her true love had just learned of her claim by Silver Hawk and of Bright Arrow’s shocking acceptance…

  Nearing the midday meal before the afternoon rest period, two guests arrived at the Oglala camp: Silver Hawk and Singing Wind. When Sun Cloud was told by Deer Stalker of their arrival and presence in Bright Arrow’s tepee, he could not imagine staying there as promised to help care for Little Feet’s sons. Sleep near his lost love…Four moons had passed since Bright Arrow had announced their imminent joining, and she had not come to explain it or to deny it. He had to remember his pride and rank; he must not reveal any anguish or desire where she was concerned. He hated to leave Tashina with Silver Hawk, but they would not be alone.