The Endless Sky (Cheyenne Series)

by Shirl Henke

  * * * *

  The journey down from the mountains took them over a week, burdened as they were with old people and children. They followed the ridge above the swollen rushing waters of the Little Bighorn. Chase, along with several other warriors, scouted ahead and quickly located the still massing summer camp of Sitting Bull on the lower end of the river, which the Indians called the Greasy Grass. Finally the weary caravan of Cheyenne entered the long narrow valley and looked down on the most enormous encampment of Indians any had ever seen. The northernmost end of the long meandering lines of teepees were clustered just below the mouth of Sundance Creek, which flowed into the Greasy Grass. These were the lodges of the great Sitting Bull and his Hunkpapa. The other Teton groups were sprawled for over three miles downstream along the western bank of the river.

  On the high bluffs at the edge of the valley, Elk Bull's band paused, looking down at the river below them, ice cold, brimming with the melted snows of the mountains from which they had come. Dense thickets of cottonwood trees rustled in the warm June breeze, clustered here and there along the banks, offering shade to many of the lodges. To the west side of the valley a series of low grassy hills undulated with pony herds grazing on the lush early summer grasses. There were thousands of lodges and countless more horses swarming across the level elevated benches in the west.

  Stephanie reined in the small paint mare Chase had given her and sat uncomfortably on her wooden saddle, gazing down in awe on the encampment below. ‘‘It's incredible. The lodges stretch on for miles and the horses...” Her voice trailed away in incredulity.

  Chase's eyes narrowed, studying the lay of the land. “They've chosen a good campsite considering the size of the group. The need for game for the stew pots, not to mention grass for the horses, will be huge. They've already moved several times since the convergence began in May.”

  “Do you think General Crook will attack?” she asked worriedly, thinking more of her friends and family among the Cheyenne than of the soldiers.

  “After the trouncing the Lakota gave him on the Rosebud last week, I doubt it. He was in full retreat last our scouts heard. But that still leaves Gibbon, Terry and Custer. It's Custer I'd worry about,” he added grimly.

  “Only a madman would attack a village of this size without half a dozen regiments,” Stephanie said.

  “From what the other scouts and I have learned, Terry's whole command is only around a thousand men and poorly armed except for the Gatling gun battery, which they'll never be able to move in this rugged terrain. Still, if Terry turns Custer loose, sooner or later there'll be trouble.”

  “Is—is there any chance Hugh's command from Fort Steele will be involved in this campaign?” she asked hesitantly. The matter had been preying on her mind ever since the band's scouts had brought word about the soldiers from Fort Lincoln and Fort Fetterman taking the field.

  Chase looked over at her with an unreadable expression on his face but before he could frame a reply Plenty Horses approached them, smiling broadly. “What do you wait for? Our Lakota brothers send their greetings and a site for our camp has already been selected to the south.”

  Smooth Stone, who had been sharing a pony with another older boy, waved as they rode down the hill. Tiny Dancer, eager to be with Stephanie when they entered the new camp, jumped from the travois on which she had ridden with several other little girls. “May 1 ride with you, Eyes Like Sun?” she asked excitedly.

  Smiling, Stephanie reached down and snatched the slender little body up onto the front of the saddle. “You must eat more. You still weigh next to nothing.”

  Silently the cavalcade made its way down into the valley of the Greasy Grass where they hoped to find safety and companionship after the long winter's isolation. By that evening the newest Cheyenne arrivals had set up their lodges beside those of the other bands and the sounds of a great celebration could be heard up and down the vast camp.

  Elk Bull, Chase and the other leaders from their group were feted by their fellow tribesmen. Feasting and dancing went on far into the night. Stephanie took the children and returned to their lodge early, too weary from the journey and her own emotional turmoil to rest well. What would happen this summer? Would the army attack the warriors out on the hunt, forcing the tribes from this, the last open land on which they could roam freely? Would Hugh somehow find out she was here and attempt to rescue her—or if Chase was right—kill her?

  Most of all she worried that Chase would send her away. Especially now since she had become certain she carried his child. Since his return to their mountain stronghold, she had been almost positive but told no one, not even her best friend, Kit Fox. Red Bead may have suspected but the enigmatic old woman did not speak of it. Stephanie did not know what to do. As the baby's father, Chase had the right to know, yet their tribal marriage was a fragile thing and the shadow of her white husband still hovered over them.

  She did not want to bind Chase to her with a child any more than she wanted to use her penury as leverage against being returned to civilization. A part of her still abhorred the idea of raising their child—a child that would be three-quarters white—in the harsh and dangerous world of Horse Indians. Would she end up like Anthea, forced to leave the reservation in order to save her child's life after Chase had been killed? But the hope that Chase would ever leave the Cheyenne to settle down and live as a white man was a slim one indeed. With his family's wealth behind them, securing her divorce from Hugh would be possible. Had she the right to ask him?

  Does he love me enough to become Chase Remington again, no longer the White Wolf? With that troubling question haunting her, Stephanie drifted off into a restless sleep. When she awakened the following morning, Chase was gone. He had come to their lodge late and drawn her into his embrace, holding her as they slept, naked flesh pressed to naked flesh. But first he had quietly made love to her, stroking her breasts and belly beneath the robes, then sliding into the welcoming warmth of her body from behind. Without the need for words they had lain together like two spoons when it was complete, silently reveling in the exquisite joy of simply being together.

  She felt the furs beside her, still warm with his body heat. Tell him. Tell him today. She stretched and smiled, sliding her tunic over her head as she looked at the children asleep across the floor. Perhaps I shall, she thought as she threw off her covers and put on her moccasins and reached for the water bucket.

  When Stephanie walked outside the hazy morning fog was just beginning to lift, revealing that she had overslept considerably. Being pregnant was beginning to take a toll on her energy reserves. All she wanted to do here of late was sleep. Waving to Red Bead, whose lodge stood next to theirs, she began to walk toward the rushing hum of the river when suddenly a warrior came splashing across the water, riding hell-bent into the center of the Cheyenne camp, yelling excitedly and waving his rifle in the air. Her heart froze as she mentally translated his cries into English.

  “The Blue Coats are attacking!”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Stephanie dropped her water bucket and dashed back to her lodge. Everywhere around her chaos erupted as mothers called out for their children and babies wailed in fright. Young children stood by, their eyes round with fear. Two girls began gathering the smaller children together in a protective huddle while the boys looked to their elder brothers, hoping for the chance to use their toy weapons. Men rushed into their lodges in search of their bows and guns, shouting orders to their families.

  Stephanie reached Red Bead, who remained calm amid the pandemonium, calling out for several boys to put down their small game bows and enter their lodges. Disappointed, they obeyed. “What are we to do?” Stephanie asked the older woman.

  Before Red Bead could reply, Chase galloped into the center of the circle of lodges and leaped from Thunderbolt's back. He had with him half a dozen of the horses from their herd including the big dun. “Where are the children?” he demanded.

  “Still asleep—or at least they were
,” Stephanie replied.

  “Get them up and pack some food and water quickly. I've brought horses. Can you handle the dun?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Our scouts say the soldiers will be here soon,” he interrupted her. “I want you well out of the line of fire by then.”

  Red Bead nodded, checking the position of the sun in the hazy sky. “Plenty time.” She entered her lodge and quickly set to work.

  Stephanie did not budge. “How many soldiers are there? Surely their leader can't hope to attack a camp of this size unless he has several thousand men.”

  “We don't know their strength yet or even who it is—could be Crook or Terry, but I'd bet it's Custer, riding hell-bent through fog all morning with no advance reconnaissance to tell him how badly outnumbered he'll be.”

  Icy fingers of dread squeezed her heart. “What are you going to do, Chase?” He'll have to fight.

  “See you to safety, then join my uncle and the rest of our warriors. Because he has a son old enough to fight with us, Elk Bull will be in charge of protecting the Cheyenne women and children. Come, there's no time to waste.” He took her arm to urge her into their lodge.

  Stephanie pressed her hand on his naked chest, stopping him. “Chase, they could kill you.”

  He stroked her cheek and held her, realizing that she did truly love him even though he was going into battle against her own kind. Oblivious of all else but each other, they stood with their eyes locked as frightened people cried out and ran around them. “I don't plan to die today,” he said simply. “Now, let's get Smooth Stone and Tiny Dancer. I want to be certain you're well away from the fighting. The soldiers will come from across the river. Elk Bull wants the women to camp on the bench lands far to the west, out of harm's way.”

  They entered the lodge where the children were awake, sitting wide-eyed on their pallets. At a glance it was obvious that they were badly frightened. They had already suffered so many tragic losses in their brief lifetimes. Stephanie prayed there would be no more this day. “You must pack your things quickly. We are moving west to the bench lands with the other families,” she said calmly.

  Tiny Dancer ran to her but Smooth Stone looked at Chase expectantly. “I heard the crier say Blue Coats were attacking.”

  “They're on their way, yes,” Chase replied.

  “I will fight them beside you. You will be proud of me,” the boy said boldly, reaching for his small bow and quiver.

  “Listen well, Smooth Stone, for I give you a very important duty.” At once the child paused and looked up at him. “You must protect your sister and foster mother and Aunt Red Bead. Some warriors must see that they get safely to the bench lands. Will you do this thing for me?”

  The boy swallowed manfully, disappointed that he could not join the battle with his hero but not surprised for he knew he was yet small and unproven. He had been entrusted with the women of their family. That was an honor for which he would endeavor to be worthy. “I will do as you say,” he replied solemnly.

  Chase hugged the boy. “I am proud of you, Smooth Stone.” Then he took Tiny Dancer from Stephanie's arms and held her for a moment to calm her trembling. Setting her down he said, “It will be all right. Gather your belongings and do as your foster mother says.” She nodded gravely.

  Stephanie and Chase looked at each other as the children obediently began to pick up their simple possessions. “I must go. You know what to do. Elk Bull and some of the other older warriors are waiting at the edge of camp.”

  “We'll hurry, Chase.” There was so much she longed to say but she could not find the words. Now was not the time, but when would be? “Keep safe, my love. We'll be waiting. I love you, Chase.”

  He pulled her into his arms for a swift kiss, just as the sharp crack of rifle fire echoed up the valley from the south. At once he released her. “They're coming at the Cheyenne camp first! No time to waste,” he said, scooping up Tiny Dancer and thrusting her into Stephanie's arms as the child clutched her doll tightly to her chest.

  Smooth Stone led them out of the lodge, looking over his shoulder to be certain Stephanie followed. Chase lifted the boy onto a small pinto, then handed Tiny Dancer up. Red Bead, laden with two large packs, emerged from her lodge. Chase took the items from his aunt and helped her onto a gentle old mare, then handed her one of the packs. Stephanie waited beside the dun, holding the reins of the spare horses. There had been no time to pack their belongings. She had heard stories around the forts about whole villages set to the torch. Visions of the charred ruins of a whole winter's hard work flashed before her eyes. It isn't fair!

  Chase lifted her onto the dun and handed her the pack. “At least you'll have food and water,” he said simply. “Now go.” His eyes met Smooth Stone's and the boy nodded, kicking the pinto into a trot. Chase watched as they rode over to where Elk Bull and a number of the older warriors were assembling the women and children.

  Not everyone was proceeding with the evacuation in an orderly fashion. Women still raced about calling for missing children, most probably boys who were too young to fight yet did not believe they were. Some frightened girls ran squealing up the open valley floor to the north headed toward the Sans Arc teepees. Everywhere horses were churning up thick dust as youths rode in with their family mounts and women began to load the ponies with belongings. Dogs barked excitedly, adding to the melee. The shouts of angry warriors blended with the wails of babies. Ominously the sharp report of distant gunfire and the loud yips of embattled Cheyenne and Lakota rolled up the valley floor.

  Once his family was safely in route across the valley, Chase turned Thunderbolt to the south, headed toward the battle. By the time he arrived the warriors had driven the attacking soldiers from their horses. The Blue Coats were dug in along the river in a dense stand of timber from which they fired desultory shots. The warriors, too, had mostly dismounted and were returning fire from behind rocks and bushes. There seemed to be more than ample defenders to keep the troops pinned down.

  Judging from the number of rounds fired, there could surely be no more than a couple of hundred soldiers in the trees. Where were the rest? Remembering Custer's tactics at Washita, splitting his command and attacking from several sides at once, Chase grew worried. Then he saw the rising plumes of dust to the east, northerly along the steep ridge across the river which was rent by two deep ravines. It would take only moments for soldiers to pour out of them and across the shallow ford in the river.

  The nearest of all the combined camps was that of the Cheyenne, most of whom were engaged in fighting the entrenched soldiers to the south. Turning Thunderbolt around, he headed back up the valley toward the Lakota camp where the chiefs readied their men. If this was Custer, Chase had learned a thing or two about how they must fight the Long Hair. As he urged the big black forward, he prayed not all of General Terry's forces were converging on them, especially any coming from the west where the noncombatants had sought sanctuary. But he knew blue-bellies never considered the old, the women or the children exempt from slaughter.

  When he reached the central Lakota camp, which was scattered several miles along the twisting riverbank, he saw the same pandemonium he'd witnessed earlier with the Cheyenne. Wasting no time, he searched for the young war chiefs among Sitting Bull's men. The great leader, like Elk Bull, had sons to fight for his family and he was in charge of evacuation. Spying Gall, one of the most influential chiefs, Chase headed toward the Lakota, a man who had listened with respect when he spoke in council.

  “My warriors bring word of many more Long Knives beyond the ridge.” Gall said without preamble, pointing to the east. “What of those who attacked from the south?”

  “They are being held down but I fear many more come from the east. They will ride through the coulee there.”

  Gall nodded. “My warriors ready themselves to stop that. I have already sent some down to the edge of the water to lie in wait in the bushes.”

  “What of Crazy Horse?” Chase knew the young w
ar chief mistrusted him because of his white blood, yet Crazy Horse was the most brilliant tactician among all the Lakota.

  “He gathers his warriors to the north of here. There are many of them and they can strike quickly wherever they are needed. He has said to tell you he is grateful for the many-bullet rifles you brought us. Now more than ever they will be needed.”

  Chase had brought Henry and Winchester repeaters as gifts from his band. The loot had been taken from raids on stages and supply trains last summer. “I am only glad my brothers have the weapons this day,” he replied. “I think these Blue Coats are led by the Long Hair, Custer. He would split his command this way. We must learn how many soldiers he has and where he has sent them. If they ride down on us from the north or worst of all, the west, our women and children will be in terrible danger.”

  “Come. You should tell this thing to Crazy Horse and see what he will do. I will lead my warriors across the river to the coulee and stop the Blue Coats there.”

  Chase nodded, knowing he would stand a better chance of having the Lakota war chief listen because of his gifts than he would have before last night. Just then the sound of a bugle blowing a charge rolled across the open river. Gall yelled for his warriors to follow him and vaulted onto his horse. Quickly the dust churned up from hundreds of ponies filled the air as the Hunkpapa charged toward the river with his warriors. Several groups of men, some of them Cheyenne from his band, were returning from the south where the first attackers had been repulsed and pinned down. Recognizing Blue Eagle and Plenty Horses, Chase called out to them. They quickly rode over to him.

  “I need you to scout around the western perimeter of the valley and look for soldiers.”