Grail Quest (26 page)

Wolf looked around the council. “If his mind is clear in the morning we will talk to him.”
 

Leahna and Moyock came to at the Medicine Lodge door. To Chief Wolf, Leahna said, “We want to see Squire, to talk to him. He must be sick. We have brought food and water for him.”

“No, you can not enter. We guard him now. You can leave provisions for him.”

Moyock said, “Chief Wolf, if Squire is to be questioned. I can help. I am the only one who speaks Squire’s tongue well, and I understand Mandan.”

 
Not until the council was seated in the Medicine Lodge was Moyock allowed to enter.
 
Not wanting to be looked down upon by the prisoner Chief Wolf ordered Squire to be tied sitting. Moyock sat next to him.

Before Old Cougar could instruct Moyock, I moaned, “What have I done, Moyock? What have I done?”

“You were out of your mind. You jumped on the Big Canoe. The Grail was not in it.”

“Oh My God! I must have been crazy.”

Chief Wolf said, “What does Squire say?’

“He doesn’t know what he did. He was much sickness in his head. I told him what happened. He says he is ashamed of what I tell him. He says he is very sorry and apologizes to the Mandan for his horrible behavior.”

Old Cougar said, “Ask if he knows why he did this strange thing.”

Whispering, I
 
told Moyock about the moon. “I don’t know if you should mention the Grail.”

“Squire says after Coyote-Bull threw him over his head he doesn’t remember anything until he was tied here. His mind was gone. When he arose from the pallet, he was very sick in his head. He tried to capture the moon he saw resting on the Great Canoe.”

Chief Wolf looked around at the council members and asked for comments.

Full of arrogance, Puma answered first. “He has defiled our most sacred relics. We have been generous to a stranger and he has repaid us by vile treachery!…
He should not live!
”

Old Cougar intervened on the side of tradition. “When have we Mandan ever killed a man who is loco? In the past when a Mandan, even a visiting Sioux, had a loco head, have we ever killed him? No, we have protected him and cared for him as Wakan Tanka orders.”

Puma answered, “But they were sick all the time. It appears to me Squire is cured. Should he still be protected? No. He should pay for his sacrilege.”

“Ask Squire if he knows how we have talked here.”

I answered, “Yes. I can understand the wrath of my friends, the Mandan. The only explanation I have for my behavior is the quest I was ordered on by the Great White Father far across the Great Lake. I was to find a sacred relic he thought was in this land. It is a powerful relic which brings good fortune to the possessor. The Mandan are so fortunate in all their ways that I thought it possible the Mandan possessed this relic. Out of my head from my injury, I must have had a crazy notion that the relic was under the moon in the Big Canoe. It was not. The worst result of my crime was that we hoped to live with, and become Mandan. I am profoundly sorry for what I have done.”

Lynx, a friend of Puma said, “We did not know of his search for his relic. He deceived us. All the more reason for his death.”

Bear answered, “I know Squire well. In his right mind he would not touch our Sacred Place. In his right mind if he thought his relic was in the Big Canoe, he would have asked us.”

Arguments resumed back and forth. The majority seemed in favor of my death. Bear and Fox were the only two wholly in my court. Old Cougar vacillated but generally favored the tradition that they protected the insane. Chief Wolf remained a neutral chairman. Eventually Puma stood, picked up his stone club, and said, “We have talked enough. I will kill the skunk myself!”

Bear leaped up, “Wait, Puma, would you murder my blood brother?”

Puma glared at Bear, but didn’t move. Chief Wolf said, “Back off, Puma. You killing Bear’s blood brother would start a feud within the tribe. No one wants that.”

“So. Now we hear you are blood brothers, Bear.
 
You are not careful who you share your blood with.”

“I make my own choices, Puma. I don’t care what you think.”

Recognizing a critical situation, Chief Wolf stood and told them both to sit down. “This council will decide the matter…not you two eagles.”

The arguments got nowhere until Chief Wolf said, “We are men. We must decide. We must find a way to compromise and settle this mater.”

There followed a long silence. Then Old Cougar spoke up. “Considering what Squire did, he can not go unpunished.
 
Considering his loco head at the time it would be unwise to just kill him. He has said he is sorry he can not be a Mandan. I suggest he should be given the test of O-kee-pa. If he doesn’t survive, he’s had his punishment. If he survives, he still will have been punished, but will have earned the right to be a Mandan…and forgiven of his sin.”

The men were silent whiled they considered Old Cougar’s proposition.

“Ha.” Said Puma. “That is a good thought. He will not last. That will be the end of him.”

Puma probably thought I was too old to survive. Mandan men who set out in O-kee-pa were young and in their prime, eighteen or nineteen. I had to be all of thirty summers.

Bear said, “Before Squire joined us, we had O-kee-pa this year. Winter is near. Next O-kee-pa is not till the season of budding, many moons from now. Shall he be a prisoner until then?”

Old Cougar said, “I did not mean to stage the entire ceremony, only the manhood test.”

Grunts of approval settled the matter. Since Old Cougar conducted the routine he said, “Tomorrow we will prepare. The next morning we will commence.”

Since the matter was settled, they freed me from the post, but warned me not to leave the lodge. Bear said to me, “You will suffer terrible pain. You must take the pain with courage. You must be brave. Try not to scream or cry out. If you not show fortitude, the agony will get worse. You will be on your own. I can call advice to you, but no one can help you. Only Wakan Tanka.”

“You are a good friend, Bear. I will do my best.”

As part of the ritual I was forbidden to have anything to eat or drink beforehand. Bear took Moyock aside, “I am much worried about Squire. He is not young like our youths, who full of stug, endure the torture.”
 
During the night, Moyock crept up the back side of the Medicine Lodge and dropped jerky and a fur sopping with water, through the skylight to me.

Since neither Moyock, as an untried youth, nor Leahna, as a woman, could watch O-kee-pa inside the medicine lodge, Bear acted as my surrogate. He painted my body, naked except for a breechcloth, with colors and designs he thought appropriate for me. Moyock brought my broken flintlock, my bow, quiver, knife, saber and Leahna’s charm to the Medicine Lodge door.

When I saw the crucifix I said, “That is not for me. That is Leahna’s charm against the evil witch. She must wear it.”

Bear said, “She said you must have it during your ordeal. Do not worry, Moyock will protect Leahna. If this charm has power for a White Man, you must use it.”

Recognizing the urgency in Bear’s voice, I reluctantly had him fasten the crucifix around my neck. I thought, since the Holy Grail is not here, this ought to be the next best thing. I was led to sit near the center of the room. Then Old Cougar, in full regalia, smoked his medicine pipe, and urged me to call for protection from Wakan Tanka during my travail. “You must prepare your mind and spirit to hold up your courage.”

Near the center of the room, eight buffalo skulls were stacked together and formed an uneven platform. Then Old Cougar said, “You must lie on your back over this bed of buffalo skulls and not move.”

Following his instruction was awkward, to say nothing of painful. What next?

A snarling Puma walked up to me. Whatever was next, he was going to enjoy it more than I. He carried an ugly-looking flint knife. Puma pinched my left chest, hard. Smiling, he thrust the knife into my flesh underneath his fingers. I lost my breath…gritted my teeth! He cut a loop of skin and muscle on my chest! He held it up for an aide to thrust a skewer under it!
 
My body involuntarily flinched. I stifled a scream. Puma pinched my right chest. He cut under his fingers. He held the loop until a skewer was thrust under it. My breath became ragged.

Hanging from the ceiling were two entwined rawhide ropes. Puma looped each of the ropes around the skewer ends on my chest. He signaled. A man pulled on the opposite ends of the rope. He hauled me upright!…I thought the skewers would tear my chest open! They didn’t…weight was still on my toes.

Puma wasn’t through with his knife and cruel fingers. Chuckling to himself, he pinched below each of my shoulders…cut…inserted skewers! Pinch, cut, skewer in left arm…pinch, cut…skewer in right arm.
 
Again…pinch, cut, skewer below elbow…pinch…cut, skewer below other elbow. Pinch…cut…pinch …pinch…cut…pinch…cut…seemed to go on endlessly…
 
thighs…pinch…cut…below knees. From each violation of my flesh,
a crescendo of pain rose to my brain!
I had no control over my breath. I twisted my head and clenched my teeth. I couldn’t scream! I wanted to scream! I just could not give in to the pain!…It wasn’t over…and the stench! Hot sweaty bodies…smoke…thick smell of blood…my own!

Endlessly grinning, Puma signaled the rope holder. He jerked me off my toes…My weight dangled on skewers. I gasped…clenched my jaw…couldn’t cry out. Next my flintlock…
 
suspended from an arm skewer…much heavier now…saber dangled from other arm…bow from thigh…quiver from other side…What else could they do?
 
A buffalo skull from each leg!
 
Pain from so many wounds I prayed to faint…couldn’t stand much more.

I heard Lynx say, “He doesn’t have medicine bag to hold.”

“The White Man’s totem around his neck,” said Bear. “Let him hold that.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“That is too easy.” Lynx replied.

Old Cougar said, “Bear, take the charm from him. Here, wrap it in a skin along with this man’s skull. Put the bundle in his hand.”

Puma signaled.
I was jerked high in the air!
 
All the weights off the ground! I gasped…nearly chocked…impossible pain…thousands of dull needles blasted my brain…tears ran down my face…intense effort of will stifled my sobs. With a long pole, Puma pushed me in circles…faster and faster! I could no longer contain my agony…screamed, “Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Please help me!” My plea was answered…my head fell back…passed out.

Puma stopped pushing. Old Cougar stared at Squire’s dangling body. As soon as he saw Squire drop his crucifix bundle, he ordered him lowered. Unconscious and bleeding, Squire lay on his stomach.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As I recovered, I kept my eyes shut…took stock of my situation. Whatever happened next…was up to me…had to finish O-kee-pa.! Opening my eyes, I saw witnesses staring at me. No one spoke. I had to get up. I
 
eased my arms and legs up to a crouched position. Still nothing was said. I raised onto my knees…struggled to standing. My flintlock and saber fell off.

Shaking like a drunken trooper, I saw two men with raw hide throngs approach me. They indicated I should hold out my hands. With an effort of will I forced up my trembling arms.

They tied my hands together. Holding the ends of the thongs they jerked me outside…blazing sunlight. All around the plaza I could see
 
scores of Mandan perched on the domes of the surrounding lodges. Many more lined the edges of the plaza. My two escorts walked rapidly around the Big Canoe, dragging me with remaining weights still dangling. Then they ran faster and faster around the shrine!. I lost my breath…stumbled and stumbled…Pain unbearable! I passed out on my face….

When I awoke, I was still alone among a vast number of Mandan. Bear told me, “You must get up. Even now, no one can help you. Drop your weights, pull out the skewers.”

Gaining strength, I rose back on my knees. I released my remaining torments from the skewers. On standing I began pulling the thorns from my wounds. It was slow going. The pain was indescribable. Tears poured out of my eyes. I felt faint again. I had to fight it off.
 
When I stepped out of the ring, Moyock and Leahna wanted to help me. I hurt and bled from so many places, I couldn’t let them touch me.

Back in our lodge I sat while Leahna spread balms on my wounds. Then I collapsed to
 
sleep. I slept through until near noon the following day. I awoke hurting all over and ravenous.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“I knew you would be hungry, my man,” Leahna said. She spooned a hearty stew into me. “You must drink a lot of water. You had none yesterday.” Examining my wounds I hoped Leahna’s ministrations prevented infection. When I thought about it, I wondered how many young Mandan died each year from O-kee-pa. Many, but not all, of the men also had a finger cut off. I was spared that mutilation. With these extensive wounds, infection, to say nothing of blood loss, must have taken a toll.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bear came by with Leahna’s crucifix and my weapons that I had discarded by the Big Canoe. He told me, “You have passed the trial of O-Kee-Pa. I thought you would. Some thought you too old to survive. The council voted. Now you are a Mandan.”