Lakota Flower (5 page)

Cloud Chaser pointed to an area near the colorful dew cloth, an added interior layer for deflecting rain and smoke to the outside and to beautify the dwelling.

She stood and placed her belongings where instructed, noticing how clean and orderly the tepee was kept by his wife.
A home…
Would she, Caroline fretted, ever have her own home? A family? Freedom? True love and happiness? At present, those longtime dreams looked bleak. Yet, she must not lose faith in God or herself and become despondent or reckless. She must make the best of the situation until it changed.

Caroline told Cloud Chaser what she had been thinking about his wife and added, “She’s also a good cook; the meal was delicious. How do I thank her in your language?”

Although Macha spoke some English, Cloud Chaser had instructed his wife to conceal that ability so she could glean information on the sly. “The word is
pilamaya
for
thank you.
Good food is
woyute waste;
it translates
to food good.
Our sentences are different from English. The main word comes first. Speak to her before I tell you more.”

Caroline realized Cloud Chaser had learned a lot while living with the whites which might be advantageous to her during her predicament. She smiled at Dawn and said,
“Pilamaya, Macha. Woyute waste.”

Macha smiled and nodded her gratitude. She listened as her beloved husband taught the white female a few Lakota commands for communication during their chores. She was amused as Caroline repeated them until she could speak them correctly. She was proud of her husband for his keen wits and kindness. She had never been sorry or ashamed for fleeing with him during the last hot season or for becoming his wife under the white law before joining to him in their
custom. It had been a long, hard, and perilous task for him to earn his way back into their band, but the Great Spirit had blessed them in countless areas. She yearned for peace to return to their land so they could have safety and harmony again, but she feared it was not to be, at least not during this or the coming season. She also feared for her husband’s safety and survival, as he was the one who rode to the forts to spy on the bluecoats, placing himself in great danger each time he carried out that brave and cunning deed. With the rising of each sun and moon, she prayed for all she loved to be protected from harm. Her thoughts were halted when Cloud Chaser said he had chores to do and that Caroline was ready to help her with her tasks. She watched him rise, send her and Casmu an adoring smile, and depart to join other men.

Macha said,
“Uwo,
Caroline,” and motioned for her to come.

That night, a weary Caroline lay on a buffalo hide assigned to her as a sleeping mat. Hers was positioned near the back edge of the tepee, with the couple’s unrolled in the center, between her and the entrance, along with the infant’s cradle-board where the baby slumbered in serenity. Considering how hot it was during the day, she was surprised and pleased by how cool and pleasant it was at night on the vast grasslands and near the river, and especially inside the tepee. A refreshing breeze wafted into the dwelling and swept upward to a wide-spread ventilation opening, creating a steady and soothing airflow. Outside the tossed-back flap was a small fire to provide light during the dark new moon’s phase, as it would send forth too much unneeded heat if burning inside.

She was tired and drowsy, as she had worked hard after her long ride. After Cloud Chaser left them alone, the baby had been laid on an animal skin beneath a wooden stand topped with branches to provide shade. She and Macha had
tended to his needs whenever necessary and had kept watchful gazes on him. She had helped the Indian woman cut buffalo meat into long thin strips and suspend them over high and sturdy racks to dry for preservation. They had fetched water from the river and gathered scrub wood and buffalo chips as fuel for a fire to cook the evening meal, a stew of fresh meat and wild vegetables, that simmered for hours.

Other than War Eagle’s mother and sister and Macha’s mother, no other women approached them during their labors, as if it were forbidden or perhaps her presence was repulsive. Only Hanmani had half smiled at her during those two visits. Other women, mostly females around her age, observed her for brief periods. From their expressions, she concluded that they were vexed by her presence, or by her capture by the handsome War Eagle. A few times, she caught some of the men glancing at her, but for the most part, they ignored her, which suited her just fine.

After they had eaten at dusk, she and Macha stored the tools for their tasks, checked on the meat’s safety—from wild animals, she supposed—tended the baby, unrolled the mats, and lay down on them. For a short time, she had heard the couple whispering as they snuggled together. She didn’t know what they said, but it was evident they were deeply in love. She couldn’t help wondering how long it would take them to resent the loss of their privacy. What would happen to her when that dreaded day came? Would she be given to another family, endlessly passed around from tepee to tepee, perhaps left in the wilderness to die alone, or be returned to her captor?

Caroline took a deep but quiet breath to quell those harsh concerns.

Stop worrying and get to sleep! You’ll probably have a longer and harder day tomorrow, so you need your rest.

The next day was filled with those same chores and more. She watched as the rest of the hunters returned with loaded
travois from their final task, and the women set about to handle the meat and hides. They rode into camp shortly before the return of the braves who had taken the wagons away, which evoked another gathering of the men present to speak with them.

During the hottest part of the day, she and Macha washed clothes in shade provided by trees growing along the river’s bank and spread them out on bushes to dry.

Later, at the water’s edge, she and Macha gathered rushes to make backrests and sitting mats and trays for carrying items. During each trip to and from the tepee, Caroline caught furtive glimpses of War Eagle as he talked or did tasks with other men.

As the August sun sank into the horizon, they foraged the surrounding area for greens and dug up bulbs to be used in their next few meals. She learned which plants were edible, which ones to avoid, and which ones were used for medicines and dyes. She was amazed and impressed by how the Indians used the wild offerings of nature for survival. She also discovered that nothing from the great hairy beasts they slew went to waste. Horns became weapons and tool handles, drinking cups, and diggers. Hooves became glue. Hair was fashioned into balls for children and other items. Bladders and stomachs made excellent water bags and supply pouches. Hides would be turned into tepees, clothing, and shoes. Sinew provided thread for sewing. Bones became tools and weapons. The meat was the main source of their nourishment, especially in the winter when snow covered the ground and many animals migrated to other locations. Of course, other creatures were slain for those same uses, but the buffalo was their main provider for survival. Now, she understood why the Indians were so concerned about white men slaying the beasts only for their hides. It was clear to her that stopping those hunters would go a long way toward peace.

* * *

As War Eagle furtively observed Caroline while she did her chores, just as he had done yesterday, he wondered if she hated him and viewed him as a “savage,” a fierce “hostile,” as most whites did. Surely she was frightened by and distrustful of them, of him, even though she had given him a gift of gratitude for the snake rescue. He touched the
pezutaozuha
suspended around his neck where he had placed a white circle the size of his two thumbnails. Carved in black upon what Cloud Chaser told him was “whale ivory” was a scene with a big fish, a strange boat, clouds, and water. His brother had said it was called “scrimshaw” and had been done by the chief of a boat that captured huge fish called “whales,” which swam in the big waters far away. A yellow circle on its top revealed it had been suspended on a thong of some kind and worn around her neck after her brother gave it to her long ago, according to what she had told Cloud Chaser. He was amazed she had parted with it, but it must have been the only possession she had with her that was an appropriate gift for a man, and she had felt compelled to thank him for saving her life and for bringing her to a camp of good people. But did that alter her feelings about them? About him?

Neither he nor they had mistreated her, but perhaps she was being obedient and even friendly to Cloud Chaser and Macha only to avoid punishment or death. He tried to study her in closely guarded secret, as he did not want others alerted to his interest in her. He could not help desiring her. With her sunny hair and sky-colored eyes, she was beautiful and alluring. Cloud Chaser’s mother had those same colorings and agreeable traits when she was their father’s captive long ago. Perhaps some white females possessed great magic and could not be resisted, which would reveal why their father had taken Omaste once when he was suffering in a weakened state and she was comforting him. Perhaps because Caroline was forbidden territory made her a stimulating and tempting challenge.

War Eagle remembered during the last hot season how Cloud Chaser had said that Macha made his heart “sing loud.” He himself had jested, “I do not know of such feelings to this moon, but they must be powerful, for your eyes glow with flames like the fire’s and your voice becomes soft as the rabbit’s fur when you speak of her.”

He had not understood such emotions at that time, but since meeting Caroline, they had become as clear as mountain stream water to him. His second brother had advised, “Allow Wakantanka to choose your mate for you as He did for me and Wind Dancer and your spirit will soar as ours does and you will find great happiness and victory in your joining.” Yet, no Red Shield or other Lakota woman had drawn him as this white girl did. She made his heart “sing loud,” though his mind rebelled.

Had the Creator guided him to that location so he could find and lay claim to Caroline? How could a white woman be chosen as his mate? Why did his spirit soar as the eagle at one time and then plummet to the earth? How could he, son of the chief, grandson of their past chief, grandson of their shaman, a great warrior, a hater of bluecoats and white encroachers, desire one of the enemy? How could he take one into his life, arms, heart? Cloud Chaser’s final words to him filled his ears as if he were hearing them spoken again: “If we allow the Great Spirit to guide our steps, War Eagle, we must be willing to walk the path He chooses for us and at His pace. It was the same for Wind Dancer; Dewdrops walked into his life and heart when he did not expect such a glorious event. Perhaps it will be the same for you.”

War Eagle knew that he must not dishonor himself. He must not allow his strange hunger for Caroline to increase, though it was gnawing at him from head to foot. What if it drove him wild and senseless, and made him reckless and weak? No, it must not! It could not, for they were foes and strange’ and he was too strong-willed, a man of great pride and honor. How and why did she affect him so strongly?
Should he throw away the gift in his medicine pouch or return it to her? A stimulating and distracting hunt was what he needed! He went to ask Swift Otter to join him, as the deer would be foraging nearby at dusk.

On the third evening in the camp, Caroline saw a warrior approaching, the same man who had worried her with his hateful stares upon her arrival. She quickly averted her gaze to the two rabbits roasting on spits over a fire beside the tepee. Macha was inside feeding her baby.

Cloud Chaser, who was sitting on a rush mat near the entrance as he worked on his weapons, looked up and watched his cousin nearing him. He noted that the man’s expression was stoic and his stride was purposeful. He could not imagine what inspired the unusual visit and was shocked when he soon learned the reason for it. He greeted the man in wariness.

Two Feathers announced, “I have come to trade for the white woman. I will give you two of my best ponies for her.”

Cloud Chaser put aside his weapon and stood so the man would not be looking down on him. Being several inches taller, that action made him feel more confident for their impending debate, one he was resolved to win. “She is not for trade, my cousin. You hate whites, and you talked against her when she came.”

“Others did not accept my words of warning and our shaman spoke for her to live and stay, so I must side with them as is our custom.”

Custom,
Cloud Chaser’s mind scoffed.
It is our law that the majority vote must be honored by everyone, even those who opposed and voted against it.
He was certain the decision stuck in his cousin’s craw, and the man was up to spiteful mischief. “Why do you want her?”

“My mother has no daughter or son’s wife to help her with her tasks and she grows older and weaker with each passing season. I have watched the white girl; she works hard and obeys. If two ponies are not enough, name how many you want for her.”

Cloud Chaser struggled to conceal his anger, positive the
man was lying. He repeated, “She is not for trade. Dawn has need of her in our tepee.”

“Your mate is young and strong, but my mother is not. How can you, the son of our chief, refuse to help Rising Bear’s sister when she is in need? Where are your Generosity and Wisdom? Are you cruel and selfish?”

So, you cunningly fling two of our Four Virtues and insults into my face to provoke me to sell her to you! If I did, you would surely abuse her to spite me!
He locked gazes with his rival and stressed, “She is not for trade. Your bad words to me shame you, my cousin, for I have proven them wrong.”

“Do you refuse because it would anger War Eagle?”

Once more, Cloud Chaser was astonished by the man’s bold words, as it was unlike Two Feathers to also insult his own full-blooded cousin. “If my brother had wanted her to serve him, he would not have given her to us.”

“Perhaps he did so to save face when she calls to him as a woman.”

Cloud Chaser grasped the man’s meaning—unbidden lust for Caroline. “Why do you speak such harsh words of your cousin and my brother?”

“If they are untrue, why do they anger you?”

Cloud Chaser refuted, “Your insults and sly plans are what anger me.”

“I go now, but think on my words and large offer,” Two Feathers told him and sauntered away.

Macha, having overheard the exchange from inside the tepee, joined Cloud Chaser and said, “His deed and heart are bad, my husband, for he knows it is not our custom to trade away a gift from another.”

Cloud Chaser placed his arm around her waist. “That is true, my wife. He still hates me for being part white and for stealing you away from him.”

“You did not steal me from him, for he had no claim on
me. I do not know why he wanted me to join to him, for he does not love me.”

He reminded her, “He desires you as a woman and he wants to injure me. He has hated me since we were children. I prayed such bad feelings would leave him and we could have peace between us. For a while we had a truce but he has broken it. Why, I do not know.”

“Surely an evil spirit dwells within him. After we eat, you must find your brother and warn him of your cousin’s mischief.”

“That is wise and I will do so.”

“Be wary of Two Feathers, my husband, for he is evil and dangerous.”

Cloud Chaser looked into her worried gaze. “I do not trust him. Fear not, for soon his evil will be exposed to the others as it has been to us.”

“I hope so,” Macha said. “For his hate of you does not weaken, and I fear it.”

“Do not forget that the Great Spirit watches over and protects us. He will allow no harm to come to us. I will—” His words were interrupted politely by Caroline when she told him the rabbits were done cooking. He nodded and relayed the message to Macha, who joined the captive at the fire.

As they ate, Caroline yearned to question Cloud Chaser about the warrior’s visit. She suspected that the conversation had included her. She had sensed a potent and alarming aura emanating from the other man, and she perceived the two men were enemies or fierce rivals. She didn’t know why, but she found the other brave intimidating, as if he were a lethal threat to her. When she could restrain her gnawing curiosity no longer, Caroline asked, “Is the man who visited earlier another brother or a close friend?”

Cloud Chaser paused before answering. He was impressed by the clever way she was trying to glean information. “His
name is Two Feathers. He is the son of my father’s sister, my first cousin. I have two brothers and one sister. Wind Dancer is the oldest, twenty-eight by white man’s counting, and will become our next chief. He is a great and much-honored warrior. War Eagle is the youngest and is a high-ranking warrior, a Sacred Bow Carrier. I am twenty-three. My sister, Hanmani, is seventeen. Two Feathers is not my friend; we have battled with words and actions since we were small boys. He came to trade for you.”

Terror filled Caroline. “He wanted to buy me from you?”

“Yes. He offered many ponies.”

“Why, when he looks at me with such fierce hatred in his eyes?”

“He said he wanted you to help his mother. She is Pretty Meadow, sister of my father. She has no daughters and her two sons have no wives to help her with chores. He says you work hard, and she needs you.”

Caroline’s heart began to pound in dread. She gaped at Cloud Chaser, then sent Macha a pleading look. No, she could not become that repulsive’s man slave! “But you refused, didn’t you?”

“Yes, because you have been obedient and respectful and a great help to my wife and son.” He saw and heard her give a deep sigh of relief and she closed her eyes for a few moments as if in grateful prayer. “And because he spoke against sparing your life when War Eagle brought you here.” He saw her blue eyes widen as that grim fact settled in. Of course there were more personal reasons, but he could not reveal them.

Caroline felt herself trembling. “He wanted me … killed?”

“Yes. He said he feared you would escape and tell the soldiers our secrets, or you would be sighted in our camp and we would be attacked.”

“But you didn’t believe him?” she asked, sensing there was more to the matter than he was telling her.

“I cannot read what lies hidden in another’s heart or head.”

“But you didn’t believe him?” Caroline pressed for confirmation of her suspicion, as he had given a clever and uninformative response.

Cloud Chaser thought,
You are intelligent and perceptive, but there is much I cannot tell you.
“I did not think either would happen, so you are not a threat to us. My father, our shaman, the council, and other band members said you could live and stay. But if you deceive us, escape, and betray us, you will be recaptured and slain for our protection and survival.”

Caroline could imagine how most Indians felt about the white invaders, especially if an impending war with
her
people was a dark reality. For her own “protection and survival,” she must not give them any reason to mistrust or fear her. “I won’t try to escape.”

“Would you swear it upon your life and honor and your God’s Bible?”

“Yes. Even if I were tempted to escape, Cloud Chaser, to try it would be foolish and dangerous. Besides, it’s impossible, so why take that risk?”

“I pray you speak the truth, for all of our sakes.”
And especially for mine, as I would be the one ordered to track and slay you.

As Caroline ducked her head to leave the tepee to fetch water for the night, she almost collided with War Eagle. She felt his hands grasp her forearms to steady her when she tottered in midstep. Regaining her balance, she backed up to allow his entrance. As they straightened their bodies within the abode’s confines, their gazes met and locked briefly. “I’m sorry, Wanbli, I didn’t see or hear you coming.” In his now familiar behavior, he nodded acceptance of her apology. Strange sensations raced over her at his nearness.

War Eagle recovered his scattered wits in haste. He knew that he made her nervous, but he was not sure why. Under
the guise of talking about their departure tomorrow, he had wanted to observe her with his brother’s family, away from the eyes of Two Feathers and his people. Before he could speak, Cloud Chaser stood and told him they needed to take a walk.

At a discreet distance, Cloud Chaser revealed the news about Two Feathers’ offer to trade for Caroline. He witnessed how shocked and dismayed his brother was and how his expression softened when he was told of Caroline’s terrified reaction.

War Eagle said, “She has many wits and skills and she senses much. It is good you told her of your conflict with our cousin, but not the whole truth about it. I do not believe Two Feathers seeks the white girl in trade as a helper for Pretty Meadow. Our father’s sister is not old or weak. It worries me our cousin watches Caroline on the sly. Why does he think I desire her as a woman? Have I behaved in such a manner?”

Cloud Chaser asked, “What are you thoughts and feelings about her?”

“She possesses a strong but gentle spirit. She is brave, wise, and skilled. She is obedient. She can be trusted not to escape and endanger us. Is that not true, my brother, from what you have seen and heard?”

“That is true, War Eagle, but what of her as a woman?”

“I must not look or think upon Caroline as a woman.”

Cloud Chaser noted that he spoke the female’s name in a tender tone and with a sad look in his eyes. “Why?”

“She is white, a captive. I am Oglala. Red Shield. Son of a chief.”

“Do these things prevent thoughts and feelings about her?”

“I have told you what I think and feel. Why do you dig for more?”

“Is there more to reveal but you wish to keep it buried?”

“I wish she were not here and had not been with the soldiers.”

Cloud Chaser surmised that War Eagle had answered too quickly, even falsely, out of desperation and denial. “Because she does evoke strange and unwanted thoughts and feelings?”

War Eagle lowered his head as he took a deep breath. “At times strange thoughts enter my head and strange feelings tug at my heart, but I do not know why or what they mean. She is unlike all women I have known.”

“Is that why you gave her to me and Dawn, to escape her temptation?”

“Yes, and to save her life. She is a good woman, and it is wrong to slay her. But there can be nothing more between us.”

“Only the Great Spirit can make that choice, my brother. Do not forget I carry white blood and I am joined to a Red Shield. Many others, including her parents, resisted our union and viewed me as an enemy. What if the Great Spirit placed her in your path as He placed me in Dawn’s and placed my mother in Rising Bear’s for a short time?”

“What if an evil spirit did so to shame and defeat me?”

“If that is so, the truth will be revealed soon. Until that sun rises, War Eagle, do nothing to harm her or turn her against you. But guard your secret and honor fiercely, as many will oppose such a bond. Do not forget you are next in line to become chief if our brother dies or is slain.”

War Eagle knew Cloud Chaser did not have to tell him that many would not want what they viewed as a lowly white captive to become his mate and weaken their chief’s bloodline, just as both knew that the “tainted” blood Cloud Chaser carried would prevent him from becoming chief even if War Eagle and Wind Dancer were both slain. But why were they even speaking about such an impossible feat? Why had he foolishly exposed such private thoughts and emotions? Had he done so before others, or was their cousin only guessing at that possibility, perhaps only using such words as a ploy to coax Cloud Chaser into a trade? Why was his second brother seemingly encouraging such a perilous bond? It would be a
great loss of face if he took Caroline as his woman, mate or not, if the Great Spirit did not clear that tangled path; and he could not imagine why the Creator would choose her for him.

Cloud Chaser was thinking much the same and scolded himself for what he had said and done, as it could be terribly wrong and hazardous for his brother to accept and follow his reckless advice. Perhaps it was her resemblance to his beloved lost mother or Omaste’s gentle spirit that was guiding him in that direction. No matter, he must say and do nothing more to promote such a relationship. It would be easier for both of them to avoid the risky matter soon, as they were striking camp tomorrow and leaving for their winter location in the sacred hills.

“We must go to our tepees, my brother. There is much to do before our journey begins on the next sun. I am happy you alerted me to the bad scent of trouble. I will watch our cousin as a hawk during our long ride.”

“As will I, War Eagle, for he remains my enemy for some reason.”

“Do not worry, my brother, for I will not allow him to use me and my captive to injure you. If he tries to sway others against you and her, I will take Caroline to another band to prevent trouble. Perhaps to Red Wolf’s camp, for his mother is white and would accept her. She would be safe in their tepee.” Yes, perhaps his Cheyenne friend was the answer he needed.

At sunrise the following morning, Winona and Hanmani began to take down Rising Bear’s tepee, the signal for others to do the same with theirs. It was time to leave the grasslands.

Caroline helped Macha remove the lodge poles so Cloud Chaser could use them to make a travois for hauling the couple’s possessions. As he did so, the two women packed the
home’s contents and piled them outside. They collapsed the tepee, then folded and loaded the strong hides that formed the dwelling’s walls. They added sleeping rolls, sitting mats, a backrest, cooking items, clothing and sewing pouches, Caroline’s satchel, fresh water, food, and all other belongings to the heap on the travois.

During the past few days, Caroline had caught her captor watching her. He seemed to be intrigued by her, though he tried to conceal his stolen glances. She had studied him on the sly this morning as everyone worked on their chores, as Cloud Chaser’s tepee was close to his father’s where War Eagle lived and had been helping his family since sunrise with their preparations for departure. She had seen him loading his many weapons, and already had been warned it was forbidden for a female to touch them. There were two magnificent mounts nearby that were his personal property—his buffalo horse and his war and riding horse. It was obvious to her that both were well tended and that strong bonds existed between man and creature, which greatly impressed her.