by Danny Jewell
Zeke just said “If you must ask; well, it was the old me and if you want to know what was in them then take my word for it; you don’t want to know and it is better off unsaid”.
They mounted their horses and headed off.
The rest of the day went well and then Billy said “My Apache radar is in overdrive. I feel something or someone very close”.
Not five feet away a voice said “Your instincts are good, Billy”.
It was Cochise and he was just behind them and to the left. The horses laughed and said to one another “You think he has lost his touch” and the other one replied “Been here way too long; maybe he has gone soft on us’ and they both laughed knowing nothing could be further from the truth.
Cochise just grunted and grinned knowing that it is customary for Indians to cajole one another at any given moment.
He was so casual in the way he presented himself that it annoyed Zeke and to shake off the feeling he decided to ask a question that he had been thinking on for quite some time. “If we are riding Mangas and Sacagawea then who are you riding, “George Custer” and he laughed.
The men were caught off-guard when Coshise laughed in return.
“Nope; this is my longtime friend and horse spirit “Scout” but that is not what you two really want to know; is it?”
“Let me ask you this. What is it that you see before you? Or better yet; what is the one thing; as you journey through this land that seems to be the one reoccurring thing that you have seem time and time again. When you figure that out your time in this land will be almost over and those who have given you this task will reward you in kind”.
With that Cochise had the two men position their horses to face opposite directions and be side by side.
He told them to hold out their hands. Both men were mesmerized by what came next.
Cochise pulled out his hunting knife and it started to glow. He grabbed Billy by the left wrist and made a cut across his palm in a customary “Blood Brother Ceremony”. Then he grabbed Zeke by the right hand and made the same cut across his palm.
There was no blood, only a brightness that surpassed daylight itself. From the wounds there seemed to be bits and pieces cascading in the air and dissipating like that of a sparkler on Fourth of July then Coshise announced “You are no longer tied together as two men on one journey but as two spirits that will endure even time itself. Yes; even after this is over the two of you will forever be as one”. He then joined their hands.
The reflection in the men’s eyes showed a micro-nova that instantly collapsed back into itself. Cochise pulled their hands apart and they watched the wounds close only to be replaced by a bright white scar.
The war chief was proud of what he had just done and told them that the color represented “purity” from The Great Spirit.
He told them they would have two days of peace in preparation for what was about to come and rode off into the waves of heat.
The two men were still gazing at their palms when Zeke figured he would break the silence with a little humor and said “So; when this is all over and if things don’t work out in Michigan I guess it means I can date your sister”.
Billy reached over and slapped Zeke across the face.
“Hey! What was that for?”
“You didn’t ask permission”.
They were going the right direction and had two days of peace and quiet to look forward to. The day was coming to an end and the two men started looking for a place to make camp for the night.
Ahead they saw a group of Indigo Bushes, Broom De leas and Cliff Rose among some large boulders and decided it would be as good a place as any,
They were so intent on resting for the night and knowing they were going to get a break from all the mayhem that both men were caught off guard there came a loud Indian yell and Zeke was driven off his horse by an unknown assailant.
The man had black hair, Indian features and attire that looked like out of date and overly worn army clothes.
The man had Zeke pinned to the ground and had just put a knife to his throat when he found one against his.
It was Billy and he said “Make one move and it will be your last!”
There was a loud shout “TWO TREES; LET HIM GO”!
It was Cochise and this time there was fire in his voice and it made the stranger loosen his grip just enough to where Zeke threw him aside and scurried backwards before coming to his feet while rubbing his throat in relief.
The man landed on his backside and just as he did a ghostly foot appeared in the center of his chest and forced him on his back to the ground.
He struggled and tried to get up. He even tried to assault his attacker with the same knife he held to Zeke’s throat
Then fear lit up the man’s face as the foot began to take the shape of Cochise and the man stopped struggling.
“I am Cochise, Haskay-bay-nay-ntal and want to know why you are here”?
Billy’s next reaction caught Zeke by surprise. He shouted “TRAITOR” and dove at the man.
He was caught by Mangas and Sacagawea then pulled back away from the scene.
Billy cried “He is “The Apace Kid” have you not forgotten how he hunted our people for money?”
Once again Sacagawea spoke “No, Billy; we all remember what he did. But we all know he was raised to be that way, indoctrinated, if you must. In some ways he was much like you as a renegade and got lost in a bottle of firewater then killed the man that killed his father then went on to kill the man’s brother too. After that he escaped capture and sympathetic Apache’s aided him. He was sentenced to death in 1887 and got his sentence commuted to life in Alcatraz and was released a year later. There was an Apache uprising against his release and he was captured again. He and two others assaulted three guards. They killed one and escaped from Yuma Territorial Prison after seven years there. A guard named Middleton said he would have been killed if it weren’t for the Kid intervening. History lost sight of him after that. Rumors made him a legend”.
The Apache Kid looked up at who was holding him down and fear became mixed with respect. “I don’t know how I got here. I was just walking through the hills and needed a horse” he said.
Cochise said “Just as the two of you are split from your world so is “The Apache Kid”. Many believe the soul has two parts and while one goes on to live forever, the other part goes on to die. How he lasted this long is surprising”.
With that Cochise pushed his War Lance deep into “The Kid’s Chest” and he faded away as if he was never there. Cochise said “He is at peace and waiting judgement”.
Billy said “But, why?”
Mangas said “It seems The Great Spirit felt you needed to learn something here”.
Before anyone else could speak, everything went back to the way it was before the incident.
Zeke walked over, put his hand on Billy’s shoulder and said “Thanks”.
The two men were bedded down and looking up at the stars when Zeke stated “So Cochise was The Big Man among Apaches in his time.
Billy said “There was one more who suffered along the same lines as the as Cochise at the hands of the Mexicans; Perhaps you have heard of him “Geronimo”.
Zeke said “Who hasn’t”.
22
THE PAST COMES TO LIFE
They rose early the next morning and after a breakfast of beans and hard tack they went on their way.
As the two men rode together Zeke heard a voice to the left of him “Hello Zeke” and he turned to see Cochise.
At the same time Billy heard a voice to his right and turned to see an Apache Chief that he had seen thousands of times in school books “Geronimo”.
They stopped and the two war chiefs went forward then turned to face the two men.
Cochise said “Billy; wh
en you get time, tell Zeke what you know about my Apache brother Geronimo.
When there was no answer from Billy, Zeke reached over and waved his hand in front of his face and got no reaction. “I think you two have traumatized him” and then slapped Billy lightly across the back of his head.
Billy stammered and nobody could understand what he said.
Geronimo had a powerful voice that spoke in soft tones. “Two Trees, you have to go back in time before the white man; back to the days of legend to help you in the answers you seek”.
Geronimo looked towards Zeke and said “Good to see you Mangas”.
Zeke’s horse replied “You too Goyahkla”.
With that the two of them turned to ride away and Geronimo turned to Cochise and said “Want to go Buffalo hunting?”
Cochise replied “Good idea” and the two rode off across the plain.
Zeke heard Billy speak in a barely audible voice. “I want to go” and he felt empathy for the man.
The rest of the day was a quiet one and when they spotted a Roadrunner dart past them, Billy let out a chuckle.
“What is so funny” asked Zeke.
“Let’s find a place to bed down for the night and I will tell you” said Billy.
It took them two hours to find the right place because Billy told Zeke it had to be just right for what he had in mind.
Cactus was all around them and the clearing they had chosen was much larger than any they had previously slept in.
Billy gathered lots of wood and Zeke was curious as if he had planned build a campfire or a bonfire to which Billy replied “Exactly”.
They settled in and when the fire was blazing against the night sky Billy asked Zeke if he wanted to hear a story passed down through generations.
Zeke told him to go ahead and it seemed to desert grew quiet and just as Billy began to tell his story Zeke felt a change in the air, as if the whole place was coming to life.
Billy started “Long before the Apache walked these lands there were the Nde and they were big on telling stories just as the Apache are today and I will tell you one that seems to have fallen by the wayside but deserves telling.
“Late in the summer, at the time of the Golden Moon, during the year of the Mating Wolf, when the boys of the Nde tribe came to maturity, a great feast was called for. It was a time of harvest, a time of thanks, and a time known to them as the Choosing. The tribal elders were grateful that the Giver of Life, also called the Great or Sky Spirit, had blessed them during the year. Further, they knew that if theirs was to be a remembered nation, the youth of the tribe would have to win favor in a ceremonial dance. From it, the Great Spirit would choose the destiny of the boys.”
It was at that moment that Zeke and Billy heard the drums and saw the shadows come to life and the young braves dancing around the fire.
“Since the choosing was made from among the elder sons of the tribe, to them were made available the ornaments made by the young women. The girls brought them beaded jewelry, decorative paints, silver and gold bells, brightly embroidered deer skins, string belts, colorful moccasin boots, and very impressive war bonnets, all of which went into costumes that would please the Sky Spirit. Then an enormous bonfire was made ready in the center of the camp, a large number of drums were formed into a circle and finally, when all was ready, an offering of food and drink, which was to be shared by the entire tribe, was brought and the celebration began. Displayed in their colorful costumes, the young men were cheered as they paraded into the camp center. Soon after, the drums created a beat and the boys began to dance, fashioning a festive mood as they chanted and encircled the great bonfire. As the celebration went on, the tribe moved to the rhythmic sounds of the booming drums which spoke of the Great Spirit. Eventually, everyone began singing praises to their great protector for their gifts, their health, and their joy. Hour after hour, the lively feasting continued while the sun set and the moon rose.”
“The hidden valley of the Nde shook with a tremendous echo which reached high up into the night sky. There, in the shadow of the earth, watching his people, stood the Great Spirit. As he listened to their voices, he became pleased and smiled. So moved was the Sky Father by the mention of his name in their many songs that he took from his medicine pouch magic sky crystals and gently sprinkled them on the chosen boys”.
“Down in the valley, the elders of the tribe were pleased with their young men and admired them for their songs, their spirit, and their bright array. As the chief looked on the dancers, he saw not the boys but future hunters, guardians, and warriors of the tribe. In these same youths, the elders saw their replacements. The eyes of the tribal women saw their sons, their brothers, and, for many, their future husbands. This filled them with great pride. The joy in their hearts brought tears of happiness. Then all at once, they saw the black sky open up and it began to rain. But it was a strange sort of rain; it did not feel wet.
The tribe was amazed. Still the drums continued to beat and the boys continued to chant and dance. Faster and faster they went. As their bodies were ducking and bowing, their arms made gestures as if they were in flight. The flames of the fire began to grow and grow, and then, unexpectedly, to the utter astonishment of everyone who looked on, the brightly painted bodies of the boys started changing.
There were several thousand pairs of eyes in the valley that night. Before these eyes, the bodies of the boys began to grow feathers. Out from beneath their painted skin grew white, gold, brown, and black feathers, changing them from boys into golden eagles. The transformation continued, with the decorated faces of the boys turning into the beaked faces of birds. Their small feet changed into the powerful claws of the famed fliers. Finally, the change was completed when the arms of each boy became the powerful wings of the bird of prey.
The drummers of the tribe had stopped their beat when they saw what was happening, yet by some unseen power the drums continued to send out a magical sound. As the drums played, the flames grew higher and higher until all at once, they exploded in a huge column of flame which shot the eagles high up into the sky. While all this was going on, no one gave much notice to one boy who, although he had grown feathers, did not look like an eagle and still danced round the fire all by himself. He was a bird, but he did not resemble the others.
The elders of the tribe and the rest of the people were in awe as they saw their young men flying in the full-moon night. From the eagles came a high shrill cry of joy and the people down below were filled with great pride. However, the chief of the tribe and then, soon after, the rest of the people noticed that one boy, a lad named Quo-Qui, meaning Swift Wind, was not flying above the fire. Indeed, he still continued to dance around the flaming circle completely unaware of anything or anyone around him. Everyone was puzzled.
Unaware as he was of their questioning stares, Quo-Qui remained on the ground, oblivious to the other boys flying above him in the night sky. Saddened by the sight, the parents of Quo-Qui could not believe what they had witnessed. The elders were disappointed and the women were confused. The chief decided to consult with the medicine man. With the fire dying out, the boys who had changed into eagles came floating down and, once on the ground, ran triumphantly into their proud parents’ arms. There was much happiness in their hearts. Yet in the eyes of Quo-Qui’s parents, there was only doubt. Something was very wrong.
From that eventful day onward, the Nde began to gossip about Quo-Qui and his disgrace. It was not bad enough that the boy felt ashamed and alone; to make him feel worse, there were many in the tribe who began to call him Runt Bird. Some believed that he had been cursed and should be driven out. Others suggested that perhaps Quo-Qui was not yet a man and, therefore, could not turn into an eagle. Numerous voices argued that Quo-Qui was outcast by the Great Spirit and should not be allowed to participate in any future ceremonial dances.
Whatever the views of the tribe, only one man had t
he power to change the law and that was the tribal chief. He more than anyone had heard the talk of his people and knew that he had to decide what was to be done. After consulting with the medicine man and the tribal elders, the chief informed his people that it had been the decision of the Great Spirit to turn Quo-Qui into a bird. Because he had feathers like the others, his people would have to be patient and wait for the Sky Father to show them why he had chosen Quo-Qui to be what he was. Only time would tell, he told them. Yet deep within his heart, the chief, too, had grave doubts, but he said nothing lest it change the future.
During the days which followed, the parents of Quo-Qui sat down with the boy and asked him if there was anything in his heart which would cause the Great Spirit to be angry with him. His mother cried and asked if there was some secret disgrace of which he had not told them. Quo-Qui’s heart was heavy knowing that his own parents doubted his courage and honor. Did they not know their son well enough to realize that there was nothing for which he was ashamed?
Still, seeing their grief, he explained that he could not remember anything about that night except that he was touched by the Great Spirit. He was unable to explain why he could not fly. Thereafter, his parents were sorry they had ever doubted their son and asked his forgiveness. Quo-Qui understood their concern and set out to solve his problem. But first he needed to hunt and this he did. With a fine prize in hand, he went to visit the only man who might explain the puzzle to him.
Quo-Qui’s father had felt the sorrow carried by his son and advised him to seek out an explanation from the tribal medicine man. It would be he who could tell Quo-Qui what purpose the Great Spirit had for him. Following his father’s counsel, the boy, with his gift in hand, went to see the mysterious but very wise medicine chief. Placing his catch before the tepee, he asked permission to speak to the holy man. The wife of the medicine man took the boy’s offering and prepared a meal. After the two had eaten, the woman left them alone to talk.
