The Spirits of Nature

by Michelle Post

  I was grateful to have Cosette with me. I felt very far from home, yet in these strange surroundings I ironically felt like I was at home. There was no one I could really talk to. That loneliness was overbearing. I concentrated on the next day when I would hear more from Tiponi.

  As I lay in bed that night I wondered what Jack had done today.

  ~4~

  All the Markings of a Great Leader

  Within three years of the birth of Running Wolf, Bright Star Over The Mountains gave birth to a daughter. This time her labor was not as long. Running Wolf waited with his father outside the tipi.

  Running Wolf had grown in just three years to be very strong in both body and spirit. He kept his young parents in tow with what was sometimes unwise bravery. Black Bear knew that if that courage could be channeled in the right direction Running Wolf would be a feared and notorious warrior by his enemies, and a great leader of his people.

  With the birth of his daughter Black Bear felt the responsibility of the tribe could belong to Running Wolf in the future. The chief was chosen from among a number of candidates. There was a criterion that was followed in choosing the leader of the tribe. Even in his youth it seemed apparent that Running Wolf would be one of those candidates in the future. His desire was for his son to take his place as chief someday.

  At his young age Running Wolf was an experienced horseman. It was the first thing that a Brave taught his son. The horse was their means of survival. Horses were used to hunt the beloved buffalo. They were instrumental in battle. The Crow were also notorious for stealing horses from their enemies. Their enemies knew that if they had awakened to some or their entire herd gone, it was assumed that the Crow had visited them during the night. The number of horses that he owned often determined the wealth of a man. The Crow were especially proud of their large herds.

  With the use of the horse the buffalo hunt could be accomplished in a matter of a few days. The hunting season began in the early spring and usually lasted until the first snow. This would be their food and clothing source for the entire winter months.

  The Native Americans used and gave back to the earth. The buffalo was hunted and nothing was wasted. The skin was used for tipis. The flesh was their food and nourishment. The stomach of the buffalo was used for stone cooking. The women of the tribe would dig a hole. They would line it with the stomach of the buffalo. Water was added and a fire burned stone was dropped into the water along with the food. They also used the stomach membrane as a container for carrying water.

  The birth of this child would be the last for Black Bear and Bright Star Over The Mountains. She was named Bird Who Sings In The Night. She would be taught to take care of a family and their lodge by her mother.

  Running Wolf would be taught by his father how to hunt and become a great warrior. Black Bear was already proud of all he had learned. His concern was that Running Wolf was too eager. This concern was justified one day a couple of years later when Black Bear had taken his son to hunt small game.

  While they were refreshing themselves at the river the child disappeared. Running Wolf had wandered off from the side of his father after being told not to move. Knowing the danger, Black Bear was anxious to find his son. When he found him he was near the opening of a cave. He was face to face with a coyote that was protecting the entrance of her den. She was only shielding her young. She was growling as she slowly approached a frozen Running Wolf.

  Black Bear carefully dismounted his horse. He slowly walked up to the boy who was staring intensely at the coyote. The animal began to leap. Before he could reach the child Black Bear had shot an arrow. It scared the creature enough to throw her off balance. She became frightened and retreated to the cave.

  He swept the boy in his arms, jumped on his horse and took him home.

  On the way back to camp Black Bear studied his son. He could feel the child shake from fright. He could not see that fear in his eyes. He admired the bravery he displayed hiding the terror from his father. In battle it would be his conquering force. Black Bear knew one thing for sure; this child was bound to go his own way, the markings of a great leader.

  ~

  When Running Wolf returned to the camp he was anxious to share this story with his sister. He did not mention the overwhelming fear he had when he encountered the wild animal. He portrayed it as an adventure.

  Bright Star Over The Mountains instinctively knew that something was different in her son. She did not ask, and no one uttered a word about the wild coyote to her. She did however observe a new closeness between her husband and his son.

  ~5~

  Rebecca and Philip

  What Philip and Rebecca lacked in the guidance and love of a mother was unfortunately attempted to be replaced with luxuries. They were both born long after Jeremiah Butler had made his fortune. They did not want for anything and were unaware of the misfortunes of others.

  Their home was a beautiful mansion that was tucked away in the countryside of Massachusetts. It was just far enough away from Boston to be private yet close enough for Jeremiah to spend a considerable amount of time at the office.

  The Butler family resided in an enormous three-story red brick home. It could easily sleep ten guests in their own private suites. The entryway had marble floors with a winding staircase on both sides of the forum. This foyer hosted many guests, as the Butlers were known for their lavish parties. The kitchen was on the same floor as the dining room, which had a table that could comfortably seat thirty guests. The estate was known as Hidden Meadows.

  It was an ideal place to work. As an employee of the Butler household one could expect to live much better than their counterparts of the same class. There was an on-property house for the female servants. It was a lovely cottage with a fireplace to keep them warm in the winter and a wonderful gazebo for shade in the summer. The male servants had the loft in the stable. It was very private and well separated from the animals that inhabited the same building.

  When Madeline Butler became the mistress of the Butler mansion things only improved. She was a kind and generous woman. She would encourage her staff to engage in afternoon tea. She made sure they found their accommodations comfortable.

  Madeline Butler also loved beauty. She had the garden replanted when she married Jeremiah. Madeline had over a hundred rose bushes planted that displayed an array of colors all summer. The house was filled with art. As an accomplished pianist, Madeline filled the house with music throughout the day.

  Jeremiah commissioned a portrait of his wife shortly before she conceived Rebecca. She looked lovely in a long white gown with a wide-brimmed hat. She was painted in the garden holding a bouquet of her famous roses in her arms. It hung in the receiving room of the mansion that was warmly decorated with overstuffed chairs of deep-blue velvet.

  For several months after her passing Jeremiah could not enter that room. He would spend many nights in the room across the massive foyer he had made his office. This room had wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling books. It had a bay window that extended from the ceiling to the floor and allowed more than ample light. He had retreated to this room when the pressures of being a single parent became overwhelming. As his children grew it became more of a habit. Raising his children himself, despite the aid of servants, was still an arduous task for Jeremiah. It only became more difficult as Rebecca grew. She became more than he could handle when she reached her pre-teen years.

  ~

  Rebecca had turned nine but looked much older. She had indeed inherited her mother’s beauty. Her hair was a lighter shade of blonde without the red highlights. The similarities ended there.

  Without the benefit of Madeline to raise her she did not have many social graces and was very demanding and bossy. Between her father, who mollycoddled her and her brother who protected her, she could be quite the little terror. She had the face of an angel and the mouth of a ship hand. She had mastered the art of manipulation and the only one that seemed to be wise to it was Mrs. Walters.


  She attributed her despicable behavior to the fact that she did not have a mother, and a father who tired to make up for that loss in destructive ways. He would compensate his time with her by commissioning piano and art lessons. Jeremiah would be blind to her misbehavior and tantrums.

  Philip, in his protective role, only added to the problem. He would take the impact of any punishment that was due Rebecca. He was always defensive and watchful of his sister.

  Rebecca was fearful of the water and Philip once saved her from drowning when she was somewhere she should not have been at the time. She had gone to the small lake just outside the house; a place she was forbidden to visit unattended. She however was under the watchful eye of Philip who knew she would often venture where she was not allowed. It was her nature to break the rules if just out of spite.

  He followed curious to see where she was going. He was not surprised to see she was going someplace forbidden. He watched from about a hundred yards behind her. She was not aware of his presence. She was quite graceful but she did not see the depression on the side of the lake. She twisted her ankle and fell into the water, helpless to the situation. She could not swim. She sank to the bottom. When she came back up for a moment, she could see Philip running to her aid. He dove in and pulled her to the side. Once they were safely on the grass she clung to her brother for a long time.

  “Philip, I was so scared,” she admitted to his surprise.

  He held her close and was grateful he had been there. As tyrannical as she could be, he could not imagine life without her.

  They sat for a long time in the summer sun until their clothes were dry. When they returned to the house Philip convinced Mrs. Walters that they had been ‘swimming’ and to wash the clothes and not mention it to their father. She reluctantly did this for Philip. She admired his love for his sister despite her abhorrent behavior most of the time. Beside that, she knew somehow the incident would be turned to be Philip’s fault. She could not allow him to once again take the burden.

  There was also an episode when Rebecca decided to take her father’s pipe and smoke it. She carefully packed it as she had seen him do so many times before. Philip tried to discourage her. He could hear the footsteps of his father approaching the parlor, but not in time to put the pipe back. Instead when Jeremiah entered the room he found Philip with the pipe. He did not tell his father what was going on and instead took her punishment.

  “Whatever are you doing, Philip?” exclaimed Jeremiah.

  The color left Philip’s cheeks. “I am sorry father, I just wanted to try.”

  Jeremiah was furious with his son. “You know what this means?”

  Philip began to shake. He was well aware of the consequences.

  “It was me father,” Rebecca chimed in, “I wanted to smoke the pipe not Philip.”

  Jeremiah smiled at his daughter. “You don’t have to protect your brother. I know you would never do such a thing. You are such a little lady.”

  “But…” she tried to explain, hoping to convince him. She knew she would not get a beating, Philip would.

  “You are right father; she is just trying to stick up for me,” Philip said.

  “You will have to leave the room Rebecca,” her father instructed.

  She shuddered as she saw the double doors close behind her. This was not the only time he had taken the punishment for her.

  It was a mystery to Rebecca why Philip felt responsible for her. She thought him weak at times for his actions. He was so forgiving of her and would do anything for her. Philip was her playmate as well. He was often subjected to afternoon tea with a group of dolls who were dressed in their finest and their hair neatly combed.

  Rebecca did not limit herself to feminine amusement. She was an avid reader and was fascinated with the stories she read of the Indians. She thought of them as primitive yet fascinating.

  One day Rebecca and Philip were sitting on the massive front porch. It was their favorite place to make believe.

  “Would you like to become blood brother and sister?” she questioned.

  “That is stupid, Rebecca what do you mean by that?”

  “I mean like the Indians do, to unite,” she insisted.

  She had a rusty piece of metal. She pricked her finger with the metal. She did the same to Philip.

  “Now, we will put them together and we are united.”

  “I don’t think that is true,” Philip protested.

  “Don’t you know anything Philip?” she said in a condescending tone. “Everyone knows that Indians are savages and they love blood.”

  Philip felt foolish.

  “You have never seen an Indian and you never will.”

  “Someday I will and I will not be afraid either!”

  “That is rubbish and you know it Becca.” He had pulled away his hand but not before it had been infected. He spent many days in bed, recovering.

  Philip became less trusting of his sister after that time.

  ~6~

  The Jack of Hearts

  Tiponi and I would have another meeting the following day. I was always eager to start writing as soon as our meetings came to an end. I was more than curious for him to get to the connection of the Butler family and the Indian tribe. That would come in time. I knew better than to try and rush him. I would have to be patient.

  I looked at my cell phone as I approached my room. Jack had called again. I had not returned his phone calls. It was not easy. It was rude behavior and not intended to be that, but more of a way of avoiding more pain, for both of us. In fact I had entered the words, ‘DON’T CALL HIM’ in bold letters that illuminated when I turned on the phone. This was to remind me not to give into the weakness of wanting to hear his voice.

  Before I entered the room I saw my mysterious Indian again. His eyes were piercing and I sensed that he resented my presence. I would have to find out more about him when the time was right.

  My thoughts switched back to Jack. My mind was filled with memories of Jack and our times together. Jack understood my very soul. I felt bonded to him and missed him even more than the kids. They had their own lives and the separation from them was much different.

  Jack was more than I could ask for in a man. Yet we had a problem. It was too much to think about right now. It helped to be in a surrounding where there were not those daily reminders of his involvement in my life. Yet, I wished I could share this experience with him.

  I turned on the computer and attempted to jump on line. I had not checked any messages in the few days I had been here. It was dial-up and very slow, but it was a connection.

  The day had been warm and I was very tired and uncomfortable. I turned on the water for a shower and stepped in while I waited to be connected.

  While I was in the shower I thought I heard a male voice in the other room. I rinsed off quickly. I turned off the water and stood motionless for a moment. Surely if someone were there Cosette would have barked. Then, I heard her growl. I was so scared I did not know what to do! I grabbed my towel and carefully opened the bathroom door.

  I saw Cosette barking at the computer. With my heart pounding, I discovered the source of the voice. I saw an instant message on my screen. Above the message was the screen name Jackofhearts. It was Jack! He had sent a message with an audible and that is what I heard in the shower. I was relieved but feeling upset and foolish. I was shaking as I put my hands to the keyboard. I was glad I was alone and did not have one of my kids to witness my charade.

  I was elated to hear from him. I sat down and replied.

  “You scared the hell out of me! I was in the shower and I thought someone was in the room! Cosette was even barking!”

  I could sense him laughing on the other end of cyberspace. I thought about the humor of the whole thing and began to relax.

  “I am sorry.” He made a futile attempt to apologize. “Nice visual, though,” he chided.

  I was over the scare. I had to admit that hearing from him eased the loneliness that I was fee
ling. How I missed him!

  “Where are you?” he pleaded.

  “Please don’t go there Jack. You know I am doing a special project and if I let you in … well, you know.”

  “You are in Montana. I knew it!” he wrote.

  “I have to go.” I began to move my fingers to disconnect, but wrote to him.

  “I love you and miss you.”

  Before he could respond I signed off. If I stayed on line I know I would have given in and maybe even asked him to join me.

  I was offline. Disconnected from the real world and the man I loved. I did not know what to do. The silence was deafening. I looked around and wanted to cry.

  I would write; that would distract me. I certainly had enough to compose after my session with Tiponi. Thank God for my journalism. It was an escape as well as an art.

  ~7~

  A Settling of Scores

  Bird Who Sings In The Night had matured to adulthood and was expecting her second child. She had surpassed her mother in height but had the same delicate features. She and Running Wolf had maintained closeness even after she had married and had her own family. She had hoped he would find a bride. She found her life with Runs With The Buffalo to be very satisfying. She wanted the same for her brother.

  A young warrior who had proven his bravery was usually anxious to marry once he turned the customary marital age of twenty-five. Running Wolf was ten years past that time.

  The reason that he had not married was due to his dream. Running Wolf had kept his vision to himself. This was a dream that is part of a ritual a young man experiences as he enters into manhood. The only other person who knew of this vision was the tribal holy man Rides With Fury, who had interpreted the dream.