The Spirits of Nature

by Michelle Post

  “I believe that is my cup,” she said. She looked at Rebecca with the same appetite of a spider that had just captured an insect. “But then you really don’t give much credence to what is not yours, do you?”

  The words cut deep. But Rebecca in her quick intellect had a response.

  “Oh, I am sorry Claire. I did not know. Thank you. I certainly would not want anything that was used.” She said in a somewhat playful tone so as not be misconstrued that she meant to be rude. She turned to exit the room.

  Rebecca was grateful they could not see her legs shaking. She was not sure they would carry her outside and to the carriage. She waited there, pacing. She had tears of frustration running down her face.

  Phillip saw her leave from the other side of the Victorian style porch. He ran after her. When he approached the wagon he took her in his arms.

  “Who did this?” he was ready to come to her defense again.

  Rebecca broke from his embrace. She began to cry.

  He hit his fist against the coach they had arrived in.

  “Is this about that damn Ross and that spineless wife of his?”

  Philip did not wait for her response.

  “Damn them anyway!” he exclaimed. “You know they are just two halves that together make one quarter.”

  Philip’s efforts to mend her feelings were not enough to heal her.

  Rebecca climbed into the wagon.

  “Please, Philip, find father. Can we go home?” she begged.

  ~

  In the weeks that followed Rebecca kept a low profile. It was not the gossip that was the humiliation; it was the fact that she had disappointed her father. Rebecca knew he adored her and this experience had caused him pain and shame. She could not take it back and she found it hard to face him.

  Rebecca found solace in her cousin Sarah. Sarah was kind and always saw the good in others. She felt badly for Rebecca. At the same time she enjoyed her company immensely. She had always admired Rebecca’s spirit.

  The time they had spent while Sarah grew up was a healing factor for Rebecca. Sarah understood Rebecca almost as much as Philip. She was a forgiving soul and blamed Ross for taking advantage of Rebecca. She and Philip were alone in their loyalty to Rebecca. Most viewed her as the would-be adulteress.

  Abby had forgiven Ross. There was too much for her to lose by leaving him. She had ignored his indiscretions in the past. She was well aware of them but chose to look the other way. When he had made advances to Rebecca it was unfortunate because she could not put her head in the sand.

  The envy that Rebecca once held for Abby had turned to pity.

  Rebecca’s refuge with Sarah would be short-lived. Robert was not happy with his job. He had always had the desire to travel west. The time had come. It was hard for Sarah to tell Rebecca that she would be leaving.

  “Why leave such comfortable surroundings and travel in a horrible wagon across the county?” Rebecca asked confused. “Your baby will be born in primitive surroundings. I cannot bear the thought of you all alone at this time.”

  She did not understand. She also resented Robert taking her cousin from her, especially in her condition.

  “My brother could find him a suitable job with the newspaper. He also has many business connections,” Rebecca argued her point.

  “You don’t understand, Rebecca. He is not happy here. He wants to be one of the first out west. He needs to make his own way.”

  Rebecca still did not understand. She admired his spirit but wondered about his wisdom. She had to accept that the girl she held in her heart as her sister would be leaving forever.

  ~

  About a week later Jeremiah and Philip had the surprise of their lives. Rebecca asked to see both Jeremiah and Philip in the study.

  “I have made a decision,” she announced. She took a deep breath and continued. “I will accompany Sarah and Robert in their trip out west.”

  There was a deafening silence. Jeremiah could feel his heart breaking. She could not have meant this.

  “I know you had a bad experience Rebecca,” he pleaded, “In time it will be forgotten by everyone.”

  Philip agreed not wanting to see her leave.

  “Becca, you cannot let the gossip of small-minded people drive you away.” Philip pleaded his case.

  “It is not that.” She took a deep breath. She was not sure if she was trying to convince them or herself.

  “Sarah is having a baby soon. The trip I am sure will be one of difficulty. She will need another woman. She will need me. I feel a responsibility to her. I feel I need to be there for her since Aunt Christine cannot.” Rebecca took a deep breath. “She needs me,” she said softly.

  Philip looked at his father. He could see the pain and was sharing it.

  “In time I can return,” she insisted. “There are wagon trains that return to the east. When I know that they are settled and Sarah is fine, I will come home.”

  She hoped that in time things would be different. Her experience with Ross would be forgotten. She could not imagine living her life in the rugged land to where her cousin was about to embark.

  “I have given this a lot of thought. I would really appreciate your blessing.” She was humble and sincere.

  Jeremiah sat for a long time unable to respond. Then he looked at his daughter. He knew in his heart that if she were to leave the possibility of her return was almost impossible.

  “I don’t want to see you go. I could forbid you to leave but I will not do that,” he hesitated. “Beside I know I am helpless in deciding your life.” He turned to her with conviction. “Be aware that in time I will send for you.”

  She agreed and was grateful. This had gone better than she anticipated. She knew she was making the right decision, in spite of the fact that she could not get the hurt look in Philip’s eyes out of her mind. She retired to her room that night scared, and yet something in her gut told her she was destined to make this trip.

  ~9~

  Running Wolf’s Vision Confirmed

  Food had become scarce for the Plaines Indians. Running Wolf had taken his scouts over two hundred miles in search of the buffalo. They would need food for the long winter ahead.

  When there was a shortage of food it caused more of a threat than hunger. There would be stealing from other tribes. This could easily escalate into a war among the different nations in an effort to survive. Running Wolf and his people were not the only ones vying for food. The Cheyenne who were traveling in the same area had some trouble. They had woken to find hides and food missing. The tribe of Running Wolf became suspect to these crimes. This was not true but the threat of war was imminent.

  Running Wolf gave a comforting hug to his mother before he left to survey the land with the hope of finding the buffalo. It had been several months since the death of his father. Bright Star Over The Mountains had cut her hair in mourning when Black Bear was killed. It was a constant reminder of her loss. The sight of her short hair stirred anger in the young man.

  The sadness in her eyes remained. Running Wolf’s concern for her grew as the winter approached. He had been in her tipi more than his own since the death of his father. He kept her company, knowing how lonely the nights had become. His sister, Bird Who Sings In The Night, had asked her to live with her family. She had not consented but would probably once the winter arrived.

  Now that his father had passed, Running Wolf had given more thought to taking on a wife. The dream he had when he performed his right into manhood ritual still haunted him. Was he to obey this dream, or marry someone within the tribe? He had been promised that she would appear. When she did, it was prophesized that he would know. Yet, he wondered if he would not spend the rest of his days waiting for something that would not happen.

  He was lost in these thoughts when Long Summer Day passed by. She was very young and pretty. She was a very small woman who Running Wolf towered over. He was surprised that some Brave had not already asked for her hand in marriage. Running Wolf had t
o secure a food supply for his tribe before he felt comfortable taking on a bride. He decided at that point that if they were successful in locating a herd today, he would make his offerings to her father. He nodded to her as his horse trotted through the camp.

  She approached his stallion.

  “Here, take this, it will guide you to the buffalo,” she said as she removed her necklace from around her neck.

  Until that moment he was not aware that she had long admired him. Running Wolf was touched and even more determined to make her his bride. He was rich and had a lot to offer her father in the way of gifts. He began to think of the things he valued the most. Those things would be the gifts that he would offer to the parents of Long Summer Day in the hope of winning her hand. He humbly wished for their acceptance.

  Just because he held such a high rank among his people he did not assume it guaranteed him his pick of a bride. He smiled, thinking that it could be merely days, and he could have her for his wife.

  Thieves had victimized the Cheyenne once again. They were ready for revenge. This was the third occurrence. The council had met that morning and decided to declare war on the Crow. They had planned a surprise attack for the early morning while the Braves were still in the camp. There would be no warning.

  Their enemies outnumbered the Crow. They were fierce fighters and needed to be due to the odds they often faced in battle. They were both respected and feared by their enemies. Because of their intense training, the Crow often knew the satisfaction of victory when faced with a battle.

  When the Cheyenne arrived at the camp the warriors had already left for the day. They were set for attack and while it was not customary to attack when the camp consisted of women and children they were too provoked to stop. They attacked to the surprise and horror of the people of the camp.

  The inhabitants ran holding their young, screaming a warning to the others. There were some men present but they were outnumbered five to one by the attacking tribe. The aggressive warriors set fire to the tipis forcing its occupants out. When they tired to run many were hit with arrows or spears. They brutally slew them as though they were hunting the buffalo. In a matter of minutes lives would be changed forever.

  Long Summer Day had been hiding behind a tree. She thought about her mother who was alone at home. She began running in the direction of her lodge. She was hit from behind with a rock that was tied to the end of a rope. Her attacker held it as he galloped through the camp. She was struck in the head and felt the pain for only a moment when she fell to the ground, lifeless. Her mother witnessed in horror as she tried in vein to reach her daughter. When she was able to reach her she held her in her lap unconcerned with the blood that was pouring from her wound and on to her dress. She screamed as she held her only child wishing it had been her instead.

  Bright Star Over The Mountains and Bird Who Sings In The Night were at the river’s edge with Spotted Fawn when the attack happened. They could hear the screams and began to run toward the camp. When they reached the camp the assault was over and the intruders were riding off. Some of the women were taken captive. They were struggling to free themselves as they were taken hostage.

  Bright Star Over The Mountains and Bird Who Sings In The Night entered the camp carefully. They were holding the children of Bird Who Sings In The Night. They surveyed the area in shock.

  The first of the casualties that Bright Star Over The Mountains saw was the limp body of Long Summer Day. She was not the only one. There would be many who would be mourning tonight. They were so vulnerable and unprepared.

  Bright Star Over The Mountains looked for her son. They should be returning soon. She needed to see him. The presence of Running Wolf was the only way she would feel safe again.

  ~

  Running Wolf and his band of men had located a buffalo herd that was in the thousands. They would return to camp with lighter hearts knowing they had secured their food source for the winter. They rode back to camp, triumphant. The heart of Running Wolf was soaring. He could now take Long Summer Day as his wife.

  The dream quickly ended when Running Wolf saw the smoke from the village. He sent out a call that signaled the emergency and the other Braves responded.

  ~

  Running Wolf entered the camp to find a child crying and calling for her mother. She had seen a warrior take hold of her mother and pull her onto his horse. The child was confused and frightened. She was the daughter of Likes To Tell Stories. He was one of the Braves who had been with Running Wolf exploring the land. Likes To Tell Stories was looking for his wife when he saw Running Wolf holding his child. He knew immediately what had happened to his wife. He took the child from Running Wolf and tried to comfort her. He continued to walk with the child and call out the name of his wife, hoping he was wrong about her fate.

  Running Wolf did not know where to look first. His heart was torn as he looked for his mother, sister, and his future bride among all the confusion and pain around him. As he scanned the area he saw what he feared the most.

  Running Wolf screamed out in pain when he saw the body of Long Summer Day in her mother’s arms. He fell to his knees and gently touched her face. He knew instantly that he could nothing for her. He turned his attention to finding his mother and sister. Runs With The Buffalo was with him looking for his family.

  The father of Long Summer Day was behind them. He ran to his wife trying to comfort her. It was mass confusion as the returning party tired to locate their loved ones and aid anyone who needed help.

  The young chief was relieved to find his mother and sister unharmed. They were assisting those who were injured. It was fortunate they were at the river during the attack. They were very frightened but not hurt.

  Running Wolf returned to the parents of Long Summer Day. They clung to each other as they held her unresponsive body. Running Wolf carefully pulled her into his arms and carried her back the lodge of her parents. His blood ran cold and the only thing keeping him from losing his composure was the thought of revenge.

  He laid Long Summer Day on a clean pelt. He stood wearing the blood of the woman he thought he would make his wife. In his sorrow he longed to have justice served to his people.

  He walked out of the tipi into the mid-summer day and the carnage left by their enemies. As chief, he would hold a council tonight and they would make their war plans.

  The hierarchy in the tribe consisted of a council of members of the tribe who were considered to have wisdom. Most of them were women. The women made most of the decisions, which included when they would hunt, when the camp would be moved, and when they would declare war.

  ~

  Running Wolf carefully placed the necklace that Long Summer Day had given him in her hands just before she was wrapped for burial. He cut a lock from his long hair and placed it in her hand as well. He was grateful that her family had allowed him to give a token of love to their daughter. The burial rites were private and one of reverence.

  It was hard to believe that she was gone. She was so full of life.

  He stood with the others and watched as Long Summer Day’s body as well as the other victims were put on the scaffolds. This would be their final resting place. They were elevated from the ground so as to not be disturbed by the Plaines animals. They were also closer to the sky for a shorter journey to the Creator. The mourning would continue for days.

  The Plains Indian believed the journey to the afterlife was a long passage. Their loved ones would need supplies and clothing. The women of the tribe carried out the task of supplying food for the journey to the Creator. The men would be at war. The retribution to their enemy had been decided in a council meeting held after the burial rites had been performed.

  ~

  The following morning the women worked arduously repairing their homes. Some had been burned and would have to be replaced. Running Wolf and the other Braves were busy applying their war paint and preparing their weapons.

  As they rode to the camp of their enemy Running Wolf coul
d feel his heart racing. He felt the rage of having his potential bride killed. He sat tall on his horse as he mentally prepared for battle. He was in the front line. The reason for the war, however unfortunate, was still an opportunity for a man to prove that he was a great warrior. The bravery during a battle was just one of the ways to determine who would be chief.

  ~

  They were near their place of battle. Unlike the cowardly attack the Cheyenne tribe inflicted on the Crow; the Crow had warned them of the attack with a tomahawk placed in a tree near to the camp of their enemy.

  Running Wolf took a deep breath as he saw his enemy approaching. He waited for just the right moment for the attack. He let out the cry of battle and the raid began. Running Wolf was ahead of the others. He was approaching his enemy quickly. He touched his enemy with his coup stick. He did not harm him. He would be the first to count coup in this battle.

  The opposing warrior knew that Running Wolf had counted coup and that angered him. He turned his horse and charged after Running Wolf. He was not as fast as his opponent. Running Wolf knocked him off his horse, killing him with one blow. Swiftly he made the cut on his scalp completing a full circle. He removed the scalp and held it in his teeth as he mounted his horse. He was waving his arms in victory, knowing he was the first to count coup and kill in battle. Somehow this was relieving the bitter pain he felt the night before as they prepared the dead for burial.

  The battle did not last long with the Crow triumphant. Running Wolf had only suffered a deep cut on his forehead. It would be a scar that he would wear proudly as an outward sign of his revenge and victory.

  Once the battle had been determined on the field, the Braves rode into the camp of their enemy. They rescued the women and children who had been abducted the day before.

  Upon returning to camp Running Wolf handed the scalp to his mother. She would dry it and paint it red. It would be displayed as a tribute to his bravery and heroics. In a celebration of the victory that night Running Wolf was decorated by the tribe with three eagle feathers. Although there was sadness in the hearts of many there was much to be celebrated with this victory. The dead would be mourned accordingly. This battle was just the beginning of the healing process.