by Paul Clayton
“Are they crazy?” said Black Snake.
“Huh?” said Running Wolf, who had been busy watching the crowd.
“The whites. They could have killed him, yet they took him prisoner.”
“Hah,” said Running Wolf, “he is a dead man. He will not be coming back.”
“Yes, I think you are right.”
“You will be cacique,” said Running Wolf.
“There are those who want Rain Cloud,” said Black Snake.
“Not many,” said Running Wolf. “We already had a weak cacique and this is what it got us. The bravos will want a strong man now, someone who is not afraid of the whites. As soon as we get rid of them I will ask the Old Men to hold the vote. You will be cacique.”
Calling Crow and Rain Cloud arrived with the other Fox bravos. Running Wolf noticed the muscles in Black Snake’s arms rippling reflexively as he watched Calling Crow, as if anticipating some future contest. “With Atina gone now,” said Running Wolf, “Calling Crow’s power will wane.”
Black Snake said nothing, continuing to watch Calling Crow as a panther would a deer-- with hate and hunger, calculating distance, wind direction, speed, the play of light and shadow--
Sees Far and the other old men arrived and the bravos began entering the council house. Black Snake and Running Wolf started over.
The men inside the hut were in a high pitch of excitement. They talked and argued and the drone of their voices was like a great wind. Finally, Two Clouds, the ranking old man, stood and held up his hand. He waited a few moments until the tumult died and then he spoke.
“This is a sad day for the Coosa people-- “
Some of the men called out their agreement; a younger bravo shouted out for a war against the whites.
Two Clouds held up his hand again. “-- but we can yet make it an honorable day. We must choose our course of action wisely. Let us begin.” Two Clouds searched the sea of concerned faces. Settling on one, he called, “Little Turtle, you were there. What happened?”
Little Turtle stood. “The hairfaces were so well hidden no one saw them. The thundersticks frightened us and we could not think straight.”
Little Turtle hung his head in shame at this admission. Black Snake felt bad for him. He carried the same shame in his own heart for having fallen to the ground when the white man used his thunderstick to kill Half Foot, the bear. They must deal with these whites soon, he thought, before they got too thick, and Calling Crow along with them.
Little Turtle looked at his feet for a few more moments and went on. “The hairfaces said that they will release our cacique if we bring them one hundred baskets of maize before sundown tomorrow. If we do not do this, they will kill him.”
Little Turtle stopped and Two Clouds waited for him to go on.
Little Turtle’s chest heaved as he struggled with his feelings. His head jerked up and he looked Two Clouds in the eye. “We should make war!” he shouted. He turned to the bravos. “We should paint our lances red for war!”
Several of the youngest bravos leapt to their feet and joined Little Turtle. Two Clouds waved his hands and they sat and quieted.
“If we make war on them they will kill Atina,” said Two Clouds.
“No,” shouted Kicking Dog, “Can they kill a dead man? Atina is already dead. Do you think the whites would adopt him like we did Calling Crow?”
The younger bravos laughed at the picture Kicking Dog’s words painted in their heads.
Sees Far held up his hand to speak and Two Clouds recognized him. Not being able to stand, Sees Far sat up as straight as a young man. “No, Kicking Dog,” he said in a surprisingly strong voice, “we must not assume that Atina is dead.”
The bravos grew quiet at Sees Far’s words. Next to Two Clouds, Sees Far was the most respected medicine man in the village.
Sees Far went on. “We must find out. If he is dead, then we will have war, but we must find out first.”
Running Wolf raised his hand and Two Clouds recognized him. “Atina is dead,” said Running Wolf. “I have seen it in a vision.”
A ripple of excited speculation ran through the assembly. “Now we must avenge his death,” said Running Wolf. “We must wage war on the white people.”
All of the Wolf warriors and many of the other young bravos raised and shook their bows to signal their desire for war.
Calling Crow raised his hand and prayed that they would let him speak. He wondered if the Spanish really only wanted food, or if there was some other treachery involved. Regardless, he must act as if Atina were alive and try to get him back. Otherwise there would be a war, the results of which would be devastation for both sides. He thought of the dream he had been having for the last three nights. In it he sat on Turtle Hill watching a great mass of thunder clouds approaching rapidly from the south and another dark mass racing down from the north. The air was full of tension and he felt helpless as he looked on. It could only mean war. But when? Would he and Juana be away when it came? Could he get Green Bird Woman and Bright Eyes away to safety?
Two Clouds nodded to Calling Crow and he stood. “Sees Far speaks true,” he said. “The seriousness of war demands that we find out if Atina is alive. We cannot rely only on Running Wolf’s dream.”
Running Wolf scowled and several Wolf bravos muttered in contempt.
“Allow me and some men to go to their camp with the grain,” continued Calling Crow, “and I will bring our cacique back.”
Black Snake raised his hand and was on his feet before Two Clouds could nod his approval. “No!” he snapped. “We must not permit this. This is all part of the hairfaces’ plan to get our men inside their camp so they can kill them too.”
Calling Crow appealed to the others. “No. I know about these white people. They are clever, yes, but they are different. As crazy as it may sound, this is the sort of thing they would do. Let me go and I will get our cacique back.”
Black Snake turned to Calling Crow. “Hah! It is because of you that our cacique is in their camp.”
Calling Crow faced him. “That is not true. What is true is that you are pleased that he is there.”
Black Snake stood his ground. His face was hard and implacable, yet inside he was shaking with rage and hate. This Calling Crow had become a formidable opponent. It would be a pleasure when the time finally came to kill him. Maybe it would come this day. “You talk crazy,” he said. “Of course I want our cacique back.”
“Then don’t block my path!” Calling Crow turned to the group to make his plea. “Brothers! Send me to their camp with the grain and I will bring him back tonight.”
“No,” shouted Black Snake. “We have listened to Calling Crow’s counsel too many times.” He turned to the bravos. “See where it has gotten us?”
Many of the bravos shouted in angry agreement.
Black Snake walked across the packed earth of the council house towards Calling Crow. He took his bow off his shoulder and hocked an arrow into it. When he was twenty paces away, he pulled the cane arrow back, the feather vanes touching his cheek. No one spoke as he swept the bow back and forth in hunting fashion. Stopping ten paces from Calling Crow, he aimed the arrow at his chest.
Calling Crow met Black Snake’s eye and stood straight and tall. If Black Snake released his arrow it would pierce Calling Crow’s heart. But, thought Calling Crow, surely his spirit guide did not bring him this far along only to have him stopped by this wild man.
Black Snake’s eyes smiled with anger and he lowered his bow almost imperceptibly. He released the arrow and it drove itself into the earth at Calling Crow’s feet.
“War!” spat Black Snake. “I have cast my vote.”
He walked off and the council house erupted in shouts and cheers. Other bravos began walking up, one by one, to shoot their arrows into the ground at Calling Crow’s feet.
Calling Crow walked out of the council house, Rain Cloud and Red Feather behind him. Neither of the two men said anything as they waited for Calling Crow to speak
.
Calling Crow knew what he had to do. Many of the bravos believed Atina to be dead. He would have to go to Spanish Town and somehow bring Atina here to Aguacay. It was the only way. He turned to the two bravos.
“I must go alone to Spanish Town and get Atina.”
Rain Cloud frowned. “How can you get him? If he is alive, he will be in the center of their town under heavy guard.”
Calling Crow shook his head. “No. I will not attempt to sneak him out. I will tell the Spanish that they must bring him here and make their demands to the council.”
“Would they really do that?” said Red Feather.
“I don’t know, but I must try.”
“I will go with you,” said Red Feather.
Calling Crow smiled at his young friend’s enthusiasm. “No,” you must stay here. When Rain Cloud and I return, we will need you to tell us what has transpired in our absence.”
Darkness had already fallen as Calling Crow and Rain Cloud came out of the forest and started across the clearing to the Spanish town. Walking up to the palisade, they saw no sentries. Calling Crow was about to hail them when men rushed out of the gate and leapt upon him and Rain Cloud, pinning them to the ground. The men were tying Calling Crow’s and Rain Cloud’s hands behind them when more Spanish with torches surrounded them.
Calling Crow recognized one of the men as the pointy-bearded Peralta. He addressed him. “Senor, I have come to talk to you.”
“He speaks the language,” said a soldier loudly in wonder.
Someone held a torch close to Calling Crow’s face and he heard Peralta say. “It is the escaped slave. No doubt they sent him to sneak about in the hopes that he could hear something and discern our plans and defenses.”
“You have no defenses for what will soon be brought to bear against you,” said Calling Crow. “Listen to me, for I am your only hope of fixing the mess you have made for yourself and our people.”
Peralta leaned close to Calling Crow. “Don’t talk nonsense. Where is the grain I asked for?”
Calling Crow shook his head. “They would not allow us to bring any grain because the bravos do not believe that Atina is alive. Right now they are voting to make war against you.” In the torch light, Calling Crow could see that his words were reaching Peralta. The man looked worried.
“Do you think it is true?” asked the young Spanish with the large flowing beard.
Deep in thought, Peralta waved the question away.
“Is our cacique alive?” Rain Cloud asked Calling Crow.
Calling Crow put the question in Spanish to Peralta.
“Yes,” said Peralta, “but he is not going anywhere until we get what we asked for. Nor are you or him either.” Peralta moved back out of the torchlight. “Bring them in,” he said. “Lock them up.”
Calling Crow and Rain Cloud struggled as the men pulled them across the courtyard of the fort. A commotion sounded and Calling Crow saw the flames from several torches as people ran in their direction. His heart leapt when he saw Juana. The old white-haired priest was with her. Juana swung her torch at the soldier holding Calling Crow. The man jerked out of the way and released Calling Crow.
Juana looked at the priest and said with breathless wonder, “I told you it was him-- I told you!”
The priest knelt at Calling Crow’s side and untied the cords around his arms. He faced Peralta. “What is the meaning of this? Why have you taken them captive?”
Calling Crow and Rain Cloud got to their feet. Juana took Calling Crow’s arm.
“He is a spy,” said Peralta.
“No!” said Calling Crow. “We made no attempt to hide ourselves. We have come to warn you. Unless you bring Atina to the village and make your demands there, a war will be launched against you. The bravos do not believe that Atina is alive. Right now they are voting for war. Runners have gone out to the other villages in the confederation. If they join the fight, by tomorrow there could be as many as four or five hundred warriors coming here.” In the torchlight, Calling Crow saw fear on many of the men’s faces. He hoped the fear would lead them in the right direction.
“He lies,” said Peralta as he advanced. “It is a trap.”
Calling Crow said nothing as he met the man’s hateful glare.
Father Tomas pushed between the two men. He turned to Peralta. “You have put this entire community in jeopardy-- men, women and children. I myself will take the cacique back and put an end to this.” He turned to one of the soldiers. “You! Go get him.”
The man looked worriedly back and forth from Father Tomas to Peralta, then hurried off toward the huts.
“Stop!” Peralta shouted. He turned to Father Tomas. “I will take the cacique back myself. You will stay here and pray.”
The soldiers brought Atina out. Calling Crow saw that he was unhurt, but Atina would not look at him or Rain Cloud, nor would he answer any of their questions. Peralta lined up thirty harquebusiers and crossbowmen into a column, putting Atina in the middle. He then tied the muzzle of a Spanish soldier’s harquebus to Atina’s back, telling the grim-faced soldier to shoot if he attempted to escape. Calling Crow and Rain Cloud were made to walk at the head of the column, their way lit with torches. They arrived at Aguacay just before sunrise.
There were no sentries at the palisade as Calling Crow led the nervous Spaniards into the village. With their weapons at the ready, they walked through the empty streets. Old men, boys and women crowded around the entrance to the council house and Calling Crow led the way through them. There were many bravos inside. Calling Crow did not recognize them and realized they were from neighboring villages.
Calling Crow led the group to the middle of the hut to stand before Two Clouds and the other old men. The arrows still protruded from the ground like a field of thick grass bent by the wind. As the bravos and old men caught sight of Atina, they started shouting. Despite the clamor of voices expressing relief at his return, Atina was downcast and would not look at the people.
“Face out!” Peralta shouted to his men. He walked up to Calling Crow. “Tell them our demands.”
Calling Crow frowned at him. “Quiet.” He turned to Two Clouds. “I told you I would bring Atina back and I have.”
Two Cloud’s face was grim. “You have brought him back, but he is still a prisoner.”
“Yes,” said Calling Crow, “but not for long. Let us give them the grain and send them back to their town.”
Two Clouds talked with the other old men. They appeared to disagree, but finally Two Clouds turned to Calling Crow. “We will give them the grain.” Two Clouds called to some nearby bravos and told them to begin bringing in grain. The men ran off, their faces full of anger.
Calling Crow said nothing as young men began carrying in baskets and setting them before the Spanish. Calling Crow turned to Peralta. “Untie him now. You degrade him in front of his own people.”
Peralta looked around. The bravos talked among themselves in threatening tones. He gestured at them. “Not until they leave.”
“They will not leave unless the old men tell them to; they will not attack unless the old men tell them to. Untie him.”
“Do you take me for a fool?” said Peralta. “We will release him at the gate to your village.”
“Release him now or you will never get to the gate!”
Peralta’s face quivered in indecision as he eyed Calling Crow. He nodded at the man whose harquebus was tied to Atina’s back. “Cut him loose.”
The man pulled his sword and cut the cords. Atina moved away from the Spanish, but did not take his place with the old men. He continued to stare in sullen silence at his feet.
A commotion started up on the far side of the hut. Black Snake and his bravos turned away two boys carrying in a heavy basket of grain. Black Snake approached, glaring at Peralta and his men. He turned an angry face to Two Clouds.
“Why are you giving in to their demands?”
Two Clouds was unmoved by Black Snake’s anger. “Calling Cro
w agreed to give them grain if they would bring our cacique back to us. It was agreed.”
Black Snake turned and pointed at Calling Crow. “We will not honor agreements Calling Crow makes. He is somehow tied into this.” Black Snake faced the bravos who had crowded around. All had nocked arrows into their bows. Black Snake raised his bow. “We will not honor this agreement. We will not let the hairfaces leave here.”
The bravos shouted, edging closer. Despite the coolness of the morning air, the faces of Peralta and his men ran with sweat. They moved together, a circular phalanx of bristling swords and harquebuses.
“What is he saying?” said Peralta to Calling Crow.
“He is saying that they are going to kill you and your men here, regardless of what I or any of the old men say.” Peralta’s face was wild. “The lying heathen! This was his idea and now he has turned on us.”
“Black Snake planned this?” said Calling Crow.
Peralta looked at the warriors edging closer. “Yes-- and this new treachery too, and for that I shall kill him.”
Several warriors shrieked out their war cries. “Get ready,” Peralta called out, “don’t wait for an order. Fire the moment they attack!”
On Black Snake’s orders, two bravos grabbed Calling Crow and held him. Calling Crow thought of telling the others what he had just heard, but saw it would only aggravate the situation. Half the bravos appeared to side with Black Snake and the others with Calling Crow and the old men.
Two Clouds got to his feet. “Black Snake! Take your men and leave here.”
Black Snake ignored him, shouting instead to his bravos, “The Spanish have been delivered to us for our revenge. We will kill them and make war on their town.” He held his bow aloft as he cried out a war cry. “War!”
Atina’s head jerked up as if waking from a dream. His face was twisted in anger as he bent down and pulled an arrow from the ground. He went over to Black Snake and struck him hard across the face, breaking the arrow in half.”
