They were still talking when Raven Wing, Shining Star and Running Wolf came back from the Ute camp. Running Wolf was carrying Gray Wolf for Raven had in her hands a large eagle feather fan. As they walked into camp Zach held his arms out and Shining Star walked right into them and raised her face then kissed Zach and handed him Star. Jacob and his men were in stunned silence starring at these beautiful women. Zach turned back to them and introduced them all to Star and Gray Wolf then to Raven Wing, Shining Star and Running Wolf.
Just a few minutes later their guests were leaving and he heard one of them comment I didn’t know squaws could be so purty. Yet another said, “I didn’t know any woman could be so purty. I figure he’s right he just might be the luckiest man in the mountains.”
The elk roast had been slowly roasting over the fire all this time and as they all set around the fire to eat, Running Wolf and Shining Star told of the great honor Two Feathers and the rest of the Ute’s had given Raven Wing. Raven Wing showed them all the beautiful fan made from eagle feathers and white fur taken from the weasel in winter. Running Wolf told them the fan was given to her not for what she did for Running Deer but for being the powerful Medicine Woman we all believe her to be.
Raven Wing told them she did not think her medicine was powerful and she did not feel like a real Medicine Woman. Sun Flower smiled at her sister and said, “Raven Wing remembers when we were little and Spotted Elk shot that raven with his bow, its wing was broke and it could not fly.” Raven Wing nodded and smiled at the memory. Sun Flower went on, “You wouldn’t let him kill it, you told him that he broke the wing that you was named after. You went to Blue Fox and he gave you what you needed to care for that bird. You healed its wing and cared for it until it could fly again. That is why Blue Fox picked you to teach. You have always had powerful medicine inside of you and now it is coming out for the whole world to see, you are Raven Wing, Healer and now Medicine Woman.”
Ely took the lead again and continued following the ridgeline south. There was a canyon just to the west of them and from where they were, it was plain the creek in the bottom of it ran into the Bear River many miles west of them. He had been studying the lay of the mountain before him trying the pick the fastest and easiest way to get down to the Bear, but he had decided staying on the ridge they were on was the best.
By late afternoon they were down to within just a few miles of the Bear but now had to zig zag their way off the ridge into the canyon and then out into the valley of the Bear. It was steep and slow going as they made their way down into the canyon. By the time they had reached the creek the sun was very near the western horizon. The growth along the creek was thick and there was no place to stop and camp so they pushed on through the thick underbrush. It was nearly too dark to see when Ely finally fought his way through the last of the thickets and the land opened up before him. The light was fading fast but through the dusk he could still see the darker trees and brush that marked the waterway of the Bear River just three of four miles out into the valley.
They camped in the open at the mouth of this canyon. The creek was cold and clear and as they stripped the heavy packs from the horses they all went right to the creek and drank their fill then rolled in the grass and dust getting the stress and sweat of the packs worked off of their backs.
There had been no game taken for the last several days so all of the men had to settle for jerky. No one had any coffee left but most of the men including Grub, Ely and Benny filled their pot full of water then put several piece of the jerky in it to boil and soften up. In the case the Grub, Ely and Benny it was to finish cooking it as well.
Lame Deer walked by and Grub offered him a place by their fire and the quiet Flathead without saying a word sat down and nodded at the three of them. Lame Deer had grown to respect and even like these three new comers but he knew his English was poor and so he said very little. Benny found him a cup and they poured him some of the hot broth and handed him a couple pieces of the now cooked and softened strips of mountain sheep and the four of them ate in silence.
The next morning, they started out at first light and was at the Bear River when the sun came up. Mr. Campbell had Lame Deer take Grub and Benny on ahead and try to take some game for the company. Some of the men were totally out of jerky by now. Ely told them, “If ya find a good crossin’ leave me a sign. We’s got ta get ta the other side of this here river ‘fore night fall.”
Grub nodded and said, “I figure we’re only five ta ten miles from the trail that crosses it headin’ for the Salt and on up to Jackson’s Hole.”
“Ya, that’s right.” Ely replied, “An’ that might just be where them Blackfeet is gonna show up. Keep a sharp eye for mor’n jus’ game.” Lame Deer and Grub both nodded they understood.
Benny handed the lead ropes of their pack horses to Reggie Hogan which he gladly accepted. Reggie was thankful these three new comers were taking on everything they had so far and caring for and leading their pack horses he figured was a small price to pay for everything they were doing to keep the rest of them safe.
The three of them kicked their mounts into a lope and was soon out of sight. Lame Deer had understood well what Ely and Grub had said. This was new country to him and he believed if the main trail they had been following over on the Salt crossed this Bear River just a few miles ahead of them he was sure the Blackfeet would be close by.
He stopped and Grub and Benny rode up along-side of him. He looked at Grub and said, “You hunt river, I look Blackfeet, yes.”
Grub looked at him and held out his hand to shake, Lame Deer looked at his hand and realized this was a sign of respect and agreement. He reached out and shook Grubs hand and Grub said, “You watch your back, Lame Deer. I be expectin’ ya by the fire tonight.”
Although Lame Deer’s expression didn’t change Grub and Benny both could see the smile in his eyes and they all felt the respect they each had for the others.
Grub and Benny had been riding a mile east of the river and they were nearly to the crossing when they cut back down to the river bank. As they were looking for tracks in the mud along the river Benny happened to look up just as a buck and two does bounded out to an island in the river. The river was deep and fast on the other side of the island and Grub smiled figuring they had them trapped. They got off their horses and Benny went up to the other end of this small island while Grub set himself on this end.
Their plan was simple, Benny would cross the shallow ripples and get on the island and push toward Grub. When the deer ran off the island Grub would get a least one of them and hopefully Benny would get another.
Benny started across the ripples and Grub’s full attention was on a gap where he figured the deer would come out of. Grub had survived for more years than he could remember on his hunting skills. He knew how important this hunt was to the nearly two dozen men just a few miles north of them. He lifted the frizzen on his rifle and double checked the prime and then watched Benny disappear into the trees and brush of the island.
A moment later, he heard a shot and then a rustling in the brush, he heard Benny curse and then the three deer broke out of the trees in front of him. He fired just before he heard a scream from Benny and he was on his feet running toward his young partner instantly. His rifle was empty so he pulled the pistol from his waist band. He slowed as he approached the trees, he sat his rifle down and cocked the pistol then with his free hand he pulled his skinning knife and entered the thick brush. Everything was still and quiet, there wasn’t even a breeze to rustle the leaves.
Grub was very close to the last place he had seen his partner when he said in almost a whisper, “Where is ya, Pard?” There was only silence, the brush was so thick he could see no more than three of four feet ahead so he slowly stepped forward pushing the brush aside. Two more slow careful steps and he heard a moan then a grunt like someone was pushing hard and he said a little louder this time, “Where is ya, Pard?”
“I’s tryin’ ta get out from under this stinkin�
�� ol’ bear, that’s where I is.”
Grub rushed forward and nearly stumbled over the large black bear. Grub could see the bear was dead but he could also see Benny was covered with blood. He slowly released the hammer on his pistol and placed it back in his waist band sheathed his knife and pulled Benny out from under the bear. Benny winced in pain as Grub asked, “How bad did he get ya?”
Benny cursed again and said, “He didn’t get me, I got him.”
“Well I kin see ya got him but how bad ya hurt, where did he get ya?”
Benny looked right at Grub and said, “I done told ya he didn’t get me. When I got in this here brush that ol’ bruin stood up and I fired. He took a step toward me and then started to fall, when I tried to get out a his way I tripped on this thick damn brush and fell. He was already dead when he fell right on top of me and pushed one of these busted sticks right inta my butt.”
Grub started to laugh then said, “Ain’t none of that blood yours?”
Benny looked him and said, “Don’t know, I ain’t looked at my butt yet, but I can sure feel where that stick went in.”
At that Grub laughed even louder and said, “Turn around and let me look at the damage.”
Benny turned around and Grub could see a long splinter sticking through his wool trousers and into the right side of his butt. Grub chuckled a little and told him to hold real still then he reached down and in one fast motion pulled the splinter from him. Benny yelled again then said, “Ya could a told me ya was gonna do that.”
Grub was still chuckling as he handed the three-inch bloody splinter to his partner and said, “If’n that’s yer only damage from a bear fight ya come out pretty good, Pard. Ya know, me and Ely has both told ya to get ya some buckskins made. Buckskin is a lot tougher than them wool trousers, a splinter like that wouldn’t go through.”
“Yah, these trousers is ‘bout done in anyway. I’ll make me a set after Rendezvous” he replied.
The bear was a big male and they had to get the horses and ropes to pull him out of the brush so they could dress him out and skin him. Grub’s shot had dropped the small buck so there would be fresh meat for everyone tonight. They were just getting the meat tied on their horses when Ely showed up and just a few minutes later the rest of the column.
By late afternoon they had crossed the Bear River and had topped the slight rise that separates the river from Sweet Lake. The expanse of the clear blue water spread out south of them and they all knew one more day would see them into Rendezvous.
Just then one of the men yelled, “Riders comin’ in from the west.” Robert Campbell could see a group of trappers approaching them from a canyon in the mountains to the west. Grub and Ely was watching then Ely said, “Why that feller out front looks like Jim Beckwourth.” Grub smiled and said, “I figure yer right, wonder where he’s comin’ from.”
Jim Beckwourth rode in along with the trappers that was with him. Some had Indians wives and some children with them. Campbell explained the situation to the new comers and they all figured it would be safer for them all the stay together. James Beckwourth and his brigade had been to their caches in Willow Valley over the mountains to the west and was on their way to Rendezvous when they met up with Robert Campbell’s group.
They camped on a small creek that runs into Sweet Lake from the west. The deer and bear were roasting on many of their fires when Lame Deer came riding in. Mr. Campbell was with Ely, Grub and Benny when Lame Deer rode up and said, “We not make it, Blackfeet close.”
32 The Blackfeet
It was another clear summer morning as Zach opened his eyes and watched the last of the stars fade away in the early morning light. He listened as he always did for the natural sounds around him. He heard little Gray Wolf in Running Wolfs lodge start to cry and then listened as Raven Wing started to nurse the hungry, growing baby. He heard Jimbo stand, yawn and stretch his muscles, then leave on his early morning hunt. He enjoyed the warmth of Sun Flower and Shining Star snuggled up against him and looked forward to another beautiful day.
He hugged both his wives then crawled out from between them, he kissed little Star on the forehead careful not wake her up. He dressed in his buckskins and just before he stepped out into the early morning light he looked and both his wives were smiling up at him.
As usual he was the first one up, he stirred the ashes of the fire until he found a hot coal then very carefully placed tinder on it and gently blew the fire back to life. Sun Flower stepped out of their lodge, walked over to him and said, “Will we be able to trade today? I know how much you miss your coffee.”
He smiled and answered, “I hope so.”
Luna ran out from under the rolled up ground flap of Running Wolf’s lodge just as Jimbo came trotting back to camp with a cottontail in his mouth. She ran to the big dog and he set the small rabbit on the ground in front of her. He sat down and watched the little white wolf pup attack the dead rabbit.
Soon everyone was up, Shining Star came out with a crying Star in her arms and set by the fire to nurse her. They were out of all their supplies now, there was no flour, coffee, or sugar. The only thing they hadn’t used up was the baking powder- there was still a cup or two of that in the pouch. Zach wondered again, with no supply train this year would they get the supplies they needed for another year? He smiled as he corrected his own thought, they would get the supplies they wanted not needed.
After they ate the left over elk from the night before, Zach and Running Wolf went out and checked on the horses. Jimbo and Luna were right alongside of them. They brought Ol’ Red and Running Wolf’s chestnut in and saddled up to ride over and see if the little trading cabin was up and doing business yet. Luna cried in the arms of Raven Wing as Running Wolf rode away, she was growing fast but he feared she could not keep up.
Ely looked at the serious look on Lame Deer’s face as Campbell asked, “Will they hit us tonight?”
“Me think no, they dance, make big medicine tonight, attack dawn.”
Grub asked, “Are they watchin’ us now?”
Lame Deer just nodded, and Campbell commented, “Well, that means we can’t sneak out in the dark.” Lame Deer nodded again.
Then Ely said, “Mr. Campbell, they ain’t gonna chase down one man in the dark. If you send a man on a fast horse he could be to Rendezvous an’ get help back here by dawn or not long after, anyhow.”
Then Grub added, “An’ that gives us the night to fort up, make it mighty tough on them devils ta get us out a here.”
Robert Campbell asked for a volunteer to ride for help saying he needed a brave man and fast horse. Several men stepped forward but he chose Davy Calhoun. Davy was the smallest man in the company and had proven many times to be a dependable and determined man. Like most of the rest of them he was in his twenties and had been a trapper for over two years. Jess Horne stepped forward and said, “Davy, take my horse, he got more bottom than anyone I ever been on. He’ll get there and back fer sure.”
Davy and Mr. Campbell both nodded and Jess went to get his long-legged bay. Campbell wasn’t finished just yet and announced, “Another man better go, if one don’t make it the other might.” Then Jim Beckwourth stepped up and said he would go with Calhoun.
As Davy saddled the tall bay and Jim led his horse up, Mr. Campbell told them, “I figure we’re about thirty miles to Rendezvous and you’re going to be riding through the night. Don’t take chances, if your horses steps in a hole or anything else happens to them were all dead. We’ll make ready for them Blackfeet but you need to get help back here.”
Davy and Jim felt the weight of this responsibility, they were the only hope of the nearly three dozen men women and children that were there and are now and counting on them. They had both been to Rendezvous last year and knew where they were going. They knew riding thirty miles as fast as they could in the dark and then back again with help before the Blackfeet could wipe out their friends was going to take all of their skill as horsemen and luck as well. There was only a quar
ter moon so the night was fairly dark as they headed south along the western side of the big lake.
Mr. Campbell had the horses brought in close and posted two guards on them. Just after midnight the guards would change. They used the bundles of plews to build up a breastwork with the willows along the creek at their back. Several of the men dug down into the creek bank for better cover and they all checked to make sure each man had plenty of shot and powder. The women and children were huddled together by the creeks edge protected by the thickest of the willows with the men all around them.
Grub, Ely, and Benny set up on the creek on the north end of their position. There was a break in the willows and they could see behind them from there. If the Blackfeet tried to circle around behind them at least they would know.
The two older trappers had been in many a fight with Indians but never when the odds were this great. This was Benny’s first real battle and he was nervous, he showed no fear but he felt it. Lame Deer still figured there were between two and three hundred of them up against less than three dozen trappers. He had gone out again to watch the enemy, it was dangerous but he was very good at it.
For being a dark night Calhoun and Beckwourth were makings good time. They couldn’t run or even keep their mounts at a canter, but the horses were covering nearly six miles an hour at a walk. They stopped only twice all night when they crossed creeks running into the lake to let the horses drink and rest for only minutes then it was back in the saddles heading south. The sky was just starting to turn light on the eastern horizon when they saw the light of the fires of an Indian village. They didn’t stop or even try to determine which tribe the village was they just rode on knowing there was only a few miles left to go.
They passed a second village and now it was light enough to see and they could tell right off this was a village of Bannock. Just a few short minutes later they came to the first camp of trappers. Shouting as they rode in several trappers turned around and asked what all the excitement was about.
Grizzly Killer: The Medicine Wheel Page 26
