Snow Eagle

by Shirley A. Roe

  “We will approach silently and you can point out the one you call Gray Wolf. One of my men will go with you to recapture Songbird and once she is safe, we will attack.” Charging Elk knew that White Fox would not cooperate but he would discuss the alternate plan with his men, one by one, in secret. Walks with Fire glared at White Fox. He would kill this lying coward as soon as he pointed out Songbird's location. The Caribou Hunters were proud and courageous, with little time for cowards or fools. His hand went instinctively to his knife. He stroked the handle, as he resisted slitting White Fox' throat right there and then.

  Snow Eagle climbed down the embankment, sliding the last thirty feet to the rocks below. He should arrive in camp before morning. He walked more slowly now, his fatigue holding him back. His nose sniffed at the smell of burning logs. Slowly he crept toward the smell. There on the rock clearing, camped the band of warriors, still wearing the three horizontal stripes on their faces. He was about to back away when his eye held the familiar face of White Fox. His mind was filled with thoughts of contempt and loathing. One of his own people was traveling with the Caribou Hunters. What was he up to this time? Red Hawk was right; something evil grew in White Fox. Snow Eagle crawled on his belly until he was clear of the Caribou Hunters camp. He ran on tired legs as fast as he could go towards the Tlingit's camp.

  The Caribou Hunters arrived during the night. Silently creeping around the perimeter of the camp, White Fox pointed to Red Hawk's blankets. Strategically they placed themselves in a circle around the camp. As silent as the night they moved through the surrounding forest. Charging Elk moved off to the left signaling Walks with Fire before leaving. The other man nodded in understanding as he moved to the right with White Fox.

  Walks with Fire and White Fox stealthily approached the sleeping Tlingits covered by the blackness of the night. White Fox could barely contain his excitement at once again grabbing the sleeping woman from her blankets. He knew that once he had her, he would scream to alert his people and they would over take the Caribou Hunters. White Fox would be a hero in their eyes and he could have anything he wished. Suspiciously, Walks with Fire watched him. Staying low they approached on silent feet. The other Caribou Hunters waited for the signal before running into the camp, bellowing their war cry and killing everyone in their wake.

  White Fox reached for the red and blue blanket intending to grab the young woman by the shoulders and pull her away to the waiting Walks with Fire. His grasp found only blankets. Again he grappled for her, more rolled up blankets. Shocked, he turned to Walks with Fire, who was staring down at the pile of blankets. Walks with Fire walked over and kicked the other bedroll. Once again, no one was there. “What is going on? Where are they?” White Fox turned to walk into the center of the camp. Walks of Fire, who now had a tight grip on his arm, quickly halted him.

  “We will go to Charging Elk. Now.” He pushed White Fox back into the trees. “I think you have led us into a trap.” White Fox protested, trying to pull his arm free but to no avail. Walks of Fire scanned the trees as they moved carefully back to where the others waited. His grip tightened on the other man's arm.

  “ Let us kill this one now, he has tricked us.” Walks with Fire was angry and growing more agitated by the minute.

  “They can't be far away, someone must have warned them.” Charging Elk's eyes went directly to White Fox, who was staring at the ground. Charging Elk was rethinking his plan when a loud whoop was heard directly behind him. Within minutes the eight surprised warriors, including White Fox, were subdued and lying face down on the ground. Their hands were tied behind their backs and Gray Wolf and his warriors stood over them, weapons ready.

  “Gray Wolf, it is me, White Fox. I led these men to you so you could capture them. Untie me. I must see my mother right away.” White Fox tried to roll over, “Dancing Bear, it is me White Fox, help me up.” Dancing Bear hesitated, but then moved towards White Fox. Walks with Fire glared at White Fox from his prone position. Dancing Bear stopped.

  “Leave him be. He will stay tied like the rest of these men. Bring them to the fire.” Gray Wolf helped Charging Elk to his feet and led the procession to the center of the camp. The two young warriors were the same height and stature and even as a captive, Charging Elk held his head proudly. Dancing Bear followed directly behind White Fox, confused but obedient. He was happy that his friend had returned.

  Snow Eagle, Black Rain and the others slowly returned to the fire from their hiding places. Frightened Deer was shocked when she saw Charging Elk. She ran towards him but Little Fawn reached out and stopped her. Little Fawn and Red Hawk led her to the circle, but her eyes never left Charging Elk.

  “Songbird, are you all right? Songbird it is me, Charging Elk.” Charging Elk called out to her. She nodded in the affirmative; still she did not speak. “I demand to speak to the Elders. This woman belongs to the Caribou Hunters.”

  Snow Eagle approached the captives. “We will sit and discuss our situation. You have come to take the woman you call Songbird home, but you came as warriors to kill our people. You travel with one of us that has been condemned to death. There is much to say.” Snow Eagle sat and began smudging himself with the burning sage. The others took their places around the flaming fire. Nothing further would be said until the ceremonial smudging was complete. White Fox called out repeatedly to Sunflower but she did not look at him. She knew that she must make her choice. She had trained all of her life to sit as an Elder, with the good of all of the people as her prime objective. She never thought she would have to sit in judgment of her own flesh and blood. Her own guilt was still fresh in her mind. It had been her plan that had gone wrong and placed her son in jeopardy. A mother's love can overcome many obstacles but the look in her son's eyes could no longer be denied; it was the look of evil. Her soul was in torment.

  Little Fawn sat remembering hours earlier when Snow Eagle had arrived just as they were retiring for the night. She had run to his arms, pulling him close, thankful that he was alive. Their reunion was short lived. Her husband had traveled many miles without rest to save his people. He had important news to pass on and it was not long before bedrolls were set up, the fire left burning and the people fled to hide in the trees. Sunflower had been shocked to hear that White Fox traveled with the Caribou Hunters. Gray Wolf and his men surrounded the camp, laying in wait for the intruders and White Fox. Troubled by her thoughts, Little Fawn's eyes moved to Sunflower. How must she feel having to sit in judgment of her own son? Was she the one that released White Fox? Would the rest of the tribe ever trust Sunflower again? Does she deserve their trust?

  CHAPTER SIX

  “We will sit in a Peace Ceremony with the Elders of the Caribou Hunters.” Snow Eagle spoke directly and with respect to Charging Elk. “Our people are tired from our long journey and we have many miles to travel to the sea. My son, Gray Wolf and I will go with you to the Tagish village. We wish you no harm.” Snow Eagle realized the severity of the situation. Custom and tradition would dictate how this discussion proceeded but he must weigh each word carefully.

  “Our chief demands the return of his daughter, she must accompany us.” Charging Elk looked over to Frightened Deer. “Songbird belongs with our people.”

  “The girl you call Songbird is now the squaw of Gray Wolf. He has saved her life and she belongs to him. We will bring three of our slaves as offering to your chief.” Charging Elk let the words sink in, if Gray Wolf had saved Songbird's life, she was then obliged to stay with him. Traditions and customs were the backbone of their society and could not be challenged. Charging Elk was not pleased but must oblige. It also confirmed his earlier thoughts that White Fox's story was false. It was likely that it was White Fox that had threatened the girl's life.

  Dancing Bear moved to remove the restraints on his friend. “No, leave White Fox bound. We are not done with him.” Snow Eagle signaled for Dancing Bear to move away. Sunflower glared at Snow Eagle.

  “I demand to know how the woman's life was threat
ened and by whom.” Charging Elk's voice was hard and demanding. Snow Eagle and the rest of the Elders knew that this was Charging Elk's right. Eyes turned to Sunflower. Instinctively she looked towards White Fox. Walks with Fire followed her gaze and spoke for the first time since their capture.

  “I knew he could not be trusted. It was White Fox that tried to kill our sister, I will kill him myself.” Walks with Fire glared with hatred at the now quivering White Fox. Snow Eagle sensing the tension growing regained control of the crowd. He rose and asked Frightened Deer to enter the circle; he now referred to her as Songbird. The frightened girl walked towards him but her eyes remained on Charging Elk. Snow Eagle instructed Little Fawn to bring three of the captive slaves into the circle as well. Gray Wolf stared with jealousy at Charging Elk, as he held Songbird's gaze.

  One of the slaves, Walks Tall Woman was placed opposite Songbird. “It will be your choice Charging Elk. You will reject anyone you do not find satisfactory.” Charging Elk looked the tall, strong, young woman over carefully; she stood tall and proud unaffected by the inspection. She stared defiantly into his eyes. He liked what he saw.

  “Is this woman Raven or Wolf?”

  “She is Wolf,” answered Snow Eagle.

  “We will take this one. Bring the others.”

  Little Fawn brought a small frail girl to the circle. Charging Elk immediately rejected her. Three others were presented and rejected.

  The Elders talked quietly amongst themselves as the slaves were presented. Everyone knew that disaster had been averted thanks to Snow Eagle's early arrival. The people sat on edge, hoping for a peaceful solution.

  Charging Elk was not making the peace offering easy. It was more a show of power than his opinion of the slaves. Snow Eagle was becoming impatient but asked Little Fawn to bring the last three captives. It was customary for the Tlingit to take slaves in raids on other tribes and at anytime they could have a many as two dozen slaves. Charging Elk accepted the next two women. She Wolf and Bright Star were muscular and young and Walks with Fire admired both of them hungrily. Three for one was a most generous offer and did not go unnoticed by the rest of the Caribou warriors. It was evident that these people were anxious to settle this dispute peacefully.

  “I can agree to take these three slaves but I insist that Songbird accompany us back to our village. She must be present at the Peace talks. It will be up to the Elders to make any final decisions.” Charging Elk's jaw was set; his very posture told Snow Eagle that he would not be swayed. Red Hawk rose and walked to the center of the circle.

  “If you are agreeable, we will remove your bindings. We do not wish to fight with your people.” Charging Elk and the others nodded and the leather bindings were removed. Gray Wolf's hand rested on his knife, not trusting the Tagish. The warriors rubbed their wrists as Red Hawk continued. “It is our hope that the child that Songbird carries will unite the two tribes.” The crowd gasped at Red Hawk's words. No one could know if Songbird was with child but Red Hawk was making a declaration that none would challenge; Black Rain, Clouds of Thunder and Raging Bull exchanged a knowing look.

  “Songbird is with child? How do you know this old woman?” Charging Elk looked towards the beautiful, young woman standing before him. His gut wrenched in pain knowing that another had defiled her. He did not want to accept the fact that she belonged to Gray Wolf, but if she was with child, there were more important things at stake. “Is this true, Songbird? Are you with child?”

  The rest of the tribe sat in silence wondering what the young woman would do. She had not made any attempt to blend in with them and from all outward appearances she did not seem to be resigned to the idea of being Gray Wolf's squaw. Gray Wolf stared at her, his breath caught in his throat. He had not considered that she may be carrying his child, but he knew that his grandmother had the gift of seeing into the future. He waited hopefully with the others.

  Songbird looked first at Gray Wolf and then Charging Elk, indecision on her face. A small ray of hope began to flicker in her heart. Songbird's stare settled on Red Hawk. Red Hawk watched the girl with interest. It was obvious that she realized the importance of her answer. Red Hawk's respect for the young woman grew. The very future of both of the tribes could be determined in the next few minutes. The Caribou warriors could declare the request for a Peace Ceremony a sham if Red Hawk was caught in a lie. Shame would befall the Tlingit tribe if one of their Elders spoke with a forked tongue and they would be at the mercy of the Caribou Hunters and possibly facing death. Everyone held their breath and waited. Songbird stared at Red Hawk; a silent communication was taking place. No one made a sound.

  Songbird hesitated; all eyes were on her. She swallowed; inhaling deeply and then threw her head back and fixed her gaze on the star-studded sky. She began to whistle; a trilling, bird like sound that mesmerized all in attendance. The Elders stared in awe; the beautiful sound filled the air like the sound of a dozen birds. The Caribou hunters recognized the sound that had been so familiar in their village, the sound that had been missing since Songbird's capture. It was as if she had caste a spell over them. All were hypnotized, no one moved and not another sound was heard until the melodious whistling ending. A brilliant shooting star shot across the black sky. Several loud gasps were heard from the mesmerized crowd. Shooting stars were the sign of the Great Spirit.

  Songbird turned slowly and with resolve walked to Gray Wolf, taking his hand in hers; the people had their answer. Red Hawk signed with relief. The air in her lungs escaped in a loud rush. She had taken a risk that could have threatened their very existence but her instincts had been right. A loud cheer erupted from the crowd. Gray Wolf's chest puffed out with pride as he squeezed her hand and stared into her black eyes.

  “Songbird, your name suits you. I am proud to have you for the mother of my children.” He pulled her to him and this time she did not stiffen. Her body leaned into his and she smiled. Black Rain held Red Hawk's shaking hand and winked. He too was proud of his woman. Snow Eagle was surprised at the thoughts of the earthquake that filled his mind at that moment. He still had not deciphered that dream. Quickly coming back to the present, he smiled at Little Fawn.

  “The captives will dance the Deer ceremony.” Sunflower announced. Women arrived with deer costumes and as was the custom, the captives that had been exchanged for Songbird, were dressed as deer and began to dance, acting as Peacemakers between the two tribes. Charging Elk moved to join Snow Eagle and a pipe was prepared. The other Caribou Hunters mingled with the Tlingits, Walks with Fire moved closer to Bright Star as she donned her costume. She smiled at the young handsome warrior.

  Black Rain and Red Hawk watched with interest. Perhaps Red Hawk's prediction that the two tribes would unite was coming true. There appeared to be more than one future couple at this fire and although Bright Star was a captive she now belonged to the Tlingits. Her uniting with Walks with Fire would be looked upon as a tribal union as would Gray Wolf and Songbird. Charging Elk had shown his interest in Walks Tall Woman. The Tlingit nation consisted of two moieties or groups, the Raven and the Wolf/Eagle. Marriage could result only with one from the other moiety. Clans had people of both moieties, providing a balance in marriage of opposites. The matriarchal lineage of Snow Eagle's ‘house' was from Red Hawk and definitely Raven. Little Fawn was Wolf as were her children. Any slaves that they owned retained their own moiety at birth Wolf/Eagle or Raven. Charging Elk's matriarchal lineage was Raven. This made for an excellent chance at unity if he chose Walks Tall Woman, who was Wolf. Red Hawk and Black Rain were much relieved; they smiled at each other knowingly.

  The ceremony lasted long into the night with dancing and food enjoyed by the tired people and their new allies. Later, Snow Eagle lay on his mat next to Little Fawn, satisfied with the way things had turned out. As spirits had warned him, he had chosen the right path and disaster had been averted. He knew that he must meet with the Elders of the Caribou tribe before any final decisions were made, however he felt confident that the
two tribes would unite to form a strong bond. Because the Tlingits traveled to the sea and the Tagish stayed in the mountains for the winter, they would be two separate Clans of a united tribe. But unity brought safety and strength to both groups. Snow Eagle could not see any reason the Tagish would not agree. He was concerned that Songbird would have to accompany them on their trek back to the Tagish village in such harsh weather conditions, but there was no choice. Charging Elk had been firm in his request.

  Black Rain and Red Hawk discussed the events of the evening. Black Rain was concerned with White Fox and how they would deal with him. He had been left tied to a stake in the center of the camp where several warriors, including Walks with Fire watched. He would not escape this time. Red Hawk was please with Songbird's decision but she had her suspicions that the girl may not actually be with child. If this was the case, then Songbird had chosen to remain with Gray Wolf for other reasons and would be instrumental in uniting the two tribes. Red Hawk's respect was growing for this curious woman that did not speak. She remembered the hypnotic trill of the woman's whistle and a smile crossed her lips. At that moment she knew, Songbird also had the sight. This girl would be Red Hawk's successor some day.

  Sunflower tossed and turned on her mat, in the distance she could see White Fox tied to the stake, the last embers of the fire reflecting on his angry face. His expression was one of hatred. There was no remorse. Could her own son be so wicked? How could she have been so blind? Now what would happen to White Fox? Sunflower, the Elder knew that a harsh decision would have to be made, but Sunflower, the mother was heartbroken. She pulled her blanket to her face to muffle her sobbing.

  The next morning the people prepared to move on towards the sea. Charging Elk and five of his men prepared to return across the ice to their village. The three captives brought fur boots for the men and gifts of the much sought after Tlingit art. They quickly packed the travois that would carry their belongings to their new home. The travois and the dogs were also a gift to the Tagish. All three were nervous and frightened. They had become accustom to the Tlingits and were now traveling into the unknown with six strange warriors. As slaves they did not know what to expect from this new tribe. Walks Tall Woman approached Charging Elk. “May I speak?”