Mojado
Page 18
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Charlie’s birthday fell not long after the Tarango case was officially closed, and at the small family get-together it still was a major topic of conversation.
Charlie Yazzie was generally given credit for ending the short reign of terror—though he vigorously denied it, assigning the bulk of the honor to Lieutenant Samuel Shorthair, who he maintained was the real hero of the affair… and to his two friends, Thomas Begay and Harley Ponyboy, who had persevered alongside him. He gave special praise to Thomas’s Uncle John Nez, without whom he would no longer be among them he said—no one could argue with that. Charlie knew the ex-sniper and newly elected tribal councilman had not hesitated when his nephew secretly called him out to drive most of the night on bad reservation roads to arrive just before dawn.
When Thomas was asked why he had called on his uncle instead of notifying authorities, he said, “I knew my Uncle John would come without question, and he would do what had to be done to help us. Harley and me don’t have much credit with the FBI—they likely wouldn’t have helped us none. So I guess I just thought it best we handle it among our own people.”
Charlie’s Aunt, Annie Eagletree, still considered her nephew the hero, of course, and made sure everyone knew it. But to avoid being thought too prideful, she reported to all and sundry that her husband Clyde had been arrested and was in jail. Annie being true to her word was determined not to post bail for him. Even Clyde’s aged mother had not stepped up, feeling his shenanigans reflected poorly on her status in the billigaana community, and this time at least he must pay the price.
Charlie’s stock at Legal Services had gone up considerably. Some now thought he would be the one to take over when the “Old Man” stepped down, a thing not far distant in most people’s opinion. And even Sue was impressed when FBI Agent Eldon Mayfield penned her husband a short missive of congratulations. Privately, however, Charlie thought he detected an undertone of disapproval, intimating a possible overstepping of bounds.
Harley Ponyboy was also proud of a letter delivered to Legal Services, but addressed to him. It was from his clan mother, “She Has Horses,” and written for her by her nephew. “I just want to tell you, shiye’ké, that a heavy burden has been lifted from our hearts by the work you done to find the killer of our granddaughter. My sister and me send many prayers to your good.” There was a short note at the end by the woman’s nephew, stating he had written it exactly as his aunt wanted it… He said he would have done better had his aunt allowed it.
When shown the letter, Thomas said simply, “It was good of that old woman to write that.” Thomas would long remember his time in the hands of the killer and knew they all still owed a great debt to his Uncle John Nez, and yet, he regretted not having a bigger part in the fugitive’s demise.
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Little did Charlie know that even as he enjoyed his birthday, there awaited a letter from his old college professor, George Custer, who, in the Navajo way, had come to be called the “little general,” never in his presence, of course, but still that was how he was called.
None knew what changes that letter held…for all of them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writer, poet R. Allen Chappell's work has appeared in magazines, literary and poetry publications, and has been featured on public radio and television. He grew up in New Mexico, at the edge of the great reservation.
Books in the Navajo Nation Mystery Series include.
Navajo Autumn
Boy Made of Dawn
Ancient Blood
Mojado
His unrelated short story collection Fat of The Land is also out on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.
He and his wife spend most winters on a small sailboat and summers at home in Colorado, where he pursues a lifelong interest in the pre-history of the region. He welcomes reader comments at: rachappell@yahoo.com
If you’ve enjoyed this book, please consider going to its Amazon book page and leave a short review. It would be most appreciated
Glossary
1. Acheii — Grandfather *
2. Athabaskan — Navajo rootstock *
3. Ashkii Ana’dlohi — Laughing boy
4. A-hah-la’nih — affectionate greeting*
5. Ah-wayh — Baby
6. Chindi — (or chinde) Spirit of the dead *
7. Dinè — Navajo people
8. Dinè Bikeyah — Navajo country
9. Hataalii — Shaman (Singer)*
10. Hastiin — (Hosteen) Man or Mr. *
11. Hogan — (Hoogahn) dwelling or house
12. Hozo — To walk in beauty *
13. Mojado — Spanish for wet or soaked.*
14. Shimásáni — grandmother
15. Shiye’ké — My sons
16. Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii — Monument Valley
17. Yaa’ eh t’eeh — Greeting; Hello
18. Yeenaaldiooshii — Skinwalker; witch*
19. billigaana — white people
See Notes
Notes
1. *Acheii — Grandfather — there are several words for Grandfather depending on how formal the intent and the gender of the speaker.
2. *Athabaskan — The Northern Paleo-Indian ancestors, of the Navajo and Apache. Sometimes referred to as Athabasca or even Athapaskans.
4. *A-hah-la’nih — A greeting - affectionate version of Yaa eh t’eeh, generally only used among family and close friends.
6. *Chindi — When a person dies inside a hogan, it is said that his chindi or spirit remains there forever, causing the hogan to be abandoned. Chindi are not considered benevolent entities. For the traditional Navajo, just speaking a dead person’s name may call up his chindi and cause harm to the speaker or others.
9. *Hataalii — Generally known as a “Singer” among the Dinè, these men are considered “Holy Men” and have apprenticed to older practitioners—sometimes for many years—to learn the ceremonies. They make the sand paintings that are an integral part of the healing and know the many songs that must be sung in the correct order.
10. *Hastiin — Literal translation is “man” but is often considered the word for “Mr.” as well. Hosteen is the usual Anglo version.
12. *Hozo — For the Navajo “hozo” (sometimes hozoji) is a general state of well-being, both physical and spiritual, that indicates a certain “state of grace,” which is referred to as “walking in beauty.” Illness or depression, is the usual cause of “loss of hozo,” which puts one out of sync with the people as a whole. There are ceremonies to restore hozo and return the ailing person to a oneness with his people.
13. *Mojado — Spanish for wet or soaked. In the Southwest it is a common euphemism for wetback or illegal immigrant.
14. *Shih-chai — Father. There are several words for Father depending on the degree of formality intended and sometimes even the gender of the speaker.
21. *Yeenaaldiooshii — These witches, as they are often referred to, are the chief source of evil or fear in the traditional Navajo superstitions. They are thought to be capable of many unnatural acts, such as flying, or turning themselves into werewolves and other ethereal creatures; hence the term Skinwalkers, referring to their ability to change forms or skins.