by Karen Kay
They continued to struggle, Owens now gone wild. At last, having no choice, Owens gulped, but instead of air he breathed in water. Not long after, his body went limp.
Grabbing hold of him, Red Hawk surfaced at once. The man was probably still alive and could be brought around if anyone cared to try. Since he had been a friend of Effie’s father, Red Hawk would let her make the decision.
As Red Hawk emerged from the water, leaving Owens’s body on the shore, the sea dog surfaced. It grabbed hold of Owens, and before anyone could object, the sea dog slinked away into the deepest part of the lagoon.
Tragic, yet it was hardly a loss, thought Red Hawk. He turned away. Only then did he look for Effie.
What was this? Was that Effie’s still body lying amongst the rocks and sand and mud?
No, it couldn’t be. Rushing toward her, he pulled her up into his arms. “Effie! Effie!”
Was she injured? Had she been shot? In her hands, she clutched two of the artifacts. Two others had fallen to the ground beside her. But he ignored them. Opening the top of her bathing costume, he felt for a heartbeat. There wasn’t one.
“No!” he cried out.
All at once, as though she would not let her life slip away so easily, she gasped in air, gulping. At last, her chest rose and fell.
“Effie!”
She opened her eyes and stared directly at him. “Are you all right?”
He laughed with relief. “I am fine. I do not think I can say the same for your father’s friend, however. The sea dog has him. And you, are you all right?”
“I think so, although I seem to have lost feeling in my left arm.”
Looking there, he saw she had been injured with that shot, but it hadn’t touched her arm. It was merely a graze on her chest, but it had come dangerously close to her heart.
He laid his hand over the injury, inspecting it closely. Yes, she would be all right.
She would be all right, he recited to himself again.
Laughing, crying, he took her in his arms.
So it was that he was unaware of his surroundings, when from behind him came a voice. “Poor Orphan, you have done what most of our people thought was impossible. You have broken the curse.”
Red Hawk knew that voice, and raising himself away from Effie, he said, “Grandfather?”
At last, Red Hawk looked behind him.
“Grandfather, it is you. It is you!”
“So it is. You have done well, my grandson.”
“Grandfather, I welcome you. Grandfather,” said Red Hawk, kneeling toward Effie, “this is my wife, Effie. Effie, this is Grandfather.”
All the people from the Yellow Shawl Band had gathered around Effie and Red Hawk. Had they been able, a council would have been held at once. But it was not possible. Though Effie, Red Hawk, Grandfather, the chief of the Yellow Shawl Band and White Claw were all present, all was still not well.
Thunder sounded above them. Lightning struck the ground to the right of them, to the left. Like fast-whirling storms, the black clouds rushed toward them, and in fear, the people retreated into the cavern.
“It is the Thunderer,” said White Claw, the tribal medicine man.
“I know,” said Red Hawk. “He has been following me and making trouble. Now that my people are freed, I will meet him. I will do battle with him. I will have my revenge.”
“No!” cried Effie.
But Red Hawk was steadfast in his belief, and he strode to the cavern’s entrance.
“You might do battle with him,” the medicine man addressed Red Hawk. “It is your right.”
“No.” Effie wiped away the stifling tears she had no intention of shedding. Though her voice shook, she continued, “No. I have had enough fighting for one day. I have not come through this only to lose you, Red Hawk. The artifacts are mine. I found them. And though I may incur your hatred and that of your band, I have decided I will give them to the Thunder Being.”
Red Hawk swung around to face her. Though his face was contorted with anger, all he said was, “I cannot let you do it. He will kill you, as he killed my parents.”
Rising to her feet, Effie paced toward the cavern’s entrance, coming up behind her husband. “And yet I have the right to do with them as I see fit. Do you remember me telling you that?”
Red Hawk turned his face from her. “So you did.” He paused. “But I cannot lose you either.”
“I don’t think you will.” White Claw had stepped up behind them. “Do not confuse the past with the present, my son. Had the Thunderer been inclined to kill you, he would have done so already.”
Red Hawk nodded. “Very well. It shall be done, as you want it to be done. But I would ask that you let me give the artifacts to the Thunder Being, he who is my enemy. I promise you I will do no more than that.”
Effie nodded, and without even a backward thought, she handed him the treasures.
Effie watched as Red Hawk stepped from the cavern, directly into the storm outside. Striding with purpose toward the shoreline of the lagoon, he set the four stones in a row. “Here they are, Thunder Being. Your children are returned to you. Take them, and go in peace.”
Some moments passed, and then came a powerful voice. “You would give them to me without a battle?” It was the Thunderer.
“Aa, I would,” said Red Hawk. “My wife found them. My wife has determined that they belong to you. I agree. Take them. Let there be peace between us.”
Nodding once, stepping toward Red Hawk, a gigantic man, half blue, half black, moved before the cave. Bending, he took up the artifacts, handling them as he might a precious child. And in truth, they were children. They were his children.
Effie watched the Thunder Being retreat into the blackened storm clouds and become a bird. As the clouds engulfed him, they retreated from the sky, leaving in their place a beam of light.
A thing that Red Hawk had once said came to her:
All must pay for their ill actions against others.
Indeed, she thought. The Clan had paid their price, the Thunderer had too.
Thank goodness that Red Hawk had not done anything he would regret.
Turning, Red Hawk took Effie in his arms. “I love you,” he said.
“And I love you too. Now, let us go find that preacher.”
Together they retraced their steps to the cavern.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the end, it was a happy occasion, yet sad. One from amongst them was gone. Worse, that person had been someone whom Effie had considered a friend. Owens was Lesley’s father; her own father’s friend, as well.
How was she to tell Lesley all that had occurred? It seemed impossible, and yet she knew she had to do it.
And then there was Madeline. What was Effie to do about her? A few people in the Yellow Shawl Band had found Madeline and untied her. It was well to say that Madeline was looking more than a little shocked from her adventure.
Which brought another problem to mind. What was Effie to say to Carl, if indeed she should say anything? Should she let Madeline go with a slap on the wrist? Shouldn’t the other woman be made to atone for her mistake?
It was hard to know what to do.
Effie turned to Red Hawk. “Before anything else happens today, I must go back to my own camp. I have to tell Lesley what has happened.”
He nodded. “I will come with you.”
“I would like that.” She sank into silence. And then, “Red Hawk?”
“Aa?”
“What am I to tell Lesley and Henry? What am I to say to Carl? How can I relate what has happened?”
“I do not know, but together we will find a way. Wait here, while I tell my grandfather and the medicine man where we go.”
She nodded.
Effie watched as Red Hawk approached White Claw where the elder sat in council.
Red Hawk squatted next to the old man and murmured something in his ear. But instead of rising up to accompany Effie back to her own camp, Red Hawk remained where he was, looking mildly surprised.
A few more words were spoken between them, then Red Hawk nodded and motioned Effie forward.
“You must hear this from our medicine man yourself, my wife.”
“What is that?”
“Come forward and you will understand all as White Claw explains.”
Effie stepped toward the group.
White Claw said at once, “There is no need for you to visit your friends in camp.”
“But I—”
White Claw held up his hand. “The one you know as Owens is not dead, for the sea dog is not a killer. Though some think he is a monster, he is not. He simply escorted the man to another shoreline, hoping the man would have a chance to change the hatred in his heart.”
Effie nodded. “Indeed, I imagine the experience might have caused him to have a change of viewpoint.”
“Aa, I believe that he did.” White Claw smiled. “I have been to see your people, for I had to ensure that Madeline was reunited with her husband. It gave me the opportunity to explain to them what has happened, and if you like, they may come here and be a part of our council. But I believe that already they are making plans to leave here and go home. You will probably want to go and talk to them. Know that all could go well with them despite this trouble.”
“Then I…I don’t have to explain?”
White Claw shook his head.
Effie breathed out deeply. “Yes, I will go and see them. Thank you, Mr. White Claw, sir.”
White Claw nodded, and Effie and Red Hawk rose and left soon after to tread back to the excavation camp. It was wonderful to discover that things were exactly as White Claw had described.
Madeline and Carl seemed estranged, as one might expect them to be. Perhaps in time they might rediscover their love, but for now, even though they were together, they appeared to barely be on speaking terms. It was Mr. Owens’s transformation that was the most glaring, however. Gone was his antagonism toward her and the rest of her crew, to be replaced by a sort of propitiation that was a little uncomfortable. However, his many offers to help and to make amends were welcome and gladly accepted.
What was wonderful, however, was that all of them—Lesley, Henry, Carl, Madeline, Mr. Owens and Fieldman—were pleased to congratulate Effie and Red Hawk on their marriage.
At present, it seemed, all was well.
Several days later
It was White Claw who had performed the wedding ceremony between Effie and Red Hawk.
At present, a camp had been set up in the excavation site, and a council had been called. All were present who needed to be there, Red Hawk, Grandfather, Effie, the chief of the Yellow Shawl Band and White Claw. The pipe had been smoked and passed, and the necessary rituals had been properly executed. At last White Claw said, “We welcome you, Water Being. Thank you for your help. We also welcome you into our tribe and into our hearts. But come, I think you and your husband have questions. I am here for a little while longer that I might answer them. I would ask that you be first to question me, Water Being.”
Effie smiled. She was becoming used to her new name and was beginning to enjoy its notoriety. “I do have questions, actually.”
White Claw nodded.
“Sir, I am wondering what will happen with Madeline and Carl. Will they work through their problems?”
“It is a good question, and I may tell you this. Your friend Madeline was misled by the evil intentions of another. She thought you were doing wrong, and so she acted, as of course Owens had meant her to do. Madeline’s husband suspected it was she who was doing the ill deeds that beset you. He tried to protect her.”
“I see.”
“They have gone back to their parents,” continued White Claw, “where it is hoped they will learn to live with one another in a better way.”
Effie nodded. “And what of Lesley and her father?”
“As you know, Owens had a change of heart. He has apologized to Madeline and Carl, to his daughter, and he goes now to make peace with his wife. I do not believe he will cause any further trouble. It was his greed that was his demise. That greed is now gone.”
“I am glad, but what I don’t understand is how Madeline and Mr. Owens ever came to know one another.”
“I believe they met through your father, not so long ago,” said White Claw. “It was he who first introduced them. Since she and her husband were to accompany you on your work, your father felt it best that his friend come to know Carl and Madeline Bell. It was then Owens gave in to a lust that had been festering within him for many years. It was he who tried to steal the artifacts from your father. When he met Madeline, he realized that through her he could attain his selfish desires. He chose the wrong spiritual path. Had it not been for the sea dog, he would have lost his soul forever.”
“Then perhaps it was good that this all happened. One more thing, please. Do you know anything about the sheriff of Virginia City? Do you know why he broke into my room?”
White Claw nodded. “I am here to answer your question. The sheriff suspected you had something of value. I believe that is all. Had he found your stones, he would have taken them from you, I think. And now, is there anything else that you wish to know?”
“Yes. Is it true that some of your people are still lost, enslaved in a half existence?”
“It is, indeed, true. But most are now freed. There is but one band of the tribe still imprisoned in the curse. But there is a year left. We have hopes for them.”
“What will happen to Red Hawk’s people? They are from the past and do not know the ways of our current civilization.”
“This is another good question,” said White Claw. “It is hoped that both you and Red Hawk will help them to learn about this new environment. Perhaps they can learn from you, and you from them, for I think you are curious about them.”
“Yes. That would be most agreeable.”
“And now, Poor Orphan, you who are now known to us as Red Hawk, I would answer your questions. Have you any?”
“Aa, that I do.”
“Proceed.”
“Do you know how I ended the curse? I thought I was doing wrong, for I put my wife’s life over the needs of the Clan.”
“It is a strange thing, since the Creator instructed us to show mercy. But perhaps that is exactly what you did, my son. After all, you did pull Owens from the water. In this, you did show mercy.”
Red Hawk nodded. “But I only did it for my wife’s sake.”
“I understand that,” answered White Claw. “Love, it is said, is a powerful thing. Perhaps it guides us to act in ways that we should, despite the deception of our illusions. It is to be hoped that when the last of the Clan is released from the mist, the Creator will show us what we have failed to grasp, for I feel I should tell you that the other champions have told me much the same as you.”
“Aa. Let us pray this will be.”
“And now, I have good news. It is told to me by the spirits that you will both live long and well. Know, Water Being, that your parents will love your husband, as do you. Share with them. Your father and mother await you both.”
Effie and Red Hawk nodded.
“And so I wish you well,” said White Claw. “Now, I must end this council, unless you have other questions.” He waited. “Being that as it is, I will return to those of the Clan who are still enslaved, although I think I might visit a friend who lives in the East before I return. Live long, be well and know that sometimes to love is the answer.”
After rising from his seat, White Claw took his leave of the others.
It is said that Red Hawk and Effie became the stuff of legend. It is also said that their love carried the Yellow Shawl Band through many hard time
s. Always, were they an inspiration to all the people, and to their families. Always and forever, they were in love.
Glossary
Because there are some technical terms as well as Blackfeet words used in the story, the following is provided for the reader for ease in reading.
Aa—A Blackfeet word meaning “yes”.
Annisa—A Blackfeet word meaning “That’s it/okay now”.
Anthropology—A study of man and his societies, his way of life, his myths, etc. It differs from archaeology in that an archaeologist is concerned with man’s past societies.
Archaeology—The study of past societies by means of finding human-made objects and using these to draw conclusions about that past society.
Artifact—A relic from the past. It is something that is made by man. Thus, a rock, though it might be old, would not be an artifact.
Collector—A person who collects artifacts. He does not share them with the world for their greater knowledge. It is looked down upon for a professional archaeologist to become a collector.
Conservator—A professional in the field of archaeology who acts like a guardian for the artifacts found. Often such people work in a museum.
Grid—In archaeology, a method used to excavate the area to be dug. A grid or map of the excavation site is drawn up in what might be called boxed areas, and the area is then dug in sections. The other method of excavation is the vertical-face method.
Haiya—A Blackfeet expression used mainly by males.
Hannia—A Blackfeet expression used as though to say, “really”.
Ho—Another Blackfeet common expression.
Ikksisitsi’tsi—A Blackfeet word meaning “understand”.
Oki—A Blackfeet word meaning “hello”.
Omaniit—A Blackfeet word meaning “be truthful”.
Omaopaat!—A Blackfeet word meaning “stop”.
Otahkohsoa’ tsis—Blackfeet for Red Hawk.
Poohsapoot—A Blackfeet word meaning “come here”.
