As Gray Eagle and White Foot cautiously ascended the snow-covered hill, the red-tailed hawk seemed to be leading them on as it continued to soar and swoop.
When they reached the ledge where the horse stood, Gray Eagle spotted a man’s body lying in the snow. As they drew closer, he realized it was Buck.
“I think he is dead,” White Foot said, after the two men had dismounted and knelt next to Buck. “He does not seem to be breathing.”
Gray Eagle grimaced, noticing the blood seeping from Buck’s forehead, not to mention the bone sticking out of his twisted leg. He placed his hand in front of Buck’s mouth. There was a breath, but it was faint and shallow.
“Buck, can you hear me?” Gray Eagle asked.
No response. Not even the flutter of eyelashes.
“We need to find some wood and make a travois, because we have to get him back to camp right away,” Gray Eagle told White Foot. “Maybe Two Feathers, the medicine woman, can save him. Buck is a good friend to Yellow Bird and Amanda. They will not take it well if he dies.”
CHAPTER 51
When Gray Eagle and White Foot entered Two Feather’s tepee, carrying Buck on a travois, they found the middle-aged woman with a blanket draped closely around her, weaving a storage basket. Two Feathers was small, with smooth bronze skin and dark brown eyes. Her hair was thick, and a few strands of gray intertwined with her long coal-black braids.
“What is it?” she asked, looking up at them with surprise.
“Our friend has been injured, and we brought him to you for healing,” Gray Eagle replied. With White Foot’s help, he carefully placed the travois on the mat beside Two Feathers.
“His leg is broken, there’s a gash on his head. He’s also suffering from the cold.”
“He is barely breathing,” White Foot put in. “The bone in his leg is sticking out, too.”
“I will do my best.” Two Feathers placed the partially finished basket off to one side. “But I make no promises. If it be the Great Spirit’s will for this man to live, then he shall.”
Gray Eagle looked down at Buck. He still had not opened his eyes, nor given any kind of response when they’d talked to him. He feared the worst and knew he’d better head to the mission to let Amanda and Mary know what happened. After learning how close Buck had been to Yellow Bird’s husband, it wasn’t going to be easy to convey bad news about her longtime friend. Gray Eagle himself had acquired a great deal of respect for Buck, knowing how he’d protected Yellow Bird and Amanda as he accompanied them on their journey. If it hadn’t been for Buck, Gray Eagle might never have been reunited with Yellow Bird again, so he was grateful to this man.
“We must leave now,” Gray Eagle told Two Feathers, “but we will be back later to check on him.” Motioning for White Foot to follow, Gray Eagle hurried from the lodge.
I didn’t ask this poor man’s name, Two Feathers thought as she examined his leg. It was a bad break, and if it didn’t heal properly, he might be crippled for the rest of his life. She would need to set the bone back in place and prepare a wet poultice of boneset to put on his skin. Then she would wrap the area in clay and change it daily. She’d also need to splint the leg with a straight limb from a tree to reduce mobility and allow the break to mend. First, however, she would give the man some wild black cherry juice to sedate him. She also needed to tend the wound on his forehead and give him some willow bark tea to reduce his fever. Then there was the matter of getting him warmed up, which she would do by covering him with blankets and adding more wood to the fire.
From the way the man was dressed, she figured he was one of those mountain men who trapped and traded for a living. His skin was dark, giving indication that he must have spent a lot of time in the sun during the warmer months. His thick hair was red, like the tail of a hawk, and he wore it pulled back and tied with a strip of leather.
Opening one eyelid to check the young man’s pupils, she discovered that his eyes were dark brown. He was a handsome man, even with the scars she’d seen on his neck, arms, and chest.
Two Feathers was certain her ability to heal others came from the Great Spirit, and as she began to work on the man, she prayed for wisdom from above. She knew, however, that not all who were brought to her were healed, because some were too far gone by the time they got to her or had been injured too seriously. She hoped this man wasn’t one of those, for he had a pleasant face. Not only that, but from the look of concern she’d seen on Gray Eagle’s face, she assumed the injured man must be his friend.
“You are back early today,” Yellow Bird said when Gray Eagle entered her parents’ lodge. “Did you and White Foot have success with hunting?”
He slowly shook his head. “We did not shoot any game.”
“Then why did you return so soon?”
“We found Buck. He’s been injured.”
Yellow Bird’s dark eyes widened, as her mouth gaped open. “What happened?”
“We’re not sure, but we think he fell off his horse,” Gray Eagle explained. “The horse has only a flesh wound, and White Foot is tending to the gash. Looking at the tracks left in the snow, it appeared as if the horse lost its footing and slid down the bluff. Buck will have to explain the rest if he comes out of it.”
“But I thought Buck was returning to his home in the mountains.”
“I am guessing he changed his mind and started back here.” Gray Eagle shifted his weight. “He’s hurt bad, Yellow Bird. We took him to Two Feathers, but he was barely breathing, and I fear he may not live.”
She gasped. “Oh no! Does Amanda know about this?”
“Not yet. I wanted to tell you first, because I think it might be better if you give her the news.”
“Amanda is teaching at the mission today.” Yellow Bird rose from her mat. “I will ask Mother to watch Little Joe, and then I shall go see Amanda right away. I know she will want to see Buck.”
Thunder had developed a habit of staying with Amanda, snoozing in the corner while she taught her class. But for the past hour, for some reason he had been restless.
She had just finished teaching a Bible story to a group of young children and dismissed them when Yellow Bird entered the mission. Thunder wasted no time running out the door.
“I need speak with you right away,” Yellow Bird said, stepping up to Amanda.
“What is it? You look upset?”
“It’s Buck. Gray Eagle take him to Two Feather’s lodge.”
“Buck is here?” No wonder Thunder was acting so fidgety, Amanda thought.
Yellow Bird nodded. “Gray Eagle and White Foot find him when they out hunting. They think he fell from horse.”
“Is he hurt?” Amanda’s heart pounded as she awaited Yellow Bird’s answer.
“Gray Eagle say Buck might not live.” Yellow Bird clasped Amanda’s arm. “You will go with me to see him?”
“Definitely! I just need to see if Mrs. Spalding will keep an eye on Little Fawn for me. The baby is sleeping right now, so she shouldn’t be any trouble.”
“If Mrs. Spalding be too busy, we can take baby to my lodge and leave her with Mother,” Yellow Bird said.
“It will be quicker if I leave Little Fawn with Eliza, because Two Feather’s lodge isn’t far from here. I’ll go ask her.” Amanda hurried away.
When Amanda returned a few minutes later, she said, “Eliza will watch Little Fawn, and since the class I was teaching is over now, my duties are done for the day.” She moved toward the door, feeling more anxious by the minute. “Let’s go!”
Heavenly Father, she prayed, be with Two Feathers as she takes care of Buck, and please don’t let him die, because he does not know Thee in a personal way.
Amanda was about to open the flap of Two Feather’s tepee, when the middle-aged Indian woman stepped out. “Oh, I did not know anyone was here,” she said, looking at Amanda with furrowed brows. “I am too busy for visitors right now.”
Amanda was glad Two Feathers spoke English. It was easier to communicate than
if she had tried to use the few Nez Percé words she knew. “We are not here to visit,” Amanda explained. “We came to see—”
“I am caring for a man with serious injuries,” Two Feathers interrupted. “You must come back later.”
“You not understand,” Yellow Bird spoke up. “Man you are treating is our friend. We want see how he is doing.”
“He is not awake, and I do not want him to be disturbed.” Two Feathers grimaced. “His breathing is shallow, but I am doing all I can for him. If it be the Great Spirit’s will, the man will survive.”
Amanda nodded. “Awhile ago, when I found out, I started praying for him.”
“That is good,” Two Feathers said. “You come back another day.”
“All right, but when he regains consciousness, would you tell him that Amanda and Yellow Bird were here?”
Two Feathers bobbed her head. “Take dog back with you.” Then she grabbed a container full of water and ducked back into her lodge.
Now Amanda understood why Thunder had been so anxious. When she and Yellow Bird had approached the tepee, the dog sat diligently nearby. Thunder must have known Buck was close and sensed that something was wrong.
Amanda looked at Yellow Bird and sighed. “I don’t see why she wouldn’t let us see Buck. I just wanted to see for myself how he is doing.”
“Two Feathers know what is best,” Yellow Bird said. “Right now we can do nothing for Buck.” She patted her knee. “Come, Thunder.”
The dog looked back at the tepee and whined but obediently followed the women.
Amanda knew her friend was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. The best she could do for Buck at this time was to keep him in her prayers.
CHAPTER 52
Christmas came and went with a flurry of activities, but Amanda had a hard time enjoying the festivities. Rev. Spalding had cut down a tree, which Amanda and Eliza decorated with the help of some of the Indian children. They’d shown the children how to make paper chains, and they roasted popcorn and strung that on the tree, as well. Cookies and candy were given to all the mission students, and there was a big dinner for everyone who helped at the mission. Amanda had tried to get into the spirit of things, but the concern she felt for Buck hung over her like a dark storm cloud.
It had been difficult to have fun knowing Buck was laid up in bed, but Amanda had managed to put a smile on her face and help the Spaldings introduce Christmas to the Indian children at the mission, who had never experienced it before. It was interesting to see how the children reacted to the fresh greens, pinecones, berries, and candles that decorated tables and windowsills. The children’s faces glowed, radiating with happiness that only Christmas could bring.
Turning her thoughts toward Buck again, Amanda reflected on how she had gone to Two Feather’s lodge a couple of times but was always told that she couldn’t come in. Two Feathers said the man she was caring for was not well enough for visitors. Disappointed, Amanda had returned to the mission. Yellow Bird had also tried to see him, but she, too, was sent away. This concerned Amanda even more. She hoped Two Feathers wasn’t hiding something from them. What if Buck was worse off than she thought?
“It makes no sense that Two Feathers won’t let us see Buck,” Amanda complained to Yellow Bird as they ate breakfast together on the last day of December. “It’s been over a week since Buck was brought to her tent, and yet she won’t let anyone see him.”
“My father say Two Feathers good medicine woman,” Yellow Bird replied. “I think she know what best for Buck.”
“She might know about healing, but I see no reason why we can’t pay him a visit.”
“Two Feathers keeps him sedated,” Yellow Bird said. “He would not know you are there.”
“Maybe not, but it would make me feel better if I could see how he is doing and sit by his side awhile.”
Yellow Bird touched Amanda’s arm. “You very much love him, right?”
Unwilling to admit her true feelings, Amanda shook her head. “We have become friends, but there is no future for us together, so I will not allow myself to have strong feelings for him.”
Yellow Bird snickered. “I think it be too late for that. I have seen the way you look at him.” She paused and took a drink of water. “Same with Buck when he look at you.”
Amanda shrugged. “It does not matter. Unless Buck becomes a Christian, we cannot be together, and he’s a very stubborn man, so it probably won’t happen.”
“It happen for me and Gray Eagle,” Yellow Bird said, smiling widely. “The Great Spirit brought us together.”
Amanda was tempted to correct Yellow Bird and tell her that it was God who had brought her and Gray Eagle together, but she knew Yellow Bird thought God and the Great Spirit were one and the same. And perhaps they are, she thought.
“It’s different for you and Gray Eagle,” Amanda said.
Yellow Bird tipped her head. “How so?”
“You both have an interest in spiritual things, and you and Gray Eagle have become Christians.”
Yellow Bird nodded. “Gray Eagle is good man. I look forward to becoming his wife.”
Amanda smiled. “Will I be allowed to attend your wedding?”
Yellow Bird’s head bobbed as she clasped Amanda’s hand. “Everyone in tribe will come. White friends, too.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Amanda said. She was truly happy for her special Indian friend. Yellow Bird had been through a lot in her young life, and she deserved to be happy.
“I haven’t seen Gray Eagle at the mission for a few days,” Amanda commented, taking their conversation in a different direction. “Has he gone hunting again?”
Yellow Bird shook her head. “Some other men from tribe are hunting. Gray Eagle and White Foot go to Fort Walla Walla for supplies. Reverend Spalding ask them to go. They be back soon.”
“Ta’c meeywi, manaa wees?”
Buck’s eyelids fluttered, but they would not open. It sounded like someone was speaking to him from a faraway place—saying “Good morning, how are you” in the Nez Percé language. Then the words were replaced with a song … a song he remembered hearing a long time ago. What was this gentle, sweet song, and where had he heard it before?
I am dreaming, he told himself. Or maybe I’m dead. If I were alive, I could surely open my eyes.
As the singing continued, Buck felt like he was floating on a cloud. In his mind’s eye he saw a red-tailed hawk circling the cloud. How nice that his winged brother had come to join him. Perhaps he was leading Buck to the valley of death.
Buck shuddered, and cried out in pain. He wasn’t ready to die yet. He needed to see Amanda, if only one last time. Her name was on the tip of his tongue, but he could not open his mouth to speak it. Come to me … Come to me, my beautiful woman. I will love you forever, even in death.
As Gray Eagle urged his stallion toward the mission, he thought about Yellow Bird and how he couldn’t wait to marry her. For many moons he had hoped to have this union become a reality, and he had never given up the thought that one day Yellow Bird would return to him. What a joyous occasion it would be having all their family and friends there to witness their union. He thought about Buck, lying in Two Feather’s lodge, fighting for his life. I hope my new friend will be there for my wedding. It would be a sad thing if he dies.
“How much longer until we get there?” the yellow-haired man who rode alongside Gray Eagle asked, pulling his thoughts aside.
“Soon,” Gray Eagle mumbled. He glanced over at White Foot and said in their native tongue, “This man seems very anxious to get to the mission.”
White Foot nodded. “He probably cannot handle the cold. Yellow Hair need to toughen up.”
White Foot was right; it was cold today, but at least it wasn’t snowing like it had been a week ago. The weather could be unpredictable, though, and he was glad the trip to and from the fort had been uneventful.
Gray Eagle glanced back at the yellow-haired man. They’d met h
im at the fort, when he’d arrived with some fur traders who had led him there. When Gray Eagle heard that the man was looking for someone to show him the way to the Spalding Mission, he’d volunteered to take him. It made sense, since that was where Gray Eagle and White Foot were heading. He wondered now if it had been a mistake when he’d offered to bring this man back with them. Because of this white man, who rode much slower than they did, the journey to the mission was taking longer than it should.
The man, dressed in fancy clothes, talked funny, too. He seemed nervous, like he didn’t really belong here. Gray Eagle had seen a few other white men like him before and wondered why they had ventured this far west. This man, who hadn’t bothered to give them his name, said earlier that he was headed to the mission on important business but didn’t say what. Gray Eagle figured he was probably coming to help the Spaldings teach the Nez Percé about God and how to live like the white man. Or maybe he was their chief and had come to check up on them—see if they were doing things the way he wanted to have them done.
Gray Eagle didn’t mind them teaching his people from the Bible, but it wasn’t right that they expected the Nez Percé to give up many of their customs in favor of the white man’s way of doing things. Some of the Indian women and children who went to the mission had even begun wearing dresses like Amanda and Eliza Spalding wore. It didn’t seem right to see them dressed that way. It went against the heritage of his people. They were learning to read and write in the English language, too. Gray Eagle supposed that wasn’t a bad thing, because if white men were going to share their land, then they needed to be able to communicate with one another.
Gray Eagle’s thoughts halted when the Spaldings’ log structure came into view. “There it is,” he announced to the yellow-haired man. “That is the Spalding Mission.”
Amanda had just put Little Fawn down for a nap, when Mrs. Spalding came into the room and told her that Gray Eagle was outside and wished to speak with her.
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