Lakota Flower

by Janelle Taylor

  Following a rest and eating break, Caroline and Cloud Chaser left to head onward to their destination, with War Eagle watching them until they were out of sight. He prayed they would stay safe and would find victory, and would be at his side again soon. Surely everything was going as the Great Spirit planned, and he had deep faith in the Creator. Even so, he would be apprehensive until they were reunited.

  Far away, Wind Dancer and two other braves were shadowing General Harney and his massive force as they traveled toward Fort Pierre. The weather had become cold and damp, and some snow and rain had fallen during their long journey. As far as he knew all “hostiles” had moved north beyond the upper Cheyenne and Heart Rivers or ventured into the Powder River area, which was Crow territory, and the white war chief was not heading in any of those directions. To Wind Dancer, it seemed as if the soldiers and their fierce leader were eager to reach the fort ahead. As soon as he was convinced that was true, he and his companions would return to their camp. The one small Oglala party they had encountered ensuing their meeting with Harney had told them Harney intended to hold a big council after winter passed, and all tribes would be ordered to attend it. That implied to him the army would winter at the old trading post, and he hoped that was true, for it meant they were safe from his threat until then.

  After traveling the Mormon Trail amidst flat grasslands where brisk winds gusted constantly, Caroline and Cloud Chaser sighted Fort Kearny, which was situated between a mail road to Fort Leavenworth and the Platte River where many cottonwoods and spruces grew along its wide banks. A stage depot and stable sat on the road’s south side and provided mail and passenger service from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Laramie. It had taken them over three days of long and fast and bone-chilling riding along the well-worn road to reach their destination, as they wanted this matter settled in a hurry so they could rejoin the others and head for home.

  Beyond them, wood or adobe structures—officers’ quarters and two homes, a small hospital, company quarters, workshops, several storehouses, stables, a smithy, a guardhouse, and kitchens—were scattered out on the plains landscape. Under construction, they noticed, but far enough along to ascertain their purposes were a magazine, a bakery, additional stables, an adjutant’s office, and laundresses’ quarters. The new magazine was secluded, probably as a safety measure. A slaughterhouse was set apart perhaps for odor and summer insect control. Corrals also were a good distance away from living quarters probably for that same reason. As usual, most of those places were positioned around a huge parade ground.

  Since dusk was approaching fast, they noted that few soldiers were outside and those who were scurried in haste to complete their chores and escape the frigid air. They rode to the stage stable and dismounted. Within minutes, Cloud Chaser—clad and acting as a white man—obtained permission for them to sleep inside. Although no fire would be allowed, which might endanger the hay, the stable would be warmer than camping outside tonight.

  Caroline joined Cloud Chaser in the stage station where they were given a hot meal by the generous attendant, who was sympathetic to the false tale Cloud Chaser had told him about her abduction and release.

  Caroline savored every bite of the meat and potato stew and large biscuits, and every sip of the steaming coffee with sugar. The man even opened and shared a precious jar of canned peaches from the South. Many times as they ate and chatted, she thanked him for his kindness in providing them with a delicious meal and shelter.

  Afterward, to repay his good deed, Caroline washed and dried the dishes and helped store the leftovers. The food, house, furnishings, chores, and use of English made her suddenly tense and sad. They reminded her of those or similar things from her life at home, a happy life with her family, her lost parents, her missing brother, the sacrifices she must make to have War Eagle and a future with him. She did not want to appear impolite and in a rush or falsely grateful, but she was eager to leave the cozy structure and the attendant’s company. She did not want to continue making small talk, so she feigned fatigue and drowsiness to imply she needed to be excused to rest following a long and hard journey and an alleged ordeal with villains.

  Cloud Chaser took her hint and said, “We enjoyed our food and talk, Mr. Bean, but it’s time for us to turn in for the night. Miss Caroline has been through a terrible time and she’s bone tired. We’re plenty grateful to you.”

  “Been my pleasure, folks. You’re welcome to join me for breakfast. I eat about seven after I tend the stock and do other chores. You won’t be able to see Captain Wharton till after eight. He just got here two days past, so he’s been busy getting settled in. He’s happier than a flea on a fat dog since General Harney released him from that Sioux Campaign he took off on over two months ago. I bet Major Cady wished he was the one sent back. Harney just rode in and confiscated him and his five companies of the 6th Infantry. The word is they been doing some awful fighting with Indians. Anyways, I got fresh eggs to toss around in a skillet and cured ham to fry. They’ll taste real good with some biscuits and coffee. I bet you two could use another hot meal after being on the trail so long. What do you say?”

  Caroline assumed Cloud Chaser wanted her to answer for them, so she felt obligated to smile and say, “We would be honored to join you again, Mr. Bean. Thank you for the invitation. Good night. We’ll see you at seven.”

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to disturb you folks around six; there’ll be things I’ll need out of the stable for my chores. You’re more than welcome to wash up in here, Miss Caroline, where it’ll be warm and private.”

  “Thank you again, sir, and I’ll do so. Good night.”

  “Good night, Miss Caroline. Night, Jake.”

  “Good night, Mr. Bean. See you in the morning, and I’ll be happy to help with the chores. Just give me a holler when you’re up and ready.”

  “Thanks, Jake, I’ll be much obliged for the help.”

  At eight o’clock the next morning, Caroline and Cloud Chaser were seated in Captain Wharton’s office before his plain wooden desk; introductions had been made upon their entry.

  After Captain Wharton asked how he could help them, Caroline used an exaggerated southern accent and southern belle behavior as she alleged she had been abducted by a band of horrible and vile-talking white men while en route there in early August to join her brother, who was serving under Major Cady’s command. She told him Mr. Bean had informed her last night that the major was gone and a Captain Wharton was in charge at the present.

  When he did not interrupt with questions as she had expected and he merely gazed at her, she went on to tell him the crude villains had slain the soldiers who were escorting her there, stolen the cannons and weapons they were delivering, and had kidnapped her. Again, Caroline was surprised and intrigued when the officer remained quiet after hearing those grim facts, though she appeared to have his full attention.

  She claimed she overheard the assailants say they intended to sell the stolen supplies, wagons, weapons, and teams at trading posts farther west where owners would pay big sums of money for such items. She said she had been sold to an Indian tribe as a slave, but the chief released her after hearing about the Harney massacre at Blue Water Creek. She had been given a horse and supplies and been set free. After wandering about in the “wilderness alone and terrified,” she had encountered the trapper with her, a “Mr. Jake Hardy,” who took pity on her and agreed to guide her there to join her brother and report those incidents.

  That time, Caroline did not pause for the officer to speak, just hurried on to make certain points. “I am most fortunate the Indians did not harm me, since I was at their mercy. They gave me food, which was unfamiliar and bland, and allowed me to sleep in a tepee with an old man and woman. For a bed, I used the hide of one of those massive furry beasts I saw on the grasslands. Buffalo, I believe the soldiers told me. But the Indians made me work all day, every day, usually for that old couple where I was staying.”

  She lifted her hands and frowned at them as she fre
tted. “My poor hands are so chapped and rough, they’ll never be soft and pretty again; I even have calluses on them. And those appalling men who attacked us took all of my possessions, everything except for what I’m wearing, and it’s in awful condition. All of my lovely dresses, gowns, and slippers, gone, in the hands of those wicked criminals. Mr. Bean at the stage office also took pity on me and provided me with supper, breakfast, and a place to sleep in his stable. He is most kind, sir, an asset to your post. He also allowed me to repair my appearance as much as possible in his station, but I still look a frightful sight. You must forgive my appearance and agitation, sir, but I have been through a ghastly ordeal for months.”

  After Captain Wharton told her how sorry he was about her troubles, he explained that Major Cady and his troops were serving somewhere in the Sioux territory and would probably winter at Fort Pierre.

  Caroline frowned in dismay, pretended to think for a few minutes, and said, “I do not want to stay here during winter. I think it’s best if I travel on to Omaha and find a place to stay there until spring. I’m sure I would like living in a town with families better than on a post with so many men. I’m familiar with Omaha from a stop there while en route to Fort Pierre, where my brother was supposed to be assigned according to his last letter before my departure. Yes, I am certain I would prefer to spend the winter in Omaha. I can sell the horse I was given and use the money to rent a room and buy food. I can find some type of proper employment to support myself until David comes for me. Will you give my brother a message about my situation and location when he returns here next spring?”

  “I could send a letter to Fort Leavenworth by stage to be forwarded to Private Sims on the next boat to Fort Pierre. I doubt the Missouri’s become impassable this early in the winter. Or you can send a letter to him after you reach Omaha. It would ease his mind more if the message came from you.”

  “You’re right, sir, so I shall handle the letter matter myself. Thank you for your wise suggestion. I suppose I’m still not thinking clearly.”

  “Since the army knows about the strange disappearance of that troop and those wagons, I’ll mention your safe return and explanation in my report to Major Cady and General Harney when they return next spring. I do have a few questions for you, Miss Sims, on some confusing points.”

  Caroline had been rising to leave, but she halted and resettled herself in the seat, as did Cloud Chaser in his. “What are they, sir?” she asked, trying to look undisturbed by his words and action. Had she made an error, she worried, and aroused his suspicions? Stay alert, woman!

  “Do you know the names of the men who attacked your party, the name of their destinations, and the Indian chief’s and his band’s names where you were held captive?”

  “The white villains were careful not to use names in front of me and they did not mention those of their destinations. As to the Indians, since I do not speak their language, I could not understand them; nor could they understand me. We communicated by hand signals and gestures and such.”

  “Then how do you know why they released you?”

  Caroline had prepared herself for that question, as she had for his previous four queries, so she did not hesitate or flush with guilt or tremble in tension when she answered, “I assumed the reason I gave you earlier from what happened the day I was released. Another Indian rode into their settlement. I heard the name Harney mentioned many times, and the Indians looked worried by what they were being told. After the visitor left, I was given the horse and food, and shoved out of their village. After I encountered Mr. Hardy in the wilderness, thank the Good Lord for placing him in my path, he told me about the massacre. I concluded I was released to prevent a similar attack on their camp, and Mr. Hardy agreed. I suppose I could be mistaken, but it does not matter since I’m free now.”

  Cloud Chaser alleged, “I found her wandering about with hazy wits near Heber Springs, west of the Medicine Bow Mountains. I was planning to guide her to Fort Laramie, but she wanted to come here. Since I’m heading to Independence for the winter, I had no reason to refuse her request. I didn’t come across any Indians in the area where I found her, so I have no guess about who was holding her captive. Best I could tell, there aren’t any tribal or band markings on the horse or food pouch, and she said she’d been by herself and riding for at least four or five days. Naturally I didn’t try to backtrack on her trail and learn where she’d come from. After she told me her sad tale, I figured the Indians were spooked by General Harney’s defeat of the Brules and didn’t want her found in or near their camp.”

  “I agree you two reasoned it out correctly. Besides giving you folks some trail supplies, anything else I can do for you, Miss Sims?”

  Caroline sent him a smile of feigned gratitude. “No, sir. You’ve been very kind and understanding. I am most appreciative of your help, as my brother will be when he learns of your assistance and generosity.”

  While Captain Wharton was telling a soldier at his door to fetch trail supplies for them, she looked at Cloud Chaser and—to finalize their ruse within the officer’s hearing—asked, “Will you please escort me to Omaha, Mr. Hardy, before you continue your journey to Independence? After I sell that horse, I shall pay you all I can spare to do so. Or you can give me your address and I shall have my brother send you payment for your assistance.”

  “It’ll be many miles out of my way, Miss Sims, but I guess it never harmed anybody to do another person a good turn. Let’s get moving fast as we can and it’ll help me reach my destination sooner.”

  “Thank you, sir, and God bless you for being such a good man.”

  Within a few minutes after leaving Wharton’s office, Caroline and Cloud Chaser headed northeastward on the Mormon Trail toward Omaha, in the event they were being watched. After the Oregon Trail split off and veered southeast toward Independence, they stayed on the Mormon route until they found a good spot to circle back to join War Eagle and the others.

  Caroline’s heart rejoiced in their success and leapt in excitement of seeing her beloved, her future husband, within three or four days, if nothing happened during their return trip…

  Chapter Twenty

  In a cozy cave in the bluffs at Ash Hollow, Cloud Chaser recounted their adventure to War Eagle and the others. He also told them what he had learned from Mr. Bean, that Fort Grattan had been abandoned for three weeks and that Spotted Tail and the other prisoners had stayed at Fort Kearny for a short time before they were sent to Fort Leavenworth, where they would be confined until their fates were decided by the army.

  Afterward, plans were made to spend the night there away from the wind’s knifing assault and to leave for camp at dawn tomorrow. The horses were left in a protective ravine that was not visible from the road, nor was the cave entrance, in the event anybody was traveling it this late in the day, though they thought it was unlikely this time of year. Yet, as a precaution, they built only a small fire to provide scant light but insufficient heat, using their buffalo robes to ward off the chill that crept inside the opening.

  As their companions talked about current and past events that had influenced their lives, War Eagle and Caroline sat as far away as possible in the dim enclosure so they could talk for a short while.

  War Eagle leaned close and whispered, “My head sings with pride and joy for all you have done for me and my people. My heart beats with love for you. My spirit soars with eagerness for us to join and fulfill our destinies.”

  Those wonderful thoughts and emotions matched Caroline’s and she almost echoed his words to share them with her beloved. She watched him smile as his dark gaze seemed to roam over and adore every inch of her face. Her gaze did the same over his handsome features, and that action almost stole her breath as a powerful flood of ardor and desire surged through her. He was everything she wanted and needed in a man, in a husband, in a soul mate, a protector, provider, and the father of her children. Yes, he was as near to perfect as a man could be, and totally ideal as her life partner.
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  They yearned for more than the brief touch of an arm or a hand, more than a visual or auditory one, delightful as those were. Since others were present, they could not kiss and embrace, but they exchanged looks and words that exposed their feelings to each other. What helped them endure their physical denial was the reality that its time was limited.

  Many long and tiring days passed as they journeyed toward the Black Hills, ever watchful for any sign of a threat from the army or Indian enemies. As they did so, the air became colder, the unrelenting wind blew stronger, and most of the area’s game sought warmer refuge elsewhere. Hardwoods were shedding their last leaves. Flowers and many plants were gone. The blades on the grasslands were tan and withered. It was obvious winter was making its harsh arrival known more each day.

  Soon, Caroline thought, they would reach camp. Snow was falling and ice was showing itself in the rivers and streams. She had gone far away and had faced and defeated more challenges. All seemed to have come true as Nahemana had predicted from his dream before she and War Eagle could marry in Indian fashion. But what would happen, she could not help wondering, after they reached their destination? Was there anything or anyone who could prevent her from achieving her most coveted goal? Surely not, she reasoned, for she had been told the shaman was never wrong. Yet, she prayed Nahemana’s divine powers were real and accurate.

  When they reached camp after journeying beneath a gentle snowfall, War Eagle’s family and most of their people left their cozy tepees to greet them, to rejoice in their safe return, and to praise their victories.