by Joel Baker
Chapter 20
Jacy and Hotah headed out on the last day in March. They had a seven day ride to the closest Sioux encampment. They were told to return no later than the second week of April. They were to observe the Sioux without making contact. They were to look for a way for the Lakota to strike the Sioux first and make a lasting impression.
Nina was sad and proud to see her son ride towards the east with an important mission. Jacy was a man now, with the responsibilities that go with that. While Jacy the man would return, her little boy was lost forever. He was lost in the man he’d become. She watched as he disappeared into the spring sunrise.
James and Dalton continued to train their Lakota strike force with help from Mato. They were as fine a group of fighters as James could remember. Equally skilled with a knife or tomahawk, the men could kill up close or from a distance. At the end of their training they were allowed to practice rapid fire with their Colter rifles until they could hit seven targets out of ten shots.
The Colter repeating rifles were cleaned regularly and cared for as prized possessions. All knew that the cartridges were to be carefully guarded and used only when necessary. Spent cartridges were collected and returned to the Colters for reload.
The men were encamped outside the Lakota village in large tents used by the Lakota when on the move. James and Dalton were examining the tents when Mato and Cass rode up.
“These tents are remarkable,” James said. “Is there any chance we could borrow several of these if we have to move the women and children from the Center?”
“That’s a good idea,” Cass said. “Do you know where you would put them?”
“We’ve found a place over by Wind Cave,” Dalton said. “It’s just north of the caves. I found one of the caves that could be used as a place to retreat to if the Sioux came that way.”
“Is it a place you could defend?” Cass asked.
“A narrow opening,” Dalton said. “One person could hold them off for some time.”
“Sounds like a good place to be if the Sioux come,” Mato said.
“There’s only one problem,” Dalton said. “Shannon said hell would freeze over before I got her in a cave with bats. That’s why we need the tents.”
“The Sioux will probably come to the village first,” Cass said. “Hopefully, no one will be crawling into a cave.”
“Have you ever seen one of these tents put up?” Mato asked.
“No,” James said. “Could you show us?”
“Sure,” Mato said.
The men rode over to where one of the tents was laid out on the ground. A man and a woman were busy erecting the tent.
They had three long lodge poles tied at the top with a leather strap. These were placed on the site for the tent as a tripod. Then a dozen more poles were evenly spaced and rested on the top of the first three. Skins were lashed to the poles using thin leather straps. A flap was left open at the top to allow smoke from a fire to escape in cold weather.
Once the structure was up and covered with skins, they laid pine boughs on the floor covered with a buffalo robe for sleeping. Mato pointed out that the sides of the tent could be raised if it was hot and a breeze was needed. If it rained, a square of canvas could be strung across the top of the tent to divert the rain coming through the flap on the top of tent.
“That is impressive,” James said, once the tent was up. “It didn’t take long to set up either.”
“Remember this couple is expert at putting these things up,” Mato said. “It could take you all day the first time. I suggest you put the tents up as soon as you can. They’ll be there for you when you need them. You don’t know how much warning you’ll have.”
“That sounds like good advice,” James said. “Let us know when you can give us the tents. We’ll drag them up to the caves with travois. I don’t want to leave a trail by using wagons.”
“Do you think three tents are enough?” Mato asked.
“Yes,” James said. “It should be more than enough.”
“We should be able to give you your tents in the next day or two,” Mato said. “I’ll send someone out with the tents and have them help you put them up.”
****
Hotah and Jacy left their horses in a small grove of trees. They were over two miles from the Sioux village. They waited for darkness and made their way to a rise overlooking the Sioux encampment. Their biggest concern was of being discovered by the groups of Sioux who were constantly coming and going.
The village seemed peaceful enough from a distance. The two scouts could tell something was going on. For some reason all the dogs in the village and been tied up and silenced. A large number of horses had been brought in and quartered on a corral on the far side of the cabins. A bonfire burned at the center of the village. Jacy could see a circle of Sioux apparently in council.
“I have to get closer,” Jacy said. “You stay here.”
“Where are you going?” Hotah asked.
“Down there,” Jacy said, pointing at the village. “Take my rifle.”
Jacy lay in the darkness at the edge of the village. A group of young men walked close to him. He listened to their conversation. They were from all over and had accompanied the elders meeting in council. There were Sioux, Crow, Cheyenne, and what sounded like Osage being spoken in the group. As they walked by, Jacy stood and joined them as they walked into the village.
No one took notice and Jacy moved into the middle of the group.
“What do you think they’re telling the council?” one of the men asked.
“The Sioux are trying to convince the others to form a federation against the Lakota,” another man said.
“Why?” A third man asked. “The Lakota are a tiny tribe. They keep to themselves.”
“The Sioux just got their butts kicked by the Chippewa,” man two said. “They need someone to blame and the Lakota were convenient.”
“Well, the Sioux outnumber the Lakota ten to one,” man three said. “Why don’t they just go do it?”
“They’re afraid of what the other tribes will think,” man two said. “They want to know if the other tribes will object.”
“Will they?” man three asked.
“No one cares about the Lakota,” man two said. “Their women will keep us all warm next winter!”
The young men laughed and hooted at the fate of the Lakota women. Jacy laughed with the rest.
“When do you think the Sioux will move on the Lakota?” Jacy asked.
The group stopped and man two looked at Lacy for a moment.
“Who are you?” man two asked.
“Jacy Cole”, Jacy said. “I’m here with the Crow delegation.”
“You sure you’re Crow?” man two asked.
“Not by choice,” Jacy said. “I was Ute. Then the Crow came and kicked the hell out of us. Now we’re Crow and proud of it.”
That brought much laughter at the expense of the Ute and Jacy. Man two slapped him on the back.
“The Sioux are going to send fighters up to hit the Lakota village as soon as the council is over,” man one said. “It will probably be at the end of the week.”
“Now if they just don’t screw it up like they did with the Chippewa,” man two said.
“Good for them,” Jacy said. “I hope they send enough fighters.”
“We’re talking about the Lakota here,” man two said, laughing. “It won’t take much.”
“I heard they’re going to send about a hundred,” man one said. “But typical of the Sioux, they said they’re going to split them into two groups. It’s just like them to take a group big enough to get the job done and then split them up.”
“You probably don’t know,” Jacy said, sounding skeptical. “I wonder where they’ll send the two groups.”
“Of course I know,” man one bragged. “They’re going to send most of their fighters up toward a village in the Rushmore area. The rest will leave a couple of days later to someplace west of there. I never he
ard of the place. It’s just a dot on the map.”
“Where was that?” Jacy asked.
“Wind Cave,” man one said.
****
Hotah and Jacy rode straight through and were back to the Lakota by sunset two days later. They’d almost killed their horses in the process. They staggered into the Lakota village and up to the main house. James, Cass and Mato came out on the porch.
“What is it?” Mato asked, obviously concerned.
Jacy told the men what he’d learned in the Sioux camp. He told them that the main force was headed to this village. Jacy also told them that a few days later more of the Sioux were going to Wind Cave. James was worried since they’d moved the women and children north of Wind Cave two days ago. The tents should be up by now.
“Why would they go to Wind Cave?” James asked. “That makes no sense.”
“They know about the bats,” Mato said. “It’s the only large source of nitrate within three hundred miles of here. It’s why the Lakota settled here in the first place.”
“The Sioux are desperate for gunpowder,” Cass said. “After the fight with the Chippewa, the Sioux are probably almost out if it. It looks like they’ve decided to take it from us.”
“Well,” Jacy said. “By now the Sioux are on their way here. What do you want to do?”
“You get some rest,” James said. “You and Hotah did a great job.”
“Thanks,” Jacy said smiling.
“Should we send a rider to Wind Cave to warn them?” Mato asked.
“There isn’t time,” James said. “If the Sioux left right after Jacy and Hotah returned, they could be a day or two away.” We need to let everyone know what’s going on.”
“The Sioux could come at any time,” Mato said. “Do we have time to meet?”
“The dogs will let us know when the Sioux are close,” James said. “We’ll meet this afternoon.”
James didn’t want to discuss the dogs right now. Both groups of Sioux were being followed by the dogs as they advanced on the Lakota. The dogs would let Banner and the others know when the Sioux were almost to Wind Cave. The Sioux had no reason to think anyone would be there. The Colters would have to hide. The dogs would have to take care of the Sioux.
Both Mato and Cass gave James a funny look as they went back into the main house.
****
The meeting was held at the Center. It was no surprise when Shannon and Molly showed up. Mato stood and addressed the group.
“In a day or two the Sioux will send many of their fighters against the Lakota village,” Mato said. “Their goal will be to kill as many of us as they can. They will take the women as captives. The children they will probably kill. This we will not allow.”
“Some time later,” Mato continued. “The Sioux will send a second party of warriors to Wind Cave. They are in desperate need for nitrate to make gunpowder. They do not know we’re there.”
“Shouldn’t we all move back here to the Center?” Shannon asked.
“We will have all the Lakota women and children here at the Center for a few days,” Mato said. “If the Sioux are able to take our village, they will find this place. No one will want to be here if that happens.”
“The Colters and the dogs will be at Wind Cave,” James said.
“Will the dogs protect you?” Cass asked.
Shannon looked at Matthew who shrugged his shoulders. Both Mato and Cass watched the two with interest.
“We believe so,” Shannon said. “The Sioux will regret coming to Wind Cave.”
“Are you sure?” Cass asked.
“The dogs will protect the Colters,” James said, as much a prayer as a certainty.
It was another two hours before they were able to hammer out how they would defend both the Lakota Village and Wind Caves against the Sioux. They wouldn’t.
Unlike the Sioux who were dividing their strength against the two objectives, The Lakota would take on first the one group and then turn their full strength on the other group. They would move the Colter women and children to the north of Wind Cave into the land of the dogs. The dogs would do the rest.
The fight with the main force of Sioux coming would be in the village itself. The Lakota fighters would be concealed in the houses and barns of the village. Once the Sioux entered the village the defenders would open up with their repeating rifles and cut them to pieces.
After the village was safe they would rush to Wind Cave and annihilate the rest of the Sioux when they arrive. If the Sioux arrived before they were expected, the dogs would protect the Colters.
One question remained until the end of the meeting. If the ambush was to work, all the Sioux would have to enter the village at the same time. The question was how to get the Sioux do this? Cass and Mato could come up with nothing. James and Dalton also drew a blank. Finally Molly stood up.
“As I understand it,” Molly said. “You want to get a hundred or so men to throw caution to the wind and ride into the village all at the same time.”
“Yes,” Cass said.
“That’s easy,” Molly said. “Make the village look peaceful. Have smoke coming from all the fireplaces. That sort of thing. Then have five or six women come out of the main building with nothing but a blanket around them.
Have them laughing and pointing towards the Sioux. Make sure they can run for all their worth for the far end of the village. If possible have one or two of them let the blanket fall open a bit.”
“That will work,” Shannon said. “Nothing will keep those Sioux out of the village.”
Chapter 21
The Sioux riders stretched in a long line to the east. Blue Feather and Jacob were waiting for the groups to form up behind them. Blue would be leading the group headed for the Lakota village close to Rushmore. Jacob was taking the much smaller group headed to the Wind Cave. Both men knew the Sioux were desperate for gunpowder.
A full third of the men coming towards them carried lances and battle clubs for weapons. The rest had only a small amount of powder with them. Blue wanted what little powder there was with him when he hit the Lakota village. They would capture sealed barrels of gunpowder from the Lakota and be back in business.
Besides, Jacob and Blue expected little or no resistance at the Wind Cave. They wouldn’t need the firepower there. Jacob was taking the thirty warriors armed with lances and war clubs. Blue Feather would have the sixty fighters armed with black powder muskets.
The Sioux had assembled and split into their two groups. They had two hours of daylight left and about a six hour ride to their respective targets.
After Blue had sacked the Lakota village, he was to proceed to Wind Cave with slaves and wagons to harvest and carry the nitrate back to the Sioux camp. Tonight they would stop at sundown. Tomorrow they would catch the Lakota by surprise.
Jacob wasn’t happy. Blue Feather always got the glory. Here Jacob was again having to do the grunt work. The damn cave wasn’t going anywhere. There wasn’t even anyone defending it. He knew that without gunpowder there wasn’t much his group could do in a real fight. But at least they could have had some of the fun when they sacked the village.
He’d do what he was told. But he didn’t have to like it. He and the others watched as Blue Feather and his group headed to the north. None of them saw the black dog in the tree line following Blue Feather as they rode out. Jacob didn’t see the black dog following him either.
****
Banner lay on the porch of the main house in the Lakota village sound asleep. They’d moved everyone in the village to the Center except the six women now in the main house. Matthew sat in a chair watching Banner.
Occasionally the chatter and nervous laughter from inside drifted on to the porch. The Lakota fighters were sitting at the end of the street checking and double checking their weapons.
Suddenly Banner sat up and looked down the street to the south.
They’re coming, Banner said.
How far away are they? Matthew asked.
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Banner cocked his head, a sign of confusion.
Forget that, James said. Should we get ready?
Yes, Banner said. I would hurry.
Matthew gave the sign and the Lakota scattered to their assigned posts. James stayed on the porch in a chair. Smoke from the village fireplaces drifted over the village.
“Ladies,” Matthew called out. “Get ready.”
Matthew saw dust to the south. The streets were empty and a slight breeze blew dust devils toward the north end of the street. Confident of their arriving undetected, the Sioux, painted for battle, sat on their horses at the end of the street.
“Come out,” Matthew said to the women inside.
The six women came out of the building with nothing but blankets wrapped around them. They were laughing as they came on to the porch. They went down the stairs and turned looking directly at the Sioux riders.
Two of the women dropped their blankets exposing their breasts before quickly covering up. All six women hiked up their covering and began running as fast as they could away from the riders sitting at the end of the street.
The Sioux began whooping and yelling as they kicked their horses and rode after the women. Matthew picked up his rifle and dove into the building. When the lead rider was opposite Matthew, he and the Lakota fighters opened up with their Colter rifles at the same time. The cross fire was withering. In less than two minutes horses ran madly out the far end of the village, carrying nothing but empty saddles.
****
Max sat next to Jessica in the woods above Wind Cave.
You need to go back with your mother, Max said.
Are those people coming to hurt us? Jessica asked.
Yes, Max said. But we won’t let them. Now go.
Jessica walked back the way they came. It was about a mile, but the path was well worn. It was a clearing in the center of a grove of aspen. If the Sioux got by Max and the other dogs those in the clearing would probably be found and massacred.
Max sat and watched the distant flat area littered with pieces of man stones. It looked like something people had made a long time ago. Weeds grew between the chunks. The road to the cave ran beside the open space. Max closed his eyes and dozed for a moment in the late morning sun.
