Lakota Dawn

by Janelle Taylor

  Chase was surprised when Rising Bear said his second son would talk in his place—as that was his right—so Chase could tell what he knew of the wasicun from living among them, though Rising Bear did not explain that odd occurrence. As he wriggled his way into the clearing, Chase pondered how to explain the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. “Many of you know French trappers and traders,” he began. “The French Nation believed they owned all lands in this territory and called it Louisiana. The Whites who lived beyond the Big Muddy River and their chief Jefferson gave much money to the French chief Napoleon to buy these lands.” When Chase paused to choose his next words, Sinte Galeska made a few quick remarks.

  “Land belongs to the Great Spirit; it cannot be owned or traded. In exchange for peace and trade goods, we gave the Bluecoats permission to place forts and trails upon it and we said Whites could cross it. But both abuse our generosity; they come; they take; they stay; they destroy; they insult us and shame us; they kill our loved ones and allies.”

  As many others nodded or murmured agreement, Chase focused on the Brule who always wore a raccoon tail as a medicine symbol. He knew the shrewd and aggressive chief had played a huge part in the lethal fiasco with Grattan and the ensuing episodes, which included the recent daring robbery on the stage, and who would be largely responsible for the impending retaliations.

  “Your words are true, Spotted Tail, but that is not what the Whites believe,” Chase said. “As with our Sacred Bow race, many white men run a race with words instead of feet; they tell other Whites how they will lead them best. The Whites vote for one man to become their leader for the passing of many circles of the seasons, usually for four or eight fingers’ count, and his rank is called President. While the chosen one is leader, he tells other Whites what to do, as the one called President Fillmore ordered Agent Fitzpatrick to make the Long Meadows Treaty. But the White leader does not remain chief for his life and his son does not take that rank after he leaves it or dies; another is chosen by the Whites to take his place. One called Pierce is now the Great White Chief, their President. He is the one who will order his people to go to war or to keep peace with us. Pierce, as with all Whites, believes this land belongs to their Nation, called America, as the Lakotas are part of the Dakota Nation. The Whites know we live in this land and know we are powerful; most do not want war with us; that is why they seek a truce by offering us peace and trade goods so we will share it and not battle them for it. As with the Crow and Pawnee and other enemies, some Whites are greedy and do many things to provoke war so the Bluecoats and President will be forced to battle us, to slay us or to push us from this land, so the bad Whites can take it.”

  Chase related the incident he had witnessed when the gang of white men murdered and robbed soldiers and tried to blame the Indians, and he revealed how they had been entrapped and slain with Grattan’s help. He noted that last disclosure surprised many of the chiefs and their men. He returned to his previous point by cautioning, “If we refuse to make truce with the good Whites and we begin war with the Bluecoats and settlers, the President will order his forces to attack us, and a great and long war will come; many from both sides will die or suffer, our women, children, and old ones; and the face and heart of Mother Earth will be scarred forever.”

  Rising Bear disclosed that Chase had been scouting at Fort Laramie before he joined them. “Tell us what you learned while there, my son,” he urged.

  Chase—who was astonished and elated the others were allowing him, a half-breed, to speak for such a lengthy time— nodded to his father before he explained the Army’s view of the Grattan massacre. “The Bluecoats believed the cow was stolen and they had the duty and right by the treaty to capture and punish those who committed the bad deed. While Grattan was speaking with Brave Bear, one of the Bluecoats became afraid, for he knew of the Lakotas’ prowess and they were outnumbered and surrounded. He fired his weapon without being ordered to do so by Grattan, and other soldiers became afraid when warriors retaliated with a flight of arrows. Things turned out of hand, and all soldiers were slain. The Army is angry about the killings and the raids on the American Fur Company and Bordeau Trading Post, the theft of the thunderstick-wagon mules, and the staking of the horses from the fort. The President and Bluecoat leaders fear if they do not retaliate for those slayings and raids, they will lose face and other bands will think they can do the same without risking punishment.”

  “Do the White leaders know of how the man they sent to speak for them insulted and threatened us, for his body was filled and fevered by their firewater?” Spotted Tail scoffed. “Do they know the soldiers attacked first? Do they know Brave Bear, the man they chose as the peace chief, was slain?”

  Before Chase could respond, Little Thunder added, “Do they know I asked my people to spare the lives of trader Bordeau and his companions? Do they know High Forehead and his Minneconjous have ridden from this area and will cause no more trouble?”

  “One soldier did not die in your camp, Little Thunder,” Chase reminded him. “He told the Bluecoat leader Fleming of Auguste’s bad words and deeds. He told Fleming the soldiers fired first. But Fleming was angry because all soldiers were slain and many places were raided. Fleming is no longer the Bluecoat leader; one called Hoffman came and took his place; he brought more men and weapons with him; and soon, more will come, many more. If Hoffman does not settle the conflict between our peoples, another Bluecoat—one more powerful and fierce called Harney—will be sent here to do so; and Harney will bring more men and weapons, many giant thundersticks. The soldiers at the fort make more lodges for them; they gather wood and grass; they ride on scouting journeys and many guard the fort. They prepare for war, for they believe we will attack again. Spotted Tail’s raid on the big rolling travois proved their fears are right.” Chase grew silent as Tatanka Yotanka spoke. He had heard much about the mystical powers of the young Hunkpapa, a revered and trusted shaman.

  “Why do you provoke the Bluecoats and Whites against all Indians, Spotted Tail?” Sitting Bull asked. “Why did you not restrain your hunger to fight them when their leader did not give an attack order? Why did you not allow Grattan to punish his defiant and weakling warrior? If you had done so, the Bluecoats would be alive and the Army would not be angry at us.”

  A strong breeze wriggled his raccoon symbol as Spotted Tail refuted, “They came eager to battle and shame us, Sitting Bull; we attacked while we were strongest and before they could ready the giant thundersticks to roar. We raided the rolling travois to get the shiny yellow stone to pay for the damage Grattan did to Brave Bear and others and to our possessions. It is easy to find a greedy white man who will take gold for weapons and supplies, things we need for war. They are weaklings, for they did not pursue us. It will be the same when we challenge them for our lands.”

  Chase was cognizant of being watched by the young brave who sat slightly behind Spotted Tail: Tashunka Witco—Crazy Horse—the chief’s nephew by his sister; although only in his teens, already the Oglala brave was known for his prowess and his fierce hatred of the Whites. It was evident to Chase—and probably to others—that Crazy Horse concurred with his uncle. He saw Red Leaf and Long Chin, brothers of the slain Chief Brave Bear, nod agreement before Chase said, “Hoffman and his men did not follow you because he believed your raid was a trick to lure them away from the fort so you or another band could attack there. When war comes, Spotted Tail, Bluecoats will pursue and challenge any band they encounter, even one that wants peace, for no Indian will be trusted after that dark sun rises. Bluecoats have been ordered to guide and protect stages, wagon trains, supply wagons, and their new outposts along the road. Davis, the war chief to President Pierce, is angry; he wants peace and punishment; he believes Grattan was attacked as a trick to steal the annuity goods and horses. He or others might use those deeds as a reason to attack and enslave all Indians and take all Indian lands. I asked Fleming and Hoffman to make me a scout and translator so I could watch and listen more, but both said peace talks
were no good; they will not even send Agent Twiss to parley. Each time you or another band attack Whites, their mistrust, fear, and hatred grow. When it becomes too large to be contained, they will strike at us in great numbers and with powerful weapons.”

  “Were you cunning and wary while scouting at the fort so the soldiers did not learn who you are and why you were there?” Two Feathers asked. “Are you sure they did not trail you to this war council?”

  I was wondering how long you’d stay silent! “I am sure, my cousin. Just as I am sure the Army will send out scouts, White and Indian, to learn what the Lakotas will do soon. If we are to defeat them, all bands and tribes must ride as one great force against them. To do so, each warrior must ready himself and his weapons, and must be willing to follow the chosen war party leaders. But we must not act in haste.”

  “Do you say we must not punish the Bluecoats and Whites for their bad deeds against us and our Lakota brothers?” Two Feathers asked.

  Chase shook his head and struggled to appear calm. “No, my cousin. I say we must not strike the first blow and shed the first blood.”

  “The Bluecoats have already done so,” Two Feathers sneered. “Do we sit on our mats and hold our hands while they do so again?”

  Control your temper, Chase. Don’t reveal your annoyance with him. “You hear my words, my cousin, but you do not understand them. Spotted Tail and his party have punished them for the attack on Brave Bear and their joint camp. If our united forces strike next, we will be doing so without being challenged. We must make it as clear as the waters in our streams that we try to honor the treaty and keep our promises and we fight only when we are attacked. Such actions will help to prevent the Army, their war chief, and their President from blaming us for the war which comes. We need more time to ready ourselves and our weapons, to choose party leaders, to make plans, to learn to think and ride as one. I have seen the white man’s large number and powerful weapons. If we begin fighting and more soldiers and weapons are sent here, we cannot win.”

  “I say we do not act as cowards and weaklings,” Two Feathers said. “I say we chase them away from our territory as the crow does with the hawk.”

  Chase reasoned, “Many crows attack one hawk to make him flee, my cousin. If we attack the Bluecoats, more of their hawks with sharper talons will come. We must defend ourselves with all of our prowess when we are attacked, but let the Bluecoats bring the war to us. If we carry it to them, we will appear as the provokers to the Great White Chief in Washington.”

  “Do not forget, my friends and allies,” Sitting Bull reminded, “when Broken Hand Fitzpatrick took eleven of the chiefs who signed the Long Meadows Treaty long ago to Washington, many were frightened by what they saw; one chief was so afraid he sent himself to the Ghost Trail. Others told of large numbers of Whites, many powerful weapons, many strange things. That is what the son of Rising Bear of the Red Shields tells us this moon, and I believe his words are true. I do not fear the white man or Bluecoats, but this is not the season for our Hunkpapas to fight them. In my sacred vision, I saw us battling and defeating them many circles of the seasons from this one; and their leader had long yellow hair. Until that enemy comes to our lands and challenges us, we will honor the truce.”

  Chase was glad Sitting Bull spoke for peace, at least for the time being. Rising Bear voted in the same manner, despite Two Feathers’ protest and scowl. After hearing all he had revealed to them, Red Cloud—as did some other chiefs—also voted for restraint, but recommended constant vigil and preparation. But Spotted Tail, Little Thunder, Red Leaf, Long Chin, and others voted for war.

  Those on one side of the conflict continued to try to persuade the other to join their way of thinking. After all chiefs had their say and final vote, the result was split down the middle of the large group. Since it was not a band or tribal vote where all must be in agreement before action was taken or not taken, the bands were not obligated to go along with their allies’ decisions, a point which Spotted Tail made clear to those in favor of restraint. Despite their vast differences of opinion after the meeting ended, most continued to sit around the fire to talk in a genial manner.

  When Rising Bear and his group returned to their campsite, except for Two Feathers who stayed behind to prolong his visit with Spotted Tail and others, the chief rested a hand on his second son’s shoulder, smiled, and said in an emotional tone, “I have great pride, love, and trust in you, Cloud Chaser, as I do for Wind Dancer and War Eagle. It is good we will watch and wait to see what the Bluecoats do before we ride against them. As we do so, our warriors will practice, make more weapons, and keep themselves strong and ready for what lies ahead. The cold season is a bad time for war; if food, tepees, and garments are destroyed by the enemy during the snows, our people would suffer and many would die, for those items could not be gathered or replaced then.”

  “That is why I spoke so strongly for peace, Father,” Chase told him and the others. “Our people must be kept safe from all harm until the inevitable trouble strikes.”

  Rising Bear nodded. “On the next sun, we will return to them.”

  Chase was eager to see his wife who awaited him in their winter camp in the sacred Black Hills. He wanted to spend every moment he could with his beloved Macha before that grim day of war came…

  Chapter

  Sixteen

  “It is good to be together and to hold you again,” Chase murmured into Macha’s ear as she cuddled in his embrace on their sleeping mat. He was both aroused and calmed by the way her head rested on his shoulder and her fingertips drifted over his bare chest. It was elating and enchanting to be in her presence once more, to feel her flesh making contact with his, to hear her sweet voice, to inhale her special scent, and to know he meant as much to her as she did to him. “I have missed you, my cherished wife. When we rode into camp and I gazed upon you, my heart filled with great joy. I love you, Dawn, and needed our reunion.”

  The tenderness in his tone, the words he used, and the possessive way he held her thrilled Macha to her very core. She was the luckiest woman alive to have this unique man, and was blessed by his feelings for her. “As I needed it, my husband, for you filled my thoughts each sun and my dreams on every moon while you were gone. My heart sings with much happiness to be touching you once more. Will you leave again to scout?” she asked in dread.

  “If so, not for the passings of many suns,” he answered, not wanting to think or talk about war or other evils on this night. But if she needed to appease her fears, he would allow her to do so.

  “My pride in your good deeds and prowess are large.”

  “As large as your love and desire for me?” he jested, attempting to guide them away from difficult and painful subjects.

  “Nothing matches those feelings within me. I am glad your father, and others, voted for peace. I do not want our people to war with the Whites until it must be so to save our lives and lands. You have been in my Life-Circle for less than four full moons; that is not enough time to be with you in the ways I crave before fighting steals you from my arms and our tepee. Is it bad of me to be so selfish and greedy?”

  Chase nestled her closer. “No, my beloved wife, for I feel the same way. Without you, I would not be the man I am now. I thank the Great Spirit for joining us as one.”

  Macha shifted her head and gazed into his handsome face. “Soon, we must travel to Bear Mountain to place prayer tokens on the trees growing there to show our thanks to Wakantanka for His many blessings. We must do so before a great snow blankets our land, as I told Him I would.”

  “We will go soon, my love,” Chase promised, “for I must also give Him thanks for all He has done for me and given to me this season.”

  “We have each other, our families and people, and peace for a while. What more could we ask for?” she murmured dreamily as she caressed him.

  “We could ask for this,” he whispered as he nibbled at her earlobe and caused her to wriggle in amusement. “Or this,” he added as his lips
trailed over her face and one hand fondled her breast, its peak already taut with yearning. “Or this,” he continued a few minutes later before his questing mouth fastened to hers and his fingers inched their way down her body to the center of her desire.

  Unable to control their enormous cravings, they surrendered to a swift and urgent union the first time; then, after they rested for a while, they made slow and titillating love, which rewarded them with a second burst of glorious passion.

  * * *

  The following day, Chase halted at the ceremonial lodge and observed as the Story Catchers painted symbols on the band’s history hide to record the recent events. His gaze trailed over past ones which depicted the many exploits of Wind Dancer and Chumani, which took place three years ago, including an awesome battle with a grizzly and victorious tricks against the Crow and Whites. He felt honored to have some of his own achievements portrayed there for all time.

  When Chumani approached him, he asked her about the hawk she had raised and who had helped her and his brother accomplish some of their past feats. He listened with amazement as the lovely woman—once a warrior and hunter—related those stirring adventures. He wished he had been there in 1851 when they occurred and wished he could have been one of the five sacred vision-quest companions with the couple, War Eagle, Red Feather, and Zitkala. Their talk was interrupted when her son came running up to join them.

  “How are you on this fine sun, Tokapa?” Chase asked with a grin as the small boy held out a rock in one hand and a pinecone in the other for Chase to study. “They are good, Tokapa. We must fetch a pouch to put your playthings in. I have one in my tepee.”

  “Me go?” the boy asked his mother.