"Now, the Creator beheld these acts of bravery in defense of His only daughter, and, in His wisdom, knew he must help the wolves as well as the Big People. To honor the wolves, He gave them an intelligence that far outshone any other animal, except perhaps man. To show His esteem for the Big People, the Creator, in His wisdom, gave them a new home more suited to their needs: it was a land of snow, ice and deep forests, a place much better suited for these dearly beloved people.
"But, the Creator had made Himself a new problem: how could He bring them to this new place? Because it was greatly distant between His realm in the sky and this land of snow and ice, there was no bridge to get there. It was the she-wolf who wisely whispered to Sun that a pathway formed from sunbeams or even the silvery light of the moon could be made into a trail, and it could connect His realm of great heat and light to the land of blizzards and snow.
"And so, it was done. This is how the Big People came to live in our land all those thousands or perhaps millions or even billions of years ago. It is said by the wisest of our men that the Big People can visit the Creator whenever they wish, for the path remains always open to them.
"But, this road connecting our lands is not for any other creature; it is only to be used by the Big People. In truth, if any other being should venture onto this bridge of sun or moonbeams, that life form is trapped there, perhaps forever.
"Now, this passageway still exists in the land of the Blackfeet. However, we know of no human being who has ever come upon it...that is, except once...."
CHAPTER ONE
Fort Union Trading Post
The Eastern Montana Territory
October 1834
––––––––
"ITELL YOU TRUE, THEREis such a creature as a white woman. I have seen her here this very day."
Eagle Heart cast a doubtful glance at Gray Falcon, hisnapí,friend. "A white woman here?" he asked. "What you say cannot be so. All the tribes are speaking the same words about the white man: he has no women. In all these years we have known this man, we have never seen his women."
"Ha'!I do not lie, my friend. I saw her here. Today. Come with me to the trading room. You will see her, too."
"I am not interested," replied Eagle Heart. "But, tell me, does she have long hair on her upper lip and chin, as well as all over her body, like the white man? Does she smell as bad as all white men do? And, is her hair dirty and greasy from failing to bathe?Saa,I do not wish to see this creature. I might lose the contents of my stomach."
"I will not tell you any detail about her, my friend. Come and look at her and decide for yourself if she has all these features you speak of."
Eagle Heart shook his head. "I do not wish to witness the ugliness of this white woman. It might spoil the image of a woman's beauty for me. Besides, I must make inquiries about my brother since, as you know, this is the only reason I have made the long journey to the white man's fort."
"Napi,my friend, it will take but a moment to come and look at the woman. Then go your own way."
Eagle Heart sighed. Truly, he was not interested. However, if taking a glimpse at this being would appease his young friend, he would do it. And so, he found himself saying, "Okí,let us go so I might look at this ugly and smelly creature."
"Áa,yes...this is a good plan." Gray Falcon smiled.
"Okí.Shall I hold my breath so I do not have to smell her stench?"
"Perhaps, my friend. Perhaps."
****
THE TRADING ROOM WASbusy this day in early October, the season when the leaves turn yellow. With a quick glance around the room, Eagle Heart memorized the details of this place. These included a long counter for trading where a large buffalo hide had been spread upon it; there were several beaver belts, mink and even raccoon furs which had been shoved to the side. A large book, with many of the white man's papers, lay open on the counter.
On wooden shelves behind the trader were stacks of many more furs and neatly folded woolen blankets. Off to the side of the counter were mounted moose horns, and these were holding up pots, pans and various items of clothing: belts and hats, moccasins and a few fur-lined jackets. Kegs of liquor stood upright on the highest shelves in the room, out of easy reach.
Robes and furs could be traded here for guns, but no guns of any description were on display. Perhaps they had been put out of sight purposely.
At present, there were three Blackfoot men standing at the counter, quietly bargaining with the trader, Larpenteur, over the price of their furs, while seven Indians from an enemy tribe, the Crows, and ten Indian men from another foe, the Assiniboines, lounged against the cottonwood logs that were used for the walls of the room.
Because all the Indians, himself included, had been divested of their weapons upon entering the fort, not a man in this room could be seen who carried his quiver strapped to his back; there were no bows, no lances, not even the usual gun on display, that usually being carried in a man's arms. It was an odd sight for Eagle Heart to behold his enemies without their customary means of defense.
The owner of this place, McKenzie, insisted upon stripping a man's weapons from him before entering the fort. The white traders stated this was a common practice within these trading centers and was done for the Indians' and the company's safety. And yet, the white men and trappers who frequented this place were always armed. So deaths occurred here anyway.
It was why Blackfoot men did not allow their women to accompany them inside the white man's gates. Simply put, it was too dangerous.
Eagle Heart took a deep breath at the same moment he realized the room did not stink. Instead, it was scented with the aroma of trees, logs and the distinctive fragrances of autumn leaves. Certainly, he didn't notice there was much unusual this day, and there was no white woman he could bear witness to. But, giving his friend his due, he decided to wait.
