"If you are referring to the mountains farther north and west of here, they are one and the same. The Backbone-of-the-World Mountains is what the Pikuni people call this particular mountain range."
"Oh."
"Where in those mountains would you wish me to take you?"
"I…I don't know exactly."
Glancing up at him, she saw him frown before he asked, "For what purpose are you seeking to go into the Backbone-of-the-World Mountains?"
"I…we…as a family…have a cousin who left our country many years ago and journeyed into the northern reaches of Indian Country. I am told he is a fur trader and that he lives in the Glacier Mountains. This is all I know."
"What is your white cousin called by his own people?"
"Do you mean his name?" she asked.
"I do."
"Oh," she responded. "Tom Johnson is the name he goes by."
"Old Tom Johnson? Long Rifle?" Stands Strong smiled at her. "This man is your cousin?"
"He is, indeed. Do you know him?"
"I do. He is married to a Pikuni woman. And, he often comes to our tribe to trade. I will take you to my people where you will be safe while you wait for him to visit our tribe."
"Will you? I would greatly appreciate this. When do you think he might visit your people?"
"Perhaps by this same time next year. Maybe sooner. Maybe later."
Czanna swallowed. This was not acceptable. After all, she had promised her brother to find their cousin as quickly as she possibly could. It was important, therefore, to not be too ready to agree with what Stands Strong was suggesting. She said, "I have a great need to find my cousin before this next year comes, and this is because I have important news for him. Therefore, I must see him as soon as possible. Please, Mr. Stands Strong, if you would take us to him sooner than this, I would pay you well for your trouble."
"Pay me?"
"Yes," Czanna responded, feeling as though she were on solid ground with this man at last. He was, after all, little more than a servant and, therefore, hers to command. "I am prepared to giveyou many silver coins if you will only take us to him before next year."
"Silver?Silver coins?"
"Yes, or…do you wish to have gold coins instead?"
Oddly, his look at her appeared to change from curiosity to hostility, all in the space of a few seconds. But, Czanna chose to ignore the warning; she was certain she could convince him to be their guide now, even if he were married and had the need to return home. She was preparing to make another even better offer to him, indeed, when Stands Strong stood up to his feet and stepped back away from her. And, although his voice was not harsh when he asked, "Is it your wish to insult me?" Czanna began to sense all was not well.
What had she said?
She didn't come to her feet, however, to confront him. She could only replay her words in her mind. Somehow, in some way, she had said something wrong.
But, what?
After hesitating a moment, she glanced up at him and replied, "No, sir, I do not mean to insult you. I have urgent business with my cousin which is why I cannot wait a year or more in your camp hoping he will come there visiting. I have traveled far from my home to arrive here and to be in a position where I can seek out and speak with my cousin. A year and many months have I been traveling away from my home with my younger brother and sister with me, and only because it is urgent for us to find our cousin. This is why am I seeking your aid. If you doubt my ability to pay you, I will be most happy to show you the coins I carry. I could give you these in advance, also. Truly, I am certain I have enough gold to make your time spent with us worthwhile."
She had barely spoken the words when suddenly Stands Strong spun around, turned his back on her and, without another word to her, strode quickly away from their camp. She watched his retreating figure as he disappeared into the dark of the night.Even now, she could feel the shock of his sudden departure deepen her already crushing gloom.
It was, perhaps, an understatement to think it had not gone well. And, it was unpleasant, indeed, when George exploded with laughter.
"Why are you laughing?" Czanna asked. "There is nothing funny about this."
"Sister, isn't it obvious? Didn't you listen to him scolding me?"
"He didn't scold you."
"Yes, he did," said George. "It's only that he spoke so kindly to me, it didn't sound like scolding. He is obviously angry with you. I don't understand why. But, he is angry with you, and, rather than say any unpleasant words to you, he left." Again, George laughed.
"Oh dear," whispered Czanna. "I don't know what to do, and I don't understand what I have said to upset him. But, this I do know: we need him. He is the only man in this vast land whom I feel I can trust with the duty to bring us to our cousin. Oh, what am I to do?"
"I don't know, Czanna."
A black cloud of her own making seemed to hover over Czanna, and she felt like crying. Indeed, her lower lip was trembling, and she could feel the tears at the back of her eyes threaten to fall down her cheeks. It was a bad habit, this breaking into grief when she and her family were in trouble, but what was she to do? Her world and all she had ever known was crumbling down around her.
Gazing at George, she said, "I don't understand this country, George. Truly, I don't understand it at all. And, I fear my not knowing the mores of this people and the dangers of their land could cause us great harm. Forgive me, George, but I do not have the knowledge, nor do I possess the strength, to keep us safe here. Indeed, I fear we need Stands Strong."
