He took a deep breath, feeling suddenly at a loss. The name would tell her of his admiration for her, and he might embarrass her. But, at last he said, "It means Brings Beauty Woman in the Blackfoot language."
"Thank you. It is a grand name, although I am uncertain I deserve it. But, sir, didn't you say you were Lakota by birth?"
"Hau, hau.I am."
"Then, could you please say my name in Lakota, also?"
He paused only a moment, then said, "Wi?ya?Gopa Aya."
"Thank you for telling me who you are and for giving me such an exquisite name, although I fear I do not deserve such an excellent description. And, thank you for including me as one of the women in your life. I…I am now ashamed for what I said to you earlier."
He shrugged. "Do not be. How could you have known the truth? Besides, my tongue is not lying to you; there is much danger for you alone in this country. Your actions were good and defensive."
She looked away from him before repeating, "Thank you. I must be going. But, before I go, please tell me, Mr. Stands Strong, is there a reason for your name? I have heard Indian names mean something."
He nodded.
"Will you tell it to me?"
He frowned before answering. In due time, however, he said, "Again, it is not done for a man to say his name because of the fear of boasting, and if I tell you it all, it might seem as if I am, in truth, conceited."
"And yet," she said, "I would very much like to know what caused you to deserve this warrior's name. Won't you please tell me?"
He sighed, but said nonetheless, "It means He-stands-strong-against-the-enemy."
"And, did you do this? Stand strong against an enemy?"
He didn't answer.
"Please, will you tell it to me? You see, I'd like to remember our meeting here today. If you will disclose to me a little about your name, it might perhaps aid me in understanding you a little better so in all the years to come I will always rememberthe man who came to aid me, even though I still think it isn't necessary. Please?"
When her gaze pleaded with him, he sighed, yet explained, "I was young. My almost-mother and my almost-father were under attack by Cree warriors. When a Cree warrior came forward to kill my almost-mother, I used my child's arrows against him, though they did him little harm. I was only seven winters then."
"What is seven winters?"
"Seven years old," he clarified.
"Thank you, Mr. Stands Strong. No wonder you bear such a strong name. I know it took ignoring your pride to tell me, and I am grateful for your doing this for me. Know this, Mr. Stands Strong, I shall always remember you."
Then she stepped forward as if to skirt around him, but, in doing so, she tripped on the hem of her dress and lost her balance, falling backward.
But, Stands Strong had been anticipating such a move, if only because she stood so close to the edge of the cliff. With a few quick steps toward her, he caught and righted her. And, though he wished to let his hands linger upon her curves for a while longer, he knew it was wrong to do so. And so, without her having to say a word to him, he let her go after ensuring she was again secure on her feet.
"Thank you, Mr. Stands Strong. I am glad you came to me this morning. I have learned something quite important because of our speaking to one another today."
"Important?"
"Indians are people, same as my people. Your ideas about how to live might be different from mine, yet these stories I have heard from the traders and others are either wrong and highly embellished, or are outright lies. I wish you well, Mr. Stands Strong. And, I thank you for presenting yourself to me today. Perhaps there might come a time when we shall meet again."
He simply nodded. "I will always remember the woman who brought beauty to me."
He wasn't certain, but it appeared to him as if his words caused another bout of tears to form in her eyes. Yet, whether she was crying or not, she spun away from him, and he watched after her as she ran over the flat surface of prairie and away from him. And, so quickly did she run, he thought there might be a spirit wind chasing her.
He thought back over their conversation. Indeed, he would have no trouble remembering her. She, with her beauty and her quiet way of speaking, had touched his heart this day.
He waited for a moment before following her. As he had promised, he would keep out of sight, though on this flat treeless prairie, it was difficult to remain unseen, but not impossible.
At least, because he was walking instead of riding his pony, he could hang back until he was a mere dot on the horizon. And, crouching low, he could watch her until he was assured she reached the safety of the wagon train and her own people.
