But, he knew there were problems because the white man's religion was not like his own. For one, he knew the God of the white people did not allow a man to take more than one wife, and allowed him to have only that one wife for all his life. Did this mean their God forbade a man like him, having been once married, to ever marry again? Even though his first wife might no longer be alive?
Also, how did these rules apply to her? She was married too, and though her union was to a man who abused her and who didn't recognize the treasure he had in her, would her God forbid her to marry again because she, like a man, was only allowed to have one husband for all her life?
Amongst the Blackfeet, marriages were usually happy affairs. But, now and again a woman could be the object of a man's impassioned tirades, and when she had been known to have suffered physically because of it, a woman could leave herhusband, although she would have to beg her relatives to take her in and help to clothe and feed her.
Although many a Pikuni warrior was known to despise the kind of man who could not control his temper, it was still the custom amongst the Pikuni to let the woman decide whether to stay with the contemptuous man or to leave him. But, if she were to leave her husband, the man would be forever shamed, ruining his future, because no other woman would ever wish to marry him.
However, for the woman there was also a penalty: she would be considered to still be married to her abuser. Therefore, she would be unable to marry another…ever…unless the man somehow met his end.
These strict rules sometimes caused further conflict and unhappiness, which was one reason why Blackfoot mothers educated their daughters so carefully about boys, men and their desires, and why fathers looked upon a daughter's suitor with a critical eye.
Was it the same in the white man's world? Even if Otahki left her cruel husband, would she still be married to the man?
Or could she—like all Indian women—leave her own people to marry someone from another tribe? Women were taught—for their own safety—that if they were captured, all these rules of marriage were cancelled. Being compliant to an enemy warrior meant the woman would survive.
Which brought on another thought: could he capture her and bring her back to his camp?
Of course he couldn't, and he wouldn't. Both she and her father were friends of his and of many of the Pikuni people.
How then, could he make her his woman?
He didn't know. But, of one detail he was well aware: a marriage between them might be an impossibility.
Yet, despite all this, there was a deed he could accomplish for Otahki. He would give her the pleasure of seeing justice done on this husband by enacting a scout's revenge. Right here and now, he pledged himself to the task.
****
"Have you water in…room?" Turning slightly and looking up, First Rider signed the question to Henrik.
"Aye, I do."
"Bring…to me," First Rider said in English. "Need wash…wounds." He still held Otahki's hand within his own, and, turning back, he placed his other hand over hers. In English, he said, "My heart…glad…be with you again."
"I be glad, too."
"Have herbs…but…not right…kind. Some may…help. Will seek…right…herbs after sun…rises."
She simply nodded.
"We wait," he said, "for water."
She smiled.
"When…happen?"
"Two nights ago," she answered.
"How long…you married?" he asked, unable to keep the question to himself.
"A wee time," she replied.
"How long?" When she didn't answer right away, he asked, "A passage of sun…or many…or a moon?"
"A few moons," she replied.
He nodded, then asked, "He drink…whisky?"
"Aye," she answered simply.
