CHAPTER ELEVEN
First Rider was not feeling as compliant as he pretended to be. True, he would not dishonor his woman's show of courage, but he wished she would stay behind and in the safety of their temporary shelter.
Yes, he had succeeded in getting all of the weaponsMaká pato'si, the Evil-spirited-man, had left on the ground, but it remained to be seen if all of those included the man's knives. There was even more danger in what he was next to attempt, and he wished she would simply stay behind.
But, it was not to be. Otahki possessed great bravery in the face of an enemy, and he would not discourage this trait in her, even though every masculine impulse within him wished to keep her safe and away from Maká pato'si. But, at least she was amenable to staying behind him.
Choosing a spot upon a large boulder next to the river, First Rider crawled up onto it and, bending over to give Otahki his hand, pulled her onto the rock, placing her behind him. He reckoned the position should be well out of knife-throwing range, but still he worried about her safety.
And then, planting himself well within Maká pato'si's sight, he did nothing more than stand there, his woman quietly erect behind him.
At last, the man, Maká pato'si, caught sight of him and shouted at First Rider, "Who are you?"
First Rider didn't answer, but he felt his wife's arms come around his chest as she leaned to his side, and, glancing down,he saw her come up to her tiptoes and show her face, there at his shoulder.
"You!" came the masculine outcry, as though the word were an accusation.
She didn't reply.
"I see you have found an Indian lover who is willing to place his life on the line for you. I hope you're happy with him, even though you're still married to me. Have you told him you can never be his woman?"
"I be not married to thee anymore!" she spoke back to him. "The Good Book says I be not married to thee because of thy wicked ways!"
"Lies! Nothin' but lies! Who told you this?" Ernest's words were like an arrow shot at her heart.
"Me own father, that be who!" She said the words loudly. "And, he be readin' the Good Book every night."
"Well, he's a liar, same as you!" came the reply.
Under his breath, First Rider whispered, "Believe him not.Maká pato'si speaks with…crooked tongue.For lying to…you, I give…you…his two ponies.Marriage gift to you."
She nodded and had taken a breath as though she had more to say, but at that very moment, both Stands Strong and Red Fox came into sight, standing solidly on the ground on each side of the rock, and to their rear, they held the reins of all their ponies, including Ernest's.
Immediately, First Rider jumped to the ground, reaching up to help Otahki down from the boulder. She was quick, this woman of his.
He had no more than turned his back on her than he threw a look over his shoulder only to find she was already seated on her pony. He quickly mounted his own.
And then, slowly, they walked their ponies—as well as Ernest's—away from the man, one slow step after another,leaving Ernest behind. Would he follow them, as First Rider hoped?
"Hey! Where're you going? Come back here! I have not finished all I have to say to that b—!"
First Rider interrupted him with the wolf song, the good luck hunting song. Stands Strong and Red Fox joined in with this melody without words. Except for the tune, no one replied to Maká pato'si. Instead, the four scouts—including his brave woman—leisurely rode away, their direction north and east, back toward the gold-seekers' stronghold, Fort Benton.
****
As First Rider watched Maká pato'si struggle naked against the flowing and cold current ofSoohk Niítajtaa,the Big River, heading toward the heavy gate of Fort Benton, First Rider knew some peace was to be his at last. After fourteen full trips of the sun across the blue, the struggle to bring Maká pato'si to Fort Benton was at last at an end. It was here where Maká pato'si would face the white man's justice, and, for his part, First Rider was glad to know the act of seeking his revenge upon the man was close at hand.
And, as a man might, First Rider was feeling particularly well on this day, especially because he was looking into the future with great pleasure. Soon he and his woman would set up their own lodge amongst his people. Although he realized Otahki was already acquainted with the Pikuni way of life—its ceremonies and beliefs—he wished to welcome Otahki into his life and into the tribe in the proper manner…with the many gifts he and his family would give to the rest of his tribe.
After all, he wished to acquaint her with his world, and this included his duty as a medicine man to the people. She had medicine, this beautiful woman of his; this much he had realized early in their relationship. But, right now he wished to share his early life with her; eventually, he would share with her theadventure of how he had come by the song he used to help heal his people.
How did she know it? Was it because she could easily memorize lyrics and rhythm? Or was there another reason for her strong medicine, one he had yet to discover?
Why had it never occurred to him until now to ask her about it? Perhaps he would do so in the near future. But, not now. At present, his mind was so filled with the gladness of having fulfilled his promise to his woman and to her father that he pushed the mystery to the back of his mind.
And, so it was, on this balmy day of sunshine and warmth, his attention went naturally to the environment, bathing himself in its beauty; he was aware of the cliffs to his left, white and majestic at the time of day when the sun was high in the blue overhead. How stunning were the green pines and grasses on their bluffs, as well as the greenery that skirted the river. And, as he looked back toward Fort Benton, he felt the sun, warm and friendly, upon the top of his head.
It is good.
