Father d'Gallo nodded for a moment, then said, "My child, I fear to tell you this, but the factor of the fort is not a man of God. We are not at sea, nor is the factor given the title of captain of a ship. My child, you were never married to the man."
Liliann gasped. "Never married?"
"I fear not," he replied. "Also, my child, your father is correct. But, you see, this man was never married to you and, in fact, has committed a heinous crime against you. He should be made to confess his sin at once."
Looking askance at First Rider, she saw he was smiling at her.
"But, my child," said the Father, "since you are Christian, you must be married under the sight of God to this man you have taken as a husband under the custom of the Indians. If you agree, I will, myself, perform the ceremony. Do you and your husband agree?"
"Áa," said First Rider.
"Oh yes," agreed Liliann, and then, as she felt her worries fall away from her, she couldn't help herself: she cried.
Smiling at them both, the good Father added, "I think we should do the deed this very day."
"Oh yes," whispered Liliann. "Oh yes. Please!"
"I will let the village know there is to be a marriage today. It will be a great celebration, I think, and I believe everyone will come." And then, speaking in the Flathead language, Father d'Gallo related the news that she was to be married to this Pikuni man this very day.
Bringing up his hand to cover his mouth, which was the custom when a man was surprised, the chief called again to his wife to find the village crier and let him spread the happy news. All must prepare for a marriage of this white woman to the Pikuni medicine man.
The chief's head wife clapped her hand over her mouth as her husband, the chief, had, and then she began singing. And, as she stepped out from the lodge, she could be heard throughout the village, calling one and all to prepare for a marriage.
Chief Black Bull turned to look at First Rider, then said in a broken form of Blackfeet, "I am happy you have come to us today. It will be a joyous day, one we will remember for many years to come."
The chief picked up his pipe and was about to spill the ashes to the ground, when once again the tepee flap was raised and a woman entered.
The chief gestured to her to take a place around the fire to his left. And, when she did so, he spoke, saying, "As you can see, we have—"
The woman suddenly screamed, and, weeping, she brought up her blanket to pull over her head. She said not a word, but her cries could not be contained and could be heard within and without the lodge.
Chaos ensued as the woman's husband suddenly rushed into the tepee. All who were within the lodge seemed to be talking at once, and the chief was having no success in keeping his guests quiet.
Into this confusion, First Rider spoke up firmly, and in Blackfeet he said, "Woman of my youth, Tsistsaki, I would like you to meet my wife, Otahki. I believe you know her."
From beneath the blanket and in between cries, this woman, Tsistsaki, asked, "The girl who was your shadow? She is your wife?"
"She is, and as you might know, her God does not allow her to marry a man who is also married to another. I have come all this way to ask you a favor."
"A favor?" she asked, peeking out from under her blanket.
"Aa, a favor. I ask you to please throw me away."
Tsistsaki peeked out from under her blanket a little farther. She asked, "Throw you away? You are not here to make me go back?"
"I am not. I wish you to be happy with this man and with the family you love."
The blanket came down, and, looking toward First Rider, she said, "My man here, he is so good to me. It is why I have not returned. I did hear from others how you searched for me. But, I was afraid to come back there, afraid I would lose…" Her voice broke. "It was wrong of me, but…"
"It was not wrong," said First Rider into the silence within the lodge. "Know that my woman and I are happy. But, your parents have grieved over the loss of their daughter…you. I think, perhaps, you might ask your husband and your family, and anyone else who would like to come to visit the Pikuni, if they might like to come to our camp and visit? Your parents, I think, would like to see their grandchild."
Tsistsaki replied, saying, "I will ask my man about leaving here to visit. How I would like to see my parents and other family members once more." Then Tsistsaki, looking at Liliann, said, "I am glad you have married this man. There were some within our camp who thought he should have taken you as his wife. But, you were too young then. I am glad you are now his woman."
Overwhelmed by what was happening, and realizing her fears were now put to rest, Liliann was in tears, and she said in the best Blackfeet she could muster, "I am glad, too. Happy, I am, to see you have a beautiful child with this man who is goodto you. Please, do come to visit. What a joyful time it will be when your parents see you again, beautiful and so happy."
"Yes," signed Tsistsaki, and looking at her husband, she told him what had been said; he, upon learning the truth, agreed readily.
He then signed, "Yes, we must come to visit."
