"I, too, feel this. But, we are close now to your home and should reach the cliffs overlooking the homestead before the sun has climbed to the midpoint in the sky. It is then when I think we must act."
****
As they paused on the cliffs above the Fehér property, the sun was midway to its highest position in the sky, the mid-morning sun bathing the prairie and bluffs in warm, glorious golden sunshine. Delightful songs of the meadowlarks, the goldfinches, the white-crowned sparrows and several warblers filled the air around them.
Stretched out below them, the green but quickly turning brown flat-bottom land was cleared of all bush except the groves of hardwood and pine trees, which grew up strong alongside the Marias River. Closer to hand, on a wide cliff jutting out below them, grew a thriving assortment of blue forget-me-nots, as well as blue larkspurs nestled into a patch of grassy green. Also, present in the same spot were some wild red geraniums, as well as a yellow patch of wild parsley.
With the sun above them giving them warmth and a westerly breeze whisking away their fatigue from their long nightly ride, life felt, at present, pleasing and kind. But, Red Fox was not to be taken in by the beauty around them. There, below them, the Fehér ranch housed a snake intent on poisoning thosearound him with lies and deceit, causing his victims' minds to be slow and sluggish, unaware of the danger.
Using only hand signs for communication, George asked, "What was it you were about to tell me a few weeks ago when we'd had to leave here in such a hurry? Wasn't it something to do with numbers?"
"It was," answered Red Fox in sign. "It was a misplaced dot, as you called it."
"Yes, that's right," replied George, again using only sign. "I remember now. It was about a little dot which could make a ninety-thousand-dollar difference in something. Where did you see it? And, why so much attention did you give it?"
"I do not know what the both of you are talking about," Poka'aki interjected, using only sign.
"Patience, my woman. You will soon know," Red Fox signed. "The misplaced dot is on a secret paper this man from the East possesses; it is by these written words he hopes to bind your family to his, and to cheat them. As you know, during my fast several weeks ago, the Creator showed me there was a lie on a paper this Easterner possesses, and He showed me, also, where I would find it on the paper. This dot was the only difference between the papers you and your father hold and a special document this man from the East has hidden."
"Why, that scoundrel!" George's hand motions mirrored his rage. "Bankers! How could Frederic have brought that snake into our country?"
"I don't understand," said Poka'aki in sign.
Placing his arm around his woman's shoulders, Red Fox murmured in her ear, "This man you have pledged yourself to marry is a liar, and if he gets away with what he is planning, he would also be a thief. We are here to prevent your father signing the wrong paper, which would cost your family ninety thousand of the white man's dollars. When I left here to go home to mypeople, I stationed my wolf here to inform me of the moment the Black Robe arrived. The Black Robe has come to your father's home to put his mark of approval upon this paper which contains a lie. Do you understand now?"
"Maybe. A little," she whispered.
Red Fox picked up a rock and drew in the ground:
$100000.00—$10000.000
He then asked with sign, "Do you see the difference?"
"Oh my," whispered Poka'aki. "He really is a snake, isn't he?"
George answered, muttering, "He is, indeed."
"And, you found this error?" Poka'aki asked of Red Fox, using the language of sign only.
"I did, but my eyes were guided by the Creator," answered Red Fox, using the language of sign. "It took me much time to find it, and even when found, I did not know why the little dot was so important. It was only when your brother showed me the difference that I came to understand. My woman, you must not join forces with this man in anything, least of all, marriage. He is a weak man, a coward and a cheat. He would cause your life much misery, even if you were to not live with him."
"Amen," said George softly.
And, a little later, Poka'aki echoed, "Amen." Then, after a moment, she asked Red Fox with sign, “Do you have a plan?”
“I do,” he signed. “But, I must pray to the Creator for His guidance before we approach the ranch. Now, I believe the two of you must sleep while I pray to the Creator to give me guidance. We must approach this in a way to take coup upon this man without harming him, because, as you know, the white man declares war upon an entire tribe for the actions of onePikuni man, alone, even if that man seeks atonement for some wrong.”
George nodded, although Poka'aki protested, saying, "You want us to rest? At a time like this, when Maximillian seeks to steal the wealth of my family?"
"Yes, you must rest. Consider, this must be done in a good way, or your father will hate us. Let us remember, too, your father is also Pikuni. We must gently remind him of this. Perhaps, if we do it well, we might sway your elder brother to our cause, also.
"This is not a war we fight with weapons of destruction," Red Fox went on to say. "Rather, we must fight this war with words of wisdom and an appeal to the Nature of God. Now, you will need your strength, I think, because we will have to be alert to treachery. Rest now while I pray. There is a place out of sight on a ledge above us. You and your brother might make your beds there."
Poka'aki nodded, and shortly thereafter, both she and George climbed to the ledge above him.
****
Securing his sacred pipe from its bag which he always carried with him, Red Fox lit the pipe and smoked it several times. Then, standing, he offered the pipe to the four corners of the world, and then to both Sun and the Earth. He then entreated,
