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Marking the path of the public trial, the Potawatomis people stood in two parallel lines, their faces solemn.
Hannah stood beside Strong Wolf, her heart pounding with excitement as she watched Hawk trying to mount the steed. She had ridden many spirited horses in her lifetime. She had enjoyed the challenge of taming them, then training them to become something wonderful, gentle, and loved.
Like an arrow sprung from a strong bow, the horse, with extended nostrils, plunged forward. With all of his might, Hawk drew the strong reins in.
The horse halted with wooden legs.
Hawk was thrown forward by force, but he did not fall off.
The maddened creature pitched with flying heels. The line of men and women swayed outward.
Then they moved forward again, safe from the kicking, snorting thing as Hawk managed to hold it at bay.
The mustang was fierce with its large black eyes bulging out of their sockets. With humped back and nose to the ground, it leapt into the air again.
He did this over and over again, but still Hawk did not fall from the steed, or let up on fighting for his freedom.
Doe Eyes watched, afraid for her loved one. Should he lose, she would lose, and he was all that she wanted out of life.
“Do not fail,” she whispered.
Then she raised a fist into the air. “Fight for your life, Hawk!” she screamed. “Choose life and me.”
Hawk fought hard to stay on the mustang as it went in mad, crazed circles, its mane shaking back and forth as if it were insane.
Then suddenly the steed came to a shimmering stop. Wet with sweat and shaking with exhaustion, it stood with its head hung.
Heaving hard, sweat pouring from his brow, Hawk slid from the horse. He went around and faced the mustang, their eyes locking. He reached a hand toward it, smiling broadly when the horse nuzzled the palm of his hand as though he were a friend for life.
Loud shouts came from the men and women. The wild mustang was conquered!
Strong Wolf went to Hawk in two long strides.
Hawk turned and faced him.
Strong Wolf placed his hands on Hawk’s bare shoulders. “You have proven yourself,” he said. “You can go. And the horse is yours.”
“Strong Wolf, please believe me when I say that I have never wanted to be your enemy,” Hawk said. “I want a family! Not enemies! I have never hated you. It is my mother’s hate that has come between us. I want you as a friend.”
“This friendship you speak of, it is not won as easily as a horse is tamed,” Strong Wolf said, dropping his hands to his sides. “But I do not enjoy having enemies. If you wish, you do not have to leave just yet. Stay awhile with my people.”
“Yes, I wish to stay,” Hawk said humbly. “It will be hard to explain to my mother how I have turned my back on her wishes.”
“When the time comes to face her, it will be the same as you having just tamed the mustang,” Strong Wolf said. “You will also tame your mother.”
Strong Wolf gazed over at Doe Eyes, then looked somberly at Hawk. “Hawk, never give Doe Eyes cause to turn away from you, for she does this easily, the cool-hearted woman that she is.”
Hawk’s eyes widened. He said nothing as Doe Eyes came and stood beside him, her hand clasping his, but the warning caused him to gaze at Doe Eyes in wonder, again wishing that he knew what had transpired between Strong Wolf and Doe Eyes those many years ago. To make Strong Wolf this bitter, Doe Eyes must have done something very questionable.
He cast the wonder from his mind. He loved her. She loved him. He trusted her love, as she trusted his.
“And how long will you stay?” Strong Wolf asked, avoiding Doe Eyes’s steady stare.
“Until you return to your people, then I shall also return to mine,” Hawk said. “That is, if you will allow me to stay this long among you and your people.”
“I no longer see you as my enemy,” Strong Wolf said. “So stay as long as you wish.”
Proud Heart stepped forth. He gave Doe Eyes a quick, uneasy stare, then placed a firm hand on Hawk’s sweaty shoulder. “If Strong Wolf sees you as a friend, then so shall I,” he said, stiffening when he heard his sister emit a low, grateful sob.
