Fireblossom by Wright Cynthia

Author:Wright, Cynthia [Wright, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-01-17T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

August 6-7, 1876

After Fox took Kills Hungry Bear his belongings and the young man had handed them into the tipi where he would sleep during the white visitors' sojourn in the village, the two friends went off to unload the rifles and supplies from the wagon. Exclamations of surprise and pleasure were heard as He Dog and some of the other Lakota men joined in. They built a bonfire nearby so that they could see the crates as they were opened. Everyone was shocked by the quantity and quality of the gifts Fox had brought from Deadwood.

"You have been very generous," He Dog said as he inspected bags of sugar and coffee. "Our supply of food is small. Buffalo are scarce and, of course, we do not take rations from the agency. However, we have a priceless commodity that is not available at the agency: freedom." His nostrils flared as he spoke the word. "Your people think that the land belongs to them or to us, when in truth it is no man's to buy or sell. The land and the sky and all that lies between belong to Wakan Tanka, the Grandfather of us all! Your people do not listen to simple truths. They take what they want if it is not given freely! Your people—"

"Please." Fox held up his hand. "I know you are angry at the white people, but as you said before, we are not all the same."

"No." He Dog took a deep breath, calming. "That's true. I have been unfair. As you said, we are angry."

"Why did you bring so many guns and so much food?" Kills Hungry Bear asked. "It is very good of you!"

"I brought them, but they are a gift from a man named Stephen Avery. Do you know of him? He spent a winter with a band of Lakota people many seasons ago. In fact, the woman who came with me is Stephen Avery's daughter." He waited to see if anyone would encourage him to continue.

"Huh." Kills Hungry Bear looked bored and the other men had begun carrying the crates of rifles away. "Those are repeaters? Most of us are spoiled now for the bow and arrow since we found repeating rifles."

The abrupt change in topic let Fox know that Stephen Avery's name was known to Kills Hungry Bear and the others. Perhaps his old friend even guessed why Maddie had come, but clearly no one wished to talk about Sun Smile—at least not yet. The Lakota took life one event, one subject, at a time and did not believe in rushing things. Fox was familiar enough with their ways to realize that Kills Hungry Bear would give him a cue when the time was right. His only problem was explaining the concept of patience to Maddie.

When the work was done and Watson and the mules had been watered and fed, Kills Hungry Bear suggested that Fox and he climb up Bear Butte and smoke.

They didn't go far. The bonfire was still in sight when they hunkered down on a rocky ledge and exchanged Kills Hungry Bear's pipe.

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