The Mystic Medicine Man by William Meador

Author:William Meador [Meador, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Nonfiction/Religion/General
Publisher: Authors' Publishing House

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As fall approached, the entire Kiowa village moved into its winter camp. Several smaller bands joined them and the valley filled with lodges. One last thing remained to be performed before the coming of winter, the buffalo hunt.

The braves rode out onto the plains in search of the buffalo. Black Buffalo rode with Great Buffalo at the head of the column of warriors. A large number of women and children followed the braves onto the Llano Estacado.

The pounding of the thousands of hooves filled the air long before they saw the buffalo. To He-Who-Heals, the river of buffalo pouring over the hills and valleys of the Llano Estacado was magic.

He-Who-Heals shouted to his companions, “They look like a river!”

The buffalo raced by and created a magnificent sight and a new experience for the three new members of the Kiowa clan called the Wind Band.

The warriors raced along the side of the great beasts. The earth shook as the herd ran to the south. He-Who-Heals marveled at the great horsemanship he saw performed repeatedly. Warriors rode right by the side of the lumbering mass and fired arrows at point blank range. As there were few guns in the camp the braves, to prove their worth, hunted with only arrows.

On this first hunt, He-Who-Heals wanted to join in the hunt, but they refused him. The chiefs declared as a healer and one who spoke to the Great Spirit, he was too valuable to chance an accident out on the plains. On one hand he felt honored, but on the other hand his pride was hurt. He did not contribute to the food supply of the people and felt that was wrong.

He expressed the feeling to You-Loco-One of not doing his part. His concern and hurt pride, when relayed to Chief Gray Wind, brought an immediate response.

Chief Gray Wind came to their lodge. They invited him in, and sat in a circle smoking the pipe.

After some time, the chief said, “He-Who-Heals, you must learn all the ways of the Kiowa. Chiefs, as they grow in stature, do not ride on the hunt, only the younger men and sub-chiefs.”

He puffed on the pipe again and passed it to Black Buffalo, an act of honor. For sometime, the three new members of the band sat in council and smoked the pipe as equals.

“The Chief has proven his bravery on hunts or performing a successful coup. He doesn’t need to ride in the hunt, as he is too important. Of course if there is a war or raid, he will ride. It is the unnecessary chances that he must not take.”

The chief sat looking into the hot coals, as if he sought just the right words.

“The same is true for you, He-Who-Heals. You do not have to prove your worth. You are of great value to The People.”

He-Who-Heals nodded his head at the compliment. He told You-Loco-One, to say to the chief, “My Kiowa is limited.

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