Cut Hand by Wildyr Mark

Author:Wildyr, Mark [Wildyr, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: STARbooks Press
Published: 2010-05-09T22:00:00+00:00

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We did not have to wait long for the arrival of the soldiers. Sentries alerted the village the following morning that a troop was drawn up in a skirmish line about three English miles to the southeast. The camp’s warriors formed their own battle line behind their leaders. Bear Paw and one of the other band’s young men took mounted groups to flank the dragoons. Then we helped Yellow Puma aboard his white stone horse and rode out unarmed in advance of them all. Cut ordered me back to camp, but I ignored his entreaties – as he expected I would. I bound a white rag made from one of my under-shifts to a pole, so our intentions could not be misconstrued.

We knew no one at Fort Ramson, and indeed, the officers who came to meet us were strangers. Yellow Puma put all of his remaining strength behind his voice as he hailed the military men ten paces ahead of him. Cut Hand translated his words.

“Welcome to our American brothers. I am Yellow Puma, misco of the People of the Yanube. We know why you are here and are anxious to end this matter as it should be, without violence and in the spirit of friendship. I am known to your brother officers at Fort Yanube as a peace chief.”

The leader of the troop, a mature man wearing captain’s bars, gaffed his horse two steps closer. “We have heard of you, Yellow Puma. We know you as a good man who desires peace. But perhaps you do not control your young men.”

“It is true young men of both our peoples do not always behave as they should, but we iron-hairs do the best we can.”

“We come because two of our messengers were fired upon along the Yanube River. The army cannot ignore such dangerous acts.”

“Nor can we,” the misco agreed. “When our hunters reported the incident upon their return yesterday, we held our own council and identified the culprit.”

“Then you can turn him over to us and the matter will be finished.”

“The matter is finished,” the chief said in a firm voice. “The Sioux with snake blood who took refuge with us after his own turned their back on him has been sent away. None in this village will shelter him. The Teton will not allow him back. He has nowhere to go. He will be a problem no longer.”

“Give me his name, Yellow Puma,” the captain insisted.

“His name will never again be spoken by any of our people. He is dead to us. You have my word he alone turned his medicine gun upon your soldiers.”

The officer edged his horse over to me. “Would you be the Mr. Strobaw who trades for these people?”

“I am,” I acknowledged.

“Perhaps you are not bound by their custom.”

“I participated in the council. All I can do for you is confirm what Yellow Puma has said. But I see you have your own Indian scouts with you –” I allowed my voice to trail off.

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