Legend of the Shaman: Book Three of the Wyakin Trilogy by David Rasmussen

Author:David Rasmussen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2018-04-03T15:59:03+00:00

The main camp of Ni-mi-pu was packing for this day’s trek as Cortez and the warriors rode in, having traveled slowly to watch the back trail. Even though the soldiers had been defeated in the battle, they couldn’t be trusted not to attack the departing people again.

Welweyas had packed the shaman’s lodge and possessions. He looked up from his work on a travois with questions in his large brown eyes. The woman/man seldom spoke, but Cortez knew that he cared for Rachel and had been eager to show Rachel things about camp life and gathering food. Cortez felt sad for Welweyas, for he could never have a family. The tribe tolerated him as long as he kept his place, and his humble place was again taking care of a shaman’s lodge without a woman.

The non-treaty bands no longer showed any signs of joy, but instead, a combination of melancholy and anger. The pleasant days of the Bitterroot Valley had abruptly ended in this valley. In the Big Hole, there would be no attempt to trade with the few soyapo ranchers and merchants. The attack by the army had ended any feelings of trust and good will.

Several badly wounded warriors had died since leaving Izhkumzizlakik Pah. Their graves were dug in the little side canyons where they were hidden from the soldiers and their Indian scouts. Old people asked to be left behind so they wouldn’t slow down the band. The people accepted their sacrifice with great reluctance.

Looking Glass no longer led the non-treaty bands. Because Lean Elk knew the way to the buffalo country and on to British North America, White Bird, Joseph, and the other chiefs chose to follow his leadership. Lean Elk was the son of a French Canadian and a Ni-mi-pu mother, so he spoke English and French as well as Sahaptin. Looking Glass reluctantly agreed to follow Lean Elk, but bad feelings showed on his face. The people seemed to condemn him for his arrogance, which had allowed the army to catch the bands unprepared for battle. The chiefs had also come to doubt Looking Glass’s plan to join up with the Crows. They talked of going to Grandmother’s Land and joining Sitting Bull’s band, which they knew was there. They knew also that the U.S. Army couldn’t cross into this British North America.

Cortez was treating wounded people as they traveled up the Big Hole Valley, mostly women and children. Warriors tried to heal themselves, but Cortez helped them when they allowed it. He was pleased that the people still seemed to trust him as their shaman/healer, even though they knew his skin was white.

Scouts who had been watching the back trail and the army reported that the soldiers and civilians that had attacked the bands were leaving and going north, but the army of General Howard had taken their place, and his army was following the bands. Most of Howard’s troops were walking soldiers. They had many wagons and pack trains, so they moved slowly. The scouts also told the chiefs that Howard had Bannock scouts with him.

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