Uprising by Dean Urdahl

Author:Dean Urdahl [Urdahl, Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780878392476
Amazon: 0878392475
Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud
Published: 2007-07-02T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Six

It was nearly sunset when Nathan arrived at the Rice Creek Village. He rode directly to Mah-ka-tah’s lodge. A slender man he recognized as Lightning Blanket entered the tepee. In moments the leader of the Soldier’s Lodge stepped out of the dwelling.

Mah-ka-tah’s dark face and glaring eyes reflected an ugly mood. The words of Galbraith and Myrick kept replaying in his mind and wouldn’t give him peace. “Do you have grass with you to help feed us?” he snapped. His voice was filled with sarcasm.

“Myrick is a fool,” Nathan rejoined. “I must speak with you.”

“Walk with me, One Arm,” Mah-ka-tah commanded.

Nathan followed in silence as the Santee walked to a cluster of oak trees on the prairie near the village. A breeze rustled through the leaves and long grass. Mah-ka-tah sat upon a fallen mossy log and looked up impatiently at the white man. “Speak what you will,” he ordered.

“I know that tempers are short. You feel betrayed again. I’m sure that many of your young men want to attack now. But wait. Wait a little longer. Lee will move in a few weeks. Another war in the West, while the Confederate forces battle near Washington, will strike a double terror in the hearts of the Bluecoats.”

Mah-ka-tah appeared tired as he responded to Nathan. “I told you before that I won’t determine when war starts. The Great Spirit will set in motion the events that lead to war. He will tell me if the time is right when your army attacks. Or maybe it will be another time, or maybe not at all.”

Nathan paced a few steps, turned his back to Mah-ka-tah, and then faced the Santee again as the sun set behind him. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay here. I’ve delivered the message to you that President Davis sent me here to give. Now it is up to you and Little Crow. Remember that the soldiers are your enemies. Fight them first.”

Mah-ka-tah stood and faced the soldier from Virginia. “We always fight our enemies first, One Arm.”

The Santee turned and walked determinedly back to his camp. Nathan followed, but no words were spoken. The interview was over. But a figure lingered behind an oak tree while the Indian and white man disappeared into the village. A smile curled the sullen lips of White Dog. Myrick would pay well for what he had to tell him.

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