Alone
Keywords: Alone,
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People have always told me that I was crazy. Maybe they were right. Why else would anyone with a right mind be out here? Hundreds of miles from nowhere. Except for the Indian village down the river, I haven't seen another human being since I left so-called, "civilization" two years ago. The Indians tolerated me because I was the only white man they had ever seen and they too thought I had to be out of my head for being up there alone. But to me this was God's country.
How do you tell these people that you were here because you got fed up with the human rat race back east? That's exactly what it had become, too. Thousands of people living in a city. No privacy. No one caring whether you lived or died. So why stay? Why put up with it? I couldn't and I wouldn't. So here I am. Alone, except for being in some of the most beautiful country I'd ever imagined existed. Towering snow covered peaked mountains, rolling hills, green prairies that stretched for miles and miles. Woods that were full of wild life. Everything from badger to mountain lions. The streams were full of fish and beaver. Everyday seem to be the beginning of a new adventure.
I quickly learned that by keeping only what meat I needed to live on from the deer and bear I killed, if I offered the rest to the villagers, they would respond in a similar manner. They could see that I did not waste what I took from the land. Often, they would bring me vegetables and berries, and clothing made from animal hides and other items to make my lonely life better. As time passed and they began to trust me more, I was often invited to the village. We would hunt and fish together. Play games. At night, they would gather around the fires and tell stories. They wanted to know everything about the white man's way of life back where I came from. So I would tell stories and do my best to explain what my life was like before. I tried to make them understand. All in all, it was a great life. Until, that one faithful day when my life would no longer be the same.
As usual, I had gotten up early to find some meat for camp. After killing two deer and trying to make my way back down the mountain, leading the pack horse, I could hear gun fire coming from the direction of the village. But the villagers were primitive people and had no guns, only bows, arrows and spears. As far as I knew, mine was the only one up here. I dropped one deer off at my shelter and started towards the village with the other. As I drew near, I could see smoke rising over the tops of the trees.
I rounded the trees on the river bank and stopped dead in my tracks. The village or what was left of it, was in ruins. Most of the teepees were burning, others had been pulled to the ground. Some of the villagers were walking around dazed or wounded.
As I rode through the village, a crowd was beginning to gather around me. As I dismounted in front of Chief Running Elk, I was met with his lance touching my chest.
Stepping back startled, "Running Elk, what is the meaning of this?"
"Some of your white brothers came to us in peace and like snakes they destroyed our homes, killing some of my people and then left taking our horses and some of our women," he said.
"Why do you blame me for this, because of the color of my skin? I have never done anything to hurt your people. I thought we were friends," I said.
With that said, he lowered his spear and hung his head. "You are right Crazy One. You are not to blame, even though your skin is white, I know you would not harm my people. My two daughters were among those taken and we are making ready to go after them and bring our women back."
I really had never taken notice of his daughter or any of the other young women in the village for fear of what might happen, being an outsider. Looking around the village, I could see maybe half a dozen braves that were well enough to ride, much less fight. So I came up with another of my crazy ideas.
"Running Elk, you need the braves you have left to take care of your wounded and the dead. Would you let me go after these skunks and return your daughters and wives to you? I might have a better chance alone and that way there would be no excuse for the white men to say the Indians were taking to the warpath," I said.
He looked at me for a long time and then turned to look at his village. Turning back around, he held out his arm. I clasped his arm with mine and we shook. He then took his knife, holding the blade across the palm of my hand, slicing it. I jumped back not knowing what the heck was happening. He then sliced his own palm. Taking my hand in his, we clasped hands. The medicine man tied leather straps around our clasped hands and spoke some words I didn't understand. Then in my white man's tongue he said, "You are now of the same blood. Blood brothers! From this day forward our pain is your pain."
I was given a bow with a quiver of arrows, spear and rawhide clothing. Then the chief did something unexpected. He walked up to me leading the most beautiful black stallion I'd ever seen. "This is Thunder Cloud. My best war horse. He broke away from the raiders and returned to us. He is yours! First he has to permit you to ride him. Make friends with him and he will serve you like a brother," he said.
At that moment I must have looked like I was crazy. Standing there with my mouth hanging open. Then Thunder Cloud walked up to me and butted me with his head, almost knocking me down. I quickly regained my composure, and walked up to him, running my hands down his neck, across his flanks and down his legs. He definitely was some horse all right. Muscles everywhere. Placing my hand on his mane, I vaulted onto his back. He took a few steps before quickly dropping his head towards the ground and kicked his back legs towards the heavens, he swiftly planted me on my back on the ground. Looking up, I could see nothing but stars swimming around my head. Then I felt something cool on my face. His moist nose was touching my face, smelling of me. Almost as though he was laughing at me. I reached up, catching his mane again and felt him raise his head, lifting me to my feet. I stood there unsteadily while letting my head clear.
He stood there nodding his head up and down as if telling me everything was all right now. He just had to show me who was boss. Again I walked to his side and vaulted onto his back. This time there were no show boating. He stood there waiting for my signal. I nudged my heals into his side and we took off like the wind. We raced onto the flats just beyond the village, rounding a bend near the river, out onto the prairie. After a mile or so, we turned and headed back towards the village. What a feeling! The cool breeze whipping by my face. I felt like I was really riding a tornado. Running, as if the world was chasing us, we continued through a stand of trees. Suddenly coming upon the trunk of a fallen tree blocking our path. This strong animal, while never breaking his stride, cleared it with ease. Entering the village, he slid to a halt in front of the chief. The look that Running Elk gave me was one of great satisfaction and pride. As I slid from Thunder's back and once again he nudged me with his head, as if to say, "well done-now we are friends." At that moment, I knew there was now a bond between us that would never be broken.
It had been two days since the attack on the village as I rode out to follow the trail. The sound of the women wailing for the dead braves and the lost girls following me as I topped the hill to the south. Stopping to look down at the scene below me, remembering how it had once been a happy sight and one I might not ever see again. The trail was starting to get cold but I knew that with the horses and women in tow, the raiders should be slowed down some. At least, I hoped so.
I turned Thunder Cloud again towards the south. I could feel his muscles tighten. I knew he wanted to run, so I gave him his head and we were off like the wind. After the better part of two hours he finally slowed to a smooth ground eating pace. His coat was slick with sweat but he was not winded at all.
As the sun was starting to touch the hills in the west, we crossed a small stream. I figured it was as good a place as any to make camp for the night. Removing my gear and halter from Thunder, I released him to drink and graze. I knew he would be there in the morning. Watching him, you would never think that he had traveled all day at the pace we had set. He ran, bucked, then found a buffalo wallow and rolled over and over in the dirt. Finally he made his way towards the stream and ran into it until the water completely covered his back. Returning to where I stood, he suddenly shook the water from him. Instantly, I was covered width spray and was dripping wet. Yelling, I ran after him. Around and around the camp site we ran, like two kids. The entire time I knew he was laughing at me. I then veered away from him and ran straight to the stream and jumped off the bank into the water. As my head rose above the water, all I could see was horse flesh. Thunder had followed me and jumped off the embankment too. Lucky for me, sailing well past where I had landed or he would have been standing right on top of me. He turned and swam towards me until his feet regained their footing. Nudging me with his head towards the bank. I walked back to our gear and started a small fire. After removing my clothes and hanging them on the tree to let them dry, I ate some of the dried meat I had brought along. By then the sun had disappeared in the west and I dozed off.
Sometime later, I woke with a start. Something or someone was near by. I could feel it. Not moving, I tried to look around using only my eyes. I could see nothing but I knew something was there. The hair on the back of my neck was crawling. Suddenly, I rolled to my left and grabbed my rifle. Just as I moved, a big rock hit my bed roll. With a shrill yell they were on me.
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Keywords: Alone,