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Death Comes at Dawn
© 2004 W.R. Benton, All Rights Reserved
This manuscript may not be reproduced in any form. All rights belong to the author and or the publisher. All characters are from the imaginations of the authors and do not represent any persons living or dead. Any similarities between real persons and the characters in this manuscript are a coincidence.
CHAPTER 1
This Excerpt may contain rough language, typical for the period.
Jeb had just made camp and put on a pot of pinto beans on the fire to boil, when he noticed he had visitors. For the last few hours he had felt the nearness of someone, but was unsure exactly who it could be. Since he was right smack dab in the middle of Sioux country, he suspected it might be a group of them that didn't know him. He'd explained to old Moses just the day before how the Sioux were made up of many different bands, and while he were accepted in the group that Buffalo Hump led, the other bands of Sioux had no such notions. Then again, he thought as he reached over and added a small log to his fire, it might be the Blackfoot.
Near the fire, but tending to the horses was Moses. The old black man was good with the animals and it had quickly been decided, without a word spoken, that he'd be responsible for the animals each time they camped. As he wiped a big roan down with dry grasses he spoke clearly without turning his head and in a low voice, “Dey be out there. I saw one of ‘em jes' a minute ago, and dey be Sioux.”
“Did you know the man, Moses?” Jeb asked as he opened his palms and held them close to fire to warm. While it was late fall, the really cold weather had not visited yet, thought he knew it could come any day.
“Nope, dat one I ain't neveh see'd a-fore.” The old man replied, walked over to the fire, where he quickly sat down and added, “So, what we do now?”
Jeb thought for a couple of minutes, stood, and called out loudly in the Sioux tongue, “Come, my friends, because it grows cold and I have a warm fire with food I will share with my Sioux brothers.”
Minutes passed slowly without any sounds from the area surrounding the camp and then a single young warrior walked into the open. He was a tall man for a Sioux, well over six feet tall, his eyes were as dark as coal, and his face was scared from small pox he had fought at some stage of his young life. He didn't speak, nor did he threaten, he simply stood and watched the two men near the fire.
Seems to be just one of ‘em, but why just one? I don't think I've ever seen just one warrior out alone, unless he's hunting. This feller is not wearing paint, so maybe he's a hunter, Jeb thought as he gave the warrior a big smile and said, “Come, you can share my coffee and the warmth of my fire.”
As the warrior neared the fire, Jeb could see dried blood on his left shoulder and a fresh scalp on his belt. The scalp was that of another Indian, so Jeb kept his mouth shut as the man slowly walked toward him. Sitting on the ground by the fire, the brave suddenly spoke for the first time, “I am called Many Horses and I am of the northern Sioux.”
“Ain't that the bunch that Crow Killer runs way up north?” Moses asked Jeb as he kneeled by the fire and placed a large cast iron skillet on the hot coals.
“I think so, but I only met the man once and that was a long while back.”
“Your chief a big man named Crow Killer?” Moses asked the warrior in Sioux as he glanced at the big man.
“Yes, the great Crow Killer is our war leader. Do you know of him?”
“I am called One Leg Standing by the Chief Buffalo Hump and I am his son. Others among the Sioux call me One Who Speaks. I have heard my father speak often of the brave war chief Crow Killer, yet I have only spoken to him one time.” Jeb replied as he pushed his hat back on his head so he could see the warrior better in the failing light.
If Many Horses was surprised that a white man was the son of Buffalo Hump he didn't show it, instead he spoke, “I have been sent by Crow Killer to speak to Hump. I am to tell him of many things that have happened to my people.”
“Is your trail one of war or one of peace?” Jeb asked as he leaned forward and met the warrior's black and narrow eyes.
The brave hesitated for just a second or two and then said, “Many white eyes have come to our lands. The buffalo are dying more and more each day as these men take only the skins and leave the meat to rot in the sun and feed the vultures. These white men have guns that shoot many times and can kill from far away. I have been sent to Hump to see what can be done to stop the white man from killing our sacred buffalo.”
“Shit,” Moses suddenly said as he turned and met Jeb's eyes, “dat's a fine mess. What's with all the buffalo killin'?”
Jeb shook his head slowly, met the old black man's eyes and replied, “Moses, I told Humps years back that a day would come when the white man would come in great numbers. I told ‘em that when they came they'd out number the leaves on the trees. Now, I ain't sure, but I suspect there is a market for buffalo ropes, since beaver pews have dropped off the market, and these white men are out to make an easy living.”
“I don't foller ya none a-tall Jeb. Why would there be a need to kill the buffalo? I mean, what in the world would a bunch of people back east need or want a buffalo skin fer?”
“Well, I ain't rightly sure Moses, but see, white people want this land and they'll eventually get it too. Back in the war I heard some officers talking once and the captain said that the buffalo was the key to wiping the Injuns out. He said if the buffalo were all killed off the Injuns would all start to starve and a starving people would be easy to control. So, either a civilian market for buffalo robes has these white hunters out in force or the government has made a market for the skins.”
Moses looked confused for a minute, then reached up and as he scratched the left side of his black face he glanced at Jeb and said, “I don't unnerstand. Either the people back east want these robes, or they don't. Right?”
Jeb gave a light laugh and replied, “No, it could be the government has made a market for the robes to kill off the Injuns food source. Now, I ain't sure about none of this, but I'd not put it past ‘em to do just that. See, the government can get civilian leather tanners and such to ask for the robes and as they get the hides, why they'd even pay the tanners a little bit to take the skins in. Then, the government finds a good way to use the hides so folks in the cities will want ‘em. This stuff is all supply and demand, don't ya see how it would work?”
“Kind of, but it's corn-fusin' to my way of thinkin'. I mean, how can you sudden like make somebody want somethin' they don't need?”
“Moses, the leather from a buffalo can be used to make anything cow leather can be used for, right? You could make bridles, saddles, shirts, shoes, belts, holsters, and the list goes on. Not to mention a buff robe is the warmest damn think a feller or a woman can sleep under when the weather turns cold. No I suspect this wasn't just some hide man's idea and it scares the shit out of me. Don't you see, if they make the demand big enough, and keep the prices lower than regular leather goods, why, the days of the Injun will be over almost as fast as you can snap your fingers.”
Moses thought for a minute, raised his head and then said, “Lordy Jeb, I see one hell of a war a-comin' then. I don't think fer one single minute that all dees Injuns are a-gonna jus' quit bein' injuns without a fight. And, you and me both know they ain't gonna stand by and scratch dey asses as the buffalo are all kilt off either.”
And, blood will flow to the point the Civil War will look small , Jeb thought as he glanced quickly at the warrior by the fire.
Morning found Jeb and Moses riding beside the Sioux warrior Many Horses as they move east toward the village of Hump . While the morning had dawned cloudy and the sound of distant thunder could be heard, Jeb thought the majority of the fall storm would pass them by to the north. Still, he pulled his old Union cavalry hat down low as a light misting rain began to fall.
“Jeb?” Moses asked as he rode his bay up beside the one legged white man a few hours later.
“What's on your mind Moses?”
“Do you think we could talk to them folks in the gov'ment back east and put a stop to the killin' of the buff's?”
Jeb gave a loud snort and replied, “Damn me if I know. But, all things considered, I don't think they'd listen. Oh, they might sign a treaty or two, but things wouldn't change in the end, not one iota. See, once a market for something has been started and there is easy money to be made, well, people will keep trying to make that money. I suspect a treaty signed between the government and the Injuns wouldn't mean shit to a bunch of buffalo hunters out to make a quick buck.”
“Den we got us a bushel basket full of trouble comin' J.P., ‘cause I know dey ain't no Injun out heah dat's gonna let all dem buffalo get killed off without one hell of a fight. And, what we gonna do when the stuff hits the wall? I mean, what side we be on?”
“I don't know Moses, I honestly don't know.”
The village of Hump was only a short distance away and it was near noon when Jeb noticed the first member of the dog soldier clan watching them as they drew near. As guards of the village, the dog soldiers protected The People as they went about everyday life and rarely did someone approach the Sioux without notice. Jeb knew the man watching them and suspected he'd let them ride into the village unquestioned. As the adopted son of Buffalo Hump, Jeb could come and go as he pleased. And Moses was considered by The People to be a buffalo God, so both of the men were able to relax as soon as the dog soldier was seen.
Less than twenty minutes after first sighting the guard, Jeb and his small group entered the village and rode to the lodge of Buffalo Hump. As he dismounted, the young white man wondered what Hump would do about the wasteful killing of the buffalo. The war chief was a very intelligent man, but one dedicated completely to the old ways. It was very likely a full blown war was about to erupt and that would place Jeb, Moses, and Faye between a rock and a hard place.
As the young boys took the horses away to the main herd, Jeb softly scratched on the leather flap that covered the doorway to Hump's lodge, and he heard a low command to enter.
The inside of the lodge was dark though it was well past the noon hour. A little fire burned in the center of the lodge and Hump was sitting by the dancing flames eating from a small wooden bowl. As his visitors entered his lodge, the old chief placed his bowl on the ground near his right foot and said, “Welcome to my lodge, my son. First we will eat and then we will speak. It fills my heart with joy to see my son, One Leg Standing, has returned home to his people. And, I am also happy to see my friend Many Horses has honored me with a visit. Come, let us eat now and then we will speak.”
The meal was a simple hot soup filled with deer meat, roots, wild onions and some other vegetables Jeb didn't recognize, but he always figured if an Injun could eat it so could he. Kneeling beside the fire, Hump's wife added some meat skewered on green sticks and made sure they were leaning toward the hot coals to cook. Soon, in less than thirty minutes, the straightforward meal was finished.
“Now,” Hump spoke as he leaned back against his wicker backrest, “what is the purpose of a visit from my friend Many Horses.”
Over the next fifteen minutes or so, Many Horses explained in great detail what he knew of the white buffalo hunters. When he finished the lodge was deathly quiet as Hump considered what he had just learned. While his people too had noticed some butchered animals during the last year, there had not been many. Could it be, he thought, that this is a thing that will not last long? It could be some whites have need of robes only and already have much meat for the coming winter. They have the white man's buffalo, with the spotted skin and long horns, so maybe they fear the coming moons of deep cold.
Jeb and Moses eyed each other and as their eyes locked, both men were thinking of what Hump might say. While no large groups of Indians had yet formed under the leadership of a single man, Hump was just the man to do the organizing if the need was there. But, thought Jeb as he felt a tightness deep in his gut, if it comes to war and Hump is able to pull the various tribes together the plains will run red with blood.
“Return to Crow Killer and speak my words to him. I do not think this thing of killing the great one for hides is a thing that will last. Tell him that I think it is a small number of white men, less than three hands, which need robes to fight off the deep cold of the coming months. Also, tell him, if the killing of our brother the buffalo continues with the coming of a moon of new life, we will then stop the white man.” Hump spoke as he leaned forward from his backrest and met the eyes of Many Horse.
The younger Sioux warrior nodded in understanding and then replied, “Your words I will carry back to Crow Killer. I will speak as you have spoken.”
Hump, indicated the conversation was finished by standing and walking from the lodge. Jeb and Moses stood and quickly left behind the Sioux war chief.
“What now?” Moses asked as they walked toward the lodge the Sioux kept for Jeb.
“We wait for now. I suspect the killing won't stop with the coming of spring, unless we're able to talk to them hide hunters and even then I think we'll be wasting our time. Besides,” Jeb said as he pulled the flap back to his lodge, “I'm getting married in the morning so I'm not going to worry about it all right now.”
Moses had completely forgotten about Jeb's coming marriage to Speaks Much and with a big grin he asked, “You shore you wanna jump broom with that gal?”
“Moses, what kind of talk is that from a man who's married? And, I happen to know you and Falling Leaf are very happy together.”
“Yup, we're happy so far, but a-marryin' up is a serious step J.P. I think a feller should think on it fer a long spell, ‘cause it ain't to be taken lightly.”
Jeb laughed and replied, “Moses, I love the woman and she says she loves me. I have found a very beautiful woman and a smart one to boot, and to my way of thinking I'd be a damned fool not to marry her.”
“Well, that could all be, but ‘member that once a woman closes the trap on a man things are different from dat point on. You'll no longer jus' have your ass to take care of, but hers as well, and a-fore long some youngsters too. It's serious business Jeb.”
Jeb turned and grinned as his old friend as he said, “You know a man is less than a full man without a good woman in his life. I have never in my life, old friend, felt like I do about any woman like I do Speaks Much. Even Nancy, who turned her back on me a few years back I loved, but it was a shallow love Moses and not as deep as my love for Speaks.”
“I hears ya masser, but still, don't take this marryin' up as a little thing. It will change yer life, mayhap make it better, but it is a hard thing at times. I am shore you and Speaks Much will be happy, only keep in mind that ya always gotta work hard to make a marriage work. When I was a slave, well, times was different. I was ‘spected to make mo' babies fer the masser and that meant he would be worth more money. But, afteh seein' my chillin' sold off and my wife took up the river, why I done lost the want to live. It hu'ts a man when his wife is no longer there, ‘cause he's only half full.”
Jeb patted old Moses on his right shoulder and replied, “Moses, there ain't nobody going to sell off Speaks Much and if there are any children they'll be well taken care of.”
Moses, who stood slowly shaking his black head, finally said, “It don't gotta be a masser that takes yer loved ones from ya J.P., it can be the debil too. Death is jus' one way of losin' what matters most in a fellers life. You stay on yer toes J.P. and ‘member what old Moses jus' tolt ya.”
Jeb gave a mighty laugh, turned to Moses and said, “Aye, that I'll remember Moses and I want to thank you for being my friend.”
“You're a good man Jeb Patton and the first white man I ever did call friend. And, you ‘member, if you ever need me or somethin' you jus' let me know. I'll always be ‘round to he'p ya son.”
Jeb pulled his hand from the back of Moses, grinned, and entered his lodge. He'd be married in the morning to a white woman who had been taken in by The People when she was just a child. While she spoke passable English, and after talking with Jeb over the past year she had learned more, she still struggled at times to make herself fully understood. The love Jeb had for Speaks was deep and he had absolutely no second thoughts about his upcoming marriage. He'd marry her in the morning and they'd soon be riding side by side.
Laying down on his buffalo robe, Jeb was still thinking of the beautiful woman when he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning as the sun was coming up Jeb was married to Speaks Much. Over the last year he had learned her white name was Betty, though it was only when they were alone and away from the Sioux that Jeb called her by that name. Of her last name she had no memory and both quickly agreed it didn't matter. All she could remember was her family had been headed out west in a wagon when they were attacked by a large group of Blackfoot and it was only because she had been out picking wild flowers that she had not died as well. After the killing of her family she had wandered for almost a week on the open plains before a wolf of the Dog Soldiers had spotted her hungry frame and brought her to The People. Less than six months late she was a full member of the tribe.
As soon as the brief wedding ceremony was complete, Jeb and Betty were taken to a beautiful white lodge on the outside of the village. It was with great dignity and show that Jeb and Betty enter the lodge for their first night together as man and wife.
As soon as the leather flap covering the entrance dropped, Jeb pulled his new wife close, looked deeply into her brown eyes and said, “I love you Betty. I am looking forward to a long life with you and a lodge full of children. Or, if you wish we can start a farm and live as the white farmer does.”
Kissing him on the left cheek, Betty grinned and replied, “Jeb, we have no need to discuss the distant future on this day. Today I want only to love you and to be loved. Come, my husband, let us warm our robes.”
Jeb kneeled in front of his new wife and grasped he hem of her long white deer skin dress. Slowly, so he could full appreciate her beauty he pulled the dress up and over her head. It was not until the leather dress fell to the dirt at their feet that he took a good look at her wonderful body. Many men would kill for a woman like this, he thought as he pulled her very close and kissed the side of her neck, feeling her shudder.
“Do you like what you have seen?” Speaks teased him as she kissed his left cheek lightly.
