Free A Heart for Home by Lauraine Snelling Page B

letter, saying that measles, the spotted sickness, was killing his people and asked if we could come. So we did.”
    “White man’s disease.”
    “I know. So many have died. I am so sorry.” She took the empty gourd he handed her. “Would you like more?”
    A nod.
    She rose to her feet and returned to the kettle, near where her father was splitting wood. “He can speak English, as I suspected. He is a cousin of Red Hawk.”
    “Good. That should be a help.”
    “It makes me wonder if more of them speak English too but are refusing to do so. And if that’s the case, why?”
    “This is one of the bands that hid out in the Black Hills after the massacre at Wounded Knee. They were without supplies for a long time, and when they finally came to Rosebud . . . well, it has taken a long time to catch up. Then the troubles they had with the first Indian agent who was assigned to this area. They don’t have much respect for the white man.”
    Astrid heaved a sigh. “And now this epidemic. Trust that is lost is hard to regain.”
    Haakan refilled her gourd. “Our government has a lot to be ashamed of. I am glad we can bring the Indians some help now. They need to get back to school. There used to be local schools wherever there were enough families to warrant one. This band is so small. . . .” He shook his head. “Mr. Moore has a lot to overcome.”
    “When will supplies arrive again?”
    “He’s hoping next week.”
    “The land here is so barren, how will they plant gardens? Will wheat grow here?”
    “I don’t think so. There’s not enough rain. Cattle and sheep are about all that can survive here.”
    “Do you think this creek flows year-round?”
    He shrugged and turned to answer a question from Johnny Solberg.
    Astrid took the gourd back to He Who Walks Tall. But when she found him asleep, she didn’t wake him. They could talk later. Instead, she dumped the soup back in the kettle and scrubbed the gourd. Metal cups were far easier to sterilize, but they had so few. Where did the Indians buy things and what did they use for money? She had so many questions and most had no answers.
    When Mr. Moore hailed her, she turned with a smile. “Good morning.”
    “Dr. Bjorklund, I’ve been meaning to talk with you.” He joined her at the fire. “How is He Who Walks Tall faring? He has been silent, not forthcoming with me. After Chief Night Hawk died at the beginning of this epidemic, the tribe chose Dark Cloud as temporary chief. He Who Walks Tall is to become their permanent chief. He can speak English but would rather not.”
    “Do you have any idea how many of the tribe are still alive?”
    “Depending on how those still in your care will fare, I’d say thirty-five, forty. This is not a large enough group to have a station here, but . . .” A faraway look came into his eyes. He brought himself back. “We will do what we can.”
    “What about a school here?”
    “I asked for that too.” He studied the fire and then turned back to her. “My list of requisitions was long. I’m not sure how much of it I will receive. I am writing a letter to go along with my next request for supplies. Are there items you would like to request?”
    Astrid swallowed her surprise. “You mean besides sufficient food so the people are no longer starving?” At his slight backward step, she bit off the remainder of her diatribe. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair to you. I do understand that you are doing all you are able.”
    When his shoulders relaxed, she continued. “Red Hawk will be returning soon, and it would be good to have things like bandages, carbolic acid, sutures, needles, surgical supplies, sheets, blankets, and perhaps an examining table.”
    “I am not certain he will be returning to this portion of the reservation. The government will most likely assign him to the Rosebud station. I don’t know if there is a doctor there now or not.”
    She had a feeling that Red Hawk would make sure these people were cared