Free The Drums of Change by Janette Oke Page B

them when they appeared thirsty. Plucking weeds from her patch as soon as they dared show a leaf. Gently hoeing and hilling, and quickly dispatching any intruding insects.
    But Silver Fox kept right on studying. No longer joining the hunting parties, he seemed totally absorbed in learning. Driven to discovering something new in the books. Hungry for knowledge. Running Fawn could not understand his passion.
    In the fall, classes began again. A number of younger children joined them, now in a small wooden building. Running Fawn gladly would have given up her seat to any one of them.

    “Who are they?” Running Fawn asked her friend Laughing Loon as they peered at two unfamiliar white men in long-tailed black coats who were approaching their settlement.
    “I not know,” whispered Laughing Loon, even though the distance between them and the men would have made it impossible to hear a normal voice.
    They were used to strangers visiting the Reserve. They came in fancy eastern dress representing the Queen on government business. They came representing the law, dressed in scarlet tunics and astride leather saddles. They came as traders in the garb of frontiersmen, seeking beaded leather goods in exchange for pots or bullets. But these two men looked like none of the others. Running Fawn frowned.
    The two friends watched as the strangers were greeted by the chief and admitted with ceremony into his tent. Then the girls were distracted by a group of boys who wrestled on the stiff brown grasses, trying to prove to one another—or to the girls—which was the strongest. Mostly they proved which was the loudest.
    It was not until the next morning that Running Fawn had cause to remember the two visitors. When she entered the school building, they stood before the class, broad smiles lighting pale faces, hands tucked neatly behind their tailed coats. Silently Running Fawn slipped onto the bench behind the wooden desk, her eyes traveling quickly to Man With The Book.
    He smiled around at the class and then at her, seeming very pleased with himself—or something.
    “Class,” he began as soon as they had repeated the Lord’s Prayer and sang the verse of a hymn, “we have good news. Two of our students have been chosen to attend advanced classes at the Mission Boarding School in Fort Calgary.”
    He paused expectantly and looked again around the room. But it was with stunned bewilderment that Running Fawn heard the words.
    The man with the biggest grin and blackest coat stepped forward. “We have already spoken with Chief Calls Through The Night. He is proud to send his best students for further learning.”
    Running Fawn could not refrain from casting a sideways glance at Silver Fox. Everyone in the school knew who the best pupil was. But even he looked surprised.
    The man now stepped back, his grin just as wide, his coattails flapping slightly in the breeze that came in the opened window.
    “I will let your teacher make the announcement,” he said, as though bestowing a singular honor.
    Man With The Book cleared his throat and flushed slightly. Then he took a step closer to his class.
    “First I wish to inform you that if you study hard, this great opportunity may one day be yours as well.… Now—let me congratulate our first students to be allowed to study at the Mission School. You are indeed a credit to your families and to your chief.”
    He stopped again and his small mustache twitched slightly.
    “Silver Fox, may I congratulate you.” He held out his hand.
    For one moment Silver Fox looked stunned. Then a small, quiet smile began to lift the corners of his lips as he stood to his feet and accepted the outstretched hand.
    He was pleased. Running Fawn had known he would be.
    “And the second student,” continued the teacher after he had completed the hearty handshake and turned slightly to face the other side of the room, “Running Fawn.”
    It was like a loud clap of thunder. Like the sickening roar of an avalanche.