Free Slocum 421 by Jake Logan Page A

family I knew on the Republican River.”
    She leaned around a little. “Where is your home?”
    â€œFar south is where I was raised.” The memory of those days nagged at him, the war years and the aftermath exploding his dreams and completely devastating his future. But he had no intention of opening up about that now.
    â€œIf you’re taking me to find my friend, what will you do for water?”
    â€œDrink from the family next to me’s supply.”
    â€œOh, yes, the Pawnee way is ‘What you have I have also.’”
    She laughed. “You are no stranger to our ways.”
    â€œWhat happened to your man?”
    â€œHe was killed fighting the Sioux with the army.”
    â€œBad thing to happen to you.”
    â€œMaybe, maybe not. Today I met a man with a fine horse and good mule. After you see Three Bear, where will you go?”
    â€œI plan to go to the Brakes next.”
    â€œIs there room for a squaw to go along?”
    â€œI’d buy her a horse to ride.”
    â€œBetter yet. Yes, I would go with you. Stop here. I will go find him for you.” She slipped off the gray’s butt to her feet, straightened her blanket, and went proudly inside the great lodge’s entrance. Curious small boys and girls pointed at Slocum and his horse. They wore only short leather shirts and were all naked below that. Saved changing diapers, he decided. Lined up, they giggled and pointed at the stranger in their presence.
    A large woman soon rounded them up, scolding them in Pawnee for pointing at him. The last small boy stuck his tongue out at Slocum and made him laugh. Lots of traffic going in and out, then Swan Woman reappeared with his friend Three Bear, a burly-chested giant of a man wearing an eagle-bone vest and a breechcloth.
    â€œAh, Slocum,” he roared. “What brings my friend to here?”
    â€œTo see my friend Three Bear, and to laugh about old times,” Slocum said, coming down off his horse.
    â€œThere is not much to laugh about. They want us to move to Indian Territory. It is too damn hot down there. The corn won’t grow as tall, and there would be people we hate there and don’t agree to have as our neighbors.” He shook his head warily. “Why down there, do you suppose?”
    â€œI am not the white father, nor can I speak for him.” They hugged and then shook hands.
    â€œI am sorry. You and I are like small feathers that fell from a hummingbird wing.”
    â€œSmaller than that. Good to see you and learn that you are still sowing oats in young women.”
    Three Bear laughed. “Nothing is secret in this great house. Nothing. Come. We will find some good food I know you can eat.”
    Slocum stopped and thanked Swan Woman.
    â€œI will watch your animals. They need a drink and to graze. You can find me down by the river.” She used her slender hand to point out the direction.
    â€œThank you, Swan Woman. I will join you later.”
    Her head bowed, she nodded and went off with his stock.
    â€œAh, my horny friend is only here a few minutes, and already he has a pretty widow woman corralled. No different than ever. Come and meet my men and some more woman.”
    â€œOne at a time is enough for me,” Slocum said and followed Three Bear inside.
    â€œAh, but you are not a chief. They expect more from me. Now I have three wives. I take the daughters from other chiefs to show I am like a brother to them.”
    â€œI understand. You must have had enough food for all of your people, and now winter is near over.”
    â€œWe still have food, but we already planted some corn early in case the next season is dry.”
    â€œI had some bad luck in Kansas. I have been hunting buffalo for almost a year down there. Had a good crew. Came out of a saloon one night and saw a man shoot another in cold blood. Then he turned his gun on me. I shot him in self-defense. But he was a Washington congressman’s