Free Lakota Dawn by Janelle Taylor

Lakotas more than other Indians and will one day destroy them.”
    “I am Oglala by blood,” Cloud Chaser refuted, glaring at the Bird Warrior who had glanced at him during his final words.
    The Crow leader eyed him up and down with a visible show of scorn and scoffed, “You are a half-breed, lower than the turtle’s belly and more foul than the scent of the maka. You are too low to even look at me.”
    Chase did not like being compared to a skunk and ridiculed for his mixed heritage. He realized he needed to get his hands on a copy of that treaty and soon, for its unknown words could cause mistakes and conflicts on his band’s part, and be used by sly enemies to their advantage. As he observed the confrontation, he wished he had his weapons so he would be prepared to come to his brother’s aid if the Crow charged him, as it would be a large coup for the enemy who took the life, scalplock, and possessions of such a great warrior. He was amazed and pleased by his brother’s bravery, but he hoped Wind Dancer would not incite the Crow to attack since the odds were in the opponents’ favor.
    “Do we pass on, my longtime foe, or do we fight here? Do you forget the treaty said no Indian Nation gives up a claim to other lands and may ride, hunt, and fish in any territory covered by it?”
    “Dee, Apsaalooke.”
    As soon as Wind Dancer told them to leave, the Crow leader laughed in amusement at his enemy’s coerced position, kneed his mount’s sides, and galloped away amidst taunting yips.
    “I am proud of you, my brother,” Chase said, “for you showed great courage, patience, and wisdom. Did he speak the truth?”
    Wind Dancer frowned. “The words he spoke are in the treaty.”
    Chase was confused. “Why would the White leaders divide these lands into separate territories and then give any man permission to encroach on others? It is foolish and dangerous to force enemy bands to share areas and order them not to fight when they come into contact with each other.”
    “That is only one of the many reasons why we could notsign. Lakotas cannot dwell in peace in the same territory with the Crow and Pawnee. We cannot allow them to slay all of the game on our hunting grounds while their herds and other animals flourish. For when the season came and ours were gone, they would not allow us to encroach on their hunting grounds; they would break treaty to have us starve and freeze in winter.”
    Chase related his idea about obtaining a copy of the treaty to see what it truly said. “Many times there is no Indian word to match a white man’s word, for words come from the lives we lead. I understand the white man’s language and can translate the treaty words to see if they mean what the interpreter told you at Long Meadows.”
    “Where would you get such…papers? How?”
    “I am sure the signed papers are with the President, the Great White Chief, far away. But matching papers may be kept at Fort Laramie, for its soldiers are responsible for honoring its terms. I can ride there to learn if they exist and who has them. I can sneak into his work tepee at night and take them. I will bring them to you and read them for you.”
    “It would not please others for you to leave and.return.”
    “It is the only way to get the treaty, Wind Dancer. I must do this task alone, for I can dress, speak, and act as a white man. You must trust me, my brother, for our people’s survival may depend upon its words.”
    “I will think on your plan and reveal it to Father, but I feel its risk is great. Come. We ride to camp. If we sight good game, we will halt to hunt it.”
    Chase saw the small party of warriors, led by his younger brother, return to camp not long after he and Wind Dancer had. It was obvious they had been trailed and observed. Even if he had not sighted a man or two along the way, he had sensed their presence. He grinned to himself, concluding he had passed another test. But how many more, he mused, must he take and pass?