Free Snow Eagle by Shirley A. Roe Page B

sky. She began to whistle; a trilling, bird like sound that mesmerized all in attendance. The Elders stared in awe; the beautiful sound filled the air like the sound of a dozen birds. The Caribou hunters recognized the sound that had been so familiar in their village, the sound that had been missing since Songbird's capture. It was as if she had caste a spell over them. All were hypnotized, no one moved and not another sound was heard until the melodious whistling ending. A brilliant shooting star shot across the black sky. Several loud gasps were heard from the mesmerized crowd. Shooting stars were the sign of the Great Spirit.
    Songbird turned slowly and with resolve walked to Gray Wolf, taking his hand in hers; the people had their answer. Red Hawk signed with relief. The air in her lungs escaped in a loud rush. She had taken a risk that could have threatened their very existence but her instincts had been right. A loud cheer erupted from the crowd. Gray Wolf's chest puffed out with pride as he squeezed her hand and stared into her black eyes.
    “Songbird, your name suits you. I am proud to have you for the mother of my children.” He pulled her to him and this time she did not stiffen. Her body leaned into his and she smiled. Black Rain held Red Hawk's shaking hand and winked. He too was proud of his woman. Snow Eagle was surprised at the thoughts of the earthquake that filled his mind at that moment. He still had not deciphered that dream. Quickly coming back to the present, he smiled at Little Fawn.
    “The captives will dance the Deer ceremony.” Sunflower announced. Women arrived with deer costumes and as was the custom, the captives that had been exchanged for Songbird, were dressed as deer and began to dance, acting as Peacemakers between the two tribes. Charging Elk moved to join Snow Eagle and a pipe was prepared. The other Caribou Hunters mingled with the Tlingits, Walks with Fire moved closer to Bright Star as she donned her costume. She smiled at the young handsome warrior.
    Black Rain and Red Hawk watched with interest. Perhaps Red Hawk's prediction that the two tribes would unite was coming true. There appeared to be more than one future couple at this fire and although Bright Star was a captive she now belonged to the Tlingits. Her uniting with Walks with Fire would be looked upon as a tribal union as would Gray Wolf and Songbird. Charging Elk had shown his interest in Walks Tall Woman. The Tlingit nation consisted of two moieties or groups, the Raven and the Wolf/Eagle. Marriage could result only with one from the other moiety. Clans had people of both moieties, providing a balance in marriage of opposites. The matriarchal lineage of Snow Eagle's ‘house' was from Red Hawk and definitely Raven. Little Fawn was Wolf as were her children. Any slaves that they owned retained their own moiety at birth Wolf/Eagle or Raven. Charging Elk's matriarchal lineage was Raven. This made for an excellent chance at unity if he chose Walks Tall Woman, who was Wolf. Red Hawk and Black Rain were much relieved; they smiled at each other knowingly.
    The ceremony lasted long into the night with dancing and food enjoyed by the tired people and their new allies. Later, Snow Eagle lay on his mat next to Little Fawn, satisfied with the way things had turned out. As spirits had warned him, he had chosen the right path and disaster had been averted. He knew that he must meet with the Elders of the Caribou tribe before any final decisions were made, however he felt confident that the two tribes would unite to form a strong bond. Because the Tlingits traveled to the sea and the Tagish stayed in the mountains for the winter, they would be two separate Clans of a united tribe. But unity brought safety and strength to both groups. Snow Eagle could not see any reason the Tagish would not agree. He was concerned that Songbird would have to accompany them on their trek back to the Tagish village in such harsh weather conditions, but there