People of the Weeping Eye(85)
“That is an extraordinary gift, War Chief. What could I possibly offer in return? It is tradition that the war medicine be placed in the Men’s House where—”
“I think it would please my uncle if you were kind enough to offer Screaming Falcon to him. He would be eternally grateful.”
“And you.” Blood Skull’s voice dropped. “What would you be grateful for, War Chief?”
“Perhaps one of your captives … ?”
Blood Skull gave him an evaluative stare. “Of course.” He chuckled. “Then, I suppose it wasn’t just happenstance that you picked me to capture the great White Arrow war chief and his wife.”
“Never accuse me of happenstance.”
“From this moment on, War Chief, I assure you, I shall never make that mistake.” He watched Smoke Shield through veiled eyes.
What was going on behind that thoughtful face? Smoke Shield could almost see the man’s roiling thoughts. It was as if he were rethinking a great many things.
Finally, he begins to see me for the brilliant leader that I am. He fought to keep a smile from his face.
Rain continued to patter on the shelter. Smoke Shield bit the last piece of turkey in two and dropped the final morsel into the flames. “Thank you, Turkey, for sharing your strength and sustenance with us.”
Blood Skull, too, offered his last piece to the fire. “Think they’re behind us?”
Smoke Shield rubbed his hands before the flames. “I doubt it; but that’s why I left three scouts to keep an eye on our backtrail. Even if the Chahta should kill one, the other two should give us time to flee.”
“They must think we hit them with hundreds of warriors. In all my life, I’ve never seen such a panic. You should have seen the palisade gate; it was like shooting deer in a surround.”
“I would have liked to have seen that.” He shrugged. “Someone had to stay behind and blow the horn.”
“I have to tell you, I was sorry to hear the sound of it. I think that if we had kept after them, we’d have run them clear to the Natchez.”
Smoke Shield shook his head. “We would have lost someone. Maybe more. When our warriors got into the trees, they’d have been split up. Some Chahta would have had sense enough to stop, step behind a tree, and kill one of ours when he ran past.”
“I would hope that in your position, I would have had the same good sense.”
“I’m sure you would,” Smoke Shield said smoothly. “Now, our bellies have something to chew on; so why don’t you and I go see what this supposedly lost Albaamo was doing? I want to know why he wanted to get to White Arrow Town before we burned it.”
“That is a good question.” Blood Skull asked, “Do you think he’ll talk?”
“Oh, I’m sure. I don’t plan on doing anything to his tongue.”
Seventeen
Old White’s Illinois escort led them to a town that had been built on high ground above the north bank of the Mother River. The canoe landing was little more than a narrow sand strip a bow shot up a small creek. As the men piled out of their canoes, Old White wasn’t surprised to see each carried a war club of the type common in the northeast: a curving thing with a heavy wooden ball on the end. Bows, arrows, and a bloody—very fresh-looking—scalp accompanied the party.
“Welcome, Trader,” the leader cried as he helped to pull Old White’s canoe ashore. “I am Three Bucks, war chief of Lightning Oak Town. We are the Crane band, of the Sky Moiety. You have probably heard us referred to as the Illinouiek, or Illinois. We call ourselves the Inoca.” He shook the bloody scalp. “As you can see, it was a good day.”
“Not for someone,” Old White pointed out.
Three Bucks laughed again, turning. Evidently he translated for his warriors, because they burst out in guffaws.
“I am called Old White. Some know me as the Seeker. The woman with me is Two Petals.” He paused, aware that their absolutely male attention was focused on Two Petals as she stepped out of the canoe. “She is a Contrary. A woman of great Power.” He raised his voice. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes.” Three Bucks seemed puzzled, then added, “Ah, a manitou.”
“That is correct. We have come from Silver Loon, at Cahokia.”
That got the man’s attention. “You had dealings with the witch?”
Old White lifted his Trader’s staff. “Three Bucks, I want you to understand, it might be wise if we did not stay long. This woman draws Power.”
Three Bucks nodded, translating to his men. Someone asked a question.
“Is she your wife?”