Chapter 27
The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm
He heard the horses approaching and knew they were Indian ponies by the soft sound of their hooves striking the rock. He had been unconscious for about six hours and it was now close to dark.
It was a Brule hunting party of six braves. They made a travois from limbs of trees lining the creek and placed Yellow Hair in it and tied it to Kodah and led him back to the reservation.
Opening his eyes, Yellow Hair saw someone staring at him. “Mee soon, he said, little brother in Sioux. It was Little Elk, his boyhood friend. What happened to you? You don’t look well.”
“I don’t feel well either. Some big cowboy and I got into it at that roadside inn just outside of Bosler. I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
Little Elk just grunted as his wife, Small Dove, lifted Yellow Hair’s head and put a bowl to his lips.
“Here, drink this.” It was warm and tasted bitter.
“This will make you sleep,” she said.
He didn’t wake until the next day.
He sat up and immediately felt a dull pain beating on the left side of his head. Gingerly he touched his cheekbone under his left eye and felt a poultice. It was cool and moist. Small Dove must have just applied it.
He pushed back the animal skins that covered him and stood up, staggering to the teepee’s opening he looked out. Little children were playing and dogs barking as women were preparing food and washing clothes. A couple of old men were walking around and that was it. The young warriors must be out hunting he thought
Small Dove saw him as she walked up from the stream carrying water and wondered what he was doing up.
He waved and stepped out into the day’s sun. It was mid morning and not too hot yet, but he could tell it was going to be very warm again.
As she got near, Small Dove said, “Manishnee, you should not walk. Little Elk told me to make sure you rested.
Please go, stay down.”
“How long have I been here, Small Dove,” he asked.
“Two days.”
“I have to leave. Do you know where Kodah is?
“In the corral with the other ponies, she said, pointing north of the village. The young boys are watching them.”
“Wado, thank you.” He turned and walked back in the tipi and gathered his belongings.
“Little Elk will not be happy,” Small Dove said as she turned to her work.
“Tell him I will see him when I get back. I have to go to the Black Hills. I am scouting for the Long Knives.
Small Dove scowled and nodded her head. Even though the Brule signed a treaty with the white man, they were not happy with so many coming onto what was once their land.
He walked to the corral to get Kodah and with every step he took he felt a sharp pain in his left side where that cowboy had hit him.
He led Kodah back to where Small Dove was squatting preparing food for the night’s meal.
“Donagohvi, let us see each other soon,” he said.
“Donagohvi,” she said without looking up.
He mounted Kodah and turned and headed back north. As he looked back, he saw Small Dove still preparing her meal. She still hadn’t looked up.