Ten Bears To Destiny

As the day progressed, so the festivities escalated with drinks flowing, laugher ringing, and a reign of celebrating that seemed would go on into the night. Before too long, one of the deer that had been traded, showed up cleaned, dressed and set up on a spit above a slow burning fire and the smell of cooking filled the woodland air. The Indian women and women from the wagon train began to mingle and to trade recipes, adding innumerable delectables to the soon to be prepared menu of good things to eat. The men folk too, began to join into games of chance and skill involving knife throwing and rifle shooting. And many of the young boys began to exchange stories, games of mumbly peg using jack knifes or initiating tests of each other‘s strength in tree climbing and foot racing. Meanwhile, many of the young Indian and Pioneer girls got to gather to demonstrate to each other how to make beads, and while braiding each others hair, they giggled, and talked about Gray Wolf and the other boys they knew, wondered about or whom they liked.

“They all sure do look to be having a good time around here.” John said, making an observation to his friend White Owl.

“Yes John,” White Owl agreed, looking about them and taking in the cohesive interactions of the two ‘tribes’ of people. “Me think’um you right. After this night, me think’um we are all going to become good friends.”

“I sure do hope so.” John said reflectively. “Friends are good things ta’ have out here in the wilderness, and in all these isolated places, ….. like this.”

“John if you ever come to my lodge, you will be welcomed.” White Owl said, looking over at his friend with a renewed look of interest and appreciation for the man he had been speaking with.

“Well, the same invite goes for you too White Owl. If n’ you ever come out to where we settle and come a’lookin’ up our cabin, you’ll be welcomed too.” John looked back over at the interchange of celebrants enjoying the day’s events and company of fellowship that had grown out of the challenge between two young men of two different races. Then, recalling the event of a few days earlier, John turned back towards White Owl, and asked curiously; “So, ah, …. White Owl. Have you ever seen a bear around these parts, with a paw print this big before?” And John bent over to draw in the dirt as his friend looked on interested.

As the size of John’s drawing was recognized and the old Indian realized what it was his friend was asking, White Owl’s face turned pale, and he nervously asked the white man; “Why you ask me about such a bear?”

White John’s reactions were not lost to White Owl, who recognized the serious concern that had washed over the younger man’s eyes. “Where did you see it?” He prompted, now even more concerned because of the way the young man’s constitution had so suddenly changed.

“One of the girls saw it a few nights back up the trail. She said it looked like the devil his’self.” John finally answered, his voice haggard with discomfort with the subject.

White Owl’s interest was most certainly perked, as he looked intently at the younger man and asked with the sound of growing awl in his voice; “Is girl …. Still …. alive?”

“Why, yes she is, ….. and that's her over there.” John pointed to the young girl with chestnut colored hair standing in a small group of Pioneer girls who seemed purposefully avoiding the Indian maidens. “She's the one with chestnut colored hair, and the red ribbon in it.” He said, and then added as an after thought; “Her name is Mary Lee.”

“Yes John, me see her.” White Owl said, narrowing his eyes on her and then shifting his weight to regain his feet, he stood and as he walked in her direction, added; “Me be back.”

John watched to his surprise, as White Owl turned and walked over to where Golden Swan sat with a bunch of young girls. Drawing her from her company, White Owl stood speaking with her for some time. But after a few minute, his attention was redirected as his wife, Mary stepped up to him and asked with a curious look on her face; “John, is everythin’ …. all right?”

“Yes Mary, everything’s just fine. Why do you ask?” John questioned almost unconcerned as he tried to keep track of what White Owl was doing.

“Because White Owl seemed to be in a hurry when he left you just now. And he seems to be very concerned about somethin’ too.” His wife observed.