The Last Wolf
As with all My stories they are a complete work of fiction and are not meant to give insult or offense
Certain words shall be used in this story for the purpose of historical accuracy and I wish to make clear that I do not condone Racial bigotry in any form. I believe it is a cancer that must be made Extinct from Humanity.
There was once a time when the lands that is now ours, was filled with creatures both great and small.
But the greatest of these creatures was the Indian, A people both proud and determined and yet we considered them to be a bunch of native savages, who deserved everything that was inflicted upon them. And whilst yes there were some who deserved the harshness that was put upon them by the United States.
But every now and again there was one who would only become that which people feared and hated because they were forced into it. They became a monster to fight an even worse monster, they would spit in the eyes of Civilization in the name of freedom and independence.
One such individual was a young Indian man who would do something that no one thought possible, he forced the United States to come to the negotiating table not the other way around. He would force the world to look at the Indian tribes and see not savages but freedom fighters.
He would fight and lead the most successful guerrilla campaign this country has ever seen. Leading braves in ambush after ambush, leading the raids on homesteads, ranches, forts, and wagons trains each ending in victory for those who followed him.
Some call him a dangerous savage, who needed to be dealt with, some say he was a man trying to do what needed to be done to save his home and the life he lived for. And above all his right to choose the life he wanted.
The post was nothing special, built within a small enclave of three hills to its north, west and east, a small gully of flat land to its south leading to the vast wilderness for endless miles.
This was Howling Wolf, a common visitor to the post, he wore the cloth of his people, a simple shirt fashioned from the skin of a deer, trousers from the same material and the only western clothing, a set of riding boots.
His dark hair was long, tied behind him into a single tail, decorated with a single feather of the purist white. His skin was a mix of different worlds, slightly brown from his Indian Father, but slightly pale from his French Canadian mother.
Upon his person, was an assortment of tools and weapons, on his back was a simple quiver filled with arrows, a bow around his right shoulder and across his back tucked alongside the quiver. Tucked in a belt was a cutting knife on his left and a Native Iron Tomahawk on his right.
But within his hands was a old but still accurate Harpers Ferry 1803 rifle similar in build to a musket, but more precise and accurate, it still required the powder and ball to be loaded by hand and flint instead of a firing cap. He had two horses with him, one he rode, stocky, of perfect brown and small dapples of white above the hooves and between the eyes. There was no real saddle for him to sit upon, instead a simple throw of a blanket, besides that nothing, instead of reins he had a simple rope around the nose and head.
His Second horse was much more heavily built, for it was his pack horse, meant for carrying and pulling. Upon its back was a series of packs, bags and rolls of varying sizes.
As he rode through the camp, Wolf did not look at any who were watching him, the regulars gave a simple nod to indicate that they are greeting him, to which he would give a nod in return.
Outside the trading station was a mess, no real organisation, but the inside resembled a proper shop, perfectly lined shelves filled with items and luxuries like soap, but mostly the simplest products, such as coffee, tobacco, canned foods, salt, liquor etc. But behind the counter, were the most commonly purchased items, weapons and ammunition.
"Hey there Wolf.... Been a while since I've seen you here" A voice called, Wolf peeked and from behind the counter an old friend stood up, this was Alexander Chester, a man of average height, with a brown beard cut short around his jaw. Chester was the owner and operator of the station, here he would sell items but also purchase them so he could sell them off to those who wanted them. And Wolf was one of his best "suppliers".
Heaving the packs and rolls up from the floor, Wolf placed them in a long line upon the counter.
"Here is this months stock" Wolf Joked, he understood many languages, but his best were those he grew up with, English, French and the various dialects and words of the Native tribes he had spent time with, whether they be Lakota, Crow, Cheyenne, some Apache to extent Comanche, Cree, Some Objiwe and Blackfoot, he understood them all, some better than others of course.
Chester pulled out a pencil and a sheet of paper, as one by one he went through all the items before him.
As two rough men both dirty and scruffy entered, both were acting tough, even with the build working in their favour. They wandered around, but were very interested in Wolf and what he was doing at the post.
One man was rather tall, wearing a dirty and torn white shirt and dark trousers, tucked into his belt was a rusted revolver. Whereas the other was wearing the same but instead had a long knife within a sheath on his belt. It was this man who approached Wolf and the items he had brought.
"Some good stuff... here boy.... where'd you get 'em?" Wolf did not reply, he just stood absolutely still hands slowly reaching for his belt, where they would rest, as his Rifle was now standing up against the counter. He could tell that trouble was coming.
The tension was slightly broken when Chester gave his price "Alright I'll take them all for around $15 that sound fair to you son?" Wolf nodded
Chester was quick to reply "I go by quality.... not quantity.... Wolf here brings me items that are near perfect, not cut up like a butchers shop... And pelt that are clean and pristine"
As both men stood in both terror and pain, Chester pulled out a revolver of his own and made his own demands "Get out the pair of you!" The men brought themselves around, the one pinned could only watch as Wolf pulled the knife out by force.
Once freed he and his friend ran out of the building faster than a jack rabbit. "Are they as bad as you said?" Wolf asked.
"Worse" Chester replied, returning the Revolver back under the counter, "Last week they brought me some meats, they had shotgun pellets embedded in them" The two friends smiled and returned to the matter at hand, "Okay kid 15 dollars," he pulled forth the bills and placed them on the counter.
"Alright that takes you down to about 5 dollars..... for gods sake son.... take them... they'll be of use to you" as he tried to force the remaining dollar bills into Wolfs hands.
"No thanks Chester, keep it as collateral for the damage to the counter and wall" Wolf joked as he took his newly purchased items, and walked out.
Yet before he could Chester gave him a holler "HOLD UP!.... almost forgot... one of those wagon trains is coming through here soon, their taking the northern route towards Washington..... a guy was here this morning wanted to know if there was anyone to act as a guide.... I recommended you"
"What are they offering" Wolf asked
Back in the sunlight, Wolf took a deep breath, and wandered over to his horses, placing the items he had bought into a the bags on the pack horse, he took the reins of his riding horse, mounted up and made his way home.
The air was beginning to chill as Wolf rode in a calm swagger across the plains, he had little to fear here all animals seemed to recognise him. Every living creature could tell when he was no threat, from the prairie dogs, to the Coyotes and the various Deer roaming the endless grasslands that stretched from horizon to horizon.
As he closed in on the camp he made out more and more details, from the main fire pit situated in front of his tipi at a reasonable distance to prevent the flames from igniting his sleeping quarters. To the two main posts where he would wrap the ropes of his horses, the two skin racks he had to stretch out the skins he would earn. But his eye was quick to notice the one living thing waiting for him, beside his horses there was friend that Wolf truly had, a canine who was with him wherever he went. This was Loup, the French word for Wolf, since this particular canine wasn't exactly a dog, this was a Wolf that he had raised from a pup after finding him wandering the plains half starved.
Once they were all safe and sound, he set himself to getting ready for the night, stoking the fire and applying some fresh twigs and brush to keep it burning nice and long for the night to come. Carefully though he took a single small twig and took it into the tipi, where he was greeted to the most common sight he had of a home, a series of rugs and pelts stretched out to form a floor and a roll of pelts, making a simple pillow for his head.
In the heart however was a small stone circle with empty floor and dirt around it. This was to ensure that the small fire he always had within his tipi at night for warmth and light did not grow out of control and burn the only home he had. Carefully he placed the burning twig into the circle and began cautiously tossing dried grass and smaller twigs into the now burning ember. Peeking out once last time he found that the night had come fast, smiling to himself, he decided the time has come for him to retire for the night.
Taking a comfortable seat upon the rugs and pelts, he stared into the fire, his attention only taken when Loup came sneaking into the shelter looking for a more comfortable place to sleep, I mean for some companionship. But Wolf knew better, reaching for a small bag, he pulled some small slithers of rabbit that he hadn't traded, squeezed them onto a long stick and proceeded to carefully cook the meat, constantly turning and tilting the meat so that it cooked properly. Loup watching intently.
Chapter 3: A Tribe unlike Others
If anyone asked, Howling Wolf would say he did belong to a tribe. But his tribe wasn't like any other, to call it a tribe was something that would be odd to say should anyone see the truth of this Tribe. When people think of a tribe of natives they imagine tipi villages in different locations but combined by geography, language and culture.
But this tribe was unlike any other in the history of North America, the "Tribe" that Howling Wolf belonged too, wasn't one he was born into like his Father was with the Lakota. But one in which he found and joined. Unlike other tribes that would bear true names, such as the Crow, Blackfoot, Sioux, Apache and Comanche, this "Tribe" had only a word to call themselves, Wanderers. Which fitted them perfectly.
The Wanderers had no true homeland, how could they for those were apart of the Wanderers did not come from anyone tribe. They were all outcasts, people who did not find their purpose in life with their own people and chose to leave.
Wanderers are people always on the move, for that was their name. It is often remarked by the other tribes that if you see a wanderer camp then remember for it shall be gone the following day. Wanderers never stayed in one place for more than a few days, Even then the camps were never in places to be seen, Hunting Wolf's current camp was an example, nestled away in a place where it couldn't be seen unless you were very focused.
They were also not a numerous Tribe, each camp was not very large, unlike other tribes that gathered together for safety and for support, the Wanderers found safety in movement and concealment. Some camps were sometimes only four or five people but never more than thirty, the Crow Nation say if one sees a Wanderer camp with a hundred living within, it is not a wanderer camp.
Despite being a tribe of different bands and camps always on the move, the Wanderers did stick together and would occasionally meet up to exchange items, solidify friendships and more graciously attend weddings and funerals.
On one occasion I remember asking Hunting Wolf before all the violence erupted, What is it that keeps a group like the Wanderers from breaking apart. He Replied "The Question you should be asking, What is keeping together?"
Chapter 4: A Woman of the Plains
It would be several Days until anyone saw Howling Wolf again, many always wondered where he would go, those who knew him like the Trade Master Chester knew that these times of wolf throwing the vanishing act was usually when he was either Hunting, resting, meeting with others or making preparations.
Usually for when Howling Wolf would act as a scout or guide for a wagon train, he would usually disappear from the knowledge of those who stop by the Trading Post. Mostly to examine the land, the paths and routes he knew, the cleanliness of the water in certain locations as well as to meet with any Native villages that might cross the Wagon Trains path. Which is one of the reasons why Hunting Wolf came so recommended by Chester, he always knew the territory, where things were, where to avoid and for some how to avoid conflict with the Indians.
But whilst he remained unknown, the Wagon Train had arrived at the Trading Post and had been waiting on him for nearly a week. Many of those who were a part of the Train wanted to go on without the Guide that had been promised. But Chester was able to convince the Wagon Master, a man called Harrow to hold off, for other wise they might end up going the wrong direction.
Or even worse enter the lands controlled by a Tribe who didn't like white men wandering across their ancestral hunting grounds. Claiming the rights of the land, hunting that which the tribes rely on to feed their villages, disturbing the peace of the plains, forests and hills.
Some had the urgency of wanting to get to their destination for the sake of building a place for themselves to earn their fortune, some were gold hunters, seeking a quick and easy path to wealth. Others were farmers and their families wanting to go west to settle and establish a ranch or farm to grow crops, rear cattle and live in comfort.
But for one in particular, the need to travel west wasn't to stay but to investigate. She was Elizabeth Stride, a young woman of 20 years, she was a pale woman with her skin very rarely saw the direct sunlight. To some who met her she was literal white, her hair was a dark brown and long, tied in intricate knots behind her head or below her hat. She was always extravagantly dressed, her standard wear was a red or purple dress with dark heeled shoes.
She came from a background of privilege and wealth, her father was Charles Thomas Stride of South Carolina. Charles Stride was a man of anticipation and considerable economic knowledge, long before the Civil War, the families wealth was reliant on the slave trade and the plantations. But When Charles Stride became the head of the family he invested his wealth in other enterprises, he became the owner of several buildings in Savannah Georgia from which he collected rent, was the owner of some shops in Atlanta.
He was the partner in a merchant shipping company with links to the Caribbean, Europe and West Africa. But with his daughters help, he foresaw the troubles coming with the upcoming civil war, by the advise of Elizabeth, he decided to become more distant from the Slavery and invested in more modern enterprises.
This was one reason Elizabeth was heading west, not to settle but to see whether or not there were any possible industries or enterprises that the family could become involved in. Already she had looked into the future importance of the Railroads of moving vast quantities of materials across East to West and vice versa, now she was interested in the possibilities of California and Oregon.
But that all relied on the arrival of their so called guide, she was getting anxious, every day she wasted was a day she could be using for the benefit of her family.
Chapter 5: A Land unlike others
It wouldn't be until several days that Hunting wolf appeared again.
At the Trading post, it was another uneventful morning the various tents of ranging sizes and shapes remained virtually untouched the only difference being the number.
Yet the focus for some was the Wagon train of 30 large wagons and 10 or more smaller ones to carry supplies, people of the wagon train woke up, readied their limited breakfast, checked all their wagons and horses. Those minding the cattle would see to them, giving them water and taking them out onto the open grasses to graze.
As the sun rose higher and higher, those minding the cattle came racing back, driving the cattle on at full speed upon their horses shouting the cattle forward into the ring of wagons. Their shouts soon became clearer and clearer, "INDIANS!". Every person within the post awoke to those screams and they gathered their weapons. Those of the Train aimed their muskets and carbines, some their revolvers. Whilst the women and children took cover behind the relative protection of the wagons themselves.
They waited for what seemed like hours, waiting for the first sign of an attack, they expected to hear the screams, whoops and shouts of a Indian war party coming over the horizon.
Yet instead to the amazement of the Wagon Master, a experienced former captain of the Union Cavalry, Johnathan Pitts, barely out of his 20s and a leader, despite being officially no longer in the Military he still wore his captains uniform, with the distinct blue jacket and bars on his shoulder. He saw only a single man riding a horse with another following behind, he always heard the stories, of where there was one there would be others.
His concern grew of their position, after all the post had hills on three sides. For all he knew the War party could be hidden beyond the crest of the hillside waiting for the right moment to attack.
But then a pat on his shoulder, shook him, turning he saw the Owner of the post, Chester. "It looks like your guide has arrived sonny". Pitts was alerted to this matter, he had been told that the man guiding them across the wilderness was an Indian, but he half expected that Indian to be wearing western clothing, like an old Union jacket, in this case Hunting Wolf wasn't wearing anything on his upper body, only his deer hide trousers and traditional native moccasin boots, but the Native was armed to the teeth, a large knife on his left side, a native iron hatchet on the right, a bow and quiver full of arrows on his back and a long spear decorated with feathers, and stripes of leather in his free hand, whilst the other held the reins of the horse.
But no this Indian slowly riding towards them, wasn't the person coming to them was wearing the garbs of the native savages. Looking around, he gave the word "Easy everyone.... that's our Guide apparently", despite giving the order, very few were comfortable doing it, they still kept their weapons close as Hunting Wolf came to a stop just in front the wagons.
Both Pitts and Miss Elizabeth finally got a good look at the man who was supposed to be leading across the landscape. He was a rugged young Indian man, with two horses, the Horse he was riding wasn't like any they had seen, it had no saddle or reins but instead a large blanket like material over its back and some rope around its head.
The other horse was similar, but instead of reins, a long rope tied loosely around the neck was pulled across to the riding horse. Several long branches strapped upon its sides stretched back to form a simple means of carrying many items across the floor, but it did not have wheels like a cart or wagon but it just dragged the ends along the floor, It was more of a Sled than a Wagon. Upon the sled was a variety of items and belongings, from large rolled up leather and hides, to pouches containing unknown items and "Treasures".
To their surprise suddenly popping its head from the sled, was a wolf, its mouth wide open panting happily from the knowledge that it had done nothing but nap the entire journey. Howling Wolf looked about him at the many people he would be guiding across to the other side.
Wagon Master Pitts came forward returning his revolver to its holster, "Welcome..." he said uncertain if the person before him spoke any English, "ME..." he patted his chest with his hands "Pitts... Chief of Wagon Tribe" Raising his right hand up behind his head with fingers spread to try and represent Feathers.
Chester started chuckling to himself seeing this, he knew perfectly well that Wolf spoke English and understood every word being said, but wanted to see how far Wolf was going to play this game. Pitts tried again, "You... Guide" pointing to Wolf "You speak... White Man... Words"
Again Wolf gave no response, just the same stern look on his face as he scanned the wagon train and the people in it. Pitts gave up and turned around "Does he understand English" he asked Chester
Finally Wolf played his card, "Yes but you could try other words, I speak French and some Spanish". Pits almost fell over with the sudden pivot he attempted, the shock on his face, followed by the annoyance of Chester behind him laughing at the joke Wolf had just pulled. "My name is Howling Wolf, Yes I am your guide, Wagon Master?" He queried.
Pitts took a moment to compose himself, "Pitts, sir..." he paused again to clear his throat " Johnathan Pitts, formerly Captain of the United States Cavalry"
"You want to get to the Fort at Bear Creek Crossing?" Wolf asked
Pitts looked about and returned his focus after a second to ready himself, for as he spoke he stepped forwards to stand before Wolf "Yes, from there we will make our way along the trail to California"
Wolf lifted his right leg, pulled it over the head of his horse. Shifted his weight and slid of the back, holding the reins tight, he came around and looked Pitts dead in the eyes, "If I guide you, there are to be rules... Rules I set... these are for a reason, do you wish to hear them"
Taking a moment, remembering that technically he was the man in charge of the Wagon Train and that Wolf was only to guide them. "Very well, what are these rules?"
Wolf stared ominously at him "They are very clear...
1st we stop, where I say its safe
2nd We stop When I say its safe to stop
3rd we don't enter the lands of the tribes
4th we don't attack others from the tribes
Finally we don't hunt where not allowed
Do you agree to these terms" Wolf planted his spear in the ground and present his open hand.
Whilst Pitts was against having to follow rules that didn't fit with his civilized upbringing and the fact that the journey will be long and they will no doubt need to hunt for food. But at the same time he understood that the Wagon Train needed to go soon or bad weather will come in the tougher parts of the journey. In the end his want to get the people he was responsible for moving made his choice. "I accept the terms, we stay where you say, when you say and we don't do anything to upset the Indians" He shook Wolfs hand firmly.
Wolf shook the hand for a moment to ensure that everyone knew a the rules had been agreed "Tell them the rules and make ready" He took his hand away, taking his spear and placing it on the sled, but pulling his hunting long rifle, a horn of a gunpowder with a small pouch knotted onto it, holding the musket balls, which he hooked over his shoulder and across his chest, "We leave when your ready"
Pitts took the message and gave the word "Alright people lets get these Wagons moving we've got a lot of ground to cover".
Chapter 6: The Plains Nation
It would only be a few hours before they were finally underway, the sun was properly in the sky as the wagon train stretched out, with either cattle or horses pulling the heavy wagons onwards.
The train of 30 wagons large and small pushed forward over the uneven terrain, whilst on the left and the right men on horseback paralleled either as fellow travellers or as watchers of the cattle the train had brought with them. But at the forefront of them all was Wolf with his two horses and Loup lazily relaxing on the sled being pulled by the packhorse.
Wolf was constantly switching his direction of eyes, left and right and forward, making sure that he was going the best route for the wagons. But on occasion he would peak up the sun to judge the time of the day, He would need to be certain for if they left it too late to establish a encircled camp then they would be open to trouble.
The land was truly beautiful for the travellers however, the strange transition of woodland and forest to their right, to the sparse open plains to the left. It was almost as if two separate worlds began to meet and here they were wandering in the middle, for Elizabeth Stride it was unlike anything she had ever seen, although she had heard the stories of the emptiness of the land beyond the Mississippi she never could have imagined such a place that she was seeing now from her seat next to her wagon driver and handmaiden, the African American teenager Jessica.
For Pitts as the day wore on, grew concerned he knew that soon darkness would be upon them and they needed to set up camp, he raced ahead on his horse, to catch up with Howling Wolf, once he got alongside "We should think about stopping soon, it'll be getting dark quick"
Wolf just nodded and uttered "There is a stream up ahead, small but drinkable, we stop there".
Yet when Pitts looked out onto the horizon he saw nothing, just more plains and bordered trees, he could see no sign of a stream. "Where?" he questioned.
With a simple huff, Wolf looked back over to him, but pressed on, it would only take a few minutes before they would find it, Pitts began to feel like a fool. He questioned the ability of his Guide and in this case was wrong.
The Stream was very small, it meandered through the plains, coming down from the forests, it was bordered on both sides by pebbles, stones and some rocks. With small pebbles lying along the bottom, yet for all this, the water was almost crystal clear.
The Wagons circled up and formed their distinct encirclement where everyone would spend the night. But to be safe and by the request of Wolf, they encircled a minute or two walk away from the actual stream to allow animals to come and quench their thirst should they wish too. Wolf himself wouldn't go near the Circle.
He set up his own small camp a little ways forward of the Wagon circle on the other side of the Stream, whilst usually when he set up a camp, he would work hard and set up his Tipi, but since this was only for the night, he instead took the poles from his sled and made a simple lean-too with the poles holding up the overhead cover. He let both his riding and pack horse free for the night, well when I say free, what is meant is that he removed everything from their backs, place a loose noose around their heads and tied the rope to his shelter, allowing them to graze, reach the stream and lay down to sleep if they wanted.
He gathered everything he owned and packed it close up against the sides of his shelter which he made sure was big enough for both he and Loup to hunker down under for some sleep.
As the night came along he just sat in front of his own fire and watched the travellers across the stream, he watched the flicker of movement he could perceive from the gaps in the wagons. Listen to the cheers and laughter from what he could only guess was people having some fun. He found the constant sound and distractions odd, for he was trying to focus on a task he found soothing, the crafting of new arrows, ordinarily he would fashion arrows with heads made of iron, but they were always spared, he more often used his more traditional arrow head, made of flint for its abundance where as metal was a commodity that had to be traded for.
Yet his attention was suddenly taken away when he heard a question from a woman's voice "Can I join you?" it went. Shifting suddenly he looked up and found a white woman, wearing a bright red dress standing up against his shelter to his right.
"You are welcome too miss" he uttered. The woman smiled and made her way around and seated herself to his right next to the fire. Now Wolf has experience much in the world, flash floods, storms, fires, fighting but never has he ever had to speak to someone like the one he sees before him.
Chapter 7: A New Friend
"My Name is Elizabeth... Elizabeth Stride..." offering her hand in friendship to shake, yet both of her hands were covered by white elbow length gloves that belonged in landscape of cities not wilderness, "Can I ask what to properly call you"
Wolf put down his half crafted arrows and shook her hand, "My name is He who Howls to the Wolf... But Most call me Howling Wolf" before returning to his arrows, he wanted get them finished before it got too late and he needed to sleep.
Elizabeth smiled and chuckled to this statement, she knew she had no chance in calling the man in front of her such a name "Can I ask how someone gets a name of such?"
Again Wolf had to set aside his arrows, he had a strange feeling that he wasn't going to finish them tonight. "When I was born, My parents told me... that I screamed and howled so loud that Wolves responded to me... so I got the name Howls to the Wolf"
Her curiosity got the better of her here, "I don't quite understand here, you are clearly an Indian from your clothing and your tools" She waved her left hand out to indicate he focus. "And yet you speak English so easily... did you learn from a Missionary or attend a school"
Wolf now chuckled at the comment, shaking his head, "No... No... No"
Again Elizabeth questioned "So how... do you speak English so well... I've not met many Indians but all I have struggle with English"
Looking around him wolf, questioned himself how to answer such a query "I am not an Indian" he replied "Well not a full blooded at least" he paused for a breath, reclaiming his arrows, he tried to multi task, talk and craft at the same time. "My Father was a wandering Sioux, always moving between villages.... But My mother was from the lands of Canada, she was French descendant... her Native tongue was not perfect, so she taught me to speak English and French" He looked up and smiled. "What of you ma'am?" he queried "What makes you want to travel across such a different land to your..." he paused
"Stone Villages" Elizabeth joked
Wolf shook his head at the attempted humour "I do know what city is you know..." Elizabeth found herself rebuked from her attempt to make a joke, but still found herself chuckling. "I was going to say your Mansion"
This caught her though, her face turned from amusement to sternness and uncertainty. "Well... I'll have to say that I'm here because my Father wants me to look into new prospects" Wolf found his attention caught, "He's always been looking for new businesses to invest in or take over... But his health means he cant travel and doesn't trust anyone to look into matters.... so here I am" she shrugged and raised her arms out to the world around them. "There are times when I wonder If I'll get a choice one day.... one that's mine and mine alone.... but I doubt it..." She looked into the small fire between them "Can we change the subject.
Wolf took note of how she was acting, reserved, cautious, bordering on upset. "Ok" he whispered wanting to respect her privacy and her feelings.
She was quick to turn the topic around back to Wolf and his life in the wilderness "What Tribe do you belong too?"
This made him chuckle, for he knew that the word Tribe is a loose word for those he associates with "Well I wouldn't go as far as to call us a tribe.... we're the Wanderers" He stated, yet this was not answering Elizabeth's question and he was quick to see this "We're a loose collection of bands, we have no true villages, no territory, no single history..... some are from the Lakota, others from the Cheyenne, Crow, heck we've got some Apache and Comanche" This caught Elizabeth and amazed her, she had heard of these tribes, apache and Comanche but they were found much further south, closer to Texas, not anywhere near where they were in this moment, but that wasn't the strangest thing she would hear.
"And not just those native to the land... we also have those from much further, we have White Men, those whose skin is dark who had fled enslavement, those from lands you call Mexico to those who were born to the endless woodlands in Canada"
This was something that none could ever expected, the idea that people born into civilization and the modern world would decide to live like the savages in the wilderness. She wanted to question more, but a furry friend came out into view, it was Loup his short grey and white fur mixing into the glow of the fire, his mouth opening and then closing with a long yawn.
"Why hello there" Elizabeth announced in an almost baby voice, Loup being cautious slowly came around the fire to investigate the Stranger, "And who are you?" She continued extending her hand for him to sniff.
"This is Loup... my only real friend, he's a lazy one though never really worked a day in his life" Wolf joked, "Found him when he was a pup, half starved, alone... no family"
Elizabeth noticed the way in which Wolf said one particular word, Alone. Loup on the other hand didn't care for such matters, he wanted to relax, he nuzzled up next to Elizabeth and laid down leaning up beside her. Slowly Elizabeth started to run her gloved hand over Loups back and shoulder, she found it rather calming to do so, it reminded her of the Plantation she had grown up on, where she would often ride and pet the horses.
They continued their conversation, Elizabeth asking questions and Wolf answering them as best he could. Most of them was how life was like in the wilderness.
"Is it not hard"
"Yes.. but also gratifying, seeing everyday the beauty of the World as it was intended"
"Do you ever see others of your tribe?"
"On occasion, Like me the Wanderers are constantly moving, one day a camp may be there, the next it might be gone"
"Do you ever have any trouble out here?"
"Most trouble comes in the form of your people...."
"How do you mean?"
"White men come here thinking they own this land... that everything on it belongs to them.... they don't seem to care about those who have lived on it for untold generations... they don't care that people out here just want to live their lives they way they want too"
He paused for a second "Apologies... its not the kind of conversation in such pleasant company" His words caught her, despite being an Indian, someone that everyone just assumes to be a savage and yet here one is showing more civilized manner than any white man she had ever met.
She did however note one thing "Its getting late... I must excuse myself... its time to get some rest for tomorrow... perhaps we may speak again Howling Wolf"
He made one finally remark however as she walked off "You know most just call me Wolf"
She returned the Remark "Just your Friends"
He countered "I don't really have friends"
Elizabeth however was too fast for her counter to his counter "Well you've got one now" she made smile before turning away and making her way back to the Wagon circle.
Chapter 6: Out on the Plains
The Morning was quick to rise on the horizon, something that some were used to, as they had spent their time and their lives on the open world instead of the dense cities where the Sun does not hold its true grasp. For some however it was a new experience seeing the sun coming over the horizon instead of the rooftops of buildings large and small.
Elizabeth found herself waking in a form she had never really considered possible, she felt a quick motion tug her shoulder. Slowly opening her eyes almost blinded by the wave of morning sun rushing into her eyes. It was her attendant Maria, an African American in her service with full payment instead of slavery.
"Lady Elizabeth... its time to wake up" the young girl whispered.
As Elizabeth wipe the dirt and dust from her eyes, she made a single request "Prepare some water for a wash Maria". The Young Woman nodded and walked off to collect some fresh, clean water from the stream.
As she did so, Elizabeth contended herself and wiped her hands over her clothing, brushing off the dust from the hap hazard sleeping accommodations she had endured during the night, a collection of sheets and bundles to form a bed within her Wagon. Now she stretched out and reached for the sky or rather the covering of the wagon with her arms, feeling herself properly begin to wake she looked through the gaps in the wagon cover and found that the camp was readying themselves for the day ahead.
She saw people packing their belongings back onto the various wagons, people were ushering the horses back around to get them strapped up and ready to pull the train along. Maria came rushing back with a simple bucket of water for Elizabeth to wash her face in, although not her first option she had no choice, taking hands full of the water into her hands she cupped to and push it into the pale skin of her face.
Within minutes the Train was ready to go and lined up, despite not having a sufficient meal for breakfast, Elizabeth had to go without with only simple hard biscuits to sustain her until the Wagon train stopped again. Which wouldn't be long.
Despite hours of peaceful travel, a sudden order to halt was ordered, followed by a call to circle up, Curious Elizabeth looked up to the sun, it was barely even noon and yet they were calling to set up camp. But as she looked back to the Wagons she saw the reason why they were circling up again, on the horizon atop the crest of a ridge were three silhouettes on horseback. With all speed the wagons formed up and every man grabbed his weapon and readied it for a fight.
Elizabeth could only hunker down behind her wagon praying, for she could only watch as Howling Wolf and Captain Pitts remained on their horses proudly. Wolf was adamant that no gunfire was to come from them "No matter what do nothing to provoke them" he said to Pitts.
But as minutes passed the Silhouettes only remained still on the ridge, until Wolf made a move with cupping his hands together and letting out a ear cracking "WHHHOOOOOOOAAA!" Into the wind. One Silhouette finally move down from the ridge, and the Wagon train locked their weapons, which Wolf heard, looking to Pitts.
A call came out "Do not fire unless fire upon... no shooting unless I give the word" Pitts ordered yet this did not ease tension with the Wagon train, slowly Wolf began to walk his horse forward at a slow pace, he turned to usher Pitts to follow, "Stay close" he whispered, Pitts cautiously moved forward.
As the two sides closed their distance, Pitts began to make out more of the silhouetted man, he was an Indian riding a horse in the same manner as Wolf except no blanket across the back, the horse was covered in artwork that made it distinct and the Native riding it was as elegant, only wearing pelt trousers and moccasins but no shirt, with a bow in his free hand and a quiver of arrows on his back.
Wolf greeted the man with a raise of his rifle to the air, the Native replied in the same manner. "Do you speak his language Mr Wolf" Pitts asked.
Wolf nodded "Not only that But I know who he is" Pitts whipped his head to look at wolf with a speed unseen "he is Red Hawk... he's from a local tribe"
Pitts took a gulp from the saliva in his mouth "Does he intend an attack" Wolf just shook his head "Well what does he intend?"
Turning back to the Native known as Red Hawk, he spoke to him in his language with clarity, he soon got a reply as Red Hawk pointed to the Wagon train, "He wants to know if we intend to settle here".
Slightly relieved, Pitts took a great exhale and as Wolf translated "Tell him... no.. we are only traveling across the land to great ocean to the west where the sun sets"
With a few seconds Wolf received a reply "Do you intend to hunt on the land"
Again Pitts tried to be diplomatic "Only if needed to feed ourselves and no more" again Wolf translated and waited for response, with a huff the one called Red Hawk pulled his horse and away trotted off after giving his answer. "Well what did he say?"
Exhaling Wolf gave his answer "That you will need to be careful...." Pitts just looked at him as Wolf pulled his horse around and made his way back to the Wagons. "He said hunt only what you need.. no more"
Days past with no incident with the Tribe, to be safe Pitts asked if Wolf would do the hunting, knowing that Wolf would hunt only as the Natives would and be less likely to commit and insult or disrespect to the tribal cultures. But others were less than savoury about the position, some of still questioned why a Savage Indian was the one leading them through the wilderness.
One man made the remark that Wolf was leading them on into a trap. That he was telling the Natives where they were, where they were going, how many they were, what weapons they had. Most ignored the trouble whisperers, but Elizabeth felt a little uncomfortable about it, after all she had spoken to this individual and gotten to know him and here these people were speaking harshly about a man they didn't know.
Things got so difficult for her that she decided that she needed some spend some time alone, away from the many many people crowded within this wagon circle. Walking over to the horses she mounted the only one with a proper saddle, yet before she could make a move towards the open plains, she was halted by Pitts and Maria.
"Where do you think your going?" Pitts asked "We cant have you getting lost out there" Elizabeth looked at him with distain and frustration, "At least not alone!" he uttered, before turning his head and whispering to Maria. It turned out Elizabeth wasn't the only one who needed to get away from the Wagons. Pitts, Maria and another man called Jacobs an youngish man who had served the Union during the Civil war, but he was wanting to some peace and quiet away from the Racial slurs he had been facing in the Camp.
As they made their way out just the four of them onto the open plains, they were not alone in being noticed. Wolf from his own small separate camp took notice of them leaving and decided to follow closely, not out of curiosity but out of suspicion, he did not want them getting into trouble, since they technically only allowed to hunt what was necessary to go on.
Although he did not follow directly, Wolf kept a close eye on them, whilst maintaining his distance so that they could have some privacy should they require it. For he had seen instances such as these in the past, people go for a "Jolly" away from the Wagon camp to have "Some time for themselves".
Elizabeth was the lead of the adventure, she side saddled up on her high brown horse, which had a white streak between its eyes running down from the forehead to the nostrils. She was happy not because she was riding which she did enjoy, but in this moment it was more a matter of getting out and seeing the landscape she had only read about.
Seeing a rather peaceful spot with a single standing tree that sat upon a small hump of ground that pushed up from the near flat plains. Taking their horses underneath the pleasantness of its leaves listening to the wind whistle through the branches above and grass below was the most enjoyable point in this little adventure for Elizabeth at least.
She leaned up against the tree feeing the slight roughness of the bark nestle itself into the skin of the back of her neck. It was pleasant for her in this moment, but then a sudden surge of fear overtook her as a hand came over her mouth and nose.
As she felt the surge of terror grip her, she looked back and forth through the rapid scattering of her focus in vision, her eyes darting back and forth as her screams could only be muffles from the force of the hand over her mouth. This terror only came to an end when she saw the person holding back her voice, her eyes finally caught Howling Wolf, with his free left hand clenched with his index finger stretched across his closed lips. Clearing indicating her to be quiet. She could see he was ready for something, his hair was tied back, his tomahawk and knife tucked into his belt, a horn of gunpowder and pouch which would have contained the musket balls.
To which he then pointed out towards a small hump of a hill closely, the hill itself was nothing of importance, but what was coming from beyond was very clear, a small plume of smoke trickling up into the air.
By this point Maria, Pitts and Jacobs had noticed as to what was happening, Pitts pulling his revolver out in reaction to what Wolf was doing to this young woman. But like Elizabeth reacting to the pointed finger, saw the trickle of smoke and realised why Wolf wanted them to be quiet. With their attention now clear and their focus sharp, Wolf gave a hand signal, his left arm extended out with his hand open in the direction of the smoke.
He reached back, releasing his hold over Elizabeth's mouth, allowing to catch her breath fully again and compose herself. But with no time to spare, Wolf reached back pulling his Harper Ferry and pulled back the hammer halfway into half cock so all he had to do was one pull again so he could fire it if needs be. He then rose to his slouched stance and made his way forward followed closely by the others.
As he got closer and closer, his movements slowed. For Pitts it resembled a man in the midst of a hunt, steadying himself for when he gets sight of his target. They followed as best they could, Pitts and Jacobs readied their revolvers and suddenly Wolf paused, he sniffed the air intently, kneeling down Wolf closed his eyes and waited, Pitts shuffled up and asked "What's Wrong?".
To which his only reply came as "Ssh" in a whisper. he quickly understood Wolf was listening, trying figure out what is going on. But this period ended, with Wolf pulling back again of the Hammer on his rifle, so it was full cocked and ready to fire. Realising the building of tension Wolf was showing, Pitts readied himself for a possible fight.
Slowly again Wolf pushed forward his rifle ready and aimed the but pressed into his right shoulder. With his left hand, he ushered them all to wait, as he pushed on over the brow of the hump that was this hill, and even then he barely rose above the line, likely to avoid being spotted should anyone be on the other side. After a tense minute, he gave them a signal with a flick of his open hand, they ushed themselves forward and crowned the top of the hump.
Looking down, Pitts couldn't see anything of relevance, only the trickle of smoke, but when he looked further down instead of out on the horizon, he saw what could only be the remains of a camp. A fire which had been snuffed out but still smoking, as well as the remains of what looked like random items.
Wolf finally gave a few words "The coast is clear, lets have a look", still remaining low, Wolf began to make his way down into the remains of the camp, soon followed by Pitts and Jacobs and then the ladies. His first focus was the fire, taking a knee next to his keeping his rifle safely away from the embers, he opened his right hand, held it into the rising smoke and slowly lowered it closer to the remnants of the ashes and burned twigs. "Fire is only just been snuffed out.... its still smouldering."
"So whoever it is... is still nearby" Jacobs noted, looking around him revolver at the ready in case of attack.
Yet Wolf remained calm even with this knowledge, preferring instead to look around with the same caution and tension as if he was hunting a wild animal instead of a human being. Going over every singe detail within the abandoned campsite, until finally he managed to give information to the rest of the group "There are around sixteen maybe Seventeen of them" he paused looking over the remains of some cans "And they've been here for a few days" moving over to the far side away from the smoking embers "They got on their horses and rode off about a hour ago.... and they moved...." he paused looking up to the horizon.
Pitts and Elizabeth moved up with Elizabeth asking "Moved? where?"
Wolf just stared at the horizon for a second with a blank face, no emotion of any kind even being shown in the smallest degree. Until finally he uttered "North West"
Finally Pitts began to question, "And how do you know that?" Wolf Just raised his free left hand and pointed up in the direction that he had said North West, as the rest of the group moved to look in the same direction they saw how he knew, for coming over the horizon of the small hump hills around them was a great plume of smoke.
They all thought the same focus, North West was the direction of the Wagon Train. They all ran as fast they could back over the hump of a hill they had crossed to overlook the remains of the camp, for Pitts, Elizabeth, Maria and Jacobs they were worried about the people at the wagon train and if they were safe.
But For Wolf he was more worried about the only friend he had in the world, he was worried about Loup who was in his small camp near the wagon train.
Chapter 7: Fire on the Grasses
When they came over the horizon, fear, terror and grief struck them as they found what the smoke was coming from. They found the Wagon Train still encircled, yet every single wagon was burned to a crisp with some still enflamed, Jacobs charged ahead atop his horse, he had family among the Train and he wanted to find them and make sure they were safe.
Pitts followed close behind wanting to see if anyone was still alive, for they could not hear any cries or screams, nor could they see anyone running around the remains of the burning wagons trying to put out the flames.
Wolf went off on his own to his camp, he wanted to make sure Loup was safe. Elizabeth was in shock alone as Maria soon went off as well trying to find something of importance.
Soon Elizabeth found something she never thought to ever see, as she unseated herself from her saddle, her boots falling into the ash covered soil, she began to see the countless bodies of men, women and even children scattered across the remains of the camp, with their belongings tossed around the ground as if they had been ransacked.
Step by step Elizabeth slowly moved forward through the ash and smoke, barely able to speak or even contemplate what it was she was meant to do, for she never ever thought a situation such as this would ever occur during the journey. She was only snapped back to reality as she heard Jacobs scream out in bloody terror, peering over with only her tearful eyes she witnessed Jacobs run over and pull a single blood stained body up from the soil and clutch it against himself.
She fell to the floor and began to gag for air until finally her throat erupted with sick and vomit. Yet as she eased her breath and took a moment to take in what she was seeing and hearing, listening to Jacobs cries of suffering as he clutched the body of his wife.
Her attention was only taken back when she heard the slightest and quietest whimper. Turning her head swiftly she found that she did not expect, for it was the one that Wolf was looking for, sheltered under one of the burned wagons was Loup quivering in the utmost terror. Her adrenaline suddenly evaporated as she shot up shouting "WOLF!!!" Running over to the burned wagon she quickly knelt down and patiently spoke calmly to Loup "Come on now.... its alright.... you can come out" Slowly still quivering Loup began to move from his cowering position to a crouch but with a clear limp. As he finally came out into the air, Elizabeth grabbed and held him close in a tight reassuring cuddle.
Yet as she ran her hands over his fur she felt something through her glove, looking to her hand she saw blood, Loup had been hurt. Looking very delicately and with the utmost care she looked him over, until finally she found it, A small bullet wound in his left shoulder.
Just as she was about to shout out again, she heard and felt another feeling, the first was a loud bang, the second was a sudden force pushing her left collar bone back.
She looked up and saw a stranger with a grey jacket standing over her with a revolver pointed straight at her. Pitts heard the shot and came running over, yet as he fiddled trying to get his revolver from its holster, he saw a figure wearing a grey military jacket walking up to Elizabeth who lay still on the ground with Loup laid across her. The Grey jacket held a carbine rifle aiming straight in his direction, Pitts readied himself for his death, but then a second shot echoed out.
Pitts opened his eyes for nothing, he looked ahead and saw the grey jacket drop to his knees and then to the ground, standing not further away was Wolf with his Harpers Ferry 1803 rifle aimed with a plume of smoke coming from the muzzle. Lowering his weapon, Wolf rain in to the circle and skidded to a stop kneeling next to Elizabeth and Loup, he checked them both with dedication and care. Pitts came soon after with Jacobs and Maria, "Let me look at her, you take care of the wolf" Maria uttered under her breath.
Wolf did as he was told and checked over Loup, beside the small bullet wound in his shoulder which despite being painful was not a danger to his life. Wolf gave a sigh of relief as his best friend would be fine when the bullet is removed and the entry wound heals. From the pouch he had around his shoulder he pulled some cloth like bandages and rapped them around Loup wound, after tying it off he went back to Elizabeth.
Checking the wound with care he made a declaration "She needs Healing hands...." the group looked to him, "The bullet looks to have broken the bone here" he pointed to her collar bone "I know someone who can help us"
Pitts was torn in which direction but it was Jacobs who gave his answer "We get her some help once we bury our folks.."
"No time... the longer she goes without help... the greater chance of her dying" Wolf Replied
Maria looked to him in shock "Are you saying we should leave them to the Vultures and Coyotes" Wolf nodded his head "If you were anything but a savage you'd know they deserve a proper burial" she near shouted at him.
Wolf stood up and reach back into his pouch pulling more cloth and leather to stem the bleeding "Their dead... there's nothing more you can do for them..... how about you start caring for the living....."
Jacobs grabbed wolf and very nearly struck him with his fists, none could blame him for he wanted to give his wife a Christian burial not leave her to the scavengers. But before he could Pitts stepped in and broke them up "It wont matter.... the Army station at Bear Creek is close to a full month away"
Wolf again stepped up to focus as he made a declaration that would save them all "there is help nearby though close by... we could be there before dark..."
Maria came up and stared him in the eye "Whose help?..."
"Up in forests there in those mountains there's a Wanderer camp.... they'll have a healer who can help her"
Jacobs pulled Pitts aside "You cant really believe can you.... I mean I think it was Indians who did this"
Wolf heard that and grabbed Jacobs, pulling him out into the centre of the wagon circle "It was not my people.... for starters" he stopped grabbing something from the floor "Guns" he forced a musket into Jacobs chest "Are priceless to the tribes... they wouldn't leave one.... second" again grabbing the remains of a barrel "Metal such as Iron is very rare for the Tribes.... so they wouldn't have left the iron bands from the barrels behind"
Staring again into Jacobs eyes this time with rage and anger "So I will be taking miss Elizabeth and Loup to the Camp in the Forest and get them help.... if you want to stay and get killed burying your loved ones then be my guest... You'll just slow us down" with a moment of pause Wolf just stared at them and made it very clear "Or you can honour there sacrifice and get yourselves to safety"
It was these words that finally convinced Maria who with some reservation uttered the words "Mr Wolf" turning to her Wolf looked her dead in the eye, "May I come with you?", Wolf just nodded firmly.
"Get your Horse" He ordered.
Although they all had misgivings they all knew that Howling Wolf was right, they needed to leave and leave now, if they stayed to bury the dead, then the likelihood of them joining their loved ones in death would be far greater. Over the course of a few minutes Wolf organised the small band, telling them to get their horses and put what they could on them, ammunition, food, water and nothing else, no valuables of any kind, nothing that would slow them down.
Whilst they did this Wolf hurried back to his small camp and packed it up, returning with his pack horse and sled, with great difficulty they loaded Elizabeth onto the sled to keep her at least slightly comfortable. With all they could get, Wolf gave the word for them to leave, but not before he did do one thing, he took a flint and stone and set the camp alight.
When Questioned he merely stated "Your loved ones get a Burial by fire" With this they began to make their way up into the hills and forests. With Wolf leading the way, they allowed themselves to get lost into the wilderness, Wolf told them not to ride the horses so then if anything happened they could take cover quicker, instead they would poodle alongside them leading them with their reigns.
For Elizabeth they kept her on Wolfs sled, stretched out straight in some comfort with Lou laying alongside her.
After several hours Pitts questioned Wolf "Do you even know where your going?"
Wolf just turned stared Pitts in the eye and nodded "Some say that the Wanderers camp in places that cannot be found except by those who know where to look" He left this at that and no more but pushed on, not looking back, only pausing to take a knee and check the soil for sign and tracks.
It was as the sun began to set behind them into the dimness of the Trees and hills that Wolf suddenly paused again only this time he did so with a single motion. Pitts came up and questioned again "What's wrong?".
Wolf didn't move "They know we're here" he said pointing to a random tree, this was just like all the others except it had a broken arrow embedded into it and eye level.
"So what does that mean" Jacobs asked.
Wolf went up and pulled the arrow from the bark "Their asking who we are" he froze again with the sound of a coyote howl in the distance, smiling Wolf made a single declaration "And that's them" he lay his Rifle against the tree trunk, cupped his hands, raised his head back and let out a long howl of the wolf into the air.
When the howl came to an end he paused "What was that?" Maria now began to question what Wolf was doing to which his answer was a quick and determined "SShhh" with the trigger finger on his left hand raised.
Only after a minute did Wolf receive his reply another Coyote Howl off in the distance. With a smile Wolf turned to them and declared "Lets get some help for miss Elizabeth"
Chapter 8: A Village?
Soon the group came to something very different than the forest, a small clearing, around a few hundred metres across. But that did not mean that the space was open, within this clearing was the Wander Camp they were looking for.
A collection of Tipis of varying sizes, smaller ones formed a circle around the centre where a large Tipis was sat.
Pitts was in amazement, for he now realized that Wolf was right, that if he didn't know this location he never would have found it and therefore never would have found the Village. But his greater surprise came when instead of a Native warrior coming to meet them, it was an African-American man of around 50 or more years. The man was brandishing a musket of some kind in his hands and he greeted them.
"Shit Son... we've been waiting for you" The Man shouted before turning around and shouting in the opposite direction "Hey... Their Here!"
Wolf walked straight up to the man and gave him a brotherly embrace "Crow good to see you....." releasing his embrace he continued to speak "I take it the Coyote Brothers told you we were coming?"
The man now named Crow chuckled "Well shit... you know how those little bastards are... its getting them to shut up that the trick ha" But then Crow looked beyond Wolf and saw the rest of the group.
"Oh where are my manners" Wolf extended his right arm in the direction of the group "The Leader of this group is Pitts, the younger back there is Jacobs the young African is Maria and the other is someone we need the elder for"
Crow heard this and with a quick twist of his head tuned back to Wolf "Hurt?" Wolf nodded,
"Not just her, Lou too" Wolf explained
Without a second thought Crow turned around and shouted again "GET SOME HELP HERE ONE'S HURT".
Crow then ran into the group Wolf alongside to Elizabeth and Lou, "Damn" Crow muttered "Bullet went in deep.... we need to get her inside so the old man can do his work" Wolf nodded and then preceded to carefully pick her up into his arms, whilst Crow picked up Lou.
With care and caution not to move to abruptly and suddenly the two carried the wounded into the camp in the direction of the largest Tipis, The rest of the group followed close behind in a hurry themselves.
The whole while Pitts took in the Camp, he expected the camp to be made up entirely of natives such as Sioux or other tribes in the region. But instead he found a variety of peoples, he did indeed people similar to the native cultures but in other regions, he had read of the Comanche, Apache. His father had fought the Mexicans and here some were living with the natives, his grandfather had fought the Natives such as the Cherokee and Creek and here he saw some. His great grandfather had fought the Iroquois and here some are living the same life their ancestors lived.
The group entered the largest Tipi and found it spacious within, a small fire illuminated it in its entirety. Within were blankets and pelts of varying sizes and density, all around the edges were rolls of cloth and leather as well as pouches made from leather with strips linking together like rope. Wolf brought Elizabeth in a nodded his head at some of the rolls of cloth "Lay those down", Maria reacted and grabbed them, stretching some out to form a softer cushion for Elizabeth to lay on and a second roll to rest her head.
With the utmost care Wolf laid her down trying hard not to cause to much pain, the Group was suddenly jolted as the flap leading to the outside like a door ruffled open and standing in the way was an old native man, Greying hair and wrinkled skin, tucked into his hair were some small feathers of grey, brown and white. The old man came in using a long staff to support himself as he moved, coming around he began to speak, yet none but Wolf and Crow knew what he was saying for they responded in kind in the native language.
Only after looking upon the young woman laid out next to the fire, did the Old man truly react, with as much speed as he could he shuffled around the fire and knelt down to look at the wound. After careful examination of the wound and the flesh around it, the old man finally spoke a language they all understood "She is weak.... I will do what I can for her... Wait outside for I will need space"
Wolf and Crow nodded, and ushered the others outside, Crow gave an extended arm out stating "Come with me.... We'll get you something to drink and some hot food"
Maria and Jacobs thanked him and followed, but Pitts was a little unsure "I'm fine... I want to stay close in case they need me"
"She'll be fine" Wolf muttered "The old one will do what he can.... but the best we can do is stand aside" Patting Pitts on the right shoulder, before following Crow and the others towards something to eat.
For an untold time they just sat still gathered around this one fire, staring into the flicks and flashes of the flames, watching the embers fly and die up in the air as the wind whistled quietly around them. When from almost nowhere another sound began to echo across the camp and into the trees, it was the sound of a flute being played, very elegantly in the traditional song and tune of the Tribes.
Looking back and forth, they all sought out the one playing the tune, all but Wolf who just smiled for he knew what the music meant. For soon the tune of the Flute was mixed with the steady hums of all within the camp, slow and steady each member of the camp gathered around their respective fires and began to hum the same slow tune, regardless of their ethnicity, all gathered to take part.
Even Wolf began to perform slowly, increasing in volume as the rest of the others watched on in bewilderment. Until the entire forest around them was beginning to echo with the sound of the Flute and the hums.
Pitts slowly began to understand what was happening, for him it wasn't about the music it was the togetherness. In this moment everyone in this camp was reaffirming their bond with each other, they were showing that they were still a single people they all were unified in the music they were making.
Chapter 9: Retribution
It was the following day that Elizabeth regained consciousness, still in pain. The old man revealed himself and made a declaration "The young one will be fine... but she will, need to be careful for several days"
For Pitts that was excuse enough, he wanted to get back onto their journey and get the Union army station at Bear Creek Crossing, and that was at least Several days away at a full gallop. But Elizabeth would not be able to ride on a horse, to do so or even attempt such a movement would mean her wound reopening and becoming all the more worse.
Wolf pushed back, telling Pitts, Maria, Jacobs and their arguments. Saying that to press on now would be hazardous as they have no way of transporting Elizabeth safely. Pitts made the point of using the same kind of sled that Wolf himself carried his belongings when travelling. Yet Wolf made a counter, that such a sled does not allow comfort when travelling. For belongings it is perfect, but for a human being, one nursing a severe wound would be bordering on certain suffering and possible death.
Finally after many a words, the group relented. For the time being they would stay and rest until the chance for a safe means of travel can be sorted out amongst themselves. Yet until then the Wanderer camp would be a place of shelter and sanctuary for the Group, they would not need worry for food and water. For despite not being of the "Tribe" they were guests and would be given all the comforts that could be spared.
Yet this would not always last, after several days and as Elizabeth regained her strength, to the point that she was finally able to begin a staggered walk of sorts aided by a walking stick and by walking stick I mean a a long branch that had been stripped of its extending arms to make a long pole.
During one night she came for a wander and found the old man whom had healed, as she limped forward, she readied her voice only for the old man to speak first "No one is sitting there if that's what you going to ask".
She came around almost in a form of shock and amazement, taking her place upon one of several rocks surrounding a fire. "I wanted to thank you" She paused to catch her breath, "For helping us"
The old man smiled "You do not have to thank us, young one" the old man waited before continuing as if to assemble the correct words, "I would have helped any who needed it, whether they be my friend or my foe"
This statement made Elizabeth forget herself for a moment "Truly though... I am grateful. To you and to..." she paused looking around.
But her words were interrupted by the old man once again "I now begin to understand Why he likes you"
"Who" she asked
The old man smiled "The person your looking for..." pausing again looking off into the horizon of the darkness.
"What's wrong?" she asked now looking out herself, as slowly her eyes grew more accustomed to the darkness and her ears focused beyond the cackling fire, she began to notice the unmistakable sound of horses galloping.
A loud whistle echoed through the camp as every man grabbed his weapon. Wolf came running up to Elizabeth "We need to get you safe"
But this did not come to pass, from the darkness came a countless men of horse back, shouting and whooping. At first Wolf believed them to be the same band that had attacked the Wagon train, but then he saw a familiar face.
"Jacobs" Elizabeth shouted, as one of their own group came riding up atop his own horse "What are you doing?" Wolf now noticed that the men on horse back were moving through the camp shouting at the men and women in the camp yet these men were not the same as those before, they were wearing Blue coats, they were Government soldiers.
Jacobs dismounted his horse alongside another older man "We have come to rescue you folks from these savages" the Old man declared
"Savages!" Elizabeth shouted "They've been helping us!"
"Not according to this man ma'am..." the older man stated "He says your Wagon train was attacked by these natives and your were taken hostage"
"That's right sir.... that bastard there was our guide.... I bet he lead us into a trap" Jacobs shouted.
"Sir" Wolf called out raising his hands into the air "My name is Howling Wolf... Yes I was the Guide for the Wagon Train.... But my people had no part in the attack...."
Pitts came running into the conversation quite literally "He speaks the truth Colonel sir.... if it wasn't for him... Miss Elizabeth here would have surely died"
"I thank you son for your opinion" The older man now dubbed the Colonel spoke aloud "But I have my orders... and they are to detain these people and transport them for trial"
"Trial" the Old Healer spoke out "Sir... we here have done no crime... we seek no violence..... Why are we to be taken away for a crime of another?"
The Colonel did not even respond he instead returned to his horse, mounted up and shouted out "Search them all.... take all their weapons" The soldiers throughout the camp began to follow their new orders and dismounted, then methodically began the process of rummaging through the Wanderer encampment.
The Old Healer began to walk to his tipi, in a slow and meaningful manner. Then a shout came from nowhere "WOLF!"
Howling wolf knew what that shout was for, "Loup" he muttered turning and running.
Yet before he get to the location he knew his closest friend could be found, the forest and camp echoed into a single sound "BANG!!" Fearing what he would find, Wolf ambled forwards so slowly that Elizabeth and Pitts had managed catch up.
As they came around one Tipi to the healers giant one, they saw the reason for the gunshot. Wolf felt a double emotion, on the one hand he was happy for he saw his closest friend, laying down alive, but heartbroken as Loup was resting his head on the bleeding body of the Old healer.
Standing over him was a white Federal soldier "Dumb old bastard... went for a weapon"
Wolf knelt down and pressed his hands into the healers bullet wound. "He has no weapon you fool.... you have just shot an unarmed man who only healed the hurt and sick" Wolf began to feel tears rushing down his eyes, as the old Healer reached out with his bloodied hand and stroked Wolfs face, only to have it fall in sudden motion lifeless.
Wolf rose up and from his belt pulled his Hatchet, looking upon the Government soldier who was realising what was about to happen scrambled to reload his weapon. Yet as he frantically moved to place a round into the breach of his carbine, wolf swung hard into his throat.
He then stood tall and began taking in deep and quick breaths again and again before unleashing a long deep yet sad Howl like a wolf.
Pitts recognising the anger and rage upon Wolfs face knew full well what was going to happen. He pulled Elizabeth into his arms and carried away towards the horses.
"Colonel sir... I think we should go.... NOW!" Pitts demanded.
At first the Colonel just scoffed, yet soon he learned why, As the sound previously singular began to become repetitive. The Government soldiers began running out of the camp in a panic, only to be followed not only by Howling wolf, but the entire Wanderer camp with their own weapons firing.
The remaining soldiers panicked and jumped to their horses. Before the survivors could make their escape, another shot followed by a second and a third, following each shot a soldier fell from their horse, Elizabeth looked towards the camp and saw what they knew to be true, walking towards them, his upper body covered in blood wielding a bloody native American hatchet in one hand and a military revolver in the other, was Howling Wolf.
Pitts, Elizabeth, Jacobs and the Colonel lead the way down the hills, there was the ever constant fear that the Wanderers would follow.
Yet as they reached the open plains again, they turned to see no one following. Pitts in a fit of rage moved over to Jacobs stared him the eye. But it was Elizabeth who made the true move, striking with a hard fist to Jacobs face declaring "For what is about to happen... all the blood that is about to be shed.... know that is your fault"
Pitts knew exactly what she meant, the old man was clearly well respected and now he had been murdered by the Government soldiers for a crime that was not his, Elizabeth knew in that moment that more blood was going to flow across theses plains, forests and hills.
Chapter 10: Drums OF WAR!!
After several days of travelling, never once stopping to rest the horses or themselves the survivors finally made it to the Military station at Bear Creek Crossing. Pitts had been told of this location, of how it was one the few military posts this far out, he had expected a small encampment.
But no this was bordering on the lines of a fully functional fort, he would later discover that it was an old colonial fort built from decades before. With walls of solid wood and "Battlements" on the inside to walk along and fire down from. The inside superseded his expectations as well, for within instead of makeshift housings for the troops here, there was fully functional barracks and quarters for the men.
Near to the fort was a clear landmark, a high cliff like ridge that raised excessively high into the sky before falling into a rocky cliff. With the cliff facing the fort. Yet it was at least a few miles away but was clear as day when standing within the Fort.
Those with him dismounted their horses as the Colonel muttered and cursed under his voice. Those who were wounded were hurried away, at least until they saw Elizabeth who was carefully aided down from her horse and helped into the infirmary. After a few hours it was disclosed that the old healer had been right, the sudden jerking and rapid movement by the horse had reopened the wound and made it far worse than before, the doctor would told Pitts, Maria and Jacobs that she would need to stay for several weeks if not months before she could ride properly again.
Days became weeks, weeks became a month, then two, in a strange sense Elizabeth and Maria actually began to miss the Wanderers camp while they were there they were treated kindly and were allowed comforts. But here within a military fort, they were served the same "Slop" that all were given. Elizabeth could only question what was happening out in the world, she thought of Howling Wolf who she guessed would be seeking revenge.
Jacobs and Pitts were nearly always arguing. Jacobs kept up the foolish paranoia that Howling Wolf and "His band of savages" was behind the Wagon train attack they lead to the death of his family. But Pitts always remarked about the man who shot Elizabeth, of how he was wearing the uniform of a Confederate soldier and in all likelihood had been apart of a Remnant Partisan group.
He gave these same arguments to the colonel who was adamant that the deaths of his soldiers lay on the shoulders of Howling Wolf and his band of savages. And that his duty was clear, he would wait for orders that he knew would come, orders to hunt down Howling Wolf and eliminate the threat he was in this moment.
But soon as Patrols were sent out to investigate and track him down, they always returned with nothing. The first went to the location of the Wanderer camp from weeks before, yet as they claimed "Its as if there never was a camp there", yet they did say "We kept hearing Coyotes howling all around us the whole time".
The Patrols went out further and further afield, seeking any sign of a travelling group of Natives. Yet even the local tribe seemed to have vanished in entirety, as if they never were, for the Colonel this made his job far easier, as it allowed him to sit back and relax for the first time, instead of having to constantly have "Pow Wows" with "Lesser People".
But soon report after report began to handed to him, reports of sounds coming down from the hills and the deepest forests. They all said the same, the exact same sound being heard across the landscape, on some occasions the sound was heard in the far distance near the Fort.
It was the constant pounding of a drum. Again and Again a Drum in the distance alongside the sound of Wolves howling. Elizabeth was awoken one night to the sound of a singular wolf howling closer than before, curiosity got the better of her and she pulled herself up from her simple bed. Using her walking stick to aid her in keeping balanced as she walked up the steps to the battlements.
She looked out in the pitch darkness that was the horizon, the stars above and the dim moon not showing any light upon the world below. She peered into the darkness trying desperately to find the source of the Howls. Soon though her answer came, as a new sound broke her concentration, it was a simple pitter or patter, of something landing next to her on the floor.
Jolted her head to the sound she found a crumble of paper, carefully kneeling down she took the paper into her hands, as she uncrumpled it. She began to smile as she saw what it was.
"
To the ever kind Elizabeth
I hope that your wound has begun to properly heal these past weeks. I do apologise for what you had to witness within our camp and that we had to kill those soldiers, but blood demands blood, the Old one was a well respected man not only among us Wanderers.
But among all the Tribes...
Please know that Loup is doing well and has recovered from his injury to his shoulder, despite the hope that it would make him a little more active, I fear it has made him ever more Lazy" This part made her laugh.
"It is truly my hope that we may have a nice conversation again one day. Yet I fear that is a long way away.
I forever ask for your forgiveness for what is about to happen, and I implore you, Mr Pitts, Miss Maria to leave the Fort as soon as you can. For you must believe me when I say these words, you do not wish to be there when we arrive.
I beg of you to understand why I am committed to this course, We did not start this, But you can be sure. That We will finish it.
Yours in friendship
He who Howls to the Wolf"
Chapter 11: God Help Us
It would be several days later that the reason for this request of forgiveness would be realised. As soon wagon trains, travellers and Settlers from across the region began to arrive at the Fort, all giving the same reason for their arrival.
"A band of Indians, White men and Negroes came in the dead of night and took our weapon"
"They said if we don't resist... we won't be harmed"
"One guy pulled a gun and was shot by them"
The Colonel of the fort soon realised that his time of peace was coming to an end, He gathered his officers and even invited Mr Pitts to the gathering "It appears we were wrong before..." he paused looking over a map of the region, the map was covered in pencil marks, crosses were covering it. "This Howling Wolf didn't just disappear but had gone off to gather his strength"
"We have at least 82 attacks by him and his band in the past two weeks sir" one officer detailed.
Jacobs who had been made an acting Lieutenant by the Colonel, stepped up "We should send out patrols... we find his camp... we find him... the we head out in force"
The Colonel like this idea and gave a nod. Yet this did not help in any way, over several days patrol after patrol went out. Each of them went forth into the vastness of the wilderness, some went into the hills, others went into the depths of the forests. Every now and again one would disappear, along with the patrol sent out to find them.
Then the missing patrols became more and more common and the fort was losing men fast. The Colonel in declared a state of emergency, calling on volunteers from the men of the settlers, wagon trains and other civilians to assist in the defence of the fort. Dozens signed on.
Yet as they were given their weapons and taught how to use them, a lone rider came galloping into the fort. A Government soldier but with arrows embedded into his back, slouched over his horse, the soldier was carefully pulled down by none other than Pitts. "What happened?" Pitts asked.
"They ambushed us" the soldier grumbled his mouth filled with blood. The Colonel had come running out at the new followed by his "Lap Dog" Jacobs.
"How far did you get into the hills? How many were there?" He asked
The soldier was slowly laid down onto the floor on his side so that the arrows could be safely removed from his back. "We didn't even get into the Hills sir" he muttered pausing to cough "Got ambushed only a few miles away sir.... they were all over us... never even saw them"
The Colonel gave the word "Get him inside" he shouted, before turning to Jacobs "Mr Jacobs... Restrict all patrols to the immediate proximity to the Fort" Everything went quiet for several days, everyone was terrified that Howling Wolf was coming for them. Yet nothing. At least until one morning a sound began to echo across the horizon again, once again the Drums beating from the hills and the howls of the wolves.
Then one morning, the Colonel was suddenly awoken by Jacobs, "Sir... there here... in large numbers"
"What?" the colonel muttered under his breath. Getting his uniform on properly and formally, he wanted to make his presence known when he walked along, he had his revolver and sword clipped onto his belt and made his way out.
Walking through the empty space within the heart of the fort, for the first time ever the Colonel noted in his head the distinct lack of people. Looking up ahead of him towards the stairs, he saw the reason. For every single person within the fort was standing on the "battlements" looking out in a single direction.
"How many have been seen?" He ordered.
Jacobs didn't respond at first but finally uttered "Hundreds sir"
They started to walk up the stairs towards the "battlements", "I highly doubt that this Howling Wolf could muster such....a......Force" He spoked decisively at first, yet as he reached the top of the stairs and looked out at what the entire population of the Fort was looking at his speech began to slow.
For as his eyes looked to the high cliff ridge nearby he saw the reason why Jacobs was so shaken and why everyone was standing still in awe and fear. For standing atop the ridge, silhouetted by the rising sun was hundreds of men on horse back. But far worse was as he looked down onto the open plains, where he saw a large dust plume, for he saw what he could only assume to be hundreds of other native horsemen.
For Elizabeth she now understood why Wolf had warned her to leave, she understood why he was being sorry. She recognised what he meant by finishing it. And although she felt afraid, she knew within her soul that after what she had seen in the Wanderers camp, If she saw Howling Wolf, she would forgive him.
Yet for others the matter was forgiveness but terror, for It appeared that all the tribes of the Great Plains had come to fight in this moment and take their vengeance. The Colonel paused feeling fear himself, his face went to the palest white never before seen, as his ears began to make out a new sound, not the wind whistling, but he screams, whoops and calls of the Indian warriors out there inciting Terror.
And he muttered under his own breath, three distinct words as he saw the vast horde of Natives begin to get closer and close at what he could only guess was a full gallop.
"God Help Us"
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