Lakota Dawn Read Online Free PDF Page A

sacrifice what he must. We not become slaves to Whites. We be free or we die.”
    “If our father and people decide to fight, War Eagle, I will fight with them; and I will die with them if that is Wakantanka’s will.” He paused a moment before seeking an answer to a puzzling matter. “Tell me, how and when did my brothers learn the white man’s tongue so well?”
    “My wife speaks it and taught us,” Wind Dancer said.
    “You’re married now? I mean, you have taken a mate?”
    “I joined to a Brule woman from the White Shield band three seasons past when Mother Earth renewed her face; she is called Chumani. We have a son, Tokapa, who is two winters old.”
    So, he has a wife named Dewdrops and a son named Firstborn. A married man with a family should want peace for their survival …“That is good, my brother, and I am eager to meet them. What of you, War Eagle?”
    “I have no mate. I live in this tepee. I am a Sacred Bow Carrier. My brother is a Strong Heart and Shirt Wearer.”
    Chase remembered the two warrior societies, and the Shirt Wearers who carried out the orders of their chief and council, the Big Bellies. He knew the Strong Hearts were comprised of elite and brave warriors who were first to respond to any threatand who took care of those in need. The Sacred Bow Carriers were band leaders during battles and must touch an enemy during each fight, and were last to leave a battlefield, as they were responsible for the safe return of their party members. He noted that his brothers had done exceedingly well for themselves and had earned important and high ranks, for their relationship to Rising Bear had given them no advantage.
    Before Chase could ask more personal questions, Wind Dancer said, “You must camp nearby, but away from our tepees, while we learn more about you and test you. You must not enter our camp until you are summoned.”
    Chase looked directly at Rising Bear and asked, “Are you ashamed of me, Father? Sorry I was born? Sorry I have returned? Are you worried I will remind everyone of your one weakness long ago? If I was not meant to walk the face of Mother Earth and to return home, the Great Spirit would not have sent me to you twenty-two years ago and again today. I am as much a part of your Life-Circle as you are of mine. How can we deny or prevent what was meant to be before our births? How can we cut out a part of our Life-Circles and survive? Why do you look at me as a stranger when I am of your seed?”
    As Rising Bear lowered his head, Wind Dancer grieved over his anguish. “Long ago, Father was forced to believe his eyes would never look upon your face again,” he said. “Now you return amidst grave times and he does not know what to think or believe. You must be patient, Cloud Chaser, while his feelings and thoughts are unclear. It would be painful and reckless of him to take back a lost son who might prove himself to be a fierce enemy. We have only your claim your words are true; we must learn the whole truth for ourselves. Until that sun rises, Father cannot embrace and accept you before others. You must camp nearby and not leave that area without permission. Do you agree to obey those commands?”
    Chase realized he had no choice except to concede, though this was far from the happy homecoming he had desired. He no longer knew who and what he was or where he belonged. “I agree. Guide me to my campsite so our father can relax and sort his thoughts.”
    Wind Dancer stood at the same time Chase did and said, “Come.”
    Chase took one final glance at his father, but his head was still lowered, as if the older man could not bear to look at him. Then he followed his brother outside, where many people halted their chores to study him again. He felt as if he were being inspected like an animal for sale, and that all were suspicious of his qualities. Would he be able to change their minds and feelings? So far it didn’t appear promising. He was glad they didn’t encounter Two