Noble's Way Read Online Free PDF Page B

warm days. They were loaded down with horses, children, dogs and travois. Noble sensed they were peaceful. They camped outside the wall, as if being near the structure was some form of security for them.
    Noble found himself in an awkward position. These new arrivals expected to trade their furs, but he had nothing to barter. The Indians’ pack horses were loaded down with fox, mink, bobcat and even a few beaver furs. Noble spotted wolf skins and deer hides that had been beaten into soft yellow buckskin. The lack of something to trade weighed heavily on his mind. Finally he hit upon an idea and went to discuss it with Spotted Horse at his tepee.
    â€œYou tell the Wichitas that I’ll take their furs and bring them back goods from Fort Leavenworth,” he explained to the Osage.
    Spotted Horse shook his head. “They don’t trust white man. You pay now, keep the furs.”
    â€œHell’s bells! That’s my problem. If I had something, I would trade with them now,” Noble said with exasperation.
    â€œNo good, they no give you furs.”
    â€œGet Chief Tall Timber to come to council. I’ll take some Wichitas with me. When I sell the furs, they can get what they want in return.”
    â€œProbably have to take a squaw or two along. The women own the furs. A man would get the wrong supplies.”
    â€œFine. I get twenty percent for trading,” Noble said.
    â€œYou do what you want with the money. Wichitas never understand money things.”
    Noble started to protest. Perhaps the Osage didn’t understand either. He would have his council with Tall Timber and their store would show a profit the first year in business.
    The idea worked. Noble selected Rivers to help him with the pack horses on the journey. A Wichita sub-chief named No-Eyes, whom Noble suspected was far-sighted was assigned to accompany him along with three squaws. They were all older women and very fat. Noble wondered if they could ride as fast as he wanted to go. Spotted Horse assured him they were good as any man on horseback.
    The head Osage’s weather forecast had given Noble ten thawing days to make his round trip.
    Noble shook his head, looking over his odd entourage when they reached Independence, Missouri on the fifth day. Curious towns-people came out to see the invaders. Giggling squaws, solemn Rivers, and No-Eyes kept the horses in line through the traffic though some of the Indian ponies were terrified by the wagons, buggies and rigs.
    Patterson’s Mercantile loomed before them with a great set of stairs leading to the porch. Noble considered it a reputable firm.
    â€œEveryone stay close,” he said to the Wichita chief. Noble dismounted the gray and handed the reins to Rivers, mounted the stairs then pushed open the bell-tinkling door.
    A balding man removed his glasses and looked Noble up and down cautiously. “May I help you?”
    â€œName’s Noble McCurtain, I’ve come to sell some furs.”
    â€œYes sir, Cedric Patterson at your sevice.” The men shook hands.
    â€œMister, I’ll tell you right off. I need to be on my way shortly and I have three Wichita women out there you’ll need to satisfy with trade goods.”
    â€œCertainly, young man. We have a reputation—”
    â€œI know,” Noble interrupted. “That’s why I stopped here.”
    â€œAlex,” the man called out to a clerk who was hardly older than Noble. “Mr. McCurtain, this is my son Alex. Alex, go outside and price his furs. He is in a big hurry to get home.”
    â€œCertainly, father.” Alex’s handshake was powerful. Noble took an instant liking to the owner’s son.
    Together they went out to the mudddy street. The giggling squaws had attracted a few gray-whiskered drunks out of the saloons. Uneasy already, Noble became very nervous when one of the women dismounted and squatted to urinate. He tried to hear Alex’s comments about the furs