Colorado.
This morning I walked into the saloon and greeted Adder and London as she gave me an Irish coffee. “How are things?” I looked between them, still suspecting something romantic between them.
“Good thanks. I just eliminated one from my Deputies waiting list,” Adder chuckled.
“Did you, Adder?” I smiled.
“Well, he kinda did it for me. Seems he decided to take up the outlaw life instead.”
“Oh really?”
“Fella by the name of Alex.”
“Hmm…”
“When’s the next edition of the paper due out?”
“Probably Saturday. I need a few more stories if you’ve heard of anything?”
“Been quiet since the big fight with Los Calaverarerarererereerasitosareras.... or whatever they call themselves…” Adder shook his head.
“With the who?” I raised an eyebrow.
“The Mexicans, on Sunday.”
“Oh that. Had a hard time getting their side of the story out of ’em. You heard anything about an attack in Devil’s Ditch the other night, Adder?”
“No, I’ve not heard anything, what happened?”
“Chet came into the saloon all pissed off that his friend had gotten attack by natives the night before... “ I sighed.
“Oh?”
“She had a scrape on her leg, Adder. Tom said it could’ve been caused by anything, byut Chet assumed that it was because of the three natives she’d seen and he just blamed them right away.”
“Ah. Not good.”
“Chet got all trigger happy and I stood in front of the door so he couldn’t leave the saloon and go shoot them down. He almost shot me out of the way but Tom and Josh talked him down. Josh actually punched him.”
“Wow. That’s a pretty extreme reaction to something as ambiguous as a scrape,” he looked at me with shock.
“It’s because of what happened in Georgetown, I’m sure, but he had no right to threaten me like that.”
“Aye, true,” Adder nodded with a chuckle. “Has he ever thought of joining the cavalry?”
“Maybe you should suggest it to him. I’m giving him the silent treatment right now.”
“I was joking. There’s enough angry, trigger happy, Indian haters in that outpost already Six of ’em at my last count. Only three beds though. Just saying.”
I chuckled and we continued to chat and drink our coffee.
***
This afternoon I was walking towards Devil’s Ditch when dynamite went off right in the entrance to the area. “What the hell was that?” I jumped back and ducked down by the mountain.
“Crazy people. I clearing a damn gophers hole ,” Chet said. “Ya two okay?”
“Had enough damn dynamite to last me a lifetime,” I coughed from the smoke and saw Tom walking over.
“Pesky critters best way to get em n was not expecting company this time of day,” Chet said and I glared at him being so quick to blame the Natives.
“A simple quarter stick would do, but not a full thing! There’s a crater the size of Texas over there!” Tom exclaimed.
“Tom…” I coughed from the smoke inhalation.
“I used what I had,” Chet shrugged. “Ya see work needs doing on time not put off much like all things need doing best do it on time.”
Tom looked down at the smouldering hole in the ground and said, “Well, it certainly was done..”
“Done like a boss,” Chet grinned.
“Did ya have to do it in the middle of the day? You could have warned us,” I continued to glare at him.
“Like I said, I was not expecting company ’n no one’s around,” Chet shrugged. “Ya prefer I do it at midnight?” he laughed.
“You’re lucky you didn’t do more damage,” I looked at him.
“Sure. It would at least be more amusing at night..” Tom said.
“I got better things do at night than blowing gophers up,” Chet laughed.
I shook my head and ignored Chet and asked Tom, “Can we go get a drink honey?”
“Saloon is closed. Not open yet,” Chet said.
“Then I’ll open it. I’m a co-owner still,” I glared at him.
“Well at least it’ll stop eating holes around here, and making sinkholes.. Damn near broke my ankle on one of those god forsaken gopher hole ruts,” Tom said.
“It ain’t time fer whiskey, it time to be clear headed. We got a problem here n it needs be dealt with. I not meaning we go and shoot innocent injuns. Good book says ‘do not murder’ but I do say we let know that this ain’t a town of yeller chickens.”
I looked from Chet to Tom and announced, “I’m going to get a drink.” I glared at Chet into the saloon.
“You heard the lady.. Not much I can do about that Chet..” Tom said and I chuckled as I walked into the saloon.
I went to get myself some whiskey and kept eying Chet, but I was grateful that Tom was there for support. Tom walked into the saloon and said, “Some talk does need done with those indians. I just don’t know how or what to do about it. I don’t want my head cut off, or made into a canoe either..” He looked at me and said, “We do need to do something. Their scaring the townspeople half to death, and riling up the feisty ones. Either way, Something is gonna happen.”
“Let me go over there and talk to them then. I’ll see what’s goin’ on,” I looked at Tom.
Chet poured himself a coffee and said, “My way is the best way ’n I think if ya had not been on whiskey or tired or both…” he winked at me, “I think ya would have understood my plan yesterday.”
“I think it’s them ones up on the mountain,” Tom said.
“I’ll be back in a while then,” I said to Tom.
“No, not yet,” Chet protested.
“Be safe hon. I don’t want to put you back together.. Or worse…” Tom nodded.
“I’ll be fine,” I squeezed his shoulder and walked towards the door.
“Trin, it’s gotta be men-folk. Not saying ya can’t handle it, but gotta be at least three of us,” Chet said.
“I’m going over there. Trust me,” I looked at him.
“And another thing, yer brother,” Chet started and I turned around on him.
“My brother what, Chet?”
“He is as spunky as you. He thinks I insulted yer parents. I ain’t insult you or yer kin ever. I said you two must have given em grey hair by age two. Was a joke.”
“Do you know why my brother is here, Chet?” I looked at him.
“Yes ya told me a few days ago ’n ya know I sorry about yer folks. If I find out who they be hung before trial.”
“My father was killed up in Canada, not both of them. You pinched a nerve when you brought up our parents.”
“I meant nothing of it, ya know. I always treated ya with respect.”
“Her brother is pretty sensitive.. Thought he was gonna punch me in the mouth the first time I saw him,” Tom nodded.
“I owe him a punch,” Chet said.
“He’s always been over-protective and he’s had a hard trip out here. Just... give him some time,” I looked at Tom.
“He working yet?” Chet asked.
“He’s helping me take pictures for the paper,” I nodded.
“I could use him here once place opens. Be lotta drunk miners,” Chet said.
“I hope he softens up a bit.. Not too sure how much of him I’d be able to take. I understand though, and i’ll give him some time.He just needs to trust us,” Tom said.
“And he will. But you talkn’ about shootin’ me last night didn’t help matters, Chet,” I looked at him.
“Trin, I’d rather shoot ya in foot myself than have native scalp ya. I’d rather shoot Tom for that matter than have injuns if they are on warpath attack.”
“You know the work I’ve done to be on good terms with the Natives. I’ve already started communication with the Apache chief and they trust me for what I’m doing with the paper. Give me time.”
“I’ll give ya time but it cant be forever… cause sooner than later someone’s gonna start shooting them n then it’s too late.”
“I know,” I nodded. “But you goin in guns blazin’ ain’t gonna make them trust you either.”
“I have no intention of blazing anything. I want them to know we not scared is all.”
“I’ll see you in awhile. Just be safe, ok?” Tom looked at me.
“I will,” I nodded and went out of the saloon.
I walked up to the top of the mountain and looked around for anyone there but didn’t see any Natives. I went back to the saloon and was relieved to see Chet and Tom weren’t there. I sat down and played the piano to calm myself down. There was a creak from the door opening and I looked over to see Josh coming in.
“Let’s take a walk,” I told him, wanting to get out of there.
“I like the sounds of that,” Josh nodded.
“Was just about blown up by dynamite here earlier.”
“WHAT!?” Josh exclaimed.
“Chet was doin some work on the area. Just got a bit of smoke from it; nothing serious. Tom was here too and came over to make sure I was okay.”
“He seems reckless kiddo,” Josh sighed. “Chet that is that seems reckless…”
“He did apologize…” I sighed as we walked. “And Tom thinks you don’t like him.
“Still who blows dynamite up in the middle of the day in a walkway, and It isn’t that I don’t like Tom. I just barely know him.”
“I know, that’s what we said. And I told Tom to give you time that you’d had a hard trip out here.”
We walked around town and hung out together, enjoying the afternoon.
***
A few hours later I was sitting with Jake Despres and some others at the saloon when he asked, “So what are ya writin’ about these days?”
“Well been kinda quiet since that attack on Sunday.”
“Yeah, did ya write anythin’ on that fuzz over infront of the Outpost?”
“There wasn’t really anything goin on when Iwent over there. Was just Rayce and Harley talkin’.” I turned to see Josh coming in and said, “Hey bro.”
“Oh alright, I guess things cleared out without them drawin’ on one another,” he smiled.
“Hey kiddo. Marshal,” Josh greeted.
“Anticlimactic, I guess,” I winked at Jake.
“Mr. Josh,” Jake smiled.
“Feel free to call me Josh no need for the mister,” Josh chuckled.
“Well just don’t go burnin’ buildin’s yaself just to get somethin’ to write about,” Jake smirked and I waved to Chels as she walked in. “I’ll see if I can remember that. Call me Jake.”
I introduced Chels to Josh and we talked about how I’d known Jake and Chels since I first lived in Colorado. We talked about how Josh would be helping me at the paper and some others I’d hired to write for me. We watched as the Natives rode by and Jake and Chels shook their fists at them.
“I would of thought things between us and the natives were better then they are,” Josh observed.
“Sadly there’s still a bit of tension,” I sighed.
“Well yeah, but since they’re stealin’ and murdin’ we can’t rest with ’em around,” Jake nodded.
“A lot of tension,” Chels nodded. “One even had the nerve to kidnap me.. thank goodness the Sheriff, Buu and Twist heard me yell.”
“I heard about that Chels. Brought back some memories I’m sure. Glad you’re okay now,” I nodded.
“Now we need to get a trustworthy judge who can sentence him to hang,” Jake frowned and I sighed.
“Yes, I am fine,” she chuckled. “To even find a Judge is another thing.”
“So where do ya stay Josh?” Jake asked after a while.
“Well I was gonna try to stay at the inn but no one was around for me to attempt to get a room for a few nights so I kinda just wander at night,” Josh said. “I am a light sleeper.”
“Josh, I said ya could stay at my place it’s just that Tom’s there sometimes too,” I sighed but he shook his head.
“You wander...but how can ya sleep walking around?” Chels raised an eyebrow.
“Well if ya want one, there are keys to the available rooms... Ya can just take one and them lock yourself in if Miss Badingham ain’t there... Then once she is ya can pay her,” Jake smiled.
“I told you you could just take one of the keys,” I looked at him.
“I was raised better then that. I don’t like just taking and then paying when the owner gets there, and Sis you said that because Tom was there I couldn’t sleep on your couch,” Josh chuckled.
“Didn’t mean for you to wander in the streets though, bro. Thought you were staying at the hotel.”
“Well there’s always upstairs the Saloon Josh, also a little special place if ya don’t mind spiders and such…” Jake said.
“Oh yeah,” Chels nodded.
“Well I did at least for a night. But you have to remember I am low on coin because of the trip out here,” Jake laughed. “I’m not afraid of spiders.”
“I would give you money,” I looked at him seriously.
“Aren’t ya paying your brother, Trin?” Chels teased.
“If he’d take it,” I looked at her.
“Hate to admit to it, but I am…” Jake said.
“No she isn’t,” Josh shook his head.
“Well alright then Josh, come with me and I’ll show ya a little somethin’ on the other side of the river…” Jake looked at Josh.
“Besides, if we lived together we’d probably kill each other,” I winked at my brother.
“Jake and I do that now,” Chels pointed.
“Just come to me for money, will you?” I looked at Josh.
“Kiddo, You keep forgetting that I was the one who majorly raised you,” he looked at me.
We went to see the cabin near Devil’s Ditch. We found a cave with some Indian markings in it and I insisted that he couldn’t stay there. We continued to look around and then Josh said, “I rather not live out in Devils Ditch anyway sis, especially after what happened yesterday.”
“Oh?” Jake raised a brow and stepped closer but I shook my head at Josh.
“Just roughed up Chet yesterday for cracking a joke at our parents,” Josh said.
“He should have kept his mouth shut then…”
“He was also threatening to shoot Trin in the leg if she didn’t move away from the door,” Josh gave me an apologetic look.
“Did ya tell Sheriff Adder?” Jake narrowed his eyebrows.
“I did,” I nodded. “Talked to him this morning. Taurus said Chet should become a soldier.”
“I thought you and Chet were good friends Trin,” Chels looked at me with confusion.
“Oh good,” Jake said and then looked confused. “A soldier? How come?”
“Cause he’s so trigger happy against the Indians. That’s what caused the disagreement between us. I wasn’t gonna let him go out after the natives without proof that they were involved in something.” I glared at my brother for bringing it up.
“I’m sorry kiddo, you know how I am,” Josh looked at me.
“Well I’m glad to learn about this too... We’ll come out here more often and keep an eye on Mr. Chet,” Jake nodded.
“But I thought you two were partners here,” Chels pointed to the saloon in Devil’s Ditch.
“We are,” I nodded.
“Well if that house on the other side of town ain’t to ya likin’ ya can always rent rooms at the Saloon or the Hotel,” Jake nodded his head, “We’d be goin’ now... Chels promised me steak dinner tonight.”
“What no steak for the rest of us?” Jake chuckled.
“Would have invited if we had known,” Jake chuckled.
We talked for a bit more and then said goodbye as they headed home. I looked over at Josh with a sigh and said, “You didn’t have to make a big deal of it.”
“I am sorry, and I wasn’t making a big deal out of it,” Josh raised his hands.
“If Chet actually shot me I could understand it but it was just a threat in the heat of the moment.”
“Look Don’t start with me Kiddo, I am only protecting you. Threat or not he had the intention to do so. And like I said yesterday I couldn’t deal with you getting hurt,” Josh narrowed his eyes.
“I get that. Just that you tell Jake and Chels and now they’re gonna be watching him. He’s my business partner, Josh. We’re gonna have to clear this up somehow and him knowing that I dragged him to be watched by the law isn’t gonna help.”
“Would you rather have me watch him, especially with knowing what I have done, And you didn’t get the law involved. I did,” Josh walked closer. “Because the law needs to be involved.”
“I talked to Adder this morning. The law is fully aware. I took care of it already.”
“Well I am sorry sis.”
“Just... trust me, okay? I know how this place works... I appreciate the care and the support but remember, I’m a big girl. I’ve got friends in high places here.”
“Well then I should just let you be for a few days and concentrate on taking nice pictures of the area. If your such a big girl.”
“I’m sorry,” I sighed and stepped over to him. “The last couple of days have been intense.” When he stepped back I said, “Josh…”
“How do you think it has been for me?”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just so used to being on my own. I have to remember I’ve got someone else looking out for me now. Tom’s here but... He’s not here all the time and I just get used to fending for my own protection so much I guess.”
“Yeah. well it has been hard on me, I have been living on the streets, THE STREETS! I went from living in a nice house with a lot of money to living on the streets just because of how much I care about my sister.”
“Look, stay with me then. I thought you were fine in the hotel. You didn’t want to intrude. I’m sure Tom’ll be fine with it…”
“I rather not,” he shook his head.
“Josh... Come on. Then I’ll pay for a room at the hotel for you if you’d rather.”
“No.. Your a big girl and you worked hard for that place as well as for your money. Once my stuff gets here I should be fine."
“Let’s look at that place by the border that Chels suggested.”
“Mom responded by the way,” Josh took hold of my arm.
"Did she?" I swallowed hard.
“She said she was hoping for two weeks from the time we got her reply,” Josh nodded.
“Okay,” I nodded.
Josh wrapped his arms around me and said, “She did say though that she will wait for us to get there to make the final decision on the day that way we could be there for dad and mom.”
I sighed, taking in the news, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for getting upset with you about telling Jake and Chels.”
“You had every right to get upset,” he smiled, brushing my hair.
“Let’s go look at that place shall we? I don’t want you wandering the streets tonight,” I sighed and stepped back.
“Sis I am much older and can handle myself, but yeah let’s go see it,” Josh said and we headed out to Devil’s Ditch.
***
This evening I walked into the clinic, wondering if Tom was around. I saw him in the clinic and nodded towards the Natives at the soldier’s outpost. “Hey there,” I greeted him. “What’s goin on over there?”
“Hey Trin! I’m not sure what’s going on…” he shrugged.
“I’ve missed you, darling,” I pulled him close to kiss him.
“Missed you too. Should we go say Hi?”
“Sure,” I said and we walked over towards the soldier outpost.
Chief Nah was the first one to greet me and said, “Dago Te.”
“Dago Te. How are you this evening?” I asked.
“Let’s hear him out,” Jonathan Marks told the other soldier, Luke Short.
“My heart is sad. Again Blue Coat, not of these two. Come to village. Draw gun. Shot apache sister. She almost not make it. Bullet was deep,” Nah explained to me.
I sighed and looked over to the soldiers for explanation, pulling out my notebook as Jon said, “He is only one soldier, his actions speak only for him, not Pvt Short or I. How many were killed in the village today’s attack?”
“Two wounded bad. They pull though. Solider come to village to... kill apache. I not want war. This must stop,” Nah said sincerely.
“Who could have done this?” I asked the soldiers.
“Again, I quote War Chief Sherman- ‘war is hell.’ This must stop,” Jon said.
“Apache not come here to fight. Every time I try solve... Then it happen again,” Nah said.
“No concern of yours Miss,” Private Short looked at me.
“I’m covering the story for the paper, Soldier. It’s very much my concern,” I looked at him.
“Then put in your paper a fella wearing blue coat did it,” Short rolled his eyes.
“Two wounded badly. Wrote it down. I will relay this to my chief,” Jon said and turned to Short. “Remember, Pvt Short, we’re servants of these civilians, even the press.”
“Not even gonna give me a statement, Soldier?” I looked at Short and smiled at Jon’s words.
“We must stop this evil. We only want freedom too. To live in peace. We want to be free to raise our children, in our ways, to be able to hunt and live in peace. We don’t want power, we don;t to be of your government, or bankers... we want to be ourselves. We want out heritage, because we belong to it,” Nah explained.
“I’m just trying to give the full picture of what happened,” I said.
“No statement to be giving you Miss," Short said and looked at Jon. “We ain’t talking to no reporter bout one of our own Pvt.”
“How many times has this same blue coat come to your village?” Jon asked.
“Perhaps your own private should stop creating so many stories then,” I looked at Short.
“Which other private, ma’am? Me?” Jon asked.
“He said, and I quote, ‘We ain’t talking to no reporter bout one of our own Pvt’.”
“What’s it gonna look like if she adds that to her paper? I’ll tell ya what, It will look like you are hiding something. If there is a problem within your ranks, wouldn’t be top priority to fix it?” Tom asked, looking at the soldier sternly.
“This is twice now. He come. First time same night we put heal Private Marks. Then he come ask for heal too. When Medicine women put herds on his wounds. He draw gun. Shoots up village. Same this day,” Nah said.
“Our top priority is our concern Sir. None of which will be reported by a newspaper. And ma’am in that quote you just said I used the word ‘Private’ referring to Private Marks,” Private Short said.
“Then maybe I need to speak with Private Mark,” I said to him. “If you’re not going to tell me your side then I’ll just tell the side of the Apache.”
“Alright, I go now,” Nah said. “I say thank you for taking my words to your White Chief.”
“I would never, ever, do what is reported. Let’s get this straight, here, and in the story,” Jon said firmly and then nodded to the chief. “Farewell, Chief.”
“Seem the Chief is more educated then the reporter,” Short looked at Marks.
“That is of our concern. The army works for the people of the united states. We pay your salaries,” Tom scowled.
“Then tell me the real story here. Cause right now it sounds like you guys don’t want the public to know the truth,” I looked between them.
“You two want a story, go knock on someone else’s door. What goes on within the cavalry is our business. If you want an interview about something then you need to speak with the lieutenant,” Short glared at us.
“And who’s the lieutenant?”
“Lieutenant Marcus Warbunsee he is the commanding officer of this outpost,” Short said.
I smiled and said, “I’ll talk with him then. I’m guessing he’s not in now?” I gave Tom a knowing glance.
“No Miss, he sure ain’t. He’s out bustin’ his ass protecting your freedoms at the moment.”
“Let’s go. We’re getting nowhere here,” I looked at Tom.
“You’re right. I’ll buy you a drink at the saloon,” Tom nodded.
“Now you folks have a nice day,” Short said and we walked back to the saloon.
I hesitated and looked over at Tom. “I want to go talk to the Apache.”
“Me too. I don’t like the attitude the soldiers are giving us.”
“Me either. They’re hiding something.”
Baron came over towards the saloon to get a newspaper and I handed him a copy. When we walked down the street towards the village, Tom said, “We should go see Chet.”
“You’re kidding, right?” I raised an eyebrow. “We are not including Chet in this. Tonight we’re talking. Nothing else.”
“No, but I was saying that so he wouldn’t get suspicious.” Tom waves back to a girl in the distance and called, “Hey Lou!”
I smiled, remembering the girl’s name from Chet’s story. We walked over and I said, “Lou, hello there. Just the lady I was hoping to run into.”
“Trin! Hello!” Lou smiled.
“I heard about what happened out here the other night. How’s the leg?”
“Oh well, it’s better.”
“No idea what caused it?”
“Just my trippin over myself, trying to hurry and warn someone about a group of indians,” Lou said and I nodded, smiling at the sound of the Natives not being responsible like Chet had thought. I gave Tom an ‘I told you so’ look as she continued. “Well an indian had tried to come across the water at me...so I ran...thats when I tripped.”
“Came at you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“He said something to me I couldn’t understand, and started across the other bank..I got scared and ran...he was with a squaw.”
“Did he have a weapon raised?”
“No,” she shook her head.
“That’s good then.” I noticed Young Doe with a woman in the distance, whispering and pointing at me. I sighed, recognizing Two from Hawk’s village.
“Is women, mostly… We okay,” Two said and greeted us.
“Two Spirits, Haáhe. It is good to see you again,” I told her genuinely and she nodded. I hoped she would see that I still didn’t wear a weapon. “This is my boyfriend Tom... and new friend Lou.”
“We are just on way home…” Two said.
“Everything okay over in Kansas?” I asked, noticing Young Doe hiding behind her mother, staring at me the entire time.
“Is quiet, thank you,” Two nodded.
“That is very good to hear,” I nodded and then in the silence I looked up at the Apache village. “Sweetie, we really should get up there.”
“Yes. Let’s go,” Tom nodded.
“There is talk of fighting... I hop it is okay to be here... I am not allowed to help,” Two said.
“If you are in need of a place to hide you can take cover in the saloon in Devil’s Ditch here. We must be on our way though. Send Hawk and Sasha my concern and greetings.”
We said goodbye to Lou and headed up the mountain together. I held Tom’s hand and called out, “Chief Nah? It is Trin and Tom. We are unarmed!”
“Come in…” he shouted back and we walked into the village.
“Dago Te,” Tala greeted us.
“Dago Te Chief, Tala,” I smiled at them. “This is Tom, my um…” I hesitated as I tried to think of the Native equivalent for the term ‘boyfriend’.
“Sit. I share my fire with you,” Nah motioned towards the village. “You write words too?” he looked at Tom.
“No. But I am a doctor. But what she is in, I seem to be in as well, I want what is the truth from both sides. I wish for this fighting to stop,” Tom said to him.
“Chief, it is good to be back in your village again,” I smiled at him.
“Sit then. I am Nah-kah-Yen, Apache Chief. I know to speak English. A teacher each me. I can read words on paper, too,” Nah chuckled.
“We wanted to come and discuss what was being talked about at the outpost earlier this evening. We believe the soldiers aren’t being forthcoming with information.”
“I wish you to give me close attention, as I say what I ask you to put in paper. You will do this for me?” Nah asked.
“You have my full attention, Chief,” I nodded.
“I want to speak to you about promises that the Americans have made. I ask you have this in your paper. First I want to speak of time when Jesus Indians of the Delawares lived near the Americans, and had confidence in their promises of friendship they were given, and thought they were secure, yet the Americans murdered all the men, women, and children, even as they prayed to Jesus? The same promises were given to the Apache one time. It was at Fort Of a White Chief, where some of my people were forced to make a treaty. Flags were given to my people, and they were told they were now the children of the Americans. We were told, if any white people mean to harm you, hold up these flags and you will then be safe from all danger. We did this in good faith….”
I could tell that Tom was anxious about something and I squeezed his hand as we listened.
“”But what happened? My beloved father whom was Chief at time stood with the American flag in front of him and that very peace treaty in his hand, but his head was chopped by a American officer, and that American officer was never punished…. After such bitter events, can you blame me for placing little confidence in the promises of Americans? When they buried the tomahawk at Greenville, the Americans said they were our new fathers, not the British anymore, and would treat us well. Since that treaty, here is how the Americans have treated us well: They have killed many Apache, many Winnebagoes, many Miamis, many Delawares, and have taken land from them. When they killed them, no American ever was punished, not one….”
“That brings something up I wanted to tell you for some time..” Tom started.
“It is you, the Americans, by such bad deeds, who push the red men to do mischief. You do not want unity among the tribes, and you destroy it. You try to make differences between them. We, their leaders, wish them to unite and consider their land the common property of all, but you try to keep them from this….” Nah went on. “You try to separate the tribes and deal with them that way, one by one, and advise them not to come into this union. Your states have set an example of forming a union among all the Fires, why should you censure the Indians for following that example? But, I mean to bring all the tribes together, in spite of you.The reason I tell you this, you want, by making your distinctions of Indian tribes and allotting to each a particular tract of land, to set them against each other, and thus to weaken us….”
“Chief, you keep saying the word ‘you’.. Remember... Tom and I are not like them. We are trying to aim for peace,” I shook my head.
“You never see an Indian come, do you, and endeavour to make the white people divide up?” he paused. “You are always driving the red people this way! You ought to know what you are doing to the Indians. The only way to stop this evil is for all the red men to unite in claiming an equal right in the land. That is how it was at first, and should be still, for the land never was divided, but was for the use of everyone. Any tribe could go to an empty land and make a home there. And if they left, another tribe could come there and make a home. No groups among us have a right to sell, even to one another, and surely not to outsiders who want all, and will not do with less." he says, We shall have a great council, at which all tribes will be present. I am not alone in this determination, it is the determination of all the warriors and red people who listen to me.”
Tom looked at me seriously and said then, “What he says is the truth. My mother was a Delaware Indian of the kit-han-ne tribe. A whole regiment of US forces attacked the village where my mother called home. She dove into the river before any of them have seen her. She was one of few survivors. She went south to Pittsburgh, where she met my father. This is why I do not trust the soldiers. To this day I think one of them killed my family.”
I looked at him with shock, amazed to find yet another man I had been with in the past year that turned out to be part-Native. I wondered if it was some sort of sign and I hoped that this would help the Apache trust his presence more.
“That is the true reason why I came west. It was to leave the bad memories behind. But it looks like they follow me,” Tom said.
“I…” I looked between them, speechless.
“This is why I wish to seek justice upon the ‘Blue coats’,” Tom said.
“I understand, sweetie…” I said and looked to the chief for his reaction.
“I am Apache! I am a warrior! My forefathers were warriors. From them I took only my birth into this world. Everything I have said to you is the truth. I have declared myself freely to you about my intentions. And I want to know your intentions. I want to know what you are going to do about the taking of our land. I want to hear you say that you understand now,” Nah said.
“I have always understood, Chief. That’s why we’re here. We’re trying to show you that we understand and that we aim for the same goal, that of peace. I will try to discuss with the authorities in town the situation and hopefully we can allow one another to live in our own cultures in peace,” I looked at him seriously.
“Put these words in your paper. Let them all know. My intentions are clear. Peace or war,” Nah said and talked with Tala in Apache.
“We should let you get back to your evening,” I said then, looking at Tom. “I will be sure to include this all into the paper and will be sure you get a copy. Safe paths, you two. And thank you again.”
“Yes, thank you,” Tom nodded and I led him back out of the village and hesitated, looking over at him. “Everything okay?” he asked.
“I know we have to talk alone about what you told me back there.... but let’s first see if Marcus is at the mine yet.”
“Ok. Let’s go now,” Tom nodded and we headed down the hill.
We looked around for Marcus and found him inside the mine. “Marcus, we’ve heard some things that aren’t making your men look good,” I told him.
“What’s the news so far from the native?” Marcus asked.
“Your men seemed somewhat reluctant to talk to me earlier this evening,” I said.
“Who?”
“Doesn’t really matter who. The point is the Apache chief was trying to speak peacefully with them and they took down the information... I guess one of your men had gone up and attacked the tribe again. Second time this week it seems. And when I tried to ask your men for their side of the story once the chief left, they seemed supremely reluctant to give me a statement.”
“Perhaps its Buu again........any wounded during the battle? Also anything else from the Native?”
“One of them, I believe it was Pvt. Short, said, ‘we ain’t talking to no reporter bout one of our own Pvt.’ He said that their concerns wouldn’t be reported by a reporter. He also said that in that quote he was referring to a Pvt. Marks. Pvt. Short seemed adamant that what goes on within the calvary was their business, not the public’s, even though it directly affects the public,” I said with frustration.
“Technically Short was right, we reported to no one in this town but the military.....but indeed the conflicts brought up the heat between us and the native. If the thing keep happen like that, I would have no choice but to send a letter to the Regiment, as to get the permission to declare war with the Apache.”
“It seems as if your men, or one of your men, is initiating most of the tension.”
“I will go and ask my soldiers for more detail first. I would see if I can get them avoid unnecessary contacts with the native. That’s all I can do now, after all I can’t stop the war. When it really happen, I would still choose to stand by my men.”
“So you have no apology for how they treated me? For how they disrespected me?”
“I personally apologize for that. And I will talk to them myself.”
“Thank you, Marcus. Any information for me?”
“That’s all I want to say, as I have to listen to the soldiers too for this incident.”
“We’ll talk again then?”
“See you next time then Trin. And sorry again.”
“I appreciate it,” I nodded and gave Tom the signal that it was time to head home.
We walked back home and went upstairs. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you of that before. I just wasn’t sure you’d believe me,” Tom started.
I looked in his eyes, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’m just glad you told me at all. It makes everything make sense now… And when we met in Georgetown... I didn’t really have the best rapor with natives so I probably wouldn’t have taken it so well. Now... I think we’ll be able to use it in our advantage,” I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“I hope so. I just can’t stand to see this happen again.”
“I understand darling, I can’t either.”
“Here, I’ll make you some tea, and tuck you in. It’s been a long day.”
“Thank you, sweetie.”
He made me some tea and we lay back on the bed. “It’s just good to be here with you.”
“Indeed it is. The one constant in an ever changing town…” I said as we relaxed together after a busy day.
