CHAPTER SEVENTEEN #2
"I wish to take Sipat-simi-aki as my woman."
"I wish to take Sipat-simi-aki as my woman."
"If ever I treat her in a bad way or desert her, You are to put an end to me!"
George faltered for a moment, then said, "If ever I treat her in a bad way or desert her, You are to put an end to me!"
Briella had been present when this had happened.
Indeed, Briella recalled how George's complexion had appeared ghostly white after repeating these words.
However, George was repaid well for his cooperation when his to-be mother-in-law, with tears in her eyes, had said, "White man, scout and hunter, I accept you now as my son-in-law.
We must return to our lodge, where I will help my daughter prepare to become your lifelong woman.
You must allow us five days to do this."
"Of course I will do so," George had answered. "Here, Weasel Plume, come with me now to my pony herd, where you will select out fifty of my best ponies."
And so, George, wise man that he was, had gained himself the woman he loved, a woman who loved him in return and who was devoted to him. He had also formed an alliance with a powerful Pikuni family; although, in truth, he had not known this at the time.
And, what a handsome family George and Sweetgrass Woman had created, their two children as comely as their parents.
Briella shivered, this recall reminding her of her vow to Maximillian and the contract she had signed.
Oh, what an awful mess she was in, and it was her fault, if only because she hadn't known the full consequences of her actions in signing a contract with him; although, she admitted, she should have known.
Still, Red Fox seemed to be little concerned over their future life together, even though he was well aware of the possible doom her forced marriage would bring to them both. Perhaps she should act in the same fashion as he and enjoy this time she would have with him, brief though it might be.
Yes, she decided; this she would do. She would try to exude happiness and contentment, though it might be difficult to accomplish. Indeed, even the thrill of being back in camp with the people she loved, joyful as it was, could not erase the gloom of a possible future without Red Fox.
****
On this very night, the songs of the Night Hawks drifted into the lodge as these young people strode through the camp singing their sweet, happy songs.
Briella had almost forgotten how enchanting were these serenades during the summer celebration.
The Night Hawks, as they were called, were young men and women who slowly walked through the camp every night of the ceremony, singing many different Pikuni songs.
Some of the melodies were gay and happy; these were usually high-pitched. Some songs were sung in a minor key, and their melodies were so sad, they brought tears to listeners' eyes.
Glancing at Yellow Sun's wife, Pretty Moon, Briella saw she, too, was shedding a tear.
Briella said in Blackfeet and in sign, "I so love these nightly serenades the Night Hawks give us. Indeed, it is one of my favorite parts of these celebrations."
Answering in the sign language, Pretty Moon said, "I, too, have always loved this part of the summer celebration. But, tomorrow will also bring you great happiness, I think. All of our people who have come here are to take place in the recounting of your husband's coup."
"You, too, are to be a part of this?"
"Yes," signed Pretty Moon. "All of my people have come here to help your husband show what happened in our camp."
"I did not realize this," said Briella.
"You are lucky," continued Pretty Moon, "to have taken an Indian man as your husband. These white men are no good. They have killed many of my people—men, women and children. None of them would make you a good husband."
"I thank you for your compliment. But, there are good men amongst the white man. My brother is a good man, and he is white and is married to a Pikuni woman," Briella signed.
"Perhaps," Pretty Moon signed. "But, the good white men do not become the Long Knives, who hunt down the Lakota people as though they are animals, and only to be killed. These men who do this are worse than even a weasel, whom we all know is a ruthless and cunning animal."
"I agree with you. And, I am happy that my man will be enacting his bravery. Did you know I have loved my husband since I first saw him as a girl?"
Pretty Moon grinned, then she signed, "You were wise, because your husband is a good man…a very good man."
"It is true," returned Briella in sign. "It is why I have risked the wrath of my family to marry him."
Pretty Moon smiled, then signed, "We share this in common.
We both love our men with all of our hearts.
And, I must admit, I went against the wishes of my own family to marry my man, also.
We stole away from camp to marry because my family was so much against him.
But, we were so in love, it was all we could think to do.
But, my mother and my father and even my brothers soon wished to heal the wounds between us, and, before long, they welcomed my husband into our family. I have been very happy with him."
Briella smiled and reached out to take Pretty Moon's hand. "I can easily see how happy you are. I can only wish my parents will act in a like manner as your own."
"It will be," said Pretty Moon. "It will be."