Authors: Janelle Taylor
Joe’s report and letter home were finished. Breakfast was over, all chores were done, and the horses were saddled. Their weapons and supplies were loaded and their canteens were full. They would reach Fort Tabor by midmorning, if they left within a short time. By noon, they could be on the trail toward the first Crow camp.
Joe went to Morning Star and held out the gift he had purchased at the last trading post. “Remember when I told you white men can do tricks to fool people who don’t know about them?” he reminded. “This is one of them. Hold it up like this and look into that hole,” he instructed, assisting her. “See, magic can be created with tricks and skills. Keep it pointed toward bright light and turn it slowly.”
Morning Star did as he said. Her breath caught in wonder. Her hands trembled as she clasped the gift.
“It’s called a kaleidoscope. The first one was invented, created, by Sir David Brewster about thirty-five years ago. My mother loves them and collects them. Every time I sailed someplace, she’d ask me to look for a new one. She has them with beads, colored glass, pebbles, dried flowers, shells, insects, all kinds of things. Every time you move it, the pattern and colors change. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
Each rotation offered a different design and hues from the tiny specks of glass inside it. “How does it do such magic?” she asked. When she stopped turning the long tube, her eyes filled with awe.
“I’m not sure I can explain in words you’ll understand, but I’ll try. It’s an optical— that means anything to do with eyes and seeing— optical instrument. An instrument is something like a tool that does a certain task.” He motioned to areas as he explained, “There are two small mirrors at each end of the
tube. Glass or whatever is used is put into a space at one end. The mirrors reflect them like water does your face when you look into a pond or river. This is the peephole, because you peep— that means, look— into it. I wish you could see my mother’s collection. The one with flowers is breathtaking, and the one with insects in almost unbelievable.”
“You give this one to me?”
“Yes.”
“What of your mother?”
“She would be happy for you to have such a special treasure.” As she held it up again, closed one eye, and peered inside, Joe watched her with joy. She was as excited as a child at Christmas. She twisted the tube many times, almost squealing with delight at each new design it made. When she lowered it, she gazed at him with gratitude and joy.
Joe saw how the tears in her eyes sparkled like dewdrops under the morning sun. Their shade of brown reminded him of the darkest band of the stripes in the carnelian and onyx he had shipped from Brazil. Her skin was as soft as the cotton raised on his family’s plantation, the color of a newborn fawn. Her hair was as black and shiny as the coal from mines back East. He recalled how, when they galloped across plains and meadows, her ebony mane spread out behind her in glorious splendor. She could not possibly know how beautiful she was, or how deeply she affected him. Being near her was paradise, and sometimes hell when he could not touch her. How, he fretted, could he return to an existence without this woman who had become a vital part of his life?
“I will protect it and love it always,” she said in her best English.
When she leaned against Joe and kissed him, his body shuddered with longing for hers. He was relieved but dismayed when they parted. If he knew they would not be distur— He warned himself not to lose control. They were too near the fort for privacy. “Let’s go,” he urged tenderly.
Morning Star comprehended his reaction, and knew how she felt, too. It was unwise to remain here any longer. “I am ready.”
Captain James Thomas was standing on the porch of his office when Joe and Morning Star rode to the hitching post before it. He looked surprised to see them, and eyed the beauty with undisguised curiosity.
The couple dismounted and secured their reins. When Joe greeted the soldier, Jim returned it, but looked rather hesitant.
“We need to talk. I have plenty to report,” Joe hinted.
“You best leave her here. It might look odd to anyone watching if she goes inside with us. No offense intended, just a precaution.”
Joe explained to his companion, who nodded. He followed Jim inside. He was a little intrigued when the officer closed the door, as the June day was warm. “What’s up?” he asked.
Jim took his seat and told Joe to do the same with the chair before his desk. “So that’s the legendary Sun Cloud’s daughter,” he remarked. “She’s beautiful. She understood you, so that means she speaks English.”
“She spoke some when I met her, and I’ve been teaching her more on the trail. This is the first chance I’ve had to report to you what I’ve learned.”
“What have you learned?” Jim propped his elbows on the desk.
“I wrote out a full report to Stede Gaston and Tom Fitzpatrick and asked them to check on a few things for me. I’d be obliged if you’d send one of your fastest and most dependable men to deliver it to Fort Laramie.”
“I have the perfect man for the job. He’s never failed me. What’s in here?” he inquired as he accepted the sealed packet Joe passed to him.
Joe told about the slaughtered Crow hunting party, with Red Heart arrows in the bodies. He revealed how they had tracked the men responsible and attacked three at Rake’s Hollow and how four others had escaped before they arrived. He explained about recovering the sacred possessions and returning them to the Oglala burial ground, and of how Crow arrows had been left there to incriminate the wrong people. He told
Jim about meeting the trapper, buying his furs, then visiting Orin McMichael’s trading post. He halted his report to ask who George was.
“I don’t recall an Army scout named George with that description. Maybe he’s from Fort Laramie or Ripley or Snelling. He’s a long way from wherever he’s posted. I’ll check on him. I wonder why I wasn’t informed of his mission in my area and why he hasn’t contacted me. That’s strange, unless he’s on leave. You sure Fort Laramie or Tom didn’t put someone else on this investigation besides you?” Joe shook his head. “A corporal, you say?” Jim murmured. “No doubt he’s military?”
Joe found Jim’s lack of knowledge dismaying. “That’s what the others told me, and the stripes he was wearing verified it. The men at Orin’s seemed to know him. Said he visits there frequently. Implied he shares his scouting reports with McMichael. But if Orin was our man and that scout’s one of his hirelings, he and George wouldn’t be so open about his visits. George knows Zeke, but so do plenty of people. Simon said Zeke is there every month, so they have a connection. That scout puzzles and worries me; but if somebody else was on this case, I’m sure they would have told me. George didn’t seem to guess who I was, but he left fast and early the next morning. I was afraid he was hooked up with Zeke and was going to warn him of me.” Joe was puzzled as to why the scout, said to be in this area often, was unknown to the officer before him.
Jim’s thoughts seemed to stray a moment as he commented, “I knew about Orin’s cannons; they’re a scare tactic. He’d never fire them. You sure those men Ephraim mentioned were the ones waiting for Zeke’s arrival?”
“I don’t know, but it made sense.”
“You best not mention them to anyone,” Jim warned. “It could appear an unprovoked attack. You only have your word about their foul deeds, which no white law considers a punishable crime. You don’t want to get into legal trouble. If I were you, I’d do my best to prevent any more attacks and killings; murder’s a serious matter.”
Joe thought Jim’s choice of words and reaction were strange. “It was all self-defense, but I can’t prove it.” He related
how they visited Pierre and what was said by Simon Adams; that brought a scowl to the officer’s face. He revealed how Zeke had arrived and they had fled.
“I’ve heard rumors about Adams’ dirty dealings, but have no proof against him. I can’t act without evidence or a witness. I sure wish one or the other would step forward. That kind of thing is dangerous. If I questioned them, they’d deny it. All they’d do is be careful for a while. If you buy that stuff from Adams, you’ll be partly responsible for how he got it.”
Joe finished his report by telling Jim about his visit to the Columbia Fur post with Harvey Meade. On gut instinct, he decided to keep Harvey’s confidence about Simon and Zeke, as he’d already told Jim about his “souvenir” talk with Simon. “That report to Stede and Tom has a few questions I need answers to. After I spend a few weeks with the Crow and Dakotas, I’ll be back for them. Get your man to wait for their replies. I’d like to know more about the Pre-Emption Homestead Law and who’s buying up land. That issue can make for trouble and provide clues. I’ll be playing the white trader for a while. I might luck out on an Indian who drops clues about Snake-Man or Zeke. So what have you learned so far?”
“To be honest with you, Joe, I haven’t done much investigating. I was afraid I’d endanger you if the wrong person discovered I was nosing around. We don’t actually have a formal case yet, just suspicions and rumors. If we can just get some proof documented, I’ll open one, secret, of course. Then you’ll be protected from any recriminating charges. Until this is official, our necks are stretched out for chopping off. Frankly, I need a letter of authorization from Tom, and from the President on behalf of Mr. Gaston. I’ll request them when I send this over. I like my rank, Joe, and I don’t want to risk losing it and my hide if you’re on your own.”
“I understand, Jim. Get the papers you need. No problem.”
“You realize that once you and I are connected, your cover is destroyed. That could be today. That beautiful girl outside won’t go unnoticed. It wasn’t smart to bring her along. She’ll draw attention to your visit.”
“Sorry, Jim, but I couldn’t leave her alone out there. I figured
she’d pass for a squaw. Plenty of men have them.”
“But not men who keep visiting my office regularly.”
“How else can I report information?”
“There’s a hollow tree about two miles from here. From now on, I think we should leave our messages there. I’ll draw you a map. That’s where I’ll put the answer to this,” he said, tapping the missive to Fort Laramie, “when it arrives.” He sketched a map and explained it.
“You’re right, Jim. We have to be careful from here on. Zeke is no doubt searching for me. He’s probably reported to his boss by now. We could be in big trouble if they come after us.”
“You already are in big trouble, Joe. I haven’t told you what’s been happening while you were out of touch. It’s bad, for you and your Indians. For one thing, Zeke Randall has accused you of the murder of Clement Harris, made formal charges. He turned in evidence— a scrap of your shirt— and listed witnesses against you, and he demanded I use a patrol to hunt you down for arrest and trial. Then, there was a payroll theft by Red Heart warriors last Wednesday. The entire unit was wiped out.” Jim took two items from his drawer as he talked and placed them on the desk between him and Joe. “From what my best scout tells me, these possessions belong to Knife-Slayer and Night Stalker. Know them? The last one is the brother of the girl outside, right? The Red Heart chiefs son?”
Joe’s mind whirled. Jim hadn’t done anything to help him this time. The officer alluded to the storm ahead of recriminating charges, murder, evidence, witnesses! During their May meeting, Jim hadn’t mentioned the 1841 Pre-Emption Law, needing letters of authorization, or Simon and Harvey. Jim had said only that Bernard Pratte and Orin McMichael were good men and doubtful suspects. Joe worried over why Jim had waited until after receiving a full report before putting him in a vulnerable position.
Joe couldn’t allow this important task to blow up in his face. He had known such a mission would be perilous, but he had expected more help than he was receiving. He recalled Morning Star telling him that Payaba’s sacred vision prophesied both whites and Indians would work against him. Joe didn’t want to believe that James Thomas, Fitzpatrick’s friend, also a man who knew their every move, was his nemesis. He couldn’t help but glance at the captain’s long sleeves as he thought furiously.
The evidence against his Morning Star’s brother and her people was mounting. He must decide if Jim was trying only to protect himself from problems over this explosive matter and protect the mission or if the officer had other motives…
Joe prayed that Morning Star hadn’t overheard the two shocking charges. “Zeke Randall has the gall to accuse me of
crimes!” he scoffed. “He’s the one hauling illegal goods to the Indians. He’s the one who captured an innocent girl and planned to have her abused by his evil boss. Can you imagine what Sun Cloud and his band, and probably all his allies, would have done if anything like that had happened to his daughter? If nothing more than preventing their retaliation, it justifies Clem’s death. But I told you, we didn’t kill him. Zeke did because he was becoming too much trouble. By now the vultures haven’t left me any proof.”
“Don’t get heated up, Joe. Of course I didn’t believe him. I didn’t even make out a report and haven’t investigated his so-called evidence. Frankly, I’m baffled by why he came to see me about it. If he’s working for Snake-Man, it seems as if he’d want to avoid drawing attention to himself and his boss. And I doubt Zeke would take such a step without asking his boss first. He said he’d be checking back with me soon, so I’ll have to tell him something. If I refuse to act on his accusation, he’ll get suspicious of me, too. Once he thinks the Army’s involved, he’ll alert his boss and they’ll probably halt their crimes for a while.”
Jim locked his gaze with Joe’s. “But if you don’t come around again, I’ll have a reason to not pursue you. I could say I’ve checked and that you’re gone. That’s why I suggested exchanging information through that hollow tree, and why I’m dismayed about having you here today. I have to cover myself, Joe. Whatever happens with this matter can either get me promoted or court-martialed. It can get you hanged, if you can’t prove you’re acting under legal orders. You’ve killed several men without evidence to back those slayings. You’re riding with Sun Cloud’s daughter and working for the Oglalas, the very Indians incriminated in so many foul deeds. This can get out of hand fast if we aren’t more careful.”