Wild Abandon

It had been decided in council that James Talking Bear’s son would follow in his father’s footsteps.

The fringes of his buckskin breeches and shirt fluttering in the gentle breeze, Dancing Cloud stood at the door of his father’s cabin as he waited for his father to enter, then followed.

James Talking Bear leaned his staff against the wall, then sat down in a wooden rocker before his fireplace. As he slowly rocked back and forth his old eyes watched the flames caress the wood on the grate in orange, satinlike streamers.

Dancing Cloud sat down in an overstuffed chair opposite his father and silently watched him, his eyes following his father’s movements as he rocked in his favorite chair.

“E-do-da, Father,” Dancing Cloud then said, drawing his father’s eyes to him. “I feel that I must go to Boyd, yet you are also ill. I have many responsibilities here at our village. Yet I still feel a responsibility to Boyd. As you know, if not for him, you would not have a son to sit by the fire with you to talk. Boyd took the Yankee’s bullet that was meant for me.”

“And I will be forever grateful to Boyd for saving my son’s life. My son, you must go to him. Go with my blessing. Do you not know that I understand a man’s heart whose feelings are strong for a man who saved his life?”

“When we met in council after I received the message from Boyd, I discovered that some of our warriors resent me for even thinking about answering the need of my white friend, much less actually go to him,” Dancing Cloud said, his voice drawn. “They say that I have turned into a white man, whose heart is now white.”

“Those who judge you wrongly only do so because they wish to take your place as chief when this chief, your father, dies,” James Talking Bear said solemnly. “I have learned long ago to close my ears and my heart to such jealousy. So should you, my son. Just remember this—there are many more who respect, than resent you. Those will be the warriors who will take their places in council with you when you are chief. The others? The door will be closed to them. Some might even be banished should they go too far in their comments that are born from jealousy.”

“I wish to create no trouble among our people,” Dancing Cloud said, bending to shove another piece of wood into the fire.

“You are not guilty of such a crime,” James Talking Bear said, allowing the blanket to ease from his shoulders, to rest against the back of the chair. “You must go, my son. This is a good time for you to return the favor for your life having been spared. Go to Boyd Johnston. See what he requires of you. Do it. Then the debt will be paid once and for all. You then can return to your people and set things right in your life.”

Dancing Cloud cocked an eyebrow as he looked over at his father. “What have I left undone that you are speaking of?” he asked softly.

“Would you not say it is time to take a wife?” his father said in an even and exact tone. “Would you not say that you have waited long enough to find a woman who could fill your lodge with sweet laughter? I have missed such laughter since your mother’s death. I have thought often of taking another wife, yet none would ever compare with your mother.”

“Then how do you think I can find someone that pleases me?” Dancing Cloud asked. “I also remember how special my mother was. I have yet to find someone as special.”

“There will be that perfect woman for you if you will just start looking for her among the many that you have to choose from,” James Talking Bear said, smiling. “But for now, my son, go and do your duty to Boyd Johnston. When you return, then you can start concentrating on choosing a wife.”

“Ii, yes, perhaps it is time.” Dancing Cloud nodded. “I have learned what is required to be chief. Through the years I have worked hard to better our people and have helped rebuild not only our village, but our people’s hopes for the future. I no longer see fear and hesitation in their eyes. I see sunshine.”

“And that is why you will be a great leader,” James Talking Bear said, reaching over to pat Dancing Cloud on the shoulder. “Now go, my son. Ready yourself for the journey ahead. Ride with peace in your heart and do not burden your travels with worries of your father. I am in the twilight of my years. Soon I will cross over to the other world. That will be a time of joy for your father, not regret. I will again see your mother. We will walk hand in hand. Is not that a beautiful thought?”

Dancing Cloud went and knelt down on the floor before James Talking Bear. He hugged his father. Momentarily feeling as though he were a child again, Dancing Cloud lay his head on his father’s lap.

“I shall miss you so, e-do-da, Father,” he said thickly. “How I wish you were well enough to travel with me. I miss our times together while riding free on horseback. It has been so long, e-do-da. So very long.”

James Talking Bear stroked his thin, long fingers through Dancing Cloud’s hair. “I ride often with you, my son,” he said, his voice breaking. “Did you not know that my dreams are filled with our joint adventures? While awake, my remembrances vividly recall our times together while on the hunt. Dreams and remembrances pacify this old father enough now, my son.” He chuckled low. “And it is way less strenuous.”

Dancing Cloud rose slowly to his feet. He placed a hand on his father’s shoulder. “I will go now,” he said, forcing his voice not to break with emotion.

“Wah-kon-tah, the Great Spirit will travel with you and keep you safe,” James Talking Bear said as he gazed up at Dancing Cloud. “When you reach Saint Louis tell Boyd that my thoughts and prayers are with him.”

Dancing Cloud nodded, then turned on a heel and left. His travel bags were already packed and secured at the back of his saddle. Without looking back, he rode from his village.

As he traveled down the steep

mountain path, past gnarled cedars that clung to the sheer cliffs, he concentrated once again on the note that Boyd had sent to him. It had said that Boyd needed him.

“I wonder what he needs me for?” Dancing Cloud whispered to himself.

Vireos warbled and wrens chattered in trees overhead.

A heron eyed Dancing Cloud from a distant limb.

Water snakes and turtles sunned on rocks as he rode past a spring gurgling from the mountainside.

“What can I do that someone of his own skin coloring could not do?” Dancing Cloud whispered.

His curiosity aroused even more, he sent his horse into a hard gallop now that a straight stretch of meadow was reached.