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Button  Morning Star - A Lakota  Button
Page 2

A story by Ben Wambli Ska


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...continued from Page 1

Next day, Morning Star left Art to return to her village. He was glad for he wanted to go in opposite directions from Big Buck Elk's village. Art traveled two (2) days East thinking that proceeding in this direction he would be far away from the Lakotas. Art was not sure of his location. He paused for a while to study his notes in his diary. Nothing seemed to become known to him or where he was. The truth of the matter was - Art became very aware that he was lost in the Black Hills- Paha Sapa! He must return to his original campsite and there to find the landmarks that he knew. Art tried to manage his backtracking to where he thought his camp might be, but he became more confused. He paused for a moment to rest and to figure out what had caused him to get lost in the Black Hills. His notes did not coincide or comply with the compass bearings of his location. Art now became tense. Suddenly, out of the forest, Morning Star appeared on her big horse. She asked him why he was now here at this location. He told her he was lost, for he was not able to find his original campsite. Laughingly, Morning Star said she had been secretly following him. He laughed with her and asked her, "Where is my campsite?" Her reply was, "Don't worry, just follow me, I'll lead you there for we are not too far from it." For another day, Morning Star led Art to a clearing in the forest that he realized was a familiar sight. He checked his diary for notes. He was a day's journey from his camp. They rested and talked about his getting lost in Paha Sapa. Art told Morning Star that he had another name - an Indian name! She asked what was his name. He proudly told her that he had been given the name White Eagle. Morning Star was pleased with Art's Indian name. She wanted to know how he was so named.

They ate their meal and Art began to tell his story. For several days he lived in Standing Bear's village, "I went about doing what I wanted to do freely. One particular day, I ventured to a beautiful clearing in the edge of the timber line and not knowing that I was being watched, I heard an Eagle high above me giving its loud shrilling call. I looked up to observe this large and beautiful bird. It was circling and gliding with an amazingly graceful glide. All of a sudden, the eagle shuddered in its flight, and a feather fell out from its wing floating gracefully to earth. It fell not too far from me. I went over to pick it up and to admire its beauty. The eagle had given me its protection with its feather. My friend, Standing Bear, saw this to happen and hurried to me on seeing this gift to me by the Big White Headed Eagle. Standing Bear said, 'You are a chosen one. That Eagle gave you one of its feathers. Only a few have been given that honor. You are now known as White Eagle. We will have a big celebration tonight at the Celebration of The Name Giving Ceremony.' As the news of this occurrence spread among them about me and how the eagle giving me one of its feathers, they were thinking that I might be a special person. They felt honored to be around me and be in my presence."

"That night a huge fire was built in the middle of the village where the ceremony was to take place. All the women were dressed in their most beautiful regalia, leggings, and moccasins. They began to stand side by side in a huge circle with the fire in the middle. The drums were beating to a certain rhythm. Everyone was joining in the chant. Feet were shuffling to and fro and were moving in a very unique sway and movement. The women were all looking at me and were motioning to me as if to say 'come to me'. Finally, after a complete circle of the movement, the drums stopped! The Chief came to me. I was dressed only in a doeskin loin cloth and moccasins. He extended to me the warm greeting of friends - the touching of the forehead, then toward his heart, and then towards me with the elbow bent up and his palm towards me. I repeated this sign to him, also. Standing Bear came for me to go to the place near the big fire where I was to stand in front of the Chief called Raven. The Chief and Standing Bear told me to kneel. This I did and when I did, Raven took the Eagle Feather that was given to me by the big bird, placed it in my hair, and said, 'Rise my brother, White Eagle. This is your name now and forever more!' Before I hardly knew what next was happening or what to expect, the beautiful Indian Woman came to me with her shawl draped across her arm--She said, 'This is for you White Eagle. May you always have this shawl with you for warmth and comfort.' Then she returned to the circle of women. Again, the drums were beating louder and with a very enchanting and hypnotizing rhythm. I began to feel as though I were an Indian - a Native American!"

Morning Star listened intently and was very interested in Art's story telling. She seemed pleased at the name of White Eagle that had been given to him. She placed one hand on his hand and her other hand on Art's face feeling the outlines of his face - much in complete devotion of love and compassion. Art continued his story- "One night I was lying down at my campsite with my hands behind my head when this bright flash went across the sky. The shooting star was so big and bright. I felt like there was a message for me. The trail of the star that went across the eastern sky was beautiful and mysterious." Morning Star rose quickly and said, "That was my people coming to you and to tell you that we would be near you very shortly."

Morning Star enjoyed her feeling of White Eagle's body. She had come to love Art. For he was good to her and a friend. A thrill beyond all realization. Art, - White Eagle -, gave Morning Star his undying love forever!

After Art finished telling Morning Star his story how he was named White Eagle, they began to return to his campsite. Art followed Morning Star's directions, and later they arrived at his original campsite. He readjusted his calculations in his dairy for the location of his campsite. Art was glad to be here. He was pleased to find all his equipment, his tent, and all his belongings safe and intact. Soon he had a meal prepared for the two of them. They were hungry!

There, they ate and rested and talked much about what he had to do the next day. He asked Morning Star if she knew of the yellow rocks called gold. She replied that not too far from here there is a nice stream in which many yellow rocks were found and more to be discovered. Art asked, "Morning Star, will you lead me to that stream where I can gather those yellow rocks?" She replied, "Yes, now, we must go while the sun is shining!" Excitingly, Art was happy to learn that he was about to begin his mission - that of finding gold and recording the site in his diary. Art packed all his equipment on his horse to move on to another campsite with Morning Star and her horse. His food and eating supplies were getting low, and he began to ponder how to replenish his stock of food.

Eating a good healthy breakfast, they were to begin a very strenuous journey. Art helped Morning Star to mount her horse to begin their journey to the stream of yellow rocks. They rode on for about an hour when suddenly they came to a clearing from the forest to a beautiful clear stream. There ahead was a perfect location for them to make their new camp near the stream. Morning Star said, happily, "We are here! This is the stream of the Yellow Rocks. My family have been here many times to collect the Yellow Rocks. Over there by that big rock at the water's edge is a very good place to start looking in the gravel. But first let us make your camp and eat." The tent was erected; the fire place was made near the tent; the equipment was placed in a good and safe place and easy to use; and a very good safe place was made for their horses near the tent.

Morning Star searched and found a three-pronged limb that she sharpened to use to spear fish. They wanted to eat before they began the hard and tiring task of finding the Yellow Rocks. Morning Star took off her moccasins and waded into the stream. She speared a large fish, then another, and another! They were soon to enjoy a good meal of fish! Art was amazed at her skill in spearing those fish so quickly. Their noon meal was very good. Their appetite was plenished, for their hunger was satisfied.

Shortly, Art got his pan for sifting, a shovel, and quickly he made a crude sluice-box for the gravel to trickle down in the water to expose any gold bearing rocks. He went to the big rock at the water's edge where Morning Star told him to begin his search. He placed his sluice-box in order to shovel the gravel from the stream in the sluice-box of running water. Soon, Art saw Yellow Gold nuggets tumbling in the running water. Excitingly, he quickly gathered several gold nuggets. They were as big as the tips of his fingers. He shoveled more gravel in the sluice-box and more Gold nuggets were exposed. This was a rich bearing Gold location. He was very pleased and thrilled with his discovery. He called Morning Star to come see his findings. She was happy too that she had shown Art this location. After a while, Art had collected in a leather pouch several good-sized gold nuggets. He recorded in his dairy the location of the stream, which he named, 'Star's Stream', and the number of nuggets he found the first day! What a successful day's venture he experienced.

Art finished his first day's work with a smile of great satisfaction that he found gold and a leather pouch half full of good size nuggets. He will surely try again tomorrow! He had gained quite a lot of experience in panning for gold. This discovery will be a good entry in his diary for General Custer. 'Star's Stream' will be well known in the future!

Nighttime came quickly for it was dark all around their camp. A good fire was blazing away and sparks were shooting skyward. Art and Morning Star prepared their evening meal for they were tired and hunger had prevailed in them. It did not take them very long to finish their meal. They sat and talked with a lot of laughter. Suddenly, Art's horse snorted loudly! And Morning Star's horse snorted also! They became alarmed. They looked around for any danger that might be near. From out of the timberline, a black wolf appeared and showing its teeth and its ears erect! The wolf was very cautious of these humans, who were encroaching in the wolf's domain. Morning Star yelled in Lakota language to the wolf. But to no avail. The wolf circled their camp and did not come any closer. The horse's eyes were excitedly focused on the wolf not knowing what it was going to do next! Suddenly, more wolves came out of the woods. Art and Morning Star became startled. Art pointed his rifle up in the air and fired it to scare the wolves. The wolves disappeared as suddenly as they appeared at the sound of the rifle's blast. A great relief to Art and Morning Star but she was saddened that the wolves had left so quickly. They were her friends. Art put more wood to their campfire, which caused their campsite to become bright with light. They decided to take alternating watches during the night for assurance of their safety from the wolves and any danger that might arise.

What a night for the two of them! Art and Morning Star cooked their breakfast. They enjoyed this filling and satisfying meal. They made preparations to pan for more gold near the big rock near the water's edge. As Art was shoveling the gravel from the stream into the sluice-box, he slipped and fell hitting his head hard against the big rock. Art yelled for help as he fell into the stream. Morning Star hurriedly went to help Art. He was hurt and had a bad cut above his ear. She dragged him from the water for he was now unconscious. She had nothing to stop the blood from flowing. What must she use to stop the bleeding? Morning Star took off Art's shirt to get to his undershirt. She quickly tore a piece of it to serve as a bandage. Her beloved friend was seriously hurt. After a few moments, the bleeding had stopped. Art was heavy and she could not drag him to safety. His horse was close by. She made a sling and put him in it. She and the horse pulled Art to higher ground for safety near their campsite. Art was getting cold for he was wet. She had to get him dry and warm. Morning Star put logs on the fire and put a pot of water to boil. She undressed Art and pulled him inside their tent. Quickly, she put the blanket and her shawl over him. She put warm stones in his blanket to help him get warm quicker. He was still cold and shaking. She bathed his head wound with the warm water and made a dressing to protect it. Quickly, Morning Star undressed and got next to him with her naked body to give him warmth and strength! In short time, Art was warm and Morning Star began to realize that Art was now safe and would be well soon from his wound. Art was now in a deep sleep. Morning Star checked Art every few hours to see how he was resting and if he needed further attention. Luckily, Art was rapidly improving for Morning Star did not want him to get cold. Her body was a great source of love, warmth, and comfort to Art. She wanted him well and strong again.

Next morning, Morning Star cooked a good meal with a big pot of coffee for the two of them. The hot coffee made Art feel like a new man. He dressed and made notes in his diary about his falling and getting a bad cut on his head. The weather was not very satisfactory. The day was cloudy and dreary. It was a day not good for anything, and Art did not want to go to 'Star's Stream' to pan for gold. He was just not yet up for that task. He and Morning Star mounted their horses to investigate the area for new sites. They enjoyed being together there in Paha Sapa!

...cont ---> Page 3    Next Button



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Music playing with this story: Big Sky
Composed & Performed by Keith Spillman
Thanks to: Greywolfcub's World :: Native American Midi


Graphics courtesy of:
Silverhawk Graphics



This Native American Story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is coincidental.

Copyright 2008 by Benjamin Park Terrell.

 

This site © 1999-2008 Ben Wambli Ska