~ Morning Star -- A Lakota -- Page 3

Morning Star invited Art to visit her people who were located nearby. Art did not know what to say to her for this invitation. He was reluctant for fear that her people would do him harm. Art thought that his assigned mission might become a failure. Art replied to Morning Star, "Your people do not know me. I am a United States Cavalry Soldier, and we are enemies to your Lakota people! I am here in Paha Sapa - their Holy Land - on a mission to search for gold and a passage here in the Black Hills. They do not want me here." Morning Star replied, "I have invited you to come with me to meet my people. My father, Big Buck Elk, will accept you as a friend and not as a foe or an enemy. You must trust me and have no fear of my people. You have brought much joy to me and have put much happiness in my heart."

With this assurance from Morning Star, Art replied, "Thank you Morning Star, I will go with you! Let us wait a couple of days for my wound to heal. I will be well and strong and the weather will be warmer!" Morning Star happily agreed to his reply, for she was looking forward to bring Art to her people's village. Art reviewed his diary and made new entries. His leather pouch was nearly half full of gold nuggets. He was thrilled and excited about his finding gold! Then, he paused to think of his other soldier friends who were sent on their similar missions. The missions were only ten more days from being completed and to report to General Custer their findings. He wondered if they had been as successful as he had. Art wanted to fill his pouch completely before he and Morning Star left 'Star's Stream'. Later during the day, Art was successful in finding more nuggets from the stream. Gold was certainly plentiful in that stream.

Art was tired, so he stopped panning for the day. He and Morning Star mounted their horses to ride to investigate the area for a nice look-see. They rode for about an hour when they came to a nice clearing near a narrow stream with plenty of grass and shade. They dismounted to rest and to enjoy the beautiful scenic view. Their horses seem to enjoy the grass for they were hungry. Morning Star and Art were lying on the grass enjoying each other's company. She was telling Art about her early days as a little girl. They laughed and soon Art and Morning Star became locked in each other's fond embraces. They knew that their love was true and meaningful. There in Paha Sapa an Indian Woman and a United States Soldier became one! Their world had begun. For they were happy together!

Returning to their camp, they prepared their meal and made preparations to leave early the next day. A strong wind had developed and made their campfire precarious. Their horses were nervous. The wind made eerie whistling noises among the trees. Thick clouds had formed and the night was very dark. Art added more stones to the circle of rocks around the campfire to protect the fire. They had to have a good but safe fire to last the night. By midnight, the strong wind had subsided and the night became calm and peaceful.

The next morning, the sun was shining bright, the wind was slightly blowing, and the day looked good and promising to journey to Morning Star's Lakota Village. They broke camp and packed their equipment on their horses. Morning Star led the way, for she knew the directions to her people's village. All this time, Art felt somewhat afraid of the meeting with her Lakota people. He thought about his staying with Standing Bear and his Lakota people. He hoped that Morning Star's people would accept him in the same friendly manner, also.

Soon, they approached the Lakota Village of Morning Star. Many Lakotas came running and yelling to the entrance of Morning Star and Art into the village. When the Lakotas saw Morning Star, they were pleased. But they were skeptical when they saw Art. He had on traveling clothes. He did not wear his United States Cavalry uniform. Morning Star told her people to go get her father, Big Buck Elk, for she had invited this friend to come to visit among her people!

When Big Buck Elk approached his daughter, he was happy to see her. Morning Star introduced Art to her father as her dear friend. Immediately, Big Buck Elk gave the exchange of the friendship gesture, touching his forehead, then to his heart, and with his right arm extended forward with the palm up towards Art. The Lakota people were no longer skeptical of her friend. Art returned the friendly greeting gesture to Big Buck Elk. On seeing the exchange of the gesture, they immediately accepted Art. Big Buck Elk, their Chief, told his people to take Art to a teepee where he would make his lodging. There he dismounted his horse and took his equipment and his precious leather pouch inside the teepee. The floor was a big round space. He had lots of room to put his equipment. The Lakota brave took Art's horse to the horse corral to be with the other horses.

That night the Villagers made a big campfire in the middle of their village to celebrate Morning Star's return with her friend. Drums were beating very rapidly and with a certain rhythm, very enchanting, and mystifying! Big Buck Elk motioned to his daughter, Morning Star to come to him. She was dressed in her most elaborate regalia with ornaments and beads and leggings with beautiful designs. Everyone was honored to have such a beautiful Indian Woman there among them. Her father told her to bring her friend to the Circle of Friends. She took Art's arm in her hand and took him to the big fire. She told her father that her friend was called Art and that he had an Indian name -- White Eagle -- because the big bird gave him one of its feathers. When Big Buck Elk told his people this information, they all were pleased to have such a gifted person among them. They immediately accepted Art. He was very pleased with this realization - he was among friendly Lakotas once again! Now, he wanted to meet Morning Star's Mother. She was called, White Buffalo Woman.

Big Buck Elk and the other Chiefs talked with Art. They asked him why he was in Paha Sapa. Art replied, "I am a soldier in the United States Cavalry whose leader is known as Long Hair." He was sent to search for the yellow rocks called gold, and that he had but a few days remaining before he must return to Long Hair that he had found some yellow rocks. They asked many questions of Art and were pleased with his answers. "We will help you find many rocks so that you can take to your Long Hair Soldier Chief", Big Buck Elk said to Art.

After eating his breakfast, three Lakota braves came to take Art to a special stream that was known rich with yellow rocks - gold nuggets - Art made the entry in his diary. Art showed them how to make a sluice-box to allow water run down its slope to deposit the yellow rocks. During the day at the stream, they panned and shoveled gravel into the sluice-box. Art and his friends successfully found and collected yellow rocks that filled two leather pouches with gold nuggets the size of the tips of his fingers. Art filled his other pouch too. Art was thrilled at this accomplishment. He never had seen so much gold. He entered the site in his diary with compass bearings and the amount of gold nuggets he found. Morning Star was happy for Art that he had found so many nuggets, but she had become sad. She knew that Art would soon depart for his rendezvous with Long Hair Custer where the Regiment was located.

The next day, Morning Star and Art were together wherever they went -- arm in arm -- hand in hand. She and Art were more than just friends, they were lovers. Proudly, she showed Art her large village. They rode their horses together over a wide area of her village. They came to a very secluded place to rest and to be alone. The grass was plentiful, and the trees gave much shade. Sitting on the grass, she explained to Art why her people were living in Paha Sapa at this time of the season. They were there collecting poles for their teepees and for their travois. The village people were going to move to a summer location soon. Art was enjoying his visit with Morning Star. He told Morning Star that he must leave soon to return to his Regiment. He must leave to give his account of his mission. Morning Star became saddened at this announcement. She would be very lonesome without Art there with her. Art embraced Morning Star and said to her, "Do not worry, I will return for you and take you with me forever!" She became immediately happy of his promise to return for her. She promised that she would be waiting for him. Their embraces were very meaningful, and soon they became very involved in loving one another intimately. They were very happy, for they gave their undying love to each other! The day ended with much togetherness. Their new world was beginning to dawn. But as a soldier of Long Hair's Cavalry, the future was very much unknown and uncertain.

The next day, Art packed his equipment with Morning Star's help on his big horse. He put his diary and pouches of gold nuggets in a separate satchel around his neck for safekeeping. He gave to Morning Star his yellow kerchief that was symbolic of the United State's 7th Cavalry. She accepted it with much affection and grasped it tightly to her bosoms. This yellow kerchief represented Art and his love for her. They hated to leave each other. Morning Star and Art embraced each other with a fond farewell.

Art mounted his big chestnut colored stallion for his departure and his journey to his Regiment. Waving goodbye to his lovely Morning Star, Art galloped towards the southern part of the Black Hills - PAHA SAPA - South Dakota.

During his journey back to the Regiment, often Art thought about his being with Morning Star. She had been very good to him, especially during the time when he was hurt. He had a close encounter with death. The cut above his ear was now healed but very tender. His thoughts were focused on the moment he and Morning Star when they were resting on the green grass. He as White Eagle began to tell the daughter of Big Buck Elk, the Chief, about his journey to the Black Hills. He remembered how she listened to his story telling; he remembered her hand in his hand and her other hand on his face feeling the outlines of his face -- much in complete devotion of love and compassion; remembering his telling the story about the shooting star the night before he met Morning Star; and remembering he told her, about his hand behind my head when the bright flash of the shooting star went across the sky. The shooting star was very big and bright and the sensation that I felt like it was a message for me. The trail of the star that went across the sky was so beautiful. He remembered 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."

He thought about Morning Star how she enjoyed being with him. A thrill beyond all realization. White Eagle gave to Morning Star his undying love forever!

A big flash and crack of lightning and a loud clap of thunder instantly woke Art from his thoughts with Morning Star. He must take shelter immediately until the rain and storm had passed. Close by, he saw a cave in one of the hills, and he rode fast to it for shelter.

Inside the cave, he made a fire and quickly had a cup of coffee. The fire gave to him warmth and comfort. In a few hours, the storm subsided and was over. He put out the fire and he continued south in his return journey to his Regiment.