The Legend of Black Wolf - Sully's Journey Home

Chapter Fifteen

        Sully slept behind Black Kettle's tent that night. Custom would not let him remain inside the tent of any member of the tribe. Many of the other men had been waiting outside when Black Kettle's meeting with Sully had finished, and they grumbled to themselves about the events transpiring in their tribe. As Snow Bird brought blankets and a buffalo hide and Cloud Dancing helped him get settled for the night, Black Kettle again spoke to his people before retiring. Sully tried to listen to the talking, even though he couldn't understand the words, but as soon as he lay down after his full meal made by the Chief's wife, he could barely watch the emerging stars above before he was asleep.  

        The arguing, however, continued as the evening went on. The people had been convinced that the omen of the Black Wolf had been one of bad fortune for their people. They felt that the longer the white man stayed, the greater the trouble he would bring all of them. Bright Spear was enraged that he had lost his tomahawk in his earlier altercation with Black Wolf, and insisted on another chance to fight the pitiful white man to the death. Many stood behind the thought. For the time being, however, the brave's weapon remained inside the Chief's tent.

        Black Kettle listened to all his people's thoughts on Black Wolf. He always wanted to know what his people were thinking so he knew how best to lead them. However, they were basing their beliefs on the past meetings they had had with other white men. They did not hear what Black Wolf had said during their talk. They did not see the look in Black Wolf's eyes as he talked of the betrayal done to him by the great war chief. Black Wolf was not another settler looking to steal any land for his growing family or his herd of cattle. He was not from the railroad, looking to kill the buffalo. He had nothing and simply wanted a chance to start his life over.

        The elders had gathered and listened with their Chief as the night went on. When all had fallen silent, Black Kettle looked up at the night, watching the smoke from the fire trail up into Father sky. Everyone grew very quiet and the angry conversation died out completely.

        "Black Wolf wishes no more time with his people. He lost his family and the great war chief lies to this white man as he lies to us!" Black Kettle said.

        "All white men lie!" One shouted from the crowd.

        "Cloud Dancing betrays us!" Shouted another. Everyone murmured. Their medicine man had seen them all through various conditions at one time or another, and he was greatly revered. Bringing a white man into their midst was something most could never have predicted Cloud Dancing to do. Cloud Dancing came to his feet to defend himself.

        "I went to help Black Wolf as I would help any of you!" He insisted. "I must listen to what the spirits tell me!"

        "My medicine man speaks with the spirits." Little Bear, one of the elders, spoke up. "We could learn much from this white man." As the talking continued, Black Kettle stood. He was tired, it was late, and he had discussed Black Wolf enough for one night.

        "A white man walked into my tribe…wearing moccasins Snow Bird had made. When my brave attacked…he did not kill him. He stood before me tonight until…I asked him to sit and eat. Weary from his travels, he listened…to my medicine man…instead of his own." Everyone glanced around to find Snow Bird, and she hung her head, honored to be remembered for such a small gesture towards the stranger.

        "He stays." And with that, Black Kettle went to his tent for the night. The crowd broke up and Cloud Dancing went to his wife.

        "Do I not give you excitement anymore?" She asked her husband as they walked back to their tent, referring to the days events. He smiled to himself, for he had missed her gentle teasing in the past few days. With a hand on her arm, he answered her without words, and she smiled back in silent reply. Whatever it all meant, her husband had managed to get Black Wolf to see that his life was worth living. That was a good thing, for all life, to her, was precious. Now, he just had to convince everyone else that Black Wolf's life was worth saving.