Alisha was crestfalen. She had no future with either the red or the white people. "Do not fret, Alisha," Powchutu soothed, "for I wil find some way to get you away from here and these people. I wil return you to the land across the great waters you have spoken of to me. You must be patient until this new trouble is over."

Alisha wondered what she would have done without Powchutu as her friend. He pa.s.sed no judgments on her. He accepted her for herself. His promise of help and his kind words accepted her for herself. His promise of help and his kind words lifted the heavy burden off her shoulders which Jeffery and al of Fort Pierre had placed there.

Powchutu felt he must ease Alisha's mood even more. "So much of this trouble is based on the misunderstanding between the white man and Indian. Both sides have suffered greatly since the white man came here. The white man kils to take the land, and the Indian fights back in the only way left open to them, in battle. You have been caught between the two warring sides. On the one side is the white man, jealous and angry because the Indian took you first. On the other hand is the Indian, desiring you but not accepting you because you are white. The pride and hatred on both sides prevents either one from having you."

"Why do you keep saying Gray Eagle wants me?" lisha asked. "How could he and do the things he did to me? He only wanted to hurt and use me because I was white and helpless. If he cared for me at al, he would have freed me rather than treat me the way he did. I think my freedom was paid for with the blood of my people and the saving of his life!"

"Alisha," he chided her. "You have not been listening to me closely. He proved how much he wanted you by taking you as his captive and keeping you in his teepee. Gray Eagle does not take white slaves for himself, nor Indian slaves. He's never even taken a wife. He has shown his desire for you before his people and his promised mate. He feels he shows weakness before his warriors to take and keep one of the enemy for himself, especialy when that lovely enemy" refuses to be subdued and conquered. It is a frightening and disgusting thing for a man like him to feel he has shown weakness and a lack of wisdom. He makes up for this by showing his power over you and his lack of feelings for your pain showing his power over you and his lack of feelings for your pain and suffering. He tries to make a joke of your humiliation, to pretend this is why he keeps you. He uses harsh punishments to keep you in line and to prove you are only a slave to him, nothing more."

Powchutu wavered. Which was more important, for her not to know Gray Eagle's feelings for her and let her think she had only been taken as a wh.o.r.e; or tel her she must have been very special to him and let her see her true worth and value? To be taken with love and desire would be far less painful and shameful for her to accept than to have been taken for hate, spite and abuse as a wh.o.r.e. He would tel her the things she needed to hear, truth or not. Hopefuly she would never see the warrior again and Powchutu's own words would not matter one way or the other, except to ease her shame.

"He must at al cost save face and dignity. Pride is most important to him, more important than his life or yours. You presented a very big problem to him. He finds it impossible to fight his mind with his heart. If I were you, Alisha, I would carefuly study my feelings and place a guard over them. You have a tendency to reveal far too much with your eyes. When you speak his name or talk about him, your eyes soften and your voice is sweet and caressing. It would be a tragic mistake if the others guessed your true emotions ..."

Alisha flashed him a look of guilt and panic. Was he saying it was evident to him because he knew her so wel, or to everyone?

She admitted, "I am so confused, Powchutu. How do you deal with emotions you cannot understand or explain? How can you control such feelings? By al that is sane, I should hate him for al he has done to me. Heaven help me, for I cannot. He has created feelings done to me. Heaven help me, for I cannot. He has created feelings inside of me I never knew or felt before. It is like a fire I cannot control or extinguish. It burns at the very thought or sight of him. I must not... I cannot love him, for I can never have him. What shal I do?" she pleaded in anguish, "... for I shal never see him again and yet, my heart cries out for him!"

Powchutu wished with al his heart she could feel and say those same things about Powchutu one day. Was there any hope she would turn to him if Gray Eagle was out of her life for good?

Did he dare not warn her about the trouble brewing? "Do not be so positive you have seen the last of him. He is not a man to give up what he feels is his."

Alisha brightened. "Are you suggesting he might try to recapture me? But there is no way he could get to me here."

Powchutu's words flashed vividly across her mind. She would never return as his concubine with Chela in the same teepee as his wife. "You said we could leave here and go to another place to live when this trouble is over, didn't you?"

The word "we" seared across Powchutu's brain, and he smiled. "Yes, I did, if you'l trust me enough to leave here alone with me."

She met his steady gaze and replied, "I would trust you with my very life, Powchutu. If I cannot trust the only friend I have, then I am doomed. You are al I have. I need you. When the time is right, we wil go far away from this dreadful place and people. We wil be a family, just you and I. We wil always love and care for each other. Agreed?"

She was speaking of a brother-sister relationship. Deep inside he knew this, but alowed himself to hope that with time, it would be more, much more.

more, much more.

They were both silent and thoughtful for a time. Powchutu took her arm and they headed back for the fort. As they entered the gates and headed for the Philseys' quarters, they were quickly aware of the attention they were attracting. There was no way they could hide their meeting, so why try?

When the lieutenant strode into the general's office, Galt looked up. "I was just about to send for you, Jeffery," he said. "I don't like the trouble the Injuns are brewing. They are trying to wipe out every white settlement and fort in this entire area. Powchutu says the war councils are meeting in the camp of the Blackfoot with Black Cloud. If they decide to attack here next, I'm not too sure we could hold them off for very long. If the war party is large, we won't be able to hold them off at al. If only those new men and supplies I requisitioned would get here soon! Hel, what good are guns without bal and powder? I hope to G.o.d those savages don't know how bad we're hurting."

Jeffery's eyes gleamed. He saw this as an excelent opportunity to be rid of Powchutu for a time, and with any luck, for good. "Sir, don't you think we should send someone for help? I'd say someone who knows this area and people the best."

The general rejected his idea, "No, Lieutenant Gordon. We've lost two men already. We had better hold onto the few men we have left. Those last few raids cost us too many men and supplies."

General Galt paced the floor nervously, muttering to himself. Jeffery tried again, "Why don't we send Powchutu out to scout around some more, see what he can learn? He might find out what they're up to or where they plan to attack next."

General Galt stil refused his idea, "No, again. I'm afraid we'l General Galt stil refused his idea, "No, again. I'm afraid we'l need Powchutu here if they attack. He's the only one who could speak with them."

"Hel! General. Those savages wouldn't dare to attack here. They wouldn't stand a chance of a s...o...b..l in Hades in a fight against us! I wish Gray Eagle would try to raid here! I'l clip the great eagle's wings, and stuff my pilow with his feathers and scalp!

I have a personal score to settle with him."

The general said, "I suggest we cal in al the officers for a meeting. We had better plan some strategy if an attack comes. It wil be imperative to make a strong showing in the beginning."

Jeffery rose, saluted lazily, and answered, "Yes, Sir. I'l see the men are here at 1800 hours." He left.

He halted just outside the general's door to watch a scene which had instantly caught his attention. Alisha was entering the gate on the arm of the scout. His arms stiffened, his fists clenched and unclenched, and his eyes burned with hatred and fury. d.a.m.n that vixen! he seethed. You've puled your last insult at my expense, Mr. Scout! I'l fix you both! He caught the eyes of several nearby men. He nodded toward Alisha and Powchutu, and spitefuly gave the signal they had seen many times before.

Several of the men were bewildered and surprised. He had expressly ordered al the men to leave that girl alone. The signal was unmistakably given once more. It was definite he wanted her included in on the railery today. They surmised, she might be playing too hard to get, or being just a mite too friendly with that Injun. They figured he wanted to teach her a lesson or two. A few of them maliciously thought, she deserves it too, fraternizing with a red sc.u.m...

The men began to tag along behind Alisha and Powchutu. The men began to tag along behind Alisha and Powchutu. They nudged and poked each other in the ribs, snickering and loudly whispering. The tempo and crudity steadily picked up as more men joined in. Alisha's face was flaming at the vulgarity and filthy gestures.

Powchutu tightened his grip on her elbow to let her know he stood by her. The group moved closer and closer to them as the ribaldry continued. They used words and signs she had never seen or heard before, but instinctively knew were obscene. She walked on, head held high with pride and courage. Tears stung her eyes and she feared she would break down right in front of them. She silently prayed Powchutu would not be antagonized into defending her, for she had no doubts he was sorely tempted to do so. The grip on her arm and the look which had flickered in those slatey eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. His muscles were tight and tense. She longed to tel him it was al right, and give him a smile to prove it, but she dared not look at him again. If he read the expression on her face, he would instantly a.s.sail the closest man. She also had no desire for any of them to see the ful impact of their cruelty upon her.

She was totaly correct in her a.s.sessment of Powchutu's emotions. But he was wise enough to know it would be foolish and futile to take on so many men at the same time, at least in front of Alisha. If he were injured defending her honor, she would be hurt even more. His death would be even more destructive. She would be helpless and alone without him. He felt lightheaded knowing she relied so very much on him.

Powchutu swore to himself to find the time and place to singly take on every one of the men involved in this humiliation. This thought gave him the strength to close his ears to their words and his thought gave him the strength to close his ears to their words and his eyes to their gestures. He concentrated on getting her to her quarters as quickly as possible, but with her pride intact. Without warning, a loud, spiteful voice ripped across the air, "s.l.u.t! Red wh.o.r.e! Where you hurrying to? Prefer Injuns to soldiers?"

Alisha's heart sank. It was Kathy.

Kathy launched into a vicious attack. "I saw the way you carried on with that Injun in his camp. Now here you are trying to act like Miss Goody-Two-Shoes. Wel you ain't fooling n.o.body. They al know what you are and what you done."

Kathy had been viewing the whole scene from the captain's window. She had waited a long time to publicly humiliate Alisha and now had the chance- and everyone's approval. Kathy raced out of the captain's room.

Alisha was so stunned she stopped in her tracks. In just a moment, Kathy stepped in front of her and blocked her path. Alisha stared at Kathy in astonishment. She could not believe a. woman would say such things, or even think them. Her malevolence and crudity shocked Alisha. She said, "Kathy! You can't possibly mean such awful things! How can you stand there and spit out such vicious fabrications? You were there also and you know how we were both treated. Why would you say such terrible things?'

"Ha!" she wildly exclaimed. "Sure I saw how we were 'both'

treated. I was forced to live and work like a dog, while you paraded around like some ivory G.o.ddess. You, a slave? That's a joke! You were nothing more than his harlot. You had the gal to live and sleep with the very man who murdered al our people. Why, you care more about him than your own kind. I saw you two, Why, you care more about him than your own kind. I saw you two, walking and talking like two lovers. You trailed around behind him like some lost puppy."

Kathy warmed to her diatribe. The soldiers jostled and surrounded the two women and the scout. Kathy shrieked to a rapt audience, "I even saw you bathing with him and you didn't even mind a bit! You looked at him with that sweet, innocent look, and smiled that sickening smile, and fondled him at every chance like he was your knight in shining armour. Why, you couldn't keep your hands and eyes off of him! Don't try to tel me you didn't like him! I got eyes in my head, ears too! I ain't dumb neither! You're just a cheap s.l.u.t!"

Alisha had paled at her obscene attack. Her face was almost colorless, except for the two bright patches on her cheeks. She whispered, "You're wrong, Kathy. How could you hate me so much? You know you're lying, but they don't. Why are you doing this to me? How can you stoop so low?"

"I see your little game. You're trying to convince these men you were innocently and badly used. Poor thing!" she sneered. "It won't work. I've already told them everything about you and him. They know about how you tried to help him back at our fortress, feeding and doctoring him. If you asked me, I bet you're the one who released him during the night so he could escape."

Alisha shouted back at her, "You're a liar! I did not help him escape. I had about as much to say about his taking me, as you had to say about who took you."

Alisha glanced aorund her at the expressions on the men's faces. She studied the distorted hatred on Kathy's face. She looked into the vengeful, bitter face of Jeffery. His face fairly shouted, "I told you so," and "beg me to stop it." She was only an outcast, told you so," and "beg me to stop it." She was only an outcast, unwanted, hated and mistrusted.

Their faces swam before her vision and she wavered slightly. Powchutu feared she was about to faint. He puled her away from the crowd and hastily led her the *remaining distance to the Philseys'. He could hear the tirade of curses and insults coming from the group left behind. Kathy was beaming with pleasure for finaly getting a chance to knife Alisha in the back. Alisha immediately went to her room and closed the door. She ran to the bed and threw herself upon it. She dissolved into heartbreaking sobs. Why had they been so mean? she cried in anguish. What have I ever done to any of them, or to Kathy? They seemed to be enjoying what they were doing to me. Their hatred and brutality is far worse than yours, Wanmdi Hota. At least, you believed you had reasons to hate and abuse me. They do not. Oh G.o.d, wil it never end? How much more can I bear? What shal I do? I would rather be back at the vilage than live through another scene like that one.

Hatred and cruelty from the enemy does not hurt like hatred from one's own people. Had they already forgotten her condition when she was brought here? Besides, she had not asked to be rescued. And if they knew she would be treated like this, why did they bother to do so? If they believed she was truly Gray Eagle's woman, how did they account for her torture and abuse? This contradiction made absolutely no sense. How could she ever go out of the room and face any of them again?

Her heart beat sad and heavy in her chest. She remained in her room, al alone, for the next day. She refused to see Doc. She did not eat. She did not light the lantern that night. She just lay on her bed in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. She did not move when the bed in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. She did not move when the light tapping came on her window that night. Time could not lessen the pain in her heart, for nothing could ever remove the sting of humiliation she had suffered. Except for Powchutu, she was al alone, orphaned, penniless and friendless. There was no escape from her torment and agony.

Powchutu had hastily left the fort. He rode his horse swift and hard to release the pent-up fury in his body, He had seen Alisha safely to her room, then mounted up and rode off. He knew he might kil somebody if he didn't get away from the fort for time to cool his rage.

When he had returned after dark, he was hurt she could not even reach out to him in her pain. When she did not come to answer his signal, he realized she would need time to recover from the pain she had undergone. He swore, I cannot wait for the trouble to be over here. I must take her and leave here immediately. In a few days, we wil be gone...

He gazed at her darkened window, wishing he could share this good news with her. He would see her tomorrow and tel her then. At that same time, Jeffery was properly thanking Kathy for her help that afternoon. She had realy knocked the wind out of Alisha. Only a few more days and he knew Alisha and not Kathy would be lying beneath him. After she's mine, Jeffery thought, I'l kil Kathy if she ever comes near me and mine ever again. Within three more days, that d.a.m.ned scout wil be dead, and Alisha wil be my slave for a change ...

Chapter Fifteen.

Matu had ridden hard and fast toward the camp of Black Cloud to tel Gray Eagle of the raid on his camp. Al her plans would be in vain if the girl died in the raid or was rescued. Gray Eagle, his warriors and those from many of the other tribes and vilages swiftly rode back to the Oglala camp. They arrived to find many dead and wounded scattered about the vilage. Others were hiding in the nearby forest. The camp had been ransacked and many teepees turned over and burned. Fortunately, most of the teepees and supplies were stil intact. They had attacked quickly, without warning, and left the same way. He dismounted and hurriedly went to his own teepee. He was furious when he saw Alisha's mat empty and the deep boot prints al around the mat. Old Succolu ran in, panting. "They took her, Wanmdi Hota. I could not stop them. There were too many of them and they carried the mzawakan. I was to guard her while Matu came to the camp of Black Cloud, but I have failed. She was stil sleeping and never awoke when they took her. I watched from the edge of the forest. It was the one with the yelow hair, as before. He placed her on his horse and rode away. I am shamed, great leader of the Oglala."

The old man lowered his head dejectedly.

Gray Eagle looked at the old man and spoke softly, as he would to his own father, You were brave to remain so close and watch. The one with the yelow hair should take only the white girl, not the life of an old warrior, my koda. You did wel. It does not show wisdom to remain in the face of death. You could not have show wisdom to remain in the face of death. You could not have saved her. The one with the yelow hair has dared the vengeance of Wanmdi Hota for the last time. He and al his kind wil die before the snows touch our lands once more. I have spoken and so it shal be."

Gray Eagle's rage knew no bounds when he was alone in his own teepee. He clenched his hands into hard fists and ranted to himself, how dare they raid my camp and take what is mine! I wil kil every one of them in our lands and forests. Their blood wil soak our soil. We wil do as Mahpiya Sapa says, we wil band together and ride against them in twenty-eight suns. We wil destroy them al. Gray Eagle inwardly hoped Alisha would be cared for until he could reclaim her, for surely he would. She was as much his as his own body. It would be a very long moon before al the tribes would gather and be ready to slay the bluecoats.

As he paced around his teepee, he wondered what she would think when she awoke to find herself freed from his hold. She wil no doubt be happy to be free of me. But not for long, Cinstinna!

You are mine, and no man wil take you from me, ever! You wil once again share my teepee.

Each of the tribes returned to its own camp to prepare for war agains the wasichu cavalry. Many arrows, lances, war clubs, knives and tomahawks had to be made, sharpened and repaired. Shields and lances were decorated with feathers and scalp hairs. War paints were mixed and readied for use on the promised day of justice. Hunting parties kiled and stored game for the women, children and elderly warriors to be used during their absence. There was chanting, singing, and praying for the Great Spirit's help and guidance. The Owacitipi Hunska, asking for help and protection, was chanted and danced many times in the folowing days. Al was chanted and danced many times in the folowing days. Al things necessary were being done and made ready for the largest raid ever attempted, and hopefuly, the last.

For Gray Eagle, the nights were the hardest time for him in the twenty-eight day period. The busy days flew swift upon their course of time; but the nights were lonely, crawling by slowly. They moved like caterpilars on the bark of the cottonwood tree. His arms ached to hold his Lese, to be sure she was al right, to show her he loved her and wanted her close. His body hungered for her touch, her smel, her love, her kiss.

Wanhinkpe Ska had been right, the beating had taken her from him and his care. If she had not been unconscious, she could have been hidden by Succolu in the forest. She wil surely hate me for the beating and for not letting her know why it was necessary, Gray Eagle mourned. Wil she also hate me for recapturing her and bringing her back if I explain these things to her? Even not, I must have her back! Our lives and hearts have touched; now I cannot live without her. What life and happiness could I find with another?

As the days pa.s.sed on and on, White Arrow would find him pacing anxiously back and forth, which was unusual for this man of great and long patience. He would stop and stare in the direction of the fort and mentaly besiege it by himself.

White Arrow commented once, "So, you miss Pi-Zi Ista. I would not have guessed you cared this much by your actions, my koda."

Gray Eagle scowled at him and retorted, "I only miss her warmth in my mats and her duties as my slave. I am angry because they have dared to defile my camp and take what is mine."

White Arrow laughed, seeing through his facade. He proclaimed innocently, "They only took back what you had stolen proclaimed innocently, "They only took back what you had stolen from them. If you do not care for her, then why does she haunt your heart these many nights?"

Gray Eagle exclaimed, "She is mine! I shal have her back. She is no longer one of them, Wanhinkpe Ska. But you speak wise and true, my koda, for even now I see her face before me..."

White Arrow spoke the words he had refused to think upon until now, "Suppose she is dead ... or she could be wounded or kiled in the attack on the fort? Also, one of the other warriors might find and capture her first." They both flinched at these thoughts.

"I can alow none of those things, my koda. I wil tel them she is mine and wil kil the first man who dares to take her with a chalenge. They know and respect the honor and courage of Wanmdi Hota. They wil not refuse."

His words sounded more confident and daring than he felt deep within his heart. If it came to a chalenge, he would die defending her, or kil her before he would alow another to take her. Gray Eagle's eyes narrowed in concentration. He knew he must find a way to get her out of the fort before the battle. He tumbled different plans over in his keen mind. Then a plan struck him by surprise. He could pul a white man's trick-speak with a double tongue and bluff them.

He excitedly related his idea to White Arrow. "When the akicita-heyake-to sees such a large band of warriors outside the wooden fort, al I have to do is convince them we wil not attack if they give me the girl they took from my vilage. They wil not dare to refuse. We know they are very low on supplies and men, for we have not alowed them to pa.s.s our scouts for a long time. We have also prevented their hunting parties from taking game. They cannot have enough food or mazawakans to ward off a heavy attack for have enough food or mazawakans to ward off a heavy attack for very long. They wil be in. great fear of this raid.

"I wil be very careful not to alow them to see her importance to me, or they may try to hold her as hostage. I also cannot alow the other warriors to see this is more than a show of power and humiliation. Al must see only hatred and vengeance in my words for the raid upon my camp. I wil tel them her life is demanded in payment for the damages to my camp and people. I wil say I demand apology and sacrifice from them for what they did to me. I wil say the cause of the raid must be returned to me for punishment."

White Arrow listened to his words and was impressed by his koda's inteligence and boldness. "It wil work! I am sure of it. Who could dare to stand before the mighty Wanmdi Hota and not tremble with fear? They wil be happy to give up her life rather than their own. But what if she begs for their protection? Wil they not listen to one such as she and refuse to give her up to us without a fight?" He laughed as he answered his own question, "No, for the white-eyes are frightened and helpless. Besides, Pi-Zi Ista is brave and she would not alow others to die for her safety." He agreed with his friend. .

Gray Eagle gazed in the fort's direction again, but this time with a smug smile upon his lips and deviltry glimmering in his inky black eyes. Soon, I shal feel the softness of your body next to mine and taste the sweetness of your mouth, he thought. I wil see the sparkle in your eyes and hear the music of your voice. This time, you wil be far too frightened to fight or defy me. You wil submit and I wil not have to be harsh or cold to you. Yes, Cinstinna, this time wil be different...

The entire day before the raid, the chiefs and leaders went into The entire day before the raid, the chiefs and leaders went into one sweat lodge, and the warriors went into another. This was a teepee with very little ventilation and was covered with thick, heavy buffalo hides. They built a large, hot fire in the center of the teepee and placed many rocks in it. As the rocks heated, the teepee became very hot, causing the men to sweat profusely. This ritual was done to release al impurities, evil spirits and fear from their bodies. This was always done before al battles and contests to renew and cleanse them in body and mind.

After they left the sweat lodge, they went to the ceremonial lodge to the Warrior Society meeting. The pezuta yutas were pa.s.sed around and eaten to instil endurance and courage for the next day. They chanted and prayed to the Great Spirit as the euphoric halucination began. Gray Eagle prayed silently: Wakantanka, hear us; We cal to you for help and guidance.

The white bird you gave to me has been taken away. The white bird you gave to me must be returned.

She holds my heart and spirit with hers, Return her to my teepee, Return her to my heart and life. Wakantanka, hear me; Send me your sign...

Gray Eagle weaved to and fro as he spoke of the vision he saw. Under the influence of the peyote, the others believed they heard and saw the same vision he was experiencing. Ma.s.s halucination was taking place under those circ.u.mstances of close contact and empathy of mind and body.

He spoke of the great eagle soaring free and wild in the heavens when it spied a smal white bird lying injured on the ground heavens when it spied a smal white bird lying injured on the ground far below him. He gave a shril cry and swooped down. He gently gathered the little bird into his sharp talons. As he flew homeward, many other birds tried to steal her from him. Being of superior strength and courage, he protected the little bird from further harm. He cared for her and protected her until she was almost healed. One day while he was out hunting food for them, a large flock of bluejays came and stole her away from his nest. She vainly tried to resist them and flee, but she was stil too weak. She caled out for him to'come and help her, to free her. When he returned home, he found her gone and saw the blue feathers al around his nest. He soared high into the heavens to search for her. He untiringly flew al around the skies and lands day and night for a sight of her. At last, when he was about to lose hope, the great Thunderbird appeared to him and told him where to seek her. He quickly flew there and engaged in a fierce battle with the bluejays. He kiled al his enemies and freed his little bird. She flew home with him, protected under his great wing, to live forever in his domain and under his care.

Gray Eagle talked on and on under the influence of the peyote. Al of the others could mentaly see and hear the battle and the other events he described in vivid detail. The halucination began to slowly fade and relaxation came to each of them. Later, they related the vision from the Great Spirit to al the other warriors in the council meeting. They believed the mutualy shared vision to be powerful magic and of great importance.

The Oglala understood what the vision signified- what Matu had known the moment she saw the strange half-moon scar on Alisha. The tribe concluded, "The white girl has been given to you by the Great Spirit for your bravery and generosity. She has shown by the Great Spirit for your bravery and generosity. She has shown courage and friendship to our people. We did not understand the Great Spirit meant for her to live here. That is why you were sent to their fortress many moons ago. He wished you to find her and save her, and now you must do this once more. She has been taken by our enemy, but we have been told to help you bring her back here. The Great Spirit has a purpose for wishing her life spared. We wil do as he has commanded when he alowed us to share his vision guidance to you. We wil be your spirit helpers. We wil free the girl before the battle and restore her to you. You wil place her under your wing and guard her wel until the Great Spirit chooses to reveal her purpose to you. We shal kil the invaders of our lands and forests. We wil tel the other chiefs and warriors of this message when Wi rises in the heavens. She wil be spared and returned. We listen and obey you, Great Spirit, knower of al things." The council had decided and voted to return Alisha's destiny to the hands of Gray Eagle.

Gray Eagle and White Arrow were so excited about the vision of her rescue and return, neither of them could sleep. By the time of the new sun, she would once more be among the Oglala. The pre-dawn light found the warriors prepared in their linked-bone breastplates and dressed for war. They took their weapons and mounted their finest, fastest war ponies. Their breastplates were an important item of their dress, for they were believed to protect the warriors heart from the magic of the mazawakan. Their hair was adorned with varying colors of feathers, which by the number and position of the feathers indicated that brave's coups.

They were prepared to ride away as the Tokeh-pi-iceyapi Itancan's voice sang loud and clear. He could stil be heard as they Itancan's voice sang loud and clear. He could stil be heard as they rode away as he repeated the war chant for the fifth time: Wakantanka, hear us, We cal to you for help; Give us your sign, Give us your guidance; Show us your great love and protection.

Wakantanka, hear us, Our Mother Earth cries; Our forests and their creatures cry, Our slain warriors and brothers cry, Our winyans and papoose cry, The waters and Wi cry, Al cry for the leaving of the wasichus from our lands. Wakantanka, hear us, We wil take the wasichus mazawakans; We wil take the wasichus woyetu; We wil take the wasichus sunka; We wil take the wasichus spirits and lives.

Wakantanka, hear us, We wil be revenged; We wil free the forests and the creatures, We wil free the plains, and our brothers the buffalo, We wil free the children of Wakantanka and Makakin; Wakantanka, hear us and help us...

The cry as they left was thunderous: "Yekiya wo! Ku-wa, Oglala, kodas, ihakan ya!"

Oglala, kodas, ihakan ya!"

They rode like the wind until they neared the fort, then halted. In the early morning of the twenty-eighth day since the raid upon the camp of the Oglala, dawn was approaching with breathtaking majesty, as if she sent her own, special blessing to the Indian. Gray Eagle sat proud and erect upon his appaloosa before the entrancing sunrise. Its tawny hues sent rays like shimmers from heaven to outline him against the cobalt skyline. He appeared awesome and forbidding, sitting there like a G.o.d of war ready to swoop down and conquer the entire world.

It was time.

Gray Eagle urged his horse forward and forcefuly hurled the lance he carried into the dirt. It struck with a great force and stood quivering at the vigorous impact. The two feathers at its end began to gently waver in the light wind.

Gray Eagle sat waiting for the fort to respond to his signal to talk. He sat proudly and boldly before Fort Pierre and the warriors. There was no indication of fear in him.

Tension and panic ran rampant throughout the fort. The sight of the enormous band of Indians outside their wals was alarming. Terror broke loose at the vision of the awesome event about to take place. The soldiers scurried about like mice, getting their weapons and preparing to defend their lives and the fort. The few civilians present hurried inside their quarters to hide in dread. Everyone antic.i.p.ated death; or worse, torture.

The lookout watched the Indians closely for any movement. He stared at the tal, arrogant warrior sitting before the others. He wondered if that was the infamous Gray Eagle of the Oglalas. Who else would be so daring and fearless?

General Galt caled up to the lookout, "How many would you General Galt caled up to the lookout, "How many would you say are out there? Can you tel the tribes involved?"

"About two thousand, maybe more, Sir," came the reply. "I'd guess there are five or six different tribes out there. They appear to be waiting for something. Could be for others to join them or..."

That was when it happened. He caled down, "There it is, Sir! They want to talk. That warrior out front has thrown the talking lance into the ground and is waiting for an answer. My G.o.d!" he shouted excitedly. "The feather is yelow! It's him, Sir. It's Gray Eagle himself!"

Jeffery quickly spoke up, "Best we send Powchutu out to see what he wants."

"After that raid you puled on his camp, lieutenant, it should be obvious what he wants! It'l take some doing to talk ourselves out of this predicament." Stil, the general heeded the lieutenant's suggestion. He ordered, "Powchutu, it looks like they want to talk. I'm sending you out there to see what they're up to." His apprehension was apparent to the scout and Jeffery.