narfgirl: I do too, I think it makes for a mysterious edge to the story! See if White Buffalo figured it out in this chappie, so keep reading!
tinks-bell85: Yes, Native Americans were not well liked in the time period that the characters live, although they were the nicest people around in my opinion. At least the ones on that Into the West miniseries on TNT were friendly despite the horror they went through. Yeah, to me nothing beats a dog's loyalty for his Master! Keep reading!
morph: Thanks, and I'm trying to update as soon as I get the time needed to write a good chapter! Keep reading!
Forever Young: I love wolves, they're so majestic! Glad you like, and I like your fic too, hope you update again soon! Keep reading!
thefoxandthehoundfan: Wow, I'm glad you liked all the chapters enough to review them all! Well, I raised the ratings "just in case", but if there's going to be any T-rated stuff in here it will be towards the finale, to make for a grand ending. Anyways, thanks for the reviews, and keep reading!
Winter's Rising
Chapter Ten: The Stranger
Chief wasn't extremely sure if he liked this man that Copper had dragged back with him or not. The man smelt like a game animal, which the older dog took to mean that he was one of the animals themselves. However, he was glad that Copper had brought somebody to help the Master out, even if he may have been a bit strange.
Copper has assured his mentor that the stranger was friendly and was able to help. When they had arrived at the cabin (the dogs leading the way), the man ably toted the unconscious hunter inside. He immediately set work on making a fire to keep the room warm. Being a wilderness recluse, White Buffalo knew how to take care of himself in all circumstances, and was sure able to take care of another human until he was able to get back on his feet.
Since dogs cannot speak English, therefore not able to know what White Buffalo's name was, they simply referred to him as the Stranger. Copper was personally rather fond of the man, who had been the one to have found him to begin with. Chief tried to stay as far away as he could; his trust wasn't easily won.
Amos was unconscious for only half of the day, much his dogs' delight. His eyes flickered and tried to focus on his surroundings. He was briefly surprised that he was lying in his bed with a nice fire going to boot. How had he ended up here? It was impossible for the dogs to drag him from that icy lake.
The Master groaned as he tried to sit up, getting the attention of the hounds, who rushed to the side of the bed loyally. Hard as he tried, Amos just couldn't make himself raise up from the bed. That incident at the pond must have really weakened him. He hoped to be better soon, for there was still plenty of hunting left to be done.
Imagine the shock he received when a man whom he had never seen before entered his cabin with an armload of firewood from outside. Copper went padding over to the Stranger and nosed around on his shoes to clean them of the snow. Chief merely stayed put where he was. He wanted nothing to do with the man.
"Hey, who are you?" the Master croaked, having given up on lifting himself and was now once again settled on the pillow.
"I see you are awake. Good," the Stranger simply replied as he sat the firewood down on the floor. "My name is White Buffalo."
Amos's eyes seemed to widen when he realized what kind of a person he was talking to. "Injun!" He looked as if he wanted to grab his shotgun and blow the man to smithereens, but White Buffalo shushed him.
"I am not going to harm you, nor steal from you. Your dog came to me at my camp and begged me to follow him, which I did, and felt the need to save you from the cold."
"Why didn't you just mind your own business, redskin, I could have handled things on my own," the Master growled slightly. Hearing the Angry Voice, Chief glared at the Stranger and growled, too. Only Copper remained silent.
White Buffalo ignored this. He was used to the anger of White Men since before he ever became a member of the reservation. He simply decided they were just to selfish and ignorant to ask for help, so he just chose to overlook it.
"I brought in some wood for the fire in case it goes out," the Stranger informed him, taking off the coonskin cap he wore on his head. "It should last a while."
"Look, if you think you're going to stay here—"
"I have no need to stay. Like I said, I have a camp of my own that I can return to at any time."
"Then why don't you go back to it already and leave us alone? I can take care of myself."
"Very well," the Stranger shrugged. He knew the White Man would not be able to get out of bed for at least another day, but it was not his place to come in and nursemaid him if he didn't want it.
Copper seemed to sense that the Stranger was going to be leaving them and whined. White Buffalo knelt down and petted his head. "You have friendly dog. What is his name?"
Amos sighed, thinking he was never going to get him to leave. "It's Copper, and no he's not for sale."
"I have no need for a dog," White Buffalo assured him, letting the young hound lick his fingers. Chief rolled his eyes before lying down on the floor. Leave it to a pup to be friendly to everyone that drops in. "So long, Copper. It was a pleasure meeting you."
Amos scoffed, and the Stranger put his hat back on and headed out the door. Saddened that his new friend was leaving so soon, Copper trotted out with him to where he was heading towards his paint horse. The Stranger noticed this.
"No, no. You have to stay with your Master and keep him safe. Besides, you wouldn't like it with me."
He jumped gracefully onto his horse's back and tore off into a gallop into the forest. Copper howled mournfully after him and began to chase him down. He didn't want to see the friendly human leave them. What if the Master needed some more help?
He only ran so far that he wouldn't lose his way in the dense forest. He tried to find the horse's scent but it was lost in the wind. He was unable to find hoofprints left embedded in the snow as well. Discouraged, Copper walked alone back to his place to settle in for the night.
"I don't see why you liked him so much anyway," Chief retorted once the young hound came back in. Copper kicked the door shut to keep the wind and snow out before laying in front of the fire. "Seemed a little off to me."
"That's just because you don't like change, is all. Just because he was different doesn't mean there was anything wrong with him."
"Give me a break, half-pint, the Master didn't even like him. It was nice and all for him to help out of course, but he was just a little spooky to me."
Copper didn't want to argue with the older dog, so he just drifted off to sleep and dreamed about the Stranger.
The next morning, the sound of a horse's whinny woke Copper from his sleep. He lifted his head and shook it to bring himself to full consciousness and again heard the noise. Once he figured out what it was, his ears jumped up and he flew to the window.
"Chief!" he whispered. "Chief, wake up! Take a look at this!"
"You're getting too old for this," the Trigg hound mumbled, vaguely remembering how he used to get woke up every night during Copper's puppyhood.
"But it's the Stranger! He's back! And he looks like he's carrying a bunch of stuff with him!"
Yes, White Buffalo had returned. He had stayed awake all night thinking about the White Man with the dogs and ultimately decided to be hospitable and take him so food. Carrying the bundle of goods in his arms, he managed to open the front door and slam the package on the table. The Master stirred in his sleep and when he opened his eyes, he nearly fell out.
"What are you doing here? I thought you left!" he half-shouted.
"I thought the neighborly thing to do would be to bring some food, since you can not cook it yourself. Face it, you are an invalid."
Copper was so delighted to see the Stranger again, that he literally leaped into his arms. White Buffalo wasn't annoyed in the least, in fact he laughed at the pup's excitement.
"Easy, there, boy!" He took out a strip of beef jerky from the package and tore off a piece. "You like this stuff, I bet," he said, holding a hand out for the hound to take it. Copper nearly inhaled in and smacked his lips with pleasure.
"Hey, Chief, you should try this, it's great!"
"It's probably bad for your heart," the old dog grumbled, although the rumble in his stomach said otherwise. Neither of the hounds had been fed since the night before the pond accident, so they were both starved.
"I brought some extra meats I had, some leftover corn from fall, and a few other vegetables from the garden I had outside," White Buffalo informed the hunter as he emptied the sack. He tossed another piece of jerky towards Copper. "You must be hungry, huh?"
Seeing how much Copper was enjoying himself and getting a full belly, Chief reluctantly rose from the side of the bed and made his way over to where the Stranger was pulling out various food to sit on the table.
"Hello," the Stranger told the second dog. "You look like a good dog as well. What is this one's name?"
Amos wiped his face with his hand in frustration. "That's Chief."
"I like that name, Chief. Reminds me of my own chief I had as a child living with the Cheyenne tribe." He ripped off another piece of jerky. "Here you go."
"See, he's not so bad," Copper said to his friend who was busy chewing the delicacy.
"Why are you doing this?" the Master asked at length. "Do you always go around being the Good Samaritan, or do you just like to annoy people?"
"I see the fire went down a bit since I was here," the Stranger noticed, completely ignoring Amos's questions. He went and stooped over to throw in some more logs into the fireplace, bring the flames back up to a decent height. "My father, Screaming Falcon, told me when I was a boy that I was destined to be a protector of man. My name, White Buffalo, symbolizes a rare being that stands out among the others around him who is to help pick up the fallen."
"White Buffalo, huh?" the Master repeated. "You some kind of loner or something then? I notice you hadn't brought your friends around to sack the place."
"I do not live with a tribe anymore. We were forced to live in a reservation when I was younger, but I ran away and dedicated my life to living on the land."
"Charming."
"Yes, it is rather lovely out here, especially the winter. Although, it is also the deadliest part of the year." Switching the topic of discussion, he asked, "By the way, what might your name be?"
Amos groaned. "If you must know, it's Slade. Amos Slade. And don't you dare think you can come find me and get refuge if you ever decide to get in trouble with the law."
The Stranger chuckled. White Men were so humorous sometimes. "Mr. Slade, I guarantee you, after you are well enough to get up on your feet, you will never see or hear from me again."
"Then you might as well start packing, because I think I can get up here pretty soon."
"Suit yourself. I have to get fix my roof anyway." White Buffalo patted each dog on the head before leaving. "Good-bye, Copper and Chief. Be good dogs while I am gone. Maybe we will cross paths again in the future."
Watching the kind man hop on his horse and take off into the distance, Amos could only shake his head in amazement. "What a crazy, generous guy."
Will Amos and the dogs ever see the mysterious friendly White Buffalo again? They might, they might not, you'll just have to keep reading to find out!