Chapter Nine
As the days passed, Jeremy grew stronger. He was able to get out of the tent and cautiously find his way to a tree trunk that Running Fox set up for him to sit. However, with each day he also grew more restless. He was worried about how Aaron fared in Olympia. He was hoping they at least let him submit the bid without him, and not just tear it up and throw him out of the meeting. Surely they wouldn't do that, no matter how much of a stickler for details that boss was.
Running Fox came up one afternoon and knelt in front of Jeremy. " I am going to give you a task to do, so you do not rot from inactivity."
Jeremy smiled faintly, but he answered "I sure don't feel like doing any tasks right now."
"Wrong!" said Running Fox. "You must find more talents to use if you do not regain your sight quickly."
"More talents? I barely have enough talents to do my logging job with my vision, let alone now…"
"Well, you are about to discover some new talents. You must train yourself to "see" with all of your other senses: hearing, smell, touch…This first task lets you sit right here, under this tree. 'See' your environment with your other senses. Listen for the sounds around you, the leaves rustling, the howling of a fox, then smell the air, campfire smoke, the scent of the pine trees, and everything else you discover. Feel the stump you are sitting on, to 'see' if I made it smooth enough for one named Fair Eyes. I will give you some time alone for this valuable task. "
"…And if I can't remember much?"
"Then you must take off your blindfold, for surely you are wearing one!"
Running Fox scooted away before Jeremy could retaliate with any smart remark. He took a deep breath and began…
Chapter Ten
After about half an hour, Running Fox returned to see how her pupil had performed his homework. Jeremy, being an introvert by nature, was surprised and even amazed by all the sounds and smells around him. He even tried to guess which four-legged creatures scampered by in front of him.
Jeremy had a pensive look on his face when Running Fox asked him, "So, what have you discovered, Fair Eyes?"
"I've discovered that I prefer seeing," said Jeremy, ruefully. "However, given this 'condition,' I was surprised to notice a lot of sounds and smells and other things by just sitting here. It's like your camp is full of constant activity, from birds and animals and people…."
Running Fox smiled. "Please describe some of these things you noticed."
Jeremy then proceeded to report the sounds, smells, and other things he noticed while alone. Running Fox was impressed at his memory recall and attention to detail. He would be a good warrior hunter, she thought to herself.
"That is excellent," she said to Jeremy, after his litany of descriptions. "Tomorrow, we will work on other things. For now, let us go eat dinner with my tribe."
Chapter Eleven
The next day, for some reason, Jeremy became more and more agitated. What if his vision did not come back soon? What if his vision never came back? Would he be useful as a logger anymore? Would he be useful as a husband to Candy? His anxiety grew as he thought he would be nothing but a burden to her for the rest of their lives. He was pacing outside the tent when Running Fox came by.
"Are you all right?" Asked Running Fox.
"NO!" Jeremy shouted, then quieted back down a bit. He said, in earnest, "Every d-day that goes by without my vision makes me think I'l b-b-be like this forever!"
Running Fox asked "And what is the problem with that?"
"Everything is the problem with that! I won't be able to see a thing in order to do my job, to be of any use to anyone - hell, I will never be able to see my bride walk down the aisle…" He became choked up over that last remark. He wished he could have something big to throw in order to finish this tantrum.
"I see," said Running Fox.
"Ah - you see - you see! No, you do not." He then sat down on the tree stump and put his head in his hands.
Running Fox came up and knelt down in front of Jeremy. "Fair Eyes, I know this is very difficult for you. I know a man judges his worth by what he can accomplish each day. But there is so much else in this world worth experiencing and doing."
"What - like creating little wood carvings or something else to sell?"
"No. I had something else in mind."
She pulled up a rock and sat on it in front of Jeremy.
"May I teach you how to "see" with your fingertips?" She asked softly.
"What?" asked a perplexed Jeremy.
"Do I have permission to touch your face? I will tell you what I am doing at each step, so as not to startle or offend you."
Jeremy was indeed startled for a moment, but after thinking about it, he took a deep breath and answered, "All right. Go ahead."
Running Fox approached his face with her fingertips, and said," I am first going to 'see' the general shape of you face, like so." She then proceeded to outline the curvature of his face around the hairline.
"Is this acceptable to you so far?" She queried.
"Y-yes," he answered slowly.
"I will next 'see' how big your ears are."
While Jeremy tried not to chuckle, she put her hands on his ears and felt along the periphery.
"Next, may I 'see' the shapes of your eyes and nose?"
Sure," he agreed.
Running Fox's fingertips ran gently around the outline of his eyes, both open and then closed, and carefully went down the top of his nose and around his nostrils.
"Hmm.. not too bad for a white man."
Jeremy couldn't stifle the chuckle this time.
"Now, the cheekbones, chin and length of the neck." She went over the cheekbones, then around even the cleft in his chin, and down the sides of his neck to his shirt.
"One last thing. May I have permission to outline your lips with your mouth closed?"
Jeremy was a bit startled again. "Uh.. OK."
With delicate fingertips, Running Fox outlined Jeremy's generous lips, being careful not to get too intimate, before finishing with a small sigh.
"Well, white man. You have an oval face, you are not bald, your ears and nose do not protrude too much, and your other features are rather normal. You might even be deemed 'handsome' by white man's standards."
Jeremy laughed out loud. "You saw all of that?"
"Yes," Running Fox replied. "Now it is your turn to 'see' me."
Jeremy stammered "B-b-but I - um - I wouldn't w-w-want to…"
"Go ahead! I give you permission to touch my face in whatever manner draws you a complete picture."
Jeremy sat back, settled himself for a minute, then said "OK, I guess. P-p-please tell me if I'm doing anything wrong, will you?"
"I will," she promised.
Jeremy reached out to make sure she was right in front of him, then said, "I will - um - begin with the shape of your face."
He then proceeded to cover each area of her face just like she had done with his face. A few times, after he outlined a part of her face, he would touch his own in order to compare. He knew that American Indians had high cheekbones, but he didn't know exactly what that meant until now. He then proceeded to "see" the rest of her face, just as Running Fox did to him.
When he came to the lips, he paused.
I - I'm not sh-sh-sure about this part. I d-d-don't want to…"
"You won't," she interjected. "Now begin, before you skip this task."
Jeremy took another deep breath, then gently drew his index fingers around her full lips, first the tops, then around the lower lips. Then, before finishing the circle, he suddenly stopped with a jerk.
Running Fox broke the silence, saying "What is wrong?"
Jeremy swallowed hard before answering, "Uh, nothing. It's just that y-you're.. you're… um… beautiful."
Running Fox just smiled. "And how could you tell that without your vision?" She asked simply.
"I.. could just.. tell," he said quietly.
After both of them were silent for a moment, Running Fox asked quietly, "Do you know why I did this exercise with you?"
"To make me uncomfortable?"
"Running Fox laughed. "No, you silly white man, to make you comfortable - with your beloved!
Jeremy let that sink in for a moment.
Running Fox continued, "Suppose you do not regain your eyesight by the time you leave our camp?
I wanted to give you some ideas to explore the beautiful face - and other features - of your beloved. This instruction will likely be useful many times…even on your wedding night, and even if you do regain your vision by then."
Jeremy blushed profusely. He opened his mouth to say something, but could not. He was too busy letting all that information sink in.
Running Fox got up laughing. "That will be all the "schoolwork" we have for today. Rest now before supper."
Chapter Twelve
Aaron rode back to where he thought the Indian Tribe had their camp. He wasn't sure if he could make the round-trip journey in one week's time, but he wanted to try, to check and see if Jeremy was even still alive.
After the third day on horseback, Aaron finally arrived at the Salish Tribe's Camp. He dismounted his horse, then looked around a bit before venturing into the woods. He certainly didn't want to startle a Warrior, who might just pierce him with an arrow.
Aaron finally called out in a hushed tone, "Jeremy! Jeremy….?"
One of the tribesmen heard the name, and came over to where Stempel was standing. Aaron took a step back, raised his hands, and said "I am looking for my partner, Jeremy, who was bitten by a venomous snake. Is he still alive?"
The Warrior said nothing, but motioned to Aaron to come with him. Stempel immediately followed.
When they came upon a clearing, Aaron could see the Tribe enjoying a dinner, with deer meat, various vegetables, and even a peace pipe of sorts. But he did not see Jeremy.
Just then, he heard two voices. "Fair Eyes, can you bring this plate to the feast for me?"
"I'll try not to drop it," Jeremy's voice laughingly answered.
Before shouting out his name, Aaron ran up to Jeremy, took the plate from him, and handed it off to another Tribesman, and grabbed Jeremy by the shoulders. "Jeremy! You're alive!" Jeremy seemed confused for a second, wondering who snatched the platter from him. When he recognized the voice, he shouted "Aaron - you made it!"
Both men hugged for a moment, then backed away to conversational distance.
"Were you able to get the bid accepted?" Jeremy asked.
"All I had to do was show everyone the snake's head, and they didn't say another word."
Jeremy sighed with relief. He then asked "Did you find out if we won the bid yet?"
"Not yet," Aaron replied, "so I have to get back immediately, before he awards the contract. I was hoping that, since you're still alive, you could possibly….?"
Jeremy's face fell, and he stumbled a bit. Aaron caught him, and it was only now that he realized that Jeremy could not see.
"Oh, no…" said Aaron, "That snake did do some significant damage to you."
"I'm glad I was able to f-f-fool you for a while, at least," Jeremy said. "You would have to lead me and my horse all the way to Olympia, and I think that would slow you down too much."
"You also look like you've got a ways to go before regaining all of your strength," Aaron stated. He was so grateful Jeremy was alive, but he had hoped beyond hope that the lad could accompany him back to Olympia for the awarding of the contract. That would show Mr. Richmond that there were indeed two people on this bid.
Jeremy swallowed hard, then said, "Well, Aaron, I look forward to your return to pick me up on the way home, with the contract."
"I guess it's settled then. I better be off."
"Wait, Aaron. These people make the most delicious food I have ever tasted - you've got to stay for dinner!" Aaron looked at several inquisitive faces now staring at him. "You better introduce me, then," he stated.
The Tribe did not seem to mind another white man in their midst, especially after Jeremy introduced Stempel in their native tongue. Jeremy had a good ear and sharp skills for picking up different languages.
After everyone had eaten, Running Fox came to clear away the campsite. Aaron looked inquisitively at her and asked "Are you the chief's daughter?"
Running Fox smiled and said, "Yes, I am now the Medicine Man for the Tribe, even though I am a woman."
"She's the one who saved my life," Jeremy interjected.
Aaron's eyebrows shot up. "Well, I too am surprised, but quite grateful that you kept young Bolt here alive."
"What is a 'Young Bolt?' I have not heard of such a thing."
Both white men chuckled, then Jeremy said "I have two much older brothers. Mr. Stempel still thinks I am a child."
"Well," said Running Fox," You will be glad to know, sir, that Fair Eyes has been very brave throughout this ordeal, and I consider him quite a mature man."
"Thank you Running Fox," said Jeremy, gratefully.
"Well, then, before I am admonished further, I better be off. I think I can make it to the next town by dark." Aaron got up to leave, and Jeremy hung onto him." Wait!" He told Aaron. "I have something to give you."
"Yes, I too have something to give you," Running Fox added. She disappeared into the nearby tent, then reappeared with something wrapped in a cloth.
"This is the other end of the snake that bit Fair Eyes," Running Fox said." It may help with proof that he still exists…" Aaron nodded, then thanked her before turning to leave.
After they were away from the camp, Aaron teased Jeremy; "Um… Fair Eyes….?" He queried
"It's my Salish name," Jeremy replied, matter-of-factly.
Both men went to where Aaron's horse was tied up. Jeremy asked, "Do you see my horse anywhere, Aaron?"
It took Aaron a while, peering into the fading sun, to make out a horse tethered up in the distance. He realized it was indeed Jeremy's horse, so he said, "Yes, I do see him. He's tied up over there."
"Well, I can't see where 'over there' is, so you'll just have to take me."
Aaron led Jeremy to his horse, which immediately whinnied upon noticing that Jeremy was near.
Jeremy felt his way around the massive girth, then stroked his horse on the nose.
"Well, it looks like he's glad to see you," said Aaron.
"Same here," replied Jeremy. "bring me around to my rucksack."
"It's right here," Aaron said. Then Jeremy fished inside the baggage and brought out his wallet.
"Aaron, I want you to purchase everything that this money will buy: blankets, cooking tools, even saddles if there's enough money. "These people saved my life, Aaron, and that wasn't an easy thing to do, considering how that snake filled me with venom. I can't see with my eyes what they already have or don't have, but I could kind of tell they don't have a lot. Please use all of this money for them, for anything that could make their life easier."
Stempel looked at the thin wad of bills in Jeremy's wallet, then told him "Sure, I can do that, Jeremy. One more thing." Now Aaron felt around in his own rucksack. He brought out a piece of paper and a newly invented fountain pen, dipped it in some of his canteen water, and told Jeremy "I know you can't see, but try to put a sentence on here that proves I wasn't lying about your existence."
Jeremy tried in earnest to write carefully "I am Jeremy Bolt." Then he sprawled what used to be his signature on the paper. When he finished, he asked Aaron "Is that readable?"
"It's mostly legible, and it will have to do. Your signature is already on your part of the bid, so I hope it will suffice.
"I really have to get going now, to get back to Olympia in time. Keep getting stronger, young Bolt, and I'll see you soon."
Oops - he did not mean to say those words "young Bolt" and "see," but Jeremy just smiled. "I hope to see you when you return, too."
Stempel took one more look at the bills, then returned the entire wallet and its contents to Jeremy's rucksack, and took off.
Chapter Thirteen
Stempel made good time back to Olympia. He was grateful that the weather held up for the entire trip.
He pulled up his horse outside to the meeting hall. Several of the other bidders and several townspeople, some not very sober, were eyeing him suspiciously, until one of them asked, "Did you go bury your partner?"
"I didn't have to," replied Stempel. "He was actually still alive, but not yet well."
"A-HA!" blurted out an oily stranger with beady eyes. "So you didn't bring him back on purpose, just so you would be favored in the bidding!"
"I did not bring him back because he cannot see anymore - he is blind. He knew he would slow me down, so I left him at the Indian camp."
"Oooh, Injun camp… don't you say?" teased someone else. "Them's must be pretty tame Injuns if they didn't scalp the both of you!"
"That's right," Stempel said, while brushing past them and entering the hall to take his seat.
All the bidders eventually followed suit and sat down around the large table.
Mr. Richmond entered.
"Today I shall name the winner of this bid, and —"
"Excuse me, Mr. Richmond. May I say something first?"
Mr. Richmond's face clouded over, but he replied, "Go ahead, sir."
"There has been some doubt as to the legitimacy of my bid, given that my partner did not make it here. I went back to where I had left him, outside a Salish Indian camp. To my surprise, he was still alive, although he is now blind from the snake venom."
No one made a remark, so Aaron continued, "I asked him to try and sign this piece of paper before I left, and I would like to present it to Mr. Richmond as a sort of proof, if you will, of my companion's existence. His business signature is also on his part of the bid. Even though it was signed by a blind man, I believe that it is similar to the first signature written before the journey began.
"I also have further proof of his existence because the Tribesmen gave me the other part of this 'souvenir' from the snake." At that, Stempel drew out the rattle, to a gasp from those around him.
"I hope there will no further question of my honesty in this bidding process," Stempel concluded. Then he sat down.
After Stempel and Richmond were both seated, Mr. Richmond scrutinized the piece of paper that Jeremy signed. He then proceeded to take out the original contract with the bidding numbers and signatures on it, and studied them carefully as well.
"Well, Mr. Stempel, this does indeed look like the same signature before and after the sake bite. I wasn't sure until just now, but I will accept this bid as authentic."
There was a moderate buzzing around the room of disgruntled men, since none of them wanted to see Aaron's bid accepted. They wanted at least one bidder to be disqualified before the contract was awarded.
Mr. Richmond then continued, "Ahem, gentleman, I will now proceed to award the contract to one, and only one party."
The room grew so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
Mr. Richmond stated, "I award this contract, based upon details of the bids - and bidders - to The Bolt - Stempel Logging Operation."
Pandemonium broke out. One bidder after another protested, "But Mr. Richmond, the two bidders weren't even here!" "Mr, Richmond, surely you can't award a contract to a possible dead person," "Mr. Richmond…."
"ENOUGH!" Mr. Richmond bellowed. "I already told you I accepted the additional evidence Mr. Stempel presented on behalf of Mr. Bolt. If I find out he has been lying, I will begin the bidding process over again. If not… that is ALL. Good day, gentlemen."
Stempel quickly got up and moved to the front of the room while all the others were moving out the back. He did not want to be "rough-housed" on their way out the door. He could tell they were out for blood.
As soon as the atmosphere became quiet again, Stempel quietly asked "Mr. Richmond? Mr. Richmond, are you still here?"
Mr. Richmond strode out from behind the area he departed, saying, "Well, Mr. Stempel, I see that nobody did you any harm on their way out the door."
"Is that why you left, too? So you would be safe?"
"I daresay, Mr. Stempel, you are quite clever. Yes, you are correct in surmising that I wanted no further harm done to you or myself. I know a lot of those bidders, and several of them are rather 'seedy,' if you know what I mean. I did not trust their bids to be honest. You, however, went out of your way not just once, but twice, to prove to me that your intentions were honest and that your concern for your partner was justified. It will be a pleasure working with you."
Aaron's face broke out in a relieved smile. "It will be a great pleasure for us to work with you, too, sir."
Both men shook hands firmly.
"Now, come join me for a drink and repast," invited Mr. Richmond.
Stempel replied, "I will have to beg your pardon, sir, for I need to return to my partner quickly to tell him the good news and get us both home, to see if our Doctor can help him regain his eyesight."
"Well, you are nothing if not noble as well. Mr. Stempel."
"By the way," said Aaron, after a brief pause. "Would you happen to know of a store where I might find provisions for the Indian tribe that helped my partner live? He was rather insistent on getting them some 'creature comforts,' if you will."
"Ah, Mr. Stempel, look no further than my ranch. I will be happy to share many extra things with you, including a horse if you need one."
"Are you sure you would like your things to go to an Indian Tribe? They are quite friendly, but still…"
"If they are 'quite friendly,' as you say, that's all I need to know. Come."
Chapter Fourteen
Mr. Richmond's Ranch was indeed formidable. Even Aaron Stempel was impressed at the amount and extent of his wealth. Both men were finally able to relax after eating a meal and sharing cigars and brandy afterwards.
"Well, Mr. Richmond," Stempel began," I am indeed impressed by the extent and quality of your ranch." "Surely you have one of your own?" Mr. Richmond queried.
Aaron just laughed. "Well, Seattle is not quite big enough for one to spread out like this on the land. We are still a small town, even with a very bright future." He hoped he had not disclosed too much information about the smallness of Seattle, in order to make Mr. Richmond rue his decision on awarding the bid.
"What is the biggest plot of land in your town?"
"Well, it just happens to belong to Jeremy Bolt and his brothers - a logging camp amidst a massive hill called Bridal Veil Mountain. They own the entire mountain, as much as I have seriously tried to relieve them of it."
Mr. Richmond just laughed. "I'm sure you have!" He bellowed. "No businessman worth his weight in horseshoes would be able to leave a plumb like that alone!"
"Ah, speaking of horseshoes," Aaron replied, "I should see what you have by your generosity of goods for the Salish Tribe before I get on my way. I can make a dent in my travels if I leave tonight,"
"Nonsense!" Exclaimed Mr. Richmond. "It is already growing dark, and I cannot think of one good reason why you should venture out into it. Let me offer you a guest room, and we can pick out the goods tomorrow morning."
Stempel could not pass up such a generous offer, but asked politely, "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Of course I don't mind! Come along, then."
Aaron was relieved that he would actually get a good night's rest before journeying back to Seattle via the Salish camp.
Chapter Fifteen
Running Fox came rather quickly one morning into the medicine tent, where Jeremy was still housed.
"Quick, Fair Eyes, I must try this remedy before it is too late! I do not know why I had not thought of it sooner. We must get your sight restored as soon as possible!"
Jeremy woke with a start, and asked nervously, "What? What's the urgency?"
"Here - I will tell you as I prepare things. You sit here," she patted a nearby chair.
Jeremy did as he was told. Running Fox went on to explain, while she mixed together clay, moldy bread, liquids, and herbs, that there were certain treatments for supposedly "permanent" conditions that often cured those very conditions. One of them was blindness - from snake venom.
"I am making a thick poultice, which I will wrap around your eyes with a cloth. You will wear this first poultice for the rest of today, and a fresh one tonight. We will continue to apply these treatments to your eyes each day and night until you can at least begin to notice some light in your darkness."
Jeremy inhaled quickly, but didn't want to get his hopes up. He thought that, by now, surely it would be too late to notice any significant results.
When Running Fox was finished, the poultice reeked of the most foul smell. "You expect me to wear that all day?" Jeremy queried, not at all hopeful that it would be worth that smell for several hours.
"Yes, I do expect you to cooperate. I can pin your nose shut if it makes you ill, but we must try it. To do nothing is to invite permanent blindness."
Jeremy held his breath while Running Fox applied the stinking poultice. When he finally breathed, the application was finished, but not the stench.
"Oh, my gosh!" Jeremy exclaimed, trying not to vomit. "I.. d-d-don't think I can s-s-stand this thing!"
Running Fox then proceeded to add another, thicker cloth to the poultice.
"Here," she exclaimed when the application was completed. "A second cloth may help hide the stench and let you breathe better." Jeremy exhaled, then dared to inhale again, and…it was better. Not 100% better, of course, but enough of an improvement to know he could tolerate it for a while.
He sat there silently, breathing shallowly. "So, I'm supposed to keep this on all day, huh?" He queried.
"Yes."
"But then I'm supposed to wear another one all night?"
"Yes. Fair Eyes, you must be brave about this. We are fighting against time and must give this treatment a chance."
"Hmph," Jeremy added, but he nevertheless acquiesced.
Jeremy put up with two more days of the poultices. He could not believe that he was actually getting used to the stench. He was in awe of Running Fox, who needed no cloth over her nose or mouth to prevent her from gagging each time she concocted it. On the third day, Running Fox led Jeremy out of the tent. She stopped in a clearing, and told him, "Today is a very bright, sunny day, Fair Eyes. I almost did not want to tell you that, but I thought you should be prepared for some light to come into your vision.
"Are you ready to remove the cloths now?"
"Y-yes," Jeremy responded, not sounding ready at all.
Running Fox then proceeded to unwrap first the outer cloth, then the inner cloth. Jeremy put his hand up to hers to stop it halfway through the unraveling of the second cloth. He exclaimed, "Wait! Which direction is the sun?" He then helped her remove the poultice, then he turned around in a circle, and looked up in the direction he thought the sun was brightest.
"Am I right? Is there some light in this direction?"
Running Fox sighed and smiled." Yes, Fair Eyes, you have found the strongest source of light today." Jeremy could hardly contain himself. "I can't believe it! Or, rather, I guess I can believe it, thanks to you again!" He reached out to hug her, and she accepted his embrace.
"Oh, wow - I can't make out shapes or details or anything like that, but I sure can tell that there is light out there!"
Running Fox smiled broadly. It was indeed not too late.
Chapter Sixteen
After two more days of the poultice treatment, Jeremy could make out shapes and outlines, but not details - yet. On the final day, once all the poultice layers were removed, Jeremy almost had to squint in the sun now!
He was very hopeful that the rest of his vision would be restored soon.
The tribe heard the arrival of a buggy, with many clanging sounds. Several Warriors armed themselves, but they relaxed their arrows when they realized it was the white man that they recognized.
Aaron drove the buggy right up to the Medical Tent.
Jeremy came out of the tent after hearing all that clanging. Aaron went up to him and exclaimed "Guess what? We got the contract!"
Jeremy's eyes widened with his smile, and he joyfully grabbed Stempel's hand to congratulate him and said "Well, put 'er there, Aaron!"
Stempel immediately noticed that Jeremy took his hand to shake it - he did not just hold it out for someone to find first. He excitedly pronounced "Jeremy! You can see again!"
"Well, it's mainly vague shapes and light / dark conditions. But it's something!"
"It sure is," replied Aaron. He continued, explaining to the crowd that had gathered, "I'm sure you're wondering about all these noisy pots and pans and sundries. Well, everything on this buggy is for YOU!"
There were excited murmurs in the crowd that grew to a general chatter. As the crowd drew nearer, Aaron started handing things out.
"These are assorted cooking tools and utensils. We can explain how to use them if you are not familiar with them. Then there are blankets, linens, …..and, finally, an extra saddle - attached to a horse!"
TheTribe clapped and cheered.
Running Fox and her father came up to Aaron. Her father said something to Running Fox, which she then translated for the white men.
"Our chief asks why you have done this, and do we need to give you money or furs in exchange for this bounty?"
Stemple quickly replied, "Oh, no, noo - we wanted to give you these gifts as a 'Thank You' for saving the life of my partner, here. It even seems that he is also regaining his sight, little by little.
The Chief spoke to his daughter again. Running Fox translated. "We have never seen such an abundance of goods and practical tools. This is the most generous thing any man - especially a white man - has ever done for us."
Jeremy stepped up and added, "We could not put a price on my life. You allowed me to continue living, and we cannot thank you enough for that."
"Mmmmm…," said the Chief. He continued in his very broken English, "Running Fox 'save' you. She should get all..gifts."
Jeremy interjected, "What one tribesman - or woman - deserves, the entire tribe deserves as well. Please accept all these things as a small token of our gratitude for all you have done for me."
The Chief paused for a moment. A silent hush came over the tribe. "Then we will accept," he replied.
The crowd cheered.
The rest of the day was spent showing the individuals of the tribe all the materials on the buggy, and how to use them. The tribe in general seemed astonished that white men could invent these tools. They made cooking, cleaning, canning, and organizing so much easier for everyone. The blankets were vast improvements over their old, crudely made ones. They hardly ever used towels, but they were thankful for those as well. They immediately rubbed the noses of their young children in the softness, much to all the toddlers' delight.
At the evening dinner, with the entire tribe in attendance (and after some rehearsal with his daughter on English pronunciation and vocabulary), the Chief stood up and proclaimed, "We of the Salish people welcome two new warriors to our tribe. We are not often treated well by white men, but now you teach us some white men are good men. We wish to share this peace pipe with you, to prove we will be tribesmen together - forever!"
A cheer went up as the Chief took one drag on the Peace pipe, and handed it to Jeremy. After Jeremy took a breath (he tried not to cough too much), he passed it on to Aaron, who then passed it on to Running Fox. All wore wreaths of smiles as the sun set on the Salish camp.
The End