Guns and Switches
3rdstory in the Alexandra Series.
Summary: Alexandra has some life lessons to learn. Alex tries to persuade Adam of her reasons for needing a gun. Adam has a little persuasion method of his own in mind. But there is another life lesson for Alex, one that may prepare her for a special but difficult journey. Marty and Adam start courting. Warning: CP of a minor in some chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC.
Previously:
A week after Leo's death and the return of all the guns, except Hop Sing's ( Ewwwwe) the family has spent the day up at the tree house for Alexandra's 11th birthday party. Lajoci and his family had arrived and their gift of a beautiful white horse was not received all that well at first. However once that was sorted out the afternoon went back to the festivities. As promised Adam intended to end the activities with a campfire and a bit of a camp out. Most of the families that lived too far left, leaving the Cartwrights and a few adults to supervise the remaining children. While Adam and Yuma set the campfires, a fight broke out amongst the children. Yuma and Adam ran to the lake where Hoss and Marty had found themselves tangled up with the fighting couple in the muddy banks. There, barely recognisable was Alexandra rolling in the mud, trying to get a good left hook into Willy Fitzgerald's jaw.
Chapter 10
Blood Brothers pt1.
Hoss and Marty pulled themselves up off the ground and tried once again to separate the children. Lajoci tried to move in between them, still indignantly grumbling something about Alexandra fighting his battles for him.
"You take that back Willy Fitzgerald ya no good biggoat," yelled Alexandra.
"I ain't taking anything back, ya Indjin lov… Ow…"
Alexandra managed to a get a swipe at Willy before her uncle managed to pull her off the boy. Unfortunately he stepped back and tripped on Lajoci's form who had wriggled his way forward and underneath the big man, claiming he was going to count coup on the white boy: a prestigious act of bravery by touching or hitting an enemy without shedding blood, but, so he declared; if he'd had a knife he would have scalp him.
Hoss fell back knocking Marty into the shallow banks of the river. He swung around, still with a wriggling and cussing Alexandra tucked under his arm.
Yuma and Adam quickly stepped in. Adam ran to help Marty out of the water, while Yuma, picked up his lightweight son and held him at arm's length, away from the surly face of a little white boy.
"Let me go, Father, I will teach this white boy a lesson," demanded Lajoci.
"Go ahead, Indjin, jist cause ya catch fish without a rod don't mean ya can hold ya own in a fight," retorted a snarling Willy.
Willy Fitzgerald, "You say one more deogr… deog… nasty remark about another person here and I'll take yer across my knee in front of everyone," warned Hoss.
"You tell him Uncle Hoss," cheered Alex from under Hoss arms, "he's jist done snitchy cause Lajoci caught more fish than him."
"I am not, I don't know why ya think he's so hot diggity dog, jist because he bought ya a dumb ole horse."
"Carla ain't a dumb ole horse you weasel, Willy Fitzgerald. Why I'm gonna knock ya teeth out."Alex wriggled and tried to get at the boy again, but instead Willy moved towards her.
He didn't get very far, as Josh then the other children all got in on the melee. Meanwhile Adam was helping Marty out of the water. He guided her to the fire to dry off. Yuma put Lajoci down and went to help Hoss, who was working his way through the pile of youngsters one handed, flinging them on to the banks where Yuma lined them up with Lajoci.
Hoss got to Willy last and pulled him up then tucked him under his other arm, as he wadded out of the ankle deep water. Both Willy and Alex wriggled in Hoss's arms, but to no avail. The big man stood next to Yuma, both men presenting ominous figures to the wet and puffing children, who now stood to attention in a long row on the bank.
"Right now!" said Hoss, "what's all this hullabaloo about?
The children all started to talk at once. Except for Willy and Alex who had decided to try and get at each other again, while Hoss was distracted with all the noise from the others. Yuma barely concealed his mirth, but had no choice when a squeal sounded out. Alex had managed to grab a clump of Willy's hair and was mercilessly pulling it.
Lajoci, however had no such decorum and burst out laughing. "Alexandra Cartwright, remind me to teach you how to scalp an enemy, correctly."
Yuma crossed his arms across his chest and glared at his son, while Hoss dropped both children on their feet, when Willy corked him square in the thigh while trying to take a swing at Alexandra. Hoss and grabbed them by their collars in one of his large hands and before either child knew what hit them, the big man's palm made contact with a resounding thwack to each very wet backside. The stinging swat left each child breathless, as they were escorted to opposite ends of the line, rubbing their tails furiously.
Hoss marched back in front of the troops, who now stood silently; too scared of both the men in front of them to make the slightest movement or sound. "Josh, tell me what all this is about?" demanded Hoss.
"Not rightly sure, Mr Cartwright, Sir, but Willy was bragging about…"
"Were not," yelled Willy.
"Willy"!...Go on Josh," continued Hoss.
"Willy was bragging about the fishing rod he done got us all ta put in for Alex. Lajoci here told him that a fancy white man's fishing rod wasn't the best way ta catch fish. He then showed us how ta make a spear. We was all having a go when Willy got real mad, then made a crack about Indjin's, being no good thief's and that's why they don't need fishing rods, cause they steal everything, and that he probly done stole that horse. Lajoci got real mad and said he done caught the horse heself, and broke it in too."
"Willy didn't believe him; said Indjin's were good liars too," added Jessica, "which weren't very polite."
"Alex got mad then and told Willy iffin he didn't shut his trap she's shut it real good, afore he could cry for his momma," quoted Jonathan.
"Which weren't very nice, either, cause Willy ain't got no ma." said Danny.
Alex gulped, "I didn't know that. Hey, Willy I woulda never said that ifin I knowed you…"
"Yeah, I don't care what ya think, Alex, you ain't got no ma either, so you cin jist…"
Alexandra slammed her hands on her hips. "Yeah! See he's a no good bully, he's a ignoring biggoat. That means ya a dumb, stubborn butt head, that don't like peoples jist cause they ain't the same as you." Alex then dropped her hands before going on to explain and gesticulate. "Miss Jones reckons everyone is done made in God's image, and she don't mean ya made ta look like him, cause no one's really sure what God looks like ceptin his proly real big and old with a beard and muscle arms, like in that picture book dad done showed me, by this ITalin fella, called Michael Angelo. It done showed him given this pansy looking fella, his name was Adam too, ceptin he wasn't as strong looking as my dad, but that because he hadn't been given his soul yet. God done gives us all a soul. Miss Jones reckons all men which also means women and children are made in his image; that means like him, God; of his heart and his soul: sole, not like on ya feet. Everybody thinks ya soul is in your feet or ya…"
"I thought it was in ya sole of ya feet," said a surprised Jessica.
"Na, it's in ya butt ain't it?" asked Danny
"No inside ya head…" said Willy.
"Well it ain't in your head, Willy, ifin it was, it would be pretty lonely," insulted Alex.
"Is not in ya head. Ya heard Miss Jones; it's in ya heart and muscles," clarified Josh.
"Yeah that fella in that paintin' was sure weak looking afore he got a soul," agreed Alexandra.
"It is your memories, your memories and the spirit of your ancestors who choose to pass it on," said a philosophical Lajoci.
Hoss waved his arms about trying to quieten the mob. "It don't matter where yer soul is. The important thing is ya got one; each of ya, and ya don't need ta be fighting one another."
"But we need ta fight our enemies," explained Lajoci and glaring at Willy. "Yeah, said Willy, "jist cause they's got souls don't mean they's the right soul. My pa had ta fight the Indians."
"My great grandpa had ta fight the British, they had souls, but they wanted ta be in charge of us. Our souls need ta be free," explained Jonathan.
"Yeah and what about the Yankees fighten with the Johnny Rebs, they reckon there's gonna be a big fight between the states and we all Americans, and we all's got souls the same, ain't we?" questioned Josh.
"Exactly, but we shouldn't be fighten each other. It's true we have fought the Indians, my own Momma was killed by an Indian arrow when I was jist a baby," revealed Hoss.
The children gasped, some saddened by the image of a dying mother holding a baby and some trying to imagine the big man in front of them ever being that small.
"So how kin ya like Indians?" Willy asked softly and sincerely.
"Sames as I like you." Hoss spoke slower and quieter. "I remember bad things lots of people done ta each other, white men, Irishmen, Englishmen, Italians, but I judge people for themselves, not fer where they's was born or what they's look like."
Yuma spoke up. "My people have been on this land for many moons. We travel, down from the hills during the summer months and move closer to the rivers. We have fought the white man; we have fought other Indian tribes. Once, the Shoshone were our sworn enemy. Once the white man was also, but my father and now chief Wuna Mucca, strive for peace among all those who wish to share the Great Plains and the mountains and the sky's. He believes our ancestors wish it. But we cannot live in peace if the young do not grow to respect and love not only the gifts Father Sky brings to the land but the gifts he brings those who walk upright upon it."
The children were lulled into silence. These two men, large and yet gentle spoke from the heart. It was easy to be awed by them and while they did not understand everything, they sensed the truth and honesty behind their voices, like a heavenly secret their world held for all of them.
"Seems ta me you two boys were to fit ta bust trying ta make the other look foolish, ya forgot ta appreciate those gifts in each other, in all of you. Shame on you," Hoss admonished in a soft voice looking at each child until they guiltily hung their heads.
"That's because they were both jist showin off fer Alex," said Lydia Ann. "Willy's real shy on her."
"He is not…I am not!" Alex and Willy cried at the same time.
"Yeah, well why did you go and get everybody to put in for that store bought fishing rod? Uncle Sam reckons it cost a whole five dollars."
"Lydia Ann it ain't polite to mention the cost of gifts," chastised Jessica.
Willy blushed. "I wasn't… Its jist that…Well were all gonna be in the tree house club, ain't we? Well I jist thought it would be a good thing ta have, we's could all share it."
"Yeah Lydia Ann, Willy ain't shy on me," declared Alexandra. "Yer such a prissy girl always thinking about love, and sparking and becomin' a wife, and having babies. I betcha don't even know where babies come from and hows they get out ta get born. I betcha ifin ya did knowed, ya change ya mind real quick."
"Yeah, Ma pa told me they come when …" Danny started to explain.
"Whoa there," cried Hoss, "We're getting off track here. Help…Adammmm!"
Yuma, couldn't contain his mirth any longer, and burst into a loud laugh. A laughter that was infectious and somewhat confusing to the children at first. The big scary Indian was laughing and holding his stomach, laughing just like a white man.
Adam left Marty and was soon at Hoss' side. "Hoss, what's the problem?"
"Oh, nothin brother, you got that fire going yet? I think we should jist get the camp out started."
Adam stood tall and crossed his arms. Then he walked the line of the children standing at attention in front of him. "Well I don't know. I've got a good mind to pack this all up and send everybody home. Marty's wet through and so are some of you lot. Plus I'm not real happy about the way you've all treated each other here today," he scowled.
"Perhaps my friend," said Yuma, as he slapped Adam on the back and then draped his big arm across his shoulder, "we should get them cleaned and let them dry by the fire. The moon is full and the light will be good when it is time to go. I will help guide the wagons heading east. Perhaps a story will lift everybody's spirits and teach a lesson at the same time."
"Yeah dad, you promised. Sides, it weren't everybody's fault. We all shouldn't be punished fer one persons indescriptions," defended Alex.
"Alexandra we will deal with your indiscretions when we get home. I'll be betting you won't be liking the very descriptive conversation we'll be having about fighting, little girl," growled Adam.
"But Alex, is right, my friend, it would not be fair to punish everyone here." Said Yuma
Adam had no intention of sending everybody home, but he revelled in the opportunity to make the children a little more appreciative of the efforts the adults had gone to, not to mention; hoping that they would be subdued and chastised enough to not cause any more trouble. "Okay you lot, get your faces washed and your clothes brushed down, detail line up in front of Marty. Then get your bedrolls, and set them up around the fire."
All the children smiled, and went to run off…
" HOLD IT!" yelled Hoss.
The children snapped to attention again.
"Willy, you and Lajoci shake hands and Alex I want you to shake hands with Willy too. Friends are too important and it's the sportin' thing to do."
Begrudgingly Alex stepped over to Willy and said, "I'm real sorry fer callin' ya a sissy cry baby momma's boy, Willy…"
"Yer didn't call me that!"
"Oh? Well I was thinking of calling ya that…Anyways it weren't right. I'm awful sorry ya an ingnoring biggoat, but, I guess that's somethin ya can't help and ya might growed out of it one day. Jist the same, I think ya done picked a real nice present fer me, and well spear fishing is jist as much fun, ifin ya waited a might longer we could used spears and rods and caught enough fish for supper fer everyone. I think you and Lajoci are jist the same peoples in God's eyes and my eyes too, so ifin ya gonna be my friend ya hafta be friends with each other." Alex declared, and then pushed Lajoci over to Willy. "Now shake hands." Willy put out his hand. Lajoci stared at it for a moment, wondering if he touched the boy, whether it could be counted as coup. He looked at his father.
"It is even braver to make peace with your enemy," advised Yuma.
Lajoci smiled and shook Willy's hand; counted coup in his mind and made peace with the white boy. This was indeed an interesting party.
Satisfied, Hoss declared, "Now you are dismissed!"
The children ran off towards Marty, where she started a production line. Ben, Hop Sing, Daisymae, Dawn Potter Smythe, and Kimama, Abigail Jones along with Josh's mom Maggie all pitched in, cleaning dirty faces and brushing as much of the caked mud off their offspring as they could.
Alexandra had lined up in front of Marty and scowled when she noticed Marty wearing a clean black shirt. She was sure it was her dad's, she could smell it was his; he always carried a spare. Alexandra wasn't too happy about that, besides her clothes were a lot wetter than Marty's.
The detail of men that remained, including Sam Potter, Sheriff Coffee and, little Joe, helped to get the fire roaring and a safe area marked out. Adam silently thought to himself, that this would be the last party of such magnitude he would ever attempt. His father had tried to warn him. Abigail Jones was impressed, but did voice the opinion that she thought he was mad, while Sam Potter had encouraged the idea, even offering to ferry children to and fro, if some parents couldn't. Looking back now, Adam had the faintest suspicion that perhaps Sam's encouragement came from a distorted sense of revenge for the debacle and mess Alex had made in his store months ago.
Adam didn't have much more time to dwell on how he would do things differently next year, as each clean child appeared with their bedroll and placed them in a circle around the fire. Yuma and Adam made themselves comfortable as they waited for the last of the angels with cleaner faces to gather.
"Well my, friend, what marvellous tale are you going to entertain the masses with? Perhaps a story about The Pied Piper Of Hamlin?"
"Don't be foolish, I don't want to give them any ideas, besides there is no way I would want to keep all of these children, even for a king's ransom." He laughed.
"Ahh yes, but there would be a lesson in it," smirked Yuma.
"I can think of a better one," said Adam as he watched Alex scowl at Marty and fighting against her face washing techniques. "Alex goes hot and cold with Marty."
"It is perhaps a similar situation as the horse. Perhaps she feels she is a replacement for her mother."
"Yeah, I was thinking that too. I am sorry the horse caused such a scene. You have been a good friend and Lajoci's a fine boy. I think most of the children have gained respect for him today."
"Children are quick to learn, but that young William…"
"Hmm, Willy Fitzgerald; he has had a tough time of it, really. He, his father and older brother survived an Indian attack on a wagon train to Arizona. They turned around and came back when his mother was killed and his sister taken by the Apache. She was never found. But Tom Fitzgerald is a good man, he is very accepting of the Paiutes. His oldest boy went through a bit of trouble a couple of years ago, but Tom straightened him out."
"Well that makes sense, but I think it may have also been fueled by smitten young boys; a crush."
"What? On Alexandra?"
"Yes; I think so, he is not the only one my friend, Lajoci has acted like a proud peacock all afternoon. He wishes to grow up too soon."
"Well Alexandra is not interested in boys yet, why she's only eleven, any boy that makes one move will have to…"
Yuma started laughing,
Adam realised his friend was ribbing him, "You are a bastar…"
"Careful white man, there are innocent children here."
"And they will stay that way," laughed Adam.
"I agree, but they wish to grow up so fast, it is my biggest conflict with Lajoci."
"If I remember it was very much the same with you. Yuma, son of a chief, who thought he should be the one to lead his people at what age…"
"Twelve moons, but I was not the only one that thought he was too big for his buckskins. Or was not particularly interested in honouring his new mother," teased Yuma.
Adam nodded.
"Perhaps this is a story that could be told to the young ones who will succeed us," suggested Yuma.
"Good idea, but I'm telling it."
"You will embellish, I know it…However, I will not interrupt, as long as you make me look good," laughed Yuma.
All the children were now settled, sitting on the bedrolls waiting with anticipation. Lajoci came down and sat opposite his father crossing his legs, like he was seated in a circle of council elders. Many of the boys copied his stance, including Willy Fitzgerald. The rest of the adults joined in, sitting on the large logs behind, or as in Joe's case a little further back from the group with Daisymae. Ben ushered him closer, much to his dismay. Marty sat down next to Adam.
"Here Uncle Joe," said Alex, "you can have my spot." Alex picked up her blanket wrapped it around herself and moved into sit on her father's lap. "Hey dad, can I sit here?" she asked.
Adam smirked at Marty, who smiled back and nodded, then pointed to her clean black shirt. Adam got the reference. "Sure baby." He pulled her in close and tucked the blanket around.
"I hope ya aren't gonna tell any ghost stories," said Jessica.
"Aww, why ya scaredy cat?" teased Jonathan.
"Ghosts are just the great spirits of our ancestors they are nothing to be afraid of," wisely declared Lajoci.
"Unless you have angered them, or sprouted false pride in their name," chastised Yuma.
Lajoci dropped his gaze, understanding his father's warning and hoping the others did not.
"No I'm actually going to tell you a story, about blood brothers. Two boys the same age as most of you," announced Adam.
"A little older though," quickly added Yuma.
'Oh, yes a lot older actually, now that I think about it," corrected Adam.
"How much older, daddy?" asked Alex.
Ben smirked from his place opposite Adam. "Hmm I know this story," said Ben, " if I'm correct they were at least a year older, but thought they were a lot bigger and wiser at twelve, and probably still do." Ben was very proud of Adams friendship with Yuma, and their story was similar to others that he had heard, but these two men had a special bond, one that would never be broken.
"A whole year is a long time, grandpa. It's twelve months; fifty two weeks; three hundred and sixty five days, sixty six in a leap year, which is the only time a gal can ask a boy ta marry ya, so I guess Lydia Ann's got a chance every four years. Me, I ain't gonna worry about that none. I'm gonna be too busy ranchin' and chasin foxes outta Hop Sings garden seeing as I done throwed it…"
Adam quickly put his fingers on Alexandra's lips, "dowmbsmm inmme the outshousemnns bacamnsb," she muffled.
They hadn't yet replaced Hop Sing's pellet rifle, nor had they told their honourable Chinese cook. Not that they feared his wooden spoon waving tirade, but they were sure he would have made them fetch it. None of the Cartwright men had the stomach for such a task. "You going to let me tell this story, Alexandra?" asked Adam.
"Sure am daddy, sorry, promise I won't intarupt ya agin."
With that Adam started to set the scene, of well over a decade ago, in a country that was just as new and dangerous.
Flashback.
A twelve year old Adam sat at the head of his bed reading a story to his toothless seven year old brother, Hoss.
"Rats!
They fought the dogs and killed the cats,
And bit the babies in the cradles,"
"Aww… I don't like this stwory, Adtham; them mean rats, ya doth reckon the'd bite wittle baby Joe do yer?"
"No, of course not," groused Adam.
'Why ya so angry, Adtham?"
"I'm not!"
"Are too, Ya done read the stwory in ya mean voice, not like ya good stwory voice, don't ya like the story neiver?" asked Hoss.
"Well it is a mean stw… story... they didn't pay the piper after they promised they would," said Adam trying to justify his bad mood.
"Pay him fer what?"
"He gets rid of all the rats, and they said they were going to pay him, but they don't and so then he plays his flute and leads all the children away; forever!"
"Aww, now ya done told me tha endin' … I don't wanna ta know no more… tell me anuver stwory; a friendy one.
"No its time fer supper and pa's gonna be home any minute," he growled.
"Why's ya so mad at me fer?"
"I'm not mad at you."Adam stood up and started gesticulating and pacing the room. "I'm mad at Pa. He promised last year I could go on the cattle drive. But now because Maire has had the baby, and is busy with him, and you; Hop Sing and I have to stay here and help."
"That's cause you are good at helping," explained Hoss; he couldn't see what the problem was.
"I'm good at helping you stay outta the way that's all. Pa said I could go this year, help the wranglers. He said I could ride, even. I could ride drag for a piece in the mornings and then in the chuck wagon with Hop Sing in the afternoon. He promised he was going to teach me." With that Adam threw his book across the room aiming for his bed. But he missed it completely and the book hit the night table instead. The sound of his water jug and wash bowl crashing to the floor seemed to echo throughout the territory.
Downstairs, Ben had just walked in from a hard days round up. There were still a third of the heard to bring in before branding of the new calves could be done in preparation for the long cattle drive to Abilene. Marie was happily feeding six month old Joseph by the big fire. Doctor Martin had convinced Marie to introduce a supplementary bottle to the baby. Joseph was a small baby and the doctor was concerned he may have been failing to thrive. This unnerved Marie no end, and she was often obsessed with her baby's feeding habits. However, Wittle Joe, as Hoss had dubbed him, was very active, and every happy, but very rarely slept. The extra feed made up of a formula full of calories and rich milk was meant not only to fatten the child up, but fill him up enough to sleep. And that had just been achieved when within seconds of a resounding crash coming from upstairs woke him; a loud wail from the baby erupted.
Marie nearly burst into tears, sleep deprived and stressed about Josephs' health, she looked at Ben with huge watery tears sitting on the edge of her eyelids.
Ben bowled up the stairs, wanting to bellow, but suppressed the urge; knowing that the sound may cause even more distress to both Marie and the baby. He burst through the boy's door.
"What in tarnation is going on up here? Your mother is trying to get Joseph to sleep."
Hoss jumped up and ran to his father and wrapped himself around his legs. "Pa, Pa."
Ben patted the boy on his back, and tussled his hair before noticing the broken bowl and jug lying on the floor. "Adam, what happened?"
"An accident Pa."
"Pa, why can't Adtham go on the cattle drive wiv ya? He's real mad ya ain't letting him go."
"Hoss!" hissed Adam.
"Huh?"
"Is he now?" said Ben, his eyes boring holes right through Adam before looking back down at Hoss, still connected to his leg. "Well, why don't you go downstairs, real quiet like and wash up in the kitchen and get ready for supper."
"Yum!" said Hoss running off, not so quietly.
Ben rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him. "Son, you have a problem?"
"No sir." answered Adam nervously.
"Really? So the water jug and bowl just fell off the night stand by themselves?" Said Ben as he walked over and picked up the discarded book, now wet from the water the jug had once held. Ben held it up waiting for an explanation from his surly looking son.
Adam decided to take the bull by the horns and present his disappointment in a mature fashion. "Well Pa I don't see why you have to go back on a promise about the cattle drive just because Marie can't cope with a baby. Gee ma coped real fine with Hoss and we were on a wagon train. You promised you'd take me and teach me all about the cattle drive."
" Adam Stoddard Cartwright, I find your manner insolent! Your mother, Marie, is doing a fine job with Joseph. He was small and an early arrival. He is taking time. She could do with your help; not your judgement or condemnation. Also, I made no such promise. We talked about you going on the cattle drive last year, when you were fourteen. By my recollection that is two years away."
Without censorship, Adam blurted what was exactly on his mind. "You're a liar, you…" Adam stopped and blushed, realising he had just stepped over the line.
"BOY! You take yourself to the barn right now, and you wait for me."
Adam wanted to take it back, but it was too late, not because he knew he was in for a tanning like he had never had before, he hadn't really meant to say that out loud. Adam had been pushing the boundaries a lot lately. He found his father's new wife an intrusion, and now the new baby; an annoying distraction and extra responsibility for him, one he did not have a say in. He should apologise, but his stubborn pride blocked his common sense. Instead he turned on his heal and did exactly as his father instructed, but not before throwing a defiant and angry scowl his father's way.
Ben let him go. He sat on the bed, taking the time to curtail his anger.
oOo
Meanwhile another young boy was pleading his case to his father. Yuma the youngest child of medicine man of the Paiutes Old Wuna Mucca, stood at the banks of the north lake, demonstrating his skill with a spear.
"See father, I can throw the spear a great distance. I will be a great asset to the hunting party".
"Yuma, you are still a good four seasons away from joining the big Hunt. Your older brother is leading the party this year, and will only take the youths who have passed the coming of age ceremony.
"Bad Face is not my brother!" snapped the boy.
"He is your brother. He is your sister's, Tuboitonie, husband. She is the first born of our family and a princess for the Paiutes. He is now your brother and has taken the name Winnemucca the younger. He has shown great leadership to our people. He will make a great chief one day.
"And so will I," heralded Yuma sticking out his chest.
"You will, but you have much to learn." chastised the wise medicine man.
"I can hunt father. I am a fast runner and can walk the plains and forests without sound."
"A great chief is not just a hunter, little one. With the joining in marriage of Bad Face and your sister, the Kuyuidika Paiutes and the Shoshone the tribes have found a union of peace."
"For now," murmured Yuma.
His father had heard the child. "Perhaps, but you too, Yuma will bear the name Wuna Mucca; The Giver of Spiritual Gifts, if we can find peace with each other, we can also find peace with the white man. It is the wish of our ancestors to walk in peace on these Great Plains."
"It is also their wish for us to feed and protect our tribe. That is what is to come first."
"You talk like the angry young braves who only wish to shed blood. My dreams and those of the wise men of our tribe tell us that this will destroy our people. You are much too young to understand this."
"But father, I am not too young to hunt."
"You will not be too young this time next year little one, but you will not be joining the hunt this spring."
"Father you know nothing of this anymore. You have become too old and soft like the women," ranted Yuma in his anger.
"YUMA! You will not be going on the hunt and that is my final word. You insult your father and your chief. Nino ah yoht lee child. I am not too old to take a daga lo stick to your breach clothe and trust me, it will not be soft. Now return to the village and wait for me in the kanni of your mother."
Yuma knew he had let his anger get to him. He had so wanted to join the hunt this spring. His new brother Bad Face was indeed a good man and even a better hunter and warrior. But Yuma had just wanted to prove to his father, that he too would be worthy of his peoples pride. He turned wishing he could take back the words of an angry child and apologise like a man. Instead he turned and forlornly made his way back to his village.
Chief Wuna Mucca stood on the banks, of the north lake, taking in the beauty of the summer evening; calling it to give him peace and settle his worry for the youngest and most promising of all his children. Yuma was wise for his age, and he would make a great chief one day and a clever hunter, if he could learn to wait and be in command of his stubborn pride.
TBC
Chapter 11: Blood Brothers pt 2
A.N. I know very little about the Paiute traditions, other than what I discovered at the National museum of the American Indian at Smithsonian in Washington last year and some thin research. Therefore, I have embellished for the sake of this work of fiction. However, I do know that these two chiefs were known as the peace makers. Both were also mentioned in a first season episode of Bonanza that dealt with incidents that lead up to the Pyramid Lake conflicts of the 1860's, which were devastating for the Nevada Paiutes, especially Winnemucca the younger. His wife and two of his children were killed in a raid on their village by volunteer cavalrymen. In this particular episode, Adam is held captive by falsely accused Paiutes of an Indian attack. They talk of his association with Chief Winnemucca and hint that Adam saved the life of one of his sons. Yuma however is a fictitious character. The old chief had several wives and I have taken the liberty of giving him a young son. A huge thank you to Lajoci for the edit and the suggestions.