Guns and Switches

Previously:

Adam and Yuma sit around a campfire with the children to continue the story of how he and Yuma became friends.

Adam has saved Yuma from a cougar attack and is taking him back to the Ponderosa, when they come across Bad Face with two other foreboding looking Indian braves.

"Yuma, am I in trouble, here?

"No my friend, I am."

Chapter 12

Friends Of A Different Feather.

Continue Flashback

"He looks just as angry at me," whispered Adam.

"He is Bad Face," warned Yuma.

"Bad Face; friendly name," quipped Adam nervously.

Bad Face looked at the two boys trying to contain his unyielding demeanor; it would be good to let the two boys stew a little. He trotted his horse up to the two, and ran his eyes over Yuma's injured figure in the travois. He spotted the boy's leg wrapped in sticks and bandages. "The white boy did this?" he seemed to ask angrily in his native tongue, and then glared at Adam.

Yuma, shook his head, "I fell from the rocks; he is not to blame," he answered back.

Adam wasn't sure what they were saying, but he felt his new friend's nervousness, and moved closer towards Yuma. He stood in front of him, taking a protective stance, albeit nervously.

Bad Face grunted, but admired the young white boy's tenacity. He then looked at Yuma. "He did this; bandage your wounds, is what I was asking young one," he clarified.

"Yes, we came upon the same prey. While I was collecting the kill, a decent sized doe, shot with one arrow…"

Bad Face frowned and interrupted before Yuma, could say anymore. "So you are a great Hunter… yet here you are severely injured, alive thanks to the wisdom of a smaller boy than you."

Yuma hung his head, feeling humiliated, Bad Face was really letting him know how insignificant he was in comparison to the many great hunters of his tribe.

Adam, still uncertain of what was being said, feared for Yuma. He wondered why Bad Face was so angry with him. When Yuma dropped his head, the boy who he had once deemed a smart alec, was no more. The defeated slumped shoulders and Yuma's down cast eyes pulled at his heart. "He will be fine, leave him alone, I'm taking him back to my father. We will get the doctor. Leave him alone," yelled Adam. He put his hand on Yuma's shoulder, and whispered, "What are the Paiute words for; leave him alone you ugly bastard."

"I know what ugly means, but I am unsure of the other…Bastard? Either way it sounds like you wish to insult my brother, not a wise move," warned Yuma.

"Your brother?" Adam asked shocked, "as in all Indians are brothers or your BROTH…ERRRR?"

"As in MY BROTH… ERRR; Bad Face war chief of the Kuyuidika."

"Okay then, forget the ugly bastard comment."

"Oh I have already, however I do not think Bad Face has. He understands the white man's tongue better than I."

"Ooops."

"Ooops? I do not understand. However, I get your meaning young nana; man," said Bad Face.

Adam blushed then gulped.

Bad Face and the two braves with him burst out laughing; a jolly laugh that relaxed Adam immediately. "You are indeed a brave boy."

"Sorry, Mr Bad Face, but I thought you were going to hurt Yuma."

"Not this day," he announced and then glared at his younger brother, "but we will Pow Wow, about his recklessness and he igniting fear into his old fathers heart."

"A pow wow's a talk, right?" Adam looked to Yuma for confirmation.

"Yes a necessary talk when he is well," clarified the war chief.

"Ohh, that kind of talk…" realised Adam, "Sounds like it will be more Pow… than wow," he laughed.

Yuma blushed again and lowered his head.

Adam patted his friend once again on the arm, "Don't worry, Yuma I will get you out of this," he whispered before turning back to Bad Face and raising his hand. "If it's because he did not bring back the kill from that hunt, Mr Bad Face; well really, that wasn't his fault. He did hit the doe first. A clean shot with only one arrow and if wasn't for the cougar, he would have been back at the village with the kill by noon." He gesticulated, miming with enthusiasm.

Yuma groaned, "No do not tell him of the tooonugwetsedu; cougar…"

Adam spun his head around at Yuma, "Huh, but why…."

"A TOOONUGWETSEDU," bellowed Bad Face.

Adam snapped back to the attention of the Indian, still on his horse. "Yes, Sir… Mr Bad Face, but…but, it didn't get him, or the hunt. I shot it."

Bad Face, stared down at the two boys in silence, trying to reign in his anger born of fear. After a good twenty seconds, he took a deep breath, then dismounted and walked the few steps to the travois, and knelt down in front of Yuma. He ran his hands over the boy's body, examining the minor scratches. He stopped when he came to his leg, pleased that it was looking straight. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asked softly.

Yuma shook his head, as a few tears slipped down his cheeks.

Bad Face lifted the boys chin and wiped his tears away. "You have had a great adventure, ah yoh tlee; child, and you have made a true friend; one that has saved your life twice. It will be a story of remarkable bravery, for both of you. You must have been very scared. I would have been."

Yuma smiled, "A little, when the big cat pounced, but more so when Adam Cartwright straightened my leg."

"Come…Both you brave warriors need to be with your father's." Bad Face teased before going to lift Yuma from the travois.

"Wait, Mr. Bad Face, I don't think we should move him off that. My home is closer, can we just pull him there from your horses?" asked Adam.

"You are wise, too. Yes we will go to your home; the ranch of Ben Cartwright. Onennamucca and he have started looking for you both from there; we will soon meet up with them."

"Both our fathers have been looking for us?"

"Yes, Adam." Bad Face alternated his stern expression backwards and between each boy. " Yuma, son of chief Onennamucca, also ran away on a childish impulse."

"Ohhh boy; you are in trouble."

"You both are," corrected Bad Face.

End flashback.

"So that's why you are good friends." affirmed Lydia Ann.

"Are you true blood brothers?' asked Willy.

"Yes, we took an oath one night. We pricked our thumps and joined then together, swearing we would always be friends and loyal to our families, and tribes." Yuma and Adam demonstrated, by joining their thumbs together.

"It's an oath that cannot be broken," declared Adam, respectfully grinning at his friend. Marty and Kimama shared a glance and demure smile, proud of their men.

"I wouldn't mind havin a blood brother," said Josh.

"Me too," chorused the other children.

"It is something that must be earned," said Lajoci.

"By both parties," supplemented Yuma. "But today is a start for all of you. You have welcomed us here. We have shared a meal, some games and a story. It is a start when you take on the message of the story as being a truth."

"It's a true story ain't it?" asked Willy, sounding a little anxious. He'd so hoped it was true, that it wasn't one of them embellished stories that grownups could make up to prove a point. He had been afraid of Indians his entire short life. He wanted to believe that these two boys, different from each other could be friends and live without fear.

"Yes it all happened just the way Adam has told it. However I never yelled out in pain, or fainted. I was tired and … called on my ancestors to give me strength."

Adam coughed into his hand "ah hum…hog... wash."

Yuma, rolled his shoulders back in response and sat taller before continuing. "But, the truth is in the message. The truth is there."

"Like it shouldn't matter ifin yer different folks, ifin someone needs yer help, you do your best," said Josh.

"And yer should always do what yer parents tell yer when yer know in yer heart that it's really for your good." added Jessica.

"Yup, cause ya wouldn't listen ta ya folks' ifin they told ya ta do somethin bad like; son, I want yer ta go and rob that bank," laughed Josh.

"And you should stand up for yer friends, even ifin yer could be in real trouble, explained Alexandra, "like excuse me Miss Jones, the snake that Josh done put under yer desk, cause I done dared him to, is about ta bite you on the bu… owe… dad!" She groused, after receiving a rather hard swat to her rump.

"And one needs to be careful when out huntin alone," decreed Lajoci.

"You should never hunt by yourself. If Adam hadn't been there that day, I would have been in mortal danger."

"So what did you do for Adam, how did you earn Adams respect, then, Mr Yuma?" asked Willy.

Adam spoke up before Yuma could answer and spoke with conviction. "Lots of things, we became good friends. I really liked the fact that unlike many animal species human beings could be friends no matter how different they are; Friends of a different feather, so to speak."

"Yeah, that is real true. My Pa says birds of a different feather will hardly ever flock together, they don't trust each other." explained Daniel.

Hoss was impressed with the comparison. "Yer know, there are different birds that will nest in the same area as each other, but yup there's others birds they steer clear of; birds of prey."

"Everybody's been real scared of the Indians, like they was all birds of prey," said Willy, then dropped his head down, fearing that he may have insulted the big native that sat opposite.

Yuma nodded and spoke gently. "Some of our Indian brothers are indeed hunters; birds of prey, not only to the white man but to other Indian tribes. Before the white man came to this land many Indian nations fought with each other. Many were the Paiutes enemy."

"Are some still your enemies?" asked Josh.

"Yes, there are those just like your white brothers one needs to be careful around. Each tribe has different feathers and beaded insignia's… pictures or tattoos that tell of who we are and where we come from. We learn to recognise the signs of those that may do us harm."

Willy looked worried again and Adam nudged Yuma, indicating the child's expression.

"But for the most part, there are many Indian and white man that strive to keep peace," added Yuma, "Just like Bad Face and my father Winnemucca."

"And now Just like you and Mr Adam," mused Willy.

"Yes just like us and now you also. Lajoci and Alexandra are good friends."

"That was a good reward for helping someone dad, but it ain't like a medal or something, or candy or…"

"It's better than both those things, Alex. Yuma has also pulled me out of a few tight spots."

"Yes if it was not for old Meena Indian medicine, you would have died with stubborn pride of those kidney stones. We would have never got them out."

"How did yer get them out, Mr Yuma?"

Adam cringed at the memory and Yuma laughed. "I know I should not laugh, but no, I did not pull them out. Old Meena gave him strong medicine and they came out his…."

"Ah YUMA…" scoffed Adam, silencing Yuma immediately. "As I was saying, Yuma and I also learnt that parents were all the same and family was very important. Family didn't just mean blood relatives. Bad Face had become a brother to Yuma and a son to Winnemucca. Over the weeks he stayed with us, Marie, my new mother fussed over him. I was jealous a couple of times, and Yuma rubbed it in my face a little when he got extra servings of dessert."

"I was healing, Adam Cartwright," Yuma defended like a petulant child. "Your pretty French mother was a superb cook; I remember those … fluffy pudding things…"

"Oh, soufflé," swooned Hoss, taking in a huge breath as he imagined the aromas, "I remember Mamere made the best lemon soufflé."

"Yes she did," smiled Ben.

"And when she read a story, she sung the words like an angel…"added Yuma.

"Hey my daddy's a real good story teller too," contested Alex.

"Yes he is. Your father read many wonderful tales to me when I couldn't get out of bed. I liked the one of the Pied Piper."

"So did yer stop bein mean ta ya new ma, daddy?"

"I did. I guess that's what Yuma showed me as well. That Marie was a very special lady and I was lucky to have her in my life. She always treated Hoss and me like we were her sons. And I got to know Little Joe a bit more. Marie would only trust me to look after him when she was tending to Yuma. I found out he was a funny little fella, he was naughty, but funny. Thing was, Little Joe loved me no matter what. That was really nice; unconditional love. I figured Marie must have taught him that, and if she did, she was even more special."

"Maybe yer just found out that theys was special cause yer was nicer to yer little brother instead of bein so stubborn," assumed Daniel.

Adam smiled. "I think that happened, too. More importantly, both Yuma and I learnt that stubborn pride could get you killed. And Yuma allowed me to be his friend and his blood brother. He allowed me the honor and the dignity of being proud of myself. That is the pure truth of true friendship."

"So did ya still get into trouble with Grandpa, dad, when yer got home?"

Adam blushed slightly when Ben laughed. "That he did, Alexandra. As soon a Doctor Martin set Yuma's leg, and he was resting, your father and I had a long discussion in the barn."

"So he didn't run off this time?" wondered Daniel.

"No, I figured I deserved it," conceded Adam.

"And I didn't give him the opportunity to… this time I smacked and lectured later," mocked Ben.

"I remember as if it was yesterday," grumbled Adam, rubbing his thigh for the sake of the dramatics.

The children laughed including Alexandra. "Gosh, Dad, grandpa must have done a real good job ifin ya can still feel it."

"He did, Alexandra. He put me over his knee as soon as we got to the barn and wailed the living tar out of me…." Adam didn't tell them it was on the bare or that his father added a few sharp licks with his belt.

Ben noticed that Adam had left a few details out. He had to laugh to himself, he remembered the shock on the boys face, when he demanded he drop his britches before he put him across his knee, then after several hard swats with his hand, for the first time in Adam's life, he felt the belt on his bare backside. More so, Ben remembered the tears after and the apology, then the expulsion of his true feelings and fears as far as Marie inclusion into the family. Adam's stubborn pride had always been a stone wall to get passed. Things had been worrying his twelve year old for some time. Ben had put it down to growing up and testing the waters; just like he had done at the same age. But, Adam was so intense. While Ben took no pleasure in the harsh punishment, it was well deserved, but the result was not just a remorse boy who had endangered his life and worried his family. It was one of the very first times Adam had confided in his father. Ben hoped Adam remembered that conversation. He could understand why he would not reveal it within the confines of his campfire story. These children were growing up in a harsh land. Some realities were best left unmentioned until an appropriate time.

Adam's baritone voice bought Ben quickly out of his silent revere. "Then he sent me inside to apologise to Marie for being rude and worrying her. Then…" he explained with feigned horror, "I had to also apologise to old Winnemucca and Bad Face. That was real scary. I remember they stood in front of the big fire, with their arms across their proud chest, and looked straight a head. "I'm sorry Mr. Winnemucca that you had to go looking for me when your own boy was lost. And I thank you for helping my pa to look for me and finding me. Then I turned to Bad Face; he was real tall. I said, and Mr Bad face sir, I'm sorry if I was disrespectful to you when I first saw you. I thought you were going to hurt Yuma, I didn't know you were from the same tribe, sir, Mr Bad Face, sir… ahh I …I was wrong you are a good… alo nana." Adam let out a dramatic breath. "That was pretty nerve racking, especially when they then just both looked down at me and glared… then all of a sudden they burst out laughing. I was so relieved; I thought I must have said something wrong."

"You did; you called Bad Face an old lullaby… Not a good man like you thought. You seem to use the wrong diatonic scale on the vowels every time, my friend."

Little Joe let loose his infectious laugh. Soon Daisymae was giggling, along with Marty and Kimama, all the while Adam blushed.

"What about you, Mr. Yuma. What happened when Bad Face took you back to your father?"

"Well, as brave as I thought I was, Willy, I burst into tears as soon as I saw my father. Before we had made it to the ranch with Bad Face and the braves, we ran into my father and Ben Cartwright about a mile out. I could see the worry in my father's face, but most of all I could see the hurt in his eyes…That I would run away. Once he saw me crying he came and lifted me off the travois. Adam went to tell him that perhaps that wasn't a good idea, but Ben Cartwright silenced his son with just one look…"

"He can do that; I've seen him, and he taught dad how ta do it too," interrupted Alexandra.

"That I did, young lady. Old Winnemucca needed to embrace his boy, feel his life force. It was also his way of letting Yuma know he was forgiven and loved. It was more important than the risk of any further damage to Yuma's leg. Plus I was pretty confident Doc Martin would be able to tend to the broken bone, though Adam, it seemed, had done a good job," announced Ben with pride.

"So did you forgive Mr Adam, too?" asked Jessica.

"Yes, Adam knew that I would. I was very proud of him when I saw all he had done for Yuma. Like Winnemucca, I needed to hug my son. I called him over and pulled him in front of me. And held him tight, kissing his head and told him what a good man he was becoming. We rode like that all the way back to the ranch, while Winnemucca carried his son in just the same way."

"That's real nice, Mr Cartwright," choked Willy.

"So ya got to go on the cattle drive, then dad?" asked Alexandra excitedly.

"Nope; I still hadn't become a man. Besides, it was decided that Yuma would best heal at the ranch. Doc Martin would be able to check on him. Winnemucca was pleased with that idea, so it ended up being more fun than a dusty old cattle drive anyway. I had a boy my own age to play with and help look after."

Lajoci was confused and asked. "Why did grandfather want you to stay father?"

"Because my father decided that it was a good way for me to learn of the white man's ways."

"And Doc Martin said he needed to keep still for at least two weeks. So while Pa went on the cattle drive…"

"And Bad Face and the other braves went off on the big spring hunt. Adam and I became good friends," buffed Yuma.

"Then no more trouble from either of you!" quipped Little Joe sarcastically.

"Oh a little bit perhaps," laughed Yuma, indicating with his forefinger and thumb.

Hoss laughed and slapped his leg, "You mean a lot a trouble. I remember youse two were always laughing, and readin story books late at night, and playin tricks on old Hop Sing. Then Old Meena and yer mama came ta visit and bought some Indian medicine ta give ta ya."

"Yes, that is right; it was ground up fish bones. Old Meena told Hop Sing it would help strengthen the bones in his leg," said Adam.

"And did it, Mr Yuma?"

"Well, Daniel, my leg works as good as new. But it took a good six weeks."

"Was ya sad when you had ta leave?" asked Alex and Willy at exactly the same time.

"A little, but I missed my family and my people. And Adam promised to come and stay at my home."

"And did ya, dad?"

"Not right away, when I saw Bad Face had come to take Yuma back, well…"

"Yes, that was the only reason I was not in a hurry to get back to the village. Bad Face was sure to keep his promise to take me to task the next time I caused my father grief."

"Oh no, what did he do?" chorused the children.

"He took me hunting."

Alex scrunched up her face. "That don't seem so bad."

"It wasn't. Bad Face taught me lots more things about hunting and our ways and traditions. I learnt to respect him and love him like my brother; no longer jealous of him. We spent three days by the south lake, making spears and traps, fishing and hunting and lots of talking. I still remember his words..."

"We are not so much different you and I; Yuma, son of Onennamucca. I am still confused about or friendship with the white man. They have been an enemy just like the Sioux and many of the other tribal nations. There are times I wish to force them from this land and revenge the wrongs they have done. But, I also believe much more can come of peace. Then we too have the opportunity to teach them of our ways, tech them of the gifts of the earth's, which includes those that walk upon it. It is important that we do not lose sight of this. Many of the animals of Father Sky's great kingdom do not understand that they will die; that they cannot live on forever. They know how to survive and protect themselves, but they do not have the wisdom of their ancestors to be passed down. They do not have the knowledge of their mortality. But we as men do, so it is important that we respect the life that we have, that we have so little of. Either are we are the great mountains and sky that go on forever. It is life that must be treasured."

"I have dishonoured my gift of life by acting so foolish. I must have angered the great ancestors greatly."

"Not so much little one, but your father did not deserve the fear you bought to his gift of life, a gift he imparts to you. You also worried me; your brother; an honour and duty I quickly accept. You will know that I am a man that keeps a promise, Yuma."

"Then he pulled me forward and secured me on his hip with one of his thick arms. He laid several strikes to my buttocks," Yuma drove the point home. "His hand was so big it, covered both the cheeks of my bottom with one swat; he wailed the tar out of me, as you would say."

"Okay that last part is bad," decided Alex.

"But you kinda deserved it," answered Josh.

"So you accepted him as your brother then?" Willy smiled warmly at the big man.

"Yes, all my people accepted Bad Face. He is now called Winnemucca the younger, though for many years I called him chief Hard Hand," laughed Yuma.

Adam and Yuma were happy that their story had taught so much. They tried to wind the story up, but the children were still excited, especially Alexandra.

"What sort of tricks did you play on Hop Sing, dad?"

"Never you mind. That's another lot of stories."

"Many, many, tricks," interjected Hop Sing. After packing the wagons he and Sam Potter had been listening to the boys talk for the last half hour. "Little boy's vely naughty, while Papa was away, but ole Hop Sing and Missy Marie, we know what they up too. Keep boys out of worsa bad mischief; we let little boys read late and steal cookies."

Yuma looked at Adam, "and you told me we had him fooled."

Adam shrugged, "I thought we did."

All the children and adults joined in with the laughter, including Hop Sing, who got up and shuffled off mumbling in Cantonese; he laughed at his own a private joke or something else that made him laugh even louder as he got further away.

Alex peered up into her father's face. "That was a real good story, Dad. I reckon we all done learned a lot of good things, like Hop Sing is no dumb cook and a real good actor, he's probably got eyes in the back of his head ta catch people stealing cookies, but he don't really mind and can pretend ta put on a real hullabaloo about it. And I learned that Bad Face and Grandpa are men of their word and keep promises. Even ifin it's a long time, they still remember they's was gonna give a tanning, which seems kinda strange and deflated of the real purpose, cause ya probably forgot yerself as ta why ya was getting one. Jist the same though, grownups never forget, same as nuns. And ya should never call ya folks a liar; that's jist plum dumb, like poking an angry bear with a sharp stick. So ya done throwed a tantrum when yer didn't get ta do something ya thought ya was ready ta do and so did Yuma… and ya both done run away, cause ya both stubborn boys looking fer somethink better; which ya done had already right in front of ya. But, then ya got something real extra special by disobeyin yer folks. Afta all that, some real good things come of it, even though yer both got ya backsides tanned; real good by the sounds of it. Fer one; ya saved Yuma's life and cause of that he done growed yup ta be a good man and have children like my friend Lajoci. Ifin you hadn't run away and Yuma had, then Yuma might not been here today. Then it was worth it, cause yer not only became good friends and blood brothers an all, though I don't like the idea of sharin any bodily fluids with no one. But ya story done had a lesson fer all the ignoranus's and everyone here. A lesson about looking out fer peoples no matter what; even ifin they are different birds with different feathers like the Indians have different feathers, like Yuma and Bad Face was before they became brothers. So ifin ya hadn't done run off we's all here wouldn't know the story, and start to treat each other a lot better than we done earlier. You and Yuma wouldn't be friends, or Lajoci and me, or Kimama and Marty, even. So the moral of the story is jist sometimes ya gotta take a chance and learn something fer yerselves," theorized Alexandra; all without taking breath.

All the children nodded, agreeing with Alex's summation of the moral of the tale.

Marty laughed, "She sure has a knack for deduction."

Yuma cocked his head at Adam, drawing a lopsided smirk and aiming a raised eyebrow, "Yes Alexandra is impressive. She would be a great asset when our people talk with the great white father in Washington. But, I am not sure of her use of the term…Ignor anus?" he said before spluttering with mirth.

Adam ignored him and looked at Alexandra, "Not quite, Alexandra. That is not the moral of the story. You don't gotta take a chance and learn something fer yerselves, as you put it. Yuma and I may have meet under other circumstances and become blood brothers. We should not have run away, it was very dangerous, as it proved to be," said Adam, determined to nick Alex's train of thought in the bud.

"Yes Alexandra, it could have been me that saved the white boys ar… hide."

"Ah, but dad, like yer said yer gotta appreciate the story in the right context and circumcision."

"You mean circumstance, Alexandra." giggled Little Joe.

"That's what I said didn't I?"

"No, but never mind," intervened Adam, "just don't go getting it into your heads, any of you…" Adam pointed to all the children, "that running away solves your problems, if we both had not run away, neither one of us would have been in danger."

"So yer think ya would have meet Yuma, in another way; like it was fate, then?" asked Alex, wanting some clarification.

"Perhaps it was our ancestors controlling that fate, father."

Yuma winked at his son, "I think it was. More importantly I am pleased it came about."

"Me too, Mr Yuma," smiled Willy.

"Yeah Dad, it was a great story."

"I'm glad you think so, Alex, but now it's time we all were headed home. It's past nine. There might be a full moon to safely get home, but it is still very late."

Within ten minutes all the children were loaded into wagons. Hoss escorted Josh mum and the wagon via the south lake while Sam Potter took the ones closer to town. Hop Sing and Ben took the chuck wagon, while little Joe took the buggy with Daisymae and followed Sam. Adam and Marty loaded up the last of the supplies they had bought. Adam tied Carlacipo to the back of their wagon, and then put Alex in the back, snuggled comfortably on a pile of blankets with one over the top of her. The wagons all pulled out together, leaving Yuma, Lajoci and Kimama with a sleeping Fire Dance secured in her buckskin sling. They all waved to the rhythm and echoes of the children's loud goodbyes.

"Bye Lajoci, son of Yuma, son of the wise and proud chief Winnemucca," cried out Willy.

Lajoci looked up at his father and smiled, proud to be Paiute.

TBC

Chapter 13 : Initiations and Havoc.

A.N. More of Guns and Switches to come, so hang in there. Big thanks to Lajoci for her patience and the tweaking of this story.