New Beginnings: Life Changes

ch 67

Crash Course: part 2

As the two boys sit with the pipe between them, Joseph, having declared he is not a coward and deciding to pretend to smoke, both are aware of someone approaching quickly. To Joseph's surprise, an elderly Indian woman rushes from the trees.

"NIGHT HAWK NON! ARRET! DANGEREUX!"

"Grandmere? This is my Grandmother." Night Hawk explains to Joseph who is now standing.

"Young friend, Night Hawk has you in danger. Tobacco is very strong and harmful! Please return to your family."

"Yes Ma'am, thank you. I haven't smoked the pipe, Ma'am. I don't use tobacco." Joseph replies as he passes the elderly woman dressed in a long animal skin skirt and beautiful blue, red, yellow, and green woven shirt.

As he exits the clearing he can tell by the tone, Night Hawk is receiving a strong scolding. He remembers enough of the French language Claire taught him to have recognized the words "no", 'stop' and 'dangerous'.

Entering their part of the dwelling, Joseph goes straight to Ethan.

"Pa, can we talk? Is this a good time?"

"Yes, what's on your mind?"

"I've been with Night Hawk all day. I helped with the work and cooperated with my guide as you asked me to do. We did some basic chores around the inside of the compound. I helped him haul fresh water to all of the rooms as well. Afterward, he took me on a walk. This is the part I'm not sure I trust what he told me. He said the wooded section beside the far left building is part of their compound. Did I break your rule? I followed him into the woods just a little to a clearing. He wanted to sit and have a talk."

"I've learned today, the tribe considers the land directly outside their home, part of the compound. That being said, I'd prefer you stay within calling distance of the buildings. This is much more of a wild country than you are used to. I sense there is more to your story than just going into the woods. What happened next?"

"We talked about our families, he's quite interesting but bossy too. He speaks some French, Claire would love to talk with him. Soon after we talked he said he wanted to show an Indian way to be friends and pulls a pipe out from under a rock. I told him I didn't want to smoke, and he started calling me 'Coward White Boy'. He said I wasn't a brave warrior, or a good guest because I wouldn't try the 'Indian way'.

"Joseph, did you partake of that particular ceremony?" Ethan asks quietly.

"No sir, I did not. I was getting angry though with the taunting Night Hawk was doing. Telling me I was a coward and not a brave warrior like him! He lit the pipe with some flint he apparently carries with him and took a long pull from it. About that time, his Grandmother came out of the woods and was scolding him. She speaks enough English to tell me to come back inside. I did what she told me. Are you angry with me for today?'

"No, Joseph, I'm not upset with you. I realize I've been snappish with you the last two days. I apologize for that. I am a person just as you and at times if I'm tired, or worried, I may react badly. You did what you should have done, you left. Night Hawk is wrong. You are no coward and I do hope you know this. You should tell him the story of you taking the stallion to the canyon or facing down wolves when Ben was ill. You're old enough to know how to make sound decisions and you did. For that, I'm proud of you. A few years ago, you would have proven to the other boy you were brave by smoking that pipe. Indian tobacco is very strong. If you had smoked it you would most likely be very ill with an upset stomach by now. I'm sure the boy knows this and shouldn't have tried to get you to smoke it. Let's wash and have something to eat. Your Mama is helping prepare the meal tonight."

Having enjoyed a meal of roasted venison, corn, beans, squash, some unidentifiable greens, frybread, and more, Joseph eyes the boy sitting across from him. Night Hawk hasn't spoken since he arrived at the group meal.

"Are you not speaking to me now?" Joseph asks quietly.

"Being punished, not to disturb you."

"Talking to me isn't disturbing me. Your punishment is you can't talk to me?"

"No, got popped by washing rod and no leaving sight of Grandmere tomorrow. Grandmere popped me twice on bare legs for trying to push tobacco on you."

"What of your uncle? What did he say about it?"

"He angry and approved of punishment."

Joseph, noticing Will is headed in their direction, whispers "Your Uncle is coming."

"Hello again, Joseph. Thank you for helping Night Hawk with the chores today. He has something to say to you." Will greets Joseph before giving his nephew a look Joseph is very familiar with.

"Night Hawk?"

Standing, the young boy bows to Joseph before saying "Night Hawk apologize."

"Try again, young man! This time speak English correctly not this strange talk you favor. Joseph deserves a real apology. Let me hear it or we'll have a strong discussion in our rooms tonight."

"I apologize for trying to make you smoke the pipe and for calling you a coward. Please forgive me for being rude to you, a guest in our home."

"Thank you, for the apology. I accept and wish to be your friend while I'm here." Joseph replies.

"Joseph, I apologize for the boy as well. He knows better and I'm ashamed he would behave this way toward a guest. Night Hawk won't be available to be with you tomorrow as he is to be watched all day. He may be able to be your guide the following day if he proves himself to be trustworthy. I believe you will be with John Taylor and your parents tomorrow." Will states.

"Yes sir, I'm going to visit with John Taylor tomorrow. Is he able to talk, sir?"

"He speaks occasionally, Joseph. Much of the time he is sleeping. You do know he is very ill, correct?"

"He's not just ill! He is ready to go to Great Spirit. He said so! Ill means get better, he no get better!" Night Hawk says angrily before running off.

"I apologize again for my nephew's actions. He's become close friends with John Taylor in the last two years. They've formed a close bond and each time John Taylor came for the winter, Night Hawk would enjoy his company. That doesn't excuse his rudeness, however." Will tells Ethan who has just approached in time to hear the boy's words.

"Joseph and I understand and do not take offense at what the boy said or did today. Joseph, it's time to go. Goodnight Will, thank you for caring for John Taylor."

The following morning after helping with any work that needs doing, Joseph is taken to the room where John Taylor is cared for.

"He's awake and ready for visitors." Delphie greets Ethan and Joseph.

"Joseph, be aware that he may or may not acknowledge you. Just talk to him as you always have and see how he responds. Remember what we spoke of last night and don't be alarmed. He can speak but not well and his thoughts are jumbled. He tires easily so if he falls asleep, just come find me. I'll be out in the common area helping the women."

"Yes, Mama. I'm ready to sit with him."

"Joseph?" Ethan asks.

"Yessir?"

"Whatever you see, let's keep this private between us and not tell your younger brothers. Let them remember John Taylor as they last were with him."

"Yes sir, I promise."

Entering the room, Joseph immediately notices how much older his friend and surrogate Grandfather looks. He's aged years since he was with them in Paradise a few months ago. Crossing the room, he sits on the floor beside the low rope bed.

"Hello John Taylor, it's Joseph. I've come to sit with you for a while. I met Night Hawk. We did chores together and he showed me woods outside the compound. I heard he's a friend of yours." Waiting for any acknowledgment, Joseph glances at the bed only to see John Taylor staring at him.

Smiling, Joseph reaches out and takes his hand. "I've missed being with you so much. I know you were there at Rob and Claire's weddings but it seems so long since we were carving together. I made a table and carved a vine design all the way around it as a gift for Rob and Amelia. I'm going to make another one for Claire and Alex when they come home permanently. She is going to be home to stay after this next year of school. We'll come get you and you'll stay in your cabin when she comes home."

"No, not cabin. Not here then." John Taylor says so quietly Joseph has to strain to catch his words.

"Well, there's the extra room at our house for you to stay and you have your own outside door."

"Where boys?"

"Ben and George are staying with Claire and Rob. Emerson is there too."

"Baby big now?"

"She's bigger, yes. She's ready to crawl anytime. Last week she was up on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth. Ben said she looked like our dog, Pepper when he's stalking rabbits and waiting to pounce. She is six months old now. We're going to have another little baby brother or sister by spring. You'll have even more children to teach to gather herbs or about carving and tracking,"

"Claire happy? Rob?"

"They're happy, yes. Alex and Claire are staying with Rob and Amelia at his new house. He had a house kit come on a train and he and some men from town worked to build it. You can see it when you come home."

"No, not be there. Help me?" John Taylor asks.

"Of course, what can I do?"

"Bring bright blue flower Larkspur. Find meadow maybe by stream, Night Hawk show you. Need it."

"Larkspur? That's a poisonous plant. Pa taught us to never ever touch it as it can make us sick and we could die. It makes you not be able to move and breathe!"

"Yes, need Larkspur. Good way to die."

"What did you say?" Joseph asks as the last words were so faint he couldn't be sure he heard correctly.

"You heard, good way to die. Time for long rest. Go now."

"I'll visit again later," Joseph replies trying not to show how shocked he is by what he was asked to do.

As Joseph and their parents are settling into their visit, the younger boys are staying at Rob's house.

"Ben, Alex just told me we get to sleep outside tonight in Rob's tent. The one used when they were building the house. Won't that be fun? He and Rob are putting it together now!"

"Good! After last night with Emerson squalling all night, I can use some sleep. What's wrong with her, anyway? All she's done since bedtime is cry! I would think she'd be dried up by now as it's been HOURS."

"Her gums are hurting. Claire has gone to get something from Dr. Amy to help her. Won't Mama be surprised when she finds out Emmy is crawling? That was so funny last night when Alex thought you'd moved Emmy from her blanket and she'd moved herself to the fireplace."

"I didn't think it was funny. I wasn't even in the room when she crawled off the blanket. Alex seemed about to wallop me for lying. He wouldn't listen when I said I hadn't moved her. He kept saying she could've been hurt by my prank. Just because I played that trick on Amelia the day before and kept putting Emmy in different places didn't mean I always did that. It was just a joke and Amelia finally figured it out."

"Well, the fire wasn't lit so I guess she could have bumped her head or some other thing to get hurt but she just wanted to look at it. She was thinking it was something Papa does." George replies.

"I still don't understand how you KNOW what she's thinking. She can't talk so how does it work? We think with words and hear words in our minds. She can't talk though so you don't hear words do you?" Ben asks.

"I just seem to know what she thinks sometimes. She can talk to me even if she can't say words."

"Why do you hear it but I don't? Joseph and Claire don't either and they can talk in their minds too. Let's ask Amelia if we can make our own supper for eating outside. Maybe Rob will let us have a cookfire to cook our own supper." Ben exclaims eagerly.

"Mama says I have a special gift. Claire says she and Joseph don't have much of a connection these days. As they didn't use it often. We use it often so maybe we'll keep it even when we are old like Claire. I doubt Rob will let us have a fire at all much less one to cook on. He sees us as little boys still."

"We're not little. You're as old as Joseph was when he and Claire took care of us and the cabin when we moved from St. Louis. They did it alone most of the day as Pa was out chasing bad guys." Ben answers.

Later that evening, George looks across at his brother rolled in two blankets. "I was right, wasn't I? What was Rob's answer when you asked to make a cookfire?"

"He said 'We wouldn't be needing to cook anything as supper was going to be eaten inside at the table.' I tried to get him to at least let us make popcorn outside but he said no to that as well. Camping out isn't much fun without a cookout. Pa lets us make one at home."

"Sometimes he does, yes, but he also has Joseph look over our fire-making before we are allowed to light it. IF we are allowed to light it at all. Most of the time, Pa or Joseph lights it."

"Rob and Alex have been irritable today. Every idea I came up with for us to enjoy, one or the other said "NO". I'm beginning to wish Pa would come home as Rob and Alex are no fun anymore. We might as well be with Pa since we are still treated as little boys and made to do chores. I'm tired of polishing furniture and dusting! I want to do something fun!"

"Oh, do stop fussing! We've played charades, checkers, kitty get a corner, hide and seek, told stories, been riding together with Claire, went to town for ice cream, and had all kinds of fun! We do house chores at home too! Rob is going to be busy tomorrow. I heard him tell Alex he would be in town until the afternoon, taking care of something at the bank and then waiting for messages. I don't know who he's waiting to hear from but maybe it's Pa. You need some sleep, Ben. You're being what Mama calls 'a grumpy bear' tonight. We'll get to have more fun in the morning since Amelia said we could go fishing."

"Yeah, fish bite well early in the morning. We'll wake at sunrise since it's going to come into the tent waking us. We have the lines fixed and the bait dug. All we have to do is cut poles, string the line and we'll be set. If we catch enough, we can all have fried fish for lunch or supper tomorrow."

"That sounds fun! Maybe even Emerson will try some fish. She's enjoying everything Claire or Amelia gives her. She even tried squash today. She's eaten creamed white and sweet potatoes, thinned-down oatmeal, mashed peas, and mashed carrots. Mama will be amazed at how much she's learned to eat. Emmy likes real food." George answers.

"I think she'd be tired of just milk all the time and wants good things to eat. Thin oatmeal looked terrible though. It was more milk than oatmeal." Ben replies before snuggling into his blankets more. "G'night, let's go to sleep so we'll wake up early,"

"umm hmm, g'night."

Having thought about John Taylor's request all night and not sleeping well, Joseph seeks out Night Hawk after breakfast and chores. Finding the boy with his Grandmere, he asks "Are you still on punishment?"

"No, I may leave. What you want?"

"Let's take a walk." Joseph requests while discreetly nodding in the direction of the adults working nearby. The men are scraping the fur off some hides and the women are busy painting pottery.

"You change mind and want to smoke?" Night Hawk asks as the two leave the compound.

"NO, what is it with you and smoking?" Not waiting for an answer he tells the other boy what John Taylor requests.

"I don't know what to do. That plant is poisonous. Even if I found it, how would I pick it up or carry it safely? Should I do as he wants? I'm confused."

"Night Hawk likes smoking, manly, unless caught, then sore backside! Grandmere and uncle think young boy! Night Hawk not young boy, help you. Mustn't tell adults. Both would be punished. Not to go where the flower is but we'll go anyway. Indian way, help do what elders say and elder is John Taylor."

Later that afternoon as the two boys make their way back to the compound, Joseph says "You are very brave and smart. Using a knife tied to a branch to cut the flowers and then spear them. That animal skin pouch you carry keeps you from touching the flowers. How is he going to use them do you know?"

"Skin keeps plant contained. John Taylor will eat them as they are. He needs them to stop the pain. He's been in great pain for weeks but only I take it away. He has eaten salix leaves and bark I bring. I help great warrior friend go to great spirit as he wishes. Others do not."

"Salix? I know that word. That's bark and leaves of willow you speak of, correct?"

"Yes. You know nature medicine?"

"My Pa and John Taylor taught me of natural medicines, yes. My sister is learning other medicine."

"STOP, quiet, listen." Night Hawk whispers as he grabs Joseph's arm to stop him from walking.

Both boys hear their names being shouted not far away. Exchanging a look, both step from the trees into the pathway. Night Hawk uses his mouth to imitate the call of a hawk.

"We remembered to bring food for the fish but forgot to get US something to eat!" Ben remarks after a few hours of fishing.

"Well, we can eat later. You do have that bread you swiped off of the loaf Claire baked. Eat that."

"I forgot about that and didn't swipe it! I asked Amelia if I could have the heel for bait. She sliced three thick pieces. I'll share with you. We don't need it since we are catching so many with the worms. I have five and you have six already. They sure are biting well today! We should've come here to fish before now. No one else seems to fish here."

"There's a reason for that, the pond is private property. I have been looking for you two for hours! How dare you just leave that way! You frightened me when you were not in your tent! You are not allowed to come near water without permission or just wander off this way! What if you fell in the pond? YOU COULD DROWN!" Alex exclaims as he hauls Ben to his feet.

Gripping the boy by his upper arm, he deposits himself on the log Ben was using as a seat, pulls him over his lap, and starts applying heavy-handed swats to the boy's backside.

"OW! STOP THAT! OW! ALEX, STOP IT! LET ME EXPLAIN!" Ben tries but gets nowhere as the hard hand continues to attack.

Letting Ben stand, Alex motions George over. "You're next, come here."

"Wait, Alex! NO! You need to listen to... OUCH! STOP! NO! DON'T SPANK SO HARD, OW!" George says between sobs.

"Let's go! You are both confined to your room until Rob gets back. I dare say, he may punish you as well! WALK!" Alex commands as he lifts the two sets of fish and points towards the opening in the trees.

"I explain, you listen." Night Hawk says quietly before the two men reach them.

"What are you doing this far from home? You know you are to stay near the compound! No one knew where you were for hours! I sent a patrol out looking and they spotted you down near the stream. One stayed to watch over you and the other came for us! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING GOING OFF THAT WAY? WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT THE STREAM?" Will scolds his nephew who is glaring at him.

"Night Hawk, young warrior not papoose! NO need for patrol reporting to you. Able to go and come when want! Not need escort!"

"I disagree and you did not answer my question! David Jacob Clark, I give you one minute to begin to explain yourself!"

"NOT CALLED DAVID JACOB! NAME IS NIGHT HAWK! NOT A CHILD! CAN DO AS WANT!" the boy shouts at his uncle causing Joseph to gape at him in surprise. So far he's stayed quiet as no one has asked him anything although he senses waves of disapproval from Ethan.

"Your name is David Jacob Clark, you just prefer to call yourself Night Hawk. You are a child as you are thirteen years old and according to the law, that makes you accountable to me as your guardian. As such it is my job to discipline you when you need it. You definitely need it after the last few days. Do you have anything else to say before we get to that?"

"I do, sir. It's my fault we came here. I asked him to take me to a stream. I asked him to help me find and gather something. He's thirteen? He told me he was fourteen summers so I thought he was fourteen." Joseph speaks up.

"In Indian culture, we count from birth for age so he is stating his Indian age. In English society, we would say he is thirteen as he was born in May. Thank you for trying to take the blame. David knows he broke long-standing rules to come here. It is not your fault." Will replies kindly.

Having listened, Ethan now addresses his son. "You also know you are not to wander away from the compound! You are just as wrong as Night Hawk! Explain to me in exact terms, what you needed so badly that you both put yourselves in danger to gather. There are men who roam this area and would love to prey on two young boys! I specifically told you to STAY within calling distance and this is way beyond that boundary!"

"I know, Pa. I'm sorry for disobeying. I am sorry for asking Night Hawk to disobey too." Joseph replies deliberately sidestepping the actual reason they came.

"JOSEPH! Explanation! NOW!" Ethan barks in a tone Joseph hasn't heard in some time.

"John Taylor wants Larkspur. Night Hawk showed me where it grows and harvested some for me to give John Taylor." Joseph answers not meeting the furious look directed his way.

"LARKSPUR? Have you lost all sense? YOU KNOW THAT IS DEADLY! Did either of you touch it?" Ethan asks.

"No sir. What he did was spear it and put it in his bag. We didn't touch it at all." Joseph replies wincing at the shout and the grip now on his arm.

"Let me see that pouch Night Hawk." Ethan says to the child also being held by an arm.

"It's not Larkspur. This is safe." Ethan says after looking into the pouch. "You two boys are quite foolish to think you could harvest a deadly plant and transport it safely! Joseph, I'm disappointed you would not use your common sense in this situation. You put yourself and Night Hawk in extreme danger!"

"I wanted to help John Taylor. He asked me to help."

"John Taylor speaks out of his mind right now, Joseph. You know that as I told you not to take his words to heart if he spoke. It's been some time since you behaved so recklessly. I aim to see you think before acting to put yourself and others in danger! Move yourself to that tree and hug it!" Ethan declares as he begins to remove his belt.

"Hug a tree? Excellent technique! You do the same, David! Go NOW!" Will exclaims pointing to the tree next to the one where Joseph is currently standing.

"Not to overstep Will, but I won't be so forceful as to leave marks. I don't want to harm him just reinforce the message. Do you agree?"

"Yes, discipline is to teach not to harm. The boy won't be harmed but he will hesitate to sit for meals tonight." Will replies as the two fathers move to complete the task at hand.

As their older brother is facing an irate father, Ben and George are facing an irate oldest brother as Rob is interrogating them.

"What were you thinking going off that way? You two know better than to worry others by pulling a disappearing act! If Pa were here and you did this, he'd have you both out in the barn over a barrel! Perhaps I should do the same! You had Alex scared out of his mind!"

"Rob? Can I say something now?" George asks as Rob pauses to breathe.

"Yes"

"We had permission to go fishing. We asked Amelia yesterday. She even cut bread slices for us to take for bait. We didn't plan to worry anyone. We only wanted to catch enough fish for a fish fry for supper." George tells him as he wipes tears away from the harsh scolding.

"It's true, Rob. Amelia told us we could go fishing. I don't know why she didn't tell Alex where we were." Ben states as he pats George on the arm to calm him.

"I'll be right back. Stay here." Rob says.

"Is he going to move barrels do you think?" George whispers nervously.

"I hope not. We didn't do anything wrong and we've already had our bottoms burned one time today."

Several minutes later, Rob and Alex appear.

"I have an apology to give you Ben, George. I reacted very badly this morning. I'm sorry for being so harsh with you both. We just found out that Amelia did give permission to go fishing. I never asked her earlier if she knew where you were as she was trying to soothe the baby to sleep."

"I apologize for my behavior as well, guys. I should have taken time to find out the facts before I jumped all over you for what I thought happened. Alex and I need a crash course in being a Pa as we're not very good at it yet. I thought I was better at this than I am. Will you accept a trip to town for ice cream as part of this apology?"

"Oh YES!" Ben and George reply in unison.

Later that night as Claire is tucking them in for the night, Ben asks "Claire? What's a crash course? I know a course is something you run as we had an obstacle course once. Is a crash course where you practice crashing wagons?"

Fighting a case of giggles, Claire answers "No, that's a new term people are using for learning something extremely quickly. Now go on to sleep. We only have until late afternoon to be together as Pa, Mama and Joseph will be home by four or five o'clock tomorrow." Claire replies. "We got that telegram just today, remember?"

"Yeah, but I wish we had more days with you." George answers.

"I'm not going anywhere until late August, George. We have over a month to have fun. Good night boys."

***** The next update will be In February of 2023. I'll be skipping January. Have a safe, enjoyable holiday season.