Silent Heart : Chapter 4 : [ Buck Talks to Mila ]

As Buck walked along , he thought about Mila , and where she could've come from. Especially when he knew all too well from his own experience before he left the Kiowa , that she could very well be alone in the world.

'' I just hope she'll let me help her'' , ; Buck thought to

himself as he went inside Rachel's house. '' I hope I'll be able to make her understand that she does'nt have to be afraid of me , and that she can trust Rachel and Teaspoon to help her '' , ; Buck thought as he came into the guest room where Mila was.

Seeing Buck come into the room , Mila looked him over again , but she did'nt attempt to run away. '' Hello , Mila , it's good to see you awake'' ; Buck said in Indian Sign as he sat down on the bed.

Speaking to Mila in Indian Sign again , Buck asked her ; ' ' What tribe are you from , Mila'' ? ; Buck asked. ''I'm half - Lakota '' , ; Mila replied in her language.

'' How did you come to be where I found you , Mila'' ? ; Buck asked gently in Lakota. The Shoshone raided my village , and they traded me to white renegades , ; Mila replied. '' Is your family still alive , Mila'' ? ; Buck asked gently. '' They killed both my father and my mother '' ; Mila replied sadly. '' I'm sorry , Mila'' , ; Buck replied in a gentle voice. '' I know exactly how you must feel '' , ; Buck said in Lakota.

When I was a boy , my village was raided , too , and one of the casualties was my mother , ; Buck said.

What tribe are you from , Buck ? ; Mila asked in Lakota. ''I'm half - Kiowa , Mila'' , ; Buck replied. ''Can you understand me when I speak English '' ? ; Buck asked Mila gently. Yes , some , ; Mila replied in English for the first time. '' How old are you , Mila'' ? ; Buck asked in Lakota. Nineteen summers , ; Mila replied in English. ''What about you '' ? ; Mila asked , speaking in Lakota again.

I'm the same age , ; Buck replied in Lakota. '' Why do you live among these people '' ? ; Mila asked in Lakota. '' I deliver mail for the Pony Express , Mila '' , ; Buck said in Lakota. '' How did you come to be here '' ? ; Mila

asked , speaking in Lakota again. '' After I left the Kiowa , I ended up in a white man's school , and that's how I met the best friend I ever had , ; Buck said.

Anyway , when we both got old enough to leave , Ike and I ended up joining the Express , ; Buck finished. '' I ask too many questions'' , ; Mila said , a hint of a smile coming out. '' No , not at all , Mila'' , ; Buck said , smiling at Mila gently. '' Is your name just Buck'' ? ; Mila asked curiously. ''My mother named me Running Buck , actually '' , ; Buck replied. My full name is Kimimila , but my mother always called me Mila'' , ; Mila said. '' My father was Lakota , but my mother was a white woman , whom my father rescued from a wagon , after all her people died of illness'' , ; Mila said. '' She must've been beautiful , Mila'' , ; Buck said in a gentle voice. She was , ; Mila said in English.

'' How am I to call you'' ? ; Mila asked. Everyone calls me Buck , ; Buck replied , smiling at Mila gently. And you can , too , ; Buck said in Lakota.

I'm pleased to meet you , Buck , ; Mila said in perfect English.

Speaking to Mila in English again , Buck said ; Mila , you're safe here with us , and I can promise you that whoever you escaped from , won't ever have a chance to hurt you again , ; Buck said in a gentle voice.

Not as long as I'm here , ; Buck added. Thank you , Buck , ; Mila said , smiling at Buck a little bit. You're welcome , Mila , ; Buck replied softly.

I should let you get some rest , you still look tired , ; Buck said gently.

Will you be back again ? ; Mila said , speaking in English again.

I will , Mila , ; Buck replied. And we can talk again when you feel better , ; Buck added , smiling at her gently as he got up.

I'd like that , ; Mila said with a yawn. I'll see you later , Mila , ; Buck said as he got ready to leave. If you need anything , Rachel and Lou will be close by , ; Buck said. Thank you , ; Mila said.

You're welcome , Mila , ; Buck said as he left the room.