SKUNK MAGEE      
                           Chapters 6-7



                              SNOUT
                              Chapter 7

Took most of two hours ta find my way back ta the cabin and was well relieved ta feed and bed down the horse and git inside the shelter. Stout had squirrel roastin and a boilin pot of wild rice and small tubers. “Cold!” I said as I walked in. The fire felt wonderus. “Snout, don’t put me up a tree when I die, just plant me deep.” Snout turned and said, “Grizz dig up.” “Dig it real deep!”, I said. “How I get out hole?” I stayed my laughter as I knew he was bein serious…..I think. His size was never an issue. He was strong and fearless. When we rode he had a knotted climbin rope tied ta the saddle that he used ta toss down when he dismounted. Most ever thin in the cabin was easy ta reach cept the raisins and sugar which I kept high.

“White Otter was a intrestin cuss,” I said as I warmed up in front of the fire. “I know all injun names have reason behind em. What does ‘White Otto’ mean for injuns?” Snout kept his eye on the cookin food and said, “Mean otter that white.” I shook my head and said, “No, I mean all injun names have meanin, ain’t that true?” “Some.“, he answered. “Get three names. Name when born, name when you warrior, name if you not like squaws.“ I smiled. “What’s your injun name, Snout?” He was quite a moment as if he were tryin not ta give up a secret. “Goshe”, he finally said. I asked him did it have a meanin. “Mean little dog,” he said. I didn’t know ta laugh or cry. He turned ta me for a moment and asked, “What mean, ‘Snout‘?” I thought for a moment then told him the God honest truth. “It means mountain lion.” He shook his head as if he were agreein with me.

Later we ate our meal and then treated our selves ta honey comb. After the meal Snout walked out behind the cabin and tossed the bones and such over the edge of the cliff. I came round ta the back also ta piss off the edge of the cliff as that was my favorite spot. Snout was lookin toward the sunset. No place in all my ventures have I ever found sunsets such as these here in the mountains. We continued ta watch for the last few moments until the sun was gone. “Yubtaa,” Snout said at the last moment. “What’s that mean?, I asked. “It mean all is finish. All dead warrior ghost go with Sun spirit, hunt other side mountain,” he replied. “Yubtaa”, I repeated. Then I said, “We call it beautiful.“ “What beatafull?“, he asked. I told him that was a word man used to describe somethin special we have no words for. Snout looked back at where the sun had been and said “Beatafull.“ Later I told him bout the Mississippi and how I floated on the barges and all the towns and cities I visited. He looked at me like I was lyin the whole time but wanted to hear more lies. Most near midnight fo I got ta turn in. Interestin day.

Most she-beavs have two sometime four kit’s a season. We found a fit pond and creek area that had near 6 lodges so if luck turn our way we might pull most 10 beav here bout. The other ponds, creeks and lakes would give up their share in due time but a tight colony like this spot was bravo. Most old beav are set in their ways and follow the same muddy treks over and over causin the path ta look more like a canal from their swallowin and this bein one of the first beav signs I taught Snout ta look fo. Findin a proper spot we might string snares cross a beav canal and then post out a few leg traps under branches of falled trees that lay in the water. Good place was close ta their lodges or dam works. I showed Snout how ta use the two beav baits we carried. One was tree poplar sap and that worked like honey ta a grizz. Second bait were squeezins from the musk sacs of the beavs we trapped. All beavs took notice but it damn well reeked like dead pork-a-pine! Beav also had places in their territory that they laid out this musk smell so’s ta keep other beav out. They’d return over and over ta the same spot ta keep the smell strong. These places were hard for me ta find but Snout sniffed em right out and duly set traps. The beav is the hardiest critter in the wood. He goes out night and day and even under frozen ponds he’d be out lookin and chewin. Beav’s don’t sleep in durin winter either.

We had run inta the Osages from time to time and did well as neighbors. On one encounter we met up with the Osage squaw that spoke Shoshone as she and her kin were fishin a trout stream. We traded off some wire for fresh trout and Snout took ta injun talkin with her. Later he said that some of her people had been attacked by a Blackfoot called Dark Wolf and his small party of misfits. Of all injuns, Blackfeet tended ta go sour on the least provocate. Osage men had been out for most a week trackin and stirrin up the forest for em. Two warriors stood watch even now on the tree line while the women fished. Seems Dark Wolf been doin no good for some time with most tribes in the river valley but nobody got the jump on em yet. We bid em all good fishin and then we worked our way north along the stream headin towards the cabin. It was mid day and gittin chilly. The snows had been sparse and melted off short time after each fall. Weather was holdin nice for us until now and the beav were wavin for us ta catch em.

We had just come round a bend where the stream and river merged. The water was deep, fast and loud. So loud that a six point buck takin water didn’t hear us. We both froze! I slowly unslung my Hawkins and slowly cockin it I raised it up and took sight. The shot entered the right side of the deer and exited out. The creature was done fo it hit dirt. Stumpy Snout was already twenty paces ahead of me with his knife out and ready ta dress the kill and make plans for side dishes. From where we were I could almost make out the cabin high up on the cliff edge runnin long the river. Once the deer was prepared I told snout ta get the meat up ta the cabin and I would run up river ta the last eight traps and then head back ta the cabin where I knew I’d be smellin roast venison. Snout slung the deer over his shoulder and walked a ways up the river until he found the path that ran up the steep incline ta our cabin.

Snout strung up the carcass from a tree limb outside the cabin and then went inside ta get a good fire goin. When he walked back outside he was greeted by an injun party ridin up on horse back. For a moment he thought of the Osage warriors out huntin Dark Wolf. A moment had not passed when he pulled out his knife and threw it at the closest brave. Fore he could turn and go after his pistol a musket round went inta his side and spun him round layin him flat ta the ground. Lookin up he saw the injun Dark Wolf get off his horse and walk over ta where he lay. Dark Wolf looked over at one of his braves who had slowly pulled Snout’s knife out of his forearm and threw it ta the ground while the other braves laughed. Dark Wolf looked down at the Shoshone dwarf and smiled. Snout closed his eyes and said, “Yubtaa.”…………Dark Wolf fired his musket.


I put Snouts bloody knife and hatchet on his chest. By his side I put some dried raisins and a pouch full of clear beads. I put some coffee bean and honey comb together for em and placed that also on his chest. I wrapped him first in deer hide and then in a buff robe. I bound up the robe tight with hide strips from top ta bottom. Then I sat back.

By the time I got there the Blackfeet had set the cabin ta fire and lit out. I had pulled Snout’s body away from the cabin and sat for a while lookin at em. I soon got up and ran inta the cabin ta salvage goods. I wert able ta save much but did best I could. They took the pack horse and Snout’s mount but Rose must a busted loose when the fire started up cause I could see her roamin in the wood. I read the signs and counted some five maybe eight warriors all headin south.

I calmed Rose down and then lifted up Snout and put em on her back. I led her a short distance down along the cliff edge until I came ta an old pine tree. I pulled the body off my horse and usin a rope I tied and strapped his body onta my back and once secured I started climbin the pine tree. I climbed until the limbs became ta small ta support my weigh, nearly thirty feet up. Usin the rope, I lashed Snout’s body on the last two sturdy limbs at this height. He over looked the big river far below and it was a good spot for seein the sun sets.

I didn’t say words for Snout. I just sat on a limb, back gainst the tree trunk. I though bout the lil Shoshone and who he was. Proud and courageous as a mountain lion. He spent a life time not bein respected by others but never lost a moment repectin himself. No one ever cared a lick for em till maybe I come along. Said more with a snort and stare than most fellas could with a chapter of word and verse. I felt poor not knowin what ta say for em. Finally I just said, “Goodbye friend.” I started climbin down the tree and once I bottomed I walked back towards the cabin and by the time I reached it I was runnin.

I went lookin for Dark Wolf. 



                              Dark Wolf
                                                              Chapter 8
 

 I went after the Blackfoot, Dark Wolf, not for revenge or such. Most would count it just cause of Dark Wolf’s deed but I went as a hunter trackin down a sick and crazed animal. Needin ta kill the rabid beast so’s ta protect others and self……..not with anger……..not with hate……..but with resolve……cold resolve. I checked my remainin pistol, the Hawkins and knife and hatchet. I mounted my horse and took direction.

I located their trail and took signs which told me they wert maybe half day ahead at most. I heeled Rose on and was determined ta seek em out by night fall. The sun was long time set when I found their camp. I had tied Rose a fair distance away and slowly worked my way through the brush. There were five of em sittin round their fire finishin off the jug of rum they took from my cabin. I was not for sure of their count but knew all injuns set at lease one sentry out in the tree shadows when they camp. I went lookin for em.

The young warrior leaned against a tree and stared through the dark canopy at the camp fire and the older warriors as they laughed and drank spirits. Dark Wolf ordered him out ta guard and watch the horses for half the night then Crow Wing would relieve him ta go sleep maybe two hours if he was fortunate. He resented being pushed around because he was young and had not made kills. The knife wound from the Shashone bagger had made his fore arm ache……..Skunk stood behind him and wondered why the Indian had failed ta hear him.

I took the injun sentry easy with one quick throat cut and eased em ta the ground. I took up his musket and hoped it was loaded and not ta rusty. I was now armed with two rifles, one pistol, one good knife, a hatchet and a purpose. I leaned gainst the sentry’s tree and waited. It was only a few hours til dawn when one of the injuns come staggerin through the trees lookin ta relieve the dead sentry. I held my position and waited. As he got closer ta my location he started whisperin out tryin ta locate the sentry. I gave a grunt and the injun raised up his hand ta acknowledge my location and came toward me. Once on me he stopped and gaped. I had ta leave my hatchet as I was unable ta retrieve it from his skull.

I cocked my weapons and began ta walk. Ever step seem ta make a racket. The sleepin Blackfeet seem like miles away. Finally………..I walked inta the light of the camp fire. I stepped over ta the closest injun and put the mussel of the dead injuns rifle against his chest. He felt the pressure and slowly woke up. I waited til I saw his eyeballs fo I pulled the trigger as I don’t bushwhack or send any man, injun or beast ta his maker without him knowin he’s on his way. The rifle report sounded like a thunder clap in the calm night. The remainin three Blackfeet took ta their weapons fo they ever got ta their feet. Dark Wolf was on one knee when he fired his rifle. The ball round went under my arm pit and skipped off the side of one of my ribs causin little pain as my blood was up for battle. Dark Wolf threw his rifle at me and took off inta the shadows. One injun also got a shot off but miss all out and then another warrior came for me with a hatchet and fo I could put a bead on em he was on me and I fired off my Hawkins in the ground loosin a shot. As I rolled with the injun I tried ta keep an eye on the last remainin Blackfoot. I was holdin off the injuns hatchet arm when the other fool come towards me. He was reloadin his musket and still to drunk ta realize all he need do was pick up a rock and do me in. I worked my free hand between me and my combatant and pulled clear my pistol. I barely had it out when the rifle loader was takin aim. I fired first at the standin injun and put a lead ball under his chin and ended his life. Then I felt the hatchet of the one I was fightin slowly scrape along the side of my head but the injun still couldn’t free his fightin arm from my grip. We rolled over agin and I was able to finally throw him off. I got ta my knees and pulled my remainin weapon, my knife. The Blackfoot sat up looked round and saw he was lone then gave one of his war woops, got up and lit out!

I quickly looked round and saw and heard nothin. I was now feelin the pain from the two wounds. I got my Hawkins and reloaded it and the pistol. I worked my way back ta where I left my horse and a few minutes later I was takin the long trip back ta my cabin. I was to whipped to go after Dark Wolf but it still was my plan. First I needed to care for wounds as I knew I had one or most two ribs broke and a head gash. One day ta mend and I’d be on his trail agin.

It was most an hour for sunset when I could see the faint smoke plume from my burned cabin. As I was comin out ta the tree line in front of my cabin I heard a horse breakin brush ta my far right and a war whoop to my left………I was ambushed! Dark Wolf was comin on me less an a hundred paces away while the other Blackfoot was makin his charge even closer but through thicker brush. I slapped a spark off Rose’s rump and lit out towards the smoking structure. I was full gallop as I rounded the cabin and could hear both injuns hard behind me. I cut my mount sharp and rode behind the cabin along the edge of the cliff. I was headin long the cliffs edge til I could ride down the steep hill to the river and make a stand with the water protectin my backside. I never made it. Dark Wolf had escaped his camp site that night leavin his powder weapons behind. I saw his hatchet go by my head and a moment after that the warrior was ridin up next ta me lungin with his knife and givin a crazed animal cry. The other Blackfoot was pullin up his mount and yellin something to Dark Wolf……..Too late. Dark Wolf’s horse started to stumble and loose footin. At the moment his horse went over the cliff’s edge the savage grabbed me and took me and Rose with em.

I musta laid for a thousand moments, all done in and such. I knowed both my legs busted up when I hit the stony river bank and my left elbow was no count now. My left eye was also stuck shut from the blood leakin out of my head. I worked my self up on my good elbow and seen Dark Wolf was only a few paces from me on his back. He had one leg with a bone stickin out and on the other leg one foot were turned all way round. The injun slowly sat up and looked at himself and then over at me. He laid back down and a moment later he rolled over and started draggin himself towards me. He was fool crazy! I started coughin and then fell back agin. I was gettin dizzy from the coughin and pain. I could hear the Blackfoot scrapin over the river rock as he got closer. Then he stopped. I opened my good eye and seen em layin most next ta me. He reached down and clawed himself up a large river rock outta the dirt and raise it up with what little strength he had and brought it down. I brought up my right arm and caught his fist and rock in my hand. I twisted and pulled the stone free of his fist and then I brought the crude weapon back across my chest and then returned it full force towards his head and caught him proper against his right temple. He collapsed on his side and stared with blinkin eyes at me as I brought the stone down again and dealt him out.

I lay there a while and listen ta the river. I think I passed out a spell. Usin my one good arm I dragged myself over ta a large boulder and slowly usin my arm as leverage I got myself turn round and sat leanin back agin the boulder. Couldn’t feel much. Most all numb now. I just sat………and I thought……….thought bout my life. I studied on my youth, the Mississippi, General Jackson’s war, trappin beav, Rendezvous and the mountains. Thought bout the men I’d met and fought with and those I’d buried. My mistakes and good deeds. I sat and thought bout it all. Thought bout Snout. Never called em my friend, one of my mistakes.

I can see the smoke from my burn cabin blowin over the edge of the cliff. I know the injuns got most of my goods but I hope the tobacco got burn up. Just over the cliff and down a ways I can see the top of the tall pine tree that Snout sleeps in. Most all feelin is gone from my body so no pain but I’m gettin mighty cold. My neck’s givin up from the way my head keeps rollin round on my shoulders. The crazy Blackfoot don’t seem like much now layin there all done in. His horse washed down the river and my good and loyal Rose, layin half in the river and half out. Don’t think she felt must pain. Hope not. I can look up and see the ridge of the Rocky Mountains as they turn west and can see the sun startin to set over it’s spine. More beauty than a field of yeller wild flowers. I’m coughin more now and spitin life blood. I guess I should pray……”Lord, thanks for all the beav ya sent my way. Thank ya for not lettin me get the fever or snake bit. Most all, thank ya for puttin me up here.”

I can just make out the sun settin……..most all behind the mountains now……most gone…….almost gone………..“Yubtaa……..Beautiful.”

                                 End