Warrior Song, Robert F. Clifton [good books to read for teens TXT] 📗

with other nations. Being a world power only means that favorable trade agreements will be made under the threat of a gun”.

“Nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Are you aware of the Opium War generated by England paying for trade goods with the drug instead of the silver pound? The Chinese had to accept the agreement after British gunboats arrived in their harbors, At this very minute there are those in Washington calling for a larger navy. Ask yourself, why?

“As for me running this boarding house is enough on my mind, so war or the threat of war and women's right to vote is the last things I think about. Now, if all of you are ready, the dessert this evening is bread pudding”, said Mrs. Brentwood.

After dinner Alan McKenzie went outside and took a seat in one of the rocking chairs on the porch about ten minutes later the screen door opened and Edna Bell walked on to the porch.

“Do you mind if I join you?”, she asked.

“Of course not”, he said as he stood up.

“It's such a lovely evening. Soon the summer will be gone and days and nights like this will be memories, until the next summer”.

“True, but there must be a reason for the change of the seasons. Who knows what the creator had in mind,” said McKenzie.

“I've meant to ask you Mr. McKenzie, as an engineer where did you study?”

“West Point”.

“The Military Academy?”

“Yes”.

“Then you are a former or present Army Officer”.

“Present. I'm a lieutenant, assigned to Army Headquarters in Washington D.C.”

“Then why didn't you say so at dinner this evening?'

“What good would it have done. Men like Finley believe what they read in the newspapers. Not to change the subject, but tell me about yourself.”

“There's not too much to tell. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island. My mother died when I was five years old. I was raised by my father and his sister, my Aunt Grace. At age twelve I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I graduated from high school and could have entered teaching then, but I wanted more. I applied to and was accepted to attend the Rhode Island State Normal School. I graduated and along with my teaching credentials I am now an educated, young, available, old maid”.

“You forgot to mention, pretty and if you are a single woman then I am suggesting that it's by choice”, McKenzie replied.

“Thank you sir. You're very kind”.

“Well, since you've mentioned what a fine evening it is would you care to join me for a stroll, a walk if you will”.

“It sounds lovely”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Seven

Drum Beats

 

Lieutenant McKenzie sat in the office of Indian Agent, John Chambers. As they talked in the distance the sound of beating drums was carried on the afternoon air. “Is there some kind of ceremony taking place?”, asked McKenzie.

“Yes, you came when it's time to renew the sacred arrows”.

“Interesting', said McKenzie.

“You think so? The Cheyenne believe that the four arrows were given to their people by Mutsoyef, better known as “Sweet Medicine”. The four sacred arrows are two for war and two for hunting. Only the men of the tribe are allowed to attend. In past times the women would stay in their tipi's. Today they’re inside their cabins. Now that I've told you just what's going on outside why are you here and what do you want?”

“I'm looking for a Cheyenne man that goes by the name, Charles Lean Bear. I'm hoping he's here on the reservation”. McKenzie answered.

“Charles Lean Bear? For the record his Cheyenne name is Avanaco. He got the name Charles from Pratt when he attended the Indian School. That my friend was a waste of time, because as soon as he was back with his people they called him Avanaco. We here on the reservation call the Cheyenne by Christian names. We also make sure that they live like white's, living in cabins, become farmers, things like that

“Yes I know. I also know that Charles is a carpenter”.

“And a damn good one, also”, Chambers replied.

“Well, if he's here I'd like to talk to him”.

“What about.”

“Let's just say it's an army matter.”

“If it's an army matter then why didn't the commander at Fort Sill send someone instead of you coming all the way from Washington?”

“I'm sure that you've heard the term, military secret”.

“Certainly.”

“Then, let's consider my visit here as one of those”.

“Fair enough, but at present the man you're looking for is visiting the reservation of the Northern Cheyenne.”

“Well, I'll have to telegraph my commanding officer and let him know that.”

“Who would that be?”

“Colonel Willett”.

“Alonzo Willett?”

“Yes. Do you know him?”

“Never met the man. There's a story that he lost his young daughter. Her death hit him hard and he took to the bottle. I think he was either a Captain or a Major at the time. Anyway, I guess he finally gave up drinking.”

“I've always seen him sober”.

“Good, now, since you won't tell me what you want with Charles Lean Bear along with the fact that he isn't here, I've got work to do”.

“How long will he be gone?”

“That's hard to say. The arrow ceremony takes place for five days. His wife has kin there and he has my permission to leave his home to visit. Might be a week, might be a month”.

“Then I guess I'll have to go there. Where is it?”

“Montana”.

“Where in Montana?”

“A place called Lame Deer”.

“Who is the Agent there.”

“A fella by the name of William Parsons.”

“Will he be co-operative?”

“Depends”.

“On what?'

“Whether you go with a military secret or tell him exactly why you are there”.

“I take it then that I got off on the wrong foot with you”.

“Kinda.”

“I'm investigating a murder of an army officer and I want to talk with Charles Lean Bear and see what he knows about it”.

“Is he a suspect?”

“Not right now.”

***************

When he arrived in Lame Deer large, dark, threatening thunderhead clouds came in crossing the open land. He saw the sign that read, “Home of The Tsitsistas”. As he looked around he saw an occasional erected tipi and horses grazing on tender grass. Scattered over the land making up the Northern Cheyenne Reservation were the cabins, now the homes of the tribe. Finally, he saw the log building that was the office of the Indian Agent and he headed for it.

Entering the office he saw a tall, muscular man with jet black hair and a mustache to match. The man stood up from the chair he sat in behind a desk and said, “Can I help you?”

“You can sir, if you're William Parsons,” McKenzie answered.

“Well, that's me. Now what can I do for you?'

“Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lieutenant Alan McKenzie, United States Army. At present I'm investigating a murder of an army officer. The reason I'm here is that I would like to talk to a Cheyenne man called Avanaco by his people and Charles Lean Bear is his other name”.

“I notice that you're not in uniform. If you're who you claim to be I need to see some identification”.

“Certainly,” said McKenzie as he produced his papers.

After reading the identification papers Parson handed them back and said, “Charles Lean Bear? The name rings a bell. Let me check my records.” Parsons then opened a drawer holding several folders. He removed one file then opened it and took out a sheet of paper. Running his index finger down a list of names he stopped moving his hand and said, “Ah, here he is. Yes, Charles Lean Bear, wife and son, visiting from Oklahoma. Of course you know you've come at a busy time here. It's the time of the Arrow Ceremony.”

“Yes I know. I just came from the Southern Cheyenne Reservation. The ceremony had just begun when I was there. However, instead of traveling back to Washington I decided to come up here and see if I could finish what I set out to do, namely interview Charles Lean.”

“Well, it's quiet now, but the drums will begin shortly. Since women are not allowed to witness the men they remain in the cabins. I know who Charles and his family are staying with here. I'll go and inform his wife that you are here and want to talk with him. How's that?”

“Fine. Thank you”.

“Just made a pot of coffee before you came in. Are you up for a cup?”

“Sounds good.”

“So, since you are an army man, tell me what you think about this here stink over Spain and the Cubans.'

“I haven't thought about it too much. This case I'm investigation has taken up most of my time. In answering your question I'd say that Spain would be very foolish to oppose the United States militarily”.

“Why?”

“For one thing the supply line from Spain to the island of Cuba is very long. The supply line for our army is only from the port of Tampa Florida or if necessary the Florida Keys. The other thing is the Spanish Navy is made up of many wooden vessels. They would be going against our ships made of steel”.

“Very interesting. So, do you think there will be a war?”

“I hope not. Things could still be solved with diplomacy”.

“Listen. The drums have started. I'll go and leave a message”.

Two and one half hours later a tall, dark, Cheyenne man entered the office of William Parsons. He looked first at the Agent then at the man seated in a hard, wooden chair. Addressing Parsons the man said, “You sent for me?”
“Yes I did, Charles. Let me introduce you to Lieutenant McKenzie. He's from the army”, said Parsons.

McKenzie stood up and offered his hand. Charles Lean Bear did not take it. “I see. Shall I call you Charles or Mr. Lean Bear?, asked McKenzie.

“Charles if you wish. Avanaco is what I prefer”.

“Very well. I'll get right to the point. I'm investigating the murder of a United States army officer. His name was Conrad Parker. I was wondering if you knew him?”

“Never heard of him”, Avanaco answered.

“Do you know any army officers?”

“I met a few when I went to school in Pennsylvania a few yearsa ago. I do not remember their names.”

“I have knowledge that you were in New York during April.

Is that so?”

“Yes”.

“With Buffalo Bill's show?'

“Yes. My position was that of a carpenter.”

“Did you know that the show would appear in New York?”

“Yes, that's why I wanted the job. I wanted to see a big city before returning to my people”.

“While you were in the big city, did you go into any hotel's?”

“No. I understand that the fine hotels are in Manhattan. I was in Brooklyn”.

“Did you stay in Brooklyn the entire time?”

“I only left to ride the subway. I took it to the end of the line and rode it back to where I began. The rest of the time I stayed with those from the show.”

“So, you don't know any army officers and you were never in any hotels in New York.”

“That's right.”

“Do you smoke a pipe?”

“Yes.”

“May I see it?”

Avanaco removed his pipe from his trouser pocket and handed it to McKenzie.

“And, I assume you have a tobacco pouch that goes with it”

“Do you want to see the pouch also?”

“Yes if you don't mind.”

After handing the pouch to the lieutenant Avanaco stood and watched the army officer carefully examine it. Are you looking for something in particular?.” he asked.

“I'm admiring the beautiful bead work”, said McKenzie.

“It was done by my wife.”

“She does beautiful work.”

“She is a beautiful woman.”

“I'm sure. Well, I want to thank you for coming in and meeting with me.”

“Before I go. What did this murdered officer look like. Perhaps I saw him in Carlise”.

“If you saw him you would remember him. He had bright red hair and a beard”.

Avanaco closed his eyes as a sudden chill went through his body. After composing himself he turned and left the office.

William Parson looked at McKenzie ans said, “While you were with John Chambers, did he give you the background on Charlie Lean Bear?”

“No, not that I recall.”

“Seems that he saw his mother shot and butchered”.

“Where?'

“On the Washita.”

“Parker was at the Washita.”

**************

“So I send