Constance Bennett Moonsong (pdf)

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

agency in Arizona.
Skylar was appalled. But that s absurd! Why?
Damned if I know, Newsome barked. It s got something to do with the
reorganization of the Indian Bureau. They re trying to consolidate all the
Apaches into one area so that they can be controlled better.
You mean the Apaches will no longer have their own land? They ll be
sharing a reservation with other tribes? she asked, trying to comprehend
what was happening.
That s right, Newsome answered. They ll be on the Rio Alto with the
Tonto, the Lipan, and what s left of the Chiricahua those who didn t take off
with Geronimo.
Is the Rio Alto a large reservation?
No, Newsome said, growing impatient with her questions. It s just a lit-
tle bigger than this one.
But that s insane, Skylar said. This reservation is barely big enough to
support the Mescalero. You can t expect that many people to survive on a
tiny reservation.
Newsome poked a finger sharply at his own chest. I m not the one doing
this, he said hotly. These are the orders, and I ve got to obey them just like
all of you do.
Skylar discovered suddenly that all eyes were on her as she conversed in
English with Newsome. Sun Hawk s gaze finally captured hers, and in Apache
he asked her bluntly, What does he say to you? What do you say to him?
Skylar realized with some embarrassment that she had taken over the con-
versation and that many would think what she had done was inappropriate.
She couldn t refuse to answer, though, and she looked up at Sun Hawk hesi-
tantly. We are to be sent to Arizona. We will live on the Rio Alto reservation.
113
Constance Bennett Moonsong [ e - r e ads ]
Sun Hawk frowned as more murmurs went through the crowd. Where is
this Rio Alto?
Skylar had no idea, and she looked at Newsome. They want to know
where Rio Alto is located.
It is below San Carlos near the Pinaleno Mountains, he replied, and
Skylar translated to Sun Hawk and the others. There were more angry shouts,
and Skylar felt herself being jostled as the Indians pressed forward. Sun Hawk
called for silence and looked down at Skylar.
Ask him who made this decision.
It was the Indian Bureau, she told him.
Can nothing be done to stop it?
Skylar looked to the agent. Is there any way to prevent this? Is there any-
one we can talk to?
He shook his head with disgust. No. The Apaches are not going to like it,
but they re going to have to live with it. Soldiers from Fort Travis will be here
this afternoon, and they ll move out day after tomorrow.
You expect them to be ready to leave in a day? Skylar asked, aghast.
That s right. Make that clear to them. As soon as they ve collected their
rations they should begin making preparations for the move.
Skylar looked at Sun Hawk and reluctantly told him what Newsome
had said.
The crowd erupted into shouts of anger as they surged forward, but when
Hawley brought up his rifle, everyone stopped.
Get back, all of you! he demanded in his less than perfect Apache.
Newsome drew his own pistol and took a step back. Hawley, put an end
to this at once! Tell them that if they make trouble, there will be no more
rations distributed and they will have to make the trip without food!
Hawley raised his voice again and spoke to the Indians, but what he said
did nothing to quell the disturbance. More angry shouts rent the air, and it
was easy to see why. Instead of repeating Newsome s threat in its entirety,
Hawley had inadvertently told them that the rations were being cut and there
would be no food for the journey.
The angry Apaches surged forward again, and Hawley raised his rifle,
panic showing plainly in his eyes.
Wait! Skylar shouted, but she couldn t be heard above the chaos.
Desperate to avert a tragedy, she grabbed Sun Hawk s arm. Wait, calm the
people! Make them listen. There will be provisions for the journey. The agent
said it. I heard him.
But that is not what this one said, Sun Hawk replied, gesturing toward Hawley.
He spoke wrong. Calm your people and let me tell them what the
agent said.
114
Constance Bennett Moonsong [ e - r e ads ]
Sun Hawk raised his voice, counseled his people to step back, and man-
aged to quiet them enough so that Skylar could be heard. Ignoring the anger
and suspicion in their eyes, she translated Newsome s words accurately, then
looked at the agent and switched back to English. You should be careful, Mr.
Newsome. Your assistant s poor command of the Apache language is going to
get someone killed. He told them you were cutting off their supplies.
Newsome shot an angry glance at Hawley, then turned to Skylar again.
Then you speak for me, he demanded. Tell them to disperse and go back to
the lines to collect their rations.
She did as he asked, but no one moved. She looked beseechingly at Sun
Hawk. They respect you. Make them go back or there will be trouble.
Sun Hawk exchanged a troubled glance with his father; then Naka yen
ordered his people to go back to the ration lines. Slowly the crowd began to
disperse until only Sun Hawk and the council of elders remained.
Relieved that the crisis had passed, for the moment at least, Skylar stepped
back as well, but Sun Hawk stopped her. No, you must stay. We want our
words understood, and we want to hear his clearly so that there will be no
mistakes. You will speak for us. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Wątki