It was the fall of 1878 that I rode into the Indian village. It was a Sioux village and I had been friendly with them for several years. I saw the little Cheyenne squaw right off. And I liked what I saw. She was young but I couldn't tell how young. I ask my friend Running Horse about her.
He said she was older than she looked. She was taken by a warrior in a raid on a village a few months earlier. She was married to a Cheyenne chief who was killed in the raid and she was traded for from the party who took her.
"So the Sioux did not take her in the raid?"
"No my friend, she was used by them as a whore then she was traded for."
"Has he taken her to be his wife yet?"
"He has taken her to his bed many times and he has given her to friends to enjoy. Several have talked about her as a wife, but so far they are just enjoying her sex. Is she of interest to you?"
"I was just curious as to her status here?"
"We trade for females taken in raids by friends. One of our braves is trying to trade for a white woman taken in a raid several months ago many miles up north. They have used her much for sex but she is very difficult they say. She has been whipped many times but if not traded soon she'll be killed."
"What do you mean killed?"
"There is talk she is difficult enough they may sacrifice her. It is done very rarely. All the braves fuck her and she is very good at that."
"Do you think they are serious about doing it?"
"Oh yes. Some are very serious about it. She has been put on display in the village and the women are pushing for it to be done. Too many of the braves are spending time with her. She is very good at sex. But very demanding about other things."
"Is she so much prettier than our little squaw?"
"She is very good looking and much better at the sex than the little squaw."
"Can we trade for her?"
"Maybe? If they have not put the knife to her yet?"
We rode out the next morning headed north. It was going to be a hard 3 day ride to the village where I was not sure of my welcome. Running Horse would be welcome and if I came into the village with him I would be good until we left. Then it could be open season on me. But I had two Russian 44s and a fine Winchester rifle. To take my hair they would pay dearly.
We rode into the village two and a half days later and as I guessed my friend was openly welcomed but I not so much. The Blackfoot Sioux and I are not the best of friends. We have a bit of history.
Running Horse has friends with them and we were welcomed to a fire. Unknown to them I speak the tongue as well as they do so I followed the talk. My friend finally ask about the white woman and no she had not been killed yet. But there was a seldom used sacrifice to be done the next morning.
He ask if it were possible to trade for her still? No it was set to happen early the next morning and nothing could be done now. The Chiefs wife had requested it be done and the Medicine Man ordered it happen. Sounded like some thing more likely to happen in the white world. We ate and rested.
We were up early the next morning and when the Medicine Man brought the little white woman out she was naked. She was breath takingly beautiful with all the body a woman should have in all of the paces. Her head was held high. Her breast set high and up turned as he led her to the spot he was going to gut her with the skinning knife he carried. They tied her with her back to the post facing him and the rest as we all watched. He raised the knife high over his head and began to chant working up to the cutting of the young woman.
I spoke now for the first time watching him but speaking to the Chief. I knew the Chief wanted a way out of this and I wanted to give him one. And without him loosing any face.
As the Medicine Man began his chant again to show his power, I spoke sharply to him and he stepped back and turned directly toward me. And this time I spoke in English directly which I knew he understands. I told him if he moved in any way I would kill him. I continued speaking to the Chief but watching him closely.
I made a simple offer to trade for the woman and to buy her a horse to ride away on. He replied that it had been decided. I simply remined him he was Chief and a wise one and things sometimes change.
We sat quietly for several minutes before he nodded and pointed south. The girl was untied and a horse was brought to us. I lay the bundle I had offered him for her on the ground near us. As she mounted the horse he spoke in English to me.
"Quick Killer ride fast as in two hours my young ones will be after you."
"Old One you can do as you must. But every young one you send after me will bring sorrow to your village. I have never taken Blackfoot scalps but on this day every one who follows us will loose his hair. This I promise."
We looked long into each others eyes, before he nodded. I turned leading her horse and rode away. I had told Running Horse to keep out of it and to stay away from me and what I was going to do. I had decided to shoot my way out if I had to and I didn't want him in it.
