Read Online Comanche Dawn by Mike Blakely - Free Book Online Page A

admiration upon the resting form of his father. He was proud to be the son of Shaggy Hump, greatest war leader of the Burnt Meat People. Shadow believed his father must even be the bravest warrior of all the True Humans of all the bands. His arms and shoulders looked like the burls of an ancient tree, his scars like battle wounds upon a great bear. He now owned enough horses to ride and ride hard every day, and still have a rested mount always ready. Shaggy Hump went almost nowhere afoot, preferring to mount a pony even to cross the camp.
    â€œFather,” Shadow said, speaking softly in case Shaggy Hump had already fallen asleep.
    His father grunted.
    â€œWhen I go to seek my visions, what kind of spirit do you think I might meet?”
    Shaggy Hump opened his eyes, smiled, and propped himself up on one elbow. “You have no need to think about it. The spirits are wiser about such things than we are. Anyway, I think you will know very soon. It is just about time for you, my son.”
    Shadow’s heart felt as if birds were fluttering in it, trying to escape. Soon, he would have medicine. Then, he would hunt the buffalo and the bear. Finally, he would become a warrior. Since that day at Red Canyon, the war cry of Black Horn, his uncle, had dwelled within him like an echo that never died, but only came again and again and again. Sometimes, even when that day was the most distant of his thoughts, he would suddenly hear his uncle’s scream of courageous rage pass again, out of nowhere, into nothing. He would hear it so clearly that once he had even asked one of his playmates if he too had heard it. But that echo of days behind him was for his ears alone, for he was meant for great things. He had been born on the day the spirits gave First Horse to the True Humans. First Horse had made a circle of tracks around his birth lodge that was as perfect in its roundness as a full moon. This he had been told since he could remember, and Shadow yearned for the chance to fulfill the prophesies of his elders.
    â€œWhat will be my new name, Father? After I seek my visions?”
    â€œThat is not for me to decide,” Shaggy Hump said. “My only task is to choose your Naming Father. It is very important. I am waiting for a sign or a dream to tell me who I must choose. Your Naming Father must be a puhakut of great power. Greater than great!”
    Shadow grinned and rolled back onto the robe, feeling a cool wind come under the hide walls from a new quarter. It was at this moment that he heard his playmate, Whip, his boyish voice squeaking as he yelled excitedly.
    Crawling forward, Shadow stuck his head out underneath the hides. “Whip! What are you yelling about?”
    Shaggy Hump lay back down on his cushion of robes.
    â€œThe Corn People are coming to camp with us, Shadow!”
    Shadow looked back at his father, who smirked with more than a little interest, for the Burnt Meat People seldom came across other bands of True Humans across the far ranges of their hunting grounds.
    â€œThey have thirty lodges!” Whip reported.
    â€œBut how many horses?” the boy asked, knowing the question would please his father.
    Whip threw himself to the ground outside the lodge of Shaggy Hump, dust flying around him. “The scout said only five.”
    â€œMy father alone owns more than that.”
    â€œYes, the Burnt Meat People have more horses. Still, the Corn People have thirty lodges, Shadow. Do you understand? They have plenty of girls!”
    Shadow smiled. “When will they get here?”
    â€œBefore the sun goes behind the mountains.”
    â€œWe must run to meet them!”
    Shadow started to crawl out under the lodge cover, but his father called his name, stopping him.
    â€œMy son, you should go through the opening. It is bad luck to crawl under, unless you have crawled in that same way. And tie your skins on about your loins before you go. You are old enough now to wear your skins all