Read Online Gabriel's Stand by Jay B. Gaskill - Free Book Online

biosphere.”
    Fred sat quietly, his gray-streaked black hair drawn back, his piercing dark eyes watchful, his face working hard to hide his amused contempt.
    â€œYears ago a new name for our species was proposed, Homo ecophagus , which means species that destroys the ecosystem. I think the title has been earned by now, don’t you?”
    Longworthy paused for applause.
    Loud Owl stayed for the Q&A, and later milled about in the crowd. People smiled at the trophy Indian in their midst but no one spoke to him as he moved among them, smiling, alert for overheard conversational fragments. He paid close attention to the two women who had come with Longworthy. One of them greeted him briefly, but abandoned any further conversation once she had verified that Loud Owl was merely a Local Native, and not a Somebody. Eventually Fred slipped out the side door. Moments later he was in the brilliant sun.
    Near the plaza, he found his brush-scarred pickup next to a spotless bronze convertible. Fred Loud Owl had never shopped for such a car but he knew that its price exceeded the value of his father’s house several times over. He removed a parking ticket from the truck windshield, shrugging. Then Fred slipped the ticket under the wiper blades of the bronze convertible, adding a note to the bottom, “Please forward to Rex Longworthy. Fred Loud Owl – for my expenses.”
    He left town as he had come.
    â€”—
    Two hours later, Old Chief Walking Wolf looked up when Fred entered his tent two hours later. “Welcome, Loud Owl,” he said.
    The filtered light was yellow, and smoke curled out of the Chief’s favorite pipe toward the vent hole in the top of the teepee.
    Loud Owl’s attention was immediately drawn to a very tall Indian with distinctive dark features. Fred immediately recognized the man. He was High Tree, Gabriel’s storied relative, a Nez Perce warrior who had served as an Army Ranger, then distinguished himself as an Olympic medalist in archery. High Tree was seated next to Chief Walking Wolf. Both men smiled as Loud Own stepped inside.
    â€œFred, this is Gabriel Standing Bear’s cousin, Walter High Tree. Join us. Share the pipe.” Fred Loud Owl nodded respectfully at both men, and sat cross-legged on the dirt across from them. Fred took the antler pipe in his hands and slowly inhaled.
    â€œThe wife won’t let me smoke in the house anymore,” High Tree said.
    Chief Walking Wolf smiled. “You should get out of the house more.”
    Fred grinned and handed the pipe to the large Nez Perce.
    â€œIt seems High Tree’s Son is to be named by the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho soon,” the Chief said. “Just like young Standing Bear was when you were there.”
    â€œAnd like his daughter, Snowfeather,” Fred added.
    â€œThe family would very much like you to come,” High Tree said. “Gabriel remembers your hunting lessons well. His office told me he would try to be there.”
    â€œI haven’t been to our old hunting places for a long time,” Fred Loud Owl said. “Is it very different these days?”
    High Tree’s eyes twinkled. “Different…and the same. My son and I are going early next month. I have plenty of room for you in the van, if you can come. I can give you a refresher course with my new bow.”
    â€œI will, then.”
    â€œGood, I’ll ask Gabriel to join us.”
    â€œNo smoking in the van?” Fred’s face was deadpan but his eyes twinkled.
    â€œGabriel’s people will be happy to see you again.”
    â€œWhat can you tell us about the event in Santa Fe?” Chief Walking Wolf asked. “And thank you for attending on my behalf.”
    Loud Owl nodded and took out his notebook. “It was good that you did not attend in person, I think. This is a traveling show, with a movie, a speech by an environmental lawyer, a true believer named Longworthy, and some big