Read Online Snow Eagle by Shirley A. Roe - Free Book Online Page A

and Frightened Deer slept near Little Fawn. The young woman seemed more relaxed around her son now, but Little Fawn still found it strange that she did not speak. Even when White Fox dragged her into the woods, she did not scream. Perhaps she could not make a sound. Was this the wife for her son? If Frightened Deer was with child, would the child be born unable to speak as well? Several questions ran through Little Fawn's mind as she watched her son's squaw sleeping soundly.
    The entire tribe mourned the death of Buffalo Woman. They spoke of how her spirit would travel through the thorny forest to the Land of the Dead. She was a good woman and assured a place with the Great Spirit. Only those who were of bad character and whose lives had not been well served would go to the Raven's Home. Conversations were subdued and faces full of grief, as the people rested on the edge of the ice field. All were happy to be back on solid earth once more and anxious to be going to the milder climate of the seaside, but they had lost one of their own and she would be sorrowfully missed.
    The people gathered around the fire that night. The next morning they would prepare to start the downward trek to the sea. Snow Eagle had not returned. The night was black and moonless. No Aurora Borealis lit the evening sky on this night.
    Moving with stealth across the ice, Charging Elk and his band walked in silence. Once they approached rocks on the other side, they were about a mile north of where the Tlingit camp was located. “We must be totally silent. We will take them when they are camped for the night.” Charging Elk stared at White Fox, the look of hatred still lingered in his eyes. “So what is your plan, White Fox?”
    “I suggest we wait until they are all asleep. The woman you seek will be found with Red Hawk and Black Rain. I will find her and then point out Gray Wolf. He may be sitting guard, so we must be careful.” White Fox puffed out his chest with pride and vanity. The Caribou Hunters stared back at him with scorn.
    “Tagish do not kill men and women as they sleep. We will take them when they can fight back. We are not cowards.” One of the warriors stood defiantly, looking to Charging Elk for confirmation.
    “We will approach silently and you can point out the one you call Gray Wolf. One of my men will go with you to recapture Songbird and once she is safe, we will attack.” Charging Elk knew that White Fox would not cooperate but he would discuss the alternate plan with his men, one by one, in secret. Walks with Fire glared at White Fox. He would kill this lying coward as soon as he pointed out Songbird's location. The Caribou Hunters were proud and courageous, with little time for cowards or fools. His hand went instinctively to his knife. He stroked the handle, as he resisted slitting White Fox' throat right there and then.
    Snow Eagle climbed down the embankment, sliding the last thirty feet to the rocks below. He should arrive in camp before morning. He walked more slowly now, his fatigue holding him back. His nose sniffed at the smell of burning logs. Slowly he crept toward the smell. There on the rock clearing, camped the band of warriors, still wearing the three horizontal stripes on their faces. He was about to back away when his eye held the familiar face of White Fox. His mind was filled with thoughts of contempt and loathing. One of his own people was traveling with the Caribou Hunters. What was he up to this time? Red Hawk was right; something evil grew in White Fox. Snow Eagle crawled on his belly until he was clear of the Caribou Hunters camp. He ran on tired legs as fast as he could go towards the Tlingit's camp.
    The Caribou Hunters arrived during the night. Silently creeping around the perimeter of the camp, White Fox pointed to Red Hawk's blankets. Strategically they placed themselves in a circle around the camp. As silent as the night they moved through the surrounding forest. Charging Elk moved off to the