The word spread fast that Angie had returned to the village with a white man. Chief Nahele, the elders and many others left their camps and went to Halona’s teepee to see what was happening.
Angie’s friends followed close behind and pushed their way through the other onlookers to see Angie.
Mathew sat nervously on his horse, but didn’t move or say a word.
Angie soon emerged from their teepee carrying her crocheted blanket of many colors. “I am leaving,” she told all those that stared at her. “I am going back to my people. I am going far away to the west to live with my relatives. The wagon train will take me.”
“No, you cannot go!” Kimana cried as she ran to Angie and held her tight.
“I must go, Kimana,” Angie said gently, “It is where I belong.”
Chocheta approached Angie. “I told the truth, Angie. I told Elsu and Enyeto that I lied. I did not see you and Enyeto kissing. I am sorry for the trouble I caused you. Please forgive me.”
Angie smiled at Chocheta as tears began to run down the beautiful Indian girl’s face. She hugged Chocheta and said, “I forgive you. I love you.”
Elsu stood silently in front of the crowd, bruised and cut in more ways than one. His feelings were mixed. Would he object to letting her go? He felt the panic of separation in his heart but his head was struggling with what was right and what was wrong.
Chief Nahele looked at his son. “She needs to go to her people. It is best for her. She will be content there.”
Others muttered their agreement, while her friends grieved. Angie walked up to Leotie who had silent tears running down her cheeks. “I will miss you,” Angie said. “Be of good cheer. You are so special.”
Then she turned back to Kimana, “You are my special friend, and I will love you always.” Kimana was greatly grieved.
“Maybe we will see each other again,” Kimana hoped.
Angie nodded and then kissed her gently on the cheek. She turned to see Halona sitting alone by their teepee, staring at the ground and stirring the dirt with a stick. Angie approached Halona with a smile on her face and knelt beside her. ”May it always keep you warm.” Angie laid the blanket of blessings in Halona’s lap. She then hugged Halona warmly, kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear, “I love you, Halona.”
The old woman looked up at Angie, tears forming in her eyes. Halona ran her feeble fingers over the crocheted yarn and whispered, “This stitch is for love, and this stitch is for kindness… ” her voice trailing away.
Angie swung on behind Mathew onto his horse, to return to the wagon train.
Enyeto ran to stop Angie. “Angie Owens, I am glad you came to the Shoshone. I did not like you when you came to our village, but you have brought good to our people. I will miss you.”
“I will miss you too, Enyeto,” she smiled.
“You may call me Pearl Stinkbody. Tell the white man about me.”
“I will tell them about Enyeto,” Angie looked at him with tenderness, “it is a much better name for you.”
She turned to the crowd and said, “May God be good to you as you have been good to me.”
“Goodbye, my daughter,” Halona whispered.
She smiled and waved goodbye to the village who had gathered. Her eyes began to tear for the first time since her family died. She was leaving the people who were her family and whom she came to love.
As they rode back through the forest, Angie realized she was returning to her own people who pioneered the trail west. She was looking forward to finishing her trek to Sacramento and the life she would find there.
About the Author
Betty L. Milne was born in Modesto, California and has enjoyed writing stories since she was a girl. She now resides in eastern Washington State with her husband, and near her two grown children and their families. Her passion of writing is shared with many of her relatives, including her grandfather and sister. In her stories, Betty L. Milne enjoys combining her love of adventure with her love of God.
Other Books
This book is available in soft cover.
To order, or find other eBooks by Betty L. Milne visit:
www.AlexaStewartBooks.com
“God Bless you and yours in the years to come.”
…Bryne Press
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