Chapter 8: Springtime Journeys
Spring had come to the village of Nuktala. There was much work going on, and everyone was happy that the winter had passed. Wolf Eyes, Red Talon and all the other braves were breaking the ground in the fields that were to be planted. They used a forked limb that had one branch that was long with handholds attached to it where they pulled. One branch was short and sharpened, so that it could be put into the ground to plow the furrow. The stump end was for a brave to hold the plow upright, so that the point would always be pointed down. Several braves worked together to plow the field. In this way it saved them time, much hoeing and digging. If everyone worked hard, it would be no time before the work was done. Then they could hunt and fish to their heart’s content.
The men had been working hard all day when Three Baskets came across the field with a skin full of water. She looked heavy with child, and they knew that it would not be long before she would go to the menstrual hut. They could not help but notice how happy she was, and in such a good humor. It meant that the time was close. They all thanked her for the water. Then they started plowing again.
Red Talon said, “Wolf Eyes, how did it feel to be a father when the child came?”
Wolf Eyes answered, “The way it feels when something very good has happened to you. It is also a great relief that the wife is over her time. Three Baskets looks to be in very good spirits. She will make a good mother.”
This spring there would not be much hunting and fishing for Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle. They were selected to go get support for making war against the Creeks. Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle would go to Tuscaloosa. They would ask for volunteers to raid against the Creeks at the Yellow Leaf, to avenge the massacre at Nunnimingo. Lonely Bear had been there and had already met with the council of Tuscaloosa. It had been agreed to make war against the Creek village. The time for making war was in the summer, but this year they were starting early. Most of the other needs had been met. Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle would go west, to Tuscaloosa, to lead the war party back to Nuktala and to make strategy for the battle.
They went to the aliktce with the chief and told him to be ready to prepare a large quantity of black tea. The warriors would have need of it when they came to prepare for battle. The aliktce and his aids spent a large amount of time in the forest gathering the ingredients.
Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle left the village. They traveled at a half run, and it would not take them long to reach the big town. They would travel through the forest until they reached the river, and then it was the trail by the river that they would follow. They were both armed with war clubs, bow and arrows – only as a precaution. They did not expect to run into any trouble between the two towns, because it was well within the Chickasaw territory. The closer they got to Tuscaloosa, the safer the travel became.
The woods were fresh. New leaves were just beginning to emerge from the branches of the towering oak trees that lined the river. The spring rains had come, and the ground was soft and pliable for the new shoots that would pop out of the ground in search of the sunlight. Ferns were looking hardy, having recovered from the frosty winter. The dogwood was in bloom.
They stopped at a place on the bank of the river and went for a swim. The water was cool and refreshing as they swam underneath the surface. It was just a short swim that broke up the morning’s travel. They climbed out and resumed their half run to the west.
Time passed, and two days later they came into the village of Tuscaloosa and were greeted by the town’s people they did not know. They asked to be taken to Chief Tuscaloosa, and were told where they might find him.
They wound their way through the paths that led by the houses until they came to a big plaza. To one side, in the back of the plaza, was a mound with a council house on top. They went to the foot of the mound where there were guards who asked what was their business. When the guards learned who they were, they were immediately passed through to climb the steps of the mound. At the top of the steps there were more guards. They again asked the business of the visit, and when they were told, they sent a message to the chief.
It was not long before Chief Tuscaloosa sent the messenger back out to escort the guest into his chamber. They passed through the large council house and into a covered walkway that was the entrance to the chief’s house. The chief’s house was built onto the side of the council house.
They came into a room that was about twenty by twenty feet and were shown seats at the hearth, where there were pillows covered with deerskin. Servant girls brought them trays of food and tea to refresh themselves. The girls raised shutters on the sides of the room to let in the light and breeze.
Chief Tuscaloosa made his entrance through a doorway in the back of this room, followed by wives and servant girls that carried large fans. Some of his wives must have been sisters, for they had family resemblances, and it was not uncommon for a man to marry all the sisters of a family. As he approached the visitors, they rose and made the sign of peace and bowed to one knee as he took his seat. He spoke to them with a warm greeting, “Ayukapachi, shilombish holitopli ishno kahtah minti anokaka mot holchifo Nunnimingo.” (Welcome, and the spirits bless they that come in the name of the Nunnimingo.)
Wounded Eagle spoke, “Thank you, Chief Tuscaloosa, and we bring greetings from Chief Silver Eagle, of the village of Nuktala.”
Chief Tuscaloosa said, “ How is the old warrior, is his health as strong as his spirit?”
“Yes,” said Wounded Eagle, “he is very well. The winter was good to him.”
“That is good news, he is a favorite vassal of mine, and I look forward to seeing him again. We have smoked many pipes together.”
“What are your names?” asked the chief.
They introduced themselves. The chief was handed a pipe, which he accepted from one of his wives. He pulled a long drag from it and then handed it to Wolf Eyes. Wolf Eyes accepted it with a nod, and he pulled a long drag of the smoke. He then handed it to Wounded Eagle, when motioned to by the chief. After they had made compliments to the chief about his house and village, the talk became more serious.
Wounded Eagle spoke, “It has been seven moons since spirits of the slain villagers of Nunnimingo were so distastefully angered, and they cry out for vengeance, oh Great Chief. We are but a small village, and we wish to make war on the Creeks of the Yellow Leaf, who so unmercifully slaughtered them in their beds on that early morning.”
Tuscaloosa said, “We are aware of the unrest of the spirits of those slain in Nunnimingo; that village paid me much tribute. We wish to help you in your war effort. What do you know about the village of the Yellow Leaf?”
Wolf Eyes spoke, “We made a rescue, from the village of the Yellow Leaf, of some of the people taken captive in the attack on Nunnimingo. It is a village with a palisade around its borders and has about six hundred inhabitants. They have strong defenses that include watchtowers with ports, for firing arrows around the perimeter. The village is located within an arrow shot of the river. The Yellow Leaf Creek is located on another side, so that only two sides are open to a large attack. It may be, though, that after an attack is started, that another offensive could be made from the river and the creek and catch them by surprise on those two sides.”
“How was it that you were able to rescue the captives from the village with that type of palisade?” asked the chief.
Wolf Eyes explained how it was done, and the chief grunted his approval.
“How many warriors can your village supply?” asked Chief Tuscaloosa.
Wolf Eyes answered, “We have about forty braves – some seasoned in battle, and others not. We would make all of them available.”
“Very good,” said the chief.
“Would two hundred of our braves be sufficient to do the job?” asked the chief.
“It should be,” said Wounded Eagle. “We can take the village with that number if we use tact.”
Chief Tuscaloosa rose and said, “I will call a counci
l meeting for tonight, and you can have the number of warriors that you need. Wait here, and I will see that you have someone to look after you, while you are here in our village.”
Wounded Eagle and Wolf Eyes both rose and bowed to one knee as the chief exited the room. In a minute there was a young brave who came in and introduced himself as Wohowa Ofi. He made a welcome gesture to them and told them to follow him to a restful place, which they did. There was an open pavilion where they could relax in the shade of its roof, while they waited for the convening of the council. They were still on top of the mound, and from their resting place they could see the goings on of the village below. Wohowa went away and then returned, followed by servant girls with more trays of food and beverage. The girls placed the trays within easy reach of Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle, and then they left, but Wohowa stayed and made himself a seat nearby. He told them he was there if they needed anything.
That afternoon there came a procession of braves up the steps of the mound. Wohowa told them that these were council members, and that in a minute, they would be asked to come inside and join the council meeting. They sat and waited, and then another young brave came out and said something to Wohowa. He rose and asked them if they were ready to go into the council house, as the council was ready to hear from them. They answered yes and were then led back inside.
When they came into the council chamber, all the members and elders were already seated. They were now standing before the whole body of the council. Chief Tuscaloosa told their story in a loud voice, exactly as they had told it to him. He added much praise and honor to such bravery in battle as they had shown when they rescued the captives. Then he told the council that it was their duty to help the small village of Nuktala to revenge the deaths of the victims of Nunnimingo.
All the braves and elders in the council house shouted their approval of the heroics of Wounded Eagle and Wolf Eyes, and they shouted their commitment to revenge the deaths of the victims of Nunnimingo. The shouts became louder and louder until the whole village could hear the shouts that were coming from the council house on the mound.
Finally, the chief stood, and the house became, immediately, quiet again. The chief spoke. “We, the village of Tuscaloosa, will furnish a small army of warriors to go and fight the Creeks, who are our longstanding enemy, and this will be to destroy the village of the Yellow Leaf and avenge the village of Nunnimingo. We are the great warrior nation, known as the Chickasaws, and we will not be put to shame by the dirty Creeks, who live in partners with the spirits of the underworld. Prepare yourselves, you mighty Chickasaw braves, that you will be brave in battle and uphold the honor of the ancient elder Chickasaw warriors. Those ancient warriors who have gone before you, and whither they be now still living in this middle world or have gone to the land in the upper world, they look to you to uphold the honor of your heritage. Their spirits are with you. Go now and form the tushka chepota (Army). Follow Wounded Eagle and Wolf Eyes and the warriors of Nuktala to reap havoc on the Creeks of the Yellow Leaf.”
The army that formed was strictly a voluntary force. But so many warriors volunteered that some of the generals of Tuscaloosa had to lessen the number. It was that time of year when the warriors took to the battlefield to make a prestigious name for themselves, and this seemed like a worthy cause to go and fight.
By evening the warriors had been chosen, and the ranks had been formed. All there was left to do was to dance by the great fire in the plaza that night and to call on the spirits to be with them.
At daybreak they were already on the trail to Nuktala, with Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle in the lead, the generals were close behind. The leading general was Isht Ayukpa Kio Ishto (the Proud Cougar), who had his position because he was a recognized veteran of many wars. Proud Cougar was a tall man of forty winters who wore eagle feathers in his hair crest and had grand tattoos on his body. His war club was one to be desired because of the strength of its construction. He was always in the thickest part of the battles and had saved many lives of his fellow braves. His men would follow him into hell, if that were where he was to go.
The large war party made its way through the forest, in a half run. They only stopped for a swim in the river and to drink fluids. They would eat on the run. Those meals usually consisted of dried meat or dried fruit, and sometimes a piece of bread. When they reached Nuktala, they would have time to rest.
The forest was wet, soaked by a spring rain. The drops hung in the leaves of the tall trees and only fell through when shook out by a breeze. It was humid, but also the rain had cooled the air down a bit. It made the forest have a dank smell to it – like the smell from rich earth that comes from newly turned, black compost. The ground gave up its heat in the form of small clouds and vapors that rose like spirits from the under world. They enjoyed the coolness while they could, because they knew that it would not be long before the sun burned its way through the clouds and fog to once again make the air uncomfortably warm.
When they reached the fields of Nuktala, they turned the heads of all those who labored there as they came out of the forest, still in the half run. They did not stop until they reached the plaza of the village. Now they slowed their pace to a walk and walked around the plaza – like athletes letting their bodies cool down.
The village people started gathering at the plaza to greet the newcomers. Even though their stay was going to be short, they were made to feel welcome. They were appreciated by all. Food was prepared and brought to them, and it took a lot of it, because their number was almost three hundred. The food was hominy and corn bread and venison, with jellies and honey and dried fruit. It was food of a large variety, because it came from all the households in the village.
The warriors found seats in the pavilions at the plaza and began to eat their food. It was now at midday, and the sun was warm, and the warriors sought the shade of the pavilions and other places of shade in the village. Their bellies were full, and now when they stretched out and relaxed, they began to slumber. Some of the villagers loaned them hides to make themselves more comfortable, as the people wanted the warriors to gain strength back from their traveling ordeal.
The sun started to hide behind the mountain, and a large pile of firewood was laid down by the villagers in the middle of the plaza. It was almost dark now, and the fire was lit by the aliktce, who had made a booth from which to operate. In the booth he would store the potions that were used to bring on the spirits to entice the warriors in to a frenzy of madness.
Chief Silver Eagle was there too, and he was walking among the braves, giving them encouragement and telling them how great they were, as the darkness came over the village.
The firelight flickered and did strange things to images around the fire. Things appeared different than they were known to be during the day. Odd shapes took their place just outside the perimeter of the firelight. Could it be that the spirits were already gathering?
Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle attached rattles to their legs at the knees and ankles, then got up and started to do the war dance. Around and around the fire they danced, singing the chants to the beat of drums and tambourines. Now others joined them, and then more. The crowd that was dancing grew large and wild. In to the night they danced, aided by some concoctions made by the aliktce. The drink would make one feel good all over and make you feel like you could conquer the world.
Then the aliktce, now a masked figure with the hawk wings, the dried head in one hand and the war club in the other, appeared and began to dance. As the aliktce began to dance the drumbeat changed, and it was the signal for the dancing warriors to take a seat. The dancing warriors, though drunken and having such a wild time, started to make their way out of the circle one by one. As the aliktce would dance around, he might attack a dancer that was too full of the stuff with his war club or with the head. It was bad karma if he touched one of the other dancers, so it was better for them to find a seat.
Now the aliktce was dancing around by himself. He would thr
ow something into the fire, and it would blaze up and send clouds of dense smoke into the air. One of the aliktce aids would start handing out the black tea. It was served in elaborately designed cups that had faces on them that would impart a spirit to the drinker. The warriors drank their portion, and as they did, the faces on the cups became magnified as they tried to focus on them. One by one the warriors would roll over and regurgitate, cleansing their insides. Slowly turning back to face the fire and its warmth, they would lose their focus, and their eyes would roll back in their heads. They would fall backward on their backs, and unconsciousness would take them into a land of dreams.
Wolf Eyes, in his dream, was on a high mountain where he was looking out over the land. The land was a land of peace and tranquility. There was a lushness to the land that let him know that this was an abundant land where one could live and have everything that one wanted; a utopia and it was all good – maybe it was in the upper world. He languished there for a long time. But then, no – something was going wrong. He was wrong about the utopia, for he could see in the distance that blackness was forming, and it was spreading. The blackness was spreading and subduing the land, turning the lushness into black burning ashes as it spread across the land. The blackness consumed the land, and now it was at the base of his mountain. It was coming up the mountain, and he began to run – in fear. He ran all over the top of the mountain, but there was no escaping it. It was coming for him, and it was here. He had nowhere else to run. Then his body shook.
Someone woke him up. It was Wounded Eagle.
“Get yourself together,” he said. “You were dreaming, and it must have been terrible.”
Wolf Eyes was still groggy, but sat up and tried to get his eyes open. The dawn was breaking. “Yes, I was dreaming,” he said.
“You were fighting the ground,” said Wounded Eagle.
“I can believe you, it was a bad one,” he said, shaking his head.
He got to his feet and saw that Wounded Eagle was starting to stretch his limbs to get loose, so he did the same.
The stretching helped him wake up, and then he found himself following Wounded Eagle toward the stream. It was still a little ways off, when they started to run. They ran to the bank of the stream and then dove headfirst into the cold water. They swam under the water until they were in the middle of the stream, where they surfaced to shake the water from their eyes.
“Now I’m awake,” said Wolf Eyes.
Wounded Eagle, laughing, said, “Whew, I had a bad one also, but now I feel good.”
They were not the only ones in the stream and were joined by others as more warriors woke up.
When they got back to the plaza, they had their medicine bags and their weapons laid out and ready to go. They also picked up a bag of food, which had in it dried meat, parched corn, bread and persimmon pulp cakes. Each warrior had one, and as they picked it up, they found their place in the formation.
They were joined by Red Talon, Giant Owl, Deer that Stares, Laughing Wolf, Loot, Fire Cub and a lot of other braves from the village of Nuktala. This would be Loot and Fire Cub’s first experience in battle. Red Talon would watch out for them as best that he could. He knew how he had trained them and knew what they were capable of better than they, themselves, knew. He also knew that they would watch out for each other. They were both strong, agile and were well on the way to being men. This was where an uncle just had to let go and let them learn by experience. It would be wrong to hold them back, better to let them grow up. This was harder for Red Talon and Wolf Eyes than it was for the young braves.
When they were ready, Proud Cougar gave the signal, and Wolf Eyes and Wounded Eagle led the way out of the village, through the palisade and into the forest. They headed north on the trail that led to the river. Their destination was the landing, and then after that, the village of the Yellow Leaf.