The Hunt

June 17, 1876

I awoke to my brother’s in a chatter of the day’s excitement. As it is today we are going to join our fathers in the hunt. Laying awake most of the night, thinking the sun was never to appear as if it were afraid to come. I imagined the kill, the excitement from the counsel, my mother and father. I imagined the walk from the elder’s teepee, the confidence knowing, I gave the counsel the means to calling my name for battle.

It all began as the night fell; women were tending to the children, the children running from their mothers, and me waiting and watching as the smoke was signaling from afar. My brothers and I anticipated the call from the counsel. It was then and only then, that we, the young men were allowed to join our fathers in the hunt. Many days were spent in the teepee of the chief. The elders were sent off day after day to watch and bring word of the white man. At times they would come with news of they were on the move and other times a retreat of few would remain as that, retreat of few. Was this the reason of the counsel meeting? Were we to take our places in battle or were we allowed to take our places to hunt and tend to the women and children?

I spent many days watching and listening to the elders, I have learned many things but none ever so important as the smoke. By watching the night sky and reading the signals from a near by watch, I could pick out the buffalo were on the move. It was my time I knew it, it had to be. The fire was dimming, the chief arose form the teepee; he spoke of the buffalo. Chief Joseph called upon my brothers and me to bring back food for the women and children. I could hardly contain the excitement, although nervous, it was my day to become a man.

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It was told to me to bring back the buffalo to feed and care for my family the time ahead. The counsel would await the gift of tongue. The counsel’s feast of tongue was every young man’s dream. Knowing the counsel and elders were lying under the stars and moon, feeling the pride for the young with the courage and bravely to provide for the family, was what I wanted. I did not want this only for me; I wanted this for my father. I wanted my father to know I will be a great and fearless hunter as was he. As I start on my journey I will pray for the land to help me in my journey’s, as to not disregard the struggles from my hunt. The land was to provide for me and also for me to replenish as if I never left a footprint. I will make this day the beginning of my manhood. I will journey far and long to track and kill for the way of life for my family.

Over, what seemed like, new and unexplored terrain for many, a strange yet familiar smell was threw the air. We dismounted from our horses and proceeded to watch. Who are these people, these things? As we watched is disbelief a spoke was taken to our horses, the strange men were approaching. What were they and why did they approach with such hostility? Was this the white man the counsel speaks of? It must be, but why were they approaching with a calm sense? Little Big Horn was mounted back onto his horse and yelled for us to do the same. We mounted and fell behind the fearless warrior. Little big horse was approached by the strange white man. It is unknown to me as what had just been spoken to the leader from the white man. I will never forget seeing the white man stand tall and strong. Little Big Horn signaled for us to retreat and head

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west. The counsels stated what land the buffalo were heading and it was not west.