chapter 13

Chapter 13 Arrival

"The village is just ahead," Joe informed her. He nodded his head towards a buff of smoke rising into the air almost unnoticeable because of the bright blue sky.

"The chief will request that he sees you right away." He informed her. The braves who accompanied them kept riding and seemed to be lost in a world all of their own. They made no comments. Just kept riding and looking around as they went. She nodded towards them and Joe laughed. "They are simply keeping watch."

The closer they got to the smoke the more she felt fear inside. But, she said nothing to Joe. What good would it do? She'd already made up her mind. She was going to the village. She truly had no real home. The braves riding along with them broke from the formation and headed into the camp ahead of them.

Joe looked at her with tired concerned eyes. "I've not seen the chief in several years. He will demand proof that you are who I say you are." He frowned. "Don't resist him."

"Polly nodded and kept riding." A big lump formed in her throat. She tried swallowing but it didn't move.

As they rode into the village groups of Indians appeared around them in passing. Some were groups of women who were skinning deer. Others were covered in what looked like aprons and appeared to be working on making food. Groups of males walked by but said nothing. They continued to ride forward towards a massive tent located in the center of the camp.

"The chief's tent?" she asked.

Joe just nodded. He swallowed hard. He had to stand his ground. As they approached the horses slowed down to a soft walk and finally came to a stop when a brave, near the main tent, took hold of the horses and slowed them to a gentle stop.

Joe climbed down and helped Polly alight to the ground. "I'm a mess!" she shrieked. Joe just nodded and took hold of her arm to guide her inside.

"The chief doesn't care."

They entered the tent and Joe stopped her walk. Sitting on the ground near the fire was what appeared to be an old Indian wearing a giant head set full of feathers.

Joe stepped forward and waited. Slowly the chief rose. Each of the layers of clothing he was wearing slowly unfolded as he stood up and dropped towards the floor as he straightened.

"She has returned," he remarked in English.

Joe nodded.

Along the far wall stood another brave. This brave was tall, his body was covered in muscle. His long hair had been braided and it ran down his back. He said nothing.

The chief moved forward and motioned for Polly to move closer to him.

Joe nodded and Polly took a few steps forward.

"Show me your back," he instructed her. "Show me that you're my daughter." Joe repeated in English everything he said as he said it.

Polly remembering what Joe had told her. She turned so that her back was facing the chief and waited.

She felt his hands as they undid the back of her dress and pulled it downward so that her shoulder was easy to see.

He spoke again and pulled her dress back up into position.

"He says that you are, indeed, his daughter."

"Welcome home!"

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Days passed. Polly was given a space in the chiefs tent draped off by several deer skins. She was given Indian clothing and feathers for her hair. Joe came by often to help her talk to her father.

On the twelfth day she was called to speak to the chief again with Joe's help.

This day that same brave she'd seen standing in the tent was present. The look on his face wasn't pleasant. The chief frowned at him just as Joe entered the tent.

He nodded and the chief began to speak. He pointed to the Indian. "He will become your husband."

Polly looked at Joe. Panic ran cold in her veins. "I don't wanna marry him!" She informed Joe. She backed away and ended up standing in Joe's arms because he didn't back away.

Joe began speaking to the chief. Polly had no idea what was being said. Joe pointed to himself and then to the other Indian. He pointed to her. His voice rose from a friendly volume to yelling. He sounded as if he were demanding something.

All the while he kept yelling he never moved her out of his way. He rather pulled her towards him. She never resisted. She liked being in his arms. She missed his warm body when she slept. She missed him in general.

The other brave nodded his head in agreement. An angry look crossed his face as Joe spoke. She had no idea what he'd agreed to but he'd agreed. Joe moved away from her. Joe and the other brave nodded to each other as if they'd agreed on something that concerned her.

The chief didn't seem to agree to whatever they'd agreed to. She waited. Joe came back to her and removed her from the tent.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"Wait," Joe told her as he kept walking a good distance from the tent.

"There will be a fight," he informed her. "A fight to the death!"

"What?" Polly gasped.

"We shall fight for your hand," Joe informed her.

"Running spear," he continued to talk, "wants to marry you only because he will have more control in the tribe."

He looked over his shoulder. "He has no love of you. He will treat you badly."

"I will battle for your hand in marriage." He stopped talking. "Is this agreeable to you? Will you have me for your husband?"