The Wind From Four Directions . .
It is told by the ancients that when the Wind blows from the four corners of Mother Earth all the Spirits gather to that place..
The distance from the Fort to Tahlequah is 5 full day’s by wagon. The Federal troops that escort us are to establish a permanent out post near Tahlequah trouble is expected between the Western Cherokee who want those of us that have survived the march to come in with them, forming a United Cherokee Government.
Those that established the new treaty are said to be distrustful, especially of the march superintendent Ross.
They do not want Sequoyah to allow any power left in Ross and his peoples hands.
We suffered too much with them in charge of dealing with the Military.
They do not have the power of Sequoyah..
The Tribal representative on this relocation is a Chieftain named Bullhead.
We do not use English language nor our English names. We do not want the soldiers to know of what we speak.
Bullhead tells the elders that already ahead in Tahlequah three of the leaders on the march have been assinated.
Revenge has been sworn by his followers.
I ride on the wagon of the Ghostland Spirits (go-na-da gi-ga-ha-I ) it is told that their Spirits are already in the Darkening Land (A-wi-s).
I have been advised by Bullhead when we arrive at Tahlequah, I will be with (e-li-gi) Anothers Grandmother, I am not yet a (U-dv-na) a grown person that is strange being told this by an Elder
I feel very old and wonder why Lark, A wi-a and myself had not been placed on a wagon with an elder when Larks Fathers was murdered.
I must be respectful of Elders always I have no one I am an( A-tsi-a-do-di) empty vessel.
I see no beauty on this flat land of tall grass that seems endless. I finally see a bluff ahead, so we soon will be on higher ground that perhaps gets a breeze. There are no trees on this flat land called prairie for as far as the eye can see..
We are fed fat meat, fried or boiled and dried buffalo both at dawn and when darkness comes at camp.
Snakes here are different than those we knew in the mountains, they are like those on the black soil after crossing the Great River. We try to catch the snakes when we make camp, we use their liquid to heal wounds and stop bleeding using skin for headbands and belts the rattlers for ceremonial purpose.
By the second dawn there had been 20 snakes captured some as long as a tall man stands. I have asked Bullhead if I may walk, he says no, the soldiers Apache guards must think me mad, or I could be abused again, with that warning I curl up in the small place in the corner of the wagon I make no noise at all..
A wind comes up at Sunset of the third Sun, at first from the West then changes more from the South West. I smell smoke!
The soldiers say we must continue North it is a prairie fire.
It will burn itself across this land until it reaches granite or rain comes.
I lay my head on the floor of the wagon I hear the hooves of the Buffalo in stampede there are so many we must stay North of this carnage.
Will these stampeding Buffalo, cover the graves of those Spirits we have placed in Mother Earth?
Will we be unable to find our people to place them with us?
We do not stop this night to make camp, I can see the fire South of us when darkness comes.
Those in the wagon with me must be tied down, seeing the flames makes them wild eyed they screa.
I can only wonder what we could have ever done to make the Great Spirit allow such to come to us?
I had seen on Black Mountain blizzards and drought even outbreaks of disease.
Surrounded by family we would go to the meeting house to council and engage in discussions of what the course of action should be.
We would then have ceremony for whatever calamity came upon us, giving us strength to carry through.
All I now feel is the bumping of the wagon hearing the moans and screams of the Ghostland Spirits.
When the Moon left nighttime sky the wind again shifted from the North blowing the smoke away from us.
Then a gust from the East Bullhead said this would cause the fire to consume itself.
Winds from four directions are a very good sign in bringing all the Spirits to one place.
I close my eyes tightly I only see our cabin the pine trees, hear the mockingbird, and loving words from my family.
Sharp rocks tore at out feet..
We have suffered bitter defeat..
I have had to eat boiled bones..
I still have no home..
But am I always to remain alone?
Ladybirdã
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