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| Clear Heart and The Mandan by � coondogk9 The ground was warm as he crept behind a juniper bush. He could see the antlers even from here. It was a magnificent buck. He drew skillfully and just as he was about to unleash his weapon he caught sight of another movement off to the left of his quarry. It was a scouting party of Mandans. He counted at least twelve so far and they were heading towards his village. The stag bolted and drew their attention away from his cover. He slipped quietly back from where he came and began running through the woods as fast as the brush allowed. After several hundred yards he suddenly heard a noise and as he turned he saw the raised tomahawk come down. He swerved and at the same instant on instinct he buried his knife. The warriors scream could be heard for eternity it seemed. He grabbed the tomahawk and placed it in his waistband after he took the scalp. He�d planned on just hunting a short distance from home at first and traveled light. finding no game he ventured further into the forest. He was heavily outnumbered and saw little chance of survival if he attacked or even tried ambush. They were so bunched he knew he�d never be able to pick a few off before he was discovered. This one brave had been a forward scout and he�d actually over run his position traveling at his high rate of speed trying to warn the village. Now with the warriors alarm he had to make a stand or retreat and even retreat was dangerous. He decided to try and lessen the odds if at all possible. He ran down the trail a ways and doubled back carefully avoiding leaving a trail. He then climbed a tree with full foliage and some low branches. He�d not had to wait long as the war party came into sight. He was well hidden in the tree and knew if he was spotted it meant instant death. He had now place to go and would never stand a chance of getting away. he knew if he was discovered he�d take as many with him as he could before dying himself. He was lucky. The rear observer was twenty paces or so behind the group. Just as he passed underneath and was glancing nervously from side to side Clear Heart swung down hanging by his legs and lifted the scalplock and at the same instant with his other hand cleaved the Mandans skull with the tomahawk and dragging him up into the tree where he hid the body. It was without noise and he felt he was safe so far. He had one other plan in his mind if he just had the chance to enforce it. It was risky, very risky, but if he succeeded he�d have a better chance of escape and be able to warn the tribe. After much effort he secured a place in another tree ahead of the group but not far. He�d slipped beside them just out of sight until he was past them. He counted and so far the count included all the warriors so he expected no surprise ahead. Now as the group passed under his cover he waited. Soon they were what seemed to him the right distance and position. Drawing his bow and careful aim he released the arrow. To some they might think he missed the target but it was perfect. He�d glanced the arrow off a dead tree with no bark and it�s hard surface sent it to the side into the leaders ribcage. Seeing the direction of the arrow protruding from the warrior at that angle the group immediately spread out and into the brush after the intruder they assumed. He knew if they didn�t see him leaving the area he had valuable time left to escape unnoticed. After some time he felt safe and had covered a lot of ground hoping he�d put enough distance between him and the group to get away. He arrived in the quiet unsuspecting village out of breath and shouted as best he could a war party was on the way. Between his gasping breath he recounted his tale leaving out unimportant details to save time and let the warriors prepare for a counter attack. The way Clear Heart told his story the Mandans would never suspect a counter coup. The Mandans still cautious were slipping quietly down the trail toward the camp. They never saw the trap until it was too late. Not a Mandan one survived the short skirmish to tell the tale. No injuries were inflicted on the counter attack by the Mandan as they were totally unaware of the ambush. Scalps taken and the bodies buried there was no sign left of any conflict. They would be missed all right but it may be days before any retaliation was to be expected. Now would be a good time to seek revenge on the foes camp as they didn�t expect any attack just yet. The council of elders met hurriedly and in short order approved a retaliation. The warriors were already prepared and upon hearing the good news they were off to the Mandan village. Vision Quest � 2002 T Lovett |