Chapter 107
I went into the house to fetch parfleches of food and a keg of water. Upon my return, I suggested someone should eat up on the hill behind the house to keep a wary eye out. The old Dakota nodded approval of my caution and sent his daughter-in-law and granddaughter up the slope with an ample supply of food and water.
Then we sat on a blanket in the dirt of the barn and smoked a ritual pipe. I lamented there was nothing but a hollowed corncob for the occasion, but the Sioux noted the result was the same no matter the shape or makeup of the pipe. Spotted Panther and New Star returned from erasing their trail in time to participate in our small ritual.