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"River people," said Stands Strong, tracing the track made upon the ground.

"How do you know this?" asked George.

"It is easy when you know what to look for. Do you see how the moccasin that made these prints is put together with soft leather?"

George shook his head.

"Here," said Stands Strong, "I will leave a print from my own moccasin next to this one."

Getting up to his feet, Stands Strong placed his foot close to the print left behind in the soil, then he lifted his foot. "Do you see the difference?" he asked. "Because the Pikuni moccasins are made with parfleche, which is a stronger rawhide than a simple leather, there is a more distinct print left behind from my moccasins. But also, do you see this print was made yesterday morning?"

"I do not see this at all, my husband," said Czanna.

Stands Strong smiled at her, his look tolerant and loving as he squatted back down to run a finger over the print. Then, he looked up at her and asked, "When was the last time there was moisture in the air?"

"Why, yesterday morning," answered George.

"Yes, you are right. I remember it now," added Czanna.

"Soka'pii, good. Now look closely at this print."

Both she and George did so.

"Do you see the edges of the tracks hold together more solidly than the rest, as though they were made when the ground was wet?"

"Yes."

He nodded. "This tells a man the enemy came by here yesterday morning when it was last wet and misty in the morning. It is all revealed here in the earth. But, how many of the enemy were here? And, where are they going?"

Both Czanna and her brother looked back at Stands Strong, dumbfounded.

When no information was forthcoming, Stands Strong said confidently, "There were four of this enemy. It is all here for anyone to see. Look. Can you tell the differences in the prints of the same people? Some of these tracks show the feet to be larger, some are wider. áa, there were four of them who came through here, and their tracks lead into the forest at the base of the cut ridge over there to the west."

He pointed to the western outcrop of mountains.

"They are heading home as quickly as they can after stealing some of the Pikuni buffalo meat from our plains. They hurry because they do not wish to be confronted by a Pikuni war party defending what is ours. Were we not on our own scouting expedition, we would follow them and take from them what they stole from us. But, we must push forward instead."

Czanna, listening to Stands Strong, couldn't help observing, "Perhaps their people are hungry. Maybe this is the reason they would dare to invade your country."

"Then, they should come in peace to our chiefs and ask to hunt in our territory," said Stands Strong. "Our chiefs are not without heart and would hear their pleas without interruption. The Gros Ventre made peace with us long ago for this reason, and it lasts even into the present. They are under our protection.

"But, know this, my woman," continued Stands Strong. "Were we to fail to defend our country from these aggressors who come here only to take what is ours, we would soon be overrun by many tribes, and it is then when we might go hungry instead of our enemies. It is because of the love of our people that we, the men of our tribe, must defend our country from those who would take it from us."

She nodded. "All right," she murmured. "You make a good argument."

Stands Strong smiled at her. "It is not my wish to argue at all; it is my desire to—"

"I think I'll leave you two alone and get myself back to camp now," said George, interrupting.

Stands Strong grinned, while Czanna felt her face flush.

"Póóhsapoot, come, we will join you," he said. "Let us all return to the others and continue our journey northeast and to the Bears Paw Mountains. They are now in sight. Our path there should not be long."

Czanna trailed along behind George, who was leading the way down into the deep coulee where they had made their day camp. Stands Strong followed her, his position one of protection, not subservience.

They had been on their way toward the Bears Paw Mountain range for several days now, traveling only at night and resting during the day. Their party consisted of seven people: Stands Strong and George, along with First Rider, Liliann, Mr. Henrik, Black Beaver—a brother of Tom Johnson's wife—and, of course, herself.

At Stands Strong's suggestion, Czanna had left Briella in the care of her almost-aunties, Laylah, Amelia, Sharon, Morning Sun Woman and Little Dove. Between all five of Briella's new aunties, she would be well cared for. Though Czanna had fretted over leaving her young sister behind, she had also realized Stands Strong's wisdom in suggesting it: Briella would be safer with her aunties than she would be were she to accompany the rest of her family into the mountains, where there was always the risk of encountering war parties.

Because it was late morning, the Bears Paw Mountains, which had looked black against the early morning's silver sky, were now beginning to show off their colors of green and brown as the sun climbed higher into the sky. For a moment, Czanna paused while Stands Strong paced up beside her.

He said, "Our country is beautiful. What a rich land this is, and we will fight to keep it."

"It is, indeed, beautiful, with its rolling green and brown prairies, its steep mountains and buttes, cut by clear streams, lakes and rivers. I have never seen a country so diverse nor so grandly beautiful. Nor one so rich in game. You truly want for nothing…and all this without the need of the evil golden rock."

"My heart is happy to hear you call this golden rock evil," said Stands Strong. "The stone is evil and perhaps worse than evil, if this is possible. It makes the white man's heart forget he is part of all things living upon this earth; he forgets he is also human, as are all those he loves, and it causes him to kill men of his own kind and to steal from them, not for his family or tribe, but for the rock, only. Does he not know that if he does this, he becomes enslaved by all manner of physical ills? Crueler still, does he not know his spiritual nature is at war with the physical? Always, the physical lures a man to become more like the solid earth beneath his feet. If he heeds the physical only, he will, without doubt, be made to be less spiritual, and he can come to be uncaring and unaware of the plights of others. This will always cause his divine degradation.

"Niitá'p," Stands Strong continued. "I fear a time might come when the evil golden rock could make slaves of men, white and red, and if this time ever comes to be, it will be a sad day, indeed, for my people, a people who are now your tribe, too. They might forget their God, who gives life to all creatures, and because the spirit of life is not physical, the people could become enslaved.

"I, for one, will not live as a slave," Stands Strong went on to say. "I would rather stand and die than be forced to do another man's bidding."

Czanna stood mute for several moments, recognizing the profound wisdom of Stands Strong's words. But, though her heart expanded at his astute observations, she wondered how he could have become so sensible about the world at so young an age? Perhaps he had learned it from his parents or maybe from others in the tribe…mayhap their medicine men?

And, when had she changed? So gradually had her views started to shift, she had barely noticed when she had begun to value friendship, family and marriage more than any show of outward material wealth. Only these—friendship, honor, courage, tribe and family—were important. Only these made a person "rich" in God's Creation.

She felt Stands Strong's arm about her shoulders, when he murmured, "This beauty I see all around us reminds me of you, who have brought so much grace into my life. Indeed, the softness of your voice lifted up in song, as well as your sweet spirit, makes my heart soar. Every day when I pray, I thank Sun, the Creator, for bringing you into my life."

Hearing these words, so dear to her heart, caused Czanna to cry, though she tried to not show it. Had she ever adored anyone more than Stands Strong? If she had, she didn't remember it.

All she could say in response was, "I, too, my husband. I, too, feel as you do. I have never loved another as I do you. Perhaps I shall tell this to you every day of my life so if and when we ever argue again we will be reminded of how dearly we love one another."

Turning toward her and bringing her closer into his arms, he bent down, bringing his forehead to hers, and he whispered, "I will pray it will always be so. But, perhaps we should use a trick if we ever feel we must argue."

"Oh?" asked Czanna. "What is this trick?"

"It is merely this: perhaps we should disrobe before we say bad words to each other. I think, then, our arguments could be less, or, if not less, they would be short."

She giggled, and then he kissed her.

****

As soon as they had returned to their temporary camp, George immediately flung back the entrance to the shelter he shared with Black Beaver and First Rider, while Stands Strong and Czanna continued toward their own small hut. While on the trail, there were three shelters the men erected each day, putting them up quickly after their nightly trek. The third refuge was shared by Liliann and her father.

As Czanna and Stands Strong crawled into their own tiny dwelling, they each disrobed, since they slept in only their underthings—he wearing his breechcloth alone, and she being clothed in only her chemise. As they fell onto their sleeping robes, it became obvious they were not, either one of them, exhausted enough to immediately fall to sleep.

Instead, as Stands Strong took her into his arms and brought her in close to him, he leaned over her to place a kiss against her lips, her nose, her cheeks and even her eyes. And, when he came down farther upon her, while his kisses ranged lower toward her breasts, he caressed first one and then the other of her feminine mounds. As a rush of pleasure washed over her, she wiggled a little; she couldn't help it, the pleasure was so powerful.

He whispered, "I love you more this day than even yesterday. How do you think this is possible?"

"I do not know, my husband," she murmured softly. "But I, too, feel the same. I had thought once we married, my wish to be close to you might fade. Instead, I find my yearning to keep you as near to me as I might becomes stronger."

He laughed a little, and as he looked up to her, he uttered, "It is good, I think."

And, then he kissed her a little lower still toward her femininity, and he said, "Perhaps this might help to ease this need of yours." And, then without any warning at all, he kissed her there at her core.

At once, a feeling not unlike a lightning strike cascaded through her body, and she jerked upward. But, he calmed her and said, "Lie still. You will like it."

And, he went about proving his words to be true.

Czanna had never known nor had been told about this kind of lovemaking by any of her nannies, and as the pleasure surged through her, she understood his words more exactly. If she had felt herself to be, at last, as one with him when they made love, it was nothing compared with what he was doing to her now. Indeed, she felt herself opening up to him spiritually, while physically she begged him to continue.

The ultimate pleasure went on and on, and when at last she met her release, she felt the essence of who she was again merge with him, and she wondered which was more pleasurable, the physical or the ethereal experience of meeting him on this plane, soul-to-soul.

And, then he scooted up over her, his face coming in close to hers as he kissed her ears, her neck, her cheeks, her nose and eyes, and then her lips, his tongue opening her lips and playing with her tongue as he became physically one with her.

They danced then—the dance of love. And, as their love blossomed between them and expanded into a beautiful movement, he caught her gaze and kept it, their look at one another not wavering until, at last, they both met their pleasure. And, still they gazed at one another.

It was as though, for a moment, they had both stepped outside of time, becoming one in body as well as in spirit.

He didn't move away from her at once. However, when at last he rolled to the side of her, he murmured, "I will love you always."

"Always," she repeated in a whisper. It was like a sacred vow between them. Regardless of what the future might bring to them, it was their own pledge, willingly given, willingly taken.

Forever.

****

Help me! Please help me!

The words came to Czanna in her mind.

Czanna sat straight up in her bed where she had been cuddling up so cozily next to Stands Strong. Should she awaken him? Had he heard the cry for help?

No, he was sound asleep.

What was she to do?

Please, I need help!

Czanna took a deep breath. She could not do nothing. She at least had to investigate, if only to discover who needed help and why.

Slowly, so as not to awaken Stands Strong, she came up onto her knees, and, grabbing ahold of her dress, she quickly threw it on, then crawled toward their little shelter's entrance. Pulling back the lodge flap, she crept over it and rose up to her feet, seeing the morning had turned into the afternoon.

Help me!

The plea came again, but from where? Since she was hearing the appeal within her mind, she responded in the same manner and asked, Where are you? Tell me where you are, and I will come there.

At the water, by the stream. Hurry!

Czanna didn't know why she wasn't frightened to do as asked, but she wasn't. Instead, she was afraid only to be too late to help.

I see you. Do you see me?

Looking outward, Czanna saw nothing at first. And, then she beheld a movement. What was it? Was it human?

"Ah-h-h!" She inhaled on a breath and gulped. She didn't scream. It was as though the ability to make a sound was beyond her.

In front of her, at only a little distance away, was a large white bear. It was not standing upright, but rather was down on all fours.

Please hurry. We need your help.

It was the bear who was "speaking" to her.

We? asked Czanna silently.

Please, yes. My baby needs your help. Please hurry!

Why she didn't hesitate to do as asked, Czanna didn't know. She only felt as though the Creator, Himself, were directing her steps, and she paced slowly toward the animal, keeping some distance between them, yet unable to turn away from the animal's cries.

And, then she saw it and heard the baby's scream; it was a brown and white bear cub, caught in the sticky mud of the stream, the mud perhaps having been created from the flow of the snow melting and crashing down from the mountains. Realizing what was at stake, her steps turned immediately into a run, and she came right up to the shore where the animal was struggling farther out.

With no fear for herself, she waded into the water toward the cub, feeling, herself, the sticky substance of the mud. Still, she plodded on toward the creature until she was right next to it. Then, she reached out to try to pull the small bear out of the muck without herself also getting caught in the sludge.

But, it was too late. She was already caught in the swamp-like mire, too.

Still reaching out for the animal, she positioned herself so she could keep its head above water, and then, before her strength gave out, she screamed, "Stands Strong! Help! Stands Strong, wake up! Help me!"

In what seemed like much too long, yet was probably no longer than several seconds, she saw Stands Strong running toward the edge of the water. Wearing only what he'd worn to bed—his breechcloth—he waded into the water, though he was careful not to come in too close so as to become stuck himself.

Together, they tried pull the cub out. But, the animal was too greatly stuck. Still, both she and Stands Strong kept its head above water.

"Here!" came another masculine voice. "I have a rope! Grab hold of it!" It was First Rider, who was now standing on the stream's shoreline. He was soon joined there by Henrik, George, Black Beaver and Liliann.

Stands Strong missed the first throw of the rope, but caught hold of it on the second try and quickly tied the rope to the bear cub.

"Grab hold of the baby!" Stands Strong told his wife while he bent toward her, keeping an arm around her. "My friends will pull the cub from the water, and you shall come out of the mud along with it."

"Get…horse!" Czanna heard First Rider's cry to Liliann.

While Henrik, Black Beaver, George and First Rider tugged on the rope, and as Stands Strong fought to free the cub from the mud, while keeping its head above water, Liliann ran toward them, leading Stands Strong's pony behind her.

At once, the men took possession of the horse and tied the rope to it, then all—the pony, Liliann and the four men—joined in pulling the bear cub and Czanna out of the mud. With the aid of the pony, Holy Dog, it took only a few seconds longer to free the baby bear, as well as Czanna.

As the cub came to lie upon the shoreline, Stands Strong bent over it, turning it onto its back, before saying to Czanna, "Quick, get me one of our parfleche bags from our shelter."

She didn't hesitate. Running swiftly to their lodge, she grabbed one of the parfleches, dumped its contents on the ground and then ran back to Stands Strong.

"Quickly, fill the bag with water and bring it here to me!" Stands Strong said to her as First Rider knelt down next to the small bear, whereupon both he and Stands Strong took turns performing the lifesaving task of ridding the water that had accumulated in the little bear's lungs. And, as the two men worked over the bear, Stands Strong instructed Czanna to wash the mud from its fur.

With a loud, gurgling noise, water gushed from the cub's mouth, and the baby began to cry and to breathe. For a moment, it lay still as precious oxygen filled its lungs, then it came up onto its legs, and, looking around at the men and the two girls, it gave a gentle roar as though it were thanking its rescuers. Looking around, it finally spotted its mother.

Still, the cub didn't leave at once. Instead, it stared at the group of men and women as though it would memorize who these people were. With a few slow steps at first, but then gaining its strength, it hurried toward its mother, who had, up until this moment, hidden herself behind a few trees farther upstream.

It was when the white bear stepped out from behind its cover that Czanna heard Stands Strong's indrawn breath. She chanced a glance at him, only to witness a look of disbelief upon his countenance.

Then, at some length, she heard him say "Oki Napi" in the Blackfeet language. And, then in English, he continued, "It is good to see my old friend again."

The bear roared, although Czanna heard the bear say silently in mind-speak, "I have looked for you, my friend. I know you have been calling me, but I have been unable to find you, even in the shadow land. It caused great sadness in my heart. But then, the Creator spoke to me, comforting me and telling me He was awaiting your wife to join with you. I am happy to see you again and to look upon your wife's beauty. Expect me later tonight. I will come to you to teach you the medicine ways of the bear, the ones you have been seeking these many years. Look for me."

And then, she and her baby turned and walked slowly away until they both disappeared into the woods, a few beams of the afternoon sunlight seeming to lead them.

As Stands Strong stood watching the white bear, First Rider, George, Black Beaver and Mr. Henrik joined him. Many congratulations were exchanged between each one of them. And then, First Rider placed his hand upon Stands Strong's shoulder.

"You heard?" asked Stands Strong in the Blackfeet tongue, then in English.

"I did, my friend," answered First Rider in Blackfeet and sign language so as to include Czanna. "It is well known the bear medicine is the strongest medicine of all the other animals. She, this white bear, has at last returned to you, and she will teach you well, and you shall become a great medicine man, as I think Sun has always intended you to be. It is a great day!"

"áa, it is a great day!"

Turning, First Rider, as well as Black Beaver, George and Mr. Henrik stepped away, which left only Czanna standing at her husband's side.

It was after several moments had passed when Stands Strong murmured softly to her, "It is the Creator and you whom I must thank."

"Me?"

"áa, it is so. It is because of you and your love; your love has empowered me enough so as to bring the white bear back into my life. I thought it wasn't possible to ever see her again. I thought…I thought… Come here," he uttered, turning her into his arms where they hugged, neither of them making a move to leave one another's embrace.

"Do you know the story of the white bear?" Stands Strong asked.

"Only recently have I learned of it. Your almost-mother told me a little about it and how it saved your life when you were only seven. And now, you have saved her cub's life. Forever, I think, she will be in your life…perhaps her baby, too."

"áa, she has always been in my life, though distant from me all these many years. Your love, my wife, has given me the strength to bring her back into my life."

"I am unsure I was the one to bring her to you again, but it little matters. I am glad she is once again in your life where she belongs," she said. "I am so very, very glad."

How long they stood there in the warmth of the early afternoon's sunlight, she did not know.

She only knew that neither of them returned to their shelter to sleep. They waited through the rest of the daylight and well into the night until at last the white bear returned. And, once she had come back to them, there at the shoreline of the stream running down within the sheltered coulee, she sat down on her haunches and began to tell them both about the deeply coveted bear medicine and how it was to be used.

Czanna stood away from them and was beginning to pace back toward their little hut when she heard the bear say silently, "This is for you, too, wife of Stands Strong—you, who first heard my call. Come closer. I wish you to have this bear's healing knowledge, too."

And, so it came to be that Czanna retraced her steps and sat next to Stands Strong where she learned, there alongside her husband, about the sacred bear medicine. Never, she realized, never would she ever be the same again. This wild country had changed her forever.

And, it was so very, very good.