Off To See The Wild West Show Part 1, Chapter 11 (4/4) By Frank Beill 1886: Hull, Yorkshire

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (4/4). Part 1 Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Part 2 Prologue, Chapter 1, 2, 3.

'Red Shirt says that you may join the great family of the Lakota and grow to become great warriors.' She interpreted his words with the chief nodding firmly behind her. 'You have shown great courage today.' 'Well!' Amazement reduced me to muttering. I came to seek my father but now I was being offered not only a new family but also a whole tribe ... and so was George. 'What do you think?' I turned to my friend. His mouth was wide open now but in disbelief. 'Dunno.' George went deep into thought, which for him was an unusual place to go.

The tribesmen were eyeing us with anticipation. 'It'd be a great adventure. Touring round with the show. In America!' I wanted desperately to win him over to the idea. 'No more Jolly Rodgers. We'd be free!' It all seemed so simple to me. 'What about Sal? Can't leave her.' His head dropped. The pull of what remained of his family was strong. 'We ain't even seen the show!'

My friend - my best friend in the whole world - was not persuaded. All I could foresee were great adventures lying ahead of us and an end to my torment at the hands of Rodgers, Snelgrove and all the others. 'Come on, George.' His reticence was making the decision difficult for me. George burst through the wall of startled braves and ran back down the field in the direction we'd used to enter the camp. I wanted to run after him - to bring him back - but I didn't want my new friends to think I was running away from them. I shouted after him to but the red head did not turn. This was the last I saw of my best friend.

'You will stay?' The girl's coal black eyes enquired more than her words. 'I will stay!' But at that moment I was far from certain I was making the right decision.

Copyright © Frank Beill 2005

Continued.. Part 1, Chapter 12

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