Off To See The Wild West Show Part 1, Chapter 12 (1/7) By Frank Beill 1886: Hull, Yorkshire

(1/7), (2/7), (3/7), (4/7), (5/7), (6/7), (7/7). 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.

Only warriors shared the glow of Red Shirt's campfire and so I was led away to join the tribe's women and children sitting around their own fires. I was starting a new life but my feelings were different from my first day in the orphanage. It was just as much a step into the unknown, maybe more but the situation wasn't the same. Today it was my decision. For the first time in my life it wasn't someone else telling me what to do.

If I'd known how big a change it was going to be then maybe I'd have run off with George back to the orphanage. Looking back I'm glad I didn't chase after him although I was going to miss the Smith twins for a long time. Even before I saw the Sioux families I could smell them. It reminded me of times when the breeze came from the direction of the smoke houses where herring was cured and became kippers. This stench often engulfed Grandmother's house. I didn't take me long to become oblivious to my companions' smell because it became mine too.

Seeing the children playing took me back to running around barefoot in my street urchin days. The women's clothes were dowdy and made of animal skins, like all the rest of the tribe's garments. The female clothing was a sharp contrast to their men folk's peacock plumage. My first impression was how poor they looked but, like so many first impressions, it was wrong. Their poverty was restricted to only material things. In spirit they were rich. 'You will be my brother.' The girl smiled for the first time, displaying brilliant white teeth. Her smile's warmth made me feel more relaxed but she appeared coy when she asked: 'What is your name?'

I'd been invited to join their tribe, to become her brother yet no one had bothered to ask my name. For the Sioux - or Lakota as they preferred to call themselves - what was happening to me was a matter of course and involved no fuss or formalities. I was a child with no family, someone who belonged to no one. What happened was what should happen. 'Sammy ... Sammy Smyle,' I replied.

'No! No! You must have a new name. A Lakota name.' She smiled the widest smile in the world and I knew at once I was going to enjoy my new sister's company. For a moment I wondered what had happened to Mary, my real sister. 'But first you will need new clothes. John Nelson will come looking for you. If you change into Lakota clothes, you will not be noticed. He will think you ran away with your friend.' Once again a new life meant a change of wardrobe. Would the Sioux have a Moshe Silver on hand to provide my new clothes?

We were in the midst of the families. Intrigued eyes carefully examined the new arrival. In some faces I could see suspicion. Here was a boy who looked as though he might be one of them but he was dressed in English clothes and shorn of a flowing mane of hair. My new sister made an announcement to the throng. I guessed it must have been Red Shirt's decision. Immediately, children and squaws surrounded me, all wanting an even closer look at their newfound relative. 'They want to know why a native of America is lost in England.' The poking and prodding I was getting amused her.

Continued... Next Page (2/7)

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