Off To See The Wild West Show Part 1, Chapter 14 (3/5) By Frank Beill 1886: Hull, Yorkshire

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

It was Sunday - this I knew - but as to the time of day I'd no idea and it didn't matter. Gone was the orphanage regimentation of my life. My old friends might be at church now or they might have already been or they may be about to go. It no longer mattered to me - I was free and it was my intention to stay this way. How I wished George and Sal were sharing this liberty with me. Being so close to Buffalo Bill was still a novelty and I was startled when my view of him was interrupted. Laughing Waters was standing in the way, hands firmly on hips. 'We have all seen Pahaska many times. His eyes are keen. He is a great hunter. He will see you looking at him.' As ever her words were wise, just like Sal's.

That my hero could be an enemy didn't come into my thoughts but, as far as the authorities in the United States would be concerned, I was just as much a stowaway as the mutt kicked off the ship back in Alexandra Dock. Buffalo Bill Cody was the centre of authority for everyone in his company and he'd surely put me ashore if I were discovered. 'If he find you when we far from land it not matter.' Her words were reassuring and we got back to the business of being children.

Dog That Stands was unflinching in loyalty to his people and to Ogila-sa, which was the true Lakota name of Red Shirt, but he was also an intelligent man and could see there were great changes coming for all Native Americans. Unlike the majority of his kinsmen he wanted to find out about the white man and his ways. This was why he sent his daughters to the mission school and why he readily accepted me as his new son. However, this wasn't how it felt to me during these first days with my new family. When we returned to the safety of our cabin and were relaxing after another enormous meal, I decided to raise the subject with Laughing Waters. We were all sitting on my bed with the little ones rocking back and forth, their heels tapping on the wooden side of the bunk.

'Why does our father shun me?' It didn't feel comfortable saying father and it wouldn't do so for some time. 'He does no more than nod at me. Doesn't he want me?' 'No ... no!' Laughing Waters was true to her name once again with the other two joining in the giggles. 'He wants to say much to you ... and to hear even more!'

Her reply came as a great surprise to me. A grown man wanting to listen to me - little Sammy Smyle. Most adults I'd come into contact with expected me to speak only when spoken to and then to say little, usually only 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir.' Anything beyond those words was deemed impertinence. 'He wants to know all about the white man's world but he is cautious. He would have to use the white man's words to speak with you. The cowboys would think it strange to hear a Lakota man and his son talking together in English. This is what our mother tell me.' She nodded. The two little ones copied the movement of their sister's head, although I doubted they knew with what they were in agreement.

Thereafter I made a point of smiling when Dog That Stands nodded to acknowledge me and I swear I saw a twinkle in his eye.

Continued... Next Page (4/5)

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