Friend Seeker (Perry County, Pennsylvania Frontier Series) Read online

  "The Seeker will live among his enemies. He will see them at their lodges and at their games. From this he will gain understanding. Will they in time hunt Friend Seeker as he hunts for Late Star? It is probable. Then the Seeker must remember his anger and fan the coals of hatred lest he act weakly or strike lightly. If he falters, his bones will lie forever among the Piscataway."

  Friend Seeker was experiencing a different Three Feathers. The abusive tyrannical demagogue became a persuasive, informative counselor and the Seeker's respect leaped as rapidly as his liking. Usually Three Feathers' words were serious, but without warning he might launch a tale that brought groans or chuckles.

  "My friend Slanting Stone of the Shawnee found his old wife tiring so he added a young wife to his lodge. Slanting Stone was especially fond of his fine head of hair, but the younger wife proved his undoing. It seemed that the wives alternated in caring for the handsome locks of Slanting Stone. Naturally, the young wife plucked out the gray hairs. Just as naturally, the old wife plucked out the black. Slanting Stone is now as bald as a duck's egg."

  One Arrow was also the invention of Three Feathers, and emulating his teacher, Friend Seeker used the story to amuse a covey of young boys he encountered at the stream bluff.

  He told how the unmatchable One Arrow so perfected his shooting that he took only a single arrow on his hunts. He could ricochet his arrow from a tree or stone to down a bear hidden behind a log. One Arrow shot birds in flight and rabbits dodging through brush. One Arrow was able to line up deer and shoot two or more with his single shaft.

  When he had their full attention, Friend Seeker stopped talking. Inevitably one most eager asked, "And then what happened, Friend Seeker?"

  "Why one day, on a long hunt, One Arrow missed—and starved to death on the way home." And as their laughter formed, he grabbed the questioner and hurled him from the bluff so that he struck the creek with a mighty splash. Instantly the boys lined up for their turns and the Seeker obliged, flinging them away one by one in shrieking arcs.

  At the end of the line one boy hung back and even as he threw the others Friend Seeker could see fear in the child's eyes.

  Finally he stood alone, his friends calling from the stream, his pipe stem legs visibly shaking, and his shoulders hunched taut as bowstrings.

  Beyond sight of the boys splashing below, Friend Seeker knelt and caught the child's fear-filled eyes. He placed a hand gently on each puny shoulder and spoke in his most solemn tones.

  "This moment you will never forget, young warrior, for now you will learn that nothing is as bad as a man fears it will be and you will know that fear is always the worst part of a task. It is wise to fear but never allow fear to be your master.

  "Now, young warrior, fly like an eagle."

  He caught the child by wrist and ankle and spun top-like until the boy stretched flat out. Then he heaved the stiff body high into the air, beyond anyone thrown before, and watched the child disappear in a mighty splash at the stream center.

  He came up like a stick, flailing for the shore, with his companions exclaiming envy and admiration for his great flight.

  — — —

  The days of preparation allowed Friend Seeker to sharpen his intent to find and free Late Star. The moons of training had diverted his thoughts but the medicine smoke's powerful vision had in turn restored and freshened his vow.

  With Three Feathers, he plotted the moves of his search. It was not a matter of seizing weapons and charging south. One Flower had described many of the scattered Piscataway villages and she thought she might have heard of a young warrior or hunter who painted a hawk's claw on his shoulder, but there were many more villages on many rivers. If he lived, Late Star could be held at any one of them. It was not improbable that the Star had been traded to another more distant tribe. For that development, they had no answer and chose to concentrate first on the Piscataway.

  Following their planning, Friend Seeker would move south. Rather than fritter time at fringe villages, he would move unseen to the enemy heartland. Along the mighty Potomac, he would establish a camp so hidden that none would find it. To that place he could return to rest and re-provision. When it became necessary, he would move his camp and scout from a new one—listening at villages and watching all that he could see. If discovered, he could flee swiftly and later return to his camp to rest and choose a new direction.

  The Seeker's pack became an object of most importance and its size and contents were debated to hard-fought decisions that eliminated excesses but provided every necessity.

  The pack itself was made of soft and thin but finely-tanned doe hide so that it would be light but strong. The chosen shape was a great bag into which all things would be placed. Within the pack were stored the possessions that would make long hiding in enemy land possible. There was food in the form of pemmican rolls and dried corn and peas.

  Only a single sleeping robe would be tied to the outside of the pack. In this manner, he could rest without disturbing his load, and if it stormed he could shelter himself beneath the sleeping robe. There was no robe for Late Star. If the youth was rescued, their retreat would be swift and surely one would guard while the other slept.

  The essentials for survival, Friend Seeker carried in his pouch. There he stored his fire, some pemmican and dried corn, extra bowstrings, a few arrow points, and some dry tinder. His weapons would be the fine knife of Oak Neck, his war bow with a clutch of arrows, and a very light stone-headed club that would not impede running or crawling. He intended to fight only to avenge Late Star if that proved the case—or if he could not escape an attack by fleeing. His first goal was to free a captive, not to war with the Piscataway nation.

  There had been great discussion over Late Star's garments. Had the youth grown as Friend Seeker had? Should larger moccasins be provided? Probably the arguers were right but Friend Seeker would have simply tossed Late Star's old things in and hoped for the best.

  Friend Seeker's extra clothing was a spare hunting shirt and clout, and three pairs of moccasins. His miles would be many and footwear wore rapidly.

  Thongs for repairing, a bowl for eating, a few herbs for flavoring, some fishing hooks, lines, and scrapers were the rest of it. To one anxious to be away, the load seemed light, yet Three Feathers insisted he carry it a full day before departing. As usual, the thought was wise, for things dug into his back and needed readjusting, and small changes in the shoulder harness improved his comfort.

  At first light on his departure day, Friend Seeker impatiently suffered the blessings of the men and appreciated the stern confidence of the warrior's look he exchanged with Three Feathers. His mother slipped a few choice morsels into his pouch and his father strutted as proudly as a drumming grouse.

  His eagerness to be gone eventually conquered and he swung his pack to his shoulder with easy grace and strode to the clearing edge. He raised his bow in salute, a fresh owl feather attached to it for luck. A slash of vermilion painted on each cheek showed the importance of the day and added a touch of the war trail to his journey.

  He turned then, letting high spirits lift his pace to an easy trot. Mist was rising from the Buffalo Creek and morning dew was rapidly drying. Dogwoods were budding, and he seemed to have his moccasins just tight enough. All seemed right. In a little while, he would wash the paint from his face, for once sweat started it would run anyway. Then he could believe that after so many moons he really was on his way to free Late Star.

  The air was sharp with the heady scents of spring. Birds were about and small animals seeking morning food still rustled in the undergrowth. After the winter's long stillness, the entire forest stirred with life. A year earlier, the Squash would not have noted much of it. The young warrior, Friend Seeker, trained to see and hear, missed little and felt his heart lift to the majesty of the Great Spirit's world.

  — — —

  THE SEARCH

  "Hunger, sleepless nights, difficult tasks are part of the strong man's life.

&n
bsp; He will not return to a safe nest until his task is done."

  Warriors All

  Edward Lee Holman

  Chapter 13

  Choosing the easiest paths, Friend Seeker wound his way through the valleys, edging always toward the rise of Kittatinny Mountain. He planned to cross the mountain at a western gap where he would proceed down a long valley that led to less hilly country beyond. Until the mountain, he could move with confidence as this was Iroquois land and intrusions were rare. To the south, other tribes ruled and there he must travel with caution, for the temper of those he might encounter could not be known.

  He tramped the day away, sweating across the ridges and resting often to retain his strength. Running had its place, but heavily burdened, he would have eyes only for his foot placement, and beyond friendly influence, that was a poor choice to make. Instead, he walked in a long easy stride that allowed the heavy pack to ride without jouncing and gave him opportunity to look about.

  He chose to make his first day a short one. Despite preparations and conditioning the pack was a sore burden. It chafed at many spots and wore at his patience. Well before dark, he made camp at a spring along the Laurel Run, beneath the height of Kittatinny. He chose a glade sheltered from the trail where a small spring bubbled clear water.

  With his fire going, he dug fat grubs from a rotten log and used them for bait. Standing well back from the stream edge he tossed a grub into a still pool beyond the current's pull. With a rushing drive a large trout took the grub almost as it struck the water and Friend Seeker grunted in satisfaction. For this night at least, fishing would be good.

  He took three fish and wrapped them in old leaves and fresh moss. Then he packed them in wet clay dug from the stream bank and buried them in the glowing coals of his fire. It was more work than a single meal merited but he had time and once across the mountain the land would be strange and he would not move so freely.

  With the last light, he broke open the cracked and hardened clay and devoured the steaming hot fish with gusto. He laid one fish aside. In its clay wrapper it would be safe from insects and would provide his morning meal. He threw uneaten remains into the stream and thoroughly doused his fire. Then he moved well away from the spot and crawled far beneath a hemlock where he could feel safe from detection. Hereafter, he would exercise greater cautions, but he had done enough for his first night.

  The warmth of the soft sleeping robe was welcome and the comfort of a fire would have also been good. He planned to do without the latter until he and Late Star again crossed to the north of Kittatinny Mountain.

  The mountain path was little used. Few lodges regularly traveled beyond the Iroquois land and hunters found little on mountain tops.

  The pack dragged heavily as Friend Seeker shortened his stride, raised his knees higher, and leaned into the hill. At steep places his hands touched the ground and he used them to work his way upward. The trail switched snake-like back and forth, growing steeper as it approached the summit. As his sinewy legs tired, he wondered at the squaws who bore their household burdens up the same obstacled trail. Though his pace was far swifter, the climb could never be easy.

  From Kittatinny's height, the familiar valleys and ridges lay open before him. Although he could not see the water where it ran beneath great trees he could trace the course of Sherman's Creek almost to the Susquehanna. Buffalo Mountain stood clearly and he could imagine his people even now rising for their day's chores almost in its shadow.

  The cut where the Juniata fed through the mountain wall was dimly recognizable, but the mighty Tuscarora dominated that northern border, its arrow-straight crest running almost as far as he could see. It was a bountiful land with fish and game for all.

  Below the mountain on which he stood were enough nut trees to feed the entire Iroquois confederacy. Each grove fed contingents of squirrels, and turkey bands were so numerous their scratching paths crossed and recrossed.

  Small ground creatures also abounded in the lush valleys. Raccoons fished the streams for crayfish, and opossums roamed in the dark times. Rabbits hopped and skittered about and woodchucks perched in silent watchfulness on earth mounds beside their burrows. Beavers thumped their paddled tails in countless ponds and mink, otter, and weasels were there for trapping by those who valued such furs. Porcupines could be taken at will for their meat and useful spines.

  The great animals were also many. Most plentiful were the deer, but there were bears, panther, moose, and buffalo. Wolves were around and their fur made warm capes and hoods for winter.

  Even as he watched, a vast flock of passenger pigeons momentarily darkened the sky. Such flights were so common that one accepted them and the hawks and eagles that preyed upon them without awareness. It was also true of ducks, cranes, and geese. Except in winter, they were everywhere.

  If a hunter could not find game, he could take fish, eels, turtles, and frogs. If a lodge hungered in the midst of such plenty it was due to laziness, and Friend Seeker doubted that the Great Father had provided another place so richly supplied.

  He crossed the summit and looked down the narrow valley heading south and west. There lay a smoother land, as thickly forested as his own mountain valleys, but far less hilly. Streams would be fewer, but there would be enough. If there was wood and water there would be game. If there was game there would be men. Henceforth he would move more carefully.

  Only a short distance to the east, the Piscataway had crossed with Late Star. To the south lay the Potomac River and the heart of the Piscataway nation. Although he had never ventured beyond where he stood, he had learned the way.

  Three Feathers reasoned that if the party of Hawk Foot had intended to go to the west, they would have crossed Kittatinny Mountain much further west; perhaps at its very end. That they chose to head south indicated to Three Feathers that the Piscataway's destination lay directly south or perhaps a little east of their chosen crossing. The reasoning appeared sound and they based their planning on it.

  To the southwest, and before it entered the true mountains, the Potomac rose in a northern loop. As along all rivers, a great traveling path paralleled the waterway and along that trail, among others, were raised lodges of Delaware of the Fox clan. To those uncles, Friend Seeker would journey. Among them, he would rest and listen.

  Then he would move toward the morning sun, unseen but seeing all. Somewhere he would find Hawk Claw or he would find Late Star. If the Great Spirit answered his pleas, he would find both.

  — — —

  If a traveler desired to move undetected, he would avoid all paths and move only at night. He would rest during the day in swamps and thickets where others would not come. He would light no fires, he would eat only lightly of things carried, and he would keep moving. But there was no war between the Iroquois and their neighbors, and if any tribe could travel freely between lands claimed by another, it was the Delaware. A generation scattered, they posed no threat and their counsel was respected by most. Therefore, it was not yet necessary for Friend Seeker to adopt harsh methods.

  Yet, even little things were told to others and the passing of a lone Delaware was of interest. It would be talked about and before long his direction and his intent might be known. How that could be was one of the great mysteries, but even runners and message carriers who moved swiftly often found word and details arriving before them. War parties loping rapidly found enemy villages warned and emptied. The mysterious news passing did not always occur. In fact, it was rarely swift or accurate, but it could be and Friend Seeker preferred that few knew of his presence.

  He chose to travel during daylight along convenient paths, stepping aside if others approached and circling wide around villages and single lodges. He allowed himself only cooking fires and took small game to avoid using his stored supplies. They would be needed in the Piscataway country.

  Although the land was new and the paths strange, he traveled without hesitation. The sun moved here as it did in his own valleys. The moss grew in the same
places and winds blew as always. He would strike the Potomac as he intended, and he would find the Delaware people where he had been told they camped. Confusion of direction could only be temporary and to be truly lost was as impossible as flying to his destination. Neither thought touched the mind of Friend Seeker.

  He found the Potomac late on the fourth day. This far from the salted sea, it was not a great river, but he had been told that as it rolled eastward the Potomac broadened many times the mighty Susquehanna. He stood on the rocky banks, thinking how easily he could travel its distance in a good canoe or even on a clumsy raft. He wondered if Late Star looked across the same water longing for a canoe to slip to safety or even a floating log to which he might cling.

  Star had been much in his mind during the long hours of marching. His body had adjusted quickly to the pack and he thought about it only when not wearing its weight. With his mind free to travel, he tried to see Late Star as he might now appear.

  There were savage tales of enemies smashing a captive's foot so he was permanently crippled and could not escape, but in other cases youths had been adopted by families and became as sons, except that they were not free to go and come. Most, he had been told, were carefully watched and forced to perform onerous village tasks.

  One Flower indicated that the Piscataway lived in permanent villages, so the plantings were large and the unpleasant tasks many. Extra hands were welcome.

  To free Late Star from any of the situations would require careful planning and decisive actions. Friend Seeker spent his hours developing schemes that might prove useful when the moment came.