“Relax. I’ll take her to my tepee. It’s not within the village, is it?”
“You know that won’t do. Once you cross the forest, you are in Choctaw territory. The chief won’t take kindly to...”
“Let me worry about the Chief,” Running Wolf said assertively, already making his way into the woods.
Grumbling, Chito followed him. He did not let up on his complaints all through the walk.
As soon as he set her down at the front of his house, Running Wolf got to work building a fire in the roofed off section setaside for cooking. Chito lingered in the shade, still laying on the complaints. Running Wolf glared at his friend, “If you are not going to be of any help, maybe you should leave.”
“I’m just saying that...” Running Wolf's cold gaze made him raise his hand in resignation. “Fine, do as you please. Help the stranger whose origin you know not. By all means, get in trouble with the Chief and the elders.”
“Thank you. Now, I will appreciate some silence.”
“I hear you loud and clear. I hear you.”
Chito sat back and watched his friend carry the woman to the side of the fire. Chito scratched his head and said, “Wouldn’t it be easier to change those clothes?”
“It would be easier for me, not for her. I would like that but I would have to let her clothes dry instead. When she comes to, she is going to find herself in a strange place, and she will be confused. The last thing she needs is to find out that her clothes were changed by a complete stranger. Get me some deerskin covers from the tepee.”
Running Wolf looked over her and his eyes rested on her protruding belly. He sighed. He could only hope that the baby in there was still very much alive. It would be devastating for a mother to find out her baby was dead inside her. He shook his head. He had to do something rather than hope.
Chito returned to find Running Wolf standing up. “Uh... Where are you going to?”
“I have to get her. She needs to check that the baby is fine. I do not want to have to tell this woman that her baby is dead when she awakens.”
“No! No! Now you want to bring someone else in? Then, the whole village will know.”
“It has to be done. Stay with her.”
Before Chito could protest further, Running Wolf ran into the night. He had to save this woman and her baby, it was the only thought in his head.
It took a little bit of convincing but he finally got the medicine woman to follow him back to his tepee.
“Bring a fresh set of clothes,” he had pleaded with her when he got there.
And now, he stood on the other side of the supply shack, waiting for news from her. The rain had reduced to a drizzle. Beside him, Chito had resumed his concern comments. Running Wolf did not care and was determined to ignore him. His eyes kept flitting back to the shed.
Not bad news,he pleaded,not bad news.
“That is one strong baby.” A voice said. The men turned around to see the small woman who had a small smile on her face.
“Do you mean the baby is still alive?” Running Wolf asked, unable to contain his excitement at the news.
She nodded, “It is obvious the mother has been through a lot judging from how drenched she was. You said she was washed up on the river bank? She must have drifted a long way. Driftwood, weeds were clinging to her clothes. It is amazing that the baby survived the journey. He is still kicking strongly.”
“And the mother?”
“She is not yet awake but her breathing is calm now. She is no longer shivering. I was able to clean her up and change her clothes so you must ensure that she stays warm. And no, I have no idea when she will wake up. I have a feeling it has been a really long night for her. Sleep is probably the only thing she can do right now. You know, she is one strong woman. Even in her unconscious state, she has been holding on to her baby.”
“When do we need to start worrying if she has not woken up?” Chito beat Running Wolf to the question.
“I would say tomorrow. She needs to eat, for herself and the baby. If she is not up by noon, there is a problem. I will take my leave now.”
“Thank you very much.”
“And Running Wolf, you have to be very careful. The village will not like this, a pale face in our territory,” the medicine woman said quietly.
“That’s what I told him,” Chito chipped in, earning him a glare from Running Wolf.
