Brindle's Odyssey Read online

They would remember it as the Dead Winter, the terrible season of the spotted sickness. Everyone would lose someone. Indeed, some would lose many friends and relatives during that cold and cruel winter. Spring arrived not a moment too soon and the members of the decimated Ojibwe band began to prepare for their annual trek to the summer camps. The season brought much needed hope back into their lives and the camp buzzed with activity.

  Man Killer was tall and slender, with curves where the men liked to see them. The women thought of her as a temptress, while the men did their best trying not to notice her. She kept to herself and practiced as a Mide Woman. That was her place in the camp and everyone agreed that she was more valuable to them now, than ever. Her entire family had slowly perished over the past three years and she had withdrawn from what friends she still had. She wished that she had a friend to share her troubles with.

  The birch-bark canoes needed to be repaired after the harsh winter and supplies needed to be gathered. Few babies had survived the Dead Winter and many of those that had; had lost their mothers. The People would look after these children as their own. No families survived the winter intact, but these people had done their grieving and it was time to look ahead to the next season, their lives depended on it. The excitement built as the days grew longer and the tasks grew fewer. They would leave after the rainy season, when the rivers lost some of their anger.

  She constantly thought about what else they might need for their journey. The last of the old Mide Women had died during the winter and there was no one to remind her of what was needed. The Mide Women were not nearly as powerful as the men, but they were every bit as important to their number. She was responsible for easing pain and suffering and to aid in the healing process. The Dead Winter had drained her of her valuable resources and she had spent a great many hours gathering the roots, berries, and medicinal leaves that would guard the young ones against the tiny biting flies and the hungry mosquitoes; also to ease the pain of broken bones and other ailments. There was so much to remember and she knew that soon she would need to teach a younger woman the ways of a Mide Woman. When the training was complete she would become one of the Old Ones. Man Killer dreaded that day, she still felt young and full of life.

  Their world had changed so much in a single lifetime that it was hard for most to comprehend. The trappers had come and taken most of the little animals before moving north into Canada and west across the Dakotas, into the far away mountains. The traders were becoming more common in the area and the Long Robes appeared now and then with their faith lessons. The big game was becoming scarce and the People worried how they would ever survive in this world with such a large hole in it. Like the animals, their way of life seemed to be running away from them at great speed.

  There were rumors that this may be their last visit to the summer camps to the east. It was said that the White Chief did not want them in Ouisconsin, (Wisconsin) which confused them. They had been spending summers there for as long as any of them remembered.

  Their need to survive the present day was enough to keep their minds from straying into what the future held for them. The Great Spirit would watch over them, just as he always did.

  She thought about all of this while quietly gathering herbs and roots for her Mide bag. The medicine bag was her most precious possession and the long winter had nearly emptied it. The bag was fashioned out of a zhingos, (weasel) skin and she wore it around her neck.

  He followed her through the woods where the trees were just beginning to show their summer colors. He had tried to make pinwabo, (small talk) with her, but she ignored him as if he were a skunk. He did not understand her ways and he struggled with that. How could she not see that he wanted to take her for his wife? He was very strong and had proven his bravery many times. All of the men his age had taken a wife by now and had families of their own.

  She could feel his eyes upon her as she went about her work. She felt sorry for the young brave, but that did not mean she cared for him. She would never marry this one. She had been having strange dreams which she held sacred and kept to herself. The face of her father’s father had come to her many times in her sleep and had pleaded with her to remain strong. Her life was about to change, she only needed to remain patient and she would know when the time came. She missed her grandfather, for it was he who had taught her the ways of the Mide. The healers were needed now more than ever. The Dead Winter had proven that.

  She prayed to the Great Spirit to watch over them and to ease their miseries. Many in the camp were beside themselves with the grief that comes with losing a loved one. The pain was everywhere and she knew it well. She had lost everyone of importance in her life. She prayed as she searched the forest floor for herbs, prayed for a man to come along and rescue her from her own loneliness. That prayer would be answered very soon.

  Huck