**************************************************************************** * "New to Love Honeymoon" * * (part 2) * * by Vince Water July 25, 2005 * **************************************************************************** | Copyright 2005-2006 by Vince Water Corrected 8/26/06 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are two sacks yet to go through. I find loaves of hard bread and something very useful! Two long wooden stakes. Each bears a downwards notch from its head that would secure a horse's reins very nicely. I take them to Rebecca who's wandered away again. After a repeat performance, I've managed to pull her back to camp. Hobbling her rear legs this time, I try pushing a stake into the ground. It's difficult. Why didn't One-white-horse provide us with modern metal ones? I put on my socks and boots. After some stomping, I manage to drive the wooden stake into the ground. The next one is placed a foot apart and driven in. Rebecca's reins are wound around their notches and tied. There! Let her try to wander away now. I've set her amongst grass but that won't last long for an ever hungry horse. She gives me a mournful look. I fetch the water skin and pour some out to my cupped hands for her to drink. I'm satisfying my own thirst as well. Before we leave, I'll be sure to fill the skin up from the spring since there's no telling where water will be found in the plains. I'm noticing my nakedness. My boots make that very blatant so I pull them off and toss them to the bedroll along with my socks. Jesse's two flaps catch my eye. Chris remembers covering his pale body with such that didn't really hide much. His butt stuck out from the rear cloth. That drew many a hand from the curious Indian boys who liked slapping over it. At least his dick was kept from sight for the most part. He'd join his friends in pissing contests, beating off (who could squirt first and the furthest) and he enjoyed lots of belly rubs with youths who couldn't cum. He often did that sitting. Little boys would stab against his dick for thrills and when Chris came, they eagerly spread his sperm over their balls in the hope of getting them to mature faster. Those were happier times. In this day and age, touching a boy would get Chris sent to jail. He'd done more than 'molest' but sucked on poles, belly rubbed and let them fuck him. All the boys in camp played these naked games. Not because they were gay but from sexual curiosity at that age and it felt good to their growing bodies. Nothing was forced. I've popped a hard on from thinking about Indian boys. Chris had it made! Me too when thinking about Simon and what we've done together. He got it on with Running Water and Jesse, too. Such a horny kid at nearly fifteen years of age. I'll miss that. Our having sex with the boy was confusing him for being something more. Jes and I will teach Simon what love is from the heart that his body can express; not the other way around. Maybe when he's older and gets it figured out, we'll enjoy sex with him again. He is a cute boy. The summer sun smarts my eyes. I turn onto my belly to rest but I'm getting anxious about Jesse. He's been gone a while now. Who is he paying respects to? The hill? It was considered a sacred site to the People and was often manned to watch for the buffalo herds. My butt is getting warm. Without suntan lotion (or being covered in clay), it's gonna burn soon. :I'm returning, love.: Relief fills me. I'm rising to my knees and in a quick mind burst, Tell Jesse that I've found stakes to secure our horse's reins. No need to bring back a rock. As to my other find, I'll wait until he arrives. A few minutes later, Jesse does. He's dirty as hell! There are cuts to his arms and chest, and stuck in his hair are what looks like twigs. Did he do battle with a bramble bush? :Where did you go?: I Ask in concern. :Into a burial cave.: I rush to my lover but he denies my hug. There's something hidden in his left hand that he tries keeping from sight. :Let me clean you up.: "Very well." I'm noticing the somber mood in Jes. He allows me to take his right hand in mine when leading him to the water skin left on the ground. I pour water over his dirty, bruised and cut body and my fingers comb out the tangles to his hair. I'm trying to see what's in his left hand but he won't let me. Jesse stands up. His hands are stretching out to me, palms up with sunlight glinting off the blade I'm being offered. "Take it, love." I'm reluctant to do so. "You found this in the cave?" A burial cave! Why has Jesse taken from the dead?! "I didn't. Good-eyes had left this knife under a rock before he joined his People heading into the Grandmother country. I'm returning it to its owner." Me? I've never owned a blade before... My eyes widen in horror. This had been Christopher's! It had been taken from his thong belt by Eli Kie who cut his throat after raping him. I didn't know Good-eyes had kept it afterwards. "This wasn't buried with Chris?" Jesse shakes his head. "Good-eyes vowed to avenge his lover's murder with it. He kept this blade with him but found no throat to cut during his hunt." Another thought occurs to me. "Why wasn't Chris placed on a rack?" That's the Blackfoot rite for the dead who didn't bury them in the ground. It was believed that a human being's spirit more easily flew Above when their body was raised to the sky. Jesse bows his head in shame. "The People wouldn't allow it. Good-eyes brought his lover to Buffalo Watch Hill in secret and buried him in an earthen cave to honor the ways of his White People." I'm shaking my head in dismay. Even in death, the People still denied Chris as being one of them. That angers me. "Love. Good-eyes himself was buried in a cave." "That was his last wish to his son. That way, the Power Bundle would be kept safe in his arms until a truth could be given the People." I'm still feeling betrayed. The reason Chris was buried under the earth differs from why Meek-buffalo buried his father in a mountain cave. "I cannot change what was done." Jesse is still holding out that blade to me. I look down at it for a long moment before daring to accept what was mine, ah... Christopher's. Owopspec had gifted it to the boy. He'd taken it from a fallen blue-coat and it was a valuable thing. Of metal, its blade was sharper than flint and more resilient. What I'm seeing in my lover's hand is a shadow of its former glory. The wooden handle has all but rotted away. Rust streaks the blade, dulling its edge. "Why did you take it from the cave?" From Chris who should have been allowed to rest in peace! "I do not fear his ghost, love. Krist-o-fer's spirit had gone Above for a while until coming to you." How could I have forgotten that? I've Merged with my former self since our spirits are One. Them are only bones in that cave. "Why return my blade to me? I don't want it." Eli Kie had murdered me with this thing! Jesse reverts to mind speaking. :Please take it, love. I'd Felt a need to fetch it from the place my former self had let it rest. Take it.: I reluctantly reach for my lover's outstretched hands. The blade comes into my hand. I'm not Sensing anything from it for good or ill as I expected. Just an old rotted knife. Jesse looks up at me. "The handle can be replaced or wound in thong. Its blade sharpened." I abruptly turn from him and drop this dead thing into one of the saddle bags. My body is shaking like a leaf. Not out of a sense of fear but being reminded of my former self's death. I dread this blade! Why has Jesse ruined our honeymoon by bringing it to me?! :I am sorry, love!: Jesse hugs me from behind. I begin to sob. He gently turns me around and I'm clinging to my lover with tears running down my face. He's feeling very wretched. :It's not your fault, Jes.: :I didn't think how it would affect you, love! My former self Asked me to fetch it for you. He wants you to be armed against those who bring you harm.: Chris didn't against his attacker. Eli Kie had taken him from behind by surprise, a blow to his head that dropped the boy to his knees where the man raped him. When that vile deed was done, the metal blade was taken from Christopher's thong belt and drawn across his throat. Good-eyes found his lover dead the next morning. He took the blade and vowed to hunt down the boy's murderer. When he failed to do so (not knowing it was Eli Kie) this blade was put in Christopher's burial cave. Good-eyes had let go of the madness that took hold of him during those lonely years. He went with his People into Canada to escape the blue-coats' attacks. A good woman healed his broken heart. "Let's go," whispers Jesse. I'm nodding against the side of my lover's face pressed against me. We separate and dress in silence. The gold coins are scooped up from our bedroll and returned to that leather pouch. Jes gives me a curious look. I'll tell him about my unusual find later. The horse is loaded down with our stuff and led in hand to the spring. Jes fills the water skin. We mount up with me sitting in front. I kick Rebecca and head northwest to what I hope will be a return to happier times for us. A quick look over my left shoulder fills me with dread. Buffalo Watch Hill stands menacingly behind us. I kick Rebecca hard and yell for her to run! We gallop over the rolling plains. Jesse clings to me. I'm squeezing my thighs against the horse and concentrate on keeping my balance. We weren't given the typical 'cowboy' set up with a saddle horn to hold onto; it's a flat saddle like Owopspec had used in his day. The sun has reached its height in the sky. Full Noon. Yet I'm feeling chilled by the thought that my former self is buried in that hill we're racing from. Did Jes look upon his remains? :No, love. That earthen cave had long since collapsed.: That's sort of a relief. Yet I remember that the object of Christopher's death remains with us in the saddlebag. An old knife. I'm feeling a cold line drawn across my throat, that horrible realization by my former self at his death when Eli Kie had murdered him. A cold chill runs through me. I drive away that unpleasant memory by concentrating on the ground ahead. Rebecca doesn't really need to be led. She sees the obstacles, going around them without any guidance by me. The miles pass beneath her speeding gait. The wind flies through my hair. It makes me feel alive, free of cares and in control of my destiny. I'll soon be free! My legal troubles will end. I'd thought I would be going to prison but now, it's Mr. Benton who faces that because of his criminal misconduct. He's been caught cheating as a prosecutor. I'm taken from my thoughts by silvery flashes in the distance. It's a long fence. A really long one, and we're galloping right towards it. Rebecca slows on her own even before I pull up on her reins. I wasn't expecting to find an obstacle in our path but I should have. This isn't the past where Owopspec and Chris could ride for days without seeing anything man made. I look to the sky. Two white lines from a plane are being drawn across it. My eyes return to the stupid fence. :Let's turn around,: Asks Jesse. We've ridden right up to it. I can't take my bearings from the sun because of its position straight above us but I'm thinking this marks a north/south boundary between One-white-horse's land and his neighbor's. A small stream comes into sight. It flows through the fence, ending in a large building with pipes going off in every direction like a thirsty mouth. A sign says: 'Bosworth Ranch. No trespassing'. We cross over the stream. The metal fence goes on and on. I'm reminded that land was taken from the Natives in return for food and peace. They were put on reservations while White settlers moved into their ancestral lands. Fences like the one we're following north was how men marked which little part was theirs for the keeping. This appears to be a huge ranch. Beyond the fence, there are steers grazing in the distance. No end in sight to the ranch. Could it reach as far north as Canada? There's a bad smell in the air. The wind is blowing from the west and it smells of dung. Pee-yew! As we ride north along the fence, herds of steer are seen munching from troughs. In the old days, ranchers allowed their herds to wander across the grass plains unrestricted by fences. Cowboys rounded them up to be brought to market. Their time and the Indians of old is long gone. Sad, that. :Look! I see rabbits,: Says Jesse. I'm looking to our right, just catching sight of brown shapes running into a hole. Man hasn't completely dominated the land. They can fence it up and stop creeks from flowing free but Nature bulks at being totally dominated. It's good that One-white-horse made that purchase of nearly a thousand acres. He plans on moving grandfather's horses here where they can run free like of old. The only boundaries to their freedom coming from the surrounding ranches. I hope that One-white-horse's kin keeps his land in the family. If he marries Susan (a White skin), I hope that their kids will honor their father's wishes to let horses run free and not ever sell the land. A return to the way things used to be. We ride for another twenty minutes or so. That fence blocking our way left comes to an end, turning west. To my dismay, another fence is seen ahead of us. There's a gap between them running east/west. I'll have to ride east to get around this new fence or head west between them in the hope of breaking out eventually. :What do you want to do, Jes?: :You decide.: We're gonna take that dirt road heading west between the fences. I can see a northern break out in the distance. This new ranch runs kitty corner to the Bosworth Ranch. A trail of dust is seen in the distance. It's a pickup truck, heading straight for us! I'm directing Rebecca to get off the road. A shiny new truck is about to pass us when it stops. A head sticks out from the window. He's a white guy, maybe in his forties. Brown curly hair. Cowboy hat. "Howdy. You lost?" "No." The man stares at us for a long moment and I feel Jesse tensing up behind me. "Hmm. Where you from, partner?" He really means 'when'. I'm dressed in overalls and Jes wears Indian flaps like of old. My face begins to burn. "We're off to a Rendezvous." The man laughs, waving his hand at us and drives off. :That was quick thinking, love.: I've heard of Rendezvous clubs whose members dress up like of old. Fur traders and Indians. They relive the 'good old days' in meets out in the plains. That's explained our strange appearance to him. I'm following the road again until that rightmost fence ends. There's open plains before us so I kick Rebecca into a trot. :My butt is hurting, love.: That concerns me. :Do you have to go?: He's been holding my sperm in him for a few hours now. :It's all this riding,: Jesse explains. :I'm not used to it. When we get out of sight of the ranches, can we take a rest?: :Sure.: I direct Rebecca to our original northwest heading. I'm not seeing more fences ahead but open plains. After another twenty minutes, we come upon some buildings. An old farm house (I think) and a barn. Both structures are badly dilapidated from age with the house burnt down to the ground. I spy an outhouse. It still seems intact. I stop Rebecca near it where Jes slips down from our horse. He pulls the wooden door open. It crashes at his feet that spooks my horse. "Whoa, Rebecca. It's alright... Easy, girl!" Jesse steps into the outhouse. :Be careful!: I warn him. I'm dismounting and tie Rebecca's reins to that fallen door. :There are no walls here,: Says Jesse. I'm stepping into the outhouse. He's right. Only the front had remained intact which is now missing a door. Where the toilet should be, there's only a long drop into darkness. :Do you need to poop?: Jesse nods. He slides his rear flap along the thong belt to his side. I'm offering him my hands to hold onto when he leans back over the hole. When Jes is finished, I'm looking around for toilet paper. :You won't find any. I think this outhouse dates from the 1900's or even earlier. They didn't have Scott's Tissue back then." We walk outside and Jes snaps a handful of grass in his hand. He wipes himself with it. I'm getting the water skin and pour some over his backside. :Want me clean there, huh?: I look over his brown cheeks with longing. No need to Answer that. He slides his rear flap back to cover his butt. I'm untying my crotch to take a piss. Jes averts his gaze that brings a smile to my lips. :You can look.: :I didn't want to embarrass you, love.: :You've seen me naked lots of times, do things with my cock other than to piss. Right?: Jesse shyly nods. He looks. I'm tempted to rub over it but decide on making use of its manly function later tonight. Have to build up my sperm supply to keep my lover's ass satisfied. Rebecca tears at the grass with her rubbery lips. Chomp, chomp. I'm reluctant to take her from her meal. :Hey. You wanna explore these ruins?: Jesse nods, reluctantly. I'm curious to have a look at that burned out house and see what's in the barn. It'll be good to stretch our legs. Jes and I walk around what remains of the house. Its foundation provides me with its original dimensions: fifty feet by thirty. Grass grows within. We're stepping inside to look for old relics. I find the remains of burnt roof timbers, floorboards, and a broken clay vessel. Metal glints in the sun. I'm prying out a tarnished spoon that looks to be made of silver. I tuck it in my pocket. :They had a fireplace,: Jesse Calls out. I'm looking at my lover's discovery. Yup. Most of the bricks remain to its chimney rising from the fireplace. Jes spins over his feet. He's looking past me at something but when I turn, I'm not seeing anything in particular. Sharp fear is Felt from him. :Mike! Let's leave this place!: I'm running after Jesse who doesn't stop until he reaches our horse. I'm taking him into my arms. He's trembling. :What is it?: :A little girl haunts that place,: Answers Jesse. :I Saw her.: I look back over my shoulder but only see the burnt out house. :She's looking for her parents.: A ghost! Jesse is sensitive to such things and it's spooked him bad. A thought comes to me. :Can you Send that little girl on her way?: My lover shakes his head against me. :I don't yet have that ability. When I'm a shaman...: I'm holding Jesse for a while. When he's gotten over his fright, I untie Rebecca's reins and mount her. My lover is given a hand up until he's sitting behind me. We continue on northwest yet my thoughts turn back to that little girl. It's sad that she hasn't gone on to her rest. The sun is falling from the sky. I reckon that it's around two o'clock. We're riding for another hour when we come upon a paved road going north/south. A sign says that it's Rt. 233 with Canada only fifteen miles away. :Do you want to enter the Grandmother country?: I Ask. :We don't have I.D. and you're not supposed to get far from havre because of your bail agreement.: Jesse is also conscious of our appearance. :I don't think there will be a border patrol.: My crazed drive north into Canada after Tuesday's Discovery meeting hadn't met with any officials. Somewhere in a field, the torn pages from Ron's diary zerox is blowing around in the wind. :Havre is down that road. We've ridden pretty far from Chinook.: Jes is worried about that but I don't want to turn around yet, not on our first day out. We're looking out for cars. When I don't see any on the road, I urge Rebecca to cross. Her hooves clop over the pavement. We reach the other side and I'm kicking her back into a trot. We ride on and on in the direction of the falling sun. We cross over another road. It's wider than the last one, running northwest to Canada and though I didn't see a sign, I'm sure it's Rt. 232 that I'd taken a week ago after that dreadful Discovery meeting. A truck is heard zooming south behind us. I'm looking back over my shoulder. It's soon lost from sight and likely, the driver couldn't make us out. I'm starting to have second thoughts about how we're dressed (or I should say, lack thereof as in Jesse's case). The 'unspoiled land' that I hoped for has proven not to be so. There's too many roads, fences and other signs of man to my liking. :So true, love. We'll soon find a nice place to stop for camp.: I'm smiling to myself. We'll be enjoying our first night together out under the stars. Maybe get some sleep after the kissing, sweet hugs and releasing our love to each other until we're exhausted. What a happy thought. I reach out to the sun with my left hand, fingers outstretched to measure when it's to set. More than three hands. It's probably nearly four o'clock. We ride on through mostly flat plains, grass grows in abundance, there's flowers of all colors and not a tree in sight. Buffalo herds would have ate up this pretty scenery. Literally. Sad that their once thundering glory has been rubbed out from these lands. The Native People's way of life ended with their disappearance. No more 'food on the hump'. The buffalo had provided not only meat but blankets and tipi coverings from their thick shaggy hides, moccasins from the skin of their hind legs, muscle sinew to string bows and tie on arrowheads, their horns to hold gun powder or serve as spoons and ladles, bones for knives, war clubs and arrow straighteners used by the men while women made awls, splints for the injured, and hide scrapers. Buffalo brains cured hides. The skull was used in special ceremonies such as the Sun Dance. Hooves could be melted down for glue. Bull scrotums (when dried) was what made a shaman's rattle 'rattle'. The roaming herds left piles of chips on the ground which were collected and burned for fuel. I can go on and on about how the whole animal carcass was put to good and clever uses. These vast open plains are now silent. The U.S. Government had set a bounty on buffalo in the latter 1800's that drew hunters who slaughtered them in the thousands on a single day, taking only their hides and tongues while leaving good meat to spoil under the sun. When buffalo herds dwindled, grasslands exploded in growth from not being culled down. A hellish fire swept the northern States even into Canada. No more grass to eat. What few buffalo remained were hunted down by the hungry Indians. Their bellies ached to be filled. It left their hearts empty and without hope for a future. The buffalo had been a gift from the Great Creator of all life. Death to these animals brought the swift decline to Native People who depended on them and in this way, the Government finally brought Indians to heel when warring on them had not. Christopher bears much hatred towards his White folk for this mean trick while as Mike, I am very ashamed. :You aren't responsible, love. It was the Government from over a hundred years ago who did this thing to my People. They're trying to help us now.: :Yeah, right.: The U.S. has what they wanted - land for their citizens to expand into with farms, ranches and towns. It didn't matter that there were already people living there for over ten thousand years. Native Americans were put on bad land 'for their protection'. In this day and age, they can leave the reservations in pursuit of education and jobs but only by standing in both worlds. It's difficult to achieve that balance. Attitudes have been slow to change. Sympathetic White folk think the Indians of today are what they've seen depicted in popular Hollywood movies. I was guilty of this myself. Other Whites look down on the Indians as if they were poor black folks, or worse. I've noticed this segregation between Natives and Whites at the mall. :Gloomy thoughts, love.: I'm releasing a tense breath. :Sorry, Jes. Can't help myself.: I force myself to think about something else. Hmm. Where am I right now? A smile blossoms on my lips. I'm out on a honeymoon with a handsome man who has a gentle, understanding heart. He's had to for putting up with me! No comment by Jesse... Oh. I'm Sensing his growing fatigue. His butt and legs are really hurting him. My body aches too but not as bad. I've ridden a horse before but it's all the hiking I've done in Montana that's kept me in shape. My lover has Marfan's Syndrome. His mom warned me that he can't endure much physical exhersion or he'll be hurt. :Do you want to take a rest?: :Soon. I'd like to reach the reservoir since we've gone all this way.: :Why?: :I think it will make for a good camp. There'll be trees along the shore. We can lay in the water to soak away our aches. What do you think?: :Your wish is my command, Saab.: Jesse giggles. I'm kicking Rebecca into a faster trot. The sooner we get there, the sooner... My cock is tingling. I'm Feeling excitement from my lover. :If we find a good spot, let's stay for at least a day. There's no reason for all this traveling.: :If you say so, love.: Jes is relieved that I've finally figured that out for myself. His arms tighten around me. A kiss comes to my neck. This dear man has been so patient with me by letting me follow my own path. Even when it's a bad one, like riding so far from One-white-horse's cabin. I'm thinking he wanted to stay at Buffalo Watch Hill to spend our days together. Chris being buried there had ruined that. I'm glad we've left it behind us so it's onto the reservoir. May it prove to be a happy place for us to get to know each other better admits all the love making! I'm not noticing the cold water anymore with Jesse laying over me. His slippery butt teases against my cock. My butt has sunk in the soft mud of the river, or I should say, the reservoir. It's a wide expanse of water. We'd seen a fishing boat puttering by powered with an electric motor not long ago. That had been an anxious moment for us. The two men and a boy likely didn't see us because we're laying low in the water, bodies fully stretched out. Only my head is above water along with my upper chest. The dark color of my lover's body blends in with the muddy bank behind us. After that boat passed by, my arms returned around him. A contrast of white against brown. My hand wanders down the front of Jesse. His dick is limp, sleeping over his balls. It's slippery to the touch because of the water. Earlier, I've massaged his legs which were aching from all that riding we've done. So stupid of me! There was no need to travel so far and see the 'sights'. It's hurt my lover. The cold water has numbed our bodily pains and my heart is eased by his understanding and forgiveness. Jes should have said something to me earlier. Jesse yawns. :You needed to follow your own path, love.: :You've joined me on that walk through life. Your voice counts.: :Mike. I did speak up. In time, you'll listen better with your heart.: Jes is right. I heard him ask that we turn around after striking upon that ranch fence. Did I listen to him? Nooooooo. Like a stupid fuck, I continued onwards. When that second ranch fence stood in our way and I asked him which way to go, my lover told me to decide. He knew I didn't listen to him that first time. My lover endured hours of riding where we passed an abandoned farm, two roads and miles of plains. We couldn't go further west because of this reservoir. It's proving to be a good place to strike camp. Rebecca's reins are secured to the roots of a bush. She has grass to nibble on. We've spread the horse blanket over the ground and we'll use the bedroll for a blanket. Maybe we can have campfire. Not for warmth. This day has been very hot that lingers into the early evening. We'll sleep comfortably tonight in each other's arms. Jesse yawns again. :I'm about to fall asleep in your arms now, love.: That won't do! I gently buck onto his ass with my hands reaching low to pull his slippery cheeks apart. My cock slips inside. Hmmmm. Nice and warm in there. :I'm feeling a soft tickle in my backside.: :Do you wanna feel something more?: Jes doesn't Answer so he's leaving that up to me. My hands return to his belly. I'm not feeling the need to do more with my lover than to simply hold him. I mouth along his shoulder to his neck. Kisses go there. Deep ones. I hear my lover moan. His humping against my groin feels really good and it's getting my cock hard between his cheeks. :That might lead to something.: :If it does, let it happen. I'm yours in every way my sweet White lover.: Jesse sighs. :Sometimes, I can't believe that you chose me.: :I'm glad I did.: Running Water tried winning my heart through sex. I'd resisted in spite of my lust for his strong Indian body that wanted to get taken by me. Jesse already had my heart. Our bodies become still in the water though my cock aches for release. I listen to my heart. :You're learning control, Short Hair.: :Yeah.: I'm surprised when Feeling Jesse's disappointment. "What do you dislike about me?" Huh? I'm startled by his strange question in my ears. "Tell me. I promise not to get mad or anything." "Why do you want to know?" "That's part of the reason why we're on a honeymoon. To get to know each other better." I'm shrugging my shoulders in response. :Can't think of anything, Jes.: He turns around to face me with a serious expression on his face. My arms tighten over his back. I try distracting him by reaching down for his ass. His dick has erected against mine so I'm thrusting, the slipperiness from the water intensifying that sensation. My lover smiles shyly. "That feels good but it won't get you out of answering me. Please?" I release a sharp breath through my nose. What do I dislike about him? Hmm. That is difficult to answer since I'm not coming up with anything at the moment. We've certainly had our differences of opinion. Mostly about sex. He's more liberated about doing it with needing guys than I was when we met or I'll likely ever be. I've learned that love is different than the sexual act. He'd let Ron fuck him and didn't feel taken advantaged of. I've only recently come to accept that he was right. There was no love between them. Jes just wanted to know what it was like to give himself to another gay man. My thoughts turn to other matters that's come up between us. That restroom incident, for instance. I'd wanted to report those truckers to the police. Ralph had raped him. I was held by his companion who wanted to fuck my ass. He got my punch to his stomach instead. As much as I wanted to confront Ralph who was coming back with his gun, Jesse was right about us just getting out of there. He also didn't want his mom to know what'd happened to him. There's been other instances where we've disagreed. Jes didn't force me to see his side but convince me in a gentle round about way that I'd been acting stupid. I peer up at my lover. "It's you being right all the time." He nods in reply. "You are at a disadvantage, Mike. You've come to live in my world and play by our rules. There are good things you've learned by your White upbringing but when they clash with ours..." "Yeah." Jesse is being kind. I'm ashamed by many of the things I've been taught 'are right' by my society that really aren't. I want to follow the good red road because I'm learning to become a better human being. "I love you, Short Hair." Jesse smiles after calling me by that name he's given me. I'm no longer who I was as Mike and not because I've Merged with my former self. My lover isn't trying to mold me into something he wants. I want it! To be better than who I was before we met. I'd thought that earning lots of money and being a computer expert made me a know-it-all about everything. Boy, was I wrong. I'm given a sweet kiss. My hands tighten around Jesse's slippery butt to mash our cocks together. He moans through his nose. We'll not likely cum by being in the water but it sure feels good trying to. "Do you want to know what I dislike about you, Mike?" I'm nodding uneasily. "You're too quick to anger." He's right. Again. I kiss my lover to show that I'm not mad or anything. He reluctantly Speaks to me about something on his mind. :If you hadn't struck Danielson when he was down, you could have avoided that legal trouble. I'm not regretting what you did to protect me from that corrupt officer. He might have shot me dead to get that Power Bundle Eli Kie wanted but we don't know for sure. And at that restroom in Roundup, I'd felt your need to confront Ralph. You had already subdued his companion by punching him but that wasn't enough to satisfy your need for revenge. You wanted to kick him while he was down. If you had, that would have broken my spirit!: I close my eyes in shame. A kiss comes to my lips and I drink of his love and compassion for me. :You are helping me to be a good person. I'll try not to give into anger, Jes. I promise.: Tears sting my eyes. :We all stumble along the path, love. What matters is that you've picked yourself up and go on.: I'm tightening my arms around Jesse's back, clinging to him. I need this man so much! He knows the right things to say to soothe my aching heart and sometimes, it's a hard truth that pierces me like a spear. Our kisses end. Jes turns around and reaches down to direct my hard cock into his ass. I'm Asking, :You wanna do it now... in the water?: :Just to join ourselves. I love feeling you inside my body so we can be One in every way.: My lover's asshole resists my penetration for a moment until my cock pops inside. Jesse grunts. Before I can push him off me, his hands reach around for my butt to keep our bodies together. It's not hurting him now. I wrap my arms around his tummy. His erection is felt against the back of my right hand so I'm gently grasping it. The water makes his dick feel too sensitive for stroking though. :I like you holding my thing.: A smile comes to my lips. Jesse still can't bring himself to saying the word 'dick' even in his thoughts. Funny, that. He's not shy when it comes to having sex. With his butt that is. Ron has fucked him, I have lots of times and Simon almost did him in our bedroom when he was sitting over my lover's ass while beating off. My lover is two spirited. He'll be giving himself to needing men but it's from the front of his body that's pledged to me as I've pledge the manly expression of my cock to him. I needed that distinction. In time, Jes said that I'll be more confident about our love for each another so I won't feel that we've crossed the line by releasing our cocks with other guys. My head already knows this. It's my heart that needs to learn this truth so it won't voice betrayal or ugly words to hurt my lover's ears. :I think I've caught a fish!: Says Jesse. He humps his butt in and out. :Reel him in!: My cock nearly pulls out of his hole as if trying to escape but his hands over my butt forces me back inside his butt. Ahhh. It's a very lusty sensation. Jesse's asshole feels slimy tight. His cheeks wiggle over my groin while mud squishes against my cheeks. I stab harder, getting him to cry out but the water prevents me from reaching that thrilling part where I can cum. :Let's get out,: I beg. Jesse sits up. His butt presses down on me that gets my cock very deep in his hole. I'm grabbing his hips. A few lusty stabs are given him. Man! I love his ass. :Can you cum now?: I stop myself. :It'll feel better when you're laying over the blanket!: My hands reluctantly push on his butt so he can stand up. He turns around to offer me a hand up. Then he's splashing water at my face. :To rinse off the mud.: Jes rubs over my face, bringing up more water to clean the mud off. The sun is a few hours from setting. No risk from getting sun burned now. He's streaking out of the water and I give chase. We're dripping wet. I'm eyeing the horse blanket spread over the ground but we can't lay there yet until we've dried some. My cock aches a lot. I'm gasping when my lover bends over to suck on it. His hands have taken hold of my butt so I can't get away. The sensation is very tickly. :Stop it, Jes... You're killing me!: When them hands loosen, I turn around. Jesse starts sucking on my ass. His kisses turn to small bites over my cheeks. I'm bending over, legs spread in the tall grass. His nose sticks into my butt. A tongue swirls around my hole and penetrates it. I'm Feeling my lover's desire to fuck me. :Go ahead and do it.: :I'm going to!: Says Jesse. :Let me prepare you first, love.: After rimming me for a while longer, he stands up behind me. I'm feeling his dick sliding between my cheeks. It presses against my spit slick hole. Goes in. I'm trying to relax back there so it won't hurt. Before I realize it, his balls press up against me. Wow. That was easy and without pain. I'm reaching back for his butt. It's already flexing in and out. I'm both surprised and pleased by my lover's need to fuck me. More often, I'm only doing him. Jes stabs faster through my ass. My hands drop to my upper legs and hold them for support while I'm bent over to stick out my butt. He's pulling over my hips, fucking me good and hard. Harsh breaths blow to my back. :Does it hurt?: Asks Jesse. :No. I'm enjoying your dick in me!: Jesse's pace is frenzied but he doesn't have reach to massage my prostate like his uncle's cock. When Running Water does me, I'm not sure if it's pleasure deep in my ass or pain. Probably both. My lover's dick is easier to take. Not as long or thick. Yet the idea of giving him pleasure is really thrilling for me. I want Jes to take me! :I want you, love! Need it.: That brings a smile to my face. Jesse is being a man right now while I'm playing the squaw. A pale skinned one. There's a wet slapping sound from my butt that has me looking around for anyone watching. We're standing close to the bank. Tall grass grows along it and out to the plains. Nope. We're alone. Ahhhh! My lover's dick is getting really stiff. He's plowing my ass with quick in and out stabs. I'm being bucked forward so I steady myself by planting my feet. My hands are pushing against my upper legs. Jes is fucking me good on his own. I don't do things with my ass like he does such as backing onto a cock, tightening his hole or any of that stuff. He's not trying to prolong his pleasure. I'm glad. I've seen porn videos of guys who seem to fuck forever before cumming outside to his partner's cheeks. Jesse grunts. There's a slowing to his stabs as I imagine him filling my asshole with cum. I'm not feeling his squirts. When his body slows against me I am feeling a throbbing to his knob. Loud breaths rush through his mouth. I'm straightening up, both hands reaching back for his butt to keep our bodies stuck together. This is the moment I relish! Having gotten filled and that afterglow of male relief. I'm Sharing in it through our Connection. It is very sweet. "It felt... really good!" A smile comes to my lips. "You were quick with it." "Sorry." :No! That's the point of mating, to release sperm in your lover. I don't want you to act, ah... selfish by fucking me for a long time.: :I didn't want to hurt you, love.: With his dick? No way! But Running Water's huge cock... I'm guarding my thoughts but Jes may have picked up on that. My belly is grasped. I'm still holding his butt that's still flexing a little. :You're wet.: My butt sure is! Oh. I'm feeling Jesse's hands over my hairy chest. :We can use the bedroll to dry off. Then it's my turn!: My cock is aching me to get it off. Jes is very excited by that notion and he pushes on my hips to separate us. I turn to him for a kiss. We embrace, mouths drinking of each other for a while. My cock is rubbing against his but I prevent myself from getting too excited. His ass is gonna be mine in a moment. :I can hardly wait!: Says Jesse. We stand apart. My gaze over his nakedness is met by utter love in his eyes. I grasp his hands. :You are the most beautiful man that I've ever met.: He is. A brown Indian face of rounded cheeks, broad forehead and a big nose. Very expressive eyes. His long hair hangs limp about his shoulders from getting wet in the river. Jes welcomes my eyes lingering over him. His lips are quivering. I reach forward to kiss him some more. :Oh, love!: I still can't believe that he's mine! When we met in my computer class his mother was attending, I'd fallen for this kid because he was a cute Indian. That was from my physical attraction for him. Since then, I've come to know his heart. Our special bond made that possible in so short of time where regular couples need months, years or even a lifetime to achieve. We Share our thoughts, memories and emotions all the time. That's how I know this man standing before me by Looking inside him and he knows me. All too well. I'll try to be worthy of his love for me. Not be quick to anger and to listen more with my heart as he's asked. Jesse eyes my hard cock. "You want it now?" My face begins to burn for asking that but when my lover smiles, a sly knowing smile, that sets me at ease. I want to jump this Indian but it's coming from my need to express my love for him as well. Jesse turns from me and lays over the horse blanket on his belly. I'm quick to follow him. He raises his brown butt up which I take in my hands, my mouth planting kisses on his cheeks turning to bites and my tongue slips between to find his hole. Ahhh! I'm eating out his ass. My cock aches me to stick inside him now but I rim my lover's ass for both our enjoyment. Jes moans softly. His legs are spread so I can get my tongue very deep in him. Spit is put inside. When I'm needing a breath, my face pulls back for air. His musky scent fills my nose. It enflames me to fuck his butt right now! :Mine is nice, huh?: I'm rubbing my face over Jesse's little brown butt. :Yeah. Really nice!: Another strong emotion gets past my lust that of all things makes me feel guilty. Well. Maybe not guilt but just as bad. I fall onto my right side beside my lover who curiously peers at me. My eyes drop from his. :What is it, love?: I'm pressing my face against his. Jes thought I'd wanted to kiss but his lands on my left cheek where my mouth should have been to meet his. "Tell me what's wrong, Short Hair." I can't. It's shameful. There's a Pulling sensation in my head that I allow. In this way, he can Look into my soul though he may not like what he Sees. Do I love Jesse's ass too much? Is that why I'm with him because... :Don't be thinking that!: scolds Jesse. :You love me for who I am, Mike. The 'full package'. It's not my butt that has taken your heart so don't feel ashamed by your lust for it. I want to give it to you! When we join our bodies that way, then we are One in heart, spirit, mind and that physical joining any human being needs. You are acting silly.: I turn my head to peer shyly at Jesse. He's smiling. :I don't know what possesses you at times, love. You were about to fuck me and then you don't want to.: :I really want to.: :Then do so.: My lover gives me a kiss. I turn him towards me so we can hug and my earlier sense of guilt flies away. He's right. I was acting silly. :I understand you. We've been through a lot. It's a wonder that you didn't take flight from all these troubles I've put you through or go insane.: I stare at Jesse. :You didn't cause the troubles.: :But they came to plague our lives. You are not of the People so much of what's happened was beyond your understanding.: :Yeah. Indian magic, for instance.: Jesse nods. :It took the bravest of hearts to face such things.: Before I met Jes and his People, I'd never really believed in ghosts. Ron's spirit had haunted the trailer I was renting. He was trying to Show me where the Power Bundle he'd stolen back from Eli Kie had lain hidden in my bedroom. He spoke to me in dreams and left a message in my laptop. That was scary. My psychic bond with Jesse had me thinking I was doing things because he wanted me to. Like falling in love with him. I know better now but it's difficult to have someone invading my thoughts all the time. Know what I'm thinking and feeling. :I've been Pulling myself back to give you some privacy, love. Remember how closely bound we were before? Especially during sex? It denied you the pleasure when we expressed love for each other. You only Felt my male relief just now when I'd fucked your butt. I'm trying not to Peek on your thoughts but the louder ones still get through.: :And I scold you for your Peeking when it isn't your fault. I'm sorry.: Jesse sighs. :Your troubles will soon blow away, love. You won't be going to prison. You are free! Is that so hard to accept?: I'm shaking my head back and forth. :No... Yet I expect something else bad to happen. Another challenge to us being together.: :Life is filled with challenges. That's how our Father tests us while our spirits walk within flesh upon our Mother. You've passed, Mike. Remember what grandfather told you last night? He said, 'After great struggles comes rest'. That's why we're on our honeymoon before we marry. You need to lighten up.: "Okay." I give my dear lover a kiss. "This is our honeymoon. I don't want to ruin it by bringing troubles along. You're right. I'm free of them at last. Nothing is gonna happen during these few days we have to be together." Jesse turns from me to face the blanket. :My butt is getting cold.: I caught an odd Feeling from my lover, like he doesn't want to reveal something that he knows could ruin this moment. I'm releasing a long sigh. Jesse wiggles his butt and I'm quick to capture it in my hands. Kisses and small bites are given to his brown cheeks. Lust builds in me. When I've prepared his hole to take my cock, I lay over his back. It's a sensual meeting of warm naked skin. Our bodies come together as one. Jesse gasps. I'm Feeling pain from him so I remain still over his back, considering pulling out. :It's not your cock hurting me,: explains Jesse. :My butt and leg muscles are sore from our riding.: :Sorry.: :That's okay, love. I've been cooped up in my mom's house for too long. I needed to get out, and with the cutest guy in town!: That brings a smile to my lips. His aching concerns me so I rise from his back while keeping my cock inside him. My hands press against the blanket at his sides. I'm stabbing forward gently. His slimy tightness yields to me and boy does it feel good! I watch my pink dick withdrawing from his brown cheeks. Another thrust back inside. My thrills are enhanced by watching me fuck him. :Enjoying the view?: :Yeah. Nice rolling 'hills' and that sweet valley between. I'm mining for gold there.: Jesse giggles. My pace quickens through his tight hole. He's doing that by clamping down on my cock with his sphincter muscles. It's a thing I've gotta learn to do when someone's fucking me. It intensifies male thrills to give 'em a really tight ass to stab into. I pause from my strokes to massage Jesse's back. I'd Felt a twinge of pain from him there. My hands rub over his smooth brown skin in their offer of pleasure to my lover. Sex can wait. :That feels good, love.: Tears sting my eyes. I do love him more than just lusting for his butt. He moans under my tending. My face drips to his back but he doesn't Say anything during my weak moment. I'm glad that he can't see my face right now. After a long massage which included straightening out his wet tangled hair (seeing his eagle's feather tied to it lends him a manly appearance), I continue fucking him. He wants me to! Our bodies try being One. We already are through our special bond that often leaves me feeling in awe of it. A wet slapping sound comes when I stab into my lover. Quick and hard now. My cock is feeling really intense. Having cum in my asshole as it winks in and out enhances my pleasure from its silky sensation. I'm a real gay fuck! Deep breaths are held. That gets my belly trembling before I gasp for air to hold in another breath. Jesse remains still under me. He's tried backing himself onto my cock but pain was shooting through his sore legs. I don't like a moving target, besides. Just a butt that plays 'dead'. Jesse wails out. He's feeling how stiff my cock is getting in him and my tingling balls are a more urgent warning to us both. I'm grunting. Cum floods his asshole for the second time today. A few intense squirts. Sweet pleasure explodes in my head that Jes Shares in. We're both out of breath. :Rest over me, love.: I carefully lower myself to his back. Jes feels my knob throbbing deep in his asshole while my cock oozes what's left from my balls. :Man! You've got a great ass, my love.: :I know.: Ron had enjoyed it and now it's my turn but as this man's lover instead of a bed companion. That reminds me. :I'm regretting that Simon didn't get to jump your ass. He'd enjoyed Running Water's and mine on the river bank.: :I tried to get the boy to fuck me. He saw me put spit in my asshole but sat over my butt instead to beat off. I think he feared you coming in on us after your shower so that's why he didn't dare.: :He was right to be cautious. I had caught the two of you being together in our bedroom and scolded.: :We were only beating off. Simon was sitting on top of me while I rubbed against my bed sheets for thrills.: That was quite a sight. The boy's little butt flexing over my lover's in lone acts of pleasure. It was best that they weren't fucking. We've stopped having sex with Simon because he was confusing our love acts for the real thing. When the boy can separate sex from love, I'd like to include him in our get togethers. He's such a needing youth at nearly fifteen. :I'm sure his little butt is tight,: Says Jesse. :You wanted us to break him in!: :He wanted that, love. To experience what it's like to be completely gay.: :Maybe it's best that he gives that part of himself to a lover. We'd just be fucking him out of lust.: :That's harsh. You and I do have a love of heart for that boy.: :You're right. He's like a younger brother to us.: My eyes close after staring at the setting sun. It has burned yellow circles against my eyelids that slowly fade. I clear my head of thoughts. We relax together while enjoying that mellow feeling that comes after satisfying our bodily expression of love. :Do you know the name of that star, love?: I look up. :It's Venus, likely.: :A planet?: :Yes. That's why you can see it now before nightfall. When the stars come out, you'll notice how they twinkle coming from a thermal atmospheric affect. Planets are much closer to the Earth. They're reflecting sunlight off their discs so they don't twinkle as much.: Jesse stares at the bright planet for a while. I'm holding him from behind in my arms while laying mostly on my back. The blanket covers us. We've napped a while after fulfilling the second part to our love making. Now we both have wet butts. This peaceful moment with him after our bodies are satisfied is nice. I look for the first stars to appear at twilight. :Have you noticed how shy stars are near the moon?: Asks Jesse. :Shy? That's because the moon's brightness obscures them from sight, even when it's at its quarter.: I'm lifting Jesse on top of me to look straight up at the moon. A kiss is given to my lover's neck. :I'll always remember this night with you, Jes.: "Our sweetest moon together yet." Jes said that in old Siksika. It translates into English as 'honeymoon' for when a newly wedded couple leaves their tribe for a month to make a baby. They're escaping the sly grins and giggling behind the hands of the People passing them in camp. White folks share this same tradition. Jes and I only have two days left to be alone together. Then we marry a week later. That's not how it's supposed to be done but grandfather insisted we do so beforehand almost as if he'd Seen something. Goose bumps form over my arms. I recall their secret exchange where Jesse promised to tell me later what grandfather meant about remembering his ritual when there's snow on the ground. :It's not later... yet.: I don't scold Jesse for his Peeking. We're always Connected so if I'm in need of 'privacy', I'll guard my thoughts from him. He is right now from me. It can't be a shaman's concern (where I've promised not to press Jes to Tell me something grandfather shares with him) since he said I'll be told later. When it's winter?! "Do you want to leave this place?" asks Jesse. "Leave?" I'm shaking my head in bewilderment. "Why would I want to? It's the perfect spot to spend the night. With you." I squeeze Jes in my arms. "I want to... but I can't. It may change what is to be." That's rather cryptic. "What do you want to do? Leave?" "No!" I'm feeling how torn Jesse is inside. He's bursting to tell me something but I think he's oath bound not to. By his grandfather! "Keep your word to him. We've put our trust in the tribe's shaman before and he hasn't led us astray. I can wait until the snow falls." "Short Hair... I love you so much!" Jesse turns around in my arms. I'm kissed, and feel a wetness to his face that surprises me. He's crying? I Feel his anguish by not being able to share with me. "Shh. Don't you fret, my love. What is to be will be so long as I am with you." Unless that's what Jes is afraid to tell me! Fear grips my heart. :I will remain with you, love. No matter what! No one has said otherwise.: My heart is put at ease. Mind speaking cannot conceal a lie so whatever is gonna happen, something his grandfather has Seen about us, it's not that we'll be parted. I'm Feeling this truth. :I would follow you to hell and back, my love.: :I know. But let's not look for that path to the Underworld. It's warm enough where we're at.: Jesse giggles. Thoughts start swirling in my head but I put an end to them. Jesse has accused me of thinking too much. The trouble it has caused! I'm not gonna get an ulcer (again) by worryin' about things beyond my ken. So long as I'm with my lover, that's all that matters. Come what may. I'm given another kiss. This time, I respond passionately. My left hand falls down Jesse's back to his butt. So warm and soft. He holds a part of my life inside him there. I'm getting hard thinking about how nice it was to fuck. Two times today. I've come out thrice already so there can't be any sperm left in my balls to give him. Gotta have something for him tomorrow and the day after that. We return to One-white-horse's cabin on Friday. Too soon! I'd wish for more wonderful days to spend with my lover before returning home to Winna and Jake, and the new challenges that tests our spirit. "Be careful for what you wish for, love. You may get it." He's picked up on my thoughts. "If only that were so!" We continue to kiss while our hard dicks rub together. Gently. Neither of us needs to cum but it feels good. Rebecca snorts at our feet. She must be out of grass to nibble at so I'm asking her to go to sleep. :And so should we, love.: Our bodies ache from that long ride. Soaking in the cold water had numbed the pain long enough to make love. We have done so. My hand grows still over Jesse's backside. Our kisses end when both of us have to yawn. I am feeling real tired. :Lower me onto my side,: Asks Jesse. He continues to cling to me with them long arms of his. I'm on my right side, my favored position when going to sleep. Our nude bodies share warmth under the blanket. Another yawns comes out my mouth. Jesse yawns. Then me again. Crickets begin their nightly song and I surrender myself to sleep. Bright balls of yellow, green, blue and red swirl around us like frantic fireflies. There's not a sound to be heard. I expected something, like the crackling of a fire (that sends up sparks) or that whoosh of wind from their mad swirling. Utter silence. I'm feeling a dropping sensation in my stomach. A sharp breath is sucked into my mouth. I awaken. Stars are twinkling in the cold night sky. Our horse is snoring. Everything seems to be alright. A bright shooting star catches my eye so I make a wish: 'Happiness with Jesse to the end of our days.' I'm noticing how chilly it is. Brrrr! My face tucks back into the blanket to press into Jesse's hair. :Go back to sleep, love.: It's an easy enough request to follow. As sleep is about to reclaim me, I remember something strange about that wishing star. It was green, shooting up to the sky not downwards. Morning's light in my eyes awakens me. I'm yawning, startled to full wakefulness by the cold air filling my lungs. Jesse is shivering in my arms. My feet are freezing! Something strikes me wrong that has me sitting up to stare in bewilderment at the sun. It should be rising behind me. I'd fallen asleep on my right side facing west. I look over my shoulder and gasp. No reservoir. I'm looking all around me but don't see the water. Rebecca stomps nearby. Her breath is seen, reminding me of the bitter cold. :What's wrong?: Asks Jesse, sleepily. :Something is.: He sticks his head out from the blanket near my right thigh to have a look. :It's so cold!: Jesse comments. :I know.: That concern drives the others from my head for the moment. I'm slipping from the blanket to get us clothes. They're as we've left them on the ground. My body is shivering when I pull on my socks and overalls. My undergarment is brought back to Jesse. :Here. Put this on.: :What about you?: :I have pants to keep me warm. Man! Who'd expect such cold in May?: I'm pulling on my boots while Jes gets into my undergarment. They've got leggings to cover the bottom half of his body. I remember them extra pair of socks One-white-horse had put in the saddlebag. A woolen shirt, too. When Jesse pushes the blanket aside, I'm scolding him not to. :Keep under there until I fetch some more clothes.: In a mind burst, I Show him. :You wear the shirt, love. Your elk skin robe will cover me well enough.: After going through the saddlebag, I put on the woolen shirt (it's warm!) and bring him my robe, his two deerskin flaps and thong belt, extra pair of socks and his moccasins. Jesse covers his feet. Standing up from the blanket, my undergarment falls from his waist to reveal his thin brown figure. It's too big for him to wear. :I'll tie my thong belt around to keep them up,: Says Jesse. I'm handing him my elk skin robe. He puts it on but continues to shiver. :Wrap our blanket around you, too. We're gonna ride back to One-white-horse's cabin to get our street clothes.: I look around in bewilderment. Where is the reservoir? Tall grass is seen in every direction but not in a circle around us. It's been stomped down. I fall to my knees to examine the stalks. They've been bent over, not broken with rows of seeded heads resting over the base of other stalks. The tiny hairs lift at the back of my neck when I suspect something. An unbelievable thing! I walk around the circumference of that 20' circle and find what I was looking for. Another circle of bent grass. It's as large as ours. I'm walking through it and come upon yet another circle when Jes Calls out to me. :Where are you going?: :Just looking around.: I enter a fourth circle of pressed down grass. Then I'm rushing back to Jesse. He's got the blanket around him while looking in wonder at the large circle we're in. :There's three more circle in the grass like this one.: He doesn't understand what I'm getting at. :Crop circles! Some people believe that they're made by 'alien visitors' to communicate with us. I'd watched a science program on T.V. that showed it's just hoaxers who tie wooden planks to their feet to press down the grass in geometric figures. A farmer would wake up in the morning to find them in his fields.: Jesse looks around at the flattened grass. :How is it that we didn't hear them stomping the grass down last night? Why way out here?: Our ground blanket is in the midst of this circle. I look to Rebecca where she's been tied to a bush. It remains, but the grass under her feet has been pressed down. My eyes widen. :That program I watched also showed an amateur videotape of glowing balls flying away from a crop circle.: My dream returns to me. I can see in Jesse's eyes that he's shared the same dream so I Show him what I'd seen last night after briefly waking up. That green shooting star going up in the sky. Jesse kneels to the ground, his palms pressed against the bent grass. "Oh, Great Father!" My lover Senses a lingering of Power beneath his hands. I'm noticing the size to this circle again. Grandfather had walked a ritual circle of this size around us while uttering a shaman's incantation. Only two words could I make out in old Siksika: Fireball Spirits. I'd Seen them swirling around us in bright vivid colors which I thought was only a dream from last night. That explains the crop circles. But what about me waking up facing the morning sun and the reservoir not being found? I'm rushing to Jesse's side. :Where have They taken us?!: :I don't know.: Jesse slowly gets to his feet with a serious expression on his face. :Mike. Fireball Spirits are very rare and sacred to my People. It's a secret we've kept so as to not reveal their Presence to your White folk because they'd try to hunt Them down like we were hunted. Your People have always feared what they cannot understand, often destroying the offending thing.: His eyes flare. "I will not speak of this to anyone, Jes. I swear it!" "I hear your vow and know not any others that you have broken," says Jesse. He looks towards their horse. :We should mount up and find out where we are.: I'm anxious to leave this place. It's too weird! While Jesse is satisfying our horse's thirst, I'm securing her saddle, blanket, saddlebags, sacks, and the water skin. We mount up. :Follow the circles, love.: I kick Rebecca into a walk. We head east through the three circles I'd checked out earlier. From our height on the horse, I notice smaller circles around each large circle like moons orbiting a planet. We ride through a fourth, fifth and sixth circle whose northern edge draws closer and closer. Oh. These circles weren't formed in a direct line but slowly spiral clockwise. Jes urges me to follow them. The rising sun has come around us once while I've directed Rebecca through thirty six - 20' circles. Her hooves crunch over the bent grass. No end in sight. Jesse looks around in dismay. I'm wondering too how many circles were formed last night. We continue onwards. That blanket my lover wears has been drawn around me against the bitter cold. It feels like late autumn! After making another clockwise turn that took us through seventy two circles this time, I decide to head straight east. :Why keep following this never ending spiral, Jesse? I'm gonna break out.: :Don't do that, love.: :Why? If the pattern holds, we'll be riding through a doubling of circles each time. Who knows when it will end.: :Grandfather had told me something before we left: 'A good path will be set before your feet. Follow it.' I think we should continue riding through this circled spiral, love. No short cut.: I release a sigh. Good to my word, I'll listen to my lover's advice given us by his grandfather. We ride through countless 20' circles of pressed down grass. The smaller circle satellites keep to their pattern. This reminds me of something funny. "Toto? I've a feeling that we're not in Kansas anymore." :What's that you said, love?: :It's a line from the 'Wizard of Oz'. The bent grass we're riding through reminds me of the yellow brick road Dorothy was told to follow. It had wound around in a spiral, too.: I catch sight of the moon near the horizon. It's nearly full. Huh? Last night, wasn't it waning from its quarter? The tiny hairs lift at the back of my neck. This is proving to be a really strange morning! Am I dreaming? More than an hour passes when our spiraling ends. The sun has swung around three times and now faces us. I'm shielding my brow. :There's the road!: I Tell Jesse with relief. Rebecca has to be urged forward into the tall grass after getting used to trotting over bent ones. She steps onto packed dirt. Huh? I was expecting Rt. 232 that we'd crossed over yesterday. This dirt road heads north and south for as far as the eye can see. It's about three horses wide and bears markings of their passage. :Which way should we head?: I Ask. Jesse doesn't Answer me. He looks to the south intently and I'm hearing it too. The thundering of hooves. :Get off the road!: warns Jesse. I'm kicking Rebecca into the tall grass on the other side so we won't get ran over. Two horsemen approach us at a wild gallop. I raise my hand to draw their attention. A cloud of dust obscures them from sight when they continue north, ignoring us. I'd seen enough to know that they were cowboys. Wide brimmed hats, overcoats, chaps for their legs and tall boots. One of the men was White. The other wore a handkerchief to cover the features to his face. :What do you make of that?: :Bank robbers?: I'm chuckling. Jes would think that by seeing how one of the men had covered his face. :A handkerchief is worn to keep the dust out of his mouth. They were going somewhere fast.: :A Rendezvous?: Neither of us believes that. I kick Rebecca back onto the road after the dust has settled. I'm pointing her north. After a moment, I notice the sound of hooves coming up from behind. They'd been drowned out by those two men's galloping ahead of us until fading into the distance. As I'm turning south, a man in red brings his horse to a stop. He shouts at us in words I can't understand. Jesse is frightened. I'm glaring at this man. He's White, wearing a red uniform with gold buttons forming a cross over his chest. A brown wide brimmed hat has fallen to the back of his neck. He wears black pants. Brown belt. Tall brown boots. A rifle sticks out from his saddle. Now, I'm frightened! "Eng-lis?" the man asks. I'm quickly nodding. He kicks his horse along side of mine. He looks Jes over but the words rushing out of his mouth are directed at me. "You see hommes go by?" He holds up two fingers. This man has a thick French accent. He's asking about those two cowboys. "That way!" I'm pointing up the road. "Merci." The man kicks his horse and whips it, galloping from sight in a cloud of dust heading north. My eyes widen in surprise. :That was a Canadian Mounty!: :I know. I've seen pictures of them in a history book.: I'm turning to face Jes. He too noticed how old fashioned that man looked with his uniform and by riding a horse. :Where are we?!: :Not 'where', love. When. The Fireball Spirits Took us back in time.: I'm shaking my head back and forth in disbelief. :I admit that we'd been moved from where we slept last night. The reservoir was gone this morning.: :Isn't a reservoir formed by damming a river below it?: I'm slowly nodding. :It hasn't been dammed yet. I'll bet that if we'd ridden west, a river would have been found as it was in the past. Not swollen into a reservoir.: If Jesse's right, When are we? Those gold coins in the saddlebag! In a mind burst, I Show Jesse my unusual find from yesterday. :I remember seeing them spilled out to our bedroll at Buffalo Watch Hill.: :There's $800 in gold coins, all dated in the 1880's.: I'm reaching into my overall's pocket. An old silver quarter is shown Jesse. :Grandfather had given me this for 'luck' before we left. Note the date!: He does. We're staring at each. If Fireball Spirits have whisked us to a When instead of a where, that could mean we're in the year 1891. :Your grandfather knew!: Jesse nods. :But he didn't tell me. I swear it, Mike! Grandfather Told me to perform that circle ritual when there's snow on the ground. He wanted to make sure that I knew how to work his spell. I knew that he'd Seen something happening to us on our honeymoon but not what.: Truth. Jesse can't lie to me while mind speaking. He didn't know this would happen. I'm remembering something odd. :When grandfather gave me his farewell, he said that my return would be in the 'moons' ahead. Not days. I'd thought it was a slip of the tongue or a change to that old Siksika word for 'days' from what Chris had been taught.: :My grandfather prepared us for our journey. These old clothes, money, and a way Back when I invoke his circle ritual.: :Can you do it now?: Jesse shakes his head back and forth. :Not until there's snow on the ground. That's what grandfather Told me. We have to follow the path set before our feet.: :Then what are we to do in the meanwhile? Which direction should we...: It hits me. :Jes! There was a hand drawn map included with those gold coins.: He Asks me to Show him. I picture it in my mind. There's a dotted line going south that turns solid at a circle labeled 'Bull town'. The line then heads west to an 'X' where 'Ice Mountin' is written. Lots of squiggly lines on the map appear to be rivers. :My grandfather drew that map.: :How do you know?: :He always misspells 'mountain' when writing out his name in English.: :Okay. We'll go south.: I bring Rebecca to a trot. From the position of the sun, I reckon that it's close to nine o'clock. I'm starting to get hungry. :Do you want to stop and eat?: :Not yet, love. Unless you want to.: :No. I can hold out for a while longer. I'm curious to see where this road leads. Shouldn't it be to Havre?: :Let's find out.: :Yeah. We're gonna find out for sure if we've been Sent back to 1891.: No cars and trucks but horses getting people around if it's true. I'm kicking Rebecca to get her galloping. Jesse clings to my waist, unable to hold the edges of the blanket around my shoulders for warmth. I'm wearing enough clothes. It's Jesse I'm worried about. After galloping for a while, Jesse begs me to stop. We've both got aching muscles in our legs and butts from not being used to riding a horse. My lover is suffering the most since he's not in as good a physical shape as I am. I'm reining Rebecca to a halt. Jes nearly falls from our horse. The pain I'm Feeling from him is like a dam bursting so I quickly dismount. :Jesse? What can I do to help!: He's sitting on the road. Eyes closed. :I just need to... rest,: Answers Jesse. A day of it likely. My lover has Marfan's Syndrome which elongates the muscles to his body. That's why his arms and legs are unusually long. He can't be physically active since that could damage his heart, leading to an attack. Running Water assured me that wouldn't be a concern until Jes is much older. Oh! I remember his heart hurting him when showing Jake how to Indian wrestle. He still has to be careful with exerting himself. For now though, my lover suffers by not being in any physical shape to endure this riding. He's kept the pain to himself all morning until the dam broke in him. I'm wrapping him up in the blanket. The earlier chill isn't as biting but it's still cold. We've been keeping warm from the horse's exertion. That glow is quickly fading. I look up and down the road for other travelers. None. :Help me into the grass,: Asks Jesse. :I don't want to get ran over.: He stifles an outcry when I half carry him towards the shoulder of the road. Rebecca isn't helping any. Her reins are tucked under my arm and when she balks, I'm forced to set Jesse fully onto his feet so I can lead her off the road. "Rebecca!" I shout. "Get your ass over here!" Jesse drops to the grass with a painful groan. I manage to pull Rebecca beside him, stake tying her reins. That allows me to devote full attention to my lover. :Jes? Can you... Pull strength from me to help you with the pain?: :No, love. It doesn't work that way. I'm not a Healer like Charms A Bird.: :What can I do to help?: I've drawn the blanket up to my lover's shoulders. Only his head can be seen. :I need to rest for a while.: I'm kneeling in the grass beside Jesse. A mournful look on my face. It's all my fault! I didn't need to subject him to all this riding when we could have stayed closer to One-white-horse's cabin. :You had to follow your own path, love. Buffalo Watch Hill didn't prove to be a good place to..." Jesse shudders. :I'm not blaming you for that.: My lover's words put me a little at ease but not much. I fetch food and the water skin off the horse. Kneeling beside Jesse, we eat in silence. The beef jerky is good. I've tucked sticks between the torn openings in hard bread, sorta like making a meat sandwich. Jes eats his fill. We wash down our meal with water. Jesse closes his eyes from fatigue. No. He's concentrating on something. After a long moment, he opens them with a strange expression on his face. Fright mixed with awe. :What is it?: Maybe he's Seen something. :I can't Sense Jake.: We're both remembering his strange dream about us wearing strange clothes (we are) and disappearing in a colorful flash of lights. Fireball Spirits! :My cousin was Foreseeing what happened to us,: Says Jesse. :Like a shaman can?: :All of us have that ability. Things that will happen are Seen in dreams. A shaman's spirit takes Flight to the Above for a vision while he's awake.: "Oh." :Do you hear that?: Asks Jesse. :Yeah. I think it's cows.: When the wind blows from the south, we can hear the mooing from cattle. Theirs is an angry sometimes frightened sound so something must be happening to disturb them from grazing. I'm often looking that way but we're sitting in a low. The prairie slopes up to the south so we can't see nothing from here. We're startled by a steer running up the road. A horseman gives chase, expertly using his lasso to catch its head and roll the animal to a stop. He's obviously a cowboy. The man catches sight of us and circles towards where we're sitting on the shoulder. He's a young white guy. Clean shaven. "Howdy partner." That's the typical greeting to give him whether it's 1891 or 2003, isn't it? "Howdy." He kicks his horse around the two to study them up close. "Is there a ranch nearby?" I'm looking at the steer he's lassoed. "Nope. We're loading them on the train." A train! That offers me hope since that's a modern convenience not known in 1891 around these parts. I've ridden my motorcycle around cattle drives which were loaded onto open train cars. "Is there a town nearby?" Jes can't endure much more riding. "Near three miles that way, as the crow flies. You comin' from Canada?" I'm nodding. At least I didn't voice my lie to him. When the man appears about to go, I quickly ask him my most important question. "What's the date?" "Wednesday..." Utter relief fills me! That's what it's supposed to be today. "August 12th," the man adds. "You must have been out in the wilds for a while, huh?" I'm too shocked to answer him. It's supposed to be May! I want to ask the year but the cowboy kicks his horse towards the road and pulls his steer up it and out of sight over the rise. I turn to Jes. :Are you alright?: :The food and rest has helped.: I'm still Feeling from my lover how he's hurting bad. Yet I'm burning to have a look at that town, to see if it's Havre and in what year. The presence of a train to load cattle is promising that we've not been brought Back that far in time. Maybe it was Forward three months to August. :Love. I don't want to quash your hopes but you should know that there were trains back in 1891. I'd seen one on display outside the Historical Society's museum where the plaque said so.: Knowing that does dampen my hope that it's still 2003. I'm looking southeast across the prairie where that cowboy said a town was only three miles away. I can walk that. Then we'll find out for sure. :Jesse? I want to put you on the horse and lead you.: :Very well.: My lover doesn't look forward to more riding but realizes he must. We can't be sitting in the grass all day long. :Rest a little bit longer while I go attend Rebecca.: I'm Sensing Jesse's relief. He'd rather remain sitting than get his aching muscles moving again. Our horse is watered. She paused from grazing for that welcomed relief. Her girth belt is checked. A thought strikes me so I'm digging out that leather pouch of coins. A small handful of gold is put in my right front pocket. The map is shoved down into my back pocket. I return the pouch containing most of the coins to the saddlebag along with that silver spoon I'd found at the burned down farmhouse. As I'm walking back to Jesse, the weight from them handful of coins feels like a hundred pennies in my pocket. Man! Paper money would have been better. I suppose that grandfather could only get his hands on 1880's coins to provide us. Worn examples at that. By not being collector's specimens, they wouldn't have cost him as much. If we are in 1891, I'll be spending this gold at its face value. At least the prices of things will be much reduced from our time. :Are you ready?: Jes slowly nods. I'm helping him to stand up and he lets fall the blanket from around him. Wearing long white underwear (mine) tied to his waist with a thong belt, socks in his moccasins and my elk skin robe sure makes him appear funny. Half White and Indian. :You need to cover up in that blanket when we go into town.: :I know. Can you untie my eagle's feather from my hair?: :Why?: :It's better that White folk think I'm your squaw instead of an Indian buck. There was still much hostility towards my People even though we'd been 'put in our place' on reservations.: :Oh. Sorry...: :Don't be, love. It wasn't your fault for what happened in the past. You've been helping my People in the present. I haven't thanked you enough for what you've done to help me, and them!: We embrace. Though Jesse is in pain, he relishes my tight arms around him and I need his hug too! We're heading into unknown territory. :At least we'll be together, love!: :Yeah. I can face anything so long as you're at my side!: We kiss. It may be our last one for a while. Jesse turns from me so I can untie his feather. :Where should we hide it?: That makes him wince. :A warrior isn't supposed to. This proves that he's a man for all to see but wearing it in my hair will only cause us trouble.: Jesse opens the fly to his undergarment. :Tie it around my thing.: :Really?: Jes pulls his limp dick out and I can see in his eyes that he's serious. The thong is wrapped around his foreskin and gently tied. :Good-eyes once had to do this same thing,: Jesse explains. :He'd snuck past a camp of blue-coats disguised as a squaw. His feathers were put out of sight but he kept his pride as a man.: Jesse looks down at himself. I'm kneeling in front of my lover and kiss his dick. :You'll always be a man in my eyes.: I suck on the end of his foreskin to coax his knob out. :Hey! Stop that before the thong tightens around my thing.: I'm laughing. My lips have withdrawn from his dick but I kiss it one last time. Jesse tucks it back in his underwear along with the eagle's feather. He limps towards our horse. I'm pushing on my lover's butt to get him seated over Rebecca. He's wrapped in our bedroll that's served as our blanket last night. :That'll keep you warm enough.: :And hide a lot of sin,: adds Jesse. He draws the blanket up so only his face can be seen. The stake is removed from the ground. I lead Rebecca to the road by tugging on her reins. She'd balked, but a painful kick from Jesse got her ass moving. More painful to him because of his aching legs. We walk up the slope. At the top, I can see the train in the distance. It's big and black. White steam rises lazily from its stack. There's a wood car behind it, two passenger cars and twelve open cars being filled with cattle. Cowboys are riding around to bring errant steers back for loading. I don't see the town. The road up ahead is choked with cattle. I lead Rebecca into the fields on our left in the direction that cowboy had given me. Those three miles to town are walked in silence. Jesse is hurting too much to even mind speak with me. I'm lost in my thoughts. Hmm. Why have we been brought back in time? Grandfather told Jes that 'A path has been set before your feet. Walk it.' What's so important about 'Ice Mountain'? Who will we find there? :My People,: Answers Jesse. :That's the main Blackfoot reservation near Glacier National Park.: My eyes widen in understanding. A glacier could be referred to as being an 'Ice Mountain'. Grandfather's map indicates that we're to go there after first heading south to 'Bull town'. Supplies for our journey, likely. That's why we've been provided with period money. I clutch the heavy gold coins bulging in my pocket with excitement. What will a town in 1891 look like? Cowboys shooting it out at high Noon, noisy saloons filled with hard drinking men and card playing that ends in the cheater getting shot, stage coaches rushing down the street, horses standing at hitching posts, fancily dressed women braving the mud, wood sided stores, spittoons, and who knows what else? We're about to find out. We break out of the tall wheat field to where it's been culled. The ankle level cut stalks are like stubble on a man's face that makes for difficult walking. Sharp against my boots. Rebecca's hooves often slip, causing Jesse to cry out in pain. I'm angrily tugging on her reins to get us through this hell of a place. Two long tracks impressed into the dirt draws my attention. Chris recognizes what's made them. When I bend down to look, oxen tracks are discovered. A wagon loaded down with wheat has likely passed this way. I'll be relying on my former self's memories to 'fit in' with the locals. My speech will conform. The last thing I'd wanna do is stick out like a sore thumb. That'll draw unwanted attention. Get Jes and me killed. These are lawless Western times where a gun enforced your rights, or took them away. Rolling mountains are seen to the south but what draws my eye is something nearer. Railroad tracks. We've left that culled wheat field and turned left. Behind me, in the distance to the west is that train being loaded with cattle. Even in 2003, cowboys drove them to waiting train cars. I'd driven around them on my motorcycle thinking then how it seemed like I'd been whisked back in time. Funny, that. I really have been this time. There's a dirt road on the other side of the tracks running parallel to it. Sure would make for easier traveling than walking along this rock bed. I'm considering heading over there when a wooden building comes into sight. We walk a bit further along the tracks. It's a train station. A sign mounted to its roof reads: 'Bull Hook Bottoms'. Disappointment fills me. This isn't Havre as I'd expected. :I'm afraid it is,: Says Jesse. :That's what my town was called before it incorporated in 1893 as 'LeHavre' by the railroad's president, James Hill. He'd changed the name thinking 'Bull Hook Bottoms' was too undignified to attract business and settlers to the area.: I'm reading another sign posted over the door: 'St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad Line'. A smaller sign says: 'Rocky Mountain Telegraph Co.' over another door. There's an archway that gives me my first view of town. I spot horsemen riding down the dirt street past some animal pens. I'm tugging on Rebecca's reins to cross over these tracks. A bearded man bounds out the station door, nearly running into me. "Excuse me, young man." "Sure". He looks up at Jesse sitting on my horse with a frown. Only his face can be seen from the blanket drawn around him. White leggings peek out lower leading to brown socks within moccasins pressed against Rebecca's side. The man gives me another look before hurrying through the archway. :He wonders what you're doing with a squaw,: Says Jesse. :What do you think? We're on our honeymoon!: I'm leading Rebecca through that archway and into town. My head is swinging back and forth to take in all the sights. This town is huge! Wooden buildings line the long dirt street with other streets heading off to my left and right. All are filled with activity. Men, mostly. Not all are cowboys. They're all wearing long coats against the cold with most of them walking as I am. Horses are hitched to wooden posts. Lots of water troughs. I'm passing by animal pens filled with sheep, cattle and another of horses. Chickens run underfoot. There are piles of refuse, chopped wood and a broken down wagon lying off to the side. A bad smell fills my nose. Ugh! A couple pass me. The man is dressed in a suit and tie, black pants, hat, and tall black boots. When I glance at his hips there are no guns. He protectively holds his wife in arm. She's fixed up with a bonny hat, a long flowing dress and brown boots. Her footwear surprises me since it seems out of place for a woman. I'm given a courteous touch of the hat by the man. I touch my uncovered head in reply and smile. His wife is looking up at my horse where Jesse sits. She frowns, giving me a mean gaze when our eyes meet. :Your folk won't like it that I'm your squaw. Don't get angry at them and make a scene.: :I won't, Jes.: :Don't speak to me out loud either, Mike. When you go into a store, I'll remain outside with the horse. It's my task to carry your purchases or put them on Rebecca.: I am curious to go into the shops. My pocket is burning a hole in it from these gold coins. No. I'll have time to supply up later for our journey to the Blackfoot reservation. I'm looking for a hotel now. Jesse needs to rest and a hot bath would do his aching body good. I'm Feeling gratitude from my weary lover. More people pass me. Men in suits, cowboys (no pistols?) and some kids running down the street chasing after a dog. When they look up at Jesse, it's the same reaction. One of hostility. An old man sporting a white beard even spat in disgust after giving me the eye. Man! They really hate Indians. I'm glad that my lover is covered up to hide the fact that he's actually a warrior. Instead of spittle, bullets could by flying in our direction! I'm drawn to chopping. A man wearing an apron is cutting up an animal with flies buzzing around. An eager dog at his feet is given scraps. The sign to his store reads: "McDonald's Butchery". Hmm. I wonder if sells Big Macs? A saloon comes into sight at a street corner. It's the 'Happy Times' with a sign depicting a naked woman sliding down a post. Very undignified! I'm straining my ears when passing the door. No drunken shouts or piano playing is heard like I'd seen in the movies. A gunshot is heard. Rebecca gets spooked, lifting her front legs and neighing loudly. I'm frantically trying to keep hold of her reins. Jesse hangs on for dear life. "Easy girl! Easy..." I rub over her long neck to soothe her and she eventually calms down. Where did that shot come from? I spy a boy looking at us from across the street. He's standing in an open space wielding a pistol. He can't be older than fourteen. Then he turns away, raising his gun to aim at some bottles set over a long board. Shoots. Glass flies in every direction. Rebecca shudders next to me. "Easy girl..." More shots are fired but my horse doesn't spook again. I lead her down the street. We pass lots of stores. A pharmaceutical, tobacco shop, bank, livery, bakery (the sweet smells gets my mouth watering), blacksmith and a hardware store. Some buildings bear no signs. All are fronted by porches with long wooden planks connecting one to the other. That's for people to walk along when it's muddy. The ground is dry today. I notice a lot of new construction at the far end of town. Wood frames being built above stone foundations that'll form rows of new buildings pressed tightly together. The older ones had wasteful gaps of space between. 'Ruth's Rooming House' draws my attention. I cross over to the left side of the street and hitch my horse out front. :Jes. I'll see if this place has a room for the night. Stay here.: :I'm not getting off this horse unless I fall off.: My lover is really hurting. He really needs a hot bath and a bed to sleep in. I'm walking up to the closed door. Should I knock? No. The handle is pulled on and I'm stepping inside, the wooden floor creaks when I approach the desk. A young girl sees me. The book she's been reading is set down and off she runs down the hall, calling out. "Ruth! Someone's here!" After a moment, a heavy set woman comes to greet me. I'm given a long look by her experienced eyes. She offers me her hand. After wiping it on my shirt, we shake. I put on the charm by acting innocent as Christopher would have in this situation when meeting a stranger. He's never rented a room before. "What can I do for you, young man?" "A room, please... Ma'am." "For yourself?" I'm nodding. "The rate is $1.25 per night which includes meals." I'm digging into my front right pocket for small coins. Two gold dollars are handed over to her. "Here are the rules," warns Ruth. "No drinking in my rooms. No smoking either and no guests." I'm turning towards the window where Jesse is waiting outside. "I have a squaw with me." Ruth's eyes widen. She goes to her window and looks out. "No, no, NO!" she wails. "I won't be havin' an Indian contaminating the place, young sir. If you want a room from me, put her up someplace else." I draw out more coins. "I'm willing to pay... Please!" Her eyes widen with greed at the gold in my hand. Then she shakes her head violently. "I run a respectable establishment! What would my guests think if I allow one of Them in here?" My shoulders slump in defeat. "Where can we go for the night?" "Maybe at the stables. She can sleep with your horse." That won't do. I'm not gonna sleep in a nice bed while my lover has hay for a mattress that's shared by our horse. "No thank you then." I hold out my hand to her. She returns my two gold coins while glaring at me. There's a clink of metal when I pocket them. My eyes fall from hers when I try Gleaning the woman for information about where I'll be able to find a room for both of us. Hmm. Why not just ask her? "Ma'am. I'm new to town and I could really use your advice..." "You obviously didn't listen to your mother's advice by taking a squaw." That stung from not being that far from the truth. My mom didn't approve of my Indian 'squaw' but I'm gonna marry that man anyway in a few Saturdays. Oh. May 24th, 2003 is over a hundred years away! Well. At least that gives us a longer honeymoon like I wanted. "It's not my place to judge you," says Ruth. "That's our Lord's purview. How did you come to be with a squaw?" I face the woman. "I've lived amongst the Indians for a spell." Ruth gasps. "As a captive!" I'm shaking my head back and forth. "No, Ma'am. My parents were killed crossing over a rain swollen river. The Blackfoot cared for me." "Really! Why didn't you try to escape back to your own kind?" I'm dropping my eyes from her. "There was only a fort in them parts filled with men." She gets it. The boy that Chris was would have been 'jumped' by those lonely soldiers. Mr. Brennan's lusty pat over my butt comes to mind. "I'll tell you what," says Ruth. "Go to the Brahman's Livery on west Second Street. They offer rooms to... undesirables. Drunks who need to sleep it off and such. He'll likely take you both in without asking questions." My eyes lift to her with hope filling them. "Thank you, Ma'am." I'm reaching back into my pocket and offer her a gold dollar. Her eyes widen in surprise but she accepts it. "Tell you what. They don't offer meals at the livery but you're welcome to eat here. I'll pack a basket to bring back to your squaw." "I really appreciate that, Ma'am." "Another thing, young man, since you obviously are in need of advice." I'm nodding to her. "Don't be so free with your money. I can also tell that your pocket is filled with coins that'll invite dishonest folks to accost you." "I'll try to be more careful. Thank you, Ma'am." She smiles at me in a motherly way. "What time is lunch?" The woman gives me an odd look. "Dinner is in two hours. Supper is at six o'clock where I expect my guests to have clean hands and a civil tongue. Don't say anything to the others about your... companion. Breakfast is at eight." Ruth tightens her hand around the gold coin given her. "How long do you plan on staying in town?" "At least a day or two." "I welcome you to dine with us during your stay. If you're in need of any further advice, I'll be pleased to offer it." I'm smiling in gratitude. "Thank you, Ma'am." Ruth is beaming at me. There's no need to Glean from her that she considers me a wayward son needing to be taken care of. I turn for the door. Her advice about not flashing gold returns to me. Hmm. I'm in need of a bank. Jesse looks down at me from the horse. In a mind burst, I fill him in on what's transpired with Ruth. :She is a good woman,: comments Jesse. :You do need looking after.: :Yeah. I'm sure to get an earful from her.: I unhitch my horse and lead Rebecca the way I came through town. I'd spotted a bank earlier. These heavy gold coins need to be converted to paper. I'll split up the funds between Jesse and me, hiding some in our belongings. Getting robbed is a real concern like Ruth said. We won't get anywhere without money. I'm given queer glances by the people passing me. Older men take one look at my 'squaw' and give me mean eyes, spit or mutter curses under their breath. Kids follow behind us down the street, laughing and speaking to each other in excited tones. They're obviously curious to catch sight of an Indian. I find the bank: 'Peterson's Savings and Trust.' That leather pouch is taken from the saddlebag. After hitching my horse and shooing the children away, I'm entering this impressive brick building. It's only one story. The other buildings in town are taller; living space on the top floor and their shop below. A man stands guard within the door holding a rifle. I ignore him. There are two teller windows. I approach the left one where an elderly man greets me. "I'd like to make an exchange to paper money, please." "Show me what you got, kid." I spill out the coins to the counter between us. The bank teller looks down in amazement, likely because it's a small fortune in gold for someone of my age to possess. He stacks them by denomination. I'm noticing the balding to his head while he totals up the amount. "I've not seen coins with such wear," the man remarks. He examines the notch to a twenty dollar gold piece and shakes his head. "Missin' some gold value there." I put on my Gleaning beams and know to be on my wits when dealing with a bank teller. He'll more often than not try to cheat you. "Wear or not, the coins are intact and they'd pass for full value in any store in this town." "Humph. That may be so. How do you want it?" "Most in twenties, please. I'd like a hundred dollar bill and two fifties. For that last near hundred, can you give me five $10 bills, eight $5 bills and nine $1 bills?" The old man nods in understanding. Those three big bills will be hid in our belongings. That way, if I'm held up or lose my wad, we'll have $200 in emergency funds. I wonder if asking for twenties is too large a denomination. That's what I've done in 2003 to buy things like gas and to eat out at restaurants. In 1891, $20 will stretch much farther. I'll find out when going on a shopping spree in town tomorrow. "I'll need to go to the vault." He pulls the stack of gold coins towards him so they'll be out of my reach when he leaves the window. Turning to his left, he calls out to an associate. "Come here, Brad. Watch things while I'm in back." A young man comes to my window. I see his eyes light up by all the gold. "Where'd you get all this? Rob a bank?" The young man laughs nervously, realizing what he's just said. I see his eyes drop down to my hips. No gun holstered there. That reminds me... I should buy a rifle in town. Jes and I have a long road ahead of us to reach that Blackfoot reservation. It could prove dangerous. This is the old West with outlaws to contend with during the day and bears at night. A rifle would come in handy. Brad is glaring at me. Oh. I didn't answer his last question. "Ah. It's an inheritance from my... grandfather. He just passed on and left it to me in his Will." "Lucky you! Oh. I am sorry, Sir. No disrespect intended for your loss." "None taken." We're exchanging silent looks until the bank teller returns. "Thanks, Brad." He sets down stacks of bills in hundred piles. One, two, three, four and five. Those are in twenties. Another stack comprises two fifties. A single 'C' note. "And here's the last hundred like you wanted it. "Ah. $99 dollars, I mean." I'm counting out that last pile. These currency notes are larger in size than I expected. A familiar green money color for the most part, the front of each bill depicts a man who I assume was a U.S. President. Yup. There's George on the dollar bills. Then to my surprise, I see an old woman depicted on a dollar bill. Could she be Washington's wife... ah, Martha wasn't it? I've lost track of counting. The bank teller sighs impatiently when he watches me go through that last pile of bills again. It is as I've asked: five - $10 bills, eight - $5's and nine - $1's. He slides the two fifty bills towards me. Benjamin Franklin is depicted on front. In my time, he's on the hundred. Then the big bill is presented to me. I don't recognize the man depicted on left. To the right is '100' and in between it says in fancy lettering: 'TREASURY of the UNITED STATES, ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS in GOLD COIN'. I'm assured that this is a Federal note when I see Washington, D.C. printed below. The bill's reverse is in yellow print. 'United States' centers the top with an eagle outstretching its wings in the middle. Hmm. So this is a gold certificate. I once owned a five dollar silver certificate in my boyhood. "And here's your balance of the $799, sir." The bank teller has gathered the twenties together in one pile before he pushes them within reach. Each bill is examined. They appear alright to me (but what do I know about late 1800's money?) so I count them out. Hmm. There's only $480 here. "Excuse me, but I think you're missing a twenty." "You've likely miscounted, young man." I glare at the bank teller. "I've given you $799 in gold coins." He nods. "Two hundred ninety nine dollars of that is in a pile of small bills totaling $99 dollars, these two Benjamin's and a 'C' note. There's only $480 in the twenties pile when there should be $500. Go count it yourself." The man does so while shaking his head. I'm watching him make hundred piles again with the $20 notes. The last pile ends up short. "See!" I'm given a mournful look. "Have you ever been employed for your mathematical skills?" "Nope. I know numbers from working with computers." Oops. That just slipped out. "Will you be staying in town long?" asks Brad. The bank teller gives him a scornful look. I'd not noticed the young man's return to my window. "Naw. I'll be getting on a train for the East Coast today. Good spending out there." I've said that to put Brad off after Gleaning an ill intent by his question. He's on the lookout for patrons with large amounts of cash so he can collect a 'finder's fee' from criminal types whom Brad tips off for them to rob outside of town. As I'm about to pocket the cash, I remember that missing $20. My tapping over the shortened stack reminds the bank teller. He reaches into a cash box to his right. I'm given a twenty bill. "Thanks." I fold the stack of ten's, five's and one's and stuff them into my right pocket. A hundred in twenties is stuffed into my left pocket. Those three big bills and the balance of $20 are rolled up and tucked into my breast pocket where I've kept that silver quarter given me by grandfather. Brad returns to his window. The bank teller gives me a one finger salute before I turn from him to leave. :Did you make the exchange?: Asks Jesse. :Yeah.: I'm Sending him a mind burst of what's transpired. He's relieved. Trading out those heavy gold coins for paper was a smart thing to do. Now, we're off to find that livery to find a room. When I approach people on the street to ask where it can be found, they glare at me and turn away like I'm a homeless person begging for money. :Go off on your own to ask, love.: I heed Jesse's advice. Rebecca is hitched to a post in front of the hardware store. Then I'm walking a few shops down to a crowd of people reading newspapers. A sign announces that this is where the 'Daily News' is printed. I go inside. The air smells heavily of ink. A young black boy looks up from where he's sitting on the floor. He can't be older than ten. "You want a paper, Mister?" "Yeah. How much?" "Two cents." I'm pulling off a dollar bill from the wad in my front pocket and hand it over. The boy reaches into a wooden box and gives me change. Mostly in silver coins of the likes I've never seen before. A newspaper is given me. I glance at the date: August 12, 1891. No doubt about When we are now. I'm thanking this cute kid. Another customer comes up behind me with two pennies in his fingers. I address them both. "Excuse me. I'm looking for Brahman's Livery on west Second Street. The tall man shakes his head back and forth. He's given a paper and leaves without a word. "I know where!" the boy exclaims. "Head to the train station and turn left. That's west Second Street. Mosey on up the lane past the Double Eagle saloon you'll find on your right. Brahman's Livery will be across the street. It has a big sign. You can't miss it." "Thanks." I'm rubbing the top of this kid's head in gratitude. His black hair feels wiry. He gives me a seductive look that gets my cock tingling. I Glean that he sells something other than newspapers during the day. He makes the rounds at certain rooming houses (like the livery I'm headed for) on weekend nights to entertain the lonely men. Sad, that. I return to where I've left Jesse on my horse. The newspaper is folded and stuck into one of the saddlebags. :I know where to go now.: :That's good. I'm about to fall asleep on this horse.: I lead Rebecca back towards the train station. Turning left, I look out for the Double Eagle saloon. There's lots of shops in this part of town but I only have eyes for my destination. Jesse is badly in need of sleep. I'm still chipper to explore this town but not until my lover has been put to bed. There's more people frequenting the stores on Second Street. Horses are hitched to posts in long rows like parking spaces. A fancy buggy passes by. I navigate past the folks and horses crowding the street. When I sight the saloon, I'm looking to my left. Sure enough, a sign announces 'Brahman's Livery, Feed and Stables'. I head there in hopeful anticipation. The sound of hammering is heard. Bang, bang, bang. I approach the man shaping a horse shoe who looks up at me from his anvil. He's wearing a thick leather apron. His hands are blackened from fire ash. A harsh looking face but his grin puts me at ease. "What can I do for you?" he asks in a soft voice. I'm lookin' to stable my horse for the night." He's looking at Rebecca. "I also need a room for me and the squaw." "Sure. Can do that." "How much?" I'm reaching into my front right pocket. "It'll be four bits for yeh horse. Another four for you two." Four bits? I'm reviewing the old rhyme: 'One bit, two bits, three bits... a dollar.' It's from Christopher's memories that provides me with the answer. Two bits is a quarter. This man wants a dollar. I'm pulling off a bill from that wad in my pocket (without him seeing my cash) and hand it over. "Tom? Hey, Tom! Get your ass out here, boy." A dark skinned teen answers the call. He wears shoulder length black hair and from his facial features, looks to be a half breed. He grasps the man's free arm when peering at me. "Stable their horse, boy. And put 'em in a room. Whatever is free at the moment that offers a bit of privacy." The man gives me a toothy grin. He looks up at Jesse sitting on my horse. "Thanks." Tom is handed my reins. He heads through the livery's two huge doors where there are stables. Most are filled with horses already. At the far right end, he stops Rebecca near an empty stall. "Is this to your liking, Mister?" "Sure." The stable appears clean with a fresh bedding of straw laid down. I offer my hand to the boy. "The name is..." :Don't give your real name, love!: "...Michael." Too late. :This boy don't care what our real names are and they'll likely be forgotten when we leave tomorrow.: :You're probably right. When we visit with my People, it will matter.: After shaking hands with the boy, I'm helping Jesse down from the horse. He tries not groaning out in pain. Tom quickly removes the saddle, saddlebags, water skin, sacks and blanket from off Rebecca's back. "Your room is this way," says Tom. I notice the boy's soft accent. He speaks English good but his mixed heritage proves he's been raised Indian for part of his boyhood. I'm Asking Jes if he's Blackfoot. :No, love. The features to his face are all wrong. Maybe Cree?: :And half White. Likely his mother was Native who was seeded by a White man who left her after the deed was done to raise the boy on her own.: :That's been known to happen,: Says Jesse. I'm reaching down for the saddlebags and sacks while averting my eyes from the boy. He is very cute. "Let me get those fer yah, Mister." "Thanks." Tom appears to only be in his early teens but he's got muscles. Enough to carry my stuff without any effort. I like the shape to his butt as he walks ahead of us towards our room. We turn left at a passageway. Through a door, we enter a hall that's not well lit. I'm nearly running into the boy when he stops before a door all of a sudden. "This is our best room, Mister." Tom goes in and drops what's in his hands to the floor. I hear a match being struck. Tom lights a lantern set on a small table. This provides me with a view of the room. It's ten foot square. Walls, floor and ceiling are of rough wood. A shuttered window. "I'll let in some air." Tom unlatches the shutters and draws them back. It's a small window. I see a courtyard beyond filled with trees and a flower garden. "Here's your bed." I'm looking at what the boy points to. It's three stacks of bound straw set in a long row with two blankets folded over it. A pillow on top. He tasks himself with spreading one of the blankets over the straw. My eyes are glued to his little behind. He seems to be enticing me by bending over a bit too long and shaking it in my direction. "Is a bath to be had around here?" "Sure." "Where?" "Down the hall, you'll turn left to a curtained room. That's where the tub is set. I'll have the water heated in 'bout half an hour." The boy holds out his right hand, palm up. "Thanks." I'm giving the boy a silver dime. His eyes widen in surprise. "Is there anythin' else you be needing?!" "Not right now." Jesse eases himself down on the bed. Tom gives my 'squaw' a good look before turning to face me with a grin. "Tell me. Are the other rooms occupied?" "Not 'till later today if at all. The weekends are busy with lots of drunkards and carousers. You'll get some peace tonight." We exchange sly glances. He knows what I'll be doing in the arms of my squaw tonight. At least our 'bed' won't creak. The boy leaves our room after giving Jes another glance. :He's a nice boy.: :Yes. Very nice, love.: Jesse has Felt my attraction to the boy. He's obviously half Indian with a really nice butt on him. Was he shaking it to entice me? Can't be! He knows I have a 'woman' to satisfy my needs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of file: HONEYMO2.TXT The story continues in: HONEYMO3.TXT Folder: NEW-TO-LOVE-HONEYMOON (When completed, it will be posted)