Navajo Long Walk Read Online Free Page B

blanket hung from the juniper tree, the three lay down close together with the rest of their blankets over them.

Chapter Seven
A Happy Surprise
    The next morning, Kee saw a Navajo digging with a shovel he had obtained at the fort. Kee had never seen one before, having always used a pointed stick to dig around the corn. He borrowed the shovel and marveled at how much dirt it would hold. He and Wise One dug a hole in the hard bank of the wash behind the juniper tree. It took a long time, but they dug far enough to get their sheepskins inside. By stretching a blanket over the opening, they had a shelter from winter storms.
    Each day saw new arrivals at the fort. Kee went among them, asking each family about his father. None had seen him or heard anything about him.
    As the days began to lengthen, the cold grew less severe. With Gray Dog, Kee helped to herd sheep for the Navajos who were lucky enough to bring some to the fort. Being used to vast space with miles between hogans, they disliked the cramped conditions around the fort. They were happier when they could be away with the sheep.
    One night Kee was awakened in the dugout by something touching his face. Thinking it was Gray Dog, he said, “Lie down and go to sleep or go outside.”
    He heard a chuckle, then a quiet voice said, “I am not Gray Dog. I am your mother, Gentle Woman.”
    Kee sat up quickly. He had to be dreaming. Yet someone’s arms were tenderly holding him. He couldn’t see his mother sitting beside him but he knew it was no dream. The feeling of her gentle arms was real. He buried his face on her shoulder and hugged her.
    Though she scarcely remembered her mother, Hasba cried with happiness. Crawling to her mother’s lap, she patted her face and stroked her hair.
    Wise One pulled back the blanket over the opening to let in a little moonlight. She did not seem surprised at seeing Gentle Woman. “You are very thin. Are you hungry now?” she asked.
    â€œI am too excited and happy to feel hunger now. Tell me all about Strong Man.”
    Wise One told her that Strong Man left the cave in the canyon and they had not seen or heard about him since. “My son is a proud man. He will not come unless he is captured.”
    Kee could see tears shining on his mother’s face. He asked, “How did you find us, Mother? How did you escape your enemies?”
    Gentle Woman said, “Let us all lie down together under the blankets and I will tell you what has happened to me since I was taken away from you.”
    Hasba cuddled into her mother’s arms as she began her story. “We can be glad, Kee, that you had a sore foot and could not go herding that day. You might have been captured with me and sold into slavery. Six Ute horsemen surrounded me.”
    Kee spoke up, “When it began to grow dark that night, Father went looking for you. At first he could not believe it was raiders because even though the sheep were scattered, none had been stolen.”
    â€œThese Utes were in too big a hurry to bother with sheep. They had plans to meet Mexican slave traders on the mesa above the Hopi villages.”

    â€œWere the Utes mean to you?” Wise One asked.
    â€œI knew it was no use to struggle. I was tied on a horse so I could lean forward and grasp its mane. They rode fast and long, stopping only to let the horses rest and to steal one more woman herder and her daughter. Sun-bearer was almost ready to leave the sky the next day when we reached the mesa. Mexican slave traders were already camped there. The smell of mutton cooking made us ravenous, we were so hungry. We were fed and allowed to rest while the Utes and Mexicans haggled over how much we were worth. I could tell the Utes were anxious to get away. After all, they were in Hopi country. There was also the chance Navajos would follow and get back their women.”
    Wise One told her, “Many raids were made to find you. Always Strong Man came home