Gray Cloud

By Evelyn Grant

The story of Carrie and her family continues in this third book of the Captive Hearts series. Gray Cloud returns to the Comanche tribe as he promised his father Eagle years ago when he was forced as a child to leave with his mother and brother. Now Gray Cloud is a lawyer and ready to fight for his people's rights in a court of law. As he visits the Comanche reservation to reacquaint himself with his father's best friend True Arrow, Gray Cloud finds the woman he wants to marry. But she is promised to Black Crow. Can Gray Cloud convince her to break her engagement and marry him? What will Carrie find when she and her family travel to the reservation to visit her old friend Deer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evelyn Grant
• Release date: Oct 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301882083

Evelyn Grant

Evelyn Grant lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband. She enjoys writing, photography, woodworking and other crafts. Evelyn has dozens of stories in her head and they are all begging to be told. Her first book, Captive Hearts, was published in 2011 as a Kindle ebook and on Smashwords. The sequel, Eagle's Wish was published in February, 2012. There are now six books in the Captive Hearts Series. She welcomes your reviews and comments.

Book preview

Gray

Cloud

Published by

Evelyn Grant

Copyright © 2012 by Evelyn Grant

Smashwords Edition

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, and dialogue in this novel either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

CHAPTER ONE

Gray rode his horse down the dirt trail that passed for a road through the small section of the settlement on the Comanche reservation. There were some small wooden houses here and there, but mostly the people lived in their traditional tepees.

Gray understood that. He remembered how he had felt about living indoors when he left his Comanche band with his mother and brother after the death of his father, Eagle. He couldn’t fall asleep without seeing the stars above him.

As he slowly walked his horse past the settlement, people stared at him and he could tell they were wondering who he was and what he was doing there. But no one spoke.

He wondered if he should have changed into his Comanche garb. His mother had made a new set for him and he had meant to put it on before he entered the reservation, but he’d been so excited about being here again, and busy looking around, that he’d forgotten.

Now here he was, dressed like a white eyes, with his long black hair tied back in a single queue and tucked in under his shirt collar. He refused to cut it short. Short hair was for Comanche men in mourning. The last time his hair was short was when he was ten years old and he had hacked off his braids after his father died. Since then his hair had been left to grow with only an occasional trim when the ends were getting ragged. It was the one thing he would not give in on in the white man’s world. It was the only thing in his appearance that made him stand out as a Comanche.

With his eyes the color of storm clouds and his skin the color of a deeply tanned white man who spent the better part of his days in the sun, Gray looked just like what he was; half Comanche and half white.

The only reason he tucked his hair in was so he wouldn’t get thrown out of a courtroom when he was arguing a case. Two years ago, when he’d first become a lawyer, he thought he was going to have to cut his hair more in line with how white men wore their hair. But most judges didn’t give him a hard time about it as long as he kept it bound in a single queue and out of sight.

He was always careful to be respectful in every way and worked hard at not irritating any of the judges he went before. Gray knew the law and spoke intelligently, giving clear and concise arguments in court. He stayed calm and reasonable, never allowing his emotions to control him.

It had been seven years since he’d been on the reservation. When he was eighteen he had come here to spend a summer before going off to law school. He had found True Arrow, his wife Deer, and their three children. He had lived with them as Gray Cloud, his old Comanche name. True Arrow had taken him hunting; and had taught him how to make a bow and how to pre-pare the bow strings. Gray had also spent time with the old arrow maker learning how to make proper arrows that would fly straight and true.

Gray had been shocked at conditions on the reservation. The people lived in abject squalor. There was little to no work for them. The Comanche had always been a nomadic people, moving every four or five days. Only in winter did they stay in one place for any length of time.

The clusters of tepees scattered throughout the Comanche section of the reservation were filthy. There was debris scattered everywhere, human and animal waste along with other garbage could be smelled nearby.

With no liberty to leave the reservation, the only hunting the men could do was on the reservation. There were no buffalo here, only deer and smaller game. Occasionally a few large elk would wander through and the men would hunt them.

The women also had little to do to stay busy. With no buffalo, there were only deer hides to cure and some other smaller game hides. They cooked using the poor food the white man’s government gave them as part of the treaty that consigned them to reservation life. Much of the food sent to the reservation was already spoiled by the time it got to the people.

The Comanche were not farmers; they considered farming to be an insult to mother earth. To tear up the earth and force it to grow what you needed was an affront to nature. The earth provided what The People needed.

Most of the Comanche men were trying to raise cattle on the reservation. That was the most suitable livelihood for the Comanche people.

As Gray continued past this little camp of tepees, he knew he needed to go about five more miles before he reached the area where True Arrow and his family were.

Up ahead on the road was another rider. Gray could tell it was a young woman. She was riding slowly and he caught up to her in a very short time.

As he pulled abreast of her, he greeted her in Comanche, Hai-Tai, Hello. Where are you headed this beautiful morning?

The young woman looked at Gray, taking in his white eyes clothing, and wondered where he learned to speak Comanche with no accent. She didn’t like white men and she didn’t have to answer to this one. Though this man didn’t really look white, he didn’t look Comanche either. He was dressed like a white man, but now that she looked closer, it appeared his hair was tucked in under his shirt. His eyes were a stormy gray color and he certainly was much more handsome than most of the men she was acquainted with. Including the one she was to marry in a few months time.

I go where I want. She answered. You are not from here, what are you doing on my people’s land?

Gray regretted not changing into his Comanche clothing. This beautiful woman seemed suspicious of him and his white man’s clothes didn’t help. He wanted to get to know this woman. Her shiny, raven black hair hung loosely almost half way down her back. She had huge dark eyes that didn’t seem to miss a single detail of what they were looking at. Gray could almost see her mind working as she looked him over.

He gave her his most charming smile and said, I’m here to visit my uncle, True Arrow. His family lives not too far from here.

She knew True Arrow and his entire family. She was friends with True Arrow’s daughter, Turtle. She did not know of a nephew who dressed like a white eyes.

I know True Arrow and his family. They have never spoken about a white eyes nephew.

Gray bristled at being called a white eyes. I am one of The People. My father died from a gunshot wound after a raid about fifteen years ago.

She saw that she had upset him. But what did she care? She did not know him. And she did not like the strong attraction she was feeling toward him. She was to be married soon.

Enjoy your visit with True Arrow. I have to be on my way. She kicked her horse lightly and rode away.

Gray called out, Wait! I’ll ride with you!

He didn’t want her to just vanish; he didn’t even know her name. He wanted to get to know her better and if he didn’t find out her name and what part of the reservation she lived on, there was a good possibility he’d never see her again.

Gray rode faster to catch up to her but when she looked back over her shoulder and saw he was gaining on her, she kicked her horse into a run. Gray slowed his horse, thinking he better let her go. He’d ask True Arrow about her, she had said she knew his uncle.

She was incredibly beautiful, Gray thought to himself as he continued on his way to True Arrow’s tepee. He wanted to see her again. And soon.

CHAPTER TWO

As Gray approached the area where True Arrow lived with his family, he noticed that conditions on the reservation had not improved since he’d been here seven years ago.

He did see that more cattle were being raised and horses as well. There were a few more wooden structures that were meant to be used as homes. But few Comanche wanted to live indoors. Most of the structures were being used for storage. Now that The People’s nomadic ways had been halted, they were acquiring more things and needed some place to store them.

Most of the people sat in front of their lodges. The women cooked or sewed. The men played games or made bridles, arm bands, and other items. They all watched Gray as he rode towards True Arrow’s lodge.

Deer was outside watching her grandson play. She looked up and saw the man riding towards her. Why was a white man here?

Then Deer recognized Gray and she ran to him. Gray Cloud! Is it really you? My heart is glad you are here!

Gray slid down off his horse and picked his aunt up and swung her around. It is good to see you, Aunt! I am very happy to be here. Tell me, how is everyone?

We are all fine. But no one is very happy here. The men long to go on a buffalo hunt, but there are no buffalo. They want to go raiding, but that is not possible either anymore. We cannot even leave the reservation without permission. It is not the life we once had or want.

I understand. I can see for myself that it is nothing like what I remember as a young boy when we lived with our band.

No, it is very different now. Deer said sadly as they sat down in front of the lodge. But tell me about your mother. How is Blue Eyes? And how are Little Hawk and your other brother and sister?

Gray smiled and said, No one calls my mother Blue Eyes. She is Carrie now. Little Hawk is not so little anymore, he is a grown man of twenty summers. And he would be insulted to be referred to as little. My sister is almost a woman by Comanche standards. She is thirteen summers and Ash is eleven. He wants to be a Comanche like Hawk and myself.

Deer’s eyes glistened with tears. How I would love to see your mother again. It has been so long since we saw each other and now we are both nearly old women.

As soon as Deer said ‘see your mother,’ Gray jumped up and rummaged in his saddlebags. He pulled out a small box and came back to sit down again.

Gray opened the box and inside, wrapped in tissue paper, were several tintype photographs. He took out the first one. It was of the entire Harding family. Whip stood behind a seated Carrie with one hand on her shoulder. Gray and Hawk stood on either side of Whip. Joeye, his sister, stood next to Carrie and Ashton stood on Carrie’s other side. Aunt Anna was not in this picture, she had passed away in her sleep shortly before these were taken.

Deer had never seen a photograph before. She was amazed and almost awestruck that she could look at this thin piece of metal and see her old friend’s image on it. She looked at it for a very long time, not saying anything.

Then Gray handed her another one of just Carrie. It was a photograph of just her head and shoulders so her face was very clear and large enough to see all her features. Deer smiled and said, Yes, this is my sister Blue Eyes. She looks well.

She is well. She is happy with my stepfather. Gray told her.

He pulled out the other images. There was one of Carrie and Joeye; another one of Carrie, Joeye, and Ash; then one of Carrie with her two older sons, Gray and Hawk; one of just the four children; and one of just Carrie and her husband Whip.

It is wonderful that you can carry the likenesses of your mother and family with you wherever you go. Deer said.

Gray told her, My mother sent these for you to keep. She has other copies. She told me to tell you she misses you very much and wants to visit here one day.

Deer was still marveling over the photographs and she asked, How are these likenesses made? Can we have some made of us?

I am not sure of the entire process. The person that makes these has to have the right equipment. He uses a box with a small hole in it. The people who are having their photograph taken have to stand or sit very still while it is being done.

Can I make some of my family? Deer asked again.

Only if a photographer comes to the reservation to take pictures. They will want to be paid or to use your picture for a newspaper article.

Oh. It was obvious Deer was disappointed. She had hoped she could obtain photographs of her family.

Gray decided he would see what he could do to get a photographer to come on the reservation and take pictures of several families. A newspaper reporter might be willing to do it.

He changed the subject and asked, Where is True Arrow? I do not see him over there with the men.

He will be home soon. He went to where the cattle are kept. We are trying to raise some cattle that we can sell. But it is difficult; almost everything the white man gives us is no good. When they brought us cattle to start our herds they gave us only the scrawniest and most sickly calves. But True Arrow has done fairly well with them.

Gray made a mental note to ask his stepfather, Whip Harding, to make arrangements with one of the ranches nearby to supply some good feed for the Comanche herds. He would pay for it himself if necessary, though Gray knew Whip would not mind helping.

True Arrow came galloping up to the lodge. He had seen what looked like a white man sitting with Deer and only when he was very close did he recognize that the man was Gray Cloud.

Nephew, it is good to have you here with us again! True Arrow looked Gray over from head to toe and decided he looked well.

You have the look of your father, though you should dress like the Comanche you are.

Gray smiled and said, I am very happy to be here, Uncle. My mother made me the proper clothes for my visit but I was so eager to get here that I did not take the time to change into them.

True Arrow had aged more than Gray thought he should have in just seven years. He tried to calculate True Arrow’s age and estimated that he was somewhere between forty-six and fifty summers. True Arrow was also a little too thin and did not look terribly strong, though he did not appear weak or sick.

Come into the lodge, True Arrow said as he opened the lodge flap. Bring your saddle bags and you can change your clothes. We will go to the council lodge and smoke with the other men.

Gray grabbed his saddle bags and said, While I change you can have Deer show you what my mother sent.

True Arrow was as amazed with the photographs as Deer had been. They studied the picture of Little Hawk, who was now twenty and called Hawk. They had not seen him since he was five summers old. Like his older brother, he resembled his dead father, Eagle.

The white trader, Whip Harding, kept his promise to my dead brother. He did well raising my brother’s sons, and it looks as though he cares for our sister, Blue Eyes, as well.

Yes, Deer replied. They all look well and healthy. Blue Eyes looks happy. I wish I could visit with her once before I die.

True Arrow looked at his wife and said, You have many years left, there will be time to visit.

But he didn’t know how a visit would ever be possible. They could probably get permission to leave the reservation and make the trip to the Arizona Territory, but it would cost a lot of money. Money that they didn’t have and were not likely to get.

Gray came out of the lodge dressed in his deerskin clothing. His hair was braided and wrapped with otter fur as was the Comanche style. There was an eagle feather tied to one of the braids.

I am ready, Uncle. Do I look like a Comanche now?

True Arrow was startled when he looked at Gray. It was almost like looking at his dead friend. Other than the gray eyes, Gray could have been Eagle’s twin.

What is wrong, Uncle? Did I not dress correctly? Gray asked. He couldn’t imagine what could be out of place with his clothes. His mother had given him instructions on how to wear his clothing, how to tie the moccasins, how to wrap his braids, and how to attach the eagle feather. He was sure he had done every-thing exactly as she had told him.

True Arrow shook his head, You look so much like your father that it surprised me. For a second I thought I was seeing my dead brother.

Gray knew it must be difficult for True Arrow to be re-minded of the past. Gray’s father, Eagle, and True Arrow had grown up together and been the best of friends throughout their lives, until Eagle had been wounded during a raid and then died a few days later.

Eagle had asked his white wife, Blue Eyes, to take their two sons and leave with the white trader, Whip Harding. Eagle had known he was dying, he had known his people would soon be forced onto the reservation. He was afraid his sons would be separated from their mother and made them promise to go with the white trader.

It had saved Gray and Little Hawk from having to grow up on the reservation. They had all gone to the Arizona Territory where Whip’s uncle had a successful horse ranch. Whip had taken over the ranch after his uncle’s death and had made the ranch even more successful.

Gray had been a young boy of nearly eleven summers and his brother had been five. Though Hawk had only vague memories from that time, Gray remembered well his life with their Comanche band before his father had died.

True Arrow clapped Gray on his shoulder and said, "Come, son. We will go to the council lodge.

At the council lodge there were several men smoking and talking. Gray noticed that they still told stories of their skill with hunting and raiding. But the stories they told now were old ones.

They had been on the reservation for a long time. Some had been there for nearly twenty years. Others had held out longer before surrendering to the blue coats at Fort Sill and had been on the reservation for just ten years. There had been no more raids for these men. There were no more big buffalo hunts. A group had gone out to hunt buffalo after arguing with the white man for a long time to get permission for the hunt. They had stayed out for weeks looking for buffalo and had not found any.

The men had come back to the reservation and had not made any further attempts to get permission for off reservation hunting. There were deer and other small game on the reservation and that’s what they hunted now.

As Gray listened to the stories, he thought about all that his people had lost, their entire way of life was gone. He thought there was a note of sadness in their tales of the past; they knew there would not be new adventures to tell of around the council fire.

Two Bears was there, he was Gray’s age and they had learned to use their bows and arrows together when they were boys. They had been friends many years ago.

He asked Gray, Why do you come here to the reservation? Isn’t your life in the white man’s world better?

It is very different. Gray replied as he puffed on the smoking pipe. I think I was very fortunate that my stepfather had a ranch to take us to. Living in a white man’s village would not have worked out well for me or my younger brother.

Will you come back to your people now? Two Bears asked.

Gray felt an undercurrent of hostility in Two Bears’ voice. Or maybe it was jealousy that Gray didn’t have to live on the reservation. Gray and Hawk had been officially adopted by their stepfather, Whip Harding.

I will come to visit and speak with our leaders as often as I can. I hope to be of some service to my people and fight for their rights with the white father in Washington.

Two Bears scoffed, How will you do that? Our fathers and grandfathers have fought for years and look where we are now.

I have gone to the white man’s school to study and learn his laws. I plan to fight for our people by using those laws. It will not be easy and we will not always be successful. The white man changes his laws to suit his purpose when he thinks it will serve him better. But we will work hard to make things better for the Comanche.

Two Bears shook his head. The only thing that will make things better for the Comanche is if we rise up and kill all the white men, their women, and children.

Gray knew this was a common sentiment among the younger generation. They had no idea of the size of the white population. It was beyond their comprehension, but he tried to explain it to Two Bears.

The white man has very large villages that they call cities. They have hundreds, even thousands more people in these cities than all of our native tribes combined. There are too many to kill and there are even more coming here constantly from across the big sea.

Two Bears had heard this before and simply could not understand how there could be so many white people. The Comanche nation had been large and had once roamed a vast area. They were feared by other tribes. No one could ride like a Comanche warrior. No one was braver. How had it come to pass that they now were on a reservation with barely enough food to eat?

Two Bears, Gray said. We must fight the white man with his own weapons. It is the only way. We must educate our children. They must walk a different path than our ancestors did, while still remembering who we are and where we come from.

You are right, my brother, Two Bears reluctantly agreed. It will be a very different way of life for our children.

Gray changed the subject and invited Two Bears to go hunting with him and True Arrow.

True Arrow and I are going hunting tomorrow, why don’t you join us?

I would like that, Two Bears said. I need to bring meat home for my family. The food the white man gives us is bad.

It was late when True Arrow and Gray headed back to the lodge for the night. As they walked Gray mentioned the young woman he had met earlier when he was arriving.

Uncle,

Reviews for Gray Cloud

[damarisym15 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Too many errors, and what is up with the hyphen words. The character Grey Cloud was really subdued. OK read and on to Hawk.