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Deel 1


Gelukkig was die winter sag. Daar is maklik in die behoefte aan brandhout voorsien, so maklik as wat die grenslewe ooit sou toelaat. Klein voetjies in ongeveer gekapte skoene opgevou om langs die verslete stewels te staan, baie keer groter. Alhoewel sy lomp kon loop soos kleuters, en haar woorde was min. Haar armpies was egter altyd gereed om styf om een van die bene vas te hang voor haar, haar groot oë kyk op na 'n god.
 
•1•
Thankfully the winter had been mild. The need for firewood had been easily met, as easily as frontier life would ever permit. Little feet in roughly hewn shoes padded up to stand beside the worn boots many times greater in size. Although she could walk clumsily as toddlers do and her words were few. Yet, her little arms were always ready to hang tightly round one of the booted legs before her, her big eyes looking up as if at a god.
 

"Dadda." Dit was 'n woord wat sy pas geleer het om te sê. Dit was net so mooi vir die een wat aangespreek is as die lied van die eerste voël van die lente of die weiveld van die somer.
 
•2•
"Dadda." It was a word she had just learned to say. It was as beautiful to the one addressed as the song of the first bird of spring or the meadowlark of summer.
 

Die man neem sy kind in sy arms en lig haar hoog bo sy kop. Hy glimlag toe hy gegroet word deur gegiggel wat onverpoosd uit die kind borrel. Dit was oomblikke soos hierdie waarvoor die man geleef het, geswoeg het, gevoelige hande wat getuig. 'n Traan gemeng met trots en vreugde druppel oor sy verweerde wang soos 'n wa-verslete pad wat deur berge gesny is. Hy het gedink aan die verskriklike dag wat die kind gebore is, verskriklik, want alhoewel dit die dag was wat die geskenk van sy pragtige dogter gebring het, was dit ook die dag dat die wind die gees en siel van sy geliefde gesteel het. Dit was die dag van die windstorm van 1861.
 
•3•
The man took his child in his arms, lifting her high above his head. He smiled as he was greeted by giggles bubbling unabated out of the child. It was moments like these that the man lived for, toiled for, calloused hands bearing witness. A tear mixed with pride and joy trickled down his weathered cheek like a wagon-worn road cut through mountains. He thought of the terrible day the child had been born, terrible for though it was the day that brought the gift of his beautiful daughter it was also the day that the wind stole the spirit and soul of his sweetheart. It was the day of the windstorm of 1861.
 

'n Ander nuwe dag het aangebreek saam met baie take wat nog moes verrig in die nimmereindigende taak om 'n plaas uit sy stuk van die Kansas-wildernis te kap. Die moeite was die moeite werd.
 
•4•
Another new day dawned along with many chores still to accomplish in the never-ending task of hewing a farm out of his piece of the Kansas wilderness. The effort was worth it.
 

Die ou squaw het soos gewoonlik aangekom net toe die son oor die ver horison 'n hoogtepunt bereik en uit die mistigheid van die oggend verskyn asof dit 'n spook is. Matthew, daarvoor, was die naam van die vader van die kind, maar vir sy dogter sou hy sy swaargewonne land verlaat het om sy hartseer te verdrink diep in die oorlog wat tussen noord en suid gewoed het. Hy sou nie omgee vir watter kant hy veg nie; so was sy hartseer.
 
•5•
The old squaw arrived as usual just as the sun peaked over the far horizon, appearing out of the early morning mist as if a ghost. Matthew, for that, was the name of the child's father, would, but for his daughter, have left his hard-won land to drown his sorrow deep in the war that raged between north and south. He would not have cared for which side he fought for; such was his sadness.
 

Die ou squaw het die kru blokhut binnegekom wat as tuiste vir Matthew en sy klein gesin gedien het. Die squaw was inderdaad 'n seën. Sy het gekom die dag na die geboorte van die kind vir wie hy nou woon. Dit was ook die dag ná die dood van sy geliefde, vir wie hy getreur het. Die ou skelmpie wat gehoor het van Matthew se hartseer, en met woordelose medelye, het sedertdien elke oggend opgedaag om die kind te versorg. Matthew het nie haar Lakota-naam geken nie, en sou dit ook nie kon uitspreek as hy dit gehad het nie. Hy het haar eenvoudig Matilda genoem, 'n naam wat hom aan die ouma laat dink het, alhoewel sy in voorkoms haar glad nie aan haar herinner het nie. Miskien het net die sagmoedigheid in haar oë swak herinneringe aan die ou land en sy vorige lewe ontlok.
 
•6•
The old squaw entered the crude log cabin that served as home for Matthew and his small family. The squaw was a blessing indeed. She had arrived the day after the birth of the child for whom he now lived. It also marked the day after the death of his sweetheart, for whom he mourned. The old squaw hearing of Matthew's grief, and with wordless compassion, had arrived every morning since to care for the child. Matthew did not know her Lakota name, nor could he have pronounced it if he had. He simply called her Matilda, a name that reminded him of the grandmother, although in looks, she reminded him of her not at all. Perhaps only the gentleness in her eyes evoked dim memories of the old country and his previous life.
 

Matthew kon geen Lakota praat nie. Matilda kon min Engels praat, maar tog het sy instinktief die behoeftes van die kind geken en met 'n sagte stem haar Cincala Iyatate genoem. Matthew het min gehad om terug te gee in ruil vir haar vriendelikheid, min meer as boontjies en respek. Daar was 'n tekort aan bone. Die groeiseisoen moes nog begin, en sy skuld vir voorrade by die naaste handelspos het teen 'n onrusbarende tempo gegroei.
 
•7•
Matthew could speak no Lakota. Matilda could speak little English, yet she instinctively knew the child's needs and, with a gentle voice, named her Cincala Iyatate. Matthew had little to give in return for her kindness, little more than beans and respect. Beans were in short supply. The growing season had yet to begin, and his debt for supplies at the nearest trading post was growing at an alarming rate.
 

Maar vir die koei wat elke oggend sy kosbare melk so getrou prysgegee het, is dit te betwyfel of die kind sonder haar natuurlike moeder sou geleef het. Die koei het in haar groeiende behoefte aan voeding voorsien. Matteus het dikwels 'n Bybelvers onthou wat sê dat die mens nie van brood alleen sal lewe nie en met ironie gedink het dat nie mens of kind alleen uit liefde kan lewe nie.
 
•8•
But for the cow that had so faithfully given up its precious milk each morning, it is doubtful if the child would have lived without her natural mother. The cow provided for her growing need for nourishment. Matthew remembered oft times a Bible verse that said that man shall not live by bread alone and thought with irony that neither man nor child can live by love alone.
 

Die lente het drie keer na die somer verander. Sweet het verander in bone en mielies wat in die landerye geproduseer het, het in produktiwiteit geploeg. Sou bison wat in die prêrie rondgeloop het, sy onomheinde koring vertrap, sou die droogte sy tol eis in die hitte van die somer? Hy was nie bang vir die Indiane nie, want hy vertrou Matilda en verontagsaam die verhale wat so vrylik op die handelspos vertel word. Matthew het geen manier gehad om te weet wat die noodlot sou werp nie, maar hy het vertroue in God gehad en hoop vir sy groeiende kind. Alhoewel sy klein was, het Matthew sy lieflike kind gehelp om haar eie lappie mielies en groente te kweek. Hy het haar geleer water gee en hulle onkruid, aangemoedig deur Matilda toe hy nie sy lande opgepas het nie. Matilda het op haar beurt die klein geskenkies van boontjies, groente en mielies aanvaar.
 
•9•
Spring turned to summer three times. Sweat turned to beans and corn flourishing in the fields plowed into productivity, but with it came worry. Would bison that roamed the prairie trample his unfenced corn, would drought take its toll in the heat of summer? He feared not the Indians, for he trusted Matilda and disregarded the stories so freely told at the trading post. Matthew had no way of knowing what fate would throw, but he had faith in God and hope for his growing child. Even though she was small, Matthew helped his sweet child grow her own patch of corn and vegetables. He taught her to water and weed them, encouraged by Matilda when he was away tending his fields. Matilda, in turn, had accepted the small gifts of beans, vegetables, and corn.
 

Matthew waak sy stomende slaap een stomende nag laat in die somer toe dit nog te warm lyk om asem te haal. Matthew het in 'n toestand van diepe weemoed aangevuur deur eensaamheid vir sy verlore vrou. Hy verbeel hom die sagte, warm briesie wat deur die oop deur spoel en sy vrou se asem streel oor sy wang en voel haar amper aan sy sy. Met trane van angs wat verdamp voordat hulle aan die ru-gekapte vloer raak, neem Matthew 'n besluit, nie uit enige liefdadigheidsgevoel nie, maar net om sy pyn te verlig. By die lig van 'n halfgebrande kers stap hy na die houtkis wat steeds sy vrou se klere bevat, selfs haar trourok wat sy vasgewerk het. Dit was 'n rok wat pas by die liefde wat sy vir haar man gevoel het. Die wit kantversierde bloes wat sy op heilige dae aangehad het, ruik nog steeds na haar. Hierdie Matthew neem en laat hulle almal netjies op die kombuistafel vir Matilda vou, en val dan in 'n fikse slaap. Hy word wakker vir die oggendson en Matilda skud saggies op sy skouer.
 
•10•
Matthew watched over his fitfully sleeping child one steamy night late in the summer when it seemed even too hot to breathe. Matthew fell into a state of deep melancholy fueled by loneliness for his lost wife. He imagined the soft, warm breeze that spilled through the open door to be his wife's breath caressing his cheek and could almost feel her at his side. With tears of anguish evaporating before they touched the rough-hewn floor, Matthew made a decision, not out of any sense of charity but only wishing to ease his pain. By the light of a half-burned candle, he stepped to the wooden chest that still held his wife's clothes, even her wedding dress that she had sewn. It was a dress befitting the love she felt for her man. The white lace-trimmed blouse that she wore on holy days still smelled of her. These Matthew took and left them all neatly folded on the kitchen table for Matilda, then fell into a fitful sleep. He awoke to the morning sun and Matilda gently shaking his shoulder.
 

Die dag het gelyk soos elke ander dag met take wat gedoen moes word. Die versoeking om net in die skaduwee te gaan sit, was amper net so ondraaglik soos die hitte wat alles deurgedring het, droog en blêrend. Tog was daar die hoop op afkoelende reën wat swaar op die horison gelê het. Daar was ook kommer. Matthew se mielies hang nog droog aan die ooievaar, nog nie gereed om te pluk nie, behalwe dit wat hulle al soet en vars deur Matilda gebraai of rou van die aartappel geniet het. Sou die komende reën die oes vertraag, of erger nog, 'n swam bevorder wat sy oeste in die verlede verwoes het?
 
•11•
The day seemed like any other day with chores to be done. The temptation to just sit in the shade was almost as unbearable as the heat that permeated everything, dry and blistering. Yet there was the hope of cooling rain lay heavy on the horizon. There was also a concern. Matthew's corn still hung drying on the stork, not yet ready for the picking except that which they had already enjoyed sweet and fresh roasted by Matilda or raw off the cob. Would the coming rain delay the harvest, or worse, promote a fungus that had ravaged his crops in the past?
 

Die dag het sonder reën geëindig, die hitte steeds onverdraagsaam. Die dag sou nie onvergeetlik gewees het nie. Matilda se sagte sang en die ekstra weiering in haar loop toe sy vertrek, met haar gewaardeerde bondeltjie klere weg, vertoon haar vreugde.
 
•12•
The day ended without rain, the heat still almost intolerable. The day would not have been memorable. Matilda's gentle singing and the extra bounce in her walk as she left, carrying away her prized bundle of clothes, displayed her joy.
 

Die nag vir Matthew het dieselfde donker depressie as die vorige nag meegebring. Hy betreur nou die geskenk aan Matilda. Hy voel skuldig asof die afskeid van sy vrou se klere hom op een of ander manier 'n dief van haar geheue, haar werklikheid, gemaak het. Dit was net sy kind wat hom gesond gehou het. Skielik was hy wakker en 'n kanon-harde geluid vul sy kop. Klein arms wat geslaap het, het nou verskrik aan hom vasgehou. Die lig wat hy gesien het, was nie die lig van die dagbreek nie. Steel blou-wit weerligflitse met 'n metgesel van oranje, vergesel deur die galsterige reuk van brandende mielies, vul die lug. Sataniese vlamme bereik hemelwaarts, vonke versprei hul wrede grappies deur 'n afwagtende gehoor van droë koring. Dit het plek-plek uitgebars in 'n onstuimige, knetterende applous van vuur en geraas.
 
•13•
The night for Matthew brought with it the same dark depression as the night before. He now regretted the gift to Matilda. He felt guilty as if parting with his wife's clothing had somehow made him a thief of her memory, her reality. It was only his child that kept him sane. Suddenly he was awake a canon-loud sound filled his head. Little arms that had slept now clung to him in terrified fear. The light he saw was not the light of dawn. Steely blue-white flashes of lightning with a companion glow of orange accompanied by the rancid smell of burning corn filled the air. Satanic flames reached skyward, sparks spreading their cruel jokes through an awaiting audience of dry corn. It erupted here and there in rapturous crackling applause of fire and noise.
 

Die dagbreek word roetswart en verkool. Niks is van die lande en die weiding ontsien nie. Hulle koei, wat nie aan sy vasgebind kon ontsnap nie, lê opgeblase en verbrand. Selfs die groentetuin van die kind lê plat en verlep, sy sappige oes is voortydig gaar.
 
•14•
The dawn awoke soot-black and charred. Nothing had been spared of the fields and grazing. Their cow, unable to escape its tether, lay bloated and burned. Even the child's vegetable garden lay flattened and wilted, its juicy harvest prematurely cooked.
 

As gevolg van 'n wonderwerk het hul ou wa en die huis oorleef, en die vuur het hulle verbygegaan terwyl Egiptiese plae oor die gevange Israeliete deurgeloop het. Die volgende reën het die vlamme geblus, maar nie die hartseer of die werklikheid van die verlies nie.
 
•15•
As if by miracle, their old wagon and the house had survived, the fire passing them by as Egyptian plagues had passed over the captive Israelites. The following rain extinguished the flames but not the heartache nor the reality of the loss.
 

Matilda het nie daardie dag gekom nie. Of sy instinktief geweet het dat daar niks meer sou oorbly waarheen sy sou kon terugkeer nie, het Matthew nie geweet nie en hy het haar ook nie geoordeel nie. Hy het gehoor hoe die effekte van droë weerlig soms voor 'n sopnat reën gekom het, maar hy het die stories nie regtig geglo nie. Miskien het Matilda geweet. Miskien het Matilda en haar stam nie die vuurstorm oorleef nie. Dit was in die rigting waarvandaan sy altyd elke oggend aangekom het, met koring en prairie.
 
•16•
Matilda did not come that day. Whether she knew instinctively that there would be nothing left to which she could return, Matthew did not know, neither did he judge her. He had heard tell of the effects of dry lightning that sometimes came before a soaking rain but had not really believed the stories. Perhaps Matilda knew. Perhaps Matilda and her tribe had not survived the firestorm. It had headed in the direction from whence she always arrived each morning, burning corn and prairie alike.
 

Deel 2


Matthew reis te voet na die handelspos met die kind wat op sy skouers ry. Die naaste buurman het die poging ietwat vergemaklik, wat op sy karretjie gekom het om na Matthew te kyk en hulp aan te bied. Matteus het opgekom dat daar nou min was om hulle vas te maak aan die land waarvoor hy so hard geswoeg het. Sy lieflike vrou se graf lê nou ongemerk, die houtmonument waai nou in die wind om by die ewige stof van die prêrie aan te sluit. Die gedagte het Matteus se begeerte om weer op te bou, weggeneem.
 
•1•
Matthew journeyed to the trading post on foot with the child riding on his shoulders. The effort had been eased somewhat by his nearest neighbor, who came on his buggy to check on Matthew and offer help. It occurred to Matthew that there was now little to tie them to the land for which he had toiled so hard. His sweet wife's grave now lay unmarked, the wooden monument now ashes blowing in the wind to join the eternal dust of the prairie. The very thought took away Matthew's desire to rebuild.
 

Wat hy sou doen of sê as hy die handelspos bereik, weet hy nie.
 
•2•
What he would do or say when he reached the trading post, he did not know.
 

Soos verwag, was die handelswinkel vol verhaaltjies oor die storm en die uitwerking daarvan op die hele gemeenskap. Almal is die vuur gespaar behalwe vir Matteus. Die opgewondenheid was van so 'n aard dat die geslaan en moord op 'n Shawnee-dapper naby die handelspos deur 'n dronk deserteerder uit oorloë verder oos min sprake gehad het.
 
•3•
As expected, the trading store was abuzz with stories of the storm and its effects on the whole community. All had been spared the fire except for Matthew. The excitement was such that the beating and murder of a Shawnee brave near the trading post by a drunken deserter from wars further east had little mention.
 

Die eienaar van die handelspos was 'n harde man. Hy moes wees om die wettelose lewe aan die grens te oorleef. Daar is vertel dat hy 'n man doodgemaak het wat gedink het om 'n bottel whisky by hom te steel.
 
•4•
The trading post owner was a hard man. He had to be to survive lawless life on the frontier. It was told that he had killed a man who thought to steal a bottle of whiskey from him.
 

Of die eienaar van die handelspos daartoe geïnspireer is, of daar iets in sy verlede was wat 'n sagter kant kon laat ontstaan, Matthew kon nie insien nie. Miskien, dink Matthew met min liefdadigheid, dat die man eenvoudig sy plaas begeer. Die aanbod is met 'n rustige, vriendelike stem gedoen in die privaatheid van 'n agterkamer, weg van diegene wat hulle in Matthew se ongeluk sou verlustig. Die handelaar sou die akte vir die plaas verruil vir 'n span van vier perde, voorraad en die vergifnis van Matthew se skuld. Sonder emosie het Matthew 'n aanbod aanvaar wat volgens hom onwillig was. Dit was 'n oop deur, 'n ontvlugting van die hartseer wat hom gekwel het.
 
•5•
Whether the trading post owner had been inspired to do so or there was something in his past that allowed a gentler side to emerge, Matthew could not fathom. Maybe, Matthew thought with little charity, that the man simply desired his farm. The offer was made in a quiet, kindly voice in the privacy of a back room away from those who would delight in Matthew's misfortune. The trader would exchange the deed for the farm for a team of four horses, supplies, and the forgiveness of Matthew's debt. Without emotion, Matthew accepted an offer that he grudgingly thought was fair. It was an open door, an escape from the sadness that tormented him.
 

Asof getrek deur die rooksignaal wat uit die smeulende oorblyfsels van die plaasopstalvelde sweef, trek 'n klein waentjie naby die handelspos. Dit het 'n paar dae kamp opgeslaan met die doel om hul diere te laat rus en voorrade aan te vul.
 
•6•
As if drawn by the smoke signal that wafted up from the smoldering remains of the farmstead fields, a small wagon train pulled close to the trading post. It set up camp for a few days intending to rest their animals and replenish supplies.
 

Met 'n span en voorrade plus sy wa van die plaasopstal, het Matthew besluit om by hulle aan te sluit.
 
•7•
With a team and supplies plus his wagon retrieved from the farmstead, Matthew decided to join them.
 

Deel 3


Twee dae op die spoor van die handelspos af, het die klein waentjie tussen golwende heuwels op 'n skaars waarneembare spoor gevind. Daar was twaalf waens totdat Matteus by hulle aangesluit het. Party in die party het gemurmureer en gesê dat dertien waens in die trein beslis ongeluk sou meebring en wou nie hê dat Matthew by hulle aansluit nie. Die wa-meester, 'n hebsugtige man, het hul gebromende gedagtes net oor die ekstra fooi wat hy sou verdien om die waens weswaarts te lei, oorheers.
 
•1•
Two days on the trail from the trading post found the small wagon train wedged between rolling hills on a barely discernable track. There had been twelve wagons until Matthew had joined them. Some in the party murmured, saying that thirteen wagons in the train would assuredly bring bad luck and did not want Matthew to join them. The wagon master, a greedy man, overruled their grumbling thinking only of the extra fee he would earn for guiding the wagons westwards.
 

Van die waens in die trein is sommige deur spanne osse getrek, ander perde. Slegs die perde is gewaardeer deur dwalende bande van Indiese krygers, asook ysterpotte en die staalmesse wat die gordel van byna elke man wat die vlaktes aangedurf het, versier het.
 
•2•
Of the wagons in the train, some were pulled by teams of oxen, others by horses. Only the horses were prized by wandering bands of Indian warriors, as were iron pots and the steel knives that adorned the belt of almost every man who ventured on the plains.
 

So stil soos die eerste druppel reën en so vinnig soos valk wat op sy prooi duik, skeur die eerste pyl deur die verweerde doek van die tweede wa. Dit begrawe homself in die bobeen van 'n ou man. Sy skielike skreeu van pyn was waarskuwend genoeg vir die mans en seuns wat oud genoeg was om te skiet om na hul lang kanonne te reik soos wat meer pyle neergereën het.
 
•3•
As silently as the first drop of rain and as fast as hawk diving on its prey, the first arrow tore through the weathered canvas of the second wagon. It buried itself into the thigh of an old man. His sudden scream of pain was warning enough for the men and boys old enough to shoot to reach for their long guns as more arrows rained down.
 

Diegene wat onervare is in die weë van die prêrie, het teen 'n ongesiene vyand in die heuwels afgevuur. Daar was geen tyd of ruimte op hierdie smal stuk roete om die waens te omring nie. Sommige het langs mekaar opgestel, 'n verdedigingsmetode wat beter was as geen, maar dit het die diere oop en kwesbaar gelaat. Selfs die verlies van een lid van die span kan 'n ramp vir 'n gesin beteken. Die aanklag het gekom voordat daar tyd was om poeier te stamp en die vate van hul lang gewere af te bal. Braves verskyn uit die lang gras waar hulle met tomahawks en boë weggekruip het, gereed om hul dodelike projektiele te verloor.
 
•4•
Those inexperienced in the ways of the prairie fired into the hillsides at an unseen foe. There had been no time nor room on this narrow stretch of the trail to circle the wagons. Some drew up side-by-side, a method of defense that was better than none, but it left the animals open and vulnerable. Even the loss of one member of a team could mean disaster for a family. The charge came before there was time to ram powder and ball down the barrels of their long guns. Braves appeared from the long grass where they had been hiding with tomahawks and bows, ready to lose their deadly projectiles.
 

In samewerking met die dapper te voet, het verskeie vegters op die perd teen die heuwel af gelaai. Een het geval, die perd het 'n loodbal na sy been geneem en sy vegter in die lang gras gestrooi. Matthew was doodbang vir sy kind. Hy wou hardloop, maar kon nie. Al het hy die regeringstyd gesny en een van sy perde vrygelaat, het hy geweet dat hy dit nie betyds kon oplaai om sy kind na veiligheid te dra nie. Matthew se wa was die tweede laaste in die ry. Daar was nie ruimte om te draai nie. Al sou dit kon, sou die wa nooit die aanvallers oortref nie. Hy moet veg en bid - bid en veg. Hy gryp na sy geweer. Dit is gelaai vir die moontlikheid van so 'n klopjag, maar tog was hy nie vinnig genoeg nie. 'n Hewige figuur het na Matthew gespring en hom van die wa af gedruk. Die vegter, met 'n mes in die hand, sou in 'n vreedsamer omstandigheid komies gewees het. Hy het 'n dame se bloes gedra met kant. Dit is beskadig deur oorlogsverf, sweet en vuil. Die kind het in vrees gespring, die helfte het op een van die twee mans se rug geval, en elkeen sukkel om oorheersing in 'n makabere rollende dans in die grond. Die Lakota-vegter was nou bo-op met 'n mes opgehef, gereed om dood te maak, gereed om sy prys van perde op te eis. Die kind wat nou in 'n angs van wanhoop aan haar eie hare trek, skree een van die min woorde wat sy ken, 'Matilda', en roep die enigste vrou wat sy geken en liefgehad het. Die aanvaller ontspan net 'n bietjie en spring toe op en laat Matthew verward by die verandering skielik as die wind. Die Indiër stap verder agtertoe, kyk na die kind, lig sy hand byna in eerbiedige saluut en skree asof hy na die hemel en seker verbaas: "Cincala Iyatate." Hy spring toe op sy perd en jaag langs die lyn af tot verbasing dat almal die aanval afroep.
 
•5•
In concert with the braves on foot, several warriors on horse charged down the hillside. One fell, the horse taking a lead ball to its leg and scattering its warrior into the long grass. Matthew was terrified for his child. He wanted to run but could not. Even if he cut the reigns and released one of his horses, he knew he could not mount it in time to carry his child to safety. Matthew's wagon was second to last in line. There was no room to turn. Even if it could, the wagon would never outrun the attackers. He must fight and pray – pray and fight. He reached for his rifle. It was loaded for the eventuality of such a raid, but still, he was not quick enough. A fierce figure leaped at Matthew, pushing him off the wagon. The warrior, with a knife in hand, would have been comical in a more peaceful circumstance. He wore a lady's blouse trimmed with lace. It was marred by war paint, sweat, and grime. The child in fear jumped, half fell onto one of the backs of the two men, each struggling for dominance in a macabre rolling dance in the dirt. The Lakota warrior was now on top with a knife raised, ready to kill, ready to claim his prize of horses. The child now standing, pulling at her own hair in an agony of despair, screamed one of the few words she knew, "Matilda," calling for the only woman she'd known and loved. The attacker relaxed just a little then leaped to his feet, leaving Matthew confused at the change more sudden than the wind. The Indian stepped further back, looked at the child, raised his hand almost in reverent salute, and yelled as if at the sky and certainly in surprise, "Cincala Iyatate." He then leaped upon his horse and raced down the line to the surprise of all calling off the attack.
 

Terwyl hy sy huilende kind vasgryp, val Matthew se gedagtes oor. Die woorde wat hy so dikwels saggies deur Matilda gehoor het, woorde wat Matthew geleer het, beteken 'Kind van die wind' - sy lieflike kind. Hy het ook die bloes met kantjies afgesit wat eens deel van sy vrou se bruilofskleed was. Matteus besef dat hy nie meer hoef te wonder oor wie se kinders en kleinkinders gevoed is deur sy karige offer van boontjies en mielies nie.
 
•6•
Clutching his crying child close, sudden recognition flooded Matthew's mind. The words that he'd heard so often gently offered by Matilda, words that Matthew had come to learn, meant "Child of the wind" – his sweet child. He also recognized the lace-trimmed blouse that was once part of his wife's wedding attire. A realization came to Matthew that he no longer need wonder at whose children and grandchildren had been fed by his meager offering of beans and corn.
 


 

Author’s Note: Cincala Iyatate (the child of the wind)