Mina remembered how an Indian had cured a man on the way to Fredericksburg. Maybe
Indian medicine could help Papa too. It was a hope at least.
But Mina did not dare to leave Papa alone in the cabin. She thought of Lisette. Ja,
she must run and fetch Lisette to stay with Papa while she went to the Indian camp.
She wet the pack again and placed it on Papa's forehead. He stirred. Mina kissed
him lightly on the cheek, and went outside. The sky was just beginning to lighten,
and the air was cool and fresh.
Mina ran all the way to the Bickenbachs' cabin. The door was open, and someone was
stirring about inside. Frau Bickenbach appeared.
"Why Mina, what brings you here at dawn?"
"My Papa is sick, and I came to ask Tante Lisette if she would help me."
"Oh, I am sorry to hear that . . . but I know Lisette will come." Frau
Bickenbach pointed up to the loft. "You just go on up."
When Mina got up to the dark loft, she could see Lisette's form sitting up in bed.
Mina did not want to awaken Frederika, so she whispered.
"Tante Lisette, Papa is very sick, and I need your help." Mina paused
while she mustered the courage to tell Lisette her plan.
"Oh my," Lisette touched Mina's arm. "Of course, Mina, how can I help?"
"Will you stay with Papa while I go for the Indian medicine man?"
Lisette gasped. "Mina, you cannot!"
"I must."
"But, Mina, Doctor Schubert . . ."
"He did not help Papa," Mina interrupted. "Tante Lisette, listen,
I had a dream last night. I dreamed that I went to an old Indian who said he could
cure Papa."
Lisette looked at Mina for a moment in silence. "Then it must be God's will."
She began to dress quickly. "You run back to your Papa. I will come." As
Mina started to leave, Lisette added, "Do not say anything about it to my mother."
Mina nodded silently.
When she got back to the cabin Papa was still asleep. She poured a cup of water and
put it on the box beside Papa's bed. Then she got the blue beaded belt and fastened
it around her waist. It was up to her, Mina thought. What happened to Papa was up
to her. She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and went outside to wait.
At last Lisette came.
"Are you sure about this, Mina?"
"Ja."
"But Indians ... you cannot tell what they might do."
"Chief Custaleta is my friend. He would not let anyone harm me."
"I do not think your Papa would like it, Mina."
"But I cannot let Papa die the way Mama did." Mina's throat tightened.
"I have to do something. And God has told me what to do!" Tears began to
stream down Mina's cheeks.
Lisette took Mina in her arms. " I understand, Mina." After a moment Lisette
loosened her arms and held Mina out from her looking into her face intently. "Be
very careful."
Mina wiped the tears away. "Ja, I will." Then she turned and headed
for the Indian camp down by the river. She broke into a run, for she was anxious
to get help for Papa. She slowed to a walk to catch her breath, and then ran again.
At the river Mina walked along the bank until she came opposite the camp. Indian
women were dipping their water baskets in the river and carrying them back up to
camp. Mina watched from behind some bushes. Then a young girl came down to the river's
edge, and Mina saw that it was Amaya.
Drawing a deep breath Mina stepped out from behind the bush and waved at Amaya. The
girl looked startled at first. But then she smiled, put down the water basket, and
ran back toward camp. The women stood watching Mina.
In a few moments Amaya reappeared astride a horse and rode across the river to where
Mina stood. She dismounted, and the two girls looked at one another. Mina did not
know how to tell her about Papa.
Without thinking Mina said, "My Papa is sick."
Amaya cocked her head and looked at Mina, not understanding.
Mina thought for a moment. How can I make her understand? Then Mina pointed to herself
with both hands and repeated, "My." She reached up high with one hand,
"Papa." Here she rubbed her cheeks with both hands to describe a beard.
Amaya was watching her closely and said a word that sounded something like "Papa?"
with a question in her voice.
"Ja, that is right!" Then Mina lay down upon the ground and groaned.
"Is sick," Mina finished her sentence, and looked at Amaya.
The Indian girl seemed to understand. She led the horse to a large boulder, and holding
him by the mane, helped Mina get on. Then Amaya pulled herself on in front.
The horse stepped carefully through the river, lifting his hoofs high. Once in the
camp Amaya stopped the horse and dismounted. She said a word to Mina and went into
a tipi. Mina slid off the horse but remained close beside him. The horse whinnied
and shook his mane, stomping one hoof.
Indians began to gather. Men emerged from their tipis, and women came up from the
river and gathered around. Everyone looked at Mina. One squaw pointed at Mina's blue
beaded belt, and said something to another. The Indians drew closer and closer. Mina
wanted to bolt and run, but she could not move. Her heart began to thump within her
chest. It was different when a few of these Indians came to Fredericksburg to trade,
but now Mina was alone in the middle of their camp-surrounded.
To Mina's relief Amaya came back with her father, and spoke to him, pointing at Mina. Chief Custaleta looked at Mina, but he did not smile. He uttered some words. Mina heard one that she had learned-"Shaman"-and she knew that it meant medicine man.
They do understand, Mina thought, and he is going to help. Then she thought of Papa
lying on the bed, flushed with fever.
"Please hurry," Mina pleaded.
Even though the Indians did not know the words, they seemed to understand the urgency
in her voice. Soon the Shaman appeared.
Mina had never seen such an old man with so few clothes on-only a loin cloth. His
dark leathery skin sagged on his thin frame. His long white hair was thick and coarse,
like the man in her dream. He had not a tooth in his head, and seemed to be chewing
on his cud as he eyed Mina silently. In his hand he held a drawstring pouch.
The Shaman's horse was brought, and a young warrior helped him up. He sat astride
his horse, still chewing his cud. He tied the pouch to the wooden saddle frame, and
made a sound, "Unnh."
Chief Custaleta mounted his horse, and reached out his hand to Mina. He pulled her
up on his horse behind him, and they started down the bank, splashed through the
river, and up the other side toward Fredericksburg.