March 22, 1853,
The good, old spring has once again blossomed upon our camp. Meat and corn is stacked in the center of the camp, feeding every member. Last night just before the elders went to sleep, the camp and us families decided to began the annual buffalo hunt for the year, starting today. When I arouse today bleary-eyed at daybreak, I noticed from the corner of our dormer that dawn was breaking and that the usual blue sky was a combination of deep red and brillant pink with bright light emitting from the clouds that draped the sky. It was an excellent sight, except that my wife and my two daughters couldn't see it because they had left with mother early to get prepared for the buffalo hunt.
I got all set for the buffalo hunt, first wiping and cleaning my rifle, making sure it seemed furnished, and feeding and decorating my stallion Bako, who with the hardship of both of us had hunted the most buffalos and won the annual buffalo tournament at the previous year's buffalo hunt. After I completed my regular chores for Bako I dressed myself up, wearing my red-beaded buffalo shirt and deer skin pants that wore a fancy look along with my blue shall and beaded cocked hat. I then hauled myself onto Bako, and rode all the way to the depth of the grassland (buffalo grazing land) where the buffalo hunt was taking place.
Along the route I met up with Danral, one of the skilled young hunters in the camp (but definitely not better than me!). He asked me how I was and I said fine with kindly glance and a gentle smile, nudging Bako on the mane, slientily urging him to go faster so I could dump this young man's company off. The next minute he inquires about my daughter Flema, that he heard that she had a bad cold and was tremendously upset. Now! imagine that! Even I didn't care about Flema's cold and I'm her FATHER and this lad, a third person is asking anxiously about my family?
When I reached the grassland I met up with my wife and daughter Shara, they were packing up knives and accessories for the big hunt in their cart and said that they were certain that I was about to win the tournament. I was very glad for their encouraging confidence and felt very pleasant deep within. On the start of the tournament every men were lined up with their horses in a straight line with our families watching us from inside the carts. The chief of the hunt (elected 'buffalo hunt council') announced the hunt to begin.
Every men (including me) hopped on our horses and loaded up our rifles with our buffalo runners (horses) stampeding against the large group of grazing buffalos, frightening them. As the crowd of buffalos ran I shot two buffalos on the head by my loaded-gun, gaining cheers from my family. Then it occurred when Bako suddenly slowed down while the other horses tugged and pulled on the reins, yearning to race upon to the group of grazing buffalos. For once in my entire buffalo tournament I thought I might lose, the pleasant feeling deep inside me had vanished. This was the hesitating instant that I thought I might run away deep in the woods when abruptly, spotting a lone buffalo, Bako then leaped so high and swift that I almost fell off, unseating myself while he charged at the animal. I quickly raised my rifle and shot the buffalo dead, amazed at Bako's sudden act.
Evening finally arrived and every family in the camp on the grassland were busy on their carts, skinnning and butchering up the meat and bones which we could use to make new clothing, food and other accessories and needs. I had won the tournamant fair and square with gleaming pride and honour when the chief handed me the reward, a metal trophy.
When time came to leave, my family and I packed up satisfied with new things except that there was no sign of my daughter Flema. I asked my wife where Flema was and she answered with a shrug. I looked around the grazing field and found Flema at last, but with a disappointing sight: Flema was embracing Danral, my stomach churned and I was stunned. Supra, my wife then broke in my sickening thoughts and questioned me if I had found Flema. I pointed towards the couple and with a sudden, unexpected grin I said :''It's time our daughter was married, don't you think?.''
As you see, even I didn't knew I would say this, but it had came out rightfully for the prosperity of our kids. Anyway, it is getting pretty dark and my wife insists I must sleep and I think I likely must too. With Faith and Goodness,
Marcel Cardinal
When time came to leave, my family and I packed up satisfied with new things except that there was no sign of my daughter Flema. I asked my wife where Flema was and she answered with a shrug. I looked around the grazing field and found Flema at last, but with a disappointing sight: Flema was embracing Danral, my stomach churned and I was stunned. Supra, my wife then broke in my sickening thoughts and questioned me if I had found Flema. I pointed towards the couple and with a sudden, unexpected grin I said :''It's time our daughter was married, don't you think?.''
As you see, even I didn't knew I would say this, but it had came out rightfully for the prosperity of our kids. Anyway, it is getting pretty dark and my wife insists I must sleep and I think I likely must too. With Faith and Goodness,
Marcel Cardinal
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