Summary:  On a visit to Chief Winnemucca’s Paiute Camp, Adam hears a legend that he wonders later if it could be true.

Word Count = 1421 Rating = K

 

The Legend of the White Grizzly Bear

Although the ferocious winter storm had struck and gone, it had left bitter cold and deep snow in its wake making travel difficult for Adam and Sport as they made their way back to the Ponderosa. After spending a couple of days with Chief Winnemucca and his tribe, Adam had enjoyed the annual visit of renewing old friendships and the exchanging of gifts. This had been an even more productive trip because a compromise had been made allowing the Paiute tribe to settle on the northern part of the Ponderosa lands, which were once owned by the Paiute. His thoughts turned back to the previous night when the members of the tribe had tried to outdo each other in storytelling.  Adam had been a willing participant in the activities, but none could match the story Winnemucca had told.  The old chief had spoken in quiet, reverent whispers of an ancient legend, which involved a white grizzly bear.

“Here in these mountains, many moons ago, more moons than any can count, the most brave of our warriors went hunting because the people were hungry.  The snow was over the high mountains, and the chiefs said not to go, but he was a noble man, and he could not see his people hungry.  He was never seen again.  As a boy, I was told that the brave warrior was attacked by coyotes but was rescued by a white grizzly bear. Even now, on moonlit nights, there are still times when we see a white grizzly bear standing beside a brave warrior although he is an old man now.  We call him only ‘Uzumati’ which in our tongue means ‘bear’.”

Enthralled with what Chief Winnemucca was telling him, Adam looked around the circle to see people in the tribe were listening carefully to what the chief was saying while gently clasping their bear-claw necklaces. When the chief finished talking, he bowed his head signaling to all that the story was over and went into his wickiup. No one else told a tale after that because there was no better story than that of Uzumati.  For the remainder of the evening, Adam walked around the camp taking in all the activities and visiting with old friends as well as making new ones. He couldn’t forget the old legend Chief Winnemucca had told though as his mind continued to go over what he had heard amazed at how all these years later, it still played an important part in the life of the tribe. Before he lay down to sleep for the night, he leaned against a pine tree and breathed in the cool fresh air. The wind was picking up causing the flames to jump higher and higher letting him know that he was going to have to leave early in the morning in hopes of beating the winter storm that was closing in. Anxious to get back to the Ponderosa to share all that had transpired here with the Paiute tribe, he knew that his father would be pleased that a compromise had been made. Quietly, Adam went into the wickiup set aside for him and turned in for the night.

The next morning, Adam made his way to the main campfire and was greeted by Chief Winnemucca who was sitting by the fire enjoying his breakfast. Using his supplies, Adam made coffee, and Chief Winnemucca gratefully accepted a cup and took a sip, feeling the warmth going through his body.

“Thank you, Adam Cartwright.  I do not often get to drink coffee.  Do you have sugar?”

Smiling, Adam pulled a small container of sugar from his saddlebags and put some in the chief’s cup.  He didn’t sweeten his coffee but was well aware the chief liked his with sugar so he had brought some along.  They stood in friendly silence as the camp slowly came to life around them.

During the night, the storm had come so there was work to be done. Adam watched as each person began gathering their belongings and packing them away from the snow. Even the children joined in and helped their parents. Ready to go too, Adam got up, went into his tent and got all of his belongings together. When he came out, all the members of the tribe were standing with the chief, and they even had his horse all saddled up and ready for the trip. As he prepared to mount up on Sport, the chief placed a necklace around his neck.

“This will provide protection for you as you ride in the storm today.”

Adam bowed his head and brought his hand to his neck to touch the gift he had been given: a beautiful bear claw, inlaid with multi-colored beads. “Thank you.”  Reaching into his saddlebags, Adam handed the bag of coffee and container of sugar to the chief.  “I have no other gift left to give you.”

Chief Winnemucca smiled though because it was a gift he appreciated very much.  Smiling too, Adam climbed into the saddle and waved goodbye.

Remembering all of that as Sport plodded on through the deep snow, Adam gave a slight sigh as he patted his horse’s neck urging him forward. The trees were heavily laden with snow, and everywhere he looked, the landscape sparkled like diamonds. Without warning, there was a large ‘crackkkkk’ that filled the air. Startled, Sport reared in fright. The last thing that Adam remembered was the sight of a huge tree branch hurtling towards him before everything went black.

Gingerly opening his eyes and looking around, Adam slowly regained consciousness. Sitting cross-legged before him was a wizened, white-haired old Indian who smiled, stood, and then moved to kneel beside him to bring a cup of hot liquid to his lips. Having helped him raise his head to drink, the old Indian gently laid his head back down and then returned to his place by the fire. As the warmth from the liquid spread through his body, Adam snuggled down into the comfort of his bed of bearskins for he had no strength to do anything more. He heard only one word as he sank into peaceful sleep: ‘Uzumati’.

Startled later from his blissful sleep, Adam’s eyes popped open. His head was groggy as his eyes began to focus on the faces of his father and brothers. It was Ben who helped Adam to his feet.

“Son, we’re so glad, so lucky, to have found you! When Sport came back home alone, we were so afraid that you had gotten lost in the storm!”

Looking around and still somewhat groggy, Adam searched for the old man. “Pa, have you seen the old Indian man?” 

Ben exchanged glances with Hoss and Little Joe. Each one shrugged his shoulders.

Continuing to look all around, Adam saw nothing of the old man or any sign that he had been there.

“Pa, I’m telling you there was an old Indian here! I was in his wickiup!  There was a warm fire and bearskins to sleep in! He even fixed some kind of broth that he helped me to drink, and then I fell asleep!”

With great care, Ben examined the lump on Adam’s head, and when he spoke, his voice was quiet and gentle. “Son, we haven’t seen anything like that around here. If Hoss hadn’t found the grizzly tracks that led us to Sport’s trail, we would never have found you. Now, let’s get you back home. Hop Sing will fix you a good meal, and we’ll get you into your bed so you can rest.”

With Hoss and Ben helping, Adam got up into the saddle as Joe held Sport’s reins.  Once they were sure he was going to stay there, the other three mounted up.  As the four men turned to leave, they saw an old Indian man with his hand on the neck of a white grizzly bear appear in the distance. The old Indian’s wrinkled face broke into a smile as both he and the white grizzly bear nodded their heads and then simply…disappeared. Astonished, Ben, Hoss, and Joe could only gape. Satisfied, Adam smirked as only he could and whispered one word: ‘Uzumati’ as his fingers clasped the bear-claw necklace with a gentle touch. With one last look and a knowing smile, Adam headed home with his family.

The End

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Family, Indians