Grey Warrior

By Jean Fixen

Editor’s note: This is a true story about Jean’s Creek Maiden great-grandmother, Red Leaf and her brave grey stallion, Grey Warrior.

The only life my great-grandmother had ever known as a young child, was living with her Creek parents in the Ohio Valley in the early 1800's. Life as my great-grandmother Red Leaf had known would soon come to a dismal end.  When the Indian and American Wars had ended, sadly, Red Leaf’s parents and her people found themselves relocated to the Oklahoma Territory. Having traveled the cruelest journey any human being could endure, these noble people were herded like cattle and were given numbers, then placed in Government run reservation camps.  Before the mass exodus of the Creek Nation, my great-great grand father, fearful for his only daughter, struck a bargain with his long time trapper friend, Yellow Knife.

It was decided with great sacrifice on the part of my great-great grandparents that their beloved daughter, Red Leaf would live with Yellow Knife and his family. There was no other way for Red Leaf to survive the fate that her parents were about to go through. Sadly and reluctantly on the morning of the beginning of the "Trail of Tears,” Red Leaf left her heart broken parents to join Yellow Knife and his family forever. Her first year with the kind family was not easy for Red Leaf. She had to learn how to be white and leave her Creek traditions behind with her parents. Language was Red Leaf’s biggest obstacle. Although her father knew how to speak the white mans words, she did not. Fortunately, Yellow Knife’s daughter Mary helped Red Leaf right from the beginning. Soon the young women became friends as well as sisters. Red Leaf learned a great deal from her white family her first year as her new family learned a great deal from Red Leaf.

One summer morning while the entire family sat down for their morning meal, Yellow Knife had announced that there was going to be a horse sale at Fort Lewis. Jessie, Yellow Knife’s son, stopped eating and put down his fork to hear more. The announcement also caught Martha and Mary’s attention.

"Yellow Knife,” Red Leaf said in her broken English, " I wish to go on journey to fort. I want to see horses too.  I want horse of my own." With an expression of hopefulness, she waited for some reply from Yellow Knife.

But before Yellow Knife could respond at all, his son Jessie blurted out, " Pa let Red Leaf come with us. You did say that you would give her her own horse real soon. So let’s take her Pa with us to Fort Lewis, please?" Jessie said in great earnest. Turning toward Red Leaf with a huge grin on his face, he had hoped he did the right thing by speaking up for her to his Pa. Red Leaf smiled an approving smile at Jessie and then turned her attention back to Yellow Knife. Yellow Knife said nothing to the optimistic pair, instead he continued eating his food in silence.

When he had finished the last bite of food on his plate, he put down his fork and said in a stern voice, " All right, girl you can come with me and Jessie. We leave at first light in the morning. Now finish your eatin’ and go get your chores done." With that said, Yellow Knife stood up from the table and left the cabin with Jessie close behind.

The next morning at first light, the trio left for Fort Lewis. When they reached the main gate, it was clear that people from around the Ohio Valley had arrived the night before. Camps were set-up along the fort walls.  As Yellow Knife and his party entered the fort, he busied himself with surveying the crowd. He then instructed Red Leaf and Jessie to head over to where the horses were kept bunched together and find a good place to see everything.

Red Leaf was the first one to get off her horse and walk to the corral railings. Jessie and Yellow Knife soon followed her lead and dismounted their horses.  As she looked over the nervous horses that were tightly bunched together, Red Leaf noticed that most of them were older mares and with a couple of geldings in the mix. Turning her attention from the group of horses, she panned the other end of the corral for any other horse she may have missed.

Red Leaf studied each horse carefully, until Jessie broke her concentration. "What’s wrong Red Leaf, none of them catch yor eye?" Jessie enquired. Shaking her head she quietly said to Jessie, " no one horse has spirit Jessie."

"Take your time Red Leaf,” Jessie replied trying to help, "You can’t tell what they look like since they are so darn muddy. They look as if they came some distance. Sure didn’t expect them to look so spent." Everyone hushed as an officer approached the gate of the corral and announced the sale was about to commence. He told everyone interested in the horses that it was cash or approved trade goods that would take the sale that day. One by one the horses were led to the forefront and were sold. As the parade of horses continued, Yellow Knife finally asked Red Leaf if she wanted any of the horses so far. Red Leaf replied in a voice that lack excitement, " No, no horse, Yellow Knife. They do not have spirit. They do not walk with honor. I will know the horse that Grand Father wishes for me." Red Leaf turned her attention back to the horses. She saw it was clear to Yellow Knife and Jessie that she was disappointed. She truly wanted to find her horse that day. When the horse sale had concluded, the three turned to leave. Red Leaf looked back toward the corral one last time and noticed a soldier bringing out a muddy grey horse from the forts barn. The grey stallion was not shown with the first group of horses. By the horse’s demeanor everyone knew exactly why. The horse resisted being lead by the soldier that was leading him to the corral. As the soldier pulled on the horses lead rope to get him to follow, the horse pulled back. As the horse whinnied and snorted at the soldier, the grey stallion stood upward on his back legs as he tried to back away from the frustrated soldier. The officer in charge loudly announced that any good offer would be taken for this horse. As soon as the officer made his announcement to the onlookers, the fighting horse was finally in the viewing corral. Red Leaf was completely taken by this stallion. The grey stallion snorted and pawed the ground as onlookers gathered closer to the corral. Red Leaf ran to  the corral railings the grey stallion was closest to. She signaled to Yellow Leaf to follow her. " I want horse, Yellow Knife," she shouted over the noise. "This is my choice. Can I have him?" she said with an almost desperate tone to her voice. "Are you sure, girl, you want that one? Look at him. He’s fighting everyone. Why do you want this horse?” Yellow Knife asked Red Leaf in a concerned voice. Yellow Knife turned to Jessie and eyed him to say something to the girl to support his concern. Jessie turned his attention back to the horse and chose not to give support to Yellow Knife’s apprehension about the grey stallion.  Yellow Knife shook his head and pleaded again with Red Leaf to reconsider her request.  Red Leaf turned to Yellow Knife and replied in a convincing voice. " I not ask any thing of you. I ask now. I want this horse. He strong and brave. He has spirit and honor.  I take horse and care for him." Jessie joined in with Red Leaf's argument, " Pa I’ll help Red Leaf with the stallion. She wants its really bad, Pa." Jessie smiled at Red Leaf with the same confident smile he smiled earlier. Yellow Knife looked at both Red Leaf and Jessie and could clearly see he was out numbered by both of them. Shaking his head he walked up to the officer in charge of the sale and engaged him in a trade. Pleased with Yellow Knife agreeing to buy the grey stallion, Red Leaf and Jessie smiled at one another. Red Leaf watched Yellow Knife speaking with the white officer in charge, this made her feel great happiness. She turned and hugged Jessie for helping her convince Yellow Knife to trade for the horse. The trade soon concluded. The horse was led resisting all the way through the gate of the corral and his reins were given over to Yellow Knife. Yellow Knife promptly turned the reins over to Jessie. " Boy, you lead this stallion home. We will put him in the back corral until he’s manageable." Yellow Knife mounted his horse and the other two mounted theirs sneaking smiles at each other while Yellow Knife wasn’t looking. They were soon on the trail heading for their cabin.

Every mile or so, Red Leaf would study her horse. She thought to herself, "I know this horse. Perhaps this horse has a special spirit in it. This horse could bring good medicine, she thought. She liked the grey stallion from the very beginning.

Red Leaf and Jessie rode in silence on the trail back home. Jessie broke their silence. "Red Leaf," he began," it won’t take me long to help with your horse. I know he seems like he has a lot of sass, but he’ll come round, I’m sure of it. It looks to me like he hadn’t been cared for or ridden much either. Those scars on his hindquarters, looks as if someone has used a whip on him a time or two." Red Leaf nodded in agreement as she looked at the horse again. She replied to Jessie’s concerned assessment of the grey stallion, " Jessie, I take care of horse myself. My people are great horse people. We had many fine ponies. Even women learn to break own pony if they want to. My father taught me to do so when I was 12 moons. Jessie, I am Creek and this is my people’s way. I not as you. I am not white woman. I am Es-te-ca-te, Creek. I will care for horse in traditional way. I will care for horse alone. But first I know horse. I not want anyone around horse, but me. I will feed horse. I will give horse water. I will do this Jessie, no one else." When she had finished what was needed to be said, she reached over and took the reins of her horse from Jessie’s hand and pulled the grey horse closer to her and continued on the road home.

When they all reached the cabin, Red Leaf led her horse to the back corral. The grey stallion gave Red Leaf no difficulty in  putting him in the corral. The grey stallion watched Red Leaf as she walked over to a huge stack of hay. Gathering up a tight bundle of the hay she put it down near the horses’ hooves for him to eat. Moving slowly and deliberately, she softly began to sing to the horse. Her song told the spirit of the horse who she was. She wanted the horse not to fear her.  As she sung her song to honor him, Red Leaf looked deeply into the huge black eyes of the grey stallion. In return the stallion looked back into her eyes. Without looking away, both the horse and Red Leaf looked upon each others face for the longest time.   When Red Leaf finished her song to the grey warrior and felt satisfied that the horse had enough water and hay for the night she left the corral.  Closing the gate she said in Creek, "We now belong to each other." With that she left and entered the cabin to join the family for the night.

Martha asked Red Leaf what she planned to call the horse. Red Leaf replied with a serious tone, " I not sure. He has a great spirit. I feel I know horse. I first see him at Fort Lewis, I want him. I will wait to see what name I give him." Later that night alone in her bed Red Leaf said a prayer in Creek to Grand Father. " Guide me Grand Father, as this great horse and I begin our journey together. Let him see my spirit as I see his. Thank you Grand Father for bringing him to me. Thank Mother Earth for giving us life."  When she finished her prayer the night softly closed in around her.

The next morning Red Leaf was up very early, way before anyone else was awake. She quickly finished her chores and headed out to the corral and to the grey stallion. He was waiting for her to come. His eyes followed her as she entered the corral. He did not move at first, instead he stood very still. She checked his water to see if it needed to be refilled. Red Leaf gathered some grain and hay and mounded it just next to where the grey stallion stood. He looked down at the mound and then back at her. Red Leaf began to sing her song again. As she softly sang the song of honor, the grey stallion began to eat.

As the stallion was eating the hay, still singing her song, Red Leaf took slow short steps around his body. She wanted to study every inch of the beautiful stallion’s body.  Red Leaf noticed as she stood next to him that he was taller than most of ponies she had seen in her village. Following the curves of his body with her eyes, the half starved stallion still appeared muscular even though he was still quite thin. She was saddened by the scars on his hindquarters and legs. She thought to herself that this horse must have been badly mistreated by someone that did not understand him. His eyes were large and deep, but sad in their appearance. His overall color was a pale grey. His full dark grey mane and long tail contrasted against his pale grey body. Red Leaf thought the stallion to be the most beautiful horse that she had ever seen. As she continued to walk around the stallion she softly sang her song, " Ye-Ta -Yo, Great One," she whispered in his ear. “I will honor you all your days, my great warrior. I will honor you all your days, Grey Warrior." And as soon as she said the words aloud, Red Leaf knew the name fit the majestic grey stallion. " From this day you will be known as Grey Warrior. You will once again walk with honor. See me Grey Warrior, I am Red Leaf, Creek Maiden of the Maskoke Creek. We will walk our paths together.” Grey Warrior looked directly into Red Leaf’s face. Pushing his head toward her head, Red Leaf knew he heard her words.

Red Leaf decided it was now time to lead Grey Warrior to the pond to the creek behind the barn to give the stallion a bath.  Taking the lead rope off the corral post, she slowly put it around the stallion's neck.  She then slowly led him through the corral gate and toward the creek.  Grey Warrior followed her lead without resisting.  Once the two had come to the edge of the creek bank, Red Leaf walked into the cold water.  Holding onto the lead rope she gently pulled for Grey Warrior to follow her in.  The stallion resisted slightly at first, but realizing that it was only water, Grey Warrior followed Red Leaf to the middle of the creek. Cupping her hands, Red Leaf lifted water from the creek and began to wash Grey Warrior.  Slowly and carefully the caked mud on the horse's body began to rinse away.  When Grey Warrior was glistening from being clean, Red Leaf led him up the bank and back to corral. It is also time to mount my horse she thought. Taking the small blanket she had brought from the cabin, she carefully placed it upon Grey Warrior’s back. Then slowly she grabbed a section of his mane and boosted herself up upon his strong back. Circling the corral a couple of times she soothed his mane. Satisfied that Grey Warrior wanted what she had wanted, she led him through the gate and across the pasture. Squeezing her legs, she gave the stallion the signal he needed to run in the wind.   Grey Warrior and Red Leaf felt their spirits bond together that morning. Without spoken words, they both knew that nothing would ever separate them.  Red Leaf closed her eyes and let the stallion take the lead.  For the first time, in a long time, Red Leaf felt the spirit of her people riding with her.

As summer days waned into fall, preparing the stores for winter was on every ones mind. Each day tasks and chores had to be completed by each member of the family. Red Leaf and Mary did their work mostly together while Jessie and Yellow Knife spent their days on hunts. When fresh kill was brought home to be skinned and smoked, it was Mary and Red Leaf’s job to oversee the task of filling up the stores. After the last section of smoked meat are placed in the stores, Mary smiled and said, "Red Leaf, lets grab a comb, a bar of lye soap and a piece of leather shammy and head for the creek this afternoon."  Red Leaf agreed.  So as soon as the last of the dried meat was placed in an upright position, they closed the door to the store’s cellar and started across the pasture toward the forest. Mary hurried in front of Red Leaf at a steady pace. She shouted to Red Leaf, " you walk like an old woman," goading Red Leaf along. The young women were happy to enjoy the rest of that early summer day together. They held onto each others hands as the walked toward the forest.   Finding a good spot on the creek's bank, they began to wash their hair and bodies. When they both had finished with their task, they sat down on two huge rocks that lay along the bank. Mary started to use the comb they had brought along on her long blond hair as Red Leaf watched the fish darting in and out of the rocks below the water. The warm afternoon passed effortlessly like the swirling water that passed over the rocks and down Barge’s Creek.  Looking up at the sun overhead, Red Leaf expressed to Mary that they should be getting back. “Martha be worry if we stay,” she said. Mary agreed and gathered up their effects. Mary took the lead on the path toward home. Red Leaf was right behind her. As the two quickly followed their path out of the forest, Red Leaf suddenly became aware that they were not alone. She detected that someone or something was watching them. This alarmed Red Leaf. She knew instinctively that they must be careful and cautious. Red Leaf grabbed the handle of her knife that was positioned in the back of the waistband of her skirt and continued to look in every direction as both young women followed the path out of the forest. Red Leaf was relieved when the path in the forest ended and they were back in the open valley. Once they were back in their cabin, Red Leaf looked out a window over the pasture to see if anyone or anything had followed them.  Seeing nothing, she turned and went to help with the evening meal.

The next morning after chores, Red Leaf asked Martha if she could ride Grey Warrior. Since chores were done, Martha agreed to let Red Leaf enjoy the remainder of the day with her horse. Red Leaf took her leather bag and filled it with biscuits from the morning meal then headed to the corral. Hearing her approach, Grey Warrior slowly began moving toward her. When he stood just above her body, he nodded his head up and down in greeting. She pulled out a handful of grain from her pocket and fed it to him. Smoothing his mane and blowing into his nostrils, she let him know that she was just as happy to see him. He snorted softly and butted his head against her hand. Grey Warrior was contented when Red Leaf was near him. "Es-Ton-Ko, my brave friend, I have come to honor you,” Red Leaf whispered in Grey Warrior’s ear and said in Creek. " It is time we ride the wind together. I will take you to my secret place in the forest. I have many things from my people to show you. This day we will give thanks to Grand Father and to Mother Earth who helped us find each other." Grey Warrior stood still as Red Leaf draped her blanket once again on his back. When Red Leaf had finished doing that, she took grain from the grain bend and put it to in the leather bag along with the morning biscuits. Grey Warrior followed Red Leaf out of the gate to the corral. Pawing the ground he let her know that he too was excited and happy to go on a journey with her. Closing the corral gate behind her, Red Leaf grabbed the dark grey mane of the horse and flung her legs onto his back. Riding past the cabin, Red Leaf waved good bye to Mary and Martha who stood on the porch watching them leave.

When they had reached the beginning of the path that led into the forest, Red Leaf slowed Grey Warrior down to a walk. When they were almost at Red Leaf’s reclusive retreat, she dismounted Grey Warrior and walked along aside of him the rest of the way. As soon as they reached the tree she had visited so any times before, she bent down to clear the away the brush from it’s base and seated herself upon a mound of pine needles. After clearing away the carefully placed brush covering her hiding hole, she pulled out a hand beaded leather bag. She opened the leather ties of the bag and brought out each precious item, carefully placing them on the ground around her. Fondly touching each item with her fingers, she smiled. It brought her such great joy to touch her hair ties and leather dress. Red Leaf put the bundles of sweet grass to her nose and closed her eyes.  How it reminded her of how her mother's hair always smelled. Next she picked up a beaded bag.  The beaded bag belonged to her mother. They had beaded it together five winters ago. Red Leaf felt great joy when she visited her secret place.  She could be a Creek Maiden once again. Grey Warrior intuitively knew that this was something that pleased Red Leaf and that of course pleased him. Red Leaf reached in the leather bag she had brought along and brought out the biscuits and grain for her and Grey Warrior to eat. When they were finished with the faire, Red Leaf sat back against the tree as Grey Warrior contented himself with eating a few blades of grass on the ground. They noticed something in the air at the same time. Red Leaf rose to her feet quietly. She listened for the sounds of the forest. She felt uneasy when she realized that the forest had become silent. The horse’s ears were back and he started to nervously paw the ground next to Red Leaf. She noted his apprehension and quickly bent down and tucked the leather bag back into its secluded spot. She then swiftly covered it over with brush, to conceal it once again. That same feeling she had with Mary the day before was back. Red Leaf was certain that they were being watched. Putting her hand into Grey Warriors’ mane she lead him back down the path toward the valley. They hadn’t walked but a short distance, when both the stallion and Red Leaf stopped. They both clearly heard twigs breaking behind them in the deep underbrush. Red Leaf quickly assessed their situation and decided to ride the stallion out the forest. With lightening speed she pulled herself up on Grey Warrior’s back and squeezed her thighs to signal him to start moving. The path was heavy with brush and low hanging branches. This hampered their attempt to move quickly. Half way to the end of their path, they could hear a thunderous growling sound from their rear. Red Leaf looked back over her shoulder toward the direction of the sound and she suddenly saw a huge brown figure standing upright in the heavy brush. Once the bear saw how far ahead they were from him, he dropped to all fours and ran in full pursuit. The bear was growling and snarling. Red Leaf could see the great bear moving its head from side to side as it pursued them. Red Leaf could feel Grey Warrior’s body grow tense beneath both her legs. She knew that the only chance that they had was to keep calm and out run the grizzly. Red Leaf pulled on Grey Warrior’s mane with a hard tug. The horse immediately bolted in the direction that Red Leaf told him to go. The grizzly sprinted after them at a pace that surprised Red Leaf. " Es-Ton-Ko, my great friend you must run faster," Red Leaf said shouted as she pulled on Grey Warrior’s mane with all her strength. The stallion understood what was at stake and bolted through the thick forest dodging in and out of trees and heavy brush. As Red Leaf was guiding Grey Warrior, suddenly out of nowhere, one of the low hanging branches knocked Red Leaf from Grey Warrior’s back onto the ground. She was dazed at first by the fall, but quickly came to her senses. The bear was almost upon her. It was at this moment that Red Leaf realized that she had only enough time to sing her death song. It must be Grand Father’s wish that the spirit of great bear was to take her spirit from her that day. With a strong voice she sang out to Grand Father. " Grand Father let me die bravely this day. Take me to my people’s counsel fire. Let my spirit honor this bear".

The bear stopped in his tracks appearing somewhat confused by her singing. Then with lightening speed, the grizzly continued toward her. The snarling monstrosity reached Red Leaf and stood towering above her small body. He stood upon his rear legs above her head and poised himself to swipe her with his huge clawed paws. Red Leaf was close enough to smell the grizzly’s hot breath above her head. Closing her eyes she continued singing her death song. She now prepared herself for what would come next. Red Leaf was resigned to her fate, when she heard Grey Warrior whinnying loudly joining the growl of the great bear that stood above her body. Red Leaf opened her eyes just in time to see Grey Warrior charge toward the grizzly. Grey Warrior charged repeatedly toward the bear, angering the grizzly even further. Once the grizzly lost interest in Red Leaf and backed away from her, Grey Warrior stood up on his back legs, rushing forward toward the bear, kicking out at the bear with his front hooves. The bear retreated from Grey Warrior’s attacks. Grey Warrior dropped on all fours and turned his hindquarters toward the aggressive grizzly kicking out with his rear hooves. Thick dust was kicked up with the force of Grey Warrior’s hooves hitting the ground. He bravely drove the grizzly farther away from the girl. Seizing the right moment, Red Leaf jumped up and ran clear of the combating pair. Pulling out her knife, she was ready to join the stallion’s brave defense with his courageous battle. Then as if the grizzly was weary of the horse’s defensive attacks toward him, he suddenly stopped swiping at the grey horse and got down on all fours. With a sudden turn, he ran into the forest under brush. Red Leaf ran to Grey Warrior with tears running down both her cheeks. " Es-Ton-Ko, my brave warrior, thank you for honoring my life this day". Red Leaf buried her head in Grey Warrior’s mane as they stood close together in silence. Red Leaf knew that Grey Warrior was willing to give his life for her. She put her arms around his neck and whispered her grateful words into his ear. Grey Warrior responded to Red Leaf’s words with a soft whinny and his leg pawing at the ground.

When they returned to the cabin that day, Red Leaf proudly led Grey Warrior into his corral. She took the blanket from  his back and hung it over the corral’s railing. After she made sure he had everything that he needed for the night, she walked up to Grey Warrior and put both of her arms around his neck once again.  Pulling Grey Warrior’s head down to where she could reach his ear she said in Creek, "Es-Ton-Ko, I will never forget what you have done this day. I will honor you all your life." With that said Red Leaf left her horse contentedly eating in his corral.

Inside the cabin door, Mary meant Red Leaf with red cheeks excitement. Red Leaf also noticed that Yellow Knife and Jessie were back from their trip. Yellow Knife was first to speak, " glad your back girl. We just got a warning bout a rogue grizzly in the valley. He’s a killer. Killed some settlers up the Big Sandy. We are gathering up men around the valley to find this killer and blow him to kingdom come if we can". Red Leaf sat down at the table with the two men while Martha and Mary quietly listened in . " I know about great bear, Yellow Knife," Red Leaf began, "Grey Warrior, my brave friend and me, saw bear in forest. The great bear wanted my spirit. Grey Warrior not let him. He fight for my life so my spirit stay here with him. The great bear spirit is still close by. " Red Leaf looked away from the astonished family and pointed toward the forest.

Martha and Mary both at the same time asked Red Leaf if she was all right. Yellow Knife and Jessie looked at each other. Yellow Knife picked up his hunting rifle and said to Jessie in a sharp voice, "Looks as if this dern bear is closer to home that I thought. Let’s go Jessie. We gotta find this killer." Jessie got up from the table and followed his father out the cabin door. Martha put her arm around Red Leaf’s shoulders and closed her eyes while saying a prayer. " Thank you heavenly Father that you didn’t take my daughter this day.”

"Red Leaf," Mary asked, I bet you were scared. Good thing you had the grey with you."

"I happy Grey Warrior with me," Red Leaf quickly said. "He brave this day. I sing my death song, but Grey Warrior would not let me go."

"Grey Warrior is the name you picked for the grey stallion, Red Leaf?” Mary asked.

"Yes, Grey Warrior now his name." Red Leaf responded with a proud expression.

Martha’s face drained of all color as she looked at Red Leaf. She sat down on a chair and fanned herself with her apron. Before Jessie and Yellow Knife rode out to join the men in the valley, he told the three women to stay close to the cabin while he and Jessie were gone. Martha regained her composure and she motioned Mary to get her a glass of water. Mary quickly retrieved the water and gave it to her mother. Red Leaf felt confidence in both Jessie and Yellow Knife’s tracking and hunting ability. But she also understood the spirit of this great bear and knew he would not be easy to find. Grand Father gave supreme strength to the spirit of the great bear unlike other four-legged animals.

The next morning was filled with chores. Cows were milked and the buckets were brought into the cabin. The butter churn was brought out to churn the butter. Martha sat on a chair and pulled the churn toward her. Pouring in enough milk to prime the churn, she began the churning. After about an hour’s time, Martha stood up from her chair and announced, "The butter looks ready Mary. Go get the bowl and cover to put the butter in.” She then looked toward Red Leaf, " Red Leaf, go to the barn and take care of the stock like you did last night. We must lock up all the stock for their safety. Mary will help you when she is done with puttin’ the butter in the butter keeper. Go on now and get everything done before dusk sets." Red Leaf headed toward the barn.  On her way to the barn, she took Grey Warrior from his corral and led him with her. Once inside of the barn, she put Grey Warrior in the stall next to the cow and older mare. Red Leaf put down bundles of hay that she took from the hay bin and feed all the hoofed animals. Mary entered a short time later with grain and scraps for the pig and chickens. Both young women took stock in making sure everything in the barn looked secure. Red Leaf walked back over to where Grey Warrior had been stalled. He was contentedly eating the hay and a bit of grain that Red Leaf had brought to him. "Es-Ton-Ko, you will not be locked in this place long. I also wish to be out and not captured like a rabbit waiting for someone to free me." Mary told Red Leaf she thought all seemed to be fine in the barn. She went on to suggest that they get back to the cabin and stay close to each other, like Pa told them to do. Red Leaf nodded at Mary to let her know she would soon follow. Red Leaf wanted to smooth Grey Warrior’s mane one more time before returning to the cabin. Red Leaf caught up with Mary at the barn door and walking outside they secured the doors with a huge wooden log. Red Leaf looked out toward the valley and Mary asked her, "Red Leaf, what are you looking at? Do you see Pa and Jessie?" Mary went on. Ignoring Mary’s questions, Red Leaf remained stone still. Red Leaf continued looking out over the pasture. This made Mary feel uncomfortable. She wanted to know why Red Leaf was acting like this.  Just as Mary was about to ask Red Leaf why she was acting so strange without warning, Red Leaf shouted at Mary in a voice that made the hair on the back of Mary's neck stand up, "Mary run, run to the cabin, run fast Mary, now!" Mary’s face drained of all color. She dropped the pail that she had carried into the barn and swiftly ran to the cabin as Red Leaf had commanded her to do. When she reached the porch, she turned back to see if Red Leaf was close behind her. To her surprise Red Leaf was still standing outside the barn door. Mary watched her take out something from the pocket of her apron. She was sprinkling whatever it was on the ground and in front of the barn door.  Red Leaf took the bundle of sweet grass that she had kept in her leather bag at her secret place and sprinkling it on the ground in front of the barn, she said a prayer to Grand Father. Asking that he help them be brave and fight the great bear that was coming for them. Then she ran to the cabin door and joined Mary. "Red Leaf,” Mary excitedly asked, “what’s wrong? What were you doing out there? Please tell me!" Mary pleaded to Red Leaf. Mary slammed the cabin door behind them. Martha quickly turned toward the cabin door when she heard it slam and could see by her daughter’s expression that something was wrong. Red Leaf walked to the front cabin window and pulled back the curtain. Looking out over the grounds, she began with a voice that sounded frightened, " In wind I feel something again watching. I know great bear spirit is not far. He know we here. We must put wood over door and window keep great bear out." When Red Leaf stopped talking, Martha turned pale and reached for a chair to sit down in. "There no time to set," Red Leaf said. “You work fast. Great bear here soon. We be ready." Hearing the urgency in Red Leaf’s voice, Martha put the chair back and took stock as to what they needed to do to protect themselves from the grizzly.

Red Leaf was worried. She knew that they were no-match for the great bear. The men were gone and that left the three women to defend the homestead by them selves. Red Leaf turned her attention back to the window. She knew she must stand watch.

 In a take-charge voice Martha said to Mary, "Mary, board up the windows in the back of the cabin and I will board up the windows here in the front part of the cabin. Use the wooden bars to secure them." As Martha and Mary hurriedly went around in each room securing each window of the cabin, Red Leaf remained steadfast at the window near the front door, watching for what she knew would come next. Red Leaf also knew that the bear could easily enter the cabin if he really wanted to. He was a spirit bear with great power. After the windows were secured and the front door was barred with the heavy log braces, Martha took out her bible and began to read aloud. The two young women moved closer to Martha and held onto each other. As Martha read from passages that she hoped would give strength to the three, it wasn’t long when they heard the animals in the barn crying out. Martha stopped reading out loud. Red Leaf walked over to the front window again. Peaking out a small opening where the boards covered the windows, Red Leaf looked toward the barn. The grizzly was out there. The animals in the barn began to cry out louder as the bear drew closer to them. Red Leaf could hear Grey Warrior and the mare, frightened whinnies as they smelled the bear closing in.  As they listened to the distressful cries of the frightened animals in the barn, a crashing sound of wood broke through their cries. A thunderous growl echoed above the commotion and was clearly heard by the three petrified women inside the cabin. Red Leaf tried to see what was going on through the opening of the wooden shutters. Turning to Martha and Mary she said in a desperate voice, " I must go to the barn.  I help Grey Warrior and animals." Pushing up the huge log brace on the cabin door, Red Leaf ordered Mary, "close door after me. "

Red Leaf ran as quickly as she could to the barn. Arriving in front of what was left of the barn doors, she swallowed hard and entered the barn. Taking her knife out, she carefully walked into the dark place. By the time she reached the barn, the animals had become silent. Nothing was moving where the animals once were. Adjusting her eyes in the darkness, she focused her attention to where the stallion had been stalled. Her heart stopped beating when she realized that the wall of the barn where the stall had been was broken through and exposed. Grey Warrior was gone. Red Leaf saw a few dead chickens lying on the barn floor by the huge gapping opening of the barn wall. Lying by the hay bin she also saw the pig mortally bleeding. With a heavy heart, she made her way through the stall and through the huge opening. As she stepped out into the pasture she was relieved to hear Grey Warrior’s whinny.  The sound of the stressful horse made Red Leaf bolt outside the opening.  With her knife ready to battle for her stallion she headed toward the horse's cries. Outside the barn, in the open pasture Red Leaf saw Grey Warrior defending the older mare as he had defended her. The grizzly was standing on its hind legs moving back and forth in front of the kicking horse.  As the horse and bear were standing off one another, the bear's jaws opened wide, exposing its massive teeth and then he let out bombastic growl from his throat. Grey Warrior whinnied loudly in response to the grizzly's growl. As if Grey Warrior knew what was coming next,   he was standing up above the grizzly kicking out toward the bear with all his force. This frenzied up anger in the grizzly.  The bear stood up to meet the horse head on. Swiping at the stallion with his clawed paws, the grizzly walked sideways lunging at Grey Warrior during his attack. Red Leaf tried to distract the great bear by shouting to the bear " Yo Ya Ta Ne, Yo Ya Ta Ne, go back to the forest,” she kept repeating as she moved around to the rear of the standing bear. Bending down to the ground, she picked up a good size tree limb. With all her strength, she swung a single blow to the back of the bear’s hindquarters. The grizzly was surprised by Red Leaf’s attack. Lowering itself down on all fours, the bear swiftly swung around to face Red Leaf head on. Grey Warrior screamed out a piercing whinny and ran between the grizzly and Red Leaf keeping the angry bear at bay. Grey Warrior began wildly kicking at the huge bear with his back hooves. The bear was beside itself with anger and began to stand once more swinging out his huge claws at any effort of the heroic grey stallion. Red Leaf moved to position herself behind Grey Warrior to merge their attack on the bear.  Then without any warning, several shots rang out behind them. Red Leaf could clearly hear male voices yelling as they seemed to be coming closer. Red Leaf turned toward the direction of where the shots and voices were coming from. There running ahead of the pack of men was Yellow Knife and Jessie. Their rifles were poised at eye level shooting off rounds with each step. Another volley of shots rung out and the bear dropped on all fours. Red Leaf turned her attention back toward the grizzly. The bear could see that it was out numbered and chose to retreat across the open pasture. Running with great speed, the bear was covering ground quickly. On the bears heels followed the pack of gun firing men. Yellow Knife and Jessie stopped their pursuit of the grizzly long to make sure that Red Leaf and Grey Warrior were all right. Red Leaf told them to hurry and join the other men. She assured them that she and Grey Warrior were fine. Yellow Knife nodded and both men hurried to catch up with the others.

Later that night Yellow Knife and Jessie returned home. The grizzly had been killed, but not before hurting several men that were part of the hunting party. Red Leaf felt sad in her heart that many had died crossing paths with the great bear, but she understood that the spirit of the great bear was strong and he fought well to the end. The family sat down at the table grateful that they were all alive. Red Leaf asked Yellow Knife if she could say a prayer to Grand Father in Creek. Yellow Knife agreed and Red Leaf began to pray. " I thank Grand Father for all our lives. I will sing song of battle Grey Warrior gave to great spirit bear. I will sing song to my children. They will sing this song to their children."  When Red Leaf had finished her prayer.  Yellow Knife interrupted the prayer to the rest of the family.  Everyone felt as Red Leaf had felt. That night the family also agreed that Grey Warrior was no ordinary horse. Yellow Knife was the first one to admit he was glad he traded for Grey Warrior. He admitted to Red Leaf, " it was the best dern trade I ever did. Yes it was.”

Many more stories were passed down through my family about Grey Warrior and my great-grandmother, Red Leaf. Stories of Grey Warrior’s bravery was known and told throughout the Ohio Valley in the early 1800's.   Red Leaf and Grey Warrior lived together for many, many years.  They both knew of the spirit bond they held with each other.  The last thing my great- grandmother said before she died was to bury her next to her "Es-Ton-Ko" -her brave loyal friend, Grey Warrior.

The End.

Written by: Jean Fixen (Oui-Sa), great-granddaughter of Red Leaf