"May you walk this path on which we send you with courage and honor," Black Hawk said.
He turned to the people. "This council is at an end."
White Bear knew he could not hold back his tears any longer. He sprang to his feet and blindly hurled himself into the crowd that was already beginning to disperse. He felt a hand on his arm, but he pulled away from it.
He began to run. He ran through Saukenuk, through the meadow, into the trees by the river's edge. He ran past the graves. He ran with the hard, steady stride of one carrying a message.
But a messenger did not run sobbing, with tears streaming down his face.
6
In the Ancient Grove
Redbird watched, an aching, empty place in her chest, as White Bear disappeared into the woods at the edge of the Rock River.
"What a fool!" Water Flows Fast, standing nearby, had spoken. "The pale eyes have steel knives and blankets and big sturdy lodges that are always warm and never leak. They always have enough food. I would be happy to go live with a pale eyes if he asked me."