The Death of the "Conjuror of the Horn"

(c) 1995-2003 William James Chance

The summer is hot here in Alabama as George worked on his cabin and Elizabeth worked putting up food for the next winter. The children were running and playing around the cabin, the older girls were helping their mother.

"George, someone is coming up the trail towards the cabin," said Elizabeth. "Who goes there?" says George. George heard a voice saying, "is that really you Otter?" George said, "That can't be you Little Snake, what are you doing way down here?" "I was sent to bring you to the horn. He is very sick and we believe he is dying".

George said, "Where is my father's sister, Water?" "I am sorry chief, she was killed. We believe by the white eyes soldiers". Big Bear, his woman, Bears Meat and the children of the horn are looking after the horn till we get there. We must go at once. It will take five or six moons to reach the mountains near Yellow Creek".

George said, "Make ready Elizabeth, you and the children, we must go at once. The horn is dying and my father's sister is dead". Elizabeth went to get the children ready to leave for the journey.

Little Snake said, "Your father's sister was cut in so many place, too many to count". George said, "Where did you put her?" "No place, the horn said we had to wait for you to come, that only you would know where to place the two of them". "What did he mean by that, my chief, I cannot tell you that Little Snake?" So they went on their way to the homelands.

After a few moons, they were back in the land of our people. They came to the camp of Big Bear and his wife, Bears Meat. George said, "Big Bear, how is the horn?" and Bears Meat said, "Chief, he is just a life". The children of the horn came running and put their arms around Elizabeth and the chief. Then the chief said, "Take me to the horn" and the Otter said, "You must wait outside, I must talk to the horn alone". The Otter went inside to talk to the horn.

The Otter said, "Horn, can you hear me? I came as you asked. The lodge is filled with the shadow dancers, waiting to take you to a special place that the priest promised you and you said you would set at the head of the great council in the great hall. Speak to me my old friend, am I too late?" The horn said, "No my brother, you are not too late. I am still here with the living but I will soon cross over to the other side of the rim. You must take the body of my wife, Water, and my body to the place I showed you years ago. No one must ever know where you place my body or Waters". "I will see to that my old friend. We have come a long way together. You will soon be with my fathers, Running Fox and Red Wolf and all our forefathers before us. You will soon sit in the great council hall, in the hall of the priest, as the Great Spirit himself told you. I will miss you my friend".

"Otter, I am sorry about your sister, Water. She did not go without putting up a good fight but she was outnumbered. Why must there always be so many of them?" "Horn, this does not sound like you. You always said that mother earth will one day get all she can take from the white eyes and then she will send them to the dark rim." "Soon you can ask yourself. Hurry up, Otter. You know that mother earth works in her own time to do things, Otter, you must tell my girl child that I passed the power of the priest to her and all the girl children that come after her". Then the horn died.

The Otter went outside and said, "The horn is dead. Bring two of the best blankets and place the Shaman of the Horn in one and his wife, Water, and my sister, in the other and place them on two horses. I must take them to the place the horn told me of many years ago. No one can come for there are people that would steal his body, for his magic, not knowing that he has passed the magic to his girl child and all the girl children after her".

They placed the bodies on the horses and as the Otter walked over to his horse; he stopped and placed his hand on the side of the face of the horn's girl child. Pushing aside her tears he said, "Child, your father has given you the greatest gift, use it well. When the crying is over, there is much to be done. Don't let him down". The Otter got on his horse and Big Bear gave him the lead ropes and the Otter said, "Big Bear, you and Little Snake make sure no one follows me". "We will see to that chief'. The Otter rode away.

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