The girl is half my size. I think I can handle her without calling council."
"You disappoint me, Hunter. Where is the patience you show with the wild horses you train? Has it gone the way of the wind?"
"A horse is worth the trouble. A yellow-hair is not."
"I know men who greatly treasure golden women. Perhaps she will grow on you."
"I prefer a horse. A one."
"Women, horses, there is little difference, eh? Well trained, they both give men smooth rides and much pleasure. What happens when you first rope a mustang?"
Hunter knew where this conversation was going and refused the bait. Warrior replied for him. "Every time he runs against the rope, he flips end over end."
"And what does he learn? Not to challenge your rope, eh? After that first lesson, he knows you are his master and allows you to gentle him with kindness. The white woman is the same. She is afraid and lunging against the rope. As soon as you break her of that, the battle is won, eh?"
Hunter wished it could be that simple. When a horse accepted the touch of his hand, joy filled him. After swirling the dregs of his coffee, Hunter emptied his cup onto the fire. Rising to his feet, he said, "You are both very wise, and I am glad of your advice. I will handle the woman my way, though. She is woman, eh?"
"Take care," Old Man warned. "The are unpredictable. Especially the females. Wisest-One had himself a yellow-hair once. After one night in his buffalo robes, she jumped into the Talking Water River and drowned herself. Not even Wisest-One could be that bad a lover.
"You disappoint me, Hunter. Where is the patience you show with the wild horses you train? Has it gone the way of the wind?"
"A horse is worth the trouble. A yellow-hair is not."
"I know men who greatly treasure golden women. Perhaps she will grow on you."
"I prefer a horse. A one."
"Women, horses, there is little difference, eh? Well trained, they both give men smooth rides and much pleasure. What happens when you first rope a mustang?"
Hunter knew where this conversation was going and refused the bait. Warrior replied for him. "Every time he runs against the rope, he flips end over end."
"And what does he learn? Not to challenge your rope, eh? After that first lesson, he knows you are his master and allows you to gentle him with kindness. The white woman is the same. She is afraid and lunging against the rope. As soon as you break her of that, the battle is won, eh?"
Hunter wished it could be that simple. When a horse accepted the touch of his hand, joy filled him. After swirling the dregs of his coffee, Hunter emptied his cup onto the fire. Rising to his feet, he said, "You are both very wise, and I am glad of your advice. I will handle the woman my way, though. She is woman, eh?"
"Take care," Old Man warned. "The are unpredictable. Especially the females. Wisest-One had himself a yellow-hair once. After one night in his buffalo robes, she jumped into the Talking Water River and drowned herself. Not even Wisest-One could be that bad a lover.
( Catherine Anderson )
[ Comanche Moon ]
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