The Legend of Big Indian, Part Ii

...For years they both lived there in the crisp mountain air, the rolling ridges were their home, it was not written down, so what pleasures they found are only to history known. Come several years later word spread of some raiders attacking the valley for cows, some claimed that Winisook from their stocks freely took, they had to move and do it now. They formed up a posse with one Joseph Bundy, out seeing to avenge his shame, they pursued the rogue braves, and as they made their way in the mountains Winisook was found. No one could say if he was the thief they did seek, but nobody cared all that much. Bundy saw his rival, felt his anger in full, drew his gun to end the man’s luck. Bundy said, “I must civilize you by letting daylight into your heart!” Bundy then took aim, sought to bury his shame, fired, and the bullet struck hard. He fell against a tree, and when his wife did seek she found him dead, sitting upright, though the loss truly burned, she refused to return, would never more be Bundy’s wife. By the sight where he died a new lodge did arise, she would never be far from his grave, and with Winisook’s kids that is just what she did, and lived there the rest of her days. They say that tree remained to speak of this great pain, right into the last century, but a railroad came by, built an embankment high, now it rests in the earth quietly. Now the tale is near lost, three long centuries off, forgotten except for place names, like Big Indian town, the Winisook Lake grounds, and folklore to speak of their fame.