The Blue Stone People — Louise Bouck

Three young adults left camp, each with a goal. The two men sought adventure. The woman was focused on life with her own kind, her family that believed as she did. They went their own ways when they reached the wagon trail. They turned west and followed the trail, she crossed it and rode out in the direction of the Hickory River and the largest oak tree that marked her future. Meanwhile an inexperienced Jesuit Priest entered the territory of the camp. Leading his burdened mules. He chose a location near the small lake that was the water source for the people. There he was determined to stay and teach the people about Christ, but soon he realized that he had much to learn. He struggled alone to build a small log church while sleeping in a single walled canvas tent the Jesuits had provided. Soaked to the skin after a heavy rain, he learned how kind and good the people could be. They made a smoke hole in the roof and built a fire on the dirt floor of the church. They brought him dry clothes and a warm meal. He wept at his own inadequacy, vowing to do better. The two young men, Sharp Knife and Singing Wind returned after their adventure with a rare gift for the people and many wonderful stories of their experiences. The woman, Brave Sparrow, the adopted daughter of the Chief had not returned. The people of the camp missed her, especially Moonflower, her Indian mother. Red Fox, their shaman, was viciously killed by a huge gray wolf that entered his tent. Was it a real wolf or an evil spirit? The people wondered. Many frightening things happened that summer. A guard for the horse herd was allowed to go study with Standing Lizard, a powerful shaman. He was to become their new shaman. He had to be saved from the flames of the communal fire. Brave Sparrow returned just in time. She reminded the people that The Great Spirit watched over the people. She inspired awe and love. She brought the people to the large cross that stood beside the little church and opened their hearts to the Son of God. So much more happened that summer. Brave Sparrow gave the people the blue stones and their new name. They were no longer the Winahatah. They traded with the white men and were peaceful. The sudden ground shaking and the church lifting high, was the beginning, as the water of the lake poured into camp The ground split open and Chief Dark Wolf was given a revelation. Brave Sparrow returned again, urged by the Holy Spirit. She once again was able to establish calm order but they had missed the important summer meeting. Trouble was brewing. Warriors from the north; and their evil shaman named Standing Crane; a dead priest; a life or death challenge and an unusual wedding all take place in the camp of "The Blue Stone People," that summer.