As they murmured about how blessed and honored the two visionquest companions were, many gathered around them to look at or touch the long and sharp claws of the slain creature. Afterward the couple presented them to his mother, along with the bear skin, as gifts of love. Yet, only Wind Dancer, Chumani, Hanmani, Winona, Zitkala, and Red Feather knew the motive behind the gesture: gratitude for her encouraging words to her son before his departure. The meat was passed out to women whose husbands had died from cholera, as some had not yet taken another mate. People praised Chumani for saving the life of their future chief and the Great Spirit's path to glorious victory. The Story Catchers said they would paint that story on the tribal history hide so all would remember her great deed.Zitkala and Red Feather also were praised and honored with the gifts of coup feathers for their brave and daring deed against the enemy scouting party. That stirring tale was repeated again, as most had been confined in their tepees last night when the two warriors returned.The men were told to get their work finished quickly so they could meet with the council before dusk, where Chumani's ideas for provoking trouble between the Crow and Whites would be revealed and discussed.
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