Walk Upon the Clouds, a Legend of the Rocky Mountains

By Daniel Hance Page

WALK UPON THE CLOUDS, A LEGEND OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS is a story of the Rocky Mountains where courageous people faced each adversity until, acquiring such a depth of experiences, they could see beyond the rain and walk upon the clouds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Feb 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781483496948

Daniel Hance Page

Daniel Hance Page is a freelance writer with twenty-seven books published and others being written. His books are authentic stories filled with action, adventure, history and travel, including Native American traditions and spiritual insights to protect our environment in the smallest park or widest wilderness

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Copyright © 2019 Daniel Hance Page.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-9695-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-9694-8 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Lulu Publishing Services rev. date:  02/5/2019

WALK UPON THE CLOUDS, A LEGEND OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

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DANIEL HANCE PAGE

FOR

Marg, Hank, Jim, Ivadelle, Sheldon, Colleen, Shane, Shannon Page, John, Dan And The Robinson Family, Lester And Rose Anderson, Garry And The Pratt Family, The Massey Family, Murray, Sue, Scott And Neil Shearer, Joe And Linda Hill, Macari Bishara, Kevin, Alison And Michaela Griffin, Jerry And Gaye McFarland, Joan LeBoeuf, Dr. David And June Chambers, Mac McCormick, Grant Saunders, Frank Lewis And Other Friends With Whom We Have Enjoyed The Wilderness.

"And were our lives as pleasant

In that remote frontier

As then it seemed, and I have dreamed

Of since, this many a year?

Were we as rich in things not bought—

Sunset and silent dawn—

Where the winds of God blow o’er the sod?"

John Speers

1975

When one tugs at a single thing in nature he finds it attached to the rest of the world.

John Muir

1875

In wilderness lies the hope of the world.

John Muir

1875

Chapter One

1775

THE HUNTER

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E verything was running. The buffalo herd had panicked and strained every muscle in a frenzied rush to leave danger behind and run to live. Red Sky’s horse also ran with fear, seeing large creatures everywhere. Though filled with dread, the brave pony responded to her rider. Everything was in motion, even the earth as it billowed upward in great clouds sending grit into Red Sky’s mouth, eyes and ears. His ears were also filled by thundering noise of the chase with pounding hooves and grunts for air and sometimes death. Everything being in action, he followed his training, responding to each movement and feeling fully charged by life, both surging in himself and connecting to his surroundings he also respected. Although he took some animals for food, the herd continued to flourish. Food he needed for himself and others who depended upon him. As they needed food to live, he joined the hunt.

He drove a spear into the side of an adjacent, snorting animal. It tumbled to be replaced by others. Again a spear plunged into a running form and this creature also weakened and stumbled. During the next spearing, the shaft stuck and was wrenched from Red Sky’s hands when the wounded buffalo fell.

Red Sky prepared his bow then shot an arrow into a shaggy form. The shaft buried itself up to its feathers and this buffalo also fell back into the flowing herd. Another arrow dropped the next buffalo. Taking its place, came a particularly large bull. After an arrow pierced its neck, blood steamed from the creature’s nose and the shaggy head swung sideways, burying an horn next to the ribs of Red Sky’s pony.

Feeling his horse buckling beneath him, he jumped to the back of an adjacent animal running on the outer part of the herd. From this back, Red Sky sprang to another. When a clearing appeared, he jumped off and started running away from the potentially deadly hooves.

Out of danger, he hurried back to join the rest of the hunters who had started preparing food for hauling back to camp in the mountains. Each travois would be loaded with bundles of meat and other products from this successful hunt.

Moon and stars lit the night sky by the time feasting began. Following the day’s work, roasted meat was greatly welcomed. It was savored with shouts of happiness because the men could now provide for their families. Winter would be enjoyed with a guaranteed supply of food and other products. Almost everything depended upon a successful hunt.

There was camaraderie in the awareness that each individual’s bravery and ability contributed to making the group successful. The loss of one would be felt by all. Red Sky regretted losing his horse yet her contribution helped bring the prosperity resulting from a successful hunt. There was no end when life continued with all parts contributing to the whole like a living world breathing in and out. Life thrives where there is no end only constantly changing vitality in the coming and going—the breathing of spirit. Red Sky felt it all now while he enjoyed roasted food with the others. Reflecting upon the day, he thought, the buffalo were not wasted but continue life. While some were taken, the herd thrives. There would only be death if there was ever a break in the links and there came killing just for the excitement of it and so much was removed that life itself suffered. Such thoughts had come at other times and would come again—but not any more right now, he determined. Tonight he would celebrate the moment and he did not have time for or want sleep.

When the sun shone again, it blazed across the land, brightening innumerable drops of dew while bringing light and warmth to the Kootenay hunters who, after their successful efforts, traveled westward to rejoin their families in the mountains. Like the land below, the mountains were filled with vitality. Numerous animals lived together with the rocks, trees and streams. At home in the sky, were many birds and their songs expressed contentment that seemed to ring everywhere particularly in the thoughts of the riders who were carrying out their contributions by bringing food home.

Red Sky was of medium height with dark, brown eyes, black hair and strength was etched on the features of his face. He was known and highly regarded as a person who helps others.

The legend keepers and spiritual people all spoke of the fact only in the spirit world were all days good. On earth there was the addition of bad events and resulting struggle in order to test people and help them develop in ways that could not be done in the spirit world. Such a dark occasion awaited the riders. They felt cool touches of foreboding, and such feelings increased as the men got closer to their village. Ominous signs started to be everywhere. Birds sang less often and, when they did, they failed to remove a gathering coolness that even the sun could not dispel. It also did not brighten the increasing grayness. Only too soon, in place of a bird’s song, there came a faint but increasing sound of wailing. In camp there has been trouble, noted Red Sky while he rode forward with the others.

His two daughters were well and unharmed. They were living with relatives. Red Sky supplied food to all of them. He was happy to see his daughters along with other family members and friends. His joy however was soon overshadowed by loss. The Sioux, who had attacked the village when the hunters were away, had killed a few people, wounded some and taken captives including Red Sky’s wife, Stands Apart. A group of men would follow the