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Back to Wesoomi's Archives The Legend of Wesoomi: Twenty Nine: The Wild Men: September 16, 2002: Even as Wesoomi sought the counsel of the Golden Earth Mother, Crazy Wolf held counsel with Little Warrior. "Come first light," he said, "I will travel with you to the north. There we will seek the wild men. The young warriors must travel with us, but not the large bellied fools." "Indeed, Chief. They would only shame us before the wild men." "That, we need not. We must show strength to have the wild men wish to join us." So it came to pass, as Wesoomi lodged in his forest shelter Crazy Wolf traveled with Little Warrior and his twenty to the wild country. Little Warrior led the way, for he and his men had sought prey in this land many times. As they traveled, Little Warrior thought to slay Crazy Wolf along the way. He pondered on it and knew there was risk. If he were to slay Crazy Wolf, he must needs devise a tale to win over the old Bandar warriors. They were old and fat, but they were near four of them for each one of his men. After pondering the thought for much of the first day, Little Warrior put it aside. The risk was too great. To act in haste and mayhap forfeit all, would be grievous. He and his men had schemed too long to end with so bitter a result. Best to bide his time and await a more certain chance. Best mayhap to build his strength with wild men. Best to bait Crazy Wolf into the snare of Wesoomi and his Husbandmen. On the second day they came upon a wild man in a clearing. He was fierce to behold with much wild hair over his face and arms. No tunic wore he, but just a short bit of hide hung from a thong around his middle. It covered his front side, but not his back. He stood not straight, but stooped with arms dangling. He carried a short sharpened stick, but no bow. As the Bandar approached him he turned and bolted into the forest. Crazy Wolf moved to pursue him, but Little Warrior stayed him with a hand on his arm. "Let us wait, Chief. We will not overtake him, for he knows this place and we know it not." "How then will we speak with him?" "We have learnt that these wild ones be draw to us. We have learnt that they covet our tools. Mayhap this one will return. Let us see." Little Warrior unslung the pack from his back. From it he took a flint knife and placed it on the forest floor near where the wild man had entered the forest. "Let us build our fire and abide here for the night. Then we will see." "I know not of these things, little Warrior. I must do as you say." "It is good, Chief." As they partook their evening meal it happened as Little Warrior had foretold. The wild man came carefully to the edge of the clearing. With eyes intent upon the Bandar he bent and picked up the knife. Then he turned and hurried into the forest. Little Warrior smiled. "It is as I believed," he said. "If my thoughts be true, near first light he will return with others. Mayhap one who can speak our tongue." "Then we may speak with them?" queried Crazy Wolf. "We have done so before. They covet our tools and did aid us in the hunt to have them. Mayhap they will aid us in your desire." "That be a good though," grinned Crazy Wolf. Little Warrior set a watch for the night and the rest retired. Come morn, Crazy Wolf awoke to see several wild men at the edge of the clearing. He turned to waken Little Warrior, but Little Warrior was already sitting up and smiling. "I see they have come," he remarked. "They are but few. Will more come?" asked Crazy Wolf. "Only should we persuade them," grinned Little Warrior. "Then let us begin." "Aye, Chief. Let us begin." Little Warrior took several knives from his pack and approached the wild men carefully. He spoke softly and slowly to them, extending the knives to them. With wide eyes, they accepted the gifts. Then Little Warrior squatted on the ground before them. One of the wild ones squatted before him. Crazy Wolf stood back. Then began a laborious exchange. Some of it was in simple words, but much of it was in gestures. The sun was high when the group departed. "Did you fail?" demanded Crazy Wolf. "Nay, Chief. These will return with others. Winter is a difficult time for them. I promised them food. I promised them easy plunder. They will come for the food. When they do, they will see we have a better way. Then we can begin." "It is good then," agreed Crazy Wolf. So it came to pass that a few of the wild men traveled with the Bandar back to their village. There they were fed and tempted with promises of easy plunder and a better life. Then the wild men returned to fetch their brethren. Soon there were many wild men within the Bandar village. Some of the old Bandar warriors grumbled, but Crazy Wolf silenced them with shame and threats. Then Little Warrior and his men began to learn the tongue of the wild men that they might better train them. He introduced them to the bow, which they had never used. He and his men trained them in its use. The wild men also learnt to make longer spears and harden the points in the fire. They learnt to affix flint tips to arrows and spears. Then they practiced with their new weapons. Even with the new weapons, many of the wild men were unfit. They were slow of hand foot. These Little Warrior especially encourage. He made them believe they were skilled and able. He told them how Crazy Wolf would lead them to glorious victory. He told them their victims would be terrified of them would not be able to fight them. As Little Warrior had hoped, many others of the wild men became skilled in the use of weapons. These he and his men marked and encouraged in a different way. They were to be the favored warriors. They would not fight with the common warriors, but would be for special actions befitting their skills. They would be lead by Hawk. They would become Little Warrior's selected men. They were told no more than that and know not of Little Warriors schemes. They only knew they were special and must obey Hawk even to the point of slaying other wild men who might try to flee from the battle. It was a bold scheme that Little Warrior set in motion. One moon before first budding there were one hundred seventy-two wild men in the Bandar village. Of those, one hundred twelve were trained in appearance only. Sixty others were of Little Warrior's selected group under the leadership of Hawk. These were well trained for Little Warrior's scheme. Crazy Wolf noticed only the number and not the skills of the wild men. For Crazy Wolf's surveys Little Warrior showed off only the selected ones. "It seems we are ready," remarked Crazy Wolf. "Indeed, Chief. It seems so to me. The Wild men have trained well. As I promised, many of them are as skilled as our best Bandar warriors. They are worthy to be called Bandar." "It is good," smiled Crazy Wolf. "Come next moon, we can seek our reckoning with Wesoomi and his Husbandmen. Then we will see who are the warriors. He will not escape me this time. Wherever he flees, I will pursue him." "As always, Chief. I be with you." "Indeed, Little Warrior. At one time I thought to doubt you. That be to my regret. You have shown yourself to be true." "It is good, Chief," smiled Little Warrior. Near new moon, Little Warrior sent Cat Foot to warn Wesoomi. "Tell him that the raid is planned for new moon," said Little Warrior. "Tell him to prepare well." Then Little Warrior called his remaining men aside and spoke to them. "All is ready," he said. "Cat Foot will warn Wesoomi. With fortune on our side, Crazy Wolf and his wild men will fall into a trap. When they turn to flee Hawk will stand in their way with our selected wild ones. We might finish it this time." "Where will you be, Little Warrior?" asked Hawk. "I must be with Crazy Wolf err he sense betrayal. He has the cunning of a cat." "You could easily be slain, argued Hawk. "Indeed," smiled Little Warrior wryly. "It cannot be helped. I asked Wesoomi to spare me, but it may not be in his power." "I like it not," grumbled Hawk. "Nor do I," agreed Little warrior, "but you know it must be so. Let us hope for the favor of the Great Spirit." "Indeed!" agreed Hawk. And so they prepared for the day of battle. Back to Wesoomi's Archives
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