Taza seemed excited to be on the way home, at least he was looking forward to a visit with his mother. The relationship with Great Hawk had yet to be resolved, but if the father thought his son would continue to be shamed in front of the village the man was dead wrong.
In fact, Taza had cut his hair short, rejecting the Apache look for that of a Los Angeles city dweller. The Indian face would still delineate his native heritage but the image was that of a grown up man of means.
The filming had ended but Taza and Darby would still have a relationship to Selig’s Polyscope Company for some time to come. There would be other western themed films, and of course Billy’s desire to make his film with wild animals. To that end part of the studio property was slated to become a zoo.
But they were headed back to Arizona by train in first class seats. Darby had made his arrangements with the Bank of California and carried a line of credit in an amount that seemed astronomical. Mr. Cummings at the Tombstone Bank would be thrilled, as would Pennington.
Darby was going to give the orders to purchase the land Great Hawk wanted. That meant Pennington would have to enter into negotiations with the Territory officials. But when all was said and done the Verde Apache would have their mountain land and a few thousand acres of river front.
Taza was mindful that Darby was taking care of his people and seemed supportive, but his thoughts were elsewhere. It wasn’t easy to leave behind the familiar and embrace the new, but Taza didn’t see a future with his people. It wasn’t their fault, but that life was too simple in what he judged to a complicated world…he would leave it behind.
Darby had filled out a telegram form for Indigo to meet them in Tombstone and then realized Los Angeles was a modern city…they had telephones.
“Do you suppose your Western Union office in Tombstone has a telephone?” He asked the clerk.
“Of course it does, all our offices are connected now,” the man replied. “Do you want me to call them?”
“If you don’t mind. I would like them to contact my lawyer to make sure the telegram gets delivered to Mr. Indigo.”
“I can do that…might take a few minutes to get through.”
“I’ll wait,” Darby said.
The very existence of telephones allowing communication across the width and breadth of the country was amazing, but Darby felt it was right in line with the way the film industry was developing. Alex was right, in ten or fifteen years all these new advances in technology would change the way people worked and played.
The Western Union clerk told the operator that he was placing a call to their office in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. She in turn opened a line to San Diego and points west until the call was routed through Tucson.
“Hello, Western Union,” a distant voice said on the line.
“I have Tombstone,” the clerk said. “Would you like to speak to them?”
Darby nodded and was handed the phone. “Hello…Tombstone?”
“It is…who is this?”
“My name is Darby O’Brien and I’m trying to get a message to James Pennington…”
“That lawyer fella, I know him…and I know you, Mr. O’Brien…we met when you sent a telegram to Texas a few months back.”
“Mr. Burris…am I right?” Darby said.
“That’s me,” Burris said. “Now what can I do for you, Mr. O’Brien?”
“I’m sending a telegram to Indigo…”
“Know him, too.”
“Yes, well I have a telegram for him on the way and I was hoping you could get Pennington to deliver it to Indigo for me. I will be returning there in about ten days and I need Indigo to meet me.”
“Can do, Mr. O’Brien. I will run right over to his office when the telegram arrives.”
“Thank you, Mr. Burris. Perhaps one day soon he will have his own telephone,” Darby said.
“Oh that’s coming…it sure is. Will that be all, young man?”
“Yes sir, and thanks again…goodbye.”
Darby replaced the receiver on the hook. “Wonderful thing these telephones,” the clerk said. “Now is this exactly the message you want to send?”
“It is,” Darby replied.
And now they were on the train headed for Tucson. Alex and Sarah had left Los Angeles for New York several days before to catch the steamship to France. Billy had shaken their hands and urged them to return by Christmas.
“Our film will be ready to go by then,” Billy said. “I have theaters in Chicago and all across the mid-west ready to show it. But we cannot rest on our laurels and get ahead in this business. I just signed a contract with Fatty Arbuckle to feature him in a comedy film.”
“That funny man from San Francisco?” Darby said. “Alex and I talked about him.”
“Popular talent makes for a popular film. We’ll have the studio ready by February.”
Darby smiled. “No cowboys, no wild animals?”
Billy laughed. “That’s coming…have patience. I’ll keep a place ready for when you boys return.”
Darby had no doubt that Billy was going to do just that. But if Los Angeles was now going to be their home Darby felt that he and Taza needed their own house…someplace private.
“You think too much,” Taza said from the chair across the aisle.
“We should buy or build a home when we return,” Darby said.
“This would be nice…can we have a swimming pool?”
“Of course. Alex says he is going to look at land as an investment when he gets back. Perhaps we should go looking ourselves.”
“Move out of the city?” Taza asked.
“The city is spreading out, or haven’t you noticed? We might have to head into the hills to find something private.”
“Hills would be good…you choose,” Taza said.
“We will choose together.”
Darby had penned another letter to his family, or at least his mother. New York seemed so far away and in another life. Had it only been a year ago that he made plans for a trip west? Taza was headed home and yet Darby had no urge to return to the city of his birth. But at least he could make the offer for his parents to come for a visit and purchase their tickets.
They dressed for dinner and made their way to the dining car. Taza garnered a few looks but nothing hostile. Most of these people were from California where the differences didn’t matter as much as the quality of their lives.
After a good night’s rest with Taza in his arms, the train pulled into Tucson by early afternoon. Darby booked them a room at the Orndorff Hotel for the night so that they could catch the nine o’clock train to Tombstone in the morning. Once again Taza did not become the subject of undue attention.
It wasn’t until they had boarded the El Paso and Southwestern train that some of the men aboard gave Taza a second look. By their dress Darby figured them for miners and their manners quickly confirmed that. They were passing around a bottle that the conductor was trying very hard to ignore.
At around forty miles per hour the train would take nearly two hours to arrive in Tombstone and by then Darby figured these four men would be quite drunk. He patted the bulge in his vest pocket knowing full well he would shoot if necessary…and that moment came.
“Hey, boy…what you doin’ traveling with that no good redskin?”
Darby tried to ignore the man, but then the fool lurched to his feet and moved down the aisle towards them.
“I asked you a question, boy.”
“Mr. Verde is my business partner,” Darby said, “although it really isn’t any of your business.”
“I’m gonna make it my business,” the man said reaching for the pistol he was wearing.
Darby held out his hand with the derringer pointed right between the man’s eyes.
“You pull that pistol on me and you’re a dead man,” Darby said.
“You little son of a…” But that was as far as the man got when a very large revolver was shoved in his face.
Darby looked up and smiled. “Hello, Marshal…didn’t even see you board the train.”
“Yaa-ta-sai, John Mobley,” Taza said.
“Hello, Taza…going home I see,” Mobley said. Then he gestured at the miner. “You can just hand over that pistol and I’ll give it to the Sheriff when we reach Tombstone. You know better that to openly carry a weapon in town, that will be a twenty dollar fine.
“You go tell your friends to pack their weapons in their bags and leave them there. If I see you wave a pistol around I will arrest you, unless this gentleman shoots you first…got that clear?”
“Yes, sir,” the man said.
Mobley snatched the bottle from the man’s pocket and tossed it out the window. “And no drinking on the train…now get on back to your seat and stay there.”
It was very quiet in the car after that and Mobley sat down beside Taza and smiled.
“And where have you boys been? California someone told me.”
So Taza had to explain what they had been doing and Darby filled in the details about the film. Mobley seemed impressed. “So who did you get to play my part?” He asked.
Darby laughed. “You weren’t even in it, sorry to say. They changed the story a good bit.”
“I galloped my horse and fired a rifle at bandits,” Taza said.
Mobley laughed. “That’s plumb silly. Everyone knows you can’t hit a dang thing from the back of a moving horse.”
“The audience probably doesn’t know that…but it was exciting.”
“Have to look for it, maybe it will come to Tombstone. What’s the film called?”
“The Desperados is what Billy told me,” Darby said. “I’m not sure people will understand what that means.”
“Spanish word for outlaws, they’ll understand. I was up in Tucson on official business but I’m headed home to my wife. She ought to be having our third child any day now.”
“Congratulations, Marshal. One of these days you’ll have to settle down,” Darby said.
“Might come soon enough. Word has it that they plan to disband the Arizona Rangers. I guess most towns have their own lawmen and the bad men like Perez are being chased by the Army. I won’t regret hanging up my badge, might even raise a few sheep.”
Their conversation lasted the rest of the trip into Tombstone before there were handshakes all around and Mobley followed them off the train. There on the platform stood Indigo, Pennington and of all people, Mrs. Randolph.
Indigo gave Darby a hug and whispered in his ear. “The lady invited us to dinner…we had best go.”
Darby shook hands with Pennington and was embraced by Mrs. Randolph.
“It’s good to see all of you,” Darby said.
“I would like to invite everyone to the house for supper,” Mrs. Randolph said.
“That sounds just fine,” Darby replied.
They had left with one bag and returned with five. Indigo raised his eyebrows as the conductor set all these bags on the platform.
“Taza brought a few things,” Darby explained with a shrug.
“You took him shopping?”
“No, but Sarah Lynn did. Most of it is for the people of his village, and his mother.”
Indigo smiled. “They will all be very proud of him.”
“What about Great Hawk?” Darby asked.
Indigo looked right at Taza. “Your father is a changed man. Laziyah was chosen as chief in your absence. Many wanted to wait for your return but the village needed a leader. I hope you are not offended, but I supported Laziyah.”
Taza shook his head. “I was never meant to be chief. I will support Laziyah as well. What has changed my father?”
“I am not sure, but he spends a lot of time in isolation talking to the spirits. The last time we spoke he asked about your return and when the mountain would belong to the Apache.”
“That’s one of the things we’re here to accomplish,” Darby said. “Shall we go?”
Mrs. Randolph was pleased to have four guests for dinner, and what a fine meal it was Darby told her. Taza made her a gift of a beautiful silk scarf made in China and she seemed pleased. It was late when Pennington left for home and Indigo offered the comfort of his campsite for the night.
In the approaching darkness as they walked to the familiar spot beside the trees a shape flashed out towards them. Mosh nearly knocked Darby over with his greeting and was hugged in return. Branna stood stoically as Darby approached, speaking in a soft voice and renewing the friendship they shared.
It seemed like an eternity since Darby had slept under the stars, but it was now November and the nights were cool here in the desert. He fell asleep beside the fire listening to Taza and Indigo quietly talking in the Apache language. Secrets would be shared but Darby knew that Taza would tell him of anything important.
The village turned out to greet them as they rode in the following day. Taza hugged his mother and sisters, but wondered where his father might be. Laziyah met them, clasping hands in a warrior’s greeting and welcoming Taza home. Then the new chief looked towards the river and they saw a small hut with smoke drifting through a hole in the roof.
“Itza-chu lives apart from us,” Laziyah said.
Taza’s mother held her son’s arm. “Your father speaks to the spirits these days, he is shaman.”
“I will seek him out in a little while,” Taza said. “But first I must speak to you and the elders. Many changes will come to the Verde, events that will fulfill the dreams of the people, and things that Chappo spoke about for years.”
Darby understood none of this, but he could see the smiles on the faces around them. Taza distributed his gifts to the women of the village and then took his mother into the house for some private time. Darby stood with Indigo and looked over at the small hut.
“As I said, he is changed,” Indigo said. “The affairs of this world matter less and less in his thinking…he lives in the past.”
“Not the future? Chappo looked forward while respecting the past. Does this have anything to do with me?” Darby asked.
“Everything…and nothing. You will find he is eager for the land purchase, perhaps the village will move into the foothills, but that will be Laziyah’s decision not his. I know Taza has made his decision, he never wanted anything but to be out in the world, and you have made this possible.
“Itza-chu grieves for the son who he feels is lost to the family. I do not agree with this but cannot persuade him otherwise. He may say unkind words to you but you must see them for the ignorance they are. This is a clash between ideals and he cannot understand Taza’s desires.”
Indigo looked around the village and those he saw nodded to him as they saw him look their way.
“They respect you,” Darby said.
“Yes. I am of the blood but not one of them. I represent new ways and ideas that have made their lives easier. The conflict with Itza-chu confuses them, but they need someone in his position to give them spiritual strength.
“It seems Taza is happy with his life in California…and with you. Times change and so must we if there is to be any growth in our lives. I know you two will return to your new lives, but I will remain here for now. Once these people have their mountain and settle down they will not need me anymore. Any room for an old Ojibwe in your outfit?”
“You are hardly old…Chappo was old. And the answer is yes, it seems this film industry will be making western pictures for quite some time, they could always use your wisdom.”
“Good,” Indigo said. “Once upon a time I liked California, although I have never lived in Los Angeles.”
“Come whenever you can…we’ll make a place for you,” Darby said. “I want to take Branna back with me.”
“I expected that…but not Mosh?”
“Mosh needs freedom, I would love to take him but the city is no place for a dog like that. He cares for you and will have a better life here.”
“Agreed. So what shall we do with your house once you are gone?”
“I’m sure there is a deserving family who needs better living space,” Darby said. “Or you can move in there.”
“James Pennington was here last week with your message, he is a good man,” Indigo said. “The land purchase will be difficult for him, so many details to arrange. I gave him the name of the surveyor for the mining company since the government will want a true map of the land involved.
“It was a fortuitous choice since Wendell is married to a Navajo woman. You see the culture of white man and Indian is changing, we are beginning to mingle. Taza is one of the new breed of Apache but he will not be the last. Others will follow in his footsteps and perhaps his success will embolden them.”
“You have been preaching to the village children again, haven’t you?”
Indigo smiled. “Haven’t I always? Taza was my best pupil, and now he is yours.” He gazed towards the river and Itza-chu’s little abode. “Perhaps in twenty years he will be wise enough to recognize what it takes to be a shaman for his people. I will encourage him as I have done all along. It is not only the children that need teaching.”
Indigo and Darby walked down to the house that Sean built. It had felt like home for such a short time and it would be sad to leave behind. There were thoughts about this place that Darby would never leave behind. It was here he had learned to love Taza.
The two beds remained, only one of them was covered in dog hair. Indigo must know, Darby thought, how could he not know? There was a curious knotted rope attached to the rear door handle. Indigo saw the look and laughed.
“Mosh has been sleeping here since she knows how to push the door open. But I had to teach her how to close it from the outside, and thus the rope for her to pull with her mouth. Old dog, new tricks…she’s a lot like me.”
Darby knew he would have to go through the chests once again and take away what he wanted of Sean’s meagre possessions. But there was time for all that, and perhaps Indigo would want some of these things for himself.
“Evening approaches,” Indigo said. “We should go eat and then talk to Itza-chu.”
Taza’s mother and several of the women brought them plates of food. Darby knew Taza would be happy to eat the simple food he had known since childhood, although the boy had managed some very large beef steaks in the hotel and at Alex’s dining table.
There will always be doubts Darby realized. Could Taza just walk away from these people and be happy? How long would he remain that way? Of course they could always make return visits here…much easier than trying to visit New York.
But Taza had put a good deal of effort in learning to speak English correctly. Even Sarah had noticed how much better he spoke and had encouraged his reading lessons. There were people outside of this village who cared for Taza and that had made the difference.
He could have married to keep up tradition and become chief, but Taza would have been a very unhappy man. Darby had watched the changes take place as the boy marveled at every detail of city life. That utter fascination had become studied as Taza valued the worth of what he saw and learned. That maturity is what made him choose Darby over everything else.
With dinner over it was time to seek the much needed conversation with Itza-chu and Indigo led the way. In the open space before the small hut was a fire pit for which Taza and Darby were directed to gather fire wood. Once the small fire was lit Indigo approached the hut.
“Itza-chu…your son wishes to speak with you,” He said.
From within there was the sound of movement and the deer hide was thrust back from the opening as the father stepped forward to greet his son. At first Darby was shocked by the changes to Great Hawk’s appearance, but the warrior’s strength was still in his eyes.
Itza-chu wore a simple loin cloth without adornment and a cap with feathers much like Chappo had worn. But the hair had begun to turn white and Darby gazed in wonder as the man took a seat beside the fire.
“You have come home,” Itza-chu said in English.
“We must speak of things,” Taza said. “I have not seen you in many months.”
“The path of a medicine man is long and hard. I had to battle many demon spirits along the way. But you have changed, my son. Do you still keep the warrior’s code?”
“More than ever,” Taza said. “You taught me well.”
“And yet all of this is not in your heart,” Itza-chu said, gesturing towards the village with his arm.
“It is there, but so are many other things. You once told me the skills of a warrior count for more than just battle, that seeing with strength is part of the code. The people would not be ashamed of the new things I have learned…and neither should my father.”
Itza-chu looked at Darby. “You have taken him from us into your world…can you name the reasons?”
Indigo had warned Darby that Itza-chu would ask this question. “Taza had to learn his worth to the people. The world is changing for the Indian and the white man, but you know this because Sean told you the same thing. It falls to Taza and his generation to make a place for the Apache in this new world.
“I wish you could see the way he is treated by my people. They respect him a great deal and not just because he is different. His life was set in motion by you because the father always gives his strength to the son. But he will serve the people well in coming years by his example and for this you should be proud.”
Itza-chu nodded slowly. “For many months I have mourned the loss of my son and blamed you, Darby O’Brien. Your Uncle Sean came to us and despite my resistance the changes began. He did not wish to leave the white man’s world but over time he became more like us in his ways.
“We still accepted his knowledge and wisdom to reach for a better way, to use the wealth of our land to save it. He made promises that the money we made would secure the sacred land for the people. Are you here to fulfill that promise?”
“It is already happening as we speak,” Darby said. “In the California bank is a vast amount of wealth from which the price of your sacred lands will be paid. I have engaged the lawyer James Pennington in Tombstone to make sure it happens.
“The government needs a survey, a map of the land you speak of, and so that will be made. I think Laziyah should provide several men to guide the surveyor in his work so that the Verde are assured of gaining all they are after. And once the government approves then the lawyer will send them the money.”
“How do we know they will approve?” Itza-chu asked.
“If I may,” Indigo said. “Arizona is just about to become a state in the greater nation. To that end they will need money to build the roads and towns which will surely follow the thousands of people who will wish to live here.
“The sacred mountain and all this land you seek will need protection from the homesteaders, but most of them will seek land far to the north of here by the great Colorado River. As in many other states people gather to live in cities and there will not be one of those near here.
“But what they will find if they visit these lands is the untarnished wild guarded by the Verde Apache. In time perhaps the people will open their land for others to see and appreciate how well your hand has kept this place sacred in the name of the Great Spirit. Then the name of the Apache will be revered and your mission will have been accomplished.”
Itza-chu smiled. “You speak well of our goals, Indigo of the Ojibwe. So we will spend this vast wealth on a mountain…”
“Not all of it,” Darby said. “I am glad the wealth is far removed from here because the government doesn’t know how much you have or the price of a mountain might go up. The lawyer will seek a fair price for the land and that is all the money they will see.”
“Yes, that is clever,” Itza-chu said. “And what will happen to the rest of it? It should be yours.”
“No, Sean has left me quite enough for now. But we both know that the silver in the ground will not last forever while money in the bank can grow if used properly. Taza understands what I mean….ask him.” “Investment will make the money grow,” Taza said. “Our people will never want for anything.”
Itza-chu suddenly looked quite sad. “The father should be proud of his son. You have soared far from the nest of your birth, but I can see you have done well.”
“I am Apache and nothing will make me forget what I owe the people,” Taza said.
“And this investment you speak of…what will you buy?” Itza-chu asked.
Taza smiled. “Land…isn’t that what you taught me?”