The Legend of Charging Bear

The Legend of Charging Bear

On the eastern slopes of the Rockies
Just north of the borderline
A Stoney brave slid off his pony
To better read the disturbing sign

A dozen or more had come before
And left their story told
In the dust and dirt and bloodied shirt
That covered both young and old

No one was left in his village of death
The warrior had been too late
He was betrayed by a Blackfoot raid
His heart soon darkened by hate

Close to the woods his teepee stood
And he ran towards its door
Knowing the truth before reaching the youth
That lay sprawled upon the floor

The hands of his son held his father's gun
While his wife lay just inside
Their boy of ten had fought with the men
And counted coup before he died

For outside on the ground the warrior found
A Blackfoot lying dead
His face was glazed and his hands raised
Towards the bullet in his head

And the Stoney knew his boy shot true
For he owned the only gun
Then the Blackfoot fled once the boy was dead
Their man left lying in the sun

It wasn't their way to scurry fast away
And leave a body behind
But the Blackfoot ran without their man
Leaving a trail not hard to find

Overcome by fear, they ran like deer
From this village they came to destroy
For they all saw the sign of the bearclaw
On the teepee above the boy

His legend was known clear down to Yellowstone
Charging Bear was a man to reckon
The Blackfoot did right to take to their flight
For in battle the Bear was never second

Charging Bear glanced his sacred war lance
That lay under his wife on the fur
Then he held it high towards a darkening sky
And uttered his revenge for her

Then he found lying on the ground
A necklace adorned with claws
And he put it on and then was gone
To impose the Stoney laws

Incensed, this Stoney mounted his pony
And galloped towards the South
Riding hard and fast, the miles quickly passed
Foam streaming from his horse's mouth

He slowed his pace as he neared a place
On the banks of the Highwood River
Until he could see the Medicine Tree
Where he prayed to Life's Great Giver

This tree stood tall as a testimony to all
Of the Great Spirit's awesome power
Twin trunks were joined as if by the loins
And from this place did all life flower

He knelt in prayer for the spirit of the bear
To lead him through the fight
For well he knew before this day was through
Blackfoot blood would stain the night

He rode once more to even the score
Of a game as old as time
For all tribes of man since life began
Had committed this heinous crime

Wind stung his cheek near Mosquito Creek
As the trail led across the water
He smelled the smoke from a camp just broke
And his heart thirsted for slaughter

Coals were still hot and buffalo was in a pot
When he reached their resting place
The dozen or more who had been brave before
Had ran off at a frantic pace

Knowing he was near these fleeing deer
He rode with his bow in hand
His heart was strong and he didn't wait long
Before spotting the troubled band

They came into sight about an arrow's flight
Down a coulee off to the east
As one they turned and all soon learned
Of the presence of the beast

A warrior's pride burns hot inside
Often foretelling his ultimate death
For many a brave would need a grave
Once honor snuffed out his breath

And so it was then, that these fierce men
Brought up their bows to aim
At the charging bear, with long black hair
Whose scalp would bring them fame

The arrows flew, though none were true
And the Stoney pressed the attack
With lance held high, he let forth a cry
That would turn any heart black

He slashed with his knife and stole the life
Of three strong Blackfoot men
Then steadied his bow on the nearest foe
And took a life again

They all died there at the hands of the Bear
Nary a one would get away
And around Stoney fires the Bear still inspires
The old ones to speak of that day

Twelve to one were the odds but by lance, bow or Gods
The Blackfoot repaid their debt
Their blood wet the land as they died at the hand
Of a bear no Blackfoot will forget