The following is based on a true story
Metzahe, first daughter, waited at the edge of the stream which flowed
into the bigger river. Her tribe's encampment was close but she had
slipped away from her teepee. She did so at the risk of causing the death
of the "Duena" - an elderly female guardian who was appointed to
watch over the young maidens of the tribe.
Guardians accepted the position of Duena knowing they would have to
give up their life if one girl slipped away under their watch. This
ancient Osage tradition was a way of preserving social order in tribal
communities and it had the added benefit of preserving a young women's
purity before marriage.
As Metzahe looked out across the stream she could see the bright
reflection of the moon playing like a child in the quiet waters. There was
a sudden feeling of awareness of the approach of her lover, Mac, a young
Scotsman whom she had fallen in love with. He, too, had slipped away from
his people's place to meet her here. When she looked around toward the
woods she say the foliage break apart and he stepped out into the light of
the moon. His lithe strong stride could have been that of one of her
people and he covered the distance to her in a moment it seemed.
"Mac, Mac, this is so dangerous. If they miss me, old one
will give up her life."
"I know, Metzahe, but tomorrow this is the last time. Be here
at the same time and we will leave here together. I have everything
arranged for our marriage in another state."
True to his word, Mac met Metzahe the next night, and together they fled
the area. Because Metzahe simply disappeared into the night, there was no
blame attached to the Guardian: It could have been a kidnapping, or
animals could have killed the girl. Meanwhile, the couple married in a
civil ceremony and they stayed in a hotel in the largest city at the time,
Kansas City.
They were lovers and they were young, learning to know each other and
to be certain their lives were meant to be shared no matter that Mac was a
Scot and Metzahe was a Native, granddaughter of a mighty chief. Within the
time frame of three months the girl was to learn she had conceived their
first child.
"The time has come for us to return home," Mac told his
wife, "Now that you are with child your people will have to accept
our marriage." "No, Mac, it will not be that easy. They will
try to kill you." "I will not be killed," Mac said
emphatically.
As soon as they returned the war against Mac began, and it was at that
time he began to carry the pistol with him at all times. The prairie
nights were black without a moon at times and this was a protection too.
They were constantly on the move so they were never more than one night in
the same place. Fortunately, some people came to their aid and hid the
couple away from the men of Metzahe's family who wanted to kill Mac.
But they could not hide forever, and they were eventually discovered.
One night, as the Native men came upon their resting place they called
out to Mac. "Come on out, white man, it is time for you to meet
your God."
Mac picked up the little pistol he kept with him even as he slept and
he waited. The oldest and biggest of Metzahe's brothers was coming toward
him. The young Scot knew they would beat him to death if given the
opportunity. In a flash, they were on Mac: As one large man grasped him in
a bear hug, Mac brought the cold steel of the pistol up against the larger
man's head.
"Enough. Enough," the man was not willing to die.
Something about the standing up against the men showed them Mac was
willing to fight for the right to keep his Native wife and they left him
alone.
Now that a small bridge had been built, the women of the tribe were
having communication with Metzahe.
"You know it is very necessary you be married in the ways of our
people," they told her.
"We are married, by his ways," said Metzahe.
"No, you are not married," they told her."Not
until you are joined in our ceremony."
With Metzahe's and Mac's agreement the wedding was planned and brought
about. The wedding dress she wore was the customary coat of the United
States officer which was given to the respected chiefs as a gift.
These coats were of no interest to the men, but somehow, the women
liked them and they were used as a wedding coat and it reflected to those
around that this was, indeed, the daughter of the chief, and in Metzahe's
case, the granddaughter of one of the mightiest chiefs. The chief who was
respected for his valor, and his intelligence in protecting and governing
his own people with love and kindness.
Mac wore a full regalia of Metzahe's tribe. His beaded garters on his
leg below his knee was that of the Faw-Faw design. The broadcloth leggings
he wore under the fully beaded britchlot. The ribbon shirt he wore was out
of the finest silk. There were the finger woven belts worn as a drop down
the side of his leg from his waist. He wore no brooch because he was Scot,
not Osage, and had no name given to him.
The bridesmaids wore the traditional wool blanket which was folded in
such a way as to keep their right arm free. This was so they could cook or
work without the blanket hampering any of their activity. There had
already been a mixing of blood between the Scot and the natives and these
bridesmaids were beautiful in their inheritance from each race.
The finalizing of the vows was to have the inner forearm of the bride
and groom slit with a sharp knife. They then placed their arms one upon
each other so the blood could flow from one to the other. The wide stripe
of a finger woven chevron patterned belt was draped over their arms as the
native blood flowed from Metzahe's veins to that of Mac's blue blood of
Scotland causing him to become, as one known to be of her native tribe.
