Daughter of the Eagle -- Don Coldsmith

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

25 Oct 2006 06:47 AM

Eagle Woman is a warrior sister of the People. While the other girls her age are already married and having families of their own, she is single, devoted to her calling as a fighter for her tribe. Long Walker, a young brave who has often been her rival in different challenges of strength, admires her skill and determination, but as she decides to take an unheard-of step and apply to become a full-fledged warrior, he doesn't know whether he should applaud her or be ashamed.

Eagle Woman knows she is different. Why does she want to be a warrior when she could have a lodge of her own? She doesn't know. The yearning to be something more than just a squaw eats at her, telling her to strive and to try.

The first step to becoming a warrior is to go out on a hunt and make an unassisted kill. A herd of buffalo has wandered close by the camp of the People and a hunt is planned for the next morning. Eagle Woman knows this is her chance, and she gets up early, ready to ride out with the men. At first, the other warriors think she's come along to keep them company as they ride, but as they approach the herd, she rides into the thick of it, downing not just the one required animal, but bringing down three.

The tribal council is pleased, and it would appear that she has met with their approval. But then Long Walker does the unthinkable - he issues a challenge. Eagle Woman must best him in a majority of contests before she can continue her journey as a warrior. He's trying to protect her, but she feels betrayed. And to think she was saving cooking stones for a lodge to share with him.

The combatants take turns choosing tests of skill, and they also take turns beating each other at them. Back and forth the score goes until their leader calls an end, saying that the last contest will be the end of it. Eagle Woman wins, running back to the campsite holding the ear of her kill, as a hunt was the last challenge. She is given the right to become a warrior, and to choose her own name. To honor her accomplishment, she chooses the name Running Eagle.

Shortly after this, however, her brother is killed by a renegade band, and she goes on the war path, determined to avenge his death in any way she can. Eager to rekindle their friendship, Long Walker goes with her, and the two experience things they never would have imagined.

A powerful, moving story of the ways of the American Indian two hundred years ago, this book by Don Coldsmith will only be the first of many that I read in the Spanish Bit series.

(This book was published in 1984 by Doubleday.)

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I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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