Yellow Bird ran until his side ached. He could hear the dogs barking behind him. He blinked when he saw a lone farm before him. Making up his mind he ran to the barn, perhaps he could hide inside, and the dogs would loose him there.
He slammed the barn door behind him, breathing heavily. There before him stood a pretty little girl with long cornsilk blond hair. Her blue eyes widened at his intrution.
His fifteen year old heart slammed against his rib cage as she smiled at him. He was brought back to reality when she looked toward the sound of his followers. She quickly took his hand and led him to a pile of hay. Quietly, she gestured for him to hide, then walked toward the barn door. Yellow Bird listened as the men chasing him rode into the yard.
" Is your father home, little girl?"
" I'm not a little girl, mister. I'm fourteen, and my father is in the house with my mother."
Yellow Bird waited with bated breath. He could hear the conversation outside and hoped that he wouldn't be betrayed. It seemed like an hour before the girl came back to his hiding place.
" They are gone, now. You can come out."
She stared into his eyes as he climbed out of the hay stack.
" Thank you." Yellow Bird spoke softly
" I don't need your thanks, just remember this day, when you grow up and feel the need to raid. Remember that a white girl hid you and kept you safe. Show your enemy kindness like I have shown you."
Yellow Bird stood silent, looking at his heroine. She nodded, and turned away toward the door.
" Hurry home. I'm sure your parents are worried about you."
Yellow Bird nodded, and stuck out his hand. She readily took the offered friendship with a smile.
" I will not forget your kindness."
" I will not forget you. Now go, before my father comes to the barn."
Yellow Bird sprinted back toward his village. That night as he lay on his pallet of furs, his mind drifted to the little girl on the farm. Making up his mind he told his father of what had happened.
Two days later, a party of Souix indians rode into the lone farm. When a large white man came out to greet them Yellow Bird's father held up his hand in a sign of friendship.
" We came to thank your daughter for helping my son hide from those who meant him harm."
The man looked confused.
" I don't understand what you are talking about."
" Two days ago, my son was hid in your barn by a little girl with blond hair and blue eyes. She saved him."
The man shook his head,
" That's not possible. My daughter was killed a year ago by a band of renegades while she was picking berries."
Yellow Bird's eyes widened. Nodding his head they turned back toward the village. He had been saved by the ghost of a girl that was killed by his people. Even in death she had delivered a message of peace and friendship. It was a message he would carry with him the rest of his life.

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