Dances with Wolves Page #22

The bullet plows home, exploding the bull's heart. The big

buffalo's legs collapse but the momentum of his charge puts

him into a skid. He comes to rest only a few yards away from

Smiles A Lot.

The boy stands as the lieutenant rides up. Smiles A Lot is

dazed but he's okay.

Dunbar hops off next to the dead buffalo. He's a huge one, a

real grandfather and the lieutenant loses himself for a few

moments in contemplation of this tremendous kill. Now he

looks back to check the boy.

Smiles A Lot has caught his pony and is racing away from the

scene of his humiliation.

The sounds of approaching riders turns Dunbar's attention in

a different direction.

The entire village is streaming onto the plains for the

butchering.

The riders bearing down on him are being lead by Wind In His

Hair.

Wind In His Hair jumps off his pony and, smiling broadly,

slaps Dunbar's back with a good-natured blow of

congratulations.

EXT. PRAIRIE - DAY

The buffalo has been split open and Wind In His Hair, kneeling

at the bull's side, is feeling around in the cavity. He finds

what he's looking for and gives it a jerk.

It's the liver, still warm and steaming. He offers it to

Dunbar but the lieutenant, not having the faintest idea,

only looks at it blankly.

A sizable crowd has gathered to watch this ritual.

Wind In His Hair sticks the fresh liver in his mouth and

happily bites off a chunk, letting the juices run from the

edges of his mouth. Now he figures the lieutenant knows what

to do, and hands the liver back to him.

Dunbar doesn't want to do this, but with the pressure of so

many eyes and so much good will, he has little choice.

Tentatively, he bites off a small piece and chews it

thoughtfully. It's good.

Encouraged by this good taste, Dunbar takes a man-sized bite.

Shrill Sioux voices rise all around him as they cheer the

lieutenant. Dunbar holds the liver triumphantly over his

head.

EXT. KILLING GROUND - DAY

Little butchering parties cluster around each fallen buffalo.

EXT. TEMPORARY CAMP - NIGHT

Flame begins to lick at each of the bodies and we match

dissolve -- the clusters of people have become groups

surrounding fires at the temporary camp.

EXT. FEASTING FIRE - NIGHT

All over camp people are crowding around fires, feasting on

fresh meat. Children are playing everywhere, the dogs are

having a field day with scraps and the voices of the people

are happy.

At a little distance, we see Lieutenant Dunbar and Wind In

His Hair excusing themselves from one of the fires. They

start toward us. Wind In His Hair is sucking on a rib bone

and seems to show no sign of slowing down his celebrating.

Dunbar, following a couple paces behind, is a different story.

He's had it. He spreads his hands to indicate an over-sized

belly.

DUNBAR:

Look I'm full... I can't tell the

story again.

Wind In His Hair doesn't seem to hear. He points at the

epaulettes on Dunbar's tunic.

DUNBAR:

Go ahead.

Wind In His Hair reaches out and fingers the gold lieutenant's

bars. He fingers a couple of the brass buttons as well. The

tunic is something he obviously puts much store in.

DUNBAR:

(signing)

You want to try... put it on.

He unbuttons the tunic.

DUNBAR:

Here.

He sloughs off the tunic and hands it over. Wind In His Hair

slips out of the magnificent bone-pipe breastplate he's

wearing and gives it to Dunbar as he wriggles into the tunic.

The fit is too tight, the material too scratchy but those

things are of little consequence to Wind In His Hair. He

loves the tunic.

With urging signs he asks the lieutenant to put on the

breastplate. Dunbar slips it over his head and Wind In His

Hair helps him with the ties.

Now it's the lieutenant's turn to be amazed. The breastplate

as craftsmanship at its finest. He runs his fingers over the

ridges of bone now covering him from neck to waist. He looks

up at Wind In His Hair.

The warrior nods approvingly, as though a good deal has heen

struck.

DUNBAR:

This is too much... I can't take

this...

But for Wind In His Hair it is already a trade.

Wind In His Hair spots the next fireside and veers toward

it. Dunbar holds him back.

DUNBAR:

I can't... No more...

Wind In His Hair grins. He holds up a single finger.

WIND IN HIS HAIR

One more... eat...

DUNBAR:

I can't, I'm full... very full...

Still holding up the finger, he guides Dunbar into the

firelight of the next party.

Immediately, men jump up to greet the celebrities. Women

begin to saw off more meat.

EXT. FEASTING FIRE - NIGHT

As Dunbar gnaws on a rib, he glances at the friendly faces

around the fire. His eyes suddenly stop their roving.

A BIG WARRIOR is wearing the military hat he lost on the

hunt. It's a little too big. The brim touches the top of the

big warrior's ears.

Now the Big Warrior notices that Dunbar is staring at him.

Their eyes meet.

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