In 1851, when the war between the cowboys and Indians began, Raina, Chief Heyen's daughter, believed she could do anything.
Heyen knew the war was not safe for Raina, so he sent her away. When Raina set off with Atraue, a tribe member, a tear dropped down her cheek. "Will I ever see dad again?" Raina asked. "Maybe," Atrue said. They found a spot to rest. No one spoke. Raina slowly lay down, closed her eyes, and dreamt about her dad.
When she awoke she could not find Atraue, only footprints around the dead fire. Atraue was gone! A tear fell down her cheek, as she set out. Months passed and every day Raina had an urge to turn back but did not, her father would want her to go on.
Raina kept going but her heart held sorrow. She survived and lived alone. After what seemed like ages, she turned back to find what was left of her father's tribe. When she got there, there was barely anything left. A couple of wounded men and women, some destroyed teepees, and three horses roaming about. Raina saw something white on a black horse's mane. As she came closer, she saw it was a letter written on buffalo hide. The letter read:
Dearest Raina, I left you. You will not see me even if you looked but I have gone to the spirits and you shall take my place. Heal the men and women, make a new tribe, and care for your children as they will care for theirs. But most importantly my dear Raina, don't forget that you can do anything you set your mind to.
Your loving Father
Raina started to cry, for she will not see her father's caring face looking down upon her. She did what her father asked in the letter. Even after all these happy things, Raina still had sorrow in her heart. But she was married and the chief now and when she dies her son will take her place. While her baby was sleeping she said, "Son, you can do anything."
