Crow Mary

Abe Farwell, a white fur trader, visits Goes First’s village. He is known as an honest man and is looking for an Indigenous wife. The Crow trade with people like Farwell for weapons. Goes First’s father explains that Farwell wants a Crow woman because they are stronger than white women and can help him with trading at his post.

Several young Crow women visit Farwell’s camp with their mothers, as whoever marries him will benefit the tribe. Goes First still thinks of Big Cloud. One day, she and her brother, Strong Bull, compete in horse racing, and he says that she “rides like a warrior” (46). Goes First sees Farwell in the distance and realizes that he was watching them. Later, Farwell admires her skills with a Henry rifle, and she feels his gaze on her.

Goes First’s mother trades a pair of beaded moccasins to Farwell. Goes First protests that the shoes are her father’s, but her mother says that they will trade them for a blanket that Red Fox needs. Goes First accompanies her mother to Farwell’s camp but refuses to speak with him. Goes First observes Farwell and is impressed by his use of sign language.