Chapter Text
Nakoma and Jack Series
Nakoma Ferguson
Nakoma and Jack were traveling home from trading at the settlement. On the trek home Jack was once again telling some long winded story about himself. Sometimes, Nakoma would just let Jack go on and on without interjecting or adding anything to the conversation. This time however, Jack had gone on too far with his bragging. Now, Nakoma doesn't suffer fools easily and this time he called Jack on it. A challenge was made and Jack couldn't back out. If Jack couldn't do as he bragged, he'd lose and would have to do whatever Nakoma said. The potential for embarrassment was high, but Jack agreed to the terms. They and Number Seven continued their walk home.
Jack worried that Nakoma would have him do something that he really couldn't do; not only that, but Nakoma hadn't specified the terms yet and it was starting to wear on his nerves. They'd been walking for hours and finally Jack had to ask Nakoma what he wanted him to do. Nakoma reminded Jack that the terms weren't necessarily that he have to DO something, like a task, but whatever Nakoma wanted, Jack would have to do it.
"Well, alright, alright. Then, when are you gonna tell me? Are you gonna wait til we get back to the cabin or what?" Nakoma just smiled at Jack; which caused some concern to him. They walked for another half hour. Jack had thought of nothing but what Nakoma was going to say. With Jack's mind working on figuring out what Nakoma would want, Nakoma had been enjoying the peace and quiet of their walk home. He was not really sure WHAT he'd have Jack do, but Nakoma wouldn't have Jack do anything to embarrass him. That just wasn’t his way.
FINALLY, Jack couldn't take it anymore and he grabbed Nakoma by the shoulder; attempting to spin him around to look at him, but Jack had never really tested Nakoma's strength or his resolve; either way, he couldn't budge Nakoma and Nakoma just walked on. Jack danced and pranced around Nakoma as he walked; stopping directly in front of him. Nakoma sighed in exasperation and rolled his eyes. "I just want you to do what you said." Now Jack had't spoken for over two hours; maybe even three! "What I said?" Nakoma shook his head and raised an eyebrow. Jack stroked his beard in thought. "Well. What exactly did I say?" Nakoma reminded Jack of what he boasted. "You said that you can catch more fish than any man alive." Jack now knew that he was going to lose this bet; or whatever it was. "Well. Any man but YOU, that is." "That is not what you said." "Well. That's what I meant." Nakoma continued in his gentle voice, as though speaking to a child. "I do not know what you meant to say; only what you did say." Jack was thinking hard to find a way to get out of whatever Nakoma would have him do. "Well now, am I responsible for you not knowing...", Nakoma finally lost his patience. It was sometimes hard to know when that happened because Nakoma was so soft spoken. "Now-now, Nakoma. You know they's no man nor beast what can out-fish you." "Then forfeit.", Nakoma answered. Jack was finding out, all over again, just how stubborn...and precise...his traveling companion could be. "All right. All right! I forfeit! Now. Just tell me what I'm supposed to do." Nakoma tilted his head and looked at Jack. "Well!", Jack was growing tired of waiting for an answer. He just wanted to get it over with. Nakoma turned and walked on. Speaking over his shoulder, he said, "I'll let you know when I know."
Jack was speechless and when his mouth stopped, so did his legs. When his mouth closed, he hurried Number Seven along to catch up to Nakoma. Once caught up, they walked on in not so companionable silence. When they came to the turn in the river, Jack removed Seven's pack and took the little burro to the river for a drink. Jack and Nakoma stretched out onto their bellies in order to reach the water; cupping their hands to taste it coolness. Jack had his fill and stood up first; careful of his lumbago. Nakoma had splashed some of the cool water onto his face then ran his damp hands through his hair. Upon rising from the river, he noticed the tartan sash that Jack always wore with his belt to tie up his leathers; but the bit of tartan fabric was worn mostly as a proud statement. Nakoma had always liked the colors. When he stood up, he pointed to the piece of tartan and pronounced, "That, Jack!" Jack looked where Nakoma pointed. Not exactly sure what Nakoma was talking about, Jack asked,"What?" Nakoma pointed more precisely. "I want that." Jack looked down at the still brightly colored tartan sash. Jack was proud of his clan colors and touched the tartan sash fondly. "This here's my colors; the colors of my clan." 'Clan' was a new word for Nakoma. "Clan." He repeated the word in English; feeling it on his tongue. Jack encouraged Nakoma's pronunciation" "That's right. That's how to say it. It's a short, easy word." "What does it mean, Jack?" For some reason, Nakoma always pronounced Jack's name as Jeck. Jack never bothered to correct him. "Well. It means pretty much the same as tribe, I guess." He thought a moment, then continued, "only everybody in my clan has the same name." Nakoma looked a bit doubtful. "Well, the same last name, that is." "Last name?", Nakoma asked, not understanding the concept of a last name. "Sure.", stated Jack. "Everybody has a last name." Nakoma just looked at Jack. As Jack busied himself, once more loading up Number Seven, he spoke over his shoulder to Nakoma. "You know. It's like; well, it's like Adams." "Adams?", Nakoma asked. Jack had number Seven all packed. Untying him, Jack started back on their journey; hoping to arrive at Adam's cabin before nightfall. He continued on with his explanation of last names to Nakoma; a man who had no last name.
"Ya see, Adams is really Adams' last name. He has a first name too. Well. Most white folk have a first AND last name. Just the way it is. Now gettin' back ta Adams. Adams' first name is James. His last name is Adams. Sometimes we get to callin' people by they's last name only. Somewhere along the way, you started callin' Adams by his last name. Why?" Nakoma only shrugged his shoulders. "He made me say it several times. I guess after I said it the way he liked it, I started calling him that." He shrugged again. They both fell in line, Seven bringing up the rear. "Jeck? I still want it." Jack came to a full stop; turning to Nakoma. "Well. You can't have it." Seeing a change come over Nakoma's face, Jack began to backpedal. "Ya see, Nakoma, this here is the Ferguson tartan."Nakoma raised an eyebrow and stared at his companion. "Now, now, before ya get your hackles all up, ya gotta be a Ferguson to wear it." He looked at Nakoma and his internal alarms went off. "Um. Ya see, Nakoma. Remember when we's talkin' bout last names?" Nakoma grunted yes. "Well, like Adams is Adams' last name, Ferguson is my last name. It's a good name too. Nakoma repeated the name; skeptically. "Ferguson." "That's right." "I have to be a 'Ferguson'." "Yep!" "Jack." "Huh?" Nakoma touched his chest and pronounced, "MY last name IS Ferguson." A dimple-popping smile covered Nakoma's face; from ear to ear. "What?" Nakoma shook his head. "Didn't you know?" Jack silently shook his head, 'No'. Nakoma touched his chest again and proudly introduced himself, "Nakoma Ferguson.", then, "Give me my tartan, Jeck."
Jack knew when he was losing and his friend, Nakoma Ferguson, was holding all the cards. "Nakoma Ferguson, huh?" Nakoma answered with a definitive "YES." As Jack removed his belt and worked at unwinding the plaid fabric, he grumbled, "I never heard of an Indian with a last name before.” Jack carefully draped the tartan over Nakoma's awaiting hand. "It's all yours, MR. Ferguson."