Frank Hollings came to the upper reaches of the South Platte in the spring of 1817 to trap beaver. Instead, the trapper found himself trapped. Four Lakotah braves had surounded Frank and his two pack horses, forcing him to return to their village to let the elders decide what to do with him. Although they had tried to grab away the reins to his pack animals, Frank managed to retain his hold upon them. He was brought to the vilage leaders, but within moments it seemed as if the entire villaged surrounded them. Through signs, Frank told the elders that he wanted to trap beaver and asked their permission to do so. The villagers looked curious; his "escort" seemed angry; and the elders appeared disapproving. The old fellow who seemed to have the most respect had been looking at the Hawkin 50 caliber rifle that Frank kept a firm grip upon. He had bought it new in Missouri and it had fancy brass trimming. Frank held out the rifle to the elder and he took it smiling. Frank indicated that he was giving it as a gift. The old man smiled again, then suddenly stiffened, his face frowning. Still holding the rifle, he left the group of elders and disappeared into the mass of natives. The warriors and elders talked excitedly and kept showering him with angry glances. Did something wrong, for sure, thought Frank. He began to wonder if he was going to survive this meeting. The villagers had gone from curious to sullen and Frank was starting to get worried. Then, the old man reappeared with a young woman in tow. The old guy was smiling again and so, it seemed, was everyone else. He brought the girl to Frank and taking Frank's free hand, place it over the girl's. "Tateziwin," he said. Frank had no idea what he meant, then he realized that it was likely the name of the girl. He took a closer look at her. He was a lean and wirey five-four and she was at least four inches shorter with a slightly stocky yet pleasing figure. He thought jer face was probably attractive--it was hard to tell because she kept her head ducked down--and she was very young. No more than fourteen or fifteen. Through signs, the elder told Frank that the girl was his and that he could trap his beaver. Frank quickly signed back that being able to trap the beaver was enough. He didn't need the girl. Instantly all the cheer and good will disappeared. I will take her, he signed and reached for the girl's hand. The entire vilage became all smiles again. After a long night's feasting, Frank and the girl managed to get a few hour's sleep before dawn. In the early morning light, the pair left the village and traveled along the South Platte for several days. Finding a good place to camp and set some traps, he signed to the girl that they would stay. He left her there and headed up the small tributary to scout out beaver. When he returned, Tateziwin had set up camp and had some stew boiling. Sensing his presence, the girl stiffened, then turned away. Frank studied the girl, who stood hugging herself, head ducked down, tending the fire. What was he going to do with her? He'd come out here to be free, not saddled with a wife. Frank had nothing but contempt for trappers who married native women; and now he found himself a squaw man. He stared at her, totally disgusted with the situation. Not her fault, though. He felt sorry for her. She was just as stuck with him, and had no more to say about it than he had. Frank had been too mad and disgusted to bed her. The thought made him nervous. He resolved to be gentle with her when that time came. No great rush, he decided and turned away to go work on his traps. ************************************************** Frank and Tateziwin gradually came to love each other. They lived together for nineteen years, until Tateziwin died giving birth to their ninth child. Frank was killed by a grizzley bear seven years later, when his rifle failed to discharge properly.