Hermann Reluctantly Turns Himself In
The lifestyle of the War Party is over for the Comanche now but I like this painting.
Howdy folks, greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!
We're in a series about the Wild West and the incredible story of an 11 year old German boy, Hermann, who was captured by an Apache war party from his family's farm in 1870 in Central Texas.
He's now 18-19 years old at this point in the story and has become a full blown warrior who hates and fears the White man. And in fact, has taken many a scalp. He's been with the Comanche for a few years now.
Yesterday's post
In the last post Chief Quanah tried to convince Hermann to go back to his family in Texas but he would have none of it. In fact, he almost shot the interpreter who was telling him that he had no choice in the matter.
Quanah guaranteed him that no soldiers would take him by force and that he could come back to stay with him at his camp so that's what Hermann did.
Today's story
Well, when Hermann got back to Quanah's village Quanah started working on convincing him to go home. The two had long, daily discussions.
Quanah knew that Hermann's mom was looking for him and the pressure she was putting on the general of the fort was great. lol. As one can imagine.
There is nothing stronger than a mother's love and the general knew that there was nothing more relentless than a mother looking for her child! Hermann was very stubborn but who do you think he got that from? He was no match for his mother!
Remember when she single-handedly fought off the Apache war party with a shotgun and shot the chief in the stomach and one of the warriors in the butt? lol.
So the general was telling Quanah and Quanah knew he had to convince Hermann to go back on his own or else the general would lose patience and have Hermann ordered to be brought in by force and who knows how many men could die if that happened.
Hermann agrees to turn himself in
After a few days Quanah convinced Hermann to go and stay at the fort with his other Comanche comrades. His old friends Esatema and Watsacatova(the brave who got scalped by that bush) were there and his chief was there.
Quanah was a statesman and a negotiator but this may have been his toughest task, convincing Hermann to go surrender to the fort! Once he was there he was miserable of course and yearned for the freedom of the plains.
They plan an escape
One of the other warriors proposed that they both steal a squaw and a horse and escape. Well shoot, that sounded like a great plan to Hermann so they made the agreement and Hermann talked to one of the young Comanche maidens there who agreed to go with him.
On the night of the escape she stole all she could carry and waited for him at a specified spot. The other Indian stole someone else's squaw that he fancied, along with two horses, and made his escape.
Hermann saw his girl waiting for him but he was nabbed by soldiers on his way to her. After that he had so many soldiers watching him around the clock that he didn't have a chance to escape.
I'm sure the general had special orders to not let Hermann escape. I can just see him sweating at the thought of what Hermann's mom would do if he let Hermann escape!
What Hermann didn't know
Hermann thought his mom was dead and he forgot all about her. But she never gave up hope. By the way, his dad had died when he was 5 years old. She was remarried but the step-father wasn't as desperate to find Hermann of course.
She had faith that he was still alive. I think a mother knows. She continued to pray fervently.
Remember when Hermann was with the Apaches and they visited and camped with a Comanche raiding party for a day and night and Hermann met another German boy who'd been captured?
That boy's name was Adolph Korn. Well, he was re-united with his family after about 6 years and Hermann's mom went and talked to him and he told her that he had seen and talked with Hermann and that he was with the Apaches!
At that point she knew without a doubt that he was out there and alive.
Thanks for reading folks, Hermann's wild journey continues on the next post.
-jonboy
Texas
the gentleman redneck
Young Indian girl on the reservation. I don't know what tribe she is but it doesn't matter because the look on her face perfectly expresses the sadness of all the Indians at that time.
I had forgotten that Hermann's father died when he was 5. I had no doubt in my mind that Hermann would escape from that fort. I would be like Hermann's mother and would never give up trying to get my son back. Like you said perfectly...there is nothing stronger than a mother's love.
Very true Butterfly! And plus she had God on her side. How many times did he cheat death with miraculous escapes and people all around him kept dying? That was his mom and probably his grandma praying fervently for his protection. I've seen miracles like that my whole life because of a praying mom or grandma.
Oh, you didn't forget about his father dying at age 5, I just read that at that point in the book, he didn't mention it until then. I wonder why he never talked about his father!
I think if Hermann knew his mother was alive he would most likely have gone back. With the information from Adolph she would have known and the step dad would be wary of having a warrior step son lol.
haha! very good point sir cryptoandcoffee! About the step dad.lol..but in yesterday's post Chief Quanah told him that his mother was alive and looking for him and Hermann refused to go, saying that the Comanche were his family. That's how entrenched he was, he didn't even remember his mother.
Just read it lol. He may not have trusted the white man anyway and may have seen it as a trick. If his tribe had told him his family was dead then he would believe them first.
That is totally true sir cryptocandcoffee! He still hated the white man and was as much Indian as a native. I think it may take him awhile to adjust to white culture! lol.
Good afternoon Cowboy! Should be interesting when Hermann finally connects with his mother. At least she knew he was alive.
Howdy redheadpei! so true, I know that not knowing exactly is literally torture for a mother and it's been 9 long years!
Howdy again Sir @janton, one can feel Hermann's gran's prayers for him in action here. By hook or by crook, his mother will not lose out again this time.
Blessings!
so true! That boy was not going to get away this time and it's so interesting to see how those prayers were working all those years to save his life time and time again!
Great chapter @janton. There is no stronger bond than a mother's love for her child. If I ever lost a child, I would go to my grave looking for them.
Howdy farm-mom! yes, I can't imagine the pain Hermann's mother has been going through for 9 long years now! Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
There's no way this has a happy ending. Herman gonna screw it up and get shot.
lol! I love the optimisim sir madgoat! Yeah, he tries to steal someone's horses and gets shot probably!
Hi janton, oh my gosh poor Hermann, now a true blue Indian and his mum obviously thought it would be like having her little boy back. I feel for her!
lol! yeah she thinks she's getting her little boy back and instead she's gettin a wild Indian!
Well janton, there must have been a coming home sometime. I look forward to reading how Hermann and his mother come together.
oh yes, there is definitely a homecoming! It just isn't the typical one that you would think about. lol. This one is a little different.
You are wetting my interest big time janton.
lol! I'm glad angiemitchell. It might take a couple days to get there but I'll get there eventually.
I hope he goes out in a blaze of glory or convinces his mother to live with the tribe, but I have my doubts.
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lol! howdy there abitcoinskeptic! that's a great thought, to have his mother live with the tribe! yes, you are right to have doubts but it's a very unique solution!
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Aw, I had a feeling she was not such a hardened pioneer woman that she would move on. I look forward to the story of what Hermann thinks when he sees her for the first time.
lol! howdy ginnyannette! you are so right! Yes, she was a very loving, caring woman. Tough as nails but very loving. lol. when he sees her..yeah it's a little bit different. Not the typical homecoming!