Chapter 1
The white flakes drifted gently down as Daniel and Rebecca sat comfortably before their fireplace. Daniel was cleaning his rifle Ticklicker, and Rebecca was knitting a new pair of wool socks. The needles clacked together pleasantly as Rebecca softly hummed an old Irish melody.
In the loft Israel breathed softly, his dreams filled with cats and flying mice. He softly giggled in his sleep, making his parents exchange a firelit smile. Spring was near and the falling March snow would soon melt and make the rivers and streams of central Kentucky run cold and swift. There had been ample moisture over the winter and the community of Boonesborough looked forward to the coming planting season.
"The snow should stop before the wedding, don't you think Dan?"
Dan rose and peeked out through the shuttered east window. He caught his breath and quickly secured the shutter. Rebecca looked up in surprise just as the pounding began.
Dan shot her a look of despair, then walked reluctantly to his door and pulled the bar away to open it.
Into the room spun Milly Moss. She shook her shawl, flinging wet snow all over Becky's table and chairs. With her smile frozen in place Becky rose to greet the visitor. Behind Mrs. Moss Daniel's face registered his disquiet as he gritted his teeth in expectation.
"Mr. Boone, Mrs. Boone. Is that Injun here?"
"You mean Mingo?" At her nod Daniel continued. "No, Mrs. Moss, he returned to his village after we got back in January. Why?"
"Why? 'Cause I want to see him, that's why."
Daniel's face drew into a look of dislike. Becky saw the expression and quickly took charge. "Mrs. Moss, come on and sit before the fire. You must be cold. It's sure a beautiful snow, though, isn't it?" As she talked she pulled Milly closer to the fire and away from her husband, who continued to stand rooted to the floor before the closed door.
"Why do you want to talk to Mingo, Mrs. Moss? We haven't seen him, but when we do we'd be happy to send him out your way." In her mind Becky couldn't help but add "Though I know he doesn't want to see YOU." No matter how often Mingo told Milly Moss his name she insisted on calling him 'Injun', a moniker that irritated the British Cherokee mightily. Becky carefully kept her eyes from Daniel's face, knowing that he would be sending her signals that she didn't want to see.
"Well, you know my Rocky's gettin' married day after tomorrer to that Heine girl, Greta Schultz? I wanted the Injun to watch that my Ivy don't get inta trouble with some ne'er do well in Boonesborough. I know I cain't watch over her and get my boy married all two, and ever'b'dy else'll be liquored up and celebratin'. I remember that Injun sayin' he don't drink, and I figured he'd be just the one to watch out for my Ivy-girl."
Behind her Daniel added his two cents. "Mrs. Moss, Mingo isn't here and we don't expect to see him until spring. I'm sure no one will bother Ivy." In her mind Rebecca breathed an "amen" to her husband's assurance. Everyone in Boonesborough, man, woman and child, knew to stay at least thirty feet from Ivy Moss. Any closer and you risked your life. Or at least your limb.
Milly Moss turned to face the tall founder of Boonesborough. She narrowed her eyes and looked his frame over carefully. "Maybe so, maybe not. You know better'n anybody exceptin' me and Rocky how sweet that little gal is. And I don't trust nobody to treat her right. She's so purty and in-no-cent that she's easy pickin's for ary no-good man."
In the silence that followed Milly's words all three could hear footsteps crunching through the snow. Dan and Becky exchanged a suspicious look seconds before a flat-handed knock sounded on the door. Time passed as Dan stood frozen with indecision. Finally Milly Moss strode to the door, pushed Daniel aside and pulled it open. Standing in plain sight upon the porch was Mingo.
The two recognized each other at exactly the same second. "Injun!" Milly Moss screeched just as Mingo stepped back from the open door. She reached out and grabbed both arms, pulling him into the firelit cabin. From where she stood Becky could see Mingo planting his feet against the pull. But his boots were wet and couldn't get any traction. Milly dragged him over the threshold and into the room. Once inside, Mingo's gentlemanly nature prevented him from making the quick escape he had attempted. His dark face registered his misery.
"Injun, you're just the man I was lookin' for! I need you to watch out for my little Ivy-girl while her brother's agettin' wed day after tomorrer. You're the only man I can trust not to get soused and neglect his duty. The good Lord musta heard my prayers an' stepped right in."
Mingo's eyes sought help from Becky, but the tall woman could think of nothing to say that would help Mingo's predicament. While Mingo stood speechless Milly gathered her woolen shawl around her shoulders and prepared to leave. "You be in the church a hour afore the weddin' time, Injun. Thata way you can start guardin' my little girl afore ary low-down varmint can do anythin' to her. See all three o' ya day after tomorrer. Goodnight Mr. Boone, Mrs. Boone, Injun." Becky could hear Mingo's teeth squeak as he gritted them together. The door shut and the three friends remained speechless before the fire.
"Well, Mingo, sounds like you got yourself a full-time job takin' care o' Ivy." Daniel's eyes twinkled in amusement. Becky shook her head warningly. Mingo stretched his hands before the blaze and sighed.
"Daniel, I have no intention of attending that wedding. And I certainly will not be acting as guardian to Ivy!"
Dan's voice was low and soothing, masking an undercurrent of fun. "Now, Mingo, you know how Ivy dotes on you. And Mrs. Moss is right. She's an innocent young girl, just Mima's age."
"Daniel, that's not fair and you know it!" Mingo's wide eyes conveyed dismay at Daniel's using his affection for Jemima to make him feel guilty about abandoning Ivy. "Anyone near that girl is inviting disaster. No one in this community will come anywhere near her."
"We know it Mingo. So your guardianship should be short and uneventful." Becky was trying her best to placate all involved parties. Mingo's expression showed his disappointment in her efforts. She sighed and sat, retrieving her knitting from the floor.
In the silence the three struggled with their own thoughts. Finally Mingo sighed resignedly and dropped his hands to his sides. "Alright, I will guard Ivy. And if I get my arm broken, or my head split, or my clothes drop off just remember that you two decided my fate."
With those words the tall Cherokee spun on his heel and retreated out the door. Inside the firelit cabin Daniel and Rebecca stifled their laughter as the snowy night muffled their conversation. Daniel was betting on Mingo's losing his trousers and Becky staunchly expressed her opinion that he would simply lose every ornament on his tall lean body.