Vignette
The Sound of Fear
Mingo
"That shiny world you called civilization passed a law: 20 shillings for each and every Indian scalp. And they call us savages"
I would not trade anything in my life now for this could have been Daniel's way of life; this civilization of the white men. I am much too aware of both worlds' customs and laws. I have rejected the western civilization and I have embraced my mother's ancestry. Yet, the color and the length of my hair can attract butchers; the color and length of my friends' hair, their wives, their children. I am angry beyond words right now.
Daniel stands by me., I feel his anger rivaling mine. He picks up the little Indian doll; a father carved it, a mother dressed it and gave it hair; a child laughed while playing with it. I see the tremor in his hand, as he caresses the doll. The child would play no more, death fires and death songs are her legacy.
Why is such hate possible? I have seen so much of it already. I know of it, have felt it, and fear it still. And my hair and my feathers make me a savage.
Why?
Daniel
"Who would do this?"
The smell of death and of fire is everywhere. Mingo is angry. I have not seen him that angry before. This village is completely destroyed, and the old woman is left alone. Her children and grandchildren are gone; they suffered the worst of fates. She will sing death songs until her own death.
This doll I picked up …. I made dolls for Jemina when she was younger; they had blond hair, wore dresses of blue and green, but they were the same toys, they brought the same joy. My daughter is fine, safe at home, thinking all is well in the world.
Who are the monsters who would stop at nothing for a few pieces of silver in their bags? Could they not see the life of these people and their rights to it?
Mingo is angry. I must focus his anger. These monsters must be captured and judged in our courts. Cherokee justice is not allowed in the white man's world, where I belong. We will take them to Salem; they will hang. We will change things.