Birdsong
Those who wish to sing always find a song.
Swedish Proverb
Chapter 1
Daniel raised his large right hand and the caravan of settlers halted. The second day of travel had been uneventful and the evening stop ended a perfect early summer day. Beside him Mingo trotted on ahead for a dozen yards and melted into the surrounding forest to gather the firewood necessary for their campfire. All around him the air was filled with sound: men and women shouting to each other, children giggling as they helped unload camp equipment, oxen bellowing.
Two of the men took their long rifles and walked into the forest for fresh meat. Daniel walked along the line of settler wagons to connect with each family, ask about their day, and see to any signs of trouble. Finding nothing that commanded his attention Daniel began to construct his camp twenty feet ahead of the first family.
The Addisons were not a boisterous family. Pernell Addison was in his mid-forties, his wife Dottie the same. Their children ranged from seventeen year old Wren to five year old Starling. The six children all did their assigned chores without complaint, helping their parents create a camp quickly and efficiently. The oxen were tended, the meal started and the camp equipment set out. Daniel sat and watched them as he waited for Mingo's return.
Several minutes later the Cherokee was back with a full armload of wood. Quickly Daniel started a fire and began to brew coffee. Mingo disappeared into the forest once again. When he returned less than an hour later he had a half-dozen squirrels in his hand, victims of his accuracy with a blowgun.
Mingo deftly cleaned the squirrels and had a stew bubbling within the hour. The twilight settled over the caravan as the dozen families ate their meals. Mingo's eyes roamed to the Addison family gathered around their campfire. He was surprised to find the middle child's eyes riveted on him. He smiled and the girl dropped her eyes, obviously embarrassed. Her father glanced at her lowered head, then looked over his shoulder at the Cherokee illuminated by the campfire. The man bent low and spoke several words to the girl. Mingo saw her give her lowered head a quick shake.
A short time later as Dan and Mingo were eating their stew Mingo intercepted a glance from Mrs. Addison. Her face was drawn into a look of intense scrutiny. Mingo shifted uneasily and nudged Daniel, then leaned over and whispered.
"The Addison's seem to be rather suspicious of me, Daniel. I don't know if they have had negative experiences with Indians or if it's me in particular, but there is definitely something wrong."
Daniel glanced over his shoulder at the Addison family. The only persons visible were Mrs. Addison and two of the girls, busy washing the family dishes. All three had their eyes on the task at hand. Daniel frowned and looked back at Mingo's firelit face.
"They don't seem bothered to me Mingo. Maybe you just thought that's how they looked. The firelight can do funny things to a person's face you know."
Mingo smiled tolerantly. "Daniel, you have no reason to be aware of such undercurrents. I do. And I'm telling you something is amiss."
"Alright then, Mingo. But let's not borrow trouble. I'll listen a little closer to 'em, and watch 'em a little closer. They seem just like normal people to me though."
Mingo nodded and finished his cup of squirrel stew. Then he rinsed his cup, filled it with coffee, and sat sipping the hot brew. His dark eyes never left the family busy with their preparations for sleep. For some reason he seemed drawn to the middle child, a small and nondescript girl. Somehow he felt she had reached out to him. The moon rose above the trees and the entire camp settled down. Daniel and Thomas Barclay took the first watch as the other 61 people fell deeply asleep.