The Tattered End of Trust
Chief Mingo : The Tag
Prologue
"Come home with me," Daniel asked his friend
Mingo had left his knife by the dead Shawnee's hand, just above his head. And he had picked up the broken bow, thrown it away, and got up.
As Daniel picked up Sam's body and placed him on his shoulder, Mingo wondered aloud "Are you not planning on burying him here?"
"Your people, the council, will want to see him dead," answered Daniel.
"They will burn his body and you won't be able to give him the burial of your faith," stated Mingo simply.
"I can ask for his ashes, and bury him that way." Daniel looked at Mingo and shyly added, "He died hating Indians and …"
"And you believe me now, believe in his guilt?" finished Mingo in a question that was also an answer. "Put him down, I'll make a travois if you lend me your knife we'll take turn pulling it".
Mingo quickly constructed the travois.
They traveled in silence for most of the way, until at last Daniel repeated his invitation "Come home with me Mingo."
They walked in silence the whole way. They often trekked together in silence; they never needed chatting to feel comfortable with each other. As they arrived in the village, Long Feathers came toward them. He saw the travois right away and started to scream in victory – vengeance had been won.
Other young braves came forth and took Hawken's body from the travois and carried him to the pole that was waiting for him.
In short time, the fire was lit. Soon everyone was overwhelmed with the awful smell of human flesh burning. Braves adorned themselves in colorful vests, or removed their vests; soon the tom-toms were heard and the dancing began. It healed the pain of the loss of a great chief by music and fire; it was the expression of grief, at last.
Mingo approached the council and left Daniel on his own. Daniel prayed silently for the soul of the white man burning under the eyes of most of the Cherokees.
When Mingo at last left the elders on their own, Daniel thought his friend would join him. He was quite surprised to see Mingo joined the dancers around the fire, loudly singing words of relief and peace.
Bright Rainbow brought Daniel some cool water and a bowl of warm soup. He thanked her in her tongue but kept watching Mingo dancing gracefully. He drank greedily but left the soup untouched on the ground by his rifle. He removed his hat, his vest, and looking at the burned sleeve of his white shirt, decided to remove it as well. He slowly joined the group of dancers, and to everyone surprise, started to dance.
For hours the fire burned, women and young men adding wood to it. The body of Sam Hawken would be consumed completely come morning.
The dancing stopped as the moon rose; the braves had eaten, and had gathered their discarded clothes. Daniel had been invited to sleep in Mingo's lodge where a warm fire of fresh pine wood made the air smell much better. Bright Rainbow directed him there, after making sure he was fed and ready to sleep.
Daniel walked toward Mingo. Mingo was sitting on a log with Long Feathers and Rain Cloud. They were eating together by a small fire.
"Mingo, you haven't answered me yet. Come home with me in the morning, please."
Mingo lifted his head toward the tall man. He shrugged his shoulder, waved for Daniel to head to his lodge as if he would join him there, and resumed his conversation in Cherokee with his companions.
Daniel headed alone toward Mingo's lodge.