Chapter 3
The following day saw Melody continue to gain strength. Dennis accidentally moved the blanketed rock but she did not scream as she had previously. She simply reached out to take it from his hands. Mingo exchanged a hopeful look with Dennis, then took his rifle and walked into the snowy forest. He returned with another turkey and the two men repeated their success of the previous day. Melody ate whatever Dennis presented to her, and they fed her several times. They also poured the hot coffee into her as rapidly as she would drink it. Every time Dennis took her out to release the liquid she appeared stronger.
As the darkness fell on the third day she sat with her back against the wall, humming. Suddenly she stopped. The two men watched her carefully. Dennis slowly stood and walked to her side. He sat beside her and took her hand.
"Melly?" His voice quivered with hope. He looked into her dark blue eyes and cupped her chin in his hand. "Melly? It's me, honey. It's Dennis. Melly, are you there?"
Her blue eyes stared into his. "Denny? Where are we? Are we home?"
Dennis swallowed and tenderly ran his thumb across her lower lip. "No sweetheart. We are in Kentucky. Remember?"
Slowly her eyes focused on the little limestone cave. She silently surveyed its interior and her eyes came to rest on Mingo sitting before the fire. Her eyes widened and the two men braced themselves for the screams. But though she caught her breath, she did not scream. Beside her Dennis put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and relaxed. Dennis caught Mingo's eyes and smiled in relief. Mingo nodded and returned the smile.
He poured a cup of coffee and slowly approached the young couple. Melody sat up and looked at Mingo's dark face. Dennis introduced her to their new friend. She raised her little hand and Mingo took it as a gentleman would. He bowed from the waist and kissed the back of her hand. She giggled in delight. Dennis caught his breath at the sound, then pulled her to his chest and hugged her so tightly that she gasped. Mingo smiled his most tender smile and left the cave to give the young couple the privacy they deserved.
They were asleep when he returned, Melody's head resting on Dennis' shoulder. The blanket-wrapped rock was laid against the cave wall. Mingo walked to it and picked it up. He stood holding it for several minutes, pondering the miracle that love had produced. Then he laid the rock back against the wall, rolled into his blanket and fell asleep with the memories of his own mother warm in his heart.
Three days later Mingo prepared to continue his hunt and return to Chota. Melody was much stronger and Dennis' smile never left his youthful face. As he watched Mingo tie his blanket onto the bottom of his pack his face became pensive. Mingo noticed the change and smiled.
"Dennis, the spring thaw will begin within a month. Melody should be well by then. Then you will be able to travel wherever you wish. The settlement of Boonesborough is a two day walk to the northwest. Harrodsburg is another two days farther. It is a larger town and perhaps would be the best choice for one with a trade such as yours. Boonesborough is more of a frontier settlement. "
Dennis raised his eyes. "Mingo, I don't know what to do. I wonder if I have the capacity to survive outside a city. Maybe the best thing that I can do is take Melly back to Boston. Maybe we should go to Williamsburg, or Philadelphia. What do you think?"
Mingo looked into Dennis' light brown eyes for several seconds, searching. He reached out and placed a warm hand on the youth's shoulder. "If you are asking for my advice, I suggest that you go back over the mountains to Williamsburg. It is a beautiful city, filled with educated people. It is also wealthy and growing. I think they would welcome another glassblower. If you wish to do this, I can recommend you to friends that I have there. They run an inn at the crossroads to Yorktown."
Dennis' eyes lit with excitement. Mingo could tell that the youth trusted his judgment and their time together nursing Melody had created a kind of father/son relationship.
The young man nodded eagerly and looked into Melody's blue eyes. "I think Melody would really like that. And so would I. Yes, please, Mingo. Tell us about your friends."
Mingo complied and told the young couple about Walter and Nancy Miller, their journey together many years ago, and their firm friendship. Mingo closed with a question. "Do you happen to have paper and pencil with you?"
Dennis nodded his head. Mingo sat and thought for several seconds, then quickly wrote these simply words:
"Walter: Please help my friends. Edmund"
He handed the paper to Dennis with a smile. "I strongly suggest that you make a quick trip to Boonesborough and buy some meal, coffee and sugar. Cincinnatus is the trader, and he's also a friend of mine. Tell him to put what you need on my account." He handed Dennis the cuff bracelet from his left wrist as proof for Cincinnatus. Then he took the young man's hand and shook it warmly. Suddenly Dennis dropped Mingo's hand and hugged the tall Cherokee hard. "I would have lost her, Mingo, without you. I know it. We'll never forget you, never. Thank you." Dennis' voice broke and he swallowed hard.
Melody came to stand beside him. She put her arm around her husband and extended her small hand to Mingo. He took it and once again bowed smoothly from the waist. Like Dennis she suddenly reached for him and pulled herself into his arms. Mingo held her gently for several seconds. She reached for his head and pulled his cheek down for her soft kiss. "There aren't enough words to tell you what you mean to me. I will pray for you every night of my life. Thanks to you, I have those nights. You can't give a greater gift to someone than their life. I will live mine so that you can always be glad that you gave it to me. I promise."
Mingo's eyes were soft with emotion as he turned. The young couple stood and watched as he walked gracefully through the thick trees. When he was no longer visible they turned to each other and stood together, their happy voices drifting through the trees to Mingo's ears.
When he knew he was out of sight Mingo turned and revisited the small grave. He pulled an oddly shaped rock from his pack and reverently laid it on the little mound. He said a silent prayer for the soul of the tiny baby and her two loving parents. Then he began his long free stride back to his own home and family. Behind him a young couple continued their earthly journey. Generosity and a loving heart had given them their future.
