Chapter 4
Becky woke to find Daniel and Israel sitting before the entrance with a little cooking fire roasting a plump turkey. After many hugs and excited greetings, the family sat together and compared adventures.
"Weren't you worried at all Pa?" Jemima asked her tall father as he finished his tale about huddling with Israel while the rain poured from the afternoon sky.
"About what? You two? I knew you'd be alright with Mingo. I trusted him to find a way to keep you safe."
"Where is Mingo?" Jemima looked around curiously. Israel pointed with his dirty fingers.
"He went that way about a hour ago, right Pa?"
"That's right Israel. He'll be back, Mima. He said somethin' about fulfilling an agreement."
"An agreement?" Becky's red eyebrows rose suspiciously.
"That's what he said. I didn't know what he meant either, but he seemed eager to go. Now this turkey's about roasted and I reckon you two would like the first bite." Daniel's eyes sparkled in the firelight as he looked at his wife and daughter. He leaned forward and cut a slice of juicy meat for them. Israel received his slice. Then the family sat in silence and ate slice after slice of delicious turkey seasoned with salt and fresh air.
The lingering summer twilight sifted down as they sat listening to the bedding birds. Just before dark Mingo came striding into the camp with a pleased look on his face. Rebecca glanced at him and he gave her a knowing smile. She offered him a slice of turkey and Daniel poured a last cup of coffee. Mingo sat eating with an unreadable expression on his face. Becky was secretly curious about Mingo's "agreement" but she kept her thoughts to herself.
Hours later the Boones lay sleeping inside the snug little cave. Mingo remained outside as was his habit, curled upon a bed of ferns beneath a towering sycamore. Rebecca slept restlessly, an unanswered question troubling her slumber. Finally in resignation she rose and slipped to the mouth of the cave. Bathed in moonlight the trees stood sentinel in the summer forest. Suddenly Rebecca started as Mingo silently appeared at her right elbow.
With a sly smile the man grasped the woman's arm and together they walked farther into the sleeping forest. After a hundred yards Mingo stopped and released Rebecca's arm. "Well, Rebecca, ask the question that you are dying to ask."
"I don't know what you're talking about! I just can't sleep."
Mingo's smile was irritatingly wide and his eyes sparkled in the moonlight. "Rebecca……I know you better than that. Daniel told you that I was fulfilling an agreement. Am I correct?"
Rebecca's eyes widened and she reluctantly nodded her head. "So, you want to know what agreement I fulfilled, and with whom. Don't you?" Mingo's face was lit with a self-satisfied grin. Against her better judgment Becky nodded. Mingo's grin widened and he fairly radiated glee.
"Alright, Rebecca Bryan. You purposely filled my head with thoughts of Little Folk and otherworldly beings, didn't you? I know that many of you settlers like to talk about us superstitious Cherokee. But you are also highly superstitious yourselves."
"Consider Amos Brandt's rabbit's foot. Cincinnatus won't accept a payment of thirteen cents. The blacksmith keeps a horseshoe above his door. Tolliver won't walk under a ladder."
"Remember the panic you all felt when the 'witch' came among you? I admit that I was caught up in it too, but that's not my point. I've seen you throw salt over your shoulder and walk around black cats. One evening I saw you make a wish and toss a coin into your well. We all have our tales of strange happenings and strange beings."
"I know that most people like to try and scare others. It seems to be a universal tendency. I DID make an agreement……with myself. I turned the tables on you. You wondered if I'd made an agreement with the Little Folk, didn't you? Admit it. I've caught you fairly, Rebecca Boone."
Reluctantly Becky's mind processed Mingo's words. She lowered her head and glanced at her friend from under her brows. His light laughter drifted through the moonlight and caught her squarely. She couldn't hold back then and added her laugh to his. Together they walked back toward the cave.
Before the little cave Becky turned to the Cherokee at her side. "Mingo, I want you to know how glad I am that you were with me and Mima these past two days. If I have to be separated from Daniel, there is no one else I'd rather be with."
Mingo's teeth shone in the moonlight as he smiled broadly. "Mrs. Boone, it has been my pleasure." He bowed and handed her into the shadowy cave. She stepped quietly to Jemima's side and leaned back against the wall. Seconds later her breathing steadied and she was asleep.
Outside in the moonlight Mingo sat on guard. All around him the midsummer night was alive with sound. The breeze teased the leaves and lifted the hair on his forehead. Smiling to himself he saluted the Little Folk and all the creatures of the Other World.
"Goodnight to you all, whatever you may be. One thing is certain. You keep our world a very interesting place." Once again his teeth flashed in the bright summer moonlight.
"And on Becky Boone's behalf, I thank you."