Mingo had heard of the troubles that the people of Boonesborough were suffering and had decided to check on his family there. He had left Daniel only a week or so ago, when they had returned from hunting. He generally parted from Daniel before they reached Boonesborough, thus giving the Boones a private reunion, and then after a few days, he would come to see them all. He hummed cheerfully as he headed on the trail towards the Boone cabin. He was hoping for some of Rebecca's good cooking - her Irish stew, some biscuits and maybe a pie.

Yadkin had told him once, right before he'd left, in fact, "Don't spend too much time with Becky Boone, Mingo. You'll never marry if you do. There's only one like her in all the wide world and she is most definitely taken." He supposed Yadkin did have a point. Rebecca's cooking alone would be impossible to live up to, but factor in her skill with a rifle, her willingness to live happily far from civilization, and her seemingly boundless joy - not even considering her beauty - what girl could ever compare?

He looked down the trail and was stunned to see Daniel and Rebecca coming towards him. Immediately, he became alarmed. He could see that Daniel was carrying Rose.

***DB***

"Some of the old women remember an illness like that. The children got well but then later suddenly died." Mingo said avoiding Rebecca's eyes. They stood together in a huddle. All around them Mingo's other family, the Cherokee, gathered and watched.

"Did they find a cure?" She asked. "Did the children survive?" Her voice caught on the last word and a tear fell. She rested her chin against Rose's head. Rose sat in her arms unusually quiet.

"They tried so many things. They were never really sure which it was. It worked for some and others not. You must give her to the women, Rebecca. They promise to try."

Rebecca turned towards her husband, and biting her lower lip, she carried Rose to the arms of the circle of women waiting for her.

An older woman spoke to her in Cherokee, but she couldn't concentrate on the words and so didn't understand. She was only thinking of one word over and over and over, "Please, please, please . . ."

The women turned then and carried Rose into one of the tents. The flap was pulled close and Rebecca felt as if she might collapse.

She felt Daniel's arms around her then. "She said not to stop your prayers and to cling to hope. She promised they will care for her as a Cherokee child." He told her. She turned and looked up into his face. He nodded slightly and said, "I know darlin'. I know." and even though Mingo and the entire village was watching, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly to his chest.

"The women will go later to gather some mustard and other medicines for her. They want you to come along as well." Mingo said to her. Nestled in Daniel's arms, she nodded her head.

Mingo reached out and squeezed Daniel's arm. "Menewa wants to speak with you."

Daniel nodded and turning to Rebecca he said, "Go sit by the fire, love. Everyone here is a friend." He kissed her forehead and released her. She sat at the fire and watched him disappear with Mingo.

"It is an honor to see you again." Daniel said as he entered the Menewa's tent. "I thank you for the kindness that the Cherokee is showing to my wife and child."

"The Nation understands suffering." Menewa said quietly. "Your child is very ill, and the women do not know if they can help her. You understand this?"

"I understand." Daniel said seriously. "I am grateful for your attempt. The white man's medicine has helped no one. Three children have already died."

"I remember when the sickness was here. I was a boy. Eleven children were sick, only four survived. We treated all of them with the same medicines. The four who lived were very powerful. They say your wife and children are very strong."

"Yes, they are." He said softly.

"There is hope then." He studied Daniel thoughtfully. "Your wife understands this?"

"She does. We came to you out of a desperate hope. She understands suffering." He said sadly.

"Yes, all our women do, do they not?" Menewa said catching Daniel's eye. He glanced over at Mingo. "This one does not yet understand. Ah, someday, he too will have a wife, and he will know. There is no greater pain than to watch her suffer."

"This is true." Daniel said glancing at Mingo. "I pray that his wife will never know suffering. I hope that the children of the Nation will know only peace."

"But you know it won't be so." Menewa said with a sad smile. "The men who come to our land now, are not like you. They do not care for the Cherokee. They only reach out with greedy hands."

"This is also true." Daniel said.

Menewa smiled at him and held out his hand to Daniel, who grasped him by the wrist, as was their fashion.

"You are our guests." Menewa said. "We will do all we can for your child. I shall offer prayers on her behalf."

"I thank you, and I am honored." Daniel said. Mingo led him out of the tent. They paused outside. The noon sun was high in the sky, but the air was still crisp and cold.

"The women have gone to gather the herbs." Mingo said. "They took Rebecca with them. Come, you probably haven't eaten."

"I don't feel much like food." Daniel said.

"I suppose not." Mingo responded.

"Are there some chores?" He asked suddenly. "I'm not a man for waiting."

Mingo smiled and patted Daniel on the shoulder. "I've noticed. Let's see what we can find for you to do."