Daniel
"He saved my life"
As the elders of the counsel speak amongst themselves, I watch him - that man who saved the fawn and me from the quicksand. Sam Hawken hates Indians with a passion. His greatest fear in to die at their hands, I believe. I owe him.
I think they will have Long Feather fighting me; he's young and anxious to prove his worth. I will have to be careful of his pride when I will defeat him. I must promise to bring Sam to Salem for a trial by white men.
Mingo approaches the elders. My friend is carrying a heavy burden since White Cloud's death. I haven't seen him this way in a long time.
I hear them. I hear the elder who's looking Mingo straight in the eyes. I must fight my friend, my brother, to fulfill a debt of honor. I will fight a man who has saved my hide numerous times, who is more my brother today, than mine are; those brothers of mine living as faraway as they do. I grab my rifle, and walk toward the elders and Mingo. I can't let them see how I feel. Mingo will forgive me, I know. I will not dishonor him or his custom; our fight will be legitimate. We'll both rise with bruises, still friends. I trust in him.
I heard Long Feather. My heart sank. How do I let the Cherokee's honor and pride of my friend and his people remains while we fight? I have no intention of killing Mingo, or to let him kill me. I must think fast!
Mingo approaches me, he speaks, says a lot of things, then extends his hand to me. I see his eyes. He intends to fight me to death. He will not surrender. Mingo will not let anything stand in the way of his Cherokee blood. I have to shake his hand. He knows me too well.
He's my brother.