Mingo

Daniel there is a part of me that's been too long neglected

and

that's the part I must think with now.

Daniel:"Think or feel?"

Mingo: "This is a crime against the Cherokee. You have no right to offer him your protection"

Mingo: "Think or feel?" about the notion of murder in cold blood

I do not doubt Daniel's friendship; he has always accepted me. I believe that since we became friends, it was easy to have as much of the white man in me come out as proud as the Cherokee part of me is. Daniel has never judged my choice and decision. He always introduced me as his friend. Just a man, is what I am in his eyes. But there is part of my legacy that I shrug away at times; some customs of my tribe that I don't abide with. I chose to be Cherokee and to live my life this way. My clothes, my hair, my adornment, all of me, are Cherokee. But I am also a white man, and know much about the life of the white men.

I will never doubt Daniel's friendship. However, I cannot continue to neglect the cry inside, the warring part of me is winning.

I am Cherokee. My blood wants justice, the Cherokee way.

"

Daniel: "You taken quite a big load on your shoulder. I don't know what I'd do if I were in your place"

Mingo said "I do" and then he left.

When White Cloud laid on his deathbed and handed me the mantel of chief hood, I was ceased with a deep fear. He placed his dying hope for peace on my shoulders, on my mixed blood. I wondered how the warriors would see me, as their leader.

This Cherokee blood in my veins is strong. But at times, I let all that I know about being white, overshadow and overwhelm the legacy of my mother's customs and cultures.

Since Daniel Boone extended his hand of friendship, as he saved my life, I have been half-white and half-Cherokee.

White Cloud made sure that I would remember who I am.

That load on my shoulder, as Daniel called it, is not such a burden. It allowed me to rise above the white man in me. I know what I need to do. This white murderer will face Cherokee justice. Cherokee justice is swift and hard.

I know.