Chapter 17
September 16, 1777
Somewhere in Michigan
As they hurried home, Daniel, Mingo, Rain Cloud, and the American officers had gone to extremes. Avoiding British patrols and militia, while making certain Jean-Marie and Mathurin made it home safely, away from reprisals, had taken its toll on all of them.
When they finally reached American territory, Mingo asked Willie to sit with him and make a list of his victims. Mingo worried about the cabin he had burned and how the family had managed after the renegades' departure. Daniel talked Mingo out of approaching his victims. It was better to let the American soldiers make reparations.
The renegades had been captured by the Continental Army.
Mingo was concerned about the children. "Colonel Hartford, what will become of the squaws and children living with the renegades? They should learn of their heritage; they should not bear the shame of their fathers. They should be taught to be proud of being Indians."
Colonel Hartford was able to reassure him, "The children are living with white settlers until they can be resettled with a Choctaw village near the settlement. They are well. Our only concern was to keep them safe."
"No harm done, Captain. These children have a lot to recover from but an Indian heritage is something to be proud of" Mingo said quietly.
Daniel smiled. Daniel knew the deep conviction Mingo had that Indian children should be raised as Indians. He wondered if Mingo would ever share London and England with him. If one day, he would completely understand his friend's pain and loss. If the life Mingo led now was truly enough for him.
They graciously accepted a three dayrest at the small fort. It had been an exhausting escape, with little sleep. Henry was always under tight guard and bound. Neither his father or Mingo went near him. The Colonel had sent orderlies ahead with papers and orders to protect Mingo at all cost and to absolve him from all blame. He made sure compensation would be made to all of Mingo's victims.
Rain Cloud and Mingo had grown quite fond of their two Canadian friends, and regretted parting from them so soon.
Daniel told the Canadians and both Cherokees they would come back and hunt with them in a few seasons. He might even bring Israel with them, his son loved exploring.
They would head home, in two days. Mingo and Rain Cloud had gone fishing together. The Americans soldiers would provide them with provisions. Colonel Hartford even offered men to go with them, which they declined.
Still, for the three Kentuckians, it was a trip they were looking forward to. They needed a reunion with their loved ones.
Rain Cloud told Daniel in secrecy that he intended to have a white-blood cleansing for Mingo as soon as they got to Chota. Would Daniel come and attend it as was his right and duty as his white brother? Daniel knew exactly what Rain Cloud meant. Daniel would go to Chota, and have his white blood cleansed with Mingo.
It was his duty. He would perform it with much laughter.