Chapter 1

Mingo hadn't joined Daniel in his lodge. He talked part of the night with Grey Oak, one of the elders of the council. Then the Cherokee slept beside one of the night fires. Dawn rose, misty and carrying in its scent the perky tumble of the wind. Autumn was starting to bloom more so every day.

Mingo was with Rain Cloud for their morning's ablution when Daniel arrived near the shore of the river. The tall white man walked as softly and as quietly as any of the seasoned Cherokees braves of the tribe.

Daniel splashed some cool water on his face, spread his long legs in front of him, and rested his back on a large boulder. He watched the two Indians swimming together, strongly, in the Batiscan River by the village. He wondered why his Cherokee brother was avoiding him but mostly why he was avoiding answering his plea. He had to go home today. Rebecca would be worried about him and Mingo, he just knew it. Their friendship was so deep that it echoed through the family. His wife and children considered Mingo a family member. He wanted Mingo to be with him when he told Becky about their fight. The burned scar on his arm and the wasted shirt would tell her that something happened. He wanted her to know the whole truth. She would still throw a raging flare-up at both of them. Together, they would make her understand. Then she would make them a nice supper. But Mingo was not acknowledging him at all. Could his support of Hawken have hurt Mingo's feelings?

Daniel stood up suddenly, it had never occurred to him.

Mingo observed Daniel as he sat down by the shore. Daniel wasn't much of a swimmer; he preferred to dip and wash quickly. Mingo remembered England and how he had to fight and constantly get good grades to be allowed to swim in the river that criss-crossed his father's estate. He knew Daniel would head home today. As he respected his friendship with Rebecca, he would probably go with him. Rebecca would not be happy about their fight; better if both of them told her together. Mingo felt uneasy. Actually, he felt very uneasy with Daniel. Oh! The trust was there. Or was it? Something was nagging Mingo and he could not put his finger on it.

Mingo headed toward the shore when he saw that Daniel had removed his jacket and ruined shirt. Daniel pulled his boot off as well, keeping his trouser and undershirt. Then Daniel jumped in the river and started to swim steadily and strongly toward him.

Mingo started threading water, while Rain Cloud swam towards the shore. What was happening with Daniel? He danced around the pyre last night with the braves, and this morning, he is swimming. Mingo turned around, doing strong strokes, not checking if Daniel would follow, but knowing instinctively that he would. There was a small islet up ahead, where the children often gathered to play, as soon as their swimming skills allowed them to get there. He would wait for him there. There was a deep friendship between them. If something was lingering that was threatening it, it was a private enough place for them to address it.

By the time Daniel reached the islet, Mingo finished doing his hair in tight braids and was sitting warming in the sun.

"So Daniel, what is on your mind this morning", asked the Cherokee, not knowing what to expect of the white man.