Chapter 4
Daniel went home to his family. He told the truth to Rebecca. Israel sat beside her and listened to his father's tale.
Both were upset. They remained upset for the next two days, as they also learned of the fight that would take place in the heart of Boonesborough.
In the meantime, Mingo went on with his life as usual in the Cherokee village. The temporary duty of Chief Hood in his life didn't infringe much on his daily routine. The women of the tribe gathered the produce of the end of summer, getting things ready for winter; the men hunted in groups, bringing home, furs and meat to cure. However, no one left the village to go on a hunting trek. Many wanted to attend the coming fight. There was much excitement in the village. Mingo was a warrior of many skills. While his white blood was often a matter of derision, none ever doubted his loyalty to the tribe.
Mingo spent a lot of time with Rain Cloud during the day and Grey Oak at night.
On the morning of the second day, children woke their fathers, and their uncles quite early. Some would be allowed to go to the white men's settlement. Wives and sisters prepared food for the journey and a warm breakfast for all.
Mingo dressed quickly after his morning swim. He had sharpened his knife the night before and he felt the strong steel at his side as a reminder of what was to come. First blood fights were known to be vicious and rather long when the opponents were of equal force – which was the case between Daniel and Mingo.
Mingo had told no one, not even Rain Cloud, how this fight worried him. He was not worry about losing or winning; his honor would not be challenge. It was the setting and the conclusion of the whole thing that had him restless. He thought of Daniel's family, a family he cared for deeply and who loved him back. He had refused to go to Rebecca and Israel when asked by Daniel because he was angry with Daniel. He wondered how they had reacted to Daniel's words
and Daniel's view of things.
Did Daniel have the opportunity to think about Mingo's point of view in the last two days? Could Daniel accept Mingo, the Cherokee, as he had accepted Mingo, the friend? Did he realize the affront given to Mingo by trying to misuse Cherokee's rules and laws?
As soon as the braves had eaten, fathers gathered the children allowed to go, and the Cherokees left the village. Rain Cloud was walking with Mingo ahead of the group. Mingo wanted to stop at the Boone's cabin first; he wanted to speak with Israel before entering the fort to fight the child's father.
It took nearly eight hours to reach the Fort; Mingo and Rain Cloud reached the Boone's cabin in good time, the smell of supper was in the air.
Mingo told Rain Cloud to go ahead while he went to the cabin.
Israel was on the porch, watching the trail – he was very obviously waiting for the Cherokee. He was fiddling with the little bow that Mingo had given him a few years ago. He saw Mingo just as Mingo saw him and letting go of the small weapon, ran to him, screaming for joy "Mingo, Mingo, you came here".
He ran straight into Mingo's arms. He kneeled when he saw the boy coming at a run. Israel was growing into a fine youth. He would not admit he was still a young boy to anyone, but father and Mingo.
Mingo felt the child shuddering in his arms and he held him tightly.
Israel relaxed at last and said "Mingo, you will be careful, you will, won't you? You will be careful. You have to be. You have to."
Mingo let him go. Smiling he answered him "Your father and I will both be careful. Don't worry. Perhaps you should stay home. It will be a hard fight, a true fight, Israel. You might not like me much after this fight. But I promise to you, I will use my knife very carefully."
"I know Mingo. I trust you." the child's faith in the Cherokee was honest and quite overwhelming. "I will go with you and I will watch you both fight. It's what a man does."