Chapter 5

Rebecca Boone had heard her son call to Mingo. She had lifted a corner of the curtain and had watched Indian and child hugging each other. She let them speak for a while. As she saw Mingo get up, she opened the door.

"Mingo!" she called, "would you like a cup of tea? We could walk to Boonesborough together."

Mingo walked toward the cabin, Israel in tow. He stood below the porch, which made Rebecca nearly as tall as he, and he smiled timidly at her.

"Rebecca, I would love a cup of tea." he entered the cabin following her lead. Had Israel not been as forthcoming in his welcome, Mingo didn't know if he could even think of going in.

"Daniel is already at the fort?" he asked.

"He left after his mid-day meal. He thought that perhaps you might come to see us first, he was right. He wanted to have everything in order to welcome the Cherokees braves who are coming to watch you. He is making sure there is space for everyone of your tribe to make themselves comfortable for the night, and to have plenty of food for breakfast in the morning. He will be back later for supper." There was a pause in Rebecca sentence, as if she was waiting to put her thoughts into order. "He told us the truth, Mingo. He is truly sorry. I am glad to see you alive and well. What Daniel told me had me very worry"

"Me too, Mingo. I was worry when Pa said you fought and I am worry now that you will fight again," Israel said. Mingo could tell he was truly worried, for him as well as for his father.

"Rebecca, Israel, I am upset with Daniel. If he told you everything, he told you this, too. He is my friend, my brother. Our fight might not solve anything. We both trust in the other, and we will be both fine and safe. Do not worry about this fight."

"Mingo, you would have died, wouldn't you, rather than kill Daniel in that fight in your village?" Rebecca's question was direct and honest. One question neither Daniel, nor Mingo had dared ask or answer.

"I know this, Mingo, even if Daniel, or you, refuse to say so. You know why I know this. Do you?" she went on, relentlessly.

"Because you wouldn't hurt Israel or me, that's why. You would have made a mistake and you would have allowed Daniel to kill you. Wasn't Daniel's knife at your throat when the fight was called off? Your knife at that, not even his?"

So Rebecca truly knew all - meaning that Daniel had told his family everything, the whole truth. Only Rebecca had realized the meaning of it all.

"This fight between the two of you in the fort, will it be a fair fight? One where you will fight to win, regardless of me or Israel?"

Mingo was sipping his tea, not truly tasting it. Rebecca's friendship had always meant the world to him.

"Will you walk with me to the fort, Rebecca?" he asked at last, not answering her question.

"We will walk with you. We will stand by the two of you. Take care of him. Take care of you. Be honest and be true, that's all I ask. Be safe and be true."

Rebecca picked up Mingo half-empty cup; put it on the stand by the cleaning area. She waved at her son to get up. Israel had sat close by the Cherokee, as if being farther away meant he would lose him.

"Don't let anything come between you and Pa, Mingo. Just let out what's needing you. Be safe. Promise me to be safe?" he asked once more.

Rebecca opened the door, leading her son and the family's friend outside. She had put on her thick green shawl, as she was starting to shiver. Mingo put his hand on her shoulder, in a gesture of reassurance.

The three of them walked towards the settlement; Mingo kept touching the handle of his knife all the way.

As they reached the palisade, the Cherokees braves were waiting for Mingo, welcoming him with loud screams.

Mingo pulled himself away from the Boones, murmuring softly to Israel, yet loud enough for Rebecca to hear "I will fight to win, Israel. I need to redeem my honor and my tribe's honor, but your father will be safe, I promise you this".