Another Chance

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Authors: Janet Cooper
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herself for conjuring such a fantasy.
    Silver Wolf had stared at her. He sensed her compassion, her desire to help. Why should she understand? He closed his eyes and recalled his wife's image, asking her to help him with their son. Even as he did, he realized that when Clear Water was alive, she would never have thought he needed her support.
    Between his sobs, Little Turtle asked, "Why is grandfather buried here and not in the graveyard with my mother?"
    His great-grandfather took the boy in his arms. "The blood of his body has been spilled here. He will remain with it."
    Wolf looked at the last two members of his family , the oldest and the youngest. The line was incomplete. It had been broken, and so had their hearts. He wanted to hold his remaining family tight against him, but with the whites looking on, he restrained himself. Only retribution, paid in blood by those responsible, would salve this grief.
    "The British have always been our enemies ."  White Owl spat out the words as he lowered Little Turtle. "They have oppressed us consistently, stolen our lands, and killed many of our people." Bitterness showed as his ebony eyes flashed with anger and his jaw tightened. "Now, they have murdered the last of my children. Only vengeance will bring peace to our land."
    "And I shall be your instrument," Wolf said .
    Although he tried to hide his disapproval, Sarah sensed Benjamin tensing beside her. Would he speak out? She studied him closely. His lips remained closed, but he stepped back as if to distance himself from the violence being planned.
    White Owl wrenched the fringe off his buckskin jacket and screamed aloud . Next, he bent, picking up a piece of charcoal and began streaking his face. When he had finished, he began to paint the boy. "The mask I place on you is to show the sorrow that we experience at the death of one we love, but whose name we do not speak."
    Wolf found a charred chunk of wood a nd proceeded to recover the boy’s neck and arms.
    "We will wear black on our skin while we grieve . In less than half a moon cycle, Little Turtle, your XhanXhan becomes one with the lights in the sky. Although we will no longer mark our bodies, our souls wear black until he can be avenged."
    All during this time, Sarah had stood off to the side. Perhaps in their grief, Luke and White Owl had forgotten their guests, until she saw Luke's face and realized he wanted her to witness what was happening. Earlier, she had sensed his reluctance, yet now his willingness to allow her to observe his rituals pleased her. He was a very difficult man to understand. She looked at the fresh black imprint on his face, and realized what she had thought earlier was dirt was a sign of mourning.
    White Owl faced Luke . "Did you give each of our people a gift of remembrance?"
    "I chose to wait until you returned," he replied .
    The older man nodded . "We will dispense them at the feast.” Turning toward Benjamin and Sarah, he added, "If you will excuse me, I must prepare for our ceremony."
    "Of course," Sarah said.
    Benjamin nodded .
    The old Lenape walked away.
    "If thou will show me where I am staying," Benjamin said, "I should like to wash up before eating ."
    "Little Turtle, will you take the Stones to their rooms?" Luke asked . "While you are there, please ask Bowl-Woman to help you change."
    "I can do that myself," the child said, in a very proud voice .
    "Yes, you can, but she will help ."
    "Might I stay here?" Sarah replied. Luke looked at her. "Unless thou prefers otherwise," she continued quietly.
    "It matters not to me," Luke said . Turning to his son, he said, "Please take Mr. Stone. Please ask Bowl-Woman for a shirt for me and have her bring the gifts." He leaned closer and whispered to his son.
    The boy frowned at Sarah then nodded to his father. 
    As Benjamin and Little Turtle walked away, Sarah thought , For some reason, that child doesn't like me. How strange. Usually, I get along well with kids, especially boys. She

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