| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - February 24 2004 : 09:40:48 AM
“A Christmas Visitor” (Part 2) By Sgt. Munro
Fort Pitt, The Ohio Country
25 December 1763 / 1300 Hours
Inside of his quarters, Sergeant Munro was asking his nephew about the latest news from the Kispokotha Village. Ouisaw Kitehi related the tale the capture of the messengers, the council meeting and his own adventures on the trail to Fort Pitt. With a look of admiration, Duncan said, “Three Wyandots! The remaining two should be thankful of your charitable nature, and hopefully they have learned an important lesson not to interfere with the travels of a Shawnee Warrior.” Both men then shared a good laugh.
His nephew then asked, “How are Aunt Eliza and my cousin, Othawa Weletha?”
“They are wintering in Philadelphia, and shall remain there until hostilities have ceased.” Duncan replied.
Reaching into his bag, Ouisaw Kitehi removed two items. The first was a small hand carved deer, handing it to his uncle, he said, “This is for Othawa Weletha, I know how fond she is of the ‘Ghost of the Wood’, then during her Christmastime she can also think of her cousin of the wood.”
Duncan, admiring his nephew’s craftsmanship, said, “She will love it nephew, it is very beautiful.”
Ouisaw Kitehi then handed a lovely wampum necklace suspending a small Celtic cross carved from soapstone, “Father made this for Aunt Eliza, it symbolizes the unbreakable bond between our families.”
“As it shall always be, nephew” Duncan said, with a tear in his eye. Duncan then removed two items from his knapsack. The first was a dirk; slightly smaller and better made than the one he carries. Handing it to his nephew he said, “This belonged to my father, he was a brave warrior who always fought to protect the weak and innocent from evil. I want to give it to a man who has the same qualities. That man is you, nephew.”
Drawing the dirk from its scabbard, Ouisaw Kitehi felt the balance and examined the razor sharp blade, “Uncle this is a fine knife, and you have my word that it will never be raised against you or any of your kin.”
“Nephew, the only word I want from you is that you will use it only to protect the innocent from evil, the people of the Shawnee.” Duncan then continued, “War is a strange game that men play, and sometimes brothers may find themselves standing opposite of one another. Duty to one’s war chief is above all, but it does not lessen the love of fraternal bonds. It is easy to follow orders which you agree with, but what separates a warrior from a common man is the ability to follow those orders you do not agree with.”
“Yes uncle, you are right.” Ouisaw Kitehi then said, “Father has always told me that there is much I can learn from you, and as always he is right.”
The second item Duncan handed to his nephew was a small flask, describing it, he said, “This is for your father; and it contains aqua vitae the ‘water of life’, a spirit made by my people across the great water. It is only shared between ones kin or close friends, tell him that I wish him to enjoy it with a fine pipe of tobacco.” With that he also handed his nephew a twist of the best Virginia Tobacco.
“Thank you Uncle Duncan.”
“Merry Christmas, nephew.” Duncan said with a smile, he then continued with, “There is something I must tell you, it concerns your father.”
“Uncle, father told me of the offensive planned for this coming year. You also now know that he wishes to address the Grand Shawnee Council, and convince them to pull out of the war.”
Duncan interrupted with, “No nephew, this is about a threat to your father and it is not from any British Soldier.” Duncan then told his nephew of his dream, and the ominous warning concerning his brother’s safety. “My father told me that the threat comes from a tribe in the ‘Illinois’. Do you know of such a place, nephew?”
“Yes uncle, I know of several tribes within the place called ‘The Illinois’. They are truly dangerous, but I am not a |
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