Joseph's Dilemma by Ervin R. Stutzman

Author:Ervin R. Stutzman [Stutzman, Ervin R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8361-9909-3
Publisher: Herald Press
Published: 2015-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

Touching Sky was about to sew Joseph’s new shirt when Runs Free poked her head through the door flap. “Mama, some new people just arrived! At the creek.”

Touching Sky laid down her fabric and stepped outside. Runs Free hopped next to her as they walked toward the creek, where a man and a woman were pulling canoes out of the water. Her heart leaped when she recognized her young cousin.

“Tender Foot,” she said, reaching out her arms in welcome. “Are you well? Where have you come from?” Tender Foot was from the Wolf clan, and she had grown up in the same village as Touching Sky.

“Cousin, we are well and in good health,” the woman replied. “But we left our home in Wyalusing to strangers. The white man came from the east and claimed our village. We left quickly, not knowing if we would ever see our home again.” Her face was full of grief.

Touching Sky looked at her cousin more closely. Tender Foot’s blanket was ragged and full of holes, and she looked exhausted. “Let me help carry your things. We have plenty of room for you to spread your mats. I’m sure you are hungry. Let’s eat something, and then we’ll get you settled.”

She turned to Joseph, who stood nearby. “Son, this is my cousin Tender Foot. Please help them carry their things to the wigwam.”

“And this is my husband, Black Fish,” Tender Foot said, pointing to the man who was lifting a large basket out of their canoe.

Joseph nodded and took the basket from Black Fish. Touching Sky led the group back toward their home, each carrying something. Runs Free hopped alongside Joseph with a gourd in each hand.

Touching Sky’s anger rose as they walked. The white man was stealing land everywhere! “I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your land to the white man, dear cousin.”

Tender Foot’s eyes grew dark. “They claimed our land by a treaty we knew nothing about. They say our cousins—the Iroquois—have granted it to them. I am inclined to believe it.”

“The Iroquois have given away too much of our land,” Touching Sky said. “They gave away the places where my father once hunted. We must find a way to stop them.”

“This is a beautiful place for a village,” Black Fish said. “I hope you never lose it.”

Touching Sky nodded. “Our village has doubled in size over the past winter. You can see there are many new wigwams.”

“Where are the people coming from?” Tender Foot asked.

“There are many, like you, who have fled here for safety. And we have taken more captives.” She glanced at Joseph as she spoke.

“We do not want to be a burden to you,” Black Fish said.

“No, no,” Touching Sky said, shaking her head with vigor. “You will not be a burden to us all. My dear son, Swift Foot, is a good hunter and fisherman. He will supply us with food and help you to build a wigwam close to mine.” As she spoke, she noticed that Tender Foot’s blouse was worn thin and torn under the sleeve.

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