Manchaug - Love and Loss during King Philip's War by Lisa Shea

Author:Lisa Shea
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: colonial, new england, nipmuc, indian, massachusetts, native american

Askuwheteau spoke up. “You and Prudence will have my wigwam for the night. In the morning I will escort you back to your wagon and you can head to Marlborough. You will be safe there.”

Her father’s brow creased. “But we have only just arrived. We are here to minister to you.”

Askuwheteau shook his head. “Now is not the time for ministering. You need to get to safety, and I need to bring my people to our winter grounds. Perhaps when the snows come it will cool the flames and bring peace again.”

He pointed to a well-built wigwam tucked at the edge of the clearing. “It is right there. Enjoy your rest.”

Minister Lockwood wearily pushed himself to standing and nodded to the group. “Rest well. Maybe God be with you.”

Murmurs and nods swept the circle, and then the older man moved off toward his shelter.

Prudence turned to Askuwheteau. “But where will you sleep?”

His gaze was shadowed. “Tonight is not a night for me to sleep, Prudence. Our tribe is now in a precarious position. The other Nipmuc seek to drive us out because we are Christians. The colonists seek to drive us out because we are Nipmuc. No, I will not rest well until we are safely nestled into our winter grounds and deep snow has blanketed the earth. Maybe then there will be peace.”

He glanced at the rising moon. “But I must head out to start my rounds. You go and be with your father. We can talk more in the morning, when I escort you back to your wagon.”

Prudence’s heart twisted. She wanted to stay with Askuwheteau, to talk with him long in the night as they used to do. But she knew he had greater responsibilities. The safety of the entire tribe depended on his sharp eye.

She bit her lip. “I just wish …”

He took her hand, his gaze holding hers. “You wish what, Prudence?”

A figure loomed above them. It was Sokw, her dark hair glistening in the firelight. “Askuwheteau. What are you doing still here? It is your duty to protect our tribe.” Her hand lowered to rest protectively over her abdomen. “Now more than ever.”

He nodded and drew to his feet. “Of course.” His gaze moved to Prudence and softened. “Rest well, chickadee.”

She blushed at the endearment. He had given her that name when they were children, when her black-and-white outfit stood out so clearly against the browns of the tribe.

Her voice was hoarse. “And you – stay safe.”

He nodded. Then he turned and slipped into the shadows. A heartbeat later and it was as if he’d never been there.

Sokw glowered down at Prudence. “You do him harm, you know,” she snapped. “He is of the age to find a wife of his own. To bolster our tribe’s numbers with more children. And yet no potential mate is ever found to be suitable. Have you any guess as to why?”

Prudence’s cheeks flared red. It had been her deepest fear, on the wagon ride here, that she would arrive to find Askuwheteau married.

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