Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is
licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License                    

 a

Except where otherwise noted, content is
 licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

Preface

            I am not Cherokee. On New Year’s Day  I rode my mountain bike miraculously to an upright stone in the woods. The stone sits perfectly vertical, other stones nearby are perfectly horizontal, others in between perfectly slanted forty five degrees. Etched into the primary vertical stone is a primitive symbol I learned through persistent research is a water spider. There is a dam, a spring and other placed boulders. It is a saddle, a very small watershed valley draining only a few square miles or less.

            A town nearby is Cherokee Village Arkansas. I heard as a youngster Cherokee built lakes and dams where modern lakes are now. I realized small dams scattered throughout water sheds of the area;  near my home is a sub continental divide or backbone, water from my yard flows either to South Fork as Cherokee called mid and lower Spring River, my close neighbors across the street flow south to Strawberry River.

         Osage claimed massive area between Missouri and Arkansas Rivers, Spring and Strawberry watershed is very small, from their beginnings also begins North Fork flowing to mighty White River, Eleven Point and Current flowing easterly to Mississippi Delta and Wetlands of Black River. Pomona Missouri is about the origin of many rivers, Pomona means orchard, tribes were known to plant orchards near boundaries and elsewhere. This ridge, or "Devil's Backbone"  was western limit of Cherokee Old Settler territory for one hundred and twelve years. Delaware and Shawnee also bound by this limit in Missouri.

            To paraphrase a Cherokee “myth”, Cherokees had no fire. Animal spirits met and decided to get fire from the sun. Brave buzzard flew very near mid day sun high above, so close he turned away only after burning feathers from his head. That is why Buzzard is bald. Possum was brave; he tried to catch fire from the sun as it brushed tree tops. But heat almost killed him; he turned away at last moment and burned hair from his tail. That is why possum has no hair on his tail today.

            Finally tiny Grandmother Water Spider said she would do this thing. She used her webs, her shrouds, her pouch, traveling as a water spider travels across water in a straight line, she waited until sun touched water. Thus she captured a small piece of fire and Cherokee have had sacred fire ever since.

            At the time, massive swamps off Mississippi waterway were the largest fresh water capes in the world. From mouth of the Tennessee or Ohio Rivers at the juncture with the Mississippi, further east still to Ohio and Western Virginia, in April with water highest, traveling straight into setting sun across flat water delta would bring a canoe directly to the mouth of Spring River, Cherokee considered it South Fork, at Modern Day Black Rock Arkansas. Here, together with Powhatan allies, evidenced with oral legend and two towns on the extreme eastern edge of the Ozark escarpment, Pocahontas and Powhatan, a coalition bloomed. Using Powhatan confederacy allies Cherokee blended with Shawnee, Delaware and other tribes moving down the Ohio River to Ozarks. Grand secret web whites did not know about then and do not know about now. Even historians don't grasp the degree of coalition and civilization. Near year round open water offered navigation and commerce. The gigantic body of water even had a tide. Albeit a small tide of one foot or less, a tide existed nonetheless, and Cherokee used swells and tides moving at night further upstream into Modern Day Cherokee Village. Thus the first Western Cherokee established a little known town on Otter Creek in Sharp and Fulton counties in North Central Arkansas. Parts of Izard and Independence counties were inside the backbone, all of Randolph and Greene, All of Craighead and several others in North Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. All of the boot heel of Missouri was part of Cherokee ARkansas until Missouri was applying for state hood In the 1820s I think it was. Stay tuned I am nearing a completion of an interpretive map I will unveil this spring 2021.

           Rising from massive swamp was a long narrow ridge paralleling the Saint Francis River that in those days was often an island. The first Western Cherokee Capital. Between Hostile Chickasaw and Osage, Cherokee made homes on modern day Crowley’s Ridge(Crow Lee's Ridge in my story), moving to South Fork River and retreating as Osage power and aggression ebbed and flowed.

            I am not Cherokee. But my grandfather was a sheriff in Paragould Arkansas, killed in the line of duty investigating the theft of sixty eight cents and a pocket comb during the great depression. Park Franklin Williams, “Cowboy,” must have followed the old paths as the Keetoowahs, later the British Cherokee, Then Chickamaugauns For one hundred years before the trail of tears migrations of certain facets of tribe and clan came here to the backbone area. What we understand to  be Cherokee, coming from old country of Crowley’s Ridge to hidden Ozark valleys of stone ledges and laughing water just as Cherokees.  

        Stone ledges of Otter Creek helped Cherokee Children avoid Osage slave raiders. Nimble climbing shelves where horse back Osage could not follow. Sentries and dam keepers used sounding horns, smoke, mirrors, pigeon, drum, gun shots, and other ways to communicate before during and after skirmish.  

    Even though I don't consider myself Cherokee, I have Cherokee Blood. Both from Paragould Arkansas and Bono or Herman; Lawsons, who are listed in old Settler rolls of Arkansas I believe. Ola Lawson was my Grandmother. Much research is needed. But it's so hard these days with the Internet.

    I have a theory this is Nancy Ward's grave. There is a town that claims to have  her grave back east, but I think the only thing they had to go by was oral legend that she was buried "near Liberty Hill." That Liberty Hill just might have been here and not the one near Grainger Tennessee and this water spider stone is near Liberty HIll Arkansas. Nancy, a Cherokee beloved woman known as Rose, may have fled to Arkansas after warning whites back east of attacks by Cherokee. Also nearby Rose Hill, as the entertainment district of Hardy Arkansas downstream on Spring River was known. Cherokees knew the Hardy Arkansas area as Forty Islands. Highland Arkansas was once named Stuart after BushyHead, a Scot/Cherokee, beloved Indian commissioner. Oona Dota his Cherokee name, he was fraternal Scot with a shock of bushy blond or red hair. His family would become well known Baptist Preachers. Dota creek starting near the Scottish Community Pfeiffer just outside the backbone near Batesville Arkansas, flows east to Black River thus inside the backbone as it drops from easterly Ozark shelf to flat delta flood plain near Sulphur Rock and Newark.

    Sitka was an ancient town in Carolina, burned by the British while Cherokee men fought4 the British. It is also a site on the divide between Spring and Strawberry rivers with ancient rock work. Ravenden is most likely Cherokee, Ravenden Springs also. Raven warriors likely rested there, trading for lead from Delaware Lenape on Eleven Point River. And lately I've recalled the oral legend that Bee Creek, situated @ the crossing of the Spanish road hosted "Bee" areas, or crafts and fairs of industry. Nearby across the river Olympiads were held. Forty Islands and Otter Town might have supported thousands of people in the Cherokee Tribe, both French and Spanish, even the English set the trading claim @ thirty six thirty latitude, still the dividing line between Missouri and Arkansas. Spain decreed Cherokee, being south of thirty six thirty, must trade at dangerous and dirty Arkansas Post instead of  Saint Genevieve in Missouri, a much more favorable place.

    in the sixteen hundreds Cherokee did not venture into Ozarks much, Osage bows the most powerful in the world. Osages could kill deer, buffalo, and men at eighty yards, Cherokee only fifty yards. but in sixteen ninety six Dangerous Man of Virginia or Carolina took guns traded from the English and came here. Rifles bought advantage, even over Osage bows. With diseases killing off Quapaw and Chickasaw Arkansas sat fat with fur fish and game.

    These "lost Cherokees", one legend says six hundred families flung into the Ozarks and Arkansas at first claimed all of Saint Francis River, and after some massacres of miners way up in Missouri, I think it gradually became treaty that Cherokee held Saint Francis River only south of the line. Allied Delaware and Shawnee  also carried French deed and English claim, they tread lightly, French commissioners could not enforce here, Osage rarely, quietly Cherokee took a piece of the sun. Fires low, silent movement at night. Cave dwellings.,, Liquor and Slavery primary taboos.

    In seventeen twenty one Chicken Pox struck in Carolina. Weakened Cherokee gave up land claims. Shaman could not stop the pox. Keetoowah, priestly traditionalists banished2 Saint Francis River in Arkansas quickly cornered world markets on fine white porcelain pottery, mining, innovating, crafting and shipping in secret web from Modern Day Saint Francis Missouri. Innovations in sewing, Irish famines, so many factors in earliest Cherokee homesteading here in the Eastern Ozarks.

    In seventeen sixty three, France lost the French and Indian War2 England, suddenly called Great Britain. Those French Cherokee came here, likely establishing French Town west of Cherokee Village. Otter Creek forms the heart of Otter Town. Western Keetoowahs had quietly grown n2 power.

    In Seventeen seventies more Cherokee came here4 peace. In the seventeen eighties migration strengthened as Spanish owners of Arkansas and all the Louisiana territory encouraged Cherokee in harassment torn Alabama and Georgia2 "come2 Arkansas young Cherokee". The Spanish, actually most of the work done by Scots and blacks(suspected of being slaves, taboo2 Cherokee council, and not the only Taboo Scots were suspected of violating), cut  a road through here(Stuart Arkansas) about then. In the seventeen nineties last holdouts from back east, the Chickamaugas healed here, adopting farming and peace. By eighteen eight or so immigration was strong from all classes of Cherokee. Though old treaties with Osage held western limit of Immigration to Salem and Calico Rock areas, The Devil's Backbone; better understood as the White River watershed, as this line was breeched war heated up with Osage and Cherokee.

    Earthquakes isolated  Cherokee here. They left on foot unconquered but vulnerable. Leaving fields cleared and planted, they walked west and crossed the White River, occupying Buffalo River until the Trail of Tears twenty five years later.

    One last note 4 this prologue. In the Water Spider "Myth" most stories tell of getting fire from a hollow tree on an island instead of the sun. Both versions bring us2 the South Fork or Spring River Valley if, and this is crucial, the hollow tree is at the extreme northern end of Crowley's Ridge in Arkansas, This is on the banks of Saint Francis River at the ancient and modern day Arkansas/Missouri line. Hollow tree puffing smoke makes both versions non contradictory...

    So now in 2021 I'm still researching. I'm finding that the Powhatan link, the Atlantic Ocean canoes make perfect historical sense. Powhatans held power through a federation of tribes around Virginia and Carolina, also modern day West Virginia. In the 1670s through the 1690s, as Cherokee acquired rifles and scouted west, they knew of the Ozarks, considered them attractive, but Osage shot strong bows Cherokee could not compete with. Until they. Got guns. So with Atlantic Style canoes on the Ohio River, flat level water from Western Virginia2 Baton Rouge, Deep n2 Arkansas and Missouri flat water stretched in open pools and dense cypress swamp. Centuries of development of canoes meant strict industry and well guarded secrets. Something about the Ocean Style Canoe used2 ply Atlantic Ocean around the Outer Banks, and likely Roanoke Island made them fast on open water. And also maneuverable on mud and sand. As first Cherokee and Powhatan moved west with aid of confederacies, they realized no other canoe or boat style held speed of Outer Banks design. Strong confederacy needed2 move on many streams as bankside ambush was easy, boaters @ disadvantage. So Cherokee canoed @ night. Coalition protected, Powhatan and allies guarded narrows and portages, waterfalls... Moving upstream on Roanoke River2 modern day Blacksburg Virginia meant a portage over to the Konawha River, which flows2 the Ohio through modern day West Virginia. Federation was needed2 move safely. Once Ohio River was gained Cherokee flew out n2 Cape Girardeau. French Mariners knew it was the largest fresh water cape on the planet. For over one thousand miles no rapids, just gradual flat water descent. wide valleys as Ohio joined Cumberland, Kentucky, Tennessee south, Wabash and others north. @  Mississippi River pools a hundred miles across sat backing and swirling, dead still or strangely coursing, vast "ocean", as Cherokee called it, with small regular tides continued, reaching n2 the Ozarks many miles before encountering waterfalls and rapids. Here releasing a pigeon2 notify easterners of successful crossing2 hard black rock.

    Secrets of canoe making kept well. Secrets of coalition and web of transportation and secrets of Fire... Taboos on Slavery, alcohol, bag pipes and fiddles, acceptance of French customs. Shawnees and Delaware joined coalition moving from Appalachians to Ozarks.

    Arkansas Historians still don't understand it, or even know about all this. Cherokee historians don't know anything about it. Some tribes do touch on it, maybe some Cherokee here were Amonsoquath. I think Keetoowah culture and secretive Nighthawk society developed here one hundred years before it became "public" in Oklahoma prelude2 the American Civil War.

     This preface and novel itself are fluid. As I dwell and study and apply knowledge as a resident of this oldest western Cherokee territory I add bits and pieces2 the story. Water Spider is no Last of the Mohicans or Dances with Wolves yet, my skill as a writer is limited, as a white man telling the story I am sorely lacking the soul of a Cherokee, I omit many key details of Cherokee life and culture that others could relate better. I am only a curious novice moved2 tell this particular story.

Water Spider

by

Alan Van Williams

1696

Cherokee restless. Virginians pushed from Atlantic coast to Appalachian mountains. Already daughters of Pocahontas, friends of Cherokee moved into setting sun. Powhatan and Federation plied Roanoke river and long winding creeks with big canoes. By mule or on foot across rough mountain passes on downstream, dragging canoes to Kanawha River, west to Ohio, across great fresh water ocean to Ozarks of Arkansaw.

Foul white Englishmen seemed weak of flesh and ethic to Cherokee, peasants and slaves producing strange tobacco, sheriffs in Carolina recently claiming right of forcible entry to confiscate Cherokee furs by decree of the Wool Act. Fancy English magistrates bragged of unlimited territory west. To hear these men tell the story they alone controlled and dominated all points west to the Pacific Ocean and beyond, Arkansaw territory included. Wise Cherokee knew they held little power in Arkansaw and even less further west.

Cherokee hunting and fur claims, farms and villages established over hills downstream, Dangerous Man traded farms and hunting land in Carolina,  some said Virginia, for guns. On Tennessee River hostile Chickasaw awaited. Armed with rifles and shotguns, Dangerous Man made large Outer Banks style canoes with metal adze.

 Remnants of Powhatans moved to Ohio River. At sacred waterfalls making ocean style canoes with fire and labor, having learned the craft plying Outer Banks also.  These boats proved faster than Iroquois boats. Weighted and balanced properly poplar ocean boats outflanked, out pointed, out maneuvered all others. Well traveled or trained flotilla moved at night scouting and looping fearless on open water as western rivers swelled. Shoreline camps held skinny smoke or twinkling fires signaling a post. Shaman waved smoke and chiseled, sharing knowledge, chanting or listening to water trickle or fall from natural waterfalls or Cherokee built cataracts.

    One hundred years before Elder Powhatan took many metal adzes from settlers on Roanoke Island. Quickly realizing this white tool ruled superior in crafting wood, Powhatan affiliated shaman crafted canoes with military discipline and specifications. Soon very best canoes proved themselves on races around the outer bank strip of islands and also inland on Roanoke River.

    Long had certain Cherokee entertained notions of heading downstream. Dangerous Man as a small boy had studied hand drawn maps of Virginia Charter and claims, Carolinas claim of Arkansas amended in sixteen sixty five to include the line of thirty six thirty.  This interested Dangerous Man as it put fifty miles of  land and water in play when plotting excursions and planning. Many Cherokee suddenly lived in Carolina instead of Virginia. Not that it mattered much, Cherokee used native agreements and lines of border, which were never straight but followed rivers or watersheds.

    Dangerous man traveled by night from key federation waterfall or portage on Kanawha River. Gaining Deep Water then wide Ohio bays, Cherokee and Powhatan moved on open water. Osage held vast power. With powerful bows, most powerful ever known, more powerful than Cherokee bows by one half, Osage horsemen commanded huge territory. Most of Northern Arkansaw. Most of southern Missouri.

      Drought over, now periods of thaw and high water held opportunity for big canoes and strict ethic. From Powhatan Cherokee knew speed and agility on big water. Coalition members Delaware and Shawnee joined. As Western Virginia Rivers slowed vast ocean sat, flat water stretching a thousand miles. Frenchmen, traveled mariners in Yachts, or Corvettes, seasoned the world over, proclaimed the gigantic bay, Cape Girardeaux. Agreement by educated and experienced water travelers declared this cape, a freshwater lake or swamp stretching from Baton Rouge to Iowa country and Virginia and Huron country, to Aztexas, even Oklahoma and Kansas, the largest in the world.

      Dangerous Man knew his craft. He flew downstream at night. Armed with guns fearless, he used bows for secrecy and saved bullets. Occasionally he used crossbows. Old Mildred Swimming Turtle might sit low in the boat and shoot, but the instrument temperamental and complicated, common Cherokee needed English or Spanish crafters to make and maintain good crossbows. Dangerous man worked quietly downstream, low profile, hidden fires, quiet paddles.

    Shawnee waged slave wars back east, some plied Ohio, grand secret web forming. Daughters of Little Pocahontas brought ocean boats down Ohio River, held knowledge in misty waterfalls in Cumberland. Powhatan and allies moved with speed and agility, relative safety or strength on huge water, into setting sun.

    Hollow tree held fire on Old Crow Lee’s Ridge. Northernmost slope held gigantic stunted sycamore high on soft bluff above water. The tree smoked continually, small group of beloved Cherokee traded bits of knowledge and recipe to haggard swamp traveler. But this oldest Western Cherokee Post was northern tip of long skinny island, soft and muddy. Powhatan held villages on across the ocean, Ozark hills further west across another wide bay offered solid ground and drained slopes. French and English agreed, Saint Francis River crossed into Arkansas Territory precisely on the all powerful thirty six thirty line. All of Crow Lee's Ridge was indeed south of the line. North across flat water or prairie another hill or two could be seen. Delaware and Shawnee would occupy these in Missouri.

      Cherokee held South Fork just south of west. Irish Cherokee set farms on Strawberry River further south. Cherokee populated Crow Lee’s Ridge. From white clay bluffs on northern tip to Forest Town on southern end, Cherokees claimed Crow Lee’s Ridge. All of Crow Lee’s Ridge. Quapaw cooperated, honored guest on Village Creek. Chickasaw showed angry paddles but did not drum for war if Cherokee stayed east and west. Both tribes diminished now, like Cherokee, from white man diseases.

    Crow Lee's Ridge navigable in largest floods, porous backbone of sandy oak knobs perched precarious in gigantic water. At Pine Knot solid ground cheered. At Carry Place Crow Lee's Ridge narrowed. In Cherry Valley peace and industry bustled.

      Dangerous Man lived well on Crow Lee’s Ridge. When floods eventually subsided one summer Saint Francis River revealed ample fur and staple. Bear oil traded well. Cherokee allowed whites kill a few bears nearer the Mississippi. Jaguars seethed in cypress.  De Soto had been here, Mounds told ghostly story.

      Dangerous Man moved to South Fork. Ancient village Forty Islands sparkled with waterfall. White curtains and mirrors held spiritual journey. Ledges would help repel Osage enforcers on horseback. Also, Dangerous Man smiled caressing his gun: muskets, long rifles, and pistols. No longer would Osage have advantage.

      A creek danced and pranced down a slope like an Otter. On Otter Creek Dangerous Man made claim. He and Frenchmen, married or adopted, trusted clansmen moved up Southfork with secret guild. They kept eternal fire. They stayed true.

      Irish, long a part of Cherokee fiber, moved to Strawberry River just south. Irish Cherokee and Irish Powhatan made sturdy farm and quiet communities. By word of mouth and eventually, common council, Cherokee knew that to take any more ground, any claim further west to water flowing to North Fork or White River would mean war. Lambs pranced on Strawberry.

      Potters held guild high above Saint Francis River. Inside giant sycamore fire kiln worked, dozen workers and inventors experimented works of fine white porcelain the world craved. Finer than any porcelain known. Whites had no idea small mine and industry hubbed web of quiet prosperity. Delaware smuggled white sulfur mix, "Bees" or meetings and sharing of craft fostered innovation.

      At night Cherokee moved east. Muscled paddlers hauled level packs of finest white clay by moonlight northeast to Kentucky. Dawn brought quiet camp. Night further movement upstream to key Cherokee agents on the Cumberland, trusted beloved clan and family, to trade fine clay and furs and skins for iron implements and baby mules.

      Ohio and Kentucky rivers rife with human hazard and temptation, English and French plotting with Shawnee or Chickasaw, wise Cherokee stayed sober, hidden. Then, sun setting, dragging loaded canoes to water and moving out in formation.

      Puxico held Poplar Bluff in Ozarks. Mingo Shaman held ten fires all times. Ten smoke trails straight up on still days. Ten fires to warm travelers and potential boat buyers. Ten metal adzes manned by revolving crew of coalition shamans in training. Birch boats cheap, decent for plying interior, but woefully disadvantaged by Atlantic style canoes, also by Big Lake canoes and kayaks. But birch was a boat, poorer travelers had no choice.

      Deep in Crow Lee’s Ridge was Pine Knot. Dangerous Man eased up a creek many miles as meander narrowed. Skin racks held pelts in various stages. Storage bin held grain or gathered food, smoke house and lodge strong above worst floods. Here eternal fire burned. Sacred circle held quiet council of ethic and morals.

    Dancing Rabbit tied boats together for towing across carrying place. "Crow Lee's Ridge is soft. It will not damage your boats. The Laughing Place and Otter Town is not so forgiving often. Take these mats of cane to cushion your boat bottoms should you need drag them again. Should sick willow show you best be making another of hickory."

      Secret guild moved west as sun touched water. Black Swamp held fox and bear, thunder birds and geese, mink and raccoon. Open water allowed easy passage to dark line of mountain. Black Rock...

      South Fork held clear water and trickling  creeks to sides. Waterway narrowing slowly, bottlenecks compressing currents or swelling tide back into hills, boats pushed upstream with little effort. Gigantic Goose Lake, or the Ocean, or Cape Girardeaux had tides, albeit smaller than blue ocean, still waxing and waning each day or night a foot or more. Smart Cherokee knew when to move out, advantage of swelling tides aided and abetted navigation.

      Old Raven quietly tapped drum as Dangerous Man greeted Old Jane.  Joyous salutations exchanged; quiet feast, sober exchange of news and trade. Jane presented Dangerous Man with raw lead. Dangerous Man gave Jane one dozen large knives. All the group exalted near cataract waterfalls.

      Dangerous Man delivered a plow to a Hebrew Cherokee farm nearby. Jerry Beaver of the Bird clan grew chickens and turkeys in fine pens. Dangerous Man released a messenger pigeon to Pine Knot. In one hour the elder fire at Pine Knot would know the plow to be delivered, canoe now near empty he accepted cooked birds and caged birds.

      Dangerous Man delivered baby mule to another Cherokee farm hours upstream. At Willow Ford he gave the animal up to Napoleon Swimming Elk, appreciative trapper sent finer furs. Dangerous Man told many of English search and seizures, recently the banning of Catholics. Wool growers listened with unease. Irish Cherokee sent regular wool shipments to Crow Lee’s Ridge from fertile farms on Strawberry River. Managed beaver populations on Otter Creek and Turkey Creek brought consistent value at white sponsored fur factories buying pelts.

      Dangerous Man built sturdy hidden brush arbors and planted orchards on Otter Creek. Frenchmen and Cherokee wives moved further upstream, saws and screws quietly building log cabins, much further west Cherokee charged with Trespass. by both Greater Osage Nation and supposed French governors. Wild Horse Creek hustled with a dozen Cherokee cowboys, horse trade or play. Outfitters sent occasional Cherokee to great prairies west, or gifts to Osage council. Any further west was slow work. Peril ahead eventually, youngsters finding fortune with buffalo or fur, elders hunkered down, rather to grow old than hazard west. The district became known as Walking Stick.

      News of Witchcraft trials and burnings back east brought Walking Stick District forefront. Facing retribution of Greater Osage Nation should Cherokee continue west, these most lawless, most traditional, and most restless fostered strange culture and dark intimate guild. News of the Salem Witch Trials captivated listeners. Each full moon an English language circular found it's way from eastern cities and posted or read to appreciative Cherokee.

    Black Moko dancers entertained on stilts or fished on stilts. Rogue English tracked prevailing politics during peace times. Slavery forbidden or taboo by council, the countryside must rouse if slavers entered the backbone. Neighboring farms inside the backbone must put aside petty difference and band for defense and protection. English and French and Irish must not bicker. Scot must not defy council. Any who put Cherokee nation second must move outside the backbone. At times that seemed fine and well then false squatters and usurpers burned trespassers out, not often did rogues breech the backbone. Not often did settlers survive outside it.

    Neutral zones were taboo to preach or politicize. High trail astraddle Wild Horse Creek and Ben's Creek, French and Irish districts respectively, ordered by high council to remain neutral, became Agnos District. Agnostic, or neutral, ruled the area by necessity.

      Dangerous Man commanded mule men and Gadugi workers. Moving boulders became tough bustling industry. Hemp grew wild along every river valley, harvest and technique for construction grade rope brought great competition. Braiding "Bees" put great minds in open competition. On Bee Creek fairs and guild fostered trade and commerce. Once again Forty Islands knew many people.

      Mules pulled steel plows. Iron or bronze kettles held stew. Makers of turkey coops twisted fine wire with pliers.

       Hickory handled steel picks helped as mules uprooted boulders to be dragged away. Dams took form, cataracts holding flat stone prayer platforms, fish stocks trapped; reservoirs of  fresh water. Often sacred burial areas heard serene sounds of waterfalls. If men served nation diligently he earned a boulder near waterfalls to cover he and family or clan when death claimed. Blacks often excelled at rock work, strong body and strict ethic earned eternal rest near cataracts.

      Some Irish crossed the Backbone onto White River and found favor with Osage. Then showed Osage the beaver preserve on Piney Creek. The Osage, Osage in theory only, more likely banished thieves, crested the Backbone and invaded Strawberry drainage on horses, slaughtering beaver and lambs, quickly took large flatboats down White river to find fortune trading downstream. They would not return.

      Dangerous Man sent a pigeon with symbols and words written on a scroll to inform Forest Town of transgression.  Cherokee  warriors in sea faring canoes launched from Forest Town, angled across huge Lower Black Swamp and found the Irish Osage, with the pelts. Cherokee killed them.

       Unconquered Irish Munsters and fearless Brittany French got along here. At Wild Horse Creek and Walking Stick District horseman guilds formed, industry found moving the animals, riding the animals. Using the animals. Feeding the animals. Cherokee ponies not large. Utilitarian more than imposing. Wild Horse Creek transition from boat to horse. Or occasionally horse to boat.

      Sumac and hemp contributed to high plains industry. Rolling plains at backbones held smoke signal and jerky. Overpriced salt and lead on traditional foot paths and mule or horse trails. Old Agnos relayed latest world gossip from her perch among drying skins, stacks of wool and woven cloth, sacks of seed and dangling metal traps...  Of great interest to all Cherokee was news of the world especially France and England. News of war or peace, deaths and births east or west... Sometimes a register of news from around the world. At Agnos post discussing religion or politics taboo.

      There existed loosely enforced boundary between Strawberry and South Fork. As general rule, Frenchmen in a Cherokee woman’s clan worked claims on South Fork. Irish folk in Cherokee tribe and family, the nation, farmed and ranched valleys draining into Strawberry. There existed some doubt that certain wives really controlled their lands.

      Catholic Priests banned by England came to Strawberry. Strong ethic or Curia deep within clan and nation.   Schools and trading along watershed boundaries held steady. Caves held dim industry. Secretive guild.

      So Dangerous Man knew peace. From Saint Francis to Frenchtown, Cherokee knew peace at times. Few Cherokee came now. Fragile peace held many years. Slowly contact with Eastern nation fell unused. Only slightest trickle of white clay and lead going east to Kentucky, occasional gun, knife or plow, hatchet or saw brought back west… Pigeons not nearly as often. Smoke signals still showed in vast network. Cherokee quiet. Cherokee respectful. Cherokee diplomatic. Cherokee armed with guns. Cherokee alive.

1721

Carolina

          Cherokee sick. Many died. Guns eagerly obtained  no use fighting this enemy. Tuscarora and Catawba, Shawnee and Chickasaw, English or Dutch could be killed with mighty musket and rifles, but no shaman priest or ancient Keetowah knowledge stopped pox claiming so many. Misery and death ruled town and camp, confusion in council gathering, orchard and crop burned. No ball games played. Haughty English Carolinians walked or rode horses into weak villages scribes with fluttering quills, superior air, noses high in disgust; stench of death permeated.

          Survivors weak, disfigured clung to cloaks of shamans chewing tobacco stoic. Town and council, stricken with mourning and anguish rejected sets of priests no matter clan, useless chant and ritual did nothing to stem tide of death. Tiny Water Spider lost her mother, sitting long hours with Shamans, nimble fingers beaded and kneaded ceaseless, restless. Elder Priests adopted her. These Priests must move on down Tennessee River or overland to Cumberland, Duck or Buffalo valleys and further still, away to the west, of hostile Chickasaw and Osage, relentless western swamp or prairie...Arkansaw territory.

          Many moved overland to “dark and bloody”  Cumberland, haughty Virginians encroached, whites burned Cherokee orchards at Underhill. Shawnee and Chickasaw warred with English and French. Spanish and Illini fought, Cherokee moved at night among wars or truces joining or not. Water Spider learned of medicinal alcohol, sharing with other tribes knowledge learned from European healers. Aunts carried flags of peace sponging or beading, trading of blankets taboo, fire water and powerful medicine brought elements of tribes together. Tiny Water Spider showed an Osage beloved woman basic medicinal arts one night in a  war torn Cahokia town.

          Treaty struck, King George himself signed trade agreement, pompous Dukes and Prince made big deal. Carolina was to cede it’s Arkansas territory west of the Mississippi River and north of the Arkansas River to Cherokees.  Cherokees also were to “own” the land directly west all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Others would dispute, but Crow Lee's Ridge in north Arkansas territory stood peaceful for Cherokees unwilling to harass open Mississippi waterway. Quapaw accommodated Frenchmen, accepted Cherokee in peace. European blanket sickness: small pox, chicken pox, many others described as typhoid, malaria, measles in succession diminished native remnants rapidly absorbed by Mingo and Delaware in Missouri or Comanche and Wichita in Oklahoma. Chickasaw in Mississippi would not refrain from piracy, French and Spanish traders found Cherokee trapper  Little Crow Lee maintaining the long north south ridge of land amid deep cypress swamp.

          Cherokee had no claim to Chickasaw land west of Tennessee River, but wound quietly at night among north forks of Obion's River in Tennessee territory or Carolina just south of the Kentucky line. The same line separated Carolina from Virginia and Arkansas from Missouri. The Thirty Six Thirty white man's dividing line now represented northern boundary of Cherokee claim on map, deed and words written on paper, talking leaves to traditional people. Upon finding Mississippi waterway Cherokee waited with Old Obion till mighty sun dimmed, dipping low to touch Goose Lake. Now time for Water Spider to steal piece of the sun. Massive great lake in spring and most times, Frenchmen named the cape Girardo, claimed largest fresh water cape in the world. Here setting sun touched water.

     Polyglot group of shaman turned saw men went into sun to steal small piece for fire: farmers and wood men such as Little Dangerous Man or Turtle in Sand, uncle Big Cloud, clansmen and kin dressed in skin and fringe, bits of English or French dress, raccoon hats, and large treasured knives. Water Spider wove her web, skating point to point.  Obion watched paddles tracing familiar symbol as big poplar Atlantic Ocean style canoes moved into open water.

          Hard pull of main Mississippi current dragged canoes south long moments, gradually slack water eased tension, friction slowly swept away, quiet now clan or family moved as sun touched water.  Across open backwater bay many dozen miles, willow shallows might near. Sycamore points might wave in breezes. Little Dangerous Man knew ways from travels with his father. Miles ahead cypress trees lined a bay, Little Fork of Saint Francis River sensed below. Two special trees towered in Moon light. Etowah.

          Old ways held here among standing cypress knees and flared roots. Cherokee industry bustled: willow rushes, willow powders, willow paddles, willow shade. Poplar for canoes, among tulips shaman crafted fine boats. Mulberry and persimmon found favor. Weaving baskets and seines kept girls busy. Collecting cane, white oak and honeysuckle or blow guns and dart chores for boys. White Clay fueled fine pottery industry. Water Spider, young girl of Bird Clan on Duck River learned pottery arts. She traveled to England, favored guest of royal courts teaching finer points of craft. In turn she learned uses of new sewing looms and hat making, taking knowledge, and sometimes heavy  equipment back home to Arkansas.

          Splayed foot of Bird Clan clasped areas: baby Duck River mules wrapped in burlap, massive Goose Lake, Crow Lee patrolled length of Turtle Island, Swamp-of-the-Thunderbird darkened waters west of Crow Lee's Ridge. Raven warriors smelted bullets at retreat on South Fork River, Turkey Creek stepped slowly down to Strawberry. Turkey Lifter held silent vigil, dam and signal fire ready; horn, saw, mule...

           Turtle Island, as some Cherokee now called Crow Lee's Ridge rose like a softshell turtle creeping slowly ashore, Forest Town held vigil at end sixty miles due south, hard bluffs greeted and traded off Mississippi waterway, or in drought sweet shade on prairie. Cherry Valley midway held school for Cherokee complete with old German woman. Hickory Valley east side held bustle and flow, captains of commerce eased into hidden lagoon, odd brigs, or cat boats prowled skirting friendly ports not straying far off main waterway. Frenchmen held secret smugglings; liquor taboo; banned by Cherokee through persuasion and consensus. Drunken Choctaw argued with Frenchmen until Crow Lee bade fair warning. Bono held quiet camp west side, short portage or none at all from Etowah. Chalk bluff at north end held melting pot of Cherokee, French, Spanish, Black Africans or Caribbean, Scot, Irish, Quapaw…

          Four years Cherokee occupied Turtle Island with little challenge. Peaceful ways held, Water Spider squeezed sponge into bailing cup as uncles pressed into Spider Creek. Dancing Rabbit held stew pot deep in wrinkled ridges at Pine Knot, enclave of Duck River Cherokee. Creases of creek and ledge held sentry and emblem etched in tree stumps. Spider Lifter and Dancing Rabbit grabbed boats when beached, lifting and dragging up tiny cliffs to perch at the divide. "Now you are above,” said Spider Lifter.

          “Us Lifters are a mighty breed,” Spider Lifter told Water Spider the tale: “we must be the most diligent and patient of all. We must be strong of body and mind. We act as sentry, as such we must be strict stocking fire woods of various season. If Osage come across Swamp of the Thunderbird we must have green wood for a smoky signal If we need be undetected quick dry hidden fire early dark night. There is a Lifter for each creek valley in Cherokee territory. Otter Lifter is bravest of all.”

          Dancing Rabbit was Choctaw, adopting Spider Creek as home at Spider Lifter’s request.  Small enclaves and bands of Delaware and Shawnee waited till dark to leave Spider Creek and move across bays to respective rivers, Greater Osage council permitted limited occupation of Eleven Point and Current Rivers in Missouri, buffer and filter of white doings on open Mississippi Waterway. Cherokee held no such sanction, to occupy SouthFork River in Arkansas was trespass onto Greater Osage Nation lands. Slightly northern paths made Delaware and Shawnee part of the web.

          Old Cloud bent sycamore saplings over to form an arbor with smooth island sand using buckskin thong and beaver stump. He allowed torchlight drawing in the sand a map resembling a spider web. Center narrow strip long island Crow Lee's Ridge. Straight lines from northern Crow Lee's Ridge to mouths of Current and Eleven Point Rivers for Shawnees and Delaware in Missouri, straight to Black Rock in Arkansas at the mouth of South Fork, straight to West Cliffs on Strawberry River, straight to Scots and Osages on the White. Straight southwest trail  Hot Springs, south to the Frenchman's Arkansas trading post. Straight south into endless cane brake and open water winding past Natchez slave port, Big Black(a black mulatto town), and Yazoo to New Orleans, prime furs and trade goods brought prime wage. From Forest Town at the south end of Turtle Island(Crow Lee’s Ridge) west to Petite LaRouche(Little Rocks); Arkansas River to Oklahoma, straight east to Wolf River, Chickasaw allowed one Wolf Clan of any nation visit for trade each moon. Straight to Obion's River and hidden journey back to old country. Straight to mouth of Ohio River, joined with Tennessee, to choose sparsely settled, still native path to Cumberland or old country on Duck River, or Alabama. Straight North to Cahokia, Saint Genevieve now favored by Frenchmen. All centered here, at Turtle Island. Natives lost ground to white supremacy east, great awakening of strength in numbers, of spiritual might, of just retribution slowly took root in heart and mind as tribe and clan joined.

          West another wide bay, yet another wide arm of vast ocean or cape, Black River roiled beneath. Myriad cypress swamp or open water plied thoroughly; fish and game, woods and plants harvested. Thunderbirds paused furious wood pecking to watch with fierce eyes in dim day. Black Rock signaled solid hills, rough shanty showed stained glass, rogue traders with vague Osage permission served liquor and whores. This was the only such place in all of South Fork Valley. Young Water Spider did not like voices and noise, she hoped to shut the operation down some day. Slowly Duck and Turtle “clan” crept up South Fork. Always when sun dipped low to enable Water Spider to steal a piece. Always respectful, quiet, awe and reverence moving to white water.

          Chickasaw warred with French, English plied and pried with little authority, scattered French or Spanish garrisons or galleys little threat to challenge Cherokee claim of Arkansas north of the Arkansas River. Osage held strong claim, did not recognize Carolina governor’s decree. Or deeds issued from Nobles in New Orleans or London. Osage bows held fearsome power, but Cherokee carried many rifles. Cherokee hated Chickasaw from recent war. Into Ozark hills at Otter Town on South Fork Cherokee built cataract dams and sapling arbors. Duck clan camped at  Crow Lee's Ridge. Together with French Voyagers and other superior watermen from Cumbered Land, many Cherokee, many Shawnee and Delaware, Yuchi and Mingo, Muskogee...  Old School at Otter Town sprung up. Gold nuggets from Georgia helped persuade some Osage to join..

          Big Wahpeton of Osage governed entire South Fork Valley from a hill overlooking Forty Islands. He easily bribed, Cherokee gold from lands in Georgia wisely  appropriated. Osage chased buffalo on distant plains, big river bottoms, and snowy high trails, fleets of war canoes proven by Dangerous Man inferior to Atlantic standard canoe, shifted Osage focus to horses. Water fleets smaller each year. But Osage operated at angry pitch. Still at incredible skill in open lake canoes, plentiful Buffalo fattened horsemen, huge territory held roving bands, bellicose riders with gun and spear, and the nation behind them. Finally Osage horsemen clustered, gathered near Viola in  drought ridden spring of 1724

          Forces showed on high ridges and cliffs very near over drought waters to Otter Town. Old Otter Lifter switched mules to jerk canoe train up muddy slide. Cherokee scrambled up slopes to gain Turkey Creek and Strawberry River. Osage rode in slowly from ash flats south, and Myatt  north. Water Spider was five.

          Water Spider studied a beader on the old lawn as others practiced skills. Alarms sounded, elders directed quick efficient runs up footpaths. Mules lurched forward with canoes. Fires sprang up as sentries prepared signals. Water Spider’s grandmother held odd stone bound on a switch. Sentries cocked crossbows for feeble elders sitting along invader trails. Water Spider glanced back from her long poplar canoe pushed along by older boys: but  horns told her, attackers upon us.

          As a group of children and evacuees assembled in boats on uppermost lakes Ray KingFisher opened dam gate releasing waters quickly. He took loads of beaver and fish then fled also. Shoals and dry drags impeded,  but downwards seemed easy. Still elders switched mules to move canoe trains down. Less spry elders shot last shots, or swung last axes, giving their lives to impede Osage. If an elder had time before killing blow came to him or her, quick blast of horn told the tale.

          On down Turkey Creek the group moved that horrible day when red men fought red men. Water Spider watched wide eyed, sponging the boat bottom as boys jumped in and out to push or paddle. Soon Osages gave up chase, milling about a few days to burn structure found and tumble rock erections encountered. Dry wild fires grew as land burned. Osages tended dead and wounded, took high trail to lower Osage council on White River. Osage smoke signals flanked just north of Cherokee fleets fleeing on South Fork to Black Rock. Many miles as Cherokee retreated. Wise generals Osage and Cherokee avoided massacre by show of force, if retreat in timely manner executed then warriors celebrated, returning home soon.

          As horse hoofs splashed victorious riders to dusty high trails, surviving Cherokee braves made haste to Thunderbird Lake. Black Swamp at the beginning of Devils backbone held myriad cane break, willow flat, and cypress jungle where boats never touched dry land, even in hottest summer. Back to Turtle Island,  nurse wounds, greet old family, old friend; plan another piece of the sun.

          Every few moons Cherokees would come back a little while, night travel and limited smoke fire, no axes rang, no gun shots heard, still beaver here stayed sacred. Water Spider learned to conceal brush arbor shelters, rolled mats cushioned dragging canoes. Flight  taken quickly down South Fork or Strawberry chain when needed, wise Osage captains stalled when enforcing, allowing Cherokee ample time to move on. Cherokee slowly returned.

          Then Cherokee did not retreat. Gun shots of Cherokee sounded strange in silent land. River slopes rang with horns of dam keepers as children filled boats, mules lurched forward for portage to Strawberry River. Other children filed along narrow ledge trails Osage horses could not follow. Dam keepers released water to aid, often a death sentence as riders over ran. But pools grew longer even as horsemen floundered on hazards natural or prepared. Elders gave lives to fire cross bow or swing saplings with spear head bound, anything to impede or cripple Osage warrior or horse.

          On Hurricane Creek some flew in birch canoes. Hurricane Lifter revealed one hundred ocean standard poplar canoes, dealing them out as needed. On Strawberry River Cherokee canoes flew into dense cane brake and cypress jungle, calls of startled Thunderbirds haunted, ivory bills rang. On to Cherry Valley or Bono, hopefully with cache of furs or meats, fish or basket, anything to contribute. Turtle Island stayed restless many years; over and over Cherokee went into those Ozark Mountains to claim that small piece of the sun given them by Carolina. Some French also claimed to govern the area, sold it to Cherokee for claims to Tennessee district of Carolina. Progressives, those who wished to assimilate white ways, would hang on for another one hundred years. Then they would cry.

1727

            Water Spider watched rough traders. Custom of Paris was listen to women. At very least women given time at council if she had something to say. English not tolerant for female voice. Women could not “own” entire river valleys, only men. Women could not “own” hundreds of slaves and huge houses, or mansions according to French traders with hairy mouths. Frenchmen showed pretty beads, salts and meats, lead and steel implements. They bought furs. They moved pirogues with thrift and respect, merged with Keetoowah priests on Saint Francis. Water Spider moved with Frenchmen at times, or east to Kentucky from Pine Knot in  a night with small team of Cherokees. There she met with potters. Old family deep on Duck River terraces, gifted pottery craftsmen fine honed guild and craft. Traders in Georgia paid well, Cherokee pottery in demand. Fine white porcelain made exquisite by Cherokee.

            North End of Turtle Island pale bluff sloped down to beloved Saint Francis. Chalk Bluff unique, nowhere else did consistent white clay have such hue. On Sundays Water Spider took heavy loads to Kentucky.

            A girl of ten winters, Water Spider didn’t have to paddle much. Boys entrusted mission carefully, strong and clear  serious business. Skins and furs also: salt, lead, headache powder, ginseng, Water Spider might make wicker basket of white oak or stitch a beaded moccasin. Rolls of matting useful for many things, if time allowed on journey she used cane, hemp, hickory. Bartholomeau Sandy Waters killed a jaguar. Yellow and black pattern skin brought fine trade.

            Water Spider knew white healers. She learned of disease and alcohol. Whiskey drowned. Wine wastes. Ale addles. All kill. Back east traders brought whiskey. Most knew not to bring it to Crow Lee's Ridge. And never should it be brought to Ravenden. Madness of whiskey reverses constant flow of tribe. Madness spreads. Rage ripples. Jane would shoot the bottle from a drunken Frenchman’s hand. Or the Frenchman. A Cherokee or Delaware might be shot on sight if drunk. Juniper and peach made a natural alcohol. Water Spider knew whiskey traders acted as healers. Peddlers long gone when Cherokee figured it out. Old Jane lead Cherokee Council to burn the stained glass liquor house at Black Rock.

    As consequence stained glass was banned for a time both here and back east. Also beating of metal banned by western council. Longer standing taboos of burning in day light or shooting a gun joined  dancing to fiddle music and others banned by High Western Council...

            Each week she stock piled at water lines in Pine Knot. On a cypress pole rack she hung skins, beadwork, furs and vats of gelled bear oil. Smaller gourd jars of mink oil filled in gaps in storage areas of poplar canoes. Oak baskets full with finest white clay and paddlers off. Strong boys paddled most ways, though Water Spider knew this life, she dug her paddle deep, angled currents joined with rhythm and gravity across Goose Lake. Frenchmen claimed it was the largest “cape” in  the world. Cape Girardeau Frenchmen called Goose Lake. Flat cypress swamp and open water stretched a thousand miles, from blue salty ocean to Iowa or Ohio.

            Water Spider visited old country people. Barges brought fast horses from Kentucky, baby mules from Tennessee territory headed southwest to Forest Town. There at south end of Crow Lee's Ridge riders and farmers would move off to Quapaw territory, most horses traded or stolen, used further west on wide open prairie. Mules distributed to Choctaw Cherokee on Little Red River, Scots Cherokee on White River, Irish Cherokee on Strawberry, French Cherokee on Southfork, or English Delaware’s nearby north. Similar clan and ethnic affiliation took hold on upper reaches of Little Red as Irish Choctaw or French Choctaw or Quapaw Choctaw claimed forks of the river, defined section of water shed or valley.

            Old Sitka was very near Carolina. All mighty England traded with old towns on authority of newly crowned King George the second, Cherokee moved down river each generation. Over Hill settlements. In Arkansaw Otter town thrived on communication with Kentucky. Each Sunday Water Spider relayed word of mouth with trusted clan or family member. A beloved reliable person acting as messenger back  to Sitka. The Bird clan usually sent pigeons with written code scrolls bound to a leg. Deep on Duck River old clans gathered to hear news or reasoning.

            Near dark moving out, soon sun would touch water. Cutting directly across massive currents of the longest old man river of all, the mighty Mississippi, Cherokee moved into sun. Giant orange sun brushed cypress tips far beyond, then sat, strait line now dissecting sizzling ball.

                                                                    Watchers on east banks stared wistfully, still focused on tiny fleeing craft. This time cargo a single blade plow. Sheer weight of steel gave more room for Water Spider to move about the boat, here stitching a boot, there adorning a shield. She affixed a sealed gourd to a long hemp string, tied to the plow as a locator float should the boat be swamped somehow.

           Daylight waned, small slice of sun now visible, Water Spider cajoled laborers, “please boys. Get me a piece of the sun and I will give you a kiss.” Evening star appeared, Saint Francis River sensed, again powerful currents moved strangely, again angling and confidence needed in dark night. Crow Lee’s Ridge held secret and not so secret Cherokee Guild. Masons, potters, timber men, horse men, speculators and map makers could only visit, if motive sensed, danger follows. One fat white man shot a buffalo for the tongue only, he was brought to Ravenden and burned. Another shot a Cherokee boy in the face with fine shot, blood retribution demanded he be blinded. Another took a bribe to fake a map of Kentucky, some guilty of treason against the crown. The English had a small fort in Chickasaw country, moved a few monitor boats up and down the Mississippi at no concern of Cherokee wanting peace.

        Only on Saint Francis did a Cherokee know peace. Back in Kentucky was open war if Cherokee not deep in clan haven. Hated Chickasaw  had rifles now. Osage strong held claim to South Fork. Cherokee quiet, Cherokee sober. Cherokee grew turnips, corn, okra, onion... Cherokee made bullets. Cherokee made sinkers. Cherokee made rope, made hats… Sometimes warriors paraded felt top hats, or red coats, horned hats or bronze chest pieces, beads in woodpecker images or other totem or clan symbol, wolf heads with silk shirts, or red and black war paint with dungarees.

            Josephus Drowning Elk and Gertrude Killing Beaver to marry soon, great party busk ensued before and after. Many tribes, races or nations represented. Black African Mandinka held high esteem Old Cherokee. Blacks proved able partners. Should Chickasaw attack, black Frenchmen out on greater swamp would hinder or signal Cherokee friends. South Fork might shrink in summer, Black Swamp meant safety for Cherokee. Never ending ocean began. Cherokee must cross water, enter spiritual port, skim pools back  to Crow Lee's Ridge. Entry to Great Black often slow intermingling of darker swamp water with greener, clearer mountain water, sometimes a water fall, noisy drop where weary travelers rejoice. The Laughing Place.  All along border of mountain Cherokee clan sentries held quiet council. Fires burned eternal,  smoke signals puffed hourly. At West Cliffs Irish in the nation some three hundred years now Cherokee of several clan family operated saw mill. French Keetoowah Cherokee operated skinning and pelting camp at New Sitka. English Cherokee operated lead smelters closer to Missouri. Far southern Cherokee claim found Scots Cherokee, holding potatoes in caves and operating a bear oil trough  to load pirogue (pee row) canoes or flatboats any further south was White River valley. Cherokee unwise to move onto that river just yet... Charlotte Skinning Bear operated strict camp.

    Furthest western Cherokee must stay east of Devil’s Backbone. Any further west than western Walking Stick District would mean war. Peace on the South Fork known at times... Great treaty meetings or tests of skill between nations took place at Raccoon Springs or Forty Islands.  Craft Bees and Olympiads accompanied treaties and symbolic burying of tomahawks.

Other Scotsmen might treaty Osage and move freely in White River Valley. Quapaw and Choctaw figured prominently now in planning towns or orchards with French and Osage cooperation. Highlands south of White River Cherokee free to try and homestead but removed from clan and family made it even tougher. Contact with traders brought ruin. Only experienced Cherokee traders could inter act. Alcohol violently prohibited. Natural wine and gin obtainable. Wedding and dance found little home grown spirit even Old Jane could not decipher. But if Jane or Pretty Raven saw a bottle  the drinker best hope for a slug and not scatter shot. Elder Irishman Red MacDonald kept a bottle of finer whiskey hidden deep under his oak cabin for special occasions.

Some Englishmen prisoners voluntarily came with Delaware to Arkansas and Missouri rather than back to Baltimore Maryland. They worked forests near the white mans measured line of thirty six thirty. Raccoon hats and double bitted axes rang frosty valleys in peace time. Out of habit Cherokee stuck with saws: much quieter, much less likely to draw notice. Down near Cave Town Scots held secret guild. Freemasons stout resolve. Web complex. Water Spider knew much. Peace sacred. Secret power held now by native coalition. New Orleans nobles held no pretense of power here. Briberous governors held title, decree of King Louis the fifteenth, ignored or not by tribal leaders and common folks alike. Good turnip gardens, deer or elk or buffalo or bear for winter, corn and potatoes, Cherokee simple. Cherokee Wise. Cherokee free.

    Uchi came in quick tight fleet of Canoes out rigged with pontoons and sails. Moving upriver fast they swooned into Forest Town with great relief. Coming from the horn of Mexico in a few days, Uchis rested a few days before moving onto Duck River a few days and more upstream. They traded huge feathers, pearls, and sponges for mink oil.

Lone scouts plied shorelines with birch canoes or skin kayaks. Flat bottom skiffs and dugout pee row canoes fished or hauled, even a Chinese junk or African style reed boat might show. Brisk web moved with purpose. Portals of fresh water held spirit. Mirrors of the soul held strange allure. Waterways held ethic and barter, but only for proper clan or nation affiliation. Others often killed. Though whites existed as fully accepted Cherokee,  rogue white encounters considered enemy actions. Rotting whites adorned crude wicker crosses at river junctions as warnings. Sometimes red or blue military jacket unmistakable clue.

Sometimes gifted white shooters moved into tribes by cunning and skill, wanted back east for killing other whites, outlaws fit this rugged frontier life. Some took wives and settled farms raising families, riding waves of war and peace with quiet dignity and ethic. All along Devils Backbone and east in Arkansas Cherokee claimed creek valleys, farming or ranching, building homes or brush arbor shelters for temporary living. Frenchmen gave official deed, Englishmen gave official deed also. Some Cherokee held two deeds to same areas.

            Water Spider knew ways in dead dark. From Pine knot a winding forest water trail, shallow water, dense cypress. Cache River opened up, wide lagoon pool shimmering. Dense wall of cypress and sparse willow seemed imposing, revealing passage grudging. Now Village Creek lagoon, dry summer village only, serene Swan Pond quiet in moonlight. Big Running Water Creek often tugged a boat off course, angling to certain stands of cypress or evening star kept course in myriad Cherokee Bay, Little Running Water Creek held close passage as Jaguars seethed and Great Owls hooted or howled. Finally the Black, immense open pool traversed, sweet relaxing ride in store long slow moments until Strawberry welcomed. Still unencumbered paddlers moved up stream. Thick grasses or reeds rasped on boat bottoms. South Fork less easy. Making Ravenden required diligent labor, cunning traverse of bigger currents, and darkness maneuvers difficult.

            The Strawberry flatter, softer, slower to rise, less extreme, just as fine heading in the back door to New Sitka. Old School on the ridge above Otter Town was being named after Indian agent Stuart. Bushyhead Stuart, striking Scotsman in thick red blonde, beloved man among Cherokee, He preached a Baptist Gospel and Baptized Cherokee in Otter or Bee Creek. Turkey creek was for horses.

            King George died. English captains assured Water Spider from the deck of a cruiser the treaty giving Cherokee all North Arkansas and forever west to the Pacific Ocean would be enforced. Water Spider knew English had little power in the region. She humored them, pretending to believe superior claims of world dominance. Cherokees left South Carolina in droves as massive slave ports expanded. Cherokee moved downriver to Lookout Mountain, others kept moving on down to Buffalo and Duck Rivers in Tennessee, further still to Kentucky, or round the horn cross Goose Lake to Crow Lee’s Ridge. Fire at Pine Knot warmed weary uncertain travelers.

            Water Spider was offered a job in New Orleans. Catholics opening a school for girls wanted beloved women of certain nations to study or teach. Tempted by offers, Water Spider hoped to tour Ursuline Academy some time. Fraught with slavers and hostile Chickasaw or alligators, the journey would be dark and dank, prime prices for bear, mink oil or skins and native craft. Arkansas Post unpleasant, prices poor. If journey to New Orleans made efficiently, great profit could be had. She must think some time on possible endeavors.

            On one hand nobles and officers of New Orleans often cut the ears or toes from escaped blacks. They harassed Jews. Prices of basic shelter, food and drink offended simple Cherokees, often trapping natives in slavery or servitude. Rape of Natives often went unpunished. Inequality of rich and poor, noble and bourgeois, plantation heads and woodsmen felt unjust to Cherokee.  The all mighty Catholic Church wreaked havoc on  Natives. Native spirits and intoxicants forbidden as an affront to the Holy Ghost.  Voodoo priests rattled bones in dark alleys. There was no retribution in New Orleans.

            On the other hand great culture and learning possible in Coastal cities, politicians and world leaders hob nobbed and partied, deciding fates of far reaching nations and cultures over wine and song. Strange guitars played soul wrenching songs of lost souls and love. Pirates and traders told of biblical journeys and life times of sea travel or strange far away countries. Great wisdom and fortune, influence and artistic achievement quite possible for a woman of intellect and passion as Water Spider.

            Defeated Frenchmen from Great Lakes areas came. Cherokee adopted many, upstream of Otter Town was Frenchtown,  solid communal series of quiet farms. Cherokee claimed land further west, sections of Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ocean shown on paper deed issued by British Magistrates years ago, but did not move west of Frenchtown for many years to come. A dozen leagues as the crow flies found Walking Stick District. Beyond was North Fork, past the Devil’s Backbone. Osage would not tolerate such trespass just yet.

            Irish farms proliferated. River dances and green corn dances varied ceremony. Red haired maidens hopped in glee or screamed with knives. Clans mixed blood, Metis the French said, another item forbidden by Impotent nobles in New Orleans. Dark flat stream held secret guild of ex slave, outlaw, victims of criminal passion or white man killers. Many Irish fled persecution in Ireland.

Gambian priests drained blood of chickens on full moons.  Black Africans brought knowledge of cotton, corn, indigo, many crops. Many learned ropes and knots while sailing. Others philosophical and strong. They drummed with Cherokee, danced with Cherokee, married and labored with Cherokee. They were Cherokee.

            Horsemen gathered at Forest Town. Here at south end of Crow Lee's Ridge polyglot groups launched or rested, filtering northwest into Cherokee claim proper, or heading due west. Quapaw and Caddo affiliation helped homesteaders flung afar from Southfork and Strawberry;  also French permission papers and deeds might enable a native keep a claim.. Choctaw and Creek or banished Chickasaw stopped here. Spanish and English captains under truce at times visited or treatied. A watchtower atop grain storage bins held pow wow. Pipes smoked here above prairie or swamp, tiny treaty or huge faulty plans played out. Just across deep swamp Arkansas Post smelled foul, crude trading post like as not raided or cheated on the hour. Cherokee held true post on Turtle Island. Forest Town. South End of Crow Lee’s Ridge.

Flatboats took horses to buffalo trails. Cherokee with wanderlust, tired of boating or farming life could take chance on horse back. Drought brought more horses and riders. When Cherokee saw sick willow they knew: horse. Other than a few large draft horses and smaller ponies, Otter Town Cherokee stuck with boats. South Fork, fed by Mammoth Spring at the high falls of Forty Islands, almost always held water enough to ply. Water enough to get to the bottoms and disappear.

Endless cane brake and willow beaches, dense cypress swamp meant good chance of survival for fleeing Cherokee. Eastward was Crow Lee’s Ridge. Cherokee welcome all along the shores. Sliding through bough and branch made it easy to hide or flee, pursuers at great disadvantage in dense rainy brakes. Ambush easy also, cypress branches like ladders, blow guns and bows made deadly trek.

Mirrors brought help if sun high. Fires brought help day or night. Osage never pursued into Black Swamp. Solitary Chickasaw might be spotted. Should Chickasaw and Osage coordinate and attack or blockade, Cherokee would need every trick and clever stunt devised to elude slaughter or rout.

Water Spider caught giant paddle fish heavy with roe helpers ate raw with acorn bread. Meat of the fish fed a Gadugi crew hewing a rifle nest near a beach up a creek canyon at a river bend. Tiny rock mesas on flood plains held stout resolve when besieged or flooded. Manatee skins made good frame boats or barter. In general Cherokee used big poplar Atlantic style canoes for primary travel to Crow Lee’s Ridge or Kentucky. Sometimes shorter smaller lighter birch for specialized uses. Selling nicer manatee skins at Saint Genevieve to Frenchmen wiser course for Cherokee traders. Copper tools and steel knives and implements could be got there. Broad hoes and adzes, kettles and plows. Cherokee harvested beaver sparingly. Foxes and otters, raccoons, lions and jaguars, mink…Cherokees used pale possums for finer wear.

            Water Spider watched tiny crawfish crawl on gravel in creek. Deep forest brought inner joy. Babble of brook and sigh of grove, warmth of glen, she walked in prayer and reverence. She cleansed her body in deep pool. She reflected on her own face a moment, combed long black hair with fine hickory comb. Water Spider quiet. Water Spider humble. Water Spider Free.

   1739

           Water Spider knew many Frenchmen from trading otter skins. She kept in touch with old towns and British settlers through common word or beloved messengers. Also pigeons flew often.

    Old towns influenced by Great Britain. As a child she called them English, now Scotland with England formed Great Britain. Irishmen held no allegiance to Great Britain. Irish among Arkansas Cherokee told of plague, famine, and fear of children being eaten. Virginians forbade by royal proclamation the manufacture of hats; Water Spider learned the craft in London... Soon she commanded great barter. Crow Lee's Ridge did stand strong.

    Hats she sold to whites. Most Cherokee wore simple head wraps. Some warriors or strange prophets sported beaver top hats or horned helmets. They carried blunderbuss guns and did blood retribution and protection for clan or tribal favor and board. Some wore turbans and carried sacks of grain or narrow hoe.

            Brits craved fine white porcelain pottery. Water Spider as master potter brought finest white clay, only found at north end of Turtle Island. Deep on Duck River Uchi, Muskogee, Cherokee and Creek fostered guild and craft. Even Chickasaw held respect in Mississippi, taking exclusionist defensive posture. Obion’s river, winding just south of the dividing line between Tennessee and Kentucky Chickasaw spared unless over stimulated for war.

            British took land, Frenchmen only skins. Mink and otter, raccoon, lion, of course beaver. Water Spider could trap and skin like any man, expert preparing skins for export to London, St Louis, New Orleans...  She kept hat making skills under wraps. Indeed any true intelligence concerning the secret web in Arkansaw never crossed her lips. During high water huge merchant ships swooned to Forest Town, docking at night taking on Cherokee goods, unloading European goods. Oil troughs and grain bins erected. Weekly a large French barge floated grain from Saint Genevieve downstream to Baton Rouge not often harassed, Shawnee and Cherokee encouraged. Chickasaw tolerated.

            Old Cloud held silent shelter. Hidden fires not visible. Young boys Red and Gray did not cavort and play, they fell to task and craft. At a few years old they knew scraping of hides and crafting wing shaped scrapers by flaking and chipping stone, preparing steel traps, honing metal hoes, sharpening or dulling knives, skill with cane blow guns. Cherokee paddled out to a large English ship, a doctor injected them with a needle. Water Spider watched as the boys were inoculated.

            Water Spider purchased a new type sewing loom... Cherokee held great potential in manufacture. Boys turned grinding wheels, whetting stones or routers with pedal power. Water Spider held Red Cloud and Gray Cloud in great esteem. Tireless and vigilant, the boys knew peace on Saint Francis River.

            Current news read to council each night, Water Spider listened and reflected. Big Tom Skinner, a Delaware, told of forked tongue treaties in Pennsylvania, “if you are Quaker or Jew, you have civil rights as a religious minority. But if you are Delaware, you have nothing.”

            Frenchmen worked salt or lead mines in Missouri, skirted native areas likely hostile, even after massacre by Cherokee often came to Pine Knot, held camp at Marked Tree east of Crow Lee's ridge. Cherokee clustered at Pine Knot or spread east to Etowah traded friendly, allowed Quapaw, French and Spanish camp or council, but Chickasaw still warred if drought occurred or Mississippi waterway travelers happened upon or too close a Chickasaw shoreline. Natchez warred.

            Frenchmen had cannon. A siege or fending came easier with cannon. Cherokee kept few.

            Lead miners stayed nervous as Shawnee and Delaware moved with impunity into Osage territory. Lead was a tough sell, but as Cherokee and coalition tribes knew, bullets and musket balls were crucial trade to a nation. Other mines would be found, other methods. Old Cloud ciphered constantly sifting scenario of coalition trust. Shawnee and Delaware, north of the dividing line. Brothers Shawnee and Delaware, in trade and tradition, war and peace, Cherokee allies.

            Mingo defeated back east moved into Missouri not far from waters and lands of Arkansas Cherokee. Black among Mingo heard tell of the dividing line, thirty six thirty also separating free states with slave states. They dug in, no compromise for Mingos.

            Old Tyronza lead a black tribe. Métis to the French. Polyglot group of Haitians, slaves originally from Niger Africa, mustee and maroon castaways, pale mulatto, albino outlaws, Jamaicans, French, Spanish, Italian and Greek... His was lowland, dry only a few months of the year, Tyronza Town was built high in thousand year old cypress trees.

    All but a few cypress trees had ladder like limbs. Cherokee adept moving or living above held power in ambush stations should a non affiliated traveler violate the area in trespass.

            Blacks not the only ones in danger of being caught for slave trade. Shawnee sects conducted slave wars and raids, Osages enslaved Caddo. Progressive Cherokee owned Slaves and cows. If a hunter caught enough beaver or buffalo, he could own slaves and cows. This the progressive way back east. Not tradition at Crow Lee's Ridge. Ethics enforced. No liquor. No slaves. Blankets must be tribal made.

            French governors respected Cherokee sovereignty. They knew Cherokee would decimate Osage if allowed to foster in Arkansas. Mutual hatred of Chickasaws kept Sacred Peace on Saint Francis.

            Tensions flared when Old Cloud erected a grain storage bin on Crow Lee's Ridge. Cherokee had many smaller versions inland, this stood high and big at Forest Town. French Governor cruised on horseback during drought, observed daily operations of Forest Town doings, stayed an evening confident of Cherokee security; smoked the pipe. Should native coalition doom French colonial government to failure he would have no recourse, hated by English and American colonists. Failure would doom him to a life of wandering pirate. He could not be bourgeois, he was not royal of special privileges. France could no longer hold this adventurous man, with small garrisons and cartels he claimed to govern millions of miles. All of the Arkansas and Missouri River watersheds.

            He traded with Caddo west, Osages warred with them, Wichita and Comanche traded with Frenchmen also. Horse thievery and slave waging rampant, Osages missed huge sums; fees collected in goods flowing to Saint Genevieve north,  spread too thin for enforcement south. Water Spider quietly crept up South Fork to  steal a piece of the sun.

            Osages moved to prairie. Horses took paramount importance, though Greater Osage Villages north one hundred miles numbered hundreds of Bent Arbor, Tipi, or square pole dwellings, Cherokee moved into Otter Town more and more. Big Wahpeton easily bribed, only rogue or splinter Osage bands moved through, these thugs not interested in hard workings of old Settler Cherokee community. Not patient enough to even discover existence of active villages, rogue pirates and buffalo hunters moved on buffalo trails to Mexico.

            Cherokee and allies moved with web of secrecy. Into the sun from Obion’s river. Uncanny skill and familiarity of this biggest fresh water cape on the planet made intricate and consistent web. Old Cloud charted on a beach. He showed fellow Cherokee mariners how to navigate bays and lagoons, heavy forest or sand bar. He could show with an x  Osage traditional headquarter near the Osage and Missouri rivers. He might show with an x lower Osage strongholds on White River in Arkansas. He could show the Arkansas Trading Post, planned factories of government fur buyers. He knew approximate locations of slave free enclaves of Germans, Jews, or Italian self sufficient colonies. He could show the largest slave port known just over in Mississippi. Not far across the Mississippi was Shawnee Town. Old Cloud allowed Red and Gray study maps in bright sun some time. He slowly approached with bushy willow branch and dashed the area for concealment. Cloud family wise. Leave no sign. Speak quiet.

            Water Spider knew Delaware and Shawnee healers trained in medicinal arts back east. She beseeched them for knowledge. She knew of inoculations. She knew of blanket fever, pox, and others. Water Spider knew English, she studied hard on travels to Native conference, she shared knowledge freely, her compassion well known among traditional native chains and circle. Water Spider, beloved woman of Principal People.

            Eastern Cherokee took black slaves. They farmed cotton. They ranched cattle. They married white ways. They drank liquor. They ridiculed, raped, downtrodden, only a few prosperous. But Natives knew thrift of Dutch pioneers, settlers from Netherlands or any where else over there. They too were poor.  Only a few held big valleys. Fields of black slaves fueled commerce. Natives unlucky or unaffiliated shipped off to some Caribbean Island, lifetime of dehumanization and forced labor ahead.

            Whites indentured servitude some seven years before true freedom ensued. Only traditional natives west of the Mississippi affiliated with tribe or coalition endured true freedom.

            Crow Lee bade stern biddance slavers. “I will not have it on these shores. We cannot stop it on the prairie during drought.” He stood firm at Forest Town, “we will not aid, abet, or foster slaver, be they French, English, Spanish, Dutch Natchez or others…Neither can they swoon ships carrying slaves into any bay considered Cherokee to bring skiffs and canoes ashore in trade while Métis families wail.”

            Liquor was allowed in boats at anchor, but if brought ashore shooting started. Crow Lee carried short musket and if he sighted whiskey or the like he shot it. If a man or woman behind the bottle then so be it.

            German preachers came to Cherry Valley. Missionary men told assembled Cherokee. They taught with conviction many words and concepts Cherokee knew little of: sin, repentance, forgiveness, grace, redemption, perdition, damnation…

            Clan law of blood libel revenge is all that Cherokee knew. At times Old Cloud would receive a Pigeon from the bird clan on Duck River in Tennessee, read tiny note in silence. He paced long moments, preparing cruiser canoe for quick journey of one week. He would go back to the old country a couple of nights. He would perform what clan function needed. Reaffirm ties with old ways. Though each trip brought new revelation; old ways were gone, Old Cloud saw white farms, white ways…

            And he took those ways to Arkansas. A good plow broke ground fast. A kettle fed Gadugi workers turnip or squirrel stew. Large knives a Cherokee held almost sacred. Already at just a few years old Red and Gray Cloud crafted fine leather sheaths for knives. Fine belts held knives close, even in sleep. Trusted knives from whites.

            Sparse and hard scrabble existence at Otter Town. Getting heavy iron tools and valuable instruments to Forest Town or Pine Knot was one thing. Getting them into the mountains and Otter Town another.  Elaborate camp featured a grinding wheel and tiny trade post for twenty years now. Osages had not attacked in seven years. Cherokee migration stalled, many Cherokee died, others filtered up SouthFork. Quiet camp and school held secret purpose. Walking Stick whittled and lathed sumac walking sticks at a key South Fork camp. Moving to Viola a few more miles west on foot or horse meant violation of treaty. Viola sat in the North Fork Valley. Shrieks of drunken fiddle dancers and gun shots strange.

            Greater Osages showed themselves in acts of military courtesy. Hundreds of warriors on horseback silhouetted in sun. Water Spider heard horns of alarm, sentry fires sprang up, Lifters twitched mules. Hundreds of Cherokees fled down Turkey Creek, Osage captain watched trotting though. Cherokee hid, Cherokee fled, Cherokee survived.

            Water Spider held power in boats. She steered and switched sides paddling furious, leapt to run dragging the boat and maybe another, directing youth do similar, pointing quick hints for small children. Out into Strawberry chain… Some headed on hidden water trail to Bono, Cherry Valley, or Forest town. If paths splayed, impacts less local. Cherokee boats brushed into cypress backwater to plan another piece of the sun.

            Braves skirted reach of rogue Osage. Water Spider and Old Cloud and boys hunkered down, silent many days. Cold fires and slow movement, Water Spider knew trails, carried rifle, shot cross bow most times. Old Cloud and the boys carried axes, but used saws most times. Slowly they backtracked. Soon Old Cloud would leave them at a secure camp, he must move to Wahpeton and check status of Otter Town. A gold nugget or maybe a spanish coin would help negotiations.

            Old Wahpeton, governor of the entire SouthFork valley in some ancient deal with French governors, sheltered and emotional on his throne held open air court on high bluffs at Forty Islands. He took gold piece in amazement, theatrical and articulate, the fat Osage stammered, “I accept this token of appreciation good Cloud. And I will continue to deny knowledge of Cherokee on SouthFork. Especially the mythical Otter Town. The School is burned down, grinding wheel cracked asunder. The trading post looted and burned. You can see weakening smoke trails even now. The Nation departed without incidence upon Cherokee evacuation, but a splinter group sprouted, burned and feasted on flopping fish and  is gone. They were horse thieves, banished by greater Osage nation. It is my wager they will not return.”

            Old cloud nodded, “we will make gentle trespass, do not doubt. We will hold quiet, we will hold respect, awe and reverence for water and land we share with community as is Cherokee way. We welcome seekers, seers, freemen and troubled, sober all, workers and thinkers, all weave the web.”

            Wahpeton paced in beaver robe, “I alone give the Cherokee fire. My sons will also give you fire. I believe you come in peace to catch the fire. I believe you would steal the fire, or take the fire, but I alone give the Cherokee fire.”

            “We acquire the fire with gold,” said Old Cloud, “that nugget would feed us finest general store merchandise, we could purchase broad hoes and narrow hoes, scissors, fine cloth, many flints for rifles, axes, bullets, guns... Western Cherokee as a nation need these things." He strode to a wall where Wahpeton hung coats, “we do not need calico petticoats and red girdles.”

            The men smoked of the big peace pipe. Peace is at hand, they concluded, sacred peace is at hand.       

            Water Spider stayed busy. She rode with delegations to council or pow wow with Illinois tribes. Deep frozen winter she rode dog sleds with Big Ditka of Michigan. She saw the grand lady Duluth. Water Spider got back to beloved PIne Knot on spring thaws. Harvest time she helped husk, shell, weaving baskets, sharing knowledge with younger Cherokee, boy or girl, showed knowledge to crafters, old world, old school Cherokee know how, hardscrabble hard living Old Settlers.

            Armed with French governor’s treaty Cherokee held peaceful on Crow Lee's Ridge. Cherokee women married Frenchmen, adopted customs of Paris. On Saint Francis Cherokee fostered liberty, life, and happiness. With the bribe paid Wahpeton Cherokee moved further west into the Ozarks, most all of South Fork, Old Cloud showed on the map, South Fork itself started around thirty six thirty or Arkansas/Missouri line. English among Cherokee and Delaware would exploit border areas. The map unsure, maps known to be wrong. Rogue whites among Natives often mapmakers running from some disagreement back east, Boone and Crockett could not venture into the Ozarks. Death would await any whites not showing authentic signal of affiliation. Blowgunners in cane brakes, archers in cypress, rifle men behind boulders.

            Most travelers stopped closer to Mississippi River proper and directed north to St Genevieve or south to Arkansas Post, the English Post in Chickasaw country or New Orleans peacefully. East side of Turtle Island did well with lodging and barter.  Otter town flourished quietly.

            Bee Lifter began hosting parties stationed as he was at Forty Islands. He featured a billiard table and horse rentals. At times Osage seemed willing to accept Cherokee as fellows. Water Spider met in council with Greater Osage elders. Old White Hair and Big White Hair held her in great esteem. “I believe Cherokee bring much to a sacred chain. Our friends Lenape and Shawnees bring vital links. Were it not for your claim of Arkansas, all of Arkansas, by the hated King of England, we would consider embracing you as caretaker of the Southfork valley. Should you not encroach further still to the White River valley, all could be strong coalition.”

            Water Spider chose words carefully. “if,” she paused, “Cherokees were to vow so, we would have a map of land stretching from Devil's Backbone  to Tennessee, just as the French have also deeded us." She daringly neglected to point out she held in her bundle written deeds for all of North Arkansas from both Paris and London. "That is ample room for us. I will make this happen with my unerring friend Old Cloud as my guide.”

            “Yes,” said an Osage elder, “Old Cloud is the man for such undertaking. He will find the way.” Water Spider traded in good faith at the Osage Lake of Swans two hundred miles northwest of Otter Town. The Osage did not even know of doings in Otter Town at this very moment. She felt a chill, strangely alone, feeling a yen for Rock Creek. She needed to cleanse, to pray at a babbling brook, to meditate, breathing,.. To watch creatures, tiny creatures crawling gravel bottoms. Babbling and tittering, sighing, the creek spoke to Water Spider, Her name sake water spider skated along tiny pool, just as a canoe might move if watched from a high mountain. The symbol she formed looked like a canoe paddler switching sides if watched from far behind. Water Spider beaded a special pair of moccasins. Bright red fine beads. White beads in circular frame. Black symbol of the water spider. Light leather shoes for her burial. She would carry these until her death.

1776

    Gray Cloud creased a brow. Squinting quickly, calloused hand shading, returning to labor… Strong shoulders reaching long strokes to lean pulling paddle staff. Big ocean canoes glided south by southwest. Into setting sun Gray Cloud guided swinging big willow oar high to switch sides, careful not to hit Water Spider. The old woman, known to all Cherokee as Beloved Woman scraped mink hide with chert or collected floor water with ocean sponge. Blue Sky pretty dark eyed girl six winters studied horizons with telescope. Young brave men Downy Day Johnson and Rocky Island Smith labored in front; all about apt to get splashed and chilled while bustling. Tiny Water Spider and Blue Sky sat low, “Grandmother” whispered Blue Sky to Water Spider, kneading sponges over gourd bail cups. Blue Sky nimbly beaded moccasin tongues. Downy Day and Rocky Island paddled mostly opposite sides. Gray Cloud needed constant switches or rudder.

          Dusk urgent time, sinking sun dimmed quickly, bright nights, open terrain allowed night travel. Into sun Gray Cloud steered, dense forest either side. Panthers and jaguars twitched under cypress. Into massive Mississippi waterway Cherokee paddled. The boat held iron hoe blades, guns, stone axe heads, brass arrow points, fresh otte\r skins, fishing nets, needles and hooks from Philadelphia, and camp gear. Thirty men’s feet long, capable of carrying over a dozen warriors, three men and two females allowed packages.

          Shallows sensed underneath, quick flashes of torch light showed solemn  cypress sentries lined up ringing lagoons, open waterway again, Little Fork passed beneath. Single bright torch signaled Delaware Town, one of several Delaware towns or posts here just south of thirty six thirty. Fur shipments moved to Saint Genevieve, Kentucky, Arkansas Post, English Post in Chickasaw country or on to New Orleans. When those traders seemed to suppress prices paid, ships of the sea might be flagged and middle men eliminated. Etowah showed faint amber glow to south, hidden town held hundreds of Cherokee assigned varied tasks: skinners, tanners, potters and packers worked quiet, fires forbidden in day light, only one visible from any distance.

    Again shallows sensed, again hard current swirled, Saint Francis River seethed below. Time and again currents felt, myriad lagoon and sand bars, big pools, smaller pools. Rasp of grasses, tiny trickle of paddles. Moon light showed a ridge. Deep into a slack creek Cherokee moved quiet, easy move onto soft shoulders of Crow Lee's Ridge.

          Pine Knot gave decent bed space under sycamore arbors. Buckskin thongs and cane arched evenly, furs and skins unfurled, candles and fires set aflame. Mists and rains constant as daylight grew. Kindling of any dryness becoming rare commodity. East rainy lake and forest shrouded. Log lodge or elk skin tipi sheltered others.

          Ice jams and high flow filled cypress forest, backing waters, fingers of swamp and lake reaching, normally dry connecting drainages  swelling, isolating points; creating islands from dry mainland. Far into creek canyons floodwater slowly backed. Rivers normally narrow and twisting now swelled fat to flood whole valleys. Far into mountains ocean reached, creeks so fat tiny cliffs miles from rivers easily boated, miles long meanders now easily bypassed, mountain faces usually miles from navigable water became loading docks and greeting stations, trader shows and service areas. Oak trees shaded pools.

          Here Crow Lee's Ridge held the only year round land for a nights travel. Should Goose Lake, Cape Girardeau to Spaniards, rise sixty feet Crow Lee’s Ridge still offered firm ground.

Cypress forest truly loved by Cloud Clan. Homesteaders of these middle grounds preferred hard rock raised many feet above swamp level. Preferably one hundred feet of solid rock in foothills west, eastern Ozarks. From cliffs and rises archers protected family, steady fresh water sprang. Oak trees let sun in winters, houses stood strong. Fire pits held coals ready. Ozarks of Arkansas and Old Crow Lee's Ridge old settler homes. The Holy Bible often invoked to justify building in foothills. Building on rock as opposed to sand.

          Mink coats draped Water Spider and Blue Sky. Mink oil in thin clay vat  applied to moccasins. Hightop deerskin boots kept feet dry. Leather fringed held use and meaning. Osprey and swan feathers decorate staffs and bags. Blankets of beaver and raccoon sported ringed tails or goose down lining. Dry storage held indigo and cat brier, ginseng and gypsum. Baskets dried squash or gourds. Canoes pulled on to racks upside down, becoming effective shelters.

          Mid day lifted mists slowly. Gray Cloud and Grandmother stirred, she kindling fire to brew coffee, he stretching and smoking at water’s edge. Red Cloud had a gift for them late that dim day near Chalk Bluffs. Red Cloud produced long haired dog. Smallish animal with long curly ears and calm demeanor. “This creature will watch guard you. You cannot sneak up on him. And he will leap to retrieve game or birds. He can swim for three or four days.

          He has been our good companion as I trained him these many moons. But you go to the hills, where Osage warriors shoot incredible bows. You will need the dog.” Gray Cloud took the animal into his boat, smiling in reply, “if you go back to Kentucky you might have the dog watch out for cutthroats.” “Aye, good Gray Cloud, but I will not stray to Paducah’s or the Wicked Cliffs of Kentucky, Obion's River is my master and destination, to live my days lifting Cherokee children and teaching them to avoid Chickasaw.  You fare well brother. And Grandmother Cloud,” Red Cloud said to Water Spider, “I know that you are well.” 

          Red Cloud joked with Downy Day and Rocky Island, “what I could do with a crew such as yours.” Gray Cloud joked back, “they are great help when not asleep.” “Remember,” said Red Cloud sternly, white man temptation may be encountered at any time. Europeans can be dark Gauls. Do not take drinking spirits. Do not take blankets. Osage ride western plains on horse back, but lost  ways of big water. The Spaniard DuValiet says Mammoth Spring lies exactly on the line number 36 30. Our poplar canoes will beat their birch on big water. The Spanish are granting us land south of the 36 30 line. We have official charters of province.”

          Red Cloud accepted sponges. “Delaware are going into the sun also. A few English hidden among these families come voluntarily, homestead along the line.” Grandmother nodded in remembrance. Gray Cloud contemplated, nodding, “we measured the journey seventy knots...” “Yes,” said Red Cloud, “and that is how far to Forty Islands. You are swift, currents are not bad, tide with you, I have marked trail through cypress points with bent sycamore for you to chase the sun.” “Come then,” said Gray Cloud, “make to the mountains with us.” Red Cloud looked to the rising moon. “Heading east does not come natural to me. This European trickery and sickness consuming does not bid my ease. Only on Saint Francis does a Cherokee know peace. Crow Lee's Ridge. Try to make Abode-in-the-woods tonight. Then you will be fresh from a day with Raven’s honey, moon will be high at Laughing Place.

          I must be a messenger for our kindred tribe and clans. This time is strange, this new madness for finery. Armies of black slaves grow cotton while valleys of wild hemp wave unattended, unnoticed, unused but for throngs of geese feasting on seed.” Gray Cloud concurred, “linens and silkies are fine for privacy, but lust for too much can consume an easy mind.” “Europeans in cities are weak of flesh, not steady. But soon I will join you. Rains dampen many fires, English and the colonies fight for our land as if we do not exist. Kentucky names a new post Lexington in honor.  Cherokee helps the English, helps Virginians, false flags of English and Virginians are burning Cherokee towns. Beloved Sitka smolders. Wataugua is murderous. Soon strife will upset the tribal coal pot. We will need fire brought from the Burning Land.” “From the sun.” said Gray Cloud, "you will b known as Obion LIfter, Brother Cloud, a life helping avoid Chickasaw is well spent."

    Downy Day and Rocky Island transferred burlap bags of fine white clay to Red Cloud's canoe. He would lake them to a portage at the headwaters of the Obion River, a short pack with a mule would carry the clay to the Tennessee River at the Duck. Trusted elder traders, Keetoowahs with long standing  bond protected passage or transferred packages. Far upstream on the Duck or Buffalo potters took the raw material, or trusted agents sold the rare clay to English speculators. War made journeys and transfers risky, as prices rose signs of demand waned. Cherokee had taught the English many secrets long ago.  For now if the clay moved from Crow Lee's Ridge to the upper Tennessee a market and profit still waited.

          Open water only slightly altered by juts of cypress forest gave paddlers ample test of pure endurance. Grandmother and Blue Sky kept sponges and bail gourds wringing and tossing. Paddles flashed, main current sensed in standwater swamp. Black River swirled beneath, dragging off course, tacking and angling for points kept path. Cherokee crossed another huge bay. Black Rock sighted, tiny fire signaled. Late dark, quick break, paddlers ache. Abode-in-the-Woods welcome hot fire. Roast pork and turkey, last season turnips and corn. Raven sweet hostess dangled bangles and played guitar in oak lodge. She danced before Gray Cloud, tugged him away to the kitchen. “Red Cloud told me to give you something.” She flipped a cover from a square box. “This is the old coal box with triple walls from Cedar Mountain, it will keep a pine knot or walnut log smoldering two days. If you could not transfer fire at Pine Knot then you would need to bear for Obion's River over night.” “Yes Chickasaws are vigilant. We do not cross Goose Lake in daytime.”

    Gray Cloud must contemplate his array of duty. May be another bribe to the Osage or Spanish "Governor" in Mammoth Spring; another east of Devils Backbone; doubling the tariff, doubling toil, doubling tension...

          Secure day meant no need to rely on the dog sounding alarm if boats disturbed. Dogs quiet, random barks might bring notice, pack of hounds stray too near Osage patrols. Any dogs here disciplined.

   Grandmother Water Spider laughed with Raven. Blue Sky laughed quietly stitching or sealing, finishing and individualizing various garments or gear. Guitar and dancing welcome, water spider clan family rested.

          Mid day sun came early, Grandmother groaned. Blue Sky helped her begin puttering, Gray Cloud noted with worry Grandmothers frail state. Puttering about hidden landing bright day, deals or plans struck, sun headed along ridges, angling to tree lines.

          Rocky Island and Downy Day did little packing, waiting to attack water, only a few hours to The Laughing Place.

Slowly currents narrowed, dragging slower. No problem for this clan, slicing surface current to  find back current, wind, or dead water. Still narrows and clear water currents began to slow progress. Rocky Island leaped with a chord to an island, waded to pull loaded boat over rapids.

           Again long lake faced, other lakes lay flat, pressed into green hills of cedar and oak. Forced north a while, worry hit first timers in the group, thoughts of wrong turn too far north across the white man’s line or too deep into Osage land… Course turned back into evening star. Little lakes and backwaters curved into mountains reaching hundreds of feet. Not as big as the Appalachians even Blue Sky knew, but for sure mountains sprawling away from juts and steep shore. Last legs into deep twilight, Gray Cloud trusted mission, into the sun…Into the sun…Into the sun…

          Roaring white water in box inlet supported assortment of water and cloud folks. Grandmother escorted to chief tables. Turkey traders strolled fringes. Duck clan busied a side waterfall. Grandmother Water Spider spoke at Duck table some time. Moods light, smiles big, teepee villages sat in gravel clearings, cabins quietly taking form upslope. Metal screws and woven slats made for quiet construction. Hidden camp fires smoldered.

          Gray Cloud tended boats, Tiny Scot rode tiny pony pulling canoes up slope all day, Big Otter Lifter tugged canoes long hours.  Hidden racks held canoes inverted, a few skins or hemp tarp and adequate day shelter shaded relaxing clan. Furs dried on big racks, skins tanned, etchers chipped. Downy Day big young man, animal eyes watched smoking in shade. Rocky Island sat quiet; frowned at bon fire. Gray Cloud spoke quietly, “Duck clan is moving on to Forty Islands soon. Elders in many tribes make camp. We will tend small fires, we will not tempt Osage brothers.”

          Blue Sky beaded late nights. Skilled beyond her six winters, she finished moccasins and apparel with artistic vision. Tiny water spider symbols decorated and identified. Gray cloud watched in love, walking to her touched her head softly in affection.

          Swimmers laughed softly and splashed amid roaring water at falls base. Canoes slogged about, Gray cloud directed younger Duck Clan members ready boats in case of surprise. Small sentry signals smoked distant points. Inland rowdy teepee villages gamed and contested. Old pony stood quiet. Dogs trotted. Wolf Clan members carried struggling pigs. Deer could be gotten for duck. Elk or Buffalo for Paddlefish. Sponge or pearl or chalk got bullet or salt, bear oil, hickory nuts, or mushroom…

          Tree frog chorus quite spectacular. Whoops grew infrequent, candles hushed.

     Pigeons might dim the day. Geese and parakeets might darken  entire districts.

     Gray Cloud visited fishers late, helped clean catches, learned of trends speaking. Cottonmouth water moccasin swam slowly through. “Mussel shells are big for buttons if you need barter.” Gray Cloud countered grimacing, “only if we are starving, and then we will cook pearl mussels. Downy Day was born during feast of Tishomingo. So many thousand geese slaughtered and paddlefish catch great. We had native gin, plenty of gluttony, exotic dancers in grass skirts. We were friends with Chickasaw then.”

          Torchlight waterfalls twinkling, breezes shifted constant roar. Mists built and twisted, cold fog cooled tipi, lodge, arbor and shelter. Scattered about strewn boulders various groups played music, acted out stories, bartered details, or helped one another in craft. Tanners compared notes, skinners and smokers compared technique. Stitchers compared needles and thimbles from New York.

          Some tanners Delaware, some skinners Choctaw, Shawnee trappers and Cherokee hunters, feathers and paint on shields and chest pieces signaled tribe, clan, family or trade. Flat grinding stations held trade for vermillion, acorn and corn, buffalo skins showed elaborate pictures, stores of white chalk traded for trinket and clay vessels or gourds of red paint held value during war.

          Tishomingo a powerful tribe with Caribbean connections, messengers or scouts displayed shell or bone, dark skin of ancient Moors, jungle and beach elements. European and African slaves escaped found way to Tishomingo. Some known as Mingo. Trade language of Mobile, black warrior tongue. Duck clan much paler, less ranging, very sheltered, isolated in encumbered land. Mulatto’s banned in Carolina came to these swamps.

          Some Delaware wore Mohican style hair of shaved sides, traveled locally by birch, Shawnee accompanied most times. Eighty years now Shawnee and ninety years Delaware moved into sun from Ohio river. North Michimaugas manned parapets and lookouts. South Wickliffe gamboled and tempted. Vast water bound swamp Goose Lake allowed boat travel indefinite. Into sun water spiders danced.

          With telescope Chalk Bluff could watch mirrors signal intent or query from Illini territory. Smoke signals too. Burning land west dry, fire sweeping foothills of high land straight west. Barter low key, one signal fire, limited communication… One messenger a week in recent times, increasing lately. Though Laughing Place seemed crowded, really only one hundred tinkered and camped. Many hundred Cherokee inside the backbone. Little dent in ample otter or raccoon populations noticed. Sacred Beaver harvested carefully.

          Midmorning sun brought excited rumble from lookouts. Five Osages approached in shaggy sided birch bark canoe. Sheathed bows visible, the men made no move to draw.  Cherokees arrayed on cliffs trained arrows, rifles and crossbows. Boaters moved slowly and smooth up canyon, squeezing between tree and rock as the valley narrowed, resting in calm exaltation at base of Falling Water. Gray Cloud stood by the water spider stone above, starting down trail toward them.

          A series of white rock steps and platforms, Gray cloud paused at a few to collect tokens of gift or barter offered from small trader station. He stood before the men, who stood at landing stretching. No smiles in tense atmosphere, all within view held expressionless and serious. “I am Gray Cloud of the Duck River Bird  Clan of Tennessee.”

          “I am Little Wahpeton of the Osage. As Governor of Forty Islands Valley and all of the Southfork I come to warn you that I must report your presence to my tribal elders.” Gray Cloud considered quickly, “we come to the conference of forty tribes for peace.” Little Wahpeton nodded grimly, “I believe so, as did my father Old Wahpeton. Conference at Raccoon Springs on the moon. I must attend council in greater Osage hall this moon. I will be sometime in my report, we have battles of Misery. We need horses, tending prairie and buffalo. We do not wish war on Highland. You must be respectful, and we will not bring the nation down.”

          He presented Gray Cloud with long knife of peculiar fashion. “The stray angels, the Spanish, will not return.” Thomas Skinner, a Delaware, spoke from the perimeter, “The red coats and pilgrims come ashore every day, many thousand, every day.” Gray Cloud gave Little Wahpeton some fine ocean sponges and a smooth decorated bag of round throwing stones. “Tarry but an hour and we will feed you well.” Little Wahpeton slouched to a bench in relief, “yes.”

          Fine meal of wild turkey and catfish spread on flat rocks, Blue Sky served Osages with fair skinned smile. “We have Celtic blood among us for many centuries.” Little Wahpeton nodded slowly, “as the Mandan at Duluth.” Little Wahpeton admired workings of the camp, magnificent water fall tumbling and meandering, trickling side excursions, dripping around tiny cataracts and isolated beaver dams, mists cooled warm day. Cane ducts piped water out to camps fanned about hillsides. “Maybe some day I show you the Black Hills.” Wahpeton grinned wild eyed, “Sturgis.

          We can have games. Ball games. Games of skill and luck as olden times before blanket fever. Games of distance and accuracy.” Gray Cloud smiled, “Osage bowmen always shoot farther, why is that? Might I attain one of them there bows?” Wahpeton slightly defensive smiled, “you may have the Spanish long knife.”  Gray Cloud drew the sword and brandished to unseen foe, slowly tracing attack moves in air. “Cottonmouth,” he said slicing the head from an imaginary snake. “A well balanced instrument,” he announced, “I may take to carrying it.”

          Thomas Skinner wore hat of three corners as ship captains. He offered decorated smoking pipe to Little Wahpeton, then tiny torch to light the bowl; Little Wahpeton drew ample hit, paused a moment,  passed among his men. Thus peace pipe passed.

          “Yonder sun shows catfish jumping.” Gray Cloud passed observance to group of smokers. Indeed whiskered fish leapt in flopping rainbows. Several boats afloat found four pounders thrashing about midstern.

          “Masons,” Little Wahpeton and men agreed, “Masons signal something disastrous. They care not for sister river.” Gray Cloud took realization tensely, longed to relax, just enjoy, exalt, free from distrust. He also dislike certain aspects of progress, but many Cherokee fostered secret guilds with agendas. Cattle. Slaves. Multiple wives. Clan revenge. Gray Cloud as a "Chief" struggled with responsibility. Fouling rivers or creeks violated primary taboo and enforcement considered a priority.

          Elders spoke to attentive young braves. Distant memory did not come easy for these masters. Long had the forest burned. Turkish apple grovers moved in after biggest burns, some say islands in the Mediterranean Sea  conspired to exploit orchard locations. Apple wood was nice for repairing cedar and oak oceanic vessels. Good for teeth too, Gray cloud reminded group. He then asked Osages point blank: “Do you know of the hedgeapple?”

          “Do not eat hedgeapple. There is no use for the fruit or the plant.” “Is it not true, that your folk have planted the tree as a security fence for thousands of moons?” Wahpeton nodded slightly sheepish, Gray Cloud continued, “isn’t it true your bows are made from the useless green hedgeapple, the bo dark tree? Your powerful bows that shoot arrows much farther than any Shawnee or Cherokee, any Englishmen or Spaniard.” Wahpeton pulled out on journey back. Stricken by Gray Cloud’s words, he reached beside and brought his bow across the boat, then shoved the bundle to toss it over to Gray Cloud. The Osage moved out.

          Beaver sacred, tribal law forbade taking the animal. Bear, panther, wolf and bobcat favorites of tribal elders and Frenchmen, beaver harassed only in deepest winter famine. Beaver made smooth travel possible in rocky canyons, stretching waters. Sloped stick dams easily pulled up for crew paddling canoes or rowing skiffs. At water spider stone beavers trotted brisk. Fat ones sunned on gravel bars. Mink and otter not regarded protection less likely out in daylight. Panthers pretty prize if killing clean. Possum for special garment, raccoon for every day wear. Russians and New Yorkers favored beaver fashions, Cherokee kept the animal in reserve.

          Shield covers took meaning daily. Panels displayed at rock stations, various duck, eagle, hawk or owl feathers; goose, raven and thrush. Fur tails hung slightly rocking in breezes. Gut strung angular over racks, drying to various degrees for differing uses: binding, fishing, clothing seams, and dream catchers....

          Intertribal women and girls brought cloth scraps gathered many days for communal quilting. Quilts hung at greeting docks, used on rainy days to warm shivering boaters. Tiny clues to origins of folks found by examination. Delaware signs in bits of Swedish, Dutch, Netherlands or British flag or color. Cherokee contributed beading, particular quilts sprinkled with beaded water spider and heron/thunderbirds. Shawnee tied with early Celtic masons tossed plaid kilt material into mix. Bits of flannel, soft leather corners represented clan or tribe, combinations of some trades and guild. White splotches, old flags of peace formed pale backing.

          Mats of willow rush used much hemp thread. Rolls of matting quickly spread for sitting at day camp or moved for sleeping. Shield banners and door hangings took shape on spare mats, hung for display or manipulation. Cane mats covered in woven hairs of buffalo and possum strips backed beaded water spider symbols. Techniques for weaving and beading bandied about, giggles carried over gurgling waterfalls. Weaving bees, braiding bees, craft bees of all kinds advanced technique and professional standards.

          No alcohol immersed young crafters or deflected evening task. All tribes had story of failure when alcohol involved. Outworking English guns and strange regimental war fare was key. Civilized tribes must band together, Sioux, Lakota, Apache, Comanche; Cree…Huron had fought Shawnee when the first white traders came into Ohio, Delaware fought Dutch and English in early battles. Cherokee adopted many ways of France and England, long had Irish ways affected them; Scots indeed, even Turks and Persians had visited inland estuary’s of what became named Carolina. Hebrew similarities hinted at ancient connection.

          Dogs alert nights, sleeping while ears listened and nose sifted. Gray Cloud prepared long hours. Mink trapping consumed scouts and hunters, Gray Cloud proficient catching mature minks, return on oil and fur great. Fine coats crafted for use and barter, fine leathers coated, soaked in weatherproofing oil. Craftsmen slept deep; midnight oil blown dark.

          Fishers checked lines. Catfish many colors and shape flopped strung.  Gray Cloud slept well a few hours, eggs and catfish near dawn. Tame prairie chickens and laying turkeys slaughtered in arcane manner back woods. Night shift skinners and cook preps did noisy work at inland lodge, bright coal fire in center lit and heated projects. Amber oil jars or steaming clay pots shone wetly. Downy hue as fine feathers floated from turkey pen. Pig squealed quickly once, dead. Maintenance crews consisting of one member of each tribe camped; organized breakfast. Most would not have to cook, relieved of duty at daylight. Cooks took over at day break, changeover quiet and gradual, smooth and patient. Grandmother rose a full hour before gray morning, she prayed and contemplated by bubbly brook, taking craft project up to add expertise. She finished bead pattern started last evening by Blue Sky. She resealed moccasins with mink oil. She kept quilt work in progress. Always a good bundle of willow or cane sticks, or cedar, fine poles could be used for mats, arrows,  weapons, or rack poles for food, skin, gut or fur... Culls for kindling...

          Gray Cloud took the Osage bow to woods to test in private. Excellent shot with traditional Cherokee bow of hickory or similar wood, he found more range. Only accurate in hunt or war setting forty men’s steps before, the Osage bow gave another twenty steps at least, as much almost as the pre tensioned crossbow so difficult to make. Wahpeton knew that if pale faces with killing thunder guns did come, all tribes west of the Mississippi must unite with mighty bows. One nation forming.

          Thomas Skinner fumed. “The whites have greed. At first it is all about freedom of religion, until that religion is Delaware. The redcoats are pathetic in battle even with many hundred thunder sticks. But colonists are pushing us, traders get our sentries drunk, mockery is made of our dress, hatred of our race.” Gray Cloud concurred, “yes; Cherokees traded gypsy sailors for flannel and trinkets and whiskey and blankets. Now we are dispersed and regrouping here in Ozarks.”

          Shawnee men listened from breakfast tables, Chickasaw diplomat contemplated.  Gray Cloud announced to scattered groupings about water falls, “we have been discovered by the Osage, so we do not need to dampen fires today. We must contract with Poplar Bluff tomorrow. Many of us need to make for Wickliffe and Copper Mountain. Braggarts about the midnight fire will speak in soft voice. Choctaw will come. Catfish and turkey will be farmed. My grandmother is frail, my little girl vulnerable. I will not travel to Lake Thunderbird. I will hold court here at Laughing Place. We will stand early and often, there will be no juniper spirits, no rotted fruit wine, no unholy ale. No rum will curse our bows,  Apache tequila will never find Hidden Valley.”

          Thomas Skinner fumed. “They will cut the forests. They will drain the swamp for travel by oxen over dusty rough trail.” Gray Cloud shook negative, “these idiots hold women in bondage. They enslave blacks and Cherokee. One man as king claims dominion over the entire world.” Thomas Skinner held Osage bow with awe, “it took ten times our number, ten Englishmen to one Delaware, ten Swedes, Englishmen with mighty muskets us with hickory bows or stone axe and spears. We understood how to defeat guns, but decimated by disease weak in number. We fled into the sun.”

          Copperhead was a war-like Shawnee. All knew his attitude at council; he scowled or grimaced, ready to kill whites. White men had sacked his village as a boy. White men would pay soon. Ready to battle, patient for the cause, Copperhead spoke with guttural preponderance, “I have seen barn dances, pantaloons showing proudly, while naked drunken native whores shimmied in trance. We make a nation now, Osage will join us. We will stop whoring of souls, adopt some government ideas from pandering pollsters, keep our ethics and culture, hold whites at bay. Unity now, peace through strength. We have been pushed west, all of us, losing family and friends to white man’s diseases, white man’s muskets, white man’s forked treaties, now we are backed to the wall. Arkansas is where we fight to the death.

          If we can hold all west of the Mississippi, as the white’s claim is our right, then when that treaty is breeched and they begin to lust for Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, we will be one tribe. We will cut what trees as we see fit, and float them where we want them.” Gray Cloud thought a moment. “We must go north to the Missouri and Winnebago, we must reconcile and bring peace. We must go west, and warn the Kiowa, Apache, Comanche, Zuni, Pueblo, and others.

          Grandmother held the dog close, attuned to changes in breathing, eyes pointing to origins of scents or sounds undetected by humans. The animal took to her,  striding and meetings of Gray Cloud stressful, the dog preferred Grandmother’s putterings. Grandmother Water Spider among the nations knew great respect. She had warned Copperhead’s Shawnee clans of white man’s forked tongues. In Kentucky a great treaty struck, alcohol for treating infection helped Cherokees greatly, but cease fire and trade treaty resulted in carts of whiskey. The alcohol much needed in hospital and home became vile weakness, false revelers replaced traditional ceremony...

          Copperhead spoke loud and much in council. He professed blinding hatred of the English, knew if all tribes banded together here in Osage country, organization would repel any Spanish, French, or English invasion. Muskogees and Seminoles must come up from Florida and Alabama, The Missouri must ally with Osage and allow refugees from east of the Mississippi. Huron and Michimauga, Illini and Winnebago, Sioux…

          Michamaugas came in large touring canoes accompanied by kayaks. They kept wolfish husky dogs, stores of corn and wheat.  Kayaks held furs dry packed, sleek skins of strange lake creature stretched taught over willow frames, one paddler held great speed and mobility. Michamauga contingent moved easily through chains of lakes.  Central canoe heavily guarded and fortified at dock torchlit. Gray Cloud offered gifts of quilts. Michamauga leader Ditka a tense man, air of mutual trust kept he and warlike Shawnee at bay.  Ditka showed Gray Cloud a stack of copper plates, thick bars in shape similar stretched ox hide. “This copper is of the purest. The fortune represented in this stack of ingots could be quite immense on a world wide scale. I propose we use this source of wealth as a persuader for the Osage.”

more                 WORD