Candace McCarthy Read Online Free PDF

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    Joanna made an effort to put aside her resentment toward Mary for the first evening of her brief return visit to Lenape life.

Chapter 3
    “This is where we’ll be staying?” Cara appeared upset. “It’s nothing more than a primitive hut!”
    “Actually, Cara,” Harry replied, “I imagine we’ll be quite happy here.”
    “I’ve slept on a Lenape sleeping pallet.” Joanna wandered about the wigwam, noting things that seemed familiar to her. “I’ve found it comfortable.”
    There were different structures that served as lodges or wigwams within the village. Some were long rectangular buildings with curved roofs. Intermingled with these larger wigwams were dome-shaped huts with just enough room for a single person or small family. All were made from sticks and birch-bark. Joanna and her servants had been given one of the small huts. Studying its interior, Joanna felt the wigwam would do nicely.
    The wigwam held many provisions, no doubt left by Red Dress, the absent matron who owned the lodge. Dried corn known as Xus’kwim with its husks braided to form clusters hung from the roof rafters. Sacks of grain. dried beans, and dried berries lay against one wall near Lenape-fashioned pots, dishes, and cooking utensils. There was also dried meat. Joanna recognized a cloth bag as a container for bear grease, an ointment used by the Indians for many purposes. She saw an axe with a stone head and a birch-bark box filled with tree-sugar. The sleeping pallets were rush mats on the dirt floor, covered with deer skins and beaver pelts.
    Joanna glanced at her servants and frowned. Back in England, it would be shocking for two unmarried women to share a room with an unattached man. She felt that the unusual circumstance of staying in an Indian village in the Pennsylvania wilderness was enough of an exception to forget society’s standards.
    Besides, she thought, who else other, than the Indians and us will know or care?
    “Harry, perhaps it is unseemly for you to share our wigwam,” Joanna said, “but under the circumstances, I feel it would be best for Cara and me that you remain here.” Her gaze went to her maid. “Is that all right with you; Cara?” She smiled at her servants. “You mustn’t think that I feel we are unsafe here. The Lenape are a peaceful people. They will not harm you. But I think that you will both feel more at ease in a wigwam of our own.”
    The young woman nodded, looking relieved. “How long will we stay?”
    Joanna became thoughtful. “A month . . . a few weeks at least.”
    “A month!” Cara breathed. She looked horrified. “Whatever you wish,” she whispered uneasily.
    “Life here isn’t so terrible,” Joanna told her. “Given time, you’ll enjoy it, I think.”
    “If you say so, Miss.” Cara appeared unconvinced.
     
     
    Later that evening, Joanna once again headed toward Wild Squirrel’s wigwam. As she walked across the village yard, she fervently prayed that the brave Fireheart would be nowhere in sight. The warrior’s behavior toward her earlier had upset her. Why had the man been so hostile to her?
    She didn’t know him, and he certainly didn’t know her! The memory of his glaring dark gaze made her shiver. She didn’t deserve such treatment! She had come to see Wild Squirrel because she was concerned for the sachem ’s well-being. What right did Fireheart have to forbid her to see him?
    Mary did not have to translate her conversation with Fireheart for Joanna to understand what had been said. Fireheart’s expression and gestures had spoken volumes.
    Joanna paused outside the sachem’s wigwam before entering. Drawing a deep breath, she firmed her resolve to visit Wild Squirrel, despite the possibility of Fireheart’s presence.
    The fire in the center pit had been stoked to a hearty flame. Joanna looked quickly about the wigwam, relieved to see no sign of Fireheart. Her gaze went to Wild Squirrel on his sleeping platform. Beside him, Raven Wing stood with his