A Calculus of Angels by J. Gregory Keyes

or the color of the sky—only when insult was intended or a lie was suspected, or before a fight to the death. For the white people, each exchange of pleasantries seemed a contest that must produce a winner and a loser.
    But Red Shoes had grown accustomed to that peculiarity, and this was not what disturbed him about Mather.
    “I’ve asked you here to speak on certain matters,” the preacher said after a time.
    “I guessed as much.”
    “It concerns this ‘science’ you speak of, by which your people might know your fate. Did you speak truly, or was that a tactic to protect your person? If it was the latter, I assure you no such pretense is needed.”

    A CALCULUS OF ANGELS
    “It was the truth.”
    “Might I inquire how this ‘science’ operates?”
    “You might,” Red Shoes answered, “but I cannot answer.”
    The wrinkles about Mather’s eyes tightened. “I wonder if you can tell me if it involves the invisible world.”
    Red Shoes did meet Mather’s gaze then. “You must explain what you mean by that.”
    “The invisible world. The miles of dark air, the evil angels which dwell therein, the angels of light, so distant from us.”
    Red Shoes could feel the man’s eyes, measuring him. “Go on,” he said.
    “My father and I have long ministered to your people—”
    “You have been among the Choctaw?”
    “I mean among the Indians native to Massachusetts.”
    “Ah. Then you do not mean my people.”
    Mather frowned. “I shall not quibble with you, sir. Hereabouts, many of the natives have been brought to see the clear light, to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their savior, and to forswear their ancient, evil ways. Many of them admit to me that their powawes make use of the invisible world against their enemies.
    To be plain, they have summoned unclean spirits, evil angels, to do their bidding.”
    Red Shoes pursed his lips. “You speak of Hattak Hohl-kunna. Of—” He struggled for an English word, “—witches.”
    Mather raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Every folk has them. Even in my own country, in Massachusetts, a conspiracy of devils threatened the domain of our Lord. So I do not say that I single your folk out. But you do admit that such evil persons A CALCULUS OF ANGELS
    exist.”
    “Of course.”
    “And what is your opinion of such persons?”
    “We kill them when they are discovered.”
    “Why?”
    “Because they are our enemies. They are accursed, living only to cause harm.
    Why should we tolerate such as they?”
    “Why indeed?” Mather pressed. “And yet, you admit to not being a Christian.”
    “I am not a Christian, it is true.”
    “Then I fail to understand your position.”
    Red Shoes now stared openly at the man. “They bring disease, cause misfortune, murder people, lead us down black trails. We do not care for this.
    What do you not understand?”
    Mather returned his stare. The conversation was clearly not going as the white man had expected.
    “And yet you yourself claim to have some commerce with this invisible world.”
    “Do I? I did not say so.”
    “You imply it.”
    “Perhaps. Tell me, Reverend, do not you? Is not your god a part of that world?
    Is he not a holy ghost?”
    Now the preacher’s eyes lit, and a certain satisfaction came to his face.
    “Indeed. I have seen proof of witches—I have performed scientific experiments that confirm their existence and their nature—and I find comfort in A CALCULUS OF ANGELS
    discovering this evil, for it proves to me also that good exists. But what I must make you understand is that as a heathen, you cannot possibly know the difference between a good spirit and a bad. If good angels claim to serve you, then they are liars. They are devils in disguise, for good spirits will not minister to your sort.”
    “My sort?”
    “Have you never wondered how your people came to be here, in this America, so far from the rest of humanity?”
    “I know how we came to be here.”
    “You have legends, I am certain. But how can