What do you wager?"
James waited for a long moment, wanting to drag out his response and heighten the tension. The Cherokee were engrossed in betting and often lost all they owned, even parts of their body such as a nose, or ear, or even a finger…and sometimes their lives. The thought echoed in his mind.
Strangely enough, the only thing they would not wager was the carefully beaded cloth about their waist. He couldn't fathom why. No one could possibly make the mistake of thinking a warrior modest.
In the long, drawn-out silence, only the loud smacking and sucking noises Thomas made over a rack of venison ribs could be heard.
"The boy ain't got nothin" ta bet." Thomas offered into the silence as he paused to study his rack of ribs for any part of greasy meat that might still cling to the smooth bones.
"Why, he's as poor as a church mouse!" He sucked his few remaining teeth noisily and then opened his mouth to let a low, rolling belch erupt from between his greasy lips.
James pressed his lips tighter to prevent a grin. No doubt Thomas would want something in exchange for that bit of help.
Thomas’ remark would help to convince Silent Deer of his own attachment to the rifle he intended to wager.
His premature thoughts of reluctant praise however, were cut short with Thomas’ next words.
"Tha only thing he has of value is that crazy horse of his."
James slowly turned his head to look at Thomas who winked in response and chuckled with genuine glee before poking another greasy finger into his mouth and noisily sucking it clean.
James controlled his features and consoled himself with the thought that any other man would have had both hands placed securely about the old fool's neck by now.
Silent Deer allowed a small smile to twitch at the corner of his mouth. "You will lay down horse." This he said with a great deal of smugness.
James mentally counted to ten in every language he knew.
Deer sat very still, not moving a muscle. "You will lay down horse or you prove nothing," Silent Deer spat. "You are soft like a woman. I have heard stories of your softness," he sneered with disgust.
James glanced at Thomas again and raised a questioning brow. At least Thomas had the good grace to look away.
Silent Deer pulled James' attention back to himself. "If you are too afraid to make a good bet then you should not be in the game."
This was now serious business. All eyes were on James. The air cracked with tension as the logs sizzled in the fire between them.
"What do you put down?" James asked Silent Deer.
Silent Deer pulled a knife from its leather sheath at his waist and laid it before the fire. The handle was intricately carved from a deer horn. It looked more ceremonial than useful.
James looked from the knife to Silent Deer. A slow cocky smile split his face and Thomas groaned.
"You are afraid, Silent Deer," James announced smugly.
Silent Deer's expression didn't falter.
James pressed on, "If you were so sure of my softness you would not be afraid to lay more by the fire. You will lay down your fire-stick as well."
Silent Deer squinted his eyes as he studied the strange white man and then quickly turned his gaze away.
"I cannot lay down fire-stick. It is too valuable to me," he intoned seriously.
James gritted his teeth ever so slightly, "Then you admit that you are afraid." He intentionally drew out his next words, "You are afraid you have misjudged me. You are afraid I will take your knife and your gun and ride away on my horse. If you do not lay down your knife and your gun too, everyone will know you are afraid of a white man."
Silent Deer rose angrily to his feet as he swung his rifle from over his shoulder. He held out the long flintlock with both hands.
James also rose to his feet.
Silent Deer spoke loudly, "If you are carried from the field by the women before the twentieth ball, your horse will be mine!"
James' face held no expression as he answered, "If you are carried by the women from the field
James waited for a long moment, wanting to drag out his response and heighten the tension. The Cherokee were engrossed in betting and often lost all they owned, even parts of their body such as a nose, or ear, or even a finger…and sometimes their lives. The thought echoed in his mind.
Strangely enough, the only thing they would not wager was the carefully beaded cloth about their waist. He couldn't fathom why. No one could possibly make the mistake of thinking a warrior modest.
In the long, drawn-out silence, only the loud smacking and sucking noises Thomas made over a rack of venison ribs could be heard.
"The boy ain't got nothin" ta bet." Thomas offered into the silence as he paused to study his rack of ribs for any part of greasy meat that might still cling to the smooth bones.
"Why, he's as poor as a church mouse!" He sucked his few remaining teeth noisily and then opened his mouth to let a low, rolling belch erupt from between his greasy lips.
James pressed his lips tighter to prevent a grin. No doubt Thomas would want something in exchange for that bit of help.
Thomas’ remark would help to convince Silent Deer of his own attachment to the rifle he intended to wager.
His premature thoughts of reluctant praise however, were cut short with Thomas’ next words.
"Tha only thing he has of value is that crazy horse of his."
James slowly turned his head to look at Thomas who winked in response and chuckled with genuine glee before poking another greasy finger into his mouth and noisily sucking it clean.
James controlled his features and consoled himself with the thought that any other man would have had both hands placed securely about the old fool's neck by now.
Silent Deer allowed a small smile to twitch at the corner of his mouth. "You will lay down horse." This he said with a great deal of smugness.
James mentally counted to ten in every language he knew.
Deer sat very still, not moving a muscle. "You will lay down horse or you prove nothing," Silent Deer spat. "You are soft like a woman. I have heard stories of your softness," he sneered with disgust.
James glanced at Thomas again and raised a questioning brow. At least Thomas had the good grace to look away.
Silent Deer pulled James' attention back to himself. "If you are too afraid to make a good bet then you should not be in the game."
This was now serious business. All eyes were on James. The air cracked with tension as the logs sizzled in the fire between them.
"What do you put down?" James asked Silent Deer.
Silent Deer pulled a knife from its leather sheath at his waist and laid it before the fire. The handle was intricately carved from a deer horn. It looked more ceremonial than useful.
James looked from the knife to Silent Deer. A slow cocky smile split his face and Thomas groaned.
"You are afraid, Silent Deer," James announced smugly.
Silent Deer's expression didn't falter.
James pressed on, "If you were so sure of my softness you would not be afraid to lay more by the fire. You will lay down your fire-stick as well."
Silent Deer squinted his eyes as he studied the strange white man and then quickly turned his gaze away.
"I cannot lay down fire-stick. It is too valuable to me," he intoned seriously.
James gritted his teeth ever so slightly, "Then you admit that you are afraid." He intentionally drew out his next words, "You are afraid you have misjudged me. You are afraid I will take your knife and your gun and ride away on my horse. If you do not lay down your knife and your gun too, everyone will know you are afraid of a white man."
Silent Deer rose angrily to his feet as he swung his rifle from over his shoulder. He held out the long flintlock with both hands.
James also rose to his feet.
Silent Deer spoke loudly, "If you are carried from the field by the women before the twentieth ball, your horse will be mine!"
James' face held no expression as he answered, "If you are carried by the women from the field
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