The First Crossing of America

The current of the river was not strong which made rowing easy. They only traveled until noon then pulled into a cove to eat and rest. Very little conversation was made. Everyone pondered their new circumstance as their future was unknown and this worried them all. The water had not penetrated the land this far inland so Charles said, “We need meat so I am going hunting.” John said, “I’ll go with you to help tote the meat should you kill something.” He then explained to the Indian women where and why they were leaving. Everywhere John went Cheryl went also, so the three of them left. After they left the women made camp, gathered wood and constructed wood racks to dry the meat. They did every chore silently. When the chores were completed they started a fire and sat around it. The youngest of the Indian women, called Tiranita, asked Shanaka, “Who will be our new husbands?” Each of the women had been married with children, but now were alone in a new world to them and they were all apprehensive about where they were going and what would happen to them. Now the traditions of the tribe had been that every woman after the age of seventeen must be wed. They could marry before that age, but after that age they must be with a man. If a husband died the woman would become the wife of his brother if he had any. If not she could take whom she wanted if the man agreed. If no one wanted the woman the chief would appoint someone. As there were many plural marriages within the tribe Shanaka thought for awhile and then answered, “This can only be answered when all of us are together. There are only three men, but seven women. The smaller of the white men is not seventeen yet, so that leaves only the larger man and me.“ Shanaka said this to not only protect John, but his dear Cheralanlika. He continued by saying, “ The white people of our new tribe do not share our traditions. We must let them speak. I am not the chief. This matter must also be thought upon. As it will be a few days before we reach our new home, I would ask you to ponder these questions in your hearts. We are starting a new tribe and must establish new traditions. We want to be strong and that will mean we will need many babies to make us strong again. The white men have a different religion which we do not understand. I have found the younger one a wise man. He has knowledge far beyond his years. The older man has knowledge of hunting, planting and building. I have been an elder for many years, but this does not mean I should be your chief. We must all pick a person who can make wise decisions and lead the tribe the best. I do not know if I am the best man for this. We must ask the Great Spirit and He will choose.