Chiefs, head-men and warriors! Will you then, by resistance, compel us to resort to arms? God forbid! Or will you, by flight, seek to hid yourselves in mountains and forests, and thus oblige us to hunt you down? Remember that, in pursuit, it may be impossible to avoid conflicts. The blood of the white man or the blood of the red man may be spilt, and, if spilt, however accidentally, it may be impossible for the discreet and humane among you, or among us, to prevent a general war and carnage. Think of this, my Cherokee brethren! I am an old warrior, and have been present at many a scene of slaughter, but spare me, I beseech you, the horror of witnessing the destruction of the Cherokees.
Do not, I invite you, even wait for the close approach of the troops; but make such preparations for emigration as you can and hasten to this place, to Ross’s Landing or to Gunter’s Landing, where you all will be received in kindness by officers selected for the purpose. You will find food for all and clothing for the destitute at either of those places, and thence at your ease and in comfort be transported to your new homes, according to the terms of the treaty.
This is the address of a warrior to warriors. May his entreaties by kindly received and may the God of both prosper the Americans and Cherokees and preserve them long in peace and friendship with each other!”
Benjamin finished reading and stood silently for a moment before saying, “I believe this to be more of an ultimatum than an appeal. It changes very little. It may encourage a few to report to the forts, but I know many of us, myself included, will remain on our land and continue to hope for justice. More importantly, the arrival of General Scott and his troops will certainly embolden the Georgia militia, and cause them to act with even more aggression.
“I tell you of this danger now because this is your final opportunity to avoid becoming involved in illegal activities. You have said you wanted to offer your help, but you must once again consider the danger you are placing yourselves in. Up to now, you have done nothing illegal, except for being in the Cherokee Nation without a permit, which is usually not enforced except when politically convenient. However, if you attend this meeting you are knowingly violating Georgia law, the penalty for which can be quite extreme. I have given you examples of the actions taken against many of our prominent citizens. Some of them had the resources to fight in the courts; you do not. I do not need to tell you that those who could not afford to defend themselves can expect to suffer the full consequences of the Georgia legal system. Being white will probably not help, and none of you have any way to prove your identities, at least none that the Georgians of this time would recognize. It is imperative that you understand what you face, and do not take your involvement lightly.”
“I appreciate your frankness,” said Adam. “Even though we discussed the severity of the situation before, you have just made it most clear to me that each of us must carefully consider what we are about to do and express any uncertainties now, before we go any further.
“Speaking for myself, I’m prepared to go forward with our plan, regardless of the threat to my own safety. I don’t say this lightly. I know the outcome of these events, at least in my timeline, and my conscience will not allow me to stand by idly while this injustice is occurring. However, I can’t make this decision for everyone. We all have to agree, once again, that this is the best course of action before we proceed.
“Alice, as a woman, the danger to you may be the most significant. I apologize if I am offending you with a sexist attitude, but in this situation I believe it is a true statement. You know enough history of these times to be aware of some of the shameful actions that occurred, including those intended to cause humiliation to women. How do you feel about going on?”
“I’m not offended,” Alice said, “and you just stated one of the most valid reasons that I need to go on. These offenses are not only going to occur to women, but to many people simply because of their race. I’m not sure how much we can change things, if at all, but I’m here, you know, and I have to try.”
“I can concur with that,” said Tom. “I had the most difficult time accepting that we actually traveled to the past, but I have had to face the facts. I said before, the only other choice is that I’m dreaming all this. In that case, it doesn’t matter what I do, I’ll just wake up before anything grave happens to me. Don’t worry; I’m not counting on that. I’m taking this seriously. I’m certainly no hero, and I don’t know for sure how I will react in a life-threatening situation. I’d like to believe that I will respond honorably, having been raised to put others before myself and to always make a stand against injustice when I see it. Well, I see it here, and I am going to make a stand.”
All eyes turned toward Sal, who had been listening quietly to the others.
“Sal,” said Adam, “it has to be unanimous.”
Sal stood looking wide-eyed at each of them, then scowled. “Dude, are you serious?” he said. “When have any of you ever known me to back down from a fight?
“I know you all think I can be self-serving at times, but hey, sometimes you gotta be. But I can recognize injustice and greed when I see it too. You’re right Tom, there’s plenty of it here to see and it pisses me off. You might think it’s out of character for me to give a damn about these folks, but if you do, you really don’t know me very well. I couldn’t stand by and let this go down without trying to do something to help any more than any of you dudes could. Benjamin here is a good friend, seeing how he taught me all that stuff about growin’ peaches and shovelin’ horseshit, and I don’t abandon my friends. Besides, I’ve still got to return the favor by teaching him how to appreciate a good pizza or a cheese steak. Maybe for him it’ll have to be a raccoon cheeseburger or something.
“I was even starting to get to like that crazy ol’ John Squanto, and was kinda looking forward to seeing him again. At least I could rag on him without the nasty comebacks I get from Alice. But to the point, I ain’t sure what I’m in for, but I’m in,” Sal finished with a wink.
Adam turned to Benjamin and said, “I believe you have our decision, Benjamin Rogers. Please proceed to the meeting.”
Chapter twenty-three
Benjamin led the group to a farm about a mile outside of New Echota. The farm was nestled within three foothills, conveniently secluded, making it ideal for their purposes. They followed a winding dirt lane, not to the farmhouse but to a barn; a ramshackle structure that had been built into a cove-like area of one of the surrounding hills. John Carter was standing at the barn door to greet their arrival.
“’Siyo,” John said, giving them the same sort of half-wave that Benjamin greeted him with when he arrived at the farm.
“’Siyo,” they answered, returning the wave.
“It is good to see you again, my friends. Thank you for bringing them, Benjamin. I see you were not able to discourage them from coming. I know Benjamin has done his best to explain the severity of the situation you are putting yourselves in and has made you aware of the potential consequences. Even so, I am grateful that you have decided to be here. I am certain you have not made the decision lightly.”
“They seemed most determined,” said Benjamin, “to become involved in our troubles.” As he spoke he removed two large woven baskets from the wagon. “Catherine insisted I bring along this alisdayvdi for you. She thought you would be too busy to think of providing food.” He handed one of the baskets to Alice to carry, and walked toward the barn door. “Have you been able to share your news with the others?”
“I have, and they received it as expected.” John turned his attention to the food baskets. He smiled as he looked under the cover of the basket Alice was carrying. “Catherine is most intuitive as usual. I have not had much time for eating, so the food is most welcome.”
A young man emerged from the barn behind John. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, with the long, straight hair, dark eyes, and similar Cherokee facial features to John and Benjamin. He was thinner than the other two men, almost skinny. He was a head taller than John, n
early as tall as Adam. His long hair was not rolled into a bun as John’s was, but braided into a ponytail and held in place with a silver clasp. Like John and Benjamin, his clothes were homespun, but well-fitted on his slender frame.
“Osiyo, Jimmy Deerinwater,” said Benjamin. “I did not know you were here. It is good to see you.”
“’Siyo,” the young man answered. “It’s good to see you again, too, Benjamin Rogers.”
“Jimmy has been keeping me company while waiting for you to arrive,” said John. He turned and spoke to the others. “This is Jimmy Deerinwater, everyone. He and his wife Rebecca have a farm not too far from here. Jimmy, these are the people I told you about.”
Jimmy shook hands and greeted each member of the team, smiling and looking each of them in the eye, holding the gaze longer than any of the other Cherokees had. “I’d be most interested in hearing more about the time you came from, and the device that brought you here. It must have been a very traumatic experience for you all, not realizing what had happened,” Jimmy said. His manner of speaking was noticeably different than the older Cherokees, more rapid and modern sounding.
“Traumatic to say the least,” said Adam. “We were only supposed to be testing a navigational device, not a time machine. We were all quite upset, even disbelieving when we first met John Carter.” He glanced at Tom. “I think John and Benjamin’s easy acceptance of time travel helped calm us down a little, but we are still very concerned about how we will be able to return.”
“It’s best you met them before me, then,” said Jimmy. “I would most likely have thought you to be escaped lunatics! I would not have believed it if I hadn’t heard it from John first. The traditional Tsalagi mythologies talk about many incredible things, but they are only myths after all. I am enough of a skeptic to be amazed at your time travel adventure.”
“Jimmy’s farm is most modern,” said Benjamin. “He has a machine to take the seeds from his cotton, a wind-powered water pump, and countless other devices he believes we will all have one day. So far he has not convinced me to adopt any of them, though.” He gave Jimmy a disapproving look.
“You would appreciate the increase in productivity that modern machinery can bring to your farm, Benjamin,” Jimmy said defensively, “if you would just give them a chance.”
“I believe I’ll stick to my old ways for now. It seems to me that you spend more time repairing your machines than you gain in productivity.” That statement brought a look of embarrassment to Jimmy and a chuckle from John Carter.
“You both may be interested to know,” said Adam, “that even in my future the debate about modernization goes on. Most new machines and techniques are met with reluctance, then acceptance when the increase in productivity is proven. But increased productivity isn’t always acknowledged as an improvement. There are many who like to see things done the ‘old-fashioned’ way.”
Jimmy nodded his agreement, which got him a scowl from Benjamin.
“As fascinating as a discussion of farm machinery may be,” said John Carter, “we should probably move our group into the barn. The Georgians would like nothing better than to catch us in an illegal gathering. We have much more pressing issues to discuss, and I for one am anxious to enjoy the wonderful food Catherine has provided,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “One other, Gvnigeyona, will be joining us soon, so we can eat while we are awaiting his arrival.”
“Then you will have to eat very fast,” said a man standing not more than a dozen feet from the group, “because he is already here.”
The old man’s sudden appearance startled everyone; he seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. They quickly turned to face him. His features were as astonishing as his abrupt arrival. The dark brown skin of his deeply wrinkled, leathery face gave him the appearance of being well advanced in years, though his dark, flashing eyes, like shards of polished obsidian, revealed the vigor and liveliness of a much younger man. He was medium height and barrel-chested, with the thick arms, stocky legs, and powerful hands of someone who had been, and still was, a very physically powerful man. He wore buckskin leggings and tunic instead of the cotton clothing, and on his feet were moccasins instead of leather boots. Strands of his long, silver-white hair flowed down his back, hanging below a turban of red and white cloth meticulously swathing the top of his head. Over his shoulder was a longbow and quiver with several arrows.
To the team, his attire was an unexpected combination. His clothing was a blend of traditional Native American garb and a middle-eastern touch added by the turban on his head.
“’Siyo, Gvnigeyona!” said John. “I see you are as stealthy as ever.”
“Osiyo, John Carter,” the old man replied. “Were I not stealthy, I would most likely be in the yonega’s stockade by now. Besides, you were all making enough noise to easily cover the sound of a noisy approaching bear. I have explored the surrounding area and there are no others nearby, but I do not recommend remaining out here in the open.” His look was serious and stern.
“You are right, Yonah,” John agreed. “We will go into the barn now. We were just planning to do so.”
He introduced Gvnigeyona to each of the team as they filed into the barn. Gvnigeyona nodded to each, very briefly making eye contact as Cherokee politeness requires. He kept a serious look upon his face, although a slight flutter of the wrinkles around his eyes indicated some amusement when he heard Sal’s name. John Carter explained that Gvnigeyona meant “black bear” in Cherokee, and he slowly repeated it phonetically as Ga-na-gay-yoh-nah to help them with the pronunciation.
“You may call me Yonah if you wish,” Gvnigeyona said. “Easier to remember and white people can say it better. Most of the black has abandoned this old bear anyway.” His eyes gleamed as he held up a handful of his silver hair to illustrate his point.
They pulled Benjamin’s wagon and horses into the barn, which was empty except for John’s horse and one other belonging to Jimmy Deerinwater. Dragging together several bales of straw to use as seats and a table, they laid out the food from the baskets. As they ate, they conversed socially about trivial matters—farming and hunting mostly, and more than a little friendly gossip about family and neighbors. Benjamin told them how their new friends had helped with chores around the farm, and lauded them for their storytelling abilities, which impressed the others most of all. There was a casual mention of the team being from a future time, which they had apparently all been made aware of beforehand. The team had learned that the Cherokee culture saw nothing unusual about time travel, but it still astonished them that it was accepted so easily.
Once an appropriate period of polite conversation—and their appetites—had been attended to, a pause in the chatter indicated it was time to begin a serious discussion.
John Carter began his solemn discourse, keeping his expression neutral and not looking at anyone in particular. He spoke in a clear, resonant voice that commanded attention. He told them that he had delivered his messages from Red Clay to the nearby families, and they will spread the information to the rest. He said that many are disheartened by the news, as could be expected. Many remain committed to John Ross’s direction to stand firm against removal and will not voluntarily cooperate. A few had decided to report to the forts as they had been ordered, out of fear of retaliation. Nearly all agreed that they should not take up arms against the soldiers. Their resistance will be passive.
He told them that the military were building additional forts in preparation for carrying out their orders to forcefully remove the Cherokee, and that Major General Winfield Scott had been ordered to supervise the construction. “While I am still hopeful that John Ross can negotiate further to avoid removal, I am not expecting that he will be able to do much more than get better terms for our land. I have seen no indication, other than from the few whites who have argued for justice, that there will be any hesitation to remove us by force.” John Carter paused as he let them mull his grim statement.
After a moment he continued.
“There has been bickering and accusations from both the Treaty Party and Ross’s supporters. Major Ridge has been advocating that we must accept the inevitable, and relocate before we are moved by force. Ross believes we must stand on principle and peacefully resist. Both sides know that we are helpless against a forced removal. We have been forced into treaties before by a militia that is so powerful that we stand no chance against them.
“The United States government remains committed to enforcing removal. Most of you know that General Scott arrived in New Echota with many troops to complete the construction of the forts. He delivered an address to the Cherokee, in the form of a letter, urging all full-blood Cherokees to voluntarily report to these forts before May 23rd or face forced removal by his troops. I see you have a copy,” he said, seeing Benjamin pull the crumpled paper from his pocket and pass it to the others.
“That deadline is close at hand. I have attempted to convey information between the various parties about what is occurring here, in Red Clay, and in Washington City, so that all factions know the minds of the others. Each individual is, of course, entitled to determine what he believes to be his best course of action. You are among my closest friends, and I would welcome any thoughts you may wish to share.” He stopped speaking, and glanced at the others indicating the floor was open if they wished to make a statement.
Benjamin coughed politely indicating his intention to speak. He retrieved his pipe and tobacco pouch and prepared to smoke, providing a dramatic pause before he began talking. “As are all of you, I am torn apart by our desperate situation,” he began through a blue cloud of tobacco smoke. “I have watched the mounting greed of the settlers, and have felt the malevolence toward us; stealing livestock and supplies, confiscating land, even acts of violence, intending to make our lives miserable to induce us to abandon our homeland. I have felt the hopelessness of remaining on my own land, working my own farm, knowing in my heart that I will soon be dispossessed of all I have worked for. I know that I am powerless to fight against the overpowering aggression. Any resistance I offer will be futile, but I am also overwhelmed by the injustice and yearn to stand against the threat to what is honestly my right, no matter how insignificant my protest would be. John, my friend of many years, are you now advocating that we go the way of the treaty party and comply with removal?”
Timecachers Page 19