The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 20

Brebeuf had avoided the chief as much as possible, keeping mostly to the women and children. He now mustered courage as he approached the tribe's leader. He wasn't fluent in their language by any means, yet he was certain he knew enough to be able to plead his case.

"I'm Brother Brebeuf," he began, pointing to his sunken chest.

Chief Long Knife glanced at him quizzically. The pale white man in a black woman's dress had made a point to avoid him these many moons. What has changed?

"Chief Long Knife," the towering warrior answered without looking up from the flames.

"Chief Long Knife?" Brebeuf repeated with a shudder, images of how he'd earned the name flitting through his mind.

He was certain to have nightmares now.

"No, I shall call you..." He paused, deep in thought, "Peter. Yes, Peter,

it is. It is the perfect name for you. You are a leader and Jesus Christ said to Peter in the Bible, 'Upon this Rock I will build My Church.' Yes, Yes, I claim it in faith - you will be a leader for Christ, souls added to the Kingdom because of you."

Chief Long Knife looked away from the flames, studying the diminutive man before him. He was ranting like a madman.

"Peter...you'll need a last name of course..."

Hendricks.

Brebeuf pulled the first that came to his mind. "Peter Hendricks has a nice ring to it..."

"Is there something you need?"

Chief Long Knife was finally running out of patience. He had yet to decide on the man they'd rescued from the water.

"Adelaide has been chosen by God for Holy work. You cannot lay with her without incurring the wrath of God. She is married to another."

Brebeuf let his words sink in.

Chief Long Knife raised an eyebrow. Guillaume had been the only man when they'd raided the small village. He'd know. What husband was this weasel of a man referring to?

"There is no husband," Chief Long Knife declared, wanting this conversation to change direction.

"If you are intimate with her, a plague will come and it will be by the hand of God."

Was Brebeuf challenging him?

There was no humor in Brebeuf's eyes as he played on the tribe's natural superstition.

Chief Long Knife lowered his head, not speaking another word. Brebeuf took the hint and shuffled off into the shadows.

****

Small Bird could see her son's troubled features from across the lodge. Rising from the farthest side of the room, she joined her son, encouraging him to confide in her what was just said.

"The pale one only wishes to sow discord. Why else does he stay behind with us women instead of being a man and joining your hunts? You were right, my son, he is a demon!"

Small Bird looked over her shoulder at Adelaide, "You've waited too long to fulfill your husbandly duties. Act now before the little man sows further discord among us. Falcon's bride is happy. Dark Star will be happy as well."

"And the curse?"

"There will be no curse, and if the demon has spoken one against you, we will call our shaman and it will be well."

Chief Long Knife nodded, waiting for his mother to retreat before standing. He walked to the door of the wigwam breathing in the cool night air.

Fireflies danced, their lights flickering in the darkness like hundreds of little fairies.

Tonight he would forget Gentle Doe and his child who would have been born by now. His wife likely belonged to another man now and had learned to accept her fate. It was simply the way things were. Chief Long Knife could only hope her new husband was good to her and would raise their son well although only Gentle Doe would ever know the child was meant to become a chief.

Chief Long Knife had only wanted to be considerate of Adelaide and allow himself to grieve over his own loss, but clearly, that had been a mistake. By now she would have been like Maggie, love shining in her eyes instead of fearful resentment. Adelaide may be physically present, but it was clear her heart was far away.

****

Adelaide put the children to bed, kissing their foreheads. Without a Bible, she was thankful for the Word of God she had hidden in her heart over the years. Now, it alone sustained her.

"Which memory verse can you remember?" Adelaide whispered in the dark.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah twenty-six verse three," Joshua whispered in the darkness.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John chapter three and verse sixteen," Sarah was next.

"Very good. I'm so proud of you!"

"I can't remember Mamma," Isabella admitted, "Can I tell you one in the morning?"

"Sure Honey," Adelaide smiled in the darkness.

"Good night," Chief Long Knife spoke from behind her, startling Adelaide.

How long had he been listening? It was a shame they'd been quoting Scripture in a language he didn't understand. An opportunity lost!

Rising, Adelaide was even more determined to learn the language. If Brebeuf and her son could, there really was no excuse.

Adelaide's thoughts were cut short as Chief Long Knife swept her off her feet, striding towards their bed, a determination in his fathomless black eyes.