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Many Flags
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
August 13 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - September 08 2002 : 08:45:23 AM
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The Nephew and Niece leaned in closer as Dr. Uncle Mark began the tale of the meeting of Many Flags with Sign Talker.
It was probably around the year 1748 when Many Flags (whose name was not this yet), about 16 years of age, made the acquiantance of the Lenape known as Sign Talker. He had been given leave that afternoon by his father, the German immigrant, to "take his rifle for a walk", so he had left the cabin and stockade, his brother Three Tales and cousin Seamus behind. HIs .54 caliber rifle nestled in his arm, horn and bag hanging from the left shoulder, he headed a few miles north along the ridge of the Blue Mountain. The rifle, as any weapon to a protector of home and family, was his prized possession, having been planned and made by Herr Haga and the apprentice Peter Kunz. A rifle to be proud of, the carved beech leaf on the right of the stock offset the cheekplate on the left which slapped into Flags' cheekbone when it was aimed to hit the mark.
Flags (whose name was not this yet) had just settled down behind a large oak when he heard some footsteps below him and to his left. Peeking from behind the tree he saw figures moving, moving where he had just walked. The 6 figures were so close he could not believe they had not noticed him as he must have just crossed their path just minutes before. Having grown up in the culture of Penns Woods which was both his native Deutsch traditions laced with the traditions of the Natives, he quickly decided that there were two captives, most likely Lenape, and the other four were of the Iroquois league, possibly Seneca, yet one resembled Shawnee in an eerie sort of way. This one Native was taller and proportionally more muscled than the rest, naked except for a clout and mocs, painted completely red. A hideous scowl was on his face as he pulled on the ropes which tied the two Lenape captives together and led to the Shawnee's hands, like traces on a team of horses. Stopping for a minute, Flags noticed what the red scowler had not - that the slender ropes on the captives' hands were loose and he saw the larger Lenape glance at the smaller, stockier one; a glance which meant "run, now!"
At that moment, chaos enused for the two Lenapes slipped their bonds and dived behind trees rolling down the shallow embankment. All four captors turned, grunted and lunged. It was at that moment that Flags (whose name was not this yet) sprang into action. Another quick decision had him wound the lead Iroquois instead of sighting in a death shot. Raising his rifle and sighting on that Native's left shoulder he squeezed the trigger, ball and flame leaping from the barrel to slam into that Indian, Flags feeling the usual slap to his right cheekbone which told him he had hit his mark. This action had the desired effect; making the other three captors turn to look at their comrade, the leader, and look away from the escapees. Seeing their comrade was wounded and not laid dead, they rushed to his side, giving the two Lenapes extra seconds to continue their escape.
Hoping that the four captors did not speak Lenape, Flags shouted above the din in that tongue so the two escapees would hear, "Hollow tree, east, half a league"! While this occurred, Flags had moved up the embankment 30 yards, had poured powder down the barrel and using his loading block rammed a patch and ball, then paused behind a huge chestnut which hid his whole being, took several deep breaths and primed from his horn. Peeking from the right of the tree, he could see the place where the action had taken place, one Native assauging the blood of the wounded one. To his far right were the other two, the red scowler and the other Iroquois, seeking him out. Flags knelt close to the leaf strewn forest floor, sighted low and sent off another ball at the Iroquois' knee. The familiar slam to his cheek and a quick look showed that he had hit bone and flesh again; a groan escaped the Iroquois mouth, a quick glance from Flags
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The Arrival of Sign Talker
