Chapter 43: Chapter 43: THE NEW BABY

"Well, are you coming?" Brebeuf shifted to his other foot, looking up at Peter who towered over him.

"No, my people will not be joining you," Peter stated without warning, surprising the Jesuit. Noticing his clear discomfort, Peter continued, "The fort is for you and your men. We will not be caged."

"If you insist," Brebeuf shrugged, but his voice sounded more like a squeak.

Motioning to the others, he walked toward the fort, his belongings in a single sack.

The other Jesuits and Frenchmen followed, not stopping to look back. They had their fort, what more did they want?

Within the shadows, eyes watched...and waited.

Timing.

A wail interrupted the silence of the night.

"It's time!" Dancing Turtle cried out from her corner of the lodge as her husband and the other men stepped out into the night leaving the women alone.

Lightning, as Joshua was now called, joined Peter, rubbing his bleary eyes. "What's wrong?"