Forty-four

Four major cataracts impeded the Tenasee River’s flow along its central section. The first was located in the lower half of the river’s Great Bend where the channel changed to a northerly route and headed for its confluence with the Mother Water. A Cahokian colony called Reed Bottom Town had displaced—or rather conquered and enslaved—a village of Koasati who had once lived there. The location was strategically located astride the great war path and Trading trail. The route—used for generations—ran from the lower Father Water, northeast to the ford at the Tenasee at the lower cataract. From there the trail continued northeast to the crossing of the Southern Shawnee River, and hence to the headwaters of the Mother River in the Algonquian lands. Anyone now traveling that route found it squarely blocked by the Cahokian presence at Reed Bottom Town on the Tenasee, and the newly established White Swan Town on the Southern Shawnee.

In addition, Reed Bottom Town controlled the river. When the water ran low, the cataract prevented all upstream travel. At those times the rushing water had to be portaged around, or men had to be hired to physically tow canoes up the fast water—a feat filled with danger and potential disaster for the canoe and to whomever was trying to steer the vessel and keep it from capsizing.

On Fire Cat’s advice, they passed Reed Bottom Town at night. Not only did it buy them time—for the squadron first was sure to stop there—but if no one saw them pass, no one could report the same to Blood Talon when he demanded information from the Fox Clan chief in charge of the colony.

Red Reed, by luck, arrived at the first cataract after a heavy rain, and with the river up, they were able to tow the slim canoe through the areas where the current ran swiftly. As a result, they made the passage in a single long day.

Advancing up the river they came to the Koasati Shallows, where again they were able to both pole and tow Red Reed through the fast water. From there the river ran east to the Mussel Shallows cataract and the settlement established at its lower reaches: Big Cane Town.

This final stretch had the Yuchi Traders in a rare good mood. This was their home river, the section of the Tenasee where they’d grown up.

“If it wasn’t for that bunch of unruly warriors following us, Lady,” White Mat told her, “we’d stay every night in a warm and snug house. Be fed the finest of boiled mussels, fresh venison, and roast turtle.”

“But he’s still back there,” Fire Cat reminded them. Then he gestured to a passing dugout filled with waving locals. It was headed downstream bearing a family on some business. “Too many people know we’re on the river. Sure, we’re not the only red canoe on the Tenasee carrying five men and two women, but Blood Talon is going to get enough reports to suspect we’re ahead of him. In his position, he can’t allow any rumor to go uninvestigated.”

“We can only hope the river has dropped by the time he hits the lower cataracts,” Shedding Bird said as he shot a look back downriver. “It would make his passage that much more difficult. Hold him up. Or, better yet, maybe he’d be so desperate he’ll try the rapids and capsize.”

“He could also command the chief at Reed Bottom Town to portage his boat and equipment around the cataract,” Night Shadow Star said. “With the whole town at his disposal to help portage the canoe, it might not take him any longer than it would take his warriors to walk the distance.”

“And that means he could be even closer behind us than we think,” Half Root added. “Wish we knew where they were.”

“They’re wishing the same thing.”

Big Cane Town lay on the south bank of the Tenasee, just above a long island that split the river, and below constricting bluffs that forced the channel through a narrow canyon.

The cataract—called Mussel Shallows for the shellfish that thrived in its rapid waters—created a barrier to further progress. Here the river’s course was broken, interrupted by more than sixty flood-scoured islands and outcrops of hard chert that jutted up like craggy teeth during low water. The river itself dropped in a series of low falls and rapids that tumbled over ledges of resistant rock. Nor did the steep sandstone canyon walls above allow much purchase around the drops where whitewater thrashed and thundered.

All Trade and travel came to a temporary halt at Big Cane Town; from there trailheads had been established south to the various nations, or help had to be procured to portage around the wicked channels, shoals, rapids, and falls.

The big stands of cane for which the town had been named had long ago been cut, used for various constructions, and split in half—the over- and under-sides overlapping for roofing.

Forested bluffs rose behind Big Cane Town, and several small creeks led back into the hills. A well-defined trail paralleled the river’s southern uplands. This was the portage route.

As Red Reed arrived at the landing below Big Cane Town, Night Shadow Star handed over the agreed Trade, adding the copper plate she’d promised for their extra hard work. Here was a goal reached. Literally half the distance covered to Cofitachequi. But thinking back to that woman who had left Cahokia in a snowstorm, both the woman and the world had changed into something different, almost unrecognizable.

Knowing the landing would be a flurry of questions, they made their farewells early. She was saying good-bye to close friends, companions she had come to value as equals, whose skill and courage she cherished. And whose acceptance and respect she was honored to have earned. The experience proved surprisingly painful. Hugs. Tears. Promises to get together again.

The feeling was bittersweet in a way she’d never known before.

I have lived my life in a cocoon. The sensation might be likened to stepping out from a cold cave into glorious hot sunshine.

The jubilant mood among the Red Reed Traders filled Night Shadow Star with both joy and worry. She need only look downriver, along that murky and roiling surface they’d just crossed to imagine Blood Talon’s canoe as it sliced water, driven by strong warriors paddling in unison.

“How long do I have, Lord?”

“Soon now. They come. Everything will be different.”