The Good Chief

wordcount: 1017
Struggling For Prosperity


“Sir, the natives have been spotted heading this way. It appears as though they are carrying an large amount supplies, baskets, bags, possibly an animal or two.”

“They must be looking to do some trading, wouldn’t you say Jones?”

“Indeed sir. I only wonder what we can trade with them. Our supplies are thoroughly depleted Sir.”

“Johnson!……Johnson!”

“Yes….yes Sir.”

“I need you to collect anything and everything of value. Round the folks up, see what they’ve got. The natives are on the way and it looks like they have food. This might be are only chance to get though the winter season.”

“Yes Sir!”

“What of our munitions supply Jones? Musket shots and powder.”

“Dwindling Sir. Anything left has been reserved for hunting. Even the watchmen have been resolved to using bells in an attempt to conserve. Surely you do not believe the natives would even consider bartering, they haven’t any muskets.”

“And a good thing they don’t. No Jones I do not intend of trading the munitions, however I also do not intend on starving ourselves to death. If the natives will not trade, I will have no alternative. You agree with me of course, Jones.”

“Yes, Sir. Although I cannot comprehend what the natives could want from us. After the last arrangement in autumn, you were very clear Sir, that we would not be trading any further until the next spring. They also saw firsthand what minimal stores we had left.”

“Yes, I remember. The Chief was adamant to continue a partnership through the cold season. Looking back Jones, I thought I was doing the best for us. Perhaps it was best to keep trading. Perhaps the Chief wasn’t trying to take advantage of us after all, perhaps he knew we couldn’t make it and wanted to help. Could I have been so naïve Jones? Blinded by our differences to the point I could not recognize an offer of generosity?”

“No Sir, as you said, at the time you were looking out for your people. Keeping our best interests at hand Sir.”

“Yes……as was the Chief I believe Jones.”

“Sir! Sir! Captain Smith!”

“Yes Johnson.”

“I’ve done like you asked Sir, I gathered anything I could Sir and all the folks pitched in whatever they had. It isn’t’ much Sir.”

“Come Jones, let us see if we can muster up any assemblage of a worthy bartering chip. Meet me over by the smoke house, firstly I need you to gather some men, pass out some muskets and have a small group ready. Just in case the natives refuse.”

“Yes Sir”

“Alright Johnson, show me what we have.”

“Yes Sir, 1 barrel of flour, 1 barrels of salted rabbit meat, half barrel of rum, half barrel of lard, 1 barrel of whale oil, 2 bags of grain, 1 swine, plus several folks pitched in cotton fabrics and clothes, 5 axes, 2 long saws, and Ms. Foster gave me her duck Claire. And that’s all Captain Smith.”

“Captain Smith! The natives are approaching! “

“Maybe we should just turn them away Sir, tell them we have nothing to trade.”

“Captain! It’s not just a trade party, it looks like the whole tribe is out there! There must be more than a hundred!”

“Jones! Ready the arms. A massive showing of numbers can mean only one thing, they don’t want to trade.”

“Sir we stand no chance, we are drastically out numbered with barely enough munitions to ready a hunt, let alone a battle. Sir, be reasonable.”

“You’re right Jones. Let’s reinforce the gates. We won’t battle, but I will not open that gate. Ready buckets of water for the flaming arrows. Keep the armed men stationed at the gate.”

“You heard the Captain, move, move, move.”

“Jones come with me. Perhaps I can address them. Make them understand that raiding us would be a fruitless effort. Grab that pale of water right there Jones.”

“Sir, are you sure this is such a wise idea”

“Come Jones, up the ladder pass up the pale. We’ll stand on the elevated walk, so we can use the wall for cover. That’s it Jones, here take the pale back, don’t spill the water.”

“Yes Sir. I’m not sure I understand though Sir.”

“ATTENTION NATIVES! UP HERE. Wave your arms with me Jones. WE HAVE NOTHING OF ANY VALUE TO YOU. Jones hold up the pale. ALL OF OUR SUPPLIES ARE GONE, NO MORE. Alright Jones, now dump the water. SEE. ALL GONE, NO MORE. Throw down the pale Jones. PLEASE LET US BE.”

“I think it’s working Sir. They haven’t attacked yet, in fact they look confused.”

“You stay here an keep watch Jones. I will go back down to assist the men.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Alright men, the natives haven’t attacked yet, but this might be a tactic to throw us off. So keep ready.”

“Sir, the natives are leaving! I don’t believe it, ha, ha, ha! I can’t believe it, Sir! They’re leaving all their supplies at the gate! Ha, ha!”

“ What?! What do you mean Jones?”

“Baskets of corn, squash, carrots and berries. Hides and plenty of them. Boars, rabbits, deer. Ha, ha! Sir, there’s’ enough food to last all the way to spring.”

“Open the gate. Quickly, quickly open the gate!”

“They’re leaving Captain.”

“Wait! Wait! Come back! Come back here! Why are they leaving? I don’t……..THANK YOU !!”

“Sir, look at all this food and supplies. It’s a miracle Sir, from the good lord.”

“No Jones, this wasn’t a miracle. This was a noble act of generosity by our fellow man. Different as our cultures might be, as misunderstood as we are to each other. We share the common bond of being man and walking this earth together. Those people, the natives, they understand that. I’m afraid that we do not Jones, and the few who might are to far and few. Maybe it is we, who are the savages. Perhaps it is us who are the primitive.”

"Look Sir, out on the edge of the woods, isnt that..."

"It's the Chief.........thank you Chief, thank you."