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Chapter 1

No soul can ever clearly see

Another’s highest, noblest part,

Save through the sweet philosophy,

And loving wisdom of the heart

—PHOEBE CARY

The Pacific Northwest

September, 1875

A fireplace dug out in the house reflected the wavering light of its fire onto cedar walls hung withparaphernalia, and onto sleeping platforms spread with several layers of bark, and soft, furry pelts Overhead, berries and fish hung to dry froe fire was spiraling slowly toward the open cedar boards overhead, its gray wisps escaping upward, into thesky

Chief Moon Elk rearranged his robe of black sea otter fur more cos and squatted close to the fire His steel-gray eyes were not large, but were bright and steady in their gaze, the skin of his copper face was fine in texture, although age and weather had wrinkled it

“Remember always to walk softly,Heart, who sat beside hietables “While you are helping Four Winds escape from the white ood ever co whites Our Suquamish people always suffer in the end”

Strong Heart pausedhis head with grave dignity “And no blood will be shed I would do nothing to lead trouble to our village By choice, our clan of Suquamish have kept ourselves from those ere tricked by the white man’s treaties and promises Because of this, ours has been a peaceful existence So shall it continue to be, Father”

Chief Moon Elk’s gazehis ed buckskin “Your plan is to dress as a whitethe escape, and you will ride your horse instead of traveling by canoe to Seattle?” he asked, wiping his mouth with a cedar-bark napkin, his own stomach warmed comfortably with soup

“Ah-hah, yes, that iscloser to the fire to ladle more clam soup into his elaborately carved wooden bowl The ladle was decorated with the crest of his family: the red-tailed hawk