They began the next morning with coffee, bread, pecans, and cheese. The Choctaw men didn’t drink coffee, but they and Georgette had cups of hot tea. All but Blue Panther, that is. He still refused to drink the potion, even with more threats from Elzbieta. “If my father, the Chief, and the Council of Elders demand I drink your vile brew, then I will, but I do not accept your authority in this matter and will not drink it.” He took his share of the bread, nuts, and cheese to the far corner of the wagon, squatted, and shoved it into his mouth.
“What are we going to do with him?” Petronilla asked as she popped a pecan into her mouth and chewed.
“As much as I hate to do it,” Elzbieta replied, “I guess we’re going to have to return him to the village and let his people sort it out.”
“Do you t
