Januhuk smiled. “At least one thing is going correctly today,” he thought. “Kublanerasaka is taking care of the white man. I knew that I could count on him to sit on the ’white toad,’ as he calls him.”  

Kublanerasaka was one of the best warriors in the tribe, a dependable hunter and life-long friend. As chief, Januhuk was happy to have him part of the tribe. He needed brothers like Kublanerasaka to support the tribe and to help him fulfill his obligations as chief.

Most of the tribe’s other warriors were mostly concerned with themselves and their own needs and those of their families. Now that he was chief, Januhuk was duty bound to provide for all the tribe’s needs as best he could. He was chosen because he understood this more than most in the tribe. And he was still young enough to handle the tasks.

“How is our guest enjoying your company?” Januhuk asked.

“He goes on and on about White Cloud of course. Does he ever talk of anything else?” said Kublanerasaka.

“He is a spirit elder in his tribe, Kublanerasaka. He probably wants to spread the word of White Cloud to his brothers. You of all our tribe should understand this.”

“Of course, but even my father also speaks of the hunt and the tribe. White Cloud is important, but not everything.”

Kublanerasaka could tell that the white man wasn’t even trying to follow their conversation, busy as he was with his book. “A fascinating way to keep track of their history,” thought Kublanerasaka. Instead of belts of beads, the white man scratched lines in very thin wood. It seemed that was all this white man did besides eat and sleep. Sometimes, he scratched by flame at night and was up scratching again as soon as sun rose. 

Well, White Cloud had very important teachings. It’s no wonder that they would fascinate the white man. From what Kublanerasaka could see, they could use a bit of his wisdom in their lives. The white man seemed to have no end to their lies. They couldn’t be trusted and they had one purpose, to take land. Maybe if they learned the truth of White Cloud and of the land, they would be better brothers to our tribe.

It was important that he work hard to bargain with the French men. They seemed to understand how to live in harmony. They traded goods that the tribe needed and they didn’t war with the tribes. Most important, their hatred of the other white tribes could be used to help the Seneca. 

Of course, not all the chiefs agreed. Some thought that the best path was to war against all white men and to drive them back into the sea. But Januhuk thought the same as the last chief. The white men were here to stay. And the tribe needed to choose the correct side as the white men struggled with one another. If the white man wished to war with each other, Januhuk was disposed to help the French men against the British men. 

So it’s important that the “toad” be kept well. If all he wanted to do was talk about White Cloud then so be it. Kublanerasaka would tell him everything he wanted to know. His father was spirit elder so he knew more about White Cloud than anyone else in the tribe. And upon his father’s return from the gathering of elders he would place Kublanerasaka in charge of the naming trial, a high honor indeed.

“I am pleased that you are taking the honor of educating our guest, so seriously,” said Januhuk. “It is time to eat. Why don’t you take him with you to the fire?” He turned to Kublanerasaka whose face went white with shock. 

Januhuk turned to see the French man lying on his side. He was holding his arm, and sweat poured down over his face. “This can’t be happening,” he thought. “What could be wrong with this man?”

“Get the healer, quick!” With that, Kublanerasaka turned the French man over and placed his hand behind his head. He was shaking and stammering. His book had fallen, and he was trying to reach for it. Januhuk picked up the book and placed it in the hands of the French man, but he pushed the book back into the chief’s hands.

“French, bring book, must bring,” said the French-man.  “Oh great! he’s dying,” said Kublanerasaka.