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woman right well." He obviously recalled Mariah's rejection of him and seemed pleased that she was going to receive her comeuppance. |
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"I can translate for you with Nahtana," Little Elk said. "Is there anything you wish to know?" |
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Everything, Mariah thought. "Ask him why he took me and when I can go back to the inn." |
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Little Elk translated. Mariah was dismayed when Nahtana's narrow, dark-complected face screwed up into a nasty smile. This was the first time she'd been able to see his features clearly: a large, straight nose; dark, small eyes with no brows; a thin-lipped mouth with oversized teeth. He said something in return. |
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Little Elk said sadly, "You are to be his slave. You will not return to the inn. Once he and his braves have gathered more pelts for trading, their original mission on this journey, you will be taken to their home. I am sorry, Mariah." |
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A million objections sprang to her lips. She was an American citizen, not a slave. She didn't belong here; she wanted to go home, to the twentieth century. |
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She had to find her own way out of this. She asked, "Why? I'm not a very good worker. He can ask Thorn or René." |
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Little Elk translated, then waited as Nahtana gave a guttural laugh, then spoke. The woman continued, "He says you will learn. You and the others will be brought into their tribe in recompense for their land being stolen." |
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Mariah's heart contracted. "But I had nothing to do with that." |
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"You live at Thorn's inn, which is on land that was among the Iroquois' hunting grounds." Little Elk shrugged. "My people and others who live here did not understand this need to own land until your people began claiming what once had belonged to all and to none." |
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For a moment, Mariah stood silently, considering her options. Nahtana, still grinning, stared as though waiting for her response. Mariah looked down, hiding her disgust and defiance. No sense in antagonizing him. Instead, maybe she |
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