Rebecca and the Renegade

Mamalachgook did not resist. Rebecca could feel his left hand move across her shoulder

blade to the middle of her back. His right hand cradled her head gently. He pressed her

to him until her breasts touched her chest. As Mamalachgook stroked her back with his

hand, she tingled as the blood rushed through her body. The pleasure of Mamalachgook's

lips transformed her to a state of euphoria. Rebecca was aware of nothing else but

Mamalachgook and the sweet sensation of pleasure, which pulsed through her. Hers was

an experience like none she ever had felt before. Rebecca found her hands running up

and down the hard muscles of Mamalachgook's back. She instinctively felt that this man

had the power to protect her - to keep her safe.

As desire swelled within her, a sense of shame suddenly gripped her. What was she

doing? What was it she wanted to do? The strange arousal of her private most being

shocked her. She pushed herself away from Mamalachgook, panting heavily.

"1, I ... well it's the first time 1," Rebecca tried to speak.

She looked at Mamalachgook. He looked as though he were flushed, in spite of the

bronze tone of his body. Strangely enough, Rebecca noticed he was panting. Did she

have the sarne effect on him as he had on hefi The thought that she might have such

power over him filled her with pride. Mamalachgook now held her by the hands. Her

fingerc could feel his calloused palms.

'l liked that very much," Mamalachgook spoke.

"As did l,' Rebecca confessed. Mamalachgook said nothing more. lnstead he began to

pull Rebecca toward him again. She began to float toward him, mesmerized by those

dark native eyes. The feeling of shame took over this time. She pulled away.

"No, Mamalachgook, it's not right," she protested.

"V1/hat's not righf?" Mamalachgook responded.

'To kiss each other, to be intimate as we ju$t were," Rebecca explained.

"Why?" The single word question stung Rebecca.

"My mother taught me it is not right to kiss a man unless I be betrothed to him.'

"What does this'betrothed' mean?" "|t means that he has asked me to marry him and I

have accepted. That we have entered an engagement period." Rebecca explained.

'You are right. You are promised to another.'Mamalachgook answered, as he releases

her hands and straightened up.

$tillfeeling the bliss of the pastfew moments, Rebecca blurted out 'But if lwere to marry

you..."

"What are you tatking about? I cannot take you as a wife. I must take you to the sachem.

Come, lefs go." Mamalachgook responded gruffly taking Rebecca by the upper arm and

shoving her in the direction of their destination.

Rebecca picked up her bundle and turned toward the trail. Mamalachgook's sudden

roughness convinced her - he wanted her" lntuitively, Rebecca felt her destiny lay with

this man. As she walked along the trail she began to visualize what a life with

Mamalachgook might entail. Could she marry him? How? Would it be an lndian ceremony

or a proper church wflding? No, sfre couldn't marry him. He was a heathen. Surely, God

would not bless the unian af a Christian and a nonbeliever.

Her thoughts then turned to what lay ahead. tMhat would become of her if Mamalachgook

detivered her ta the sachem? Would he torture her until she submitted to him? Then what?

Would she be farced ta bear his children? Rebecca looked back at Mamalachgook. Right

now, the view behind looked infinitely more desirable than what she envisioned ahead.

The trail widened for a time and Mamalachgook came up abreast of her. Rebecca

reached over and took his hand.

"Mamalachgook," she began.

"Yes?"

"Why don't we become betrothed?" Rebecca suggested.

"You mean that I should take you as my wife?"

Mamalachgook responded. Rebecca could feelthe palm of his hand began to sweat. She

squeezed it to reassure him.

.Well we would have to have a proper period of engagement,' Rebecca continued.

Mamalachgook stared at her sternly but remained silent. Then he tumed back and stared

blankly down the trail as though wishing to ignore the words he'd just heard.

'Am I an unpleasant companion?' Rebecca probed.

"No."

"Ugly?"

"No."

"Do you like me?'

"Very much."

"Then why not ask me?'

"Ask you what?"

'lf lwill marry you?'

"Because I must do my duty to my sachem, or I cannot return to my people."

Mamalachgook explained.

"We could go to Fort Pitt - just the two of us. After a proper engagement we could get

maruied by a minister there.'

Rebecca, although uncertain whether she should really marry Mamalachgook, hoped she

could convince him to abandon the journey they now undertook. She decided to use her

feminine whiles to help convince Mamalachgook. Stopping, she tugged on his hand.

When Mamalachgook tumed to face her, Rebecca threw both her arms around his neck

and pulled him to her kissing him hard on the lips. As Rebecca released her grip,

Mamalachgook staggered back and nearly fell. Then he put one hand to his head in a

thoughtful gesture.

.l suppose I could ask the sachem if I could take you for my wife,'he said.

"Would you?" Rebecca responded, then quickly kissed him again as though trying to seal

that thought in his head.

"Alright, we shall return to the village,' Mamalachgook answered.

The trip back to the village seemed to take no time at all. Along the way back,

Mamalachgook talked of nature and hunting. He spoke the Lenape names for the plants

and birds they encountered and Rebecca did her best to repeat the words after him.

Mamalachgook laughed as Rebecca butchered his language; but seemed not at all

offended.

The sun had disappeared into the trees by the time they came upon the camp. At the

outskirts Rebecca could see the squaws busy with preparing the evening meal and a

group of men were erecting a new hut. By the time they had gone twenty paces within the

camp, however, they had drawn a crowd of curious spectators. Ahead, the Chief was

coming out of his hut, apparently to see what the commotion was about. When the chief

glanced their direction his face scowled and pace quickened. He made straight for

Mamalachgook.

"Why have you returned with the woman?" he asked.

"lwould like to take her as my own." Mamalachgook answered.

'And wlrat do you propose to gire me for her?" the chief asked.

"l have some 12 beaver skins from the hunt last winter," Mamalachgook answered.