r only compared to the huge one in the center. Some of the
smaller houses were connected to the great one by sheltered walkways.
The smallest was much bigger than the biggest lodge in Saukenuk.

In a moment they would emerge from among the flowering trees. Auguste
saw a log fence ahead. The fence surrounded a low hill covered with
close-cropped grass, leading up to the house. One large old maple tree
shaded the south side. He checked his pony. He could go no farther.

"What is it?" Pierre asked him.

"I cannot," Auguste said. "I cannot go there." He felt a quaver in his
voice and his lips trembling, and he held himself rigid.

"Why not, Auguste?" Pierre said softly.

"I do not know what to do here. I have never seen such a place as this.
I will do foolish things. All those people will laugh at me. You will
not want me for a son."

"Let us wait," said Pierre. "Get down from your horse."

Biting his lip, Auguste dismounted.

"We shall sit here," said Pierre. They sat, facing each other. Auguste
saw people approaching through the straight rows of trees. Pierre saw
them, too, and waved them away.

They sat for a long time in silence while their horses grazed nearby.
Auguste held his misery in until he felt calmer.

He looked at Pierre and nodded to say that he was in control of himself.
Pierre nodded back. Auguste looked at the petal-covered ground, feeling
crushed.

"All this is strange to you," Pierre said.

"Yes," said Auguste.

"And it is not foolish to fear. There are some people here who will hate
you just because you are a red man. There are people who will be afraid
of you. But there are dangers in the life you come from--fire and flood,
sickness, bears and wolves, the Sioux and Osage, enemies of your people.
You fear those things, but you have been taught how to live with those
dangers. There are other people here, people like myself, who will care
for you and protect you and teach you how to live with the dangers of
the pale eyes' world. You must come to know these people who will help
you. I want you to be glad you came from Saukenuk to Victoire."

Auguste did not answer. They sat in silence for a while. Then Pierre
spoke again.

"The pale eyes are here, Auguste, and you must learn to live with us."

Auguste sighed and settled down again. He listened to the buzzing of
locusts rise and fall.

_If my vision of this man meant something, then come to me now, White
Bear, and tell me what I must do