Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

Pamela entered the long house. David was sitting at a makeshift table and tapping away on his device.

“Having fun, I see,” said Pamela.

“I’m working!” said David with a smile.

“Uh huh,” said Pamela, shaking her head.

“No listen. The Skunk Ape is also called the Swamp Ape, Stink Ape, Florida Bigfoot, Swamp Cabbage Man, Louisiana Bigfoot, Myakka Ape, and Swampsquatch. They are said to be smaller than our Sasquatch at six to seven feet tall for males, about six feet tall for females. They are believed to have four toes on each foot. Reports of the Skunk Apes are told by both the Seminole and Miccosukee Native Americans. But perhaps the most famous sightings happened in 1997 when several buses of tourists sighted a Skunk Ape in the Everglades on Turner River Road in Ochopee. And yes, I checked, and it is three hundred miles from our place in Florida to Ochopee.”

“Three hundred miles isn’t that far,” said Pamela.

David just looked at Pamela and shook his head.

“What I haven’t been able to find is evidence of their behavior,” said David. “While they’ve shown signs of ape-like aggression, there are no reliable reports of Skunk Ape attacks on humans that I can find.”

“They’ve attacked Okie’s tribe,” said Pamela. “That means they’d be capable of attacking humans as well.”

“I agree with that,” said David. “But I wonder why they haven’t?”

“I have no idea,” said Pamela. “But if Zolfo could find his way here, then others might come looking for him.”

“That could be trouble,” said David, “since there seems to be so many of them, and they’re ornery.”

“I’m not sure how this should be handled,” said Pamela. “Perhaps we should bring it up at tonight’s Circle of Elders.”

“I think that would be a good idea,” agreed David. “Tell Kimberly.”

It was late, but Kimberly, David, and Pamela made their way to the Circle and seated themselves. Aurora seemed surprised.

“What brings my favorite Little People back?” she asked with a smile.

“Well, we had a thought. We need a plan should Skunk Apes come here looking for Zolfo,” said Pamela.

“Hmmm... perhaps,” said Aurora.

She no more than got the words out when three whoops were heard from the direction of Chase Lake.

“That is a sentry!” said Windago. “Ouragan, take warriors to investigate!”

Ouragan stepped from the audience and gestured to a half dozen young warriors who trotted off in that direction. Puyallup and I joined in at the rear. We arrived at the first sentry station.

“There!” said Gilyuk pointing down the trail. “I will remain on post.”

The troupe kept running until they got to the second station.

“Keep going!” shouted Alachua.

They continued on until Izee, standing guard, motioned for them to approach quietly, which we all did.

“Coming slowly up the trail,” said Izee.

“Little People?” I asked.

“No. I don’t think so. They move much too quietly. Perhaps Forest People,” he said.

Everyone stayed hidden behind scrub pines. I watched as three Skunk Apes appeared walking up the trail.

“Everyone stay here,” I whispered. “I’ll see what they want.”

I stepped out onto the trail.

“State your business here!” I commanded.

The three stopped and sized me up.

“We are here looking for one of our own,” said the largest. “His name is Zolfo. He journeyed here and hasn’t returned.”

“Because I killed him,” I said in a low voice. “He came here looking for a fight. He got it.”

“You?” snarled the largest. “It is not possible.”

“I killed him and we properly buried him,” I answered. “Now if you came here looking to cause trouble, you’ll find that as well.”

The big one growled a low hissing snarl and barred his fangs. The other two lined up on each side of him, and then the three approached me.

Ouragan and the Warriors saw what was happening and stepped onto the trail behind me. The three stopped when they saw they were outnumbered.

“If you know what’s good for you, you all will leave now and never return,” I said in a firm voice.

The three glared at me. Three Sprites appeared over their heads and they were gone in an instant.

“Good job,” said Ouragan. “But I know the Warrior mentality. They’ll be back in numbers to seek revenge.”

“I hope you’re wrong, my Friend,” I said. “But we need to prepare.”

We left Izee on station and returned to the Five Brothers, telling the other sentries of the Skunk Apes as we passed. Soon we were back at the Circle. Aurora waved us to approach.

“What is the news?” asked Aurora.

“Not good. Three Skunk Apes were sent here to find Zolfo,” I answered. “I sent them off, but Ouragan suspects they will return in force to seek revenge.”

Ocklawaha stepped forward.

“I suspect Ouragan is right,” he said. “They aren’t like us. They are very vicious and mean spirited. They are also great in number. Although we are many, they are more. This could be trouble.”

“We need reinforcements,” said Pamela. “Can you contact the other tribes?”

“Yes, we can send runners,” said Windago. “The Tribes will send Warriors.”

“I would do it now,” said Pamela.

“We must do it now,” agreed Nakani. “It will take time for them to arrive.”

“Oomah! Gilyuk! Juntura! Bandon!” shouted Windago.

The four approached the Circle.

“Oomah, you go to the Grays. Gilyuk, you the Sawteeth. Juntura, the Upper Wolfjaw. Bandon, you to the Cliff. Leave now, with haste!” said Windago.

The four turned and ran, not following proper protocol in backing away.

“This sounds serious,” said Danny from the audience.

Aurora looked at Danny and waved him to the Circle.

“Daniel, do you have something to say?” asked Aurora.

“This sounds like real trouble,” said Danny. “Can you all handle it?”

The Elders looked at Danny grimly.

“This is serious,” said Okie. “Skunk Apes are evil and mean, and large in number. They all but destroyed my Falling Water Tribe.”

“Kimberly, I have an idea,” said Danny. “Will you excuse us?”

“Yes, of course,” said Aurora.

Kimberly rose and walked off with Danny.

“All we can do now is wait,” said Aurora. “Ouragan, would you please notify the other Sentries to watch for Skunk Apes?”

“Yes, of course,” said Ouragan, as he and two warriors ran off at a jog towards the west.

Kimberly soon returned.

“What’s up?” whispered Pamela to Kimberly.

“I’ll tell you later,” whispered Kimberly back. “I don’t want to build up false hope with the others.”

It was late, and Kimberly, Pamela, and David excused themselves once again and walked back to the long house.

“So?” asked Pamela. “Where’s Danny?”

“He took Trooper and he’s gone to look for help,” she answered.

“Help from who?” asked Pamela.

“I sent him to get Bill. Bill lives in Bleecker, and he may know people,” she answered. “It’s a long shot though.”

“OK. Let’s turn in,” said Pamela.

David was already snoring.