"I see. Well, I've not had many choices in my life." She tried to smile at him now.
"I know…. That is partly why I gave you one." He answered. "I do not wish to marry someone who has no feelings for me. And you don't, as you do not know me. When you get to know me, I will ask you again. But still, you will have a choice."
"And if my choice is still no, what will become of me?"
"I will let the Great Spirit decide that. He will probably say, 'let her go'. And I will, if that is truly what you want."
"You’re a strange man. I've never known anyone like you. I thought all Indians were supposed to be hostile and savages."
"Is strange good or bad?" He asked with a comical face.
She looked him in the eyes, "I think… good."
He smiled. "We would not be savages but the white man seeks to run us off our lands. Our lands, not theirs. The white man cannot tolerate us as a people. Because we do not worship the same way, we are considered heathen."
"Do you believe in God?" she asked, "And the bible?
"I have read some of your bible. It is hard to understand as it talks in circles sometimes, but we do believe there is only one Creator."
She nodded, watching him.
"Are we going to your camp now?" she asked.
"No, I will teach you many things, so you can survive. My people are good people, but they think all whites know nothing. And it is true, many whites do not know of the land, and of nature. But they do know other things that can teach. I want to show them that is not true. So, I will teach you survival, so you know."
"I don't understand?"
"When you make your final decision, you must know how to take care of yourself. For if you choose not to marry me, you must know all these
things to survive on your own."
"Why would you care if I can survive?"
He thought of his answer before speaking. "Because…." His gaze met hers. "Would you turn a bird you captured lose without knowing he could fly?"
"No."
"And a person is much more valuable than a bird, so I would give them the same consideration." He told her.
The comparison made her smile.
"What will you teach me?"
"How to read signs," he pointed to her foot print in the dirt. "How to fire a gun, use a bow and arrow. How to paddle a boat, forage for food in the woods. How to stay away from dangers. Like a trapped animal, I would not release him until he could take care of himself." He smiled again.
This time her heart fluttered. No one had taught her much about living. This man promised her a future, no matter if she turned him down. It was unexpected. It was generous even, but could she trust his words. He seemed to know so much about her, but she knew nothing of him.
Hannah felt a strange excitement about her new life. She knew her life was going to be much different from here on out, and it excited her for the first time. It was like offering a light at the end of a tunnel. A chance to do better.
"When do we start?"
"You are eager to learn?"
"Yes, of course."
He chuckled.
"One thing, you must remember." He cautioned.