Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,”

*** ANNOUNCEMENT ***

JUST RELEASED – my newest short novel (novelette) of Historical Fiction, entitled:

The Battle of Mohegan Bluffs.

It is an account pieced together from various historical sources chronicling the fight between the Block Island (Manissean) Indians and the invading Mohegans. This battle led to the naming of the Island’s famous bluffs located at the Southeast corner of the island.

This book is Part One in a series of novelettes depicting the major events that led to the eventual founding of Block Island, RI. Many believe that Block Island was the first true Democracy in America. These pioneer settlers sought to escape Puritan oppression to establish a loving Christian community that would allow each resident to freely worship God, or not, as their conscience led.

The events in this story predate European settlement but involves the native Indian’s universal struggles over good and evil and the fight for freedom. In an earlier post, I included a Lakota Indian prayer (Nice Country, America! – July 2, 2019) that highlights what many animist tribal people groups also attest to – the evidence around them that there is a Supreme Being who is active in their lives.

If you are a Block Island lover or just interested in early American history brought to life, you may enjoy this fast-paced read. An excerpt from the book is included below. The action takes place on Block Island (Known by the Indian natives as Manisses). It features an exchange between Asesakes, a young Manissean brave and Jacquantu, the tribe’s old sachem (chief).

Available for purchase on Amazon as an E-Book or in Paperback.

The Battle of Mohegan Bluffs

Chapter 10

The smoke was taken by the island wind and spun into a large funnel. It twirled and hovered over the fire until the wind snapped in the opposite direction, obliterating the vision. Asesakes watched from a distance.

He walked up to the smoldering campfire near the edge of the tall bluff to the east. The old sachem sat quietly, being entertained by the dance between the smoke and the island wind.

They did not speak. The young brave’s shattered arm, swollen in shades of black, blue, yellow, and green was tied to his body to set the breaks. Jacquantu turned away from the dance and looked over at the Mohegans’ earthen fort on the center bluff.

Asesakes was about to speak when a weak voice calling for water came from the center bluff. “Nupi!” He cringed at the haunting cry and by his own jabbing pain. The pain spiked into his shoulder while he maneuvered to sit down across the fire from Jacquantu.

“Sachem, why do we let this go on? For over a week they have been starved without food and water.” He waved his hand in front of his nose. “They smell of rotting flesh. They cannot fight back. Others desire that we go in and finish them.”

“I know that is what others want.” The sachem said. “We can now make war is what some say. People who make war, we are not. We are people of Manisses.” He scooped up some soft dirt and sand and let it sift through his fingers. “It is what Manisses gives and takes that brought revenge on those Mohegans. The Mohegan and the Pequot people will never be afraid of us, but they will fear Manisses. But my spirit”—he searched for the right word— “it is sawáyu—empty. Have we acted as people we were not created to be? Is there a way better for us?”

“My spirit is also sawáyu.”Asesakes nodded. “We are not fighters is my belief. But, when we killed the Mohegan sachem something strange happened.”

The old man poked at the fire. “What about that was strange?”

“Audsah wanted to kill me and the girl, Alsoomse you know?”

“Yes, I heard.” He shook his head. “But I do not think he would.”

“Well, a spirit came upon me to say that my life stood between the Mohegan Sachem and Audsah—one was going to kill me. I had no hope, so I cried up to the sky for someone—anyone to save me. Then this fight between the Mohegan Sachem and Audsah happened.” He tried to raise his arm as he spoke and groaned. “Well, it happened that Audsah saved me from the Mohegan, and then me and the girl saved Audsah from the Mohegan.”

“Yes.” The sachem kept his eyes on the twisting smoke. “What does that mean to you?”

“The Mohegan is now dead and Audsah’s honor is restored. I am now safe.” He picked up a small stone and threw it into the fire. “How does such a thing happen?”

Jacquantu continued to watch the smoke and wind dance as he pondered. “Did you not cry out to the sky?”

“I did.”

“Then, perhaps it was Manisses’ little god?” His eyes widened and he thrust his index finger into the air. “There also is a bigger God. A wuyi Manto—a good God.” He looked up to the sky. “When this God will step into our lives we never know.” He grinned and pointed at Asesakes with his walking stick. “With this spirit, you must have great favor. Perhaps we should call out to this God more often?” With certainty, he nodded, “Yes, we should.”

Asesakes meditated on the sachem’s words. “Still, I fear that spirit of these Mohegans will come back one day to avenge any evil we have done. The Mohegan sachem said he would.”

Jacquantu’s bushy eyebrows raised up and he peered at Asesakes. “He said that?”

“Yes. Destroy us all one day, he said.”

The sachem paused and then reached over to pull a flower from the nearby bush. “A maci uyuqôm I had while sleeping last night. You have made me remember.” He studied the flower. “In my bad dream, Mohegan Quttajuia came back, and like eating the pink flowers of this beach rose, he began to devour us.”

Asesakes’ stomach tightened. “Can we stop that from happening?”

Jacquantu crushed the flower in his fingers. “Maybe, but a peace sacrifice there must be.” He opened his hand and the wind blew the crushed flower petals away. “With no peace sacrifice, revenge can never die for people in this life. The past won’t let it. If people forget, peace spirits will remind them.”

“What will have to be sacrificed to save us?”

“Maybe it is one of us? Maybe it is the great sachem of our brother Narragansets? Maybe it is Manisses Island itself? I do not know.” He shrugged. “We will see.”

The young brave felt a sadness sweep over him. “How will we ever know?”

“Let us go pisupá in our sweat-lodge.” Jacquantu struggled to stand. “It will bring healing to my feet and to your arm.” He pointed to his ear. “It is there I often hear from the little god. The old man straightened up. “Perhaps the one who saved you will tell us.”

Movement on the center bluff drew Asesakes’ attention. He watched as the weakened body of one of the Mohegans crawled out of their earthen fort toward the edge of the bluff. Asesakes pointed. “Jacquantu, another of Mohegans is there. Is that the last one?”

They watched the Mohegan raise himself up and then stumble until he fell off the edge. Asesakes listened. Quiet. No scream. No sound.

“Will Mohegans one day destroy us?” Jacquantu rubbed his chin. “Perhaps.” He nodded toward the center bluff. “For now, on this island that is the last of them.”

“Well,” The old sachem corrected himself, “there is one who fell that may be alive, but he is broken, still hanging onto a rock and moaning this morning.” He waved his hand. “You take some men over and look to see if any are still alive. If they are alive, then leave them to Manisses.” Jacquantu limped away.

Asesakes called to him, “But, if they are dead?”

The sachem stopped. He shrugged. “Throw the bodies off the bluff and leave them to Manisses.”

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Other Recommended Reading:

Peace Child by Canadian Missionaries Don and Carol Richardson who in 1962 risked their lives to share the good news of the sacrificial love of Christ with the Sawi people of New Guinea. Peace Child tells their unforgettable story of living among these headhunters and cannibals. It was with the Sawi people that the Richardsons first discovered the “redemptive analogy” they believe God has placed in every culture as a means to communicate His gospel message.