28 "I know just as much as you!" Gray Blossom answered, "And, a damn lot more, too! Don't tell me I don't know anything just because I'm a woman! Argue your philosophy on its merit, don't defend it by degrading your opponent!"
29 The crowd broke into applause and cheering. "I want to discuss this further," the young man said.
30 "I'll be here again!" Bay Blossom answered.
31 "Well, I don't want to wait that long!" the young man argued. I want to go with you. I want to meet your Teacher!"
32 "Well, he's standing behind you!" Gray Blossom announced.
33 The young man turned around. "Greetings, sir," he said. "This young woman has been saying some interesting things. Could you teach me more of them?"
34 "She knows them as well as I do," The Old Fox replied. "Why don't you come home for supper, and she can teach you more?"
35 "I'd rather learn from you!" the young man pleaded. He leaned closer and said, "From a man!"
36 "Well, I have no time to teach you!" The Old Fox snapped. "If you want to learn it'll have to be from her!"
37 "Oh, very well!" the young man agreed. "I could use a meal anyway."
38 "And what, may I ask, is our dinner guest's name?"
39 "I'm Screaming Crow," the young man answered.
40 "Let us be off, then," The Old Fox laughed. As they were leaving the marketplace, there was a sudden commotion. A group of people entered the square dragging a man, two women, and four young children. One of the women was screaming, "No! No! Don't sell my babies!" but the men were ignoring her, dragging her and the others along.
41 One of the men jumped up on the platform used for selling slaves. "Slaves for sale!" he cried, "Debtors! Slaves for sale! Good slaves! Come and see! I have a sturdy man, two strong women, and some husky children, all good quality! Come and see! They're on sale for debt! Come and inspect the merchandise. Make a bid!"
42 As Little Bay Blossom grew near, she saw the weeping woman reach for her children, but the men drew them apart. She stepped from the crowd. "Sir," she cried, "by the Law I demand to know the price of their debt. How much is owed?"
43 The auctioneer took a scroll and read it. "Three gold," he answered, "two silver, and thirty-five copper."
44 Bay Blossom took the money from her robes and began to count it out on the platform. She had three gold, two silver and thirty-five copper! "There!" she announced. "They're mine!"
45 The auctioneer shrugged. "By The Law you've paid the full price!" he agreed. "They're yours. Take them away!"
46 The man gathered his wives and children and came to Little Bay Blossom. "Do you want your mark put on them?" the auctioneer asked.
47 "No!" Little Bay Blossom screamed.
48 "If they run away," the auctioneer said, "they can say they're free."
49 "I'll not brand them," Little Bay Blossom answered. "Come along," she told the people. And they all headed back for The Old Fox's property.
50 "Now that you've got them," asked The Old Fox, "what are you going to do with them? I have enough servants now, so does your father."
51 "I don't know," Bay Blossom replied, "but I wasn't about to have them torn apart. How long will it take them to earn their freedom?"
52 "At standard wages," said The Old Fox, "for the three of them, four seasons."
53 The oldest boy spoke up. "I can work," he announced.
54 The Old Fox seized his shoulder. "With his wages," the old gentleman said, "three seasons. But they have to have a place to work."
55 "Excuse me, sir," came a voice from behind them, "but I think I can solve the problem." Everyone turned to see Bay Blossom's young admirer. "I come from a village," he said, "just to the east of Lo. The epidemic hit us hard. We have few hands left for the farms, and many of our craftsmen are gone. I was sent by my father and the village elders to hire workers. Now, if the young lady is willing, I'll employ her slaves at standard wages for five years and see to the collection of her payment every month. Along with the wages will go a small dwelling and a garden plot.
56 What was your business, sir?" he asked the boundsman.
57 "I am a wheelmaker, sir...not a great wheelmaker, but a wheelmaker."
58 The young man smiled. "The answer to a prayer!" he said. "our wheelmaker was one of the first to die, and his apprentice one of the last! I am beginning to wonder about these Spirits of yours, young woman. As you say, whatever needs to be done, They seem to do! Tell me, do we have a bargain?"
59 Little Bay Blossom looked to her father, who shook his head. "They're your boundservants!" he said. "It's your decision!"
60 "All right," the girl agreed, "we'll make a contract at the house. But I make no contract until I know who I am dealing with."
61 "I'm One Hand Hawk," the young man answered, "Gray Hawk Village, Southern River."
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