Cherokee Hiker

CHEROKEE HIKER By Lee Mariner April 2002

DISCLAIMER: This is a gay fantasy and depicts homosexual acts between gay boys. IF YOU ARE NOT OF LEGAL AGE TO BE READING THIS STORY OR YOU DO NOT APPROVE OF SUCH MATERIAL, PLEASE LEAVE.

All characters are fictional and there is no relationship intended with any person or persons living or deceased.

ENGAGING IN UNPROTECTED SEX CAN LEAD TO LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

This work is copyrighted by the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the specific written consent of the author. It is assigned to the Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but it may not be copied or archived on any other site without the permission of the author. Copyright: 2002 -- Author: Lee Mariner -- All Rights are Reserved.

Mariner23502@hotmail.com

• • • • • • • Chapter #3

The day was warmer then we first thought it would be in the early morning coolness when we awoke. John and I removed our heavier outer shirts and wore only walking shorts and t-shirts. We both had elected to not wear jockeys and I appreciated the feeling of freedom from constriction that jockeys forced on men.

The hiking trail had gotten a little rockier and I followed Jon watching where he walked. He had the natural Cherokee instinct for picking the right trail.

We recorded several specimens of flora and took pictures that would verify the record we were making of the hike. It was not as if we were making discoveries that would vault us into the annals of science but we both enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors. The sun had risen almost to its zenith and we were warm but comfortable protected from its direct rays as it filtered through the trees.

We both were perspiring and watching Jon's muscles rippling under his glistening tawny skin as he walked kept me in a half hard state, my cock rolling from side to side with each step. I had unconsciously hidden my feelings of wanting him deep within me but now, everything about Jon had become more vivid than it ever had. His smooth velvety bronze skin and the way he moved with an athletic almost cat like grace as he chose each step. The muscles in his calves would tighten as he stepped on the balls of his feet and they were like thick ropes as he placed one foot in front of the other moving with ease up the trail. I knew all of this but had never really seen it before. Lost in my thoughts I slipped and my left knee dropped down embedding a sharp stone in the kneecap and I grunted in pain loud enough for Jon to hear.

"You okay Ryan?" He said turning to look at me.

"I'm okay, I just slipped. Keep going."

As I straightened up, the blood ran down my shin into my sock and Jon saw it

"Yeah, you're okay alright. Sit on that rock beside you and put some pressure on your leg above the knee."

I sat down on the rock while Jon dropped his knapsack and pulled out the first aid kit we had brought. The wound in my knee throbbed and stung as he sprayed an antiseptic spray on it and used alcohol swaps too clean it trying to stem the flow of blood that probably would have been heavier if I was not putting pressure just above the knee. Jon took a roll of gauze and doubling it he made a tourniquet using a stick so he could twist it reducing the blood flow.

"Damn Ryan, that's a really nasty gash. I knew we should have brought a cell phone with us. You need a doctor to look at that, I think it's going to need stitches."

"Why don't you pull one out of the pocket in your loin cloth." I said feeling silly and giggling.

"Oh, aren't we cute making jokes about loin cloths? Indians don't wear them anymore except in special ceremonies. I've never worn one, wouldn't know how you put it on."

"I think you would look hot in one. Here, help me with my knapsack, there's one in the side pocket. Dad put it in there before he left us yesterday."

"White men and their technology, no wonder we lost the wars."

"Only half of you lost the wars Jon, the rest is part of that technology."

"You have to remind me of that do you? Which part did you fall in love with little brother?"

"Both parts and I'm not any smaller then you are."

Jon pulled the cell phone from the side pocket of my knapsack after he slipped it off of my shoulders and dialed his home. My knee was a little numb from the antiseptic spray he had used in cleaning the wound but I could still feel a deep throbbing pain and I rubbed my thigh as he called.

"Dad, Jon. I was hoping you would be home. No, we're all right but Ryan has had and accident. Nothing broken but he slipped and he has a pretty nasty gash in his left kneecap. How bad is it? Pretty bad, the blood won't stop running and we had to put a tourniquet just above the knee so we could stop the bleeding. I've cleaned it pretty good with alcohol and antiseptic but I haven't bandaged it yet. I think he needs a doctor."

Jon was listening too his father and I could follow the conversation some but I was feeling just a little giddy and wanted to lie down. There was a small grassy spot next to the boulder and I reached out and touched Jon's arm.

"Jon, wait a minute. I need to lay down, I don't feel so good."

"Hold a sec Dad, be right back."

Jon pulled a blanket out of his knapsack and spread it over the grass and helped me lay down.

"I'm back Dad, Ryan wasn't feeling good. He is lying down on the grass. What are we going to do Dad?"

"Release the pressure of that tourniquet Jon and stay on the phone while I get your mother."

Gilbert Parkers medical experience kicked in automatically as he called for his wife. He knew Jon would not panic but he could detect a note of worry in his voice and he would not have called if it were not serious.

"Helen, call the Montgomery's and tell them that Ryan has had an accident, nothing serious but ask Brett & Christine to come right over."

"Jon, you still there?"

"Yes sir."

"Your mother is calling Ryan's parents. This is what I want you to do. Keep the pressure on with the tourniquet but release it every 5 minutes. Are there any pressure pads in your med kit?"

"Yes sir, I think there are 3 of them."

"Good, how many wipes do you have left?"

"There are several of them Dad, you want me to keep the wound clean after we release the pressure?"

"Not the wound, the area around it. Put one of the pressure pads over the wound but don't tape it on, wrap it loosely with gauze so it won't slip off. Are you wearing surgical gloves so you don't get his blood on you?"

"Damn Dad, this is Ryan we are talking about."

"Christ Jon, I'm sorry, it's an automatic reflex. Hold a second, Ryan's father is here."

Jon could hear Ryan's father and his over the phone as they talked.

"What's happened Gil, Helen said something about an accident? Are the boy's alright?"

"They both are okay except Ryan has had an accident and from what Jon is telling me, he has injured his left knee pretty bad from falling on a rock. It's a damn good thing you put that cell phone in his backpack."

"Let me talk to Jon Gil and ask Helen to stay with Christine, she's frantic. Jon how's Ryan?"

"He's alright Mr. Montgomery but he has a pretty nasty gash in his knee and the bleeding won't stop. We put a tourniquet on his leg and that helps but he needs a doctor."

"How far on the trail are you, how deep did you get in?"

"I guess maybe 10 or 12 miles. We didn't hike very long yesterday but we got an early start this morning. Ryan slipped just as we were reaching the crest that overlooks Window Rock Flats."

"I know where that is, you're only in about 9 miles. Will you be okay there until we can get there?"

"Yes sir. He's lying on a grassy place by a big boulder and Dad's told me what I should do. It's not going to be easy for him getting out of here though."

"We'll worry about that later. Do what your Dad has told you and we'll be there as fast as we can. Thanks Jon I appreciate you taking care of him."

"He's my brother Mr. Montgomery."

"I know that Jon, here's your Dad."

"How large is the wound Jon?"

"It looks like about 2" Dad. It's shaped like a "V" and you can see where the rock really cut into his knee. It does not seem to be bleeding as bad as it was at first."

"That's good, the blood is coagulating some. If the bleeding stops don't remove the tourniquet just loosen it so you can re-apply pressure if he should start bleeding again. Keep doing what I've told you and put a blanket over Ryan so he stays warm. Brett and I will be there as soon as we can and don't let Ryan move around, make him as comfortable as you can but movement might start the blood flowing again."

"Yes sir, I understand."

Jon had been crouching beside me while he was talking with our parents and he stood up stretching from the stiffness, flexing his muscles. I felt a little groggy but he looked magnificent standing over me like a guardian angel and I felt protected even with the throbbing in my knee and thigh.

"How long do you think before they get here?"

"You're awake, I thought you had dozed off. I'm not real sure but maybe 3 hours or less. Your Dad said we had only come in about 9 miles, I thought it was further."

"He is probably right, he and I walked this trail a couple of times before. My leg is feeling a little numb Jon, do you think we should undo the tourniquet?"

"I dunno, lets see. Dad said we could loosen it if the bleeding had stopped but not take it off."

I sat up watching as Jon untwisted the tourniquet and my leg felt better right away. A little blood seeped from the wound but it wasn't flowing like it had been. Jon put the pressure bandage on my knee like his Dad had said and he wrapped it loosely with gauze.

"Maybe it's not as bad as it looks Jon. My knee and thigh still hurt but it's not throbbing like it was."

"We'll keep an eye on it anyway, the pressure bandage will help some. Dad told me to put another blanket on you and keep you warm."

Jon opened my pack and pulled the blanket out and one of my t-shirts getting one of his out of his pack at the same time telling me to sit up and lift my arms so he could put the shirt on for me. Straddling my hips on his knees he started to put the shirt on but the temptation to kiss his naval was too much for me to resist and when my lips touched his skin he sucked his stomach in his muscles tensing.

"Don't start something we can't finish in your condition."

I didn't answer and I could see the bulge growing in his crotch and kissed him again hearing him groan as he dropped his arms down running his hands through my hair. Unsnapping his shorts, I pulled the zipper down exposing the base of his cock surrounded by thick black hair. Kneeling on either side of me, his shorts would only drop so far but enough so I could reach in and pull his thick-sheathed rod out for my mouth to swallow sliding his loose foreskin back with my lips. My cock ached, confined in my tight shorts but I wanted Jon and this time I was the aggressor. I moved my head in until I felt the head of his cock pushing against the roof of my mouth in as deep as it would go. I held him tight with my lips twisting my tongue over and under his thickness as I moved my head sucking his cock like an all-day sucker. Massaging Jon's balls with one hand I ran the other over his hard flat stomach tangling my fingers in his thick silky bush as he groaned arching his back and holding my head.

"Oh Ryan, Ryan." Jon groaned as I sucked and his hips moved slightly in and out helping him reach his climax.

I wanted to drain him of every drop of the cream I could feel churning in his nuts as they drew up slowly. Leaning over me, holding my head, his thrusts became longer and faster as his cock hardened swelling and then gushing thick molten streams into my mouth and down my throat. I swallowed every bit of his bodily nectar as his cock slowly softened. Tightening my lips around his cock I washed his softening meat with my spittle mixing saliva with his cream and swallowing it feeling it slide down my throat.

As Jon's soft but still slightly hard cock slipped from my lips I leaned back on my elbows his hands sliding down over my chest and he leaned forward with me his lips on mine. Jon's tongue searched in the depths of my mouth tasting the residue of his seed as he pressed our lips tight.

I lay back down on the blanket my eyes closed as the after glow slowly slipped from me feeling him move from over me. My cock had softened in the excitement of taking Jon but I could feel the dampness from pre-cum that had oozed from my cock. I drifted a little in the euphoria of Jon massaging my body running his fingers over the sculpted outline of my chest muscles. I could hear him very softly humming a tune I didn't remember hearing before. His fingers sent little tingling shocks through me as my cock started swelling again at his touch. It was like being in a dream and I could feel the warm sun beaming down on us as the birds were singing and a soft breeze drifted over us. Jon's fingers unsnapped the top of my shorts and he slowly pulled the zipper down exposing my rock hard cock lying on my stomach. I gasped as he kissed it and lifted my hips slightly so he could push my shorts down as he took the full length into his mouth and it slid deep into his throat deeper then I had been able to take him. The warmth of his mouth radiated upwards over me as his throat muscles worked my blood-engorged cock. I couldn't move very much but I didn't need to move as Jon slowly slid up and down it's thick length his tongue twisting and curling around the head each time he pulled up. Ecstatic currents shot through every muscle when I felt my body stiffen and streams of my body's life giving sperm erupted in an almost cataclysmic explosion flooding down his throat surge after surge. I groaned and collapsed as he drained me, his lips tight demanding, squeezing the last drops from my wilting cock.

We both rested for a few minutes and Jon stretched out beside me pulling the other blanket over us both. We hadn't put the t-shirts on or pulled our shorts up as we drifted off.

It was just a little difficult visualizing the injury Ryan had sustained but from what Jon had described, it didn't seem that bad but still serious Gilbert was thinking as he disconnected his cell phone.

"I don't think it is really that bad Brett but we better get up there. The loss of blood is my main concern but I'm sure Jon will follow my instructions on what he should do about that. I'm going to take an emergency suture kit with me just in case we might need too suture the wound until we get him to where he can be treated properly and x-rays taken. I have just about everything else we will need in my medical bag. You told Jon you knew where they are located?"

"Yeah, Ryan and I always rested at that spot before pushing over the crest that Jon described when we hiked that trail. Should take us about two hours or so before we reach them. I know Christine will go with us but she can stay in the SUV while we go in. Maybe Helen could come along and keep her company?"

"Of course she will." Gilbert said looking for his wife.

"I have packed a lunch for all of us with extra water Gilbert while you've been talking. Your medical bag is where you always leave it so you better get the suture kit you mentioned. Christine is putting some extra blankets and pillows in the car. When she heard you and Brett talking about a knee injury she mentioned having a pair of crutches in the garage she was going to take in case you needed them."

Gilbert always marveled at the calm efficiency of the beautiful young Cherokee girl he had married. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle her and sometimes he felt she could read his thoughts before he knew what they were.

"You are a wonder. Brett if you will help with this stuff, I'll get that kit and we can get on our way. The faster we get there the better."

The SUV loaded, Helen and Christine sat in the back seat, Helen holding Christine's hand. The drive to the location where Brett was supposed to meet the boys was less then an hour and he and Gilbert were on the trail in just a little over an hour since Jon had called. The crutches were a little cumbersome but Gilbert had said it was a good idea that they take them so Ryan would have some support coming down the trail.

Jon woke with a start hearing the bleating of a stag. The sun had fallen in the west and the shadows were lengthening. Throwing the blanket back he check the wound on Ryan's knee and was relieved that the pressure bandage was still in place. There was no indication that bleeding had re-started and from what his father had said, that was good.

Ryan stirred a little as he hovered over him checking the wound. He grinned a little at the sight of his soft cock laying snuggly on its soft silky nest and covered him again. He started to stand when he heard Ryan.

"Jon, what time is it? Shouldn't they be here by now? It's getting dark."

"They shouldn't be much longer. Can you sit up? We should try and get dressed before they get here."

"I think so but my leg hurts like hell."

"Before you sit up, lift your hips so I can pull your shorts up and then we can get your shirt on."

Jon kneeled beside me and pulled my shorts up and then helped me sit before slipping the t-shirt over my head and then the heavier shirt we had removed earlier. After re-arranging the blankets and putting my backpack behind me so I was half sitting and half lying, he finished dressing himself.

Gathering some dry materials, Jon scooped a small pit in the sandy soil under the lee of the large boulder we were sitting by and started a small fire.

"Boy would I like some hot chocolate about now. Seems like we haven't eaten since breakfast."

"We haven't but I have some jerky in my pack that we can chew on. There's water in the canteens if you're thirsty. I want to check your leg again."

My leg had stiffened and the pain was there but not throbbing like it had earlier. Jon removed the pressure bandage and using his flashlight you could see the knee had swollen quite a bit but the bleeding had stopped. Taking a couple of the alcohol wipes he cleaned the dried blood from around the wound before re-applying the bandage. While Jon was finishing up, I glanced back down the trail and thought I saw a flash of light.

"Jon, look there isn't that a light coming up the trail? Right there between the trees, see it?"

"You're right, where is that big lamp we brought?"

'Here Jon, in my pack help me move a little."

I leaned over while Jon held me and pulled the larger lamp from my pack turning it on waving it and calling out, "Dad, dad. Up here."

My Dad and Dr. Parker were both kneeling beside both Jon and I hugging us.

"Damn Ryan, you guys look like your bedded down for the night what with the fire and all, not waiting to be rescued. How'd this happen? Later, tell us later. How is the leg Gil?"

"He won't be doing any running for awhile Brett, it's swollen pretty bad. I can't feel any breaks but we'll let x-rays tell us that. That pressure bandage Jon applied really did the trick and stopped the bleeding. I was more worried about that."

"It's going to be a long trip getting back in the dark though and those crutches were a good idea. Ryan can use one and lean on Jon for better support as we go down. Jon help Mr. Montgomery pack you stuff and put that fire out. I'm not going to suture the wound but re-apply the pressure bandage after spraying it with Novocain for the pain, it'll help a little as we move."

Dr. Parker walked in front with the big lamp and my Dad walked behind as Jon and I hobbled down the trail. I was holding a flashlight in my free hand. Off in the distance the bleating sound of a stag drifted up from Window Rock Flats meadow and I wondered if it was the same one that had awakened Jon.

I don't remember exactly how long it took for us to get down the trail but I do remember thinking about our special spot as we passed it and I squeezed Jon's neck. He turned his head looking at me briefly, a smile in his dark eyes. It wasn't long after that and I heard my mother calling my name squeezing me in a bear hug my crutch falling to the ground. It made me feel good seeing Jon getting the same treatment.

"Okay ladies, give the kids a break. We need to get Ryan to the hospital so I can check his injuries closer. We can lay Ryan in the back and Jon can sit between Helen and Christine."

"I'll sit in back with Ryan if it's okay Dad? It might get a little bumpy."

"Okay, probably a good idea. Lets get going."

We made good time to the hospital and I was being rolled in on a gurney with Dr. Parker following giving orders to a nurse and orderly.

The orderly didn't look much older then Jon and I, he was Cherokee Indian. Rolling the gurney and me into an examining room he pulled the curtain around the gurney. Pulling one of those open ended gowns from a pile on the table he laid it across my hips and started undressing me taking my shirt off and pulling my shirt over my head. Slipping my arms in the armholes he pushed me back down on the gurney. Putting on a pair of latex gloves he started snipping the left leg of my shorts.

"Hey, what'cha doing? Those are my shorts you're cutting up."

"Dr. Parker told me to cut the one leg off so they could be removed. Lay back down and I'll tell you when you can lift your hips so I can pull them off."

I could feel the scissors cutting the cloth away and then he ordered me to lift my hips a little. His gloved fingers pressed against my soft cock as he pulled the shorts down and off of me. He was grinning as he pulled the hospital gown down covering me. "Pale meat on a white boy."

"What would you know about it bud?" Jon said as he walked into the curtained enclosure. "My father might like to know his orderlies check out their male patients."

"Your father is Dr. Parker? I didn't know that."

"What difference does that make, he's a white man or didn't you know that? Do you want to check out his meat? It's white like Ryan's but mine is as dark as yours if you want to check it out. I wonder if you treat Indian patients the same way you do whites."

Dr. Parker entered at that time with his nurse following. He had put on his medical smock and latex gloves.

"I didn't know you were in here Jon, why don't you wait with Ryan's parents and your mother. I'll let you know when we are finished. Are you done One Feather?"

"Yes Dr. Parker. Anything else I can help you with?"

"Not right now, I'll call you if I need you."

I noticed Jon look at his father when he called the orderly by an Indian name but he walked on out as he had been told taking my cut shorts with him.

Dr. Parker cleaned the wound carefully after administrating a shot of Novocain on either side of the kneecap. I could feel the pressure of his fingers as he gently pressed around the wound but no pain. The x-rays showed no breaks but the muscles covering the kneecap had been deeply bruised and blood vessels had been cut by the sharp edge of the stone I had fallen on.

"You're going to be uncomfortable for a few days Ryan but there is no permanent damage except for a scar. I'm going to keep you here for the night for observation, I'll see you in the morning."

After Dr. Parker placed the sutures his nurse gave me a shot.

"That will help you sleep tonight."

The following morning I woke up and Jon was sitting at the side of the bed and it was only about 6AM.

"What did you do Jon, sleep here all night?"

"I wanted too but Mom and Dad wouldn't let me, how're you feeling?"

"My leg hurts and I'm hungry but most of all I'd love a shower."

"Sorry Ryan, no showers for a couple of days." Dr. Parker said as he walked into the room. "I don't want your knee getting wet until its had time to start healing. I'll send in an orderly and he can give you a sponge bath after I check the wound. How did you sleep last night?"

"I don't remember much after the nurse gave me that shot Dr. Parker. If I can't shower, why can't Jon help me bathe"?

"No reason he can't but the orderly is trained in bathing patients and I don't want you twisting your leg. You aren't shy are you Ryan?"

"No sir. I'd just rather have Jon do it then someone I don't know. Besides, someone is going to have to help me at home if you won't let me shower and Mom and Dad won't be home during the day."

"Good point Ryan, I guess Jon can handle it and I think I know where he will be until your back on your feet. The wound looks pretty good and the swelling has gone down some. You really landed on that rock when you slipped. Jon tells me you only grunted; most people would have done more than that when a rock is driven into their kneecap. I'll write a prescription for Tylenol Codeine and that will help with the pain. Those bruised muscles are going to hurt for a while. I won't bandage it right now while Jon is bathing you. Wash around it but don't get it wet Jon, I'll dress it after you're finished."

"I can handle it Dad, where's the stuff I'll need?"

"Everything you need is in the cabinet. Remember, don't wet the wound or your grounded."

Dr. Parker closed the curtain around the bed as he left and Jon grinned at me.

"I didn't think he was going to let me do it at first, you talked him into it. Lets get you out of those shirts first. I'm surprised they didn't take them off last night when that guy cut your shorts off."

"That guy was a jerk. Did you hear your dad call him One Feather? That surprised me. What surprised me more was the way he pressed his hand down on my cock while he pulled those shorts off and what he said."

"He is a reservation Indian Ryan and most of them don't like using American names. They think it is an offense to the Sioux Nation if they use a name other then a native one. Jobs are usually pretty hard for them to find is the only reason I didn't say something to Dad."

Jon dropped the dirty shirts into a shopping bag the hospital provides for personal items and went outside the curtain. It was a little chilly lying in bed naked and I couldn't help but think hospitals always seemed cold as I pulled the thin thermal blanket up over me. I could hear Jon getting the stuff he needed for bathing me and I could feel myself getting excited at the idea of Jon giving me a bath and he must have noticed it when he came back in with the water basin, sponge and towels.

Placing the basin on the bedside cabinet top he turned looking at me his eyes glistening and my cock was hard as steel. My breathing quickened as he placed his hand over the outline of my cock, squeezing it and leaned down kissing me softly whispering "not here little brother, later when we are alone and have more time."

I let my hand fall from the bed and squeezed his hard cock; he wasn't wearing any jockeys under his shorts.

"I don't know if I can wait that long Jon, it feels like I'm going to shoot a load any second and when you start washing me with that sponge, I know I will."

"If you keep squeezing me like you are, we both will." Jon said with a devilish grin his eyes gleaming.

That was not the first time Jon bathed me but it was the hardest. We both managed to control ourselves with effort. Every time he washed around or touched my cock and washed my crotch and balls, I almost shot my load and I could tell he was having fun teasing me.

"No wonder they called your people savages Jon. You're having fun torturing me aren't you?"

"You bring out the savage in me and you're loving every minute of it. What's the matter can't take it?"

"I didn't do this when you broke your arm."

"No, but we didn't know then what we know now did we? Sit up so I can wash your back and don't put any pressure on that leg when you do. Dad will kill me if those sutures break."

"Then help me get up."

Jon was drying me off when his Dad and mine came into the room laughing.

"Morning son, I see the hospital has a new nurse. How're you doing Jon, is he a good patient?"

"Morning Mr. Montgomery, he's not bad. I didn't know he was ticklish before I gave him his bath."

"Well you would be ticklish too with someone washing you with a sponge and you know it."

"See Brett, I told you he was okay. When they don't fuss at each other is when you know they are sick. I've already discharged him so you can take him home when he's ready. Just keep an eye on him and if he develops a temperature, call me right away. Follow the instructions we talked about and he should be fine but don't use the pain medication unless he really needs it."

"Thanks for everything Gil, I really appreciate it."

"No thanks needed Brett, I'll see you later. Jon, your mother needs some help at home so as soon as you finish helping Mr. Montgomery get Ryan home, you head on home."

"Yes sir, I will but I'd like to hang with Ryan in case he needs me."

"I have no problem with that son but you have chores at home as well."

"I'll see that he goes right home Gil and we will see what kind of schedule we can work out if Ryan needs help."

Jon helped me dress in the clothes my dad had brought while he drove the SUV up to the front doors of the hospital and signed some final forms. Hospital policy required that departing patients be escorted out in a wheelchair and the orderly One Feather was sent in with one to assist in helping me leave. Jon wouldn't let him touch me and he picked me up lowering me in the chair and pushing me out as the orderly followed.

Dad was sitting behind the wheel waiting as Jon pushed the wheelchair around to the left side of the truck opening the door. I stood on my good leg and Jon helped me into the truck while One Feather pulled the chair away so I could slide my injured leg up on the seat as I slid across.

Things were going pretty good until I heard One Feather.

"Is the good little Indian boy going to sleep with the poor little white boy?"

From where I was sitting in the truck, I saw Jon stiffen and turn facing the orderly clenching his fists.

"It's Indians like you that keep our people down. Instead of trying to live with other people you have to keep making nasty prejudiced comments getting those of us that are trying to do better into trouble. When are you going to learn that the wars were over a long time ago and we all have to learn to live together? My father is probably one of the reasons you have a job at the hospital but you don't appreciate it."

"That's the difference between being a half-breed and being a Cherokee, you don't know who you are. Your white father has nothing to do with me or any Indian working here, that's up to the Indian Agency and the Council."

Dad opened the door and got out hearing what was being said between Jon and the orderly.

"Get in the truck Jon. Young man, that half-breed as you call him is probably a better Cherokee then you will ever be and he is right. You and your kind hurt the Cherokee people more then you help with your vile hatred of white people. Look around the hospital and you will see both Indian and white doctors working together helping both races not trying to drive them apart with hateful rhetoric such as you are spreading. If you weren't working in the hospital, where would you be? Probably on the reservation feeling sorry for yourself drinking and shooting drugs. You're just as bad as the white racial bigots and their hateful organizations. Wake up and see what you are doing, hurting yourself and others. You are also very wrong about Dr. Parker, the Indian Agency and Council. Dr. Parker is the Medical Director of the hospital and works with the Agency and the Council. He has a lot to do with you and others working here and in other clinics and hospitals. Take that wheelchair back inside and do your job and learn something besides how to run off at the mouth. There are a lot of wrongs to be worked out but you aren't helping."

I had never heard my dad talk like he had before and I could feel my chest swelling with pride as he got back in the truck leaving One Feather standing with his mouth open.

"Thanks Mr. Montgomery." Jon said looking at my father and me. "He's just mixed up."

"He may be Jon but there is a lot he needs to learn if the Cherokee people are ever going to improve their standards of living and education. His type only keep the racial witches brew boiling."

Nothing else was said as we drove the short distance home. Jon's mother and mine came running out to the truck as we pulled up the drive. I sighed softly, resigning myself to being babied and I could see Jon grinning as mom was hugging my neck almost choking me.

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

Will Rogers