Red Feather

The next morning, the Hawthorne family left with Captain Fred for the boat. There was ’round-the-clock activity at the Port of Mobile, and today was no exception. The bustle of commerce was in full effect as ships were loaded and unloaded, passengers milled about, and port workers yelled back and forth with the boats’ crews. Observers strolled by just to watch the commotion of the third-busiest port in the nation.

As the Hawthornes approached King’s Wharf, Samuel noticed a barge tied up to the right of the packet. It was filled by a mass of people, all huddled together on the center of the deck. Samuel moved closer to see what was happening. As he reached the barge, he realized the people huddled in the middle were Indians. Without thinking, he took off running down the wharf and leaped aboard the barge, totally ignoring the pain in his leg and the protocol of port.

“What do you think you are doing? Get off this boat!” the operator yelled.

Samuel did not respond as he frantically looked at each of the Indians, all women. Two of the crew reached Samuel and grabbed his arms to escort him off the barge. Samuel tried to stand his ground.

“Let me go!” he yelled with defiance that was not typical for him, or for his age. “I am looking for someone!”

Several of the Indians near the edge of the mass turned to see what the commotion was about.

As the crewmen dragged Samuel away, he yelled toward the women, “Does anyone know Red Feather?” He screamed again, “Red Feather, are you there?”

There was a faint sound from within the huddle. The cluster of women began to shift and open up as Samuel continued to struggle with the two men. They almost had him off the boat when a young girl emerged from the crowd of women.

“Red Feather!” Samuel shouted. “There she is, let me go,” he demanded.

They did not listen and continued to drag him off the barge, his heels scraping the wood as his legs flailed.

“Come toward me, Red Feather,” Samuel yelled in desperation.

“Stay where you are, girl!” the operator barked at her.

Realizing he would not be able to overpower the men, Samuel decided to go to his father for help. He continued to struggle so as to not give the impression of defeat as the two men deposited him on the wharf.

He locked eyes with Red Feather. “I’ll be back,” he yelled to her.

Samuel ran with cane in hand to find his father, overlooking the pain that ran through his battered leg. “Father, Red Feather is on that barge! They are taking her somewhere,” he said, gasping for air.

“She’s where?” John replied, craning his neck over Samuel’s shoulder.

“There, on that barge. I saw her, Father,” Samuel said, indicating the barge and pleading with his father for help.

Samuel and John knew what happened to the Indians who were moved through the Port of Mobile. They were taken to New Orleans, then up the Mississippi to Indian Territory, and the government did not let anyone interfere.

“Hold on, son,” John said with his hands on Samuel’s shoulders.

“She is on that barge, and the crew will not let me on to see or speak to her,” Samuel said more slowly and clearly, though still with palpable anger in his voice.

John turned toward Captain Fred, who had heard the whole encounter. “What do you think, Fred?”

“Well, maybe we can find out who is in charge of the barge. I might know him.”

Captain Fred held a great deal of authority and respect with men along the port. He’d been there longer than just about anyone and was even looked to in times of conflict to provide wisdom gained by his age, experience, and character.

Samuel joined him and John as they walked toward the barge. Captain Fred followed protocol and requested permission to board.

“Fred Dixon, right?” the operator asked, squinting toward him from the deck.

Captain Fred nodded and gave a tip of his hat. “Afraid so,” he responded.

“Well, you’re welcome to come aboard.”

As Captain Fred proceeded, Samuel followed right on his heels with John close behind.

“Those two, though,” the operator continued, “will have to stay behind.” He pointed a finger directly at Samuel and John, causing Samuel’s anger to nearly boil over.

“I’m not—” Samuel began indignantly, before John brought a heavy hand down on his right shoulder and steered him back toward the wharf. Despite the overwhelming urge to do so, Samuel couldn’t bring himself to struggle against his father.

Samuel and John watched from shore as Captain Fred and the operator conversed. Samuel couldn’t quite discern the mood of the discussion, but he could make out Red Feather’s eyes and expression, which were screaming for help.

“Father, please do something. Look, there she is. Look at her, she is begging for our help!”

John saw Red Feather and the frightened look on her face. He put his hand on Samuel’s back, demonstrating his support, and turned his focus back to Captain Fred’s conversation with the operator.

After a lengthy discussion, Captain Fred returned to shore and carefully explained their options. “Mr. Smith here is willing to release Red Feather if I will sign and take full responsibility for her,” he said.

“Will you do it, Captain Fred?” Samuel asked without hesitation.

“Son, there are several important details to consider,” he answered, his tone taking on a seriousness Samuel had not yet heard. “First, does Red Feather want to be released to us? She would be leaving her family and perhaps never see them again.”

“Will they let us talk to her?” John asked.

“Yes. But I think you, Eliza, and Samuel need to talk first,” Captain Fred responded.

Samuel did not want to walk away from Red Feather’s view, so John went to find Eliza and explain the situation.

Though Eliza was stunned to discover what was happening, Samuel’s feelings did not surprise her. “John, what would this mean? Would Red Feather come live with us?” she asked, cautious about the repercussions of this decision.

“Yes, she would live with us, but we don’t know yet if she wants to leave her people. The operator, Mr. Smith, will let us speak with her, but we need to be sure we can handle this arrangement before we offer. Unfortunately, we have only a few seconds to decide.”