A Little Snippet From My New Paranormal/Mystery Novel "THE SHIP"...

I added this little piece to the end of "THE SHIP" and called it  BONUS MATERIAL.  The reason I added this to the novel was because among the ghosts and psychic phenomenon, there is also a heavy element of Native American Seneca lore in the book.

I've been fascinated by all kinds of legends and lore from  a number of cultures for many years (Native American, Norse, Greek, Asian, you name it).  From these tales I've gotten a number of ideas over time for future stories.  But in both "THE BRIDGE" and "THE SHIP", I found myself drawing in characters with Native American heritage. I remembered the Iroquois Confederacy which had been made up of 5 tribes namely the Seneca, Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, and the Onondaga.  Eventually they were joined by a 6th tribe the Tuscarora.   The Iroquois were located in the New England area, including Connecticut which was the setting for "THE BRIDGE", so I immediately began scouring their legends and tribal tales for material I could use in the books.

As luck would have it the Senecas had several tales I was very attracted to and here is the one that really made an impact on "THE SHIP"...

The Warrior Cared For By Wolves

A chief named Ganogwioeo, went on the warpath with ten braves into Cherokee country.  They found the Cherokee watchers but could do nothing.

Ganogwioeo told his men to stay in hiding while he entered the Cherokee village in secret.  He succeeded in sneaking into the village and even captured the Cherokee chief’s daughter and scalped her.  But while trying to escape, his bow broke and he was captured.

After being brought back to the village, the two head women of the Cherokee decided his fate.  “Tie him up and place him near the fire so the soles of his feet will blister.  Then drain the blisters and place kernels of corn under the skin.  After that chase him with clubs until he dies.”

Ganogwioeo was stripped naked, tied up and his feet tortured as instructed.  But after the corn was placed under his skin and the chase was about to begin, he managed to escape his captives.

However, he was still far from home and all alone.  When night fell he found a hollow log and crawled inside it.  As he lay there, he heard the sound of feet approaching then halt right next to the log.  For a moment he feared that his pursuers had located him.  Then a voice spoke, “This man is our friend.”

A second voice called out his name and said, “You think you are going to die, but we are going to take care of you.  Stick out your feet.”

Ganogwioeo did as he was instructed and then felt someone licking his feet. When they were finished the first speaker said, “We must keep him warm, let us climb into the log and lie on either side of him.”

         Soon Ganagwioeo felt two warm bodies slip inside the log with him. 

        When morning came he found himself alone inside the log and then heard a voice outside say, “Put out your feet.”  Immediately he obeyed and once more his feet were licked.  Once the licking stopped the speaker instructed him to head to a specific location where he would find something hidden under a large piece of bark. 

      Ganagwioeo climbed out of the log and found himself alone.  But remembering the words of his protectors he followed their instructions and indeed came upon a place he knew.  He and his braves had come here several years earlier, while on the warpath and remembered they had left weapons hidden underneath a large piece of bark.  After a quick search he found the piece laying untouched, along with the weapons left behind.

That night, he found another hollow tree and climbed in.  Within minutes he heard footsteps outside.  “Our friend his here.  Put out your feet.”

He immediately obeyed and once more felt his feet being licked.  Afterwards, he was joined inside the hollow tree by two warm bodies.

This pattern was repeated over the next several days, but never once did he see his protectors.  He always followed their instructions and found clothing, food, and coverings for his feet along the path they told him to follow.

Finally, on the last night after laying inside another hollow tree he heard his saviors familiar footsteps.  Only this time they said, “Friend, tomorrow you will reach your home.  And now we will tell you why we healed and protected you. Whenever you went hunting and killed game, you have always given the best part of the animal to us, while taking the smallest for yourself, for which we are grateful.  In the morning you will see us and know who we are.”

When sunrise came Ganagwioeo arose and saw two men, just as he expected.  Soon they took their leave of him and started off.  But Ganagwioeo wanted to see his friends for as long as possible and turned to look at them.  As soon as he did, he saw his friends change into a pair of wolves, one black, the other white. 

Smiling he thanked them once more and then headed home. For the rest of his days he always remembered the special bond he and his friends now shared. 

 I hope this little snippet captures the imaginations and interest of you all.  Remember, "THE SHIP" is available for Nook, Kindle, Apple, Android phones, and Sony e-readers, as well as in PDF form for laptop or desktop computers.

Just click on the link below to read a sample of the book, or purchase a copy for just $2.99.  Paperback copies are also available through Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.com.  Just type in my name and go from there.  Thanks again for staying with me and keep writing everyone.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/433111