I, long ago, crossed the great river, riding across the plains west of the great river, trying to lose myself but only finding that a man cannot lose something that is a part of him. I said to myself one morning, after a long time on this great land, “Chance of the Creek, it is time for you to go home. If you are to meet death, then meet death in the lands of the Creeks.”
I still had this emptiness and hate for the red coats who attacked my village and killed many of my brothers, took the life of my wife and son. I do have good times that I remember of my wife and son. I took my horse and rifle and headed east from the far southwest. Once again I was headed for land I did not know about. After many moons, I found myself in a land covered in water and mud. The land was like that of our brothers, the lower Creek Indians. I found a dry spot, so I stopped and made camp, for I really did not know which way to go. I could tell where east was but how was a man to move in this land of mud. For the first time in my life, I was lost, so I fixed a large rattler that I killed and gave thanks for his spirit and fixed some roots to eat with it. Over the morning hours, I found myself burning with fever. I tried to sit up but could not. I finally passed out. I really did not know how many moons had passed when I came to. II opened my eyes but was not able to see very clearly but could tell that I was in someone’s lodge. I laid there for a long time, unable to get up.
A voice of a woman said, “Drink this.” I
opened my eyes again, at first believing that I was dreaming. She said, “You will live. Where are you from and what are you called?”
I answered, “I am Chance
of the Creek Indians, east of the great river.”
She said, “Yes, we have heard
of the Creeks. They are a great people.”
I said, “Who are you? What tribe are
you?”
She replied, “We are the people of the swamp, we have been called by many
names, but the people of the swamp will do.”
She looked after me till the chief came and said, “You can stay until you are well., then you will leave the swamp and not return and we will say no more.” Then the chief said to the woman, “When he is well, take him to the eastern end of the swamp and give him food for five moons and say no more to him.”
The woman said, “The lady that walked must have taken a liking to you,
for the chief is not so giving most of the time.”
When I was finally well and able to stand, the woman said, “It is time to go.”
“Can I have my rifle?”
She said, “When we get to the eastern edge of the swamp.”
I replied, “Where is my horse?”
“We turned your animal loose, he cannot walk in the mud of the swamp” she said. “Get in the canoe.”
In about two moons we reached the eastern side of the swamp. She said, “This is where I will leave you now” and Chance said,
“What name are you called by?”
She replied, “They call me Swamp Hog, Chance of the eastern Creeks, I have a feeling that we will meet again someday. I believe that the lady that walks will see to that, go in peace, my friend and let the lady