THE WAGER

chapter 4

"Well. well, well, what do we have here?" Jamie sneered out loud to himself as he rifled through his new roommate's bag. So far he'd found only Indian clothing. Daniel had sensed Jamie's resentment, but he'd never expected to find him going through his personal things. Fury filled him as he stared at the arrogant white man holding his medicine bag.

"Give me that!" He launched himself at him without thought. Jamie dodged his attack as he taunted, "what ever is in here must be important . . . . I think I'll take a look."

Daniel put his head down and dove for him just as he was about to open the medicine bag. This time Jamie did not escape, but was tackled heavily. they crashed to the floor together, grappling and fighting for the bag. The sound of their running, and there was soon a crowd standing at the doorway watching them.

 While Daniel was the more fit of the two, Jamie proved strong and wily. The match drew blood as they exchange blows in the quest for supremacy.  After one particularly punishing hit, Jamie's grip on the bag loosened and it fell from his hand.  Daniel drew back to snatch it up and has just done so when Micheal Porter and Philip Jeremy  two friends of Jamie's stepped in and grabbed him.

Daniel fought against them, but he was outnumbered and overpowered and finally force to hold still. Blood dripped from a cut over his eyebrow.

"Hey, Jamie. What have we got here?" Micheal and Philip asked in unison, enjoying the ruckus and wondering why the newcomer was so upset.

Jamie smiled as he slowly got to his feet. His mouth was cut, and he angrily wiped the blood away. "This is my new roommate Daniel Marshall. I guess he got a little upset cause I was helping unpack."

"You mean he didn't want your help?"

"Doesn't look that way does it?" "all i want was to see what was in his little pouch . . ." He snatched the medicine bag out of his hand.

"It's private" Daniel ground out as he fought again to break free from the two boys holding him.

"Let's see what so private about it," Philip urged, sensing it must be something important to cause this much trouble.

Jamie was about to open it and dump out the contents for all the boys to see when another voice rang out.

"I don't think you want to do that, Dalton."

A hush fell over the group, and the young men standing in the doorway parted to let Aaron Benjamin enter the room. Tall, handsome, blonde haired, blue-eyed Aaron was the son of a very rich and influential senator, and though he easily could have been spoiled and arrogant, he was anything but. Aaron didn't like injustice in any form, and he never hesitated to defend those in need. He was looked up to by the students at Peach for his intelligence and quick  wit, not to mention his superior athletic prowess, for he was an excellent boxer and horseman.

"What?" Jamie looked up, surprised that anyone would have dared to interrupt him.

Aaron nodded toward Daniel as he stopped in front of Jamie. "Whatever is in that bag is private."

"Who do you think you are, coming in here and telling me what to do? This isn't any of your business, Benjamin."

"I'm making it my business. I've got a friend standing by the door downstairs just waiting for me to signal him to go for Mr. Mason. Return this man's property now and all will be forgotten. If you don't . . .  . .  Well, I think you just might have some explaining to do. I know your parents contribute a lot of money to the school, but if  the school, but if the administration suddenly became aware of some of your other, shall we say, less honorable activities . . . .  ."      He let the sentence hang knowing he'd cornered him. Aaron had long despised Jamie Dalton.

Jamie went pale at Aaron's unspoken threat and thrust the bag at him. "Here. Take it. I was just having a little fun."

"Didn't look like fun to me," Aaron remarked. "Let him go."

When Micheal and Philip released Daniel, Aaron went to the window and waved, then turned to around to face the group. "What are you looking at? I'm sure if the professors knew you had this much free they'd be glad to give you extra work."

 The boys rushed to disperse, leaving Jamie, Aaron and Daniel alone in the room. Aaron looked at  Daniel and saw a flicker of wariness in his eyes wanting to trust, Aaron handed him the cherished medicine bag.      "What 's your name?"

"I'm Daniel Marshall."

"I'm Aaron Benjamin. It's nice to meet you. Get your things, you can stay with me.

Daniel needed no more encouragement. He gathered up the items Jamie had strewn around and followed  Aaron.

"Thanks for your help."

"You're welcome," Aaron returned quietly. He opened the door to his room and gestured him inside. "Take your picks of the beds."

"You sure?"

Aaron nodded "I'll take this one."

"Make yourself at home, how did you end up here, Daniel?"

"Reverend Louis has been a missionary teaching in our village for many years. He thought it would be good for me to study here."

"What tribe are you cause I can see you are Indian.'

"My mother is cheyenne; my father was white."

"He's dead?"

He nodded. "He died many years ago."

"Do you have any other family?"

"My grandfather is Karan chief of our tribe,but i have no siblings."

"That too bad, but i will tell you what, I've got more family than i need,so if you want to borrow a sister or brother just let me know. I'm one of seven children."

 " I'll remember your offer."

"Did you want to come here?'

Daniel paused as images of his home raced through his mind. A wave of homesickness struck him. "I need to be here, I must learn more about your ways.'

"You say 'your' ways but you are white too."

"After Jamie's actions, I understand  you got your first Peach lesson in dealing with white men"

"My second lesson was better." He paused as their eyes met in understanding. "Not all whites are like Jamie."

Their mood lightened.

'What do you say we go downstairs to the dinning room and get something to eat? You can tell me about your home."

Daniel knew his interest was real, and he agreed. They talked over their meal and beyond,and long into the night, and Daniel told him of the village and his way of life.

During the weeks that followed they became close friends. Aaron helped him adjust to life at the college and taught him how to study. With his help, Daniel adapted quickly and within a short period of time he was among the best in his class. He studied hard, sometimes staying up long after everyone else had retired to master a particularly hard subject. It did not bother Daniel to do it. He was used to working hard to achieve his goals.

As Jamie watched Daniel's achievements, his dislike of him grew. He took every opportunity he could to deride and insult him, wanting to make his life miserable that he would leave and return home. It frustrated him when his efforts met with little reaction and usually only a cold-eyed stare from Daniel.

Daniel was very much aware of Jamie's viciousness, but he knew better than to be drawn into any conflict with him. whenever he felt discouraged, he thought of Karan and his mother, and he kept working to make them proud.

As determined as he was to succeed, the long hours confined in the classrooms tested Daniel's patience. He longed to be outdoors.