A Great Asset and a Powerful Ally
Friends Sidcott and Plimpton returned to us today, shortly after the midday meal. Both were tired, but happy as they walked, guiding the wagons into town. They had nothing but good news they said, but would not share it until they had had a bite to eat and a drink. I pressed them, asking if they had gotten everything. They exchanged a queer look and Henry replied they had gotten it all, and a little more. Try as I might I could not get them to reveal their secret until they had filled their stomachs.
They had done well indeed. They had gotten all the supplies on the list, which leaves a few things to get in Independence before we head West. They had also managed to trade their horses for oxen. Then they shared what they had both been anxious to tell me. They had found us a guide.
On their first night in Jefferson City, Sylvester felt the need to relax after their journey, so Henry and he went to a saloon. There they met a mysterious old man. He is apparently very experienced in the frontier and says he has been to Oregon twice. At the time he was asleep in the back of the wagon, but when he awoke we were to gather our families and he would introduce himself properly. The best part was, appart from us providing him with food, clothing, shelter, and a little alchohol, he did not want to be paid.
It was several hours before the old man awoke, and when he did we all met at the home of Fisher Jones. By the end it was clear that fortune had brought us upon a most remarkable man.
His name is Rick Tavvi, Master of Land, Sea, and Water, which is the shortened form of his Indian name Ricki Ticki Tavvi, which means "Fast Like Hare Quick Like Rabbit". As an infant he was abandoned, but by the grace of the spirits, he was found, taken in and raised by the Hequilechile (HAY-KWIL-A-KEY) Indian tribe; a mysterious group of people who live a week and a half's journey to the West in a forest of giant mushrooms. They have secret dealings with the spirits that allow them many powers, such as the ability to communicate with the good animals of the forest. These powers were passed down to Rick from his adoptive father, the chief of the Hequilechile, Chief Lallemand (LA-LA-MA-DA), which translated means "Raging Bull Who Doesn't Mind The Rain". On Rick's thirteenth birthday he left his people to make his fortune in the wide, wide world. Since that time he has been a travelling salesman, a travel guide, a shop keeper, a storyteller, a sheriff, and a soldier. He was in the War of 1812, and when his general and friend William Henry Harrison was named president, he placed upon Rick his title of Master of Land, Sea, and Water.*
Rick says he is more than happy to escort us across the wild Western lands, but warns that it will not be easy. I think we are all thankful that we will have someone with his usefulness and experience with us. It takes a great weight off my shoulders, as I'm sure it does many others.
*While this claim cannot be completely disproven, there is no record of William Henry Harrison ever knowing a man by the name of Rick Tavvi. In fact this claim is in all liklihood false considering William Henry Harrison became the first president to die in office after only 30 days as president when pneumonia and pleusiry took his life at the age of 68.
They had done well indeed. They had gotten all the supplies on the list, which leaves a few things to get in Independence before we head West. They had also managed to trade their horses for oxen. Then they shared what they had both been anxious to tell me. They had found us a guide.
On their first night in Jefferson City, Sylvester felt the need to relax after their journey, so Henry and he went to a saloon. There they met a mysterious old man. He is apparently very experienced in the frontier and says he has been to Oregon twice. At the time he was asleep in the back of the wagon, but when he awoke we were to gather our families and he would introduce himself properly. The best part was, appart from us providing him with food, clothing, shelter, and a little alchohol, he did not want to be paid.
It was several hours before the old man awoke, and when he did we all met at the home of Fisher Jones. By the end it was clear that fortune had brought us upon a most remarkable man.
His name is Rick Tavvi, Master of Land, Sea, and Water, which is the shortened form of his Indian name Ricki Ticki Tavvi, which means "Fast Like Hare Quick Like Rabbit". As an infant he was abandoned, but by the grace of the spirits, he was found, taken in and raised by the Hequilechile (HAY-KWIL-A-KEY) Indian tribe; a mysterious group of people who live a week and a half's journey to the West in a forest of giant mushrooms. They have secret dealings with the spirits that allow them many powers, such as the ability to communicate with the good animals of the forest. These powers were passed down to Rick from his adoptive father, the chief of the Hequilechile, Chief Lallemand (LA-LA-MA-DA), which translated means "Raging Bull Who Doesn't Mind The Rain". On Rick's thirteenth birthday he left his people to make his fortune in the wide, wide world. Since that time he has been a travelling salesman, a travel guide, a shop keeper, a storyteller, a sheriff, and a soldier. He was in the War of 1812, and when his general and friend William Henry Harrison was named president, he placed upon Rick his title of Master of Land, Sea, and Water.*
Rick says he is more than happy to escort us across the wild Western lands, but warns that it will not be easy. I think we are all thankful that we will have someone with his usefulness and experience with us. It takes a great weight off my shoulders, as I'm sure it does many others.
*While this claim cannot be completely disproven, there is no record of William Henry Harrison ever knowing a man by the name of Rick Tavvi. In fact this claim is in all liklihood false considering William Henry Harrison became the first president to die in office after only 30 days as president when pneumonia and pleusiry took his life at the age of 68.
posted by Nathaniel David at 5:27 PM
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