Timpoochee bristled and recoiled in shock as he heard McGillivrary call out his own people in such harsh terms.
“No true leader and counsel of the people can be so disparaging of his own community” Timpoochee thought out loud.
“You are bitter, McGillivrary,” Timpoochee heard Panton warn. “That is not a good posture for business. It only ends up hurting one’s own cause.
“Look around you,” Panton continued. “For the first time since you and I have been in business, the Indians will be calm and happy, free from war and free from further encroachments on their beloved land - for whatever that’s worth.”
“You are not opening your white eyes wide enough,” McGillivrary snapped back. “William, my friend, what you see are only the peaceful people, like the Euchee of Choctawhatchee. Their territory will be the last threatened by the American expansion. It lies deep in the heart of a region protected by my people and your trade.
“But my own people are threatened daily by expansionists plans developed in this very settlement, from the British and now the Spanish, and from the Americans in the north and from the Georgians in the east.
“Even the mighty and powerful Tsalagi will not be able to hold on to their own land.”