Location: ?

Date: Tuesday July 15th 2002

Time: Noon

The Native American woman waded into the shallows of the fast-running river for a respite from the blazing sun. As she splashed the chill water on her face, when a movement caught her eye.

She looked up, and saw a small object floating towards her. She was prepared to let it go floating by - she had more important things to worry about at this time of year - but then she heard the faintest of noises from the bedraggled bundle of rags.

She splashed across the stream into the deeper currents, ignoring the warning cry of her husband, and just grasped the bundle with the tips of her fingers as it went past.

What is it? her husband had asked.

A boy, the woman replied. A half-white one.

The tiny, redly screaming child beat his fists impotently. He was starving, wet and cold.

Leave it. This child should not still be alive.

No, she had angrily said. No.

The woman picked the boy-child up, hushing him against her chest to quell his pitiful sobs.

She looked into his eyes �

� and the baby smiled.