How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story

Isaac watches as the wolf that killed him climbs out of the cavern. It looks at Naomi and Joseph but then sees the leader of the soldiers on the ground. Joseph turns into a panther while the wolf approaches the soldier. The panther kills the wolf and drops it at the feet of the soldier. Isaac and Nita appear before the soldier, and Joseph turns back to human form in front of him. He realizes that Joseph is the panther and agrees to take the rest of the soldiers back to their wagon for the day. Choctaw ghosts, including the famous General Pushmataha, appear to tell Nita, Joseph, Naomi, and Isaac that they are proud of them.

The leader of the soldier has the bonepickers’ wagon replaced and gives new blankets to those whose blankets were burned. The soldiers also bring bags of corn to each wagon on the trail. Naomi returns to her family, and Isaac and Nita join them for supper that evening. Still facing the cold weather and shortages of food for the winter, everyone is relieved that the soldiers are leaving them alone to be with their families undisturbed, and Isaac feels extra protection from having met General Pushmataha.