Synopsis of chapters in The Exsanguination of the Second Society: Scholarly Historical Fiction Relating to Robeson County, North Carolina’s Tuscarora Natives

Synopsis of Chapters for The Exsanguination of the Second Society: Scholarly Historical Fiction Relating to Robeson County, North Carolina’s Tuscarora Natives

Tuscarora sisters hug at the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina's tribal grounds.

The Exsanguination of the Second Society: Scholarly Historical Fiction Relating to Robeson County, North Carolina's Tuscaroras

Chapter 1, The Vexing Now, provides an enticing lecture on the Mighty Tuscarora and colonial period. This section is heavily annotated. Chapter 1 asks serious questions of the reader on how to best preserve one’s culture and introduces the local vernacular and identifies 21st century issues facing Robeson County, NC Natives and citizens.

Chapter 2, Cut of His Jib Now, demonstrates how difficult it is to break cycles of behavior while it also exposes prejudice in belief systems. Children taught that Robeson County, NC people are Lumbee and not Tuscarora will struggle as adults when they attempt to explain their true Tuscarora heritage. Chapter 2 carries the shadow chapter of 1, because the writing team was formed in the first chapter and was not available to read until Chapter 2. In The Vexing Then, a traumatic event reveals the bond between the main characters, despite their separate ethnic identities and belief systems.

Cut of His Jib Then mirrors the relationship of the federal government with Native Americans as “Dan the Man” symbolizes the federal government. Preacher Lilly symbolizes the seduction of money. Mrs. Wilkes, Jake’s mother, symbolizes present culture’s self-centeredness, lack of involvement, and to a degree, political correctness. Mr. Wilkes represents conservative whites. The “store church” represents the fallacy of a just government as it pertains to relations of people whose ancestors were the victims of the government’s genocide mission.

Chapter 3, The Game of “Dare” Now, capitalizes on the importance of names in the 21st century, while its shadow chapter relays the importance of the Elizabethan era vernacular’s influence. Human behavior becomes an interesting indicator of the Robeson Peoples heritage and includes annotations. The Game of “Dare” Then presents elements of danger and mystery which increase as the young men agree on a “daring project.” The battle between the 65k Lumbee Empire and the 4k Tuscarora escalates via undercover thugs.

Chapter 4, Between the Lines Now, continues the exploration of name originations and carries annotated testimony from honored history professors on the possibilities on the “traded” Native American languages and a regionally honored history professor’s statement that he is descended from The Lost Colony. The tradition of oral history is magnified. The erasure of Tuscarora history is established, and the magnitude of political conspiracies is revealed. Between the Lines Then serves as a “satirical” foreshadowing of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ questionable relationship with Undercover detectives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Indian activists during the 1970’s, by providing an action-packed adventure with unexpected outcomes as the young boys work to complete their “daring project.” Each of the chapters reflect conspiracy as nothing is as it seems.

Chapter 5, The Good-Old-Boys Club Sucks Now, reveals the conspiracy against the true history of Robeson County, NC Peoples. The 1973 Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, DC’s occupancy by Trail of Broken Treaties Indian activists is revealed as an unsettled angst amongst Tuscarora today. The shadow chapter rides this same train but experiences a significant “hold-up.” Fast-paced and short, the shadow chapter drives the reader toward a collision when Miss Lucy reveals her heritage.

Chapter 6, The Cycle of Mayhem Now, begins by revealing that some characters have not been totally forthcoming and those who have been, are now paranoid. By now, it is also clear that the white characters, primarily, Jake Wilkes, a lead character and his co-author, Miss Lucy, are in the role of symbolizing government ideals as they try to figure out what is the best thing to do while their lead Native American representative is unavailable to properly represent his Tuscarora family. This is indicative of the present 2020 situation among Robeson Indians today as their history has been abused and erased until only a few thousand Tuscarora plan litigation to improve their government to government position because some have purposefully denied their true heritage or needed to take advantage of economic offers by enlisting in the Lumbee Tribe. This chapter and shadow chapter’s storylines captures the dilemma of a one-on-one relationship between a trusted representative from each side, as reflected in the Trail of Broken Treaties’ investigation.

Chapter 7, Pirate’s Blood Now, reveals that even the closest of allies have secrets. Jake’s paranoia rises as deeply rooted resentment against the 1600’s era English is established. Pirate’s Blood Then exposes the deeply rooted relationships between groups within the Robeson area. The vernacular is reinforced as a binding community language. Prejudice and oppression are exposed while more details on the historic amalgamation of the Robeson area Peoples are revealed, along with a tour of an “Underground Railroad,” after which Bruce becomes empowered as he deals with “exsanguination.”

Chapter 8, Agotsinnachen Now is a short impactful section that stresses the danger element when helping the underdogs, the Mighty Tuscarora of the 21^st century.

Agotsinnachen Then provokes empathy as it provides clues when the winos, Mr. Fisk and Wart, who symbolize the white swindlers of the colonization period “lose” their prized possession and a snake battle symbolizes the historic Tuscarora war. Characters reveal intentions as tensions flare.

Chapter 9, Stolen Treasures Now reveals that Jake Wilkes is committed to helping all the people of Robeson County overcome their self-existential crisis. This chapter is heavily annotated as Jake has furthered his research and grown more determined. The shadow chapter is extremely brief and reveals that Miss Lucy and Jake are no longer in imminent danger, but the answer as to why they are not in danger is only revealed through the actions of the last chapter.

Chapter 10, In the Wind Now, delivers the main character in a surprising new setting as he adapts to truths he had previously denied.

In the Wind Then: This is presented as Chapter 1, In the Wind Then as it bears the story of how a heart is rekindled with family and friendship’s warmth while exposing how North Carolina’s Tuscaroras survive - in the wind.

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