They reached the protest site twenty minutes later. There was a makeshift podium made out of a log stood on end. At least one reporter had placed a microphone on the podium and there were several people gathered around, most likely waiting for Willie’s arrival. Donna Hughson and a few of her friends were handing out hot chocolate and biscuits. There were some takers, mostly loggers.

In the backseat Tora looked up from her book. “Where is everybody?”

“Maybe we’re early,” offered Argus.

“No,” said Ranger Brock. “We’re here on time. Willie’s the one who’s late.”

They all got out of the 4 × 4 and headed over to the podium. A few minutes later, Willie Greene made the same walk down the road as he’d done the day before. His costume had been toned down quite a bit overnight, with most of the bright colors being exchanged for earth tones of green and brown with just a few accents of aquamarine. He was also sporting more feathers. And even though such adornments weren’t customary for Native Canadians in this part of the country, they made Willie look a bit more like people would expect him to look.

Willie stepped up to the podium and thanked everyone for coming.

Noble expected there would be movement around the podium as the reporters closed in to hear what Willie had to say, but nothing happened. The only media people there were John G. Smith from the Gazette and the same female radio reporter Willie had spoken to the day before.

“These men,” Willie said, referring to the people from Conservco, “are here because they want to harvest the Earth Mother’s bounty from these lands. We, the people of the First Nations, don’t oppose such things. After all, the Earth Mother wouldn’t provide us with such a gift if she did not intend for us to accept and make use of it.”

Argus gave Noble a nudge with his arm. “It sounds a lot better now than it did last night.”

Noble smiled. They had spent close to two hours in the library putting together Willie’s speech. It did sound a lot better today, but that was probably because Willie had spent all day rehearsing his lines. Too bad there weren’t a lot of people around to hear it.

“Indeed, we have harvested her bounty in the past, and we will continue enjoying the benefits of her gifts, but only with the utmost respect for her generosity. The Earth Mother is powerful, and to exhibit greed in her presence for her gifts will only make her angry.”

Ranger Brock turned to Noble with a curious look on his face. He leaned in closer to Noble and said, “Is this the same Willie who was here yesterday?”

Noble shrugged.

Donna Hughson must have overheard the ranger because she said, “He is good, isn’t he?”