Sing Down the Moon

Ten nights later, Rosita, Bright Morning, and the white woman attend church services. Rosita tells Bright Morning the celebration is Easter, a commemoration of the death of Jesús Cristo (Jesus Christ), who she likens to a combination of the Navajo deities. Bright Morning sees Nehana, who says nothing but holds up one finger. Bright Morning interprets Nehana’s signal to mean they will meet at the church the next night.

Bright Morning prepares the next day by stashing some tortillas and a blanket in her room. She tells the white woman she has a headache, goes to her room, and sneaks out, taking her bundle and the black dog with her. Bright Morning reaches the house’s gate and finds it locked. She hears the white woman’s voice and, in a panic, throws the bundle over the wall. The blanket catches on the wall, and, at the last minute, Bright Morning uses it to climb up and over, taking the dog with her.

Bright Morning runs to the church, where Nehana and Running Bird wait for her. Inside the church, parishioners continue their Easter celebrations. Bright Morning sights the Spaniard, dressed as Christo, and he looks directly at her.