The Tappacola Code of Life

While the white men try to determine Junior’s innocence through proof, the members of the Tappacola tribe know that he is innocent based on the Tappacola code of life: the Tappacola do not kill each other. Even though the Chief realizes how deeply divided the Tappacola are because of the casino, he knows it would not have been one of the Tappacola who killed Eileen or Son, even to make sure the casino would be built. There are other ways in which the Tappacola are different from what they call the white men. It is indicated that few members of the Tappacola tribe own guns. As evidenced by Wilton’s reaction to the testimony by the convicts, the Tappacola are baffled by the white man’s idea of justice.

The thoughts of both Wilton and the Chief of the Tappacola are...