It would appear that long practice had made each of the two
acquainted with his particular duty; for neither sign nor direction of
any sort was necessary from Ishmael, in order to apprise his surly
associate of the manner in which he was to proceed. In less time than
has been consummated in relating it, the interior portion of the
arrangement was completed, when the men re-appeared without the tent.
Too busy with his occupation to heed the presence of the trapper,
Ishmael began to release the folds of the cloth from the ground, and
to dispose of them in such a manner around the vehicle, as to form a
sweeping train to the new form the little pavilion had now assumed.
The arched roof trembled with the occasional movement of the light
vehicle which, it was now apparent, once more supported its secret
burden. Just as the work was ended the scowling eye of Ishmael's
assistant caught a glimpse of the figure of the attentive observer of
their movements. Dropping the shaft, which he had already lifted from
the ground preparatory to occupying the place that was usually filled
by an animal less reasoning and perhaps less dangerous than himself,
he bluntly exclaimed--
"I am a fool, as you often say! But look for yourself: if that man is
not an enemy, I will disgrace father and mother, call myself an
Indian, and go hunt with the Siouxes!"
The cloud, as it is about to discharge the subtle lightning, is not
more dark nor threatening, than the look with which Ishmael greeted
the intruder.
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