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Here are therefore four parties within sound of a
cannon, not one of whom can trust the other. All which makes movement
a little difficult, in a district where covers are far from plenty.
But we are three well-armed, and I think I may see three stout-hearted
men--"
"Four," interrupted Paul.
"Anan," said the old man, looking up simply at his companion.
"Four," repeated the bee-hunter, pointing to the naturalist.
"Every army has its hangers-on and idlers," rejoined the blunt border-
man. "Friend, it will be necessary to slaughter this ass."
"To slay Asinus! such a deed would be an act of supererogatory
cruelty."
"I know nothing of your words, which hide their meaning in sound; but
that is cruel which sacrifices a Christian to a brute. This is what I
call the reason of mercy. It would be just as safe to blow a trumpet,
as to let the animal raise his voice again, inasmuch as it would prove
a manifest challenge to the Siouxes."
"I will answer for the discretion of Asinus, who seldom speaks without
a reason.


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