Prev | Current Page 461 | Next

Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

"The Prairie"

"
"Mahtoree is not a mole."
"It is a rock; on it are the goods of the Big-knives."
An expression of savage joy shot into the dark countenance of the
Teton as he listened; turning to the old man he seemed to read his
soul, as if to assure himself he was not deceived. Then he bent his
look on the party of Ishmael, and counted its number.
"One warrior is wanting," he said.
"Does my brother see the buzzards? there is his grave. Did he find
blood on the prairie? It was his."
"Enough! Mahtoree is a wise chief. Put your women on the horses of the
Dahcotahs: we shall see, for our eyes are open very wide."
The trapper wasted no unnecessary words in explanation. Familiar with
the brevity and promptitude of the natives, he immediately
communicated the result to his companions. Paul was mounted in an
instant, with Ellen at his back. A few more moments were necessary to
assure Middleton of the security and ease of Inez. While he was thus
engaged, Mahtoree advanced to the side of the beast he had allotted to
this service, which was his own, and manifested an intention to occupy
his customary place on its back.


Pages:
449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473