Thoroughly understanding the character of this Indian, the old man
lost no time in getting rid of him also. Riding to his side he said,
in an affected whisper--
"Has Weucha drunk of the milk of the Big-knives, to-day?"
"Hugh!" exclaimed the savage, every dull thought instantly recalled
from heaven to earth by the question.
"Because the great captain of my people, who rides in front, has a cow
that is never empty. I know it will not be long before he will say,
Are any of my red brethren dry?"
The words were scarcely uttered, before Weucha, in his turn, quickened
the gait of his beast, and was soon blended with the rest of the dark
group, who were riding, at a more moderate pace, a few rods in
advance. The trapper, who knew how fickle and sudden were the changes
of a savage mind, did not lose a moment in profiting by this
advantage. He loosened the reins of his own impatient steed, and in an
instant he was again at the side of Obed.
"Do you see the twinkling star, that is, may be, the length of four
rifles above the prairie; hereaway, to the North I mean?"
"Ay, it is of the constellation---"
"A tut for your constellations, man; do you see the star I mean? Tell
me, in the English of the land, yes or no.
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