"
"Ah! lad, it is little they would hearken to such an offer, knowing,
as they do, that you are already like a bear in a trap, as little able
to fight as to fly. But be not down-hearted, for the colour of a white
man is sometimes his death-warrant among these far tribes of savages,
and sometimes his shield. Though they love us not, cunning often ties
their hands. Could the red nations work their will, trees would
shortly be growing again on the ploughed fields of America, and woods
would be whitened with Christian bones. No one can doubt that, who
knows the quality of the love which a Red-skin bears a Pale-face; but
they have counted our numbers until their memories fail them, and they
are not without their policy. Therefore is our fate unsettled; but I
fear me there is small hope left for the Pawnee!"
As the old man concluded, he walked slowly towards the subject of his
latter observation, taking his post at no great distance from his
side. Here he stood, observing such a silence and mien as became him
to manifest, to a chief so renowned and so situated as his captive
associate.
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