My
people is a mighty people. The sun rises on their eastern and sets on
their western border. The land is filled with bright-eyed and laughing
girls, like these you see--ay, Teton, I tell no lie," observing his
auditor to start with an air of distrust--"bright-eyed and pleasant to
behold, as these before you."
"Has my father a hundred wives!" interrupted the savage, laying his
finger on the shoulder of the trapper, with a look of curious interest
in the reply.
"No, Dahcotah. The Master of Life has said to me, Live alone; your
lodge shall be the forest; the roof of your wigwam, the clouds. But,
though never bound in the secret faith which, in my nation, ties one
man to one woman, often have I seen the workings of that kindness
which brings the two together. Go into the regions of my people; you
will see the daughters of the land, fluttering through the towns like
many-coloured and joyful birds in the season of blossoms. You will
meet them, singing and rejoicing, along the great paths of the
country, and you will hear the woods ringing with their laughter.
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