See," he added, directing the eyes of the other to the
earnest countenance of the attentive trapper; "Hard-Heart is not
without a grey-head to show him the path to the blessed prairies. If
he ever has another father, it shall be that just warrior."
Le Balafre turned away in disappointment from the youth, and
approached the stranger, who had thus anticipated his design. The
examination between these two aged men was long, mutual, and curious.
It was not easy to detect the real character of the trapper, through
the mask which the hardships of so many years had laid upon his
features, especially when aided by his wild and peculiar attire. Some
moments elapsed before the Teton spoke, and then it was in doubt
whether he addressed one like himself, or some wanderer of that race
who, he had heard, were spreading themselves, like hungry locusts,
throughout the land.
"The head of my brother is very white," he said; "but the eye of Le
Balafre is no longer like the eagle's. Of what colour is his skin?"
"The Wahcondah made me like these you see waiting for a Dahcotah
judgment; but fair and foul has coloured me darker than the skin of a
fox.
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