Chapter 26 - Page 2

my
father will make what a poor Indian says fit for a white ear."

"Speak aloud!" said the trapper, who readily understood the
metaphorical manner, in which the Teton expressed a desire that he
should become an interpreter of his words into the English language;
"speak, my young men listen. Now, captain, and you too, friend bee-
hunter, prepare yourselves to meet the deviltries of this savage, with
the stout hearts of white warriors. If you find yourselves giving way
under his threats, just turn your eyes on that noble-looking Pawnee,
whose time is measured with a hand as niggardly, as that with which a
trader in the towns gives forth the fruits of the Lord, inch by inch,
in order to satisfy his covetousness. A single look at the boy will
set you both up in resolution."

"My brother has turned his eyes on the wrong path," interrupted
Mahtoree, with a complacency that betrayed how unwilling he was to
offend his intended interpreter.

"The Dahcotah will speak to my young men?"

"After he has sung in the ear of the flower of the Pale-faces."

"The Lord forgive the desperate villain!" exclaimed the old man in
English. "There are none so tender, or so young, or so innocent, as to
escape his ravenous. wishes. But hard words and cold looks will profit
nothing; therefore it will be wise to speak him fair. Let Mahtoree
open his mouth."

"Would my father cry out, that the women and children should hear the
wisdom of chiefs! We will go into the lodge and whisper."

As the Teton ended, he pointed significantly towards a tent, vividly
emblazoned with the history of one of his own boldest and most
commended exploits, and which stood a little apart from the rest, as
if to denote it was the residence of some privileged individual of the
band. The shield and quiver at its entrance were richer than common,
and the high distinction of a fusee, attested the importance of its
proprietor. In every other particular it was rather distinguished by
signs of poverty than of wealth. The domestic utensils were fewer in
number and simpler in their forms, than those to be seen about the
openings of the meanest lodges, nor was there a single one of those
high-prized articles of civilised life, which were occasionally bought
of the traders, in bargains that bore so hard on the ignorant natives.
All these had been bestowed, as they had been acquired, by the
generous chief, on his subordinates, to purchase an influence that
might render him the master of their lives and persons; a species of
wealth that was certainly more noble in itself, and far dearer to his
ambition.

The old man well knew this to be the lodge of