Chapter 33 - Page 2

endeavouring to make the wondering housewives
comprehend his quaint explanations of what he conceived to be the
better customs of the whites.

This enquiring and troublesome spirit found no imitators among the
Indians. The delicacy and reserve of Hard-Heart were communicated to
his people. When every attention, that could be suggested by their
simple manners and narrow wants, had been fulfilled, no intrusive foot
presumed to approach the cabins devoted to the service of the
strangers. They were left to seek their repose in the manner which
most comported with their habits and inclinations. The songs and
rejoicings of the tribe, however, ran far into the night, during the
deepest hours of which, the voice of more than one warrior was heard,
recounting from the top of his lodge, the deeds of his people and the
glory of their triumphs.

Every thing having life, notwithstanding the excesses of the night,
was abroad with the appearance of the sun. The expression of
exultation, which had so lately been seen on every countenance, was
now changed to one better suited to the feeling of the moment. It was
understood by all, that the Pale-faces, who had befriended their chief
were about to take their final leave of the tribe. The soldiers of
Middleton, in anticipation of his arrival, had bargained with an
unsuccessful trader for the use of his boat, which lay in the stream
ready to receive its cargo, and nothing remained to complete the
arrangements for the long journey.

Middleton did not see this moment arrive entirely without distrust.
The admiration with which Hard-Heart regarded Inez, had not escaped
his jealous eye, any more than had the lawless wishes of Mahtoree. He
knew the consummate manner in which a savage could conceal his
designs, and he felt that it would be a culpable weakness to be
unprepared for the worst. Secret instructions were therefore given to
his men, while the preparations they made were properly masked behind
the show of military parade, with which it was intended to signalise
their departure.

The conscience of the young soldier reproached him, when he saw the
whole tribe accompanying his party to the margin of the stream, with
unarmed hands and sorrowful countenances. They gathered in a circle
around the strangers and their chief, and became not only peaceful,
but highly interested observers of what was passing. As it was evident
that Hard-Heart intended to speak, the former stopped, and manifested
their readiness to listen, the trapper performing the office of
interpreter. Then the young chief addressed his people, in the usual
metaphorical language of an Indian. He commenced by alluding to the
antiquity and renown of his own nation. He spoke of their successes in