I've my
own idees about these things; but you're too old and exper'enced
to need any explanations from one as young as I."
"Good!" ejaculated the Indian, whose voice retained its depth even
as life ebbed away; "young head - old wisdom!"
"It's sometimes a consolation, when the ind comes, to know that
them we've harmed, or tried to harm, forgive us. I suppose natur'
seeks this relief, by way of getting a pardon on 'arth; as we never
can know whether He pardons, who is all in all, till judgment itself
comes. It's soothing to know that any pardon at such times; and
that, I conclude, is the secret. Now, as for myself, I overlook
altogether your designs ag'in my life; first, because no harm came
of 'em; next, because it's your gifts, and natur', and trainin', and
I ought not to have trusted you at all; and, finally and chiefly,
because I can bear no ill-will to a dying man, whether heathen or
Christian. So put your heart at ease, so far as I'm consarned; you
know best what other matters ought to trouble you, or what ought
to give you satisfaction in so trying a moment."
It is probable that the Indian had some of the fearful glimpses of
the unknown state of being which God, in mercy, seems at times to
afford to all the human race; but they were necessarily in conformity
with his habits and prejudices Like most of his people, and like
too many of our own, he thought more of dying in a way to gain
applause among those he left than to secure a better state of
existence hereafter.
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