'Render good for
evil,' says this book, and that is the law for the red man as well
as for the white man."
"Never hear such law among Delaware, or among Iroquois -" answered
Hist soothingly. "No good to tell chiefs any such laws as dat.
Tell 'em somet'ing they believe."
Hist was about to proceed, notwithstanding, when a tap on the
shoulder from the finger of the oldest chief caused her to look up.
She then perceived that one of the warriors had left the group, and
was already returning to it with Hutter and Hurry. Understanding
that the two last were to become parties in the inquiry, she became
mute, with the unhesitating obedience of an Indian woman. In a few
seconds the prisoners stood face to face with the principal men of
the captors.
"Daughter," said the senior chief to the young Delaware, "ask this
grey beard why he came into our camp?"
The question was put by Hist, in her own imperfect English, but
in a way that was easy to be understood. Hutter was too stern and
obdurate by nature to shrink from the consequences of any of his
acts, and he was also too familiar with the opinions of the savages
not to understand that nothing was to be gained by equivocation or
an unmanly dread of their anger.
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