What would I do? Why, in the first place, Hist
wouldn't be likely to be in my company at all, for she would stay as
near you as possible, and therefore all that part about her couldn't
be said without talking nonsense. As for her being tired, that
would fall through too, if she didn't go, and no part of your speech
would be likely to come from me; so, you see, Sarpent, reason is
ag'in you, and you may as well give it up, since to hold out ag'in
reason, is no way becoming a chief of your character and repitation."
"My brother is not himself; he forgets that he is talking to one
who has sat at the Council Fire of his nation," returned the other
kindly. "When men speak, they should say that which does not
go in at one side of the head and out at the other. Their words
shouldn't be feathers, so light that a wind which does not ruffle
the water can blow them away. He has not answered my question;
when a chief puts a question, his friend should not talk of other
things."
"I understand you, Delaware; I understand well enough what you
mean, and truth won't allow me to say otherwise. Still it's not
as easy to answer as you seem to think, for this plain reason. You
wish me to say what I would do if I had a betrothed as you have,
here, on the lake, and a fri'nd yonder in the Huron camp, in danger
of the torments.
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