There's nothin'
onreasonable in that, but it's agreeable to every man's exper'ence."
"I thought the pale-faces believed all men were wicked; who then
could ever find the white man's heaven?"
"That's ingen'ous, but it falls short of the missionary teachin's.
You'll be Christianized one day, I make no doubt, and then 'twill
all come plain enough. You must know, Sarpent, that there's been
a great deed of salvation done, that, by God's help, enables all
men to find a pardon for their wickednesses, and that is the essence
of the white man's religion. I can't stop to talk this matter over
with you any longer, for Hetty's in the canoe, and the furlough
takes me away, but the time will come I hope when you'll feel these
things; for, after all, they must be felt rather than reasoned
about. Ah's! me; well, Delaware, there's my hand; you know it's
that of a fri'nd, and will shake it as such, though it never has
done you one half the good its owner wishes it had."
The Indian took the offered hand, and returned its pressure warmly.
Then falling back on his acquired stoicism of manner, which so many
mistake for constitutional indifference, he drew up in reserve,
and prepared to part from his friend with dignity.
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