American fiction -- 19th century; Historical fiction; Indians of North America -- Fiction
“No matter. Bes' always for pale-face to trust pale-face, and Injin to
trust Injin. Dat most likely to be right.”
“Nevertheless, I trust YOU Pigeonswing; and, hitherto, you have not
deceived me!”
The Chippewa cast a glance of so much meaning on the bee-hunter, that
the last was troubled by it. For many a day did le Bourdon remember that
look; and painful were the apprehensions to which it gave birth. Until
that morning, the intercourse between the two had been of the most
confidential character; but something like a fierce hatred was blended
in that look. Could it be that the feelings of the Chippewa were
changed? and was it possible that Peter was in any way connected with
this alteration in looks and sentiments? All these suspicions passed
through le Bourdon's mind, as he finished his cache; and sufficiently
disagreeable did he find it to entertain them. The circumstances,
however, did not admit of any change of plan; and, in a few minutes, the
two were in the canoe, and on their way to join their companions.
Peter had dealt fairly enough with those who accompanied him. The
Pottawattamies were nowhere to be seen, and Gershom led the corporal
to the place where his household goods had been secreted, in so much
confidence, that both the men left their arms behind them. Such was the
state of things when le Bourdon reached the north shore. The young man
was startled, when his eyes fell on the rifles; but, on looking around,
there did not really appear to be any sufficient reason why they might
not be laid aside for a few minutes.
The bee-hunter, having disposed of all his honey, had now a nearly empty
canoe; accordingly, he received a portion of Gershom's effects; all of
which were safely transported from their place of concealment to the
water side. Their owner was slowly recovering the use of his body and
mind, though still a little dull, from his recent debauch. The females
supplied his place, however, in many respects; and two hours after the
party had landed, it was ready again to proceed on its journey into the
interior. The last article was stowed in one of the canoes, and Gershom
announced his willingness to depart.
At this moment, Peter led the bee-hunter aside, telling his friends that
he would speedily rejoin them. Our hero followed his savage leader along
the foot of the declivity, in the rear of the hut, until the former
stopped at the place where the first, and principal fire of the past
night, had been lighted. Here Peter made a sweeping gesture of his hand,
as if to invite his companion to survey the different objects around. As
this characteristic gesture was made, the Indian spoke.
“My brother is a medicine-man,” he said. “He knows where whiskey
grows--let him tell Peter where to find the spring.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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