“You are welcome, Chippewa,” cried le Bourdon, shaking his friend cordially by the hand. “We were half afraid we might never see you again. Do you bring us good or evil tidings?” “Mustn't be squaw, and ask too much question, Bourdon,” returned the red-skin, carefully examining the priming of his rifle, in order to make sure it was not wet. “Got plenty venison, eh?” “Not much venison is left, but we have caught a good many fish, which have helped us along. I have killed a dozen large squirrels, too, with your bow and arrows, which I find you left in your canoe. But--” “Yes, he good bow, dat--might kill hummin'-bird wid dat bow. Fish good here, eh?” “They are eatable, when a body can get no better. But NOW, I should think, Pigeonswing, you might give us some of the news.” “Mustn't be squaw, Bourdon--bad for warrior be squaw. Alway bess be man, and be patient, like man. What you t'ink, Bourdon? Got him at last!” “Got WHAT my good fellow? I see nothing about you, but your arms and ammunition.” “Got scalp of dat Weasel! Wasn't dat well done? Nebber no young warrior take more scalp home dan Pigeonswing carry dis time! Got t'ree; all hid, where Bear's Meat nebber know. Take 'em away, when he get ready to march.” “Well, well, Chippewa--I suppose it will not be easy to reason you out of this feelin'--but what has become of the red-skins who burned my cabin, and who killed the missionary and the corporal?” “All about--dough must go down river. Look here, Bourdon, some of dem chief fool enough to t'ink bee carry you off on his wing!” Here the Chippewa looked his contempt for the credulity and ignorance of the others, though he did not express it after the boisterous manner in which a white man of his class might have indulged. To him le Bourdon was a good fellow, but no conjuror, and he understood the taking of the bee too well to have any doubts as to the character of that process. His friend had let him amuse himself by the hour in looking through his spy-glass, so that the mind of this one savage was particularly well fortified against the inroads of the weaknesses that had invaded those of most of the members of the great council. Consequently, he was amused with the notion taken up by some of the others, that le Bourdon had been carried off by bees, though he manifested his amusement in a very Indian-like fashion. “So much the better,” answered le Bourdon; “and I hope they have followed to line me down to my hive in the settlements.” “Most on 'em go--yes, dat true. But some don't go. Plenty of Injins still about dis part of Opening.” “What are we then to do? We shall soon be in want of food. The fish do not bite as they did, and I have killed all the squirrels I can find. You know I dare not use a rifle.”