Susquesus manifested no resentment at this strong and somewhat rude appeal; but sat as motionless as if he had not heard it. This vexed Jaap so much the more; and, my fellow being exceedingly pugnacious on all occasions that touched his pride, there might have been immediate war between the two, had I not raised a finger, at once effectually stilling the outbreak of Jacob Satanstoe's wrath. “You should not bring such a charge against my slave, Onondago,” I said, “unless able to prove it.” “He beat red warrior like dog.” “What of dat!” growled Jaap, who was only half-quieted by my sign. “Who ebber hear it hurt red-skin to rope-end him?” “Warrior back like squaw's. Blow hurt him. He never forget.” “Well, let him remember den,” grinned the negro, showing his ivory teeth from ear to ear. “Muss was _my_ prisoner; and what _good_ he do me, if he let go widout punishment. I wish you tell Masser Corny _dat_, instead of tellin' him nonsense. When he flog me, who ebber hear me grumble?” “You have not had half enough of it, Jaap, or your manners would be better,” I thought it necessary to put in, for the fellow had never before manifested so quarrelsome a disposition in my presence; most probably because I had never before seen him at variance with an Indian. “Let me hear no more of this, or I shall be obliged to pay off the arrears on the spot.” “A little hiding does a nigger good, sometimes,” observed Guert, significantly. I observed that Dirck, who loved my very slave principally because he was mine, looked at the offender reprovingly; and by these combined demonstrations, we succeeded in curbing the fellow's tongue. “Well, Susquesus,” I added, “we all listen, to hear what you mean. “Musquerusque chief--Huron chief--got very tender back; never forget rope.” “You mean us to understand that my black's prisoner will be apt to make some attempt to revenge himself for the flogging he got from his captor?” “Just so. Indian good memory--no forget friend--no forget enemy.” “But your Huron will be puzzled to find us, Onondago. He will suppose us with the army; and, should he even venture to look for us there, you see he will be disappointed.” “Never know. Wood full of paths--Injin full of cunning. Why talk of Ravensnest?” “Was the name of Ravensnest mentioned in the presence of that Huron?” I asked, more uneasy than such a trifle would probably have justified me in confessing. “Ay, something was said about it, but not in a way the fellow could understand,” answered Guert, carelessly. “Let him come on, if he has not had enough of us yet.” This was not my manner of viewing the matter, however; for the mentioning of Ravensnest brought Anneke to my mind, surrounded by the horrors of an Indian's revenge. “I will send you back to the Huron, Susquesus,” I added, “if you can name to me the price that will purchase his forgiveness.”