"Be sure, friends. Why ole eagle, wid white head, strike young pigeon? Nebber hatchet in 'e path between Susquesus and any of de tribe of Ravensnest. Too ole to dig him up now." "There are good reasons why my uncle and myself should not be known for a few days. Perhaps you have heard something of the trouble that has grown up between the landlords and the tenants, in the land?" "What dat trouble?" "The tenants are tired of paying rent, and wish to make a new bargain, by which they can become owners of the farms on which they live." A grim light played upon the swarthy countenance of the Indian: his lips moved, but he uttered nothing aloud. "Have you heard anything of this, Susquesus?" "Little bird sing sich song in my ear--didn't like to hear it." "And of Indians who are moving up and down the country, armed with rifles and dressed in calico?" "What tribe, dem Injin," asked the Trackless, with a quickness and a fire I did not think it possible for him to retain. "What 'ey do, marchin' 'bout?--on war-path, eh?" "In one sense they may be said to be so. They belong to the anti-rent tribe; do you know such a nation?" "Poor Injin dat, b'lieve. Why come so late?--why no come when 'e foot of Susquesus light as feather of bird?--why stay away till pale-faces plentier dan leaf on tree, or snow in air? Hundred year ago, when dat oak little, sich Injin might be good; now, he good for nuttin'." "But you will keep our secret, Sus?--will not even tell the negro who we are?" The Trackless simply nodded his head in assent. After this he seemed to me to sink back in a sort of brooding lethargy, as if indisposed to pursue the subject. I left him to go to my uncle, in order to relate what had just passed. Mr. Roger Littlepage was as much astonished as I had been myself, at hearing that one so aged should have detected us through disguises that had deceived our nearest of kin. But the quiet penetration and close observation of the man had long been remarkable. As his good faith was of proof, however, neither felt any serious apprehension of being betrayed, as soon as he had a moment for reflection. CHAPTER IX. "He saw a cottage with a double coach-house, A cottage of gentility; And the devil did grin, for his darling sin Is the pride that apes humility." _Devil's Thoughts._