"Perfectly natural, man," said the governor, mastering his chagrin, and speaking calmly; "perfectly natural, all that, seeing that Nelatu, Sansuta, and my son grew up as children together." "All that may be; but it ain't no use applyin' it now that they're most growed up to be man and woman, and you knows it, governor, as well as I do. As for Nelatu, he don't amount to shucks; and I sometimes wonder whether he is Oluski's son after all." The home truth in the first part of Carrol's speech pleased the "governor" as little as any of his previous remarks; and, surprised at the freedom of the backwoodsman's language, he was silent. Not so Cris, who had evidently determined to say more. His garrulity was unusual; and, once started, he was too honest to hold his peace. "Governor, there's many things I've had in me to say to you at a convenient time. That time's come, I reckon, and I may as well clur it off my mind. I don't belong to yur colony. I'm only a 'casional visitor, but I sees and hears things as others don't seem to dare to tell you o', though why I can't fancy; for you're only a man arter all, although you air the head man o' the settlement. As near as I can fix it in my mind, all yur people hev settled hyar on land that once belonged to the Injun. This bein' the case, it seems to me that the same laws as is made for the white man is made for the red-skins too. Now, governor, it ain't so; or, if they are made, they ain't carried out; and, when there's an advantage to be got for the white man at the expense of the Injun, why, you see, the law's strained just a leetle to give it. It's only a leetle now, but by and bye it'll be a good deal. I know you'll say that's only natural, too, because that's the way you think; but I tell you, Mr Rody," here Carrol became excited, "that it _ain't_ natural no how; and it ain't right; and, therefore, mischief's sure to come o' it. Now, I tell _you_, because you've more brains and more money than any o' the rest, of course you've got more to answer for. So them's my sentiments, and you're welcome to them whether you like 'em or no." "Well, Mr Carrol," replied Rody, with a withering emphasis on the "Mister," "I'm glad you've given me your opinion--it's a valuable one, no doubt." "I don't know whether it's a valyable one, but I know it's a honest one," answered Cris, with a quiet dignity, that, despite his rough dress, bespoke him a gentleman. "I have no object in giving advice to you, governor. I only feel it a duty, and I like to discharge my duties. The same way I thinks about your son Warren running after this Injun girl. No good'll come o' that neyther." Whatever reply the "governor" would have made to this last observation was cut short by the entrance of Warren Rody himself.