Part 78 (1/2)
”Oh, Lord! You should not lose your temper with an Indian!” I said, vexed at his indiscretion.
”I know it. I'll not interfere with your tame wolves, Loskiel. But Hanierri madded me; and now he's told Dominie Kirkland's praying Indians, and not one o' them will stir from Tioga--the chicken-hearted knaves! What do you think of that, Loskiel?”
”I am sorry. But we really need no other Indians than my Sagamore, the two Oneidas, and the Stockbridge, Yellow Moth, to do Amochol's business for him, if you and your twenty riflemen are going.”
”I think as you do; and so I told the General, who wanted Major Parr to command and the entire battalion to march. 'Oh, Lord!' says I. 'Best bring Colonel Proctor's artillery band, also!' And was frightened afterward at what I said, with so little reflection and respect; but the General, who had turned red as a pippin, burst out laughing and says he: 'You are a d.a.m.nably disrespectful young man, sir, but you and your friend Loskiel may suit yourselves concerning the taking of this same Amochol. Only have a care to take or destroy him, for if you do not, by G.o.d, you shall be detailed to the batteaux and cool your heels in Fort Sullivan until we return!'”
We both laughed heartily, and Boyd added:
”He said it to fright me for my impudence. Trust that man to know a man when he sees one!”
”Meaning yourself?” said I, convulsed.
”And you, too, Loskiel,” he said so naively that Lois, too, laughed, exclaiming:
”What modest opinions of themselves have these two boys! Do you hear them, Lana, dubbing each other men?”
”I hear,” said Lana listlessly.
Boyd plucked a long, feathery stalk, and with its tip caressed Lana's cheeks.
”Spiders!” said he. ”Spinning a goblin veil for you!”
”I wish the veil of Fate were as transparent,” said she.
”Would you see behind it if you could?”
She said under her breath:
”I sometimes dream I see behind it now.”
”What do you see?” he asked.
She shook her head; but we all begged her to disclose her dreams, saying laughingly that as dreams were the most important things in the lives of all Indians, our close a.s.sociation with them had rendered us credulous.
”Come, Lanette,” urged Boyd, ”tell us what it is you see in dreams behind the veil.”
She hesitated, shuddered:
”Flames--always flames. And a man in black with leaden b.u.t.tons, whose face is always hidden in his cloak. But, oh! I know--I seem to know that he has no face at all, but is like a skull under his black cloak.”
”A merry dream,” said Boyd, laughing.
”Is there more to it?” asked Lois seriously.
”Yes.... Lieutenant Boyd is there, and he makes a sign--like this----”
”What!” exclaimed Boyd, sitting up, astounded. ”Where did you learn that sign?”
”In my dream. What does it mean?”