Part 5 (2/2)
They went to another room in which they found Mr. Huysman, Mr. Hardy and the clerk, and Robert told of his meeting with the slaver. The face of Benjamin Hardy darkened.
”Tayoga is right,” he said. ”That man's presence here bodes ill for you, Robert.”
”I'm not afraid. Besides I've too many friends,” said Robert quietly.
”Both your statements are true, but you must be careful just the same,”
interjected Master Jacobus. ”Nevertheless, we'll not be apprehensive.
Master McLean iss coming back for supper, and we're going to make it a great affair, a real reunion for all of us. Caterina, helped by two stout colored women, has been cooking all the afternoon, and I hope that you two boys have had enough exercise and excitement to whet your appet.i.tes. How iss it?”
”We have, sir!” they replied together, and with emphasis.
”And now to your old room. You'll find there in a closet clothes for both of you, Tayoga's of his own kind, that Caterina has preserved carefully, and at six o'clock come in to supper, which to-day iss to be our chief meal. I would not have Benjamin Hardy to come all the way from New York and say that I failed to set for him as good a meal as he would set for me if I were his guest in his city. Not only my hospitality but the hospitality of Albany iss at stake.”
”I know, sir, that your reputation will not suffer,” said Robert with great confidence.
He and Tayoga in their room found their clothes preserved in camphor and quickly made the change. Then they stood by the window, looking out on the pleasant domain, in which they had spent so many happy hours. Both felt a glow.
”Master Jacobus Huysman is a good man,” said Robert.
”A wise, fat chief,” said the Onondaga. ”A kind heart and a strong head.
He is worthy to rule. If he belonged to the league of the Hodenosaunee we would put him in a high place.”
”Though he holds no office, I think he sits in a high place here. It is likely that the men who were around the table to-day came to him for counsel.”
”It seems a good guess to me, Dagaeoga. Perhaps they take measures to meet the threat of Montcalm.”
”They're our elders, and we'll let them do the thinking on that point just now. Somehow, I feel light of heart, Tayoga, and I want to enjoy myself.”
”Even though the slaver and the spy are here, and we all believe that they threaten you?”
”Even so. My heart is light, nevertheless. My mind tells me that I ought to be apprehensive and sad, but my heart has taken control and I am hopeful and gay?”
”It is the nature of Dagaeoga, and he should give thanks to Manitou that he has been made that way. It is worth much more to him than the white man's gold.”
”I _am_ thankful, Tayoga. I'm thankful for a lot of things. How does this coat look on me?”
”It is small. You have grown much in the last year or two. Your frame is filling out and you are bigger every way. Still, it is a fine coat, and the knee breeches, stockings and buckled shoes are very splendid. If Dagaeoga does not look like a chief it is only because he is not old enough, and he at least looks like the son of a chief.”
Robert contemplated himself in a small mirror with much satisfaction.
”I'm frightfully tanned,” he said. ”Perhaps they wouldn't take me for a model of fas.h.i.+on in Paris or London, but here nearly everybody else is tanned also, and, after all, it's healthy.”
The Onondaga regarded him with an amused smile.
”If Dagaeoga had the time and money he would spend much of both on dress,” he said. ”He loves to make a fine appearance.”
”You say nothing but the truth,” said Robert frankly. ”I hope some day to have the very best clothes that are made. A man who respects his clothes respects himself. I know no sin in trying to please the eyes of others and incidentally myself. I note, Tayoga, that on occasion you array yourself with great splendor, and that, at all times, you're very particular about your attire.”
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