"Cowardly squaws!" he snorted. "They were afraid to leave their teepees. The white man had watered their hearts with his medicine."
And now he transferred his scowl to Corlaer and me.
"That is why we will have nothing to do with any white men," he concluded. "They may be friends of the one who bewitched my young men."
Tawannears spoke up, his ringing, musical voice in strange contrast to the rasping tones of the old chief.
"I am Tawannears, War Chief of the People of the Long House," he began.
Nadoweiswe looked at him with some astonishment.
"Hai," he said, "you are a long way from your lodge, young warrior."
"Many more moons' journey than my people have ever traveled," admitted Tawannears. "It is my post to guard the Western Door of the Long House. Tawannears has honor in his own country."
"That may be," returned The Adder ungraciously. "Here you are unknown."
"And Tawannears is also known in his country as the friend of the white men," continued Tawannears. "He is the friend of these white men here. They came with him to aid him in a search. They are his brothers."