“You’re crazy!” again asserted the boy. “I can’t do it! I will not be shut up in any old school. I love the open air and the freedom of the mountains and plains! I love to wander alone in the deep forest and listen to its murmuring voice. The trees talk to me, Joe, and all the wild creatures know me. Do you think I am fool enough to give this up for a stifling schoolroom and the study of books that will make my head ache and make me weak? I tell you I will kill myself first!”
The face of the Indian remained grave and expressionless, but there was a twinkle of pride and satisfaction in his keen old eyes.
“You have Injun heart,” he said. “You skin white; heart Injun.”
“I’m not a fool, and I won’t let him make me one!”
“Then only one thing um can do.”
“What is it? Tell me, Joe!”
“Go ’way.”
Dick caught his breath.
“Go away?”
“Ugh!”