"What have you in exchange?" asked the trader.
"WHAT HAVE YOU IN EXCHANGE?" ASKED THE TRADER.
"We have pelts; they are in our canoes on the beach," said Hawk Eye.
"Bring them here and we will trade," smiled the trader.
As the boys turned to go back to the river, the trader asked; "How came you by the fresh scalps at your belts?"
"We killed two thieving Chippeways," answered Hawk Eye. Here he paused, thinking it best not to mention Slow Dog, for he was a Sioux and the tribe must not be humiliated by the telling of his treachery. "We took their canoes. Will you trade also for canoes?" Hawk Eye continued after a brief silence.
"I will go with you and look at them," answered the trader. Beckoning to three Indians, he accompanied the boys to the river.
"My Indian brothers will help you carry the pelts," he explained as they went along.
On arriving at the shore, the trader's eyes glittered as he looked at the beautifully built Chippeway canoes. "I will take them in trade," he said.