"Wa-on-mon is on the war-path," he fairly hissed; "he is the enemy of all the pale faces."
"Wa-on-mon is a great chieftain; the heart of the missionary is grieved. Wa-on-mon speaks as he feels, and the missionary will dispute him no more."
This abrupt collapse, as it may be termed, of the visitor was unexpected by the Shawanoe. It was a masterful stroke, and produced an immediate effect, though so slight in its nature that a man less observant than Finley would have failed to perceive it.
"Why does the missionary come to the camp of Wa-on-mon when more than one of the Shawanoes have fallen by the rifles of the pale-faces?"
"And the rifles of the Shawanoes have done grievous harm among the pale-faces?"
"The heart of Wa-on-mon rejoices to learn that!" exclaimed the chieftain; "how many of them have fallen?"
"There is mourning among my people; one of them fell dead at my side, and others are grievously hurt."
"There shall be more mourning, for not one of them shall be spared to reach the block-house! They shall all be cut off."
"The will of the Great Spirit shall be done."
"And why does the missionary come to the camp of Wa-on-mon? He has been asked the question before."