“We wish to see the French and rest at their fire,” said the Buck.
“That is good. My young brothers are alone?”
“Yes. We are hunting, and are tired and hungry,” said the Buck.
“Very good. My young brothers shall rest and eat. By what name shall we know our brothers?”
“I am Deer-With-Horns, he is Panther-Killer,” said the Buck.
The captain chief smiled and gave smooth words.
“Let Deer-With-Horns and Panther-Killer rest and eat with their brothers of Onontio who owns this country. When they wish to leave they will go to tell the Mingo that the French father is generous and strong. He invites all the Mingo to come in to the big house at Dekanawida and receive presents. For now the English have been driven away forever. Your brothers from the north will tell you so.”
With that, the Ottawas and Hurons who had been listening were about to step forward and bid to a feast, and the Buck and the Hunter might have moved about freely, and everything would have gone off well, had not Jacob Vanbraam suddenly sprang up and hailed Robert with stupid greeting.
“It is the Hoonter! Yah! Now I know him. Goot boy. Maybe you been from Washington, eh? You coom to see how we get along, eh?” And he grasped the Hunter’s hand and shook it.
“Wah!” grunted the Buck, turning away quickly. “He is drunk.”