"Here, look," the Captain said, as he came in and showed them the deed.
The two men required but a glance to detect the trick.
"That deed is false," said Tranquil.
"False! That is impossible!" the Captain went on in stupor; "If it be, I am odiously deceived."
"Unfortunately that has happened."
"What is to be done?" the Captain muttered, mechanically.
Black-deer rose.
"Let the Palefaces listen," he said, majestically; "a Sachem is about to speak."
The Canadian tried to interpose, but the Chief sternly imposed silence on him.
"My father has been deceived; he is a just warrior, his head is grey; the Wacondah has given him wisdom; the Snake Pawnees are also just; they wish to live in peace with my father, because he is innocent of the fault with which he is reproached, and for which another must be rendered responsible."