"That I be the first to speak. I know better than you how to deal with the Palefaces of the West."
"Be it so," Black-deer replied, "act as you think proper."
Five minutes after, they reached the colony. We related in the previous chapter how they were received, and what passed between them and Captain Watt.
This custom of the Indians of declaring war against their enemies may appear extraordinary to Europeans, who are accustomed to regard them as stupid savages, but we must make no mistake; the Redskins have an eminently chivalrous character, and never, except in the case of a horse robbery or such matter, will they attack an enemy before warning him that he may be on his guard.
In fact, it is by cleverly working on this chivalrous character, of which the North Americans, we regret to say, do not possess a particle, that the Whites have gained the majority of their victories over the Redskins.
When a few yards from the colony, the two men found again their horses which they had hobbled; they mounted, and went off at a rapid rate.
"Well," Tranquil asked the Chief, "what do you think of all this?"
"My brother was right, Monkey-face has constantly cheated us; it is evident that this deed emanates from him alone."
"What do you intend doing?"
"I do not know yet; perhaps it would be dangerous to unmask him at this moment."