"No, I am an honest trapper, and do not wish to be an assassin."
"My brother speaks the words of old women," the Indian continued; "Nehu mutah never pardons, he takes vengeance."
"You will do as you please, chief," the hunter replied, shrugging his shoulders contemptuously, "I have no intention of trying to change your nature; only remember you are warned—farewell!"
"And the devil admire you!" Belhumeur added, giving him a contemptuous shove with his foot.
The chief appeared insensible even to this fresh insult, save that his brows contracted slightly. He did not stir, but followed his enemies with an implacable look, while they, without troubling themselves further about him, plunged into the forest.
"You may say what you like, Loyal Heart," said Belhumeur, "but you are wrong, you ought to have killed him."
"Bah! what for?" the hunter asked, carelessly.
"Cascaras! what for? Why, there would have been one head of vermin the less in the prairie."
"Where there are so many," said the other, "one more or less cannot signify much."
"Humph! that's true!" Belhumeur replied, apparently convinced; "but where are we going now?"