"Hum!" Quoniam muttered, "the Red race is a brutal race."
"All races are the same," Tranquil answered "when abandoned without restraint to the violence of their passions."
"The Whites are men more cruel than the Redskins," Loyal Heart observed, "because they act with discernment."
"That is true," John Davis struck in, "but that does not prevent the scene we have just witnessed being a horrible one."
"Yes," said Tranquil, "horrible is the word."
"Come," Loyal Heart remarked, for the purpose of changing the conversation, "did you not tell me, my friend, that you were entrusted with a message for me? I fancy the moment has arrived for an explanation."
"In truth, I have delayed too long in delivering it; besides, if my presentiments do not greatly deceive me, my return must be anxiously expected."
"Good! Speak, nobody will disturb you; we have all the time necessary before us."
"Oh, what I have to say to you will not take long; I only wish to ask you to lay a final hand to a work for which you have already striven?"
"What is it?"