Big Moggasen took his hand but coldly.
“This is Tall-man and this Silver Arrow.”
After they had shaken hands the Little Father said: “Sit down and we will smoke.” He gave them some tobacco and when they had rolled it into little leaves of paper he said: “Well now, what can I do for you?”
After a long pause Big Mogassen began abruptly: “We live in the mountains, three days’ journey from here. We are poor. We have no wagons or shovels like the people who live here. We are of one blood with them. We do not see why we should not have these things. We have come for them. My people want wagons to carry logs in and shovels to dig wells and harnesses to put on our ponies.”
To this the Little Father replied: “Yes, we have these good things and I give them to your people. They are for those who are good and who walk in the white man’s trail. We wish to help you also. Did you bring any children with you?”
“No.”
“You must do that. We wish to educate your children. If you bring twenty children to school I will see what I can do for you.”
Big Moggasen harshly replied: “I did not come to talk about school.”
The answer was quick and stern: “But I did. You will get nothing until you send your children to me to be schooled.”