But William was too deeply affected to observe this, or to notice the words spoken by Johnson.
At last he arose from his prostrate position beside his father's corpse, and for a moment gazed wildly around him. He pressed his hands to his temples, as if endeavoring to collect his scattered thoughts. His eyes fell upon the Indian, and then were raised to Johnson.
"I remember all now!" he said. "I hoped it was a dream—but it is a dread reality—but not all—not all!"
"William! You know me?"
Johnson gazed upon him with earnestness.
"You think I am mad, Johnson! But I am not. Hark! Great heavens! Listen!"
Johnson shook his head.
"Here, Johnson—here! kneel with me—here, beside my father's clay! That voice tells me I have work to do!"
"What voice, William?"
"A thousand voices calling for vengeance. But, kneel with me now, and swear by the God of truth and justice—swear by my wrongs, your wrongs, our country's wrongs—swear by your murdered wife, to join me in pursuing these fiends in human form, until they are swept from the earth!"