"You laugh with her—is it not so?" he said.
"She has a cheerful heart," Hector answered, finding his voice.
"And you," the chief asserted, "you have one, too. But kind also—few white men would run to catch the pet belonging to a little squaw." He smiled. "You are interested in us? So you walk through the camp to see us?"
"Yes," said Hector.
"That is good, for we are brothers, you and I, though I call you 'son.' You must come and see us when you will. We are—you know it?—of the Assiniboines. My name is Sleeping Thunder, and my daughter's name is Moon-on-the-Water. So you will find us."
Moon-on-the-Water! She was like her name.
"I will come and see you soon, Sleeping Thunder," replied Hector.
As they walked away, MacFarlane threw in a ponderous comment.
"Funny old man! Girl's pretty, though—for an In'jun. You made a hit there, Hec'!"
II