CHAPTER XI.
THE CABIN NEAR CHICAGO.
Jasper and Waubeno crossed the prairies to Lake Michigan. It was June, the high tide of the year. The long days poured their sunlight over the seas of flowers. The prairie winds were cool, and the new vegetation was alive with insects and birds.
The first influence that Jasper tried to exert on Waubeno was to induce him to forego the fixed resolution to avenge his father's death.
"The first thing in education," he used to say, "is conscience, the second is the heart, and the third is the head."
He had planned to teach Waubeno while the Indian boy should be teaching him, and he wished to follow his own theory that a new pupil should first learn to be governed by his moral sense.
"Waubeno," he said, in their long walk over the prairie, "I wish to teach you and make you wise, but before I can do you justice you must make a promise. Will you, Waubeno?"
"I will. You would not ask me to do what is wrong."
"It may be a hard thing, but, Waubeno, I wish you to promise me that you will never seek to avenge your father. Will you, Waubeno?"
"Parable, I will promise you any right thing but that. I have made another promise about that thing—it must hold."