“You did not think they would dare do what they did on the Ohio.”
“No, I did not; if I had heard it, as I hear other rumors of families disappearing and never being heard of, I should have regarded it as an idle story.”
“Now the truth is,” said Earth, “they'll dare do any thing. They'll give you one hand in friendship, while with the other, they put a knife between your ribs. We are in a ticklish situation, Rolfe, and I'm not so sure we shan't be used up.”
“How? what?”—said Rolfe, quickly.
“Why, these devils must conceal this thing; you see they've been hurrying along, that they might keep dark; now, were we to go up and demand the girl, and tell 'em of the murder, we should be butchered or roasted before you could take a chew of red-streak. They would'nt wish prettier fun, and instead of lying upon this soft grass, we should be dancing round a pole, with a parcel of lightwood splinters in us.”
“Earth, this is rather too serious a mater to joke about; but, if what you say of Tecumseh be true, he will not suffer it.”
“I told you,” said Earth, “what people say, not what I know of 'Cumseh; for myself, I have no confidence in any of 'em, I never knowed one that could be trusted; its just as natural for them to lie, and do every thing that is bad, as 'tis for a gourd to have a bitter taste.”
“Then it may be as bad in the morning,” said Rolfe, “as it is now.”
“No, they'll have time to cool a little,” said Earth, “but I'll slip round after a while, as soon as I think it safe to do so, and see what I can make of 'em.”
“Well, be cautious, Earth, for I should hate for them to get hold of you.”