"No, we belong to our mother's totem, which is that of the Beaver, for no one may belong to the totem of his father."
"And what means the circle of serpents?" asked Major Hester.
"It signifies the magic circle of the Metai, to which none but a brave warrior, who has won the honor by some notable deed, may belong."
"But Donald was a child."
"Was he not by birth a warrior who could be naught but brave? and had he not already, as you have just told, saved the life of a chief of the Metai?" queried Ah-mo.
"True, so he had," asserted the major. "But what is this Metai of which you speak?"
"Being a woman, I know but little of it," answered the Indian girl. "It is a powerful order of much mystery extending over many tribes. It is greatly feared by those who do not belong to it, while those who do will aid each other in any extremity and to the full extent of their powers. In it are many degrees of merit, and he who is its chief must be obeyed by all who acknowledge its authority."
"Why, girl, you are describing free-masonry!" cried the major, who was himself a master-mason. "Have the members of this Metai signs and passwords by which they may recognize each other?"
"They have, but I know them not," replied Ah-mo.
"Of course not, seeing that you are a girl; but Pontiac is certain to know something of this thing, and, if the mighty brotherhood that encircles the world has indeed penetrated the American wilderness, then will we settle this useless war in short order. By the way, Ah-mo, who is the present chief of this magic circle? or is it not known to the uninitiated?"