I remained silent.
“I will go alone,” he said.
I said nothing.
“You do not think they will receive me unpleasantly?”
“Oh, no!” I hastened to make up for lost time. “They [[160]]are peaceful enough, so long as they are permitted to have their own way. Very likely they will receive you with much of courtesy and even hospitality.”
“That is as I thought,” said the Colonel, who has always gone alone into hostile camps—a method of conciliation that would give most people pause. “I will reason with them,” he continued, “and I believe I can bring them to a sensible view of the matter we have to adjust.”
I said nothing.
“What do you think of my plan?”
“Why, Sir, I would not presume to suggest—”
“That is not the question. You should be somewhat familiar with these Indian people by now. Will my plan succeed?”