“Winnetou may dismiss all thought of it. That too was instantly forgiven.”
“My brother says something that is impossible to believe.”
“You must believe it; I proved long ago that it was forgiven, for if it were not I should have revenged myself on your father. Do you suppose that Old Shatterhand could be treated thus, and not reply with his fist if he resented it?”
“We wondered afterward that you did not do this.”
“The father of Winnetou cannot insult me. It was all a mistake; that is all. Let us talk of something else.”
“I must speak of this, for I should be guilty if I did not tell my brother the custom of our people. No brave ever admits a mistake, and a chief can do so least of all. Intschu-Tschuna knows that he did wrong, but he cannot ask your forgiveness. Therefore he bade me speak of it to you. Winnetou acts for his father.”
“That was not at all necessary, and in any case we are quits, for I insulted you.”
“Never.”
“Yes. Isn’t a blow of the fist an insult?”
“That was in combat, where it cannot count as an insult. My brother is noble and generous; we will not forget it in him.”