“By the right of possession—bought and paid for?”
Oluski started as if a shot had struck him.
“Bought and paid for? Dog of a liar! What do you mean?”
“Only that I have built my house upon land purchased from you. Your memory appears bad, my old Indian friend.”
“Purchased from me? When—how?”
“Do you already forget the guns, powder, and valuables I gave you? Fie, fie! you are trying to cheat me! Surely you must remember your bargain! But if your memory fail you, these gentlemen,” here Rody pointed to the settlers, “these gentlemen are prepared to certify to the truth of what I say.”
Oluski only groaned.
The audacious treachery of the white man was beyond his simple belief.
Wacora, burning with indignation, spoke for him.
“False wretch, the lie these men are ready to swear to is too monstrous to be believed, even were they upon their oaths! Those gifts were thrust upon my uncle, falsely bestowed as the lands he gave you were falsely claimed for services done to him! Your black heart never conceived a generous thought or a just deed! All was for a treacherous end—the betrayal of this noble-minded chief, as much your superior as the Deity you profess to worship is above the white man himself! Wacora despises you! Wacora has said it!”