“I do not urge upon you to withhold vengeance for injuries done to our race by the white enemy. I only desire to make it more full and terrible. This is but the beginning of a long list of retributions, the overflowing of accumulated wrongs, the first step towards freedom and redemption! To take that step we must be patient until certain of success. Then begins a warfare that will only end with the annihilation of our hated enemies and in a new existence for the red men! Have I spoken well?”
Loud approbation greeted him from the assembled warriors; but such is the inconsistency of human character that individually they devised means for immediate retaliation on the settlers.
Hence the several encounters which had already taken place.
Nelatu, mortified at his own weakness, was among the warriors addressed by Wacora.
On returning from the council, the young chief approached his cousin.
“Nelatu, you would do something to make up for your blind infatuation, that has led to such misfortunes?”
“I would, Wacora, I would. My father’s face seems always before me, reproaching me as my sister’s destroyer.”
“Then action is the only way by which to shake off the remorseful feeling. Our efforts have till now been fruitless in tracing the spot to which your sister has been carried. She must be found, and the punishment of the guilty made sure.”
“Not Sansuta. You would not injure her?”
Wacora smiled sadly, as he pressed his hand upon his heart.