“You did! I shall never forget it!”
“Durn it, it warn’t for that I made mention on’t. It war only this—look me in the face, and tell me on the word of a man you mean square with me. Do that an’ I’ll put my trust in ye, as I’m now puttin’ my life in your hands.”
“Upon an Indian warrior’s word, I am your friend!”
“You air, Nelatu? Then dog-gorn me if I doubt you. Your hand!”
They exchanged a friendly grasp.
“It is more nor my life—it am the good name and actions of the most splendiferous, angeliferous critter the sun ever set eyes on! It air—”
“Alice Rody!”
The hunter showed some surprise as Nelatu uttered the name.
“Yes, it war that same gal; but how on airth did you come for to guess it so straight?”
“Because that one name is never absent from my thoughts.”