“My brothers,” he said, looking round on the dusky warriors, who remained sitting all the time, “the white chief of the fur-traders has sent me into this country to trade with you.”
This statement was received with a “waugh” of satisfaction from several of the warriors.
“And,” continued Lumley, “I have brought men—strong men, who can work well—to help me to build a house, so that we may live among you and hunt together.”
He paused here to let the statement have its full effect. Then he continued:—
“I have also brought plenty of guns, and powder, and lead.”
Again he paused, and an emphatic “waugh” proved that the remark was fully appreciated.
“The white man knows,” continued Lumley, in a more flowing style, “that his red brothers have need of many things which they do not possess, while the white man is in need of furs, and does not possess them. It is for the good of each that we should exchange. The Great Spirit, who is all-wise, as well as all-good, has seen fit to scatter His children over a wide world, and He has given some of them too much of one thing, some of them too much of another. Why has He done so? May we not think that it is for the purpose of causing His children to move about the world, and mingle, and help each other, and so increase Love? Some of the bad children prefer to move about and steal. But there is no need. It is easier to do good than to do evil. If all men would help and none would steal, there would be more than enough for all.”
Again a pause. Some of the savages, who were thoughtful men, were greatly tickled in their minds by the arguments set forth. Others, who could not understand, were deeply impressed.
“Now,” continued Lumley, coming to the marrow of his discourse, “the red-men have more than enough of furs.”
“Waugh!” in a tone of emphasis, that implied “that’s true.”