Turning, George beheld himself the target of covert grins from the others, who evidently were familiar with Many Drunks' linguistic attainments. Sun Dog merely uttered "How! Shemoganish." He did not profess ability to rise to the occasion like his companion.
Yorke, who was evidently in one of his reckless, rollicking moods, proceeded to make certain teasing overtures to Many Drunks. His knowledge of Cree being nearly as limited as that worthy's knowledge of English, he enlisted the aid of MacDavid as interpreter. The dialogue that ensued was something as follows:
"Tell him I'm fed up with the Force and am thinking seriously of going to live on the reserve—monial nayanok-a-weget—turn 'squaw-man'—'take the blanket.'"
MacDavid translated swiftly, received the answer, and turned to Yorke.
"He says 'Aie-ha! (yes) You make good squaw-man.'"
"Ask him—if I do—if he'll muskkatonamwat (trade) me the young lady over in the corner there, for two bottles of skutiawpwè (whiskey)."
"He says 'Nemoyah!' (no)—if he does that, you'll turn around and kojipyhôk (arrest) him for having liquor in his possession."
"Tell him—Nemoyah! I won't."
"He says Aie-hat ekwecè! (Yes, all right) you can have her. Says she's his brother's wife's niece. But he says you must give him the two bottles of skutiawpwè first, though."
The object of these frivolous negotiations had meanwhile covered her head with the blanket, from the folds of which issued shrill giggles. Sun Dog, who had been listening intently with hand scooped to ear (he was somewhat deaf), now precipitated himself into the discussion. Violently thrusting his elder companion aside he commenced to harangue MacDavid in an excited voice and with vehement gestures of disapprobation of the whole proceedings. The trader translated swiftly:
"He says Nemoyah!—not to give the bottles to Many Drunks, as when he gets full of skutiawpwè he raises hell on th' reserve, an' there's no livin' with him. Says he beats up his squaw an' starts in to scalp th' dogs an' chickens."