"There was treachery there."
"Ugh! Why, if White Father so strong, you leave Fort and go way off?"
"Because just now I can serve him better elsewhere; but we shall come again."
"My young men have rumor that Detroit go like Mackinac."
"It is untrue; your young men bring false news."
Gomo turned and looked about him upon the expectant warriors; and, as if the glance was an invitation to free speech, one sitting half-way across the circle asked gruffly:
"Why you pour out rum, if you love Pottawattomie?"
"Because I am only the White Chief at Dearborn," returned Heald, facing the questioner, "and, like Peesotum who asks, have higher chiefs elsewhere whom I must obey. What they tell me I have to do."
"White Chief lies!" was the short, stern answer. "Winnemeg brought no such word."
So furious were the many dark, glowering faces, that I braced myself, thinking the next moment would be one of struggle for life or death; but Gomo held them motionless with a wave of his hand. He rose slowly to his feet, and faced us with grave dignity.