Arthur now stepped before him, and addressed some words to Atollo in his own language, the purport of which I could only guess.
The other listened attentively without evincing any surprise, and then made answer, speaking rapidly and by jerks as it were, and scanning us all the while with the eye of a hawk.
When he had finished, Arthur turned to us. “This man requires us, he said, to give up Eiulo to him; he claims him as his brother’s son, and says that he wishes to convey him home to Tewa. He promises to leave us unmolested if we comply, and threatens us with death if we refuse: you see it concerns us all—what do you say?”
Arthur was very pale. He looked towards Morton, who said nothing, but stood leaning against one of the pillars of the Aoa, with his eyes steadfastly bent upon the ground.
“Ask Eiulo,” said Browne, “if this man is his uncle.”
The question was accordingly put, and the trembling boy answered hesitatingly, that he did not know—but he believed that he was.
“Ask him,” pursued Browne, “if he is willing to go with him.”
Arthur put the question formally, and Eiulo, grasping his arm, while Johnny still held fast by his skirt, answered with a shudder that he was afraid to go with him.
“Ask him why he is afraid,” continued Browne.
The answer was, that he believed his uncle would kill him.