"We have seen the Great Spirit. He comes when it rains, and we can see him and hear him. We can feel the wind that he blows, and we can see the great light which he makes every day, and the smaller lights at his villages every night."
Two things were thus impressed on the boys—namely, that they considered the air entirely distinct from the earth, and that the Great Spirit made the thunder and lightning, and that the sun was the Spirit's light by day, and the moon and stars the lights of his villages by night.
Notwithstanding Suros' limited knowledge, it must be said that in his further talk with the Professor he showed himself to be possessed of qualities which placed him far above the common run of the natives. When he was asked why honor was such a prize to them, he answered:
"Our good men are happy to know that they are so placed that the Great Spirit can take them. What greater happiness is there for him?"
"Don't you believe that trying to make your people happy and contented will please the Great Spirit?"
"We do not know that. We do not know why the Great Spirit should want the bodies of our great warriors and good men. We cannot understand it."
"The white man believes that if you do good to your fellow-man it will please the Great Spirit."
"That may be; but I do not see why. There is no reason why he should care how I treat my people. That is not what he is up there for. What good will it do him? How will it help him? I do not believe many of the things I have been told by the wise men, and I have never sacrificed the captives I have taken, although my father before me did. I try to make my people happy, because when I see the Great Spirit giving us the day and the bright light and the rain, so that the things about us may grow, it seems to me that he is trying to be good to us, and I believe that is what we should do to each other."