Father Claude had seen the group approaching, and he joined Menard. The Big Throat stood motionless and looked at the Captain.
“My brother, the Big Buffalo, has asked to speak with the Big Throat,” he said at length.
Menard bowed, but did not reply.
“He asks for his release,––and for the holy man and the squaw?”
“The Big Buffalo asks nothing save what the chiefs of the Onondagas would give to a chief taken in battle. The Long Arrow has lied to the Big Buffalo. He has soiled his hands with the blood of women and holy Fathers. The Big Buffalo was told by Onontio, whom all must obey, to come to the Onondagas and give them his word. The Long Arrow was impatient. He would not let him journey in peace. He wished to injure him; to let his blood. Now the Big Buffalo is here. He asks that he may be heard at the council, to give the chief the word of Onontio. That is all.”
The Big Throat’s face was inscrutable. He looked at Menard without a word until the silence grew tense, and the maid caught her breath. Then he said, with the cool, diplomatic 234 tone that concealed whatever kindness or justice may have prompted the words:––
“The Big Buffalo shall be heard at the council to-night. The chiefs of the Onondagas never are deaf to the words of Onontio.”