“The White Chief speaks with a biting tongue.”
“You have been speaking with a lying tongue. You think I do not know why you have brought me here; you think I do not understand the evil thoughts that fill your mind. You are a coward, Tegakwita. But you will not succeed to-night.”
The ill-concealed fright that came into the Indian’s face and manner told Menard that he was not wide of the mark. He began to understand. Tegakwita wished to get him at work and off his guard,––the rest would be simple. 300 And as Menard well knew, more than one brave of the Onondagas, who had known him both as friend and enemy, would shrink when the moment came to attack the Big Buffalo single-handed, even though taking him at a disadvantage. Now Tegakwita was hesitating, and struggling to keep his eyes from the thicket.
“Yes, I will help you. We will close this matter now, and go back to the village where your cowardly hands will be tied by fear of your chiefs. Drop your musket.”
“The Big Buffalo speaks in anger. Does he think to disarm Tegakwita that he may kill him?”
“Lay your musket on the ground before us. Then I will drop the hatchet.”
Tegakwita stepped around the grave, and leaning the musket across a stone stood by it. Menard’s voice was full of contempt.
“You need not fear. The Big Buffalo keeps his word.” He tossed the hatchet over the grave, and stood unarmed. “Drop your knife.”
Tegakwita hesitated. Menard took a step forward, and the knife fell to the ground.
“Come. We will work side by side.” He 301 was surprised at Tegakwita’s slinking manner. He wondered if this Indian could by some strange accident have been given a temperament so fine that sorrow could unman him. To the Iroquois, gifted as they were with reasoning power, life held little sentiment. Curiously enough, as Menard stood in the light of the young moon watching the warrior come slowly around the grave, which still showed above the earth the head and shoulders of the dead girl, he found himself calling up the rare instances he had known of a real affection between Indians.