“The knife is there already,” said the youth sternly; “Besha has told lies to Netis and to War–Eagle, and unless he makes good his first words, their knife or bullet shall find him on the mountain or in the wood, or in the midst of the Upsaroka camp.”
For an instant Besha was tempted to rush upon the bold speaker, and trust the issue to his superior strength; but the quiet eye of the young Delaware was fixed upon him with an expression so fearless and resolved, that he involuntarily quailed before it; and as he was endeavouring to frame some further excuse, the youth continued, in a tone of voice less stern, “Let Besha’s ears be open, it is not yet too late; if he chooses to be friends with Netis, Wingenund can tell him some news that will be good for the person whom he loves best.”
“And who may that be?” said the horse–dealer, doubtless surprised at the youth’s pretending to a knowledge of his affections.
“Himself,” was the brief reply.
The horse–dealer’s eye twinkled with a comic expression, and a broad grin sat upon his countenance. “Supposing that my young brother’s words are true, what is the good news that he has to tell?”
“If the white prisoners are given back unhurt to their friends, the lodge of Besha shall be more full of gifts than any lodge on the banks of the great southern river[79]; if not, the mountain wolves shall gnaw his bones before the change of another moon: let him choose for himself.”
“My brother’s words are big,” replied the horse–dealer, striving to overcome the effect produced upon him by the threat of the Delaware youth. “The tongues of women are very brave; if the Washashee tell the truth, not many summers have passed since the Lenapé were a woman–people.”
The blood of the young chief boiled within him at this insulting allusion to an era in the history of his tribe which has already been explained to the reader, and had he followed his first fierce impulse he would have instantly avenged the affront in the blood of the speaker; but he never lost sight of the object for which he had so long sought an interview with the horse–dealer, wherefore he controlled his rising passion, and replied, “Wingenund comes with this message from those who not many days ago drove the Washashee and the Upsaroka from their strong camp: Besha may judge whether they are women or warriors.”
The horse–dealer felt, if he did not own, the justice of the reproof; he knew also that the greater portion of the coveted goods were in the possession of War–Eagle’s party, and he was willing enough to conciliate them, provided he could ensure a safe retreat from the anger of the Crows, in the event of his intrigue being discovered by them.
Moved by these considerations, he said, in an undecided tone, “My young brother must not forget that the edge of the knife is on the cord of his life; if Besha agrees to his proposal, and the Crows discover him, he will be torn in pieces like a wounded elk among wolves.”