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for the recent comers to approach. Middleton took one of the meagre hands of
the trapper and struggling to command his voice, he succeeded in announcing
his presence. The old man listened like one whose thoughts were dwelling on a
very different subject, but when the other had succeeded in making him
understand, that he was present, an expression of joyful recognition passed
over his faded features--
I hope you have not so soon forgotten those, whom you so materially served!
Middleton concluded. It would pain me to think my hold on your memory was so
light.
Little that I have ever seen is forgotten, returned the trapper; I am at
the close of many weary days, but there is not one among them all, that I
could wish to overlook. I remember you with the whole of your company; ay, and
your gran ther, that went before you. I am glad, that you have come back upon
these plains, for I had need of one, who speaks the English, since little
faith can be put in the traders of these regions. Will you do a favour, lad,
to an old and dying man?
Name it, said Middleton; it shall be done.
It is a far journey to send such trifles, resumed the old man, who spoke at
short intervals as strength and breath permitted; A far and weary journey is
the same; but kindnesses and friendships are things not to be forgotten. There
is a settlement among the Otsego hills--
I know the place, interrupted Middleton, observing that he spoke with
increasing difficulty; proceed to tell me, what you would have done.
Take then this rifle, and pouch and horn, and send them to the person, whose
name is graven on the plates of the stock. A trader cut the letters with his
knife, for it is long, that I have intended to send him such a token of my
love!
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It shall be so. Is there more that you could wish?
Little else have I to bestow. My traps I give to my Indian son; for honestly
and kindly has he kept his faith. Let him stand before me.
Middleton explained to the chief, what the trapper had said, and relinquished
his own place to the other.
Pawnee, continued the old man, always changing his language to suit the
person he addressed, and not unfrequently according to the ideas he expressed,
it is a custom of my people for the father to leave his blessing with the
son, before he shuts his eyes forever. This blessing I give to you; take it,
for the prayers of a Christian man will never make the path of a just warrior,
to the blessed prairies, either longer or more tangled. May the God of a white
man look on your deeds with friendly eyes, and may you never commit an act,
that shall cause him to darken his face. I know not whether we shall ever meet
again. There are many traditions concerning the place of Good Spirits. It is
not for one like me, old and experienced though I am, to set up my opinions
against a nation s. You believe in the blessed prairies, and I have faith in
the sayings of my fathers. If both are true, our parting will be final; but if
it should prove, that the same meaning is hid under different words, we shall
yet stand together, Pawnee, before the face of your Wahcondah, who will then
be no other than my God. There is much to be said in favour of both religions,
for each seems suited to its own people, and no doubt it was so intended. I
fear, I have not altogether followed the gifts of my colour, inasmuch as I
find it a little painful to give up for ever the use of the rifle and the
comforts of the chase. But then the fault has been my own, seeing that it
could not have been His. Ay, Hector, he continued, leaning forward a little,
and feeling for the ears of the hound, our parting has come at last, dog, and
it will be a long hunt. You have been an honest, and a bold, and a faithful
hound. Pawnee, you cannot slay the pup on my grave, for where a Christian dog
falls, there he lies forever, but you can be kind to him, after I am gone for
the love you bear his master.
The words of my father, are in my ears, returned the young partisan, making
a grave and respectful gesture of assent.
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