Part 66 (2/2)
A few minutes later I saw the scout march out, bound for Chemung--a small detachment of the 2nd Jersey, one Stockbridge Indian, and a Coureur-de-Bois in very elegant deerskin s.h.i.+rt and gorgeous leggins.
Captain c.u.mmins led them.
As they left, Captain Dayton arrived to take me again to the General.
There was a throng of officers in the marquee when I was announced, but evidently by some preconcerted understanding all retired as soon as I entered.
When we were alone, the General very kindly pointed to a camp stool at his elbow and requested me to be seated; and for a little while he said nothing, but remained leaning with both elbows on his camp table, seeming to study s.p.a.ce as though it were peopled with unpleasant pictures.
However, presently his symmetrical features recovered pleasantly from abstraction, and he said:
”Mr. Loskiel, it is said of you that, except for the Oneida Sachem, Spenser, you are perhaps the most accomplished interpreter Guy Johnson employed.”
”No,” I said, ”there are many better interpreters, my General, but few, perhaps, who understand the most intimate and social conditions of the Long House better than do I.”
”You are modest in your great knowledge, Mr. Loskiel.”
”No, General, only, knowing as much as I do, I also perceive how much more there is that I do not know. Which makes me wary of committing myself too confidently, and has taught me that to vaunt one's knowledge is a dangerous folly.”
General Sullivan laughed that frank, manly, and very winning laugh of his. Then his features gradually became sombre again.
”Colonel Broadhead, at Fortress Pitt, sent you a supposed Wyandotte who might have been your undoing,” he said abruptly. ”He is a cautious officer, too, yet see how he was deceived! Are you also likely to be deceived in any of your Indians?”
”No, sir.”
”Oh! You are confident, then, in this matter!”
”As far as concerns the Indians now under my command.”
”You vouch for them?”
”With my honour, General.”
”Very well, sir.... And your Mohican Loup--he can perform what he has promised? Guide us straight to Catharines-town, I mean?”
”He has said it.”
”Aye--but what is your opinion of that promise?”
”A Siwanois Sagamore never lies.”
”You trust him?”
”Perfectly. We are blood-brothers, he and I.”
”Oho!” said the General, nodding. ”That was cunningly done, sir.”
”No, sir. The idea was his own.”
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