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Show Page 129 John and Richard visited often in the days Twig lay abed, though without Twig to spy for him John did not always appear when Richard came. Though Richard paid scant attention to the boy, asking only after his health, John came bearing gifts: a musket carved from elder, a sling, a whistle of willow (which Margaret forbade Twig to blow in the house so piercing was its sound), an undersized bow and arrows. Richard was there the evening John brought the bow and arrows. "It is bad enough that you take heathen ways upon yourself," Richard said, "but must you teach them to the young as well?" "Many Indians ways are wise ways," answered John. I could sense the anger in his voice, though he held it well. He was, after all, still a servant and could not say aloud what I knew he was feeling. "It is our duty to civilize the natives and convert them to Christianity," Richard snapped, "not to be seduced by their savage ways, as you seem to have been. But like Jonas Stockden, I am of the mind that our efforts are futile unless we rid the tribes of their headmen. And even more futile as long as there are those amongst us who look upon the heathen ways with admiration." I felt distressed, for John could not properly make a reply without jeopardy. At last I could not hold my tongue. "If to rid the tribes of their headmen, you mean to kill them," |