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Show 2GB THE LIL\' AND TilE TOTEM. chafes me nothing; but we lose time. You have suffered some of his warriors to depart. They nrc gone, doubtless, to gather the host together. We shall need all the time to carry our capti\'C Sllfely to the bo:\ts." . These \vords were spoken nloud, directly in the rear of Utma, D'Erlueh having taken a plaeo behind him in tho conference. Tho Paracousai was st:.Lrtlod by the language. Some of it was bcyoiHl his comprehension. But he could not misunderstand the tone nod manner of the speaker. D'Erlach wn.'l standing above him, with his hand stretched over him, and ready to grasp his Yictim tho moment tho word should be spoken. His slight form and youthful features, contrn.sted with the cold, inflexible expression of his eyes and face, very forcibly impressed tho imagination of tho Indian monarch, as, turuing nt the interruption, he looked up nt the person of the speaker. But, beyond the first single !!tart which followed the interruption, Ut.ina gave no sign of surprise or apprehension. "Awhile, awhile, Alphonse- be not too hasty, my son;" was the reply of Laudonnicrc. He continued, addressing himself to tho Paracous.si: ''My red brother thinks he understands the French. lie is mistaken. lie will gro\v wi~cr before he grows much older. llut it will be time tllOn that I should teach him. It matters now only, that 1 should say to tho Paracousai Utina, we 1cant, and you M.t:e plenty. We have fought your battles. We arc your friwds. We will trade with you for mil and beanos. Give us of these, according to our need, and yon shall have of the mer· ehandize of the French in just proportion. Let it be so, brother, that peace may still flourish between our people. 11 CAI'TI\'ITY OF TilE GREAT PARACOUSSJ. 269 "There is mil and beanos before my white brother. Let him take and divide among his people." "But this will not suffice for a single meal. Docs the Pnracoussi laugh to scorn tho sufferings of my people?" " The Pnrncoussi laughs because the granaries of the red· men nrc full. There is no famine among his people. Hath the Great Spirit written that the rcd.man shall gather food in the proper season that the white man may sleep like the drowsy buffJ.Io in the green pasture? Let my white brother drive from his ear the lying bird that sings to him: 'Sleep-take thy slumber under the pleasant shade tree, while the people of Utioa get thee food!'" "\Vould the Pnraeoussi make the l~rcnelJmen his enemies? Is their anger nothing ? Is tl10ir power not a thing to be feared ?" "And what is the Parncoussi Olata Ovac Utio::L? Hath he not many thousand waniors ? Tho crane that rises in the cast in tho moming, though he flies all day, compa.sscs not the land at sun· set, which belongs to my dominions. East and 'vest my people whoop like the crane, and hear no birds that answer but their own. Let my p..1.lc brother hush, for he speaks a foolish thing of his warriors. Did I dream, or did any runners tell me that the bones of the Frenchmen break through tho skin, lacking food, m1d their sinews arc so shrunken that they cun never more strive in battle? Who shall fear them? I had pity on my brother when I heard these things. I sent him food, and baile my people say-' take this food 'vhieh thou nccdost; the great Parneoussi asks for nothing in recompense, but thy guns, thy swords, and thy lances ; weapons which they tell me thou hast strength to uso no longer." "Did they tell thee so, Utina.? But thou shalt see. Once |