"
"Too many question, one time," returned the Chippewa, a little
distastefully. "No good have so long tongue. Ask one question, answer
him--ask anoder, answer HIM, too."
"Well, then, what is your business, here?"
"Go to Chicago, for gen'ral."
"Do you mean that you bear a message from some American general to
the commandant at Chicago?"
"Just so--dat my business. Guess him, right off; he, he, he!"
It is so seldom that an Indian laughs that the bee-hunter was
startled.
"Where is the general who has sent you on this errand?" he demanded.
"He at Detroit--got whole army dere--warrior plenty as oak in
opening."
All this was news to the bee-hunter, and it caused him to muse a
moment, ere he proceeded.
"What is the name of the American general who has sent you on this
path?" he then demanded.
"Hell," answered the Ojebway, quietly.
"Hell! You mean to give his Indian title, I suppose, to show that he
will prove dangerous to the wicked. But how is he called in our own
tongue?"
"Hell--dat he name--good name for so'ger, eh?"
"I believe I understand you, Chippewa--Hull is the name of the
governor of the territory, and you must have mistaken the sound--'is
it not so?"
"Hull--Hell--don't know--just same--one good as t'other.
Pages:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85