"]
The Huron extended his hand, but it hung limp in that of the ardent
young man. It was easy to see that the iterated thanks were
distasteful to him. He said nothing until the jubilant Cato also made
a spring at it as soon as it was released.
"Nebber mind--nottin'--Oonomoo do nottin'."
"Hebens, golly! yes, you did. If you hadn't come jes' as you did, I'd
had to fout de Injines all alone, single-handed, widout any feller to
help me, and, like as not, would've got hurt."
"Can't hurt Cato's head--hard," said the Huron, dropping his hand upon
the superabundant wool of the negro, and allowing it to bound up as if
an elastic cushion were beneath it. "Make nice scalp--Shawnee like
it," added the Indian, still toying with it.
"De Lord bless me! I hopes he nebber will get it, and he nebber will
if I can hender dem."
It was now quite dark, and, to the surprise of the Lieutenant, a round,
full, bright moon appeared above the forest. The preceding night had
been without a moon to light up the cloudy heavens; but there was
scarcely a cloud visible now in the sky. Here and there a small fleck
floated overhead, like a handful of snow cast there by some giant,
while not a breath of wind disturbed the tree-tops. All was silent and
gloomy as the tomb.
"When are we to go to the Shawnee village?" asked the Lieutenant.
"Now!" replied the Huron.
"Then why do you linger?"
"Cato go with us?"
"That is just as you say, Oonomoo.
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