The soldier was the first to speak.
"Isn't this an impressive sight, Oonomoo?"
"Yeh--make think of Great Spirit."
"That is true. You seem to be more than usually solemn in your
reflections, my good friend, and I am glad to see it. This calm
moonlight night, the clear sky and the deep, silent wood, is enough to
make any person thoughtful; but it must have required something more
than ordinary to impress you thus."
"Saw Fluellina to-day, Oonomoo's wife."
Lieutenant Canfield was considerably puzzled to understand how this
could account for the peculiar frame of the Huron's mind, but he had
too much consideration to question him further. It was not until he
spoke again, that he gained a clear idea of his meaning.
"Fluellina Christian--got Bible--tell 'bout God--Great Spirit up
dere--read out of it--tell Oonomoo 'bout t'ings in it--Oonomoo nebber
take anodder scalp."
"A wise determination; such a brave man as you needs no _proof_ of your
bravery, and that good Being which your Fluellina has told you about
will smile upon your noble conduct."
"Know dat--_feel_ it," added the Huron, eagerly. He stood a moment
longer, and then added, "Time dat we go."
"You spoke of going part way in a canoe, but I do not see any for us."
"Down yonder, by dat rock."
The Indian pointed down the river as he spoke, and, following the
direction of his finger, Lieutenant Canfield distinguished a large rock
projecting some distance from the shore, but could distinguish nothing
of the canoe of which he spoke.
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