Corporal Nixon at once became sensible of his error. To
affront one of the friendly chiefs would, he knew, not
only compromise the interests of the garrison, but incur
the severe displeasure of the commanding officer, who
had always enjoined the most scrupulous abstinence from
any thing offensive to them.
"I only meant to say," he added, as he again extended
his hand. "I can't give 'em boat. White chief" and he
pointed in the direction of the Fort, "no let me."
"Ugh!" exclaimed the Indian, his stern features again
brightening up with a last hope. "'Spose come with Injin?"
For a moment or two, the corporal hesitated whether or
not to put the man across, but when he reflected on the
singular manner of his advent, and other circumstances
connected with his appearance among them, his customary
prudence came to his aid, and while avoiding all ground
for offence by his mode of refusal, he gave him peremptorily
to understand that there was an order against his suffering
the boat to leave its present station.
Again the countenance of the Indian fell, even while his
quick eye rolled incessantly from one to the other of
the group.
Pages:
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63