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Had the missionary chosen to tell the part taken by At-to-uck in the affair, it may be reasonably doubted whether her life would have been spared. But he was not the man to do such a thing. Knowing how anxious Teddy would be to participate in the pursuit, he secured the wife of one of the Christian Indians to return with him, and take charge of the boy during their absence.
"Well, At-to-uck," said he, kindly, "you seem troubled. Is there anything I can do for you?" "Me ain't trouble," she answered, using English as well as her very imperfect knowledge would admit. "Me ain't trouble me ain't." "Who may it be then?" "The-au-o-too he much trouble. Sick in woods die berry sick." "What do you mean, At-to-uck?" asked the missionary, his interest strongly awakened.
"Hark! hear groan? Me hear him." Harvey listened intently but heard nothing. Knowing that the hearing of the Indians is marvelously acute, he believed the squaw had heard sounds of distress; but, instead of quickening her steps, she now moved more slowly than ever. "Have you lost your way, At-to-uck?" "No," she answered, in a significant voice.
Then she suddenly broke forth: "Send At-to-uck to git good man hurry berry hurry he die won't live. The-au-o-too say hurry die soon won't see good man Riher." Harvey looked at his wife. "What must I do, Cora? It will not do to leave you, as Teddy may not return for several hours, and yet this poor Indian should be attended in his dying moments." "You should go, Harvey; I will not fear."
The husband again became composed and related what is already familiar to the reader. At its close, Teddy dashed into the house and brought out his rifle. "I'll murther that At-to-uck, be me sowl, and then I'll murther that haythen assassinator, an' iverybody that gits in me way. Be the powers of the saints and divils, but I'll murther somebody. May the divil roast me if I "
"Well, At-to-uck, what is the matter now?" "Mebbe dead." "Oh, I hope not," he answered, cheerfully. "Do you turn off here?" She answered in the affirmative and asked him to lead the way. "No; I am unacquainted, and you ought certainly to know where to find your dying husband better than I do." She took the duty of guide upon herself again, and advanced but a rod, when she abruptly paused.
The suspicions of the missionary that had been slumbering were now fully roused. "What do you mean then?" The squaw turned full around and gave a leer which, if possible, made her face more hideous than ever. Without thinking Harvey caught her by the arm and shook her sharply. "Explain this, At-to-uck. What is the meaning of this?" "He-he-e-e-e! big fool. The-au-o-too hunt no hurt!"
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