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"Oh," said I, watching him, "am I to go forest-running to-day?" "Mars' Varick gwine ride de boun's," he announced, cheerfully. "Ride to hounds?" I repeated, astonished. "In May?" "No, suh! Ride de boun's, suh." "Oh, ride the boundaries?" "Yaas, suh." "Oh, very well. What time does he start?" "'Bout noontide, suh."
At all events, it was plain enough now that, for some reason unknown to me, this Mohican not only liked me, but so far trusted me entertained, in fact, so unusual a confidence in me that he even permitted himself to relax and speak to me playfully, and with the light familiarity of an elder brother. "Sagamore," I said, "my heart is very anxious for the safety of this little forest-running maid.
"In the manner that all warriors desire to be rewarded," he replied, secretly amused. "I thought," said I, "that the reward all warriors desire is a scalp taken in battle." He cast a sly glance at me and went on painting. "Mayaro," said I, disturbed, "is it possible that you have been out forest-running while I've slept?" He shot a quick look at me, full of delighted malice. And "Ho!" said he.
"Peter shall ride with you," began Sir Lupus; but Dorothy broke in, impatiently: "He need not. I shall guide Mr. Ormond to Broadalbin." "Oh no, you won't!" snapped the patroon; "you've done enough of forest-running for one day. Peter, pilot Mr. Ormond to the Bush."
Suddenly a shaft of fear struck me like a swift arrow in the breast, as I thought of Butler and of his Mountain Snakes, and of that mad child, Lois, a-gypsying whither her silly inclination led her; and Death in the forest-dusk watching her with a hundred staring eyes. "This time," I muttered, "I shall put a stop to all her forest-running!"
I groaned. "Forest-running, Basdel, has made you violent and rough in your talk," she icily rebuked. "You hate the Indians simply because you do not understand them. Now I'm positive that the best thing for you to do is to keep away from the frontier and see if you can't start right on this side of the mountains." It would be folly to argue with her longer.
We're going to have a talk with two white men, who don't understand Indians. Pat, that young cub of a forest-running Morris is out front. Hankers to see you, I 'low." My leather face was still on fire when I heard the soft swish of skirts. Then she stood before me, more beautiful than even my forest-dreaming had pictured her, more desirable than ever.
"Oh, young Morris, eh? I'm better at remembering Indian faces than white. Among 'em so much. So you're young Morris, who made a fool of himself trying to be gentry. Sit down. Turned to forest-running, I should say." And he advanced to the edge of the veranda and seated himself. He had not bothered to shake hands.
"Why do they send us such a forest-running battman, when they have Oneidas at headquarters, and Coureurs-de-Bois to spare who understand their business?" "I make nothing of him," murmured the Mohican, his eyes fairly glittering with excitement and perplexity. "Is he, perhaps, some fugitive from Butler's rangers?" I whispered, utterly at a loss to account for such a silly spectacle.
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