United States or Cyprus ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Kepenau had, as I have already said, some knowledge of Christianity, and he and his daughter very gladly received the instruction which the missionary afforded them. Uncle Stephen went out and succeeded in bringing in three or four of our neighbours, among whom were Mr Claxton and Reuben, and we had a regular service in the cottage, the first of the sort I can recollect.
"The greater reason they will have for putting a small value on them," observed the old trapper. "I would advise you to accept Samson Micklan's offer," said Uncle Mark, turning to the Indian. Kepenau considered the matter for some time. "I will do as you advise," he said at length. "I know that I can trust you. When you have fixed a price, I will not consent to sell under it.
Quambo, who saw them, thought that they might have been, after all, only the footsteps of Uncle Mark or Mike, who might have come out thus far in search of game; but Kepenau laughed when this was said. "No, no," he answered; "these are moccasins. You will see that I am right." We hurried on, for the sun was getting low, and already the gloom had settled down in the recesses of the forest.
It was already getting dusk when Kepenau stopped and examined the ice. "A man has passed this way," he said, "and has turned off to the right." Telling one of his people to follow up the trail, he proceeded onwards, narrowly scrutinising the ice.
Their leader did not fail to keep a look-out on every side sometimes hurrying on ahead to the top of a rock, from whence he could take a glance over the country around to ascertain whether any one was moving; still they did not appear to be very anxious, and they must have been aware of the exact spot in which Kepenau and his tribe were encamped, while they knew that they were not likely to encounter other foes.
He had, until now, I found, suspected that Manilick had instigated the attack on us, if he had not taken part in it, and he wished openly to exonerate him. Kepenau questioned me as to the dress and appearance of the Indians who had made us prisoners. From my description he was satisfied that they were really Sioux, and that Manilick had nothing to do with them.
My shout attracted the notice of Kepenau, who at once recognised me, and steered his canoe for the bank. He and Ashatea stepped on shore, and seemed much pleased at seeing me. I introduced Reuben, who made as polite a bow to the Indian girl as he would have done to a princess. She put out her hand, and in her broken language inquired if he had a sister.
My desire is to instruct them in the truths I have myself learned; and it is only by dwelling with them, and showing them that I love them, that I can hope to do that." We had much interesting conversation with Kepenau, and I was surprised at the amount of information on religious subjects which he possessed; indeed. I confess that he put us all to shame. Uncle Mark looked grave, and sighed.
Keep to your resolve, for you cannot do God's will without reading his Word, to know what that will is," remarked Kepenau. Our host gave up one of the wigwams for our special use, in the centre of which a fire burned, prevented from spreading by a circle of stones. The ground around the sides was covered with thick rushes which served as our beds, and we lay with our feet towards the fire.
Kepenau was well pleased with the success of our expedition, and having made up his mind to live at peace with his neighbours, he was very glad to avoid a collision with the strangers, even though we might come off victorious. "We must, however, be on the watch for them as we return homewards," he observed.
Word Of The Day