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"When the men-of-the-woods see a face once, they never forget it," returned the Indian, grasping the proffered hand heartily, but without a sign of risibility on his countenance, for in this, as we know, he differed considerably from his companion; yet there was a something about the corners of his eyes which seemed to indicate that he was not quite devoid of humour.
The girl loved her father and mother, and never disobeyed them or caused them to suffer for a moment. One day, when the father was far away from home, a number of bad Eskimos came and fought with the men-of-the-woods, who went out and drove their enemies away. They took one prisoner, a strong fine-looking man. One night the prisoner escaped.
He also enlarged on the great comforts to be derived from trade which could be carried on with the white traders on the one hand and the Eskimos on the other, so that, between the two, the men-of-the-woods could not fail to obtain a double benefit.
"Good reason yes, the men-of-the-woods never act without good reason." "My father may be perplexed about reasons," continued the Eskimo, "but surely he will have no difficulty in finding his people, for are not the men-of-the-woods good at following up a trail?" "Truly you say what is true. It will be easy to find and follow the trail of a whole tribe," returned Nazinred, with a smile.
He did not however forsake his people, but frequently visited old Mangivik and his mother at Waruskeek, and the old folk sometimes returned the visit by spending a few months on the banks of the Ukon River. Anteek also elected to stay with the men-of-the-woods, being unable to forsake Cheenbuk, and of course young Uleeta remained with him.
Cheenbuk climbed a neighbouring berg with Nazinred to have a look at it. The Eskimo looked rather glum, for the idea of land-travelling and struggling among willows was repugnant to him. "I don't like the look of this," he said, turning to his companion; "there seems no end to it." "Let not my son be cast down," returned the Indian; "men-of-the-woods understand the nature of land.
Are not the Eskimos as strong and brave as the men-of-the-woods?" For a moment the Indian looked at his companion with high disdain, for the boastful question had aroused within him the boastful spirit; but the look quickly disappeared, and was replaced by the habitual air of calm gravity. "It may be, as you say, that your nation is as brave and strong as ours "
"That is good," returned the gallant Eskimo, "but Cheenbuk can leave his mother and his father too. If I go and live with the men-of-the-woods, will you be my squaw?" Adolay with downcast eyes gave no answer. It is said that silence gives consent.
After him came Cheenbuk, who said that he was much gratified by the speeches of Mozwa and Nazinred; that from the latter he had learned his first lesson of good-feeling towards the men-of-the-woods, on the day when he strove with him on the banks of the Greygoose River; that his second lesson was taught him by Adolay a lesson that he would never forget and could never repay, for she had not only saved his life but made him happy.
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