United States or Moldova ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Him shake all over like so as seal fat. Much scare. Oh, yes." She laughed in her silent fashion. "So him say, 'Boss white man officer come, then Big Chief Wanak-aha mak plenty big talk. Then him sleep. Oh, yes." The woman's amusement at the chief's panic was infectious. Steve smiled. "I guess we'll go right along," he said. Then he indicated the moon with its misty halo. "Storm."
The dogs were ready and waiting under Oolak's charge. Inside the store, Steve supported by Julyman and An-ina, and the child Marcel, occupied the well-worn bench beside the stove. He was receiving the farewell words of the old chief, Wanak-aha, who was thankful enough to see the last of the disturber of his winter sleep.
The soft "pad" of her moccasined feet first drew his attention, and immediately all thought of the coming storm passed from his mind. "Him big chief wake all up," she announced urgently, as she reached his side. "Did you speak to him?" The man's enquiry was sharpened by responsive eagerness. The squaw nodded. "An-ina say, 'Boss white man officer come mak big talk with big chief, Wanak-aha.
If Chief Wanak-aha does not tell White Officer, and his young men don't show him this place, then the thunders and lightning will come and kill up all Indian 'Sleeper' men." An-ina interpreted rapidly. And by the length of her harangue, and by the attitude of the old man, Steve shrewdly suspected she was adding liberal embellishments such as her own savage mind suggested as being salutory.
The old chief, Wanak-aha, was squatting on his haunches amongst his frowsy fur robes at the opposite side. He was a shrivelled, age-weazened creature whose buckskin garments looked never to have been removed from his aged body. His years would have been impossible to guess at.
Therefore he had summoned the council that Wanak-aha might give his pledge for the safety of the property of the Great White Chief. He told them he was going now because he wanted the Indians to live in peace, with their slumbers undisturbed. He might never come again. He could not say.
Word Of The Day