human
What do you know about this girl? said the settler to Darknight.
gpt
It seems to me that this is not your first encounter with her.
human
I should say that it wasn't, was the reply.
gpt
I had hoped that we would reach our destination without meeting her, for her presence among white emigrants or fugitives betokens danger. She is the witch of the northwest territory, and many is the boat that she has decoyed ashore to the rifle and the tomahawk. She doubtless recognized me, for I once pitched her into the rapids of yon river, and if she had her deserts now our rifles would rid the territory of its witch, though I know it is hard to kill a woman.
human
Abel, she must not stay here if she is to betray us to death,
gpt
Not so fast, mother, interrupted Kate Merriweather, with sympathy in her dark eyes for the lone girl.
human
Remember that we have listened to but one side of the story--Mr. Darknight's; now let us hear what she has to say in her defense.
gpt
Oh, she's a cute one, and you'll hear the sleekest story ever told in these parts,
human
You have listened to the white man, she said to Areotha.
gpt
He has not given you an enviable reputation. Now we want to hear what you have to say for yourself.
human
The pale guide does not like to see Areotha here, for she knows him. He is more Wyandot than white man, and where is the boat he ever guided that has not bloody planks? Areotha does not know. Did he not tell the white man in his cabin that the red men would surround it and scalp his family, and then right away offer to guide him to the Blacksnake?
gpt
This is insulting, and from a characterless girl at that!
human
Hear her through, said Kate firmly.
gpt
You have had your say; she shall have hers. Now, to Areotha,
human
Areotha will speak boldly, though that man may repeat her words among the Wyandot lodges, and the warriors on the trail. She is the pale faces' friend. If the bee does not love to gather honey from the flower: if the Manitou does not love his white and red children, then Areotha has decoyed the boats ashore! She has spoken, and since she built the first fire for old Madgitewa, her Indian mother, her tongue has not told a lie.