human
Father, he said,
gpt
I have, lad; it's the natur' of our forefathers an' a very good natur' too. I'd be sorry to see it go out of the family.
human
Well, then; I've thought my best about goin' with 'ee on this trip, returned the youth,
gpt
Why so, my son? we don't need him.
human
Perhaps not, but I like him; for he has taught me all that I know of woodcraft, and I'm certain that if you and I both leave him he'll be sure to return to the new settlement at the south end of Ontario, and you know what the end of that would be.
gpt
Death by drinkin',
human
Well, I won't leave him to _that_, continued the youth, with sudden energy of manner and look,
gpt
I daresay you're right, lad, replied Reuben, in a tone of one who muses.
human
There's room in the canoe for three, and it's not unlikely that the Injin would go south to the settlement, for he is a lonely man since his poor mother died. I do believe that it was nothin' but his extraor'nar' love for that old 'ooman that kep' him from goin' to the dogs. Leastwise it was that kep' him from goin' to the settlement, which is much the same thing, for Swiftarrow can't resist fire-water. Yes, lad, you're right--so we'll take him with us. As you say, three are better than two on such a v'yage.