human
But suppose that I had missed my shot? said the voice of Netawis.
gpt
I tell you that my heart was as wax; and when the lock fell, I saw nothing. Why, what is the matter with you, Ononwe?
human
I thought you had led me here to quarrel with me,
gpt
Quarrel, brother? Why should I quarrel with you? It was a risk, as I am telling you; but you trusted me, and I brought you here to thank you that in your good heart you gave the shot up to me.
human
But it was not my good heart. Ononwe's voice had grown hoarse.
gpt
It was an evil thought in my head, and you will have to quarrel with me, Netawis.
human
That Ononwe is a good man,
gpt
I do not understand. Did you expect me, then, to miss? Do not say, brother, that you gave me the gun _wishing_ me to miss and be the mock of the camp!
human
Yes, and no. I thought, if you took the gun, it would not matter whether you hit or missed.
gpt
Why?
human
Are you so simple, Netawis? Or is it in revenge that you force me to tell? . . . Yes, I have played you an evil trick, and by an evil tempting. I saw you with Azoka. . . . I gave you the gun, thinking, 'If he misses, the whole camp will mock him, and a maid turns from a man whom others mock. But if he should kill the bear, he will have to reckon with Meshu-kwa. Meshu-kwa fears ill-luck, and she will think more than twice before receiving a son-in-law who has killed her grandmother the bear.'
gpt
I will marry Netawis,