human
Mahnewe, said she, speaking earnestly and rapidly,
gpt
Are you sure of what you say?
human
Mahnewe cannot mistake the place of her people,
gpt
I mean of what tribe are they,--are you, Mahnewe?
human
The squaw will not tell, said the chief, tauntingly.
gpt
She knows they are the enemies of the Arapahoes. The Snake fears the Eagle.
human
Mahnewe is the daughter of a chief, and the wife of a chief. She is not a coward; red blood is in her veins. She is a Snake, and fears not the Arapahoe!
gpt
Come, this will never answer, chief! Leave Mahnewe to me. Now, tell me truly,--are we on the hunting-grounds of the Snakes, and are you one of that tribe?
human
Mahnewe has said it, and cannot lie,
gpt
If this is true, we are saved, said the trapper.
human
I have friends among that people, and know my way home from their hunting-grounds.
gpt
Are you sure of what you tell us, Mahnewe? asked Sidney;
human
Are not yonder the hills where my childhood's years were spent? Who can forget the home of their kindred, the place of their birth?
gpt
Sometimes hills in the distance bear a resemblance to others, which vanishes on a nearer approach,
human
Let Mahnewe go to her people, she fears not of finding strangers in their place,
gpt
A good idea, uncle, let her go and ascertain positively; but keep the child to prevent treachery,
human
Mahnewe goes not without her child, if all our lives should depend on her going!
gpt
But consider, Mahnewe, if they should not prove to be your people the child would only hinder your retreat, and if they should be, you can return and claim it in safety,
human
If my brother listens to the forked tongue of the Snake's squaw, she will guide the warriors of her people to our retreat, where we shall all be slaughtered,
gpt
I think not, chief; there is an air of sincerity about the squaw that dispels all thought of treachery in my mind; besides, she is under great obligations to us for saving her own and the child's life. The Indians are not ungrateful you know, chief, and I think we do her wrong to suspect her motives in wanting to go.
human
The Snakes are friends of my brother, and will not harm him. Let the squaw conduct the dogs to our camp; Whirlwind knows how to die,
gpt
They shall not hurt you while we live, said Edward.
human
Those who are our friends must not offer harm to you, unless they want us their enemies.
gpt
Do not go, Mahnewe, said Jane.
human
Some harm might result from it for which we should all repent. We shall find out in the course of to-morrow at furthest if these are the Snakes, and if they are you can join them when we are assured no harm can result to us from it.