human
Father, he exclaimed, in a burst of boyish passion,
gpt
I want to wear a sword.
human
What would you do with a sword? he said, frowning.
gpt
Would you cut your bread, or make kindling wood for the fire? Have you not your bow and arrows?
human
I can bring you down the bird flying, or the beast running. I can shoot you the salmon in the water. Now I would learn the sword, that I may go out with you, and fight with you, and--and protect you, my father.
gpt
Son, he said, in tones that were still severe,
human
I want to fight Frenchmen, the boy muttered.
gpt
Father, let me draw your sword. Let me see it flash in the moon. Let me feel its point.
human
Do not draw that sword, child, he said.
gpt
The virgin hand should hold a virgin blade.
human
Remember that you are very young, my son.
gpt
I have lived fifteen years. I am strong. See these arms! See how long they are, and mark how the muscle swells when I lift my hand. I am weary of killing fish and birds and beasts. I would kill men.
human
You would be a man of blood, son?
gpt
Even as my father. He has taught me to hunt. But when he goes down to the great river he leaves me here. You he often takes; but I am left. He goes down to fight. I have watched him when he cleans his sword. There is blood upon his sword. It is the blood of men.
human
With whom would you fight?
gpt
With the savage Algonquins in the far-away lands, the enemies of the Iroquois. And with the Frenchmen whom my father hates.
human
Stand there.
gpt
On guard!