human
Gitsa, cried the old man.
gpt
We greet you, Gitsa.
human
Is it well, Shuswap?
gpt
It is the time of the wind of life, the good time, the old man answered.
human
The waters are free, and the animals breed in the forest. Where are the white men of the smooth tongue, Gitsa? Where are the men who came to us at the council fire and said to us, 'Your enemy is our enemy. Aid us now when we rise up against them'? Shall they return with the wind of life?
gpt
The north wind came upon them and swept them away, his son-in-law replied, employing the sachem's figurative speech.
human
You have something to tell me, Shuswap?
gpt
There is a strange ship come to the high cliffs, a great ship from the land of the accursed people, said the old man.
human
What is this that you have told us, Gitsa? Said you not that the King of England shall send many ships and men when the ice has gone, to drive out the men of France and restore their own to the tribes of the Iroquois? What is this that we see? The priest of France sends more ships, and more men who shall kill the beasts of the forest and the fish of the waters, and drive us back with their fire-tubes into the forests of the north where the enemies of our race, the Algonquins, lie ever in wait. Is there a king in England, Gitsa? Has he ships to send out? Has he men to put into them? Have you lied to the sachems of the Iroquois?
gpt
Be not afraid, Shuswap, said the white man.
human
You shall learn whether there be a king of England or no. But he has many enemies in the far-away world, and these he must conquer first. Even now we are sending a messenger to the king's country, and he shall return with ships and men, and the French shall flee before them.