human
Do we cross over?
gpt
To-day, or perhaps to-morrow. I wished you to see it first.
human
But why?
gpt
Does my brother ask why? Well, then, I was afraid.
human
Were you afraid that I might wish to go back? Answer me, Menehwehna--By whose wish am I here at all?
gpt
When I was a young man, answered Menehwehna,
human
For what did you bring me this long way from Michilimackinac? he asked.
gpt
Was it not to speak at need for you and your nation?
human
For that, but not for that only. Brother, have you never loved a friend so that you felt his friendship worthless to you unless you owned it all? Have you never felt the need on you to test him, though the test lay a hundred leagues away? So far have I brought you, O Netawis, to show you your countrymen. In a while the fort yonder will wake, and you shall see them on the parapet in their red coats, and if the longing come upon you to return to them, we will cross over together and I will tell my tale. They will believe it. Look! Will you be an Englishman again?
gpt
Let us turn back, answered John wearily.
human
That life is gone from me for ever.
gpt
Say to me that you have no wish to go.
human
I had a wish once, said John, letting the words fall slowly as his eyes travelled over the walls of the fort.
gpt
It seemed to me then that no wish on earth could be dearer. Many things have helped to kill it, I think. He passed a hand over his eyes and let it drop by his side.
human
I have no wish to leave you, Menehwehna.
gpt
No, my friend, John continued in the same dull voice;
human
I will say to you only what is honest. If I return with you, it is not for your sake.
gpt
So that you return, Netawis, I will have patience. There was a time when you set your face against me; and this I overcame. Again there was a time when you pleaded with me that I should let you escape; and still I waited, though with so small a hope that when my child Azoka began to listen for your step I scolded her out of her folly.
human
In that you did wisely, Menehwehna. It is not everything that I have learned to forget.
gpt
I told her, said Menehwehna simply,
human
He lit his pipe solemnly, drew a puff or two and handed it to John.
gpt
Let us smoke together before we turn back. He that has a friend as well as wife and children needs not fear to grow old.