human
Could we not take Prevost's house as we go? How many brothers did you say would muster?
gpt
Nine, answered Apukwa;
human
Then, after pausing for a moment or two in thought, he added,
gpt
It would be sweet as the strawberry and as easy to gather; but there may be thorns near it. We may tear ourselves, my brothers.
human
I fear not, returned the brother of the Snake;
gpt
The boy's to die, rejoined Apukwa;
human
Who is it has built the lodge still farther to the morning?
gpt
One of the workers of iron, answered Apukwa, meaning the Dutch.
human
He is a great chief, they say, and a friend of the Five Nations.
gpt
Then no friend of ours, my brother, responded the other speaker;
human
Thy lip is thirsty for something, said Apukwa.
gpt
Is it the maiden thou wouldst have?
human
They have taken from me my captive; and my hand can never reach the Blossom I sought to gather. The boy may die, but not by my tomahawk; and, when he does die, I am no better, for I lose that which I sought to gain by his death. Are Apukwa's eyes misty, that he cannot see? The spirit of the Snake would have been as well satisfied with the blood of any other pale-face; but that would not have satisfied me.
gpt
Yet making Prevost's house red will not gather for thee the Blossom,
human
The wind changes, Apukwa, and so does the love of our brother. The maiden in the lodge of Prevost is more beautiful than the Blossom. We have seen her thrice since this moon grew big; and my brother calls her the Fawn, because she has become the object of his chase.
gpt
Thou knowest not my thought, said the brother of the Snake, gravely.
human
The maiden is fair, and she moves round her father's lodge like the sun. She shall be the light of mine, too; but the brother of the snake forgets not those who disappoint him; and the boy Prevost would rather have seen the tomahawk falling, than know that the Fawn is in his lodge.