opening which served as door, and ranged themselves around the
sides of the lodge as best they might. Nor did they answer any
questions, not appearing to understand a word of English, their faces
remaining as stolid under the remarks of the whites as if nothing had
been said; and taking it for granted that the Indians were as ignorant
of civilized speech as they appeared, some of the inquisitive
pale-faces indulged themselves in quite uncivilized speeches, for they
had a traditional contempt and hatred of their tawny brothers.

"You had better not express yourself quite so freely," said Mr.
Caswell, the landlord, aside to a settler; "these fellows understand
every word you say, and it's better to have the good will than the ill
will of a dog, as the old saying is."

Curious, however, to see what the effect would be, those who disliked
the Indians the most made them presents with the rest. Tobacco, skeins
of cotton, brass buttons, cakes, crackers, cents, sticks of candy,
bits of ribbon, were received by the Indians without a word or nod of
acknowledgment. No sign of consciousness of visitor or presents was
evinced, save that a grimy hand would deftly clutch the article tossed
within its reach, and convey it to the head, quickly and ingeniously
twisting it in the hair, the game proceeding the while, without a
pause. The young Indian played with his companions; and from his
beauty and princely bearing drew much attention and a large share of
the gifts to himself; yet even in receiving the presents he seemed
different from the other savages. His was the only face in the swarthy
group that betrayed "the workings of the soul;" and although he
fastened the trinkets in his raven locks, drops of sweat stood on his
brow, and it seemed as if it cost him a struggle to be treated as an
object of charity.

Tom, with the others, was much struck with the appearance of the young
Indian, and made a number of unsuccessful attempts to converse with
him. Finding that the "confusion of tongues," or some other barrier,
had made talking together impossible, in various ingenious ways he
tried to direct the Indian's attention to himself, but without avail;
game succeeded game in Indian silence, the talking and advancing
towards acquaintanceship remaining wholly on the side of the whites.

"How many belong to this company?" asked Mr. Payson of the landlord.

"There are nine of them: the rest are out hunting, I suppose," was the
reply.

"An