n he thought he
was alone. That is why I played him. I played him face to face. He is a
great chief. Do they say why he comes here?"

'"They say he comes to find out if Big Hand makes war against the
English," I said.

'Red Jacket grunted. "Yes," he says. "He asked me that too. If he had
been a small chief I should have lied. But he is a great chief. He knew
I was a chief, so I told him the truth. I told him what Big Hand said to
Cornplanter and me in the clearing--'There will be no war.' I could not
see what he thought. I could not see behind his face. But he is a great
chief. He will believe."

'"Will he believe that Big Hand can keep his people back from war?" I
said, thinking of the crowds that hooted Big Hand whenever he rode out.

'"He is as bad as Big Hand is good, but he is not as strong as Big
Hand," says Red Jacket. "When he talks with Big Hand he will feel this
in his heart. The French have sent away a great chief. Presently he will
go back and make them afraid."

'Now wasn't that comical? The French woman that knew him and owed all
her losses to him; the Indian that picked him up, cut and muddy on the
street and played dice with him; they neither of 'em doubted that
Talleyrand was something by himself--appearances notwithstanding.'

'And was he something by himself?' asked Una.

Pharaoh began to laugh, but stopped. 'The way _I_ look at it,' he said,
'Talleyrand was one of just three men in this world who are quite by
themselves. Big Hand I put first, because I've seen him.'

'Ay,' said Puck. 'I'm sorry we lost him out of Old England. Who d'you
put second?'

'Talleyrand: maybe because I've seen him too,' said Pharaoh.

'Who's third?' said Puck.

'Boney--even though I've seen him.'

'Whew!' said Puck. 'Every man has his own weights and measures, but
that's queer reckoning.'

'Boney?' said Una. 'You don't mean you've ever met Napoleon Bonaparte?'

'There, I knew you wouldn't have patience with the rest of my tale after
hearing that! But wait a minute. Talleyrand he come round to Hundred and
Eighteen in a day or two to thank Toby for his kindness. I didn't
mention the dice-playing, but I could see that Red Jacket's doings had
made Talleyrand highly curious about Indians--though he would call him
the Huron. Toby, as you may believe, was all holds full of knowledge
concerning their manners and habits. He only needed a listener. The
Brethren don't study Indians much till they join the church, but T