l send his own favourite, or rather
she that was his favourite, the 'Skipping Fawn,' as the Siouxes call
her, to fill her place. You see, neighbour, though the Red-skin is
minded to keep your property, he is willing to give you wherewithal to
make yourself some return!"

Ishmael listened to these replies, to his several demands, with that
species of gathering indignation, with which the dullest tempers mount
into the most violent paroxysms of rage. He even affected to laugh at
the conceit of exchanging his long-tried partner for the more flexible
support of the youthful Tachechana, though his voice was hollow and
unnatural in the effort. But Esther was far from giving the proposal so
facetious a reception. Lifting her voice to its most audible key, she
broke forth, after catching her breath like one who had been in some
imminent danger of strangulation, as follows--

"Hoity-toity; who set an Indian up for a maker and breaker of the rights
of wedded wives! Does he think a woman is a beast of the prairie, that
she is to be chased from a village, by dog and gun. Let the bravest
squaw of them all come forth and boast of her doings; can she show such
a brood as mine? A wicked tyrant is that thieving Red-skin, and a bold
rogue I warrant me. He would be captain in-doors, as well as out!
An honest woman is no better in his eyes than one of your broomstick
jumpers. And you, Ishmael Bush, the father of seven sons and so many
comely daughters, to open your sinful mouth, except to curse him! Would
ye disgrace colour, and family, and nation, by mixing white blood with
red, and would ye be the parent of a race of mules! The devil has often
tempted you, my man, but never before has he set so cunning a snare as
this. Go back among your children, friend; go, and remember that you are
not a prowling bear, but a Christian man, and thank God that you ar' a
lawful husband!"

The clamour of Esther was anticipated by the judicious trapper. He had
easily foreseen that her meek temper would overflow at so scandalous a
proposal as repudiation, and he now profited by the tempest, to retire
to a place where he was at least safe from any immediate violence on the
part of her less excited, but certainly more dangerous husband. Ishmael,
who had made his demands with a stout determination to enforce them, was
diverted by the windy torrent, like many a more obstinate husband, from
his purpose, and in order to appease a jealousy that resembled the fur