obligations, which
every man owes to society and to human nature. It is time that you
should return to your countrymen, to deliver up some of those stores
of experimental knowledge that you have doubtless obtained by so long
a sojourn in the wilds, which, however they may be corrupted by
preconceived opinions, will prove acceptable bequests to those whom, as
you say, you must shortly leave for ever."

"Friend physicianer," returned the trapper, looking the other steadily
in the face, "as it would be no easy matter to judge of the temper of
the rattler by considering the fashions of the moose, so it would be
hard to speak of the usefulness of one man by thinking too much of the
deeds of another. You have your gifts like others, I suppose, and little
do I wish to disturb them. But as to me, the Lord has made me for a doer
and not a talker, and therefore do I consider it no harm to shut my ears
to your invitation."

"It is enough," interrupted Middleton, "I have seen and heard so much of
this extraordinary man, as to know that persuasions will not change his
purpose. First we will hear your request, my friend, and then we will
consider what may be best done for your advantage."

"It is a small matter, Captain," returned the old man, succeeding at
length in opening his bundle. "A small and trifling matter is it, to
what I once used to offer in the way of bargain; but then it is the
best I have, and therein not to be despised. Here are the skins of four
beavers, that I took, it might be a month afore we met, and here is
another from a racoon, that is of no great matter to be sure, but which
may serve to make weight atween us."

"And what do you propose to do with them?"

"I offer them in lawful barter. Them knaves the Siouxes, the Lord
forgive me for ever believing it was the Konzas! have stolen the best of
my traps, and driven me altogether to make-shift inventions, which might
foretell a dreary winter for me, should my time stretch into another
season. I wish you therefore to take the skins, and to offer them to
some of the trappers you will not fail to meet below in exchange for a
few traps, and to send the same into the Pawnee village in my name. Be
careful to have my mark painted on them; a letter N, with a hound's ear,
and the lock of a rifle. There is no Red-skin who will then dispute my
right. For all which trouble I have little more to offer than my thanks,
unless my friend, the bee-hunter here, will accept of