emselves in
war in times past, comparing their stealthy approach to enemies camps to
the insidious snake that glides among the bushes and darts unexpectedly
on its prey; said that their eyes were sharp to follow the war-trail
through the forest or over the dry sward of the prairie; their aim with
gun or bow true and sure as the flight of the goose when it leaves the
lands of the sun, and points its beak to the icy regions of the north;
their war-whoops loud as the thunders of the cataract; and their sudden
onset like the lightning flash that darts from the sky and scatters the
stout oak in splinters on the plain.

At this point Jacques expressed his satisfaction at the style in which
his young friend was progressing.

"That's your sort, Mr Charles. Don't spare the butter; lay it on
thick. You've not said too much yet, for they _are_ a brave race,
that's a fact, as I've good reason to know."

Jacques, however, did not feel quite so well satisfied when Charley went
on to tell them that, although bravery in war was an admirable thing,
war itself was a thing not at all to be desired, and should only be
undertaken in case of necessity. He especially pointed out that there
was not much glory to be earned in fighting against the Chipewyans, who,
everybody knew, were a poor, timid set of people, whom they ought rather
to pity than to destroy; and recommended them to devote themselves more
to the chase than they had done in times past, and less to the
prosecution of war in time to come.

All this, and a great deal more, did Charley say, in a manner, and with
a rapidity of utterance, that surprised himself, when he considered the
fact that he had never adventured into the field of public speaking
before. All this, and a great deal more--a very great deal more--did
Jacques Caradoc interpret to the admiring Indians, who listened with the
utmost gravity and profound attention, greeting the close with a very
emphatic "Ho!"

Jacques's translation was by no means perfect. Many of the flights into
which Charley ventured, especially in regard to the manners and customs
of the _savages_ of ancient Greece and Rome, were quite incomprehensible
to the worthy backwoodsman; but he invariably proceeded when Charley
halted, giving a flight of his own when at a loss, varying and modifying
when he thought it advisable, and altering, adding, or cutting off as he
pleased.

Several other chiefs addressed the assembly, and then dinner, if