gifts for him."

"Come with us," said one of the old men as they led Solomon to the
Stranger's House. The old men went from hut to hut announcing the
newcomers. Victuals and pipes and tobacco were sent to the Stranger's
House for them. This structure looked like a small barn and was made
of rived spruce. Inside, the chief sat on a pile of unthrashed wheat.
He had a head and face which reminded Jack of the old Roman emperors
shown in the Historical Collections. There was remarkable dignity in
his deep-lined face. His name was Thunder Tongue. The house had no
windows. Many skins hung from its one cross-beam above their heads.

Mr. Binkus presented beaver skins and a handsome belt. Then the chief
sent out some women to watch the horses and to bring Jack into the
village. Near by were small fields of wheat and maize. The two
travelers sat down with the chief, who talked freely to Solomon Binkus.

"If white man comes to our village cold, we warm him; wet, we dry him;
hungry, we feed him," he said. "When Injun man goes to Albany and asks
for food, they say, 'Where's your money? Get out, you Injun dog!' The
white man he comes with scaura and trades it for skins. It steals away
the wisdom of the young braves. It bends my neck with trouble. It is
bad."

They noted this just feeling of resentment in the old chief and
expressed their sympathy. Soon the Albany trader came with his pack of
rum. The chief greeted him cheerfully and asked for scaura.

"I have enough to make a hundred men happy," the trader answered.

"Bring it to me, for I have a sad heart," said Thunder Tongue.

When the Dutch trader went to his horse for the kegs, Solomon said to
the chief:

"Why do you let him bring trouble to your village and steal away the
wisdom of your warriors?"

"Tell me why the creek flows to the great river and I will answer you,"
said the chief.

He began drinking as soon as the trader came with the kegs, while the
young warriors gathered about the door, each with skins on his arm.
Soon every male Indian was staggering and whooping and the squaws with
the children had started into the thickets.

Solomon nudged Jack and left the hut, followed by the boy.

"Come on. Let's git out o' here. The squaws an' the young 'uns are
sneakin'. You hear to me--thar'll be hell to pay here soon."

So while the braves were gathered about the trader and were draining
cups of fire-water, the travelers made haste to mount a