he did upon
Sambo, Breckenridge's slave boy. He had played with him, swam with him,
learned to use the bow and arrow under Crow Wing's instruction, and had
gained something of forest lore from the Indian youth; but he had no
respect for him, or for his peculiarities. He had not learned at 'Siah
Bolderwood's knee of the really admirable qualities of these people whom
the whites were pleased to call "savages." Lot made no objection to Crow
Wing's joining them, for his presence, and the use of his traps, was a
very good thing for them. He patronized the Indian, however, and was not
above suggesting that, as the redman was so ignorant, it would not
really be necessary to divide the pelts in even thirds at the end of the
season.

"The trader won't give him but about so much for them, anyway, no matter
how many he offers," he said to Enoch. "You know how it is with them.
Injins can't count and the traders fool 'em and cheat 'em. We'd better
take some of his ourselves and so get some good out of them."

"That isn't honest, Lot!" cried Enoch, hotly.

"Huh! it's honest enough. We won't be cheating the Injin, for they'll do
him no good. And there's no use in the traders makin' so much on him."

"Then we'll go with him and see that the traders treat him honestly,"
declared young Harding.

"Zuckers!" exclaimed the careless Lot. "Catch me putting myself out that
way for a redskin."

"You're glad enough to use his traps, Lot!" cried Enoch. And the two old
friends came very near having a falling out over the matter. Lot simply
followed the example of the older settlers whom he knew. It was no
particular sin to cheat an Indian. They were too much like children to
look out for themselves in a bargain, anyway.

But as week followed week, Crow Wing's manner toward Enoch Harding
showed that he had adopted him, Indian fashion, as "brother." Not that
the red youth displayed any affection; that was beneath a brave. But he
appreciated Enoch's respectful treatment of him. Crow Wing treasured
this in his mind and, when the spring came, and they packed their bales
of furs by canoe and hand-sled to Bennington, and Enoch took pains to
make the traders pay the Indian quite as liberally as they did Lot and
himself for his furs, his gratitude blossomed in its fulness.

Lot went home to see his mother; but Enoch took Crow Wing to the Harding
house with him and gave him an old canoe in which the red youth could
make his way by water and portag