, when she
had a little recovered from the immediate effect produced by his commendations
of her personal appearance, »we could better determine on the course we ought to
take.«
    »That's not onreasonable, gal, though it's more a pale-face than a red-skin
gift to be prying into other people's secrets.«
    »Curiosity is natural, and it is expected that all human beings, should have
human failings. Whenever I've been at the garrisons, I've found that most, in
and about them, had a longing to learn their neighbor's secrets.«
    »Yes, and sometimes to fancy them, when they could'n't find 'em out! That's
the difference atween an Indian gentleman, and a white gentleman. The Sarpent,
here, would turn his head aside, if he found himself onknowingly lookin' into
another chief's wigwam, whereas, in the settlements while all pretend to be
great people, most prove they've got betters, by the manner in which they talk
of their consarns. I'll be bound, Judith, you would'n't get the Sarpent, there,
to confess there was another in the tribe so much greater than himself, as to
become the subject of his idees, and to empl'y his tongue in conversations about
his movements, and ways, and food, and all the other little matters that occupy
a man when he's not empl'y'd in his greater duties. He who does this, is but
little better than a blackguard, in the grain, and them that encourages him, is
pretty much of the same kidney, let them wear coats as fine as they may, or of
what dye they please.«
    »But this is not another man's wigwam; it belongs to my father, these are
his things, and they are wanted in his service.«
    »That's true, gal; that's true, and it carries weight with it. Well, when
all is before us, we may, indeed, best judge, which to offer for the ransom, and
which to withhold.«
    Judith was not altogether as disinterested in her feelings, as she affected
to be. She remembered that the curiosity of Hetty had been indulged, in
connection with this chest, while her own had been disregarded, and she was not
sorry to possess an opportunity of being placed on a level with her less gifted
sister, in this one particular. It appearing to be
