Ask no questions that may lead to deceitful answers,« sullenly returned the
squatter; »I have dealings of my own with that trapper, that it may not befit an
officer of the States to meddle with. Go, while your road is open.«
    »The man may be giving you honest counsel, and that which it concerns you
all to hearken to,« observed the old captive who seemed in no uneasiness at the
extraordinary condition in which he found himself. »The Siouxes are a numberless
and bloody- race and no one can say how long it may be, afore they will be out
again on the scent of revenge. Therefore I say to you, go, also; and take
especial heed in crossing the bottoms that you get not entangled again in the
fires, for the honest hunters often burn the grass, at this season, in order
that the buffaloes may find a sweeter and a greener pasturage in the spring.«
    »I should forget not only my gratitude, but my duty to the laws, were I to
leave this prisoner in your hands even by his own consent, without knowing the
nature of his crime, in which we may have all been his innocent accessaries.«
    »Will it satisfy you to know that he merits all he will receive?«
    »It will at least change my opinion of his character.«
    »Look then at this,« said Ishmael, placing before the eyes of the Captain
the bullet that had been found about the person of the dead Asa; »with this
morsel of lead did he lay low as fine a boy as ever gave joy to a parent's
eyes!«
    »I cannot believe that he has done this deed unless in self-defence, or on
some justifiable provocation. That he knew of the death of your son I confess,
for he pointed out the brake in which the body lay, but that he has wrongfully
taken his life nothing but his own acknowledgment shall persuade me to believe.«
    »I have lived long,« commenced the trapper, who found by the general pause
that he was expected to vindicate himself from the heavy imputation, »and much
evil have I seen in my day. Many are the prowling bears and leaping panthers
that I have met fighting for the morsel which has been thrown in their way, and
many are the reasoning men that I have looked on striving against each other
unto death, in order that human madness might have its hour. For myself, I hope
there is no boasting in saying that though my hand has been needed in putting
down wickedness