hope it is no mighty sin for one, who has acted his part
honestly near ninety winters and summers, to wish to pass the few hours that
remain in comfort. If you think that I have done wrong in coming thus far to
quit you, again, Captain, I will own the reason of the act, without shame or
backwardness. Though I have seen so much of the wilderness it is not to be
gainsayed, that my feelings as well as my skin are white. Now, it would not be a
fitting spectacle that yonder Pawnee Loups should look upon the weakness of an
old warrior, if weakness he should happen to show in parting forever from those
he has reason to love, though he may not set his heart so strongly on them, as
to wish to go into the settlements in their company.«
    »Harkee, old trapper,« said Paul, clearing his throat with a desperate
effort, as if determined to give his voice a clear exit. »I have just one
bargain to make, since you talk of trading, which is neither more nor less than
this. I offer you as my side of the business, one half of my shanty, nor do I
much care if it be the biggest half; the sweetest and the purest honey that can
be made of the wild-locust; always enough to eat, with now and then a mouthful
of venison or, for that matter a morsel of buffaloe's hump, seeing that I intend
to push my acquaintance with the animal, and as good and as tidy cooking as can
come from the hands of one like Ellen Wade, here, who will shortly be Nelly
some-body-else, and altogether such general treatment as a decent man might be
supposed to pay to his best friend or, for that matter to his own father: in
return for the same you ar' to give us, at odd moments, some of your ancient
traditions, perhaps a little wholesome advice on occasions, in small quantities
at a time, and as much of your agreeable company as you please.«
    »It is well, it is well, boy,« returned the old man fumbling at his wallet,
»honestly offered and not unthankfully declined. But it cannot be; no, it can
never be.«
    »Venerable venator,« said Doctor Battius, »there are obligations which every
man owes to society and to human nature. It is time that you should return to
your countrymen to deliver up some of those stores of experimental knowledge,
that you have doubtless obtained by so long a