Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/117

Rh which some fish cooked in a stone basin. She glanced up briefly and then dropped her watery eyes again to her task.

“You live here,” said Sequanawah. “Nice place. Old woman she make food. Young Indian soon come be servant. You want, you say.” He dropped his voice. “Inside wall you all right. Outside no can go. Great Sachem say, ‘Catch um outside, kill um quick.’ Farewell.”

“Farewell,” replied David.

When the Indian had gone, he threw himself wearily on the rough hide that formed the nearest approach to a bed that his new  dwelling afforded and moodily watched the  ancient crone scatter the fire and then place  the smoking basin of fish at his side. He nodded his thanks, and then, as the squaw  seemed not inclined to leave him, but would  have settled herself across the wigwam, he  made signs toward the entrance, and, since  she was either too weak of sight or stupid of mind to comprehend, he said, “Mauncheak, mauncheak!” which signifies “Go  away.” That she heard and understood, and  pulled her old body from the ground with a  groan and toddled out. He ate a little of the fish, which was none so bad save that it