The stranger studied the expression of his features in vain, and drawing
so near as to lay his hand on the naked shoulder of the lad, he
added--"Boy, thou hast heard much moving matter concerning the nature of
our Christian faith, and thou hast been the subject of many a fervent
asking; it may not be that so much good seed hath been altogether
scattered by the way-side! Speak; may I again trust thee?"
"Let my father look on the snow. The print of the moccasin goes and
comes."
"It is true. Thus far hast thou proved honest; but when the war-whoop
shall be thrilling through thy young blood, the temptation to join the
warriors may be too strong. Hast any gage, any pledge, in which we may
find warranty for letting thee depart?"
The boy regarded his interrogator with a look that plainly denoted
ignorance of his meaning.
"I would know what thou canst leave with me, to show that our eyes shall
again look upon thy face, when we have opened the gate for thy passage
into the fields."
Still the gaze of the other was wondering and confused.
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