Yet through all my heavy slumber droned the voice of Onanguisse, and
always he repeated what he had said when we parted.
"I called her the turtle dove. But at heart she was an eagle. Did you
ask her to peck and twitter like a tame robin? I could have told you
that she would fly away."
We reached the mouth of the Wild Rice River at evening, and pushed up
through the reeds in the darkness. I knew if Pemaou was lying in
ambush for me this would be the place for him. But we reached the
village safely, so I said to myself that the Huron had grown
slow-witted.
In other times, in times before the broth of life had lost its salt, I
should have enjoyed that moment of entry into the Malhominis camp. The
cry that met me was of relief and welcome, but I ignored all greetings
till I had pushed my way to the pole where the dried band of rushes
still hung. I tore it away, and hung a silver chain in its place.
"Brother!" I said to Outchipouac, and he gave me his calumet in answer.
And then I had ado to compel a hearing. The Malhominis repented their
injustice, and would have overpowered me with rejoicings and flattery,
but I made them understand at last that I had but two hours to spend
with them, and they quieted like children before a tutor.
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