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           ThequestionputbyLeRenardhadbeencalm,andwithallthedignityofanIndian;butitwasquiteapparent,bythethoughtfulexpressionofthelistener’scountenance,thattheanswerwasmostcunninglydevised.TheHuronmusedafewmoments,andthenlayinghishandontherudebandagesofhiswoundedshoulder,hesaid,withsomeenergy—

           "Dofriendsmakesuchremarks?"

           "WouldLaLongueCarabinecutonesolightonanenemy?"

           "DotheDelawarescrawluponthosetheylove,likesnakes,twistingthemselvestostrike?"

           "WouldLeGrosSerpenthavebeenheardbytheearsofonehewishedtobedeaf?"

           "Doesthewhitechiefburnhispowderinthefacesofhisbrothers?"

           "Doesheevermisshisaim,whenseriouslybenttokill?"returnedDuncan,smilingwithwellactedsincerity.

           Anotherlonganddeliberatepausesucceededthesesententiousquestionsandreadyreplies.DuncansawthattheIndianhesitated.Inordertocompletehisvictory,hewasintheactofrecommencingtheenumerationoftherewards,whenMaguamadeanexpressivegestureandsaid—

           "Enough;LeRenardisawisechief,andwhathedoeswillbeseen.Go,andkeepthemouthshut.WhenMaguaspeaks,itwillbethetimetoanswer."

           Heyward,perceivingthattheeyesofhiscompanionwerewarilyfastenedontherestoftheband,fellbackimmediately,inordertoavoidtheappearanceofanysuspiciousconfederacywiththeirleader.Maguaapproachedthehorses,andaffectedtobewellpleasedwiththediligenceandingenuityofhiscomrades.