There are certain figures, as you are aware, that, traced
on bark, answer the same purpose among the Indians with
the European language of letters. Let my hands be cast
loose," he pursued, but in a tone in which agitation and
excitement might be detected, "and if bark be brought
me, and a burnt stick or coal, I will give you not only
a sample of Indian ingenuity, but a specimen of my own
progress in Indian acquirements."
"What, free your hands, and thus afford you a chance of
escape?" observed the governor, doubtingly.
Wacousta bent his stedfast gaze on him for a few moments,
as if he questioned he had heard aright. Then bursting
into a wild and scornful laugh,--"By Heaven!" he exclaimed,
"this is, indeed, a high compliment you pay me at the
expense of these fine fellows. What, Colonel de Haldimar
afraid to liberate an unarmed prisoner, hemmed in by a
forest of bayonets? This is good; gentlemen," and he bent
himself in sarcastic reverence to the astonished troops,
"I beg to offer you my very best congratulations on the
high estimation in which you are held by your colonel."
"Peace, sirrah!" exclaimed the governor, enraged beyond
measure at the insolence of him who thus held him up to
contempt before his men, "or, by Heaven, I will have your
tongue cut out!--Mr.
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