MISQUAPAMAYOO'S DEVOTION. 141 



the Plains now, I should stab jou to the heart if you 

 dared to say no." ''Yes," said Cheadle, quietly, 

 and without moving, " that's just the point of it ; 

 you are not a Plain Indian, and therefore won't do 

 anything of the kind. The Indians of the Woods 

 know better." This touched the right string, and 

 he removed his hands immediately, saying, however, 

 that he was so much disappointed with us, of whom 

 he had previously formed so high an opinion, and so 

 disgusted with our meanness, that he would have no 

 more to do with us, and should return home forth- 

 with. And accordingly, in spite of the urgent 

 entreaties of Misquapamayoo, he staggered out of 

 the hut, and commenced harnessing the dogs to the 

 sleigh. 



It was by this time about midnight, the snow 

 was falling heavily, and the cold intensely bitter. 

 Although the Hunter's speech was tolerably articu- 

 late, he walked with difficulty, and it was only by 

 the reluctant assistance of his son that he was able to 

 get the sleigh ready. He then sullenly took his 

 departure, accompanied by Misquapamayoo, who 

 was in the greatest distress at his father's mis- 

 behaviour. Their road lay across an arm of the lake, 

 and ere long Keenamontiayoo, ^overcome by the liquor 

 he had drunk, and benumbed by the intense cold, 

 became incapable of walking, and crawled along on 

 hands and knees. Before the lake was crossed he 

 completely collapsed, lay down in the snow, and fell 

 heavily asleep. Misquapamayoo, in utter terror and 

 dismay, yet with unfailing readiness of resource, 



