idias could hardly have
exceeded such a form. His features were like the Roman, his eye quick and
lustrous, and his lips noble and kindly. He wore a blanket over his
shoulders, gathered in a long sash, ornamented with shells, about his
loins, and a crest of eagle plumes and shells on his head indicated his
rank and dignity. He could speak some words of Chinook, and English
imperfectly. He had mingled much with the officers of the Hudson Bay
Company, and so had learned many of the customs of civilization.

"I am honored," said the courtly, tall schoolmaster, "in having such a
youth for my pupil. Chief of the Umatillas, I thank thee. All that is good
in me will I give to your noble boy. I live with my eye upon the future;
the work of my life is to lead people to follow their better natures and
to be true to their best selves. There is a good angel in all men
here"--he put his hand on his heart--"it leads men away from evil; it
seeks the way of life; its end is yonder with the Infinite. Chief of the
Umatillas, I will try to teach the young man to follow it. Do you
understand?"

The aged chief bowed. He caught the meaning of the thought, if not of the
rather formal words. He comprehended the idea that the tall schoolmaster
believed goodness to be immortal. The regions of the Cascades were indeed
beautiful with their ancient forests and gleaming mountain walls, but he
had been taught to believe that the great Master of Life had provided
eternal scenes that transcended these for those who were worthy to receive
them.

An unexpected turn came to this stately and pacific interview. Mrs. Woods
was piqued at the deference that the tall schoolmaster had shown to the
chief and his son. She walked about restlessly, cut a rod from one of the
trees with a large knife which she always carried with her, and at last
called the master aside again.

"Say, mister, here. You ain't going to take that young Injun into your
school, are you? There'll be trouble, now, if you do. Know Injuns--you
don't. You are young, but 'tain't best for you to eat all your apples
green. I've always been very particular about the company I keep, if I was
born poor and have had to work hard, and never studied no foreign
languages. I warn you!"

She raised her voice, and Benjamin heard what she had said. He suspected
her ill-will toward him from her manner, but he comprehended the meaning
of her last words.

He at first looked puzzled and grieved, then sudde