ed, "We never have done any wrong to your tribe. When we
buy land from people we expect them to honor their agreements."

_Two stubborn men_, thought Auguste. Black Hawk was right in saying that
they were alike.

When he told Black Hawk what Jackson had said, the chief answered, "Say
to him that I have thought much about this. I do not think land can be
bought and sold. Earthmaker put it there for our use. If people leave
their land, then someone else can take it and use it. But it is not
something like a blanket or a pot, that can be carried away by its
owner. It belongs to all Earthmaker's children."

Black Hawk's words worried Auguste, giving him the feeling that a storm
was about to break. Jackson, he knew, was a hot-tempered man, a man who
had killed others in duels. Black Hawk might be bringing further trouble
on himself, on all of them, by speaking so candidly to Sharp Knife.

He considered changing Black Hawk's words to a speech more
agreeable-sounding. But that would be a kind of treachery, he decided.
Out of loyalty to Black Hawk, he must convey his meaning exactly to
Sharp Knife. So, watching with inner trembling as Jackson frowned and
shook his head, he faithfully translated.

Jackson looked directly at Auguste, not at Black Hawk, as he answered.

"You Indians just do not understand that land is the source of all the
goods of civilization. That's why the white man is so much richer and
more powerful than the red man. Among us, every piece of land is owned
by a particular man, and that man makes good use of his land to produce
wealth. Never mind, don't translate that," he ordered. "It's just as
well the chief and I have no more words on this point right now."

Auguste felt deep relief that Black Hawk's words had not angered
Jackson. Unsmiling, the President took a stiff step toward Black Hawk
and thrust out his hand. Black Hawk reached out to him, and they clasped
hands solemnly, staring into each other's eyes. Auguste felt a shiver
run through him at the sight of that handclasp. Now Black Hawk's war
with the pale eyes was truly at an end.

The white officers standing on either side of Jackson and Black Hawk
clapped their hands, and after a moment of hesitation Auguste, Owl
Carver and the Winnebago Prophet applauded too.

Jackson said, "Lieutenant Davis, take the chief and these two older
medicine men on a tour of the President's House and the gardens." He
turned his blue eyes on Auguste. "White Bear