ld be framed, which would set these
Siouxes and the brood of the squatter by the ears, then might we come
in, like the buzzards after a fight atween the beasts, and pick up the
gleanings of the ground--there are Pawnees nigh us, too! It is a certain
matter, for yonder lad is not so far from his village without an errand.
Here are therefore four parties within sound of a cannon, not one of
whom can trust the other. All which makes movement a little difficult,
in a district where covers are far from plenty. But we are three
well-armed, and I think I may see three stout-hearted men--"

"Four," interrupted Paul.

"Anan," said the old man, looking up simply at his companion.

"Four," repeated the bee-hunter, pointing to the naturalist.

"Every army has its hangers-on and idlers," rejoined the blunt
border-man. "Friend, it will be necessary to slaughter this ass."

"To slay Asinus! such a deed would be an act of supererogatory cruelty."

"I know nothing of your words, which hide their meaning in sound; but
that is cruel which sacrifices a Christian to a brute. This is what I
call the reason of mercy. It would be just as safe to blow a trumpet,
as to let the animal raise his voice again, inasmuch as it would prove a
manifest challenge to the Siouxes."

"I will answer for the discretion of Asinus, who seldom speaks without a
reason."

"They say a man can be known by the company he keeps," retorted the old
man, "and why not a brute? I once made a forced march, and went through
a great deal of jeopardy, with a companion who never opened his mouth
but to sing; and trouble enough and great concern of mind did the fellow
give me. It was in that very business with your grand'ther, captain.
But then he had a human throat, and well did he know how to use it, on
occasion, though he didn't always stop to regard the time and seasons
fit for such outcries. Ah's me! if I was now, as I was then, it wouldn't
be a band of thieving Siouxes that should easily drive me from such a
lodgment as this! But what signifies boasting, when sight and strength
are both failing. The warrior, that the Delawares once saw fit to call
after the Hawk, for the goodness of his eyes, would now be better termed
the Mole! In my judgment, therefore, it will be well to slay the brute."

"There's argument and good logic in it," said Paul; "music is music,
and it's always noisy, whether it comes from a fiddle or a jackass.
Therefore I agree with the old man, and