“Yes, sir,” returned the soldier, “Onoah is a good guide, and a great hand at a council-fire; but these is war-times, and we must stand to our arms, each accordin’ to his edication and temper—­you, sir, with preachin’ and prayin’, and I with gun and baggonet.”

“Ah! corporal, the preaching and praying would be of quite as much account with you men of war, as your arms and ammunition, if you could only be made to think so.  Look at Fort Dearborn!  It was defended by human means, having its armed band, and its guns and swords, and captains and corporals; yet you have seen their pride lowered, their means of defence destroyed, and a large part of your comrades massacred.  All this has been done to armed men, while the Lord has brought me, an unarmed and humble teacher of his word, safely out of the hands of the Philistines, and placed me here in safety, on the shores of the Kalamazoo.”

“For that matter, Mr. Amen, the Lord has done the same by me, with a musket on my shoulder and a baggonet by my side,” returned the literal corporal.  “Preachin’ may be good on some marches; but arms and ammunition answers well enough on others.  Hearken to the Hebrew, who knows all the ways of the wilderness, and see if he don’t give you the same opinion.”  “The Hebrew is one of the discarded of the Lord, as he is one chosen of the Lord!” returned the missionary.  “I agree with you, however, that he is as safe an adviser, for a human adviser, as can be easily found; therefore will I consult him.  Child of the seed of Abraham,” he added, turning to Onoah, “thou hast heard the tidings from Mackinaw; we cannot think, any longer, of pursuing our journey in that direction; whither, then, wouldst thou advise that we shall direct our steps?  I ask this question of thee first, as an experienced and sagacious dweller in the wilderness:  at a more fitting time, I intend to turn to the Lord, and seek divine aid for the direction of our footsteps.”

“Aye,” observed the corporal, who entertained a good deal of respect for the zealous, but slightly fanatical missionary, though he believed an Indian was always safe to consult in matters of this sort, “try both—­if one staff should fail, it may be well to have another to lean on.  A good soldier always keeps a part of his troops for a reserve.  I motto of his coat of arms; the “gare a qui la touchc,” or “noli me tangere,” of his device.”

The head was shaved, as is usual with a warrior, carrying only the chivalrous scalp-lock, but the chief was not in his paint.  The outline of this celebrated savage’s features was bold and eagle-like; a comparison that his steady, calm, piercing eye well sustained.  The chin was full and expanded, the lips compressed and firm, the teeth were short, but even and sound, his smile courteous, and, at times, winning.