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Chapter 22
Thescoutlaughed,andtappinghisownforeheadsignificantly,heperhapsexplainedthesingularindulgencemoresatisfactorilywhenhesaid—
"TheIndiansneverharmanon-composser.Butwhy,whenthepathlayopenbeforeyoureyes,didyounotstrikebackonyourowntrail(itisnotsoblindasthatwhichasquirrelwouldmake),andbringinthetidingstoEdward?"
Thescout,rememberingonlyhisownsturdyandironnature,hadprobablyexactedataskthatDavid,undernocircumstances,couldhaveperformed.But,withoutentirelylosingthemeeknessofhisair,thelatterwascontenttoanswer—
"ThoughmysoulwouldrejoicetovisitthehabitationsofChristendomoncemore,myfeetwouldratherfollowthetenderspiritsintrustedtomykeeping,evenintotheidolatrousprovinceoftheJesuits,thantakeonestepbackward,whiletheypinedincaptivityandsorrow."
ThoughthefigurativelanguageofDavidwasnotveryintelligible,thesincereandsteadyexpressionofhiseye,andtheglowonhishonestcountenance,werenoteasilymistaken.Uncaspressedclosertohisside,andregardedthespeakerwithalookofcommendation,whilehisfatherexpressedhissatisfactionbytheordinarypithyexclamationofapprobation.Thescoutshookhisheadasherejoined—
"TheLordneverintendedthatthemanshouldplaceallhisendeavorsinhisthroat,totheneglectofotherandbettergifts!Buthehasfallenintothehandsofsomesillywoman,whenheshouldhavebeengatheringhiseducationunderabluesky,amongthebeautiesoftheforest.
