"Is that all you ha' to say, governor?"
The governor, as Carrol styled him, started at this abrupt
interrogatory.
"No, Carrol, that is not all. What I have to say is this. You are a
friend to the red-skins?"
"Yes, siree, so long as they behaves themselves, I am," promptly replied
Cris.
"I also am their friend," said Rody, "and want to deal fairly by them.
They have, however, a foolish sort of pride that makes it difficult,
especially in some matters. You know what I mean, do you not?"
"Yes, I see," rejoined the hunter, in a careless drawl.
"Well, in a bit of business I have with Oluski, I thought a friend might
manage with him better than I could myself."
The governor paused to give Carrol an opportunity of replying.
The backwoodsman, however, did not avail himself of it.
"So you see, Carrol," continued Elias, "I thought that you might act the
part of that friend in the negotiation I allude to."
"No, I don't quite see _that_," said Cris, looking up with an odd smile
upon his face, and a twinkle in his eye. "But come, governor, tell me
what you want done, and I'll tell you whether I kin do it."
"Well, then, Carrol, I will."
The governor drew his stool nearer to Cris, as if about to impart some
confidential secret.