And until they did so, and until I had the unerring authority of my Indians' opinions, I did not care to go on record as either a brutal or a hasty officer.

Indians entertain profound contempt for the man who arrives hastily and lightly at conclusions, without permitting himself leisure for deep and dignified reflection.
And I was well aware that with these Indians the success of any enterprise depended entirely upon their opinion of me, upon my personal influence with them.
Dawn was breaking before the Sagamore turned his head toward me.

I gave the signal to halt.
"The Ouleout," whispered Tahoontowhee in my ear.

"Here is its confluence with the Susquehanna." The Mohican nodded, saying that we now stood on a peninsula.
I tried to make out the character of the hillock where we stood, but it was not yet light enough to see whether the place was capable of defence, although it would seem to be, having two streams to flank it.
"Sagamore," said I, "you and I will stand guard for the first two hours.

Sleep, you others." One after another unrolled his blanket and dropped where he stood.