Still, he says that whereas he is growing old and has known many sorrows--he alludes here, I gather, to some nigger wives of his whom another savage knocked on the head; also to a child to whom he appears to have been attached--you are young with all your days and, he hopes, joys, before you.

Therefore he would gladly do anything in his power to save your life, because although you are white and he is black he has conceived an affection for you and looks on you as his child.

Yes, Mr.Somers, although I blush to repeat it, this black fellow says he looks upon you as his child.

He adds, indeed, that if the opportunity arises, he will gladly give his life to save your life, and that it cuts his heart in two to refuse you anything.

Still he must refuse this request of yours, that he will ask the creature he calls his Snake--what he means by that, I don't know, Mr.Somers--to declare when the white man, named Dogeetah, will arrive in this place.