Before Mr.Binkus resumes his narrative, which, one might know by the tilt of his head and the look of his wide open, right eye, would soon happen, the historian seizes the opportunity of finishing his introduction.

He had been the best scout in the army of Sir Jeffrey Amherst.

As a small boy he had been captured by the Senecas and held in the tribe a year and two months.

Early in the French and Indian War, he had been caught by Algonquins and tied to a tree and tortured by hatchet throwers until rescued by a French captain.

After that his opinion of Indians had been, probably, a bit colored by prejudice.