Then I
broke loose. I told them all about themselves, and their people before
them; their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers--everybody, everything.
Each mean trick they'd played; every scrape they'd got into; every shame
that'd fallen them. And I burned them without fear or favor. All hands
crowded round. Never had they heard a white man sling their lingo as I
did. Everybody was laughing save the Mission girls. Even Chief George
forgot the paddle, or at least he was swallowing too much respect to dare
to use it.
"But the girls. 'Oh, don't, Tommy,' they cried, the tears running down
their cheeks. 'Please don't. We'll be good. Sure, Tommy, sure.' But I
knew them well, and I scorched them on every tender spot. Nor did I
slack away till they came down on their knees, begging and pleading with
me to keep quiet. Then I shot a glance at Chief George; but he did not
know whether to have at me or not, and passed it off by laughing
hollowly.
"So be. When I passed the parting with Tilly that night I gave her the
word that I was going to be around for a week or so, and that I wanted to
see more of her.
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