"We've had many encounters with him," replied the youth. "Besides
hating the Hodenosaunee and all the white people, I think he also has
a personal grievance against Mr. Willet, Tayoga and myself. He is the
most bitter and persistent of all our enemies."
"Then this man must be dealt with. I can't go against him
myself. Other affairs press too much, but I can raise a force with
speed."
"Let me go, sir, against Tandakora!" exclaimed young Brant eagerly and
in English.
Colonel Johnson looked at him a moment, his eyes glistening, and then
he laughed, not with irony but gently and with approval.
"Truly 'tis a young eagle," he said, "but, Joseph, you must remember
that your years are yet short of twelve, and you still have much time
to spend over the books in which you have done so well. If I let you
be cut off at such an early age you can never become the great chief
you are destined to be. Bide a while, Joseph, and your cousin,
Daganoweda, will attend to this Ojibway who has wandered so far from
his own country."
Young Brant made no protest. Trained in the wonderful discipline of
the Hodenosaunee he knew that he must obey before he could command.
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