200 McLOUGHLIN AND OLD OREGON
the Delaware was vain of his learning and approached him through that medium.
"Ah, Mr. Hill, I am pleased to welcome you to our mission. I am told you are a student of Dartmouth a great institution."
Pleased, flattered, the Indian became easy and talkative, revealing a surprising acquaintance with the politics of Europe and America. He dwelt on his school-life, describing again and again the walks and groves of Dartmouth.
"Why do you leave civilized life for the precarious life of the wilderness? "inquired Dr. Whitman.
"For reasons found in the nature of my race," answered the Delaware. "Never again shall I visit the States or any other part of the earth torn and spoiled by the slaves of agriculture. The pines of the Connecticut look on an age of decay. Only the Indian is strong and free. I shall live and die an Indian."
"What do you mean by strong and free?" inquired the doctor, curious to investigate this riddle.
"I mean the white men are too many. Population is increased to an unnatural extent. They crowd one another. That necessitates laws, it curtails liberty. There is no freedom among the whites. You break a law, they lock you in a jail or hang you on a tree. They have laws to punish murder. My own arrow can do it better."
The Delaware began to speak of his own tribe a certain scintillant gleam began to coruscate in his eye as he dwelt on the wrongs of his people. Dr. Whitman wisely cut off the discussion by announcing a feast in honor of his guest.
An immense kettle of mush cornmeal cooked in
