The Old American Read Online Free PDF Page A

loosen.
    â€œTake him down to the river and clean him,” says St. Blein to the guards.
    Upon return, Warren answers all of St. Blein’s questions. He tells everything he knows about numbers of troops, location of barracks, kinds of weapons, and plans for future campaigns. The most important information the raiders learn is that no Colonial force is near enough to offer pursuit.
    In concluding his inquiry, Caucus-Meteor asks, “By what device does the English heart remain so hard?”
    â€œBy the device of cannon and musket,” says Warren.
    â€œHe doesn’t know what you mean,” says St. Blein in Algonkian.
    â€œI know. He has little capacity for understanding, this man. I just wanted to see what he said.”
    â€œI will tell you that there is more than musket and cannon,” says St. Blein in French. “There is the device of dividing the tribes by the wedge of their ancient animosities; there is the device of the promises of convenience.”
    â€œWhich is followed by the breaking of such promises,” says Caucus-Meteor. “And the spreading of disease, and the rum, and the terror, and the killing of women and children while avoiding warriors. These were the devices that the English employed to destroy my parents and their people. But all these devices we Americans have used to undo one another.” Caucus-Meteor switches to English and addresses Captain Warren. “The most important device of the English and, yes, the French, is your Christian god, who allows all things convenient in his name. With such a god, even a savage such as I could be king.”
    Caucus-Meteor notes the expression on Warren’s face, which tells him that though he speaks in the captive’s tongue, his words are lost on him.
    â€œFall on your knees, then, old man,” says St. Blein in French. It’s the dark humor between the Frenchman and the American, and their laugh makes the captive tremble, for he understands less and less.
    Afterward, St. Blein talks to Furrowed Brow. “The Mohawks now have two captives. What do you plan to do with them?”
    â€œThe fellow who captured young Allen owed me a debt, so they are both mine now; I am reserving judgment until after we see how they perform in the gauntlet.”
    â€œI think the governor-general would pay a good price for Captain Warren, for we could exchange him for more than one of our own,” says St. Blein.
    â€œI do not know if I want to sell him. He looks strong; he might make an acceptable Mohawk for adoption,” says Furrowed Brow.
    With that speculation, Furrowed Brow loses the respect of Caucus-Meteor, for the old interpreter is convinced that, despite his superior physique, Captain Warren is mediocre as a man.
    Later, St. Blein visits Caucus-Meteor at his campsite, and sits with him by the old man’s personal fire. They converse in French. Nearby, Nathan sits, bound with his own bootlaces. Caucus-Meteor likes to tie the captive in different positions, to keep his blood circulating and to keep himself entertained.
    â€œYou know, Caucus-Meteor,” St. Blein says, “in man-to-man combat I’d wager on an American any day over a Frenchman or an Englishman, but as soldiers you’re impossible. You don’t follow orders. You’d rather groom yourselves than keep your equipment in order. You desert nation for self.”
    â€œI have seen the ensign groom his mustache and patch.” Caucus-Meteor touches himself under his lower lip.
    â€œTrue, but I groom myself and keep my equipment in order, and I plan, and I fight for Canada. But the savage puts his person ahead of state, church, even family.”
    â€œCount your blessings, St. Blein,” Caucus-Meteor says. “If the American could be ruled from on high like the Frenchman, we’d kick your ass out of Canada.”
    â€œYes, I’ve thought of that, old king. But if the American and the French-Canadian could truly