He and his tribe had agreed to work in digging
and washing at the places, but it was not part
of their contract to port and carry sacks to
Selkirk. The statement was true, and the
argument just. Silas reasoned with him,
pointed out the necessity of carrying their
treasure before the winter set in — explained
how it was the custom with Palefaces to
exchange solid gold into a convenient symbol
by means of paper and writing — the value
remaining, and the security increasing —
although there would be no more weight to
carry, and all would be represented by a little
document that could be put in the waistcoat
pocket, though it might be worth hundreds of
thousands of dollars. This intensely interested
Leathertongue, and much time was consumed
in explaining it to him. Still the Indian
argued that, in the eyes of his brothers, the
Palefaces, a contract was a contract, and he
appealed to the Jew on that point. The
Indians laid down their packages and gathered
round, joining in the palaver. When Leather-
tongue was exhausted Blackhand renewed the
argument. Piatt looked up at the sun. Time
was fleeting.
