From Jyanough he now heard the story of his sorrows, which deeply interested him; and, in return, he told his host all that he could remember of his own past life, from his residence in Holland, and his removal to America, even till the moment when he and Oriana had approached the Cree village that evening The red man listened with profound attention, and constantly interrupted the narrator with intelligent questions on every subject that was interesting to him.  But especially was his curiosity awakened when Henrich, in speaking of his grief at being torn from all his friends and relations, and his horror when he had anticipated a sudden and violent death, alluded to his trust in God as the only thing that had then supported him under his trials and sufferings, and still enabled him to hope for the future.  The young Christian was not slow in answering all his inquiries as to the nature of the white man’s Mahneto, and explaining to him why the true believer can endure, even with cheerfulness, afflictions and bereavements that are most trying to flesh and blood, in the confident hope that God will over-rule every event to his people’s good, and will eventually restore all that they have lost.

’Then if I worship your Keechee-Mahneto[*] eagerly asked Jyanough, will he give back to me my brother Uncas?  I have called on my Mahneto for four long moons in vain.  I have offered him the best of my weapons, and the chief of my prey in hunting; and I have promised to pour on Uncas’ grave the blood of the first prisoner I capture in war, or the first of our enemies that I can take by subtlety.  Still Mahneto does not hear me.  Tell me, then, pale-face, would your God hear me?’

[Footnote:  Keechee-Mahneto or Great Master of Life, is the name given by the Crees to their notion of the Supreme Being.  Maatche-Mahneto is the Great Spirit of Evil.]

Henrich was much moved at the impassioned eagerness of the Indian, whose naturally mild and pensive expression was now changed for one of bitter disappointment, and even of ferocity, and then again animated with a look of anxious hope and inquiry.

‘Yes, Jyanough,’ he replied, with earnest solemnity; ’my God will hear you; but he will not give you back your brother in this world.  If you learn to believe in Him; and to serve Him, and to pray to Him in sincerity, He will guide you to that blessed land where, after death, all His people meet together, and where there is neither sorrow nor separation.’

‘But is Uncas there?’ cried the young savage.  ’Is my brother there?  For I will serve no Mahneto who will not restore me to him!’