William Hepworth Dixon, White Conquest: Volume 1

[176] stranger, as they might have sold him a pony or a dog. The money paid for her will be spent in drink. By law, no whisky can be sold to Indians; but up in these snow-deserts, where is the magistrate to enforce the law?

“Are you taking her home to your own country? ”

“Ugh! ” he hisses through his teeth, “ the Pai-Utes of our family have no country left. The Whites have taken all our lands and springs. Some Pai-Utes have lands; not many. One day the Great Father will give us back our lands.”

“How do you live?”

“We wait and go about; kill game — not much; sow seed — not much. Pai-Utes very poor. One more cigar?”

“Tell me, Red Dog, about your two squaws. If you are very poor, why have you bought another wife?”

“To work for me. No squaw, much work; plenty squaw, no work. I get more dollar, buy more squaw.”

“ You make them work for you?”

The rascal grins, and clutches at his brand. Poor creatures, he will make them grind and toil;