In retrospect I feel like the young half indian; the one who speaks english he learned from his mother and acts as translator for the tribe. Chief big-kim-bass-mouth-drinks-like-fish asks me to translate for the white man who suddenly showed up.
"I like this pale-faced man; he speaks our language! Translate the things that he doesn't understand. Explain my joke."
Big laughter and slapping on backs.
"Speak paleface man! Tell us how you came here and what you think of our people."
Quiet white man speech. Nodding. Laughter. More slapping on backs.
"Ask him does he have a wife. Shall I marry him to a woman of ours?"
Discomfort.
"He came bearing gifts! I will make him one of us."
I explain and tell him he should stay close to the chief; keep his glass full. Teach him our ways.
We regale old stories and ask about our men who left the tribe to live with the pale-faced.
And early we send the pale face Houston away with our women to enjoy the evening.
"I like this pale-faced man; he speaks our language! Translate the things that he doesn't understand. Explain my joke."
Big laughter and slapping on backs.
"Speak paleface man! Tell us how you came here and what you think of our people."
Quiet white man speech. Nodding. Laughter. More slapping on backs.
"Ask him does he have a wife. Shall I marry him to a woman of ours?"
Discomfort.
"He came bearing gifts! I will make him one of us."
I explain and tell him he should stay close to the chief; keep his glass full. Teach him our ways.
We regale old stories and ask about our men who left the tribe to live with the pale-faced.
And early we send the pale face Houston away with our women to enjoy the evening.
