Even to Pastolik I journeyed, and even beyond, into the
north, along the rim of the sea. This I did when I was a boy, and
I was no coward. Nor was I coward when I journeyed, a young man
and alone, up the Yukon farther than man had ever been, so far that
I came to another folk, with white faces, who live in a great fort
and talk speech other than that the Russians talk. Also have I
killed the great bear of the Tanana country, where no one of my
people hath ever been. And I have fought with the Nuklukyets, and
the Kaltags, and the Sticks in far regions, even I, and alone.
These deeds, whereof no man knows, I speak for myself. Let my
people speak for me of things I have done which they know. They
will not say Negore is a coward."
He finished proudly, and proudly waited.
"These be things which happened before I came into the land," she
said, "and I know not of them. Only do I know what I know, and I
know I saw thee lashed like a dog in the day; and in the night,
when the great fort flamed red and the men killed and were killed,
I saw thee not.
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