They seem perfectly
unconscious of it themselves and it is exhibited in the most
child-like manner.
Peter and his son John were taking tea with us, when we were joined
by my brother, Mr. S - -. The latter was giving us an account of the
marriage of Peter Jones, the celebrated Indian preacher.
"I cannot think," he said, "how any lady of property and education
could marry such a man as Jones. Why, he's as ugly as Peter here."
This was said, not with any idea of insulting the red-skin on
the score of his beauty, of which he possessed not the smallest
particle, but in total forgetfulness that our guest understood
English. Never shall I forget the red flash of that fierce dark eye
as it glared upon my unconscious brother. I would not have received
such a fiery glance for all the wealth that Peter Jones obtained
with his Saxon bride. John Nogan was highly amused by his father's
indignation. He hid his face behind the chief; and though he kept
perfectly still, his whole frame was convulsed with suppressed
laughter.
A plainer human being than poor Peter could scarcely be imagined;
yet he certainly deemed himself handsome.
