"No; that is the letter A."

"How do you know?"

Our digger of Greek roots from Cambridge was puzzled. He could not repeat
the story of Cadmus to this druid of the forest or make a learned talk on
arbitrary signs. He answered happily, however, "Wise men said so."

"Me understand."

"That is the letter B."

"Yes, aha! Boston tilicum, you let her be. Old woman no good; me punish
her. Knock-sheet--stick her" (club her).

Mr. Mann saw at once the strange turn that the young Indian's mind had
taken. He was puzzled again.

"No, Benjamin; I will teach you what to do."

"Teach me how to club her? You are good! Boston tilicum, we will be
brothers--you and I. She wah-wah, but she is no good."

"That is C."

"Aha! _She_ heap wah-wah, but _she_ no good."

"Now, that is A, B, and that is C. Try to remember them, and I will come
soon and talk with you again."