Some fish were given him one evening to scale; it was just at dark; but Tom, according to custom, retired at once to bed.
The cook came to inquire what was to be done.

I was under the necessity of calling in my husband's aid as interpreter.

He sent for Tomah.

When he came into the parlor Mr.Kinzie said to him, in Pottowattamie,-- "There are some fish, Tomah, in the kitchen, and we want you to scale them." "Now ?" exclaimed Tom, with an expression of amazement.

"It is very late." A young lady, Miss Rolette, who was visiting us, and who understood the language, could not refrain from bursting into a laugh at the simplicity with which the words were uttered, and we joined her in sympathy, at which Tom looked a little indignant; but when he understood that it was the _white custom_ to scale the fish at night, and put salt and pepper on them, he was soon reconciled to do his duty in the matter.
His next office was to lay the table.