I was careful never unduly to exhibit my steel tomahawk, which I always kept in a kind of sheath or covering of opossum-skin, so that it might not arouse envy; a second motive for this was to prevent its chafing my body.

I never used either stiletto or tomahawk unless absolutely necessary, reserving both for great emergencies.

I knew they could never be replaced, so it behoved me jealously to guard such precious possessions.

I never even used my stiletto at meal-times, nor even in cutting up animals for food, lest the blood should rust the blade and eat it away.

Many times already had it come in useful at close quarters--notably in the case of the fight with the alligator and the killing of the cannibal chief who owned the white girls.
The chief of the tribe I am discussing saw me using my tomahawk one day, and eagerly asked me to make over the implement to him as a gift.