The four were all small men with the fine characteristic faces of pure bred savages.
They understood not a word of what was said, but preserved an unshakable gravity throughout.

Ambrose, as they were named, christened them anew, according to their several characteristics: Coyote, Moose, Bear and Weasel.
The last was a little shriveled creature, hung with charms and amulets in tobacco bags until he looked like a scarecrow.

He had an eye even wilder and shiftier than his master's.
"Conjure-man," murmured Simon in Ambrose's ear.
"Let Ambrose Doane speak," said Watusk.

He used good English.
Ambrose had adopted from Peter Minot the maxim: "Make the other man speak first, and get a line on him." He bowed politely.

"Ambrose Doane will not speak until Watusk has spoken," he said.
Watusk highly gratified, bowed again, and forthwith began.