"I will tell you," answered Kepenau.  "Though I have been ever friendly with the white men, and value the advantages to be obtained from them, there is one thing for which I fear them,--their accursed `fire water.' Already it has slain thousands of my people, or reduced them to a state lower than the brutes which perish; and I know not whether my young men would resist the temptation were it placed in their way."