Read the excerpt from "We Are Determined Not to Sell

Question

Our Lands."

Brother, at the treaties held for the purchase of our
lands, the white men, with sweet voices and smiling
faces, told us they loved us, and that they would not
cheat us, but that the king's children on the other side
of the lake would cheat us. When we go on the other
side of the lake, the king's children tell us your people
will cheat us. These things puzzle our heads, and we
believe that the Indians must take care of themselves,
and not trust either in your people or in the king's
children.

Which quotation best reflects the central idea of this
excerpt?

A. the white men, with sweet voices and smiling
faces, told us they loved us
us."

B. the king's children tell us your people will cheat us

C. "These things puzzle our heads

D. we believe that the Indians must take care of
themselves.

Answer 1

The quotation that best reflects the central idea of the excerpt is:

D. we believe that the Indians must take care of themselves.

This statement encapsulates the overarching theme of the excerpt, which conveys a sense of distrust toward both the white men and the king's children, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance for the Indians.