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diff --git a/43925-0.txt b/43925-0.txt index 0f91a10..66de2f4 100644 --- a/43925-0.txt +++ b/43925-0.txt @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 *** +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 *** THE PRAIRIE FLOWER @@ -12713,5 +12713,4 @@ THE END. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 *** diff --git a/43925-8.txt b/43925-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2e91c78..0000000 --- a/43925-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13105 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Prairie Flower - A Tale of the Indian Border - -Author: Gustave Aimard - -Translator: Lascelles Wraxall - -Release Date: October 10, 2013 [EBook #43925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - - - - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - - - - - -THE PRAIRIE FLOWER - -A TALE OF THE INDIAN BORDER - -BY - -GUSTAVE AIMARD, - -AUTHOR OF - -"THE INDIAN SCOUT," "TRAPPERS OF ARKANSAS," "TRAIL HUNTER," -"GOLD SEEKERS," "BEE HUNTERS," -ETC., ETC. - -LONDON: - -CHARLES HENRY CLARKE, 13 PATERNOSTER ROW, - -1874 - - - - CONTENTS - - - I. A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT - II. A TRAIL DISCOVERED - III. THE EMIGRANTS - IV. THE GRIZZLY BEAR - V. THE STRANGE WOMAN - VI. THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP - VII. THE INDIAN CHIEF - VIII. THE EXILE - IX. THE MASSACRE - X. THE GREAT COUNCIL - XI. AMERICAN HOSPITALITY - XII. THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIE - XIII. THE INDIAN VILLAGE - XIV. THE RECEPTION - XV. THE WHITE BUFFALO - XVI. THE SPY - XVII. FORT MACKENZIE - XVIII. A MOTHER'S CONFESSION - XIX. THE CHASE - XX. INDIAN DIPLOMACY - XXI. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER - XXII. IVON - XXIII. THE PLAN OF THIS CAMPAIGN - XXIV. THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET - XXV. BEFORE THE ATTACK - XXVI. RED WOLF - XXVII. THE ATTACK - XXVIII. CONCLUSION - - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT. - - -America is the land of prodigies! Everything there assumes gigantic -proportions, which startle the imagination and confound the reason. -Mountains, rivers, lakes and streams, all are carved on a sublime -pattern. - -There is a river of North America--not like the Danube, Rhine, or -Rhone, whose banks are covered with towns, plantations, and time-worn -castles: whose sources and tributaries are magnificent streams, the -waters of which, confined in a narrow bed, rush onwards as if impatient -to lose themselves in the ocean--but deep and silent, wide as an arm -of the sea, calm and severe in its grandeur, it pours majestically -onwards, its waters augmented by innumerable streams, and lazily bathes -the banks of a thousand isles, which it has formed of its own sediment. - -These isles, covered with tall thickets, exhale a sharp or delicious -perfume which the breeze bears far away. Nothing disturbs their -solitude, save the gentle and plaintive appeal of the dove, or the -hoarse and strident voice of the tiger, as it sports beneath the shade. - -At certain spots, trees that have fallen through old age, or have -been uprooted by the hurricane, collect on its waters; then, attached -by creepers and concealed by mud, these fragments of forests become -floating islands. Young shrubs take root upon them: the petunia and -nenuphar expand here and there their yellow roses; serpents, birds, and -caimans come to sport and rest on these verdurous rafts, and are with -them swallowed up in the ocean. - -This river has no name! Others in the same zone are called Nebraska, -Platte, Missouri; but this is simply the _Mecha-Chebe_ the old father -of waters, _the_ river before all! the Mississippi in a word! - -Vast and incomprehensible as is infinity, full of secret terrors, like -the Ganges and Irrawaddy, it is the type of fecundity, immensity, and -eternity to the numerous Indian nations that inhabit its banks. - - * * * * * - -Three men were seated on the bank of the river, a little below its -confluence with the Missouri, and were breakfasting on a slice of roast -elk, while gaily chatting together. - -The spot where they were seated was remarkably picturesque. The bank -of the river was formed of small mounds, enamelled with flowers. The -strangers had selected for their halt the top of the highest mound, -whence the eye embraced a magnificent panorama. In the foreground, -dense curtains of verdure which undulated with each breath of air: on -the islands innumerable flocks of dark-winged flamingos, perched on -their long legs, plovers and cardinals fluttering from bough to bough, -while numerous alligators lazily wallowed in the mud. Between the -islands, the silvery patches of water reflected the sunbeams. In the -midst of these masses of coruscating light, fishes of every description -sported on the surface of the water, and traced sparkling furrows. -Further back, as far as the eye could reach, the tops of the trees that -bordered the prairie, and whose dark green scarcely showed upon the -horizon. - -But the three men we have mentioned seemed to trouble themselves very -slightly about the natural beauties that surrounded them, as they -were fully engaged in appeasing a true hunter's appetite. Their meal, -however, only lasted a few minutes, and when the last fragments had -been devoured, one lighted his Indian pipe, the other took a cigar -from his pocket. They then stretched themselves on the grass, and -began digesting with that beatitude which characterizes smokers, while -following with a languid eye the clouds of bluish smoke that rose in -long spirals with each mouthful they puffed forth. As for the third -man, he leant his back against a tree, crossed his arms, on his chest, -and went to sleep most prosaically. - -We will profit by this momentary repose to present these persons to our -readers, and make them better acquainted with each other. The first was -a Canadian half-breed, of about fifty years of age, and known by the -name of "Bright-eye." His life had been entirely spent on the prairie -among the Indians, all of whose tricks he was thoroughly acquainted -with. - -Like the majority of his countrymen he was very tall, more than six -feet in height: his body was thin and angular; his limbs were knotty, -but covered with muscles, hard as ropes; his bony and yellow face had -a remarkable expression of frankness and joviality, and his little grey -eyes sparkled with intelligence; his prominent cheekbones, his nose -bent down over a wide mouth supplied with long white teeth, and his -rounded chin, made up a face which was the most singular, and, at the -same time, the most attractive that could be imagined. - -His dress differed in no respect from that of the other wood rangers; -that is to say, it was a strange medley of European and Indian -fashions, generally adopted by all the white prairie hunters and -trappers. His weapons consisted of a knife, a pair of pistols, and an -American rifle, now lying on the grass, but within reach of his hand. - -His companion was a man of thirty to thirty-two years of age at the -most, but who appeared scarce twenty-five, tall, and well made. His -blue eyes, limpid as a woman's, the long light curls that escaped -beneath the edge of his Panama hat, and floated in disorder on his -shoulders, the whiteness of his skin, which contrasted with the olive -and brown complexion of the hunter, were sufficient evidence that he -was not born in the hot climate of America. - -In fact, this young man was a Frenchman, Charles Edward de Beaulieu, -and was descended from one of the oldest families in Brittany. But, -under this slightly effeminate appearance, he concealed a lion's -courage which nothing could startle or even surprise. Skilled in all -bodily exercises, he was also endowed with prodigious strength, and the -delicate skin of his white and unstained hands, with their rosy nails, -covered nerves of steel. - -The Count's dress would reasonably have appeared extraordinary in a -country remote from civilization to anyone who had leisure to examine -it. He wore a hunting jacket of green cloth, of a French cut, and -buttoned over his chest; yellow doeskin breeches, fastened by a waist -belt of varnished leather; a cartouche box, and a hunting knife in a -bronzed steel sheath, and with an admirably chiselled hilt: while his -legs were covered by long riding boots, coming up over the knee. Like -his companion, he had laid his rifle on the grass: this weapon, richly -damascened, must have cost an enormous sum. - -The Count de Beaulieu, whose father followed the princes into exile -and served them actively, first in Condé's army and then in all the -Royalist plots that were incessantly formed during the Empire, was an -ultra-Royalist. Left an orphan at an early age, and possessed of an -immense fortune, he was nominated a lieutenant in the Gardes du Corps. -After the fall of Charles X., the Count, whose career was broken up, -was assailed by a fearful despondency, and an unenviable disregard for -life filled his heart. Europe became hateful to him, and he resolved -to bid it an eternal farewell. After intrusting the management of his -fortune to a confidential agent, the Count embarked for the United -States. - -But American life, narrow, paltry, and egotistic, was not made for him; -for the young man understood the Americans no better than they did -him. His heart was ulcerated by the meanness and trickery he saw daily -committed by the descendants of the Plymouth Brethren, so he one day -resolved to bury himself in the depths of the country, and visit those -immense prairies whence the first lords of the soil had been driven by -the cunning and treachery of their crafty despoilers. - -The Count had brought with him from France an old servant of the -family, whose progenitors, for many generations, had uninterruptedly -served the Beaulieus. Before embarking, the Count imparted his plans -to Ivon Kergollec, leaving him at liberty to remain behind or follow; -the servant's choice was not long, he simply replied that his master -had the right to do what he pleased without consulting him, and as it -was his duty to follow his master everywhere, he should do so. Even -when the Count formed the resolve of visiting the prairies, and thought -it right to tell his servant his resolution, the answer was still the -same. Ivon was about forty-five years of age, and was a true type of -the hardy, simple, and withal crafty Breton peasant; he was short -and stumpy, but his well-knit limbs and wide chest denoted immense -strength. His brick-coloured face was illumined by two small eyes, -which sparkled with cleverness and flashed like carbuncles. - -Ivon, whose life had been spent calmly and lazily in the gilded halls -of Beaulieu House, had gradually assumed the regular habits of a -nobleman's lackey; having had no occasion to prove his courage, he was -completely ignorant of the possession of that quality, and, although -during the last few months he had been placed in many dangerous -circumstances while following his master, he was still at the same -point, that is to say, he completely doubted himself, and had the -innate conviction that he was as cowardly as a hare; so nothing was -more curious after a meeting with the Indians than to hear Ivon, who -had been fighting like a lion and performing prodigies of valour, -excuse himself humbly to his master for having behaved so badly, as he -was not used to fighting. - -It is needless to say that the Count excused him, while laughing -heartily, and telling him as a consolation--for the poor fellow was -very unhappy at this supposed cowardice--that the next time he would -probably do better, and that he would gradually grow accustomed to this -life, which was so different from that he had hitherto led. At this -consolation the worthy man-servant would nod his head sorrowfully, and -reply, with an accent of thorough conviction:-- - -"No, sir, I can never have any courage. I feel sure of it; it is a sad -truth, but I am a poltroon. I am only too well aware of it." - -Ivon was dressed in a complete suit of livery, though, in regard to -present circumstances, he was, like his companions, armed to the teeth, -and his rifle leant against the tree by his side. - -Three magnificent horses, full of fire and blood, hobbled a few paces -from the hunters, were carelessly browsing on the climbing peas and -young tree shoots. - -We have omitted to mention two peculiarities of the Count. The first -was, he always carried in his right eye a gold eyeglass, fastened round -his neck by means of a black ribbon; the second, that he continually -wore kid gloves, which we confess, greatly to his annoyance, had now -grown very dirty and torn. - -And now, by what strange combination of chance were these three men, -so differing in birth, habits, and education, met together some five -or six hundred leagues from any civilized abode, on the banks of a -river, if not unknown, at any rate hitherto unexplored, seated amicably -on the grass, and sharing a breakfast which was more than frugal? We -can explain this in a few words to the reader by cursorily describing -a scene that occurred in the prairie about six months prior to the -beginning of our narrative. - -Bright-eye was a determined man, who, with the exception of the time -he served the Hudson's Bay Company, had always hunted and trapped -alone, despising the Indians too much to fear them, and finding in -braving them that delight which the courageous man experiences, when, -alone and beneath the eye of Heaven, he struggles, confiding in his -own resources, against a terrible and unknown danger. The Indians -knew and feared him for many a long year. Many times they had come -into collision with him, and they had nearly always been compelled to -retreat, leaving several of their men on the field. Hence they had -sworn against the hunter one of those hearty Indian hatreds which -nothing can satiate save the punishment of the man who is the object of -it. - -But as they knew with what sort of man they had to deal, and did not -care to increase the number of the victims he had already sacrificed, -they resolved to await, with the peculiar patience characteristic of -their race, the propitious moment for seizing their foe, and till then -confine themselves to carefully watching all his movements, so as not -to lose the favourable opportunity when it presented itself. - -Bright-eye at this moment was hunting on the banks of the Missouri. -Knowing himself watched, and instinctively suspecting a trap, he took -all the precautions suggested to him by his inventive mind and the deep -knowledge he possessed of Indian tricks. One day, while exploring the -banks of the river, he fancied he noticed, a slight distance ahead -of him, an almost imperceptible movement in the thick brushwood. He -stopped, lay down, and began crawling gently in the direction of the -thicket. Suddenly the forest seemed agitated to its most unexplored -depths, A swarm of Indians rose from the earth, leaped from the trees, -or rushed from behind rocks; the hunter, literally buried beneath the -mass of his enemies, was reduced to a state of powerlessness, before he -could even make an attempt to defend himself. - -Bright-eye was disarmed in a twinkling; then a chief walked up to him, -and holding out his hand, said coldly-- - -"Let my brother rise; the Redskin warriors are waiting for him." - -"Good, good," the hunter growled; "all is not over yet, Indian, and I -shall have my revenge." - -The chief smiled. - -"My brother is like the mockingbird," he said ironically; "he speaks -too much." - -Bright-eye bit his lips to keep back the insult that rose to them; he -got up and followed his victors. He was a prisoner to the Piékanns, -the most warlike tribe of the Blackfeet; and the chief who had taken -him was his personal enemy. The chief's name was _Natah Otann_ (the -Grizzly Bear). He was a man of five-and-twenty at the most, with a fine -intelligent face, bearing the imprint of honesty. His tall figure, -well-proportioned limbs, the grace of his movements, and his martial -aspect, rendered him a remarkable man. His long black hair, carefully -parted, fell in disorder on his shoulders; like all the renowned -warriors of his tribe, he wore on the back of his head an ermine skin, -and round his neck bears' claws mingled with buffalo teeth, a very -dear and highly-honoured ornament among the Indians. His shirt of -buffalo hide, with short sleeves, was decorated round the neck with a -species of collar of red cloth, ornamented with fringe and porcupine -quills; the seams of the garment were embroidered with hair taken from -scalps, the whole relieved by small bands of ermine skin. His moccasins -of different colours, were loaded with very elegant embroidery, while -his buffalo hide robe was quilted inside with a number of clumsy -designs, intended to depict the young warrior's achievements. - -Natah Otann held in his right hand a fan made of a single eagle's wing, -and, suspended round the wrist from the same hand by a thong, the -short-handled long-lashed whip peculiar to the prairie Indians; on his -back hung his bow and arrows in a quiver of a jaguar's skin; at his -waist a bullet bag, his powder flask, his long hunting knife, and his -club. His shield hung on his left hip, while his gun lay across the -neck of his horse, which wore a magnificent panther skin for a saddle. -The appearance of this savage child of the woods, whose cloak and long -plumes fluttered in the wind, curveting, on a steed as untamed as -himself, had something about it striking, and, at the same time, grand. - -Natah Otann was the first sachem of his tribe. He made the hunter a -sign to mount a horse one of the warriors held by the bridle, and the -whole party proceeded at a gallop towards the camp of the tribe. They -rode onward in silence, and the chief seemed to pay no attention to his -prisoner. The latter, free in appearance, and mounted on an excellent -horse, made not the slightest attempt to escape; at a glance he had -judged the position, saw that the Indians did not lose sight of him, -and that he should be immediately recaptured if he attempted flight. -The Piékanns had formed their camp on the slope of a wooded hill. -For two days they seemed to have forgotten their prisoner, to whom -they never once spoke. On the evening of the second day, Bright-eye -was carelessly walking about and smoking his pipe, when Natah Otann -approached him. - -"Is my brother ready?" he asked him. - -"For what?" the hunter said, stopping and pouring forth a volume of -smoke. - -"To die," the chief continued, laconically. - -"Quite." - -"Good; my brother will die tomorrow." - -"You think so," the hunter replied with great coolness. - -The Indian looked at him for a moment in amazement; then he repeated, -"My brother will die tomorrow." - -"I heard you perfectly well, chief," the Canadian said, with a smile; -"and I repeat again, do you believe it?" - -"Let my brother look," the sachem said, with a significant gesture. - -The hunter raised his head. - -"Bah!" he said, carelessly; "I see that all the preparations are made, -and conscientiously so, but what does that prove? I am not dead yet, I -suppose." - -"No, but my brother will soon be so." - -"We shall see tomorrow," Bright-eye answered, shrugging his shoulders. - -And leaving the astonished chief, he lay down at the foot of a tree -and fell asleep. His sleep was so real, that the Indians were obliged -to wake him next morning at daybreak. The Canadian opened his eyes, -yawned two or three times, as if going to put his jaw out, and got up. -The Redskins led him to the post of torture, to which he was firmly -fastened. - -"Well!" Natah Otann said, with a grin, "what does my brother think at -present?" - -"Eh!" Bright-eye answered, with that magnificent coolness which never -deserted him, "do you fancy that I am already dead?" - -"No, but my brother will be so in an hour." - -"Bah!" the Canadian said, carelessly; "many things can happen within an -hour." - -Natah Otann withdrew, secretly admiring the intrepid countenance of his -prisoner; but, after taking a few steps, he reflected, and returned to -Bright-eye's side. - -"Let my brother listen," he said, "a friend speaks to him." - -"Go on, chief, I am all ears." - -"My brother is a strong man; his heart is great," Natah Otann said; "he -is a terrible warrior." - -"You know something of that, chief, I fancy," the Canadian replied. - -The sachem repressed a movement of anger. - -"My brother's eye is infallible, his arm is sure," he went on. - -"Tell me at once what you want to come to, chief, and don't waste your -time in your Indian beating round the bush." - -The chief smiled as he said, in a gentler voice, "Bright-eye is alone; -his lodge is solitary. Why has not so great a warrior a companion?" - -The hunter fixed a searching glance on the speaker. - -"What does that concern you?" he said. - -Natah Otann continued,-- - -"The nation of the Blackfeet is powerful; the young women of the -Piekann tribe are fair." - -The Canadian quickly interrupted him. - -"Enough, chief," he said; "in spite of all your shiftings to reach your -point, I have guessed your meaning; but I will never take an Indian -girl to be my wife; so you can refrain from further offers, which will -not have a satisfactory result." - -Natah Otann frowned. - -"Dog of the palefaces," he cried, stamping his foot angrily, "this -night my young men will make war whistles of thy bones, and will drink -the firewater out of thy skull." - -With this terrible threat, the chief finally quitted the hunter, who -regarded him depart with a shrug, and muttered, "The last word is -not spoken yet; this is not the first time I have found myself in -a desperate position, but I have escaped; there are no reasons why -I should be less lucky today. Hum! this will serve me as a lesson: -another time I will be more prudent." - -In the meantime the chief had given orders to begin the punishment, -and the preparations were rapidly made. Bright-eye followed all the -movements of the Indians with a curious eye, as if he were a perfectly -unconcerned witness. - -"Yes, yes," he went on, "my fine fellows, I see you; you are preparing -all the instruments for my torture; there is the green wood intended -to smoke me like a ham; you are cutting the spikes you mean to run up -under my nails. Eh, eh!" he added, with a perfect air of satisfaction; -"you are going to begin with firing; let's see how skilful you are. -Ah, what fun it is for you to have a white hunter to torture. The Lord -knows what strange ideas may be passing through your Indian noddles; -but I recommend you to make haste, or it is very possible I may escape." - -During this monologue, twenty warriors, the most skilful of the tribe, -had ranged themselves about one hundred yards from the prisoner; the -firing commenced; the balls all struck within an inch of the hunter's -head, who, at each shot, shook his head like a drowned sparrow, to the -great delight of the spectators. This amusement had gone on for some -twenty minutes, and would probably have continued much longer, so great -was the fun it afforded the Blackfeet; when suddenly a horseman bounded -into the centre of the clearing, dispersed the Indians in his way by -heavy blows of his whip, and profiting by the stupor occasioned by his -unexpected appearance, galloped up to the prisoner, got down, quickly -cut the thongs that bound him, thrust a brace of pistols in his hand, -and remounted. All this was done in less time than it has taken us to -write it. - -"By Tobias!" Bright-eye joyfully exclaimed, "I was quite sure I wasn't -going to die this time." - -The Indians are not the men to allow themselves to be long subdued -by any feeling; the first moment of surprise past, they surrounded -the horseman, shouting, gesticulating, and brandishing their weapons -furiously. - -"Come, make way there, you scoundrels," the newcomer shouted in a -commanding voice, lashing violently at those who had the imprudence to -come too near him. "Let us be off," he added, turning to the hunter. - -"I wish for nothing better," the latter made answer; "but it does not -seem easy." - -"Bah! let us try it, at any rate," the stranger continued, carefully -affixing his glass in his eye. - -"We will," Bright-eye said cheerfully. - -The stranger who had so providentially arrived, was the Count de -Beaulieu, as our readers will probably have conjectured. - -"Hilloh!" the Count shouted loudly, "come here, Ivon." - -"Here I am, my lord," a voice answered from the forest; and a second -horseman, leaping into the clearing, coolly ranged himself by the side -of the first. - -There was something strange in the group formed by these three stoical -men in the midst of the hundreds of Indians yelling around them. The -Count, with his glass in his eye, his haughty glance, and disdainful -lip, was setting the hammer of his rifle. Bright-eye, with a pistol in -each hand, was preparing to sell his life dearly, while the servant -calmly awaited the order to charge the savages. The Indians, furious -at the audacity of the white men, were preparing, with multitudinous -yells and gestures, to take a prompt vengeance on the men who had so -imprudently placed themselves in their power. - -"These Indians are very ugly," the Count said; "now that you are free, -my friend, we have nothing more to do here, so let us be off." - -And he made a sign, as if to force a passage. The Blackfeet moved -forward. - -"Take care," Bright-eye shouted. - -"Nonsense," the Count said, shrugging his shoulders, "can these scamps -intend to bar the way?" - -The hunter looked at him with the air of a man who does not know -exactly if he has to do with a madman or a being endowed with reason, -so extraordinary did this remark seem to him. The Count dug his spurs -into his horse. - -"Well," Bright-eye muttered, "he will be killed, but for all that he is -a fine fellow: I will not leave him." - -In truth it was a critical moment: the Indians, formed in close column, -were preparing to make a desperate charge on the three men--a charge -which would, probably, be decisive, for the Europeans, without shelter, -and entirely exposed to the shots of their enemies, could not hope to -escape. Still, that was not the Count's conviction. Not noticing the -gestures and hostile cries of the Redskins, he advanced towards them, -with his glass still in his eye. Since the Count's apparition, the -Indian sachem, as if struck with stupor at the sight, had not made -a move, but stood with his eyes fixed upon him, under the influence -of extraordinary emotion. Suddenly, at the moment when the Blackfeet -warriors were shouldering their guns, or fitting their arrows to the -bows, Natah Otann seemed to form a resolution: he rushed forward, and -raising his buffalo robe,-- - -"Stop!" he shouted, in a loud voice. - -The Indians, obedient to their chiefs voice, immediately halted. The -sachem took three steps, bowed respectfully before the Count, and said -in a submissive voice:-- - -"My father must pardon his children, they did not know him: but my -father is great, his power is immense, his goodness infinite: he will -forget anything offensive in their conduct toward him." - -Bright-eye, astonished at this harangue, translated it to the Count, -honestly confessing that he did not understand what it meant. - -"By Jove!" the Count replied, with a smile, "they are afraid." - -"Hum!" the hunter muttered, "that is not so clear: it is something -else; but no matter, it will be diamond cut diamond." - -Then he turned to Natah Otann. - -"The great pale chief," he said, "is satisfied with the respect his red -children feel for him: he pardons them." Natah Otann made a movement of -joy. The three men passed through the ranks of the Indians, and buried -themselves in the forest, their retreat being in no way impeded. - -"Ouf!" Bright-eye said, as soon as he found himself in safety, "I'm -well out of that; but," he added shaking his head, "there is something -extraordinary about the matter, which I cannot fathom." - -"Now, my friend," the Count said to him, "you are free to go whither -you please." - -The hunter thought for an instant. "Bah!" he replied, after a few -moments had passed, "I owe you my life. Although I do not know you, you -strike me as a good fellow." - -"You flatter me," the Count remarked, smiling. - -"My faith, no; I say what I think. If you are agreeable we will stay -together, at any rate until I have acquitted the debt I owe you by -saving your life in my turn." - -The Count offered him his hand. - -"Thanks, my friend," he said, much moved; "I accept your offer." - -"That is settled, then," the hunter joyfully exclaimed, as he pressed -the offered hand. - -Bright-eye, at first attached to the Count by gratitude, soon felt -quite a paternal affection for him. But he understood no more -than the first day the young man's behaviour, for he acted under -all circumstances as if he were in France, and, by his rashness, -universally foiled the hunter's Indian experience. This was carried -so far, that the Canadian, superstitious like all primitive natures, -soon grew into the persuasion that the Count's life was protected by a -charm, so many times had he seen him emerge victoriously from positions -in which anyone else would have infallibly succumbed. - -At length, nothing appeared to him impossible with such a companion, -and the most extraordinary propositions the Count made him seemed -perfectly feasible, the more so as success crowned all their -enterprises by some incomprehensible charm, and in a way contrary to -all foresight. The Indians, by a strict agreement, had given up all -contests with them, and even avoided any contact: if they perceived -them at any time, all the Redskins, whatever tribe they might belong -to, treated the Count with the utmost deference, and addressed him with -an expression of terror mingled with love, the explanation of which the -hunter sought in vain, for none of the Indians could or would give it. - -This state of things had lasted for six months up to the moment when we -saw the three men breakfasting on the banks of the Mississippi. We will -now take up our story again at the point where we left it, terminating -our explanation, which was indispensable for the right comprehension of -what follows. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A TRAIL DISCOVERED. - - -Our friends would probably have remained for a long time plunged in -their present state of beatitude had not a slight sound in the river -suddenly recalled them to the exigencies of their position. - -"What's that?" the Count said, flipping off the ash from his cigar. - -Bright-eye glided among the shrubs, looked for a moment, and then -calmly returned to his seat. - -"Nothing," he said; "two alligators sporting in the mud." - -"Ah!" the Count said. There was a moment's silence, during which the -hunter mentally calculated the length of the shadow of the trees on the -ground. - -"It is past midday," he said. - -"You think so," the young man remarked. - -"No; I am sure of it, sir Count." - -"Confound you! you are at it again," the young man said with a smile. -"I have told you to call me by my Christian name; but if you do not -like that, call me like the Indians." - -"Nay!" the hunter objected. - -"What is the name they gave me, Bright-eye? I have forgotten." - -"Oh! I should not like, sir--" - -"Eh?" - -"Edward, I meant to say." - -"Come, that is better," the young man remarked laughingly; "but I must -beg of you to repeat the nickname." - -"They call you 'Glass-eye.'" - -"Oh, yes! that's it;" the Count continued his laugh. "Only Indians -could have such an idea as that." - -"Oh," Bright-eye went on, "the Indians are not what you suppose them; -they are as crafty as the demon." - -"Come, stop that, Bright-eye; I always suspected you of having a -weakness for the Redskins." - -"How can you say that, when I am their obstinate enemy, and have been -fighting them for the last forty years?" - -"That is the very reason that makes you defend them." - -"How so?" the hunter said, astonished at this conclusion, which he was -far from expecting. - -"For a very simple reason. No one likes to contend with enemies -unworthy of him, and it is quite natural you should try to elevate -those against whom you have been fighting for forty years." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"Mr. Edward," he said, with a thoughtful air, "the Redskins are people -whom it takes many a long year to know. They possess at once the craft -of the opossum, the prudence of the serpent, and the courage of the -cougar. A few years hence you will not despise them as you do now." - -"My good fellow," the Count objected, "I hope I shall have left the -prairies within a year. I am yearning for a civilized life. I want -Paris, with its opera and balls. No, no; the desert does not suit me." - -The hunter shook his head a second time. Then he continued, with a -mournful accent, which struck the young man, and, as if rather speaking -to himself, than replying to the Count's remarks-- - -"Yes, yes; that is the way with Europeans: when they arrive on the -prairies, they regret civilized life, and the desert is only gradually -appreciated; but when a man has breathed the odours of the savannah, -when during long nights he has listened to the rustling of the wind -in the trees, and the howling of the wild beasts in the virgin -forests--when he has admired that proud landscape which owes nothing to -art, where the hand of God is imprinted at each step in ineffaceable -characters: when he has gazed on the glorious scenes that rise in -succession before him--then he begins by degrees to love this unknown -world, so full of mysteries and strange incidents; his eyes are opened -to the truth, and he repudiates the falsehoods of civilization. At -such a a moment he experiences emotions full of secret charms, and -recognizing no other master save that God, in whose presence he feels -himself so small, he forgets everything to lead a nomadic life, and -remains in the desert, because there alone he feels free, happy--a man, -in a word! Ah, sir, whatever you may say, whatever you may do, the -desert now holds you: you have tasted its joys and its griefs; it will -not allow you to depart so easily--you will not see France again so -speedily--the desert will retain you in spite of yourself." - -The young man had listened with an emotion for which he could not -account, to this long harangue. In his heart he recognized, through the -hunter's exaggeration, the justice of his reasoning, and felt startled -at being compelled to allow him to be in the right. Not knowing what -to reply, or feeling that he was beaten, the Count suddenly turned the -conversation. - -"Hum!" he began, "I think you said it was past twelve?" - -"About a quarter past," the hunter answered. - -The Count consulted, his watch. - -"Quite right," he said. - -"Oh!" the hunter continued, pointing to the sun, "that is the only true -clock; it never goes too fast or too slow, for Heaven regulates it." - -The young man bowed his head affirmatively. - -"We will start," he said. - -"For what good at this moment?" the Canadian asked. "We have nothing -pressing before us." - -"That is true; but are you sure we have not lost our way?" - -"Lost our way!" the hunter exclaimed, with a start of surprise, almost -of anger; "no, no, it is impossible. I guarantee that within a week we -shall be on Lake Itasca." - -"The Mississippi really runs from that lake?" - -"Yes; for, in spite of what is asserted, the Missouri is only the -principal branch of that river: the savants would have done better to -assure themselves of the fact, ere they declared that the Mississippi -and Missouri are two separate rivers." - -"What would you have, Bright-eye?" the Count said, laughingly. "Savants -are the same in all countries; being naturally indolent, they rely -on one another, and hence the infinity of absurdities they put in -circulation with the most astounding coolness." - -"The Indians are never mistaken." - -"That is true; but then the Indians are not savants." - -"No; they see for themselves, and only assert what they are sure of." - -"That is what I meant," the Count replied. - -"If you will listen to me, Mr. Edward, we will remain here a few hours -longer to let the great heat pass off, and when the sun is going down -we will start again." - -"Very good; let us rest then. Ivon appears to be thoroughly of our -opinion, for he has not stirred." - -The Count had risen; before sitting down, he mechanically cast a glance -on the immense plain which lay so calmly and majestically at his feet. - -"Eh!" he suddenly exclaimed, "what is that down there?--look, -Bright-eye." - -The hunter rose and looked in the direction indicated by the Count. - -"Well--do you see nothing?" the young man remarked. - -Bright-eye, with his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glare -of the sun, looked attentively without replying. - -"Well?" the Count said, at the expiration of a moment. - -"We are no longer alone," the hunter answered; "there are men down -there." - -"How men? We have seen no Indian trail." - -"I did not say they were Indians." - -"Hum! I suppose at this distance it would be rather difficult to decide -who they are." - -Bright-eye smiled. - -"You always judge from your knowledge obtained in the civilized world, -Mr. Edward," he answered. - -"Which means--?" the young man said, intensely piqued at the -observation. - -"That you are always wrong." - -"Hang it, my friend! You will allow me to observe, all individuality -apart, that it is impossible at this distance to recognize anybody. -Especially when nothing can be distinguished, save a little white -smoke." - -"Is not that enough? Do you believe that all smoke is alike?" - -"That is rather a subtle distinction; and I confess that to me all -smoke is alike." - -"That's where the error is," the Canadian continued, with great -coolness, "and when you have spent a few years in the prairie you will -not be deceived." - -The Count looked at him attentively, convinced that he was laughing at -him; but the other continued, with the utmost calmness-- - -"What we notice down there is neither the fire of Indians nor of -hunters, but is kindled by white men, not yet accustomed to a desert -life." - -"Perhaps you will have the goodness to explain." - -"I will do so, and you will soon allow that I am correct. Listen, Mr. -Edward, for this is important to know." - -"I am listening, my good fellow." - -"You are not ignorant," the hunter continued imperturbably, "that what -is conventionally called the desert is largely populated." - -"Quite true," the young man said, smiling. - -"Good; but the enemies most to be feared in the prairies are not wild -beasts so much as men; the Indians and hunters are so well aware of -this fact that they try as much as possible to destroy all traces of -their passage and hide their presence." - -"I admit that." - -"Very good; when the Redskins or the hunters are obliged to light a -fire, either to prepare their food or ward off the cold, they select -most carefully the wood they intend to burn, and never employ any but -dry wood." - -"Hum! I do not see the use of that." - -"You will soon understand me," the hunter continued; "dry wood only -produces a bluish smoke, which is difficult to detect from the sky, and -this renders it invisible at a short distance; while on the other hand, -green wood, through its dampness, produces a white dense smoke, which -reveals for a long distance the presence of those who kindle it. This -is the reason why, by a mere inspection of that smoke, I told you just -now that the people down there were white men, and strangers, moreover, -to the prairie, else they would have employed dry wood." - -"By Jove," the young man exclaimed, "that is curious, and I should like -to convince myself." - -"What do you intend doing?" - -"Why, go and see who are the people that have lighted the fire." - -"Why disturb yourself, since I have told you?" - -"That is possible; but what I propose doing is for my personal -satisfaction; since we have been living together you have told me such -extraordinary things, that I should like, once in a way, to know what -faith to place in them." - -And not listening to the Canadian's observations, the young man aroused -his servant. - -"What do you want, my lord?" the latter said, rubbing his eyes. - -"The horses, and quickly too, Ivon." - -The Breton rose and bridled the horses; the Count leaped into the -saddle; the hunter imitated him, though shaking his head; and the three -trotted down the hill. - -"You will see Mr. Edward," Bright-eye said, "that I was in the right." - -"I am certain of it; still I should like to judge for myself." - -"If that is the case, allow me to go in front; for, as we do not know -with what people we may have to deal, it is as well to be on our guard." - -The Canadian headed the party. The fire the Count had seen from the top -of the hill was not so near as he supposed, the hunter was incessantly -compelled to get out of the way of dense thickets which barred the way, -and this lengthened the distance; so that they took nearly two hours -in reaching the spot they were steering for. When they had at length -arrived within a short distance of the fire which had so perplexed -M. de Beaulieu, the Canadian stopped, making his companions a sign -to imitate him. When they had done so, Bright-eye got down, gave his -horse's bridle to Ivon, and taking his rifle in his hand, said, "I am -going on a voyage of discovery." - -"Go," the young man replied, laconically. - -The Count was a man of tried courage; but since he had been in the -prairie he had learned one thing, that courage without prudence is -madness in the presence of enemies who never act without calling craft -and treachery to their aid; hence, gradually renouncing his chivalrous -ideas, he was beginning to adopt the habits of the desert, knowing very -well that in an ambuscade the advantage nearly always remains with the -man who first discovers the enemies whom chance may bring in his way. -The Count, therefore, patiently awaited the hunter's return, who had -silently glided among the trees, and disappeared in the direction of -the fire. At the end of about an hour the shrubs shook, and Bright-eye -reappeared at a point opposite to that where he had started. The old -wood ranger had been considerably bothered by the apparition of the -distant fire which the Count pointed out to him from the top of the -hill. So soon as he was alone, putting in practice the axiom, that the -shortest road from one point to another is a curved line, the truth of -which is proved in the prairie, he had taken a wide circuit, in order -to come, if it were possible, on the trail of the men he wished to -observe, and from it discover who they really were. - -In the desert, the meeting most feared is that with man. Every stranger -is at first an enemy, and hence persons generally accost each other at -a distance, with the barrel of the gun advanced, and the finger on the -trigger. With that infallible glance the experience of the savannahs -had given him, Bright-eye had noticed from a distance a place where the -grass was laid, and the strangers must have passed along that road. -The hunter, still bent down to escape observation, soon found himself -on the edge of a track about four feet wide, the end of which was lost -in a virgin forest a short distance ahead. After stopping a minute, to -recover his breath, the Canadian placed the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and began carefully studying the traces so deeply imprinted on -the plain. His investigation did not last ten minutes; then he raised -his head with a smile, threw his rifle on his shoulder, and quietly -returned to the spot where he had left his companions, not even taking -the trouble to go to the fire. This brief examination had told him all -he wished to know. - -"Well, Bright-eye, any news?" the Count asked, on noticing him. - -"The people, whose fire we perceived," the hunter replied, "are -American emigrants, pioneers who wish to set up their tent in the -desert. The family is composed of six persons--four men and two women; -they have a waggon to carry their baggage, and have with them a large -number of beasts." - -"Mount your horse, Bright-eye, and let us go and welcome these worthy -people to the desert." - -The hunter remained motionless and thoughtful, leaning on his rifle. - -"Well," the Count said, "did you not hear me, my friend?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward, I perfectly understood you; but among the traces left -by the emigrants I discovered others which appeared to me suspicious, -and I should like, before venturing into their camp, to beat up the -neighbourhood." - -"What traces do you allude to?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Well," the hunter went on, "you know that, rightly or wrongly, the -Redskins claim to be kings of the prairies, and will not endure there -the presence of white men." - -"I consider that they are perfectly right in doing so; since the -discovery of America, the white men have gradually dispossessed them of -their territory, and driven them back on the desert; they are defending -their last refuge, and are justified in doing so." - -"I am perfectly of your opinion, Mr. Edward; the desert ought to -belong to the hunters and the Indians; unfortunately the Americans do -not think so, and they daily quit their cities and proceed into the -interior, establishing themselves here and there, and confiscating to -their benefit the most fertile countries, and those richest in game." - -"What can we do, my good friend?" the Count answered, with a smile; -"it is an irremediable evil, which we must put up with; but I cannot -yet see where you wish to arrive with these reflections, which, though -extremely just, do not appear to me exactly suited to the occasion; so -pray have the goodness to explain your meaning." - -"I will do so. Well, I noticed, by certain signs, that the emigrants -are closely followed by a party of Indians, who probably only await a -favourable moment to attack and massacre them." - -"The deuce!" the young man said; "that is serious of course you warned -these worthy people of the danger that threatens them." - -"I--not at all. I have not spoken to them, nor even seen them." - -"What! you have not seen them?" - -"No; so soon as I recognized the Indian sign, I hurried back to consult -with you." - -"Very good; but as you did not go to their camp, how were you able to -give me such precise information about them and their number?" - -"Oh, very easily," the hunter answered simply; "the desert is a book -entirely written by the hand of God, and it cannot hide its secrets -from a man accustomed to read it. I needed only to look at the trail -for a few minutes to divine everything." - -The Count fixed on the hunter a glance of surprise. Though he had -been living in the prairie for more than six months, he could not yet -understand the species of divination with which the hunter seemed -gifted, with reference to facts that were to himself as a dead letter. - -"Perhaps, though," he said, "the Indians whose trail you detected are -harmless hunters." - -Bright-eye shook his head. - -"There are no harmless hunters among the Indians, especially when they -are on the trail of white men. These Indians belong to three plundering -tribes which I am surprised to see united; they doubtlessly meditate -some extraordinary expedition, in which the massacre of these emigrants -will be one of the least interesting episodes." - -"Who are these Indians? Do you think they are numerous?" - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"The party I discovered is probably only the vanguard of a more -numerous band," he answered; "as far as I could judge, there were not -more than forty; but the Redskin warriors march with the speed of the -antelope, and they can hardly ever be counted; the party is composed of -Comanches, Blackfeet, and Sioux; that is to say, the three most warlike -tribes in the prairie." - -"Hum!" the Count remarked, after a moment's reflection, "if these -demons really mean to attack the Americans, as everything leads us to -suppose, the poor fellows appear to be in an awkward position." - -"Unless a miracle occur, they are lost," the hunter said, concisely. - -"What is to be done--how to warn them?" - -"Mr. Edward, take care what you are going to do." - -"Still we cannot allow men of our own colour to be murdered almost in -our presence; that would be cowardly." - -"Yes; but it would be astounding folly to join them; reflect that there -are only three of us." - -"I know it," the young man said, thoughtfully; "still I would never -consent to abandon these poor people without trying to defend them." - -"Stay, there is only one thing to be done, and perhaps Heaven will come -to our aid." - -"Come, be brief, my friend, time presses." - -"In all probability, the Indians have not yet discovered our trail, -although they must be a short distance from us. Let us, then, return to -the spot where we breakfasted, and which commands the entire prairie. -The Indians never attack their enemy before four in the morning; as -soon as they attempt their attack on the emigrants, we will fall on -their rear; surprised by the sudden aid given the Americans, it is -possible they will fly, for the darkness will prevent them counting us, -and they will never suppose that three men were so mad as to make such -an attack upon them." - -"By Jove!" the Count said, laughing, "that is a good idea of yours, -Bright-eye, and such as I expected from so brave a hunter as yourself; -let us hurry back to our observatory, so as to be ready for every -event." - -The Canadian leaped on his horse, and the three men retraced their -steps. But, according to his custom, Bright-eye, who was apparently a -sworn foe to a straight line, made them describe an infinite number of -turnings, to throw out any person whom accident brought on their track. - -They arrived at the top of the hill just at the moment the sun was -disappearing beneath the horizon. The evening breeze was rising, and -beginning to agitate the tops of the great trees with mysterious -murmurs. The howling of the tigers and cougars was already mingled -with the lowing of the elks and buffaloes, and the sharp yelping of the -red wolves, whose dusky outlines appeared here and there on the river -bank. The sky grew more and more gloomy, and the stars began dotting -the vault of heaven. - -The three hunters sat down carelessly on the top of the hill, at the -same spot they had left a few hours previously with the intention of -never returning, and made preparations for supper,--preparations which -did not take long, for prudence imperiously ordered them not to light -a fire, which would have at once revealed their presence to the unseen -eyes which were, at the moment, probably surveying the desert in every -direction. While eating a few mouthfuls of pemmican, they kept their -eyes fixed on the camp of the emigrants, whose fire was perfectly -visible in the night. - -"Oh Lord!" Bright-eye said, "those people are ignorant of the first law -of the desert, else they would guard against lighting a fire which the -Indians can see for ten leagues round." - -"Bah! that beacon will guide us where to go to their aid," the Count -said. - -"Heaven grant that it be not in vain." - -The meal over, the hunter invited the Count and his servant to sleep -for a few hours. - -"For the present," he said, "we have nothing to fear; let me keep watch -for all, as my eyes are accustomed to see in the darkness." - -The Count did not allow the invitation to be repeated; he rolled -himself in his cloak, and lay down on the ground. Two minutes -later, himself and Ivon were sleeping the sleep of the righteous. -Bright-eye took his seat against the trunk of a tree, and lit a pipe -to soothe the weariness of his night watch. All at once, he bent -his body forward, placed his ear to the ground, and seemed to be -listening attentively. His practised ear had heard a sound at first -imperceptible, but which seemed to be gradually drawing nearer. - -The hunter silently cocked his rifle, and waited. At the expiration of -about a quarter of an hour there was a slight rustling in the thicket, -the branches parted, and a man made his appearance. - -This man was Natah Otann, the sachem of the Piékanns. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE EMIGRANTS. - - -When he went out on the trail, the hunter's old experience did not -deceive him; and the traces he had followed up were really those of -an emigrant family. As it is destined to play a certain part in our -story, we will introduce it to the reader, and explain, as briefly as -possible, by what chain of events it was at this moment encamped on the -prairies of the Upper Mississippi, or, to speak like the learned, on -the banks of the Missouri. - -The history of one emigrant is that of the mass. All are people who, -burdened by a numerous family, find a difficulty in rendering their -children independent, either through the bad quality of the land they -cultivate, or because, in proportion as the population increases, the -land, in the course of a few years, gains an excessive value. - -The Mississippi has become during the last few years the highway of -the world. Every vessel that enters on its waters brings the new -establishments the means of supplying themselves, either by barter or -for money, with the chief commodities of existence. Thus the explorers -have spread along both banks of the river, which have become the -highways of emigration, by the prospect they offer the pioneers of -possessing fine estates, and holding them a number of years, without -the troublesome process of paying rent. - -The word "country," in the sense we attach to it in Europe, does not -exist for the North American. He is not, like our rustics, attached, -from father to son, to the soil which has been the cradle of his -family. He is only attached to the land by what it may bring him -in; but when it is exhausted by too large a crop, and the colonist -has tried in vain to restore its primitive fertility, his mind is -speedily made up. He disposes of things too troublesome or expensive -to transport; only keeps what is absolutely necessary, as servants, -horses, and domestic utensils; says good-bye to his neighbours, who -press his hand as if the journey he is about to undertake is the -simplest matter in the world, and at daybreak, on a fine spring -morning, he gaily sets out, turning a parting and careless glance at -that country where he and his family have lived so long. His thoughts -are already directed forward; the past no longer exists for him, the -future alone smiles on him and sustains his courage. - -Nothing is so simple, primitive, and at the same time picturesque, as -the departure of a family of pioneers. The horses are attached to the -wagons, already laden with the bed furniture and the younger children, -while on the other side are fastened the spinning wheels, and swaying -behind, a skin filled with tallow and pitch. The axes are laid in the -bottom of the cart, and cauldrons and pots roll about pell-mell in the -horses' trough; the tents and provisions are securely fastened under -the vehicle, suspended by ropes. Such is the moveable estate of the -emigrant. The eldest son, or a servant, bestrides the first horse, -the pioneer's wife sits on the other. The emigrant and his sons, with -shouldered rifles, walk round the wagon, sometimes in front, sometimes -behind, followed by their dogs, touching up the oxen and watching over -the common safety. - -Thus they set out, travelling by short stages through unexplored -countries and along frightful roads, which they are generally -compelled themselves to make: braving cold and heat, rain and snow, -striving against Indians and wild beasts, seeing at each spot almost -insurmountable difficulties rising before them: but nothing, stops the -emigrants, no peril can check them, no impossibility discourage them. -They march on thus for whole months, keeping intact in their hearts -that faith in their luck which nothing shakes, until they at length -reach a site which offers them those conditions of comfort which they -have sought so long. - -But, alas! how many families that have left the cities of America -full of hope and courage have disappeared, leaving no other trace of -their passage of the prairie than their whitened bones and scattered -furniture. The Indians, ever on the watch at the entrance of the -desert, attack the caravans, mercilessly massacre the pioneers, and -carry off into slavery their wives and daughters, avenging themselves -on the emigrants for the atrocities to which they have been victims -during so many centuries, and continuing, to their own profit, that -war of extermination which the white men inaugurated on their landing -in America, and which, since that period, has gone on uninterruptedly. - -John Black belonged to the class of emigrants we have just described. -One day, about four months previously, he quitted his house, which was -falling to ruins, and loading the little he possessed on a cart, he -set out, followed by his family, consisting of his wife, his daughter, -his son, and two menservants who had consented to follow his fortunes. -Since that period they had not stopped. They had marched boldly -forward, cutting their way by the help of their axes through the virgin -forests, and determined on traversing the desert, until they found a -spot favourable for the establishment of a new household. - -At the period when our story takes place, emigration was much rarer -than it is at present, when, owing to the recent discovery of -auriferous strata in California and on the Fraser River, an emigration -fever has seized on the masses with such intensity, that the old world -is growing more and more depopulated, to the profit of the new. Gold is -a magnet whose strength attracts, without distinction, young or old, -men or women, by the hope, too often deceived, of acquiring in a little -time, at the cost of some slight fatigue, a fortune; which, however, -rarely compensates for the labour undergone in its collection. - -It was, therefore, unusual boldness on the part of John Black thus to -venture, without any possible aid, into a country hitherto utterly -unexplored, and of which the Indians were masters. Mr. Black was -born in Virginia: he was a man of about fifty, of middle height, but -strongly built, and gifted with uncommon vigour; and, although his -features were very ordinary, his face had a rare expression of firmness -and resolution. - -His wife, ten years younger than himself, was a gentle and holy -creature, on whose brow fatigue and alarm had long before formed deep -furrows, beneath which, however, a keen observer could have still -detected traces of no ordinary beauty. - -William Black, the emigrant's son, was a species of giant of more than -six feet in height, aged two-and-twenty, of Herculean build, and whose -jolly, plump face, surrounded by thick tufts of hair of a more than -sandy hue, breathed frankness and joviality. - -Diana, his sister, formed a complete contrast with him. She was a -little creature, scarce sixteen years of age, with eyes of a deep -blue like the sky, apparently frail and delicate, with a dreamy brow -and laughing mouth, which belonged both to woman and angel; and whose -strange beauty seduced at the first glance and subjugated at the -first word that fell from her rosy lips. Diana was the idol of the -family--the cherished idol, that everyone adored, and who, by a word -or a glance, could command the obedience of the rude natures that -surrounded her, and who only seemed to live that they might satisfy her -slightest caprices. - -Sam and James, the two labourers, were worthy Kentucky rustics, of -extraordinary strength, and who concealed a great amount of cunning -beneath their simple and even slightly silly aspect. These two young -fellows, one of whom was twenty-six, the other hardly thirty, had grown -up in John Black's house, and had vowed to him an unbounded devotion, -of which they had furnished proofs several times since the journey -began. - -When John left his house to go in search of a more fertile country, -he proposed to these two men to leave him, not wishing to expose them -to the dangers of the precarious life which was about to begin for -himself; but both shook their heads negatively, replying to all that -was said to them, that it was their duty to follow their master, no -matter whither he went, and they were ready to accompany him to the end -of the world. The emigrant had been obliged to yield to a determination -so clearly expressed, and replied, that as matters were so, they might -follow him. Hence these two honest labourers were not regarded as -servants, but as friends, and treated in accordance. In truth, there -is nothing like a common danger to draw people together; and during -the last four months John Black's family had been exposed to dangers -innumerable. - -The emigrant took with him a rather large number of beasts, which -caused the caravan, despite all the precautions taken, to leave such a -wide trail, as rendered an Indian attack possible at any moment. Still, -up to the present moment, when we pay them a visit, no serious danger -had really menaced them. At times they were exposed to rather smart -alarms; but the Indians had always kept at a respectable distance, and -limited themselves to demonstrations, hostile it is true, but never -followed by any results. - -During the first week of their march, the emigrants, but little versed -in the mode of life of the Redskins, who incessantly prowled round the -party, had been afflicted with the most exaggerated fears, expecting -every moment to be attacked by those ferocious enemies, about whom -they had heard stories which might make the bravest tremble; but, as -so frequently happens, they had grown used to this perpetual threat -of the Indians, and, while taking the strictest precautions for their -safety, they had learned almost to deride the dangers which they had -so much feared at the outset, and felt convinced that their calm and -resolute attitude had produced an effect on the Redskins, and that the -latter would not venture to come into collision with them. - -Still, on this day a vague restlessness had seized on the party: they -had a sort of secret foreboding that a great danger menaced them. The -Indians, who, as we have said, usually accompanied them out of reach -of gunshot, had all at once become invisible. Since their start from -their last camping ground, they had not seen a single one, though they -instinctively suspected that, if the Indians were invisible, they were -not the less present, and possibly in larger numbers than before. -Thus the day passed, sorrowfully and silently for the emigrants: they -marched side by side, eye and ear on the watch, with their fingers on -the trigger, not daring to impart their mutual fears, but (to use a -Spanish expression) having their beards on their shoulders, like men -expecting to be attacked at any moment. Still, the day passed without -the slightest incident occurring to corroborate their apprehensions. - -At sunset, the caravan was at the foot of one of those numerous mounds -to which we have already alluded, and so large a number of which border -the banks of the river at this spot. John Black made a sign to his son, -who drove the cart, to stop, get down, and join him: while the two -females looked around them restlessly, the four men, assembled a few -paces in the rear, were engaged in a whispered conversation. - -"Boys," Mr. Black said to his attentive companions, "the day is ended, -the sun is descending behind the mountains over there, it is time to -think about the night's rest. Our beasts are fatigued; we ourselves -need to collect our strength for tomorrow's labour; I think, though -open to correction, that we should do well to profit by the short time -left us to establish our camp." - -"Yes," James answered, "we have in front of us a hillock, on the top of -which it would be easy for us to take up our quarters." - -"And which," William interrupted him, "we could convert into an almost -impregnable fortress in a few hours." - -"We should have a hard job in getting the wagon up the hill," the -father said, shaking his head. - -"Nonsense," Sam objected, "not so much as you suppose, Master Black; a -little trouble, and we can manage it." - -"How so?" - -"Why," the servant replied, "we need only unload the wagon." - -"That's true; when it's empty, it will be easy to get it to the top of -the hill." - -"Stay," William observed, "do you think, father, that it is really -necessary to take all that trouble? A night is soon spent, and I fancy -we should do well to remain where we are: the position is an excellent -one; it is only a few paces to the river bank, and we can lead our oxen -to water." - -"No; we must not remain here, the place is too open, and we should have -no shelter if the Indians attacked us." - -"The Indians!" the young man said, with a laugh; "why, we have not -seen a single one the whole day." - -"Yes; what you say, William, is correct, the Redskins have disappeared; -but shall I tell you my real thoughts? It is really this disappearance, -which I do not understand, that troubles me." - -"Why so, father?" - -"Because, if they are hiding, they are preparing some ambuscade, and do -not wish us to know the direction where they are." - -"Come, father, do you really believe that?" the young man remarked in a -light tone. - -"I am convinced of it," the emigrant said earnestly. The two servants -bowed their heads in affirmation. - -"You will pardon me, father, if I do not share your opinion," the young -man continued. "For my own part, on the other hand, I feel certain that -these red devils, who have been following us so long, have eventually -understood that they could gain nothing from us but bullets, and, like -prudent men, have given up following us further." - -"No, no; you are mistaken, my son, it is not so." - -"Look ye, father," the young man continued, with a certain amount of -excitement, "allow me to make an observation which, I think, will bring -you over to my way of thinking." - -"Do so, my son; we are here to exchange our opinions freely, and select -the best: the common interest is at stake, and we have to act for the -safety of all: under circumstances so grave as the present, I should -never forgive myself for neglecting good advice, no matter from whom it -came; speak, therefore, without timidity." - -"You know, father," the young man went on, "that the Indians understand -honour differently from ourselves; that is to say, when the success of -an expedition is not clearly proved to them, they have no shame about -resigning it, because what they seek in the first place is profit." - -"I know all that, my son; but I do not see yet what you are driving at." - -"You will soon understand me. For nearly two months, from sunrise, the -moment we set out, to sunset, which is generally the time of our halt, -the Redskins have been following us step by step, and we have been -unable to escape for a single moment these most troublesome neighbours, -who have watched our every movement." - -"That is true," John Black said, "but what do you conclude from that?" - -"A very simple thing: they have seen that we were continually on our -guard, and that if they attempted to attack us, they would be beaten; -hence they have retired, that is all." - -"Unfortunately, William, you have forgotten one thing." - -"What is it?" - -"This: the Indians, generally not so well armed as the white men, are -afraid to attack them, especially when they suppose they shall have to -deal with persons almost as numerous as themselves, and in the bargain, -sheltered behind wagons and bales of merchandise; but that is not at -all the case here: since they have been watching us, the Indians have -had many opportunities of counting us, and have done so long ago." - -"Yes," Sam said. - -"Well, they know that we are only four--they are at least fifty, if -they are not more numerous. What can four men, in spite of all their -courage, effect against such a considerable number of enemies? Nothing, -The Redskins know it, and they will act in accordance; that is, when -the opportunity offers, they will not fail to seize it." - -"But--"--the young man objected. - -"Another consideration to which you have not paid attention," John -Black quietly continued, "is that the Indians, whatever the number of -their enemies may be, never quit them without having attempted, at -least once, to surprise them." - -"In truth," William answered, "that astonishes me on their part: -however, I am of your opinion, father; even if the precautions we -propose taking only serve to reassure my mother and sister, it would be -well not to neglect them." - -"Well spoken, William," the emigrant remarked, "let us therefore set to -work without delay." - -The party broke up, and the four men, throwing their rifles on their -shoulders, began making active preparations for the encampment. Sam -collected the oxen by the aid of the dogs, and led them down to the -river to drink. John, in the meanwhile, went up to the wagon. - -"Well, my love," his wife asked him, "why this halt, and this long -discussion? Has any accident occurred?" - -"Nothing that need at all alarm you, Lucy," the emigrant answered; "we -are going to camp, that is all." - -"Oh, gracious me! I do not know why, but I was afraid lest some -misfortune had happened." - -"On the contrary; we are quieter than we have been for a long time." - -"How so, father?" Diana asked, thrusting her charming face from under -the canvas which concealed her. - -"Those rascally Indians, who frightened us so much, my darling Diana, -have at length made up their minds to leave us; we have not seen a -single one during the whole day." - -"Oh, all the better!" the girl said quickly, as she clapped her dainty -palms together; "I confess that I am not brave, and those frightful Red -men caused me terrible alarm." - -"Well, you will not see them again, I hope," John Black said, gaily; -though while giving his daughter this assurance to appease her fears, -he did not believe a word he uttered. "Now," he added, "have, the -goodness to get down, so that we may unload the wagon." - -"Unload the wagon," the old lady remarked, "why so? - -"It is just possible," the husband answered, anxious not to reveal the -real reason, "that we may remain here a few days, in order to rest the -cattle." - -"Ah, very good," she said; and she got out, followed by her daughter. - -The two ladies had scarce set foot on ground, ere the men began -unloading the wagon. This task lasted nearly an hour. Sam had time -enough to lead the cattle to water, and collect them on the top of the -hill. - -"Are we going to camp, then?" Mrs. Black asked. - -"Yes," her husband answered. - -"Come, Diana," the old lady said. - -The two women packed up some kitchen utensils, and clomb the hill, -where, after lighting the fire, they began preparing supper. So soon as -the cart was unloaded, the two labouring men, aided by William, pushed -it behind, while John Black, at the head of the team, began flogging -the horses. The incline was rather steep, but owing to the vigour of -the horses and the impatience of the men, who at each step laid rollers -behind the wheels, the wagon at last reached the top. The rest was as -nothing, and within an hour the camp was arranged as follows. - -The emigrants formed, with the bales and trees they felled, a large -circle, in the midst of which the cattle were tied up, and then put up -a tent for the two women. When this was effected, John Black cast a -glance of satisfaction around. His family were temporarily protected -from a coup de main--thanks to the manner in which the bales and trees -were arranged, and the party were enabled to fire from under cover on -any enemy that might attack them, and defend themselves a long time -successfully. - -The sun had set for more than an hour before these various preparations -were completed, and supper was ready. The Americans seated themselves -in a circle round the fire, and ate with the appetite of men accustomed -to danger--an appetite which the greatest alarm cannot deprive them of. -After the meal, John Black offered up a prayer, as he did every evening -before going to rest; the others standing, with uncovered heads, -listened attentively to the prayer, and when it was completed, the two -ladies entered the hut prepared for them. - -"And now," Black said, "let us keep a careful watch the night is dark, -the moon rises late, and you are aware that the Indians choose the -morning, the moment when sleep is deepest, to attack their enemies." - -The fire was covered, so that its light should not reveal the exact -position of the camp; and the two servants lay down side by side on the -grass, where they soon fell asleep: while father and son, standing at -either extremity of the camp, watched over the common safety. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE GRIZZLY BEAR. - - -All was calm in the prairie; not a sound disturbed the silence of the -desert. On the sudden appearance of the Indian, whatever the emotion -Bright-eye might feel, it was impossible for Natah Otann to perceive -anything: the hunter's face remained calm, and not a muscle moved. - -"Ah!" he said, "the sachem of the Piékanns is welcome: does he come as -a friend or an enemy?" - -"Natah Otann comes to sit by the fire of the palefaces, and smoke the -calumet with them," the chief replied, casting a searching glance -around him. - -"Good: if the chief will wait a moment, I will light the fire." - -"Bright-eye can light it, the chief will wait: he has come to talk with -the palefaces, and the conversation will be long." - -The Canadian looked fixedly at the Redskin; but the Indian was -impassive like himself, and it was impossible to read anything on his -features. The hunter collected a few handfuls of dry wood, struck a -light, and soon a bright flame sprung up, and illumined the mount. The -Indian drew near the fire, took his calumet from his girdle, and began -grimly smoking. Bright-eye not wishing to remain in any way behindhand, -imitated his every movement with perfectly feigned indifference, and -the two men sat for several moments puffing clouds of smoke at each -other. Natah Otann at length broke the silence. - -"The pale hunter is a warrior," he said; "why does he try to hide -himself like the water rat?" - -Bright-eye did not consider it advisable to reply to this insinuation, -and continued smoking philosophically, while casting a side-glance at -his questioner. - -"The Blackfeet have the eye of the eagle," Natah Otann continued, -"their piercing eyes see all that happens on the prairie." - -The Canadian made a sign of assent, but did not yet reply; the chief -continued:-- - -"Natah Otann has seen the trail of his friends the palefaces, his heart -quivered with pleasure in his breast, and he has come to meet them." - -Bright-eye slowly removed his pipe from his lips, and turning towards -the Indian, examined him carefully for an instant, and then answered-- - -"I repeat to my brother that he is welcome: I know that he is a great -chief, and am happy to see him." - -"Wah!" the Indian said, with a cunning smile: "is my brother so -satisfied as he says at my presence?" - -"Why not, chief?" - -"My brother is angry still that the Blackfeet fastened him to the stake -of torture." - -The Canadian shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and coldly -answered:-- - -"Nonsense, chief! why do you fancy I am angry with you or your nation? -war is war; I have no reproaches to make to you. You wished to kill me, -I escaped; so we are quits." - -"Good: does my brother speak the truth? has he really forgotten?" the -chief asked with some vivacity. - -"Why not?" the Canadian answered cautiously. "I have not a forked -tongue, the words my mouth utters come from my heart: I have not -forgotten the treatment you made me undergo, I should lie if I said so: -but I have forgiven it." - -"_Ochi_! my brother is a greatheart: he is generous." - -"No: I am merely a man who knows Indian customs, that is all: you -did no more and no less than all the Redskins do under similar -circumstances: I cannot be angry with you for having acted according to -your nature." - -There was a silence; the two men went on smoking. The Indian was the -first to interrupt it. - -"Then my brother is a friend," he said. - -"And you?" the hunter asked, answering one question by another. - -The chief rose with a gesture full of majesty, and threw back the folds -of his buffalo robe. - -"Would an enemy come like this?" he asked, in a gentle voice. - -The Canadian could not repress a movement of surprise; the Blackfoot -was unarmed, his girdle was empty: he had not even his scalping -knife,--that weapon from which the Indians part so unwillingly. -Bright-eye offered him his hand. - -"Shake hands, chief," he said to him. "You are a man of heart: now -speak, I am listening to you: and, in the first place, will you have a -draught of firewater?" - -"The firewater is an evil counsellor," the chief replied, with a smile; -"it makes the Indians mad: Natah Otann does not drink it." - -"Come, come, I see that I was mistaken with regard to you, chief; that -pleases me: speak, my ears are open." - -"What I have to say to Bright-eye other ears must not listen to." - -"My friends are in a deep sleep, you can speak without fear; and even -if they were awake, as you know, they do not understand your language." - -The Indian shook his head. - -"Glass-eye knows everything," he replied, "the Grizzly Bear will not -speak before him." - -"As you please, chief: still, I would remark that I have nothing to say -to you: you can speak, therefore, or be silent at your ease." - -Natah Otann seemed to hesitate for an instant, and then continued:-- - -"Bright-eye will follow his friend to the river bank, and there listen -to the words of the Blackfoot chief." - -"Hum!" the hunter said, "and who will watch over my companions during -my absence? No, no," he added, "I cannot do that, chief. The Redskins -have the cunning of the opossum: while I am near the river, my friends -may be surprised. Who will respond for their safety?" - -The Indian rose. - -"The word of a chief," he said, in a proud voice, and with a gesture -full of majesty. - -The Canadian looked at him attentively. "Listen, Redskin," he said to -him, "I do not doubt your honour, so do not take in ill part what I am -going to say to you." - -"I listen to my brother," the Indian answered. - -"I must watch over my companions. Since you insist on speaking to me in -secret, I consent to follow you, but on one condition, that I do not -lay aside my weapons; in that way, should one of those things happen, -which are too common in the prairie, and which no human foresight can -prevent, I shall be able to face the danger and sell my life dearly: if -what I propose suits you, I am ready to follow you; if not, not." - -"Good," the Indian said, with a smile, "my pale brother is right, a -true hunter never quits his weapons. Bright-eye may follow his friend." - -"Very well, then," the Canadian said, resolutely, as he threw his rifle -on his shoulder. - -Natah Otann began descending the hill. While gliding noiselessly -through the shrubs and thickets, the Canadian walked literally in his -footsteps; but though pretending the most perfect security, he did -not omit carefully examining the vicinity, and lending an ear to the -slightest sound, but all was calm and silent in the desert, and after -some ten minutes' walk the two men reached the riverside. - -The Mecha-Chebe rolled its waters majestically in a bed of golden -sand, while at times a few vague shadows appeared on the bank: they -were wild beasts coming to drink in the river. Two leagues from them, -at the top of the hill, sparkled the last flames of an expiring fire, -which appeared at intervals between the branches. Natah Otann stopped -at the extremity of a species of small promontory, the point of which -advanced some distance into the water. This spot was entirely free from -vegetation: the eye could survey the prairie for a great distance, and -detect the slightest movement in the desert. - -"Does this place suit the hunter?" the chief asked. - -"Capitally," Bright-eye replied, resting the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and crossing his hands over the muzzle: "I am ready to hear the -communication my brother wishes to make me." - -The Indian walked up and down the sand with folded arms and drooping -head, like a man who is reflecting deeply. The hunter followed him -with his glance, waiting calmly, till he thought proper to offer an -explanation. It was easy to see that Natah Otann was ripening in his -brain one of those bold projects such as Indians frequently imagine, -but knew not how to enter upon it. The hunter resolved to put a stop to -this state of things. - -"Come," he said, "my brother has made me leave my camp; he invited me -to follow him; I consented to do so: now that, according to his desire, -we are free from human ears, will he not speak, so that I may return to -my companions?" - -The Indian stopped before him. - -"My brother will remain," he said; "the hour is come for an explanation -between us. My brother loves Glass-eye?" - -The hunter regarded his querist craftily. - -"What good of that question?" he asked: "it must be a matter of -indifference to the chief whether I love or not the man he pleases to -call Glass-eye." - -"A chief never loses his time in vain discourses," the Indian said, -peremptorily; "the words his lips utter are always simple, and go -straight to the point; let my brother then answer as clearly as I -interrogate him." - -"I see no great inconvenience in doing so. Yes, I love Glass-eye; I -love him not only because he saved my life, but because he is one of -the most honourable men I ever met." - -"Good! for what purpose does Glass-eye traverse the prairie? My brother -doubtlessly knows." - -"My faith, no! I confess to you, chief, my ignorance on that head is -complete. Still, I fancy that, wearied with the life of cities, he has -come here with no other object than to calm his soul by the sublime -aspect of nature, and the grand melodies of the desert." - -The Indian shook his head; the hunter's metaphysical ideas and poetic -phrases were so much Hebrew to him, and he did not understand them. - -"Natah Otann," he said, "is a chief, he has not a forked tongue; the -words he utters are as clear as the blood in his veins. Why does not -the hunter speak his language to him?" - -"I answer your questions, chief, and that is all. Do you fancy that I -would go out of my way to interrogate my friend as to his intentions? -They do not concern me; I have no right to seek in a man's heart for -the motive of his actions." - -"Good! my brother speaks well; his head is grey, and his experience -long." - -"That is possible, chief; at any rate you and I are not on such -friendly terms that we should exchange our thoughts without some -restriction, I fancy; you have kept me here for an hour without saying -anything, so it is better for us to separate." - -"Not yet." - -"Why not? Do you imagine I am like you, and that instead of sleeping o' -nights as an honest Christian should do, I amuse myself with rushing -about the prairie like a jaguar in search of prey?" - -The Indian began laughing. - -"Wah!" he said, "my brother is very clever; nothing escapes him." - -"By Jingo! there is no great cleverness in guessing what you are doing -here." - -"Good! then let my brother listen." - -"I will do so, but on the condition that you lay aside once for all -those Indian circumlocutions in which you so adroitly conceal your real -thoughts." - -"My brother will open his ears, the words of his friend will reach his -heart." - -"Come, make an end of it." - -"As my brother loves Glass-eye, he will tell him from Natah Otann that -a great danger threatens him." - -"Ah!" the Canadian said, casting a suspicious glance at the other, "and -what may the danger be?" - -"I cannot explain further." - -"Very good," Bright-eye remarked, with a grin, "the information is -valuable, though not very explicit; and pray what must we do to escape -the great danger that menaces us?" - -"My brother will wake his friend, they will mount their horses, and -retire at full speed, not stopping till they have crossed the river." - -"Hum! and when we have done that, we shall have nought more to fear?" - -"Nothing." - -"Only think of that," the hunter said, ironically; "and when ought we -to start?" - -"At once." - -"Better still." Bright-eye walked a few paces thoughtfully; then he -returned, and stood before the chief, whose eyes sparkled in the gloom -like those of a tiger cat, and who followed his every movement. - -"Then," he said, "you cannot reveal to me the reason that forces us to -depart?" - -"No!" - -"It is equally impossible, I suppose, for you to tell me of the nature -of the danger that menaces us?" he went on. - -"Yes." - -"Is that your last word?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation. - -"Very good, as it is so," Bright-eye said all at once, striking the -ground with the butt of his rifle, "I will tell it you." - -"You?" - -"Yes, listen to me carefully; it will not be long, and will interest -you I hope." - -The chief smiled ironically. - -"My ears are open," he said. - -"All the better, for I shall fill them with news which, perhaps, will -not please you." - -"I listen," the impassive Indian repeated. - -"As you said to me a moment back--and the confidence on your part was -useless, for I have known you so long on the prairie--the Redskins have -the eyes of an eagle, and they are birds of prey, whom nothing escapes." - -"Go on." - -"Here I am; your scouts have discovered, as was not difficult, the -trail of an emigrant family; that trail you have been following a -long time so as not to miss your blow; supposing that the moment had -arrived to deal it, you have assembled Comanches, Sioux, and Blackfeet, -all demons of the same breed, in order this very night to attack people -whom you have been watching for so many days, and whose riches you -covet because you suppose them so great---eh?" - -Natah Otann's face revealed no emotion. He remained calm, although -internally restless and furious at having his thoughts so well guessed. - -"There is truth in what the hunter says," he replied, coldly. - -"It is all true," Bright-eye exclaimed. - -"Perhaps; but I do not see in it for what reason I should have come -here to warn my Paleface brother." - -"Ah, you do not see that; very well. I will explain it to you. You -came to seek me, because you are perfectly well aware that Glass-eye, -as you call him, is not the man to allow the crime you meditate to be -committed with impunity in his presence." - -The Blackfoot shrugged his shoulders. "Can a warrior, however brave he -may be, hold his ground against four hundred?" he said. - -"Certainly not," Bright-eye went on; "but he can control them by his -presence, and employ his ascendency over them to compel them to give -up their prospects; and that is what Glass-eye will undoubtedly do, -for reasons of which I am ignorant, for all of you have for him an -incomprehensible respect and veneration, and as you fear lest you -may see him come among you at the first shot fired, terrible as the -destroying angel, you seek to remove him by a pretext, plausible with -anyone else, but which will produce on him no other effect than making -him engage in the affair. Come, is that really all? have I completely -unmasked you? Reply." - -"My brother knows all; I repeat, his wisdom is great." - -"Now, I presume, you have nothing to add? Very well, good night." - -"A moment." - -"What more?" - -"You must." - -"Very well; but make haste." - -"My brother has spoken in his own cause, but not in that of Glass-eye; -let him wake his friend, and impart our conversation to him; mayhap he -is mistaken." - -"I do not believe it, chief," the hunter answered, with a shake of his -head. - -"That is possible," the Indian persisted; "but let my brother do as I -have asked him." - -"You lay great stress on it, chief!" - -"Great." - -"I do not wish to vex you about such a trifle. Well! you will soon -allow that I was right." - -"Possibly; I will await my brother's reply for half an hour." - -"Very good; but where shall I bring it to you?" - -"Nowhere!" the Indian exclaimed, sharply. "If I am right, my brother -will imitate the cry of the magpie twice; if I am mistaken, it will be -that of the owl." - -"Very good, that's agreed; you shall soon hear, chief." - -The Indian bowed gracefully. - -"May the Wacondah be with my brother!" he said. - -After this courteous salutation, the two men parted. The Canadian -carelessly threw his rifle on his shoulder, and stalked back to his -camp, while the Indian followed him with his glance, apparently -remaining insensible; but as soon as the hunter had disappeared, the -chief lay down in the sand, glided along in the shade like a serpent, -and in his turn disappeared amid the bushes, following the direction -taken by Bright-eye, though at a considerable distance. - -The latter did not fancy himself followed; he therefore paid no -attention to what went on around him, and regained his camp without -noticing anything of an extraordinary nature. Had not the Canadian -been preoccupied, and his old experience lulled to sleep for the -moment, he would have certainly perceived, with that penetration -which distinguished him, that the desert was not in its usual state -of tranquillity: he would have felt unusual tremors in the leaves, -and possibly have seen eyes flashing in the shade of the tall grass. -He soon reached the camp where the Count and Ivon were sleeping -profoundly. Bright-eye hesitated a few seconds ere awakening the young -man whose sleep was so peaceful; still, reflecting that the least -imprudence might entail terrible consequences, whose result it was -impossible to calculate, he bent over him, and gently touched his -shoulder. Though the touch was so slight, it sufficed to wake the -Count; he opened his eyes, sat up, and looking at the old hunter-- - -"Is there anything fresh, Bright-eye?" he asked. - -"Yes, Sir Count," the Canadian replied, seriously. - -"Oh, oh, how gloomy you are, my good fellow," the young man said, with -a laugh. "What's the matter then?" - -"Nothing, yet; but we may soon have a row with the Redskins." - -"All the better, for that will warm us, as it is horribly cold," he -replied, shivering. "But how do you know the fact?" - -"During your sleep I received a visitor." - -"Ah?" - -"Yes." - -"And who was the person who selected such an important moment to pay -you a visit?" - -"The sachem of the Blackfeet." - -"Natah Otann?" - -"Himself." - -"Upon my word, he must be a somnambulist, to amuse himself by walking -about the desert at night." - -"He does not walk, he watches." - -"Oh, I am in a bother; so keep me no longer in suspense; tell me what -passed between you. Natah Otann is not the man to put himself out of -the way without strong reasons, and I am burning to know them." - -"You shall judge." - -Without any further preface, the hunter described in its fullest -details the conversation he had with the chief. - -"By Jove! that's serious," the Count said when Bright-eye had ended -his story. "This Natah Otann is a gloomy scoundrel, whose plans you -fully penetrated, and you behaved splendidly in answering him so -categorically. For what has this villain taken me? Does he fancy, I -wonder, that I shall act as his accomplice? Let him dare to attack -those poor devils of emigrants down there, and by the saints, I swear -to you, Bright-eye, that blood will be shed between us, if you help me." - -"Can you doubt it?" - -"No, my friend, I thank you; with you and my coward of an Ivon, I shall -manage to put them to flight." - -"Is my lord calling me?" the Breton asked, raising his head. - -"No, no, Ivon, my good fellow; I only say that we shall soon have some -fighting." - -The Breton emitted a sigh, and muttered, as he lay down again,-- - -"Ah! if I had as much courage as I possess goodwill; but alas! as you -know, I am a wonderful coward, and I shall prove more harm to you than -good." - -"You will do all you can, my friend, and that will be sufficient." - -Ivon sighed in reply. Bright-eye had listened laughingly to this -colloquy. The Breton still possessed the privilege of astonishing him, -for he did not at all comprehend his singular organization. The Count -turned towards him. - -"So it is settled?" he said. - -"Settled," the hunter answered. - -"Then give the signal; my friend." - -"The owl, I suppose?" - -"By Jove!" the Count said. - -Bright-eye raised his fingers to his mouth, and, as had been agreed -with Natah Otann, imitated twice the cry of the owl, with rare -perfection. Hardly had the echo of the last cry died away, than a great -rumour was heard in the bushes, and, before the three men had time to -put themselves in a posture of defence, some twenty Indians rushed upon -them, disarmed them in a twinkling, and reduced them to a state of -utter defencelessness. The Count shrugged his shoulders, leant against -a tree, and, thrusting his glass in his eye, said,--- - -"This is very funny." - -"Well, I can't see the point of the joke," muttered Ivon, in a grand -aside. - -Among the Indians, whom it was easy to recognize as Blackfeet, was -Natah Otann! After removing the weapons of the white men, so that they -could not attempt a surprise this time, he walked towards the hunter. - -"I warned Bright-eye," he said. - -The hunter smiled contemptuously. - -"You warned us after the fashion of Redskins," he replied. - -"What does my brother mean?" - -"I mean that you warned us of a danger that threatened us, and not that -you intended treachery." - -"It is the same thing," the Indian replied, with utter calmness. - -"Bright-eye, my friend, do not argue with those scoundrels," the Count -said. - -And turning haughtily to the chief,-- - -"Come! what do you want of us?" he asked. - -Since his arrival on the prairie, and through his constant contact with -the Indians the Count had almost unconsciously learned their language, -which he spoke rather fluently. - -"We do not wish to do you any hurt; we only intend to prevent your -interference in our affairs," Natah Otann said respectfully; "we should -be very sorry to have recourse to violent measures." - -The young man burst into a laugh. - -"You are humbugs! I can manage to escape, in spite of you." - -"Let my brother try it." - -"When the moment arrives; as for the present, it is not worth the -trouble!" - -While speaking in this light tone, the young man took his case from -his pocket, chose a cigar, and, pulling out a lucifer match, stooped -down and rubbed it on a stone. The Indians, considerably puzzled by his -movements, followed them anxiously; but suddenly they uttered a yell of -terror, and fell back several paces. The match had caught fire with the -friction; a delicious blue flame sported about its extremity. The Count -carelessly twisted the slight morsel of wood between his fingers, while -waiting till all the sulphur was consumed. He did not notice the terror -of the Indians. - -The latter, with a movement as swift as thought, stooped down, and each -picking up the first piece of wood he found at his feet, all began -rubbing it against the stones. The Count, in amazement, looked at -them, not yet understanding what they were about. Natah Otann seem to -hesitate for a moment; a smile of strange meaning played, rapidly as -lightning, over his gloomy features; but reassuming almost immediately -his cold impassiveness, he took a step forward, and respectfully bowing -before the Count-- - -"My father commands the fire of the sun," he said, with all the -appearance of a mysterious terror, while pointing to the match. - -The young man smiled; he had guessed the secret. - -"Which of you," he said haughtily, "would dare to contend with me?" - -The Indians regarded each other with amazement. These men, so intrepid -and accustomed to brave the greatest dangers, were vanquished by the -incomprehensible power their prisoner possessed. As, while talking -to the chief, the Count had not watched his match, it had gone out -before he could use it, and he threw it away. The Indians rushed upon -it, to assure themselves that the flame was real. Without appearing to -attach any importance to this action, the Count drew a second match -from his box, and renewed his experiment. His triumph was complete; the -Redskins, in their terror, fell at his feet, imploring him to pardon -them. Henceforth he might dare anything. These primitive men, terrified -by the two miracles he had performed, regarded him as a superior being -to themselves, and were completely mastered by him. While Bright-eye -laughed in his sleeve at the Indians' simplicity, the young man -cleverly employed his triumph. - -"You see what I can do," he said. - -"We see it," Natah Otann made answer. - -"When do you intend to attack the emigrants?" - -"When the moon has set, the warriors of the tribe will assault their -camp." - -"And you?" - -"Will guard our brother." - -"So you now fancy that is possible," the Count said, haughtily. - -The Redskins shuddered at the flash of his glance. - -"Our brother will pardon us," the chief replied, submissively; "we only -knew him imperfectly." - -"And now?" - -"Now we know that he is our master, let him command, and we will obey." - -"Take care!" he said, in a tone which made them shudder, "for I am -about to put your obedience to a rude trial." - -"Our ears are open to receive our brother's words." - -"Draw nearer." - -The Blackfeet took a few hesitating steps in advance, for they were not -yet completely reassured. - -"And now listen to me attentively," he said, "and when you have -received my orders, take care to execute them thoroughly." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE STRANGE WOMAN. - - -We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp. As we have said, -Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from -easy in his mind. Although not yet possessed of all the experience -required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing -marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree -of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very -useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse -it. The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he -surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive -the approach of an enemy. - -Father and son were seated by the fire, rising from time to time, in -turn, to cast glances over the desert, and assure themselves that -nothing menaced their tranquillity. Black was a man gifted with an iron -will and a lion's courage; hitherto his schemes had been unsuccessful, -and he had sworn to make himself an honourable position, no matter at -what cost. - -He was the descendant of an old family of squatters. The squatter being -an individuality peculiar to America, and vainly sought elsewhere, we -will describe him as he is, in a few words. On the lands belonging to -the United States, not yet cleared or put up for sale, large numbers -of persons have settled, with the desire of eventually _purchasing_ -their lots. These inhabitants are called squatters. We will not say -that they are the pick of the western emigrants, but we know that, -in certain districts, they have constituted themselves a regular -Government, and have elected magistrates to watch over the execution -of the Draconian laws they have themselves laid down to insure the -tranquillity of the territories they have invaded. But by the side of -these quasi-honest squatters, who bow their necks beneath a yoke that -is often harsh, there is another class of squatters, who understand -the possession of land in its widest sense; that is to say, whenever -they discover, in their vagabond peregrinations, a tract of land that -suits them, they instal themselves there without any further inquiry, -and caring nothing for the rightful owner, who, when he arrives with -his labourers to till his estate, is quite annoyed to find it is in the -hands of an individual who, trusting to the axiom that possession is -nine points of the law, refuses to give it up, and if he insist, drives -him away by means of his rifle and revolver. - -We know a capital story of a gentleman, who, starting from New York -with two hundred labourers, to clear a virgin forest he had purchased -some ten years previously, and never turned to any use, found, on -arriving at his claim, a town of four thousand souls built on the site -of his virgin forest, of which not a tree remained. After numberless -discussions, the said gentleman esteemed himself very fortunate in -being able to depart with a whole skin, and without paying damages to -his despoilers, whom he had momentarily hoped to oust. But there is no -more chance of ousting a squatter, than you can get a dollar out of a -Yankee, when he has once pocketed it. - -John Black belonged to the former of the two classes we have described. -When he reached the age of twenty, his father gave him an axe, a rifle -with twenty charges of powder, and a bowie knife, saying to him-- - -"Listen, boy. You are now tall and strong; it would be a shame for you -to remain longer a burden on me. I have your two brothers to support. -America is large; there is no want of land. Go in God's name, and -never let me hear of you again. With the weapons I give you, and the -education you have received, your fortune will soon be made, if you -like: before all, avoid all disagreeable disputes, and try not to be -hanged." - -After this affectionate address, the father tenderly embraced his son, -put him out of the cabin, and slammed the door in his face. From that -moment John Black had never heard of his father--it is true that he -never tried to obtain any news about him. - -Life had been rough to him at the outset; but owing to his character, -and a certain elasticity of principle, the sole inheritance his family -had given him, he had contrived to gain a livelihood, and bring up his -children without any great privations. Either through the isolation in -which he had passed his youth, or for some other reason we are ignorant -of, Black adored his wife and children, and would not have parted from -them on any account. When fatality compelled him to give up the farm he -occupied, and look for another, he set out gaily, sustained by the love -of his family, no member of which was ungrateful for the sacrifices he -imposed on himself; and he had resolved to go this time so far, that -no one would ever come to dispossess him, for he had been obliged to -surrender his farm to its legitimate proprietor, which he had done on -the mere exhibition of the title deeds, without dreaming of resistance ---a conduct which had been greatly blamed by all his neighbours. - -Black wished to see his family happy, and watched over it with the -jealous tenderness of a hen for its chicks. Thus, on this evening, -an extreme alarm had preyed on him, though he could not explain the -cause: the disappearance of the Indians did not seem to him natural; -everything around was too calm, the silence of the desert too profound: -he could not remain at any one spot, and, in spite of his son's -remarks, rose every moment to take a look over the intrenchments. - -William felt for his father a great affection, mingled with respect: -the state in which he saw him vexed him the more, because there was -nothing to account for his extraordinary restlessness. - -"Good gracious, father!" he said, "do not trouble yourself so much; it -really causes me pain to see you in such a state. Do you suppose that -the Indians would have attacked us by such a moonlight as this? Look, -objects can be distinguished as in broad day; I am certain you might -even read the Bible by the silvery rays." - -"You are right for the present moment, Will. The Redskins are too -crafty to face our rifles during the moonshine; but in an hour the moon -will have set, and the darkness will then protect them sufficiently to -allow them to reach the foot of the barricade unnoticed." - -"Do not imagine they will attempt it, my dear father! Those red devils -have seen us sufficiently close to know that they can only expect a -volley of bullets from us." - -"Hum! I am not of your opinion; our beasts would be riches to them: I -do not wish to abandon them, as we should then be compelled to return -to the plantations to procure others, which would be most disagreeable, -you will allow." - -"It is true; but we shall not be reduced to that extremity." - -"May Heaven grant it, my boy; but do you hear nothing?" - -The young man listened attentively. - -"No," he said, at the end of a moment. - -The emigrant proceeded with a sigh: "I visited the river bank this -morning, and I have rarely seen a spot better suited for a settlement. -The virgin forest that extends behind us would supply excellent -firewood, without reckoning the magnificent planks to be obtained from -it: there are several hundred acres around, which, from their proximity -to the water, would produce, I am certain, excellent crops." - -"Would you feel inclined to settle here, then?" - -"Have you any objection?" - -"I--none at all! provided we can live and work together. I care little -at what place we stop: this spot appears to me as good as another, and -it is far enough from the settlements to prevent our being turned out, -at least for a great number of years." - -"That is exactly my view." - -At this moment a gentle quivering ran along the tall grass. - -"This time I am certain I am not mistaken," the emigrant exclaimed; "I -heard something." - -"And I too!" the young man said, rising quickly, and seizing his rifle. - -The two men hurried to the entrenchments, but they saw nothing of a -suspicious nature: the prairie was still perfectly calm. - -"'Tis some wild beast going down to drink, or returning," Will said, to -reassure his father. - -"No, no," the latter replied, with a shake of the head; "it is not the -noise made by any animal--it was the echo of a man's footfall, I am -convinced." - -"The simplest way is to go and see." - -"Come then." - -The two men resolutely climbed over the intrenchments, and with rifles -outstretched, went round the camp, carefully searching the bushes, and -assuring themselves that no foe lurked in them. - -"Well!" they exclaimed, when they met. - -"Nothing--and you?" - -"Nothing." - -"It is strange," John Black muttered, "and yet the noise was very -distinct." - -"That is true; but I repeat, father, that it was nothing but an animal -leaping somewhere near. In a night so calm as this, the slightest sound -is heard for a great distance; besides, we are now certain that no one -is concealed near us." - -"Let us go back," the emigrant said, thoughtfully. They began climbing -over the entrenchments; but both stopped suddenly, by mutual agreement, -hardly checking a cry of amazement, almost of terror. They had just -perceived a human being, whose outline it was impossible to trace at -such a distance, crouched over the fire. - -"This time I will have it out," the emigrant exclaimed, taking a -prodigious bound into the camp. - -"And I, too," his son murmured, as he followed his example. - -But when they came opposite their strange visitor, their surprise -was redoubled. In spite of themselves, they stopped to gaze on the -stranger, without thinking to ask how he had entered their camp, and by -what right he had done so. - -As far as they could form a judgment, they soon began to consider -the extraordinary being before them--a woman; but years, the mode of -life she led, and perchance cares, had furrowed her face with such a -multitude of cross hatchings, that it was impossible to conjecture her -age, or whether she had formerly been lovely. The large black eyes, -surmounted by thick brows crossing her curved nose, and deep sunk, -flashed with a gloomy fire; her salient and empurpled cheekbones, her -large mouth studded with dazzling teeth, and her thin lips and square -chin, gave her at first an appearance which was far from arousing -sympathy and exciting confidence; while her long black hair, matted -with leaves and grass, fell in disorder on her shoulders. She wore a -costume more suited for a man than a woman. It was composed of a long -robe of buffalo hide, with short sleeves, fastened on the hips by a -girdle bedizened with beads. This robe had the skirt fringed with -feathers, and only came down to the knee. Her _mitasses_ were fastened -round the ankles, and reached slightly above the knee, where they were -held up by garters of buffalo hide. Her _humpis_ or slippers were plain -and unornamented. She wore iron rings on her wrist, two or three bead -collars round her neck, and earrings. From her girdle hung on one side -a powder flask, an axe, and a bowie knife; on the other, a bullet pouch -and a long Indian pipe. Across her knees lay a rather handsome gun, of -English manufacture. - -She was crouching over the fire, which she gazed at fixedly, with her -chin on the palm of her hand. - -On the arrival of the Americans, she did not rise, and did not even -appear to notice their presence. After examining her attentively for -some time, Black walked up, and, tapping her on the shoulder, said-- - -"You are welcome, woman; it seems as if you were cold, and the fire -does not displease you." - -She slowly raised her head on feeling the touch, and, fixing on her -questioner a gloomy glance, in which it was easy to perceive a slight -wildness, she replied in English, in a hollow voice, and with guttural -accent-- - -"The Palefaces are mad; they ever think themselves in their towns; they -forget that in the prairie the trees have ears and the leaves eyes to -see and hear all that is done. The Blackfeet Indians raise their hair -very skilfully." - -The two men looked at each other on hearing these words, whose meaning -they were afraid to guess, though they seemed somewhat obscure. - -"Are you hungry? Will you eat?" John Black continued, "or is it thirst -that troubles you? I can, if you like, give you a good draught of -firewater to warm you." - -The woman frowned. - -"Fire-water is good for Indian squaws," she said, "what good would it -do me to drink it? Others will come who will soon dispose of it. Do you -know how many hours you still have to live?" - -The emigrant shuddered, in spite of himself at this species of menace. - -"Why speak to me thus?" he asked; "have you any cause of complaint -against me?" - -"I care little," she continued. "I am not among the living, since my -heart is dead." - -She turned her head in every direction with a slow and solemn movement, -while carefully examining the country. - -"Stay," she continued, pointing with her lean arm to a mound of grass a -short distance off, "'twas there he fell--'tis there he rests. His head -was cleft asunder by an axe during his sleep--poor James! This spot is -ill-omened: do you not know it? The vultures and the crows alone stay -here at long intervals. Why, then, have you come here? Are you weary of -life? Do you hear them? They are approaching; they will soon be here." - -Father and son exchanged a glance. - -"She is mad. Poor creature!" Black muttered. - -"Yes; that is what they all say on the prairies," she exclaimed, with -some accusation in her voice. "They call me _Ohucahauck Chiké_ (the -evil one of the earth), because they fear me as their evil genius. You, -also, fancy me mad, eh? ah! ah! ah!" - -She burst into a strident laugh, which ended in a sob; she buried -her face in her hands, and wept. The two men felt awed in spite of -themselves; this strange grief, these incoherent words, all aroused -their interest in favour of this poor creature, who appeared so -unhappy. Pity was at work in their hearts, and they regarded her -silently without daring to disturb her. In a few moments she raised her -head, passed the back of her hand over her eyes to dry them, and spoke -again. The wild expression had disappeared; the very sound of her voice -was no longer the same; as if by enchantment, a complete change had -taken place in her. - -"Pardon," she said mournfully, "the extravagant words I have uttered. -The solitude in which I live, and the heavy burden of woe which has -crushed me so long, at times trouble my reason; and then the place -where we now stand reminds me of terrible scenes, whose cruel memory -will never be erased from my mind." - -"Madam, I assure you--," John Black continued, not knowing what he -said, so great was his surprise. - -"Now the fit has passed away." She interrupted him with a gentle -and melancholy smile, which gave her countenance a very different -expression from that the Americans had hitherto remarked; "I have been -following you for the last two days to come to your help; the Redskins -are preparing to attack you--" - -The two men shuddered: and, forgetting all else to think only of the -pressing danger, they cast a restless glance around them. - -"You know it?" Black exclaimed. - -"I know all," she answered; "but reassure yourselves. You have still -two hours ere their horrible war cry will sound in your ears; that is -more than enough to render you safe." - -"Oh! we have good rifles and keen sight," said William, clutching his -weapon in his nervous hands. - -"What can four rifles, however good they may be, do against two or -three hundred tigers thirsting for blood, like those you will have to -fight? You do not know the Redskins, young man." - -"That is true," he answered; "but what is to be done?" - -"Seek a refuge?--where find help in these immense solitudes?" the -father added, casting a despairing glance around him. - -"Did I not tell you I wished to help you?" she said, sharply. - -"Yes; you told us so; but I try in vain to detect of what use you can -be to us." - -She smiled a melancholy smile. - -"It is your good angel that brought you to the spot where you now are. -While I was watching you all the day, I trembled lest you might not -encamp here. Come!" - -The two men, surprised by the ascendancy this strange creature had -gained over them in a few minutes, followed her without reply. After -walking about a dozen steps, she stopped, and turned toward them. - -"Look," she said, stretching out her thin arm in a north-west -direction, "your enemies are there, scarce two leagues off, buried in -the tall grass. I have heard their plans, and was present at their -council, though they little suspected it. They are only waiting for the -moon to set, ere they attack you. You have scarce an hour left." - -"My poor wife!" Black murmured. - -"It is impossible for me to save you all: to fancy it would be madness; -but I can, if you wish it, attempt to save your wife and daughter from -the fate that menaces them." - -"Speak! speak!" - -"This tree, at the foot of which we are now standing, although -apparently possessing all the vigour of youth, is internally hollow, -so that only the bark stands upright. Your wife and daughter, supplied -with some provisions, will get into the tree and remain there in safety -till the danger has passed away. As for ourselves--" - -"As for us," Black quickly interrupted her, "we are men accustomed to -danger: our fate is in the hands of God." - -"Good; but do not despair: all is not lost yet." - -The American shook his head. - -"As you said yourself, what can four men do against a legion of demons -like those who menace us? But that is not the question of the moment. I -do not see the hole by which my wife and daughter can enter the tree." - -"It is twenty to twenty-four feet up, hidden among the branches and -leaves." - -"The Lord be praised! they will be sheltered." - -"Yes; but make haste and warn them, while your son and I make all the -preparations." - -Black, convinced of the necessity of haste, ran off, while the stranger -and William constructed, with that dexterity produced by the approach -of danger, a species of handy ladder, by which the two women could not -merely ascend the tree, but go down into the cavity. Black waked the -ladies, and called the servants; in a few words he explained to them -what was passing; then, loading his wife and daughter with provisions, -furs, and other indispensable objects, he led them to the spot where -the stranger was expecting them. - -"This is my most precious treasure," Black said; "if I save it, I shall -be solely indebted to you." - -The two ladies began thanking their mysterious protectress; but she -imposed silence on them by a peremptory gesture. - -"Presently, presently," she said; "if we escape, we shall have plenty -of time for mutual congratulations; but at this moment we have -something more important to do than exchange compliments. We must get -into a place of safety." - -The two ladies fell back, quite repulsed by this rough reception, while -casting a curious and almost alarmed glance on the strange creature. -But the latter, perfectly stoical, seemed to notice nothing. She -explained in a few clear words the means she had found to conceal them: -recommended them to remain silent in the hollow tree, and then ordered -them to mount. The two ladies, after embracing Black and his son, began -resolutely ascending the rungs of the improvised ladder. They reached -in a few seconds an enormous branch, on which they stopped, by the -orders of the stranger. Black then threw down into the interior of the -tree the furs and provisions, after which the ladder was placed inside, -and the ladies glided through the hole. - -"We leave you the ladder, which is useless to us," the stranger then -said. "But be very careful not to come out till you have seen me again; -the least imprudence, under the circumstances, might cost your lives. -However, keep your minds at rest. Your imprisonment will not be long, a -few hours at the most: so be of good cheer." - -The ladies once again tried to express their gratitude; but, without -listening, the stranger made Black a sign to follow her, and rapidly -descended from the tree. Aided by the Americans, she then began -removing every trace that might have revealed where the ladies were -bestowed. When the stranger had assured herself, by a final glance, -that all was in order, and nothing could betray those who were so -famously hidden, she sighed, and followed by the two men, walked to the -intrenchments. - -"Now," she said, "let us watch attentively around us, for these demons -will probably crawl close up in the shadows. You are free and honest -Americans, show these accursed Indians what you can do." - -"Let them come!" Black muttered hoarsely. - -"They will soon do so," she replied, and pointed to several almost -imperceptible black dots, which, however, grew larger, and were -evidently approaching the encampment. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP. - - -The Redskins have a mode of fighting which foils all the methods -employed by European tactics. In order to understand their system -properly, we must, in the first place, bear in mind that the Indian -idea of honour is different from ours. This understood, the rest may be -easily admitted. The Indians, in undertaking an enterprise, have only -one object--success, and all means are good to attain it. Gifted with -incontestable courage, at times rash to an excess, stopping at nothing, -and recoiling before no difficulty--for all that, when the success -of these enterprises appears to them dubious, and that consequently -the object is missed, they retire as easily as they advanced, not -considering their honour compromised by a retreat, or by leaving the -battlefield to an enemy more powerful than themselves, or well on his -guard. - -Thus, their system of fighting is most simple, and they only proceed by -surprises. The Redskins will follow the enemy's trail for entire months -with unequalled patience, never relaxing their watch for a moment, -spying him night and day, while ever careful not to be themselves -surprised: then, when the occasion at last presents itself, and they -fancy the moment arrived to execute the project, all the chances for or -against which they have so long calculated, they act with a vigour and -fury which frequently disconcert those they attack; but if after the -first onset they are repulsed--if they see that those they attack will -not let themselves be intimidated, and are prepared to resist, then, on -a given signal, they disappear as if by enchantment, and, without any -shame, begin watching again for a more favourable moment. - -Black, on the advice of the stranger, had placed himself and his -party in such positions that they could survey the prairie in every -direction. The stranger and himself were leaning on their rifles in -the angle that faced the river. The prairie at this moment presented -a singular appearance. The breeze, which at sunset had risen with a -certain strength, was gently dying out, scarce bending the tops of the -great trees. The moon, almost departed, only cast over the landscape an -uncertain and timorous gleam, which, in lieu of dissipating the gloom, -only rendered the darkness visible, through the striking contrasts -between the obscurity and the pale and fugitive rays of the declining -planet. - -At times, a dull roar or sharp bark rose in the silence, and, like a -sinister appeal, reminded the emigrant that implacable and ferocious -enemies were on the watch around, although invisible. The purity of the -atmosphere was so great, that the slightest sound could be heard for an -immense distance, and it was easy to distinguish the enormous blocks of -granite that formed black dots on the ground. - -"Do you know for certain that we shall be attacked this night?" the -American asked, in a low voice. - -"I was present at the last council of the chiefs," the unknown replied -distinctly. - -The emigrant bent on her a scrutinising glance, which she recognised, -and immediately understood; she shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. - -"Take care," she said to him, with a certain emphasis, "let not doubt -invade your mind; what interest should I have in deceiving you?" - -"I know not," he replied dreamily "but I also ask myself what interest -you have in defending me?" - -"None; since you place the matter on that footing, what do I care -whether your wealth is plundered, your wife, your daughter, and -yourself scalped? it is a matter of supreme indifference to me; but -must the affair be only regarded from that side? Do you imagine that -material interests have a great weight with me? If that is your -opinion, I shall withdraw, leaving you to get out of your present -position in the best way you can." - -While uttering these words, she had thrown her rifle over her shoulder, -and prepared to climb over the palisade, but Black quickly checked her. - -"You do not understand me," he said; "any man in my place would act as -I do; my position is fearful, you allow it yourself; you entered my -camp, and it is impossible for me to guess how. Still, I have hitherto -put the utmost confidence in you, as you cannot deny; but I do not -know who you are, or what motive causes you to act. Your words, far -from explaining, plunge me, on the contrary, into greater uncertainty; -the safety of my entire family and all I possess is at stake: reflect -seriously on all this, and I defy you to disapprove of my not putting -utter confidence in you, although you are, doubtlessly, deserving of -it, so long as I do not know who you are." - -"Yes," she answered, after a moment's reflection, "you are right, the -world is so, people must first of all give their name and quality; -egotism is so thoroughly the master over the whole surface of the -globe, that even to do a person a service, you require a certificate -of honesty, for no one will admit disinterestedness of heart,--that -aberration of generous minds, which practical people brand as madness. -Unfortunately, you must take me for what I appear, at the risk of -seeing me go away, and hence any confidence on my part would be -superfluous. You will judge me by my acts, the only proof I can and -will give you of the purity of my intentions; you are free to accept or -decline my assistance, and after all is over, you can thank or curse me -at your choice." - -Black was more perplexed than ever; the stranger's explanations only -rendered the fog denser, instead of affording him light. Still, in -spite of himself, he felt himself attracted toward her. After a few -moments of serious reflection, he raised his head, struck his rifle -barrel smartly with his right hand, and looking his companion well in -the face, said in a firm voice,-- - -"Listen, I will no longer try to learn whether you come from God or the -devil; if you are a spy of our enemies, or our devoted friend--events, -as you said, will soon decide the question. But bear this in mind, I -will carefully watch your slightest gesture, your every word. At the -first suspicious word or movement, I will put a bullet through your -head, even if I am killed the moment after. Is that a bargain?" - -The stranger began laughing. - -"I accept," she said. "I recognise the Yankee in that proposition." - -After this, the conversation ceased, and their entire attention was -concentrated on the prairie. The most profound calm still continued -to brood over the desert; apparently, all was in the same state as at -sunset. Still the stranger's piercing eyes distinguished on the river -bank several wild beasts flying precipitately, and others escaping -across the river, instead of continuing to drink. One of the truest -axioms in the desert is:--there can be no effect without a cause. -Everything has a reason in the prairie, all is analysed or commented -on; a leaf does not fall from a tree, a bird fly away, without the -observer knowing or guessing why it has happened. - -After a few moments of profound examination, the stranger seized the -emigrant's arm, and bending down to his ear, said in a weak voice, like -the sighing of the breeze, one word which made him tremble, as she -stretched out her arm in the direction of the plain. - -"Look!" - -Black bent forward. - -"Oh!" he said a minute after, "what is the meaning of this?" - -The prairie, as we have already mentioned, was covered in several -places by blocks of granite and dead trees; singularly enough, these -black dots, at first a considerable distance from the camp, seemed -approaching insensibly, and now were only a short way from it. As it -was physically impossible for rocks and trees to move of their own -accord, there must be a cause for this, which the worthy emigrant, -whose mind was anything but subtle, cudgelled his brains in vain -to guess. This new Birnam Wood, which moved all alone, made him -excessively uncomfortable; his son and servants had also noticed the -same fact, though equally unable to account for it. Black remarked -specially that a tree he remembered perfectly well seeing that same -evening more than one hundred and fifty feet from the mound, had -suddenly come so close, that it was hardly thirty paces off. The -stranger, without evincing any emotion, whispered-- - -"They are the Indians!" - -"The Indians?" he said, "impossible!" - -She knelt behind the palisade, shouldered her rifle, and after taking a -careful aim, pulled the trigger. A flash traversed the darkness, and at -the same moment the pretended tree bounded like a deer. A terrible yell -was raised, and the Redskins appeared, rushing toward the camp like a -herd of wolves, brandishing their weapons, and howling like demons. -The Americans, very superstitious people, reassured by seeing that -they had only to deal with men, when they feared some spell, received -their enemies bravely with a rolling and well-directed fire. Still, -the Indians, probably knowing the small number of white men, did not -recoil, but pushed on boldly. The Redskins were hardly a few yards off, -and were preparing to carry the barricades, when a shot, fired by the -stranger, tolled over an Indian ahead of the rest, at the instant he -turned to his comrades to encourage them to follow him. - -The fall of this man produced an effect which the Americans, who -fancied themselves lost, were far from anticipating. As if by -enchantment, the Indians disappeared, the yells ceased, and the deepest -silence prevailed again. It might be supposed that all that had passed -was a dream. The Americans regarded each other with amazement, not -knowing to what they should attribute this sudden retreat. - -"That is incomprehensible," Black said, after assuring himself by a -hasty glance that none of his party were wounded; "can you explain -that, mistress, you, who seem to be our guardian angel, for it is to -your last shot we owe the rest we at present enjoy?" - -"Ah!" she said, with a sarcastic smile, "you are beginning to do me -justice, then." - -"Do not speak about that," the emigrant said, with an angry voice; "I -am a fool; pardon me, and forget my suspicions." - -"I have forgotten them," she replied. "As for that which astounds you, -it is very simple. The man I killed, or, at any rate, wounded, was an -Indian chief of great reputation; on seeing him fall, his warriors were -discouraged, and they ran to carry him off the field, lest his scalp -should fall into your hands." - -"Oh, oh!" Black said, with a gesture of disgust; "do these Pagans fancy -we are like themselves? No, no! I would kill them to the last man, in -self-defence, and no one could blame me for it; but as for scalping, -that is a different matter. I am an honest Virginian, without a drop of -red blood in my veins. My father's son does not commit such infamy." - -"I approve your remarks," the stranger said, in a sorrowful voice; -"scalping is a frightful torture; unfortunately, many white men on the -prairies do not think like you; they have adopted Indian fashions, and -scalp, without ceremony, the enemies they kill." - -"They are wrong." - -"Possibly; I am far from justifying them." - -"So that," the emigrant joyfully exclaimed, "we are free from these red -devils." - -"Do not rejoice yet; you will soon see them return." - -"What, again?" - -"They have only suspended their attack to carry off their killed and -wounded, and probably to invent some other plan, to get the better of -you." - -"Oh, that will not be difficult; in spite of all our efforts, it will -be impossible for us to resist that flock of birds of prey, who rush on -us from all sides, as on a carcass. What can five rifles effect against -that legion of demons?" - -"Much, if you do not despair." - -"Oh, as for that, you may be easy, we will not yield an inch; we are -resolved to die at our posts." - -"Your bravery pleases me," the stranger said, "perhaps all will end -better than you suppose." - -"May Heaven hear you, my worthy woman." - -"Let us lose no time; the Indians may return to the charge at any -moment, so let us try to be as successful this time as the first." - -"I will." - -"Good! Are you a man of resolution?" - -"I fancy I have proved it." - -"That is true. How many days' provisions have you here?" - -"Four, at the least." - -"That is to say, eight, if necessary." - -"Pretty nearly." - -"Good! Now, if you like, I will get rid of your enemies for a long -time." - -"I ask nothing better." - -Suddenly the war cry of the Redskins was again heard, but this time -more strident and unearthly than the first. - -"It is too late!" the stranger said, sorrowfully, "All that is left is -to die bravely." - -"Let us die, then; but first kill as many of these Pagans as we can," -John Black answered. "Hurrah! my boys, for Uncle Sam!" - -"Hurrah!" his comrades shouted, brandishing their weapons. - -The Indians responded to this challenge by yells of rage, and the -combat recommenced, though this time it was more serious. After rising -to utter their formidable war cry, the Indians scattered, and advanced -slowly toward the camp, by crawling on the ground. When they found -in their road the stump of a tree or a bush capable of offering them -shelter, they stopped to fire an arrow or a bullet. The new tactics -adopted by their enemies disconcerted the Americans, whose bullets were -too often wasted; for, unluckily, the Indians were almost invisible in -the gloom, and, with that cunning so characteristic of them, shook the -grass so cleverly, that the deceived emigrants did not know where to -aim. - -"We are lost," Black exclaimed despondingly. - -"The position is indeed becoming critical; but we must not despair -yet," the stranger remarked; "one chance is left us; a very poor one, -I grant; but which I shall employ when the moment arrives. Try to hold -out in a hand-to-hand fight." - -"Come," the emigrant said, shouldering his rifle, "there is one of the -devils who will not get any further." - -A Blackfoot warrior, whose head rose at this moment above the grass, -had his skull fractured by the American's bullet. The Redskins suddenly -rose, and rushed, howling, on the barricade, where the emigrants -awaited them firmly. A point-blank discharge received the Indians, and -a hand-to-hand fight began. The Americans, standing on the barricades -and clubbing their rifles, dashed down every one who came within their -reach. Suddenly, at the moment when the emigrants, overpowered by -numbers, fell back a step, the stranger rushed up the barricade, with a -torch in her hand, and uttering such a savage yell, that the combatants -stopped, with a shudder. The flame of the torch was reflected on the -stranger's face, and imparted to it a demoniac expression. She held her -head high, and stretched out her arm, with a magnificent gesture of -authority. - -"Back!" she shrieked. "Back, devils!" - -At this extraordinary apparition, the Redskins remained for a moment -motionless, as if petrified, but then they rushed headlong down the -slope, flying, with the utmost terror. The Americans, interested -witnesses of this incomprehensible scene, gave a sigh of relief. They -were saved! Saved by a miracle! They then rushed toward the stranger, -to express their gratitude to her. - -She had disappeared! - -In vain did the Americans look for her everywhere; they could not -imagine whither she was gone: she seemed to have suddenly become -invisible. The torch she held in her hand, when addressing the Indians, -lay on the ground, where it still smoked; it was the only trace she -left of her presence in the emigrants' camp. - -John Black and his companions lost themselves in conjectures on her -account, while dressing, as well as they could, the wounds they had -received in the engagement, when his wife and daughter suddenly -appeared in the camp. Black rushed toward them. - -"How imprudent of you!" he exclaimed. "Why have you left your hiding -place, in spite of the warnings given you?" - -His wife looked at him in amazement. - -"We left it," she replied, "by the directions of the strange woman to -whom we are all so deeply indebted this night." - -"What! have you seen her again?" - -"Certainly; a few moments back she came to us; we were half dead -with terror, for the sounds of the fighting reached us, and we were -completely ignorant of what was occurring. After reassuring us, she -told us that all was over, that we had nothing more to fear, and that, -if we liked, we could rejoin you." - -"But she--what did she do?" - -"She led us to this spot; then, in spite of our entreaties, she went -away, saying that as we no longer needed her, her presence was useless, -while important reasons compelled her departure." - -The emigrant then told the ladies all about the events of the night, -and the obligations they owed to this extraordinary female. They -listened to the narrative with the utmost attention, not knowing to -what they should attribute her strange conduct, and feeling their -curiosity aroused to the utmost pitch. Unfortunately, the peculiar -way in which the stranger had retired, did not appear to evince any -great desire on her part to establish more intimate relations with the -emigrants. - -In the desert, however, there is but little time to be given to -reflections and comments; action is before all; men must live and -defend themselves. Hence Black, without losing further time in -trying to solve the riddle, occupied himself actively in repairing -the breaches made in his entrenchments, and fortifying his camp more -strongly, were that possible, by piling up on the barricades all the -articles within reach. When these first duties for the common safety -were accomplished, the emigrant thought of his cattle. He had placed -them at a spot where the bullets could not reach them, close to the -tent, into which his wife and daughter had again withdrawn, and had -surrounded them by a quantity of interlaced branches. On entering this -corral, Black uttered a cry of amazement, which was soon changed into, -a yell of fury. His son and the men ran up; the horses and one-half the -cattle had disappeared. During the fight the Indians had carried them -off, and the noise had prevented their flight being heard. It seemed -probable that the stranger's interference, by striking the Indians with -terror, had alone prevented the robbery being completed, and the whole -of the cattle carried off. - -The loss was enormous to the emigrant; although all his cattle had not -disappeared, enough had been carried off to render further progress -impossible. His resolution was formed with that promptitude so -characteristic of the Northern Americans. - -"Our beasts are stolen," he said; "I must have them back." - -"Quite right," William answered; "at daybreak we will go on their -track." - -"I, but not you, my son," the emigrant said. "Sam will go with me." - -"What shall I do then?" - -"Stay in the camp, to guard your mother and sister. I will leave James -with you." - -The young man made no reply. - -"I will not let the Pagans boast of having eaten my oxen," Black said, -wrathfully. "By my father's soul, I will get them back, or lose my -scalp!" - -The night had passed away while the camp was being fortified. The sun, -though still invisible, was beginning to tinge the horizon with a -purple light. - -"Ah, look!" Black continued, "here's day; let us lose no time, but set -off. I recommend your mother and sister to your care, Will, as well as -all that is here." - -"You can go, father," the young man said. "I will keep good watch -during your absence; you may be easy." - -The emigrant pressed his son's hand, threw his rifle, over his -shoulder, made a sign to Sam to follow him, and walked towards the -entrenchment. - -"It is useless to wake your mother," he said, as he walked on; "when -she comes out of the tent, you will tell her what has occurred, and -what I have done; I am certain she will approve of it. So, good-bye, my -boy, and mind you are on the watch." - -"And you, father--good luck!" - -"May Heaven grant it, boy," the emigrant said, sorrowfully. "Such -splendid cattle!" - -"Stay!" the young man exclaimed, holding his father back, at the moment -the latter was preparing to climb over the barricades. "What is that I -see down there?" - -The emigrant turned quickly. - -"Do you see anything, Will---whereabouts?" - -"Look, father, in that direction. But what is the meaning of it? It -must be our cattle." - -The emigrant looked in the direction his son indicated. - -"What!" he exclaimed joyfully; "why, those are our cattle. Where on -earth do they come from? And who is bringing them back?" - -In fact, at a great distance on the prairie, the American's cattle were -visible, galloping rapidly in the direction of the camp, and raising a -cloud of dust behind them. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE INDIAN CHIEF. - - -The Count de Beaulieu was far from suspecting, as he carelessly -prepared to light a cigar, that the lucifer match he employed would at -once render him so important in the sight of the Indians. But, so soon -as he recognized the power of the weapon chance placed in his hands, -he resolved to employ it, and turn to his own profit the superstitious -ignorance of the Redskins. Enjoying, in his heart, the triumph he had -obtained, the Count frowned, and employing the language and emphatic -gestures of the Indians, when he saw they were sufficiently recovered -to listen to him, he addressed them with that commanding tone which -always imposes on the masses. - -"Let my brothers open their ears; the words my lips utter must be -heard and understood by all. My brothers are simple men, prone to -error; truth must enter their hearts like an iron wedge. My goodness -is great, because I am powerful; instead of chastising them when -they dared to lay hands on me, I am satisfied with displaying my -power before their eyes. I am a great physician of the pale faces; I -possess all the secrets of the most famous medicines. If I pleased, -the birds of the air and the fish of the river would come to do me -homage, because the Master of Life is within me, and has given me his -medicine rod. Listen to this, Redskins, and remember it: when the first -man was born, he walked on the banks of the Mecha-Chebe; there he met -the Master of Life: the Master of Life saluted him, and said to him, -'Thou art my son.' 'No,' the first man made answer, 'thou art my son, -and I will prove it to thee, if thou dost not believe me; we will sit -down and plant in the earth the medicine rod we hold in our hands; the -one who rises first will be the younger, and the son of the other.' -They sat down then, and looked at each other for a long time, until at -length the Master of Life turned pale, and the flesh left his bones; on -which the first man exclaimed, joyfully, 'At length thou art assuredly -dead.' And they regarded each other thus during ten times ten moons, -and ten times more; and as at the end of that time the bones of the -Master of Life were completely bleached, the first man rose and said, -'Yes, now there is no more doubt; he is certainly dead.' He then took -the medicine stick of the Master of Life, and drew it from the earth. -But then the Master of Life rose, and taking the stick from him, said -to him, 'Stop! here I am; I am thy father, and thou art my son.' And -the first man recognized him as his father. But the Master of Life -then added, 'Thou art my son, first man; thou can'st not die; take my -medicine staff; when I have to communicate with my Redskin sons, I -will send thee.' This is the medicine staff. Are you ready to execute -my orders?" - -These words were uttered with so profound an accent of truth, the -legend related by the Count was so true and so well known by all, that -the Indians, whom the miracle of the match had already disposed to -credulity, put complete faith in it, and answered respectfully-- - -"Let my father speak: what he wishes we wish. Are we not his children?" - -"Hence," the Count continued, "I wish to speak with you, chief, alone." - -Natah Otann had listened to the Count's discourse with the deepest -attention: at times, an observer might have noticed a flash of joy -cross his features, immediately followed, however, by a feeling of -pleasure, which lit up his intelligent eyes: he applauded, like his -warriors, perhaps more warmly than they, when the young man ceased -speaking; on hearing him say that he would speak with the sachem alone, -a smile played on his lips: he made the Indians a sign to retire, and -walked towards the Count with an ease and grace which the other could -not refrain from noticing. There was a native nobility in this young -chief, which pleased at the first glance, and attracted sympathy. - -After bowing respectfully, the Blackfeet warriors went down the hill, -and collected about one hundred yards from the camping place. - -There were two men whom the Count's eloquence had surprised quite as -much as the Indian warriors. These were Bright-eye and Ivon; neither -of them understood a syllable, and the young man's Indian science -completely threw them out; they awaited in the utmost anxiety the -denouement of this scene, whose meaning they could not decipher. - -When left alone (for the hunter and Ivon soon also withdrew), the -Frenchman and the Indian examined each other with extreme attention. -But whatever efforts the white man made to read the sentiments of the -man he had before him, he was obliged to allow that he had to deal -with one of those superior natives, on whose faces it is impossible to -read anything, and who, under all circumstances, are ever masters of -their impressions; furthermore, the fixity and metallic lustre of the -Indian's eye caused him to feel a secret uneasiness, which he hastened -to remove by speaking, as if that would break the charm. - -"Chief," he said, "now that your warriors have retired--" - -Natah Otann interrupted him by a sign, and bowed courteously. - -"Pardon me, Monsieur le Comte," he said, with an accent which a native -of the banks of the Seine would have envied: "I think the slight -practice you have had in speaking our language is wearisome to you; if -you would please to express yourself in French, I fancy I understand -that language well enough to follow you." - -"Eh?" the Count exclaimed, with a start of surprise, "what is that you -say?" - -Had a thunderbolt fallen at the Count's feet he would not have been -more surprised and terrified than on hearing this savage, who wore the -complete costume of the Blackfeet, and whose face was painted of four -different colours, express himself so purely in French. Natah Otann did -not seem to notice his companion's agitation, but continued coldly-- - -"Deign to pardon me, Monsieur le Comte, for employing terms which must -certainly have offended you by their triviality; but the few occasions -I have for speaking French in this desert must serve as an excuse." - -M. de Beaulieu was a prey to one of those surprises which grow -gradually greater. He no longer knew were he awake, or suffering -from a nightmare; what he heard seemed to him so incredible and -incomprehensible, that he could not find words to express his feelings. - -"Who on earth are you?" he exclaimed, when sufficiently master of -himself to speak. - -"I!" Natah Otann remarked carelessly; "why, you see I am a poor Indian, -and nothing more." - -"'Tis impossible," the young man said. - -"I assure you, sir, that I have told you the exact truth. Hang it," -he added with charming frankness, "if you find me a little less--what -shall I say?--coarse, you must not consider it a crime; that results -from considerations entirely independent of my will, which I will tell -you some day, if you wish to hear them." - -The Count, as we think we have said, was a man of great courage, whom -but few things could disturb; the first impression passed, he bravely -took his part; perfectly master of himself henceforth, he frankly -accepted the position which accident had so singularly made for him. - -"By Jove!" he said, with a laugh, "the meeting is a strange one, and -may reasonably surprise me; you will therefore pardon, my dear sir, -that astonishment--in extreme bad taste, I grant--which I at first -evidenced on hearing you address me as you did. I was so far from -expecting to meet, six hundred leagues from civilised countries, a man -so well bred as yourself, that I confess I at first hardly knew what -Saint to invoke." - -"You flatter me, sir; believe me that I feel highly grateful for the -good opinion you are good enough to have of me; now, if you permit, we -will go back to our business." - -"On my faith, I am so staggered by all that has happened, that I really -do not know what I am about." - -"Nonsense, that is nothing; I will lead you back to the right track; -after the charming address you made us, you seem to desire speech with -me alone." - -"Hum!" the Count said, with a smile, "I am afraid that I must have -appeared to you supremely ridiculous with my legend, especially my -remarks, but then I could not suspect that I had an auditor of your -stamp." - -Natah Otann shook his head sadly; a melancholy expression for a moment -darkened his face. - -"No," he said, "you acted as you were bound to do; but while you were -speaking, I was thinking of those poor Indians sunk so deeply in error, -and asking myself whether there was any hope of their regeneration -before the white men succeed in utterly destroying them." - -The chief uttered these words with such a marked accent of grief and -hatred, that the Count was moved by the thought how this man, with a -soul of fire, must suffer at the brutalization of his race. - -"Courage!" he said, holding out his hand to him. - -"Courage!" the Indian repeated, bitterly, though clasping the proffered -hand; "after each defeat I experienced in the struggle I have -undertaken, the man who has served as my father, and unfortunately made -me what I am, never ceases to say that to me." - -There was a moment of silence; each was busied with his own thoughts; -at length Natah Otann proceeded:-- - -"Listen, Monsieur le Comte; between men of a certain stamp there is a -species of undefinable feeling, which attaches them to each other in -spite of themselves; for the six months your have been traversing the -desert in every direction, I have never once lost sight of you; you -would have been dead long ere this, but I spread a secret ægis over -you. Oh, do not thank me," he said, quickly, as the young man made a -sign, "I have acted rather in my own interest than yours. What I say -surprises you, I daresay, but it is so. Allow me to tell you, that I -have views with reference to yourself, whose secrets I will unfold to -you in a few days, when we know each other better; as for the present, -I will obey you in whatever you wish; in the eyes of my countrymen, I -will keep up that miraculous halo which surrounds your brow. You wish -these American emigrants to be left at peace, very good; for your sake -I pardon this race of vipers; but I ask you one favour in return." - -"Speak!" - -"When you are certain the people you wish to save are in security, -accompany me to my village,--that is all I desire. That will not cost -you much, especially as my tribe is encamped not more than a day's -march from the spot where you now are." - -"I accept your proposition, chief. I will accompany you wherever you -please, though not till I am certain that my _protégés_ no longer -require my aid." - -"That is agreed. Stay, one word more." - -"Say it." - -"It is well understood that I am only an Indian like the rest, even to -the two white men who accompany you!" - -"You demand it?" - -"For our common welfare: a word spoken thoughtlessly, any indiscretion, -how trifling soever, would destroy us both. Ah! you do not know the -Redskins yet," he added, with that melancholy smile which had already -given the Count so much subject for thought. - -"Very good," he answered; "you may be easy; I am warned." - -"Now, if you think proper, I will recall my warriors; a longer -conference between us might arouse their jealousy." - -"Do so; I trust entirely to you." - -"You will have no reason to repent it," Natah Otann replied, graciously. - -While the chief went to join his companions, the Count walked up to the -two white men. - -"Well?" Bright-eye asked him, "have you obtained what you wanted from -that man?" - -"Perfectly," he answered; "I only wished to say a few words to him." - -The hunter looked at him cunningly. - -"I did not think him so easy," he said. - -"Why so, my friend?" - -"His reputation is great in the desert; I have known him for a very -long period." - -"Ah!" the young man said, not at all sorry to obtain some information -about the man who perplexed him so greatly; "what reputation has he -then?" - -Bright-eye seemed to hesitate for a moment. - -"Are you afraid to explain yourself clearly on that head?" the Count -asked. - -"I have no reason for that; on the contrary, with the exception of that -day on which he wished to flay me alive--a slight mistake, which I -pardon with my whole heart,--our relations have always been excellent." - -"The more so," the Count said, with a laugh, "because you never met -again, to my knowledge, till this day." - -"That is what I meant to say. Look you--Natah Otann, between ourselves, -is one of those Indians whom it is far more advantageous not to see: he -is like the owl--his presence always forebodes evil." - -"The deuce! You trouble me greatly by speaking so, Bright-eye." - -"Suppose I had said nothing, then," he answered, quickly; "for my part, -I should prefer to be silent." - -"That is possible; but the little you have allowed to escape has, I -confess, so awakened my curiosity, that I should not be sorry to learn -more." - -"Unfortunately, I know nothing." - -"Still you spoke of his reputation--is that bad?" - -"I did not say so," Bright-eye answered, with reserve. "You know, Mr. -Edward, that Indian manners are very different from ours: what is bad -to us is regarded very differently by Indians; and so--" - -"So, I suppose," the Count interrupted, "Natah Otann has an execrable -reputation." - -"No, I assure you; that depends upon the way in which you look at -matters." - -"Good; and what is your personal opinion?" - -"Oh, I, as you are aware, am only a poor fellow; still it seems to me -as if this demon of an Indian is more crafty than his whole tribe; -between ourselves, he is regarded as a sorcerer by his countrymen, who -are frightfully afraid of him." - -"Is that all?" - -"Nearly." - -"After that," the Count said, lightly, "as he has asked me to accompany -him to his village, the few days we spend with him will enable us to -study him at our ease." - -The hunter gave a start of surprise. - -"You will not do so, I trust, Sir?" - -"I do not see what can prevent me." - -"Yourself, Sir; who, I hope, will not walk, with your eyes open, into -the lion's jaws." - -"Will you explain--yes, or no?" the Count exclaimed with rising -impatience. - -"Oh, what is the use of explaining?--will what I say stop you? No, I -am persuaded of that. You see, therefore, it is useless for me to say -more; besides, it is too late--the chief is returning." - -The Count made a movement of ill-humour, at once suppressed; but this -movement did not escape Natah Otann, who at this moment appeared on the -plateau. The young man walked toward him. - -"Well?" he asked eagerly. - -"My young men consent to do what our Paleface father desires; if he -will mount his horse and follow us, he can convince himself that our -intentions are loyal." - -"I follow you, chief," the Count replied, making Ivon a sign to bring -up his horse. - -The Blackfeet welcomed the three hunters with unequivocal signs of joy. - -"Forward!" the young man said. - -Natah Otann raised his arm. At this signal the warriors drove in their -knees, and the horses started like a hurricane. No one, who has not -witnessed it, can form an idea of an Indian chase: nothing stops -the Redskins--no obstacle is powerful enough to make them deviate -from their course; they go in a straight line, rolling like a human -whirlwind across the prairie crossing gulleys, ravines, and rocks, with -dizzy rapidity. Natah Otann, the Count, and his two companions, were -at the head of the cavalcade, closely followed by the warriors. All at -once the chief checked his horse, shouting at the top of his voice-- - -"Halt!" - -All obeyed, as if by enchantment: the horses stopped dead, and remained -motionless, as if their feet were planted in the ground. - -"Why stop?" the Count asked; "we had better push on." - -"It is useless," the chief said, calmly; "let my Pale brother look -before him." - -The Count bent on his horse's neck. - -"I can see nothing," he said. - -"That is true," the Indian said; "I forgot that my brother has the eyes -of the Palefaces; in a few minutes he will see." - -The Blackfeet anxiously collected round their chief, whom they -questioned with their glances. The latter, apparently impassive, looked -straight ahead, distinguishing in the darkness objects invisible to -all but himself. The Indians, however, had not long to wait, for some -horsemen soon came up at full speed. When they arrived near Natah -Otann's party, they stopped. - -"What has happened?" the chief asked, sternly; "why are my sons running -away thus? They are not warriors I see, but timid women." - -The Indians bowed their heads with humility at this reproach, but -made no answer. The chief continued--"Will no one inform us of -what has happened--why my chosen warriors are flying like scattered -antelopes--where is Long Horn?" - -A warrior emerged from the ranks. - -"Long Horn is dead," he said, sorrowfully. - -"He was a wise and renowned warrior; he has gone to the happy hunting -grounds to hunt with the upright warriors. As he is dead, why did not -the Blackbird take the totem in his hand in his place?" - -"Because the Blackbird is dead," the warrior answered, in the same tone. - -Natah Otann frowned, and his brow was contracted by the effort he made -to suppress his passion. - -"Oh!" he said, bitterly, "the greathearts of the east have fought -well; their rifles carry truly. The two best chiefs of the nation have -fallen, but the Red Wolf still remained--why did he not avenge his -brothers?" - -"Because he has also fallen," the warrior said, in a mournful voice. - -A shudder of anger ran through the ranks. - -"Wah!" Natah Otann exclaimed, with grief, "what is he also dead?" - -"No; but he is dangerously wounded." - -After these words there was a silence. The chief looked around him, and -then said-- - -"So; four Palefaces have held at bay two hundred Blackfeet warriors; -killed and wounded their bravest chiefs, and those warriors have not -taken their revenge. Ah! ah! what will the White Buffalo say when he -hears that? He will give petticoats to my sons, and make them prepare -food for the more courageous warriors, instead of sending them on the -warpath." - -"The camp of the Long Knives was in our power," the Indian replied, -who had hitherto spoken for his comrades, "we already had them down -with our knees on their chests, a portion of their cattle was carried -off, and the scalps of the Palefaces were about to be attached to our -girdles, when the Evil Genius suddenly appeared in their midst, and, by -her mere appearance, changed the face of the combat." - -The chief's face became still severer at this news, which his warriors -received with unequivocal marks of terror. - -"The 'Evil Genius!'" he said; "of whom is my brother speaking?" - -"Of whom else can I speak to my father, save the _Lying She-wolf of the -Prairies?_?" the Indian said, in a low voice. - -"Oh! oh!" Natah Otann answered, "did my brother see the She-wolf?" - -"Yes; we assure our father," the Blackfeet shouted altogether, happy to -clear themselves from the accusation of cowardice that weighed on them. - -Natah Otann seemed to reflect for a moment. - -"At what place are the cattle my brothers carried off from the Long -Knives?" he asked. - -"We have brought them with us," a warrior answered, "they are here." - -"Good," Natah Otann continued, "let my brothers open their ears to -hear the words the Great Spirit breathes unto me:--the Long Knives are -protected by the She-wolf: our efforts would be useless, and my sons -would not succeed in conquering them; I will make a great medicine to -break the charm of the She-wolf when we return to our village, but till -then we must be very cunning to deceive the She-wolf, and prevent her -being on her guard. Will my sons follow the advice of an experienced -chief?" - -"Let my father utter his thoughts," a warrior answered, in the name of -all, "he is very wise: we will do what he wishes: he will deceive the -She-wolf better than we can." - -"Good; my sons have spoken well. This is what we will do:--We will -return to the camp of the Palefaces, and will restore them their -beasts; the Palefaces, deceived by this friendly conduct, will no -longer suspect us; when we have made the great medicine, we will then -seize their camp and all it contains, and the Lying She-wolf will be -unable to defend them. I have spoken; what do my sons think?" - -"My father is very crafty," the warrior replied; "what he has said is -very good, his sons will perform it." - -Natah Otann cast a glance of triumph at the Count de Beaulieu, who -admired the skill with which the chief, while appearing to reprimand -the Indians for the ill success of their enterprise, and evincing the -greatest wrath against the Americans, had succeeded in a few minutes in -inducing them to carry out his secret wishes. - -"Oh! oh!" the Count murmured, aside, "this Indian is no common man, he -deserves studying." - -Still, a moment of tumult had followed the chief's words. The -Blackfeet, recovered from the panic and terror which had made them fly -with the feet of gazelles, to escape speedily from the ruined camp, -where they had experienced so rude a defeat, had got off their horses, -and were engaged, some in laying on their wounds chewed leaves of the -oregano, others in collecting the cattle and horses which they had -stolen from the Palefaces, and which were scattered about. - -"Who is this Lying She-wolf of the Prairies, who inspires such horror -in these men?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"No one knows her," the hunter answered, in a low voice, "she is a -woman whose mysterious life has hitherto foiled the most careful -attempts at investigation: she does no harm to any but the Indians, -whose implacable foe she appears to be: the Redskins affirm that she is -invulnerable, that bullets and arrows rebound from her without doing -her any injury. I have often seen her, though I have had no opportunity -of speaking with her. I believe her to be mad, for I have seen her -perform some of the wildest freaks at some moments, though at others -she appears in full possession of her senses: in a word, she is an -incomprehensible being, who leads an extraordinary life in the heart of -the prairies." - -"Is she alone?" - -"Always." - -"You excite my curiosity to the highest degree," the Count said; "no -one, I suppose, could give me any information about this woman?" - -"One person could do so, if he cared to speak." - -"Who's that?" - -"Natah Otann," the hunter said, in a low voice. - -"That is strange," the Count muttered; "what can there be in common -between him and this woman?" - -Bright-eye only answered by a significant glance. - -The conversation was broken off, and at the chief's order the Blackfeet -remounted their horses. - -"Forwards!" Natah Otann said, taking the head of the column again with -the Count and his companions. - -The whole troop set out at a gallop in the direction of the American -camp, taking the cattle in their midst. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE EXILE. - - -We are compelled, for the proper comprehension of the facts that will -follow, to break off our story for a moment, in order to describe a -strange adventure which happened on the Western Prairies some thirty -odd years before our story opens. - -The Indians, whom people insist so wrongly, in our opinion, in -regarding as savages, have certain customs which display a thorough -knowledge of the human heart. The Comanches, who appear to remember -that in old times they enjoyed a far advanced civilization, have -retained the largest amount of those customs which are, certainly, -stamped with originality. - -One day in the month of February, which they call _the Moon of the -Arriving Eagles_, and in the year 1795 or 1796, a village of the Red -Cow tribe was in a state of extraordinary agitation. The hachesto, or -public speaker, mounted on the roof of a lodge, summoned the warriors -for the seventh hour of the day to the village square, near the ark -of the first man, where a grand council would be held. The warriors -asked each other in vain the purport of this unforeseen meeting, but no -one could tell them: the hachesto himself was ignorant, and they were -obliged to await the hour of assembling, although the comments and -suppositions still went on to a great extent. - -The Redskins, whom badly-informed authors represent to us as cold, -silent men, are, on the contrary, very gay, and remarkable gossips when -together. What has caused the contrary supposition is, that in their -relations with white men the Indians are, in the first place, checked -by the difficulties of the language--equally insurmountable, by the -way, for both parties--and next by the distrust which every American -native feels towards Europeans, whoever they may be, owing to the -inveterate hatred that separates the two races. - -During our lengthened residence among Indian tribes we often had -opportunities for noticing what mistakes are made with respect to the -Redskins. During their long evening gossips in the villages, or the -hunting expeditions, there was a rolling fire of jokes and witticisms, -often lasting whole hours, to the great delight of the audience, who -laughed that hearty Indian laugh, without care or afterthought, which -cleaves the mouth to the ears, and draws tears of delight,--a laugh -which, for metallic resonance, can only be compared with that of -negroes, though the former is far more spiritual than the latter, whose -notes have ever something bestial about them. - -Toward the decline of day, the hour selected for the meeting, the -village square presented a most animated appearance. The warriors, -women, children, and dogs, those inseparable guests of the Redskins, -pressed round a large circle left empty in the centre for the -council fire, near which the principal chiefs of the nation crouched -ceremoniously. At a sign from an old sachem whose hair, white as -silver, fell in a cloud on his shoulders, the pipe bearer brought in -the great calumet, the stem of which he presented to each chief in -turn, while holding the bowl in the palm of his hand. When all the -chiefs had smoked, the pipe bearer turned the calumet to the four -cardinal points, while murmuring mysterious words which no one heard; -then he emptied the ash into the fire, saying aloud,-- - -"Chiefs, warriors, women, and children of the Red Cow, your sachems are -assembled to judge a very grave question; pray to the Master of Life to -inspire them with wise words." - -Then the pipe bearer, after bowing respectfully to the chiefs, -withdrew, taking the calumet with him. The council began, and, at a -sign from the aged sachem, a chief rose, and bowing, took the word:-- - -"Venerated sachems, chiefs, and warriors of my nation," he said, in a -loud voice, "the mission with which I am entrusted is painful to my -heart: listen to me indulgently, be not governed by passion; but let -justice alone preside over the severe decree which you will, perhaps, -be compelled to pronounce. The mission which I am entrusted with is -painful, I repeat; it fills my heart with sadness: I am compelled to -accuse before you two renowned chiefs belonging to two illustrious -families, who have, with equal claims, deserved well of the nation on -many occasions by rendering it signal services; these chiefs, as I must -name them before you, are the Bounding Panther, and the Sparrow Hawk." - -On hearing these names, so well known and justly esteemed, pronounced, -a shudder of astonishment and pain ran though the crowd. But, at a sign -from the oldest chief, silence was almost immediately re-established, -and the chief continued-- - -"How is it that a cloud has suddenly passed over the mind of these two -warriors, and tarnished their intellect to such an extent, that these -two men, who so long loved one another as brothers, whose friendship -was cited among the nation, have suddenly become implacable enemies, -so that, when they see each other, their eyes flash lightning, and -their hands seek their weapons to commit murder? No one can say; -no one knows it; these chiefs, when interrogated by the sachems, -maintained an obstinate silence, instead of revealing the causes of -their cruel enmity, which brings trouble and desolation on the tribe. -Such a scandal must not last longer; tolerating it would be giving a -pernicious example to our children! Sachems, chiefs, and warriors, in -the name of justice, I demand that these irreconcilable enemies should -be eternally banished from the tribe this very evening at sunset. I -have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The chief sat down amid a mournful silence in this assembly of nearly -two thousand people; the beating of their sorrow-laden hearts might -almost be heard, such sustained attention did each one give to the -words pronounced in the council. - -"Has any chief any observation to offer on the accusation which has -just been brought?" the old sachem said, in a weak voice, which was, -however, perfectly heard in every part of the square. A member of the -council rose. - -"I take the word," he said, "not to refute Tiger Cat's accusation, -for unfortunately all he has said is most scrupulously correct; far -from exaggerating facts, he has, with that goodness and wisdom which -reside in him, weakened the odiousness of that hatred; I only wish to -offer a remark to my brothers. The chiefs are guilty, that is only too -fully proved; a longer discussion on that point would be tedious; but, -as Tiger Cat himself told us, with that loyalty which distinguishes -him, these two men are renowned chiefs, chosen warriors, and they have -rendered the nation signal services; we all love and cherish them for -different reasons; let us be severe, but not cruel; let us not drive -them from among us as unclean creatures; before striking, let us make -one more attempt to reconcile them; this last step, taken in the -presence of the whole nation, will, doubtlessly, touch their hearts, -and we shall have the happiness of keeping two illustrious chiefs. If -they remain deaf to our prayers, if our observations do not obtain the -success we desire, then, as the case will be without a remedy, let us -be implacable; put an end to this scandal which has lasted too long, -and, as Tiger Cat asked, drive them for ever from our nation, which -they dishonour. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -After bowing to the sachems, the chief resumed his seat in the midst -of a murmur of satisfaction, produced by his hearty language. Although -these two speeches were contained in the programme of the ceremony, -and everyone knew what the result of the meeting would be, the -unreconciled chiefs had so much sympathy among the nation, that many -persons still hoped they would be reconciled at the last moment, when -they saw themselves on the point of being banished. The strangest thing -connected with the hatred between the two men was, that the reason of -it was completely unknown, and no one knew how to account for it. When -silence was restored, the oldest sachem, after a consultation with his -colleagues in a low voice, took the word. - -"Let the Bounding Panther and the Sparrowhawk be introduced to our -presence." - -At the two opposite corners of the square, the crowd parted like -overripe fruit, and left a passage for a small band of warriors, in -the centre of which the two accused men walked. When they met, they -remained perfectly calm, a slight arching of the eyebrows being the -only sign of emotion they displayed. They were each about twenty-five -years of age, well built, and active, and of martial aspect. They wore -their grand costume and war paint, but their weapons were carried -by their respective friends. They presented themselves before the -council with great respect and modesty, which the assembly approved of -heartily. After looking at them with a glance at once sorrowful and -benevolent, the eldest sachem rose with an effort, and, supported by -two of his colleagues, who held him under the arms, he at length spoke -in a weak voice. - -"Warriors, my beloved children," he said, "from the spot where you -stood you heard the accusation brought against you; what have you to -say in your defence?--are those words true? do you really entertain -this irreconcilable hatred to each other? Speak." - -The two chiefs bowed their heads silently. The sachem continued-- - -"My cherished children, I was already very old, when your mother, a -child, whose birth I also saw, brought you into the world. I was the -first to teach you the use of those weapons, which later became so -terrible in your vigorous hands. Now that I am about to sleep the -eternal sleep, only to wake again in the happy hunting grounds, give -me a supreme consolation which will make me the happiest of men, and -repay me for all the sorrow you have caused me. Come, children, you are -young and adventurous, love alone ought to find a place in your hearts; -hatred is a passion belonging to a ripe age, it does not become youth; -offer one another those honest hands, embrace, like the two brothers -you are, and let all be eternally forgotten between you. I implore you, -my children; you cannot resist the prayers of an old man so near the -tomb as I am." - -There was a moment of supreme anxiety in the crowd; all waited with -panting hearts for what was about to happen. The two chiefs directed a -tender glance at the old sachem, who regarded them with tears in his -eyes, then turned towards each other; their lips trembled, as if they -wished to speak; a nervous tremor agitated their bodies, but no sound -passed their lips; their arms remained inert by their sides. - -"Answer," the old man continued, "yes or no. You must; I command it." - -"No," they replied together, in a hoarse though firm voice. - -The sachem drew himself up. - -"It is well," he said. "As no generous feeling remains in your hearts, -as hatred has eaten them up entirely, and you are no longer men but -monsters, listen to the irrevocable sentence which your sachems, your -equals, your relations, and friends pronounce upon you. The nation -rejects you from its bosom; you are no longer children of our tribe. -Fire and water are refused you on the hunting ground of your nation, -we no longer know you. Chiefs who answer for you with their heads -will lead you twenty-five leagues from the village; you, Bounding -Panther, in a southern, and you, Sparrowhawk, in a northern direction; -you are forbidden, under penalty of death, ever to set your foot again -on the territory of your nation; each of you will take one of these -arrows, painted of diverse colours, which will serve as a passport -with the tribes through which you pass. Seek a nation to adopt you, -for henceforth you have neither country nor family. Go, accursed ones! -these arrows are the last presents you will receive from your brothers. -Go, and may the Master of Life soften your tiger hearts! As for us, we -know you no more. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The old man sat down again in the midst of general emotion; he veiled -his face with the skirt of his buffalo robe, and wept. The two chiefs -tottered away like drunken men, led to opposite corners of the square -by their friends. They passed through the ranks of their countrymen, -bowed down by the maledictions showered on them as they passed. - -At the extremity of the village, horses were awaiting them. They -galloped off, still followed by their escort. When each arrived at the -spot where he was to be left, the warriors dismounted, threw their arms -on the ground, and went off at full speed. Not a word had been uttered -during the long ride, which lasted fourteen hours. - -We will follow the Sparrowhawk: as for the Bounding Panther, no one -ever knew what became of him; his traces were so completely lost, that -it was impossible to find them again. The Sparrowhawk was a man of -tried courage and energy; still, finding himself alone, abandoned by -all those he had loved, a momentary feeling of discouragement and cold -rage almost turned him mad. But his pride soon revolted, he wrestled -with his sorrow, and after allowing his horse to take its necessary -rest, he set out boldly. - -He wandered about at hazard for many a month, following no precise -direction, living by the chase, caring very little where he stopped, or -the people with whom chance might bring him in contact. One day, after -a long and perilous chase after an elk, which by a species of fatality -he could not catch up, he suddenly found himself before a dead horse. -He looked around him: no great distance off lay a sword, near which was -a corpse, easily recognizable as that of a European by the dress. - -Sparrowhawk felt his curiosity excited; with that sagacity peculiar to -the Indians, he began ferreting about in every direction. His search -was almost immediately crowned with success; he saw, at the foot of a -tree, an old man with greyish hair and wild beard, dressed in tattered -clothes, and lying motionless. The Indian quickly went up to examine -the condition of the stranger, and try to restore him, if he were not -dead. The first thing Sparrowhawk did was to lay his hand on the heart -of the man he wished to succour. The heart beat, but so feebly, it -seemed as if it must soon stop. All the Indians are to a certain extent -doctors, that is to say, they possess a knowledge of certain plants, by -means of which they often effect really wonderful cures. - -While trying to restore the stranger, the Indian examined him -attentively. Though his hair was beginning to turn grey, the man was -still young, not more than forty to forty-five; he was tall and -well-built; his forehead was wide and high; his nose aquiline; his -mouth large, and his chin square. His clothes, though in rags, were -well cut and made of fine cloth, which plainly showed that he must -belong to a better class of society--the reader will understand that -these delicate distinctions escaped the notice of the Indian--he -only saw a man of intelligent appearance, and on the point of death; -and though he belonged to the white race, a race which, like all his -countrymen, he detested, and for good reasons--at the sight of such -distress, he forgot his antipathy, and only thought of helping him. - -Near the stranger there lay, in confusion on the grass, a surgeon's -pocketbook, a brace of pistols, a gun, a sabre, and an open book. -For a long time Sparrowhawk's efforts met with no success, and he -was despairing whether he could raise the dying man to life, when a -transient glow suffused his face, and his heart began beating more -quickly and strongly. Sparrowhawk made a gesture of delight at this -unexpected success. It was almost incredible! This warrior, whose whole -life had been hitherto spent in waging war of ambushes and surprises -with the whites, and committing the most refined cruelties on the -unhappy Spaniards who fell into his hands, now rejoiced at recalling to -life this individual, who, to him, was a natural enemy. - -In a few minutes the stranger slowly opened his eyes, but he closed -them again at once, as the light probably dazzled them. Sparrowhawk did -not lose heart, and resolved to carry out a good work so well begun. -His expectations were not deceived: the stranger presently opened his -eyes again; he made an effort to rise, but was too weak, his strength -failed him, and he fell back again. The Indian then gently supported -him, and seated him against the trunk of the catalpa, at whose foot he -had been hitherto lying. The stranger thanked him by a sign, muttering -one word, _beber_ (drink). - -The Comanches, whose life is passed in periodical excursions into the -Spanish territory, know a few words of that language. Sparrowhawk spoke -it rather fluently. He seized the gourd hanging to his saddle bow, and -which he had filled two hours before, and put it to the stranger's -lips; so soon as he had tasted the water, he began swallowing it in -heavy gulps. But the Indian, fearing an accident, soon took the gourd -from his lips. The stranger wished to drink again. - -"No," he said, "my father is too weak, he must eat something first." - -The patient smiled, and pressed his hand. The Indian rose joyfully; -took from his provision bag some fruit, and handed it to the man. -Through these attentions the stranger was sufficiently recovered, -within an hour, to get up. He then explained to Sparrowhawk, in bad -Spanish, that he and one of his friends were travelling together, that -their horses died of fatigue, while themselves could procure nothing to -eat or drink in the desert. The result was, that his friend died in his -arms only the previous day, after frightful suffering, and he should -have probably shared the same fate, had not his lucky star, or rather -Providence, sent him help. - -"Good," the Indian replied, when the stranger ended his narrative, "my -father is now strong, I will lasso a horse, and lead him to the first -habitation of the men of his own colour." - -At this proposition the stranger frowned; a look of hatred and haughty -contempt was legible on his face. - -"No," he said; "I will not return to the men of my colour, they have -rejected and persecuted me, I hate them; I wish to live henceforward in -the desert." - -"Wah!" the Indian exclaimed, in surprise, "has my father no nation?" - -"No," he answered, "I am alone, without country, relatives, or friends; -the sight of a man of my colour excites me to hatred and contempt; all -are ungrateful, I will live far from them." - -"Good," the Indian said; "I, too, am rejected by my nation; I, too, am -alone; I will remain with my father--I will be his son." - -"What?" the stranger ejaculated, fancying he had misunderstood him, "Is -it possible? Does banishment also exist among your wandering tribes? -You, like myself, are abandoned by those of your race and blood, and -condemned to remain alone--alone for ever?" - -"Yes," Sparrowhawk said, sorrowfully, bowing his head. - -"Oh!" the stranger said, directing a glance of strange meaning toward -heaven, "oh, men! they are the same everywhere, cruel, unnatural, and -heartless!" - -He walked about for a few moments, muttering certain words in a -language the Indian did not understand; then he returned quickly to -him, and pressing his hand, said, with feverish energy:-- - -"Well, then, I accept your proposition; our fate is the same, and we -ought not to separate again. Victims both of the spite of man, we will -live together; you have saved my life, Redskin; at the first impulse I -was vexed at it, but now I thank Providence, as I can still do good, -and force men to blush at their ingratitude." - -This speech was far too full of philosophic precepts for Sparrowhawk -thoroughly to understand it; still, he caught its sense, that was -enough for him, as he was too glad to find in his companion a man -afflicted by similar misfortunes to his own. - -"Let my father open his ears," he said; "he will remain here while I go -and find a horse for him; there are many manadas in the neighbourhood, -and I shall soon have what we want; my father will be patient during -Sparrowhawk's absence. I will leave him food and drink." - -"Go," the stranger said; and two hours later the Indian returned with a -magnificent steed. - -Several days were then spent in vagabond marches, though each took them -deeper into the desert. The stranger seemed afraid of meeting white -men; but with the exception of the story he had told of his narrow -escape from death, he maintained an obstinate silence as to his past -life. The Indian knew not then who he was, nor why he had ventured so -far into the desert at the risk of perishing. Each time Sparrowhawk -asked him any details about his life he turned the conversation, and -that so adroitly, that the Indian could never bring him back to the -starting point. One day, as they were rambling along side by side, -talking, Sparrowhawk, who was rather vexed at the slight confidence the -stranger placed in him, asked categorically-- - -"My father was a great chief in his nation?" - -The stranger smiled sorrowfully. - -"Perhaps," he answered; "but now I am nothing." - -"My father is mistaken," the Indian said, seriously; "the warriors of -his nation may not have valued him, but he still remains the same." - -"All that is smoke," the stranger replied. "The love of country is the -greatest and noblest passion the Master of Life has placed in the heart -of man--my father had a revered name among his people." - -The stranger frowned, and his face assumed an expression the Indian had -never seen before. - -"My name is a curse," he said, "no one will hear it uttered again; it -has been like a brand seared on my forehead by the partisans of the man -whom I, humble as I am, helped to overthrow." - -Sparrowhawk made a gesture of supreme disdain. - -"The chief of the nation must return to his warriors: if he betrays -them, they are masters of his scalp," he said, in a firm voice. - -The stranger, surprised at being so well understood by this primitive -man, smiled proudly. - -"In demanding his head," he said, "I staked my own; I wished to save my -country. Who can blame me?" - -"No one," Sparrowhawk replied, quickly; "every warrior must die." - -There was a lengthened silence; Sparrowhawk was the first to break it. - -"We are destined," he said, "to live long days together, my father -wishes his name to remain unknown, and I will not insist on knowing it; -still, we cannot wander about at hazard, we must find a tribe to adopt -us, men to recognize us as brothers." - -"For what purpose?" - -"To be strong and everywhere respected: we owe it to our brothers, as -they owe it to us; life is only a loan which the Master of Life makes -us, on the condition that it is profitable to those who surround us. By -what name shall I present my father to the men from whom we may ask -asylum and protection?" - -"By any you please, my son; as I am no longer to hear my own, any other -is a matter of indifference to me." - -Sparrowhawk reflected for an instant. - -"My father is strong," he said, "his scalp is beginning to resemble the -snows of winter, he will henceforth be called the White Buffalo." - -"The White Buffalo; be it so," the stranger answered, with a sigh; -"that name is as good as another; perhaps I shall thus escape the -weapons of those who have sworn my death." - -The Indian, charmed at knowing how henceforth to call his friend, then -said to him, joyfully-- - -"In a few days we shall reach a village of Blood Indians or Kenhas, -where we shall be received as if we were sons of the nation; my father -is wise, I am strong, the Kenhas will be happy to receive us; courage, -old father! this country of adoption will be, perhaps, worth your own." - -"France, farewell!" the stranger uttered, in a choking voice. - -Four days later they reached the village of the Kenhas, where a -friendly reception was given them. - -"Well," Sparrowhawk said to his companion, after they had been adopted -according to all the Indian rites, "what does my father think? Is he -happy?" - -"I fancy," the other said, with a melancholy air, "that nothing can -restore the exile the country he has lost." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE MASSACRE. - - -Days, months, years, passed away: the White Buffalo seemed to have -completely renounced that country which he was forbidden ever to see -again. He had completely adopted Indian customs, and, through his -wisdom, had so thoroughly acquired the esteem and respect of the Kenha -nation, that he was counted among the most revered sachems. - -Sparrowhawk, after giving on many occasions undeniable proofs of his -courage and military talents, had gained also a firm and honourable -place in the nation. If an experienced chief were required for a -dangerous expedition, he was ever selected by the council of the -sachems, for they knew that success constantly crowned his enterprises. -Sparrowhawk was a man of clear mind, who at once understood the -intellectual value of his European friend; obedient to the old man's -lessons, he never acted under any circumstances without having taken -his advice, and always followed his counsels: hence he speedily began -reaping the advantage of his skilful conduct. Thus, when he two years -later married a Kenha girl, and when his wife made him father of a boy, -he took him in his arms, and presented him to the old man, saying, with -great emotion: - -"The White Buffalo sees this warrior, he is his son, my father will -make a man of him." - -"I swear it," the old man replied, firmly. - -When the child was weaned, the father kept the promise he had made his -friend, and gave him his son, leaving him at liberty to educate the -boy as he thought fit. The old man, rejuvenated by the hope of this -education, which gave him the chance of making a man after his own -heart of this frail creature, joyfully accepted the difficult task. The -child received from its parents the name of Natah Otann, a significant -name, for it is that borne by the most dangerous animal of Northern -America, the grizzly bear. - -Natah Otann made rapid progress under the guidance of the White -Buffalo. The latter had a few books by him, which enabled him to give -his pupil a very extensive education, and make him very learned. Thence -resulted the strange circumstance of an Indian, who, while following -exactly the customs of his fathers, hunting and fighting like them, and -who was now leading his tribe, being at the same time a distinguished -man, who would not have been out of place in any European drawing room, -and whose great intellect had understood and appreciated everything. - -Singularly enough, Natah Otann, on attaining manhood, far from -despising his countrymen, brutalized and ignorant as they were, felt -an ardent love for them, and a violent desire to regenerate them. -From that moment his life had an object, which was the constant -preoccupation of his existence--to restore the Indians to the rank from -which they had fallen, by combining them into a great and powerful -nation. The White Buffalo, the confidant of all the young chief's -thoughts, at first accepted these projects with the sceptical smile -of old men, who, having grown weary of everything, have retained no -hope in the depths of their heart: he fancied that Natah Otann, under -the impression of youthful ardour, let himself be carried away by an -unreflecting movement, whose folly he would soon recognize. But when -able to appreciate how deeply these ideas were rooted in the young -man's heart, when he saw him set resolutely to work, the old man -trembled, and was afraid of his handiwork. He asked himself if he had -done well in acting as he had done, in developing so fully this chosen -intellect, which alone, and with no other support than its will, was -about to undertake a struggle in which it must inevitably succumb. - -He then sought to destroy with his own hands the edifice he had built -with so much labour: he wished to turn in another direction the ardour -that devoured his pupil, and give another object to his life, by -changing his plan. It was too late. The evil was irremediable. Natah -Otann, on seeing his master thus contradict himself, defeated him with -his own weapons, and obliged him to bow his head before the merciless -blows of that logic he had himself taught his pupil. - -Natah Otann was a strange composite of good and evil; in him all was -in extreme. At times, the most noble feelings seemed to reside in him; -he was good and generous; then, suddenly, his ferocity and cruelty -attained gigantic proportions, which terrified the Indians themselves. -Still, he was generally good and gentle toward his countrymen, who, -unaware of the cause, but subject to his influences, feared him, and -trembled at a word that fell from his lips, or a simple frown. - -The white men, and especially the Spaniards and Americans, were Natah -Otann's implacable enemies; he waged a merciless war on them, attacking -them wherever he could surprise them, and killing, under the most -horrible tortures, those who were so unhappy as to fall into his hands. -Hence his reputation on the prairies was great; the terror he inspired -was extreme; several times already the United States had tried to get -rid of this terrible and implacable foe; but all their plans failed, -and the Indian chief, bolder and more cruel than ever, drew nearer to -the American frontier, reigned uncontrolled in the desert, of which he -was absolute lord, and at times went, fire and sword in hand, to the -very cities of the Union to demand that tribute which he claimed even -from white men. - -We must not be taxed with exaggeration. All we here narrate is -scrupulously exact; and if we now and then alter facts, it is only to -weaken them. If we uncovered the incognito that veils our characters, -many of our readers would recognize them at the first glance, and -certify to the truth of our statements. - -A terrible scene of massacre, of which Natah Otann was the originator, -had aroused general indignation against him. The facts are as follow:-- - -An American family, consisting of father, mother, two sons of about -twelve, a little girl between three and four years of age, and five -servants, left the Western States with the intention of working a claim -they had bought on the Upper Mississippi. At the period we are writing -of, white men rarely traversed these districts, which were entirely -left to the Indians, who wandered over them in every direction, and, -with a few half-bred and Canadian hunters and trappers, were the sole -masters of these vast solitudes. On leaving the clearings, their -friends warned the emigrants to be on their guard. They had been -advised not to enter into the desert in so small a body, but await -other emigrants, who would soon proceed to the same spot; for a caravan -of fifty to sixty determined men might pass safe and sound through the -Indians. - -The head of the American family was an old soldier of the war of -independence, gifted with heroic courage, and thorough British -obstinacy. He answered coldly, to those who gave him this advice, -that his servants and himself could hold their own against all the -Prairie Indians; for they had good rifles and firm hearts, and would -reach their claim in the face of all opposition. Then he made his -preparations like a man whose mind, being made up, admits of no delay, -and he started against the judgment of his friends, who predicted -numberless misfortunes. The first few days, however, passed quietly -enough, and nothing happened to confirm these predictions. The -Americans advanced peacefully through a delicious country, and no -sign revealed the approach of the Indians, who seemed to have become -invisible. - -The Americans are men who pass most easily from extreme prudence to -the most foolish and rash confidence, and on this occasion were true -to their character. When they saw that all was quiet around them, and -no obstacle checked their progress, they began to laugh and deride -the apprehensions of their friends; they gradually relaxed in their -vigilance; neglected the precautions usual on the prairie; and at -last almost wished to be attacked by Indians, to make them feel the -weight of their arms. Things went on thus for nearly two months; the -emigrants were not more than ten days' march from their claim; they -no longer thought of the Indians: if at times they alluded to them in -the evening, before going to sleep, it was only to laugh at the absurd -fears of their friends, who fancied it impossible to take a step in the -desert without falling into an ambuscade of the Redskins. - -One night, after a fatiguing day, the emigrants went to bed, after -placing sentries round the camp, rather to keep wild beasts off than -through any other motive; the sentinels, accustomed not to be troubled, -and fatigued by their day's labours, watched for a few moments, then -their eyelids gradually sank, and they fell asleep. Their awakening was -destined to be terrible. - -About midnight, fifty Blackfeet, led by Natah Otann, glided like demons -in the darkness, clambered into the encampment, and ere the Americans -could seize their weapons, or even dream of defence, they were bound. -Then a horrible scene took place, the frightful interludes of which -the pen is impotent to describe. Natah Otann organised the massacre, -if we may be allowed to employ the term, with unexampled coolness and -cruelty. The chief of the party and his five servants were stripped -and attached to trees, flogged, and martyrized, while the two lads -were literally roasted alive in their presence. The mother, half mad -with terror, escaped, carrying off her little girl in her arms: but, -after running a long distance, her strength failed her, and she fell -senseless. The Indians caught her up; imagining her to be dead, they -disdained to scalp her; but they carried off the child, which she -pressed to her bosom with almost herculean strength. The child was -taken back to Natah Otann. - -"What shall we do with it?" the warrior asked, who presented it to him. - -"Into the fire!" he replied, laconically. - -The Blackfoot calmly prepared to execute the pitiless order he had -received. - -"Stop!" the father cried with a piercing shriek. "Do not kill an -innocent creature in that horrible manner. Are not the atrocious -tortures you inflict on us enough?" - -The Blackfoot hesitated, and looked at his chief; the latter reflected. - -"Stay," he said, raising his hand, and addressing the emigrant; "you -wish your child to live?" - -"Yes!" the father answered. - -"Good!" he answered, "I will sell you her life." - -The American shuddered at this proposition. "On what terms?" he asked. - -"Listen!" he said, laying a stress on every word, and darting at him a -glance which made him tremble to the marrow. "My conditions are these. -I am master of all your lives; they belong to me; I can prolong or cut -them short without the slightest opposition from you; but, I hardly -know why," he added, with a sardonic smile, "I feel merciful today; -your child shall live. Still, remember this; whatever the nature of the -torture I inflict on you, at the first cry you utter, your child shall -be strangled. You have it in your power to save her if you will." - -"I accept," the other answered. "What do I care for the most atrocious -torture, so long as my child lives?" - -A sinister smile played round the chief's lips. "It is well," he said. - -"One word more." - -"Speak." - -"Grant me a single favour; let me give a last kiss to this poor -creature." - -"Give him his child," the chief commanded. - -An Indian presented the little girl to the wretched man. The innocent, -as if comprehending what was taking place, put her arms round her -father's neck, and burst into tears. The latter, frightfully bound -as he was, could only bestow kisses on her, into which his whole -soul passed. The scene had something hideous about it; it resembled a -witches' Sabbath. The five men fastened naked to trees, the children -twisting on the burning charcoal, and uttering piercing cries, and -these stoical Indians, illumined by the ruddy glow of the fire, -completed the most fearful picture that the wildest imagination could -have invented. - -"Enough," Natah Otann said. - -"A last gift, a last remembrance." - -The chief shrugged his shoulders. "For what good?" he said. - -"To render the death you intend for me less cruel." - -"What is it you want?" - -"Hang round my daughter's neck this earring, suspended by a lock of my -hair." - -"Is that really all?" - -"It is." - -"Very good." - -The chief came up, took from the emigrant's ear a ring he wore in it, -and cut off with a scalping knife a lock of his hair; then, turning to -him with a sardonic laugh, he said-- - -"Listen carefully. Your companions and yourself are going to be flayed -alive; of a strip of your skin I will make a bag to hold the lock of -hair and ring. You see that I am generous, for I grant you more than -you ask; but remember the conditions." - -The emigrant looked at him disdainfully. - -"Keep your promises as well as I shall mine: and now begin the -torture--you will see a man die." - -Things were done as had been arranged; the emigrant and his servants -were flayed alive. The emigrant endured the torture with a courage -which even the chief admired. Not a cry, not a groan, issued from his -bleeding chest; he was made of granite. When his skin was entirely -stripped off, Natah Otann went up to him; the unhappy wretch was not -yet dead. - -"Thou art a man," he said to him. "Die satisfied. I will keep the -promise I made thee." - -And moved doubtlessly by a feeling of pity for so much firmness, he -blew out his brains. - -This horrible punishment lasted four hours. The Indians plundered all -the Americans possessed, and what they could not carry off they burned. -Natah Otann rigidly kept the oath he had made to his victim: as he -said, from a strip of his skin, imperfectly tanned, he made a bag, in -which he placed the lock of hair, and hung it round the child's neck -by a cord also made of his skin. On the homeward road to his village, -Natah Otann paid the most assiduous attention to the poor little -creature; and, on rejoining the tribe, the chief declared before all -that he adopted the girl, and gave her the name of Prairie Flower. - -At the period our story begins, Prairie Flower was fourteen years -of age; she was a charming creature, gentle and simple, lovely as -the princess of a fairy tale. Her large blue eyes, veiled by long -brown lashes, reflected the azure of the heaven, and she ran about, -careless and wild, through the forests and over the prairie, dreaming -at times beneath the shady recesses of the giant trees, living as -the birds live, forgetting the past, which was to her as yesterday, -caring nothing for the future, which to her had no existence, and only -thinking of the present to be happy. - -The charming girl had unconsciously become the idol of the tribe. The -old White Buffalo more especially felt an unbounded affection for her; -but the experiment he had made with Natah Otann disgusted him with a -second trial at education. He only watched over her with truly paternal -care, correcting any fault he might notice in her with a patience and -kindness nothing could weary. This old tribune, like all energetic and -implacable men, had the heart of a lamb; having entirely renounced the -world which mistook him, he had refreshed his soul in the desert, and -recovered the illusions and generous impulses of his youth. - -Prairie Flower had retained no remembrance of her early years; as -no one ever alluded in her presence to the terrible scenes which -introduced her to the tribe, fresher impressions had completely effaced -them. Loved and petted by all, Prairie Flower fancied herself a child -of the tribe. Her long tresses of light hair, gilded like ripe corn, -and the dazzling whiteness of her skin, could not enlighten her, for -in many Indian nations these anomalies are found; the Mandans, among -others, have many women and warriors who, if they put on European -clothes, might easily pass for whites. - -The Blackfeet, seduced by the charms of this gentle young creature, -attached the destinies of the tribe to her. They considered her -their tutelary genius, their palladium: their faith in her was -deep, serene, and simple. Prairie Flower was truly the Queen of the -Blackfeet; a sign from her rosy fingers, a word from her dainty lips, -was obeyed with unbounded promptitude and devotion. She could do -anything, say everything, demand everything, without fearing even a -second's hesitation to her will. She exercised this despotic authority -unsuspectingly; she alone was unaware of the immense power she -possessed over these brutal natives, who in her presence became gentle -and devoted. - -Natah Otann was attached to his adopted daughter, so far as -organizations like his are capable of yielding to any feeling. At -first he sported with the girl as with an unimportant plaything; but -gradually, as the child was transformed and became a woman, these -sports became more serious, and his heart was attracted. For the first -time in his life, this man, with his indomitable soul, felt a feeling -stir in him which he could not analyze, but which, through its force -and violence, astonished and terrified him. - -Then, a dumb struggle began between the chiefs head and heart. He -revolted against this influence which subjugated him: he, hitherto -accustomed to break through every obstacle, was now powerless before -a child, who disarmed him with a smile, when he tried to overpower -her. This struggle lasted a long time; at length, the terrible Indian -confessed himself vanquished, that is to say, he allowed the current to -carry him away, and without attempting a resistance, which he felt to -be useless, he began to love the young maiden madly. But this love at -times caused him sufferings so terrible, when he thought of the manner -in which Prairie Flower had become his adopted daughter, that he asked -himself with terror, whether this deep love which had seized on his -brain, and mastered him, was not a chastisement imposed by Heaven. - -Then, he fell back in his usual state of fury, redoubled his ferocity -with those unhappy beings whose plantations he surprised, and, all -reeking with blood, his girdle hung with scalps, he returned to the -village, and displayed the hideous trophies before the girl. Prairie -Flower, astonished at the state in which she saw a man whom she -believed to be--not her father, for he was too young--but a relative, -lavished on him all the consolations and simple caresses which her -attachment to him suggested to her: unfortunately, these caresses -heightened his suffering, and he would rush away half mad with grief, -leaving her sad and almost terrified by this conduct, which was so -incomprehensible to her. - -Matters reached such a pitch, that the White Buffalo, whose vigilant -eye was constantly fixed on his pupil, considered that he must, at -all risks, cut away the evil at the root, and withdraw the son of his -friend from the deadly fascination exercised over him by this innocent -enchantress. When he felt convinced of the chiefs love for Prairie -Flower, the old sachem asked for a private interview with his pupil: -the latter granted it, quite unsuspecting the reason which urged the -White Buffalo to take this step. - -One morning the chief presented himself at the entrance of his friend's -lodge. The White Buffalo was reading by the side of a fire kindled in -the middle of the hut. - -"You are welcome, my son," he said to the young man. "I have only a few -words to say to you, but I consider them sufficiently serious for you -to hear them without delay; sit down by my side." - -The young man obeyed. The White Buffalo then carefully changed his -tactics: he, who had so long combated the chief's views as to the -regeneration of the Indian race, entered completely into his views, -with an ardour and conviction carried so far, that the young man was -astonished, and could not refrain from asking what produced this sudden -change in his opinion? - -"The cause is very simple," the old man answered. "So long as I -considered that these views were only suggested by the impetuosity of -youth, I merely regarded them as the dreams of a generous heart, which -was deceiving itself, and not taking the trouble to weigh the chances -of success." - -"What now?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Now, I recognize all the earnestness, nobility, and grandeur, -contained in your plans; and not only admit their possibility, but I -wish to aid you, so as to ensure success." - -"Is what you say quite true, my father?" the young man asked, with -exultation. - -"I swear it: still we must set to work immediately." The chief examined -him for a moment carefully, but the old man remained impassive. - -"I understand you," he at length said, slowly, and in a deep voice; -"you offer me your hand on the verge of an abyss. Thanks, my father, I -will not be unworthy of you; I swear to you by the Wacondah." - -"Good; believe me, my son, I recognize you," the old man said, shaking -his head mournfully. "One's country is often an ungrateful mistress; -but it is the only one which gives us true enjoyment of mind, if we -serve her disinterestedly for herself alone." - -The two men shook hands affectionately; the compact was sealed. We -shall soon see whether Natah Otann had really conquered his love as he -imagined. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE GREAT COUNCIL. - - -Natah Otann set to work immediately, with that feverish ardour that -distinguished him. He sent emissaries in every direction to the -principal chiefs of the western prairies, and convoked them to a -great plain in the valley of the Missouri, at a spot called "The Tree -of the Master of Life," on the fourth day of the moon of the hardened -snow. This spot was held in great veneration by the Missouri Indians, -who went there constantly to hang up presents. It was an immense sandy -plain, completely denuded of vegetation; in the centre of the desert -rose a gigantic tree, an oak, twenty feet in circumference at least, -the trunk being hollow, and the tufted branches covering an enormous -superficies. This tree, which was a hundred and twenty feet in height, -and which grew there by accident, necessarily was regarded by the -Indians as something miraculous; hence the name they gave it. - -On the appointed day, the Indians arrived from all sides, marching in -good order, and camping at a short distance from the spot selected for -the council. An immense fire had been kindled at the foot of the tree, -and at a signal given by the drummers, or _Chichikouès_, the chiefs -collected around it, a few paces behind the sachems. The Blackfeet, Nez -Percés, Assiniboins, Mandans, and other horsemen, formed a tremendous -cordon round the council fire; while scouts traversed the desert in -every direction, to keep off intruders, and insure the secrecy of the -deliberations. - -In the east the sun was pouring forth its beams; the desert, parched -and naked, was mingled with the boundless horizon; to the south, the -Rocky Mountains displayed the eternal snow of the summits; while in the -north-west, a silvery ribbon indicated the course of the old Missouri. -Such was the landscape, if we may call it so, where the barbarous -warriors, clothed in their strange costumes, were assembled near the -symbolic tree. This majestic sight involuntarily reminded the observer -of other times and climes, when, by the light of the incendiary fires -they kindled, the ferocious comrades of Attila rushed to conquer and -rejuvenate the Roman Empire. - -Generally the natives of America have a Divinity, or more correctly, a -Genius, at times beneficent, but more frequently hostile. The worship -of the savage is less veneration than fear. The Master of Life is an -evil genius, rather than kind; hence the Indians give his name to the -tree to which they attribute the same powers. Indian religions, being -all primitive, make no account of the moral being, and only dwell on -the accidents of nature, which they make into gods. These different -tribes strive to secure the favour of the deserts, where fatigue and -thirst entail death, and of the rivers, which may swallow them up. - -The chiefs, as we have said, were crouching round the fire, in a -state of contemplative immobility, from which it might be inferred -that they were preparing for an important ceremony of their worship. -Presently Natah Otann raised to his lips the long war pipe, made of a -human thighbone, which he wore hanging round his neck, and produced -a piercing and prolonged sound. At this signal, for it was one, the -chiefs rose, and forming in Indian file, marched twice round the tree, -singing, in a low voice, a hymn, to implore its assistance for the -success of their plans. At the third time of marching round, Natah -Otann took off a magnificent collar of grizzly bears' claws from his -neck, and hung it to the branches of the tree, saying,-- - -"Master of Life, look on us with a favourable eye. I offer thee this -present." - -The other chiefs imitated his example each in turn; then they resumed -their scats round the council fire. The pipe bearer then entered the -circle, and after the customary ceremonies, offered the calumet to the -chiefs, and when each had smoked, the oldest sachem invited Natah Otann -to take the word. - -The Indian chief's plan was probably the most daring ever formed -against the whites, and, as the White Buffalo said, mockingly, -must offer chances of success through its improbability, because -it flattered the superstitious ideas of the Indians, who, like all -primitive nations, place great faith in the marvellous. It is besides, -the quality of oppressed nations, to whom reality never offers aught -but disillusions and suffering, to take refuge in the supernatural, -which alone offers them consolation. Natah Otann had drawn the first -idea of his plan from one of the oldest and most inveterate traditions -of the Comanches, his ancestors. This tradition, by reciting which -his father often lulled him to sleep in his childhood, pleased his -adventurous mind; and when the hour arrived to put in execution the -projects which he had so long revolved, he invoked it, and resolved to -employ it, in order to collect the other Indian nations around him in -one common whole. - -When Motecuhzoma (whom Spanish writers improperly call Montezuma, a -name which has no meaning, while the first signifies the _stern lord_) -found himself imprisoned in his palace by that talented adventurer, -Cortez, who, a few days later, tore his kingdom from him, the Emperor, -who preferred to confide in greedy strangers than take refuge in the -midst of his people, had a presentiment of the fate reserved for him. A -few days prior to his death, he assembled the principal Mexican chiefs -who shared his prison, and addressed them thus:-- - -"Listen! My father, the Sun, has warned me that I shall soon return to -him. I know not how or when I am destined to die, but I am certain that -my last hour is close at hand." - -As the chiefs burst into tears at these words, for they held him in -great veneration, he consoled them by saying-- - -"My last hour is near on this earth, but I shall not die, as I am -returning to my father, the Sun, where I shall enjoy a felicity unknown -in this world; weep not, therefore, my faithful friends, but, on the -contrary, rejoice at the happiness which awaits me. The bearded white -men have treacherously seized the greater portion of my empire, and -they will soon be masters of the remainder. Who can stop them? Their -weapons render them invulnerable, and they dispose at their will of the -fire from heaven; but their power will end one day; they, too, will be -the victims of treachery; the penalty of retaliation will be inflicted -on them in all its rigour. Listen, then, attentively, to what I am -about to ask of you; the safety of our country depends on the fidelity -with which you execute my last orders. Each of you take a title of -the sacred fire which was formerly kindled by the Sun himself, and on -which the white men have not yet dared to lay a sacrilegious hand to -extinguish it. This fire burns before you in this golden censer; take -it unto you, not letting your enemies know what has become of it. You -will divide the fire among you, so that each may have a sufficiency; -preserve it religiously, ant never let it go out. Each morning, alter -adoring it mount on the roof of your house, at sunrise, and look -toward the east; one day you will see me appear, giving my right hand -to my father, the Sun; then you will rejoice, for the moment of your -deliverance will be at hand. My father and I will come to restore you -to liberty, and deliver you for ever from these enemies, who have come -from a perverse world, that rejected them from its bosom." - -The Mexican chiefs obeyed the orders of their well-beloved Emperor on -the spot, for time pressed. A few days later, Motecuhzoma mounted on -the roof of his palace, and prepared to address his mutinous people, -when he was struck by an arrow, it was never known by whom, and fell -into the arms of the Spanish soldiery who accompanied him. Before -breathing his last sigh, the Emperor sat up, and raising his hands to -heaven, said, with a supreme effort, to his friends assembled round -him--"The fire! the fire! think of the fire." - -These were his last words: ten minutes later he had ceased to breathe. -In vain did the Spaniards, whose curiosity was strongly aroused by -this mysterious recommendation, try by all the means in their power -to penetrate its meaning; but they did not succeed in making one of -the Mexicans they interrogated speak. All religiously preserved their -secret, and several, indeed, died of torture, rather than reveal it. - -The Comanches, and nearly all the nations of the Far West, have -kept this belief intact. In all the Indian villages, the fire of -Motecuhzoma, which burns eternally is guarded by two warriors, who -remain by it for twenty-four hours without eating or drinking, when -they are relieved by two others. Formerly the guardians remained -forty-eight hours instead of twenty-four. It frequently happened -that they were found dead when the reliefs came, either through the -mephitic gases of the fire, which had great effect on them, owing to -their long fast, or for some other reason. The bodies were taken away, -and placed in a cavern, where, as the Comanches say, a serpent devoured -them. - -This belief is so general, that it is not only found among the Red -Indians, but also among the Manzos. Many men, considered to be well -educated, keep up, in hidden corners, the fire of Motecuhzoma, visit -it every day, and do not fail at sunrise to mount on the roof of -their houses and look towards the east, in the hope of seeing their -well-beloved emperor coming to restore them that liberty for which they -have sighed during so many ages, and which the Mexican Republic is far -from having granted them. - -Natah Otann's idea was this:--To tell the Indians, after narrating -the legend to them, that the time had arrived when Motecuhzoma would -appear and act as their chief; to form a powerful band of warriors, -whom he would spread along the whole American frontier, so as to -attack his enemies at every point simultaneously, and not give them -the time to look about them. This project, mad as it was, especially -in having to be executed by Indians, or men the least capable of -forming alliances, which have ever caused them defeats; this project, -we say, was deficient neither in boldness nor in nobility, and Natah -Otann was really the only man capable of carrying it out, could he but -find, among the persons he wished to arouse, two or three docile and -intelligent instruments, that would understand his idea, and heartily -cooperate with him. - -The Comanches, Pawnees, and Sioux were of great utility to the chief, -as well as the majority of the Indians of the Far West, for they -shared in the belief on which Natah Otann based his plans, and not only -did not need to be persuaded, but would help him in persuading the -Missouri Indians by their assent to his assertions. But in so large -an assembly of nations, divided by a multitude of interests, speaking -different languages, generally hostile to each other, how would it -be possible to establish a tie sufficiently strong to attach them in -an indissoluble manner? How convince them to march together without -jealousy? Lastly, was it reasonable to suppose that there would not be -a traitor to sell his brothers, and reveal their plans to the Yankees, -whoever have an eye on the movements of the Indians, for they are so -anxious to be rid of them? - -Still, Natah Otann did not recoil; he did not conceal from himself the -difficulties which he should have to overcome; but his courage grew -with obstacles. His resolution was strengthened, if we may use the -term, in proportion to the responsibilities which must every moment -rise before him. When the sachems made him the signal to rise; Natah -Otann saw that the moment had arrived to begin the difficult game he -wished to play. He took the word resolutely, certain that, with the men -he had before him, all depended on the manner in which he handled the -question, and that, the first impression once made, success was almost -certain. - -"Chiefs of the Comanches, Osages, Sioux, Pawnees, Mandans, Assiniboins, -Missouris, and all you that listen to me. Redskin brothers," he said, -in a firm and deeply accentuated voice, "for many moons my spirit has -been sad. I see, with sorrow, our hunting grounds, invaded by the white -men, grow smaller every day. We, whose innumerable peoples covered, -scarce four centuries back, the immense extent of territory compassed -between the two seas, are now reduced to a small party of warriors who, -timid as antelopes, fly before our despoilers. Our sacred cities, the -last refuge of the civilization of our fathers, the Incas, will become -the prey of those monsters with human faces who have no other god but -gold. Our dispersed race will possibly soon disappear from that world -which it has so long possessed and governed alone. Tracked like wild -animals; brutalized by firewater, that corrosive poison invented by the -white men for our ruin; decimated by the sword and white diseases, our -wandering tribes are now but the shadow of a people. Our conquerors -despise our religion, and wish to bow us beneath the laws of the -crucified One. They outrage our wives; kill our children; burn our -villages; and will reduce us, if they can, to the state of wild beasts, -under the pretext of civilizing us. Indians, all you who hear me, is -our blood so impoverished in our veins, and have you all renounced your -independence! Reply, will you die as slaves, or live free?" - -At these words, pronounced in aloud tone, and heightened by an -energetic gesture, a tremor ran through the assembly; brows were bent -firmly, all eyes sparkled. - -"Speak, speak again, sachem of the Blackfeet," all the chiefs shouted -unanimously. - -Natah Otann smiled proudly, his power over the masses was revealed to -him. He continued:-- - -"The hour has at length arrived, after so many hesitations, to shake -off the shameful yoke that presses on us. Within a few days, if you -please, we will drive the whites far from our frontiers, and repay them -all the evil they have done us. For a long time I have watched the -Americans and Spaniards. I know their tactics, their resources: to -utterly destroy them, what do we need, my well-beloved brothers? two -things alone--skill and courage!" - -The Indians interrupted him with shouts of joy. - -"You shall be free," Natah Otann continued. "I will restore to you the -valleys of your ancestors, the fields where their bones are buried, -and which the sacrilegious plough disperses in every direction. This -project, ever since I became a man, has fermented in my heart, and -become my life. Far from me and from you the thought that I intend -to force myself on you as chief, especially since the prodigy of -which I have been witness, in the appearance of the great emperor! -No; after that supreme chief, who must guide you to liberty, you are -free to choose the man who will execute his orders, and communicate -them to you. When you have chosen him, you will obey him; follow him -everywhere; and pass with him through the most insurmountable dangers, -for he will be the elect of the Sun; the lieutenant of Motecuhzoma! Do -not deceive yourselves, warriors; our enemy is powerful, numerous, well -disciplined, warlike, and has, before all, the habit of conquering us, -which is a great advantage to him. Name, then, this lieutenant; let his -election be free; take the most worthy, and I will joyfully march under -his orders!" - -And, after saluting the sachems, Natah Otann disappeared in a crowd of -warriors, with calm brow, but with a heart devoured by restlessness. -His eloquence, so novel to the Indians, had seduced them, and thrown -them into a species of frenzy. They considered the daring Blackfoot -chief a genius superior to themselves, and almost bowed the knee to -him in adoration, so cleverly had he struck the chord which must -touch their hearts. For a long time the council gave way to a sort -of madness, and all spoke at once; when this emotion was calmed, the -wisest of the sachems discussed the opportunity for taking up arms, and -the chances of success. It was now that the tribes of the Far West, who -believed in the legend of the sacred fire, became so useful; at length, -after a protracted discussion, opinions were unanimous for a general -uprising. The ranks, momentarily broken, were reformed, and the White -Buffalo, invited by the chiefs to express the opinions of the council, -spoke as follows:-- - -"Chiefs of the allied Indian tribes, listen! This day it has been -resolved by the following chiefs:--Little Panther, Spotted Dog, White -Buffalo, Grizzly Bear, Red Wolf, White Fox, Tawny Vulture, Glistening -Snake, and others, each representing a nation and a tribe, that war has -been declared against the white men, our plunderers; and as this war -is holy, and has liberty for its object, all men, women, and children -must take part in it, each according to their strength. This very day -the _wampums_ will be sent by the chiefs to all the Indian tribes that, -owing to the distance of these hunting grounds, were unable to be -present at this great council, in spite of their great desire to be so. -I have spoken." - -A long cry of enthusiasm interrupted the White Buffalo, who continued, -soon after:-- - -"The chiefs, after ripe deliberation, assenting to the request made -to the council by Natah Otann, the first sachem of the Blackfeet, -that they should appoint a lieutenant to the Emperor Motecuhzoma, -sovereign-chief of the Indian warriors, have chosen, as supreme -leader under the sole orders of the said Emperor, the wisest, most -prudent, and most worthy to command us. That warrior is the sachem of -the Blackfoot Indians, of the tribe of the Kenhas, whose race is so -ancient, Natah Otann, the cousin of the Sun, that dazzling planet which -illumines us." - -A thunder of applause greeted the last words. Natah Otann saluted the -sachems, walked into the circle, and said, in a haughty voice,-- - -"I accept, sachems, my brothers; we agree, I shall be dead, or you will -be free." - -"May the Grizzly Bear live for ever!" the crowd shouted. - -"War to the white men!" Natah Otann continued, "a war without truce -or mercy. A slaughter of wild beasts, as they are accustomed to treat -us. Remember the law of the prairies:--eye for eye, tooth for tooth. -Let each chief send the wampum of war to his nation, for at the end of -this moon we will arouse our enemies by a thunderbolt. At the seventh -hour of this night we will meet again, to select the subaltern chiefs, -number our warriors, and choose the day and hour of attack." - -The chiefs bowed without replying, rejoined their escorts, and soon -disappeared in a cloud of dust. Natah Otann and the White Buffalo -remained alone, a detachment of Blackfeet warriors watching over them -at a distance. Natah Otann, with his arms crossed and head bowed, -seemed plunged in profound reflection. - -"Well," the old Indian said, with an almost imperceptible shade of -irony in his voice, "you have succeeded, my son; you are happy. Your -plans will, at length, be accomplished." - -"Yes," he replied, without noticing the sarcastic tone of voice; "war -is declared; my plans have succeeded; but now, friend, I tremble at -such a heavy task. Will these peculiar men thoroughly comprehend me? -Will they be able to read, in my heart, all the love and adoration -I feel for them? Are they ripe for liberty? perhaps they have not -suffered enough yet? Father, father, whose heart is so powerful and -soul so great: whose life was used up in numerous contests, counsel -me! help me! I am young and weak, and I only have a strong will and a -boundless devotion to support me." - -The old man smiled mournfully, and muttered, answering his own thoughts -more than his friend:-- - -"Yes; my life was used up in supreme struggles: the work I helped to -raise has been overthrown, but not destroyed; for a new society, full -of vitality, has risen from the ruins of a decrepit society; by our -efforts the furrow was ploughed too deeply for it ever to be filled up -again: progress marching onward, nothing can check or stop it! Do not -halt on the road you have chosen; it is the greatest and most noble a -great heart can follow." - -In uttering these words, the old man had allowed his enthusiasm to -carry him away; his head was raised; his brow glistened; the expiring -sun played on his face, and imparted to it an expression which Natah -Otann had never seen before, and which filled him with respect. But the -old man shook his head sorrowfully, and continued:-- - -"Child, how will you keep your promise? where will you find -Motecuhzoma?" - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"You will soon see, my father," he said. - -At the same moment, an Indian, whose panting horse seemed to breathe -fire through its nostrils, came up to the chiefs, where he stopped -suddenly, as if converted into marble; without dismounting, he bent -down to Natah Otann's ear. - -"Already!" the latter exclaimed, "Oh! heaven must be on my side! There -is not a moment to lose. My horse! quick." - -"What is the matter?" the White Buffalo asked. - -"Nothing that relates to you at present, my father; but you shall soon -know all." - -"You are going alone, then?" - -"I must for a short period. Farewell!" - -Natah Otann's horse uttered a snort of pain, and started at full -gallop. Ten minutes later all the Indians had disappeared, and solitude -and silence prevailed round the tree of the Master of Life. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. - - -Matters had reached this point at the moment when the story we -have undertaken to tell, begins: now that we have supplied these -indispensable explanations, we will take up our narrative again at the -point where we broke it off. - -John Black and his family, posted behind the barricade that surrounded -the camp, regarded with joy, mingled with alarm, the cavalcade coming -toward them like a tornado, raising clouds of dust in its passage. - -"Attention, boys!" the American said to his son and servants, with his -hand on his trigger. "You know the diabolical trickery of these apes of -the prairie; we must not let them surprise us a second time; at the -least suspicious sign, a bullet! We shall thus prove to them that we -are on our guard." - -The emigrant's wife and daughter, with their eyes fixed on the prairie, -attentively followed the movements of the Indians. - -"You are mistaken, my love," Mrs. Black said; "these men have no -hostile designs. The Indians rarely attack by day; when they do so, -they never come so openly as this." - -"The more so," the young lady added, "as, if I am not mistaken, I can -see Europeans galloping at the head of the party." - -"Oh!" Black said, "that really has no significance, my child. The -prairies swarm with scoundrels who join those demons of Redskins when -honest travellers are to be plundered. Who knows, indeed, whether white -men were not the instigators of last night's attack?" - -"Oh, father, I never could believe such a thing as that," Diana -remarked. - -Miss Black, of whom we have hitherto said but little, was a girl of -about seventeen, tall and slender; her large black eyes, bordered with -velvety lashes; the thick bandeaux of brown hair; her little mouth, -with its rosy lips and pearly teeth, made her a charming creature, who -would have been an ornament anywhere; but in the desert must naturally -attract attention. Religiously educated by her mother, a good and pious -Presbyterian, Diana still retained all the candour and innocence of -youth, combined with that experience of everyday life imparted by the -rude life of the clearings, where people begin early to think and act -for themselves. In the meanwhile the cavalcade rapidly approached, and -was now no great distance off. - -"Those are really our animals galloping down there," Will said; "I -recognise Sultan, my good horse." - -"And Dolly, my poor milch cow," Mrs. Black said, with a sigh. - -"Console yourselves," Diana said, "I'll answer for it these people are -bringing back our cattle." - -The emigrant shook his head in agitation. - -"The Indians never give up what they have once seized; but, by my soul, -I'll have it out with them, and not let myself be robbed without a -trial for it." - -"Wait a minute, father," said Will, stopping him, for the emigrant was -about to leap over the intrenchments, "we shall soon know what their -intentions are." - -"Hum! they are very clear, in my idea. The demons want to propose to us -some disgusting bargain." - -"Perhaps, father, you are mistaken," Diana said, quickly; "and see, -they are stopping, and apparently consulting." - -In fact, on arriving within gunshot, the Indians halted, and began -talking together. - -"Why shall we not go on?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"H'm, you don't know the Yankees, Mr. Edward. I am sure that, if we -were to go ten paces further, we should be saluted by a shower of -bullets." - -"Nonsense!" the young man said, with a shrug of his shoulder; "they are -not so mad as to act in that way." - -"It's possible; but they would do as I tell you. Look attentively, and -you will see from this spot the barrels of their rifles glistening -between the stakes of the barricades." - -"By Jove! it's true; then they want to be massacred." - -"They would have been so long ago, had not my brother interceded in -their favour," Natah Otann said, joining in the conversation. - -"And I thank you, chief. The desert is large; what harm can those poor -devils do you?" - -"They, none; but presently others will come and settle by their side, -and so on; so that in six months my brother would see a city at a spot -where there is now nothing but nature as it left the omnipotent hands -of the Master of Life." - -"That is true," Bright-eye said, "the Yankees respect nothing; the rage -for building cities renders them dangerous madmen." - -"Why have we stopped, chief?" the Count said, recurring to his first -question. - -"To negotiate." - -"Will you do me a kindness? Leave this business to me. I am curious -to see how these people understand the laws of war, and how they will -receive me." - -"My brother is free." - -"Wait for me here, then, and do not make a move during my absence." - -The young man took off his weapons, which he handed to his servant. - -"What?" Ivon remarked. "Are you going, my lord, in this state among -those heretics?" - -"How else should I go? You know very well that a flag of truce has -nothing to fear." - -"That is possible," the Breton said, very slightly convinced; "but if -your lordship will believe me, you will, at least, keep your pistols in -your belt; for an accident happens so easily, and you do not know among -what sort of people you are going." - -"You are mad!" the Count said, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Well, then, as you are going unarmed to speak with people who do not -inspire me with the slightest confidence, I must ask your lordship to -permit me to accompany you." - -"You, nonsense!" the young man said, laughing. "You know very well that -you are a wonderful coward; that's agreed on." - -"Perfectly true; but I feel capable of anything to defend my master." - -"There we have it; your cowardice need only come on you suddenly, and, -in your alarm, you will be ready to kill everybody. No, no, none of -that; I do not wish to get into trouble through you." - -And dismounting, he walked in the direction of the barricades. On -arriving a short distance from them, he took out a white handkerchief, -and waved it in the air. Black, still ready to fire, carefully watched -the Count's every movement, and when he saw his amicable demonstration, -he rose, and made him a signal to come on. The young man quietly -returned his handkerchief to his pocket, lit a cigar, stuck his glass -in his eye, and after drawing on his gloves, walked resolutely on. On -reaching the intrenchments, he found himself in front of Black, who was -waiting for him, leaning on his rifle. - -"What do you want of me?" the American said, roughly. "Make haste! I -have no time to lose in conversation." - -The Count surveyed him haughtily, assumed the most insolent posture he -could select, and puffing a cloud of smoke into his face, said dryly-- - -"You are not polite, my dear fellow." - -"Halloa!" the other said. "Have you come here to insult me?" - -"I have come to do you a service; and if you continue in that tone, I -am afraid I shall be obliged not to do it." - -"We'll see to that--do me a service! And what may it be?" the American -asked with a grin. - -"You are a low fellow," the Count remarked, "with whom it is offensive -to talk. I prefer to withdraw." - -"Withdraw--oh, nonsense! You are too valuable a hostage. I shall -keep you, my gentleman, and only give you up at a good figure,", the -American continued. - -"What! Is that the way you comprehend the law of nations? That's -curious," the Count said, still sarcastic. - -"There is no law of nations with bandits." - -"Thanks for your compliment, master. And what would you do to keep me, -if I did not think proper?" - -"Like this," the American said, laying his hand roughly on his shoulder. - -"What!" the Count said. "I really believe, Heaven forgive me! that you -dared to lay a hand on me!" - -And ere the emigrant had time to prevent it, he seized him round the -waist, lifted him from the ground, and hurled him over the barricade. -The giant fell all bruised in the middle of his camp. Instead of -withdrawing, as any other might have done in his place, the young man -crossed his arms, and waited, smoking peacefully. The emigrant, stunned -by his rough fall, rose, shaking himself like a wet dog, and feeling -his ribs, to assure himself that there was nothing broken. The ladies -uttered a cry of terror on seeing him re-enter the camp in such a -peculiar way, while his son and servants looked toward him, ready to -fire at the first signal. - -"Lower your guns," he said to them; and leaping once more over the -barricade, he walked towards the Count. The latter awaited him with -perfect calmness. - -"Ah! there you are," he said, "Well, how did you like that?" - -"Come, come," the American replied, holding out his hand; "I was in the -wrong; I am a brute beast; forgive me." - -"Very good; I like you better like that; we only need to understand -each other. You are now prepared to listen to me, I fancy?" - -"Quite." - -There are certain men, like John Black, with whom it is necessary to -employ extreme measures, and prove your superiority to them. With such -persons you do not argue, but smash them; after which it always happens -that these men, before so intractable, become gentle as lambs, and do -all you want. The American, possessed of great strength, and confiding -in it, thought he had a right to be insolent with a slight and weak -looking man; but so soon as this man had proved to him, in a peremptory -manner, that he was the more powerful of the two, the bull drew in his -horns, and recoiled all the distance he had advanced. - -"This night," the Count then said, "you were attacked by the Blackfeet; -I wished to come to your aid, but it was impossible, and, besides, I -should have arrived too late. As, however, for some reason or other; -the men who attacked you feel a certain amount of consideration for me, -I have profited by my influence to make them restore the cattle they -stole from you." - -"Thanks; believe that I sincerely regret what has passed between us; -but I was so annoyed by the loss I had experienced." - -"I understand all that, and willingly pardon you, the more so as I, -perhaps, gave you rather too rude a shock just now." - -"Oh, do not mention it, I beg." - -"As you please; it is all the same to me." - -"And my cattle?" - -"Are at your disposal. Will you have them at once?" - -"I will not conceal from you that--" - -"Very good," the Count interrupted him; "wait a minute, I will tell -them to bring them up." - -"Do you think I have nothing to fear from the Indians?" - -"Not if you know how to manage them." - -"Well, then, shall I wait for you?" - -"Only a few minutes." - -The Count went down the hill again with the same calm step he had gone -up it. So soon as he rejoined the Indians, his friends surrounded him; -they had seen all that passed, and were delighted at the way in which -he had ended the discussion. - -"Good heavens! how coarse those Americans are," the young man said. -"Pray give him his cattle, chief, and let us have done with him. The -animal all but put me in a passion." - -"He is coming toward us," Natah Otann replied, with an undefinable -smile. Black, indeed, soon came up. The worthy emigrant, having been -duly scolded by his wife and daughter, had recognized the full extent -of his stupidity, and was most anxious to repair it. - -"Really, gentlemen," he said, "we cannot part in this way. I owe you -great obligations, and am desirous to prove to you that I am not such a -brute as I probably seem to be. Be kind enough to stay with us, if only -for an hour, to show us that you bear no malice." - -This invitation was given in a hearty, but, at the same time, cordial -manner, and it was so evident that the good man was confused, that -the Count had not the heart to refuse him. The Indians camped where -they were. The chief and the three hunters followed the American into -his camp, where the cattle had already been restored. The reception -was as it should be in the desert; the ladies had hastily prepared -refreshments under the tent, while William and the two serving men made -a breach in the barricade, to give passage to his father's guests. Lucy -Black and Diana awaited the newcomers at the entrance of the camp. - -"You are welcome, gentlemen," the Americans wife said, with a graceful -bow; "we are all so much indebted to you, that we are only too happy to -receive you." - -The chief and the Count bowed politely to the lady, who was doing all -in her power to repair the clumsy brutality of her husband. The Count, -at the sight of Diana, felt an emotion which he could not, at the first -blush, understand; his heart beat on regarding this charming creature, -who was exposed to so many dangers through the life to which she was -condemned. Diana blushed at the ardent glance of the young man, and -timidly drew nearer her mother, with that instinct of modesty innate -in woman's heart, which makes her ever seek protection from her to whom -she owes existence. - -After the first compliments, Natah Otann, the Count, and Bright-eye, -entered the tent where Black and his son were awaiting them. When the -ice was broken, which does not take long among people accustomed to -prairie life, the conversation became more animated and intimate. - -"So," the Count asked, "you have left the clearings with the intention -of never returning?" - -"Oh, yes," the emigrant answered; "for a man having a family, -everything is becoming so dear on the frontier, that he must make up -his mind to enter the desert." - -"I can understand your doing so as a man, for you can always manage to -get out of difficulties; but your wife and daughter--you condemn them -to a very sorrowful and dangerous life." - -"It is a wife's duty to follow her husband," Mrs. Black said with a -slight accent of reproach. "I am happy wherever he is, provided I am by -his side." - -"Good, madam; I admire such sentiments; but permit me an observation." - -"Certainly, sir." - -"Was it necessary to come so far to find a suitable farm?" - -"Certainly not; but we should have run the risk of being someday -expelled from the new clearing by the owners of the land, and compelled -to begin a new plantation further away," she said. - -"While now," Black continued, "at the place where we are, we have -nothing of that sort to fear, as the land belongs to nobody." - -"My brother is mistaken," the chief said, who had not yet spoken a -word; "the country, for ten days' march in every direction, belongs to -me and my tribe; the Paleface is here on the hunting grounds of the -Kenhas." - -Black regarded Natah Otann with an air of embarrassment. - -"Well," he said, after a moment's pause, as if speaking against the -grain; "we will go further, wife." - -"Where can the Palefaces go to find land that belongs to nobody?" the -chief continued, severely. - -This time the American had not a word to say. Diana, who had never -before seen an Indian so close, regarded the chief with a mingled -feeling of curiosity and terror. The Count smiled. - -"The chief is right," Bright-eye said, "the prairies belong to the Red -men." - -Black had bowed his head on his chest, in perplexity. - -"What is to be done?" he muttered. - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Let my brother open his ears," he said to him; "a chief is about to -speak." - -The American fixed an inquiring glance on him. - -"Does this country suit my brother then?" the Indian continued. - -"Why should I deny it? This country is the finest I ever saw; close to -me I have the river, behind me, immense virgin forests. Oh yes, it is a -fine country, and I should have made a magnificent plantation." - -"I have told my Paleface brother," the chief went on, "that this -country belonged to me." - -"Yes, you told me so, chief, and it is true; I cannot deny it." - -"Well, if the Paleface desires it, he can obtain so much ground as he -wishes," Natah Otann said, concisely. - -At this proposition, which the American was far from suspecting, he -pricked up his ears; the squatter's nature was aroused in him. - -"How can I buy the land when I possess nothing?" he said. - -"That is of no consequence," the chief replied. - -The astonishment now became general; each looked at the Indian -curiously: for the conversation had suddenly acquired a grave -importance which no one expected. Black, however, was not deceived by -this apparent facility. - -"The chief has doubtless not understood me," he said. - -The Indian shook his head. - -"The Paleface cannot buy the land, because he has not wherewith to pay -for it; those were his words." - -"True; and the chief answered that it was of little matter." - -"I said so." - -There was no mistake, the two men had clearly understood one another. - -"There is some devilry behind that," Bright-eye muttered in his -moustache; "an Indian does not give an egg, unless he expects an ox in -return." - -"What do you want to arrive at, chief?" the Count asked Natah Otann, -frankly. - -"I will explain myself," the latter said; "my brother interests himself -in this family, I believe?" - -"I do," the young man answered, with some surprise, "and you know my -reasons." - -"Good; let my brother pledge himself to accompany me during two moons, -without asking any explanation of my actions, and give me his aid -whenever I require it, and I will give this man as much ground as he -needs to found a settlement, and he need never fear being annoyed by -the Redskins, or dispossessed by the Whites, for I am really the owner -of the land, and no other can lay claim to it." - -"A moment," Bright-eye said, as he rose; "in my presence, Mr. Edward -will not accept such a bargain; no one buys a pig in a poke, and it -would be madness to submit his will to the caprices of another man." - -Natah Otann frowned, his eye flashed fire, and he rose. - -"Dog of the Palefaces," he shouted, "take care of thy words--I have -once spared thy life." - -"Your menaces do not frighten me, Redskin," the Canadian replied, -resolutely; "you lie if you say that you were master of my life; it -only depends from the will of God; you cannot cause a hair of my head -to fall without His consent." - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his knife, a movement immediately imitated -by the hunter, and they stood opposite each other, ready for action. -The ladies uttered a shriek of terror, William and his father stood -before them, ready to interfere in the quarrel, if it were necessary. -But the Count had already, quick as thought, thrown himself between the -two men, shouting loudly-- - -"Stop! I insist on it!" - -Yielding to the ascendency of the speaker, the Blackfoot and the -Canadian each fell back a step, returned their knives to their girdles, -and waited. The Count looked at them for a moment, then, holding out -his hand to Bright-eye, said, affectionately-- - -"Thank you, my friend, but for the present I do not require your aid." - -"Good, good," the hunter said; "you know I am yours, body and soul. Mr. -Edward, it is only deferred." And the worthy Canadian sat down again -quietly. - -"As for you, chief," the young man continued, "the proposals are -unacceptable. I should be mad to agree to them, and I hope I am not -quite in that state yet. I wish to teach you this, that I have only -come on the prairie to hunt for a short time; that time has passed; -pressing business requires my presence in the United States, and -dispels my desire to be useful to these good people; so soon as I have -accompanied you to the village, according to my promise, I shall say -good-bye to you, and probably never return." - -"Which will be extremely agreeable to me," Bright-eye said, in -confirmation. - -The Indian did not stir. - -"Still," the Count went on, "there is, perhaps, a way of settling the -matter to the satisfaction of all parties; land is not so dear here; -tell me your price, and I will pay you at once, either in dollars, or -in bills on a New York banker." - -"All right," the hunter said; "there is still that way open." - -"Oh! I thank you, sir," Mrs. Black exclaimed, "but my husband cannot -and ought not to accept such a proposal." - -"Why not, my dear lady, if it suits me, and the chief accepts my offer?" - -Black, we must do him the justice to say, satisfied himself by -signifying his approval by a gesture; but the worthy squatter, like -a true American, was very careful not to say a word. As for Diana, -fascinated by such disinterestedness, she gazed on the Count with eyes -sparkling with gratitude, not daring to express aloud what her secret -thoughts were about this noble and generous gentleman. Natah Otann -raised his head. - -"I will prove to my brother," he said, in a gentle voice, and bowing -courteously, "that the Red men are as generous as the Palefaces. I sell -him eight hundred acres of land, to be chosen where he pleases along -the river, for one dollar." - -"A dollar?" the young man exclaimed, in surprise. - -"Yes," the chief said, smiling, "in that way I shall be paid, my -brother will owe me nothing; and if he consents to stay a little while -with me, it will be of his own accord, and because he likes to be with -a true friend." - -This unforeseen result to a scene which had for a moment threatened to -end in blood, filled all persons with surprise. Bright-eye alone was -not duped by the chief's courtesy. - -"There's something behind it," he muttered to himself, "but I will -watch, and that demon must be very cunning to cheat me." - -The Count was affected by this generosity, which he was far from -expecting. - -"There, chief," he said, handing him the stipulated dollar, "now we are -quits; but be assured that I will not be outdone by you." - -Natah Otann bowed courteously. - -"Now," the Count continued, "a last favour." - -"Let my brother speak, he has the right to ask everything of me." - -"Make peace with my old Bright-eye," - -"As my brother desires it," the chief said, "I will do so willingly; -and, as a sign of reconciliation, I beg him to accept the dollar you -have given me." - -The hunter's first impulse was to decline it; but he thought better of -it, took the dollar, and carefully placed it in his belt. Black knew -not how to express his gratitude to the Count, who had really made him -a landed proprietor; and the same day the American and his son chose -the land on which the plantation should be established. The Count drew -up on a leaf of his pocketbook a regular deed of sale, which was signed -by himself, Bright-eye, and Ivon, as witnesses, by Black as purchaser, -and at the foot of which Natah Otann drew the totem of his tribe, and -an animal intended to represent a bear, which formed his speaking but -most emblematical signature. The chief, had he pleased, could have -signed like the rest, but he wished to hide from all the instruction he -owed to the White Buffalo. Black preciously placed the deed between the -leaves of his family bible, and said to the Count, while squeezing his -hand hard enough to smash it-- - -"Remember that you have in John Black a man who will let his bones be -broken for you, whenever you think proper." - -Diana said nothing, but she gave the young man a look which paid him -amply for what he had done for the family. - -"Attention," Bright-eye said, in a whisper, the first time he found -himself alone with Ivon; "from this day watch carefully over your -master, for a terrible danger threatens him." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES. - - -About four or five hours after the various events we have described -in the previous chapters, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, that is to say, bedizened with -feathers, and painted of glaring colours, crossed a streamlet, and -galloped over the prairies, proceeding in the direction of the Virgin -forest, to which we have several times alluded. The rider, dressed -in the war costume of the Blackfoot Indians, and whom it was easy to -recognize as a chief by the eagle feather fastened over his right ear, -incessantly bent over his horse's neck, and urged it to increased speed. - -It was night, but an American night, full of sharp odours and -mysterious sounds, with a dark blue sky, studded with an infinite -number of dazzling stars; the moon profusely spread her silvery rays -over the landscape, casting a deceitful brightness, which imparted a -fantastic appearance to objects. All seemed to sleep on the prairies; -the wind even hardly shook the umbrageous tops of the trees; the wild -beasts, after drinking at the river, had returned to their hidden dens. -The horseman alone moved on, gliding silently through the darkness; -at times he raised his head, as if consulting the sky, then, after a -seconds rest, he galloped onwards. - -Many hours passed ere the horseman thought of stopping. At length -he reached a spot where the trees were so interlaced by creepers -which enfolded them, that a species of insurmountable wall suddenly -prevented the rider's progress. After a moment's hesitation, and -looking attentively around to discover a hole by which he could pass, -seeing clearly that all attempts would be useless, he dismounted. He -saw that he had arrived at a canebrake, or spot where a passage can -only be made by fire or axe. The Indian chief fastened his horse to the -trunk of a tree; left within its reach a stock of grass and climbing -peas; then, certain that his horse would want for nothing during this -long night, he began thinking of himself. - -First he cut down with his bowie knife the bushes and plants which -interfered with the encampment he wished to form; then he prepared, -with all the stoicism of a prairie denizen, a fire of dry wood, in -order to cook his supper, and keep off wild beasts, if anyone took it -into his head to pay him a visit during his sleep. Among the wood he -collected was a large quantity of what the Mexicans call _palo mulato_, -or stinking wood; this he was careful to remove, for the pestiferous -smell of that tree would have denounced his presence for miles round, -and the Indian, judging from the precautions he took, seemed afraid of -being discovered; in fact, the care with which he had placed sand-bags -round his horse's hoofs, to dull the sound, sufficiently proved this. - -When the fire, so placed as not to be visible ten yards off, poured -its pleasant column of flame into the air, the Indian took from his -elk-skin pouch a little Indian wheat and pemmican, which he ate with -considerable appetite, looking round continually in the surrounding -gloom, and stopping to listen attentively to those noiseless sounds -which by night trouble the imposing calmness of the desert, without any -apparent cause. When his scanty meal was ended, the Indian filled his -pipe with kinne-kinnick, and began smoking. - -Still, in spite of his apparent calmness, the man was not easy; -at times he took the pipe from his lips, looked up, and anxiously -consulted the sky, through a break in the foliage above his head. At -length he appeared to form an energetic resolution, and raising his -fingers to his lips, imitated thrice, with rare perfection, the cry of -the blue jay, that privileged bird that sings in the night; then he -bent his body forward and listened, but nothing proved to him that his -signal had been heard. - -"Wait a while," he muttered. - -And crouching again before the fire, into which he threw a handful of -dry branches, he began smoking again. Several hours passed thus: at -length the moon disappeared from the horizon, the cold became sharper, -and the sky, in which the stars expired one after the other, was tinted -with a rosy hue. The Indian, who had been slumbering for a while, -suddenly shook himself, turned a suspicious glance around, and muttered -hoarsely,-- - -"She cannot be far off." - -And he again gave the signal. The last cry had scarce died out in the -distance, when a roar was heard close by. The Indian, instead of being -alarmed by this ill-omened sound, smiled, and said in a loud and firm -voice,-- - -"You are welcome, She-wolf; you know it is I who am awaiting you here." - -"Ah! you are there, then!" a voice answered. - -A rustling of leaves was now heard in the bushes opposite the spot -where the Indian was seated; the reeds and creepers were pulled back by -a vigorous hand, and a woman appeared in the space left free. Before -advancing, she thrust her head forward cautiously, and looked. - -"I am alone," the Indian said; "you can approach without fear." - -A smile played over the newcomer's lips at this answer, which she did -not expect. - -"I fear nothing," she said. - -Before going further, we will give some indispensable details about -this woman--vague, it is true, as we can only supply what the Indians -said about her, but which will be useful to the reader in comprehending -the facts that will follow. No one knew who she was, or whence she -came. The period when she was first seen on the prairie was equally -unknown. All was an inexplicable mystery connected with her. Though -she spoke fluently, and with extreme purity, most of the prairie -idioms, still certain words she at times used, and the colour of her -skin, not so brown as that of the natives, caused the supposition that -she belonged to another race from theirs. It was only a supposition, -however, for her hatred of the Indians was too well known for the -bravest among them ever to venture to see her sufficiently closely to -render themselves certain on that head. - -At times she disappeared for weeks, even for months, and it was -impossible to discover her trail. Then she was suddenly seen again -wandering about, talking to herself, marching nearly always by night, -frequently accompanied by an idiotic and dumb dwarf, who followed her -like a dog, and whom the Indians, in their credulous superstition, -suspected strongly of being her familiar. This woman, ever gloomy and -melancholy, with her wild looks and startling gestures, could not be -accused of doing anyone harm, in spite of the general terror she -inspired. Still, owing to the strange life she led, all the misfortunes -that happened to the Indians, in war or hunting, were imputed to her. -The Redskins considered her a wicked genius, and had given her the name -of the _Spirit of Evil_. Hence the man who had come so far to see her -must necessarily have been gifted with extraordinary courage, or some -powerful reason impelled him to act as he was doing. - -As this Blackfoot chief is destined to play a great part in this -narrative, we will give his portrait in a few words. He was a man who -had reached middle life, or about forty-five years. He was tall, well -built, and admirably proportioned. His muscles, standing out like -whipcord, denoted extraordinary vigour. He had an intelligent face; his -features expressed cunning, while his eyes were rarely fixed on any -object, but gave him an expression of craft and brutal cruelty, which -inspired an unenviable repugnance towards him, if you took the trouble -to study him carefully: but observers are rare in the desert, and with -the Indians this chief enjoyed a great reputation, and was equally -beloved for his tried courage and inexhaustible powers of speech, -qualities highly esteemed by the Redskins. - -"The night is still gloomy; my mother can approach," the Indian chief -said. - -"I am coming," the woman said, drily, as she advanced. - -"I have been waiting a long while." - -"I know it, but no matter." - -"The road was long to come." - -"I am here; speak!" - -And she leaned against the stem of a tree, crossing her arms on her -chest. - -"What can I say, if my mother does not first question me?" - -"That is true. Answer me then." - -There was a silence, only troubled by the wind sighing in the leaves; -after a few moments' reflection, the woman at length began,-- - -"Have you done what I ordered?" - -"I have." - -"Well?" - -"My mother guessed rightly." - -"Is it so?" - -"All is preparing for action," - -"You are sure?" - -"I was present at the council." - -She smiled triumphantly. - -"Where was the meeting place?" - -"At the tree of life." - -"Long ago?" - -"The sun has set eight hours since." - -"Good! What was resolved?" - -"What you already know." - -"The destruction of the whites?" - -"Yes." - -"When will the war signal be given?" - -"The day is not yet fixed." - -"Ah!" she said in a tone of regret. - -"But it cannot be long," he added quickly. - -"What makes you think so?" - -"The Grizzly Bear is eager to finish." - -"And I, too," the woman muttered in a low voice. - -The conversation was again broken off. The woman paced up and down the -clearing in thought. The chief followed her with his eyes, carefully -examining her. All at once she stopped before him, and looked him In -the face. - -"You are devoted to me, chief?" she said. - -"Do you doubt it?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Still, only a few hours ago, I gave you a decided proof of my -devotion." - -"What?" - -"This!" he said, pointing to his left arm, which was wrapped in strips -of bark. - -"I do not understand you." - -"You see I am wounded?" - -"Well! what then?" - -"The Redskins attacked the Palefaces some hours ago; they were scaling -the barricade which protected their camp, when they suddenly retired -on your appearance, by order of their chief, who was wounded, and -thirsting for revenge." - -"It is true." - -"Good. And the chief who commanded the Redskins--does my mother know -him?" - -"No." - -"It was I, the Red Wolf: does my mother still doubt?" - -"The path on which I am walking is so gloomy," she replied sorrowfully; -"the work I am accomplishing is so serious, and of such import to me, -that at times I feel fear enter my heart, and doubt contract my chest, -when I think I am alone, a poor weak woman, to wrestle with a giant. -For long years I have been ripening the plan I wish to accomplish -today; I have occupied my whole life to obtain the result I desire, and -I fear failure at the moment of succeeding. Then, if I have no longer -confidence in myself, can I trust a man whom self-interest may urge to -betray, or at any rate abandon me at a moment." - -The chief drew himself up on hearing these words; his eye flashed fire, -and, with a gesture of wounded pride, he said,-- - -"Silence! my mother must not add a word. She insults at this moment -a man who is most anxious to prove his truth to her: ingratitude is -a white vice, gratitude a red virtue. My mother was ever kind to me; -Red Wolf cannot count the occasions on which he owes his life to -her. My mother's heart is ulcered by misfortune; solitude is an evil -counsellor: my mother listens too much to the voices which whisper in -her ear through the silence of night; she forgets the services she has -rendered, only to remember the ingratitude she has sowed on her road. -Red Wolf is devoted to her, he loves her; the She-wolf can place entire -confidence in him, he is worthy of it." - -"Dare I believe in these protestations? Can I put faith in these -promises?" she muttered. - -The chief continued passionately,-- - -"If the gratitude I have vowed to my mother is not enough, another and -stronger tie attaches us, which must convince her of my sincerity." - -"What is it?" she asked, looking fixedly at him. - -"Hatred," he answered. - -"That is true," she said, with a sinister burst of laughter. "You hate -him too?" - -"Yes; I hate him with all the strength of my soul: I hate him, because -he has robbed me of the two things I held most to on earth,--the love -of the woman I adored, and the power I coveted." - -"But are you not a chief?" she said significantly. - -"Yes!" he exclaimed proudly, "I am a chief, but my father was a sachem -of the Kenhas; his son is brave, he is crafty, the scalps of numberless -Palefaces dry before his lodge. Why then is Red Wolf only an inferior -chief, instead of leading his men to battle as his father did?" - -The woman seemed to take a delight in exciting the anger of the Indian, -instead of calming it. - -"Because doubtlessly," she said, "a wiser man than the Red Wolf has -gained the votes of his brothers." - -"Let my mother say that a greater rogue stole them from him, and -her words will be true," he exclaimed violently. "Grizzly Bear is a -Comanche dog, the son of an exile, received through favour into my -tribe; his scalp will soon dry on the girdle of the Red Wolf." - -"Patience!" the woman said in a hoarse voice. "Vengeance is a fruit -which is only eaten ripe: the Red Wolf is a warrior; he can wait." - -"Let my mother order," the Indian said, suddenly calmed; "her son will -obey." - -"Has the Red Wolf succeeded in obtaining the medicine which -Prairie-Flower wears round her neck?" - -The Indian bowed his head in confusion. - -"No," he said hoarsely. "Prairie-Flower never leaves the White Buffalo; -it is impossible to approach her." - -The woman smiled ironically. - -"What! did Red Wolf ever keep a promise?" - -The Blackfoot shuddered with rage. - -"I will have it," he cried, "even if I must use force in obtaining it." - -"No," she replied; "cunning alone must be employed." - -"I will have it," he repeated. "Before two days I will give it to my -mother." - -"No," she said quickly; "in two days is too soon. Let my son give it me -on the fifth day of the new moon, which will begin within three days." - -"Good; I swear it! My mother shall have the great medicine of -Prairie-Flower." - -"My son will bring it to me at the tree of the bear, near the great -lodge of the Palefaces, two hours after sunset. I will await him there, -and give him my final instructions." - -"Red Wolf will be there." - -"Till then, my son will carefully watch every movement of the Grizzly -Bear; if he learns anything new, which appears to him important, my -son will form on this very spot a pyramid of seven buffalo heads, and -come back two hours after to wait for me. I shall have understood his -signal, and will reply to his summons." - -"_Oche_, my mother is powerful; it shall be done as she desires." - -"My son has quite understood?" - -"The words of my mother have fallen on the ears of a chief; his mind -has received them." - -"The sky on the horizon is covered with red bands, the sun will soon -appear: let my brother return to his tribe; he must not arouse the -suspicions of his enemy by his absence." - -"I go; but before leaving my mother, whose wisdom has discovered all -the schemes of the Palefaces, has she not made a great medicine to know -if our enterprise will succeed, and if we shall conquer our enemy?" - -At this moment a loud noise was heard in the canebrake, and a shrill -whistle traversed the air; the Indian's horse laid hack its ears, -made violent efforts to break the rope that fastened it, and trembled -all over. The woman seized the chiefs arm firmly, and said in a gloomy -voice,-- - -"Let my brother look!" - -Red Wolf stifled a cry of surprise, and gazed, motionless and -terrified, at the strange sight before him. A few paces off, a tiger -cat and a rattlesnake were preparing for a contest. Their metallic -eyeballs flashed, and seemed to emit flames. The tiger cat, crouching -on a branch, with hair erect, was meowing and spitting, while closely -following every move of its dangerous enemy, and awaiting the moment -to attack it advantageously. The Crotalus, coiled up, and forming -an enormous spiral, with its hideous head thrown back, whistled, as -it balanced itself to the right and left, with a movement full of -suppleness and grace, apparently trying to fascinate its enemy. But -the latter did not allow it a long rest; it suddenly bounded on the -serpent, which, however, moved nimbly on one side, and when the cat, -after missing its leap, returned to the charge, gave it a fearful sting -on the face. - -The tiger cat uttered a yell of rage, and buried its long and sharp -claws in the eyes of the serpent, which, however, wound round its -enemy with a convulsive movement. Then the two rolled on the ground, -hissing and howling, but unable to loose their hold. The struggle was -long; they fought with extraordinary fury; but at length, the rings of -the snake became unloosened, and its flaccid body lay motionless on -the ground. The tiger cat escaped, with a meow of triumph, from the -monster's terrible embrace, and bounded on a tree; but its strength -was unequal to its will, and it could not reach the branch on which -it wished to climb, but fell back exhausted on the ground. Then the -ferocious animal, struggling with death and overcoming its agony, -crouched back to the body of its enemy, and stood upon it. It then -uttered a final yell of triumph, and fell, itself a corpse, by the side -of the snake. The Indian had followed all the moving incidents of this -cruel contest with ever-increasing interest. - -"Well," he asked the unknown, "what does my mother say?" - -She shook her head. - -"Our triumph will cost us our life," she replied. - -"What matters," the Red Wolf said, "so long as we conquer our enemies?" - -And, drawing his knife, he began skinning the catamount. The woman -looked at his operations for a while; then making him a parting sign, -she re-entered the canebrake, where she was speedily lost to view. An -hour later, the Indian chief, laden with the cat's head and the snake's -skin, started off toward his village at full gallop. An ironical smile -played around his lips; he needed no excuse to explain his absence, for -the spoils he brought with him proved that he had spent the night in -hunting. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE INDIAN VILLAGE. - - -Now that the exigencies of our story compel us to enter into closer -relations with the Prairie Indians, we will introduce to the reader -the primitive population of that territory, generally called Blackfoot -Indians. The Blackfeet formed, at the period when this history -occurred, a powerful nation, divided into three tribes, speaking the -same language. First, the tribe of the Siksekai, or Blackfeet proper; -next, the Kenhas, or Blood Indians; and lastly, the Piékanns. This -nation, when the three tribes were united, could bring under arms -nearly eight thousand warriors, which enables us to estimate the -population at twenty-five thousand souls. But, at the present day, -smallpox has decimated these Indians, and reduced them to a very much -smaller number. The Blackfeet traverse the prairies adjoining the Rocky -Mountains, sometimes even scaling those mountains between the three -forks of the Missouri, called Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers. -The Piékanns, however, go as far as Marine river, to trade with the -American Fur Company; they also barter with the Hudson's Bay Society, -and even with the Mexicans of Santa Fé. This nation, continually at -war with the whites, whom they attack whenever they have the chance, -are very little known, but greatly feared, especially for their skill -in stealing horses, and, more than that, for their notorious cruelty -and bad faith. As we have to deal principally with the Kenhas, we will -occupy ourselves more particularly with that tribe. The following is -the origin of the name "Blood Indians," given to the Kenhas:-- - -Before the Blackfeet were divided, they happened one day to be encamped -a short distance from seven or eight tents of the Sassi Indians. A -quarrel arose between them about a woman carried off by the Sassis, -in spite of the opposition of the Piékanns, and the Kenhas resolved -to kill all their neighbours, a project which they carried out with -extraordinary ferocity and cruelty. In the middle of the night they -attacked the tents of the Sassis, and massacred them all during their -sleep, without sparing even women, children, or old men; they scalped -their victims, and regained their tents, after daubing their faces and -hands with blood. - -The Piékanns reproached them for this act of barbarity; a quarrel -ensued, which speedily degenerated into a combat, in consequence of -which the three Blackfoot tribes separated. The Kenhas then received -the name of Blood Indians, which they still retain, and feel a pride -in it, saying that no one insults them with impunity. The Kenhas are -the most active and indomitable of the Blackfeet: they have always -displayed more sanguinary and rapacious instincts than the other -members of their nation, especially than the Piékanns, who are justly -regarded as comparatively gentle and humane. - -As the three Blackfoot tribes generally live far apart, Natah Otann -must have acted with great skill, and displayed great patience, ere -he succeeded in making them join, and consent to march under the same -banner. At every moment he was constrained to employ all the resources -suggested by his fertile mind, and evince great diplomacy, in order to -prevent a rupture, which was always imminent between these men, whom -no tie attached, and whose pride revolted at the least appearance of -humiliation. - -After the events which occurred at the pioneer's camp, Natah Otann -resolved to lead the Count de Beaulieu and his comrades to the chief -summer village of the Kenhas, situated at no great distance from Fort -Mackenzie, one of the principal depôts of the American Fur Company. -The Kenhas had constructed this village only a year previously, and -their vicinity at first alarmed the Americans; but the conduct of -the Indians had ever been so loyal--apparently, at least, in their -transactions with the white men--that the latter, at length, did not -trouble themselves about their Redskin neighbours, except to buy their -furs, sell them whisky, and visit their village when they wanted some -amusement. - -After selling Black an immense territory for a dollar, Natah Otann -reminded the young man of his promise to visit his tribe, and the -Count, though secretly vexed at the obligation he Was under of -accepting an invitation which bore a great likeness to a command, -still yielded, and followed the chief, after bidding farewell to the -pioneers. Black, with his hand resting on the trigger of his rifle, -looked after the Kenha horsemen, who, according to their custom, -galloped across the prairie, when a rider turned back, and came up -to the American's camp. The pioneer recognised, with some surprise, -Bright-eye, who stopped before him. - -"Have you forgotten anything?" the pioneer asked him. - -"Yes," the hunter answered. - -"What?" - -"To say a word to you." - -"Ah!" the other said, in surprise. "Go ahead, then." - -"I have no time to lose; answer me as plainly as I question you." - -"Very good! speak." - -"Are you grateful for what the Count has done for you?" - -"More than I can express." - -"In case of need, what would you do for him?" - -"Everything." - -"Hum! that is a heavy pledge." - -"It is even less than I would do; my family, my servants, all I -possess, are at his disposal." - -"Then you are devoted to him?" - -"For life and death! Under any circumstances, by day or night; whatever -may happen, at a word from him I am ready." - -"You swear it?" - -"I swear it." - -"I hold your promise." - -"I will keep it." - -"I expect so. Good bye." - -"Are you off already?" - -"I must rejoin my companions." - -"Then you have some suspicions about your Red friend?" - -"You must always be on your guard with Indians," the hunter said, -sententiously. - -"Then you are taking a precaution?" - -"Perhaps." - -"In any event, count on me." - -"Thanks, and good bye." - -"Good bye." - -The two men parted; they understood each other. - -"By heaven!" the pioneer muttered, as he threw his rifle over his -shoulder, and returned to the camp; "I would not be the Indian to touch -a hair of the head of a man to whom I owe so much." - -The Indians had stopped on the bank of a stream, which they were about -to ford, when Bright-eye rejoined them. Natah Otann, busy talking with -the Count, threw a side glance at the hunter, but did not say a word to -him. - -"Yes," the latter muttered, with a crafty smile, "my absence has -bothered you, my fine fellow; you would like to know why I turned -back so suddenly; but, unluckily, I am not disposed to satisfy your -curiosity." - -When the ford was crossed, the Canadian took his post by the -Frenchman's side, and, by his presence, prevented the Indian chief -renewing his conversation with the Count. An hour passed, and not a -word was exchanged. Natah Otann, wearied with the hunter's obstinacy, -and not knowing how to make him retire, resolved at last to give up to -him: and, digging his spurs into his horse's flank, galloped forward, -leaving the two white men together. The hunter watched him depart, with -that caustic laugh which was one of the characteristics of his face. - -"Poor horse!" he said, sarcastically, "he must suffer for his master's -ill temper." - -"What ill temper do you mean?" the Count said, absently. - -"Why, the chief's, who is flying along over there in a cloud of dust." - -"You do not seem to have any sympathy for each other." - -"Indeed, we are as friendly as the grizzly bear and the jaguar." - -"Which means?--" - -"That we have measured our claws; and, as we find them at present of -the same strength and length, so we stand on the defensive." - -"Do you feel any malice against him?" - -"I? not the least in the world. I do not fear him more than he does -me; we are only distrustful because we know each other." - -"Oh, oh!" the young man said, with a laugh; "that conceals, I can see, -something serious." - -Bright-eye frowned, and took a scrutinizing glance around. The Indians -were galloping on about twenty paces in the rear; Ivon alone, though -keeping at a respectful distance, could hear the conversation between -the two men. Bright-eye leant over to the Count, laid his hand on the -pommel of his saddle, and said, in a low voice--"I do not like tigers -covered with a fox's skin; each ought to follow the instincts of his -nature, and not try to assume others that are fictitious." - -"I must confess, my good fellow," the young man replied, "that you are -speaking in enigmas, and I cannot understand you at all." - -"Patience!" the hunter said, tossing his head; "I will be clear." - -"My faith! that will delight me, Bright-eye," the young man said, with -a smile; "for ever since we have again met the Indian chief, you have -affected an air of mystery, which bothers me so, that I should be -charmed to comprehend you for once." - -"Good! What do you think of Natah Otann - -"Ah! that is where you are galled still!" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I will reply that this man appears to me extraordinary; there is -something strange about him, which I cannot understand. In the first -place, is he an Indian?" - -"Yes." - -"But he has travelled; he has been in white society; he has been in the -interior of the United States?" - -The hunter shook his head. "No," he said, "he has never left his tribe." - -"Yet--" - -"Yet," Bright-eye quickly interrupted him, "he speaks English, French -and Spanish, as well as yourself, and perhaps better than I do, eh? -Before his warriors he feigns profound ignorance; like them, he -trembles at the sight of one of the results of civilization--a watch, -a musical box, or even a lucifer match, eh?" - -"It is true." - -"Then, when he finds himself with certain persons, like yourself, for -instance, sir, the Indian suddenly disappears, the savage vanishes, -and you find yourself in the presence of a man whose acquirements -are almost equal to your own, and who confounds you by his thorough -knowledge." - -"That is true." - -"Ah, ah! Well, as you consider that extraordinary as I do, you will -take your precautions, Mr. Edward." - -"What have I to fear from him?" - -"I do not know yet; but be at your ease; I shall soon know. He is -sharp, but I am not such a fool as he fancies, and am watching him. -For a long time this man has been playing a game, about which I have -hitherto troubled myself but little; now that he has drawn us into it, -he must be on his guard." - -"But where did he learn all he knows?" - -"Ah! that is a story too long to tell you at present; but you shall -hear it someday; suffice it to say, that in his tribe there is an old -chief called the White Buffalo; he is a European, and he it was who -educated the Grizzly Bear." - -"Ah!" - -"Is not that singular! a European of immense learning; a man who, in -his own country, must have held a high rank, and who thus becomes, of -his own accord, chief of the savages?" - -"Indeed, it is most extraordinary. Do you know this man?" - -"I have often seen him; he is very aged now; his beard and hair are -white; he is tall and majestic; his face is fine, his look profound; -there is something about him grand and imposing, which attracts you -against your will. Grizzly Bear holds him in great veneration, and -obeys him as if he were his son." - -"Who can this man be?" - -"No one knows. I am convinced that the Grizzly Bear shares the general -ignorance on this head." - -"But how did he join the tribe?" - -"It is not known." - -"He must have been long with it." - -"I told you so; he educated the Grizzly Bear, and made a European of -him instead of an Indian." - -"All that is really strange," the Count murmured, having suddenly grown -pensive. - -"Is it not so? But that is not all yet; you are entering a world you -do not know, accident throws you among interests you are unacquainted -with; take care; weigh well your words, calculate your slightest -gesture, Mr. Edward; for the Indians are very clever; the man you have -to deal with is cleverer than all of them, as he combines with Redskin -craft that European intelligence and corruption with which his teacher -has inculcated him. Natah Otann is a man with an incalculable depth of -calculation; his thoughts are an abyss; he must be revolving sinister -schemes; take care; his pressing you to promise a visit to his village; -his generosity to the American squatter, the secret protection with -which he surrounds you, while being the first to pretend to take you -for a superior being; all this makes me believe that he wishes to lead -you unconsciously into some dark enterprise, which will prove your -destruction. Believe me, Mr. Edward, beware of this man." - -"Thanks, my friend, I will watch," the Count said, pressing the -Canadian's honest hand. - -"You will watch," the latter said; "but do you know the way to do it?" - -"I confess--" - -"Listen to me," the hunter interrupted him; "you must first--" - -"Here is the chief," the young man exclaimed. - -"Confusion!" Bright-eye growled. "Why could he not stop a few minutes -longer? I am sure that red devil has some familiar spirit to warn him; -but no matter, I have told you enough to prevent your being trapped by -false friendliness; besides, I shall be there to support you." - -"Thanks. When the time comes--" - -"I will warn you; but it is urgent that you should now compose your -countenance, and pretend to know nothing." - -"Good; that's settled; here is our man. Silence." - -"On the contrary, let us talk; silence is ever interpreted either well -or ill, but generally in the latter sense. Be careful to reply in the -sense of my questions." - -"I will try." - -"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater." - -After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few paces -off at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,-- - -"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chief -will be happy to procure you that pleasure." - -"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter was -alluding to. - -Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rode -silently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks. - -"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, and -longs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief, -one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reserved -the scent." - -"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied, -bowing with Indian gravity. - -The Count thanked him. - -"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "we -shall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive my -friends." - -The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grew -together, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The little -party continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri, -which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osier -beds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pink -flamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formed -a bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for a -fight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loading -them; others preparing their bows and javelins. - -"Are the fellows afraid of an attack?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"Not the least in the world," the latter answered; "they are only a -few minutes' ride from their village, into which they wish to enter in -triumph, in order to do you honour." - -"Come, come!" the young man said; "all this is charming; I did not -expect, on coming to the prairies, to be present at such singular -scenes." - -"You have seen nothing yet," the hunter said, ironically: "wait, we are -only at the beginning." - -"All the better," the Count answered, joyfully. - -Natah Otann made a sign, and the warriors closed up again at the same -moment; although no one was visible, a noise of conchs, drums, and -chichikouès was heard a short distance off. The warriors uttered their -war yell, and replied by raising to their lips their war whistles. -Natah Otann then placed himself at the head of the party, having the -Count on his right, the hunter and Ivon on his left; and, turning -towards his men, he brandished his weapon several times over his head, -uttering two or three shrill whistles. At this signal the whole troop -rushed forward, and turned the corner like an avalanche. - -The Frenchman then witnessed a strange scene, which was not without a -certain amount of savage grandeur, A troop of warriors from the village -came up, like a tornado, to meet the newcomers, shouting, howling, -brandishing their arms, and firing their guns. The two parties charged -each other with extraordinary fury and at full speed; but when scarce -ten yards apart, the horses stopped, as if of their own impulse, and -began dancing, curvetting, and performing all the most difficult -tricks of the riding school. After these manoeuvres had lasted a -few moments, the two bands formed a semicircle opposite each other, -leaving a free space between them, in which the chiefs collected. -The presentations then began. Natah Otann made a long harangue to -the chiefs, in which he gave them an account of his expedition, and -the result he had obtained. The sachems listened to it with thorough -Indian decorum. When he spoke to them of his meeting with the white -men, and what had occurred, they bowed silently, without replying; but -one chief, of venerable aspect, who seemed older than the rest, and -appeared to be treated with great consideration by his companions, -turned a profound and inquiring glance at the Count, when Natah Otann -spoke of him. The young man, troubled, in spite of himself, by the -fixed glance, stooped down to Bright-eye's ear, and asked him, in a low -voice, who the man was. - -"That is White Buffalo," the hunter answered, "the European I spoke to -you about." - -"Ah, ah!" the Count said, regarding him, in his turn, attentively; "I -do not know why, but I believe I shall have a serious row with that -gentleman before I have done." - -The White Buffalo then took the word. - -"My brothers are welcome," he said; "their return to the tribe is a -festival; they are intrepid warriors; we are happy at hearing the way -in which they have performed the duties entrusted to them." Then he -turned to the white men, and, after bowing to them, continued,--"The -Kenhas are poor, but strangers are always well received by them: the -Palefaces are our guests, all we possess belongs to them." - -The Count and his companions thanked the chief, who so gracefully did -the honours of his tribe; then the two parties joined, and galloped -toward the village, which was built some five hundred paces from the -spot where they were, and at the entrance of which a multitude of women -and children could be seen assembled. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE RECEPTION. - - -Like all the centres of Indian population near the American clearings, -the Kenha village was more like a fort than an open town. As we said -before, the Kenhas had only a short time previously established -themselves there, by the advice of Natah Otann. The spot was -magnificently selected, and owing to the precautions taken, the hill -was completely protected from a sudden attack. The wigwams were built -without any order, on both sides a stream, and the fortifications -consisted of a sort of intrenchment formed of dead trees. These -fortifications formed an inclosure, having several angles, and the -gorge or open part rested on the spot where the stream fell into the -Missouri. A parapet of tree stems and piled up branches, built up -on the edge of a deep ditch, completed a very respectable defensive -system, which few would have expected to find in the heart of the -prairies. - -In the centre of the village, a wide, vacant spot served as the meeting -place for the chiefs. In the centre there was a wigwam of wood, in the -shape of a sugar loaf. On either side of the building, maize, wheat, -and other cereals kept for winter consumption were drying. A little in -advance of the village were two block houses, formed of arrow-shaped -intrenchments, covered with wickerwork, provided with loopholes, and -surrounded by an enclosure of palisades. They were intended for the -defence of the village, with which they communicated by a covered -way, and to command the river and the plain. To leeward of these -block houses, and about a mile to the east, might be seen a number of -_Machotlé_, or scaffoldings, on which the Blood Indians lay their dead. -At regular distances on the road leading to the village, long poles -were planted in the ground, from which hung skins, scalps, and other -objects offered by the Indians to the Master of Life and the first man. - -The Indians made their entrance into the village amid the cheers of the -women and children, the barking of dogs, and the deafening clamour of -drums, shells, chichikouès, and war whistles. On reaching the square, -at a signal from Natah Otann, the band halted, and the noise ceased. An -immense fire had been prepared, before which stood an aged chief, still -robust and upright. A shade of melancholy was spread over his face. He -was in mourning, as was easily to be seen by the ragged clothes that -covered him, and his hair cut short and mingled with clay. He held in -his hand a Dacotah pipe, the stem of which was long and adorned with -yellow glistening beads. This man was Cloven Foot, the first and most -renowned sachem of the Kenhas. So soon as the band had halted, he -advanced two paces, and with a majestic gesture invited the chiefs to -dismount. - -"My sons are at home," he said, "let them take their seats on the -buffalo robes around the council fire." - -Each obeyed silently, and sat down, after bowing respectfully to the -sachem. Cloven Foot then allowed each to take a few puffs from his -pipe, still holding it in his hand. When it was returned to him, he -emptied the burning ash into the fire, and turning with a kind of smile -to the strangers, said:-- - -"The Palefaces are our guests. There are fire and water here." - -After these words, which ended the ceremony, all rose and retired -without uttering a word, according to the Indian custom. Natah Otann -then went up to the Count. - -"Let my brother follow me," he said. - -"Where to?" the young man asked. - -"To the cabin I have had prepared for him." - -"And my companions?" - -"Other wigwams await them." - -Bright-eye made a sign, immediately checked by the Count. - -"Pardon, chief," he said, "but with your permission my comrades will -live with me." - -The hunter smiled, as a shade of dissatisfaction crossed the Indian's -face. - -"The young Pale chief will be uncomfortable, for he is accustomed to -the immense huts of the whites." - -"That is possible; but I shall be more uncomfortable if my comrades do -not remain with me, in order to keep me company." - -"The hospitality of the Kenhas is great. They are rich, and could give -each a private cabin, even if their guests were more numerous." - -"I am convinced of it, and thank them for their attention, by which, -however, I decline to profit. Solitude frightens me. I should be -worried to death had I not with me someone to talk with." - -"Be it then as the young Pale chief desires. Guests have a right to -command. Their requests are orders." - -"I thank you for your condescension, and am ready to follow you." - -"Come." - -With that rapidity of resolution which the Indians possess in so -eminent a degree, Natah Otann shut up his vexation in his heart, and -not a trace of emotion again appeared on his stoical countenance. The -three men followed him, after exchanging a meaning glance. A handsome, -lofty cabin had been built in the square itself, near the hut of the -first man, a species of cylinder formed in the earth, and surrounded -with creeping plants. To this cabin the chief now led his guests. A -woman was standing silently in the doorway, fixing on the newcomers a -glance in which admiration and astonishment were blended. But was it a -woman? this angelic creature, with her vague outline, whose delicious -face, blushing with modesty and simple curiosity, turned towards the -Count with anxious timidity. The young man asked himself this very -question on contemplating this charming apparition, which resembled one -of those divine virgins in the mythology of the ancient Sclavons. On -seeing her, Natah Otann paused. - -"What is my sister doing here?" he asked her, roughly. - -The girl, startled from her silent contemplation by this brusque -address, shuddered, and let her eyes fall. - -"Prairie-Flower wishes to welcome her adopted father," she replied -gently, in a sweet melodious voice. - -"Prairie-Flower's place is not here, I will speak with her presently: -let her go and rejoin her companions, the young maidens of the tribe." - -Prairie-Flower blushed still deeper, her rosy lips pouted, and after -shaking her head petulantly twice, she flew away like a bird, casting -at the Count, as she fled, a parting glance, which caused him an -incomprehensible emotion. - -The young man laid his hand on his heart, to suppress its beating, and -followed the girl with his eyes till she disappeared behind a cabin. - -"Oh!" the chief muttered aside, "can she have suddenly recognized a -being of that accursed race to which she belongs?" - -Then turning to the white men, whose eyes he felt instinctively were -fixed on him,-- - -"Enter," he said, raising the buffalo skin, which served as a door to -the cabin. - -They went in. By Natah Otann's care the cabin had been cleaned, -and every comfort it was possible to find placed in it, that is to -say--piles of furs to serve as a bed, a rickety table, some wooden -clumsy benches, and a species of reed easy chair, with a large back. - -"The Paleface will excuse the poor Indians if they have not done more -to welcome him as he deserves," the chief said, with a mixture of irony -and humility. - -"It is all famous," the young man answered with a smile; "I certainly -did not expect so much; besides, I have been on the prairie long enough -to satisfy myself with what is strictly necessary." - -"Now I ask the Pale chiefs permission to retire." - -"Yes, go, my worthy host; do so: do not put yourself out of the way. -Attend to your business. For my part I intend taking that rest I need -so sadly." - -Natah Otann bowed in reply, and withdrew. So soon as he was gone, -Bright-eye made his comrades a sign to remain motionless, and began -inspecting the place, peering into every corner. When he had ended -this inspection, which produced no farther result than proving to him -they were really alone, and that no spy was on the watch, he returned -to the centre of the hut, and calling the Count and Ivon toward him, -said in a low voice:-- - -"Listen: we are now in the wolfs throat by our own fault, and we must -be prudent; in the prairies the leaves have eyes and the trees ears. -Natah Otann is a demon, who is planning some treachery, of which he -intends to make us the victims." - -"Bah!" the Count said, lightly. "How do you know it, Bright-eye?" - -"I do not know it, yet I feel sure of it; my instinct never deceives -me, Mr. Edward. I have known the Kenhas a long time; we must get out of -this as adroitly as we can." - -"Eh! what use are such suspicions, my friend? The poor devils, I am -convinced, only think of treating us properly; all this appears to me -admirable." - -The Canadian shook his head. - -"I should like to know the cause of the strange respect the Indians pay -you; that conceals something, I repeat." - -"Bah! they are afraid of me; that's all." - -"Hum! Natah Otann does not fear much in this world." - -"Why, Bright-eye, I never saw you in this state before. Did I not know -you so thoroughly, I should say you were afraid." - -"Hang me! if I'll try to conceal it," the hunter replied, quickly. "I -am afraid, and terribly so." - -"You?" - -"Yes; but not for myself; you know that during the time I have -journeyed on the prairies, if the Redskins could have killed me, they -would have done so. Hence, I am perfectly calm on my own account, and -were there only myself--" - -"Well?" - -"I should not be at all embarrassed." - -"Whom are you afraid for, then?" - -"For you." - -"Me!" the Count exclaimed, as he reclined carelessly in the easy chair. -"You do these scamps a deal of honour. With my whip I would put all -these hideous people to flight." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"You will not, Mr. Edward, persuade yourself thoroughly of one thing." - -"What?" - -"That the Indians are different men from the Europeans with whom you -have hitherto had dealings." - -"Nonsense, were a man to listen to you wood rangers, he would be, at -every two steps, in danger of death, and it would be impossible to -move, except by crawling on all fours, like the wild beasts; that is -all trash, my good fellow. I fancy I have already twenty times proved -to you that such precautions are useless, and that a man, who boldly -meets danger, will always get the best of the most warlike Redskins." - -"It is exactly the reason that makes them act toward you in that way, I -wish to discover." - -"You would do better to try and discover something else." - -"What is it?" - -"Who that charming girl is, of whom I only had a glance, and whom the -chief sent away so brutally." - -"Good! then I suppose you have fallen in love now; that's the last -thing wanting." - -"Why not? She is a charming girl." - -"Yes; she is charming, sir; but, believe me, do not trouble yourself -about her." - -"And why so, if you please?" - -"Because she is not what she seems to be." - -"Why, it's a perfect romance of the Anne Radcliffe school; we have been -advancing from mystery to mystery during the last few days." - -"Yes, and the further we go, the more gloomy matters will become around -us." - -"Bah, bah! I do not believe a word. Ivon, take off my boots." - -The man-servant obeyed. Since his entry into the village, the worthy -Breton had been in one continued trance, and trembled in all his -limbs. All he saw seemed to him so extraordinary and horrible, that he -expected every moment to be massacred. - -"Well," the Count asked him, "what do you think of it all, Ivon?" - -"Your lordship knows that I am a great coward," the Breton stammered. - -"Yes, yes, that is agreed; go on." - -"I am terribly afraid." - -"Naturally." - -"And if your lordship will allow me, I will carry my furs over there, -and sleep across the doorway." - -"Why so?" - -"Because, as I am very frightened, I shall not sleep soundly; and if -anyone comes in the night, with ill intentions, he will be obliged to -step over me; I shall hear him, and, in that way, be able to warn you, -which will give you time to defend yourself." - -The young man threw himself back, and burst into a Homeric laugh, in -which Bright-eye joined, in spite of his thoughtfulness. - -"By Jove!" the Count exclaimed, looking at his servant, who was in -amazement at this gaiety, which seemed to him unsuitable at so grave -a moment--"I must confess, Ivon, that you are the most extraordinary -poltroon I ever saw." - -"Ah, sir," he answered with contrition, "it is not my fault; for I do -all I can to gain courage, but it is impossible." - -"Good, good!" the young man went on, still laughing. "I am not angry -with you, my poor fellow; as it is stronger than yourself, you must put -up with it." - -"Alas!" the Breton said, uttering an enormous sigh. - -"Well, you can sleep how and where you like, Ivon; I leave it entirely -to you." - -The Breton, without further reply, began transferring the furs to the -place he had selected, while the Count went on talking with the hunter. - -"As for you, Bright-eye," he said, "I leave you at liberty to watch -over our safety as you may think proper, promising not to disarrange -your plans in any way, and even to promote them, if necessary--but on -one condition." - -"What?" - -"That you will arrange so that I may meet again that charming creature, -of whom I have already spoken to you." - -"Take care, Mr. Edward!" - -"I want to see her again, I tell you, even if I am obliged to go and -look for her myself." - -"You will not do so, Mr. Edward." - -"I will do so, on my soul! and at once, if you continue in that tone." - -"You will reflect." - -"I now reflect, and find it the best plan." - -"But do you know who that girl is?" - -"By Jove! you have just said it; she is a girl, and a charming one in -the bargain." - -"Granted; but I repeat, she is loved by Natah Otann." - -"What do I care?" - -"Take care!" - -"I will not: I must see her again." - -"At any risk?" - -"At all." - -"Well, listen to me, then." - -"I will, but be brief." - -"I will tell you this girl's history." - -"You know her then?" - -"I do." - -"Go on; I am all attention." - -Bright-eye drew up a bench, eat down with an air of dissatisfaction, -and, after a moment's reflection, began. - -"Just fifteen years ago, Natah Otann, who was hardly twenty years of -age, but already a renowned warrior, left his tribe, at the head of -some fifty picked warriors, to attempt a _coup de main_ on the Whites. -At that period, the Kenhas did not live where they now are; the Fur -Company had not advanced so far on the Missouri, and Fort Mackenzie did -not exist. The Blood Indians hunted freely on the vast territories from -which the Americans have since expelled them. Up to that moment, Natah -Otann had never been the commander in chief of an expedition; like all -young men of his age and circumstances, his brow shone with pride; he -burned to distinguish himself, and prove to the sachems of his nation -that he was worthy to command brave warriors. So soon as he entered -on the war trail, he scattered his spies in every direction, and even -forbade his men smoking, lest the light of their pipes might betray his -presence. In short, he took, with extreme wisdom, all the precautions -employed in similar cases. His expedition was brilliant; he surprised -several caravans, and plundered and burned the clearings; his men -returned laden with booty, and the bits of their horses garnished with -scalps. Natah Otann only brought back, as his share, a weak creature -of two or three years of age at the most, whom he bore tenderly in his -arms, or laid on the front of his saddle. That child was the tall and -lovely girl you saw today." - -"Ah! Is she white or red, American or Spanish?" - -"No one knows; no one will ever know. You are aware that many Indians -are born white, thus colour is of no avail in finding her relations -again. In short, the chief adopted her; but, strange to say, as she -grew up, she gained such an ascendency over Natah Otann's mind, -that the chief of the tribe grew alarmed; besides, the life led by -Prairie-Flower--that is her name--" - -"I knew it," the Count interrupted him. - -"Good," the hunter continued, "I say, then, that this girl's life is -extraordinary; instead of being sportive and laughing, like girls of -her age, she is gloomy, dreamy, and wild, wandering ever alone on the -prairie, flying over the dew-laden grass like a gazelle; or else, at -night, dreaming in the moonlight, and muttering words no one hears. At -times, from a distance (for no one ventures to approach her), another -shadow may be traced by the side of her's, and moving for hours at her -side: then she returns alone to the village; if questioned, only shakes -her head, and begins crying." - -"That is really strange." - -"Is it not? so much so, that the chiefs assembled in council, and -agreed that Prairie-Flower had cast a charm over her adopted father." - -"The asses!" the Count muttered. - -"Perhaps so," the hunter went on, turning his head; "at any rate, they -agreed that she should be left alone to perish in the desert." - -"Poor child! Well, what happened then?" - -"Natah Otann and White Buffalo, who were not summoned to the council, -went there on learning this decision, and succeeded by their deceitful -words in so thoroughly altering the chiefs' sentiments, that they not -only gave up all idea of deserting her, but she has since been regarded -as the tutelary genius of the tribe." - -"And Natah Otann?" - -"His condition is still the same." - -"Is that all?" - -"It is." - -"Well, then, Bright-eye, within two days I shall know whether that -girl is the enchantress you fancy her, and what I am to think on the -subject." - -The hunter only answered by an unintelligible grunt, and, saying no -more, lay down on his furs. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE WHITE BUFFALO. - - -So soon as Natah Otann emerged from the cabin into which he had -conducted the Count, he proceeded towards the hut inhabited by White -Buffalo. The night was beginning to fall; the Kenhas, collected round -fires kindled at the door of each wigwam, were conversing gaily while -smoking their long calumets. The chief replied by a nod of the head, as -a friendly sign to the affectionate salutations the warriors made him -whom he met; but he did not stop to talk with anyone, and continued his -walk with greater rapidity as the darkness grew denser. He at length -reached a cabin, situated at the extremity of the village, on the banks -of the Missouri. The chief, after taking a scrutinizing glance around, -stopped before this hut, and prepared to enter. Still in the act of -raising the buffalo curtain that served as a doorway, he hesitated for -a few seconds, and appeared to be collecting his courage. - -This dwelling, externally, had nothing to distinguish it from the -others forming the village; it was round, with a roof shaped like a -beehive, made of intertwined branches, with clay stuffed between them, -and covered with matting. Still, after a moment's reflection, Natah -Otann raised the curtain, walked in, and stopped at the threshold, -saying in French-- - -"Good evening, my father." - -"Good evening, child, I was awaiting you impatiently: come, sit down by -my side, we have to talk." - -These words were uttered in the same language, and in a gentle voice. - -Natah Otann took a few steps forward, and let the curtain fall behind -him. If, externally, the hut the Chief had just entered was not -distinguished from the others, that was not the case with the interior. -All that human industry can imagine, when reduced to its simplest -expressions, that is to say, when deprived of tools and matters of -primary necessity to express its thoughts, had been as it were invented -by the master of this house. Hence the interior of this hut was a sort -of strange pandemonium, in which were collected the most discordant -articles, apparently least suited to be side by side. Differing from -the other wigwams, this cabin had two windows, in which oiled paper -was substituted for glass; in one corner was a bed, in the centre a -table, a few scattered chairs, and armchair by the table, but all these -articles carved with an axe, and clumsily. Such was the furniture of -this singular room. - -On shelves, some forty volumes, for the most part out of their binding; -stuffed animals hanging by cords, insects, &c.; in a word, an infinite -number of things without name, but classified, arranged, and labelled, -completed this singular abode, which more resembled the cell of an -anchorite, or the secret den of a mediaeval alchemist, than the abode -of an Indian chief; and yet this hut belonged to White Buffalo, one -of the first Kenha chiefs. But, as we have said, this chief was a -European, and had, doubtlessly, kept up some reminiscences of his past -life, the last rays of a lost existence. - -At the moment when Natah Otann entered the hut, White Buffalo, seated -in the easy chair at the table, with his head resting on his hands, -was reading by the light of a lamp, whose smoky wick only spread a -flickering and uncertain light around, from a large folio, with yellow -and worn leaves. He raised his head, took off his spectacles, which -he placed in the book, and, turning the chair half round, the old man -smiled, and, pointing to a chair in a kindly way, said-- - -"Come, my child, sit down there." - -The Chief took a chair, drew it to the table, and sat down, without any -reply. The old man looked at him attentively for a few moments, and -then said:-- - -"Hem! you appear to me very thoughtful for a man who, as I suppose, has -just obtained a grand result so long expected. What can render you so -gloomy? Would you hesitate, now you are on the point of success? or are -you beginning to understand that the work which, in spite of me, you -wished to undertake, is beyond the strength of a man left to himself, -and who has only an old man to support him?" - -"Perhaps so," the Chief answered, in a hollow voice. "Oh why, my -father, did you let me taste the bitter fruit of that accursed -civilization, which was not made for me? Why have your lessons made -of me a man differing from those who surround me, and with whom I am -compelled to live and die?" - -"Blind man! when I showed you the sun, you allowed yourself to be -dazzled by the beams; your weak eyes could not endure the light; in -the place of that ignorance and brutalization in which you would have -vegetated all the days of your life, I developed in you the only -feeling which elevates man above the brute. I taught you to think, to -judge, and this is the way in which you recompense me. This is the -reward you give me for the pains I have taken, and the cares I have -never ceased to bestow on you." - -"My father!" - -"Do not attempt to exculpate yourself, child," the old man said, with -a shade of bitterness. "I should have expected what now happens, -ingratitude and egotism are deposited in man's heart by Providence, -as his safeguard. Without those two supreme virtues of humanity, no -society would be possible. I am not angry with you; I have no right to -be so; and, as the sage says, you are a man, and no human feeling must -be alien to you." - -"I make neither plaint nor recrimination, my father; I know that you -have acted towards me with good intentions," the Chief replied, "but, -unfortunately, your lessons have produced a very different result -from what you awaited: in developing my ideas, you have, without your -knowledge or mine, increased my wants; the life I lead preys upon -me: the men who surround me are a burden to me, because they cannot -understand me, and I can no longer understand them. As respects myself, -my mind rushes towards an unknown horizon. I dream wide awake of -strange and impossible things. I suffer from an incurable malady, and -cannot define it. I hopelessly love a woman, of whom I am jealous, -and who can never be mine, save by a crime. Oh, my father, I am very -wretched!" - -"Child!" the old man exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders in pity. "What, -you are unhappy! Your grief inclines me to laughter. Man has in himself -the germ of good and evil; if you suffer, you have only yourself -to blame. You are young, intelligent, powerful, the first of your -nation: what do you want for happiness? Nothing. If you wish to be so -permanently, stifle in your heart that insensate passion which devours -it, and follow, without looking to the right or left, the glorious -mission you have traced for yourself. What can be more noble or grander -than the deliverance and regeneration of a people?" - -"Alas! can I do it?" - -"What! you doubt?" the old man shouted, striking the table with his -fist and looking him in the face; "then you are lost: renounce your -plans, you will not succeed; on a road like that you follow, hesitation -or stoppage is ruin." - -"Father!" - -"Silence," he said, with redoubled energy, "and listen to me; when you -first revealed your plans to me, I tried by all arguments possible -to make you abandon them. I proved to you that your resolves were -premature. That the Indians, brutalized by a lengthened slavery, were -only the shadow of their former selves; and that to attempt to arouse -in them any noble or generous feeling was like galvanizing a corpse. -You resisted; you would hear nothing; you went Headlong into intrigues -and plots of every description--is it not so?" - -"It is true." - -"Well! now it is too late to return; you must go on at all risks. You -may fall, but you will do so with honour; and your name, cherished by -all, will swell the martyrology of the chosen men who have devoted -themselves to their country." - -"Things are not yet sufficiently advanced, I think, for me----" - -"Not to be able to withdraw--you mean?" he interrupted him. - -"Yes." - -"You are mistaken; while you were engaged in collecting your partisans, -and preparing to take up arms, do you fancy I remained inactive?" -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that your enemies suspect your plans; are watching you; and if -you do not prevent them, will lay a trap, into, which you will fall." - -"I?" the chief said, violently. "We shall see." - -"Then redouble your activity; do not let yourself be taken unawares; -and, above all, be prudent, for you are closely watched, I repeat." - -"How do you know it?" - -"That I know it, is sufficient, I imagine; trust to my prudence. I am -on the watch. Let the spies and traitors fall asleep in a doubtful -security; were we to unmask them, others would take their place, -and we are better off with those we know; in that way none of their -movements escape us, we know what they are doing and what they want, -and while they flatter themselves with the idea of knowing our plans, -and divulging them to their paymasters, we are their masters, and amuse -them with false information, which conceals our real plans. Believe me, -their confidence produces our security." - -"You are always right, my father. I trust entirely to you. But may I -not be permitted to know the names of the traitors?" - -"For what end, since I know them? When the time arrives, I will tell -you all." - -"Be it so." - -There was a lengthened silence; the two men, absorbed in thought, -did not notice a grinning head over the curtain in the doorway, and -which had for a long time been listening to their conversation. But -the man, whoever he might be, who indulged in this espial, every now -and then gave signs of ill temper and disappointment. In fact, while -listening to the two chiefs, he had forgotten one thing, that he could -not understand a word of what they said, for they spoke in French, and -that was a sad disappointment to the spy. Still he did not despair, but -continued to listen, in the hope that they might at any moment revert -to his idiom. - -"And now," the old man continued, "give me an account of your trip. -When you went away, you were happy, and hoped, as you told me, to bring -back with you the man you wanted to play the principal part in your -conspiracy." - -"Well, you saw him here today, my father. He is here. This evening he -entered the village by my side." - -"Oh! oh! explain that to me, my child," the old man said, with a -gentle smile, and settling himself in the easy chair to listen at his -ease. By an imperceptible movement, and while seeming to listen with -the greatest attention, he drew towards him the heavy pistol that lay -before him. - -"Go on," he said; "I am listening." - -"About six months ago, I do not know if I told you of it then, I -succeeded in capturing a Canadian hunter, to whom I owe an old grudge." - -"Wait a minute. I fancy I have a confused remembrance of it. A certain -Bright-eye, I think, eh?" - -"The very man. Well! I was furious with him, because he had mocked us -so long, and killed my warriors with extraordinary skill. So soon as he -was in my power I resolved he should die by violence." - -"Although, as you know, I do not approve of that barbarous custom, you -were in the right, and I cannot offer any opposition to it." - -"He, too, made no objection; on the contrary, he derided us; in a -word, he rendered us so mad with him, that I gave the order for the -punishment. At the moment that he was about to die, a man, or rather a -demon, appeared all at once, rushed among us, and careless as it seemed -of the risk he ran, unfastened the prisoner." - -"Hum! he was a brave man, do you know?" - -"Yes, but his daring action would have cost him dear; when suddenly, at -a signal from myself, all my warriors fell at his feet, with marks of -the most profound respect." - -"Oh! what are you telling me now?" - -"The strictest truth: on looking this man in the face, I perceived on -his face two extraordinary signs." - -"What?" - -"A scar over the right eyebrow, and a black mark under the eye, on the -same side of the face." - -"That is strange," the old man muttered, pensively. - -"But what is still more so, this man exactly resembles the portrait -which you drew, and which is in that book." - -"What did you do then?" - -"You know my coolness and rapidity of resolution. I let the man depart -with the prisoner." - -"Well! and afterwards?" - -"I pretended as if I did not wish to meet him." - -"Better and better still," the old man said, with a nod of his head, -and with a movement swift as thought, he cocked the pistol he held in -his hand, and fired. A cry of pain was heard from the door, and the -head disappeared suddenly under the curtain. The two men jumped up, and -rushed out, but saw nothing, except that a rather large pool of blood -clearly indicated that the shot had told. - -"What have you done, my father?" Natah Otann exclaimed, in astonishment. - -"Nothing. I have merely given a lesson, rather a rough one, to one of -those spies I mentioned to you just now." - -And he went back coolly, and eat down again. Natah Otann wished to -follow the bloody trail left by the fugitive, but the old man checked -him. - -"Stay! what I have done is sufficient; continue your story, which is -deeply interesting. Still you can see you have no time to lose, if you -wish to succeed." - -"I will lose none, father, you may be assured," the Chief exclaimed, -wrathfully, "but I swear that I will know the scoundrel." - -"You would do wrong to seek him. Come, proceed with your narrative." - -Natah Otann then described in full detail his meeting with the Count, -and in what way he had made him consent to follow him to his village. -This time no incident interrupted his story, and it seemed as if the -lesson read by White Buffalo to the listener was sufficient for the -present. The old man laughed heartily at the experiment with the -matches, and the Count's surprise when he perceived that the man he had -hitherto taken for a coarse and half-idiot savage was, on the contrary, -a man endowed with an intellect and education at least equal to his own. - -"And what shall I do now?" Natah Otann added, in conclusion. "He is -here; but with him is Bright-eye, in whom he places the greatest -confidence." - -"Hum!" the old man answered, "all this is very serious. In the first -place, my son, you did wrong to let him know you as you really are: you -were much stronger than he, so long as he merely fancied you a stupid -savage: you allowed your pride to carry you away through the desire to -shine in the eyes of a European. It is a great fault, for now he doubts -you, and keeps on his guard." - -The young man looked down, and made no reply. - -"However," the old man went on, "I will try to arrange matters; but I -must first see this Bright-eye and have a talk with him." - -"You will obtain nothing, my father; he is devoted to the Count." - -"The greater reason, child. In which hut have you lodged them?" - -"In the old council lodge." - -"Good! they will be convenient there, and it will be easy to hear all -they say." - -"That is what I thought." - -"Now, one last remark." - -"What is it?" - -"Why did you not kill the She-wolf of the Prairies?" - -"I did not see her. I was not in the camp; but I would not have done -so." - -The old man laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Natah Otann, my son," he said to him, in a stern voice, "when a man -like yourself is intrusted with the fortunes of a people, he must -recoil before nothing. A dead enemy makes the living sleep quietly. The -She-wolf of the Prairies is your enemy. You know it; and her influence -is immense over the superstitious minds of the Redskins. Remember these -words, uttered by an old, experienced man:--As you would not kill her, -she will kill you." - -Natah Otann smiled contemptuously. - -"Oh!" he said, "a wretched, half-mad woman." - -"Ah!" White Buffalo replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "are you -ignorant that a woman lurks behind every great event? They kill men of -genius for futile interests, and paltry passions cause the finest and -boldest prospects to fail." - -"Yes; you are, perhaps, right," Natah Otann said; "but I feel I cannot -stain my hands with that woman's blood." - -"Scruples, poor child," White Buffalo said, with disdain; "well, I do -not insist; but be assured that scruples will ruin you. The man who -wishes to govern others must be made of marble, and have no feelings of -humanity, else his prospects will be nipped in the bud, and his foes -will ridicule him. That which has ever ruined the greatest geniuses -is, that they would not comprehend this fact; but worked for their -successors and not for themselves." - -In speaking thus, the old man had involuntarily let himself be carried -away by the tumultuous feelings that still agitated his mind. His eye -sparkled; his brow was unwrinkled; his glance had an irresistible -majesty; he had returned, in thought, to his old days of struggling -and triumph. Natah Otann listened to him, yielding to the dominating -ascendency of this prostrated giant, who was so great even after his -fall. - -"What am I saying? I am mad! pardon me, child," the old man continued, -sinking in his chair despondingly. "Go, leave me; tomorrow, at sunrise, -I may, perhaps, have some news for you." - -And he dismissed the Chief with a sign. The latter, accustomed to these -outbursts, bowed, and departed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE SPY. - - -The pistol shot fired by the White Buffalo had not quite produced the -result the latter expected from it. The man was wounded; but the haste -with which the chief had been obliged to fire, injured the precision -of his aim, and the listener escaped with a slight wound; the bullet -grazed his skull, and only produced a copious hemorrhage. Still this -hurt had been enough for the spy, who saw that he was unmasked, and -that a longer stay at the spot would inevitably produce a catastrophe; -hence he ran off at full speed. After running for several minutes, -feeling certain that he had thrown off any persons inclined to follow -him, he stopped to draw breath, and attend to his wound, which still -bled profusely. In consequence, he looked anxiously around him; but -all was silent and solitary. A dense snowstorm, which had been falling -for many an hour, had compelled the Indians to seek shelter in their -lodges The firing of the pistol had caused no panic, for the Redskins, -accustomed to nocturnal disputes in their villages, had not stirred. -No other noise could be heard but the barking of a few straying dogs, -and the hoarse cries of the wild beasts that wandered over the prairie -in search of prey. The spy, reassured by the calm prevailing in the -village, set about bandaging the wound, in his heart thanking the snow -for falling, as it effaced the traces of blood left in his flight. - -"Come," he muttered, in a low voice, "I shall know nothing this night; -the genius of evil protects those men; I will go into the cabin." - -He turned a parting glance around, and prepared to start; but, at the -same moment, a white shadow, gliding over the snow like a phantom, -passed a short distance from him. - -"What is that?" the Indian muttered, suddenly assailed by a -superstitious terror. "Is the 'Virgin of the dark hours' wandering -about the village? What terrible misfortune is menacing us then?" - -The Indian bent forward, and, as if attracted by a superior power, -followed with his eyes the strange apparition, whose white outline was -already blending with the distant gloom. - -"That creature is not walking," he said to himself, with terror; -"she leaves no footfall on the snow. Is she a Genius hostile to the -Blackfeet? There is a mystery about this which I must fathom." - -The instinct of the spy heightening the curiosity of the Indian, the -latter soon forgot his terror for a moment, and rushed boldly in -pursuit of the phantom. After an interval of a few minutes, the shadow -or spectre stopped, and looked around with evident indecision. The -Indian, lest he might be discovered, had just time to hide himself -behind the wall of a cabin; but a pale gleam of moonlight, emerging -between two clouds, had, for a second, lighted up the face of the -person he was pursuing. - -"Prairie-Flower!" he muttered, suppressing with difficulty a cry of -surprise. - -In fact, that was the person thus wandering about in the darkness. -After some hesitation, the maiden raised her head, and walked -resolutely toward a cabin, the buffalo skin of which she lifted with -a firm hand. She entered, and let the curtain fall behind her. The -Indian bounded up to the cabin, walked round it, thrust his knife up -to the hilt in the wall, turned it round twice or thrice, to enlarge -the hole, and, placing his ear to it, listened. The most complete quiet -continued to prevail in the village. - -At the first step the young girl took in the lodge, a shadow suddenly -rose before her, and a hand fell upon her shoulder; instinctively she -recoiled. - -"What do you want?" a menacing voice asked. This question was asked in -French, which rendered it doubly unintelligible by the Indian girl. - -"Answer! or I'll blow out your brains," the voice continued. - -And the sharp sound produced by cocking a pistol could be heard. - -"Wah!" the girl replied in her gentle, melodious voice, "I am a friend." - -"It is evidently a woman," the first speaker growled, "but no matter, -we must be prudent. What on earth does she want here?" - -"Halloh!" Bright-eye suddenly shouted, aroused by this short -altercation, "what's the matter there, what have you caught, Ivon?" - -"My faith, I don't know; I believe it is a woman." - -"Eh, eh," the hunter said, with a laugh, "let us have a look at that: -don't let her escape." - -"Don't be alarmed," the Breton replied, "I have hold of her." - -Prairie-Flower remained motionless, not making the slightest effort to -escape from the clutch of the man who held her. Bright-eye rose, felt -his way to the fire, and began blowing it up. In a few minutes a bright -flame burst forth, and illumined the interior of the lodge. - -"Stay, stay," the hunter said, with surprise, "you are welcome, girl; -what do you want here?" - -The Indian maid blushed, and replied:-- - -"Prairie-Flower has come to visit her friends, the Palefaces." - -"The hour is a strange one for a visit, my child," the Canadian -continued, with an ironical smile; "but no matter," he added, turning -to the Breton, "let her loose, Ivon; this enemy, if she is one, is not -very dangerous." - -The other obeyed with ill grace. - -"Come to the fire, girl," the hunter said, "your limbs are frozen; when -you have warmed yourself, you can tell us the cause of your presence -here at this late hour." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sadly, and sat down by the fire, Bright-eye -taking a place by her side. The girl had with one glance surveyed the -interior of the lodge, and perceived the Count sleeping tranquilly on a -pile of furs. Bright-eye's whole life had been spent in the desert; he -was thoroughly acquainted with the character of the Redskins, and knew -that circumspection and prudence are their two guiding principles. That -an Indian never attempts anything without having first calculated all -the consequences, and that he never decides on doing a thing contrary -to Indian habits, except from some pressing motive. The hunter, -therefore, suspected that the object of the young girl's visit was -important, though unable to read, beneath the mask of impassibility -that covered her face, the motive that caused her to act. - -The Redskins are not, like other men, easy to question; cunning and -finesse obtain no advantage over these doubtful natives. The most -skilful Old Bailey practitioner would get nothing out of them, but -confess himself vanquished, after making an Indian undergo the closest -cross-examination. If one of these shades of character were unknown to -the hunter; hence he was careful not to let the girl suppose that he -took any interest in her explanation. - -With a nod of the head, Bright-eye soon gave Ivon the order to go to -sleep again, which he did immediately. The girl was sitting by the -fire, warming herself mechanically, while every now and then taking a -side glance at the hunter. But the latter had lit his pipe, and, nearly -concealed by the dense cloud of smoke that surrounded him, appeared -completely absorbed in his agreeable occupation. The two remained -thus face to face nearly half an hour, and did not exchange a word; -at length Bright-eye shook out the ash on his left thumbnail, put his -pipe in his belt, and rose. Prairie-Flower followed his every movement, -without appearing to attach any importance to it; she saw him collect -furs, carry them to a dark corner of the lodge, where he spread them so -as to form a species of bed; then, when he fancied it was soft enough, -he threw a coverlid over it, and returned to the fire. - -"My Pale brother has prepared a bed," Prairie-Flower said, laying her -hand on his arm, just as he was about to draw out his pipe again. - -"Yes," he replied. - -"Why four beds for three persons?" - -Bright-eye looked at her with a perfectly natural amazement. - -"Are we not four?" he said. - -"I only see the two Pale hunters and my brother--for whom is the last -bed?" - -"For my sister, Prairie-Flower, I suppose; has she not come to ask -hospitality of her Pale brothers?" - -The girl shook her head. - -"The women of my tribe," she said, with an accent of wounded pride, -"have their cabins for sleeping, and do not pass the night in the -lodges of the warriors." - -Bright-eye bowed respectfully. - -"I am mistaken," he said; "I did not wish to vex my sister; but -on seeing her enter my lodge so late, I supposed she came to ask -hospitality." - -The girl smiled with finesse. - -"My brother is a great warrior of the Palefaces," she said; "his head -is grey; he is very cunning; why does he pretend not to know the reason -that brings Prairie-Flower to his lodge?" - -"Because I am really ignorant of it," he replied; "how should I know -it?" - -The Indian girl turned towards the place where the young man was -sleeping, and said, with a charming pout-- - -"Glass-eye knows all: he would have told my brother the hunter." - -"I cannot deny," the hunter said, boldly, "that Glass-eye knows many -things, but in this matter he has been dumb." - -"Is that true?" she asked, quickly. - -"Why should I deny it? Prairie-Flower is not an enemy to us." - -"No, I am a friend: let my brother open his ears." - -"Speak." - -"Glass-eye is powerful." - -"So it is said," the hunter replied, evasively, too honest to stoop to -a lie. - -"The elders of the tribe regard him as a genius superior to other men, -arranging events as he pleases, and able, if he will, to change the -course of the future." - -"Who says so?" - -"Everybody." - -The hunter shook his head, and pressing the girl's dainty hands in his -own, he said, simply-- - -"You are deceived, child; Glass-eye is only a man like the others; the -power you have been told of does not exist: I know not for what reason -the chiefs of your nation have spread this absurd report; but it is a -falsehood, which I must not allow to go further." - -"No, White Buffalo is the wisest sachem of the Blackfeet; he possesses -all the knowledge of his fathers on the other side of the Great -Saltlake, he cannot err. Did he not announce, long ago, Glass-eye's -arrival among us?" - -"That is possible; although I cannot guess how he knew it, as only -three days ago we were quite ignorant that we were coming to this -village." - -The maiden smiled triumphantly. - -"White Buffalo knows all," she said; "besides, for many thousand moons -the sorcerers of the nation have announced the coming of a man exactly -like Glass-eye: his apparition was so truly predicted, that his arrival -surprised nobody, as all expected him." - -The hunter recognized the inutility of contending any longer against a -conviction so deeply rooted in the young girl's heart. - -"Good," he replied; "White Buffalo is a very wise sachem. What is there -he does not know?" - -"Nothing! Did he not predict that Glass-eye would place himself at the -head of the Redskin warriors, and deliver them from the Palefaces of -the East?" - -"It is true," the hunter said, though he did not know a word of what -the girl was revealing to him; but he now began to suspect a vast -plot formed by the Indians, and he naturally desired to know more. -Prairie-Flower looked at him with an expression of simple joy. - -"My brother sees that I know all," she said. - -"That is true," he answered; "my sister is better informed than I -supposed; now she can explain to me, without fear, the service she -desires from Glass-eye." - -The girl took a long glance at the young man, who was still sleeping. - -"Prairie-Flower is suffering," she said, in a low and trembling voice; -"a cloud has passed over her mind and obscured it." - -"Prairie-Flower is sixteen," the old hunter answered, with a smile; "a -new feeling is awakened in her; a little bird is singing in her heart; -she listens unconsciously to the harmonious notes of those strains -which she does not yet understand." - -"It is true," the maiden murmured, suddenly growing pensive; "my heart -is sad. Is, then, love a suffering?" - -"Child," the hunter answered, with a melancholy accent, "creatures -are thus made by the Master of Life. All sensation is suffering. Joy, -carried to an excess, becomes pain; you love without knowing it; loving -is suffering." - -"No," she said, with a gesture of terror, "no, I do not love, at least -not; in the way you say. I have come, on the contrary, to seek your -protection from a man who loves me, whose love frightens me, and for -whom I shall never feel aught but gratitude." - -"You are quite certain, poor child, that such is the feeling you -experience for that man?" - -She bowed assent. Without saying anything further, Bright-eye rose. - -"Where are you going?" she asked, quickly. - -The hunter turned to her. - -"In all that you have told me, child," he answered, "there are things -so important, that I must without delay arouse my friend, that he may -listen to you in his turn, and, if it be possible, come to your aid." - -"Do so," she said, mournfully, and let her head sink on her breast. -The hunter went up to the young man, and bending over him, touched him -gently on the shoulder. The Count awoke at once. - -"What is it? What do you want?" he said, rising and seizing his -weapons, with the promptness that a man constantly exposed to danger so -soon acquires. - -"Nothing that need frighten you, Mr. Edward. That young girl wishes to -speak to you." - -The Count followed the direction in which the hunter pointed, and his -glance met that of the maiden. It was like an electric shock; she -tottered, laid her hand on her heart, and blushed. The Frenchman rushed -toward her. - -"What is the matter? What can I do to help you?" he asked. - -Just as she was about to reply, the curtain was lifted; a man bounded -suddenly over Ivon, and reached the centre of the hut. It was the spy; -the Breton suddenly aroused, flung himself on him, but the Indian held -him back with a firm hand. - -"Look out!" he said. - -"Red Wolf!" the girl exclaimed, joyfully, as she stepped before him; -"lower your weapons, it is a friend." - -"Speak!" the Count said, as he returned the pistol to his belt. - -The Indian had made no attempt to defend himself; he awaited stoically -the moment to explain himself. - -"Natah Otann is coming," he said to the maiden. - -"Oh! I am lost if he find me here." - -"What do I care for the fellow?" the Count said, haughtily. - -"Prudence," Bright-eye interposed; "are you a friend, Redskin?" - -"Ask Prairie-Flower," he answered, disdainfully. - -"Good; then you have come to save her?" - -"Yes." - -"You have a way?" - -"I have." - -"I don't understand anything about it," Ivon said to himself, aside, -quite confounded by all he saw; "what a night!" - -"Make haste!" said the Count. - -"Neither Prairie-Flower nor myself must be seen here," the Red Wolf -continued; "Natah Otann is my enemy; there is deadly war between us. -Throw all those furs on the girl." - -Prairie-Flower, crouching in a corner, soon disappeared beneath the -skins piled over her. - -"Hum! it is a good idea," Bright-eye muttered: "and what are you going -to do?" - -"Look!" - -Red Wolf leaned against the buffalo hides that acted as door, and -concealed himself amid their folds. Hardly had all this been done, ere -Natah Otann appeared on the threshold. - -"What! up already?" he said, in surprise, turning a suspicious glance -around him. - -Red Wolf profited by this movement to go out unseen by the Chief. - -"I am come to receive your orders for the hunt," Natah Otann resumed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -FORT MACKENZIE. - - -Fort Mackenzie, built in 1832 by Major Mitchell, Chief Agent to the -North American Fur Company, stands like a menacing sentry, about one -hundred and twenty paces from the north bank of the Missouri, and -seventy miles from the Rocky Mountains, in the midst of a level plain, -protected by a chain of hills running from north to south. The fort -is built on the system of all the outposts of civilization in the -western provinces; it forms a perfect square, each side being about -forty-five feet in length: a ditch, eight fathoms in depth and about -the same in width; two substantial blockhouses; and twenty guns--such -are the defensive elements of this fortress. The buildings contained -in the enceinte are low, with narrow windows, in which parchment is -substituted for glass. The roofs are flat, and covered with turf. The -gateways of the fort are solid, and lined with iron. In the middle of -a small square, in the centre of the fort, rises a mast, from which -floats the star-spangled banner of the United States, while two guns -are stationed at the foot of the mast. The plain surrounding Fort -Mackenzie is covered with grass, rarely more than three feet high. -This plain is almost constantly invaded by Indian tribes, that come -to traffic with the Americans, especially the Blackfeet, Assiniboins, -Mandans, Flatheads, Gros-ventres, Crows, and Koutnikés. - -The Indians displayed a repugnance in allowing the white men to settle -in their domains, and the first agent the Fur Company sent to them had -a narrow escape with life. It was only by dint of patience and cunning -that they succeeded in concluding with the tribes a treaty of peace -and barter, which the latter were disposed, indeed, to break, through -the slightest pretext. Thus the Americans were always on the watch, -considering themselves in a perpetual state of siege. It still happened -at times, in spite of the Indians' protestations of amity, that some -_engagé_ or trapper of the Company was brought to the fort scalped and -murdered, and they were obliged, through policy, to refrain from taking -vengeance for such murders, which, however, were becoming rare. The -Indians, with their greedy instincts, at length understood that it was -better to live in good intelligence with the Palefaces, who supplied -them with abundant provisions, spirits, and money, in exchange for -their furs. - -In 1834, Fort Mackenzie was commanded by Major Melville, a man of -great experience, who had spent nearly his whole life among the -Indians, either fighting or trafficking with them, so that he was -thoroughly versed in all their habits and tricks. General Jackson, in -whose army he had served, put great reliance in his courage, skill, -and experience. Major Melville combined with uncommon moral energy -rare physical strength; he was the very man to keep in check the -fierce tribes with which he had to deal, and to command the trappers -and hunters in the Company's service, thorough ruffians, only -understanding the logic of the rifle and the bowie knife; he based -his authority on inflexible severity and an irreproachable justice, -which had contributed greatly to maintain the good relations between -the inhabitants of the fort and their crafty friends. Peace, with the -exception of the mutual distrust that was its basis, appeared for -some few years past to be solidly established between the Palefaces -and the Redskins. The Indians camped annually before the fort, and -generally exchanged their peltry for spirits, clothes, gunpowder, &c. -The seventy men who formed the garrison had gradually relaxed their -usual precautions, for they felt so confident of having induced the -Indians to renounce their plundering inclinations by kind treatment and -concessions. Such was the respective positions of the whites and the -Redskins on the day when the exigencies of our story take us to Fort -Mackenzie. - -The scenery round the fort is exquisite and charmingly varied. On the -day after that in which the events we have described took place in the -Kenha village, a leather canoe, manned by only one rower, descended -the Elk river, in the direction of the American fort. After following -the numerous bends of the stream, the canoe at length entered the -Missouri, and coasted the northern bank, studded with magnificent -prairies at least thirty miles in depth, on which countless herds of -buffaloes, antelopes, and bighorns were grazing, which, with ears -erect and startled eyes, watched the silent boat pass with gloomy -dissatisfaction. But the person, man or woman, in the boat seemed too -anxious to reach the destination, to waste any time in firing at these -animals, which it would have been easy to do. - -With his eyes imperturbably fixed ahead, and bowed over the paddles, -the rower redoubled his energy the nearer he approached the fort, -uttering at times hoarse exclamations of anger and impatience, -though never checking the speed of the boat. At length an "ah!" of -satisfaction escaped his lips on turning one of the numberless bends of -the river: a magnificent scene was suddenly displayed before him. - -Gentle slopes, with varied summits, some rounded, others flat, of a -pleasant green colour, occupied the centre of the picture. In the -foreground were tall forests of poplars of a vivid green, and willow -trees on the banks of the river, which meandered through a prairie to -which the twilight had given a deep olive hue. A little further on, on -the top of a grassy mound, stood Fort Mackenzie, where the handsome -flag of the United States floated in the breeze, gilded by the parting -beams of the setting sun; while on one side an Indian camp, on the -other, herds of horses, tranquilly grazing, animated the majestic -tranquillity of the scene. - -The canoe drew nearer and nearer to the bank, and at last, when -arrived under the protection of the guns, was run gently ashore. The -individual occupying it then leaped on the sand, and it was easy to see -that it was a woman. It was the mysterious being to whom the Indians -gave the name of the She-wolf of the Prairies, and who has already -appeared twice in this story. She had altered her dress. Although still -resembling that of the Indians in texture, as it was composed of elk -and buffalo skins sown together, it varied from it in shape; and if, at -the first glance, it was difficult to recognize the sex of the person -wearing it, it was easy to perceive that it was a white, through the -simplicity, cleanliness, and, above all, the amplitude of the folds -carefully draped round the strange being hidden in these garments. - -After leaving the canoe, the She-wolf fastened it securely to a large -stone, and without paying further attention to it, walked hastily in -the direction of the fort. It was about six in the evening; the barter -with the Indians was over, and they were returning, laughing and -singing, to their tents of buffalo hide; while the _engagés_, after -collecting the horses, led them back slowly to the fort. The sun was -setting behind the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, casting a purple -gleam, over the heavens. Gradually, as the planet of day sank in the -distant horizon, gloom took possession of the earth. The songs of the -Indians, the shouts of the _engagés_, the neighing of the horses, and -the barking of the dogs, formed one of those singular concerts which -in these remote regions impress on the mind a feeling of melancholy -reflection. The She-wolf reached the gate of the fort at the moment -when the last _engagé_ had entered, after driving in the laggards of -his troop. - -At these frontier posts, where momentary vigilance is necessary to -foil the treachery constantly lurking in the shadows, sentinels -especially appointed to survey the gloomy and solitary prairies, that -stretch out for miles around their garrisons, stand watching day and -night with their eyes fixed on space, ready to signalize the least -unusual movement, either on the part of animals or of men, in the vast -solitudes they survey. The She-wolf's canoe had been detected more than -six hours before, all its movements carefully watched, and when the -She-wolf, after fastening her boat up, presented herself at the gate -of the fort, she found it closed and carefully bolted; not because she -personally caused the garrison any alarm, but because the order was -that no one should enter the fort after sunset, except for overpowering -reasons. - -The She-wolf repressed with difficulty a gesture of annoyance at -finding herself thus exposed to spend the night in the open air; not -that she feared the hardship, but because she knew the importance -of her news, and desired no delay. She did not allow herself to be -defeated, however, but stooped, picked up a stone, and struck the gate -twice. A wicket immediately opened, and two eyes glistened through the -opening it left. - -"Who's there?" a rough voice asked. - -"A friend," the She-wolf replied. - -"Hum; that's very vague at this hour of the night," the voice -continued, with a grin that augured ill for the success of the -mediation the She-wolf had commenced. - -"Who are you?" - -"A woman, and a white woman too, as you can see by my dress and accent." - -"It may be, but the night is dark, and it is impossible for me to see -you: so if you have no better reasons to give, good night, and go your -ways; tomorrow we will meet again at sunrise." - -And the speaker prepared to close the wicket, but the She-wolf checked -him with a firm hand. - -"One moment," she said. - -"What's up now?" the other remarked, ill-temperedly; "I cannot pass the -night in listening to you." - -"I only want to ask you one question, and one favour." - -"Plague take it!" the man went on; "well, you are going on at a fine -rate; that's nothing, eh? Well; let me hear it; that binds me to -nothing." - -"Is Major Melville in the fort at this moment?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Answer, yes or no." - -"Well, yes; what then?" - -The She-wolf gave a sigh of satisfaction, hurriedly drew a ring from -her right hand, and passing it through the wicket to the unknown -speaker, said-- - -"Carry that ring to the Major; I will wait for your answer here." - -"Mind what you are about; the Commandant does not like to be disturbed -for nothing." - -"Do as I tell you. I answer for the rest." - -"That's a poor bail," the other growled; "but no matter--I'll risk it. -Wait." - -The wicket closed. The She-wolf seated herself on the side of the -moat, and with elbows resting on her knees, buried her head in her -hands. By this time night had completely set in; in the distance, the -fires lighted up by the Indians on the prairies shone like lighthouses -through the gloom; the evening breeze soughed hoarsely through the -tops of the trees, and the howls of the wild beasts were mingled -at intervals with the strident laughter of the Indians. Not a star -sparkled in the sky, which was black as ink; nature seemed covered with -a cerecloth; all presaged an approaching storm. The She-wolf waited, -motionless, as one of those patient sphynxes which have watched for -thousands of years at the entrance of the Egyptian temples. A quarter -of an hour elapsed, then a sound of bolts was heard, and the gates of -the fort slightly opened. The She-wolf sprung up, as if moved by a -spring. - -"Come!" a voice said. - -She entered, and the door was immediately closed after her. An -_engagé_--the same who had spoken to her through the wicket--stood -before her with a torch in his hand. - -"Follow me," he said to her. - -She walked after her guide, who crossed the entire length of the -courtyard, and then turning to the She-wolf, said-- - -"The Major is waiting for you here." - -"Rap," she said. - -"No, do so yourself; you no longer need me; I will return to my post." - -And, after bowing slightly, he withdrew carrying the torch with him. -The She-wolf remained alone in the darkness; she passed her hand over -her damp forehead, and making a supreme effort-- - -"I must," she muttered, hoarsely. - -She then struck the door. - -"Come in," a voice said from within. - -She turned the key, pushed open the door, and found herself in the -presence of an elderly man, dressed in uniform, and seated near a -table, who gazed fixedly at her. This man, by the position he occupied, -and the way in which the light was arranged, could see her perfectly; -while, on the other hand, the She-wolf could not distinguish his -features, hidden as they were by the gloom. The She-wolf walked -resolutely into the room. - -"Thanks for having received me," she said; "I was afraid you had -utterly forgotten." - -"If that is meant for a reproach, I do not understand you," the officer -said, sternly; "and I should feel obliged by a clear explanation." - -"Are you not Major Melville?" - -"I am." - -"The way in which I entered the fort proves to me that you recognised -the ring I sent you." - -"I recognized it; for it reminds me of a very dear person," he said, -with a suppressed sigh; "but how is it in your hands?" - -The She-wolf regarded the Major sadly for a moment, then walked up to -him, gently took his hand, which she pressed in hers, and replied, with -an accent full of tears-- - -"Harry, I must be changed by suffering, if you do not even recognise my -voice." - -At these words a livid pallor covered the officer's face; he rose with -a movement quick as lightning; his body was agitated by a convulsive -tremor, and seizing, in his turn, the woman's hands, he exclaimed -madly-- - -"Margaret! Margaret! my sister! Have the dead come from the tomb? Do I -find you again at last:" - -"Ah!" she said, with an expression of joy impossible to render, as she -sank in his arms, "I was certain he would recognise me." - -But the shock she had received was too strong for the poor woman, whose -organization was worn out by sorrow; accustomed to suffering, she could -not endure joy, and fell fainting into her brother's arms. The Major -carried her to a species of sofa that occupied one side of the room, -and, without calling anyone to his aid, paid her all that attention -her case required. The She-wolf remained for a long time insensible; -but she gradually came to herself again, opened her eyes, and, after -muttering a few incoherent words, burst into tears. Her brother did -not leave her for a moment, following, with an anxious glance, the -progress of her return to life. When he perceived that the height of -the crisis was past, he took chair, sat down by his sister's side, -and by gentle words sought to restore her courage. At length, the poor -woman raised her head, dried her eyes--reddened by tears, and hollowed -by fever--and turning to her brother, who watched her every movement, -said in a hoarse voice-- - -"Brother, for sixteen years I have been suffering an atrocious -martyrdom, which never ceased for an instant." - -The Major shuddered at this fearful revelation. - -"Poor sister!" he muttered. "What can I do for you?" - -"All, if you will." - -"Oh!" he exclaimed, with energy, as he struck the woodwork of the sofa -with his fist, "could you doubt me, Margaret?" - -"No, since I have come," she answered, smiling through her tears. - -"You will avenge yourself, I think?" he went on. - -"I will." - -"Who are your enemies?" - -"The Redskins." - -"Ah! ah!" he said, with a bitter smile; "I, too, have an old account to -settle with those demons. To what nation do your enemies belong?" - -"To the Blackfeet. They are the Kenha tribe." - -"Oh," the Major continued, "my old friends, the Blood Indians; I have -long been seeking a pretext to give them an exemplary punishment." - -"That pretext I now bring you, Harry," she answered, passionately; "and -do not fancy it a vain pretext invented by hatred. No, no! 'tis the -revelation of a plot formed by all the Missouri Indians against the -whites, which must break out within a few days, perhaps tomorrow." - -"Ah!" the Major observed, thoughtfully, "I do not know why, but, for -the last few days, suspicions have invaded, my mind; my presentiments -did not deceive me, then. Speak, sister, at once, I conjure you; and -since you have come to me, in order to appease your hatred of these red -devils, I promise you a vengeance, the memory of which will make their -grandsons shudder." - -"I thank you for your promise, brother, and will not forget it," she -answered. "Listen to me, then." - -"One word first." - -"Speak, brother." - -"Has the narrative of your sufferings any connexion with the conspiracy -you are about to reveal to me?" - -"An intimate one." - -"Well, it is scarce ten o'clock, we have the night before us; tell me -all that has happened to you since our separation." - -"You wish it?" - -"Yes, for it will be by your narrative that I shall regulate my -treatment of the Indians." - -"Listen, then, brother, and be indulgent to me, for I have suffered -bitterly, as you are about to hear." - -The Major pressed her hand; he took a chair, sat by her side, and after -bolting the door, to prevent any interruption of the story, he said-- - -"Speak, Margaret, and tell me everything; I do not wish to be ignorant -of any of the tortures you have endured during the long years that have -elapsed since our parting." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A MOTHER'S CONFESSION. - - -"It is just seventeen years ago, you will remember, Harry; you had -recently received your commission as lieutenant in the army; you were -young, enthusiastic; the future appeared to you to be drawn in the -brightest colours. One evening, during weather like the present, you -came to my husband's clearing, to tell us the news, and bid us an -affectionate farewell; for you hoped, like ourselves, not to be long -away from us. The next morning, in spite of our entreaties, after -embracing the children, pressing the hand of my poor husband, who -loved you so, and giving me a parting kiss, you galloped off, and soon -disappeared in a whirlwind of dust. Alas! who could have foretold that -we should not meet again till today, after seventeen years' separation, -upon Indian territory, and under terrible circumstances? However," -she added, with a sigh, "God has willed it so, may His holy name be -blessed! It has pleased Him to try His creatures, and let His hand fall -heavily on them." - -"It was with a strange contraction of the heart," the Major said, "that -six months after that parting, when I returned among you with a joyous -heart, I saw, on dismounting in front of your house, a stranger open -your door, and answer, that the white family had emigrated three months -before, and proceeded in a western direction, with the intention of -founding a new settlement on the Indian frontier. It was in vain that I -tried to gain any information about you from your neighbours; they had -forgotten you; no one could or would, perhaps, give me the slightest -news about you, and I was forced to retrace, heartbroken, the road I -had ridden along so joyfully a few days before. Since then, despite all -the efforts I have made, I never was able to learn anything about your -fate, or lift the mysterious veil that covered the sinister events to -which I was convinced you had fallen victims during your journey." - -"You are only half deceived, my brother, in your supposition," she went -on. "Two months after your visit, my husband, who had long desired to -leave our clearing, where he said the land was worth nothing, had a -grave dispute with one of his neighbours about the limits of a field -of which he believed, or pretended to believe, that neighbour had cut -off a corner: under any other circumstances, the difference would have -been easily settled, but my husband sought an excuse to go away, and -having found it, did not let it slip again. He would listen to nothing, -but quietly made all his arrangements for the expedition he had so long -meditated, and at length told us one day that he should start the next. -When my husband had once said a thing, all I could do was to obey, for -he never recalled a determination he had formed. On the appointed day -at sunrise, we left the clearing, our neighbours accompanying us for -the first day's journey, and at nightfall left us, after hearty wishes -for the success of our expedition. It was with inexpressible sorrow I -quitted the house where I was married, where my children were born, -and where I had been happy for so many years. My husband tried in -vain to console me, and restore me that courage which failed me; but -nothing could efface from my mind the gentle and pious recollections I -previously kept up: the deeper we buried ourselves in the desert, the -greater my sorrow became. My husband, on the other hand saw everything -in a bright light; the future belonged to him; he was about to be his -own master, and act as he thought proper. He detailed to me all his -plans, tried to interest me in them, and employed all the means in his -power to draw me from my gloomy thoughts, but could not succeed. Still -we went onwards without stopping. The distance became daily greater -between ourselves and the last settlements of our countrymen. In vain -did I show my husband how remote we were from all help in case of -danger, and the isolation in which we should find ourselves; he only -laughed at my apprehensions; repeated incessantly that the Indians -were far from being so dangerous as they were represented, and that we -had nothing to fear. My husband was so convinced of the truth of his -assertions, that he neglected the most simple precautions to defend -himself against a surprise, and said each morning, with a mocking air, -at the moment of starting, 'You see how foolish you are, Margaret; be -reasonable, the Indians will be careful not to insult us,' One night -the camp was attacked by the Redskins, we were surprised during our -sleep; my husband was flayed alive, while his children were burned at a -slow fire before his face." - -While uttering these words, the poor woman's voice became more and more -choked. At the last sentences, her emotion grew so profound, that she -could not continue. - -"Courage!" the Major said, as much moved as herself, but more master of -his feelings. - -She made an effort, and continued in a harsh, unmodulated voice,-- - -"By a refinement of cruelty, the barbarism of which I did not at first -understand, my youngest child, my daughter, was spared by the Pagans. -On seeing the punishment of my husband and children, at which I was -forced to be present, I felt such a laceration of the heart, that I -imagined I was dying. I uttered a shriek, and fell down. How long I -remained in that state, I know not: but when I regained my senses, -I was alone. The Indians, doubtlessly, fancied me dead, and left -me where I lay. I rose, and not conscious of what I was doing, but -impelled by a force superior to my will, I returned, tottering and -falling almost at every step, to the spot where this mournful tragedy -had been enacted. It took me three hours--how was I so far from the -camp?--at length I arrived, and a fearful sight presented itself to -my horror-struck eyes. I looked unconscious upon the disfigured and -half carbonized bodies of my children--my despair, however, restored -my failing strength. I dug a grave, and, half delirious with grief, -buried in it husband and children, all that I loved on earth. This -pious duty accomplished, I resolved to die at the spot where the -beings so dear to me had perished. But there are hours during the long -nights in which the shades of the dead address the living, and order -them to take vengeance! That terrific voice from the tomb I heard on a -sinister night, when the elements threatened to overthrow nature. From -that moment my resolution was formed. I consented to live for revenge. -From that hour I have walked firm and implacable on the path I traced, -requiting the Pagans, on every opportunity that presents itself, for -the evil they had done me. I have become the terror of the prairies. -The Indians fear me as an evil genius. They have a superstitious -invincible dread of me; in short, they have surnamed me the Lying -She-wolf of the Prairies; for each time a catastrophe menaces them, or -a frightful danger is hanging over their heads, they see me appear. For -seventeen years I have been nursing my revenge, without ever growing -discouraged, certain that the day will come when, in my turn, I shall -plant my knee on the heart of my enemies, and inflict on them the -atrocious torture they condemned me to suffer." - -The woman's face, while uttering these words, had assumed such an -expression of cruelty, that the Major brave as he was, felt himself -shudder. - -"And your enemies," he said, after a moment's delay, "do you know them, -have you learned their names?" - -"I know them all!" she said, in a piercing voice; "I have learned all -their names!" - -"And they are preparing to break the peace?" Mrs. Margaret smiled -ironically. - -"No, they will not break the peace, brother, but attack you suddenly. -They have formed among themselves a formidable league, which--at least -they fancy so--you will find it impossible to resist." - -"Sister!" the Major exclaimed energetically, "give me the name of -these wretched traitors, and I swear that, even were they concealed -in the depths of Hades, I will seek them, to inflict an exemplary -chastisement." - -"I cannot give you these names yet, brother; but be at ease, you shall -soon know them; you will not have to seek them far, for I will lead -them under the guns of your soldiers and hunters." - -"Take care, Margaret," the Major said, shaking his head, "hatred is -a bad counsellor in an affair like this; he who grasps at too much, -frequently risks the loss of all." - -"Oh," she replied, "my precautions have been taken for a long time: -I hold them, I can seize them whenever I please, or, to speak more -correctly, when the moment has arrived." - -"Do as you think proper, sister, and reckon on my devoted aid: this -vengeance affects me too closely for me to allow it to escape." - -"Thanks," she said. - -"Pardon me," he continued, after a few minutes' reflection, "if I -revert to the sad events you have just narrated; but you have, it -strikes me, forgotten an important detail in your story." - -"I do not understand you, Harry." - -"I will explain: you said, I think, if my memory serves me, that your -youngest daughter escaped from the frightful fate of her brothers, and -was saved by an Indian." - -"Yes, I did say so, brother," she replied in an oppressed voice. - -"Well, what has become of the unhappy child? Does she still live? Have -you any news of her? Have you seen her again?" - -"She lives, and I have seen her." - -"Ah!" - -"Yes; the man who saved her educated her, even adopted her," she said, -sarcastically. "Do you know what this wretch would do with the daughter -of the man he murdered, whom he flayed alive before my eyes?" - -"Speak; in Heaven's name! - -"What I have to say is very dreadful! it is so frightful, indeed, that -I hesitate to reveal it to you." - -"Good God!" the Major ejaculated, recoiling involuntarily before his -sister's flaming glance. - -"Well," she continued, with a strident laugh, "this girl has grown up, -the child has become a woman, as lovely as it is possible to be. This -man, this monster, this demon, has felt his tiger heart soften at the -sight of the angel; he loves her to distraction, he wishes to make her -his wife." - -"Horror!" the Major exclaimed. - -"Is that not truly hideous?" she continued, still with that nervous, -spasmodic laugh which it pains one to hear: "he has pardoned his -victim's daughter. Yes, he is generous, he forgets the atrocious -torture he inflicted on the father, and now covets the daughter." - -"Oh, that is frightful, Margaret; so much infamy and cynicism is -impossible, even among Indians!" - -"Do you believe, then, that I am deceiving you?" - -"Far from me be such a thought, sister; the man is a monster." - -"Yes, yes, so he is." - -"You have seen your daughter; you have talked with her?" - -"Yes; well, what then?" - -"You have, doubtless, turned her from this monstrous love?" - -"I!" she replied, with a grin, "I did not say a word to her about it." - -"What!" he said, in amazement. - -"By what right could I have spoken?" - -"How, by what right--Are you not her mother?" - -"She does not know it!" - -"Oh!" - -"And my vengeance?" she said, coldly. This word which so thoroughly -explained the character of the woman, had before struck the heart of -the old soldier with terror. - -"Unhappy woman!" he exclaimed. - -A smile of disdain curled the She-wolf's lip. - -"Yes, so you are," she said, with a bitter voice, "you men of cities, -with natures worn out by civilization. To understand a passion, it -must be kept within certain limits, traced beforehand. The grandeur of -hatred, with all its fury and excesses, terrifies you; you only admit -that legal and halting vengeance which the criminal code sanctions. -Brother, he who wishes the end, wishes the means. To arrive at my -object, what do I care, do you think, whether I walk over ruins or wade -through blood? No, I go straight before me, with the fatal impetuosity -of the torrent which breaks down and overthrows all the obstacles which -rise in its passage. My object is vengeance! blood for blood, eye -for eye; that is the law of the prairies. I have made it mine, and I -will obtain that vengeance, if for it I--. But," she added, suddenly -breaking off, "what need of this useless discussion between us, -brother? Reassure yourself my daughter has been better warned by her -instincts than all the advice I could have given her. She does not love -this man. I know it, she told me so; she will never love him." - -"Heaven be praised!" the Major exclaimed. - -"I have only one desire; only one," she continued with a melancholy -air; "it is after the accomplishment of my vengeance, to recover my -daughter, press her to my heart, and cover her with kisses, while at -length revealing to her that I am her mother." - -The Major shook his head sorrowfully. - -"Take care, sister," he said, in a stern voice; "God has said, -'Vengeance is mine!' take care, lest, after wishing to assume the -office of Providence, you may be cruelly chastised by it in some of -your dearest affections." - -"Oh, say not so, Harry!" she exclaimed with a sign of terror; "you -would turn me mad." - -The Major let his head sink on hid breast. For a while brother and -sister remained opposite each other, not uttering a word; they were -both reflecting. The She-wolf was the first to renew the conversation. - -"Now, brother," she said, "if you will permit me, we will leave this -mournful subject for a moment, and allude to what concerns you more -particularly, that is, the formidable conspiracy formed against you by -the Indians." - -"On my word," he replied, with a sigh of relief, "I confess, sister, -that I ask nothing better; my head is confused, and I believe that if -this went on much longer, I should be unable to re-collect my thoughts, -so much am I affected by what you have told me." - -"Thanks," - -"Night is drawing on, Margaret; indeed, it has almost entirely slipped -away, we have not a moment to lose, so pray continue." - -"Is the garrison complete?" - -"Yes." - -"How many men have you?" - -"Seventy, without counting some fifteen hunters and trappers occupied -without, but whom I will recall without delay." - -"Very good: do you require the whole of the garrison for the defence of -the fort?" - -"That is according. Why?" - -"Because I want to borrow twenty men of you." - -"Hum I for what object?" - -"You shall learn; you are alone here, without any hopes of help, and -for this reason: while the Indians are burning the fort, they will -intercept your communication with Fort Clarke, Fort Union, and the -other posts scattered along the Missouri." - -"I fear it, but what can I do?" - -"I will tell you; you have doubtless heard of an American squatter, who -settled hardly a week back about three or four leagues from you?" - -"I have; a certain John Black, I think." - -"That is the man; well, his clearing will naturally serve you as an -advanced post?" - -"Famously." - -"Profit by the short time left you; under pretence of a buffalo hunt, -send twenty men from the fort, and conceal them at John Black's, so -that when the moment for action arrives, they may make a demonstration -in your favour, which will place the enemies between two fires, and -make them suppose that reinforcements have reached you from other -posts." - -"That is a good idea," the Major said. "You must choose men on whom you -can count." - -"They are all devoted to me; you shall see them at work." - -"All the better; then that is settled!" - -"It is." - -"Now, as it is urgent that no one should know of our relations, as it -might compromise the success of our scheme, I must ask you to open the -gates of the fort for me. - -"What, so soon, in this frightful weather?" - -"I must, brother, it is of the utmost importance that I should start at -once." - -"You insist." - -"I beg it of you, Harry, for our common benefit." - -"Come, then, sister, I will detain you no longer." - -Two minutes later, in spite of the storm which still howled with the -same fury, the She-wolf was rowing from Fort Mackenzie at full speed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE CHASE. - - -When Natah Otann entered the lodge inhabited by the white men, under -pretext of warning them to prepare for the chase, his searching eye in -a few seconds had explored every corner of the building. The Indian -Chief was too clever to omit noticing the Count's constraint and -embarrassment: but he understood that it would be impolitic to show the -suspicions he had conceived. Hence he did not in the slightest degree -affect to notice the annoyance caused by his presence, and continued -the conversation with that politeness the Redskins can display when -they choose to take the trouble. On their side the Count and Bright-eye -at once regained their coolness. - -"I did not hope to find my White brother already risen," Natah Otann -said with a smile. - -"Why not?" the young man replied; "a desert life accustoms one to -little sleep." - -"Then the Palefaces will go and hunt with their red friends?" - -"Certainly, if you have no objection." - -"Did I not myself propose to Glass-eye to procure them a true chase?" - -"That is true," the young man said, with a laugh; "but take care, -Chief, I have become uncommonly fastidious since I have been in the -prairie; there is hardly any game I have not hunted, as it was the love -of sport alone that brought me into these unknown countries; hence, I -repeat, I shall expect choice game." - -Natah Otann smiled proudly. - -"My brother will be satisfied," he said. - -"And what is the animal we are about to follow?" the young man asked. - -"The ostrich." - -The Count made a sign of amazement. - -"What, the ostrich?" he exclaimed, "that is impossible, Chief--" - -"Because?" - -"Oh, simply because there are none." - -"The ostrich, it is true, is disappearing; it fled before the white -men, and becomes daily rare, but it is still numerous on the prairies; -in a few hours my brother will have a proof of it." - -"I desire nothing better." - -"Good, that is settled: I will soon come and fetch my brother." - -The Chief bowed courteously and retired, after taking a parting look -around. The curtain had scarcely fallen behind the Chief ere the pile -of furs that covered the young girl was thrown off, and Prairie-Flower -ran up to the Count. - -"Listen," she said to him, seizing his hand, which she pressed -tenderly, "I cannot explain to you now, for time fails me; still, -remember, you have a friend who watches over you." - -And before the Count could reply, or even think of replying, she fled -with the bound of an antelope. He passed his hand several times over -his brow, his eye being fixed on the place where the Indian girl had -disappeared. - -"Ah!" he at length murmured, "have I at last met with a true woman?" - -"She is an angel," the hunter said, replying to his thought. "Poor -child! she has suffered greatly." - -"Yes; but I am here now, and will protect her!" the Count exclaimed, -with exaltation. - -"Let us think of ourselves first, Mr. Edward, and try to get away from -here with whole skins; it will not be an easy task, I assure you." - -"What do you mean, my friend?" - -"It is enough that I understand it all," the hunter said, shaking his -head; "let us only think now of our preparations: our friends, the -Redskins, will soon arrive," he added, with that derisive smile which -caused the Count to feel increased embarrassment. - -But the impression caused by the Canadian's ambiguous language was -promptly dissipated, for love had suddenly nestled in this young, man's -heart; he only dreamed of one thing, of seeing the woman again whom he -adored with all his strength. - -In a man like the Count, who was gifted with a fiery organization, -every feeling must necessarily be carried to an excess; and it was the -case in the present instance. Love is born by a word, a sign, a look, -and scarcely born, suddenly becomes a giant. The Count was fated to -learn this at his own expense. - -Scarcely half an hour after Natah Otann's departure, the gallop of -several horses was heard, and a troop of horsemen stopped in front of -the cabin. The three men went out, and found Natah Otann awaiting them -at the head of sixty warriors, all dressed in their grand costume, and -armed to the teeth. - -"Let us go," he said. - -"Whenever you please," the Count answered. - -The Chief made a signal, and three magnificent horses, superbly -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, were led up by children. The whites -mounted, and the band set out in the direction of the prairie. - -It was about six in the morning, the night storm had completely swept -the sky, which was of a pale blue; the sun, fully risen in the horizon, -shot forth its warm beams, which drew out the sharp and odoriferous -vapours from the ground, The atmosphere was wondrously transparent, a -slight breeze refreshed the air, and flocks of birds, lustrous with a -thousand hues, flew around, uttering joyous cries. The troop marched -gaily through the tall prairie grass, raising a cloud of dust, and -undulating like a long serpent in the endless turnings of the road. - -The spot where the chase was to come off was nearly thirty miles -distant from the village. In the desert all places are alike, tall -grass, in the midst of which the horsemen entirely disappear; stunted -shrubs, and here and there clumps of trees, whose imposing crowns rise -to an enormous height;--such was the road the Indians had to follow up -to the spot where they would find the animals they proposed chasing. - -In the prairies of Arkansas and the Upper Missouri, at the time of -our story, ostriches were still numerous, and their chase one of the -numerous amusements of the Redskins and wood rangers. It is probable -that the successive invasions of the white men, and the immense -clearings effected by fire and the axe, have now compelled them to -abandon this territory, and retire to the inaccessible desert of the -Rocky Mountains, or the sands of the Far West. - -We will say here, without any pretence at a scientific description, a -few words about this singular animal, still but little known in Europe. -The ostrich generally lives in small families of from eight to ten, -scattered along the banks of marshes, pools, and streams. They live -on fresh grass. Faithful to their native soil, they never quit the -vicinity of the water, and in the month of November lay their eggs in -the wildest part of the plain, fifty to sixty at a time, which are -brooded, solely at night, by male and female in turn, with a touching -tenderness. When the incubation is terminated, the ostrich breaks the -barren eggs with its beak, which are at once covered with flies and -insects, supplying nourishment to the young birds. The ostrich of the -Western prairies differs slightly from the _Nandus_ of the Patagonian -prairies and the African species. It is about five feet high, and four -and a half long, from the stomach to the end of the tail; its beak is -very pointed, and measures a little over five inches. - -A characteristic trait of the ostriches is their extreme curiosity. -In the Indian villages, where they live in a tamed state, it is of -frequent occurrence to see them stalking through groups of talkers, -and regarding them with fixed attention. In the plain this curiosity -is often fatal to them, for it leads them to look unhesitatingly -at everything that seems strange or unusual to them. We will give a -capital Indian story here in proof of this. - -The jaguars are very fond of ostrich meat, but unfortunately, though -their speed is so great, it is almost impossible for them to run the -birds down; but the jaguars are cunning animals, and usually obtain -by craft what they cannot manage by force. They, therefore, employ -the following stratagem. They lie on the ground as if dead, and raise -their tails in the air, where they wave them in every direction; the -ostriches, attracted by this strange spectacle, approach with great -simplicity--the rest may be guessed; they fall a prey to the cunning -jaguars. - -The hunters after a hurried march of three hours, reached a barren -and sandy plain; during the journey, very few words were exchanged -between Natah Otann and his white guests, for he rode at the head of -the column, conversing in a low voice with White Buffalo. The Indians -dismounted by the side of a stream, and exchanged their horses for -racers, which the chief had sent to the spot during the night, and -which were naturally rested and able to run for miles. Natah Otann -divided the hunting party into two equal troops, keeping the command -of the first himself, and courteously offering that of the second to -the Count. As the Frenchman, however, had never been present at such -a chase, and was quite ignorant how it was conducted, he courteously -declined. Natah Otann reflected for a few moments, and then turned to -Bright-eye:-- - -"My brother knows the ostriches?" he asked him. "Eh!" the Canadian -replied, with a smile; "Natah Otann was not yet born when I hunted -them on the prairie." - -"Good," the chief said; "then my brother will command the second band?" - -"Be it so," the hunter said, bowing: "I accept with pleasure." - -On a given signal, the first band, under Natah Otann's command, -advanced into the plain, describing a semicircle, so as to drive the -game towards a ravine, situated between two moving downs. The second -band, with which the Count and Ivon remained, was echelonned so as -to form the other half of the circle. This circle, by the horsemen's -advance, was gradually being contracted, when a dozen ostriches showed -themselves; but the male bird, standing sentry, warned the family of -the danger by a sharp cry like a boatswain's whistle. At once the -ostriches fled in a straight line rapidly, and without looking back. -All the hunters galloped off in pursuit. - -The plain, till then silent and gloomy, grew animated, and offered the -strangest appearance. The horsemen pursued the luckless animals at full -speed, raising in their passage clouds of impalpable dust. Twelve to -fifteen paces behind the game, the Indians, still galloping and burying -their spurs in the flanks of their panting horses, bent forward, -twisted their formidable clubs round their heads, and hurled them -after the animals. If they missed their aim, they stooped down without -checking their pace, and picked up the weapon, which they cast again. - -Several flocks of ostriches had been put up, and the chase then assumed -the proportions of a mad revel. Cries and hurrahs rent the air; the -clubs hurtled through the space and struck the necks, wings, and legs -of the ostriches, which, startled and mad with terror, made a thousand -feints and zigzags to escape their implacable enemies, and buffeting -their wings, tried to prick the horses with, the species of spike -with which the end of their wings is armed. Several horses reared, -and, embarrassed by the ostriches between their legs, fell with their -riders. The ostriches, profiting by the disorder, fled on, and came -within reach of the other hunters, who received them with a shower of -clubs. - -Each hunter leaped from his horse, killed the victim he had felled, -cut off its wings as a sign of triumph, and renewed the chase with -increased ardour. Ostriches and hunters rushed onwards like the -_cordonazo_, that terrible wind of the Mexican deserts, and forty -ostriches speedily encumbered the plain. Natah Otann looked round him, -and then gave the signal for retreat; the birds which had not succumbed -to this rude aggression, ran off to seek shelter. The dead birds were -carefully collected, for the ostrich is, excellent eating, and the -Indians prepare, chiefly from the meat on the breast, a dish renowned -for its delicacy and exquisite savour. The warriors then proceeded to -collect eggs, also highly esteemed, and secured an ample crop. - -Although the chase had scarce lasted two hours, the horses panted and -wanted rest before they could return to the village; hence Natah Otann -gave orders to stop. The Count had never been present at so strange -a hunt before, although ever since he had been on the prairie he had -pursued the different animals that inhabit it; hence he entered into it -with all the excitement of youth, rushing on the ostriches and felling -them with childlike pleasure. When the signal for retreat was given by -the Chief, he reluctantly left off the amusement, which at the moment -caused him such delight, and returned slowly to his comrades. Suddenly -a loud cry was raised by the Indians, and each ran to his weapons. The -Count looked around him with surprise, and felt a slight tremor. The -ostrich hunt was over; but, as frequently happens in these countries, a -far more terrible one was about to begin--the chase of the cougar.[1] - -Two of these animals had suddenly made their appearance. The Count -recovered at once, and, cocking his rifle, prepared to follow this -new species of game. Natah Otann had also noticed the wild beasts; -he ordered a dozen warriors to surround Prairie-Flower, whom he had -obliged to accompany him, or who had insisted on being present; then, -certain that the girl was, temporarily at least, in safety, he turned -to a warrior standing at his side. - -"Uncouple the dogs," he said. - -A dozen mastiffs were let loose, which howled in chorus on seeing the -wild beasts. The Indians, accustomed to see the ostrich hunt disturbed -in this way, never fail, when they go out for their favourite exercise, -to take with them dogs trained to attack the lion. About two hundred -yards from the spots where the Indians had halted, two cougars were -now crouching, with their eyes fixed on the Redskin warriors. These -animals, still young, were about the size of a calf; their heads bore -a strong, likeness to a cat's, and their soft smooth hide of silvery -yellow was dotted with black spots. - -"After them!" Natah Otann shouted. - -Horsemen and dogs rushed on the ferocious beasts with yells, cries, -and barks, capable of terrifying lions unused to such a reception. -The noble animals, motionless and amazed, lashed their flanks with -their long tails, and drew in heavy draughts of air; for a moment they -remained stationary, then suddenly bounded away. A party of hunters -galloped in a straight line to intercept their retreat, while the -others bent over their saddles, and guiding their horses with their -knees, fired their arrows and rifles, without checking the cougars -which turned furiously on the dogs, and hurled them ten yards from -them, to howl with pain. Still the mastiffs, long habituated to this -chase, watched for a favourable moment, leaped on the lions' backs, -and dug their nails in their flesh; but the latter, with one stroke -of their deadly claws, swept them off like flies, and continued their -flight. - -One of them, pierced by several arrows, and surrounded by the dogs, -rolled on the ground, raising a cloud of dust under its claws, and -uttering a fearful yell. This one the Canadian finished by putting a -bullet through its eye, but the second lion remained still unwounded, -and its leaps foiled the attack and skill of the hunters. The dogs, -now wearied, did not dare assail it. Its flight had led it a few paces -from the spot where Prairie-Flower stood: it suddenly turned at right -angles, bounded among the Indians, two of whom it ripped up, and -crouched before the young girl, ere making its leap. Prairie-Flower, -pale as a corpse, clasped her hands instinctively, uttered a stifled -cry, and fainted. New cries replied to hers, and at the moment the lion -was about to leap on the maiden, two bullets were buried in its chest. -It turned to face its new adversary; it was the Count de Beaulieu. - -"Let no one stir!" he exclaimed, stopping by a sign Natah Otann and -Bright-eye, who ran up, "this game is mine--no other than I shall kill -it." - -The Count had dismounted, and with his feet firmly planted, his rifle -at his shoulder, and eyes fixed on the lion, he waited. The lion -hesitated, cast a final glance at the prey lying a few paces from it, -and then rushed on the young man with a roar. He fired again: the -animal bit the dust, and the Count, hunting knife in hand, ran up -to it. The man and the lion rolled together on the ground, but soon -one of the combatants rose again--it was the man. Prairie-Flower was -saved. The maiden opened her eyes again, looked timidly around her, and -holding out her hand to the Frenchman. - -"Thanks!" she exclaimed, and burst into tears. - -Natah Otann walked up to her. - -"Silence!" he said, harshly; "what the Paleface has done Natah Otann -could have achieved." - -The Count smiled contemptuously, but made no reply, for he had -recognized a rival. - - -[1] The _felis discolor_ of Linnæus, or American lion. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -INDIAN DIPLOMACY. - - -Natah Otann feigned not to have perceived the Count's smile. - -"Now that you have recovered," he said to Prairie-Flower, in a gentler -tone than he at first assumed towards her, "mount your horse, and -return to the village. Red Wolf will accompany you; perhaps," he added, -with an Indian smile, "we may again come across cougars, and you are -so frightened at them, that I believe I am doing you a service in -begging you to withdraw." - -The young girl, still trembling, bowed and mounted her horse. Red Wolf -had involuntarily made a start of joy on hearing the order the chief -gave him, but the latter, occupied with his thoughts, had not surprised -it. - -"One moment," Natah Otann went on, "if living lions frighten you, I -know that in return you greatly value their furs; allow me to offer you -these." - -No one can equal the skill of Indians in flaying animals; in an instant -the two lions, over which the vultures were already hovering and -forming wide circles, were stripped of their rich hides, which were -thrown across Red Wolfs horse. That animal, terrified by the smell that -emanated from the skins, reared furiously, and almost unsaddled its -rider, who had great difficulty in restraining it. - -"Now go," the Chief said, drily, dismissing them with a haughty gesture. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf departed at a gallop; Natah Otann watched -them for a long time, then let his head fall on his breast, as he -uttered a deep sigh, and appeared plunged in gloomy thought. A moment -later he felt a hand pressing heavily on his chest; he raised his -head--White Buffalo was before him. - -"What do you want with me?" he asked, angrily. - -"Do you not know?" the old man said, looking at him fixedly. - -Natah Otann quivered. - -"It is true," he said, "the hour has arrived, you mean?" - -"Yes." - -"Are all precautions taken?" - -"All." - -"Come on then; but where are they?" - -"Look at them." - -While uttering these words, White Buffalo pointed to the Count and his -comrades lying on the grass, at the skirt of a wood, about two hundred -yards from the Indian encampment. - -"Ah, they keep aloof," the Chief observed, bitterly. - -"Is not that better for the conversation which we wish to have with -them?" - -"You are right." - -The two men then walked up to the hunters without speaking again. The -latter had really kept away, not through contempt for the Indians, but -in order to be more at liberty. What had occurred after the death of -the cougars, the brutal way in which the Chief spoke to Prairie-Flower, -had vexed the Count, and it needed all the power he possessed over -himself, and the entreaties of Bright-eye, to prevent him breaking out -in reproaches of the Chief, whose conduct appeared to him unjustifiably -coarse. - -"Hum," he said, "this man is decidedly a ruffian: I am beginning to be -of your opinion, Bright-eye." - -"Bah! that is nothing yet," the latter replied, with a shrug of his -shoulders; "we shall see plenty more, if we only remain a week with -these demons." - -While speaking, the Canadian had reloaded his rifle and pistols. - -"Do as I do," he continued; "no one knows what may happen." - -"What need of that precaution? are we not under the protection of the -Indians, whose guests we are?" - -"Possibly; but no matter, you had better follow my advice, for with -Indians you can never answer for the future." - -"There is considerable truth in what you say; what I have just seen -does not at all inspire me with confidence." - -The Count, therefore, began reloading his weapons; as for Ivon, he had -not used his. The two Indian Chiefs came up at the moment the Count -finished loading the last pistol. - -"Oh, oh!" Natah Otann said, in French, saluting the young man -with studied politeness, "have you scented any wild beast in the -neighbourhood?" - -"Perhaps so," the latter replied, as he returned his pistols to his -belt. - -"What do you mean, sir?" - -"Nothing but what I say." - -"Unfortunately for me, doubtlessly, that is so subtile, that I do not -understand it." - -"I am sorry for it, sir; but I can only reply to you by an old Latin -proverb." - -"Which is?" - -"What need to repeat it, as you do not understand Latin?" - -"Suppose I do understand it?" - -"Well, then, as you insist upon it, here it is--_si vis pacem para -bellum_." - -"Which means--" the Chief said, impertinently, while White Buffalo bit -his lips. - -"Which means--" the Count said. - -"If you wish for peace, prepare for war," White Buffalo hurriedly -interrupted. - -"It was you who said it," the Count remarked, bowing with a mocking -smile. - -The three men stood face to face, like skilful duellists, who feel -the adversary's sword before engaging, and who, having recognized -themselves to be of equal strength, redouble their prudence before -dealing a decisive thrust. - -Bright-eye, though not understanding much of this skirmish of words, -had still, through the distrust which was the basis of his character, -given Ivon a side-glance, and both, though apparently inattentive, -were ready for any event. After the Count's last remark there was a -lengthened silence, which Natah Otann was the first to break. - -"You believe yourself to be among enemies, then?" he asked, in a tone -of wounded pride. - -"I did not say so," he replied, "and such is not my thought; still, I -confess that all I have seen during the last few days is so strange to -me, that, in spite of all my attempts, I can form no settled opinion -either about men or things, and that causes me deep reflection." - -"Ah!" the Indian said, coldly, "and what is it so strange you see -around you? Would you be kind enough to inform me?" - -"I see no harm in doing so, if you wish it." - -"You will cause me intense pleasure by explaining yourself." - -"I am quite ready to do so; the more so, as I have ever been accustomed -to express my thoughts freely, and I see no reason for disguising them -today." - -The two Chiefs bowed, and said nothing; the Count rested his hands on -the muzzle of his gun, and continued, while regarding them fixedly-- - -"My faith, gentlemen, since you wish me to unveil my thoughts, you -shall have them in their entirety: we are here in the wilds of the -American prairies, that is, in the wildest countries of the new -Continent; you are always on hostile terms with the whites; you -Blackfeet are regarded as the most untameable, savage, and ferocious of -the Indians; or, in other words, the most devoid of the civilization of -all the aboriginal nations." - -"Well," Natah Otann remarked, "what do you find strange in that? Is -it our fault if our despoilers, since the discovery of the new world, -have tracked us like wild beasts, driven us back in the desert, and -regarded us as beings scarcely endowed with the instinct of the brute? -You must blame them, and not us. By what right do you reproach us with -a brutalization and barbarism, produced by our persecutors and not by -ourselves?" - -"You have not understood me, sir: if, instead of interrupting me, you -had listened patiently a few minutes longer, you would have seen that I -not merely do not reproach you for that brutalization, but pity it in -my heart; for, although I have been only a few months in the desert, -I have been on several occasions in a position to judge the unhappy -race to which you belong, and appreciate the good qualities it still -possesses, and which the odious tyranny of the whites has not succeeded -in eradicating, despite all the means employed to attain that end." - -The two Chiefs exchanged a glance of satisfaction; the generous words -uttered by the young man gave them hopes as to the success of their -negotiation. - -"Pardon me, and pray continue," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"I will do so:" the Count went on: "I repeat it, it was not that -barbarism which astonished me, for I supposed it to be greater than -it really is: what seemed strange to me was to find in the heart of -the desert, where we now are, amid the ferocious Indians who surround -us, two men, two Chiefs of these self-same Indians--I will not say -civilized, for the word is not strong enough--but utterly conversant -with all the secrets of the most advanced and refined civilization, -speaking my maternal tongue with the most extreme purity, and seeming, -in a word, to have nothing Indian about them, save the dress they -wear. It seemed strange to me that two men, for an object I know not, -changing in turn their manners and fashions, are at one moment savage -Indians, at another perfect gentlemen; but instead of trying to raise -their countrymen from the barbarism in which they pine, they wallow in -it with them, feigning to be as ignorant and cruel as themselves. I -confess to you, gentlemen, that all this not only appeared strange to -me, but even frightened me." - -"Frightened!" the two Chiefs exclaimed, simultaneously. - -"Yes, frightened!" the Count continued, quickly; "for a life of -continual feints, such as you lead, must conceal some dark plot. -Lastly, I am frightened, because your conduct towards me, the urgency -with which you sought to attract me amongst you, causes involuntary -suspicions to spring up in my heart as to your secret intentions." - -"And what are those suspicions, sir?" Natah Otann asked, haughtily. - -"I am afraid that you wish to make me your accomplice in some -scandalous deed." - -These words, pronounced vehemently, burst like a thunderbolt on the -ears of the two strange Chiefs; they were terrified by the perspicuity -of the young man, and for several moments knew not what to say, to -disculpate themselves. - -"Sir!" Natah Otann at length exclaimed, violently. - -White Buffalo checked him by a majestic gesture. - -"It is my duty," he said, "to reply to our guest's words: in his turn, -after the frank and loyal explanation he has given us, he has a right -to one equally frank on our side." - -"I am listening to you," the young man said, coolly. - -"Of the two men now standing before you, one is your fellow countryman." - -"Ah!" the Count muttered. - -"That countryman is myself." - -The young man bowed coldly. - -"I suspected it," he said, "and it is a further reason to heighten my -suspicions." - -Natah Otann made a gesture. - -"Let him speak," White Buffalo said, holding him back. - -"What I have to say will not be long, sir: it is my opinion that the -man who consents to exchange the blessings of European civilization for -a precarious life on the prairie; who breaks all the ties of family -and friendship which attached him to his country, in order to adopt an -Indian life--in my opinion that man must have many disgraceful actions -to reproach himself with, and his remorse forces him to offer society -expiation for them." - -The old man's brow contracted, and a livid pallor covered his face. - -"You are very young, sir," he said, "to have the right to bring such -accusations against an old man whose actions, life, and even name are -unknown to you." - -"That is true, sir," the Count answered, nobly. "Pardon any insult my -words may have conveyed." - -"Why should I be angry with you?" he continued, in a sad voice; "a -child born yesterday, whose eyes opened amid songs and fêtes, whose -life, which counts but a few days, has been spent gently and calmly in -the peace and prosperity of that beloved France which I weep for every -day." - -"Who are you, sir?" he asked. - -"Who I am?" the old man said, bitterly. "I am one of those crushed -Titans who sat in the Convention of 1793." - -The Count fell back a pace, letting fall the hand he had taken. - -"Oh!" he said. - -The exile looked at him searchingly. - -"Enough of this," he said, raising his head and assuming a firm and -resolute tone; "you are in our hands, sir, any resistance will be -useless; so listen to our propositions." - -The Count shrugged his shoulders. - -"You throw off the mask," he said, "and I prefer that; but allow me one -remark before listening to you." - -"What is it?" - -"I am of noble birth, as you are aware, and hence we are old enemies; -on whatever ground we may meet, we can only stand face to face, never -side by side." - -"They are ever the same," the other muttered; "this haughty race may be -broken, but not bent." - -The Count bowed, and folded his arms on his breast. - -"I am waiting," he said. - -"Time presses," the exile continued; "any discussion between us would -be superfluous, as we cannot agree." - -"At least, that is clear," the Count remarked, with a smile; "now for -the rest." - -"It is this: in two days, all the Indian nations will rise as one man -to crush the American tyranny." - -"What do I care for that? Have I come so far to dabble in politics?" - -The exile repressed a movement of anger. - -"Unfortunately, your will is not free; you are here to obey our -conditions, and not to impose your own: you must accept or die." - -"Oh, oh, always your old means, as it seems, but I will be patient: -come, what is it you expect from me?" - -"We demand," he went on, laying a stress on every word, "that you -should take the command of all the warriors, and direct the expedition -in person." - -"Why I, rather than anyone else?" - -"Because you alone can play the part we give you." - -"Nonsense--you are mad." - -"You must be so, if, since your stay among the Indians, you have not -seen that you would have been killed long ago, had we not been careful -to spread reports about you, which gained you general respect, in spite -of your rashness and blind confidence in yourself." - -"Eh, then, this has been prepared a long time?" - -"For centuries." - -"Hang it!" the Count went on, still sarcastically, "what have I to do -in all this?" - -"Oh, sir, not much," the White Buffalo answered, with a sneer; "and -anyone else would have suited us just as well; unfortunately for you, -you have an extraordinary likeness to the man who can alone march at -our head; and as this man died long ago, it is not probable that he -will come from his grave expressly to guide us to battle; hence you -must take his place." - -"Very well; and would there be any indiscretion in asking you the name -of the man to whom I bear so wonderful a likeness?" - -"Not the slightest," the old man replied, coldly; "the more so, because -you have doubtlessly already heard his name; it is Motecuhzoma." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Come!" he said, "it is a capital joke; but I find it a little too -long. Now, a word in my turn." - -"Speak." - -"Whatever you may do, whatever means you may employ, I will never -consent to serve you in any way. Now, as I am your guest, placed under -the guarantee of your honour, I request you to let me pass." - -"That resolution is decided." - -"Yes." - -"You will not change it." - -"Whatever happens." - -"We shall see that," the old man remarked, coldly. - -The Count looked at him contemptuously. - -"Make way there," he said, resolutely. - -The two Chiefs shrugged their shoulders. - -"We are savages," Natah Otann said, gibingly. - -"Make way!" the Count repeated, as he cocked his rifle. - -Natah Otann whistled; in an instant, some fifteen Indians rushed from -the wood, and fell on the white men, who, however, though surprised, -endured the shock bravely. Standing instinctively back to back, with -shoulder supported against shoulder, they suddenly formed a tremendous -triangle, before which the Redskins were constrained to halt. - -"Oh, oh," Bright-eye said, "I fancy we are going to have some fun." - -"Yes," Ivon muttered, crossing himself piously; "but we shall be -killed." - -"Probably," the Canadian said. - -"Fall back!" the Count ordered. - -The three men then began to retire slowly toward the wood, the only -shelter that offered, without separating, and still pointing their -rifles at the Indians. The Redskins are brave, even rash; that question -cannot be disguised or doubted; but with them courage is calculated; -they never fight save to gain an object, and are not fond of risking -their lives unprofitably. They hesitated. - -"I fancy we did well to reload our arms," the Count said, ironically, -but with perfect calmness. - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin. - -"No matter, I am very frightened," Ivon groaned his eyes sparkling and -his lips quivering. - -"_Eha_, sons of blood!" Natah Otann shouted, as he cocked his gun. "Do -three Palefaces frighten you? Forward! Forward!" - -The Indians uttered their war yell, and rushed on the hunters. The -other Indians, warned of what was happening by the shouts of their -comrades, ran up hurriedly to take part in the fight. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. - - -We must leave our three valiant champions for a few moments in their -present critical position, to speak of one of the important persons of -this story, whom we have neglected too long. - -Immediately after the departure of the Indians, John Black, with -that American activity equalled in no other country, set to work, -beginning his clearing. The peril he had incurred, and which he had -only escaped by a miracle incomprehensible to him, had caused him to -make very earnest reflections. He understood that in the isolated spot -where he was, he could not expect assistance from anyone; that he -must alone confront the danger that would doubtlessly menace him; and -that, consequently, he must, before all else, think about defending -the settlement against a _coup de main_, Major Melville had heard, -through his _engagés_ and trappers, of the colonist; but the latter was -perfectly ignorant that he was only ten miles from Fort Mackenzie. His -resolution once formed, John Black carried it out immediately. - -To those people who have not seen American clearings, the processes -employed by the squatters, and the skill with which they cut down -the largest trees in a few moments, would appear as prodigies. Black -considered that he had not a moment to lose, and, aided by his son -and servants, set to work. The temporary camp, as we have seen, was -situated on a rather high mound, which commanded the plain for a -long distance. It was here that the colonist determined to build his -house. He began by planting all round the platform of the hill a row -of enormous stakes, twelve feet high, and fastened together by large -bolts. This first enceinte finished, he dug behind it a trench about -eight feet wide and fifteen deep, throwing up the earth on the edge, -so as to form a second line of defence. Then, in the interior of this -improvised fortress, which, if defended by a resolute garrison, was -impregnable, unless cannon were brought up to form a breach--for the -abrupt slope of the hill rendered any assault impossible--he laid the -foundation of his family's future abode. The temporary arrangements -he had made allowed him to continue his further labours less hastily; -through his prodigious activity, he could defy the attacks of all the -prowlers on the prairie. - -His wife and daughter had actively helped him, for they understood, -better than the rest of the family, the utility of these defensive -works. The poor ladies, little used to the rude toil they had been -engaged in, needed rest. Black had not spared himself more than the -rest. He understood the justice of his wife and daughter's entreaties, -and as he had nothing to fear for the present, he generously granted a -whole day's rest to the little colony. - -The events that marked the squatter's arrival in the province had left -a profound impression on the hearts of Mrs. Black and her daughter. -Diana, especially, had maintained a recollection of the Count, which -time, far from weakening, rendered only the more vivid. The Count's -chivalrous character, the noble way in which he had acted, and--let us -speak the truth--his physical qualities, all combined to render him -dear to the young girl, whose life had hitherto passed away calmly, -nothing happening to cast a cloud over her heart. Many times since the -young man's departure she stopped in her work, raised her head, looked -anxiously around her, and then resumed her toil, while stifling a sigh. - -Mothers are quick-sighted, especially those who, like Mrs. Black, -really love their daughters. What her husband and son did not suspect, -then, she guessed merely by looking for a few minutes at the poor -girl's pale face, her eyes surrounded by a dark ring, her pensive look, -and inattention. - -Diana was in love. - -Mrs. Black looked around her. No one could be the object of that love. -So far back as she could remember, she called to mind no one her -daughter had appeared to distinguish before their departure from the -clearing, where she had passed her youth. Besides, when the little -party set out in search of a fresh home, Diana seemed joyful, she -prattled gaily as a bird, and appeared to trouble herself about none of -those she left behind. - -After these reflections, the mother sighed in her turn; for, if she had -divined her daughter's love, she had been unable to discover the man -who was the object of that love. Mrs. Black resolved to cross-question -her daughter as soon as she happened to be alone with her; till then -she feigned to be in perfect ignorance. The day of rest granted by John -Black to his family would probably offer her the favourable opportunity -she awaited so impatiently. Hence she joyfully received the news which -her husband gave her in the evening after prayers, which, according to -the custom of the family, were said in common before going to bed. - -The next morning, at sunrise, according to their daily habit, the two -ladies prepared the breakfast, while the servants led the cattle down -to the river. - -"Wife," the squatter said, at breakfast, "William and I intend, as -work is suspended for today, to mount our horses, and go and visit the -neighbourhood, which we have not seen yet." - -"Do not go too far, my friend, and be well armed; you know that in the -desert dangerous meetings are not rare." - -"Yes; so be at ease. Although I believe that we have nothing to fear -for the present, I will be prudent. Would you not feel inclined to -accompany us, as well as Diana, and take a look at your new domain?" - -The girl's eyes glistened with joy at this proposition; she opened her -lips to reply; but her mother laid her hand on her mouth, and spoke -instead of her. - -"You must excuse us, my dear," she said, with a certain degree of -vivacity, "but women, as you know, have always something to do. Diana -and I will put everything in order during your absence, which our busy -labours of the last few days have prevented us doing." - -"As you please, wife." - -"Besides," she continued, with a smile; "as we shall probably remain a -long time here--" - -"I fancy so," the squatter interrupted. - -"Well, I shall not lack opportunity of visiting our domains, as you -call them, another day." - -"Excellently argued, ma'am, and I am quite of your opinion; William -and I will therefore take our ride alone; I would ask you not to feel -alarmed if we do not come home till rather late." - -"No; but on condition that you return before night." - -"Agreed." - -They spoke of something else; still, towards the end of the meal, Sam, -without suspecting it, brought the conversation back nearly to the same -subject. - -"I am certain, James," he said to his comrade, "that the young man was -not a Canadian, as you fancy, but a Frenchman." - -"Who are you talking about?" the squatter asked. - -"The gentleman who accompanied the Redskins, and made them give us back -our cattle." - -"Yes, without counting the other obligations we are under to him, for -if I am now the owner of a clearing, it was through him." - -"He is a worthy gentleman," Mrs. Black said, with a purpose. - -"Yes, yes," Diana murmured, in an indistinct voice. - -"He is a Frenchman," Black asserted. "There cannot be a doubt of that: -those Canadian scoundrels are incapable of acting in the way he did to -us." - -Like all the North Americans, Black heartily detested the Canadians; -why he did so, he could not have said, but this hatred was innate in -his heart. - -"Bah!" William said, "what matter his country, he has a fine heart, -and is a true gentleman. For my part, father, I know a certain William -Black, who is ready to die for him." - -"By heaven!" the squatter exclaimed, as he struck the table with his -fist, "you would be only doing your duty, and discharging a sacred -debt: I would give anything to see him again, and prove to him that I -am not ungrateful." - -"Well spoken, father," William said joyously; "honest men are too rare -in the world for us not to cling to those we know; if we should meet -again, I will show him what sort of man I am." - -During this rapid interchange of words, Diana said nothing; she -listened, with outstretched neck, beaming face, and a smile on her -lips, happy to hear a man thus spoken of, whom she unconsciously loved -since she first saw him. Mrs. Black thought it prudent to turn the -conversation. - -"There is another person to whom we owe great obligations; for if -Heaven had not sent her at the right moment to our help, we should have -been pitilessly massacred by the Indians; have you already forgotten -that person?" - -"God forbid!" the squatter exclaimed, quickly, "the poor creature did -me too great a service for me to forget her." - -"But who on earth can she be?" William said. - -"I should be much puzzled to say; I believe even that the Indians and -trappers, who cross the prairies, could give us no information about -her." - -"She only appeared and disappeared," James observed. - -"Yes, but her passage, so rapid as it was, left deep traces," Mrs. -Black said. - -"Her mere presence was enough to terrify the Indians. That woman I -shall always regard as a good genius, whatever opinion may be expressed -about her in my presence." - -"We owe it to her that we did not suffer atrocious torture." - -"May God bless the worthy creature!" the squatter exclaimed; "if ever -she have need of us, she can come in all certainty; I and all I possess -are at her disposal." - -The meal was over, and they rose from the table. Sam had saddled two -horses. John Black and his son took their pistols, bowie knives, and -rifles, mounted their horses, and after promising once again not to be -late, they cautiously descended the winding path leading into the plain. - -Diana and her mother then began putting things to rights, as had been -arranged. When Mrs. Black had watched the couple out of sight on the -prairie, and assured herself that the two servants were engaged outside -in mending some harness, she took her needlework, and requested her -daughter to come and sit by her side. Diana obeyed with a certain -inward apprehension, for never had her mother behaved to her so -mysteriously. For a few minutes the two ladies worked silently opposite -each other. At length Mrs. Black stopped her needle, and looked at her -daughter; the latter continued her sewing, without appearing to notice -this intermission. - -"Diana," she asked her, "have you nothing to say to me?" - -"I, mother?" the young girl said, raising her head with amazement. - -"Yes, you, my child." - -"Pardon me, mother," she went on, with a certain tremor in her voice, -"but I do not understand you." - -Mrs. Black sighed. - -"Yes," she murmured, "and so it ever must be; a moment arrives when -young girls have unconsciously a secret from their mothers." - -The poor lady wiped away a tear; Diana rose quickly, and throwing her -arms tenderly round her mother-- - -"A secret? I, a secret from you, mother? Oh, how could you suppose such -a thing?" - -"Child!" Mrs. Black replied, with a smile of ineffable kindness, "a -mother's eye cannot be deceived;" and putting her finger on her -daughter's palpitating heart, she said, "your secret is there." - -Diana blushed, and drew back, confused. - -"Alas!" the good lady continued, "I do not address reproaches to you, -poor dear and well-beloved child. You unconsciously submit to the laws -of nature; I too, at your age, was as you are at this moment, and when -my mother asked my secret, like you, I replied that I had none, for I -was myself ignorant of that secret." - -The girl hid her face, all bathed in tears, in her mother's breast. The -latter gently moved the flowing locks of light hair which covered her -daughter's brow, and giving her a kiss, said, with that accent which -mothers alone possess-- - -"Come, my dear Diana, dry your tears, do not trouble yourself so; only -tell me your feelings during the last few days." - -"Alas! my kind mother," the girl replied, smiling through her tears, -"I understand nothing myself, and suffer without knowing why; I am -restless, languid; everything disgusts and wearies me, and yet I fancy -there has been no change in my life." - -"You are mistaken, child," Mrs. Black answered, gravely, "your heart -has spoken without your knowledge; thus, instead of the careless, -laughing girl you were, you have become a woman, you have thought, your -forehead has turned pale, and you suffer." - -"Alas!" Diana murmured. - -"Come, how long have you been so sad?" - -"I know not, mother." - -"Think again." - -"I fancy it is--." - -Mrs. Black, understanding her daughter's hesitation, finished the -sentence for her. - -"Since the day after our arrival here, is it not?" - -Diana raised to her mother her large blue eyes, in which profound -amazement could be read. - -"It is true," she murmured. - -"Your sorrow began at the moment when the strangers, who so nobly aided -us, took their leave?" - -"Yes," the girl said, in a low voice, with downcast eyes and blushing -forehead. - -Mrs. Black continued smilingly her interesting interrogatory. - -"On seeing them depart, your heart was contracted, your cheeks turned -pale, you shuddered involuntarily, and, if I had not held you--I who -watched you carefully, poor darling--you would have fallen. Is not all -this true?" - -"It is true, mother," the girl said, with a more assured voice. - -"Good; and the man from whom you regret being separated--he who causes -your present sorrow and suffering, is--?" - -"Mother!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into her arms, and hiding her -shamed face in her bosom. - -"It is--?" she continued. - -"Edward!" the girl said, in an inarticulate voice, and melting into -tears. - -Mrs. Black directed on her daughter a glance of supreme pity, embraced -her ardently several times, and said, in a soft voice,-- - -"You see that you had a secret, my child, since you love him." - -"Alas!" she murmured, naively, "I do not know it, mother." - -The good lady nodded her head with satisfaction, led her daughter back -to her chair, and herself sitting down, said to her,-- - -"And now that we have had a thorough explanation, and there is no -longer a secret between us, suppose we have a little talk, Diana." - -"I am quite willing, mother." - -"Listen to me, then; my age and experience, leaving out of sight the -position in which I stand to you, authorize me in giving you advice. -Will you hear it?" - -"Oh, mother! you know I respect and love you." - -"I know it, dear child; I know too, as I have never left you since your -birth, and have incessantly watched over you, how generous your mind -is, how noble your heart, and how capable of self-devotion. I must -cause you great pain, poor girl; but it is better to attend to the -green wound, than allow time to render the evil incurable." - -"Alas!" - -"This raging love, which has unconsciously entered your heart, cannot -be very great; it is rather the awakening of the mind to those -gentle feelings and noble instincts, which embellish existence and -characterize the woman, than a passion; your love is only in reality -a momentary exaltation of the brain's feverish imagination; like all -young girls, you aspire to the unknown, you seek an ideal, the reality -of which does not exist for you; but you do not love. Nay, more, you -cannot love; the feeling you experience at the moment is entirely in -the head, and the heart goes for nothing." - -"Mother!" the young girl interrupted. - -"Dear Diana," she continued, taking her hand, and pressing it, "let -me make you suffer a little now, to spare you at a later date the -horrible pangs which would produce the despair of your whole existence. -The man you fancy you love you will probably never see again; he is -ignorant of your attachment, and does not share it. I am speaking cold -and implacable reason; it is logical, and spares us much grief, while -passion is never so, and always produces pain; but supposing for a -moment that this young man loved you, you could never be his." - -"But if he love me, mother," she said, timidly. - -"Poor babe!" the mother continued, with an accent of sublime pity. -"Do you know even whether he be free? Who has told you that he is not -married? But I will allow it for a moment: this young man is noble; -he belongs to one of the oldest and proudest families in Europe; -his fortune is immense. Do you believe that he will ever consent to -abandon all the social advantages his position guarantees him?--that he -will bow his family pride to give his hand to the daughter of a poor -American squatter?" - -"It is true," she murmured, letting her head fall in her hands. - -"And even if he did so, though it is impossible, would you consent to -follow him, and leave in the desert a father and mother, who have only -you, and who would die of despair ere your departure? Come, Diana, -answer, would you consent?" - -"Oh, never, never, mother!" she exclaimed, madly "Oh, I love you most -of all!" - -"Good, my darling; that is how I wished to see you. I am happy that my -words have found the road to your heart. This man is kind; he has done -us immense service; we owe him gratitude, but nothing more." - -"Yes, yes, mother," she murmured, with a sob. - -"You must only see in him a friend, a brother," she continued, firmly. - -"I will try, mother." - -"You promise it me?" - -The girl hesitated for a moment. Suddenly she raised her head, and -said, bravely,-- - -"I thank you, mother. I swear to you not to forget him, that would -be impossible, but so thoroughly to conceal my love, that, with the -exception of yourself, no one shall suspect it." - -"Come to my arms, my child; you understand your duty; you are noble and -good." - -At this moment James entered. - -"Mistress," he said, "the master is coming back, but there are several -persons with him." - -"Wipe your eyes, and follow me, dear; let us go and see what has -happened." - -And, stooping down to her daughter's ear, she whispered,-- - -"When we are alone, we will speak of him." - -"Yes, mother," Diana said, almost joyfully, "Oh, how good you are, and -how I love you." - -They went out, and looked in the direction of the plain. At a -considerable distance from the fort, they noticed a party of four or -five persons, at the head of whom were John Black and his son William. - -"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs. Black said, anxiously. - -"We shall soon know, mother; calm yourself; they seem to be riding too -gently for us to feel any alarm." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -IVON. - - -The Count and his two companions, as we have seen, bravely awaited the -attack of the Indians; it was terrible. For an instant there was a -horrible mêlée hand to hand; then the Indians fell back to draw breath, -and begin again. Ten corpses lay at the feet of the three men, who were -motionless and firm as a block of granite. - -"By heavens!" the Count said, as he wiped away, with the back of his -hand, the perspiration mingled with blood that stood in large beads on -his forehead, "it is a glorious fight." - -"Yes," Bright-eye replied, carelessly; "but it is mortal." - -"What matter, if we die like men?" - -"Hum! I am not of that opinion. As long as there is a chance, we must -seize it." - -"But none is left us!" - -"Perhaps there is; but let me act." - -"I ask no better. Still I confess to you that I find this fight -glorious." - -"It is really very agreeable; but it would be much more so, if we lived -to recount it." - -"On my word, that is true. I did not think of that." - -"Yes, but I did." - -The Canadian stooped down to Ivon, and whispered some words in his ear. - -"Yes," the Breton replied, "provided I am not afraid." - -"Bravo!" the hunter said, with a smile; "you will do what you can. That -is agreed?" - -"Agreed." - -"Look out, comrades," the Count shouted; "here are the enemy!" - -In truth, the Indians were ready to renew the attack. Natah Otann and -White Buffalo were resolved on taking the Count alive, and without a -wound; they had consequently given their warriors orders not to employ -their firearms, content themselves with parrying the blows dealt them, -but take him at every risk. During the few moments' respite which the -Indians had allowed the white men, the other Indians had run up to take -part in the fight; so that the hunters, surrounded on all sides, had to -make head against at least forty Redskins. It would have been madness -or blind temerity to attempt opposing such a mass of enemies; and yet -the white men did not appear to dream of asking quarter. At the moment -Natah Otann was going to give the signal for attack, White Buffalo, who -had hitherto stood aloof, gloomy and thoughtful, interposed,-- - -"A moment!" he said. - -"For what good?" the Chief remarked. - -"Let me make the attempt. Perhaps they will recognize that a struggle -is impossible, and consent to accept our propositions." - -"I doubt it," Natah Otann muttered, shaking his head; "they appear very -resolute." - -"Let me try it. You know how necessary it is for the success of our -plans that we should seize this man?" - -"Unfortunately; if we do not take care, he will be killed." - -"That is what I wish to avoid." - -"Try it then; but I am convinced you will fail." - -"Who knows? I can try, at any rate." - -White Buffalo walked a few paces in advance, and was then about six -yards from the Count. - -"What do you want?" the young man said. "If I did not involuntarily -know that you are a Frenchman, I should have long ago put a bullet into -your chest." - -"Fire!--what stops you?" the exile replied, in a sad voice. "Do you -believe that I fear death?" - -"Enough talking. Retire! or I will fire." - -And he levelled his rifle at him. - -"I wish to say one word to you." - -"Speak quickly, and be off." - -"I offer you and your comrades your lives, if you will surrender." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Nonsense," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders; "do you take us for -fools? We were the guests of your companions, and they have impudently -violated the law of nations." - -"That is your last word, then?" - -"The last, by Jove! You must have lived a long time among the Indians -to have forgotten that Frenchmen would sooner die than be cowards." - -"Your blood be on your own heads, then." - -"So be it, odious renegade, who fight with savages against your -brothers." - -This insult struck the old man to the heart; he bent a fearful glance -on the young man, turned pale as death and withdrew, tottering like a -drunkard, and muttering, in a low voice,-- - -"Oh, these nobles!" - -"Well?" Natah Otann asked him. - -"He refuses," he answered quickly. - -"I was sure of it. Now it is our turn." - -Raising to his lips his war whistle, he produced a shrill and -lengthened sound, to which the Indians responded with a frightful yell, -and rushed like a legion of demons on the three men, who received them -without yielding an inch. The mêlée recommenced in all its fury; the -three men clubbed their rifles, and dealt crushing blows around. Ivon -performed prodigies of valour, rising and sinking his rifle with the -regularity of a pendulum, smashing a man at every blow, and muttering,-- - -"Ouf, there's another: holy Virgin, I feel my terror coming upon me." - -Still the circle drew closer round the three men; others took the -places of the Indians who fell, and were in their turn pushed onward by -those behind. The hunters were weary of striking. Their arms did not -fall with the same vigour; their blows failed in regularity; the blood -rose to their heads; their eyes were injected with blood, and they had -a dizziness in their ears. - -"We are lost!" the Count muttered. - -"Courage!" Bright-eye yelled, as he smashed in the skull of an Indian. - -"It is not courage that fails me, but strength," the young man -answered, in a fainting voice. - -"Forward, forward!" Natah Otann repeated, bounding like a demon round -the three men. - -"Now, Ivon, now!" Bright-eye cried out. - -"Good bye," the Breton replied. - -And turning his terrible weapon round his head, he rushed into the -densest throng of the Indians. - -"Follow me, Count," Bright-eye went on. - -"Come on then," the latter shouted. - -The two men executed on the opposite side the manoeuvre attempted by -the Breton. Ivon, the coward you know, seemed to have at the moment -entirely forgotten his fear of being speared; he appeared, like -Briareus, to have a hundred arms to level the numerous assailants who -incessantly rose before him, and cleft his way through the throng. -Fortunately for the Breton, most of the Indians had rushed in pursuit -of game more valuable to them, that is, the Count and the Canadian, who -had redoubled their efforts, though already so prodigious. - -While still fighting, Ivon had reached the skirt of the wood, about -three or four yards from the spot where the horses were tied. This -was probably what the Breton wished for. So soon as he found himself -in a straight line with the horses, instead of pushing forward as he -had hitherto done, he began to fall back step to step, so as to arrive -close to them. Still, he always fought with that cold resolution which -distinguishes the Bretons, and renders them such terrible foemen. - -Suddenly, when he found himself near enough to the horses, Ivon gave a -parting blow to the nearest Indian, sent him staggering backwards with -a dashed-in skull, took a panther leap, and reached the Count's horse. -In a second he had mounted, dug his spurs into the flanks of the noble -animal, and galloped off, after knocking down two Indians who tried to -stop him. - -"Hurrah! saved! saved!" he shouted, in a voice of thunder, as he -disappeared in the forest, where the Blackfeet did not dare to follow -him. - -The Redskins stood stupefied by such a prodigious flight. The cry -uttered by Ivon was doubtlessly a signal agreed on between him and -Bright-eye; for, so soon as he heard it, the hunter, by a hurried -movement, seized the Count's arm as he was in the act of striking. - -"What on earth are you about?" the latter said, turning to him angrily. - -"I am saving you," the hunter replied, coolly; "throw down your -weapon!--We surrender," he then exclaimed. - -"You will explain your conduct, I presume?" the Count continued. - -"Be of good cheer; you will approve it." - -"Be it so." - -And he threw the gun down. The Indians, whom the hunters' heroic -defence kept at a distance, rushed upon them so soon as they saw they -were disarmed, Natah Otann and White Buffalo hurried up; the two men -already were thrown down on the sand, when the Chief interposed. - -"Sir," he said, "you are my prisoner; and you too, Bright-eye." - -The young man shrugged his shoulders with contempt. - -"Reckon up what your victory has already cost you," the hunter replied, -with a sardonic smile, and pointing to the numerous corpses that lay on -the plain. Natah Otann, however, pretended not to hear this remark. - -"If you will give me your word of honour not to escape, gentlemen," -White Buffalo said, "you will be unloosed, and your weapons restored to -you." - -"Is this another trap you are laying for us?" the Count asked, -haughtily. - -"Bah!" Bright-eye said, with a significant glance at his comrade, "we -will give our word for four-and-twenty hours; after that, we will -see." - -"You hear, gentlemen," the young man said; "this hunter and myself -pledge our words for four-and-twenty hours. Does that suit you? Of -course, at the end of that time, we are free to recall it." - -"Or to pledge it again," the Canadian added, with a smile; "what do we -risk by doing so?" - -The two Chiefs exchanged a few whispered words. - -"We accept," Natah Otann at length said. - -At a sign from him, the prisoners' bonds were cut, and they rose. - -"Hum!" Bright-eye said, stretching himself with delight, "it does one -good to have the use of his limbs. Bah! I knew they would not kill me -this time, either." - -"Here are your horses and arms, gentlemen," the Chief said. - -"Permit me," the Count remarked coolly, drawing his watch from his -pocket, "it is now half-after seven; you have our parole till the same -time tomorrow evening." - -"Very good," White Buffalo said, with a bow. - -"And now, where are you going to take us, if you please?" the hunter -asked, with a crafty look. - -"To the village!" - -"Thank you." - -The two men jumped into their saddles, and followed the Indians, who -only waited for them to start. Ten minutes later, this place, on which -so many events had occurred during the day, became again calm and -silent. - -We will leave the Count and the hunter returning to the village under -good escort, to follow the track of Ivon. - -After leaving the battlefield, the latter rode straight ahead, not -caring to lose precious time in looking for a path; for the moment all -were good, provided that they bore him from the enemies he had so -providentially escaped. Still, after galloping for about an hour across -the wood, reassured by the perfect silence that prevailed around him, -he gradually checked his horse's speed. It was high time for this idea -to occur to him, as the poor horse, so harshly treated, was beginning -to break down. The Breton profited by this slight truce to reload his -weapons. - -"I am not brave," he said in a low voice, "but by Jove! as my poor -master says, the first scamp that attempts to bar my way, I will blow -out his brains, so surely as my name is Ivon." - -And the worthy man would have done as he said, we feel assured. After -advancing a few hundred yards, Ivon looked around, stopped his horse, -and dismounted. - -"What is the use of going any farther?" he said, resuming his -soliloquy; "my horse wants rest, and I shall not be the worse for a -halt. As well here as elsewhere." - -On this, he took off his horse's saddle, carried his master's -portmanteau to the foot of a tree, and began lighting a fire. - -"How quickly night comes on in this confounded country," he muttered; -"it is hardly eight o'clock, and it is as black as in an oven." - -While discoursing thus all alone, he had collected a considerable -quantity of dry wood; he returned to the spot he had selected for -camping, piled up the wood, struck a light, knelt, and began blowing -with all the strength of his lungs to make it catch. In a moment he -raised his head to breathe; but uttered a yell of terror, and almost -fell backwards. He had seen, about three paces from the fire, two -persons silently watching him. The first moment of surprise past, the -Breton bounded on his feet, and cocked his pistols. - -"Confuse you," he shouted, "you gave me a pretty fright; but no matter, -we will see." - -"My brother may be at rest," a soft voice replied, in bad English, "we -do not wish to do him any harm." - -As a Breton, Ivon spoke nearly as good English as he did French. On -hearing these words, he bent forward, and looked. "Oh!" he said, "the -Indian girl." - -"Yes, it is I," Prairie-Flower answered, as she stepped forward. - -Her companion followed her, and Ivon recognized Red Wolf. - -"You are welcome," he remarked, "to my poor encampment." - -"Thanks," she answered. - -"How is it that you are here?" - -"And you?" she said, answering one question by another. - -"Oh, I!" he said, shaking his head, "that is a sad story." - -"What does my brother mean?" Red Wolf asked. - -"Good, good," the Breton said, turning his head; "that is my business, -and not yours. First, tell me what brings you to me, and I will then -see if I may confide to you what has happened to my master and myself." - -"My brother is prudent," Prairie-Flower answered, "he is right: -prudence is good on the prairie." - -"Hum! I wish my master had heard you make that remark, perhaps he would -not be where he now is." - -Prairie-Flower gave a start of terror. - -"Wah! has any misfortune happened to him?" she said, in an agonized -voice. - -Ivon looked at her. - -"You appear to take an interest in him?" - -"He is brave," she exclaimed, passionately; "this morning he killed -the cougars that threatened Prairie-Flower; she has a heart--she will -remember." - -"That is true; quite true, young lady," he said; "he saved your life. -Tell me first, though, how it is we should have met in this forest." - -"Listen, then, as you insist." - -The Breton bowed. To all his other qualities Ivon added that of being -as obstinate as an Andalusian mule. Once the worthy man had taken a -theory into his head, nothing could turn him from it. We must grant, -however, that he had at present excellent reason to distrust the -Indians. - -Prairie-Flower continued:-- - -"After Glass-eye had so bravely killed the cougars," she said, with -considerable emotion, "the great Chief, Natah Otann, was angry with -Prairie-Flower, and ordered her to return to the village with Red Wolf." - -"I know all that," Ivon interrupted, "I was there; and that is why it -seems to me so extraordinary to meet you here when you should have been -on the road to the village." - -The Indian girl gave one of those little pouts peculiar to her, and -which rendered her so seductive. - -"The pale man is as curious as an old squaw," she said, with an accent -of ill-humour; "why does he wish to know Prairie-Flower's secret? She -has in her heart a little bird which sings pleasant songs to her, and -attracts her in the footsteps of the Paleface who saved her." - -"Ah!" said the Breton, partly catching the girl's meaning; "that is -different." - -"Instead of returning to the village," Red Wolf interposed, -"Prairie-Flower wished to return to the side of Glass-eye." - -The Breton reflected for a long time; the two Indians watched him -silently, patiently waiting till he thought proper to explain himself. -Presently, he raised his head, and, fixing his cunning grey eye on the -girl, he asked her distinctly,-- - -"You love him, then?" - -"Yes," she answered, looking down on the ground. - -"Very good. Now listen attentively to what I am about to tell you; it -will interest you prodigiously, or I am greatly mistaken." - -The two hearers bent down toward him, and listened attentively. Ivon -then related most copiously his master's conversation with the two -Chiefs; the dispute that arose between them; the combat that ensued -from it, and the way in which he had escaped. - -"If I did run away," he said, in conclusion, "heaven is my witness that -it was not for the purpose of saving my life. Though I am a desperate -coward, I would never hesitate to sacrifice my life for him; but -Bright-eye advised me to act in this way, so that I may try and find -assistance for them both." - -"Good," the girl said, quickly; "the Paleface is brave. What does he -intend to do?" - -"I mean to save my master, by Jove!" the Breton said, resolutely. "The -only thing is, that I do not know how to set about it." - -"Prairie-Flower knows. She will help the Paleface." - -"Is what you promise really true, young girl?" - -The Indian maid smiled. - -"The Paleface will follow Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf," she said; -"they will lead him to a spot where he will find friends." - -"Good; and when will you do it, my good girl?" he asked, his heart -palpitating with joy. - -"So soon as the Paleface is ready to start." - -"At once, then, at once!" the Breton exclaimed, hurriedly rising, and -hurrying to his horse. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf had concealed their steeds in the centre of -a clump of trees. Ten minutes later, and Ivon and his guides quitted -the clearing where they had met; it was about midnight when they -started. - -"My poor master!" the Breton muttered. "Shall I be permitted to save -him?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. - - -The night was black, gloomy, and storm-laden. The wind howled with a -mournful murmur through the branches; at each gust the trees shook -their damp crowns, and sent down showers, which pattered on the shrubs. -The sky was of a leaden hue; so great was the silence in the desert, -that the fall of a withered leaf, or the rustling of a branch touched -in its passage by some invisible animal, could be distinctly heard. - -Ivon and his guides advanced cautiously through the forest, seeking -their road in the darkness, half lying on their horses, so as to avoid -the branches that lashed their faces at every moment. Owing to the -endless turns they were compelled to take, nearly two hours elapsed -ere they left the forest. At length they debouched on the plain, and -found themselves almost simultaneously on the banks of the Missouri. -The river, swollen by rain and snow, rolled along its yellowish waters -noisily. The fugitives followed the bank in a south-western direction. -Now that they had struck the river, all uncertainty had ceased for -them; their road was so distinctly traced that they had no fear of -losing it. - -On arriving at a spot where a point of sand jutted out for several -yards into the bed of the river, and formed a species of cape, from -the end of which objects could be seen for some distance, owing to the -transparency of the water, Red Wolf made a sign to his companions to -halt, and himself dismounted. Prairie-Flower and Ivon imitated him. -Ivon was not sorry to take a few moments' rest, and, above all, make -some inquiries before proceeding further. At the first blush, carried -away by an unreflecting movement of the heart, which impelled him to -save his master by any means that offered, he had not hesitated to -follow his two strange guides; but, with reflection, distrust had -returned still more powerfully, and the Breton was unwilling to go -further with the persons he had met, until he possessed undoubted -proofs of their honesty. - -So soon as he had dismounted then, and taken off his horse's bridle, -so that it should crop the tender shoots, Ivon walked up boldly to the -Redskin, and struck him on the shoulder. The Indian, whose eyes were -eagerly fixed on the rider, turned to him. - -"What does the Paleface want?" he asked him. - -"To talk a little with you, Chief." - -"The moment is not good for talking," the Indian answered, -sententiously; "the Palefaces are like the mockingbird; their tongues -must be ever in motion; let my brother wait." - -Ivon did not understand the epigram. - -"No," he said, "we must talk at once." - -The Indian suppressed an impatient gesture. - -"The Red Wolf's ears are open," he said; "_the Chattering Jay_ can -explain himself." - -The Redskins, finding some difficulty in pronouncing the names of -people with whom the accidents of the chase or of trade bring them into -relation, are accustomed to substitute for these names others, derived -from the character or physical aspect of the individual they wish to -designate. Ivon was called by the Blackfoot Indians the Chattering -Jay, a name whose justice we will refrain from discussing. The Breton -did not seem annoyed by what Red Wolf said to him; absorbed by the -thought that troubled him, every other consideration was a matter of -indifference to him. - -"You promised me to save Glass-eye," he said. - -"Yes," the Chief answered, laconically. - -"I accepted your propositions without discussion; for three hours I -have followed you without saying anything; but, before going further, I -should not be sorry to know the means you intend to employ to take him -out of the hands of the enemy." - -"Is my brother deaf?" the Indian asked. - -"I do not think so," Ivon answered, rather wounded by the question. - -"Then let him listen." - -"I am doing so." - -"My brother hears nothing?" - -"Not the least, I am free to confess." - -Red Wolf shrugged his shoulders. - -"The Palefaces are foxes without tails," he said, with disdain; "weaker -than children in the desert. Let my brother look," he added, pointing -to the river. - -Ivon followed the direction indicated, winking, and placing his hands -over his eyes, to concentrate the visual rays. - -"Well," the Indian asked, after a moment, "has my brother seen?" - -"Nothing at all," the Breton said, violently. "May the evil one twist -my neck, if it is possible for me to distinguish anything." - -"Then my brother will wait a few minutes," the Indian said, perfectly -calm; "he will then see and hear." - -"Hum!" the Breton went on, but slightly satisfied with this -explanation. "What shall I see and hear?" - -"My brother will know." - -Ivon would have insisted, but the Chief took him by the arm, pushed him -back, and hid with him behind a clump of trees, where Prairie-Flower -was already ensconced. - -"Silence!" the Redskin muttered, in such an imperative tone that the -Breton, convinced of the gravity of the situation, deferred to a more -favourable moment the string of questions he proposed asking the Chief. - -A few minutes elapsed. Redskin and Prairie-Flower, with their bodies -bent forward, and carefully parting the leaves, looked eagerly in the -direction of the river, while holding their breath. Ivon, bothered in -spite of himself by this sort of conduct, imitated their example. A -sound soon struck on his ears, but so slight and weak, that at first -he fancied himself mistaken. Still the noise grew gradually louder, -resembling that of paddles cautiously dipped in the water; next, a -black dot, at first nearly imperceptible, but which grew larger by -degrees, appeared on the river. - -There was soon no doubt in the Breton's mind. The black dot was a -canoe. On arriving within a certain distance, the sound could be no -longer heard, and the canoe remained motionless about halfway between -the two banks. At this moment the cry of the jay broke the silence, -repeated thrice, with such perfection, that Ivon instinctively raised -his head to the upper branches of the tree that sheltered them. Upon -this signal, the canoe began drawing nearer the cape, where it soon ran -ashore; but upon landing, the person in it raised the paddle twice in -the air. The cry of the jay was heard again, thrice repeated. - -Upon this, the rower, perfectly reassured, as it seemed, leaped on the -sand, drew the canoe half out of the water, and walked boldly in the -direction of the clump of trees that served Ivon and his comrades as -an observatory. The latter, deeming it useless to wait longer, quitted -their shelter, and walked toward the newcomer, after recommending the -Breton not to show himself without their authority. This order he -obeyed; but, with that prudence which distinguished him, he cocked his -pistols, took one in each hand, and, reassured by this precaution, -waited what was about to happen. - -The new actor who had entered on the scene, and in whom the reader -will have recognised Mrs. Margaret, had left Major Melville only about -an hour previously, after having that conversation we have repeated. -Although she did not expect to meet Prairie-Flower at this spot, -she did not appear at all astonished at seeing her, and gave her a -friendly nod, to which the girl responded with a smile. - -"What is there new?" she asked the Indian. - -"Much," he replied. - -"Speak." - -The Red Wolf thereupon told her all that had happened during the chase; -in what way he had learned it, and how Ivon had escaped in order to -seek help for his master. Margaret listened to the long story without -letting a sign of emotion to be seen on her wrinkled, grief-worn face. -When Red Wolf had ceased speaking, she reflected for a few moments; -then raising her head, asked-- - -"Where is the Paleface?" - -"Here," the Indian answered, pointing to the clump of trees. - -"Let him come." - -The Chief turned to fetch him, but the Breton, who had heard the last -word spoken in English, and judged that it was intended for him, left -his hiding place, after returning the pistols to his belt, and joined -the party. At this moment the first gleam of day began to appear, -the darkness was rapidly dissipated, and a reddish hue, which formed -on the extreme limit of the horizon, indicated that the sun would -speedily rise. The She-wolf fixed on the Breton her cunning eye, as if -desirous to read the depths of his heart. Ivon had nothing to reproach -himself with, and hence he bravely withstood the glance. The She-wolf, -satisfied with the dumb interrogatory to which she had subjected the -Breton, softened down the harsh expression of her face, and at length -addressed him in a voice she attempted to render conciliatory. - -"Listen attentively," she said to him. - -"I am listening." - -"You are devoted to your master?" - -"To the death," Ivon answered, firmly. - -"Good: then I can reckon on you?" - -"Yes." - -"You understand, I suppose, that we four cannot save your master?" - -"That appears to me difficult, I allow." - -"But we wish to revenge ourselves on Natah Otann." - -"Very good." - -"For a long time our measures have been taken to gain this end at a -given moment; that moment has arrived; but we have allies we must warn." - -"It is true." - -She drew a ring from her finger. - -"Take this ring; you know how to use a paddle, I suppose?" - -"I am a Breton, that is to say, a sailor." - -"Get into the canoe lying there, and without losing a moment, go down -the river till you reach a fort." - -"Hum! is it far?" - -"You will reach it in less than an hour if you are diligent." - -"You may be sure of that." - -"So soon as you have arrived at the fort, you will ask speech with -Major Melville; give him that ring, and tell him all the events of -which you have been witness." - -"Is that all?" - -"No; the Major will give you a detachment of soldiers, with whom you -will join us at Black's clearing: can you find your way there again?" - -"I think so; especially as it is on the river bank." - -"Yes; and you will have to pass it before reaching the fort." - -"What shall I do with the canoe?" - -"Abandon it." - -"When must I start?" - -"At once; the sun has risen, we must make haste." - -"And what are you going to do?" - -"I told you we were going to Black's clearing, where we shall wait for -you." - -The Breton reflected for a minute. - -"Listen, in your turn," he said; "I am not in the habit of discussing -orders, when I think those given us are just; I do not think that you -intend, under such grave circumstances, to mock a poor devil, whom -grief renders half mad, and who would joyfully sacrifice his life to -save his master's." - -"You are right." - -"I am therefore going to obey you." - -"You should have done so already." - -"Maybe; but I have a last word to say." - -"I am listening." - -"If you deceive me, if you do not really help me, as you pledge -yourself, in saving my master--I am, a coward, that is notorious; but -on my word as a man, I will blow out your brains: even were you hidden -in the bowels of the earth, I would go and seek you to fulfil my oath. -You hear me?" - -"Perfectly! and now have you finished?" - -"Yes." - -"Then be off." - -"I am doing so." - -"Good-bye, till we meet again." - -The Breton bowed once more, pulled the boat into the water, jumped -in, and hurried off at a rate which showed he would soon reach his -destination. His ex-companions looked after him till he was hidden by a -bend in the river. - -"And now what are we going to do?" Prairie-Flower asked. - -"Go to the clearing, to arrange with John Black." - -Margaret mounted Ivon's horse, Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf each -took their own, and the three started at a gallop. By a fortunate -coincidence, it was a day chosen by the squatter to give his family a -rest, and, as we have said, he had gone out with William to take a look -at his property. After a long ride, during which the squatter had burst -into ecstasies only known to landed proprietors, they were preparing to -return to their fortress, when William pointed out to his father the -three mounted persons coming towards them at full gallop. - -"Hum!" Black said, "Indians, that is an unpleasant meeting! let us hide -behind this clump, and try to find out what they want." - -"Stay, father," the young man said, "I believe that precaution -unnecessary." - -"Why so, boy?" - -"Because of the party two are women." - -"That is no reason," the squatter said, who, since the attack, had -become excessively prudent; "you know that in these bad tribes the -women fight as well as the men." - -"That is true; but stay, they are unfolding a buffalo robe in sign of -peace." - -In fact, one of the riders at this moment fluttered a robe in the -breeze. - -"You are right, boy," the squatter observed, presently; "let us await -them; the more so, as, if I am not mistaken, I can recognize an old -acquaintance among them." - -"The woman who saved us, I believe." - -"Right; by Jove! the meeting is a strange one. Poor woman, I am -delighted to see her again." - -Ten minutes later the parties joined; after the first salutations, the -She-wolf took the word. - -"Do you recognize me, John Black?" - -"Of course I do, my worthy woman," he replied, with emotion; "although -I only saw you for a few moments, and under terrible circumstances, the -remembrance of you has never left my heart and mind; I have only one -wish, and that is, that you will give me the opportunity to prove it." - -A flash of joy shot from the She-wolfs eye. - -"Are you speaking seriously?" she asked, quickly. - -"Try me." - -"Good; I was not deceived in you. I am glad of what I did. I see that -the service I rendered you has not fallen on ungrateful soil." - -"Speak." - -"Not here: what I have to tell you is too lengthy and serious for us to -be able to discuss it properly at this place." - -"Will you come to my house? There you need not be afraid of being -disturbed." - -"If you permit it." - -"What, my good creature, permit it? Why, the house, all it contains, -and the owner in the bargain, all are yours, and you know it." - -Margaret smiled sadly. - -"Thanks!" she said, offering him her hand, which Black pressed gladly. - -"Come," he said, "as we have nothing more to do here, let us be off." - -They started in the direction of the house; but the return was silent; -each, absorbed in thought, rode on without thinking of addressing a -word to the other. They were but a short distance from the house, when -they suddenly saw some twenty horsemen debouch from a wood on the -right, dressed, as far as could be distinguished, as wood rangers. - -"What is this?" Black said, with astonishment, as he pulled his horse -up. - -"Eh!" the She-wolf said, not replying to the squatter. "The Frenchman -has been diligent." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I will explain all that presently; for the present you need only offer -your hospitality to these good people." - -"Hum!" Black said, doubtingly. "I shall be glad to do it, but must know -who they are, and what they want of me." - -"They are Americans; like yourself. I asked the commandant of the fort -where they are stationed to send them here." - -"What fort and what garrison are you talking of, my good woman? On my -soul! I do not know what you mean." - -"What! have you not learned to know your neighbours since you have been -here?" - -"What! have I neighbours?" he said, in an angry tone. - -"About ten miles off is Fort Mackenzie, commanded by a brave officer, -Major Melville." - -At this explanation the squatter's face was unwrinkled; it was not a -rival, but a defender he had as neighbour, hence all was for the best. - -"Oh, I will go and pay him my respects," he said; "the acquaintance of -a fort commandant is not to be neglected in the desert." - -Major Melville sent off at once the detachment asked by his sister; -but reflecting that soldiers could not execute so well as hunters -the meditated _coup de main_, he chose twenty hardened and resolute -trappers and _engagés_ under the command of an officer who had been -a long time in the Fur Company's service, and was versed in all the -tricks of the crafty enemies he would have to fight. - -At the foot of the hill the two parties combined. Black, though still -ignorant for what purpose the detachment had come, received most -affably the reinforcement sent to him. Ivon was radiant; the worthy -Breton, now that he could dispose of such a number of good rifles, -believed in the certainty of saving his master; all his suspicions -had disappeared, and he burst forth into apologies and thanks to the -She-wolf and her two Indian friends. So soon as all were comfortably -lodged in the building, Black returned to his guests, and, after -offering them refreshments, said-- - -"Now, I am waiting for your explanation." - -As we shall soon see the development of the plans formed at this -meeting, it is useless to describe them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET. - - -Two days have elapsed since the events of our last chapter. It is -evening in the Kenhas' village. The tumult is great; all are preparing -for an expedition. The night is clear and starlit; great fires, kindled -before each cabin, spread around immense reddish gleams, which light -up the whole village. There is something strange and striking in the -scene presented by the village, crowded with a motley population. The -Count de Beaulieu and Bright-eye, apparently free, are conversing in a -low tone, sitting on the bare ground, and leaning against the wall of a -cabin. - -The time fixed by the Count for his parole has long passed, still the -Indian Chiefs have satisfied themselves with taking away his weapons -and the hunter's, and pay no more attention to them. - -On the large village square two immense fires have been kindled. Round -the first, placed in front of the Council Lodge, are seated White -Buffalo, Natah Otann, Red Wolf, and three or four other chiefs of the -tribe; round the second some twenty warriors are silently smoking the -calumet. Such was the appearance offered by the Kenhas' village at -about nine in the evening of the day we return to it. - -"Why allow the Palefaces thus to wander about the village?" Red Wolf -asked. - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"Have the white men the eyes of the eagle and the feet of the gazelle, -to find again their trail lost in the desert?" - -"My father is right, if he speaks of Glass-eye," Red Wolf urged; "but -Bright-eye has a Redskin heart." - -"Yes; if he was alone he would try to escape, but he will not abandon -his friend." - -"The latter can follow him." - -"Glass-eye has a brave heart, but his feet are weak; he cannot walk in -the desert." - -Red Wolf looked down, with an air of conviction, and made no reply. - -"The hour has arrived to set out; the allied nations are proceeding to -the rendezvous," White Buffalo said, in a sombre voice. "It is nine -o'clock; the owl has twice given the signal, and the moon is rising." - -"Good," Natah Otann said, "we will have the horses smoked, so as to set -out immediately after." - -Red Wolf gave a shrill whistle. At this signal some twenty horsemen -galloped into the square, and went up to the second fire, round which -an equal number of warriors, naked to the waist, were crouching and -smoking silently. These men were warriors of the tribe who were -dismounted, either by accident or in action; the horsemen, at this -moment prancing round them, were their friends, and came up to make -each a present of a horse prior to the departure of the expedition. -While cantering round, the horsemen drew gradually nearer to the -smokers, who did not appear to notice them. Each horseman chose out the -man to whom he intended to give a horse, and a shower of lashes fell -on the naked shoulders of these stoical warriors. At each blow they -struck, the warrior shouted, each calling his friend by name. - -"So and so, you are a beggar and wretched man. You desire my horse, I -give it to you; but you will bear on your shoulders the bloody marks -of my whip." - -This performance lasted about a quarter of an hour, during which the -sufferers, although the blood ran down their backs, did not utter -a cry or a groan, but remained calm and motionless, as if they had -been metamorphosed into bronze statues. At length the Red Wolf gave a -second whistle, and the horsemen disappeared as rapidly as they came. -The patients then rose as if nothing had happened to them, and went -with radiant forehead and firm step, each to take possession of a -magnificent steed, held by the ex-scourgers, now become their friends -once more. This is what the Blackfeet call _smoking horses_. - -When the tumult occasioned by this semi-serious episode was appeased, -an _hachesto_, or public crier, mounted the roof of the council lodge. -All the population of the village was drawn up silently on the square. - -"The hour has struck! The hour has struck! The hour has struck!" the -hachesto cried. "Warriors, to your lances and guns! The horses are -neighing with impatience! Your chiefs are awaiting you, and your -enemies sleep. To arms! To arms! To arms!" - -"To arms!" all the warriors shouted simultaneously. - -Natah Otann, followed by his warriors, mounted like himself on -impetuous steeds, then appeared in the square, and uttered, in a -terrible voice, the war yell of the Blackfeet. At this cry every man -rushed on his weapons, mounted, and ranged under the respective chiefs, -who, within scarce ten minutes, found themselves at the head of five -hundred warriors, perfectly armed and equipped. - -Natah Otann cast a triumphant glance around him; his eye fell -immediately on the two prisoners, who had remained quietly seated, -talking together, and apparently indifferent to all that happened. At -the sight of them the Chiefs thick eyebrows were contracted, he leant -over to the White Buffalo, who rode by his side, and muttered a few -words in his ear. The old man gave a sign of assent, and walked towards -the prisoners, while Natah Otann, taking the head of the war party, -gave the signal for departure, and went off, only leaving ten warriors -on the square to aid White Buffalo, if required. - -"Gentlemen," the latter said, sharply, but courteously; "be good enough -to mount and follow me, if you please." - -"Is this an order you give us, sir?" the Count asked, haughtily. - -"What does that, question mean?" - -"Because I am not in the habit of obeying anybody." - -"Sir," the Chief answered, "any resistance would be insensate, and -rather injurious than useful to your interests: so to horse without -further delay." - -"The Chief is right," Bright-eye said, with a significant look at the -Count; "why any obstinacy? we cannot be the stronger." - -"But--" the young man remarked. - -"Here is your horse," the hunter interrupted him, sharply. - -"We obey the Chief," he added, aloud; then he added in a whisper,-- - -"Are you mad, Mr. Edward? Who knows the chances luck has in store for -us during the accursed expedition?" - -"Still--" - -"Mount! Mount!" - -At length the young man, partly convinced, obeyed the hunter. When the -prisoners had mounted, the warriors surrounded them, and led them off -at a gallop, till they caught up the column, of which they took the -lead. - -Despite the Count's resistance, Natah Otann and White Buffalo had not -given up their plan of making him pass for Motecuhzoma, and placing him -at the head of the Allied Nations. Still this plan had been modified, -in this sense, that, as the young Count refused his help, they would -force him to give it in spite of himself. The following is the way -in which they intended to act. They had succeeded in persuading the -Indians who accompanied them during the ostrich hunt, that the struggle -sustained by the Count, and which had struck them with stupor, owing -to the energetic resistance the two men had so long offered to fifty -warriors, was a ruse invented by them to display their strength and -power in the sight of all. - -The Redskins, owing to their ignorance, are stupidly credulous. Natah -Otann's clumsy falsehood, which any man but slightly civilized would -have regarded with contempt, obtained the greatest success with these -brutalized beings, and enhanced, in their eyes, the personal value -of the men whom they saw continuing to live on good terms with their -Chiefs, and remaining apparently free in the village. - -Matters were too far advanced, the day chosen for the outbreak of -the plot was too near, for the Chiefs to give counterorders to their -allies, and concoct some other scheme to replace the prophet they had -announced to the Missouri nations. If, on arriving at the rendezvous, -the man they had expected was not presented to them, it was evident -they would retire with their contingents, and that all would be broken -off with no hope of recombination; but a catastrophe must be guarded -against at all risks. - -The resolution formed by the two Chiefs, desperate as it was, they were -compelled to adopt through the suspicious nature of the circumstances, -and they trusted to chance to make it succeed. The Count and his -companion would march, so long as the expedition lasted, at the head -of the attacking columns, without weapons it is true, but apparently -free, while guarded by ten picked warriors, who would never leave -them, and kill them on the slightest suspicious gesture. The plan was -absurd, and, with other men than Indians, the impossibility would -have been recognized in less than an hour; but, through its very -impracticability, it offered chances of success, and this was chiefly -owing to the belief the Indians held that the Count had no friends to -attempt his rescue. - -Ivon's flight had troubled Natah Otann for a few moments: but the -discovery made in the forest, where he had sought shelter, of the body -of a man clothed in the servant's dress, and half devoured by wild -beasts, restored him all his serenity, by proving to him that he had -nought to fear from the poor fellow's devotion. - -Three hours prior to the departure of the column, the Chief had, -on White Buffalo's revelations, had five spies secretly strangled. -Red Wolf, on whom Natah Otann and White Buffalo placed unbounded -confidence, and whose courage could not be doubted, was appointed head -of the detachment to watch over the prisoners. Hence matters were in -the best possible state. The two Chiefs marched about fifty paces ahead -of their warriors, conversing in a low voice, and definitely arranging -their final plans. White Buffalo described in a few words the position -and their hopes. - -"Our prospect is desperate," he said, "chance may make it fail or -succeed: all depends upon the first attack. If, as I believe, we -surprise the American garrison, and seize Fort Mackenzie, we shall -have no further need of this Count, whose disappearance we can easily -account for, by saying that he has reascended to heaven, because we are -victors. However, we shall see; all will be decided in a few hours. -Till then, courage and prudence." - -Natah Otann made no reply; but cast a glance at Prairie-Flower, who -cantered along in apparent carelessness on the flank of the column, -which she had asked leave to accompany, and the Chief had gladly -granted it. The warriors advanced in a long line, silently following -one of those winding paths formed on the desert for centuries by the -feet of wild beasts. The night was transparent and calm; the sky, -embroidered with millions of stars, shed down on the landscape floods -of melancholy light, harmonizing with the grand and primitive nature of -the desert. About four in the morning, Natah Otann halted on the top of -a wooded dell, in the centre of an immense clearing, where the entire -detachment disappeared, without leaving a trace. - -Fort Mackenzie rose gloomy and majestic at about a gunshot off. The -Indians had effected their march with such prudence, that the American -garrison had given no sign of alarm. Natah Otann had a tent put up, -into which he courteously begged his prisoners to enter, and they -obeyed. - -"Why so much politeness?" the Count said. - -"Are you not my guests?" the Chief replied, with an ironical smile, and -then withdrew. - -The Count and his comrade, when left alone, lay down on a pile of furs -intended for their bed. - -"What is to be done?" the Count muttered, greatly discouraged. - -"Sleep," the hunter said, carelessly. "Unless I am mistaken, we shall -soon have some news." - -"Heaven grant it!" - -"Amen," Bright-eye continued, with a laugh. "Bah! we shall not die this -time either." - -"I hope so," the Count repeated, to say something. - -"And I am sure of it. It would be curious, on my word," the hunter -said, with a laugh, "were I, who have traversed the desert so long, to -be killed by these red brutes." - -The young man could not refrain from admiring, in his heart, the cool -certainty with which the Canadian uttered so monstrous an opinion; but -at this moment the prisoners heard a gentle sound near them. - -"Silence!" Bright-eye commanded. - -They listened attentively. A harmonious voice then sang to a melody, -full of gentleness and melancholy, the exquisite Blackfoot song -beginning with the verses:-- - -"I confide to you my heart, in the name of the Master of Life; I am -unhappy, and no one takes pity on me, yet the Master of Life is great -in my sight." - -"Oh!" the Count muttered joyously, "I recognise that voice, my friend." - -"And I too, by Jupiter! It is Prairie-Flower's." - -"What does she say?" - -"It is a warning she gives us." - -"Do you believe so?" - -"Prairie-Flower loves you, Mr. Edward." - -"Poor child! and I love her too; but alas!--" - -"Bah! after the storm comes fine weather." - -"If I could but see her." - -"For what good? She will contrive to make herself visible when it is -necessary. Come, wild or tame, all women are alike. But, look out, here -is somebody." - -They threw themselves on the furs, and pretended to be asleep. A man -had quietly lifted the curtain of the tent. By the moon's ray, that -passed through the opening, the prisoners recognized Red Wolf. The -Indian looked outside for a moment; then, probably reassured by the -calmness that prevailed around, he let the curtain of the tent fall, -and took a few paces in the interior. - -"The jaguar is strong and courageous," he said, in a loud voice, as if -talking to himself; "the fox is cunning; but the man whose heart is big -is stronger than the jaguar, and more cunning than the fox, when he -has in his hand weapons to defend himself. Who says that Glass-eye and -Bright-eye will allow their throats to be cut like tamed gazelles?" - -"And not looking at the prisoners, the Chief laid at their feet two -guns, from which hung powder flasks, bullet bags, and long knives; then -he left the tent again, as calmly as if he had done the simplest matter -in the world. The prisoners looked at each other in amazement. - -"What do you think of that?" Bright-eye muttered in stupefaction. - -"It is a trap," the Count answered. - -"Hum! trap or no, the weapons are there, and I shall take them." - -The hunter seized the guns and the knives, which he immediately hid -under the furs. The arms were hardly in security, ere the curtain of -the tent was again raised, and Natah Otann walked in. He bore in his -hand a branch of ocote, or candlewood, which lit up his thoughtful -face, and gave it a sinister expression. The Chief dug up the ground -with his knife, planted his torch in the ground, and walked toward the -prisoners, who looked on without giving any sign. - -"Gentlemen," the Chief then said, "I have come to ask for a moment's -interview with you." - -"Speak, sir; we are your prisoners, and as such compelled to hear -you, if not to listen to you," the Count said, drily, as he sat up on -the furs, while Bright-eye rose carelessly, and lit his pipe at the -candlewood torch. - -"Since you have been my prisoners, gentlemen," the Chief continued, -"you have not had, to my knowledge, any reason to complain of the way -in which I have treated you." - -"That depends. In the first place, I do not admit that I am legally -your prisoner." - -"Oh, sir," the Chief said, with a smile of mockery, "do you speak of -legality to a poor Indian? You know well that we are ignorant of that -word." - -"That is true; go on." - -"I have come to see you--" - -"Why?" the Count interrupted him, impatiently. "Explain!" - -"I have a bargain to propose to you." - -"Well, I will frankly confess that your way of bargaining does not -impress me with great confidence." - -The Indian made a move. - -"No matter," the Count continued, "let us hear it." - -"I should not like to be obliged, sir, to tie you again, as you were -when you were captured." - -"I am extremely obliged to you." - -"But; at this moment I absolutely need all my warriors, and I cannot -leave anybody to guard you two gentlemen." - -"Which means?" - -"That I ask your parole not to escape for the next twenty-four hours." - -"But that is not a bargain." - -"Wait; I am coming to it." - -"Good; I am waiting." - -"In return, I pledge myself--" - -"Ah!" the Count said, contemptuously, "let us see to what you pledge -yourself; that must be curious." - -"I pledge myself," the Chief continued, still cold and calm, "to give -you your liberty in twenty-four hours." - -"And my comrade?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation; the Count burst into a loud -laugh. - -"And suppose we did not accept?" he asked. - -"But you will do so," he said, with an ironical smile. - -"Possibly; but suppose the contrary for a moment." - -"At daybreak you will both be attached to the stake, and tortured until -sunset." - -"Oh, oh! Is that your final word?" - -"The last; in half an hour I will come for your answer." - -And he turned to go out. The Count bounded like a jaguar, and stood -before the Chief, his gun in one hand, his knife in the other. - -"A moment," he shouted. - -"Wah!" the Chief said, crossing his hands on his wide chest, and gazing -at them sarcastically. "You had taken your precautions, it appears." - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin; "I rather fancy it is our turn -to make conditions." - -"Perhaps so," Natah Otann replied, coolly; "but I have no time to lose -in vain words; let me pass, gentlemen." - -Bright-eye threw himself quickly before the door. - -"Come, Chief," he said, "things cannot end like that; we are not old -women to be frightened. Before we are fastened to the stake, we will -kill you." - -The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully, - -"You are mad; let me pass, old hunter, and do not oblige me to use -force." - -"No, no, Chief," Bright-eye added, with an ironical laugh; "we shall -not part like that; all the worse for you; you should not have put your -head in the wolf's throat." - -Natah Otann made an impatient gesture. - -"You wish it; well, then, see!" - -Raising to his lips his war-whistle, made of a human thigh bone, he -produced a shrill sound. All at once, before the two Europeans could -comprehend what was happening, the sides of the tent were cut open, -and the Blackfeet bounded into the interior. The Count and Bright-eye -were seized and disarmed. The Sachem, with his arms still crossed on -his chest, looked like a stoic, while the Kenhas, with their eyes fixed -on the Chief, and uplifted tomahawks, seemed to await from him a final -signal. - -There was a moment of intense anxiety; though the two white men were -so brave, the attack had been so rapid and unexpected, that they -could not refrain from an inward shudder. For a few seconds the Chief -enjoyed his triumph; then, raising his hand, with a gesture of supreme -authority, he said,-- - -"Enough! Restore their weapons to these warriors. Are they not the -guests of Natah Otann?" - -The Blackfeet retired as suddenly as they had appeared. - -"Well," the Chief asked, with slight irony, "do you understand me at -last? Do you still fancy me in your power?" - -"Very good, sir," the Count replied, coldly, still suffering from the -struggle he had gone through; "I am forced to recognize the advantage -that chance gives you over me; any resistance would be useless. I -consent to submit for the present to your will; but only on two -conditions." - -"They are accepted beforehand, sir," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"Do not be too certain, sir; for you do not yet know what I mean to ask -from you." - -"I am awaiting your explanation." - -"As it must be so, I will march at the head of your tribes; but alone, -unarmed, and on condition, that under no pretext you impose on me any -other character in the gloomy tragedy you are preparing to act." - -The Chief frowned. - -"And supposing that I refuse?" he said, in a hoarse voice. - -"If you refuse," the young man answered, with his calmest air, "I will -employ sure means to compel you to assent." - -"They are?" - -"I will blow out my brains, sir, in the sight of all your warriors." - -The Chief cast a viper's glance at him. - -"Very good," he said, presently. "I accept; now let us have the other -condition." - -"It is simply this: conqueror or conquered; and I hope sincerely that -the latter may be the case--" - -"Thank you," the Chief interrupted him, with an ironical bow. - -"After the battle, whatever its issue may be," the Count continued, -"you will fight me honourably with equal weapons." - -"Why, Sir Count, you are proposing to me what white men call a duel!" - -"Yes. Does that displease you?" - -"Me? certainly not, and I accept gladly; the more so, as we Blood -Indians are accustomed to have such fights to settle our own personal -quarrels." - -"Then you accept my conditions?" - -"I do so." - -"But who will guarantee your good faith?" the young man asked. - -"I, Sir," a powerful voice said. - -The three men turned. White Buffalo was standing motionless in the -doorway of the tent. At the unexpected appearance of this strange man, -whose features revealed at the moment an imposing majesty, the young -Count felt subdued, and bowed respectfully. - -"Gentlemen," Natah Otann continued, "you are free within the limits of -the camp." - -"Thanks," Bright-eye said coarsely; "but I have made no promise." - -"You!" the Chief said carelessly; "go or stay, I care very little." - -And after bowing ceremoniously to the Count, the two Chiefs withdrew. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -BEFORE THE ATTACK. - - -After leaving the tent, the two Chiefs walked for some moments side by -side, and did not exchange a word; both seemed plunged in deep thought, -doubtlessly caused by the serious events that were preparing--events -whose success would decide the fate of the Indian tribes of this -part of the continent. While walking along, they reached a point on -the hillock, whence a most extensive view could be enjoyed in every -direction. - -The night was calm and balmy, there was not a breath in the air, not -a cloud on the sky, whose deep azure was enamelled with a profusion -of twinkling stars; an imposing silence reigned over this desert, -where, however, several thousand men were ambushed, only waiting a -word or a signal to out each other's throats. Mechanically the two men -stopped, and gazed at the grand landscape extended at their feet, in -the immediate foreground of which frowned Fort Mackenzie, throwing its -gloomy shadow far across the prairie. - -"By sunrise," Natah Otann muttered, answering his own thoughts, rather -than addressing his companion, "that haughty fortress will be mine. -The Redskins will command at the spot where their oppressors are still -reigning." - -"Yes," White Buffalo repeated, mechanically, "tomorrow you will be -master of the fort, but will you manage to keep it? Conquering is -nothing; the white men have been several times defeated by the -Redskins, and yet they have enslaved, decimated, and dispersed them -like the leaves the autumn breeze bears away." - -"That is only too true," the Chief said, with a sigh; "it has ever been -so, since the first day the white men set foot in this unhappy land. -What is the mysterious influence that has constantly predicted them -against us?" - -"Yourselves, my child," White Buffalo said, mournfully shaking his -head; "you are your own greatest enemies. You can only impute to -yourselves your continued defeats, for you are so obstinate for -internecine warfare; the whites have taken care to foster strongly your -headstrong passions, by which they have skilfully profited to conquer -you in detail." - -"Yes, you have told me that often, my father, so you see I have -profited by your advice; all the Missouri Indians are now united, they -obey the same chief, and march under one totem; thus, believe me, this -union will be fertile in good results, we shall drive these plundering -wolves from our frontiers, we shall send them back to the villages of -stone; and henceforth only the moccasin of the Redskins will tread our -native prairies, and the echoes will only be aroused by the joyous -laughter of the Redskins, or repeat the war cry of the Blackfeet." - -"No one will be happier than I at such a result; my most ardent -desire is to see men free, from whom I have received such paternal -hospitality; but, alas, who can foresee the future? These Sachems, -whom you have succeeded in combining by attention and patience, are -agitating darkly; they fear to obey you; they are jealous of the power -themselves gave you, so there is a chance they will abandon you." - -"I will not; give them the time, my father; for the last few days -I have known all their designs, and followed their plans; up to -the present, prudence has closed my mouth. I did not wish to risk -the success of my enterprise; but so soon as I am master of this -fortress below us, believe me, I shall speak loudly, for my voice -will have exercised an authority, my power a strength, which the most -turbulent will be compelled to recognize. Victory will render me -great and terrible: will trample under foot those who now conspire -in the darkness, and who would not hesitate to turn against me, if I -experienced a defeat. Go, my father, let all be ready for the attack so -soon as I give the signal, visit the outposts, watch the movements of -the enemy, for in two hours I shall utter my war cry." - -White Buffalo regarded him for a moment with a singular expression, in -which friendship, fear, and admiration struggled in turn; then laying -his hand on his shoulder he said, with much emotion,-- - -"Child, you are mad; but it is a sublime madness: the work of -reformation you meditate is impossible--but, whether you triumph or -succumb, your attempt will not be useless. Your passage on earth will -leave a long, luminous trace, which may one day serve as a beacon to -those who succeed in accomplishing the liberation of your race." - -After a few seconds of silence, more eloquent than vain words, the two -men fell into each other's arms, and held each other in a firm embrace; -they then separated, and Natah Otann remained alone. - -The young Chief did not conceal from himself in any way the -difficulties of his position. He recognized the justice of his adopted -father's observations; but now it was too late to recoil, he must push -onward at all risks. Now that the moment had arrived to descend into -the arena, all hesitation had ceased, all fear had died out in the -young Chief's bosom, to give way to a cold and invincible resolution, -that imparted to him the lucidity of mind required to play skilfully -the great part on which the fate of his race would depend. - -When White Buffalo left him alone, Natah Otann sat down on a rock, and, -resting his head on his hand, fixed his eyes on the place, and fell -into a serious contemplation. For a long time he had been dreaming, -with a vague consciousness of external objects, when a hand was gently -laid on his shoulder. The Chief quivered, as if he had received an -electric shock, and quickly raised his head. - -"_Ochtl?_" he said, with an emotion he could not master. -"Prairie-Flower here at this hour?" - -The young girl smiled sweetly. - -"Why is my brother astonished?" she replied, in her gentle and -melodious voice; "does not the Chief know that Prairie-Flower loves to -wander about at night, when nature is slumbering, and the voice of the -Great Spirit can be more easily heard? We girls love to dream at night, -by the melancholy light that comes from the stars, and seems to give -reality to our thoughts, at times, in the mist." - -The Chief sighed in reply. - -"You are suffering?" Prairie-Flower asked him, gently; "You, the first -Sachem of our nation, the most renowned warrior of our tribes--what -reason can be powerful enough to draw a sigh from you?" - -The Chief seised the dainty hand the girl yielded to him, and pressed -it gently between his own. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said at length, "you are ignorant why I suffer -when I am by your side?" - -"How should I know it? Although my brothers call me the _Virgin of -Sweet Love_, and suppose me to be in relation with the spirits of air -and water, alas! I am only an ignorant young girl. I should like to -know the cause of your grief; perhaps I could succeed in curing you." - -"No," the Chief answered, shaking his head, "it is not in your power, -child; to do that the beating of your heart ought to respond to mine, -and the little bird, which sings so melodiously in the hearts of -maidens, and murmurs such gentle words in their ears, should have flown -near you." - -The girl blushed and smiled; she let her eyes fall, and, making an -effort to disengage her hand, which Natah Otann still held in his,-- - -"The little bird, of which my brother speaks, I have seen: its song has -already been chanted near me." - -The Chief sprung up, and fixed a flashing glance on the maiden. - -"What!" he exclaimed, with agitation, "you love? Has one of the young -warriors of our tribe known how to touch your heart, and fill it with -love?" - -Prairie-Flower shook her charming head petulantly, while a sweet smile -parted her coral lips. - -"I know not if what I experience is what you call love," she said. - -Natah Otann had, by a painful effort, checked the emotion which made -his limbs tremble. - -"Why should it not be so?" he continued, thoughtfully. "The laws -of nature are immutable, no one can prevent it; the child's hour -was destined to arrive. By what right can I quarrel with what has -happened? Have I not in my heart a sacred feeling, which fills it, and -before which every other must be extinguished? A man in my position is -too far above vulgar passions; the object he proposes to himself is too -great for him to allow himself to be ruled by love of a woman. The man -who lays claim to become the saviour and regenerator of a people, no -longer belongs to humanity. Let me be worthy of the task I have taken -on myself, and forget, if possible, the mad and hopeless passion that -devours me. That girl can never be mine; everything separates us. I -will be to her what I ought never to have ceased to be--a father." - -He let his head hang despairingly on his chest, and remained for a few -moments absorbed in gloomy meditation. Prairie-Flower regarded him -with an expression of tender pity; she had only imperfectly caught the -words the Chief muttered, and understood but little of them. Still she -felt a deep friendship for him; she suffered in seeing him, and sought -vainly some consolation to afford. She waited anxiously till he should -remember her presence, and speak to her again. At length he raised his -head. - -"My sister has not told me which of our young warriors she prefers to -all the rest." - -"Has not the Sachem guessed it?" she asked, timidly. - -"Natah Otann is a chief. If he is the father of his warriors, he is no -spy on their deeds or thoughts." - -"The man of whom I speak to my brother is not a Kenha warrior," she -continued. - -"Ah!" he said in surprise, and looking scrutinizingly at her, "Can it -be one of the Palefaces who are Natah Otann's guests?" - -"My brother would say his prisoners," she murmured. - -"What mean these words, girl? Have you, born but yesterday, any right -to try and explain my actions? Ah!" he added, with a frown, "now I -understand how the Palefaced Chiefs had weapons when I visited them an -hour ago. It is useless for my daughter to tell me now the name of him -she loves, for I know it." - -The girl hung her head, with a blush. - -"_Achtsett_--it is good," he continued, in a rough voice, "my sister is -free to place her affections where she pleases; but her love must not -lead her to betray her friends for the Palefaces. She is a daughter of -the Kenhas. Was it to give me this news that Prairie-Flower came to me?" - -"No," she answered timidly; "another person ordered me to come here, -where she will also come herself, as she has an important secret to -reveal to me in the presence of the Sachem." - -"An important secret?" Natah Otann repeated. "What do you mean? Of what -woman is my sister speaking?" - -"I am speaking of her who is called the She-wolf of the prairies; she -has ever been gentle, good, and affectionate to me, in spite of the -hatred she bears to the Indians." - -"That is strange," the Chief muttered. "So you are waiting for her?" - -"I am." - -"But that woman is mad," the Chief exclaimed. "Do you not know it, my -poor child?" - -"Those whom the Great Spirit wishes to protect he deprives of reason, -that they may not feel grief," she replied, softly. - -For some minutes an almost imperceptible rustling had been going on -in the bushes; this sound, though so slight, the Chiefs practised -ear would have detected, had he not been entirely absorbed by his -conversation with the girl. All at once the branches were violently -torn asunder; several men, led by the She-wolf of the prairies, rushed -toward the Chief, and, before he had recovered from the surprise caused -by this sudden attack, he was thrown down, and securely pinioned. - -"The mad woman!" he exclaimed. - -"Yes, yes, the mad woman," she repeated, in a hoarse voice. "At length -I hold my vengeance! Thanks," she added, addressing the three men who -accompanied her; "I will now take his guard on myself, he shall not -escape." - -The men withdrew without replying. Although they wore the Indian -dress, a panther skin drawn over their faces rendered them perfectly -secure from detection. Only three persons remained on the top of the -hill--Prairie-Flower, Margaret, and Natah Otann, who tried to break -his bonds, while uttering hoarse and inarticulate sounds. The She-wolf -surveyed her enemy, prostrated at her feet, with a joy impossible to -describe, while Prairie-Flower, standing motionless by the Chief, gazed -on him sorrowfully and thoughtfully. - -"Yes," the She-wolf said, with a glance of satiated vengeance, "howl, -panther; bend the bonds you cannot break. I hold you at last; it is my -turn to torture you, to repay you all the suffering you lavished on -me. Oh! I can never be sufficiently avenged on you, the assassin of my -whole family. God is just: tooth for tooth, eye for eye, wretch!" - -She picked up a dagger that had fallen on the ground near her, and -began to prick him all over. - -"Answer me--do you not feel the cold steel piercing your flesh?" she -asked him. "Oh! I should like to make you suffer death a thousand -times, were it possible." - -A smile of contempt played over the Chief's lips. The She-wolf, -exasperated, raised the dagger to strike him; but Prairie-Flower held -her arm. Margaret turned like a tiger; but, recognizing the girl, she -let the weapon fall from her trembling hand, and her face assumed an -expression of infinite gentleness and tenderness. - -"You here?" she exclaimed. "Then you did not forget the meeting I -arranged with you? It is Heaven that sends you!" - -"Yes," the young girl replied, "the Great Spirit sees all. My mother -is good; Prairie-Flower loves her. Why thus torture the man who acted -as father to the abandoned child? The Chief has ever been kind to -Prairie-Flower; my mother will pardon him." - -Margaret gazed at the girl with an expression of mad stupor; then her -features were suddenly distorted, and she burst into a strident laugh. - -"What!" she exclaimed, in a piercing voice, "you, Prairie-Flower, -intercede for this man?" - -"He was a father to Prairie-Flower," the girl answered, simply. - -"But you do not know him then?" - -"He has been kind to me." - -"Silence, child! do not implore the She-wolf," the Chief said, in a -gloomy voice. "Natah Otann is a warrior; he knows how to die." - -"No, the Chief must not die," the Indian girl said, resolutely. - -Natah Otann laughed. - -"It is I who am avenged," he said. - -"Dog!" the She-wolf yelled, stamping her heel on his face, "silence! or -I will tear out your viper's tongue." - -The Indian smiled with contempt. - -"My mother will follow me," the girl said: "I will unfasten the Chief, -in order that he may rejoin his warriors, who are about to fight." - -She picked up the dagger, and knelt down near the prisoner; but the -She-wolf checked her. - -"Before cutting his bonds, listen to me, child," she said. - -"Afterwards," the girl objected. "A Chief must be with his warriors in -battle." - -"Listen to me for a few minutes," She-wolf continued, earnestly; "I -implore it of you, Prairie-Flower, by all I may have done for you; -then, when I have ceased speaking, if you still wish it, you shall -deliver that man. I swear to you that I will not prevent it." - -The girl looked at her fixedly. - -"Speak," she said, in her gentle and sympathizing voice. -"Prairie-Flower is listening." - -A sigh of relief escaped from the She-wolf's oppressed chest. There was -a moment's silence: nothing could be heard, save the panting of the -prisoner. - -"You are right, girl," the She-wolf at length said, in a mournful -voice, "that man took care of your infancy, was kind to you, and -brought you up tenderly; you see that I do him justice! But he never -told you how you fell into his hands." - -"Never," the maiden said, in a melancholy voice. - -"Well," the She-wolf continued, "that secret, which he has not dared to -reveal to you, I will tell you. On just such a night as this, at the -head of his ferocious warriors, the man you call your father attacked -your real father, and while your two brothers, by that monster's -orders, were burned alive, your father fastened to a tree, and there -was flayed alive." - -"Horror!" the young girl shrieked, as she sprang up. - -"And if you do not believe me," she continued, in a shrill voice, "tear -from your neck that bag made of your unhappy father's skin, and you -will find in it all that remains of him." - -With a feverish movement the young girl drew out the bag, which she -squeezed convulsively. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed, "no! no! it is impossible; such atrocities could -not be committed." - -Suddenly her tears ceased, she looked fixedly at the She-wolf, and -said, in a harsh voice-- - -"How do you know all this? The man who told it you lied." - -"I was present," the She-wolf said, coldly, - -"You were present? You witnessed this horrible scene?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"Why?" she asked, madly. "Answer, why? - -"Why?" she said, with an accent of supreme majesty; "because I am your -mother, child." - -At this unexpected revelation the girl's features were convulsed, her -voice failed her, her eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, -her body was agitated by a convulsive tremor; for an instant she tried -to utter a shriek, but then suddenly broke into sobs, and fell into -Margaret's arms, exclaiming, with a piercing accent,-- - -"My mother! My mother!" - -"At last," the She-wolf said, deliriously, "I have found you again, and -you are really mine." - -For some moments mother and daughter, yielding to their tenderness, -forgot the whole world. Natah Otann tried to profit by the opportunity, -and seize the chance of safety which accident offered him. He -noiselessly began rolling over to gain the top of the enclosure; but -the young girl suddenly noticed him, and sprang up as if a serpent had -stung her. - -"Stop, Natah Otann!" she said to him. - -The chief remained motionless: he imagined, from the girl's accent, -that he was lost, and he resigned himself to his fate with that -fatalism which forms the base of the Indian character. - -Still he was mistaken. - -Prairie-Flower, with burning eyes and pallid brow, turned a haggard -glance from her mother on the man extended at her feet, asking her -heart if she had a right, after all the kindness he had shown her, to -avenge her father's death upon him. She felt that her arm was too weak, -her heart too tender for such a deed. For several seconds the three -actors of this terrible scene remained plunged in a gloomy silence, -which was only interrupted by the dull and mysterious noises of the -night. - -Natah Otann did not fear death; but he trembled at leaving uncompleted -the glorious task he had taken on himself; he was ashamed at having -fallen into so clumsy a snare, set by a half insane woman. With his -head stretched out, and frowning brow, he anxiously read on the girl's -face the feelings in turn reflected on it as in a mirror, in order to -calculate the chances of saving a life so precious to those he wished -to render free. Though resigned to his fate, like all great men, he -did not despair, but struggled to the last moment. Prairie-Flower -at length raised her head; her lovely face had assumed a strange -expression her brow glistened, her gentle blue eyes seemed to flash -forth flames. - -"Mother," she said, in her melodious voice, "give me those pistols you -have in your hand." - -"What will you do with them?" the She-wolf asked. - -"Avenge my father! Was it not for that you summoned me here?" - -Without replying, the She-wolf gave her the weapons. The girl, at -first, threatened Natah Otann, and then, with a gesture as rapid as -thought, threw them down the hill. - -"Unhappy girl," Margaret yelled, "what have you done?" - -"I avenge my father," she answered, with an accent of supreme dignity. - -"Unhappy child, he is the assassin of your father." - -"I know it; you have told me so. This man, in spite of his crimes, has -been kind to me--he watched over my childhood. Although he obeyed the -feeling of hatred his race entertains for the Palefaces by murdering my -father, he took his place with me as far as was possible, and almost -changed his Indian nature to protect and support me. The Great Spirit -will judge us, He whose eye is eternally fixed on earth." - -"Woe is me! Woe is me!" the She-wolf yelled, wringing her hands in -despair. - -The girl bent over the Chief, and cut the bonds that fettered him. -Natah Otann sprang to his feet with the bound of a jaguar. The She-wolf -made a movement, as if to rush upon him, but she checked herself. - -"All is not over yet," she shrieked, "yes! yes! I will have my revenge, -no matter at what cost." - -And she rushed into the thicket, where she disappeared. - -"Natah Otann," the maiden continued, turning to the Chief, who stood -by her side, calmly and stoically, as if nothing extraordinary had -happened; "I leave vengeance to the Great Spirit--a woman can only -weep. Farewell! I loved you as that father you deprived me of. I do not -feel the strength to hate you, I will try to forget you." - -"Poor child," the Sachem replied, with much emotion; "I must appear -to you very culpable. Alas! it is only today that I understand the -atrocity of the deed of which I allowed myself to be guilty: perhaps, I -may succeed one day in obtaining your pardon." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sorrowfully. - -"Your pardon does not depend from me," she said, "Wacondah alone can -absolve you." - -And, after giving him a parting glance of sadness, she withdrew slowly, -and thoughtfully entered the wood. - -Natah Otann looked after her for a long while. - -"Can the Christians be right?" he muttered, when done; "do angels -really exist?" - -He shook his head several times, and, after attentively looking at the -sky, in which the stars were beginning to shine,-- - -"The hour has arrived," he said, hoarsely; "shall I be the victor?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -RED WOLF. - - -To understand the facts we are now about to narrate, we must retrace -our steps a short distance, and return to the tent which served as a -temporary abode to the Count and Bright-eye. - -The two white men were somewhat discontented by the way in which the -interview had terminated. Still the Count was too thorough a gentleman -not to allow, honourably, that on this occasion the Chief had been the -victor in magnanimity. As for Bright-eye, however, he could not see -so far. Furious at the check he had sustained, and especially at the -slight value the Chief appeared to set on his capture, he revolved the -most terrible schemes of vengeance while biting his nails savagely. - -The Count amused himself for a few minutes in watching his comrade's -manoeuvres, as he walked up and down the tent, growling, clenching his -fists, dashing the butt of his rifle on the ground, and looking up to -heaven with comic despair. At last the young man could stand it no -longer, but burst into a hearty laugh. The hunter stopped in amazement, -and looked around the tent, to discover the cause for such untimely -gaiety. - -"What has happened, Mr. Edward?" he at length asked, "Why do you laugh -so?" - -Naturally this question, asked with a startled air, had no other result -than to augment the Count's hilarity. - -"My good fellow," he said, "I am laughing at the singular faces you -cut, and the strange manoeuvres you have been indulging in during the -last twenty minutes." - -"Oh, Mr. Edward!" Bright-eye said, reproachfully; "how can you jest so?" - -"Why, my boy, you seem to take the affair seriously to heart, and -to have lost that magnificent confidence which made you despise all -dangers." - -"No, no, Mr. Edward! you are mistaken. My opinion has been formed a -long time. Look you, I am certain these red devils will never succeed -in killing me; but I am furious at having been so thoroughly duped by -them. It is humiliating, and I am now racking my brains to discover a -way to play them a trick." - -"Do so, my friend, and I would help you, were it possible; but, for the -present, at least, I am forced to remain neutral--my hands are tied." - -"What?" Bright-eye said, with astonishment; "you mean to remain here, -and serve their diabolical jugglery?" - -"I must, my good fellow; have I not pledged my word?" - -"You certainly pledged it, and I do not know why. Still, a pledge given -to an Indian counts for nothing. The Redskins are tribes who understand -nothing about honour; and, in a similar case, I am certain that Natah -Otann would consider himself in no way bound to you." - -"That is possible, although I am not of your opinion. The Chief is no -ordinary man. He is gifted with a great intellect." - -"What good is it to him? None. Except to be more cunning and -treacherous than his countrymen. Take my advice, and do not stand on -any ceremony with him. Take French leave, as they say in the South, and -leave them in the lurch. The Redskins will be the first to applaud your -conduct." - -"My good fellow," the Count said, seriously, "it is useless to discuss -the point; when a gentleman has once given his word, he is a slave to -it, no matter the person to whom he has given it, or the colour of his -skin." - -"Very good, then, Mr. Edward, pray act as you think proper. I have no -right to thrust my advice on you. You are a better judge than myself of -how you are bound to act. So, be easy. I will not mention it again." - -"Thank you." - -"All that is very good, but what are we going to do now?" - -"What we are going to do? I suppose you mean what are you going to do?" - -"No, Mr. Edward, I said exactly what I meant; you understand that I am -not going to leave you alone in this nest of serpents, I hope!" - -"On the contrary, you will do so directly." - -"I?" the hunter said, with a loud laugh. - -"Yes, you, my friend; you must." - -"Bah! why so, pray, if you remain?" - -"That is the very reason." - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"You know that I do not understand you at all," he said. - -"Yet it is very clear," the Count answered. - -"Hum! that is possible, but not to me." - -"What, you do not understand that we must avenge ourselves?" - -"Oh, of course, I understand that, Mr. Edward." - -"How can we hope to succeed, if you insist on remaining here?" - -"Because you remain," the hunter said, obstinately. - -"With me it is very different, my good fellow. I remain, because I have -given my word; while you are free to go and come, and must therefore -profit by it to leave the camp. Once in the prairie, nothing can be -easier for you than to join some of our friends. It is evident that -my worthy Ivon, coward as he fancies himself, is working actively at -this moment for my deliverance; so see him, come to an understanding -with him, for though it is true I cannot leave this place, I cannot, on -the other hand, prevent my friends liberating me; if they succeed, my -parole will be suspended, and nothing will hinder my following them. Do -you understand me now?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward; but I confess that I cannot make up my mind to leave -you alone, among these red devils." - -"Do not trouble yourself about that, Bright-eye; I run no danger by -remaining with them; they have too much respect for me; besides, Natah -Otann well knows how to defend me, should it be needful. So, my friend, -start at once. You will serve me better by going, than by insisting on -remaining here, where your presence, in the event of danger, would be -more injurious than useful to me." - -"You are a better judge than I in such a matter, sir; as you insist on -it, I will go," the hunter said, with a mournful shake of his head. - -"Above all, be prudent, do not expose yourself to risk in quitting the -camp." - -The hunter smiled disdainfully. - -"You know," he said, "that the Redskins cannot harm me." - -"That is true; I forgot it," the young man said, laughingly; "so, -good-bye, my friend, stay no longer, but go, and joy be with you." - -"Good-bye, Mr. Edward; will you not give me a shake of the hand before -we part, not knowing whether we shall ever meet again?" - -"Most gladly, for are we not brothers?" - -"That is famous," the hunter said, joyfully, as he pressed the Count's -offered hand. - -The two men presently separated. The Count fell back on the pile of -furs that served as his bed, while the hunter, after assuring himself -that his arms were in good condition, quitted the tent. With his rifle -under his arm, and head erect, he crossed the camp. The Indians did not -seem at all to trouble themselves at the hunter's presence among them, -and allowed him to depart unimpeded. - -Bright-eye, when he had gone about two musket shots from the camp, -stopped, and began reflecting on what was best to be done to liberate -the Count; after a few moments' reflection, his mind was made up, and -he proceeded toward the squatter's settlement with that long trot -peculiar to the hunters. - -When he reached the clearing, the squatter was holding a conference -with Ivon and the party sent by Major Melville. His arrival was greeted -with a hurrah of delight. - -The North Americans were considerably embarrassed. Mrs. Margaret, in -spite of the exclusive details she had obtained about Natah Otann's -plans, and the movements of the Indians, had only made an incomplete -report to the Major, from the simple reason, that the old Sachems of -the Allied Nations kept their deliberations so secret, that Red Wolf, -despite all his cleverness and craft, had himself picked up but a -slight part of the plan the Chiefs proposed to follow. The scouts, -sent out in all directions, had brought in startling reports about the -movements of the Blackfeet; the Indians appeared resolved to strike -a grand blow this time; all the Missouri nations had responded to -Natah Otann's appeal; the tribes arrived one after the other, to join -the coalition, so that their number now attained four thousand, and -threatened not to stop then. - -Fort Mackenzie was surrounded on all sides by invisible enemies, who -had completely cut off the communication with the other settlements of -the Fur Company, and rendered the Major's position extremely critical. -Thus the hunters were greatly perplexed; and during the many hours -they had been deliberating, they had only hit on insufficient or -impracticable means to relieve the fortress. - -The White men have only succeeded in holding their own in Western -America by the divisions they have managed to sow among the aborigines -of the continent; whenever the latter have remained united, the -Europeans have failed, as witness the Araucanos of Chili, whose small -but valiant republic has maintained its independence to the present -day; or the Seminoles of Louisiana, who have only lately been conquered -after a desperate contest, carried on with all the rules of modern -warfare, and many other Indian nations, whose names we could easily -quote, if necessary, in support of our arguments. - -This time the Indians seemed to have understood the importance of open -and energetic action. The several Chiefs had, ostensibly at least, -forgotten all their hatred and jealousies, to destroy the common enemy. -Thus the Americans, in spite of their approved bravery, trembled at -the mere thought of the war of extermination they would have to sustain -against enemies exasperated by a long series of vexations, when they -counted their numbers, and saw how weak they were, compared to the -warriors preparing to crush them. The council, interrupted for a moment -by Bright-eye's arrival, immediately assembled again, and the debate -was continued. - -"By heaven!" John Black exclaimed, angrily, as he smote his thigh with -his fist, "I confess that I have no luck, everything turns against -me; hardly have I settled here, whither everything made me forebode a -prosperous future, than I am dragged, in spite of myself, into a war -with these vagabond savages. Who knows how it will end? It is plain to -me that we shall all lose our scalps. That is a pleasant prospect for a -man who is anxious to raise his family honourably by his labour." - -"That is not the question at this moment," Ivon said; "we have to save -my master at all risks. What! you are all afraid to fight when it is -almost your trade? and you have done hardly anything else during your -lives; while I, who am known to be a remarkable coward, do not hesitate -to risk my scalp to save my master." - -"You do not understand me, Master Ivon; I do not say that I am afraid -to fight the Indians; heaven guard me from fearing these Pagans, whom -I despise. Still, I believe that an honest and laborious man, like -myself, may be permitted to deplore the consequences of a war with -these demons. I know too well all I and my family owe to the Count, -to hesitate in hurrying to his help, whatever the result may be. The -little I possess was his gift, I have not forgotten it, and even were I -to fall, I would do my duty." - -"Bravo! that is what I call speaking," Ivon replied, joyously; "I was -certain you would not hang back." - -"Unfortunately," Bright-eye objected, "all this does not advance -matters much. I do not see how we can serve our friends. These red -devils fall upon us more numerous than locusts in June. We may kill -many of them, but in the end they will crush us by their weight." - -This sad truth, perfectly understood by the auditors, plunged them into -dull grief, A material impossibility cannot be discussed; it must be -submitted to. The Americans felt an imminent catastrophe coming on, and -their despair was augmented by the consciousness of their impotence. -Suddenly the cry "To arms!" several times repeated outside, made -them bound on their seats. Each seized his weapons, and ran out. The -cry, which had broken up the conference, was raised by William, the -squatter's son. - -All eyes were turned on the prairie, and the hunters perceived, with -secret terror, that William was not mistaken. A large band of Indian -warriors, dressed in their grand war paint, was galloping over the -plain, and rapidly approaching the clearing. - -"Hang it!" Bright-eye muttered, "matters are getting worse. I must -confess that these most accursed Pagans have made enormous progress in -military tactics. If they continue, they will soon give us a lesson." - -"Do you think so?" Black asked, anxiously. - -"Confound it!" the hunter replied, "it is evident to me that we -are about to be attacked, I now know the plan of the Redskins as -thoroughly as if they had explained it to me themselves." - -"Ah!" Ivon said, curiously. - -"Judge for yourselves," the hunter continued; "the Indians intend to -attack simultaneously all the posts occupied by white men, in order to -render it impossible for them to help one another. That is excessively -logical on their parts. In that way they will have a cheap bargain of -us, and massacre us in detail. Hum! the man who commands them is a -rough adversary for us. My lads, we must make up our minds gaily. We -are lost, that is as plain to me as if the scalping knife was already -in our hair. All left to us is to fall bravely." - -These words, pronounced in the cool and placid tone usual with the wood -ranger, caused all who heard them to shudder. - -"I alone, perhaps," Bright-eye added, carelessly, "shall escape the -common fate." - -"Bah!" Ivon said; "you, old hunter, why so?" - -"Why?" he said, with a sarcastic smile, "because, as you are perfectly -aware, the Indians cannot kill me." - -"Ah!" Ivon remarked, stupefied by this reason, and gazing on his friend -with admiration. - -"That is the state of the case," Bright-eye ended his address, and -stamped his rifle on the ground. - -In the meanwhile the Redskins advanced rapidly. The band was composed -of one hundred and fifty warriors at least, the majority armed with -guns, which proved they were picked men. At the head of the band, and -about ten yards in advance, galloped two horsemen, probably Chiefs. The -Indians stopped just out of range of the entrenchments; then, after -consulting together for a few minutes, a horseman left the group, and, -riding within pistol shot of the palisades, he waved a buffalo robe. - -"Eh! eh! Master Black," Bright-eye said, with a cunning smile, "that -is addressed to you as the chief of the garrison. The Redskins wish to -parley." - -"Ah!" the-American said, "I have a great mind to send a bullet after -that rascal parading down, as my sole answer," and he raised his rifle. - -"Mind what you are about," the hunter said, "you do not know the -Redskins. So long as the first shot is not fired, there is a chance of -treating with them." - -"Suppose, old hunter," Ivon said, "you were to do something?" - -"What is it, my prudent friend?" the Canadian asked. - -"Why, as you are not afraid of being killed by the Redskins, suppose -you go to them. Perhaps you could arrange matters with them." - -"Stay! that is a good idea. No one can say what may happen. I will go. -That will be the best, after all. Will you accompany me, Ivon?" - -"Why not?" the latter answered; "with you, I am not afraid." - -"Well, that is settled, then. Open the gate for us, Master Black; but -keep a good lookout during our absence, and, on the first suspicious -movement, fire on these heathens." - -"Do not alarm yourself, old hunter," the latter said, squeezing his -hand cordially; "I should not like any harm to happen to you, for you -are a man." - -"I believe so," the Canadian said, with a laugh; "but what I say to you -is more for this worthy fellow's sake than mine, for I assure you I am -quite easy on my own account." - -"No matter, I will watch these demons carefully." - -"That can do no harm." - -The gate was opened. Bright-eye and Ivon went down the hill, and went -toward the horseman, who was patiently awaiting them. - -"Ah! ah!" Bright-eye muttered, as soon as he drew near enough to -recognize the rider; "I fancy that our affairs are not quite so well as -I suspected." - -"Why so?" Ivon asked. - -"Look at that warrior. Do you not see it is Red Wolf?" - -"That is true. Well?" - -"Well, I have reasons for believing that he is not so great an enemy as -he appears to be." - -"Are you sure of it?" - -"Silence! we shall soon see." - -The three men saluted each other courteously in the Indian fashion, by -laying the right hand on the heart, and holding out the other open, -with the fingers apart and the palm turned outwards. - -"My brother is welcome among his Paleface brothers," Bright-eye said; -"does he come to sit at the council fire, and smoke the calumet in my -wigwam?" - -"The hunter will decide. Red Wolf comes as a friend," the Indian -answered. - -"Good," the Canadian remarked; "did Red Wolf then fear treachery from -his friend, that he brought so large a body of warriors with him?" - -The Blackfoot smiled cunningly. - -"Red Wolf is a chief among the Kenhas," he said, "his tongue is not -forked. The words that pass his lips come from his heart. The Chief -wishes to serve his Pale friends. - -"Wah!" Bright-eye said, "the Chief has spoken well. His words have -sounded pleasantly in my ears. What does my brother desire?" - -"To sit at the council fire of the Palefaces, and explain to them the -reasons that bring him here." - -"Good. Will my brother go alone among the white men?" - -"No! another person will accompany the Chief." - -"And who is this person in whom so great a Chief as my brother places -confidence?" - -"The She-Wolf of the prairies." - -Bright-eye suppressed a movement of joy. - -"Good," he went on, "my brother can come with the She-Wolf. The -Palefaces will receive them kindly." - -"My brother, the hunter, will announce the visit of his friends." - -"Yes, Chief, I will go at once and do so." - -The conference was over. The three men separated, after again saluting, -and Bright-eye and Ivon hurried back to the entrenchments. - -"Victory!" the hunter said, on arriving, "we are saved!" - -All pressed round him, greedy to learn the details of the conference, -and Bright-eye satisfied the general curiosity without a moment's delay. - -"Ah!" Black said, "if the old lady is with them we are, indeed, saved," -and he rubbed his hands joyfully. - -After having failed so unluckily in the snare she had laid for Natah -Otann, Mrs. Margaret, far from being discouraged, felt her desire of -revenge increased; and, without losing time in regretting the check she -had undergone, she immediately drew up her plans, for she had reached -that pitch of rage when a person is completely blinded by hatred, and -goes onward regardless of consequences. Ten minutes after leaving the -Sachem, she quitted the camp, accompanied by Red Wolf, who, by her -orders, led off the warriors he commanded and started for the clearing. - -Bright-eye had scarce given his friends the information they desired, -ere Margaret and Red Wolf entered the stockade, where they were -received with the greatest affability by the trappers, and especially -by Black, who was delighted to find that his clearing was not menaced, -and that the storm was turning from him to burst elsewhere. - -Let us now return to Fort Mackenzie, where, at this very moment, events -of the utmost importance were occurring. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE ATTACK. - - -White Buffalo and Natah Otann had drawn up their strategic arrangements -with remarkable skill. The two Chiefs had scarce formed their camp in -the clearing, ere they assembled the Sachems of the other tribes camped -not far from them, in order to combine their movement, so as to attack -the Americans simultaneously from all points. - -Though the Redskins are excessively cunning, the Americans had -succeeded in thoroughly deceiving them, in the gloom and silence that -prevailed through the fort, for not a single bayonet could be seen -glistening behind its parapets. Leaving their horses concealed in the -forest, the Indians lay down on the ground, and, crawling through the -tall grass like reptiles, began crossing the space that separated them -from the ramparts. - -All was still apparently gloomy and silent, and yet two thousand -intrepid warriors were crawling up in the shadow to attack a fortress -behind which forty resolute men only waited for the signal to be given, -and commence the attack. When all the orders had been given, and the -last warriors had quitted the hill, Natah Otann, whose perspicuous -eye had discovered a certain hesitation of evil omen in the minds of -the allied chiefs, resolved to make that final appeal to the Count to -secure his co-operation. We have already seen the result. When left -alone, Natah Otann gave the signal for attack; the Indians rushed like -a hurricane down the sides of the hill, and ran towards the fort, -brandishing their arms, and uttering their war yell. Suddenly a heavy -discharge was heard, and Fort Mackenzie was begirt with smoke and -dazzling flashes. The battle had commenced. - -The plain was invaded, as far as eye could trace, by powerful -detachments of Indian warriors, who, converging on one point, marched -resolutely toward the fort, incessantly discharging their bullets at -it; while new bands could be seen constantly arriving from the place -where the chain of hills abuts on the Missouri. They came up at a -gallop, in parties of from three to twenty men; their horses were -covered with foam, which led to the presumption that they had come a -long distance. The Blackfeet were in their war attire, loaded with all -sorts of ornaments and arms, with bow and quiver on their backs, and -musket in hand, while their heads were crowned with feathers, some -of which were the magnificent black and white eagle plumes. They were -seated on handsome saddle cloths of panther skin, lined with red; the -upper part of the body was naked, with the exception of a long strip -of wolf skin passing over the shoulder as a cross belt, while their -bucklers were adorned with feathers and cloth of various colours. - -These men, thus accoutred, had something imposing and majestic about -them, which affected the imagination, and inspired terror. - -The struggle seemed most obstinate in the environs of the fort, and on -the hill. The Blackfeet, sheltered by tall palisades planted during -the night, replied to the Americans' fire with an equally rapid fire, -exciting each other, with wild cries, courageously to resist the attack -of their implacable foes. The defence was, however, as vigorous as the -assault, and the combat did not appear destined to terminate so soon. -Already many corpses lay on the ground, startled horses galloped in -every direction, and the shrieks of the wounded mingled at intervals -with the defiant shouts of the assailants. - -Natah Otann, so soon as the signal had been given, ran off to the tent -where his prisoner was. - -"The moment has arrived," he said to him. - -"I am ready," the Count answered, "go on. I will keep constantly at -your side." - -"Come on, then!" - -They went out, and at once rushed into the thickest fight. The Count, -as he had said, was unarmed, raising his head fiercely at each bullet -that whistled past his ear, and smiling at the death which he, perhaps, -invoked in his heart. In spite of his contempt for the white race, -the Indian could not refrain from admiring this courage, which was so -frankly and nobly stoical. - -"You are a man," he said to the Count. - -"Did you ever doubt it?" the latter remarked, simply. - -Still the combat became, with each moment, more obstinate. The Indians -rushed forward, roaring like lions, against the palisades of the fort, -and were killed without flinching; their bodies almost filled up the -moat. The Americans, compelled to make a front on all sides, defended -themselves with the methodical and resolute impassiveness of men who -know they have no help to expect, and who have made up their minds to -sell their lives dearly. - -From the beginning of the fight, White Buffalo had, with a picked body -of men, held the hill that commanded Fort Mackenzie, which rendered -the position of the garrison still more precarious, for they were -thus exposed to a terrible and well-sustained fire, which caused them -irreparable loss, regard being had to the smallness of their numbers. -Major Melville, standing at the foot of the flagstaff, with his arms -crossed on his breast, a pallid brow and compressed lips, saw his men -fall one after the other, and he stamped his foot with rage at his -impotence to save them. - -Suddenly, a terrific shriek of agony rose from the interior of -the buildings, and the wives of the soldiers and _engagés_ rushed -simultaneously into the square, flying, half mad with terror, from an -enemy still invisible. The Indians, guided by White Buffalo, had turned -the fortress, and discovered a secret entrance which the Major fancied -known to himself alone, and which, in case of a serious attack and -impossibility of defence, would serve the garrison in effecting its -retreat. From this moment the Americans saw that they were lost; it -was no longer a battle, but a massacre. The Major, followed by a few -resolute men, rushed into the buildings, and the Indians scaled on all -sides the palisades, now deprived of protection. - -The few surviving Americans collected round the flagstaff, from the top -of which floated the starry banner of the United States, and strove to -sell their lives as dearly as possible, for they feared most falling -alive into the bands of their implacable enemies. The Indians replied -to the hurrahs of their foes by their terrific war cry, and bounded -on them like coyotes, brandishing over their heads the blood-stained -weapons. - -"Down with your arms!" Natah Otann shouted, on reaching the scene of -action. - -"Never!" the Major replied, rushing on him at the head of the few -soldiers still left him. - -The mêlée recommenced, more ardently and implacable than before. The -Indians rushed about in every direction, throwing torches on the roofs, -which immediately caught fire. The Major saw that victory was hopeless, -and tried to effect his retreat. But that was not so easy; there was -no chance of climbing over the palisades; the only prospect was the -gate; but before that gate, the Blackfeet, skilfully posted, repulsed -with their lances those who tried to escape by it. Still there was no -alternative. The Major rallied his men for a final effort, and rushed -with incredible fury on the enemy, with the hope of cutting his way -through. - -The collision was horrible--it was not a battle, but a butchery; foot -to foot, chest against chest--in which the men seized each other -round the waist, killed each other with knives, or tore the foe with -teeth and nails: those who fell did not rise again--the wounded were -finished at once. This frightful carnage lasted about a quarter of an -hour; two-thirds of the Americans succumbed; the rest managed to force -a passage and fled, closely pursued by the Indians, who then commenced -a horrible manhunt. Never, until this day, had the Redskins fought the -Whites with such fury and tenacity. The presence among them of the -Count, disarmed and smiling, who, although rushing into the thickest -of the contest by the side of the Chief, appeared invulnerable, -electrified them, and they really believed that Natah Otann had told -them the truth--and that the Count was that Motecuhzoma they had waited -so long, and whose presence would restore them for ever that liberty -which the White men had torn from them. Thus they had kept their eyes -constantly fixed on the young man, saluting him with noisy shouts of -joy, and redoubling their efforts to secure the victory. Natah Otann -rushed toward the American flag, tore it down, and wound it over his -head. - -"Victory--victory!" he shouted, joyfully. - -The Blackfeet responded to this cry with yells, and spread in every -direction to begin plundering. A few men still remained in the fort, -among them being the Major, who did not wish to survive his defeat. -The Indians, rushed upon him with loud yells, to massacre him, but the -veteran remained calm, and did not offer to defend himself. - -"Stay!" the Count shouted; and turning to Natah Otann, said,--"Will you -let this brave soldier be assassinated in cold blood?" - -"No," the Sachem answered, "if he consents to surrender his sword to -me." - -"Never!" the old gentleman said, with energy, as he broke across his -knee his weapon, blood-stained to the hilt, threw the pieces at the -Chief's feet, and, crossing his arms, he regarded his victor with -supreme contempt, as he said-- - -"Kill me now; I can no longer defend myself." - -"Bravo!" the Count exclaimed; and, not calculating the consequences -of the deed, he went up to the Major, and cordially pressed his hand. -Natah Otann regarded the two for an instant with an indefinable -expression. - -"Oh!" he muttered to himself, with sorrow; "we may beat them, but we -shall never conquer them: these men are stronger than we; they are born -to be our masters." - -Then raising his hand above his head. - -"Enough!" he said, in a loud voice. - -"Enough!" the Count repeated, "respect the conquered." - -That which the Sachem could not have obtained, in spite of the respect -the Indians had for him, the Count obtained instantaneously, through -the superstitious veneration he inspired them with; they stopped, and -the carnage finally ceased; the Americans were disarmed in a second, -and the Redskins remained masters of the fort. - -Natah Otann then took his totem from the hands of the warrior who bore -it, and, after swinging it several times in the air, hoisted it in the -place of the American flag, in the midst of the frenzied shouts of the -Indians, who, intoxicated with joy, could hardly yet believe in their -victory. - -White Buffalo had not lost a moment in assuring himself of the -peaceful possession of a conquest which had cost the confederates so -much blood and toil. When the Sachems had restored some little order -among their warriors; when the fire, that threatened the destruction -of the fort, had been extinguished; and all precautions taken against -any renewal of the attack by the Americans--though that was very -improbable--Natah Otann and White Buffalo withdrew to the apartment -hitherto occupied by the Major, and the Count followed them. - -"At length," the young Count exclaimed, with delight, "we have proved -to these haughty Americans that they are not invincible." - -"Your weakness caused their strength," White Buffalo replied. "You have -made a good beginning, and now you must go on; it is not enough to -conquer; you must know how to profit by that victory." - -"Pardon my interrupting you, gentlemen," the Count said; "but I fancy -the hour has arrived to settle our accounts." - -"What do you mean, sir?" White Buffalo asked, haughtily. - -"I will explain myself, sir," the Count continued, and, turning to Natah -Otann, "you will do me the justice to allow that I have scrupulously -kept the promise I made you; in spite of the grief and disgust I felt, -I did not fail once; you ever found me cold and calm at your side. Is -this not so?--answer, sir." - -"It is true," Natah Otann replied, coldly. - -"Very good, sir; it is now my turn to ask from you the fulfilment of -the promises you made me." - -"Be a little more explicit, sir," the Chief said. "During the last -few hours I have been actor in and witness of so many extraordinary -things, that I may possibly have forgotten what I did promise you." - -The Count smiled with disdain. - -"I expected such trickery," he said, drily. - -"You misinterpret my words. I may have forgotten, but I do not refuse -to satisfy your just claims." - -"Very good; I admit that, so I will remind you of the stipulations made -between us." - -"I shall be glad to hear them." - -"I pledged myself to remain by yourself unarmed during the action, -to follow you everywhere, and ever to go in the first rank of the -combatants." - -"That is true, and it is my duty to allow that you have nobly performed -that perilous task." - -"Very well; but in doing so I only acted as my honour dictated; you, -on your part, pledged yourself whatever the issue of the battle might -be, to grant me my liberty, and give me an honourable satisfaction, -in reparation for the unworthy treachery of which you rendered me the -victim, and the odious part you forced me unconsciously to play." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said, frowning, and striking the table with his -fists. "Did you really make such a promise as that, child?" - -The Count turned to the old man with a gesture sovereign contempt. - -"I believe, sir," he said, "that you are doubting the honour of a -gentleman." - -"Nonsense, sir," the republican said, with a grin "How can you talk to -us of honour and nobility? You forget that we are in the desert, and -that you are addressing savage Indians, as you call us. Do we recognize -your foolish caste distinctions here? Have we adopted your laws and -absurd prejudices?" - -"What you treat so cavalierly," the Count sharply retorted, "has -hitherto been the safeguard of civilization, and the cause of -intellectual progress; but I have nothing to discuss with you; I am -addressing myself to your adopted son; let him answer me, yes or no, -and I shall then know what remains for me to do." - -"Be it so, sir," White Buffalo said, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Let my son answer, and, according to his reply, I shall then know what -remains for me to do." - -"As this affair concerns me alone," Natah Otann interposed, "I should -feel mortally offended, my friend, if you interfered in any way in it." - -The White Buffalo smiled with contempt, but made no reply. Natah Otann -continued-- - -"I will employ no subterfuges with you, sir; you have spoken the truth; -I promised you liberty and satisfaction, and I am prepared to keep my -word." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said. - -"Silence!" the Chief ordered, peremptorily. "Listen, my friend; -prove to these Europeans, so vain and so proud of their so-called -civilization, that the Redskins are not the ferocious brutes they -imagine them, and that the code of honour is the same among nations -who are regarded as the most barbarous. You are free, sir, from this -moment, and, if you please, I will myself lead you in safety outside -the lines. As for the duel you desire, I am equally ready to satisfy -you in any way you may indicate." - -"Thank you, sir," the Count answered, with a bow, "I am happy to hear -your determination." - -"Now that affair is arranged between us, allow me to add a few words." - -"I am listening to you, sir." - -"Am I in the way?" White Buffalo asked, ironically. - -"On the contrary," Natah Otann said, with emphasis, "your presence is -at this moment more necessary than ever." - -"Ah, ah! what is going to happen?" the old man went on, in a sarcastic -tone. - -"You will learn," the Chief said, still cold and impassive; "if you -will take the trouble to listen to me for five minutes." - -"Be it so; speak." - -Natah Otann seemed to be collecting himself for a few moments, and -said, in a voice which, spite of all his efforts to conceal it, -trembled slightly, through some hidden emotion,-- - -"Owing to events too long to narrate here, and which I would probably -possess but slight interest for you, I became the guardian of a child, -who is now a charming maiden. This girl, to whom I have ever paid the -greatest attention, and whom I love as a father, is known to you; her -name is Prairie-Flower." - -The Count quivered, and made a gesture in affirmation, but no other -reply. Natah Otann continued,-- - -"As I am entering now on a hazardous expedition, in which I may meet -my death, it is impossible for me to watch longer over this girl; it -would be painful to me to leave her alone, and without support, among -my tribe, if destiny were to cause my plans to fail. I know that she -loves you, I entrust her to you frankly and honestly; I have full faith -in your honour--will you give to her protection? I know that you will -never abuse the trust I offer you; I am only a brutalized Indian, -a monster, perhaps, to your civilization; but, believe me, sir, the -lessons a great man has consented to give me have not been all lost, -and my heart is not so dead, as might be supposed, to finer feelings." - -"Good, Natah Otann," White Buffalo said, joyfully; "good, my son. Now I -recognize my pupil, and I am proud of you; the man who succeeds in each -a victory over self is really born to command others." - -"You are satisfied," the Chief answered; "all the better. And you, sir? -I await your answer." - -"I accept the sacred trust you offer me, sir. I will be worthy of your -confidence," the Count answered, with much emotion. "I have no right to -judge your actions; but, believe, sir, that whatever may happen, there -will be always one man to defend your memory, and proclaim aloud the -nobility of your heart." - -The Chief clapped his hands, the door opened, and Prairie-Flower -appeared, led by an Indian woman. - -"Child," Natah Otann said to her, nothing evincing the violence he did -to his feelings, "your presence among us is henceforth impossible; -this Chief of the Palefaces consents to watch over you for the future; -follow him, and if at times you are reminded of your stay with the -tribe of the Kenhas, do not curse them or their Chief, for all have -been kind to you." - -The maiden blushed, the tears rose to her eyes, a nervous tremor -agitated her limbs, and, without uttering a word, she took her place by -the Count's side. Natah Otann smiled sorrowfully. - -"Follow me," he said, "I will escort you out of the camp." - -And he went out, accompanied by the two young people. - -"We shall soon meet again, I presume, noble Count?" White Buffalo -called out, after his countryman. - -"I hope so," the latter answered, simply. - -Guided by Natah Otann, the Count and his companion left the fort, and -entered the prairie, passing through groups of Redskins, who stood back -respectfully to make room for them. Their walk was silent; it lasted -about half an hour, until the Chief stopped. - -"Here you have nothing more to fear," he said; and going to a dense -thicket, and pulling back the branches, "Here are two horses I had -prepared for you; take also these weapons, perhaps you will need them; -and now, if you wish to fight with me, I am ready." - -"No," the Count answered, nobly, "any combat is henceforth impossible -between us; I can no longer be the enemy of a man whom honour orders me -to esteem; here is my hand, I will never lift it against you; I offer -it you frankly, and without any afterthought; unfortunately, too deep -a hatred divides our two races to prevent us being ere long opposed to -each other, but if I fight your brothers, I shall not the less remain -personally your friend." - -"I ask no more of you," the Chief replied, as he pressed the hand -offered him; "farewell! be happy!" - -And without adding a word, he turned away, and hurried back by the road -he had come; he soon disappeared in the darkness. - -"Let us go," the Count said to the maiden, who was pensively watching -the departure of the man she had so long loved as a father, and whom -now she did not feel strong enough to hate. They mounted and went off, -after a parting glance at the scattered fire of the Blackfoot camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The night was gloomy, cold, and mournful; not a star shone in the sky, -and the young people only forced their way with extreme difficulty -through the shrubs and creepers, in which their horses' feet were -continually caught. They advanced very slowly, for both were too -absorbed by the strange situation in which they found themselves, and -the extraordinary events of which they had been actors or witnesses, to -break the silence they had maintained since leaving the fort. They went -on thus for about an hour, when a great noise was suddenly heard in the -bushes. Two men rushed to the horses' heads, and, seizing the bridles, -compelled them to stop. Prairie-Flower gave a shriek of terror. - -"Halloh, brigands!" the Count shouted, as he cocked his pistols, "back, -or I fire." - -"Do not do so, for goodness sake, sir, for you would run the risk of -killing a friend," a voice at once answered, which the Count recognized -as the hunter's. - -"Bright-eye?" he said, in amazement. - -"By Jove!" the latter said, "did you fancy, pray, that I had deserted -you?" - -"My master, my kind master!" the Breton shouted, leaving hold of -Prairie-Flower's bridle, and rushing toward the young man. - -"Halloh!" the Count continued, after the emotion caused by the first -surprise was slightly calmed, "what on earth are you doing here in -ambush, like pirates of the prairie?" - -"Come to our encampment, Mr. Edward, and we will tell you." - -"Very good; but lead the way." - -They soon reached the entrance of a natural cavern, where, by the -uncertain light of an expiring fire, they perceived a large number -of white and half-bred hunters, among whom the Count recognized John -Black, his son, his wife, and daughter. The worthy squatter had left -the clearing under the charge of his two servants, and fearing lest his -wife and daughter might not be in safety during his absence, he asked -them to accompany him; and though this offer was somewhat singular, -they gladly accepted it. Prairie-Flower immediately took her place by -the side of the two ladies. - -Bright-eye, the squatter, and above all Ivon, were impatient to learn -what had happened to the Count, and how he had succeeded in escaping -from the Redskin camp. The Count made no difficulty in satisfying their -curiosity; the more so, as he was eager to learn for what reason his -friends were ambuscaded so near the camp. - -What the hunter had foreseen had really happened; scarce victors -over the Americans, and masters of the fort, disunion had set in -among the Redskins. Several Chiefs had been dissatisfied at seeing, -to their prejudice, Natah Otann, one of the youngest Sachems of the -Confederates, claim the profits of the victory, by installing himself, -with his tribe, in the fort, which all had captured at such an effusion -of blood; a dull discontentment had begun to prevail among them; five -or six of the most powerful even spoke, hardly two hours after the -victory, of withdrawing with their warriors, and leaving Natah Otann to -continue the war as he thought proper with the Whites. - -Red Wolf had found but slight difficulty in commencing the work of -defection he meditated; thus, at nightfall, he entered the camp with -his warriors, and began fanning the flame which at present only -smouldered, but which must soon be a burning and devouring fire, owing -to the means of corruption the Chief had at his disposal. Of all -the destructive agents introduced by Europeans in America, the most -effective and terrible is, indubitably, spirits. With the exception of -the Comanches, whose sobriety is proverbial, and who have constantly -refused to drink anything but the water of their streams, all the -Indians are mad for strong liquors. Drunkenness among their primitive -race is terrible, and attains the proportions of a furious mania. - -Red Wolf, who burned to avenge himself on Natah Otann, and who, -besides, blindly obeyed the insinuations of Mrs. Margaret, had -conceived an atrocious plan, which only an Indian born was capable of -forming. John Black had brought with him into the desert a considerable -stock of whiskey. Red Wolf had asked for this, placed it on sledges, -and thus entered the camp. The Indians, when they knew the species of -merchandize he brought with him, did not hesitate to give him a hearty -reception. - -The Chief, while indoctrinating them, and representing Natah Otann to -them as a man who had only acted from personal motives, and with the -intention of satiating his own wild ambition, generously abandoned to -them the spirits he had brought with him. The Indians eagerly accepted -the present Red Wolf made them, and, without the loss of a moment, took -hearty draughts. When Red Wolf saw that the Indians had reached that -state of intoxication he desired, he hastened to warn his allies, so -that they might attempt a bold _coup de main_ on the spot. - -The hunters at once mounted their horses, and proceeded toward the -fortress, concealing themselves about two hundred paces from it, so as -to be ready for the first signal. - -Natah Otann, in crossing the camp after escorting the two young people, -perceived the effervescence prevailing among his allies, and several -unpleasant epithets struck his ear. Although he did not suppose that -the Americans, after the rude defeat they had suffered during the -day, were in a condition to assume the offensive immediately, still, -his thorough knowledge of his countrymen's character made him suspect -treachery, and he resolved to redouble his prudence, in order to avoid -a conflict, whose disastrous results would be incalculable for the -success of his career. Agitated by a gloomy foreboding, the young Chief -hurried on to reach the fort; but at the moment he prepared to enter, -after opening the gate, a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder, while a -rough voice hissed in his ear-- - -"Natah Otann is a traitor." - -The Chief turned, as if a serpent had stung him, and wheeling his heavy -axe round his head, dealt a terrible blow at this bold speaker; but the -latter avoided the stroke by springing on one side, and raising his -axe in his turn, he directed a blow, which the Sachem parried with the -handle of his weapon, and then the two men rushed on each other. There -was something singularly startling in this desperate combat between two -men dumb as shadows, and in whom their fury was only revealed by the -hissing of their breath. - -"Die, dog!" Natah Otann suddenly said, his axe crashing through the -skull of his adversary, who rolled on the ground, with a yell of agony. -The Chief bent over him. - -"Red Wolf," he shouted, "I suspected it." - -Suddenly an almost imperceptible sound in the grass reminded him of the -critical situation in which he was; he made a prodigious bound back, -entered the fort, and bolted the gate after him. It was high time; he -had scarce disappeared, ere some twenty warriors, rushing in pursuit -of him, ran their heads against the gate, stifling cries of rage -and deception. But the alarm had been given, the general combat was -evidently about to begin. - -Natah Otann, immediately on entering the fort, perceived, with a groan, -that this victory, which he had so dearly bought, was on the point of -slipping from him. The Kenhas had done within the fort what the other -Blackfeet, incited by Red Wolf, had effected on the prairie. - -After the capture of the fortress they spread in every direction, and -the spirits did not long escape their search; they had rolled the -barrels into the square, and tapped them, availing themselves of the -White Buffalo being asleep, and the absence of Natah Otann, the only -two men whose influence would have been great enough to have kept -them in subordination. A frightful orgy had then commenced--an Indian -orgy, with all its incidents of murder and massacre. As we have said, -drunkenness in the Redskins is madness carried to the last paroxysm of -fury and rage; there had been a frightful scene of carnage, at the end -of which the Indians had fallen on the top of one another, and gone to -sleep in the midst of the confusion. - -"Oh!" the Chief muttered, in despair. "What is to be done with such -men?" - -Natah Otann rushed, into the room where he had left White Buffalo; the -old Chief was quietly sleeping in an easy chair. - -"Woe! woe!" the young man yelled, as he rushed toward him, and shook -him vigorously, to rouse him. - -"What is the matter?" the old man asked, opening his eyes, and sitting -up. "What news have you?" - -"That we are lost!" the Chief replied. - -"Lost!" the White Buffalo said, "what is happening then?" - -"The six hundred men we had here are drunk, the rest of our -confederates are turning against us, and the only thing left to us is -to die." - -"Let us die then, but as brave men," the old man said, rising. - -He asked Natah Otann for details, which he soon gave him. - -"The situation is grave, but all is not lost, I hope," he said; "let us -collect the few men still capable of fighting, and make head against -the storm." - -At this moment a tremendous fusillade was heard, mingled with war cries -and shouts of defiance. - -"The final struggle has commenced!" Natah Otann exclaimed. - -"Forwards!" the old Chief said. - -They rushed out. The situation was most critical. Major Melville, -taking advantage of the intoxication of his keepers, had broken out of -his prison at the head of some twenty Americans, and boldly charged the -Redskins, while the hunters outside tried to scale the barricades. - -The Indians of the prairie, ignorant of Red Wolf's death, and believing -they were carrying out his plans, advanced, in a compact body, on the -fort, with the intention of carrying it. Natah Otann had to contend -against the enemies without and those within; but he did not despair; -his energy seemed to increase with peril; he was everywhere at once; -encouraging some, rebuking others, and imparting some of his own nerve -to all. At his voice, many of his warriors sprang up, and joined him; -then the battle was organized, and became regular. - -Still the hunters, excited by the Count and Bright-eye, redoubled their -efforts; climbing on each other's backs, they reached the top of the -palisades, which they wished to scale. The Americans, though themselves -surprised, when they expected to surprise their enemies, fought with -indescribable fury, returning instantly to the attack in spite of the -bullets that decimated them, and seemed resolved to fall to the last -man, rather than give way an inch. - -During the two hours that night still lasted, the fight was maintained -without any decided advantage on either side; but when the sun -appeared on the horizon, matters changed at once. In the darkness it -was impossible for the Indians to recognize the enemies against whom -they were fighting; but so soon as the gloom was dissipated, they saw, -combating in the first rank of their enemies, and pitilessly cutting -down the Redskins, the man on whom they counted most, whom their chiefs -and medicine men had announced to them as their leader to victory, who -would render them invincible. Then they hesitated, disorder broke out -among them, and, in spite of the efforts made by Chiefs, they gave way. - -The Count, having at his side Bright-eye, the squatter and his son, -and Ivon, made a frightful butchery of the Indians; he was avenging -himself for the treachery of which they had made him their victim, -and, at each stroke, cut them down like corn ripe for the sickle. The -Count at length reached the gate of the fort; but there he came in -contact with a band of picked warriors, commanded by White Buffalo, -who was effecting his retreat in good order, and without turning his -back, closely pursued by Major Melville, who was already almost master -of the interior of the fortress. There was a moment, we will not say -of hesitation, but of truce between the hostile bands; each of them -understood that the fate of the battle depended on the defeat of the -other. - -Suddenly Natah Otann made his appearance, mad with grief and rage; -brandishing in one hand his totem, he guided with his knees a -magnificent steed, with which he had already ridden several times into -the thickest of the enemies' ranks, in the vain hope of reanimating -the courage of his men, and turning the current of the action. Horse -and rider were bathed in blood and perspiration; the shadow of death -already brooded over the Chiefs contracted face; but his forehead -still shone with enthusiasm. His eyes seemed to flash forth lightning, -and his hand wielded an axe, the very handle of which dripped gore. -Some twenty devoted warriors followed him, wounded like himself, but -resolved, like him, not to survive defeat. - -On reaching the front of the American line, Natah Otann stopped; his -eyebrows were contracted, a nervous smile played round his lips; and, -rising in his stirrups, he bent a fascinating glance around. - -"Blackfeet, my brothers," he shouted, in a strident voice, "as you -know not how to conquer, learn at least from me how to die!" - -And burying his spurs in the flanks of his steed, which shrieked with -pain, he rushed on the Americans, followed by a few warriors who -had sworn not to abandon him. This weak band, devoted to death, was -engulfed in the ranks of the hunters, when it entirely disappeared; -for a few minutes there was a sullen contest, a horrible butchery, an -ebb and flow of courage impossible to describe, a Titanic struggle of -fifteen half naked men against three hundred; gradually the agitation -ceased, the calm returned, and the ranks of the hunters were reformed. -The Blackfeet heroes were dead, but they had a sanguinary funeral, for -one hundred and twenty Americans had fallen, burying their enemies -under their corpses. - -White Buffalo's band alone resisted; but, attacked in the rear by -Major Melville, and in front by the Count, its last hour had struck: -still the collision was rude, the Indians resisted obstinately, and -made the whites purchase their victory dearly; but, attacked on all -sides at once, and falling helplessly under the unerring bullets of the -white men, disorder entered their ranks, they disbanded, and the rout -commenced. - -One man alone remained calm and impassive on the field of battle. It -was White Buffalo, leaning on his long sword; with pallid brow and -haughty look, he still defied the enemies he could no longer combat. - -"Surrender!" Bright-eye shouted, as he rushed upon him; "surrender, or -I will shoot you like a dog." - -The Chief smiled disdainfully, and made no reply. The implacable hunter -seized his rifle by the barrel, and whirled it round his head. The -Count seized him sharply by the arm. - -"Stay, Bright-eye," he said. - -"Let the man alone," White Buffalo said, coldly. - -"I do not wish him to kill you," the young man replied. - -"I suppose you wish to kill me yourself, noble Count of Beaulieu," he -said, in a cutting voice. - -"No, sir," the young man said, with disdain; "throw down your weapons; -I spare your life." - -The exile gave him a withering glance. "Instead of telling me to throw -down my weapons," he said, ironically, "why do you not try to take them -from me." - -"Because I pity your age and your grey hair," - -"Pity? confess rather, O noble Count, that you are afraid." - -At this insult the young man trembled, and his face became livid. The -Americans formed a circle round the two men, and anxiously awaited what -was going to happen. - -"Put an end to this!" Major Melville exclaimed, "kill that mad brute." - -"One moment, sir, I beg; let me settle this affair," - -"As you wish it, air, act as you think proper." - -"You desire a duel then?" the Count said, addressing White Buffalo, who -still stood perfectly calm. - -"Yes," he answered, through his clenched teeth, "a duel to the death! -two principles, and not two men, will contend here. I hate your race, -and you hate mine." - -"Be it so." - -The Count took two sabres from the hands of the men nearest him, and -threw one at the exile's feet. The latter stooped to pick it up, but as -he rose again, Ivon aimed a pistol at him, and blew out his brains. - -The young man turned furiously on his servant. - -"Wretched fellow," he shouted, "what have you done?" - -"Kill me, if you will, sir," the Breton replied, simply, "but indeed it -was stronger than myself, I was so frightened." - -"Come, come," the Major said, interposing, "you must not be angry with -the poor fellow, he fancied he was acting for the best, and for my part -I think he was." - -The incident had no other result; the exile died on the spot, taking -with him the secret of his name. - -While this scene was taking place in the courtyard of the fort, John -Black, who was anxious to reassure his wife and daughter, went to look -for them; but though he went through all the rooms and outbuildings of -the fort, where he had concealed them for a few minutes previously, he -could not possibly find them anywhere. - -The poor squatter returned, with lengthened face and despair in his -soul, to announce to the Major the disappearance of his wife and -daughter, probably carried off by the Indians. Without losing a moment, -the Major ordered a dozen hunters to go in search of the ladies; but -just as the band was about to start, they arrived, accompanied by -Bright-eye and two American hunters. Margaret and her daughter were -with them. So soon as Prairie-Flower perceived the Count, she uttered a -cry of joy, and rushed toward him. - -"Saved!" she exclaimed. - -But all at once she blushed, trembled, and went in confusion to seek -refuge by her mother's side. The Count went up, took her hand, and -pressed it tenderly. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said to her, softly, "do you no longer love me now -that I am free?" - -The maiden raised her head, and looked at him for a moment with -tear-laden eyes. - -"Oh! ever, ever!" she answered. - -"Look, daughter," Mrs. Black said to poor Diana. - -"Mother," she replied, in a firm voice, "did I not tell you that I -should forget him?" - -The squatter's wife shook her head, but made no further remark. The -Indians had fled without leaving a man, and a few hours later the fort -returned to its old condition. - -The winter passed away without any fresh incident, for the rude lesson -given the Indians had done them good. Prairie-Flower, recognized by -her uncle, remained at Fort Mackenzie. The girl was sorrowful and -pensive; she often spent long hours leaning over the parapets, with -her eyes fixed on the prairie and the forests, which were beginning to -reassume their green dress. Her mother and the Major, who were so fond -of her, could not at all understand the gloomy melancholy that preyed -upon her. When pressed to explain what she suffered from, she replied, -invariably, that there was nothing the matter with her. - -One day, however, her face brightened up, and her joyous smile -reappeared. Three travellers arrived at the fort. They were the Count, -Bright-eye, and Ivon; they were returning from a long excursion in -the Rocky Mountains. As soon as he arrived, the Count went up to the -maiden, and took her hand, as he had done three months before. - -"Prairie-Flower," he asked her once again, "do you no longer love me?" - -"Oh! yes, and for ever!" the poor child answered, gently, for she had -grown timid since she gave up her desert life. - -"Thank you," he said to her; and, turning to the Major and his sister, -who were looking at each other anxiously, he added, without loosing -the hand he held,--"Major Melville, and you, Madam, I ask you for this -lady's hand." - -A week later the marriage was solemnized; the squatter and his family -were present. And a month previously, Diana had married James. Still, -when the "yes" was uttered, she could not suppress a sigh. - -"You see, Ivon, that you are never killed by the Indians--and here is a -proof of it," Bright-eye said to the Breton, on leaving the chapel. - -"I am beginning to believe it," the latter made answer, "but no matter, -my friend, I shall never get accustomed to this frightful country; it -makes me so afraid." - -"The old humbug!" the Canadian muttered; "he will never alter." - - * * * * * - -And now, to satisfy certain curious readers who like to know -everything, we will add the following in the shape of a postscript. - -A few months after the 9th Thermidor, several members of the -Convention, in spite of the part they played on that day, were not -the less transported to French Guyana. Two of them--Collot D'Herbois -and Billaud Varenne--succeeded in escaping from Sinnamori, and buried -themselves in the deserts, where they endured horrible sufferings. -Collot D'Herbois succumbed, and we have told his comrade's fate. - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - -***** This file should be named 43925-8.txt or 43925-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/9/2/43925/ - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/43925-8.zip b/43925-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7f0b0cb..0000000 --- a/43925-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/43925-h.zip b/43925-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6e653c3..0000000 --- a/43925-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/43925-h/43925-h.htm b/43925-h/43925-h.htm index c7095ec..64b251b 100644 --- a/43925-h/43925-h.htm +++ b/43925-h/43925-h.htm @@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ v:link {color: #800000; text-decoration: none; } </style> </head> <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 ***</div> -<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 ***</div> <h1>THE PRAIRIE FLOWER</h1> @@ -12805,7 +12805,7 @@ Collot D'Herbois succumbed, and we have told his comrade's fate.</p> -<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 ***</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43925 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/43925.json b/43925.json deleted file mode 100644 index 4b7b435..0000000 --- a/43925.json +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5 +0,0 @@ -{
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diff --git a/43925.txt b/43925.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1cd5ebd..0000000 --- a/43925.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13105 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Prairie Flower - A Tale of the Indian Border - -Author: Gustave Aimard - -Translator: Lascelles Wraxall - -Release Date: October 10, 2013 [EBook #43925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - - - - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - - - - - -THE PRAIRIE FLOWER - -A TALE OF THE INDIAN BORDER - -BY - -GUSTAVE AIMARD, - -AUTHOR OF - -"THE INDIAN SCOUT," "TRAPPERS OF ARKANSAS," "TRAIL HUNTER," -"GOLD SEEKERS," "BEE HUNTERS," -ETC., ETC. - -LONDON: - -CHARLES HENRY CLARKE, 13 PATERNOSTER ROW, - -1874 - - - - CONTENTS - - - I. A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT - II. A TRAIL DISCOVERED - III. THE EMIGRANTS - IV. THE GRIZZLY BEAR - V. THE STRANGE WOMAN - VI. THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP - VII. THE INDIAN CHIEF - VIII. THE EXILE - IX. THE MASSACRE - X. THE GREAT COUNCIL - XI. AMERICAN HOSPITALITY - XII. THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIE - XIII. THE INDIAN VILLAGE - XIV. THE RECEPTION - XV. THE WHITE BUFFALO - XVI. THE SPY - XVII. FORT MACKENZIE - XVIII. A MOTHER'S CONFESSION - XIX. THE CHASE - XX. INDIAN DIPLOMACY - XXI. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER - XXII. IVON - XXIII. THE PLAN OF THIS CAMPAIGN - XXIV. THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET - XXV. BEFORE THE ATTACK - XXVI. RED WOLF - XXVII. THE ATTACK - XXVIII. CONCLUSION - - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT. - - -America is the land of prodigies! Everything there assumes gigantic -proportions, which startle the imagination and confound the reason. -Mountains, rivers, lakes and streams, all are carved on a sublime -pattern. - -There is a river of North America--not like the Danube, Rhine, or -Rhone, whose banks are covered with towns, plantations, and time-worn -castles: whose sources and tributaries are magnificent streams, the -waters of which, confined in a narrow bed, rush onwards as if impatient -to lose themselves in the ocean--but deep and silent, wide as an arm -of the sea, calm and severe in its grandeur, it pours majestically -onwards, its waters augmented by innumerable streams, and lazily bathes -the banks of a thousand isles, which it has formed of its own sediment. - -These isles, covered with tall thickets, exhale a sharp or delicious -perfume which the breeze bears far away. Nothing disturbs their -solitude, save the gentle and plaintive appeal of the dove, or the -hoarse and strident voice of the tiger, as it sports beneath the shade. - -At certain spots, trees that have fallen through old age, or have -been uprooted by the hurricane, collect on its waters; then, attached -by creepers and concealed by mud, these fragments of forests become -floating islands. Young shrubs take root upon them: the petunia and -nenuphar expand here and there their yellow roses; serpents, birds, and -caimans come to sport and rest on these verdurous rafts, and are with -them swallowed up in the ocean. - -This river has no name! Others in the same zone are called Nebraska, -Platte, Missouri; but this is simply the _Mecha-Chebe_ the old father -of waters, _the_ river before all! the Mississippi in a word! - -Vast and incomprehensible as is infinity, full of secret terrors, like -the Ganges and Irrawaddy, it is the type of fecundity, immensity, and -eternity to the numerous Indian nations that inhabit its banks. - - * * * * * - -Three men were seated on the bank of the river, a little below its -confluence with the Missouri, and were breakfasting on a slice of roast -elk, while gaily chatting together. - -The spot where they were seated was remarkably picturesque. The bank -of the river was formed of small mounds, enamelled with flowers. The -strangers had selected for their halt the top of the highest mound, -whence the eye embraced a magnificent panorama. In the foreground, -dense curtains of verdure which undulated with each breath of air: on -the islands innumerable flocks of dark-winged flamingos, perched on -their long legs, plovers and cardinals fluttering from bough to bough, -while numerous alligators lazily wallowed in the mud. Between the -islands, the silvery patches of water reflected the sunbeams. In the -midst of these masses of coruscating light, fishes of every description -sported on the surface of the water, and traced sparkling furrows. -Further back, as far as the eye could reach, the tops of the trees that -bordered the prairie, and whose dark green scarcely showed upon the -horizon. - -But the three men we have mentioned seemed to trouble themselves very -slightly about the natural beauties that surrounded them, as they -were fully engaged in appeasing a true hunter's appetite. Their meal, -however, only lasted a few minutes, and when the last fragments had -been devoured, one lighted his Indian pipe, the other took a cigar -from his pocket. They then stretched themselves on the grass, and -began digesting with that beatitude which characterizes smokers, while -following with a languid eye the clouds of bluish smoke that rose in -long spirals with each mouthful they puffed forth. As for the third -man, he leant his back against a tree, crossed his arms, on his chest, -and went to sleep most prosaically. - -We will profit by this momentary repose to present these persons to our -readers, and make them better acquainted with each other. The first was -a Canadian half-breed, of about fifty years of age, and known by the -name of "Bright-eye." His life had been entirely spent on the prairie -among the Indians, all of whose tricks he was thoroughly acquainted -with. - -Like the majority of his countrymen he was very tall, more than six -feet in height: his body was thin and angular; his limbs were knotty, -but covered with muscles, hard as ropes; his bony and yellow face had -a remarkable expression of frankness and joviality, and his little grey -eyes sparkled with intelligence; his prominent cheekbones, his nose -bent down over a wide mouth supplied with long white teeth, and his -rounded chin, made up a face which was the most singular, and, at the -same time, the most attractive that could be imagined. - -His dress differed in no respect from that of the other wood rangers; -that is to say, it was a strange medley of European and Indian -fashions, generally adopted by all the white prairie hunters and -trappers. His weapons consisted of a knife, a pair of pistols, and an -American rifle, now lying on the grass, but within reach of his hand. - -His companion was a man of thirty to thirty-two years of age at the -most, but who appeared scarce twenty-five, tall, and well made. His -blue eyes, limpid as a woman's, the long light curls that escaped -beneath the edge of his Panama hat, and floated in disorder on his -shoulders, the whiteness of his skin, which contrasted with the olive -and brown complexion of the hunter, were sufficient evidence that he -was not born in the hot climate of America. - -In fact, this young man was a Frenchman, Charles Edward de Beaulieu, -and was descended from one of the oldest families in Brittany. But, -under this slightly effeminate appearance, he concealed a lion's -courage which nothing could startle or even surprise. Skilled in all -bodily exercises, he was also endowed with prodigious strength, and the -delicate skin of his white and unstained hands, with their rosy nails, -covered nerves of steel. - -The Count's dress would reasonably have appeared extraordinary in a -country remote from civilization to anyone who had leisure to examine -it. He wore a hunting jacket of green cloth, of a French cut, and -buttoned over his chest; yellow doeskin breeches, fastened by a waist -belt of varnished leather; a cartouche box, and a hunting knife in a -bronzed steel sheath, and with an admirably chiselled hilt: while his -legs were covered by long riding boots, coming up over the knee. Like -his companion, he had laid his rifle on the grass: this weapon, richly -damascened, must have cost an enormous sum. - -The Count de Beaulieu, whose father followed the princes into exile -and served them actively, first in Conde's army and then in all the -Royalist plots that were incessantly formed during the Empire, was an -ultra-Royalist. Left an orphan at an early age, and possessed of an -immense fortune, he was nominated a lieutenant in the Gardes du Corps. -After the fall of Charles X., the Count, whose career was broken up, -was assailed by a fearful despondency, and an unenviable disregard for -life filled his heart. Europe became hateful to him, and he resolved -to bid it an eternal farewell. After intrusting the management of his -fortune to a confidential agent, the Count embarked for the United -States. - -But American life, narrow, paltry, and egotistic, was not made for him; -for the young man understood the Americans no better than they did -him. His heart was ulcerated by the meanness and trickery he saw daily -committed by the descendants of the Plymouth Brethren, so he one day -resolved to bury himself in the depths of the country, and visit those -immense prairies whence the first lords of the soil had been driven by -the cunning and treachery of their crafty despoilers. - -The Count had brought with him from France an old servant of the -family, whose progenitors, for many generations, had uninterruptedly -served the Beaulieus. Before embarking, the Count imparted his plans -to Ivon Kergollec, leaving him at liberty to remain behind or follow; -the servant's choice was not long, he simply replied that his master -had the right to do what he pleased without consulting him, and as it -was his duty to follow his master everywhere, he should do so. Even -when the Count formed the resolve of visiting the prairies, and thought -it right to tell his servant his resolution, the answer was still the -same. Ivon was about forty-five years of age, and was a true type of -the hardy, simple, and withal crafty Breton peasant; he was short -and stumpy, but his well-knit limbs and wide chest denoted immense -strength. His brick-coloured face was illumined by two small eyes, -which sparkled with cleverness and flashed like carbuncles. - -Ivon, whose life had been spent calmly and lazily in the gilded halls -of Beaulieu House, had gradually assumed the regular habits of a -nobleman's lackey; having had no occasion to prove his courage, he was -completely ignorant of the possession of that quality, and, although -during the last few months he had been placed in many dangerous -circumstances while following his master, he was still at the same -point, that is to say, he completely doubted himself, and had the -innate conviction that he was as cowardly as a hare; so nothing was -more curious after a meeting with the Indians than to hear Ivon, who -had been fighting like a lion and performing prodigies of valour, -excuse himself humbly to his master for having behaved so badly, as he -was not used to fighting. - -It is needless to say that the Count excused him, while laughing -heartily, and telling him as a consolation--for the poor fellow was -very unhappy at this supposed cowardice--that the next time he would -probably do better, and that he would gradually grow accustomed to this -life, which was so different from that he had hitherto led. At this -consolation the worthy man-servant would nod his head sorrowfully, and -reply, with an accent of thorough conviction:-- - -"No, sir, I can never have any courage. I feel sure of it; it is a sad -truth, but I am a poltroon. I am only too well aware of it." - -Ivon was dressed in a complete suit of livery, though, in regard to -present circumstances, he was, like his companions, armed to the teeth, -and his rifle leant against the tree by his side. - -Three magnificent horses, full of fire and blood, hobbled a few paces -from the hunters, were carelessly browsing on the climbing peas and -young tree shoots. - -We have omitted to mention two peculiarities of the Count. The first -was, he always carried in his right eye a gold eyeglass, fastened round -his neck by means of a black ribbon; the second, that he continually -wore kid gloves, which we confess, greatly to his annoyance, had now -grown very dirty and torn. - -And now, by what strange combination of chance were these three men, -so differing in birth, habits, and education, met together some five -or six hundred leagues from any civilized abode, on the banks of a -river, if not unknown, at any rate hitherto unexplored, seated amicably -on the grass, and sharing a breakfast which was more than frugal? We -can explain this in a few words to the reader by cursorily describing -a scene that occurred in the prairie about six months prior to the -beginning of our narrative. - -Bright-eye was a determined man, who, with the exception of the time -he served the Hudson's Bay Company, had always hunted and trapped -alone, despising the Indians too much to fear them, and finding in -braving them that delight which the courageous man experiences, when, -alone and beneath the eye of Heaven, he struggles, confiding in his -own resources, against a terrible and unknown danger. The Indians -knew and feared him for many a long year. Many times they had come -into collision with him, and they had nearly always been compelled to -retreat, leaving several of their men on the field. Hence they had -sworn against the hunter one of those hearty Indian hatreds which -nothing can satiate save the punishment of the man who is the object of -it. - -But as they knew with what sort of man they had to deal, and did not -care to increase the number of the victims he had already sacrificed, -they resolved to await, with the peculiar patience characteristic of -their race, the propitious moment for seizing their foe, and till then -confine themselves to carefully watching all his movements, so as not -to lose the favourable opportunity when it presented itself. - -Bright-eye at this moment was hunting on the banks of the Missouri. -Knowing himself watched, and instinctively suspecting a trap, he took -all the precautions suggested to him by his inventive mind and the deep -knowledge he possessed of Indian tricks. One day, while exploring the -banks of the river, he fancied he noticed, a slight distance ahead -of him, an almost imperceptible movement in the thick brushwood. He -stopped, lay down, and began crawling gently in the direction of the -thicket. Suddenly the forest seemed agitated to its most unexplored -depths, A swarm of Indians rose from the earth, leaped from the trees, -or rushed from behind rocks; the hunter, literally buried beneath the -mass of his enemies, was reduced to a state of powerlessness, before he -could even make an attempt to defend himself. - -Bright-eye was disarmed in a twinkling; then a chief walked up to him, -and holding out his hand, said coldly-- - -"Let my brother rise; the Redskin warriors are waiting for him." - -"Good, good," the hunter growled; "all is not over yet, Indian, and I -shall have my revenge." - -The chief smiled. - -"My brother is like the mockingbird," he said ironically; "he speaks -too much." - -Bright-eye bit his lips to keep back the insult that rose to them; he -got up and followed his victors. He was a prisoner to the Piekanns, -the most warlike tribe of the Blackfeet; and the chief who had taken -him was his personal enemy. The chief's name was _Natah Otann_ (the -Grizzly Bear). He was a man of five-and-twenty at the most, with a fine -intelligent face, bearing the imprint of honesty. His tall figure, -well-proportioned limbs, the grace of his movements, and his martial -aspect, rendered him a remarkable man. His long black hair, carefully -parted, fell in disorder on his shoulders; like all the renowned -warriors of his tribe, he wore on the back of his head an ermine skin, -and round his neck bears' claws mingled with buffalo teeth, a very -dear and highly-honoured ornament among the Indians. His shirt of -buffalo hide, with short sleeves, was decorated round the neck with a -species of collar of red cloth, ornamented with fringe and porcupine -quills; the seams of the garment were embroidered with hair taken from -scalps, the whole relieved by small bands of ermine skin. His moccasins -of different colours, were loaded with very elegant embroidery, while -his buffalo hide robe was quilted inside with a number of clumsy -designs, intended to depict the young warrior's achievements. - -Natah Otann held in his right hand a fan made of a single eagle's wing, -and, suspended round the wrist from the same hand by a thong, the -short-handled long-lashed whip peculiar to the prairie Indians; on his -back hung his bow and arrows in a quiver of a jaguar's skin; at his -waist a bullet bag, his powder flask, his long hunting knife, and his -club. His shield hung on his left hip, while his gun lay across the -neck of his horse, which wore a magnificent panther skin for a saddle. -The appearance of this savage child of the woods, whose cloak and long -plumes fluttered in the wind, curveting, on a steed as untamed as -himself, had something about it striking, and, at the same time, grand. - -Natah Otann was the first sachem of his tribe. He made the hunter a -sign to mount a horse one of the warriors held by the bridle, and the -whole party proceeded at a gallop towards the camp of the tribe. They -rode onward in silence, and the chief seemed to pay no attention to his -prisoner. The latter, free in appearance, and mounted on an excellent -horse, made not the slightest attempt to escape; at a glance he had -judged the position, saw that the Indians did not lose sight of him, -and that he should be immediately recaptured if he attempted flight. -The Piekanns had formed their camp on the slope of a wooded hill. -For two days they seemed to have forgotten their prisoner, to whom -they never once spoke. On the evening of the second day, Bright-eye -was carelessly walking about and smoking his pipe, when Natah Otann -approached him. - -"Is my brother ready?" he asked him. - -"For what?" the hunter said, stopping and pouring forth a volume of -smoke. - -"To die," the chief continued, laconically. - -"Quite." - -"Good; my brother will die tomorrow." - -"You think so," the hunter replied with great coolness. - -The Indian looked at him for a moment in amazement; then he repeated, -"My brother will die tomorrow." - -"I heard you perfectly well, chief," the Canadian said, with a smile; -"and I repeat again, do you believe it?" - -"Let my brother look," the sachem said, with a significant gesture. - -The hunter raised his head. - -"Bah!" he said, carelessly; "I see that all the preparations are made, -and conscientiously so, but what does that prove? I am not dead yet, I -suppose." - -"No, but my brother will soon be so." - -"We shall see tomorrow," Bright-eye answered, shrugging his shoulders. - -And leaving the astonished chief, he lay down at the foot of a tree -and fell asleep. His sleep was so real, that the Indians were obliged -to wake him next morning at daybreak. The Canadian opened his eyes, -yawned two or three times, as if going to put his jaw out, and got up. -The Redskins led him to the post of torture, to which he was firmly -fastened. - -"Well!" Natah Otann said, with a grin, "what does my brother think at -present?" - -"Eh!" Bright-eye answered, with that magnificent coolness which never -deserted him, "do you fancy that I am already dead?" - -"No, but my brother will be so in an hour." - -"Bah!" the Canadian said, carelessly; "many things can happen within an -hour." - -Natah Otann withdrew, secretly admiring the intrepid countenance of his -prisoner; but, after taking a few steps, he reflected, and returned to -Bright-eye's side. - -"Let my brother listen," he said, "a friend speaks to him." - -"Go on, chief, I am all ears." - -"My brother is a strong man; his heart is great," Natah Otann said; "he -is a terrible warrior." - -"You know something of that, chief, I fancy," the Canadian replied. - -The sachem repressed a movement of anger. - -"My brother's eye is infallible, his arm is sure," he went on. - -"Tell me at once what you want to come to, chief, and don't waste your -time in your Indian beating round the bush." - -The chief smiled as he said, in a gentler voice, "Bright-eye is alone; -his lodge is solitary. Why has not so great a warrior a companion?" - -The hunter fixed a searching glance on the speaker. - -"What does that concern you?" he said. - -Natah Otann continued,-- - -"The nation of the Blackfeet is powerful; the young women of the -Piekann tribe are fair." - -The Canadian quickly interrupted him. - -"Enough, chief," he said; "in spite of all your shiftings to reach your -point, I have guessed your meaning; but I will never take an Indian -girl to be my wife; so you can refrain from further offers, which will -not have a satisfactory result." - -Natah Otann frowned. - -"Dog of the palefaces," he cried, stamping his foot angrily, "this -night my young men will make war whistles of thy bones, and will drink -the firewater out of thy skull." - -With this terrible threat, the chief finally quitted the hunter, who -regarded him depart with a shrug, and muttered, "The last word is -not spoken yet; this is not the first time I have found myself in -a desperate position, but I have escaped; there are no reasons why -I should be less lucky today. Hum! this will serve me as a lesson: -another time I will be more prudent." - -In the meantime the chief had given orders to begin the punishment, -and the preparations were rapidly made. Bright-eye followed all the -movements of the Indians with a curious eye, as if he were a perfectly -unconcerned witness. - -"Yes, yes," he went on, "my fine fellows, I see you; you are preparing -all the instruments for my torture; there is the green wood intended -to smoke me like a ham; you are cutting the spikes you mean to run up -under my nails. Eh, eh!" he added, with a perfect air of satisfaction; -"you are going to begin with firing; let's see how skilful you are. -Ah, what fun it is for you to have a white hunter to torture. The Lord -knows what strange ideas may be passing through your Indian noddles; -but I recommend you to make haste, or it is very possible I may escape." - -During this monologue, twenty warriors, the most skilful of the tribe, -had ranged themselves about one hundred yards from the prisoner; the -firing commenced; the balls all struck within an inch of the hunter's -head, who, at each shot, shook his head like a drowned sparrow, to the -great delight of the spectators. This amusement had gone on for some -twenty minutes, and would probably have continued much longer, so great -was the fun it afforded the Blackfeet; when suddenly a horseman bounded -into the centre of the clearing, dispersed the Indians in his way by -heavy blows of his whip, and profiting by the stupor occasioned by his -unexpected appearance, galloped up to the prisoner, got down, quickly -cut the thongs that bound him, thrust a brace of pistols in his hand, -and remounted. All this was done in less time than it has taken us to -write it. - -"By Tobias!" Bright-eye joyfully exclaimed, "I was quite sure I wasn't -going to die this time." - -The Indians are not the men to allow themselves to be long subdued -by any feeling; the first moment of surprise past, they surrounded -the horseman, shouting, gesticulating, and brandishing their weapons -furiously. - -"Come, make way there, you scoundrels," the newcomer shouted in a -commanding voice, lashing violently at those who had the imprudence to -come too near him. "Let us be off," he added, turning to the hunter. - -"I wish for nothing better," the latter made answer; "but it does not -seem easy." - -"Bah! let us try it, at any rate," the stranger continued, carefully -affixing his glass in his eye. - -"We will," Bright-eye said cheerfully. - -The stranger who had so providentially arrived, was the Count de -Beaulieu, as our readers will probably have conjectured. - -"Hilloh!" the Count shouted loudly, "come here, Ivon." - -"Here I am, my lord," a voice answered from the forest; and a second -horseman, leaping into the clearing, coolly ranged himself by the side -of the first. - -There was something strange in the group formed by these three stoical -men in the midst of the hundreds of Indians yelling around them. The -Count, with his glass in his eye, his haughty glance, and disdainful -lip, was setting the hammer of his rifle. Bright-eye, with a pistol in -each hand, was preparing to sell his life dearly, while the servant -calmly awaited the order to charge the savages. The Indians, furious -at the audacity of the white men, were preparing, with multitudinous -yells and gestures, to take a prompt vengeance on the men who had so -imprudently placed themselves in their power. - -"These Indians are very ugly," the Count said; "now that you are free, -my friend, we have nothing more to do here, so let us be off." - -And he made a sign, as if to force a passage. The Blackfeet moved -forward. - -"Take care," Bright-eye shouted. - -"Nonsense," the Count said, shrugging his shoulders, "can these scamps -intend to bar the way?" - -The hunter looked at him with the air of a man who does not know -exactly if he has to do with a madman or a being endowed with reason, -so extraordinary did this remark seem to him. The Count dug his spurs -into his horse. - -"Well," Bright-eye muttered, "he will be killed, but for all that he is -a fine fellow: I will not leave him." - -In truth it was a critical moment: the Indians, formed in close column, -were preparing to make a desperate charge on the three men--a charge -which would, probably, be decisive, for the Europeans, without shelter, -and entirely exposed to the shots of their enemies, could not hope to -escape. Still, that was not the Count's conviction. Not noticing the -gestures and hostile cries of the Redskins, he advanced towards them, -with his glass still in his eye. Since the Count's apparition, the -Indian sachem, as if struck with stupor at the sight, had not made -a move, but stood with his eyes fixed upon him, under the influence -of extraordinary emotion. Suddenly, at the moment when the Blackfeet -warriors were shouldering their guns, or fitting their arrows to the -bows, Natah Otann seemed to form a resolution: he rushed forward, and -raising his buffalo robe,-- - -"Stop!" he shouted, in a loud voice. - -The Indians, obedient to their chiefs voice, immediately halted. The -sachem took three steps, bowed respectfully before the Count, and said -in a submissive voice:-- - -"My father must pardon his children, they did not know him: but my -father is great, his power is immense, his goodness infinite: he will -forget anything offensive in their conduct toward him." - -Bright-eye, astonished at this harangue, translated it to the Count, -honestly confessing that he did not understand what it meant. - -"By Jove!" the Count replied, with a smile, "they are afraid." - -"Hum!" the hunter muttered, "that is not so clear: it is something -else; but no matter, it will be diamond cut diamond." - -Then he turned to Natah Otann. - -"The great pale chief," he said, "is satisfied with the respect his red -children feel for him: he pardons them." Natah Otann made a movement of -joy. The three men passed through the ranks of the Indians, and buried -themselves in the forest, their retreat being in no way impeded. - -"Ouf!" Bright-eye said, as soon as he found himself in safety, "I'm -well out of that; but," he added shaking his head, "there is something -extraordinary about the matter, which I cannot fathom." - -"Now, my friend," the Count said to him, "you are free to go whither -you please." - -The hunter thought for an instant. "Bah!" he replied, after a few -moments had passed, "I owe you my life. Although I do not know you, you -strike me as a good fellow." - -"You flatter me," the Count remarked, smiling. - -"My faith, no; I say what I think. If you are agreeable we will stay -together, at any rate until I have acquitted the debt I owe you by -saving your life in my turn." - -The Count offered him his hand. - -"Thanks, my friend," he said, much moved; "I accept your offer." - -"That is settled, then," the hunter joyfully exclaimed, as he pressed -the offered hand. - -Bright-eye, at first attached to the Count by gratitude, soon felt -quite a paternal affection for him. But he understood no more -than the first day the young man's behaviour, for he acted under -all circumstances as if he were in France, and, by his rashness, -universally foiled the hunter's Indian experience. This was carried -so far, that the Canadian, superstitious like all primitive natures, -soon grew into the persuasion that the Count's life was protected by a -charm, so many times had he seen him emerge victoriously from positions -in which anyone else would have infallibly succumbed. - -At length, nothing appeared to him impossible with such a companion, -and the most extraordinary propositions the Count made him seemed -perfectly feasible, the more so as success crowned all their -enterprises by some incomprehensible charm, and in a way contrary to -all foresight. The Indians, by a strict agreement, had given up all -contests with them, and even avoided any contact: if they perceived -them at any time, all the Redskins, whatever tribe they might belong -to, treated the Count with the utmost deference, and addressed him with -an expression of terror mingled with love, the explanation of which the -hunter sought in vain, for none of the Indians could or would give it. - -This state of things had lasted for six months up to the moment when we -saw the three men breakfasting on the banks of the Mississippi. We will -now take up our story again at the point where we left it, terminating -our explanation, which was indispensable for the right comprehension of -what follows. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A TRAIL DISCOVERED. - - -Our friends would probably have remained for a long time plunged in -their present state of beatitude had not a slight sound in the river -suddenly recalled them to the exigencies of their position. - -"What's that?" the Count said, flipping off the ash from his cigar. - -Bright-eye glided among the shrubs, looked for a moment, and then -calmly returned to his seat. - -"Nothing," he said; "two alligators sporting in the mud." - -"Ah!" the Count said. There was a moment's silence, during which the -hunter mentally calculated the length of the shadow of the trees on the -ground. - -"It is past midday," he said. - -"You think so," the young man remarked. - -"No; I am sure of it, sir Count." - -"Confound you! you are at it again," the young man said with a smile. -"I have told you to call me by my Christian name; but if you do not -like that, call me like the Indians." - -"Nay!" the hunter objected. - -"What is the name they gave me, Bright-eye? I have forgotten." - -"Oh! I should not like, sir--" - -"Eh?" - -"Edward, I meant to say." - -"Come, that is better," the young man remarked laughingly; "but I must -beg of you to repeat the nickname." - -"They call you 'Glass-eye.'" - -"Oh, yes! that's it;" the Count continued his laugh. "Only Indians -could have such an idea as that." - -"Oh," Bright-eye went on, "the Indians are not what you suppose them; -they are as crafty as the demon." - -"Come, stop that, Bright-eye; I always suspected you of having a -weakness for the Redskins." - -"How can you say that, when I am their obstinate enemy, and have been -fighting them for the last forty years?" - -"That is the very reason that makes you defend them." - -"How so?" the hunter said, astonished at this conclusion, which he was -far from expecting. - -"For a very simple reason. No one likes to contend with enemies -unworthy of him, and it is quite natural you should try to elevate -those against whom you have been fighting for forty years." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"Mr. Edward," he said, with a thoughtful air, "the Redskins are people -whom it takes many a long year to know. They possess at once the craft -of the opossum, the prudence of the serpent, and the courage of the -cougar. A few years hence you will not despise them as you do now." - -"My good fellow," the Count objected, "I hope I shall have left the -prairies within a year. I am yearning for a civilized life. I want -Paris, with its opera and balls. No, no; the desert does not suit me." - -The hunter shook his head a second time. Then he continued, with a -mournful accent, which struck the young man, and, as if rather speaking -to himself, than replying to the Count's remarks-- - -"Yes, yes; that is the way with Europeans: when they arrive on the -prairies, they regret civilized life, and the desert is only gradually -appreciated; but when a man has breathed the odours of the savannah, -when during long nights he has listened to the rustling of the wind -in the trees, and the howling of the wild beasts in the virgin -forests--when he has admired that proud landscape which owes nothing to -art, where the hand of God is imprinted at each step in ineffaceable -characters: when he has gazed on the glorious scenes that rise in -succession before him--then he begins by degrees to love this unknown -world, so full of mysteries and strange incidents; his eyes are opened -to the truth, and he repudiates the falsehoods of civilization. At -such a a moment he experiences emotions full of secret charms, and -recognizing no other master save that God, in whose presence he feels -himself so small, he forgets everything to lead a nomadic life, and -remains in the desert, because there alone he feels free, happy--a man, -in a word! Ah, sir, whatever you may say, whatever you may do, the -desert now holds you: you have tasted its joys and its griefs; it will -not allow you to depart so easily--you will not see France again so -speedily--the desert will retain you in spite of yourself." - -The young man had listened with an emotion for which he could not -account, to this long harangue. In his heart he recognized, through the -hunter's exaggeration, the justice of his reasoning, and felt startled -at being compelled to allow him to be in the right. Not knowing what -to reply, or feeling that he was beaten, the Count suddenly turned the -conversation. - -"Hum!" he began, "I think you said it was past twelve?" - -"About a quarter past," the hunter answered. - -The Count consulted, his watch. - -"Quite right," he said. - -"Oh!" the hunter continued, pointing to the sun, "that is the only true -clock; it never goes too fast or too slow, for Heaven regulates it." - -The young man bowed his head affirmatively. - -"We will start," he said. - -"For what good at this moment?" the Canadian asked. "We have nothing -pressing before us." - -"That is true; but are you sure we have not lost our way?" - -"Lost our way!" the hunter exclaimed, with a start of surprise, almost -of anger; "no, no, it is impossible. I guarantee that within a week we -shall be on Lake Itasca." - -"The Mississippi really runs from that lake?" - -"Yes; for, in spite of what is asserted, the Missouri is only the -principal branch of that river: the savants would have done better to -assure themselves of the fact, ere they declared that the Mississippi -and Missouri are two separate rivers." - -"What would you have, Bright-eye?" the Count said, laughingly. "Savants -are the same in all countries; being naturally indolent, they rely -on one another, and hence the infinity of absurdities they put in -circulation with the most astounding coolness." - -"The Indians are never mistaken." - -"That is true; but then the Indians are not savants." - -"No; they see for themselves, and only assert what they are sure of." - -"That is what I meant," the Count replied. - -"If you will listen to me, Mr. Edward, we will remain here a few hours -longer to let the great heat pass off, and when the sun is going down -we will start again." - -"Very good; let us rest then. Ivon appears to be thoroughly of our -opinion, for he has not stirred." - -The Count had risen; before sitting down, he mechanically cast a glance -on the immense plain which lay so calmly and majestically at his feet. - -"Eh!" he suddenly exclaimed, "what is that down there?--look, -Bright-eye." - -The hunter rose and looked in the direction indicated by the Count. - -"Well--do you see nothing?" the young man remarked. - -Bright-eye, with his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glare -of the sun, looked attentively without replying. - -"Well?" the Count said, at the expiration of a moment. - -"We are no longer alone," the hunter answered; "there are men down -there." - -"How men? We have seen no Indian trail." - -"I did not say they were Indians." - -"Hum! I suppose at this distance it would be rather difficult to decide -who they are." - -Bright-eye smiled. - -"You always judge from your knowledge obtained in the civilized world, -Mr. Edward," he answered. - -"Which means--?" the young man said, intensely piqued at the -observation. - -"That you are always wrong." - -"Hang it, my friend! You will allow me to observe, all individuality -apart, that it is impossible at this distance to recognize anybody. -Especially when nothing can be distinguished, save a little white -smoke." - -"Is not that enough? Do you believe that all smoke is alike?" - -"That is rather a subtle distinction; and I confess that to me all -smoke is alike." - -"That's where the error is," the Canadian continued, with great -coolness, "and when you have spent a few years in the prairie you will -not be deceived." - -The Count looked at him attentively, convinced that he was laughing at -him; but the other continued, with the utmost calmness-- - -"What we notice down there is neither the fire of Indians nor of -hunters, but is kindled by white men, not yet accustomed to a desert -life." - -"Perhaps you will have the goodness to explain." - -"I will do so, and you will soon allow that I am correct. Listen, Mr. -Edward, for this is important to know." - -"I am listening, my good fellow." - -"You are not ignorant," the hunter continued imperturbably, "that what -is conventionally called the desert is largely populated." - -"Quite true," the young man said, smiling. - -"Good; but the enemies most to be feared in the prairies are not wild -beasts so much as men; the Indians and hunters are so well aware of -this fact that they try as much as possible to destroy all traces of -their passage and hide their presence." - -"I admit that." - -"Very good; when the Redskins or the hunters are obliged to light a -fire, either to prepare their food or ward off the cold, they select -most carefully the wood they intend to burn, and never employ any but -dry wood." - -"Hum! I do not see the use of that." - -"You will soon understand me," the hunter continued; "dry wood only -produces a bluish smoke, which is difficult to detect from the sky, and -this renders it invisible at a short distance; while on the other hand, -green wood, through its dampness, produces a white dense smoke, which -reveals for a long distance the presence of those who kindle it. This -is the reason why, by a mere inspection of that smoke, I told you just -now that the people down there were white men, and strangers, moreover, -to the prairie, else they would have employed dry wood." - -"By Jove," the young man exclaimed, "that is curious, and I should like -to convince myself." - -"What do you intend doing?" - -"Why, go and see who are the people that have lighted the fire." - -"Why disturb yourself, since I have told you?" - -"That is possible; but what I propose doing is for my personal -satisfaction; since we have been living together you have told me such -extraordinary things, that I should like, once in a way, to know what -faith to place in them." - -And not listening to the Canadian's observations, the young man aroused -his servant. - -"What do you want, my lord?" the latter said, rubbing his eyes. - -"The horses, and quickly too, Ivon." - -The Breton rose and bridled the horses; the Count leaped into the -saddle; the hunter imitated him, though shaking his head; and the three -trotted down the hill. - -"You will see Mr. Edward," Bright-eye said, "that I was in the right." - -"I am certain of it; still I should like to judge for myself." - -"If that is the case, allow me to go in front; for, as we do not know -with what people we may have to deal, it is as well to be on our guard." - -The Canadian headed the party. The fire the Count had seen from the top -of the hill was not so near as he supposed, the hunter was incessantly -compelled to get out of the way of dense thickets which barred the way, -and this lengthened the distance; so that they took nearly two hours -in reaching the spot they were steering for. When they had at length -arrived within a short distance of the fire which had so perplexed -M. de Beaulieu, the Canadian stopped, making his companions a sign -to imitate him. When they had done so, Bright-eye got down, gave his -horse's bridle to Ivon, and taking his rifle in his hand, said, "I am -going on a voyage of discovery." - -"Go," the young man replied, laconically. - -The Count was a man of tried courage; but since he had been in the -prairie he had learned one thing, that courage without prudence is -madness in the presence of enemies who never act without calling craft -and treachery to their aid; hence, gradually renouncing his chivalrous -ideas, he was beginning to adopt the habits of the desert, knowing very -well that in an ambuscade the advantage nearly always remains with the -man who first discovers the enemies whom chance may bring in his way. -The Count, therefore, patiently awaited the hunter's return, who had -silently glided among the trees, and disappeared in the direction of -the fire. At the end of about an hour the shrubs shook, and Bright-eye -reappeared at a point opposite to that where he had started. The old -wood ranger had been considerably bothered by the apparition of the -distant fire which the Count pointed out to him from the top of the -hill. So soon as he was alone, putting in practice the axiom, that the -shortest road from one point to another is a curved line, the truth of -which is proved in the prairie, he had taken a wide circuit, in order -to come, if it were possible, on the trail of the men he wished to -observe, and from it discover who they really were. - -In the desert, the meeting most feared is that with man. Every stranger -is at first an enemy, and hence persons generally accost each other at -a distance, with the barrel of the gun advanced, and the finger on the -trigger. With that infallible glance the experience of the savannahs -had given him, Bright-eye had noticed from a distance a place where the -grass was laid, and the strangers must have passed along that road. -The hunter, still bent down to escape observation, soon found himself -on the edge of a track about four feet wide, the end of which was lost -in a virgin forest a short distance ahead. After stopping a minute, to -recover his breath, the Canadian placed the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and began carefully studying the traces so deeply imprinted on -the plain. His investigation did not last ten minutes; then he raised -his head with a smile, threw his rifle on his shoulder, and quietly -returned to the spot where he had left his companions, not even taking -the trouble to go to the fire. This brief examination had told him all -he wished to know. - -"Well, Bright-eye, any news?" the Count asked, on noticing him. - -"The people, whose fire we perceived," the hunter replied, "are -American emigrants, pioneers who wish to set up their tent in the -desert. The family is composed of six persons--four men and two women; -they have a waggon to carry their baggage, and have with them a large -number of beasts." - -"Mount your horse, Bright-eye, and let us go and welcome these worthy -people to the desert." - -The hunter remained motionless and thoughtful, leaning on his rifle. - -"Well," the Count said, "did you not hear me, my friend?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward, I perfectly understood you; but among the traces left -by the emigrants I discovered others which appeared to me suspicious, -and I should like, before venturing into their camp, to beat up the -neighbourhood." - -"What traces do you allude to?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Well," the hunter went on, "you know that, rightly or wrongly, the -Redskins claim to be kings of the prairies, and will not endure there -the presence of white men." - -"I consider that they are perfectly right in doing so; since the -discovery of America, the white men have gradually dispossessed them of -their territory, and driven them back on the desert; they are defending -their last refuge, and are justified in doing so." - -"I am perfectly of your opinion, Mr. Edward; the desert ought to -belong to the hunters and the Indians; unfortunately the Americans do -not think so, and they daily quit their cities and proceed into the -interior, establishing themselves here and there, and confiscating to -their benefit the most fertile countries, and those richest in game." - -"What can we do, my good friend?" the Count answered, with a smile; -"it is an irremediable evil, which we must put up with; but I cannot -yet see where you wish to arrive with these reflections, which, though -extremely just, do not appear to me exactly suited to the occasion; so -pray have the goodness to explain your meaning." - -"I will do so. Well, I noticed, by certain signs, that the emigrants -are closely followed by a party of Indians, who probably only await a -favourable moment to attack and massacre them." - -"The deuce!" the young man said; "that is serious of course you warned -these worthy people of the danger that threatens them." - -"I--not at all. I have not spoken to them, nor even seen them." - -"What! you have not seen them?" - -"No; so soon as I recognized the Indian sign, I hurried back to consult -with you." - -"Very good; but as you did not go to their camp, how were you able to -give me such precise information about them and their number?" - -"Oh, very easily," the hunter answered simply; "the desert is a book -entirely written by the hand of God, and it cannot hide its secrets -from a man accustomed to read it. I needed only to look at the trail -for a few minutes to divine everything." - -The Count fixed on the hunter a glance of surprise. Though he had -been living in the prairie for more than six months, he could not yet -understand the species of divination with which the hunter seemed -gifted, with reference to facts that were to himself as a dead letter. - -"Perhaps, though," he said, "the Indians whose trail you detected are -harmless hunters." - -Bright-eye shook his head. - -"There are no harmless hunters among the Indians, especially when they -are on the trail of white men. These Indians belong to three plundering -tribes which I am surprised to see united; they doubtlessly meditate -some extraordinary expedition, in which the massacre of these emigrants -will be one of the least interesting episodes." - -"Who are these Indians? Do you think they are numerous?" - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"The party I discovered is probably only the vanguard of a more -numerous band," he answered; "as far as I could judge, there were not -more than forty; but the Redskin warriors march with the speed of the -antelope, and they can hardly ever be counted; the party is composed of -Comanches, Blackfeet, and Sioux; that is to say, the three most warlike -tribes in the prairie." - -"Hum!" the Count remarked, after a moment's reflection, "if these -demons really mean to attack the Americans, as everything leads us to -suppose, the poor fellows appear to be in an awkward position." - -"Unless a miracle occur, they are lost," the hunter said, concisely. - -"What is to be done--how to warn them?" - -"Mr. Edward, take care what you are going to do." - -"Still we cannot allow men of our own colour to be murdered almost in -our presence; that would be cowardly." - -"Yes; but it would be astounding folly to join them; reflect that there -are only three of us." - -"I know it," the young man said, thoughtfully; "still I would never -consent to abandon these poor people without trying to defend them." - -"Stay, there is only one thing to be done, and perhaps Heaven will come -to our aid." - -"Come, be brief, my friend, time presses." - -"In all probability, the Indians have not yet discovered our trail, -although they must be a short distance from us. Let us, then, return to -the spot where we breakfasted, and which commands the entire prairie. -The Indians never attack their enemy before four in the morning; as -soon as they attempt their attack on the emigrants, we will fall on -their rear; surprised by the sudden aid given the Americans, it is -possible they will fly, for the darkness will prevent them counting us, -and they will never suppose that three men were so mad as to make such -an attack upon them." - -"By Jove!" the Count said, laughing, "that is a good idea of yours, -Bright-eye, and such as I expected from so brave a hunter as yourself; -let us hurry back to our observatory, so as to be ready for every -event." - -The Canadian leaped on his horse, and the three men retraced their -steps. But, according to his custom, Bright-eye, who was apparently a -sworn foe to a straight line, made them describe an infinite number of -turnings, to throw out any person whom accident brought on their track. - -They arrived at the top of the hill just at the moment the sun was -disappearing beneath the horizon. The evening breeze was rising, and -beginning to agitate the tops of the great trees with mysterious -murmurs. The howling of the tigers and cougars was already mingled -with the lowing of the elks and buffaloes, and the sharp yelping of the -red wolves, whose dusky outlines appeared here and there on the river -bank. The sky grew more and more gloomy, and the stars began dotting -the vault of heaven. - -The three hunters sat down carelessly on the top of the hill, at the -same spot they had left a few hours previously with the intention of -never returning, and made preparations for supper,--preparations which -did not take long, for prudence imperiously ordered them not to light -a fire, which would have at once revealed their presence to the unseen -eyes which were, at the moment, probably surveying the desert in every -direction. While eating a few mouthfuls of pemmican, they kept their -eyes fixed on the camp of the emigrants, whose fire was perfectly -visible in the night. - -"Oh Lord!" Bright-eye said, "those people are ignorant of the first law -of the desert, else they would guard against lighting a fire which the -Indians can see for ten leagues round." - -"Bah! that beacon will guide us where to go to their aid," the Count -said. - -"Heaven grant that it be not in vain." - -The meal over, the hunter invited the Count and his servant to sleep -for a few hours. - -"For the present," he said, "we have nothing to fear; let me keep watch -for all, as my eyes are accustomed to see in the darkness." - -The Count did not allow the invitation to be repeated; he rolled -himself in his cloak, and lay down on the ground. Two minutes -later, himself and Ivon were sleeping the sleep of the righteous. -Bright-eye took his seat against the trunk of a tree, and lit a pipe -to soothe the weariness of his night watch. All at once, he bent -his body forward, placed his ear to the ground, and seemed to be -listening attentively. His practised ear had heard a sound at first -imperceptible, but which seemed to be gradually drawing nearer. - -The hunter silently cocked his rifle, and waited. At the expiration of -about a quarter of an hour there was a slight rustling in the thicket, -the branches parted, and a man made his appearance. - -This man was Natah Otann, the sachem of the Piekanns. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE EMIGRANTS. - - -When he went out on the trail, the hunter's old experience did not -deceive him; and the traces he had followed up were really those of -an emigrant family. As it is destined to play a certain part in our -story, we will introduce it to the reader, and explain, as briefly as -possible, by what chain of events it was at this moment encamped on the -prairies of the Upper Mississippi, or, to speak like the learned, on -the banks of the Missouri. - -The history of one emigrant is that of the mass. All are people who, -burdened by a numerous family, find a difficulty in rendering their -children independent, either through the bad quality of the land they -cultivate, or because, in proportion as the population increases, the -land, in the course of a few years, gains an excessive value. - -The Mississippi has become during the last few years the highway of -the world. Every vessel that enters on its waters brings the new -establishments the means of supplying themselves, either by barter or -for money, with the chief commodities of existence. Thus the explorers -have spread along both banks of the river, which have become the -highways of emigration, by the prospect they offer the pioneers of -possessing fine estates, and holding them a number of years, without -the troublesome process of paying rent. - -The word "country," in the sense we attach to it in Europe, does not -exist for the North American. He is not, like our rustics, attached, -from father to son, to the soil which has been the cradle of his -family. He is only attached to the land by what it may bring him -in; but when it is exhausted by too large a crop, and the colonist -has tried in vain to restore its primitive fertility, his mind is -speedily made up. He disposes of things too troublesome or expensive -to transport; only keeps what is absolutely necessary, as servants, -horses, and domestic utensils; says good-bye to his neighbours, who -press his hand as if the journey he is about to undertake is the -simplest matter in the world, and at daybreak, on a fine spring -morning, he gaily sets out, turning a parting and careless glance at -that country where he and his family have lived so long. His thoughts -are already directed forward; the past no longer exists for him, the -future alone smiles on him and sustains his courage. - -Nothing is so simple, primitive, and at the same time picturesque, as -the departure of a family of pioneers. The horses are attached to the -wagons, already laden with the bed furniture and the younger children, -while on the other side are fastened the spinning wheels, and swaying -behind, a skin filled with tallow and pitch. The axes are laid in the -bottom of the cart, and cauldrons and pots roll about pell-mell in the -horses' trough; the tents and provisions are securely fastened under -the vehicle, suspended by ropes. Such is the moveable estate of the -emigrant. The eldest son, or a servant, bestrides the first horse, -the pioneer's wife sits on the other. The emigrant and his sons, with -shouldered rifles, walk round the wagon, sometimes in front, sometimes -behind, followed by their dogs, touching up the oxen and watching over -the common safety. - -Thus they set out, travelling by short stages through unexplored -countries and along frightful roads, which they are generally -compelled themselves to make: braving cold and heat, rain and snow, -striving against Indians and wild beasts, seeing at each spot almost -insurmountable difficulties rising before them: but nothing, stops the -emigrants, no peril can check them, no impossibility discourage them. -They march on thus for whole months, keeping intact in their hearts -that faith in their luck which nothing shakes, until they at length -reach a site which offers them those conditions of comfort which they -have sought so long. - -But, alas! how many families that have left the cities of America -full of hope and courage have disappeared, leaving no other trace of -their passage of the prairie than their whitened bones and scattered -furniture. The Indians, ever on the watch at the entrance of the -desert, attack the caravans, mercilessly massacre the pioneers, and -carry off into slavery their wives and daughters, avenging themselves -on the emigrants for the atrocities to which they have been victims -during so many centuries, and continuing, to their own profit, that -war of extermination which the white men inaugurated on their landing -in America, and which, since that period, has gone on uninterruptedly. - -John Black belonged to the class of emigrants we have just described. -One day, about four months previously, he quitted his house, which was -falling to ruins, and loading the little he possessed on a cart, he -set out, followed by his family, consisting of his wife, his daughter, -his son, and two menservants who had consented to follow his fortunes. -Since that period they had not stopped. They had marched boldly -forward, cutting their way by the help of their axes through the virgin -forests, and determined on traversing the desert, until they found a -spot favourable for the establishment of a new household. - -At the period when our story takes place, emigration was much rarer -than it is at present, when, owing to the recent discovery of -auriferous strata in California and on the Fraser River, an emigration -fever has seized on the masses with such intensity, that the old world -is growing more and more depopulated, to the profit of the new. Gold is -a magnet whose strength attracts, without distinction, young or old, -men or women, by the hope, too often deceived, of acquiring in a little -time, at the cost of some slight fatigue, a fortune; which, however, -rarely compensates for the labour undergone in its collection. - -It was, therefore, unusual boldness on the part of John Black thus to -venture, without any possible aid, into a country hitherto utterly -unexplored, and of which the Indians were masters. Mr. Black was -born in Virginia: he was a man of about fifty, of middle height, but -strongly built, and gifted with uncommon vigour; and, although his -features were very ordinary, his face had a rare expression of firmness -and resolution. - -His wife, ten years younger than himself, was a gentle and holy -creature, on whose brow fatigue and alarm had long before formed deep -furrows, beneath which, however, a keen observer could have still -detected traces of no ordinary beauty. - -William Black, the emigrant's son, was a species of giant of more than -six feet in height, aged two-and-twenty, of Herculean build, and whose -jolly, plump face, surrounded by thick tufts of hair of a more than -sandy hue, breathed frankness and joviality. - -Diana, his sister, formed a complete contrast with him. She was a -little creature, scarce sixteen years of age, with eyes of a deep -blue like the sky, apparently frail and delicate, with a dreamy brow -and laughing mouth, which belonged both to woman and angel; and whose -strange beauty seduced at the first glance and subjugated at the -first word that fell from her rosy lips. Diana was the idol of the -family--the cherished idol, that everyone adored, and who, by a word -or a glance, could command the obedience of the rude natures that -surrounded her, and who only seemed to live that they might satisfy her -slightest caprices. - -Sam and James, the two labourers, were worthy Kentucky rustics, of -extraordinary strength, and who concealed a great amount of cunning -beneath their simple and even slightly silly aspect. These two young -fellows, one of whom was twenty-six, the other hardly thirty, had grown -up in John Black's house, and had vowed to him an unbounded devotion, -of which they had furnished proofs several times since the journey -began. - -When John left his house to go in search of a more fertile country, -he proposed to these two men to leave him, not wishing to expose them -to the dangers of the precarious life which was about to begin for -himself; but both shook their heads negatively, replying to all that -was said to them, that it was their duty to follow their master, no -matter whither he went, and they were ready to accompany him to the end -of the world. The emigrant had been obliged to yield to a determination -so clearly expressed, and replied, that as matters were so, they might -follow him. Hence these two honest labourers were not regarded as -servants, but as friends, and treated in accordance. In truth, there -is nothing like a common danger to draw people together; and during -the last four months John Black's family had been exposed to dangers -innumerable. - -The emigrant took with him a rather large number of beasts, which -caused the caravan, despite all the precautions taken, to leave such a -wide trail, as rendered an Indian attack possible at any moment. Still, -up to the present moment, when we pay them a visit, no serious danger -had really menaced them. At times they were exposed to rather smart -alarms; but the Indians had always kept at a respectable distance, and -limited themselves to demonstrations, hostile it is true, but never -followed by any results. - -During the first week of their march, the emigrants, but little versed -in the mode of life of the Redskins, who incessantly prowled round the -party, had been afflicted with the most exaggerated fears, expecting -every moment to be attacked by those ferocious enemies, about whom -they had heard stories which might make the bravest tremble; but, as -so frequently happens, they had grown used to this perpetual threat -of the Indians, and, while taking the strictest precautions for their -safety, they had learned almost to deride the dangers which they had -so much feared at the outset, and felt convinced that their calm and -resolute attitude had produced an effect on the Redskins, and that the -latter would not venture to come into collision with them. - -Still, on this day a vague restlessness had seized on the party: they -had a sort of secret foreboding that a great danger menaced them. The -Indians, who, as we have said, usually accompanied them out of reach -of gunshot, had all at once become invisible. Since their start from -their last camping ground, they had not seen a single one, though they -instinctively suspected that, if the Indians were invisible, they were -not the less present, and possibly in larger numbers than before. -Thus the day passed, sorrowfully and silently for the emigrants: they -marched side by side, eye and ear on the watch, with their fingers on -the trigger, not daring to impart their mutual fears, but (to use a -Spanish expression) having their beards on their shoulders, like men -expecting to be attacked at any moment. Still, the day passed without -the slightest incident occurring to corroborate their apprehensions. - -At sunset, the caravan was at the foot of one of those numerous mounds -to which we have already alluded, and so large a number of which border -the banks of the river at this spot. John Black made a sign to his son, -who drove the cart, to stop, get down, and join him: while the two -females looked around them restlessly, the four men, assembled a few -paces in the rear, were engaged in a whispered conversation. - -"Boys," Mr. Black said to his attentive companions, "the day is ended, -the sun is descending behind the mountains over there, it is time to -think about the night's rest. Our beasts are fatigued; we ourselves -need to collect our strength for tomorrow's labour; I think, though -open to correction, that we should do well to profit by the short time -left us to establish our camp." - -"Yes," James answered, "we have in front of us a hillock, on the top of -which it would be easy for us to take up our quarters." - -"And which," William interrupted him, "we could convert into an almost -impregnable fortress in a few hours." - -"We should have a hard job in getting the wagon up the hill," the -father said, shaking his head. - -"Nonsense," Sam objected, "not so much as you suppose, Master Black; a -little trouble, and we can manage it." - -"How so?" - -"Why," the servant replied, "we need only unload the wagon." - -"That's true; when it's empty, it will be easy to get it to the top of -the hill." - -"Stay," William observed, "do you think, father, that it is really -necessary to take all that trouble? A night is soon spent, and I fancy -we should do well to remain where we are: the position is an excellent -one; it is only a few paces to the river bank, and we can lead our oxen -to water." - -"No; we must not remain here, the place is too open, and we should have -no shelter if the Indians attacked us." - -"The Indians!" the young man said, with a laugh; "why, we have not -seen a single one the whole day." - -"Yes; what you say, William, is correct, the Redskins have disappeared; -but shall I tell you my real thoughts? It is really this disappearance, -which I do not understand, that troubles me." - -"Why so, father?" - -"Because, if they are hiding, they are preparing some ambuscade, and do -not wish us to know the direction where they are." - -"Come, father, do you really believe that?" the young man remarked in a -light tone. - -"I am convinced of it," the emigrant said earnestly. The two servants -bowed their heads in affirmation. - -"You will pardon me, father, if I do not share your opinion," the young -man continued. "For my own part, on the other hand, I feel certain that -these red devils, who have been following us so long, have eventually -understood that they could gain nothing from us but bullets, and, like -prudent men, have given up following us further." - -"No, no; you are mistaken, my son, it is not so." - -"Look ye, father," the young man continued, with a certain amount of -excitement, "allow me to make an observation which, I think, will bring -you over to my way of thinking." - -"Do so, my son; we are here to exchange our opinions freely, and select -the best: the common interest is at stake, and we have to act for the -safety of all: under circumstances so grave as the present, I should -never forgive myself for neglecting good advice, no matter from whom it -came; speak, therefore, without timidity." - -"You know, father," the young man went on, "that the Indians understand -honour differently from ourselves; that is to say, when the success of -an expedition is not clearly proved to them, they have no shame about -resigning it, because what they seek in the first place is profit." - -"I know all that, my son; but I do not see yet what you are driving at." - -"You will soon understand me. For nearly two months, from sunrise, the -moment we set out, to sunset, which is generally the time of our halt, -the Redskins have been following us step by step, and we have been -unable to escape for a single moment these most troublesome neighbours, -who have watched our every movement." - -"That is true," John Black said, "but what do you conclude from that?" - -"A very simple thing: they have seen that we were continually on our -guard, and that if they attempted to attack us, they would be beaten; -hence they have retired, that is all." - -"Unfortunately, William, you have forgotten one thing." - -"What is it?" - -"This: the Indians, generally not so well armed as the white men, are -afraid to attack them, especially when they suppose they shall have to -deal with persons almost as numerous as themselves, and in the bargain, -sheltered behind wagons and bales of merchandise; but that is not at -all the case here: since they have been watching us, the Indians have -had many opportunities of counting us, and have done so long ago." - -"Yes," Sam said. - -"Well, they know that we are only four--they are at least fifty, if -they are not more numerous. What can four men, in spite of all their -courage, effect against such a considerable number of enemies? Nothing, -The Redskins know it, and they will act in accordance; that is, when -the opportunity offers, they will not fail to seize it." - -"But--"--the young man objected. - -"Another consideration to which you have not paid attention," John -Black quietly continued, "is that the Indians, whatever the number of -their enemies may be, never quit them without having attempted, at -least once, to surprise them." - -"In truth," William answered, "that astonishes me on their part: -however, I am of your opinion, father; even if the precautions we -propose taking only serve to reassure my mother and sister, it would be -well not to neglect them." - -"Well spoken, William," the emigrant remarked, "let us therefore set to -work without delay." - -The party broke up, and the four men, throwing their rifles on their -shoulders, began making active preparations for the encampment. Sam -collected the oxen by the aid of the dogs, and led them down to the -river to drink. John, in the meanwhile, went up to the wagon. - -"Well, my love," his wife asked him, "why this halt, and this long -discussion? Has any accident occurred?" - -"Nothing that need at all alarm you, Lucy," the emigrant answered; "we -are going to camp, that is all." - -"Oh, gracious me! I do not know why, but I was afraid lest some -misfortune had happened." - -"On the contrary; we are quieter than we have been for a long time." - -"How so, father?" Diana asked, thrusting her charming face from under -the canvas which concealed her. - -"Those rascally Indians, who frightened us so much, my darling Diana, -have at length made up their minds to leave us; we have not seen a -single one during the whole day." - -"Oh, all the better!" the girl said quickly, as she clapped her dainty -palms together; "I confess that I am not brave, and those frightful Red -men caused me terrible alarm." - -"Well, you will not see them again, I hope," John Black said, gaily; -though while giving his daughter this assurance to appease her fears, -he did not believe a word he uttered. "Now," he added, "have, the -goodness to get down, so that we may unload the wagon." - -"Unload the wagon," the old lady remarked, "why so? - -"It is just possible," the husband answered, anxious not to reveal the -real reason, "that we may remain here a few days, in order to rest the -cattle." - -"Ah, very good," she said; and she got out, followed by her daughter. - -The two ladies had scarce set foot on ground, ere the men began -unloading the wagon. This task lasted nearly an hour. Sam had time -enough to lead the cattle to water, and collect them on the top of the -hill. - -"Are we going to camp, then?" Mrs. Black asked. - -"Yes," her husband answered. - -"Come, Diana," the old lady said. - -The two women packed up some kitchen utensils, and clomb the hill, -where, after lighting the fire, they began preparing supper. So soon as -the cart was unloaded, the two labouring men, aided by William, pushed -it behind, while John Black, at the head of the team, began flogging -the horses. The incline was rather steep, but owing to the vigour of -the horses and the impatience of the men, who at each step laid rollers -behind the wheels, the wagon at last reached the top. The rest was as -nothing, and within an hour the camp was arranged as follows. - -The emigrants formed, with the bales and trees they felled, a large -circle, in the midst of which the cattle were tied up, and then put up -a tent for the two women. When this was effected, John Black cast a -glance of satisfaction around. His family were temporarily protected -from a coup de main--thanks to the manner in which the bales and trees -were arranged, and the party were enabled to fire from under cover on -any enemy that might attack them, and defend themselves a long time -successfully. - -The sun had set for more than an hour before these various preparations -were completed, and supper was ready. The Americans seated themselves -in a circle round the fire, and ate with the appetite of men accustomed -to danger--an appetite which the greatest alarm cannot deprive them of. -After the meal, John Black offered up a prayer, as he did every evening -before going to rest; the others standing, with uncovered heads, -listened attentively to the prayer, and when it was completed, the two -ladies entered the hut prepared for them. - -"And now," Black said, "let us keep a careful watch the night is dark, -the moon rises late, and you are aware that the Indians choose the -morning, the moment when sleep is deepest, to attack their enemies." - -The fire was covered, so that its light should not reveal the exact -position of the camp; and the two servants lay down side by side on the -grass, where they soon fell asleep: while father and son, standing at -either extremity of the camp, watched over the common safety. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE GRIZZLY BEAR. - - -All was calm in the prairie; not a sound disturbed the silence of the -desert. On the sudden appearance of the Indian, whatever the emotion -Bright-eye might feel, it was impossible for Natah Otann to perceive -anything: the hunter's face remained calm, and not a muscle moved. - -"Ah!" he said, "the sachem of the Piekanns is welcome: does he come as -a friend or an enemy?" - -"Natah Otann comes to sit by the fire of the palefaces, and smoke the -calumet with them," the chief replied, casting a searching glance -around him. - -"Good: if the chief will wait a moment, I will light the fire." - -"Bright-eye can light it, the chief will wait: he has come to talk with -the palefaces, and the conversation will be long." - -The Canadian looked fixedly at the Redskin; but the Indian was -impassive like himself, and it was impossible to read anything on his -features. The hunter collected a few handfuls of dry wood, struck a -light, and soon a bright flame sprung up, and illumined the mount. The -Indian drew near the fire, took his calumet from his girdle, and began -grimly smoking. Bright-eye not wishing to remain in any way behindhand, -imitated his every movement with perfectly feigned indifference, and -the two men sat for several moments puffing clouds of smoke at each -other. Natah Otann at length broke the silence. - -"The pale hunter is a warrior," he said; "why does he try to hide -himself like the water rat?" - -Bright-eye did not consider it advisable to reply to this insinuation, -and continued smoking philosophically, while casting a side-glance at -his questioner. - -"The Blackfeet have the eye of the eagle," Natah Otann continued, -"their piercing eyes see all that happens on the prairie." - -The Canadian made a sign of assent, but did not yet reply; the chief -continued:-- - -"Natah Otann has seen the trail of his friends the palefaces, his heart -quivered with pleasure in his breast, and he has come to meet them." - -Bright-eye slowly removed his pipe from his lips, and turning towards -the Indian, examined him carefully for an instant, and then answered-- - -"I repeat to my brother that he is welcome: I know that he is a great -chief, and am happy to see him." - -"Wah!" the Indian said, with a cunning smile: "is my brother so -satisfied as he says at my presence?" - -"Why not, chief?" - -"My brother is angry still that the Blackfeet fastened him to the stake -of torture." - -The Canadian shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and coldly -answered:-- - -"Nonsense, chief! why do you fancy I am angry with you or your nation? -war is war; I have no reproaches to make to you. You wished to kill me, -I escaped; so we are quits." - -"Good: does my brother speak the truth? has he really forgotten?" the -chief asked with some vivacity. - -"Why not?" the Canadian answered cautiously. "I have not a forked -tongue, the words my mouth utters come from my heart: I have not -forgotten the treatment you made me undergo, I should lie if I said so: -but I have forgiven it." - -"_Ochi_! my brother is a greatheart: he is generous." - -"No: I am merely a man who knows Indian customs, that is all: you -did no more and no less than all the Redskins do under similar -circumstances: I cannot be angry with you for having acted according to -your nature." - -There was a silence; the two men went on smoking. The Indian was the -first to interrupt it. - -"Then my brother is a friend," he said. - -"And you?" the hunter asked, answering one question by another. - -The chief rose with a gesture full of majesty, and threw back the folds -of his buffalo robe. - -"Would an enemy come like this?" he asked, in a gentle voice. - -The Canadian could not repress a movement of surprise; the Blackfoot -was unarmed, his girdle was empty: he had not even his scalping -knife,--that weapon from which the Indians part so unwillingly. -Bright-eye offered him his hand. - -"Shake hands, chief," he said to him. "You are a man of heart: now -speak, I am listening to you: and, in the first place, will you have a -draught of firewater?" - -"The firewater is an evil counsellor," the chief replied, with a smile; -"it makes the Indians mad: Natah Otann does not drink it." - -"Come, come, I see that I was mistaken with regard to you, chief; that -pleases me: speak, my ears are open." - -"What I have to say to Bright-eye other ears must not listen to." - -"My friends are in a deep sleep, you can speak without fear; and even -if they were awake, as you know, they do not understand your language." - -The Indian shook his head. - -"Glass-eye knows everything," he replied, "the Grizzly Bear will not -speak before him." - -"As you please, chief: still, I would remark that I have nothing to say -to you: you can speak, therefore, or be silent at your ease." - -Natah Otann seemed to hesitate for an instant, and then continued:-- - -"Bright-eye will follow his friend to the river bank, and there listen -to the words of the Blackfoot chief." - -"Hum!" the hunter said, "and who will watch over my companions during -my absence? No, no," he added, "I cannot do that, chief. The Redskins -have the cunning of the opossum: while I am near the river, my friends -may be surprised. Who will respond for their safety?" - -The Indian rose. - -"The word of a chief," he said, in a proud voice, and with a gesture -full of majesty. - -The Canadian looked at him attentively. "Listen, Redskin," he said to -him, "I do not doubt your honour, so do not take in ill part what I am -going to say to you." - -"I listen to my brother," the Indian answered. - -"I must watch over my companions. Since you insist on speaking to me in -secret, I consent to follow you, but on one condition, that I do not -lay aside my weapons; in that way, should one of those things happen, -which are too common in the prairie, and which no human foresight can -prevent, I shall be able to face the danger and sell my life dearly: if -what I propose suits you, I am ready to follow you; if not, not." - -"Good," the Indian said, with a smile, "my pale brother is right, a -true hunter never quits his weapons. Bright-eye may follow his friend." - -"Very well, then," the Canadian said, resolutely, as he threw his rifle -on his shoulder. - -Natah Otann began descending the hill. While gliding noiselessly -through the shrubs and thickets, the Canadian walked literally in his -footsteps; but though pretending the most perfect security, he did -not omit carefully examining the vicinity, and lending an ear to the -slightest sound, but all was calm and silent in the desert, and after -some ten minutes' walk the two men reached the riverside. - -The Mecha-Chebe rolled its waters majestically in a bed of golden -sand, while at times a few vague shadows appeared on the bank: they -were wild beasts coming to drink in the river. Two leagues from them, -at the top of the hill, sparkled the last flames of an expiring fire, -which appeared at intervals between the branches. Natah Otann stopped -at the extremity of a species of small promontory, the point of which -advanced some distance into the water. This spot was entirely free from -vegetation: the eye could survey the prairie for a great distance, and -detect the slightest movement in the desert. - -"Does this place suit the hunter?" the chief asked. - -"Capitally," Bright-eye replied, resting the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and crossing his hands over the muzzle: "I am ready to hear the -communication my brother wishes to make me." - -The Indian walked up and down the sand with folded arms and drooping -head, like a man who is reflecting deeply. The hunter followed him -with his glance, waiting calmly, till he thought proper to offer an -explanation. It was easy to see that Natah Otann was ripening in his -brain one of those bold projects such as Indians frequently imagine, -but knew not how to enter upon it. The hunter resolved to put a stop to -this state of things. - -"Come," he said, "my brother has made me leave my camp; he invited me -to follow him; I consented to do so: now that, according to his desire, -we are free from human ears, will he not speak, so that I may return to -my companions?" - -The Indian stopped before him. - -"My brother will remain," he said; "the hour is come for an explanation -between us. My brother loves Glass-eye?" - -The hunter regarded his querist craftily. - -"What good of that question?" he asked: "it must be a matter of -indifference to the chief whether I love or not the man he pleases to -call Glass-eye." - -"A chief never loses his time in vain discourses," the Indian said, -peremptorily; "the words his lips utter are always simple, and go -straight to the point; let my brother then answer as clearly as I -interrogate him." - -"I see no great inconvenience in doing so. Yes, I love Glass-eye; I -love him not only because he saved my life, but because he is one of -the most honourable men I ever met." - -"Good! for what purpose does Glass-eye traverse the prairie? My brother -doubtlessly knows." - -"My faith, no! I confess to you, chief, my ignorance on that head is -complete. Still, I fancy that, wearied with the life of cities, he has -come here with no other object than to calm his soul by the sublime -aspect of nature, and the grand melodies of the desert." - -The Indian shook his head; the hunter's metaphysical ideas and poetic -phrases were so much Hebrew to him, and he did not understand them. - -"Natah Otann," he said, "is a chief, he has not a forked tongue; the -words he utters are as clear as the blood in his veins. Why does not -the hunter speak his language to him?" - -"I answer your questions, chief, and that is all. Do you fancy that I -would go out of my way to interrogate my friend as to his intentions? -They do not concern me; I have no right to seek in a man's heart for -the motive of his actions." - -"Good! my brother speaks well; his head is grey, and his experience -long." - -"That is possible, chief; at any rate you and I are not on such -friendly terms that we should exchange our thoughts without some -restriction, I fancy; you have kept me here for an hour without saying -anything, so it is better for us to separate." - -"Not yet." - -"Why not? Do you imagine I am like you, and that instead of sleeping o' -nights as an honest Christian should do, I amuse myself with rushing -about the prairie like a jaguar in search of prey?" - -The Indian began laughing. - -"Wah!" he said, "my brother is very clever; nothing escapes him." - -"By Jingo! there is no great cleverness in guessing what you are doing -here." - -"Good! then let my brother listen." - -"I will do so, but on the condition that you lay aside once for all -those Indian circumlocutions in which you so adroitly conceal your real -thoughts." - -"My brother will open his ears, the words of his friend will reach his -heart." - -"Come, make an end of it." - -"As my brother loves Glass-eye, he will tell him from Natah Otann that -a great danger threatens him." - -"Ah!" the Canadian said, casting a suspicious glance at the other, "and -what may the danger be?" - -"I cannot explain further." - -"Very good," Bright-eye remarked, with a grin, "the information is -valuable, though not very explicit; and pray what must we do to escape -the great danger that menaces us?" - -"My brother will wake his friend, they will mount their horses, and -retire at full speed, not stopping till they have crossed the river." - -"Hum! and when we have done that, we shall have nought more to fear?" - -"Nothing." - -"Only think of that," the hunter said, ironically; "and when ought we -to start?" - -"At once." - -"Better still." Bright-eye walked a few paces thoughtfully; then he -returned, and stood before the chief, whose eyes sparkled in the gloom -like those of a tiger cat, and who followed his every movement. - -"Then," he said, "you cannot reveal to me the reason that forces us to -depart?" - -"No!" - -"It is equally impossible, I suppose, for you to tell me of the nature -of the danger that menaces us?" he went on. - -"Yes." - -"Is that your last word?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation. - -"Very good, as it is so," Bright-eye said all at once, striking the -ground with the butt of his rifle, "I will tell it you." - -"You?" - -"Yes, listen to me carefully; it will not be long, and will interest -you I hope." - -The chief smiled ironically. - -"My ears are open," he said. - -"All the better, for I shall fill them with news which, perhaps, will -not please you." - -"I listen," the impassive Indian repeated. - -"As you said to me a moment back--and the confidence on your part was -useless, for I have known you so long on the prairie--the Redskins have -the eyes of an eagle, and they are birds of prey, whom nothing escapes." - -"Go on." - -"Here I am; your scouts have discovered, as was not difficult, the -trail of an emigrant family; that trail you have been following a -long time so as not to miss your blow; supposing that the moment had -arrived to deal it, you have assembled Comanches, Sioux, and Blackfeet, -all demons of the same breed, in order this very night to attack people -whom you have been watching for so many days, and whose riches you -covet because you suppose them so great---eh?" - -Natah Otann's face revealed no emotion. He remained calm, although -internally restless and furious at having his thoughts so well guessed. - -"There is truth in what the hunter says," he replied, coldly. - -"It is all true," Bright-eye exclaimed. - -"Perhaps; but I do not see in it for what reason I should have come -here to warn my Paleface brother." - -"Ah, you do not see that; very well. I will explain it to you. You -came to seek me, because you are perfectly well aware that Glass-eye, -as you call him, is not the man to allow the crime you meditate to be -committed with impunity in his presence." - -The Blackfoot shrugged his shoulders. "Can a warrior, however brave he -may be, hold his ground against four hundred?" he said. - -"Certainly not," Bright-eye went on; "but he can control them by his -presence, and employ his ascendency over them to compel them to give -up their prospects; and that is what Glass-eye will undoubtedly do, -for reasons of which I am ignorant, for all of you have for him an -incomprehensible respect and veneration, and as you fear lest you -may see him come among you at the first shot fired, terrible as the -destroying angel, you seek to remove him by a pretext, plausible with -anyone else, but which will produce on him no other effect than making -him engage in the affair. Come, is that really all? have I completely -unmasked you? Reply." - -"My brother knows all; I repeat, his wisdom is great." - -"Now, I presume, you have nothing to add? Very well, good night." - -"A moment." - -"What more?" - -"You must." - -"Very well; but make haste." - -"My brother has spoken in his own cause, but not in that of Glass-eye; -let him wake his friend, and impart our conversation to him; mayhap he -is mistaken." - -"I do not believe it, chief," the hunter answered, with a shake of his -head. - -"That is possible," the Indian persisted; "but let my brother do as I -have asked him." - -"You lay great stress on it, chief!" - -"Great." - -"I do not wish to vex you about such a trifle. Well! you will soon -allow that I was right." - -"Possibly; I will await my brother's reply for half an hour." - -"Very good; but where shall I bring it to you?" - -"Nowhere!" the Indian exclaimed, sharply. "If I am right, my brother -will imitate the cry of the magpie twice; if I am mistaken, it will be -that of the owl." - -"Very good, that's agreed; you shall soon hear, chief." - -The Indian bowed gracefully. - -"May the Wacondah be with my brother!" he said. - -After this courteous salutation, the two men parted. The Canadian -carelessly threw his rifle on his shoulder, and stalked back to his -camp, while the Indian followed him with his glance, apparently -remaining insensible; but as soon as the hunter had disappeared, the -chief lay down in the sand, glided along in the shade like a serpent, -and in his turn disappeared amid the bushes, following the direction -taken by Bright-eye, though at a considerable distance. - -The latter did not fancy himself followed; he therefore paid no -attention to what went on around him, and regained his camp without -noticing anything of an extraordinary nature. Had not the Canadian -been preoccupied, and his old experience lulled to sleep for the -moment, he would have certainly perceived, with that penetration -which distinguished him, that the desert was not in its usual state -of tranquillity: he would have felt unusual tremors in the leaves, -and possibly have seen eyes flashing in the shade of the tall grass. -He soon reached the camp where the Count and Ivon were sleeping -profoundly. Bright-eye hesitated a few seconds ere awakening the young -man whose sleep was so peaceful; still, reflecting that the least -imprudence might entail terrible consequences, whose result it was -impossible to calculate, he bent over him, and gently touched his -shoulder. Though the touch was so slight, it sufficed to wake the -Count; he opened his eyes, sat up, and looking at the old hunter-- - -"Is there anything fresh, Bright-eye?" he asked. - -"Yes, Sir Count," the Canadian replied, seriously. - -"Oh, oh, how gloomy you are, my good fellow," the young man said, with -a laugh. "What's the matter then?" - -"Nothing, yet; but we may soon have a row with the Redskins." - -"All the better, for that will warm us, as it is horribly cold," he -replied, shivering. "But how do you know the fact?" - -"During your sleep I received a visitor." - -"Ah?" - -"Yes." - -"And who was the person who selected such an important moment to pay -you a visit?" - -"The sachem of the Blackfeet." - -"Natah Otann?" - -"Himself." - -"Upon my word, he must be a somnambulist, to amuse himself by walking -about the desert at night." - -"He does not walk, he watches." - -"Oh, I am in a bother; so keep me no longer in suspense; tell me what -passed between you. Natah Otann is not the man to put himself out of -the way without strong reasons, and I am burning to know them." - -"You shall judge." - -Without any further preface, the hunter described in its fullest -details the conversation he had with the chief. - -"By Jove! that's serious," the Count said when Bright-eye had ended -his story. "This Natah Otann is a gloomy scoundrel, whose plans you -fully penetrated, and you behaved splendidly in answering him so -categorically. For what has this villain taken me? Does he fancy, I -wonder, that I shall act as his accomplice? Let him dare to attack -those poor devils of emigrants down there, and by the saints, I swear -to you, Bright-eye, that blood will be shed between us, if you help me." - -"Can you doubt it?" - -"No, my friend, I thank you; with you and my coward of an Ivon, I shall -manage to put them to flight." - -"Is my lord calling me?" the Breton asked, raising his head. - -"No, no, Ivon, my good fellow; I only say that we shall soon have some -fighting." - -The Breton emitted a sigh, and muttered, as he lay down again,-- - -"Ah! if I had as much courage as I possess goodwill; but alas! as you -know, I am a wonderful coward, and I shall prove more harm to you than -good." - -"You will do all you can, my friend, and that will be sufficient." - -Ivon sighed in reply. Bright-eye had listened laughingly to this -colloquy. The Breton still possessed the privilege of astonishing him, -for he did not at all comprehend his singular organization. The Count -turned towards him. - -"So it is settled?" he said. - -"Settled," the hunter answered. - -"Then give the signal; my friend." - -"The owl, I suppose?" - -"By Jove!" the Count said. - -Bright-eye raised his fingers to his mouth, and, as had been agreed -with Natah Otann, imitated twice the cry of the owl, with rare -perfection. Hardly had the echo of the last cry died away, than a great -rumour was heard in the bushes, and, before the three men had time to -put themselves in a posture of defence, some twenty Indians rushed upon -them, disarmed them in a twinkling, and reduced them to a state of -utter defencelessness. The Count shrugged his shoulders, leant against -a tree, and, thrusting his glass in his eye, said,--- - -"This is very funny." - -"Well, I can't see the point of the joke," muttered Ivon, in a grand -aside. - -Among the Indians, whom it was easy to recognize as Blackfeet, was -Natah Otann! After removing the weapons of the white men, so that they -could not attempt a surprise this time, he walked towards the hunter. - -"I warned Bright-eye," he said. - -The hunter smiled contemptuously. - -"You warned us after the fashion of Redskins," he replied. - -"What does my brother mean?" - -"I mean that you warned us of a danger that threatened us, and not that -you intended treachery." - -"It is the same thing," the Indian replied, with utter calmness. - -"Bright-eye, my friend, do not argue with those scoundrels," the Count -said. - -And turning haughtily to the chief,-- - -"Come! what do you want of us?" he asked. - -Since his arrival on the prairie, and through his constant contact with -the Indians the Count had almost unconsciously learned their language, -which he spoke rather fluently. - -"We do not wish to do you any hurt; we only intend to prevent your -interference in our affairs," Natah Otann said respectfully; "we should -be very sorry to have recourse to violent measures." - -The young man burst into a laugh. - -"You are humbugs! I can manage to escape, in spite of you." - -"Let my brother try it." - -"When the moment arrives; as for the present, it is not worth the -trouble!" - -While speaking in this light tone, the young man took his case from -his pocket, chose a cigar, and, pulling out a lucifer match, stooped -down and rubbed it on a stone. The Indians, considerably puzzled by his -movements, followed them anxiously; but suddenly they uttered a yell of -terror, and fell back several paces. The match had caught fire with the -friction; a delicious blue flame sported about its extremity. The Count -carelessly twisted the slight morsel of wood between his fingers, while -waiting till all the sulphur was consumed. He did not notice the terror -of the Indians. - -The latter, with a movement as swift as thought, stooped down, and each -picking up the first piece of wood he found at his feet, all began -rubbing it against the stones. The Count, in amazement, looked at -them, not yet understanding what they were about. Natah Otann seem to -hesitate for a moment; a smile of strange meaning played, rapidly as -lightning, over his gloomy features; but reassuming almost immediately -his cold impassiveness, he took a step forward, and respectfully bowing -before the Count-- - -"My father commands the fire of the sun," he said, with all the -appearance of a mysterious terror, while pointing to the match. - -The young man smiled; he had guessed the secret. - -"Which of you," he said haughtily, "would dare to contend with me?" - -The Indians regarded each other with amazement. These men, so intrepid -and accustomed to brave the greatest dangers, were vanquished by the -incomprehensible power their prisoner possessed. As, while talking -to the chief, the Count had not watched his match, it had gone out -before he could use it, and he threw it away. The Indians rushed upon -it, to assure themselves that the flame was real. Without appearing to -attach any importance to this action, the Count drew a second match -from his box, and renewed his experiment. His triumph was complete; the -Redskins, in their terror, fell at his feet, imploring him to pardon -them. Henceforth he might dare anything. These primitive men, terrified -by the two miracles he had performed, regarded him as a superior being -to themselves, and were completely mastered by him. While Bright-eye -laughed in his sleeve at the Indians' simplicity, the young man -cleverly employed his triumph. - -"You see what I can do," he said. - -"We see it," Natah Otann made answer. - -"When do you intend to attack the emigrants?" - -"When the moon has set, the warriors of the tribe will assault their -camp." - -"And you?" - -"Will guard our brother." - -"So you now fancy that is possible," the Count said, haughtily. - -The Redskins shuddered at the flash of his glance. - -"Our brother will pardon us," the chief replied, submissively; "we only -knew him imperfectly." - -"And now?" - -"Now we know that he is our master, let him command, and we will obey." - -"Take care!" he said, in a tone which made them shudder, "for I am -about to put your obedience to a rude trial." - -"Our ears are open to receive our brother's words." - -"Draw nearer." - -The Blackfeet took a few hesitating steps in advance, for they were not -yet completely reassured. - -"And now listen to me attentively," he said, "and when you have -received my orders, take care to execute them thoroughly." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE STRANGE WOMAN. - - -We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp. As we have said, -Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from -easy in his mind. Although not yet possessed of all the experience -required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing -marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree -of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very -useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse -it. The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he -surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive -the approach of an enemy. - -Father and son were seated by the fire, rising from time to time, in -turn, to cast glances over the desert, and assure themselves that -nothing menaced their tranquillity. Black was a man gifted with an iron -will and a lion's courage; hitherto his schemes had been unsuccessful, -and he had sworn to make himself an honourable position, no matter at -what cost. - -He was the descendant of an old family of squatters. The squatter being -an individuality peculiar to America, and vainly sought elsewhere, we -will describe him as he is, in a few words. On the lands belonging to -the United States, not yet cleared or put up for sale, large numbers -of persons have settled, with the desire of eventually _purchasing_ -their lots. These inhabitants are called squatters. We will not say -that they are the pick of the western emigrants, but we know that, -in certain districts, they have constituted themselves a regular -Government, and have elected magistrates to watch over the execution -of the Draconian laws they have themselves laid down to insure the -tranquillity of the territories they have invaded. But by the side of -these quasi-honest squatters, who bow their necks beneath a yoke that -is often harsh, there is another class of squatters, who understand -the possession of land in its widest sense; that is to say, whenever -they discover, in their vagabond peregrinations, a tract of land that -suits them, they instal themselves there without any further inquiry, -and caring nothing for the rightful owner, who, when he arrives with -his labourers to till his estate, is quite annoyed to find it is in the -hands of an individual who, trusting to the axiom that possession is -nine points of the law, refuses to give it up, and if he insist, drives -him away by means of his rifle and revolver. - -We know a capital story of a gentleman, who, starting from New York -with two hundred labourers, to clear a virgin forest he had purchased -some ten years previously, and never turned to any use, found, on -arriving at his claim, a town of four thousand souls built on the site -of his virgin forest, of which not a tree remained. After numberless -discussions, the said gentleman esteemed himself very fortunate in -being able to depart with a whole skin, and without paying damages to -his despoilers, whom he had momentarily hoped to oust. But there is no -more chance of ousting a squatter, than you can get a dollar out of a -Yankee, when he has once pocketed it. - -John Black belonged to the former of the two classes we have described. -When he reached the age of twenty, his father gave him an axe, a rifle -with twenty charges of powder, and a bowie knife, saying to him-- - -"Listen, boy. You are now tall and strong; it would be a shame for you -to remain longer a burden on me. I have your two brothers to support. -America is large; there is no want of land. Go in God's name, and -never let me hear of you again. With the weapons I give you, and the -education you have received, your fortune will soon be made, if you -like: before all, avoid all disagreeable disputes, and try not to be -hanged." - -After this affectionate address, the father tenderly embraced his son, -put him out of the cabin, and slammed the door in his face. From that -moment John Black had never heard of his father--it is true that he -never tried to obtain any news about him. - -Life had been rough to him at the outset; but owing to his character, -and a certain elasticity of principle, the sole inheritance his family -had given him, he had contrived to gain a livelihood, and bring up his -children without any great privations. Either through the isolation in -which he had passed his youth, or for some other reason we are ignorant -of, Black adored his wife and children, and would not have parted from -them on any account. When fatality compelled him to give up the farm he -occupied, and look for another, he set out gaily, sustained by the love -of his family, no member of which was ungrateful for the sacrifices he -imposed on himself; and he had resolved to go this time so far, that -no one would ever come to dispossess him, for he had been obliged to -surrender his farm to its legitimate proprietor, which he had done on -the mere exhibition of the title deeds, without dreaming of resistance ---a conduct which had been greatly blamed by all his neighbours. - -Black wished to see his family happy, and watched over it with the -jealous tenderness of a hen for its chicks. Thus, on this evening, -an extreme alarm had preyed on him, though he could not explain the -cause: the disappearance of the Indians did not seem to him natural; -everything around was too calm, the silence of the desert too profound: -he could not remain at any one spot, and, in spite of his son's -remarks, rose every moment to take a look over the intrenchments. - -William felt for his father a great affection, mingled with respect: -the state in which he saw him vexed him the more, because there was -nothing to account for his extraordinary restlessness. - -"Good gracious, father!" he said, "do not trouble yourself so much; it -really causes me pain to see you in such a state. Do you suppose that -the Indians would have attacked us by such a moonlight as this? Look, -objects can be distinguished as in broad day; I am certain you might -even read the Bible by the silvery rays." - -"You are right for the present moment, Will. The Redskins are too -crafty to face our rifles during the moonshine; but in an hour the moon -will have set, and the darkness will then protect them sufficiently to -allow them to reach the foot of the barricade unnoticed." - -"Do not imagine they will attempt it, my dear father! Those red devils -have seen us sufficiently close to know that they can only expect a -volley of bullets from us." - -"Hum! I am not of your opinion; our beasts would be riches to them: I -do not wish to abandon them, as we should then be compelled to return -to the plantations to procure others, which would be most disagreeable, -you will allow." - -"It is true; but we shall not be reduced to that extremity." - -"May Heaven grant it, my boy; but do you hear nothing?" - -The young man listened attentively. - -"No," he said, at the end of a moment. - -The emigrant proceeded with a sigh: "I visited the river bank this -morning, and I have rarely seen a spot better suited for a settlement. -The virgin forest that extends behind us would supply excellent -firewood, without reckoning the magnificent planks to be obtained from -it: there are several hundred acres around, which, from their proximity -to the water, would produce, I am certain, excellent crops." - -"Would you feel inclined to settle here, then?" - -"Have you any objection?" - -"I--none at all! provided we can live and work together. I care little -at what place we stop: this spot appears to me as good as another, and -it is far enough from the settlements to prevent our being turned out, -at least for a great number of years." - -"That is exactly my view." - -At this moment a gentle quivering ran along the tall grass. - -"This time I am certain I am not mistaken," the emigrant exclaimed; "I -heard something." - -"And I too!" the young man said, rising quickly, and seizing his rifle. - -The two men hurried to the entrenchments, but they saw nothing of a -suspicious nature: the prairie was still perfectly calm. - -"'Tis some wild beast going down to drink, or returning," Will said, to -reassure his father. - -"No, no," the latter replied, with a shake of the head; "it is not the -noise made by any animal--it was the echo of a man's footfall, I am -convinced." - -"The simplest way is to go and see." - -"Come then." - -The two men resolutely climbed over the intrenchments, and with rifles -outstretched, went round the camp, carefully searching the bushes, and -assuring themselves that no foe lurked in them. - -"Well!" they exclaimed, when they met. - -"Nothing--and you?" - -"Nothing." - -"It is strange," John Black muttered, "and yet the noise was very -distinct." - -"That is true; but I repeat, father, that it was nothing but an animal -leaping somewhere near. In a night so calm as this, the slightest sound -is heard for a great distance; besides, we are now certain that no one -is concealed near us." - -"Let us go back," the emigrant said, thoughtfully. They began climbing -over the entrenchments; but both stopped suddenly, by mutual agreement, -hardly checking a cry of amazement, almost of terror. They had just -perceived a human being, whose outline it was impossible to trace at -such a distance, crouched over the fire. - -"This time I will have it out," the emigrant exclaimed, taking a -prodigious bound into the camp. - -"And I, too," his son murmured, as he followed his example. - -But when they came opposite their strange visitor, their surprise -was redoubled. In spite of themselves, they stopped to gaze on the -stranger, without thinking to ask how he had entered their camp, and by -what right he had done so. - -As far as they could form a judgment, they soon began to consider -the extraordinary being before them--a woman; but years, the mode of -life she led, and perchance cares, had furrowed her face with such a -multitude of cross hatchings, that it was impossible to conjecture her -age, or whether she had formerly been lovely. The large black eyes, -surmounted by thick brows crossing her curved nose, and deep sunk, -flashed with a gloomy fire; her salient and empurpled cheekbones, her -large mouth studded with dazzling teeth, and her thin lips and square -chin, gave her at first an appearance which was far from arousing -sympathy and exciting confidence; while her long black hair, matted -with leaves and grass, fell in disorder on her shoulders. She wore a -costume more suited for a man than a woman. It was composed of a long -robe of buffalo hide, with short sleeves, fastened on the hips by a -girdle bedizened with beads. This robe had the skirt fringed with -feathers, and only came down to the knee. Her _mitasses_ were fastened -round the ankles, and reached slightly above the knee, where they were -held up by garters of buffalo hide. Her _humpis_ or slippers were plain -and unornamented. She wore iron rings on her wrist, two or three bead -collars round her neck, and earrings. From her girdle hung on one side -a powder flask, an axe, and a bowie knife; on the other, a bullet pouch -and a long Indian pipe. Across her knees lay a rather handsome gun, of -English manufacture. - -She was crouching over the fire, which she gazed at fixedly, with her -chin on the palm of her hand. - -On the arrival of the Americans, she did not rise, and did not even -appear to notice their presence. After examining her attentively for -some time, Black walked up, and, tapping her on the shoulder, said-- - -"You are welcome, woman; it seems as if you were cold, and the fire -does not displease you." - -She slowly raised her head on feeling the touch, and, fixing on her -questioner a gloomy glance, in which it was easy to perceive a slight -wildness, she replied in English, in a hollow voice, and with guttural -accent-- - -"The Palefaces are mad; they ever think themselves in their towns; they -forget that in the prairie the trees have ears and the leaves eyes to -see and hear all that is done. The Blackfeet Indians raise their hair -very skilfully." - -The two men looked at each other on hearing these words, whose meaning -they were afraid to guess, though they seemed somewhat obscure. - -"Are you hungry? Will you eat?" John Black continued, "or is it thirst -that troubles you? I can, if you like, give you a good draught of -firewater to warm you." - -The woman frowned. - -"Fire-water is good for Indian squaws," she said, "what good would it -do me to drink it? Others will come who will soon dispose of it. Do you -know how many hours you still have to live?" - -The emigrant shuddered, in spite of himself at this species of menace. - -"Why speak to me thus?" he asked; "have you any cause of complaint -against me?" - -"I care little," she continued. "I am not among the living, since my -heart is dead." - -She turned her head in every direction with a slow and solemn movement, -while carefully examining the country. - -"Stay," she continued, pointing with her lean arm to a mound of grass a -short distance off, "'twas there he fell--'tis there he rests. His head -was cleft asunder by an axe during his sleep--poor James! This spot is -ill-omened: do you not know it? The vultures and the crows alone stay -here at long intervals. Why, then, have you come here? Are you weary of -life? Do you hear them? They are approaching; they will soon be here." - -Father and son exchanged a glance. - -"She is mad. Poor creature!" Black muttered. - -"Yes; that is what they all say on the prairies," she exclaimed, with -some accusation in her voice. "They call me _Ohucahauck Chike_ (the -evil one of the earth), because they fear me as their evil genius. You, -also, fancy me mad, eh? ah! ah! ah!" - -She burst into a strident laugh, which ended in a sob; she buried -her face in her hands, and wept. The two men felt awed in spite of -themselves; this strange grief, these incoherent words, all aroused -their interest in favour of this poor creature, who appeared so -unhappy. Pity was at work in their hearts, and they regarded her -silently without daring to disturb her. In a few moments she raised her -head, passed the back of her hand over her eyes to dry them, and spoke -again. The wild expression had disappeared; the very sound of her voice -was no longer the same; as if by enchantment, a complete change had -taken place in her. - -"Pardon," she said mournfully, "the extravagant words I have uttered. -The solitude in which I live, and the heavy burden of woe which has -crushed me so long, at times trouble my reason; and then the place -where we now stand reminds me of terrible scenes, whose cruel memory -will never be erased from my mind." - -"Madam, I assure you--," John Black continued, not knowing what he -said, so great was his surprise. - -"Now the fit has passed away." She interrupted him with a gentle -and melancholy smile, which gave her countenance a very different -expression from that the Americans had hitherto remarked; "I have been -following you for the last two days to come to your help; the Redskins -are preparing to attack you--" - -The two men shuddered: and, forgetting all else to think only of the -pressing danger, they cast a restless glance around them. - -"You know it?" Black exclaimed. - -"I know all," she answered; "but reassure yourselves. You have still -two hours ere their horrible war cry will sound in your ears; that is -more than enough to render you safe." - -"Oh! we have good rifles and keen sight," said William, clutching his -weapon in his nervous hands. - -"What can four rifles, however good they may be, do against two or -three hundred tigers thirsting for blood, like those you will have to -fight? You do not know the Redskins, young man." - -"That is true," he answered; "but what is to be done?" - -"Seek a refuge?--where find help in these immense solitudes?" the -father added, casting a despairing glance around him. - -"Did I not tell you I wished to help you?" she said, sharply. - -"Yes; you told us so; but I try in vain to detect of what use you can -be to us." - -She smiled a melancholy smile. - -"It is your good angel that brought you to the spot where you now are. -While I was watching you all the day, I trembled lest you might not -encamp here. Come!" - -The two men, surprised by the ascendancy this strange creature had -gained over them in a few minutes, followed her without reply. After -walking about a dozen steps, she stopped, and turned toward them. - -"Look," she said, stretching out her thin arm in a north-west -direction, "your enemies are there, scarce two leagues off, buried in -the tall grass. I have heard their plans, and was present at their -council, though they little suspected it. They are only waiting for the -moon to set, ere they attack you. You have scarce an hour left." - -"My poor wife!" Black murmured. - -"It is impossible for me to save you all: to fancy it would be madness; -but I can, if you wish it, attempt to save your wife and daughter from -the fate that menaces them." - -"Speak! speak!" - -"This tree, at the foot of which we are now standing, although -apparently possessing all the vigour of youth, is internally hollow, -so that only the bark stands upright. Your wife and daughter, supplied -with some provisions, will get into the tree and remain there in safety -till the danger has passed away. As for ourselves--" - -"As for us," Black quickly interrupted her, "we are men accustomed to -danger: our fate is in the hands of God." - -"Good; but do not despair: all is not lost yet." - -The American shook his head. - -"As you said yourself, what can four men do against a legion of demons -like those who menace us? But that is not the question of the moment. I -do not see the hole by which my wife and daughter can enter the tree." - -"It is twenty to twenty-four feet up, hidden among the branches and -leaves." - -"The Lord be praised! they will be sheltered." - -"Yes; but make haste and warn them, while your son and I make all the -preparations." - -Black, convinced of the necessity of haste, ran off, while the stranger -and William constructed, with that dexterity produced by the approach -of danger, a species of handy ladder, by which the two women could not -merely ascend the tree, but go down into the cavity. Black waked the -ladies, and called the servants; in a few words he explained to them -what was passing; then, loading his wife and daughter with provisions, -furs, and other indispensable objects, he led them to the spot where -the stranger was expecting them. - -"This is my most precious treasure," Black said; "if I save it, I shall -be solely indebted to you." - -The two ladies began thanking their mysterious protectress; but she -imposed silence on them by a peremptory gesture. - -"Presently, presently," she said; "if we escape, we shall have plenty -of time for mutual congratulations; but at this moment we have -something more important to do than exchange compliments. We must get -into a place of safety." - -The two ladies fell back, quite repulsed by this rough reception, while -casting a curious and almost alarmed glance on the strange creature. -But the latter, perfectly stoical, seemed to notice nothing. She -explained in a few clear words the means she had found to conceal them: -recommended them to remain silent in the hollow tree, and then ordered -them to mount. The two ladies, after embracing Black and his son, began -resolutely ascending the rungs of the improvised ladder. They reached -in a few seconds an enormous branch, on which they stopped, by the -orders of the stranger. Black then threw down into the interior of the -tree the furs and provisions, after which the ladder was placed inside, -and the ladies glided through the hole. - -"We leave you the ladder, which is useless to us," the stranger then -said. "But be very careful not to come out till you have seen me again; -the least imprudence, under the circumstances, might cost your lives. -However, keep your minds at rest. Your imprisonment will not be long, a -few hours at the most: so be of good cheer." - -The ladies once again tried to express their gratitude; but, without -listening, the stranger made Black a sign to follow her, and rapidly -descended from the tree. Aided by the Americans, she then began -removing every trace that might have revealed where the ladies were -bestowed. When the stranger had assured herself, by a final glance, -that all was in order, and nothing could betray those who were so -famously hidden, she sighed, and followed by the two men, walked to the -intrenchments. - -"Now," she said, "let us watch attentively around us, for these demons -will probably crawl close up in the shadows. You are free and honest -Americans, show these accursed Indians what you can do." - -"Let them come!" Black muttered hoarsely. - -"They will soon do so," she replied, and pointed to several almost -imperceptible black dots, which, however, grew larger, and were -evidently approaching the encampment. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP. - - -The Redskins have a mode of fighting which foils all the methods -employed by European tactics. In order to understand their system -properly, we must, in the first place, bear in mind that the Indian -idea of honour is different from ours. This understood, the rest may be -easily admitted. The Indians, in undertaking an enterprise, have only -one object--success, and all means are good to attain it. Gifted with -incontestable courage, at times rash to an excess, stopping at nothing, -and recoiling before no difficulty--for all that, when the success -of these enterprises appears to them dubious, and that consequently -the object is missed, they retire as easily as they advanced, not -considering their honour compromised by a retreat, or by leaving the -battlefield to an enemy more powerful than themselves, or well on his -guard. - -Thus, their system of fighting is most simple, and they only proceed by -surprises. The Redskins will follow the enemy's trail for entire months -with unequalled patience, never relaxing their watch for a moment, -spying him night and day, while ever careful not to be themselves -surprised: then, when the occasion at last presents itself, and they -fancy the moment arrived to execute the project, all the chances for or -against which they have so long calculated, they act with a vigour and -fury which frequently disconcert those they attack; but if after the -first onset they are repulsed--if they see that those they attack will -not let themselves be intimidated, and are prepared to resist, then, on -a given signal, they disappear as if by enchantment, and, without any -shame, begin watching again for a more favourable moment. - -Black, on the advice of the stranger, had placed himself and his -party in such positions that they could survey the prairie in every -direction. The stranger and himself were leaning on their rifles in -the angle that faced the river. The prairie at this moment presented -a singular appearance. The breeze, which at sunset had risen with a -certain strength, was gently dying out, scarce bending the tops of the -great trees. The moon, almost departed, only cast over the landscape an -uncertain and timorous gleam, which, in lieu of dissipating the gloom, -only rendered the darkness visible, through the striking contrasts -between the obscurity and the pale and fugitive rays of the declining -planet. - -At times, a dull roar or sharp bark rose in the silence, and, like a -sinister appeal, reminded the emigrant that implacable and ferocious -enemies were on the watch around, although invisible. The purity of the -atmosphere was so great, that the slightest sound could be heard for an -immense distance, and it was easy to distinguish the enormous blocks of -granite that formed black dots on the ground. - -"Do you know for certain that we shall be attacked this night?" the -American asked, in a low voice. - -"I was present at the last council of the chiefs," the unknown replied -distinctly. - -The emigrant bent on her a scrutinising glance, which she recognised, -and immediately understood; she shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. - -"Take care," she said to him, with a certain emphasis, "let not doubt -invade your mind; what interest should I have in deceiving you?" - -"I know not," he replied dreamily "but I also ask myself what interest -you have in defending me?" - -"None; since you place the matter on that footing, what do I care -whether your wealth is plundered, your wife, your daughter, and -yourself scalped? it is a matter of supreme indifference to me; but -must the affair be only regarded from that side? Do you imagine that -material interests have a great weight with me? If that is your -opinion, I shall withdraw, leaving you to get out of your present -position in the best way you can." - -While uttering these words, she had thrown her rifle over her shoulder, -and prepared to climb over the palisade, but Black quickly checked her. - -"You do not understand me," he said; "any man in my place would act as -I do; my position is fearful, you allow it yourself; you entered my -camp, and it is impossible for me to guess how. Still, I have hitherto -put the utmost confidence in you, as you cannot deny; but I do not -know who you are, or what motive causes you to act. Your words, far -from explaining, plunge me, on the contrary, into greater uncertainty; -the safety of my entire family and all I possess is at stake: reflect -seriously on all this, and I defy you to disapprove of my not putting -utter confidence in you, although you are, doubtlessly, deserving of -it, so long as I do not know who you are." - -"Yes," she answered, after a moment's reflection, "you are right, the -world is so, people must first of all give their name and quality; -egotism is so thoroughly the master over the whole surface of the -globe, that even to do a person a service, you require a certificate -of honesty, for no one will admit disinterestedness of heart,--that -aberration of generous minds, which practical people brand as madness. -Unfortunately, you must take me for what I appear, at the risk of -seeing me go away, and hence any confidence on my part would be -superfluous. You will judge me by my acts, the only proof I can and -will give you of the purity of my intentions; you are free to accept or -decline my assistance, and after all is over, you can thank or curse me -at your choice." - -Black was more perplexed than ever; the stranger's explanations only -rendered the fog denser, instead of affording him light. Still, in -spite of himself, he felt himself attracted toward her. After a few -moments of serious reflection, he raised his head, struck his rifle -barrel smartly with his right hand, and looking his companion well in -the face, said in a firm voice,-- - -"Listen, I will no longer try to learn whether you come from God or the -devil; if you are a spy of our enemies, or our devoted friend--events, -as you said, will soon decide the question. But bear this in mind, I -will carefully watch your slightest gesture, your every word. At the -first suspicious word or movement, I will put a bullet through your -head, even if I am killed the moment after. Is that a bargain?" - -The stranger began laughing. - -"I accept," she said. "I recognise the Yankee in that proposition." - -After this, the conversation ceased, and their entire attention was -concentrated on the prairie. The most profound calm still continued -to brood over the desert; apparently, all was in the same state as at -sunset. Still the stranger's piercing eyes distinguished on the river -bank several wild beasts flying precipitately, and others escaping -across the river, instead of continuing to drink. One of the truest -axioms in the desert is:--there can be no effect without a cause. -Everything has a reason in the prairie, all is analysed or commented -on; a leaf does not fall from a tree, a bird fly away, without the -observer knowing or guessing why it has happened. - -After a few moments of profound examination, the stranger seized the -emigrant's arm, and bending down to his ear, said in a weak voice, like -the sighing of the breeze, one word which made him tremble, as she -stretched out her arm in the direction of the plain. - -"Look!" - -Black bent forward. - -"Oh!" he said a minute after, "what is the meaning of this?" - -The prairie, as we have already mentioned, was covered in several -places by blocks of granite and dead trees; singularly enough, these -black dots, at first a considerable distance from the camp, seemed -approaching insensibly, and now were only a short way from it. As it -was physically impossible for rocks and trees to move of their own -accord, there must be a cause for this, which the worthy emigrant, -whose mind was anything but subtle, cudgelled his brains in vain -to guess. This new Birnam Wood, which moved all alone, made him -excessively uncomfortable; his son and servants had also noticed the -same fact, though equally unable to account for it. Black remarked -specially that a tree he remembered perfectly well seeing that same -evening more than one hundred and fifty feet from the mound, had -suddenly come so close, that it was hardly thirty paces off. The -stranger, without evincing any emotion, whispered-- - -"They are the Indians!" - -"The Indians?" he said, "impossible!" - -She knelt behind the palisade, shouldered her rifle, and after taking a -careful aim, pulled the trigger. A flash traversed the darkness, and at -the same moment the pretended tree bounded like a deer. A terrible yell -was raised, and the Redskins appeared, rushing toward the camp like a -herd of wolves, brandishing their weapons, and howling like demons. -The Americans, very superstitious people, reassured by seeing that -they had only to deal with men, when they feared some spell, received -their enemies bravely with a rolling and well-directed fire. Still, -the Indians, probably knowing the small number of white men, did not -recoil, but pushed on boldly. The Redskins were hardly a few yards off, -and were preparing to carry the barricades, when a shot, fired by the -stranger, tolled over an Indian ahead of the rest, at the instant he -turned to his comrades to encourage them to follow him. - -The fall of this man produced an effect which the Americans, who -fancied themselves lost, were far from anticipating. As if by -enchantment, the Indians disappeared, the yells ceased, and the deepest -silence prevailed again. It might be supposed that all that had passed -was a dream. The Americans regarded each other with amazement, not -knowing to what they should attribute this sudden retreat. - -"That is incomprehensible," Black said, after assuring himself by a -hasty glance that none of his party were wounded; "can you explain -that, mistress, you, who seem to be our guardian angel, for it is to -your last shot we owe the rest we at present enjoy?" - -"Ah!" she said, with a sarcastic smile, "you are beginning to do me -justice, then." - -"Do not speak about that," the emigrant said, with an angry voice; "I -am a fool; pardon me, and forget my suspicions." - -"I have forgotten them," she replied. "As for that which astounds you, -it is very simple. The man I killed, or, at any rate, wounded, was an -Indian chief of great reputation; on seeing him fall, his warriors were -discouraged, and they ran to carry him off the field, lest his scalp -should fall into your hands." - -"Oh, oh!" Black said, with a gesture of disgust; "do these Pagans fancy -we are like themselves? No, no! I would kill them to the last man, in -self-defence, and no one could blame me for it; but as for scalping, -that is a different matter. I am an honest Virginian, without a drop of -red blood in my veins. My father's son does not commit such infamy." - -"I approve your remarks," the stranger said, in a sorrowful voice; -"scalping is a frightful torture; unfortunately, many white men on the -prairies do not think like you; they have adopted Indian fashions, and -scalp, without ceremony, the enemies they kill." - -"They are wrong." - -"Possibly; I am far from justifying them." - -"So that," the emigrant joyfully exclaimed, "we are free from these red -devils." - -"Do not rejoice yet; you will soon see them return." - -"What, again?" - -"They have only suspended their attack to carry off their killed and -wounded, and probably to invent some other plan, to get the better of -you." - -"Oh, that will not be difficult; in spite of all our efforts, it will -be impossible for us to resist that flock of birds of prey, who rush on -us from all sides, as on a carcass. What can five rifles effect against -that legion of demons?" - -"Much, if you do not despair." - -"Oh, as for that, you may be easy, we will not yield an inch; we are -resolved to die at our posts." - -"Your bravery pleases me," the stranger said, "perhaps all will end -better than you suppose." - -"May Heaven hear you, my worthy woman." - -"Let us lose no time; the Indians may return to the charge at any -moment, so let us try to be as successful this time as the first." - -"I will." - -"Good! Are you a man of resolution?" - -"I fancy I have proved it." - -"That is true. How many days' provisions have you here?" - -"Four, at the least." - -"That is to say, eight, if necessary." - -"Pretty nearly." - -"Good! Now, if you like, I will get rid of your enemies for a long -time." - -"I ask nothing better." - -Suddenly the war cry of the Redskins was again heard, but this time -more strident and unearthly than the first. - -"It is too late!" the stranger said, sorrowfully, "All that is left is -to die bravely." - -"Let us die, then; but first kill as many of these Pagans as we can," -John Black answered. "Hurrah! my boys, for Uncle Sam!" - -"Hurrah!" his comrades shouted, brandishing their weapons. - -The Indians responded to this challenge by yells of rage, and the -combat recommenced, though this time it was more serious. After rising -to utter their formidable war cry, the Indians scattered, and advanced -slowly toward the camp, by crawling on the ground. When they found -in their road the stump of a tree or a bush capable of offering them -shelter, they stopped to fire an arrow or a bullet. The new tactics -adopted by their enemies disconcerted the Americans, whose bullets were -too often wasted; for, unluckily, the Indians were almost invisible in -the gloom, and, with that cunning so characteristic of them, shook the -grass so cleverly, that the deceived emigrants did not know where to -aim. - -"We are lost," Black exclaimed despondingly. - -"The position is indeed becoming critical; but we must not despair -yet," the stranger remarked; "one chance is left us; a very poor one, -I grant; but which I shall employ when the moment arrives. Try to hold -out in a hand-to-hand fight." - -"Come," the emigrant said, shouldering his rifle, "there is one of the -devils who will not get any further." - -A Blackfoot warrior, whose head rose at this moment above the grass, -had his skull fractured by the American's bullet. The Redskins suddenly -rose, and rushed, howling, on the barricade, where the emigrants -awaited them firmly. A point-blank discharge received the Indians, and -a hand-to-hand fight began. The Americans, standing on the barricades -and clubbing their rifles, dashed down every one who came within their -reach. Suddenly, at the moment when the emigrants, overpowered by -numbers, fell back a step, the stranger rushed up the barricade, with a -torch in her hand, and uttering such a savage yell, that the combatants -stopped, with a shudder. The flame of the torch was reflected on the -stranger's face, and imparted to it a demoniac expression. She held her -head high, and stretched out her arm, with a magnificent gesture of -authority. - -"Back!" she shrieked. "Back, devils!" - -At this extraordinary apparition, the Redskins remained for a moment -motionless, as if petrified, but then they rushed headlong down the -slope, flying, with the utmost terror. The Americans, interested -witnesses of this incomprehensible scene, gave a sigh of relief. They -were saved! Saved by a miracle! They then rushed toward the stranger, -to express their gratitude to her. - -She had disappeared! - -In vain did the Americans look for her everywhere; they could not -imagine whither she was gone: she seemed to have suddenly become -invisible. The torch she held in her hand, when addressing the Indians, -lay on the ground, where it still smoked; it was the only trace she -left of her presence in the emigrants' camp. - -John Black and his companions lost themselves in conjectures on her -account, while dressing, as well as they could, the wounds they had -received in the engagement, when his wife and daughter suddenly -appeared in the camp. Black rushed toward them. - -"How imprudent of you!" he exclaimed. "Why have you left your hiding -place, in spite of the warnings given you?" - -His wife looked at him in amazement. - -"We left it," she replied, "by the directions of the strange woman to -whom we are all so deeply indebted this night." - -"What! have you seen her again?" - -"Certainly; a few moments back she came to us; we were half dead -with terror, for the sounds of the fighting reached us, and we were -completely ignorant of what was occurring. After reassuring us, she -told us that all was over, that we had nothing more to fear, and that, -if we liked, we could rejoin you." - -"But she--what did she do?" - -"She led us to this spot; then, in spite of our entreaties, she went -away, saying that as we no longer needed her, her presence was useless, -while important reasons compelled her departure." - -The emigrant then told the ladies all about the events of the night, -and the obligations they owed to this extraordinary female. They -listened to the narrative with the utmost attention, not knowing to -what they should attribute her strange conduct, and feeling their -curiosity aroused to the utmost pitch. Unfortunately, the peculiar -way in which the stranger had retired, did not appear to evince any -great desire on her part to establish more intimate relations with the -emigrants. - -In the desert, however, there is but little time to be given to -reflections and comments; action is before all; men must live and -defend themselves. Hence Black, without losing further time in -trying to solve the riddle, occupied himself actively in repairing -the breaches made in his entrenchments, and fortifying his camp more -strongly, were that possible, by piling up on the barricades all the -articles within reach. When these first duties for the common safety -were accomplished, the emigrant thought of his cattle. He had placed -them at a spot where the bullets could not reach them, close to the -tent, into which his wife and daughter had again withdrawn, and had -surrounded them by a quantity of interlaced branches. On entering this -corral, Black uttered a cry of amazement, which was soon changed into, -a yell of fury. His son and the men ran up; the horses and one-half the -cattle had disappeared. During the fight the Indians had carried them -off, and the noise had prevented their flight being heard. It seemed -probable that the stranger's interference, by striking the Indians with -terror, had alone prevented the robbery being completed, and the whole -of the cattle carried off. - -The loss was enormous to the emigrant; although all his cattle had not -disappeared, enough had been carried off to render further progress -impossible. His resolution was formed with that promptitude so -characteristic of the Northern Americans. - -"Our beasts are stolen," he said; "I must have them back." - -"Quite right," William answered; "at daybreak we will go on their -track." - -"I, but not you, my son," the emigrant said. "Sam will go with me." - -"What shall I do then?" - -"Stay in the camp, to guard your mother and sister. I will leave James -with you." - -The young man made no reply. - -"I will not let the Pagans boast of having eaten my oxen," Black said, -wrathfully. "By my father's soul, I will get them back, or lose my -scalp!" - -The night had passed away while the camp was being fortified. The sun, -though still invisible, was beginning to tinge the horizon with a -purple light. - -"Ah, look!" Black continued, "here's day; let us lose no time, but set -off. I recommend your mother and sister to your care, Will, as well as -all that is here." - -"You can go, father," the young man said. "I will keep good watch -during your absence; you may be easy." - -The emigrant pressed his son's hand, threw his rifle, over his -shoulder, made a sign to Sam to follow him, and walked towards the -entrenchment. - -"It is useless to wake your mother," he said, as he walked on; "when -she comes out of the tent, you will tell her what has occurred, and -what I have done; I am certain she will approve of it. So, good-bye, my -boy, and mind you are on the watch." - -"And you, father--good luck!" - -"May Heaven grant it, boy," the emigrant said, sorrowfully. "Such -splendid cattle!" - -"Stay!" the young man exclaimed, holding his father back, at the moment -the latter was preparing to climb over the barricades. "What is that I -see down there?" - -The emigrant turned quickly. - -"Do you see anything, Will---whereabouts?" - -"Look, father, in that direction. But what is the meaning of it? It -must be our cattle." - -The emigrant looked in the direction his son indicated. - -"What!" he exclaimed joyfully; "why, those are our cattle. Where on -earth do they come from? And who is bringing them back?" - -In fact, at a great distance on the prairie, the American's cattle were -visible, galloping rapidly in the direction of the camp, and raising a -cloud of dust behind them. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE INDIAN CHIEF. - - -The Count de Beaulieu was far from suspecting, as he carelessly -prepared to light a cigar, that the lucifer match he employed would at -once render him so important in the sight of the Indians. But, so soon -as he recognized the power of the weapon chance placed in his hands, -he resolved to employ it, and turn to his own profit the superstitious -ignorance of the Redskins. Enjoying, in his heart, the triumph he had -obtained, the Count frowned, and employing the language and emphatic -gestures of the Indians, when he saw they were sufficiently recovered -to listen to him, he addressed them with that commanding tone which -always imposes on the masses. - -"Let my brothers open their ears; the words my lips utter must be -heard and understood by all. My brothers are simple men, prone to -error; truth must enter their hearts like an iron wedge. My goodness -is great, because I am powerful; instead of chastising them when -they dared to lay hands on me, I am satisfied with displaying my -power before their eyes. I am a great physician of the pale faces; I -possess all the secrets of the most famous medicines. If I pleased, -the birds of the air and the fish of the river would come to do me -homage, because the Master of Life is within me, and has given me his -medicine rod. Listen to this, Redskins, and remember it: when the first -man was born, he walked on the banks of the Mecha-Chebe; there he met -the Master of Life: the Master of Life saluted him, and said to him, -'Thou art my son.' 'No,' the first man made answer, 'thou art my son, -and I will prove it to thee, if thou dost not believe me; we will sit -down and plant in the earth the medicine rod we hold in our hands; the -one who rises first will be the younger, and the son of the other.' -They sat down then, and looked at each other for a long time, until at -length the Master of Life turned pale, and the flesh left his bones; on -which the first man exclaimed, joyfully, 'At length thou art assuredly -dead.' And they regarded each other thus during ten times ten moons, -and ten times more; and as at the end of that time the bones of the -Master of Life were completely bleached, the first man rose and said, -'Yes, now there is no more doubt; he is certainly dead.' He then took -the medicine stick of the Master of Life, and drew it from the earth. -But then the Master of Life rose, and taking the stick from him, said -to him, 'Stop! here I am; I am thy father, and thou art my son.' And -the first man recognized him as his father. But the Master of Life -then added, 'Thou art my son, first man; thou can'st not die; take my -medicine staff; when I have to communicate with my Redskin sons, I -will send thee.' This is the medicine staff. Are you ready to execute -my orders?" - -These words were uttered with so profound an accent of truth, the -legend related by the Count was so true and so well known by all, that -the Indians, whom the miracle of the match had already disposed to -credulity, put complete faith in it, and answered respectfully-- - -"Let my father speak: what he wishes we wish. Are we not his children?" - -"Hence," the Count continued, "I wish to speak with you, chief, alone." - -Natah Otann had listened to the Count's discourse with the deepest -attention: at times, an observer might have noticed a flash of joy -cross his features, immediately followed, however, by a feeling of -pleasure, which lit up his intelligent eyes: he applauded, like his -warriors, perhaps more warmly than they, when the young man ceased -speaking; on hearing him say that he would speak with the sachem alone, -a smile played on his lips: he made the Indians a sign to retire, and -walked towards the Count with an ease and grace which the other could -not refrain from noticing. There was a native nobility in this young -chief, which pleased at the first glance, and attracted sympathy. - -After bowing respectfully, the Blackfeet warriors went down the hill, -and collected about one hundred yards from the camping place. - -There were two men whom the Count's eloquence had surprised quite as -much as the Indian warriors. These were Bright-eye and Ivon; neither -of them understood a syllable, and the young man's Indian science -completely threw them out; they awaited in the utmost anxiety the -denouement of this scene, whose meaning they could not decipher. - -When left alone (for the hunter and Ivon soon also withdrew), the -Frenchman and the Indian examined each other with extreme attention. -But whatever efforts the white man made to read the sentiments of the -man he had before him, he was obliged to allow that he had to deal -with one of those superior natives, on whose faces it is impossible to -read anything, and who, under all circumstances, are ever masters of -their impressions; furthermore, the fixity and metallic lustre of the -Indian's eye caused him to feel a secret uneasiness, which he hastened -to remove by speaking, as if that would break the charm. - -"Chief," he said, "now that your warriors have retired--" - -Natah Otann interrupted him by a sign, and bowed courteously. - -"Pardon me, Monsieur le Comte," he said, with an accent which a native -of the banks of the Seine would have envied: "I think the slight -practice you have had in speaking our language is wearisome to you; if -you would please to express yourself in French, I fancy I understand -that language well enough to follow you." - -"Eh?" the Count exclaimed, with a start of surprise, "what is that you -say?" - -Had a thunderbolt fallen at the Count's feet he would not have been -more surprised and terrified than on hearing this savage, who wore the -complete costume of the Blackfeet, and whose face was painted of four -different colours, express himself so purely in French. Natah Otann did -not seem to notice his companion's agitation, but continued coldly-- - -"Deign to pardon me, Monsieur le Comte, for employing terms which must -certainly have offended you by their triviality; but the few occasions -I have for speaking French in this desert must serve as an excuse." - -M. de Beaulieu was a prey to one of those surprises which grow -gradually greater. He no longer knew were he awake, or suffering -from a nightmare; what he heard seemed to him so incredible and -incomprehensible, that he could not find words to express his feelings. - -"Who on earth are you?" he exclaimed, when sufficiently master of -himself to speak. - -"I!" Natah Otann remarked carelessly; "why, you see I am a poor Indian, -and nothing more." - -"'Tis impossible," the young man said. - -"I assure you, sir, that I have told you the exact truth. Hang it," -he added with charming frankness, "if you find me a little less--what -shall I say?--coarse, you must not consider it a crime; that results -from considerations entirely independent of my will, which I will tell -you some day, if you wish to hear them." - -The Count, as we think we have said, was a man of great courage, whom -but few things could disturb; the first impression passed, he bravely -took his part; perfectly master of himself henceforth, he frankly -accepted the position which accident had so singularly made for him. - -"By Jove!" he said, with a laugh, "the meeting is a strange one, and -may reasonably surprise me; you will therefore pardon, my dear sir, -that astonishment--in extreme bad taste, I grant--which I at first -evidenced on hearing you address me as you did. I was so far from -expecting to meet, six hundred leagues from civilised countries, a man -so well bred as yourself, that I confess I at first hardly knew what -Saint to invoke." - -"You flatter me, sir; believe me that I feel highly grateful for the -good opinion you are good enough to have of me; now, if you permit, we -will go back to our business." - -"On my faith, I am so staggered by all that has happened, that I really -do not know what I am about." - -"Nonsense, that is nothing; I will lead you back to the right track; -after the charming address you made us, you seem to desire speech with -me alone." - -"Hum!" the Count said, with a smile, "I am afraid that I must have -appeared to you supremely ridiculous with my legend, especially my -remarks, but then I could not suspect that I had an auditor of your -stamp." - -Natah Otann shook his head sadly; a melancholy expression for a moment -darkened his face. - -"No," he said, "you acted as you were bound to do; but while you were -speaking, I was thinking of those poor Indians sunk so deeply in error, -and asking myself whether there was any hope of their regeneration -before the white men succeed in utterly destroying them." - -The chief uttered these words with such a marked accent of grief and -hatred, that the Count was moved by the thought how this man, with a -soul of fire, must suffer at the brutalization of his race. - -"Courage!" he said, holding out his hand to him. - -"Courage!" the Indian repeated, bitterly, though clasping the proffered -hand; "after each defeat I experienced in the struggle I have -undertaken, the man who has served as my father, and unfortunately made -me what I am, never ceases to say that to me." - -There was a moment of silence; each was busied with his own thoughts; -at length Natah Otann proceeded:-- - -"Listen, Monsieur le Comte; between men of a certain stamp there is a -species of undefinable feeling, which attaches them to each other in -spite of themselves; for the six months your have been traversing the -desert in every direction, I have never once lost sight of you; you -would have been dead long ere this, but I spread a secret aegis over -you. Oh, do not thank me," he said, quickly, as the young man made a -sign, "I have acted rather in my own interest than yours. What I say -surprises you, I daresay, but it is so. Allow me to tell you, that I -have views with reference to yourself, whose secrets I will unfold to -you in a few days, when we know each other better; as for the present, -I will obey you in whatever you wish; in the eyes of my countrymen, I -will keep up that miraculous halo which surrounds your brow. You wish -these American emigrants to be left at peace, very good; for your sake -I pardon this race of vipers; but I ask you one favour in return." - -"Speak!" - -"When you are certain the people you wish to save are in security, -accompany me to my village,--that is all I desire. That will not cost -you much, especially as my tribe is encamped not more than a day's -march from the spot where you now are." - -"I accept your proposition, chief. I will accompany you wherever you -please, though not till I am certain that my _proteges_ no longer -require my aid." - -"That is agreed. Stay, one word more." - -"Say it." - -"It is well understood that I am only an Indian like the rest, even to -the two white men who accompany you!" - -"You demand it?" - -"For our common welfare: a word spoken thoughtlessly, any indiscretion, -how trifling soever, would destroy us both. Ah! you do not know the -Redskins yet," he added, with that melancholy smile which had already -given the Count so much subject for thought. - -"Very good," he answered; "you may be easy; I am warned." - -"Now, if you think proper, I will recall my warriors; a longer -conference between us might arouse their jealousy." - -"Do so; I trust entirely to you." - -"You will have no reason to repent it," Natah Otann replied, graciously. - -While the chief went to join his companions, the Count walked up to the -two white men. - -"Well?" Bright-eye asked him, "have you obtained what you wanted from -that man?" - -"Perfectly," he answered; "I only wished to say a few words to him." - -The hunter looked at him cunningly. - -"I did not think him so easy," he said. - -"Why so, my friend?" - -"His reputation is great in the desert; I have known him for a very -long period." - -"Ah!" the young man said, not at all sorry to obtain some information -about the man who perplexed him so greatly; "what reputation has he -then?" - -Bright-eye seemed to hesitate for a moment. - -"Are you afraid to explain yourself clearly on that head?" the Count -asked. - -"I have no reason for that; on the contrary, with the exception of that -day on which he wished to flay me alive--a slight mistake, which I -pardon with my whole heart,--our relations have always been excellent." - -"The more so," the Count said, with a laugh, "because you never met -again, to my knowledge, till this day." - -"That is what I meant to say. Look you--Natah Otann, between ourselves, -is one of those Indians whom it is far more advantageous not to see: he -is like the owl--his presence always forebodes evil." - -"The deuce! You trouble me greatly by speaking so, Bright-eye." - -"Suppose I had said nothing, then," he answered, quickly; "for my part, -I should prefer to be silent." - -"That is possible; but the little you have allowed to escape has, I -confess, so awakened my curiosity, that I should not be sorry to learn -more." - -"Unfortunately, I know nothing." - -"Still you spoke of his reputation--is that bad?" - -"I did not say so," Bright-eye answered, with reserve. "You know, Mr. -Edward, that Indian manners are very different from ours: what is bad -to us is regarded very differently by Indians; and so--" - -"So, I suppose," the Count interrupted, "Natah Otann has an execrable -reputation." - -"No, I assure you; that depends upon the way in which you look at -matters." - -"Good; and what is your personal opinion?" - -"Oh, I, as you are aware, am only a poor fellow; still it seems to me -as if this demon of an Indian is more crafty than his whole tribe; -between ourselves, he is regarded as a sorcerer by his countrymen, who -are frightfully afraid of him." - -"Is that all?" - -"Nearly." - -"After that," the Count said, lightly, "as he has asked me to accompany -him to his village, the few days we spend with him will enable us to -study him at our ease." - -The hunter gave a start of surprise. - -"You will not do so, I trust, Sir?" - -"I do not see what can prevent me." - -"Yourself, Sir; who, I hope, will not walk, with your eyes open, into -the lion's jaws." - -"Will you explain--yes, or no?" the Count exclaimed with rising -impatience. - -"Oh, what is the use of explaining?--will what I say stop you? No, I -am persuaded of that. You see, therefore, it is useless for me to say -more; besides, it is too late--the chief is returning." - -The Count made a movement of ill-humour, at once suppressed; but this -movement did not escape Natah Otann, who at this moment appeared on the -plateau. The young man walked toward him. - -"Well?" he asked eagerly. - -"My young men consent to do what our Paleface father desires; if he -will mount his horse and follow us, he can convince himself that our -intentions are loyal." - -"I follow you, chief," the Count replied, making Ivon a sign to bring -up his horse. - -The Blackfeet welcomed the three hunters with unequivocal signs of joy. - -"Forward!" the young man said. - -Natah Otann raised his arm. At this signal the warriors drove in their -knees, and the horses started like a hurricane. No one, who has not -witnessed it, can form an idea of an Indian chase: nothing stops -the Redskins--no obstacle is powerful enough to make them deviate -from their course; they go in a straight line, rolling like a human -whirlwind across the prairie crossing gulleys, ravines, and rocks, with -dizzy rapidity. Natah Otann, the Count, and his two companions, were -at the head of the cavalcade, closely followed by the warriors. All at -once the chief checked his horse, shouting at the top of his voice-- - -"Halt!" - -All obeyed, as if by enchantment: the horses stopped dead, and remained -motionless, as if their feet were planted in the ground. - -"Why stop?" the Count asked; "we had better push on." - -"It is useless," the chief said, calmly; "let my Pale brother look -before him." - -The Count bent on his horse's neck. - -"I can see nothing," he said. - -"That is true," the Indian said; "I forgot that my brother has the eyes -of the Palefaces; in a few minutes he will see." - -The Blackfeet anxiously collected round their chief, whom they -questioned with their glances. The latter, apparently impassive, looked -straight ahead, distinguishing in the darkness objects invisible to -all but himself. The Indians, however, had not long to wait, for some -horsemen soon came up at full speed. When they arrived near Natah -Otann's party, they stopped. - -"What has happened?" the chief asked, sternly; "why are my sons running -away thus? They are not warriors I see, but timid women." - -The Indians bowed their heads with humility at this reproach, but -made no answer. The chief continued--"Will no one inform us of -what has happened--why my chosen warriors are flying like scattered -antelopes--where is Long Horn?" - -A warrior emerged from the ranks. - -"Long Horn is dead," he said, sorrowfully. - -"He was a wise and renowned warrior; he has gone to the happy hunting -grounds to hunt with the upright warriors. As he is dead, why did not -the Blackbird take the totem in his hand in his place?" - -"Because the Blackbird is dead," the warrior answered, in the same tone. - -Natah Otann frowned, and his brow was contracted by the effort he made -to suppress his passion. - -"Oh!" he said, bitterly, "the greathearts of the east have fought -well; their rifles carry truly. The two best chiefs of the nation have -fallen, but the Red Wolf still remained--why did he not avenge his -brothers?" - -"Because he has also fallen," the warrior said, in a mournful voice. - -A shudder of anger ran through the ranks. - -"Wah!" Natah Otann exclaimed, with grief, "what is he also dead?" - -"No; but he is dangerously wounded." - -After these words there was a silence. The chief looked around him, and -then said-- - -"So; four Palefaces have held at bay two hundred Blackfeet warriors; -killed and wounded their bravest chiefs, and those warriors have not -taken their revenge. Ah! ah! what will the White Buffalo say when he -hears that? He will give petticoats to my sons, and make them prepare -food for the more courageous warriors, instead of sending them on the -warpath." - -"The camp of the Long Knives was in our power," the Indian replied, -who had hitherto spoken for his comrades, "we already had them down -with our knees on their chests, a portion of their cattle was carried -off, and the scalps of the Palefaces were about to be attached to our -girdles, when the Evil Genius suddenly appeared in their midst, and, by -her mere appearance, changed the face of the combat." - -The chief's face became still severer at this news, which his warriors -received with unequivocal marks of terror. - -"The 'Evil Genius!'" he said; "of whom is my brother speaking?" - -"Of whom else can I speak to my father, save the _Lying She-wolf of the -Prairies?_?" the Indian said, in a low voice. - -"Oh! oh!" Natah Otann answered, "did my brother see the She-wolf?" - -"Yes; we assure our father," the Blackfeet shouted altogether, happy to -clear themselves from the accusation of cowardice that weighed on them. - -Natah Otann seemed to reflect for a moment. - -"At what place are the cattle my brothers carried off from the Long -Knives?" he asked. - -"We have brought them with us," a warrior answered, "they are here." - -"Good," Natah Otann continued, "let my brothers open their ears to -hear the words the Great Spirit breathes unto me:--the Long Knives are -protected by the She-wolf: our efforts would be useless, and my sons -would not succeed in conquering them; I will make a great medicine to -break the charm of the She-wolf when we return to our village, but till -then we must be very cunning to deceive the She-wolf, and prevent her -being on her guard. Will my sons follow the advice of an experienced -chief?" - -"Let my father utter his thoughts," a warrior answered, in the name of -all, "he is very wise: we will do what he wishes: he will deceive the -She-wolf better than we can." - -"Good; my sons have spoken well. This is what we will do:--We will -return to the camp of the Palefaces, and will restore them their -beasts; the Palefaces, deceived by this friendly conduct, will no -longer suspect us; when we have made the great medicine, we will then -seize their camp and all it contains, and the Lying She-wolf will be -unable to defend them. I have spoken; what do my sons think?" - -"My father is very crafty," the warrior replied; "what he has said is -very good, his sons will perform it." - -Natah Otann cast a glance of triumph at the Count de Beaulieu, who -admired the skill with which the chief, while appearing to reprimand -the Indians for the ill success of their enterprise, and evincing the -greatest wrath against the Americans, had succeeded in a few minutes in -inducing them to carry out his secret wishes. - -"Oh! oh!" the Count murmured, aside, "this Indian is no common man, he -deserves studying." - -Still, a moment of tumult had followed the chief's words. The -Blackfeet, recovered from the panic and terror which had made them fly -with the feet of gazelles, to escape speedily from the ruined camp, -where they had experienced so rude a defeat, had got off their horses, -and were engaged, some in laying on their wounds chewed leaves of the -oregano, others in collecting the cattle and horses which they had -stolen from the Palefaces, and which were scattered about. - -"Who is this Lying She-wolf of the Prairies, who inspires such horror -in these men?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"No one knows her," the hunter answered, in a low voice, "she is a -woman whose mysterious life has hitherto foiled the most careful -attempts at investigation: she does no harm to any but the Indians, -whose implacable foe she appears to be: the Redskins affirm that she is -invulnerable, that bullets and arrows rebound from her without doing -her any injury. I have often seen her, though I have had no opportunity -of speaking with her. I believe her to be mad, for I have seen her -perform some of the wildest freaks at some moments, though at others -she appears in full possession of her senses: in a word, she is an -incomprehensible being, who leads an extraordinary life in the heart of -the prairies." - -"Is she alone?" - -"Always." - -"You excite my curiosity to the highest degree," the Count said; "no -one, I suppose, could give me any information about this woman?" - -"One person could do so, if he cared to speak." - -"Who's that?" - -"Natah Otann," the hunter said, in a low voice. - -"That is strange," the Count muttered; "what can there be in common -between him and this woman?" - -Bright-eye only answered by a significant glance. - -The conversation was broken off, and at the chief's order the Blackfeet -remounted their horses. - -"Forwards!" Natah Otann said, taking the head of the column again with -the Count and his companions. - -The whole troop set out at a gallop in the direction of the American -camp, taking the cattle in their midst. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE EXILE. - - -We are compelled, for the proper comprehension of the facts that will -follow, to break off our story for a moment, in order to describe a -strange adventure which happened on the Western Prairies some thirty -odd years before our story opens. - -The Indians, whom people insist so wrongly, in our opinion, in -regarding as savages, have certain customs which display a thorough -knowledge of the human heart. The Comanches, who appear to remember -that in old times they enjoyed a far advanced civilization, have -retained the largest amount of those customs which are, certainly, -stamped with originality. - -One day in the month of February, which they call _the Moon of the -Arriving Eagles_, and in the year 1795 or 1796, a village of the Red -Cow tribe was in a state of extraordinary agitation. The hachesto, or -public speaker, mounted on the roof of a lodge, summoned the warriors -for the seventh hour of the day to the village square, near the ark -of the first man, where a grand council would be held. The warriors -asked each other in vain the purport of this unforeseen meeting, but no -one could tell them: the hachesto himself was ignorant, and they were -obliged to await the hour of assembling, although the comments and -suppositions still went on to a great extent. - -The Redskins, whom badly-informed authors represent to us as cold, -silent men, are, on the contrary, very gay, and remarkable gossips when -together. What has caused the contrary supposition is, that in their -relations with white men the Indians are, in the first place, checked -by the difficulties of the language--equally insurmountable, by the -way, for both parties--and next by the distrust which every American -native feels towards Europeans, whoever they may be, owing to the -inveterate hatred that separates the two races. - -During our lengthened residence among Indian tribes we often had -opportunities for noticing what mistakes are made with respect to the -Redskins. During their long evening gossips in the villages, or the -hunting expeditions, there was a rolling fire of jokes and witticisms, -often lasting whole hours, to the great delight of the audience, who -laughed that hearty Indian laugh, without care or afterthought, which -cleaves the mouth to the ears, and draws tears of delight,--a laugh -which, for metallic resonance, can only be compared with that of -negroes, though the former is far more spiritual than the latter, whose -notes have ever something bestial about them. - -Toward the decline of day, the hour selected for the meeting, the -village square presented a most animated appearance. The warriors, -women, children, and dogs, those inseparable guests of the Redskins, -pressed round a large circle left empty in the centre for the -council fire, near which the principal chiefs of the nation crouched -ceremoniously. At a sign from an old sachem whose hair, white as -silver, fell in a cloud on his shoulders, the pipe bearer brought in -the great calumet, the stem of which he presented to each chief in -turn, while holding the bowl in the palm of his hand. When all the -chiefs had smoked, the pipe bearer turned the calumet to the four -cardinal points, while murmuring mysterious words which no one heard; -then he emptied the ash into the fire, saying aloud,-- - -"Chiefs, warriors, women, and children of the Red Cow, your sachems are -assembled to judge a very grave question; pray to the Master of Life to -inspire them with wise words." - -Then the pipe bearer, after bowing respectfully to the chiefs, -withdrew, taking the calumet with him. The council began, and, at a -sign from the aged sachem, a chief rose, and bowing, took the word:-- - -"Venerated sachems, chiefs, and warriors of my nation," he said, in a -loud voice, "the mission with which I am entrusted is painful to my -heart: listen to me indulgently, be not governed by passion; but let -justice alone preside over the severe decree which you will, perhaps, -be compelled to pronounce. The mission which I am entrusted with is -painful, I repeat; it fills my heart with sadness: I am compelled to -accuse before you two renowned chiefs belonging to two illustrious -families, who have, with equal claims, deserved well of the nation on -many occasions by rendering it signal services; these chiefs, as I must -name them before you, are the Bounding Panther, and the Sparrow Hawk." - -On hearing these names, so well known and justly esteemed, pronounced, -a shudder of astonishment and pain ran though the crowd. But, at a sign -from the oldest chief, silence was almost immediately re-established, -and the chief continued-- - -"How is it that a cloud has suddenly passed over the mind of these two -warriors, and tarnished their intellect to such an extent, that these -two men, who so long loved one another as brothers, whose friendship -was cited among the nation, have suddenly become implacable enemies, -so that, when they see each other, their eyes flash lightning, and -their hands seek their weapons to commit murder? No one can say; -no one knows it; these chiefs, when interrogated by the sachems, -maintained an obstinate silence, instead of revealing the causes of -their cruel enmity, which brings trouble and desolation on the tribe. -Such a scandal must not last longer; tolerating it would be giving a -pernicious example to our children! Sachems, chiefs, and warriors, in -the name of justice, I demand that these irreconcilable enemies should -be eternally banished from the tribe this very evening at sunset. I -have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The chief sat down amid a mournful silence in this assembly of nearly -two thousand people; the beating of their sorrow-laden hearts might -almost be heard, such sustained attention did each one give to the -words pronounced in the council. - -"Has any chief any observation to offer on the accusation which has -just been brought?" the old sachem said, in a weak voice, which was, -however, perfectly heard in every part of the square. A member of the -council rose. - -"I take the word," he said, "not to refute Tiger Cat's accusation, -for unfortunately all he has said is most scrupulously correct; far -from exaggerating facts, he has, with that goodness and wisdom which -reside in him, weakened the odiousness of that hatred; I only wish to -offer a remark to my brothers. The chiefs are guilty, that is only too -fully proved; a longer discussion on that point would be tedious; but, -as Tiger Cat himself told us, with that loyalty which distinguishes -him, these two men are renowned chiefs, chosen warriors, and they have -rendered the nation signal services; we all love and cherish them for -different reasons; let us be severe, but not cruel; let us not drive -them from among us as unclean creatures; before striking, let us make -one more attempt to reconcile them; this last step, taken in the -presence of the whole nation, will, doubtlessly, touch their hearts, -and we shall have the happiness of keeping two illustrious chiefs. If -they remain deaf to our prayers, if our observations do not obtain the -success we desire, then, as the case will be without a remedy, let us -be implacable; put an end to this scandal which has lasted too long, -and, as Tiger Cat asked, drive them for ever from our nation, which -they dishonour. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -After bowing to the sachems, the chief resumed his seat in the midst -of a murmur of satisfaction, produced by his hearty language. Although -these two speeches were contained in the programme of the ceremony, -and everyone knew what the result of the meeting would be, the -unreconciled chiefs had so much sympathy among the nation, that many -persons still hoped they would be reconciled at the last moment, when -they saw themselves on the point of being banished. The strangest thing -connected with the hatred between the two men was, that the reason of -it was completely unknown, and no one knew how to account for it. When -silence was restored, the oldest sachem, after a consultation with his -colleagues in a low voice, took the word. - -"Let the Bounding Panther and the Sparrowhawk be introduced to our -presence." - -At the two opposite corners of the square, the crowd parted like -overripe fruit, and left a passage for a small band of warriors, in -the centre of which the two accused men walked. When they met, they -remained perfectly calm, a slight arching of the eyebrows being the -only sign of emotion they displayed. They were each about twenty-five -years of age, well built, and active, and of martial aspect. They wore -their grand costume and war paint, but their weapons were carried -by their respective friends. They presented themselves before the -council with great respect and modesty, which the assembly approved of -heartily. After looking at them with a glance at once sorrowful and -benevolent, the eldest sachem rose with an effort, and, supported by -two of his colleagues, who held him under the arms, he at length spoke -in a weak voice. - -"Warriors, my beloved children," he said, "from the spot where you -stood you heard the accusation brought against you; what have you to -say in your defence?--are those words true? do you really entertain -this irreconcilable hatred to each other? Speak." - -The two chiefs bowed their heads silently. The sachem continued-- - -"My cherished children, I was already very old, when your mother, a -child, whose birth I also saw, brought you into the world. I was the -first to teach you the use of those weapons, which later became so -terrible in your vigorous hands. Now that I am about to sleep the -eternal sleep, only to wake again in the happy hunting grounds, give -me a supreme consolation which will make me the happiest of men, and -repay me for all the sorrow you have caused me. Come, children, you are -young and adventurous, love alone ought to find a place in your hearts; -hatred is a passion belonging to a ripe age, it does not become youth; -offer one another those honest hands, embrace, like the two brothers -you are, and let all be eternally forgotten between you. I implore you, -my children; you cannot resist the prayers of an old man so near the -tomb as I am." - -There was a moment of supreme anxiety in the crowd; all waited with -panting hearts for what was about to happen. The two chiefs directed a -tender glance at the old sachem, who regarded them with tears in his -eyes, then turned towards each other; their lips trembled, as if they -wished to speak; a nervous tremor agitated their bodies, but no sound -passed their lips; their arms remained inert by their sides. - -"Answer," the old man continued, "yes or no. You must; I command it." - -"No," they replied together, in a hoarse though firm voice. - -The sachem drew himself up. - -"It is well," he said. "As no generous feeling remains in your hearts, -as hatred has eaten them up entirely, and you are no longer men but -monsters, listen to the irrevocable sentence which your sachems, your -equals, your relations, and friends pronounce upon you. The nation -rejects you from its bosom; you are no longer children of our tribe. -Fire and water are refused you on the hunting ground of your nation, -we no longer know you. Chiefs who answer for you with their heads -will lead you twenty-five leagues from the village; you, Bounding -Panther, in a southern, and you, Sparrowhawk, in a northern direction; -you are forbidden, under penalty of death, ever to set your foot again -on the territory of your nation; each of you will take one of these -arrows, painted of diverse colours, which will serve as a passport -with the tribes through which you pass. Seek a nation to adopt you, -for henceforth you have neither country nor family. Go, accursed ones! -these arrows are the last presents you will receive from your brothers. -Go, and may the Master of Life soften your tiger hearts! As for us, we -know you no more. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The old man sat down again in the midst of general emotion; he veiled -his face with the skirt of his buffalo robe, and wept. The two chiefs -tottered away like drunken men, led to opposite corners of the square -by their friends. They passed through the ranks of their countrymen, -bowed down by the maledictions showered on them as they passed. - -At the extremity of the village, horses were awaiting them. They -galloped off, still followed by their escort. When each arrived at the -spot where he was to be left, the warriors dismounted, threw their arms -on the ground, and went off at full speed. Not a word had been uttered -during the long ride, which lasted fourteen hours. - -We will follow the Sparrowhawk: as for the Bounding Panther, no one -ever knew what became of him; his traces were so completely lost, that -it was impossible to find them again. The Sparrowhawk was a man of -tried courage and energy; still, finding himself alone, abandoned by -all those he had loved, a momentary feeling of discouragement and cold -rage almost turned him mad. But his pride soon revolted, he wrestled -with his sorrow, and after allowing his horse to take its necessary -rest, he set out boldly. - -He wandered about at hazard for many a month, following no precise -direction, living by the chase, caring very little where he stopped, or -the people with whom chance might bring him in contact. One day, after -a long and perilous chase after an elk, which by a species of fatality -he could not catch up, he suddenly found himself before a dead horse. -He looked around him: no great distance off lay a sword, near which was -a corpse, easily recognizable as that of a European by the dress. - -Sparrowhawk felt his curiosity excited; with that sagacity peculiar to -the Indians, he began ferreting about in every direction. His search -was almost immediately crowned with success; he saw, at the foot of a -tree, an old man with greyish hair and wild beard, dressed in tattered -clothes, and lying motionless. The Indian quickly went up to examine -the condition of the stranger, and try to restore him, if he were not -dead. The first thing Sparrowhawk did was to lay his hand on the heart -of the man he wished to succour. The heart beat, but so feebly, it -seemed as if it must soon stop. All the Indians are to a certain extent -doctors, that is to say, they possess a knowledge of certain plants, by -means of which they often effect really wonderful cures. - -While trying to restore the stranger, the Indian examined him -attentively. Though his hair was beginning to turn grey, the man was -still young, not more than forty to forty-five; he was tall and -well-built; his forehead was wide and high; his nose aquiline; his -mouth large, and his chin square. His clothes, though in rags, were -well cut and made of fine cloth, which plainly showed that he must -belong to a better class of society--the reader will understand that -these delicate distinctions escaped the notice of the Indian--he -only saw a man of intelligent appearance, and on the point of death; -and though he belonged to the white race, a race which, like all his -countrymen, he detested, and for good reasons--at the sight of such -distress, he forgot his antipathy, and only thought of helping him. - -Near the stranger there lay, in confusion on the grass, a surgeon's -pocketbook, a brace of pistols, a gun, a sabre, and an open book. -For a long time Sparrowhawk's efforts met with no success, and he -was despairing whether he could raise the dying man to life, when a -transient glow suffused his face, and his heart began beating more -quickly and strongly. Sparrowhawk made a gesture of delight at this -unexpected success. It was almost incredible! This warrior, whose whole -life had been hitherto spent in waging war of ambushes and surprises -with the whites, and committing the most refined cruelties on the -unhappy Spaniards who fell into his hands, now rejoiced at recalling to -life this individual, who, to him, was a natural enemy. - -In a few minutes the stranger slowly opened his eyes, but he closed -them again at once, as the light probably dazzled them. Sparrowhawk did -not lose heart, and resolved to carry out a good work so well begun. -His expectations were not deceived: the stranger presently opened his -eyes again; he made an effort to rise, but was too weak, his strength -failed him, and he fell back again. The Indian then gently supported -him, and seated him against the trunk of the catalpa, at whose foot he -had been hitherto lying. The stranger thanked him by a sign, muttering -one word, _beber_ (drink). - -The Comanches, whose life is passed in periodical excursions into the -Spanish territory, know a few words of that language. Sparrowhawk spoke -it rather fluently. He seized the gourd hanging to his saddle bow, and -which he had filled two hours before, and put it to the stranger's -lips; so soon as he had tasted the water, he began swallowing it in -heavy gulps. But the Indian, fearing an accident, soon took the gourd -from his lips. The stranger wished to drink again. - -"No," he said, "my father is too weak, he must eat something first." - -The patient smiled, and pressed his hand. The Indian rose joyfully; -took from his provision bag some fruit, and handed it to the man. -Through these attentions the stranger was sufficiently recovered, -within an hour, to get up. He then explained to Sparrowhawk, in bad -Spanish, that he and one of his friends were travelling together, that -their horses died of fatigue, while themselves could procure nothing to -eat or drink in the desert. The result was, that his friend died in his -arms only the previous day, after frightful suffering, and he should -have probably shared the same fate, had not his lucky star, or rather -Providence, sent him help. - -"Good," the Indian replied, when the stranger ended his narrative, "my -father is now strong, I will lasso a horse, and lead him to the first -habitation of the men of his own colour." - -At this proposition the stranger frowned; a look of hatred and haughty -contempt was legible on his face. - -"No," he said; "I will not return to the men of my colour, they have -rejected and persecuted me, I hate them; I wish to live henceforward in -the desert." - -"Wah!" the Indian exclaimed, in surprise, "has my father no nation?" - -"No," he answered, "I am alone, without country, relatives, or friends; -the sight of a man of my colour excites me to hatred and contempt; all -are ungrateful, I will live far from them." - -"Good," the Indian said; "I, too, am rejected by my nation; I, too, am -alone; I will remain with my father--I will be his son." - -"What?" the stranger ejaculated, fancying he had misunderstood him, "Is -it possible? Does banishment also exist among your wandering tribes? -You, like myself, are abandoned by those of your race and blood, and -condemned to remain alone--alone for ever?" - -"Yes," Sparrowhawk said, sorrowfully, bowing his head. - -"Oh!" the stranger said, directing a glance of strange meaning toward -heaven, "oh, men! they are the same everywhere, cruel, unnatural, and -heartless!" - -He walked about for a few moments, muttering certain words in a -language the Indian did not understand; then he returned quickly to -him, and pressing his hand, said, with feverish energy:-- - -"Well, then, I accept your proposition; our fate is the same, and we -ought not to separate again. Victims both of the spite of man, we will -live together; you have saved my life, Redskin; at the first impulse I -was vexed at it, but now I thank Providence, as I can still do good, -and force men to blush at their ingratitude." - -This speech was far too full of philosophic precepts for Sparrowhawk -thoroughly to understand it; still, he caught its sense, that was -enough for him, as he was too glad to find in his companion a man -afflicted by similar misfortunes to his own. - -"Let my father open his ears," he said; "he will remain here while I go -and find a horse for him; there are many manadas in the neighbourhood, -and I shall soon have what we want; my father will be patient during -Sparrowhawk's absence. I will leave him food and drink." - -"Go," the stranger said; and two hours later the Indian returned with a -magnificent steed. - -Several days were then spent in vagabond marches, though each took them -deeper into the desert. The stranger seemed afraid of meeting white -men; but with the exception of the story he had told of his narrow -escape from death, he maintained an obstinate silence as to his past -life. The Indian knew not then who he was, nor why he had ventured so -far into the desert at the risk of perishing. Each time Sparrowhawk -asked him any details about his life he turned the conversation, and -that so adroitly, that the Indian could never bring him back to the -starting point. One day, as they were rambling along side by side, -talking, Sparrowhawk, who was rather vexed at the slight confidence the -stranger placed in him, asked categorically-- - -"My father was a great chief in his nation?" - -The stranger smiled sorrowfully. - -"Perhaps," he answered; "but now I am nothing." - -"My father is mistaken," the Indian said, seriously; "the warriors of -his nation may not have valued him, but he still remains the same." - -"All that is smoke," the stranger replied. "The love of country is the -greatest and noblest passion the Master of Life has placed in the heart -of man--my father had a revered name among his people." - -The stranger frowned, and his face assumed an expression the Indian had -never seen before. - -"My name is a curse," he said, "no one will hear it uttered again; it -has been like a brand seared on my forehead by the partisans of the man -whom I, humble as I am, helped to overthrow." - -Sparrowhawk made a gesture of supreme disdain. - -"The chief of the nation must return to his warriors: if he betrays -them, they are masters of his scalp," he said, in a firm voice. - -The stranger, surprised at being so well understood by this primitive -man, smiled proudly. - -"In demanding his head," he said, "I staked my own; I wished to save my -country. Who can blame me?" - -"No one," Sparrowhawk replied, quickly; "every warrior must die." - -There was a lengthened silence; Sparrowhawk was the first to break it. - -"We are destined," he said, "to live long days together, my father -wishes his name to remain unknown, and I will not insist on knowing it; -still, we cannot wander about at hazard, we must find a tribe to adopt -us, men to recognize us as brothers." - -"For what purpose?" - -"To be strong and everywhere respected: we owe it to our brothers, as -they owe it to us; life is only a loan which the Master of Life makes -us, on the condition that it is profitable to those who surround us. By -what name shall I present my father to the men from whom we may ask -asylum and protection?" - -"By any you please, my son; as I am no longer to hear my own, any other -is a matter of indifference to me." - -Sparrowhawk reflected for an instant. - -"My father is strong," he said, "his scalp is beginning to resemble the -snows of winter, he will henceforth be called the White Buffalo." - -"The White Buffalo; be it so," the stranger answered, with a sigh; -"that name is as good as another; perhaps I shall thus escape the -weapons of those who have sworn my death." - -The Indian, charmed at knowing how henceforth to call his friend, then -said to him, joyfully-- - -"In a few days we shall reach a village of Blood Indians or Kenhas, -where we shall be received as if we were sons of the nation; my father -is wise, I am strong, the Kenhas will be happy to receive us; courage, -old father! this country of adoption will be, perhaps, worth your own." - -"France, farewell!" the stranger uttered, in a choking voice. - -Four days later they reached the village of the Kenhas, where a -friendly reception was given them. - -"Well," Sparrowhawk said to his companion, after they had been adopted -according to all the Indian rites, "what does my father think? Is he -happy?" - -"I fancy," the other said, with a melancholy air, "that nothing can -restore the exile the country he has lost." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE MASSACRE. - - -Days, months, years, passed away: the White Buffalo seemed to have -completely renounced that country which he was forbidden ever to see -again. He had completely adopted Indian customs, and, through his -wisdom, had so thoroughly acquired the esteem and respect of the Kenha -nation, that he was counted among the most revered sachems. - -Sparrowhawk, after giving on many occasions undeniable proofs of his -courage and military talents, had gained also a firm and honourable -place in the nation. If an experienced chief were required for a -dangerous expedition, he was ever selected by the council of the -sachems, for they knew that success constantly crowned his enterprises. -Sparrowhawk was a man of clear mind, who at once understood the -intellectual value of his European friend; obedient to the old man's -lessons, he never acted under any circumstances without having taken -his advice, and always followed his counsels: hence he speedily began -reaping the advantage of his skilful conduct. Thus, when he two years -later married a Kenha girl, and when his wife made him father of a boy, -he took him in his arms, and presented him to the old man, saying, with -great emotion: - -"The White Buffalo sees this warrior, he is his son, my father will -make a man of him." - -"I swear it," the old man replied, firmly. - -When the child was weaned, the father kept the promise he had made his -friend, and gave him his son, leaving him at liberty to educate the -boy as he thought fit. The old man, rejuvenated by the hope of this -education, which gave him the chance of making a man after his own -heart of this frail creature, joyfully accepted the difficult task. The -child received from its parents the name of Natah Otann, a significant -name, for it is that borne by the most dangerous animal of Northern -America, the grizzly bear. - -Natah Otann made rapid progress under the guidance of the White -Buffalo. The latter had a few books by him, which enabled him to give -his pupil a very extensive education, and make him very learned. Thence -resulted the strange circumstance of an Indian, who, while following -exactly the customs of his fathers, hunting and fighting like them, and -who was now leading his tribe, being at the same time a distinguished -man, who would not have been out of place in any European drawing room, -and whose great intellect had understood and appreciated everything. - -Singularly enough, Natah Otann, on attaining manhood, far from -despising his countrymen, brutalized and ignorant as they were, felt -an ardent love for them, and a violent desire to regenerate them. -From that moment his life had an object, which was the constant -preoccupation of his existence--to restore the Indians to the rank from -which they had fallen, by combining them into a great and powerful -nation. The White Buffalo, the confidant of all the young chief's -thoughts, at first accepted these projects with the sceptical smile -of old men, who, having grown weary of everything, have retained no -hope in the depths of their heart: he fancied that Natah Otann, under -the impression of youthful ardour, let himself be carried away by an -unreflecting movement, whose folly he would soon recognize. But when -able to appreciate how deeply these ideas were rooted in the young -man's heart, when he saw him set resolutely to work, the old man -trembled, and was afraid of his handiwork. He asked himself if he had -done well in acting as he had done, in developing so fully this chosen -intellect, which alone, and with no other support than its will, was -about to undertake a struggle in which it must inevitably succumb. - -He then sought to destroy with his own hands the edifice he had built -with so much labour: he wished to turn in another direction the ardour -that devoured his pupil, and give another object to his life, by -changing his plan. It was too late. The evil was irremediable. Natah -Otann, on seeing his master thus contradict himself, defeated him with -his own weapons, and obliged him to bow his head before the merciless -blows of that logic he had himself taught his pupil. - -Natah Otann was a strange composite of good and evil; in him all was -in extreme. At times, the most noble feelings seemed to reside in him; -he was good and generous; then, suddenly, his ferocity and cruelty -attained gigantic proportions, which terrified the Indians themselves. -Still, he was generally good and gentle toward his countrymen, who, -unaware of the cause, but subject to his influences, feared him, and -trembled at a word that fell from his lips, or a simple frown. - -The white men, and especially the Spaniards and Americans, were Natah -Otann's implacable enemies; he waged a merciless war on them, attacking -them wherever he could surprise them, and killing, under the most -horrible tortures, those who were so unhappy as to fall into his hands. -Hence his reputation on the prairies was great; the terror he inspired -was extreme; several times already the United States had tried to get -rid of this terrible and implacable foe; but all their plans failed, -and the Indian chief, bolder and more cruel than ever, drew nearer to -the American frontier, reigned uncontrolled in the desert, of which he -was absolute lord, and at times went, fire and sword in hand, to the -very cities of the Union to demand that tribute which he claimed even -from white men. - -We must not be taxed with exaggeration. All we here narrate is -scrupulously exact; and if we now and then alter facts, it is only to -weaken them. If we uncovered the incognito that veils our characters, -many of our readers would recognize them at the first glance, and -certify to the truth of our statements. - -A terrible scene of massacre, of which Natah Otann was the originator, -had aroused general indignation against him. The facts are as follow:-- - -An American family, consisting of father, mother, two sons of about -twelve, a little girl between three and four years of age, and five -servants, left the Western States with the intention of working a claim -they had bought on the Upper Mississippi. At the period we are writing -of, white men rarely traversed these districts, which were entirely -left to the Indians, who wandered over them in every direction, and, -with a few half-bred and Canadian hunters and trappers, were the sole -masters of these vast solitudes. On leaving the clearings, their -friends warned the emigrants to be on their guard. They had been -advised not to enter into the desert in so small a body, but await -other emigrants, who would soon proceed to the same spot; for a caravan -of fifty to sixty determined men might pass safe and sound through the -Indians. - -The head of the American family was an old soldier of the war of -independence, gifted with heroic courage, and thorough British -obstinacy. He answered coldly, to those who gave him this advice, -that his servants and himself could hold their own against all the -Prairie Indians; for they had good rifles and firm hearts, and would -reach their claim in the face of all opposition. Then he made his -preparations like a man whose mind, being made up, admits of no delay, -and he started against the judgment of his friends, who predicted -numberless misfortunes. The first few days, however, passed quietly -enough, and nothing happened to confirm these predictions. The -Americans advanced peacefully through a delicious country, and no -sign revealed the approach of the Indians, who seemed to have become -invisible. - -The Americans are men who pass most easily from extreme prudence to -the most foolish and rash confidence, and on this occasion were true -to their character. When they saw that all was quiet around them, and -no obstacle checked their progress, they began to laugh and deride -the apprehensions of their friends; they gradually relaxed in their -vigilance; neglected the precautions usual on the prairie; and at -last almost wished to be attacked by Indians, to make them feel the -weight of their arms. Things went on thus for nearly two months; the -emigrants were not more than ten days' march from their claim; they -no longer thought of the Indians: if at times they alluded to them in -the evening, before going to sleep, it was only to laugh at the absurd -fears of their friends, who fancied it impossible to take a step in the -desert without falling into an ambuscade of the Redskins. - -One night, after a fatiguing day, the emigrants went to bed, after -placing sentries round the camp, rather to keep wild beasts off than -through any other motive; the sentinels, accustomed not to be troubled, -and fatigued by their day's labours, watched for a few moments, then -their eyelids gradually sank, and they fell asleep. Their awakening was -destined to be terrible. - -About midnight, fifty Blackfeet, led by Natah Otann, glided like demons -in the darkness, clambered into the encampment, and ere the Americans -could seize their weapons, or even dream of defence, they were bound. -Then a horrible scene took place, the frightful interludes of which -the pen is impotent to describe. Natah Otann organised the massacre, -if we may be allowed to employ the term, with unexampled coolness and -cruelty. The chief of the party and his five servants were stripped -and attached to trees, flogged, and martyrized, while the two lads -were literally roasted alive in their presence. The mother, half mad -with terror, escaped, carrying off her little girl in her arms: but, -after running a long distance, her strength failed her, and she fell -senseless. The Indians caught her up; imagining her to be dead, they -disdained to scalp her; but they carried off the child, which she -pressed to her bosom with almost herculean strength. The child was -taken back to Natah Otann. - -"What shall we do with it?" the warrior asked, who presented it to him. - -"Into the fire!" he replied, laconically. - -The Blackfoot calmly prepared to execute the pitiless order he had -received. - -"Stop!" the father cried with a piercing shriek. "Do not kill an -innocent creature in that horrible manner. Are not the atrocious -tortures you inflict on us enough?" - -The Blackfoot hesitated, and looked at his chief; the latter reflected. - -"Stay," he said, raising his hand, and addressing the emigrant; "you -wish your child to live?" - -"Yes!" the father answered. - -"Good!" he answered, "I will sell you her life." - -The American shuddered at this proposition. "On what terms?" he asked. - -"Listen!" he said, laying a stress on every word, and darting at him a -glance which made him tremble to the marrow. "My conditions are these. -I am master of all your lives; they belong to me; I can prolong or cut -them short without the slightest opposition from you; but, I hardly -know why," he added, with a sardonic smile, "I feel merciful today; -your child shall live. Still, remember this; whatever the nature of the -torture I inflict on you, at the first cry you utter, your child shall -be strangled. You have it in your power to save her if you will." - -"I accept," the other answered. "What do I care for the most atrocious -torture, so long as my child lives?" - -A sinister smile played round the chief's lips. "It is well," he said. - -"One word more." - -"Speak." - -"Grant me a single favour; let me give a last kiss to this poor -creature." - -"Give him his child," the chief commanded. - -An Indian presented the little girl to the wretched man. The innocent, -as if comprehending what was taking place, put her arms round her -father's neck, and burst into tears. The latter, frightfully bound -as he was, could only bestow kisses on her, into which his whole -soul passed. The scene had something hideous about it; it resembled a -witches' Sabbath. The five men fastened naked to trees, the children -twisting on the burning charcoal, and uttering piercing cries, and -these stoical Indians, illumined by the ruddy glow of the fire, -completed the most fearful picture that the wildest imagination could -have invented. - -"Enough," Natah Otann said. - -"A last gift, a last remembrance." - -The chief shrugged his shoulders. "For what good?" he said. - -"To render the death you intend for me less cruel." - -"What is it you want?" - -"Hang round my daughter's neck this earring, suspended by a lock of my -hair." - -"Is that really all?" - -"It is." - -"Very good." - -The chief came up, took from the emigrant's ear a ring he wore in it, -and cut off with a scalping knife a lock of his hair; then, turning to -him with a sardonic laugh, he said-- - -"Listen carefully. Your companions and yourself are going to be flayed -alive; of a strip of your skin I will make a bag to hold the lock of -hair and ring. You see that I am generous, for I grant you more than -you ask; but remember the conditions." - -The emigrant looked at him disdainfully. - -"Keep your promises as well as I shall mine: and now begin the -torture--you will see a man die." - -Things were done as had been arranged; the emigrant and his servants -were flayed alive. The emigrant endured the torture with a courage -which even the chief admired. Not a cry, not a groan, issued from his -bleeding chest; he was made of granite. When his skin was entirely -stripped off, Natah Otann went up to him; the unhappy wretch was not -yet dead. - -"Thou art a man," he said to him. "Die satisfied. I will keep the -promise I made thee." - -And moved doubtlessly by a feeling of pity for so much firmness, he -blew out his brains. - -This horrible punishment lasted four hours. The Indians plundered all -the Americans possessed, and what they could not carry off they burned. -Natah Otann rigidly kept the oath he had made to his victim: as he -said, from a strip of his skin, imperfectly tanned, he made a bag, in -which he placed the lock of hair, and hung it round the child's neck -by a cord also made of his skin. On the homeward road to his village, -Natah Otann paid the most assiduous attention to the poor little -creature; and, on rejoining the tribe, the chief declared before all -that he adopted the girl, and gave her the name of Prairie Flower. - -At the period our story begins, Prairie Flower was fourteen years -of age; she was a charming creature, gentle and simple, lovely as -the princess of a fairy tale. Her large blue eyes, veiled by long -brown lashes, reflected the azure of the heaven, and she ran about, -careless and wild, through the forests and over the prairie, dreaming -at times beneath the shady recesses of the giant trees, living as -the birds live, forgetting the past, which was to her as yesterday, -caring nothing for the future, which to her had no existence, and only -thinking of the present to be happy. - -The charming girl had unconsciously become the idol of the tribe. The -old White Buffalo more especially felt an unbounded affection for her; -but the experiment he had made with Natah Otann disgusted him with a -second trial at education. He only watched over her with truly paternal -care, correcting any fault he might notice in her with a patience and -kindness nothing could weary. This old tribune, like all energetic and -implacable men, had the heart of a lamb; having entirely renounced the -world which mistook him, he had refreshed his soul in the desert, and -recovered the illusions and generous impulses of his youth. - -Prairie Flower had retained no remembrance of her early years; as -no one ever alluded in her presence to the terrible scenes which -introduced her to the tribe, fresher impressions had completely effaced -them. Loved and petted by all, Prairie Flower fancied herself a child -of the tribe. Her long tresses of light hair, gilded like ripe corn, -and the dazzling whiteness of her skin, could not enlighten her, for -in many Indian nations these anomalies are found; the Mandans, among -others, have many women and warriors who, if they put on European -clothes, might easily pass for whites. - -The Blackfeet, seduced by the charms of this gentle young creature, -attached the destinies of the tribe to her. They considered her -their tutelary genius, their palladium: their faith in her was -deep, serene, and simple. Prairie Flower was truly the Queen of the -Blackfeet; a sign from her rosy fingers, a word from her dainty lips, -was obeyed with unbounded promptitude and devotion. She could do -anything, say everything, demand everything, without fearing even a -second's hesitation to her will. She exercised this despotic authority -unsuspectingly; she alone was unaware of the immense power she -possessed over these brutal natives, who in her presence became gentle -and devoted. - -Natah Otann was attached to his adopted daughter, so far as -organizations like his are capable of yielding to any feeling. At -first he sported with the girl as with an unimportant plaything; but -gradually, as the child was transformed and became a woman, these -sports became more serious, and his heart was attracted. For the first -time in his life, this man, with his indomitable soul, felt a feeling -stir in him which he could not analyze, but which, through its force -and violence, astonished and terrified him. - -Then, a dumb struggle began between the chiefs head and heart. He -revolted against this influence which subjugated him: he, hitherto -accustomed to break through every obstacle, was now powerless before -a child, who disarmed him with a smile, when he tried to overpower -her. This struggle lasted a long time; at length, the terrible Indian -confessed himself vanquished, that is to say, he allowed the current to -carry him away, and without attempting a resistance, which he felt to -be useless, he began to love the young maiden madly. But this love at -times caused him sufferings so terrible, when he thought of the manner -in which Prairie Flower had become his adopted daughter, that he asked -himself with terror, whether this deep love which had seized on his -brain, and mastered him, was not a chastisement imposed by Heaven. - -Then, he fell back in his usual state of fury, redoubled his ferocity -with those unhappy beings whose plantations he surprised, and, all -reeking with blood, his girdle hung with scalps, he returned to the -village, and displayed the hideous trophies before the girl. Prairie -Flower, astonished at the state in which she saw a man whom she -believed to be--not her father, for he was too young--but a relative, -lavished on him all the consolations and simple caresses which her -attachment to him suggested to her: unfortunately, these caresses -heightened his suffering, and he would rush away half mad with grief, -leaving her sad and almost terrified by this conduct, which was so -incomprehensible to her. - -Matters reached such a pitch, that the White Buffalo, whose vigilant -eye was constantly fixed on his pupil, considered that he must, at -all risks, cut away the evil at the root, and withdraw the son of his -friend from the deadly fascination exercised over him by this innocent -enchantress. When he felt convinced of the chiefs love for Prairie -Flower, the old sachem asked for a private interview with his pupil: -the latter granted it, quite unsuspecting the reason which urged the -White Buffalo to take this step. - -One morning the chief presented himself at the entrance of his friend's -lodge. The White Buffalo was reading by the side of a fire kindled in -the middle of the hut. - -"You are welcome, my son," he said to the young man. "I have only a few -words to say to you, but I consider them sufficiently serious for you -to hear them without delay; sit down by my side." - -The young man obeyed. The White Buffalo then carefully changed his -tactics: he, who had so long combated the chief's views as to the -regeneration of the Indian race, entered completely into his views, -with an ardour and conviction carried so far, that the young man was -astonished, and could not refrain from asking what produced this sudden -change in his opinion? - -"The cause is very simple," the old man answered. "So long as I -considered that these views were only suggested by the impetuosity of -youth, I merely regarded them as the dreams of a generous heart, which -was deceiving itself, and not taking the trouble to weigh the chances -of success." - -"What now?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Now, I recognize all the earnestness, nobility, and grandeur, -contained in your plans; and not only admit their possibility, but I -wish to aid you, so as to ensure success." - -"Is what you say quite true, my father?" the young man asked, with -exultation. - -"I swear it: still we must set to work immediately." The chief examined -him for a moment carefully, but the old man remained impassive. - -"I understand you," he at length said, slowly, and in a deep voice; -"you offer me your hand on the verge of an abyss. Thanks, my father, I -will not be unworthy of you; I swear to you by the Wacondah." - -"Good; believe me, my son, I recognize you," the old man said, shaking -his head mournfully. "One's country is often an ungrateful mistress; -but it is the only one which gives us true enjoyment of mind, if we -serve her disinterestedly for herself alone." - -The two men shook hands affectionately; the compact was sealed. We -shall soon see whether Natah Otann had really conquered his love as he -imagined. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE GREAT COUNCIL. - - -Natah Otann set to work immediately, with that feverish ardour that -distinguished him. He sent emissaries in every direction to the -principal chiefs of the western prairies, and convoked them to a -great plain in the valley of the Missouri, at a spot called "The Tree -of the Master of Life," on the fourth day of the moon of the hardened -snow. This spot was held in great veneration by the Missouri Indians, -who went there constantly to hang up presents. It was an immense sandy -plain, completely denuded of vegetation; in the centre of the desert -rose a gigantic tree, an oak, twenty feet in circumference at least, -the trunk being hollow, and the tufted branches covering an enormous -superficies. This tree, which was a hundred and twenty feet in height, -and which grew there by accident, necessarily was regarded by the -Indians as something miraculous; hence the name they gave it. - -On the appointed day, the Indians arrived from all sides, marching in -good order, and camping at a short distance from the spot selected for -the council. An immense fire had been kindled at the foot of the tree, -and at a signal given by the drummers, or _Chichikoues_, the chiefs -collected around it, a few paces behind the sachems. The Blackfeet, Nez -Perces, Assiniboins, Mandans, and other horsemen, formed a tremendous -cordon round the council fire; while scouts traversed the desert in -every direction, to keep off intruders, and insure the secrecy of the -deliberations. - -In the east the sun was pouring forth its beams; the desert, parched -and naked, was mingled with the boundless horizon; to the south, the -Rocky Mountains displayed the eternal snow of the summits; while in the -north-west, a silvery ribbon indicated the course of the old Missouri. -Such was the landscape, if we may call it so, where the barbarous -warriors, clothed in their strange costumes, were assembled near the -symbolic tree. This majestic sight involuntarily reminded the observer -of other times and climes, when, by the light of the incendiary fires -they kindled, the ferocious comrades of Attila rushed to conquer and -rejuvenate the Roman Empire. - -Generally the natives of America have a Divinity, or more correctly, a -Genius, at times beneficent, but more frequently hostile. The worship -of the savage is less veneration than fear. The Master of Life is an -evil genius, rather than kind; hence the Indians give his name to the -tree to which they attribute the same powers. Indian religions, being -all primitive, make no account of the moral being, and only dwell on -the accidents of nature, which they make into gods. These different -tribes strive to secure the favour of the deserts, where fatigue and -thirst entail death, and of the rivers, which may swallow them up. - -The chiefs, as we have said, were crouching round the fire, in a -state of contemplative immobility, from which it might be inferred -that they were preparing for an important ceremony of their worship. -Presently Natah Otann raised to his lips the long war pipe, made of a -human thighbone, which he wore hanging round his neck, and produced -a piercing and prolonged sound. At this signal, for it was one, the -chiefs rose, and forming in Indian file, marched twice round the tree, -singing, in a low voice, a hymn, to implore its assistance for the -success of their plans. At the third time of marching round, Natah -Otann took off a magnificent collar of grizzly bears' claws from his -neck, and hung it to the branches of the tree, saying,-- - -"Master of Life, look on us with a favourable eye. I offer thee this -present." - -The other chiefs imitated his example each in turn; then they resumed -their scats round the council fire. The pipe bearer then entered the -circle, and after the customary ceremonies, offered the calumet to the -chiefs, and when each had smoked, the oldest sachem invited Natah Otann -to take the word. - -The Indian chief's plan was probably the most daring ever formed -against the whites, and, as the White Buffalo said, mockingly, -must offer chances of success through its improbability, because -it flattered the superstitious ideas of the Indians, who, like all -primitive nations, place great faith in the marvellous. It is besides, -the quality of oppressed nations, to whom reality never offers aught -but disillusions and suffering, to take refuge in the supernatural, -which alone offers them consolation. Natah Otann had drawn the first -idea of his plan from one of the oldest and most inveterate traditions -of the Comanches, his ancestors. This tradition, by reciting which -his father often lulled him to sleep in his childhood, pleased his -adventurous mind; and when the hour arrived to put in execution the -projects which he had so long revolved, he invoked it, and resolved to -employ it, in order to collect the other Indian nations around him in -one common whole. - -When Motecuhzoma (whom Spanish writers improperly call Montezuma, a -name which has no meaning, while the first signifies the _stern lord_) -found himself imprisoned in his palace by that talented adventurer, -Cortez, who, a few days later, tore his kingdom from him, the Emperor, -who preferred to confide in greedy strangers than take refuge in the -midst of his people, had a presentiment of the fate reserved for him. A -few days prior to his death, he assembled the principal Mexican chiefs -who shared his prison, and addressed them thus:-- - -"Listen! My father, the Sun, has warned me that I shall soon return to -him. I know not how or when I am destined to die, but I am certain that -my last hour is close at hand." - -As the chiefs burst into tears at these words, for they held him in -great veneration, he consoled them by saying-- - -"My last hour is near on this earth, but I shall not die, as I am -returning to my father, the Sun, where I shall enjoy a felicity unknown -in this world; weep not, therefore, my faithful friends, but, on the -contrary, rejoice at the happiness which awaits me. The bearded white -men have treacherously seized the greater portion of my empire, and -they will soon be masters of the remainder. Who can stop them? Their -weapons render them invulnerable, and they dispose at their will of the -fire from heaven; but their power will end one day; they, too, will be -the victims of treachery; the penalty of retaliation will be inflicted -on them in all its rigour. Listen, then, attentively, to what I am -about to ask of you; the safety of our country depends on the fidelity -with which you execute my last orders. Each of you take a title of -the sacred fire which was formerly kindled by the Sun himself, and on -which the white men have not yet dared to lay a sacrilegious hand to -extinguish it. This fire burns before you in this golden censer; take -it unto you, not letting your enemies know what has become of it. You -will divide the fire among you, so that each may have a sufficiency; -preserve it religiously, ant never let it go out. Each morning, alter -adoring it mount on the roof of your house, at sunrise, and look -toward the east; one day you will see me appear, giving my right hand -to my father, the Sun; then you will rejoice, for the moment of your -deliverance will be at hand. My father and I will come to restore you -to liberty, and deliver you for ever from these enemies, who have come -from a perverse world, that rejected them from its bosom." - -The Mexican chiefs obeyed the orders of their well-beloved Emperor on -the spot, for time pressed. A few days later, Motecuhzoma mounted on -the roof of his palace, and prepared to address his mutinous people, -when he was struck by an arrow, it was never known by whom, and fell -into the arms of the Spanish soldiery who accompanied him. Before -breathing his last sigh, the Emperor sat up, and raising his hands to -heaven, said, with a supreme effort, to his friends assembled round -him--"The fire! the fire! think of the fire." - -These were his last words: ten minutes later he had ceased to breathe. -In vain did the Spaniards, whose curiosity was strongly aroused by -this mysterious recommendation, try by all the means in their power -to penetrate its meaning; but they did not succeed in making one of -the Mexicans they interrogated speak. All religiously preserved their -secret, and several, indeed, died of torture, rather than reveal it. - -The Comanches, and nearly all the nations of the Far West, have -kept this belief intact. In all the Indian villages, the fire of -Motecuhzoma, which burns eternally is guarded by two warriors, who -remain by it for twenty-four hours without eating or drinking, when -they are relieved by two others. Formerly the guardians remained -forty-eight hours instead of twenty-four. It frequently happened -that they were found dead when the reliefs came, either through the -mephitic gases of the fire, which had great effect on them, owing to -their long fast, or for some other reason. The bodies were taken away, -and placed in a cavern, where, as the Comanches say, a serpent devoured -them. - -This belief is so general, that it is not only found among the Red -Indians, but also among the Manzos. Many men, considered to be well -educated, keep up, in hidden corners, the fire of Motecuhzoma, visit -it every day, and do not fail at sunrise to mount on the roof of -their houses and look towards the east, in the hope of seeing their -well-beloved emperor coming to restore them that liberty for which they -have sighed during so many ages, and which the Mexican Republic is far -from having granted them. - -Natah Otann's idea was this:--To tell the Indians, after narrating -the legend to them, that the time had arrived when Motecuhzoma would -appear and act as their chief; to form a powerful band of warriors, -whom he would spread along the whole American frontier, so as to -attack his enemies at every point simultaneously, and not give them -the time to look about them. This project, mad as it was, especially -in having to be executed by Indians, or men the least capable of -forming alliances, which have ever caused them defeats; this project, -we say, was deficient neither in boldness nor in nobility, and Natah -Otann was really the only man capable of carrying it out, could he but -find, among the persons he wished to arouse, two or three docile and -intelligent instruments, that would understand his idea, and heartily -cooperate with him. - -The Comanches, Pawnees, and Sioux were of great utility to the chief, -as well as the majority of the Indians of the Far West, for they -shared in the belief on which Natah Otann based his plans, and not only -did not need to be persuaded, but would help him in persuading the -Missouri Indians by their assent to his assertions. But in so large -an assembly of nations, divided by a multitude of interests, speaking -different languages, generally hostile to each other, how would it -be possible to establish a tie sufficiently strong to attach them in -an indissoluble manner? How convince them to march together without -jealousy? Lastly, was it reasonable to suppose that there would not be -a traitor to sell his brothers, and reveal their plans to the Yankees, -whoever have an eye on the movements of the Indians, for they are so -anxious to be rid of them? - -Still, Natah Otann did not recoil; he did not conceal from himself the -difficulties which he should have to overcome; but his courage grew -with obstacles. His resolution was strengthened, if we may use the -term, in proportion to the responsibilities which must every moment -rise before him. When the sachems made him the signal to rise; Natah -Otann saw that the moment had arrived to begin the difficult game he -wished to play. He took the word resolutely, certain that, with the men -he had before him, all depended on the manner in which he handled the -question, and that, the first impression once made, success was almost -certain. - -"Chiefs of the Comanches, Osages, Sioux, Pawnees, Mandans, Assiniboins, -Missouris, and all you that listen to me. Redskin brothers," he said, -in a firm and deeply accentuated voice, "for many moons my spirit has -been sad. I see, with sorrow, our hunting grounds, invaded by the white -men, grow smaller every day. We, whose innumerable peoples covered, -scarce four centuries back, the immense extent of territory compassed -between the two seas, are now reduced to a small party of warriors who, -timid as antelopes, fly before our despoilers. Our sacred cities, the -last refuge of the civilization of our fathers, the Incas, will become -the prey of those monsters with human faces who have no other god but -gold. Our dispersed race will possibly soon disappear from that world -which it has so long possessed and governed alone. Tracked like wild -animals; brutalized by firewater, that corrosive poison invented by the -white men for our ruin; decimated by the sword and white diseases, our -wandering tribes are now but the shadow of a people. Our conquerors -despise our religion, and wish to bow us beneath the laws of the -crucified One. They outrage our wives; kill our children; burn our -villages; and will reduce us, if they can, to the state of wild beasts, -under the pretext of civilizing us. Indians, all you who hear me, is -our blood so impoverished in our veins, and have you all renounced your -independence! Reply, will you die as slaves, or live free?" - -At these words, pronounced in aloud tone, and heightened by an -energetic gesture, a tremor ran through the assembly; brows were bent -firmly, all eyes sparkled. - -"Speak, speak again, sachem of the Blackfeet," all the chiefs shouted -unanimously. - -Natah Otann smiled proudly, his power over the masses was revealed to -him. He continued:-- - -"The hour has at length arrived, after so many hesitations, to shake -off the shameful yoke that presses on us. Within a few days, if you -please, we will drive the whites far from our frontiers, and repay them -all the evil they have done us. For a long time I have watched the -Americans and Spaniards. I know their tactics, their resources: to -utterly destroy them, what do we need, my well-beloved brothers? two -things alone--skill and courage!" - -The Indians interrupted him with shouts of joy. - -"You shall be free," Natah Otann continued. "I will restore to you the -valleys of your ancestors, the fields where their bones are buried, -and which the sacrilegious plough disperses in every direction. This -project, ever since I became a man, has fermented in my heart, and -become my life. Far from me and from you the thought that I intend -to force myself on you as chief, especially since the prodigy of -which I have been witness, in the appearance of the great emperor! -No; after that supreme chief, who must guide you to liberty, you are -free to choose the man who will execute his orders, and communicate -them to you. When you have chosen him, you will obey him; follow him -everywhere; and pass with him through the most insurmountable dangers, -for he will be the elect of the Sun; the lieutenant of Motecuhzoma! Do -not deceive yourselves, warriors; our enemy is powerful, numerous, well -disciplined, warlike, and has, before all, the habit of conquering us, -which is a great advantage to him. Name, then, this lieutenant; let his -election be free; take the most worthy, and I will joyfully march under -his orders!" - -And, after saluting the sachems, Natah Otann disappeared in a crowd of -warriors, with calm brow, but with a heart devoured by restlessness. -His eloquence, so novel to the Indians, had seduced them, and thrown -them into a species of frenzy. They considered the daring Blackfoot -chief a genius superior to themselves, and almost bowed the knee to -him in adoration, so cleverly had he struck the chord which must -touch their hearts. For a long time the council gave way to a sort -of madness, and all spoke at once; when this emotion was calmed, the -wisest of the sachems discussed the opportunity for taking up arms, and -the chances of success. It was now that the tribes of the Far West, who -believed in the legend of the sacred fire, became so useful; at length, -after a protracted discussion, opinions were unanimous for a general -uprising. The ranks, momentarily broken, were reformed, and the White -Buffalo, invited by the chiefs to express the opinions of the council, -spoke as follows:-- - -"Chiefs of the allied Indian tribes, listen! This day it has been -resolved by the following chiefs:--Little Panther, Spotted Dog, White -Buffalo, Grizzly Bear, Red Wolf, White Fox, Tawny Vulture, Glistening -Snake, and others, each representing a nation and a tribe, that war has -been declared against the white men, our plunderers; and as this war -is holy, and has liberty for its object, all men, women, and children -must take part in it, each according to their strength. This very day -the _wampums_ will be sent by the chiefs to all the Indian tribes that, -owing to the distance of these hunting grounds, were unable to be -present at this great council, in spite of their great desire to be so. -I have spoken." - -A long cry of enthusiasm interrupted the White Buffalo, who continued, -soon after:-- - -"The chiefs, after ripe deliberation, assenting to the request made -to the council by Natah Otann, the first sachem of the Blackfeet, -that they should appoint a lieutenant to the Emperor Motecuhzoma, -sovereign-chief of the Indian warriors, have chosen, as supreme -leader under the sole orders of the said Emperor, the wisest, most -prudent, and most worthy to command us. That warrior is the sachem of -the Blackfoot Indians, of the tribe of the Kenhas, whose race is so -ancient, Natah Otann, the cousin of the Sun, that dazzling planet which -illumines us." - -A thunder of applause greeted the last words. Natah Otann saluted the -sachems, walked into the circle, and said, in a haughty voice,-- - -"I accept, sachems, my brothers; we agree, I shall be dead, or you will -be free." - -"May the Grizzly Bear live for ever!" the crowd shouted. - -"War to the white men!" Natah Otann continued, "a war without truce -or mercy. A slaughter of wild beasts, as they are accustomed to treat -us. Remember the law of the prairies:--eye for eye, tooth for tooth. -Let each chief send the wampum of war to his nation, for at the end of -this moon we will arouse our enemies by a thunderbolt. At the seventh -hour of this night we will meet again, to select the subaltern chiefs, -number our warriors, and choose the day and hour of attack." - -The chiefs bowed without replying, rejoined their escorts, and soon -disappeared in a cloud of dust. Natah Otann and the White Buffalo -remained alone, a detachment of Blackfeet warriors watching over them -at a distance. Natah Otann, with his arms crossed and head bowed, -seemed plunged in profound reflection. - -"Well," the old Indian said, with an almost imperceptible shade of -irony in his voice, "you have succeeded, my son; you are happy. Your -plans will, at length, be accomplished." - -"Yes," he replied, without noticing the sarcastic tone of voice; "war -is declared; my plans have succeeded; but now, friend, I tremble at -such a heavy task. Will these peculiar men thoroughly comprehend me? -Will they be able to read, in my heart, all the love and adoration -I feel for them? Are they ripe for liberty? perhaps they have not -suffered enough yet? Father, father, whose heart is so powerful and -soul so great: whose life was used up in numerous contests, counsel -me! help me! I am young and weak, and I only have a strong will and a -boundless devotion to support me." - -The old man smiled mournfully, and muttered, answering his own thoughts -more than his friend:-- - -"Yes; my life was used up in supreme struggles: the work I helped to -raise has been overthrown, but not destroyed; for a new society, full -of vitality, has risen from the ruins of a decrepit society; by our -efforts the furrow was ploughed too deeply for it ever to be filled up -again: progress marching onward, nothing can check or stop it! Do not -halt on the road you have chosen; it is the greatest and most noble a -great heart can follow." - -In uttering these words, the old man had allowed his enthusiasm to -carry him away; his head was raised; his brow glistened; the expiring -sun played on his face, and imparted to it an expression which Natah -Otann had never seen before, and which filled him with respect. But the -old man shook his head sorrowfully, and continued:-- - -"Child, how will you keep your promise? where will you find -Motecuhzoma?" - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"You will soon see, my father," he said. - -At the same moment, an Indian, whose panting horse seemed to breathe -fire through its nostrils, came up to the chiefs, where he stopped -suddenly, as if converted into marble; without dismounting, he bent -down to Natah Otann's ear. - -"Already!" the latter exclaimed, "Oh! heaven must be on my side! There -is not a moment to lose. My horse! quick." - -"What is the matter?" the White Buffalo asked. - -"Nothing that relates to you at present, my father; but you shall soon -know all." - -"You are going alone, then?" - -"I must for a short period. Farewell!" - -Natah Otann's horse uttered a snort of pain, and started at full -gallop. Ten minutes later all the Indians had disappeared, and solitude -and silence prevailed round the tree of the Master of Life. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. - - -Matters had reached this point at the moment when the story we -have undertaken to tell, begins: now that we have supplied these -indispensable explanations, we will take up our narrative again at the -point where we broke it off. - -John Black and his family, posted behind the barricade that surrounded -the camp, regarded with joy, mingled with alarm, the cavalcade coming -toward them like a tornado, raising clouds of dust in its passage. - -"Attention, boys!" the American said to his son and servants, with his -hand on his trigger. "You know the diabolical trickery of these apes of -the prairie; we must not let them surprise us a second time; at the -least suspicious sign, a bullet! We shall thus prove to them that we -are on our guard." - -The emigrant's wife and daughter, with their eyes fixed on the prairie, -attentively followed the movements of the Indians. - -"You are mistaken, my love," Mrs. Black said; "these men have no -hostile designs. The Indians rarely attack by day; when they do so, -they never come so openly as this." - -"The more so," the young lady added, "as, if I am not mistaken, I can -see Europeans galloping at the head of the party." - -"Oh!" Black said, "that really has no significance, my child. The -prairies swarm with scoundrels who join those demons of Redskins when -honest travellers are to be plundered. Who knows, indeed, whether white -men were not the instigators of last night's attack?" - -"Oh, father, I never could believe such a thing as that," Diana -remarked. - -Miss Black, of whom we have hitherto said but little, was a girl of -about seventeen, tall and slender; her large black eyes, bordered with -velvety lashes; the thick bandeaux of brown hair; her little mouth, -with its rosy lips and pearly teeth, made her a charming creature, who -would have been an ornament anywhere; but in the desert must naturally -attract attention. Religiously educated by her mother, a good and pious -Presbyterian, Diana still retained all the candour and innocence of -youth, combined with that experience of everyday life imparted by the -rude life of the clearings, where people begin early to think and act -for themselves. In the meanwhile the cavalcade rapidly approached, and -was now no great distance off. - -"Those are really our animals galloping down there," Will said; "I -recognise Sultan, my good horse." - -"And Dolly, my poor milch cow," Mrs. Black said, with a sigh. - -"Console yourselves," Diana said, "I'll answer for it these people are -bringing back our cattle." - -The emigrant shook his head in agitation. - -"The Indians never give up what they have once seized; but, by my soul, -I'll have it out with them, and not let myself be robbed without a -trial for it." - -"Wait a minute, father," said Will, stopping him, for the emigrant was -about to leap over the intrenchments, "we shall soon know what their -intentions are." - -"Hum! they are very clear, in my idea. The demons want to propose to us -some disgusting bargain." - -"Perhaps, father, you are mistaken," Diana said, quickly; "and see, -they are stopping, and apparently consulting." - -In fact, on arriving within gunshot, the Indians halted, and began -talking together. - -"Why shall we not go on?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"H'm, you don't know the Yankees, Mr. Edward. I am sure that, if we -were to go ten paces further, we should be saluted by a shower of -bullets." - -"Nonsense!" the young man said, with a shrug of his shoulder; "they are -not so mad as to act in that way." - -"It's possible; but they would do as I tell you. Look attentively, and -you will see from this spot the barrels of their rifles glistening -between the stakes of the barricades." - -"By Jove! it's true; then they want to be massacred." - -"They would have been so long ago, had not my brother interceded in -their favour," Natah Otann said, joining in the conversation. - -"And I thank you, chief. The desert is large; what harm can those poor -devils do you?" - -"They, none; but presently others will come and settle by their side, -and so on; so that in six months my brother would see a city at a spot -where there is now nothing but nature as it left the omnipotent hands -of the Master of Life." - -"That is true," Bright-eye said, "the Yankees respect nothing; the rage -for building cities renders them dangerous madmen." - -"Why have we stopped, chief?" the Count said, recurring to his first -question. - -"To negotiate." - -"Will you do me a kindness? Leave this business to me. I am curious -to see how these people understand the laws of war, and how they will -receive me." - -"My brother is free." - -"Wait for me here, then, and do not make a move during my absence." - -The young man took off his weapons, which he handed to his servant. - -"What?" Ivon remarked. "Are you going, my lord, in this state among -those heretics?" - -"How else should I go? You know very well that a flag of truce has -nothing to fear." - -"That is possible," the Breton said, very slightly convinced; "but if -your lordship will believe me, you will, at least, keep your pistols in -your belt; for an accident happens so easily, and you do not know among -what sort of people you are going." - -"You are mad!" the Count said, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Well, then, as you are going unarmed to speak with people who do not -inspire me with the slightest confidence, I must ask your lordship to -permit me to accompany you." - -"You, nonsense!" the young man said, laughing. "You know very well that -you are a wonderful coward; that's agreed on." - -"Perfectly true; but I feel capable of anything to defend my master." - -"There we have it; your cowardice need only come on you suddenly, and, -in your alarm, you will be ready to kill everybody. No, no, none of -that; I do not wish to get into trouble through you." - -And dismounting, he walked in the direction of the barricades. On -arriving a short distance from them, he took out a white handkerchief, -and waved it in the air. Black, still ready to fire, carefully watched -the Count's every movement, and when he saw his amicable demonstration, -he rose, and made him a signal to come on. The young man quietly -returned his handkerchief to his pocket, lit a cigar, stuck his glass -in his eye, and after drawing on his gloves, walked resolutely on. On -reaching the intrenchments, he found himself in front of Black, who was -waiting for him, leaning on his rifle. - -"What do you want of me?" the American said, roughly. "Make haste! I -have no time to lose in conversation." - -The Count surveyed him haughtily, assumed the most insolent posture he -could select, and puffing a cloud of smoke into his face, said dryly-- - -"You are not polite, my dear fellow." - -"Halloa!" the other said. "Have you come here to insult me?" - -"I have come to do you a service; and if you continue in that tone, I -am afraid I shall be obliged not to do it." - -"We'll see to that--do me a service! And what may it be?" the American -asked with a grin. - -"You are a low fellow," the Count remarked, "with whom it is offensive -to talk. I prefer to withdraw." - -"Withdraw--oh, nonsense! You are too valuable a hostage. I shall -keep you, my gentleman, and only give you up at a good figure,", the -American continued. - -"What! Is that the way you comprehend the law of nations? That's -curious," the Count said, still sarcastic. - -"There is no law of nations with bandits." - -"Thanks for your compliment, master. And what would you do to keep me, -if I did not think proper?" - -"Like this," the American said, laying his hand roughly on his shoulder. - -"What!" the Count said. "I really believe, Heaven forgive me! that you -dared to lay a hand on me!" - -And ere the emigrant had time to prevent it, he seized him round the -waist, lifted him from the ground, and hurled him over the barricade. -The giant fell all bruised in the middle of his camp. Instead of -withdrawing, as any other might have done in his place, the young man -crossed his arms, and waited, smoking peacefully. The emigrant, stunned -by his rough fall, rose, shaking himself like a wet dog, and feeling -his ribs, to assure himself that there was nothing broken. The ladies -uttered a cry of terror on seeing him re-enter the camp in such a -peculiar way, while his son and servants looked toward him, ready to -fire at the first signal. - -"Lower your guns," he said to them; and leaping once more over the -barricade, he walked towards the Count. The latter awaited him with -perfect calmness. - -"Ah! there you are," he said, "Well, how did you like that?" - -"Come, come," the American replied, holding out his hand; "I was in the -wrong; I am a brute beast; forgive me." - -"Very good; I like you better like that; we only need to understand -each other. You are now prepared to listen to me, I fancy?" - -"Quite." - -There are certain men, like John Black, with whom it is necessary to -employ extreme measures, and prove your superiority to them. With such -persons you do not argue, but smash them; after which it always happens -that these men, before so intractable, become gentle as lambs, and do -all you want. The American, possessed of great strength, and confiding -in it, thought he had a right to be insolent with a slight and weak -looking man; but so soon as this man had proved to him, in a peremptory -manner, that he was the more powerful of the two, the bull drew in his -horns, and recoiled all the distance he had advanced. - -"This night," the Count then said, "you were attacked by the Blackfeet; -I wished to come to your aid, but it was impossible, and, besides, I -should have arrived too late. As, however, for some reason or other; -the men who attacked you feel a certain amount of consideration for me, -I have profited by my influence to make them restore the cattle they -stole from you." - -"Thanks; believe that I sincerely regret what has passed between us; -but I was so annoyed by the loss I had experienced." - -"I understand all that, and willingly pardon you, the more so as I, -perhaps, gave you rather too rude a shock just now." - -"Oh, do not mention it, I beg." - -"As you please; it is all the same to me." - -"And my cattle?" - -"Are at your disposal. Will you have them at once?" - -"I will not conceal from you that--" - -"Very good," the Count interrupted him; "wait a minute, I will tell -them to bring them up." - -"Do you think I have nothing to fear from the Indians?" - -"Not if you know how to manage them." - -"Well, then, shall I wait for you?" - -"Only a few minutes." - -The Count went down the hill again with the same calm step he had gone -up it. So soon as he rejoined the Indians, his friends surrounded him; -they had seen all that passed, and were delighted at the way in which -he had ended the discussion. - -"Good heavens! how coarse those Americans are," the young man said. -"Pray give him his cattle, chief, and let us have done with him. The -animal all but put me in a passion." - -"He is coming toward us," Natah Otann replied, with an undefinable -smile. Black, indeed, soon came up. The worthy emigrant, having been -duly scolded by his wife and daughter, had recognized the full extent -of his stupidity, and was most anxious to repair it. - -"Really, gentlemen," he said, "we cannot part in this way. I owe you -great obligations, and am desirous to prove to you that I am not such a -brute as I probably seem to be. Be kind enough to stay with us, if only -for an hour, to show us that you bear no malice." - -This invitation was given in a hearty, but, at the same time, cordial -manner, and it was so evident that the good man was confused, that -the Count had not the heart to refuse him. The Indians camped where -they were. The chief and the three hunters followed the American into -his camp, where the cattle had already been restored. The reception -was as it should be in the desert; the ladies had hastily prepared -refreshments under the tent, while William and the two serving men made -a breach in the barricade, to give passage to his father's guests. Lucy -Black and Diana awaited the newcomers at the entrance of the camp. - -"You are welcome, gentlemen," the Americans wife said, with a graceful -bow; "we are all so much indebted to you, that we are only too happy to -receive you." - -The chief and the Count bowed politely to the lady, who was doing all -in her power to repair the clumsy brutality of her husband. The Count, -at the sight of Diana, felt an emotion which he could not, at the first -blush, understand; his heart beat on regarding this charming creature, -who was exposed to so many dangers through the life to which she was -condemned. Diana blushed at the ardent glance of the young man, and -timidly drew nearer her mother, with that instinct of modesty innate -in woman's heart, which makes her ever seek protection from her to whom -she owes existence. - -After the first compliments, Natah Otann, the Count, and Bright-eye, -entered the tent where Black and his son were awaiting them. When the -ice was broken, which does not take long among people accustomed to -prairie life, the conversation became more animated and intimate. - -"So," the Count asked, "you have left the clearings with the intention -of never returning?" - -"Oh, yes," the emigrant answered; "for a man having a family, -everything is becoming so dear on the frontier, that he must make up -his mind to enter the desert." - -"I can understand your doing so as a man, for you can always manage to -get out of difficulties; but your wife and daughter--you condemn them -to a very sorrowful and dangerous life." - -"It is a wife's duty to follow her husband," Mrs. Black said with a -slight accent of reproach. "I am happy wherever he is, provided I am by -his side." - -"Good, madam; I admire such sentiments; but permit me an observation." - -"Certainly, sir." - -"Was it necessary to come so far to find a suitable farm?" - -"Certainly not; but we should have run the risk of being someday -expelled from the new clearing by the owners of the land, and compelled -to begin a new plantation further away," she said. - -"While now," Black continued, "at the place where we are, we have -nothing of that sort to fear, as the land belongs to nobody." - -"My brother is mistaken," the chief said, who had not yet spoken a -word; "the country, for ten days' march in every direction, belongs to -me and my tribe; the Paleface is here on the hunting grounds of the -Kenhas." - -Black regarded Natah Otann with an air of embarrassment. - -"Well," he said, after a moment's pause, as if speaking against the -grain; "we will go further, wife." - -"Where can the Palefaces go to find land that belongs to nobody?" the -chief continued, severely. - -This time the American had not a word to say. Diana, who had never -before seen an Indian so close, regarded the chief with a mingled -feeling of curiosity and terror. The Count smiled. - -"The chief is right," Bright-eye said, "the prairies belong to the Red -men." - -Black had bowed his head on his chest, in perplexity. - -"What is to be done?" he muttered. - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Let my brother open his ears," he said to him; "a chief is about to -speak." - -The American fixed an inquiring glance on him. - -"Does this country suit my brother then?" the Indian continued. - -"Why should I deny it? This country is the finest I ever saw; close to -me I have the river, behind me, immense virgin forests. Oh yes, it is a -fine country, and I should have made a magnificent plantation." - -"I have told my Paleface brother," the chief went on, "that this -country belonged to me." - -"Yes, you told me so, chief, and it is true; I cannot deny it." - -"Well, if the Paleface desires it, he can obtain so much ground as he -wishes," Natah Otann said, concisely. - -At this proposition, which the American was far from suspecting, he -pricked up his ears; the squatter's nature was aroused in him. - -"How can I buy the land when I possess nothing?" he said. - -"That is of no consequence," the chief replied. - -The astonishment now became general; each looked at the Indian -curiously: for the conversation had suddenly acquired a grave -importance which no one expected. Black, however, was not deceived by -this apparent facility. - -"The chief has doubtless not understood me," he said. - -The Indian shook his head. - -"The Paleface cannot buy the land, because he has not wherewith to pay -for it; those were his words." - -"True; and the chief answered that it was of little matter." - -"I said so." - -There was no mistake, the two men had clearly understood one another. - -"There is some devilry behind that," Bright-eye muttered in his -moustache; "an Indian does not give an egg, unless he expects an ox in -return." - -"What do you want to arrive at, chief?" the Count asked Natah Otann, -frankly. - -"I will explain myself," the latter said; "my brother interests himself -in this family, I believe?" - -"I do," the young man answered, with some surprise, "and you know my -reasons." - -"Good; let my brother pledge himself to accompany me during two moons, -without asking any explanation of my actions, and give me his aid -whenever I require it, and I will give this man as much ground as he -needs to found a settlement, and he need never fear being annoyed by -the Redskins, or dispossessed by the Whites, for I am really the owner -of the land, and no other can lay claim to it." - -"A moment," Bright-eye said, as he rose; "in my presence, Mr. Edward -will not accept such a bargain; no one buys a pig in a poke, and it -would be madness to submit his will to the caprices of another man." - -Natah Otann frowned, his eye flashed fire, and he rose. - -"Dog of the Palefaces," he shouted, "take care of thy words--I have -once spared thy life." - -"Your menaces do not frighten me, Redskin," the Canadian replied, -resolutely; "you lie if you say that you were master of my life; it -only depends from the will of God; you cannot cause a hair of my head -to fall without His consent." - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his knife, a movement immediately imitated -by the hunter, and they stood opposite each other, ready for action. -The ladies uttered a shriek of terror, William and his father stood -before them, ready to interfere in the quarrel, if it were necessary. -But the Count had already, quick as thought, thrown himself between the -two men, shouting loudly-- - -"Stop! I insist on it!" - -Yielding to the ascendency of the speaker, the Blackfoot and the -Canadian each fell back a step, returned their knives to their girdles, -and waited. The Count looked at them for a moment, then, holding out -his hand to Bright-eye, said, affectionately-- - -"Thank you, my friend, but for the present I do not require your aid." - -"Good, good," the hunter said; "you know I am yours, body and soul. Mr. -Edward, it is only deferred." And the worthy Canadian sat down again -quietly. - -"As for you, chief," the young man continued, "the proposals are -unacceptable. I should be mad to agree to them, and I hope I am not -quite in that state yet. I wish to teach you this, that I have only -come on the prairie to hunt for a short time; that time has passed; -pressing business requires my presence in the United States, and -dispels my desire to be useful to these good people; so soon as I have -accompanied you to the village, according to my promise, I shall say -good-bye to you, and probably never return." - -"Which will be extremely agreeable to me," Bright-eye said, in -confirmation. - -The Indian did not stir. - -"Still," the Count went on, "there is, perhaps, a way of settling the -matter to the satisfaction of all parties; land is not so dear here; -tell me your price, and I will pay you at once, either in dollars, or -in bills on a New York banker." - -"All right," the hunter said; "there is still that way open." - -"Oh! I thank you, sir," Mrs. Black exclaimed, "but my husband cannot -and ought not to accept such a proposal." - -"Why not, my dear lady, if it suits me, and the chief accepts my offer?" - -Black, we must do him the justice to say, satisfied himself by -signifying his approval by a gesture; but the worthy squatter, like -a true American, was very careful not to say a word. As for Diana, -fascinated by such disinterestedness, she gazed on the Count with eyes -sparkling with gratitude, not daring to express aloud what her secret -thoughts were about this noble and generous gentleman. Natah Otann -raised his head. - -"I will prove to my brother," he said, in a gentle voice, and bowing -courteously, "that the Red men are as generous as the Palefaces. I sell -him eight hundred acres of land, to be chosen where he pleases along -the river, for one dollar." - -"A dollar?" the young man exclaimed, in surprise. - -"Yes," the chief said, smiling, "in that way I shall be paid, my -brother will owe me nothing; and if he consents to stay a little while -with me, it will be of his own accord, and because he likes to be with -a true friend." - -This unforeseen result to a scene which had for a moment threatened to -end in blood, filled all persons with surprise. Bright-eye alone was -not duped by the chief's courtesy. - -"There's something behind it," he muttered to himself, "but I will -watch, and that demon must be very cunning to cheat me." - -The Count was affected by this generosity, which he was far from -expecting. - -"There, chief," he said, handing him the stipulated dollar, "now we are -quits; but be assured that I will not be outdone by you." - -Natah Otann bowed courteously. - -"Now," the Count continued, "a last favour." - -"Let my brother speak, he has the right to ask everything of me." - -"Make peace with my old Bright-eye," - -"As my brother desires it," the chief said, "I will do so willingly; -and, as a sign of reconciliation, I beg him to accept the dollar you -have given me." - -The hunter's first impulse was to decline it; but he thought better of -it, took the dollar, and carefully placed it in his belt. Black knew -not how to express his gratitude to the Count, who had really made him -a landed proprietor; and the same day the American and his son chose -the land on which the plantation should be established. The Count drew -up on a leaf of his pocketbook a regular deed of sale, which was signed -by himself, Bright-eye, and Ivon, as witnesses, by Black as purchaser, -and at the foot of which Natah Otann drew the totem of his tribe, and -an animal intended to represent a bear, which formed his speaking but -most emblematical signature. The chief, had he pleased, could have -signed like the rest, but he wished to hide from all the instruction he -owed to the White Buffalo. Black preciously placed the deed between the -leaves of his family bible, and said to the Count, while squeezing his -hand hard enough to smash it-- - -"Remember that you have in John Black a man who will let his bones be -broken for you, whenever you think proper." - -Diana said nothing, but she gave the young man a look which paid him -amply for what he had done for the family. - -"Attention," Bright-eye said, in a whisper, the first time he found -himself alone with Ivon; "from this day watch carefully over your -master, for a terrible danger threatens him." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES. - - -About four or five hours after the various events we have described -in the previous chapters, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, that is to say, bedizened with -feathers, and painted of glaring colours, crossed a streamlet, and -galloped over the prairies, proceeding in the direction of the Virgin -forest, to which we have several times alluded. The rider, dressed -in the war costume of the Blackfoot Indians, and whom it was easy to -recognize as a chief by the eagle feather fastened over his right ear, -incessantly bent over his horse's neck, and urged it to increased speed. - -It was night, but an American night, full of sharp odours and -mysterious sounds, with a dark blue sky, studded with an infinite -number of dazzling stars; the moon profusely spread her silvery rays -over the landscape, casting a deceitful brightness, which imparted a -fantastic appearance to objects. All seemed to sleep on the prairies; -the wind even hardly shook the umbrageous tops of the trees; the wild -beasts, after drinking at the river, had returned to their hidden dens. -The horseman alone moved on, gliding silently through the darkness; -at times he raised his head, as if consulting the sky, then, after a -seconds rest, he galloped onwards. - -Many hours passed ere the horseman thought of stopping. At length -he reached a spot where the trees were so interlaced by creepers -which enfolded them, that a species of insurmountable wall suddenly -prevented the rider's progress. After a moment's hesitation, and -looking attentively around to discover a hole by which he could pass, -seeing clearly that all attempts would be useless, he dismounted. He -saw that he had arrived at a canebrake, or spot where a passage can -only be made by fire or axe. The Indian chief fastened his horse to the -trunk of a tree; left within its reach a stock of grass and climbing -peas; then, certain that his horse would want for nothing during this -long night, he began thinking of himself. - -First he cut down with his bowie knife the bushes and plants which -interfered with the encampment he wished to form; then he prepared, -with all the stoicism of a prairie denizen, a fire of dry wood, in -order to cook his supper, and keep off wild beasts, if anyone took it -into his head to pay him a visit during his sleep. Among the wood he -collected was a large quantity of what the Mexicans call _palo mulato_, -or stinking wood; this he was careful to remove, for the pestiferous -smell of that tree would have denounced his presence for miles round, -and the Indian, judging from the precautions he took, seemed afraid of -being discovered; in fact, the care with which he had placed sand-bags -round his horse's hoofs, to dull the sound, sufficiently proved this. - -When the fire, so placed as not to be visible ten yards off, poured -its pleasant column of flame into the air, the Indian took from his -elk-skin pouch a little Indian wheat and pemmican, which he ate with -considerable appetite, looking round continually in the surrounding -gloom, and stopping to listen attentively to those noiseless sounds -which by night trouble the imposing calmness of the desert, without any -apparent cause. When his scanty meal was ended, the Indian filled his -pipe with kinne-kinnick, and began smoking. - -Still, in spite of his apparent calmness, the man was not easy; -at times he took the pipe from his lips, looked up, and anxiously -consulted the sky, through a break in the foliage above his head. At -length he appeared to form an energetic resolution, and raising his -fingers to his lips, imitated thrice, with rare perfection, the cry of -the blue jay, that privileged bird that sings in the night; then he -bent his body forward and listened, but nothing proved to him that his -signal had been heard. - -"Wait a while," he muttered. - -And crouching again before the fire, into which he threw a handful of -dry branches, he began smoking again. Several hours passed thus: at -length the moon disappeared from the horizon, the cold became sharper, -and the sky, in which the stars expired one after the other, was tinted -with a rosy hue. The Indian, who had been slumbering for a while, -suddenly shook himself, turned a suspicious glance around, and muttered -hoarsely,-- - -"She cannot be far off." - -And he again gave the signal. The last cry had scarce died out in the -distance, when a roar was heard close by. The Indian, instead of being -alarmed by this ill-omened sound, smiled, and said in a loud and firm -voice,-- - -"You are welcome, She-wolf; you know it is I who am awaiting you here." - -"Ah! you are there, then!" a voice answered. - -A rustling of leaves was now heard in the bushes opposite the spot -where the Indian was seated; the reeds and creepers were pulled back by -a vigorous hand, and a woman appeared in the space left free. Before -advancing, she thrust her head forward cautiously, and looked. - -"I am alone," the Indian said; "you can approach without fear." - -A smile played over the newcomer's lips at this answer, which she did -not expect. - -"I fear nothing," she said. - -Before going further, we will give some indispensable details about -this woman--vague, it is true, as we can only supply what the Indians -said about her, but which will be useful to the reader in comprehending -the facts that will follow. No one knew who she was, or whence she -came. The period when she was first seen on the prairie was equally -unknown. All was an inexplicable mystery connected with her. Though -she spoke fluently, and with extreme purity, most of the prairie -idioms, still certain words she at times used, and the colour of her -skin, not so brown as that of the natives, caused the supposition that -she belonged to another race from theirs. It was only a supposition, -however, for her hatred of the Indians was too well known for the -bravest among them ever to venture to see her sufficiently closely to -render themselves certain on that head. - -At times she disappeared for weeks, even for months, and it was -impossible to discover her trail. Then she was suddenly seen again -wandering about, talking to herself, marching nearly always by night, -frequently accompanied by an idiotic and dumb dwarf, who followed her -like a dog, and whom the Indians, in their credulous superstition, -suspected strongly of being her familiar. This woman, ever gloomy and -melancholy, with her wild looks and startling gestures, could not be -accused of doing anyone harm, in spite of the general terror she -inspired. Still, owing to the strange life she led, all the misfortunes -that happened to the Indians, in war or hunting, were imputed to her. -The Redskins considered her a wicked genius, and had given her the name -of the _Spirit of Evil_. Hence the man who had come so far to see her -must necessarily have been gifted with extraordinary courage, or some -powerful reason impelled him to act as he was doing. - -As this Blackfoot chief is destined to play a great part in this -narrative, we will give his portrait in a few words. He was a man who -had reached middle life, or about forty-five years. He was tall, well -built, and admirably proportioned. His muscles, standing out like -whipcord, denoted extraordinary vigour. He had an intelligent face; his -features expressed cunning, while his eyes were rarely fixed on any -object, but gave him an expression of craft and brutal cruelty, which -inspired an unenviable repugnance towards him, if you took the trouble -to study him carefully: but observers are rare in the desert, and with -the Indians this chief enjoyed a great reputation, and was equally -beloved for his tried courage and inexhaustible powers of speech, -qualities highly esteemed by the Redskins. - -"The night is still gloomy; my mother can approach," the Indian chief -said. - -"I am coming," the woman said, drily, as she advanced. - -"I have been waiting a long while." - -"I know it, but no matter." - -"The road was long to come." - -"I am here; speak!" - -And she leaned against the stem of a tree, crossing her arms on her -chest. - -"What can I say, if my mother does not first question me?" - -"That is true. Answer me then." - -There was a silence, only troubled by the wind sighing in the leaves; -after a few moments' reflection, the woman at length began,-- - -"Have you done what I ordered?" - -"I have." - -"Well?" - -"My mother guessed rightly." - -"Is it so?" - -"All is preparing for action," - -"You are sure?" - -"I was present at the council." - -She smiled triumphantly. - -"Where was the meeting place?" - -"At the tree of life." - -"Long ago?" - -"The sun has set eight hours since." - -"Good! What was resolved?" - -"What you already know." - -"The destruction of the whites?" - -"Yes." - -"When will the war signal be given?" - -"The day is not yet fixed." - -"Ah!" she said in a tone of regret. - -"But it cannot be long," he added quickly. - -"What makes you think so?" - -"The Grizzly Bear is eager to finish." - -"And I, too," the woman muttered in a low voice. - -The conversation was again broken off. The woman paced up and down the -clearing in thought. The chief followed her with his eyes, carefully -examining her. All at once she stopped before him, and looked him In -the face. - -"You are devoted to me, chief?" she said. - -"Do you doubt it?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Still, only a few hours ago, I gave you a decided proof of my -devotion." - -"What?" - -"This!" he said, pointing to his left arm, which was wrapped in strips -of bark. - -"I do not understand you." - -"You see I am wounded?" - -"Well! what then?" - -"The Redskins attacked the Palefaces some hours ago; they were scaling -the barricade which protected their camp, when they suddenly retired -on your appearance, by order of their chief, who was wounded, and -thirsting for revenge." - -"It is true." - -"Good. And the chief who commanded the Redskins--does my mother know -him?" - -"No." - -"It was I, the Red Wolf: does my mother still doubt?" - -"The path on which I am walking is so gloomy," she replied sorrowfully; -"the work I am accomplishing is so serious, and of such import to me, -that at times I feel fear enter my heart, and doubt contract my chest, -when I think I am alone, a poor weak woman, to wrestle with a giant. -For long years I have been ripening the plan I wish to accomplish -today; I have occupied my whole life to obtain the result I desire, and -I fear failure at the moment of succeeding. Then, if I have no longer -confidence in myself, can I trust a man whom self-interest may urge to -betray, or at any rate abandon me at a moment." - -The chief drew himself up on hearing these words; his eye flashed fire, -and, with a gesture of wounded pride, he said,-- - -"Silence! my mother must not add a word. She insults at this moment -a man who is most anxious to prove his truth to her: ingratitude is -a white vice, gratitude a red virtue. My mother was ever kind to me; -Red Wolf cannot count the occasions on which he owes his life to -her. My mother's heart is ulcered by misfortune; solitude is an evil -counsellor: my mother listens too much to the voices which whisper in -her ear through the silence of night; she forgets the services she has -rendered, only to remember the ingratitude she has sowed on her road. -Red Wolf is devoted to her, he loves her; the She-wolf can place entire -confidence in him, he is worthy of it." - -"Dare I believe in these protestations? Can I put faith in these -promises?" she muttered. - -The chief continued passionately,-- - -"If the gratitude I have vowed to my mother is not enough, another and -stronger tie attaches us, which must convince her of my sincerity." - -"What is it?" she asked, looking fixedly at him. - -"Hatred," he answered. - -"That is true," she said, with a sinister burst of laughter. "You hate -him too?" - -"Yes; I hate him with all the strength of my soul: I hate him, because -he has robbed me of the two things I held most to on earth,--the love -of the woman I adored, and the power I coveted." - -"But are you not a chief?" she said significantly. - -"Yes!" he exclaimed proudly, "I am a chief, but my father was a sachem -of the Kenhas; his son is brave, he is crafty, the scalps of numberless -Palefaces dry before his lodge. Why then is Red Wolf only an inferior -chief, instead of leading his men to battle as his father did?" - -The woman seemed to take a delight in exciting the anger of the Indian, -instead of calming it. - -"Because doubtlessly," she said, "a wiser man than the Red Wolf has -gained the votes of his brothers." - -"Let my mother say that a greater rogue stole them from him, and -her words will be true," he exclaimed violently. "Grizzly Bear is a -Comanche dog, the son of an exile, received through favour into my -tribe; his scalp will soon dry on the girdle of the Red Wolf." - -"Patience!" the woman said in a hoarse voice. "Vengeance is a fruit -which is only eaten ripe: the Red Wolf is a warrior; he can wait." - -"Let my mother order," the Indian said, suddenly calmed; "her son will -obey." - -"Has the Red Wolf succeeded in obtaining the medicine which -Prairie-Flower wears round her neck?" - -The Indian bowed his head in confusion. - -"No," he said hoarsely. "Prairie-Flower never leaves the White Buffalo; -it is impossible to approach her." - -The woman smiled ironically. - -"What! did Red Wolf ever keep a promise?" - -The Blackfoot shuddered with rage. - -"I will have it," he cried, "even if I must use force in obtaining it." - -"No," she replied; "cunning alone must be employed." - -"I will have it," he repeated. "Before two days I will give it to my -mother." - -"No," she said quickly; "in two days is too soon. Let my son give it me -on the fifth day of the new moon, which will begin within three days." - -"Good; I swear it! My mother shall have the great medicine of -Prairie-Flower." - -"My son will bring it to me at the tree of the bear, near the great -lodge of the Palefaces, two hours after sunset. I will await him there, -and give him my final instructions." - -"Red Wolf will be there." - -"Till then, my son will carefully watch every movement of the Grizzly -Bear; if he learns anything new, which appears to him important, my -son will form on this very spot a pyramid of seven buffalo heads, and -come back two hours after to wait for me. I shall have understood his -signal, and will reply to his summons." - -"_Oche_, my mother is powerful; it shall be done as she desires." - -"My son has quite understood?" - -"The words of my mother have fallen on the ears of a chief; his mind -has received them." - -"The sky on the horizon is covered with red bands, the sun will soon -appear: let my brother return to his tribe; he must not arouse the -suspicions of his enemy by his absence." - -"I go; but before leaving my mother, whose wisdom has discovered all -the schemes of the Palefaces, has she not made a great medicine to know -if our enterprise will succeed, and if we shall conquer our enemy?" - -At this moment a loud noise was heard in the canebrake, and a shrill -whistle traversed the air; the Indian's horse laid hack its ears, -made violent efforts to break the rope that fastened it, and trembled -all over. The woman seized the chiefs arm firmly, and said in a gloomy -voice,-- - -"Let my brother look!" - -Red Wolf stifled a cry of surprise, and gazed, motionless and -terrified, at the strange sight before him. A few paces off, a tiger -cat and a rattlesnake were preparing for a contest. Their metallic -eyeballs flashed, and seemed to emit flames. The tiger cat, crouching -on a branch, with hair erect, was meowing and spitting, while closely -following every move of its dangerous enemy, and awaiting the moment -to attack it advantageously. The Crotalus, coiled up, and forming -an enormous spiral, with its hideous head thrown back, whistled, as -it balanced itself to the right and left, with a movement full of -suppleness and grace, apparently trying to fascinate its enemy. But -the latter did not allow it a long rest; it suddenly bounded on the -serpent, which, however, moved nimbly on one side, and when the cat, -after missing its leap, returned to the charge, gave it a fearful sting -on the face. - -The tiger cat uttered a yell of rage, and buried its long and sharp -claws in the eyes of the serpent, which, however, wound round its -enemy with a convulsive movement. Then the two rolled on the ground, -hissing and howling, but unable to loose their hold. The struggle was -long; they fought with extraordinary fury; but at length, the rings of -the snake became unloosened, and its flaccid body lay motionless on -the ground. The tiger cat escaped, with a meow of triumph, from the -monster's terrible embrace, and bounded on a tree; but its strength -was unequal to its will, and it could not reach the branch on which -it wished to climb, but fell back exhausted on the ground. Then the -ferocious animal, struggling with death and overcoming its agony, -crouched back to the body of its enemy, and stood upon it. It then -uttered a final yell of triumph, and fell, itself a corpse, by the side -of the snake. The Indian had followed all the moving incidents of this -cruel contest with ever-increasing interest. - -"Well," he asked the unknown, "what does my mother say?" - -She shook her head. - -"Our triumph will cost us our life," she replied. - -"What matters," the Red Wolf said, "so long as we conquer our enemies?" - -And, drawing his knife, he began skinning the catamount. The woman -looked at his operations for a while; then making him a parting sign, -she re-entered the canebrake, where she was speedily lost to view. An -hour later, the Indian chief, laden with the cat's head and the snake's -skin, started off toward his village at full gallop. An ironical smile -played around his lips; he needed no excuse to explain his absence, for -the spoils he brought with him proved that he had spent the night in -hunting. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE INDIAN VILLAGE. - - -Now that the exigencies of our story compel us to enter into closer -relations with the Prairie Indians, we will introduce to the reader -the primitive population of that territory, generally called Blackfoot -Indians. The Blackfeet formed, at the period when this history -occurred, a powerful nation, divided into three tribes, speaking the -same language. First, the tribe of the Siksekai, or Blackfeet proper; -next, the Kenhas, or Blood Indians; and lastly, the Piekanns. This -nation, when the three tribes were united, could bring under arms -nearly eight thousand warriors, which enables us to estimate the -population at twenty-five thousand souls. But, at the present day, -smallpox has decimated these Indians, and reduced them to a very much -smaller number. The Blackfeet traverse the prairies adjoining the Rocky -Mountains, sometimes even scaling those mountains between the three -forks of the Missouri, called Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers. -The Piekanns, however, go as far as Marine river, to trade with the -American Fur Company; they also barter with the Hudson's Bay Society, -and even with the Mexicans of Santa Fe. This nation, continually at -war with the whites, whom they attack whenever they have the chance, -are very little known, but greatly feared, especially for their skill -in stealing horses, and, more than that, for their notorious cruelty -and bad faith. As we have to deal principally with the Kenhas, we will -occupy ourselves more particularly with that tribe. The following is -the origin of the name "Blood Indians," given to the Kenhas:-- - -Before the Blackfeet were divided, they happened one day to be encamped -a short distance from seven or eight tents of the Sassi Indians. A -quarrel arose between them about a woman carried off by the Sassis, -in spite of the opposition of the Piekanns, and the Kenhas resolved -to kill all their neighbours, a project which they carried out with -extraordinary ferocity and cruelty. In the middle of the night they -attacked the tents of the Sassis, and massacred them all during their -sleep, without sparing even women, children, or old men; they scalped -their victims, and regained their tents, after daubing their faces and -hands with blood. - -The Piekanns reproached them for this act of barbarity; a quarrel -ensued, which speedily degenerated into a combat, in consequence of -which the three Blackfoot tribes separated. The Kenhas then received -the name of Blood Indians, which they still retain, and feel a pride -in it, saying that no one insults them with impunity. The Kenhas are -the most active and indomitable of the Blackfeet: they have always -displayed more sanguinary and rapacious instincts than the other -members of their nation, especially than the Piekanns, who are justly -regarded as comparatively gentle and humane. - -As the three Blackfoot tribes generally live far apart, Natah Otann -must have acted with great skill, and displayed great patience, ere -he succeeded in making them join, and consent to march under the same -banner. At every moment he was constrained to employ all the resources -suggested by his fertile mind, and evince great diplomacy, in order to -prevent a rupture, which was always imminent between these men, whom -no tie attached, and whose pride revolted at the least appearance of -humiliation. - -After the events which occurred at the pioneer's camp, Natah Otann -resolved to lead the Count de Beaulieu and his comrades to the chief -summer village of the Kenhas, situated at no great distance from Fort -Mackenzie, one of the principal depots of the American Fur Company. -The Kenhas had constructed this village only a year previously, and -their vicinity at first alarmed the Americans; but the conduct of -the Indians had ever been so loyal--apparently, at least, in their -transactions with the white men--that the latter, at length, did not -trouble themselves about their Redskin neighbours, except to buy their -furs, sell them whisky, and visit their village when they wanted some -amusement. - -After selling Black an immense territory for a dollar, Natah Otann -reminded the young man of his promise to visit his tribe, and the -Count, though secretly vexed at the obligation he Was under of -accepting an invitation which bore a great likeness to a command, -still yielded, and followed the chief, after bidding farewell to the -pioneers. Black, with his hand resting on the trigger of his rifle, -looked after the Kenha horsemen, who, according to their custom, -galloped across the prairie, when a rider turned back, and came up -to the American's camp. The pioneer recognised, with some surprise, -Bright-eye, who stopped before him. - -"Have you forgotten anything?" the pioneer asked him. - -"Yes," the hunter answered. - -"What?" - -"To say a word to you." - -"Ah!" the other said, in surprise. "Go ahead, then." - -"I have no time to lose; answer me as plainly as I question you." - -"Very good! speak." - -"Are you grateful for what the Count has done for you?" - -"More than I can express." - -"In case of need, what would you do for him?" - -"Everything." - -"Hum! that is a heavy pledge." - -"It is even less than I would do; my family, my servants, all I -possess, are at his disposal." - -"Then you are devoted to him?" - -"For life and death! Under any circumstances, by day or night; whatever -may happen, at a word from him I am ready." - -"You swear it?" - -"I swear it." - -"I hold your promise." - -"I will keep it." - -"I expect so. Good bye." - -"Are you off already?" - -"I must rejoin my companions." - -"Then you have some suspicions about your Red friend?" - -"You must always be on your guard with Indians," the hunter said, -sententiously. - -"Then you are taking a precaution?" - -"Perhaps." - -"In any event, count on me." - -"Thanks, and good bye." - -"Good bye." - -The two men parted; they understood each other. - -"By heaven!" the pioneer muttered, as he threw his rifle over his -shoulder, and returned to the camp; "I would not be the Indian to touch -a hair of the head of a man to whom I owe so much." - -The Indians had stopped on the bank of a stream, which they were about -to ford, when Bright-eye rejoined them. Natah Otann, busy talking with -the Count, threw a side glance at the hunter, but did not say a word to -him. - -"Yes," the latter muttered, with a crafty smile, "my absence has -bothered you, my fine fellow; you would like to know why I turned -back so suddenly; but, unluckily, I am not disposed to satisfy your -curiosity." - -When the ford was crossed, the Canadian took his post by the -Frenchman's side, and, by his presence, prevented the Indian chief -renewing his conversation with the Count. An hour passed, and not a -word was exchanged. Natah Otann, wearied with the hunter's obstinacy, -and not knowing how to make him retire, resolved at last to give up to -him: and, digging his spurs into his horse's flank, galloped forward, -leaving the two white men together. The hunter watched him depart, with -that caustic laugh which was one of the characteristics of his face. - -"Poor horse!" he said, sarcastically, "he must suffer for his master's -ill temper." - -"What ill temper do you mean?" the Count said, absently. - -"Why, the chief's, who is flying along over there in a cloud of dust." - -"You do not seem to have any sympathy for each other." - -"Indeed, we are as friendly as the grizzly bear and the jaguar." - -"Which means?--" - -"That we have measured our claws; and, as we find them at present of -the same strength and length, so we stand on the defensive." - -"Do you feel any malice against him?" - -"I? not the least in the world. I do not fear him more than he does -me; we are only distrustful because we know each other." - -"Oh, oh!" the young man said, with a laugh; "that conceals, I can see, -something serious." - -Bright-eye frowned, and took a scrutinizing glance around. The Indians -were galloping on about twenty paces in the rear; Ivon alone, though -keeping at a respectful distance, could hear the conversation between -the two men. Bright-eye leant over to the Count, laid his hand on the -pommel of his saddle, and said, in a low voice--"I do not like tigers -covered with a fox's skin; each ought to follow the instincts of his -nature, and not try to assume others that are fictitious." - -"I must confess, my good fellow," the young man replied, "that you are -speaking in enigmas, and I cannot understand you at all." - -"Patience!" the hunter said, tossing his head; "I will be clear." - -"My faith! that will delight me, Bright-eye," the young man said, with -a smile; "for ever since we have again met the Indian chief, you have -affected an air of mystery, which bothers me so, that I should be -charmed to comprehend you for once." - -"Good! What do you think of Natah Otann - -"Ah! that is where you are galled still!" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I will reply that this man appears to me extraordinary; there is -something strange about him, which I cannot understand. In the first -place, is he an Indian?" - -"Yes." - -"But he has travelled; he has been in white society; he has been in the -interior of the United States?" - -The hunter shook his head. "No," he said, "he has never left his tribe." - -"Yet--" - -"Yet," Bright-eye quickly interrupted him, "he speaks English, French -and Spanish, as well as yourself, and perhaps better than I do, eh? -Before his warriors he feigns profound ignorance; like them, he -trembles at the sight of one of the results of civilization--a watch, -a musical box, or even a lucifer match, eh?" - -"It is true." - -"Then, when he finds himself with certain persons, like yourself, for -instance, sir, the Indian suddenly disappears, the savage vanishes, -and you find yourself in the presence of a man whose acquirements -are almost equal to your own, and who confounds you by his thorough -knowledge." - -"That is true." - -"Ah, ah! Well, as you consider that extraordinary as I do, you will -take your precautions, Mr. Edward." - -"What have I to fear from him?" - -"I do not know yet; but be at your ease; I shall soon know. He is -sharp, but I am not such a fool as he fancies, and am watching him. -For a long time this man has been playing a game, about which I have -hitherto troubled myself but little; now that he has drawn us into it, -he must be on his guard." - -"But where did he learn all he knows?" - -"Ah! that is a story too long to tell you at present; but you shall -hear it someday; suffice it to say, that in his tribe there is an old -chief called the White Buffalo; he is a European, and he it was who -educated the Grizzly Bear." - -"Ah!" - -"Is not that singular! a European of immense learning; a man who, in -his own country, must have held a high rank, and who thus becomes, of -his own accord, chief of the savages?" - -"Indeed, it is most extraordinary. Do you know this man?" - -"I have often seen him; he is very aged now; his beard and hair are -white; he is tall and majestic; his face is fine, his look profound; -there is something about him grand and imposing, which attracts you -against your will. Grizzly Bear holds him in great veneration, and -obeys him as if he were his son." - -"Who can this man be?" - -"No one knows. I am convinced that the Grizzly Bear shares the general -ignorance on this head." - -"But how did he join the tribe?" - -"It is not known." - -"He must have been long with it." - -"I told you so; he educated the Grizzly Bear, and made a European of -him instead of an Indian." - -"All that is really strange," the Count murmured, having suddenly grown -pensive. - -"Is it not so? But that is not all yet; you are entering a world you -do not know, accident throws you among interests you are unacquainted -with; take care; weigh well your words, calculate your slightest -gesture, Mr. Edward; for the Indians are very clever; the man you have -to deal with is cleverer than all of them, as he combines with Redskin -craft that European intelligence and corruption with which his teacher -has inculcated him. Natah Otann is a man with an incalculable depth of -calculation; his thoughts are an abyss; he must be revolving sinister -schemes; take care; his pressing you to promise a visit to his village; -his generosity to the American squatter, the secret protection with -which he surrounds you, while being the first to pretend to take you -for a superior being; all this makes me believe that he wishes to lead -you unconsciously into some dark enterprise, which will prove your -destruction. Believe me, Mr. Edward, beware of this man." - -"Thanks, my friend, I will watch," the Count said, pressing the -Canadian's honest hand. - -"You will watch," the latter said; "but do you know the way to do it?" - -"I confess--" - -"Listen to me," the hunter interrupted him; "you must first--" - -"Here is the chief," the young man exclaimed. - -"Confusion!" Bright-eye growled. "Why could he not stop a few minutes -longer? I am sure that red devil has some familiar spirit to warn him; -but no matter, I have told you enough to prevent your being trapped by -false friendliness; besides, I shall be there to support you." - -"Thanks. When the time comes--" - -"I will warn you; but it is urgent that you should now compose your -countenance, and pretend to know nothing." - -"Good; that's settled; here is our man. Silence." - -"On the contrary, let us talk; silence is ever interpreted either well -or ill, but generally in the latter sense. Be careful to reply in the -sense of my questions." - -"I will try." - -"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater." - -After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few paces -off at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,-- - -"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chief -will be happy to procure you that pleasure." - -"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter was -alluding to. - -Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rode -silently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks. - -"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, and -longs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief, -one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reserved -the scent." - -"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied, -bowing with Indian gravity. - -The Count thanked him. - -"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "we -shall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive my -friends." - -The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grew -together, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The little -party continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri, -which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osier -beds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pink -flamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formed -a bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for a -fight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loading -them; others preparing their bows and javelins. - -"Are the fellows afraid of an attack?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"Not the least in the world," the latter answered; "they are only a -few minutes' ride from their village, into which they wish to enter in -triumph, in order to do you honour." - -"Come, come!" the young man said; "all this is charming; I did not -expect, on coming to the prairies, to be present at such singular -scenes." - -"You have seen nothing yet," the hunter said, ironically: "wait, we are -only at the beginning." - -"All the better," the Count answered, joyfully. - -Natah Otann made a sign, and the warriors closed up again at the same -moment; although no one was visible, a noise of conchs, drums, and -chichikoues was heard a short distance off. The warriors uttered their -war yell, and replied by raising to their lips their war whistles. -Natah Otann then placed himself at the head of the party, having the -Count on his right, the hunter and Ivon on his left; and, turning -towards his men, he brandished his weapon several times over his head, -uttering two or three shrill whistles. At this signal the whole troop -rushed forward, and turned the corner like an avalanche. - -The Frenchman then witnessed a strange scene, which was not without a -certain amount of savage grandeur, A troop of warriors from the village -came up, like a tornado, to meet the newcomers, shouting, howling, -brandishing their arms, and firing their guns. The two parties charged -each other with extraordinary fury and at full speed; but when scarce -ten yards apart, the horses stopped, as if of their own impulse, and -began dancing, curvetting, and performing all the most difficult -tricks of the riding school. After these manoeuvres had lasted a -few moments, the two bands formed a semicircle opposite each other, -leaving a free space between them, in which the chiefs collected. -The presentations then began. Natah Otann made a long harangue to -the chiefs, in which he gave them an account of his expedition, and -the result he had obtained. The sachems listened to it with thorough -Indian decorum. When he spoke to them of his meeting with the white -men, and what had occurred, they bowed silently, without replying; but -one chief, of venerable aspect, who seemed older than the rest, and -appeared to be treated with great consideration by his companions, -turned a profound and inquiring glance at the Count, when Natah Otann -spoke of him. The young man, troubled, in spite of himself, by the -fixed glance, stooped down to Bright-eye's ear, and asked him, in a low -voice, who the man was. - -"That is White Buffalo," the hunter answered, "the European I spoke to -you about." - -"Ah, ah!" the Count said, regarding him, in his turn, attentively; "I -do not know why, but I believe I shall have a serious row with that -gentleman before I have done." - -The White Buffalo then took the word. - -"My brothers are welcome," he said; "their return to the tribe is a -festival; they are intrepid warriors; we are happy at hearing the way -in which they have performed the duties entrusted to them." Then he -turned to the white men, and, after bowing to them, continued,--"The -Kenhas are poor, but strangers are always well received by them: the -Palefaces are our guests, all we possess belongs to them." - -The Count and his companions thanked the chief, who so gracefully did -the honours of his tribe; then the two parties joined, and galloped -toward the village, which was built some five hundred paces from the -spot where they were, and at the entrance of which a multitude of women -and children could be seen assembled. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE RECEPTION. - - -Like all the centres of Indian population near the American clearings, -the Kenha village was more like a fort than an open town. As we said -before, the Kenhas had only a short time previously established -themselves there, by the advice of Natah Otann. The spot was -magnificently selected, and owing to the precautions taken, the hill -was completely protected from a sudden attack. The wigwams were built -without any order, on both sides a stream, and the fortifications -consisted of a sort of intrenchment formed of dead trees. These -fortifications formed an inclosure, having several angles, and the -gorge or open part rested on the spot where the stream fell into the -Missouri. A parapet of tree stems and piled up branches, built up -on the edge of a deep ditch, completed a very respectable defensive -system, which few would have expected to find in the heart of the -prairies. - -In the centre of the village, a wide, vacant spot served as the meeting -place for the chiefs. In the centre there was a wigwam of wood, in the -shape of a sugar loaf. On either side of the building, maize, wheat, -and other cereals kept for winter consumption were drying. A little in -advance of the village were two block houses, formed of arrow-shaped -intrenchments, covered with wickerwork, provided with loopholes, and -surrounded by an enclosure of palisades. They were intended for the -defence of the village, with which they communicated by a covered -way, and to command the river and the plain. To leeward of these -block houses, and about a mile to the east, might be seen a number of -_Machotle_, or scaffoldings, on which the Blood Indians lay their dead. -At regular distances on the road leading to the village, long poles -were planted in the ground, from which hung skins, scalps, and other -objects offered by the Indians to the Master of Life and the first man. - -The Indians made their entrance into the village amid the cheers of the -women and children, the barking of dogs, and the deafening clamour of -drums, shells, chichikoues, and war whistles. On reaching the square, -at a signal from Natah Otann, the band halted, and the noise ceased. An -immense fire had been prepared, before which stood an aged chief, still -robust and upright. A shade of melancholy was spread over his face. He -was in mourning, as was easily to be seen by the ragged clothes that -covered him, and his hair cut short and mingled with clay. He held in -his hand a Dacotah pipe, the stem of which was long and adorned with -yellow glistening beads. This man was Cloven Foot, the first and most -renowned sachem of the Kenhas. So soon as the band had halted, he -advanced two paces, and with a majestic gesture invited the chiefs to -dismount. - -"My sons are at home," he said, "let them take their seats on the -buffalo robes around the council fire." - -Each obeyed silently, and sat down, after bowing respectfully to the -sachem. Cloven Foot then allowed each to take a few puffs from his -pipe, still holding it in his hand. When it was returned to him, he -emptied the burning ash into the fire, and turning with a kind of smile -to the strangers, said:-- - -"The Palefaces are our guests. There are fire and water here." - -After these words, which ended the ceremony, all rose and retired -without uttering a word, according to the Indian custom. Natah Otann -then went up to the Count. - -"Let my brother follow me," he said. - -"Where to?" the young man asked. - -"To the cabin I have had prepared for him." - -"And my companions?" - -"Other wigwams await them." - -Bright-eye made a sign, immediately checked by the Count. - -"Pardon, chief," he said, "but with your permission my comrades will -live with me." - -The hunter smiled, as a shade of dissatisfaction crossed the Indian's -face. - -"The young Pale chief will be uncomfortable, for he is accustomed to -the immense huts of the whites." - -"That is possible; but I shall be more uncomfortable if my comrades do -not remain with me, in order to keep me company." - -"The hospitality of the Kenhas is great. They are rich, and could give -each a private cabin, even if their guests were more numerous." - -"I am convinced of it, and thank them for their attention, by which, -however, I decline to profit. Solitude frightens me. I should be -worried to death had I not with me someone to talk with." - -"Be it then as the young Pale chief desires. Guests have a right to -command. Their requests are orders." - -"I thank you for your condescension, and am ready to follow you." - -"Come." - -With that rapidity of resolution which the Indians possess in so -eminent a degree, Natah Otann shut up his vexation in his heart, and -not a trace of emotion again appeared on his stoical countenance. The -three men followed him, after exchanging a meaning glance. A handsome, -lofty cabin had been built in the square itself, near the hut of the -first man, a species of cylinder formed in the earth, and surrounded -with creeping plants. To this cabin the chief now led his guests. A -woman was standing silently in the doorway, fixing on the newcomers a -glance in which admiration and astonishment were blended. But was it a -woman? this angelic creature, with her vague outline, whose delicious -face, blushing with modesty and simple curiosity, turned towards the -Count with anxious timidity. The young man asked himself this very -question on contemplating this charming apparition, which resembled one -of those divine virgins in the mythology of the ancient Sclavons. On -seeing her, Natah Otann paused. - -"What is my sister doing here?" he asked her, roughly. - -The girl, startled from her silent contemplation by this brusque -address, shuddered, and let her eyes fall. - -"Prairie-Flower wishes to welcome her adopted father," she replied -gently, in a sweet melodious voice. - -"Prairie-Flower's place is not here, I will speak with her presently: -let her go and rejoin her companions, the young maidens of the tribe." - -Prairie-Flower blushed still deeper, her rosy lips pouted, and after -shaking her head petulantly twice, she flew away like a bird, casting -at the Count, as she fled, a parting glance, which caused him an -incomprehensible emotion. - -The young man laid his hand on his heart, to suppress its beating, and -followed the girl with his eyes till she disappeared behind a cabin. - -"Oh!" the chief muttered aside, "can she have suddenly recognized a -being of that accursed race to which she belongs?" - -Then turning to the white men, whose eyes he felt instinctively were -fixed on him,-- - -"Enter," he said, raising the buffalo skin, which served as a door to -the cabin. - -They went in. By Natah Otann's care the cabin had been cleaned, -and every comfort it was possible to find placed in it, that is to -say--piles of furs to serve as a bed, a rickety table, some wooden -clumsy benches, and a species of reed easy chair, with a large back. - -"The Paleface will excuse the poor Indians if they have not done more -to welcome him as he deserves," the chief said, with a mixture of irony -and humility. - -"It is all famous," the young man answered with a smile; "I certainly -did not expect so much; besides, I have been on the prairie long enough -to satisfy myself with what is strictly necessary." - -"Now I ask the Pale chiefs permission to retire." - -"Yes, go, my worthy host; do so: do not put yourself out of the way. -Attend to your business. For my part I intend taking that rest I need -so sadly." - -Natah Otann bowed in reply, and withdrew. So soon as he was gone, -Bright-eye made his comrades a sign to remain motionless, and began -inspecting the place, peering into every corner. When he had ended -this inspection, which produced no farther result than proving to him -they were really alone, and that no spy was on the watch, he returned -to the centre of the hut, and calling the Count and Ivon toward him, -said in a low voice:-- - -"Listen: we are now in the wolfs throat by our own fault, and we must -be prudent; in the prairies the leaves have eyes and the trees ears. -Natah Otann is a demon, who is planning some treachery, of which he -intends to make us the victims." - -"Bah!" the Count said, lightly. "How do you know it, Bright-eye?" - -"I do not know it, yet I feel sure of it; my instinct never deceives -me, Mr. Edward. I have known the Kenhas a long time; we must get out of -this as adroitly as we can." - -"Eh! what use are such suspicions, my friend? The poor devils, I am -convinced, only think of treating us properly; all this appears to me -admirable." - -The Canadian shook his head. - -"I should like to know the cause of the strange respect the Indians pay -you; that conceals something, I repeat." - -"Bah! they are afraid of me; that's all." - -"Hum! Natah Otann does not fear much in this world." - -"Why, Bright-eye, I never saw you in this state before. Did I not know -you so thoroughly, I should say you were afraid." - -"Hang me! if I'll try to conceal it," the hunter replied, quickly. "I -am afraid, and terribly so." - -"You?" - -"Yes; but not for myself; you know that during the time I have -journeyed on the prairies, if the Redskins could have killed me, they -would have done so. Hence, I am perfectly calm on my own account, and -were there only myself--" - -"Well?" - -"I should not be at all embarrassed." - -"Whom are you afraid for, then?" - -"For you." - -"Me!" the Count exclaimed, as he reclined carelessly in the easy chair. -"You do these scamps a deal of honour. With my whip I would put all -these hideous people to flight." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"You will not, Mr. Edward, persuade yourself thoroughly of one thing." - -"What?" - -"That the Indians are different men from the Europeans with whom you -have hitherto had dealings." - -"Nonsense, were a man to listen to you wood rangers, he would be, at -every two steps, in danger of death, and it would be impossible to -move, except by crawling on all fours, like the wild beasts; that is -all trash, my good fellow. I fancy I have already twenty times proved -to you that such precautions are useless, and that a man, who boldly -meets danger, will always get the best of the most warlike Redskins." - -"It is exactly the reason that makes them act toward you in that way, I -wish to discover." - -"You would do better to try and discover something else." - -"What is it?" - -"Who that charming girl is, of whom I only had a glance, and whom the -chief sent away so brutally." - -"Good! then I suppose you have fallen in love now; that's the last -thing wanting." - -"Why not? She is a charming girl." - -"Yes; she is charming, sir; but, believe me, do not trouble yourself -about her." - -"And why so, if you please?" - -"Because she is not what she seems to be." - -"Why, it's a perfect romance of the Anne Radcliffe school; we have been -advancing from mystery to mystery during the last few days." - -"Yes, and the further we go, the more gloomy matters will become around -us." - -"Bah, bah! I do not believe a word. Ivon, take off my boots." - -The man-servant obeyed. Since his entry into the village, the worthy -Breton had been in one continued trance, and trembled in all his -limbs. All he saw seemed to him so extraordinary and horrible, that he -expected every moment to be massacred. - -"Well," the Count asked him, "what do you think of it all, Ivon?" - -"Your lordship knows that I am a great coward," the Breton stammered. - -"Yes, yes, that is agreed; go on." - -"I am terribly afraid." - -"Naturally." - -"And if your lordship will allow me, I will carry my furs over there, -and sleep across the doorway." - -"Why so?" - -"Because, as I am very frightened, I shall not sleep soundly; and if -anyone comes in the night, with ill intentions, he will be obliged to -step over me; I shall hear him, and, in that way, be able to warn you, -which will give you time to defend yourself." - -The young man threw himself back, and burst into a Homeric laugh, in -which Bright-eye joined, in spite of his thoughtfulness. - -"By Jove!" the Count exclaimed, looking at his servant, who was in -amazement at this gaiety, which seemed to him unsuitable at so grave -a moment--"I must confess, Ivon, that you are the most extraordinary -poltroon I ever saw." - -"Ah, sir," he answered with contrition, "it is not my fault; for I do -all I can to gain courage, but it is impossible." - -"Good, good!" the young man went on, still laughing. "I am not angry -with you, my poor fellow; as it is stronger than yourself, you must put -up with it." - -"Alas!" the Breton said, uttering an enormous sigh. - -"Well, you can sleep how and where you like, Ivon; I leave it entirely -to you." - -The Breton, without further reply, began transferring the furs to the -place he had selected, while the Count went on talking with the hunter. - -"As for you, Bright-eye," he said, "I leave you at liberty to watch -over our safety as you may think proper, promising not to disarrange -your plans in any way, and even to promote them, if necessary--but on -one condition." - -"What?" - -"That you will arrange so that I may meet again that charming creature, -of whom I have already spoken to you." - -"Take care, Mr. Edward!" - -"I want to see her again, I tell you, even if I am obliged to go and -look for her myself." - -"You will not do so, Mr. Edward." - -"I will do so, on my soul! and at once, if you continue in that tone." - -"You will reflect." - -"I now reflect, and find it the best plan." - -"But do you know who that girl is?" - -"By Jove! you have just said it; she is a girl, and a charming one in -the bargain." - -"Granted; but I repeat, she is loved by Natah Otann." - -"What do I care?" - -"Take care!" - -"I will not: I must see her again." - -"At any risk?" - -"At all." - -"Well, listen to me, then." - -"I will, but be brief." - -"I will tell you this girl's history." - -"You know her then?" - -"I do." - -"Go on; I am all attention." - -Bright-eye drew up a bench, eat down with an air of dissatisfaction, -and, after a moment's reflection, began. - -"Just fifteen years ago, Natah Otann, who was hardly twenty years of -age, but already a renowned warrior, left his tribe, at the head of -some fifty picked warriors, to attempt a _coup de main_ on the Whites. -At that period, the Kenhas did not live where they now are; the Fur -Company had not advanced so far on the Missouri, and Fort Mackenzie did -not exist. The Blood Indians hunted freely on the vast territories from -which the Americans have since expelled them. Up to that moment, Natah -Otann had never been the commander in chief of an expedition; like all -young men of his age and circumstances, his brow shone with pride; he -burned to distinguish himself, and prove to the sachems of his nation -that he was worthy to command brave warriors. So soon as he entered -on the war trail, he scattered his spies in every direction, and even -forbade his men smoking, lest the light of their pipes might betray his -presence. In short, he took, with extreme wisdom, all the precautions -employed in similar cases. His expedition was brilliant; he surprised -several caravans, and plundered and burned the clearings; his men -returned laden with booty, and the bits of their horses garnished with -scalps. Natah Otann only brought back, as his share, a weak creature -of two or three years of age at the most, whom he bore tenderly in his -arms, or laid on the front of his saddle. That child was the tall and -lovely girl you saw today." - -"Ah! Is she white or red, American or Spanish?" - -"No one knows; no one will ever know. You are aware that many Indians -are born white, thus colour is of no avail in finding her relations -again. In short, the chief adopted her; but, strange to say, as she -grew up, she gained such an ascendency over Natah Otann's mind, -that the chief of the tribe grew alarmed; besides, the life led by -Prairie-Flower--that is her name--" - -"I knew it," the Count interrupted him. - -"Good," the hunter continued, "I say, then, that this girl's life is -extraordinary; instead of being sportive and laughing, like girls of -her age, she is gloomy, dreamy, and wild, wandering ever alone on the -prairie, flying over the dew-laden grass like a gazelle; or else, at -night, dreaming in the moonlight, and muttering words no one hears. At -times, from a distance (for no one ventures to approach her), another -shadow may be traced by the side of her's, and moving for hours at her -side: then she returns alone to the village; if questioned, only shakes -her head, and begins crying." - -"That is really strange." - -"Is it not? so much so, that the chiefs assembled in council, and -agreed that Prairie-Flower had cast a charm over her adopted father." - -"The asses!" the Count muttered. - -"Perhaps so," the hunter went on, turning his head; "at any rate, they -agreed that she should be left alone to perish in the desert." - -"Poor child! Well, what happened then?" - -"Natah Otann and White Buffalo, who were not summoned to the council, -went there on learning this decision, and succeeded by their deceitful -words in so thoroughly altering the chiefs' sentiments, that they not -only gave up all idea of deserting her, but she has since been regarded -as the tutelary genius of the tribe." - -"And Natah Otann?" - -"His condition is still the same." - -"Is that all?" - -"It is." - -"Well, then, Bright-eye, within two days I shall know whether that -girl is the enchantress you fancy her, and what I am to think on the -subject." - -The hunter only answered by an unintelligible grunt, and, saying no -more, lay down on his furs. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE WHITE BUFFALO. - - -So soon as Natah Otann emerged from the cabin into which he had -conducted the Count, he proceeded towards the hut inhabited by White -Buffalo. The night was beginning to fall; the Kenhas, collected round -fires kindled at the door of each wigwam, were conversing gaily while -smoking their long calumets. The chief replied by a nod of the head, as -a friendly sign to the affectionate salutations the warriors made him -whom he met; but he did not stop to talk with anyone, and continued his -walk with greater rapidity as the darkness grew denser. He at length -reached a cabin, situated at the extremity of the village, on the banks -of the Missouri. The chief, after taking a scrutinizing glance around, -stopped before this hut, and prepared to enter. Still in the act of -raising the buffalo curtain that served as a doorway, he hesitated for -a few seconds, and appeared to be collecting his courage. - -This dwelling, externally, had nothing to distinguish it from the -others forming the village; it was round, with a roof shaped like a -beehive, made of intertwined branches, with clay stuffed between them, -and covered with matting. Still, after a moment's reflection, Natah -Otann raised the curtain, walked in, and stopped at the threshold, -saying in French-- - -"Good evening, my father." - -"Good evening, child, I was awaiting you impatiently: come, sit down by -my side, we have to talk." - -These words were uttered in the same language, and in a gentle voice. - -Natah Otann took a few steps forward, and let the curtain fall behind -him. If, externally, the hut the Chief had just entered was not -distinguished from the others, that was not the case with the interior. -All that human industry can imagine, when reduced to its simplest -expressions, that is to say, when deprived of tools and matters of -primary necessity to express its thoughts, had been as it were invented -by the master of this house. Hence the interior of this hut was a sort -of strange pandemonium, in which were collected the most discordant -articles, apparently least suited to be side by side. Differing from -the other wigwams, this cabin had two windows, in which oiled paper -was substituted for glass; in one corner was a bed, in the centre a -table, a few scattered chairs, and armchair by the table, but all these -articles carved with an axe, and clumsily. Such was the furniture of -this singular room. - -On shelves, some forty volumes, for the most part out of their binding; -stuffed animals hanging by cords, insects, &c.; in a word, an infinite -number of things without name, but classified, arranged, and labelled, -completed this singular abode, which more resembled the cell of an -anchorite, or the secret den of a mediaeval alchemist, than the abode -of an Indian chief; and yet this hut belonged to White Buffalo, one -of the first Kenha chiefs. But, as we have said, this chief was a -European, and had, doubtlessly, kept up some reminiscences of his past -life, the last rays of a lost existence. - -At the moment when Natah Otann entered the hut, White Buffalo, seated -in the easy chair at the table, with his head resting on his hands, -was reading by the light of a lamp, whose smoky wick only spread a -flickering and uncertain light around, from a large folio, with yellow -and worn leaves. He raised his head, took off his spectacles, which -he placed in the book, and, turning the chair half round, the old man -smiled, and, pointing to a chair in a kindly way, said-- - -"Come, my child, sit down there." - -The Chief took a chair, drew it to the table, and sat down, without any -reply. The old man looked at him attentively for a few moments, and -then said:-- - -"Hem! you appear to me very thoughtful for a man who, as I suppose, has -just obtained a grand result so long expected. What can render you so -gloomy? Would you hesitate, now you are on the point of success? or are -you beginning to understand that the work which, in spite of me, you -wished to undertake, is beyond the strength of a man left to himself, -and who has only an old man to support him?" - -"Perhaps so," the Chief answered, in a hollow voice. "Oh why, my -father, did you let me taste the bitter fruit of that accursed -civilization, which was not made for me? Why have your lessons made -of me a man differing from those who surround me, and with whom I am -compelled to live and die?" - -"Blind man! when I showed you the sun, you allowed yourself to be -dazzled by the beams; your weak eyes could not endure the light; in -the place of that ignorance and brutalization in which you would have -vegetated all the days of your life, I developed in you the only -feeling which elevates man above the brute. I taught you to think, to -judge, and this is the way in which you recompense me. This is the -reward you give me for the pains I have taken, and the cares I have -never ceased to bestow on you." - -"My father!" - -"Do not attempt to exculpate yourself, child," the old man said, with -a shade of bitterness. "I should have expected what now happens, -ingratitude and egotism are deposited in man's heart by Providence, -as his safeguard. Without those two supreme virtues of humanity, no -society would be possible. I am not angry with you; I have no right to -be so; and, as the sage says, you are a man, and no human feeling must -be alien to you." - -"I make neither plaint nor recrimination, my father; I know that you -have acted towards me with good intentions," the Chief replied, "but, -unfortunately, your lessons have produced a very different result -from what you awaited: in developing my ideas, you have, without your -knowledge or mine, increased my wants; the life I lead preys upon -me: the men who surround me are a burden to me, because they cannot -understand me, and I can no longer understand them. As respects myself, -my mind rushes towards an unknown horizon. I dream wide awake of -strange and impossible things. I suffer from an incurable malady, and -cannot define it. I hopelessly love a woman, of whom I am jealous, -and who can never be mine, save by a crime. Oh, my father, I am very -wretched!" - -"Child!" the old man exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders in pity. "What, -you are unhappy! Your grief inclines me to laughter. Man has in himself -the germ of good and evil; if you suffer, you have only yourself -to blame. You are young, intelligent, powerful, the first of your -nation: what do you want for happiness? Nothing. If you wish to be so -permanently, stifle in your heart that insensate passion which devours -it, and follow, without looking to the right or left, the glorious -mission you have traced for yourself. What can be more noble or grander -than the deliverance and regeneration of a people?" - -"Alas! can I do it?" - -"What! you doubt?" the old man shouted, striking the table with his -fist and looking him in the face; "then you are lost: renounce your -plans, you will not succeed; on a road like that you follow, hesitation -or stoppage is ruin." - -"Father!" - -"Silence," he said, with redoubled energy, "and listen to me; when you -first revealed your plans to me, I tried by all arguments possible -to make you abandon them. I proved to you that your resolves were -premature. That the Indians, brutalized by a lengthened slavery, were -only the shadow of their former selves; and that to attempt to arouse -in them any noble or generous feeling was like galvanizing a corpse. -You resisted; you would hear nothing; you went Headlong into intrigues -and plots of every description--is it not so?" - -"It is true." - -"Well! now it is too late to return; you must go on at all risks. You -may fall, but you will do so with honour; and your name, cherished by -all, will swell the martyrology of the chosen men who have devoted -themselves to their country." - -"Things are not yet sufficiently advanced, I think, for me----" - -"Not to be able to withdraw--you mean?" he interrupted him. - -"Yes." - -"You are mistaken; while you were engaged in collecting your partisans, -and preparing to take up arms, do you fancy I remained inactive?" -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that your enemies suspect your plans; are watching you; and if -you do not prevent them, will lay a trap, into, which you will fall." - -"I?" the chief said, violently. "We shall see." - -"Then redouble your activity; do not let yourself be taken unawares; -and, above all, be prudent, for you are closely watched, I repeat." - -"How do you know it?" - -"That I know it, is sufficient, I imagine; trust to my prudence. I am -on the watch. Let the spies and traitors fall asleep in a doubtful -security; were we to unmask them, others would take their place, -and we are better off with those we know; in that way none of their -movements escape us, we know what they are doing and what they want, -and while they flatter themselves with the idea of knowing our plans, -and divulging them to their paymasters, we are their masters, and amuse -them with false information, which conceals our real plans. Believe me, -their confidence produces our security." - -"You are always right, my father. I trust entirely to you. But may I -not be permitted to know the names of the traitors?" - -"For what end, since I know them? When the time arrives, I will tell -you all." - -"Be it so." - -There was a lengthened silence; the two men, absorbed in thought, -did not notice a grinning head over the curtain in the doorway, and -which had for a long time been listening to their conversation. But -the man, whoever he might be, who indulged in this espial, every now -and then gave signs of ill temper and disappointment. In fact, while -listening to the two chiefs, he had forgotten one thing, that he could -not understand a word of what they said, for they spoke in French, and -that was a sad disappointment to the spy. Still he did not despair, but -continued to listen, in the hope that they might at any moment revert -to his idiom. - -"And now," the old man continued, "give me an account of your trip. -When you went away, you were happy, and hoped, as you told me, to bring -back with you the man you wanted to play the principal part in your -conspiracy." - -"Well, you saw him here today, my father. He is here. This evening he -entered the village by my side." - -"Oh! oh! explain that to me, my child," the old man said, with a -gentle smile, and settling himself in the easy chair to listen at his -ease. By an imperceptible movement, and while seeming to listen with -the greatest attention, he drew towards him the heavy pistol that lay -before him. - -"Go on," he said; "I am listening." - -"About six months ago, I do not know if I told you of it then, I -succeeded in capturing a Canadian hunter, to whom I owe an old grudge." - -"Wait a minute. I fancy I have a confused remembrance of it. A certain -Bright-eye, I think, eh?" - -"The very man. Well! I was furious with him, because he had mocked us -so long, and killed my warriors with extraordinary skill. So soon as he -was in my power I resolved he should die by violence." - -"Although, as you know, I do not approve of that barbarous custom, you -were in the right, and I cannot offer any opposition to it." - -"He, too, made no objection; on the contrary, he derided us; in a -word, he rendered us so mad with him, that I gave the order for the -punishment. At the moment that he was about to die, a man, or rather a -demon, appeared all at once, rushed among us, and careless as it seemed -of the risk he ran, unfastened the prisoner." - -"Hum! he was a brave man, do you know?" - -"Yes, but his daring action would have cost him dear; when suddenly, at -a signal from myself, all my warriors fell at his feet, with marks of -the most profound respect." - -"Oh! what are you telling me now?" - -"The strictest truth: on looking this man in the face, I perceived on -his face two extraordinary signs." - -"What?" - -"A scar over the right eyebrow, and a black mark under the eye, on the -same side of the face." - -"That is strange," the old man muttered, pensively. - -"But what is still more so, this man exactly resembles the portrait -which you drew, and which is in that book." - -"What did you do then?" - -"You know my coolness and rapidity of resolution. I let the man depart -with the prisoner." - -"Well! and afterwards?" - -"I pretended as if I did not wish to meet him." - -"Better and better still," the old man said, with a nod of his head, -and with a movement swift as thought, he cocked the pistol he held in -his hand, and fired. A cry of pain was heard from the door, and the -head disappeared suddenly under the curtain. The two men jumped up, and -rushed out, but saw nothing, except that a rather large pool of blood -clearly indicated that the shot had told. - -"What have you done, my father?" Natah Otann exclaimed, in astonishment. - -"Nothing. I have merely given a lesson, rather a rough one, to one of -those spies I mentioned to you just now." - -And he went back coolly, and eat down again. Natah Otann wished to -follow the bloody trail left by the fugitive, but the old man checked -him. - -"Stay! what I have done is sufficient; continue your story, which is -deeply interesting. Still you can see you have no time to lose, if you -wish to succeed." - -"I will lose none, father, you may be assured," the Chief exclaimed, -wrathfully, "but I swear that I will know the scoundrel." - -"You would do wrong to seek him. Come, proceed with your narrative." - -Natah Otann then described in full detail his meeting with the Count, -and in what way he had made him consent to follow him to his village. -This time no incident interrupted his story, and it seemed as if the -lesson read by White Buffalo to the listener was sufficient for the -present. The old man laughed heartily at the experiment with the -matches, and the Count's surprise when he perceived that the man he had -hitherto taken for a coarse and half-idiot savage was, on the contrary, -a man endowed with an intellect and education at least equal to his own. - -"And what shall I do now?" Natah Otann added, in conclusion. "He is -here; but with him is Bright-eye, in whom he places the greatest -confidence." - -"Hum!" the old man answered, "all this is very serious. In the first -place, my son, you did wrong to let him know you as you really are: you -were much stronger than he, so long as he merely fancied you a stupid -savage: you allowed your pride to carry you away through the desire to -shine in the eyes of a European. It is a great fault, for now he doubts -you, and keeps on his guard." - -The young man looked down, and made no reply. - -"However," the old man went on, "I will try to arrange matters; but I -must first see this Bright-eye and have a talk with him." - -"You will obtain nothing, my father; he is devoted to the Count." - -"The greater reason, child. In which hut have you lodged them?" - -"In the old council lodge." - -"Good! they will be convenient there, and it will be easy to hear all -they say." - -"That is what I thought." - -"Now, one last remark." - -"What is it?" - -"Why did you not kill the She-wolf of the Prairies?" - -"I did not see her. I was not in the camp; but I would not have done -so." - -The old man laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Natah Otann, my son," he said to him, in a stern voice, "when a man -like yourself is intrusted with the fortunes of a people, he must -recoil before nothing. A dead enemy makes the living sleep quietly. The -She-wolf of the Prairies is your enemy. You know it; and her influence -is immense over the superstitious minds of the Redskins. Remember these -words, uttered by an old, experienced man:--As you would not kill her, -she will kill you." - -Natah Otann smiled contemptuously. - -"Oh!" he said, "a wretched, half-mad woman." - -"Ah!" White Buffalo replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "are you -ignorant that a woman lurks behind every great event? They kill men of -genius for futile interests, and paltry passions cause the finest and -boldest prospects to fail." - -"Yes; you are, perhaps, right," Natah Otann said; "but I feel I cannot -stain my hands with that woman's blood." - -"Scruples, poor child," White Buffalo said, with disdain; "well, I do -not insist; but be assured that scruples will ruin you. The man who -wishes to govern others must be made of marble, and have no feelings of -humanity, else his prospects will be nipped in the bud, and his foes -will ridicule him. That which has ever ruined the greatest geniuses -is, that they would not comprehend this fact; but worked for their -successors and not for themselves." - -In speaking thus, the old man had involuntarily let himself be carried -away by the tumultuous feelings that still agitated his mind. His eye -sparkled; his brow was unwrinkled; his glance had an irresistible -majesty; he had returned, in thought, to his old days of struggling -and triumph. Natah Otann listened to him, yielding to the dominating -ascendency of this prostrated giant, who was so great even after his -fall. - -"What am I saying? I am mad! pardon me, child," the old man continued, -sinking in his chair despondingly. "Go, leave me; tomorrow, at sunrise, -I may, perhaps, have some news for you." - -And he dismissed the Chief with a sign. The latter, accustomed to these -outbursts, bowed, and departed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE SPY. - - -The pistol shot fired by the White Buffalo had not quite produced the -result the latter expected from it. The man was wounded; but the haste -with which the chief had been obliged to fire, injured the precision -of his aim, and the listener escaped with a slight wound; the bullet -grazed his skull, and only produced a copious hemorrhage. Still this -hurt had been enough for the spy, who saw that he was unmasked, and -that a longer stay at the spot would inevitably produce a catastrophe; -hence he ran off at full speed. After running for several minutes, -feeling certain that he had thrown off any persons inclined to follow -him, he stopped to draw breath, and attend to his wound, which still -bled profusely. In consequence, he looked anxiously around him; but -all was silent and solitary. A dense snowstorm, which had been falling -for many an hour, had compelled the Indians to seek shelter in their -lodges The firing of the pistol had caused no panic, for the Redskins, -accustomed to nocturnal disputes in their villages, had not stirred. -No other noise could be heard but the barking of a few straying dogs, -and the hoarse cries of the wild beasts that wandered over the prairie -in search of prey. The spy, reassured by the calm prevailing in the -village, set about bandaging the wound, in his heart thanking the snow -for falling, as it effaced the traces of blood left in his flight. - -"Come," he muttered, in a low voice, "I shall know nothing this night; -the genius of evil protects those men; I will go into the cabin." - -He turned a parting glance around, and prepared to start; but, at the -same moment, a white shadow, gliding over the snow like a phantom, -passed a short distance from him. - -"What is that?" the Indian muttered, suddenly assailed by a -superstitious terror. "Is the 'Virgin of the dark hours' wandering -about the village? What terrible misfortune is menacing us then?" - -The Indian bent forward, and, as if attracted by a superior power, -followed with his eyes the strange apparition, whose white outline was -already blending with the distant gloom. - -"That creature is not walking," he said to himself, with terror; -"she leaves no footfall on the snow. Is she a Genius hostile to the -Blackfeet? There is a mystery about this which I must fathom." - -The instinct of the spy heightening the curiosity of the Indian, the -latter soon forgot his terror for a moment, and rushed boldly in -pursuit of the phantom. After an interval of a few minutes, the shadow -or spectre stopped, and looked around with evident indecision. The -Indian, lest he might be discovered, had just time to hide himself -behind the wall of a cabin; but a pale gleam of moonlight, emerging -between two clouds, had, for a second, lighted up the face of the -person he was pursuing. - -"Prairie-Flower!" he muttered, suppressing with difficulty a cry of -surprise. - -In fact, that was the person thus wandering about in the darkness. -After some hesitation, the maiden raised her head, and walked -resolutely toward a cabin, the buffalo skin of which she lifted with -a firm hand. She entered, and let the curtain fall behind her. The -Indian bounded up to the cabin, walked round it, thrust his knife up -to the hilt in the wall, turned it round twice or thrice, to enlarge -the hole, and, placing his ear to it, listened. The most complete quiet -continued to prevail in the village. - -At the first step the young girl took in the lodge, a shadow suddenly -rose before her, and a hand fell upon her shoulder; instinctively she -recoiled. - -"What do you want?" a menacing voice asked. This question was asked in -French, which rendered it doubly unintelligible by the Indian girl. - -"Answer! or I'll blow out your brains," the voice continued. - -And the sharp sound produced by cocking a pistol could be heard. - -"Wah!" the girl replied in her gentle, melodious voice, "I am a friend." - -"It is evidently a woman," the first speaker growled, "but no matter, -we must be prudent. What on earth does she want here?" - -"Halloh!" Bright-eye suddenly shouted, aroused by this short -altercation, "what's the matter there, what have you caught, Ivon?" - -"My faith, I don't know; I believe it is a woman." - -"Eh, eh," the hunter said, with a laugh, "let us have a look at that: -don't let her escape." - -"Don't be alarmed," the Breton replied, "I have hold of her." - -Prairie-Flower remained motionless, not making the slightest effort to -escape from the clutch of the man who held her. Bright-eye rose, felt -his way to the fire, and began blowing it up. In a few minutes a bright -flame burst forth, and illumined the interior of the lodge. - -"Stay, stay," the hunter said, with surprise, "you are welcome, girl; -what do you want here?" - -The Indian maid blushed, and replied:-- - -"Prairie-Flower has come to visit her friends, the Palefaces." - -"The hour is a strange one for a visit, my child," the Canadian -continued, with an ironical smile; "but no matter," he added, turning -to the Breton, "let her loose, Ivon; this enemy, if she is one, is not -very dangerous." - -The other obeyed with ill grace. - -"Come to the fire, girl," the hunter said, "your limbs are frozen; when -you have warmed yourself, you can tell us the cause of your presence -here at this late hour." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sadly, and sat down by the fire, Bright-eye -taking a place by her side. The girl had with one glance surveyed the -interior of the lodge, and perceived the Count sleeping tranquilly on a -pile of furs. Bright-eye's whole life had been spent in the desert; he -was thoroughly acquainted with the character of the Redskins, and knew -that circumspection and prudence are their two guiding principles. That -an Indian never attempts anything without having first calculated all -the consequences, and that he never decides on doing a thing contrary -to Indian habits, except from some pressing motive. The hunter, -therefore, suspected that the object of the young girl's visit was -important, though unable to read, beneath the mask of impassibility -that covered her face, the motive that caused her to act. - -The Redskins are not, like other men, easy to question; cunning and -finesse obtain no advantage over these doubtful natives. The most -skilful Old Bailey practitioner would get nothing out of them, but -confess himself vanquished, after making an Indian undergo the closest -cross-examination. If one of these shades of character were unknown to -the hunter; hence he was careful not to let the girl suppose that he -took any interest in her explanation. - -With a nod of the head, Bright-eye soon gave Ivon the order to go to -sleep again, which he did immediately. The girl was sitting by the -fire, warming herself mechanically, while every now and then taking a -side glance at the hunter. But the latter had lit his pipe, and, nearly -concealed by the dense cloud of smoke that surrounded him, appeared -completely absorbed in his agreeable occupation. The two remained -thus face to face nearly half an hour, and did not exchange a word; -at length Bright-eye shook out the ash on his left thumbnail, put his -pipe in his belt, and rose. Prairie-Flower followed his every movement, -without appearing to attach any importance to it; she saw him collect -furs, carry them to a dark corner of the lodge, where he spread them so -as to form a species of bed; then, when he fancied it was soft enough, -he threw a coverlid over it, and returned to the fire. - -"My Pale brother has prepared a bed," Prairie-Flower said, laying her -hand on his arm, just as he was about to draw out his pipe again. - -"Yes," he replied. - -"Why four beds for three persons?" - -Bright-eye looked at her with a perfectly natural amazement. - -"Are we not four?" he said. - -"I only see the two Pale hunters and my brother--for whom is the last -bed?" - -"For my sister, Prairie-Flower, I suppose; has she not come to ask -hospitality of her Pale brothers?" - -The girl shook her head. - -"The women of my tribe," she said, with an accent of wounded pride, -"have their cabins for sleeping, and do not pass the night in the -lodges of the warriors." - -Bright-eye bowed respectfully. - -"I am mistaken," he said; "I did not wish to vex my sister; but -on seeing her enter my lodge so late, I supposed she came to ask -hospitality." - -The girl smiled with finesse. - -"My brother is a great warrior of the Palefaces," she said; "his head -is grey; he is very cunning; why does he pretend not to know the reason -that brings Prairie-Flower to his lodge?" - -"Because I am really ignorant of it," he replied; "how should I know -it?" - -The Indian girl turned towards the place where the young man was -sleeping, and said, with a charming pout-- - -"Glass-eye knows all: he would have told my brother the hunter." - -"I cannot deny," the hunter said, boldly, "that Glass-eye knows many -things, but in this matter he has been dumb." - -"Is that true?" she asked, quickly. - -"Why should I deny it? Prairie-Flower is not an enemy to us." - -"No, I am a friend: let my brother open his ears." - -"Speak." - -"Glass-eye is powerful." - -"So it is said," the hunter replied, evasively, too honest to stoop to -a lie. - -"The elders of the tribe regard him as a genius superior to other men, -arranging events as he pleases, and able, if he will, to change the -course of the future." - -"Who says so?" - -"Everybody." - -The hunter shook his head, and pressing the girl's dainty hands in his -own, he said, simply-- - -"You are deceived, child; Glass-eye is only a man like the others; the -power you have been told of does not exist: I know not for what reason -the chiefs of your nation have spread this absurd report; but it is a -falsehood, which I must not allow to go further." - -"No, White Buffalo is the wisest sachem of the Blackfeet; he possesses -all the knowledge of his fathers on the other side of the Great -Saltlake, he cannot err. Did he not announce, long ago, Glass-eye's -arrival among us?" - -"That is possible; although I cannot guess how he knew it, as only -three days ago we were quite ignorant that we were coming to this -village." - -The maiden smiled triumphantly. - -"White Buffalo knows all," she said; "besides, for many thousand moons -the sorcerers of the nation have announced the coming of a man exactly -like Glass-eye: his apparition was so truly predicted, that his arrival -surprised nobody, as all expected him." - -The hunter recognized the inutility of contending any longer against a -conviction so deeply rooted in the young girl's heart. - -"Good," he replied; "White Buffalo is a very wise sachem. What is there -he does not know?" - -"Nothing! Did he not predict that Glass-eye would place himself at the -head of the Redskin warriors, and deliver them from the Palefaces of -the East?" - -"It is true," the hunter said, though he did not know a word of what -the girl was revealing to him; but he now began to suspect a vast -plot formed by the Indians, and he naturally desired to know more. -Prairie-Flower looked at him with an expression of simple joy. - -"My brother sees that I know all," she said. - -"That is true," he answered; "my sister is better informed than I -supposed; now she can explain to me, without fear, the service she -desires from Glass-eye." - -The girl took a long glance at the young man, who was still sleeping. - -"Prairie-Flower is suffering," she said, in a low and trembling voice; -"a cloud has passed over her mind and obscured it." - -"Prairie-Flower is sixteen," the old hunter answered, with a smile; "a -new feeling is awakened in her; a little bird is singing in her heart; -she listens unconsciously to the harmonious notes of those strains -which she does not yet understand." - -"It is true," the maiden murmured, suddenly growing pensive; "my heart -is sad. Is, then, love a suffering?" - -"Child," the hunter answered, with a melancholy accent, "creatures -are thus made by the Master of Life. All sensation is suffering. Joy, -carried to an excess, becomes pain; you love without knowing it; loving -is suffering." - -"No," she said, with a gesture of terror, "no, I do not love, at least -not; in the way you say. I have come, on the contrary, to seek your -protection from a man who loves me, whose love frightens me, and for -whom I shall never feel aught but gratitude." - -"You are quite certain, poor child, that such is the feeling you -experience for that man?" - -She bowed assent. Without saying anything further, Bright-eye rose. - -"Where are you going?" she asked, quickly. - -The hunter turned to her. - -"In all that you have told me, child," he answered, "there are things -so important, that I must without delay arouse my friend, that he may -listen to you in his turn, and, if it be possible, come to your aid." - -"Do so," she said, mournfully, and let her head sink on her breast. -The hunter went up to the young man, and bending over him, touched him -gently on the shoulder. The Count awoke at once. - -"What is it? What do you want?" he said, rising and seizing his -weapons, with the promptness that a man constantly exposed to danger so -soon acquires. - -"Nothing that need frighten you, Mr. Edward. That young girl wishes to -speak to you." - -The Count followed the direction in which the hunter pointed, and his -glance met that of the maiden. It was like an electric shock; she -tottered, laid her hand on her heart, and blushed. The Frenchman rushed -toward her. - -"What is the matter? What can I do to help you?" he asked. - -Just as she was about to reply, the curtain was lifted; a man bounded -suddenly over Ivon, and reached the centre of the hut. It was the spy; -the Breton suddenly aroused, flung himself on him, but the Indian held -him back with a firm hand. - -"Look out!" he said. - -"Red Wolf!" the girl exclaimed, joyfully, as she stepped before him; -"lower your weapons, it is a friend." - -"Speak!" the Count said, as he returned the pistol to his belt. - -The Indian had made no attempt to defend himself; he awaited stoically -the moment to explain himself. - -"Natah Otann is coming," he said to the maiden. - -"Oh! I am lost if he find me here." - -"What do I care for the fellow?" the Count said, haughtily. - -"Prudence," Bright-eye interposed; "are you a friend, Redskin?" - -"Ask Prairie-Flower," he answered, disdainfully. - -"Good; then you have come to save her?" - -"Yes." - -"You have a way?" - -"I have." - -"I don't understand anything about it," Ivon said to himself, aside, -quite confounded by all he saw; "what a night!" - -"Make haste!" said the Count. - -"Neither Prairie-Flower nor myself must be seen here," the Red Wolf -continued; "Natah Otann is my enemy; there is deadly war between us. -Throw all those furs on the girl." - -Prairie-Flower, crouching in a corner, soon disappeared beneath the -skins piled over her. - -"Hum! it is a good idea," Bright-eye muttered: "and what are you going -to do?" - -"Look!" - -Red Wolf leaned against the buffalo hides that acted as door, and -concealed himself amid their folds. Hardly had all this been done, ere -Natah Otann appeared on the threshold. - -"What! up already?" he said, in surprise, turning a suspicious glance -around him. - -Red Wolf profited by this movement to go out unseen by the Chief. - -"I am come to receive your orders for the hunt," Natah Otann resumed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -FORT MACKENZIE. - - -Fort Mackenzie, built in 1832 by Major Mitchell, Chief Agent to the -North American Fur Company, stands like a menacing sentry, about one -hundred and twenty paces from the north bank of the Missouri, and -seventy miles from the Rocky Mountains, in the midst of a level plain, -protected by a chain of hills running from north to south. The fort -is built on the system of all the outposts of civilization in the -western provinces; it forms a perfect square, each side being about -forty-five feet in length: a ditch, eight fathoms in depth and about -the same in width; two substantial blockhouses; and twenty guns--such -are the defensive elements of this fortress. The buildings contained -in the enceinte are low, with narrow windows, in which parchment is -substituted for glass. The roofs are flat, and covered with turf. The -gateways of the fort are solid, and lined with iron. In the middle of -a small square, in the centre of the fort, rises a mast, from which -floats the star-spangled banner of the United States, while two guns -are stationed at the foot of the mast. The plain surrounding Fort -Mackenzie is covered with grass, rarely more than three feet high. -This plain is almost constantly invaded by Indian tribes, that come -to traffic with the Americans, especially the Blackfeet, Assiniboins, -Mandans, Flatheads, Gros-ventres, Crows, and Koutnikes. - -The Indians displayed a repugnance in allowing the white men to settle -in their domains, and the first agent the Fur Company sent to them had -a narrow escape with life. It was only by dint of patience and cunning -that they succeeded in concluding with the tribes a treaty of peace -and barter, which the latter were disposed, indeed, to break, through -the slightest pretext. Thus the Americans were always on the watch, -considering themselves in a perpetual state of siege. It still happened -at times, in spite of the Indians' protestations of amity, that some -_engage_ or trapper of the Company was brought to the fort scalped and -murdered, and they were obliged, through policy, to refrain from taking -vengeance for such murders, which, however, were becoming rare. The -Indians, with their greedy instincts, at length understood that it was -better to live in good intelligence with the Palefaces, who supplied -them with abundant provisions, spirits, and money, in exchange for -their furs. - -In 1834, Fort Mackenzie was commanded by Major Melville, a man of -great experience, who had spent nearly his whole life among the -Indians, either fighting or trafficking with them, so that he was -thoroughly versed in all their habits and tricks. General Jackson, in -whose army he had served, put great reliance in his courage, skill, -and experience. Major Melville combined with uncommon moral energy -rare physical strength; he was the very man to keep in check the -fierce tribes with which he had to deal, and to command the trappers -and hunters in the Company's service, thorough ruffians, only -understanding the logic of the rifle and the bowie knife; he based -his authority on inflexible severity and an irreproachable justice, -which had contributed greatly to maintain the good relations between -the inhabitants of the fort and their crafty friends. Peace, with the -exception of the mutual distrust that was its basis, appeared for -some few years past to be solidly established between the Palefaces -and the Redskins. The Indians camped annually before the fort, and -generally exchanged their peltry for spirits, clothes, gunpowder, &c. -The seventy men who formed the garrison had gradually relaxed their -usual precautions, for they felt so confident of having induced the -Indians to renounce their plundering inclinations by kind treatment and -concessions. Such was the respective positions of the whites and the -Redskins on the day when the exigencies of our story take us to Fort -Mackenzie. - -The scenery round the fort is exquisite and charmingly varied. On the -day after that in which the events we have described took place in the -Kenha village, a leather canoe, manned by only one rower, descended -the Elk river, in the direction of the American fort. After following -the numerous bends of the stream, the canoe at length entered the -Missouri, and coasted the northern bank, studded with magnificent -prairies at least thirty miles in depth, on which countless herds of -buffaloes, antelopes, and bighorns were grazing, which, with ears -erect and startled eyes, watched the silent boat pass with gloomy -dissatisfaction. But the person, man or woman, in the boat seemed too -anxious to reach the destination, to waste any time in firing at these -animals, which it would have been easy to do. - -With his eyes imperturbably fixed ahead, and bowed over the paddles, -the rower redoubled his energy the nearer he approached the fort, -uttering at times hoarse exclamations of anger and impatience, -though never checking the speed of the boat. At length an "ah!" of -satisfaction escaped his lips on turning one of the numberless bends of -the river: a magnificent scene was suddenly displayed before him. - -Gentle slopes, with varied summits, some rounded, others flat, of a -pleasant green colour, occupied the centre of the picture. In the -foreground were tall forests of poplars of a vivid green, and willow -trees on the banks of the river, which meandered through a prairie to -which the twilight had given a deep olive hue. A little further on, on -the top of a grassy mound, stood Fort Mackenzie, where the handsome -flag of the United States floated in the breeze, gilded by the parting -beams of the setting sun; while on one side an Indian camp, on the -other, herds of horses, tranquilly grazing, animated the majestic -tranquillity of the scene. - -The canoe drew nearer and nearer to the bank, and at last, when -arrived under the protection of the guns, was run gently ashore. The -individual occupying it then leaped on the sand, and it was easy to see -that it was a woman. It was the mysterious being to whom the Indians -gave the name of the She-wolf of the Prairies, and who has already -appeared twice in this story. She had altered her dress. Although still -resembling that of the Indians in texture, as it was composed of elk -and buffalo skins sown together, it varied from it in shape; and if, at -the first glance, it was difficult to recognize the sex of the person -wearing it, it was easy to perceive that it was a white, through the -simplicity, cleanliness, and, above all, the amplitude of the folds -carefully draped round the strange being hidden in these garments. - -After leaving the canoe, the She-wolf fastened it securely to a large -stone, and without paying further attention to it, walked hastily in -the direction of the fort. It was about six in the evening; the barter -with the Indians was over, and they were returning, laughing and -singing, to their tents of buffalo hide; while the _engages_, after -collecting the horses, led them back slowly to the fort. The sun was -setting behind the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, casting a purple -gleam, over the heavens. Gradually, as the planet of day sank in the -distant horizon, gloom took possession of the earth. The songs of the -Indians, the shouts of the _engages_, the neighing of the horses, and -the barking of the dogs, formed one of those singular concerts which -in these remote regions impress on the mind a feeling of melancholy -reflection. The She-wolf reached the gate of the fort at the moment -when the last _engage_ had entered, after driving in the laggards of -his troop. - -At these frontier posts, where momentary vigilance is necessary to -foil the treachery constantly lurking in the shadows, sentinels -especially appointed to survey the gloomy and solitary prairies, that -stretch out for miles around their garrisons, stand watching day and -night with their eyes fixed on space, ready to signalize the least -unusual movement, either on the part of animals or of men, in the vast -solitudes they survey. The She-wolf's canoe had been detected more than -six hours before, all its movements carefully watched, and when the -She-wolf, after fastening her boat up, presented herself at the gate -of the fort, she found it closed and carefully bolted; not because she -personally caused the garrison any alarm, but because the order was -that no one should enter the fort after sunset, except for overpowering -reasons. - -The She-wolf repressed with difficulty a gesture of annoyance at -finding herself thus exposed to spend the night in the open air; not -that she feared the hardship, but because she knew the importance -of her news, and desired no delay. She did not allow herself to be -defeated, however, but stooped, picked up a stone, and struck the gate -twice. A wicket immediately opened, and two eyes glistened through the -opening it left. - -"Who's there?" a rough voice asked. - -"A friend," the She-wolf replied. - -"Hum; that's very vague at this hour of the night," the voice -continued, with a grin that augured ill for the success of the -mediation the She-wolf had commenced. - -"Who are you?" - -"A woman, and a white woman too, as you can see by my dress and accent." - -"It may be, but the night is dark, and it is impossible for me to see -you: so if you have no better reasons to give, good night, and go your -ways; tomorrow we will meet again at sunrise." - -And the speaker prepared to close the wicket, but the She-wolf checked -him with a firm hand. - -"One moment," she said. - -"What's up now?" the other remarked, ill-temperedly; "I cannot pass the -night in listening to you." - -"I only want to ask you one question, and one favour." - -"Plague take it!" the man went on; "well, you are going on at a fine -rate; that's nothing, eh? Well; let me hear it; that binds me to -nothing." - -"Is Major Melville in the fort at this moment?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Answer, yes or no." - -"Well, yes; what then?" - -The She-wolf gave a sigh of satisfaction, hurriedly drew a ring from -her right hand, and passing it through the wicket to the unknown -speaker, said-- - -"Carry that ring to the Major; I will wait for your answer here." - -"Mind what you are about; the Commandant does not like to be disturbed -for nothing." - -"Do as I tell you. I answer for the rest." - -"That's a poor bail," the other growled; "but no matter--I'll risk it. -Wait." - -The wicket closed. The She-wolf seated herself on the side of the -moat, and with elbows resting on her knees, buried her head in her -hands. By this time night had completely set in; in the distance, the -fires lighted up by the Indians on the prairies shone like lighthouses -through the gloom; the evening breeze soughed hoarsely through the -tops of the trees, and the howls of the wild beasts were mingled -at intervals with the strident laughter of the Indians. Not a star -sparkled in the sky, which was black as ink; nature seemed covered with -a cerecloth; all presaged an approaching storm. The She-wolf waited, -motionless, as one of those patient sphynxes which have watched for -thousands of years at the entrance of the Egyptian temples. A quarter -of an hour elapsed, then a sound of bolts was heard, and the gates of -the fort slightly opened. The She-wolf sprung up, as if moved by a -spring. - -"Come!" a voice said. - -She entered, and the door was immediately closed after her. An -_engage_--the same who had spoken to her through the wicket--stood -before her with a torch in his hand. - -"Follow me," he said to her. - -She walked after her guide, who crossed the entire length of the -courtyard, and then turning to the She-wolf, said-- - -"The Major is waiting for you here." - -"Rap," she said. - -"No, do so yourself; you no longer need me; I will return to my post." - -And, after bowing slightly, he withdrew carrying the torch with him. -The She-wolf remained alone in the darkness; she passed her hand over -her damp forehead, and making a supreme effort-- - -"I must," she muttered, hoarsely. - -She then struck the door. - -"Come in," a voice said from within. - -She turned the key, pushed open the door, and found herself in the -presence of an elderly man, dressed in uniform, and seated near a -table, who gazed fixedly at her. This man, by the position he occupied, -and the way in which the light was arranged, could see her perfectly; -while, on the other hand, the She-wolf could not distinguish his -features, hidden as they were by the gloom. The She-wolf walked -resolutely into the room. - -"Thanks for having received me," she said; "I was afraid you had -utterly forgotten." - -"If that is meant for a reproach, I do not understand you," the officer -said, sternly; "and I should feel obliged by a clear explanation." - -"Are you not Major Melville?" - -"I am." - -"The way in which I entered the fort proves to me that you recognised -the ring I sent you." - -"I recognized it; for it reminds me of a very dear person," he said, -with a suppressed sigh; "but how is it in your hands?" - -The She-wolf regarded the Major sadly for a moment, then walked up to -him, gently took his hand, which she pressed in hers, and replied, with -an accent full of tears-- - -"Harry, I must be changed by suffering, if you do not even recognise my -voice." - -At these words a livid pallor covered the officer's face; he rose with -a movement quick as lightning; his body was agitated by a convulsive -tremor, and seizing, in his turn, the woman's hands, he exclaimed -madly-- - -"Margaret! Margaret! my sister! Have the dead come from the tomb? Do I -find you again at last:" - -"Ah!" she said, with an expression of joy impossible to render, as she -sank in his arms, "I was certain he would recognise me." - -But the shock she had received was too strong for the poor woman, whose -organization was worn out by sorrow; accustomed to suffering, she could -not endure joy, and fell fainting into her brother's arms. The Major -carried her to a species of sofa that occupied one side of the room, -and, without calling anyone to his aid, paid her all that attention -her case required. The She-wolf remained for a long time insensible; -but she gradually came to herself again, opened her eyes, and, after -muttering a few incoherent words, burst into tears. Her brother did -not leave her for a moment, following, with an anxious glance, the -progress of her return to life. When he perceived that the height of -the crisis was past, he took chair, sat down by his sister's side, -and by gentle words sought to restore her courage. At length, the poor -woman raised her head, dried her eyes--reddened by tears, and hollowed -by fever--and turning to her brother, who watched her every movement, -said in a hoarse voice-- - -"Brother, for sixteen years I have been suffering an atrocious -martyrdom, which never ceased for an instant." - -The Major shuddered at this fearful revelation. - -"Poor sister!" he muttered. "What can I do for you?" - -"All, if you will." - -"Oh!" he exclaimed, with energy, as he struck the woodwork of the sofa -with his fist, "could you doubt me, Margaret?" - -"No, since I have come," she answered, smiling through her tears. - -"You will avenge yourself, I think?" he went on. - -"I will." - -"Who are your enemies?" - -"The Redskins." - -"Ah! ah!" he said, with a bitter smile; "I, too, have an old account to -settle with those demons. To what nation do your enemies belong?" - -"To the Blackfeet. They are the Kenha tribe." - -"Oh," the Major continued, "my old friends, the Blood Indians; I have -long been seeking a pretext to give them an exemplary punishment." - -"That pretext I now bring you, Harry," she answered, passionately; "and -do not fancy it a vain pretext invented by hatred. No, no! 'tis the -revelation of a plot formed by all the Missouri Indians against the -whites, which must break out within a few days, perhaps tomorrow." - -"Ah!" the Major observed, thoughtfully, "I do not know why, but, for -the last few days, suspicions have invaded, my mind; my presentiments -did not deceive me, then. Speak, sister, at once, I conjure you; and -since you have come to me, in order to appease your hatred of these red -devils, I promise you a vengeance, the memory of which will make their -grandsons shudder." - -"I thank you for your promise, brother, and will not forget it," she -answered. "Listen to me, then." - -"One word first." - -"Speak, brother." - -"Has the narrative of your sufferings any connexion with the conspiracy -you are about to reveal to me?" - -"An intimate one." - -"Well, it is scarce ten o'clock, we have the night before us; tell me -all that has happened to you since our separation." - -"You wish it?" - -"Yes, for it will be by your narrative that I shall regulate my -treatment of the Indians." - -"Listen, then, brother, and be indulgent to me, for I have suffered -bitterly, as you are about to hear." - -The Major pressed her hand; he took a chair, sat by her side, and after -bolting the door, to prevent any interruption of the story, he said-- - -"Speak, Margaret, and tell me everything; I do not wish to be ignorant -of any of the tortures you have endured during the long years that have -elapsed since our parting." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A MOTHER'S CONFESSION. - - -"It is just seventeen years ago, you will remember, Harry; you had -recently received your commission as lieutenant in the army; you were -young, enthusiastic; the future appeared to you to be drawn in the -brightest colours. One evening, during weather like the present, you -came to my husband's clearing, to tell us the news, and bid us an -affectionate farewell; for you hoped, like ourselves, not to be long -away from us. The next morning, in spite of our entreaties, after -embracing the children, pressing the hand of my poor husband, who -loved you so, and giving me a parting kiss, you galloped off, and soon -disappeared in a whirlwind of dust. Alas! who could have foretold that -we should not meet again till today, after seventeen years' separation, -upon Indian territory, and under terrible circumstances? However," -she added, with a sigh, "God has willed it so, may His holy name be -blessed! It has pleased Him to try His creatures, and let His hand fall -heavily on them." - -"It was with a strange contraction of the heart," the Major said, "that -six months after that parting, when I returned among you with a joyous -heart, I saw, on dismounting in front of your house, a stranger open -your door, and answer, that the white family had emigrated three months -before, and proceeded in a western direction, with the intention of -founding a new settlement on the Indian frontier. It was in vain that I -tried to gain any information about you from your neighbours; they had -forgotten you; no one could or would, perhaps, give me the slightest -news about you, and I was forced to retrace, heartbroken, the road I -had ridden along so joyfully a few days before. Since then, despite all -the efforts I have made, I never was able to learn anything about your -fate, or lift the mysterious veil that covered the sinister events to -which I was convinced you had fallen victims during your journey." - -"You are only half deceived, my brother, in your supposition," she went -on. "Two months after your visit, my husband, who had long desired to -leave our clearing, where he said the land was worth nothing, had a -grave dispute with one of his neighbours about the limits of a field -of which he believed, or pretended to believe, that neighbour had cut -off a corner: under any other circumstances, the difference would have -been easily settled, but my husband sought an excuse to go away, and -having found it, did not let it slip again. He would listen to nothing, -but quietly made all his arrangements for the expedition he had so long -meditated, and at length told us one day that he should start the next. -When my husband had once said a thing, all I could do was to obey, for -he never recalled a determination he had formed. On the appointed day -at sunrise, we left the clearing, our neighbours accompanying us for -the first day's journey, and at nightfall left us, after hearty wishes -for the success of our expedition. It was with inexpressible sorrow I -quitted the house where I was married, where my children were born, -and where I had been happy for so many years. My husband tried in -vain to console me, and restore me that courage which failed me; but -nothing could efface from my mind the gentle and pious recollections I -previously kept up: the deeper we buried ourselves in the desert, the -greater my sorrow became. My husband, on the other hand saw everything -in a bright light; the future belonged to him; he was about to be his -own master, and act as he thought proper. He detailed to me all his -plans, tried to interest me in them, and employed all the means in his -power to draw me from my gloomy thoughts, but could not succeed. Still -we went onwards without stopping. The distance became daily greater -between ourselves and the last settlements of our countrymen. In vain -did I show my husband how remote we were from all help in case of -danger, and the isolation in which we should find ourselves; he only -laughed at my apprehensions; repeated incessantly that the Indians -were far from being so dangerous as they were represented, and that we -had nothing to fear. My husband was so convinced of the truth of his -assertions, that he neglected the most simple precautions to defend -himself against a surprise, and said each morning, with a mocking air, -at the moment of starting, 'You see how foolish you are, Margaret; be -reasonable, the Indians will be careful not to insult us,' One night -the camp was attacked by the Redskins, we were surprised during our -sleep; my husband was flayed alive, while his children were burned at a -slow fire before his face." - -While uttering these words, the poor woman's voice became more and more -choked. At the last sentences, her emotion grew so profound, that she -could not continue. - -"Courage!" the Major said, as much moved as herself, but more master of -his feelings. - -She made an effort, and continued in a harsh, unmodulated voice,-- - -"By a refinement of cruelty, the barbarism of which I did not at first -understand, my youngest child, my daughter, was spared by the Pagans. -On seeing the punishment of my husband and children, at which I was -forced to be present, I felt such a laceration of the heart, that I -imagined I was dying. I uttered a shriek, and fell down. How long I -remained in that state, I know not: but when I regained my senses, -I was alone. The Indians, doubtlessly, fancied me dead, and left -me where I lay. I rose, and not conscious of what I was doing, but -impelled by a force superior to my will, I returned, tottering and -falling almost at every step, to the spot where this mournful tragedy -had been enacted. It took me three hours--how was I so far from the -camp?--at length I arrived, and a fearful sight presented itself to -my horror-struck eyes. I looked unconscious upon the disfigured and -half carbonized bodies of my children--my despair, however, restored -my failing strength. I dug a grave, and, half delirious with grief, -buried in it husband and children, all that I loved on earth. This -pious duty accomplished, I resolved to die at the spot where the -beings so dear to me had perished. But there are hours during the long -nights in which the shades of the dead address the living, and order -them to take vengeance! That terrific voice from the tomb I heard on a -sinister night, when the elements threatened to overthrow nature. From -that moment my resolution was formed. I consented to live for revenge. -From that hour I have walked firm and implacable on the path I traced, -requiting the Pagans, on every opportunity that presents itself, for -the evil they had done me. I have become the terror of the prairies. -The Indians fear me as an evil genius. They have a superstitious -invincible dread of me; in short, they have surnamed me the Lying -She-wolf of the Prairies; for each time a catastrophe menaces them, or -a frightful danger is hanging over their heads, they see me appear. For -seventeen years I have been nursing my revenge, without ever growing -discouraged, certain that the day will come when, in my turn, I shall -plant my knee on the heart of my enemies, and inflict on them the -atrocious torture they condemned me to suffer." - -The woman's face, while uttering these words, had assumed such an -expression of cruelty, that the Major brave as he was, felt himself -shudder. - -"And your enemies," he said, after a moment's delay, "do you know them, -have you learned their names?" - -"I know them all!" she said, in a piercing voice; "I have learned all -their names!" - -"And they are preparing to break the peace?" Mrs. Margaret smiled -ironically. - -"No, they will not break the peace, brother, but attack you suddenly. -They have formed among themselves a formidable league, which--at least -they fancy so--you will find it impossible to resist." - -"Sister!" the Major exclaimed energetically, "give me the name of -these wretched traitors, and I swear that, even were they concealed -in the depths of Hades, I will seek them, to inflict an exemplary -chastisement." - -"I cannot give you these names yet, brother; but be at ease, you shall -soon know them; you will not have to seek them far, for I will lead -them under the guns of your soldiers and hunters." - -"Take care, Margaret," the Major said, shaking his head, "hatred is -a bad counsellor in an affair like this; he who grasps at too much, -frequently risks the loss of all." - -"Oh," she replied, "my precautions have been taken for a long time: -I hold them, I can seize them whenever I please, or, to speak more -correctly, when the moment has arrived." - -"Do as you think proper, sister, and reckon on my devoted aid: this -vengeance affects me too closely for me to allow it to escape." - -"Thanks," she said. - -"Pardon me," he continued, after a few minutes' reflection, "if I -revert to the sad events you have just narrated; but you have, it -strikes me, forgotten an important detail in your story." - -"I do not understand you, Harry." - -"I will explain: you said, I think, if my memory serves me, that your -youngest daughter escaped from the frightful fate of her brothers, and -was saved by an Indian." - -"Yes, I did say so, brother," she replied in an oppressed voice. - -"Well, what has become of the unhappy child? Does she still live? Have -you any news of her? Have you seen her again?" - -"She lives, and I have seen her." - -"Ah!" - -"Yes; the man who saved her educated her, even adopted her," she said, -sarcastically. "Do you know what this wretch would do with the daughter -of the man he murdered, whom he flayed alive before my eyes?" - -"Speak; in Heaven's name! - -"What I have to say is very dreadful! it is so frightful, indeed, that -I hesitate to reveal it to you." - -"Good God!" the Major ejaculated, recoiling involuntarily before his -sister's flaming glance. - -"Well," she continued, with a strident laugh, "this girl has grown up, -the child has become a woman, as lovely as it is possible to be. This -man, this monster, this demon, has felt his tiger heart soften at the -sight of the angel; he loves her to distraction, he wishes to make her -his wife." - -"Horror!" the Major exclaimed. - -"Is that not truly hideous?" she continued, still with that nervous, -spasmodic laugh which it pains one to hear: "he has pardoned his -victim's daughter. Yes, he is generous, he forgets the atrocious -torture he inflicted on the father, and now covets the daughter." - -"Oh, that is frightful, Margaret; so much infamy and cynicism is -impossible, even among Indians!" - -"Do you believe, then, that I am deceiving you?" - -"Far from me be such a thought, sister; the man is a monster." - -"Yes, yes, so he is." - -"You have seen your daughter; you have talked with her?" - -"Yes; well, what then?" - -"You have, doubtless, turned her from this monstrous love?" - -"I!" she replied, with a grin, "I did not say a word to her about it." - -"What!" he said, in amazement. - -"By what right could I have spoken?" - -"How, by what right--Are you not her mother?" - -"She does not know it!" - -"Oh!" - -"And my vengeance?" she said, coldly. This word which so thoroughly -explained the character of the woman, had before struck the heart of -the old soldier with terror. - -"Unhappy woman!" he exclaimed. - -A smile of disdain curled the She-wolf's lip. - -"Yes, so you are," she said, with a bitter voice, "you men of cities, -with natures worn out by civilization. To understand a passion, it -must be kept within certain limits, traced beforehand. The grandeur of -hatred, with all its fury and excesses, terrifies you; you only admit -that legal and halting vengeance which the criminal code sanctions. -Brother, he who wishes the end, wishes the means. To arrive at my -object, what do I care, do you think, whether I walk over ruins or wade -through blood? No, I go straight before me, with the fatal impetuosity -of the torrent which breaks down and overthrows all the obstacles which -rise in its passage. My object is vengeance! blood for blood, eye -for eye; that is the law of the prairies. I have made it mine, and I -will obtain that vengeance, if for it I--. But," she added, suddenly -breaking off, "what need of this useless discussion between us, -brother? Reassure yourself my daughter has been better warned by her -instincts than all the advice I could have given her. She does not love -this man. I know it, she told me so; she will never love him." - -"Heaven be praised!" the Major exclaimed. - -"I have only one desire; only one," she continued with a melancholy -air; "it is after the accomplishment of my vengeance, to recover my -daughter, press her to my heart, and cover her with kisses, while at -length revealing to her that I am her mother." - -The Major shook his head sorrowfully. - -"Take care, sister," he said, in a stern voice; "God has said, -'Vengeance is mine!' take care, lest, after wishing to assume the -office of Providence, you may be cruelly chastised by it in some of -your dearest affections." - -"Oh, say not so, Harry!" she exclaimed with a sign of terror; "you -would turn me mad." - -The Major let his head sink on hid breast. For a while brother and -sister remained opposite each other, not uttering a word; they were -both reflecting. The She-wolf was the first to renew the conversation. - -"Now, brother," she said, "if you will permit me, we will leave this -mournful subject for a moment, and allude to what concerns you more -particularly, that is, the formidable conspiracy formed against you by -the Indians." - -"On my word," he replied, with a sigh of relief, "I confess, sister, -that I ask nothing better; my head is confused, and I believe that if -this went on much longer, I should be unable to re-collect my thoughts, -so much am I affected by what you have told me." - -"Thanks," - -"Night is drawing on, Margaret; indeed, it has almost entirely slipped -away, we have not a moment to lose, so pray continue." - -"Is the garrison complete?" - -"Yes." - -"How many men have you?" - -"Seventy, without counting some fifteen hunters and trappers occupied -without, but whom I will recall without delay." - -"Very good: do you require the whole of the garrison for the defence of -the fort?" - -"That is according. Why?" - -"Because I want to borrow twenty men of you." - -"Hum I for what object?" - -"You shall learn; you are alone here, without any hopes of help, and -for this reason: while the Indians are burning the fort, they will -intercept your communication with Fort Clarke, Fort Union, and the -other posts scattered along the Missouri." - -"I fear it, but what can I do?" - -"I will tell you; you have doubtless heard of an American squatter, who -settled hardly a week back about three or four leagues from you?" - -"I have; a certain John Black, I think." - -"That is the man; well, his clearing will naturally serve you as an -advanced post?" - -"Famously." - -"Profit by the short time left you; under pretence of a buffalo hunt, -send twenty men from the fort, and conceal them at John Black's, so -that when the moment for action arrives, they may make a demonstration -in your favour, which will place the enemies between two fires, and -make them suppose that reinforcements have reached you from other -posts." - -"That is a good idea," the Major said. "You must choose men on whom you -can count." - -"They are all devoted to me; you shall see them at work." - -"All the better; then that is settled!" - -"It is." - -"Now, as it is urgent that no one should know of our relations, as it -might compromise the success of our scheme, I must ask you to open the -gates of the fort for me. - -"What, so soon, in this frightful weather?" - -"I must, brother, it is of the utmost importance that I should start at -once." - -"You insist." - -"I beg it of you, Harry, for our common benefit." - -"Come, then, sister, I will detain you no longer." - -Two minutes later, in spite of the storm which still howled with the -same fury, the She-wolf was rowing from Fort Mackenzie at full speed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE CHASE. - - -When Natah Otann entered the lodge inhabited by the white men, under -pretext of warning them to prepare for the chase, his searching eye in -a few seconds had explored every corner of the building. The Indian -Chief was too clever to omit noticing the Count's constraint and -embarrassment: but he understood that it would be impolitic to show the -suspicions he had conceived. Hence he did not in the slightest degree -affect to notice the annoyance caused by his presence, and continued -the conversation with that politeness the Redskins can display when -they choose to take the trouble. On their side the Count and Bright-eye -at once regained their coolness. - -"I did not hope to find my White brother already risen," Natah Otann -said with a smile. - -"Why not?" the young man replied; "a desert life accustoms one to -little sleep." - -"Then the Palefaces will go and hunt with their red friends?" - -"Certainly, if you have no objection." - -"Did I not myself propose to Glass-eye to procure them a true chase?" - -"That is true," the young man said, with a laugh; "but take care, -Chief, I have become uncommonly fastidious since I have been in the -prairie; there is hardly any game I have not hunted, as it was the love -of sport alone that brought me into these unknown countries; hence, I -repeat, I shall expect choice game." - -Natah Otann smiled proudly. - -"My brother will be satisfied," he said. - -"And what is the animal we are about to follow?" the young man asked. - -"The ostrich." - -The Count made a sign of amazement. - -"What, the ostrich?" he exclaimed, "that is impossible, Chief--" - -"Because?" - -"Oh, simply because there are none." - -"The ostrich, it is true, is disappearing; it fled before the white -men, and becomes daily rare, but it is still numerous on the prairies; -in a few hours my brother will have a proof of it." - -"I desire nothing better." - -"Good, that is settled: I will soon come and fetch my brother." - -The Chief bowed courteously and retired, after taking a parting look -around. The curtain had scarcely fallen behind the Chief ere the pile -of furs that covered the young girl was thrown off, and Prairie-Flower -ran up to the Count. - -"Listen," she said to him, seizing his hand, which she pressed -tenderly, "I cannot explain to you now, for time fails me; still, -remember, you have a friend who watches over you." - -And before the Count could reply, or even think of replying, she fled -with the bound of an antelope. He passed his hand several times over -his brow, his eye being fixed on the place where the Indian girl had -disappeared. - -"Ah!" he at length murmured, "have I at last met with a true woman?" - -"She is an angel," the hunter said, replying to his thought. "Poor -child! she has suffered greatly." - -"Yes; but I am here now, and will protect her!" the Count exclaimed, -with exaltation. - -"Let us think of ourselves first, Mr. Edward, and try to get away from -here with whole skins; it will not be an easy task, I assure you." - -"What do you mean, my friend?" - -"It is enough that I understand it all," the hunter said, shaking his -head; "let us only think now of our preparations: our friends, the -Redskins, will soon arrive," he added, with that derisive smile which -caused the Count to feel increased embarrassment. - -But the impression caused by the Canadian's ambiguous language was -promptly dissipated, for love had suddenly nestled in this young, man's -heart; he only dreamed of one thing, of seeing the woman again whom he -adored with all his strength. - -In a man like the Count, who was gifted with a fiery organization, -every feeling must necessarily be carried to an excess; and it was the -case in the present instance. Love is born by a word, a sign, a look, -and scarcely born, suddenly becomes a giant. The Count was fated to -learn this at his own expense. - -Scarcely half an hour after Natah Otann's departure, the gallop of -several horses was heard, and a troop of horsemen stopped in front of -the cabin. The three men went out, and found Natah Otann awaiting them -at the head of sixty warriors, all dressed in their grand costume, and -armed to the teeth. - -"Let us go," he said. - -"Whenever you please," the Count answered. - -The Chief made a signal, and three magnificent horses, superbly -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, were led up by children. The whites -mounted, and the band set out in the direction of the prairie. - -It was about six in the morning, the night storm had completely swept -the sky, which was of a pale blue; the sun, fully risen in the horizon, -shot forth its warm beams, which drew out the sharp and odoriferous -vapours from the ground, The atmosphere was wondrously transparent, a -slight breeze refreshed the air, and flocks of birds, lustrous with a -thousand hues, flew around, uttering joyous cries. The troop marched -gaily through the tall prairie grass, raising a cloud of dust, and -undulating like a long serpent in the endless turnings of the road. - -The spot where the chase was to come off was nearly thirty miles -distant from the village. In the desert all places are alike, tall -grass, in the midst of which the horsemen entirely disappear; stunted -shrubs, and here and there clumps of trees, whose imposing crowns rise -to an enormous height;--such was the road the Indians had to follow up -to the spot where they would find the animals they proposed chasing. - -In the prairies of Arkansas and the Upper Missouri, at the time of -our story, ostriches were still numerous, and their chase one of the -numerous amusements of the Redskins and wood rangers. It is probable -that the successive invasions of the white men, and the immense -clearings effected by fire and the axe, have now compelled them to -abandon this territory, and retire to the inaccessible desert of the -Rocky Mountains, or the sands of the Far West. - -We will say here, without any pretence at a scientific description, a -few words about this singular animal, still but little known in Europe. -The ostrich generally lives in small families of from eight to ten, -scattered along the banks of marshes, pools, and streams. They live -on fresh grass. Faithful to their native soil, they never quit the -vicinity of the water, and in the month of November lay their eggs in -the wildest part of the plain, fifty to sixty at a time, which are -brooded, solely at night, by male and female in turn, with a touching -tenderness. When the incubation is terminated, the ostrich breaks the -barren eggs with its beak, which are at once covered with flies and -insects, supplying nourishment to the young birds. The ostrich of the -Western prairies differs slightly from the _Nandus_ of the Patagonian -prairies and the African species. It is about five feet high, and four -and a half long, from the stomach to the end of the tail; its beak is -very pointed, and measures a little over five inches. - -A characteristic trait of the ostriches is their extreme curiosity. -In the Indian villages, where they live in a tamed state, it is of -frequent occurrence to see them stalking through groups of talkers, -and regarding them with fixed attention. In the plain this curiosity -is often fatal to them, for it leads them to look unhesitatingly -at everything that seems strange or unusual to them. We will give a -capital Indian story here in proof of this. - -The jaguars are very fond of ostrich meat, but unfortunately, though -their speed is so great, it is almost impossible for them to run the -birds down; but the jaguars are cunning animals, and usually obtain -by craft what they cannot manage by force. They, therefore, employ -the following stratagem. They lie on the ground as if dead, and raise -their tails in the air, where they wave them in every direction; the -ostriches, attracted by this strange spectacle, approach with great -simplicity--the rest may be guessed; they fall a prey to the cunning -jaguars. - -The hunters after a hurried march of three hours, reached a barren -and sandy plain; during the journey, very few words were exchanged -between Natah Otann and his white guests, for he rode at the head of -the column, conversing in a low voice with White Buffalo. The Indians -dismounted by the side of a stream, and exchanged their horses for -racers, which the chief had sent to the spot during the night, and -which were naturally rested and able to run for miles. Natah Otann -divided the hunting party into two equal troops, keeping the command -of the first himself, and courteously offering that of the second to -the Count. As the Frenchman, however, had never been present at such -a chase, and was quite ignorant how it was conducted, he courteously -declined. Natah Otann reflected for a few moments, and then turned to -Bright-eye:-- - -"My brother knows the ostriches?" he asked him. "Eh!" the Canadian -replied, with a smile; "Natah Otann was not yet born when I hunted -them on the prairie." - -"Good," the chief said; "then my brother will command the second band?" - -"Be it so," the hunter said, bowing: "I accept with pleasure." - -On a given signal, the first band, under Natah Otann's command, -advanced into the plain, describing a semicircle, so as to drive the -game towards a ravine, situated between two moving downs. The second -band, with which the Count and Ivon remained, was echelonned so as -to form the other half of the circle. This circle, by the horsemen's -advance, was gradually being contracted, when a dozen ostriches showed -themselves; but the male bird, standing sentry, warned the family of -the danger by a sharp cry like a boatswain's whistle. At once the -ostriches fled in a straight line rapidly, and without looking back. -All the hunters galloped off in pursuit. - -The plain, till then silent and gloomy, grew animated, and offered the -strangest appearance. The horsemen pursued the luckless animals at full -speed, raising in their passage clouds of impalpable dust. Twelve to -fifteen paces behind the game, the Indians, still galloping and burying -their spurs in the flanks of their panting horses, bent forward, -twisted their formidable clubs round their heads, and hurled them -after the animals. If they missed their aim, they stooped down without -checking their pace, and picked up the weapon, which they cast again. - -Several flocks of ostriches had been put up, and the chase then assumed -the proportions of a mad revel. Cries and hurrahs rent the air; the -clubs hurtled through the space and struck the necks, wings, and legs -of the ostriches, which, startled and mad with terror, made a thousand -feints and zigzags to escape their implacable enemies, and buffeting -their wings, tried to prick the horses with, the species of spike -with which the end of their wings is armed. Several horses reared, -and, embarrassed by the ostriches between their legs, fell with their -riders. The ostriches, profiting by the disorder, fled on, and came -within reach of the other hunters, who received them with a shower of -clubs. - -Each hunter leaped from his horse, killed the victim he had felled, -cut off its wings as a sign of triumph, and renewed the chase with -increased ardour. Ostriches and hunters rushed onwards like the -_cordonazo_, that terrible wind of the Mexican deserts, and forty -ostriches speedily encumbered the plain. Natah Otann looked round him, -and then gave the signal for retreat; the birds which had not succumbed -to this rude aggression, ran off to seek shelter. The dead birds were -carefully collected, for the ostrich is, excellent eating, and the -Indians prepare, chiefly from the meat on the breast, a dish renowned -for its delicacy and exquisite savour. The warriors then proceeded to -collect eggs, also highly esteemed, and secured an ample crop. - -Although the chase had scarce lasted two hours, the horses panted and -wanted rest before they could return to the village; hence Natah Otann -gave orders to stop. The Count had never been present at so strange -a hunt before, although ever since he had been on the prairie he had -pursued the different animals that inhabit it; hence he entered into it -with all the excitement of youth, rushing on the ostriches and felling -them with childlike pleasure. When the signal for retreat was given by -the Chief, he reluctantly left off the amusement, which at the moment -caused him such delight, and returned slowly to his comrades. Suddenly -a loud cry was raised by the Indians, and each ran to his weapons. The -Count looked around him with surprise, and felt a slight tremor. The -ostrich hunt was over; but, as frequently happens in these countries, a -far more terrible one was about to begin--the chase of the cougar.[1] - -Two of these animals had suddenly made their appearance. The Count -recovered at once, and, cocking his rifle, prepared to follow this -new species of game. Natah Otann had also noticed the wild beasts; -he ordered a dozen warriors to surround Prairie-Flower, whom he had -obliged to accompany him, or who had insisted on being present; then, -certain that the girl was, temporarily at least, in safety, he turned -to a warrior standing at his side. - -"Uncouple the dogs," he said. - -A dozen mastiffs were let loose, which howled in chorus on seeing the -wild beasts. The Indians, accustomed to see the ostrich hunt disturbed -in this way, never fail, when they go out for their favourite exercise, -to take with them dogs trained to attack the lion. About two hundred -yards from the spots where the Indians had halted, two cougars were -now crouching, with their eyes fixed on the Redskin warriors. These -animals, still young, were about the size of a calf; their heads bore -a strong, likeness to a cat's, and their soft smooth hide of silvery -yellow was dotted with black spots. - -"After them!" Natah Otann shouted. - -Horsemen and dogs rushed on the ferocious beasts with yells, cries, -and barks, capable of terrifying lions unused to such a reception. -The noble animals, motionless and amazed, lashed their flanks with -their long tails, and drew in heavy draughts of air; for a moment they -remained stationary, then suddenly bounded away. A party of hunters -galloped in a straight line to intercept their retreat, while the -others bent over their saddles, and guiding their horses with their -knees, fired their arrows and rifles, without checking the cougars -which turned furiously on the dogs, and hurled them ten yards from -them, to howl with pain. Still the mastiffs, long habituated to this -chase, watched for a favourable moment, leaped on the lions' backs, -and dug their nails in their flesh; but the latter, with one stroke -of their deadly claws, swept them off like flies, and continued their -flight. - -One of them, pierced by several arrows, and surrounded by the dogs, -rolled on the ground, raising a cloud of dust under its claws, and -uttering a fearful yell. This one the Canadian finished by putting a -bullet through its eye, but the second lion remained still unwounded, -and its leaps foiled the attack and skill of the hunters. The dogs, -now wearied, did not dare assail it. Its flight had led it a few paces -from the spot where Prairie-Flower stood: it suddenly turned at right -angles, bounded among the Indians, two of whom it ripped up, and -crouched before the young girl, ere making its leap. Prairie-Flower, -pale as a corpse, clasped her hands instinctively, uttered a stifled -cry, and fainted. New cries replied to hers, and at the moment the lion -was about to leap on the maiden, two bullets were buried in its chest. -It turned to face its new adversary; it was the Count de Beaulieu. - -"Let no one stir!" he exclaimed, stopping by a sign Natah Otann and -Bright-eye, who ran up, "this game is mine--no other than I shall kill -it." - -The Count had dismounted, and with his feet firmly planted, his rifle -at his shoulder, and eyes fixed on the lion, he waited. The lion -hesitated, cast a final glance at the prey lying a few paces from it, -and then rushed on the young man with a roar. He fired again: the -animal bit the dust, and the Count, hunting knife in hand, ran up -to it. The man and the lion rolled together on the ground, but soon -one of the combatants rose again--it was the man. Prairie-Flower was -saved. The maiden opened her eyes again, looked timidly around her, and -holding out her hand to the Frenchman. - -"Thanks!" she exclaimed, and burst into tears. - -Natah Otann walked up to her. - -"Silence!" he said, harshly; "what the Paleface has done Natah Otann -could have achieved." - -The Count smiled contemptuously, but made no reply, for he had -recognized a rival. - - -[1] The _felis discolor_ of Linnaeus, or American lion. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -INDIAN DIPLOMACY. - - -Natah Otann feigned not to have perceived the Count's smile. - -"Now that you have recovered," he said to Prairie-Flower, in a gentler -tone than he at first assumed towards her, "mount your horse, and -return to the village. Red Wolf will accompany you; perhaps," he added, -with an Indian smile, "we may again come across cougars, and you are -so frightened at them, that I believe I am doing you a service in -begging you to withdraw." - -The young girl, still trembling, bowed and mounted her horse. Red Wolf -had involuntarily made a start of joy on hearing the order the chief -gave him, but the latter, occupied with his thoughts, had not surprised -it. - -"One moment," Natah Otann went on, "if living lions frighten you, I -know that in return you greatly value their furs; allow me to offer you -these." - -No one can equal the skill of Indians in flaying animals; in an instant -the two lions, over which the vultures were already hovering and -forming wide circles, were stripped of their rich hides, which were -thrown across Red Wolfs horse. That animal, terrified by the smell that -emanated from the skins, reared furiously, and almost unsaddled its -rider, who had great difficulty in restraining it. - -"Now go," the Chief said, drily, dismissing them with a haughty gesture. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf departed at a gallop; Natah Otann watched -them for a long time, then let his head fall on his breast, as he -uttered a deep sigh, and appeared plunged in gloomy thought. A moment -later he felt a hand pressing heavily on his chest; he raised his -head--White Buffalo was before him. - -"What do you want with me?" he asked, angrily. - -"Do you not know?" the old man said, looking at him fixedly. - -Natah Otann quivered. - -"It is true," he said, "the hour has arrived, you mean?" - -"Yes." - -"Are all precautions taken?" - -"All." - -"Come on then; but where are they?" - -"Look at them." - -While uttering these words, White Buffalo pointed to the Count and his -comrades lying on the grass, at the skirt of a wood, about two hundred -yards from the Indian encampment. - -"Ah, they keep aloof," the Chief observed, bitterly. - -"Is not that better for the conversation which we wish to have with -them?" - -"You are right." - -The two men then walked up to the hunters without speaking again. The -latter had really kept away, not through contempt for the Indians, but -in order to be more at liberty. What had occurred after the death of -the cougars, the brutal way in which the Chief spoke to Prairie-Flower, -had vexed the Count, and it needed all the power he possessed over -himself, and the entreaties of Bright-eye, to prevent him breaking out -in reproaches of the Chief, whose conduct appeared to him unjustifiably -coarse. - -"Hum," he said, "this man is decidedly a ruffian: I am beginning to be -of your opinion, Bright-eye." - -"Bah! that is nothing yet," the latter replied, with a shrug of his -shoulders; "we shall see plenty more, if we only remain a week with -these demons." - -While speaking, the Canadian had reloaded his rifle and pistols. - -"Do as I do," he continued; "no one knows what may happen." - -"What need of that precaution? are we not under the protection of the -Indians, whose guests we are?" - -"Possibly; but no matter, you had better follow my advice, for with -Indians you can never answer for the future." - -"There is considerable truth in what you say; what I have just seen -does not at all inspire me with confidence." - -The Count, therefore, began reloading his weapons; as for Ivon, he had -not used his. The two Indian Chiefs came up at the moment the Count -finished loading the last pistol. - -"Oh, oh!" Natah Otann said, in French, saluting the young man -with studied politeness, "have you scented any wild beast in the -neighbourhood?" - -"Perhaps so," the latter replied, as he returned his pistols to his -belt. - -"What do you mean, sir?" - -"Nothing but what I say." - -"Unfortunately for me, doubtlessly, that is so subtile, that I do not -understand it." - -"I am sorry for it, sir; but I can only reply to you by an old Latin -proverb." - -"Which is?" - -"What need to repeat it, as you do not understand Latin?" - -"Suppose I do understand it?" - -"Well, then, as you insist upon it, here it is--_si vis pacem para -bellum_." - -"Which means--" the Chief said, impertinently, while White Buffalo bit -his lips. - -"Which means--" the Count said. - -"If you wish for peace, prepare for war," White Buffalo hurriedly -interrupted. - -"It was you who said it," the Count remarked, bowing with a mocking -smile. - -The three men stood face to face, like skilful duellists, who feel -the adversary's sword before engaging, and who, having recognized -themselves to be of equal strength, redouble their prudence before -dealing a decisive thrust. - -Bright-eye, though not understanding much of this skirmish of words, -had still, through the distrust which was the basis of his character, -given Ivon a side-glance, and both, though apparently inattentive, -were ready for any event. After the Count's last remark there was a -lengthened silence, which Natah Otann was the first to break. - -"You believe yourself to be among enemies, then?" he asked, in a tone -of wounded pride. - -"I did not say so," he replied, "and such is not my thought; still, I -confess that all I have seen during the last few days is so strange to -me, that, in spite of all my attempts, I can form no settled opinion -either about men or things, and that causes me deep reflection." - -"Ah!" the Indian said, coldly, "and what is it so strange you see -around you? Would you be kind enough to inform me?" - -"I see no harm in doing so, if you wish it." - -"You will cause me intense pleasure by explaining yourself." - -"I am quite ready to do so; the more so, as I have ever been accustomed -to express my thoughts freely, and I see no reason for disguising them -today." - -The two Chiefs bowed, and said nothing; the Count rested his hands on -the muzzle of his gun, and continued, while regarding them fixedly-- - -"My faith, gentlemen, since you wish me to unveil my thoughts, you -shall have them in their entirety: we are here in the wilds of the -American prairies, that is, in the wildest countries of the new -Continent; you are always on hostile terms with the whites; you -Blackfeet are regarded as the most untameable, savage, and ferocious of -the Indians; or, in other words, the most devoid of the civilization of -all the aboriginal nations." - -"Well," Natah Otann remarked, "what do you find strange in that? Is -it our fault if our despoilers, since the discovery of the new world, -have tracked us like wild beasts, driven us back in the desert, and -regarded us as beings scarcely endowed with the instinct of the brute? -You must blame them, and not us. By what right do you reproach us with -a brutalization and barbarism, produced by our persecutors and not by -ourselves?" - -"You have not understood me, sir: if, instead of interrupting me, you -had listened patiently a few minutes longer, you would have seen that I -not merely do not reproach you for that brutalization, but pity it in -my heart; for, although I have been only a few months in the desert, -I have been on several occasions in a position to judge the unhappy -race to which you belong, and appreciate the good qualities it still -possesses, and which the odious tyranny of the whites has not succeeded -in eradicating, despite all the means employed to attain that end." - -The two Chiefs exchanged a glance of satisfaction; the generous words -uttered by the young man gave them hopes as to the success of their -negotiation. - -"Pardon me, and pray continue," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"I will do so:" the Count went on: "I repeat it, it was not that -barbarism which astonished me, for I supposed it to be greater than -it really is: what seemed strange to me was to find in the heart of -the desert, where we now are, amid the ferocious Indians who surround -us, two men, two Chiefs of these self-same Indians--I will not say -civilized, for the word is not strong enough--but utterly conversant -with all the secrets of the most advanced and refined civilization, -speaking my maternal tongue with the most extreme purity, and seeming, -in a word, to have nothing Indian about them, save the dress they -wear. It seemed strange to me that two men, for an object I know not, -changing in turn their manners and fashions, are at one moment savage -Indians, at another perfect gentlemen; but instead of trying to raise -their countrymen from the barbarism in which they pine, they wallow in -it with them, feigning to be as ignorant and cruel as themselves. I -confess to you, gentlemen, that all this not only appeared strange to -me, but even frightened me." - -"Frightened!" the two Chiefs exclaimed, simultaneously. - -"Yes, frightened!" the Count continued, quickly; "for a life of -continual feints, such as you lead, must conceal some dark plot. -Lastly, I am frightened, because your conduct towards me, the urgency -with which you sought to attract me amongst you, causes involuntary -suspicions to spring up in my heart as to your secret intentions." - -"And what are those suspicions, sir?" Natah Otann asked, haughtily. - -"I am afraid that you wish to make me your accomplice in some -scandalous deed." - -These words, pronounced vehemently, burst like a thunderbolt on the -ears of the two strange Chiefs; they were terrified by the perspicuity -of the young man, and for several moments knew not what to say, to -disculpate themselves. - -"Sir!" Natah Otann at length exclaimed, violently. - -White Buffalo checked him by a majestic gesture. - -"It is my duty," he said, "to reply to our guest's words: in his turn, -after the frank and loyal explanation he has given us, he has a right -to one equally frank on our side." - -"I am listening to you," the young man said, coolly. - -"Of the two men now standing before you, one is your fellow countryman." - -"Ah!" the Count muttered. - -"That countryman is myself." - -The young man bowed coldly. - -"I suspected it," he said, "and it is a further reason to heighten my -suspicions." - -Natah Otann made a gesture. - -"Let him speak," White Buffalo said, holding him back. - -"What I have to say will not be long, sir: it is my opinion that the -man who consents to exchange the blessings of European civilization for -a precarious life on the prairie; who breaks all the ties of family -and friendship which attached him to his country, in order to adopt an -Indian life--in my opinion that man must have many disgraceful actions -to reproach himself with, and his remorse forces him to offer society -expiation for them." - -The old man's brow contracted, and a livid pallor covered his face. - -"You are very young, sir," he said, "to have the right to bring such -accusations against an old man whose actions, life, and even name are -unknown to you." - -"That is true, sir," the Count answered, nobly. "Pardon any insult my -words may have conveyed." - -"Why should I be angry with you?" he continued, in a sad voice; "a -child born yesterday, whose eyes opened amid songs and fetes, whose -life, which counts but a few days, has been spent gently and calmly in -the peace and prosperity of that beloved France which I weep for every -day." - -"Who are you, sir?" he asked. - -"Who I am?" the old man said, bitterly. "I am one of those crushed -Titans who sat in the Convention of 1793." - -The Count fell back a pace, letting fall the hand he had taken. - -"Oh!" he said. - -The exile looked at him searchingly. - -"Enough of this," he said, raising his head and assuming a firm and -resolute tone; "you are in our hands, sir, any resistance will be -useless; so listen to our propositions." - -The Count shrugged his shoulders. - -"You throw off the mask," he said, "and I prefer that; but allow me one -remark before listening to you." - -"What is it?" - -"I am of noble birth, as you are aware, and hence we are old enemies; -on whatever ground we may meet, we can only stand face to face, never -side by side." - -"They are ever the same," the other muttered; "this haughty race may be -broken, but not bent." - -The Count bowed, and folded his arms on his breast. - -"I am waiting," he said. - -"Time presses," the exile continued; "any discussion between us would -be superfluous, as we cannot agree." - -"At least, that is clear," the Count remarked, with a smile; "now for -the rest." - -"It is this: in two days, all the Indian nations will rise as one man -to crush the American tyranny." - -"What do I care for that? Have I come so far to dabble in politics?" - -The exile repressed a movement of anger. - -"Unfortunately, your will is not free; you are here to obey our -conditions, and not to impose your own: you must accept or die." - -"Oh, oh, always your old means, as it seems, but I will be patient: -come, what is it you expect from me?" - -"We demand," he went on, laying a stress on every word, "that you -should take the command of all the warriors, and direct the expedition -in person." - -"Why I, rather than anyone else?" - -"Because you alone can play the part we give you." - -"Nonsense--you are mad." - -"You must be so, if, since your stay among the Indians, you have not -seen that you would have been killed long ago, had we not been careful -to spread reports about you, which gained you general respect, in spite -of your rashness and blind confidence in yourself." - -"Eh, then, this has been prepared a long time?" - -"For centuries." - -"Hang it!" the Count went on, still sarcastically, "what have I to do -in all this?" - -"Oh, sir, not much," the White Buffalo answered, with a sneer; "and -anyone else would have suited us just as well; unfortunately for you, -you have an extraordinary likeness to the man who can alone march at -our head; and as this man died long ago, it is not probable that he -will come from his grave expressly to guide us to battle; hence you -must take his place." - -"Very well; and would there be any indiscretion in asking you the name -of the man to whom I bear so wonderful a likeness?" - -"Not the slightest," the old man replied, coldly; "the more so, because -you have doubtlessly already heard his name; it is Motecuhzoma." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Come!" he said, "it is a capital joke; but I find it a little too -long. Now, a word in my turn." - -"Speak." - -"Whatever you may do, whatever means you may employ, I will never -consent to serve you in any way. Now, as I am your guest, placed under -the guarantee of your honour, I request you to let me pass." - -"That resolution is decided." - -"Yes." - -"You will not change it." - -"Whatever happens." - -"We shall see that," the old man remarked, coldly. - -The Count looked at him contemptuously. - -"Make way there," he said, resolutely. - -The two Chiefs shrugged their shoulders. - -"We are savages," Natah Otann said, gibingly. - -"Make way!" the Count repeated, as he cocked his rifle. - -Natah Otann whistled; in an instant, some fifteen Indians rushed from -the wood, and fell on the white men, who, however, though surprised, -endured the shock bravely. Standing instinctively back to back, with -shoulder supported against shoulder, they suddenly formed a tremendous -triangle, before which the Redskins were constrained to halt. - -"Oh, oh," Bright-eye said, "I fancy we are going to have some fun." - -"Yes," Ivon muttered, crossing himself piously; "but we shall be -killed." - -"Probably," the Canadian said. - -"Fall back!" the Count ordered. - -The three men then began to retire slowly toward the wood, the only -shelter that offered, without separating, and still pointing their -rifles at the Indians. The Redskins are brave, even rash; that question -cannot be disguised or doubted; but with them courage is calculated; -they never fight save to gain an object, and are not fond of risking -their lives unprofitably. They hesitated. - -"I fancy we did well to reload our arms," the Count said, ironically, -but with perfect calmness. - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin. - -"No matter, I am very frightened," Ivon groaned his eyes sparkling and -his lips quivering. - -"_Eha_, sons of blood!" Natah Otann shouted, as he cocked his gun. "Do -three Palefaces frighten you? Forward! Forward!" - -The Indians uttered their war yell, and rushed on the hunters. The -other Indians, warned of what was happening by the shouts of their -comrades, ran up hurriedly to take part in the fight. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. - - -We must leave our three valiant champions for a few moments in their -present critical position, to speak of one of the important persons of -this story, whom we have neglected too long. - -Immediately after the departure of the Indians, John Black, with -that American activity equalled in no other country, set to work, -beginning his clearing. The peril he had incurred, and which he had -only escaped by a miracle incomprehensible to him, had caused him to -make very earnest reflections. He understood that in the isolated spot -where he was, he could not expect assistance from anyone; that he -must alone confront the danger that would doubtlessly menace him; and -that, consequently, he must, before all else, think about defending -the settlement against a _coup de main_, Major Melville had heard, -through his _engages_ and trappers, of the colonist; but the latter was -perfectly ignorant that he was only ten miles from Fort Mackenzie. His -resolution once formed, John Black carried it out immediately. - -To those people who have not seen American clearings, the processes -employed by the squatters, and the skill with which they cut down -the largest trees in a few moments, would appear as prodigies. Black -considered that he had not a moment to lose, and, aided by his son -and servants, set to work. The temporary camp, as we have seen, was -situated on a rather high mound, which commanded the plain for a -long distance. It was here that the colonist determined to build his -house. He began by planting all round the platform of the hill a row -of enormous stakes, twelve feet high, and fastened together by large -bolts. This first enceinte finished, he dug behind it a trench about -eight feet wide and fifteen deep, throwing up the earth on the edge, -so as to form a second line of defence. Then, in the interior of this -improvised fortress, which, if defended by a resolute garrison, was -impregnable, unless cannon were brought up to form a breach--for the -abrupt slope of the hill rendered any assault impossible--he laid the -foundation of his family's future abode. The temporary arrangements -he had made allowed him to continue his further labours less hastily; -through his prodigious activity, he could defy the attacks of all the -prowlers on the prairie. - -His wife and daughter had actively helped him, for they understood, -better than the rest of the family, the utility of these defensive -works. The poor ladies, little used to the rude toil they had been -engaged in, needed rest. Black had not spared himself more than the -rest. He understood the justice of his wife and daughter's entreaties, -and as he had nothing to fear for the present, he generously granted a -whole day's rest to the little colony. - -The events that marked the squatter's arrival in the province had left -a profound impression on the hearts of Mrs. Black and her daughter. -Diana, especially, had maintained a recollection of the Count, which -time, far from weakening, rendered only the more vivid. The Count's -chivalrous character, the noble way in which he had acted, and--let us -speak the truth--his physical qualities, all combined to render him -dear to the young girl, whose life had hitherto passed away calmly, -nothing happening to cast a cloud over her heart. Many times since the -young man's departure she stopped in her work, raised her head, looked -anxiously around her, and then resumed her toil, while stifling a sigh. - -Mothers are quick-sighted, especially those who, like Mrs. Black, -really love their daughters. What her husband and son did not suspect, -then, she guessed merely by looking for a few minutes at the poor -girl's pale face, her eyes surrounded by a dark ring, her pensive look, -and inattention. - -Diana was in love. - -Mrs. Black looked around her. No one could be the object of that love. -So far back as she could remember, she called to mind no one her -daughter had appeared to distinguish before their departure from the -clearing, where she had passed her youth. Besides, when the little -party set out in search of a fresh home, Diana seemed joyful, she -prattled gaily as a bird, and appeared to trouble herself about none of -those she left behind. - -After these reflections, the mother sighed in her turn; for, if she had -divined her daughter's love, she had been unable to discover the man -who was the object of that love. Mrs. Black resolved to cross-question -her daughter as soon as she happened to be alone with her; till then -she feigned to be in perfect ignorance. The day of rest granted by John -Black to his family would probably offer her the favourable opportunity -she awaited so impatiently. Hence she joyfully received the news which -her husband gave her in the evening after prayers, which, according to -the custom of the family, were said in common before going to bed. - -The next morning, at sunrise, according to their daily habit, the two -ladies prepared the breakfast, while the servants led the cattle down -to the river. - -"Wife," the squatter said, at breakfast, "William and I intend, as -work is suspended for today, to mount our horses, and go and visit the -neighbourhood, which we have not seen yet." - -"Do not go too far, my friend, and be well armed; you know that in the -desert dangerous meetings are not rare." - -"Yes; so be at ease. Although I believe that we have nothing to fear -for the present, I will be prudent. Would you not feel inclined to -accompany us, as well as Diana, and take a look at your new domain?" - -The girl's eyes glistened with joy at this proposition; she opened her -lips to reply; but her mother laid her hand on her mouth, and spoke -instead of her. - -"You must excuse us, my dear," she said, with a certain degree of -vivacity, "but women, as you know, have always something to do. Diana -and I will put everything in order during your absence, which our busy -labours of the last few days have prevented us doing." - -"As you please, wife." - -"Besides," she continued, with a smile; "as we shall probably remain a -long time here--" - -"I fancy so," the squatter interrupted. - -"Well, I shall not lack opportunity of visiting our domains, as you -call them, another day." - -"Excellently argued, ma'am, and I am quite of your opinion; William -and I will therefore take our ride alone; I would ask you not to feel -alarmed if we do not come home till rather late." - -"No; but on condition that you return before night." - -"Agreed." - -They spoke of something else; still, towards the end of the meal, Sam, -without suspecting it, brought the conversation back nearly to the same -subject. - -"I am certain, James," he said to his comrade, "that the young man was -not a Canadian, as you fancy, but a Frenchman." - -"Who are you talking about?" the squatter asked. - -"The gentleman who accompanied the Redskins, and made them give us back -our cattle." - -"Yes, without counting the other obligations we are under to him, for -if I am now the owner of a clearing, it was through him." - -"He is a worthy gentleman," Mrs. Black said, with a purpose. - -"Yes, yes," Diana murmured, in an indistinct voice. - -"He is a Frenchman," Black asserted. "There cannot be a doubt of that: -those Canadian scoundrels are incapable of acting in the way he did to -us." - -Like all the North Americans, Black heartily detested the Canadians; -why he did so, he could not have said, but this hatred was innate in -his heart. - -"Bah!" William said, "what matter his country, he has a fine heart, -and is a true gentleman. For my part, father, I know a certain William -Black, who is ready to die for him." - -"By heaven!" the squatter exclaimed, as he struck the table with his -fist, "you would be only doing your duty, and discharging a sacred -debt: I would give anything to see him again, and prove to him that I -am not ungrateful." - -"Well spoken, father," William said joyously; "honest men are too rare -in the world for us not to cling to those we know; if we should meet -again, I will show him what sort of man I am." - -During this rapid interchange of words, Diana said nothing; she -listened, with outstretched neck, beaming face, and a smile on her -lips, happy to hear a man thus spoken of, whom she unconsciously loved -since she first saw him. Mrs. Black thought it prudent to turn the -conversation. - -"There is another person to whom we owe great obligations; for if -Heaven had not sent her at the right moment to our help, we should have -been pitilessly massacred by the Indians; have you already forgotten -that person?" - -"God forbid!" the squatter exclaimed, quickly, "the poor creature did -me too great a service for me to forget her." - -"But who on earth can she be?" William said. - -"I should be much puzzled to say; I believe even that the Indians and -trappers, who cross the prairies, could give us no information about -her." - -"She only appeared and disappeared," James observed. - -"Yes, but her passage, so rapid as it was, left deep traces," Mrs. -Black said. - -"Her mere presence was enough to terrify the Indians. That woman I -shall always regard as a good genius, whatever opinion may be expressed -about her in my presence." - -"We owe it to her that we did not suffer atrocious torture." - -"May God bless the worthy creature!" the squatter exclaimed; "if ever -she have need of us, she can come in all certainty; I and all I possess -are at her disposal." - -The meal was over, and they rose from the table. Sam had saddled two -horses. John Black and his son took their pistols, bowie knives, and -rifles, mounted their horses, and after promising once again not to be -late, they cautiously descended the winding path leading into the plain. - -Diana and her mother then began putting things to rights, as had been -arranged. When Mrs. Black had watched the couple out of sight on the -prairie, and assured herself that the two servants were engaged outside -in mending some harness, she took her needlework, and requested her -daughter to come and sit by her side. Diana obeyed with a certain -inward apprehension, for never had her mother behaved to her so -mysteriously. For a few minutes the two ladies worked silently opposite -each other. At length Mrs. Black stopped her needle, and looked at her -daughter; the latter continued her sewing, without appearing to notice -this intermission. - -"Diana," she asked her, "have you nothing to say to me?" - -"I, mother?" the young girl said, raising her head with amazement. - -"Yes, you, my child." - -"Pardon me, mother," she went on, with a certain tremor in her voice, -"but I do not understand you." - -Mrs. Black sighed. - -"Yes," she murmured, "and so it ever must be; a moment arrives when -young girls have unconsciously a secret from their mothers." - -The poor lady wiped away a tear; Diana rose quickly, and throwing her -arms tenderly round her mother-- - -"A secret? I, a secret from you, mother? Oh, how could you suppose such -a thing?" - -"Child!" Mrs. Black replied, with a smile of ineffable kindness, "a -mother's eye cannot be deceived;" and putting her finger on her -daughter's palpitating heart, she said, "your secret is there." - -Diana blushed, and drew back, confused. - -"Alas!" the good lady continued, "I do not address reproaches to you, -poor dear and well-beloved child. You unconsciously submit to the laws -of nature; I too, at your age, was as you are at this moment, and when -my mother asked my secret, like you, I replied that I had none, for I -was myself ignorant of that secret." - -The girl hid her face, all bathed in tears, in her mother's breast. The -latter gently moved the flowing locks of light hair which covered her -daughter's brow, and giving her a kiss, said, with that accent which -mothers alone possess-- - -"Come, my dear Diana, dry your tears, do not trouble yourself so; only -tell me your feelings during the last few days." - -"Alas! my kind mother," the girl replied, smiling through her tears, -"I understand nothing myself, and suffer without knowing why; I am -restless, languid; everything disgusts and wearies me, and yet I fancy -there has been no change in my life." - -"You are mistaken, child," Mrs. Black answered, gravely, "your heart -has spoken without your knowledge; thus, instead of the careless, -laughing girl you were, you have become a woman, you have thought, your -forehead has turned pale, and you suffer." - -"Alas!" Diana murmured. - -"Come, how long have you been so sad?" - -"I know not, mother." - -"Think again." - -"I fancy it is--." - -Mrs. Black, understanding her daughter's hesitation, finished the -sentence for her. - -"Since the day after our arrival here, is it not?" - -Diana raised to her mother her large blue eyes, in which profound -amazement could be read. - -"It is true," she murmured. - -"Your sorrow began at the moment when the strangers, who so nobly aided -us, took their leave?" - -"Yes," the girl said, in a low voice, with downcast eyes and blushing -forehead. - -Mrs. Black continued smilingly her interesting interrogatory. - -"On seeing them depart, your heart was contracted, your cheeks turned -pale, you shuddered involuntarily, and, if I had not held you--I who -watched you carefully, poor darling--you would have fallen. Is not all -this true?" - -"It is true, mother," the girl said, with a more assured voice. - -"Good; and the man from whom you regret being separated--he who causes -your present sorrow and suffering, is--?" - -"Mother!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into her arms, and hiding her -shamed face in her bosom. - -"It is--?" she continued. - -"Edward!" the girl said, in an inarticulate voice, and melting into -tears. - -Mrs. Black directed on her daughter a glance of supreme pity, embraced -her ardently several times, and said, in a soft voice,-- - -"You see that you had a secret, my child, since you love him." - -"Alas!" she murmured, naively, "I do not know it, mother." - -The good lady nodded her head with satisfaction, led her daughter back -to her chair, and herself sitting down, said to her,-- - -"And now that we have had a thorough explanation, and there is no -longer a secret between us, suppose we have a little talk, Diana." - -"I am quite willing, mother." - -"Listen to me, then; my age and experience, leaving out of sight the -position in which I stand to you, authorize me in giving you advice. -Will you hear it?" - -"Oh, mother! you know I respect and love you." - -"I know it, dear child; I know too, as I have never left you since your -birth, and have incessantly watched over you, how generous your mind -is, how noble your heart, and how capable of self-devotion. I must -cause you great pain, poor girl; but it is better to attend to the -green wound, than allow time to render the evil incurable." - -"Alas!" - -"This raging love, which has unconsciously entered your heart, cannot -be very great; it is rather the awakening of the mind to those -gentle feelings and noble instincts, which embellish existence and -characterize the woman, than a passion; your love is only in reality -a momentary exaltation of the brain's feverish imagination; like all -young girls, you aspire to the unknown, you seek an ideal, the reality -of which does not exist for you; but you do not love. Nay, more, you -cannot love; the feeling you experience at the moment is entirely in -the head, and the heart goes for nothing." - -"Mother!" the young girl interrupted. - -"Dear Diana," she continued, taking her hand, and pressing it, "let -me make you suffer a little now, to spare you at a later date the -horrible pangs which would produce the despair of your whole existence. -The man you fancy you love you will probably never see again; he is -ignorant of your attachment, and does not share it. I am speaking cold -and implacable reason; it is logical, and spares us much grief, while -passion is never so, and always produces pain; but supposing for a -moment that this young man loved you, you could never be his." - -"But if he love me, mother," she said, timidly. - -"Poor babe!" the mother continued, with an accent of sublime pity. -"Do you know even whether he be free? Who has told you that he is not -married? But I will allow it for a moment: this young man is noble; -he belongs to one of the oldest and proudest families in Europe; -his fortune is immense. Do you believe that he will ever consent to -abandon all the social advantages his position guarantees him?--that he -will bow his family pride to give his hand to the daughter of a poor -American squatter?" - -"It is true," she murmured, letting her head fall in her hands. - -"And even if he did so, though it is impossible, would you consent to -follow him, and leave in the desert a father and mother, who have only -you, and who would die of despair ere your departure? Come, Diana, -answer, would you consent?" - -"Oh, never, never, mother!" she exclaimed, madly "Oh, I love you most -of all!" - -"Good, my darling; that is how I wished to see you. I am happy that my -words have found the road to your heart. This man is kind; he has done -us immense service; we owe him gratitude, but nothing more." - -"Yes, yes, mother," she murmured, with a sob. - -"You must only see in him a friend, a brother," she continued, firmly. - -"I will try, mother." - -"You promise it me?" - -The girl hesitated for a moment. Suddenly she raised her head, and -said, bravely,-- - -"I thank you, mother. I swear to you not to forget him, that would -be impossible, but so thoroughly to conceal my love, that, with the -exception of yourself, no one shall suspect it." - -"Come to my arms, my child; you understand your duty; you are noble and -good." - -At this moment James entered. - -"Mistress," he said, "the master is coming back, but there are several -persons with him." - -"Wipe your eyes, and follow me, dear; let us go and see what has -happened." - -And, stooping down to her daughter's ear, she whispered,-- - -"When we are alone, we will speak of him." - -"Yes, mother," Diana said, almost joyfully, "Oh, how good you are, and -how I love you." - -They went out, and looked in the direction of the plain. At a -considerable distance from the fort, they noticed a party of four or -five persons, at the head of whom were John Black and his son William. - -"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs. Black said, anxiously. - -"We shall soon know, mother; calm yourself; they seem to be riding too -gently for us to feel any alarm." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -IVON. - - -The Count and his two companions, as we have seen, bravely awaited the -attack of the Indians; it was terrible. For an instant there was a -horrible melee hand to hand; then the Indians fell back to draw breath, -and begin again. Ten corpses lay at the feet of the three men, who were -motionless and firm as a block of granite. - -"By heavens!" the Count said, as he wiped away, with the back of his -hand, the perspiration mingled with blood that stood in large beads on -his forehead, "it is a glorious fight." - -"Yes," Bright-eye replied, carelessly; "but it is mortal." - -"What matter, if we die like men?" - -"Hum! I am not of that opinion. As long as there is a chance, we must -seize it." - -"But none is left us!" - -"Perhaps there is; but let me act." - -"I ask no better. Still I confess to you that I find this fight -glorious." - -"It is really very agreeable; but it would be much more so, if we lived -to recount it." - -"On my word, that is true. I did not think of that." - -"Yes, but I did." - -The Canadian stooped down to Ivon, and whispered some words in his ear. - -"Yes," the Breton replied, "provided I am not afraid." - -"Bravo!" the hunter said, with a smile; "you will do what you can. That -is agreed?" - -"Agreed." - -"Look out, comrades," the Count shouted; "here are the enemy!" - -In truth, the Indians were ready to renew the attack. Natah Otann and -White Buffalo were resolved on taking the Count alive, and without a -wound; they had consequently given their warriors orders not to employ -their firearms, content themselves with parrying the blows dealt them, -but take him at every risk. During the few moments' respite which the -Indians had allowed the white men, the other Indians had run up to take -part in the fight; so that the hunters, surrounded on all sides, had to -make head against at least forty Redskins. It would have been madness -or blind temerity to attempt opposing such a mass of enemies; and yet -the white men did not appear to dream of asking quarter. At the moment -Natah Otann was going to give the signal for attack, White Buffalo, who -had hitherto stood aloof, gloomy and thoughtful, interposed,-- - -"A moment!" he said. - -"For what good?" the Chief remarked. - -"Let me make the attempt. Perhaps they will recognize that a struggle -is impossible, and consent to accept our propositions." - -"I doubt it," Natah Otann muttered, shaking his head; "they appear very -resolute." - -"Let me try it. You know how necessary it is for the success of our -plans that we should seize this man?" - -"Unfortunately; if we do not take care, he will be killed." - -"That is what I wish to avoid." - -"Try it then; but I am convinced you will fail." - -"Who knows? I can try, at any rate." - -White Buffalo walked a few paces in advance, and was then about six -yards from the Count. - -"What do you want?" the young man said. "If I did not involuntarily -know that you are a Frenchman, I should have long ago put a bullet into -your chest." - -"Fire!--what stops you?" the exile replied, in a sad voice. "Do you -believe that I fear death?" - -"Enough talking. Retire! or I will fire." - -And he levelled his rifle at him. - -"I wish to say one word to you." - -"Speak quickly, and be off." - -"I offer you and your comrades your lives, if you will surrender." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Nonsense," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders; "do you take us for -fools? We were the guests of your companions, and they have impudently -violated the law of nations." - -"That is your last word, then?" - -"The last, by Jove! You must have lived a long time among the Indians -to have forgotten that Frenchmen would sooner die than be cowards." - -"Your blood be on your own heads, then." - -"So be it, odious renegade, who fight with savages against your -brothers." - -This insult struck the old man to the heart; he bent a fearful glance -on the young man, turned pale as death and withdrew, tottering like a -drunkard, and muttering, in a low voice,-- - -"Oh, these nobles!" - -"Well?" Natah Otann asked him. - -"He refuses," he answered quickly. - -"I was sure of it. Now it is our turn." - -Raising to his lips his war whistle, he produced a shrill and -lengthened sound, to which the Indians responded with a frightful yell, -and rushed like a legion of demons on the three men, who received them -without yielding an inch. The melee recommenced in all its fury; the -three men clubbed their rifles, and dealt crushing blows around. Ivon -performed prodigies of valour, rising and sinking his rifle with the -regularity of a pendulum, smashing a man at every blow, and muttering,-- - -"Ouf, there's another: holy Virgin, I feel my terror coming upon me." - -Still the circle drew closer round the three men; others took the -places of the Indians who fell, and were in their turn pushed onward by -those behind. The hunters were weary of striking. Their arms did not -fall with the same vigour; their blows failed in regularity; the blood -rose to their heads; their eyes were injected with blood, and they had -a dizziness in their ears. - -"We are lost!" the Count muttered. - -"Courage!" Bright-eye yelled, as he smashed in the skull of an Indian. - -"It is not courage that fails me, but strength," the young man -answered, in a fainting voice. - -"Forward, forward!" Natah Otann repeated, bounding like a demon round -the three men. - -"Now, Ivon, now!" Bright-eye cried out. - -"Good bye," the Breton replied. - -And turning his terrible weapon round his head, he rushed into the -densest throng of the Indians. - -"Follow me, Count," Bright-eye went on. - -"Come on then," the latter shouted. - -The two men executed on the opposite side the manoeuvre attempted by -the Breton. Ivon, the coward you know, seemed to have at the moment -entirely forgotten his fear of being speared; he appeared, like -Briareus, to have a hundred arms to level the numerous assailants who -incessantly rose before him, and cleft his way through the throng. -Fortunately for the Breton, most of the Indians had rushed in pursuit -of game more valuable to them, that is, the Count and the Canadian, who -had redoubled their efforts, though already so prodigious. - -While still fighting, Ivon had reached the skirt of the wood, about -three or four yards from the spot where the horses were tied. This -was probably what the Breton wished for. So soon as he found himself -in a straight line with the horses, instead of pushing forward as he -had hitherto done, he began to fall back step to step, so as to arrive -close to them. Still, he always fought with that cold resolution which -distinguishes the Bretons, and renders them such terrible foemen. - -Suddenly, when he found himself near enough to the horses, Ivon gave a -parting blow to the nearest Indian, sent him staggering backwards with -a dashed-in skull, took a panther leap, and reached the Count's horse. -In a second he had mounted, dug his spurs into the flanks of the noble -animal, and galloped off, after knocking down two Indians who tried to -stop him. - -"Hurrah! saved! saved!" he shouted, in a voice of thunder, as he -disappeared in the forest, where the Blackfeet did not dare to follow -him. - -The Redskins stood stupefied by such a prodigious flight. The cry -uttered by Ivon was doubtlessly a signal agreed on between him and -Bright-eye; for, so soon as he heard it, the hunter, by a hurried -movement, seized the Count's arm as he was in the act of striking. - -"What on earth are you about?" the latter said, turning to him angrily. - -"I am saving you," the hunter replied, coolly; "throw down your -weapon!--We surrender," he then exclaimed. - -"You will explain your conduct, I presume?" the Count continued. - -"Be of good cheer; you will approve it." - -"Be it so." - -And he threw the gun down. The Indians, whom the hunters' heroic -defence kept at a distance, rushed upon them so soon as they saw they -were disarmed, Natah Otann and White Buffalo hurried up; the two men -already were thrown down on the sand, when the Chief interposed. - -"Sir," he said, "you are my prisoner; and you too, Bright-eye." - -The young man shrugged his shoulders with contempt. - -"Reckon up what your victory has already cost you," the hunter replied, -with a sardonic smile, and pointing to the numerous corpses that lay on -the plain. Natah Otann, however, pretended not to hear this remark. - -"If you will give me your word of honour not to escape, gentlemen," -White Buffalo said, "you will be unloosed, and your weapons restored to -you." - -"Is this another trap you are laying for us?" the Count asked, -haughtily. - -"Bah!" Bright-eye said, with a significant glance at his comrade, "we -will give our word for four-and-twenty hours; after that, we will -see." - -"You hear, gentlemen," the young man said; "this hunter and myself -pledge our words for four-and-twenty hours. Does that suit you? Of -course, at the end of that time, we are free to recall it." - -"Or to pledge it again," the Canadian added, with a smile; "what do we -risk by doing so?" - -The two Chiefs exchanged a few whispered words. - -"We accept," Natah Otann at length said. - -At a sign from him, the prisoners' bonds were cut, and they rose. - -"Hum!" Bright-eye said, stretching himself with delight, "it does one -good to have the use of his limbs. Bah! I knew they would not kill me -this time, either." - -"Here are your horses and arms, gentlemen," the Chief said. - -"Permit me," the Count remarked coolly, drawing his watch from his -pocket, "it is now half-after seven; you have our parole till the same -time tomorrow evening." - -"Very good," White Buffalo said, with a bow. - -"And now, where are you going to take us, if you please?" the hunter -asked, with a crafty look. - -"To the village!" - -"Thank you." - -The two men jumped into their saddles, and followed the Indians, who -only waited for them to start. Ten minutes later, this place, on which -so many events had occurred during the day, became again calm and -silent. - -We will leave the Count and the hunter returning to the village under -good escort, to follow the track of Ivon. - -After leaving the battlefield, the latter rode straight ahead, not -caring to lose precious time in looking for a path; for the moment all -were good, provided that they bore him from the enemies he had so -providentially escaped. Still, after galloping for about an hour across -the wood, reassured by the perfect silence that prevailed around him, -he gradually checked his horse's speed. It was high time for this idea -to occur to him, as the poor horse, so harshly treated, was beginning -to break down. The Breton profited by this slight truce to reload his -weapons. - -"I am not brave," he said in a low voice, "but by Jove! as my poor -master says, the first scamp that attempts to bar my way, I will blow -out his brains, so surely as my name is Ivon." - -And the worthy man would have done as he said, we feel assured. After -advancing a few hundred yards, Ivon looked around, stopped his horse, -and dismounted. - -"What is the use of going any farther?" he said, resuming his -soliloquy; "my horse wants rest, and I shall not be the worse for a -halt. As well here as elsewhere." - -On this, he took off his horse's saddle, carried his master's -portmanteau to the foot of a tree, and began lighting a fire. - -"How quickly night comes on in this confounded country," he muttered; -"it is hardly eight o'clock, and it is as black as in an oven." - -While discoursing thus all alone, he had collected a considerable -quantity of dry wood; he returned to the spot he had selected for -camping, piled up the wood, struck a light, knelt, and began blowing -with all the strength of his lungs to make it catch. In a moment he -raised his head to breathe; but uttered a yell of terror, and almost -fell backwards. He had seen, about three paces from the fire, two -persons silently watching him. The first moment of surprise past, the -Breton bounded on his feet, and cocked his pistols. - -"Confuse you," he shouted, "you gave me a pretty fright; but no matter, -we will see." - -"My brother may be at rest," a soft voice replied, in bad English, "we -do not wish to do him any harm." - -As a Breton, Ivon spoke nearly as good English as he did French. On -hearing these words, he bent forward, and looked. "Oh!" he said, "the -Indian girl." - -"Yes, it is I," Prairie-Flower answered, as she stepped forward. - -Her companion followed her, and Ivon recognized Red Wolf. - -"You are welcome," he remarked, "to my poor encampment." - -"Thanks," she answered. - -"How is it that you are here?" - -"And you?" she said, answering one question by another. - -"Oh, I!" he said, shaking his head, "that is a sad story." - -"What does my brother mean?" Red Wolf asked. - -"Good, good," the Breton said, turning his head; "that is my business, -and not yours. First, tell me what brings you to me, and I will then -see if I may confide to you what has happened to my master and myself." - -"My brother is prudent," Prairie-Flower answered, "he is right: -prudence is good on the prairie." - -"Hum! I wish my master had heard you make that remark, perhaps he would -not be where he now is." - -Prairie-Flower gave a start of terror. - -"Wah! has any misfortune happened to him?" she said, in an agonized -voice. - -Ivon looked at her. - -"You appear to take an interest in him?" - -"He is brave," she exclaimed, passionately; "this morning he killed -the cougars that threatened Prairie-Flower; she has a heart--she will -remember." - -"That is true; quite true, young lady," he said; "he saved your life. -Tell me first, though, how it is we should have met in this forest." - -"Listen, then, as you insist." - -The Breton bowed. To all his other qualities Ivon added that of being -as obstinate as an Andalusian mule. Once the worthy man had taken a -theory into his head, nothing could turn him from it. We must grant, -however, that he had at present excellent reason to distrust the -Indians. - -Prairie-Flower continued:-- - -"After Glass-eye had so bravely killed the cougars," she said, with -considerable emotion, "the great Chief, Natah Otann, was angry with -Prairie-Flower, and ordered her to return to the village with Red Wolf." - -"I know all that," Ivon interrupted, "I was there; and that is why it -seems to me so extraordinary to meet you here when you should have been -on the road to the village." - -The Indian girl gave one of those little pouts peculiar to her, and -which rendered her so seductive. - -"The pale man is as curious as an old squaw," she said, with an accent -of ill-humour; "why does he wish to know Prairie-Flower's secret? She -has in her heart a little bird which sings pleasant songs to her, and -attracts her in the footsteps of the Paleface who saved her." - -"Ah!" said the Breton, partly catching the girl's meaning; "that is -different." - -"Instead of returning to the village," Red Wolf interposed, -"Prairie-Flower wished to return to the side of Glass-eye." - -The Breton reflected for a long time; the two Indians watched him -silently, patiently waiting till he thought proper to explain himself. -Presently, he raised his head, and, fixing his cunning grey eye on the -girl, he asked her distinctly,-- - -"You love him, then?" - -"Yes," she answered, looking down on the ground. - -"Very good. Now listen attentively to what I am about to tell you; it -will interest you prodigiously, or I am greatly mistaken." - -The two hearers bent down toward him, and listened attentively. Ivon -then related most copiously his master's conversation with the two -Chiefs; the dispute that arose between them; the combat that ensued -from it, and the way in which he had escaped. - -"If I did run away," he said, in conclusion, "heaven is my witness that -it was not for the purpose of saving my life. Though I am a desperate -coward, I would never hesitate to sacrifice my life for him; but -Bright-eye advised me to act in this way, so that I may try and find -assistance for them both." - -"Good," the girl said, quickly; "the Paleface is brave. What does he -intend to do?" - -"I mean to save my master, by Jove!" the Breton said, resolutely. "The -only thing is, that I do not know how to set about it." - -"Prairie-Flower knows. She will help the Paleface." - -"Is what you promise really true, young girl?" - -The Indian maid smiled. - -"The Paleface will follow Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf," she said; -"they will lead him to a spot where he will find friends." - -"Good; and when will you do it, my good girl?" he asked, his heart -palpitating with joy. - -"So soon as the Paleface is ready to start." - -"At once, then, at once!" the Breton exclaimed, hurriedly rising, and -hurrying to his horse. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf had concealed their steeds in the centre of -a clump of trees. Ten minutes later, and Ivon and his guides quitted -the clearing where they had met; it was about midnight when they -started. - -"My poor master!" the Breton muttered. "Shall I be permitted to save -him?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. - - -The night was black, gloomy, and storm-laden. The wind howled with a -mournful murmur through the branches; at each gust the trees shook -their damp crowns, and sent down showers, which pattered on the shrubs. -The sky was of a leaden hue; so great was the silence in the desert, -that the fall of a withered leaf, or the rustling of a branch touched -in its passage by some invisible animal, could be distinctly heard. - -Ivon and his guides advanced cautiously through the forest, seeking -their road in the darkness, half lying on their horses, so as to avoid -the branches that lashed their faces at every moment. Owing to the -endless turns they were compelled to take, nearly two hours elapsed -ere they left the forest. At length they debouched on the plain, and -found themselves almost simultaneously on the banks of the Missouri. -The river, swollen by rain and snow, rolled along its yellowish waters -noisily. The fugitives followed the bank in a south-western direction. -Now that they had struck the river, all uncertainty had ceased for -them; their road was so distinctly traced that they had no fear of -losing it. - -On arriving at a spot where a point of sand jutted out for several -yards into the bed of the river, and formed a species of cape, from -the end of which objects could be seen for some distance, owing to the -transparency of the water, Red Wolf made a sign to his companions to -halt, and himself dismounted. Prairie-Flower and Ivon imitated him. -Ivon was not sorry to take a few moments' rest, and, above all, make -some inquiries before proceeding further. At the first blush, carried -away by an unreflecting movement of the heart, which impelled him to -save his master by any means that offered, he had not hesitated to -follow his two strange guides; but, with reflection, distrust had -returned still more powerfully, and the Breton was unwilling to go -further with the persons he had met, until he possessed undoubted -proofs of their honesty. - -So soon as he had dismounted then, and taken off his horse's bridle, -so that it should crop the tender shoots, Ivon walked up boldly to the -Redskin, and struck him on the shoulder. The Indian, whose eyes were -eagerly fixed on the rider, turned to him. - -"What does the Paleface want?" he asked him. - -"To talk a little with you, Chief." - -"The moment is not good for talking," the Indian answered, -sententiously; "the Palefaces are like the mockingbird; their tongues -must be ever in motion; let my brother wait." - -Ivon did not understand the epigram. - -"No," he said, "we must talk at once." - -The Indian suppressed an impatient gesture. - -"The Red Wolf's ears are open," he said; "_the Chattering Jay_ can -explain himself." - -The Redskins, finding some difficulty in pronouncing the names of -people with whom the accidents of the chase or of trade bring them into -relation, are accustomed to substitute for these names others, derived -from the character or physical aspect of the individual they wish to -designate. Ivon was called by the Blackfoot Indians the Chattering -Jay, a name whose justice we will refrain from discussing. The Breton -did not seem annoyed by what Red Wolf said to him; absorbed by the -thought that troubled him, every other consideration was a matter of -indifference to him. - -"You promised me to save Glass-eye," he said. - -"Yes," the Chief answered, laconically. - -"I accepted your propositions without discussion; for three hours I -have followed you without saying anything; but, before going further, I -should not be sorry to know the means you intend to employ to take him -out of the hands of the enemy." - -"Is my brother deaf?" the Indian asked. - -"I do not think so," Ivon answered, rather wounded by the question. - -"Then let him listen." - -"I am doing so." - -"My brother hears nothing?" - -"Not the least, I am free to confess." - -Red Wolf shrugged his shoulders. - -"The Palefaces are foxes without tails," he said, with disdain; "weaker -than children in the desert. Let my brother look," he added, pointing -to the river. - -Ivon followed the direction indicated, winking, and placing his hands -over his eyes, to concentrate the visual rays. - -"Well," the Indian asked, after a moment, "has my brother seen?" - -"Nothing at all," the Breton said, violently. "May the evil one twist -my neck, if it is possible for me to distinguish anything." - -"Then my brother will wait a few minutes," the Indian said, perfectly -calm; "he will then see and hear." - -"Hum!" the Breton went on, but slightly satisfied with this -explanation. "What shall I see and hear?" - -"My brother will know." - -Ivon would have insisted, but the Chief took him by the arm, pushed him -back, and hid with him behind a clump of trees, where Prairie-Flower -was already ensconced. - -"Silence!" the Redskin muttered, in such an imperative tone that the -Breton, convinced of the gravity of the situation, deferred to a more -favourable moment the string of questions he proposed asking the Chief. - -A few minutes elapsed. Redskin and Prairie-Flower, with their bodies -bent forward, and carefully parting the leaves, looked eagerly in the -direction of the river, while holding their breath. Ivon, bothered in -spite of himself by this sort of conduct, imitated their example. A -sound soon struck on his ears, but so slight and weak, that at first -he fancied himself mistaken. Still the noise grew gradually louder, -resembling that of paddles cautiously dipped in the water; next, a -black dot, at first nearly imperceptible, but which grew larger by -degrees, appeared on the river. - -There was soon no doubt in the Breton's mind. The black dot was a -canoe. On arriving within a certain distance, the sound could be no -longer heard, and the canoe remained motionless about halfway between -the two banks. At this moment the cry of the jay broke the silence, -repeated thrice, with such perfection, that Ivon instinctively raised -his head to the upper branches of the tree that sheltered them. Upon -this signal, the canoe began drawing nearer the cape, where it soon ran -ashore; but upon landing, the person in it raised the paddle twice in -the air. The cry of the jay was heard again, thrice repeated. - -Upon this, the rower, perfectly reassured, as it seemed, leaped on the -sand, drew the canoe half out of the water, and walked boldly in the -direction of the clump of trees that served Ivon and his comrades as -an observatory. The latter, deeming it useless to wait longer, quitted -their shelter, and walked toward the newcomer, after recommending the -Breton not to show himself without their authority. This order he -obeyed; but, with that prudence which distinguished him, he cocked his -pistols, took one in each hand, and, reassured by this precaution, -waited what was about to happen. - -The new actor who had entered on the scene, and in whom the reader -will have recognised Mrs. Margaret, had left Major Melville only about -an hour previously, after having that conversation we have repeated. -Although she did not expect to meet Prairie-Flower at this spot, -she did not appear at all astonished at seeing her, and gave her a -friendly nod, to which the girl responded with a smile. - -"What is there new?" she asked the Indian. - -"Much," he replied. - -"Speak." - -The Red Wolf thereupon told her all that had happened during the chase; -in what way he had learned it, and how Ivon had escaped in order to -seek help for his master. Margaret listened to the long story without -letting a sign of emotion to be seen on her wrinkled, grief-worn face. -When Red Wolf had ceased speaking, she reflected for a few moments; -then raising her head, asked-- - -"Where is the Paleface?" - -"Here," the Indian answered, pointing to the clump of trees. - -"Let him come." - -The Chief turned to fetch him, but the Breton, who had heard the last -word spoken in English, and judged that it was intended for him, left -his hiding place, after returning the pistols to his belt, and joined -the party. At this moment the first gleam of day began to appear, -the darkness was rapidly dissipated, and a reddish hue, which formed -on the extreme limit of the horizon, indicated that the sun would -speedily rise. The She-wolf fixed on the Breton her cunning eye, as if -desirous to read the depths of his heart. Ivon had nothing to reproach -himself with, and hence he bravely withstood the glance. The She-wolf, -satisfied with the dumb interrogatory to which she had subjected the -Breton, softened down the harsh expression of her face, and at length -addressed him in a voice she attempted to render conciliatory. - -"Listen attentively," she said to him. - -"I am listening." - -"You are devoted to your master?" - -"To the death," Ivon answered, firmly. - -"Good: then I can reckon on you?" - -"Yes." - -"You understand, I suppose, that we four cannot save your master?" - -"That appears to me difficult, I allow." - -"But we wish to revenge ourselves on Natah Otann." - -"Very good." - -"For a long time our measures have been taken to gain this end at a -given moment; that moment has arrived; but we have allies we must warn." - -"It is true." - -She drew a ring from her finger. - -"Take this ring; you know how to use a paddle, I suppose?" - -"I am a Breton, that is to say, a sailor." - -"Get into the canoe lying there, and without losing a moment, go down -the river till you reach a fort." - -"Hum! is it far?" - -"You will reach it in less than an hour if you are diligent." - -"You may be sure of that." - -"So soon as you have arrived at the fort, you will ask speech with -Major Melville; give him that ring, and tell him all the events of -which you have been witness." - -"Is that all?" - -"No; the Major will give you a detachment of soldiers, with whom you -will join us at Black's clearing: can you find your way there again?" - -"I think so; especially as it is on the river bank." - -"Yes; and you will have to pass it before reaching the fort." - -"What shall I do with the canoe?" - -"Abandon it." - -"When must I start?" - -"At once; the sun has risen, we must make haste." - -"And what are you going to do?" - -"I told you we were going to Black's clearing, where we shall wait for -you." - -The Breton reflected for a minute. - -"Listen, in your turn," he said; "I am not in the habit of discussing -orders, when I think those given us are just; I do not think that you -intend, under such grave circumstances, to mock a poor devil, whom -grief renders half mad, and who would joyfully sacrifice his life to -save his master's." - -"You are right." - -"I am therefore going to obey you." - -"You should have done so already." - -"Maybe; but I have a last word to say." - -"I am listening." - -"If you deceive me, if you do not really help me, as you pledge -yourself, in saving my master--I am, a coward, that is notorious; but -on my word as a man, I will blow out your brains: even were you hidden -in the bowels of the earth, I would go and seek you to fulfil my oath. -You hear me?" - -"Perfectly! and now have you finished?" - -"Yes." - -"Then be off." - -"I am doing so." - -"Good-bye, till we meet again." - -The Breton bowed once more, pulled the boat into the water, jumped -in, and hurried off at a rate which showed he would soon reach his -destination. His ex-companions looked after him till he was hidden by a -bend in the river. - -"And now what are we going to do?" Prairie-Flower asked. - -"Go to the clearing, to arrange with John Black." - -Margaret mounted Ivon's horse, Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf each -took their own, and the three started at a gallop. By a fortunate -coincidence, it was a day chosen by the squatter to give his family a -rest, and, as we have said, he had gone out with William to take a look -at his property. After a long ride, during which the squatter had burst -into ecstasies only known to landed proprietors, they were preparing to -return to their fortress, when William pointed out to his father the -three mounted persons coming towards them at full gallop. - -"Hum!" Black said, "Indians, that is an unpleasant meeting! let us hide -behind this clump, and try to find out what they want." - -"Stay, father," the young man said, "I believe that precaution -unnecessary." - -"Why so, boy?" - -"Because of the party two are women." - -"That is no reason," the squatter said, who, since the attack, had -become excessively prudent; "you know that in these bad tribes the -women fight as well as the men." - -"That is true; but stay, they are unfolding a buffalo robe in sign of -peace." - -In fact, one of the riders at this moment fluttered a robe in the -breeze. - -"You are right, boy," the squatter observed, presently; "let us await -them; the more so, as, if I am not mistaken, I can recognize an old -acquaintance among them." - -"The woman who saved us, I believe." - -"Right; by Jove! the meeting is a strange one. Poor woman, I am -delighted to see her again." - -Ten minutes later the parties joined; after the first salutations, the -She-wolf took the word. - -"Do you recognize me, John Black?" - -"Of course I do, my worthy woman," he replied, with emotion; "although -I only saw you for a few moments, and under terrible circumstances, the -remembrance of you has never left my heart and mind; I have only one -wish, and that is, that you will give me the opportunity to prove it." - -A flash of joy shot from the She-wolfs eye. - -"Are you speaking seriously?" she asked, quickly. - -"Try me." - -"Good; I was not deceived in you. I am glad of what I did. I see that -the service I rendered you has not fallen on ungrateful soil." - -"Speak." - -"Not here: what I have to tell you is too lengthy and serious for us to -be able to discuss it properly at this place." - -"Will you come to my house? There you need not be afraid of being -disturbed." - -"If you permit it." - -"What, my good creature, permit it? Why, the house, all it contains, -and the owner in the bargain, all are yours, and you know it." - -Margaret smiled sadly. - -"Thanks!" she said, offering him her hand, which Black pressed gladly. - -"Come," he said, "as we have nothing more to do here, let us be off." - -They started in the direction of the house; but the return was silent; -each, absorbed in thought, rode on without thinking of addressing a -word to the other. They were but a short distance from the house, when -they suddenly saw some twenty horsemen debouch from a wood on the -right, dressed, as far as could be distinguished, as wood rangers. - -"What is this?" Black said, with astonishment, as he pulled his horse -up. - -"Eh!" the She-wolf said, not replying to the squatter. "The Frenchman -has been diligent." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I will explain all that presently; for the present you need only offer -your hospitality to these good people." - -"Hum!" Black said, doubtingly. "I shall be glad to do it, but must know -who they are, and what they want of me." - -"They are Americans; like yourself. I asked the commandant of the fort -where they are stationed to send them here." - -"What fort and what garrison are you talking of, my good woman? On my -soul! I do not know what you mean." - -"What! have you not learned to know your neighbours since you have been -here?" - -"What! have I neighbours?" he said, in an angry tone. - -"About ten miles off is Fort Mackenzie, commanded by a brave officer, -Major Melville." - -At this explanation the squatter's face was unwrinkled; it was not a -rival, but a defender he had as neighbour, hence all was for the best. - -"Oh, I will go and pay him my respects," he said; "the acquaintance of -a fort commandant is not to be neglected in the desert." - -Major Melville sent off at once the detachment asked by his sister; -but reflecting that soldiers could not execute so well as hunters -the meditated _coup de main_, he chose twenty hardened and resolute -trappers and _engages_ under the command of an officer who had been -a long time in the Fur Company's service, and was versed in all the -tricks of the crafty enemies he would have to fight. - -At the foot of the hill the two parties combined. Black, though still -ignorant for what purpose the detachment had come, received most -affably the reinforcement sent to him. Ivon was radiant; the worthy -Breton, now that he could dispose of such a number of good rifles, -believed in the certainty of saving his master; all his suspicions -had disappeared, and he burst forth into apologies and thanks to the -She-wolf and her two Indian friends. So soon as all were comfortably -lodged in the building, Black returned to his guests, and, after -offering them refreshments, said-- - -"Now, I am waiting for your explanation." - -As we shall soon see the development of the plans formed at this -meeting, it is useless to describe them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET. - - -Two days have elapsed since the events of our last chapter. It is -evening in the Kenhas' village. The tumult is great; all are preparing -for an expedition. The night is clear and starlit; great fires, kindled -before each cabin, spread around immense reddish gleams, which light -up the whole village. There is something strange and striking in the -scene presented by the village, crowded with a motley population. The -Count de Beaulieu and Bright-eye, apparently free, are conversing in a -low tone, sitting on the bare ground, and leaning against the wall of a -cabin. - -The time fixed by the Count for his parole has long passed, still the -Indian Chiefs have satisfied themselves with taking away his weapons -and the hunter's, and pay no more attention to them. - -On the large village square two immense fires have been kindled. Round -the first, placed in front of the Council Lodge, are seated White -Buffalo, Natah Otann, Red Wolf, and three or four other chiefs of the -tribe; round the second some twenty warriors are silently smoking the -calumet. Such was the appearance offered by the Kenhas' village at -about nine in the evening of the day we return to it. - -"Why allow the Palefaces thus to wander about the village?" Red Wolf -asked. - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"Have the white men the eyes of the eagle and the feet of the gazelle, -to find again their trail lost in the desert?" - -"My father is right, if he speaks of Glass-eye," Red Wolf urged; "but -Bright-eye has a Redskin heart." - -"Yes; if he was alone he would try to escape, but he will not abandon -his friend." - -"The latter can follow him." - -"Glass-eye has a brave heart, but his feet are weak; he cannot walk in -the desert." - -Red Wolf looked down, with an air of conviction, and made no reply. - -"The hour has arrived to set out; the allied nations are proceeding to -the rendezvous," White Buffalo said, in a sombre voice. "It is nine -o'clock; the owl has twice given the signal, and the moon is rising." - -"Good," Natah Otann said, "we will have the horses smoked, so as to set -out immediately after." - -Red Wolf gave a shrill whistle. At this signal some twenty horsemen -galloped into the square, and went up to the second fire, round which -an equal number of warriors, naked to the waist, were crouching and -smoking silently. These men were warriors of the tribe who were -dismounted, either by accident or in action; the horsemen, at this -moment prancing round them, were their friends, and came up to make -each a present of a horse prior to the departure of the expedition. -While cantering round, the horsemen drew gradually nearer to the -smokers, who did not appear to notice them. Each horseman chose out the -man to whom he intended to give a horse, and a shower of lashes fell -on the naked shoulders of these stoical warriors. At each blow they -struck, the warrior shouted, each calling his friend by name. - -"So and so, you are a beggar and wretched man. You desire my horse, I -give it to you; but you will bear on your shoulders the bloody marks -of my whip." - -This performance lasted about a quarter of an hour, during which the -sufferers, although the blood ran down their backs, did not utter -a cry or a groan, but remained calm and motionless, as if they had -been metamorphosed into bronze statues. At length the Red Wolf gave a -second whistle, and the horsemen disappeared as rapidly as they came. -The patients then rose as if nothing had happened to them, and went -with radiant forehead and firm step, each to take possession of a -magnificent steed, held by the ex-scourgers, now become their friends -once more. This is what the Blackfeet call _smoking horses_. - -When the tumult occasioned by this semi-serious episode was appeased, -an _hachesto_, or public crier, mounted the roof of the council lodge. -All the population of the village was drawn up silently on the square. - -"The hour has struck! The hour has struck! The hour has struck!" the -hachesto cried. "Warriors, to your lances and guns! The horses are -neighing with impatience! Your chiefs are awaiting you, and your -enemies sleep. To arms! To arms! To arms!" - -"To arms!" all the warriors shouted simultaneously. - -Natah Otann, followed by his warriors, mounted like himself on -impetuous steeds, then appeared in the square, and uttered, in a -terrible voice, the war yell of the Blackfeet. At this cry every man -rushed on his weapons, mounted, and ranged under the respective chiefs, -who, within scarce ten minutes, found themselves at the head of five -hundred warriors, perfectly armed and equipped. - -Natah Otann cast a triumphant glance around him; his eye fell -immediately on the two prisoners, who had remained quietly seated, -talking together, and apparently indifferent to all that happened. At -the sight of them the Chiefs thick eyebrows were contracted, he leant -over to the White Buffalo, who rode by his side, and muttered a few -words in his ear. The old man gave a sign of assent, and walked towards -the prisoners, while Natah Otann, taking the head of the war party, -gave the signal for departure, and went off, only leaving ten warriors -on the square to aid White Buffalo, if required. - -"Gentlemen," the latter said, sharply, but courteously; "be good enough -to mount and follow me, if you please." - -"Is this an order you give us, sir?" the Count asked, haughtily. - -"What does that, question mean?" - -"Because I am not in the habit of obeying anybody." - -"Sir," the Chief answered, "any resistance would be insensate, and -rather injurious than useful to your interests: so to horse without -further delay." - -"The Chief is right," Bright-eye said, with a significant look at the -Count; "why any obstinacy? we cannot be the stronger." - -"But--" the young man remarked. - -"Here is your horse," the hunter interrupted him, sharply. - -"We obey the Chief," he added, aloud; then he added in a whisper,-- - -"Are you mad, Mr. Edward? Who knows the chances luck has in store for -us during the accursed expedition?" - -"Still--" - -"Mount! Mount!" - -At length the young man, partly convinced, obeyed the hunter. When the -prisoners had mounted, the warriors surrounded them, and led them off -at a gallop, till they caught up the column, of which they took the -lead. - -Despite the Count's resistance, Natah Otann and White Buffalo had not -given up their plan of making him pass for Motecuhzoma, and placing him -at the head of the Allied Nations. Still this plan had been modified, -in this sense, that, as the young Count refused his help, they would -force him to give it in spite of himself. The following is the way -in which they intended to act. They had succeeded in persuading the -Indians who accompanied them during the ostrich hunt, that the struggle -sustained by the Count, and which had struck them with stupor, owing -to the energetic resistance the two men had so long offered to fifty -warriors, was a ruse invented by them to display their strength and -power in the sight of all. - -The Redskins, owing to their ignorance, are stupidly credulous. Natah -Otann's clumsy falsehood, which any man but slightly civilized would -have regarded with contempt, obtained the greatest success with these -brutalized beings, and enhanced, in their eyes, the personal value -of the men whom they saw continuing to live on good terms with their -Chiefs, and remaining apparently free in the village. - -Matters were too far advanced, the day chosen for the outbreak of -the plot was too near, for the Chiefs to give counterorders to their -allies, and concoct some other scheme to replace the prophet they had -announced to the Missouri nations. If, on arriving at the rendezvous, -the man they had expected was not presented to them, it was evident -they would retire with their contingents, and that all would be broken -off with no hope of recombination; but a catastrophe must be guarded -against at all risks. - -The resolution formed by the two Chiefs, desperate as it was, they were -compelled to adopt through the suspicious nature of the circumstances, -and they trusted to chance to make it succeed. The Count and his -companion would march, so long as the expedition lasted, at the head -of the attacking columns, without weapons it is true, but apparently -free, while guarded by ten picked warriors, who would never leave -them, and kill them on the slightest suspicious gesture. The plan was -absurd, and, with other men than Indians, the impossibility would -have been recognized in less than an hour; but, through its very -impracticability, it offered chances of success, and this was chiefly -owing to the belief the Indians held that the Count had no friends to -attempt his rescue. - -Ivon's flight had troubled Natah Otann for a few moments: but the -discovery made in the forest, where he had sought shelter, of the body -of a man clothed in the servant's dress, and half devoured by wild -beasts, restored him all his serenity, by proving to him that he had -nought to fear from the poor fellow's devotion. - -Three hours prior to the departure of the column, the Chief had, -on White Buffalo's revelations, had five spies secretly strangled. -Red Wolf, on whom Natah Otann and White Buffalo placed unbounded -confidence, and whose courage could not be doubted, was appointed head -of the detachment to watch over the prisoners. Hence matters were in -the best possible state. The two Chiefs marched about fifty paces ahead -of their warriors, conversing in a low voice, and definitely arranging -their final plans. White Buffalo described in a few words the position -and their hopes. - -"Our prospect is desperate," he said, "chance may make it fail or -succeed: all depends upon the first attack. If, as I believe, we -surprise the American garrison, and seize Fort Mackenzie, we shall -have no further need of this Count, whose disappearance we can easily -account for, by saying that he has reascended to heaven, because we are -victors. However, we shall see; all will be decided in a few hours. -Till then, courage and prudence." - -Natah Otann made no reply; but cast a glance at Prairie-Flower, who -cantered along in apparent carelessness on the flank of the column, -which she had asked leave to accompany, and the Chief had gladly -granted it. The warriors advanced in a long line, silently following -one of those winding paths formed on the desert for centuries by the -feet of wild beasts. The night was transparent and calm; the sky, -embroidered with millions of stars, shed down on the landscape floods -of melancholy light, harmonizing with the grand and primitive nature of -the desert. About four in the morning, Natah Otann halted on the top of -a wooded dell, in the centre of an immense clearing, where the entire -detachment disappeared, without leaving a trace. - -Fort Mackenzie rose gloomy and majestic at about a gunshot off. The -Indians had effected their march with such prudence, that the American -garrison had given no sign of alarm. Natah Otann had a tent put up, -into which he courteously begged his prisoners to enter, and they -obeyed. - -"Why so much politeness?" the Count said. - -"Are you not my guests?" the Chief replied, with an ironical smile, and -then withdrew. - -The Count and his comrade, when left alone, lay down on a pile of furs -intended for their bed. - -"What is to be done?" the Count muttered, greatly discouraged. - -"Sleep," the hunter said, carelessly. "Unless I am mistaken, we shall -soon have some news." - -"Heaven grant it!" - -"Amen," Bright-eye continued, with a laugh. "Bah! we shall not die this -time either." - -"I hope so," the Count repeated, to say something. - -"And I am sure of it. It would be curious, on my word," the hunter -said, with a laugh, "were I, who have traversed the desert so long, to -be killed by these red brutes." - -The young man could not refrain from admiring, in his heart, the cool -certainty with which the Canadian uttered so monstrous an opinion; but -at this moment the prisoners heard a gentle sound near them. - -"Silence!" Bright-eye commanded. - -They listened attentively. A harmonious voice then sang to a melody, -full of gentleness and melancholy, the exquisite Blackfoot song -beginning with the verses:-- - -"I confide to you my heart, in the name of the Master of Life; I am -unhappy, and no one takes pity on me, yet the Master of Life is great -in my sight." - -"Oh!" the Count muttered joyously, "I recognise that voice, my friend." - -"And I too, by Jupiter! It is Prairie-Flower's." - -"What does she say?" - -"It is a warning she gives us." - -"Do you believe so?" - -"Prairie-Flower loves you, Mr. Edward." - -"Poor child! and I love her too; but alas!--" - -"Bah! after the storm comes fine weather." - -"If I could but see her." - -"For what good? She will contrive to make herself visible when it is -necessary. Come, wild or tame, all women are alike. But, look out, here -is somebody." - -They threw themselves on the furs, and pretended to be asleep. A man -had quietly lifted the curtain of the tent. By the moon's ray, that -passed through the opening, the prisoners recognized Red Wolf. The -Indian looked outside for a moment; then, probably reassured by the -calmness that prevailed around, he let the curtain of the tent fall, -and took a few paces in the interior. - -"The jaguar is strong and courageous," he said, in a loud voice, as if -talking to himself; "the fox is cunning; but the man whose heart is big -is stronger than the jaguar, and more cunning than the fox, when he -has in his hand weapons to defend himself. Who says that Glass-eye and -Bright-eye will allow their throats to be cut like tamed gazelles?" - -"And not looking at the prisoners, the Chief laid at their feet two -guns, from which hung powder flasks, bullet bags, and long knives; then -he left the tent again, as calmly as if he had done the simplest matter -in the world. The prisoners looked at each other in amazement. - -"What do you think of that?" Bright-eye muttered in stupefaction. - -"It is a trap," the Count answered. - -"Hum! trap or no, the weapons are there, and I shall take them." - -The hunter seized the guns and the knives, which he immediately hid -under the furs. The arms were hardly in security, ere the curtain of -the tent was again raised, and Natah Otann walked in. He bore in his -hand a branch of ocote, or candlewood, which lit up his thoughtful -face, and gave it a sinister expression. The Chief dug up the ground -with his knife, planted his torch in the ground, and walked toward the -prisoners, who looked on without giving any sign. - -"Gentlemen," the Chief then said, "I have come to ask for a moment's -interview with you." - -"Speak, sir; we are your prisoners, and as such compelled to hear -you, if not to listen to you," the Count said, drily, as he sat up on -the furs, while Bright-eye rose carelessly, and lit his pipe at the -candlewood torch. - -"Since you have been my prisoners, gentlemen," the Chief continued, -"you have not had, to my knowledge, any reason to complain of the way -in which I have treated you." - -"That depends. In the first place, I do not admit that I am legally -your prisoner." - -"Oh, sir," the Chief said, with a smile of mockery, "do you speak of -legality to a poor Indian? You know well that we are ignorant of that -word." - -"That is true; go on." - -"I have come to see you--" - -"Why?" the Count interrupted him, impatiently. "Explain!" - -"I have a bargain to propose to you." - -"Well, I will frankly confess that your way of bargaining does not -impress me with great confidence." - -The Indian made a move. - -"No matter," the Count continued, "let us hear it." - -"I should not like to be obliged, sir, to tie you again, as you were -when you were captured." - -"I am extremely obliged to you." - -"But; at this moment I absolutely need all my warriors, and I cannot -leave anybody to guard you two gentlemen." - -"Which means?" - -"That I ask your parole not to escape for the next twenty-four hours." - -"But that is not a bargain." - -"Wait; I am coming to it." - -"Good; I am waiting." - -"In return, I pledge myself--" - -"Ah!" the Count said, contemptuously, "let us see to what you pledge -yourself; that must be curious." - -"I pledge myself," the Chief continued, still cold and calm, "to give -you your liberty in twenty-four hours." - -"And my comrade?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation; the Count burst into a loud -laugh. - -"And suppose we did not accept?" he asked. - -"But you will do so," he said, with an ironical smile. - -"Possibly; but suppose the contrary for a moment." - -"At daybreak you will both be attached to the stake, and tortured until -sunset." - -"Oh, oh! Is that your final word?" - -"The last; in half an hour I will come for your answer." - -And he turned to go out. The Count bounded like a jaguar, and stood -before the Chief, his gun in one hand, his knife in the other. - -"A moment," he shouted. - -"Wah!" the Chief said, crossing his hands on his wide chest, and gazing -at them sarcastically. "You had taken your precautions, it appears." - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin; "I rather fancy it is our turn -to make conditions." - -"Perhaps so," Natah Otann replied, coolly; "but I have no time to lose -in vain words; let me pass, gentlemen." - -Bright-eye threw himself quickly before the door. - -"Come, Chief," he said, "things cannot end like that; we are not old -women to be frightened. Before we are fastened to the stake, we will -kill you." - -The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully, - -"You are mad; let me pass, old hunter, and do not oblige me to use -force." - -"No, no, Chief," Bright-eye added, with an ironical laugh; "we shall -not part like that; all the worse for you; you should not have put your -head in the wolf's throat." - -Natah Otann made an impatient gesture. - -"You wish it; well, then, see!" - -Raising to his lips his war-whistle, made of a human thigh bone, he -produced a shrill sound. All at once, before the two Europeans could -comprehend what was happening, the sides of the tent were cut open, -and the Blackfeet bounded into the interior. The Count and Bright-eye -were seized and disarmed. The Sachem, with his arms still crossed on -his chest, looked like a stoic, while the Kenhas, with their eyes fixed -on the Chief, and uplifted tomahawks, seemed to await from him a final -signal. - -There was a moment of intense anxiety; though the two white men were -so brave, the attack had been so rapid and unexpected, that they -could not refrain from an inward shudder. For a few seconds the Chief -enjoyed his triumph; then, raising his hand, with a gesture of supreme -authority, he said,-- - -"Enough! Restore their weapons to these warriors. Are they not the -guests of Natah Otann?" - -The Blackfeet retired as suddenly as they had appeared. - -"Well," the Chief asked, with slight irony, "do you understand me at -last? Do you still fancy me in your power?" - -"Very good, sir," the Count replied, coldly, still suffering from the -struggle he had gone through; "I am forced to recognize the advantage -that chance gives you over me; any resistance would be useless. I -consent to submit for the present to your will; but only on two -conditions." - -"They are accepted beforehand, sir," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"Do not be too certain, sir; for you do not yet know what I mean to ask -from you." - -"I am awaiting your explanation." - -"As it must be so, I will march at the head of your tribes; but alone, -unarmed, and on condition, that under no pretext you impose on me any -other character in the gloomy tragedy you are preparing to act." - -The Chief frowned. - -"And supposing that I refuse?" he said, in a hoarse voice. - -"If you refuse," the young man answered, with his calmest air, "I will -employ sure means to compel you to assent." - -"They are?" - -"I will blow out my brains, sir, in the sight of all your warriors." - -The Chief cast a viper's glance at him. - -"Very good," he said, presently. "I accept; now let us have the other -condition." - -"It is simply this: conqueror or conquered; and I hope sincerely that -the latter may be the case--" - -"Thank you," the Chief interrupted him, with an ironical bow. - -"After the battle, whatever its issue may be," the Count continued, -"you will fight me honourably with equal weapons." - -"Why, Sir Count, you are proposing to me what white men call a duel!" - -"Yes. Does that displease you?" - -"Me? certainly not, and I accept gladly; the more so, as we Blood -Indians are accustomed to have such fights to settle our own personal -quarrels." - -"Then you accept my conditions?" - -"I do so." - -"But who will guarantee your good faith?" the young man asked. - -"I, Sir," a powerful voice said. - -The three men turned. White Buffalo was standing motionless in the -doorway of the tent. At the unexpected appearance of this strange man, -whose features revealed at the moment an imposing majesty, the young -Count felt subdued, and bowed respectfully. - -"Gentlemen," Natah Otann continued, "you are free within the limits of -the camp." - -"Thanks," Bright-eye said coarsely; "but I have made no promise." - -"You!" the Chief said carelessly; "go or stay, I care very little." - -And after bowing ceremoniously to the Count, the two Chiefs withdrew. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -BEFORE THE ATTACK. - - -After leaving the tent, the two Chiefs walked for some moments side by -side, and did not exchange a word; both seemed plunged in deep thought, -doubtlessly caused by the serious events that were preparing--events -whose success would decide the fate of the Indian tribes of this -part of the continent. While walking along, they reached a point on -the hillock, whence a most extensive view could be enjoyed in every -direction. - -The night was calm and balmy, there was not a breath in the air, not -a cloud on the sky, whose deep azure was enamelled with a profusion -of twinkling stars; an imposing silence reigned over this desert, -where, however, several thousand men were ambushed, only waiting a -word or a signal to out each other's throats. Mechanically the two men -stopped, and gazed at the grand landscape extended at their feet, in -the immediate foreground of which frowned Fort Mackenzie, throwing its -gloomy shadow far across the prairie. - -"By sunrise," Natah Otann muttered, answering his own thoughts, rather -than addressing his companion, "that haughty fortress will be mine. -The Redskins will command at the spot where their oppressors are still -reigning." - -"Yes," White Buffalo repeated, mechanically, "tomorrow you will be -master of the fort, but will you manage to keep it? Conquering is -nothing; the white men have been several times defeated by the -Redskins, and yet they have enslaved, decimated, and dispersed them -like the leaves the autumn breeze bears away." - -"That is only too true," the Chief said, with a sigh; "it has ever been -so, since the first day the white men set foot in this unhappy land. -What is the mysterious influence that has constantly predicted them -against us?" - -"Yourselves, my child," White Buffalo said, mournfully shaking his -head; "you are your own greatest enemies. You can only impute to -yourselves your continued defeats, for you are so obstinate for -internecine warfare; the whites have taken care to foster strongly your -headstrong passions, by which they have skilfully profited to conquer -you in detail." - -"Yes, you have told me that often, my father, so you see I have -profited by your advice; all the Missouri Indians are now united, they -obey the same chief, and march under one totem; thus, believe me, this -union will be fertile in good results, we shall drive these plundering -wolves from our frontiers, we shall send them back to the villages of -stone; and henceforth only the moccasin of the Redskins will tread our -native prairies, and the echoes will only be aroused by the joyous -laughter of the Redskins, or repeat the war cry of the Blackfeet." - -"No one will be happier than I at such a result; my most ardent -desire is to see men free, from whom I have received such paternal -hospitality; but, alas, who can foresee the future? These Sachems, -whom you have succeeded in combining by attention and patience, are -agitating darkly; they fear to obey you; they are jealous of the power -themselves gave you, so there is a chance they will abandon you." - -"I will not; give them the time, my father; for the last few days -I have known all their designs, and followed their plans; up to -the present, prudence has closed my mouth. I did not wish to risk -the success of my enterprise; but so soon as I am master of this -fortress below us, believe me, I shall speak loudly, for my voice -will have exercised an authority, my power a strength, which the most -turbulent will be compelled to recognize. Victory will render me -great and terrible: will trample under foot those who now conspire -in the darkness, and who would not hesitate to turn against me, if I -experienced a defeat. Go, my father, let all be ready for the attack so -soon as I give the signal, visit the outposts, watch the movements of -the enemy, for in two hours I shall utter my war cry." - -White Buffalo regarded him for a moment with a singular expression, in -which friendship, fear, and admiration struggled in turn; then laying -his hand on his shoulder he said, with much emotion,-- - -"Child, you are mad; but it is a sublime madness: the work of -reformation you meditate is impossible--but, whether you triumph or -succumb, your attempt will not be useless. Your passage on earth will -leave a long, luminous trace, which may one day serve as a beacon to -those who succeed in accomplishing the liberation of your race." - -After a few seconds of silence, more eloquent than vain words, the two -men fell into each other's arms, and held each other in a firm embrace; -they then separated, and Natah Otann remained alone. - -The young Chief did not conceal from himself in any way the -difficulties of his position. He recognized the justice of his adopted -father's observations; but now it was too late to recoil, he must push -onward at all risks. Now that the moment had arrived to descend into -the arena, all hesitation had ceased, all fear had died out in the -young Chief's bosom, to give way to a cold and invincible resolution, -that imparted to him the lucidity of mind required to play skilfully -the great part on which the fate of his race would depend. - -When White Buffalo left him alone, Natah Otann sat down on a rock, and, -resting his head on his hand, fixed his eyes on the place, and fell -into a serious contemplation. For a long time he had been dreaming, -with a vague consciousness of external objects, when a hand was gently -laid on his shoulder. The Chief quivered, as if he had received an -electric shock, and quickly raised his head. - -"_Ochtl?_" he said, with an emotion he could not master. -"Prairie-Flower here at this hour?" - -The young girl smiled sweetly. - -"Why is my brother astonished?" she replied, in her gentle and -melodious voice; "does not the Chief know that Prairie-Flower loves to -wander about at night, when nature is slumbering, and the voice of the -Great Spirit can be more easily heard? We girls love to dream at night, -by the melancholy light that comes from the stars, and seems to give -reality to our thoughts, at times, in the mist." - -The Chief sighed in reply. - -"You are suffering?" Prairie-Flower asked him, gently; "You, the first -Sachem of our nation, the most renowned warrior of our tribes--what -reason can be powerful enough to draw a sigh from you?" - -The Chief seised the dainty hand the girl yielded to him, and pressed -it gently between his own. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said at length, "you are ignorant why I suffer -when I am by your side?" - -"How should I know it? Although my brothers call me the _Virgin of -Sweet Love_, and suppose me to be in relation with the spirits of air -and water, alas! I am only an ignorant young girl. I should like to -know the cause of your grief; perhaps I could succeed in curing you." - -"No," the Chief answered, shaking his head, "it is not in your power, -child; to do that the beating of your heart ought to respond to mine, -and the little bird, which sings so melodiously in the hearts of -maidens, and murmurs such gentle words in their ears, should have flown -near you." - -The girl blushed and smiled; she let her eyes fall, and, making an -effort to disengage her hand, which Natah Otann still held in his,-- - -"The little bird, of which my brother speaks, I have seen: its song has -already been chanted near me." - -The Chief sprung up, and fixed a flashing glance on the maiden. - -"What!" he exclaimed, with agitation, "you love? Has one of the young -warriors of our tribe known how to touch your heart, and fill it with -love?" - -Prairie-Flower shook her charming head petulantly, while a sweet smile -parted her coral lips. - -"I know not if what I experience is what you call love," she said. - -Natah Otann had, by a painful effort, checked the emotion which made -his limbs tremble. - -"Why should it not be so?" he continued, thoughtfully. "The laws -of nature are immutable, no one can prevent it; the child's hour -was destined to arrive. By what right can I quarrel with what has -happened? Have I not in my heart a sacred feeling, which fills it, and -before which every other must be extinguished? A man in my position is -too far above vulgar passions; the object he proposes to himself is too -great for him to allow himself to be ruled by love of a woman. The man -who lays claim to become the saviour and regenerator of a people, no -longer belongs to humanity. Let me be worthy of the task I have taken -on myself, and forget, if possible, the mad and hopeless passion that -devours me. That girl can never be mine; everything separates us. I -will be to her what I ought never to have ceased to be--a father." - -He let his head hang despairingly on his chest, and remained for a few -moments absorbed in gloomy meditation. Prairie-Flower regarded him -with an expression of tender pity; she had only imperfectly caught the -words the Chief muttered, and understood but little of them. Still she -felt a deep friendship for him; she suffered in seeing him, and sought -vainly some consolation to afford. She waited anxiously till he should -remember her presence, and speak to her again. At length he raised his -head. - -"My sister has not told me which of our young warriors she prefers to -all the rest." - -"Has not the Sachem guessed it?" she asked, timidly. - -"Natah Otann is a chief. If he is the father of his warriors, he is no -spy on their deeds or thoughts." - -"The man of whom I speak to my brother is not a Kenha warrior," she -continued. - -"Ah!" he said in surprise, and looking scrutinizingly at her, "Can it -be one of the Palefaces who are Natah Otann's guests?" - -"My brother would say his prisoners," she murmured. - -"What mean these words, girl? Have you, born but yesterday, any right -to try and explain my actions? Ah!" he added, with a frown, "now I -understand how the Palefaced Chiefs had weapons when I visited them an -hour ago. It is useless for my daughter to tell me now the name of him -she loves, for I know it." - -The girl hung her head, with a blush. - -"_Achtsett_--it is good," he continued, in a rough voice, "my sister is -free to place her affections where she pleases; but her love must not -lead her to betray her friends for the Palefaces. She is a daughter of -the Kenhas. Was it to give me this news that Prairie-Flower came to me?" - -"No," she answered timidly; "another person ordered me to come here, -where she will also come herself, as she has an important secret to -reveal to me in the presence of the Sachem." - -"An important secret?" Natah Otann repeated. "What do you mean? Of what -woman is my sister speaking?" - -"I am speaking of her who is called the She-wolf of the prairies; she -has ever been gentle, good, and affectionate to me, in spite of the -hatred she bears to the Indians." - -"That is strange," the Chief muttered. "So you are waiting for her?" - -"I am." - -"But that woman is mad," the Chief exclaimed. "Do you not know it, my -poor child?" - -"Those whom the Great Spirit wishes to protect he deprives of reason, -that they may not feel grief," she replied, softly. - -For some minutes an almost imperceptible rustling had been going on -in the bushes; this sound, though so slight, the Chiefs practised -ear would have detected, had he not been entirely absorbed by his -conversation with the girl. All at once the branches were violently -torn asunder; several men, led by the She-wolf of the prairies, rushed -toward the Chief, and, before he had recovered from the surprise caused -by this sudden attack, he was thrown down, and securely pinioned. - -"The mad woman!" he exclaimed. - -"Yes, yes, the mad woman," she repeated, in a hoarse voice. "At length -I hold my vengeance! Thanks," she added, addressing the three men who -accompanied her; "I will now take his guard on myself, he shall not -escape." - -The men withdrew without replying. Although they wore the Indian -dress, a panther skin drawn over their faces rendered them perfectly -secure from detection. Only three persons remained on the top of the -hill--Prairie-Flower, Margaret, and Natah Otann, who tried to break -his bonds, while uttering hoarse and inarticulate sounds. The She-wolf -surveyed her enemy, prostrated at her feet, with a joy impossible to -describe, while Prairie-Flower, standing motionless by the Chief, gazed -on him sorrowfully and thoughtfully. - -"Yes," the She-wolf said, with a glance of satiated vengeance, "howl, -panther; bend the bonds you cannot break. I hold you at last; it is my -turn to torture you, to repay you all the suffering you lavished on -me. Oh! I can never be sufficiently avenged on you, the assassin of my -whole family. God is just: tooth for tooth, eye for eye, wretch!" - -She picked up a dagger that had fallen on the ground near her, and -began to prick him all over. - -"Answer me--do you not feel the cold steel piercing your flesh?" she -asked him. "Oh! I should like to make you suffer death a thousand -times, were it possible." - -A smile of contempt played over the Chief's lips. The She-wolf, -exasperated, raised the dagger to strike him; but Prairie-Flower held -her arm. Margaret turned like a tiger; but, recognizing the girl, she -let the weapon fall from her trembling hand, and her face assumed an -expression of infinite gentleness and tenderness. - -"You here?" she exclaimed. "Then you did not forget the meeting I -arranged with you? It is Heaven that sends you!" - -"Yes," the young girl replied, "the Great Spirit sees all. My mother -is good; Prairie-Flower loves her. Why thus torture the man who acted -as father to the abandoned child? The Chief has ever been kind to -Prairie-Flower; my mother will pardon him." - -Margaret gazed at the girl with an expression of mad stupor; then her -features were suddenly distorted, and she burst into a strident laugh. - -"What!" she exclaimed, in a piercing voice, "you, Prairie-Flower, -intercede for this man?" - -"He was a father to Prairie-Flower," the girl answered, simply. - -"But you do not know him then?" - -"He has been kind to me." - -"Silence, child! do not implore the She-wolf," the Chief said, in a -gloomy voice. "Natah Otann is a warrior; he knows how to die." - -"No, the Chief must not die," the Indian girl said, resolutely. - -Natah Otann laughed. - -"It is I who am avenged," he said. - -"Dog!" the She-wolf yelled, stamping her heel on his face, "silence! or -I will tear out your viper's tongue." - -The Indian smiled with contempt. - -"My mother will follow me," the girl said: "I will unfasten the Chief, -in order that he may rejoin his warriors, who are about to fight." - -She picked up the dagger, and knelt down near the prisoner; but the -She-wolf checked her. - -"Before cutting his bonds, listen to me, child," she said. - -"Afterwards," the girl objected. "A Chief must be with his warriors in -battle." - -"Listen to me for a few minutes," She-wolf continued, earnestly; "I -implore it of you, Prairie-Flower, by all I may have done for you; -then, when I have ceased speaking, if you still wish it, you shall -deliver that man. I swear to you that I will not prevent it." - -The girl looked at her fixedly. - -"Speak," she said, in her gentle and sympathizing voice. -"Prairie-Flower is listening." - -A sigh of relief escaped from the She-wolf's oppressed chest. There was -a moment's silence: nothing could be heard, save the panting of the -prisoner. - -"You are right, girl," the She-wolf at length said, in a mournful -voice, "that man took care of your infancy, was kind to you, and -brought you up tenderly; you see that I do him justice! But he never -told you how you fell into his hands." - -"Never," the maiden said, in a melancholy voice. - -"Well," the She-wolf continued, "that secret, which he has not dared to -reveal to you, I will tell you. On just such a night as this, at the -head of his ferocious warriors, the man you call your father attacked -your real father, and while your two brothers, by that monster's -orders, were burned alive, your father fastened to a tree, and there -was flayed alive." - -"Horror!" the young girl shrieked, as she sprang up. - -"And if you do not believe me," she continued, in a shrill voice, "tear -from your neck that bag made of your unhappy father's skin, and you -will find in it all that remains of him." - -With a feverish movement the young girl drew out the bag, which she -squeezed convulsively. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed, "no! no! it is impossible; such atrocities could -not be committed." - -Suddenly her tears ceased, she looked fixedly at the She-wolf, and -said, in a harsh voice-- - -"How do you know all this? The man who told it you lied." - -"I was present," the She-wolf said, coldly, - -"You were present? You witnessed this horrible scene?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"Why?" she asked, madly. "Answer, why? - -"Why?" she said, with an accent of supreme majesty; "because I am your -mother, child." - -At this unexpected revelation the girl's features were convulsed, her -voice failed her, her eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, -her body was agitated by a convulsive tremor; for an instant she tried -to utter a shriek, but then suddenly broke into sobs, and fell into -Margaret's arms, exclaiming, with a piercing accent,-- - -"My mother! My mother!" - -"At last," the She-wolf said, deliriously, "I have found you again, and -you are really mine." - -For some moments mother and daughter, yielding to their tenderness, -forgot the whole world. Natah Otann tried to profit by the opportunity, -and seize the chance of safety which accident offered him. He -noiselessly began rolling over to gain the top of the enclosure; but -the young girl suddenly noticed him, and sprang up as if a serpent had -stung her. - -"Stop, Natah Otann!" she said to him. - -The chief remained motionless: he imagined, from the girl's accent, -that he was lost, and he resigned himself to his fate with that -fatalism which forms the base of the Indian character. - -Still he was mistaken. - -Prairie-Flower, with burning eyes and pallid brow, turned a haggard -glance from her mother on the man extended at her feet, asking her -heart if she had a right, after all the kindness he had shown her, to -avenge her father's death upon him. She felt that her arm was too weak, -her heart too tender for such a deed. For several seconds the three -actors of this terrible scene remained plunged in a gloomy silence, -which was only interrupted by the dull and mysterious noises of the -night. - -Natah Otann did not fear death; but he trembled at leaving uncompleted -the glorious task he had taken on himself; he was ashamed at having -fallen into so clumsy a snare, set by a half insane woman. With his -head stretched out, and frowning brow, he anxiously read on the girl's -face the feelings in turn reflected on it as in a mirror, in order to -calculate the chances of saving a life so precious to those he wished -to render free. Though resigned to his fate, like all great men, he -did not despair, but struggled to the last moment. Prairie-Flower -at length raised her head; her lovely face had assumed a strange -expression her brow glistened, her gentle blue eyes seemed to flash -forth flames. - -"Mother," she said, in her melodious voice, "give me those pistols you -have in your hand." - -"What will you do with them?" the She-wolf asked. - -"Avenge my father! Was it not for that you summoned me here?" - -Without replying, the She-wolf gave her the weapons. The girl, at -first, threatened Natah Otann, and then, with a gesture as rapid as -thought, threw them down the hill. - -"Unhappy girl," Margaret yelled, "what have you done?" - -"I avenge my father," she answered, with an accent of supreme dignity. - -"Unhappy child, he is the assassin of your father." - -"I know it; you have told me so. This man, in spite of his crimes, has -been kind to me--he watched over my childhood. Although he obeyed the -feeling of hatred his race entertains for the Palefaces by murdering my -father, he took his place with me as far as was possible, and almost -changed his Indian nature to protect and support me. The Great Spirit -will judge us, He whose eye is eternally fixed on earth." - -"Woe is me! Woe is me!" the She-wolf yelled, wringing her hands in -despair. - -The girl bent over the Chief, and cut the bonds that fettered him. -Natah Otann sprang to his feet with the bound of a jaguar. The She-wolf -made a movement, as if to rush upon him, but she checked herself. - -"All is not over yet," she shrieked, "yes! yes! I will have my revenge, -no matter at what cost." - -And she rushed into the thicket, where she disappeared. - -"Natah Otann," the maiden continued, turning to the Chief, who stood -by her side, calmly and stoically, as if nothing extraordinary had -happened; "I leave vengeance to the Great Spirit--a woman can only -weep. Farewell! I loved you as that father you deprived me of. I do not -feel the strength to hate you, I will try to forget you." - -"Poor child," the Sachem replied, with much emotion; "I must appear -to you very culpable. Alas! it is only today that I understand the -atrocity of the deed of which I allowed myself to be guilty: perhaps, I -may succeed one day in obtaining your pardon." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sorrowfully. - -"Your pardon does not depend from me," she said, "Wacondah alone can -absolve you." - -And, after giving him a parting glance of sadness, she withdrew slowly, -and thoughtfully entered the wood. - -Natah Otann looked after her for a long while. - -"Can the Christians be right?" he muttered, when done; "do angels -really exist?" - -He shook his head several times, and, after attentively looking at the -sky, in which the stars were beginning to shine,-- - -"The hour has arrived," he said, hoarsely; "shall I be the victor?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -RED WOLF. - - -To understand the facts we are now about to narrate, we must retrace -our steps a short distance, and return to the tent which served as a -temporary abode to the Count and Bright-eye. - -The two white men were somewhat discontented by the way in which the -interview had terminated. Still the Count was too thorough a gentleman -not to allow, honourably, that on this occasion the Chief had been the -victor in magnanimity. As for Bright-eye, however, he could not see -so far. Furious at the check he had sustained, and especially at the -slight value the Chief appeared to set on his capture, he revolved the -most terrible schemes of vengeance while biting his nails savagely. - -The Count amused himself for a few minutes in watching his comrade's -manoeuvres, as he walked up and down the tent, growling, clenching his -fists, dashing the butt of his rifle on the ground, and looking up to -heaven with comic despair. At last the young man could stand it no -longer, but burst into a hearty laugh. The hunter stopped in amazement, -and looked around the tent, to discover the cause for such untimely -gaiety. - -"What has happened, Mr. Edward?" he at length asked, "Why do you laugh -so?" - -Naturally this question, asked with a startled air, had no other result -than to augment the Count's hilarity. - -"My good fellow," he said, "I am laughing at the singular faces you -cut, and the strange manoeuvres you have been indulging in during the -last twenty minutes." - -"Oh, Mr. Edward!" Bright-eye said, reproachfully; "how can you jest so?" - -"Why, my boy, you seem to take the affair seriously to heart, and -to have lost that magnificent confidence which made you despise all -dangers." - -"No, no, Mr. Edward! you are mistaken. My opinion has been formed a -long time. Look you, I am certain these red devils will never succeed -in killing me; but I am furious at having been so thoroughly duped by -them. It is humiliating, and I am now racking my brains to discover a -way to play them a trick." - -"Do so, my friend, and I would help you, were it possible; but, for the -present, at least, I am forced to remain neutral--my hands are tied." - -"What?" Bright-eye said, with astonishment; "you mean to remain here, -and serve their diabolical jugglery?" - -"I must, my good fellow; have I not pledged my word?" - -"You certainly pledged it, and I do not know why. Still, a pledge given -to an Indian counts for nothing. The Redskins are tribes who understand -nothing about honour; and, in a similar case, I am certain that Natah -Otann would consider himself in no way bound to you." - -"That is possible, although I am not of your opinion. The Chief is no -ordinary man. He is gifted with a great intellect." - -"What good is it to him? None. Except to be more cunning and -treacherous than his countrymen. Take my advice, and do not stand on -any ceremony with him. Take French leave, as they say in the South, and -leave them in the lurch. The Redskins will be the first to applaud your -conduct." - -"My good fellow," the Count said, seriously, "it is useless to discuss -the point; when a gentleman has once given his word, he is a slave to -it, no matter the person to whom he has given it, or the colour of his -skin." - -"Very good, then, Mr. Edward, pray act as you think proper. I have no -right to thrust my advice on you. You are a better judge than myself of -how you are bound to act. So, be easy. I will not mention it again." - -"Thank you." - -"All that is very good, but what are we going to do now?" - -"What we are going to do? I suppose you mean what are you going to do?" - -"No, Mr. Edward, I said exactly what I meant; you understand that I am -not going to leave you alone in this nest of serpents, I hope!" - -"On the contrary, you will do so directly." - -"I?" the hunter said, with a loud laugh. - -"Yes, you, my friend; you must." - -"Bah! why so, pray, if you remain?" - -"That is the very reason." - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"You know that I do not understand you at all," he said. - -"Yet it is very clear," the Count answered. - -"Hum! that is possible, but not to me." - -"What, you do not understand that we must avenge ourselves?" - -"Oh, of course, I understand that, Mr. Edward." - -"How can we hope to succeed, if you insist on remaining here?" - -"Because you remain," the hunter said, obstinately. - -"With me it is very different, my good fellow. I remain, because I have -given my word; while you are free to go and come, and must therefore -profit by it to leave the camp. Once in the prairie, nothing can be -easier for you than to join some of our friends. It is evident that -my worthy Ivon, coward as he fancies himself, is working actively at -this moment for my deliverance; so see him, come to an understanding -with him, for though it is true I cannot leave this place, I cannot, on -the other hand, prevent my friends liberating me; if they succeed, my -parole will be suspended, and nothing will hinder my following them. Do -you understand me now?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward; but I confess that I cannot make up my mind to leave -you alone, among these red devils." - -"Do not trouble yourself about that, Bright-eye; I run no danger by -remaining with them; they have too much respect for me; besides, Natah -Otann well knows how to defend me, should it be needful. So, my friend, -start at once. You will serve me better by going, than by insisting on -remaining here, where your presence, in the event of danger, would be -more injurious than useful to me." - -"You are a better judge than I in such a matter, sir; as you insist on -it, I will go," the hunter said, with a mournful shake of his head. - -"Above all, be prudent, do not expose yourself to risk in quitting the -camp." - -The hunter smiled disdainfully. - -"You know," he said, "that the Redskins cannot harm me." - -"That is true; I forgot it," the young man said, laughingly; "so, -good-bye, my friend, stay no longer, but go, and joy be with you." - -"Good-bye, Mr. Edward; will you not give me a shake of the hand before -we part, not knowing whether we shall ever meet again?" - -"Most gladly, for are we not brothers?" - -"That is famous," the hunter said, joyfully, as he pressed the Count's -offered hand. - -The two men presently separated. The Count fell back on the pile of -furs that served as his bed, while the hunter, after assuring himself -that his arms were in good condition, quitted the tent. With his rifle -under his arm, and head erect, he crossed the camp. The Indians did not -seem at all to trouble themselves at the hunter's presence among them, -and allowed him to depart unimpeded. - -Bright-eye, when he had gone about two musket shots from the camp, -stopped, and began reflecting on what was best to be done to liberate -the Count; after a few moments' reflection, his mind was made up, and -he proceeded toward the squatter's settlement with that long trot -peculiar to the hunters. - -When he reached the clearing, the squatter was holding a conference -with Ivon and the party sent by Major Melville. His arrival was greeted -with a hurrah of delight. - -The North Americans were considerably embarrassed. Mrs. Margaret, in -spite of the exclusive details she had obtained about Natah Otann's -plans, and the movements of the Indians, had only made an incomplete -report to the Major, from the simple reason, that the old Sachems of -the Allied Nations kept their deliberations so secret, that Red Wolf, -despite all his cleverness and craft, had himself picked up but a -slight part of the plan the Chiefs proposed to follow. The scouts, -sent out in all directions, had brought in startling reports about the -movements of the Blackfeet; the Indians appeared resolved to strike -a grand blow this time; all the Missouri nations had responded to -Natah Otann's appeal; the tribes arrived one after the other, to join -the coalition, so that their number now attained four thousand, and -threatened not to stop then. - -Fort Mackenzie was surrounded on all sides by invisible enemies, who -had completely cut off the communication with the other settlements of -the Fur Company, and rendered the Major's position extremely critical. -Thus the hunters were greatly perplexed; and during the many hours -they had been deliberating, they had only hit on insufficient or -impracticable means to relieve the fortress. - -The White men have only succeeded in holding their own in Western -America by the divisions they have managed to sow among the aborigines -of the continent; whenever the latter have remained united, the -Europeans have failed, as witness the Araucanos of Chili, whose small -but valiant republic has maintained its independence to the present -day; or the Seminoles of Louisiana, who have only lately been conquered -after a desperate contest, carried on with all the rules of modern -warfare, and many other Indian nations, whose names we could easily -quote, if necessary, in support of our arguments. - -This time the Indians seemed to have understood the importance of open -and energetic action. The several Chiefs had, ostensibly at least, -forgotten all their hatred and jealousies, to destroy the common enemy. -Thus the Americans, in spite of their approved bravery, trembled at -the mere thought of the war of extermination they would have to sustain -against enemies exasperated by a long series of vexations, when they -counted their numbers, and saw how weak they were, compared to the -warriors preparing to crush them. The council, interrupted for a moment -by Bright-eye's arrival, immediately assembled again, and the debate -was continued. - -"By heaven!" John Black exclaimed, angrily, as he smote his thigh with -his fist, "I confess that I have no luck, everything turns against -me; hardly have I settled here, whither everything made me forebode a -prosperous future, than I am dragged, in spite of myself, into a war -with these vagabond savages. Who knows how it will end? It is plain to -me that we shall all lose our scalps. That is a pleasant prospect for a -man who is anxious to raise his family honourably by his labour." - -"That is not the question at this moment," Ivon said; "we have to save -my master at all risks. What! you are all afraid to fight when it is -almost your trade? and you have done hardly anything else during your -lives; while I, who am known to be a remarkable coward, do not hesitate -to risk my scalp to save my master." - -"You do not understand me, Master Ivon; I do not say that I am afraid -to fight the Indians; heaven guard me from fearing these Pagans, whom -I despise. Still, I believe that an honest and laborious man, like -myself, may be permitted to deplore the consequences of a war with -these demons. I know too well all I and my family owe to the Count, -to hesitate in hurrying to his help, whatever the result may be. The -little I possess was his gift, I have not forgotten it, and even were I -to fall, I would do my duty." - -"Bravo! that is what I call speaking," Ivon replied, joyously; "I was -certain you would not hang back." - -"Unfortunately," Bright-eye objected, "all this does not advance -matters much. I do not see how we can serve our friends. These red -devils fall upon us more numerous than locusts in June. We may kill -many of them, but in the end they will crush us by their weight." - -This sad truth, perfectly understood by the auditors, plunged them into -dull grief, A material impossibility cannot be discussed; it must be -submitted to. The Americans felt an imminent catastrophe coming on, and -their despair was augmented by the consciousness of their impotence. -Suddenly the cry "To arms!" several times repeated outside, made -them bound on their seats. Each seized his weapons, and ran out. The -cry, which had broken up the conference, was raised by William, the -squatter's son. - -All eyes were turned on the prairie, and the hunters perceived, with -secret terror, that William was not mistaken. A large band of Indian -warriors, dressed in their grand war paint, was galloping over the -plain, and rapidly approaching the clearing. - -"Hang it!" Bright-eye muttered, "matters are getting worse. I must -confess that these most accursed Pagans have made enormous progress in -military tactics. If they continue, they will soon give us a lesson." - -"Do you think so?" Black asked, anxiously. - -"Confound it!" the hunter replied, "it is evident to me that we -are about to be attacked, I now know the plan of the Redskins as -thoroughly as if they had explained it to me themselves." - -"Ah!" Ivon said, curiously. - -"Judge for yourselves," the hunter continued; "the Indians intend to -attack simultaneously all the posts occupied by white men, in order to -render it impossible for them to help one another. That is excessively -logical on their parts. In that way they will have a cheap bargain of -us, and massacre us in detail. Hum! the man who commands them is a -rough adversary for us. My lads, we must make up our minds gaily. We -are lost, that is as plain to me as if the scalping knife was already -in our hair. All left to us is to fall bravely." - -These words, pronounced in the cool and placid tone usual with the wood -ranger, caused all who heard them to shudder. - -"I alone, perhaps," Bright-eye added, carelessly, "shall escape the -common fate." - -"Bah!" Ivon said; "you, old hunter, why so?" - -"Why?" he said, with a sarcastic smile, "because, as you are perfectly -aware, the Indians cannot kill me." - -"Ah!" Ivon remarked, stupefied by this reason, and gazing on his friend -with admiration. - -"That is the state of the case," Bright-eye ended his address, and -stamped his rifle on the ground. - -In the meanwhile the Redskins advanced rapidly. The band was composed -of one hundred and fifty warriors at least, the majority armed with -guns, which proved they were picked men. At the head of the band, and -about ten yards in advance, galloped two horsemen, probably Chiefs. The -Indians stopped just out of range of the entrenchments; then, after -consulting together for a few minutes, a horseman left the group, and, -riding within pistol shot of the palisades, he waved a buffalo robe. - -"Eh! eh! Master Black," Bright-eye said, with a cunning smile, "that -is addressed to you as the chief of the garrison. The Redskins wish to -parley." - -"Ah!" the-American said, "I have a great mind to send a bullet after -that rascal parading down, as my sole answer," and he raised his rifle. - -"Mind what you are about," the hunter said, "you do not know the -Redskins. So long as the first shot is not fired, there is a chance of -treating with them." - -"Suppose, old hunter," Ivon said, "you were to do something?" - -"What is it, my prudent friend?" the Canadian asked. - -"Why, as you are not afraid of being killed by the Redskins, suppose -you go to them. Perhaps you could arrange matters with them." - -"Stay! that is a good idea. No one can say what may happen. I will go. -That will be the best, after all. Will you accompany me, Ivon?" - -"Why not?" the latter answered; "with you, I am not afraid." - -"Well, that is settled, then. Open the gate for us, Master Black; but -keep a good lookout during our absence, and, on the first suspicious -movement, fire on these heathens." - -"Do not alarm yourself, old hunter," the latter said, squeezing his -hand cordially; "I should not like any harm to happen to you, for you -are a man." - -"I believe so," the Canadian said, with a laugh; "but what I say to you -is more for this worthy fellow's sake than mine, for I assure you I am -quite easy on my own account." - -"No matter, I will watch these demons carefully." - -"That can do no harm." - -The gate was opened. Bright-eye and Ivon went down the hill, and went -toward the horseman, who was patiently awaiting them. - -"Ah! ah!" Bright-eye muttered, as soon as he drew near enough to -recognize the rider; "I fancy that our affairs are not quite so well as -I suspected." - -"Why so?" Ivon asked. - -"Look at that warrior. Do you not see it is Red Wolf?" - -"That is true. Well?" - -"Well, I have reasons for believing that he is not so great an enemy as -he appears to be." - -"Are you sure of it?" - -"Silence! we shall soon see." - -The three men saluted each other courteously in the Indian fashion, by -laying the right hand on the heart, and holding out the other open, -with the fingers apart and the palm turned outwards. - -"My brother is welcome among his Paleface brothers," Bright-eye said; -"does he come to sit at the council fire, and smoke the calumet in my -wigwam?" - -"The hunter will decide. Red Wolf comes as a friend," the Indian -answered. - -"Good," the Canadian remarked; "did Red Wolf then fear treachery from -his friend, that he brought so large a body of warriors with him?" - -The Blackfoot smiled cunningly. - -"Red Wolf is a chief among the Kenhas," he said, "his tongue is not -forked. The words that pass his lips come from his heart. The Chief -wishes to serve his Pale friends. - -"Wah!" Bright-eye said, "the Chief has spoken well. His words have -sounded pleasantly in my ears. What does my brother desire?" - -"To sit at the council fire of the Palefaces, and explain to them the -reasons that bring him here." - -"Good. Will my brother go alone among the white men?" - -"No! another person will accompany the Chief." - -"And who is this person in whom so great a Chief as my brother places -confidence?" - -"The She-Wolf of the prairies." - -Bright-eye suppressed a movement of joy. - -"Good," he went on, "my brother can come with the She-Wolf. The -Palefaces will receive them kindly." - -"My brother, the hunter, will announce the visit of his friends." - -"Yes, Chief, I will go at once and do so." - -The conference was over. The three men separated, after again saluting, -and Bright-eye and Ivon hurried back to the entrenchments. - -"Victory!" the hunter said, on arriving, "we are saved!" - -All pressed round him, greedy to learn the details of the conference, -and Bright-eye satisfied the general curiosity without a moment's delay. - -"Ah!" Black said, "if the old lady is with them we are, indeed, saved," -and he rubbed his hands joyfully. - -After having failed so unluckily in the snare she had laid for Natah -Otann, Mrs. Margaret, far from being discouraged, felt her desire of -revenge increased; and, without losing time in regretting the check she -had undergone, she immediately drew up her plans, for she had reached -that pitch of rage when a person is completely blinded by hatred, and -goes onward regardless of consequences. Ten minutes after leaving the -Sachem, she quitted the camp, accompanied by Red Wolf, who, by her -orders, led off the warriors he commanded and started for the clearing. - -Bright-eye had scarce given his friends the information they desired, -ere Margaret and Red Wolf entered the stockade, where they were -received with the greatest affability by the trappers, and especially -by Black, who was delighted to find that his clearing was not menaced, -and that the storm was turning from him to burst elsewhere. - -Let us now return to Fort Mackenzie, where, at this very moment, events -of the utmost importance were occurring. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE ATTACK. - - -White Buffalo and Natah Otann had drawn up their strategic arrangements -with remarkable skill. The two Chiefs had scarce formed their camp in -the clearing, ere they assembled the Sachems of the other tribes camped -not far from them, in order to combine their movement, so as to attack -the Americans simultaneously from all points. - -Though the Redskins are excessively cunning, the Americans had -succeeded in thoroughly deceiving them, in the gloom and silence that -prevailed through the fort, for not a single bayonet could be seen -glistening behind its parapets. Leaving their horses concealed in the -forest, the Indians lay down on the ground, and, crawling through the -tall grass like reptiles, began crossing the space that separated them -from the ramparts. - -All was still apparently gloomy and silent, and yet two thousand -intrepid warriors were crawling up in the shadow to attack a fortress -behind which forty resolute men only waited for the signal to be given, -and commence the attack. When all the orders had been given, and the -last warriors had quitted the hill, Natah Otann, whose perspicuous -eye had discovered a certain hesitation of evil omen in the minds of -the allied chiefs, resolved to make that final appeal to the Count to -secure his co-operation. We have already seen the result. When left -alone, Natah Otann gave the signal for attack; the Indians rushed like -a hurricane down the sides of the hill, and ran towards the fort, -brandishing their arms, and uttering their war yell. Suddenly a heavy -discharge was heard, and Fort Mackenzie was begirt with smoke and -dazzling flashes. The battle had commenced. - -The plain was invaded, as far as eye could trace, by powerful -detachments of Indian warriors, who, converging on one point, marched -resolutely toward the fort, incessantly discharging their bullets at -it; while new bands could be seen constantly arriving from the place -where the chain of hills abuts on the Missouri. They came up at a -gallop, in parties of from three to twenty men; their horses were -covered with foam, which led to the presumption that they had come a -long distance. The Blackfeet were in their war attire, loaded with all -sorts of ornaments and arms, with bow and quiver on their backs, and -musket in hand, while their heads were crowned with feathers, some -of which were the magnificent black and white eagle plumes. They were -seated on handsome saddle cloths of panther skin, lined with red; the -upper part of the body was naked, with the exception of a long strip -of wolf skin passing over the shoulder as a cross belt, while their -bucklers were adorned with feathers and cloth of various colours. - -These men, thus accoutred, had something imposing and majestic about -them, which affected the imagination, and inspired terror. - -The struggle seemed most obstinate in the environs of the fort, and on -the hill. The Blackfeet, sheltered by tall palisades planted during -the night, replied to the Americans' fire with an equally rapid fire, -exciting each other, with wild cries, courageously to resist the attack -of their implacable foes. The defence was, however, as vigorous as the -assault, and the combat did not appear destined to terminate so soon. -Already many corpses lay on the ground, startled horses galloped in -every direction, and the shrieks of the wounded mingled at intervals -with the defiant shouts of the assailants. - -Natah Otann, so soon as the signal had been given, ran off to the tent -where his prisoner was. - -"The moment has arrived," he said to him. - -"I am ready," the Count answered, "go on. I will keep constantly at -your side." - -"Come on, then!" - -They went out, and at once rushed into the thickest fight. The Count, -as he had said, was unarmed, raising his head fiercely at each bullet -that whistled past his ear, and smiling at the death which he, perhaps, -invoked in his heart. In spite of his contempt for the white race, -the Indian could not refrain from admiring this courage, which was so -frankly and nobly stoical. - -"You are a man," he said to the Count. - -"Did you ever doubt it?" the latter remarked, simply. - -Still the combat became, with each moment, more obstinate. The Indians -rushed forward, roaring like lions, against the palisades of the fort, -and were killed without flinching; their bodies almost filled up the -moat. The Americans, compelled to make a front on all sides, defended -themselves with the methodical and resolute impassiveness of men who -know they have no help to expect, and who have made up their minds to -sell their lives dearly. - -From the beginning of the fight, White Buffalo had, with a picked body -of men, held the hill that commanded Fort Mackenzie, which rendered -the position of the garrison still more precarious, for they were -thus exposed to a terrible and well-sustained fire, which caused them -irreparable loss, regard being had to the smallness of their numbers. -Major Melville, standing at the foot of the flagstaff, with his arms -crossed on his breast, a pallid brow and compressed lips, saw his men -fall one after the other, and he stamped his foot with rage at his -impotence to save them. - -Suddenly, a terrific shriek of agony rose from the interior of -the buildings, and the wives of the soldiers and _engages_ rushed -simultaneously into the square, flying, half mad with terror, from an -enemy still invisible. The Indians, guided by White Buffalo, had turned -the fortress, and discovered a secret entrance which the Major fancied -known to himself alone, and which, in case of a serious attack and -impossibility of defence, would serve the garrison in effecting its -retreat. From this moment the Americans saw that they were lost; it -was no longer a battle, but a massacre. The Major, followed by a few -resolute men, rushed into the buildings, and the Indians scaled on all -sides the palisades, now deprived of protection. - -The few surviving Americans collected round the flagstaff, from the top -of which floated the starry banner of the United States, and strove to -sell their lives as dearly as possible, for they feared most falling -alive into the bands of their implacable enemies. The Indians replied -to the hurrahs of their foes by their terrific war cry, and bounded -on them like coyotes, brandishing over their heads the blood-stained -weapons. - -"Down with your arms!" Natah Otann shouted, on reaching the scene of -action. - -"Never!" the Major replied, rushing on him at the head of the few -soldiers still left him. - -The melee recommenced, more ardently and implacable than before. The -Indians rushed about in every direction, throwing torches on the roofs, -which immediately caught fire. The Major saw that victory was hopeless, -and tried to effect his retreat. But that was not so easy; there was -no chance of climbing over the palisades; the only prospect was the -gate; but before that gate, the Blackfeet, skilfully posted, repulsed -with their lances those who tried to escape by it. Still there was no -alternative. The Major rallied his men for a final effort, and rushed -with incredible fury on the enemy, with the hope of cutting his way -through. - -The collision was horrible--it was not a battle, but a butchery; foot -to foot, chest against chest--in which the men seized each other -round the waist, killed each other with knives, or tore the foe with -teeth and nails: those who fell did not rise again--the wounded were -finished at once. This frightful carnage lasted about a quarter of an -hour; two-thirds of the Americans succumbed; the rest managed to force -a passage and fled, closely pursued by the Indians, who then commenced -a horrible manhunt. Never, until this day, had the Redskins fought the -Whites with such fury and tenacity. The presence among them of the -Count, disarmed and smiling, who, although rushing into the thickest -of the contest by the side of the Chief, appeared invulnerable, -electrified them, and they really believed that Natah Otann had told -them the truth--and that the Count was that Motecuhzoma they had waited -so long, and whose presence would restore them for ever that liberty -which the White men had torn from them. Thus they had kept their eyes -constantly fixed on the young man, saluting him with noisy shouts of -joy, and redoubling their efforts to secure the victory. Natah Otann -rushed toward the American flag, tore it down, and wound it over his -head. - -"Victory--victory!" he shouted, joyfully. - -The Blackfeet responded to this cry with yells, and spread in every -direction to begin plundering. A few men still remained in the fort, -among them being the Major, who did not wish to survive his defeat. -The Indians, rushed upon him with loud yells, to massacre him, but the -veteran remained calm, and did not offer to defend himself. - -"Stay!" the Count shouted; and turning to Natah Otann, said,--"Will you -let this brave soldier be assassinated in cold blood?" - -"No," the Sachem answered, "if he consents to surrender his sword to -me." - -"Never!" the old gentleman said, with energy, as he broke across his -knee his weapon, blood-stained to the hilt, threw the pieces at the -Chief's feet, and, crossing his arms, he regarded his victor with -supreme contempt, as he said-- - -"Kill me now; I can no longer defend myself." - -"Bravo!" the Count exclaimed; and, not calculating the consequences -of the deed, he went up to the Major, and cordially pressed his hand. -Natah Otann regarded the two for an instant with an indefinable -expression. - -"Oh!" he muttered to himself, with sorrow; "we may beat them, but we -shall never conquer them: these men are stronger than we; they are born -to be our masters." - -Then raising his hand above his head. - -"Enough!" he said, in a loud voice. - -"Enough!" the Count repeated, "respect the conquered." - -That which the Sachem could not have obtained, in spite of the respect -the Indians had for him, the Count obtained instantaneously, through -the superstitious veneration he inspired them with; they stopped, and -the carnage finally ceased; the Americans were disarmed in a second, -and the Redskins remained masters of the fort. - -Natah Otann then took his totem from the hands of the warrior who bore -it, and, after swinging it several times in the air, hoisted it in the -place of the American flag, in the midst of the frenzied shouts of the -Indians, who, intoxicated with joy, could hardly yet believe in their -victory. - -White Buffalo had not lost a moment in assuring himself of the -peaceful possession of a conquest which had cost the confederates so -much blood and toil. When the Sachems had restored some little order -among their warriors; when the fire, that threatened the destruction -of the fort, had been extinguished; and all precautions taken against -any renewal of the attack by the Americans--though that was very -improbable--Natah Otann and White Buffalo withdrew to the apartment -hitherto occupied by the Major, and the Count followed them. - -"At length," the young Count exclaimed, with delight, "we have proved -to these haughty Americans that they are not invincible." - -"Your weakness caused their strength," White Buffalo replied. "You have -made a good beginning, and now you must go on; it is not enough to -conquer; you must know how to profit by that victory." - -"Pardon my interrupting you, gentlemen," the Count said; "but I fancy -the hour has arrived to settle our accounts." - -"What do you mean, sir?" White Buffalo asked, haughtily. - -"I will explain myself, sir," the Count continued, and, turning to Natah -Otann, "you will do me the justice to allow that I have scrupulously -kept the promise I made you; in spite of the grief and disgust I felt, -I did not fail once; you ever found me cold and calm at your side. Is -this not so?--answer, sir." - -"It is true," Natah Otann replied, coldly. - -"Very good, sir; it is now my turn to ask from you the fulfilment of -the promises you made me." - -"Be a little more explicit, sir," the Chief said. "During the last -few hours I have been actor in and witness of so many extraordinary -things, that I may possibly have forgotten what I did promise you." - -The Count smiled with disdain. - -"I expected such trickery," he said, drily. - -"You misinterpret my words. I may have forgotten, but I do not refuse -to satisfy your just claims." - -"Very good; I admit that, so I will remind you of the stipulations made -between us." - -"I shall be glad to hear them." - -"I pledged myself to remain by yourself unarmed during the action, -to follow you everywhere, and ever to go in the first rank of the -combatants." - -"That is true, and it is my duty to allow that you have nobly performed -that perilous task." - -"Very well; but in doing so I only acted as my honour dictated; you, -on your part, pledged yourself whatever the issue of the battle might -be, to grant me my liberty, and give me an honourable satisfaction, -in reparation for the unworthy treachery of which you rendered me the -victim, and the odious part you forced me unconsciously to play." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said, frowning, and striking the table with his -fists. "Did you really make such a promise as that, child?" - -The Count turned to the old man with a gesture sovereign contempt. - -"I believe, sir," he said, "that you are doubting the honour of a -gentleman." - -"Nonsense, sir," the republican said, with a grin "How can you talk to -us of honour and nobility? You forget that we are in the desert, and -that you are addressing savage Indians, as you call us. Do we recognize -your foolish caste distinctions here? Have we adopted your laws and -absurd prejudices?" - -"What you treat so cavalierly," the Count sharply retorted, "has -hitherto been the safeguard of civilization, and the cause of -intellectual progress; but I have nothing to discuss with you; I am -addressing myself to your adopted son; let him answer me, yes or no, -and I shall then know what remains for me to do." - -"Be it so, sir," White Buffalo said, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Let my son answer, and, according to his reply, I shall then know what -remains for me to do." - -"As this affair concerns me alone," Natah Otann interposed, "I should -feel mortally offended, my friend, if you interfered in any way in it." - -The White Buffalo smiled with contempt, but made no reply. Natah Otann -continued-- - -"I will employ no subterfuges with you, sir; you have spoken the truth; -I promised you liberty and satisfaction, and I am prepared to keep my -word." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said. - -"Silence!" the Chief ordered, peremptorily. "Listen, my friend; -prove to these Europeans, so vain and so proud of their so-called -civilization, that the Redskins are not the ferocious brutes they -imagine them, and that the code of honour is the same among nations -who are regarded as the most barbarous. You are free, sir, from this -moment, and, if you please, I will myself lead you in safety outside -the lines. As for the duel you desire, I am equally ready to satisfy -you in any way you may indicate." - -"Thank you, sir," the Count answered, with a bow, "I am happy to hear -your determination." - -"Now that affair is arranged between us, allow me to add a few words." - -"I am listening to you, sir." - -"Am I in the way?" White Buffalo asked, ironically. - -"On the contrary," Natah Otann said, with emphasis, "your presence is -at this moment more necessary than ever." - -"Ah, ah! what is going to happen?" the old man went on, in a sarcastic -tone. - -"You will learn," the Chief said, still cold and impassive; "if you -will take the trouble to listen to me for five minutes." - -"Be it so; speak." - -Natah Otann seemed to be collecting himself for a few moments, and -said, in a voice which, spite of all his efforts to conceal it, -trembled slightly, through some hidden emotion,-- - -"Owing to events too long to narrate here, and which I would probably -possess but slight interest for you, I became the guardian of a child, -who is now a charming maiden. This girl, to whom I have ever paid the -greatest attention, and whom I love as a father, is known to you; her -name is Prairie-Flower." - -The Count quivered, and made a gesture in affirmation, but no other -reply. Natah Otann continued,-- - -"As I am entering now on a hazardous expedition, in which I may meet -my death, it is impossible for me to watch longer over this girl; it -would be painful to me to leave her alone, and without support, among -my tribe, if destiny were to cause my plans to fail. I know that she -loves you, I entrust her to you frankly and honestly; I have full faith -in your honour--will you give to her protection? I know that you will -never abuse the trust I offer you; I am only a brutalized Indian, -a monster, perhaps, to your civilization; but, believe me, sir, the -lessons a great man has consented to give me have not been all lost, -and my heart is not so dead, as might be supposed, to finer feelings." - -"Good, Natah Otann," White Buffalo said, joyfully; "good, my son. Now I -recognize my pupil, and I am proud of you; the man who succeeds in each -a victory over self is really born to command others." - -"You are satisfied," the Chief answered; "all the better. And you, sir? -I await your answer." - -"I accept the sacred trust you offer me, sir. I will be worthy of your -confidence," the Count answered, with much emotion. "I have no right to -judge your actions; but, believe, sir, that whatever may happen, there -will be always one man to defend your memory, and proclaim aloud the -nobility of your heart." - -The Chief clapped his hands, the door opened, and Prairie-Flower -appeared, led by an Indian woman. - -"Child," Natah Otann said to her, nothing evincing the violence he did -to his feelings, "your presence among us is henceforth impossible; -this Chief of the Palefaces consents to watch over you for the future; -follow him, and if at times you are reminded of your stay with the -tribe of the Kenhas, do not curse them or their Chief, for all have -been kind to you." - -The maiden blushed, the tears rose to her eyes, a nervous tremor -agitated her limbs, and, without uttering a word, she took her place by -the Count's side. Natah Otann smiled sorrowfully. - -"Follow me," he said, "I will escort you out of the camp." - -And he went out, accompanied by the two young people. - -"We shall soon meet again, I presume, noble Count?" White Buffalo -called out, after his countryman. - -"I hope so," the latter answered, simply. - -Guided by Natah Otann, the Count and his companion left the fort, and -entered the prairie, passing through groups of Redskins, who stood back -respectfully to make room for them. Their walk was silent; it lasted -about half an hour, until the Chief stopped. - -"Here you have nothing more to fear," he said; and going to a dense -thicket, and pulling back the branches, "Here are two horses I had -prepared for you; take also these weapons, perhaps you will need them; -and now, if you wish to fight with me, I am ready." - -"No," the Count answered, nobly, "any combat is henceforth impossible -between us; I can no longer be the enemy of a man whom honour orders me -to esteem; here is my hand, I will never lift it against you; I offer -it you frankly, and without any afterthought; unfortunately, too deep -a hatred divides our two races to prevent us being ere long opposed to -each other, but if I fight your brothers, I shall not the less remain -personally your friend." - -"I ask no more of you," the Chief replied, as he pressed the hand -offered him; "farewell! be happy!" - -And without adding a word, he turned away, and hurried back by the road -he had come; he soon disappeared in the darkness. - -"Let us go," the Count said to the maiden, who was pensively watching -the departure of the man she had so long loved as a father, and whom -now she did not feel strong enough to hate. They mounted and went off, -after a parting glance at the scattered fire of the Blackfoot camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The night was gloomy, cold, and mournful; not a star shone in the sky, -and the young people only forced their way with extreme difficulty -through the shrubs and creepers, in which their horses' feet were -continually caught. They advanced very slowly, for both were too -absorbed by the strange situation in which they found themselves, and -the extraordinary events of which they had been actors or witnesses, to -break the silence they had maintained since leaving the fort. They went -on thus for about an hour, when a great noise was suddenly heard in the -bushes. Two men rushed to the horses' heads, and, seizing the bridles, -compelled them to stop. Prairie-Flower gave a shriek of terror. - -"Halloh, brigands!" the Count shouted, as he cocked his pistols, "back, -or I fire." - -"Do not do so, for goodness sake, sir, for you would run the risk of -killing a friend," a voice at once answered, which the Count recognized -as the hunter's. - -"Bright-eye?" he said, in amazement. - -"By Jove!" the latter said, "did you fancy, pray, that I had deserted -you?" - -"My master, my kind master!" the Breton shouted, leaving hold of -Prairie-Flower's bridle, and rushing toward the young man. - -"Halloh!" the Count continued, after the emotion caused by the first -surprise was slightly calmed, "what on earth are you doing here in -ambush, like pirates of the prairie?" - -"Come to our encampment, Mr. Edward, and we will tell you." - -"Very good; but lead the way." - -They soon reached the entrance of a natural cavern, where, by the -uncertain light of an expiring fire, they perceived a large number -of white and half-bred hunters, among whom the Count recognized John -Black, his son, his wife, and daughter. The worthy squatter had left -the clearing under the charge of his two servants, and fearing lest his -wife and daughter might not be in safety during his absence, he asked -them to accompany him; and though this offer was somewhat singular, -they gladly accepted it. Prairie-Flower immediately took her place by -the side of the two ladies. - -Bright-eye, the squatter, and above all Ivon, were impatient to learn -what had happened to the Count, and how he had succeeded in escaping -from the Redskin camp. The Count made no difficulty in satisfying their -curiosity; the more so, as he was eager to learn for what reason his -friends were ambuscaded so near the camp. - -What the hunter had foreseen had really happened; scarce victors -over the Americans, and masters of the fort, disunion had set in -among the Redskins. Several Chiefs had been dissatisfied at seeing, -to their prejudice, Natah Otann, one of the youngest Sachems of the -Confederates, claim the profits of the victory, by installing himself, -with his tribe, in the fort, which all had captured at such an effusion -of blood; a dull discontentment had begun to prevail among them; five -or six of the most powerful even spoke, hardly two hours after the -victory, of withdrawing with their warriors, and leaving Natah Otann to -continue the war as he thought proper with the Whites. - -Red Wolf had found but slight difficulty in commencing the work of -defection he meditated; thus, at nightfall, he entered the camp with -his warriors, and began fanning the flame which at present only -smouldered, but which must soon be a burning and devouring fire, owing -to the means of corruption the Chief had at his disposal. Of all -the destructive agents introduced by Europeans in America, the most -effective and terrible is, indubitably, spirits. With the exception of -the Comanches, whose sobriety is proverbial, and who have constantly -refused to drink anything but the water of their streams, all the -Indians are mad for strong liquors. Drunkenness among their primitive -race is terrible, and attains the proportions of a furious mania. - -Red Wolf, who burned to avenge himself on Natah Otann, and who, -besides, blindly obeyed the insinuations of Mrs. Margaret, had -conceived an atrocious plan, which only an Indian born was capable of -forming. John Black had brought with him into the desert a considerable -stock of whiskey. Red Wolf had asked for this, placed it on sledges, -and thus entered the camp. The Indians, when they knew the species of -merchandize he brought with him, did not hesitate to give him a hearty -reception. - -The Chief, while indoctrinating them, and representing Natah Otann to -them as a man who had only acted from personal motives, and with the -intention of satiating his own wild ambition, generously abandoned to -them the spirits he had brought with him. The Indians eagerly accepted -the present Red Wolf made them, and, without the loss of a moment, took -hearty draughts. When Red Wolf saw that the Indians had reached that -state of intoxication he desired, he hastened to warn his allies, so -that they might attempt a bold _coup de main_ on the spot. - -The hunters at once mounted their horses, and proceeded toward the -fortress, concealing themselves about two hundred paces from it, so as -to be ready for the first signal. - -Natah Otann, in crossing the camp after escorting the two young people, -perceived the effervescence prevailing among his allies, and several -unpleasant epithets struck his ear. Although he did not suppose that -the Americans, after the rude defeat they had suffered during the -day, were in a condition to assume the offensive immediately, still, -his thorough knowledge of his countrymen's character made him suspect -treachery, and he resolved to redouble his prudence, in order to avoid -a conflict, whose disastrous results would be incalculable for the -success of his career. Agitated by a gloomy foreboding, the young Chief -hurried on to reach the fort; but at the moment he prepared to enter, -after opening the gate, a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder, while a -rough voice hissed in his ear-- - -"Natah Otann is a traitor." - -The Chief turned, as if a serpent had stung him, and wheeling his heavy -axe round his head, dealt a terrible blow at this bold speaker; but the -latter avoided the stroke by springing on one side, and raising his -axe in his turn, he directed a blow, which the Sachem parried with the -handle of his weapon, and then the two men rushed on each other. There -was something singularly startling in this desperate combat between two -men dumb as shadows, and in whom their fury was only revealed by the -hissing of their breath. - -"Die, dog!" Natah Otann suddenly said, his axe crashing through the -skull of his adversary, who rolled on the ground, with a yell of agony. -The Chief bent over him. - -"Red Wolf," he shouted, "I suspected it." - -Suddenly an almost imperceptible sound in the grass reminded him of the -critical situation in which he was; he made a prodigious bound back, -entered the fort, and bolted the gate after him. It was high time; he -had scarce disappeared, ere some twenty warriors, rushing in pursuit -of him, ran their heads against the gate, stifling cries of rage -and deception. But the alarm had been given, the general combat was -evidently about to begin. - -Natah Otann, immediately on entering the fort, perceived, with a groan, -that this victory, which he had so dearly bought, was on the point of -slipping from him. The Kenhas had done within the fort what the other -Blackfeet, incited by Red Wolf, had effected on the prairie. - -After the capture of the fortress they spread in every direction, and -the spirits did not long escape their search; they had rolled the -barrels into the square, and tapped them, availing themselves of the -White Buffalo being asleep, and the absence of Natah Otann, the only -two men whose influence would have been great enough to have kept -them in subordination. A frightful orgy had then commenced--an Indian -orgy, with all its incidents of murder and massacre. As we have said, -drunkenness in the Redskins is madness carried to the last paroxysm of -fury and rage; there had been a frightful scene of carnage, at the end -of which the Indians had fallen on the top of one another, and gone to -sleep in the midst of the confusion. - -"Oh!" the Chief muttered, in despair. "What is to be done with such -men?" - -Natah Otann rushed, into the room where he had left White Buffalo; the -old Chief was quietly sleeping in an easy chair. - -"Woe! woe!" the young man yelled, as he rushed toward him, and shook -him vigorously, to rouse him. - -"What is the matter?" the old man asked, opening his eyes, and sitting -up. "What news have you?" - -"That we are lost!" the Chief replied. - -"Lost!" the White Buffalo said, "what is happening then?" - -"The six hundred men we had here are drunk, the rest of our -confederates are turning against us, and the only thing left to us is -to die." - -"Let us die then, but as brave men," the old man said, rising. - -He asked Natah Otann for details, which he soon gave him. - -"The situation is grave, but all is not lost, I hope," he said; "let us -collect the few men still capable of fighting, and make head against -the storm." - -At this moment a tremendous fusillade was heard, mingled with war cries -and shouts of defiance. - -"The final struggle has commenced!" Natah Otann exclaimed. - -"Forwards!" the old Chief said. - -They rushed out. The situation was most critical. Major Melville, -taking advantage of the intoxication of his keepers, had broken out of -his prison at the head of some twenty Americans, and boldly charged the -Redskins, while the hunters outside tried to scale the barricades. - -The Indians of the prairie, ignorant of Red Wolf's death, and believing -they were carrying out his plans, advanced, in a compact body, on the -fort, with the intention of carrying it. Natah Otann had to contend -against the enemies without and those within; but he did not despair; -his energy seemed to increase with peril; he was everywhere at once; -encouraging some, rebuking others, and imparting some of his own nerve -to all. At his voice, many of his warriors sprang up, and joined him; -then the battle was organized, and became regular. - -Still the hunters, excited by the Count and Bright-eye, redoubled their -efforts; climbing on each other's backs, they reached the top of the -palisades, which they wished to scale. The Americans, though themselves -surprised, when they expected to surprise their enemies, fought with -indescribable fury, returning instantly to the attack in spite of the -bullets that decimated them, and seemed resolved to fall to the last -man, rather than give way an inch. - -During the two hours that night still lasted, the fight was maintained -without any decided advantage on either side; but when the sun -appeared on the horizon, matters changed at once. In the darkness it -was impossible for the Indians to recognize the enemies against whom -they were fighting; but so soon as the gloom was dissipated, they saw, -combating in the first rank of their enemies, and pitilessly cutting -down the Redskins, the man on whom they counted most, whom their chiefs -and medicine men had announced to them as their leader to victory, who -would render them invincible. Then they hesitated, disorder broke out -among them, and, in spite of the efforts made by Chiefs, they gave way. - -The Count, having at his side Bright-eye, the squatter and his son, -and Ivon, made a frightful butchery of the Indians; he was avenging -himself for the treachery of which they had made him their victim, -and, at each stroke, cut them down like corn ripe for the sickle. The -Count at length reached the gate of the fort; but there he came in -contact with a band of picked warriors, commanded by White Buffalo, -who was effecting his retreat in good order, and without turning his -back, closely pursued by Major Melville, who was already almost master -of the interior of the fortress. There was a moment, we will not say -of hesitation, but of truce between the hostile bands; each of them -understood that the fate of the battle depended on the defeat of the -other. - -Suddenly Natah Otann made his appearance, mad with grief and rage; -brandishing in one hand his totem, he guided with his knees a -magnificent steed, with which he had already ridden several times into -the thickest of the enemies' ranks, in the vain hope of reanimating -the courage of his men, and turning the current of the action. Horse -and rider were bathed in blood and perspiration; the shadow of death -already brooded over the Chiefs contracted face; but his forehead -still shone with enthusiasm. His eyes seemed to flash forth lightning, -and his hand wielded an axe, the very handle of which dripped gore. -Some twenty devoted warriors followed him, wounded like himself, but -resolved, like him, not to survive defeat. - -On reaching the front of the American line, Natah Otann stopped; his -eyebrows were contracted, a nervous smile played round his lips; and, -rising in his stirrups, he bent a fascinating glance around. - -"Blackfeet, my brothers," he shouted, in a strident voice, "as you -know not how to conquer, learn at least from me how to die!" - -And burying his spurs in the flanks of his steed, which shrieked with -pain, he rushed on the Americans, followed by a few warriors who -had sworn not to abandon him. This weak band, devoted to death, was -engulfed in the ranks of the hunters, when it entirely disappeared; -for a few minutes there was a sullen contest, a horrible butchery, an -ebb and flow of courage impossible to describe, a Titanic struggle of -fifteen half naked men against three hundred; gradually the agitation -ceased, the calm returned, and the ranks of the hunters were reformed. -The Blackfeet heroes were dead, but they had a sanguinary funeral, for -one hundred and twenty Americans had fallen, burying their enemies -under their corpses. - -White Buffalo's band alone resisted; but, attacked in the rear by -Major Melville, and in front by the Count, its last hour had struck: -still the collision was rude, the Indians resisted obstinately, and -made the whites purchase their victory dearly; but, attacked on all -sides at once, and falling helplessly under the unerring bullets of the -white men, disorder entered their ranks, they disbanded, and the rout -commenced. - -One man alone remained calm and impassive on the field of battle. It -was White Buffalo, leaning on his long sword; with pallid brow and -haughty look, he still defied the enemies he could no longer combat. - -"Surrender!" Bright-eye shouted, as he rushed upon him; "surrender, or -I will shoot you like a dog." - -The Chief smiled disdainfully, and made no reply. The implacable hunter -seized his rifle by the barrel, and whirled it round his head. The -Count seized him sharply by the arm. - -"Stay, Bright-eye," he said. - -"Let the man alone," White Buffalo said, coldly. - -"I do not wish him to kill you," the young man replied. - -"I suppose you wish to kill me yourself, noble Count of Beaulieu," he -said, in a cutting voice. - -"No, sir," the young man said, with disdain; "throw down your weapons; -I spare your life." - -The exile gave him a withering glance. "Instead of telling me to throw -down my weapons," he said, ironically, "why do you not try to take them -from me." - -"Because I pity your age and your grey hair," - -"Pity? confess rather, O noble Count, that you are afraid." - -At this insult the young man trembled, and his face became livid. The -Americans formed a circle round the two men, and anxiously awaited what -was going to happen. - -"Put an end to this!" Major Melville exclaimed, "kill that mad brute." - -"One moment, sir, I beg; let me settle this affair," - -"As you wish it, air, act as you think proper." - -"You desire a duel then?" the Count said, addressing White Buffalo, who -still stood perfectly calm. - -"Yes," he answered, through his clenched teeth, "a duel to the death! -two principles, and not two men, will contend here. I hate your race, -and you hate mine." - -"Be it so." - -The Count took two sabres from the hands of the men nearest him, and -threw one at the exile's feet. The latter stooped to pick it up, but as -he rose again, Ivon aimed a pistol at him, and blew out his brains. - -The young man turned furiously on his servant. - -"Wretched fellow," he shouted, "what have you done?" - -"Kill me, if you will, sir," the Breton replied, simply, "but indeed it -was stronger than myself, I was so frightened." - -"Come, come," the Major said, interposing, "you must not be angry with -the poor fellow, he fancied he was acting for the best, and for my part -I think he was." - -The incident had no other result; the exile died on the spot, taking -with him the secret of his name. - -While this scene was taking place in the courtyard of the fort, John -Black, who was anxious to reassure his wife and daughter, went to look -for them; but though he went through all the rooms and outbuildings of -the fort, where he had concealed them for a few minutes previously, he -could not possibly find them anywhere. - -The poor squatter returned, with lengthened face and despair in his -soul, to announce to the Major the disappearance of his wife and -daughter, probably carried off by the Indians. Without losing a moment, -the Major ordered a dozen hunters to go in search of the ladies; but -just as the band was about to start, they arrived, accompanied by -Bright-eye and two American hunters. Margaret and her daughter were -with them. So soon as Prairie-Flower perceived the Count, she uttered a -cry of joy, and rushed toward him. - -"Saved!" she exclaimed. - -But all at once she blushed, trembled, and went in confusion to seek -refuge by her mother's side. The Count went up, took her hand, and -pressed it tenderly. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said to her, softly, "do you no longer love me now -that I am free?" - -The maiden raised her head, and looked at him for a moment with -tear-laden eyes. - -"Oh! ever, ever!" she answered. - -"Look, daughter," Mrs. Black said to poor Diana. - -"Mother," she replied, in a firm voice, "did I not tell you that I -should forget him?" - -The squatter's wife shook her head, but made no further remark. The -Indians had fled without leaving a man, and a few hours later the fort -returned to its old condition. - -The winter passed away without any fresh incident, for the rude lesson -given the Indians had done them good. Prairie-Flower, recognized by -her uncle, remained at Fort Mackenzie. The girl was sorrowful and -pensive; she often spent long hours leaning over the parapets, with -her eyes fixed on the prairie and the forests, which were beginning to -reassume their green dress. Her mother and the Major, who were so fond -of her, could not at all understand the gloomy melancholy that preyed -upon her. When pressed to explain what she suffered from, she replied, -invariably, that there was nothing the matter with her. - -One day, however, her face brightened up, and her joyous smile -reappeared. Three travellers arrived at the fort. They were the Count, -Bright-eye, and Ivon; they were returning from a long excursion in -the Rocky Mountains. As soon as he arrived, the Count went up to the -maiden, and took her hand, as he had done three months before. - -"Prairie-Flower," he asked her once again, "do you no longer love me?" - -"Oh! yes, and for ever!" the poor child answered, gently, for she had -grown timid since she gave up her desert life. - -"Thank you," he said to her; and, turning to the Major and his sister, -who were looking at each other anxiously, he added, without loosing -the hand he held,--"Major Melville, and you, Madam, I ask you for this -lady's hand." - -A week later the marriage was solemnized; the squatter and his family -were present. And a month previously, Diana had married James. Still, -when the "yes" was uttered, she could not suppress a sigh. - -"You see, Ivon, that you are never killed by the Indians--and here is a -proof of it," Bright-eye said to the Breton, on leaving the chapel. - -"I am beginning to believe it," the latter made answer, "but no matter, -my friend, I shall never get accustomed to this frightful country; it -makes me so afraid." - -"The old humbug!" the Canadian muttered; "he will never alter." - - * * * * * - -And now, to satisfy certain curious readers who like to know -everything, we will add the following in the shape of a postscript. - -A few months after the 9th Thermidor, several members of the -Convention, in spite of the part they played on that day, were not -the less transported to French Guyana. Two of them--Collot D'Herbois -and Billaud Varenne--succeeded in escaping from Sinnamori, and buried -themselves in the deserts, where they endured horrible sufferings. -Collot D'Herbois succumbed, and we have told his comrade's fate. - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - -***** This file should be named 43925.txt or 43925.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/9/2/43925/ - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Prairie Flower - A Tale of the Indian Border - -Author: Gustave Aimard - -Translator: Lascelles Wraxall - -Release Date: October 10, 2013 [EBook #43925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - - - - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - - - - - -THE PRAIRIE FLOWER - -A TALE OF THE INDIAN BORDER - -BY - -GUSTAVE AIMARD, - -AUTHOR OF - -"THE INDIAN SCOUT," "TRAPPERS OF ARKANSAS," "TRAIL HUNTER," -"GOLD SEEKERS," "BEE HUNTERS," -ETC., ETC. - -LONDON: - -CHARLES HENRY CLARKE, 13 PATERNOSTER ROW, - -1874 - - - - CONTENTS - - - I. A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT - II. A TRAIL DISCOVERED - III. THE EMIGRANTS - IV. THE GRIZZLY BEAR - V. THE STRANGE WOMAN - VI. THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP - VII. THE INDIAN CHIEF - VIII. THE EXILE - IX. THE MASSACRE - X. THE GREAT COUNCIL - XI. AMERICAN HOSPITALITY - XII. THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIE - XIII. THE INDIAN VILLAGE - XIV. THE RECEPTION - XV. THE WHITE BUFFALO - XVI. THE SPY - XVII. FORT MACKENZIE - XVIII. A MOTHER'S CONFESSION - XIX. THE CHASE - XX. INDIAN DIPLOMACY - XXI. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER - XXII. IVON - XXIII. THE PLAN OF THIS CAMPAIGN - XXIV. THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET - XXV. BEFORE THE ATTACK - XXVI. RED WOLF - XXVII. THE ATTACK - XXVIII. CONCLUSION - - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT. - - -America is the land of prodigies! Everything there assumes gigantic -proportions, which startle the imagination and confound the reason. -Mountains, rivers, lakes and streams, all are carved on a sublime -pattern. - -There is a river of North America--not like the Danube, Rhine, or -Rhone, whose banks are covered with towns, plantations, and time-worn -castles: whose sources and tributaries are magnificent streams, the -waters of which, confined in a narrow bed, rush onwards as if impatient -to lose themselves in the ocean--but deep and silent, wide as an arm -of the sea, calm and severe in its grandeur, it pours majestically -onwards, its waters augmented by innumerable streams, and lazily bathes -the banks of a thousand isles, which it has formed of its own sediment. - -These isles, covered with tall thickets, exhale a sharp or delicious -perfume which the breeze bears far away. Nothing disturbs their -solitude, save the gentle and plaintive appeal of the dove, or the -hoarse and strident voice of the tiger, as it sports beneath the shade. - -At certain spots, trees that have fallen through old age, or have -been uprooted by the hurricane, collect on its waters; then, attached -by creepers and concealed by mud, these fragments of forests become -floating islands. Young shrubs take root upon them: the petunia and -nenuphar expand here and there their yellow roses; serpents, birds, and -caimans come to sport and rest on these verdurous rafts, and are with -them swallowed up in the ocean. - -This river has no name! Others in the same zone are called Nebraska, -Platte, Missouri; but this is simply the _Mecha-Chebe_ the old father -of waters, _the_ river before all! the Mississippi in a word! - -Vast and incomprehensible as is infinity, full of secret terrors, like -the Ganges and Irrawaddy, it is the type of fecundity, immensity, and -eternity to the numerous Indian nations that inhabit its banks. - - * * * * * - -Three men were seated on the bank of the river, a little below its -confluence with the Missouri, and were breakfasting on a slice of roast -elk, while gaily chatting together. - -The spot where they were seated was remarkably picturesque. The bank -of the river was formed of small mounds, enamelled with flowers. The -strangers had selected for their halt the top of the highest mound, -whence the eye embraced a magnificent panorama. In the foreground, -dense curtains of verdure which undulated with each breath of air: on -the islands innumerable flocks of dark-winged flamingos, perched on -their long legs, plovers and cardinals fluttering from bough to bough, -while numerous alligators lazily wallowed in the mud. Between the -islands, the silvery patches of water reflected the sunbeams. In the -midst of these masses of coruscating light, fishes of every description -sported on the surface of the water, and traced sparkling furrows. -Further back, as far as the eye could reach, the tops of the trees that -bordered the prairie, and whose dark green scarcely showed upon the -horizon. - -But the three men we have mentioned seemed to trouble themselves very -slightly about the natural beauties that surrounded them, as they -were fully engaged in appeasing a true hunter's appetite. Their meal, -however, only lasted a few minutes, and when the last fragments had -been devoured, one lighted his Indian pipe, the other took a cigar -from his pocket. They then stretched themselves on the grass, and -began digesting with that beatitude which characterizes smokers, while -following with a languid eye the clouds of bluish smoke that rose in -long spirals with each mouthful they puffed forth. As for the third -man, he leant his back against a tree, crossed his arms, on his chest, -and went to sleep most prosaically. - -We will profit by this momentary repose to present these persons to our -readers, and make them better acquainted with each other. The first was -a Canadian half-breed, of about fifty years of age, and known by the -name of "Bright-eye." His life had been entirely spent on the prairie -among the Indians, all of whose tricks he was thoroughly acquainted -with. - -Like the majority of his countrymen he was very tall, more than six -feet in height: his body was thin and angular; his limbs were knotty, -but covered with muscles, hard as ropes; his bony and yellow face had -a remarkable expression of frankness and joviality, and his little grey -eyes sparkled with intelligence; his prominent cheekbones, his nose -bent down over a wide mouth supplied with long white teeth, and his -rounded chin, made up a face which was the most singular, and, at the -same time, the most attractive that could be imagined. - -His dress differed in no respect from that of the other wood rangers; -that is to say, it was a strange medley of European and Indian -fashions, generally adopted by all the white prairie hunters and -trappers. His weapons consisted of a knife, a pair of pistols, and an -American rifle, now lying on the grass, but within reach of his hand. - -His companion was a man of thirty to thirty-two years of age at the -most, but who appeared scarce twenty-five, tall, and well made. His -blue eyes, limpid as a woman's, the long light curls that escaped -beneath the edge of his Panama hat, and floated in disorder on his -shoulders, the whiteness of his skin, which contrasted with the olive -and brown complexion of the hunter, were sufficient evidence that he -was not born in the hot climate of America. - -In fact, this young man was a Frenchman, Charles Edward de Beaulieu, -and was descended from one of the oldest families in Brittany. But, -under this slightly effeminate appearance, he concealed a lion's -courage which nothing could startle or even surprise. Skilled in all -bodily exercises, he was also endowed with prodigious strength, and the -delicate skin of his white and unstained hands, with their rosy nails, -covered nerves of steel. - -The Count's dress would reasonably have appeared extraordinary in a -country remote from civilization to anyone who had leisure to examine -it. He wore a hunting jacket of green cloth, of a French cut, and -buttoned over his chest; yellow doeskin breeches, fastened by a waist -belt of varnished leather; a cartouche box, and a hunting knife in a -bronzed steel sheath, and with an admirably chiselled hilt: while his -legs were covered by long riding boots, coming up over the knee. Like -his companion, he had laid his rifle on the grass: this weapon, richly -damascened, must have cost an enormous sum. - -The Count de Beaulieu, whose father followed the princes into exile -and served them actively, first in Condé's army and then in all the -Royalist plots that were incessantly formed during the Empire, was an -ultra-Royalist. Left an orphan at an early age, and possessed of an -immense fortune, he was nominated a lieutenant in the Gardes du Corps. -After the fall of Charles X., the Count, whose career was broken up, -was assailed by a fearful despondency, and an unenviable disregard for -life filled his heart. Europe became hateful to him, and he resolved -to bid it an eternal farewell. After intrusting the management of his -fortune to a confidential agent, the Count embarked for the United -States. - -But American life, narrow, paltry, and egotistic, was not made for him; -for the young man understood the Americans no better than they did -him. His heart was ulcerated by the meanness and trickery he saw daily -committed by the descendants of the Plymouth Brethren, so he one day -resolved to bury himself in the depths of the country, and visit those -immense prairies whence the first lords of the soil had been driven by -the cunning and treachery of their crafty despoilers. - -The Count had brought with him from France an old servant of the -family, whose progenitors, for many generations, had uninterruptedly -served the Beaulieus. Before embarking, the Count imparted his plans -to Ivon Kergollec, leaving him at liberty to remain behind or follow; -the servant's choice was not long, he simply replied that his master -had the right to do what he pleased without consulting him, and as it -was his duty to follow his master everywhere, he should do so. Even -when the Count formed the resolve of visiting the prairies, and thought -it right to tell his servant his resolution, the answer was still the -same. Ivon was about forty-five years of age, and was a true type of -the hardy, simple, and withal crafty Breton peasant; he was short -and stumpy, but his well-knit limbs and wide chest denoted immense -strength. His brick-coloured face was illumined by two small eyes, -which sparkled with cleverness and flashed like carbuncles. - -Ivon, whose life had been spent calmly and lazily in the gilded halls -of Beaulieu House, had gradually assumed the regular habits of a -nobleman's lackey; having had no occasion to prove his courage, he was -completely ignorant of the possession of that quality, and, although -during the last few months he had been placed in many dangerous -circumstances while following his master, he was still at the same -point, that is to say, he completely doubted himself, and had the -innate conviction that he was as cowardly as a hare; so nothing was -more curious after a meeting with the Indians than to hear Ivon, who -had been fighting like a lion and performing prodigies of valour, -excuse himself humbly to his master for having behaved so badly, as he -was not used to fighting. - -It is needless to say that the Count excused him, while laughing -heartily, and telling him as a consolation--for the poor fellow was -very unhappy at this supposed cowardice--that the next time he would -probably do better, and that he would gradually grow accustomed to this -life, which was so different from that he had hitherto led. At this -consolation the worthy man-servant would nod his head sorrowfully, and -reply, with an accent of thorough conviction:-- - -"No, sir, I can never have any courage. I feel sure of it; it is a sad -truth, but I am a poltroon. I am only too well aware of it." - -Ivon was dressed in a complete suit of livery, though, in regard to -present circumstances, he was, like his companions, armed to the teeth, -and his rifle leant against the tree by his side. - -Three magnificent horses, full of fire and blood, hobbled a few paces -from the hunters, were carelessly browsing on the climbing peas and -young tree shoots. - -We have omitted to mention two peculiarities of the Count. The first -was, he always carried in his right eye a gold eyeglass, fastened round -his neck by means of a black ribbon; the second, that he continually -wore kid gloves, which we confess, greatly to his annoyance, had now -grown very dirty and torn. - -And now, by what strange combination of chance were these three men, -so differing in birth, habits, and education, met together some five -or six hundred leagues from any civilized abode, on the banks of a -river, if not unknown, at any rate hitherto unexplored, seated amicably -on the grass, and sharing a breakfast which was more than frugal? We -can explain this in a few words to the reader by cursorily describing -a scene that occurred in the prairie about six months prior to the -beginning of our narrative. - -Bright-eye was a determined man, who, with the exception of the time -he served the Hudson's Bay Company, had always hunted and trapped -alone, despising the Indians too much to fear them, and finding in -braving them that delight which the courageous man experiences, when, -alone and beneath the eye of Heaven, he struggles, confiding in his -own resources, against a terrible and unknown danger. The Indians -knew and feared him for many a long year. Many times they had come -into collision with him, and they had nearly always been compelled to -retreat, leaving several of their men on the field. Hence they had -sworn against the hunter one of those hearty Indian hatreds which -nothing can satiate save the punishment of the man who is the object of -it. - -But as they knew with what sort of man they had to deal, and did not -care to increase the number of the victims he had already sacrificed, -they resolved to await, with the peculiar patience characteristic of -their race, the propitious moment for seizing their foe, and till then -confine themselves to carefully watching all his movements, so as not -to lose the favourable opportunity when it presented itself. - -Bright-eye at this moment was hunting on the banks of the Missouri. -Knowing himself watched, and instinctively suspecting a trap, he took -all the precautions suggested to him by his inventive mind and the deep -knowledge he possessed of Indian tricks. One day, while exploring the -banks of the river, he fancied he noticed, a slight distance ahead -of him, an almost imperceptible movement in the thick brushwood. He -stopped, lay down, and began crawling gently in the direction of the -thicket. Suddenly the forest seemed agitated to its most unexplored -depths, A swarm of Indians rose from the earth, leaped from the trees, -or rushed from behind rocks; the hunter, literally buried beneath the -mass of his enemies, was reduced to a state of powerlessness, before he -could even make an attempt to defend himself. - -Bright-eye was disarmed in a twinkling; then a chief walked up to him, -and holding out his hand, said coldly-- - -"Let my brother rise; the Redskin warriors are waiting for him." - -"Good, good," the hunter growled; "all is not over yet, Indian, and I -shall have my revenge." - -The chief smiled. - -"My brother is like the mockingbird," he said ironically; "he speaks -too much." - -Bright-eye bit his lips to keep back the insult that rose to them; he -got up and followed his victors. He was a prisoner to the Piékanns, -the most warlike tribe of the Blackfeet; and the chief who had taken -him was his personal enemy. The chief's name was _Natah Otann_ (the -Grizzly Bear). He was a man of five-and-twenty at the most, with a fine -intelligent face, bearing the imprint of honesty. His tall figure, -well-proportioned limbs, the grace of his movements, and his martial -aspect, rendered him a remarkable man. His long black hair, carefully -parted, fell in disorder on his shoulders; like all the renowned -warriors of his tribe, he wore on the back of his head an ermine skin, -and round his neck bears' claws mingled with buffalo teeth, a very -dear and highly-honoured ornament among the Indians. His shirt of -buffalo hide, with short sleeves, was decorated round the neck with a -species of collar of red cloth, ornamented with fringe and porcupine -quills; the seams of the garment were embroidered with hair taken from -scalps, the whole relieved by small bands of ermine skin. His moccasins -of different colours, were loaded with very elegant embroidery, while -his buffalo hide robe was quilted inside with a number of clumsy -designs, intended to depict the young warrior's achievements. - -Natah Otann held in his right hand a fan made of a single eagle's wing, -and, suspended round the wrist from the same hand by a thong, the -short-handled long-lashed whip peculiar to the prairie Indians; on his -back hung his bow and arrows in a quiver of a jaguar's skin; at his -waist a bullet bag, his powder flask, his long hunting knife, and his -club. His shield hung on his left hip, while his gun lay across the -neck of his horse, which wore a magnificent panther skin for a saddle. -The appearance of this savage child of the woods, whose cloak and long -plumes fluttered in the wind, curveting, on a steed as untamed as -himself, had something about it striking, and, at the same time, grand. - -Natah Otann was the first sachem of his tribe. He made the hunter a -sign to mount a horse one of the warriors held by the bridle, and the -whole party proceeded at a gallop towards the camp of the tribe. They -rode onward in silence, and the chief seemed to pay no attention to his -prisoner. The latter, free in appearance, and mounted on an excellent -horse, made not the slightest attempt to escape; at a glance he had -judged the position, saw that the Indians did not lose sight of him, -and that he should be immediately recaptured if he attempted flight. -The Piékanns had formed their camp on the slope of a wooded hill. -For two days they seemed to have forgotten their prisoner, to whom -they never once spoke. On the evening of the second day, Bright-eye -was carelessly walking about and smoking his pipe, when Natah Otann -approached him. - -"Is my brother ready?" he asked him. - -"For what?" the hunter said, stopping and pouring forth a volume of -smoke. - -"To die," the chief continued, laconically. - -"Quite." - -"Good; my brother will die tomorrow." - -"You think so," the hunter replied with great coolness. - -The Indian looked at him for a moment in amazement; then he repeated, -"My brother will die tomorrow." - -"I heard you perfectly well, chief," the Canadian said, with a smile; -"and I repeat again, do you believe it?" - -"Let my brother look," the sachem said, with a significant gesture. - -The hunter raised his head. - -"Bah!" he said, carelessly; "I see that all the preparations are made, -and conscientiously so, but what does that prove? I am not dead yet, I -suppose." - -"No, but my brother will soon be so." - -"We shall see tomorrow," Bright-eye answered, shrugging his shoulders. - -And leaving the astonished chief, he lay down at the foot of a tree -and fell asleep. His sleep was so real, that the Indians were obliged -to wake him next morning at daybreak. The Canadian opened his eyes, -yawned two or three times, as if going to put his jaw out, and got up. -The Redskins led him to the post of torture, to which he was firmly -fastened. - -"Well!" Natah Otann said, with a grin, "what does my brother think at -present?" - -"Eh!" Bright-eye answered, with that magnificent coolness which never -deserted him, "do you fancy that I am already dead?" - -"No, but my brother will be so in an hour." - -"Bah!" the Canadian said, carelessly; "many things can happen within an -hour." - -Natah Otann withdrew, secretly admiring the intrepid countenance of his -prisoner; but, after taking a few steps, he reflected, and returned to -Bright-eye's side. - -"Let my brother listen," he said, "a friend speaks to him." - -"Go on, chief, I am all ears." - -"My brother is a strong man; his heart is great," Natah Otann said; "he -is a terrible warrior." - -"You know something of that, chief, I fancy," the Canadian replied. - -The sachem repressed a movement of anger. - -"My brother's eye is infallible, his arm is sure," he went on. - -"Tell me at once what you want to come to, chief, and don't waste your -time in your Indian beating round the bush." - -The chief smiled as he said, in a gentler voice, "Bright-eye is alone; -his lodge is solitary. Why has not so great a warrior a companion?" - -The hunter fixed a searching glance on the speaker. - -"What does that concern you?" he said. - -Natah Otann continued,-- - -"The nation of the Blackfeet is powerful; the young women of the -Piekann tribe are fair." - -The Canadian quickly interrupted him. - -"Enough, chief," he said; "in spite of all your shiftings to reach your -point, I have guessed your meaning; but I will never take an Indian -girl to be my wife; so you can refrain from further offers, which will -not have a satisfactory result." - -Natah Otann frowned. - -"Dog of the palefaces," he cried, stamping his foot angrily, "this -night my young men will make war whistles of thy bones, and will drink -the firewater out of thy skull." - -With this terrible threat, the chief finally quitted the hunter, who -regarded him depart with a shrug, and muttered, "The last word is -not spoken yet; this is not the first time I have found myself in -a desperate position, but I have escaped; there are no reasons why -I should be less lucky today. Hum! this will serve me as a lesson: -another time I will be more prudent." - -In the meantime the chief had given orders to begin the punishment, -and the preparations were rapidly made. Bright-eye followed all the -movements of the Indians with a curious eye, as if he were a perfectly -unconcerned witness. - -"Yes, yes," he went on, "my fine fellows, I see you; you are preparing -all the instruments for my torture; there is the green wood intended -to smoke me like a ham; you are cutting the spikes you mean to run up -under my nails. Eh, eh!" he added, with a perfect air of satisfaction; -"you are going to begin with firing; let's see how skilful you are. -Ah, what fun it is for you to have a white hunter to torture. The Lord -knows what strange ideas may be passing through your Indian noddles; -but I recommend you to make haste, or it is very possible I may escape." - -During this monologue, twenty warriors, the most skilful of the tribe, -had ranged themselves about one hundred yards from the prisoner; the -firing commenced; the balls all struck within an inch of the hunter's -head, who, at each shot, shook his head like a drowned sparrow, to the -great delight of the spectators. This amusement had gone on for some -twenty minutes, and would probably have continued much longer, so great -was the fun it afforded the Blackfeet; when suddenly a horseman bounded -into the centre of the clearing, dispersed the Indians in his way by -heavy blows of his whip, and profiting by the stupor occasioned by his -unexpected appearance, galloped up to the prisoner, got down, quickly -cut the thongs that bound him, thrust a brace of pistols in his hand, -and remounted. All this was done in less time than it has taken us to -write it. - -"By Tobias!" Bright-eye joyfully exclaimed, "I was quite sure I wasn't -going to die this time." - -The Indians are not the men to allow themselves to be long subdued -by any feeling; the first moment of surprise past, they surrounded -the horseman, shouting, gesticulating, and brandishing their weapons -furiously. - -"Come, make way there, you scoundrels," the newcomer shouted in a -commanding voice, lashing violently at those who had the imprudence to -come too near him. "Let us be off," he added, turning to the hunter. - -"I wish for nothing better," the latter made answer; "but it does not -seem easy." - -"Bah! let us try it, at any rate," the stranger continued, carefully -affixing his glass in his eye. - -"We will," Bright-eye said cheerfully. - -The stranger who had so providentially arrived, was the Count de -Beaulieu, as our readers will probably have conjectured. - -"Hilloh!" the Count shouted loudly, "come here, Ivon." - -"Here I am, my lord," a voice answered from the forest; and a second -horseman, leaping into the clearing, coolly ranged himself by the side -of the first. - -There was something strange in the group formed by these three stoical -men in the midst of the hundreds of Indians yelling around them. The -Count, with his glass in his eye, his haughty glance, and disdainful -lip, was setting the hammer of his rifle. Bright-eye, with a pistol in -each hand, was preparing to sell his life dearly, while the servant -calmly awaited the order to charge the savages. The Indians, furious -at the audacity of the white men, were preparing, with multitudinous -yells and gestures, to take a prompt vengeance on the men who had so -imprudently placed themselves in their power. - -"These Indians are very ugly," the Count said; "now that you are free, -my friend, we have nothing more to do here, so let us be off." - -And he made a sign, as if to force a passage. The Blackfeet moved -forward. - -"Take care," Bright-eye shouted. - -"Nonsense," the Count said, shrugging his shoulders, "can these scamps -intend to bar the way?" - -The hunter looked at him with the air of a man who does not know -exactly if he has to do with a madman or a being endowed with reason, -so extraordinary did this remark seem to him. The Count dug his spurs -into his horse. - -"Well," Bright-eye muttered, "he will be killed, but for all that he is -a fine fellow: I will not leave him." - -In truth it was a critical moment: the Indians, formed in close column, -were preparing to make a desperate charge on the three men--a charge -which would, probably, be decisive, for the Europeans, without shelter, -and entirely exposed to the shots of their enemies, could not hope to -escape. Still, that was not the Count's conviction. Not noticing the -gestures and hostile cries of the Redskins, he advanced towards them, -with his glass still in his eye. Since the Count's apparition, the -Indian sachem, as if struck with stupor at the sight, had not made -a move, but stood with his eyes fixed upon him, under the influence -of extraordinary emotion. Suddenly, at the moment when the Blackfeet -warriors were shouldering their guns, or fitting their arrows to the -bows, Natah Otann seemed to form a resolution: he rushed forward, and -raising his buffalo robe,-- - -"Stop!" he shouted, in a loud voice. - -The Indians, obedient to their chiefs voice, immediately halted. The -sachem took three steps, bowed respectfully before the Count, and said -in a submissive voice:-- - -"My father must pardon his children, they did not know him: but my -father is great, his power is immense, his goodness infinite: he will -forget anything offensive in their conduct toward him." - -Bright-eye, astonished at this harangue, translated it to the Count, -honestly confessing that he did not understand what it meant. - -"By Jove!" the Count replied, with a smile, "they are afraid." - -"Hum!" the hunter muttered, "that is not so clear: it is something -else; but no matter, it will be diamond cut diamond." - -Then he turned to Natah Otann. - -"The great pale chief," he said, "is satisfied with the respect his red -children feel for him: he pardons them." Natah Otann made a movement of -joy. The three men passed through the ranks of the Indians, and buried -themselves in the forest, their retreat being in no way impeded. - -"Ouf!" Bright-eye said, as soon as he found himself in safety, "I'm -well out of that; but," he added shaking his head, "there is something -extraordinary about the matter, which I cannot fathom." - -"Now, my friend," the Count said to him, "you are free to go whither -you please." - -The hunter thought for an instant. "Bah!" he replied, after a few -moments had passed, "I owe you my life. Although I do not know you, you -strike me as a good fellow." - -"You flatter me," the Count remarked, smiling. - -"My faith, no; I say what I think. If you are agreeable we will stay -together, at any rate until I have acquitted the debt I owe you by -saving your life in my turn." - -The Count offered him his hand. - -"Thanks, my friend," he said, much moved; "I accept your offer." - -"That is settled, then," the hunter joyfully exclaimed, as he pressed -the offered hand. - -Bright-eye, at first attached to the Count by gratitude, soon felt -quite a paternal affection for him. But he understood no more -than the first day the young man's behaviour, for he acted under -all circumstances as if he were in France, and, by his rashness, -universally foiled the hunter's Indian experience. This was carried -so far, that the Canadian, superstitious like all primitive natures, -soon grew into the persuasion that the Count's life was protected by a -charm, so many times had he seen him emerge victoriously from positions -in which anyone else would have infallibly succumbed. - -At length, nothing appeared to him impossible with such a companion, -and the most extraordinary propositions the Count made him seemed -perfectly feasible, the more so as success crowned all their -enterprises by some incomprehensible charm, and in a way contrary to -all foresight. The Indians, by a strict agreement, had given up all -contests with them, and even avoided any contact: if they perceived -them at any time, all the Redskins, whatever tribe they might belong -to, treated the Count with the utmost deference, and addressed him with -an expression of terror mingled with love, the explanation of which the -hunter sought in vain, for none of the Indians could or would give it. - -This state of things had lasted for six months up to the moment when we -saw the three men breakfasting on the banks of the Mississippi. We will -now take up our story again at the point where we left it, terminating -our explanation, which was indispensable for the right comprehension of -what follows. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A TRAIL DISCOVERED. - - -Our friends would probably have remained for a long time plunged in -their present state of beatitude had not a slight sound in the river -suddenly recalled them to the exigencies of their position. - -"What's that?" the Count said, flipping off the ash from his cigar. - -Bright-eye glided among the shrubs, looked for a moment, and then -calmly returned to his seat. - -"Nothing," he said; "two alligators sporting in the mud." - -"Ah!" the Count said. There was a moment's silence, during which the -hunter mentally calculated the length of the shadow of the trees on the -ground. - -"It is past midday," he said. - -"You think so," the young man remarked. - -"No; I am sure of it, sir Count." - -"Confound you! you are at it again," the young man said with a smile. -"I have told you to call me by my Christian name; but if you do not -like that, call me like the Indians." - -"Nay!" the hunter objected. - -"What is the name they gave me, Bright-eye? I have forgotten." - -"Oh! I should not like, sir--" - -"Eh?" - -"Edward, I meant to say." - -"Come, that is better," the young man remarked laughingly; "but I must -beg of you to repeat the nickname." - -"They call you 'Glass-eye.'" - -"Oh, yes! that's it;" the Count continued his laugh. "Only Indians -could have such an idea as that." - -"Oh," Bright-eye went on, "the Indians are not what you suppose them; -they are as crafty as the demon." - -"Come, stop that, Bright-eye; I always suspected you of having a -weakness for the Redskins." - -"How can you say that, when I am their obstinate enemy, and have been -fighting them for the last forty years?" - -"That is the very reason that makes you defend them." - -"How so?" the hunter said, astonished at this conclusion, which he was -far from expecting. - -"For a very simple reason. No one likes to contend with enemies -unworthy of him, and it is quite natural you should try to elevate -those against whom you have been fighting for forty years." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"Mr. Edward," he said, with a thoughtful air, "the Redskins are people -whom it takes many a long year to know. They possess at once the craft -of the opossum, the prudence of the serpent, and the courage of the -cougar. A few years hence you will not despise them as you do now." - -"My good fellow," the Count objected, "I hope I shall have left the -prairies within a year. I am yearning for a civilized life. I want -Paris, with its opera and balls. No, no; the desert does not suit me." - -The hunter shook his head a second time. Then he continued, with a -mournful accent, which struck the young man, and, as if rather speaking -to himself, than replying to the Count's remarks-- - -"Yes, yes; that is the way with Europeans: when they arrive on the -prairies, they regret civilized life, and the desert is only gradually -appreciated; but when a man has breathed the odours of the savannah, -when during long nights he has listened to the rustling of the wind -in the trees, and the howling of the wild beasts in the virgin -forests--when he has admired that proud landscape which owes nothing to -art, where the hand of God is imprinted at each step in ineffaceable -characters: when he has gazed on the glorious scenes that rise in -succession before him--then he begins by degrees to love this unknown -world, so full of mysteries and strange incidents; his eyes are opened -to the truth, and he repudiates the falsehoods of civilization. At -such a a moment he experiences emotions full of secret charms, and -recognizing no other master save that God, in whose presence he feels -himself so small, he forgets everything to lead a nomadic life, and -remains in the desert, because there alone he feels free, happy--a man, -in a word! Ah, sir, whatever you may say, whatever you may do, the -desert now holds you: you have tasted its joys and its griefs; it will -not allow you to depart so easily--you will not see France again so -speedily--the desert will retain you in spite of yourself." - -The young man had listened with an emotion for which he could not -account, to this long harangue. In his heart he recognized, through the -hunter's exaggeration, the justice of his reasoning, and felt startled -at being compelled to allow him to be in the right. Not knowing what -to reply, or feeling that he was beaten, the Count suddenly turned the -conversation. - -"Hum!" he began, "I think you said it was past twelve?" - -"About a quarter past," the hunter answered. - -The Count consulted, his watch. - -"Quite right," he said. - -"Oh!" the hunter continued, pointing to the sun, "that is the only true -clock; it never goes too fast or too slow, for Heaven regulates it." - -The young man bowed his head affirmatively. - -"We will start," he said. - -"For what good at this moment?" the Canadian asked. "We have nothing -pressing before us." - -"That is true; but are you sure we have not lost our way?" - -"Lost our way!" the hunter exclaimed, with a start of surprise, almost -of anger; "no, no, it is impossible. I guarantee that within a week we -shall be on Lake Itasca." - -"The Mississippi really runs from that lake?" - -"Yes; for, in spite of what is asserted, the Missouri is only the -principal branch of that river: the savants would have done better to -assure themselves of the fact, ere they declared that the Mississippi -and Missouri are two separate rivers." - -"What would you have, Bright-eye?" the Count said, laughingly. "Savants -are the same in all countries; being naturally indolent, they rely -on one another, and hence the infinity of absurdities they put in -circulation with the most astounding coolness." - -"The Indians are never mistaken." - -"That is true; but then the Indians are not savants." - -"No; they see for themselves, and only assert what they are sure of." - -"That is what I meant," the Count replied. - -"If you will listen to me, Mr. Edward, we will remain here a few hours -longer to let the great heat pass off, and when the sun is going down -we will start again." - -"Very good; let us rest then. Ivon appears to be thoroughly of our -opinion, for he has not stirred." - -The Count had risen; before sitting down, he mechanically cast a glance -on the immense plain which lay so calmly and majestically at his feet. - -"Eh!" he suddenly exclaimed, "what is that down there?--look, -Bright-eye." - -The hunter rose and looked in the direction indicated by the Count. - -"Well--do you see nothing?" the young man remarked. - -Bright-eye, with his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glare -of the sun, looked attentively without replying. - -"Well?" the Count said, at the expiration of a moment. - -"We are no longer alone," the hunter answered; "there are men down -there." - -"How men? We have seen no Indian trail." - -"I did not say they were Indians." - -"Hum! I suppose at this distance it would be rather difficult to decide -who they are." - -Bright-eye smiled. - -"You always judge from your knowledge obtained in the civilized world, -Mr. Edward," he answered. - -"Which means--?" the young man said, intensely piqued at the -observation. - -"That you are always wrong." - -"Hang it, my friend! You will allow me to observe, all individuality -apart, that it is impossible at this distance to recognize anybody. -Especially when nothing can be distinguished, save a little white -smoke." - -"Is not that enough? Do you believe that all smoke is alike?" - -"That is rather a subtle distinction; and I confess that to me all -smoke is alike." - -"That's where the error is," the Canadian continued, with great -coolness, "and when you have spent a few years in the prairie you will -not be deceived." - -The Count looked at him attentively, convinced that he was laughing at -him; but the other continued, with the utmost calmness-- - -"What we notice down there is neither the fire of Indians nor of -hunters, but is kindled by white men, not yet accustomed to a desert -life." - -"Perhaps you will have the goodness to explain." - -"I will do so, and you will soon allow that I am correct. Listen, Mr. -Edward, for this is important to know." - -"I am listening, my good fellow." - -"You are not ignorant," the hunter continued imperturbably, "that what -is conventionally called the desert is largely populated." - -"Quite true," the young man said, smiling. - -"Good; but the enemies most to be feared in the prairies are not wild -beasts so much as men; the Indians and hunters are so well aware of -this fact that they try as much as possible to destroy all traces of -their passage and hide their presence." - -"I admit that." - -"Very good; when the Redskins or the hunters are obliged to light a -fire, either to prepare their food or ward off the cold, they select -most carefully the wood they intend to burn, and never employ any but -dry wood." - -"Hum! I do not see the use of that." - -"You will soon understand me," the hunter continued; "dry wood only -produces a bluish smoke, which is difficult to detect from the sky, and -this renders it invisible at a short distance; while on the other hand, -green wood, through its dampness, produces a white dense smoke, which -reveals for a long distance the presence of those who kindle it. This -is the reason why, by a mere inspection of that smoke, I told you just -now that the people down there were white men, and strangers, moreover, -to the prairie, else they would have employed dry wood." - -"By Jove," the young man exclaimed, "that is curious, and I should like -to convince myself." - -"What do you intend doing?" - -"Why, go and see who are the people that have lighted the fire." - -"Why disturb yourself, since I have told you?" - -"That is possible; but what I propose doing is for my personal -satisfaction; since we have been living together you have told me such -extraordinary things, that I should like, once in a way, to know what -faith to place in them." - -And not listening to the Canadian's observations, the young man aroused -his servant. - -"What do you want, my lord?" the latter said, rubbing his eyes. - -"The horses, and quickly too, Ivon." - -The Breton rose and bridled the horses; the Count leaped into the -saddle; the hunter imitated him, though shaking his head; and the three -trotted down the hill. - -"You will see Mr. Edward," Bright-eye said, "that I was in the right." - -"I am certain of it; still I should like to judge for myself." - -"If that is the case, allow me to go in front; for, as we do not know -with what people we may have to deal, it is as well to be on our guard." - -The Canadian headed the party. The fire the Count had seen from the top -of the hill was not so near as he supposed, the hunter was incessantly -compelled to get out of the way of dense thickets which barred the way, -and this lengthened the distance; so that they took nearly two hours -in reaching the spot they were steering for. When they had at length -arrived within a short distance of the fire which had so perplexed -M. de Beaulieu, the Canadian stopped, making his companions a sign -to imitate him. When they had done so, Bright-eye got down, gave his -horse's bridle to Ivon, and taking his rifle in his hand, said, "I am -going on a voyage of discovery." - -"Go," the young man replied, laconically. - -The Count was a man of tried courage; but since he had been in the -prairie he had learned one thing, that courage without prudence is -madness in the presence of enemies who never act without calling craft -and treachery to their aid; hence, gradually renouncing his chivalrous -ideas, he was beginning to adopt the habits of the desert, knowing very -well that in an ambuscade the advantage nearly always remains with the -man who first discovers the enemies whom chance may bring in his way. -The Count, therefore, patiently awaited the hunter's return, who had -silently glided among the trees, and disappeared in the direction of -the fire. At the end of about an hour the shrubs shook, and Bright-eye -reappeared at a point opposite to that where he had started. The old -wood ranger had been considerably bothered by the apparition of the -distant fire which the Count pointed out to him from the top of the -hill. So soon as he was alone, putting in practice the axiom, that the -shortest road from one point to another is a curved line, the truth of -which is proved in the prairie, he had taken a wide circuit, in order -to come, if it were possible, on the trail of the men he wished to -observe, and from it discover who they really were. - -In the desert, the meeting most feared is that with man. Every stranger -is at first an enemy, and hence persons generally accost each other at -a distance, with the barrel of the gun advanced, and the finger on the -trigger. With that infallible glance the experience of the savannahs -had given him, Bright-eye had noticed from a distance a place where the -grass was laid, and the strangers must have passed along that road. -The hunter, still bent down to escape observation, soon found himself -on the edge of a track about four feet wide, the end of which was lost -in a virgin forest a short distance ahead. After stopping a minute, to -recover his breath, the Canadian placed the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and began carefully studying the traces so deeply imprinted on -the plain. His investigation did not last ten minutes; then he raised -his head with a smile, threw his rifle on his shoulder, and quietly -returned to the spot where he had left his companions, not even taking -the trouble to go to the fire. This brief examination had told him all -he wished to know. - -"Well, Bright-eye, any news?" the Count asked, on noticing him. - -"The people, whose fire we perceived," the hunter replied, "are -American emigrants, pioneers who wish to set up their tent in the -desert. The family is composed of six persons--four men and two women; -they have a waggon to carry their baggage, and have with them a large -number of beasts." - -"Mount your horse, Bright-eye, and let us go and welcome these worthy -people to the desert." - -The hunter remained motionless and thoughtful, leaning on his rifle. - -"Well," the Count said, "did you not hear me, my friend?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward, I perfectly understood you; but among the traces left -by the emigrants I discovered others which appeared to me suspicious, -and I should like, before venturing into their camp, to beat up the -neighbourhood." - -"What traces do you allude to?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Well," the hunter went on, "you know that, rightly or wrongly, the -Redskins claim to be kings of the prairies, and will not endure there -the presence of white men." - -"I consider that they are perfectly right in doing so; since the -discovery of America, the white men have gradually dispossessed them of -their territory, and driven them back on the desert; they are defending -their last refuge, and are justified in doing so." - -"I am perfectly of your opinion, Mr. Edward; the desert ought to -belong to the hunters and the Indians; unfortunately the Americans do -not think so, and they daily quit their cities and proceed into the -interior, establishing themselves here and there, and confiscating to -their benefit the most fertile countries, and those richest in game." - -"What can we do, my good friend?" the Count answered, with a smile; -"it is an irremediable evil, which we must put up with; but I cannot -yet see where you wish to arrive with these reflections, which, though -extremely just, do not appear to me exactly suited to the occasion; so -pray have the goodness to explain your meaning." - -"I will do so. Well, I noticed, by certain signs, that the emigrants -are closely followed by a party of Indians, who probably only await a -favourable moment to attack and massacre them." - -"The deuce!" the young man said; "that is serious of course you warned -these worthy people of the danger that threatens them." - -"I--not at all. I have not spoken to them, nor even seen them." - -"What! you have not seen them?" - -"No; so soon as I recognized the Indian sign, I hurried back to consult -with you." - -"Very good; but as you did not go to their camp, how were you able to -give me such precise information about them and their number?" - -"Oh, very easily," the hunter answered simply; "the desert is a book -entirely written by the hand of God, and it cannot hide its secrets -from a man accustomed to read it. I needed only to look at the trail -for a few minutes to divine everything." - -The Count fixed on the hunter a glance of surprise. Though he had -been living in the prairie for more than six months, he could not yet -understand the species of divination with which the hunter seemed -gifted, with reference to facts that were to himself as a dead letter. - -"Perhaps, though," he said, "the Indians whose trail you detected are -harmless hunters." - -Bright-eye shook his head. - -"There are no harmless hunters among the Indians, especially when they -are on the trail of white men. These Indians belong to three plundering -tribes which I am surprised to see united; they doubtlessly meditate -some extraordinary expedition, in which the massacre of these emigrants -will be one of the least interesting episodes." - -"Who are these Indians? Do you think they are numerous?" - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"The party I discovered is probably only the vanguard of a more -numerous band," he answered; "as far as I could judge, there were not -more than forty; but the Redskin warriors march with the speed of the -antelope, and they can hardly ever be counted; the party is composed of -Comanches, Blackfeet, and Sioux; that is to say, the three most warlike -tribes in the prairie." - -"Hum!" the Count remarked, after a moment's reflection, "if these -demons really mean to attack the Americans, as everything leads us to -suppose, the poor fellows appear to be in an awkward position." - -"Unless a miracle occur, they are lost," the hunter said, concisely. - -"What is to be done--how to warn them?" - -"Mr. Edward, take care what you are going to do." - -"Still we cannot allow men of our own colour to be murdered almost in -our presence; that would be cowardly." - -"Yes; but it would be astounding folly to join them; reflect that there -are only three of us." - -"I know it," the young man said, thoughtfully; "still I would never -consent to abandon these poor people without trying to defend them." - -"Stay, there is only one thing to be done, and perhaps Heaven will come -to our aid." - -"Come, be brief, my friend, time presses." - -"In all probability, the Indians have not yet discovered our trail, -although they must be a short distance from us. Let us, then, return to -the spot where we breakfasted, and which commands the entire prairie. -The Indians never attack their enemy before four in the morning; as -soon as they attempt their attack on the emigrants, we will fall on -their rear; surprised by the sudden aid given the Americans, it is -possible they will fly, for the darkness will prevent them counting us, -and they will never suppose that three men were so mad as to make such -an attack upon them." - -"By Jove!" the Count said, laughing, "that is a good idea of yours, -Bright-eye, and such as I expected from so brave a hunter as yourself; -let us hurry back to our observatory, so as to be ready for every -event." - -The Canadian leaped on his horse, and the three men retraced their -steps. But, according to his custom, Bright-eye, who was apparently a -sworn foe to a straight line, made them describe an infinite number of -turnings, to throw out any person whom accident brought on their track. - -They arrived at the top of the hill just at the moment the sun was -disappearing beneath the horizon. The evening breeze was rising, and -beginning to agitate the tops of the great trees with mysterious -murmurs. The howling of the tigers and cougars was already mingled -with the lowing of the elks and buffaloes, and the sharp yelping of the -red wolves, whose dusky outlines appeared here and there on the river -bank. The sky grew more and more gloomy, and the stars began dotting -the vault of heaven. - -The three hunters sat down carelessly on the top of the hill, at the -same spot they had left a few hours previously with the intention of -never returning, and made preparations for supper,--preparations which -did not take long, for prudence imperiously ordered them not to light -a fire, which would have at once revealed their presence to the unseen -eyes which were, at the moment, probably surveying the desert in every -direction. While eating a few mouthfuls of pemmican, they kept their -eyes fixed on the camp of the emigrants, whose fire was perfectly -visible in the night. - -"Oh Lord!" Bright-eye said, "those people are ignorant of the first law -of the desert, else they would guard against lighting a fire which the -Indians can see for ten leagues round." - -"Bah! that beacon will guide us where to go to their aid," the Count -said. - -"Heaven grant that it be not in vain." - -The meal over, the hunter invited the Count and his servant to sleep -for a few hours. - -"For the present," he said, "we have nothing to fear; let me keep watch -for all, as my eyes are accustomed to see in the darkness." - -The Count did not allow the invitation to be repeated; he rolled -himself in his cloak, and lay down on the ground. Two minutes -later, himself and Ivon were sleeping the sleep of the righteous. -Bright-eye took his seat against the trunk of a tree, and lit a pipe -to soothe the weariness of his night watch. All at once, he bent -his body forward, placed his ear to the ground, and seemed to be -listening attentively. His practised ear had heard a sound at first -imperceptible, but which seemed to be gradually drawing nearer. - -The hunter silently cocked his rifle, and waited. At the expiration of -about a quarter of an hour there was a slight rustling in the thicket, -the branches parted, and a man made his appearance. - -This man was Natah Otann, the sachem of the Piékanns. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE EMIGRANTS. - - -When he went out on the trail, the hunter's old experience did not -deceive him; and the traces he had followed up were really those of -an emigrant family. As it is destined to play a certain part in our -story, we will introduce it to the reader, and explain, as briefly as -possible, by what chain of events it was at this moment encamped on the -prairies of the Upper Mississippi, or, to speak like the learned, on -the banks of the Missouri. - -The history of one emigrant is that of the mass. All are people who, -burdened by a numerous family, find a difficulty in rendering their -children independent, either through the bad quality of the land they -cultivate, or because, in proportion as the population increases, the -land, in the course of a few years, gains an excessive value. - -The Mississippi has become during the last few years the highway of -the world. Every vessel that enters on its waters brings the new -establishments the means of supplying themselves, either by barter or -for money, with the chief commodities of existence. Thus the explorers -have spread along both banks of the river, which have become the -highways of emigration, by the prospect they offer the pioneers of -possessing fine estates, and holding them a number of years, without -the troublesome process of paying rent. - -The word "country," in the sense we attach to it in Europe, does not -exist for the North American. He is not, like our rustics, attached, -from father to son, to the soil which has been the cradle of his -family. He is only attached to the land by what it may bring him -in; but when it is exhausted by too large a crop, and the colonist -has tried in vain to restore its primitive fertility, his mind is -speedily made up. He disposes of things too troublesome or expensive -to transport; only keeps what is absolutely necessary, as servants, -horses, and domestic utensils; says good-bye to his neighbours, who -press his hand as if the journey he is about to undertake is the -simplest matter in the world, and at daybreak, on a fine spring -morning, he gaily sets out, turning a parting and careless glance at -that country where he and his family have lived so long. His thoughts -are already directed forward; the past no longer exists for him, the -future alone smiles on him and sustains his courage. - -Nothing is so simple, primitive, and at the same time picturesque, as -the departure of a family of pioneers. The horses are attached to the -wagons, already laden with the bed furniture and the younger children, -while on the other side are fastened the spinning wheels, and swaying -behind, a skin filled with tallow and pitch. The axes are laid in the -bottom of the cart, and cauldrons and pots roll about pell-mell in the -horses' trough; the tents and provisions are securely fastened under -the vehicle, suspended by ropes. Such is the moveable estate of the -emigrant. The eldest son, or a servant, bestrides the first horse, -the pioneer's wife sits on the other. The emigrant and his sons, with -shouldered rifles, walk round the wagon, sometimes in front, sometimes -behind, followed by their dogs, touching up the oxen and watching over -the common safety. - -Thus they set out, travelling by short stages through unexplored -countries and along frightful roads, which they are generally -compelled themselves to make: braving cold and heat, rain and snow, -striving against Indians and wild beasts, seeing at each spot almost -insurmountable difficulties rising before them: but nothing, stops the -emigrants, no peril can check them, no impossibility discourage them. -They march on thus for whole months, keeping intact in their hearts -that faith in their luck which nothing shakes, until they at length -reach a site which offers them those conditions of comfort which they -have sought so long. - -But, alas! how many families that have left the cities of America -full of hope and courage have disappeared, leaving no other trace of -their passage of the prairie than their whitened bones and scattered -furniture. The Indians, ever on the watch at the entrance of the -desert, attack the caravans, mercilessly massacre the pioneers, and -carry off into slavery their wives and daughters, avenging themselves -on the emigrants for the atrocities to which they have been victims -during so many centuries, and continuing, to their own profit, that -war of extermination which the white men inaugurated on their landing -in America, and which, since that period, has gone on uninterruptedly. - -John Black belonged to the class of emigrants we have just described. -One day, about four months previously, he quitted his house, which was -falling to ruins, and loading the little he possessed on a cart, he -set out, followed by his family, consisting of his wife, his daughter, -his son, and two menservants who had consented to follow his fortunes. -Since that period they had not stopped. They had marched boldly -forward, cutting their way by the help of their axes through the virgin -forests, and determined on traversing the desert, until they found a -spot favourable for the establishment of a new household. - -At the period when our story takes place, emigration was much rarer -than it is at present, when, owing to the recent discovery of -auriferous strata in California and on the Fraser River, an emigration -fever has seized on the masses with such intensity, that the old world -is growing more and more depopulated, to the profit of the new. Gold is -a magnet whose strength attracts, without distinction, young or old, -men or women, by the hope, too often deceived, of acquiring in a little -time, at the cost of some slight fatigue, a fortune; which, however, -rarely compensates for the labour undergone in its collection. - -It was, therefore, unusual boldness on the part of John Black thus to -venture, without any possible aid, into a country hitherto utterly -unexplored, and of which the Indians were masters. Mr. Black was -born in Virginia: he was a man of about fifty, of middle height, but -strongly built, and gifted with uncommon vigour; and, although his -features were very ordinary, his face had a rare expression of firmness -and resolution. - -His wife, ten years younger than himself, was a gentle and holy -creature, on whose brow fatigue and alarm had long before formed deep -furrows, beneath which, however, a keen observer could have still -detected traces of no ordinary beauty. - -William Black, the emigrant's son, was a species of giant of more than -six feet in height, aged two-and-twenty, of Herculean build, and whose -jolly, plump face, surrounded by thick tufts of hair of a more than -sandy hue, breathed frankness and joviality. - -Diana, his sister, formed a complete contrast with him. She was a -little creature, scarce sixteen years of age, with eyes of a deep -blue like the sky, apparently frail and delicate, with a dreamy brow -and laughing mouth, which belonged both to woman and angel; and whose -strange beauty seduced at the first glance and subjugated at the -first word that fell from her rosy lips. Diana was the idol of the -family--the cherished idol, that everyone adored, and who, by a word -or a glance, could command the obedience of the rude natures that -surrounded her, and who only seemed to live that they might satisfy her -slightest caprices. - -Sam and James, the two labourers, were worthy Kentucky rustics, of -extraordinary strength, and who concealed a great amount of cunning -beneath their simple and even slightly silly aspect. These two young -fellows, one of whom was twenty-six, the other hardly thirty, had grown -up in John Black's house, and had vowed to him an unbounded devotion, -of which they had furnished proofs several times since the journey -began. - -When John left his house to go in search of a more fertile country, -he proposed to these two men to leave him, not wishing to expose them -to the dangers of the precarious life which was about to begin for -himself; but both shook their heads negatively, replying to all that -was said to them, that it was their duty to follow their master, no -matter whither he went, and they were ready to accompany him to the end -of the world. The emigrant had been obliged to yield to a determination -so clearly expressed, and replied, that as matters were so, they might -follow him. Hence these two honest labourers were not regarded as -servants, but as friends, and treated in accordance. In truth, there -is nothing like a common danger to draw people together; and during -the last four months John Black's family had been exposed to dangers -innumerable. - -The emigrant took with him a rather large number of beasts, which -caused the caravan, despite all the precautions taken, to leave such a -wide trail, as rendered an Indian attack possible at any moment. Still, -up to the present moment, when we pay them a visit, no serious danger -had really menaced them. At times they were exposed to rather smart -alarms; but the Indians had always kept at a respectable distance, and -limited themselves to demonstrations, hostile it is true, but never -followed by any results. - -During the first week of their march, the emigrants, but little versed -in the mode of life of the Redskins, who incessantly prowled round the -party, had been afflicted with the most exaggerated fears, expecting -every moment to be attacked by those ferocious enemies, about whom -they had heard stories which might make the bravest tremble; but, as -so frequently happens, they had grown used to this perpetual threat -of the Indians, and, while taking the strictest precautions for their -safety, they had learned almost to deride the dangers which they had -so much feared at the outset, and felt convinced that their calm and -resolute attitude had produced an effect on the Redskins, and that the -latter would not venture to come into collision with them. - -Still, on this day a vague restlessness had seized on the party: they -had a sort of secret foreboding that a great danger menaced them. The -Indians, who, as we have said, usually accompanied them out of reach -of gunshot, had all at once become invisible. Since their start from -their last camping ground, they had not seen a single one, though they -instinctively suspected that, if the Indians were invisible, they were -not the less present, and possibly in larger numbers than before. -Thus the day passed, sorrowfully and silently for the emigrants: they -marched side by side, eye and ear on the watch, with their fingers on -the trigger, not daring to impart their mutual fears, but (to use a -Spanish expression) having their beards on their shoulders, like men -expecting to be attacked at any moment. Still, the day passed without -the slightest incident occurring to corroborate their apprehensions. - -At sunset, the caravan was at the foot of one of those numerous mounds -to which we have already alluded, and so large a number of which border -the banks of the river at this spot. John Black made a sign to his son, -who drove the cart, to stop, get down, and join him: while the two -females looked around them restlessly, the four men, assembled a few -paces in the rear, were engaged in a whispered conversation. - -"Boys," Mr. Black said to his attentive companions, "the day is ended, -the sun is descending behind the mountains over there, it is time to -think about the night's rest. Our beasts are fatigued; we ourselves -need to collect our strength for tomorrow's labour; I think, though -open to correction, that we should do well to profit by the short time -left us to establish our camp." - -"Yes," James answered, "we have in front of us a hillock, on the top of -which it would be easy for us to take up our quarters." - -"And which," William interrupted him, "we could convert into an almost -impregnable fortress in a few hours." - -"We should have a hard job in getting the wagon up the hill," the -father said, shaking his head. - -"Nonsense," Sam objected, "not so much as you suppose, Master Black; a -little trouble, and we can manage it." - -"How so?" - -"Why," the servant replied, "we need only unload the wagon." - -"That's true; when it's empty, it will be easy to get it to the top of -the hill." - -"Stay," William observed, "do you think, father, that it is really -necessary to take all that trouble? A night is soon spent, and I fancy -we should do well to remain where we are: the position is an excellent -one; it is only a few paces to the river bank, and we can lead our oxen -to water." - -"No; we must not remain here, the place is too open, and we should have -no shelter if the Indians attacked us." - -"The Indians!" the young man said, with a laugh; "why, we have not -seen a single one the whole day." - -"Yes; what you say, William, is correct, the Redskins have disappeared; -but shall I tell you my real thoughts? It is really this disappearance, -which I do not understand, that troubles me." - -"Why so, father?" - -"Because, if they are hiding, they are preparing some ambuscade, and do -not wish us to know the direction where they are." - -"Come, father, do you really believe that?" the young man remarked in a -light tone. - -"I am convinced of it," the emigrant said earnestly. The two servants -bowed their heads in affirmation. - -"You will pardon me, father, if I do not share your opinion," the young -man continued. "For my own part, on the other hand, I feel certain that -these red devils, who have been following us so long, have eventually -understood that they could gain nothing from us but bullets, and, like -prudent men, have given up following us further." - -"No, no; you are mistaken, my son, it is not so." - -"Look ye, father," the young man continued, with a certain amount of -excitement, "allow me to make an observation which, I think, will bring -you over to my way of thinking." - -"Do so, my son; we are here to exchange our opinions freely, and select -the best: the common interest is at stake, and we have to act for the -safety of all: under circumstances so grave as the present, I should -never forgive myself for neglecting good advice, no matter from whom it -came; speak, therefore, without timidity." - -"You know, father," the young man went on, "that the Indians understand -honour differently from ourselves; that is to say, when the success of -an expedition is not clearly proved to them, they have no shame about -resigning it, because what they seek in the first place is profit." - -"I know all that, my son; but I do not see yet what you are driving at." - -"You will soon understand me. For nearly two months, from sunrise, the -moment we set out, to sunset, which is generally the time of our halt, -the Redskins have been following us step by step, and we have been -unable to escape for a single moment these most troublesome neighbours, -who have watched our every movement." - -"That is true," John Black said, "but what do you conclude from that?" - -"A very simple thing: they have seen that we were continually on our -guard, and that if they attempted to attack us, they would be beaten; -hence they have retired, that is all." - -"Unfortunately, William, you have forgotten one thing." - -"What is it?" - -"This: the Indians, generally not so well armed as the white men, are -afraid to attack them, especially when they suppose they shall have to -deal with persons almost as numerous as themselves, and in the bargain, -sheltered behind wagons and bales of merchandise; but that is not at -all the case here: since they have been watching us, the Indians have -had many opportunities of counting us, and have done so long ago." - -"Yes," Sam said. - -"Well, they know that we are only four--they are at least fifty, if -they are not more numerous. What can four men, in spite of all their -courage, effect against such a considerable number of enemies? Nothing, -The Redskins know it, and they will act in accordance; that is, when -the opportunity offers, they will not fail to seize it." - -"But--"--the young man objected. - -"Another consideration to which you have not paid attention," John -Black quietly continued, "is that the Indians, whatever the number of -their enemies may be, never quit them without having attempted, at -least once, to surprise them." - -"In truth," William answered, "that astonishes me on their part: -however, I am of your opinion, father; even if the precautions we -propose taking only serve to reassure my mother and sister, it would be -well not to neglect them." - -"Well spoken, William," the emigrant remarked, "let us therefore set to -work without delay." - -The party broke up, and the four men, throwing their rifles on their -shoulders, began making active preparations for the encampment. Sam -collected the oxen by the aid of the dogs, and led them down to the -river to drink. John, in the meanwhile, went up to the wagon. - -"Well, my love," his wife asked him, "why this halt, and this long -discussion? Has any accident occurred?" - -"Nothing that need at all alarm you, Lucy," the emigrant answered; "we -are going to camp, that is all." - -"Oh, gracious me! I do not know why, but I was afraid lest some -misfortune had happened." - -"On the contrary; we are quieter than we have been for a long time." - -"How so, father?" Diana asked, thrusting her charming face from under -the canvas which concealed her. - -"Those rascally Indians, who frightened us so much, my darling Diana, -have at length made up their minds to leave us; we have not seen a -single one during the whole day." - -"Oh, all the better!" the girl said quickly, as she clapped her dainty -palms together; "I confess that I am not brave, and those frightful Red -men caused me terrible alarm." - -"Well, you will not see them again, I hope," John Black said, gaily; -though while giving his daughter this assurance to appease her fears, -he did not believe a word he uttered. "Now," he added, "have, the -goodness to get down, so that we may unload the wagon." - -"Unload the wagon," the old lady remarked, "why so? - -"It is just possible," the husband answered, anxious not to reveal the -real reason, "that we may remain here a few days, in order to rest the -cattle." - -"Ah, very good," she said; and she got out, followed by her daughter. - -The two ladies had scarce set foot on ground, ere the men began -unloading the wagon. This task lasted nearly an hour. Sam had time -enough to lead the cattle to water, and collect them on the top of the -hill. - -"Are we going to camp, then?" Mrs. Black asked. - -"Yes," her husband answered. - -"Come, Diana," the old lady said. - -The two women packed up some kitchen utensils, and clomb the hill, -where, after lighting the fire, they began preparing supper. So soon as -the cart was unloaded, the two labouring men, aided by William, pushed -it behind, while John Black, at the head of the team, began flogging -the horses. The incline was rather steep, but owing to the vigour of -the horses and the impatience of the men, who at each step laid rollers -behind the wheels, the wagon at last reached the top. The rest was as -nothing, and within an hour the camp was arranged as follows. - -The emigrants formed, with the bales and trees they felled, a large -circle, in the midst of which the cattle were tied up, and then put up -a tent for the two women. When this was effected, John Black cast a -glance of satisfaction around. His family were temporarily protected -from a coup de main--thanks to the manner in which the bales and trees -were arranged, and the party were enabled to fire from under cover on -any enemy that might attack them, and defend themselves a long time -successfully. - -The sun had set for more than an hour before these various preparations -were completed, and supper was ready. The Americans seated themselves -in a circle round the fire, and ate with the appetite of men accustomed -to danger--an appetite which the greatest alarm cannot deprive them of. -After the meal, John Black offered up a prayer, as he did every evening -before going to rest; the others standing, with uncovered heads, -listened attentively to the prayer, and when it was completed, the two -ladies entered the hut prepared for them. - -"And now," Black said, "let us keep a careful watch the night is dark, -the moon rises late, and you are aware that the Indians choose the -morning, the moment when sleep is deepest, to attack their enemies." - -The fire was covered, so that its light should not reveal the exact -position of the camp; and the two servants lay down side by side on the -grass, where they soon fell asleep: while father and son, standing at -either extremity of the camp, watched over the common safety. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE GRIZZLY BEAR. - - -All was calm in the prairie; not a sound disturbed the silence of the -desert. On the sudden appearance of the Indian, whatever the emotion -Bright-eye might feel, it was impossible for Natah Otann to perceive -anything: the hunter's face remained calm, and not a muscle moved. - -"Ah!" he said, "the sachem of the Piékanns is welcome: does he come as -a friend or an enemy?" - -"Natah Otann comes to sit by the fire of the palefaces, and smoke the -calumet with them," the chief replied, casting a searching glance -around him. - -"Good: if the chief will wait a moment, I will light the fire." - -"Bright-eye can light it, the chief will wait: he has come to talk with -the palefaces, and the conversation will be long." - -The Canadian looked fixedly at the Redskin; but the Indian was -impassive like himself, and it was impossible to read anything on his -features. The hunter collected a few handfuls of dry wood, struck a -light, and soon a bright flame sprung up, and illumined the mount. The -Indian drew near the fire, took his calumet from his girdle, and began -grimly smoking. Bright-eye not wishing to remain in any way behindhand, -imitated his every movement with perfectly feigned indifference, and -the two men sat for several moments puffing clouds of smoke at each -other. Natah Otann at length broke the silence. - -"The pale hunter is a warrior," he said; "why does he try to hide -himself like the water rat?" - -Bright-eye did not consider it advisable to reply to this insinuation, -and continued smoking philosophically, while casting a side-glance at -his questioner. - -"The Blackfeet have the eye of the eagle," Natah Otann continued, -"their piercing eyes see all that happens on the prairie." - -The Canadian made a sign of assent, but did not yet reply; the chief -continued:-- - -"Natah Otann has seen the trail of his friends the palefaces, his heart -quivered with pleasure in his breast, and he has come to meet them." - -Bright-eye slowly removed his pipe from his lips, and turning towards -the Indian, examined him carefully for an instant, and then answered-- - -"I repeat to my brother that he is welcome: I know that he is a great -chief, and am happy to see him." - -"Wah!" the Indian said, with a cunning smile: "is my brother so -satisfied as he says at my presence?" - -"Why not, chief?" - -"My brother is angry still that the Blackfeet fastened him to the stake -of torture." - -The Canadian shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and coldly -answered:-- - -"Nonsense, chief! why do you fancy I am angry with you or your nation? -war is war; I have no reproaches to make to you. You wished to kill me, -I escaped; so we are quits." - -"Good: does my brother speak the truth? has he really forgotten?" the -chief asked with some vivacity. - -"Why not?" the Canadian answered cautiously. "I have not a forked -tongue, the words my mouth utters come from my heart: I have not -forgotten the treatment you made me undergo, I should lie if I said so: -but I have forgiven it." - -"_Ochi_! my brother is a greatheart: he is generous." - -"No: I am merely a man who knows Indian customs, that is all: you -did no more and no less than all the Redskins do under similar -circumstances: I cannot be angry with you for having acted according to -your nature." - -There was a silence; the two men went on smoking. The Indian was the -first to interrupt it. - -"Then my brother is a friend," he said. - -"And you?" the hunter asked, answering one question by another. - -The chief rose with a gesture full of majesty, and threw back the folds -of his buffalo robe. - -"Would an enemy come like this?" he asked, in a gentle voice. - -The Canadian could not repress a movement of surprise; the Blackfoot -was unarmed, his girdle was empty: he had not even his scalping -knife,--that weapon from which the Indians part so unwillingly. -Bright-eye offered him his hand. - -"Shake hands, chief," he said to him. "You are a man of heart: now -speak, I am listening to you: and, in the first place, will you have a -draught of firewater?" - -"The firewater is an evil counsellor," the chief replied, with a smile; -"it makes the Indians mad: Natah Otann does not drink it." - -"Come, come, I see that I was mistaken with regard to you, chief; that -pleases me: speak, my ears are open." - -"What I have to say to Bright-eye other ears must not listen to." - -"My friends are in a deep sleep, you can speak without fear; and even -if they were awake, as you know, they do not understand your language." - -The Indian shook his head. - -"Glass-eye knows everything," he replied, "the Grizzly Bear will not -speak before him." - -"As you please, chief: still, I would remark that I have nothing to say -to you: you can speak, therefore, or be silent at your ease." - -Natah Otann seemed to hesitate for an instant, and then continued:-- - -"Bright-eye will follow his friend to the river bank, and there listen -to the words of the Blackfoot chief." - -"Hum!" the hunter said, "and who will watch over my companions during -my absence? No, no," he added, "I cannot do that, chief. The Redskins -have the cunning of the opossum: while I am near the river, my friends -may be surprised. Who will respond for their safety?" - -The Indian rose. - -"The word of a chief," he said, in a proud voice, and with a gesture -full of majesty. - -The Canadian looked at him attentively. "Listen, Redskin," he said to -him, "I do not doubt your honour, so do not take in ill part what I am -going to say to you." - -"I listen to my brother," the Indian answered. - -"I must watch over my companions. Since you insist on speaking to me in -secret, I consent to follow you, but on one condition, that I do not -lay aside my weapons; in that way, should one of those things happen, -which are too common in the prairie, and which no human foresight can -prevent, I shall be able to face the danger and sell my life dearly: if -what I propose suits you, I am ready to follow you; if not, not." - -"Good," the Indian said, with a smile, "my pale brother is right, a -true hunter never quits his weapons. Bright-eye may follow his friend." - -"Very well, then," the Canadian said, resolutely, as he threw his rifle -on his shoulder. - -Natah Otann began descending the hill. While gliding noiselessly -through the shrubs and thickets, the Canadian walked literally in his -footsteps; but though pretending the most perfect security, he did -not omit carefully examining the vicinity, and lending an ear to the -slightest sound, but all was calm and silent in the desert, and after -some ten minutes' walk the two men reached the riverside. - -The Mecha-Chebe rolled its waters majestically in a bed of golden -sand, while at times a few vague shadows appeared on the bank: they -were wild beasts coming to drink in the river. Two leagues from them, -at the top of the hill, sparkled the last flames of an expiring fire, -which appeared at intervals between the branches. Natah Otann stopped -at the extremity of a species of small promontory, the point of which -advanced some distance into the water. This spot was entirely free from -vegetation: the eye could survey the prairie for a great distance, and -detect the slightest movement in the desert. - -"Does this place suit the hunter?" the chief asked. - -"Capitally," Bright-eye replied, resting the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and crossing his hands over the muzzle: "I am ready to hear the -communication my brother wishes to make me." - -The Indian walked up and down the sand with folded arms and drooping -head, like a man who is reflecting deeply. The hunter followed him -with his glance, waiting calmly, till he thought proper to offer an -explanation. It was easy to see that Natah Otann was ripening in his -brain one of those bold projects such as Indians frequently imagine, -but knew not how to enter upon it. The hunter resolved to put a stop to -this state of things. - -"Come," he said, "my brother has made me leave my camp; he invited me -to follow him; I consented to do so: now that, according to his desire, -we are free from human ears, will he not speak, so that I may return to -my companions?" - -The Indian stopped before him. - -"My brother will remain," he said; "the hour is come for an explanation -between us. My brother loves Glass-eye?" - -The hunter regarded his querist craftily. - -"What good of that question?" he asked: "it must be a matter of -indifference to the chief whether I love or not the man he pleases to -call Glass-eye." - -"A chief never loses his time in vain discourses," the Indian said, -peremptorily; "the words his lips utter are always simple, and go -straight to the point; let my brother then answer as clearly as I -interrogate him." - -"I see no great inconvenience in doing so. Yes, I love Glass-eye; I -love him not only because he saved my life, but because he is one of -the most honourable men I ever met." - -"Good! for what purpose does Glass-eye traverse the prairie? My brother -doubtlessly knows." - -"My faith, no! I confess to you, chief, my ignorance on that head is -complete. Still, I fancy that, wearied with the life of cities, he has -come here with no other object than to calm his soul by the sublime -aspect of nature, and the grand melodies of the desert." - -The Indian shook his head; the hunter's metaphysical ideas and poetic -phrases were so much Hebrew to him, and he did not understand them. - -"Natah Otann," he said, "is a chief, he has not a forked tongue; the -words he utters are as clear as the blood in his veins. Why does not -the hunter speak his language to him?" - -"I answer your questions, chief, and that is all. Do you fancy that I -would go out of my way to interrogate my friend as to his intentions? -They do not concern me; I have no right to seek in a man's heart for -the motive of his actions." - -"Good! my brother speaks well; his head is grey, and his experience -long." - -"That is possible, chief; at any rate you and I are not on such -friendly terms that we should exchange our thoughts without some -restriction, I fancy; you have kept me here for an hour without saying -anything, so it is better for us to separate." - -"Not yet." - -"Why not? Do you imagine I am like you, and that instead of sleeping o' -nights as an honest Christian should do, I amuse myself with rushing -about the prairie like a jaguar in search of prey?" - -The Indian began laughing. - -"Wah!" he said, "my brother is very clever; nothing escapes him." - -"By Jingo! there is no great cleverness in guessing what you are doing -here." - -"Good! then let my brother listen." - -"I will do so, but on the condition that you lay aside once for all -those Indian circumlocutions in which you so adroitly conceal your real -thoughts." - -"My brother will open his ears, the words of his friend will reach his -heart." - -"Come, make an end of it." - -"As my brother loves Glass-eye, he will tell him from Natah Otann that -a great danger threatens him." - -"Ah!" the Canadian said, casting a suspicious glance at the other, "and -what may the danger be?" - -"I cannot explain further." - -"Very good," Bright-eye remarked, with a grin, "the information is -valuable, though not very explicit; and pray what must we do to escape -the great danger that menaces us?" - -"My brother will wake his friend, they will mount their horses, and -retire at full speed, not stopping till they have crossed the river." - -"Hum! and when we have done that, we shall have nought more to fear?" - -"Nothing." - -"Only think of that," the hunter said, ironically; "and when ought we -to start?" - -"At once." - -"Better still." Bright-eye walked a few paces thoughtfully; then he -returned, and stood before the chief, whose eyes sparkled in the gloom -like those of a tiger cat, and who followed his every movement. - -"Then," he said, "you cannot reveal to me the reason that forces us to -depart?" - -"No!" - -"It is equally impossible, I suppose, for you to tell me of the nature -of the danger that menaces us?" he went on. - -"Yes." - -"Is that your last word?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation. - -"Very good, as it is so," Bright-eye said all at once, striking the -ground with the butt of his rifle, "I will tell it you." - -"You?" - -"Yes, listen to me carefully; it will not be long, and will interest -you I hope." - -The chief smiled ironically. - -"My ears are open," he said. - -"All the better, for I shall fill them with news which, perhaps, will -not please you." - -"I listen," the impassive Indian repeated. - -"As you said to me a moment back--and the confidence on your part was -useless, for I have known you so long on the prairie--the Redskins have -the eyes of an eagle, and they are birds of prey, whom nothing escapes." - -"Go on." - -"Here I am; your scouts have discovered, as was not difficult, the -trail of an emigrant family; that trail you have been following a -long time so as not to miss your blow; supposing that the moment had -arrived to deal it, you have assembled Comanches, Sioux, and Blackfeet, -all demons of the same breed, in order this very night to attack people -whom you have been watching for so many days, and whose riches you -covet because you suppose them so great---eh?" - -Natah Otann's face revealed no emotion. He remained calm, although -internally restless and furious at having his thoughts so well guessed. - -"There is truth in what the hunter says," he replied, coldly. - -"It is all true," Bright-eye exclaimed. - -"Perhaps; but I do not see in it for what reason I should have come -here to warn my Paleface brother." - -"Ah, you do not see that; very well. I will explain it to you. You -came to seek me, because you are perfectly well aware that Glass-eye, -as you call him, is not the man to allow the crime you meditate to be -committed with impunity in his presence." - -The Blackfoot shrugged his shoulders. "Can a warrior, however brave he -may be, hold his ground against four hundred?" he said. - -"Certainly not," Bright-eye went on; "but he can control them by his -presence, and employ his ascendency over them to compel them to give -up their prospects; and that is what Glass-eye will undoubtedly do, -for reasons of which I am ignorant, for all of you have for him an -incomprehensible respect and veneration, and as you fear lest you -may see him come among you at the first shot fired, terrible as the -destroying angel, you seek to remove him by a pretext, plausible with -anyone else, but which will produce on him no other effect than making -him engage in the affair. Come, is that really all? have I completely -unmasked you? Reply." - -"My brother knows all; I repeat, his wisdom is great." - -"Now, I presume, you have nothing to add? Very well, good night." - -"A moment." - -"What more?" - -"You must." - -"Very well; but make haste." - -"My brother has spoken in his own cause, but not in that of Glass-eye; -let him wake his friend, and impart our conversation to him; mayhap he -is mistaken." - -"I do not believe it, chief," the hunter answered, with a shake of his -head. - -"That is possible," the Indian persisted; "but let my brother do as I -have asked him." - -"You lay great stress on it, chief!" - -"Great." - -"I do not wish to vex you about such a trifle. Well! you will soon -allow that I was right." - -"Possibly; I will await my brother's reply for half an hour." - -"Very good; but where shall I bring it to you?" - -"Nowhere!" the Indian exclaimed, sharply. "If I am right, my brother -will imitate the cry of the magpie twice; if I am mistaken, it will be -that of the owl." - -"Very good, that's agreed; you shall soon hear, chief." - -The Indian bowed gracefully. - -"May the Wacondah be with my brother!" he said. - -After this courteous salutation, the two men parted. The Canadian -carelessly threw his rifle on his shoulder, and stalked back to his -camp, while the Indian followed him with his glance, apparently -remaining insensible; but as soon as the hunter had disappeared, the -chief lay down in the sand, glided along in the shade like a serpent, -and in his turn disappeared amid the bushes, following the direction -taken by Bright-eye, though at a considerable distance. - -The latter did not fancy himself followed; he therefore paid no -attention to what went on around him, and regained his camp without -noticing anything of an extraordinary nature. Had not the Canadian -been preoccupied, and his old experience lulled to sleep for the -moment, he would have certainly perceived, with that penetration -which distinguished him, that the desert was not in its usual state -of tranquillity: he would have felt unusual tremors in the leaves, -and possibly have seen eyes flashing in the shade of the tall grass. -He soon reached the camp where the Count and Ivon were sleeping -profoundly. Bright-eye hesitated a few seconds ere awakening the young -man whose sleep was so peaceful; still, reflecting that the least -imprudence might entail terrible consequences, whose result it was -impossible to calculate, he bent over him, and gently touched his -shoulder. Though the touch was so slight, it sufficed to wake the -Count; he opened his eyes, sat up, and looking at the old hunter-- - -"Is there anything fresh, Bright-eye?" he asked. - -"Yes, Sir Count," the Canadian replied, seriously. - -"Oh, oh, how gloomy you are, my good fellow," the young man said, with -a laugh. "What's the matter then?" - -"Nothing, yet; but we may soon have a row with the Redskins." - -"All the better, for that will warm us, as it is horribly cold," he -replied, shivering. "But how do you know the fact?" - -"During your sleep I received a visitor." - -"Ah?" - -"Yes." - -"And who was the person who selected such an important moment to pay -you a visit?" - -"The sachem of the Blackfeet." - -"Natah Otann?" - -"Himself." - -"Upon my word, he must be a somnambulist, to amuse himself by walking -about the desert at night." - -"He does not walk, he watches." - -"Oh, I am in a bother; so keep me no longer in suspense; tell me what -passed between you. Natah Otann is not the man to put himself out of -the way without strong reasons, and I am burning to know them." - -"You shall judge." - -Without any further preface, the hunter described in its fullest -details the conversation he had with the chief. - -"By Jove! that's serious," the Count said when Bright-eye had ended -his story. "This Natah Otann is a gloomy scoundrel, whose plans you -fully penetrated, and you behaved splendidly in answering him so -categorically. For what has this villain taken me? Does he fancy, I -wonder, that I shall act as his accomplice? Let him dare to attack -those poor devils of emigrants down there, and by the saints, I swear -to you, Bright-eye, that blood will be shed between us, if you help me." - -"Can you doubt it?" - -"No, my friend, I thank you; with you and my coward of an Ivon, I shall -manage to put them to flight." - -"Is my lord calling me?" the Breton asked, raising his head. - -"No, no, Ivon, my good fellow; I only say that we shall soon have some -fighting." - -The Breton emitted a sigh, and muttered, as he lay down again,-- - -"Ah! if I had as much courage as I possess goodwill; but alas! as you -know, I am a wonderful coward, and I shall prove more harm to you than -good." - -"You will do all you can, my friend, and that will be sufficient." - -Ivon sighed in reply. Bright-eye had listened laughingly to this -colloquy. The Breton still possessed the privilege of astonishing him, -for he did not at all comprehend his singular organization. The Count -turned towards him. - -"So it is settled?" he said. - -"Settled," the hunter answered. - -"Then give the signal; my friend." - -"The owl, I suppose?" - -"By Jove!" the Count said. - -Bright-eye raised his fingers to his mouth, and, as had been agreed -with Natah Otann, imitated twice the cry of the owl, with rare -perfection. Hardly had the echo of the last cry died away, than a great -rumour was heard in the bushes, and, before the three men had time to -put themselves in a posture of defence, some twenty Indians rushed upon -them, disarmed them in a twinkling, and reduced them to a state of -utter defencelessness. The Count shrugged his shoulders, leant against -a tree, and, thrusting his glass in his eye, said,--- - -"This is very funny." - -"Well, I can't see the point of the joke," muttered Ivon, in a grand -aside. - -Among the Indians, whom it was easy to recognize as Blackfeet, was -Natah Otann! After removing the weapons of the white men, so that they -could not attempt a surprise this time, he walked towards the hunter. - -"I warned Bright-eye," he said. - -The hunter smiled contemptuously. - -"You warned us after the fashion of Redskins," he replied. - -"What does my brother mean?" - -"I mean that you warned us of a danger that threatened us, and not that -you intended treachery." - -"It is the same thing," the Indian replied, with utter calmness. - -"Bright-eye, my friend, do not argue with those scoundrels," the Count -said. - -And turning haughtily to the chief,-- - -"Come! what do you want of us?" he asked. - -Since his arrival on the prairie, and through his constant contact with -the Indians the Count had almost unconsciously learned their language, -which he spoke rather fluently. - -"We do not wish to do you any hurt; we only intend to prevent your -interference in our affairs," Natah Otann said respectfully; "we should -be very sorry to have recourse to violent measures." - -The young man burst into a laugh. - -"You are humbugs! I can manage to escape, in spite of you." - -"Let my brother try it." - -"When the moment arrives; as for the present, it is not worth the -trouble!" - -While speaking in this light tone, the young man took his case from -his pocket, chose a cigar, and, pulling out a lucifer match, stooped -down and rubbed it on a stone. The Indians, considerably puzzled by his -movements, followed them anxiously; but suddenly they uttered a yell of -terror, and fell back several paces. The match had caught fire with the -friction; a delicious blue flame sported about its extremity. The Count -carelessly twisted the slight morsel of wood between his fingers, while -waiting till all the sulphur was consumed. He did not notice the terror -of the Indians. - -The latter, with a movement as swift as thought, stooped down, and each -picking up the first piece of wood he found at his feet, all began -rubbing it against the stones. The Count, in amazement, looked at -them, not yet understanding what they were about. Natah Otann seem to -hesitate for a moment; a smile of strange meaning played, rapidly as -lightning, over his gloomy features; but reassuming almost immediately -his cold impassiveness, he took a step forward, and respectfully bowing -before the Count-- - -"My father commands the fire of the sun," he said, with all the -appearance of a mysterious terror, while pointing to the match. - -The young man smiled; he had guessed the secret. - -"Which of you," he said haughtily, "would dare to contend with me?" - -The Indians regarded each other with amazement. These men, so intrepid -and accustomed to brave the greatest dangers, were vanquished by the -incomprehensible power their prisoner possessed. As, while talking -to the chief, the Count had not watched his match, it had gone out -before he could use it, and he threw it away. The Indians rushed upon -it, to assure themselves that the flame was real. Without appearing to -attach any importance to this action, the Count drew a second match -from his box, and renewed his experiment. His triumph was complete; the -Redskins, in their terror, fell at his feet, imploring him to pardon -them. Henceforth he might dare anything. These primitive men, terrified -by the two miracles he had performed, regarded him as a superior being -to themselves, and were completely mastered by him. While Bright-eye -laughed in his sleeve at the Indians' simplicity, the young man -cleverly employed his triumph. - -"You see what I can do," he said. - -"We see it," Natah Otann made answer. - -"When do you intend to attack the emigrants?" - -"When the moon has set, the warriors of the tribe will assault their -camp." - -"And you?" - -"Will guard our brother." - -"So you now fancy that is possible," the Count said, haughtily. - -The Redskins shuddered at the flash of his glance. - -"Our brother will pardon us," the chief replied, submissively; "we only -knew him imperfectly." - -"And now?" - -"Now we know that he is our master, let him command, and we will obey." - -"Take care!" he said, in a tone which made them shudder, "for I am -about to put your obedience to a rude trial." - -"Our ears are open to receive our brother's words." - -"Draw nearer." - -The Blackfeet took a few hesitating steps in advance, for they were not -yet completely reassured. - -"And now listen to me attentively," he said, "and when you have -received my orders, take care to execute them thoroughly." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE STRANGE WOMAN. - - -We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp. As we have said, -Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from -easy in his mind. Although not yet possessed of all the experience -required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing -marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree -of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very -useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse -it. The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he -surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive -the approach of an enemy. - -Father and son were seated by the fire, rising from time to time, in -turn, to cast glances over the desert, and assure themselves that -nothing menaced their tranquillity. Black was a man gifted with an iron -will and a lion's courage; hitherto his schemes had been unsuccessful, -and he had sworn to make himself an honourable position, no matter at -what cost. - -He was the descendant of an old family of squatters. The squatter being -an individuality peculiar to America, and vainly sought elsewhere, we -will describe him as he is, in a few words. On the lands belonging to -the United States, not yet cleared or put up for sale, large numbers -of persons have settled, with the desire of eventually _purchasing_ -their lots. These inhabitants are called squatters. We will not say -that they are the pick of the western emigrants, but we know that, -in certain districts, they have constituted themselves a regular -Government, and have elected magistrates to watch over the execution -of the Draconian laws they have themselves laid down to insure the -tranquillity of the territories they have invaded. But by the side of -these quasi-honest squatters, who bow their necks beneath a yoke that -is often harsh, there is another class of squatters, who understand -the possession of land in its widest sense; that is to say, whenever -they discover, in their vagabond peregrinations, a tract of land that -suits them, they instal themselves there without any further inquiry, -and caring nothing for the rightful owner, who, when he arrives with -his labourers to till his estate, is quite annoyed to find it is in the -hands of an individual who, trusting to the axiom that possession is -nine points of the law, refuses to give it up, and if he insist, drives -him away by means of his rifle and revolver. - -We know a capital story of a gentleman, who, starting from New York -with two hundred labourers, to clear a virgin forest he had purchased -some ten years previously, and never turned to any use, found, on -arriving at his claim, a town of four thousand souls built on the site -of his virgin forest, of which not a tree remained. After numberless -discussions, the said gentleman esteemed himself very fortunate in -being able to depart with a whole skin, and without paying damages to -his despoilers, whom he had momentarily hoped to oust. But there is no -more chance of ousting a squatter, than you can get a dollar out of a -Yankee, when he has once pocketed it. - -John Black belonged to the former of the two classes we have described. -When he reached the age of twenty, his father gave him an axe, a rifle -with twenty charges of powder, and a bowie knife, saying to him-- - -"Listen, boy. You are now tall and strong; it would be a shame for you -to remain longer a burden on me. I have your two brothers to support. -America is large; there is no want of land. Go in God's name, and -never let me hear of you again. With the weapons I give you, and the -education you have received, your fortune will soon be made, if you -like: before all, avoid all disagreeable disputes, and try not to be -hanged." - -After this affectionate address, the father tenderly embraced his son, -put him out of the cabin, and slammed the door in his face. From that -moment John Black had never heard of his father--it is true that he -never tried to obtain any news about him. - -Life had been rough to him at the outset; but owing to his character, -and a certain elasticity of principle, the sole inheritance his family -had given him, he had contrived to gain a livelihood, and bring up his -children without any great privations. Either through the isolation in -which he had passed his youth, or for some other reason we are ignorant -of, Black adored his wife and children, and would not have parted from -them on any account. When fatality compelled him to give up the farm he -occupied, and look for another, he set out gaily, sustained by the love -of his family, no member of which was ungrateful for the sacrifices he -imposed on himself; and he had resolved to go this time so far, that -no one would ever come to dispossess him, for he had been obliged to -surrender his farm to its legitimate proprietor, which he had done on -the mere exhibition of the title deeds, without dreaming of resistance ---a conduct which had been greatly blamed by all his neighbours. - -Black wished to see his family happy, and watched over it with the -jealous tenderness of a hen for its chicks. Thus, on this evening, -an extreme alarm had preyed on him, though he could not explain the -cause: the disappearance of the Indians did not seem to him natural; -everything around was too calm, the silence of the desert too profound: -he could not remain at any one spot, and, in spite of his son's -remarks, rose every moment to take a look over the intrenchments. - -William felt for his father a great affection, mingled with respect: -the state in which he saw him vexed him the more, because there was -nothing to account for his extraordinary restlessness. - -"Good gracious, father!" he said, "do not trouble yourself so much; it -really causes me pain to see you in such a state. Do you suppose that -the Indians would have attacked us by such a moonlight as this? Look, -objects can be distinguished as in broad day; I am certain you might -even read the Bible by the silvery rays." - -"You are right for the present moment, Will. The Redskins are too -crafty to face our rifles during the moonshine; but in an hour the moon -will have set, and the darkness will then protect them sufficiently to -allow them to reach the foot of the barricade unnoticed." - -"Do not imagine they will attempt it, my dear father! Those red devils -have seen us sufficiently close to know that they can only expect a -volley of bullets from us." - -"Hum! I am not of your opinion; our beasts would be riches to them: I -do not wish to abandon them, as we should then be compelled to return -to the plantations to procure others, which would be most disagreeable, -you will allow." - -"It is true; but we shall not be reduced to that extremity." - -"May Heaven grant it, my boy; but do you hear nothing?" - -The young man listened attentively. - -"No," he said, at the end of a moment. - -The emigrant proceeded with a sigh: "I visited the river bank this -morning, and I have rarely seen a spot better suited for a settlement. -The virgin forest that extends behind us would supply excellent -firewood, without reckoning the magnificent planks to be obtained from -it: there are several hundred acres around, which, from their proximity -to the water, would produce, I am certain, excellent crops." - -"Would you feel inclined to settle here, then?" - -"Have you any objection?" - -"I--none at all! provided we can live and work together. I care little -at what place we stop: this spot appears to me as good as another, and -it is far enough from the settlements to prevent our being turned out, -at least for a great number of years." - -"That is exactly my view." - -At this moment a gentle quivering ran along the tall grass. - -"This time I am certain I am not mistaken," the emigrant exclaimed; "I -heard something." - -"And I too!" the young man said, rising quickly, and seizing his rifle. - -The two men hurried to the entrenchments, but they saw nothing of a -suspicious nature: the prairie was still perfectly calm. - -"'Tis some wild beast going down to drink, or returning," Will said, to -reassure his father. - -"No, no," the latter replied, with a shake of the head; "it is not the -noise made by any animal--it was the echo of a man's footfall, I am -convinced." - -"The simplest way is to go and see." - -"Come then." - -The two men resolutely climbed over the intrenchments, and with rifles -outstretched, went round the camp, carefully searching the bushes, and -assuring themselves that no foe lurked in them. - -"Well!" they exclaimed, when they met. - -"Nothing--and you?" - -"Nothing." - -"It is strange," John Black muttered, "and yet the noise was very -distinct." - -"That is true; but I repeat, father, that it was nothing but an animal -leaping somewhere near. In a night so calm as this, the slightest sound -is heard for a great distance; besides, we are now certain that no one -is concealed near us." - -"Let us go back," the emigrant said, thoughtfully. They began climbing -over the entrenchments; but both stopped suddenly, by mutual agreement, -hardly checking a cry of amazement, almost of terror. They had just -perceived a human being, whose outline it was impossible to trace at -such a distance, crouched over the fire. - -"This time I will have it out," the emigrant exclaimed, taking a -prodigious bound into the camp. - -"And I, too," his son murmured, as he followed his example. - -But when they came opposite their strange visitor, their surprise -was redoubled. In spite of themselves, they stopped to gaze on the -stranger, without thinking to ask how he had entered their camp, and by -what right he had done so. - -As far as they could form a judgment, they soon began to consider -the extraordinary being before them--a woman; but years, the mode of -life she led, and perchance cares, had furrowed her face with such a -multitude of cross hatchings, that it was impossible to conjecture her -age, or whether she had formerly been lovely. The large black eyes, -surmounted by thick brows crossing her curved nose, and deep sunk, -flashed with a gloomy fire; her salient and empurpled cheekbones, her -large mouth studded with dazzling teeth, and her thin lips and square -chin, gave her at first an appearance which was far from arousing -sympathy and exciting confidence; while her long black hair, matted -with leaves and grass, fell in disorder on her shoulders. She wore a -costume more suited for a man than a woman. It was composed of a long -robe of buffalo hide, with short sleeves, fastened on the hips by a -girdle bedizened with beads. This robe had the skirt fringed with -feathers, and only came down to the knee. Her _mitasses_ were fastened -round the ankles, and reached slightly above the knee, where they were -held up by garters of buffalo hide. Her _humpis_ or slippers were plain -and unornamented. She wore iron rings on her wrist, two or three bead -collars round her neck, and earrings. From her girdle hung on one side -a powder flask, an axe, and a bowie knife; on the other, a bullet pouch -and a long Indian pipe. Across her knees lay a rather handsome gun, of -English manufacture. - -She was crouching over the fire, which she gazed at fixedly, with her -chin on the palm of her hand. - -On the arrival of the Americans, she did not rise, and did not even -appear to notice their presence. After examining her attentively for -some time, Black walked up, and, tapping her on the shoulder, said-- - -"You are welcome, woman; it seems as if you were cold, and the fire -does not displease you." - -She slowly raised her head on feeling the touch, and, fixing on her -questioner a gloomy glance, in which it was easy to perceive a slight -wildness, she replied in English, in a hollow voice, and with guttural -accent-- - -"The Palefaces are mad; they ever think themselves in their towns; they -forget that in the prairie the trees have ears and the leaves eyes to -see and hear all that is done. The Blackfeet Indians raise their hair -very skilfully." - -The two men looked at each other on hearing these words, whose meaning -they were afraid to guess, though they seemed somewhat obscure. - -"Are you hungry? Will you eat?" John Black continued, "or is it thirst -that troubles you? I can, if you like, give you a good draught of -firewater to warm you." - -The woman frowned. - -"Fire-water is good for Indian squaws," she said, "what good would it -do me to drink it? Others will come who will soon dispose of it. Do you -know how many hours you still have to live?" - -The emigrant shuddered, in spite of himself at this species of menace. - -"Why speak to me thus?" he asked; "have you any cause of complaint -against me?" - -"I care little," she continued. "I am not among the living, since my -heart is dead." - -She turned her head in every direction with a slow and solemn movement, -while carefully examining the country. - -"Stay," she continued, pointing with her lean arm to a mound of grass a -short distance off, "'twas there he fell--'tis there he rests. His head -was cleft asunder by an axe during his sleep--poor James! This spot is -ill-omened: do you not know it? The vultures and the crows alone stay -here at long intervals. Why, then, have you come here? Are you weary of -life? Do you hear them? They are approaching; they will soon be here." - -Father and son exchanged a glance. - -"She is mad. Poor creature!" Black muttered. - -"Yes; that is what they all say on the prairies," she exclaimed, with -some accusation in her voice. "They call me _Ohucahauck Chiké_ (the -evil one of the earth), because they fear me as their evil genius. You, -also, fancy me mad, eh? ah! ah! ah!" - -She burst into a strident laugh, which ended in a sob; she buried -her face in her hands, and wept. The two men felt awed in spite of -themselves; this strange grief, these incoherent words, all aroused -their interest in favour of this poor creature, who appeared so -unhappy. Pity was at work in their hearts, and they regarded her -silently without daring to disturb her. In a few moments she raised her -head, passed the back of her hand over her eyes to dry them, and spoke -again. The wild expression had disappeared; the very sound of her voice -was no longer the same; as if by enchantment, a complete change had -taken place in her. - -"Pardon," she said mournfully, "the extravagant words I have uttered. -The solitude in which I live, and the heavy burden of woe which has -crushed me so long, at times trouble my reason; and then the place -where we now stand reminds me of terrible scenes, whose cruel memory -will never be erased from my mind." - -"Madam, I assure you--," John Black continued, not knowing what he -said, so great was his surprise. - -"Now the fit has passed away." She interrupted him with a gentle -and melancholy smile, which gave her countenance a very different -expression from that the Americans had hitherto remarked; "I have been -following you for the last two days to come to your help; the Redskins -are preparing to attack you--" - -The two men shuddered: and, forgetting all else to think only of the -pressing danger, they cast a restless glance around them. - -"You know it?" Black exclaimed. - -"I know all," she answered; "but reassure yourselves. You have still -two hours ere their horrible war cry will sound in your ears; that is -more than enough to render you safe." - -"Oh! we have good rifles and keen sight," said William, clutching his -weapon in his nervous hands. - -"What can four rifles, however good they may be, do against two or -three hundred tigers thirsting for blood, like those you will have to -fight? You do not know the Redskins, young man." - -"That is true," he answered; "but what is to be done?" - -"Seek a refuge?--where find help in these immense solitudes?" the -father added, casting a despairing glance around him. - -"Did I not tell you I wished to help you?" she said, sharply. - -"Yes; you told us so; but I try in vain to detect of what use you can -be to us." - -She smiled a melancholy smile. - -"It is your good angel that brought you to the spot where you now are. -While I was watching you all the day, I trembled lest you might not -encamp here. Come!" - -The two men, surprised by the ascendancy this strange creature had -gained over them in a few minutes, followed her without reply. After -walking about a dozen steps, she stopped, and turned toward them. - -"Look," she said, stretching out her thin arm in a north-west -direction, "your enemies are there, scarce two leagues off, buried in -the tall grass. I have heard their plans, and was present at their -council, though they little suspected it. They are only waiting for the -moon to set, ere they attack you. You have scarce an hour left." - -"My poor wife!" Black murmured. - -"It is impossible for me to save you all: to fancy it would be madness; -but I can, if you wish it, attempt to save your wife and daughter from -the fate that menaces them." - -"Speak! speak!" - -"This tree, at the foot of which we are now standing, although -apparently possessing all the vigour of youth, is internally hollow, -so that only the bark stands upright. Your wife and daughter, supplied -with some provisions, will get into the tree and remain there in safety -till the danger has passed away. As for ourselves--" - -"As for us," Black quickly interrupted her, "we are men accustomed to -danger: our fate is in the hands of God." - -"Good; but do not despair: all is not lost yet." - -The American shook his head. - -"As you said yourself, what can four men do against a legion of demons -like those who menace us? But that is not the question of the moment. I -do not see the hole by which my wife and daughter can enter the tree." - -"It is twenty to twenty-four feet up, hidden among the branches and -leaves." - -"The Lord be praised! they will be sheltered." - -"Yes; but make haste and warn them, while your son and I make all the -preparations." - -Black, convinced of the necessity of haste, ran off, while the stranger -and William constructed, with that dexterity produced by the approach -of danger, a species of handy ladder, by which the two women could not -merely ascend the tree, but go down into the cavity. Black waked the -ladies, and called the servants; in a few words he explained to them -what was passing; then, loading his wife and daughter with provisions, -furs, and other indispensable objects, he led them to the spot where -the stranger was expecting them. - -"This is my most precious treasure," Black said; "if I save it, I shall -be solely indebted to you." - -The two ladies began thanking their mysterious protectress; but she -imposed silence on them by a peremptory gesture. - -"Presently, presently," she said; "if we escape, we shall have plenty -of time for mutual congratulations; but at this moment we have -something more important to do than exchange compliments. We must get -into a place of safety." - -The two ladies fell back, quite repulsed by this rough reception, while -casting a curious and almost alarmed glance on the strange creature. -But the latter, perfectly stoical, seemed to notice nothing. She -explained in a few clear words the means she had found to conceal them: -recommended them to remain silent in the hollow tree, and then ordered -them to mount. The two ladies, after embracing Black and his son, began -resolutely ascending the rungs of the improvised ladder. They reached -in a few seconds an enormous branch, on which they stopped, by the -orders of the stranger. Black then threw down into the interior of the -tree the furs and provisions, after which the ladder was placed inside, -and the ladies glided through the hole. - -"We leave you the ladder, which is useless to us," the stranger then -said. "But be very careful not to come out till you have seen me again; -the least imprudence, under the circumstances, might cost your lives. -However, keep your minds at rest. Your imprisonment will not be long, a -few hours at the most: so be of good cheer." - -The ladies once again tried to express their gratitude; but, without -listening, the stranger made Black a sign to follow her, and rapidly -descended from the tree. Aided by the Americans, she then began -removing every trace that might have revealed where the ladies were -bestowed. When the stranger had assured herself, by a final glance, -that all was in order, and nothing could betray those who were so -famously hidden, she sighed, and followed by the two men, walked to the -intrenchments. - -"Now," she said, "let us watch attentively around us, for these demons -will probably crawl close up in the shadows. You are free and honest -Americans, show these accursed Indians what you can do." - -"Let them come!" Black muttered hoarsely. - -"They will soon do so," she replied, and pointed to several almost -imperceptible black dots, which, however, grew larger, and were -evidently approaching the encampment. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP. - - -The Redskins have a mode of fighting which foils all the methods -employed by European tactics. In order to understand their system -properly, we must, in the first place, bear in mind that the Indian -idea of honour is different from ours. This understood, the rest may be -easily admitted. The Indians, in undertaking an enterprise, have only -one object--success, and all means are good to attain it. Gifted with -incontestable courage, at times rash to an excess, stopping at nothing, -and recoiling before no difficulty--for all that, when the success -of these enterprises appears to them dubious, and that consequently -the object is missed, they retire as easily as they advanced, not -considering their honour compromised by a retreat, or by leaving the -battlefield to an enemy more powerful than themselves, or well on his -guard. - -Thus, their system of fighting is most simple, and they only proceed by -surprises. The Redskins will follow the enemy's trail for entire months -with unequalled patience, never relaxing their watch for a moment, -spying him night and day, while ever careful not to be themselves -surprised: then, when the occasion at last presents itself, and they -fancy the moment arrived to execute the project, all the chances for or -against which they have so long calculated, they act with a vigour and -fury which frequently disconcert those they attack; but if after the -first onset they are repulsed--if they see that those they attack will -not let themselves be intimidated, and are prepared to resist, then, on -a given signal, they disappear as if by enchantment, and, without any -shame, begin watching again for a more favourable moment. - -Black, on the advice of the stranger, had placed himself and his -party in such positions that they could survey the prairie in every -direction. The stranger and himself were leaning on their rifles in -the angle that faced the river. The prairie at this moment presented -a singular appearance. The breeze, which at sunset had risen with a -certain strength, was gently dying out, scarce bending the tops of the -great trees. The moon, almost departed, only cast over the landscape an -uncertain and timorous gleam, which, in lieu of dissipating the gloom, -only rendered the darkness visible, through the striking contrasts -between the obscurity and the pale and fugitive rays of the declining -planet. - -At times, a dull roar or sharp bark rose in the silence, and, like a -sinister appeal, reminded the emigrant that implacable and ferocious -enemies were on the watch around, although invisible. The purity of the -atmosphere was so great, that the slightest sound could be heard for an -immense distance, and it was easy to distinguish the enormous blocks of -granite that formed black dots on the ground. - -"Do you know for certain that we shall be attacked this night?" the -American asked, in a low voice. - -"I was present at the last council of the chiefs," the unknown replied -distinctly. - -The emigrant bent on her a scrutinising glance, which she recognised, -and immediately understood; she shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. - -"Take care," she said to him, with a certain emphasis, "let not doubt -invade your mind; what interest should I have in deceiving you?" - -"I know not," he replied dreamily "but I also ask myself what interest -you have in defending me?" - -"None; since you place the matter on that footing, what do I care -whether your wealth is plundered, your wife, your daughter, and -yourself scalped? it is a matter of supreme indifference to me; but -must the affair be only regarded from that side? Do you imagine that -material interests have a great weight with me? If that is your -opinion, I shall withdraw, leaving you to get out of your present -position in the best way you can." - -While uttering these words, she had thrown her rifle over her shoulder, -and prepared to climb over the palisade, but Black quickly checked her. - -"You do not understand me," he said; "any man in my place would act as -I do; my position is fearful, you allow it yourself; you entered my -camp, and it is impossible for me to guess how. Still, I have hitherto -put the utmost confidence in you, as you cannot deny; but I do not -know who you are, or what motive causes you to act. Your words, far -from explaining, plunge me, on the contrary, into greater uncertainty; -the safety of my entire family and all I possess is at stake: reflect -seriously on all this, and I defy you to disapprove of my not putting -utter confidence in you, although you are, doubtlessly, deserving of -it, so long as I do not know who you are." - -"Yes," she answered, after a moment's reflection, "you are right, the -world is so, people must first of all give their name and quality; -egotism is so thoroughly the master over the whole surface of the -globe, that even to do a person a service, you require a certificate -of honesty, for no one will admit disinterestedness of heart,--that -aberration of generous minds, which practical people brand as madness. -Unfortunately, you must take me for what I appear, at the risk of -seeing me go away, and hence any confidence on my part would be -superfluous. You will judge me by my acts, the only proof I can and -will give you of the purity of my intentions; you are free to accept or -decline my assistance, and after all is over, you can thank or curse me -at your choice." - -Black was more perplexed than ever; the stranger's explanations only -rendered the fog denser, instead of affording him light. Still, in -spite of himself, he felt himself attracted toward her. After a few -moments of serious reflection, he raised his head, struck his rifle -barrel smartly with his right hand, and looking his companion well in -the face, said in a firm voice,-- - -"Listen, I will no longer try to learn whether you come from God or the -devil; if you are a spy of our enemies, or our devoted friend--events, -as you said, will soon decide the question. But bear this in mind, I -will carefully watch your slightest gesture, your every word. At the -first suspicious word or movement, I will put a bullet through your -head, even if I am killed the moment after. Is that a bargain?" - -The stranger began laughing. - -"I accept," she said. "I recognise the Yankee in that proposition." - -After this, the conversation ceased, and their entire attention was -concentrated on the prairie. The most profound calm still continued -to brood over the desert; apparently, all was in the same state as at -sunset. Still the stranger's piercing eyes distinguished on the river -bank several wild beasts flying precipitately, and others escaping -across the river, instead of continuing to drink. One of the truest -axioms in the desert is:--there can be no effect without a cause. -Everything has a reason in the prairie, all is analysed or commented -on; a leaf does not fall from a tree, a bird fly away, without the -observer knowing or guessing why it has happened. - -After a few moments of profound examination, the stranger seized the -emigrant's arm, and bending down to his ear, said in a weak voice, like -the sighing of the breeze, one word which made him tremble, as she -stretched out her arm in the direction of the plain. - -"Look!" - -Black bent forward. - -"Oh!" he said a minute after, "what is the meaning of this?" - -The prairie, as we have already mentioned, was covered in several -places by blocks of granite and dead trees; singularly enough, these -black dots, at first a considerable distance from the camp, seemed -approaching insensibly, and now were only a short way from it. As it -was physically impossible for rocks and trees to move of their own -accord, there must be a cause for this, which the worthy emigrant, -whose mind was anything but subtle, cudgelled his brains in vain -to guess. This new Birnam Wood, which moved all alone, made him -excessively uncomfortable; his son and servants had also noticed the -same fact, though equally unable to account for it. Black remarked -specially that a tree he remembered perfectly well seeing that same -evening more than one hundred and fifty feet from the mound, had -suddenly come so close, that it was hardly thirty paces off. The -stranger, without evincing any emotion, whispered-- - -"They are the Indians!" - -"The Indians?" he said, "impossible!" - -She knelt behind the palisade, shouldered her rifle, and after taking a -careful aim, pulled the trigger. A flash traversed the darkness, and at -the same moment the pretended tree bounded like a deer. A terrible yell -was raised, and the Redskins appeared, rushing toward the camp like a -herd of wolves, brandishing their weapons, and howling like demons. -The Americans, very superstitious people, reassured by seeing that -they had only to deal with men, when they feared some spell, received -their enemies bravely with a rolling and well-directed fire. Still, -the Indians, probably knowing the small number of white men, did not -recoil, but pushed on boldly. The Redskins were hardly a few yards off, -and were preparing to carry the barricades, when a shot, fired by the -stranger, tolled over an Indian ahead of the rest, at the instant he -turned to his comrades to encourage them to follow him. - -The fall of this man produced an effect which the Americans, who -fancied themselves lost, were far from anticipating. As if by -enchantment, the Indians disappeared, the yells ceased, and the deepest -silence prevailed again. It might be supposed that all that had passed -was a dream. The Americans regarded each other with amazement, not -knowing to what they should attribute this sudden retreat. - -"That is incomprehensible," Black said, after assuring himself by a -hasty glance that none of his party were wounded; "can you explain -that, mistress, you, who seem to be our guardian angel, for it is to -your last shot we owe the rest we at present enjoy?" - -"Ah!" she said, with a sarcastic smile, "you are beginning to do me -justice, then." - -"Do not speak about that," the emigrant said, with an angry voice; "I -am a fool; pardon me, and forget my suspicions." - -"I have forgotten them," she replied. "As for that which astounds you, -it is very simple. The man I killed, or, at any rate, wounded, was an -Indian chief of great reputation; on seeing him fall, his warriors were -discouraged, and they ran to carry him off the field, lest his scalp -should fall into your hands." - -"Oh, oh!" Black said, with a gesture of disgust; "do these Pagans fancy -we are like themselves? No, no! I would kill them to the last man, in -self-defence, and no one could blame me for it; but as for scalping, -that is a different matter. I am an honest Virginian, without a drop of -red blood in my veins. My father's son does not commit such infamy." - -"I approve your remarks," the stranger said, in a sorrowful voice; -"scalping is a frightful torture; unfortunately, many white men on the -prairies do not think like you; they have adopted Indian fashions, and -scalp, without ceremony, the enemies they kill." - -"They are wrong." - -"Possibly; I am far from justifying them." - -"So that," the emigrant joyfully exclaimed, "we are free from these red -devils." - -"Do not rejoice yet; you will soon see them return." - -"What, again?" - -"They have only suspended their attack to carry off their killed and -wounded, and probably to invent some other plan, to get the better of -you." - -"Oh, that will not be difficult; in spite of all our efforts, it will -be impossible for us to resist that flock of birds of prey, who rush on -us from all sides, as on a carcass. What can five rifles effect against -that legion of demons?" - -"Much, if you do not despair." - -"Oh, as for that, you may be easy, we will not yield an inch; we are -resolved to die at our posts." - -"Your bravery pleases me," the stranger said, "perhaps all will end -better than you suppose." - -"May Heaven hear you, my worthy woman." - -"Let us lose no time; the Indians may return to the charge at any -moment, so let us try to be as successful this time as the first." - -"I will." - -"Good! Are you a man of resolution?" - -"I fancy I have proved it." - -"That is true. How many days' provisions have you here?" - -"Four, at the least." - -"That is to say, eight, if necessary." - -"Pretty nearly." - -"Good! Now, if you like, I will get rid of your enemies for a long -time." - -"I ask nothing better." - -Suddenly the war cry of the Redskins was again heard, but this time -more strident and unearthly than the first. - -"It is too late!" the stranger said, sorrowfully, "All that is left is -to die bravely." - -"Let us die, then; but first kill as many of these Pagans as we can," -John Black answered. "Hurrah! my boys, for Uncle Sam!" - -"Hurrah!" his comrades shouted, brandishing their weapons. - -The Indians responded to this challenge by yells of rage, and the -combat recommenced, though this time it was more serious. After rising -to utter their formidable war cry, the Indians scattered, and advanced -slowly toward the camp, by crawling on the ground. When they found -in their road the stump of a tree or a bush capable of offering them -shelter, they stopped to fire an arrow or a bullet. The new tactics -adopted by their enemies disconcerted the Americans, whose bullets were -too often wasted; for, unluckily, the Indians were almost invisible in -the gloom, and, with that cunning so characteristic of them, shook the -grass so cleverly, that the deceived emigrants did not know where to -aim. - -"We are lost," Black exclaimed despondingly. - -"The position is indeed becoming critical; but we must not despair -yet," the stranger remarked; "one chance is left us; a very poor one, -I grant; but which I shall employ when the moment arrives. Try to hold -out in a hand-to-hand fight." - -"Come," the emigrant said, shouldering his rifle, "there is one of the -devils who will not get any further." - -A Blackfoot warrior, whose head rose at this moment above the grass, -had his skull fractured by the American's bullet. The Redskins suddenly -rose, and rushed, howling, on the barricade, where the emigrants -awaited them firmly. A point-blank discharge received the Indians, and -a hand-to-hand fight began. The Americans, standing on the barricades -and clubbing their rifles, dashed down every one who came within their -reach. Suddenly, at the moment when the emigrants, overpowered by -numbers, fell back a step, the stranger rushed up the barricade, with a -torch in her hand, and uttering such a savage yell, that the combatants -stopped, with a shudder. The flame of the torch was reflected on the -stranger's face, and imparted to it a demoniac expression. She held her -head high, and stretched out her arm, with a magnificent gesture of -authority. - -"Back!" she shrieked. "Back, devils!" - -At this extraordinary apparition, the Redskins remained for a moment -motionless, as if petrified, but then they rushed headlong down the -slope, flying, with the utmost terror. The Americans, interested -witnesses of this incomprehensible scene, gave a sigh of relief. They -were saved! Saved by a miracle! They then rushed toward the stranger, -to express their gratitude to her. - -She had disappeared! - -In vain did the Americans look for her everywhere; they could not -imagine whither she was gone: she seemed to have suddenly become -invisible. The torch she held in her hand, when addressing the Indians, -lay on the ground, where it still smoked; it was the only trace she -left of her presence in the emigrants' camp. - -John Black and his companions lost themselves in conjectures on her -account, while dressing, as well as they could, the wounds they had -received in the engagement, when his wife and daughter suddenly -appeared in the camp. Black rushed toward them. - -"How imprudent of you!" he exclaimed. "Why have you left your hiding -place, in spite of the warnings given you?" - -His wife looked at him in amazement. - -"We left it," she replied, "by the directions of the strange woman to -whom we are all so deeply indebted this night." - -"What! have you seen her again?" - -"Certainly; a few moments back she came to us; we were half dead -with terror, for the sounds of the fighting reached us, and we were -completely ignorant of what was occurring. After reassuring us, she -told us that all was over, that we had nothing more to fear, and that, -if we liked, we could rejoin you." - -"But she--what did she do?" - -"She led us to this spot; then, in spite of our entreaties, she went -away, saying that as we no longer needed her, her presence was useless, -while important reasons compelled her departure." - -The emigrant then told the ladies all about the events of the night, -and the obligations they owed to this extraordinary female. They -listened to the narrative with the utmost attention, not knowing to -what they should attribute her strange conduct, and feeling their -curiosity aroused to the utmost pitch. Unfortunately, the peculiar -way in which the stranger had retired, did not appear to evince any -great desire on her part to establish more intimate relations with the -emigrants. - -In the desert, however, there is but little time to be given to -reflections and comments; action is before all; men must live and -defend themselves. Hence Black, without losing further time in -trying to solve the riddle, occupied himself actively in repairing -the breaches made in his entrenchments, and fortifying his camp more -strongly, were that possible, by piling up on the barricades all the -articles within reach. When these first duties for the common safety -were accomplished, the emigrant thought of his cattle. He had placed -them at a spot where the bullets could not reach them, close to the -tent, into which his wife and daughter had again withdrawn, and had -surrounded them by a quantity of interlaced branches. On entering this -corral, Black uttered a cry of amazement, which was soon changed into, -a yell of fury. His son and the men ran up; the horses and one-half the -cattle had disappeared. During the fight the Indians had carried them -off, and the noise had prevented their flight being heard. It seemed -probable that the stranger's interference, by striking the Indians with -terror, had alone prevented the robbery being completed, and the whole -of the cattle carried off. - -The loss was enormous to the emigrant; although all his cattle had not -disappeared, enough had been carried off to render further progress -impossible. His resolution was formed with that promptitude so -characteristic of the Northern Americans. - -"Our beasts are stolen," he said; "I must have them back." - -"Quite right," William answered; "at daybreak we will go on their -track." - -"I, but not you, my son," the emigrant said. "Sam will go with me." - -"What shall I do then?" - -"Stay in the camp, to guard your mother and sister. I will leave James -with you." - -The young man made no reply. - -"I will not let the Pagans boast of having eaten my oxen," Black said, -wrathfully. "By my father's soul, I will get them back, or lose my -scalp!" - -The night had passed away while the camp was being fortified. The sun, -though still invisible, was beginning to tinge the horizon with a -purple light. - -"Ah, look!" Black continued, "here's day; let us lose no time, but set -off. I recommend your mother and sister to your care, Will, as well as -all that is here." - -"You can go, father," the young man said. "I will keep good watch -during your absence; you may be easy." - -The emigrant pressed his son's hand, threw his rifle, over his -shoulder, made a sign to Sam to follow him, and walked towards the -entrenchment. - -"It is useless to wake your mother," he said, as he walked on; "when -she comes out of the tent, you will tell her what has occurred, and -what I have done; I am certain she will approve of it. So, good-bye, my -boy, and mind you are on the watch." - -"And you, father--good luck!" - -"May Heaven grant it, boy," the emigrant said, sorrowfully. "Such -splendid cattle!" - -"Stay!" the young man exclaimed, holding his father back, at the moment -the latter was preparing to climb over the barricades. "What is that I -see down there?" - -The emigrant turned quickly. - -"Do you see anything, Will---whereabouts?" - -"Look, father, in that direction. But what is the meaning of it? It -must be our cattle." - -The emigrant looked in the direction his son indicated. - -"What!" he exclaimed joyfully; "why, those are our cattle. Where on -earth do they come from? And who is bringing them back?" - -In fact, at a great distance on the prairie, the American's cattle were -visible, galloping rapidly in the direction of the camp, and raising a -cloud of dust behind them. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE INDIAN CHIEF. - - -The Count de Beaulieu was far from suspecting, as he carelessly -prepared to light a cigar, that the lucifer match he employed would at -once render him so important in the sight of the Indians. But, so soon -as he recognized the power of the weapon chance placed in his hands, -he resolved to employ it, and turn to his own profit the superstitious -ignorance of the Redskins. Enjoying, in his heart, the triumph he had -obtained, the Count frowned, and employing the language and emphatic -gestures of the Indians, when he saw they were sufficiently recovered -to listen to him, he addressed them with that commanding tone which -always imposes on the masses. - -"Let my brothers open their ears; the words my lips utter must be -heard and understood by all. My brothers are simple men, prone to -error; truth must enter their hearts like an iron wedge. My goodness -is great, because I am powerful; instead of chastising them when -they dared to lay hands on me, I am satisfied with displaying my -power before their eyes. I am a great physician of the pale faces; I -possess all the secrets of the most famous medicines. If I pleased, -the birds of the air and the fish of the river would come to do me -homage, because the Master of Life is within me, and has given me his -medicine rod. Listen to this, Redskins, and remember it: when the first -man was born, he walked on the banks of the Mecha-Chebe; there he met -the Master of Life: the Master of Life saluted him, and said to him, -'Thou art my son.' 'No,' the first man made answer, 'thou art my son, -and I will prove it to thee, if thou dost not believe me; we will sit -down and plant in the earth the medicine rod we hold in our hands; the -one who rises first will be the younger, and the son of the other.' -They sat down then, and looked at each other for a long time, until at -length the Master of Life turned pale, and the flesh left his bones; on -which the first man exclaimed, joyfully, 'At length thou art assuredly -dead.' And they regarded each other thus during ten times ten moons, -and ten times more; and as at the end of that time the bones of the -Master of Life were completely bleached, the first man rose and said, -'Yes, now there is no more doubt; he is certainly dead.' He then took -the medicine stick of the Master of Life, and drew it from the earth. -But then the Master of Life rose, and taking the stick from him, said -to him, 'Stop! here I am; I am thy father, and thou art my son.' And -the first man recognized him as his father. But the Master of Life -then added, 'Thou art my son, first man; thou can'st not die; take my -medicine staff; when I have to communicate with my Redskin sons, I -will send thee.' This is the medicine staff. Are you ready to execute -my orders?" - -These words were uttered with so profound an accent of truth, the -legend related by the Count was so true and so well known by all, that -the Indians, whom the miracle of the match had already disposed to -credulity, put complete faith in it, and answered respectfully-- - -"Let my father speak: what he wishes we wish. Are we not his children?" - -"Hence," the Count continued, "I wish to speak with you, chief, alone." - -Natah Otann had listened to the Count's discourse with the deepest -attention: at times, an observer might have noticed a flash of joy -cross his features, immediately followed, however, by a feeling of -pleasure, which lit up his intelligent eyes: he applauded, like his -warriors, perhaps more warmly than they, when the young man ceased -speaking; on hearing him say that he would speak with the sachem alone, -a smile played on his lips: he made the Indians a sign to retire, and -walked towards the Count with an ease and grace which the other could -not refrain from noticing. There was a native nobility in this young -chief, which pleased at the first glance, and attracted sympathy. - -After bowing respectfully, the Blackfeet warriors went down the hill, -and collected about one hundred yards from the camping place. - -There were two men whom the Count's eloquence had surprised quite as -much as the Indian warriors. These were Bright-eye and Ivon; neither -of them understood a syllable, and the young man's Indian science -completely threw them out; they awaited in the utmost anxiety the -denouement of this scene, whose meaning they could not decipher. - -When left alone (for the hunter and Ivon soon also withdrew), the -Frenchman and the Indian examined each other with extreme attention. -But whatever efforts the white man made to read the sentiments of the -man he had before him, he was obliged to allow that he had to deal -with one of those superior natives, on whose faces it is impossible to -read anything, and who, under all circumstances, are ever masters of -their impressions; furthermore, the fixity and metallic lustre of the -Indian's eye caused him to feel a secret uneasiness, which he hastened -to remove by speaking, as if that would break the charm. - -"Chief," he said, "now that your warriors have retired--" - -Natah Otann interrupted him by a sign, and bowed courteously. - -"Pardon me, Monsieur le Comte," he said, with an accent which a native -of the banks of the Seine would have envied: "I think the slight -practice you have had in speaking our language is wearisome to you; if -you would please to express yourself in French, I fancy I understand -that language well enough to follow you." - -"Eh?" the Count exclaimed, with a start of surprise, "what is that you -say?" - -Had a thunderbolt fallen at the Count's feet he would not have been -more surprised and terrified than on hearing this savage, who wore the -complete costume of the Blackfeet, and whose face was painted of four -different colours, express himself so purely in French. Natah Otann did -not seem to notice his companion's agitation, but continued coldly-- - -"Deign to pardon me, Monsieur le Comte, for employing terms which must -certainly have offended you by their triviality; but the few occasions -I have for speaking French in this desert must serve as an excuse." - -M. de Beaulieu was a prey to one of those surprises which grow -gradually greater. He no longer knew were he awake, or suffering -from a nightmare; what he heard seemed to him so incredible and -incomprehensible, that he could not find words to express his feelings. - -"Who on earth are you?" he exclaimed, when sufficiently master of -himself to speak. - -"I!" Natah Otann remarked carelessly; "why, you see I am a poor Indian, -and nothing more." - -"'Tis impossible," the young man said. - -"I assure you, sir, that I have told you the exact truth. Hang it," -he added with charming frankness, "if you find me a little less--what -shall I say?--coarse, you must not consider it a crime; that results -from considerations entirely independent of my will, which I will tell -you some day, if you wish to hear them." - -The Count, as we think we have said, was a man of great courage, whom -but few things could disturb; the first impression passed, he bravely -took his part; perfectly master of himself henceforth, he frankly -accepted the position which accident had so singularly made for him. - -"By Jove!" he said, with a laugh, "the meeting is a strange one, and -may reasonably surprise me; you will therefore pardon, my dear sir, -that astonishment--in extreme bad taste, I grant--which I at first -evidenced on hearing you address me as you did. I was so far from -expecting to meet, six hundred leagues from civilised countries, a man -so well bred as yourself, that I confess I at first hardly knew what -Saint to invoke." - -"You flatter me, sir; believe me that I feel highly grateful for the -good opinion you are good enough to have of me; now, if you permit, we -will go back to our business." - -"On my faith, I am so staggered by all that has happened, that I really -do not know what I am about." - -"Nonsense, that is nothing; I will lead you back to the right track; -after the charming address you made us, you seem to desire speech with -me alone." - -"Hum!" the Count said, with a smile, "I am afraid that I must have -appeared to you supremely ridiculous with my legend, especially my -remarks, but then I could not suspect that I had an auditor of your -stamp." - -Natah Otann shook his head sadly; a melancholy expression for a moment -darkened his face. - -"No," he said, "you acted as you were bound to do; but while you were -speaking, I was thinking of those poor Indians sunk so deeply in error, -and asking myself whether there was any hope of their regeneration -before the white men succeed in utterly destroying them." - -The chief uttered these words with such a marked accent of grief and -hatred, that the Count was moved by the thought how this man, with a -soul of fire, must suffer at the brutalization of his race. - -"Courage!" he said, holding out his hand to him. - -"Courage!" the Indian repeated, bitterly, though clasping the proffered -hand; "after each defeat I experienced in the struggle I have -undertaken, the man who has served as my father, and unfortunately made -me what I am, never ceases to say that to me." - -There was a moment of silence; each was busied with his own thoughts; -at length Natah Otann proceeded:-- - -"Listen, Monsieur le Comte; between men of a certain stamp there is a -species of undefinable feeling, which attaches them to each other in -spite of themselves; for the six months your have been traversing the -desert in every direction, I have never once lost sight of you; you -would have been dead long ere this, but I spread a secret ægis over -you. Oh, do not thank me," he said, quickly, as the young man made a -sign, "I have acted rather in my own interest than yours. What I say -surprises you, I daresay, but it is so. Allow me to tell you, that I -have views with reference to yourself, whose secrets I will unfold to -you in a few days, when we know each other better; as for the present, -I will obey you in whatever you wish; in the eyes of my countrymen, I -will keep up that miraculous halo which surrounds your brow. You wish -these American emigrants to be left at peace, very good; for your sake -I pardon this race of vipers; but I ask you one favour in return." - -"Speak!" - -"When you are certain the people you wish to save are in security, -accompany me to my village,--that is all I desire. That will not cost -you much, especially as my tribe is encamped not more than a day's -march from the spot where you now are." - -"I accept your proposition, chief. I will accompany you wherever you -please, though not till I am certain that my _protégés_ no longer -require my aid." - -"That is agreed. Stay, one word more." - -"Say it." - -"It is well understood that I am only an Indian like the rest, even to -the two white men who accompany you!" - -"You demand it?" - -"For our common welfare: a word spoken thoughtlessly, any indiscretion, -how trifling soever, would destroy us both. Ah! you do not know the -Redskins yet," he added, with that melancholy smile which had already -given the Count so much subject for thought. - -"Very good," he answered; "you may be easy; I am warned." - -"Now, if you think proper, I will recall my warriors; a longer -conference between us might arouse their jealousy." - -"Do so; I trust entirely to you." - -"You will have no reason to repent it," Natah Otann replied, graciously. - -While the chief went to join his companions, the Count walked up to the -two white men. - -"Well?" Bright-eye asked him, "have you obtained what you wanted from -that man?" - -"Perfectly," he answered; "I only wished to say a few words to him." - -The hunter looked at him cunningly. - -"I did not think him so easy," he said. - -"Why so, my friend?" - -"His reputation is great in the desert; I have known him for a very -long period." - -"Ah!" the young man said, not at all sorry to obtain some information -about the man who perplexed him so greatly; "what reputation has he -then?" - -Bright-eye seemed to hesitate for a moment. - -"Are you afraid to explain yourself clearly on that head?" the Count -asked. - -"I have no reason for that; on the contrary, with the exception of that -day on which he wished to flay me alive--a slight mistake, which I -pardon with my whole heart,--our relations have always been excellent." - -"The more so," the Count said, with a laugh, "because you never met -again, to my knowledge, till this day." - -"That is what I meant to say. Look you--Natah Otann, between ourselves, -is one of those Indians whom it is far more advantageous not to see: he -is like the owl--his presence always forebodes evil." - -"The deuce! You trouble me greatly by speaking so, Bright-eye." - -"Suppose I had said nothing, then," he answered, quickly; "for my part, -I should prefer to be silent." - -"That is possible; but the little you have allowed to escape has, I -confess, so awakened my curiosity, that I should not be sorry to learn -more." - -"Unfortunately, I know nothing." - -"Still you spoke of his reputation--is that bad?" - -"I did not say so," Bright-eye answered, with reserve. "You know, Mr. -Edward, that Indian manners are very different from ours: what is bad -to us is regarded very differently by Indians; and so--" - -"So, I suppose," the Count interrupted, "Natah Otann has an execrable -reputation." - -"No, I assure you; that depends upon the way in which you look at -matters." - -"Good; and what is your personal opinion?" - -"Oh, I, as you are aware, am only a poor fellow; still it seems to me -as if this demon of an Indian is more crafty than his whole tribe; -between ourselves, he is regarded as a sorcerer by his countrymen, who -are frightfully afraid of him." - -"Is that all?" - -"Nearly." - -"After that," the Count said, lightly, "as he has asked me to accompany -him to his village, the few days we spend with him will enable us to -study him at our ease." - -The hunter gave a start of surprise. - -"You will not do so, I trust, Sir?" - -"I do not see what can prevent me." - -"Yourself, Sir; who, I hope, will not walk, with your eyes open, into -the lion's jaws." - -"Will you explain--yes, or no?" the Count exclaimed with rising -impatience. - -"Oh, what is the use of explaining?--will what I say stop you? No, I -am persuaded of that. You see, therefore, it is useless for me to say -more; besides, it is too late--the chief is returning." - -The Count made a movement of ill-humour, at once suppressed; but this -movement did not escape Natah Otann, who at this moment appeared on the -plateau. The young man walked toward him. - -"Well?" he asked eagerly. - -"My young men consent to do what our Paleface father desires; if he -will mount his horse and follow us, he can convince himself that our -intentions are loyal." - -"I follow you, chief," the Count replied, making Ivon a sign to bring -up his horse. - -The Blackfeet welcomed the three hunters with unequivocal signs of joy. - -"Forward!" the young man said. - -Natah Otann raised his arm. At this signal the warriors drove in their -knees, and the horses started like a hurricane. No one, who has not -witnessed it, can form an idea of an Indian chase: nothing stops -the Redskins--no obstacle is powerful enough to make them deviate -from their course; they go in a straight line, rolling like a human -whirlwind across the prairie crossing gulleys, ravines, and rocks, with -dizzy rapidity. Natah Otann, the Count, and his two companions, were -at the head of the cavalcade, closely followed by the warriors. All at -once the chief checked his horse, shouting at the top of his voice-- - -"Halt!" - -All obeyed, as if by enchantment: the horses stopped dead, and remained -motionless, as if their feet were planted in the ground. - -"Why stop?" the Count asked; "we had better push on." - -"It is useless," the chief said, calmly; "let my Pale brother look -before him." - -The Count bent on his horse's neck. - -"I can see nothing," he said. - -"That is true," the Indian said; "I forgot that my brother has the eyes -of the Palefaces; in a few minutes he will see." - -The Blackfeet anxiously collected round their chief, whom they -questioned with their glances. The latter, apparently impassive, looked -straight ahead, distinguishing in the darkness objects invisible to -all but himself. The Indians, however, had not long to wait, for some -horsemen soon came up at full speed. When they arrived near Natah -Otann's party, they stopped. - -"What has happened?" the chief asked, sternly; "why are my sons running -away thus? They are not warriors I see, but timid women." - -The Indians bowed their heads with humility at this reproach, but -made no answer. The chief continued--"Will no one inform us of -what has happened--why my chosen warriors are flying like scattered -antelopes--where is Long Horn?" - -A warrior emerged from the ranks. - -"Long Horn is dead," he said, sorrowfully. - -"He was a wise and renowned warrior; he has gone to the happy hunting -grounds to hunt with the upright warriors. As he is dead, why did not -the Blackbird take the totem in his hand in his place?" - -"Because the Blackbird is dead," the warrior answered, in the same tone. - -Natah Otann frowned, and his brow was contracted by the effort he made -to suppress his passion. - -"Oh!" he said, bitterly, "the greathearts of the east have fought -well; their rifles carry truly. The two best chiefs of the nation have -fallen, but the Red Wolf still remained--why did he not avenge his -brothers?" - -"Because he has also fallen," the warrior said, in a mournful voice. - -A shudder of anger ran through the ranks. - -"Wah!" Natah Otann exclaimed, with grief, "what is he also dead?" - -"No; but he is dangerously wounded." - -After these words there was a silence. The chief looked around him, and -then said-- - -"So; four Palefaces have held at bay two hundred Blackfeet warriors; -killed and wounded their bravest chiefs, and those warriors have not -taken their revenge. Ah! ah! what will the White Buffalo say when he -hears that? He will give petticoats to my sons, and make them prepare -food for the more courageous warriors, instead of sending them on the -warpath." - -"The camp of the Long Knives was in our power," the Indian replied, -who had hitherto spoken for his comrades, "we already had them down -with our knees on their chests, a portion of their cattle was carried -off, and the scalps of the Palefaces were about to be attached to our -girdles, when the Evil Genius suddenly appeared in their midst, and, by -her mere appearance, changed the face of the combat." - -The chief's face became still severer at this news, which his warriors -received with unequivocal marks of terror. - -"The 'Evil Genius!'" he said; "of whom is my brother speaking?" - -"Of whom else can I speak to my father, save the _Lying She-wolf of the -Prairies?_?" the Indian said, in a low voice. - -"Oh! oh!" Natah Otann answered, "did my brother see the She-wolf?" - -"Yes; we assure our father," the Blackfeet shouted altogether, happy to -clear themselves from the accusation of cowardice that weighed on them. - -Natah Otann seemed to reflect for a moment. - -"At what place are the cattle my brothers carried off from the Long -Knives?" he asked. - -"We have brought them with us," a warrior answered, "they are here." - -"Good," Natah Otann continued, "let my brothers open their ears to -hear the words the Great Spirit breathes unto me:--the Long Knives are -protected by the She-wolf: our efforts would be useless, and my sons -would not succeed in conquering them; I will make a great medicine to -break the charm of the She-wolf when we return to our village, but till -then we must be very cunning to deceive the She-wolf, and prevent her -being on her guard. Will my sons follow the advice of an experienced -chief?" - -"Let my father utter his thoughts," a warrior answered, in the name of -all, "he is very wise: we will do what he wishes: he will deceive the -She-wolf better than we can." - -"Good; my sons have spoken well. This is what we will do:--We will -return to the camp of the Palefaces, and will restore them their -beasts; the Palefaces, deceived by this friendly conduct, will no -longer suspect us; when we have made the great medicine, we will then -seize their camp and all it contains, and the Lying She-wolf will be -unable to defend them. I have spoken; what do my sons think?" - -"My father is very crafty," the warrior replied; "what he has said is -very good, his sons will perform it." - -Natah Otann cast a glance of triumph at the Count de Beaulieu, who -admired the skill with which the chief, while appearing to reprimand -the Indians for the ill success of their enterprise, and evincing the -greatest wrath against the Americans, had succeeded in a few minutes in -inducing them to carry out his secret wishes. - -"Oh! oh!" the Count murmured, aside, "this Indian is no common man, he -deserves studying." - -Still, a moment of tumult had followed the chief's words. The -Blackfeet, recovered from the panic and terror which had made them fly -with the feet of gazelles, to escape speedily from the ruined camp, -where they had experienced so rude a defeat, had got off their horses, -and were engaged, some in laying on their wounds chewed leaves of the -oregano, others in collecting the cattle and horses which they had -stolen from the Palefaces, and which were scattered about. - -"Who is this Lying She-wolf of the Prairies, who inspires such horror -in these men?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"No one knows her," the hunter answered, in a low voice, "she is a -woman whose mysterious life has hitherto foiled the most careful -attempts at investigation: she does no harm to any but the Indians, -whose implacable foe she appears to be: the Redskins affirm that she is -invulnerable, that bullets and arrows rebound from her without doing -her any injury. I have often seen her, though I have had no opportunity -of speaking with her. I believe her to be mad, for I have seen her -perform some of the wildest freaks at some moments, though at others -she appears in full possession of her senses: in a word, she is an -incomprehensible being, who leads an extraordinary life in the heart of -the prairies." - -"Is she alone?" - -"Always." - -"You excite my curiosity to the highest degree," the Count said; "no -one, I suppose, could give me any information about this woman?" - -"One person could do so, if he cared to speak." - -"Who's that?" - -"Natah Otann," the hunter said, in a low voice. - -"That is strange," the Count muttered; "what can there be in common -between him and this woman?" - -Bright-eye only answered by a significant glance. - -The conversation was broken off, and at the chief's order the Blackfeet -remounted their horses. - -"Forwards!" Natah Otann said, taking the head of the column again with -the Count and his companions. - -The whole troop set out at a gallop in the direction of the American -camp, taking the cattle in their midst. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE EXILE. - - -We are compelled, for the proper comprehension of the facts that will -follow, to break off our story for a moment, in order to describe a -strange adventure which happened on the Western Prairies some thirty -odd years before our story opens. - -The Indians, whom people insist so wrongly, in our opinion, in -regarding as savages, have certain customs which display a thorough -knowledge of the human heart. The Comanches, who appear to remember -that in old times they enjoyed a far advanced civilization, have -retained the largest amount of those customs which are, certainly, -stamped with originality. - -One day in the month of February, which they call _the Moon of the -Arriving Eagles_, and in the year 1795 or 1796, a village of the Red -Cow tribe was in a state of extraordinary agitation. The hachesto, or -public speaker, mounted on the roof of a lodge, summoned the warriors -for the seventh hour of the day to the village square, near the ark -of the first man, where a grand council would be held. The warriors -asked each other in vain the purport of this unforeseen meeting, but no -one could tell them: the hachesto himself was ignorant, and they were -obliged to await the hour of assembling, although the comments and -suppositions still went on to a great extent. - -The Redskins, whom badly-informed authors represent to us as cold, -silent men, are, on the contrary, very gay, and remarkable gossips when -together. What has caused the contrary supposition is, that in their -relations with white men the Indians are, in the first place, checked -by the difficulties of the language--equally insurmountable, by the -way, for both parties--and next by the distrust which every American -native feels towards Europeans, whoever they may be, owing to the -inveterate hatred that separates the two races. - -During our lengthened residence among Indian tribes we often had -opportunities for noticing what mistakes are made with respect to the -Redskins. During their long evening gossips in the villages, or the -hunting expeditions, there was a rolling fire of jokes and witticisms, -often lasting whole hours, to the great delight of the audience, who -laughed that hearty Indian laugh, without care or afterthought, which -cleaves the mouth to the ears, and draws tears of delight,--a laugh -which, for metallic resonance, can only be compared with that of -negroes, though the former is far more spiritual than the latter, whose -notes have ever something bestial about them. - -Toward the decline of day, the hour selected for the meeting, the -village square presented a most animated appearance. The warriors, -women, children, and dogs, those inseparable guests of the Redskins, -pressed round a large circle left empty in the centre for the -council fire, near which the principal chiefs of the nation crouched -ceremoniously. At a sign from an old sachem whose hair, white as -silver, fell in a cloud on his shoulders, the pipe bearer brought in -the great calumet, the stem of which he presented to each chief in -turn, while holding the bowl in the palm of his hand. When all the -chiefs had smoked, the pipe bearer turned the calumet to the four -cardinal points, while murmuring mysterious words which no one heard; -then he emptied the ash into the fire, saying aloud,-- - -"Chiefs, warriors, women, and children of the Red Cow, your sachems are -assembled to judge a very grave question; pray to the Master of Life to -inspire them with wise words." - -Then the pipe bearer, after bowing respectfully to the chiefs, -withdrew, taking the calumet with him. The council began, and, at a -sign from the aged sachem, a chief rose, and bowing, took the word:-- - -"Venerated sachems, chiefs, and warriors of my nation," he said, in a -loud voice, "the mission with which I am entrusted is painful to my -heart: listen to me indulgently, be not governed by passion; but let -justice alone preside over the severe decree which you will, perhaps, -be compelled to pronounce. The mission which I am entrusted with is -painful, I repeat; it fills my heart with sadness: I am compelled to -accuse before you two renowned chiefs belonging to two illustrious -families, who have, with equal claims, deserved well of the nation on -many occasions by rendering it signal services; these chiefs, as I must -name them before you, are the Bounding Panther, and the Sparrow Hawk." - -On hearing these names, so well known and justly esteemed, pronounced, -a shudder of astonishment and pain ran though the crowd. But, at a sign -from the oldest chief, silence was almost immediately re-established, -and the chief continued-- - -"How is it that a cloud has suddenly passed over the mind of these two -warriors, and tarnished their intellect to such an extent, that these -two men, who so long loved one another as brothers, whose friendship -was cited among the nation, have suddenly become implacable enemies, -so that, when they see each other, their eyes flash lightning, and -their hands seek their weapons to commit murder? No one can say; -no one knows it; these chiefs, when interrogated by the sachems, -maintained an obstinate silence, instead of revealing the causes of -their cruel enmity, which brings trouble and desolation on the tribe. -Such a scandal must not last longer; tolerating it would be giving a -pernicious example to our children! Sachems, chiefs, and warriors, in -the name of justice, I demand that these irreconcilable enemies should -be eternally banished from the tribe this very evening at sunset. I -have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The chief sat down amid a mournful silence in this assembly of nearly -two thousand people; the beating of their sorrow-laden hearts might -almost be heard, such sustained attention did each one give to the -words pronounced in the council. - -"Has any chief any observation to offer on the accusation which has -just been brought?" the old sachem said, in a weak voice, which was, -however, perfectly heard in every part of the square. A member of the -council rose. - -"I take the word," he said, "not to refute Tiger Cat's accusation, -for unfortunately all he has said is most scrupulously correct; far -from exaggerating facts, he has, with that goodness and wisdom which -reside in him, weakened the odiousness of that hatred; I only wish to -offer a remark to my brothers. The chiefs are guilty, that is only too -fully proved; a longer discussion on that point would be tedious; but, -as Tiger Cat himself told us, with that loyalty which distinguishes -him, these two men are renowned chiefs, chosen warriors, and they have -rendered the nation signal services; we all love and cherish them for -different reasons; let us be severe, but not cruel; let us not drive -them from among us as unclean creatures; before striking, let us make -one more attempt to reconcile them; this last step, taken in the -presence of the whole nation, will, doubtlessly, touch their hearts, -and we shall have the happiness of keeping two illustrious chiefs. If -they remain deaf to our prayers, if our observations do not obtain the -success we desire, then, as the case will be without a remedy, let us -be implacable; put an end to this scandal which has lasted too long, -and, as Tiger Cat asked, drive them for ever from our nation, which -they dishonour. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -After bowing to the sachems, the chief resumed his seat in the midst -of a murmur of satisfaction, produced by his hearty language. Although -these two speeches were contained in the programme of the ceremony, -and everyone knew what the result of the meeting would be, the -unreconciled chiefs had so much sympathy among the nation, that many -persons still hoped they would be reconciled at the last moment, when -they saw themselves on the point of being banished. The strangest thing -connected with the hatred between the two men was, that the reason of -it was completely unknown, and no one knew how to account for it. When -silence was restored, the oldest sachem, after a consultation with his -colleagues in a low voice, took the word. - -"Let the Bounding Panther and the Sparrowhawk be introduced to our -presence." - -At the two opposite corners of the square, the crowd parted like -overripe fruit, and left a passage for a small band of warriors, in -the centre of which the two accused men walked. When they met, they -remained perfectly calm, a slight arching of the eyebrows being the -only sign of emotion they displayed. They were each about twenty-five -years of age, well built, and active, and of martial aspect. They wore -their grand costume and war paint, but their weapons were carried -by their respective friends. They presented themselves before the -council with great respect and modesty, which the assembly approved of -heartily. After looking at them with a glance at once sorrowful and -benevolent, the eldest sachem rose with an effort, and, supported by -two of his colleagues, who held him under the arms, he at length spoke -in a weak voice. - -"Warriors, my beloved children," he said, "from the spot where you -stood you heard the accusation brought against you; what have you to -say in your defence?--are those words true? do you really entertain -this irreconcilable hatred to each other? Speak." - -The two chiefs bowed their heads silently. The sachem continued-- - -"My cherished children, I was already very old, when your mother, a -child, whose birth I also saw, brought you into the world. I was the -first to teach you the use of those weapons, which later became so -terrible in your vigorous hands. Now that I am about to sleep the -eternal sleep, only to wake again in the happy hunting grounds, give -me a supreme consolation which will make me the happiest of men, and -repay me for all the sorrow you have caused me. Come, children, you are -young and adventurous, love alone ought to find a place in your hearts; -hatred is a passion belonging to a ripe age, it does not become youth; -offer one another those honest hands, embrace, like the two brothers -you are, and let all be eternally forgotten between you. I implore you, -my children; you cannot resist the prayers of an old man so near the -tomb as I am." - -There was a moment of supreme anxiety in the crowd; all waited with -panting hearts for what was about to happen. The two chiefs directed a -tender glance at the old sachem, who regarded them with tears in his -eyes, then turned towards each other; their lips trembled, as if they -wished to speak; a nervous tremor agitated their bodies, but no sound -passed their lips; their arms remained inert by their sides. - -"Answer," the old man continued, "yes or no. You must; I command it." - -"No," they replied together, in a hoarse though firm voice. - -The sachem drew himself up. - -"It is well," he said. "As no generous feeling remains in your hearts, -as hatred has eaten them up entirely, and you are no longer men but -monsters, listen to the irrevocable sentence which your sachems, your -equals, your relations, and friends pronounce upon you. The nation -rejects you from its bosom; you are no longer children of our tribe. -Fire and water are refused you on the hunting ground of your nation, -we no longer know you. Chiefs who answer for you with their heads -will lead you twenty-five leagues from the village; you, Bounding -Panther, in a southern, and you, Sparrowhawk, in a northern direction; -you are forbidden, under penalty of death, ever to set your foot again -on the territory of your nation; each of you will take one of these -arrows, painted of diverse colours, which will serve as a passport -with the tribes through which you pass. Seek a nation to adopt you, -for henceforth you have neither country nor family. Go, accursed ones! -these arrows are the last presents you will receive from your brothers. -Go, and may the Master of Life soften your tiger hearts! As for us, we -know you no more. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The old man sat down again in the midst of general emotion; he veiled -his face with the skirt of his buffalo robe, and wept. The two chiefs -tottered away like drunken men, led to opposite corners of the square -by their friends. They passed through the ranks of their countrymen, -bowed down by the maledictions showered on them as they passed. - -At the extremity of the village, horses were awaiting them. They -galloped off, still followed by their escort. When each arrived at the -spot where he was to be left, the warriors dismounted, threw their arms -on the ground, and went off at full speed. Not a word had been uttered -during the long ride, which lasted fourteen hours. - -We will follow the Sparrowhawk: as for the Bounding Panther, no one -ever knew what became of him; his traces were so completely lost, that -it was impossible to find them again. The Sparrowhawk was a man of -tried courage and energy; still, finding himself alone, abandoned by -all those he had loved, a momentary feeling of discouragement and cold -rage almost turned him mad. But his pride soon revolted, he wrestled -with his sorrow, and after allowing his horse to take its necessary -rest, he set out boldly. - -He wandered about at hazard for many a month, following no precise -direction, living by the chase, caring very little where he stopped, or -the people with whom chance might bring him in contact. One day, after -a long and perilous chase after an elk, which by a species of fatality -he could not catch up, he suddenly found himself before a dead horse. -He looked around him: no great distance off lay a sword, near which was -a corpse, easily recognizable as that of a European by the dress. - -Sparrowhawk felt his curiosity excited; with that sagacity peculiar to -the Indians, he began ferreting about in every direction. His search -was almost immediately crowned with success; he saw, at the foot of a -tree, an old man with greyish hair and wild beard, dressed in tattered -clothes, and lying motionless. The Indian quickly went up to examine -the condition of the stranger, and try to restore him, if he were not -dead. The first thing Sparrowhawk did was to lay his hand on the heart -of the man he wished to succour. The heart beat, but so feebly, it -seemed as if it must soon stop. All the Indians are to a certain extent -doctors, that is to say, they possess a knowledge of certain plants, by -means of which they often effect really wonderful cures. - -While trying to restore the stranger, the Indian examined him -attentively. Though his hair was beginning to turn grey, the man was -still young, not more than forty to forty-five; he was tall and -well-built; his forehead was wide and high; his nose aquiline; his -mouth large, and his chin square. His clothes, though in rags, were -well cut and made of fine cloth, which plainly showed that he must -belong to a better class of society--the reader will understand that -these delicate distinctions escaped the notice of the Indian--he -only saw a man of intelligent appearance, and on the point of death; -and though he belonged to the white race, a race which, like all his -countrymen, he detested, and for good reasons--at the sight of such -distress, he forgot his antipathy, and only thought of helping him. - -Near the stranger there lay, in confusion on the grass, a surgeon's -pocketbook, a brace of pistols, a gun, a sabre, and an open book. -For a long time Sparrowhawk's efforts met with no success, and he -was despairing whether he could raise the dying man to life, when a -transient glow suffused his face, and his heart began beating more -quickly and strongly. Sparrowhawk made a gesture of delight at this -unexpected success. It was almost incredible! This warrior, whose whole -life had been hitherto spent in waging war of ambushes and surprises -with the whites, and committing the most refined cruelties on the -unhappy Spaniards who fell into his hands, now rejoiced at recalling to -life this individual, who, to him, was a natural enemy. - -In a few minutes the stranger slowly opened his eyes, but he closed -them again at once, as the light probably dazzled them. Sparrowhawk did -not lose heart, and resolved to carry out a good work so well begun. -His expectations were not deceived: the stranger presently opened his -eyes again; he made an effort to rise, but was too weak, his strength -failed him, and he fell back again. The Indian then gently supported -him, and seated him against the trunk of the catalpa, at whose foot he -had been hitherto lying. The stranger thanked him by a sign, muttering -one word, _beber_ (drink). - -The Comanches, whose life is passed in periodical excursions into the -Spanish territory, know a few words of that language. Sparrowhawk spoke -it rather fluently. He seized the gourd hanging to his saddle bow, and -which he had filled two hours before, and put it to the stranger's -lips; so soon as he had tasted the water, he began swallowing it in -heavy gulps. But the Indian, fearing an accident, soon took the gourd -from his lips. The stranger wished to drink again. - -"No," he said, "my father is too weak, he must eat something first." - -The patient smiled, and pressed his hand. The Indian rose joyfully; -took from his provision bag some fruit, and handed it to the man. -Through these attentions the stranger was sufficiently recovered, -within an hour, to get up. He then explained to Sparrowhawk, in bad -Spanish, that he and one of his friends were travelling together, that -their horses died of fatigue, while themselves could procure nothing to -eat or drink in the desert. The result was, that his friend died in his -arms only the previous day, after frightful suffering, and he should -have probably shared the same fate, had not his lucky star, or rather -Providence, sent him help. - -"Good," the Indian replied, when the stranger ended his narrative, "my -father is now strong, I will lasso a horse, and lead him to the first -habitation of the men of his own colour." - -At this proposition the stranger frowned; a look of hatred and haughty -contempt was legible on his face. - -"No," he said; "I will not return to the men of my colour, they have -rejected and persecuted me, I hate them; I wish to live henceforward in -the desert." - -"Wah!" the Indian exclaimed, in surprise, "has my father no nation?" - -"No," he answered, "I am alone, without country, relatives, or friends; -the sight of a man of my colour excites me to hatred and contempt; all -are ungrateful, I will live far from them." - -"Good," the Indian said; "I, too, am rejected by my nation; I, too, am -alone; I will remain with my father--I will be his son." - -"What?" the stranger ejaculated, fancying he had misunderstood him, "Is -it possible? Does banishment also exist among your wandering tribes? -You, like myself, are abandoned by those of your race and blood, and -condemned to remain alone--alone for ever?" - -"Yes," Sparrowhawk said, sorrowfully, bowing his head. - -"Oh!" the stranger said, directing a glance of strange meaning toward -heaven, "oh, men! they are the same everywhere, cruel, unnatural, and -heartless!" - -He walked about for a few moments, muttering certain words in a -language the Indian did not understand; then he returned quickly to -him, and pressing his hand, said, with feverish energy:-- - -"Well, then, I accept your proposition; our fate is the same, and we -ought not to separate again. Victims both of the spite of man, we will -live together; you have saved my life, Redskin; at the first impulse I -was vexed at it, but now I thank Providence, as I can still do good, -and force men to blush at their ingratitude." - -This speech was far too full of philosophic precepts for Sparrowhawk -thoroughly to understand it; still, he caught its sense, that was -enough for him, as he was too glad to find in his companion a man -afflicted by similar misfortunes to his own. - -"Let my father open his ears," he said; "he will remain here while I go -and find a horse for him; there are many manadas in the neighbourhood, -and I shall soon have what we want; my father will be patient during -Sparrowhawk's absence. I will leave him food and drink." - -"Go," the stranger said; and two hours later the Indian returned with a -magnificent steed. - -Several days were then spent in vagabond marches, though each took them -deeper into the desert. The stranger seemed afraid of meeting white -men; but with the exception of the story he had told of his narrow -escape from death, he maintained an obstinate silence as to his past -life. The Indian knew not then who he was, nor why he had ventured so -far into the desert at the risk of perishing. Each time Sparrowhawk -asked him any details about his life he turned the conversation, and -that so adroitly, that the Indian could never bring him back to the -starting point. One day, as they were rambling along side by side, -talking, Sparrowhawk, who was rather vexed at the slight confidence the -stranger placed in him, asked categorically-- - -"My father was a great chief in his nation?" - -The stranger smiled sorrowfully. - -"Perhaps," he answered; "but now I am nothing." - -"My father is mistaken," the Indian said, seriously; "the warriors of -his nation may not have valued him, but he still remains the same." - -"All that is smoke," the stranger replied. "The love of country is the -greatest and noblest passion the Master of Life has placed in the heart -of man--my father had a revered name among his people." - -The stranger frowned, and his face assumed an expression the Indian had -never seen before. - -"My name is a curse," he said, "no one will hear it uttered again; it -has been like a brand seared on my forehead by the partisans of the man -whom I, humble as I am, helped to overthrow." - -Sparrowhawk made a gesture of supreme disdain. - -"The chief of the nation must return to his warriors: if he betrays -them, they are masters of his scalp," he said, in a firm voice. - -The stranger, surprised at being so well understood by this primitive -man, smiled proudly. - -"In demanding his head," he said, "I staked my own; I wished to save my -country. Who can blame me?" - -"No one," Sparrowhawk replied, quickly; "every warrior must die." - -There was a lengthened silence; Sparrowhawk was the first to break it. - -"We are destined," he said, "to live long days together, my father -wishes his name to remain unknown, and I will not insist on knowing it; -still, we cannot wander about at hazard, we must find a tribe to adopt -us, men to recognize us as brothers." - -"For what purpose?" - -"To be strong and everywhere respected: we owe it to our brothers, as -they owe it to us; life is only a loan which the Master of Life makes -us, on the condition that it is profitable to those who surround us. By -what name shall I present my father to the men from whom we may ask -asylum and protection?" - -"By any you please, my son; as I am no longer to hear my own, any other -is a matter of indifference to me." - -Sparrowhawk reflected for an instant. - -"My father is strong," he said, "his scalp is beginning to resemble the -snows of winter, he will henceforth be called the White Buffalo." - -"The White Buffalo; be it so," the stranger answered, with a sigh; -"that name is as good as another; perhaps I shall thus escape the -weapons of those who have sworn my death." - -The Indian, charmed at knowing how henceforth to call his friend, then -said to him, joyfully-- - -"In a few days we shall reach a village of Blood Indians or Kenhas, -where we shall be received as if we were sons of the nation; my father -is wise, I am strong, the Kenhas will be happy to receive us; courage, -old father! this country of adoption will be, perhaps, worth your own." - -"France, farewell!" the stranger uttered, in a choking voice. - -Four days later they reached the village of the Kenhas, where a -friendly reception was given them. - -"Well," Sparrowhawk said to his companion, after they had been adopted -according to all the Indian rites, "what does my father think? Is he -happy?" - -"I fancy," the other said, with a melancholy air, "that nothing can -restore the exile the country he has lost." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE MASSACRE. - - -Days, months, years, passed away: the White Buffalo seemed to have -completely renounced that country which he was forbidden ever to see -again. He had completely adopted Indian customs, and, through his -wisdom, had so thoroughly acquired the esteem and respect of the Kenha -nation, that he was counted among the most revered sachems. - -Sparrowhawk, after giving on many occasions undeniable proofs of his -courage and military talents, had gained also a firm and honourable -place in the nation. If an experienced chief were required for a -dangerous expedition, he was ever selected by the council of the -sachems, for they knew that success constantly crowned his enterprises. -Sparrowhawk was a man of clear mind, who at once understood the -intellectual value of his European friend; obedient to the old man's -lessons, he never acted under any circumstances without having taken -his advice, and always followed his counsels: hence he speedily began -reaping the advantage of his skilful conduct. Thus, when he two years -later married a Kenha girl, and when his wife made him father of a boy, -he took him in his arms, and presented him to the old man, saying, with -great emotion: - -"The White Buffalo sees this warrior, he is his son, my father will -make a man of him." - -"I swear it," the old man replied, firmly. - -When the child was weaned, the father kept the promise he had made his -friend, and gave him his son, leaving him at liberty to educate the -boy as he thought fit. The old man, rejuvenated by the hope of this -education, which gave him the chance of making a man after his own -heart of this frail creature, joyfully accepted the difficult task. The -child received from its parents the name of Natah Otann, a significant -name, for it is that borne by the most dangerous animal of Northern -America, the grizzly bear. - -Natah Otann made rapid progress under the guidance of the White -Buffalo. The latter had a few books by him, which enabled him to give -his pupil a very extensive education, and make him very learned. Thence -resulted the strange circumstance of an Indian, who, while following -exactly the customs of his fathers, hunting and fighting like them, and -who was now leading his tribe, being at the same time a distinguished -man, who would not have been out of place in any European drawing room, -and whose great intellect had understood and appreciated everything. - -Singularly enough, Natah Otann, on attaining manhood, far from -despising his countrymen, brutalized and ignorant as they were, felt -an ardent love for them, and a violent desire to regenerate them. -From that moment his life had an object, which was the constant -preoccupation of his existence--to restore the Indians to the rank from -which they had fallen, by combining them into a great and powerful -nation. The White Buffalo, the confidant of all the young chief's -thoughts, at first accepted these projects with the sceptical smile -of old men, who, having grown weary of everything, have retained no -hope in the depths of their heart: he fancied that Natah Otann, under -the impression of youthful ardour, let himself be carried away by an -unreflecting movement, whose folly he would soon recognize. But when -able to appreciate how deeply these ideas were rooted in the young -man's heart, when he saw him set resolutely to work, the old man -trembled, and was afraid of his handiwork. He asked himself if he had -done well in acting as he had done, in developing so fully this chosen -intellect, which alone, and with no other support than its will, was -about to undertake a struggle in which it must inevitably succumb. - -He then sought to destroy with his own hands the edifice he had built -with so much labour: he wished to turn in another direction the ardour -that devoured his pupil, and give another object to his life, by -changing his plan. It was too late. The evil was irremediable. Natah -Otann, on seeing his master thus contradict himself, defeated him with -his own weapons, and obliged him to bow his head before the merciless -blows of that logic he had himself taught his pupil. - -Natah Otann was a strange composite of good and evil; in him all was -in extreme. At times, the most noble feelings seemed to reside in him; -he was good and generous; then, suddenly, his ferocity and cruelty -attained gigantic proportions, which terrified the Indians themselves. -Still, he was generally good and gentle toward his countrymen, who, -unaware of the cause, but subject to his influences, feared him, and -trembled at a word that fell from his lips, or a simple frown. - -The white men, and especially the Spaniards and Americans, were Natah -Otann's implacable enemies; he waged a merciless war on them, attacking -them wherever he could surprise them, and killing, under the most -horrible tortures, those who were so unhappy as to fall into his hands. -Hence his reputation on the prairies was great; the terror he inspired -was extreme; several times already the United States had tried to get -rid of this terrible and implacable foe; but all their plans failed, -and the Indian chief, bolder and more cruel than ever, drew nearer to -the American frontier, reigned uncontrolled in the desert, of which he -was absolute lord, and at times went, fire and sword in hand, to the -very cities of the Union to demand that tribute which he claimed even -from white men. - -We must not be taxed with exaggeration. All we here narrate is -scrupulously exact; and if we now and then alter facts, it is only to -weaken them. If we uncovered the incognito that veils our characters, -many of our readers would recognize them at the first glance, and -certify to the truth of our statements. - -A terrible scene of massacre, of which Natah Otann was the originator, -had aroused general indignation against him. The facts are as follow:-- - -An American family, consisting of father, mother, two sons of about -twelve, a little girl between three and four years of age, and five -servants, left the Western States with the intention of working a claim -they had bought on the Upper Mississippi. At the period we are writing -of, white men rarely traversed these districts, which were entirely -left to the Indians, who wandered over them in every direction, and, -with a few half-bred and Canadian hunters and trappers, were the sole -masters of these vast solitudes. On leaving the clearings, their -friends warned the emigrants to be on their guard. They had been -advised not to enter into the desert in so small a body, but await -other emigrants, who would soon proceed to the same spot; for a caravan -of fifty to sixty determined men might pass safe and sound through the -Indians. - -The head of the American family was an old soldier of the war of -independence, gifted with heroic courage, and thorough British -obstinacy. He answered coldly, to those who gave him this advice, -that his servants and himself could hold their own against all the -Prairie Indians; for they had good rifles and firm hearts, and would -reach their claim in the face of all opposition. Then he made his -preparations like a man whose mind, being made up, admits of no delay, -and he started against the judgment of his friends, who predicted -numberless misfortunes. The first few days, however, passed quietly -enough, and nothing happened to confirm these predictions. The -Americans advanced peacefully through a delicious country, and no -sign revealed the approach of the Indians, who seemed to have become -invisible. - -The Americans are men who pass most easily from extreme prudence to -the most foolish and rash confidence, and on this occasion were true -to their character. When they saw that all was quiet around them, and -no obstacle checked their progress, they began to laugh and deride -the apprehensions of their friends; they gradually relaxed in their -vigilance; neglected the precautions usual on the prairie; and at -last almost wished to be attacked by Indians, to make them feel the -weight of their arms. Things went on thus for nearly two months; the -emigrants were not more than ten days' march from their claim; they -no longer thought of the Indians: if at times they alluded to them in -the evening, before going to sleep, it was only to laugh at the absurd -fears of their friends, who fancied it impossible to take a step in the -desert without falling into an ambuscade of the Redskins. - -One night, after a fatiguing day, the emigrants went to bed, after -placing sentries round the camp, rather to keep wild beasts off than -through any other motive; the sentinels, accustomed not to be troubled, -and fatigued by their day's labours, watched for a few moments, then -their eyelids gradually sank, and they fell asleep. Their awakening was -destined to be terrible. - -About midnight, fifty Blackfeet, led by Natah Otann, glided like demons -in the darkness, clambered into the encampment, and ere the Americans -could seize their weapons, or even dream of defence, they were bound. -Then a horrible scene took place, the frightful interludes of which -the pen is impotent to describe. Natah Otann organised the massacre, -if we may be allowed to employ the term, with unexampled coolness and -cruelty. The chief of the party and his five servants were stripped -and attached to trees, flogged, and martyrized, while the two lads -were literally roasted alive in their presence. The mother, half mad -with terror, escaped, carrying off her little girl in her arms: but, -after running a long distance, her strength failed her, and she fell -senseless. The Indians caught her up; imagining her to be dead, they -disdained to scalp her; but they carried off the child, which she -pressed to her bosom with almost herculean strength. The child was -taken back to Natah Otann. - -"What shall we do with it?" the warrior asked, who presented it to him. - -"Into the fire!" he replied, laconically. - -The Blackfoot calmly prepared to execute the pitiless order he had -received. - -"Stop!" the father cried with a piercing shriek. "Do not kill an -innocent creature in that horrible manner. Are not the atrocious -tortures you inflict on us enough?" - -The Blackfoot hesitated, and looked at his chief; the latter reflected. - -"Stay," he said, raising his hand, and addressing the emigrant; "you -wish your child to live?" - -"Yes!" the father answered. - -"Good!" he answered, "I will sell you her life." - -The American shuddered at this proposition. "On what terms?" he asked. - -"Listen!" he said, laying a stress on every word, and darting at him a -glance which made him tremble to the marrow. "My conditions are these. -I am master of all your lives; they belong to me; I can prolong or cut -them short without the slightest opposition from you; but, I hardly -know why," he added, with a sardonic smile, "I feel merciful today; -your child shall live. Still, remember this; whatever the nature of the -torture I inflict on you, at the first cry you utter, your child shall -be strangled. You have it in your power to save her if you will." - -"I accept," the other answered. "What do I care for the most atrocious -torture, so long as my child lives?" - -A sinister smile played round the chief's lips. "It is well," he said. - -"One word more." - -"Speak." - -"Grant me a single favour; let me give a last kiss to this poor -creature." - -"Give him his child," the chief commanded. - -An Indian presented the little girl to the wretched man. The innocent, -as if comprehending what was taking place, put her arms round her -father's neck, and burst into tears. The latter, frightfully bound -as he was, could only bestow kisses on her, into which his whole -soul passed. The scene had something hideous about it; it resembled a -witches' Sabbath. The five men fastened naked to trees, the children -twisting on the burning charcoal, and uttering piercing cries, and -these stoical Indians, illumined by the ruddy glow of the fire, -completed the most fearful picture that the wildest imagination could -have invented. - -"Enough," Natah Otann said. - -"A last gift, a last remembrance." - -The chief shrugged his shoulders. "For what good?" he said. - -"To render the death you intend for me less cruel." - -"What is it you want?" - -"Hang round my daughter's neck this earring, suspended by a lock of my -hair." - -"Is that really all?" - -"It is." - -"Very good." - -The chief came up, took from the emigrant's ear a ring he wore in it, -and cut off with a scalping knife a lock of his hair; then, turning to -him with a sardonic laugh, he said-- - -"Listen carefully. Your companions and yourself are going to be flayed -alive; of a strip of your skin I will make a bag to hold the lock of -hair and ring. You see that I am generous, for I grant you more than -you ask; but remember the conditions." - -The emigrant looked at him disdainfully. - -"Keep your promises as well as I shall mine: and now begin the -torture--you will see a man die." - -Things were done as had been arranged; the emigrant and his servants -were flayed alive. The emigrant endured the torture with a courage -which even the chief admired. Not a cry, not a groan, issued from his -bleeding chest; he was made of granite. When his skin was entirely -stripped off, Natah Otann went up to him; the unhappy wretch was not -yet dead. - -"Thou art a man," he said to him. "Die satisfied. I will keep the -promise I made thee." - -And moved doubtlessly by a feeling of pity for so much firmness, he -blew out his brains. - -This horrible punishment lasted four hours. The Indians plundered all -the Americans possessed, and what they could not carry off they burned. -Natah Otann rigidly kept the oath he had made to his victim: as he -said, from a strip of his skin, imperfectly tanned, he made a bag, in -which he placed the lock of hair, and hung it round the child's neck -by a cord also made of his skin. On the homeward road to his village, -Natah Otann paid the most assiduous attention to the poor little -creature; and, on rejoining the tribe, the chief declared before all -that he adopted the girl, and gave her the name of Prairie Flower. - -At the period our story begins, Prairie Flower was fourteen years -of age; she was a charming creature, gentle and simple, lovely as -the princess of a fairy tale. Her large blue eyes, veiled by long -brown lashes, reflected the azure of the heaven, and she ran about, -careless and wild, through the forests and over the prairie, dreaming -at times beneath the shady recesses of the giant trees, living as -the birds live, forgetting the past, which was to her as yesterday, -caring nothing for the future, which to her had no existence, and only -thinking of the present to be happy. - -The charming girl had unconsciously become the idol of the tribe. The -old White Buffalo more especially felt an unbounded affection for her; -but the experiment he had made with Natah Otann disgusted him with a -second trial at education. He only watched over her with truly paternal -care, correcting any fault he might notice in her with a patience and -kindness nothing could weary. This old tribune, like all energetic and -implacable men, had the heart of a lamb; having entirely renounced the -world which mistook him, he had refreshed his soul in the desert, and -recovered the illusions and generous impulses of his youth. - -Prairie Flower had retained no remembrance of her early years; as -no one ever alluded in her presence to the terrible scenes which -introduced her to the tribe, fresher impressions had completely effaced -them. Loved and petted by all, Prairie Flower fancied herself a child -of the tribe. Her long tresses of light hair, gilded like ripe corn, -and the dazzling whiteness of her skin, could not enlighten her, for -in many Indian nations these anomalies are found; the Mandans, among -others, have many women and warriors who, if they put on European -clothes, might easily pass for whites. - -The Blackfeet, seduced by the charms of this gentle young creature, -attached the destinies of the tribe to her. They considered her -their tutelary genius, their palladium: their faith in her was -deep, serene, and simple. Prairie Flower was truly the Queen of the -Blackfeet; a sign from her rosy fingers, a word from her dainty lips, -was obeyed with unbounded promptitude and devotion. She could do -anything, say everything, demand everything, without fearing even a -second's hesitation to her will. She exercised this despotic authority -unsuspectingly; she alone was unaware of the immense power she -possessed over these brutal natives, who in her presence became gentle -and devoted. - -Natah Otann was attached to his adopted daughter, so far as -organizations like his are capable of yielding to any feeling. At -first he sported with the girl as with an unimportant plaything; but -gradually, as the child was transformed and became a woman, these -sports became more serious, and his heart was attracted. For the first -time in his life, this man, with his indomitable soul, felt a feeling -stir in him which he could not analyze, but which, through its force -and violence, astonished and terrified him. - -Then, a dumb struggle began between the chiefs head and heart. He -revolted against this influence which subjugated him: he, hitherto -accustomed to break through every obstacle, was now powerless before -a child, who disarmed him with a smile, when he tried to overpower -her. This struggle lasted a long time; at length, the terrible Indian -confessed himself vanquished, that is to say, he allowed the current to -carry him away, and without attempting a resistance, which he felt to -be useless, he began to love the young maiden madly. But this love at -times caused him sufferings so terrible, when he thought of the manner -in which Prairie Flower had become his adopted daughter, that he asked -himself with terror, whether this deep love which had seized on his -brain, and mastered him, was not a chastisement imposed by Heaven. - -Then, he fell back in his usual state of fury, redoubled his ferocity -with those unhappy beings whose plantations he surprised, and, all -reeking with blood, his girdle hung with scalps, he returned to the -village, and displayed the hideous trophies before the girl. Prairie -Flower, astonished at the state in which she saw a man whom she -believed to be--not her father, for he was too young--but a relative, -lavished on him all the consolations and simple caresses which her -attachment to him suggested to her: unfortunately, these caresses -heightened his suffering, and he would rush away half mad with grief, -leaving her sad and almost terrified by this conduct, which was so -incomprehensible to her. - -Matters reached such a pitch, that the White Buffalo, whose vigilant -eye was constantly fixed on his pupil, considered that he must, at -all risks, cut away the evil at the root, and withdraw the son of his -friend from the deadly fascination exercised over him by this innocent -enchantress. When he felt convinced of the chiefs love for Prairie -Flower, the old sachem asked for a private interview with his pupil: -the latter granted it, quite unsuspecting the reason which urged the -White Buffalo to take this step. - -One morning the chief presented himself at the entrance of his friend's -lodge. The White Buffalo was reading by the side of a fire kindled in -the middle of the hut. - -"You are welcome, my son," he said to the young man. "I have only a few -words to say to you, but I consider them sufficiently serious for you -to hear them without delay; sit down by my side." - -The young man obeyed. The White Buffalo then carefully changed his -tactics: he, who had so long combated the chief's views as to the -regeneration of the Indian race, entered completely into his views, -with an ardour and conviction carried so far, that the young man was -astonished, and could not refrain from asking what produced this sudden -change in his opinion? - -"The cause is very simple," the old man answered. "So long as I -considered that these views were only suggested by the impetuosity of -youth, I merely regarded them as the dreams of a generous heart, which -was deceiving itself, and not taking the trouble to weigh the chances -of success." - -"What now?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Now, I recognize all the earnestness, nobility, and grandeur, -contained in your plans; and not only admit their possibility, but I -wish to aid you, so as to ensure success." - -"Is what you say quite true, my father?" the young man asked, with -exultation. - -"I swear it: still we must set to work immediately." The chief examined -him for a moment carefully, but the old man remained impassive. - -"I understand you," he at length said, slowly, and in a deep voice; -"you offer me your hand on the verge of an abyss. Thanks, my father, I -will not be unworthy of you; I swear to you by the Wacondah." - -"Good; believe me, my son, I recognize you," the old man said, shaking -his head mournfully. "One's country is often an ungrateful mistress; -but it is the only one which gives us true enjoyment of mind, if we -serve her disinterestedly for herself alone." - -The two men shook hands affectionately; the compact was sealed. We -shall soon see whether Natah Otann had really conquered his love as he -imagined. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE GREAT COUNCIL. - - -Natah Otann set to work immediately, with that feverish ardour that -distinguished him. He sent emissaries in every direction to the -principal chiefs of the western prairies, and convoked them to a -great plain in the valley of the Missouri, at a spot called "The Tree -of the Master of Life," on the fourth day of the moon of the hardened -snow. This spot was held in great veneration by the Missouri Indians, -who went there constantly to hang up presents. It was an immense sandy -plain, completely denuded of vegetation; in the centre of the desert -rose a gigantic tree, an oak, twenty feet in circumference at least, -the trunk being hollow, and the tufted branches covering an enormous -superficies. This tree, which was a hundred and twenty feet in height, -and which grew there by accident, necessarily was regarded by the -Indians as something miraculous; hence the name they gave it. - -On the appointed day, the Indians arrived from all sides, marching in -good order, and camping at a short distance from the spot selected for -the council. An immense fire had been kindled at the foot of the tree, -and at a signal given by the drummers, or _Chichikouès_, the chiefs -collected around it, a few paces behind the sachems. The Blackfeet, Nez -Percés, Assiniboins, Mandans, and other horsemen, formed a tremendous -cordon round the council fire; while scouts traversed the desert in -every direction, to keep off intruders, and insure the secrecy of the -deliberations. - -In the east the sun was pouring forth its beams; the desert, parched -and naked, was mingled with the boundless horizon; to the south, the -Rocky Mountains displayed the eternal snow of the summits; while in the -north-west, a silvery ribbon indicated the course of the old Missouri. -Such was the landscape, if we may call it so, where the barbarous -warriors, clothed in their strange costumes, were assembled near the -symbolic tree. This majestic sight involuntarily reminded the observer -of other times and climes, when, by the light of the incendiary fires -they kindled, the ferocious comrades of Attila rushed to conquer and -rejuvenate the Roman Empire. - -Generally the natives of America have a Divinity, or more correctly, a -Genius, at times beneficent, but more frequently hostile. The worship -of the savage is less veneration than fear. The Master of Life is an -evil genius, rather than kind; hence the Indians give his name to the -tree to which they attribute the same powers. Indian religions, being -all primitive, make no account of the moral being, and only dwell on -the accidents of nature, which they make into gods. These different -tribes strive to secure the favour of the deserts, where fatigue and -thirst entail death, and of the rivers, which may swallow them up. - -The chiefs, as we have said, were crouching round the fire, in a -state of contemplative immobility, from which it might be inferred -that they were preparing for an important ceremony of their worship. -Presently Natah Otann raised to his lips the long war pipe, made of a -human thighbone, which he wore hanging round his neck, and produced -a piercing and prolonged sound. At this signal, for it was one, the -chiefs rose, and forming in Indian file, marched twice round the tree, -singing, in a low voice, a hymn, to implore its assistance for the -success of their plans. At the third time of marching round, Natah -Otann took off a magnificent collar of grizzly bears' claws from his -neck, and hung it to the branches of the tree, saying,-- - -"Master of Life, look on us with a favourable eye. I offer thee this -present." - -The other chiefs imitated his example each in turn; then they resumed -their scats round the council fire. The pipe bearer then entered the -circle, and after the customary ceremonies, offered the calumet to the -chiefs, and when each had smoked, the oldest sachem invited Natah Otann -to take the word. - -The Indian chief's plan was probably the most daring ever formed -against the whites, and, as the White Buffalo said, mockingly, -must offer chances of success through its improbability, because -it flattered the superstitious ideas of the Indians, who, like all -primitive nations, place great faith in the marvellous. It is besides, -the quality of oppressed nations, to whom reality never offers aught -but disillusions and suffering, to take refuge in the supernatural, -which alone offers them consolation. Natah Otann had drawn the first -idea of his plan from one of the oldest and most inveterate traditions -of the Comanches, his ancestors. This tradition, by reciting which -his father often lulled him to sleep in his childhood, pleased his -adventurous mind; and when the hour arrived to put in execution the -projects which he had so long revolved, he invoked it, and resolved to -employ it, in order to collect the other Indian nations around him in -one common whole. - -When Motecuhzoma (whom Spanish writers improperly call Montezuma, a -name which has no meaning, while the first signifies the _stern lord_) -found himself imprisoned in his palace by that talented adventurer, -Cortez, who, a few days later, tore his kingdom from him, the Emperor, -who preferred to confide in greedy strangers than take refuge in the -midst of his people, had a presentiment of the fate reserved for him. A -few days prior to his death, he assembled the principal Mexican chiefs -who shared his prison, and addressed them thus:-- - -"Listen! My father, the Sun, has warned me that I shall soon return to -him. I know not how or when I am destined to die, but I am certain that -my last hour is close at hand." - -As the chiefs burst into tears at these words, for they held him in -great veneration, he consoled them by saying-- - -"My last hour is near on this earth, but I shall not die, as I am -returning to my father, the Sun, where I shall enjoy a felicity unknown -in this world; weep not, therefore, my faithful friends, but, on the -contrary, rejoice at the happiness which awaits me. The bearded white -men have treacherously seized the greater portion of my empire, and -they will soon be masters of the remainder. Who can stop them? Their -weapons render them invulnerable, and they dispose at their will of the -fire from heaven; but their power will end one day; they, too, will be -the victims of treachery; the penalty of retaliation will be inflicted -on them in all its rigour. Listen, then, attentively, to what I am -about to ask of you; the safety of our country depends on the fidelity -with which you execute my last orders. Each of you take a title of -the sacred fire which was formerly kindled by the Sun himself, and on -which the white men have not yet dared to lay a sacrilegious hand to -extinguish it. This fire burns before you in this golden censer; take -it unto you, not letting your enemies know what has become of it. You -will divide the fire among you, so that each may have a sufficiency; -preserve it religiously, ant never let it go out. Each morning, alter -adoring it mount on the roof of your house, at sunrise, and look -toward the east; one day you will see me appear, giving my right hand -to my father, the Sun; then you will rejoice, for the moment of your -deliverance will be at hand. My father and I will come to restore you -to liberty, and deliver you for ever from these enemies, who have come -from a perverse world, that rejected them from its bosom." - -The Mexican chiefs obeyed the orders of their well-beloved Emperor on -the spot, for time pressed. A few days later, Motecuhzoma mounted on -the roof of his palace, and prepared to address his mutinous people, -when he was struck by an arrow, it was never known by whom, and fell -into the arms of the Spanish soldiery who accompanied him. Before -breathing his last sigh, the Emperor sat up, and raising his hands to -heaven, said, with a supreme effort, to his friends assembled round -him--"The fire! the fire! think of the fire." - -These were his last words: ten minutes later he had ceased to breathe. -In vain did the Spaniards, whose curiosity was strongly aroused by -this mysterious recommendation, try by all the means in their power -to penetrate its meaning; but they did not succeed in making one of -the Mexicans they interrogated speak. All religiously preserved their -secret, and several, indeed, died of torture, rather than reveal it. - -The Comanches, and nearly all the nations of the Far West, have -kept this belief intact. In all the Indian villages, the fire of -Motecuhzoma, which burns eternally is guarded by two warriors, who -remain by it for twenty-four hours without eating or drinking, when -they are relieved by two others. Formerly the guardians remained -forty-eight hours instead of twenty-four. It frequently happened -that they were found dead when the reliefs came, either through the -mephitic gases of the fire, which had great effect on them, owing to -their long fast, or for some other reason. The bodies were taken away, -and placed in a cavern, where, as the Comanches say, a serpent devoured -them. - -This belief is so general, that it is not only found among the Red -Indians, but also among the Manzos. Many men, considered to be well -educated, keep up, in hidden corners, the fire of Motecuhzoma, visit -it every day, and do not fail at sunrise to mount on the roof of -their houses and look towards the east, in the hope of seeing their -well-beloved emperor coming to restore them that liberty for which they -have sighed during so many ages, and which the Mexican Republic is far -from having granted them. - -Natah Otann's idea was this:--To tell the Indians, after narrating -the legend to them, that the time had arrived when Motecuhzoma would -appear and act as their chief; to form a powerful band of warriors, -whom he would spread along the whole American frontier, so as to -attack his enemies at every point simultaneously, and not give them -the time to look about them. This project, mad as it was, especially -in having to be executed by Indians, or men the least capable of -forming alliances, which have ever caused them defeats; this project, -we say, was deficient neither in boldness nor in nobility, and Natah -Otann was really the only man capable of carrying it out, could he but -find, among the persons he wished to arouse, two or three docile and -intelligent instruments, that would understand his idea, and heartily -cooperate with him. - -The Comanches, Pawnees, and Sioux were of great utility to the chief, -as well as the majority of the Indians of the Far West, for they -shared in the belief on which Natah Otann based his plans, and not only -did not need to be persuaded, but would help him in persuading the -Missouri Indians by their assent to his assertions. But in so large -an assembly of nations, divided by a multitude of interests, speaking -different languages, generally hostile to each other, how would it -be possible to establish a tie sufficiently strong to attach them in -an indissoluble manner? How convince them to march together without -jealousy? Lastly, was it reasonable to suppose that there would not be -a traitor to sell his brothers, and reveal their plans to the Yankees, -whoever have an eye on the movements of the Indians, for they are so -anxious to be rid of them? - -Still, Natah Otann did not recoil; he did not conceal from himself the -difficulties which he should have to overcome; but his courage grew -with obstacles. His resolution was strengthened, if we may use the -term, in proportion to the responsibilities which must every moment -rise before him. When the sachems made him the signal to rise; Natah -Otann saw that the moment had arrived to begin the difficult game he -wished to play. He took the word resolutely, certain that, with the men -he had before him, all depended on the manner in which he handled the -question, and that, the first impression once made, success was almost -certain. - -"Chiefs of the Comanches, Osages, Sioux, Pawnees, Mandans, Assiniboins, -Missouris, and all you that listen to me. Redskin brothers," he said, -in a firm and deeply accentuated voice, "for many moons my spirit has -been sad. I see, with sorrow, our hunting grounds, invaded by the white -men, grow smaller every day. We, whose innumerable peoples covered, -scarce four centuries back, the immense extent of territory compassed -between the two seas, are now reduced to a small party of warriors who, -timid as antelopes, fly before our despoilers. Our sacred cities, the -last refuge of the civilization of our fathers, the Incas, will become -the prey of those monsters with human faces who have no other god but -gold. Our dispersed race will possibly soon disappear from that world -which it has so long possessed and governed alone. Tracked like wild -animals; brutalized by firewater, that corrosive poison invented by the -white men for our ruin; decimated by the sword and white diseases, our -wandering tribes are now but the shadow of a people. Our conquerors -despise our religion, and wish to bow us beneath the laws of the -crucified One. They outrage our wives; kill our children; burn our -villages; and will reduce us, if they can, to the state of wild beasts, -under the pretext of civilizing us. Indians, all you who hear me, is -our blood so impoverished in our veins, and have you all renounced your -independence! Reply, will you die as slaves, or live free?" - -At these words, pronounced in aloud tone, and heightened by an -energetic gesture, a tremor ran through the assembly; brows were bent -firmly, all eyes sparkled. - -"Speak, speak again, sachem of the Blackfeet," all the chiefs shouted -unanimously. - -Natah Otann smiled proudly, his power over the masses was revealed to -him. He continued:-- - -"The hour has at length arrived, after so many hesitations, to shake -off the shameful yoke that presses on us. Within a few days, if you -please, we will drive the whites far from our frontiers, and repay them -all the evil they have done us. For a long time I have watched the -Americans and Spaniards. I know their tactics, their resources: to -utterly destroy them, what do we need, my well-beloved brothers? two -things alone--skill and courage!" - -The Indians interrupted him with shouts of joy. - -"You shall be free," Natah Otann continued. "I will restore to you the -valleys of your ancestors, the fields where their bones are buried, -and which the sacrilegious plough disperses in every direction. This -project, ever since I became a man, has fermented in my heart, and -become my life. Far from me and from you the thought that I intend -to force myself on you as chief, especially since the prodigy of -which I have been witness, in the appearance of the great emperor! -No; after that supreme chief, who must guide you to liberty, you are -free to choose the man who will execute his orders, and communicate -them to you. When you have chosen him, you will obey him; follow him -everywhere; and pass with him through the most insurmountable dangers, -for he will be the elect of the Sun; the lieutenant of Motecuhzoma! Do -not deceive yourselves, warriors; our enemy is powerful, numerous, well -disciplined, warlike, and has, before all, the habit of conquering us, -which is a great advantage to him. Name, then, this lieutenant; let his -election be free; take the most worthy, and I will joyfully march under -his orders!" - -And, after saluting the sachems, Natah Otann disappeared in a crowd of -warriors, with calm brow, but with a heart devoured by restlessness. -His eloquence, so novel to the Indians, had seduced them, and thrown -them into a species of frenzy. They considered the daring Blackfoot -chief a genius superior to themselves, and almost bowed the knee to -him in adoration, so cleverly had he struck the chord which must -touch their hearts. For a long time the council gave way to a sort -of madness, and all spoke at once; when this emotion was calmed, the -wisest of the sachems discussed the opportunity for taking up arms, and -the chances of success. It was now that the tribes of the Far West, who -believed in the legend of the sacred fire, became so useful; at length, -after a protracted discussion, opinions were unanimous for a general -uprising. The ranks, momentarily broken, were reformed, and the White -Buffalo, invited by the chiefs to express the opinions of the council, -spoke as follows:-- - -"Chiefs of the allied Indian tribes, listen! This day it has been -resolved by the following chiefs:--Little Panther, Spotted Dog, White -Buffalo, Grizzly Bear, Red Wolf, White Fox, Tawny Vulture, Glistening -Snake, and others, each representing a nation and a tribe, that war has -been declared against the white men, our plunderers; and as this war -is holy, and has liberty for its object, all men, women, and children -must take part in it, each according to their strength. This very day -the _wampums_ will be sent by the chiefs to all the Indian tribes that, -owing to the distance of these hunting grounds, were unable to be -present at this great council, in spite of their great desire to be so. -I have spoken." - -A long cry of enthusiasm interrupted the White Buffalo, who continued, -soon after:-- - -"The chiefs, after ripe deliberation, assenting to the request made -to the council by Natah Otann, the first sachem of the Blackfeet, -that they should appoint a lieutenant to the Emperor Motecuhzoma, -sovereign-chief of the Indian warriors, have chosen, as supreme -leader under the sole orders of the said Emperor, the wisest, most -prudent, and most worthy to command us. That warrior is the sachem of -the Blackfoot Indians, of the tribe of the Kenhas, whose race is so -ancient, Natah Otann, the cousin of the Sun, that dazzling planet which -illumines us." - -A thunder of applause greeted the last words. Natah Otann saluted the -sachems, walked into the circle, and said, in a haughty voice,-- - -"I accept, sachems, my brothers; we agree, I shall be dead, or you will -be free." - -"May the Grizzly Bear live for ever!" the crowd shouted. - -"War to the white men!" Natah Otann continued, "a war without truce -or mercy. A slaughter of wild beasts, as they are accustomed to treat -us. Remember the law of the prairies:--eye for eye, tooth for tooth. -Let each chief send the wampum of war to his nation, for at the end of -this moon we will arouse our enemies by a thunderbolt. At the seventh -hour of this night we will meet again, to select the subaltern chiefs, -number our warriors, and choose the day and hour of attack." - -The chiefs bowed without replying, rejoined their escorts, and soon -disappeared in a cloud of dust. Natah Otann and the White Buffalo -remained alone, a detachment of Blackfeet warriors watching over them -at a distance. Natah Otann, with his arms crossed and head bowed, -seemed plunged in profound reflection. - -"Well," the old Indian said, with an almost imperceptible shade of -irony in his voice, "you have succeeded, my son; you are happy. Your -plans will, at length, be accomplished." - -"Yes," he replied, without noticing the sarcastic tone of voice; "war -is declared; my plans have succeeded; but now, friend, I tremble at -such a heavy task. Will these peculiar men thoroughly comprehend me? -Will they be able to read, in my heart, all the love and adoration -I feel for them? Are they ripe for liberty? perhaps they have not -suffered enough yet? Father, father, whose heart is so powerful and -soul so great: whose life was used up in numerous contests, counsel -me! help me! I am young and weak, and I only have a strong will and a -boundless devotion to support me." - -The old man smiled mournfully, and muttered, answering his own thoughts -more than his friend:-- - -"Yes; my life was used up in supreme struggles: the work I helped to -raise has been overthrown, but not destroyed; for a new society, full -of vitality, has risen from the ruins of a decrepit society; by our -efforts the furrow was ploughed too deeply for it ever to be filled up -again: progress marching onward, nothing can check or stop it! Do not -halt on the road you have chosen; it is the greatest and most noble a -great heart can follow." - -In uttering these words, the old man had allowed his enthusiasm to -carry him away; his head was raised; his brow glistened; the expiring -sun played on his face, and imparted to it an expression which Natah -Otann had never seen before, and which filled him with respect. But the -old man shook his head sorrowfully, and continued:-- - -"Child, how will you keep your promise? where will you find -Motecuhzoma?" - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"You will soon see, my father," he said. - -At the same moment, an Indian, whose panting horse seemed to breathe -fire through its nostrils, came up to the chiefs, where he stopped -suddenly, as if converted into marble; without dismounting, he bent -down to Natah Otann's ear. - -"Already!" the latter exclaimed, "Oh! heaven must be on my side! There -is not a moment to lose. My horse! quick." - -"What is the matter?" the White Buffalo asked. - -"Nothing that relates to you at present, my father; but you shall soon -know all." - -"You are going alone, then?" - -"I must for a short period. Farewell!" - -Natah Otann's horse uttered a snort of pain, and started at full -gallop. Ten minutes later all the Indians had disappeared, and solitude -and silence prevailed round the tree of the Master of Life. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. - - -Matters had reached this point at the moment when the story we -have undertaken to tell, begins: now that we have supplied these -indispensable explanations, we will take up our narrative again at the -point where we broke it off. - -John Black and his family, posted behind the barricade that surrounded -the camp, regarded with joy, mingled with alarm, the cavalcade coming -toward them like a tornado, raising clouds of dust in its passage. - -"Attention, boys!" the American said to his son and servants, with his -hand on his trigger. "You know the diabolical trickery of these apes of -the prairie; we must not let them surprise us a second time; at the -least suspicious sign, a bullet! We shall thus prove to them that we -are on our guard." - -The emigrant's wife and daughter, with their eyes fixed on the prairie, -attentively followed the movements of the Indians. - -"You are mistaken, my love," Mrs. Black said; "these men have no -hostile designs. The Indians rarely attack by day; when they do so, -they never come so openly as this." - -"The more so," the young lady added, "as, if I am not mistaken, I can -see Europeans galloping at the head of the party." - -"Oh!" Black said, "that really has no significance, my child. The -prairies swarm with scoundrels who join those demons of Redskins when -honest travellers are to be plundered. Who knows, indeed, whether white -men were not the instigators of last night's attack?" - -"Oh, father, I never could believe such a thing as that," Diana -remarked. - -Miss Black, of whom we have hitherto said but little, was a girl of -about seventeen, tall and slender; her large black eyes, bordered with -velvety lashes; the thick bandeaux of brown hair; her little mouth, -with its rosy lips and pearly teeth, made her a charming creature, who -would have been an ornament anywhere; but in the desert must naturally -attract attention. Religiously educated by her mother, a good and pious -Presbyterian, Diana still retained all the candour and innocence of -youth, combined with that experience of everyday life imparted by the -rude life of the clearings, where people begin early to think and act -for themselves. In the meanwhile the cavalcade rapidly approached, and -was now no great distance off. - -"Those are really our animals galloping down there," Will said; "I -recognise Sultan, my good horse." - -"And Dolly, my poor milch cow," Mrs. Black said, with a sigh. - -"Console yourselves," Diana said, "I'll answer for it these people are -bringing back our cattle." - -The emigrant shook his head in agitation. - -"The Indians never give up what they have once seized; but, by my soul, -I'll have it out with them, and not let myself be robbed without a -trial for it." - -"Wait a minute, father," said Will, stopping him, for the emigrant was -about to leap over the intrenchments, "we shall soon know what their -intentions are." - -"Hum! they are very clear, in my idea. The demons want to propose to us -some disgusting bargain." - -"Perhaps, father, you are mistaken," Diana said, quickly; "and see, -they are stopping, and apparently consulting." - -In fact, on arriving within gunshot, the Indians halted, and began -talking together. - -"Why shall we not go on?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"H'm, you don't know the Yankees, Mr. Edward. I am sure that, if we -were to go ten paces further, we should be saluted by a shower of -bullets." - -"Nonsense!" the young man said, with a shrug of his shoulder; "they are -not so mad as to act in that way." - -"It's possible; but they would do as I tell you. Look attentively, and -you will see from this spot the barrels of their rifles glistening -between the stakes of the barricades." - -"By Jove! it's true; then they want to be massacred." - -"They would have been so long ago, had not my brother interceded in -their favour," Natah Otann said, joining in the conversation. - -"And I thank you, chief. The desert is large; what harm can those poor -devils do you?" - -"They, none; but presently others will come and settle by their side, -and so on; so that in six months my brother would see a city at a spot -where there is now nothing but nature as it left the omnipotent hands -of the Master of Life." - -"That is true," Bright-eye said, "the Yankees respect nothing; the rage -for building cities renders them dangerous madmen." - -"Why have we stopped, chief?" the Count said, recurring to his first -question. - -"To negotiate." - -"Will you do me a kindness? Leave this business to me. I am curious -to see how these people understand the laws of war, and how they will -receive me." - -"My brother is free." - -"Wait for me here, then, and do not make a move during my absence." - -The young man took off his weapons, which he handed to his servant. - -"What?" Ivon remarked. "Are you going, my lord, in this state among -those heretics?" - -"How else should I go? You know very well that a flag of truce has -nothing to fear." - -"That is possible," the Breton said, very slightly convinced; "but if -your lordship will believe me, you will, at least, keep your pistols in -your belt; for an accident happens so easily, and you do not know among -what sort of people you are going." - -"You are mad!" the Count said, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Well, then, as you are going unarmed to speak with people who do not -inspire me with the slightest confidence, I must ask your lordship to -permit me to accompany you." - -"You, nonsense!" the young man said, laughing. "You know very well that -you are a wonderful coward; that's agreed on." - -"Perfectly true; but I feel capable of anything to defend my master." - -"There we have it; your cowardice need only come on you suddenly, and, -in your alarm, you will be ready to kill everybody. No, no, none of -that; I do not wish to get into trouble through you." - -And dismounting, he walked in the direction of the barricades. On -arriving a short distance from them, he took out a white handkerchief, -and waved it in the air. Black, still ready to fire, carefully watched -the Count's every movement, and when he saw his amicable demonstration, -he rose, and made him a signal to come on. The young man quietly -returned his handkerchief to his pocket, lit a cigar, stuck his glass -in his eye, and after drawing on his gloves, walked resolutely on. On -reaching the intrenchments, he found himself in front of Black, who was -waiting for him, leaning on his rifle. - -"What do you want of me?" the American said, roughly. "Make haste! I -have no time to lose in conversation." - -The Count surveyed him haughtily, assumed the most insolent posture he -could select, and puffing a cloud of smoke into his face, said dryly-- - -"You are not polite, my dear fellow." - -"Halloa!" the other said. "Have you come here to insult me?" - -"I have come to do you a service; and if you continue in that tone, I -am afraid I shall be obliged not to do it." - -"We'll see to that--do me a service! And what may it be?" the American -asked with a grin. - -"You are a low fellow," the Count remarked, "with whom it is offensive -to talk. I prefer to withdraw." - -"Withdraw--oh, nonsense! You are too valuable a hostage. I shall -keep you, my gentleman, and only give you up at a good figure,", the -American continued. - -"What! Is that the way you comprehend the law of nations? That's -curious," the Count said, still sarcastic. - -"There is no law of nations with bandits." - -"Thanks for your compliment, master. And what would you do to keep me, -if I did not think proper?" - -"Like this," the American said, laying his hand roughly on his shoulder. - -"What!" the Count said. "I really believe, Heaven forgive me! that you -dared to lay a hand on me!" - -And ere the emigrant had time to prevent it, he seized him round the -waist, lifted him from the ground, and hurled him over the barricade. -The giant fell all bruised in the middle of his camp. Instead of -withdrawing, as any other might have done in his place, the young man -crossed his arms, and waited, smoking peacefully. The emigrant, stunned -by his rough fall, rose, shaking himself like a wet dog, and feeling -his ribs, to assure himself that there was nothing broken. The ladies -uttered a cry of terror on seeing him re-enter the camp in such a -peculiar way, while his son and servants looked toward him, ready to -fire at the first signal. - -"Lower your guns," he said to them; and leaping once more over the -barricade, he walked towards the Count. The latter awaited him with -perfect calmness. - -"Ah! there you are," he said, "Well, how did you like that?" - -"Come, come," the American replied, holding out his hand; "I was in the -wrong; I am a brute beast; forgive me." - -"Very good; I like you better like that; we only need to understand -each other. You are now prepared to listen to me, I fancy?" - -"Quite." - -There are certain men, like John Black, with whom it is necessary to -employ extreme measures, and prove your superiority to them. With such -persons you do not argue, but smash them; after which it always happens -that these men, before so intractable, become gentle as lambs, and do -all you want. The American, possessed of great strength, and confiding -in it, thought he had a right to be insolent with a slight and weak -looking man; but so soon as this man had proved to him, in a peremptory -manner, that he was the more powerful of the two, the bull drew in his -horns, and recoiled all the distance he had advanced. - -"This night," the Count then said, "you were attacked by the Blackfeet; -I wished to come to your aid, but it was impossible, and, besides, I -should have arrived too late. As, however, for some reason or other; -the men who attacked you feel a certain amount of consideration for me, -I have profited by my influence to make them restore the cattle they -stole from you." - -"Thanks; believe that I sincerely regret what has passed between us; -but I was so annoyed by the loss I had experienced." - -"I understand all that, and willingly pardon you, the more so as I, -perhaps, gave you rather too rude a shock just now." - -"Oh, do not mention it, I beg." - -"As you please; it is all the same to me." - -"And my cattle?" - -"Are at your disposal. Will you have them at once?" - -"I will not conceal from you that--" - -"Very good," the Count interrupted him; "wait a minute, I will tell -them to bring them up." - -"Do you think I have nothing to fear from the Indians?" - -"Not if you know how to manage them." - -"Well, then, shall I wait for you?" - -"Only a few minutes." - -The Count went down the hill again with the same calm step he had gone -up it. So soon as he rejoined the Indians, his friends surrounded him; -they had seen all that passed, and were delighted at the way in which -he had ended the discussion. - -"Good heavens! how coarse those Americans are," the young man said. -"Pray give him his cattle, chief, and let us have done with him. The -animal all but put me in a passion." - -"He is coming toward us," Natah Otann replied, with an undefinable -smile. Black, indeed, soon came up. The worthy emigrant, having been -duly scolded by his wife and daughter, had recognized the full extent -of his stupidity, and was most anxious to repair it. - -"Really, gentlemen," he said, "we cannot part in this way. I owe you -great obligations, and am desirous to prove to you that I am not such a -brute as I probably seem to be. Be kind enough to stay with us, if only -for an hour, to show us that you bear no malice." - -This invitation was given in a hearty, but, at the same time, cordial -manner, and it was so evident that the good man was confused, that -the Count had not the heart to refuse him. The Indians camped where -they were. The chief and the three hunters followed the American into -his camp, where the cattle had already been restored. The reception -was as it should be in the desert; the ladies had hastily prepared -refreshments under the tent, while William and the two serving men made -a breach in the barricade, to give passage to his father's guests. Lucy -Black and Diana awaited the newcomers at the entrance of the camp. - -"You are welcome, gentlemen," the Americans wife said, with a graceful -bow; "we are all so much indebted to you, that we are only too happy to -receive you." - -The chief and the Count bowed politely to the lady, who was doing all -in her power to repair the clumsy brutality of her husband. The Count, -at the sight of Diana, felt an emotion which he could not, at the first -blush, understand; his heart beat on regarding this charming creature, -who was exposed to so many dangers through the life to which she was -condemned. Diana blushed at the ardent glance of the young man, and -timidly drew nearer her mother, with that instinct of modesty innate -in woman's heart, which makes her ever seek protection from her to whom -she owes existence. - -After the first compliments, Natah Otann, the Count, and Bright-eye, -entered the tent where Black and his son were awaiting them. When the -ice was broken, which does not take long among people accustomed to -prairie life, the conversation became more animated and intimate. - -"So," the Count asked, "you have left the clearings with the intention -of never returning?" - -"Oh, yes," the emigrant answered; "for a man having a family, -everything is becoming so dear on the frontier, that he must make up -his mind to enter the desert." - -"I can understand your doing so as a man, for you can always manage to -get out of difficulties; but your wife and daughter--you condemn them -to a very sorrowful and dangerous life." - -"It is a wife's duty to follow her husband," Mrs. Black said with a -slight accent of reproach. "I am happy wherever he is, provided I am by -his side." - -"Good, madam; I admire such sentiments; but permit me an observation." - -"Certainly, sir." - -"Was it necessary to come so far to find a suitable farm?" - -"Certainly not; but we should have run the risk of being someday -expelled from the new clearing by the owners of the land, and compelled -to begin a new plantation further away," she said. - -"While now," Black continued, "at the place where we are, we have -nothing of that sort to fear, as the land belongs to nobody." - -"My brother is mistaken," the chief said, who had not yet spoken a -word; "the country, for ten days' march in every direction, belongs to -me and my tribe; the Paleface is here on the hunting grounds of the -Kenhas." - -Black regarded Natah Otann with an air of embarrassment. - -"Well," he said, after a moment's pause, as if speaking against the -grain; "we will go further, wife." - -"Where can the Palefaces go to find land that belongs to nobody?" the -chief continued, severely. - -This time the American had not a word to say. Diana, who had never -before seen an Indian so close, regarded the chief with a mingled -feeling of curiosity and terror. The Count smiled. - -"The chief is right," Bright-eye said, "the prairies belong to the Red -men." - -Black had bowed his head on his chest, in perplexity. - -"What is to be done?" he muttered. - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Let my brother open his ears," he said to him; "a chief is about to -speak." - -The American fixed an inquiring glance on him. - -"Does this country suit my brother then?" the Indian continued. - -"Why should I deny it? This country is the finest I ever saw; close to -me I have the river, behind me, immense virgin forests. Oh yes, it is a -fine country, and I should have made a magnificent plantation." - -"I have told my Paleface brother," the chief went on, "that this -country belonged to me." - -"Yes, you told me so, chief, and it is true; I cannot deny it." - -"Well, if the Paleface desires it, he can obtain so much ground as he -wishes," Natah Otann said, concisely. - -At this proposition, which the American was far from suspecting, he -pricked up his ears; the squatter's nature was aroused in him. - -"How can I buy the land when I possess nothing?" he said. - -"That is of no consequence," the chief replied. - -The astonishment now became general; each looked at the Indian -curiously: for the conversation had suddenly acquired a grave -importance which no one expected. Black, however, was not deceived by -this apparent facility. - -"The chief has doubtless not understood me," he said. - -The Indian shook his head. - -"The Paleface cannot buy the land, because he has not wherewith to pay -for it; those were his words." - -"True; and the chief answered that it was of little matter." - -"I said so." - -There was no mistake, the two men had clearly understood one another. - -"There is some devilry behind that," Bright-eye muttered in his -moustache; "an Indian does not give an egg, unless he expects an ox in -return." - -"What do you want to arrive at, chief?" the Count asked Natah Otann, -frankly. - -"I will explain myself," the latter said; "my brother interests himself -in this family, I believe?" - -"I do," the young man answered, with some surprise, "and you know my -reasons." - -"Good; let my brother pledge himself to accompany me during two moons, -without asking any explanation of my actions, and give me his aid -whenever I require it, and I will give this man as much ground as he -needs to found a settlement, and he need never fear being annoyed by -the Redskins, or dispossessed by the Whites, for I am really the owner -of the land, and no other can lay claim to it." - -"A moment," Bright-eye said, as he rose; "in my presence, Mr. Edward -will not accept such a bargain; no one buys a pig in a poke, and it -would be madness to submit his will to the caprices of another man." - -Natah Otann frowned, his eye flashed fire, and he rose. - -"Dog of the Palefaces," he shouted, "take care of thy words--I have -once spared thy life." - -"Your menaces do not frighten me, Redskin," the Canadian replied, -resolutely; "you lie if you say that you were master of my life; it -only depends from the will of God; you cannot cause a hair of my head -to fall without His consent." - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his knife, a movement immediately imitated -by the hunter, and they stood opposite each other, ready for action. -The ladies uttered a shriek of terror, William and his father stood -before them, ready to interfere in the quarrel, if it were necessary. -But the Count had already, quick as thought, thrown himself between the -two men, shouting loudly-- - -"Stop! I insist on it!" - -Yielding to the ascendency of the speaker, the Blackfoot and the -Canadian each fell back a step, returned their knives to their girdles, -and waited. The Count looked at them for a moment, then, holding out -his hand to Bright-eye, said, affectionately-- - -"Thank you, my friend, but for the present I do not require your aid." - -"Good, good," the hunter said; "you know I am yours, body and soul. Mr. -Edward, it is only deferred." And the worthy Canadian sat down again -quietly. - -"As for you, chief," the young man continued, "the proposals are -unacceptable. I should be mad to agree to them, and I hope I am not -quite in that state yet. I wish to teach you this, that I have only -come on the prairie to hunt for a short time; that time has passed; -pressing business requires my presence in the United States, and -dispels my desire to be useful to these good people; so soon as I have -accompanied you to the village, according to my promise, I shall say -good-bye to you, and probably never return." - -"Which will be extremely agreeable to me," Bright-eye said, in -confirmation. - -The Indian did not stir. - -"Still," the Count went on, "there is, perhaps, a way of settling the -matter to the satisfaction of all parties; land is not so dear here; -tell me your price, and I will pay you at once, either in dollars, or -in bills on a New York banker." - -"All right," the hunter said; "there is still that way open." - -"Oh! I thank you, sir," Mrs. Black exclaimed, "but my husband cannot -and ought not to accept such a proposal." - -"Why not, my dear lady, if it suits me, and the chief accepts my offer?" - -Black, we must do him the justice to say, satisfied himself by -signifying his approval by a gesture; but the worthy squatter, like -a true American, was very careful not to say a word. As for Diana, -fascinated by such disinterestedness, she gazed on the Count with eyes -sparkling with gratitude, not daring to express aloud what her secret -thoughts were about this noble and generous gentleman. Natah Otann -raised his head. - -"I will prove to my brother," he said, in a gentle voice, and bowing -courteously, "that the Red men are as generous as the Palefaces. I sell -him eight hundred acres of land, to be chosen where he pleases along -the river, for one dollar." - -"A dollar?" the young man exclaimed, in surprise. - -"Yes," the chief said, smiling, "in that way I shall be paid, my -brother will owe me nothing; and if he consents to stay a little while -with me, it will be of his own accord, and because he likes to be with -a true friend." - -This unforeseen result to a scene which had for a moment threatened to -end in blood, filled all persons with surprise. Bright-eye alone was -not duped by the chief's courtesy. - -"There's something behind it," he muttered to himself, "but I will -watch, and that demon must be very cunning to cheat me." - -The Count was affected by this generosity, which he was far from -expecting. - -"There, chief," he said, handing him the stipulated dollar, "now we are -quits; but be assured that I will not be outdone by you." - -Natah Otann bowed courteously. - -"Now," the Count continued, "a last favour." - -"Let my brother speak, he has the right to ask everything of me." - -"Make peace with my old Bright-eye," - -"As my brother desires it," the chief said, "I will do so willingly; -and, as a sign of reconciliation, I beg him to accept the dollar you -have given me." - -The hunter's first impulse was to decline it; but he thought better of -it, took the dollar, and carefully placed it in his belt. Black knew -not how to express his gratitude to the Count, who had really made him -a landed proprietor; and the same day the American and his son chose -the land on which the plantation should be established. The Count drew -up on a leaf of his pocketbook a regular deed of sale, which was signed -by himself, Bright-eye, and Ivon, as witnesses, by Black as purchaser, -and at the foot of which Natah Otann drew the totem of his tribe, and -an animal intended to represent a bear, which formed his speaking but -most emblematical signature. The chief, had he pleased, could have -signed like the rest, but he wished to hide from all the instruction he -owed to the White Buffalo. Black preciously placed the deed between the -leaves of his family bible, and said to the Count, while squeezing his -hand hard enough to smash it-- - -"Remember that you have in John Black a man who will let his bones be -broken for you, whenever you think proper." - -Diana said nothing, but she gave the young man a look which paid him -amply for what he had done for the family. - -"Attention," Bright-eye said, in a whisper, the first time he found -himself alone with Ivon; "from this day watch carefully over your -master, for a terrible danger threatens him." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES. - - -About four or five hours after the various events we have described -in the previous chapters, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, that is to say, bedizened with -feathers, and painted of glaring colours, crossed a streamlet, and -galloped over the prairies, proceeding in the direction of the Virgin -forest, to which we have several times alluded. The rider, dressed -in the war costume of the Blackfoot Indians, and whom it was easy to -recognize as a chief by the eagle feather fastened over his right ear, -incessantly bent over his horse's neck, and urged it to increased speed. - -It was night, but an American night, full of sharp odours and -mysterious sounds, with a dark blue sky, studded with an infinite -number of dazzling stars; the moon profusely spread her silvery rays -over the landscape, casting a deceitful brightness, which imparted a -fantastic appearance to objects. All seemed to sleep on the prairies; -the wind even hardly shook the umbrageous tops of the trees; the wild -beasts, after drinking at the river, had returned to their hidden dens. -The horseman alone moved on, gliding silently through the darkness; -at times he raised his head, as if consulting the sky, then, after a -seconds rest, he galloped onwards. - -Many hours passed ere the horseman thought of stopping. At length -he reached a spot where the trees were so interlaced by creepers -which enfolded them, that a species of insurmountable wall suddenly -prevented the rider's progress. After a moment's hesitation, and -looking attentively around to discover a hole by which he could pass, -seeing clearly that all attempts would be useless, he dismounted. He -saw that he had arrived at a canebrake, or spot where a passage can -only be made by fire or axe. The Indian chief fastened his horse to the -trunk of a tree; left within its reach a stock of grass and climbing -peas; then, certain that his horse would want for nothing during this -long night, he began thinking of himself. - -First he cut down with his bowie knife the bushes and plants which -interfered with the encampment he wished to form; then he prepared, -with all the stoicism of a prairie denizen, a fire of dry wood, in -order to cook his supper, and keep off wild beasts, if anyone took it -into his head to pay him a visit during his sleep. Among the wood he -collected was a large quantity of what the Mexicans call _palo mulato_, -or stinking wood; this he was careful to remove, for the pestiferous -smell of that tree would have denounced his presence for miles round, -and the Indian, judging from the precautions he took, seemed afraid of -being discovered; in fact, the care with which he had placed sand-bags -round his horse's hoofs, to dull the sound, sufficiently proved this. - -When the fire, so placed as not to be visible ten yards off, poured -its pleasant column of flame into the air, the Indian took from his -elk-skin pouch a little Indian wheat and pemmican, which he ate with -considerable appetite, looking round continually in the surrounding -gloom, and stopping to listen attentively to those noiseless sounds -which by night trouble the imposing calmness of the desert, without any -apparent cause. When his scanty meal was ended, the Indian filled his -pipe with kinne-kinnick, and began smoking. - -Still, in spite of his apparent calmness, the man was not easy; -at times he took the pipe from his lips, looked up, and anxiously -consulted the sky, through a break in the foliage above his head. At -length he appeared to form an energetic resolution, and raising his -fingers to his lips, imitated thrice, with rare perfection, the cry of -the blue jay, that privileged bird that sings in the night; then he -bent his body forward and listened, but nothing proved to him that his -signal had been heard. - -"Wait a while," he muttered. - -And crouching again before the fire, into which he threw a handful of -dry branches, he began smoking again. Several hours passed thus: at -length the moon disappeared from the horizon, the cold became sharper, -and the sky, in which the stars expired one after the other, was tinted -with a rosy hue. The Indian, who had been slumbering for a while, -suddenly shook himself, turned a suspicious glance around, and muttered -hoarsely,-- - -"She cannot be far off." - -And he again gave the signal. The last cry had scarce died out in the -distance, when a roar was heard close by. The Indian, instead of being -alarmed by this ill-omened sound, smiled, and said in a loud and firm -voice,-- - -"You are welcome, She-wolf; you know it is I who am awaiting you here." - -"Ah! you are there, then!" a voice answered. - -A rustling of leaves was now heard in the bushes opposite the spot -where the Indian was seated; the reeds and creepers were pulled back by -a vigorous hand, and a woman appeared in the space left free. Before -advancing, she thrust her head forward cautiously, and looked. - -"I am alone," the Indian said; "you can approach without fear." - -A smile played over the newcomer's lips at this answer, which she did -not expect. - -"I fear nothing," she said. - -Before going further, we will give some indispensable details about -this woman--vague, it is true, as we can only supply what the Indians -said about her, but which will be useful to the reader in comprehending -the facts that will follow. No one knew who she was, or whence she -came. The period when she was first seen on the prairie was equally -unknown. All was an inexplicable mystery connected with her. Though -she spoke fluently, and with extreme purity, most of the prairie -idioms, still certain words she at times used, and the colour of her -skin, not so brown as that of the natives, caused the supposition that -she belonged to another race from theirs. It was only a supposition, -however, for her hatred of the Indians was too well known for the -bravest among them ever to venture to see her sufficiently closely to -render themselves certain on that head. - -At times she disappeared for weeks, even for months, and it was -impossible to discover her trail. Then she was suddenly seen again -wandering about, talking to herself, marching nearly always by night, -frequently accompanied by an idiotic and dumb dwarf, who followed her -like a dog, and whom the Indians, in their credulous superstition, -suspected strongly of being her familiar. This woman, ever gloomy and -melancholy, with her wild looks and startling gestures, could not be -accused of doing anyone harm, in spite of the general terror she -inspired. Still, owing to the strange life she led, all the misfortunes -that happened to the Indians, in war or hunting, were imputed to her. -The Redskins considered her a wicked genius, and had given her the name -of the _Spirit of Evil_. Hence the man who had come so far to see her -must necessarily have been gifted with extraordinary courage, or some -powerful reason impelled him to act as he was doing. - -As this Blackfoot chief is destined to play a great part in this -narrative, we will give his portrait in a few words. He was a man who -had reached middle life, or about forty-five years. He was tall, well -built, and admirably proportioned. His muscles, standing out like -whipcord, denoted extraordinary vigour. He had an intelligent face; his -features expressed cunning, while his eyes were rarely fixed on any -object, but gave him an expression of craft and brutal cruelty, which -inspired an unenviable repugnance towards him, if you took the trouble -to study him carefully: but observers are rare in the desert, and with -the Indians this chief enjoyed a great reputation, and was equally -beloved for his tried courage and inexhaustible powers of speech, -qualities highly esteemed by the Redskins. - -"The night is still gloomy; my mother can approach," the Indian chief -said. - -"I am coming," the woman said, drily, as she advanced. - -"I have been waiting a long while." - -"I know it, but no matter." - -"The road was long to come." - -"I am here; speak!" - -And she leaned against the stem of a tree, crossing her arms on her -chest. - -"What can I say, if my mother does not first question me?" - -"That is true. Answer me then." - -There was a silence, only troubled by the wind sighing in the leaves; -after a few moments' reflection, the woman at length began,-- - -"Have you done what I ordered?" - -"I have." - -"Well?" - -"My mother guessed rightly." - -"Is it so?" - -"All is preparing for action," - -"You are sure?" - -"I was present at the council." - -She smiled triumphantly. - -"Where was the meeting place?" - -"At the tree of life." - -"Long ago?" - -"The sun has set eight hours since." - -"Good! What was resolved?" - -"What you already know." - -"The destruction of the whites?" - -"Yes." - -"When will the war signal be given?" - -"The day is not yet fixed." - -"Ah!" she said in a tone of regret. - -"But it cannot be long," he added quickly. - -"What makes you think so?" - -"The Grizzly Bear is eager to finish." - -"And I, too," the woman muttered in a low voice. - -The conversation was again broken off. The woman paced up and down the -clearing in thought. The chief followed her with his eyes, carefully -examining her. All at once she stopped before him, and looked him In -the face. - -"You are devoted to me, chief?" she said. - -"Do you doubt it?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Still, only a few hours ago, I gave you a decided proof of my -devotion." - -"What?" - -"This!" he said, pointing to his left arm, which was wrapped in strips -of bark. - -"I do not understand you." - -"You see I am wounded?" - -"Well! what then?" - -"The Redskins attacked the Palefaces some hours ago; they were scaling -the barricade which protected their camp, when they suddenly retired -on your appearance, by order of their chief, who was wounded, and -thirsting for revenge." - -"It is true." - -"Good. And the chief who commanded the Redskins--does my mother know -him?" - -"No." - -"It was I, the Red Wolf: does my mother still doubt?" - -"The path on which I am walking is so gloomy," she replied sorrowfully; -"the work I am accomplishing is so serious, and of such import to me, -that at times I feel fear enter my heart, and doubt contract my chest, -when I think I am alone, a poor weak woman, to wrestle with a giant. -For long years I have been ripening the plan I wish to accomplish -today; I have occupied my whole life to obtain the result I desire, and -I fear failure at the moment of succeeding. Then, if I have no longer -confidence in myself, can I trust a man whom self-interest may urge to -betray, or at any rate abandon me at a moment." - -The chief drew himself up on hearing these words; his eye flashed fire, -and, with a gesture of wounded pride, he said,-- - -"Silence! my mother must not add a word. She insults at this moment -a man who is most anxious to prove his truth to her: ingratitude is -a white vice, gratitude a red virtue. My mother was ever kind to me; -Red Wolf cannot count the occasions on which he owes his life to -her. My mother's heart is ulcered by misfortune; solitude is an evil -counsellor: my mother listens too much to the voices which whisper in -her ear through the silence of night; she forgets the services she has -rendered, only to remember the ingratitude she has sowed on her road. -Red Wolf is devoted to her, he loves her; the She-wolf can place entire -confidence in him, he is worthy of it." - -"Dare I believe in these protestations? Can I put faith in these -promises?" she muttered. - -The chief continued passionately,-- - -"If the gratitude I have vowed to my mother is not enough, another and -stronger tie attaches us, which must convince her of my sincerity." - -"What is it?" she asked, looking fixedly at him. - -"Hatred," he answered. - -"That is true," she said, with a sinister burst of laughter. "You hate -him too?" - -"Yes; I hate him with all the strength of my soul: I hate him, because -he has robbed me of the two things I held most to on earth,--the love -of the woman I adored, and the power I coveted." - -"But are you not a chief?" she said significantly. - -"Yes!" he exclaimed proudly, "I am a chief, but my father was a sachem -of the Kenhas; his son is brave, he is crafty, the scalps of numberless -Palefaces dry before his lodge. Why then is Red Wolf only an inferior -chief, instead of leading his men to battle as his father did?" - -The woman seemed to take a delight in exciting the anger of the Indian, -instead of calming it. - -"Because doubtlessly," she said, "a wiser man than the Red Wolf has -gained the votes of his brothers." - -"Let my mother say that a greater rogue stole them from him, and -her words will be true," he exclaimed violently. "Grizzly Bear is a -Comanche dog, the son of an exile, received through favour into my -tribe; his scalp will soon dry on the girdle of the Red Wolf." - -"Patience!" the woman said in a hoarse voice. "Vengeance is a fruit -which is only eaten ripe: the Red Wolf is a warrior; he can wait." - -"Let my mother order," the Indian said, suddenly calmed; "her son will -obey." - -"Has the Red Wolf succeeded in obtaining the medicine which -Prairie-Flower wears round her neck?" - -The Indian bowed his head in confusion. - -"No," he said hoarsely. "Prairie-Flower never leaves the White Buffalo; -it is impossible to approach her." - -The woman smiled ironically. - -"What! did Red Wolf ever keep a promise?" - -The Blackfoot shuddered with rage. - -"I will have it," he cried, "even if I must use force in obtaining it." - -"No," she replied; "cunning alone must be employed." - -"I will have it," he repeated. "Before two days I will give it to my -mother." - -"No," she said quickly; "in two days is too soon. Let my son give it me -on the fifth day of the new moon, which will begin within three days." - -"Good; I swear it! My mother shall have the great medicine of -Prairie-Flower." - -"My son will bring it to me at the tree of the bear, near the great -lodge of the Palefaces, two hours after sunset. I will await him there, -and give him my final instructions." - -"Red Wolf will be there." - -"Till then, my son will carefully watch every movement of the Grizzly -Bear; if he learns anything new, which appears to him important, my -son will form on this very spot a pyramid of seven buffalo heads, and -come back two hours after to wait for me. I shall have understood his -signal, and will reply to his summons." - -"_Oche_, my mother is powerful; it shall be done as she desires." - -"My son has quite understood?" - -"The words of my mother have fallen on the ears of a chief; his mind -has received them." - -"The sky on the horizon is covered with red bands, the sun will soon -appear: let my brother return to his tribe; he must not arouse the -suspicions of his enemy by his absence." - -"I go; but before leaving my mother, whose wisdom has discovered all -the schemes of the Palefaces, has she not made a great medicine to know -if our enterprise will succeed, and if we shall conquer our enemy?" - -At this moment a loud noise was heard in the canebrake, and a shrill -whistle traversed the air; the Indian's horse laid hack its ears, -made violent efforts to break the rope that fastened it, and trembled -all over. The woman seized the chiefs arm firmly, and said in a gloomy -voice,-- - -"Let my brother look!" - -Red Wolf stifled a cry of surprise, and gazed, motionless and -terrified, at the strange sight before him. A few paces off, a tiger -cat and a rattlesnake were preparing for a contest. Their metallic -eyeballs flashed, and seemed to emit flames. The tiger cat, crouching -on a branch, with hair erect, was meowing and spitting, while closely -following every move of its dangerous enemy, and awaiting the moment -to attack it advantageously. The Crotalus, coiled up, and forming -an enormous spiral, with its hideous head thrown back, whistled, as -it balanced itself to the right and left, with a movement full of -suppleness and grace, apparently trying to fascinate its enemy. But -the latter did not allow it a long rest; it suddenly bounded on the -serpent, which, however, moved nimbly on one side, and when the cat, -after missing its leap, returned to the charge, gave it a fearful sting -on the face. - -The tiger cat uttered a yell of rage, and buried its long and sharp -claws in the eyes of the serpent, which, however, wound round its -enemy with a convulsive movement. Then the two rolled on the ground, -hissing and howling, but unable to loose their hold. The struggle was -long; they fought with extraordinary fury; but at length, the rings of -the snake became unloosened, and its flaccid body lay motionless on -the ground. The tiger cat escaped, with a meow of triumph, from the -monster's terrible embrace, and bounded on a tree; but its strength -was unequal to its will, and it could not reach the branch on which -it wished to climb, but fell back exhausted on the ground. Then the -ferocious animal, struggling with death and overcoming its agony, -crouched back to the body of its enemy, and stood upon it. It then -uttered a final yell of triumph, and fell, itself a corpse, by the side -of the snake. The Indian had followed all the moving incidents of this -cruel contest with ever-increasing interest. - -"Well," he asked the unknown, "what does my mother say?" - -She shook her head. - -"Our triumph will cost us our life," she replied. - -"What matters," the Red Wolf said, "so long as we conquer our enemies?" - -And, drawing his knife, he began skinning the catamount. The woman -looked at his operations for a while; then making him a parting sign, -she re-entered the canebrake, where she was speedily lost to view. An -hour later, the Indian chief, laden with the cat's head and the snake's -skin, started off toward his village at full gallop. An ironical smile -played around his lips; he needed no excuse to explain his absence, for -the spoils he brought with him proved that he had spent the night in -hunting. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE INDIAN VILLAGE. - - -Now that the exigencies of our story compel us to enter into closer -relations with the Prairie Indians, we will introduce to the reader -the primitive population of that territory, generally called Blackfoot -Indians. The Blackfeet formed, at the period when this history -occurred, a powerful nation, divided into three tribes, speaking the -same language. First, the tribe of the Siksekai, or Blackfeet proper; -next, the Kenhas, or Blood Indians; and lastly, the Piékanns. This -nation, when the three tribes were united, could bring under arms -nearly eight thousand warriors, which enables us to estimate the -population at twenty-five thousand souls. But, at the present day, -smallpox has decimated these Indians, and reduced them to a very much -smaller number. The Blackfeet traverse the prairies adjoining the Rocky -Mountains, sometimes even scaling those mountains between the three -forks of the Missouri, called Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers. -The Piékanns, however, go as far as Marine river, to trade with the -American Fur Company; they also barter with the Hudson's Bay Society, -and even with the Mexicans of Santa Fé. This nation, continually at -war with the whites, whom they attack whenever they have the chance, -are very little known, but greatly feared, especially for their skill -in stealing horses, and, more than that, for their notorious cruelty -and bad faith. As we have to deal principally with the Kenhas, we will -occupy ourselves more particularly with that tribe. The following is -the origin of the name "Blood Indians," given to the Kenhas:-- - -Before the Blackfeet were divided, they happened one day to be encamped -a short distance from seven or eight tents of the Sassi Indians. A -quarrel arose between them about a woman carried off by the Sassis, -in spite of the opposition of the Piékanns, and the Kenhas resolved -to kill all their neighbours, a project which they carried out with -extraordinary ferocity and cruelty. In the middle of the night they -attacked the tents of the Sassis, and massacred them all during their -sleep, without sparing even women, children, or old men; they scalped -their victims, and regained their tents, after daubing their faces and -hands with blood. - -The Piékanns reproached them for this act of barbarity; a quarrel -ensued, which speedily degenerated into a combat, in consequence of -which the three Blackfoot tribes separated. The Kenhas then received -the name of Blood Indians, which they still retain, and feel a pride -in it, saying that no one insults them with impunity. The Kenhas are -the most active and indomitable of the Blackfeet: they have always -displayed more sanguinary and rapacious instincts than the other -members of their nation, especially than the Piékanns, who are justly -regarded as comparatively gentle and humane. - -As the three Blackfoot tribes generally live far apart, Natah Otann -must have acted with great skill, and displayed great patience, ere -he succeeded in making them join, and consent to march under the same -banner. At every moment he was constrained to employ all the resources -suggested by his fertile mind, and evince great diplomacy, in order to -prevent a rupture, which was always imminent between these men, whom -no tie attached, and whose pride revolted at the least appearance of -humiliation. - -After the events which occurred at the pioneer's camp, Natah Otann -resolved to lead the Count de Beaulieu and his comrades to the chief -summer village of the Kenhas, situated at no great distance from Fort -Mackenzie, one of the principal depôts of the American Fur Company. -The Kenhas had constructed this village only a year previously, and -their vicinity at first alarmed the Americans; but the conduct of -the Indians had ever been so loyal--apparently, at least, in their -transactions with the white men--that the latter, at length, did not -trouble themselves about their Redskin neighbours, except to buy their -furs, sell them whisky, and visit their village when they wanted some -amusement. - -After selling Black an immense territory for a dollar, Natah Otann -reminded the young man of his promise to visit his tribe, and the -Count, though secretly vexed at the obligation he Was under of -accepting an invitation which bore a great likeness to a command, -still yielded, and followed the chief, after bidding farewell to the -pioneers. Black, with his hand resting on the trigger of his rifle, -looked after the Kenha horsemen, who, according to their custom, -galloped across the prairie, when a rider turned back, and came up -to the American's camp. The pioneer recognised, with some surprise, -Bright-eye, who stopped before him. - -"Have you forgotten anything?" the pioneer asked him. - -"Yes," the hunter answered. - -"What?" - -"To say a word to you." - -"Ah!" the other said, in surprise. "Go ahead, then." - -"I have no time to lose; answer me as plainly as I question you." - -"Very good! speak." - -"Are you grateful for what the Count has done for you?" - -"More than I can express." - -"In case of need, what would you do for him?" - -"Everything." - -"Hum! that is a heavy pledge." - -"It is even less than I would do; my family, my servants, all I -possess, are at his disposal." - -"Then you are devoted to him?" - -"For life and death! Under any circumstances, by day or night; whatever -may happen, at a word from him I am ready." - -"You swear it?" - -"I swear it." - -"I hold your promise." - -"I will keep it." - -"I expect so. Good bye." - -"Are you off already?" - -"I must rejoin my companions." - -"Then you have some suspicions about your Red friend?" - -"You must always be on your guard with Indians," the hunter said, -sententiously. - -"Then you are taking a precaution?" - -"Perhaps." - -"In any event, count on me." - -"Thanks, and good bye." - -"Good bye." - -The two men parted; they understood each other. - -"By heaven!" the pioneer muttered, as he threw his rifle over his -shoulder, and returned to the camp; "I would not be the Indian to touch -a hair of the head of a man to whom I owe so much." - -The Indians had stopped on the bank of a stream, which they were about -to ford, when Bright-eye rejoined them. Natah Otann, busy talking with -the Count, threw a side glance at the hunter, but did not say a word to -him. - -"Yes," the latter muttered, with a crafty smile, "my absence has -bothered you, my fine fellow; you would like to know why I turned -back so suddenly; but, unluckily, I am not disposed to satisfy your -curiosity." - -When the ford was crossed, the Canadian took his post by the -Frenchman's side, and, by his presence, prevented the Indian chief -renewing his conversation with the Count. An hour passed, and not a -word was exchanged. Natah Otann, wearied with the hunter's obstinacy, -and not knowing how to make him retire, resolved at last to give up to -him: and, digging his spurs into his horse's flank, galloped forward, -leaving the two white men together. The hunter watched him depart, with -that caustic laugh which was one of the characteristics of his face. - -"Poor horse!" he said, sarcastically, "he must suffer for his master's -ill temper." - -"What ill temper do you mean?" the Count said, absently. - -"Why, the chief's, who is flying along over there in a cloud of dust." - -"You do not seem to have any sympathy for each other." - -"Indeed, we are as friendly as the grizzly bear and the jaguar." - -"Which means?--" - -"That we have measured our claws; and, as we find them at present of -the same strength and length, so we stand on the defensive." - -"Do you feel any malice against him?" - -"I? not the least in the world. I do not fear him more than he does -me; we are only distrustful because we know each other." - -"Oh, oh!" the young man said, with a laugh; "that conceals, I can see, -something serious." - -Bright-eye frowned, and took a scrutinizing glance around. The Indians -were galloping on about twenty paces in the rear; Ivon alone, though -keeping at a respectful distance, could hear the conversation between -the two men. Bright-eye leant over to the Count, laid his hand on the -pommel of his saddle, and said, in a low voice--"I do not like tigers -covered with a fox's skin; each ought to follow the instincts of his -nature, and not try to assume others that are fictitious." - -"I must confess, my good fellow," the young man replied, "that you are -speaking in enigmas, and I cannot understand you at all." - -"Patience!" the hunter said, tossing his head; "I will be clear." - -"My faith! that will delight me, Bright-eye," the young man said, with -a smile; "for ever since we have again met the Indian chief, you have -affected an air of mystery, which bothers me so, that I should be -charmed to comprehend you for once." - -"Good! What do you think of Natah Otann - -"Ah! that is where you are galled still!" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I will reply that this man appears to me extraordinary; there is -something strange about him, which I cannot understand. In the first -place, is he an Indian?" - -"Yes." - -"But he has travelled; he has been in white society; he has been in the -interior of the United States?" - -The hunter shook his head. "No," he said, "he has never left his tribe." - -"Yet--" - -"Yet," Bright-eye quickly interrupted him, "he speaks English, French -and Spanish, as well as yourself, and perhaps better than I do, eh? -Before his warriors he feigns profound ignorance; like them, he -trembles at the sight of one of the results of civilization--a watch, -a musical box, or even a lucifer match, eh?" - -"It is true." - -"Then, when he finds himself with certain persons, like yourself, for -instance, sir, the Indian suddenly disappears, the savage vanishes, -and you find yourself in the presence of a man whose acquirements -are almost equal to your own, and who confounds you by his thorough -knowledge." - -"That is true." - -"Ah, ah! Well, as you consider that extraordinary as I do, you will -take your precautions, Mr. Edward." - -"What have I to fear from him?" - -"I do not know yet; but be at your ease; I shall soon know. He is -sharp, but I am not such a fool as he fancies, and am watching him. -For a long time this man has been playing a game, about which I have -hitherto troubled myself but little; now that he has drawn us into it, -he must be on his guard." - -"But where did he learn all he knows?" - -"Ah! that is a story too long to tell you at present; but you shall -hear it someday; suffice it to say, that in his tribe there is an old -chief called the White Buffalo; he is a European, and he it was who -educated the Grizzly Bear." - -"Ah!" - -"Is not that singular! a European of immense learning; a man who, in -his own country, must have held a high rank, and who thus becomes, of -his own accord, chief of the savages?" - -"Indeed, it is most extraordinary. Do you know this man?" - -"I have often seen him; he is very aged now; his beard and hair are -white; he is tall and majestic; his face is fine, his look profound; -there is something about him grand and imposing, which attracts you -against your will. Grizzly Bear holds him in great veneration, and -obeys him as if he were his son." - -"Who can this man be?" - -"No one knows. I am convinced that the Grizzly Bear shares the general -ignorance on this head." - -"But how did he join the tribe?" - -"It is not known." - -"He must have been long with it." - -"I told you so; he educated the Grizzly Bear, and made a European of -him instead of an Indian." - -"All that is really strange," the Count murmured, having suddenly grown -pensive. - -"Is it not so? But that is not all yet; you are entering a world you -do not know, accident throws you among interests you are unacquainted -with; take care; weigh well your words, calculate your slightest -gesture, Mr. Edward; for the Indians are very clever; the man you have -to deal with is cleverer than all of them, as he combines with Redskin -craft that European intelligence and corruption with which his teacher -has inculcated him. Natah Otann is a man with an incalculable depth of -calculation; his thoughts are an abyss; he must be revolving sinister -schemes; take care; his pressing you to promise a visit to his village; -his generosity to the American squatter, the secret protection with -which he surrounds you, while being the first to pretend to take you -for a superior being; all this makes me believe that he wishes to lead -you unconsciously into some dark enterprise, which will prove your -destruction. Believe me, Mr. Edward, beware of this man." - -"Thanks, my friend, I will watch," the Count said, pressing the -Canadian's honest hand. - -"You will watch," the latter said; "but do you know the way to do it?" - -"I confess--" - -"Listen to me," the hunter interrupted him; "you must first--" - -"Here is the chief," the young man exclaimed. - -"Confusion!" Bright-eye growled. "Why could he not stop a few minutes -longer? I am sure that red devil has some familiar spirit to warn him; -but no matter, I have told you enough to prevent your being trapped by -false friendliness; besides, I shall be there to support you." - -"Thanks. When the time comes--" - -"I will warn you; but it is urgent that you should now compose your -countenance, and pretend to know nothing." - -"Good; that's settled; here is our man. Silence." - -"On the contrary, let us talk; silence is ever interpreted either well -or ill, but generally in the latter sense. Be careful to reply in the -sense of my questions." - -"I will try." - -"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater." - -After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few paces -off at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,-- - -"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chief -will be happy to procure you that pleasure." - -"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter was -alluding to. - -Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rode -silently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks. - -"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, and -longs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief, -one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reserved -the scent." - -"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied, -bowing with Indian gravity. - -The Count thanked him. - -"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "we -shall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive my -friends." - -The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grew -together, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The little -party continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri, -which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osier -beds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pink -flamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formed -a bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for a -fight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loading -them; others preparing their bows and javelins. - -"Are the fellows afraid of an attack?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"Not the least in the world," the latter answered; "they are only a -few minutes' ride from their village, into which they wish to enter in -triumph, in order to do you honour." - -"Come, come!" the young man said; "all this is charming; I did not -expect, on coming to the prairies, to be present at such singular -scenes." - -"You have seen nothing yet," the hunter said, ironically: "wait, we are -only at the beginning." - -"All the better," the Count answered, joyfully. - -Natah Otann made a sign, and the warriors closed up again at the same -moment; although no one was visible, a noise of conchs, drums, and -chichikouès was heard a short distance off. The warriors uttered their -war yell, and replied by raising to their lips their war whistles. -Natah Otann then placed himself at the head of the party, having the -Count on his right, the hunter and Ivon on his left; and, turning -towards his men, he brandished his weapon several times over his head, -uttering two or three shrill whistles. At this signal the whole troop -rushed forward, and turned the corner like an avalanche. - -The Frenchman then witnessed a strange scene, which was not without a -certain amount of savage grandeur, A troop of warriors from the village -came up, like a tornado, to meet the newcomers, shouting, howling, -brandishing their arms, and firing their guns. The two parties charged -each other with extraordinary fury and at full speed; but when scarce -ten yards apart, the horses stopped, as if of their own impulse, and -began dancing, curvetting, and performing all the most difficult -tricks of the riding school. After these manoeuvres had lasted a -few moments, the two bands formed a semicircle opposite each other, -leaving a free space between them, in which the chiefs collected. -The presentations then began. Natah Otann made a long harangue to -the chiefs, in which he gave them an account of his expedition, and -the result he had obtained. The sachems listened to it with thorough -Indian decorum. When he spoke to them of his meeting with the white -men, and what had occurred, they bowed silently, without replying; but -one chief, of venerable aspect, who seemed older than the rest, and -appeared to be treated with great consideration by his companions, -turned a profound and inquiring glance at the Count, when Natah Otann -spoke of him. The young man, troubled, in spite of himself, by the -fixed glance, stooped down to Bright-eye's ear, and asked him, in a low -voice, who the man was. - -"That is White Buffalo," the hunter answered, "the European I spoke to -you about." - -"Ah, ah!" the Count said, regarding him, in his turn, attentively; "I -do not know why, but I believe I shall have a serious row with that -gentleman before I have done." - -The White Buffalo then took the word. - -"My brothers are welcome," he said; "their return to the tribe is a -festival; they are intrepid warriors; we are happy at hearing the way -in which they have performed the duties entrusted to them." Then he -turned to the white men, and, after bowing to them, continued,--"The -Kenhas are poor, but strangers are always well received by them: the -Palefaces are our guests, all we possess belongs to them." - -The Count and his companions thanked the chief, who so gracefully did -the honours of his tribe; then the two parties joined, and galloped -toward the village, which was built some five hundred paces from the -spot where they were, and at the entrance of which a multitude of women -and children could be seen assembled. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE RECEPTION. - - -Like all the centres of Indian population near the American clearings, -the Kenha village was more like a fort than an open town. As we said -before, the Kenhas had only a short time previously established -themselves there, by the advice of Natah Otann. The spot was -magnificently selected, and owing to the precautions taken, the hill -was completely protected from a sudden attack. The wigwams were built -without any order, on both sides a stream, and the fortifications -consisted of a sort of intrenchment formed of dead trees. These -fortifications formed an inclosure, having several angles, and the -gorge or open part rested on the spot where the stream fell into the -Missouri. A parapet of tree stems and piled up branches, built up -on the edge of a deep ditch, completed a very respectable defensive -system, which few would have expected to find in the heart of the -prairies. - -In the centre of the village, a wide, vacant spot served as the meeting -place for the chiefs. In the centre there was a wigwam of wood, in the -shape of a sugar loaf. On either side of the building, maize, wheat, -and other cereals kept for winter consumption were drying. A little in -advance of the village were two block houses, formed of arrow-shaped -intrenchments, covered with wickerwork, provided with loopholes, and -surrounded by an enclosure of palisades. They were intended for the -defence of the village, with which they communicated by a covered -way, and to command the river and the plain. To leeward of these -block houses, and about a mile to the east, might be seen a number of -_Machotlé_, or scaffoldings, on which the Blood Indians lay their dead. -At regular distances on the road leading to the village, long poles -were planted in the ground, from which hung skins, scalps, and other -objects offered by the Indians to the Master of Life and the first man. - -The Indians made their entrance into the village amid the cheers of the -women and children, the barking of dogs, and the deafening clamour of -drums, shells, chichikouès, and war whistles. On reaching the square, -at a signal from Natah Otann, the band halted, and the noise ceased. An -immense fire had been prepared, before which stood an aged chief, still -robust and upright. A shade of melancholy was spread over his face. He -was in mourning, as was easily to be seen by the ragged clothes that -covered him, and his hair cut short and mingled with clay. He held in -his hand a Dacotah pipe, the stem of which was long and adorned with -yellow glistening beads. This man was Cloven Foot, the first and most -renowned sachem of the Kenhas. So soon as the band had halted, he -advanced two paces, and with a majestic gesture invited the chiefs to -dismount. - -"My sons are at home," he said, "let them take their seats on the -buffalo robes around the council fire." - -Each obeyed silently, and sat down, after bowing respectfully to the -sachem. Cloven Foot then allowed each to take a few puffs from his -pipe, still holding it in his hand. When it was returned to him, he -emptied the burning ash into the fire, and turning with a kind of smile -to the strangers, said:-- - -"The Palefaces are our guests. There are fire and water here." - -After these words, which ended the ceremony, all rose and retired -without uttering a word, according to the Indian custom. Natah Otann -then went up to the Count. - -"Let my brother follow me," he said. - -"Where to?" the young man asked. - -"To the cabin I have had prepared for him." - -"And my companions?" - -"Other wigwams await them." - -Bright-eye made a sign, immediately checked by the Count. - -"Pardon, chief," he said, "but with your permission my comrades will -live with me." - -The hunter smiled, as a shade of dissatisfaction crossed the Indian's -face. - -"The young Pale chief will be uncomfortable, for he is accustomed to -the immense huts of the whites." - -"That is possible; but I shall be more uncomfortable if my comrades do -not remain with me, in order to keep me company." - -"The hospitality of the Kenhas is great. They are rich, and could give -each a private cabin, even if their guests were more numerous." - -"I am convinced of it, and thank them for their attention, by which, -however, I decline to profit. Solitude frightens me. I should be -worried to death had I not with me someone to talk with." - -"Be it then as the young Pale chief desires. Guests have a right to -command. Their requests are orders." - -"I thank you for your condescension, and am ready to follow you." - -"Come." - -With that rapidity of resolution which the Indians possess in so -eminent a degree, Natah Otann shut up his vexation in his heart, and -not a trace of emotion again appeared on his stoical countenance. The -three men followed him, after exchanging a meaning glance. A handsome, -lofty cabin had been built in the square itself, near the hut of the -first man, a species of cylinder formed in the earth, and surrounded -with creeping plants. To this cabin the chief now led his guests. A -woman was standing silently in the doorway, fixing on the newcomers a -glance in which admiration and astonishment were blended. But was it a -woman? this angelic creature, with her vague outline, whose delicious -face, blushing with modesty and simple curiosity, turned towards the -Count with anxious timidity. The young man asked himself this very -question on contemplating this charming apparition, which resembled one -of those divine virgins in the mythology of the ancient Sclavons. On -seeing her, Natah Otann paused. - -"What is my sister doing here?" he asked her, roughly. - -The girl, startled from her silent contemplation by this brusque -address, shuddered, and let her eyes fall. - -"Prairie-Flower wishes to welcome her adopted father," she replied -gently, in a sweet melodious voice. - -"Prairie-Flower's place is not here, I will speak with her presently: -let her go and rejoin her companions, the young maidens of the tribe." - -Prairie-Flower blushed still deeper, her rosy lips pouted, and after -shaking her head petulantly twice, she flew away like a bird, casting -at the Count, as she fled, a parting glance, which caused him an -incomprehensible emotion. - -The young man laid his hand on his heart, to suppress its beating, and -followed the girl with his eyes till she disappeared behind a cabin. - -"Oh!" the chief muttered aside, "can she have suddenly recognized a -being of that accursed race to which she belongs?" - -Then turning to the white men, whose eyes he felt instinctively were -fixed on him,-- - -"Enter," he said, raising the buffalo skin, which served as a door to -the cabin. - -They went in. By Natah Otann's care the cabin had been cleaned, -and every comfort it was possible to find placed in it, that is to -say--piles of furs to serve as a bed, a rickety table, some wooden -clumsy benches, and a species of reed easy chair, with a large back. - -"The Paleface will excuse the poor Indians if they have not done more -to welcome him as he deserves," the chief said, with a mixture of irony -and humility. - -"It is all famous," the young man answered with a smile; "I certainly -did not expect so much; besides, I have been on the prairie long enough -to satisfy myself with what is strictly necessary." - -"Now I ask the Pale chiefs permission to retire." - -"Yes, go, my worthy host; do so: do not put yourself out of the way. -Attend to your business. For my part I intend taking that rest I need -so sadly." - -Natah Otann bowed in reply, and withdrew. So soon as he was gone, -Bright-eye made his comrades a sign to remain motionless, and began -inspecting the place, peering into every corner. When he had ended -this inspection, which produced no farther result than proving to him -they were really alone, and that no spy was on the watch, he returned -to the centre of the hut, and calling the Count and Ivon toward him, -said in a low voice:-- - -"Listen: we are now in the wolfs throat by our own fault, and we must -be prudent; in the prairies the leaves have eyes and the trees ears. -Natah Otann is a demon, who is planning some treachery, of which he -intends to make us the victims." - -"Bah!" the Count said, lightly. "How do you know it, Bright-eye?" - -"I do not know it, yet I feel sure of it; my instinct never deceives -me, Mr. Edward. I have known the Kenhas a long time; we must get out of -this as adroitly as we can." - -"Eh! what use are such suspicions, my friend? The poor devils, I am -convinced, only think of treating us properly; all this appears to me -admirable." - -The Canadian shook his head. - -"I should like to know the cause of the strange respect the Indians pay -you; that conceals something, I repeat." - -"Bah! they are afraid of me; that's all." - -"Hum! Natah Otann does not fear much in this world." - -"Why, Bright-eye, I never saw you in this state before. Did I not know -you so thoroughly, I should say you were afraid." - -"Hang me! if I'll try to conceal it," the hunter replied, quickly. "I -am afraid, and terribly so." - -"You?" - -"Yes; but not for myself; you know that during the time I have -journeyed on the prairies, if the Redskins could have killed me, they -would have done so. Hence, I am perfectly calm on my own account, and -were there only myself--" - -"Well?" - -"I should not be at all embarrassed." - -"Whom are you afraid for, then?" - -"For you." - -"Me!" the Count exclaimed, as he reclined carelessly in the easy chair. -"You do these scamps a deal of honour. With my whip I would put all -these hideous people to flight." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"You will not, Mr. Edward, persuade yourself thoroughly of one thing." - -"What?" - -"That the Indians are different men from the Europeans with whom you -have hitherto had dealings." - -"Nonsense, were a man to listen to you wood rangers, he would be, at -every two steps, in danger of death, and it would be impossible to -move, except by crawling on all fours, like the wild beasts; that is -all trash, my good fellow. I fancy I have already twenty times proved -to you that such precautions are useless, and that a man, who boldly -meets danger, will always get the best of the most warlike Redskins." - -"It is exactly the reason that makes them act toward you in that way, I -wish to discover." - -"You would do better to try and discover something else." - -"What is it?" - -"Who that charming girl is, of whom I only had a glance, and whom the -chief sent away so brutally." - -"Good! then I suppose you have fallen in love now; that's the last -thing wanting." - -"Why not? She is a charming girl." - -"Yes; she is charming, sir; but, believe me, do not trouble yourself -about her." - -"And why so, if you please?" - -"Because she is not what she seems to be." - -"Why, it's a perfect romance of the Anne Radcliffe school; we have been -advancing from mystery to mystery during the last few days." - -"Yes, and the further we go, the more gloomy matters will become around -us." - -"Bah, bah! I do not believe a word. Ivon, take off my boots." - -The man-servant obeyed. Since his entry into the village, the worthy -Breton had been in one continued trance, and trembled in all his -limbs. All he saw seemed to him so extraordinary and horrible, that he -expected every moment to be massacred. - -"Well," the Count asked him, "what do you think of it all, Ivon?" - -"Your lordship knows that I am a great coward," the Breton stammered. - -"Yes, yes, that is agreed; go on." - -"I am terribly afraid." - -"Naturally." - -"And if your lordship will allow me, I will carry my furs over there, -and sleep across the doorway." - -"Why so?" - -"Because, as I am very frightened, I shall not sleep soundly; and if -anyone comes in the night, with ill intentions, he will be obliged to -step over me; I shall hear him, and, in that way, be able to warn you, -which will give you time to defend yourself." - -The young man threw himself back, and burst into a Homeric laugh, in -which Bright-eye joined, in spite of his thoughtfulness. - -"By Jove!" the Count exclaimed, looking at his servant, who was in -amazement at this gaiety, which seemed to him unsuitable at so grave -a moment--"I must confess, Ivon, that you are the most extraordinary -poltroon I ever saw." - -"Ah, sir," he answered with contrition, "it is not my fault; for I do -all I can to gain courage, but it is impossible." - -"Good, good!" the young man went on, still laughing. "I am not angry -with you, my poor fellow; as it is stronger than yourself, you must put -up with it." - -"Alas!" the Breton said, uttering an enormous sigh. - -"Well, you can sleep how and where you like, Ivon; I leave it entirely -to you." - -The Breton, without further reply, began transferring the furs to the -place he had selected, while the Count went on talking with the hunter. - -"As for you, Bright-eye," he said, "I leave you at liberty to watch -over our safety as you may think proper, promising not to disarrange -your plans in any way, and even to promote them, if necessary--but on -one condition." - -"What?" - -"That you will arrange so that I may meet again that charming creature, -of whom I have already spoken to you." - -"Take care, Mr. Edward!" - -"I want to see her again, I tell you, even if I am obliged to go and -look for her myself." - -"You will not do so, Mr. Edward." - -"I will do so, on my soul! and at once, if you continue in that tone." - -"You will reflect." - -"I now reflect, and find it the best plan." - -"But do you know who that girl is?" - -"By Jove! you have just said it; she is a girl, and a charming one in -the bargain." - -"Granted; but I repeat, she is loved by Natah Otann." - -"What do I care?" - -"Take care!" - -"I will not: I must see her again." - -"At any risk?" - -"At all." - -"Well, listen to me, then." - -"I will, but be brief." - -"I will tell you this girl's history." - -"You know her then?" - -"I do." - -"Go on; I am all attention." - -Bright-eye drew up a bench, eat down with an air of dissatisfaction, -and, after a moment's reflection, began. - -"Just fifteen years ago, Natah Otann, who was hardly twenty years of -age, but already a renowned warrior, left his tribe, at the head of -some fifty picked warriors, to attempt a _coup de main_ on the Whites. -At that period, the Kenhas did not live where they now are; the Fur -Company had not advanced so far on the Missouri, and Fort Mackenzie did -not exist. The Blood Indians hunted freely on the vast territories from -which the Americans have since expelled them. Up to that moment, Natah -Otann had never been the commander in chief of an expedition; like all -young men of his age and circumstances, his brow shone with pride; he -burned to distinguish himself, and prove to the sachems of his nation -that he was worthy to command brave warriors. So soon as he entered -on the war trail, he scattered his spies in every direction, and even -forbade his men smoking, lest the light of their pipes might betray his -presence. In short, he took, with extreme wisdom, all the precautions -employed in similar cases. His expedition was brilliant; he surprised -several caravans, and plundered and burned the clearings; his men -returned laden with booty, and the bits of their horses garnished with -scalps. Natah Otann only brought back, as his share, a weak creature -of two or three years of age at the most, whom he bore tenderly in his -arms, or laid on the front of his saddle. That child was the tall and -lovely girl you saw today." - -"Ah! Is she white or red, American or Spanish?" - -"No one knows; no one will ever know. You are aware that many Indians -are born white, thus colour is of no avail in finding her relations -again. In short, the chief adopted her; but, strange to say, as she -grew up, she gained such an ascendency over Natah Otann's mind, -that the chief of the tribe grew alarmed; besides, the life led by -Prairie-Flower--that is her name--" - -"I knew it," the Count interrupted him. - -"Good," the hunter continued, "I say, then, that this girl's life is -extraordinary; instead of being sportive and laughing, like girls of -her age, she is gloomy, dreamy, and wild, wandering ever alone on the -prairie, flying over the dew-laden grass like a gazelle; or else, at -night, dreaming in the moonlight, and muttering words no one hears. At -times, from a distance (for no one ventures to approach her), another -shadow may be traced by the side of her's, and moving for hours at her -side: then she returns alone to the village; if questioned, only shakes -her head, and begins crying." - -"That is really strange." - -"Is it not? so much so, that the chiefs assembled in council, and -agreed that Prairie-Flower had cast a charm over her adopted father." - -"The asses!" the Count muttered. - -"Perhaps so," the hunter went on, turning his head; "at any rate, they -agreed that she should be left alone to perish in the desert." - -"Poor child! Well, what happened then?" - -"Natah Otann and White Buffalo, who were not summoned to the council, -went there on learning this decision, and succeeded by their deceitful -words in so thoroughly altering the chiefs' sentiments, that they not -only gave up all idea of deserting her, but she has since been regarded -as the tutelary genius of the tribe." - -"And Natah Otann?" - -"His condition is still the same." - -"Is that all?" - -"It is." - -"Well, then, Bright-eye, within two days I shall know whether that -girl is the enchantress you fancy her, and what I am to think on the -subject." - -The hunter only answered by an unintelligible grunt, and, saying no -more, lay down on his furs. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE WHITE BUFFALO. - - -So soon as Natah Otann emerged from the cabin into which he had -conducted the Count, he proceeded towards the hut inhabited by White -Buffalo. The night was beginning to fall; the Kenhas, collected round -fires kindled at the door of each wigwam, were conversing gaily while -smoking their long calumets. The chief replied by a nod of the head, as -a friendly sign to the affectionate salutations the warriors made him -whom he met; but he did not stop to talk with anyone, and continued his -walk with greater rapidity as the darkness grew denser. He at length -reached a cabin, situated at the extremity of the village, on the banks -of the Missouri. The chief, after taking a scrutinizing glance around, -stopped before this hut, and prepared to enter. Still in the act of -raising the buffalo curtain that served as a doorway, he hesitated for -a few seconds, and appeared to be collecting his courage. - -This dwelling, externally, had nothing to distinguish it from the -others forming the village; it was round, with a roof shaped like a -beehive, made of intertwined branches, with clay stuffed between them, -and covered with matting. Still, after a moment's reflection, Natah -Otann raised the curtain, walked in, and stopped at the threshold, -saying in French-- - -"Good evening, my father." - -"Good evening, child, I was awaiting you impatiently: come, sit down by -my side, we have to talk." - -These words were uttered in the same language, and in a gentle voice. - -Natah Otann took a few steps forward, and let the curtain fall behind -him. If, externally, the hut the Chief had just entered was not -distinguished from the others, that was not the case with the interior. -All that human industry can imagine, when reduced to its simplest -expressions, that is to say, when deprived of tools and matters of -primary necessity to express its thoughts, had been as it were invented -by the master of this house. Hence the interior of this hut was a sort -of strange pandemonium, in which were collected the most discordant -articles, apparently least suited to be side by side. Differing from -the other wigwams, this cabin had two windows, in which oiled paper -was substituted for glass; in one corner was a bed, in the centre a -table, a few scattered chairs, and armchair by the table, but all these -articles carved with an axe, and clumsily. Such was the furniture of -this singular room. - -On shelves, some forty volumes, for the most part out of their binding; -stuffed animals hanging by cords, insects, &c.; in a word, an infinite -number of things without name, but classified, arranged, and labelled, -completed this singular abode, which more resembled the cell of an -anchorite, or the secret den of a mediaeval alchemist, than the abode -of an Indian chief; and yet this hut belonged to White Buffalo, one -of the first Kenha chiefs. But, as we have said, this chief was a -European, and had, doubtlessly, kept up some reminiscences of his past -life, the last rays of a lost existence. - -At the moment when Natah Otann entered the hut, White Buffalo, seated -in the easy chair at the table, with his head resting on his hands, -was reading by the light of a lamp, whose smoky wick only spread a -flickering and uncertain light around, from a large folio, with yellow -and worn leaves. He raised his head, took off his spectacles, which -he placed in the book, and, turning the chair half round, the old man -smiled, and, pointing to a chair in a kindly way, said-- - -"Come, my child, sit down there." - -The Chief took a chair, drew it to the table, and sat down, without any -reply. The old man looked at him attentively for a few moments, and -then said:-- - -"Hem! you appear to me very thoughtful for a man who, as I suppose, has -just obtained a grand result so long expected. What can render you so -gloomy? Would you hesitate, now you are on the point of success? or are -you beginning to understand that the work which, in spite of me, you -wished to undertake, is beyond the strength of a man left to himself, -and who has only an old man to support him?" - -"Perhaps so," the Chief answered, in a hollow voice. "Oh why, my -father, did you let me taste the bitter fruit of that accursed -civilization, which was not made for me? Why have your lessons made -of me a man differing from those who surround me, and with whom I am -compelled to live and die?" - -"Blind man! when I showed you the sun, you allowed yourself to be -dazzled by the beams; your weak eyes could not endure the light; in -the place of that ignorance and brutalization in which you would have -vegetated all the days of your life, I developed in you the only -feeling which elevates man above the brute. I taught you to think, to -judge, and this is the way in which you recompense me. This is the -reward you give me for the pains I have taken, and the cares I have -never ceased to bestow on you." - -"My father!" - -"Do not attempt to exculpate yourself, child," the old man said, with -a shade of bitterness. "I should have expected what now happens, -ingratitude and egotism are deposited in man's heart by Providence, -as his safeguard. Without those two supreme virtues of humanity, no -society would be possible. I am not angry with you; I have no right to -be so; and, as the sage says, you are a man, and no human feeling must -be alien to you." - -"I make neither plaint nor recrimination, my father; I know that you -have acted towards me with good intentions," the Chief replied, "but, -unfortunately, your lessons have produced a very different result -from what you awaited: in developing my ideas, you have, without your -knowledge or mine, increased my wants; the life I lead preys upon -me: the men who surround me are a burden to me, because they cannot -understand me, and I can no longer understand them. As respects myself, -my mind rushes towards an unknown horizon. I dream wide awake of -strange and impossible things. I suffer from an incurable malady, and -cannot define it. I hopelessly love a woman, of whom I am jealous, -and who can never be mine, save by a crime. Oh, my father, I am very -wretched!" - -"Child!" the old man exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders in pity. "What, -you are unhappy! Your grief inclines me to laughter. Man has in himself -the germ of good and evil; if you suffer, you have only yourself -to blame. You are young, intelligent, powerful, the first of your -nation: what do you want for happiness? Nothing. If you wish to be so -permanently, stifle in your heart that insensate passion which devours -it, and follow, without looking to the right or left, the glorious -mission you have traced for yourself. What can be more noble or grander -than the deliverance and regeneration of a people?" - -"Alas! can I do it?" - -"What! you doubt?" the old man shouted, striking the table with his -fist and looking him in the face; "then you are lost: renounce your -plans, you will not succeed; on a road like that you follow, hesitation -or stoppage is ruin." - -"Father!" - -"Silence," he said, with redoubled energy, "and listen to me; when you -first revealed your plans to me, I tried by all arguments possible -to make you abandon them. I proved to you that your resolves were -premature. That the Indians, brutalized by a lengthened slavery, were -only the shadow of their former selves; and that to attempt to arouse -in them any noble or generous feeling was like galvanizing a corpse. -You resisted; you would hear nothing; you went Headlong into intrigues -and plots of every description--is it not so?" - -"It is true." - -"Well! now it is too late to return; you must go on at all risks. You -may fall, but you will do so with honour; and your name, cherished by -all, will swell the martyrology of the chosen men who have devoted -themselves to their country." - -"Things are not yet sufficiently advanced, I think, for me----" - -"Not to be able to withdraw--you mean?" he interrupted him. - -"Yes." - -"You are mistaken; while you were engaged in collecting your partisans, -and preparing to take up arms, do you fancy I remained inactive?" -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that your enemies suspect your plans; are watching you; and if -you do not prevent them, will lay a trap, into, which you will fall." - -"I?" the chief said, violently. "We shall see." - -"Then redouble your activity; do not let yourself be taken unawares; -and, above all, be prudent, for you are closely watched, I repeat." - -"How do you know it?" - -"That I know it, is sufficient, I imagine; trust to my prudence. I am -on the watch. Let the spies and traitors fall asleep in a doubtful -security; were we to unmask them, others would take their place, -and we are better off with those we know; in that way none of their -movements escape us, we know what they are doing and what they want, -and while they flatter themselves with the idea of knowing our plans, -and divulging them to their paymasters, we are their masters, and amuse -them with false information, which conceals our real plans. Believe me, -their confidence produces our security." - -"You are always right, my father. I trust entirely to you. But may I -not be permitted to know the names of the traitors?" - -"For what end, since I know them? When the time arrives, I will tell -you all." - -"Be it so." - -There was a lengthened silence; the two men, absorbed in thought, -did not notice a grinning head over the curtain in the doorway, and -which had for a long time been listening to their conversation. But -the man, whoever he might be, who indulged in this espial, every now -and then gave signs of ill temper and disappointment. In fact, while -listening to the two chiefs, he had forgotten one thing, that he could -not understand a word of what they said, for they spoke in French, and -that was a sad disappointment to the spy. Still he did not despair, but -continued to listen, in the hope that they might at any moment revert -to his idiom. - -"And now," the old man continued, "give me an account of your trip. -When you went away, you were happy, and hoped, as you told me, to bring -back with you the man you wanted to play the principal part in your -conspiracy." - -"Well, you saw him here today, my father. He is here. This evening he -entered the village by my side." - -"Oh! oh! explain that to me, my child," the old man said, with a -gentle smile, and settling himself in the easy chair to listen at his -ease. By an imperceptible movement, and while seeming to listen with -the greatest attention, he drew towards him the heavy pistol that lay -before him. - -"Go on," he said; "I am listening." - -"About six months ago, I do not know if I told you of it then, I -succeeded in capturing a Canadian hunter, to whom I owe an old grudge." - -"Wait a minute. I fancy I have a confused remembrance of it. A certain -Bright-eye, I think, eh?" - -"The very man. Well! I was furious with him, because he had mocked us -so long, and killed my warriors with extraordinary skill. So soon as he -was in my power I resolved he should die by violence." - -"Although, as you know, I do not approve of that barbarous custom, you -were in the right, and I cannot offer any opposition to it." - -"He, too, made no objection; on the contrary, he derided us; in a -word, he rendered us so mad with him, that I gave the order for the -punishment. At the moment that he was about to die, a man, or rather a -demon, appeared all at once, rushed among us, and careless as it seemed -of the risk he ran, unfastened the prisoner." - -"Hum! he was a brave man, do you know?" - -"Yes, but his daring action would have cost him dear; when suddenly, at -a signal from myself, all my warriors fell at his feet, with marks of -the most profound respect." - -"Oh! what are you telling me now?" - -"The strictest truth: on looking this man in the face, I perceived on -his face two extraordinary signs." - -"What?" - -"A scar over the right eyebrow, and a black mark under the eye, on the -same side of the face." - -"That is strange," the old man muttered, pensively. - -"But what is still more so, this man exactly resembles the portrait -which you drew, and which is in that book." - -"What did you do then?" - -"You know my coolness and rapidity of resolution. I let the man depart -with the prisoner." - -"Well! and afterwards?" - -"I pretended as if I did not wish to meet him." - -"Better and better still," the old man said, with a nod of his head, -and with a movement swift as thought, he cocked the pistol he held in -his hand, and fired. A cry of pain was heard from the door, and the -head disappeared suddenly under the curtain. The two men jumped up, and -rushed out, but saw nothing, except that a rather large pool of blood -clearly indicated that the shot had told. - -"What have you done, my father?" Natah Otann exclaimed, in astonishment. - -"Nothing. I have merely given a lesson, rather a rough one, to one of -those spies I mentioned to you just now." - -And he went back coolly, and eat down again. Natah Otann wished to -follow the bloody trail left by the fugitive, but the old man checked -him. - -"Stay! what I have done is sufficient; continue your story, which is -deeply interesting. Still you can see you have no time to lose, if you -wish to succeed." - -"I will lose none, father, you may be assured," the Chief exclaimed, -wrathfully, "but I swear that I will know the scoundrel." - -"You would do wrong to seek him. Come, proceed with your narrative." - -Natah Otann then described in full detail his meeting with the Count, -and in what way he had made him consent to follow him to his village. -This time no incident interrupted his story, and it seemed as if the -lesson read by White Buffalo to the listener was sufficient for the -present. The old man laughed heartily at the experiment with the -matches, and the Count's surprise when he perceived that the man he had -hitherto taken for a coarse and half-idiot savage was, on the contrary, -a man endowed with an intellect and education at least equal to his own. - -"And what shall I do now?" Natah Otann added, in conclusion. "He is -here; but with him is Bright-eye, in whom he places the greatest -confidence." - -"Hum!" the old man answered, "all this is very serious. In the first -place, my son, you did wrong to let him know you as you really are: you -were much stronger than he, so long as he merely fancied you a stupid -savage: you allowed your pride to carry you away through the desire to -shine in the eyes of a European. It is a great fault, for now he doubts -you, and keeps on his guard." - -The young man looked down, and made no reply. - -"However," the old man went on, "I will try to arrange matters; but I -must first see this Bright-eye and have a talk with him." - -"You will obtain nothing, my father; he is devoted to the Count." - -"The greater reason, child. In which hut have you lodged them?" - -"In the old council lodge." - -"Good! they will be convenient there, and it will be easy to hear all -they say." - -"That is what I thought." - -"Now, one last remark." - -"What is it?" - -"Why did you not kill the She-wolf of the Prairies?" - -"I did not see her. I was not in the camp; but I would not have done -so." - -The old man laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Natah Otann, my son," he said to him, in a stern voice, "when a man -like yourself is intrusted with the fortunes of a people, he must -recoil before nothing. A dead enemy makes the living sleep quietly. The -She-wolf of the Prairies is your enemy. You know it; and her influence -is immense over the superstitious minds of the Redskins. Remember these -words, uttered by an old, experienced man:--As you would not kill her, -she will kill you." - -Natah Otann smiled contemptuously. - -"Oh!" he said, "a wretched, half-mad woman." - -"Ah!" White Buffalo replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "are you -ignorant that a woman lurks behind every great event? They kill men of -genius for futile interests, and paltry passions cause the finest and -boldest prospects to fail." - -"Yes; you are, perhaps, right," Natah Otann said; "but I feel I cannot -stain my hands with that woman's blood." - -"Scruples, poor child," White Buffalo said, with disdain; "well, I do -not insist; but be assured that scruples will ruin you. The man who -wishes to govern others must be made of marble, and have no feelings of -humanity, else his prospects will be nipped in the bud, and his foes -will ridicule him. That which has ever ruined the greatest geniuses -is, that they would not comprehend this fact; but worked for their -successors and not for themselves." - -In speaking thus, the old man had involuntarily let himself be carried -away by the tumultuous feelings that still agitated his mind. His eye -sparkled; his brow was unwrinkled; his glance had an irresistible -majesty; he had returned, in thought, to his old days of struggling -and triumph. Natah Otann listened to him, yielding to the dominating -ascendency of this prostrated giant, who was so great even after his -fall. - -"What am I saying? I am mad! pardon me, child," the old man continued, -sinking in his chair despondingly. "Go, leave me; tomorrow, at sunrise, -I may, perhaps, have some news for you." - -And he dismissed the Chief with a sign. The latter, accustomed to these -outbursts, bowed, and departed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE SPY. - - -The pistol shot fired by the White Buffalo had not quite produced the -result the latter expected from it. The man was wounded; but the haste -with which the chief had been obliged to fire, injured the precision -of his aim, and the listener escaped with a slight wound; the bullet -grazed his skull, and only produced a copious hemorrhage. Still this -hurt had been enough for the spy, who saw that he was unmasked, and -that a longer stay at the spot would inevitably produce a catastrophe; -hence he ran off at full speed. After running for several minutes, -feeling certain that he had thrown off any persons inclined to follow -him, he stopped to draw breath, and attend to his wound, which still -bled profusely. In consequence, he looked anxiously around him; but -all was silent and solitary. A dense snowstorm, which had been falling -for many an hour, had compelled the Indians to seek shelter in their -lodges The firing of the pistol had caused no panic, for the Redskins, -accustomed to nocturnal disputes in their villages, had not stirred. -No other noise could be heard but the barking of a few straying dogs, -and the hoarse cries of the wild beasts that wandered over the prairie -in search of prey. The spy, reassured by the calm prevailing in the -village, set about bandaging the wound, in his heart thanking the snow -for falling, as it effaced the traces of blood left in his flight. - -"Come," he muttered, in a low voice, "I shall know nothing this night; -the genius of evil protects those men; I will go into the cabin." - -He turned a parting glance around, and prepared to start; but, at the -same moment, a white shadow, gliding over the snow like a phantom, -passed a short distance from him. - -"What is that?" the Indian muttered, suddenly assailed by a -superstitious terror. "Is the 'Virgin of the dark hours' wandering -about the village? What terrible misfortune is menacing us then?" - -The Indian bent forward, and, as if attracted by a superior power, -followed with his eyes the strange apparition, whose white outline was -already blending with the distant gloom. - -"That creature is not walking," he said to himself, with terror; -"she leaves no footfall on the snow. Is she a Genius hostile to the -Blackfeet? There is a mystery about this which I must fathom." - -The instinct of the spy heightening the curiosity of the Indian, the -latter soon forgot his terror for a moment, and rushed boldly in -pursuit of the phantom. After an interval of a few minutes, the shadow -or spectre stopped, and looked around with evident indecision. The -Indian, lest he might be discovered, had just time to hide himself -behind the wall of a cabin; but a pale gleam of moonlight, emerging -between two clouds, had, for a second, lighted up the face of the -person he was pursuing. - -"Prairie-Flower!" he muttered, suppressing with difficulty a cry of -surprise. - -In fact, that was the person thus wandering about in the darkness. -After some hesitation, the maiden raised her head, and walked -resolutely toward a cabin, the buffalo skin of which she lifted with -a firm hand. She entered, and let the curtain fall behind her. The -Indian bounded up to the cabin, walked round it, thrust his knife up -to the hilt in the wall, turned it round twice or thrice, to enlarge -the hole, and, placing his ear to it, listened. The most complete quiet -continued to prevail in the village. - -At the first step the young girl took in the lodge, a shadow suddenly -rose before her, and a hand fell upon her shoulder; instinctively she -recoiled. - -"What do you want?" a menacing voice asked. This question was asked in -French, which rendered it doubly unintelligible by the Indian girl. - -"Answer! or I'll blow out your brains," the voice continued. - -And the sharp sound produced by cocking a pistol could be heard. - -"Wah!" the girl replied in her gentle, melodious voice, "I am a friend." - -"It is evidently a woman," the first speaker growled, "but no matter, -we must be prudent. What on earth does she want here?" - -"Halloh!" Bright-eye suddenly shouted, aroused by this short -altercation, "what's the matter there, what have you caught, Ivon?" - -"My faith, I don't know; I believe it is a woman." - -"Eh, eh," the hunter said, with a laugh, "let us have a look at that: -don't let her escape." - -"Don't be alarmed," the Breton replied, "I have hold of her." - -Prairie-Flower remained motionless, not making the slightest effort to -escape from the clutch of the man who held her. Bright-eye rose, felt -his way to the fire, and began blowing it up. In a few minutes a bright -flame burst forth, and illumined the interior of the lodge. - -"Stay, stay," the hunter said, with surprise, "you are welcome, girl; -what do you want here?" - -The Indian maid blushed, and replied:-- - -"Prairie-Flower has come to visit her friends, the Palefaces." - -"The hour is a strange one for a visit, my child," the Canadian -continued, with an ironical smile; "but no matter," he added, turning -to the Breton, "let her loose, Ivon; this enemy, if she is one, is not -very dangerous." - -The other obeyed with ill grace. - -"Come to the fire, girl," the hunter said, "your limbs are frozen; when -you have warmed yourself, you can tell us the cause of your presence -here at this late hour." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sadly, and sat down by the fire, Bright-eye -taking a place by her side. The girl had with one glance surveyed the -interior of the lodge, and perceived the Count sleeping tranquilly on a -pile of furs. Bright-eye's whole life had been spent in the desert; he -was thoroughly acquainted with the character of the Redskins, and knew -that circumspection and prudence are their two guiding principles. That -an Indian never attempts anything without having first calculated all -the consequences, and that he never decides on doing a thing contrary -to Indian habits, except from some pressing motive. The hunter, -therefore, suspected that the object of the young girl's visit was -important, though unable to read, beneath the mask of impassibility -that covered her face, the motive that caused her to act. - -The Redskins are not, like other men, easy to question; cunning and -finesse obtain no advantage over these doubtful natives. The most -skilful Old Bailey practitioner would get nothing out of them, but -confess himself vanquished, after making an Indian undergo the closest -cross-examination. If one of these shades of character were unknown to -the hunter; hence he was careful not to let the girl suppose that he -took any interest in her explanation. - -With a nod of the head, Bright-eye soon gave Ivon the order to go to -sleep again, which he did immediately. The girl was sitting by the -fire, warming herself mechanically, while every now and then taking a -side glance at the hunter. But the latter had lit his pipe, and, nearly -concealed by the dense cloud of smoke that surrounded him, appeared -completely absorbed in his agreeable occupation. The two remained -thus face to face nearly half an hour, and did not exchange a word; -at length Bright-eye shook out the ash on his left thumbnail, put his -pipe in his belt, and rose. Prairie-Flower followed his every movement, -without appearing to attach any importance to it; she saw him collect -furs, carry them to a dark corner of the lodge, where he spread them so -as to form a species of bed; then, when he fancied it was soft enough, -he threw a coverlid over it, and returned to the fire. - -"My Pale brother has prepared a bed," Prairie-Flower said, laying her -hand on his arm, just as he was about to draw out his pipe again. - -"Yes," he replied. - -"Why four beds for three persons?" - -Bright-eye looked at her with a perfectly natural amazement. - -"Are we not four?" he said. - -"I only see the two Pale hunters and my brother--for whom is the last -bed?" - -"For my sister, Prairie-Flower, I suppose; has she not come to ask -hospitality of her Pale brothers?" - -The girl shook her head. - -"The women of my tribe," she said, with an accent of wounded pride, -"have their cabins for sleeping, and do not pass the night in the -lodges of the warriors." - -Bright-eye bowed respectfully. - -"I am mistaken," he said; "I did not wish to vex my sister; but -on seeing her enter my lodge so late, I supposed she came to ask -hospitality." - -The girl smiled with finesse. - -"My brother is a great warrior of the Palefaces," she said; "his head -is grey; he is very cunning; why does he pretend not to know the reason -that brings Prairie-Flower to his lodge?" - -"Because I am really ignorant of it," he replied; "how should I know -it?" - -The Indian girl turned towards the place where the young man was -sleeping, and said, with a charming pout-- - -"Glass-eye knows all: he would have told my brother the hunter." - -"I cannot deny," the hunter said, boldly, "that Glass-eye knows many -things, but in this matter he has been dumb." - -"Is that true?" she asked, quickly. - -"Why should I deny it? Prairie-Flower is not an enemy to us." - -"No, I am a friend: let my brother open his ears." - -"Speak." - -"Glass-eye is powerful." - -"So it is said," the hunter replied, evasively, too honest to stoop to -a lie. - -"The elders of the tribe regard him as a genius superior to other men, -arranging events as he pleases, and able, if he will, to change the -course of the future." - -"Who says so?" - -"Everybody." - -The hunter shook his head, and pressing the girl's dainty hands in his -own, he said, simply-- - -"You are deceived, child; Glass-eye is only a man like the others; the -power you have been told of does not exist: I know not for what reason -the chiefs of your nation have spread this absurd report; but it is a -falsehood, which I must not allow to go further." - -"No, White Buffalo is the wisest sachem of the Blackfeet; he possesses -all the knowledge of his fathers on the other side of the Great -Saltlake, he cannot err. Did he not announce, long ago, Glass-eye's -arrival among us?" - -"That is possible; although I cannot guess how he knew it, as only -three days ago we were quite ignorant that we were coming to this -village." - -The maiden smiled triumphantly. - -"White Buffalo knows all," she said; "besides, for many thousand moons -the sorcerers of the nation have announced the coming of a man exactly -like Glass-eye: his apparition was so truly predicted, that his arrival -surprised nobody, as all expected him." - -The hunter recognized the inutility of contending any longer against a -conviction so deeply rooted in the young girl's heart. - -"Good," he replied; "White Buffalo is a very wise sachem. What is there -he does not know?" - -"Nothing! Did he not predict that Glass-eye would place himself at the -head of the Redskin warriors, and deliver them from the Palefaces of -the East?" - -"It is true," the hunter said, though he did not know a word of what -the girl was revealing to him; but he now began to suspect a vast -plot formed by the Indians, and he naturally desired to know more. -Prairie-Flower looked at him with an expression of simple joy. - -"My brother sees that I know all," she said. - -"That is true," he answered; "my sister is better informed than I -supposed; now she can explain to me, without fear, the service she -desires from Glass-eye." - -The girl took a long glance at the young man, who was still sleeping. - -"Prairie-Flower is suffering," she said, in a low and trembling voice; -"a cloud has passed over her mind and obscured it." - -"Prairie-Flower is sixteen," the old hunter answered, with a smile; "a -new feeling is awakened in her; a little bird is singing in her heart; -she listens unconsciously to the harmonious notes of those strains -which she does not yet understand." - -"It is true," the maiden murmured, suddenly growing pensive; "my heart -is sad. Is, then, love a suffering?" - -"Child," the hunter answered, with a melancholy accent, "creatures -are thus made by the Master of Life. All sensation is suffering. Joy, -carried to an excess, becomes pain; you love without knowing it; loving -is suffering." - -"No," she said, with a gesture of terror, "no, I do not love, at least -not; in the way you say. I have come, on the contrary, to seek your -protection from a man who loves me, whose love frightens me, and for -whom I shall never feel aught but gratitude." - -"You are quite certain, poor child, that such is the feeling you -experience for that man?" - -She bowed assent. Without saying anything further, Bright-eye rose. - -"Where are you going?" she asked, quickly. - -The hunter turned to her. - -"In all that you have told me, child," he answered, "there are things -so important, that I must without delay arouse my friend, that he may -listen to you in his turn, and, if it be possible, come to your aid." - -"Do so," she said, mournfully, and let her head sink on her breast. -The hunter went up to the young man, and bending over him, touched him -gently on the shoulder. The Count awoke at once. - -"What is it? What do you want?" he said, rising and seizing his -weapons, with the promptness that a man constantly exposed to danger so -soon acquires. - -"Nothing that need frighten you, Mr. Edward. That young girl wishes to -speak to you." - -The Count followed the direction in which the hunter pointed, and his -glance met that of the maiden. It was like an electric shock; she -tottered, laid her hand on her heart, and blushed. The Frenchman rushed -toward her. - -"What is the matter? What can I do to help you?" he asked. - -Just as she was about to reply, the curtain was lifted; a man bounded -suddenly over Ivon, and reached the centre of the hut. It was the spy; -the Breton suddenly aroused, flung himself on him, but the Indian held -him back with a firm hand. - -"Look out!" he said. - -"Red Wolf!" the girl exclaimed, joyfully, as she stepped before him; -"lower your weapons, it is a friend." - -"Speak!" the Count said, as he returned the pistol to his belt. - -The Indian had made no attempt to defend himself; he awaited stoically -the moment to explain himself. - -"Natah Otann is coming," he said to the maiden. - -"Oh! I am lost if he find me here." - -"What do I care for the fellow?" the Count said, haughtily. - -"Prudence," Bright-eye interposed; "are you a friend, Redskin?" - -"Ask Prairie-Flower," he answered, disdainfully. - -"Good; then you have come to save her?" - -"Yes." - -"You have a way?" - -"I have." - -"I don't understand anything about it," Ivon said to himself, aside, -quite confounded by all he saw; "what a night!" - -"Make haste!" said the Count. - -"Neither Prairie-Flower nor myself must be seen here," the Red Wolf -continued; "Natah Otann is my enemy; there is deadly war between us. -Throw all those furs on the girl." - -Prairie-Flower, crouching in a corner, soon disappeared beneath the -skins piled over her. - -"Hum! it is a good idea," Bright-eye muttered: "and what are you going -to do?" - -"Look!" - -Red Wolf leaned against the buffalo hides that acted as door, and -concealed himself amid their folds. Hardly had all this been done, ere -Natah Otann appeared on the threshold. - -"What! up already?" he said, in surprise, turning a suspicious glance -around him. - -Red Wolf profited by this movement to go out unseen by the Chief. - -"I am come to receive your orders for the hunt," Natah Otann resumed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -FORT MACKENZIE. - - -Fort Mackenzie, built in 1832 by Major Mitchell, Chief Agent to the -North American Fur Company, stands like a menacing sentry, about one -hundred and twenty paces from the north bank of the Missouri, and -seventy miles from the Rocky Mountains, in the midst of a level plain, -protected by a chain of hills running from north to south. The fort -is built on the system of all the outposts of civilization in the -western provinces; it forms a perfect square, each side being about -forty-five feet in length: a ditch, eight fathoms in depth and about -the same in width; two substantial blockhouses; and twenty guns--such -are the defensive elements of this fortress. The buildings contained -in the enceinte are low, with narrow windows, in which parchment is -substituted for glass. The roofs are flat, and covered with turf. The -gateways of the fort are solid, and lined with iron. In the middle of -a small square, in the centre of the fort, rises a mast, from which -floats the star-spangled banner of the United States, while two guns -are stationed at the foot of the mast. The plain surrounding Fort -Mackenzie is covered with grass, rarely more than three feet high. -This plain is almost constantly invaded by Indian tribes, that come -to traffic with the Americans, especially the Blackfeet, Assiniboins, -Mandans, Flatheads, Gros-ventres, Crows, and Koutnikés. - -The Indians displayed a repugnance in allowing the white men to settle -in their domains, and the first agent the Fur Company sent to them had -a narrow escape with life. It was only by dint of patience and cunning -that they succeeded in concluding with the tribes a treaty of peace -and barter, which the latter were disposed, indeed, to break, through -the slightest pretext. Thus the Americans were always on the watch, -considering themselves in a perpetual state of siege. It still happened -at times, in spite of the Indians' protestations of amity, that some -_engagé_ or trapper of the Company was brought to the fort scalped and -murdered, and they were obliged, through policy, to refrain from taking -vengeance for such murders, which, however, were becoming rare. The -Indians, with their greedy instincts, at length understood that it was -better to live in good intelligence with the Palefaces, who supplied -them with abundant provisions, spirits, and money, in exchange for -their furs. - -In 1834, Fort Mackenzie was commanded by Major Melville, a man of -great experience, who had spent nearly his whole life among the -Indians, either fighting or trafficking with them, so that he was -thoroughly versed in all their habits and tricks. General Jackson, in -whose army he had served, put great reliance in his courage, skill, -and experience. Major Melville combined with uncommon moral energy -rare physical strength; he was the very man to keep in check the -fierce tribes with which he had to deal, and to command the trappers -and hunters in the Company's service, thorough ruffians, only -understanding the logic of the rifle and the bowie knife; he based -his authority on inflexible severity and an irreproachable justice, -which had contributed greatly to maintain the good relations between -the inhabitants of the fort and their crafty friends. Peace, with the -exception of the mutual distrust that was its basis, appeared for -some few years past to be solidly established between the Palefaces -and the Redskins. The Indians camped annually before the fort, and -generally exchanged their peltry for spirits, clothes, gunpowder, &c. -The seventy men who formed the garrison had gradually relaxed their -usual precautions, for they felt so confident of having induced the -Indians to renounce their plundering inclinations by kind treatment and -concessions. Such was the respective positions of the whites and the -Redskins on the day when the exigencies of our story take us to Fort -Mackenzie. - -The scenery round the fort is exquisite and charmingly varied. On the -day after that in which the events we have described took place in the -Kenha village, a leather canoe, manned by only one rower, descended -the Elk river, in the direction of the American fort. After following -the numerous bends of the stream, the canoe at length entered the -Missouri, and coasted the northern bank, studded with magnificent -prairies at least thirty miles in depth, on which countless herds of -buffaloes, antelopes, and bighorns were grazing, which, with ears -erect and startled eyes, watched the silent boat pass with gloomy -dissatisfaction. But the person, man or woman, in the boat seemed too -anxious to reach the destination, to waste any time in firing at these -animals, which it would have been easy to do. - -With his eyes imperturbably fixed ahead, and bowed over the paddles, -the rower redoubled his energy the nearer he approached the fort, -uttering at times hoarse exclamations of anger and impatience, -though never checking the speed of the boat. At length an "ah!" of -satisfaction escaped his lips on turning one of the numberless bends of -the river: a magnificent scene was suddenly displayed before him. - -Gentle slopes, with varied summits, some rounded, others flat, of a -pleasant green colour, occupied the centre of the picture. In the -foreground were tall forests of poplars of a vivid green, and willow -trees on the banks of the river, which meandered through a prairie to -which the twilight had given a deep olive hue. A little further on, on -the top of a grassy mound, stood Fort Mackenzie, where the handsome -flag of the United States floated in the breeze, gilded by the parting -beams of the setting sun; while on one side an Indian camp, on the -other, herds of horses, tranquilly grazing, animated the majestic -tranquillity of the scene. - -The canoe drew nearer and nearer to the bank, and at last, when -arrived under the protection of the guns, was run gently ashore. The -individual occupying it then leaped on the sand, and it was easy to see -that it was a woman. It was the mysterious being to whom the Indians -gave the name of the She-wolf of the Prairies, and who has already -appeared twice in this story. She had altered her dress. Although still -resembling that of the Indians in texture, as it was composed of elk -and buffalo skins sown together, it varied from it in shape; and if, at -the first glance, it was difficult to recognize the sex of the person -wearing it, it was easy to perceive that it was a white, through the -simplicity, cleanliness, and, above all, the amplitude of the folds -carefully draped round the strange being hidden in these garments. - -After leaving the canoe, the She-wolf fastened it securely to a large -stone, and without paying further attention to it, walked hastily in -the direction of the fort. It was about six in the evening; the barter -with the Indians was over, and they were returning, laughing and -singing, to their tents of buffalo hide; while the _engagés_, after -collecting the horses, led them back slowly to the fort. The sun was -setting behind the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, casting a purple -gleam, over the heavens. Gradually, as the planet of day sank in the -distant horizon, gloom took possession of the earth. The songs of the -Indians, the shouts of the _engagés_, the neighing of the horses, and -the barking of the dogs, formed one of those singular concerts which -in these remote regions impress on the mind a feeling of melancholy -reflection. The She-wolf reached the gate of the fort at the moment -when the last _engagé_ had entered, after driving in the laggards of -his troop. - -At these frontier posts, where momentary vigilance is necessary to -foil the treachery constantly lurking in the shadows, sentinels -especially appointed to survey the gloomy and solitary prairies, that -stretch out for miles around their garrisons, stand watching day and -night with their eyes fixed on space, ready to signalize the least -unusual movement, either on the part of animals or of men, in the vast -solitudes they survey. The She-wolf's canoe had been detected more than -six hours before, all its movements carefully watched, and when the -She-wolf, after fastening her boat up, presented herself at the gate -of the fort, she found it closed and carefully bolted; not because she -personally caused the garrison any alarm, but because the order was -that no one should enter the fort after sunset, except for overpowering -reasons. - -The She-wolf repressed with difficulty a gesture of annoyance at -finding herself thus exposed to spend the night in the open air; not -that she feared the hardship, but because she knew the importance -of her news, and desired no delay. She did not allow herself to be -defeated, however, but stooped, picked up a stone, and struck the gate -twice. A wicket immediately opened, and two eyes glistened through the -opening it left. - -"Who's there?" a rough voice asked. - -"A friend," the She-wolf replied. - -"Hum; that's very vague at this hour of the night," the voice -continued, with a grin that augured ill for the success of the -mediation the She-wolf had commenced. - -"Who are you?" - -"A woman, and a white woman too, as you can see by my dress and accent." - -"It may be, but the night is dark, and it is impossible for me to see -you: so if you have no better reasons to give, good night, and go your -ways; tomorrow we will meet again at sunrise." - -And the speaker prepared to close the wicket, but the She-wolf checked -him with a firm hand. - -"One moment," she said. - -"What's up now?" the other remarked, ill-temperedly; "I cannot pass the -night in listening to you." - -"I only want to ask you one question, and one favour." - -"Plague take it!" the man went on; "well, you are going on at a fine -rate; that's nothing, eh? Well; let me hear it; that binds me to -nothing." - -"Is Major Melville in the fort at this moment?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Answer, yes or no." - -"Well, yes; what then?" - -The She-wolf gave a sigh of satisfaction, hurriedly drew a ring from -her right hand, and passing it through the wicket to the unknown -speaker, said-- - -"Carry that ring to the Major; I will wait for your answer here." - -"Mind what you are about; the Commandant does not like to be disturbed -for nothing." - -"Do as I tell you. I answer for the rest." - -"That's a poor bail," the other growled; "but no matter--I'll risk it. -Wait." - -The wicket closed. The She-wolf seated herself on the side of the -moat, and with elbows resting on her knees, buried her head in her -hands. By this time night had completely set in; in the distance, the -fires lighted up by the Indians on the prairies shone like lighthouses -through the gloom; the evening breeze soughed hoarsely through the -tops of the trees, and the howls of the wild beasts were mingled -at intervals with the strident laughter of the Indians. Not a star -sparkled in the sky, which was black as ink; nature seemed covered with -a cerecloth; all presaged an approaching storm. The She-wolf waited, -motionless, as one of those patient sphynxes which have watched for -thousands of years at the entrance of the Egyptian temples. A quarter -of an hour elapsed, then a sound of bolts was heard, and the gates of -the fort slightly opened. The She-wolf sprung up, as if moved by a -spring. - -"Come!" a voice said. - -She entered, and the door was immediately closed after her. An -_engagé_--the same who had spoken to her through the wicket--stood -before her with a torch in his hand. - -"Follow me," he said to her. - -She walked after her guide, who crossed the entire length of the -courtyard, and then turning to the She-wolf, said-- - -"The Major is waiting for you here." - -"Rap," she said. - -"No, do so yourself; you no longer need me; I will return to my post." - -And, after bowing slightly, he withdrew carrying the torch with him. -The She-wolf remained alone in the darkness; she passed her hand over -her damp forehead, and making a supreme effort-- - -"I must," she muttered, hoarsely. - -She then struck the door. - -"Come in," a voice said from within. - -She turned the key, pushed open the door, and found herself in the -presence of an elderly man, dressed in uniform, and seated near a -table, who gazed fixedly at her. This man, by the position he occupied, -and the way in which the light was arranged, could see her perfectly; -while, on the other hand, the She-wolf could not distinguish his -features, hidden as they were by the gloom. The She-wolf walked -resolutely into the room. - -"Thanks for having received me," she said; "I was afraid you had -utterly forgotten." - -"If that is meant for a reproach, I do not understand you," the officer -said, sternly; "and I should feel obliged by a clear explanation." - -"Are you not Major Melville?" - -"I am." - -"The way in which I entered the fort proves to me that you recognised -the ring I sent you." - -"I recognized it; for it reminds me of a very dear person," he said, -with a suppressed sigh; "but how is it in your hands?" - -The She-wolf regarded the Major sadly for a moment, then walked up to -him, gently took his hand, which she pressed in hers, and replied, with -an accent full of tears-- - -"Harry, I must be changed by suffering, if you do not even recognise my -voice." - -At these words a livid pallor covered the officer's face; he rose with -a movement quick as lightning; his body was agitated by a convulsive -tremor, and seizing, in his turn, the woman's hands, he exclaimed -madly-- - -"Margaret! Margaret! my sister! Have the dead come from the tomb? Do I -find you again at last:" - -"Ah!" she said, with an expression of joy impossible to render, as she -sank in his arms, "I was certain he would recognise me." - -But the shock she had received was too strong for the poor woman, whose -organization was worn out by sorrow; accustomed to suffering, she could -not endure joy, and fell fainting into her brother's arms. The Major -carried her to a species of sofa that occupied one side of the room, -and, without calling anyone to his aid, paid her all that attention -her case required. The She-wolf remained for a long time insensible; -but she gradually came to herself again, opened her eyes, and, after -muttering a few incoherent words, burst into tears. Her brother did -not leave her for a moment, following, with an anxious glance, the -progress of her return to life. When he perceived that the height of -the crisis was past, he took chair, sat down by his sister's side, -and by gentle words sought to restore her courage. At length, the poor -woman raised her head, dried her eyes--reddened by tears, and hollowed -by fever--and turning to her brother, who watched her every movement, -said in a hoarse voice-- - -"Brother, for sixteen years I have been suffering an atrocious -martyrdom, which never ceased for an instant." - -The Major shuddered at this fearful revelation. - -"Poor sister!" he muttered. "What can I do for you?" - -"All, if you will." - -"Oh!" he exclaimed, with energy, as he struck the woodwork of the sofa -with his fist, "could you doubt me, Margaret?" - -"No, since I have come," she answered, smiling through her tears. - -"You will avenge yourself, I think?" he went on. - -"I will." - -"Who are your enemies?" - -"The Redskins." - -"Ah! ah!" he said, with a bitter smile; "I, too, have an old account to -settle with those demons. To what nation do your enemies belong?" - -"To the Blackfeet. They are the Kenha tribe." - -"Oh," the Major continued, "my old friends, the Blood Indians; I have -long been seeking a pretext to give them an exemplary punishment." - -"That pretext I now bring you, Harry," she answered, passionately; "and -do not fancy it a vain pretext invented by hatred. No, no! 'tis the -revelation of a plot formed by all the Missouri Indians against the -whites, which must break out within a few days, perhaps tomorrow." - -"Ah!" the Major observed, thoughtfully, "I do not know why, but, for -the last few days, suspicions have invaded, my mind; my presentiments -did not deceive me, then. Speak, sister, at once, I conjure you; and -since you have come to me, in order to appease your hatred of these red -devils, I promise you a vengeance, the memory of which will make their -grandsons shudder." - -"I thank you for your promise, brother, and will not forget it," she -answered. "Listen to me, then." - -"One word first." - -"Speak, brother." - -"Has the narrative of your sufferings any connexion with the conspiracy -you are about to reveal to me?" - -"An intimate one." - -"Well, it is scarce ten o'clock, we have the night before us; tell me -all that has happened to you since our separation." - -"You wish it?" - -"Yes, for it will be by your narrative that I shall regulate my -treatment of the Indians." - -"Listen, then, brother, and be indulgent to me, for I have suffered -bitterly, as you are about to hear." - -The Major pressed her hand; he took a chair, sat by her side, and after -bolting the door, to prevent any interruption of the story, he said-- - -"Speak, Margaret, and tell me everything; I do not wish to be ignorant -of any of the tortures you have endured during the long years that have -elapsed since our parting." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A MOTHER'S CONFESSION. - - -"It is just seventeen years ago, you will remember, Harry; you had -recently received your commission as lieutenant in the army; you were -young, enthusiastic; the future appeared to you to be drawn in the -brightest colours. One evening, during weather like the present, you -came to my husband's clearing, to tell us the news, and bid us an -affectionate farewell; for you hoped, like ourselves, not to be long -away from us. The next morning, in spite of our entreaties, after -embracing the children, pressing the hand of my poor husband, who -loved you so, and giving me a parting kiss, you galloped off, and soon -disappeared in a whirlwind of dust. Alas! who could have foretold that -we should not meet again till today, after seventeen years' separation, -upon Indian territory, and under terrible circumstances? However," -she added, with a sigh, "God has willed it so, may His holy name be -blessed! It has pleased Him to try His creatures, and let His hand fall -heavily on them." - -"It was with a strange contraction of the heart," the Major said, "that -six months after that parting, when I returned among you with a joyous -heart, I saw, on dismounting in front of your house, a stranger open -your door, and answer, that the white family had emigrated three months -before, and proceeded in a western direction, with the intention of -founding a new settlement on the Indian frontier. It was in vain that I -tried to gain any information about you from your neighbours; they had -forgotten you; no one could or would, perhaps, give me the slightest -news about you, and I was forced to retrace, heartbroken, the road I -had ridden along so joyfully a few days before. Since then, despite all -the efforts I have made, I never was able to learn anything about your -fate, or lift the mysterious veil that covered the sinister events to -which I was convinced you had fallen victims during your journey." - -"You are only half deceived, my brother, in your supposition," she went -on. "Two months after your visit, my husband, who had long desired to -leave our clearing, where he said the land was worth nothing, had a -grave dispute with one of his neighbours about the limits of a field -of which he believed, or pretended to believe, that neighbour had cut -off a corner: under any other circumstances, the difference would have -been easily settled, but my husband sought an excuse to go away, and -having found it, did not let it slip again. He would listen to nothing, -but quietly made all his arrangements for the expedition he had so long -meditated, and at length told us one day that he should start the next. -When my husband had once said a thing, all I could do was to obey, for -he never recalled a determination he had formed. On the appointed day -at sunrise, we left the clearing, our neighbours accompanying us for -the first day's journey, and at nightfall left us, after hearty wishes -for the success of our expedition. It was with inexpressible sorrow I -quitted the house where I was married, where my children were born, -and where I had been happy for so many years. My husband tried in -vain to console me, and restore me that courage which failed me; but -nothing could efface from my mind the gentle and pious recollections I -previously kept up: the deeper we buried ourselves in the desert, the -greater my sorrow became. My husband, on the other hand saw everything -in a bright light; the future belonged to him; he was about to be his -own master, and act as he thought proper. He detailed to me all his -plans, tried to interest me in them, and employed all the means in his -power to draw me from my gloomy thoughts, but could not succeed. Still -we went onwards without stopping. The distance became daily greater -between ourselves and the last settlements of our countrymen. In vain -did I show my husband how remote we were from all help in case of -danger, and the isolation in which we should find ourselves; he only -laughed at my apprehensions; repeated incessantly that the Indians -were far from being so dangerous as they were represented, and that we -had nothing to fear. My husband was so convinced of the truth of his -assertions, that he neglected the most simple precautions to defend -himself against a surprise, and said each morning, with a mocking air, -at the moment of starting, 'You see how foolish you are, Margaret; be -reasonable, the Indians will be careful not to insult us,' One night -the camp was attacked by the Redskins, we were surprised during our -sleep; my husband was flayed alive, while his children were burned at a -slow fire before his face." - -While uttering these words, the poor woman's voice became more and more -choked. At the last sentences, her emotion grew so profound, that she -could not continue. - -"Courage!" the Major said, as much moved as herself, but more master of -his feelings. - -She made an effort, and continued in a harsh, unmodulated voice,-- - -"By a refinement of cruelty, the barbarism of which I did not at first -understand, my youngest child, my daughter, was spared by the Pagans. -On seeing the punishment of my husband and children, at which I was -forced to be present, I felt such a laceration of the heart, that I -imagined I was dying. I uttered a shriek, and fell down. How long I -remained in that state, I know not: but when I regained my senses, -I was alone. The Indians, doubtlessly, fancied me dead, and left -me where I lay. I rose, and not conscious of what I was doing, but -impelled by a force superior to my will, I returned, tottering and -falling almost at every step, to the spot where this mournful tragedy -had been enacted. It took me three hours--how was I so far from the -camp?--at length I arrived, and a fearful sight presented itself to -my horror-struck eyes. I looked unconscious upon the disfigured and -half carbonized bodies of my children--my despair, however, restored -my failing strength. I dug a grave, and, half delirious with grief, -buried in it husband and children, all that I loved on earth. This -pious duty accomplished, I resolved to die at the spot where the -beings so dear to me had perished. But there are hours during the long -nights in which the shades of the dead address the living, and order -them to take vengeance! That terrific voice from the tomb I heard on a -sinister night, when the elements threatened to overthrow nature. From -that moment my resolution was formed. I consented to live for revenge. -From that hour I have walked firm and implacable on the path I traced, -requiting the Pagans, on every opportunity that presents itself, for -the evil they had done me. I have become the terror of the prairies. -The Indians fear me as an evil genius. They have a superstitious -invincible dread of me; in short, they have surnamed me the Lying -She-wolf of the Prairies; for each time a catastrophe menaces them, or -a frightful danger is hanging over their heads, they see me appear. For -seventeen years I have been nursing my revenge, without ever growing -discouraged, certain that the day will come when, in my turn, I shall -plant my knee on the heart of my enemies, and inflict on them the -atrocious torture they condemned me to suffer." - -The woman's face, while uttering these words, had assumed such an -expression of cruelty, that the Major brave as he was, felt himself -shudder. - -"And your enemies," he said, after a moment's delay, "do you know them, -have you learned their names?" - -"I know them all!" she said, in a piercing voice; "I have learned all -their names!" - -"And they are preparing to break the peace?" Mrs. Margaret smiled -ironically. - -"No, they will not break the peace, brother, but attack you suddenly. -They have formed among themselves a formidable league, which--at least -they fancy so--you will find it impossible to resist." - -"Sister!" the Major exclaimed energetically, "give me the name of -these wretched traitors, and I swear that, even were they concealed -in the depths of Hades, I will seek them, to inflict an exemplary -chastisement." - -"I cannot give you these names yet, brother; but be at ease, you shall -soon know them; you will not have to seek them far, for I will lead -them under the guns of your soldiers and hunters." - -"Take care, Margaret," the Major said, shaking his head, "hatred is -a bad counsellor in an affair like this; he who grasps at too much, -frequently risks the loss of all." - -"Oh," she replied, "my precautions have been taken for a long time: -I hold them, I can seize them whenever I please, or, to speak more -correctly, when the moment has arrived." - -"Do as you think proper, sister, and reckon on my devoted aid: this -vengeance affects me too closely for me to allow it to escape." - -"Thanks," she said. - -"Pardon me," he continued, after a few minutes' reflection, "if I -revert to the sad events you have just narrated; but you have, it -strikes me, forgotten an important detail in your story." - -"I do not understand you, Harry." - -"I will explain: you said, I think, if my memory serves me, that your -youngest daughter escaped from the frightful fate of her brothers, and -was saved by an Indian." - -"Yes, I did say so, brother," she replied in an oppressed voice. - -"Well, what has become of the unhappy child? Does she still live? Have -you any news of her? Have you seen her again?" - -"She lives, and I have seen her." - -"Ah!" - -"Yes; the man who saved her educated her, even adopted her," she said, -sarcastically. "Do you know what this wretch would do with the daughter -of the man he murdered, whom he flayed alive before my eyes?" - -"Speak; in Heaven's name! - -"What I have to say is very dreadful! it is so frightful, indeed, that -I hesitate to reveal it to you." - -"Good God!" the Major ejaculated, recoiling involuntarily before his -sister's flaming glance. - -"Well," she continued, with a strident laugh, "this girl has grown up, -the child has become a woman, as lovely as it is possible to be. This -man, this monster, this demon, has felt his tiger heart soften at the -sight of the angel; he loves her to distraction, he wishes to make her -his wife." - -"Horror!" the Major exclaimed. - -"Is that not truly hideous?" she continued, still with that nervous, -spasmodic laugh which it pains one to hear: "he has pardoned his -victim's daughter. Yes, he is generous, he forgets the atrocious -torture he inflicted on the father, and now covets the daughter." - -"Oh, that is frightful, Margaret; so much infamy and cynicism is -impossible, even among Indians!" - -"Do you believe, then, that I am deceiving you?" - -"Far from me be such a thought, sister; the man is a monster." - -"Yes, yes, so he is." - -"You have seen your daughter; you have talked with her?" - -"Yes; well, what then?" - -"You have, doubtless, turned her from this monstrous love?" - -"I!" she replied, with a grin, "I did not say a word to her about it." - -"What!" he said, in amazement. - -"By what right could I have spoken?" - -"How, by what right--Are you not her mother?" - -"She does not know it!" - -"Oh!" - -"And my vengeance?" she said, coldly. This word which so thoroughly -explained the character of the woman, had before struck the heart of -the old soldier with terror. - -"Unhappy woman!" he exclaimed. - -A smile of disdain curled the She-wolf's lip. - -"Yes, so you are," she said, with a bitter voice, "you men of cities, -with natures worn out by civilization. To understand a passion, it -must be kept within certain limits, traced beforehand. The grandeur of -hatred, with all its fury and excesses, terrifies you; you only admit -that legal and halting vengeance which the criminal code sanctions. -Brother, he who wishes the end, wishes the means. To arrive at my -object, what do I care, do you think, whether I walk over ruins or wade -through blood? No, I go straight before me, with the fatal impetuosity -of the torrent which breaks down and overthrows all the obstacles which -rise in its passage. My object is vengeance! blood for blood, eye -for eye; that is the law of the prairies. I have made it mine, and I -will obtain that vengeance, if for it I--. But," she added, suddenly -breaking off, "what need of this useless discussion between us, -brother? Reassure yourself my daughter has been better warned by her -instincts than all the advice I could have given her. She does not love -this man. I know it, she told me so; she will never love him." - -"Heaven be praised!" the Major exclaimed. - -"I have only one desire; only one," she continued with a melancholy -air; "it is after the accomplishment of my vengeance, to recover my -daughter, press her to my heart, and cover her with kisses, while at -length revealing to her that I am her mother." - -The Major shook his head sorrowfully. - -"Take care, sister," he said, in a stern voice; "God has said, -'Vengeance is mine!' take care, lest, after wishing to assume the -office of Providence, you may be cruelly chastised by it in some of -your dearest affections." - -"Oh, say not so, Harry!" she exclaimed with a sign of terror; "you -would turn me mad." - -The Major let his head sink on hid breast. For a while brother and -sister remained opposite each other, not uttering a word; they were -both reflecting. The She-wolf was the first to renew the conversation. - -"Now, brother," she said, "if you will permit me, we will leave this -mournful subject for a moment, and allude to what concerns you more -particularly, that is, the formidable conspiracy formed against you by -the Indians." - -"On my word," he replied, with a sigh of relief, "I confess, sister, -that I ask nothing better; my head is confused, and I believe that if -this went on much longer, I should be unable to re-collect my thoughts, -so much am I affected by what you have told me." - -"Thanks," - -"Night is drawing on, Margaret; indeed, it has almost entirely slipped -away, we have not a moment to lose, so pray continue." - -"Is the garrison complete?" - -"Yes." - -"How many men have you?" - -"Seventy, without counting some fifteen hunters and trappers occupied -without, but whom I will recall without delay." - -"Very good: do you require the whole of the garrison for the defence of -the fort?" - -"That is according. Why?" - -"Because I want to borrow twenty men of you." - -"Hum I for what object?" - -"You shall learn; you are alone here, without any hopes of help, and -for this reason: while the Indians are burning the fort, they will -intercept your communication with Fort Clarke, Fort Union, and the -other posts scattered along the Missouri." - -"I fear it, but what can I do?" - -"I will tell you; you have doubtless heard of an American squatter, who -settled hardly a week back about three or four leagues from you?" - -"I have; a certain John Black, I think." - -"That is the man; well, his clearing will naturally serve you as an -advanced post?" - -"Famously." - -"Profit by the short time left you; under pretence of a buffalo hunt, -send twenty men from the fort, and conceal them at John Black's, so -that when the moment for action arrives, they may make a demonstration -in your favour, which will place the enemies between two fires, and -make them suppose that reinforcements have reached you from other -posts." - -"That is a good idea," the Major said. "You must choose men on whom you -can count." - -"They are all devoted to me; you shall see them at work." - -"All the better; then that is settled!" - -"It is." - -"Now, as it is urgent that no one should know of our relations, as it -might compromise the success of our scheme, I must ask you to open the -gates of the fort for me. - -"What, so soon, in this frightful weather?" - -"I must, brother, it is of the utmost importance that I should start at -once." - -"You insist." - -"I beg it of you, Harry, for our common benefit." - -"Come, then, sister, I will detain you no longer." - -Two minutes later, in spite of the storm which still howled with the -same fury, the She-wolf was rowing from Fort Mackenzie at full speed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE CHASE. - - -When Natah Otann entered the lodge inhabited by the white men, under -pretext of warning them to prepare for the chase, his searching eye in -a few seconds had explored every corner of the building. The Indian -Chief was too clever to omit noticing the Count's constraint and -embarrassment: but he understood that it would be impolitic to show the -suspicions he had conceived. Hence he did not in the slightest degree -affect to notice the annoyance caused by his presence, and continued -the conversation with that politeness the Redskins can display when -they choose to take the trouble. On their side the Count and Bright-eye -at once regained their coolness. - -"I did not hope to find my White brother already risen," Natah Otann -said with a smile. - -"Why not?" the young man replied; "a desert life accustoms one to -little sleep." - -"Then the Palefaces will go and hunt with their red friends?" - -"Certainly, if you have no objection." - -"Did I not myself propose to Glass-eye to procure them a true chase?" - -"That is true," the young man said, with a laugh; "but take care, -Chief, I have become uncommonly fastidious since I have been in the -prairie; there is hardly any game I have not hunted, as it was the love -of sport alone that brought me into these unknown countries; hence, I -repeat, I shall expect choice game." - -Natah Otann smiled proudly. - -"My brother will be satisfied," he said. - -"And what is the animal we are about to follow?" the young man asked. - -"The ostrich." - -The Count made a sign of amazement. - -"What, the ostrich?" he exclaimed, "that is impossible, Chief--" - -"Because?" - -"Oh, simply because there are none." - -"The ostrich, it is true, is disappearing; it fled before the white -men, and becomes daily rare, but it is still numerous on the prairies; -in a few hours my brother will have a proof of it." - -"I desire nothing better." - -"Good, that is settled: I will soon come and fetch my brother." - -The Chief bowed courteously and retired, after taking a parting look -around. The curtain had scarcely fallen behind the Chief ere the pile -of furs that covered the young girl was thrown off, and Prairie-Flower -ran up to the Count. - -"Listen," she said to him, seizing his hand, which she pressed -tenderly, "I cannot explain to you now, for time fails me; still, -remember, you have a friend who watches over you." - -And before the Count could reply, or even think of replying, she fled -with the bound of an antelope. He passed his hand several times over -his brow, his eye being fixed on the place where the Indian girl had -disappeared. - -"Ah!" he at length murmured, "have I at last met with a true woman?" - -"She is an angel," the hunter said, replying to his thought. "Poor -child! she has suffered greatly." - -"Yes; but I am here now, and will protect her!" the Count exclaimed, -with exaltation. - -"Let us think of ourselves first, Mr. Edward, and try to get away from -here with whole skins; it will not be an easy task, I assure you." - -"What do you mean, my friend?" - -"It is enough that I understand it all," the hunter said, shaking his -head; "let us only think now of our preparations: our friends, the -Redskins, will soon arrive," he added, with that derisive smile which -caused the Count to feel increased embarrassment. - -But the impression caused by the Canadian's ambiguous language was -promptly dissipated, for love had suddenly nestled in this young, man's -heart; he only dreamed of one thing, of seeing the woman again whom he -adored with all his strength. - -In a man like the Count, who was gifted with a fiery organization, -every feeling must necessarily be carried to an excess; and it was the -case in the present instance. Love is born by a word, a sign, a look, -and scarcely born, suddenly becomes a giant. The Count was fated to -learn this at his own expense. - -Scarcely half an hour after Natah Otann's departure, the gallop of -several horses was heard, and a troop of horsemen stopped in front of -the cabin. The three men went out, and found Natah Otann awaiting them -at the head of sixty warriors, all dressed in their grand costume, and -armed to the teeth. - -"Let us go," he said. - -"Whenever you please," the Count answered. - -The Chief made a signal, and three magnificent horses, superbly -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, were led up by children. The whites -mounted, and the band set out in the direction of the prairie. - -It was about six in the morning, the night storm had completely swept -the sky, which was of a pale blue; the sun, fully risen in the horizon, -shot forth its warm beams, which drew out the sharp and odoriferous -vapours from the ground, The atmosphere was wondrously transparent, a -slight breeze refreshed the air, and flocks of birds, lustrous with a -thousand hues, flew around, uttering joyous cries. The troop marched -gaily through the tall prairie grass, raising a cloud of dust, and -undulating like a long serpent in the endless turnings of the road. - -The spot where the chase was to come off was nearly thirty miles -distant from the village. In the desert all places are alike, tall -grass, in the midst of which the horsemen entirely disappear; stunted -shrubs, and here and there clumps of trees, whose imposing crowns rise -to an enormous height;--such was the road the Indians had to follow up -to the spot where they would find the animals they proposed chasing. - -In the prairies of Arkansas and the Upper Missouri, at the time of -our story, ostriches were still numerous, and their chase one of the -numerous amusements of the Redskins and wood rangers. It is probable -that the successive invasions of the white men, and the immense -clearings effected by fire and the axe, have now compelled them to -abandon this territory, and retire to the inaccessible desert of the -Rocky Mountains, or the sands of the Far West. - -We will say here, without any pretence at a scientific description, a -few words about this singular animal, still but little known in Europe. -The ostrich generally lives in small families of from eight to ten, -scattered along the banks of marshes, pools, and streams. They live -on fresh grass. Faithful to their native soil, they never quit the -vicinity of the water, and in the month of November lay their eggs in -the wildest part of the plain, fifty to sixty at a time, which are -brooded, solely at night, by male and female in turn, with a touching -tenderness. When the incubation is terminated, the ostrich breaks the -barren eggs with its beak, which are at once covered with flies and -insects, supplying nourishment to the young birds. The ostrich of the -Western prairies differs slightly from the _Nandus_ of the Patagonian -prairies and the African species. It is about five feet high, and four -and a half long, from the stomach to the end of the tail; its beak is -very pointed, and measures a little over five inches. - -A characteristic trait of the ostriches is their extreme curiosity. -In the Indian villages, where they live in a tamed state, it is of -frequent occurrence to see them stalking through groups of talkers, -and regarding them with fixed attention. In the plain this curiosity -is often fatal to them, for it leads them to look unhesitatingly -at everything that seems strange or unusual to them. We will give a -capital Indian story here in proof of this. - -The jaguars are very fond of ostrich meat, but unfortunately, though -their speed is so great, it is almost impossible for them to run the -birds down; but the jaguars are cunning animals, and usually obtain -by craft what they cannot manage by force. They, therefore, employ -the following stratagem. They lie on the ground as if dead, and raise -their tails in the air, where they wave them in every direction; the -ostriches, attracted by this strange spectacle, approach with great -simplicity--the rest may be guessed; they fall a prey to the cunning -jaguars. - -The hunters after a hurried march of three hours, reached a barren -and sandy plain; during the journey, very few words were exchanged -between Natah Otann and his white guests, for he rode at the head of -the column, conversing in a low voice with White Buffalo. The Indians -dismounted by the side of a stream, and exchanged their horses for -racers, which the chief had sent to the spot during the night, and -which were naturally rested and able to run for miles. Natah Otann -divided the hunting party into two equal troops, keeping the command -of the first himself, and courteously offering that of the second to -the Count. As the Frenchman, however, had never been present at such -a chase, and was quite ignorant how it was conducted, he courteously -declined. Natah Otann reflected for a few moments, and then turned to -Bright-eye:-- - -"My brother knows the ostriches?" he asked him. "Eh!" the Canadian -replied, with a smile; "Natah Otann was not yet born when I hunted -them on the prairie." - -"Good," the chief said; "then my brother will command the second band?" - -"Be it so," the hunter said, bowing: "I accept with pleasure." - -On a given signal, the first band, under Natah Otann's command, -advanced into the plain, describing a semicircle, so as to drive the -game towards a ravine, situated between two moving downs. The second -band, with which the Count and Ivon remained, was echelonned so as -to form the other half of the circle. This circle, by the horsemen's -advance, was gradually being contracted, when a dozen ostriches showed -themselves; but the male bird, standing sentry, warned the family of -the danger by a sharp cry like a boatswain's whistle. At once the -ostriches fled in a straight line rapidly, and without looking back. -All the hunters galloped off in pursuit. - -The plain, till then silent and gloomy, grew animated, and offered the -strangest appearance. The horsemen pursued the luckless animals at full -speed, raising in their passage clouds of impalpable dust. Twelve to -fifteen paces behind the game, the Indians, still galloping and burying -their spurs in the flanks of their panting horses, bent forward, -twisted their formidable clubs round their heads, and hurled them -after the animals. If they missed their aim, they stooped down without -checking their pace, and picked up the weapon, which they cast again. - -Several flocks of ostriches had been put up, and the chase then assumed -the proportions of a mad revel. Cries and hurrahs rent the air; the -clubs hurtled through the space and struck the necks, wings, and legs -of the ostriches, which, startled and mad with terror, made a thousand -feints and zigzags to escape their implacable enemies, and buffeting -their wings, tried to prick the horses with, the species of spike -with which the end of their wings is armed. Several horses reared, -and, embarrassed by the ostriches between their legs, fell with their -riders. The ostriches, profiting by the disorder, fled on, and came -within reach of the other hunters, who received them with a shower of -clubs. - -Each hunter leaped from his horse, killed the victim he had felled, -cut off its wings as a sign of triumph, and renewed the chase with -increased ardour. Ostriches and hunters rushed onwards like the -_cordonazo_, that terrible wind of the Mexican deserts, and forty -ostriches speedily encumbered the plain. Natah Otann looked round him, -and then gave the signal for retreat; the birds which had not succumbed -to this rude aggression, ran off to seek shelter. The dead birds were -carefully collected, for the ostrich is, excellent eating, and the -Indians prepare, chiefly from the meat on the breast, a dish renowned -for its delicacy and exquisite savour. The warriors then proceeded to -collect eggs, also highly esteemed, and secured an ample crop. - -Although the chase had scarce lasted two hours, the horses panted and -wanted rest before they could return to the village; hence Natah Otann -gave orders to stop. The Count had never been present at so strange -a hunt before, although ever since he had been on the prairie he had -pursued the different animals that inhabit it; hence he entered into it -with all the excitement of youth, rushing on the ostriches and felling -them with childlike pleasure. When the signal for retreat was given by -the Chief, he reluctantly left off the amusement, which at the moment -caused him such delight, and returned slowly to his comrades. Suddenly -a loud cry was raised by the Indians, and each ran to his weapons. The -Count looked around him with surprise, and felt a slight tremor. The -ostrich hunt was over; but, as frequently happens in these countries, a -far more terrible one was about to begin--the chase of the cougar.[1] - -Two of these animals had suddenly made their appearance. The Count -recovered at once, and, cocking his rifle, prepared to follow this -new species of game. Natah Otann had also noticed the wild beasts; -he ordered a dozen warriors to surround Prairie-Flower, whom he had -obliged to accompany him, or who had insisted on being present; then, -certain that the girl was, temporarily at least, in safety, he turned -to a warrior standing at his side. - -"Uncouple the dogs," he said. - -A dozen mastiffs were let loose, which howled in chorus on seeing the -wild beasts. The Indians, accustomed to see the ostrich hunt disturbed -in this way, never fail, when they go out for their favourite exercise, -to take with them dogs trained to attack the lion. About two hundred -yards from the spots where the Indians had halted, two cougars were -now crouching, with their eyes fixed on the Redskin warriors. These -animals, still young, were about the size of a calf; their heads bore -a strong, likeness to a cat's, and their soft smooth hide of silvery -yellow was dotted with black spots. - -"After them!" Natah Otann shouted. - -Horsemen and dogs rushed on the ferocious beasts with yells, cries, -and barks, capable of terrifying lions unused to such a reception. -The noble animals, motionless and amazed, lashed their flanks with -their long tails, and drew in heavy draughts of air; for a moment they -remained stationary, then suddenly bounded away. A party of hunters -galloped in a straight line to intercept their retreat, while the -others bent over their saddles, and guiding their horses with their -knees, fired their arrows and rifles, without checking the cougars -which turned furiously on the dogs, and hurled them ten yards from -them, to howl with pain. Still the mastiffs, long habituated to this -chase, watched for a favourable moment, leaped on the lions' backs, -and dug their nails in their flesh; but the latter, with one stroke -of their deadly claws, swept them off like flies, and continued their -flight. - -One of them, pierced by several arrows, and surrounded by the dogs, -rolled on the ground, raising a cloud of dust under its claws, and -uttering a fearful yell. This one the Canadian finished by putting a -bullet through its eye, but the second lion remained still unwounded, -and its leaps foiled the attack and skill of the hunters. The dogs, -now wearied, did not dare assail it. Its flight had led it a few paces -from the spot where Prairie-Flower stood: it suddenly turned at right -angles, bounded among the Indians, two of whom it ripped up, and -crouched before the young girl, ere making its leap. Prairie-Flower, -pale as a corpse, clasped her hands instinctively, uttered a stifled -cry, and fainted. New cries replied to hers, and at the moment the lion -was about to leap on the maiden, two bullets were buried in its chest. -It turned to face its new adversary; it was the Count de Beaulieu. - -"Let no one stir!" he exclaimed, stopping by a sign Natah Otann and -Bright-eye, who ran up, "this game is mine--no other than I shall kill -it." - -The Count had dismounted, and with his feet firmly planted, his rifle -at his shoulder, and eyes fixed on the lion, he waited. The lion -hesitated, cast a final glance at the prey lying a few paces from it, -and then rushed on the young man with a roar. He fired again: the -animal bit the dust, and the Count, hunting knife in hand, ran up -to it. The man and the lion rolled together on the ground, but soon -one of the combatants rose again--it was the man. Prairie-Flower was -saved. The maiden opened her eyes again, looked timidly around her, and -holding out her hand to the Frenchman. - -"Thanks!" she exclaimed, and burst into tears. - -Natah Otann walked up to her. - -"Silence!" he said, harshly; "what the Paleface has done Natah Otann -could have achieved." - -The Count smiled contemptuously, but made no reply, for he had -recognized a rival. - - -[1] The _felis discolor_ of Linnæus, or American lion. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -INDIAN DIPLOMACY. - - -Natah Otann feigned not to have perceived the Count's smile. - -"Now that you have recovered," he said to Prairie-Flower, in a gentler -tone than he at first assumed towards her, "mount your horse, and -return to the village. Red Wolf will accompany you; perhaps," he added, -with an Indian smile, "we may again come across cougars, and you are -so frightened at them, that I believe I am doing you a service in -begging you to withdraw." - -The young girl, still trembling, bowed and mounted her horse. Red Wolf -had involuntarily made a start of joy on hearing the order the chief -gave him, but the latter, occupied with his thoughts, had not surprised -it. - -"One moment," Natah Otann went on, "if living lions frighten you, I -know that in return you greatly value their furs; allow me to offer you -these." - -No one can equal the skill of Indians in flaying animals; in an instant -the two lions, over which the vultures were already hovering and -forming wide circles, were stripped of their rich hides, which were -thrown across Red Wolfs horse. That animal, terrified by the smell that -emanated from the skins, reared furiously, and almost unsaddled its -rider, who had great difficulty in restraining it. - -"Now go," the Chief said, drily, dismissing them with a haughty gesture. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf departed at a gallop; Natah Otann watched -them for a long time, then let his head fall on his breast, as he -uttered a deep sigh, and appeared plunged in gloomy thought. A moment -later he felt a hand pressing heavily on his chest; he raised his -head--White Buffalo was before him. - -"What do you want with me?" he asked, angrily. - -"Do you not know?" the old man said, looking at him fixedly. - -Natah Otann quivered. - -"It is true," he said, "the hour has arrived, you mean?" - -"Yes." - -"Are all precautions taken?" - -"All." - -"Come on then; but where are they?" - -"Look at them." - -While uttering these words, White Buffalo pointed to the Count and his -comrades lying on the grass, at the skirt of a wood, about two hundred -yards from the Indian encampment. - -"Ah, they keep aloof," the Chief observed, bitterly. - -"Is not that better for the conversation which we wish to have with -them?" - -"You are right." - -The two men then walked up to the hunters without speaking again. The -latter had really kept away, not through contempt for the Indians, but -in order to be more at liberty. What had occurred after the death of -the cougars, the brutal way in which the Chief spoke to Prairie-Flower, -had vexed the Count, and it needed all the power he possessed over -himself, and the entreaties of Bright-eye, to prevent him breaking out -in reproaches of the Chief, whose conduct appeared to him unjustifiably -coarse. - -"Hum," he said, "this man is decidedly a ruffian: I am beginning to be -of your opinion, Bright-eye." - -"Bah! that is nothing yet," the latter replied, with a shrug of his -shoulders; "we shall see plenty more, if we only remain a week with -these demons." - -While speaking, the Canadian had reloaded his rifle and pistols. - -"Do as I do," he continued; "no one knows what may happen." - -"What need of that precaution? are we not under the protection of the -Indians, whose guests we are?" - -"Possibly; but no matter, you had better follow my advice, for with -Indians you can never answer for the future." - -"There is considerable truth in what you say; what I have just seen -does not at all inspire me with confidence." - -The Count, therefore, began reloading his weapons; as for Ivon, he had -not used his. The two Indian Chiefs came up at the moment the Count -finished loading the last pistol. - -"Oh, oh!" Natah Otann said, in French, saluting the young man -with studied politeness, "have you scented any wild beast in the -neighbourhood?" - -"Perhaps so," the latter replied, as he returned his pistols to his -belt. - -"What do you mean, sir?" - -"Nothing but what I say." - -"Unfortunately for me, doubtlessly, that is so subtile, that I do not -understand it." - -"I am sorry for it, sir; but I can only reply to you by an old Latin -proverb." - -"Which is?" - -"What need to repeat it, as you do not understand Latin?" - -"Suppose I do understand it?" - -"Well, then, as you insist upon it, here it is--_si vis pacem para -bellum_." - -"Which means--" the Chief said, impertinently, while White Buffalo bit -his lips. - -"Which means--" the Count said. - -"If you wish for peace, prepare for war," White Buffalo hurriedly -interrupted. - -"It was you who said it," the Count remarked, bowing with a mocking -smile. - -The three men stood face to face, like skilful duellists, who feel -the adversary's sword before engaging, and who, having recognized -themselves to be of equal strength, redouble their prudence before -dealing a decisive thrust. - -Bright-eye, though not understanding much of this skirmish of words, -had still, through the distrust which was the basis of his character, -given Ivon a side-glance, and both, though apparently inattentive, -were ready for any event. After the Count's last remark there was a -lengthened silence, which Natah Otann was the first to break. - -"You believe yourself to be among enemies, then?" he asked, in a tone -of wounded pride. - -"I did not say so," he replied, "and such is not my thought; still, I -confess that all I have seen during the last few days is so strange to -me, that, in spite of all my attempts, I can form no settled opinion -either about men or things, and that causes me deep reflection." - -"Ah!" the Indian said, coldly, "and what is it so strange you see -around you? Would you be kind enough to inform me?" - -"I see no harm in doing so, if you wish it." - -"You will cause me intense pleasure by explaining yourself." - -"I am quite ready to do so; the more so, as I have ever been accustomed -to express my thoughts freely, and I see no reason for disguising them -today." - -The two Chiefs bowed, and said nothing; the Count rested his hands on -the muzzle of his gun, and continued, while regarding them fixedly-- - -"My faith, gentlemen, since you wish me to unveil my thoughts, you -shall have them in their entirety: we are here in the wilds of the -American prairies, that is, in the wildest countries of the new -Continent; you are always on hostile terms with the whites; you -Blackfeet are regarded as the most untameable, savage, and ferocious of -the Indians; or, in other words, the most devoid of the civilization of -all the aboriginal nations." - -"Well," Natah Otann remarked, "what do you find strange in that? Is -it our fault if our despoilers, since the discovery of the new world, -have tracked us like wild beasts, driven us back in the desert, and -regarded us as beings scarcely endowed with the instinct of the brute? -You must blame them, and not us. By what right do you reproach us with -a brutalization and barbarism, produced by our persecutors and not by -ourselves?" - -"You have not understood me, sir: if, instead of interrupting me, you -had listened patiently a few minutes longer, you would have seen that I -not merely do not reproach you for that brutalization, but pity it in -my heart; for, although I have been only a few months in the desert, -I have been on several occasions in a position to judge the unhappy -race to which you belong, and appreciate the good qualities it still -possesses, and which the odious tyranny of the whites has not succeeded -in eradicating, despite all the means employed to attain that end." - -The two Chiefs exchanged a glance of satisfaction; the generous words -uttered by the young man gave them hopes as to the success of their -negotiation. - -"Pardon me, and pray continue," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"I will do so:" the Count went on: "I repeat it, it was not that -barbarism which astonished me, for I supposed it to be greater than -it really is: what seemed strange to me was to find in the heart of -the desert, where we now are, amid the ferocious Indians who surround -us, two men, two Chiefs of these self-same Indians--I will not say -civilized, for the word is not strong enough--but utterly conversant -with all the secrets of the most advanced and refined civilization, -speaking my maternal tongue with the most extreme purity, and seeming, -in a word, to have nothing Indian about them, save the dress they -wear. It seemed strange to me that two men, for an object I know not, -changing in turn their manners and fashions, are at one moment savage -Indians, at another perfect gentlemen; but instead of trying to raise -their countrymen from the barbarism in which they pine, they wallow in -it with them, feigning to be as ignorant and cruel as themselves. I -confess to you, gentlemen, that all this not only appeared strange to -me, but even frightened me." - -"Frightened!" the two Chiefs exclaimed, simultaneously. - -"Yes, frightened!" the Count continued, quickly; "for a life of -continual feints, such as you lead, must conceal some dark plot. -Lastly, I am frightened, because your conduct towards me, the urgency -with which you sought to attract me amongst you, causes involuntary -suspicions to spring up in my heart as to your secret intentions." - -"And what are those suspicions, sir?" Natah Otann asked, haughtily. - -"I am afraid that you wish to make me your accomplice in some -scandalous deed." - -These words, pronounced vehemently, burst like a thunderbolt on the -ears of the two strange Chiefs; they were terrified by the perspicuity -of the young man, and for several moments knew not what to say, to -disculpate themselves. - -"Sir!" Natah Otann at length exclaimed, violently. - -White Buffalo checked him by a majestic gesture. - -"It is my duty," he said, "to reply to our guest's words: in his turn, -after the frank and loyal explanation he has given us, he has a right -to one equally frank on our side." - -"I am listening to you," the young man said, coolly. - -"Of the two men now standing before you, one is your fellow countryman." - -"Ah!" the Count muttered. - -"That countryman is myself." - -The young man bowed coldly. - -"I suspected it," he said, "and it is a further reason to heighten my -suspicions." - -Natah Otann made a gesture. - -"Let him speak," White Buffalo said, holding him back. - -"What I have to say will not be long, sir: it is my opinion that the -man who consents to exchange the blessings of European civilization for -a precarious life on the prairie; who breaks all the ties of family -and friendship which attached him to his country, in order to adopt an -Indian life--in my opinion that man must have many disgraceful actions -to reproach himself with, and his remorse forces him to offer society -expiation for them." - -The old man's brow contracted, and a livid pallor covered his face. - -"You are very young, sir," he said, "to have the right to bring such -accusations against an old man whose actions, life, and even name are -unknown to you." - -"That is true, sir," the Count answered, nobly. "Pardon any insult my -words may have conveyed." - -"Why should I be angry with you?" he continued, in a sad voice; "a -child born yesterday, whose eyes opened amid songs and fêtes, whose -life, which counts but a few days, has been spent gently and calmly in -the peace and prosperity of that beloved France which I weep for every -day." - -"Who are you, sir?" he asked. - -"Who I am?" the old man said, bitterly. "I am one of those crushed -Titans who sat in the Convention of 1793." - -The Count fell back a pace, letting fall the hand he had taken. - -"Oh!" he said. - -The exile looked at him searchingly. - -"Enough of this," he said, raising his head and assuming a firm and -resolute tone; "you are in our hands, sir, any resistance will be -useless; so listen to our propositions." - -The Count shrugged his shoulders. - -"You throw off the mask," he said, "and I prefer that; but allow me one -remark before listening to you." - -"What is it?" - -"I am of noble birth, as you are aware, and hence we are old enemies; -on whatever ground we may meet, we can only stand face to face, never -side by side." - -"They are ever the same," the other muttered; "this haughty race may be -broken, but not bent." - -The Count bowed, and folded his arms on his breast. - -"I am waiting," he said. - -"Time presses," the exile continued; "any discussion between us would -be superfluous, as we cannot agree." - -"At least, that is clear," the Count remarked, with a smile; "now for -the rest." - -"It is this: in two days, all the Indian nations will rise as one man -to crush the American tyranny." - -"What do I care for that? Have I come so far to dabble in politics?" - -The exile repressed a movement of anger. - -"Unfortunately, your will is not free; you are here to obey our -conditions, and not to impose your own: you must accept or die." - -"Oh, oh, always your old means, as it seems, but I will be patient: -come, what is it you expect from me?" - -"We demand," he went on, laying a stress on every word, "that you -should take the command of all the warriors, and direct the expedition -in person." - -"Why I, rather than anyone else?" - -"Because you alone can play the part we give you." - -"Nonsense--you are mad." - -"You must be so, if, since your stay among the Indians, you have not -seen that you would have been killed long ago, had we not been careful -to spread reports about you, which gained you general respect, in spite -of your rashness and blind confidence in yourself." - -"Eh, then, this has been prepared a long time?" - -"For centuries." - -"Hang it!" the Count went on, still sarcastically, "what have I to do -in all this?" - -"Oh, sir, not much," the White Buffalo answered, with a sneer; "and -anyone else would have suited us just as well; unfortunately for you, -you have an extraordinary likeness to the man who can alone march at -our head; and as this man died long ago, it is not probable that he -will come from his grave expressly to guide us to battle; hence you -must take his place." - -"Very well; and would there be any indiscretion in asking you the name -of the man to whom I bear so wonderful a likeness?" - -"Not the slightest," the old man replied, coldly; "the more so, because -you have doubtlessly already heard his name; it is Motecuhzoma." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Come!" he said, "it is a capital joke; but I find it a little too -long. Now, a word in my turn." - -"Speak." - -"Whatever you may do, whatever means you may employ, I will never -consent to serve you in any way. Now, as I am your guest, placed under -the guarantee of your honour, I request you to let me pass." - -"That resolution is decided." - -"Yes." - -"You will not change it." - -"Whatever happens." - -"We shall see that," the old man remarked, coldly. - -The Count looked at him contemptuously. - -"Make way there," he said, resolutely. - -The two Chiefs shrugged their shoulders. - -"We are savages," Natah Otann said, gibingly. - -"Make way!" the Count repeated, as he cocked his rifle. - -Natah Otann whistled; in an instant, some fifteen Indians rushed from -the wood, and fell on the white men, who, however, though surprised, -endured the shock bravely. Standing instinctively back to back, with -shoulder supported against shoulder, they suddenly formed a tremendous -triangle, before which the Redskins were constrained to halt. - -"Oh, oh," Bright-eye said, "I fancy we are going to have some fun." - -"Yes," Ivon muttered, crossing himself piously; "but we shall be -killed." - -"Probably," the Canadian said. - -"Fall back!" the Count ordered. - -The three men then began to retire slowly toward the wood, the only -shelter that offered, without separating, and still pointing their -rifles at the Indians. The Redskins are brave, even rash; that question -cannot be disguised or doubted; but with them courage is calculated; -they never fight save to gain an object, and are not fond of risking -their lives unprofitably. They hesitated. - -"I fancy we did well to reload our arms," the Count said, ironically, -but with perfect calmness. - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin. - -"No matter, I am very frightened," Ivon groaned his eyes sparkling and -his lips quivering. - -"_Eha_, sons of blood!" Natah Otann shouted, as he cocked his gun. "Do -three Palefaces frighten you? Forward! Forward!" - -The Indians uttered their war yell, and rushed on the hunters. The -other Indians, warned of what was happening by the shouts of their -comrades, ran up hurriedly to take part in the fight. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. - - -We must leave our three valiant champions for a few moments in their -present critical position, to speak of one of the important persons of -this story, whom we have neglected too long. - -Immediately after the departure of the Indians, John Black, with -that American activity equalled in no other country, set to work, -beginning his clearing. The peril he had incurred, and which he had -only escaped by a miracle incomprehensible to him, had caused him to -make very earnest reflections. He understood that in the isolated spot -where he was, he could not expect assistance from anyone; that he -must alone confront the danger that would doubtlessly menace him; and -that, consequently, he must, before all else, think about defending -the settlement against a _coup de main_, Major Melville had heard, -through his _engagés_ and trappers, of the colonist; but the latter was -perfectly ignorant that he was only ten miles from Fort Mackenzie. His -resolution once formed, John Black carried it out immediately. - -To those people who have not seen American clearings, the processes -employed by the squatters, and the skill with which they cut down -the largest trees in a few moments, would appear as prodigies. Black -considered that he had not a moment to lose, and, aided by his son -and servants, set to work. The temporary camp, as we have seen, was -situated on a rather high mound, which commanded the plain for a -long distance. It was here that the colonist determined to build his -house. He began by planting all round the platform of the hill a row -of enormous stakes, twelve feet high, and fastened together by large -bolts. This first enceinte finished, he dug behind it a trench about -eight feet wide and fifteen deep, throwing up the earth on the edge, -so as to form a second line of defence. Then, in the interior of this -improvised fortress, which, if defended by a resolute garrison, was -impregnable, unless cannon were brought up to form a breach--for the -abrupt slope of the hill rendered any assault impossible--he laid the -foundation of his family's future abode. The temporary arrangements -he had made allowed him to continue his further labours less hastily; -through his prodigious activity, he could defy the attacks of all the -prowlers on the prairie. - -His wife and daughter had actively helped him, for they understood, -better than the rest of the family, the utility of these defensive -works. The poor ladies, little used to the rude toil they had been -engaged in, needed rest. Black had not spared himself more than the -rest. He understood the justice of his wife and daughter's entreaties, -and as he had nothing to fear for the present, he generously granted a -whole day's rest to the little colony. - -The events that marked the squatter's arrival in the province had left -a profound impression on the hearts of Mrs. Black and her daughter. -Diana, especially, had maintained a recollection of the Count, which -time, far from weakening, rendered only the more vivid. The Count's -chivalrous character, the noble way in which he had acted, and--let us -speak the truth--his physical qualities, all combined to render him -dear to the young girl, whose life had hitherto passed away calmly, -nothing happening to cast a cloud over her heart. Many times since the -young man's departure she stopped in her work, raised her head, looked -anxiously around her, and then resumed her toil, while stifling a sigh. - -Mothers are quick-sighted, especially those who, like Mrs. Black, -really love their daughters. What her husband and son did not suspect, -then, she guessed merely by looking for a few minutes at the poor -girl's pale face, her eyes surrounded by a dark ring, her pensive look, -and inattention. - -Diana was in love. - -Mrs. Black looked around her. No one could be the object of that love. -So far back as she could remember, she called to mind no one her -daughter had appeared to distinguish before their departure from the -clearing, where she had passed her youth. Besides, when the little -party set out in search of a fresh home, Diana seemed joyful, she -prattled gaily as a bird, and appeared to trouble herself about none of -those she left behind. - -After these reflections, the mother sighed in her turn; for, if she had -divined her daughter's love, she had been unable to discover the man -who was the object of that love. Mrs. Black resolved to cross-question -her daughter as soon as she happened to be alone with her; till then -she feigned to be in perfect ignorance. The day of rest granted by John -Black to his family would probably offer her the favourable opportunity -she awaited so impatiently. Hence she joyfully received the news which -her husband gave her in the evening after prayers, which, according to -the custom of the family, were said in common before going to bed. - -The next morning, at sunrise, according to their daily habit, the two -ladies prepared the breakfast, while the servants led the cattle down -to the river. - -"Wife," the squatter said, at breakfast, "William and I intend, as -work is suspended for today, to mount our horses, and go and visit the -neighbourhood, which we have not seen yet." - -"Do not go too far, my friend, and be well armed; you know that in the -desert dangerous meetings are not rare." - -"Yes; so be at ease. Although I believe that we have nothing to fear -for the present, I will be prudent. Would you not feel inclined to -accompany us, as well as Diana, and take a look at your new domain?" - -The girl's eyes glistened with joy at this proposition; she opened her -lips to reply; but her mother laid her hand on her mouth, and spoke -instead of her. - -"You must excuse us, my dear," she said, with a certain degree of -vivacity, "but women, as you know, have always something to do. Diana -and I will put everything in order during your absence, which our busy -labours of the last few days have prevented us doing." - -"As you please, wife." - -"Besides," she continued, with a smile; "as we shall probably remain a -long time here--" - -"I fancy so," the squatter interrupted. - -"Well, I shall not lack opportunity of visiting our domains, as you -call them, another day." - -"Excellently argued, ma'am, and I am quite of your opinion; William -and I will therefore take our ride alone; I would ask you not to feel -alarmed if we do not come home till rather late." - -"No; but on condition that you return before night." - -"Agreed." - -They spoke of something else; still, towards the end of the meal, Sam, -without suspecting it, brought the conversation back nearly to the same -subject. - -"I am certain, James," he said to his comrade, "that the young man was -not a Canadian, as you fancy, but a Frenchman." - -"Who are you talking about?" the squatter asked. - -"The gentleman who accompanied the Redskins, and made them give us back -our cattle." - -"Yes, without counting the other obligations we are under to him, for -if I am now the owner of a clearing, it was through him." - -"He is a worthy gentleman," Mrs. Black said, with a purpose. - -"Yes, yes," Diana murmured, in an indistinct voice. - -"He is a Frenchman," Black asserted. "There cannot be a doubt of that: -those Canadian scoundrels are incapable of acting in the way he did to -us." - -Like all the North Americans, Black heartily detested the Canadians; -why he did so, he could not have said, but this hatred was innate in -his heart. - -"Bah!" William said, "what matter his country, he has a fine heart, -and is a true gentleman. For my part, father, I know a certain William -Black, who is ready to die for him." - -"By heaven!" the squatter exclaimed, as he struck the table with his -fist, "you would be only doing your duty, and discharging a sacred -debt: I would give anything to see him again, and prove to him that I -am not ungrateful." - -"Well spoken, father," William said joyously; "honest men are too rare -in the world for us not to cling to those we know; if we should meet -again, I will show him what sort of man I am." - -During this rapid interchange of words, Diana said nothing; she -listened, with outstretched neck, beaming face, and a smile on her -lips, happy to hear a man thus spoken of, whom she unconsciously loved -since she first saw him. Mrs. Black thought it prudent to turn the -conversation. - -"There is another person to whom we owe great obligations; for if -Heaven had not sent her at the right moment to our help, we should have -been pitilessly massacred by the Indians; have you already forgotten -that person?" - -"God forbid!" the squatter exclaimed, quickly, "the poor creature did -me too great a service for me to forget her." - -"But who on earth can she be?" William said. - -"I should be much puzzled to say; I believe even that the Indians and -trappers, who cross the prairies, could give us no information about -her." - -"She only appeared and disappeared," James observed. - -"Yes, but her passage, so rapid as it was, left deep traces," Mrs. -Black said. - -"Her mere presence was enough to terrify the Indians. That woman I -shall always regard as a good genius, whatever opinion may be expressed -about her in my presence." - -"We owe it to her that we did not suffer atrocious torture." - -"May God bless the worthy creature!" the squatter exclaimed; "if ever -she have need of us, she can come in all certainty; I and all I possess -are at her disposal." - -The meal was over, and they rose from the table. Sam had saddled two -horses. John Black and his son took their pistols, bowie knives, and -rifles, mounted their horses, and after promising once again not to be -late, they cautiously descended the winding path leading into the plain. - -Diana and her mother then began putting things to rights, as had been -arranged. When Mrs. Black had watched the couple out of sight on the -prairie, and assured herself that the two servants were engaged outside -in mending some harness, she took her needlework, and requested her -daughter to come and sit by her side. Diana obeyed with a certain -inward apprehension, for never had her mother behaved to her so -mysteriously. For a few minutes the two ladies worked silently opposite -each other. At length Mrs. Black stopped her needle, and looked at her -daughter; the latter continued her sewing, without appearing to notice -this intermission. - -"Diana," she asked her, "have you nothing to say to me?" - -"I, mother?" the young girl said, raising her head with amazement. - -"Yes, you, my child." - -"Pardon me, mother," she went on, with a certain tremor in her voice, -"but I do not understand you." - -Mrs. Black sighed. - -"Yes," she murmured, "and so it ever must be; a moment arrives when -young girls have unconsciously a secret from their mothers." - -The poor lady wiped away a tear; Diana rose quickly, and throwing her -arms tenderly round her mother-- - -"A secret? I, a secret from you, mother? Oh, how could you suppose such -a thing?" - -"Child!" Mrs. Black replied, with a smile of ineffable kindness, "a -mother's eye cannot be deceived;" and putting her finger on her -daughter's palpitating heart, she said, "your secret is there." - -Diana blushed, and drew back, confused. - -"Alas!" the good lady continued, "I do not address reproaches to you, -poor dear and well-beloved child. You unconsciously submit to the laws -of nature; I too, at your age, was as you are at this moment, and when -my mother asked my secret, like you, I replied that I had none, for I -was myself ignorant of that secret." - -The girl hid her face, all bathed in tears, in her mother's breast. The -latter gently moved the flowing locks of light hair which covered her -daughter's brow, and giving her a kiss, said, with that accent which -mothers alone possess-- - -"Come, my dear Diana, dry your tears, do not trouble yourself so; only -tell me your feelings during the last few days." - -"Alas! my kind mother," the girl replied, smiling through her tears, -"I understand nothing myself, and suffer without knowing why; I am -restless, languid; everything disgusts and wearies me, and yet I fancy -there has been no change in my life." - -"You are mistaken, child," Mrs. Black answered, gravely, "your heart -has spoken without your knowledge; thus, instead of the careless, -laughing girl you were, you have become a woman, you have thought, your -forehead has turned pale, and you suffer." - -"Alas!" Diana murmured. - -"Come, how long have you been so sad?" - -"I know not, mother." - -"Think again." - -"I fancy it is--." - -Mrs. Black, understanding her daughter's hesitation, finished the -sentence for her. - -"Since the day after our arrival here, is it not?" - -Diana raised to her mother her large blue eyes, in which profound -amazement could be read. - -"It is true," she murmured. - -"Your sorrow began at the moment when the strangers, who so nobly aided -us, took their leave?" - -"Yes," the girl said, in a low voice, with downcast eyes and blushing -forehead. - -Mrs. Black continued smilingly her interesting interrogatory. - -"On seeing them depart, your heart was contracted, your cheeks turned -pale, you shuddered involuntarily, and, if I had not held you--I who -watched you carefully, poor darling--you would have fallen. Is not all -this true?" - -"It is true, mother," the girl said, with a more assured voice. - -"Good; and the man from whom you regret being separated--he who causes -your present sorrow and suffering, is--?" - -"Mother!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into her arms, and hiding her -shamed face in her bosom. - -"It is--?" she continued. - -"Edward!" the girl said, in an inarticulate voice, and melting into -tears. - -Mrs. Black directed on her daughter a glance of supreme pity, embraced -her ardently several times, and said, in a soft voice,-- - -"You see that you had a secret, my child, since you love him." - -"Alas!" she murmured, naively, "I do not know it, mother." - -The good lady nodded her head with satisfaction, led her daughter back -to her chair, and herself sitting down, said to her,-- - -"And now that we have had a thorough explanation, and there is no -longer a secret between us, suppose we have a little talk, Diana." - -"I am quite willing, mother." - -"Listen to me, then; my age and experience, leaving out of sight the -position in which I stand to you, authorize me in giving you advice. -Will you hear it?" - -"Oh, mother! you know I respect and love you." - -"I know it, dear child; I know too, as I have never left you since your -birth, and have incessantly watched over you, how generous your mind -is, how noble your heart, and how capable of self-devotion. I must -cause you great pain, poor girl; but it is better to attend to the -green wound, than allow time to render the evil incurable." - -"Alas!" - -"This raging love, which has unconsciously entered your heart, cannot -be very great; it is rather the awakening of the mind to those -gentle feelings and noble instincts, which embellish existence and -characterize the woman, than a passion; your love is only in reality -a momentary exaltation of the brain's feverish imagination; like all -young girls, you aspire to the unknown, you seek an ideal, the reality -of which does not exist for you; but you do not love. Nay, more, you -cannot love; the feeling you experience at the moment is entirely in -the head, and the heart goes for nothing." - -"Mother!" the young girl interrupted. - -"Dear Diana," she continued, taking her hand, and pressing it, "let -me make you suffer a little now, to spare you at a later date the -horrible pangs which would produce the despair of your whole existence. -The man you fancy you love you will probably never see again; he is -ignorant of your attachment, and does not share it. I am speaking cold -and implacable reason; it is logical, and spares us much grief, while -passion is never so, and always produces pain; but supposing for a -moment that this young man loved you, you could never be his." - -"But if he love me, mother," she said, timidly. - -"Poor babe!" the mother continued, with an accent of sublime pity. -"Do you know even whether he be free? Who has told you that he is not -married? But I will allow it for a moment: this young man is noble; -he belongs to one of the oldest and proudest families in Europe; -his fortune is immense. Do you believe that he will ever consent to -abandon all the social advantages his position guarantees him?--that he -will bow his family pride to give his hand to the daughter of a poor -American squatter?" - -"It is true," she murmured, letting her head fall in her hands. - -"And even if he did so, though it is impossible, would you consent to -follow him, and leave in the desert a father and mother, who have only -you, and who would die of despair ere your departure? Come, Diana, -answer, would you consent?" - -"Oh, never, never, mother!" she exclaimed, madly "Oh, I love you most -of all!" - -"Good, my darling; that is how I wished to see you. I am happy that my -words have found the road to your heart. This man is kind; he has done -us immense service; we owe him gratitude, but nothing more." - -"Yes, yes, mother," she murmured, with a sob. - -"You must only see in him a friend, a brother," she continued, firmly. - -"I will try, mother." - -"You promise it me?" - -The girl hesitated for a moment. Suddenly she raised her head, and -said, bravely,-- - -"I thank you, mother. I swear to you not to forget him, that would -be impossible, but so thoroughly to conceal my love, that, with the -exception of yourself, no one shall suspect it." - -"Come to my arms, my child; you understand your duty; you are noble and -good." - -At this moment James entered. - -"Mistress," he said, "the master is coming back, but there are several -persons with him." - -"Wipe your eyes, and follow me, dear; let us go and see what has -happened." - -And, stooping down to her daughter's ear, she whispered,-- - -"When we are alone, we will speak of him." - -"Yes, mother," Diana said, almost joyfully, "Oh, how good you are, and -how I love you." - -They went out, and looked in the direction of the plain. At a -considerable distance from the fort, they noticed a party of four or -five persons, at the head of whom were John Black and his son William. - -"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs. Black said, anxiously. - -"We shall soon know, mother; calm yourself; they seem to be riding too -gently for us to feel any alarm." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -IVON. - - -The Count and his two companions, as we have seen, bravely awaited the -attack of the Indians; it was terrible. For an instant there was a -horrible mêlée hand to hand; then the Indians fell back to draw breath, -and begin again. Ten corpses lay at the feet of the three men, who were -motionless and firm as a block of granite. - -"By heavens!" the Count said, as he wiped away, with the back of his -hand, the perspiration mingled with blood that stood in large beads on -his forehead, "it is a glorious fight." - -"Yes," Bright-eye replied, carelessly; "but it is mortal." - -"What matter, if we die like men?" - -"Hum! I am not of that opinion. As long as there is a chance, we must -seize it." - -"But none is left us!" - -"Perhaps there is; but let me act." - -"I ask no better. Still I confess to you that I find this fight -glorious." - -"It is really very agreeable; but it would be much more so, if we lived -to recount it." - -"On my word, that is true. I did not think of that." - -"Yes, but I did." - -The Canadian stooped down to Ivon, and whispered some words in his ear. - -"Yes," the Breton replied, "provided I am not afraid." - -"Bravo!" the hunter said, with a smile; "you will do what you can. That -is agreed?" - -"Agreed." - -"Look out, comrades," the Count shouted; "here are the enemy!" - -In truth, the Indians were ready to renew the attack. Natah Otann and -White Buffalo were resolved on taking the Count alive, and without a -wound; they had consequently given their warriors orders not to employ -their firearms, content themselves with parrying the blows dealt them, -but take him at every risk. During the few moments' respite which the -Indians had allowed the white men, the other Indians had run up to take -part in the fight; so that the hunters, surrounded on all sides, had to -make head against at least forty Redskins. It would have been madness -or blind temerity to attempt opposing such a mass of enemies; and yet -the white men did not appear to dream of asking quarter. At the moment -Natah Otann was going to give the signal for attack, White Buffalo, who -had hitherto stood aloof, gloomy and thoughtful, interposed,-- - -"A moment!" he said. - -"For what good?" the Chief remarked. - -"Let me make the attempt. Perhaps they will recognize that a struggle -is impossible, and consent to accept our propositions." - -"I doubt it," Natah Otann muttered, shaking his head; "they appear very -resolute." - -"Let me try it. You know how necessary it is for the success of our -plans that we should seize this man?" - -"Unfortunately; if we do not take care, he will be killed." - -"That is what I wish to avoid." - -"Try it then; but I am convinced you will fail." - -"Who knows? I can try, at any rate." - -White Buffalo walked a few paces in advance, and was then about six -yards from the Count. - -"What do you want?" the young man said. "If I did not involuntarily -know that you are a Frenchman, I should have long ago put a bullet into -your chest." - -"Fire!--what stops you?" the exile replied, in a sad voice. "Do you -believe that I fear death?" - -"Enough talking. Retire! or I will fire." - -And he levelled his rifle at him. - -"I wish to say one word to you." - -"Speak quickly, and be off." - -"I offer you and your comrades your lives, if you will surrender." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Nonsense," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders; "do you take us for -fools? We were the guests of your companions, and they have impudently -violated the law of nations." - -"That is your last word, then?" - -"The last, by Jove! You must have lived a long time among the Indians -to have forgotten that Frenchmen would sooner die than be cowards." - -"Your blood be on your own heads, then." - -"So be it, odious renegade, who fight with savages against your -brothers." - -This insult struck the old man to the heart; he bent a fearful glance -on the young man, turned pale as death and withdrew, tottering like a -drunkard, and muttering, in a low voice,-- - -"Oh, these nobles!" - -"Well?" Natah Otann asked him. - -"He refuses," he answered quickly. - -"I was sure of it. Now it is our turn." - -Raising to his lips his war whistle, he produced a shrill and -lengthened sound, to which the Indians responded with a frightful yell, -and rushed like a legion of demons on the three men, who received them -without yielding an inch. The mêlée recommenced in all its fury; the -three men clubbed their rifles, and dealt crushing blows around. Ivon -performed prodigies of valour, rising and sinking his rifle with the -regularity of a pendulum, smashing a man at every blow, and muttering,-- - -"Ouf, there's another: holy Virgin, I feel my terror coming upon me." - -Still the circle drew closer round the three men; others took the -places of the Indians who fell, and were in their turn pushed onward by -those behind. The hunters were weary of striking. Their arms did not -fall with the same vigour; their blows failed in regularity; the blood -rose to their heads; their eyes were injected with blood, and they had -a dizziness in their ears. - -"We are lost!" the Count muttered. - -"Courage!" Bright-eye yelled, as he smashed in the skull of an Indian. - -"It is not courage that fails me, but strength," the young man -answered, in a fainting voice. - -"Forward, forward!" Natah Otann repeated, bounding like a demon round -the three men. - -"Now, Ivon, now!" Bright-eye cried out. - -"Good bye," the Breton replied. - -And turning his terrible weapon round his head, he rushed into the -densest throng of the Indians. - -"Follow me, Count," Bright-eye went on. - -"Come on then," the latter shouted. - -The two men executed on the opposite side the manoeuvre attempted by -the Breton. Ivon, the coward you know, seemed to have at the moment -entirely forgotten his fear of being speared; he appeared, like -Briareus, to have a hundred arms to level the numerous assailants who -incessantly rose before him, and cleft his way through the throng. -Fortunately for the Breton, most of the Indians had rushed in pursuit -of game more valuable to them, that is, the Count and the Canadian, who -had redoubled their efforts, though already so prodigious. - -While still fighting, Ivon had reached the skirt of the wood, about -three or four yards from the spot where the horses were tied. This -was probably what the Breton wished for. So soon as he found himself -in a straight line with the horses, instead of pushing forward as he -had hitherto done, he began to fall back step to step, so as to arrive -close to them. Still, he always fought with that cold resolution which -distinguishes the Bretons, and renders them such terrible foemen. - -Suddenly, when he found himself near enough to the horses, Ivon gave a -parting blow to the nearest Indian, sent him staggering backwards with -a dashed-in skull, took a panther leap, and reached the Count's horse. -In a second he had mounted, dug his spurs into the flanks of the noble -animal, and galloped off, after knocking down two Indians who tried to -stop him. - -"Hurrah! saved! saved!" he shouted, in a voice of thunder, as he -disappeared in the forest, where the Blackfeet did not dare to follow -him. - -The Redskins stood stupefied by such a prodigious flight. The cry -uttered by Ivon was doubtlessly a signal agreed on between him and -Bright-eye; for, so soon as he heard it, the hunter, by a hurried -movement, seized the Count's arm as he was in the act of striking. - -"What on earth are you about?" the latter said, turning to him angrily. - -"I am saving you," the hunter replied, coolly; "throw down your -weapon!--We surrender," he then exclaimed. - -"You will explain your conduct, I presume?" the Count continued. - -"Be of good cheer; you will approve it." - -"Be it so." - -And he threw the gun down. The Indians, whom the hunters' heroic -defence kept at a distance, rushed upon them so soon as they saw they -were disarmed, Natah Otann and White Buffalo hurried up; the two men -already were thrown down on the sand, when the Chief interposed. - -"Sir," he said, "you are my prisoner; and you too, Bright-eye." - -The young man shrugged his shoulders with contempt. - -"Reckon up what your victory has already cost you," the hunter replied, -with a sardonic smile, and pointing to the numerous corpses that lay on -the plain. Natah Otann, however, pretended not to hear this remark. - -"If you will give me your word of honour not to escape, gentlemen," -White Buffalo said, "you will be unloosed, and your weapons restored to -you." - -"Is this another trap you are laying for us?" the Count asked, -haughtily. - -"Bah!" Bright-eye said, with a significant glance at his comrade, "we -will give our word for four-and-twenty hours; after that, we will -see." - -"You hear, gentlemen," the young man said; "this hunter and myself -pledge our words for four-and-twenty hours. Does that suit you? Of -course, at the end of that time, we are free to recall it." - -"Or to pledge it again," the Canadian added, with a smile; "what do we -risk by doing so?" - -The two Chiefs exchanged a few whispered words. - -"We accept," Natah Otann at length said. - -At a sign from him, the prisoners' bonds were cut, and they rose. - -"Hum!" Bright-eye said, stretching himself with delight, "it does one -good to have the use of his limbs. Bah! I knew they would not kill me -this time, either." - -"Here are your horses and arms, gentlemen," the Chief said. - -"Permit me," the Count remarked coolly, drawing his watch from his -pocket, "it is now half-after seven; you have our parole till the same -time tomorrow evening." - -"Very good," White Buffalo said, with a bow. - -"And now, where are you going to take us, if you please?" the hunter -asked, with a crafty look. - -"To the village!" - -"Thank you." - -The two men jumped into their saddles, and followed the Indians, who -only waited for them to start. Ten minutes later, this place, on which -so many events had occurred during the day, became again calm and -silent. - -We will leave the Count and the hunter returning to the village under -good escort, to follow the track of Ivon. - -After leaving the battlefield, the latter rode straight ahead, not -caring to lose precious time in looking for a path; for the moment all -were good, provided that they bore him from the enemies he had so -providentially escaped. Still, after galloping for about an hour across -the wood, reassured by the perfect silence that prevailed around him, -he gradually checked his horse's speed. It was high time for this idea -to occur to him, as the poor horse, so harshly treated, was beginning -to break down. The Breton profited by this slight truce to reload his -weapons. - -"I am not brave," he said in a low voice, "but by Jove! as my poor -master says, the first scamp that attempts to bar my way, I will blow -out his brains, so surely as my name is Ivon." - -And the worthy man would have done as he said, we feel assured. After -advancing a few hundred yards, Ivon looked around, stopped his horse, -and dismounted. - -"What is the use of going any farther?" he said, resuming his -soliloquy; "my horse wants rest, and I shall not be the worse for a -halt. As well here as elsewhere." - -On this, he took off his horse's saddle, carried his master's -portmanteau to the foot of a tree, and began lighting a fire. - -"How quickly night comes on in this confounded country," he muttered; -"it is hardly eight o'clock, and it is as black as in an oven." - -While discoursing thus all alone, he had collected a considerable -quantity of dry wood; he returned to the spot he had selected for -camping, piled up the wood, struck a light, knelt, and began blowing -with all the strength of his lungs to make it catch. In a moment he -raised his head to breathe; but uttered a yell of terror, and almost -fell backwards. He had seen, about three paces from the fire, two -persons silently watching him. The first moment of surprise past, the -Breton bounded on his feet, and cocked his pistols. - -"Confuse you," he shouted, "you gave me a pretty fright; but no matter, -we will see." - -"My brother may be at rest," a soft voice replied, in bad English, "we -do not wish to do him any harm." - -As a Breton, Ivon spoke nearly as good English as he did French. On -hearing these words, he bent forward, and looked. "Oh!" he said, "the -Indian girl." - -"Yes, it is I," Prairie-Flower answered, as she stepped forward. - -Her companion followed her, and Ivon recognized Red Wolf. - -"You are welcome," he remarked, "to my poor encampment." - -"Thanks," she answered. - -"How is it that you are here?" - -"And you?" she said, answering one question by another. - -"Oh, I!" he said, shaking his head, "that is a sad story." - -"What does my brother mean?" Red Wolf asked. - -"Good, good," the Breton said, turning his head; "that is my business, -and not yours. First, tell me what brings you to me, and I will then -see if I may confide to you what has happened to my master and myself." - -"My brother is prudent," Prairie-Flower answered, "he is right: -prudence is good on the prairie." - -"Hum! I wish my master had heard you make that remark, perhaps he would -not be where he now is." - -Prairie-Flower gave a start of terror. - -"Wah! has any misfortune happened to him?" she said, in an agonized -voice. - -Ivon looked at her. - -"You appear to take an interest in him?" - -"He is brave," she exclaimed, passionately; "this morning he killed -the cougars that threatened Prairie-Flower; she has a heart--she will -remember." - -"That is true; quite true, young lady," he said; "he saved your life. -Tell me first, though, how it is we should have met in this forest." - -"Listen, then, as you insist." - -The Breton bowed. To all his other qualities Ivon added that of being -as obstinate as an Andalusian mule. Once the worthy man had taken a -theory into his head, nothing could turn him from it. We must grant, -however, that he had at present excellent reason to distrust the -Indians. - -Prairie-Flower continued:-- - -"After Glass-eye had so bravely killed the cougars," she said, with -considerable emotion, "the great Chief, Natah Otann, was angry with -Prairie-Flower, and ordered her to return to the village with Red Wolf." - -"I know all that," Ivon interrupted, "I was there; and that is why it -seems to me so extraordinary to meet you here when you should have been -on the road to the village." - -The Indian girl gave one of those little pouts peculiar to her, and -which rendered her so seductive. - -"The pale man is as curious as an old squaw," she said, with an accent -of ill-humour; "why does he wish to know Prairie-Flower's secret? She -has in her heart a little bird which sings pleasant songs to her, and -attracts her in the footsteps of the Paleface who saved her." - -"Ah!" said the Breton, partly catching the girl's meaning; "that is -different." - -"Instead of returning to the village," Red Wolf interposed, -"Prairie-Flower wished to return to the side of Glass-eye." - -The Breton reflected for a long time; the two Indians watched him -silently, patiently waiting till he thought proper to explain himself. -Presently, he raised his head, and, fixing his cunning grey eye on the -girl, he asked her distinctly,-- - -"You love him, then?" - -"Yes," she answered, looking down on the ground. - -"Very good. Now listen attentively to what I am about to tell you; it -will interest you prodigiously, or I am greatly mistaken." - -The two hearers bent down toward him, and listened attentively. Ivon -then related most copiously his master's conversation with the two -Chiefs; the dispute that arose between them; the combat that ensued -from it, and the way in which he had escaped. - -"If I did run away," he said, in conclusion, "heaven is my witness that -it was not for the purpose of saving my life. Though I am a desperate -coward, I would never hesitate to sacrifice my life for him; but -Bright-eye advised me to act in this way, so that I may try and find -assistance for them both." - -"Good," the girl said, quickly; "the Paleface is brave. What does he -intend to do?" - -"I mean to save my master, by Jove!" the Breton said, resolutely. "The -only thing is, that I do not know how to set about it." - -"Prairie-Flower knows. She will help the Paleface." - -"Is what you promise really true, young girl?" - -The Indian maid smiled. - -"The Paleface will follow Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf," she said; -"they will lead him to a spot where he will find friends." - -"Good; and when will you do it, my good girl?" he asked, his heart -palpitating with joy. - -"So soon as the Paleface is ready to start." - -"At once, then, at once!" the Breton exclaimed, hurriedly rising, and -hurrying to his horse. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf had concealed their steeds in the centre of -a clump of trees. Ten minutes later, and Ivon and his guides quitted -the clearing where they had met; it was about midnight when they -started. - -"My poor master!" the Breton muttered. "Shall I be permitted to save -him?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. - - -The night was black, gloomy, and storm-laden. The wind howled with a -mournful murmur through the branches; at each gust the trees shook -their damp crowns, and sent down showers, which pattered on the shrubs. -The sky was of a leaden hue; so great was the silence in the desert, -that the fall of a withered leaf, or the rustling of a branch touched -in its passage by some invisible animal, could be distinctly heard. - -Ivon and his guides advanced cautiously through the forest, seeking -their road in the darkness, half lying on their horses, so as to avoid -the branches that lashed their faces at every moment. Owing to the -endless turns they were compelled to take, nearly two hours elapsed -ere they left the forest. At length they debouched on the plain, and -found themselves almost simultaneously on the banks of the Missouri. -The river, swollen by rain and snow, rolled along its yellowish waters -noisily. The fugitives followed the bank in a south-western direction. -Now that they had struck the river, all uncertainty had ceased for -them; their road was so distinctly traced that they had no fear of -losing it. - -On arriving at a spot where a point of sand jutted out for several -yards into the bed of the river, and formed a species of cape, from -the end of which objects could be seen for some distance, owing to the -transparency of the water, Red Wolf made a sign to his companions to -halt, and himself dismounted. Prairie-Flower and Ivon imitated him. -Ivon was not sorry to take a few moments' rest, and, above all, make -some inquiries before proceeding further. At the first blush, carried -away by an unreflecting movement of the heart, which impelled him to -save his master by any means that offered, he had not hesitated to -follow his two strange guides; but, with reflection, distrust had -returned still more powerfully, and the Breton was unwilling to go -further with the persons he had met, until he possessed undoubted -proofs of their honesty. - -So soon as he had dismounted then, and taken off his horse's bridle, -so that it should crop the tender shoots, Ivon walked up boldly to the -Redskin, and struck him on the shoulder. The Indian, whose eyes were -eagerly fixed on the rider, turned to him. - -"What does the Paleface want?" he asked him. - -"To talk a little with you, Chief." - -"The moment is not good for talking," the Indian answered, -sententiously; "the Palefaces are like the mockingbird; their tongues -must be ever in motion; let my brother wait." - -Ivon did not understand the epigram. - -"No," he said, "we must talk at once." - -The Indian suppressed an impatient gesture. - -"The Red Wolf's ears are open," he said; "_the Chattering Jay_ can -explain himself." - -The Redskins, finding some difficulty in pronouncing the names of -people with whom the accidents of the chase or of trade bring them into -relation, are accustomed to substitute for these names others, derived -from the character or physical aspect of the individual they wish to -designate. Ivon was called by the Blackfoot Indians the Chattering -Jay, a name whose justice we will refrain from discussing. The Breton -did not seem annoyed by what Red Wolf said to him; absorbed by the -thought that troubled him, every other consideration was a matter of -indifference to him. - -"You promised me to save Glass-eye," he said. - -"Yes," the Chief answered, laconically. - -"I accepted your propositions without discussion; for three hours I -have followed you without saying anything; but, before going further, I -should not be sorry to know the means you intend to employ to take him -out of the hands of the enemy." - -"Is my brother deaf?" the Indian asked. - -"I do not think so," Ivon answered, rather wounded by the question. - -"Then let him listen." - -"I am doing so." - -"My brother hears nothing?" - -"Not the least, I am free to confess." - -Red Wolf shrugged his shoulders. - -"The Palefaces are foxes without tails," he said, with disdain; "weaker -than children in the desert. Let my brother look," he added, pointing -to the river. - -Ivon followed the direction indicated, winking, and placing his hands -over his eyes, to concentrate the visual rays. - -"Well," the Indian asked, after a moment, "has my brother seen?" - -"Nothing at all," the Breton said, violently. "May the evil one twist -my neck, if it is possible for me to distinguish anything." - -"Then my brother will wait a few minutes," the Indian said, perfectly -calm; "he will then see and hear." - -"Hum!" the Breton went on, but slightly satisfied with this -explanation. "What shall I see and hear?" - -"My brother will know." - -Ivon would have insisted, but the Chief took him by the arm, pushed him -back, and hid with him behind a clump of trees, where Prairie-Flower -was already ensconced. - -"Silence!" the Redskin muttered, in such an imperative tone that the -Breton, convinced of the gravity of the situation, deferred to a more -favourable moment the string of questions he proposed asking the Chief. - -A few minutes elapsed. Redskin and Prairie-Flower, with their bodies -bent forward, and carefully parting the leaves, looked eagerly in the -direction of the river, while holding their breath. Ivon, bothered in -spite of himself by this sort of conduct, imitated their example. A -sound soon struck on his ears, but so slight and weak, that at first -he fancied himself mistaken. Still the noise grew gradually louder, -resembling that of paddles cautiously dipped in the water; next, a -black dot, at first nearly imperceptible, but which grew larger by -degrees, appeared on the river. - -There was soon no doubt in the Breton's mind. The black dot was a -canoe. On arriving within a certain distance, the sound could be no -longer heard, and the canoe remained motionless about halfway between -the two banks. At this moment the cry of the jay broke the silence, -repeated thrice, with such perfection, that Ivon instinctively raised -his head to the upper branches of the tree that sheltered them. Upon -this signal, the canoe began drawing nearer the cape, where it soon ran -ashore; but upon landing, the person in it raised the paddle twice in -the air. The cry of the jay was heard again, thrice repeated. - -Upon this, the rower, perfectly reassured, as it seemed, leaped on the -sand, drew the canoe half out of the water, and walked boldly in the -direction of the clump of trees that served Ivon and his comrades as -an observatory. The latter, deeming it useless to wait longer, quitted -their shelter, and walked toward the newcomer, after recommending the -Breton not to show himself without their authority. This order he -obeyed; but, with that prudence which distinguished him, he cocked his -pistols, took one in each hand, and, reassured by this precaution, -waited what was about to happen. - -The new actor who had entered on the scene, and in whom the reader -will have recognised Mrs. Margaret, had left Major Melville only about -an hour previously, after having that conversation we have repeated. -Although she did not expect to meet Prairie-Flower at this spot, -she did not appear at all astonished at seeing her, and gave her a -friendly nod, to which the girl responded with a smile. - -"What is there new?" she asked the Indian. - -"Much," he replied. - -"Speak." - -The Red Wolf thereupon told her all that had happened during the chase; -in what way he had learned it, and how Ivon had escaped in order to -seek help for his master. Margaret listened to the long story without -letting a sign of emotion to be seen on her wrinkled, grief-worn face. -When Red Wolf had ceased speaking, she reflected for a few moments; -then raising her head, asked-- - -"Where is the Paleface?" - -"Here," the Indian answered, pointing to the clump of trees. - -"Let him come." - -The Chief turned to fetch him, but the Breton, who had heard the last -word spoken in English, and judged that it was intended for him, left -his hiding place, after returning the pistols to his belt, and joined -the party. At this moment the first gleam of day began to appear, -the darkness was rapidly dissipated, and a reddish hue, which formed -on the extreme limit of the horizon, indicated that the sun would -speedily rise. The She-wolf fixed on the Breton her cunning eye, as if -desirous to read the depths of his heart. Ivon had nothing to reproach -himself with, and hence he bravely withstood the glance. The She-wolf, -satisfied with the dumb interrogatory to which she had subjected the -Breton, softened down the harsh expression of her face, and at length -addressed him in a voice she attempted to render conciliatory. - -"Listen attentively," she said to him. - -"I am listening." - -"You are devoted to your master?" - -"To the death," Ivon answered, firmly. - -"Good: then I can reckon on you?" - -"Yes." - -"You understand, I suppose, that we four cannot save your master?" - -"That appears to me difficult, I allow." - -"But we wish to revenge ourselves on Natah Otann." - -"Very good." - -"For a long time our measures have been taken to gain this end at a -given moment; that moment has arrived; but we have allies we must warn." - -"It is true." - -She drew a ring from her finger. - -"Take this ring; you know how to use a paddle, I suppose?" - -"I am a Breton, that is to say, a sailor." - -"Get into the canoe lying there, and without losing a moment, go down -the river till you reach a fort." - -"Hum! is it far?" - -"You will reach it in less than an hour if you are diligent." - -"You may be sure of that." - -"So soon as you have arrived at the fort, you will ask speech with -Major Melville; give him that ring, and tell him all the events of -which you have been witness." - -"Is that all?" - -"No; the Major will give you a detachment of soldiers, with whom you -will join us at Black's clearing: can you find your way there again?" - -"I think so; especially as it is on the river bank." - -"Yes; and you will have to pass it before reaching the fort." - -"What shall I do with the canoe?" - -"Abandon it." - -"When must I start?" - -"At once; the sun has risen, we must make haste." - -"And what are you going to do?" - -"I told you we were going to Black's clearing, where we shall wait for -you." - -The Breton reflected for a minute. - -"Listen, in your turn," he said; "I am not in the habit of discussing -orders, when I think those given us are just; I do not think that you -intend, under such grave circumstances, to mock a poor devil, whom -grief renders half mad, and who would joyfully sacrifice his life to -save his master's." - -"You are right." - -"I am therefore going to obey you." - -"You should have done so already." - -"Maybe; but I have a last word to say." - -"I am listening." - -"If you deceive me, if you do not really help me, as you pledge -yourself, in saving my master--I am, a coward, that is notorious; but -on my word as a man, I will blow out your brains: even were you hidden -in the bowels of the earth, I would go and seek you to fulfil my oath. -You hear me?" - -"Perfectly! and now have you finished?" - -"Yes." - -"Then be off." - -"I am doing so." - -"Good-bye, till we meet again." - -The Breton bowed once more, pulled the boat into the water, jumped -in, and hurried off at a rate which showed he would soon reach his -destination. His ex-companions looked after him till he was hidden by a -bend in the river. - -"And now what are we going to do?" Prairie-Flower asked. - -"Go to the clearing, to arrange with John Black." - -Margaret mounted Ivon's horse, Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf each -took their own, and the three started at a gallop. By a fortunate -coincidence, it was a day chosen by the squatter to give his family a -rest, and, as we have said, he had gone out with William to take a look -at his property. After a long ride, during which the squatter had burst -into ecstasies only known to landed proprietors, they were preparing to -return to their fortress, when William pointed out to his father the -three mounted persons coming towards them at full gallop. - -"Hum!" Black said, "Indians, that is an unpleasant meeting! let us hide -behind this clump, and try to find out what they want." - -"Stay, father," the young man said, "I believe that precaution -unnecessary." - -"Why so, boy?" - -"Because of the party two are women." - -"That is no reason," the squatter said, who, since the attack, had -become excessively prudent; "you know that in these bad tribes the -women fight as well as the men." - -"That is true; but stay, they are unfolding a buffalo robe in sign of -peace." - -In fact, one of the riders at this moment fluttered a robe in the -breeze. - -"You are right, boy," the squatter observed, presently; "let us await -them; the more so, as, if I am not mistaken, I can recognize an old -acquaintance among them." - -"The woman who saved us, I believe." - -"Right; by Jove! the meeting is a strange one. Poor woman, I am -delighted to see her again." - -Ten minutes later the parties joined; after the first salutations, the -She-wolf took the word. - -"Do you recognize me, John Black?" - -"Of course I do, my worthy woman," he replied, with emotion; "although -I only saw you for a few moments, and under terrible circumstances, the -remembrance of you has never left my heart and mind; I have only one -wish, and that is, that you will give me the opportunity to prove it." - -A flash of joy shot from the She-wolfs eye. - -"Are you speaking seriously?" she asked, quickly. - -"Try me." - -"Good; I was not deceived in you. I am glad of what I did. I see that -the service I rendered you has not fallen on ungrateful soil." - -"Speak." - -"Not here: what I have to tell you is too lengthy and serious for us to -be able to discuss it properly at this place." - -"Will you come to my house? There you need not be afraid of being -disturbed." - -"If you permit it." - -"What, my good creature, permit it? Why, the house, all it contains, -and the owner in the bargain, all are yours, and you know it." - -Margaret smiled sadly. - -"Thanks!" she said, offering him her hand, which Black pressed gladly. - -"Come," he said, "as we have nothing more to do here, let us be off." - -They started in the direction of the house; but the return was silent; -each, absorbed in thought, rode on without thinking of addressing a -word to the other. They were but a short distance from the house, when -they suddenly saw some twenty horsemen debouch from a wood on the -right, dressed, as far as could be distinguished, as wood rangers. - -"What is this?" Black said, with astonishment, as he pulled his horse -up. - -"Eh!" the She-wolf said, not replying to the squatter. "The Frenchman -has been diligent." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I will explain all that presently; for the present you need only offer -your hospitality to these good people." - -"Hum!" Black said, doubtingly. "I shall be glad to do it, but must know -who they are, and what they want of me." - -"They are Americans; like yourself. I asked the commandant of the fort -where they are stationed to send them here." - -"What fort and what garrison are you talking of, my good woman? On my -soul! I do not know what you mean." - -"What! have you not learned to know your neighbours since you have been -here?" - -"What! have I neighbours?" he said, in an angry tone. - -"About ten miles off is Fort Mackenzie, commanded by a brave officer, -Major Melville." - -At this explanation the squatter's face was unwrinkled; it was not a -rival, but a defender he had as neighbour, hence all was for the best. - -"Oh, I will go and pay him my respects," he said; "the acquaintance of -a fort commandant is not to be neglected in the desert." - -Major Melville sent off at once the detachment asked by his sister; -but reflecting that soldiers could not execute so well as hunters -the meditated _coup de main_, he chose twenty hardened and resolute -trappers and _engagés_ under the command of an officer who had been -a long time in the Fur Company's service, and was versed in all the -tricks of the crafty enemies he would have to fight. - -At the foot of the hill the two parties combined. Black, though still -ignorant for what purpose the detachment had come, received most -affably the reinforcement sent to him. Ivon was radiant; the worthy -Breton, now that he could dispose of such a number of good rifles, -believed in the certainty of saving his master; all his suspicions -had disappeared, and he burst forth into apologies and thanks to the -She-wolf and her two Indian friends. So soon as all were comfortably -lodged in the building, Black returned to his guests, and, after -offering them refreshments, said-- - -"Now, I am waiting for your explanation." - -As we shall soon see the development of the plans formed at this -meeting, it is useless to describe them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET. - - -Two days have elapsed since the events of our last chapter. It is -evening in the Kenhas' village. The tumult is great; all are preparing -for an expedition. The night is clear and starlit; great fires, kindled -before each cabin, spread around immense reddish gleams, which light -up the whole village. There is something strange and striking in the -scene presented by the village, crowded with a motley population. The -Count de Beaulieu and Bright-eye, apparently free, are conversing in a -low tone, sitting on the bare ground, and leaning against the wall of a -cabin. - -The time fixed by the Count for his parole has long passed, still the -Indian Chiefs have satisfied themselves with taking away his weapons -and the hunter's, and pay no more attention to them. - -On the large village square two immense fires have been kindled. Round -the first, placed in front of the Council Lodge, are seated White -Buffalo, Natah Otann, Red Wolf, and three or four other chiefs of the -tribe; round the second some twenty warriors are silently smoking the -calumet. Such was the appearance offered by the Kenhas' village at -about nine in the evening of the day we return to it. - -"Why allow the Palefaces thus to wander about the village?" Red Wolf -asked. - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"Have the white men the eyes of the eagle and the feet of the gazelle, -to find again their trail lost in the desert?" - -"My father is right, if he speaks of Glass-eye," Red Wolf urged; "but -Bright-eye has a Redskin heart." - -"Yes; if he was alone he would try to escape, but he will not abandon -his friend." - -"The latter can follow him." - -"Glass-eye has a brave heart, but his feet are weak; he cannot walk in -the desert." - -Red Wolf looked down, with an air of conviction, and made no reply. - -"The hour has arrived to set out; the allied nations are proceeding to -the rendezvous," White Buffalo said, in a sombre voice. "It is nine -o'clock; the owl has twice given the signal, and the moon is rising." - -"Good," Natah Otann said, "we will have the horses smoked, so as to set -out immediately after." - -Red Wolf gave a shrill whistle. At this signal some twenty horsemen -galloped into the square, and went up to the second fire, round which -an equal number of warriors, naked to the waist, were crouching and -smoking silently. These men were warriors of the tribe who were -dismounted, either by accident or in action; the horsemen, at this -moment prancing round them, were their friends, and came up to make -each a present of a horse prior to the departure of the expedition. -While cantering round, the horsemen drew gradually nearer to the -smokers, who did not appear to notice them. Each horseman chose out the -man to whom he intended to give a horse, and a shower of lashes fell -on the naked shoulders of these stoical warriors. At each blow they -struck, the warrior shouted, each calling his friend by name. - -"So and so, you are a beggar and wretched man. You desire my horse, I -give it to you; but you will bear on your shoulders the bloody marks -of my whip." - -This performance lasted about a quarter of an hour, during which the -sufferers, although the blood ran down their backs, did not utter -a cry or a groan, but remained calm and motionless, as if they had -been metamorphosed into bronze statues. At length the Red Wolf gave a -second whistle, and the horsemen disappeared as rapidly as they came. -The patients then rose as if nothing had happened to them, and went -with radiant forehead and firm step, each to take possession of a -magnificent steed, held by the ex-scourgers, now become their friends -once more. This is what the Blackfeet call _smoking horses_. - -When the tumult occasioned by this semi-serious episode was appeased, -an _hachesto_, or public crier, mounted the roof of the council lodge. -All the population of the village was drawn up silently on the square. - -"The hour has struck! The hour has struck! The hour has struck!" the -hachesto cried. "Warriors, to your lances and guns! The horses are -neighing with impatience! Your chiefs are awaiting you, and your -enemies sleep. To arms! To arms! To arms!" - -"To arms!" all the warriors shouted simultaneously. - -Natah Otann, followed by his warriors, mounted like himself on -impetuous steeds, then appeared in the square, and uttered, in a -terrible voice, the war yell of the Blackfeet. At this cry every man -rushed on his weapons, mounted, and ranged under the respective chiefs, -who, within scarce ten minutes, found themselves at the head of five -hundred warriors, perfectly armed and equipped. - -Natah Otann cast a triumphant glance around him; his eye fell -immediately on the two prisoners, who had remained quietly seated, -talking together, and apparently indifferent to all that happened. At -the sight of them the Chiefs thick eyebrows were contracted, he leant -over to the White Buffalo, who rode by his side, and muttered a few -words in his ear. The old man gave a sign of assent, and walked towards -the prisoners, while Natah Otann, taking the head of the war party, -gave the signal for departure, and went off, only leaving ten warriors -on the square to aid White Buffalo, if required. - -"Gentlemen," the latter said, sharply, but courteously; "be good enough -to mount and follow me, if you please." - -"Is this an order you give us, sir?" the Count asked, haughtily. - -"What does that, question mean?" - -"Because I am not in the habit of obeying anybody." - -"Sir," the Chief answered, "any resistance would be insensate, and -rather injurious than useful to your interests: so to horse without -further delay." - -"The Chief is right," Bright-eye said, with a significant look at the -Count; "why any obstinacy? we cannot be the stronger." - -"But--" the young man remarked. - -"Here is your horse," the hunter interrupted him, sharply. - -"We obey the Chief," he added, aloud; then he added in a whisper,-- - -"Are you mad, Mr. Edward? Who knows the chances luck has in store for -us during the accursed expedition?" - -"Still--" - -"Mount! Mount!" - -At length the young man, partly convinced, obeyed the hunter. When the -prisoners had mounted, the warriors surrounded them, and led them off -at a gallop, till they caught up the column, of which they took the -lead. - -Despite the Count's resistance, Natah Otann and White Buffalo had not -given up their plan of making him pass for Motecuhzoma, and placing him -at the head of the Allied Nations. Still this plan had been modified, -in this sense, that, as the young Count refused his help, they would -force him to give it in spite of himself. The following is the way -in which they intended to act. They had succeeded in persuading the -Indians who accompanied them during the ostrich hunt, that the struggle -sustained by the Count, and which had struck them with stupor, owing -to the energetic resistance the two men had so long offered to fifty -warriors, was a ruse invented by them to display their strength and -power in the sight of all. - -The Redskins, owing to their ignorance, are stupidly credulous. Natah -Otann's clumsy falsehood, which any man but slightly civilized would -have regarded with contempt, obtained the greatest success with these -brutalized beings, and enhanced, in their eyes, the personal value -of the men whom they saw continuing to live on good terms with their -Chiefs, and remaining apparently free in the village. - -Matters were too far advanced, the day chosen for the outbreak of -the plot was too near, for the Chiefs to give counterorders to their -allies, and concoct some other scheme to replace the prophet they had -announced to the Missouri nations. If, on arriving at the rendezvous, -the man they had expected was not presented to them, it was evident -they would retire with their contingents, and that all would be broken -off with no hope of recombination; but a catastrophe must be guarded -against at all risks. - -The resolution formed by the two Chiefs, desperate as it was, they were -compelled to adopt through the suspicious nature of the circumstances, -and they trusted to chance to make it succeed. The Count and his -companion would march, so long as the expedition lasted, at the head -of the attacking columns, without weapons it is true, but apparently -free, while guarded by ten picked warriors, who would never leave -them, and kill them on the slightest suspicious gesture. The plan was -absurd, and, with other men than Indians, the impossibility would -have been recognized in less than an hour; but, through its very -impracticability, it offered chances of success, and this was chiefly -owing to the belief the Indians held that the Count had no friends to -attempt his rescue. - -Ivon's flight had troubled Natah Otann for a few moments: but the -discovery made in the forest, where he had sought shelter, of the body -of a man clothed in the servant's dress, and half devoured by wild -beasts, restored him all his serenity, by proving to him that he had -nought to fear from the poor fellow's devotion. - -Three hours prior to the departure of the column, the Chief had, -on White Buffalo's revelations, had five spies secretly strangled. -Red Wolf, on whom Natah Otann and White Buffalo placed unbounded -confidence, and whose courage could not be doubted, was appointed head -of the detachment to watch over the prisoners. Hence matters were in -the best possible state. The two Chiefs marched about fifty paces ahead -of their warriors, conversing in a low voice, and definitely arranging -their final plans. White Buffalo described in a few words the position -and their hopes. - -"Our prospect is desperate," he said, "chance may make it fail or -succeed: all depends upon the first attack. If, as I believe, we -surprise the American garrison, and seize Fort Mackenzie, we shall -have no further need of this Count, whose disappearance we can easily -account for, by saying that he has reascended to heaven, because we are -victors. However, we shall see; all will be decided in a few hours. -Till then, courage and prudence." - -Natah Otann made no reply; but cast a glance at Prairie-Flower, who -cantered along in apparent carelessness on the flank of the column, -which she had asked leave to accompany, and the Chief had gladly -granted it. The warriors advanced in a long line, silently following -one of those winding paths formed on the desert for centuries by the -feet of wild beasts. The night was transparent and calm; the sky, -embroidered with millions of stars, shed down on the landscape floods -of melancholy light, harmonizing with the grand and primitive nature of -the desert. About four in the morning, Natah Otann halted on the top of -a wooded dell, in the centre of an immense clearing, where the entire -detachment disappeared, without leaving a trace. - -Fort Mackenzie rose gloomy and majestic at about a gunshot off. The -Indians had effected their march with such prudence, that the American -garrison had given no sign of alarm. Natah Otann had a tent put up, -into which he courteously begged his prisoners to enter, and they -obeyed. - -"Why so much politeness?" the Count said. - -"Are you not my guests?" the Chief replied, with an ironical smile, and -then withdrew. - -The Count and his comrade, when left alone, lay down on a pile of furs -intended for their bed. - -"What is to be done?" the Count muttered, greatly discouraged. - -"Sleep," the hunter said, carelessly. "Unless I am mistaken, we shall -soon have some news." - -"Heaven grant it!" - -"Amen," Bright-eye continued, with a laugh. "Bah! we shall not die this -time either." - -"I hope so," the Count repeated, to say something. - -"And I am sure of it. It would be curious, on my word," the hunter -said, with a laugh, "were I, who have traversed the desert so long, to -be killed by these red brutes." - -The young man could not refrain from admiring, in his heart, the cool -certainty with which the Canadian uttered so monstrous an opinion; but -at this moment the prisoners heard a gentle sound near them. - -"Silence!" Bright-eye commanded. - -They listened attentively. A harmonious voice then sang to a melody, -full of gentleness and melancholy, the exquisite Blackfoot song -beginning with the verses:-- - -"I confide to you my heart, in the name of the Master of Life; I am -unhappy, and no one takes pity on me, yet the Master of Life is great -in my sight." - -"Oh!" the Count muttered joyously, "I recognise that voice, my friend." - -"And I too, by Jupiter! It is Prairie-Flower's." - -"What does she say?" - -"It is a warning she gives us." - -"Do you believe so?" - -"Prairie-Flower loves you, Mr. Edward." - -"Poor child! and I love her too; but alas!--" - -"Bah! after the storm comes fine weather." - -"If I could but see her." - -"For what good? She will contrive to make herself visible when it is -necessary. Come, wild or tame, all women are alike. But, look out, here -is somebody." - -They threw themselves on the furs, and pretended to be asleep. A man -had quietly lifted the curtain of the tent. By the moon's ray, that -passed through the opening, the prisoners recognized Red Wolf. The -Indian looked outside for a moment; then, probably reassured by the -calmness that prevailed around, he let the curtain of the tent fall, -and took a few paces in the interior. - -"The jaguar is strong and courageous," he said, in a loud voice, as if -talking to himself; "the fox is cunning; but the man whose heart is big -is stronger than the jaguar, and more cunning than the fox, when he -has in his hand weapons to defend himself. Who says that Glass-eye and -Bright-eye will allow their throats to be cut like tamed gazelles?" - -"And not looking at the prisoners, the Chief laid at their feet two -guns, from which hung powder flasks, bullet bags, and long knives; then -he left the tent again, as calmly as if he had done the simplest matter -in the world. The prisoners looked at each other in amazement. - -"What do you think of that?" Bright-eye muttered in stupefaction. - -"It is a trap," the Count answered. - -"Hum! trap or no, the weapons are there, and I shall take them." - -The hunter seized the guns and the knives, which he immediately hid -under the furs. The arms were hardly in security, ere the curtain of -the tent was again raised, and Natah Otann walked in. He bore in his -hand a branch of ocote, or candlewood, which lit up his thoughtful -face, and gave it a sinister expression. The Chief dug up the ground -with his knife, planted his torch in the ground, and walked toward the -prisoners, who looked on without giving any sign. - -"Gentlemen," the Chief then said, "I have come to ask for a moment's -interview with you." - -"Speak, sir; we are your prisoners, and as such compelled to hear -you, if not to listen to you," the Count said, drily, as he sat up on -the furs, while Bright-eye rose carelessly, and lit his pipe at the -candlewood torch. - -"Since you have been my prisoners, gentlemen," the Chief continued, -"you have not had, to my knowledge, any reason to complain of the way -in which I have treated you." - -"That depends. In the first place, I do not admit that I am legally -your prisoner." - -"Oh, sir," the Chief said, with a smile of mockery, "do you speak of -legality to a poor Indian? You know well that we are ignorant of that -word." - -"That is true; go on." - -"I have come to see you--" - -"Why?" the Count interrupted him, impatiently. "Explain!" - -"I have a bargain to propose to you." - -"Well, I will frankly confess that your way of bargaining does not -impress me with great confidence." - -The Indian made a move. - -"No matter," the Count continued, "let us hear it." - -"I should not like to be obliged, sir, to tie you again, as you were -when you were captured." - -"I am extremely obliged to you." - -"But; at this moment I absolutely need all my warriors, and I cannot -leave anybody to guard you two gentlemen." - -"Which means?" - -"That I ask your parole not to escape for the next twenty-four hours." - -"But that is not a bargain." - -"Wait; I am coming to it." - -"Good; I am waiting." - -"In return, I pledge myself--" - -"Ah!" the Count said, contemptuously, "let us see to what you pledge -yourself; that must be curious." - -"I pledge myself," the Chief continued, still cold and calm, "to give -you your liberty in twenty-four hours." - -"And my comrade?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation; the Count burst into a loud -laugh. - -"And suppose we did not accept?" he asked. - -"But you will do so," he said, with an ironical smile. - -"Possibly; but suppose the contrary for a moment." - -"At daybreak you will both be attached to the stake, and tortured until -sunset." - -"Oh, oh! Is that your final word?" - -"The last; in half an hour I will come for your answer." - -And he turned to go out. The Count bounded like a jaguar, and stood -before the Chief, his gun in one hand, his knife in the other. - -"A moment," he shouted. - -"Wah!" the Chief said, crossing his hands on his wide chest, and gazing -at them sarcastically. "You had taken your precautions, it appears." - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin; "I rather fancy it is our turn -to make conditions." - -"Perhaps so," Natah Otann replied, coolly; "but I have no time to lose -in vain words; let me pass, gentlemen." - -Bright-eye threw himself quickly before the door. - -"Come, Chief," he said, "things cannot end like that; we are not old -women to be frightened. Before we are fastened to the stake, we will -kill you." - -The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully, - -"You are mad; let me pass, old hunter, and do not oblige me to use -force." - -"No, no, Chief," Bright-eye added, with an ironical laugh; "we shall -not part like that; all the worse for you; you should not have put your -head in the wolf's throat." - -Natah Otann made an impatient gesture. - -"You wish it; well, then, see!" - -Raising to his lips his war-whistle, made of a human thigh bone, he -produced a shrill sound. All at once, before the two Europeans could -comprehend what was happening, the sides of the tent were cut open, -and the Blackfeet bounded into the interior. The Count and Bright-eye -were seized and disarmed. The Sachem, with his arms still crossed on -his chest, looked like a stoic, while the Kenhas, with their eyes fixed -on the Chief, and uplifted tomahawks, seemed to await from him a final -signal. - -There was a moment of intense anxiety; though the two white men were -so brave, the attack had been so rapid and unexpected, that they -could not refrain from an inward shudder. For a few seconds the Chief -enjoyed his triumph; then, raising his hand, with a gesture of supreme -authority, he said,-- - -"Enough! Restore their weapons to these warriors. Are they not the -guests of Natah Otann?" - -The Blackfeet retired as suddenly as they had appeared. - -"Well," the Chief asked, with slight irony, "do you understand me at -last? Do you still fancy me in your power?" - -"Very good, sir," the Count replied, coldly, still suffering from the -struggle he had gone through; "I am forced to recognize the advantage -that chance gives you over me; any resistance would be useless. I -consent to submit for the present to your will; but only on two -conditions." - -"They are accepted beforehand, sir," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"Do not be too certain, sir; for you do not yet know what I mean to ask -from you." - -"I am awaiting your explanation." - -"As it must be so, I will march at the head of your tribes; but alone, -unarmed, and on condition, that under no pretext you impose on me any -other character in the gloomy tragedy you are preparing to act." - -The Chief frowned. - -"And supposing that I refuse?" he said, in a hoarse voice. - -"If you refuse," the young man answered, with his calmest air, "I will -employ sure means to compel you to assent." - -"They are?" - -"I will blow out my brains, sir, in the sight of all your warriors." - -The Chief cast a viper's glance at him. - -"Very good," he said, presently. "I accept; now let us have the other -condition." - -"It is simply this: conqueror or conquered; and I hope sincerely that -the latter may be the case--" - -"Thank you," the Chief interrupted him, with an ironical bow. - -"After the battle, whatever its issue may be," the Count continued, -"you will fight me honourably with equal weapons." - -"Why, Sir Count, you are proposing to me what white men call a duel!" - -"Yes. Does that displease you?" - -"Me? certainly not, and I accept gladly; the more so, as we Blood -Indians are accustomed to have such fights to settle our own personal -quarrels." - -"Then you accept my conditions?" - -"I do so." - -"But who will guarantee your good faith?" the young man asked. - -"I, Sir," a powerful voice said. - -The three men turned. White Buffalo was standing motionless in the -doorway of the tent. At the unexpected appearance of this strange man, -whose features revealed at the moment an imposing majesty, the young -Count felt subdued, and bowed respectfully. - -"Gentlemen," Natah Otann continued, "you are free within the limits of -the camp." - -"Thanks," Bright-eye said coarsely; "but I have made no promise." - -"You!" the Chief said carelessly; "go or stay, I care very little." - -And after bowing ceremoniously to the Count, the two Chiefs withdrew. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -BEFORE THE ATTACK. - - -After leaving the tent, the two Chiefs walked for some moments side by -side, and did not exchange a word; both seemed plunged in deep thought, -doubtlessly caused by the serious events that were preparing--events -whose success would decide the fate of the Indian tribes of this -part of the continent. While walking along, they reached a point on -the hillock, whence a most extensive view could be enjoyed in every -direction. - -The night was calm and balmy, there was not a breath in the air, not -a cloud on the sky, whose deep azure was enamelled with a profusion -of twinkling stars; an imposing silence reigned over this desert, -where, however, several thousand men were ambushed, only waiting a -word or a signal to out each other's throats. Mechanically the two men -stopped, and gazed at the grand landscape extended at their feet, in -the immediate foreground of which frowned Fort Mackenzie, throwing its -gloomy shadow far across the prairie. - -"By sunrise," Natah Otann muttered, answering his own thoughts, rather -than addressing his companion, "that haughty fortress will be mine. -The Redskins will command at the spot where their oppressors are still -reigning." - -"Yes," White Buffalo repeated, mechanically, "tomorrow you will be -master of the fort, but will you manage to keep it? Conquering is -nothing; the white men have been several times defeated by the -Redskins, and yet they have enslaved, decimated, and dispersed them -like the leaves the autumn breeze bears away." - -"That is only too true," the Chief said, with a sigh; "it has ever been -so, since the first day the white men set foot in this unhappy land. -What is the mysterious influence that has constantly predicted them -against us?" - -"Yourselves, my child," White Buffalo said, mournfully shaking his -head; "you are your own greatest enemies. You can only impute to -yourselves your continued defeats, for you are so obstinate for -internecine warfare; the whites have taken care to foster strongly your -headstrong passions, by which they have skilfully profited to conquer -you in detail." - -"Yes, you have told me that often, my father, so you see I have -profited by your advice; all the Missouri Indians are now united, they -obey the same chief, and march under one totem; thus, believe me, this -union will be fertile in good results, we shall drive these plundering -wolves from our frontiers, we shall send them back to the villages of -stone; and henceforth only the moccasin of the Redskins will tread our -native prairies, and the echoes will only be aroused by the joyous -laughter of the Redskins, or repeat the war cry of the Blackfeet." - -"No one will be happier than I at such a result; my most ardent -desire is to see men free, from whom I have received such paternal -hospitality; but, alas, who can foresee the future? These Sachems, -whom you have succeeded in combining by attention and patience, are -agitating darkly; they fear to obey you; they are jealous of the power -themselves gave you, so there is a chance they will abandon you." - -"I will not; give them the time, my father; for the last few days -I have known all their designs, and followed their plans; up to -the present, prudence has closed my mouth. I did not wish to risk -the success of my enterprise; but so soon as I am master of this -fortress below us, believe me, I shall speak loudly, for my voice -will have exercised an authority, my power a strength, which the most -turbulent will be compelled to recognize. Victory will render me -great and terrible: will trample under foot those who now conspire -in the darkness, and who would not hesitate to turn against me, if I -experienced a defeat. Go, my father, let all be ready for the attack so -soon as I give the signal, visit the outposts, watch the movements of -the enemy, for in two hours I shall utter my war cry." - -White Buffalo regarded him for a moment with a singular expression, in -which friendship, fear, and admiration struggled in turn; then laying -his hand on his shoulder he said, with much emotion,-- - -"Child, you are mad; but it is a sublime madness: the work of -reformation you meditate is impossible--but, whether you triumph or -succumb, your attempt will not be useless. Your passage on earth will -leave a long, luminous trace, which may one day serve as a beacon to -those who succeed in accomplishing the liberation of your race." - -After a few seconds of silence, more eloquent than vain words, the two -men fell into each other's arms, and held each other in a firm embrace; -they then separated, and Natah Otann remained alone. - -The young Chief did not conceal from himself in any way the -difficulties of his position. He recognized the justice of his adopted -father's observations; but now it was too late to recoil, he must push -onward at all risks. Now that the moment had arrived to descend into -the arena, all hesitation had ceased, all fear had died out in the -young Chief's bosom, to give way to a cold and invincible resolution, -that imparted to him the lucidity of mind required to play skilfully -the great part on which the fate of his race would depend. - -When White Buffalo left him alone, Natah Otann sat down on a rock, and, -resting his head on his hand, fixed his eyes on the place, and fell -into a serious contemplation. For a long time he had been dreaming, -with a vague consciousness of external objects, when a hand was gently -laid on his shoulder. The Chief quivered, as if he had received an -electric shock, and quickly raised his head. - -"_Ochtl?_" he said, with an emotion he could not master. -"Prairie-Flower here at this hour?" - -The young girl smiled sweetly. - -"Why is my brother astonished?" she replied, in her gentle and -melodious voice; "does not the Chief know that Prairie-Flower loves to -wander about at night, when nature is slumbering, and the voice of the -Great Spirit can be more easily heard? We girls love to dream at night, -by the melancholy light that comes from the stars, and seems to give -reality to our thoughts, at times, in the mist." - -The Chief sighed in reply. - -"You are suffering?" Prairie-Flower asked him, gently; "You, the first -Sachem of our nation, the most renowned warrior of our tribes--what -reason can be powerful enough to draw a sigh from you?" - -The Chief seised the dainty hand the girl yielded to him, and pressed -it gently between his own. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said at length, "you are ignorant why I suffer -when I am by your side?" - -"How should I know it? Although my brothers call me the _Virgin of -Sweet Love_, and suppose me to be in relation with the spirits of air -and water, alas! I am only an ignorant young girl. I should like to -know the cause of your grief; perhaps I could succeed in curing you." - -"No," the Chief answered, shaking his head, "it is not in your power, -child; to do that the beating of your heart ought to respond to mine, -and the little bird, which sings so melodiously in the hearts of -maidens, and murmurs such gentle words in their ears, should have flown -near you." - -The girl blushed and smiled; she let her eyes fall, and, making an -effort to disengage her hand, which Natah Otann still held in his,-- - -"The little bird, of which my brother speaks, I have seen: its song has -already been chanted near me." - -The Chief sprung up, and fixed a flashing glance on the maiden. - -"What!" he exclaimed, with agitation, "you love? Has one of the young -warriors of our tribe known how to touch your heart, and fill it with -love?" - -Prairie-Flower shook her charming head petulantly, while a sweet smile -parted her coral lips. - -"I know not if what I experience is what you call love," she said. - -Natah Otann had, by a painful effort, checked the emotion which made -his limbs tremble. - -"Why should it not be so?" he continued, thoughtfully. "The laws -of nature are immutable, no one can prevent it; the child's hour -was destined to arrive. By what right can I quarrel with what has -happened? Have I not in my heart a sacred feeling, which fills it, and -before which every other must be extinguished? A man in my position is -too far above vulgar passions; the object he proposes to himself is too -great for him to allow himself to be ruled by love of a woman. The man -who lays claim to become the saviour and regenerator of a people, no -longer belongs to humanity. Let me be worthy of the task I have taken -on myself, and forget, if possible, the mad and hopeless passion that -devours me. That girl can never be mine; everything separates us. I -will be to her what I ought never to have ceased to be--a father." - -He let his head hang despairingly on his chest, and remained for a few -moments absorbed in gloomy meditation. Prairie-Flower regarded him -with an expression of tender pity; she had only imperfectly caught the -words the Chief muttered, and understood but little of them. Still she -felt a deep friendship for him; she suffered in seeing him, and sought -vainly some consolation to afford. She waited anxiously till he should -remember her presence, and speak to her again. At length he raised his -head. - -"My sister has not told me which of our young warriors she prefers to -all the rest." - -"Has not the Sachem guessed it?" she asked, timidly. - -"Natah Otann is a chief. If he is the father of his warriors, he is no -spy on their deeds or thoughts." - -"The man of whom I speak to my brother is not a Kenha warrior," she -continued. - -"Ah!" he said in surprise, and looking scrutinizingly at her, "Can it -be one of the Palefaces who are Natah Otann's guests?" - -"My brother would say his prisoners," she murmured. - -"What mean these words, girl? Have you, born but yesterday, any right -to try and explain my actions? Ah!" he added, with a frown, "now I -understand how the Palefaced Chiefs had weapons when I visited them an -hour ago. It is useless for my daughter to tell me now the name of him -she loves, for I know it." - -The girl hung her head, with a blush. - -"_Achtsett_--it is good," he continued, in a rough voice, "my sister is -free to place her affections where she pleases; but her love must not -lead her to betray her friends for the Palefaces. She is a daughter of -the Kenhas. Was it to give me this news that Prairie-Flower came to me?" - -"No," she answered timidly; "another person ordered me to come here, -where she will also come herself, as she has an important secret to -reveal to me in the presence of the Sachem." - -"An important secret?" Natah Otann repeated. "What do you mean? Of what -woman is my sister speaking?" - -"I am speaking of her who is called the She-wolf of the prairies; she -has ever been gentle, good, and affectionate to me, in spite of the -hatred she bears to the Indians." - -"That is strange," the Chief muttered. "So you are waiting for her?" - -"I am." - -"But that woman is mad," the Chief exclaimed. "Do you not know it, my -poor child?" - -"Those whom the Great Spirit wishes to protect he deprives of reason, -that they may not feel grief," she replied, softly. - -For some minutes an almost imperceptible rustling had been going on -in the bushes; this sound, though so slight, the Chiefs practised -ear would have detected, had he not been entirely absorbed by his -conversation with the girl. All at once the branches were violently -torn asunder; several men, led by the She-wolf of the prairies, rushed -toward the Chief, and, before he had recovered from the surprise caused -by this sudden attack, he was thrown down, and securely pinioned. - -"The mad woman!" he exclaimed. - -"Yes, yes, the mad woman," she repeated, in a hoarse voice. "At length -I hold my vengeance! Thanks," she added, addressing the three men who -accompanied her; "I will now take his guard on myself, he shall not -escape." - -The men withdrew without replying. Although they wore the Indian -dress, a panther skin drawn over their faces rendered them perfectly -secure from detection. Only three persons remained on the top of the -hill--Prairie-Flower, Margaret, and Natah Otann, who tried to break -his bonds, while uttering hoarse and inarticulate sounds. The She-wolf -surveyed her enemy, prostrated at her feet, with a joy impossible to -describe, while Prairie-Flower, standing motionless by the Chief, gazed -on him sorrowfully and thoughtfully. - -"Yes," the She-wolf said, with a glance of satiated vengeance, "howl, -panther; bend the bonds you cannot break. I hold you at last; it is my -turn to torture you, to repay you all the suffering you lavished on -me. Oh! I can never be sufficiently avenged on you, the assassin of my -whole family. God is just: tooth for tooth, eye for eye, wretch!" - -She picked up a dagger that had fallen on the ground near her, and -began to prick him all over. - -"Answer me--do you not feel the cold steel piercing your flesh?" she -asked him. "Oh! I should like to make you suffer death a thousand -times, were it possible." - -A smile of contempt played over the Chief's lips. The She-wolf, -exasperated, raised the dagger to strike him; but Prairie-Flower held -her arm. Margaret turned like a tiger; but, recognizing the girl, she -let the weapon fall from her trembling hand, and her face assumed an -expression of infinite gentleness and tenderness. - -"You here?" she exclaimed. "Then you did not forget the meeting I -arranged with you? It is Heaven that sends you!" - -"Yes," the young girl replied, "the Great Spirit sees all. My mother -is good; Prairie-Flower loves her. Why thus torture the man who acted -as father to the abandoned child? The Chief has ever been kind to -Prairie-Flower; my mother will pardon him." - -Margaret gazed at the girl with an expression of mad stupor; then her -features were suddenly distorted, and she burst into a strident laugh. - -"What!" she exclaimed, in a piercing voice, "you, Prairie-Flower, -intercede for this man?" - -"He was a father to Prairie-Flower," the girl answered, simply. - -"But you do not know him then?" - -"He has been kind to me." - -"Silence, child! do not implore the She-wolf," the Chief said, in a -gloomy voice. "Natah Otann is a warrior; he knows how to die." - -"No, the Chief must not die," the Indian girl said, resolutely. - -Natah Otann laughed. - -"It is I who am avenged," he said. - -"Dog!" the She-wolf yelled, stamping her heel on his face, "silence! or -I will tear out your viper's tongue." - -The Indian smiled with contempt. - -"My mother will follow me," the girl said: "I will unfasten the Chief, -in order that he may rejoin his warriors, who are about to fight." - -She picked up the dagger, and knelt down near the prisoner; but the -She-wolf checked her. - -"Before cutting his bonds, listen to me, child," she said. - -"Afterwards," the girl objected. "A Chief must be with his warriors in -battle." - -"Listen to me for a few minutes," She-wolf continued, earnestly; "I -implore it of you, Prairie-Flower, by all I may have done for you; -then, when I have ceased speaking, if you still wish it, you shall -deliver that man. I swear to you that I will not prevent it." - -The girl looked at her fixedly. - -"Speak," she said, in her gentle and sympathizing voice. -"Prairie-Flower is listening." - -A sigh of relief escaped from the She-wolf's oppressed chest. There was -a moment's silence: nothing could be heard, save the panting of the -prisoner. - -"You are right, girl," the She-wolf at length said, in a mournful -voice, "that man took care of your infancy, was kind to you, and -brought you up tenderly; you see that I do him justice! But he never -told you how you fell into his hands." - -"Never," the maiden said, in a melancholy voice. - -"Well," the She-wolf continued, "that secret, which he has not dared to -reveal to you, I will tell you. On just such a night as this, at the -head of his ferocious warriors, the man you call your father attacked -your real father, and while your two brothers, by that monster's -orders, were burned alive, your father fastened to a tree, and there -was flayed alive." - -"Horror!" the young girl shrieked, as she sprang up. - -"And if you do not believe me," she continued, in a shrill voice, "tear -from your neck that bag made of your unhappy father's skin, and you -will find in it all that remains of him." - -With a feverish movement the young girl drew out the bag, which she -squeezed convulsively. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed, "no! no! it is impossible; such atrocities could -not be committed." - -Suddenly her tears ceased, she looked fixedly at the She-wolf, and -said, in a harsh voice-- - -"How do you know all this? The man who told it you lied." - -"I was present," the She-wolf said, coldly, - -"You were present? You witnessed this horrible scene?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"Why?" she asked, madly. "Answer, why? - -"Why?" she said, with an accent of supreme majesty; "because I am your -mother, child." - -At this unexpected revelation the girl's features were convulsed, her -voice failed her, her eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, -her body was agitated by a convulsive tremor; for an instant she tried -to utter a shriek, but then suddenly broke into sobs, and fell into -Margaret's arms, exclaiming, with a piercing accent,-- - -"My mother! My mother!" - -"At last," the She-wolf said, deliriously, "I have found you again, and -you are really mine." - -For some moments mother and daughter, yielding to their tenderness, -forgot the whole world. Natah Otann tried to profit by the opportunity, -and seize the chance of safety which accident offered him. He -noiselessly began rolling over to gain the top of the enclosure; but -the young girl suddenly noticed him, and sprang up as if a serpent had -stung her. - -"Stop, Natah Otann!" she said to him. - -The chief remained motionless: he imagined, from the girl's accent, -that he was lost, and he resigned himself to his fate with that -fatalism which forms the base of the Indian character. - -Still he was mistaken. - -Prairie-Flower, with burning eyes and pallid brow, turned a haggard -glance from her mother on the man extended at her feet, asking her -heart if she had a right, after all the kindness he had shown her, to -avenge her father's death upon him. She felt that her arm was too weak, -her heart too tender for such a deed. For several seconds the three -actors of this terrible scene remained plunged in a gloomy silence, -which was only interrupted by the dull and mysterious noises of the -night. - -Natah Otann did not fear death; but he trembled at leaving uncompleted -the glorious task he had taken on himself; he was ashamed at having -fallen into so clumsy a snare, set by a half insane woman. With his -head stretched out, and frowning brow, he anxiously read on the girl's -face the feelings in turn reflected on it as in a mirror, in order to -calculate the chances of saving a life so precious to those he wished -to render free. Though resigned to his fate, like all great men, he -did not despair, but struggled to the last moment. Prairie-Flower -at length raised her head; her lovely face had assumed a strange -expression her brow glistened, her gentle blue eyes seemed to flash -forth flames. - -"Mother," she said, in her melodious voice, "give me those pistols you -have in your hand." - -"What will you do with them?" the She-wolf asked. - -"Avenge my father! Was it not for that you summoned me here?" - -Without replying, the She-wolf gave her the weapons. The girl, at -first, threatened Natah Otann, and then, with a gesture as rapid as -thought, threw them down the hill. - -"Unhappy girl," Margaret yelled, "what have you done?" - -"I avenge my father," she answered, with an accent of supreme dignity. - -"Unhappy child, he is the assassin of your father." - -"I know it; you have told me so. This man, in spite of his crimes, has -been kind to me--he watched over my childhood. Although he obeyed the -feeling of hatred his race entertains for the Palefaces by murdering my -father, he took his place with me as far as was possible, and almost -changed his Indian nature to protect and support me. The Great Spirit -will judge us, He whose eye is eternally fixed on earth." - -"Woe is me! Woe is me!" the She-wolf yelled, wringing her hands in -despair. - -The girl bent over the Chief, and cut the bonds that fettered him. -Natah Otann sprang to his feet with the bound of a jaguar. The She-wolf -made a movement, as if to rush upon him, but she checked herself. - -"All is not over yet," she shrieked, "yes! yes! I will have my revenge, -no matter at what cost." - -And she rushed into the thicket, where she disappeared. - -"Natah Otann," the maiden continued, turning to the Chief, who stood -by her side, calmly and stoically, as if nothing extraordinary had -happened; "I leave vengeance to the Great Spirit--a woman can only -weep. Farewell! I loved you as that father you deprived me of. I do not -feel the strength to hate you, I will try to forget you." - -"Poor child," the Sachem replied, with much emotion; "I must appear -to you very culpable. Alas! it is only today that I understand the -atrocity of the deed of which I allowed myself to be guilty: perhaps, I -may succeed one day in obtaining your pardon." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sorrowfully. - -"Your pardon does not depend from me," she said, "Wacondah alone can -absolve you." - -And, after giving him a parting glance of sadness, she withdrew slowly, -and thoughtfully entered the wood. - -Natah Otann looked after her for a long while. - -"Can the Christians be right?" he muttered, when done; "do angels -really exist?" - -He shook his head several times, and, after attentively looking at the -sky, in which the stars were beginning to shine,-- - -"The hour has arrived," he said, hoarsely; "shall I be the victor?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -RED WOLF. - - -To understand the facts we are now about to narrate, we must retrace -our steps a short distance, and return to the tent which served as a -temporary abode to the Count and Bright-eye. - -The two white men were somewhat discontented by the way in which the -interview had terminated. Still the Count was too thorough a gentleman -not to allow, honourably, that on this occasion the Chief had been the -victor in magnanimity. As for Bright-eye, however, he could not see -so far. Furious at the check he had sustained, and especially at the -slight value the Chief appeared to set on his capture, he revolved the -most terrible schemes of vengeance while biting his nails savagely. - -The Count amused himself for a few minutes in watching his comrade's -manoeuvres, as he walked up and down the tent, growling, clenching his -fists, dashing the butt of his rifle on the ground, and looking up to -heaven with comic despair. At last the young man could stand it no -longer, but burst into a hearty laugh. The hunter stopped in amazement, -and looked around the tent, to discover the cause for such untimely -gaiety. - -"What has happened, Mr. Edward?" he at length asked, "Why do you laugh -so?" - -Naturally this question, asked with a startled air, had no other result -than to augment the Count's hilarity. - -"My good fellow," he said, "I am laughing at the singular faces you -cut, and the strange manoeuvres you have been indulging in during the -last twenty minutes." - -"Oh, Mr. Edward!" Bright-eye said, reproachfully; "how can you jest so?" - -"Why, my boy, you seem to take the affair seriously to heart, and -to have lost that magnificent confidence which made you despise all -dangers." - -"No, no, Mr. Edward! you are mistaken. My opinion has been formed a -long time. Look you, I am certain these red devils will never succeed -in killing me; but I am furious at having been so thoroughly duped by -them. It is humiliating, and I am now racking my brains to discover a -way to play them a trick." - -"Do so, my friend, and I would help you, were it possible; but, for the -present, at least, I am forced to remain neutral--my hands are tied." - -"What?" Bright-eye said, with astonishment; "you mean to remain here, -and serve their diabolical jugglery?" - -"I must, my good fellow; have I not pledged my word?" - -"You certainly pledged it, and I do not know why. Still, a pledge given -to an Indian counts for nothing. The Redskins are tribes who understand -nothing about honour; and, in a similar case, I am certain that Natah -Otann would consider himself in no way bound to you." - -"That is possible, although I am not of your opinion. The Chief is no -ordinary man. He is gifted with a great intellect." - -"What good is it to him? None. Except to be more cunning and -treacherous than his countrymen. Take my advice, and do not stand on -any ceremony with him. Take French leave, as they say in the South, and -leave them in the lurch. The Redskins will be the first to applaud your -conduct." - -"My good fellow," the Count said, seriously, "it is useless to discuss -the point; when a gentleman has once given his word, he is a slave to -it, no matter the person to whom he has given it, or the colour of his -skin." - -"Very good, then, Mr. Edward, pray act as you think proper. I have no -right to thrust my advice on you. You are a better judge than myself of -how you are bound to act. So, be easy. I will not mention it again." - -"Thank you." - -"All that is very good, but what are we going to do now?" - -"What we are going to do? I suppose you mean what are you going to do?" - -"No, Mr. Edward, I said exactly what I meant; you understand that I am -not going to leave you alone in this nest of serpents, I hope!" - -"On the contrary, you will do so directly." - -"I?" the hunter said, with a loud laugh. - -"Yes, you, my friend; you must." - -"Bah! why so, pray, if you remain?" - -"That is the very reason." - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"You know that I do not understand you at all," he said. - -"Yet it is very clear," the Count answered. - -"Hum! that is possible, but not to me." - -"What, you do not understand that we must avenge ourselves?" - -"Oh, of course, I understand that, Mr. Edward." - -"How can we hope to succeed, if you insist on remaining here?" - -"Because you remain," the hunter said, obstinately. - -"With me it is very different, my good fellow. I remain, because I have -given my word; while you are free to go and come, and must therefore -profit by it to leave the camp. Once in the prairie, nothing can be -easier for you than to join some of our friends. It is evident that -my worthy Ivon, coward as he fancies himself, is working actively at -this moment for my deliverance; so see him, come to an understanding -with him, for though it is true I cannot leave this place, I cannot, on -the other hand, prevent my friends liberating me; if they succeed, my -parole will be suspended, and nothing will hinder my following them. Do -you understand me now?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward; but I confess that I cannot make up my mind to leave -you alone, among these red devils." - -"Do not trouble yourself about that, Bright-eye; I run no danger by -remaining with them; they have too much respect for me; besides, Natah -Otann well knows how to defend me, should it be needful. So, my friend, -start at once. You will serve me better by going, than by insisting on -remaining here, where your presence, in the event of danger, would be -more injurious than useful to me." - -"You are a better judge than I in such a matter, sir; as you insist on -it, I will go," the hunter said, with a mournful shake of his head. - -"Above all, be prudent, do not expose yourself to risk in quitting the -camp." - -The hunter smiled disdainfully. - -"You know," he said, "that the Redskins cannot harm me." - -"That is true; I forgot it," the young man said, laughingly; "so, -good-bye, my friend, stay no longer, but go, and joy be with you." - -"Good-bye, Mr. Edward; will you not give me a shake of the hand before -we part, not knowing whether we shall ever meet again?" - -"Most gladly, for are we not brothers?" - -"That is famous," the hunter said, joyfully, as he pressed the Count's -offered hand. - -The two men presently separated. The Count fell back on the pile of -furs that served as his bed, while the hunter, after assuring himself -that his arms were in good condition, quitted the tent. With his rifle -under his arm, and head erect, he crossed the camp. The Indians did not -seem at all to trouble themselves at the hunter's presence among them, -and allowed him to depart unimpeded. - -Bright-eye, when he had gone about two musket shots from the camp, -stopped, and began reflecting on what was best to be done to liberate -the Count; after a few moments' reflection, his mind was made up, and -he proceeded toward the squatter's settlement with that long trot -peculiar to the hunters. - -When he reached the clearing, the squatter was holding a conference -with Ivon and the party sent by Major Melville. His arrival was greeted -with a hurrah of delight. - -The North Americans were considerably embarrassed. Mrs. Margaret, in -spite of the exclusive details she had obtained about Natah Otann's -plans, and the movements of the Indians, had only made an incomplete -report to the Major, from the simple reason, that the old Sachems of -the Allied Nations kept their deliberations so secret, that Red Wolf, -despite all his cleverness and craft, had himself picked up but a -slight part of the plan the Chiefs proposed to follow. The scouts, -sent out in all directions, had brought in startling reports about the -movements of the Blackfeet; the Indians appeared resolved to strike -a grand blow this time; all the Missouri nations had responded to -Natah Otann's appeal; the tribes arrived one after the other, to join -the coalition, so that their number now attained four thousand, and -threatened not to stop then. - -Fort Mackenzie was surrounded on all sides by invisible enemies, who -had completely cut off the communication with the other settlements of -the Fur Company, and rendered the Major's position extremely critical. -Thus the hunters were greatly perplexed; and during the many hours -they had been deliberating, they had only hit on insufficient or -impracticable means to relieve the fortress. - -The White men have only succeeded in holding their own in Western -America by the divisions they have managed to sow among the aborigines -of the continent; whenever the latter have remained united, the -Europeans have failed, as witness the Araucanos of Chili, whose small -but valiant republic has maintained its independence to the present -day; or the Seminoles of Louisiana, who have only lately been conquered -after a desperate contest, carried on with all the rules of modern -warfare, and many other Indian nations, whose names we could easily -quote, if necessary, in support of our arguments. - -This time the Indians seemed to have understood the importance of open -and energetic action. The several Chiefs had, ostensibly at least, -forgotten all their hatred and jealousies, to destroy the common enemy. -Thus the Americans, in spite of their approved bravery, trembled at -the mere thought of the war of extermination they would have to sustain -against enemies exasperated by a long series of vexations, when they -counted their numbers, and saw how weak they were, compared to the -warriors preparing to crush them. The council, interrupted for a moment -by Bright-eye's arrival, immediately assembled again, and the debate -was continued. - -"By heaven!" John Black exclaimed, angrily, as he smote his thigh with -his fist, "I confess that I have no luck, everything turns against -me; hardly have I settled here, whither everything made me forebode a -prosperous future, than I am dragged, in spite of myself, into a war -with these vagabond savages. Who knows how it will end? It is plain to -me that we shall all lose our scalps. That is a pleasant prospect for a -man who is anxious to raise his family honourably by his labour." - -"That is not the question at this moment," Ivon said; "we have to save -my master at all risks. What! you are all afraid to fight when it is -almost your trade? and you have done hardly anything else during your -lives; while I, who am known to be a remarkable coward, do not hesitate -to risk my scalp to save my master." - -"You do not understand me, Master Ivon; I do not say that I am afraid -to fight the Indians; heaven guard me from fearing these Pagans, whom -I despise. Still, I believe that an honest and laborious man, like -myself, may be permitted to deplore the consequences of a war with -these demons. I know too well all I and my family owe to the Count, -to hesitate in hurrying to his help, whatever the result may be. The -little I possess was his gift, I have not forgotten it, and even were I -to fall, I would do my duty." - -"Bravo! that is what I call speaking," Ivon replied, joyously; "I was -certain you would not hang back." - -"Unfortunately," Bright-eye objected, "all this does not advance -matters much. I do not see how we can serve our friends. These red -devils fall upon us more numerous than locusts in June. We may kill -many of them, but in the end they will crush us by their weight." - -This sad truth, perfectly understood by the auditors, plunged them into -dull grief, A material impossibility cannot be discussed; it must be -submitted to. The Americans felt an imminent catastrophe coming on, and -their despair was augmented by the consciousness of their impotence. -Suddenly the cry "To arms!" several times repeated outside, made -them bound on their seats. Each seized his weapons, and ran out. The -cry, which had broken up the conference, was raised by William, the -squatter's son. - -All eyes were turned on the prairie, and the hunters perceived, with -secret terror, that William was not mistaken. A large band of Indian -warriors, dressed in their grand war paint, was galloping over the -plain, and rapidly approaching the clearing. - -"Hang it!" Bright-eye muttered, "matters are getting worse. I must -confess that these most accursed Pagans have made enormous progress in -military tactics. If they continue, they will soon give us a lesson." - -"Do you think so?" Black asked, anxiously. - -"Confound it!" the hunter replied, "it is evident to me that we -are about to be attacked, I now know the plan of the Redskins as -thoroughly as if they had explained it to me themselves." - -"Ah!" Ivon said, curiously. - -"Judge for yourselves," the hunter continued; "the Indians intend to -attack simultaneously all the posts occupied by white men, in order to -render it impossible for them to help one another. That is excessively -logical on their parts. In that way they will have a cheap bargain of -us, and massacre us in detail. Hum! the man who commands them is a -rough adversary for us. My lads, we must make up our minds gaily. We -are lost, that is as plain to me as if the scalping knife was already -in our hair. All left to us is to fall bravely." - -These words, pronounced in the cool and placid tone usual with the wood -ranger, caused all who heard them to shudder. - -"I alone, perhaps," Bright-eye added, carelessly, "shall escape the -common fate." - -"Bah!" Ivon said; "you, old hunter, why so?" - -"Why?" he said, with a sarcastic smile, "because, as you are perfectly -aware, the Indians cannot kill me." - -"Ah!" Ivon remarked, stupefied by this reason, and gazing on his friend -with admiration. - -"That is the state of the case," Bright-eye ended his address, and -stamped his rifle on the ground. - -In the meanwhile the Redskins advanced rapidly. The band was composed -of one hundred and fifty warriors at least, the majority armed with -guns, which proved they were picked men. At the head of the band, and -about ten yards in advance, galloped two horsemen, probably Chiefs. The -Indians stopped just out of range of the entrenchments; then, after -consulting together for a few minutes, a horseman left the group, and, -riding within pistol shot of the palisades, he waved a buffalo robe. - -"Eh! eh! Master Black," Bright-eye said, with a cunning smile, "that -is addressed to you as the chief of the garrison. The Redskins wish to -parley." - -"Ah!" the-American said, "I have a great mind to send a bullet after -that rascal parading down, as my sole answer," and he raised his rifle. - -"Mind what you are about," the hunter said, "you do not know the -Redskins. So long as the first shot is not fired, there is a chance of -treating with them." - -"Suppose, old hunter," Ivon said, "you were to do something?" - -"What is it, my prudent friend?" the Canadian asked. - -"Why, as you are not afraid of being killed by the Redskins, suppose -you go to them. Perhaps you could arrange matters with them." - -"Stay! that is a good idea. No one can say what may happen. I will go. -That will be the best, after all. Will you accompany me, Ivon?" - -"Why not?" the latter answered; "with you, I am not afraid." - -"Well, that is settled, then. Open the gate for us, Master Black; but -keep a good lookout during our absence, and, on the first suspicious -movement, fire on these heathens." - -"Do not alarm yourself, old hunter," the latter said, squeezing his -hand cordially; "I should not like any harm to happen to you, for you -are a man." - -"I believe so," the Canadian said, with a laugh; "but what I say to you -is more for this worthy fellow's sake than mine, for I assure you I am -quite easy on my own account." - -"No matter, I will watch these demons carefully." - -"That can do no harm." - -The gate was opened. Bright-eye and Ivon went down the hill, and went -toward the horseman, who was patiently awaiting them. - -"Ah! ah!" Bright-eye muttered, as soon as he drew near enough to -recognize the rider; "I fancy that our affairs are not quite so well as -I suspected." - -"Why so?" Ivon asked. - -"Look at that warrior. Do you not see it is Red Wolf?" - -"That is true. Well?" - -"Well, I have reasons for believing that he is not so great an enemy as -he appears to be." - -"Are you sure of it?" - -"Silence! we shall soon see." - -The three men saluted each other courteously in the Indian fashion, by -laying the right hand on the heart, and holding out the other open, -with the fingers apart and the palm turned outwards. - -"My brother is welcome among his Paleface brothers," Bright-eye said; -"does he come to sit at the council fire, and smoke the calumet in my -wigwam?" - -"The hunter will decide. Red Wolf comes as a friend," the Indian -answered. - -"Good," the Canadian remarked; "did Red Wolf then fear treachery from -his friend, that he brought so large a body of warriors with him?" - -The Blackfoot smiled cunningly. - -"Red Wolf is a chief among the Kenhas," he said, "his tongue is not -forked. The words that pass his lips come from his heart. The Chief -wishes to serve his Pale friends. - -"Wah!" Bright-eye said, "the Chief has spoken well. His words have -sounded pleasantly in my ears. What does my brother desire?" - -"To sit at the council fire of the Palefaces, and explain to them the -reasons that bring him here." - -"Good. Will my brother go alone among the white men?" - -"No! another person will accompany the Chief." - -"And who is this person in whom so great a Chief as my brother places -confidence?" - -"The She-Wolf of the prairies." - -Bright-eye suppressed a movement of joy. - -"Good," he went on, "my brother can come with the She-Wolf. The -Palefaces will receive them kindly." - -"My brother, the hunter, will announce the visit of his friends." - -"Yes, Chief, I will go at once and do so." - -The conference was over. The three men separated, after again saluting, -and Bright-eye and Ivon hurried back to the entrenchments. - -"Victory!" the hunter said, on arriving, "we are saved!" - -All pressed round him, greedy to learn the details of the conference, -and Bright-eye satisfied the general curiosity without a moment's delay. - -"Ah!" Black said, "if the old lady is with them we are, indeed, saved," -and he rubbed his hands joyfully. - -After having failed so unluckily in the snare she had laid for Natah -Otann, Mrs. Margaret, far from being discouraged, felt her desire of -revenge increased; and, without losing time in regretting the check she -had undergone, she immediately drew up her plans, for she had reached -that pitch of rage when a person is completely blinded by hatred, and -goes onward regardless of consequences. Ten minutes after leaving the -Sachem, she quitted the camp, accompanied by Red Wolf, who, by her -orders, led off the warriors he commanded and started for the clearing. - -Bright-eye had scarce given his friends the information they desired, -ere Margaret and Red Wolf entered the stockade, where they were -received with the greatest affability by the trappers, and especially -by Black, who was delighted to find that his clearing was not menaced, -and that the storm was turning from him to burst elsewhere. - -Let us now return to Fort Mackenzie, where, at this very moment, events -of the utmost importance were occurring. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE ATTACK. - - -White Buffalo and Natah Otann had drawn up their strategic arrangements -with remarkable skill. The two Chiefs had scarce formed their camp in -the clearing, ere they assembled the Sachems of the other tribes camped -not far from them, in order to combine their movement, so as to attack -the Americans simultaneously from all points. - -Though the Redskins are excessively cunning, the Americans had -succeeded in thoroughly deceiving them, in the gloom and silence that -prevailed through the fort, for not a single bayonet could be seen -glistening behind its parapets. Leaving their horses concealed in the -forest, the Indians lay down on the ground, and, crawling through the -tall grass like reptiles, began crossing the space that separated them -from the ramparts. - -All was still apparently gloomy and silent, and yet two thousand -intrepid warriors were crawling up in the shadow to attack a fortress -behind which forty resolute men only waited for the signal to be given, -and commence the attack. When all the orders had been given, and the -last warriors had quitted the hill, Natah Otann, whose perspicuous -eye had discovered a certain hesitation of evil omen in the minds of -the allied chiefs, resolved to make that final appeal to the Count to -secure his co-operation. We have already seen the result. When left -alone, Natah Otann gave the signal for attack; the Indians rushed like -a hurricane down the sides of the hill, and ran towards the fort, -brandishing their arms, and uttering their war yell. Suddenly a heavy -discharge was heard, and Fort Mackenzie was begirt with smoke and -dazzling flashes. The battle had commenced. - -The plain was invaded, as far as eye could trace, by powerful -detachments of Indian warriors, who, converging on one point, marched -resolutely toward the fort, incessantly discharging their bullets at -it; while new bands could be seen constantly arriving from the place -where the chain of hills abuts on the Missouri. They came up at a -gallop, in parties of from three to twenty men; their horses were -covered with foam, which led to the presumption that they had come a -long distance. The Blackfeet were in their war attire, loaded with all -sorts of ornaments and arms, with bow and quiver on their backs, and -musket in hand, while their heads were crowned with feathers, some -of which were the magnificent black and white eagle plumes. They were -seated on handsome saddle cloths of panther skin, lined with red; the -upper part of the body was naked, with the exception of a long strip -of wolf skin passing over the shoulder as a cross belt, while their -bucklers were adorned with feathers and cloth of various colours. - -These men, thus accoutred, had something imposing and majestic about -them, which affected the imagination, and inspired terror. - -The struggle seemed most obstinate in the environs of the fort, and on -the hill. The Blackfeet, sheltered by tall palisades planted during -the night, replied to the Americans' fire with an equally rapid fire, -exciting each other, with wild cries, courageously to resist the attack -of their implacable foes. The defence was, however, as vigorous as the -assault, and the combat did not appear destined to terminate so soon. -Already many corpses lay on the ground, startled horses galloped in -every direction, and the shrieks of the wounded mingled at intervals -with the defiant shouts of the assailants. - -Natah Otann, so soon as the signal had been given, ran off to the tent -where his prisoner was. - -"The moment has arrived," he said to him. - -"I am ready," the Count answered, "go on. I will keep constantly at -your side." - -"Come on, then!" - -They went out, and at once rushed into the thickest fight. The Count, -as he had said, was unarmed, raising his head fiercely at each bullet -that whistled past his ear, and smiling at the death which he, perhaps, -invoked in his heart. In spite of his contempt for the white race, -the Indian could not refrain from admiring this courage, which was so -frankly and nobly stoical. - -"You are a man," he said to the Count. - -"Did you ever doubt it?" the latter remarked, simply. - -Still the combat became, with each moment, more obstinate. The Indians -rushed forward, roaring like lions, against the palisades of the fort, -and were killed without flinching; their bodies almost filled up the -moat. The Americans, compelled to make a front on all sides, defended -themselves with the methodical and resolute impassiveness of men who -know they have no help to expect, and who have made up their minds to -sell their lives dearly. - -From the beginning of the fight, White Buffalo had, with a picked body -of men, held the hill that commanded Fort Mackenzie, which rendered -the position of the garrison still more precarious, for they were -thus exposed to a terrible and well-sustained fire, which caused them -irreparable loss, regard being had to the smallness of their numbers. -Major Melville, standing at the foot of the flagstaff, with his arms -crossed on his breast, a pallid brow and compressed lips, saw his men -fall one after the other, and he stamped his foot with rage at his -impotence to save them. - -Suddenly, a terrific shriek of agony rose from the interior of -the buildings, and the wives of the soldiers and _engagés_ rushed -simultaneously into the square, flying, half mad with terror, from an -enemy still invisible. The Indians, guided by White Buffalo, had turned -the fortress, and discovered a secret entrance which the Major fancied -known to himself alone, and which, in case of a serious attack and -impossibility of defence, would serve the garrison in effecting its -retreat. From this moment the Americans saw that they were lost; it -was no longer a battle, but a massacre. The Major, followed by a few -resolute men, rushed into the buildings, and the Indians scaled on all -sides the palisades, now deprived of protection. - -The few surviving Americans collected round the flagstaff, from the top -of which floated the starry banner of the United States, and strove to -sell their lives as dearly as possible, for they feared most falling -alive into the bands of their implacable enemies. The Indians replied -to the hurrahs of their foes by their terrific war cry, and bounded -on them like coyotes, brandishing over their heads the blood-stained -weapons. - -"Down with your arms!" Natah Otann shouted, on reaching the scene of -action. - -"Never!" the Major replied, rushing on him at the head of the few -soldiers still left him. - -The mêlée recommenced, more ardently and implacable than before. The -Indians rushed about in every direction, throwing torches on the roofs, -which immediately caught fire. The Major saw that victory was hopeless, -and tried to effect his retreat. But that was not so easy; there was -no chance of climbing over the palisades; the only prospect was the -gate; but before that gate, the Blackfeet, skilfully posted, repulsed -with their lances those who tried to escape by it. Still there was no -alternative. The Major rallied his men for a final effort, and rushed -with incredible fury on the enemy, with the hope of cutting his way -through. - -The collision was horrible--it was not a battle, but a butchery; foot -to foot, chest against chest--in which the men seized each other -round the waist, killed each other with knives, or tore the foe with -teeth and nails: those who fell did not rise again--the wounded were -finished at once. This frightful carnage lasted about a quarter of an -hour; two-thirds of the Americans succumbed; the rest managed to force -a passage and fled, closely pursued by the Indians, who then commenced -a horrible manhunt. Never, until this day, had the Redskins fought the -Whites with such fury and tenacity. The presence among them of the -Count, disarmed and smiling, who, although rushing into the thickest -of the contest by the side of the Chief, appeared invulnerable, -electrified them, and they really believed that Natah Otann had told -them the truth--and that the Count was that Motecuhzoma they had waited -so long, and whose presence would restore them for ever that liberty -which the White men had torn from them. Thus they had kept their eyes -constantly fixed on the young man, saluting him with noisy shouts of -joy, and redoubling their efforts to secure the victory. Natah Otann -rushed toward the American flag, tore it down, and wound it over his -head. - -"Victory--victory!" he shouted, joyfully. - -The Blackfeet responded to this cry with yells, and spread in every -direction to begin plundering. A few men still remained in the fort, -among them being the Major, who did not wish to survive his defeat. -The Indians, rushed upon him with loud yells, to massacre him, but the -veteran remained calm, and did not offer to defend himself. - -"Stay!" the Count shouted; and turning to Natah Otann, said,--"Will you -let this brave soldier be assassinated in cold blood?" - -"No," the Sachem answered, "if he consents to surrender his sword to -me." - -"Never!" the old gentleman said, with energy, as he broke across his -knee his weapon, blood-stained to the hilt, threw the pieces at the -Chief's feet, and, crossing his arms, he regarded his victor with -supreme contempt, as he said-- - -"Kill me now; I can no longer defend myself." - -"Bravo!" the Count exclaimed; and, not calculating the consequences -of the deed, he went up to the Major, and cordially pressed his hand. -Natah Otann regarded the two for an instant with an indefinable -expression. - -"Oh!" he muttered to himself, with sorrow; "we may beat them, but we -shall never conquer them: these men are stronger than we; they are born -to be our masters." - -Then raising his hand above his head. - -"Enough!" he said, in a loud voice. - -"Enough!" the Count repeated, "respect the conquered." - -That which the Sachem could not have obtained, in spite of the respect -the Indians had for him, the Count obtained instantaneously, through -the superstitious veneration he inspired them with; they stopped, and -the carnage finally ceased; the Americans were disarmed in a second, -and the Redskins remained masters of the fort. - -Natah Otann then took his totem from the hands of the warrior who bore -it, and, after swinging it several times in the air, hoisted it in the -place of the American flag, in the midst of the frenzied shouts of the -Indians, who, intoxicated with joy, could hardly yet believe in their -victory. - -White Buffalo had not lost a moment in assuring himself of the -peaceful possession of a conquest which had cost the confederates so -much blood and toil. When the Sachems had restored some little order -among their warriors; when the fire, that threatened the destruction -of the fort, had been extinguished; and all precautions taken against -any renewal of the attack by the Americans--though that was very -improbable--Natah Otann and White Buffalo withdrew to the apartment -hitherto occupied by the Major, and the Count followed them. - -"At length," the young Count exclaimed, with delight, "we have proved -to these haughty Americans that they are not invincible." - -"Your weakness caused their strength," White Buffalo replied. "You have -made a good beginning, and now you must go on; it is not enough to -conquer; you must know how to profit by that victory." - -"Pardon my interrupting you, gentlemen," the Count said; "but I fancy -the hour has arrived to settle our accounts." - -"What do you mean, sir?" White Buffalo asked, haughtily. - -"I will explain myself, sir," the Count continued, and, turning to Natah -Otann, "you will do me the justice to allow that I have scrupulously -kept the promise I made you; in spite of the grief and disgust I felt, -I did not fail once; you ever found me cold and calm at your side. Is -this not so?--answer, sir." - -"It is true," Natah Otann replied, coldly. - -"Very good, sir; it is now my turn to ask from you the fulfilment of -the promises you made me." - -"Be a little more explicit, sir," the Chief said. "During the last -few hours I have been actor in and witness of so many extraordinary -things, that I may possibly have forgotten what I did promise you." - -The Count smiled with disdain. - -"I expected such trickery," he said, drily. - -"You misinterpret my words. I may have forgotten, but I do not refuse -to satisfy your just claims." - -"Very good; I admit that, so I will remind you of the stipulations made -between us." - -"I shall be glad to hear them." - -"I pledged myself to remain by yourself unarmed during the action, -to follow you everywhere, and ever to go in the first rank of the -combatants." - -"That is true, and it is my duty to allow that you have nobly performed -that perilous task." - -"Very well; but in doing so I only acted as my honour dictated; you, -on your part, pledged yourself whatever the issue of the battle might -be, to grant me my liberty, and give me an honourable satisfaction, -in reparation for the unworthy treachery of which you rendered me the -victim, and the odious part you forced me unconsciously to play." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said, frowning, and striking the table with his -fists. "Did you really make such a promise as that, child?" - -The Count turned to the old man with a gesture sovereign contempt. - -"I believe, sir," he said, "that you are doubting the honour of a -gentleman." - -"Nonsense, sir," the republican said, with a grin "How can you talk to -us of honour and nobility? You forget that we are in the desert, and -that you are addressing savage Indians, as you call us. Do we recognize -your foolish caste distinctions here? Have we adopted your laws and -absurd prejudices?" - -"What you treat so cavalierly," the Count sharply retorted, "has -hitherto been the safeguard of civilization, and the cause of -intellectual progress; but I have nothing to discuss with you; I am -addressing myself to your adopted son; let him answer me, yes or no, -and I shall then know what remains for me to do." - -"Be it so, sir," White Buffalo said, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Let my son answer, and, according to his reply, I shall then know what -remains for me to do." - -"As this affair concerns me alone," Natah Otann interposed, "I should -feel mortally offended, my friend, if you interfered in any way in it." - -The White Buffalo smiled with contempt, but made no reply. Natah Otann -continued-- - -"I will employ no subterfuges with you, sir; you have spoken the truth; -I promised you liberty and satisfaction, and I am prepared to keep my -word." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said. - -"Silence!" the Chief ordered, peremptorily. "Listen, my friend; -prove to these Europeans, so vain and so proud of their so-called -civilization, that the Redskins are not the ferocious brutes they -imagine them, and that the code of honour is the same among nations -who are regarded as the most barbarous. You are free, sir, from this -moment, and, if you please, I will myself lead you in safety outside -the lines. As for the duel you desire, I am equally ready to satisfy -you in any way you may indicate." - -"Thank you, sir," the Count answered, with a bow, "I am happy to hear -your determination." - -"Now that affair is arranged between us, allow me to add a few words." - -"I am listening to you, sir." - -"Am I in the way?" White Buffalo asked, ironically. - -"On the contrary," Natah Otann said, with emphasis, "your presence is -at this moment more necessary than ever." - -"Ah, ah! what is going to happen?" the old man went on, in a sarcastic -tone. - -"You will learn," the Chief said, still cold and impassive; "if you -will take the trouble to listen to me for five minutes." - -"Be it so; speak." - -Natah Otann seemed to be collecting himself for a few moments, and -said, in a voice which, spite of all his efforts to conceal it, -trembled slightly, through some hidden emotion,-- - -"Owing to events too long to narrate here, and which I would probably -possess but slight interest for you, I became the guardian of a child, -who is now a charming maiden. This girl, to whom I have ever paid the -greatest attention, and whom I love as a father, is known to you; her -name is Prairie-Flower." - -The Count quivered, and made a gesture in affirmation, but no other -reply. Natah Otann continued,-- - -"As I am entering now on a hazardous expedition, in which I may meet -my death, it is impossible for me to watch longer over this girl; it -would be painful to me to leave her alone, and without support, among -my tribe, if destiny were to cause my plans to fail. I know that she -loves you, I entrust her to you frankly and honestly; I have full faith -in your honour--will you give to her protection? I know that you will -never abuse the trust I offer you; I am only a brutalized Indian, -a monster, perhaps, to your civilization; but, believe me, sir, the -lessons a great man has consented to give me have not been all lost, -and my heart is not so dead, as might be supposed, to finer feelings." - -"Good, Natah Otann," White Buffalo said, joyfully; "good, my son. Now I -recognize my pupil, and I am proud of you; the man who succeeds in each -a victory over self is really born to command others." - -"You are satisfied," the Chief answered; "all the better. And you, sir? -I await your answer." - -"I accept the sacred trust you offer me, sir. I will be worthy of your -confidence," the Count answered, with much emotion. "I have no right to -judge your actions; but, believe, sir, that whatever may happen, there -will be always one man to defend your memory, and proclaim aloud the -nobility of your heart." - -The Chief clapped his hands, the door opened, and Prairie-Flower -appeared, led by an Indian woman. - -"Child," Natah Otann said to her, nothing evincing the violence he did -to his feelings, "your presence among us is henceforth impossible; -this Chief of the Palefaces consents to watch over you for the future; -follow him, and if at times you are reminded of your stay with the -tribe of the Kenhas, do not curse them or their Chief, for all have -been kind to you." - -The maiden blushed, the tears rose to her eyes, a nervous tremor -agitated her limbs, and, without uttering a word, she took her place by -the Count's side. Natah Otann smiled sorrowfully. - -"Follow me," he said, "I will escort you out of the camp." - -And he went out, accompanied by the two young people. - -"We shall soon meet again, I presume, noble Count?" White Buffalo -called out, after his countryman. - -"I hope so," the latter answered, simply. - -Guided by Natah Otann, the Count and his companion left the fort, and -entered the prairie, passing through groups of Redskins, who stood back -respectfully to make room for them. Their walk was silent; it lasted -about half an hour, until the Chief stopped. - -"Here you have nothing more to fear," he said; and going to a dense -thicket, and pulling back the branches, "Here are two horses I had -prepared for you; take also these weapons, perhaps you will need them; -and now, if you wish to fight with me, I am ready." - -"No," the Count answered, nobly, "any combat is henceforth impossible -between us; I can no longer be the enemy of a man whom honour orders me -to esteem; here is my hand, I will never lift it against you; I offer -it you frankly, and without any afterthought; unfortunately, too deep -a hatred divides our two races to prevent us being ere long opposed to -each other, but if I fight your brothers, I shall not the less remain -personally your friend." - -"I ask no more of you," the Chief replied, as he pressed the hand -offered him; "farewell! be happy!" - -And without adding a word, he turned away, and hurried back by the road -he had come; he soon disappeared in the darkness. - -"Let us go," the Count said to the maiden, who was pensively watching -the departure of the man she had so long loved as a father, and whom -now she did not feel strong enough to hate. They mounted and went off, -after a parting glance at the scattered fire of the Blackfoot camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The night was gloomy, cold, and mournful; not a star shone in the sky, -and the young people only forced their way with extreme difficulty -through the shrubs and creepers, in which their horses' feet were -continually caught. They advanced very slowly, for both were too -absorbed by the strange situation in which they found themselves, and -the extraordinary events of which they had been actors or witnesses, to -break the silence they had maintained since leaving the fort. They went -on thus for about an hour, when a great noise was suddenly heard in the -bushes. Two men rushed to the horses' heads, and, seizing the bridles, -compelled them to stop. Prairie-Flower gave a shriek of terror. - -"Halloh, brigands!" the Count shouted, as he cocked his pistols, "back, -or I fire." - -"Do not do so, for goodness sake, sir, for you would run the risk of -killing a friend," a voice at once answered, which the Count recognized -as the hunter's. - -"Bright-eye?" he said, in amazement. - -"By Jove!" the latter said, "did you fancy, pray, that I had deserted -you?" - -"My master, my kind master!" the Breton shouted, leaving hold of -Prairie-Flower's bridle, and rushing toward the young man. - -"Halloh!" the Count continued, after the emotion caused by the first -surprise was slightly calmed, "what on earth are you doing here in -ambush, like pirates of the prairie?" - -"Come to our encampment, Mr. Edward, and we will tell you." - -"Very good; but lead the way." - -They soon reached the entrance of a natural cavern, where, by the -uncertain light of an expiring fire, they perceived a large number -of white and half-bred hunters, among whom the Count recognized John -Black, his son, his wife, and daughter. The worthy squatter had left -the clearing under the charge of his two servants, and fearing lest his -wife and daughter might not be in safety during his absence, he asked -them to accompany him; and though this offer was somewhat singular, -they gladly accepted it. Prairie-Flower immediately took her place by -the side of the two ladies. - -Bright-eye, the squatter, and above all Ivon, were impatient to learn -what had happened to the Count, and how he had succeeded in escaping -from the Redskin camp. The Count made no difficulty in satisfying their -curiosity; the more so, as he was eager to learn for what reason his -friends were ambuscaded so near the camp. - -What the hunter had foreseen had really happened; scarce victors -over the Americans, and masters of the fort, disunion had set in -among the Redskins. Several Chiefs had been dissatisfied at seeing, -to their prejudice, Natah Otann, one of the youngest Sachems of the -Confederates, claim the profits of the victory, by installing himself, -with his tribe, in the fort, which all had captured at such an effusion -of blood; a dull discontentment had begun to prevail among them; five -or six of the most powerful even spoke, hardly two hours after the -victory, of withdrawing with their warriors, and leaving Natah Otann to -continue the war as he thought proper with the Whites. - -Red Wolf had found but slight difficulty in commencing the work of -defection he meditated; thus, at nightfall, he entered the camp with -his warriors, and began fanning the flame which at present only -smouldered, but which must soon be a burning and devouring fire, owing -to the means of corruption the Chief had at his disposal. Of all -the destructive agents introduced by Europeans in America, the most -effective and terrible is, indubitably, spirits. With the exception of -the Comanches, whose sobriety is proverbial, and who have constantly -refused to drink anything but the water of their streams, all the -Indians are mad for strong liquors. Drunkenness among their primitive -race is terrible, and attains the proportions of a furious mania. - -Red Wolf, who burned to avenge himself on Natah Otann, and who, -besides, blindly obeyed the insinuations of Mrs. Margaret, had -conceived an atrocious plan, which only an Indian born was capable of -forming. John Black had brought with him into the desert a considerable -stock of whiskey. Red Wolf had asked for this, placed it on sledges, -and thus entered the camp. The Indians, when they knew the species of -merchandize he brought with him, did not hesitate to give him a hearty -reception. - -The Chief, while indoctrinating them, and representing Natah Otann to -them as a man who had only acted from personal motives, and with the -intention of satiating his own wild ambition, generously abandoned to -them the spirits he had brought with him. The Indians eagerly accepted -the present Red Wolf made them, and, without the loss of a moment, took -hearty draughts. When Red Wolf saw that the Indians had reached that -state of intoxication he desired, he hastened to warn his allies, so -that they might attempt a bold _coup de main_ on the spot. - -The hunters at once mounted their horses, and proceeded toward the -fortress, concealing themselves about two hundred paces from it, so as -to be ready for the first signal. - -Natah Otann, in crossing the camp after escorting the two young people, -perceived the effervescence prevailing among his allies, and several -unpleasant epithets struck his ear. Although he did not suppose that -the Americans, after the rude defeat they had suffered during the -day, were in a condition to assume the offensive immediately, still, -his thorough knowledge of his countrymen's character made him suspect -treachery, and he resolved to redouble his prudence, in order to avoid -a conflict, whose disastrous results would be incalculable for the -success of his career. Agitated by a gloomy foreboding, the young Chief -hurried on to reach the fort; but at the moment he prepared to enter, -after opening the gate, a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder, while a -rough voice hissed in his ear-- - -"Natah Otann is a traitor." - -The Chief turned, as if a serpent had stung him, and wheeling his heavy -axe round his head, dealt a terrible blow at this bold speaker; but the -latter avoided the stroke by springing on one side, and raising his -axe in his turn, he directed a blow, which the Sachem parried with the -handle of his weapon, and then the two men rushed on each other. There -was something singularly startling in this desperate combat between two -men dumb as shadows, and in whom their fury was only revealed by the -hissing of their breath. - -"Die, dog!" Natah Otann suddenly said, his axe crashing through the -skull of his adversary, who rolled on the ground, with a yell of agony. -The Chief bent over him. - -"Red Wolf," he shouted, "I suspected it." - -Suddenly an almost imperceptible sound in the grass reminded him of the -critical situation in which he was; he made a prodigious bound back, -entered the fort, and bolted the gate after him. It was high time; he -had scarce disappeared, ere some twenty warriors, rushing in pursuit -of him, ran their heads against the gate, stifling cries of rage -and deception. But the alarm had been given, the general combat was -evidently about to begin. - -Natah Otann, immediately on entering the fort, perceived, with a groan, -that this victory, which he had so dearly bought, was on the point of -slipping from him. The Kenhas had done within the fort what the other -Blackfeet, incited by Red Wolf, had effected on the prairie. - -After the capture of the fortress they spread in every direction, and -the spirits did not long escape their search; they had rolled the -barrels into the square, and tapped them, availing themselves of the -White Buffalo being asleep, and the absence of Natah Otann, the only -two men whose influence would have been great enough to have kept -them in subordination. A frightful orgy had then commenced--an Indian -orgy, with all its incidents of murder and massacre. As we have said, -drunkenness in the Redskins is madness carried to the last paroxysm of -fury and rage; there had been a frightful scene of carnage, at the end -of which the Indians had fallen on the top of one another, and gone to -sleep in the midst of the confusion. - -"Oh!" the Chief muttered, in despair. "What is to be done with such -men?" - -Natah Otann rushed, into the room where he had left White Buffalo; the -old Chief was quietly sleeping in an easy chair. - -"Woe! woe!" the young man yelled, as he rushed toward him, and shook -him vigorously, to rouse him. - -"What is the matter?" the old man asked, opening his eyes, and sitting -up. "What news have you?" - -"That we are lost!" the Chief replied. - -"Lost!" the White Buffalo said, "what is happening then?" - -"The six hundred men we had here are drunk, the rest of our -confederates are turning against us, and the only thing left to us is -to die." - -"Let us die then, but as brave men," the old man said, rising. - -He asked Natah Otann for details, which he soon gave him. - -"The situation is grave, but all is not lost, I hope," he said; "let us -collect the few men still capable of fighting, and make head against -the storm." - -At this moment a tremendous fusillade was heard, mingled with war cries -and shouts of defiance. - -"The final struggle has commenced!" Natah Otann exclaimed. - -"Forwards!" the old Chief said. - -They rushed out. The situation was most critical. Major Melville, -taking advantage of the intoxication of his keepers, had broken out of -his prison at the head of some twenty Americans, and boldly charged the -Redskins, while the hunters outside tried to scale the barricades. - -The Indians of the prairie, ignorant of Red Wolf's death, and believing -they were carrying out his plans, advanced, in a compact body, on the -fort, with the intention of carrying it. Natah Otann had to contend -against the enemies without and those within; but he did not despair; -his energy seemed to increase with peril; he was everywhere at once; -encouraging some, rebuking others, and imparting some of his own nerve -to all. At his voice, many of his warriors sprang up, and joined him; -then the battle was organized, and became regular. - -Still the hunters, excited by the Count and Bright-eye, redoubled their -efforts; climbing on each other's backs, they reached the top of the -palisades, which they wished to scale. The Americans, though themselves -surprised, when they expected to surprise their enemies, fought with -indescribable fury, returning instantly to the attack in spite of the -bullets that decimated them, and seemed resolved to fall to the last -man, rather than give way an inch. - -During the two hours that night still lasted, the fight was maintained -without any decided advantage on either side; but when the sun -appeared on the horizon, matters changed at once. In the darkness it -was impossible for the Indians to recognize the enemies against whom -they were fighting; but so soon as the gloom was dissipated, they saw, -combating in the first rank of their enemies, and pitilessly cutting -down the Redskins, the man on whom they counted most, whom their chiefs -and medicine men had announced to them as their leader to victory, who -would render them invincible. Then they hesitated, disorder broke out -among them, and, in spite of the efforts made by Chiefs, they gave way. - -The Count, having at his side Bright-eye, the squatter and his son, -and Ivon, made a frightful butchery of the Indians; he was avenging -himself for the treachery of which they had made him their victim, -and, at each stroke, cut them down like corn ripe for the sickle. The -Count at length reached the gate of the fort; but there he came in -contact with a band of picked warriors, commanded by White Buffalo, -who was effecting his retreat in good order, and without turning his -back, closely pursued by Major Melville, who was already almost master -of the interior of the fortress. There was a moment, we will not say -of hesitation, but of truce between the hostile bands; each of them -understood that the fate of the battle depended on the defeat of the -other. - -Suddenly Natah Otann made his appearance, mad with grief and rage; -brandishing in one hand his totem, he guided with his knees a -magnificent steed, with which he had already ridden several times into -the thickest of the enemies' ranks, in the vain hope of reanimating -the courage of his men, and turning the current of the action. Horse -and rider were bathed in blood and perspiration; the shadow of death -already brooded over the Chiefs contracted face; but his forehead -still shone with enthusiasm. His eyes seemed to flash forth lightning, -and his hand wielded an axe, the very handle of which dripped gore. -Some twenty devoted warriors followed him, wounded like himself, but -resolved, like him, not to survive defeat. - -On reaching the front of the American line, Natah Otann stopped; his -eyebrows were contracted, a nervous smile played round his lips; and, -rising in his stirrups, he bent a fascinating glance around. - -"Blackfeet, my brothers," he shouted, in a strident voice, "as you -know not how to conquer, learn at least from me how to die!" - -And burying his spurs in the flanks of his steed, which shrieked with -pain, he rushed on the Americans, followed by a few warriors who -had sworn not to abandon him. This weak band, devoted to death, was -engulfed in the ranks of the hunters, when it entirely disappeared; -for a few minutes there was a sullen contest, a horrible butchery, an -ebb and flow of courage impossible to describe, a Titanic struggle of -fifteen half naked men against three hundred; gradually the agitation -ceased, the calm returned, and the ranks of the hunters were reformed. -The Blackfeet heroes were dead, but they had a sanguinary funeral, for -one hundred and twenty Americans had fallen, burying their enemies -under their corpses. - -White Buffalo's band alone resisted; but, attacked in the rear by -Major Melville, and in front by the Count, its last hour had struck: -still the collision was rude, the Indians resisted obstinately, and -made the whites purchase their victory dearly; but, attacked on all -sides at once, and falling helplessly under the unerring bullets of the -white men, disorder entered their ranks, they disbanded, and the rout -commenced. - -One man alone remained calm and impassive on the field of battle. It -was White Buffalo, leaning on his long sword; with pallid brow and -haughty look, he still defied the enemies he could no longer combat. - -"Surrender!" Bright-eye shouted, as he rushed upon him; "surrender, or -I will shoot you like a dog." - -The Chief smiled disdainfully, and made no reply. The implacable hunter -seized his rifle by the barrel, and whirled it round his head. The -Count seized him sharply by the arm. - -"Stay, Bright-eye," he said. - -"Let the man alone," White Buffalo said, coldly. - -"I do not wish him to kill you," the young man replied. - -"I suppose you wish to kill me yourself, noble Count of Beaulieu," he -said, in a cutting voice. - -"No, sir," the young man said, with disdain; "throw down your weapons; -I spare your life." - -The exile gave him a withering glance. "Instead of telling me to throw -down my weapons," he said, ironically, "why do you not try to take them -from me." - -"Because I pity your age and your grey hair," - -"Pity? confess rather, O noble Count, that you are afraid." - -At this insult the young man trembled, and his face became livid. The -Americans formed a circle round the two men, and anxiously awaited what -was going to happen. - -"Put an end to this!" Major Melville exclaimed, "kill that mad brute." - -"One moment, sir, I beg; let me settle this affair," - -"As you wish it, air, act as you think proper." - -"You desire a duel then?" the Count said, addressing White Buffalo, who -still stood perfectly calm. - -"Yes," he answered, through his clenched teeth, "a duel to the death! -two principles, and not two men, will contend here. I hate your race, -and you hate mine." - -"Be it so." - -The Count took two sabres from the hands of the men nearest him, and -threw one at the exile's feet. The latter stooped to pick it up, but as -he rose again, Ivon aimed a pistol at him, and blew out his brains. - -The young man turned furiously on his servant. - -"Wretched fellow," he shouted, "what have you done?" - -"Kill me, if you will, sir," the Breton replied, simply, "but indeed it -was stronger than myself, I was so frightened." - -"Come, come," the Major said, interposing, "you must not be angry with -the poor fellow, he fancied he was acting for the best, and for my part -I think he was." - -The incident had no other result; the exile died on the spot, taking -with him the secret of his name. - -While this scene was taking place in the courtyard of the fort, John -Black, who was anxious to reassure his wife and daughter, went to look -for them; but though he went through all the rooms and outbuildings of -the fort, where he had concealed them for a few minutes previously, he -could not possibly find them anywhere. - -The poor squatter returned, with lengthened face and despair in his -soul, to announce to the Major the disappearance of his wife and -daughter, probably carried off by the Indians. Without losing a moment, -the Major ordered a dozen hunters to go in search of the ladies; but -just as the band was about to start, they arrived, accompanied by -Bright-eye and two American hunters. Margaret and her daughter were -with them. So soon as Prairie-Flower perceived the Count, she uttered a -cry of joy, and rushed toward him. - -"Saved!" she exclaimed. - -But all at once she blushed, trembled, and went in confusion to seek -refuge by her mother's side. The Count went up, took her hand, and -pressed it tenderly. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said to her, softly, "do you no longer love me now -that I am free?" - -The maiden raised her head, and looked at him for a moment with -tear-laden eyes. - -"Oh! ever, ever!" she answered. - -"Look, daughter," Mrs. Black said to poor Diana. - -"Mother," she replied, in a firm voice, "did I not tell you that I -should forget him?" - -The squatter's wife shook her head, but made no further remark. The -Indians had fled without leaving a man, and a few hours later the fort -returned to its old condition. - -The winter passed away without any fresh incident, for the rude lesson -given the Indians had done them good. Prairie-Flower, recognized by -her uncle, remained at Fort Mackenzie. The girl was sorrowful and -pensive; she often spent long hours leaning over the parapets, with -her eyes fixed on the prairie and the forests, which were beginning to -reassume their green dress. Her mother and the Major, who were so fond -of her, could not at all understand the gloomy melancholy that preyed -upon her. When pressed to explain what she suffered from, she replied, -invariably, that there was nothing the matter with her. - -One day, however, her face brightened up, and her joyous smile -reappeared. Three travellers arrived at the fort. They were the Count, -Bright-eye, and Ivon; they were returning from a long excursion in -the Rocky Mountains. As soon as he arrived, the Count went up to the -maiden, and took her hand, as he had done three months before. - -"Prairie-Flower," he asked her once again, "do you no longer love me?" - -"Oh! yes, and for ever!" the poor child answered, gently, for she had -grown timid since she gave up her desert life. - -"Thank you," he said to her; and, turning to the Major and his sister, -who were looking at each other anxiously, he added, without loosing -the hand he held,--"Major Melville, and you, Madam, I ask you for this -lady's hand." - -A week later the marriage was solemnized; the squatter and his family -were present. And a month previously, Diana had married James. Still, -when the "yes" was uttered, she could not suppress a sigh. - -"You see, Ivon, that you are never killed by the Indians--and here is a -proof of it," Bright-eye said to the Breton, on leaving the chapel. - -"I am beginning to believe it," the latter made answer, "but no matter, -my friend, I shall never get accustomed to this frightful country; it -makes me so afraid." - -"The old humbug!" the Canadian muttered; "he will never alter." - - * * * * * - -And now, to satisfy certain curious readers who like to know -everything, we will add the following in the shape of a postscript. - -A few months after the 9th Thermidor, several members of the -Convention, in spite of the part they played on that day, were not -the less transported to French Guyana. Two of them--Collot D'Herbois -and Billaud Varenne--succeeded in escaping from Sinnamori, and buried -themselves in the deserts, where they endured horrible sufferings. -Collot D'Herbois succumbed, and we have told his comrade's fate. - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - -***** This file should be named 43925-8.txt or 43925-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/9/2/43925/ - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Prairie Flower - A Tale of the Indian Border - -Author: Gustave Aimard - -Translator: Lascelles Wraxall - -Release Date: October 10, 2013 [EBook #43925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - - - - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<h1>THE PRAIRIE FLOWER</h1> - -<h4>A TALE OF THE INDIAN BORDER</h4> - -<h3>BY</h3> - -<h2>GUSTAVE AIMARD,</h2> - -<h4>AUTHOR OF</h4> - -<h4>"THE INDIAN SCOUT," "TRAPPERS OF ARKANSAS," "TRAIL HUNTER,"</h4> - -<h4>"GOLD SEEKERS," "BEE HUNTERS,"</h4> - -<h4>ETC., ETC.</h4> - - -<h5>LONDON:</h5> - -<h5>CHARLES HENRY CLARKE, 13 PATERNOSTER ROW,</h5> - -<h5>1874</h5> - - - -<hr class="full" /> -<h4><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h4> - -<div class="center" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">A TRAIL DISCOVERED</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">THE EMIGRANTS</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">THE GRIZZLY BEAR</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">THE STRANGE WOMAN</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">THE INDIAN CHIEF</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">THE EXILE</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">THE MASSACRE</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">X.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">THE GREAT COUNCIL</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">AMERICAN HOSPITALITY</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIE</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">THE INDIAN VILLAGE</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XIV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">THE RECEPTION</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">THE WHITE BUFFALO</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XVI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">THE SPY</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XVII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">FORT MACKENZIE</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XVIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">A MOTHER'S CONFESSION</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XIX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">THE CHASE</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">INDIAN DIPLOMACY</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">MOTHER AND DAUGHTER</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">IVON</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">THE PLAN OF THIS CAMPAIGN</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXIV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">BEFORE THE ATTACK</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXVI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">RED WOLF</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXVII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">THE ATTACK</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">XXVIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CONCLUSION</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h4> - -<h3>A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT.</h3> - - -<p>America is the land of prodigies! Everything there assumes gigantic -proportions, which startle the imagination and confound the reason. -Mountains, rivers, lakes and streams, all are carved on a sublime -pattern.</p> - -<p>There is a river of North America—not like the Danube, Rhine, or -Rhone, whose banks are covered with towns, plantations, and time-worn -castles: whose sources and tributaries are magnificent streams, the -waters of which, confined in a narrow bed, rush onwards as if impatient -to lose themselves in the ocean—but deep and silent, wide as an arm -of the sea, calm and severe in its grandeur, it pours majestically -onwards, its waters augmented by innumerable streams, and lazily bathes -the banks of a thousand isles, which it has formed of its own sediment.</p> - -<p>These isles, covered with tall thickets, exhale a sharp or delicious -perfume which the breeze bears far away. Nothing disturbs their -solitude, save the gentle and plaintive appeal of the dove, or the -hoarse and strident voice of the tiger, as it sports beneath the shade.</p> - -<p>At certain spots, trees that have fallen through old age, or have -been uprooted by the hurricane, collect on its waters; then, attached -by creepers and concealed by mud, these fragments of forests become -floating islands. Young shrubs take root upon them: the petunia and -nenuphar expand here and there their yellow roses; serpents, birds, and -caimans come to sport and rest on these verdurous rafts, and are with -them swallowed up in the ocean.</p> - -<p>This river has no name! Others in the same zone are called Nebraska, -Platte, Missouri; but this is simply the <i>Mecha-Chebe</i> the old father -of waters, <i>the</i> river before all! the Mississippi in a word!</p> - -<p>Vast and incomprehensible as is infinity, full of secret terrors, like -the Ganges and Irrawaddy, it is the type of fecundity, immensity, and -eternity to the numerous Indian nations that inhabit its banks.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Three men were seated on the bank of the river, a little below its -confluence with the Missouri, and were breakfasting on a slice of roast -elk, while gaily chatting together.</p> - -<p>The spot where they were seated was remarkably picturesque. The bank -of the river was formed of small mounds, enamelled with flowers. The -strangers had selected for their halt the top of the highest mound, -whence the eye embraced a magnificent panorama. In the foreground, -dense curtains of verdure which undulated with each breath of air: on -the islands innumerable flocks of dark-winged flamingos, perched on -their long legs, plovers and cardinals fluttering from bough to bough, -while numerous alligators lazily wallowed in the mud. Between the -islands, the silvery patches of water reflected the sunbeams. In the -midst of these masses of coruscating light, fishes of every description -sported on the surface of the water, and traced sparkling furrows. -Further back, as far as the eye could reach, the tops of the trees that -bordered the prairie, and whose dark green scarcely showed upon the -horizon.</p> - -<p>But the three men we have mentioned seemed to trouble themselves very -slightly about the natural beauties that surrounded them, as they -were fully engaged in appeasing a true hunter's appetite. Their meal, -however, only lasted a few minutes, and when the last fragments had -been devoured, one lighted his Indian pipe, the other took a cigar -from his pocket. They then stretched themselves on the grass, and -began digesting with that beatitude which characterizes smokers, while -following with a languid eye the clouds of bluish smoke that rose in -long spirals with each mouthful they puffed forth. As for the third -man, he leant his back against a tree, crossed his arms, on his chest, -and went to sleep most prosaically.</p> - -<p>We will profit by this momentary repose to present these persons to our -readers, and make them better acquainted with each other. The first was -a Canadian half-breed, of about fifty years of age, and known by the -name of "Bright-eye." His life had been entirely spent on the prairie -among the Indians, all of whose tricks he was thoroughly acquainted -with.</p> - -<p>Like the majority of his countrymen he was very tall, more than six -feet in height: his body was thin and angular; his limbs were knotty, -but covered with muscles, hard as ropes; his bony and yellow face had -a remarkable expression of frankness and joviality, and his little grey -eyes sparkled with intelligence; his prominent cheekbones, his nose -bent down over a wide mouth supplied with long white teeth, and his -rounded chin, made up a face which was the most singular, and, at the -same time, the most attractive that could be imagined.</p> - -<p>His dress differed in no respect from that of the other wood rangers; -that is to say, it was a strange medley of European and Indian -fashions, generally adopted by all the white prairie hunters and -trappers. His weapons consisted of a knife, a pair of pistols, and an -American rifle, now lying on the grass, but within reach of his hand.</p> - -<p>His companion was a man of thirty to thirty-two years of age at the -most, but who appeared scarce twenty-five, tall, and well made. His -blue eyes, limpid as a woman's, the long light curls that escaped -beneath the edge of his Panama hat, and floated in disorder on his -shoulders, the whiteness of his skin, which contrasted with the olive -and brown complexion of the hunter, were sufficient evidence that he -was not born in the hot climate of America.</p> - -<p>In fact, this young man was a Frenchman, Charles Edward de Beaulieu, -and was descended from one of the oldest families in Brittany. But, -under this slightly effeminate appearance, he concealed a lion's -courage which nothing could startle or even surprise. Skilled in all -bodily exercises, he was also endowed with prodigious strength, and the -delicate skin of his white and unstained hands, with their rosy nails, -covered nerves of steel.</p> - -<p>The Count's dress would reasonably have appeared extraordinary in a -country remote from civilization to anyone who had leisure to examine -it. He wore a hunting jacket of green cloth, of a French cut, and -buttoned over his chest; yellow doeskin breeches, fastened by a waist -belt of varnished leather; a cartouche box, and a hunting knife in a -bronzed steel sheath, and with an admirably chiselled hilt: while his -legs were covered by long riding boots, coming up over the knee. Like -his companion, he had laid his rifle on the grass: this weapon, richly -damascened, must have cost an enormous sum.</p> - -<p>The Count de Beaulieu, whose father followed the princes into exile -and served them actively, first in Condé's army and then in all the -Royalist plots that were incessantly formed during the Empire, was an -ultra-Royalist. Left an orphan at an early age, and possessed of an -immense fortune, he was nominated a lieutenant in the Gardes du Corps. -After the fall of Charles X., the Count, whose career was broken up, -was assailed by a fearful despondency, and an unenviable disregard for -life filled his heart. Europe became hateful to him, and he resolved -to bid it an eternal farewell. After intrusting the management of his -fortune to a confidential agent, the Count embarked for the United -States.</p> - -<p>But American life, narrow, paltry, and egotistic, was not made for him; -for the young man understood the Americans no better than they did -him. His heart was ulcerated by the meanness and trickery he saw daily -committed by the descendants of the Plymouth Brethren, so he one day -resolved to bury himself in the depths of the country, and visit those -immense prairies whence the first lords of the soil had been driven by -the cunning and treachery of their crafty despoilers.</p> - -<p>The Count had brought with him from France an old servant of the -family, whose progenitors, for many generations, had uninterruptedly -served the Beaulieus. Before embarking, the Count imparted his plans -to Ivon Kergollec, leaving him at liberty to remain behind or follow; -the servant's choice was not long, he simply replied that his master -had the right to do what he pleased without consulting him, and as it -was his duty to follow his master everywhere, he should do so. Even -when the Count formed the resolve of visiting the prairies, and thought -it right to tell his servant his resolution, the answer was still the -same. Ivon was about forty-five years of age, and was a true type of -the hardy, simple, and withal crafty Breton peasant; he was short -and stumpy, but his well-knit limbs and wide chest denoted immense -strength. His brick-coloured face was illumined by two small eyes, -which sparkled with cleverness and flashed like carbuncles.</p> - -<p>Ivon, whose life had been spent calmly and lazily in the gilded halls -of Beaulieu House, had gradually assumed the regular habits of a -nobleman's lackey; having had no occasion to prove his courage, he was -completely ignorant of the possession of that quality, and, although -during the last few months he had been placed in many dangerous -circumstances while following his master, he was still at the same -point, that is to say, he completely doubted himself, and had the -innate conviction that he was as cowardly as a hare; so nothing was -more curious after a meeting with the Indians than to hear Ivon, who -had been fighting like a lion and performing prodigies of valour, -excuse himself humbly to his master for having behaved so badly, as he -was not used to fighting.</p> - -<p>It is needless to say that the Count excused him, while laughing -heartily, and telling him as a consolation—for the poor fellow was -very unhappy at this supposed cowardice—that the next time he would -probably do better, and that he would gradually grow accustomed to this -life, which was so different from that he had hitherto led. At this -consolation the worthy man-servant would nod his head sorrowfully, and -reply, with an accent of thorough conviction:—</p> - -<p>"No, sir, I can never have any courage. I feel sure of it; it is a sad -truth, but I am a poltroon. I am only too well aware of it."</p> - -<p>Ivon was dressed in a complete suit of livery, though, in regard to -present circumstances, he was, like his companions, armed to the teeth, -and his rifle leant against the tree by his side.</p> - -<p>Three magnificent horses, full of fire and blood, hobbled a few paces -from the hunters, were carelessly browsing on the climbing peas and -young tree shoots.</p> - -<p>We have omitted to mention two peculiarities of the Count. The first -was, he always carried in his right eye a gold eyeglass, fastened round -his neck by means of a black ribbon; the second, that he continually -wore kid gloves, which we confess, greatly to his annoyance, had now -grown very dirty and torn.</p> - -<p>And now, by what strange combination of chance were these three men, -so differing in birth, habits, and education, met together some five -or six hundred leagues from any civilized abode, on the banks of a -river, if not unknown, at any rate hitherto unexplored, seated amicably -on the grass, and sharing a breakfast which was more than frugal? We -can explain this in a few words to the reader by cursorily describing -a scene that occurred in the prairie about six months prior to the -beginning of our narrative.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye was a determined man, who, with the exception of the time -he served the Hudson's Bay Company, had always hunted and trapped -alone, despising the Indians too much to fear them, and finding in -braving them that delight which the courageous man experiences, when, -alone and beneath the eye of Heaven, he struggles, confiding in his -own resources, against a terrible and unknown danger. The Indians -knew and feared him for many a long year. Many times they had come -into collision with him, and they had nearly always been compelled to -retreat, leaving several of their men on the field. Hence they had -sworn against the hunter one of those hearty Indian hatreds which -nothing can satiate save the punishment of the man who is the object of -it.</p> - -<p>But as they knew with what sort of man they had to deal, and did not -care to increase the number of the victims he had already sacrificed, -they resolved to await, with the peculiar patience characteristic of -their race, the propitious moment for seizing their foe, and till then -confine themselves to carefully watching all his movements, so as not -to lose the favourable opportunity when it presented itself.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye at this moment was hunting on the banks of the Missouri. -Knowing himself watched, and instinctively suspecting a trap, he took -all the precautions suggested to him by his inventive mind and the deep -knowledge he possessed of Indian tricks. One day, while exploring the -banks of the river, he fancied he noticed, a slight distance ahead -of him, an almost imperceptible movement in the thick brushwood. He -stopped, lay down, and began crawling gently in the direction of the -thicket. Suddenly the forest seemed agitated to its most unexplored -depths, A swarm of Indians rose from the earth, leaped from the trees, -or rushed from behind rocks; the hunter, literally buried beneath the -mass of his enemies, was reduced to a state of powerlessness, before he -could even make an attempt to defend himself.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye was disarmed in a twinkling; then a chief walked up to him, -and holding out his hand, said coldly—</p> - -<p>"Let my brother rise; the Redskin warriors are waiting for him."</p> - -<p>"Good, good," the hunter growled; "all is not over yet, Indian, and I -shall have my revenge."</p> - -<p>The chief smiled.</p> - -<p>"My brother is like the mockingbird," he said ironically; "he speaks -too much."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye bit his lips to keep back the insult that rose to them; he -got up and followed his victors. He was a prisoner to the Piékanns, -the most warlike tribe of the Blackfeet; and the chief who had taken -him was his personal enemy. The chief's name was <i>Natah Otann</i> (the -Grizzly Bear). He was a man of five-and-twenty at the most, with a fine -intelligent face, bearing the imprint of honesty. His tall figure, -well-proportioned limbs, the grace of his movements, and his martial -aspect, rendered him a remarkable man. His long black hair, carefully -parted, fell in disorder on his shoulders; like all the renowned -warriors of his tribe, he wore on the back of his head an ermine skin, -and round his neck bears' claws mingled with buffalo teeth, a very -dear and highly-honoured ornament among the Indians. His shirt of -buffalo hide, with short sleeves, was decorated round the neck with a -species of collar of red cloth, ornamented with fringe and porcupine -quills; the seams of the garment were embroidered with hair taken from -scalps, the whole relieved by small bands of ermine skin. His moccasins -of different colours, were loaded with very elegant embroidery, while -his buffalo hide robe was quilted inside with a number of clumsy -designs, intended to depict the young warrior's achievements.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann held in his right hand a fan made of a single eagle's wing, -and, suspended round the wrist from the same hand by a thong, the -short-handled long-lashed whip peculiar to the prairie Indians; on his -back hung his bow and arrows in a quiver of a jaguar's skin; at his -waist a bullet bag, his powder flask, his long hunting knife, and his -club. His shield hung on his left hip, while his gun lay across the -neck of his horse, which wore a magnificent panther skin for a saddle. -The appearance of this savage child of the woods, whose cloak and long -plumes fluttered in the wind, curveting, on a steed as untamed as -himself, had something about it striking, and, at the same time, grand.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann was the first sachem of his tribe. He made the hunter a -sign to mount a horse one of the warriors held by the bridle, and the -whole party proceeded at a gallop towards the camp of the tribe. They -rode onward in silence, and the chief seemed to pay no attention to his -prisoner. The latter, free in appearance, and mounted on an excellent -horse, made not the slightest attempt to escape; at a glance he had -judged the position, saw that the Indians did not lose sight of him, -and that he should be immediately recaptured if he attempted flight. -The Piékanns had formed their camp on the slope of a wooded hill. -For two days they seemed to have forgotten their prisoner, to whom -they never once spoke. On the evening of the second day, Bright-eye -was carelessly walking about and smoking his pipe, when Natah Otann -approached him.</p> - -<p>"Is my brother ready?" he asked him.</p> - -<p>"For what?" the hunter said, stopping and pouring forth a volume of -smoke.</p> - -<p>"To die," the chief continued, laconically.</p> - -<p>"Quite."</p> - -<p>"Good; my brother will die tomorrow."</p> - -<p>"You think so," the hunter replied with great coolness.</p> - -<p>The Indian looked at him for a moment in amazement; then he repeated, -"My brother will die tomorrow."</p> - -<p>"I heard you perfectly well, chief," the Canadian said, with a smile; -"and I repeat again, do you believe it?"</p> - -<p>"Let my brother look," the sachem said, with a significant gesture.</p> - -<p>The hunter raised his head.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" he said, carelessly; "I see that all the preparations are made, -and conscientiously so, but what does that prove? I am not dead yet, I -suppose."</p> - -<p>"No, but my brother will soon be so."</p> - -<p>"We shall see tomorrow," Bright-eye answered, shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p>And leaving the astonished chief, he lay down at the foot of a tree -and fell asleep. His sleep was so real, that the Indians were obliged -to wake him next morning at daybreak. The Canadian opened his eyes, -yawned two or three times, as if going to put his jaw out, and got up. -The Redskins led him to the post of torture, to which he was firmly -fastened.</p> - -<p>"Well!" Natah Otann said, with a grin, "what does my brother think at -present?"</p> - -<p>"Eh!" Bright-eye answered, with that magnificent coolness which never -deserted him, "do you fancy that I am already dead?"</p> - -<p>"No, but my brother will be so in an hour."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" the Canadian said, carelessly; "many things can happen within an -hour."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann withdrew, secretly admiring the intrepid countenance of his -prisoner; but, after taking a few steps, he reflected, and returned to -Bright-eye's side.</p> - -<p>"Let my brother listen," he said, "a friend speaks to him."</p> - -<p>"Go on, chief, I am all ears."</p> - -<p>"My brother is a strong man; his heart is great," Natah Otann said; "he -is a terrible warrior."</p> - -<p>"You know something of that, chief, I fancy," the Canadian replied.</p> - -<p>The sachem repressed a movement of anger.</p> - -<p>"My brother's eye is infallible, his arm is sure," he went on.</p> - -<p>"Tell me at once what you want to come to, chief, and don't waste your -time in your Indian beating round the bush."</p> - -<p>The chief smiled as he said, in a gentler voice, "Bright-eye is alone; -his lodge is solitary. Why has not so great a warrior a companion?"</p> - -<p>The hunter fixed a searching glance on the speaker.</p> - -<p>"What does that concern you?" he said.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann continued,—</p> - -<p>"The nation of the Blackfeet is powerful; the young women of the -Piekann tribe are fair."</p> - -<p>The Canadian quickly interrupted him.</p> - -<p>"Enough, chief," he said; "in spite of all your shiftings to reach your -point, I have guessed your meaning; but I will never take an Indian -girl to be my wife; so you can refrain from further offers, which will -not have a satisfactory result."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann frowned.</p> - -<p>"Dog of the palefaces," he cried, stamping his foot angrily, "this -night my young men will make war whistles of thy bones, and will drink -the firewater out of thy skull."</p> - -<p>With this terrible threat, the chief finally quitted the hunter, who -regarded him depart with a shrug, and muttered, "The last word is -not spoken yet; this is not the first time I have found myself in -a desperate position, but I have escaped; there are no reasons why -I should be less lucky today. Hum! this will serve me as a lesson: -another time I will be more prudent."</p> - -<p>In the meantime the chief had given orders to begin the punishment, -and the preparations were rapidly made. Bright-eye followed all the -movements of the Indians with a curious eye, as if he were a perfectly -unconcerned witness.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," he went on, "my fine fellows, I see you; you are preparing -all the instruments for my torture; there is the green wood intended -to smoke me like a ham; you are cutting the spikes you mean to run up -under my nails. Eh, eh!" he added, with a perfect air of satisfaction; -"you are going to begin with firing; let's see how skilful you are. -Ah, what fun it is for you to have a white hunter to torture. The Lord -knows what strange ideas may be passing through your Indian noddles; -but I recommend you to make haste, or it is very possible I may escape."</p> - -<p>During this monologue, twenty warriors, the most skilful of the tribe, -had ranged themselves about one hundred yards from the prisoner; the -firing commenced; the balls all struck within an inch of the hunter's -head, who, at each shot, shook his head like a drowned sparrow, to the -great delight of the spectators. This amusement had gone on for some -twenty minutes, and would probably have continued much longer, so great -was the fun it afforded the Blackfeet; when suddenly a horseman bounded -into the centre of the clearing, dispersed the Indians in his way by -heavy blows of his whip, and profiting by the stupor occasioned by his -unexpected appearance, galloped up to the prisoner, got down, quickly -cut the thongs that bound him, thrust a brace of pistols in his hand, -and remounted. All this was done in less time than it has taken us to -write it.</p> - -<p>"By Tobias!" Bright-eye joyfully exclaimed, "I was quite sure I wasn't -going to die this time."</p> - -<p>The Indians are not the men to allow themselves to be long subdued -by any feeling; the first moment of surprise past, they surrounded -the horseman, shouting, gesticulating, and brandishing their weapons -furiously.</p> - -<p>"Come, make way there, you scoundrels," the newcomer shouted in a -commanding voice, lashing violently at those who had the imprudence to -come too near him. "Let us be off," he added, turning to the hunter.</p> - -<p>"I wish for nothing better," the latter made answer; "but it does not -seem easy."</p> - -<p>"Bah! let us try it, at any rate," the stranger continued, carefully -affixing his glass in his eye.</p> - -<p>"We will," Bright-eye said cheerfully.</p> - -<p>The stranger who had so providentially arrived, was the Count de -Beaulieu, as our readers will probably have conjectured.</p> - -<p>"Hilloh!" the Count shouted loudly, "come here, Ivon."</p> - -<p>"Here I am, my lord," a voice answered from the forest; and a second -horseman, leaping into the clearing, coolly ranged himself by the side -of the first.</p> - -<p>There was something strange in the group formed by these three stoical -men in the midst of the hundreds of Indians yelling around them. The -Count, with his glass in his eye, his haughty glance, and disdainful -lip, was setting the hammer of his rifle. Bright-eye, with a pistol in -each hand, was preparing to sell his life dearly, while the servant -calmly awaited the order to charge the savages. The Indians, furious -at the audacity of the white men, were preparing, with multitudinous -yells and gestures, to take a prompt vengeance on the men who had so -imprudently placed themselves in their power.</p> - -<p>"These Indians are very ugly," the Count said; "now that you are free, -my friend, we have nothing more to do here, so let us be off."</p> - -<p>And he made a sign, as if to force a passage. The Blackfeet moved -forward.</p> - -<p>"Take care," Bright-eye shouted.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," the Count said, shrugging his shoulders, "can these scamps -intend to bar the way?"</p> - -<p>The hunter looked at him with the air of a man who does not know -exactly if he has to do with a madman or a being endowed with reason, -so extraordinary did this remark seem to him. The Count dug his spurs -into his horse.</p> - -<p>"Well," Bright-eye muttered, "he will be killed, but for all that he is -a fine fellow: I will not leave him."</p> - -<p>In truth it was a critical moment: the Indians, formed in close column, -were preparing to make a desperate charge on the three men—a charge -which would, probably, be decisive, for the Europeans, without shelter, -and entirely exposed to the shots of their enemies, could not hope to -escape. Still, that was not the Count's conviction. Not noticing the -gestures and hostile cries of the Redskins, he advanced towards them, -with his glass still in his eye. Since the Count's apparition, the -Indian sachem, as if struck with stupor at the sight, had not made -a move, but stood with his eyes fixed upon him, under the influence -of extraordinary emotion. Suddenly, at the moment when the Blackfeet -warriors were shouldering their guns, or fitting their arrows to the -bows, Natah Otann seemed to form a resolution: he rushed forward, and -raising his buffalo robe,—</p> - -<p>"Stop!" he shouted, in a loud voice.</p> - -<p>The Indians, obedient to their chiefs voice, immediately halted. The -sachem took three steps, bowed respectfully before the Count, and said -in a submissive voice:—</p> - -<p>"My father must pardon his children, they did not know him: but my -father is great, his power is immense, his goodness infinite: he will -forget anything offensive in their conduct toward him."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye, astonished at this harangue, translated it to the Count, -honestly confessing that he did not understand what it meant.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" the Count replied, with a smile, "they are afraid."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" the hunter muttered, "that is not so clear: it is something -else; but no matter, it will be diamond cut diamond."</p> - -<p>Then he turned to Natah Otann.</p> - -<p>"The great pale chief," he said, "is satisfied with the respect his red -children feel for him: he pardons them." Natah Otann made a movement of -joy. The three men passed through the ranks of the Indians, and buried -themselves in the forest, their retreat being in no way impeded.</p> - -<p>"Ouf!" Bright-eye said, as soon as he found himself in safety, "I'm -well out of that; but," he added shaking his head, "there is something -extraordinary about the matter, which I cannot fathom."</p> - -<p>"Now, my friend," the Count said to him, "you are free to go whither -you please."</p> - -<p>The hunter thought for an instant. "Bah!" he replied, after a few -moments had passed, "I owe you my life. Although I do not know you, you -strike me as a good fellow."</p> - -<p>"You flatter me," the Count remarked, smiling.</p> - -<p>"My faith, no; I say what I think. If you are agreeable we will stay -together, at any rate until I have acquitted the debt I owe you by -saving your life in my turn."</p> - -<p>The Count offered him his hand.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, my friend," he said, much moved; "I accept your offer."</p> - -<p>"That is settled, then," the hunter joyfully exclaimed, as he pressed -the offered hand.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye, at first attached to the Count by gratitude, soon felt -quite a paternal affection for him. But he understood no more -than the first day the young man's behaviour, for he acted under -all circumstances as if he were in France, and, by his rashness, -universally foiled the hunter's Indian experience. This was carried -so far, that the Canadian, superstitious like all primitive natures, -soon grew into the persuasion that the Count's life was protected by a -charm, so many times had he seen him emerge victoriously from positions -in which anyone else would have infallibly succumbed.</p> - -<p>At length, nothing appeared to him impossible with such a companion, -and the most extraordinary propositions the Count made him seemed -perfectly feasible, the more so as success crowned all their -enterprises by some incomprehensible charm, and in a way contrary to -all foresight. The Indians, by a strict agreement, had given up all -contests with them, and even avoided any contact: if they perceived -them at any time, all the Redskins, whatever tribe they might belong -to, treated the Count with the utmost deference, and addressed him with -an expression of terror mingled with love, the explanation of which the -hunter sought in vain, for none of the Indians could or would give it.</p> - -<p>This state of things had lasted for six months up to the moment when we -saw the three men breakfasting on the banks of the Mississippi. We will -now take up our story again at the point where we left it, terminating -our explanation, which was indispensable for the right comprehension of -what follows.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h4> - -<h3>A TRAIL DISCOVERED.</h3> - - -<p>Our friends would probably have remained for a long time plunged in -their present state of beatitude had not a slight sound in the river -suddenly recalled them to the exigencies of their position.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" the Count said, flipping off the ash from his cigar.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye glided among the shrubs, looked for a moment, and then -calmly returned to his seat.</p> - -<p>"Nothing," he said; "two alligators sporting in the mud."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Count said. There was a moment's silence, during which the -hunter mentally calculated the length of the shadow of the trees on the -ground.</p> - -<p>"It is past midday," he said.</p> - -<p>"You think so," the young man remarked.</p> - -<p>"No; I am sure of it, sir Count."</p> - -<p>"Confound you! you are at it again," the young man said with a smile. -"I have told you to call me by my Christian name; but if you do not -like that, call me like the Indians."</p> - -<p>"Nay!" the hunter objected.</p> - -<p>"What is the name they gave me, Bright-eye? I have forgotten."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I should not like, sir—"</p> - -<p>"Eh?"</p> - -<p>"Edward, I meant to say."</p> - -<p>"Come, that is better," the young man remarked laughingly; "but I must -beg of you to repeat the nickname."</p> - -<p>"They call you 'Glass-eye.'"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! that's it;" the Count continued his laugh. "Only Indians -could have such an idea as that."</p> - -<p>"Oh," Bright-eye went on, "the Indians are not what you suppose them; -they are as crafty as the demon."</p> - -<p>"Come, stop that, Bright-eye; I always suspected you of having a -weakness for the Redskins."</p> - -<p>"How can you say that, when I am their obstinate enemy, and have been -fighting them for the last forty years?"</p> - -<p>"That is the very reason that makes you defend them."</p> - -<p>"How so?" the hunter said, astonished at this conclusion, which he was -far from expecting.</p> - -<p>"For a very simple reason. No one likes to contend with enemies -unworthy of him, and it is quite natural you should try to elevate -those against whom you have been fighting for forty years."</p> - -<p>The hunter shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Edward," he said, with a thoughtful air, "the Redskins are people -whom it takes many a long year to know. They possess at once the craft -of the opossum, the prudence of the serpent, and the courage of the -cougar. A few years hence you will not despise them as you do now."</p> - -<p>"My good fellow," the Count objected, "I hope I shall have left the -prairies within a year. I am yearning for a civilized life. I want -Paris, with its opera and balls. No, no; the desert does not suit me."</p> - -<p>The hunter shook his head a second time. Then he continued, with a -mournful accent, which struck the young man, and, as if rather speaking -to himself, than replying to the Count's remarks—</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes; that is the way with Europeans: when they arrive on the -prairies, they regret civilized life, and the desert is only gradually -appreciated; but when a man has breathed the odours of the savannah, -when during long nights he has listened to the rustling of the wind -in the trees, and the howling of the wild beasts in the virgin -forests—when he has admired that proud landscape which owes nothing to -art, where the hand of God is imprinted at each step in ineffaceable -characters: when he has gazed on the glorious scenes that rise in -succession before him—then he begins by degrees to love this unknown -world, so full of mysteries and strange incidents; his eyes are opened -to the truth, and he repudiates the falsehoods of civilization. At -such a a moment he experiences emotions full of secret charms, and -recognizing no other master save that God, in whose presence he feels -himself so small, he forgets everything to lead a nomadic life, and -remains in the desert, because there alone he feels free, happy—a man, -in a word! Ah, sir, whatever you may say, whatever you may do, the -desert now holds you: you have tasted its joys and its griefs; it will -not allow you to depart so easily—you will not see France again so -speedily—the desert will retain you in spite of yourself."</p> - -<p>The young man had listened with an emotion for which he could not -account, to this long harangue. In his heart he recognized, through the -hunter's exaggeration, the justice of his reasoning, and felt startled -at being compelled to allow him to be in the right. Not knowing what -to reply, or feeling that he was beaten, the Count suddenly turned the -conversation.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" he began, "I think you said it was past twelve?"</p> - -<p>"About a quarter past," the hunter answered.</p> - -<p>The Count consulted, his watch.</p> - -<p>"Quite right," he said.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" the hunter continued, pointing to the sun, "that is the only true -clock; it never goes too fast or too slow, for Heaven regulates it."</p> - -<p>The young man bowed his head affirmatively.</p> - -<p>"We will start," he said.</p> - -<p>"For what good at this moment?" the Canadian asked. "We have nothing -pressing before us."</p> - -<p>"That is true; but are you sure we have not lost our way?"</p> - -<p>"Lost our way!" the hunter exclaimed, with a start of surprise, almost -of anger; "no, no, it is impossible. I guarantee that within a week we -shall be on Lake Itasca."</p> - -<p>"The Mississippi really runs from that lake?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; for, in spite of what is asserted, the Missouri is only the -principal branch of that river: the savants would have done better to -assure themselves of the fact, ere they declared that the Mississippi -and Missouri are two separate rivers."</p> - -<p>"What would you have, Bright-eye?" the Count said, laughingly. "Savants -are the same in all countries; being naturally indolent, they rely -on one another, and hence the infinity of absurdities they put in -circulation with the most astounding coolness."</p> - -<p>"The Indians are never mistaken."</p> - -<p>"That is true; but then the Indians are not savants."</p> - -<p>"No; they see for themselves, and only assert what they are sure of."</p> - -<p>"That is what I meant," the Count replied.</p> - -<p>"If you will listen to me, Mr. Edward, we will remain here a few hours -longer to let the great heat pass off, and when the sun is going down -we will start again."</p> - -<p>"Very good; let us rest then. Ivon appears to be thoroughly of our -opinion, for he has not stirred."</p> - -<p>The Count had risen; before sitting down, he mechanically cast a glance -on the immense plain which lay so calmly and majestically at his feet.</p> - -<p>"Eh!" he suddenly exclaimed, "what is that down there?—look, -Bright-eye."</p> - -<p>The hunter rose and looked in the direction indicated by the Count.</p> - -<p>"Well—do you see nothing?" the young man remarked.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye, with his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glare -of the sun, looked attentively without replying.</p> - -<p>"Well?" the Count said, at the expiration of a moment.</p> - -<p>"We are no longer alone," the hunter answered; "there are men down -there."</p> - -<p>"How men? We have seen no Indian trail."</p> - -<p>"I did not say they were Indians."</p> - -<p>"Hum! I suppose at this distance it would be rather difficult to decide -who they are."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye smiled.</p> - -<p>"You always judge from your knowledge obtained in the civilized world, -Mr. Edward," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Which means—?" the young man said, intensely piqued at the -observation.</p> - -<p>"That you are always wrong."</p> - -<p>"Hang it, my friend! You will allow me to observe, all individuality -apart, that it is impossible at this distance to recognize anybody. -Especially when nothing can be distinguished, save a little white -smoke."</p> - -<p>"Is not that enough? Do you believe that all smoke is alike?"</p> - -<p>"That is rather a subtle distinction; and I confess that to me all -smoke is alike."</p> - -<p>"That's where the error is," the Canadian continued, with great -coolness, "and when you have spent a few years in the prairie you will -not be deceived."</p> - -<p>The Count looked at him attentively, convinced that he was laughing at -him; but the other continued, with the utmost calmness—</p> - -<p>"What we notice down there is neither the fire of Indians nor of -hunters, but is kindled by white men, not yet accustomed to a desert -life."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you will have the goodness to explain."</p> - -<p>"I will do so, and you will soon allow that I am correct. Listen, Mr. -Edward, for this is important to know."</p> - -<p>"I am listening, my good fellow."</p> - -<p>"You are not ignorant," the hunter continued imperturbably, "that what -is conventionally called the desert is largely populated."</p> - -<p>"Quite true," the young man said, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Good; but the enemies most to be feared in the prairies are not wild -beasts so much as men; the Indians and hunters are so well aware of -this fact that they try as much as possible to destroy all traces of -their passage and hide their presence."</p> - -<p>"I admit that."</p> - -<p>"Very good; when the Redskins or the hunters are obliged to light a -fire, either to prepare their food or ward off the cold, they select -most carefully the wood they intend to burn, and never employ any but -dry wood."</p> - -<p>"Hum! I do not see the use of that."</p> - -<p>"You will soon understand me," the hunter continued; "dry wood only -produces a bluish smoke, which is difficult to detect from the sky, and -this renders it invisible at a short distance; while on the other hand, -green wood, through its dampness, produces a white dense smoke, which -reveals for a long distance the presence of those who kindle it. This -is the reason why, by a mere inspection of that smoke, I told you just -now that the people down there were white men, and strangers, moreover, -to the prairie, else they would have employed dry wood."</p> - -<p>"By Jove," the young man exclaimed, "that is curious, and I should like -to convince myself."</p> - -<p>"What do you intend doing?"</p> - -<p>"Why, go and see who are the people that have lighted the fire."</p> - -<p>"Why disturb yourself, since I have told you?"</p> - -<p>"That is possible; but what I propose doing is for my personal -satisfaction; since we have been living together you have told me such -extraordinary things, that I should like, once in a way, to know what -faith to place in them."</p> - -<p>And not listening to the Canadian's observations, the young man aroused -his servant.</p> - -<p>"What do you want, my lord?" the latter said, rubbing his eyes.</p> - -<p>"The horses, and quickly too, Ivon."</p> - -<p>The Breton rose and bridled the horses; the Count leaped into the -saddle; the hunter imitated him, though shaking his head; and the three -trotted down the hill.</p> - -<p>"You will see Mr. Edward," Bright-eye said, "that I was in the right."</p> - -<p>"I am certain of it; still I should like to judge for myself."</p> - -<p>"If that is the case, allow me to go in front; for, as we do not know -with what people we may have to deal, it is as well to be on our guard."</p> - -<p>The Canadian headed the party. The fire the Count had seen from the top -of the hill was not so near as he supposed, the hunter was incessantly -compelled to get out of the way of dense thickets which barred the way, -and this lengthened the distance; so that they took nearly two hours -in reaching the spot they were steering for. When they had at length -arrived within a short distance of the fire which had so perplexed -M. de Beaulieu, the Canadian stopped, making his companions a sign -to imitate him. When they had done so, Bright-eye got down, gave his -horse's bridle to Ivon, and taking his rifle in his hand, said, "I am -going on a voyage of discovery."</p> - -<p>"Go," the young man replied, laconically.</p> - -<p>The Count was a man of tried courage; but since he had been in the -prairie he had learned one thing, that courage without prudence is -madness in the presence of enemies who never act without calling craft -and treachery to their aid; hence, gradually renouncing his chivalrous -ideas, he was beginning to adopt the habits of the desert, knowing very -well that in an ambuscade the advantage nearly always remains with the -man who first discovers the enemies whom chance may bring in his way. -The Count, therefore, patiently awaited the hunter's return, who had -silently glided among the trees, and disappeared in the direction of -the fire. At the end of about an hour the shrubs shook, and Bright-eye -reappeared at a point opposite to that where he had started. The old -wood ranger had been considerably bothered by the apparition of the -distant fire which the Count pointed out to him from the top of the -hill. So soon as he was alone, putting in practice the axiom, that the -shortest road from one point to another is a curved line, the truth of -which is proved in the prairie, he had taken a wide circuit, in order -to come, if it were possible, on the trail of the men he wished to -observe, and from it discover who they really were.</p> - -<p>In the desert, the meeting most feared is that with man. Every stranger -is at first an enemy, and hence persons generally accost each other at -a distance, with the barrel of the gun advanced, and the finger on the -trigger. With that infallible glance the experience of the savannahs -had given him, Bright-eye had noticed from a distance a place where the -grass was laid, and the strangers must have passed along that road. -The hunter, still bent down to escape observation, soon found himself -on the edge of a track about four feet wide, the end of which was lost -in a virgin forest a short distance ahead. After stopping a minute, to -recover his breath, the Canadian placed the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and began carefully studying the traces so deeply imprinted on -the plain. His investigation did not last ten minutes; then he raised -his head with a smile, threw his rifle on his shoulder, and quietly -returned to the spot where he had left his companions, not even taking -the trouble to go to the fire. This brief examination had told him all -he wished to know.</p> - -<p>"Well, Bright-eye, any news?" the Count asked, on noticing him.</p> - -<p>"The people, whose fire we perceived," the hunter replied, "are -American emigrants, pioneers who wish to set up their tent in the -desert. The family is composed of six persons—four men and two women; -they have a waggon to carry their baggage, and have with them a large -number of beasts."</p> - -<p>"Mount your horse, Bright-eye, and let us go and welcome these worthy -people to the desert."</p> - -<p>The hunter remained motionless and thoughtful, leaning on his rifle.</p> - -<p>"Well," the Count said, "did you not hear me, my friend?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Edward, I perfectly understood you; but among the traces left -by the emigrants I discovered others which appeared to me suspicious, -and I should like, before venturing into their camp, to beat up the -neighbourhood."</p> - -<p>"What traces do you allude to?" the young man asked, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Well," the hunter went on, "you know that, rightly or wrongly, the -Redskins claim to be kings of the prairies, and will not endure there -the presence of white men."</p> - -<p>"I consider that they are perfectly right in doing so; since the -discovery of America, the white men have gradually dispossessed them of -their territory, and driven them back on the desert; they are defending -their last refuge, and are justified in doing so."</p> - -<p>"I am perfectly of your opinion, Mr. Edward; the desert ought to -belong to the hunters and the Indians; unfortunately the Americans do -not think so, and they daily quit their cities and proceed into the -interior, establishing themselves here and there, and confiscating to -their benefit the most fertile countries, and those richest in game."</p> - -<p>"What can we do, my good friend?" the Count answered, with a smile; -"it is an irremediable evil, which we must put up with; but I cannot -yet see where you wish to arrive with these reflections, which, though -extremely just, do not appear to me exactly suited to the occasion; so -pray have the goodness to explain your meaning."</p> - -<p>"I will do so. Well, I noticed, by certain signs, that the emigrants -are closely followed by a party of Indians, who probably only await a -favourable moment to attack and massacre them."</p> - -<p>"The deuce!" the young man said; "that is serious of course you warned -these worthy people of the danger that threatens them."</p> - -<p>"I—not at all. I have not spoken to them, nor even seen them."</p> - -<p>"What! you have not seen them?"</p> - -<p>"No; so soon as I recognized the Indian sign, I hurried back to consult -with you."</p> - -<p>"Very good; but as you did not go to their camp, how were you able to -give me such precise information about them and their number?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, very easily," the hunter answered simply; "the desert is a book -entirely written by the hand of God, and it cannot hide its secrets -from a man accustomed to read it. I needed only to look at the trail -for a few minutes to divine everything."</p> - -<p>The Count fixed on the hunter a glance of surprise. Though he had -been living in the prairie for more than six months, he could not yet -understand the species of divination with which the hunter seemed -gifted, with reference to facts that were to himself as a dead letter.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps, though," he said, "the Indians whose trail you detected are -harmless hunters."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye shook his head.</p> - -<p>"There are no harmless hunters among the Indians, especially when they -are on the trail of white men. These Indians belong to three plundering -tribes which I am surprised to see united; they doubtlessly meditate -some extraordinary expedition, in which the massacre of these emigrants -will be one of the least interesting episodes."</p> - -<p>"Who are these Indians? Do you think they are numerous?"</p> - -<p>The hunter reflected for a moment.</p> - -<p>"The party I discovered is probably only the vanguard of a more -numerous band," he answered; "as far as I could judge, there were not -more than forty; but the Redskin warriors march with the speed of the -antelope, and they can hardly ever be counted; the party is composed of -Comanches, Blackfeet, and Sioux; that is to say, the three most warlike -tribes in the prairie."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" the Count remarked, after a moment's reflection, "if these -demons really mean to attack the Americans, as everything leads us to -suppose, the poor fellows appear to be in an awkward position."</p> - -<p>"Unless a miracle occur, they are lost," the hunter said, concisely.</p> - -<p>"What is to be done—how to warn them?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Edward, take care what you are going to do."</p> - -<p>"Still we cannot allow men of our own colour to be murdered almost in -our presence; that would be cowardly."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but it would be astounding folly to join them; reflect that there -are only three of us."</p> - -<p>"I know it," the young man said, thoughtfully; "still I would never -consent to abandon these poor people without trying to defend them."</p> - -<p>"Stay, there is only one thing to be done, and perhaps Heaven will come -to our aid."</p> - -<p>"Come, be brief, my friend, time presses."</p> - -<p>"In all probability, the Indians have not yet discovered our trail, -although they must be a short distance from us. Let us, then, return to -the spot where we breakfasted, and which commands the entire prairie. -The Indians never attack their enemy before four in the morning; as -soon as they attempt their attack on the emigrants, we will fall on -their rear; surprised by the sudden aid given the Americans, it is -possible they will fly, for the darkness will prevent them counting us, -and they will never suppose that three men were so mad as to make such -an attack upon them."</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" the Count said, laughing, "that is a good idea of yours, -Bright-eye, and such as I expected from so brave a hunter as yourself; -let us hurry back to our observatory, so as to be ready for every -event."</p> - -<p>The Canadian leaped on his horse, and the three men retraced their -steps. But, according to his custom, Bright-eye, who was apparently a -sworn foe to a straight line, made them describe an infinite number of -turnings, to throw out any person whom accident brought on their track.</p> - -<p>They arrived at the top of the hill just at the moment the sun was -disappearing beneath the horizon. The evening breeze was rising, and -beginning to agitate the tops of the great trees with mysterious -murmurs. The howling of the tigers and cougars was already mingled -with the lowing of the elks and buffaloes, and the sharp yelping of the -red wolves, whose dusky outlines appeared here and there on the river -bank. The sky grew more and more gloomy, and the stars began dotting -the vault of heaven.</p> - -<p>The three hunters sat down carelessly on the top of the hill, at the -same spot they had left a few hours previously with the intention of -never returning, and made preparations for supper,—preparations which -did not take long, for prudence imperiously ordered them not to light -a fire, which would have at once revealed their presence to the unseen -eyes which were, at the moment, probably surveying the desert in every -direction. While eating a few mouthfuls of pemmican, they kept their -eyes fixed on the camp of the emigrants, whose fire was perfectly -visible in the night.</p> - -<p>"Oh Lord!" Bright-eye said, "those people are ignorant of the first law -of the desert, else they would guard against lighting a fire which the -Indians can see for ten leagues round."</p> - -<p>"Bah! that beacon will guide us where to go to their aid," the Count -said.</p> - -<p>"Heaven grant that it be not in vain."</p> - -<p>The meal over, the hunter invited the Count and his servant to sleep -for a few hours.</p> - -<p>"For the present," he said, "we have nothing to fear; let me keep watch -for all, as my eyes are accustomed to see in the darkness."</p> - -<p>The Count did not allow the invitation to be repeated; he rolled -himself in his cloak, and lay down on the ground. Two minutes -later, himself and Ivon were sleeping the sleep of the righteous. -Bright-eye took his seat against the trunk of a tree, and lit a pipe -to soothe the weariness of his night watch. All at once, he bent -his body forward, placed his ear to the ground, and seemed to be -listening attentively. His practised ear had heard a sound at first -imperceptible, but which seemed to be gradually drawing nearer.</p> - -<p>The hunter silently cocked his rifle, and waited. At the expiration of -about a quarter of an hour there was a slight rustling in the thicket, -the branches parted, and a man made his appearance.</p> - -<p>This man was Natah Otann, the sachem of the Piékanns.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE EMIGRANTS.</h3> - - -<p>When he went out on the trail, the hunter's old experience did not -deceive him; and the traces he had followed up were really those of -an emigrant family. As it is destined to play a certain part in our -story, we will introduce it to the reader, and explain, as briefly as -possible, by what chain of events it was at this moment encamped on the -prairies of the Upper Mississippi, or, to speak like the learned, on -the banks of the Missouri.</p> - -<p>The history of one emigrant is that of the mass. All are people who, -burdened by a numerous family, find a difficulty in rendering their -children independent, either through the bad quality of the land they -cultivate, or because, in proportion as the population increases, the -land, in the course of a few years, gains an excessive value.</p> - -<p>The Mississippi has become during the last few years the highway of -the world. Every vessel that enters on its waters brings the new -establishments the means of supplying themselves, either by barter or -for money, with the chief commodities of existence. Thus the explorers -have spread along both banks of the river, which have become the -highways of emigration, by the prospect they offer the pioneers of -possessing fine estates, and holding them a number of years, without -the troublesome process of paying rent.</p> - -<p>The word "country," in the sense we attach to it in Europe, does not -exist for the North American. He is not, like our rustics, attached, -from father to son, to the soil which has been the cradle of his -family. He is only attached to the land by what it may bring him -in; but when it is exhausted by too large a crop, and the colonist -has tried in vain to restore its primitive fertility, his mind is -speedily made up. He disposes of things too troublesome or expensive -to transport; only keeps what is absolutely necessary, as servants, -horses, and domestic utensils; says good-bye to his neighbours, who -press his hand as if the journey he is about to undertake is the -simplest matter in the world, and at daybreak, on a fine spring -morning, he gaily sets out, turning a parting and careless glance at -that country where he and his family have lived so long. His thoughts -are already directed forward; the past no longer exists for him, the -future alone smiles on him and sustains his courage.</p> - -<p>Nothing is so simple, primitive, and at the same time picturesque, as -the departure of a family of pioneers. The horses are attached to the -wagons, already laden with the bed furniture and the younger children, -while on the other side are fastened the spinning wheels, and swaying -behind, a skin filled with tallow and pitch. The axes are laid in the -bottom of the cart, and cauldrons and pots roll about pell-mell in the -horses' trough; the tents and provisions are securely fastened under -the vehicle, suspended by ropes. Such is the moveable estate of the -emigrant. The eldest son, or a servant, bestrides the first horse, -the pioneer's wife sits on the other. The emigrant and his sons, with -shouldered rifles, walk round the wagon, sometimes in front, sometimes -behind, followed by their dogs, touching up the oxen and watching over -the common safety.</p> - -<p>Thus they set out, travelling by short stages through unexplored -countries and along frightful roads, which they are generally -compelled themselves to make: braving cold and heat, rain and snow, -striving against Indians and wild beasts, seeing at each spot almost -insurmountable difficulties rising before them: but nothing, stops the -emigrants, no peril can check them, no impossibility discourage them. -They march on thus for whole months, keeping intact in their hearts -that faith in their luck which nothing shakes, until they at length -reach a site which offers them those conditions of comfort which they -have sought so long.</p> - -<p>But, alas! how many families that have left the cities of America -full of hope and courage have disappeared, leaving no other trace of -their passage of the prairie than their whitened bones and scattered -furniture. The Indians, ever on the watch at the entrance of the -desert, attack the caravans, mercilessly massacre the pioneers, and -carry off into slavery their wives and daughters, avenging themselves -on the emigrants for the atrocities to which they have been victims -during so many centuries, and continuing, to their own profit, that -war of extermination which the white men inaugurated on their landing -in America, and which, since that period, has gone on uninterruptedly.</p> - -<p>John Black belonged to the class of emigrants we have just described. -One day, about four months previously, he quitted his house, which was -falling to ruins, and loading the little he possessed on a cart, he -set out, followed by his family, consisting of his wife, his daughter, -his son, and two menservants who had consented to follow his fortunes. -Since that period they had not stopped. They had marched boldly -forward, cutting their way by the help of their axes through the virgin -forests, and determined on traversing the desert, until they found a -spot favourable for the establishment of a new household.</p> - -<p>At the period when our story takes place, emigration was much rarer -than it is at present, when, owing to the recent discovery of -auriferous strata in California and on the Fraser River, an emigration -fever has seized on the masses with such intensity, that the old world -is growing more and more depopulated, to the profit of the new. Gold is -a magnet whose strength attracts, without distinction, young or old, -men or women, by the hope, too often deceived, of acquiring in a little -time, at the cost of some slight fatigue, a fortune; which, however, -rarely compensates for the labour undergone in its collection.</p> - -<p>It was, therefore, unusual boldness on the part of John Black thus to -venture, without any possible aid, into a country hitherto utterly -unexplored, and of which the Indians were masters. Mr. Black was -born in Virginia: he was a man of about fifty, of middle height, but -strongly built, and gifted with uncommon vigour; and, although his -features were very ordinary, his face had a rare expression of firmness -and resolution.</p> - -<p>His wife, ten years younger than himself, was a gentle and holy -creature, on whose brow fatigue and alarm had long before formed deep -furrows, beneath which, however, a keen observer could have still -detected traces of no ordinary beauty.</p> - -<p>William Black, the emigrant's son, was a species of giant of more than -six feet in height, aged two-and-twenty, of Herculean build, and whose -jolly, plump face, surrounded by thick tufts of hair of a more than -sandy hue, breathed frankness and joviality.</p> - -<p>Diana, his sister, formed a complete contrast with him. She was a -little creature, scarce sixteen years of age, with eyes of a deep -blue like the sky, apparently frail and delicate, with a dreamy brow -and laughing mouth, which belonged both to woman and angel; and whose -strange beauty seduced at the first glance and subjugated at the -first word that fell from her rosy lips. Diana was the idol of the -family—the cherished idol, that everyone adored, and who, by a word -or a glance, could command the obedience of the rude natures that -surrounded her, and who only seemed to live that they might satisfy her -slightest caprices.</p> - -<p>Sam and James, the two labourers, were worthy Kentucky rustics, of -extraordinary strength, and who concealed a great amount of cunning -beneath their simple and even slightly silly aspect. These two young -fellows, one of whom was twenty-six, the other hardly thirty, had grown -up in John Black's house, and had vowed to him an unbounded devotion, -of which they had furnished proofs several times since the journey -began.</p> - -<p>When John left his house to go in search of a more fertile country, -he proposed to these two men to leave him, not wishing to expose them -to the dangers of the precarious life which was about to begin for -himself; but both shook their heads negatively, replying to all that -was said to them, that it was their duty to follow their master, no -matter whither he went, and they were ready to accompany him to the end -of the world. The emigrant had been obliged to yield to a determination -so clearly expressed, and replied, that as matters were so, they might -follow him. Hence these two honest labourers were not regarded as -servants, but as friends, and treated in accordance. In truth, there -is nothing like a common danger to draw people together; and during -the last four months John Black's family had been exposed to dangers -innumerable.</p> - -<p>The emigrant took with him a rather large number of beasts, which -caused the caravan, despite all the precautions taken, to leave such a -wide trail, as rendered an Indian attack possible at any moment. Still, -up to the present moment, when we pay them a visit, no serious danger -had really menaced them. At times they were exposed to rather smart -alarms; but the Indians had always kept at a respectable distance, and -limited themselves to demonstrations, hostile it is true, but never -followed by any results.</p> - -<p>During the first week of their march, the emigrants, but little versed -in the mode of life of the Redskins, who incessantly prowled round the -party, had been afflicted with the most exaggerated fears, expecting -every moment to be attacked by those ferocious enemies, about whom -they had heard stories which might make the bravest tremble; but, as -so frequently happens, they had grown used to this perpetual threat -of the Indians, and, while taking the strictest precautions for their -safety, they had learned almost to deride the dangers which they had -so much feared at the outset, and felt convinced that their calm and -resolute attitude had produced an effect on the Redskins, and that the -latter would not venture to come into collision with them.</p> - -<p>Still, on this day a vague restlessness had seized on the party: they -had a sort of secret foreboding that a great danger menaced them. The -Indians, who, as we have said, usually accompanied them out of reach -of gunshot, had all at once become invisible. Since their start from -their last camping ground, they had not seen a single one, though they -instinctively suspected that, if the Indians were invisible, they were -not the less present, and possibly in larger numbers than before. -Thus the day passed, sorrowfully and silently for the emigrants: they -marched side by side, eye and ear on the watch, with their fingers on -the trigger, not daring to impart their mutual fears, but (to use a -Spanish expression) having their beards on their shoulders, like men -expecting to be attacked at any moment. Still, the day passed without -the slightest incident occurring to corroborate their apprehensions.</p> - -<p>At sunset, the caravan was at the foot of one of those numerous mounds -to which we have already alluded, and so large a number of which border -the banks of the river at this spot. John Black made a sign to his son, -who drove the cart, to stop, get down, and join him: while the two -females looked around them restlessly, the four men, assembled a few -paces in the rear, were engaged in a whispered conversation.</p> - -<p>"Boys," Mr. Black said to his attentive companions, "the day is ended, -the sun is descending behind the mountains over there, it is time to -think about the night's rest. Our beasts are fatigued; we ourselves -need to collect our strength for tomorrow's labour; I think, though -open to correction, that we should do well to profit by the short time -left us to establish our camp."</p> - -<p>"Yes," James answered, "we have in front of us a hillock, on the top of -which it would be easy for us to take up our quarters."</p> - -<p>"And which," William interrupted him, "we could convert into an almost -impregnable fortress in a few hours."</p> - -<p>"We should have a hard job in getting the wagon up the hill," the -father said, shaking his head.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," Sam objected, "not so much as you suppose, Master Black; a -little trouble, and we can manage it."</p> - -<p>"How so?"</p> - -<p>"Why," the servant replied, "we need only unload the wagon."</p> - -<p>"That's true; when it's empty, it will be easy to get it to the top of -the hill."</p> - -<p>"Stay," William observed, "do you think, father, that it is really -necessary to take all that trouble? A night is soon spent, and I fancy -we should do well to remain where we are: the position is an excellent -one; it is only a few paces to the river bank, and we can lead our oxen -to water."</p> - -<p>"No; we must not remain here, the place is too open, and we should have -no shelter if the Indians attacked us."</p> - -<p>"The Indians!" the young man said, with a laugh; "why, we have not -seen a single one the whole day."</p> - -<p>"Yes; what you say, William, is correct, the Redskins have disappeared; -but shall I tell you my real thoughts? It is really this disappearance, -which I do not understand, that troubles me."</p> - -<p>"Why so, father?"</p> - -<p>"Because, if they are hiding, they are preparing some ambuscade, and do -not wish us to know the direction where they are."</p> - -<p>"Come, father, do you really believe that?" the young man remarked in a -light tone.</p> - -<p>"I am convinced of it," the emigrant said earnestly. The two servants -bowed their heads in affirmation.</p> - -<p>"You will pardon me, father, if I do not share your opinion," the young -man continued. "For my own part, on the other hand, I feel certain that -these red devils, who have been following us so long, have eventually -understood that they could gain nothing from us but bullets, and, like -prudent men, have given up following us further."</p> - -<p>"No, no; you are mistaken, my son, it is not so."</p> - -<p>"Look ye, father," the young man continued, with a certain amount of -excitement, "allow me to make an observation which, I think, will bring -you over to my way of thinking."</p> - -<p>"Do so, my son; we are here to exchange our opinions freely, and select -the best: the common interest is at stake, and we have to act for the -safety of all: under circumstances so grave as the present, I should -never forgive myself for neglecting good advice, no matter from whom it -came; speak, therefore, without timidity."</p> - -<p>"You know, father," the young man went on, "that the Indians understand -honour differently from ourselves; that is to say, when the success of -an expedition is not clearly proved to them, they have no shame about -resigning it, because what they seek in the first place is profit."</p> - -<p>"I know all that, my son; but I do not see yet what you are driving at."</p> - -<p>"You will soon understand me. For nearly two months, from sunrise, the -moment we set out, to sunset, which is generally the time of our halt, -the Redskins have been following us step by step, and we have been -unable to escape for a single moment these most troublesome neighbours, -who have watched our every movement."</p> - -<p>"That is true," John Black said, "but what do you conclude from that?"</p> - -<p>"A very simple thing: they have seen that we were continually on our -guard, and that if they attempted to attack us, they would be beaten; -hence they have retired, that is all."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, William, you have forgotten one thing."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"This: the Indians, generally not so well armed as the white men, are -afraid to attack them, especially when they suppose they shall have to -deal with persons almost as numerous as themselves, and in the bargain, -sheltered behind wagons and bales of merchandise; but that is not at -all the case here: since they have been watching us, the Indians have -had many opportunities of counting us, and have done so long ago."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Sam said.</p> - -<p>"Well, they know that we are only four—they are at least fifty, if -they are not more numerous. What can four men, in spite of all their -courage, effect against such a considerable number of enemies? Nothing, -The Redskins know it, and they will act in accordance; that is, when -the opportunity offers, they will not fail to seize it."</p> - -<p>"But—"—the young man objected.</p> - -<p>"Another consideration to which you have not paid attention," John -Black quietly continued, "is that the Indians, whatever the number of -their enemies may be, never quit them without having attempted, at -least once, to surprise them."</p> - -<p>"In truth," William answered, "that astonishes me on their part: -however, I am of your opinion, father; even if the precautions we -propose taking only serve to reassure my mother and sister, it would be -well not to neglect them."</p> - -<p>"Well spoken, William," the emigrant remarked, "let us therefore set to -work without delay."</p> - -<p>The party broke up, and the four men, throwing their rifles on their -shoulders, began making active preparations for the encampment. Sam -collected the oxen by the aid of the dogs, and led them down to the -river to drink. John, in the meanwhile, went up to the wagon.</p> - -<p>"Well, my love," his wife asked him, "why this halt, and this long -discussion? Has any accident occurred?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing that need at all alarm you, Lucy," the emigrant answered; "we -are going to camp, that is all."</p> - -<p>"Oh, gracious me! I do not know why, but I was afraid lest some -misfortune had happened."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary; we are quieter than we have been for a long time."</p> - -<p>"How so, father?" Diana asked, thrusting her charming face from under -the canvas which concealed her.</p> - -<p>"Those rascally Indians, who frightened us so much, my darling Diana, -have at length made up their minds to leave us; we have not seen a -single one during the whole day."</p> - -<p>"Oh, all the better!" the girl said quickly, as she clapped her dainty -palms together; "I confess that I am not brave, and those frightful Red -men caused me terrible alarm."</p> - -<p>"Well, you will not see them again, I hope," John Black said, gaily; -though while giving his daughter this assurance to appease her fears, -he did not believe a word he uttered. "Now," he added, "have, the -goodness to get down, so that we may unload the wagon."</p> - -<p>"Unload the wagon," the old lady remarked, "why so?</p> - -<p>"It is just possible," the husband answered, anxious not to reveal the -real reason, "that we may remain here a few days, in order to rest the -cattle."</p> - -<p>"Ah, very good," she said; and she got out, followed by her daughter.</p> - -<p>The two ladies had scarce set foot on ground, ere the men began -unloading the wagon. This task lasted nearly an hour. Sam had time -enough to lead the cattle to water, and collect them on the top of the -hill.</p> - -<p>"Are we going to camp, then?" Mrs. Black asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes," her husband answered.</p> - -<p>"Come, Diana," the old lady said.</p> - -<p>The two women packed up some kitchen utensils, and clomb the hill, -where, after lighting the fire, they began preparing supper. So soon as -the cart was unloaded, the two labouring men, aided by William, pushed -it behind, while John Black, at the head of the team, began flogging -the horses. The incline was rather steep, but owing to the vigour of -the horses and the impatience of the men, who at each step laid rollers -behind the wheels, the wagon at last reached the top. The rest was as -nothing, and within an hour the camp was arranged as follows.</p> - -<p>The emigrants formed, with the bales and trees they felled, a large -circle, in the midst of which the cattle were tied up, and then put up -a tent for the two women. When this was effected, John Black cast a -glance of satisfaction around. His family were temporarily protected -from a coup de main—thanks to the manner in which the bales and trees -were arranged, and the party were enabled to fire from under cover on -any enemy that might attack them, and defend themselves a long time -successfully.</p> - -<p>The sun had set for more than an hour before these various preparations -were completed, and supper was ready. The Americans seated themselves -in a circle round the fire, and ate with the appetite of men accustomed -to danger—an appetite which the greatest alarm cannot deprive them of. -After the meal, John Black offered up a prayer, as he did every evening -before going to rest; the others standing, with uncovered heads, -listened attentively to the prayer, and when it was completed, the two -ladies entered the hut prepared for them.</p> - -<p>"And now," Black said, "let us keep a careful watch the night is dark, -the moon rises late, and you are aware that the Indians choose the -morning, the moment when sleep is deepest, to attack their enemies."</p> - -<p>The fire was covered, so that its light should not reveal the exact -position of the camp; and the two servants lay down side by side on the -grass, where they soon fell asleep: while father and son, standing at -either extremity of the camp, watched over the common safety.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE GRIZZLY BEAR.</h3> - - -<p>All was calm in the prairie; not a sound disturbed the silence of the -desert. On the sudden appearance of the Indian, whatever the emotion -Bright-eye might feel, it was impossible for Natah Otann to perceive -anything: the hunter's face remained calm, and not a muscle moved.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he said, "the sachem of the Piékanns is welcome: does he come as -a friend or an enemy?"</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann comes to sit by the fire of the palefaces, and smoke the -calumet with them," the chief replied, casting a searching glance -around him.</p> - -<p>"Good: if the chief will wait a moment, I will light the fire."</p> - -<p>"Bright-eye can light it, the chief will wait: he has come to talk with -the palefaces, and the conversation will be long."</p> - -<p>The Canadian looked fixedly at the Redskin; but the Indian was -impassive like himself, and it was impossible to read anything on his -features. The hunter collected a few handfuls of dry wood, struck a -light, and soon a bright flame sprung up, and illumined the mount. The -Indian drew near the fire, took his calumet from his girdle, and began -grimly smoking. Bright-eye not wishing to remain in any way behindhand, -imitated his every movement with perfectly feigned indifference, and -the two men sat for several moments puffing clouds of smoke at each -other. Natah Otann at length broke the silence.</p> - -<p>"The pale hunter is a warrior," he said; "why does he try to hide -himself like the water rat?"</p> - -<p>Bright-eye did not consider it advisable to reply to this insinuation, -and continued smoking philosophically, while casting a side-glance at -his questioner.</p> - -<p>"The Blackfeet have the eye of the eagle," Natah Otann continued, -"their piercing eyes see all that happens on the prairie."</p> - -<p>The Canadian made a sign of assent, but did not yet reply; the chief -continued:—</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann has seen the trail of his friends the palefaces, his heart -quivered with pleasure in his breast, and he has come to meet them."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye slowly removed his pipe from his lips, and turning towards -the Indian, examined him carefully for an instant, and then answered—</p> - -<p>"I repeat to my brother that he is welcome: I know that he is a great -chief, and am happy to see him."</p> - -<p>"Wah!" the Indian said, with a cunning smile: "is my brother so -satisfied as he says at my presence?"</p> - -<p>"Why not, chief?"</p> - -<p>"My brother is angry still that the Blackfeet fastened him to the stake -of torture."</p> - -<p>The Canadian shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and coldly -answered:—</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, chief! why do you fancy I am angry with you or your nation? -war is war; I have no reproaches to make to you. You wished to kill me, -I escaped; so we are quits."</p> - -<p>"Good: does my brother speak the truth? has he really forgotten?" the -chief asked with some vivacity.</p> - -<p>"Why not?" the Canadian answered cautiously. "I have not a forked -tongue, the words my mouth utters come from my heart: I have not -forgotten the treatment you made me undergo, I should lie if I said so: -but I have forgiven it."</p> - -<p>"<i>Ochi</i>! my brother is a greatheart: he is generous."</p> - -<p>"No: I am merely a man who knows Indian customs, that is all: you -did no more and no less than all the Redskins do under similar -circumstances: I cannot be angry with you for having acted according to -your nature."</p> - -<p>There was a silence; the two men went on smoking. The Indian was the -first to interrupt it.</p> - -<p>"Then my brother is a friend," he said.</p> - -<p>"And you?" the hunter asked, answering one question by another.</p> - -<p>The chief rose with a gesture full of majesty, and threw back the folds -of his buffalo robe.</p> - -<p>"Would an enemy come like this?" he asked, in a gentle voice.</p> - -<p>The Canadian could not repress a movement of surprise; the Blackfoot -was unarmed, his girdle was empty: he had not even his scalping -knife,—that weapon from which the Indians part so unwillingly. -Bright-eye offered him his hand.</p> - -<p>"Shake hands, chief," he said to him. "You are a man of heart: now -speak, I am listening to you: and, in the first place, will you have a -draught of firewater?"</p> - -<p>"The firewater is an evil counsellor," the chief replied, with a smile; -"it makes the Indians mad: Natah Otann does not drink it."</p> - -<p>"Come, come, I see that I was mistaken with regard to you, chief; that -pleases me: speak, my ears are open."</p> - -<p>"What I have to say to Bright-eye other ears must not listen to."</p> - -<p>"My friends are in a deep sleep, you can speak without fear; and even -if they were awake, as you know, they do not understand your language."</p> - -<p>The Indian shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Glass-eye knows everything," he replied, "the Grizzly Bear will not -speak before him."</p> - -<p>"As you please, chief: still, I would remark that I have nothing to say -to you: you can speak, therefore, or be silent at your ease."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann seemed to hesitate for an instant, and then continued:—</p> - -<p>"Bright-eye will follow his friend to the river bank, and there listen -to the words of the Blackfoot chief."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" the hunter said, "and who will watch over my companions during -my absence? No, no," he added, "I cannot do that, chief. The Redskins -have the cunning of the opossum: while I am near the river, my friends -may be surprised. Who will respond for their safety?"</p> - -<p>The Indian rose.</p> - -<p>"The word of a chief," he said, in a proud voice, and with a gesture -full of majesty.</p> - -<p>The Canadian looked at him attentively. "Listen, Redskin," he said to -him, "I do not doubt your honour, so do not take in ill part what I am -going to say to you."</p> - -<p>"I listen to my brother," the Indian answered.</p> - -<p>"I must watch over my companions. Since you insist on speaking to me in -secret, I consent to follow you, but on one condition, that I do not -lay aside my weapons; in that way, should one of those things happen, -which are too common in the prairie, and which no human foresight can -prevent, I shall be able to face the danger and sell my life dearly: if -what I propose suits you, I am ready to follow you; if not, not."</p> - -<p>"Good," the Indian said, with a smile, "my pale brother is right, a -true hunter never quits his weapons. Bright-eye may follow his friend."</p> - -<p>"Very well, then," the Canadian said, resolutely, as he threw his rifle -on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann began descending the hill. While gliding noiselessly -through the shrubs and thickets, the Canadian walked literally in his -footsteps; but though pretending the most perfect security, he did -not omit carefully examining the vicinity, and lending an ear to the -slightest sound, but all was calm and silent in the desert, and after -some ten minutes' walk the two men reached the riverside.</p> - -<p>The Mecha-Chebe rolled its waters majestically in a bed of golden -sand, while at times a few vague shadows appeared on the bank: they -were wild beasts coming to drink in the river. Two leagues from them, -at the top of the hill, sparkled the last flames of an expiring fire, -which appeared at intervals between the branches. Natah Otann stopped -at the extremity of a species of small promontory, the point of which -advanced some distance into the water. This spot was entirely free from -vegetation: the eye could survey the prairie for a great distance, and -detect the slightest movement in the desert.</p> - -<p>"Does this place suit the hunter?" the chief asked.</p> - -<p>"Capitally," Bright-eye replied, resting the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and crossing his hands over the muzzle: "I am ready to hear the -communication my brother wishes to make me."</p> - -<p>The Indian walked up and down the sand with folded arms and drooping -head, like a man who is reflecting deeply. The hunter followed him -with his glance, waiting calmly, till he thought proper to offer an -explanation. It was easy to see that Natah Otann was ripening in his -brain one of those bold projects such as Indians frequently imagine, -but knew not how to enter upon it. The hunter resolved to put a stop to -this state of things.</p> - -<p>"Come," he said, "my brother has made me leave my camp; he invited me -to follow him; I consented to do so: now that, according to his desire, -we are free from human ears, will he not speak, so that I may return to -my companions?"</p> - -<p>The Indian stopped before him.</p> - -<p>"My brother will remain," he said; "the hour is come for an explanation -between us. My brother loves Glass-eye?"</p> - -<p>The hunter regarded his querist craftily.</p> - -<p>"What good of that question?" he asked: "it must be a matter of -indifference to the chief whether I love or not the man he pleases to -call Glass-eye."</p> - -<p>"A chief never loses his time in vain discourses," the Indian said, -peremptorily; "the words his lips utter are always simple, and go -straight to the point; let my brother then answer as clearly as I -interrogate him."</p> - -<p>"I see no great inconvenience in doing so. Yes, I love Glass-eye; I -love him not only because he saved my life, but because he is one of -the most honourable men I ever met."</p> - -<p>"Good! for what purpose does Glass-eye traverse the prairie? My brother -doubtlessly knows."</p> - -<p>"My faith, no! I confess to you, chief, my ignorance on that head is -complete. Still, I fancy that, wearied with the life of cities, he has -come here with no other object than to calm his soul by the sublime -aspect of nature, and the grand melodies of the desert."</p> - -<p>The Indian shook his head; the hunter's metaphysical ideas and poetic -phrases were so much Hebrew to him, and he did not understand them.</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann," he said, "is a chief, he has not a forked tongue; the -words he utters are as clear as the blood in his veins. Why does not -the hunter speak his language to him?"</p> - -<p>"I answer your questions, chief, and that is all. Do you fancy that I -would go out of my way to interrogate my friend as to his intentions? -They do not concern me; I have no right to seek in a man's heart for -the motive of his actions."</p> - -<p>"Good! my brother speaks well; his head is grey, and his experience -long."</p> - -<p>"That is possible, chief; at any rate you and I are not on such -friendly terms that we should exchange our thoughts without some -restriction, I fancy; you have kept me here for an hour without saying -anything, so it is better for us to separate."</p> - -<p>"Not yet."</p> - -<p>"Why not? Do you imagine I am like you, and that instead of sleeping o' -nights as an honest Christian should do, I amuse myself with rushing -about the prairie like a jaguar in search of prey?"</p> - -<p>The Indian began laughing.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" he said, "my brother is very clever; nothing escapes him."</p> - -<p>"By Jingo! there is no great cleverness in guessing what you are doing -here."</p> - -<p>"Good! then let my brother listen."</p> - -<p>"I will do so, but on the condition that you lay aside once for all -those Indian circumlocutions in which you so adroitly conceal your real -thoughts."</p> - -<p>"My brother will open his ears, the words of his friend will reach his -heart."</p> - -<p>"Come, make an end of it."</p> - -<p>"As my brother loves Glass-eye, he will tell him from Natah Otann that -a great danger threatens him."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Canadian said, casting a suspicious glance at the other, "and -what may the danger be?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot explain further."</p> - -<p>"Very good," Bright-eye remarked, with a grin, "the information is -valuable, though not very explicit; and pray what must we do to escape -the great danger that menaces us?"</p> - -<p>"My brother will wake his friend, they will mount their horses, and -retire at full speed, not stopping till they have crossed the river."</p> - -<p>"Hum! and when we have done that, we shall have nought more to fear?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing."</p> - -<p>"Only think of that," the hunter said, ironically; "and when ought we -to start?"</p> - -<p>"At once."</p> - -<p>"Better still." Bright-eye walked a few paces thoughtfully; then he -returned, and stood before the chief, whose eyes sparkled in the gloom -like those of a tiger cat, and who followed his every movement.</p> - -<p>"Then," he said, "you cannot reveal to me the reason that forces us to -depart?"</p> - -<p>"No!"</p> - -<p>"It is equally impossible, I suppose, for you to tell me of the nature -of the danger that menaces us?" he went on.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Is that your last word?"</p> - -<p>The Indian bowed his head in affirmation.</p> - -<p>"Very good, as it is so," Bright-eye said all at once, striking the -ground with the butt of his rifle, "I will tell it you."</p> - -<p>"You?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, listen to me carefully; it will not be long, and will interest -you I hope."</p> - -<p>The chief smiled ironically.</p> - -<p>"My ears are open," he said.</p> - -<p>"All the better, for I shall fill them with news which, perhaps, will -not please you."</p> - -<p>"I listen," the impassive Indian repeated.</p> - -<p>"As you said to me a moment back—and the confidence on your part was -useless, for I have known you so long on the prairie—the Redskins have -the eyes of an eagle, and they are birds of prey, whom nothing escapes."</p> - -<p>"Go on."</p> - -<p>"Here I am; your scouts have discovered, as was not difficult, the -trail of an emigrant family; that trail you have been following a -long time so as not to miss your blow; supposing that the moment had -arrived to deal it, you have assembled Comanches, Sioux, and Blackfeet, -all demons of the same breed, in order this very night to attack people -whom you have been watching for so many days, and whose riches you -covet because you suppose them so great—-eh?"</p> - -<p>Natah Otann's face revealed no emotion. He remained calm, although -internally restless and furious at having his thoughts so well guessed.</p> - -<p>"There is truth in what the hunter says," he replied, coldly.</p> - -<p>"It is all true," Bright-eye exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps; but I do not see in it for what reason I should have come -here to warn my Paleface brother."</p> - -<p>"Ah, you do not see that; very well. I will explain it to you. You -came to seek me, because you are perfectly well aware that Glass-eye, -as you call him, is not the man to allow the crime you meditate to be -committed with impunity in his presence."</p> - -<p>The Blackfoot shrugged his shoulders. "Can a warrior, however brave he -may be, hold his ground against four hundred?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," Bright-eye went on; "but he can control them by his -presence, and employ his ascendency over them to compel them to give -up their prospects; and that is what Glass-eye will undoubtedly do, -for reasons of which I am ignorant, for all of you have for him an -incomprehensible respect and veneration, and as you fear lest you -may see him come among you at the first shot fired, terrible as the -destroying angel, you seek to remove him by a pretext, plausible with -anyone else, but which will produce on him no other effect than making -him engage in the affair. Come, is that really all? have I completely -unmasked you? Reply."</p> - -<p>"My brother knows all; I repeat, his wisdom is great."</p> - -<p>"Now, I presume, you have nothing to add? Very well, good night."</p> - -<p>"A moment."</p> - -<p>"What more?"</p> - -<p>"You must."</p> - -<p>"Very well; but make haste."</p> - -<p>"My brother has spoken in his own cause, but not in that of Glass-eye; -let him wake his friend, and impart our conversation to him; mayhap he -is mistaken."</p> - -<p>"I do not believe it, chief," the hunter answered, with a shake of his -head.</p> - -<p>"That is possible," the Indian persisted; "but let my brother do as I -have asked him."</p> - -<p>"You lay great stress on it, chief!"</p> - -<p>"Great."</p> - -<p>"I do not wish to vex you about such a trifle. Well! you will soon -allow that I was right."</p> - -<p>"Possibly; I will await my brother's reply for half an hour."</p> - -<p>"Very good; but where shall I bring it to you?"</p> - -<p>"Nowhere!" the Indian exclaimed, sharply. "If I am right, my brother -will imitate the cry of the magpie twice; if I am mistaken, it will be -that of the owl."</p> - -<p>"Very good, that's agreed; you shall soon hear, chief."</p> - -<p>The Indian bowed gracefully.</p> - -<p>"May the Wacondah be with my brother!" he said.</p> - -<p>After this courteous salutation, the two men parted. The Canadian -carelessly threw his rifle on his shoulder, and stalked back to his -camp, while the Indian followed him with his glance, apparently -remaining insensible; but as soon as the hunter had disappeared, the -chief lay down in the sand, glided along in the shade like a serpent, -and in his turn disappeared amid the bushes, following the direction -taken by Bright-eye, though at a considerable distance.</p> - -<p>The latter did not fancy himself followed; he therefore paid no -attention to what went on around him, and regained his camp without -noticing anything of an extraordinary nature. Had not the Canadian -been preoccupied, and his old experience lulled to sleep for the -moment, he would have certainly perceived, with that penetration -which distinguished him, that the desert was not in its usual state -of tranquillity: he would have felt unusual tremors in the leaves, -and possibly have seen eyes flashing in the shade of the tall grass. -He soon reached the camp where the Count and Ivon were sleeping -profoundly. Bright-eye hesitated a few seconds ere awakening the young -man whose sleep was so peaceful; still, reflecting that the least -imprudence might entail terrible consequences, whose result it was -impossible to calculate, he bent over him, and gently touched his -shoulder. Though the touch was so slight, it sufficed to wake the -Count; he opened his eyes, sat up, and looking at the old hunter—</p> - -<p>"Is there anything fresh, Bright-eye?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sir Count," the Canadian replied, seriously.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh, how gloomy you are, my good fellow," the young man said, with -a laugh. "What's the matter then?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, yet; but we may soon have a row with the Redskins."</p> - -<p>"All the better, for that will warm us, as it is horribly cold," he -replied, shivering. "But how do you know the fact?"</p> - -<p>"During your sleep I received a visitor."</p> - -<p>"Ah?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And who was the person who selected such an important moment to pay -you a visit?"</p> - -<p>"The sachem of the Blackfeet."</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann?"</p> - -<p>"Himself."</p> - -<p>"Upon my word, he must be a somnambulist, to amuse himself by walking -about the desert at night."</p> - -<p>"He does not walk, he watches."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am in a bother; so keep me no longer in suspense; tell me what -passed between you. Natah Otann is not the man to put himself out of -the way without strong reasons, and I am burning to know them."</p> - -<p>"You shall judge."</p> - -<p>Without any further preface, the hunter described in its fullest -details the conversation he had with the chief.</p> - -<p>"By Jove! that's serious," the Count said when Bright-eye had ended -his story. "This Natah Otann is a gloomy scoundrel, whose plans you -fully penetrated, and you behaved splendidly in answering him so -categorically. For what has this villain taken me? Does he fancy, I -wonder, that I shall act as his accomplice? Let him dare to attack -those poor devils of emigrants down there, and by the saints, I swear -to you, Bright-eye, that blood will be shed between us, if you help me."</p> - -<p>"Can you doubt it?"</p> - -<p>"No, my friend, I thank you; with you and my coward of an Ivon, I shall -manage to put them to flight."</p> - -<p>"Is my lord calling me?" the Breton asked, raising his head.</p> - -<p>"No, no, Ivon, my good fellow; I only say that we shall soon have some -fighting."</p> - -<p>The Breton emitted a sigh, and muttered, as he lay down again,—</p> - -<p>"Ah! if I had as much courage as I possess goodwill; but alas! as you -know, I am a wonderful coward, and I shall prove more harm to you than -good."</p> - -<p>"You will do all you can, my friend, and that will be sufficient."</p> - -<p>Ivon sighed in reply. Bright-eye had listened laughingly to this -colloquy. The Breton still possessed the privilege of astonishing him, -for he did not at all comprehend his singular organization. The Count -turned towards him.</p> - -<p>"So it is settled?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Settled," the hunter answered.</p> - -<p>"Then give the signal; my friend."</p> - -<p>"The owl, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" the Count said.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye raised his fingers to his mouth, and, as had been agreed -with Natah Otann, imitated twice the cry of the owl, with rare -perfection. Hardly had the echo of the last cry died away, than a great -rumour was heard in the bushes, and, before the three men had time to -put themselves in a posture of defence, some twenty Indians rushed upon -them, disarmed them in a twinkling, and reduced them to a state of -utter defencelessness. The Count shrugged his shoulders, leant against -a tree, and, thrusting his glass in his eye, said,—-</p> - -<p>"This is very funny."</p> - -<p>"Well, I can't see the point of the joke," muttered Ivon, in a grand -aside.</p> - -<p>Among the Indians, whom it was easy to recognize as Blackfeet, was -Natah Otann! After removing the weapons of the white men, so that they -could not attempt a surprise this time, he walked towards the hunter.</p> - -<p>"I warned Bright-eye," he said.</p> - -<p>The hunter smiled contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"You warned us after the fashion of Redskins," he replied.</p> - -<p>"What does my brother mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that you warned us of a danger that threatened us, and not that -you intended treachery."</p> - -<p>"It is the same thing," the Indian replied, with utter calmness.</p> - -<p>"Bright-eye, my friend, do not argue with those scoundrels," the Count -said.</p> - -<p>And turning haughtily to the chief,—</p> - -<p>"Come! what do you want of us?" he asked.</p> - -<p>Since his arrival on the prairie, and through his constant contact with -the Indians the Count had almost unconsciously learned their language, -which he spoke rather fluently.</p> - -<p>"We do not wish to do you any hurt; we only intend to prevent your -interference in our affairs," Natah Otann said respectfully; "we should -be very sorry to have recourse to violent measures."</p> - -<p>The young man burst into a laugh.</p> - -<p>"You are humbugs! I can manage to escape, in spite of you."</p> - -<p>"Let my brother try it."</p> - -<p>"When the moment arrives; as for the present, it is not worth the -trouble!"</p> - -<p>While speaking in this light tone, the young man took his case from -his pocket, chose a cigar, and, pulling out a lucifer match, stooped -down and rubbed it on a stone. The Indians, considerably puzzled by his -movements, followed them anxiously; but suddenly they uttered a yell of -terror, and fell back several paces. The match had caught fire with the -friction; a delicious blue flame sported about its extremity. The Count -carelessly twisted the slight morsel of wood between his fingers, while -waiting till all the sulphur was consumed. He did not notice the terror -of the Indians.</p> - -<p>The latter, with a movement as swift as thought, stooped down, and each -picking up the first piece of wood he found at his feet, all began -rubbing it against the stones. The Count, in amazement, looked at -them, not yet understanding what they were about. Natah Otann seem to -hesitate for a moment; a smile of strange meaning played, rapidly as -lightning, over his gloomy features; but reassuming almost immediately -his cold impassiveness, he took a step forward, and respectfully bowing -before the Count—</p> - -<p>"My father commands the fire of the sun," he said, with all the -appearance of a mysterious terror, while pointing to the match.</p> - -<p>The young man smiled; he had guessed the secret.</p> - -<p>"Which of you," he said haughtily, "would dare to contend with me?"</p> - -<p>The Indians regarded each other with amazement. These men, so intrepid -and accustomed to brave the greatest dangers, were vanquished by the -incomprehensible power their prisoner possessed. As, while talking -to the chief, the Count had not watched his match, it had gone out -before he could use it, and he threw it away. The Indians rushed upon -it, to assure themselves that the flame was real. Without appearing to -attach any importance to this action, the Count drew a second match -from his box, and renewed his experiment. His triumph was complete; the -Redskins, in their terror, fell at his feet, imploring him to pardon -them. Henceforth he might dare anything. These primitive men, terrified -by the two miracles he had performed, regarded him as a superior being -to themselves, and were completely mastered by him. While Bright-eye -laughed in his sleeve at the Indians' simplicity, the young man -cleverly employed his triumph.</p> - -<p>"You see what I can do," he said.</p> - -<p>"We see it," Natah Otann made answer.</p> - -<p>"When do you intend to attack the emigrants?"</p> - -<p>"When the moon has set, the warriors of the tribe will assault their -camp."</p> - -<p>"And you?"</p> - -<p>"Will guard our brother."</p> - -<p>"So you now fancy that is possible," the Count said, haughtily.</p> - -<p>The Redskins shuddered at the flash of his glance.</p> - -<p>"Our brother will pardon us," the chief replied, submissively; "we only -knew him imperfectly."</p> - -<p>"And now?"</p> - -<p>"Now we know that he is our master, let him command, and we will obey."</p> - -<p>"Take care!" he said, in a tone which made them shudder, "for I am -about to put your obedience to a rude trial."</p> - -<p>"Our ears are open to receive our brother's words."</p> - -<p>"Draw nearer."</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet took a few hesitating steps in advance, for they were not -yet completely reassured.</p> - -<p>"And now listen to me attentively," he said, "and when you have -received my orders, take care to execute them thoroughly."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE STRANGE WOMAN.</h3> - - -<p>We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp. As we have said, -Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from -easy in his mind. Although not yet possessed of all the experience -required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing -marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree -of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very -useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse -it. The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he -surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive -the approach of an enemy.</p> - -<p>Father and son were seated by the fire, rising from time to time, in -turn, to cast glances over the desert, and assure themselves that -nothing menaced their tranquillity. Black was a man gifted with an iron -will and a lion's courage; hitherto his schemes had been unsuccessful, -and he had sworn to make himself an honourable position, no matter at -what cost.</p> - -<p>He was the descendant of an old family of squatters. The squatter being -an individuality peculiar to America, and vainly sought elsewhere, we -will describe him as he is, in a few words. On the lands belonging to -the United States, not yet cleared or put up for sale, large numbers -of persons have settled, with the desire of eventually <i>purchasing</i> -their lots. These inhabitants are called squatters. We will not say -that they are the pick of the western emigrants, but we know that, -in certain districts, they have constituted themselves a regular -Government, and have elected magistrates to watch over the execution -of the Draconian laws they have themselves laid down to insure the -tranquillity of the territories they have invaded. But by the side of -these quasi-honest squatters, who bow their necks beneath a yoke that -is often harsh, there is another class of squatters, who understand -the possession of land in its widest sense; that is to say, whenever -they discover, in their vagabond peregrinations, a tract of land that -suits them, they instal themselves there without any further inquiry, -and caring nothing for the rightful owner, who, when he arrives with -his labourers to till his estate, is quite annoyed to find it is in the -hands of an individual who, trusting to the axiom that possession is -nine points of the law, refuses to give it up, and if he insist, drives -him away by means of his rifle and revolver.</p> - -<p>We know a capital story of a gentleman, who, starting from New York -with two hundred labourers, to clear a virgin forest he had purchased -some ten years previously, and never turned to any use, found, on -arriving at his claim, a town of four thousand souls built on the site -of his virgin forest, of which not a tree remained. After numberless -discussions, the said gentleman esteemed himself very fortunate in -being able to depart with a whole skin, and without paying damages to -his despoilers, whom he had momentarily hoped to oust. But there is no -more chance of ousting a squatter, than you can get a dollar out of a -Yankee, when he has once pocketed it.</p> - -<p>John Black belonged to the former of the two classes we have described. -When he reached the age of twenty, his father gave him an axe, a rifle -with twenty charges of powder, and a bowie knife, saying to him—</p> - -<p>"Listen, boy. You are now tall and strong; it would be a shame for you -to remain longer a burden on me. I have your two brothers to support. -America is large; there is no want of land. Go in God's name, and -never let me hear of you again. With the weapons I give you, and the -education you have received, your fortune will soon be made, if you -like: before all, avoid all disagreeable disputes, and try not to be -hanged."</p> - -<p>After this affectionate address, the father tenderly embraced his son, -put him out of the cabin, and slammed the door in his face. From that -moment John Black had never heard of his father—it is true that he -never tried to obtain any news about him.</p> - -<p>Life had been rough to him at the outset; but owing to his character, -and a certain elasticity of principle, the sole inheritance his family -had given him, he had contrived to gain a livelihood, and bring up his -children without any great privations. Either through the isolation in -which he had passed his youth, or for some other reason we are ignorant -of, Black adored his wife and children, and would not have parted from -them on any account. When fatality compelled him to give up the farm he -occupied, and look for another, he set out gaily, sustained by the love -of his family, no member of which was ungrateful for the sacrifices he -imposed on himself; and he had resolved to go this time so far, that -no one would ever come to dispossess him, for he had been obliged to -surrender his farm to its legitimate proprietor, which he had done on -the mere exhibition of the title deeds, without dreaming of resistance -—a conduct which had been greatly blamed by all his neighbours.</p> - -<p>Black wished to see his family happy, and watched over it with the -jealous tenderness of a hen for its chicks. Thus, on this evening, -an extreme alarm had preyed on him, though he could not explain the -cause: the disappearance of the Indians did not seem to him natural; -everything around was too calm, the silence of the desert too profound: -he could not remain at any one spot, and, in spite of his son's -remarks, rose every moment to take a look over the intrenchments.</p> - -<p>William felt for his father a great affection, mingled with respect: -the state in which he saw him vexed him the more, because there was -nothing to account for his extraordinary restlessness.</p> - -<p>"Good gracious, father!" he said, "do not trouble yourself so much; it -really causes me pain to see you in such a state. Do you suppose that -the Indians would have attacked us by such a moonlight as this? Look, -objects can be distinguished as in broad day; I am certain you might -even read the Bible by the silvery rays."</p> - -<p>"You are right for the present moment, Will. The Redskins are too -crafty to face our rifles during the moonshine; but in an hour the moon -will have set, and the darkness will then protect them sufficiently to -allow them to reach the foot of the barricade unnoticed."</p> - -<p>"Do not imagine they will attempt it, my dear father! Those red devils -have seen us sufficiently close to know that they can only expect a -volley of bullets from us."</p> - -<p>"Hum! I am not of your opinion; our beasts would be riches to them: I -do not wish to abandon them, as we should then be compelled to return -to the plantations to procure others, which would be most disagreeable, -you will allow."</p> - -<p>"It is true; but we shall not be reduced to that extremity."</p> - -<p>"May Heaven grant it, my boy; but do you hear nothing?"</p> - -<p>The young man listened attentively.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, at the end of a moment.</p> - -<p>The emigrant proceeded with a sigh: "I visited the river bank this -morning, and I have rarely seen a spot better suited for a settlement. -The virgin forest that extends behind us would supply excellent -firewood, without reckoning the magnificent planks to be obtained from -it: there are several hundred acres around, which, from their proximity -to the water, would produce, I am certain, excellent crops."</p> - -<p>"Would you feel inclined to settle here, then?"</p> - -<p>"Have you any objection?"</p> - -<p>"I—none at all! provided we can live and work together. I care little -at what place we stop: this spot appears to me as good as another, and -it is far enough from the settlements to prevent our being turned out, -at least for a great number of years."</p> - -<p>"That is exactly my view."</p> - -<p>At this moment a gentle quivering ran along the tall grass.</p> - -<p>"This time I am certain I am not mistaken," the emigrant exclaimed; "I -heard something."</p> - -<p>"And I too!" the young man said, rising quickly, and seizing his rifle.</p> - -<p>The two men hurried to the entrenchments, but they saw nothing of a -suspicious nature: the prairie was still perfectly calm.</p> - -<p>"'Tis some wild beast going down to drink, or returning," Will said, to -reassure his father.</p> - -<p>"No, no," the latter replied, with a shake of the head; "it is not the -noise made by any animal—it was the echo of a man's footfall, I am -convinced."</p> - -<p>"The simplest way is to go and see."</p> - -<p>"Come then."</p> - -<p>The two men resolutely climbed over the intrenchments, and with rifles -outstretched, went round the camp, carefully searching the bushes, and -assuring themselves that no foe lurked in them.</p> - -<p>"Well!" they exclaimed, when they met.</p> - -<p>"Nothing—and you?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing."</p> - -<p>"It is strange," John Black muttered, "and yet the noise was very -distinct."</p> - -<p>"That is true; but I repeat, father, that it was nothing but an animal -leaping somewhere near. In a night so calm as this, the slightest sound -is heard for a great distance; besides, we are now certain that no one -is concealed near us."</p> - -<p>"Let us go back," the emigrant said, thoughtfully. They began climbing -over the entrenchments; but both stopped suddenly, by mutual agreement, -hardly checking a cry of amazement, almost of terror. They had just -perceived a human being, whose outline it was impossible to trace at -such a distance, crouched over the fire.</p> - -<p>"This time I will have it out," the emigrant exclaimed, taking a -prodigious bound into the camp.</p> - -<p>"And I, too," his son murmured, as he followed his example.</p> - -<p>But when they came opposite their strange visitor, their surprise -was redoubled. In spite of themselves, they stopped to gaze on the -stranger, without thinking to ask how he had entered their camp, and by -what right he had done so.</p> - -<p>As far as they could form a judgment, they soon began to consider -the extraordinary being before them—a woman; but years, the mode of -life she led, and perchance cares, had furrowed her face with such a -multitude of cross hatchings, that it was impossible to conjecture her -age, or whether she had formerly been lovely. The large black eyes, -surmounted by thick brows crossing her curved nose, and deep sunk, -flashed with a gloomy fire; her salient and empurpled cheekbones, her -large mouth studded with dazzling teeth, and her thin lips and square -chin, gave her at first an appearance which was far from arousing -sympathy and exciting confidence; while her long black hair, matted -with leaves and grass, fell in disorder on her shoulders. She wore a -costume more suited for a man than a woman. It was composed of a long -robe of buffalo hide, with short sleeves, fastened on the hips by a -girdle bedizened with beads. This robe had the skirt fringed with -feathers, and only came down to the knee. Her <i>mitasses</i> were fastened -round the ankles, and reached slightly above the knee, where they were -held up by garters of buffalo hide. Her <i>humpis</i> or slippers were plain -and unornamented. She wore iron rings on her wrist, two or three bead -collars round her neck, and earrings. From her girdle hung on one side -a powder flask, an axe, and a bowie knife; on the other, a bullet pouch -and a long Indian pipe. Across her knees lay a rather handsome gun, of -English manufacture.</p> - -<p>She was crouching over the fire, which she gazed at fixedly, with her -chin on the palm of her hand.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of the Americans, she did not rise, and did not even -appear to notice their presence. After examining her attentively for -some time, Black walked up, and, tapping her on the shoulder, said—</p> - -<p>"You are welcome, woman; it seems as if you were cold, and the fire -does not displease you."</p> - -<p>She slowly raised her head on feeling the touch, and, fixing on her -questioner a gloomy glance, in which it was easy to perceive a slight -wildness, she replied in English, in a hollow voice, and with guttural -accent—</p> - -<p>"The Palefaces are mad; they ever think themselves in their towns; they -forget that in the prairie the trees have ears and the leaves eyes to -see and hear all that is done. The Blackfeet Indians raise their hair -very skilfully."</p> - -<p>The two men looked at each other on hearing these words, whose meaning -they were afraid to guess, though they seemed somewhat obscure.</p> - -<p>"Are you hungry? Will you eat?" John Black continued, "or is it thirst -that troubles you? I can, if you like, give you a good draught of -firewater to warm you."</p> - -<p>The woman frowned.</p> - -<p>"Fire-water is good for Indian squaws," she said, "what good would it -do me to drink it? Others will come who will soon dispose of it. Do you -know how many hours you still have to live?"</p> - -<p>The emigrant shuddered, in spite of himself at this species of menace.</p> - -<p>"Why speak to me thus?" he asked; "have you any cause of complaint -against me?"</p> - -<p>"I care little," she continued. "I am not among the living, since my -heart is dead."</p> - -<p>She turned her head in every direction with a slow and solemn movement, -while carefully examining the country.</p> - -<p>"Stay," she continued, pointing with her lean arm to a mound of grass a -short distance off, "'twas there he fell—'tis there he rests. His head -was cleft asunder by an axe during his sleep—poor James! This spot is -ill-omened: do you not know it? The vultures and the crows alone stay -here at long intervals. Why, then, have you come here? Are you weary of -life? Do you hear them? They are approaching; they will soon be here."</p> - -<p>Father and son exchanged a glance.</p> - -<p>"She is mad. Poor creature!" Black muttered.</p> - -<p>"Yes; that is what they all say on the prairies," she exclaimed, with -some accusation in her voice. "They call me <i>Ohucahauck Chiké</i> (the -evil one of the earth), because they fear me as their evil genius. You, -also, fancy me mad, eh? ah! ah! ah!"</p> - -<p>She burst into a strident laugh, which ended in a sob; she buried -her face in her hands, and wept. The two men felt awed in spite of -themselves; this strange grief, these incoherent words, all aroused -their interest in favour of this poor creature, who appeared so -unhappy. Pity was at work in their hearts, and they regarded her -silently without daring to disturb her. In a few moments she raised her -head, passed the back of her hand over her eyes to dry them, and spoke -again. The wild expression had disappeared; the very sound of her voice -was no longer the same; as if by enchantment, a complete change had -taken place in her.</p> - -<p>"Pardon," she said mournfully, "the extravagant words I have uttered. -The solitude in which I live, and the heavy burden of woe which has -crushed me so long, at times trouble my reason; and then the place -where we now stand reminds me of terrible scenes, whose cruel memory -will never be erased from my mind."</p> - -<p>"Madam, I assure you—," John Black continued, not knowing what he -said, so great was his surprise.</p> - -<p>"Now the fit has passed away." She interrupted him with a gentle -and melancholy smile, which gave her countenance a very different -expression from that the Americans had hitherto remarked; "I have been -following you for the last two days to come to your help; the Redskins -are preparing to attack you—"</p> - -<p>The two men shuddered: and, forgetting all else to think only of the -pressing danger, they cast a restless glance around them.</p> - -<p>"You know it?" Black exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"I know all," she answered; "but reassure yourselves. You have still -two hours ere their horrible war cry will sound in your ears; that is -more than enough to render you safe."</p> - -<p>"Oh! we have good rifles and keen sight," said William, clutching his -weapon in his nervous hands.</p> - -<p>"What can four rifles, however good they may be, do against two or -three hundred tigers thirsting for blood, like those you will have to -fight? You do not know the Redskins, young man."</p> - -<p>"That is true," he answered; "but what is to be done?"</p> - -<p>"Seek a refuge?—where find help in these immense solitudes?" the -father added, casting a despairing glance around him.</p> - -<p>"Did I not tell you I wished to help you?" she said, sharply.</p> - -<p>"Yes; you told us so; but I try in vain to detect of what use you can -be to us."</p> - -<p>She smiled a melancholy smile.</p> - -<p>"It is your good angel that brought you to the spot where you now are. -While I was watching you all the day, I trembled lest you might not -encamp here. Come!"</p> - -<p>The two men, surprised by the ascendancy this strange creature had -gained over them in a few minutes, followed her without reply. After -walking about a dozen steps, she stopped, and turned toward them.</p> - -<p>"Look," she said, stretching out her thin arm in a north-west -direction, "your enemies are there, scarce two leagues off, buried in -the tall grass. I have heard their plans, and was present at their -council, though they little suspected it. They are only waiting for the -moon to set, ere they attack you. You have scarce an hour left."</p> - -<p>"My poor wife!" Black murmured.</p> - -<p>"It is impossible for me to save you all: to fancy it would be madness; -but I can, if you wish it, attempt to save your wife and daughter from -the fate that menaces them."</p> - -<p>"Speak! speak!"</p> - -<p>"This tree, at the foot of which we are now standing, although -apparently possessing all the vigour of youth, is internally hollow, -so that only the bark stands upright. Your wife and daughter, supplied -with some provisions, will get into the tree and remain there in safety -till the danger has passed away. As for ourselves—"</p> - -<p>"As for us," Black quickly interrupted her, "we are men accustomed to -danger: our fate is in the hands of God."</p> - -<p>"Good; but do not despair: all is not lost yet."</p> - -<p>The American shook his head.</p> - -<p>"As you said yourself, what can four men do against a legion of demons -like those who menace us? But that is not the question of the moment. I -do not see the hole by which my wife and daughter can enter the tree."</p> - -<p>"It is twenty to twenty-four feet up, hidden among the branches and -leaves."</p> - -<p>"The Lord be praised! they will be sheltered."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but make haste and warn them, while your son and I make all the -preparations."</p> - -<p>Black, convinced of the necessity of haste, ran off, while the stranger -and William constructed, with that dexterity produced by the approach -of danger, a species of handy ladder, by which the two women could not -merely ascend the tree, but go down into the cavity. Black waked the -ladies, and called the servants; in a few words he explained to them -what was passing; then, loading his wife and daughter with provisions, -furs, and other indispensable objects, he led them to the spot where -the stranger was expecting them.</p> - -<p>"This is my most precious treasure," Black said; "if I save it, I shall -be solely indebted to you."</p> - -<p>The two ladies began thanking their mysterious protectress; but she -imposed silence on them by a peremptory gesture.</p> - -<p>"Presently, presently," she said; "if we escape, we shall have plenty -of time for mutual congratulations; but at this moment we have -something more important to do than exchange compliments. We must get -into a place of safety."</p> - -<p>The two ladies fell back, quite repulsed by this rough reception, while -casting a curious and almost alarmed glance on the strange creature. -But the latter, perfectly stoical, seemed to notice nothing. She -explained in a few clear words the means she had found to conceal them: -recommended them to remain silent in the hollow tree, and then ordered -them to mount. The two ladies, after embracing Black and his son, began -resolutely ascending the rungs of the improvised ladder. They reached -in a few seconds an enormous branch, on which they stopped, by the -orders of the stranger. Black then threw down into the interior of the -tree the furs and provisions, after which the ladder was placed inside, -and the ladies glided through the hole.</p> - -<p>"We leave you the ladder, which is useless to us," the stranger then -said. "But be very careful not to come out till you have seen me again; -the least imprudence, under the circumstances, might cost your lives. -However, keep your minds at rest. Your imprisonment will not be long, a -few hours at the most: so be of good cheer."</p> - -<p>The ladies once again tried to express their gratitude; but, without -listening, the stranger made Black a sign to follow her, and rapidly -descended from the tree. Aided by the Americans, she then began -removing every trace that might have revealed where the ladies were -bestowed. When the stranger had assured herself, by a final glance, -that all was in order, and nothing could betray those who were so -famously hidden, she sighed, and followed by the two men, walked to the -intrenchments.</p> - -<p>"Now," she said, "let us watch attentively around us, for these demons -will probably crawl close up in the shadows. You are free and honest -Americans, show these accursed Indians what you can do."</p> - -<p>"Let them come!" Black muttered hoarsely.</p> - -<p>"They will soon do so," she replied, and pointed to several almost -imperceptible black dots, which, however, grew larger, and were -evidently approaching the encampment.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP.</h3> - - -<p>The Redskins have a mode of fighting which foils all the methods -employed by European tactics. In order to understand their system -properly, we must, in the first place, bear in mind that the Indian -idea of honour is different from ours. This understood, the rest may be -easily admitted. The Indians, in undertaking an enterprise, have only -one object—success, and all means are good to attain it. Gifted with -incontestable courage, at times rash to an excess, stopping at nothing, -and recoiling before no difficulty—for all that, when the success -of these enterprises appears to them dubious, and that consequently -the object is missed, they retire as easily as they advanced, not -considering their honour compromised by a retreat, or by leaving the -battlefield to an enemy more powerful than themselves, or well on his -guard.</p> - -<p>Thus, their system of fighting is most simple, and they only proceed by -surprises. The Redskins will follow the enemy's trail for entire months -with unequalled patience, never relaxing their watch for a moment, -spying him night and day, while ever careful not to be themselves -surprised: then, when the occasion at last presents itself, and they -fancy the moment arrived to execute the project, all the chances for or -against which they have so long calculated, they act with a vigour and -fury which frequently disconcert those they attack; but if after the -first onset they are repulsed—if they see that those they attack will -not let themselves be intimidated, and are prepared to resist, then, on -a given signal, they disappear as if by enchantment, and, without any -shame, begin watching again for a more favourable moment.</p> - -<p>Black, on the advice of the stranger, had placed himself and his -party in such positions that they could survey the prairie in every -direction. The stranger and himself were leaning on their rifles in -the angle that faced the river. The prairie at this moment presented -a singular appearance. The breeze, which at sunset had risen with a -certain strength, was gently dying out, scarce bending the tops of the -great trees. The moon, almost departed, only cast over the landscape an -uncertain and timorous gleam, which, in lieu of dissipating the gloom, -only rendered the darkness visible, through the striking contrasts -between the obscurity and the pale and fugitive rays of the declining -planet.</p> - -<p>At times, a dull roar or sharp bark rose in the silence, and, like a -sinister appeal, reminded the emigrant that implacable and ferocious -enemies were on the watch around, although invisible. The purity of the -atmosphere was so great, that the slightest sound could be heard for an -immense distance, and it was easy to distinguish the enormous blocks of -granite that formed black dots on the ground.</p> - -<p>"Do you know for certain that we shall be attacked this night?" the -American asked, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>"I was present at the last council of the chiefs," the unknown replied -distinctly.</p> - -<p>The emigrant bent on her a scrutinising glance, which she recognised, -and immediately understood; she shrugged her shoulders disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"Take care," she said to him, with a certain emphasis, "let not doubt -invade your mind; what interest should I have in deceiving you?"</p> - -<p>"I know not," he replied dreamily "but I also ask myself what interest -you have in defending me?"</p> - -<p>"None; since you place the matter on that footing, what do I care -whether your wealth is plundered, your wife, your daughter, and -yourself scalped? it is a matter of supreme indifference to me; but -must the affair be only regarded from that side? Do you imagine that -material interests have a great weight with me? If that is your -opinion, I shall withdraw, leaving you to get out of your present -position in the best way you can."</p> - -<p>While uttering these words, she had thrown her rifle over her shoulder, -and prepared to climb over the palisade, but Black quickly checked her.</p> - -<p>"You do not understand me," he said; "any man in my place would act as -I do; my position is fearful, you allow it yourself; you entered my -camp, and it is impossible for me to guess how. Still, I have hitherto -put the utmost confidence in you, as you cannot deny; but I do not -know who you are, or what motive causes you to act. Your words, far -from explaining, plunge me, on the contrary, into greater uncertainty; -the safety of my entire family and all I possess is at stake: reflect -seriously on all this, and I defy you to disapprove of my not putting -utter confidence in you, although you are, doubtlessly, deserving of -it, so long as I do not know who you are."</p> - -<p>"Yes," she answered, after a moment's reflection, "you are right, the -world is so, people must first of all give their name and quality; -egotism is so thoroughly the master over the whole surface of the -globe, that even to do a person a service, you require a certificate -of honesty, for no one will admit disinterestedness of heart,—that -aberration of generous minds, which practical people brand as madness. -Unfortunately, you must take me for what I appear, at the risk of -seeing me go away, and hence any confidence on my part would be -superfluous. You will judge me by my acts, the only proof I can and -will give you of the purity of my intentions; you are free to accept or -decline my assistance, and after all is over, you can thank or curse me -at your choice."</p> - -<p>Black was more perplexed than ever; the stranger's explanations only -rendered the fog denser, instead of affording him light. Still, in -spite of himself, he felt himself attracted toward her. After a few -moments of serious reflection, he raised his head, struck his rifle -barrel smartly with his right hand, and looking his companion well in -the face, said in a firm voice,—</p> - -<p>"Listen, I will no longer try to learn whether you come from God or the -devil; if you are a spy of our enemies, or our devoted friend—events, -as you said, will soon decide the question. But bear this in mind, I -will carefully watch your slightest gesture, your every word. At the -first suspicious word or movement, I will put a bullet through your -head, even if I am killed the moment after. Is that a bargain?"</p> - -<p>The stranger began laughing.</p> - -<p>"I accept," she said. "I recognise the Yankee in that proposition."</p> - -<p>After this, the conversation ceased, and their entire attention was -concentrated on the prairie. The most profound calm still continued -to brood over the desert; apparently, all was in the same state as at -sunset. Still the stranger's piercing eyes distinguished on the river -bank several wild beasts flying precipitately, and others escaping -across the river, instead of continuing to drink. One of the truest -axioms in the desert is:—there can be no effect without a cause. -Everything has a reason in the prairie, all is analysed or commented -on; a leaf does not fall from a tree, a bird fly away, without the -observer knowing or guessing why it has happened.</p> - -<p>After a few moments of profound examination, the stranger seized the -emigrant's arm, and bending down to his ear, said in a weak voice, like -the sighing of the breeze, one word which made him tremble, as she -stretched out her arm in the direction of the plain.</p> - -<p>"Look!"</p> - -<p>Black bent forward.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" he said a minute after, "what is the meaning of this?"</p> - -<p>The prairie, as we have already mentioned, was covered in several -places by blocks of granite and dead trees; singularly enough, these -black dots, at first a considerable distance from the camp, seemed -approaching insensibly, and now were only a short way from it. As it -was physically impossible for rocks and trees to move of their own -accord, there must be a cause for this, which the worthy emigrant, -whose mind was anything but subtle, cudgelled his brains in vain -to guess. This new Birnam Wood, which moved all alone, made him -excessively uncomfortable; his son and servants had also noticed the -same fact, though equally unable to account for it. Black remarked -specially that a tree he remembered perfectly well seeing that same -evening more than one hundred and fifty feet from the mound, had -suddenly come so close, that it was hardly thirty paces off. The -stranger, without evincing any emotion, whispered—</p> - -<p>"They are the Indians!"</p> - -<p>"The Indians?" he said, "impossible!"</p> - -<p>She knelt behind the palisade, shouldered her rifle, and after taking a -careful aim, pulled the trigger. A flash traversed the darkness, and at -the same moment the pretended tree bounded like a deer. A terrible yell -was raised, and the Redskins appeared, rushing toward the camp like a -herd of wolves, brandishing their weapons, and howling like demons. -The Americans, very superstitious people, reassured by seeing that -they had only to deal with men, when they feared some spell, received -their enemies bravely with a rolling and well-directed fire. Still, -the Indians, probably knowing the small number of white men, did not -recoil, but pushed on boldly. The Redskins were hardly a few yards off, -and were preparing to carry the barricades, when a shot, fired by the -stranger, tolled over an Indian ahead of the rest, at the instant he -turned to his comrades to encourage them to follow him.</p> - -<p>The fall of this man produced an effect which the Americans, who -fancied themselves lost, were far from anticipating. As if by -enchantment, the Indians disappeared, the yells ceased, and the deepest -silence prevailed again. It might be supposed that all that had passed -was a dream. The Americans regarded each other with amazement, not -knowing to what they should attribute this sudden retreat.</p> - -<p>"That is incomprehensible," Black said, after assuring himself by a -hasty glance that none of his party were wounded; "can you explain -that, mistress, you, who seem to be our guardian angel, for it is to -your last shot we owe the rest we at present enjoy?"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" she said, with a sarcastic smile, "you are beginning to do me -justice, then."</p> - -<p>"Do not speak about that," the emigrant said, with an angry voice; "I -am a fool; pardon me, and forget my suspicions."</p> - -<p>"I have forgotten them," she replied. "As for that which astounds you, -it is very simple. The man I killed, or, at any rate, wounded, was an -Indian chief of great reputation; on seeing him fall, his warriors were -discouraged, and they ran to carry him off the field, lest his scalp -should fall into your hands."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" Black said, with a gesture of disgust; "do these Pagans fancy -we are like themselves? No, no! I would kill them to the last man, in -self-defence, and no one could blame me for it; but as for scalping, -that is a different matter. I am an honest Virginian, without a drop of -red blood in my veins. My father's son does not commit such infamy."</p> - -<p>"I approve your remarks," the stranger said, in a sorrowful voice; -"scalping is a frightful torture; unfortunately, many white men on the -prairies do not think like you; they have adopted Indian fashions, and -scalp, without ceremony, the enemies they kill."</p> - -<p>"They are wrong."</p> - -<p>"Possibly; I am far from justifying them."</p> - -<p>"So that," the emigrant joyfully exclaimed, "we are free from these red -devils."</p> - -<p>"Do not rejoice yet; you will soon see them return."</p> - -<p>"What, again?"</p> - -<p>"They have only suspended their attack to carry off their killed and -wounded, and probably to invent some other plan, to get the better of -you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that will not be difficult; in spite of all our efforts, it will -be impossible for us to resist that flock of birds of prey, who rush on -us from all sides, as on a carcass. What can five rifles effect against -that legion of demons?"</p> - -<p>"Much, if you do not despair."</p> - -<p>"Oh, as for that, you may be easy, we will not yield an inch; we are -resolved to die at our posts."</p> - -<p>"Your bravery pleases me," the stranger said, "perhaps all will end -better than you suppose."</p> - -<p>"May Heaven hear you, my worthy woman."</p> - -<p>"Let us lose no time; the Indians may return to the charge at any -moment, so let us try to be as successful this time as the first."</p> - -<p>"I will."</p> - -<p>"Good! Are you a man of resolution?"</p> - -<p>"I fancy I have proved it."</p> - -<p>"That is true. How many days' provisions have you here?"</p> - -<p>"Four, at the least."</p> - -<p>"That is to say, eight, if necessary."</p> - -<p>"Pretty nearly."</p> - -<p>"Good! Now, if you like, I will get rid of your enemies for a long -time."</p> - -<p>"I ask nothing better."</p> - -<p>Suddenly the war cry of the Redskins was again heard, but this time -more strident and unearthly than the first.</p> - -<p>"It is too late!" the stranger said, sorrowfully, "All that is left is -to die bravely."</p> - -<p>"Let us die, then; but first kill as many of these Pagans as we can," -John Black answered. "Hurrah! my boys, for Uncle Sam!"</p> - -<p>"Hurrah!" his comrades shouted, brandishing their weapons.</p> - -<p>The Indians responded to this challenge by yells of rage, and the -combat recommenced, though this time it was more serious. After rising -to utter their formidable war cry, the Indians scattered, and advanced -slowly toward the camp, by crawling on the ground. When they found -in their road the stump of a tree or a bush capable of offering them -shelter, they stopped to fire an arrow or a bullet. The new tactics -adopted by their enemies disconcerted the Americans, whose bullets were -too often wasted; for, unluckily, the Indians were almost invisible in -the gloom, and, with that cunning so characteristic of them, shook the -grass so cleverly, that the deceived emigrants did not know where to -aim.</p> - -<p>"We are lost," Black exclaimed despondingly.</p> - -<p>"The position is indeed becoming critical; but we must not despair -yet," the stranger remarked; "one chance is left us; a very poor one, -I grant; but which I shall employ when the moment arrives. Try to hold -out in a hand-to-hand fight."</p> - -<p>"Come," the emigrant said, shouldering his rifle, "there is one of the -devils who will not get any further."</p> - -<p>A Blackfoot warrior, whose head rose at this moment above the grass, -had his skull fractured by the American's bullet. The Redskins suddenly -rose, and rushed, howling, on the barricade, where the emigrants -awaited them firmly. A point-blank discharge received the Indians, and -a hand-to-hand fight began. The Americans, standing on the barricades -and clubbing their rifles, dashed down every one who came within their -reach. Suddenly, at the moment when the emigrants, overpowered by -numbers, fell back a step, the stranger rushed up the barricade, with a -torch in her hand, and uttering such a savage yell, that the combatants -stopped, with a shudder. The flame of the torch was reflected on the -stranger's face, and imparted to it a demoniac expression. She held her -head high, and stretched out her arm, with a magnificent gesture of -authority.</p> - -<p>"Back!" she shrieked. "Back, devils!"</p> - -<p>At this extraordinary apparition, the Redskins remained for a moment -motionless, as if petrified, but then they rushed headlong down the -slope, flying, with the utmost terror. The Americans, interested -witnesses of this incomprehensible scene, gave a sigh of relief. They -were saved! Saved by a miracle! They then rushed toward the stranger, -to express their gratitude to her.</p> - -<p>She had disappeared!</p> - -<p>In vain did the Americans look for her everywhere; they could not -imagine whither she was gone: she seemed to have suddenly become -invisible. The torch she held in her hand, when addressing the Indians, -lay on the ground, where it still smoked; it was the only trace she -left of her presence in the emigrants' camp.</p> - -<p>John Black and his companions lost themselves in conjectures on her -account, while dressing, as well as they could, the wounds they had -received in the engagement, when his wife and daughter suddenly -appeared in the camp. Black rushed toward them.</p> - -<p>"How imprudent of you!" he exclaimed. "Why have you left your hiding -place, in spite of the warnings given you?"</p> - -<p>His wife looked at him in amazement.</p> - -<p>"We left it," she replied, "by the directions of the strange woman to -whom we are all so deeply indebted this night."</p> - -<p>"What! have you seen her again?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly; a few moments back she came to us; we were half dead -with terror, for the sounds of the fighting reached us, and we were -completely ignorant of what was occurring. After reassuring us, she -told us that all was over, that we had nothing more to fear, and that, -if we liked, we could rejoin you."</p> - -<p>"But she—what did she do?"</p> - -<p>"She led us to this spot; then, in spite of our entreaties, she went -away, saying that as we no longer needed her, her presence was useless, -while important reasons compelled her departure."</p> - -<p>The emigrant then told the ladies all about the events of the night, -and the obligations they owed to this extraordinary female. They -listened to the narrative with the utmost attention, not knowing to -what they should attribute her strange conduct, and feeling their -curiosity aroused to the utmost pitch. Unfortunately, the peculiar -way in which the stranger had retired, did not appear to evince any -great desire on her part to establish more intimate relations with the -emigrants.</p> - -<p>In the desert, however, there is but little time to be given to -reflections and comments; action is before all; men must live and -defend themselves. Hence Black, without losing further time in -trying to solve the riddle, occupied himself actively in repairing -the breaches made in his entrenchments, and fortifying his camp more -strongly, were that possible, by piling up on the barricades all the -articles within reach. When these first duties for the common safety -were accomplished, the emigrant thought of his cattle. He had placed -them at a spot where the bullets could not reach them, close to the -tent, into which his wife and daughter had again withdrawn, and had -surrounded them by a quantity of interlaced branches. On entering this -corral, Black uttered a cry of amazement, which was soon changed into, -a yell of fury. His son and the men ran up; the horses and one-half the -cattle had disappeared. During the fight the Indians had carried them -off, and the noise had prevented their flight being heard. It seemed -probable that the stranger's interference, by striking the Indians with -terror, had alone prevented the robbery being completed, and the whole -of the cattle carried off.</p> - -<p>The loss was enormous to the emigrant; although all his cattle had not -disappeared, enough had been carried off to render further progress -impossible. His resolution was formed with that promptitude so -characteristic of the Northern Americans.</p> - -<p>"Our beasts are stolen," he said; "I must have them back."</p> - -<p>"Quite right," William answered; "at daybreak we will go on their -track."</p> - -<p>"I, but not you, my son," the emigrant said. "Sam will go with me."</p> - -<p>"What shall I do then?"</p> - -<p>"Stay in the camp, to guard your mother and sister. I will leave James -with you."</p> - -<p>The young man made no reply.</p> - -<p>"I will not let the Pagans boast of having eaten my oxen," Black said, -wrathfully. "By my father's soul, I will get them back, or lose my -scalp!"</p> - -<p>The night had passed away while the camp was being fortified. The sun, -though still invisible, was beginning to tinge the horizon with a -purple light.</p> - -<p>"Ah, look!" Black continued, "here's day; let us lose no time, but set -off. I recommend your mother and sister to your care, Will, as well as -all that is here."</p> - -<p>"You can go, father," the young man said. "I will keep good watch -during your absence; you may be easy."</p> - -<p>The emigrant pressed his son's hand, threw his rifle, over his -shoulder, made a sign to Sam to follow him, and walked towards the -entrenchment.</p> - -<p>"It is useless to wake your mother," he said, as he walked on; "when -she comes out of the tent, you will tell her what has occurred, and -what I have done; I am certain she will approve of it. So, good-bye, my -boy, and mind you are on the watch."</p> - -<p>"And you, father—good luck!"</p> - -<p>"May Heaven grant it, boy," the emigrant said, sorrowfully. "Such -splendid cattle!"</p> - -<p>"Stay!" the young man exclaimed, holding his father back, at the moment -the latter was preparing to climb over the barricades. "What is that I -see down there?"</p> - -<p>The emigrant turned quickly.</p> - -<p>"Do you see anything, Will—-whereabouts?"</p> - -<p>"Look, father, in that direction. But what is the meaning of it? It -must be our cattle."</p> - -<p>The emigrant looked in the direction his son indicated.</p> - -<p>"What!" he exclaimed joyfully; "why, those are our cattle. Where on -earth do they come from? And who is bringing them back?"</p> - -<p>In fact, at a great distance on the prairie, the American's cattle were -visible, galloping rapidly in the direction of the camp, and raising a -cloud of dust behind them.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE INDIAN CHIEF.</h3> - - -<p>The Count de Beaulieu was far from suspecting, as he carelessly -prepared to light a cigar, that the lucifer match he employed would at -once render him so important in the sight of the Indians. But, so soon -as he recognized the power of the weapon chance placed in his hands, -he resolved to employ it, and turn to his own profit the superstitious -ignorance of the Redskins. Enjoying, in his heart, the triumph he had -obtained, the Count frowned, and employing the language and emphatic -gestures of the Indians, when he saw they were sufficiently recovered -to listen to him, he addressed them with that commanding tone which -always imposes on the masses.</p> - -<p>"Let my brothers open their ears; the words my lips utter must be -heard and understood by all. My brothers are simple men, prone to -error; truth must enter their hearts like an iron wedge. My goodness -is great, because I am powerful; instead of chastising them when -they dared to lay hands on me, I am satisfied with displaying my -power before their eyes. I am a great physician of the pale faces; I -possess all the secrets of the most famous medicines. If I pleased, -the birds of the air and the fish of the river would come to do me -homage, because the Master of Life is within me, and has given me his -medicine rod. Listen to this, Redskins, and remember it: when the first -man was born, he walked on the banks of the Mecha-Chebe; there he met -the Master of Life: the Master of Life saluted him, and said to him, -'Thou art my son.' 'No,' the first man made answer, 'thou art my son, -and I will prove it to thee, if thou dost not believe me; we will sit -down and plant in the earth the medicine rod we hold in our hands; the -one who rises first will be the younger, and the son of the other.' -They sat down then, and looked at each other for a long time, until at -length the Master of Life turned pale, and the flesh left his bones; on -which the first man exclaimed, joyfully, 'At length thou art assuredly -dead.' And they regarded each other thus during ten times ten moons, -and ten times more; and as at the end of that time the bones of the -Master of Life were completely bleached, the first man rose and said, -'Yes, now there is no more doubt; he is certainly dead.' He then took -the medicine stick of the Master of Life, and drew it from the earth. -But then the Master of Life rose, and taking the stick from him, said -to him, 'Stop! here I am; I am thy father, and thou art my son.' And -the first man recognized him as his father. But the Master of Life -then added, 'Thou art my son, first man; thou can'st not die; take my -medicine staff; when I have to communicate with my Redskin sons, I -will send thee.' This is the medicine staff. Are you ready to execute -my orders?"</p> - -<p>These words were uttered with so profound an accent of truth, the -legend related by the Count was so true and so well known by all, that -the Indians, whom the miracle of the match had already disposed to -credulity, put complete faith in it, and answered respectfully—</p> - -<p>"Let my father speak: what he wishes we wish. Are we not his children?"</p> - -<p>"Hence," the Count continued, "I wish to speak with you, chief, alone."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann had listened to the Count's discourse with the deepest -attention: at times, an observer might have noticed a flash of joy -cross his features, immediately followed, however, by a feeling of -pleasure, which lit up his intelligent eyes: he applauded, like his -warriors, perhaps more warmly than they, when the young man ceased -speaking; on hearing him say that he would speak with the sachem alone, -a smile played on his lips: he made the Indians a sign to retire, and -walked towards the Count with an ease and grace which the other could -not refrain from noticing. There was a native nobility in this young -chief, which pleased at the first glance, and attracted sympathy.</p> - -<p>After bowing respectfully, the Blackfeet warriors went down the hill, -and collected about one hundred yards from the camping place.</p> - -<p>There were two men whom the Count's eloquence had surprised quite as -much as the Indian warriors. These were Bright-eye and Ivon; neither -of them understood a syllable, and the young man's Indian science -completely threw them out; they awaited in the utmost anxiety the -denouement of this scene, whose meaning they could not decipher.</p> - -<p>When left alone (for the hunter and Ivon soon also withdrew), the -Frenchman and the Indian examined each other with extreme attention. -But whatever efforts the white man made to read the sentiments of the -man he had before him, he was obliged to allow that he had to deal -with one of those superior natives, on whose faces it is impossible to -read anything, and who, under all circumstances, are ever masters of -their impressions; furthermore, the fixity and metallic lustre of the -Indian's eye caused him to feel a secret uneasiness, which he hastened -to remove by speaking, as if that would break the charm.</p> - -<p>"Chief," he said, "now that your warriors have retired—"</p> - -<p>Natah Otann interrupted him by a sign, and bowed courteously.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Monsieur le Comte," he said, with an accent which a native -of the banks of the Seine would have envied: "I think the slight -practice you have had in speaking our language is wearisome to you; if -you would please to express yourself in French, I fancy I understand -that language well enough to follow you."</p> - -<p>"Eh?" the Count exclaimed, with a start of surprise, "what is that you -say?"</p> - -<p>Had a thunderbolt fallen at the Count's feet he would not have been -more surprised and terrified than on hearing this savage, who wore the -complete costume of the Blackfeet, and whose face was painted of four -different colours, express himself so purely in French. Natah Otann did -not seem to notice his companion's agitation, but continued coldly—</p> - -<p>"Deign to pardon me, Monsieur le Comte, for employing terms which must -certainly have offended you by their triviality; but the few occasions -I have for speaking French in this desert must serve as an excuse."</p> - -<p>M. de Beaulieu was a prey to one of those surprises which grow -gradually greater. He no longer knew were he awake, or suffering -from a nightmare; what he heard seemed to him so incredible and -incomprehensible, that he could not find words to express his feelings.</p> - -<p>"Who on earth are you?" he exclaimed, when sufficiently master of -himself to speak.</p> - -<p>"I!" Natah Otann remarked carelessly; "why, you see I am a poor Indian, -and nothing more."</p> - -<p>"'Tis impossible," the young man said.</p> - -<p>"I assure you, sir, that I have told you the exact truth. Hang it," -he added with charming frankness, "if you find me a little less—what -shall I say?—coarse, you must not consider it a crime; that results -from considerations entirely independent of my will, which I will tell -you some day, if you wish to hear them."</p> - -<p>The Count, as we think we have said, was a man of great courage, whom -but few things could disturb; the first impression passed, he bravely -took his part; perfectly master of himself henceforth, he frankly -accepted the position which accident had so singularly made for him.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" he said, with a laugh, "the meeting is a strange one, and -may reasonably surprise me; you will therefore pardon, my dear sir, -that astonishment—in extreme bad taste, I grant—which I at first -evidenced on hearing you address me as you did. I was so far from -expecting to meet, six hundred leagues from civilised countries, a man -so well bred as yourself, that I confess I at first hardly knew what -Saint to invoke."</p> - -<p>"You flatter me, sir; believe me that I feel highly grateful for the -good opinion you are good enough to have of me; now, if you permit, we -will go back to our business."</p> - -<p>"On my faith, I am so staggered by all that has happened, that I really -do not know what I am about."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, that is nothing; I will lead you back to the right track; -after the charming address you made us, you seem to desire speech with -me alone."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" the Count said, with a smile, "I am afraid that I must have -appeared to you supremely ridiculous with my legend, especially my -remarks, but then I could not suspect that I had an auditor of your -stamp."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann shook his head sadly; a melancholy expression for a moment -darkened his face.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, "you acted as you were bound to do; but while you were -speaking, I was thinking of those poor Indians sunk so deeply in error, -and asking myself whether there was any hope of their regeneration -before the white men succeed in utterly destroying them."</p> - -<p>The chief uttered these words with such a marked accent of grief and -hatred, that the Count was moved by the thought how this man, with a -soul of fire, must suffer at the brutalization of his race.</p> - -<p>"Courage!" he said, holding out his hand to him.</p> - -<p>"Courage!" the Indian repeated, bitterly, though clasping the proffered -hand; "after each defeat I experienced in the struggle I have -undertaken, the man who has served as my father, and unfortunately made -me what I am, never ceases to say that to me."</p> - -<p>There was a moment of silence; each was busied with his own thoughts; -at length Natah Otann proceeded:—</p> - -<p>"Listen, Monsieur le Comte; between men of a certain stamp there is a -species of undefinable feeling, which attaches them to each other in -spite of themselves; for the six months your have been traversing the -desert in every direction, I have never once lost sight of you; you -would have been dead long ere this, but I spread a secret ægis over -you. Oh, do not thank me," he said, quickly, as the young man made a -sign, "I have acted rather in my own interest than yours. What I say -surprises you, I daresay, but it is so. Allow me to tell you, that I -have views with reference to yourself, whose secrets I will unfold to -you in a few days, when we know each other better; as for the present, -I will obey you in whatever you wish; in the eyes of my countrymen, I -will keep up that miraculous halo which surrounds your brow. You wish -these American emigrants to be left at peace, very good; for your sake -I pardon this race of vipers; but I ask you one favour in return."</p> - -<p>"Speak!"</p> - -<p>"When you are certain the people you wish to save are in security, -accompany me to my village,—that is all I desire. That will not cost -you much, especially as my tribe is encamped not more than a day's -march from the spot where you now are."</p> - -<p>"I accept your proposition, chief. I will accompany you wherever you -please, though not till I am certain that my <i>protégés</i> no longer -require my aid."</p> - -<p>"That is agreed. Stay, one word more."</p> - -<p>"Say it."</p> - -<p>"It is well understood that I am only an Indian like the rest, even to -the two white men who accompany you!"</p> - -<p>"You demand it?"</p> - -<p>"For our common welfare: a word spoken thoughtlessly, any indiscretion, -how trifling soever, would destroy us both. Ah! you do not know the -Redskins yet," he added, with that melancholy smile which had already -given the Count so much subject for thought.</p> - -<p>"Very good," he answered; "you may be easy; I am warned."</p> - -<p>"Now, if you think proper, I will recall my warriors; a longer -conference between us might arouse their jealousy."</p> - -<p>"Do so; I trust entirely to you."</p> - -<p>"You will have no reason to repent it," Natah Otann replied, graciously.</p> - -<p>While the chief went to join his companions, the Count walked up to the -two white men.</p> - -<p>"Well?" Bright-eye asked him, "have you obtained what you wanted from -that man?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly," he answered; "I only wished to say a few words to him."</p> - -<p>The hunter looked at him cunningly.</p> - -<p>"I did not think him so easy," he said.</p> - -<p>"Why so, my friend?"</p> - -<p>"His reputation is great in the desert; I have known him for a very -long period."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the young man said, not at all sorry to obtain some information -about the man who perplexed him so greatly; "what reputation has he -then?"</p> - -<p>Bright-eye seemed to hesitate for a moment.</p> - -<p>"Are you afraid to explain yourself clearly on that head?" the Count -asked.</p> - -<p>"I have no reason for that; on the contrary, with the exception of that -day on which he wished to flay me alive—a slight mistake, which I -pardon with my whole heart,—our relations have always been excellent."</p> - -<p>"The more so," the Count said, with a laugh, "because you never met -again, to my knowledge, till this day."</p> - -<p>"That is what I meant to say. Look you—Natah Otann, between ourselves, -is one of those Indians whom it is far more advantageous not to see: he -is like the owl—his presence always forebodes evil."</p> - -<p>"The deuce! You trouble me greatly by speaking so, Bright-eye."</p> - -<p>"Suppose I had said nothing, then," he answered, quickly; "for my part, -I should prefer to be silent."</p> - -<p>"That is possible; but the little you have allowed to escape has, I -confess, so awakened my curiosity, that I should not be sorry to learn -more."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, I know nothing."</p> - -<p>"Still you spoke of his reputation—is that bad?"</p> - -<p>"I did not say so," Bright-eye answered, with reserve. "You know, Mr. -Edward, that Indian manners are very different from ours: what is bad -to us is regarded very differently by Indians; and so—"</p> - -<p>"So, I suppose," the Count interrupted, "Natah Otann has an execrable -reputation."</p> - -<p>"No, I assure you; that depends upon the way in which you look at -matters."</p> - -<p>"Good; and what is your personal opinion?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I, as you are aware, am only a poor fellow; still it seems to me -as if this demon of an Indian is more crafty than his whole tribe; -between ourselves, he is regarded as a sorcerer by his countrymen, who -are frightfully afraid of him."</p> - -<p>"Is that all?"</p> - -<p>"Nearly."</p> - -<p>"After that," the Count said, lightly, "as he has asked me to accompany -him to his village, the few days we spend with him will enable us to -study him at our ease."</p> - -<p>The hunter gave a start of surprise.</p> - -<p>"You will not do so, I trust, Sir?"</p> - -<p>"I do not see what can prevent me."</p> - -<p>"Yourself, Sir; who, I hope, will not walk, with your eyes open, into -the lion's jaws."</p> - -<p>"Will you explain—yes, or no?" the Count exclaimed with rising -impatience.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what is the use of explaining?—will what I say stop you? No, I -am persuaded of that. You see, therefore, it is useless for me to say -more; besides, it is too late—the chief is returning."</p> - -<p>The Count made a movement of ill-humour, at once suppressed; but this -movement did not escape Natah Otann, who at this moment appeared on the -plateau. The young man walked toward him.</p> - -<p>"Well?" he asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>"My young men consent to do what our Paleface father desires; if he -will mount his horse and follow us, he can convince himself that our -intentions are loyal."</p> - -<p>"I follow you, chief," the Count replied, making Ivon a sign to bring -up his horse.</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet welcomed the three hunters with unequivocal signs of joy.</p> - -<p>"Forward!" the young man said.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann raised his arm. At this signal the warriors drove in their -knees, and the horses started like a hurricane. No one, who has not -witnessed it, can form an idea of an Indian chase: nothing stops -the Redskins—no obstacle is powerful enough to make them deviate -from their course; they go in a straight line, rolling like a human -whirlwind across the prairie crossing gulleys, ravines, and rocks, with -dizzy rapidity. Natah Otann, the Count, and his two companions, were -at the head of the cavalcade, closely followed by the warriors. All at -once the chief checked his horse, shouting at the top of his voice—</p> - -<p>"Halt!"</p> - -<p>All obeyed, as if by enchantment: the horses stopped dead, and remained -motionless, as if their feet were planted in the ground.</p> - -<p>"Why stop?" the Count asked; "we had better push on."</p> - -<p>"It is useless," the chief said, calmly; "let my Pale brother look -before him."</p> - -<p>The Count bent on his horse's neck.</p> - -<p>"I can see nothing," he said.</p> - -<p>"That is true," the Indian said; "I forgot that my brother has the eyes -of the Palefaces; in a few minutes he will see."</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet anxiously collected round their chief, whom they -questioned with their glances. The latter, apparently impassive, looked -straight ahead, distinguishing in the darkness objects invisible to -all but himself. The Indians, however, had not long to wait, for some -horsemen soon came up at full speed. When they arrived near Natah -Otann's party, they stopped.</p> - -<p>"What has happened?" the chief asked, sternly; "why are my sons running -away thus? They are not warriors I see, but timid women."</p> - -<p>The Indians bowed their heads with humility at this reproach, but -made no answer. The chief continued—"Will no one inform us of -what has happened—why my chosen warriors are flying like scattered -antelopes—where is Long Horn?"</p> - -<p>A warrior emerged from the ranks.</p> - -<p>"Long Horn is dead," he said, sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"He was a wise and renowned warrior; he has gone to the happy hunting -grounds to hunt with the upright warriors. As he is dead, why did not -the Blackbird take the totem in his hand in his place?"</p> - -<p>"Because the Blackbird is dead," the warrior answered, in the same tone.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann frowned, and his brow was contracted by the effort he made -to suppress his passion.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" he said, bitterly, "the greathearts of the east have fought -well; their rifles carry truly. The two best chiefs of the nation have -fallen, but the Red Wolf still remained—why did he not avenge his -brothers?"</p> - -<p>"Because he has also fallen," the warrior said, in a mournful voice.</p> - -<p>A shudder of anger ran through the ranks.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" Natah Otann exclaimed, with grief, "what is he also dead?"</p> - -<p>"No; but he is dangerously wounded."</p> - -<p>After these words there was a silence. The chief looked around him, and -then said—</p> - -<p>"So; four Palefaces have held at bay two hundred Blackfeet warriors; -killed and wounded their bravest chiefs, and those warriors have not -taken their revenge. Ah! ah! what will the White Buffalo say when he -hears that? He will give petticoats to my sons, and make them prepare -food for the more courageous warriors, instead of sending them on the -warpath."</p> - -<p>"The camp of the Long Knives was in our power," the Indian replied, -who had hitherto spoken for his comrades, "we already had them down -with our knees on their chests, a portion of their cattle was carried -off, and the scalps of the Palefaces were about to be attached to our -girdles, when the Evil Genius suddenly appeared in their midst, and, by -her mere appearance, changed the face of the combat."</p> - -<p>The chief's face became still severer at this news, which his warriors -received with unequivocal marks of terror.</p> - -<p>"The 'Evil Genius!'" he said; "of whom is my brother speaking?"</p> - -<p>"Of whom else can I speak to my father, save the <i>Lying She-wolf of the -Prairies?</i>?" the Indian said, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>"Oh! oh!" Natah Otann answered, "did my brother see the She-wolf?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; we assure our father," the Blackfeet shouted altogether, happy to -clear themselves from the accusation of cowardice that weighed on them.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann seemed to reflect for a moment.</p> - -<p>"At what place are the cattle my brothers carried off from the Long -Knives?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"We have brought them with us," a warrior answered, "they are here."</p> - -<p>"Good," Natah Otann continued, "let my brothers open their ears to -hear the words the Great Spirit breathes unto me:—the Long Knives are -protected by the She-wolf: our efforts would be useless, and my sons -would not succeed in conquering them; I will make a great medicine to -break the charm of the She-wolf when we return to our village, but till -then we must be very cunning to deceive the She-wolf, and prevent her -being on her guard. Will my sons follow the advice of an experienced -chief?"</p> - -<p>"Let my father utter his thoughts," a warrior answered, in the name of -all, "he is very wise: we will do what he wishes: he will deceive the -She-wolf better than we can."</p> - -<p>"Good; my sons have spoken well. This is what we will do:—We will -return to the camp of the Palefaces, and will restore them their -beasts; the Palefaces, deceived by this friendly conduct, will no -longer suspect us; when we have made the great medicine, we will then -seize their camp and all it contains, and the Lying She-wolf will be -unable to defend them. I have spoken; what do my sons think?"</p> - -<p>"My father is very crafty," the warrior replied; "what he has said is -very good, his sons will perform it."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann cast a glance of triumph at the Count de Beaulieu, who -admired the skill with which the chief, while appearing to reprimand -the Indians for the ill success of their enterprise, and evincing the -greatest wrath against the Americans, had succeeded in a few minutes in -inducing them to carry out his secret wishes.</p> - -<p>"Oh! oh!" the Count murmured, aside, "this Indian is no common man, he -deserves studying."</p> - -<p>Still, a moment of tumult had followed the chief's words. The -Blackfeet, recovered from the panic and terror which had made them fly -with the feet of gazelles, to escape speedily from the ruined camp, -where they had experienced so rude a defeat, had got off their horses, -and were engaged, some in laying on their wounds chewed leaves of the -oregano, others in collecting the cattle and horses which they had -stolen from the Palefaces, and which were scattered about.</p> - -<p>"Who is this Lying She-wolf of the Prairies, who inspires such horror -in these men?" the Count asked Bright-eye.</p> - -<p>"No one knows her," the hunter answered, in a low voice, "she is a -woman whose mysterious life has hitherto foiled the most careful -attempts at investigation: she does no harm to any but the Indians, -whose implacable foe she appears to be: the Redskins affirm that she is -invulnerable, that bullets and arrows rebound from her without doing -her any injury. I have often seen her, though I have had no opportunity -of speaking with her. I believe her to be mad, for I have seen her -perform some of the wildest freaks at some moments, though at others -she appears in full possession of her senses: in a word, she is an -incomprehensible being, who leads an extraordinary life in the heart of -the prairies."</p> - -<p>"Is she alone?"</p> - -<p>"Always."</p> - -<p>"You excite my curiosity to the highest degree," the Count said; "no -one, I suppose, could give me any information about this woman?"</p> - -<p>"One person could do so, if he cared to speak."</p> - -<p>"Who's that?"</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann," the hunter said, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>"That is strange," the Count muttered; "what can there be in common -between him and this woman?"</p> - -<p>Bright-eye only answered by a significant glance.</p> - -<p>The conversation was broken off, and at the chief's order the Blackfeet -remounted their horses.</p> - -<p>"Forwards!" Natah Otann said, taking the head of the column again with -the Count and his companions.</p> - -<p>The whole troop set out at a gallop in the direction of the American -camp, taking the cattle in their midst.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE EXILE.</h3> - - -<p>We are compelled, for the proper comprehension of the facts that will -follow, to break off our story for a moment, in order to describe a -strange adventure which happened on the Western Prairies some thirty -odd years before our story opens.</p> - -<p>The Indians, whom people insist so wrongly, in our opinion, in -regarding as savages, have certain customs which display a thorough -knowledge of the human heart. The Comanches, who appear to remember -that in old times they enjoyed a far advanced civilization, have -retained the largest amount of those customs which are, certainly, -stamped with originality.</p> - -<p>One day in the month of February, which they call <i>the Moon of the -Arriving Eagles</i>, and in the year 1795 or 1796, a village of the Red -Cow tribe was in a state of extraordinary agitation. The hachesto, or -public speaker, mounted on the roof of a lodge, summoned the warriors -for the seventh hour of the day to the village square, near the ark -of the first man, where a grand council would be held. The warriors -asked each other in vain the purport of this unforeseen meeting, but no -one could tell them: the hachesto himself was ignorant, and they were -obliged to await the hour of assembling, although the comments and -suppositions still went on to a great extent.</p> - -<p>The Redskins, whom badly-informed authors represent to us as cold, -silent men, are, on the contrary, very gay, and remarkable gossips when -together. What has caused the contrary supposition is, that in their -relations with white men the Indians are, in the first place, checked -by the difficulties of the language—equally insurmountable, by the -way, for both parties—and next by the distrust which every American -native feels towards Europeans, whoever they may be, owing to the -inveterate hatred that separates the two races.</p> - -<p>During our lengthened residence among Indian tribes we often had -opportunities for noticing what mistakes are made with respect to the -Redskins. During their long evening gossips in the villages, or the -hunting expeditions, there was a rolling fire of jokes and witticisms, -often lasting whole hours, to the great delight of the audience, who -laughed that hearty Indian laugh, without care or afterthought, which -cleaves the mouth to the ears, and draws tears of delight,—a laugh -which, for metallic resonance, can only be compared with that of -negroes, though the former is far more spiritual than the latter, whose -notes have ever something bestial about them.</p> - -<p>Toward the decline of day, the hour selected for the meeting, the -village square presented a most animated appearance. The warriors, -women, children, and dogs, those inseparable guests of the Redskins, -pressed round a large circle left empty in the centre for the -council fire, near which the principal chiefs of the nation crouched -ceremoniously. At a sign from an old sachem whose hair, white as -silver, fell in a cloud on his shoulders, the pipe bearer brought in -the great calumet, the stem of which he presented to each chief in -turn, while holding the bowl in the palm of his hand. When all the -chiefs had smoked, the pipe bearer turned the calumet to the four -cardinal points, while murmuring mysterious words which no one heard; -then he emptied the ash into the fire, saying aloud,—</p> - -<p>"Chiefs, warriors, women, and children of the Red Cow, your sachems are -assembled to judge a very grave question; pray to the Master of Life to -inspire them with wise words."</p> - -<p>Then the pipe bearer, after bowing respectfully to the chiefs, -withdrew, taking the calumet with him. The council began, and, at a -sign from the aged sachem, a chief rose, and bowing, took the word:—</p> - -<p>"Venerated sachems, chiefs, and warriors of my nation," he said, in a -loud voice, "the mission with which I am entrusted is painful to my -heart: listen to me indulgently, be not governed by passion; but let -justice alone preside over the severe decree which you will, perhaps, -be compelled to pronounce. The mission which I am entrusted with is -painful, I repeat; it fills my heart with sadness: I am compelled to -accuse before you two renowned chiefs belonging to two illustrious -families, who have, with equal claims, deserved well of the nation on -many occasions by rendering it signal services; these chiefs, as I must -name them before you, are the Bounding Panther, and the Sparrow Hawk."</p> - -<p>On hearing these names, so well known and justly esteemed, pronounced, -a shudder of astonishment and pain ran though the crowd. But, at a sign -from the oldest chief, silence was almost immediately re-established, -and the chief continued—</p> - -<p>"How is it that a cloud has suddenly passed over the mind of these two -warriors, and tarnished their intellect to such an extent, that these -two men, who so long loved one another as brothers, whose friendship -was cited among the nation, have suddenly become implacable enemies, -so that, when they see each other, their eyes flash lightning, and -their hands seek their weapons to commit murder? No one can say; -no one knows it; these chiefs, when interrogated by the sachems, -maintained an obstinate silence, instead of revealing the causes of -their cruel enmity, which brings trouble and desolation on the tribe. -Such a scandal must not last longer; tolerating it would be giving a -pernicious example to our children! Sachems, chiefs, and warriors, in -the name of justice, I demand that these irreconcilable enemies should -be eternally banished from the tribe this very evening at sunset. I -have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?"</p> - -<p>The chief sat down amid a mournful silence in this assembly of nearly -two thousand people; the beating of their sorrow-laden hearts might -almost be heard, such sustained attention did each one give to the -words pronounced in the council.</p> - -<p>"Has any chief any observation to offer on the accusation which has -just been brought?" the old sachem said, in a weak voice, which was, -however, perfectly heard in every part of the square. A member of the -council rose.</p> - -<p>"I take the word," he said, "not to refute Tiger Cat's accusation, -for unfortunately all he has said is most scrupulously correct; far -from exaggerating facts, he has, with that goodness and wisdom which -reside in him, weakened the odiousness of that hatred; I only wish to -offer a remark to my brothers. The chiefs are guilty, that is only too -fully proved; a longer discussion on that point would be tedious; but, -as Tiger Cat himself told us, with that loyalty which distinguishes -him, these two men are renowned chiefs, chosen warriors, and they have -rendered the nation signal services; we all love and cherish them for -different reasons; let us be severe, but not cruel; let us not drive -them from among us as unclean creatures; before striking, let us make -one more attempt to reconcile them; this last step, taken in the -presence of the whole nation, will, doubtlessly, touch their hearts, -and we shall have the happiness of keeping two illustrious chiefs. If -they remain deaf to our prayers, if our observations do not obtain the -success we desire, then, as the case will be without a remedy, let us -be implacable; put an end to this scandal which has lasted too long, -and, as Tiger Cat asked, drive them for ever from our nation, which -they dishonour. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?"</p> - -<p>After bowing to the sachems, the chief resumed his seat in the midst -of a murmur of satisfaction, produced by his hearty language. Although -these two speeches were contained in the programme of the ceremony, -and everyone knew what the result of the meeting would be, the -unreconciled chiefs had so much sympathy among the nation, that many -persons still hoped they would be reconciled at the last moment, when -they saw themselves on the point of being banished. The strangest thing -connected with the hatred between the two men was, that the reason of -it was completely unknown, and no one knew how to account for it. When -silence was restored, the oldest sachem, after a consultation with his -colleagues in a low voice, took the word.</p> - -<p>"Let the Bounding Panther and the Sparrowhawk be introduced to our -presence."</p> - -<p>At the two opposite corners of the square, the crowd parted like -overripe fruit, and left a passage for a small band of warriors, in -the centre of which the two accused men walked. When they met, they -remained perfectly calm, a slight arching of the eyebrows being the -only sign of emotion they displayed. They were each about twenty-five -years of age, well built, and active, and of martial aspect. They wore -their grand costume and war paint, but their weapons were carried -by their respective friends. They presented themselves before the -council with great respect and modesty, which the assembly approved of -heartily. After looking at them with a glance at once sorrowful and -benevolent, the eldest sachem rose with an effort, and, supported by -two of his colleagues, who held him under the arms, he at length spoke -in a weak voice.</p> - -<p>"Warriors, my beloved children," he said, "from the spot where you -stood you heard the accusation brought against you; what have you to -say in your defence?—are those words true? do you really entertain -this irreconcilable hatred to each other? Speak."</p> - -<p>The two chiefs bowed their heads silently. The sachem continued—</p> - -<p>"My cherished children, I was already very old, when your mother, a -child, whose birth I also saw, brought you into the world. I was the -first to teach you the use of those weapons, which later became so -terrible in your vigorous hands. Now that I am about to sleep the -eternal sleep, only to wake again in the happy hunting grounds, give -me a supreme consolation which will make me the happiest of men, and -repay me for all the sorrow you have caused me. Come, children, you are -young and adventurous, love alone ought to find a place in your hearts; -hatred is a passion belonging to a ripe age, it does not become youth; -offer one another those honest hands, embrace, like the two brothers -you are, and let all be eternally forgotten between you. I implore you, -my children; you cannot resist the prayers of an old man so near the -tomb as I am."</p> - -<p>There was a moment of supreme anxiety in the crowd; all waited with -panting hearts for what was about to happen. The two chiefs directed a -tender glance at the old sachem, who regarded them with tears in his -eyes, then turned towards each other; their lips trembled, as if they -wished to speak; a nervous tremor agitated their bodies, but no sound -passed their lips; their arms remained inert by their sides.</p> - -<p>"Answer," the old man continued, "yes or no. You must; I command it."</p> - -<p>"No," they replied together, in a hoarse though firm voice.</p> - -<p>The sachem drew himself up.</p> - -<p>"It is well," he said. "As no generous feeling remains in your hearts, -as hatred has eaten them up entirely, and you are no longer men but -monsters, listen to the irrevocable sentence which your sachems, your -equals, your relations, and friends pronounce upon you. The nation -rejects you from its bosom; you are no longer children of our tribe. -Fire and water are refused you on the hunting ground of your nation, -we no longer know you. Chiefs who answer for you with their heads -will lead you twenty-five leagues from the village; you, Bounding -Panther, in a southern, and you, Sparrowhawk, in a northern direction; -you are forbidden, under penalty of death, ever to set your foot again -on the territory of your nation; each of you will take one of these -arrows, painted of diverse colours, which will serve as a passport -with the tribes through which you pass. Seek a nation to adopt you, -for henceforth you have neither country nor family. Go, accursed ones! -these arrows are the last presents you will receive from your brothers. -Go, and may the Master of Life soften your tiger hearts! As for us, we -know you no more. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?"</p> - -<p>The old man sat down again in the midst of general emotion; he veiled -his face with the skirt of his buffalo robe, and wept. The two chiefs -tottered away like drunken men, led to opposite corners of the square -by their friends. They passed through the ranks of their countrymen, -bowed down by the maledictions showered on them as they passed.</p> - -<p>At the extremity of the village, horses were awaiting them. They -galloped off, still followed by their escort. When each arrived at the -spot where he was to be left, the warriors dismounted, threw their arms -on the ground, and went off at full speed. Not a word had been uttered -during the long ride, which lasted fourteen hours.</p> - -<p>We will follow the Sparrowhawk: as for the Bounding Panther, no one -ever knew what became of him; his traces were so completely lost, that -it was impossible to find them again. The Sparrowhawk was a man of -tried courage and energy; still, finding himself alone, abandoned by -all those he had loved, a momentary feeling of discouragement and cold -rage almost turned him mad. But his pride soon revolted, he wrestled -with his sorrow, and after allowing his horse to take its necessary -rest, he set out boldly.</p> - -<p>He wandered about at hazard for many a month, following no precise -direction, living by the chase, caring very little where he stopped, or -the people with whom chance might bring him in contact. One day, after -a long and perilous chase after an elk, which by a species of fatality -he could not catch up, he suddenly found himself before a dead horse. -He looked around him: no great distance off lay a sword, near which was -a corpse, easily recognizable as that of a European by the dress.</p> - -<p>Sparrowhawk felt his curiosity excited; with that sagacity peculiar to -the Indians, he began ferreting about in every direction. His search -was almost immediately crowned with success; he saw, at the foot of a -tree, an old man with greyish hair and wild beard, dressed in tattered -clothes, and lying motionless. The Indian quickly went up to examine -the condition of the stranger, and try to restore him, if he were not -dead. The first thing Sparrowhawk did was to lay his hand on the heart -of the man he wished to succour. The heart beat, but so feebly, it -seemed as if it must soon stop. All the Indians are to a certain extent -doctors, that is to say, they possess a knowledge of certain plants, by -means of which they often effect really wonderful cures.</p> - -<p>While trying to restore the stranger, the Indian examined him -attentively. Though his hair was beginning to turn grey, the man was -still young, not more than forty to forty-five; he was tall and -well-built; his forehead was wide and high; his nose aquiline; his -mouth large, and his chin square. His clothes, though in rags, were -well cut and made of fine cloth, which plainly showed that he must -belong to a better class of society—the reader will understand that -these delicate distinctions escaped the notice of the Indian—he -only saw a man of intelligent appearance, and on the point of death; -and though he belonged to the white race, a race which, like all his -countrymen, he detested, and for good reasons—at the sight of such -distress, he forgot his antipathy, and only thought of helping him.</p> - -<p>Near the stranger there lay, in confusion on the grass, a surgeon's -pocketbook, a brace of pistols, a gun, a sabre, and an open book. -For a long time Sparrowhawk's efforts met with no success, and he -was despairing whether he could raise the dying man to life, when a -transient glow suffused his face, and his heart began beating more -quickly and strongly. Sparrowhawk made a gesture of delight at this -unexpected success. It was almost incredible! This warrior, whose whole -life had been hitherto spent in waging war of ambushes and surprises -with the whites, and committing the most refined cruelties on the -unhappy Spaniards who fell into his hands, now rejoiced at recalling to -life this individual, who, to him, was a natural enemy.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes the stranger slowly opened his eyes, but he closed -them again at once, as the light probably dazzled them. Sparrowhawk did -not lose heart, and resolved to carry out a good work so well begun. -His expectations were not deceived: the stranger presently opened his -eyes again; he made an effort to rise, but was too weak, his strength -failed him, and he fell back again. The Indian then gently supported -him, and seated him against the trunk of the catalpa, at whose foot he -had been hitherto lying. The stranger thanked him by a sign, muttering -one word, <i>beber</i> (drink).</p> - -<p>The Comanches, whose life is passed in periodical excursions into the -Spanish territory, know a few words of that language. Sparrowhawk spoke -it rather fluently. He seized the gourd hanging to his saddle bow, and -which he had filled two hours before, and put it to the stranger's -lips; so soon as he had tasted the water, he began swallowing it in -heavy gulps. But the Indian, fearing an accident, soon took the gourd -from his lips. The stranger wished to drink again.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, "my father is too weak, he must eat something first."</p> - -<p>The patient smiled, and pressed his hand. The Indian rose joyfully; -took from his provision bag some fruit, and handed it to the man. -Through these attentions the stranger was sufficiently recovered, -within an hour, to get up. He then explained to Sparrowhawk, in bad -Spanish, that he and one of his friends were travelling together, that -their horses died of fatigue, while themselves could procure nothing to -eat or drink in the desert. The result was, that his friend died in his -arms only the previous day, after frightful suffering, and he should -have probably shared the same fate, had not his lucky star, or rather -Providence, sent him help.</p> - -<p>"Good," the Indian replied, when the stranger ended his narrative, "my -father is now strong, I will lasso a horse, and lead him to the first -habitation of the men of his own colour."</p> - -<p>At this proposition the stranger frowned; a look of hatred and haughty -contempt was legible on his face.</p> - -<p>"No," he said; "I will not return to the men of my colour, they have -rejected and persecuted me, I hate them; I wish to live henceforward in -the desert."</p> - -<p>"Wah!" the Indian exclaimed, in surprise, "has my father no nation?"</p> - -<p>"No," he answered, "I am alone, without country, relatives, or friends; -the sight of a man of my colour excites me to hatred and contempt; all -are ungrateful, I will live far from them."</p> - -<p>"Good," the Indian said; "I, too, am rejected by my nation; I, too, am -alone; I will remain with my father—I will be his son."</p> - -<p>"What?" the stranger ejaculated, fancying he had misunderstood him, "Is -it possible? Does banishment also exist among your wandering tribes? -You, like myself, are abandoned by those of your race and blood, and -condemned to remain alone—alone for ever?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," Sparrowhawk said, sorrowfully, bowing his head.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" the stranger said, directing a glance of strange meaning toward -heaven, "oh, men! they are the same everywhere, cruel, unnatural, and -heartless!"</p> - -<p>He walked about for a few moments, muttering certain words in a -language the Indian did not understand; then he returned quickly to -him, and pressing his hand, said, with feverish energy:—</p> - -<p>"Well, then, I accept your proposition; our fate is the same, and we -ought not to separate again. Victims both of the spite of man, we will -live together; you have saved my life, Redskin; at the first impulse I -was vexed at it, but now I thank Providence, as I can still do good, -and force men to blush at their ingratitude."</p> - -<p>This speech was far too full of philosophic precepts for Sparrowhawk -thoroughly to understand it; still, he caught its sense, that was -enough for him, as he was too glad to find in his companion a man -afflicted by similar misfortunes to his own.</p> - -<p>"Let my father open his ears," he said; "he will remain here while I go -and find a horse for him; there are many manadas in the neighbourhood, -and I shall soon have what we want; my father will be patient during -Sparrowhawk's absence. I will leave him food and drink."</p> - -<p>"Go," the stranger said; and two hours later the Indian returned with a -magnificent steed.</p> - -<p>Several days were then spent in vagabond marches, though each took them -deeper into the desert. The stranger seemed afraid of meeting white -men; but with the exception of the story he had told of his narrow -escape from death, he maintained an obstinate silence as to his past -life. The Indian knew not then who he was, nor why he had ventured so -far into the desert at the risk of perishing. Each time Sparrowhawk -asked him any details about his life he turned the conversation, and -that so adroitly, that the Indian could never bring him back to the -starting point. One day, as they were rambling along side by side, -talking, Sparrowhawk, who was rather vexed at the slight confidence the -stranger placed in him, asked categorically—</p> - -<p>"My father was a great chief in his nation?"</p> - -<p>The stranger smiled sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," he answered; "but now I am nothing."</p> - -<p>"My father is mistaken," the Indian said, seriously; "the warriors of -his nation may not have valued him, but he still remains the same."</p> - -<p>"All that is smoke," the stranger replied. "The love of country is the -greatest and noblest passion the Master of Life has placed in the heart -of man—my father had a revered name among his people."</p> - -<p>The stranger frowned, and his face assumed an expression the Indian had -never seen before.</p> - -<p>"My name is a curse," he said, "no one will hear it uttered again; it -has been like a brand seared on my forehead by the partisans of the man -whom I, humble as I am, helped to overthrow."</p> - -<p>Sparrowhawk made a gesture of supreme disdain.</p> - -<p>"The chief of the nation must return to his warriors: if he betrays -them, they are masters of his scalp," he said, in a firm voice.</p> - -<p>The stranger, surprised at being so well understood by this primitive -man, smiled proudly.</p> - -<p>"In demanding his head," he said, "I staked my own; I wished to save my -country. Who can blame me?"</p> - -<p>"No one," Sparrowhawk replied, quickly; "every warrior must die."</p> - -<p>There was a lengthened silence; Sparrowhawk was the first to break it.</p> - -<p>"We are destined," he said, "to live long days together, my father -wishes his name to remain unknown, and I will not insist on knowing it; -still, we cannot wander about at hazard, we must find a tribe to adopt -us, men to recognize us as brothers."</p> - -<p>"For what purpose?"</p> - -<p>"To be strong and everywhere respected: we owe it to our brothers, as -they owe it to us; life is only a loan which the Master of Life makes -us, on the condition that it is profitable to those who surround us. By -what name shall I present my father to the men from whom we may ask -asylum and protection?"</p> - -<p>"By any you please, my son; as I am no longer to hear my own, any other -is a matter of indifference to me."</p> - -<p>Sparrowhawk reflected for an instant.</p> - -<p>"My father is strong," he said, "his scalp is beginning to resemble the -snows of winter, he will henceforth be called the White Buffalo."</p> - -<p>"The White Buffalo; be it so," the stranger answered, with a sigh; -"that name is as good as another; perhaps I shall thus escape the -weapons of those who have sworn my death."</p> - -<p>The Indian, charmed at knowing how henceforth to call his friend, then -said to him, joyfully—</p> - -<p>"In a few days we shall reach a village of Blood Indians or Kenhas, -where we shall be received as if we were sons of the nation; my father -is wise, I am strong, the Kenhas will be happy to receive us; courage, -old father! this country of adoption will be, perhaps, worth your own."</p> - -<p>"France, farewell!" the stranger uttered, in a choking voice.</p> - -<p>Four days later they reached the village of the Kenhas, where a -friendly reception was given them.</p> - -<p>"Well," Sparrowhawk said to his companion, after they had been adopted -according to all the Indian rites, "what does my father think? Is he -happy?"</p> - -<p>"I fancy," the other said, with a melancholy air, "that nothing can -restore the exile the country he has lost."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE MASSACRE.</h3> - - -<p>Days, months, years, passed away: the White Buffalo seemed to have -completely renounced that country which he was forbidden ever to see -again. He had completely adopted Indian customs, and, through his -wisdom, had so thoroughly acquired the esteem and respect of the Kenha -nation, that he was counted among the most revered sachems.</p> - -<p>Sparrowhawk, after giving on many occasions undeniable proofs of his -courage and military talents, had gained also a firm and honourable -place in the nation. If an experienced chief were required for a -dangerous expedition, he was ever selected by the council of the -sachems, for they knew that success constantly crowned his enterprises. -Sparrowhawk was a man of clear mind, who at once understood the -intellectual value of his European friend; obedient to the old man's -lessons, he never acted under any circumstances without having taken -his advice, and always followed his counsels: hence he speedily began -reaping the advantage of his skilful conduct. Thus, when he two years -later married a Kenha girl, and when his wife made him father of a boy, -he took him in his arms, and presented him to the old man, saying, with -great emotion:</p> - -<p>"The White Buffalo sees this warrior, he is his son, my father will -make a man of him."</p> - -<p>"I swear it," the old man replied, firmly.</p> - -<p>When the child was weaned, the father kept the promise he had made his -friend, and gave him his son, leaving him at liberty to educate the -boy as he thought fit. The old man, rejuvenated by the hope of this -education, which gave him the chance of making a man after his own -heart of this frail creature, joyfully accepted the difficult task. The -child received from its parents the name of Natah Otann, a significant -name, for it is that borne by the most dangerous animal of Northern -America, the grizzly bear.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann made rapid progress under the guidance of the White -Buffalo. The latter had a few books by him, which enabled him to give -his pupil a very extensive education, and make him very learned. Thence -resulted the strange circumstance of an Indian, who, while following -exactly the customs of his fathers, hunting and fighting like them, and -who was now leading his tribe, being at the same time a distinguished -man, who would not have been out of place in any European drawing room, -and whose great intellect had understood and appreciated everything.</p> - -<p>Singularly enough, Natah Otann, on attaining manhood, far from -despising his countrymen, brutalized and ignorant as they were, felt -an ardent love for them, and a violent desire to regenerate them. -From that moment his life had an object, which was the constant -preoccupation of his existence—to restore the Indians to the rank from -which they had fallen, by combining them into a great and powerful -nation. The White Buffalo, the confidant of all the young chief's -thoughts, at first accepted these projects with the sceptical smile -of old men, who, having grown weary of everything, have retained no -hope in the depths of their heart: he fancied that Natah Otann, under -the impression of youthful ardour, let himself be carried away by an -unreflecting movement, whose folly he would soon recognize. But when -able to appreciate how deeply these ideas were rooted in the young -man's heart, when he saw him set resolutely to work, the old man -trembled, and was afraid of his handiwork. He asked himself if he had -done well in acting as he had done, in developing so fully this chosen -intellect, which alone, and with no other support than its will, was -about to undertake a struggle in which it must inevitably succumb.</p> - -<p>He then sought to destroy with his own hands the edifice he had built -with so much labour: he wished to turn in another direction the ardour -that devoured his pupil, and give another object to his life, by -changing his plan. It was too late. The evil was irremediable. Natah -Otann, on seeing his master thus contradict himself, defeated him with -his own weapons, and obliged him to bow his head before the merciless -blows of that logic he had himself taught his pupil.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann was a strange composite of good and evil; in him all was -in extreme. At times, the most noble feelings seemed to reside in him; -he was good and generous; then, suddenly, his ferocity and cruelty -attained gigantic proportions, which terrified the Indians themselves. -Still, he was generally good and gentle toward his countrymen, who, -unaware of the cause, but subject to his influences, feared him, and -trembled at a word that fell from his lips, or a simple frown.</p> - -<p>The white men, and especially the Spaniards and Americans, were Natah -Otann's implacable enemies; he waged a merciless war on them, attacking -them wherever he could surprise them, and killing, under the most -horrible tortures, those who were so unhappy as to fall into his hands. -Hence his reputation on the prairies was great; the terror he inspired -was extreme; several times already the United States had tried to get -rid of this terrible and implacable foe; but all their plans failed, -and the Indian chief, bolder and more cruel than ever, drew nearer to -the American frontier, reigned uncontrolled in the desert, of which he -was absolute lord, and at times went, fire and sword in hand, to the -very cities of the Union to demand that tribute which he claimed even -from white men.</p> - -<p>We must not be taxed with exaggeration. All we here narrate is -scrupulously exact; and if we now and then alter facts, it is only to -weaken them. If we uncovered the incognito that veils our characters, -many of our readers would recognize them at the first glance, and -certify to the truth of our statements.</p> - -<p>A terrible scene of massacre, of which Natah Otann was the originator, -had aroused general indignation against him. The facts are as follow:—</p> - -<p>An American family, consisting of father, mother, two sons of about -twelve, a little girl between three and four years of age, and five -servants, left the Western States with the intention of working a claim -they had bought on the Upper Mississippi. At the period we are writing -of, white men rarely traversed these districts, which were entirely -left to the Indians, who wandered over them in every direction, and, -with a few half-bred and Canadian hunters and trappers, were the sole -masters of these vast solitudes. On leaving the clearings, their -friends warned the emigrants to be on their guard. They had been -advised not to enter into the desert in so small a body, but await -other emigrants, who would soon proceed to the same spot; for a caravan -of fifty to sixty determined men might pass safe and sound through the -Indians.</p> - -<p>The head of the American family was an old soldier of the war of -independence, gifted with heroic courage, and thorough British -obstinacy. He answered coldly, to those who gave him this advice, -that his servants and himself could hold their own against all the -Prairie Indians; for they had good rifles and firm hearts, and would -reach their claim in the face of all opposition. Then he made his -preparations like a man whose mind, being made up, admits of no delay, -and he started against the judgment of his friends, who predicted -numberless misfortunes. The first few days, however, passed quietly -enough, and nothing happened to confirm these predictions. The -Americans advanced peacefully through a delicious country, and no -sign revealed the approach of the Indians, who seemed to have become -invisible.</p> - -<p>The Americans are men who pass most easily from extreme prudence to -the most foolish and rash confidence, and on this occasion were true -to their character. When they saw that all was quiet around them, and -no obstacle checked their progress, they began to laugh and deride -the apprehensions of their friends; they gradually relaxed in their -vigilance; neglected the precautions usual on the prairie; and at -last almost wished to be attacked by Indians, to make them feel the -weight of their arms. Things went on thus for nearly two months; the -emigrants were not more than ten days' march from their claim; they -no longer thought of the Indians: if at times they alluded to them in -the evening, before going to sleep, it was only to laugh at the absurd -fears of their friends, who fancied it impossible to take a step in the -desert without falling into an ambuscade of the Redskins.</p> - -<p>One night, after a fatiguing day, the emigrants went to bed, after -placing sentries round the camp, rather to keep wild beasts off than -through any other motive; the sentinels, accustomed not to be troubled, -and fatigued by their day's labours, watched for a few moments, then -their eyelids gradually sank, and they fell asleep. Their awakening was -destined to be terrible.</p> - -<p>About midnight, fifty Blackfeet, led by Natah Otann, glided like demons -in the darkness, clambered into the encampment, and ere the Americans -could seize their weapons, or even dream of defence, they were bound. -Then a horrible scene took place, the frightful interludes of which -the pen is impotent to describe. Natah Otann organised the massacre, -if we may be allowed to employ the term, with unexampled coolness and -cruelty. The chief of the party and his five servants were stripped -and attached to trees, flogged, and martyrized, while the two lads -were literally roasted alive in their presence. The mother, half mad -with terror, escaped, carrying off her little girl in her arms: but, -after running a long distance, her strength failed her, and she fell -senseless. The Indians caught her up; imagining her to be dead, they -disdained to scalp her; but they carried off the child, which she -pressed to her bosom with almost herculean strength. The child was -taken back to Natah Otann.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do with it?" the warrior asked, who presented it to him.</p> - -<p>"Into the fire!" he replied, laconically.</p> - -<p>The Blackfoot calmly prepared to execute the pitiless order he had -received.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" the father cried with a piercing shriek. "Do not kill an -innocent creature in that horrible manner. Are not the atrocious -tortures you inflict on us enough?"</p> - -<p>The Blackfoot hesitated, and looked at his chief; the latter reflected.</p> - -<p>"Stay," he said, raising his hand, and addressing the emigrant; "you -wish your child to live?"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" the father answered.</p> - -<p>"Good!" he answered, "I will sell you her life."</p> - -<p>The American shuddered at this proposition. "On what terms?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Listen!" he said, laying a stress on every word, and darting at him a -glance which made him tremble to the marrow. "My conditions are these. -I am master of all your lives; they belong to me; I can prolong or cut -them short without the slightest opposition from you; but, I hardly -know why," he added, with a sardonic smile, "I feel merciful today; -your child shall live. Still, remember this; whatever the nature of the -torture I inflict on you, at the first cry you utter, your child shall -be strangled. You have it in your power to save her if you will."</p> - -<p>"I accept," the other answered. "What do I care for the most atrocious -torture, so long as my child lives?"</p> - -<p>A sinister smile played round the chief's lips. "It is well," he said.</p> - -<p>"One word more."</p> - -<p>"Speak."</p> - -<p>"Grant me a single favour; let me give a last kiss to this poor -creature."</p> - -<p>"Give him his child," the chief commanded.</p> - -<p>An Indian presented the little girl to the wretched man. The innocent, -as if comprehending what was taking place, put her arms round her -father's neck, and burst into tears. The latter, frightfully bound -as he was, could only bestow kisses on her, into which his whole -soul passed. The scene had something hideous about it; it resembled a -witches' Sabbath. The five men fastened naked to trees, the children -twisting on the burning charcoal, and uttering piercing cries, and -these stoical Indians, illumined by the ruddy glow of the fire, -completed the most fearful picture that the wildest imagination could -have invented.</p> - -<p>"Enough," Natah Otann said.</p> - -<p>"A last gift, a last remembrance."</p> - -<p>The chief shrugged his shoulders. "For what good?" he said.</p> - -<p>"To render the death you intend for me less cruel."</p> - -<p>"What is it you want?"</p> - -<p>"Hang round my daughter's neck this earring, suspended by a lock of my -hair."</p> - -<p>"Is that really all?"</p> - -<p>"It is."</p> - -<p>"Very good."</p> - -<p>The chief came up, took from the emigrant's ear a ring he wore in it, -and cut off with a scalping knife a lock of his hair; then, turning to -him with a sardonic laugh, he said—</p> - -<p>"Listen carefully. Your companions and yourself are going to be flayed -alive; of a strip of your skin I will make a bag to hold the lock of -hair and ring. You see that I am generous, for I grant you more than -you ask; but remember the conditions."</p> - -<p>The emigrant looked at him disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"Keep your promises as well as I shall mine: and now begin the -torture—you will see a man die."</p> - -<p>Things were done as had been arranged; the emigrant and his servants -were flayed alive. The emigrant endured the torture with a courage -which even the chief admired. Not a cry, not a groan, issued from his -bleeding chest; he was made of granite. When his skin was entirely -stripped off, Natah Otann went up to him; the unhappy wretch was not -yet dead.</p> - -<p>"Thou art a man," he said to him. "Die satisfied. I will keep the -promise I made thee."</p> - -<p>And moved doubtlessly by a feeling of pity for so much firmness, he -blew out his brains.</p> - -<p>This horrible punishment lasted four hours. The Indians plundered all -the Americans possessed, and what they could not carry off they burned. -Natah Otann rigidly kept the oath he had made to his victim: as he -said, from a strip of his skin, imperfectly tanned, he made a bag, in -which he placed the lock of hair, and hung it round the child's neck -by a cord also made of his skin. On the homeward road to his village, -Natah Otann paid the most assiduous attention to the poor little -creature; and, on rejoining the tribe, the chief declared before all -that he adopted the girl, and gave her the name of Prairie Flower.</p> - -<p>At the period our story begins, Prairie Flower was fourteen years -of age; she was a charming creature, gentle and simple, lovely as -the princess of a fairy tale. Her large blue eyes, veiled by long -brown lashes, reflected the azure of the heaven, and she ran about, -careless and wild, through the forests and over the prairie, dreaming -at times beneath the shady recesses of the giant trees, living as -the birds live, forgetting the past, which was to her as yesterday, -caring nothing for the future, which to her had no existence, and only -thinking of the present to be happy.</p> - -<p>The charming girl had unconsciously become the idol of the tribe. The -old White Buffalo more especially felt an unbounded affection for her; -but the experiment he had made with Natah Otann disgusted him with a -second trial at education. He only watched over her with truly paternal -care, correcting any fault he might notice in her with a patience and -kindness nothing could weary. This old tribune, like all energetic and -implacable men, had the heart of a lamb; having entirely renounced the -world which mistook him, he had refreshed his soul in the desert, and -recovered the illusions and generous impulses of his youth.</p> - -<p>Prairie Flower had retained no remembrance of her early years; as -no one ever alluded in her presence to the terrible scenes which -introduced her to the tribe, fresher impressions had completely effaced -them. Loved and petted by all, Prairie Flower fancied herself a child -of the tribe. Her long tresses of light hair, gilded like ripe corn, -and the dazzling whiteness of her skin, could not enlighten her, for -in many Indian nations these anomalies are found; the Mandans, among -others, have many women and warriors who, if they put on European -clothes, might easily pass for whites.</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet, seduced by the charms of this gentle young creature, -attached the destinies of the tribe to her. They considered her -their tutelary genius, their palladium: their faith in her was -deep, serene, and simple. Prairie Flower was truly the Queen of the -Blackfeet; a sign from her rosy fingers, a word from her dainty lips, -was obeyed with unbounded promptitude and devotion. She could do -anything, say everything, demand everything, without fearing even a -second's hesitation to her will. She exercised this despotic authority -unsuspectingly; she alone was unaware of the immense power she -possessed over these brutal natives, who in her presence became gentle -and devoted.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann was attached to his adopted daughter, so far as -organizations like his are capable of yielding to any feeling. At -first he sported with the girl as with an unimportant plaything; but -gradually, as the child was transformed and became a woman, these -sports became more serious, and his heart was attracted. For the first -time in his life, this man, with his indomitable soul, felt a feeling -stir in him which he could not analyze, but which, through its force -and violence, astonished and terrified him.</p> - -<p>Then, a dumb struggle began between the chiefs head and heart. He -revolted against this influence which subjugated him: he, hitherto -accustomed to break through every obstacle, was now powerless before -a child, who disarmed him with a smile, when he tried to overpower -her. This struggle lasted a long time; at length, the terrible Indian -confessed himself vanquished, that is to say, he allowed the current to -carry him away, and without attempting a resistance, which he felt to -be useless, he began to love the young maiden madly. But this love at -times caused him sufferings so terrible, when he thought of the manner -in which Prairie Flower had become his adopted daughter, that he asked -himself with terror, whether this deep love which had seized on his -brain, and mastered him, was not a chastisement imposed by Heaven.</p> - -<p>Then, he fell back in his usual state of fury, redoubled his ferocity -with those unhappy beings whose plantations he surprised, and, all -reeking with blood, his girdle hung with scalps, he returned to the -village, and displayed the hideous trophies before the girl. Prairie -Flower, astonished at the state in which she saw a man whom she -believed to be—not her father, for he was too young—but a relative, -lavished on him all the consolations and simple caresses which her -attachment to him suggested to her: unfortunately, these caresses -heightened his suffering, and he would rush away half mad with grief, -leaving her sad and almost terrified by this conduct, which was so -incomprehensible to her.</p> - -<p>Matters reached such a pitch, that the White Buffalo, whose vigilant -eye was constantly fixed on his pupil, considered that he must, at -all risks, cut away the evil at the root, and withdraw the son of his -friend from the deadly fascination exercised over him by this innocent -enchantress. When he felt convinced of the chiefs love for Prairie -Flower, the old sachem asked for a private interview with his pupil: -the latter granted it, quite unsuspecting the reason which urged the -White Buffalo to take this step.</p> - -<p>One morning the chief presented himself at the entrance of his friend's -lodge. The White Buffalo was reading by the side of a fire kindled in -the middle of the hut.</p> - -<p>"You are welcome, my son," he said to the young man. "I have only a few -words to say to you, but I consider them sufficiently serious for you -to hear them without delay; sit down by my side."</p> - -<p>The young man obeyed. The White Buffalo then carefully changed his -tactics: he, who had so long combated the chief's views as to the -regeneration of the Indian race, entered completely into his views, -with an ardour and conviction carried so far, that the young man was -astonished, and could not refrain from asking what produced this sudden -change in his opinion?</p> - -<p>"The cause is very simple," the old man answered. "So long as I -considered that these views were only suggested by the impetuosity of -youth, I merely regarded them as the dreams of a generous heart, which -was deceiving itself, and not taking the trouble to weigh the chances -of success."</p> - -<p>"What now?" the young man asked, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Now, I recognize all the earnestness, nobility, and grandeur, -contained in your plans; and not only admit their possibility, but I -wish to aid you, so as to ensure success."</p> - -<p>"Is what you say quite true, my father?" the young man asked, with -exultation.</p> - -<p>"I swear it: still we must set to work immediately." The chief examined -him for a moment carefully, but the old man remained impassive.</p> - -<p>"I understand you," he at length said, slowly, and in a deep voice; -"you offer me your hand on the verge of an abyss. Thanks, my father, I -will not be unworthy of you; I swear to you by the Wacondah."</p> - -<p>"Good; believe me, my son, I recognize you," the old man said, shaking -his head mournfully. "One's country is often an ungrateful mistress; -but it is the only one which gives us true enjoyment of mind, if we -serve her disinterestedly for herself alone."</p> - -<p>The two men shook hands affectionately; the compact was sealed. We -shall soon see whether Natah Otann had really conquered his love as he -imagined.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE GREAT COUNCIL.</h3> - - -<p>Natah Otann set to work immediately, with that feverish ardour that -distinguished him. He sent emissaries in every direction to the -principal chiefs of the western prairies, and convoked them to a -great plain in the valley of the Missouri, at a spot called "The Tree -of the Master of Life," on the fourth day of the moon of the hardened -snow. This spot was held in great veneration by the Missouri Indians, -who went there constantly to hang up presents. It was an immense sandy -plain, completely denuded of vegetation; in the centre of the desert -rose a gigantic tree, an oak, twenty feet in circumference at least, -the trunk being hollow, and the tufted branches covering an enormous -superficies. This tree, which was a hundred and twenty feet in height, -and which grew there by accident, necessarily was regarded by the -Indians as something miraculous; hence the name they gave it.</p> - -<p>On the appointed day, the Indians arrived from all sides, marching in -good order, and camping at a short distance from the spot selected for -the council. An immense fire had been kindled at the foot of the tree, -and at a signal given by the drummers, or <i>Chichikouès</i>, the chiefs -collected around it, a few paces behind the sachems. The Blackfeet, Nez -Percés, Assiniboins, Mandans, and other horsemen, formed a tremendous -cordon round the council fire; while scouts traversed the desert in -every direction, to keep off intruders, and insure the secrecy of the -deliberations.</p> - -<p>In the east the sun was pouring forth its beams; the desert, parched -and naked, was mingled with the boundless horizon; to the south, the -Rocky Mountains displayed the eternal snow of the summits; while in the -north-west, a silvery ribbon indicated the course of the old Missouri. -Such was the landscape, if we may call it so, where the barbarous -warriors, clothed in their strange costumes, were assembled near the -symbolic tree. This majestic sight involuntarily reminded the observer -of other times and climes, when, by the light of the incendiary fires -they kindled, the ferocious comrades of Attila rushed to conquer and -rejuvenate the Roman Empire.</p> - -<p>Generally the natives of America have a Divinity, or more correctly, a -Genius, at times beneficent, but more frequently hostile. The worship -of the savage is less veneration than fear. The Master of Life is an -evil genius, rather than kind; hence the Indians give his name to the -tree to which they attribute the same powers. Indian religions, being -all primitive, make no account of the moral being, and only dwell on -the accidents of nature, which they make into gods. These different -tribes strive to secure the favour of the deserts, where fatigue and -thirst entail death, and of the rivers, which may swallow them up.</p> - -<p>The chiefs, as we have said, were crouching round the fire, in a -state of contemplative immobility, from which it might be inferred -that they were preparing for an important ceremony of their worship. -Presently Natah Otann raised to his lips the long war pipe, made of a -human thighbone, which he wore hanging round his neck, and produced -a piercing and prolonged sound. At this signal, for it was one, the -chiefs rose, and forming in Indian file, marched twice round the tree, -singing, in a low voice, a hymn, to implore its assistance for the -success of their plans. At the third time of marching round, Natah -Otann took off a magnificent collar of grizzly bears' claws from his -neck, and hung it to the branches of the tree, saying,—</p> - -<p>"Master of Life, look on us with a favourable eye. I offer thee this -present."</p> - -<p>The other chiefs imitated his example each in turn; then they resumed -their scats round the council fire. The pipe bearer then entered the -circle, and after the customary ceremonies, offered the calumet to the -chiefs, and when each had smoked, the oldest sachem invited Natah Otann -to take the word.</p> - -<p>The Indian chief's plan was probably the most daring ever formed -against the whites, and, as the White Buffalo said, mockingly, -must offer chances of success through its improbability, because -it flattered the superstitious ideas of the Indians, who, like all -primitive nations, place great faith in the marvellous. It is besides, -the quality of oppressed nations, to whom reality never offers aught -but disillusions and suffering, to take refuge in the supernatural, -which alone offers them consolation. Natah Otann had drawn the first -idea of his plan from one of the oldest and most inveterate traditions -of the Comanches, his ancestors. This tradition, by reciting which -his father often lulled him to sleep in his childhood, pleased his -adventurous mind; and when the hour arrived to put in execution the -projects which he had so long revolved, he invoked it, and resolved to -employ it, in order to collect the other Indian nations around him in -one common whole.</p> - -<p>When Motecuhzoma (whom Spanish writers improperly call Montezuma, a -name which has no meaning, while the first signifies the <i>stern lord</i>) -found himself imprisoned in his palace by that talented adventurer, -Cortez, who, a few days later, tore his kingdom from him, the Emperor, -who preferred to confide in greedy strangers than take refuge in the -midst of his people, had a presentiment of the fate reserved for him. A -few days prior to his death, he assembled the principal Mexican chiefs -who shared his prison, and addressed them thus:—</p> - -<p>"Listen! My father, the Sun, has warned me that I shall soon return to -him. I know not how or when I am destined to die, but I am certain that -my last hour is close at hand."</p> - -<p>As the chiefs burst into tears at these words, for they held him in -great veneration, he consoled them by saying—</p> - -<p>"My last hour is near on this earth, but I shall not die, as I am -returning to my father, the Sun, where I shall enjoy a felicity unknown -in this world; weep not, therefore, my faithful friends, but, on the -contrary, rejoice at the happiness which awaits me. The bearded white -men have treacherously seized the greater portion of my empire, and -they will soon be masters of the remainder. Who can stop them? Their -weapons render them invulnerable, and they dispose at their will of the -fire from heaven; but their power will end one day; they, too, will be -the victims of treachery; the penalty of retaliation will be inflicted -on them in all its rigour. Listen, then, attentively, to what I am -about to ask of you; the safety of our country depends on the fidelity -with which you execute my last orders. Each of you take a title of -the sacred fire which was formerly kindled by the Sun himself, and on -which the white men have not yet dared to lay a sacrilegious hand to -extinguish it. This fire burns before you in this golden censer; take -it unto you, not letting your enemies know what has become of it. You -will divide the fire among you, so that each may have a sufficiency; -preserve it religiously, ant never let it go out. Each morning, alter -adoring it mount on the roof of your house, at sunrise, and look -toward the east; one day you will see me appear, giving my right hand -to my father, the Sun; then you will rejoice, for the moment of your -deliverance will be at hand. My father and I will come to restore you -to liberty, and deliver you for ever from these enemies, who have come -from a perverse world, that rejected them from its bosom."</p> - -<p>The Mexican chiefs obeyed the orders of their well-beloved Emperor on -the spot, for time pressed. A few days later, Motecuhzoma mounted on -the roof of his palace, and prepared to address his mutinous people, -when he was struck by an arrow, it was never known by whom, and fell -into the arms of the Spanish soldiery who accompanied him. Before -breathing his last sigh, the Emperor sat up, and raising his hands to -heaven, said, with a supreme effort, to his friends assembled round -him—"The fire! the fire! think of the fire."</p> - -<p>These were his last words: ten minutes later he had ceased to breathe. -In vain did the Spaniards, whose curiosity was strongly aroused by -this mysterious recommendation, try by all the means in their power -to penetrate its meaning; but they did not succeed in making one of -the Mexicans they interrogated speak. All religiously preserved their -secret, and several, indeed, died of torture, rather than reveal it.</p> - -<p>The Comanches, and nearly all the nations of the Far West, have -kept this belief intact. In all the Indian villages, the fire of -Motecuhzoma, which burns eternally is guarded by two warriors, who -remain by it for twenty-four hours without eating or drinking, when -they are relieved by two others. Formerly the guardians remained -forty-eight hours instead of twenty-four. It frequently happened -that they were found dead when the reliefs came, either through the -mephitic gases of the fire, which had great effect on them, owing to -their long fast, or for some other reason. The bodies were taken away, -and placed in a cavern, where, as the Comanches say, a serpent devoured -them.</p> - -<p>This belief is so general, that it is not only found among the Red -Indians, but also among the Manzos. Many men, considered to be well -educated, keep up, in hidden corners, the fire of Motecuhzoma, visit -it every day, and do not fail at sunrise to mount on the roof of -their houses and look towards the east, in the hope of seeing their -well-beloved emperor coming to restore them that liberty for which they -have sighed during so many ages, and which the Mexican Republic is far -from having granted them.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann's idea was this:—To tell the Indians, after narrating -the legend to them, that the time had arrived when Motecuhzoma would -appear and act as their chief; to form a powerful band of warriors, -whom he would spread along the whole American frontier, so as to -attack his enemies at every point simultaneously, and not give them -the time to look about them. This project, mad as it was, especially -in having to be executed by Indians, or men the least capable of -forming alliances, which have ever caused them defeats; this project, -we say, was deficient neither in boldness nor in nobility, and Natah -Otann was really the only man capable of carrying it out, could he but -find, among the persons he wished to arouse, two or three docile and -intelligent instruments, that would understand his idea, and heartily -cooperate with him.</p> - -<p>The Comanches, Pawnees, and Sioux were of great utility to the chief, -as well as the majority of the Indians of the Far West, for they -shared in the belief on which Natah Otann based his plans, and not only -did not need to be persuaded, but would help him in persuading the -Missouri Indians by their assent to his assertions. But in so large -an assembly of nations, divided by a multitude of interests, speaking -different languages, generally hostile to each other, how would it -be possible to establish a tie sufficiently strong to attach them in -an indissoluble manner? How convince them to march together without -jealousy? Lastly, was it reasonable to suppose that there would not be -a traitor to sell his brothers, and reveal their plans to the Yankees, -whoever have an eye on the movements of the Indians, for they are so -anxious to be rid of them?</p> - -<p>Still, Natah Otann did not recoil; he did not conceal from himself the -difficulties which he should have to overcome; but his courage grew -with obstacles. His resolution was strengthened, if we may use the -term, in proportion to the responsibilities which must every moment -rise before him. When the sachems made him the signal to rise; Natah -Otann saw that the moment had arrived to begin the difficult game he -wished to play. He took the word resolutely, certain that, with the men -he had before him, all depended on the manner in which he handled the -question, and that, the first impression once made, success was almost -certain.</p> - -<p>"Chiefs of the Comanches, Osages, Sioux, Pawnees, Mandans, Assiniboins, -Missouris, and all you that listen to me. Redskin brothers," he said, -in a firm and deeply accentuated voice, "for many moons my spirit has -been sad. I see, with sorrow, our hunting grounds, invaded by the white -men, grow smaller every day. We, whose innumerable peoples covered, -scarce four centuries back, the immense extent of territory compassed -between the two seas, are now reduced to a small party of warriors who, -timid as antelopes, fly before our despoilers. Our sacred cities, the -last refuge of the civilization of our fathers, the Incas, will become -the prey of those monsters with human faces who have no other god but -gold. Our dispersed race will possibly soon disappear from that world -which it has so long possessed and governed alone. Tracked like wild -animals; brutalized by firewater, that corrosive poison invented by the -white men for our ruin; decimated by the sword and white diseases, our -wandering tribes are now but the shadow of a people. Our conquerors -despise our religion, and wish to bow us beneath the laws of the -crucified One. They outrage our wives; kill our children; burn our -villages; and will reduce us, if they can, to the state of wild beasts, -under the pretext of civilizing us. Indians, all you who hear me, is -our blood so impoverished in our veins, and have you all renounced your -independence! Reply, will you die as slaves, or live free?"</p> - -<p>At these words, pronounced in aloud tone, and heightened by an -energetic gesture, a tremor ran through the assembly; brows were bent -firmly, all eyes sparkled.</p> - -<p>"Speak, speak again, sachem of the Blackfeet," all the chiefs shouted -unanimously.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann smiled proudly, his power over the masses was revealed to -him. He continued:—</p> - -<p>"The hour has at length arrived, after so many hesitations, to shake -off the shameful yoke that presses on us. Within a few days, if you -please, we will drive the whites far from our frontiers, and repay them -all the evil they have done us. For a long time I have watched the -Americans and Spaniards. I know their tactics, their resources: to -utterly destroy them, what do we need, my well-beloved brothers? two -things alone—skill and courage!"</p> - -<p>The Indians interrupted him with shouts of joy.</p> - -<p>"You shall be free," Natah Otann continued. "I will restore to you the -valleys of your ancestors, the fields where their bones are buried, -and which the sacrilegious plough disperses in every direction. This -project, ever since I became a man, has fermented in my heart, and -become my life. Far from me and from you the thought that I intend -to force myself on you as chief, especially since the prodigy of -which I have been witness, in the appearance of the great emperor! -No; after that supreme chief, who must guide you to liberty, you are -free to choose the man who will execute his orders, and communicate -them to you. When you have chosen him, you will obey him; follow him -everywhere; and pass with him through the most insurmountable dangers, -for he will be the elect of the Sun; the lieutenant of Motecuhzoma! Do -not deceive yourselves, warriors; our enemy is powerful, numerous, well -disciplined, warlike, and has, before all, the habit of conquering us, -which is a great advantage to him. Name, then, this lieutenant; let his -election be free; take the most worthy, and I will joyfully march under -his orders!"</p> - -<p>And, after saluting the sachems, Natah Otann disappeared in a crowd of -warriors, with calm brow, but with a heart devoured by restlessness. -His eloquence, so novel to the Indians, had seduced them, and thrown -them into a species of frenzy. They considered the daring Blackfoot -chief a genius superior to themselves, and almost bowed the knee to -him in adoration, so cleverly had he struck the chord which must -touch their hearts. For a long time the council gave way to a sort -of madness, and all spoke at once; when this emotion was calmed, the -wisest of the sachems discussed the opportunity for taking up arms, and -the chances of success. It was now that the tribes of the Far West, who -believed in the legend of the sacred fire, became so useful; at length, -after a protracted discussion, opinions were unanimous for a general -uprising. The ranks, momentarily broken, were reformed, and the White -Buffalo, invited by the chiefs to express the opinions of the council, -spoke as follows:—</p> - -<p>"Chiefs of the allied Indian tribes, listen! This day it has been -resolved by the following chiefs:—Little Panther, Spotted Dog, White -Buffalo, Grizzly Bear, Red Wolf, White Fox, Tawny Vulture, Glistening -Snake, and others, each representing a nation and a tribe, that war has -been declared against the white men, our plunderers; and as this war -is holy, and has liberty for its object, all men, women, and children -must take part in it, each according to their strength. This very day -the <i>wampums</i> will be sent by the chiefs to all the Indian tribes that, -owing to the distance of these hunting grounds, were unable to be -present at this great council, in spite of their great desire to be so. -I have spoken."</p> - -<p>A long cry of enthusiasm interrupted the White Buffalo, who continued, -soon after:—</p> - -<p>"The chiefs, after ripe deliberation, assenting to the request made -to the council by Natah Otann, the first sachem of the Blackfeet, -that they should appoint a lieutenant to the Emperor Motecuhzoma, -sovereign-chief of the Indian warriors, have chosen, as supreme -leader under the sole orders of the said Emperor, the wisest, most -prudent, and most worthy to command us. That warrior is the sachem of -the Blackfoot Indians, of the tribe of the Kenhas, whose race is so -ancient, Natah Otann, the cousin of the Sun, that dazzling planet which -illumines us."</p> - -<p>A thunder of applause greeted the last words. Natah Otann saluted the -sachems, walked into the circle, and said, in a haughty voice,—</p> - -<p>"I accept, sachems, my brothers; we agree, I shall be dead, or you will -be free."</p> - -<p>"May the Grizzly Bear live for ever!" the crowd shouted.</p> - -<p>"War to the white men!" Natah Otann continued, "a war without truce -or mercy. A slaughter of wild beasts, as they are accustomed to treat -us. Remember the law of the prairies:—eye for eye, tooth for tooth. -Let each chief send the wampum of war to his nation, for at the end of -this moon we will arouse our enemies by a thunderbolt. At the seventh -hour of this night we will meet again, to select the subaltern chiefs, -number our warriors, and choose the day and hour of attack."</p> - -<p>The chiefs bowed without replying, rejoined their escorts, and soon -disappeared in a cloud of dust. Natah Otann and the White Buffalo -remained alone, a detachment of Blackfeet warriors watching over them -at a distance. Natah Otann, with his arms crossed and head bowed, -seemed plunged in profound reflection.</p> - -<p>"Well," the old Indian said, with an almost imperceptible shade of -irony in his voice, "you have succeeded, my son; you are happy. Your -plans will, at length, be accomplished."</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied, without noticing the sarcastic tone of voice; "war -is declared; my plans have succeeded; but now, friend, I tremble at -such a heavy task. Will these peculiar men thoroughly comprehend me? -Will they be able to read, in my heart, all the love and adoration -I feel for them? Are they ripe for liberty? perhaps they have not -suffered enough yet? Father, father, whose heart is so powerful and -soul so great: whose life was used up in numerous contests, counsel -me! help me! I am young and weak, and I only have a strong will and a -boundless devotion to support me."</p> - -<p>The old man smiled mournfully, and muttered, answering his own thoughts -more than his friend:—</p> - -<p>"Yes; my life was used up in supreme struggles: the work I helped to -raise has been overthrown, but not destroyed; for a new society, full -of vitality, has risen from the ruins of a decrepit society; by our -efforts the furrow was ploughed too deeply for it ever to be filled up -again: progress marching onward, nothing can check or stop it! Do not -halt on the road you have chosen; it is the greatest and most noble a -great heart can follow."</p> - -<p>In uttering these words, the old man had allowed his enthusiasm to -carry him away; his head was raised; his brow glistened; the expiring -sun played on his face, and imparted to it an expression which Natah -Otann had never seen before, and which filled him with respect. But the -old man shook his head sorrowfully, and continued:—</p> - -<p>"Child, how will you keep your promise? where will you find -Motecuhzoma?"</p> - -<p>Natah Otann smiled.</p> - -<p>"You will soon see, my father," he said.</p> - -<p>At the same moment, an Indian, whose panting horse seemed to breathe -fire through its nostrils, came up to the chiefs, where he stopped -suddenly, as if converted into marble; without dismounting, he bent -down to Natah Otann's ear.</p> - -<p>"Already!" the latter exclaimed, "Oh! heaven must be on my side! There -is not a moment to lose. My horse! quick."</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" the White Buffalo asked.</p> - -<p>"Nothing that relates to you at present, my father; but you shall soon -know all."</p> - -<p>"You are going alone, then?"</p> - -<p>"I must for a short period. Farewell!"</p> - -<p>Natah Otann's horse uttered a snort of pain, and started at full -gallop. Ten minutes later all the Indians had disappeared, and solitude -and silence prevailed round the tree of the Master of Life.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></h4> - -<h3>AMERICAN HOSPITALITY.</h3> - - -<p>Matters had reached this point at the moment when the story we -have undertaken to tell, begins: now that we have supplied these -indispensable explanations, we will take up our narrative again at the -point where we broke it off.</p> - -<p>John Black and his family, posted behind the barricade that surrounded -the camp, regarded with joy, mingled with alarm, the cavalcade coming -toward them like a tornado, raising clouds of dust in its passage.</p> - -<p>"Attention, boys!" the American said to his son and servants, with his -hand on his trigger. "You know the diabolical trickery of these apes of -the prairie; we must not let them surprise us a second time; at the -least suspicious sign, a bullet! We shall thus prove to them that we -are on our guard."</p> - -<p>The emigrant's wife and daughter, with their eyes fixed on the prairie, -attentively followed the movements of the Indians.</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken, my love," Mrs. Black said; "these men have no -hostile designs. The Indians rarely attack by day; when they do so, -they never come so openly as this."</p> - -<p>"The more so," the young lady added, "as, if I am not mistaken, I can -see Europeans galloping at the head of the party."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Black said, "that really has no significance, my child. The -prairies swarm with scoundrels who join those demons of Redskins when -honest travellers are to be plundered. Who knows, indeed, whether white -men were not the instigators of last night's attack?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, I never could believe such a thing as that," Diana -remarked.</p> - -<p>Miss Black, of whom we have hitherto said but little, was a girl of -about seventeen, tall and slender; her large black eyes, bordered with -velvety lashes; the thick bandeaux of brown hair; her little mouth, -with its rosy lips and pearly teeth, made her a charming creature, who -would have been an ornament anywhere; but in the desert must naturally -attract attention. Religiously educated by her mother, a good and pious -Presbyterian, Diana still retained all the candour and innocence of -youth, combined with that experience of everyday life imparted by the -rude life of the clearings, where people begin early to think and act -for themselves. In the meanwhile the cavalcade rapidly approached, and -was now no great distance off.</p> - -<p>"Those are really our animals galloping down there," Will said; "I -recognise Sultan, my good horse."</p> - -<p>"And Dolly, my poor milch cow," Mrs. Black said, with a sigh.</p> - -<p>"Console yourselves," Diana said, "I'll answer for it these people are -bringing back our cattle."</p> - -<p>The emigrant shook his head in agitation.</p> - -<p>"The Indians never give up what they have once seized; but, by my soul, -I'll have it out with them, and not let myself be robbed without a -trial for it."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, father," said Will, stopping him, for the emigrant was -about to leap over the intrenchments, "we shall soon know what their -intentions are."</p> - -<p>"Hum! they are very clear, in my idea. The demons want to propose to us -some disgusting bargain."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps, father, you are mistaken," Diana said, quickly; "and see, -they are stopping, and apparently consulting."</p> - -<p>In fact, on arriving within gunshot, the Indians halted, and began -talking together.</p> - -<p>"Why shall we not go on?" the Count asked Bright-eye.</p> - -<p>"H'm, you don't know the Yankees, Mr. Edward. I am sure that, if we -were to go ten paces further, we should be saluted by a shower of -bullets."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense!" the young man said, with a shrug of his shoulder; "they are -not so mad as to act in that way."</p> - -<p>"It's possible; but they would do as I tell you. Look attentively, and -you will see from this spot the barrels of their rifles glistening -between the stakes of the barricades."</p> - -<p>"By Jove! it's true; then they want to be massacred."</p> - -<p>"They would have been so long ago, had not my brother interceded in -their favour," Natah Otann said, joining in the conversation.</p> - -<p>"And I thank you, chief. The desert is large; what harm can those poor -devils do you?"</p> - -<p>"They, none; but presently others will come and settle by their side, -and so on; so that in six months my brother would see a city at a spot -where there is now nothing but nature as it left the omnipotent hands -of the Master of Life."</p> - -<p>"That is true," Bright-eye said, "the Yankees respect nothing; the rage -for building cities renders them dangerous madmen."</p> - -<p>"Why have we stopped, chief?" the Count said, recurring to his first -question.</p> - -<p>"To negotiate."</p> - -<p>"Will you do me a kindness? Leave this business to me. I am curious -to see how these people understand the laws of war, and how they will -receive me."</p> - -<p>"My brother is free."</p> - -<p>"Wait for me here, then, and do not make a move during my absence."</p> - -<p>The young man took off his weapons, which he handed to his servant.</p> - -<p>"What?" Ivon remarked. "Are you going, my lord, in this state among -those heretics?"</p> - -<p>"How else should I go? You know very well that a flag of truce has -nothing to fear."</p> - -<p>"That is possible," the Breton said, very slightly convinced; "but if -your lordship will believe me, you will, at least, keep your pistols in -your belt; for an accident happens so easily, and you do not know among -what sort of people you are going."</p> - -<p>"You are mad!" the Count said, shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, as you are going unarmed to speak with people who do not -inspire me with the slightest confidence, I must ask your lordship to -permit me to accompany you."</p> - -<p>"You, nonsense!" the young man said, laughing. "You know very well that -you are a wonderful coward; that's agreed on."</p> - -<p>"Perfectly true; but I feel capable of anything to defend my master."</p> - -<p>"There we have it; your cowardice need only come on you suddenly, and, -in your alarm, you will be ready to kill everybody. No, no, none of -that; I do not wish to get into trouble through you."</p> - -<p>And dismounting, he walked in the direction of the barricades. On -arriving a short distance from them, he took out a white handkerchief, -and waved it in the air. Black, still ready to fire, carefully watched -the Count's every movement, and when he saw his amicable demonstration, -he rose, and made him a signal to come on. The young man quietly -returned his handkerchief to his pocket, lit a cigar, stuck his glass -in his eye, and after drawing on his gloves, walked resolutely on. On -reaching the intrenchments, he found himself in front of Black, who was -waiting for him, leaning on his rifle.</p> - -<p>"What do you want of me?" the American said, roughly. "Make haste! I -have no time to lose in conversation."</p> - -<p>The Count surveyed him haughtily, assumed the most insolent posture he -could select, and puffing a cloud of smoke into his face, said dryly—</p> - -<p>"You are not polite, my dear fellow."</p> - -<p>"Halloa!" the other said. "Have you come here to insult me?"</p> - -<p>"I have come to do you a service; and if you continue in that tone, I -am afraid I shall be obliged not to do it."</p> - -<p>"We'll see to that—do me a service! And what may it be?" the American -asked with a grin.</p> - -<p>"You are a low fellow," the Count remarked, "with whom it is offensive -to talk. I prefer to withdraw."</p> - -<p>"Withdraw—oh, nonsense! You are too valuable a hostage. I shall -keep you, my gentleman, and only give you up at a good figure,", the -American continued.</p> - -<p>"What! Is that the way you comprehend the law of nations? That's -curious," the Count said, still sarcastic.</p> - -<p>"There is no law of nations with bandits."</p> - -<p>"Thanks for your compliment, master. And what would you do to keep me, -if I did not think proper?"</p> - -<p>"Like this," the American said, laying his hand roughly on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"What!" the Count said. "I really believe, Heaven forgive me! that you -dared to lay a hand on me!"</p> - -<p>And ere the emigrant had time to prevent it, he seized him round the -waist, lifted him from the ground, and hurled him over the barricade. -The giant fell all bruised in the middle of his camp. Instead of -withdrawing, as any other might have done in his place, the young man -crossed his arms, and waited, smoking peacefully. The emigrant, stunned -by his rough fall, rose, shaking himself like a wet dog, and feeling -his ribs, to assure himself that there was nothing broken. The ladies -uttered a cry of terror on seeing him re-enter the camp in such a -peculiar way, while his son and servants looked toward him, ready to -fire at the first signal.</p> - -<p>"Lower your guns," he said to them; and leaping once more over the -barricade, he walked towards the Count. The latter awaited him with -perfect calmness.</p> - -<p>"Ah! there you are," he said, "Well, how did you like that?"</p> - -<p>"Come, come," the American replied, holding out his hand; "I was in the -wrong; I am a brute beast; forgive me."</p> - -<p>"Very good; I like you better like that; we only need to understand -each other. You are now prepared to listen to me, I fancy?"</p> - -<p>"Quite."</p> - -<p>There are certain men, like John Black, with whom it is necessary to -employ extreme measures, and prove your superiority to them. With such -persons you do not argue, but smash them; after which it always happens -that these men, before so intractable, become gentle as lambs, and do -all you want. The American, possessed of great strength, and confiding -in it, thought he had a right to be insolent with a slight and weak -looking man; but so soon as this man had proved to him, in a peremptory -manner, that he was the more powerful of the two, the bull drew in his -horns, and recoiled all the distance he had advanced.</p> - -<p>"This night," the Count then said, "you were attacked by the Blackfeet; -I wished to come to your aid, but it was impossible, and, besides, I -should have arrived too late. As, however, for some reason or other; -the men who attacked you feel a certain amount of consideration for me, -I have profited by my influence to make them restore the cattle they -stole from you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks; believe that I sincerely regret what has passed between us; -but I was so annoyed by the loss I had experienced."</p> - -<p>"I understand all that, and willingly pardon you, the more so as I, -perhaps, gave you rather too rude a shock just now."</p> - -<p>"Oh, do not mention it, I beg."</p> - -<p>"As you please; it is all the same to me."</p> - -<p>"And my cattle?"</p> - -<p>"Are at your disposal. Will you have them at once?"</p> - -<p>"I will not conceal from you that—"</p> - -<p>"Very good," the Count interrupted him; "wait a minute, I will tell -them to bring them up."</p> - -<p>"Do you think I have nothing to fear from the Indians?"</p> - -<p>"Not if you know how to manage them."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, shall I wait for you?"</p> - -<p>"Only a few minutes."</p> - -<p>The Count went down the hill again with the same calm step he had gone -up it. So soon as he rejoined the Indians, his friends surrounded him; -they had seen all that passed, and were delighted at the way in which -he had ended the discussion.</p> - -<p>"Good heavens! how coarse those Americans are," the young man said. -"Pray give him his cattle, chief, and let us have done with him. The -animal all but put me in a passion."</p> - -<p>"He is coming toward us," Natah Otann replied, with an undefinable -smile. Black, indeed, soon came up. The worthy emigrant, having been -duly scolded by his wife and daughter, had recognized the full extent -of his stupidity, and was most anxious to repair it.</p> - -<p>"Really, gentlemen," he said, "we cannot part in this way. I owe you -great obligations, and am desirous to prove to you that I am not such a -brute as I probably seem to be. Be kind enough to stay with us, if only -for an hour, to show us that you bear no malice."</p> - -<p>This invitation was given in a hearty, but, at the same time, cordial -manner, and it was so evident that the good man was confused, that -the Count had not the heart to refuse him. The Indians camped where -they were. The chief and the three hunters followed the American into -his camp, where the cattle had already been restored. The reception -was as it should be in the desert; the ladies had hastily prepared -refreshments under the tent, while William and the two serving men made -a breach in the barricade, to give passage to his father's guests. Lucy -Black and Diana awaited the newcomers at the entrance of the camp.</p> - -<p>"You are welcome, gentlemen," the Americans wife said, with a graceful -bow; "we are all so much indebted to you, that we are only too happy to -receive you."</p> - -<p>The chief and the Count bowed politely to the lady, who was doing all -in her power to repair the clumsy brutality of her husband. The Count, -at the sight of Diana, felt an emotion which he could not, at the first -blush, understand; his heart beat on regarding this charming creature, -who was exposed to so many dangers through the life to which she was -condemned. Diana blushed at the ardent glance of the young man, and -timidly drew nearer her mother, with that instinct of modesty innate -in woman's heart, which makes her ever seek protection from her to whom -she owes existence.</p> - -<p>After the first compliments, Natah Otann, the Count, and Bright-eye, -entered the tent where Black and his son were awaiting them. When the -ice was broken, which does not take long among people accustomed to -prairie life, the conversation became more animated and intimate.</p> - -<p>"So," the Count asked, "you have left the clearings with the intention -of never returning?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," the emigrant answered; "for a man having a family, -everything is becoming so dear on the frontier, that he must make up -his mind to enter the desert."</p> - -<p>"I can understand your doing so as a man, for you can always manage to -get out of difficulties; but your wife and daughter—you condemn them -to a very sorrowful and dangerous life."</p> - -<p>"It is a wife's duty to follow her husband," Mrs. Black said with a -slight accent of reproach. "I am happy wherever he is, provided I am by -his side."</p> - -<p>"Good, madam; I admire such sentiments; but permit me an observation."</p> - -<p>"Certainly, sir."</p> - -<p>"Was it necessary to come so far to find a suitable farm?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not; but we should have run the risk of being someday -expelled from the new clearing by the owners of the land, and compelled -to begin a new plantation further away," she said.</p> - -<p>"While now," Black continued, "at the place where we are, we have -nothing of that sort to fear, as the land belongs to nobody."</p> - -<p>"My brother is mistaken," the chief said, who had not yet spoken a -word; "the country, for ten days' march in every direction, belongs to -me and my tribe; the Paleface is here on the hunting grounds of the -Kenhas."</p> - -<p>Black regarded Natah Otann with an air of embarrassment.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, after a moment's pause, as if speaking against the -grain; "we will go further, wife."</p> - -<p>"Where can the Palefaces go to find land that belongs to nobody?" the -chief continued, severely.</p> - -<p>This time the American had not a word to say. Diana, who had never -before seen an Indian so close, regarded the chief with a mingled -feeling of curiosity and terror. The Count smiled.</p> - -<p>"The chief is right," Bright-eye said, "the prairies belong to the Red -men."</p> - -<p>Black had bowed his head on his chest, in perplexity.</p> - -<p>"What is to be done?" he muttered.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann laid his hand on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Let my brother open his ears," he said to him; "a chief is about to -speak."</p> - -<p>The American fixed an inquiring glance on him.</p> - -<p>"Does this country suit my brother then?" the Indian continued.</p> - -<p>"Why should I deny it? This country is the finest I ever saw; close to -me I have the river, behind me, immense virgin forests. Oh yes, it is a -fine country, and I should have made a magnificent plantation."</p> - -<p>"I have told my Paleface brother," the chief went on, "that this -country belonged to me."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you told me so, chief, and it is true; I cannot deny it."</p> - -<p>"Well, if the Paleface desires it, he can obtain so much ground as he -wishes," Natah Otann said, concisely.</p> - -<p>At this proposition, which the American was far from suspecting, he -pricked up his ears; the squatter's nature was aroused in him.</p> - -<p>"How can I buy the land when I possess nothing?" he said.</p> - -<p>"That is of no consequence," the chief replied.</p> - -<p>The astonishment now became general; each looked at the Indian -curiously: for the conversation had suddenly acquired a grave -importance which no one expected. Black, however, was not deceived by -this apparent facility.</p> - -<p>"The chief has doubtless not understood me," he said.</p> - -<p>The Indian shook his head.</p> - -<p>"The Paleface cannot buy the land, because he has not wherewith to pay -for it; those were his words."</p> - -<p>"True; and the chief answered that it was of little matter."</p> - -<p>"I said so."</p> - -<p>There was no mistake, the two men had clearly understood one another.</p> - -<p>"There is some devilry behind that," Bright-eye muttered in his -moustache; "an Indian does not give an egg, unless he expects an ox in -return."</p> - -<p>"What do you want to arrive at, chief?" the Count asked Natah Otann, -frankly.</p> - -<p>"I will explain myself," the latter said; "my brother interests himself -in this family, I believe?"</p> - -<p>"I do," the young man answered, with some surprise, "and you know my -reasons."</p> - -<p>"Good; let my brother pledge himself to accompany me during two moons, -without asking any explanation of my actions, and give me his aid -whenever I require it, and I will give this man as much ground as he -needs to found a settlement, and he need never fear being annoyed by -the Redskins, or dispossessed by the Whites, for I am really the owner -of the land, and no other can lay claim to it."</p> - -<p>"A moment," Bright-eye said, as he rose; "in my presence, Mr. Edward -will not accept such a bargain; no one buys a pig in a poke, and it -would be madness to submit his will to the caprices of another man."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann frowned, his eye flashed fire, and he rose.</p> - -<p>"Dog of the Palefaces," he shouted, "take care of thy words—I have -once spared thy life."</p> - -<p>"Your menaces do not frighten me, Redskin," the Canadian replied, -resolutely; "you lie if you say that you were master of my life; it -only depends from the will of God; you cannot cause a hair of my head -to fall without His consent."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann laid his hand on his knife, a movement immediately imitated -by the hunter, and they stood opposite each other, ready for action. -The ladies uttered a shriek of terror, William and his father stood -before them, ready to interfere in the quarrel, if it were necessary. -But the Count had already, quick as thought, thrown himself between the -two men, shouting loudly—</p> - -<p>"Stop! I insist on it!"</p> - -<p>Yielding to the ascendency of the speaker, the Blackfoot and the -Canadian each fell back a step, returned their knives to their girdles, -and waited. The Count looked at them for a moment, then, holding out -his hand to Bright-eye, said, affectionately—</p> - -<p>"Thank you, my friend, but for the present I do not require your aid."</p> - -<p>"Good, good," the hunter said; "you know I am yours, body and soul. Mr. -Edward, it is only deferred." And the worthy Canadian sat down again -quietly.</p> - -<p>"As for you, chief," the young man continued, "the proposals are -unacceptable. I should be mad to agree to them, and I hope I am not -quite in that state yet. I wish to teach you this, that I have only -come on the prairie to hunt for a short time; that time has passed; -pressing business requires my presence in the United States, and -dispels my desire to be useful to these good people; so soon as I have -accompanied you to the village, according to my promise, I shall say -good-bye to you, and probably never return."</p> - -<p>"Which will be extremely agreeable to me," Bright-eye said, in -confirmation.</p> - -<p>The Indian did not stir.</p> - -<p>"Still," the Count went on, "there is, perhaps, a way of settling the -matter to the satisfaction of all parties; land is not so dear here; -tell me your price, and I will pay you at once, either in dollars, or -in bills on a New York banker."</p> - -<p>"All right," the hunter said; "there is still that way open."</p> - -<p>"Oh! I thank you, sir," Mrs. Black exclaimed, "but my husband cannot -and ought not to accept such a proposal."</p> - -<p>"Why not, my dear lady, if it suits me, and the chief accepts my offer?"</p> - -<p>Black, we must do him the justice to say, satisfied himself by -signifying his approval by a gesture; but the worthy squatter, like -a true American, was very careful not to say a word. As for Diana, -fascinated by such disinterestedness, she gazed on the Count with eyes -sparkling with gratitude, not daring to express aloud what her secret -thoughts were about this noble and generous gentleman. Natah Otann -raised his head.</p> - -<p>"I will prove to my brother," he said, in a gentle voice, and bowing -courteously, "that the Red men are as generous as the Palefaces. I sell -him eight hundred acres of land, to be chosen where he pleases along -the river, for one dollar."</p> - -<p>"A dollar?" the young man exclaimed, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the chief said, smiling, "in that way I shall be paid, my -brother will owe me nothing; and if he consents to stay a little while -with me, it will be of his own accord, and because he likes to be with -a true friend."</p> - -<p>This unforeseen result to a scene which had for a moment threatened to -end in blood, filled all persons with surprise. Bright-eye alone was -not duped by the chief's courtesy.</p> - -<p>"There's something behind it," he muttered to himself, "but I will -watch, and that demon must be very cunning to cheat me."</p> - -<p>The Count was affected by this generosity, which he was far from -expecting.</p> - -<p>"There, chief," he said, handing him the stipulated dollar, "now we are -quits; but be assured that I will not be outdone by you."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann bowed courteously.</p> - -<p>"Now," the Count continued, "a last favour."</p> - -<p>"Let my brother speak, he has the right to ask everything of me."</p> - -<p>"Make peace with my old Bright-eye,"</p> - -<p>"As my brother desires it," the chief said, "I will do so willingly; -and, as a sign of reconciliation, I beg him to accept the dollar you -have given me."</p> - -<p>The hunter's first impulse was to decline it; but he thought better of -it, took the dollar, and carefully placed it in his belt. Black knew -not how to express his gratitude to the Count, who had really made him -a landed proprietor; and the same day the American and his son chose -the land on which the plantation should be established. The Count drew -up on a leaf of his pocketbook a regular deed of sale, which was signed -by himself, Bright-eye, and Ivon, as witnesses, by Black as purchaser, -and at the foot of which Natah Otann drew the totem of his tribe, and -an animal intended to represent a bear, which formed his speaking but -most emblematical signature. The chief, had he pleased, could have -signed like the rest, but he wished to hide from all the instruction he -owed to the White Buffalo. Black preciously placed the deed between the -leaves of his family bible, and said to the Count, while squeezing his -hand hard enough to smash it—</p> - -<p>"Remember that you have in John Black a man who will let his bones be -broken for you, whenever you think proper."</p> - -<p>Diana said nothing, but she gave the young man a look which paid him -amply for what he had done for the family.</p> - -<p>"Attention," Bright-eye said, in a whisper, the first time he found -himself alone with Ivon; "from this day watch carefully over your -master, for a terrible danger threatens him."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.</h3> - - -<p>About four or five hours after the various events we have described -in the previous chapters, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, that is to say, bedizened with -feathers, and painted of glaring colours, crossed a streamlet, and -galloped over the prairies, proceeding in the direction of the Virgin -forest, to which we have several times alluded. The rider, dressed -in the war costume of the Blackfoot Indians, and whom it was easy to -recognize as a chief by the eagle feather fastened over his right ear, -incessantly bent over his horse's neck, and urged it to increased speed.</p> - -<p>It was night, but an American night, full of sharp odours and -mysterious sounds, with a dark blue sky, studded with an infinite -number of dazzling stars; the moon profusely spread her silvery rays -over the landscape, casting a deceitful brightness, which imparted a -fantastic appearance to objects. All seemed to sleep on the prairies; -the wind even hardly shook the umbrageous tops of the trees; the wild -beasts, after drinking at the river, had returned to their hidden dens. -The horseman alone moved on, gliding silently through the darkness; -at times he raised his head, as if consulting the sky, then, after a -seconds rest, he galloped onwards.</p> - -<p>Many hours passed ere the horseman thought of stopping. At length -he reached a spot where the trees were so interlaced by creepers -which enfolded them, that a species of insurmountable wall suddenly -prevented the rider's progress. After a moment's hesitation, and -looking attentively around to discover a hole by which he could pass, -seeing clearly that all attempts would be useless, he dismounted. He -saw that he had arrived at a canebrake, or spot where a passage can -only be made by fire or axe. The Indian chief fastened his horse to the -trunk of a tree; left within its reach a stock of grass and climbing -peas; then, certain that his horse would want for nothing during this -long night, he began thinking of himself.</p> - -<p>First he cut down with his bowie knife the bushes and plants which -interfered with the encampment he wished to form; then he prepared, -with all the stoicism of a prairie denizen, a fire of dry wood, in -order to cook his supper, and keep off wild beasts, if anyone took it -into his head to pay him a visit during his sleep. Among the wood he -collected was a large quantity of what the Mexicans call <i>palo mulato</i>, -or stinking wood; this he was careful to remove, for the pestiferous -smell of that tree would have denounced his presence for miles round, -and the Indian, judging from the precautions he took, seemed afraid of -being discovered; in fact, the care with which he had placed sand-bags -round his horse's hoofs, to dull the sound, sufficiently proved this.</p> - -<p>When the fire, so placed as not to be visible ten yards off, poured -its pleasant column of flame into the air, the Indian took from his -elk-skin pouch a little Indian wheat and pemmican, which he ate with -considerable appetite, looking round continually in the surrounding -gloom, and stopping to listen attentively to those noiseless sounds -which by night trouble the imposing calmness of the desert, without any -apparent cause. When his scanty meal was ended, the Indian filled his -pipe with kinne-kinnick, and began smoking.</p> - -<p>Still, in spite of his apparent calmness, the man was not easy; -at times he took the pipe from his lips, looked up, and anxiously -consulted the sky, through a break in the foliage above his head. At -length he appeared to form an energetic resolution, and raising his -fingers to his lips, imitated thrice, with rare perfection, the cry of -the blue jay, that privileged bird that sings in the night; then he -bent his body forward and listened, but nothing proved to him that his -signal had been heard.</p> - -<p>"Wait a while," he muttered.</p> - -<p>And crouching again before the fire, into which he threw a handful of -dry branches, he began smoking again. Several hours passed thus: at -length the moon disappeared from the horizon, the cold became sharper, -and the sky, in which the stars expired one after the other, was tinted -with a rosy hue. The Indian, who had been slumbering for a while, -suddenly shook himself, turned a suspicious glance around, and muttered -hoarsely,—</p> - -<p>"She cannot be far off."</p> - -<p>And he again gave the signal. The last cry had scarce died out in the -distance, when a roar was heard close by. The Indian, instead of being -alarmed by this ill-omened sound, smiled, and said in a loud and firm -voice,—</p> - -<p>"You are welcome, She-wolf; you know it is I who am awaiting you here."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you are there, then!" a voice answered.</p> - -<p>A rustling of leaves was now heard in the bushes opposite the spot -where the Indian was seated; the reeds and creepers were pulled back by -a vigorous hand, and a woman appeared in the space left free. Before -advancing, she thrust her head forward cautiously, and looked.</p> - -<p>"I am alone," the Indian said; "you can approach without fear."</p> - -<p>A smile played over the newcomer's lips at this answer, which she did -not expect.</p> - -<p>"I fear nothing," she said.</p> - -<p>Before going further, we will give some indispensable details about -this woman—vague, it is true, as we can only supply what the Indians -said about her, but which will be useful to the reader in comprehending -the facts that will follow. No one knew who she was, or whence she -came. The period when she was first seen on the prairie was equally -unknown. All was an inexplicable mystery connected with her. Though -she spoke fluently, and with extreme purity, most of the prairie -idioms, still certain words she at times used, and the colour of her -skin, not so brown as that of the natives, caused the supposition that -she belonged to another race from theirs. It was only a supposition, -however, for her hatred of the Indians was too well known for the -bravest among them ever to venture to see her sufficiently closely to -render themselves certain on that head.</p> - -<p>At times she disappeared for weeks, even for months, and it was -impossible to discover her trail. Then she was suddenly seen again -wandering about, talking to herself, marching nearly always by night, -frequently accompanied by an idiotic and dumb dwarf, who followed her -like a dog, and whom the Indians, in their credulous superstition, -suspected strongly of being her familiar. This woman, ever gloomy and -melancholy, with her wild looks and startling gestures, could not be -accused of doing anyone harm, in spite of the general terror she -inspired. Still, owing to the strange life she led, all the misfortunes -that happened to the Indians, in war or hunting, were imputed to her. -The Redskins considered her a wicked genius, and had given her the name -of the <i>Spirit of Evil</i>. Hence the man who had come so far to see her -must necessarily have been gifted with extraordinary courage, or some -powerful reason impelled him to act as he was doing.</p> - -<p>As this Blackfoot chief is destined to play a great part in this -narrative, we will give his portrait in a few words. He was a man who -had reached middle life, or about forty-five years. He was tall, well -built, and admirably proportioned. His muscles, standing out like -whipcord, denoted extraordinary vigour. He had an intelligent face; his -features expressed cunning, while his eyes were rarely fixed on any -object, but gave him an expression of craft and brutal cruelty, which -inspired an unenviable repugnance towards him, if you took the trouble -to study him carefully: but observers are rare in the desert, and with -the Indians this chief enjoyed a great reputation, and was equally -beloved for his tried courage and inexhaustible powers of speech, -qualities highly esteemed by the Redskins.</p> - -<p>"The night is still gloomy; my mother can approach," the Indian chief -said.</p> - -<p>"I am coming," the woman said, drily, as she advanced.</p> - -<p>"I have been waiting a long while."</p> - -<p>"I know it, but no matter."</p> - -<p>"The road was long to come."</p> - -<p>"I am here; speak!"</p> - -<p>And she leaned against the stem of a tree, crossing her arms on her -chest.</p> - -<p>"What can I say, if my mother does not first question me?"</p> - -<p>"That is true. Answer me then."</p> - -<p>There was a silence, only troubled by the wind sighing in the leaves; -after a few moments' reflection, the woman at length began,—</p> - -<p>"Have you done what I ordered?"</p> - -<p>"I have."</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"My mother guessed rightly."</p> - -<p>"Is it so?"</p> - -<p>"All is preparing for action,"</p> - -<p>"You are sure?"</p> - -<p>"I was present at the council."</p> - -<p>She smiled triumphantly.</p> - -<p>"Where was the meeting place?"</p> - -<p>"At the tree of life."</p> - -<p>"Long ago?"</p> - -<p>"The sun has set eight hours since."</p> - -<p>"Good! What was resolved?"</p> - -<p>"What you already know."</p> - -<p>"The destruction of the whites?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"When will the war signal be given?"</p> - -<p>"The day is not yet fixed."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" she said in a tone of regret.</p> - -<p>"But it cannot be long," he added quickly.</p> - -<p>"What makes you think so?"</p> - -<p>"The Grizzly Bear is eager to finish."</p> - -<p>"And I, too," the woman muttered in a low voice.</p> - -<p>The conversation was again broken off. The woman paced up and down the -clearing in thought. The chief followed her with his eyes, carefully -examining her. All at once she stopped before him, and looked him In -the face.</p> - -<p>"You are devoted to me, chief?" she said.</p> - -<p>"Do you doubt it?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps."</p> - -<p>"Still, only a few hours ago, I gave you a decided proof of my -devotion."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"This!" he said, pointing to his left arm, which was wrapped in strips -of bark.</p> - -<p>"I do not understand you."</p> - -<p>"You see I am wounded?"</p> - -<p>"Well! what then?"</p> - -<p>"The Redskins attacked the Palefaces some hours ago; they were scaling -the barricade which protected their camp, when they suddenly retired -on your appearance, by order of their chief, who was wounded, and -thirsting for revenge."</p> - -<p>"It is true."</p> - -<p>"Good. And the chief who commanded the Redskins—does my mother know -him?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"It was I, the Red Wolf: does my mother still doubt?"</p> - -<p>"The path on which I am walking is so gloomy," she replied sorrowfully; -"the work I am accomplishing is so serious, and of such import to me, -that at times I feel fear enter my heart, and doubt contract my chest, -when I think I am alone, a poor weak woman, to wrestle with a giant. -For long years I have been ripening the plan I wish to accomplish -today; I have occupied my whole life to obtain the result I desire, and -I fear failure at the moment of succeeding. Then, if I have no longer -confidence in myself, can I trust a man whom self-interest may urge to -betray, or at any rate abandon me at a moment."</p> - -<p>The chief drew himself up on hearing these words; his eye flashed fire, -and, with a gesture of wounded pride, he said,—</p> - -<p>"Silence! my mother must not add a word. She insults at this moment -a man who is most anxious to prove his truth to her: ingratitude is -a white vice, gratitude a red virtue. My mother was ever kind to me; -Red Wolf cannot count the occasions on which he owes his life to -her. My mother's heart is ulcered by misfortune; solitude is an evil -counsellor: my mother listens too much to the voices which whisper in -her ear through the silence of night; she forgets the services she has -rendered, only to remember the ingratitude she has sowed on her road. -Red Wolf is devoted to her, he loves her; the She-wolf can place entire -confidence in him, he is worthy of it."</p> - -<p>"Dare I believe in these protestations? Can I put faith in these -promises?" she muttered.</p> - -<p>The chief continued passionately,—</p> - -<p>"If the gratitude I have vowed to my mother is not enough, another and -stronger tie attaches us, which must convince her of my sincerity."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" she asked, looking fixedly at him.</p> - -<p>"Hatred," he answered.</p> - -<p>"That is true," she said, with a sinister burst of laughter. "You hate -him too?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I hate him with all the strength of my soul: I hate him, because -he has robbed me of the two things I held most to on earth,—the love -of the woman I adored, and the power I coveted."</p> - -<p>"But are you not a chief?" she said significantly.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" he exclaimed proudly, "I am a chief, but my father was a sachem -of the Kenhas; his son is brave, he is crafty, the scalps of numberless -Palefaces dry before his lodge. Why then is Red Wolf only an inferior -chief, instead of leading his men to battle as his father did?"</p> - -<p>The woman seemed to take a delight in exciting the anger of the Indian, -instead of calming it.</p> - -<p>"Because doubtlessly," she said, "a wiser man than the Red Wolf has -gained the votes of his brothers."</p> - -<p>"Let my mother say that a greater rogue stole them from him, and -her words will be true," he exclaimed violently. "Grizzly Bear is a -Comanche dog, the son of an exile, received through favour into my -tribe; his scalp will soon dry on the girdle of the Red Wolf."</p> - -<p>"Patience!" the woman said in a hoarse voice. "Vengeance is a fruit -which is only eaten ripe: the Red Wolf is a warrior; he can wait."</p> - -<p>"Let my mother order," the Indian said, suddenly calmed; "her son will -obey."</p> - -<p>"Has the Red Wolf succeeded in obtaining the medicine which -Prairie-Flower wears round her neck?"</p> - -<p>The Indian bowed his head in confusion.</p> - -<p>"No," he said hoarsely. "Prairie-Flower never leaves the White Buffalo; -it is impossible to approach her."</p> - -<p>The woman smiled ironically.</p> - -<p>"What! did Red Wolf ever keep a promise?"</p> - -<p>The Blackfoot shuddered with rage.</p> - -<p>"I will have it," he cried, "even if I must use force in obtaining it."</p> - -<p>"No," she replied; "cunning alone must be employed."</p> - -<p>"I will have it," he repeated. "Before two days I will give it to my -mother."</p> - -<p>"No," she said quickly; "in two days is too soon. Let my son give it me -on the fifth day of the new moon, which will begin within three days."</p> - -<p>"Good; I swear it! My mother shall have the great medicine of -Prairie-Flower."</p> - -<p>"My son will bring it to me at the tree of the bear, near the great -lodge of the Palefaces, two hours after sunset. I will await him there, -and give him my final instructions."</p> - -<p>"Red Wolf will be there."</p> - -<p>"Till then, my son will carefully watch every movement of the Grizzly -Bear; if he learns anything new, which appears to him important, my -son will form on this very spot a pyramid of seven buffalo heads, and -come back two hours after to wait for me. I shall have understood his -signal, and will reply to his summons."</p> - -<p>"<i>Oche</i>, my mother is powerful; it shall be done as she desires."</p> - -<p>"My son has quite understood?"</p> - -<p>"The words of my mother have fallen on the ears of a chief; his mind -has received them."</p> - -<p>"The sky on the horizon is covered with red bands, the sun will soon -appear: let my brother return to his tribe; he must not arouse the -suspicions of his enemy by his absence."</p> - -<p>"I go; but before leaving my mother, whose wisdom has discovered all -the schemes of the Palefaces, has she not made a great medicine to know -if our enterprise will succeed, and if we shall conquer our enemy?"</p> - -<p>At this moment a loud noise was heard in the canebrake, and a shrill -whistle traversed the air; the Indian's horse laid hack its ears, -made violent efforts to break the rope that fastened it, and trembled -all over. The woman seized the chiefs arm firmly, and said in a gloomy -voice,—</p> - -<p>"Let my brother look!"</p> - -<p>Red Wolf stifled a cry of surprise, and gazed, motionless and -terrified, at the strange sight before him. A few paces off, a tiger -cat and a rattlesnake were preparing for a contest. Their metallic -eyeballs flashed, and seemed to emit flames. The tiger cat, crouching -on a branch, with hair erect, was meowing and spitting, while closely -following every move of its dangerous enemy, and awaiting the moment -to attack it advantageously. The Crotalus, coiled up, and forming -an enormous spiral, with its hideous head thrown back, whistled, as -it balanced itself to the right and left, with a movement full of -suppleness and grace, apparently trying to fascinate its enemy. But -the latter did not allow it a long rest; it suddenly bounded on the -serpent, which, however, moved nimbly on one side, and when the cat, -after missing its leap, returned to the charge, gave it a fearful sting -on the face.</p> - -<p>The tiger cat uttered a yell of rage, and buried its long and sharp -claws in the eyes of the serpent, which, however, wound round its -enemy with a convulsive movement. Then the two rolled on the ground, -hissing and howling, but unable to loose their hold. The struggle was -long; they fought with extraordinary fury; but at length, the rings of -the snake became unloosened, and its flaccid body lay motionless on -the ground. The tiger cat escaped, with a meow of triumph, from the -monster's terrible embrace, and bounded on a tree; but its strength -was unequal to its will, and it could not reach the branch on which -it wished to climb, but fell back exhausted on the ground. Then the -ferocious animal, struggling with death and overcoming its agony, -crouched back to the body of its enemy, and stood upon it. It then -uttered a final yell of triumph, and fell, itself a corpse, by the side -of the snake. The Indian had followed all the moving incidents of this -cruel contest with ever-increasing interest.</p> - -<p>"Well," he asked the unknown, "what does my mother say?"</p> - -<p>She shook her head.</p> - -<p>"Our triumph will cost us our life," she replied.</p> - -<p>"What matters," the Red Wolf said, "so long as we conquer our enemies?"</p> - -<p>And, drawing his knife, he began skinning the catamount. The woman -looked at his operations for a while; then making him a parting sign, -she re-entered the canebrake, where she was speedily lost to view. An -hour later, the Indian chief, laden with the cat's head and the snake's -skin, started off toward his village at full gallop. An ironical smile -played around his lips; he needed no excuse to explain his absence, for -the spoils he brought with him proved that he had spent the night in -hunting.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE INDIAN VILLAGE.</h3> - - -<p>Now that the exigencies of our story compel us to enter into closer -relations with the Prairie Indians, we will introduce to the reader -the primitive population of that territory, generally called Blackfoot -Indians. The Blackfeet formed, at the period when this history -occurred, a powerful nation, divided into three tribes, speaking the -same language. First, the tribe of the Siksekai, or Blackfeet proper; -next, the Kenhas, or Blood Indians; and lastly, the Piékanns. This -nation, when the three tribes were united, could bring under arms -nearly eight thousand warriors, which enables us to estimate the -population at twenty-five thousand souls. But, at the present day, -smallpox has decimated these Indians, and reduced them to a very much -smaller number. The Blackfeet traverse the prairies adjoining the Rocky -Mountains, sometimes even scaling those mountains between the three -forks of the Missouri, called Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers. -The Piékanns, however, go as far as Marine river, to trade with the -American Fur Company; they also barter with the Hudson's Bay Society, -and even with the Mexicans of Santa Fé. This nation, continually at -war with the whites, whom they attack whenever they have the chance, -are very little known, but greatly feared, especially for their skill -in stealing horses, and, more than that, for their notorious cruelty -and bad faith. As we have to deal principally with the Kenhas, we will -occupy ourselves more particularly with that tribe. The following is -the origin of the name "Blood Indians," given to the Kenhas:—</p> - -<p>Before the Blackfeet were divided, they happened one day to be encamped -a short distance from seven or eight tents of the Sassi Indians. A -quarrel arose between them about a woman carried off by the Sassis, -in spite of the opposition of the Piékanns, and the Kenhas resolved -to kill all their neighbours, a project which they carried out with -extraordinary ferocity and cruelty. In the middle of the night they -attacked the tents of the Sassis, and massacred them all during their -sleep, without sparing even women, children, or old men; they scalped -their victims, and regained their tents, after daubing their faces and -hands with blood.</p> - -<p>The Piékanns reproached them for this act of barbarity; a quarrel -ensued, which speedily degenerated into a combat, in consequence of -which the three Blackfoot tribes separated. The Kenhas then received -the name of Blood Indians, which they still retain, and feel a pride -in it, saying that no one insults them with impunity. The Kenhas are -the most active and indomitable of the Blackfeet: they have always -displayed more sanguinary and rapacious instincts than the other -members of their nation, especially than the Piékanns, who are justly -regarded as comparatively gentle and humane.</p> - -<p>As the three Blackfoot tribes generally live far apart, Natah Otann -must have acted with great skill, and displayed great patience, ere -he succeeded in making them join, and consent to march under the same -banner. At every moment he was constrained to employ all the resources -suggested by his fertile mind, and evince great diplomacy, in order to -prevent a rupture, which was always imminent between these men, whom -no tie attached, and whose pride revolted at the least appearance of -humiliation.</p> - -<p>After the events which occurred at the pioneer's camp, Natah Otann -resolved to lead the Count de Beaulieu and his comrades to the chief -summer village of the Kenhas, situated at no great distance from Fort -Mackenzie, one of the principal depôts of the American Fur Company. -The Kenhas had constructed this village only a year previously, and -their vicinity at first alarmed the Americans; but the conduct of -the Indians had ever been so loyal—apparently, at least, in their -transactions with the white men—that the latter, at length, did not -trouble themselves about their Redskin neighbours, except to buy their -furs, sell them whisky, and visit their village when they wanted some -amusement.</p> - -<p>After selling Black an immense territory for a dollar, Natah Otann -reminded the young man of his promise to visit his tribe, and the -Count, though secretly vexed at the obligation he Was under of -accepting an invitation which bore a great likeness to a command, -still yielded, and followed the chief, after bidding farewell to the -pioneers. Black, with his hand resting on the trigger of his rifle, -looked after the Kenha horsemen, who, according to their custom, -galloped across the prairie, when a rider turned back, and came up -to the American's camp. The pioneer recognised, with some surprise, -Bright-eye, who stopped before him.</p> - -<p>"Have you forgotten anything?" the pioneer asked him.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the hunter answered.</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"To say a word to you."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the other said, in surprise. "Go ahead, then."</p> - -<p>"I have no time to lose; answer me as plainly as I question you."</p> - -<p>"Very good! speak."</p> - -<p>"Are you grateful for what the Count has done for you?"</p> - -<p>"More than I can express."</p> - -<p>"In case of need, what would you do for him?"</p> - -<p>"Everything."</p> - -<p>"Hum! that is a heavy pledge."</p> - -<p>"It is even less than I would do; my family, my servants, all I -possess, are at his disposal."</p> - -<p>"Then you are devoted to him?"</p> - -<p>"For life and death! Under any circumstances, by day or night; whatever -may happen, at a word from him I am ready."</p> - -<p>"You swear it?"</p> - -<p>"I swear it."</p> - -<p>"I hold your promise."</p> - -<p>"I will keep it."</p> - -<p>"I expect so. Good bye."</p> - -<p>"Are you off already?"</p> - -<p>"I must rejoin my companions."</p> - -<p>"Then you have some suspicions about your Red friend?"</p> - -<p>"You must always be on your guard with Indians," the hunter said, -sententiously.</p> - -<p>"Then you are taking a precaution?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps."</p> - -<p>"In any event, count on me."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, and good bye."</p> - -<p>"Good bye."</p> - -<p>The two men parted; they understood each other.</p> - -<p>"By heaven!" the pioneer muttered, as he threw his rifle over his -shoulder, and returned to the camp; "I would not be the Indian to touch -a hair of the head of a man to whom I owe so much."</p> - -<p>The Indians had stopped on the bank of a stream, which they were about -to ford, when Bright-eye rejoined them. Natah Otann, busy talking with -the Count, threw a side glance at the hunter, but did not say a word to -him.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the latter muttered, with a crafty smile, "my absence has -bothered you, my fine fellow; you would like to know why I turned -back so suddenly; but, unluckily, I am not disposed to satisfy your -curiosity."</p> - -<p>When the ford was crossed, the Canadian took his post by the -Frenchman's side, and, by his presence, prevented the Indian chief -renewing his conversation with the Count. An hour passed, and not a -word was exchanged. Natah Otann, wearied with the hunter's obstinacy, -and not knowing how to make him retire, resolved at last to give up to -him: and, digging his spurs into his horse's flank, galloped forward, -leaving the two white men together. The hunter watched him depart, with -that caustic laugh which was one of the characteristics of his face.</p> - -<p>"Poor horse!" he said, sarcastically, "he must suffer for his master's -ill temper."</p> - -<p>"What ill temper do you mean?" the Count said, absently.</p> - -<p>"Why, the chief's, who is flying along over there in a cloud of dust."</p> - -<p>"You do not seem to have any sympathy for each other."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, we are as friendly as the grizzly bear and the jaguar."</p> - -<p>"Which means?—"</p> - -<p>"That we have measured our claws; and, as we find them at present of -the same strength and length, so we stand on the defensive."</p> - -<p>"Do you feel any malice against him?"</p> - -<p>"I? not the least in the world. I do not fear him more than he does -me; we are only distrustful because we know each other."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" the young man said, with a laugh; "that conceals, I can see, -something serious."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye frowned, and took a scrutinizing glance around. The Indians -were galloping on about twenty paces in the rear; Ivon alone, though -keeping at a respectful distance, could hear the conversation between -the two men. Bright-eye leant over to the Count, laid his hand on the -pommel of his saddle, and said, in a low voice—"I do not like tigers -covered with a fox's skin; each ought to follow the instincts of his -nature, and not try to assume others that are fictitious."</p> - -<p>"I must confess, my good fellow," the young man replied, "that you are -speaking in enigmas, and I cannot understand you at all."</p> - -<p>"Patience!" the hunter said, tossing his head; "I will be clear."</p> - -<p>"My faith! that will delight me, Bright-eye," the young man said, with -a smile; "for ever since we have again met the Indian chief, you have -affected an air of mystery, which bothers me so, that I should be -charmed to comprehend you for once."</p> - -<p>"Good! What do you think of Natah Otann</p> - -<p>"Ah! that is where you are galled still!"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will reply that this man appears to me extraordinary; there is -something strange about him, which I cannot understand. In the first -place, is he an Indian?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"But he has travelled; he has been in white society; he has been in the -interior of the United States?"</p> - -<p>The hunter shook his head. "No," he said, "he has never left his tribe."</p> - -<p>"Yet—"</p> - -<p>"Yet," Bright-eye quickly interrupted him, "he speaks English, French -and Spanish, as well as yourself, and perhaps better than I do, eh? -Before his warriors he feigns profound ignorance; like them, he -trembles at the sight of one of the results of civilization—a watch, -a musical box, or even a lucifer match, eh?"</p> - -<p>"It is true."</p> - -<p>"Then, when he finds himself with certain persons, like yourself, for -instance, sir, the Indian suddenly disappears, the savage vanishes, -and you find yourself in the presence of a man whose acquirements -are almost equal to your own, and who confounds you by his thorough -knowledge."</p> - -<p>"That is true."</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah! Well, as you consider that extraordinary as I do, you will -take your precautions, Mr. Edward."</p> - -<p>"What have I to fear from him?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know yet; but be at your ease; I shall soon know. He is -sharp, but I am not such a fool as he fancies, and am watching him. -For a long time this man has been playing a game, about which I have -hitherto troubled myself but little; now that he has drawn us into it, -he must be on his guard."</p> - -<p>"But where did he learn all he knows?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! that is a story too long to tell you at present; but you shall -hear it someday; suffice it to say, that in his tribe there is an old -chief called the White Buffalo; he is a European, and he it was who -educated the Grizzly Bear."</p> - -<p>"Ah!"</p> - -<p>"Is not that singular! a European of immense learning; a man who, in -his own country, must have held a high rank, and who thus becomes, of -his own accord, chief of the savages?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed, it is most extraordinary. Do you know this man?"</p> - -<p>"I have often seen him; he is very aged now; his beard and hair are -white; he is tall and majestic; his face is fine, his look profound; -there is something about him grand and imposing, which attracts you -against your will. Grizzly Bear holds him in great veneration, and -obeys him as if he were his son."</p> - -<p>"Who can this man be?"</p> - -<p>"No one knows. I am convinced that the Grizzly Bear shares the general -ignorance on this head."</p> - -<p>"But how did he join the tribe?"</p> - -<p>"It is not known."</p> - -<p>"He must have been long with it."</p> - -<p>"I told you so; he educated the Grizzly Bear, and made a European of -him instead of an Indian."</p> - -<p>"All that is really strange," the Count murmured, having suddenly grown -pensive.</p> - -<p>"Is it not so? But that is not all yet; you are entering a world you -do not know, accident throws you among interests you are unacquainted -with; take care; weigh well your words, calculate your slightest -gesture, Mr. Edward; for the Indians are very clever; the man you have -to deal with is cleverer than all of them, as he combines with Redskin -craft that European intelligence and corruption with which his teacher -has inculcated him. Natah Otann is a man with an incalculable depth of -calculation; his thoughts are an abyss; he must be revolving sinister -schemes; take care; his pressing you to promise a visit to his village; -his generosity to the American squatter, the secret protection with -which he surrounds you, while being the first to pretend to take you -for a superior being; all this makes me believe that he wishes to lead -you unconsciously into some dark enterprise, which will prove your -destruction. Believe me, Mr. Edward, beware of this man."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, my friend, I will watch," the Count said, pressing the -Canadian's honest hand.</p> - -<p>"You will watch," the latter said; "but do you know the way to do it?"</p> - -<p>"I confess—"</p> - -<p>"Listen to me," the hunter interrupted him; "you must first—"</p> - -<p>"Here is the chief," the young man exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Confusion!" Bright-eye growled. "Why could he not stop a few minutes -longer? I am sure that red devil has some familiar spirit to warn him; -but no matter, I have told you enough to prevent your being trapped by -false friendliness; besides, I shall be there to support you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks. When the time comes—"</p> - -<p>"I will warn you; but it is urgent that you should now compose your -countenance, and pretend to know nothing."</p> - -<p>"Good; that's settled; here is our man. Silence."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, let us talk; silence is ever interpreted either well -or ill, but generally in the latter sense. Be careful to reply in the -sense of my questions."</p> - -<p>"I will try."</p> - -<p>"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater."</p> - -<p>After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few paces -off at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,—</p> - -<p>"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chief -will be happy to procure you that pleasure."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter was -alluding to.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rode -silently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks.</p> - -<p>"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, and -longs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief, -one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reserved -the scent."</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied, -bowing with Indian gravity.</p> - -<p>The Count thanked him.</p> - -<p>"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "we -shall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive my -friends."</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grew -together, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The little -party continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri, -which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osier -beds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pink -flamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formed -a bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for a -fight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loading -them; others preparing their bows and javelins.</p> - -<p>"Are the fellows afraid of an attack?" the Count asked Bright-eye.</p> - -<p>"Not the least in the world," the latter answered; "they are only a -few minutes' ride from their village, into which they wish to enter in -triumph, in order to do you honour."</p> - -<p>"Come, come!" the young man said; "all this is charming; I did not -expect, on coming to the prairies, to be present at such singular -scenes."</p> - -<p>"You have seen nothing yet," the hunter said, ironically: "wait, we are -only at the beginning."</p> - -<p>"All the better," the Count answered, joyfully.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann made a sign, and the warriors closed up again at the same -moment; although no one was visible, a noise of conchs, drums, and -chichikouès was heard a short distance off. The warriors uttered their -war yell, and replied by raising to their lips their war whistles. -Natah Otann then placed himself at the head of the party, having the -Count on his right, the hunter and Ivon on his left; and, turning -towards his men, he brandished his weapon several times over his head, -uttering two or three shrill whistles. At this signal the whole troop -rushed forward, and turned the corner like an avalanche.</p> - -<p>The Frenchman then witnessed a strange scene, which was not without a -certain amount of savage grandeur, A troop of warriors from the village -came up, like a tornado, to meet the newcomers, shouting, howling, -brandishing their arms, and firing their guns. The two parties charged -each other with extraordinary fury and at full speed; but when scarce -ten yards apart, the horses stopped, as if of their own impulse, and -began dancing, curvetting, and performing all the most difficult -tricks of the riding school. After these manoeuvres had lasted a -few moments, the two bands formed a semicircle opposite each other, -leaving a free space between them, in which the chiefs collected. -The presentations then began. Natah Otann made a long harangue to -the chiefs, in which he gave them an account of his expedition, and -the result he had obtained. The sachems listened to it with thorough -Indian decorum. When he spoke to them of his meeting with the white -men, and what had occurred, they bowed silently, without replying; but -one chief, of venerable aspect, who seemed older than the rest, and -appeared to be treated with great consideration by his companions, -turned a profound and inquiring glance at the Count, when Natah Otann -spoke of him. The young man, troubled, in spite of himself, by the -fixed glance, stooped down to Bright-eye's ear, and asked him, in a low -voice, who the man was.</p> - -<p>"That is White Buffalo," the hunter answered, "the European I spoke to -you about."</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah!" the Count said, regarding him, in his turn, attentively; "I -do not know why, but I believe I shall have a serious row with that -gentleman before I have done."</p> - -<p>The White Buffalo then took the word.</p> - -<p>"My brothers are welcome," he said; "their return to the tribe is a -festival; they are intrepid warriors; we are happy at hearing the way -in which they have performed the duties entrusted to them." Then he -turned to the white men, and, after bowing to them, continued,—"The -Kenhas are poor, but strangers are always well received by them: the -Palefaces are our guests, all we possess belongs to them."</p> - -<p>The Count and his companions thanked the chief, who so gracefully did -the honours of his tribe; then the two parties joined, and galloped -toward the village, which was built some five hundred paces from the -spot where they were, and at the entrance of which a multitude of women -and children could be seen assembled.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE RECEPTION.</h3> - - -<p>Like all the centres of Indian population near the American clearings, -the Kenha village was more like a fort than an open town. As we said -before, the Kenhas had only a short time previously established -themselves there, by the advice of Natah Otann. The spot was -magnificently selected, and owing to the precautions taken, the hill -was completely protected from a sudden attack. The wigwams were built -without any order, on both sides a stream, and the fortifications -consisted of a sort of intrenchment formed of dead trees. These -fortifications formed an inclosure, having several angles, and the -gorge or open part rested on the spot where the stream fell into the -Missouri. A parapet of tree stems and piled up branches, built up -on the edge of a deep ditch, completed a very respectable defensive -system, which few would have expected to find in the heart of the -prairies.</p> - -<p>In the centre of the village, a wide, vacant spot served as the meeting -place for the chiefs. In the centre there was a wigwam of wood, in the -shape of a sugar loaf. On either side of the building, maize, wheat, -and other cereals kept for winter consumption were drying. A little in -advance of the village were two block houses, formed of arrow-shaped -intrenchments, covered with wickerwork, provided with loopholes, and -surrounded by an enclosure of palisades. They were intended for the -defence of the village, with which they communicated by a covered -way, and to command the river and the plain. To leeward of these -block houses, and about a mile to the east, might be seen a number of -<i>Machotlé</i>, or scaffoldings, on which the Blood Indians lay their dead. -At regular distances on the road leading to the village, long poles -were planted in the ground, from which hung skins, scalps, and other -objects offered by the Indians to the Master of Life and the first man.</p> - -<p>The Indians made their entrance into the village amid the cheers of the -women and children, the barking of dogs, and the deafening clamour of -drums, shells, chichikouès, and war whistles. On reaching the square, -at a signal from Natah Otann, the band halted, and the noise ceased. An -immense fire had been prepared, before which stood an aged chief, still -robust and upright. A shade of melancholy was spread over his face. He -was in mourning, as was easily to be seen by the ragged clothes that -covered him, and his hair cut short and mingled with clay. He held in -his hand a Dacotah pipe, the stem of which was long and adorned with -yellow glistening beads. This man was Cloven Foot, the first and most -renowned sachem of the Kenhas. So soon as the band had halted, he -advanced two paces, and with a majestic gesture invited the chiefs to -dismount.</p> - -<p>"My sons are at home," he said, "let them take their seats on the -buffalo robes around the council fire."</p> - -<p>Each obeyed silently, and sat down, after bowing respectfully to the -sachem. Cloven Foot then allowed each to take a few puffs from his -pipe, still holding it in his hand. When it was returned to him, he -emptied the burning ash into the fire, and turning with a kind of smile -to the strangers, said:—</p> - -<p>"The Palefaces are our guests. There are fire and water here."</p> - -<p>After these words, which ended the ceremony, all rose and retired -without uttering a word, according to the Indian custom. Natah Otann -then went up to the Count.</p> - -<p>"Let my brother follow me," he said.</p> - -<p>"Where to?" the young man asked.</p> - -<p>"To the cabin I have had prepared for him."</p> - -<p>"And my companions?"</p> - -<p>"Other wigwams await them."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye made a sign, immediately checked by the Count.</p> - -<p>"Pardon, chief," he said, "but with your permission my comrades will -live with me."</p> - -<p>The hunter smiled, as a shade of dissatisfaction crossed the Indian's -face.</p> - -<p>"The young Pale chief will be uncomfortable, for he is accustomed to -the immense huts of the whites."</p> - -<p>"That is possible; but I shall be more uncomfortable if my comrades do -not remain with me, in order to keep me company."</p> - -<p>"The hospitality of the Kenhas is great. They are rich, and could give -each a private cabin, even if their guests were more numerous."</p> - -<p>"I am convinced of it, and thank them for their attention, by which, -however, I decline to profit. Solitude frightens me. I should be -worried to death had I not with me someone to talk with."</p> - -<p>"Be it then as the young Pale chief desires. Guests have a right to -command. Their requests are orders."</p> - -<p>"I thank you for your condescension, and am ready to follow you."</p> - -<p>"Come."</p> - -<p>With that rapidity of resolution which the Indians possess in so -eminent a degree, Natah Otann shut up his vexation in his heart, and -not a trace of emotion again appeared on his stoical countenance. The -three men followed him, after exchanging a meaning glance. A handsome, -lofty cabin had been built in the square itself, near the hut of the -first man, a species of cylinder formed in the earth, and surrounded -with creeping plants. To this cabin the chief now led his guests. A -woman was standing silently in the doorway, fixing on the newcomers a -glance in which admiration and astonishment were blended. But was it a -woman? this angelic creature, with her vague outline, whose delicious -face, blushing with modesty and simple curiosity, turned towards the -Count with anxious timidity. The young man asked himself this very -question on contemplating this charming apparition, which resembled one -of those divine virgins in the mythology of the ancient Sclavons. On -seeing her, Natah Otann paused.</p> - -<p>"What is my sister doing here?" he asked her, roughly.</p> - -<p>The girl, startled from her silent contemplation by this brusque -address, shuddered, and let her eyes fall.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower wishes to welcome her adopted father," she replied -gently, in a sweet melodious voice.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower's place is not here, I will speak with her presently: -let her go and rejoin her companions, the young maidens of the tribe."</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower blushed still deeper, her rosy lips pouted, and after -shaking her head petulantly twice, she flew away like a bird, casting -at the Count, as she fled, a parting glance, which caused him an -incomprehensible emotion.</p> - -<p>The young man laid his hand on his heart, to suppress its beating, and -followed the girl with his eyes till she disappeared behind a cabin.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" the chief muttered aside, "can she have suddenly recognized a -being of that accursed race to which she belongs?"</p> - -<p>Then turning to the white men, whose eyes he felt instinctively were -fixed on him,—</p> - -<p>"Enter," he said, raising the buffalo skin, which served as a door to -the cabin.</p> - -<p>They went in. By Natah Otann's care the cabin had been cleaned, -and every comfort it was possible to find placed in it, that is to -say—piles of furs to serve as a bed, a rickety table, some wooden -clumsy benches, and a species of reed easy chair, with a large back.</p> - -<p>"The Paleface will excuse the poor Indians if they have not done more -to welcome him as he deserves," the chief said, with a mixture of irony -and humility.</p> - -<p>"It is all famous," the young man answered with a smile; "I certainly -did not expect so much; besides, I have been on the prairie long enough -to satisfy myself with what is strictly necessary."</p> - -<p>"Now I ask the Pale chiefs permission to retire."</p> - -<p>"Yes, go, my worthy host; do so: do not put yourself out of the way. -Attend to your business. For my part I intend taking that rest I need -so sadly."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann bowed in reply, and withdrew. So soon as he was gone, -Bright-eye made his comrades a sign to remain motionless, and began -inspecting the place, peering into every corner. When he had ended -this inspection, which produced no farther result than proving to him -they were really alone, and that no spy was on the watch, he returned -to the centre of the hut, and calling the Count and Ivon toward him, -said in a low voice:—</p> - -<p>"Listen: we are now in the wolfs throat by our own fault, and we must -be prudent; in the prairies the leaves have eyes and the trees ears. -Natah Otann is a demon, who is planning some treachery, of which he -intends to make us the victims."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" the Count said, lightly. "How do you know it, Bright-eye?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know it, yet I feel sure of it; my instinct never deceives -me, Mr. Edward. I have known the Kenhas a long time; we must get out of -this as adroitly as we can."</p> - -<p>"Eh! what use are such suspicions, my friend? The poor devils, I am -convinced, only think of treating us properly; all this appears to me -admirable."</p> - -<p>The Canadian shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I should like to know the cause of the strange respect the Indians pay -you; that conceals something, I repeat."</p> - -<p>"Bah! they are afraid of me; that's all."</p> - -<p>"Hum! Natah Otann does not fear much in this world."</p> - -<p>"Why, Bright-eye, I never saw you in this state before. Did I not know -you so thoroughly, I should say you were afraid."</p> - -<p>"Hang me! if I'll try to conceal it," the hunter replied, quickly. "I -am afraid, and terribly so."</p> - -<p>"You?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but not for myself; you know that during the time I have -journeyed on the prairies, if the Redskins could have killed me, they -would have done so. Hence, I am perfectly calm on my own account, and -were there only myself—"</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"I should not be at all embarrassed."</p> - -<p>"Whom are you afraid for, then?"</p> - -<p>"For you."</p> - -<p>"Me!" the Count exclaimed, as he reclined carelessly in the easy chair. -"You do these scamps a deal of honour. With my whip I would put all -these hideous people to flight."</p> - -<p>The hunter shook his head.</p> - -<p>"You will not, Mr. Edward, persuade yourself thoroughly of one thing."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"That the Indians are different men from the Europeans with whom you -have hitherto had dealings."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, were a man to listen to you wood rangers, he would be, at -every two steps, in danger of death, and it would be impossible to -move, except by crawling on all fours, like the wild beasts; that is -all trash, my good fellow. I fancy I have already twenty times proved -to you that such precautions are useless, and that a man, who boldly -meets danger, will always get the best of the most warlike Redskins."</p> - -<p>"It is exactly the reason that makes them act toward you in that way, I -wish to discover."</p> - -<p>"You would do better to try and discover something else."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Who that charming girl is, of whom I only had a glance, and whom the -chief sent away so brutally."</p> - -<p>"Good! then I suppose you have fallen in love now; that's the last -thing wanting."</p> - -<p>"Why not? She is a charming girl."</p> - -<p>"Yes; she is charming, sir; but, believe me, do not trouble yourself -about her."</p> - -<p>"And why so, if you please?"</p> - -<p>"Because she is not what she seems to be."</p> - -<p>"Why, it's a perfect romance of the Anne Radcliffe school; we have been -advancing from mystery to mystery during the last few days."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and the further we go, the more gloomy matters will become around -us."</p> - -<p>"Bah, bah! I do not believe a word. Ivon, take off my boots."</p> - -<p>The man-servant obeyed. Since his entry into the village, the worthy -Breton had been in one continued trance, and trembled in all his -limbs. All he saw seemed to him so extraordinary and horrible, that he -expected every moment to be massacred.</p> - -<p>"Well," the Count asked him, "what do you think of it all, Ivon?"</p> - -<p>"Your lordship knows that I am a great coward," the Breton stammered.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, that is agreed; go on."</p> - -<p>"I am terribly afraid."</p> - -<p>"Naturally."</p> - -<p>"And if your lordship will allow me, I will carry my furs over there, -and sleep across the doorway."</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Because, as I am very frightened, I shall not sleep soundly; and if -anyone comes in the night, with ill intentions, he will be obliged to -step over me; I shall hear him, and, in that way, be able to warn you, -which will give you time to defend yourself."</p> - -<p>The young man threw himself back, and burst into a Homeric laugh, in -which Bright-eye joined, in spite of his thoughtfulness.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" the Count exclaimed, looking at his servant, who was in -amazement at this gaiety, which seemed to him unsuitable at so grave -a moment—"I must confess, Ivon, that you are the most extraordinary -poltroon I ever saw."</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir," he answered with contrition, "it is not my fault; for I do -all I can to gain courage, but it is impossible."</p> - -<p>"Good, good!" the young man went on, still laughing. "I am not angry -with you, my poor fellow; as it is stronger than yourself, you must put -up with it."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" the Breton said, uttering an enormous sigh.</p> - -<p>"Well, you can sleep how and where you like, Ivon; I leave it entirely -to you."</p> - -<p>The Breton, without further reply, began transferring the furs to the -place he had selected, while the Count went on talking with the hunter.</p> - -<p>"As for you, Bright-eye," he said, "I leave you at liberty to watch -over our safety as you may think proper, promising not to disarrange -your plans in any way, and even to promote them, if necessary—but on -one condition."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"That you will arrange so that I may meet again that charming creature, -of whom I have already spoken to you."</p> - -<p>"Take care, Mr. Edward!"</p> - -<p>"I want to see her again, I tell you, even if I am obliged to go and -look for her myself."</p> - -<p>"You will not do so, Mr. Edward."</p> - -<p>"I will do so, on my soul! and at once, if you continue in that tone."</p> - -<p>"You will reflect."</p> - -<p>"I now reflect, and find it the best plan."</p> - -<p>"But do you know who that girl is?"</p> - -<p>"By Jove! you have just said it; she is a girl, and a charming one in -the bargain."</p> - -<p>"Granted; but I repeat, she is loved by Natah Otann."</p> - -<p>"What do I care?"</p> - -<p>"Take care!"</p> - -<p>"I will not: I must see her again."</p> - -<p>"At any risk?"</p> - -<p>"At all."</p> - -<p>"Well, listen to me, then."</p> - -<p>"I will, but be brief."</p> - -<p>"I will tell you this girl's history."</p> - -<p>"You know her then?"</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"Go on; I am all attention."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye drew up a bench, eat down with an air of dissatisfaction, -and, after a moment's reflection, began.</p> - -<p>"Just fifteen years ago, Natah Otann, who was hardly twenty years of -age, but already a renowned warrior, left his tribe, at the head of -some fifty picked warriors, to attempt a <i>coup de main</i> on the Whites. -At that period, the Kenhas did not live where they now are; the Fur -Company had not advanced so far on the Missouri, and Fort Mackenzie did -not exist. The Blood Indians hunted freely on the vast territories from -which the Americans have since expelled them. Up to that moment, Natah -Otann had never been the commander in chief of an expedition; like all -young men of his age and circumstances, his brow shone with pride; he -burned to distinguish himself, and prove to the sachems of his nation -that he was worthy to command brave warriors. So soon as he entered -on the war trail, he scattered his spies in every direction, and even -forbade his men smoking, lest the light of their pipes might betray his -presence. In short, he took, with extreme wisdom, all the precautions -employed in similar cases. His expedition was brilliant; he surprised -several caravans, and plundered and burned the clearings; his men -returned laden with booty, and the bits of their horses garnished with -scalps. Natah Otann only brought back, as his share, a weak creature -of two or three years of age at the most, whom he bore tenderly in his -arms, or laid on the front of his saddle. That child was the tall and -lovely girl you saw today."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Is she white or red, American or Spanish?"</p> - -<p>"No one knows; no one will ever know. You are aware that many Indians -are born white, thus colour is of no avail in finding her relations -again. In short, the chief adopted her; but, strange to say, as she -grew up, she gained such an ascendency over Natah Otann's mind, -that the chief of the tribe grew alarmed; besides, the life led by -Prairie-Flower—that is her name—"</p> - -<p>"I knew it," the Count interrupted him.</p> - -<p>"Good," the hunter continued, "I say, then, that this girl's life is -extraordinary; instead of being sportive and laughing, like girls of -her age, she is gloomy, dreamy, and wild, wandering ever alone on the -prairie, flying over the dew-laden grass like a gazelle; or else, at -night, dreaming in the moonlight, and muttering words no one hears. At -times, from a distance (for no one ventures to approach her), another -shadow may be traced by the side of her's, and moving for hours at her -side: then she returns alone to the village; if questioned, only shakes -her head, and begins crying."</p> - -<p>"That is really strange."</p> - -<p>"Is it not? so much so, that the chiefs assembled in council, and -agreed that Prairie-Flower had cast a charm over her adopted father."</p> - -<p>"The asses!" the Count muttered.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," the hunter went on, turning his head; "at any rate, they -agreed that she should be left alone to perish in the desert."</p> - -<p>"Poor child! Well, what happened then?"</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann and White Buffalo, who were not summoned to the council, -went there on learning this decision, and succeeded by their deceitful -words in so thoroughly altering the chiefs' sentiments, that they not -only gave up all idea of deserting her, but she has since been regarded -as the tutelary genius of the tribe."</p> - -<p>"And Natah Otann?"</p> - -<p>"His condition is still the same."</p> - -<p>"Is that all?"</p> - -<p>"It is."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, Bright-eye, within two days I shall know whether that -girl is the enchantress you fancy her, and what I am to think on the -subject."</p> - -<p>The hunter only answered by an unintelligible grunt, and, saying no -more, lay down on his furs.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE WHITE BUFFALO.</h3> - - -<p>So soon as Natah Otann emerged from the cabin into which he had -conducted the Count, he proceeded towards the hut inhabited by White -Buffalo. The night was beginning to fall; the Kenhas, collected round -fires kindled at the door of each wigwam, were conversing gaily while -smoking their long calumets. The chief replied by a nod of the head, as -a friendly sign to the affectionate salutations the warriors made him -whom he met; but he did not stop to talk with anyone, and continued his -walk with greater rapidity as the darkness grew denser. He at length -reached a cabin, situated at the extremity of the village, on the banks -of the Missouri. The chief, after taking a scrutinizing glance around, -stopped before this hut, and prepared to enter. Still in the act of -raising the buffalo curtain that served as a doorway, he hesitated for -a few seconds, and appeared to be collecting his courage.</p> - -<p>This dwelling, externally, had nothing to distinguish it from the -others forming the village; it was round, with a roof shaped like a -beehive, made of intertwined branches, with clay stuffed between them, -and covered with matting. Still, after a moment's reflection, Natah -Otann raised the curtain, walked in, and stopped at the threshold, -saying in French—</p> - -<p>"Good evening, my father."</p> - -<p>"Good evening, child, I was awaiting you impatiently: come, sit down by -my side, we have to talk."</p> - -<p>These words were uttered in the same language, and in a gentle voice.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann took a few steps forward, and let the curtain fall behind -him. If, externally, the hut the Chief had just entered was not -distinguished from the others, that was not the case with the interior. -All that human industry can imagine, when reduced to its simplest -expressions, that is to say, when deprived of tools and matters of -primary necessity to express its thoughts, had been as it were invented -by the master of this house. Hence the interior of this hut was a sort -of strange pandemonium, in which were collected the most discordant -articles, apparently least suited to be side by side. Differing from -the other wigwams, this cabin had two windows, in which oiled paper -was substituted for glass; in one corner was a bed, in the centre a -table, a few scattered chairs, and armchair by the table, but all these -articles carved with an axe, and clumsily. Such was the furniture of -this singular room.</p> - -<p>On shelves, some forty volumes, for the most part out of their binding; -stuffed animals hanging by cords, insects, &c.; in a word, an infinite -number of things without name, but classified, arranged, and labelled, -completed this singular abode, which more resembled the cell of an -anchorite, or the secret den of a mediaeval alchemist, than the abode -of an Indian chief; and yet this hut belonged to White Buffalo, one -of the first Kenha chiefs. But, as we have said, this chief was a -European, and had, doubtlessly, kept up some reminiscences of his past -life, the last rays of a lost existence.</p> - -<p>At the moment when Natah Otann entered the hut, White Buffalo, seated -in the easy chair at the table, with his head resting on his hands, -was reading by the light of a lamp, whose smoky wick only spread a -flickering and uncertain light around, from a large folio, with yellow -and worn leaves. He raised his head, took off his spectacles, which -he placed in the book, and, turning the chair half round, the old man -smiled, and, pointing to a chair in a kindly way, said—</p> - -<p>"Come, my child, sit down there."</p> - -<p>The Chief took a chair, drew it to the table, and sat down, without any -reply. The old man looked at him attentively for a few moments, and -then said:—</p> - -<p>"Hem! you appear to me very thoughtful for a man who, as I suppose, has -just obtained a grand result so long expected. What can render you so -gloomy? Would you hesitate, now you are on the point of success? or are -you beginning to understand that the work which, in spite of me, you -wished to undertake, is beyond the strength of a man left to himself, -and who has only an old man to support him?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," the Chief answered, in a hollow voice. "Oh why, my -father, did you let me taste the bitter fruit of that accursed -civilization, which was not made for me? Why have your lessons made -of me a man differing from those who surround me, and with whom I am -compelled to live and die?"</p> - -<p>"Blind man! when I showed you the sun, you allowed yourself to be -dazzled by the beams; your weak eyes could not endure the light; in -the place of that ignorance and brutalization in which you would have -vegetated all the days of your life, I developed in you the only -feeling which elevates man above the brute. I taught you to think, to -judge, and this is the way in which you recompense me. This is the -reward you give me for the pains I have taken, and the cares I have -never ceased to bestow on you."</p> - -<p>"My father!"</p> - -<p>"Do not attempt to exculpate yourself, child," the old man said, with -a shade of bitterness. "I should have expected what now happens, -ingratitude and egotism are deposited in man's heart by Providence, -as his safeguard. Without those two supreme virtues of humanity, no -society would be possible. I am not angry with you; I have no right to -be so; and, as the sage says, you are a man, and no human feeling must -be alien to you."</p> - -<p>"I make neither plaint nor recrimination, my father; I know that you -have acted towards me with good intentions," the Chief replied, "but, -unfortunately, your lessons have produced a very different result -from what you awaited: in developing my ideas, you have, without your -knowledge or mine, increased my wants; the life I lead preys upon -me: the men who surround me are a burden to me, because they cannot -understand me, and I can no longer understand them. As respects myself, -my mind rushes towards an unknown horizon. I dream wide awake of -strange and impossible things. I suffer from an incurable malady, and -cannot define it. I hopelessly love a woman, of whom I am jealous, -and who can never be mine, save by a crime. Oh, my father, I am very -wretched!"</p> - -<p>"Child!" the old man exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders in pity. "What, -you are unhappy! Your grief inclines me to laughter. Man has in himself -the germ of good and evil; if you suffer, you have only yourself -to blame. You are young, intelligent, powerful, the first of your -nation: what do you want for happiness? Nothing. If you wish to be so -permanently, stifle in your heart that insensate passion which devours -it, and follow, without looking to the right or left, the glorious -mission you have traced for yourself. What can be more noble or grander -than the deliverance and regeneration of a people?"</p> - -<p>"Alas! can I do it?"</p> - -<p>"What! you doubt?" the old man shouted, striking the table with his -fist and looking him in the face; "then you are lost: renounce your -plans, you will not succeed; on a road like that you follow, hesitation -or stoppage is ruin."</p> - -<p>"Father!"</p> - -<p>"Silence," he said, with redoubled energy, "and listen to me; when you -first revealed your plans to me, I tried by all arguments possible -to make you abandon them. I proved to you that your resolves were -premature. That the Indians, brutalized by a lengthened slavery, were -only the shadow of their former selves; and that to attempt to arouse -in them any noble or generous feeling was like galvanizing a corpse. -You resisted; you would hear nothing; you went Headlong into intrigues -and plots of every description—is it not so?"</p> - -<p>"It is true."</p> - -<p>"Well! now it is too late to return; you must go on at all risks. You -may fall, but you will do so with honour; and your name, cherished by -all, will swell the martyrology of the chosen men who have devoted -themselves to their country."</p> - -<p>"Things are not yet sufficiently advanced, I think, for me——"</p> - -<p>"Not to be able to withdraw—you mean?" he interrupted him.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken; while you were engaged in collecting your partisans, -and preparing to take up arms, do you fancy I remained inactive?" -"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that your enemies suspect your plans; are watching you; and if -you do not prevent them, will lay a trap, into, which you will fall."</p> - -<p>"I?" the chief said, violently. "We shall see."</p> - -<p>"Then redouble your activity; do not let yourself be taken unawares; -and, above all, be prudent, for you are closely watched, I repeat."</p> - -<p>"How do you know it?"</p> - -<p>"That I know it, is sufficient, I imagine; trust to my prudence. I am -on the watch. Let the spies and traitors fall asleep in a doubtful -security; were we to unmask them, others would take their place, -and we are better off with those we know; in that way none of their -movements escape us, we know what they are doing and what they want, -and while they flatter themselves with the idea of knowing our plans, -and divulging them to their paymasters, we are their masters, and amuse -them with false information, which conceals our real plans. Believe me, -their confidence produces our security."</p> - -<p>"You are always right, my father. I trust entirely to you. But may I -not be permitted to know the names of the traitors?"</p> - -<p>"For what end, since I know them? When the time arrives, I will tell -you all."</p> - -<p>"Be it so."</p> - -<p>There was a lengthened silence; the two men, absorbed in thought, -did not notice a grinning head over the curtain in the doorway, and -which had for a long time been listening to their conversation. But -the man, whoever he might be, who indulged in this espial, every now -and then gave signs of ill temper and disappointment. In fact, while -listening to the two chiefs, he had forgotten one thing, that he could -not understand a word of what they said, for they spoke in French, and -that was a sad disappointment to the spy. Still he did not despair, but -continued to listen, in the hope that they might at any moment revert -to his idiom.</p> - -<p>"And now," the old man continued, "give me an account of your trip. -When you went away, you were happy, and hoped, as you told me, to bring -back with you the man you wanted to play the principal part in your -conspiracy."</p> - -<p>"Well, you saw him here today, my father. He is here. This evening he -entered the village by my side."</p> - -<p>"Oh! oh! explain that to me, my child," the old man said, with a -gentle smile, and settling himself in the easy chair to listen at his -ease. By an imperceptible movement, and while seeming to listen with -the greatest attention, he drew towards him the heavy pistol that lay -before him.</p> - -<p>"Go on," he said; "I am listening."</p> - -<p>"About six months ago, I do not know if I told you of it then, I -succeeded in capturing a Canadian hunter, to whom I owe an old grudge."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute. I fancy I have a confused remembrance of it. A certain -Bright-eye, I think, eh?"</p> - -<p>"The very man. Well! I was furious with him, because he had mocked us -so long, and killed my warriors with extraordinary skill. So soon as he -was in my power I resolved he should die by violence."</p> - -<p>"Although, as you know, I do not approve of that barbarous custom, you -were in the right, and I cannot offer any opposition to it."</p> - -<p>"He, too, made no objection; on the contrary, he derided us; in a -word, he rendered us so mad with him, that I gave the order for the -punishment. At the moment that he was about to die, a man, or rather a -demon, appeared all at once, rushed among us, and careless as it seemed -of the risk he ran, unfastened the prisoner."</p> - -<p>"Hum! he was a brave man, do you know?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but his daring action would have cost him dear; when suddenly, at -a signal from myself, all my warriors fell at his feet, with marks of -the most profound respect."</p> - -<p>"Oh! what are you telling me now?"</p> - -<p>"The strictest truth: on looking this man in the face, I perceived on -his face two extraordinary signs."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"A scar over the right eyebrow, and a black mark under the eye, on the -same side of the face."</p> - -<p>"That is strange," the old man muttered, pensively.</p> - -<p>"But what is still more so, this man exactly resembles the portrait -which you drew, and which is in that book."</p> - -<p>"What did you do then?"</p> - -<p>"You know my coolness and rapidity of resolution. I let the man depart -with the prisoner."</p> - -<p>"Well! and afterwards?"</p> - -<p>"I pretended as if I did not wish to meet him."</p> - -<p>"Better and better still," the old man said, with a nod of his head, -and with a movement swift as thought, he cocked the pistol he held in -his hand, and fired. A cry of pain was heard from the door, and the -head disappeared suddenly under the curtain. The two men jumped up, and -rushed out, but saw nothing, except that a rather large pool of blood -clearly indicated that the shot had told.</p> - -<p>"What have you done, my father?" Natah Otann exclaimed, in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Nothing. I have merely given a lesson, rather a rough one, to one of -those spies I mentioned to you just now."</p> - -<p>And he went back coolly, and eat down again. Natah Otann wished to -follow the bloody trail left by the fugitive, but the old man checked -him.</p> - -<p>"Stay! what I have done is sufficient; continue your story, which is -deeply interesting. Still you can see you have no time to lose, if you -wish to succeed."</p> - -<p>"I will lose none, father, you may be assured," the Chief exclaimed, -wrathfully, "but I swear that I will know the scoundrel."</p> - -<p>"You would do wrong to seek him. Come, proceed with your narrative."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann then described in full detail his meeting with the Count, -and in what way he had made him consent to follow him to his village. -This time no incident interrupted his story, and it seemed as if the -lesson read by White Buffalo to the listener was sufficient for the -present. The old man laughed heartily at the experiment with the -matches, and the Count's surprise when he perceived that the man he had -hitherto taken for a coarse and half-idiot savage was, on the contrary, -a man endowed with an intellect and education at least equal to his own.</p> - -<p>"And what shall I do now?" Natah Otann added, in conclusion. "He is -here; but with him is Bright-eye, in whom he places the greatest -confidence."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" the old man answered, "all this is very serious. In the first -place, my son, you did wrong to let him know you as you really are: you -were much stronger than he, so long as he merely fancied you a stupid -savage: you allowed your pride to carry you away through the desire to -shine in the eyes of a European. It is a great fault, for now he doubts -you, and keeps on his guard."</p> - -<p>The young man looked down, and made no reply.</p> - -<p>"However," the old man went on, "I will try to arrange matters; but I -must first see this Bright-eye and have a talk with him."</p> - -<p>"You will obtain nothing, my father; he is devoted to the Count."</p> - -<p>"The greater reason, child. In which hut have you lodged them?"</p> - -<p>"In the old council lodge."</p> - -<p>"Good! they will be convenient there, and it will be easy to hear all -they say."</p> - -<p>"That is what I thought."</p> - -<p>"Now, one last remark."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Why did you not kill the She-wolf of the Prairies?"</p> - -<p>"I did not see her. I was not in the camp; but I would not have done -so."</p> - -<p>The old man laid his hand on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann, my son," he said to him, in a stern voice, "when a man -like yourself is intrusted with the fortunes of a people, he must -recoil before nothing. A dead enemy makes the living sleep quietly. The -She-wolf of the Prairies is your enemy. You know it; and her influence -is immense over the superstitious minds of the Redskins. Remember these -words, uttered by an old, experienced man:—As you would not kill her, -she will kill you."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann smiled contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" he said, "a wretched, half-mad woman."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" White Buffalo replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "are you -ignorant that a woman lurks behind every great event? They kill men of -genius for futile interests, and paltry passions cause the finest and -boldest prospects to fail."</p> - -<p>"Yes; you are, perhaps, right," Natah Otann said; "but I feel I cannot -stain my hands with that woman's blood."</p> - -<p>"Scruples, poor child," White Buffalo said, with disdain; "well, I do -not insist; but be assured that scruples will ruin you. The man who -wishes to govern others must be made of marble, and have no feelings of -humanity, else his prospects will be nipped in the bud, and his foes -will ridicule him. That which has ever ruined the greatest geniuses -is, that they would not comprehend this fact; but worked for their -successors and not for themselves."</p> - -<p>In speaking thus, the old man had involuntarily let himself be carried -away by the tumultuous feelings that still agitated his mind. His eye -sparkled; his brow was unwrinkled; his glance had an irresistible -majesty; he had returned, in thought, to his old days of struggling -and triumph. Natah Otann listened to him, yielding to the dominating -ascendency of this prostrated giant, who was so great even after his -fall.</p> - -<p>"What am I saying? I am mad! pardon me, child," the old man continued, -sinking in his chair despondingly. "Go, leave me; tomorrow, at sunrise, -I may, perhaps, have some news for you."</p> - -<p>And he dismissed the Chief with a sign. The latter, accustomed to these -outbursts, bowed, and departed.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE SPY.</h3> - - -<p>The pistol shot fired by the White Buffalo had not quite produced the -result the latter expected from it. The man was wounded; but the haste -with which the chief had been obliged to fire, injured the precision -of his aim, and the listener escaped with a slight wound; the bullet -grazed his skull, and only produced a copious hemorrhage. Still this -hurt had been enough for the spy, who saw that he was unmasked, and -that a longer stay at the spot would inevitably produce a catastrophe; -hence he ran off at full speed. After running for several minutes, -feeling certain that he had thrown off any persons inclined to follow -him, he stopped to draw breath, and attend to his wound, which still -bled profusely. In consequence, he looked anxiously around him; but -all was silent and solitary. A dense snowstorm, which had been falling -for many an hour, had compelled the Indians to seek shelter in their -lodges The firing of the pistol had caused no panic, for the Redskins, -accustomed to nocturnal disputes in their villages, had not stirred. -No other noise could be heard but the barking of a few straying dogs, -and the hoarse cries of the wild beasts that wandered over the prairie -in search of prey. The spy, reassured by the calm prevailing in the -village, set about bandaging the wound, in his heart thanking the snow -for falling, as it effaced the traces of blood left in his flight.</p> - -<p>"Come," he muttered, in a low voice, "I shall know nothing this night; -the genius of evil protects those men; I will go into the cabin."</p> - -<p>He turned a parting glance around, and prepared to start; but, at the -same moment, a white shadow, gliding over the snow like a phantom, -passed a short distance from him.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" the Indian muttered, suddenly assailed by a -superstitious terror. "Is the 'Virgin of the dark hours' wandering -about the village? What terrible misfortune is menacing us then?"</p> - -<p>The Indian bent forward, and, as if attracted by a superior power, -followed with his eyes the strange apparition, whose white outline was -already blending with the distant gloom.</p> - -<p>"That creature is not walking," he said to himself, with terror; -"she leaves no footfall on the snow. Is she a Genius hostile to the -Blackfeet? There is a mystery about this which I must fathom."</p> - -<p>The instinct of the spy heightening the curiosity of the Indian, the -latter soon forgot his terror for a moment, and rushed boldly in -pursuit of the phantom. After an interval of a few minutes, the shadow -or spectre stopped, and looked around with evident indecision. The -Indian, lest he might be discovered, had just time to hide himself -behind the wall of a cabin; but a pale gleam of moonlight, emerging -between two clouds, had, for a second, lighted up the face of the -person he was pursuing.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower!" he muttered, suppressing with difficulty a cry of -surprise.</p> - -<p>In fact, that was the person thus wandering about in the darkness. -After some hesitation, the maiden raised her head, and walked -resolutely toward a cabin, the buffalo skin of which she lifted with -a firm hand. She entered, and let the curtain fall behind her. The -Indian bounded up to the cabin, walked round it, thrust his knife up -to the hilt in the wall, turned it round twice or thrice, to enlarge -the hole, and, placing his ear to it, listened. The most complete quiet -continued to prevail in the village.</p> - -<p>At the first step the young girl took in the lodge, a shadow suddenly -rose before her, and a hand fell upon her shoulder; instinctively she -recoiled.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" a menacing voice asked. This question was asked in -French, which rendered it doubly unintelligible by the Indian girl.</p> - -<p>"Answer! or I'll blow out your brains," the voice continued.</p> - -<p>And the sharp sound produced by cocking a pistol could be heard.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" the girl replied in her gentle, melodious voice, "I am a friend."</p> - -<p>"It is evidently a woman," the first speaker growled, "but no matter, -we must be prudent. What on earth does she want here?"</p> - -<p>"Halloh!" Bright-eye suddenly shouted, aroused by this short -altercation, "what's the matter there, what have you caught, Ivon?"</p> - -<p>"My faith, I don't know; I believe it is a woman."</p> - -<p>"Eh, eh," the hunter said, with a laugh, "let us have a look at that: -don't let her escape."</p> - -<p>"Don't be alarmed," the Breton replied, "I have hold of her."</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower remained motionless, not making the slightest effort to -escape from the clutch of the man who held her. Bright-eye rose, felt -his way to the fire, and began blowing it up. In a few minutes a bright -flame burst forth, and illumined the interior of the lodge.</p> - -<p>"Stay, stay," the hunter said, with surprise, "you are welcome, girl; -what do you want here?"</p> - -<p>The Indian maid blushed, and replied:—</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower has come to visit her friends, the Palefaces."</p> - -<p>"The hour is a strange one for a visit, my child," the Canadian -continued, with an ironical smile; "but no matter," he added, turning -to the Breton, "let her loose, Ivon; this enemy, if she is one, is not -very dangerous."</p> - -<p>The other obeyed with ill grace.</p> - -<p>"Come to the fire, girl," the hunter said, "your limbs are frozen; when -you have warmed yourself, you can tell us the cause of your presence -here at this late hour."</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower smiled sadly, and sat down by the fire, Bright-eye -taking a place by her side. The girl had with one glance surveyed the -interior of the lodge, and perceived the Count sleeping tranquilly on a -pile of furs. Bright-eye's whole life had been spent in the desert; he -was thoroughly acquainted with the character of the Redskins, and knew -that circumspection and prudence are their two guiding principles. That -an Indian never attempts anything without having first calculated all -the consequences, and that he never decides on doing a thing contrary -to Indian habits, except from some pressing motive. The hunter, -therefore, suspected that the object of the young girl's visit was -important, though unable to read, beneath the mask of impassibility -that covered her face, the motive that caused her to act.</p> - -<p>The Redskins are not, like other men, easy to question; cunning and -finesse obtain no advantage over these doubtful natives. The most -skilful Old Bailey practitioner would get nothing out of them, but -confess himself vanquished, after making an Indian undergo the closest -cross-examination. If one of these shades of character were unknown to -the hunter; hence he was careful not to let the girl suppose that he -took any interest in her explanation.</p> - -<p>With a nod of the head, Bright-eye soon gave Ivon the order to go to -sleep again, which he did immediately. The girl was sitting by the -fire, warming herself mechanically, while every now and then taking a -side glance at the hunter. But the latter had lit his pipe, and, nearly -concealed by the dense cloud of smoke that surrounded him, appeared -completely absorbed in his agreeable occupation. The two remained -thus face to face nearly half an hour, and did not exchange a word; -at length Bright-eye shook out the ash on his left thumbnail, put his -pipe in his belt, and rose. Prairie-Flower followed his every movement, -without appearing to attach any importance to it; she saw him collect -furs, carry them to a dark corner of the lodge, where he spread them so -as to form a species of bed; then, when he fancied it was soft enough, -he threw a coverlid over it, and returned to the fire.</p> - -<p>"My Pale brother has prepared a bed," Prairie-Flower said, laying her -hand on his arm, just as he was about to draw out his pipe again.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied.</p> - -<p>"Why four beds for three persons?"</p> - -<p>Bright-eye looked at her with a perfectly natural amazement.</p> - -<p>"Are we not four?" he said.</p> - -<p>"I only see the two Pale hunters and my brother—for whom is the last -bed?"</p> - -<p>"For my sister, Prairie-Flower, I suppose; has she not come to ask -hospitality of her Pale brothers?"</p> - -<p>The girl shook her head.</p> - -<p>"The women of my tribe," she said, with an accent of wounded pride, -"have their cabins for sleeping, and do not pass the night in the -lodges of the warriors."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye bowed respectfully.</p> - -<p>"I am mistaken," he said; "I did not wish to vex my sister; but -on seeing her enter my lodge so late, I supposed she came to ask -hospitality."</p> - -<p>The girl smiled with finesse.</p> - -<p>"My brother is a great warrior of the Palefaces," she said; "his head -is grey; he is very cunning; why does he pretend not to know the reason -that brings Prairie-Flower to his lodge?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am really ignorant of it," he replied; "how should I know -it?"</p> - -<p>The Indian girl turned towards the place where the young man was -sleeping, and said, with a charming pout—</p> - -<p>"Glass-eye knows all: he would have told my brother the hunter."</p> - -<p>"I cannot deny," the hunter said, boldly, "that Glass-eye knows many -things, but in this matter he has been dumb."</p> - -<p>"Is that true?" she asked, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Why should I deny it? Prairie-Flower is not an enemy to us."</p> - -<p>"No, I am a friend: let my brother open his ears."</p> - -<p>"Speak."</p> - -<p>"Glass-eye is powerful."</p> - -<p>"So it is said," the hunter replied, evasively, too honest to stoop to -a lie.</p> - -<p>"The elders of the tribe regard him as a genius superior to other men, -arranging events as he pleases, and able, if he will, to change the -course of the future."</p> - -<p>"Who says so?"</p> - -<p>"Everybody."</p> - -<p>The hunter shook his head, and pressing the girl's dainty hands in his -own, he said, simply—</p> - -<p>"You are deceived, child; Glass-eye is only a man like the others; the -power you have been told of does not exist: I know not for what reason -the chiefs of your nation have spread this absurd report; but it is a -falsehood, which I must not allow to go further."</p> - -<p>"No, White Buffalo is the wisest sachem of the Blackfeet; he possesses -all the knowledge of his fathers on the other side of the Great -Saltlake, he cannot err. Did he not announce, long ago, Glass-eye's -arrival among us?"</p> - -<p>"That is possible; although I cannot guess how he knew it, as only -three days ago we were quite ignorant that we were coming to this -village."</p> - -<p>The maiden smiled triumphantly.</p> - -<p>"White Buffalo knows all," she said; "besides, for many thousand moons -the sorcerers of the nation have announced the coming of a man exactly -like Glass-eye: his apparition was so truly predicted, that his arrival -surprised nobody, as all expected him."</p> - -<p>The hunter recognized the inutility of contending any longer against a -conviction so deeply rooted in the young girl's heart.</p> - -<p>"Good," he replied; "White Buffalo is a very wise sachem. What is there -he does not know?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing! Did he not predict that Glass-eye would place himself at the -head of the Redskin warriors, and deliver them from the Palefaces of -the East?"</p> - -<p>"It is true," the hunter said, though he did not know a word of what -the girl was revealing to him; but he now began to suspect a vast -plot formed by the Indians, and he naturally desired to know more. -Prairie-Flower looked at him with an expression of simple joy.</p> - -<p>"My brother sees that I know all," she said.</p> - -<p>"That is true," he answered; "my sister is better informed than I -supposed; now she can explain to me, without fear, the service she -desires from Glass-eye."</p> - -<p>The girl took a long glance at the young man, who was still sleeping.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower is suffering," she said, in a low and trembling voice; -"a cloud has passed over her mind and obscured it."</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower is sixteen," the old hunter answered, with a smile; "a -new feeling is awakened in her; a little bird is singing in her heart; -she listens unconsciously to the harmonious notes of those strains -which she does not yet understand."</p> - -<p>"It is true," the maiden murmured, suddenly growing pensive; "my heart -is sad. Is, then, love a suffering?"</p> - -<p>"Child," the hunter answered, with a melancholy accent, "creatures -are thus made by the Master of Life. All sensation is suffering. Joy, -carried to an excess, becomes pain; you love without knowing it; loving -is suffering."</p> - -<p>"No," she said, with a gesture of terror, "no, I do not love, at least -not; in the way you say. I have come, on the contrary, to seek your -protection from a man who loves me, whose love frightens me, and for -whom I shall never feel aught but gratitude."</p> - -<p>"You are quite certain, poor child, that such is the feeling you -experience for that man?"</p> - -<p>She bowed assent. Without saying anything further, Bright-eye rose.</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?" she asked, quickly.</p> - -<p>The hunter turned to her.</p> - -<p>"In all that you have told me, child," he answered, "there are things -so important, that I must without delay arouse my friend, that he may -listen to you in his turn, and, if it be possible, come to your aid."</p> - -<p>"Do so," she said, mournfully, and let her head sink on her breast. -The hunter went up to the young man, and bending over him, touched him -gently on the shoulder. The Count awoke at once.</p> - -<p>"What is it? What do you want?" he said, rising and seizing his -weapons, with the promptness that a man constantly exposed to danger so -soon acquires.</p> - -<p>"Nothing that need frighten you, Mr. Edward. That young girl wishes to -speak to you."</p> - -<p>The Count followed the direction in which the hunter pointed, and his -glance met that of the maiden. It was like an electric shock; she -tottered, laid her hand on her heart, and blushed. The Frenchman rushed -toward her.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter? What can I do to help you?" he asked.</p> - -<p>Just as she was about to reply, the curtain was lifted; a man bounded -suddenly over Ivon, and reached the centre of the hut. It was the spy; -the Breton suddenly aroused, flung himself on him, but the Indian held -him back with a firm hand.</p> - -<p>"Look out!" he said.</p> - -<p>"Red Wolf!" the girl exclaimed, joyfully, as she stepped before him; -"lower your weapons, it is a friend."</p> - -<p>"Speak!" the Count said, as he returned the pistol to his belt.</p> - -<p>The Indian had made no attempt to defend himself; he awaited stoically -the moment to explain himself.</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann is coming," he said to the maiden.</p> - -<p>"Oh! I am lost if he find me here."</p> - -<p>"What do I care for the fellow?" the Count said, haughtily.</p> - -<p>"Prudence," Bright-eye interposed; "are you a friend, Redskin?"</p> - -<p>"Ask Prairie-Flower," he answered, disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"Good; then you have come to save her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You have a way?"</p> - -<p>"I have."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand anything about it," Ivon said to himself, aside, -quite confounded by all he saw; "what a night!"</p> - -<p>"Make haste!" said the Count.</p> - -<p>"Neither Prairie-Flower nor myself must be seen here," the Red Wolf -continued; "Natah Otann is my enemy; there is deadly war between us. -Throw all those furs on the girl."</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower, crouching in a corner, soon disappeared beneath the -skins piled over her.</p> - -<p>"Hum! it is a good idea," Bright-eye muttered: "and what are you going -to do?"</p> - -<p>"Look!"</p> - -<p>Red Wolf leaned against the buffalo hides that acted as door, and -concealed himself amid their folds. Hardly had all this been done, ere -Natah Otann appeared on the threshold.</p> - -<p>"What! up already?" he said, in surprise, turning a suspicious glance -around him.</p> - -<p>Red Wolf profited by this movement to go out unseen by the Chief.</p> - -<p>"I am come to receive your orders for the hunt," Natah Otann resumed.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></h4> - -<h3>FORT MACKENZIE.</h3> - - -<p>Fort Mackenzie, built in 1832 by Major Mitchell, Chief Agent to the -North American Fur Company, stands like a menacing sentry, about one -hundred and twenty paces from the north bank of the Missouri, and -seventy miles from the Rocky Mountains, in the midst of a level plain, -protected by a chain of hills running from north to south. The fort -is built on the system of all the outposts of civilization in the -western provinces; it forms a perfect square, each side being about -forty-five feet in length: a ditch, eight fathoms in depth and about -the same in width; two substantial blockhouses; and twenty guns—such -are the defensive elements of this fortress. The buildings contained -in the enceinte are low, with narrow windows, in which parchment is -substituted for glass. The roofs are flat, and covered with turf. The -gateways of the fort are solid, and lined with iron. In the middle of -a small square, in the centre of the fort, rises a mast, from which -floats the star-spangled banner of the United States, while two guns -are stationed at the foot of the mast. The plain surrounding Fort -Mackenzie is covered with grass, rarely more than three feet high. -This plain is almost constantly invaded by Indian tribes, that come -to traffic with the Americans, especially the Blackfeet, Assiniboins, -Mandans, Flatheads, Gros-ventres, Crows, and Koutnikés.</p> - -<p>The Indians displayed a repugnance in allowing the white men to settle -in their domains, and the first agent the Fur Company sent to them had -a narrow escape with life. It was only by dint of patience and cunning -that they succeeded in concluding with the tribes a treaty of peace -and barter, which the latter were disposed, indeed, to break, through -the slightest pretext. Thus the Americans were always on the watch, -considering themselves in a perpetual state of siege. It still happened -at times, in spite of the Indians' protestations of amity, that some -<i>engagé</i> or trapper of the Company was brought to the fort scalped and -murdered, and they were obliged, through policy, to refrain from taking -vengeance for such murders, which, however, were becoming rare. The -Indians, with their greedy instincts, at length understood that it was -better to live in good intelligence with the Palefaces, who supplied -them with abundant provisions, spirits, and money, in exchange for -their furs.</p> - -<p>In 1834, Fort Mackenzie was commanded by Major Melville, a man of -great experience, who had spent nearly his whole life among the -Indians, either fighting or trafficking with them, so that he was -thoroughly versed in all their habits and tricks. General Jackson, in -whose army he had served, put great reliance in his courage, skill, -and experience. Major Melville combined with uncommon moral energy -rare physical strength; he was the very man to keep in check the -fierce tribes with which he had to deal, and to command the trappers -and hunters in the Company's service, thorough ruffians, only -understanding the logic of the rifle and the bowie knife; he based -his authority on inflexible severity and an irreproachable justice, -which had contributed greatly to maintain the good relations between -the inhabitants of the fort and their crafty friends. Peace, with the -exception of the mutual distrust that was its basis, appeared for -some few years past to be solidly established between the Palefaces -and the Redskins. The Indians camped annually before the fort, and -generally exchanged their peltry for spirits, clothes, gunpowder, &c. -The seventy men who formed the garrison had gradually relaxed their -usual precautions, for they felt so confident of having induced the -Indians to renounce their plundering inclinations by kind treatment and -concessions. Such was the respective positions of the whites and the -Redskins on the day when the exigencies of our story take us to Fort -Mackenzie.</p> - -<p>The scenery round the fort is exquisite and charmingly varied. On the -day after that in which the events we have described took place in the -Kenha village, a leather canoe, manned by only one rower, descended -the Elk river, in the direction of the American fort. After following -the numerous bends of the stream, the canoe at length entered the -Missouri, and coasted the northern bank, studded with magnificent -prairies at least thirty miles in depth, on which countless herds of -buffaloes, antelopes, and bighorns were grazing, which, with ears -erect and startled eyes, watched the silent boat pass with gloomy -dissatisfaction. But the person, man or woman, in the boat seemed too -anxious to reach the destination, to waste any time in firing at these -animals, which it would have been easy to do.</p> - -<p>With his eyes imperturbably fixed ahead, and bowed over the paddles, -the rower redoubled his energy the nearer he approached the fort, -uttering at times hoarse exclamations of anger and impatience, -though never checking the speed of the boat. At length an "ah!" of -satisfaction escaped his lips on turning one of the numberless bends of -the river: a magnificent scene was suddenly displayed before him.</p> - -<p>Gentle slopes, with varied summits, some rounded, others flat, of a -pleasant green colour, occupied the centre of the picture. In the -foreground were tall forests of poplars of a vivid green, and willow -trees on the banks of the river, which meandered through a prairie to -which the twilight had given a deep olive hue. A little further on, on -the top of a grassy mound, stood Fort Mackenzie, where the handsome -flag of the United States floated in the breeze, gilded by the parting -beams of the setting sun; while on one side an Indian camp, on the -other, herds of horses, tranquilly grazing, animated the majestic -tranquillity of the scene.</p> - -<p>The canoe drew nearer and nearer to the bank, and at last, when -arrived under the protection of the guns, was run gently ashore. The -individual occupying it then leaped on the sand, and it was easy to see -that it was a woman. It was the mysterious being to whom the Indians -gave the name of the She-wolf of the Prairies, and who has already -appeared twice in this story. She had altered her dress. Although still -resembling that of the Indians in texture, as it was composed of elk -and buffalo skins sown together, it varied from it in shape; and if, at -the first glance, it was difficult to recognize the sex of the person -wearing it, it was easy to perceive that it was a white, through the -simplicity, cleanliness, and, above all, the amplitude of the folds -carefully draped round the strange being hidden in these garments.</p> - -<p>After leaving the canoe, the She-wolf fastened it securely to a large -stone, and without paying further attention to it, walked hastily in -the direction of the fort. It was about six in the evening; the barter -with the Indians was over, and they were returning, laughing and -singing, to their tents of buffalo hide; while the <i>engagés</i>, after -collecting the horses, led them back slowly to the fort. The sun was -setting behind the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, casting a purple -gleam, over the heavens. Gradually, as the planet of day sank in the -distant horizon, gloom took possession of the earth. The songs of the -Indians, the shouts of the <i>engagés</i>, the neighing of the horses, and -the barking of the dogs, formed one of those singular concerts which -in these remote regions impress on the mind a feeling of melancholy -reflection. The She-wolf reached the gate of the fort at the moment -when the last <i>engagé</i> had entered, after driving in the laggards of -his troop.</p> - -<p>At these frontier posts, where momentary vigilance is necessary to -foil the treachery constantly lurking in the shadows, sentinels -especially appointed to survey the gloomy and solitary prairies, that -stretch out for miles around their garrisons, stand watching day and -night with their eyes fixed on space, ready to signalize the least -unusual movement, either on the part of animals or of men, in the vast -solitudes they survey. The She-wolf's canoe had been detected more than -six hours before, all its movements carefully watched, and when the -She-wolf, after fastening her boat up, presented herself at the gate -of the fort, she found it closed and carefully bolted; not because she -personally caused the garrison any alarm, but because the order was -that no one should enter the fort after sunset, except for overpowering -reasons.</p> - -<p>The She-wolf repressed with difficulty a gesture of annoyance at -finding herself thus exposed to spend the night in the open air; not -that she feared the hardship, but because she knew the importance -of her news, and desired no delay. She did not allow herself to be -defeated, however, but stooped, picked up a stone, and struck the gate -twice. A wicket immediately opened, and two eyes glistened through the -opening it left.</p> - -<p>"Who's there?" a rough voice asked.</p> - -<p>"A friend," the She-wolf replied.</p> - -<p>"Hum; that's very vague at this hour of the night," the voice -continued, with a grin that augured ill for the success of the -mediation the She-wolf had commenced.</p> - -<p>"Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"A woman, and a white woman too, as you can see by my dress and accent."</p> - -<p>"It may be, but the night is dark, and it is impossible for me to see -you: so if you have no better reasons to give, good night, and go your -ways; tomorrow we will meet again at sunrise."</p> - -<p>And the speaker prepared to close the wicket, but the She-wolf checked -him with a firm hand.</p> - -<p>"One moment," she said.</p> - -<p>"What's up now?" the other remarked, ill-temperedly; "I cannot pass the -night in listening to you."</p> - -<p>"I only want to ask you one question, and one favour."</p> - -<p>"Plague take it!" the man went on; "well, you are going on at a fine -rate; that's nothing, eh? Well; let me hear it; that binds me to -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Is Major Melville in the fort at this moment?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps."</p> - -<p>"Answer, yes or no."</p> - -<p>"Well, yes; what then?"</p> - -<p>The She-wolf gave a sigh of satisfaction, hurriedly drew a ring from -her right hand, and passing it through the wicket to the unknown -speaker, said—</p> - -<p>"Carry that ring to the Major; I will wait for your answer here."</p> - -<p>"Mind what you are about; the Commandant does not like to be disturbed -for nothing."</p> - -<p>"Do as I tell you. I answer for the rest."</p> - -<p>"That's a poor bail," the other growled; "but no matter—I'll risk it. -Wait."</p> - -<p>The wicket closed. The She-wolf seated herself on the side of the -moat, and with elbows resting on her knees, buried her head in her -hands. By this time night had completely set in; in the distance, the -fires lighted up by the Indians on the prairies shone like lighthouses -through the gloom; the evening breeze soughed hoarsely through the -tops of the trees, and the howls of the wild beasts were mingled -at intervals with the strident laughter of the Indians. Not a star -sparkled in the sky, which was black as ink; nature seemed covered with -a cerecloth; all presaged an approaching storm. The She-wolf waited, -motionless, as one of those patient sphynxes which have watched for -thousands of years at the entrance of the Egyptian temples. A quarter -of an hour elapsed, then a sound of bolts was heard, and the gates of -the fort slightly opened. The She-wolf sprung up, as if moved by a -spring.</p> - -<p>"Come!" a voice said.</p> - -<p>She entered, and the door was immediately closed after her. An -<i>engagé</i>—the same who had spoken to her through the wicket—stood -before her with a torch in his hand.</p> - -<p>"Follow me," he said to her.</p> - -<p>She walked after her guide, who crossed the entire length of the -courtyard, and then turning to the She-wolf, said—</p> - -<p>"The Major is waiting for you here."</p> - -<p>"Rap," she said.</p> - -<p>"No, do so yourself; you no longer need me; I will return to my post."</p> - -<p>And, after bowing slightly, he withdrew carrying the torch with him. -The She-wolf remained alone in the darkness; she passed her hand over -her damp forehead, and making a supreme effort—</p> - -<p>"I must," she muttered, hoarsely.</p> - -<p>She then struck the door.</p> - -<p>"Come in," a voice said from within.</p> - -<p>She turned the key, pushed open the door, and found herself in the -presence of an elderly man, dressed in uniform, and seated near a -table, who gazed fixedly at her. This man, by the position he occupied, -and the way in which the light was arranged, could see her perfectly; -while, on the other hand, the She-wolf could not distinguish his -features, hidden as they were by the gloom. The She-wolf walked -resolutely into the room.</p> - -<p>"Thanks for having received me," she said; "I was afraid you had -utterly forgotten."</p> - -<p>"If that is meant for a reproach, I do not understand you," the officer -said, sternly; "and I should feel obliged by a clear explanation."</p> - -<p>"Are you not Major Melville?"</p> - -<p>"I am."</p> - -<p>"The way in which I entered the fort proves to me that you recognised -the ring I sent you."</p> - -<p>"I recognized it; for it reminds me of a very dear person," he said, -with a suppressed sigh; "but how is it in your hands?"</p> - -<p>The She-wolf regarded the Major sadly for a moment, then walked up to -him, gently took his hand, which she pressed in hers, and replied, with -an accent full of tears—</p> - -<p>"Harry, I must be changed by suffering, if you do not even recognise my -voice."</p> - -<p>At these words a livid pallor covered the officer's face; he rose with -a movement quick as lightning; his body was agitated by a convulsive -tremor, and seizing, in his turn, the woman's hands, he exclaimed -madly—</p> - -<p>"Margaret! Margaret! my sister! Have the dead come from the tomb? Do I -find you again at last:"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" she said, with an expression of joy impossible to render, as she -sank in his arms, "I was certain he would recognise me."</p> - -<p>But the shock she had received was too strong for the poor woman, whose -organization was worn out by sorrow; accustomed to suffering, she could -not endure joy, and fell fainting into her brother's arms. The Major -carried her to a species of sofa that occupied one side of the room, -and, without calling anyone to his aid, paid her all that attention -her case required. The She-wolf remained for a long time insensible; -but she gradually came to herself again, opened her eyes, and, after -muttering a few incoherent words, burst into tears. Her brother did -not leave her for a moment, following, with an anxious glance, the -progress of her return to life. When he perceived that the height of -the crisis was past, he took chair, sat down by his sister's side, -and by gentle words sought to restore her courage. At length, the poor -woman raised her head, dried her eyes—reddened by tears, and hollowed -by fever—and turning to her brother, who watched her every movement, -said in a hoarse voice—</p> - -<p>"Brother, for sixteen years I have been suffering an atrocious -martyrdom, which never ceased for an instant."</p> - -<p>The Major shuddered at this fearful revelation.</p> - -<p>"Poor sister!" he muttered. "What can I do for you?"</p> - -<p>"All, if you will."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" he exclaimed, with energy, as he struck the woodwork of the sofa -with his fist, "could you doubt me, Margaret?"</p> - -<p>"No, since I have come," she answered, smiling through her tears.</p> - -<p>"You will avenge yourself, I think?" he went on.</p> - -<p>"I will."</p> - -<p>"Who are your enemies?"</p> - -<p>"The Redskins."</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" he said, with a bitter smile; "I, too, have an old account to -settle with those demons. To what nation do your enemies belong?"</p> - -<p>"To the Blackfeet. They are the Kenha tribe."</p> - -<p>"Oh," the Major continued, "my old friends, the Blood Indians; I have -long been seeking a pretext to give them an exemplary punishment."</p> - -<p>"That pretext I now bring you, Harry," she answered, passionately; "and -do not fancy it a vain pretext invented by hatred. No, no! 'tis the -revelation of a plot formed by all the Missouri Indians against the -whites, which must break out within a few days, perhaps tomorrow."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Major observed, thoughtfully, "I do not know why, but, for -the last few days, suspicions have invaded, my mind; my presentiments -did not deceive me, then. Speak, sister, at once, I conjure you; and -since you have come to me, in order to appease your hatred of these red -devils, I promise you a vengeance, the memory of which will make their -grandsons shudder."</p> - -<p>"I thank you for your promise, brother, and will not forget it," she -answered. "Listen to me, then."</p> - -<p>"One word first."</p> - -<p>"Speak, brother."</p> - -<p>"Has the narrative of your sufferings any connexion with the conspiracy -you are about to reveal to me?"</p> - -<p>"An intimate one."</p> - -<p>"Well, it is scarce ten o'clock, we have the night before us; tell me -all that has happened to you since our separation."</p> - -<p>"You wish it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, for it will be by your narrative that I shall regulate my -treatment of the Indians."</p> - -<p>"Listen, then, brother, and be indulgent to me, for I have suffered -bitterly, as you are about to hear."</p> - -<p>The Major pressed her hand; he took a chair, sat by her side, and after -bolting the door, to prevent any interruption of the story, he said—</p> - -<p>"Speak, Margaret, and tell me everything; I do not wish to be ignorant -of any of the tortures you have endured during the long years that have -elapsed since our parting."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></h4> - -<h3>A MOTHER'S CONFESSION.</h3> - - -<p>"It is just seventeen years ago, you will remember, Harry; you had -recently received your commission as lieutenant in the army; you were -young, enthusiastic; the future appeared to you to be drawn in the -brightest colours. One evening, during weather like the present, you -came to my husband's clearing, to tell us the news, and bid us an -affectionate farewell; for you hoped, like ourselves, not to be long -away from us. The next morning, in spite of our entreaties, after -embracing the children, pressing the hand of my poor husband, who -loved you so, and giving me a parting kiss, you galloped off, and soon -disappeared in a whirlwind of dust. Alas! who could have foretold that -we should not meet again till today, after seventeen years' separation, -upon Indian territory, and under terrible circumstances? However," -she added, with a sigh, "God has willed it so, may His holy name be -blessed! It has pleased Him to try His creatures, and let His hand fall -heavily on them."</p> - -<p>"It was with a strange contraction of the heart," the Major said, "that -six months after that parting, when I returned among you with a joyous -heart, I saw, on dismounting in front of your house, a stranger open -your door, and answer, that the white family had emigrated three months -before, and proceeded in a western direction, with the intention of -founding a new settlement on the Indian frontier. It was in vain that I -tried to gain any information about you from your neighbours; they had -forgotten you; no one could or would, perhaps, give me the slightest -news about you, and I was forced to retrace, heartbroken, the road I -had ridden along so joyfully a few days before. Since then, despite all -the efforts I have made, I never was able to learn anything about your -fate, or lift the mysterious veil that covered the sinister events to -which I was convinced you had fallen victims during your journey."</p> - -<p>"You are only half deceived, my brother, in your supposition," she went -on. "Two months after your visit, my husband, who had long desired to -leave our clearing, where he said the land was worth nothing, had a -grave dispute with one of his neighbours about the limits of a field -of which he believed, or pretended to believe, that neighbour had cut -off a corner: under any other circumstances, the difference would have -been easily settled, but my husband sought an excuse to go away, and -having found it, did not let it slip again. He would listen to nothing, -but quietly made all his arrangements for the expedition he had so long -meditated, and at length told us one day that he should start the next. -When my husband had once said a thing, all I could do was to obey, for -he never recalled a determination he had formed. On the appointed day -at sunrise, we left the clearing, our neighbours accompanying us for -the first day's journey, and at nightfall left us, after hearty wishes -for the success of our expedition. It was with inexpressible sorrow I -quitted the house where I was married, where my children were born, -and where I had been happy for so many years. My husband tried in -vain to console me, and restore me that courage which failed me; but -nothing could efface from my mind the gentle and pious recollections I -previously kept up: the deeper we buried ourselves in the desert, the -greater my sorrow became. My husband, on the other hand saw everything -in a bright light; the future belonged to him; he was about to be his -own master, and act as he thought proper. He detailed to me all his -plans, tried to interest me in them, and employed all the means in his -power to draw me from my gloomy thoughts, but could not succeed. Still -we went onwards without stopping. The distance became daily greater -between ourselves and the last settlements of our countrymen. In vain -did I show my husband how remote we were from all help in case of -danger, and the isolation in which we should find ourselves; he only -laughed at my apprehensions; repeated incessantly that the Indians -were far from being so dangerous as they were represented, and that we -had nothing to fear. My husband was so convinced of the truth of his -assertions, that he neglected the most simple precautions to defend -himself against a surprise, and said each morning, with a mocking air, -at the moment of starting, 'You see how foolish you are, Margaret; be -reasonable, the Indians will be careful not to insult us,' One night -the camp was attacked by the Redskins, we were surprised during our -sleep; my husband was flayed alive, while his children were burned at a -slow fire before his face."</p> - -<p>While uttering these words, the poor woman's voice became more and more -choked. At the last sentences, her emotion grew so profound, that she -could not continue.</p> - -<p>"Courage!" the Major said, as much moved as herself, but more master of -his feelings.</p> - -<p>She made an effort, and continued in a harsh, unmodulated voice,—</p> - -<p>"By a refinement of cruelty, the barbarism of which I did not at first -understand, my youngest child, my daughter, was spared by the Pagans. -On seeing the punishment of my husband and children, at which I was -forced to be present, I felt such a laceration of the heart, that I -imagined I was dying. I uttered a shriek, and fell down. How long I -remained in that state, I know not: but when I regained my senses, -I was alone. The Indians, doubtlessly, fancied me dead, and left -me where I lay. I rose, and not conscious of what I was doing, but -impelled by a force superior to my will, I returned, tottering and -falling almost at every step, to the spot where this mournful tragedy -had been enacted. It took me three hours—how was I so far from the -camp?—at length I arrived, and a fearful sight presented itself to -my horror-struck eyes. I looked unconscious upon the disfigured and -half carbonized bodies of my children—my despair, however, restored -my failing strength. I dug a grave, and, half delirious with grief, -buried in it husband and children, all that I loved on earth. This -pious duty accomplished, I resolved to die at the spot where the -beings so dear to me had perished. But there are hours during the long -nights in which the shades of the dead address the living, and order -them to take vengeance! That terrific voice from the tomb I heard on a -sinister night, when the elements threatened to overthrow nature. From -that moment my resolution was formed. I consented to live for revenge. -From that hour I have walked firm and implacable on the path I traced, -requiting the Pagans, on every opportunity that presents itself, for -the evil they had done me. I have become the terror of the prairies. -The Indians fear me as an evil genius. They have a superstitious -invincible dread of me; in short, they have surnamed me the Lying -She-wolf of the Prairies; for each time a catastrophe menaces them, or -a frightful danger is hanging over their heads, they see me appear. For -seventeen years I have been nursing my revenge, without ever growing -discouraged, certain that the day will come when, in my turn, I shall -plant my knee on the heart of my enemies, and inflict on them the -atrocious torture they condemned me to suffer."</p> - -<p>The woman's face, while uttering these words, had assumed such an -expression of cruelty, that the Major brave as he was, felt himself -shudder.</p> - -<p>"And your enemies," he said, after a moment's delay, "do you know them, -have you learned their names?"</p> - -<p>"I know them all!" she said, in a piercing voice; "I have learned all -their names!"</p> - -<p>"And they are preparing to break the peace?" Mrs. Margaret smiled -ironically.</p> - -<p>"No, they will not break the peace, brother, but attack you suddenly. -They have formed among themselves a formidable league, which—at least -they fancy so—you will find it impossible to resist."</p> - -<p>"Sister!" the Major exclaimed energetically, "give me the name of -these wretched traitors, and I swear that, even were they concealed -in the depths of Hades, I will seek them, to inflict an exemplary -chastisement."</p> - -<p>"I cannot give you these names yet, brother; but be at ease, you shall -soon know them; you will not have to seek them far, for I will lead -them under the guns of your soldiers and hunters."</p> - -<p>"Take care, Margaret," the Major said, shaking his head, "hatred is -a bad counsellor in an affair like this; he who grasps at too much, -frequently risks the loss of all."</p> - -<p>"Oh," she replied, "my precautions have been taken for a long time: -I hold them, I can seize them whenever I please, or, to speak more -correctly, when the moment has arrived."</p> - -<p>"Do as you think proper, sister, and reckon on my devoted aid: this -vengeance affects me too closely for me to allow it to escape."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," she said.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," he continued, after a few minutes' reflection, "if I -revert to the sad events you have just narrated; but you have, it -strikes me, forgotten an important detail in your story."</p> - -<p>"I do not understand you, Harry."</p> - -<p>"I will explain: you said, I think, if my memory serves me, that your -youngest daughter escaped from the frightful fate of her brothers, and -was saved by an Indian."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did say so, brother," she replied in an oppressed voice.</p> - -<p>"Well, what has become of the unhappy child? Does she still live? Have -you any news of her? Have you seen her again?"</p> - -<p>"She lives, and I have seen her."</p> - -<p>"Ah!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; the man who saved her educated her, even adopted her," she said, -sarcastically. "Do you know what this wretch would do with the daughter -of the man he murdered, whom he flayed alive before my eyes?"</p> - -<p>"Speak; in Heaven's name!</p> - -<p>"What I have to say is very dreadful! it is so frightful, indeed, that -I hesitate to reveal it to you."</p> - -<p>"Good God!" the Major ejaculated, recoiling involuntarily before his -sister's flaming glance.</p> - -<p>"Well," she continued, with a strident laugh, "this girl has grown up, -the child has become a woman, as lovely as it is possible to be. This -man, this monster, this demon, has felt his tiger heart soften at the -sight of the angel; he loves her to distraction, he wishes to make her -his wife."</p> - -<p>"Horror!" the Major exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Is that not truly hideous?" she continued, still with that nervous, -spasmodic laugh which it pains one to hear: "he has pardoned his -victim's daughter. Yes, he is generous, he forgets the atrocious -torture he inflicted on the father, and now covets the daughter."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is frightful, Margaret; so much infamy and cynicism is -impossible, even among Indians!"</p> - -<p>"Do you believe, then, that I am deceiving you?"</p> - -<p>"Far from me be such a thought, sister; the man is a monster."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, so he is."</p> - -<p>"You have seen your daughter; you have talked with her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; well, what then?"</p> - -<p>"You have, doubtless, turned her from this monstrous love?"</p> - -<p>"I!" she replied, with a grin, "I did not say a word to her about it."</p> - -<p>"What!" he said, in amazement.</p> - -<p>"By what right could I have spoken?"</p> - -<p>"How, by what right—Are you not her mother?"</p> - -<p>"She does not know it!"</p> - -<p>"Oh!"</p> - -<p>"And my vengeance?" she said, coldly. This word which so thoroughly -explained the character of the woman, had before struck the heart of -the old soldier with terror.</p> - -<p>"Unhappy woman!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>A smile of disdain curled the She-wolf's lip.</p> - -<p>"Yes, so you are," she said, with a bitter voice, "you men of cities, -with natures worn out by civilization. To understand a passion, it -must be kept within certain limits, traced beforehand. The grandeur of -hatred, with all its fury and excesses, terrifies you; you only admit -that legal and halting vengeance which the criminal code sanctions. -Brother, he who wishes the end, wishes the means. To arrive at my -object, what do I care, do you think, whether I walk over ruins or wade -through blood? No, I go straight before me, with the fatal impetuosity -of the torrent which breaks down and overthrows all the obstacles which -rise in its passage. My object is vengeance! blood for blood, eye -for eye; that is the law of the prairies. I have made it mine, and I -will obtain that vengeance, if for it I—. But," she added, suddenly -breaking off, "what need of this useless discussion between us, -brother? Reassure yourself my daughter has been better warned by her -instincts than all the advice I could have given her. She does not love -this man. I know it, she told me so; she will never love him."</p> - -<p>"Heaven be praised!" the Major exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"I have only one desire; only one," she continued with a melancholy -air; "it is after the accomplishment of my vengeance, to recover my -daughter, press her to my heart, and cover her with kisses, while at -length revealing to her that I am her mother."</p> - -<p>The Major shook his head sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"Take care, sister," he said, in a stern voice; "God has said, -'Vengeance is mine!' take care, lest, after wishing to assume the -office of Providence, you may be cruelly chastised by it in some of -your dearest affections."</p> - -<p>"Oh, say not so, Harry!" she exclaimed with a sign of terror; "you -would turn me mad."</p> - -<p>The Major let his head sink on hid breast. For a while brother and -sister remained opposite each other, not uttering a word; they were -both reflecting. The She-wolf was the first to renew the conversation.</p> - -<p>"Now, brother," she said, "if you will permit me, we will leave this -mournful subject for a moment, and allude to what concerns you more -particularly, that is, the formidable conspiracy formed against you by -the Indians."</p> - -<p>"On my word," he replied, with a sigh of relief, "I confess, sister, -that I ask nothing better; my head is confused, and I believe that if -this went on much longer, I should be unable to re-collect my thoughts, -so much am I affected by what you have told me."</p> - -<p>"Thanks,"</p> - -<p>"Night is drawing on, Margaret; indeed, it has almost entirely slipped -away, we have not a moment to lose, so pray continue."</p> - -<p>"Is the garrison complete?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"How many men have you?"</p> - -<p>"Seventy, without counting some fifteen hunters and trappers occupied -without, but whom I will recall without delay."</p> - -<p>"Very good: do you require the whole of the garrison for the defence of -the fort?"</p> - -<p>"That is according. Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because I want to borrow twenty men of you."</p> - -<p>"Hum I for what object?"</p> - -<p>"You shall learn; you are alone here, without any hopes of help, and -for this reason: while the Indians are burning the fort, they will -intercept your communication with Fort Clarke, Fort Union, and the -other posts scattered along the Missouri."</p> - -<p>"I fear it, but what can I do?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell you; you have doubtless heard of an American squatter, who -settled hardly a week back about three or four leagues from you?"</p> - -<p>"I have; a certain John Black, I think."</p> - -<p>"That is the man; well, his clearing will naturally serve you as an -advanced post?"</p> - -<p>"Famously."</p> - -<p>"Profit by the short time left you; under pretence of a buffalo hunt, -send twenty men from the fort, and conceal them at John Black's, so -that when the moment for action arrives, they may make a demonstration -in your favour, which will place the enemies between two fires, and -make them suppose that reinforcements have reached you from other -posts."</p> - -<p>"That is a good idea," the Major said. "You must choose men on whom you -can count."</p> - -<p>"They are all devoted to me; you shall see them at work."</p> - -<p>"All the better; then that is settled!"</p> - -<p>"It is."</p> - -<p>"Now, as it is urgent that no one should know of our relations, as it -might compromise the success of our scheme, I must ask you to open the -gates of the fort for me.</p> - -<p>"What, so soon, in this frightful weather?"</p> - -<p>"I must, brother, it is of the utmost importance that I should start at -once."</p> - -<p>"You insist."</p> - -<p>"I beg it of you, Harry, for our common benefit."</p> - -<p>"Come, then, sister, I will detain you no longer."</p> - -<p>Two minutes later, in spite of the storm which still howled with the -same fury, the She-wolf was rowing from Fort Mackenzie at full speed.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE CHASE.</h3> - - -<p>When Natah Otann entered the lodge inhabited by the white men, under -pretext of warning them to prepare for the chase, his searching eye in -a few seconds had explored every corner of the building. The Indian -Chief was too clever to omit noticing the Count's constraint and -embarrassment: but he understood that it would be impolitic to show the -suspicions he had conceived. Hence he did not in the slightest degree -affect to notice the annoyance caused by his presence, and continued -the conversation with that politeness the Redskins can display when -they choose to take the trouble. On their side the Count and Bright-eye -at once regained their coolness.</p> - -<p>"I did not hope to find my White brother already risen," Natah Otann -said with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Why not?" the young man replied; "a desert life accustoms one to -little sleep."</p> - -<p>"Then the Palefaces will go and hunt with their red friends?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, if you have no objection."</p> - -<p>"Did I not myself propose to Glass-eye to procure them a true chase?"</p> - -<p>"That is true," the young man said, with a laugh; "but take care, -Chief, I have become uncommonly fastidious since I have been in the -prairie; there is hardly any game I have not hunted, as it was the love -of sport alone that brought me into these unknown countries; hence, I -repeat, I shall expect choice game."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann smiled proudly.</p> - -<p>"My brother will be satisfied," he said.</p> - -<p>"And what is the animal we are about to follow?" the young man asked.</p> - -<p>"The ostrich."</p> - -<p>The Count made a sign of amazement.</p> - -<p>"What, the ostrich?" he exclaimed, "that is impossible, Chief—"</p> - -<p>"Because?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, simply because there are none."</p> - -<p>"The ostrich, it is true, is disappearing; it fled before the white -men, and becomes daily rare, but it is still numerous on the prairies; -in a few hours my brother will have a proof of it."</p> - -<p>"I desire nothing better."</p> - -<p>"Good, that is settled: I will soon come and fetch my brother."</p> - -<p>The Chief bowed courteously and retired, after taking a parting look -around. The curtain had scarcely fallen behind the Chief ere the pile -of furs that covered the young girl was thrown off, and Prairie-Flower -ran up to the Count.</p> - -<p>"Listen," she said to him, seizing his hand, which she pressed -tenderly, "I cannot explain to you now, for time fails me; still, -remember, you have a friend who watches over you."</p> - -<p>And before the Count could reply, or even think of replying, she fled -with the bound of an antelope. He passed his hand several times over -his brow, his eye being fixed on the place where the Indian girl had -disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he at length murmured, "have I at last met with a true woman?"</p> - -<p>"She is an angel," the hunter said, replying to his thought. "Poor -child! she has suffered greatly."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but I am here now, and will protect her!" the Count exclaimed, -with exaltation.</p> - -<p>"Let us think of ourselves first, Mr. Edward, and try to get away from -here with whole skins; it will not be an easy task, I assure you."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, my friend?"</p> - -<p>"It is enough that I understand it all," the hunter said, shaking his -head; "let us only think now of our preparations: our friends, the -Redskins, will soon arrive," he added, with that derisive smile which -caused the Count to feel increased embarrassment.</p> - -<p>But the impression caused by the Canadian's ambiguous language was -promptly dissipated, for love had suddenly nestled in this young, man's -heart; he only dreamed of one thing, of seeing the woman again whom he -adored with all his strength.</p> - -<p>In a man like the Count, who was gifted with a fiery organization, -every feeling must necessarily be carried to an excess; and it was the -case in the present instance. Love is born by a word, a sign, a look, -and scarcely born, suddenly becomes a giant. The Count was fated to -learn this at his own expense.</p> - -<p>Scarcely half an hour after Natah Otann's departure, the gallop of -several horses was heard, and a troop of horsemen stopped in front of -the cabin. The three men went out, and found Natah Otann awaiting them -at the head of sixty warriors, all dressed in their grand costume, and -armed to the teeth.</p> - -<p>"Let us go," he said.</p> - -<p>"Whenever you please," the Count answered.</p> - -<p>The Chief made a signal, and three magnificent horses, superbly -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, were led up by children. The whites -mounted, and the band set out in the direction of the prairie.</p> - -<p>It was about six in the morning, the night storm had completely swept -the sky, which was of a pale blue; the sun, fully risen in the horizon, -shot forth its warm beams, which drew out the sharp and odoriferous -vapours from the ground, The atmosphere was wondrously transparent, a -slight breeze refreshed the air, and flocks of birds, lustrous with a -thousand hues, flew around, uttering joyous cries. The troop marched -gaily through the tall prairie grass, raising a cloud of dust, and -undulating like a long serpent in the endless turnings of the road.</p> - -<p>The spot where the chase was to come off was nearly thirty miles -distant from the village. In the desert all places are alike, tall -grass, in the midst of which the horsemen entirely disappear; stunted -shrubs, and here and there clumps of trees, whose imposing crowns rise -to an enormous height;—such was the road the Indians had to follow up -to the spot where they would find the animals they proposed chasing.</p> - -<p>In the prairies of Arkansas and the Upper Missouri, at the time of -our story, ostriches were still numerous, and their chase one of the -numerous amusements of the Redskins and wood rangers. It is probable -that the successive invasions of the white men, and the immense -clearings effected by fire and the axe, have now compelled them to -abandon this territory, and retire to the inaccessible desert of the -Rocky Mountains, or the sands of the Far West.</p> - -<p>We will say here, without any pretence at a scientific description, a -few words about this singular animal, still but little known in Europe. -The ostrich generally lives in small families of from eight to ten, -scattered along the banks of marshes, pools, and streams. They live -on fresh grass. Faithful to their native soil, they never quit the -vicinity of the water, and in the month of November lay their eggs in -the wildest part of the plain, fifty to sixty at a time, which are -brooded, solely at night, by male and female in turn, with a touching -tenderness. When the incubation is terminated, the ostrich breaks the -barren eggs with its beak, which are at once covered with flies and -insects, supplying nourishment to the young birds. The ostrich of the -Western prairies differs slightly from the <i>Nandus</i> of the Patagonian -prairies and the African species. It is about five feet high, and four -and a half long, from the stomach to the end of the tail; its beak is -very pointed, and measures a little over five inches.</p> - -<p>A characteristic trait of the ostriches is their extreme curiosity. -In the Indian villages, where they live in a tamed state, it is of -frequent occurrence to see them stalking through groups of talkers, -and regarding them with fixed attention. In the plain this curiosity -is often fatal to them, for it leads them to look unhesitatingly -at everything that seems strange or unusual to them. We will give a -capital Indian story here in proof of this.</p> - -<p>The jaguars are very fond of ostrich meat, but unfortunately, though -their speed is so great, it is almost impossible for them to run the -birds down; but the jaguars are cunning animals, and usually obtain -by craft what they cannot manage by force. They, therefore, employ -the following stratagem. They lie on the ground as if dead, and raise -their tails in the air, where they wave them in every direction; the -ostriches, attracted by this strange spectacle, approach with great -simplicity—the rest may be guessed; they fall a prey to the cunning -jaguars.</p> - -<p>The hunters after a hurried march of three hours, reached a barren -and sandy plain; during the journey, very few words were exchanged -between Natah Otann and his white guests, for he rode at the head of -the column, conversing in a low voice with White Buffalo. The Indians -dismounted by the side of a stream, and exchanged their horses for -racers, which the chief had sent to the spot during the night, and -which were naturally rested and able to run for miles. Natah Otann -divided the hunting party into two equal troops, keeping the command -of the first himself, and courteously offering that of the second to -the Count. As the Frenchman, however, had never been present at such -a chase, and was quite ignorant how it was conducted, he courteously -declined. Natah Otann reflected for a few moments, and then turned to -Bright-eye:—</p> - -<p>"My brother knows the ostriches?" he asked him. "Eh!" the Canadian -replied, with a smile; "Natah Otann was not yet born when I hunted -them on the prairie."</p> - -<p>"Good," the chief said; "then my brother will command the second band?"</p> - -<p>"Be it so," the hunter said, bowing: "I accept with pleasure."</p> - -<p>On a given signal, the first band, under Natah Otann's command, -advanced into the plain, describing a semicircle, so as to drive the -game towards a ravine, situated between two moving downs. The second -band, with which the Count and Ivon remained, was echelonned so as -to form the other half of the circle. This circle, by the horsemen's -advance, was gradually being contracted, when a dozen ostriches showed -themselves; but the male bird, standing sentry, warned the family of -the danger by a sharp cry like a boatswain's whistle. At once the -ostriches fled in a straight line rapidly, and without looking back. -All the hunters galloped off in pursuit.</p> - -<p>The plain, till then silent and gloomy, grew animated, and offered the -strangest appearance. The horsemen pursued the luckless animals at full -speed, raising in their passage clouds of impalpable dust. Twelve to -fifteen paces behind the game, the Indians, still galloping and burying -their spurs in the flanks of their panting horses, bent forward, -twisted their formidable clubs round their heads, and hurled them -after the animals. If they missed their aim, they stooped down without -checking their pace, and picked up the weapon, which they cast again.</p> - -<p>Several flocks of ostriches had been put up, and the chase then assumed -the proportions of a mad revel. Cries and hurrahs rent the air; the -clubs hurtled through the space and struck the necks, wings, and legs -of the ostriches, which, startled and mad with terror, made a thousand -feints and zigzags to escape their implacable enemies, and buffeting -their wings, tried to prick the horses with, the species of spike -with which the end of their wings is armed. Several horses reared, -and, embarrassed by the ostriches between their legs, fell with their -riders. The ostriches, profiting by the disorder, fled on, and came -within reach of the other hunters, who received them with a shower of -clubs.</p> - -<p>Each hunter leaped from his horse, killed the victim he had felled, -cut off its wings as a sign of triumph, and renewed the chase with -increased ardour. Ostriches and hunters rushed onwards like the -<i>cordonazo</i>, that terrible wind of the Mexican deserts, and forty -ostriches speedily encumbered the plain. Natah Otann looked round him, -and then gave the signal for retreat; the birds which had not succumbed -to this rude aggression, ran off to seek shelter. The dead birds were -carefully collected, for the ostrich is, excellent eating, and the -Indians prepare, chiefly from the meat on the breast, a dish renowned -for its delicacy and exquisite savour. The warriors then proceeded to -collect eggs, also highly esteemed, and secured an ample crop.</p> - -<p>Although the chase had scarce lasted two hours, the horses panted and -wanted rest before they could return to the village; hence Natah Otann -gave orders to stop. The Count had never been present at so strange -a hunt before, although ever since he had been on the prairie he had -pursued the different animals that inhabit it; hence he entered into it -with all the excitement of youth, rushing on the ostriches and felling -them with childlike pleasure. When the signal for retreat was given by -the Chief, he reluctantly left off the amusement, which at the moment -caused him such delight, and returned slowly to his comrades. Suddenly -a loud cry was raised by the Indians, and each ran to his weapons. The -Count looked around him with surprise, and felt a slight tremor. The -ostrich hunt was over; but, as frequently happens in these countries, a -far more terrible one was about to begin—the chase of the cougar.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>Two of these animals had suddenly made their appearance. The Count -recovered at once, and, cocking his rifle, prepared to follow this -new species of game. Natah Otann had also noticed the wild beasts; -he ordered a dozen warriors to surround Prairie-Flower, whom he had -obliged to accompany him, or who had insisted on being present; then, -certain that the girl was, temporarily at least, in safety, he turned -to a warrior standing at his side.</p> - -<p>"Uncouple the dogs," he said.</p> - -<p>A dozen mastiffs were let loose, which howled in chorus on seeing the -wild beasts. The Indians, accustomed to see the ostrich hunt disturbed -in this way, never fail, when they go out for their favourite exercise, -to take with them dogs trained to attack the lion. About two hundred -yards from the spots where the Indians had halted, two cougars were -now crouching, with their eyes fixed on the Redskin warriors. These -animals, still young, were about the size of a calf; their heads bore -a strong, likeness to a cat's, and their soft smooth hide of silvery -yellow was dotted with black spots.</p> - -<p>"After them!" Natah Otann shouted.</p> - -<p>Horsemen and dogs rushed on the ferocious beasts with yells, cries, -and barks, capable of terrifying lions unused to such a reception. -The noble animals, motionless and amazed, lashed their flanks with -their long tails, and drew in heavy draughts of air; for a moment they -remained stationary, then suddenly bounded away. A party of hunters -galloped in a straight line to intercept their retreat, while the -others bent over their saddles, and guiding their horses with their -knees, fired their arrows and rifles, without checking the cougars -which turned furiously on the dogs, and hurled them ten yards from -them, to howl with pain. Still the mastiffs, long habituated to this -chase, watched for a favourable moment, leaped on the lions' backs, -and dug their nails in their flesh; but the latter, with one stroke -of their deadly claws, swept them off like flies, and continued their -flight.</p> - -<p>One of them, pierced by several arrows, and surrounded by the dogs, -rolled on the ground, raising a cloud of dust under its claws, and -uttering a fearful yell. This one the Canadian finished by putting a -bullet through its eye, but the second lion remained still unwounded, -and its leaps foiled the attack and skill of the hunters. The dogs, -now wearied, did not dare assail it. Its flight had led it a few paces -from the spot where Prairie-Flower stood: it suddenly turned at right -angles, bounded among the Indians, two of whom it ripped up, and -crouched before the young girl, ere making its leap. Prairie-Flower, -pale as a corpse, clasped her hands instinctively, uttered a stifled -cry, and fainted. New cries replied to hers, and at the moment the lion -was about to leap on the maiden, two bullets were buried in its chest. -It turned to face its new adversary; it was the Count de Beaulieu.</p> - -<p>"Let no one stir!" he exclaimed, stopping by a sign Natah Otann and -Bright-eye, who ran up, "this game is mine—no other than I shall kill -it."</p> - -<p>The Count had dismounted, and with his feet firmly planted, his rifle -at his shoulder, and eyes fixed on the lion, he waited. The lion -hesitated, cast a final glance at the prey lying a few paces from it, -and then rushed on the young man with a roar. He fired again: the -animal bit the dust, and the Count, hunting knife in hand, ran up -to it. The man and the lion rolled together on the ground, but soon -one of the combatants rose again—it was the man. Prairie-Flower was -saved. The maiden opened her eyes again, looked timidly around her, and -holding out her hand to the Frenchman.</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" she exclaimed, and burst into tears.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann walked up to her.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" he said, harshly; "what the Paleface has done Natah Otann -could have achieved."</p> - -<p>The Count smiled contemptuously, but made no reply, for he had -recognized a rival.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The <i>felis discolor</i> of Linnæus, or American lion.</p></div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></h4> - -<h3>INDIAN DIPLOMACY.</h3> - - -<p>Natah Otann feigned not to have perceived the Count's smile.</p> - -<p>"Now that you have recovered," he said to Prairie-Flower, in a gentler -tone than he at first assumed towards her, "mount your horse, and -return to the village. Red Wolf will accompany you; perhaps," he added, -with an Indian smile, "we may again come across cougars, and you are -so frightened at them, that I believe I am doing you a service in -begging you to withdraw."</p> - -<p>The young girl, still trembling, bowed and mounted her horse. Red Wolf -had involuntarily made a start of joy on hearing the order the chief -gave him, but the latter, occupied with his thoughts, had not surprised -it.</p> - -<p>"One moment," Natah Otann went on, "if living lions frighten you, I -know that in return you greatly value their furs; allow me to offer you -these."</p> - -<p>No one can equal the skill of Indians in flaying animals; in an instant -the two lions, over which the vultures were already hovering and -forming wide circles, were stripped of their rich hides, which were -thrown across Red Wolfs horse. That animal, terrified by the smell that -emanated from the skins, reared furiously, and almost unsaddled its -rider, who had great difficulty in restraining it.</p> - -<p>"Now go," the Chief said, drily, dismissing them with a haughty gesture.</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf departed at a gallop; Natah Otann watched -them for a long time, then let his head fall on his breast, as he -uttered a deep sigh, and appeared plunged in gloomy thought. A moment -later he felt a hand pressing heavily on his chest; he raised his -head—White Buffalo was before him.</p> - -<p>"What do you want with me?" he asked, angrily.</p> - -<p>"Do you not know?" the old man said, looking at him fixedly.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann quivered.</p> - -<p>"It is true," he said, "the hour has arrived, you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Are all precautions taken?"</p> - -<p>"All."</p> - -<p>"Come on then; but where are they?"</p> - -<p>"Look at them."</p> - -<p>While uttering these words, White Buffalo pointed to the Count and his -comrades lying on the grass, at the skirt of a wood, about two hundred -yards from the Indian encampment.</p> - -<p>"Ah, they keep aloof," the Chief observed, bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Is not that better for the conversation which we wish to have with -them?"</p> - -<p>"You are right."</p> - -<p>The two men then walked up to the hunters without speaking again. The -latter had really kept away, not through contempt for the Indians, but -in order to be more at liberty. What had occurred after the death of -the cougars, the brutal way in which the Chief spoke to Prairie-Flower, -had vexed the Count, and it needed all the power he possessed over -himself, and the entreaties of Bright-eye, to prevent him breaking out -in reproaches of the Chief, whose conduct appeared to him unjustifiably -coarse.</p> - -<p>"Hum," he said, "this man is decidedly a ruffian: I am beginning to be -of your opinion, Bright-eye."</p> - -<p>"Bah! that is nothing yet," the latter replied, with a shrug of his -shoulders; "we shall see plenty more, if we only remain a week with -these demons."</p> - -<p>While speaking, the Canadian had reloaded his rifle and pistols.</p> - -<p>"Do as I do," he continued; "no one knows what may happen."</p> - -<p>"What need of that precaution? are we not under the protection of the -Indians, whose guests we are?"</p> - -<p>"Possibly; but no matter, you had better follow my advice, for with -Indians you can never answer for the future."</p> - -<p>"There is considerable truth in what you say; what I have just seen -does not at all inspire me with confidence."</p> - -<p>The Count, therefore, began reloading his weapons; as for Ivon, he had -not used his. The two Indian Chiefs came up at the moment the Count -finished loading the last pistol.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" Natah Otann said, in French, saluting the young man -with studied politeness, "have you scented any wild beast in the -neighbourhood?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," the latter replied, as he returned his pistols to his -belt.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing but what I say."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately for me, doubtlessly, that is so subtile, that I do not -understand it."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry for it, sir; but I can only reply to you by an old Latin -proverb."</p> - -<p>"Which is?"</p> - -<p>"What need to repeat it, as you do not understand Latin?"</p> - -<p>"Suppose I do understand it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, then, as you insist upon it, here it is—<i>si vis pacem para -bellum</i>."</p> - -<p>"Which means—" the Chief said, impertinently, while White Buffalo bit -his lips.</p> - -<p>"Which means—" the Count said.</p> - -<p>"If you wish for peace, prepare for war," White Buffalo hurriedly -interrupted.</p> - -<p>"It was you who said it," the Count remarked, bowing with a mocking -smile.</p> - -<p>The three men stood face to face, like skilful duellists, who feel -the adversary's sword before engaging, and who, having recognized -themselves to be of equal strength, redouble their prudence before -dealing a decisive thrust.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye, though not understanding much of this skirmish of words, -had still, through the distrust which was the basis of his character, -given Ivon a side-glance, and both, though apparently inattentive, -were ready for any event. After the Count's last remark there was a -lengthened silence, which Natah Otann was the first to break.</p> - -<p>"You believe yourself to be among enemies, then?" he asked, in a tone -of wounded pride.</p> - -<p>"I did not say so," he replied, "and such is not my thought; still, I -confess that all I have seen during the last few days is so strange to -me, that, in spite of all my attempts, I can form no settled opinion -either about men or things, and that causes me deep reflection."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Indian said, coldly, "and what is it so strange you see -around you? Would you be kind enough to inform me?"</p> - -<p>"I see no harm in doing so, if you wish it."</p> - -<p>"You will cause me intense pleasure by explaining yourself."</p> - -<p>"I am quite ready to do so; the more so, as I have ever been accustomed -to express my thoughts freely, and I see no reason for disguising them -today."</p> - -<p>The two Chiefs bowed, and said nothing; the Count rested his hands on -the muzzle of his gun, and continued, while regarding them fixedly—</p> - -<p>"My faith, gentlemen, since you wish me to unveil my thoughts, you -shall have them in their entirety: we are here in the wilds of the -American prairies, that is, in the wildest countries of the new -Continent; you are always on hostile terms with the whites; you -Blackfeet are regarded as the most untameable, savage, and ferocious of -the Indians; or, in other words, the most devoid of the civilization of -all the aboriginal nations."</p> - -<p>"Well," Natah Otann remarked, "what do you find strange in that? Is -it our fault if our despoilers, since the discovery of the new world, -have tracked us like wild beasts, driven us back in the desert, and -regarded us as beings scarcely endowed with the instinct of the brute? -You must blame them, and not us. By what right do you reproach us with -a brutalization and barbarism, produced by our persecutors and not by -ourselves?"</p> - -<p>"You have not understood me, sir: if, instead of interrupting me, you -had listened patiently a few minutes longer, you would have seen that I -not merely do not reproach you for that brutalization, but pity it in -my heart; for, although I have been only a few months in the desert, -I have been on several occasions in a position to judge the unhappy -race to which you belong, and appreciate the good qualities it still -possesses, and which the odious tyranny of the whites has not succeeded -in eradicating, despite all the means employed to attain that end."</p> - -<p>The two Chiefs exchanged a glance of satisfaction; the generous words -uttered by the young man gave them hopes as to the success of their -negotiation.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, and pray continue," Natah Otann said, with a bow.</p> - -<p>"I will do so:" the Count went on: "I repeat it, it was not that -barbarism which astonished me, for I supposed it to be greater than -it really is: what seemed strange to me was to find in the heart of -the desert, where we now are, amid the ferocious Indians who surround -us, two men, two Chiefs of these self-same Indians—I will not say -civilized, for the word is not strong enough—but utterly conversant -with all the secrets of the most advanced and refined civilization, -speaking my maternal tongue with the most extreme purity, and seeming, -in a word, to have nothing Indian about them, save the dress they -wear. It seemed strange to me that two men, for an object I know not, -changing in turn their manners and fashions, are at one moment savage -Indians, at another perfect gentlemen; but instead of trying to raise -their countrymen from the barbarism in which they pine, they wallow in -it with them, feigning to be as ignorant and cruel as themselves. I -confess to you, gentlemen, that all this not only appeared strange to -me, but even frightened me."</p> - -<p>"Frightened!" the two Chiefs exclaimed, simultaneously.</p> - -<p>"Yes, frightened!" the Count continued, quickly; "for a life of -continual feints, such as you lead, must conceal some dark plot. -Lastly, I am frightened, because your conduct towards me, the urgency -with which you sought to attract me amongst you, causes involuntary -suspicions to spring up in my heart as to your secret intentions."</p> - -<p>"And what are those suspicions, sir?" Natah Otann asked, haughtily.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid that you wish to make me your accomplice in some -scandalous deed."</p> - -<p>These words, pronounced vehemently, burst like a thunderbolt on the -ears of the two strange Chiefs; they were terrified by the perspicuity -of the young man, and for several moments knew not what to say, to -disculpate themselves.</p> - -<p>"Sir!" Natah Otann at length exclaimed, violently.</p> - -<p>White Buffalo checked him by a majestic gesture.</p> - -<p>"It is my duty," he said, "to reply to our guest's words: in his turn, -after the frank and loyal explanation he has given us, he has a right -to one equally frank on our side."</p> - -<p>"I am listening to you," the young man said, coolly.</p> - -<p>"Of the two men now standing before you, one is your fellow countryman."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Count muttered.</p> - -<p>"That countryman is myself."</p> - -<p>The young man bowed coldly.</p> - -<p>"I suspected it," he said, "and it is a further reason to heighten my -suspicions."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann made a gesture.</p> - -<p>"Let him speak," White Buffalo said, holding him back.</p> - -<p>"What I have to say will not be long, sir: it is my opinion that the -man who consents to exchange the blessings of European civilization for -a precarious life on the prairie; who breaks all the ties of family -and friendship which attached him to his country, in order to adopt an -Indian life—in my opinion that man must have many disgraceful actions -to reproach himself with, and his remorse forces him to offer society -expiation for them."</p> - -<p>The old man's brow contracted, and a livid pallor covered his face.</p> - -<p>"You are very young, sir," he said, "to have the right to bring such -accusations against an old man whose actions, life, and even name are -unknown to you."</p> - -<p>"That is true, sir," the Count answered, nobly. "Pardon any insult my -words may have conveyed."</p> - -<p>"Why should I be angry with you?" he continued, in a sad voice; "a -child born yesterday, whose eyes opened amid songs and fêtes, whose -life, which counts but a few days, has been spent gently and calmly in -the peace and prosperity of that beloved France which I weep for every -day."</p> - -<p>"Who are you, sir?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Who I am?" the old man said, bitterly. "I am one of those crushed -Titans who sat in the Convention of 1793."</p> - -<p>The Count fell back a pace, letting fall the hand he had taken.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" he said.</p> - -<p>The exile looked at him searchingly.</p> - -<p>"Enough of this," he said, raising his head and assuming a firm and -resolute tone; "you are in our hands, sir, any resistance will be -useless; so listen to our propositions."</p> - -<p>The Count shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"You throw off the mask," he said, "and I prefer that; but allow me one -remark before listening to you."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"I am of noble birth, as you are aware, and hence we are old enemies; -on whatever ground we may meet, we can only stand face to face, never -side by side."</p> - -<p>"They are ever the same," the other muttered; "this haughty race may be -broken, but not bent."</p> - -<p>The Count bowed, and folded his arms on his breast.</p> - -<p>"I am waiting," he said.</p> - -<p>"Time presses," the exile continued; "any discussion between us would -be superfluous, as we cannot agree."</p> - -<p>"At least, that is clear," the Count remarked, with a smile; "now for -the rest."</p> - -<p>"It is this: in two days, all the Indian nations will rise as one man -to crush the American tyranny."</p> - -<p>"What do I care for that? Have I come so far to dabble in politics?"</p> - -<p>The exile repressed a movement of anger.</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, your will is not free; you are here to obey our -conditions, and not to impose your own: you must accept or die."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh, always your old means, as it seems, but I will be patient: -come, what is it you expect from me?"</p> - -<p>"We demand," he went on, laying a stress on every word, "that you -should take the command of all the warriors, and direct the expedition -in person."</p> - -<p>"Why I, rather than anyone else?"</p> - -<p>"Because you alone can play the part we give you."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense—you are mad."</p> - -<p>"You must be so, if, since your stay among the Indians, you have not -seen that you would have been killed long ago, had we not been careful -to spread reports about you, which gained you general respect, in spite -of your rashness and blind confidence in yourself."</p> - -<p>"Eh, then, this has been prepared a long time?"</p> - -<p>"For centuries."</p> - -<p>"Hang it!" the Count went on, still sarcastically, "what have I to do -in all this?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, sir, not much," the White Buffalo answered, with a sneer; "and -anyone else would have suited us just as well; unfortunately for you, -you have an extraordinary likeness to the man who can alone march at -our head; and as this man died long ago, it is not probable that he -will come from his grave expressly to guide us to battle; hence you -must take his place."</p> - -<p>"Very well; and would there be any indiscretion in asking you the name -of the man to whom I bear so wonderful a likeness?"</p> - -<p>"Not the slightest," the old man replied, coldly; "the more so, because -you have doubtlessly already heard his name; it is Motecuhzoma."</p> - -<p>The Count burst into a laugh.</p> - -<p>"Come!" he said, "it is a capital joke; but I find it a little too -long. Now, a word in my turn."</p> - -<p>"Speak."</p> - -<p>"Whatever you may do, whatever means you may employ, I will never -consent to serve you in any way. Now, as I am your guest, placed under -the guarantee of your honour, I request you to let me pass."</p> - -<p>"That resolution is decided."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You will not change it."</p> - -<p>"Whatever happens."</p> - -<p>"We shall see that," the old man remarked, coldly.</p> - -<p>The Count looked at him contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"Make way there," he said, resolutely.</p> - -<p>The two Chiefs shrugged their shoulders.</p> - -<p>"We are savages," Natah Otann said, gibingly.</p> - -<p>"Make way!" the Count repeated, as he cocked his rifle.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann whistled; in an instant, some fifteen Indians rushed from -the wood, and fell on the white men, who, however, though surprised, -endured the shock bravely. Standing instinctively back to back, with -shoulder supported against shoulder, they suddenly formed a tremendous -triangle, before which the Redskins were constrained to halt.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh," Bright-eye said, "I fancy we are going to have some fun."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Ivon muttered, crossing himself piously; "but we shall be -killed."</p> - -<p>"Probably," the Canadian said.</p> - -<p>"Fall back!" the Count ordered.</p> - -<p>The three men then began to retire slowly toward the wood, the only -shelter that offered, without separating, and still pointing their -rifles at the Indians. The Redskins are brave, even rash; that question -cannot be disguised or doubted; but with them courage is calculated; -they never fight save to gain an object, and are not fond of risking -their lives unprofitably. They hesitated.</p> - -<p>"I fancy we did well to reload our arms," the Count said, ironically, -but with perfect calmness.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin.</p> - -<p>"No matter, I am very frightened," Ivon groaned his eyes sparkling and -his lips quivering.</p> - -<p>"<i>Eha</i>, sons of blood!" Natah Otann shouted, as he cocked his gun. "Do -three Palefaces frighten you? Forward! Forward!"</p> - -<p>The Indians uttered their war yell, and rushed on the hunters. The -other Indians, warned of what was happening by the shouts of their -comrades, ran up hurriedly to take part in the fight.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></h4> - -<h3>MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.</h3> - - -<p>We must leave our three valiant champions for a few moments in their -present critical position, to speak of one of the important persons of -this story, whom we have neglected too long.</p> - -<p>Immediately after the departure of the Indians, John Black, with -that American activity equalled in no other country, set to work, -beginning his clearing. The peril he had incurred, and which he had -only escaped by a miracle incomprehensible to him, had caused him to -make very earnest reflections. He understood that in the isolated spot -where he was, he could not expect assistance from anyone; that he -must alone confront the danger that would doubtlessly menace him; and -that, consequently, he must, before all else, think about defending -the settlement against a <i>coup de main</i>, Major Melville had heard, -through his <i>engagés</i> and trappers, of the colonist; but the latter was -perfectly ignorant that he was only ten miles from Fort Mackenzie. His -resolution once formed, John Black carried it out immediately.</p> - -<p>To those people who have not seen American clearings, the processes -employed by the squatters, and the skill with which they cut down -the largest trees in a few moments, would appear as prodigies. Black -considered that he had not a moment to lose, and, aided by his son -and servants, set to work. The temporary camp, as we have seen, was -situated on a rather high mound, which commanded the plain for a -long distance. It was here that the colonist determined to build his -house. He began by planting all round the platform of the hill a row -of enormous stakes, twelve feet high, and fastened together by large -bolts. This first enceinte finished, he dug behind it a trench about -eight feet wide and fifteen deep, throwing up the earth on the edge, -so as to form a second line of defence. Then, in the interior of this -improvised fortress, which, if defended by a resolute garrison, was -impregnable, unless cannon were brought up to form a breach—for the -abrupt slope of the hill rendered any assault impossible—he laid the -foundation of his family's future abode. The temporary arrangements -he had made allowed him to continue his further labours less hastily; -through his prodigious activity, he could defy the attacks of all the -prowlers on the prairie.</p> - -<p>His wife and daughter had actively helped him, for they understood, -better than the rest of the family, the utility of these defensive -works. The poor ladies, little used to the rude toil they had been -engaged in, needed rest. Black had not spared himself more than the -rest. He understood the justice of his wife and daughter's entreaties, -and as he had nothing to fear for the present, he generously granted a -whole day's rest to the little colony.</p> - -<p>The events that marked the squatter's arrival in the province had left -a profound impression on the hearts of Mrs. Black and her daughter. -Diana, especially, had maintained a recollection of the Count, which -time, far from weakening, rendered only the more vivid. The Count's -chivalrous character, the noble way in which he had acted, and—let us -speak the truth—his physical qualities, all combined to render him -dear to the young girl, whose life had hitherto passed away calmly, -nothing happening to cast a cloud over her heart. Many times since the -young man's departure she stopped in her work, raised her head, looked -anxiously around her, and then resumed her toil, while stifling a sigh.</p> - -<p>Mothers are quick-sighted, especially those who, like Mrs. Black, -really love their daughters. What her husband and son did not suspect, -then, she guessed merely by looking for a few minutes at the poor -girl's pale face, her eyes surrounded by a dark ring, her pensive look, -and inattention.</p> - -<p>Diana was in love.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Black looked around her. No one could be the object of that love. -So far back as she could remember, she called to mind no one her -daughter had appeared to distinguish before their departure from the -clearing, where she had passed her youth. Besides, when the little -party set out in search of a fresh home, Diana seemed joyful, she -prattled gaily as a bird, and appeared to trouble herself about none of -those she left behind.</p> - -<p>After these reflections, the mother sighed in her turn; for, if she had -divined her daughter's love, she had been unable to discover the man -who was the object of that love. Mrs. Black resolved to cross-question -her daughter as soon as she happened to be alone with her; till then -she feigned to be in perfect ignorance. The day of rest granted by John -Black to his family would probably offer her the favourable opportunity -she awaited so impatiently. Hence she joyfully received the news which -her husband gave her in the evening after prayers, which, according to -the custom of the family, were said in common before going to bed.</p> - -<p>The next morning, at sunrise, according to their daily habit, the two -ladies prepared the breakfast, while the servants led the cattle down -to the river.</p> - -<p>"Wife," the squatter said, at breakfast, "William and I intend, as -work is suspended for today, to mount our horses, and go and visit the -neighbourhood, which we have not seen yet."</p> - -<p>"Do not go too far, my friend, and be well armed; you know that in the -desert dangerous meetings are not rare."</p> - -<p>"Yes; so be at ease. Although I believe that we have nothing to fear -for the present, I will be prudent. Would you not feel inclined to -accompany us, as well as Diana, and take a look at your new domain?"</p> - -<p>The girl's eyes glistened with joy at this proposition; she opened her -lips to reply; but her mother laid her hand on her mouth, and spoke -instead of her.</p> - -<p>"You must excuse us, my dear," she said, with a certain degree of -vivacity, "but women, as you know, have always something to do. Diana -and I will put everything in order during your absence, which our busy -labours of the last few days have prevented us doing."</p> - -<p>"As you please, wife."</p> - -<p>"Besides," she continued, with a smile; "as we shall probably remain a -long time here—"</p> - -<p>"I fancy so," the squatter interrupted.</p> - -<p>"Well, I shall not lack opportunity of visiting our domains, as you -call them, another day."</p> - -<p>"Excellently argued, ma'am, and I am quite of your opinion; William -and I will therefore take our ride alone; I would ask you not to feel -alarmed if we do not come home till rather late."</p> - -<p>"No; but on condition that you return before night."</p> - -<p>"Agreed."</p> - -<p>They spoke of something else; still, towards the end of the meal, Sam, -without suspecting it, brought the conversation back nearly to the same -subject.</p> - -<p>"I am certain, James," he said to his comrade, "that the young man was -not a Canadian, as you fancy, but a Frenchman."</p> - -<p>"Who are you talking about?" the squatter asked.</p> - -<p>"The gentleman who accompanied the Redskins, and made them give us back -our cattle."</p> - -<p>"Yes, without counting the other obligations we are under to him, for -if I am now the owner of a clearing, it was through him."</p> - -<p>"He is a worthy gentleman," Mrs. Black said, with a purpose.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," Diana murmured, in an indistinct voice.</p> - -<p>"He is a Frenchman," Black asserted. "There cannot be a doubt of that: -those Canadian scoundrels are incapable of acting in the way he did to -us."</p> - -<p>Like all the North Americans, Black heartily detested the Canadians; -why he did so, he could not have said, but this hatred was innate in -his heart.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" William said, "what matter his country, he has a fine heart, -and is a true gentleman. For my part, father, I know a certain William -Black, who is ready to die for him."</p> - -<p>"By heaven!" the squatter exclaimed, as he struck the table with his -fist, "you would be only doing your duty, and discharging a sacred -debt: I would give anything to see him again, and prove to him that I -am not ungrateful."</p> - -<p>"Well spoken, father," William said joyously; "honest men are too rare -in the world for us not to cling to those we know; if we should meet -again, I will show him what sort of man I am."</p> - -<p>During this rapid interchange of words, Diana said nothing; she -listened, with outstretched neck, beaming face, and a smile on her -lips, happy to hear a man thus spoken of, whom she unconsciously loved -since she first saw him. Mrs. Black thought it prudent to turn the -conversation.</p> - -<p>"There is another person to whom we owe great obligations; for if -Heaven had not sent her at the right moment to our help, we should have -been pitilessly massacred by the Indians; have you already forgotten -that person?"</p> - -<p>"God forbid!" the squatter exclaimed, quickly, "the poor creature did -me too great a service for me to forget her."</p> - -<p>"But who on earth can she be?" William said.</p> - -<p>"I should be much puzzled to say; I believe even that the Indians and -trappers, who cross the prairies, could give us no information about -her."</p> - -<p>"She only appeared and disappeared," James observed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but her passage, so rapid as it was, left deep traces," Mrs. -Black said.</p> - -<p>"Her mere presence was enough to terrify the Indians. That woman I -shall always regard as a good genius, whatever opinion may be expressed -about her in my presence."</p> - -<p>"We owe it to her that we did not suffer atrocious torture."</p> - -<p>"May God bless the worthy creature!" the squatter exclaimed; "if ever -she have need of us, she can come in all certainty; I and all I possess -are at her disposal."</p> - -<p>The meal was over, and they rose from the table. Sam had saddled two -horses. John Black and his son took their pistols, bowie knives, and -rifles, mounted their horses, and after promising once again not to be -late, they cautiously descended the winding path leading into the plain.</p> - -<p>Diana and her mother then began putting things to rights, as had been -arranged. When Mrs. Black had watched the couple out of sight on the -prairie, and assured herself that the two servants were engaged outside -in mending some harness, she took her needlework, and requested her -daughter to come and sit by her side. Diana obeyed with a certain -inward apprehension, for never had her mother behaved to her so -mysteriously. For a few minutes the two ladies worked silently opposite -each other. At length Mrs. Black stopped her needle, and looked at her -daughter; the latter continued her sewing, without appearing to notice -this intermission.</p> - -<p>"Diana," she asked her, "have you nothing to say to me?"</p> - -<p>"I, mother?" the young girl said, raising her head with amazement.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you, my child."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, mother," she went on, with a certain tremor in her voice, -"but I do not understand you."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Black sighed.</p> - -<p>"Yes," she murmured, "and so it ever must be; a moment arrives when -young girls have unconsciously a secret from their mothers."</p> - -<p>The poor lady wiped away a tear; Diana rose quickly, and throwing her -arms tenderly round her mother—</p> - -<p>"A secret? I, a secret from you, mother? Oh, how could you suppose such -a thing?"</p> - -<p>"Child!" Mrs. Black replied, with a smile of ineffable kindness, "a -mother's eye cannot be deceived;" and putting her finger on her -daughter's palpitating heart, she said, "your secret is there."</p> - -<p>Diana blushed, and drew back, confused.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" the good lady continued, "I do not address reproaches to you, -poor dear and well-beloved child. You unconsciously submit to the laws -of nature; I too, at your age, was as you are at this moment, and when -my mother asked my secret, like you, I replied that I had none, for I -was myself ignorant of that secret."</p> - -<p>The girl hid her face, all bathed in tears, in her mother's breast. The -latter gently moved the flowing locks of light hair which covered her -daughter's brow, and giving her a kiss, said, with that accent which -mothers alone possess—</p> - -<p>"Come, my dear Diana, dry your tears, do not trouble yourself so; only -tell me your feelings during the last few days."</p> - -<p>"Alas! my kind mother," the girl replied, smiling through her tears, -"I understand nothing myself, and suffer without knowing why; I am -restless, languid; everything disgusts and wearies me, and yet I fancy -there has been no change in my life."</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken, child," Mrs. Black answered, gravely, "your heart -has spoken without your knowledge; thus, instead of the careless, -laughing girl you were, you have become a woman, you have thought, your -forehead has turned pale, and you suffer."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" Diana murmured.</p> - -<p>"Come, how long have you been so sad?"</p> - -<p>"I know not, mother."</p> - -<p>"Think again."</p> - -<p>"I fancy it is—."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Black, understanding her daughter's hesitation, finished the -sentence for her.</p> - -<p>"Since the day after our arrival here, is it not?"</p> - -<p>Diana raised to her mother her large blue eyes, in which profound -amazement could be read.</p> - -<p>"It is true," she murmured.</p> - -<p>"Your sorrow began at the moment when the strangers, who so nobly aided -us, took their leave?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," the girl said, in a low voice, with downcast eyes and blushing -forehead.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Black continued smilingly her interesting interrogatory.</p> - -<p>"On seeing them depart, your heart was contracted, your cheeks turned -pale, you shuddered involuntarily, and, if I had not held you—I who -watched you carefully, poor darling—you would have fallen. Is not all -this true?"</p> - -<p>"It is true, mother," the girl said, with a more assured voice.</p> - -<p>"Good; and the man from whom you regret being separated—he who causes -your present sorrow and suffering, is—?"</p> - -<p>"Mother!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into her arms, and hiding her -shamed face in her bosom.</p> - -<p>"It is—?" she continued.</p> - -<p>"Edward!" the girl said, in an inarticulate voice, and melting into -tears.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Black directed on her daughter a glance of supreme pity, embraced -her ardently several times, and said, in a soft voice,—</p> - -<p>"You see that you had a secret, my child, since you love him."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" she murmured, naively, "I do not know it, mother."</p> - -<p>The good lady nodded her head with satisfaction, led her daughter back -to her chair, and herself sitting down, said to her,—</p> - -<p>"And now that we have had a thorough explanation, and there is no -longer a secret between us, suppose we have a little talk, Diana."</p> - -<p>"I am quite willing, mother."</p> - -<p>"Listen to me, then; my age and experience, leaving out of sight the -position in which I stand to you, authorize me in giving you advice. -Will you hear it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, mother! you know I respect and love you."</p> - -<p>"I know it, dear child; I know too, as I have never left you since your -birth, and have incessantly watched over you, how generous your mind -is, how noble your heart, and how capable of self-devotion. I must -cause you great pain, poor girl; but it is better to attend to the -green wound, than allow time to render the evil incurable."</p> - -<p>"Alas!"</p> - -<p>"This raging love, which has unconsciously entered your heart, cannot -be very great; it is rather the awakening of the mind to those -gentle feelings and noble instincts, which embellish existence and -characterize the woman, than a passion; your love is only in reality -a momentary exaltation of the brain's feverish imagination; like all -young girls, you aspire to the unknown, you seek an ideal, the reality -of which does not exist for you; but you do not love. Nay, more, you -cannot love; the feeling you experience at the moment is entirely in -the head, and the heart goes for nothing."</p> - -<p>"Mother!" the young girl interrupted.</p> - -<p>"Dear Diana," she continued, taking her hand, and pressing it, "let -me make you suffer a little now, to spare you at a later date the -horrible pangs which would produce the despair of your whole existence. -The man you fancy you love you will probably never see again; he is -ignorant of your attachment, and does not share it. I am speaking cold -and implacable reason; it is logical, and spares us much grief, while -passion is never so, and always produces pain; but supposing for a -moment that this young man loved you, you could never be his."</p> - -<p>"But if he love me, mother," she said, timidly.</p> - -<p>"Poor babe!" the mother continued, with an accent of sublime pity. -"Do you know even whether he be free? Who has told you that he is not -married? But I will allow it for a moment: this young man is noble; -he belongs to one of the oldest and proudest families in Europe; -his fortune is immense. Do you believe that he will ever consent to -abandon all the social advantages his position guarantees him?—that he -will bow his family pride to give his hand to the daughter of a poor -American squatter?"</p> - -<p>"It is true," she murmured, letting her head fall in her hands.</p> - -<p>"And even if he did so, though it is impossible, would you consent to -follow him, and leave in the desert a father and mother, who have only -you, and who would die of despair ere your departure? Come, Diana, -answer, would you consent?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, never, never, mother!" she exclaimed, madly "Oh, I love you most -of all!"</p> - -<p>"Good, my darling; that is how I wished to see you. I am happy that my -words have found the road to your heart. This man is kind; he has done -us immense service; we owe him gratitude, but nothing more."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, mother," she murmured, with a sob.</p> - -<p>"You must only see in him a friend, a brother," she continued, firmly.</p> - -<p>"I will try, mother."</p> - -<p>"You promise it me?"</p> - -<p>The girl hesitated for a moment. Suddenly she raised her head, and -said, bravely,—</p> - -<p>"I thank you, mother. I swear to you not to forget him, that would -be impossible, but so thoroughly to conceal my love, that, with the -exception of yourself, no one shall suspect it."</p> - -<p>"Come to my arms, my child; you understand your duty; you are noble and -good."</p> - -<p>At this moment James entered.</p> - -<p>"Mistress," he said, "the master is coming back, but there are several -persons with him."</p> - -<p>"Wipe your eyes, and follow me, dear; let us go and see what has -happened."</p> - -<p>And, stooping down to her daughter's ear, she whispered,—</p> - -<p>"When we are alone, we will speak of him."</p> - -<p>"Yes, mother," Diana said, almost joyfully, "Oh, how good you are, and -how I love you."</p> - -<p>They went out, and looked in the direction of the plain. At a -considerable distance from the fort, they noticed a party of four or -five persons, at the head of whom were John Black and his son William.</p> - -<p>"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs. Black said, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"We shall soon know, mother; calm yourself; they seem to be riding too -gently for us to feel any alarm."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></h4> - -<h3>IVON.</h3> - - -<p>The Count and his two companions, as we have seen, bravely awaited the -attack of the Indians; it was terrible. For an instant there was a -horrible mêlée hand to hand; then the Indians fell back to draw breath, -and begin again. Ten corpses lay at the feet of the three men, who were -motionless and firm as a block of granite.</p> - -<p>"By heavens!" the Count said, as he wiped away, with the back of his -hand, the perspiration mingled with blood that stood in large beads on -his forehead, "it is a glorious fight."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Bright-eye replied, carelessly; "but it is mortal."</p> - -<p>"What matter, if we die like men?"</p> - -<p>"Hum! I am not of that opinion. As long as there is a chance, we must -seize it."</p> - -<p>"But none is left us!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps there is; but let me act."</p> - -<p>"I ask no better. Still I confess to you that I find this fight -glorious."</p> - -<p>"It is really very agreeable; but it would be much more so, if we lived -to recount it."</p> - -<p>"On my word, that is true. I did not think of that."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I did."</p> - -<p>The Canadian stooped down to Ivon, and whispered some words in his ear.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the Breton replied, "provided I am not afraid."</p> - -<p>"Bravo!" the hunter said, with a smile; "you will do what you can. That -is agreed?"</p> - -<p>"Agreed."</p> - -<p>"Look out, comrades," the Count shouted; "here are the enemy!"</p> - -<p>In truth, the Indians were ready to renew the attack. Natah Otann and -White Buffalo were resolved on taking the Count alive, and without a -wound; they had consequently given their warriors orders not to employ -their firearms, content themselves with parrying the blows dealt them, -but take him at every risk. During the few moments' respite which the -Indians had allowed the white men, the other Indians had run up to take -part in the fight; so that the hunters, surrounded on all sides, had to -make head against at least forty Redskins. It would have been madness -or blind temerity to attempt opposing such a mass of enemies; and yet -the white men did not appear to dream of asking quarter. At the moment -Natah Otann was going to give the signal for attack, White Buffalo, who -had hitherto stood aloof, gloomy and thoughtful, interposed,—</p> - -<p>"A moment!" he said.</p> - -<p>"For what good?" the Chief remarked.</p> - -<p>"Let me make the attempt. Perhaps they will recognize that a struggle -is impossible, and consent to accept our propositions."</p> - -<p>"I doubt it," Natah Otann muttered, shaking his head; "they appear very -resolute."</p> - -<p>"Let me try it. You know how necessary it is for the success of our -plans that we should seize this man?"</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately; if we do not take care, he will be killed."</p> - -<p>"That is what I wish to avoid."</p> - -<p>"Try it then; but I am convinced you will fail."</p> - -<p>"Who knows? I can try, at any rate."</p> - -<p>White Buffalo walked a few paces in advance, and was then about six -yards from the Count.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" the young man said. "If I did not involuntarily -know that you are a Frenchman, I should have long ago put a bullet into -your chest."</p> - -<p>"Fire!—what stops you?" the exile replied, in a sad voice. "Do you -believe that I fear death?"</p> - -<p>"Enough talking. Retire! or I will fire."</p> - -<p>And he levelled his rifle at him.</p> - -<p>"I wish to say one word to you."</p> - -<p>"Speak quickly, and be off."</p> - -<p>"I offer you and your comrades your lives, if you will surrender."</p> - -<p>The Count burst into a laugh.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders; "do you take us for -fools? We were the guests of your companions, and they have impudently -violated the law of nations."</p> - -<p>"That is your last word, then?"</p> - -<p>"The last, by Jove! You must have lived a long time among the Indians -to have forgotten that Frenchmen would sooner die than be cowards."</p> - -<p>"Your blood be on your own heads, then."</p> - -<p>"So be it, odious renegade, who fight with savages against your -brothers."</p> - -<p>This insult struck the old man to the heart; he bent a fearful glance -on the young man, turned pale as death and withdrew, tottering like a -drunkard, and muttering, in a low voice,—</p> - -<p>"Oh, these nobles!"</p> - -<p>"Well?" Natah Otann asked him.</p> - -<p>"He refuses," he answered quickly.</p> - -<p>"I was sure of it. Now it is our turn."</p> - -<p>Raising to his lips his war whistle, he produced a shrill and -lengthened sound, to which the Indians responded with a frightful yell, -and rushed like a legion of demons on the three men, who received them -without yielding an inch. The mêlée recommenced in all its fury; the -three men clubbed their rifles, and dealt crushing blows around. Ivon -performed prodigies of valour, rising and sinking his rifle with the -regularity of a pendulum, smashing a man at every blow, and muttering,—</p> - -<p>"Ouf, there's another: holy Virgin, I feel my terror coming upon me."</p> - -<p>Still the circle drew closer round the three men; others took the -places of the Indians who fell, and were in their turn pushed onward by -those behind. The hunters were weary of striking. Their arms did not -fall with the same vigour; their blows failed in regularity; the blood -rose to their heads; their eyes were injected with blood, and they had -a dizziness in their ears.</p> - -<p>"We are lost!" the Count muttered.</p> - -<p>"Courage!" Bright-eye yelled, as he smashed in the skull of an Indian.</p> - -<p>"It is not courage that fails me, but strength," the young man -answered, in a fainting voice.</p> - -<p>"Forward, forward!" Natah Otann repeated, bounding like a demon round -the three men.</p> - -<p>"Now, Ivon, now!" Bright-eye cried out.</p> - -<p>"Good bye," the Breton replied.</p> - -<p>And turning his terrible weapon round his head, he rushed into the -densest throng of the Indians.</p> - -<p>"Follow me, Count," Bright-eye went on.</p> - -<p>"Come on then," the latter shouted.</p> - -<p>The two men executed on the opposite side the manoeuvre attempted by -the Breton. Ivon, the coward you know, seemed to have at the moment -entirely forgotten his fear of being speared; he appeared, like -Briareus, to have a hundred arms to level the numerous assailants who -incessantly rose before him, and cleft his way through the throng. -Fortunately for the Breton, most of the Indians had rushed in pursuit -of game more valuable to them, that is, the Count and the Canadian, who -had redoubled their efforts, though already so prodigious.</p> - -<p>While still fighting, Ivon had reached the skirt of the wood, about -three or four yards from the spot where the horses were tied. This -was probably what the Breton wished for. So soon as he found himself -in a straight line with the horses, instead of pushing forward as he -had hitherto done, he began to fall back step to step, so as to arrive -close to them. Still, he always fought with that cold resolution which -distinguishes the Bretons, and renders them such terrible foemen.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, when he found himself near enough to the horses, Ivon gave a -parting blow to the nearest Indian, sent him staggering backwards with -a dashed-in skull, took a panther leap, and reached the Count's horse. -In a second he had mounted, dug his spurs into the flanks of the noble -animal, and galloped off, after knocking down two Indians who tried to -stop him.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! saved! saved!" he shouted, in a voice of thunder, as he -disappeared in the forest, where the Blackfeet did not dare to follow -him.</p> - -<p>The Redskins stood stupefied by such a prodigious flight. The cry -uttered by Ivon was doubtlessly a signal agreed on between him and -Bright-eye; for, so soon as he heard it, the hunter, by a hurried -movement, seized the Count's arm as he was in the act of striking.</p> - -<p>"What on earth are you about?" the latter said, turning to him angrily.</p> - -<p>"I am saving you," the hunter replied, coolly; "throw down your -weapon!—We surrender," he then exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"You will explain your conduct, I presume?" the Count continued.</p> - -<p>"Be of good cheer; you will approve it."</p> - -<p>"Be it so."</p> - -<p>And he threw the gun down. The Indians, whom the hunters' heroic -defence kept at a distance, rushed upon them so soon as they saw they -were disarmed, Natah Otann and White Buffalo hurried up; the two men -already were thrown down on the sand, when the Chief interposed.</p> - -<p>"Sir," he said, "you are my prisoner; and you too, Bright-eye."</p> - -<p>The young man shrugged his shoulders with contempt.</p> - -<p>"Reckon up what your victory has already cost you," the hunter replied, -with a sardonic smile, and pointing to the numerous corpses that lay on -the plain. Natah Otann, however, pretended not to hear this remark.</p> - -<p>"If you will give me your word of honour not to escape, gentlemen," -White Buffalo said, "you will be unloosed, and your weapons restored to -you."</p> - -<p>"Is this another trap you are laying for us?" the Count asked, -haughtily.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" Bright-eye said, with a significant glance at his comrade, "we -will give our word for four-and-twenty hours; after that, we will -see."</p> - -<p>"You hear, gentlemen," the young man said; "this hunter and myself -pledge our words for four-and-twenty hours. Does that suit you? Of -course, at the end of that time, we are free to recall it."</p> - -<p>"Or to pledge it again," the Canadian added, with a smile; "what do we -risk by doing so?"</p> - -<p>The two Chiefs exchanged a few whispered words.</p> - -<p>"We accept," Natah Otann at length said.</p> - -<p>At a sign from him, the prisoners' bonds were cut, and they rose.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" Bright-eye said, stretching himself with delight, "it does one -good to have the use of his limbs. Bah! I knew they would not kill me -this time, either."</p> - -<p>"Here are your horses and arms, gentlemen," the Chief said.</p> - -<p>"Permit me," the Count remarked coolly, drawing his watch from his -pocket, "it is now half-after seven; you have our parole till the same -time tomorrow evening."</p> - -<p>"Very good," White Buffalo said, with a bow.</p> - -<p>"And now, where are you going to take us, if you please?" the hunter -asked, with a crafty look.</p> - -<p>"To the village!"</p> - -<p>"Thank you."</p> - -<p>The two men jumped into their saddles, and followed the Indians, who -only waited for them to start. Ten minutes later, this place, on which -so many events had occurred during the day, became again calm and -silent.</p> - -<p>We will leave the Count and the hunter returning to the village under -good escort, to follow the track of Ivon.</p> - -<p>After leaving the battlefield, the latter rode straight ahead, not -caring to lose precious time in looking for a path; for the moment all -were good, provided that they bore him from the enemies he had so -providentially escaped. Still, after galloping for about an hour across -the wood, reassured by the perfect silence that prevailed around him, -he gradually checked his horse's speed. It was high time for this idea -to occur to him, as the poor horse, so harshly treated, was beginning -to break down. The Breton profited by this slight truce to reload his -weapons.</p> - -<p>"I am not brave," he said in a low voice, "but by Jove! as my poor -master says, the first scamp that attempts to bar my way, I will blow -out his brains, so surely as my name is Ivon."</p> - -<p>And the worthy man would have done as he said, we feel assured. After -advancing a few hundred yards, Ivon looked around, stopped his horse, -and dismounted.</p> - -<p>"What is the use of going any farther?" he said, resuming his -soliloquy; "my horse wants rest, and I shall not be the worse for a -halt. As well here as elsewhere."</p> - -<p>On this, he took off his horse's saddle, carried his master's -portmanteau to the foot of a tree, and began lighting a fire.</p> - -<p>"How quickly night comes on in this confounded country," he muttered; -"it is hardly eight o'clock, and it is as black as in an oven."</p> - -<p>While discoursing thus all alone, he had collected a considerable -quantity of dry wood; he returned to the spot he had selected for -camping, piled up the wood, struck a light, knelt, and began blowing -with all the strength of his lungs to make it catch. In a moment he -raised his head to breathe; but uttered a yell of terror, and almost -fell backwards. He had seen, about three paces from the fire, two -persons silently watching him. The first moment of surprise past, the -Breton bounded on his feet, and cocked his pistols.</p> - -<p>"Confuse you," he shouted, "you gave me a pretty fright; but no matter, -we will see."</p> - -<p>"My brother may be at rest," a soft voice replied, in bad English, "we -do not wish to do him any harm."</p> - -<p>As a Breton, Ivon spoke nearly as good English as he did French. On -hearing these words, he bent forward, and looked. "Oh!" he said, "the -Indian girl."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is I," Prairie-Flower answered, as she stepped forward.</p> - -<p>Her companion followed her, and Ivon recognized Red Wolf.</p> - -<p>"You are welcome," he remarked, "to my poor encampment."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," she answered.</p> - -<p>"How is it that you are here?"</p> - -<p>"And you?" she said, answering one question by another.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I!" he said, shaking his head, "that is a sad story."</p> - -<p>"What does my brother mean?" Red Wolf asked.</p> - -<p>"Good, good," the Breton said, turning his head; "that is my business, -and not yours. First, tell me what brings you to me, and I will then -see if I may confide to you what has happened to my master and myself."</p> - -<p>"My brother is prudent," Prairie-Flower answered, "he is right: -prudence is good on the prairie."</p> - -<p>"Hum! I wish my master had heard you make that remark, perhaps he would -not be where he now is."</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower gave a start of terror.</p> - -<p>"Wah! has any misfortune happened to him?" she said, in an agonized -voice.</p> - -<p>Ivon looked at her.</p> - -<p>"You appear to take an interest in him?"</p> - -<p>"He is brave," she exclaimed, passionately; "this morning he killed -the cougars that threatened Prairie-Flower; she has a heart—she will -remember."</p> - -<p>"That is true; quite true, young lady," he said; "he saved your life. -Tell me first, though, how it is we should have met in this forest."</p> - -<p>"Listen, then, as you insist."</p> - -<p>The Breton bowed. To all his other qualities Ivon added that of being -as obstinate as an Andalusian mule. Once the worthy man had taken a -theory into his head, nothing could turn him from it. We must grant, -however, that he had at present excellent reason to distrust the -Indians.</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower continued:—</p> - -<p>"After Glass-eye had so bravely killed the cougars," she said, with -considerable emotion, "the great Chief, Natah Otann, was angry with -Prairie-Flower, and ordered her to return to the village with Red Wolf."</p> - -<p>"I know all that," Ivon interrupted, "I was there; and that is why it -seems to me so extraordinary to meet you here when you should have been -on the road to the village."</p> - -<p>The Indian girl gave one of those little pouts peculiar to her, and -which rendered her so seductive.</p> - -<p>"The pale man is as curious as an old squaw," she said, with an accent -of ill-humour; "why does he wish to know Prairie-Flower's secret? She -has in her heart a little bird which sings pleasant songs to her, and -attracts her in the footsteps of the Paleface who saved her."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said the Breton, partly catching the girl's meaning; "that is -different."</p> - -<p>"Instead of returning to the village," Red Wolf interposed, -"Prairie-Flower wished to return to the side of Glass-eye."</p> - -<p>The Breton reflected for a long time; the two Indians watched him -silently, patiently waiting till he thought proper to explain himself. -Presently, he raised his head, and, fixing his cunning grey eye on the -girl, he asked her distinctly,—</p> - -<p>"You love him, then?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," she answered, looking down on the ground.</p> - -<p>"Very good. Now listen attentively to what I am about to tell you; it -will interest you prodigiously, or I am greatly mistaken."</p> - -<p>The two hearers bent down toward him, and listened attentively. Ivon -then related most copiously his master's conversation with the two -Chiefs; the dispute that arose between them; the combat that ensued -from it, and the way in which he had escaped.</p> - -<p>"If I did run away," he said, in conclusion, "heaven is my witness that -it was not for the purpose of saving my life. Though I am a desperate -coward, I would never hesitate to sacrifice my life for him; but -Bright-eye advised me to act in this way, so that I may try and find -assistance for them both."</p> - -<p>"Good," the girl said, quickly; "the Paleface is brave. What does he -intend to do?"</p> - -<p>"I mean to save my master, by Jove!" the Breton said, resolutely. "The -only thing is, that I do not know how to set about it."</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower knows. She will help the Paleface."</p> - -<p>"Is what you promise really true, young girl?"</p> - -<p>The Indian maid smiled.</p> - -<p>"The Paleface will follow Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf," she said; -"they will lead him to a spot where he will find friends."</p> - -<p>"Good; and when will you do it, my good girl?" he asked, his heart -palpitating with joy.</p> - -<p>"So soon as the Paleface is ready to start."</p> - -<p>"At once, then, at once!" the Breton exclaimed, hurriedly rising, and -hurrying to his horse.</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf had concealed their steeds in the centre of -a clump of trees. Ten minutes later, and Ivon and his guides quitted -the clearing where they had met; it was about midnight when they -started.</p> - -<p>"My poor master!" the Breton muttered. "Shall I be permitted to save -him?"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN.</h3> - - -<p>The night was black, gloomy, and storm-laden. The wind howled with a -mournful murmur through the branches; at each gust the trees shook -their damp crowns, and sent down showers, which pattered on the shrubs. -The sky was of a leaden hue; so great was the silence in the desert, -that the fall of a withered leaf, or the rustling of a branch touched -in its passage by some invisible animal, could be distinctly heard.</p> - -<p>Ivon and his guides advanced cautiously through the forest, seeking -their road in the darkness, half lying on their horses, so as to avoid -the branches that lashed their faces at every moment. Owing to the -endless turns they were compelled to take, nearly two hours elapsed -ere they left the forest. At length they debouched on the plain, and -found themselves almost simultaneously on the banks of the Missouri. -The river, swollen by rain and snow, rolled along its yellowish waters -noisily. The fugitives followed the bank in a south-western direction. -Now that they had struck the river, all uncertainty had ceased for -them; their road was so distinctly traced that they had no fear of -losing it.</p> - -<p>On arriving at a spot where a point of sand jutted out for several -yards into the bed of the river, and formed a species of cape, from -the end of which objects could be seen for some distance, owing to the -transparency of the water, Red Wolf made a sign to his companions to -halt, and himself dismounted. Prairie-Flower and Ivon imitated him. -Ivon was not sorry to take a few moments' rest, and, above all, make -some inquiries before proceeding further. At the first blush, carried -away by an unreflecting movement of the heart, which impelled him to -save his master by any means that offered, he had not hesitated to -follow his two strange guides; but, with reflection, distrust had -returned still more powerfully, and the Breton was unwilling to go -further with the persons he had met, until he possessed undoubted -proofs of their honesty.</p> - -<p>So soon as he had dismounted then, and taken off his horse's bridle, -so that it should crop the tender shoots, Ivon walked up boldly to the -Redskin, and struck him on the shoulder. The Indian, whose eyes were -eagerly fixed on the rider, turned to him.</p> - -<p>"What does the Paleface want?" he asked him.</p> - -<p>"To talk a little with you, Chief."</p> - -<p>"The moment is not good for talking," the Indian answered, -sententiously; "the Palefaces are like the mockingbird; their tongues -must be ever in motion; let my brother wait."</p> - -<p>Ivon did not understand the epigram.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, "we must talk at once."</p> - -<p>The Indian suppressed an impatient gesture.</p> - -<p>"The Red Wolf's ears are open," he said; "<i>the Chattering Jay</i> can -explain himself."</p> - -<p>The Redskins, finding some difficulty in pronouncing the names of -people with whom the accidents of the chase or of trade bring them into -relation, are accustomed to substitute for these names others, derived -from the character or physical aspect of the individual they wish to -designate. Ivon was called by the Blackfoot Indians the Chattering -Jay, a name whose justice we will refrain from discussing. The Breton -did not seem annoyed by what Red Wolf said to him; absorbed by the -thought that troubled him, every other consideration was a matter of -indifference to him.</p> - -<p>"You promised me to save Glass-eye," he said.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the Chief answered, laconically.</p> - -<p>"I accepted your propositions without discussion; for three hours I -have followed you without saying anything; but, before going further, I -should not be sorry to know the means you intend to employ to take him -out of the hands of the enemy."</p> - -<p>"Is my brother deaf?" the Indian asked.</p> - -<p>"I do not think so," Ivon answered, rather wounded by the question.</p> - -<p>"Then let him listen."</p> - -<p>"I am doing so."</p> - -<p>"My brother hears nothing?"</p> - -<p>"Not the least, I am free to confess."</p> - -<p>Red Wolf shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"The Palefaces are foxes without tails," he said, with disdain; "weaker -than children in the desert. Let my brother look," he added, pointing -to the river.</p> - -<p>Ivon followed the direction indicated, winking, and placing his hands -over his eyes, to concentrate the visual rays.</p> - -<p>"Well," the Indian asked, after a moment, "has my brother seen?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing at all," the Breton said, violently. "May the evil one twist -my neck, if it is possible for me to distinguish anything."</p> - -<p>"Then my brother will wait a few minutes," the Indian said, perfectly -calm; "he will then see and hear."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" the Breton went on, but slightly satisfied with this -explanation. "What shall I see and hear?"</p> - -<p>"My brother will know."</p> - -<p>Ivon would have insisted, but the Chief took him by the arm, pushed him -back, and hid with him behind a clump of trees, where Prairie-Flower -was already ensconced.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" the Redskin muttered, in such an imperative tone that the -Breton, convinced of the gravity of the situation, deferred to a more -favourable moment the string of questions he proposed asking the Chief.</p> - -<p>A few minutes elapsed. Redskin and Prairie-Flower, with their bodies -bent forward, and carefully parting the leaves, looked eagerly in the -direction of the river, while holding their breath. Ivon, bothered in -spite of himself by this sort of conduct, imitated their example. A -sound soon struck on his ears, but so slight and weak, that at first -he fancied himself mistaken. Still the noise grew gradually louder, -resembling that of paddles cautiously dipped in the water; next, a -black dot, at first nearly imperceptible, but which grew larger by -degrees, appeared on the river.</p> - -<p>There was soon no doubt in the Breton's mind. The black dot was a -canoe. On arriving within a certain distance, the sound could be no -longer heard, and the canoe remained motionless about halfway between -the two banks. At this moment the cry of the jay broke the silence, -repeated thrice, with such perfection, that Ivon instinctively raised -his head to the upper branches of the tree that sheltered them. Upon -this signal, the canoe began drawing nearer the cape, where it soon ran -ashore; but upon landing, the person in it raised the paddle twice in -the air. The cry of the jay was heard again, thrice repeated.</p> - -<p>Upon this, the rower, perfectly reassured, as it seemed, leaped on the -sand, drew the canoe half out of the water, and walked boldly in the -direction of the clump of trees that served Ivon and his comrades as -an observatory. The latter, deeming it useless to wait longer, quitted -their shelter, and walked toward the newcomer, after recommending the -Breton not to show himself without their authority. This order he -obeyed; but, with that prudence which distinguished him, he cocked his -pistols, took one in each hand, and, reassured by this precaution, -waited what was about to happen.</p> - -<p>The new actor who had entered on the scene, and in whom the reader -will have recognised Mrs. Margaret, had left Major Melville only about -an hour previously, after having that conversation we have repeated. -Although she did not expect to meet Prairie-Flower at this spot, -she did not appear at all astonished at seeing her, and gave her a -friendly nod, to which the girl responded with a smile.</p> - -<p>"What is there new?" she asked the Indian.</p> - -<p>"Much," he replied.</p> - -<p>"Speak."</p> - -<p>The Red Wolf thereupon told her all that had happened during the chase; -in what way he had learned it, and how Ivon had escaped in order to -seek help for his master. Margaret listened to the long story without -letting a sign of emotion to be seen on her wrinkled, grief-worn face. -When Red Wolf had ceased speaking, she reflected for a few moments; -then raising her head, asked—</p> - -<p>"Where is the Paleface?"</p> - -<p>"Here," the Indian answered, pointing to the clump of trees.</p> - -<p>"Let him come."</p> - -<p>The Chief turned to fetch him, but the Breton, who had heard the last -word spoken in English, and judged that it was intended for him, left -his hiding place, after returning the pistols to his belt, and joined -the party. At this moment the first gleam of day began to appear, -the darkness was rapidly dissipated, and a reddish hue, which formed -on the extreme limit of the horizon, indicated that the sun would -speedily rise. The She-wolf fixed on the Breton her cunning eye, as if -desirous to read the depths of his heart. Ivon had nothing to reproach -himself with, and hence he bravely withstood the glance. The She-wolf, -satisfied with the dumb interrogatory to which she had subjected the -Breton, softened down the harsh expression of her face, and at length -addressed him in a voice she attempted to render conciliatory.</p> - -<p>"Listen attentively," she said to him.</p> - -<p>"I am listening."</p> - -<p>"You are devoted to your master?"</p> - -<p>"To the death," Ivon answered, firmly.</p> - -<p>"Good: then I can reckon on you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You understand, I suppose, that we four cannot save your master?"</p> - -<p>"That appears to me difficult, I allow."</p> - -<p>"But we wish to revenge ourselves on Natah Otann."</p> - -<p>"Very good."</p> - -<p>"For a long time our measures have been taken to gain this end at a -given moment; that moment has arrived; but we have allies we must warn."</p> - -<p>"It is true."</p> - -<p>She drew a ring from her finger.</p> - -<p>"Take this ring; you know how to use a paddle, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"I am a Breton, that is to say, a sailor."</p> - -<p>"Get into the canoe lying there, and without losing a moment, go down -the river till you reach a fort."</p> - -<p>"Hum! is it far?"</p> - -<p>"You will reach it in less than an hour if you are diligent."</p> - -<p>"You may be sure of that."</p> - -<p>"So soon as you have arrived at the fort, you will ask speech with -Major Melville; give him that ring, and tell him all the events of -which you have been witness."</p> - -<p>"Is that all?"</p> - -<p>"No; the Major will give you a detachment of soldiers, with whom you -will join us at Black's clearing: can you find your way there again?"</p> - -<p>"I think so; especially as it is on the river bank."</p> - -<p>"Yes; and you will have to pass it before reaching the fort."</p> - -<p>"What shall I do with the canoe?"</p> - -<p>"Abandon it."</p> - -<p>"When must I start?"</p> - -<p>"At once; the sun has risen, we must make haste."</p> - -<p>"And what are you going to do?"</p> - -<p>"I told you we were going to Black's clearing, where we shall wait for -you."</p> - -<p>The Breton reflected for a minute.</p> - -<p>"Listen, in your turn," he said; "I am not in the habit of discussing -orders, when I think those given us are just; I do not think that you -intend, under such grave circumstances, to mock a poor devil, whom -grief renders half mad, and who would joyfully sacrifice his life to -save his master's."</p> - -<p>"You are right."</p> - -<p>"I am therefore going to obey you."</p> - -<p>"You should have done so already."</p> - -<p>"Maybe; but I have a last word to say."</p> - -<p>"I am listening."</p> - -<p>"If you deceive me, if you do not really help me, as you pledge -yourself, in saving my master—I am, a coward, that is notorious; but -on my word as a man, I will blow out your brains: even were you hidden -in the bowels of the earth, I would go and seek you to fulfil my oath. -You hear me?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly! and now have you finished?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then be off."</p> - -<p>"I am doing so."</p> - -<p>"Good-bye, till we meet again."</p> - -<p>The Breton bowed once more, pulled the boat into the water, jumped -in, and hurried off at a rate which showed he would soon reach his -destination. His ex-companions looked after him till he was hidden by a -bend in the river.</p> - -<p>"And now what are we going to do?" Prairie-Flower asked.</p> - -<p>"Go to the clearing, to arrange with John Black."</p> - -<p>Margaret mounted Ivon's horse, Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf each -took their own, and the three started at a gallop. By a fortunate -coincidence, it was a day chosen by the squatter to give his family a -rest, and, as we have said, he had gone out with William to take a look -at his property. After a long ride, during which the squatter had burst -into ecstasies only known to landed proprietors, they were preparing to -return to their fortress, when William pointed out to his father the -three mounted persons coming towards them at full gallop.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" Black said, "Indians, that is an unpleasant meeting! let us hide -behind this clump, and try to find out what they want."</p> - -<p>"Stay, father," the young man said, "I believe that precaution -unnecessary."</p> - -<p>"Why so, boy?"</p> - -<p>"Because of the party two are women."</p> - -<p>"That is no reason," the squatter said, who, since the attack, had -become excessively prudent; "you know that in these bad tribes the -women fight as well as the men."</p> - -<p>"That is true; but stay, they are unfolding a buffalo robe in sign of -peace."</p> - -<p>In fact, one of the riders at this moment fluttered a robe in the -breeze.</p> - -<p>"You are right, boy," the squatter observed, presently; "let us await -them; the more so, as, if I am not mistaken, I can recognize an old -acquaintance among them."</p> - -<p>"The woman who saved us, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Right; by Jove! the meeting is a strange one. Poor woman, I am -delighted to see her again."</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later the parties joined; after the first salutations, the -She-wolf took the word.</p> - -<p>"Do you recognize me, John Black?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I do, my worthy woman," he replied, with emotion; "although -I only saw you for a few moments, and under terrible circumstances, the -remembrance of you has never left my heart and mind; I have only one -wish, and that is, that you will give me the opportunity to prove it."</p> - -<p>A flash of joy shot from the She-wolfs eye.</p> - -<p>"Are you speaking seriously?" she asked, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Try me."</p> - -<p>"Good; I was not deceived in you. I am glad of what I did. I see that -the service I rendered you has not fallen on ungrateful soil."</p> - -<p>"Speak."</p> - -<p>"Not here: what I have to tell you is too lengthy and serious for us to -be able to discuss it properly at this place."</p> - -<p>"Will you come to my house? There you need not be afraid of being -disturbed."</p> - -<p>"If you permit it."</p> - -<p>"What, my good creature, permit it? Why, the house, all it contains, -and the owner in the bargain, all are yours, and you know it."</p> - -<p>Margaret smiled sadly.</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" she said, offering him her hand, which Black pressed gladly.</p> - -<p>"Come," he said, "as we have nothing more to do here, let us be off."</p> - -<p>They started in the direction of the house; but the return was silent; -each, absorbed in thought, rode on without thinking of addressing a -word to the other. They were but a short distance from the house, when -they suddenly saw some twenty horsemen debouch from a wood on the -right, dressed, as far as could be distinguished, as wood rangers.</p> - -<p>"What is this?" Black said, with astonishment, as he pulled his horse -up.</p> - -<p>"Eh!" the She-wolf said, not replying to the squatter. "The Frenchman -has been diligent."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I will explain all that presently; for the present you need only offer -your hospitality to these good people."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" Black said, doubtingly. "I shall be glad to do it, but must know -who they are, and what they want of me."</p> - -<p>"They are Americans; like yourself. I asked the commandant of the fort -where they are stationed to send them here."</p> - -<p>"What fort and what garrison are you talking of, my good woman? On my -soul! I do not know what you mean."</p> - -<p>"What! have you not learned to know your neighbours since you have been -here?"</p> - -<p>"What! have I neighbours?" he said, in an angry tone.</p> - -<p>"About ten miles off is Fort Mackenzie, commanded by a brave officer, -Major Melville."</p> - -<p>At this explanation the squatter's face was unwrinkled; it was not a -rival, but a defender he had as neighbour, hence all was for the best.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I will go and pay him my respects," he said; "the acquaintance of -a fort commandant is not to be neglected in the desert."</p> - -<p>Major Melville sent off at once the detachment asked by his sister; -but reflecting that soldiers could not execute so well as hunters -the meditated <i>coup de main</i>, he chose twenty hardened and resolute -trappers and <i>engagés</i> under the command of an officer who had been -a long time in the Fur Company's service, and was versed in all the -tricks of the crafty enemies he would have to fight.</p> - -<p>At the foot of the hill the two parties combined. Black, though still -ignorant for what purpose the detachment had come, received most -affably the reinforcement sent to him. Ivon was radiant; the worthy -Breton, now that he could dispose of such a number of good rifles, -believed in the certainty of saving his master; all his suspicions -had disappeared, and he burst forth into apologies and thanks to the -She-wolf and her two Indian friends. So soon as all were comfortably -lodged in the building, Black returned to his guests, and, after -offering them refreshments, said—</p> - -<p>"Now, I am waiting for your explanation."</p> - -<p>As we shall soon see the development of the plans formed at this -meeting, it is useless to describe them.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET.</h3> - - -<p>Two days have elapsed since the events of our last chapter. It is -evening in the Kenhas' village. The tumult is great; all are preparing -for an expedition. The night is clear and starlit; great fires, kindled -before each cabin, spread around immense reddish gleams, which light -up the whole village. There is something strange and striking in the -scene presented by the village, crowded with a motley population. The -Count de Beaulieu and Bright-eye, apparently free, are conversing in a -low tone, sitting on the bare ground, and leaning against the wall of a -cabin.</p> - -<p>The time fixed by the Count for his parole has long passed, still the -Indian Chiefs have satisfied themselves with taking away his weapons -and the hunter's, and pay no more attention to them.</p> - -<p>On the large village square two immense fires have been kindled. Round -the first, placed in front of the Council Lodge, are seated White -Buffalo, Natah Otann, Red Wolf, and three or four other chiefs of the -tribe; round the second some twenty warriors are silently smoking the -calumet. Such was the appearance offered by the Kenhas' village at -about nine in the evening of the day we return to it.</p> - -<p>"Why allow the Palefaces thus to wander about the village?" Red Wolf -asked.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann smiled.</p> - -<p>"Have the white men the eyes of the eagle and the feet of the gazelle, -to find again their trail lost in the desert?"</p> - -<p>"My father is right, if he speaks of Glass-eye," Red Wolf urged; "but -Bright-eye has a Redskin heart."</p> - -<p>"Yes; if he was alone he would try to escape, but he will not abandon -his friend."</p> - -<p>"The latter can follow him."</p> - -<p>"Glass-eye has a brave heart, but his feet are weak; he cannot walk in -the desert."</p> - -<p>Red Wolf looked down, with an air of conviction, and made no reply.</p> - -<p>"The hour has arrived to set out; the allied nations are proceeding to -the rendezvous," White Buffalo said, in a sombre voice. "It is nine -o'clock; the owl has twice given the signal, and the moon is rising."</p> - -<p>"Good," Natah Otann said, "we will have the horses smoked, so as to set -out immediately after."</p> - -<p>Red Wolf gave a shrill whistle. At this signal some twenty horsemen -galloped into the square, and went up to the second fire, round which -an equal number of warriors, naked to the waist, were crouching and -smoking silently. These men were warriors of the tribe who were -dismounted, either by accident or in action; the horsemen, at this -moment prancing round them, were their friends, and came up to make -each a present of a horse prior to the departure of the expedition. -While cantering round, the horsemen drew gradually nearer to the -smokers, who did not appear to notice them. Each horseman chose out the -man to whom he intended to give a horse, and a shower of lashes fell -on the naked shoulders of these stoical warriors. At each blow they -struck, the warrior shouted, each calling his friend by name.</p> - -<p>"So and so, you are a beggar and wretched man. You desire my horse, I -give it to you; but you will bear on your shoulders the bloody marks -of my whip."</p> - -<p>This performance lasted about a quarter of an hour, during which the -sufferers, although the blood ran down their backs, did not utter -a cry or a groan, but remained calm and motionless, as if they had -been metamorphosed into bronze statues. At length the Red Wolf gave a -second whistle, and the horsemen disappeared as rapidly as they came. -The patients then rose as if nothing had happened to them, and went -with radiant forehead and firm step, each to take possession of a -magnificent steed, held by the ex-scourgers, now become their friends -once more. This is what the Blackfeet call <i>smoking horses</i>.</p> - -<p>When the tumult occasioned by this semi-serious episode was appeased, -an <i>hachesto</i>, or public crier, mounted the roof of the council lodge. -All the population of the village was drawn up silently on the square.</p> - -<p>"The hour has struck! The hour has struck! The hour has struck!" the -hachesto cried. "Warriors, to your lances and guns! The horses are -neighing with impatience! Your chiefs are awaiting you, and your -enemies sleep. To arms! To arms! To arms!"</p> - -<p>"To arms!" all the warriors shouted simultaneously.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann, followed by his warriors, mounted like himself on -impetuous steeds, then appeared in the square, and uttered, in a -terrible voice, the war yell of the Blackfeet. At this cry every man -rushed on his weapons, mounted, and ranged under the respective chiefs, -who, within scarce ten minutes, found themselves at the head of five -hundred warriors, perfectly armed and equipped.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann cast a triumphant glance around him; his eye fell -immediately on the two prisoners, who had remained quietly seated, -talking together, and apparently indifferent to all that happened. At -the sight of them the Chiefs thick eyebrows were contracted, he leant -over to the White Buffalo, who rode by his side, and muttered a few -words in his ear. The old man gave a sign of assent, and walked towards -the prisoners, while Natah Otann, taking the head of the war party, -gave the signal for departure, and went off, only leaving ten warriors -on the square to aid White Buffalo, if required.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," the latter said, sharply, but courteously; "be good enough -to mount and follow me, if you please."</p> - -<p>"Is this an order you give us, sir?" the Count asked, haughtily.</p> - -<p>"What does that, question mean?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am not in the habit of obeying anybody."</p> - -<p>"Sir," the Chief answered, "any resistance would be insensate, and -rather injurious than useful to your interests: so to horse without -further delay."</p> - -<p>"The Chief is right," Bright-eye said, with a significant look at the -Count; "why any obstinacy? we cannot be the stronger."</p> - -<p>"But—" the young man remarked.</p> - -<p>"Here is your horse," the hunter interrupted him, sharply.</p> - -<p>"We obey the Chief," he added, aloud; then he added in a whisper,—</p> - -<p>"Are you mad, Mr. Edward? Who knows the chances luck has in store for -us during the accursed expedition?"</p> - -<p>"Still—"</p> - -<p>"Mount! Mount!"</p> - -<p>At length the young man, partly convinced, obeyed the hunter. When the -prisoners had mounted, the warriors surrounded them, and led them off -at a gallop, till they caught up the column, of which they took the -lead.</p> - -<p>Despite the Count's resistance, Natah Otann and White Buffalo had not -given up their plan of making him pass for Motecuhzoma, and placing him -at the head of the Allied Nations. Still this plan had been modified, -in this sense, that, as the young Count refused his help, they would -force him to give it in spite of himself. The following is the way -in which they intended to act. They had succeeded in persuading the -Indians who accompanied them during the ostrich hunt, that the struggle -sustained by the Count, and which had struck them with stupor, owing -to the energetic resistance the two men had so long offered to fifty -warriors, was a ruse invented by them to display their strength and -power in the sight of all.</p> - -<p>The Redskins, owing to their ignorance, are stupidly credulous. Natah -Otann's clumsy falsehood, which any man but slightly civilized would -have regarded with contempt, obtained the greatest success with these -brutalized beings, and enhanced, in their eyes, the personal value -of the men whom they saw continuing to live on good terms with their -Chiefs, and remaining apparently free in the village.</p> - -<p>Matters were too far advanced, the day chosen for the outbreak of -the plot was too near, for the Chiefs to give counterorders to their -allies, and concoct some other scheme to replace the prophet they had -announced to the Missouri nations. If, on arriving at the rendezvous, -the man they had expected was not presented to them, it was evident -they would retire with their contingents, and that all would be broken -off with no hope of recombination; but a catastrophe must be guarded -against at all risks.</p> - -<p>The resolution formed by the two Chiefs, desperate as it was, they were -compelled to adopt through the suspicious nature of the circumstances, -and they trusted to chance to make it succeed. The Count and his -companion would march, so long as the expedition lasted, at the head -of the attacking columns, without weapons it is true, but apparently -free, while guarded by ten picked warriors, who would never leave -them, and kill them on the slightest suspicious gesture. The plan was -absurd, and, with other men than Indians, the impossibility would -have been recognized in less than an hour; but, through its very -impracticability, it offered chances of success, and this was chiefly -owing to the belief the Indians held that the Count had no friends to -attempt his rescue.</p> - -<p>Ivon's flight had troubled Natah Otann for a few moments: but the -discovery made in the forest, where he had sought shelter, of the body -of a man clothed in the servant's dress, and half devoured by wild -beasts, restored him all his serenity, by proving to him that he had -nought to fear from the poor fellow's devotion.</p> - -<p>Three hours prior to the departure of the column, the Chief had, -on White Buffalo's revelations, had five spies secretly strangled. -Red Wolf, on whom Natah Otann and White Buffalo placed unbounded -confidence, and whose courage could not be doubted, was appointed head -of the detachment to watch over the prisoners. Hence matters were in -the best possible state. The two Chiefs marched about fifty paces ahead -of their warriors, conversing in a low voice, and definitely arranging -their final plans. White Buffalo described in a few words the position -and their hopes.</p> - -<p>"Our prospect is desperate," he said, "chance may make it fail or -succeed: all depends upon the first attack. If, as I believe, we -surprise the American garrison, and seize Fort Mackenzie, we shall -have no further need of this Count, whose disappearance we can easily -account for, by saying that he has reascended to heaven, because we are -victors. However, we shall see; all will be decided in a few hours. -Till then, courage and prudence."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann made no reply; but cast a glance at Prairie-Flower, who -cantered along in apparent carelessness on the flank of the column, -which she had asked leave to accompany, and the Chief had gladly -granted it. The warriors advanced in a long line, silently following -one of those winding paths formed on the desert for centuries by the -feet of wild beasts. The night was transparent and calm; the sky, -embroidered with millions of stars, shed down on the landscape floods -of melancholy light, harmonizing with the grand and primitive nature of -the desert. About four in the morning, Natah Otann halted on the top of -a wooded dell, in the centre of an immense clearing, where the entire -detachment disappeared, without leaving a trace.</p> - -<p>Fort Mackenzie rose gloomy and majestic at about a gunshot off. The -Indians had effected their march with such prudence, that the American -garrison had given no sign of alarm. Natah Otann had a tent put up, -into which he courteously begged his prisoners to enter, and they -obeyed.</p> - -<p>"Why so much politeness?" the Count said.</p> - -<p>"Are you not my guests?" the Chief replied, with an ironical smile, and -then withdrew.</p> - -<p>The Count and his comrade, when left alone, lay down on a pile of furs -intended for their bed.</p> - -<p>"What is to be done?" the Count muttered, greatly discouraged.</p> - -<p>"Sleep," the hunter said, carelessly. "Unless I am mistaken, we shall -soon have some news."</p> - -<p>"Heaven grant it!"</p> - -<p>"Amen," Bright-eye continued, with a laugh. "Bah! we shall not die this -time either."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," the Count repeated, to say something.</p> - -<p>"And I am sure of it. It would be curious, on my word," the hunter -said, with a laugh, "were I, who have traversed the desert so long, to -be killed by these red brutes."</p> - -<p>The young man could not refrain from admiring, in his heart, the cool -certainty with which the Canadian uttered so monstrous an opinion; but -at this moment the prisoners heard a gentle sound near them.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" Bright-eye commanded.</p> - -<p>They listened attentively. A harmonious voice then sang to a melody, -full of gentleness and melancholy, the exquisite Blackfoot song -beginning with the verses:—</p> - -<p>"I confide to you my heart, in the name of the Master of Life; I am -unhappy, and no one takes pity on me, yet the Master of Life is great -in my sight."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" the Count muttered joyously, "I recognise that voice, my friend."</p> - -<p>"And I too, by Jupiter! It is Prairie-Flower's."</p> - -<p>"What does she say?"</p> - -<p>"It is a warning she gives us."</p> - -<p>"Do you believe so?"</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower loves you, Mr. Edward."</p> - -<p>"Poor child! and I love her too; but alas!—"</p> - -<p>"Bah! after the storm comes fine weather."</p> - -<p>"If I could but see her."</p> - -<p>"For what good? She will contrive to make herself visible when it is -necessary. Come, wild or tame, all women are alike. But, look out, here -is somebody."</p> - -<p>They threw themselves on the furs, and pretended to be asleep. A man -had quietly lifted the curtain of the tent. By the moon's ray, that -passed through the opening, the prisoners recognized Red Wolf. The -Indian looked outside for a moment; then, probably reassured by the -calmness that prevailed around, he let the curtain of the tent fall, -and took a few paces in the interior.</p> - -<p>"The jaguar is strong and courageous," he said, in a loud voice, as if -talking to himself; "the fox is cunning; but the man whose heart is big -is stronger than the jaguar, and more cunning than the fox, when he -has in his hand weapons to defend himself. Who says that Glass-eye and -Bright-eye will allow their throats to be cut like tamed gazelles?"</p> - -<p>"And not looking at the prisoners, the Chief laid at their feet two -guns, from which hung powder flasks, bullet bags, and long knives; then -he left the tent again, as calmly as if he had done the simplest matter -in the world. The prisoners looked at each other in amazement.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of that?" Bright-eye muttered in stupefaction.</p> - -<p>"It is a trap," the Count answered.</p> - -<p>"Hum! trap or no, the weapons are there, and I shall take them."</p> - -<p>The hunter seized the guns and the knives, which he immediately hid -under the furs. The arms were hardly in security, ere the curtain of -the tent was again raised, and Natah Otann walked in. He bore in his -hand a branch of ocote, or candlewood, which lit up his thoughtful -face, and gave it a sinister expression. The Chief dug up the ground -with his knife, planted his torch in the ground, and walked toward the -prisoners, who looked on without giving any sign.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," the Chief then said, "I have come to ask for a moment's -interview with you."</p> - -<p>"Speak, sir; we are your prisoners, and as such compelled to hear -you, if not to listen to you," the Count said, drily, as he sat up on -the furs, while Bright-eye rose carelessly, and lit his pipe at the -candlewood torch.</p> - -<p>"Since you have been my prisoners, gentlemen," the Chief continued, -"you have not had, to my knowledge, any reason to complain of the way -in which I have treated you."</p> - -<p>"That depends. In the first place, I do not admit that I am legally -your prisoner."</p> - -<p>"Oh, sir," the Chief said, with a smile of mockery, "do you speak of -legality to a poor Indian? You know well that we are ignorant of that -word."</p> - -<p>"That is true; go on."</p> - -<p>"I have come to see you—"</p> - -<p>"Why?" the Count interrupted him, impatiently. "Explain!"</p> - -<p>"I have a bargain to propose to you."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will frankly confess that your way of bargaining does not -impress me with great confidence."</p> - -<p>The Indian made a move.</p> - -<p>"No matter," the Count continued, "let us hear it."</p> - -<p>"I should not like to be obliged, sir, to tie you again, as you were -when you were captured."</p> - -<p>"I am extremely obliged to you."</p> - -<p>"But; at this moment I absolutely need all my warriors, and I cannot -leave anybody to guard you two gentlemen."</p> - -<p>"Which means?"</p> - -<p>"That I ask your parole not to escape for the next twenty-four hours."</p> - -<p>"But that is not a bargain."</p> - -<p>"Wait; I am coming to it."</p> - -<p>"Good; I am waiting."</p> - -<p>"In return, I pledge myself—"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Count said, contemptuously, "let us see to what you pledge -yourself; that must be curious."</p> - -<p>"I pledge myself," the Chief continued, still cold and calm, "to give -you your liberty in twenty-four hours."</p> - -<p>"And my comrade?"</p> - -<p>The Indian bowed his head in affirmation; the Count burst into a loud -laugh.</p> - -<p>"And suppose we did not accept?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"But you will do so," he said, with an ironical smile.</p> - -<p>"Possibly; but suppose the contrary for a moment."</p> - -<p>"At daybreak you will both be attached to the stake, and tortured until -sunset."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh! Is that your final word?"</p> - -<p>"The last; in half an hour I will come for your answer."</p> - -<p>And he turned to go out. The Count bounded like a jaguar, and stood -before the Chief, his gun in one hand, his knife in the other.</p> - -<p>"A moment," he shouted.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" the Chief said, crossing his hands on his wide chest, and gazing -at them sarcastically. "You had taken your precautions, it appears."</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin; "I rather fancy it is our turn -to make conditions."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," Natah Otann replied, coolly; "but I have no time to lose -in vain words; let me pass, gentlemen."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye threw himself quickly before the door.</p> - -<p>"Come, Chief," he said, "things cannot end like that; we are not old -women to be frightened. Before we are fastened to the stake, we will -kill you."</p> - -<p>The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully,</p> - -<p>"You are mad; let me pass, old hunter, and do not oblige me to use -force."</p> - -<p>"No, no, Chief," Bright-eye added, with an ironical laugh; "we shall -not part like that; all the worse for you; you should not have put your -head in the wolf's throat."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann made an impatient gesture.</p> - -<p>"You wish it; well, then, see!"</p> - -<p>Raising to his lips his war-whistle, made of a human thigh bone, he -produced a shrill sound. All at once, before the two Europeans could -comprehend what was happening, the sides of the tent were cut open, -and the Blackfeet bounded into the interior. The Count and Bright-eye -were seized and disarmed. The Sachem, with his arms still crossed on -his chest, looked like a stoic, while the Kenhas, with their eyes fixed -on the Chief, and uplifted tomahawks, seemed to await from him a final -signal.</p> - -<p>There was a moment of intense anxiety; though the two white men were -so brave, the attack had been so rapid and unexpected, that they -could not refrain from an inward shudder. For a few seconds the Chief -enjoyed his triumph; then, raising his hand, with a gesture of supreme -authority, he said,—</p> - -<p>"Enough! Restore their weapons to these warriors. Are they not the -guests of Natah Otann?"</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet retired as suddenly as they had appeared.</p> - -<p>"Well," the Chief asked, with slight irony, "do you understand me at -last? Do you still fancy me in your power?"</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," the Count replied, coldly, still suffering from the -struggle he had gone through; "I am forced to recognize the advantage -that chance gives you over me; any resistance would be useless. I -consent to submit for the present to your will; but only on two -conditions."</p> - -<p>"They are accepted beforehand, sir," Natah Otann said, with a bow.</p> - -<p>"Do not be too certain, sir; for you do not yet know what I mean to ask -from you."</p> - -<p>"I am awaiting your explanation."</p> - -<p>"As it must be so, I will march at the head of your tribes; but alone, -unarmed, and on condition, that under no pretext you impose on me any -other character in the gloomy tragedy you are preparing to act."</p> - -<p>The Chief frowned.</p> - -<p>"And supposing that I refuse?" he said, in a hoarse voice.</p> - -<p>"If you refuse," the young man answered, with his calmest air, "I will -employ sure means to compel you to assent."</p> - -<p>"They are?"</p> - -<p>"I will blow out my brains, sir, in the sight of all your warriors."</p> - -<p>The Chief cast a viper's glance at him.</p> - -<p>"Very good," he said, presently. "I accept; now let us have the other -condition."</p> - -<p>"It is simply this: conqueror or conquered; and I hope sincerely that -the latter may be the case—"</p> - -<p>"Thank you," the Chief interrupted him, with an ironical bow.</p> - -<p>"After the battle, whatever its issue may be," the Count continued, -"you will fight me honourably with equal weapons."</p> - -<p>"Why, Sir Count, you are proposing to me what white men call a duel!"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Does that displease you?"</p> - -<p>"Me? certainly not, and I accept gladly; the more so, as we Blood -Indians are accustomed to have such fights to settle our own personal -quarrels."</p> - -<p>"Then you accept my conditions?"</p> - -<p>"I do so."</p> - -<p>"But who will guarantee your good faith?" the young man asked.</p> - -<p>"I, Sir," a powerful voice said.</p> - -<p>The three men turned. White Buffalo was standing motionless in the -doorway of the tent. At the unexpected appearance of this strange man, -whose features revealed at the moment an imposing majesty, the young -Count felt subdued, and bowed respectfully.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," Natah Otann continued, "you are free within the limits of -the camp."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," Bright-eye said coarsely; "but I have made no promise."</p> - -<p>"You!" the Chief said carelessly; "go or stay, I care very little."</p> - -<p>And after bowing ceremoniously to the Count, the two Chiefs withdrew.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></h4> - -<h3>BEFORE THE ATTACK.</h3> - - -<p>After leaving the tent, the two Chiefs walked for some moments side by -side, and did not exchange a word; both seemed plunged in deep thought, -doubtlessly caused by the serious events that were preparing—events -whose success would decide the fate of the Indian tribes of this -part of the continent. While walking along, they reached a point on -the hillock, whence a most extensive view could be enjoyed in every -direction.</p> - -<p>The night was calm and balmy, there was not a breath in the air, not -a cloud on the sky, whose deep azure was enamelled with a profusion -of twinkling stars; an imposing silence reigned over this desert, -where, however, several thousand men were ambushed, only waiting a -word or a signal to out each other's throats. Mechanically the two men -stopped, and gazed at the grand landscape extended at their feet, in -the immediate foreground of which frowned Fort Mackenzie, throwing its -gloomy shadow far across the prairie.</p> - -<p>"By sunrise," Natah Otann muttered, answering his own thoughts, rather -than addressing his companion, "that haughty fortress will be mine. -The Redskins will command at the spot where their oppressors are still -reigning."</p> - -<p>"Yes," White Buffalo repeated, mechanically, "tomorrow you will be -master of the fort, but will you manage to keep it? Conquering is -nothing; the white men have been several times defeated by the -Redskins, and yet they have enslaved, decimated, and dispersed them -like the leaves the autumn breeze bears away."</p> - -<p>"That is only too true," the Chief said, with a sigh; "it has ever been -so, since the first day the white men set foot in this unhappy land. -What is the mysterious influence that has constantly predicted them -against us?"</p> - -<p>"Yourselves, my child," White Buffalo said, mournfully shaking his -head; "you are your own greatest enemies. You can only impute to -yourselves your continued defeats, for you are so obstinate for -internecine warfare; the whites have taken care to foster strongly your -headstrong passions, by which they have skilfully profited to conquer -you in detail."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you have told me that often, my father, so you see I have -profited by your advice; all the Missouri Indians are now united, they -obey the same chief, and march under one totem; thus, believe me, this -union will be fertile in good results, we shall drive these plundering -wolves from our frontiers, we shall send them back to the villages of -stone; and henceforth only the moccasin of the Redskins will tread our -native prairies, and the echoes will only be aroused by the joyous -laughter of the Redskins, or repeat the war cry of the Blackfeet."</p> - -<p>"No one will be happier than I at such a result; my most ardent -desire is to see men free, from whom I have received such paternal -hospitality; but, alas, who can foresee the future? These Sachems, -whom you have succeeded in combining by attention and patience, are -agitating darkly; they fear to obey you; they are jealous of the power -themselves gave you, so there is a chance they will abandon you."</p> - -<p>"I will not; give them the time, my father; for the last few days -I have known all their designs, and followed their plans; up to -the present, prudence has closed my mouth. I did not wish to risk -the success of my enterprise; but so soon as I am master of this -fortress below us, believe me, I shall speak loudly, for my voice -will have exercised an authority, my power a strength, which the most -turbulent will be compelled to recognize. Victory will render me -great and terrible: will trample under foot those who now conspire -in the darkness, and who would not hesitate to turn against me, if I -experienced a defeat. Go, my father, let all be ready for the attack so -soon as I give the signal, visit the outposts, watch the movements of -the enemy, for in two hours I shall utter my war cry."</p> - -<p>White Buffalo regarded him for a moment with a singular expression, in -which friendship, fear, and admiration struggled in turn; then laying -his hand on his shoulder he said, with much emotion,—</p> - -<p>"Child, you are mad; but it is a sublime madness: the work of -reformation you meditate is impossible—but, whether you triumph or -succumb, your attempt will not be useless. Your passage on earth will -leave a long, luminous trace, which may one day serve as a beacon to -those who succeed in accomplishing the liberation of your race."</p> - -<p>After a few seconds of silence, more eloquent than vain words, the two -men fell into each other's arms, and held each other in a firm embrace; -they then separated, and Natah Otann remained alone.</p> - -<p>The young Chief did not conceal from himself in any way the -difficulties of his position. He recognized the justice of his adopted -father's observations; but now it was too late to recoil, he must push -onward at all risks. Now that the moment had arrived to descend into -the arena, all hesitation had ceased, all fear had died out in the -young Chief's bosom, to give way to a cold and invincible resolution, -that imparted to him the lucidity of mind required to play skilfully -the great part on which the fate of his race would depend.</p> - -<p>When White Buffalo left him alone, Natah Otann sat down on a rock, and, -resting his head on his hand, fixed his eyes on the place, and fell -into a serious contemplation. For a long time he had been dreaming, -with a vague consciousness of external objects, when a hand was gently -laid on his shoulder. The Chief quivered, as if he had received an -electric shock, and quickly raised his head.</p> - -<p>"<i>Ochtl?</i>" he said, with an emotion he could not master. -"Prairie-Flower here at this hour?"</p> - -<p>The young girl smiled sweetly.</p> - -<p>"Why is my brother astonished?" she replied, in her gentle and -melodious voice; "does not the Chief know that Prairie-Flower loves to -wander about at night, when nature is slumbering, and the voice of the -Great Spirit can be more easily heard? We girls love to dream at night, -by the melancholy light that comes from the stars, and seems to give -reality to our thoughts, at times, in the mist."</p> - -<p>The Chief sighed in reply.</p> - -<p>"You are suffering?" Prairie-Flower asked him, gently; "You, the first -Sachem of our nation, the most renowned warrior of our tribes—what -reason can be powerful enough to draw a sigh from you?"</p> - -<p>The Chief seised the dainty hand the girl yielded to him, and pressed -it gently between his own.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower," he said at length, "you are ignorant why I suffer -when I am by your side?"</p> - -<p>"How should I know it? Although my brothers call me the <i>Virgin of -Sweet Love</i>, and suppose me to be in relation with the spirits of air -and water, alas! I am only an ignorant young girl. I should like to -know the cause of your grief; perhaps I could succeed in curing you."</p> - -<p>"No," the Chief answered, shaking his head, "it is not in your power, -child; to do that the beating of your heart ought to respond to mine, -and the little bird, which sings so melodiously in the hearts of -maidens, and murmurs such gentle words in their ears, should have flown -near you."</p> - -<p>The girl blushed and smiled; she let her eyes fall, and, making an -effort to disengage her hand, which Natah Otann still held in his,—</p> - -<p>"The little bird, of which my brother speaks, I have seen: its song has -already been chanted near me."</p> - -<p>The Chief sprung up, and fixed a flashing glance on the maiden.</p> - -<p>"What!" he exclaimed, with agitation, "you love? Has one of the young -warriors of our tribe known how to touch your heart, and fill it with -love?"</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower shook her charming head petulantly, while a sweet smile -parted her coral lips.</p> - -<p>"I know not if what I experience is what you call love," she said.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann had, by a painful effort, checked the emotion which made -his limbs tremble.</p> - -<p>"Why should it not be so?" he continued, thoughtfully. "The laws -of nature are immutable, no one can prevent it; the child's hour -was destined to arrive. By what right can I quarrel with what has -happened? Have I not in my heart a sacred feeling, which fills it, and -before which every other must be extinguished? A man in my position is -too far above vulgar passions; the object he proposes to himself is too -great for him to allow himself to be ruled by love of a woman. The man -who lays claim to become the saviour and regenerator of a people, no -longer belongs to humanity. Let me be worthy of the task I have taken -on myself, and forget, if possible, the mad and hopeless passion that -devours me. That girl can never be mine; everything separates us. I -will be to her what I ought never to have ceased to be—a father."</p> - -<p>He let his head hang despairingly on his chest, and remained for a few -moments absorbed in gloomy meditation. Prairie-Flower regarded him -with an expression of tender pity; she had only imperfectly caught the -words the Chief muttered, and understood but little of them. Still she -felt a deep friendship for him; she suffered in seeing him, and sought -vainly some consolation to afford. She waited anxiously till he should -remember her presence, and speak to her again. At length he raised his -head.</p> - -<p>"My sister has not told me which of our young warriors she prefers to -all the rest."</p> - -<p>"Has not the Sachem guessed it?" she asked, timidly.</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann is a chief. If he is the father of his warriors, he is no -spy on their deeds or thoughts."</p> - -<p>"The man of whom I speak to my brother is not a Kenha warrior," she -continued.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he said in surprise, and looking scrutinizingly at her, "Can it -be one of the Palefaces who are Natah Otann's guests?"</p> - -<p>"My brother would say his prisoners," she murmured.</p> - -<p>"What mean these words, girl? Have you, born but yesterday, any right -to try and explain my actions? Ah!" he added, with a frown, "now I -understand how the Palefaced Chiefs had weapons when I visited them an -hour ago. It is useless for my daughter to tell me now the name of him -she loves, for I know it."</p> - -<p>The girl hung her head, with a blush.</p> - -<p>"<i>Achtsett</i>—it is good," he continued, in a rough voice, "my sister is -free to place her affections where she pleases; but her love must not -lead her to betray her friends for the Palefaces. She is a daughter of -the Kenhas. Was it to give me this news that Prairie-Flower came to me?"</p> - -<p>"No," she answered timidly; "another person ordered me to come here, -where she will also come herself, as she has an important secret to -reveal to me in the presence of the Sachem."</p> - -<p>"An important secret?" Natah Otann repeated. "What do you mean? Of what -woman is my sister speaking?"</p> - -<p>"I am speaking of her who is called the She-wolf of the prairies; she -has ever been gentle, good, and affectionate to me, in spite of the -hatred she bears to the Indians."</p> - -<p>"That is strange," the Chief muttered. "So you are waiting for her?"</p> - -<p>"I am."</p> - -<p>"But that woman is mad," the Chief exclaimed. "Do you not know it, my -poor child?"</p> - -<p>"Those whom the Great Spirit wishes to protect he deprives of reason, -that they may not feel grief," she replied, softly.</p> - -<p>For some minutes an almost imperceptible rustling had been going on -in the bushes; this sound, though so slight, the Chiefs practised -ear would have detected, had he not been entirely absorbed by his -conversation with the girl. All at once the branches were violently -torn asunder; several men, led by the She-wolf of the prairies, rushed -toward the Chief, and, before he had recovered from the surprise caused -by this sudden attack, he was thrown down, and securely pinioned.</p> - -<p>"The mad woman!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, the mad woman," she repeated, in a hoarse voice. "At length -I hold my vengeance! Thanks," she added, addressing the three men who -accompanied her; "I will now take his guard on myself, he shall not -escape."</p> - -<p>The men withdrew without replying. Although they wore the Indian -dress, a panther skin drawn over their faces rendered them perfectly -secure from detection. Only three persons remained on the top of the -hill—Prairie-Flower, Margaret, and Natah Otann, who tried to break -his bonds, while uttering hoarse and inarticulate sounds. The She-wolf -surveyed her enemy, prostrated at her feet, with a joy impossible to -describe, while Prairie-Flower, standing motionless by the Chief, gazed -on him sorrowfully and thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the She-wolf said, with a glance of satiated vengeance, "howl, -panther; bend the bonds you cannot break. I hold you at last; it is my -turn to torture you, to repay you all the suffering you lavished on -me. Oh! I can never be sufficiently avenged on you, the assassin of my -whole family. God is just: tooth for tooth, eye for eye, wretch!"</p> - -<p>She picked up a dagger that had fallen on the ground near her, and -began to prick him all over.</p> - -<p>"Answer me—do you not feel the cold steel piercing your flesh?" she -asked him. "Oh! I should like to make you suffer death a thousand -times, were it possible."</p> - -<p>A smile of contempt played over the Chief's lips. The She-wolf, -exasperated, raised the dagger to strike him; but Prairie-Flower held -her arm. Margaret turned like a tiger; but, recognizing the girl, she -let the weapon fall from her trembling hand, and her face assumed an -expression of infinite gentleness and tenderness.</p> - -<p>"You here?" she exclaimed. "Then you did not forget the meeting I -arranged with you? It is Heaven that sends you!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," the young girl replied, "the Great Spirit sees all. My mother -is good; Prairie-Flower loves her. Why thus torture the man who acted -as father to the abandoned child? The Chief has ever been kind to -Prairie-Flower; my mother will pardon him."</p> - -<p>Margaret gazed at the girl with an expression of mad stupor; then her -features were suddenly distorted, and she burst into a strident laugh.</p> - -<p>"What!" she exclaimed, in a piercing voice, "you, Prairie-Flower, -intercede for this man?"</p> - -<p>"He was a father to Prairie-Flower," the girl answered, simply.</p> - -<p>"But you do not know him then?"</p> - -<p>"He has been kind to me."</p> - -<p>"Silence, child! do not implore the She-wolf," the Chief said, in a -gloomy voice. "Natah Otann is a warrior; he knows how to die."</p> - -<p>"No, the Chief must not die," the Indian girl said, resolutely.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann laughed.</p> - -<p>"It is I who am avenged," he said.</p> - -<p>"Dog!" the She-wolf yelled, stamping her heel on his face, "silence! or -I will tear out your viper's tongue."</p> - -<p>The Indian smiled with contempt.</p> - -<p>"My mother will follow me," the girl said: "I will unfasten the Chief, -in order that he may rejoin his warriors, who are about to fight."</p> - -<p>She picked up the dagger, and knelt down near the prisoner; but the -She-wolf checked her.</p> - -<p>"Before cutting his bonds, listen to me, child," she said.</p> - -<p>"Afterwards," the girl objected. "A Chief must be with his warriors in -battle."</p> - -<p>"Listen to me for a few minutes," She-wolf continued, earnestly; "I -implore it of you, Prairie-Flower, by all I may have done for you; -then, when I have ceased speaking, if you still wish it, you shall -deliver that man. I swear to you that I will not prevent it."</p> - -<p>The girl looked at her fixedly.</p> - -<p>"Speak," she said, in her gentle and sympathizing voice. -"Prairie-Flower is listening."</p> - -<p>A sigh of relief escaped from the She-wolf's oppressed chest. There was -a moment's silence: nothing could be heard, save the panting of the -prisoner.</p> - -<p>"You are right, girl," the She-wolf at length said, in a mournful -voice, "that man took care of your infancy, was kind to you, and -brought you up tenderly; you see that I do him justice! But he never -told you how you fell into his hands."</p> - -<p>"Never," the maiden said, in a melancholy voice.</p> - -<p>"Well," the She-wolf continued, "that secret, which he has not dared to -reveal to you, I will tell you. On just such a night as this, at the -head of his ferocious warriors, the man you call your father attacked -your real father, and while your two brothers, by that monster's -orders, were burned alive, your father fastened to a tree, and there -was flayed alive."</p> - -<p>"Horror!" the young girl shrieked, as she sprang up.</p> - -<p>"And if you do not believe me," she continued, in a shrill voice, "tear -from your neck that bag made of your unhappy father's skin, and you -will find in it all that remains of him."</p> - -<p>With a feverish movement the young girl drew out the bag, which she -squeezed convulsively.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed, "no! no! it is impossible; such atrocities could -not be committed."</p> - -<p>Suddenly her tears ceased, she looked fixedly at the She-wolf, and -said, in a harsh voice—</p> - -<p>"How do you know all this? The man who told it you lied."</p> - -<p>"I was present," the She-wolf said, coldly,</p> - -<p>"You were present? You witnessed this horrible scene?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did."</p> - -<p>"Why?" she asked, madly. "Answer, why?</p> - -<p>"Why?" she said, with an accent of supreme majesty; "because I am your -mother, child."</p> - -<p>At this unexpected revelation the girl's features were convulsed, her -voice failed her, her eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, -her body was agitated by a convulsive tremor; for an instant she tried -to utter a shriek, but then suddenly broke into sobs, and fell into -Margaret's arms, exclaiming, with a piercing accent,—</p> - -<p>"My mother! My mother!"</p> - -<p>"At last," the She-wolf said, deliriously, "I have found you again, and -you are really mine."</p> - -<p>For some moments mother and daughter, yielding to their tenderness, -forgot the whole world. Natah Otann tried to profit by the opportunity, -and seize the chance of safety which accident offered him. He -noiselessly began rolling over to gain the top of the enclosure; but -the young girl suddenly noticed him, and sprang up as if a serpent had -stung her.</p> - -<p>"Stop, Natah Otann!" she said to him.</p> - -<p>The chief remained motionless: he imagined, from the girl's accent, -that he was lost, and he resigned himself to his fate with that -fatalism which forms the base of the Indian character.</p> - -<p>Still he was mistaken.</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower, with burning eyes and pallid brow, turned a haggard -glance from her mother on the man extended at her feet, asking her -heart if she had a right, after all the kindness he had shown her, to -avenge her father's death upon him. She felt that her arm was too weak, -her heart too tender for such a deed. For several seconds the three -actors of this terrible scene remained plunged in a gloomy silence, -which was only interrupted by the dull and mysterious noises of the -night.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann did not fear death; but he trembled at leaving uncompleted -the glorious task he had taken on himself; he was ashamed at having -fallen into so clumsy a snare, set by a half insane woman. With his -head stretched out, and frowning brow, he anxiously read on the girl's -face the feelings in turn reflected on it as in a mirror, in order to -calculate the chances of saving a life so precious to those he wished -to render free. Though resigned to his fate, like all great men, he -did not despair, but struggled to the last moment. Prairie-Flower -at length raised her head; her lovely face had assumed a strange -expression her brow glistened, her gentle blue eyes seemed to flash -forth flames.</p> - -<p>"Mother," she said, in her melodious voice, "give me those pistols you -have in your hand."</p> - -<p>"What will you do with them?" the She-wolf asked.</p> - -<p>"Avenge my father! Was it not for that you summoned me here?"</p> - -<p>Without replying, the She-wolf gave her the weapons. The girl, at -first, threatened Natah Otann, and then, with a gesture as rapid as -thought, threw them down the hill.</p> - -<p>"Unhappy girl," Margaret yelled, "what have you done?"</p> - -<p>"I avenge my father," she answered, with an accent of supreme dignity.</p> - -<p>"Unhappy child, he is the assassin of your father."</p> - -<p>"I know it; you have told me so. This man, in spite of his crimes, has -been kind to me—he watched over my childhood. Although he obeyed the -feeling of hatred his race entertains for the Palefaces by murdering my -father, he took his place with me as far as was possible, and almost -changed his Indian nature to protect and support me. The Great Spirit -will judge us, He whose eye is eternally fixed on earth."</p> - -<p>"Woe is me! Woe is me!" the She-wolf yelled, wringing her hands in -despair.</p> - -<p>The girl bent over the Chief, and cut the bonds that fettered him. -Natah Otann sprang to his feet with the bound of a jaguar. The She-wolf -made a movement, as if to rush upon him, but she checked herself.</p> - -<p>"All is not over yet," she shrieked, "yes! yes! I will have my revenge, -no matter at what cost."</p> - -<p>And she rushed into the thicket, where she disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann," the maiden continued, turning to the Chief, who stood -by her side, calmly and stoically, as if nothing extraordinary had -happened; "I leave vengeance to the Great Spirit—a woman can only -weep. Farewell! I loved you as that father you deprived me of. I do not -feel the strength to hate you, I will try to forget you."</p> - -<p>"Poor child," the Sachem replied, with much emotion; "I must appear -to you very culpable. Alas! it is only today that I understand the -atrocity of the deed of which I allowed myself to be guilty: perhaps, I -may succeed one day in obtaining your pardon."</p> - -<p>Prairie-Flower smiled sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"Your pardon does not depend from me," she said, "Wacondah alone can -absolve you."</p> - -<p>And, after giving him a parting glance of sadness, she withdrew slowly, -and thoughtfully entered the wood.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann looked after her for a long while.</p> - -<p>"Can the Christians be right?" he muttered, when done; "do angels -really exist?"</p> - -<p>He shook his head several times, and, after attentively looking at the -sky, in which the stars were beginning to shine,—</p> - -<p>"The hour has arrived," he said, hoarsely; "shall I be the victor?"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></h4> - -<h3>RED WOLF.</h3> - - -<p>To understand the facts we are now about to narrate, we must retrace -our steps a short distance, and return to the tent which served as a -temporary abode to the Count and Bright-eye.</p> - -<p>The two white men were somewhat discontented by the way in which the -interview had terminated. Still the Count was too thorough a gentleman -not to allow, honourably, that on this occasion the Chief had been the -victor in magnanimity. As for Bright-eye, however, he could not see -so far. Furious at the check he had sustained, and especially at the -slight value the Chief appeared to set on his capture, he revolved the -most terrible schemes of vengeance while biting his nails savagely.</p> - -<p>The Count amused himself for a few minutes in watching his comrade's -manoeuvres, as he walked up and down the tent, growling, clenching his -fists, dashing the butt of his rifle on the ground, and looking up to -heaven with comic despair. At last the young man could stand it no -longer, but burst into a hearty laugh. The hunter stopped in amazement, -and looked around the tent, to discover the cause for such untimely -gaiety.</p> - -<p>"What has happened, Mr. Edward?" he at length asked, "Why do you laugh -so?"</p> - -<p>Naturally this question, asked with a startled air, had no other result -than to augment the Count's hilarity.</p> - -<p>"My good fellow," he said, "I am laughing at the singular faces you -cut, and the strange manoeuvres you have been indulging in during the -last twenty minutes."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr. Edward!" Bright-eye said, reproachfully; "how can you jest so?"</p> - -<p>"Why, my boy, you seem to take the affair seriously to heart, and -to have lost that magnificent confidence which made you despise all -dangers."</p> - -<p>"No, no, Mr. Edward! you are mistaken. My opinion has been formed a -long time. Look you, I am certain these red devils will never succeed -in killing me; but I am furious at having been so thoroughly duped by -them. It is humiliating, and I am now racking my brains to discover a -way to play them a trick."</p> - -<p>"Do so, my friend, and I would help you, were it possible; but, for the -present, at least, I am forced to remain neutral—my hands are tied."</p> - -<p>"What?" Bright-eye said, with astonishment; "you mean to remain here, -and serve their diabolical jugglery?"</p> - -<p>"I must, my good fellow; have I not pledged my word?"</p> - -<p>"You certainly pledged it, and I do not know why. Still, a pledge given -to an Indian counts for nothing. The Redskins are tribes who understand -nothing about honour; and, in a similar case, I am certain that Natah -Otann would consider himself in no way bound to you."</p> - -<p>"That is possible, although I am not of your opinion. The Chief is no -ordinary man. He is gifted with a great intellect."</p> - -<p>"What good is it to him? None. Except to be more cunning and -treacherous than his countrymen. Take my advice, and do not stand on -any ceremony with him. Take French leave, as they say in the South, and -leave them in the lurch. The Redskins will be the first to applaud your -conduct."</p> - -<p>"My good fellow," the Count said, seriously, "it is useless to discuss -the point; when a gentleman has once given his word, he is a slave to -it, no matter the person to whom he has given it, or the colour of his -skin."</p> - -<p>"Very good, then, Mr. Edward, pray act as you think proper. I have no -right to thrust my advice on you. You are a better judge than myself of -how you are bound to act. So, be easy. I will not mention it again."</p> - -<p>"Thank you."</p> - -<p>"All that is very good, but what are we going to do now?"</p> - -<p>"What we are going to do? I suppose you mean what are you going to do?"</p> - -<p>"No, Mr. Edward, I said exactly what I meant; you understand that I am -not going to leave you alone in this nest of serpents, I hope!"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, you will do so directly."</p> - -<p>"I?" the hunter said, with a loud laugh.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you, my friend; you must."</p> - -<p>"Bah! why so, pray, if you remain?"</p> - -<p>"That is the very reason."</p> - -<p>The hunter reflected for a moment.</p> - -<p>"You know that I do not understand you at all," he said.</p> - -<p>"Yet it is very clear," the Count answered.</p> - -<p>"Hum! that is possible, but not to me."</p> - -<p>"What, you do not understand that we must avenge ourselves?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course, I understand that, Mr. Edward."</p> - -<p>"How can we hope to succeed, if you insist on remaining here?"</p> - -<p>"Because you remain," the hunter said, obstinately.</p> - -<p>"With me it is very different, my good fellow. I remain, because I have -given my word; while you are free to go and come, and must therefore -profit by it to leave the camp. Once in the prairie, nothing can be -easier for you than to join some of our friends. It is evident that -my worthy Ivon, coward as he fancies himself, is working actively at -this moment for my deliverance; so see him, come to an understanding -with him, for though it is true I cannot leave this place, I cannot, on -the other hand, prevent my friends liberating me; if they succeed, my -parole will be suspended, and nothing will hinder my following them. Do -you understand me now?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Edward; but I confess that I cannot make up my mind to leave -you alone, among these red devils."</p> - -<p>"Do not trouble yourself about that, Bright-eye; I run no danger by -remaining with them; they have too much respect for me; besides, Natah -Otann well knows how to defend me, should it be needful. So, my friend, -start at once. You will serve me better by going, than by insisting on -remaining here, where your presence, in the event of danger, would be -more injurious than useful to me."</p> - -<p>"You are a better judge than I in such a matter, sir; as you insist on -it, I will go," the hunter said, with a mournful shake of his head.</p> - -<p>"Above all, be prudent, do not expose yourself to risk in quitting the -camp."</p> - -<p>The hunter smiled disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"You know," he said, "that the Redskins cannot harm me."</p> - -<p>"That is true; I forgot it," the young man said, laughingly; "so, -good-bye, my friend, stay no longer, but go, and joy be with you."</p> - -<p>"Good-bye, Mr. Edward; will you not give me a shake of the hand before -we part, not knowing whether we shall ever meet again?"</p> - -<p>"Most gladly, for are we not brothers?"</p> - -<p>"That is famous," the hunter said, joyfully, as he pressed the Count's -offered hand.</p> - -<p>The two men presently separated. The Count fell back on the pile of -furs that served as his bed, while the hunter, after assuring himself -that his arms were in good condition, quitted the tent. With his rifle -under his arm, and head erect, he crossed the camp. The Indians did not -seem at all to trouble themselves at the hunter's presence among them, -and allowed him to depart unimpeded.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye, when he had gone about two musket shots from the camp, -stopped, and began reflecting on what was best to be done to liberate -the Count; after a few moments' reflection, his mind was made up, and -he proceeded toward the squatter's settlement with that long trot -peculiar to the hunters.</p> - -<p>When he reached the clearing, the squatter was holding a conference -with Ivon and the party sent by Major Melville. His arrival was greeted -with a hurrah of delight.</p> - -<p>The North Americans were considerably embarrassed. Mrs. Margaret, in -spite of the exclusive details she had obtained about Natah Otann's -plans, and the movements of the Indians, had only made an incomplete -report to the Major, from the simple reason, that the old Sachems of -the Allied Nations kept their deliberations so secret, that Red Wolf, -despite all his cleverness and craft, had himself picked up but a -slight part of the plan the Chiefs proposed to follow. The scouts, -sent out in all directions, had brought in startling reports about the -movements of the Blackfeet; the Indians appeared resolved to strike -a grand blow this time; all the Missouri nations had responded to -Natah Otann's appeal; the tribes arrived one after the other, to join -the coalition, so that their number now attained four thousand, and -threatened not to stop then.</p> - -<p>Fort Mackenzie was surrounded on all sides by invisible enemies, who -had completely cut off the communication with the other settlements of -the Fur Company, and rendered the Major's position extremely critical. -Thus the hunters were greatly perplexed; and during the many hours -they had been deliberating, they had only hit on insufficient or -impracticable means to relieve the fortress.</p> - -<p>The White men have only succeeded in holding their own in Western -America by the divisions they have managed to sow among the aborigines -of the continent; whenever the latter have remained united, the -Europeans have failed, as witness the Araucanos of Chili, whose small -but valiant republic has maintained its independence to the present -day; or the Seminoles of Louisiana, who have only lately been conquered -after a desperate contest, carried on with all the rules of modern -warfare, and many other Indian nations, whose names we could easily -quote, if necessary, in support of our arguments.</p> - -<p>This time the Indians seemed to have understood the importance of open -and energetic action. The several Chiefs had, ostensibly at least, -forgotten all their hatred and jealousies, to destroy the common enemy. -Thus the Americans, in spite of their approved bravery, trembled at -the mere thought of the war of extermination they would have to sustain -against enemies exasperated by a long series of vexations, when they -counted their numbers, and saw how weak they were, compared to the -warriors preparing to crush them. The council, interrupted for a moment -by Bright-eye's arrival, immediately assembled again, and the debate -was continued.</p> - -<p>"By heaven!" John Black exclaimed, angrily, as he smote his thigh with -his fist, "I confess that I have no luck, everything turns against -me; hardly have I settled here, whither everything made me forebode a -prosperous future, than I am dragged, in spite of myself, into a war -with these vagabond savages. Who knows how it will end? It is plain to -me that we shall all lose our scalps. That is a pleasant prospect for a -man who is anxious to raise his family honourably by his labour."</p> - -<p>"That is not the question at this moment," Ivon said; "we have to save -my master at all risks. What! you are all afraid to fight when it is -almost your trade? and you have done hardly anything else during your -lives; while I, who am known to be a remarkable coward, do not hesitate -to risk my scalp to save my master."</p> - -<p>"You do not understand me, Master Ivon; I do not say that I am afraid -to fight the Indians; heaven guard me from fearing these Pagans, whom -I despise. Still, I believe that an honest and laborious man, like -myself, may be permitted to deplore the consequences of a war with -these demons. I know too well all I and my family owe to the Count, -to hesitate in hurrying to his help, whatever the result may be. The -little I possess was his gift, I have not forgotten it, and even were I -to fall, I would do my duty."</p> - -<p>"Bravo! that is what I call speaking," Ivon replied, joyously; "I was -certain you would not hang back."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately," Bright-eye objected, "all this does not advance -matters much. I do not see how we can serve our friends. These red -devils fall upon us more numerous than locusts in June. We may kill -many of them, but in the end they will crush us by their weight."</p> - -<p>This sad truth, perfectly understood by the auditors, plunged them into -dull grief, A material impossibility cannot be discussed; it must be -submitted to. The Americans felt an imminent catastrophe coming on, and -their despair was augmented by the consciousness of their impotence. -Suddenly the cry "To arms!" several times repeated outside, made -them bound on their seats. Each seized his weapons, and ran out. The -cry, which had broken up the conference, was raised by William, the -squatter's son.</p> - -<p>All eyes were turned on the prairie, and the hunters perceived, with -secret terror, that William was not mistaken. A large band of Indian -warriors, dressed in their grand war paint, was galloping over the -plain, and rapidly approaching the clearing.</p> - -<p>"Hang it!" Bright-eye muttered, "matters are getting worse. I must -confess that these most accursed Pagans have made enormous progress in -military tactics. If they continue, they will soon give us a lesson."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so?" Black asked, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Confound it!" the hunter replied, "it is evident to me that we -are about to be attacked, I now know the plan of the Redskins as -thoroughly as if they had explained it to me themselves."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Ivon said, curiously.</p> - -<p>"Judge for yourselves," the hunter continued; "the Indians intend to -attack simultaneously all the posts occupied by white men, in order to -render it impossible for them to help one another. That is excessively -logical on their parts. In that way they will have a cheap bargain of -us, and massacre us in detail. Hum! the man who commands them is a -rough adversary for us. My lads, we must make up our minds gaily. We -are lost, that is as plain to me as if the scalping knife was already -in our hair. All left to us is to fall bravely."</p> - -<p>These words, pronounced in the cool and placid tone usual with the wood -ranger, caused all who heard them to shudder.</p> - -<p>"I alone, perhaps," Bright-eye added, carelessly, "shall escape the -common fate."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" Ivon said; "you, old hunter, why so?"</p> - -<p>"Why?" he said, with a sarcastic smile, "because, as you are perfectly -aware, the Indians cannot kill me."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Ivon remarked, stupefied by this reason, and gazing on his friend -with admiration.</p> - -<p>"That is the state of the case," Bright-eye ended his address, and -stamped his rifle on the ground.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile the Redskins advanced rapidly. The band was composed -of one hundred and fifty warriors at least, the majority armed with -guns, which proved they were picked men. At the head of the band, and -about ten yards in advance, galloped two horsemen, probably Chiefs. The -Indians stopped just out of range of the entrenchments; then, after -consulting together for a few minutes, a horseman left the group, and, -riding within pistol shot of the palisades, he waved a buffalo robe.</p> - -<p>"Eh! eh! Master Black," Bright-eye said, with a cunning smile, "that -is addressed to you as the chief of the garrison. The Redskins wish to -parley."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the-American said, "I have a great mind to send a bullet after -that rascal parading down, as my sole answer," and he raised his rifle.</p> - -<p>"Mind what you are about," the hunter said, "you do not know the -Redskins. So long as the first shot is not fired, there is a chance of -treating with them."</p> - -<p>"Suppose, old hunter," Ivon said, "you were to do something?"</p> - -<p>"What is it, my prudent friend?" the Canadian asked.</p> - -<p>"Why, as you are not afraid of being killed by the Redskins, suppose -you go to them. Perhaps you could arrange matters with them."</p> - -<p>"Stay! that is a good idea. No one can say what may happen. I will go. -That will be the best, after all. Will you accompany me, Ivon?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?" the latter answered; "with you, I am not afraid."</p> - -<p>"Well, that is settled, then. Open the gate for us, Master Black; but -keep a good lookout during our absence, and, on the first suspicious -movement, fire on these heathens."</p> - -<p>"Do not alarm yourself, old hunter," the latter said, squeezing his -hand cordially; "I should not like any harm to happen to you, for you -are a man."</p> - -<p>"I believe so," the Canadian said, with a laugh; "but what I say to you -is more for this worthy fellow's sake than mine, for I assure you I am -quite easy on my own account."</p> - -<p>"No matter, I will watch these demons carefully."</p> - -<p>"That can do no harm."</p> - -<p>The gate was opened. Bright-eye and Ivon went down the hill, and went -toward the horseman, who was patiently awaiting them.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" Bright-eye muttered, as soon as he drew near enough to -recognize the rider; "I fancy that our affairs are not quite so well as -I suspected."</p> - -<p>"Why so?" Ivon asked.</p> - -<p>"Look at that warrior. Do you not see it is Red Wolf?"</p> - -<p>"That is true. Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I have reasons for believing that he is not so great an enemy as -he appears to be."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure of it?"</p> - -<p>"Silence! we shall soon see."</p> - -<p>The three men saluted each other courteously in the Indian fashion, by -laying the right hand on the heart, and holding out the other open, -with the fingers apart and the palm turned outwards.</p> - -<p>"My brother is welcome among his Paleface brothers," Bright-eye said; -"does he come to sit at the council fire, and smoke the calumet in my -wigwam?"</p> - -<p>"The hunter will decide. Red Wolf comes as a friend," the Indian -answered.</p> - -<p>"Good," the Canadian remarked; "did Red Wolf then fear treachery from -his friend, that he brought so large a body of warriors with him?"</p> - -<p>The Blackfoot smiled cunningly.</p> - -<p>"Red Wolf is a chief among the Kenhas," he said, "his tongue is not -forked. The words that pass his lips come from his heart. The Chief -wishes to serve his Pale friends.</p> - -<p>"Wah!" Bright-eye said, "the Chief has spoken well. His words have -sounded pleasantly in my ears. What does my brother desire?"</p> - -<p>"To sit at the council fire of the Palefaces, and explain to them the -reasons that bring him here."</p> - -<p>"Good. Will my brother go alone among the white men?"</p> - -<p>"No! another person will accompany the Chief."</p> - -<p>"And who is this person in whom so great a Chief as my brother places -confidence?"</p> - -<p>"The She-Wolf of the prairies."</p> - -<p>Bright-eye suppressed a movement of joy.</p> - -<p>"Good," he went on, "my brother can come with the She-Wolf. The -Palefaces will receive them kindly."</p> - -<p>"My brother, the hunter, will announce the visit of his friends."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Chief, I will go at once and do so."</p> - -<p>The conference was over. The three men separated, after again saluting, -and Bright-eye and Ivon hurried back to the entrenchments.</p> - -<p>"Victory!" the hunter said, on arriving, "we are saved!"</p> - -<p>All pressed round him, greedy to learn the details of the conference, -and Bright-eye satisfied the general curiosity without a moment's delay.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Black said, "if the old lady is with them we are, indeed, saved," -and he rubbed his hands joyfully.</p> - -<p>After having failed so unluckily in the snare she had laid for Natah -Otann, Mrs. Margaret, far from being discouraged, felt her desire of -revenge increased; and, without losing time in regretting the check she -had undergone, she immediately drew up her plans, for she had reached -that pitch of rage when a person is completely blinded by hatred, and -goes onward regardless of consequences. Ten minutes after leaving the -Sachem, she quitted the camp, accompanied by Red Wolf, who, by her -orders, led off the warriors he commanded and started for the clearing.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye had scarce given his friends the information they desired, -ere Margaret and Red Wolf entered the stockade, where they were -received with the greatest affability by the trappers, and especially -by Black, who was delighted to find that his clearing was not menaced, -and that the storm was turning from him to burst elsewhere.</p> - -<p>Let us now return to Fort Mackenzie, where, at this very moment, events -of the utmost importance were occurring.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></h4> - -<h3>THE ATTACK.</h3> - - -<p>White Buffalo and Natah Otann had drawn up their strategic arrangements -with remarkable skill. The two Chiefs had scarce formed their camp in -the clearing, ere they assembled the Sachems of the other tribes camped -not far from them, in order to combine their movement, so as to attack -the Americans simultaneously from all points.</p> - -<p>Though the Redskins are excessively cunning, the Americans had -succeeded in thoroughly deceiving them, in the gloom and silence that -prevailed through the fort, for not a single bayonet could be seen -glistening behind its parapets. Leaving their horses concealed in the -forest, the Indians lay down on the ground, and, crawling through the -tall grass like reptiles, began crossing the space that separated them -from the ramparts.</p> - -<p>All was still apparently gloomy and silent, and yet two thousand -intrepid warriors were crawling up in the shadow to attack a fortress -behind which forty resolute men only waited for the signal to be given, -and commence the attack. When all the orders had been given, and the -last warriors had quitted the hill, Natah Otann, whose perspicuous -eye had discovered a certain hesitation of evil omen in the minds of -the allied chiefs, resolved to make that final appeal to the Count to -secure his co-operation. We have already seen the result. When left -alone, Natah Otann gave the signal for attack; the Indians rushed like -a hurricane down the sides of the hill, and ran towards the fort, -brandishing their arms, and uttering their war yell. Suddenly a heavy -discharge was heard, and Fort Mackenzie was begirt with smoke and -dazzling flashes. The battle had commenced.</p> - -<p>The plain was invaded, as far as eye could trace, by powerful -detachments of Indian warriors, who, converging on one point, marched -resolutely toward the fort, incessantly discharging their bullets at -it; while new bands could be seen constantly arriving from the place -where the chain of hills abuts on the Missouri. They came up at a -gallop, in parties of from three to twenty men; their horses were -covered with foam, which led to the presumption that they had come a -long distance. The Blackfeet were in their war attire, loaded with all -sorts of ornaments and arms, with bow and quiver on their backs, and -musket in hand, while their heads were crowned with feathers, some -of which were the magnificent black and white eagle plumes. They were -seated on handsome saddle cloths of panther skin, lined with red; the -upper part of the body was naked, with the exception of a long strip -of wolf skin passing over the shoulder as a cross belt, while their -bucklers were adorned with feathers and cloth of various colours.</p> - -<p>These men, thus accoutred, had something imposing and majestic about -them, which affected the imagination, and inspired terror.</p> - -<p>The struggle seemed most obstinate in the environs of the fort, and on -the hill. The Blackfeet, sheltered by tall palisades planted during -the night, replied to the Americans' fire with an equally rapid fire, -exciting each other, with wild cries, courageously to resist the attack -of their implacable foes. The defence was, however, as vigorous as the -assault, and the combat did not appear destined to terminate so soon. -Already many corpses lay on the ground, startled horses galloped in -every direction, and the shrieks of the wounded mingled at intervals -with the defiant shouts of the assailants.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann, so soon as the signal had been given, ran off to the tent -where his prisoner was.</p> - -<p>"The moment has arrived," he said to him.</p> - -<p>"I am ready," the Count answered, "go on. I will keep constantly at -your side."</p> - -<p>"Come on, then!"</p> - -<p>They went out, and at once rushed into the thickest fight. The Count, -as he had said, was unarmed, raising his head fiercely at each bullet -that whistled past his ear, and smiling at the death which he, perhaps, -invoked in his heart. In spite of his contempt for the white race, -the Indian could not refrain from admiring this courage, which was so -frankly and nobly stoical.</p> - -<p>"You are a man," he said to the Count.</p> - -<p>"Did you ever doubt it?" the latter remarked, simply.</p> - -<p>Still the combat became, with each moment, more obstinate. The Indians -rushed forward, roaring like lions, against the palisades of the fort, -and were killed without flinching; their bodies almost filled up the -moat. The Americans, compelled to make a front on all sides, defended -themselves with the methodical and resolute impassiveness of men who -know they have no help to expect, and who have made up their minds to -sell their lives dearly.</p> - -<p>From the beginning of the fight, White Buffalo had, with a picked body -of men, held the hill that commanded Fort Mackenzie, which rendered -the position of the garrison still more precarious, for they were -thus exposed to a terrible and well-sustained fire, which caused them -irreparable loss, regard being had to the smallness of their numbers. -Major Melville, standing at the foot of the flagstaff, with his arms -crossed on his breast, a pallid brow and compressed lips, saw his men -fall one after the other, and he stamped his foot with rage at his -impotence to save them.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, a terrific shriek of agony rose from the interior of -the buildings, and the wives of the soldiers and <i>engagés</i> rushed -simultaneously into the square, flying, half mad with terror, from an -enemy still invisible. The Indians, guided by White Buffalo, had turned -the fortress, and discovered a secret entrance which the Major fancied -known to himself alone, and which, in case of a serious attack and -impossibility of defence, would serve the garrison in effecting its -retreat. From this moment the Americans saw that they were lost; it -was no longer a battle, but a massacre. The Major, followed by a few -resolute men, rushed into the buildings, and the Indians scaled on all -sides the palisades, now deprived of protection.</p> - -<p>The few surviving Americans collected round the flagstaff, from the top -of which floated the starry banner of the United States, and strove to -sell their lives as dearly as possible, for they feared most falling -alive into the bands of their implacable enemies. The Indians replied -to the hurrahs of their foes by their terrific war cry, and bounded -on them like coyotes, brandishing over their heads the blood-stained -weapons.</p> - -<p>"Down with your arms!" Natah Otann shouted, on reaching the scene of -action.</p> - -<p>"Never!" the Major replied, rushing on him at the head of the few -soldiers still left him.</p> - -<p>The mêlée recommenced, more ardently and implacable than before. The -Indians rushed about in every direction, throwing torches on the roofs, -which immediately caught fire. The Major saw that victory was hopeless, -and tried to effect his retreat. But that was not so easy; there was -no chance of climbing over the palisades; the only prospect was the -gate; but before that gate, the Blackfeet, skilfully posted, repulsed -with their lances those who tried to escape by it. Still there was no -alternative. The Major rallied his men for a final effort, and rushed -with incredible fury on the enemy, with the hope of cutting his way -through.</p> - -<p>The collision was horrible—it was not a battle, but a butchery; foot -to foot, chest against chest—in which the men seized each other -round the waist, killed each other with knives, or tore the foe with -teeth and nails: those who fell did not rise again—the wounded were -finished at once. This frightful carnage lasted about a quarter of an -hour; two-thirds of the Americans succumbed; the rest managed to force -a passage and fled, closely pursued by the Indians, who then commenced -a horrible manhunt. Never, until this day, had the Redskins fought the -Whites with such fury and tenacity. The presence among them of the -Count, disarmed and smiling, who, although rushing into the thickest -of the contest by the side of the Chief, appeared invulnerable, -electrified them, and they really believed that Natah Otann had told -them the truth—and that the Count was that Motecuhzoma they had waited -so long, and whose presence would restore them for ever that liberty -which the White men had torn from them. Thus they had kept their eyes -constantly fixed on the young man, saluting him with noisy shouts of -joy, and redoubling their efforts to secure the victory. Natah Otann -rushed toward the American flag, tore it down, and wound it over his -head.</p> - -<p>"Victory—victory!" he shouted, joyfully.</p> - -<p>The Blackfeet responded to this cry with yells, and spread in every -direction to begin plundering. A few men still remained in the fort, -among them being the Major, who did not wish to survive his defeat. -The Indians, rushed upon him with loud yells, to massacre him, but the -veteran remained calm, and did not offer to defend himself.</p> - -<p>"Stay!" the Count shouted; and turning to Natah Otann, said,—"Will you -let this brave soldier be assassinated in cold blood?"</p> - -<p>"No," the Sachem answered, "if he consents to surrender his sword to -me."</p> - -<p>"Never!" the old gentleman said, with energy, as he broke across his -knee his weapon, blood-stained to the hilt, threw the pieces at the -Chief's feet, and, crossing his arms, he regarded his victor with -supreme contempt, as he said—</p> - -<p>"Kill me now; I can no longer defend myself."</p> - -<p>"Bravo!" the Count exclaimed; and, not calculating the consequences -of the deed, he went up to the Major, and cordially pressed his hand. -Natah Otann regarded the two for an instant with an indefinable -expression.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" he muttered to himself, with sorrow; "we may beat them, but we -shall never conquer them: these men are stronger than we; they are born -to be our masters."</p> - -<p>Then raising his hand above his head.</p> - -<p>"Enough!" he said, in a loud voice.</p> - -<p>"Enough!" the Count repeated, "respect the conquered."</p> - -<p>That which the Sachem could not have obtained, in spite of the respect -the Indians had for him, the Count obtained instantaneously, through -the superstitious veneration he inspired them with; they stopped, and -the carnage finally ceased; the Americans were disarmed in a second, -and the Redskins remained masters of the fort.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann then took his totem from the hands of the warrior who bore -it, and, after swinging it several times in the air, hoisted it in the -place of the American flag, in the midst of the frenzied shouts of the -Indians, who, intoxicated with joy, could hardly yet believe in their -victory.</p> - -<p>White Buffalo had not lost a moment in assuring himself of the -peaceful possession of a conquest which had cost the confederates so -much blood and toil. When the Sachems had restored some little order -among their warriors; when the fire, that threatened the destruction -of the fort, had been extinguished; and all precautions taken against -any renewal of the attack by the Americans—though that was very -improbable—Natah Otann and White Buffalo withdrew to the apartment -hitherto occupied by the Major, and the Count followed them.</p> - -<p>"At length," the young Count exclaimed, with delight, "we have proved -to these haughty Americans that they are not invincible."</p> - -<p>"Your weakness caused their strength," White Buffalo replied. "You have -made a good beginning, and now you must go on; it is not enough to -conquer; you must know how to profit by that victory."</p> - -<p>"Pardon my interrupting you, gentlemen," the Count said; "but I fancy -the hour has arrived to settle our accounts."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, sir?" White Buffalo asked, haughtily.</p> - -<p>"I will explain myself, sir," the Count continued, and, turning to Natah -Otann, "you will do me the justice to allow that I have scrupulously -kept the promise I made you; in spite of the grief and disgust I felt, -I did not fail once; you ever found me cold and calm at your side. Is -this not so?—answer, sir."</p> - -<p>"It is true," Natah Otann replied, coldly.</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir; it is now my turn to ask from you the fulfilment of -the promises you made me."</p> - -<p>"Be a little more explicit, sir," the Chief said. "During the last -few hours I have been actor in and witness of so many extraordinary -things, that I may possibly have forgotten what I did promise you."</p> - -<p>The Count smiled with disdain.</p> - -<p>"I expected such trickery," he said, drily.</p> - -<p>"You misinterpret my words. I may have forgotten, but I do not refuse -to satisfy your just claims."</p> - -<p>"Very good; I admit that, so I will remind you of the stipulations made -between us."</p> - -<p>"I shall be glad to hear them."</p> - -<p>"I pledged myself to remain by yourself unarmed during the action, -to follow you everywhere, and ever to go in the first rank of the -combatants."</p> - -<p>"That is true, and it is my duty to allow that you have nobly performed -that perilous task."</p> - -<p>"Very well; but in doing so I only acted as my honour dictated; you, -on your part, pledged yourself whatever the issue of the battle might -be, to grant me my liberty, and give me an honourable satisfaction, -in reparation for the unworthy treachery of which you rendered me the -victim, and the odious part you forced me unconsciously to play."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said, frowning, and striking the table with his -fists. "Did you really make such a promise as that, child?"</p> - -<p>The Count turned to the old man with a gesture sovereign contempt.</p> - -<p>"I believe, sir," he said, "that you are doubting the honour of a -gentleman."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, sir," the republican said, with a grin "How can you talk to -us of honour and nobility? You forget that we are in the desert, and -that you are addressing savage Indians, as you call us. Do we recognize -your foolish caste distinctions here? Have we adopted your laws and -absurd prejudices?"</p> - -<p>"What you treat so cavalierly," the Count sharply retorted, "has -hitherto been the safeguard of civilization, and the cause of -intellectual progress; but I have nothing to discuss with you; I am -addressing myself to your adopted son; let him answer me, yes or no, -and I shall then know what remains for me to do."</p> - -<p>"Be it so, sir," White Buffalo said, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Let my son answer, and, according to his reply, I shall then know what -remains for me to do."</p> - -<p>"As this affair concerns me alone," Natah Otann interposed, "I should -feel mortally offended, my friend, if you interfered in any way in it."</p> - -<p>The White Buffalo smiled with contempt, but made no reply. Natah Otann -continued—</p> - -<p>"I will employ no subterfuges with you, sir; you have spoken the truth; -I promised you liberty and satisfaction, and I am prepared to keep my -word."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" the Chief ordered, peremptorily. "Listen, my friend; -prove to these Europeans, so vain and so proud of their so-called -civilization, that the Redskins are not the ferocious brutes they -imagine them, and that the code of honour is the same among nations -who are regarded as the most barbarous. You are free, sir, from this -moment, and, if you please, I will myself lead you in safety outside -the lines. As for the duel you desire, I am equally ready to satisfy -you in any way you may indicate."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir," the Count answered, with a bow, "I am happy to hear -your determination."</p> - -<p>"Now that affair is arranged between us, allow me to add a few words."</p> - -<p>"I am listening to you, sir."</p> - -<p>"Am I in the way?" White Buffalo asked, ironically.</p> - -<p>"On the contrary," Natah Otann said, with emphasis, "your presence is -at this moment more necessary than ever."</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah! what is going to happen?" the old man went on, in a sarcastic -tone.</p> - -<p>"You will learn," the Chief said, still cold and impassive; "if you -will take the trouble to listen to me for five minutes."</p> - -<p>"Be it so; speak."</p> - -<p>Natah Otann seemed to be collecting himself for a few moments, and -said, in a voice which, spite of all his efforts to conceal it, -trembled slightly, through some hidden emotion,—</p> - -<p>"Owing to events too long to narrate here, and which I would probably -possess but slight interest for you, I became the guardian of a child, -who is now a charming maiden. This girl, to whom I have ever paid the -greatest attention, and whom I love as a father, is known to you; her -name is Prairie-Flower."</p> - -<p>The Count quivered, and made a gesture in affirmation, but no other -reply. Natah Otann continued,—</p> - -<p>"As I am entering now on a hazardous expedition, in which I may meet -my death, it is impossible for me to watch longer over this girl; it -would be painful to me to leave her alone, and without support, among -my tribe, if destiny were to cause my plans to fail. I know that she -loves you, I entrust her to you frankly and honestly; I have full faith -in your honour—will you give to her protection? I know that you will -never abuse the trust I offer you; I am only a brutalized Indian, -a monster, perhaps, to your civilization; but, believe me, sir, the -lessons a great man has consented to give me have not been all lost, -and my heart is not so dead, as might be supposed, to finer feelings."</p> - -<p>"Good, Natah Otann," White Buffalo said, joyfully; "good, my son. Now I -recognize my pupil, and I am proud of you; the man who succeeds in each -a victory over self is really born to command others."</p> - -<p>"You are satisfied," the Chief answered; "all the better. And you, sir? -I await your answer."</p> - -<p>"I accept the sacred trust you offer me, sir. I will be worthy of your -confidence," the Count answered, with much emotion. "I have no right to -judge your actions; but, believe, sir, that whatever may happen, there -will be always one man to defend your memory, and proclaim aloud the -nobility of your heart."</p> - -<p>The Chief clapped his hands, the door opened, and Prairie-Flower -appeared, led by an Indian woman.</p> - -<p>"Child," Natah Otann said to her, nothing evincing the violence he did -to his feelings, "your presence among us is henceforth impossible; -this Chief of the Palefaces consents to watch over you for the future; -follow him, and if at times you are reminded of your stay with the -tribe of the Kenhas, do not curse them or their Chief, for all have -been kind to you."</p> - -<p>The maiden blushed, the tears rose to her eyes, a nervous tremor -agitated her limbs, and, without uttering a word, she took her place by -the Count's side. Natah Otann smiled sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"Follow me," he said, "I will escort you out of the camp."</p> - -<p>And he went out, accompanied by the two young people.</p> - -<p>"We shall soon meet again, I presume, noble Count?" White Buffalo -called out, after his countryman.</p> - -<p>"I hope so," the latter answered, simply.</p> - -<p>Guided by Natah Otann, the Count and his companion left the fort, and -entered the prairie, passing through groups of Redskins, who stood back -respectfully to make room for them. Their walk was silent; it lasted -about half an hour, until the Chief stopped.</p> - -<p>"Here you have nothing more to fear," he said; and going to a dense -thicket, and pulling back the branches, "Here are two horses I had -prepared for you; take also these weapons, perhaps you will need them; -and now, if you wish to fight with me, I am ready."</p> - -<p>"No," the Count answered, nobly, "any combat is henceforth impossible -between us; I can no longer be the enemy of a man whom honour orders me -to esteem; here is my hand, I will never lift it against you; I offer -it you frankly, and without any afterthought; unfortunately, too deep -a hatred divides our two races to prevent us being ere long opposed to -each other, but if I fight your brothers, I shall not the less remain -personally your friend."</p> - -<p>"I ask no more of you," the Chief replied, as he pressed the hand -offered him; "farewell! be happy!"</p> - -<p>And without adding a word, he turned away, and hurried back by the road -he had come; he soon disappeared in the darkness.</p> - -<p>"Let us go," the Count said to the maiden, who was pensively watching -the departure of the man she had so long loved as a father, and whom -now she did not feel strong enough to hate. They mounted and went off, -after a parting glance at the scattered fire of the Blackfoot camp.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h4><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></h4> - -<h3>CONCLUSION.</h3> - - -<p>The night was gloomy, cold, and mournful; not a star shone in the sky, -and the young people only forced their way with extreme difficulty -through the shrubs and creepers, in which their horses' feet were -continually caught. They advanced very slowly, for both were too -absorbed by the strange situation in which they found themselves, and -the extraordinary events of which they had been actors or witnesses, to -break the silence they had maintained since leaving the fort. They went -on thus for about an hour, when a great noise was suddenly heard in the -bushes. Two men rushed to the horses' heads, and, seizing the bridles, -compelled them to stop. Prairie-Flower gave a shriek of terror.</p> - -<p>"Halloh, brigands!" the Count shouted, as he cocked his pistols, "back, -or I fire."</p> - -<p>"Do not do so, for goodness sake, sir, for you would run the risk of -killing a friend," a voice at once answered, which the Count recognized -as the hunter's.</p> - -<p>"Bright-eye?" he said, in amazement.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" the latter said, "did you fancy, pray, that I had deserted -you?"</p> - -<p>"My master, my kind master!" the Breton shouted, leaving hold of -Prairie-Flower's bridle, and rushing toward the young man.</p> - -<p>"Halloh!" the Count continued, after the emotion caused by the first -surprise was slightly calmed, "what on earth are you doing here in -ambush, like pirates of the prairie?"</p> - -<p>"Come to our encampment, Mr. Edward, and we will tell you."</p> - -<p>"Very good; but lead the way."</p> - -<p>They soon reached the entrance of a natural cavern, where, by the -uncertain light of an expiring fire, they perceived a large number -of white and half-bred hunters, among whom the Count recognized John -Black, his son, his wife, and daughter. The worthy squatter had left -the clearing under the charge of his two servants, and fearing lest his -wife and daughter might not be in safety during his absence, he asked -them to accompany him; and though this offer was somewhat singular, -they gladly accepted it. Prairie-Flower immediately took her place by -the side of the two ladies.</p> - -<p>Bright-eye, the squatter, and above all Ivon, were impatient to learn -what had happened to the Count, and how he had succeeded in escaping -from the Redskin camp. The Count made no difficulty in satisfying their -curiosity; the more so, as he was eager to learn for what reason his -friends were ambuscaded so near the camp.</p> - -<p>What the hunter had foreseen had really happened; scarce victors -over the Americans, and masters of the fort, disunion had set in -among the Redskins. Several Chiefs had been dissatisfied at seeing, -to their prejudice, Natah Otann, one of the youngest Sachems of the -Confederates, claim the profits of the victory, by installing himself, -with his tribe, in the fort, which all had captured at such an effusion -of blood; a dull discontentment had begun to prevail among them; five -or six of the most powerful even spoke, hardly two hours after the -victory, of withdrawing with their warriors, and leaving Natah Otann to -continue the war as he thought proper with the Whites.</p> - -<p>Red Wolf had found but slight difficulty in commencing the work of -defection he meditated; thus, at nightfall, he entered the camp with -his warriors, and began fanning the flame which at present only -smouldered, but which must soon be a burning and devouring fire, owing -to the means of corruption the Chief had at his disposal. Of all -the destructive agents introduced by Europeans in America, the most -effective and terrible is, indubitably, spirits. With the exception of -the Comanches, whose sobriety is proverbial, and who have constantly -refused to drink anything but the water of their streams, all the -Indians are mad for strong liquors. Drunkenness among their primitive -race is terrible, and attains the proportions of a furious mania.</p> - -<p>Red Wolf, who burned to avenge himself on Natah Otann, and who, -besides, blindly obeyed the insinuations of Mrs. Margaret, had -conceived an atrocious plan, which only an Indian born was capable of -forming. John Black had brought with him into the desert a considerable -stock of whiskey. Red Wolf had asked for this, placed it on sledges, -and thus entered the camp. The Indians, when they knew the species of -merchandize he brought with him, did not hesitate to give him a hearty -reception.</p> - -<p>The Chief, while indoctrinating them, and representing Natah Otann to -them as a man who had only acted from personal motives, and with the -intention of satiating his own wild ambition, generously abandoned to -them the spirits he had brought with him. The Indians eagerly accepted -the present Red Wolf made them, and, without the loss of a moment, took -hearty draughts. When Red Wolf saw that the Indians had reached that -state of intoxication he desired, he hastened to warn his allies, so -that they might attempt a bold <i>coup de main</i> on the spot.</p> - -<p>The hunters at once mounted their horses, and proceeded toward the -fortress, concealing themselves about two hundred paces from it, so as -to be ready for the first signal.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann, in crossing the camp after escorting the two young people, -perceived the effervescence prevailing among his allies, and several -unpleasant epithets struck his ear. Although he did not suppose that -the Americans, after the rude defeat they had suffered during the -day, were in a condition to assume the offensive immediately, still, -his thorough knowledge of his countrymen's character made him suspect -treachery, and he resolved to redouble his prudence, in order to avoid -a conflict, whose disastrous results would be incalculable for the -success of his career. Agitated by a gloomy foreboding, the young Chief -hurried on to reach the fort; but at the moment he prepared to enter, -after opening the gate, a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder, while a -rough voice hissed in his ear—</p> - -<p>"Natah Otann is a traitor."</p> - -<p>The Chief turned, as if a serpent had stung him, and wheeling his heavy -axe round his head, dealt a terrible blow at this bold speaker; but the -latter avoided the stroke by springing on one side, and raising his -axe in his turn, he directed a blow, which the Sachem parried with the -handle of his weapon, and then the two men rushed on each other. There -was something singularly startling in this desperate combat between two -men dumb as shadows, and in whom their fury was only revealed by the -hissing of their breath.</p> - -<p>"Die, dog!" Natah Otann suddenly said, his axe crashing through the -skull of his adversary, who rolled on the ground, with a yell of agony. -The Chief bent over him.</p> - -<p>"Red Wolf," he shouted, "I suspected it."</p> - -<p>Suddenly an almost imperceptible sound in the grass reminded him of the -critical situation in which he was; he made a prodigious bound back, -entered the fort, and bolted the gate after him. It was high time; he -had scarce disappeared, ere some twenty warriors, rushing in pursuit -of him, ran their heads against the gate, stifling cries of rage -and deception. But the alarm had been given, the general combat was -evidently about to begin.</p> - -<p>Natah Otann, immediately on entering the fort, perceived, with a groan, -that this victory, which he had so dearly bought, was on the point of -slipping from him. The Kenhas had done within the fort what the other -Blackfeet, incited by Red Wolf, had effected on the prairie.</p> - -<p>After the capture of the fortress they spread in every direction, and -the spirits did not long escape their search; they had rolled the -barrels into the square, and tapped them, availing themselves of the -White Buffalo being asleep, and the absence of Natah Otann, the only -two men whose influence would have been great enough to have kept -them in subordination. A frightful orgy had then commenced—an Indian -orgy, with all its incidents of murder and massacre. As we have said, -drunkenness in the Redskins is madness carried to the last paroxysm of -fury and rage; there had been a frightful scene of carnage, at the end -of which the Indians had fallen on the top of one another, and gone to -sleep in the midst of the confusion.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" the Chief muttered, in despair. "What is to be done with such -men?"</p> - -<p>Natah Otann rushed, into the room where he had left White Buffalo; the -old Chief was quietly sleeping in an easy chair.</p> - -<p>"Woe! woe!" the young man yelled, as he rushed toward him, and shook -him vigorously, to rouse him.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" the old man asked, opening his eyes, and sitting -up. "What news have you?"</p> - -<p>"That we are lost!" the Chief replied.</p> - -<p>"Lost!" the White Buffalo said, "what is happening then?"</p> - -<p>"The six hundred men we had here are drunk, the rest of our -confederates are turning against us, and the only thing left to us is -to die."</p> - -<p>"Let us die then, but as brave men," the old man said, rising.</p> - -<p>He asked Natah Otann for details, which he soon gave him.</p> - -<p>"The situation is grave, but all is not lost, I hope," he said; "let us -collect the few men still capable of fighting, and make head against -the storm."</p> - -<p>At this moment a tremendous fusillade was heard, mingled with war cries -and shouts of defiance.</p> - -<p>"The final struggle has commenced!" Natah Otann exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Forwards!" the old Chief said.</p> - -<p>They rushed out. The situation was most critical. Major Melville, -taking advantage of the intoxication of his keepers, had broken out of -his prison at the head of some twenty Americans, and boldly charged the -Redskins, while the hunters outside tried to scale the barricades.</p> - -<p>The Indians of the prairie, ignorant of Red Wolf's death, and believing -they were carrying out his plans, advanced, in a compact body, on the -fort, with the intention of carrying it. Natah Otann had to contend -against the enemies without and those within; but he did not despair; -his energy seemed to increase with peril; he was everywhere at once; -encouraging some, rebuking others, and imparting some of his own nerve -to all. At his voice, many of his warriors sprang up, and joined him; -then the battle was organized, and became regular.</p> - -<p>Still the hunters, excited by the Count and Bright-eye, redoubled their -efforts; climbing on each other's backs, they reached the top of the -palisades, which they wished to scale. The Americans, though themselves -surprised, when they expected to surprise their enemies, fought with -indescribable fury, returning instantly to the attack in spite of the -bullets that decimated them, and seemed resolved to fall to the last -man, rather than give way an inch.</p> - -<p>During the two hours that night still lasted, the fight was maintained -without any decided advantage on either side; but when the sun -appeared on the horizon, matters changed at once. In the darkness it -was impossible for the Indians to recognize the enemies against whom -they were fighting; but so soon as the gloom was dissipated, they saw, -combating in the first rank of their enemies, and pitilessly cutting -down the Redskins, the man on whom they counted most, whom their chiefs -and medicine men had announced to them as their leader to victory, who -would render them invincible. Then they hesitated, disorder broke out -among them, and, in spite of the efforts made by Chiefs, they gave way.</p> - -<p>The Count, having at his side Bright-eye, the squatter and his son, -and Ivon, made a frightful butchery of the Indians; he was avenging -himself for the treachery of which they had made him their victim, -and, at each stroke, cut them down like corn ripe for the sickle. The -Count at length reached the gate of the fort; but there he came in -contact with a band of picked warriors, commanded by White Buffalo, -who was effecting his retreat in good order, and without turning his -back, closely pursued by Major Melville, who was already almost master -of the interior of the fortress. There was a moment, we will not say -of hesitation, but of truce between the hostile bands; each of them -understood that the fate of the battle depended on the defeat of the -other.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Natah Otann made his appearance, mad with grief and rage; -brandishing in one hand his totem, he guided with his knees a -magnificent steed, with which he had already ridden several times into -the thickest of the enemies' ranks, in the vain hope of reanimating -the courage of his men, and turning the current of the action. Horse -and rider were bathed in blood and perspiration; the shadow of death -already brooded over the Chiefs contracted face; but his forehead -still shone with enthusiasm. His eyes seemed to flash forth lightning, -and his hand wielded an axe, the very handle of which dripped gore. -Some twenty devoted warriors followed him, wounded like himself, but -resolved, like him, not to survive defeat.</p> - -<p>On reaching the front of the American line, Natah Otann stopped; his -eyebrows were contracted, a nervous smile played round his lips; and, -rising in his stirrups, he bent a fascinating glance around.</p> - -<p>"Blackfeet, my brothers," he shouted, in a strident voice, "as you -know not how to conquer, learn at least from me how to die!"</p> - -<p>And burying his spurs in the flanks of his steed, which shrieked with -pain, he rushed on the Americans, followed by a few warriors who -had sworn not to abandon him. This weak band, devoted to death, was -engulfed in the ranks of the hunters, when it entirely disappeared; -for a few minutes there was a sullen contest, a horrible butchery, an -ebb and flow of courage impossible to describe, a Titanic struggle of -fifteen half naked men against three hundred; gradually the agitation -ceased, the calm returned, and the ranks of the hunters were reformed. -The Blackfeet heroes were dead, but they had a sanguinary funeral, for -one hundred and twenty Americans had fallen, burying their enemies -under their corpses.</p> - -<p>White Buffalo's band alone resisted; but, attacked in the rear by -Major Melville, and in front by the Count, its last hour had struck: -still the collision was rude, the Indians resisted obstinately, and -made the whites purchase their victory dearly; but, attacked on all -sides at once, and falling helplessly under the unerring bullets of the -white men, disorder entered their ranks, they disbanded, and the rout -commenced.</p> - -<p>One man alone remained calm and impassive on the field of battle. It -was White Buffalo, leaning on his long sword; with pallid brow and -haughty look, he still defied the enemies he could no longer combat.</p> - -<p>"Surrender!" Bright-eye shouted, as he rushed upon him; "surrender, or -I will shoot you like a dog."</p> - -<p>The Chief smiled disdainfully, and made no reply. The implacable hunter -seized his rifle by the barrel, and whirled it round his head. The -Count seized him sharply by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Stay, Bright-eye," he said.</p> - -<p>"Let the man alone," White Buffalo said, coldly.</p> - -<p>"I do not wish him to kill you," the young man replied.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you wish to kill me yourself, noble Count of Beaulieu," he -said, in a cutting voice.</p> - -<p>"No, sir," the young man said, with disdain; "throw down your weapons; -I spare your life."</p> - -<p>The exile gave him a withering glance. "Instead of telling me to throw -down my weapons," he said, ironically, "why do you not try to take them -from me."</p> - -<p>"Because I pity your age and your grey hair,"</p> - -<p>"Pity? confess rather, O noble Count, that you are afraid."</p> - -<p>At this insult the young man trembled, and his face became livid. The -Americans formed a circle round the two men, and anxiously awaited what -was going to happen.</p> - -<p>"Put an end to this!" Major Melville exclaimed, "kill that mad brute."</p> - -<p>"One moment, sir, I beg; let me settle this affair,"</p> - -<p>"As you wish it, air, act as you think proper."</p> - -<p>"You desire a duel then?" the Count said, addressing White Buffalo, who -still stood perfectly calm.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he answered, through his clenched teeth, "a duel to the death! -two principles, and not two men, will contend here. I hate your race, -and you hate mine."</p> - -<p>"Be it so."</p> - -<p>The Count took two sabres from the hands of the men nearest him, and -threw one at the exile's feet. The latter stooped to pick it up, but as -he rose again, Ivon aimed a pistol at him, and blew out his brains.</p> - -<p>The young man turned furiously on his servant.</p> - -<p>"Wretched fellow," he shouted, "what have you done?"</p> - -<p>"Kill me, if you will, sir," the Breton replied, simply, "but indeed it -was stronger than myself, I was so frightened."</p> - -<p>"Come, come," the Major said, interposing, "you must not be angry with -the poor fellow, he fancied he was acting for the best, and for my part -I think he was."</p> - -<p>The incident had no other result; the exile died on the spot, taking -with him the secret of his name.</p> - -<p>While this scene was taking place in the courtyard of the fort, John -Black, who was anxious to reassure his wife and daughter, went to look -for them; but though he went through all the rooms and outbuildings of -the fort, where he had concealed them for a few minutes previously, he -could not possibly find them anywhere.</p> - -<p>The poor squatter returned, with lengthened face and despair in his -soul, to announce to the Major the disappearance of his wife and -daughter, probably carried off by the Indians. Without losing a moment, -the Major ordered a dozen hunters to go in search of the ladies; but -just as the band was about to start, they arrived, accompanied by -Bright-eye and two American hunters. Margaret and her daughter were -with them. So soon as Prairie-Flower perceived the Count, she uttered a -cry of joy, and rushed toward him.</p> - -<p>"Saved!" she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>But all at once she blushed, trembled, and went in confusion to seek -refuge by her mother's side. The Count went up, took her hand, and -pressed it tenderly.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower," he said to her, softly, "do you no longer love me now -that I am free?"</p> - -<p>The maiden raised her head, and looked at him for a moment with -tear-laden eyes.</p> - -<p>"Oh! ever, ever!" she answered.</p> - -<p>"Look, daughter," Mrs. Black said to poor Diana.</p> - -<p>"Mother," she replied, in a firm voice, "did I not tell you that I -should forget him?"</p> - -<p>The squatter's wife shook her head, but made no further remark. The -Indians had fled without leaving a man, and a few hours later the fort -returned to its old condition.</p> - -<p>The winter passed away without any fresh incident, for the rude lesson -given the Indians had done them good. Prairie-Flower, recognized by -her uncle, remained at Fort Mackenzie. The girl was sorrowful and -pensive; she often spent long hours leaning over the parapets, with -her eyes fixed on the prairie and the forests, which were beginning to -reassume their green dress. Her mother and the Major, who were so fond -of her, could not at all understand the gloomy melancholy that preyed -upon her. When pressed to explain what she suffered from, she replied, -invariably, that there was nothing the matter with her.</p> - -<p>One day, however, her face brightened up, and her joyous smile -reappeared. Three travellers arrived at the fort. They were the Count, -Bright-eye, and Ivon; they were returning from a long excursion in -the Rocky Mountains. As soon as he arrived, the Count went up to the -maiden, and took her hand, as he had done three months before.</p> - -<p>"Prairie-Flower," he asked her once again, "do you no longer love me?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! yes, and for ever!" the poor child answered, gently, for she had -grown timid since she gave up her desert life.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," he said to her; and, turning to the Major and his sister, -who were looking at each other anxiously, he added, without loosing -the hand he held,—"Major Melville, and you, Madam, I ask you for this -lady's hand."</p> - -<p>A week later the marriage was solemnized; the squatter and his family -were present. And a month previously, Diana had married James. Still, -when the "yes" was uttered, she could not suppress a sigh.</p> - -<p>"You see, Ivon, that you are never killed by the Indians—and here is a -proof of it," Bright-eye said to the Breton, on leaving the chapel.</p> - -<p>"I am beginning to believe it," the latter made answer, "but no matter, -my friend, I shall never get accustomed to this frightful country; it -makes me so afraid."</p> - -<p>"The old humbug!" the Canadian muttered; "he will never alter."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And now, to satisfy certain curious readers who like to know -everything, we will add the following in the shape of a postscript.</p> - -<p>A few months after the 9th Thermidor, several members of the -Convention, in spite of the part they played on that day, were not -the less transported to French Guyana. Two of them—Collot D'Herbois -and Billaud Varenne—succeeded in escaping from Sinnamori, and buried -themselves in the deserts, where they endured horrible sufferings. -Collot D'Herbois succumbed, and we have told his comrade's fate.</p> - -<h4>THE END.</h4> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - -***** This file should be named 43925-h.htm or 43925-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/9/2/43925/ - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Prairie Flower - A Tale of the Indian Border - -Author: Gustave Aimard - -Translator: Lascelles Wraxall - -Release Date: October 10, 2013 [EBook #43925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - - - - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - - - - - -THE PRAIRIE FLOWER - -A TALE OF THE INDIAN BORDER - -BY - -GUSTAVE AIMARD, - -AUTHOR OF - -"THE INDIAN SCOUT," "TRAPPERS OF ARKANSAS," "TRAIL HUNTER," -"GOLD SEEKERS," "BEE HUNTERS," -ETC., ETC. - -LONDON: - -CHARLES HENRY CLARKE, 13 PATERNOSTER ROW, - -1874 - - - - CONTENTS - - - I. A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT - II. A TRAIL DISCOVERED - III. THE EMIGRANTS - IV. THE GRIZZLY BEAR - V. THE STRANGE WOMAN - VI. THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP - VII. THE INDIAN CHIEF - VIII. THE EXILE - IX. THE MASSACRE - X. THE GREAT COUNCIL - XI. AMERICAN HOSPITALITY - XII. THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIE - XIII. THE INDIAN VILLAGE - XIV. THE RECEPTION - XV. THE WHITE BUFFALO - XVI. THE SPY - XVII. FORT MACKENZIE - XVIII. A MOTHER'S CONFESSION - XIX. THE CHASE - XX. INDIAN DIPLOMACY - XXI. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER - XXII. IVON - XXIII. THE PLAN OF THIS CAMPAIGN - XXIV. THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET - XXV. BEFORE THE ATTACK - XXVI. RED WOLF - XXVII. THE ATTACK - XXVIII. CONCLUSION - - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A HUNTING ENCAMPMENT. - - -America is the land of prodigies! Everything there assumes gigantic -proportions, which startle the imagination and confound the reason. -Mountains, rivers, lakes and streams, all are carved on a sublime -pattern. - -There is a river of North America--not like the Danube, Rhine, or -Rhone, whose banks are covered with towns, plantations, and time-worn -castles: whose sources and tributaries are magnificent streams, the -waters of which, confined in a narrow bed, rush onwards as if impatient -to lose themselves in the ocean--but deep and silent, wide as an arm -of the sea, calm and severe in its grandeur, it pours majestically -onwards, its waters augmented by innumerable streams, and lazily bathes -the banks of a thousand isles, which it has formed of its own sediment. - -These isles, covered with tall thickets, exhale a sharp or delicious -perfume which the breeze bears far away. Nothing disturbs their -solitude, save the gentle and plaintive appeal of the dove, or the -hoarse and strident voice of the tiger, as it sports beneath the shade. - -At certain spots, trees that have fallen through old age, or have -been uprooted by the hurricane, collect on its waters; then, attached -by creepers and concealed by mud, these fragments of forests become -floating islands. Young shrubs take root upon them: the petunia and -nenuphar expand here and there their yellow roses; serpents, birds, and -caimans come to sport and rest on these verdurous rafts, and are with -them swallowed up in the ocean. - -This river has no name! Others in the same zone are called Nebraska, -Platte, Missouri; but this is simply the _Mecha-Chebe_ the old father -of waters, _the_ river before all! the Mississippi in a word! - -Vast and incomprehensible as is infinity, full of secret terrors, like -the Ganges and Irrawaddy, it is the type of fecundity, immensity, and -eternity to the numerous Indian nations that inhabit its banks. - - * * * * * - -Three men were seated on the bank of the river, a little below its -confluence with the Missouri, and were breakfasting on a slice of roast -elk, while gaily chatting together. - -The spot where they were seated was remarkably picturesque. The bank -of the river was formed of small mounds, enamelled with flowers. The -strangers had selected for their halt the top of the highest mound, -whence the eye embraced a magnificent panorama. In the foreground, -dense curtains of verdure which undulated with each breath of air: on -the islands innumerable flocks of dark-winged flamingos, perched on -their long legs, plovers and cardinals fluttering from bough to bough, -while numerous alligators lazily wallowed in the mud. Between the -islands, the silvery patches of water reflected the sunbeams. In the -midst of these masses of coruscating light, fishes of every description -sported on the surface of the water, and traced sparkling furrows. -Further back, as far as the eye could reach, the tops of the trees that -bordered the prairie, and whose dark green scarcely showed upon the -horizon. - -But the three men we have mentioned seemed to trouble themselves very -slightly about the natural beauties that surrounded them, as they -were fully engaged in appeasing a true hunter's appetite. Their meal, -however, only lasted a few minutes, and when the last fragments had -been devoured, one lighted his Indian pipe, the other took a cigar -from his pocket. They then stretched themselves on the grass, and -began digesting with that beatitude which characterizes smokers, while -following with a languid eye the clouds of bluish smoke that rose in -long spirals with each mouthful they puffed forth. As for the third -man, he leant his back against a tree, crossed his arms, on his chest, -and went to sleep most prosaically. - -We will profit by this momentary repose to present these persons to our -readers, and make them better acquainted with each other. The first was -a Canadian half-breed, of about fifty years of age, and known by the -name of "Bright-eye." His life had been entirely spent on the prairie -among the Indians, all of whose tricks he was thoroughly acquainted -with. - -Like the majority of his countrymen he was very tall, more than six -feet in height: his body was thin and angular; his limbs were knotty, -but covered with muscles, hard as ropes; his bony and yellow face had -a remarkable expression of frankness and joviality, and his little grey -eyes sparkled with intelligence; his prominent cheekbones, his nose -bent down over a wide mouth supplied with long white teeth, and his -rounded chin, made up a face which was the most singular, and, at the -same time, the most attractive that could be imagined. - -His dress differed in no respect from that of the other wood rangers; -that is to say, it was a strange medley of European and Indian -fashions, generally adopted by all the white prairie hunters and -trappers. His weapons consisted of a knife, a pair of pistols, and an -American rifle, now lying on the grass, but within reach of his hand. - -His companion was a man of thirty to thirty-two years of age at the -most, but who appeared scarce twenty-five, tall, and well made. His -blue eyes, limpid as a woman's, the long light curls that escaped -beneath the edge of his Panama hat, and floated in disorder on his -shoulders, the whiteness of his skin, which contrasted with the olive -and brown complexion of the hunter, were sufficient evidence that he -was not born in the hot climate of America. - -In fact, this young man was a Frenchman, Charles Edward de Beaulieu, -and was descended from one of the oldest families in Brittany. But, -under this slightly effeminate appearance, he concealed a lion's -courage which nothing could startle or even surprise. Skilled in all -bodily exercises, he was also endowed with prodigious strength, and the -delicate skin of his white and unstained hands, with their rosy nails, -covered nerves of steel. - -The Count's dress would reasonably have appeared extraordinary in a -country remote from civilization to anyone who had leisure to examine -it. He wore a hunting jacket of green cloth, of a French cut, and -buttoned over his chest; yellow doeskin breeches, fastened by a waist -belt of varnished leather; a cartouche box, and a hunting knife in a -bronzed steel sheath, and with an admirably chiselled hilt: while his -legs were covered by long riding boots, coming up over the knee. Like -his companion, he had laid his rifle on the grass: this weapon, richly -damascened, must have cost an enormous sum. - -The Count de Beaulieu, whose father followed the princes into exile -and served them actively, first in Conde's army and then in all the -Royalist plots that were incessantly formed during the Empire, was an -ultra-Royalist. Left an orphan at an early age, and possessed of an -immense fortune, he was nominated a lieutenant in the Gardes du Corps. -After the fall of Charles X., the Count, whose career was broken up, -was assailed by a fearful despondency, and an unenviable disregard for -life filled his heart. Europe became hateful to him, and he resolved -to bid it an eternal farewell. After intrusting the management of his -fortune to a confidential agent, the Count embarked for the United -States. - -But American life, narrow, paltry, and egotistic, was not made for him; -for the young man understood the Americans no better than they did -him. His heart was ulcerated by the meanness and trickery he saw daily -committed by the descendants of the Plymouth Brethren, so he one day -resolved to bury himself in the depths of the country, and visit those -immense prairies whence the first lords of the soil had been driven by -the cunning and treachery of their crafty despoilers. - -The Count had brought with him from France an old servant of the -family, whose progenitors, for many generations, had uninterruptedly -served the Beaulieus. Before embarking, the Count imparted his plans -to Ivon Kergollec, leaving him at liberty to remain behind or follow; -the servant's choice was not long, he simply replied that his master -had the right to do what he pleased without consulting him, and as it -was his duty to follow his master everywhere, he should do so. Even -when the Count formed the resolve of visiting the prairies, and thought -it right to tell his servant his resolution, the answer was still the -same. Ivon was about forty-five years of age, and was a true type of -the hardy, simple, and withal crafty Breton peasant; he was short -and stumpy, but his well-knit limbs and wide chest denoted immense -strength. His brick-coloured face was illumined by two small eyes, -which sparkled with cleverness and flashed like carbuncles. - -Ivon, whose life had been spent calmly and lazily in the gilded halls -of Beaulieu House, had gradually assumed the regular habits of a -nobleman's lackey; having had no occasion to prove his courage, he was -completely ignorant of the possession of that quality, and, although -during the last few months he had been placed in many dangerous -circumstances while following his master, he was still at the same -point, that is to say, he completely doubted himself, and had the -innate conviction that he was as cowardly as a hare; so nothing was -more curious after a meeting with the Indians than to hear Ivon, who -had been fighting like a lion and performing prodigies of valour, -excuse himself humbly to his master for having behaved so badly, as he -was not used to fighting. - -It is needless to say that the Count excused him, while laughing -heartily, and telling him as a consolation--for the poor fellow was -very unhappy at this supposed cowardice--that the next time he would -probably do better, and that he would gradually grow accustomed to this -life, which was so different from that he had hitherto led. At this -consolation the worthy man-servant would nod his head sorrowfully, and -reply, with an accent of thorough conviction:-- - -"No, sir, I can never have any courage. I feel sure of it; it is a sad -truth, but I am a poltroon. I am only too well aware of it." - -Ivon was dressed in a complete suit of livery, though, in regard to -present circumstances, he was, like his companions, armed to the teeth, -and his rifle leant against the tree by his side. - -Three magnificent horses, full of fire and blood, hobbled a few paces -from the hunters, were carelessly browsing on the climbing peas and -young tree shoots. - -We have omitted to mention two peculiarities of the Count. The first -was, he always carried in his right eye a gold eyeglass, fastened round -his neck by means of a black ribbon; the second, that he continually -wore kid gloves, which we confess, greatly to his annoyance, had now -grown very dirty and torn. - -And now, by what strange combination of chance were these three men, -so differing in birth, habits, and education, met together some five -or six hundred leagues from any civilized abode, on the banks of a -river, if not unknown, at any rate hitherto unexplored, seated amicably -on the grass, and sharing a breakfast which was more than frugal? We -can explain this in a few words to the reader by cursorily describing -a scene that occurred in the prairie about six months prior to the -beginning of our narrative. - -Bright-eye was a determined man, who, with the exception of the time -he served the Hudson's Bay Company, had always hunted and trapped -alone, despising the Indians too much to fear them, and finding in -braving them that delight which the courageous man experiences, when, -alone and beneath the eye of Heaven, he struggles, confiding in his -own resources, against a terrible and unknown danger. The Indians -knew and feared him for many a long year. Many times they had come -into collision with him, and they had nearly always been compelled to -retreat, leaving several of their men on the field. Hence they had -sworn against the hunter one of those hearty Indian hatreds which -nothing can satiate save the punishment of the man who is the object of -it. - -But as they knew with what sort of man they had to deal, and did not -care to increase the number of the victims he had already sacrificed, -they resolved to await, with the peculiar patience characteristic of -their race, the propitious moment for seizing their foe, and till then -confine themselves to carefully watching all his movements, so as not -to lose the favourable opportunity when it presented itself. - -Bright-eye at this moment was hunting on the banks of the Missouri. -Knowing himself watched, and instinctively suspecting a trap, he took -all the precautions suggested to him by his inventive mind and the deep -knowledge he possessed of Indian tricks. One day, while exploring the -banks of the river, he fancied he noticed, a slight distance ahead -of him, an almost imperceptible movement in the thick brushwood. He -stopped, lay down, and began crawling gently in the direction of the -thicket. Suddenly the forest seemed agitated to its most unexplored -depths, A swarm of Indians rose from the earth, leaped from the trees, -or rushed from behind rocks; the hunter, literally buried beneath the -mass of his enemies, was reduced to a state of powerlessness, before he -could even make an attempt to defend himself. - -Bright-eye was disarmed in a twinkling; then a chief walked up to him, -and holding out his hand, said coldly-- - -"Let my brother rise; the Redskin warriors are waiting for him." - -"Good, good," the hunter growled; "all is not over yet, Indian, and I -shall have my revenge." - -The chief smiled. - -"My brother is like the mockingbird," he said ironically; "he speaks -too much." - -Bright-eye bit his lips to keep back the insult that rose to them; he -got up and followed his victors. He was a prisoner to the Piekanns, -the most warlike tribe of the Blackfeet; and the chief who had taken -him was his personal enemy. The chief's name was _Natah Otann_ (the -Grizzly Bear). He was a man of five-and-twenty at the most, with a fine -intelligent face, bearing the imprint of honesty. His tall figure, -well-proportioned limbs, the grace of his movements, and his martial -aspect, rendered him a remarkable man. His long black hair, carefully -parted, fell in disorder on his shoulders; like all the renowned -warriors of his tribe, he wore on the back of his head an ermine skin, -and round his neck bears' claws mingled with buffalo teeth, a very -dear and highly-honoured ornament among the Indians. His shirt of -buffalo hide, with short sleeves, was decorated round the neck with a -species of collar of red cloth, ornamented with fringe and porcupine -quills; the seams of the garment were embroidered with hair taken from -scalps, the whole relieved by small bands of ermine skin. His moccasins -of different colours, were loaded with very elegant embroidery, while -his buffalo hide robe was quilted inside with a number of clumsy -designs, intended to depict the young warrior's achievements. - -Natah Otann held in his right hand a fan made of a single eagle's wing, -and, suspended round the wrist from the same hand by a thong, the -short-handled long-lashed whip peculiar to the prairie Indians; on his -back hung his bow and arrows in a quiver of a jaguar's skin; at his -waist a bullet bag, his powder flask, his long hunting knife, and his -club. His shield hung on his left hip, while his gun lay across the -neck of his horse, which wore a magnificent panther skin for a saddle. -The appearance of this savage child of the woods, whose cloak and long -plumes fluttered in the wind, curveting, on a steed as untamed as -himself, had something about it striking, and, at the same time, grand. - -Natah Otann was the first sachem of his tribe. He made the hunter a -sign to mount a horse one of the warriors held by the bridle, and the -whole party proceeded at a gallop towards the camp of the tribe. They -rode onward in silence, and the chief seemed to pay no attention to his -prisoner. The latter, free in appearance, and mounted on an excellent -horse, made not the slightest attempt to escape; at a glance he had -judged the position, saw that the Indians did not lose sight of him, -and that he should be immediately recaptured if he attempted flight. -The Piekanns had formed their camp on the slope of a wooded hill. -For two days they seemed to have forgotten their prisoner, to whom -they never once spoke. On the evening of the second day, Bright-eye -was carelessly walking about and smoking his pipe, when Natah Otann -approached him. - -"Is my brother ready?" he asked him. - -"For what?" the hunter said, stopping and pouring forth a volume of -smoke. - -"To die," the chief continued, laconically. - -"Quite." - -"Good; my brother will die tomorrow." - -"You think so," the hunter replied with great coolness. - -The Indian looked at him for a moment in amazement; then he repeated, -"My brother will die tomorrow." - -"I heard you perfectly well, chief," the Canadian said, with a smile; -"and I repeat again, do you believe it?" - -"Let my brother look," the sachem said, with a significant gesture. - -The hunter raised his head. - -"Bah!" he said, carelessly; "I see that all the preparations are made, -and conscientiously so, but what does that prove? I am not dead yet, I -suppose." - -"No, but my brother will soon be so." - -"We shall see tomorrow," Bright-eye answered, shrugging his shoulders. - -And leaving the astonished chief, he lay down at the foot of a tree -and fell asleep. His sleep was so real, that the Indians were obliged -to wake him next morning at daybreak. The Canadian opened his eyes, -yawned two or three times, as if going to put his jaw out, and got up. -The Redskins led him to the post of torture, to which he was firmly -fastened. - -"Well!" Natah Otann said, with a grin, "what does my brother think at -present?" - -"Eh!" Bright-eye answered, with that magnificent coolness which never -deserted him, "do you fancy that I am already dead?" - -"No, but my brother will be so in an hour." - -"Bah!" the Canadian said, carelessly; "many things can happen within an -hour." - -Natah Otann withdrew, secretly admiring the intrepid countenance of his -prisoner; but, after taking a few steps, he reflected, and returned to -Bright-eye's side. - -"Let my brother listen," he said, "a friend speaks to him." - -"Go on, chief, I am all ears." - -"My brother is a strong man; his heart is great," Natah Otann said; "he -is a terrible warrior." - -"You know something of that, chief, I fancy," the Canadian replied. - -The sachem repressed a movement of anger. - -"My brother's eye is infallible, his arm is sure," he went on. - -"Tell me at once what you want to come to, chief, and don't waste your -time in your Indian beating round the bush." - -The chief smiled as he said, in a gentler voice, "Bright-eye is alone; -his lodge is solitary. Why has not so great a warrior a companion?" - -The hunter fixed a searching glance on the speaker. - -"What does that concern you?" he said. - -Natah Otann continued,-- - -"The nation of the Blackfeet is powerful; the young women of the -Piekann tribe are fair." - -The Canadian quickly interrupted him. - -"Enough, chief," he said; "in spite of all your shiftings to reach your -point, I have guessed your meaning; but I will never take an Indian -girl to be my wife; so you can refrain from further offers, which will -not have a satisfactory result." - -Natah Otann frowned. - -"Dog of the palefaces," he cried, stamping his foot angrily, "this -night my young men will make war whistles of thy bones, and will drink -the firewater out of thy skull." - -With this terrible threat, the chief finally quitted the hunter, who -regarded him depart with a shrug, and muttered, "The last word is -not spoken yet; this is not the first time I have found myself in -a desperate position, but I have escaped; there are no reasons why -I should be less lucky today. Hum! this will serve me as a lesson: -another time I will be more prudent." - -In the meantime the chief had given orders to begin the punishment, -and the preparations were rapidly made. Bright-eye followed all the -movements of the Indians with a curious eye, as if he were a perfectly -unconcerned witness. - -"Yes, yes," he went on, "my fine fellows, I see you; you are preparing -all the instruments for my torture; there is the green wood intended -to smoke me like a ham; you are cutting the spikes you mean to run up -under my nails. Eh, eh!" he added, with a perfect air of satisfaction; -"you are going to begin with firing; let's see how skilful you are. -Ah, what fun it is for you to have a white hunter to torture. The Lord -knows what strange ideas may be passing through your Indian noddles; -but I recommend you to make haste, or it is very possible I may escape." - -During this monologue, twenty warriors, the most skilful of the tribe, -had ranged themselves about one hundred yards from the prisoner; the -firing commenced; the balls all struck within an inch of the hunter's -head, who, at each shot, shook his head like a drowned sparrow, to the -great delight of the spectators. This amusement had gone on for some -twenty minutes, and would probably have continued much longer, so great -was the fun it afforded the Blackfeet; when suddenly a horseman bounded -into the centre of the clearing, dispersed the Indians in his way by -heavy blows of his whip, and profiting by the stupor occasioned by his -unexpected appearance, galloped up to the prisoner, got down, quickly -cut the thongs that bound him, thrust a brace of pistols in his hand, -and remounted. All this was done in less time than it has taken us to -write it. - -"By Tobias!" Bright-eye joyfully exclaimed, "I was quite sure I wasn't -going to die this time." - -The Indians are not the men to allow themselves to be long subdued -by any feeling; the first moment of surprise past, they surrounded -the horseman, shouting, gesticulating, and brandishing their weapons -furiously. - -"Come, make way there, you scoundrels," the newcomer shouted in a -commanding voice, lashing violently at those who had the imprudence to -come too near him. "Let us be off," he added, turning to the hunter. - -"I wish for nothing better," the latter made answer; "but it does not -seem easy." - -"Bah! let us try it, at any rate," the stranger continued, carefully -affixing his glass in his eye. - -"We will," Bright-eye said cheerfully. - -The stranger who had so providentially arrived, was the Count de -Beaulieu, as our readers will probably have conjectured. - -"Hilloh!" the Count shouted loudly, "come here, Ivon." - -"Here I am, my lord," a voice answered from the forest; and a second -horseman, leaping into the clearing, coolly ranged himself by the side -of the first. - -There was something strange in the group formed by these three stoical -men in the midst of the hundreds of Indians yelling around them. The -Count, with his glass in his eye, his haughty glance, and disdainful -lip, was setting the hammer of his rifle. Bright-eye, with a pistol in -each hand, was preparing to sell his life dearly, while the servant -calmly awaited the order to charge the savages. The Indians, furious -at the audacity of the white men, were preparing, with multitudinous -yells and gestures, to take a prompt vengeance on the men who had so -imprudently placed themselves in their power. - -"These Indians are very ugly," the Count said; "now that you are free, -my friend, we have nothing more to do here, so let us be off." - -And he made a sign, as if to force a passage. The Blackfeet moved -forward. - -"Take care," Bright-eye shouted. - -"Nonsense," the Count said, shrugging his shoulders, "can these scamps -intend to bar the way?" - -The hunter looked at him with the air of a man who does not know -exactly if he has to do with a madman or a being endowed with reason, -so extraordinary did this remark seem to him. The Count dug his spurs -into his horse. - -"Well," Bright-eye muttered, "he will be killed, but for all that he is -a fine fellow: I will not leave him." - -In truth it was a critical moment: the Indians, formed in close column, -were preparing to make a desperate charge on the three men--a charge -which would, probably, be decisive, for the Europeans, without shelter, -and entirely exposed to the shots of their enemies, could not hope to -escape. Still, that was not the Count's conviction. Not noticing the -gestures and hostile cries of the Redskins, he advanced towards them, -with his glass still in his eye. Since the Count's apparition, the -Indian sachem, as if struck with stupor at the sight, had not made -a move, but stood with his eyes fixed upon him, under the influence -of extraordinary emotion. Suddenly, at the moment when the Blackfeet -warriors were shouldering their guns, or fitting their arrows to the -bows, Natah Otann seemed to form a resolution: he rushed forward, and -raising his buffalo robe,-- - -"Stop!" he shouted, in a loud voice. - -The Indians, obedient to their chiefs voice, immediately halted. The -sachem took three steps, bowed respectfully before the Count, and said -in a submissive voice:-- - -"My father must pardon his children, they did not know him: but my -father is great, his power is immense, his goodness infinite: he will -forget anything offensive in their conduct toward him." - -Bright-eye, astonished at this harangue, translated it to the Count, -honestly confessing that he did not understand what it meant. - -"By Jove!" the Count replied, with a smile, "they are afraid." - -"Hum!" the hunter muttered, "that is not so clear: it is something -else; but no matter, it will be diamond cut diamond." - -Then he turned to Natah Otann. - -"The great pale chief," he said, "is satisfied with the respect his red -children feel for him: he pardons them." Natah Otann made a movement of -joy. The three men passed through the ranks of the Indians, and buried -themselves in the forest, their retreat being in no way impeded. - -"Ouf!" Bright-eye said, as soon as he found himself in safety, "I'm -well out of that; but," he added shaking his head, "there is something -extraordinary about the matter, which I cannot fathom." - -"Now, my friend," the Count said to him, "you are free to go whither -you please." - -The hunter thought for an instant. "Bah!" he replied, after a few -moments had passed, "I owe you my life. Although I do not know you, you -strike me as a good fellow." - -"You flatter me," the Count remarked, smiling. - -"My faith, no; I say what I think. If you are agreeable we will stay -together, at any rate until I have acquitted the debt I owe you by -saving your life in my turn." - -The Count offered him his hand. - -"Thanks, my friend," he said, much moved; "I accept your offer." - -"That is settled, then," the hunter joyfully exclaimed, as he pressed -the offered hand. - -Bright-eye, at first attached to the Count by gratitude, soon felt -quite a paternal affection for him. But he understood no more -than the first day the young man's behaviour, for he acted under -all circumstances as if he were in France, and, by his rashness, -universally foiled the hunter's Indian experience. This was carried -so far, that the Canadian, superstitious like all primitive natures, -soon grew into the persuasion that the Count's life was protected by a -charm, so many times had he seen him emerge victoriously from positions -in which anyone else would have infallibly succumbed. - -At length, nothing appeared to him impossible with such a companion, -and the most extraordinary propositions the Count made him seemed -perfectly feasible, the more so as success crowned all their -enterprises by some incomprehensible charm, and in a way contrary to -all foresight. The Indians, by a strict agreement, had given up all -contests with them, and even avoided any contact: if they perceived -them at any time, all the Redskins, whatever tribe they might belong -to, treated the Count with the utmost deference, and addressed him with -an expression of terror mingled with love, the explanation of which the -hunter sought in vain, for none of the Indians could or would give it. - -This state of things had lasted for six months up to the moment when we -saw the three men breakfasting on the banks of the Mississippi. We will -now take up our story again at the point where we left it, terminating -our explanation, which was indispensable for the right comprehension of -what follows. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A TRAIL DISCOVERED. - - -Our friends would probably have remained for a long time plunged in -their present state of beatitude had not a slight sound in the river -suddenly recalled them to the exigencies of their position. - -"What's that?" the Count said, flipping off the ash from his cigar. - -Bright-eye glided among the shrubs, looked for a moment, and then -calmly returned to his seat. - -"Nothing," he said; "two alligators sporting in the mud." - -"Ah!" the Count said. There was a moment's silence, during which the -hunter mentally calculated the length of the shadow of the trees on the -ground. - -"It is past midday," he said. - -"You think so," the young man remarked. - -"No; I am sure of it, sir Count." - -"Confound you! you are at it again," the young man said with a smile. -"I have told you to call me by my Christian name; but if you do not -like that, call me like the Indians." - -"Nay!" the hunter objected. - -"What is the name they gave me, Bright-eye? I have forgotten." - -"Oh! I should not like, sir--" - -"Eh?" - -"Edward, I meant to say." - -"Come, that is better," the young man remarked laughingly; "but I must -beg of you to repeat the nickname." - -"They call you 'Glass-eye.'" - -"Oh, yes! that's it;" the Count continued his laugh. "Only Indians -could have such an idea as that." - -"Oh," Bright-eye went on, "the Indians are not what you suppose them; -they are as crafty as the demon." - -"Come, stop that, Bright-eye; I always suspected you of having a -weakness for the Redskins." - -"How can you say that, when I am their obstinate enemy, and have been -fighting them for the last forty years?" - -"That is the very reason that makes you defend them." - -"How so?" the hunter said, astonished at this conclusion, which he was -far from expecting. - -"For a very simple reason. No one likes to contend with enemies -unworthy of him, and it is quite natural you should try to elevate -those against whom you have been fighting for forty years." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"Mr. Edward," he said, with a thoughtful air, "the Redskins are people -whom it takes many a long year to know. They possess at once the craft -of the opossum, the prudence of the serpent, and the courage of the -cougar. A few years hence you will not despise them as you do now." - -"My good fellow," the Count objected, "I hope I shall have left the -prairies within a year. I am yearning for a civilized life. I want -Paris, with its opera and balls. No, no; the desert does not suit me." - -The hunter shook his head a second time. Then he continued, with a -mournful accent, which struck the young man, and, as if rather speaking -to himself, than replying to the Count's remarks-- - -"Yes, yes; that is the way with Europeans: when they arrive on the -prairies, they regret civilized life, and the desert is only gradually -appreciated; but when a man has breathed the odours of the savannah, -when during long nights he has listened to the rustling of the wind -in the trees, and the howling of the wild beasts in the virgin -forests--when he has admired that proud landscape which owes nothing to -art, where the hand of God is imprinted at each step in ineffaceable -characters: when he has gazed on the glorious scenes that rise in -succession before him--then he begins by degrees to love this unknown -world, so full of mysteries and strange incidents; his eyes are opened -to the truth, and he repudiates the falsehoods of civilization. At -such a a moment he experiences emotions full of secret charms, and -recognizing no other master save that God, in whose presence he feels -himself so small, he forgets everything to lead a nomadic life, and -remains in the desert, because there alone he feels free, happy--a man, -in a word! Ah, sir, whatever you may say, whatever you may do, the -desert now holds you: you have tasted its joys and its griefs; it will -not allow you to depart so easily--you will not see France again so -speedily--the desert will retain you in spite of yourself." - -The young man had listened with an emotion for which he could not -account, to this long harangue. In his heart he recognized, through the -hunter's exaggeration, the justice of his reasoning, and felt startled -at being compelled to allow him to be in the right. Not knowing what -to reply, or feeling that he was beaten, the Count suddenly turned the -conversation. - -"Hum!" he began, "I think you said it was past twelve?" - -"About a quarter past," the hunter answered. - -The Count consulted, his watch. - -"Quite right," he said. - -"Oh!" the hunter continued, pointing to the sun, "that is the only true -clock; it never goes too fast or too slow, for Heaven regulates it." - -The young man bowed his head affirmatively. - -"We will start," he said. - -"For what good at this moment?" the Canadian asked. "We have nothing -pressing before us." - -"That is true; but are you sure we have not lost our way?" - -"Lost our way!" the hunter exclaimed, with a start of surprise, almost -of anger; "no, no, it is impossible. I guarantee that within a week we -shall be on Lake Itasca." - -"The Mississippi really runs from that lake?" - -"Yes; for, in spite of what is asserted, the Missouri is only the -principal branch of that river: the savants would have done better to -assure themselves of the fact, ere they declared that the Mississippi -and Missouri are two separate rivers." - -"What would you have, Bright-eye?" the Count said, laughingly. "Savants -are the same in all countries; being naturally indolent, they rely -on one another, and hence the infinity of absurdities they put in -circulation with the most astounding coolness." - -"The Indians are never mistaken." - -"That is true; but then the Indians are not savants." - -"No; they see for themselves, and only assert what they are sure of." - -"That is what I meant," the Count replied. - -"If you will listen to me, Mr. Edward, we will remain here a few hours -longer to let the great heat pass off, and when the sun is going down -we will start again." - -"Very good; let us rest then. Ivon appears to be thoroughly of our -opinion, for he has not stirred." - -The Count had risen; before sitting down, he mechanically cast a glance -on the immense plain which lay so calmly and majestically at his feet. - -"Eh!" he suddenly exclaimed, "what is that down there?--look, -Bright-eye." - -The hunter rose and looked in the direction indicated by the Count. - -"Well--do you see nothing?" the young man remarked. - -Bright-eye, with his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glare -of the sun, looked attentively without replying. - -"Well?" the Count said, at the expiration of a moment. - -"We are no longer alone," the hunter answered; "there are men down -there." - -"How men? We have seen no Indian trail." - -"I did not say they were Indians." - -"Hum! I suppose at this distance it would be rather difficult to decide -who they are." - -Bright-eye smiled. - -"You always judge from your knowledge obtained in the civilized world, -Mr. Edward," he answered. - -"Which means--?" the young man said, intensely piqued at the -observation. - -"That you are always wrong." - -"Hang it, my friend! You will allow me to observe, all individuality -apart, that it is impossible at this distance to recognize anybody. -Especially when nothing can be distinguished, save a little white -smoke." - -"Is not that enough? Do you believe that all smoke is alike?" - -"That is rather a subtle distinction; and I confess that to me all -smoke is alike." - -"That's where the error is," the Canadian continued, with great -coolness, "and when you have spent a few years in the prairie you will -not be deceived." - -The Count looked at him attentively, convinced that he was laughing at -him; but the other continued, with the utmost calmness-- - -"What we notice down there is neither the fire of Indians nor of -hunters, but is kindled by white men, not yet accustomed to a desert -life." - -"Perhaps you will have the goodness to explain." - -"I will do so, and you will soon allow that I am correct. Listen, Mr. -Edward, for this is important to know." - -"I am listening, my good fellow." - -"You are not ignorant," the hunter continued imperturbably, "that what -is conventionally called the desert is largely populated." - -"Quite true," the young man said, smiling. - -"Good; but the enemies most to be feared in the prairies are not wild -beasts so much as men; the Indians and hunters are so well aware of -this fact that they try as much as possible to destroy all traces of -their passage and hide their presence." - -"I admit that." - -"Very good; when the Redskins or the hunters are obliged to light a -fire, either to prepare their food or ward off the cold, they select -most carefully the wood they intend to burn, and never employ any but -dry wood." - -"Hum! I do not see the use of that." - -"You will soon understand me," the hunter continued; "dry wood only -produces a bluish smoke, which is difficult to detect from the sky, and -this renders it invisible at a short distance; while on the other hand, -green wood, through its dampness, produces a white dense smoke, which -reveals for a long distance the presence of those who kindle it. This -is the reason why, by a mere inspection of that smoke, I told you just -now that the people down there were white men, and strangers, moreover, -to the prairie, else they would have employed dry wood." - -"By Jove," the young man exclaimed, "that is curious, and I should like -to convince myself." - -"What do you intend doing?" - -"Why, go and see who are the people that have lighted the fire." - -"Why disturb yourself, since I have told you?" - -"That is possible; but what I propose doing is for my personal -satisfaction; since we have been living together you have told me such -extraordinary things, that I should like, once in a way, to know what -faith to place in them." - -And not listening to the Canadian's observations, the young man aroused -his servant. - -"What do you want, my lord?" the latter said, rubbing his eyes. - -"The horses, and quickly too, Ivon." - -The Breton rose and bridled the horses; the Count leaped into the -saddle; the hunter imitated him, though shaking his head; and the three -trotted down the hill. - -"You will see Mr. Edward," Bright-eye said, "that I was in the right." - -"I am certain of it; still I should like to judge for myself." - -"If that is the case, allow me to go in front; for, as we do not know -with what people we may have to deal, it is as well to be on our guard." - -The Canadian headed the party. The fire the Count had seen from the top -of the hill was not so near as he supposed, the hunter was incessantly -compelled to get out of the way of dense thickets which barred the way, -and this lengthened the distance; so that they took nearly two hours -in reaching the spot they were steering for. When they had at length -arrived within a short distance of the fire which had so perplexed -M. de Beaulieu, the Canadian stopped, making his companions a sign -to imitate him. When they had done so, Bright-eye got down, gave his -horse's bridle to Ivon, and taking his rifle in his hand, said, "I am -going on a voyage of discovery." - -"Go," the young man replied, laconically. - -The Count was a man of tried courage; but since he had been in the -prairie he had learned one thing, that courage without prudence is -madness in the presence of enemies who never act without calling craft -and treachery to their aid; hence, gradually renouncing his chivalrous -ideas, he was beginning to adopt the habits of the desert, knowing very -well that in an ambuscade the advantage nearly always remains with the -man who first discovers the enemies whom chance may bring in his way. -The Count, therefore, patiently awaited the hunter's return, who had -silently glided among the trees, and disappeared in the direction of -the fire. At the end of about an hour the shrubs shook, and Bright-eye -reappeared at a point opposite to that where he had started. The old -wood ranger had been considerably bothered by the apparition of the -distant fire which the Count pointed out to him from the top of the -hill. So soon as he was alone, putting in practice the axiom, that the -shortest road from one point to another is a curved line, the truth of -which is proved in the prairie, he had taken a wide circuit, in order -to come, if it were possible, on the trail of the men he wished to -observe, and from it discover who they really were. - -In the desert, the meeting most feared is that with man. Every stranger -is at first an enemy, and hence persons generally accost each other at -a distance, with the barrel of the gun advanced, and the finger on the -trigger. With that infallible glance the experience of the savannahs -had given him, Bright-eye had noticed from a distance a place where the -grass was laid, and the strangers must have passed along that road. -The hunter, still bent down to escape observation, soon found himself -on the edge of a track about four feet wide, the end of which was lost -in a virgin forest a short distance ahead. After stopping a minute, to -recover his breath, the Canadian placed the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and began carefully studying the traces so deeply imprinted on -the plain. His investigation did not last ten minutes; then he raised -his head with a smile, threw his rifle on his shoulder, and quietly -returned to the spot where he had left his companions, not even taking -the trouble to go to the fire. This brief examination had told him all -he wished to know. - -"Well, Bright-eye, any news?" the Count asked, on noticing him. - -"The people, whose fire we perceived," the hunter replied, "are -American emigrants, pioneers who wish to set up their tent in the -desert. The family is composed of six persons--four men and two women; -they have a waggon to carry their baggage, and have with them a large -number of beasts." - -"Mount your horse, Bright-eye, and let us go and welcome these worthy -people to the desert." - -The hunter remained motionless and thoughtful, leaning on his rifle. - -"Well," the Count said, "did you not hear me, my friend?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward, I perfectly understood you; but among the traces left -by the emigrants I discovered others which appeared to me suspicious, -and I should like, before venturing into their camp, to beat up the -neighbourhood." - -"What traces do you allude to?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Well," the hunter went on, "you know that, rightly or wrongly, the -Redskins claim to be kings of the prairies, and will not endure there -the presence of white men." - -"I consider that they are perfectly right in doing so; since the -discovery of America, the white men have gradually dispossessed them of -their territory, and driven them back on the desert; they are defending -their last refuge, and are justified in doing so." - -"I am perfectly of your opinion, Mr. Edward; the desert ought to -belong to the hunters and the Indians; unfortunately the Americans do -not think so, and they daily quit their cities and proceed into the -interior, establishing themselves here and there, and confiscating to -their benefit the most fertile countries, and those richest in game." - -"What can we do, my good friend?" the Count answered, with a smile; -"it is an irremediable evil, which we must put up with; but I cannot -yet see where you wish to arrive with these reflections, which, though -extremely just, do not appear to me exactly suited to the occasion; so -pray have the goodness to explain your meaning." - -"I will do so. Well, I noticed, by certain signs, that the emigrants -are closely followed by a party of Indians, who probably only await a -favourable moment to attack and massacre them." - -"The deuce!" the young man said; "that is serious of course you warned -these worthy people of the danger that threatens them." - -"I--not at all. I have not spoken to them, nor even seen them." - -"What! you have not seen them?" - -"No; so soon as I recognized the Indian sign, I hurried back to consult -with you." - -"Very good; but as you did not go to their camp, how were you able to -give me such precise information about them and their number?" - -"Oh, very easily," the hunter answered simply; "the desert is a book -entirely written by the hand of God, and it cannot hide its secrets -from a man accustomed to read it. I needed only to look at the trail -for a few minutes to divine everything." - -The Count fixed on the hunter a glance of surprise. Though he had -been living in the prairie for more than six months, he could not yet -understand the species of divination with which the hunter seemed -gifted, with reference to facts that were to himself as a dead letter. - -"Perhaps, though," he said, "the Indians whose trail you detected are -harmless hunters." - -Bright-eye shook his head. - -"There are no harmless hunters among the Indians, especially when they -are on the trail of white men. These Indians belong to three plundering -tribes which I am surprised to see united; they doubtlessly meditate -some extraordinary expedition, in which the massacre of these emigrants -will be one of the least interesting episodes." - -"Who are these Indians? Do you think they are numerous?" - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"The party I discovered is probably only the vanguard of a more -numerous band," he answered; "as far as I could judge, there were not -more than forty; but the Redskin warriors march with the speed of the -antelope, and they can hardly ever be counted; the party is composed of -Comanches, Blackfeet, and Sioux; that is to say, the three most warlike -tribes in the prairie." - -"Hum!" the Count remarked, after a moment's reflection, "if these -demons really mean to attack the Americans, as everything leads us to -suppose, the poor fellows appear to be in an awkward position." - -"Unless a miracle occur, they are lost," the hunter said, concisely. - -"What is to be done--how to warn them?" - -"Mr. Edward, take care what you are going to do." - -"Still we cannot allow men of our own colour to be murdered almost in -our presence; that would be cowardly." - -"Yes; but it would be astounding folly to join them; reflect that there -are only three of us." - -"I know it," the young man said, thoughtfully; "still I would never -consent to abandon these poor people without trying to defend them." - -"Stay, there is only one thing to be done, and perhaps Heaven will come -to our aid." - -"Come, be brief, my friend, time presses." - -"In all probability, the Indians have not yet discovered our trail, -although they must be a short distance from us. Let us, then, return to -the spot where we breakfasted, and which commands the entire prairie. -The Indians never attack their enemy before four in the morning; as -soon as they attempt their attack on the emigrants, we will fall on -their rear; surprised by the sudden aid given the Americans, it is -possible they will fly, for the darkness will prevent them counting us, -and they will never suppose that three men were so mad as to make such -an attack upon them." - -"By Jove!" the Count said, laughing, "that is a good idea of yours, -Bright-eye, and such as I expected from so brave a hunter as yourself; -let us hurry back to our observatory, so as to be ready for every -event." - -The Canadian leaped on his horse, and the three men retraced their -steps. But, according to his custom, Bright-eye, who was apparently a -sworn foe to a straight line, made them describe an infinite number of -turnings, to throw out any person whom accident brought on their track. - -They arrived at the top of the hill just at the moment the sun was -disappearing beneath the horizon. The evening breeze was rising, and -beginning to agitate the tops of the great trees with mysterious -murmurs. The howling of the tigers and cougars was already mingled -with the lowing of the elks and buffaloes, and the sharp yelping of the -red wolves, whose dusky outlines appeared here and there on the river -bank. The sky grew more and more gloomy, and the stars began dotting -the vault of heaven. - -The three hunters sat down carelessly on the top of the hill, at the -same spot they had left a few hours previously with the intention of -never returning, and made preparations for supper,--preparations which -did not take long, for prudence imperiously ordered them not to light -a fire, which would have at once revealed their presence to the unseen -eyes which were, at the moment, probably surveying the desert in every -direction. While eating a few mouthfuls of pemmican, they kept their -eyes fixed on the camp of the emigrants, whose fire was perfectly -visible in the night. - -"Oh Lord!" Bright-eye said, "those people are ignorant of the first law -of the desert, else they would guard against lighting a fire which the -Indians can see for ten leagues round." - -"Bah! that beacon will guide us where to go to their aid," the Count -said. - -"Heaven grant that it be not in vain." - -The meal over, the hunter invited the Count and his servant to sleep -for a few hours. - -"For the present," he said, "we have nothing to fear; let me keep watch -for all, as my eyes are accustomed to see in the darkness." - -The Count did not allow the invitation to be repeated; he rolled -himself in his cloak, and lay down on the ground. Two minutes -later, himself and Ivon were sleeping the sleep of the righteous. -Bright-eye took his seat against the trunk of a tree, and lit a pipe -to soothe the weariness of his night watch. All at once, he bent -his body forward, placed his ear to the ground, and seemed to be -listening attentively. His practised ear had heard a sound at first -imperceptible, but which seemed to be gradually drawing nearer. - -The hunter silently cocked his rifle, and waited. At the expiration of -about a quarter of an hour there was a slight rustling in the thicket, -the branches parted, and a man made his appearance. - -This man was Natah Otann, the sachem of the Piekanns. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE EMIGRANTS. - - -When he went out on the trail, the hunter's old experience did not -deceive him; and the traces he had followed up were really those of -an emigrant family. As it is destined to play a certain part in our -story, we will introduce it to the reader, and explain, as briefly as -possible, by what chain of events it was at this moment encamped on the -prairies of the Upper Mississippi, or, to speak like the learned, on -the banks of the Missouri. - -The history of one emigrant is that of the mass. All are people who, -burdened by a numerous family, find a difficulty in rendering their -children independent, either through the bad quality of the land they -cultivate, or because, in proportion as the population increases, the -land, in the course of a few years, gains an excessive value. - -The Mississippi has become during the last few years the highway of -the world. Every vessel that enters on its waters brings the new -establishments the means of supplying themselves, either by barter or -for money, with the chief commodities of existence. Thus the explorers -have spread along both banks of the river, which have become the -highways of emigration, by the prospect they offer the pioneers of -possessing fine estates, and holding them a number of years, without -the troublesome process of paying rent. - -The word "country," in the sense we attach to it in Europe, does not -exist for the North American. He is not, like our rustics, attached, -from father to son, to the soil which has been the cradle of his -family. He is only attached to the land by what it may bring him -in; but when it is exhausted by too large a crop, and the colonist -has tried in vain to restore its primitive fertility, his mind is -speedily made up. He disposes of things too troublesome or expensive -to transport; only keeps what is absolutely necessary, as servants, -horses, and domestic utensils; says good-bye to his neighbours, who -press his hand as if the journey he is about to undertake is the -simplest matter in the world, and at daybreak, on a fine spring -morning, he gaily sets out, turning a parting and careless glance at -that country where he and his family have lived so long. His thoughts -are already directed forward; the past no longer exists for him, the -future alone smiles on him and sustains his courage. - -Nothing is so simple, primitive, and at the same time picturesque, as -the departure of a family of pioneers. The horses are attached to the -wagons, already laden with the bed furniture and the younger children, -while on the other side are fastened the spinning wheels, and swaying -behind, a skin filled with tallow and pitch. The axes are laid in the -bottom of the cart, and cauldrons and pots roll about pell-mell in the -horses' trough; the tents and provisions are securely fastened under -the vehicle, suspended by ropes. Such is the moveable estate of the -emigrant. The eldest son, or a servant, bestrides the first horse, -the pioneer's wife sits on the other. The emigrant and his sons, with -shouldered rifles, walk round the wagon, sometimes in front, sometimes -behind, followed by their dogs, touching up the oxen and watching over -the common safety. - -Thus they set out, travelling by short stages through unexplored -countries and along frightful roads, which they are generally -compelled themselves to make: braving cold and heat, rain and snow, -striving against Indians and wild beasts, seeing at each spot almost -insurmountable difficulties rising before them: but nothing, stops the -emigrants, no peril can check them, no impossibility discourage them. -They march on thus for whole months, keeping intact in their hearts -that faith in their luck which nothing shakes, until they at length -reach a site which offers them those conditions of comfort which they -have sought so long. - -But, alas! how many families that have left the cities of America -full of hope and courage have disappeared, leaving no other trace of -their passage of the prairie than their whitened bones and scattered -furniture. The Indians, ever on the watch at the entrance of the -desert, attack the caravans, mercilessly massacre the pioneers, and -carry off into slavery their wives and daughters, avenging themselves -on the emigrants for the atrocities to which they have been victims -during so many centuries, and continuing, to their own profit, that -war of extermination which the white men inaugurated on their landing -in America, and which, since that period, has gone on uninterruptedly. - -John Black belonged to the class of emigrants we have just described. -One day, about four months previously, he quitted his house, which was -falling to ruins, and loading the little he possessed on a cart, he -set out, followed by his family, consisting of his wife, his daughter, -his son, and two menservants who had consented to follow his fortunes. -Since that period they had not stopped. They had marched boldly -forward, cutting their way by the help of their axes through the virgin -forests, and determined on traversing the desert, until they found a -spot favourable for the establishment of a new household. - -At the period when our story takes place, emigration was much rarer -than it is at present, when, owing to the recent discovery of -auriferous strata in California and on the Fraser River, an emigration -fever has seized on the masses with such intensity, that the old world -is growing more and more depopulated, to the profit of the new. Gold is -a magnet whose strength attracts, without distinction, young or old, -men or women, by the hope, too often deceived, of acquiring in a little -time, at the cost of some slight fatigue, a fortune; which, however, -rarely compensates for the labour undergone in its collection. - -It was, therefore, unusual boldness on the part of John Black thus to -venture, without any possible aid, into a country hitherto utterly -unexplored, and of which the Indians were masters. Mr. Black was -born in Virginia: he was a man of about fifty, of middle height, but -strongly built, and gifted with uncommon vigour; and, although his -features were very ordinary, his face had a rare expression of firmness -and resolution. - -His wife, ten years younger than himself, was a gentle and holy -creature, on whose brow fatigue and alarm had long before formed deep -furrows, beneath which, however, a keen observer could have still -detected traces of no ordinary beauty. - -William Black, the emigrant's son, was a species of giant of more than -six feet in height, aged two-and-twenty, of Herculean build, and whose -jolly, plump face, surrounded by thick tufts of hair of a more than -sandy hue, breathed frankness and joviality. - -Diana, his sister, formed a complete contrast with him. She was a -little creature, scarce sixteen years of age, with eyes of a deep -blue like the sky, apparently frail and delicate, with a dreamy brow -and laughing mouth, which belonged both to woman and angel; and whose -strange beauty seduced at the first glance and subjugated at the -first word that fell from her rosy lips. Diana was the idol of the -family--the cherished idol, that everyone adored, and who, by a word -or a glance, could command the obedience of the rude natures that -surrounded her, and who only seemed to live that they might satisfy her -slightest caprices. - -Sam and James, the two labourers, were worthy Kentucky rustics, of -extraordinary strength, and who concealed a great amount of cunning -beneath their simple and even slightly silly aspect. These two young -fellows, one of whom was twenty-six, the other hardly thirty, had grown -up in John Black's house, and had vowed to him an unbounded devotion, -of which they had furnished proofs several times since the journey -began. - -When John left his house to go in search of a more fertile country, -he proposed to these two men to leave him, not wishing to expose them -to the dangers of the precarious life which was about to begin for -himself; but both shook their heads negatively, replying to all that -was said to them, that it was their duty to follow their master, no -matter whither he went, and they were ready to accompany him to the end -of the world. The emigrant had been obliged to yield to a determination -so clearly expressed, and replied, that as matters were so, they might -follow him. Hence these two honest labourers were not regarded as -servants, but as friends, and treated in accordance. In truth, there -is nothing like a common danger to draw people together; and during -the last four months John Black's family had been exposed to dangers -innumerable. - -The emigrant took with him a rather large number of beasts, which -caused the caravan, despite all the precautions taken, to leave such a -wide trail, as rendered an Indian attack possible at any moment. Still, -up to the present moment, when we pay them a visit, no serious danger -had really menaced them. At times they were exposed to rather smart -alarms; but the Indians had always kept at a respectable distance, and -limited themselves to demonstrations, hostile it is true, but never -followed by any results. - -During the first week of their march, the emigrants, but little versed -in the mode of life of the Redskins, who incessantly prowled round the -party, had been afflicted with the most exaggerated fears, expecting -every moment to be attacked by those ferocious enemies, about whom -they had heard stories which might make the bravest tremble; but, as -so frequently happens, they had grown used to this perpetual threat -of the Indians, and, while taking the strictest precautions for their -safety, they had learned almost to deride the dangers which they had -so much feared at the outset, and felt convinced that their calm and -resolute attitude had produced an effect on the Redskins, and that the -latter would not venture to come into collision with them. - -Still, on this day a vague restlessness had seized on the party: they -had a sort of secret foreboding that a great danger menaced them. The -Indians, who, as we have said, usually accompanied them out of reach -of gunshot, had all at once become invisible. Since their start from -their last camping ground, they had not seen a single one, though they -instinctively suspected that, if the Indians were invisible, they were -not the less present, and possibly in larger numbers than before. -Thus the day passed, sorrowfully and silently for the emigrants: they -marched side by side, eye and ear on the watch, with their fingers on -the trigger, not daring to impart their mutual fears, but (to use a -Spanish expression) having their beards on their shoulders, like men -expecting to be attacked at any moment. Still, the day passed without -the slightest incident occurring to corroborate their apprehensions. - -At sunset, the caravan was at the foot of one of those numerous mounds -to which we have already alluded, and so large a number of which border -the banks of the river at this spot. John Black made a sign to his son, -who drove the cart, to stop, get down, and join him: while the two -females looked around them restlessly, the four men, assembled a few -paces in the rear, were engaged in a whispered conversation. - -"Boys," Mr. Black said to his attentive companions, "the day is ended, -the sun is descending behind the mountains over there, it is time to -think about the night's rest. Our beasts are fatigued; we ourselves -need to collect our strength for tomorrow's labour; I think, though -open to correction, that we should do well to profit by the short time -left us to establish our camp." - -"Yes," James answered, "we have in front of us a hillock, on the top of -which it would be easy for us to take up our quarters." - -"And which," William interrupted him, "we could convert into an almost -impregnable fortress in a few hours." - -"We should have a hard job in getting the wagon up the hill," the -father said, shaking his head. - -"Nonsense," Sam objected, "not so much as you suppose, Master Black; a -little trouble, and we can manage it." - -"How so?" - -"Why," the servant replied, "we need only unload the wagon." - -"That's true; when it's empty, it will be easy to get it to the top of -the hill." - -"Stay," William observed, "do you think, father, that it is really -necessary to take all that trouble? A night is soon spent, and I fancy -we should do well to remain where we are: the position is an excellent -one; it is only a few paces to the river bank, and we can lead our oxen -to water." - -"No; we must not remain here, the place is too open, and we should have -no shelter if the Indians attacked us." - -"The Indians!" the young man said, with a laugh; "why, we have not -seen a single one the whole day." - -"Yes; what you say, William, is correct, the Redskins have disappeared; -but shall I tell you my real thoughts? It is really this disappearance, -which I do not understand, that troubles me." - -"Why so, father?" - -"Because, if they are hiding, they are preparing some ambuscade, and do -not wish us to know the direction where they are." - -"Come, father, do you really believe that?" the young man remarked in a -light tone. - -"I am convinced of it," the emigrant said earnestly. The two servants -bowed their heads in affirmation. - -"You will pardon me, father, if I do not share your opinion," the young -man continued. "For my own part, on the other hand, I feel certain that -these red devils, who have been following us so long, have eventually -understood that they could gain nothing from us but bullets, and, like -prudent men, have given up following us further." - -"No, no; you are mistaken, my son, it is not so." - -"Look ye, father," the young man continued, with a certain amount of -excitement, "allow me to make an observation which, I think, will bring -you over to my way of thinking." - -"Do so, my son; we are here to exchange our opinions freely, and select -the best: the common interest is at stake, and we have to act for the -safety of all: under circumstances so grave as the present, I should -never forgive myself for neglecting good advice, no matter from whom it -came; speak, therefore, without timidity." - -"You know, father," the young man went on, "that the Indians understand -honour differently from ourselves; that is to say, when the success of -an expedition is not clearly proved to them, they have no shame about -resigning it, because what they seek in the first place is profit." - -"I know all that, my son; but I do not see yet what you are driving at." - -"You will soon understand me. For nearly two months, from sunrise, the -moment we set out, to sunset, which is generally the time of our halt, -the Redskins have been following us step by step, and we have been -unable to escape for a single moment these most troublesome neighbours, -who have watched our every movement." - -"That is true," John Black said, "but what do you conclude from that?" - -"A very simple thing: they have seen that we were continually on our -guard, and that if they attempted to attack us, they would be beaten; -hence they have retired, that is all." - -"Unfortunately, William, you have forgotten one thing." - -"What is it?" - -"This: the Indians, generally not so well armed as the white men, are -afraid to attack them, especially when they suppose they shall have to -deal with persons almost as numerous as themselves, and in the bargain, -sheltered behind wagons and bales of merchandise; but that is not at -all the case here: since they have been watching us, the Indians have -had many opportunities of counting us, and have done so long ago." - -"Yes," Sam said. - -"Well, they know that we are only four--they are at least fifty, if -they are not more numerous. What can four men, in spite of all their -courage, effect against such a considerable number of enemies? Nothing, -The Redskins know it, and they will act in accordance; that is, when -the opportunity offers, they will not fail to seize it." - -"But--"--the young man objected. - -"Another consideration to which you have not paid attention," John -Black quietly continued, "is that the Indians, whatever the number of -their enemies may be, never quit them without having attempted, at -least once, to surprise them." - -"In truth," William answered, "that astonishes me on their part: -however, I am of your opinion, father; even if the precautions we -propose taking only serve to reassure my mother and sister, it would be -well not to neglect them." - -"Well spoken, William," the emigrant remarked, "let us therefore set to -work without delay." - -The party broke up, and the four men, throwing their rifles on their -shoulders, began making active preparations for the encampment. Sam -collected the oxen by the aid of the dogs, and led them down to the -river to drink. John, in the meanwhile, went up to the wagon. - -"Well, my love," his wife asked him, "why this halt, and this long -discussion? Has any accident occurred?" - -"Nothing that need at all alarm you, Lucy," the emigrant answered; "we -are going to camp, that is all." - -"Oh, gracious me! I do not know why, but I was afraid lest some -misfortune had happened." - -"On the contrary; we are quieter than we have been for a long time." - -"How so, father?" Diana asked, thrusting her charming face from under -the canvas which concealed her. - -"Those rascally Indians, who frightened us so much, my darling Diana, -have at length made up their minds to leave us; we have not seen a -single one during the whole day." - -"Oh, all the better!" the girl said quickly, as she clapped her dainty -palms together; "I confess that I am not brave, and those frightful Red -men caused me terrible alarm." - -"Well, you will not see them again, I hope," John Black said, gaily; -though while giving his daughter this assurance to appease her fears, -he did not believe a word he uttered. "Now," he added, "have, the -goodness to get down, so that we may unload the wagon." - -"Unload the wagon," the old lady remarked, "why so? - -"It is just possible," the husband answered, anxious not to reveal the -real reason, "that we may remain here a few days, in order to rest the -cattle." - -"Ah, very good," she said; and she got out, followed by her daughter. - -The two ladies had scarce set foot on ground, ere the men began -unloading the wagon. This task lasted nearly an hour. Sam had time -enough to lead the cattle to water, and collect them on the top of the -hill. - -"Are we going to camp, then?" Mrs. Black asked. - -"Yes," her husband answered. - -"Come, Diana," the old lady said. - -The two women packed up some kitchen utensils, and clomb the hill, -where, after lighting the fire, they began preparing supper. So soon as -the cart was unloaded, the two labouring men, aided by William, pushed -it behind, while John Black, at the head of the team, began flogging -the horses. The incline was rather steep, but owing to the vigour of -the horses and the impatience of the men, who at each step laid rollers -behind the wheels, the wagon at last reached the top. The rest was as -nothing, and within an hour the camp was arranged as follows. - -The emigrants formed, with the bales and trees they felled, a large -circle, in the midst of which the cattle were tied up, and then put up -a tent for the two women. When this was effected, John Black cast a -glance of satisfaction around. His family were temporarily protected -from a coup de main--thanks to the manner in which the bales and trees -were arranged, and the party were enabled to fire from under cover on -any enemy that might attack them, and defend themselves a long time -successfully. - -The sun had set for more than an hour before these various preparations -were completed, and supper was ready. The Americans seated themselves -in a circle round the fire, and ate with the appetite of men accustomed -to danger--an appetite which the greatest alarm cannot deprive them of. -After the meal, John Black offered up a prayer, as he did every evening -before going to rest; the others standing, with uncovered heads, -listened attentively to the prayer, and when it was completed, the two -ladies entered the hut prepared for them. - -"And now," Black said, "let us keep a careful watch the night is dark, -the moon rises late, and you are aware that the Indians choose the -morning, the moment when sleep is deepest, to attack their enemies." - -The fire was covered, so that its light should not reveal the exact -position of the camp; and the two servants lay down side by side on the -grass, where they soon fell asleep: while father and son, standing at -either extremity of the camp, watched over the common safety. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE GRIZZLY BEAR. - - -All was calm in the prairie; not a sound disturbed the silence of the -desert. On the sudden appearance of the Indian, whatever the emotion -Bright-eye might feel, it was impossible for Natah Otann to perceive -anything: the hunter's face remained calm, and not a muscle moved. - -"Ah!" he said, "the sachem of the Piekanns is welcome: does he come as -a friend or an enemy?" - -"Natah Otann comes to sit by the fire of the palefaces, and smoke the -calumet with them," the chief replied, casting a searching glance -around him. - -"Good: if the chief will wait a moment, I will light the fire." - -"Bright-eye can light it, the chief will wait: he has come to talk with -the palefaces, and the conversation will be long." - -The Canadian looked fixedly at the Redskin; but the Indian was -impassive like himself, and it was impossible to read anything on his -features. The hunter collected a few handfuls of dry wood, struck a -light, and soon a bright flame sprung up, and illumined the mount. The -Indian drew near the fire, took his calumet from his girdle, and began -grimly smoking. Bright-eye not wishing to remain in any way behindhand, -imitated his every movement with perfectly feigned indifference, and -the two men sat for several moments puffing clouds of smoke at each -other. Natah Otann at length broke the silence. - -"The pale hunter is a warrior," he said; "why does he try to hide -himself like the water rat?" - -Bright-eye did not consider it advisable to reply to this insinuation, -and continued smoking philosophically, while casting a side-glance at -his questioner. - -"The Blackfeet have the eye of the eagle," Natah Otann continued, -"their piercing eyes see all that happens on the prairie." - -The Canadian made a sign of assent, but did not yet reply; the chief -continued:-- - -"Natah Otann has seen the trail of his friends the palefaces, his heart -quivered with pleasure in his breast, and he has come to meet them." - -Bright-eye slowly removed his pipe from his lips, and turning towards -the Indian, examined him carefully for an instant, and then answered-- - -"I repeat to my brother that he is welcome: I know that he is a great -chief, and am happy to see him." - -"Wah!" the Indian said, with a cunning smile: "is my brother so -satisfied as he says at my presence?" - -"Why not, chief?" - -"My brother is angry still that the Blackfeet fastened him to the stake -of torture." - -The Canadian shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and coldly -answered:-- - -"Nonsense, chief! why do you fancy I am angry with you or your nation? -war is war; I have no reproaches to make to you. You wished to kill me, -I escaped; so we are quits." - -"Good: does my brother speak the truth? has he really forgotten?" the -chief asked with some vivacity. - -"Why not?" the Canadian answered cautiously. "I have not a forked -tongue, the words my mouth utters come from my heart: I have not -forgotten the treatment you made me undergo, I should lie if I said so: -but I have forgiven it." - -"_Ochi_! my brother is a greatheart: he is generous." - -"No: I am merely a man who knows Indian customs, that is all: you -did no more and no less than all the Redskins do under similar -circumstances: I cannot be angry with you for having acted according to -your nature." - -There was a silence; the two men went on smoking. The Indian was the -first to interrupt it. - -"Then my brother is a friend," he said. - -"And you?" the hunter asked, answering one question by another. - -The chief rose with a gesture full of majesty, and threw back the folds -of his buffalo robe. - -"Would an enemy come like this?" he asked, in a gentle voice. - -The Canadian could not repress a movement of surprise; the Blackfoot -was unarmed, his girdle was empty: he had not even his scalping -knife,--that weapon from which the Indians part so unwillingly. -Bright-eye offered him his hand. - -"Shake hands, chief," he said to him. "You are a man of heart: now -speak, I am listening to you: and, in the first place, will you have a -draught of firewater?" - -"The firewater is an evil counsellor," the chief replied, with a smile; -"it makes the Indians mad: Natah Otann does not drink it." - -"Come, come, I see that I was mistaken with regard to you, chief; that -pleases me: speak, my ears are open." - -"What I have to say to Bright-eye other ears must not listen to." - -"My friends are in a deep sleep, you can speak without fear; and even -if they were awake, as you know, they do not understand your language." - -The Indian shook his head. - -"Glass-eye knows everything," he replied, "the Grizzly Bear will not -speak before him." - -"As you please, chief: still, I would remark that I have nothing to say -to you: you can speak, therefore, or be silent at your ease." - -Natah Otann seemed to hesitate for an instant, and then continued:-- - -"Bright-eye will follow his friend to the river bank, and there listen -to the words of the Blackfoot chief." - -"Hum!" the hunter said, "and who will watch over my companions during -my absence? No, no," he added, "I cannot do that, chief. The Redskins -have the cunning of the opossum: while I am near the river, my friends -may be surprised. Who will respond for their safety?" - -The Indian rose. - -"The word of a chief," he said, in a proud voice, and with a gesture -full of majesty. - -The Canadian looked at him attentively. "Listen, Redskin," he said to -him, "I do not doubt your honour, so do not take in ill part what I am -going to say to you." - -"I listen to my brother," the Indian answered. - -"I must watch over my companions. Since you insist on speaking to me in -secret, I consent to follow you, but on one condition, that I do not -lay aside my weapons; in that way, should one of those things happen, -which are too common in the prairie, and which no human foresight can -prevent, I shall be able to face the danger and sell my life dearly: if -what I propose suits you, I am ready to follow you; if not, not." - -"Good," the Indian said, with a smile, "my pale brother is right, a -true hunter never quits his weapons. Bright-eye may follow his friend." - -"Very well, then," the Canadian said, resolutely, as he threw his rifle -on his shoulder. - -Natah Otann began descending the hill. While gliding noiselessly -through the shrubs and thickets, the Canadian walked literally in his -footsteps; but though pretending the most perfect security, he did -not omit carefully examining the vicinity, and lending an ear to the -slightest sound, but all was calm and silent in the desert, and after -some ten minutes' walk the two men reached the riverside. - -The Mecha-Chebe rolled its waters majestically in a bed of golden -sand, while at times a few vague shadows appeared on the bank: they -were wild beasts coming to drink in the river. Two leagues from them, -at the top of the hill, sparkled the last flames of an expiring fire, -which appeared at intervals between the branches. Natah Otann stopped -at the extremity of a species of small promontory, the point of which -advanced some distance into the water. This spot was entirely free from -vegetation: the eye could survey the prairie for a great distance, and -detect the slightest movement in the desert. - -"Does this place suit the hunter?" the chief asked. - -"Capitally," Bright-eye replied, resting the butt of his rifle on the -ground, and crossing his hands over the muzzle: "I am ready to hear the -communication my brother wishes to make me." - -The Indian walked up and down the sand with folded arms and drooping -head, like a man who is reflecting deeply. The hunter followed him -with his glance, waiting calmly, till he thought proper to offer an -explanation. It was easy to see that Natah Otann was ripening in his -brain one of those bold projects such as Indians frequently imagine, -but knew not how to enter upon it. The hunter resolved to put a stop to -this state of things. - -"Come," he said, "my brother has made me leave my camp; he invited me -to follow him; I consented to do so: now that, according to his desire, -we are free from human ears, will he not speak, so that I may return to -my companions?" - -The Indian stopped before him. - -"My brother will remain," he said; "the hour is come for an explanation -between us. My brother loves Glass-eye?" - -The hunter regarded his querist craftily. - -"What good of that question?" he asked: "it must be a matter of -indifference to the chief whether I love or not the man he pleases to -call Glass-eye." - -"A chief never loses his time in vain discourses," the Indian said, -peremptorily; "the words his lips utter are always simple, and go -straight to the point; let my brother then answer as clearly as I -interrogate him." - -"I see no great inconvenience in doing so. Yes, I love Glass-eye; I -love him not only because he saved my life, but because he is one of -the most honourable men I ever met." - -"Good! for what purpose does Glass-eye traverse the prairie? My brother -doubtlessly knows." - -"My faith, no! I confess to you, chief, my ignorance on that head is -complete. Still, I fancy that, wearied with the life of cities, he has -come here with no other object than to calm his soul by the sublime -aspect of nature, and the grand melodies of the desert." - -The Indian shook his head; the hunter's metaphysical ideas and poetic -phrases were so much Hebrew to him, and he did not understand them. - -"Natah Otann," he said, "is a chief, he has not a forked tongue; the -words he utters are as clear as the blood in his veins. Why does not -the hunter speak his language to him?" - -"I answer your questions, chief, and that is all. Do you fancy that I -would go out of my way to interrogate my friend as to his intentions? -They do not concern me; I have no right to seek in a man's heart for -the motive of his actions." - -"Good! my brother speaks well; his head is grey, and his experience -long." - -"That is possible, chief; at any rate you and I are not on such -friendly terms that we should exchange our thoughts without some -restriction, I fancy; you have kept me here for an hour without saying -anything, so it is better for us to separate." - -"Not yet." - -"Why not? Do you imagine I am like you, and that instead of sleeping o' -nights as an honest Christian should do, I amuse myself with rushing -about the prairie like a jaguar in search of prey?" - -The Indian began laughing. - -"Wah!" he said, "my brother is very clever; nothing escapes him." - -"By Jingo! there is no great cleverness in guessing what you are doing -here." - -"Good! then let my brother listen." - -"I will do so, but on the condition that you lay aside once for all -those Indian circumlocutions in which you so adroitly conceal your real -thoughts." - -"My brother will open his ears, the words of his friend will reach his -heart." - -"Come, make an end of it." - -"As my brother loves Glass-eye, he will tell him from Natah Otann that -a great danger threatens him." - -"Ah!" the Canadian said, casting a suspicious glance at the other, "and -what may the danger be?" - -"I cannot explain further." - -"Very good," Bright-eye remarked, with a grin, "the information is -valuable, though not very explicit; and pray what must we do to escape -the great danger that menaces us?" - -"My brother will wake his friend, they will mount their horses, and -retire at full speed, not stopping till they have crossed the river." - -"Hum! and when we have done that, we shall have nought more to fear?" - -"Nothing." - -"Only think of that," the hunter said, ironically; "and when ought we -to start?" - -"At once." - -"Better still." Bright-eye walked a few paces thoughtfully; then he -returned, and stood before the chief, whose eyes sparkled in the gloom -like those of a tiger cat, and who followed his every movement. - -"Then," he said, "you cannot reveal to me the reason that forces us to -depart?" - -"No!" - -"It is equally impossible, I suppose, for you to tell me of the nature -of the danger that menaces us?" he went on. - -"Yes." - -"Is that your last word?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation. - -"Very good, as it is so," Bright-eye said all at once, striking the -ground with the butt of his rifle, "I will tell it you." - -"You?" - -"Yes, listen to me carefully; it will not be long, and will interest -you I hope." - -The chief smiled ironically. - -"My ears are open," he said. - -"All the better, for I shall fill them with news which, perhaps, will -not please you." - -"I listen," the impassive Indian repeated. - -"As you said to me a moment back--and the confidence on your part was -useless, for I have known you so long on the prairie--the Redskins have -the eyes of an eagle, and they are birds of prey, whom nothing escapes." - -"Go on." - -"Here I am; your scouts have discovered, as was not difficult, the -trail of an emigrant family; that trail you have been following a -long time so as not to miss your blow; supposing that the moment had -arrived to deal it, you have assembled Comanches, Sioux, and Blackfeet, -all demons of the same breed, in order this very night to attack people -whom you have been watching for so many days, and whose riches you -covet because you suppose them so great---eh?" - -Natah Otann's face revealed no emotion. He remained calm, although -internally restless and furious at having his thoughts so well guessed. - -"There is truth in what the hunter says," he replied, coldly. - -"It is all true," Bright-eye exclaimed. - -"Perhaps; but I do not see in it for what reason I should have come -here to warn my Paleface brother." - -"Ah, you do not see that; very well. I will explain it to you. You -came to seek me, because you are perfectly well aware that Glass-eye, -as you call him, is not the man to allow the crime you meditate to be -committed with impunity in his presence." - -The Blackfoot shrugged his shoulders. "Can a warrior, however brave he -may be, hold his ground against four hundred?" he said. - -"Certainly not," Bright-eye went on; "but he can control them by his -presence, and employ his ascendency over them to compel them to give -up their prospects; and that is what Glass-eye will undoubtedly do, -for reasons of which I am ignorant, for all of you have for him an -incomprehensible respect and veneration, and as you fear lest you -may see him come among you at the first shot fired, terrible as the -destroying angel, you seek to remove him by a pretext, plausible with -anyone else, but which will produce on him no other effect than making -him engage in the affair. Come, is that really all? have I completely -unmasked you? Reply." - -"My brother knows all; I repeat, his wisdom is great." - -"Now, I presume, you have nothing to add? Very well, good night." - -"A moment." - -"What more?" - -"You must." - -"Very well; but make haste." - -"My brother has spoken in his own cause, but not in that of Glass-eye; -let him wake his friend, and impart our conversation to him; mayhap he -is mistaken." - -"I do not believe it, chief," the hunter answered, with a shake of his -head. - -"That is possible," the Indian persisted; "but let my brother do as I -have asked him." - -"You lay great stress on it, chief!" - -"Great." - -"I do not wish to vex you about such a trifle. Well! you will soon -allow that I was right." - -"Possibly; I will await my brother's reply for half an hour." - -"Very good; but where shall I bring it to you?" - -"Nowhere!" the Indian exclaimed, sharply. "If I am right, my brother -will imitate the cry of the magpie twice; if I am mistaken, it will be -that of the owl." - -"Very good, that's agreed; you shall soon hear, chief." - -The Indian bowed gracefully. - -"May the Wacondah be with my brother!" he said. - -After this courteous salutation, the two men parted. The Canadian -carelessly threw his rifle on his shoulder, and stalked back to his -camp, while the Indian followed him with his glance, apparently -remaining insensible; but as soon as the hunter had disappeared, the -chief lay down in the sand, glided along in the shade like a serpent, -and in his turn disappeared amid the bushes, following the direction -taken by Bright-eye, though at a considerable distance. - -The latter did not fancy himself followed; he therefore paid no -attention to what went on around him, and regained his camp without -noticing anything of an extraordinary nature. Had not the Canadian -been preoccupied, and his old experience lulled to sleep for the -moment, he would have certainly perceived, with that penetration -which distinguished him, that the desert was not in its usual state -of tranquillity: he would have felt unusual tremors in the leaves, -and possibly have seen eyes flashing in the shade of the tall grass. -He soon reached the camp where the Count and Ivon were sleeping -profoundly. Bright-eye hesitated a few seconds ere awakening the young -man whose sleep was so peaceful; still, reflecting that the least -imprudence might entail terrible consequences, whose result it was -impossible to calculate, he bent over him, and gently touched his -shoulder. Though the touch was so slight, it sufficed to wake the -Count; he opened his eyes, sat up, and looking at the old hunter-- - -"Is there anything fresh, Bright-eye?" he asked. - -"Yes, Sir Count," the Canadian replied, seriously. - -"Oh, oh, how gloomy you are, my good fellow," the young man said, with -a laugh. "What's the matter then?" - -"Nothing, yet; but we may soon have a row with the Redskins." - -"All the better, for that will warm us, as it is horribly cold," he -replied, shivering. "But how do you know the fact?" - -"During your sleep I received a visitor." - -"Ah?" - -"Yes." - -"And who was the person who selected such an important moment to pay -you a visit?" - -"The sachem of the Blackfeet." - -"Natah Otann?" - -"Himself." - -"Upon my word, he must be a somnambulist, to amuse himself by walking -about the desert at night." - -"He does not walk, he watches." - -"Oh, I am in a bother; so keep me no longer in suspense; tell me what -passed between you. Natah Otann is not the man to put himself out of -the way without strong reasons, and I am burning to know them." - -"You shall judge." - -Without any further preface, the hunter described in its fullest -details the conversation he had with the chief. - -"By Jove! that's serious," the Count said when Bright-eye had ended -his story. "This Natah Otann is a gloomy scoundrel, whose plans you -fully penetrated, and you behaved splendidly in answering him so -categorically. For what has this villain taken me? Does he fancy, I -wonder, that I shall act as his accomplice? Let him dare to attack -those poor devils of emigrants down there, and by the saints, I swear -to you, Bright-eye, that blood will be shed between us, if you help me." - -"Can you doubt it?" - -"No, my friend, I thank you; with you and my coward of an Ivon, I shall -manage to put them to flight." - -"Is my lord calling me?" the Breton asked, raising his head. - -"No, no, Ivon, my good fellow; I only say that we shall soon have some -fighting." - -The Breton emitted a sigh, and muttered, as he lay down again,-- - -"Ah! if I had as much courage as I possess goodwill; but alas! as you -know, I am a wonderful coward, and I shall prove more harm to you than -good." - -"You will do all you can, my friend, and that will be sufficient." - -Ivon sighed in reply. Bright-eye had listened laughingly to this -colloquy. The Breton still possessed the privilege of astonishing him, -for he did not at all comprehend his singular organization. The Count -turned towards him. - -"So it is settled?" he said. - -"Settled," the hunter answered. - -"Then give the signal; my friend." - -"The owl, I suppose?" - -"By Jove!" the Count said. - -Bright-eye raised his fingers to his mouth, and, as had been agreed -with Natah Otann, imitated twice the cry of the owl, with rare -perfection. Hardly had the echo of the last cry died away, than a great -rumour was heard in the bushes, and, before the three men had time to -put themselves in a posture of defence, some twenty Indians rushed upon -them, disarmed them in a twinkling, and reduced them to a state of -utter defencelessness. The Count shrugged his shoulders, leant against -a tree, and, thrusting his glass in his eye, said,--- - -"This is very funny." - -"Well, I can't see the point of the joke," muttered Ivon, in a grand -aside. - -Among the Indians, whom it was easy to recognize as Blackfeet, was -Natah Otann! After removing the weapons of the white men, so that they -could not attempt a surprise this time, he walked towards the hunter. - -"I warned Bright-eye," he said. - -The hunter smiled contemptuously. - -"You warned us after the fashion of Redskins," he replied. - -"What does my brother mean?" - -"I mean that you warned us of a danger that threatened us, and not that -you intended treachery." - -"It is the same thing," the Indian replied, with utter calmness. - -"Bright-eye, my friend, do not argue with those scoundrels," the Count -said. - -And turning haughtily to the chief,-- - -"Come! what do you want of us?" he asked. - -Since his arrival on the prairie, and through his constant contact with -the Indians the Count had almost unconsciously learned their language, -which he spoke rather fluently. - -"We do not wish to do you any hurt; we only intend to prevent your -interference in our affairs," Natah Otann said respectfully; "we should -be very sorry to have recourse to violent measures." - -The young man burst into a laugh. - -"You are humbugs! I can manage to escape, in spite of you." - -"Let my brother try it." - -"When the moment arrives; as for the present, it is not worth the -trouble!" - -While speaking in this light tone, the young man took his case from -his pocket, chose a cigar, and, pulling out a lucifer match, stooped -down and rubbed it on a stone. The Indians, considerably puzzled by his -movements, followed them anxiously; but suddenly they uttered a yell of -terror, and fell back several paces. The match had caught fire with the -friction; a delicious blue flame sported about its extremity. The Count -carelessly twisted the slight morsel of wood between his fingers, while -waiting till all the sulphur was consumed. He did not notice the terror -of the Indians. - -The latter, with a movement as swift as thought, stooped down, and each -picking up the first piece of wood he found at his feet, all began -rubbing it against the stones. The Count, in amazement, looked at -them, not yet understanding what they were about. Natah Otann seem to -hesitate for a moment; a smile of strange meaning played, rapidly as -lightning, over his gloomy features; but reassuming almost immediately -his cold impassiveness, he took a step forward, and respectfully bowing -before the Count-- - -"My father commands the fire of the sun," he said, with all the -appearance of a mysterious terror, while pointing to the match. - -The young man smiled; he had guessed the secret. - -"Which of you," he said haughtily, "would dare to contend with me?" - -The Indians regarded each other with amazement. These men, so intrepid -and accustomed to brave the greatest dangers, were vanquished by the -incomprehensible power their prisoner possessed. As, while talking -to the chief, the Count had not watched his match, it had gone out -before he could use it, and he threw it away. The Indians rushed upon -it, to assure themselves that the flame was real. Without appearing to -attach any importance to this action, the Count drew a second match -from his box, and renewed his experiment. His triumph was complete; the -Redskins, in their terror, fell at his feet, imploring him to pardon -them. Henceforth he might dare anything. These primitive men, terrified -by the two miracles he had performed, regarded him as a superior being -to themselves, and were completely mastered by him. While Bright-eye -laughed in his sleeve at the Indians' simplicity, the young man -cleverly employed his triumph. - -"You see what I can do," he said. - -"We see it," Natah Otann made answer. - -"When do you intend to attack the emigrants?" - -"When the moon has set, the warriors of the tribe will assault their -camp." - -"And you?" - -"Will guard our brother." - -"So you now fancy that is possible," the Count said, haughtily. - -The Redskins shuddered at the flash of his glance. - -"Our brother will pardon us," the chief replied, submissively; "we only -knew him imperfectly." - -"And now?" - -"Now we know that he is our master, let him command, and we will obey." - -"Take care!" he said, in a tone which made them shudder, "for I am -about to put your obedience to a rude trial." - -"Our ears are open to receive our brother's words." - -"Draw nearer." - -The Blackfeet took a few hesitating steps in advance, for they were not -yet completely reassured. - -"And now listen to me attentively," he said, "and when you have -received my orders, take care to execute them thoroughly." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE STRANGE WOMAN. - - -We are now obliged to return to the Americans' camp. As we have said, -Black and his son were mounting guard, and the pioneer was far from -easy in his mind. Although not yet possessed of all the experience -required for a desert life, the four months he had spent in fatiguing -marches and continued alarms had endowed him with a certain degree -of vigilance, which, under existing circumstances, might prove very -useful; not, perhaps, to prevent an attack, but, at least, to repulse -it. The situation of his camp was, besides, excellent; for from it he -surveyed the prairie for a great distance, and could easily perceive -the approach of an enemy. - -Father and son were seated by the fire, rising from time to time, in -turn, to cast glances over the desert, and assure themselves that -nothing menaced their tranquillity. Black was a man gifted with an iron -will and a lion's courage; hitherto his schemes had been unsuccessful, -and he had sworn to make himself an honourable position, no matter at -what cost. - -He was the descendant of an old family of squatters. The squatter being -an individuality peculiar to America, and vainly sought elsewhere, we -will describe him as he is, in a few words. On the lands belonging to -the United States, not yet cleared or put up for sale, large numbers -of persons have settled, with the desire of eventually _purchasing_ -their lots. These inhabitants are called squatters. We will not say -that they are the pick of the western emigrants, but we know that, -in certain districts, they have constituted themselves a regular -Government, and have elected magistrates to watch over the execution -of the Draconian laws they have themselves laid down to insure the -tranquillity of the territories they have invaded. But by the side of -these quasi-honest squatters, who bow their necks beneath a yoke that -is often harsh, there is another class of squatters, who understand -the possession of land in its widest sense; that is to say, whenever -they discover, in their vagabond peregrinations, a tract of land that -suits them, they instal themselves there without any further inquiry, -and caring nothing for the rightful owner, who, when he arrives with -his labourers to till his estate, is quite annoyed to find it is in the -hands of an individual who, trusting to the axiom that possession is -nine points of the law, refuses to give it up, and if he insist, drives -him away by means of his rifle and revolver. - -We know a capital story of a gentleman, who, starting from New York -with two hundred labourers, to clear a virgin forest he had purchased -some ten years previously, and never turned to any use, found, on -arriving at his claim, a town of four thousand souls built on the site -of his virgin forest, of which not a tree remained. After numberless -discussions, the said gentleman esteemed himself very fortunate in -being able to depart with a whole skin, and without paying damages to -his despoilers, whom he had momentarily hoped to oust. But there is no -more chance of ousting a squatter, than you can get a dollar out of a -Yankee, when he has once pocketed it. - -John Black belonged to the former of the two classes we have described. -When he reached the age of twenty, his father gave him an axe, a rifle -with twenty charges of powder, and a bowie knife, saying to him-- - -"Listen, boy. You are now tall and strong; it would be a shame for you -to remain longer a burden on me. I have your two brothers to support. -America is large; there is no want of land. Go in God's name, and -never let me hear of you again. With the weapons I give you, and the -education you have received, your fortune will soon be made, if you -like: before all, avoid all disagreeable disputes, and try not to be -hanged." - -After this affectionate address, the father tenderly embraced his son, -put him out of the cabin, and slammed the door in his face. From that -moment John Black had never heard of his father--it is true that he -never tried to obtain any news about him. - -Life had been rough to him at the outset; but owing to his character, -and a certain elasticity of principle, the sole inheritance his family -had given him, he had contrived to gain a livelihood, and bring up his -children without any great privations. Either through the isolation in -which he had passed his youth, or for some other reason we are ignorant -of, Black adored his wife and children, and would not have parted from -them on any account. When fatality compelled him to give up the farm he -occupied, and look for another, he set out gaily, sustained by the love -of his family, no member of which was ungrateful for the sacrifices he -imposed on himself; and he had resolved to go this time so far, that -no one would ever come to dispossess him, for he had been obliged to -surrender his farm to its legitimate proprietor, which he had done on -the mere exhibition of the title deeds, without dreaming of resistance ---a conduct which had been greatly blamed by all his neighbours. - -Black wished to see his family happy, and watched over it with the -jealous tenderness of a hen for its chicks. Thus, on this evening, -an extreme alarm had preyed on him, though he could not explain the -cause: the disappearance of the Indians did not seem to him natural; -everything around was too calm, the silence of the desert too profound: -he could not remain at any one spot, and, in spite of his son's -remarks, rose every moment to take a look over the intrenchments. - -William felt for his father a great affection, mingled with respect: -the state in which he saw him vexed him the more, because there was -nothing to account for his extraordinary restlessness. - -"Good gracious, father!" he said, "do not trouble yourself so much; it -really causes me pain to see you in such a state. Do you suppose that -the Indians would have attacked us by such a moonlight as this? Look, -objects can be distinguished as in broad day; I am certain you might -even read the Bible by the silvery rays." - -"You are right for the present moment, Will. The Redskins are too -crafty to face our rifles during the moonshine; but in an hour the moon -will have set, and the darkness will then protect them sufficiently to -allow them to reach the foot of the barricade unnoticed." - -"Do not imagine they will attempt it, my dear father! Those red devils -have seen us sufficiently close to know that they can only expect a -volley of bullets from us." - -"Hum! I am not of your opinion; our beasts would be riches to them: I -do not wish to abandon them, as we should then be compelled to return -to the plantations to procure others, which would be most disagreeable, -you will allow." - -"It is true; but we shall not be reduced to that extremity." - -"May Heaven grant it, my boy; but do you hear nothing?" - -The young man listened attentively. - -"No," he said, at the end of a moment. - -The emigrant proceeded with a sigh: "I visited the river bank this -morning, and I have rarely seen a spot better suited for a settlement. -The virgin forest that extends behind us would supply excellent -firewood, without reckoning the magnificent planks to be obtained from -it: there are several hundred acres around, which, from their proximity -to the water, would produce, I am certain, excellent crops." - -"Would you feel inclined to settle here, then?" - -"Have you any objection?" - -"I--none at all! provided we can live and work together. I care little -at what place we stop: this spot appears to me as good as another, and -it is far enough from the settlements to prevent our being turned out, -at least for a great number of years." - -"That is exactly my view." - -At this moment a gentle quivering ran along the tall grass. - -"This time I am certain I am not mistaken," the emigrant exclaimed; "I -heard something." - -"And I too!" the young man said, rising quickly, and seizing his rifle. - -The two men hurried to the entrenchments, but they saw nothing of a -suspicious nature: the prairie was still perfectly calm. - -"'Tis some wild beast going down to drink, or returning," Will said, to -reassure his father. - -"No, no," the latter replied, with a shake of the head; "it is not the -noise made by any animal--it was the echo of a man's footfall, I am -convinced." - -"The simplest way is to go and see." - -"Come then." - -The two men resolutely climbed over the intrenchments, and with rifles -outstretched, went round the camp, carefully searching the bushes, and -assuring themselves that no foe lurked in them. - -"Well!" they exclaimed, when they met. - -"Nothing--and you?" - -"Nothing." - -"It is strange," John Black muttered, "and yet the noise was very -distinct." - -"That is true; but I repeat, father, that it was nothing but an animal -leaping somewhere near. In a night so calm as this, the slightest sound -is heard for a great distance; besides, we are now certain that no one -is concealed near us." - -"Let us go back," the emigrant said, thoughtfully. They began climbing -over the entrenchments; but both stopped suddenly, by mutual agreement, -hardly checking a cry of amazement, almost of terror. They had just -perceived a human being, whose outline it was impossible to trace at -such a distance, crouched over the fire. - -"This time I will have it out," the emigrant exclaimed, taking a -prodigious bound into the camp. - -"And I, too," his son murmured, as he followed his example. - -But when they came opposite their strange visitor, their surprise -was redoubled. In spite of themselves, they stopped to gaze on the -stranger, without thinking to ask how he had entered their camp, and by -what right he had done so. - -As far as they could form a judgment, they soon began to consider -the extraordinary being before them--a woman; but years, the mode of -life she led, and perchance cares, had furrowed her face with such a -multitude of cross hatchings, that it was impossible to conjecture her -age, or whether she had formerly been lovely. The large black eyes, -surmounted by thick brows crossing her curved nose, and deep sunk, -flashed with a gloomy fire; her salient and empurpled cheekbones, her -large mouth studded with dazzling teeth, and her thin lips and square -chin, gave her at first an appearance which was far from arousing -sympathy and exciting confidence; while her long black hair, matted -with leaves and grass, fell in disorder on her shoulders. She wore a -costume more suited for a man than a woman. It was composed of a long -robe of buffalo hide, with short sleeves, fastened on the hips by a -girdle bedizened with beads. This robe had the skirt fringed with -feathers, and only came down to the knee. Her _mitasses_ were fastened -round the ankles, and reached slightly above the knee, where they were -held up by garters of buffalo hide. Her _humpis_ or slippers were plain -and unornamented. She wore iron rings on her wrist, two or three bead -collars round her neck, and earrings. From her girdle hung on one side -a powder flask, an axe, and a bowie knife; on the other, a bullet pouch -and a long Indian pipe. Across her knees lay a rather handsome gun, of -English manufacture. - -She was crouching over the fire, which she gazed at fixedly, with her -chin on the palm of her hand. - -On the arrival of the Americans, she did not rise, and did not even -appear to notice their presence. After examining her attentively for -some time, Black walked up, and, tapping her on the shoulder, said-- - -"You are welcome, woman; it seems as if you were cold, and the fire -does not displease you." - -She slowly raised her head on feeling the touch, and, fixing on her -questioner a gloomy glance, in which it was easy to perceive a slight -wildness, she replied in English, in a hollow voice, and with guttural -accent-- - -"The Palefaces are mad; they ever think themselves in their towns; they -forget that in the prairie the trees have ears and the leaves eyes to -see and hear all that is done. The Blackfeet Indians raise their hair -very skilfully." - -The two men looked at each other on hearing these words, whose meaning -they were afraid to guess, though they seemed somewhat obscure. - -"Are you hungry? Will you eat?" John Black continued, "or is it thirst -that troubles you? I can, if you like, give you a good draught of -firewater to warm you." - -The woman frowned. - -"Fire-water is good for Indian squaws," she said, "what good would it -do me to drink it? Others will come who will soon dispose of it. Do you -know how many hours you still have to live?" - -The emigrant shuddered, in spite of himself at this species of menace. - -"Why speak to me thus?" he asked; "have you any cause of complaint -against me?" - -"I care little," she continued. "I am not among the living, since my -heart is dead." - -She turned her head in every direction with a slow and solemn movement, -while carefully examining the country. - -"Stay," she continued, pointing with her lean arm to a mound of grass a -short distance off, "'twas there he fell--'tis there he rests. His head -was cleft asunder by an axe during his sleep--poor James! This spot is -ill-omened: do you not know it? The vultures and the crows alone stay -here at long intervals. Why, then, have you come here? Are you weary of -life? Do you hear them? They are approaching; they will soon be here." - -Father and son exchanged a glance. - -"She is mad. Poor creature!" Black muttered. - -"Yes; that is what they all say on the prairies," she exclaimed, with -some accusation in her voice. "They call me _Ohucahauck Chike_ (the -evil one of the earth), because they fear me as their evil genius. You, -also, fancy me mad, eh? ah! ah! ah!" - -She burst into a strident laugh, which ended in a sob; she buried -her face in her hands, and wept. The two men felt awed in spite of -themselves; this strange grief, these incoherent words, all aroused -their interest in favour of this poor creature, who appeared so -unhappy. Pity was at work in their hearts, and they regarded her -silently without daring to disturb her. In a few moments she raised her -head, passed the back of her hand over her eyes to dry them, and spoke -again. The wild expression had disappeared; the very sound of her voice -was no longer the same; as if by enchantment, a complete change had -taken place in her. - -"Pardon," she said mournfully, "the extravagant words I have uttered. -The solitude in which I live, and the heavy burden of woe which has -crushed me so long, at times trouble my reason; and then the place -where we now stand reminds me of terrible scenes, whose cruel memory -will never be erased from my mind." - -"Madam, I assure you--," John Black continued, not knowing what he -said, so great was his surprise. - -"Now the fit has passed away." She interrupted him with a gentle -and melancholy smile, which gave her countenance a very different -expression from that the Americans had hitherto remarked; "I have been -following you for the last two days to come to your help; the Redskins -are preparing to attack you--" - -The two men shuddered: and, forgetting all else to think only of the -pressing danger, they cast a restless glance around them. - -"You know it?" Black exclaimed. - -"I know all," she answered; "but reassure yourselves. You have still -two hours ere their horrible war cry will sound in your ears; that is -more than enough to render you safe." - -"Oh! we have good rifles and keen sight," said William, clutching his -weapon in his nervous hands. - -"What can four rifles, however good they may be, do against two or -three hundred tigers thirsting for blood, like those you will have to -fight? You do not know the Redskins, young man." - -"That is true," he answered; "but what is to be done?" - -"Seek a refuge?--where find help in these immense solitudes?" the -father added, casting a despairing glance around him. - -"Did I not tell you I wished to help you?" she said, sharply. - -"Yes; you told us so; but I try in vain to detect of what use you can -be to us." - -She smiled a melancholy smile. - -"It is your good angel that brought you to the spot where you now are. -While I was watching you all the day, I trembled lest you might not -encamp here. Come!" - -The two men, surprised by the ascendancy this strange creature had -gained over them in a few minutes, followed her without reply. After -walking about a dozen steps, she stopped, and turned toward them. - -"Look," she said, stretching out her thin arm in a north-west -direction, "your enemies are there, scarce two leagues off, buried in -the tall grass. I have heard their plans, and was present at their -council, though they little suspected it. They are only waiting for the -moon to set, ere they attack you. You have scarce an hour left." - -"My poor wife!" Black murmured. - -"It is impossible for me to save you all: to fancy it would be madness; -but I can, if you wish it, attempt to save your wife and daughter from -the fate that menaces them." - -"Speak! speak!" - -"This tree, at the foot of which we are now standing, although -apparently possessing all the vigour of youth, is internally hollow, -so that only the bark stands upright. Your wife and daughter, supplied -with some provisions, will get into the tree and remain there in safety -till the danger has passed away. As for ourselves--" - -"As for us," Black quickly interrupted her, "we are men accustomed to -danger: our fate is in the hands of God." - -"Good; but do not despair: all is not lost yet." - -The American shook his head. - -"As you said yourself, what can four men do against a legion of demons -like those who menace us? But that is not the question of the moment. I -do not see the hole by which my wife and daughter can enter the tree." - -"It is twenty to twenty-four feet up, hidden among the branches and -leaves." - -"The Lord be praised! they will be sheltered." - -"Yes; but make haste and warn them, while your son and I make all the -preparations." - -Black, convinced of the necessity of haste, ran off, while the stranger -and William constructed, with that dexterity produced by the approach -of danger, a species of handy ladder, by which the two women could not -merely ascend the tree, but go down into the cavity. Black waked the -ladies, and called the servants; in a few words he explained to them -what was passing; then, loading his wife and daughter with provisions, -furs, and other indispensable objects, he led them to the spot where -the stranger was expecting them. - -"This is my most precious treasure," Black said; "if I save it, I shall -be solely indebted to you." - -The two ladies began thanking their mysterious protectress; but she -imposed silence on them by a peremptory gesture. - -"Presently, presently," she said; "if we escape, we shall have plenty -of time for mutual congratulations; but at this moment we have -something more important to do than exchange compliments. We must get -into a place of safety." - -The two ladies fell back, quite repulsed by this rough reception, while -casting a curious and almost alarmed glance on the strange creature. -But the latter, perfectly stoical, seemed to notice nothing. She -explained in a few clear words the means she had found to conceal them: -recommended them to remain silent in the hollow tree, and then ordered -them to mount. The two ladies, after embracing Black and his son, began -resolutely ascending the rungs of the improvised ladder. They reached -in a few seconds an enormous branch, on which they stopped, by the -orders of the stranger. Black then threw down into the interior of the -tree the furs and provisions, after which the ladder was placed inside, -and the ladies glided through the hole. - -"We leave you the ladder, which is useless to us," the stranger then -said. "But be very careful not to come out till you have seen me again; -the least imprudence, under the circumstances, might cost your lives. -However, keep your minds at rest. Your imprisonment will not be long, a -few hours at the most: so be of good cheer." - -The ladies once again tried to express their gratitude; but, without -listening, the stranger made Black a sign to follow her, and rapidly -descended from the tree. Aided by the Americans, she then began -removing every trace that might have revealed where the ladies were -bestowed. When the stranger had assured herself, by a final glance, -that all was in order, and nothing could betray those who were so -famously hidden, she sighed, and followed by the two men, walked to the -intrenchments. - -"Now," she said, "let us watch attentively around us, for these demons -will probably crawl close up in the shadows. You are free and honest -Americans, show these accursed Indians what you can do." - -"Let them come!" Black muttered hoarsely. - -"They will soon do so," she replied, and pointed to several almost -imperceptible black dots, which, however, grew larger, and were -evidently approaching the encampment. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE DEFENCE OF THE CAMP. - - -The Redskins have a mode of fighting which foils all the methods -employed by European tactics. In order to understand their system -properly, we must, in the first place, bear in mind that the Indian -idea of honour is different from ours. This understood, the rest may be -easily admitted. The Indians, in undertaking an enterprise, have only -one object--success, and all means are good to attain it. Gifted with -incontestable courage, at times rash to an excess, stopping at nothing, -and recoiling before no difficulty--for all that, when the success -of these enterprises appears to them dubious, and that consequently -the object is missed, they retire as easily as they advanced, not -considering their honour compromised by a retreat, or by leaving the -battlefield to an enemy more powerful than themselves, or well on his -guard. - -Thus, their system of fighting is most simple, and they only proceed by -surprises. The Redskins will follow the enemy's trail for entire months -with unequalled patience, never relaxing their watch for a moment, -spying him night and day, while ever careful not to be themselves -surprised: then, when the occasion at last presents itself, and they -fancy the moment arrived to execute the project, all the chances for or -against which they have so long calculated, they act with a vigour and -fury which frequently disconcert those they attack; but if after the -first onset they are repulsed--if they see that those they attack will -not let themselves be intimidated, and are prepared to resist, then, on -a given signal, they disappear as if by enchantment, and, without any -shame, begin watching again for a more favourable moment. - -Black, on the advice of the stranger, had placed himself and his -party in such positions that they could survey the prairie in every -direction. The stranger and himself were leaning on their rifles in -the angle that faced the river. The prairie at this moment presented -a singular appearance. The breeze, which at sunset had risen with a -certain strength, was gently dying out, scarce bending the tops of the -great trees. The moon, almost departed, only cast over the landscape an -uncertain and timorous gleam, which, in lieu of dissipating the gloom, -only rendered the darkness visible, through the striking contrasts -between the obscurity and the pale and fugitive rays of the declining -planet. - -At times, a dull roar or sharp bark rose in the silence, and, like a -sinister appeal, reminded the emigrant that implacable and ferocious -enemies were on the watch around, although invisible. The purity of the -atmosphere was so great, that the slightest sound could be heard for an -immense distance, and it was easy to distinguish the enormous blocks of -granite that formed black dots on the ground. - -"Do you know for certain that we shall be attacked this night?" the -American asked, in a low voice. - -"I was present at the last council of the chiefs," the unknown replied -distinctly. - -The emigrant bent on her a scrutinising glance, which she recognised, -and immediately understood; she shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. - -"Take care," she said to him, with a certain emphasis, "let not doubt -invade your mind; what interest should I have in deceiving you?" - -"I know not," he replied dreamily "but I also ask myself what interest -you have in defending me?" - -"None; since you place the matter on that footing, what do I care -whether your wealth is plundered, your wife, your daughter, and -yourself scalped? it is a matter of supreme indifference to me; but -must the affair be only regarded from that side? Do you imagine that -material interests have a great weight with me? If that is your -opinion, I shall withdraw, leaving you to get out of your present -position in the best way you can." - -While uttering these words, she had thrown her rifle over her shoulder, -and prepared to climb over the palisade, but Black quickly checked her. - -"You do not understand me," he said; "any man in my place would act as -I do; my position is fearful, you allow it yourself; you entered my -camp, and it is impossible for me to guess how. Still, I have hitherto -put the utmost confidence in you, as you cannot deny; but I do not -know who you are, or what motive causes you to act. Your words, far -from explaining, plunge me, on the contrary, into greater uncertainty; -the safety of my entire family and all I possess is at stake: reflect -seriously on all this, and I defy you to disapprove of my not putting -utter confidence in you, although you are, doubtlessly, deserving of -it, so long as I do not know who you are." - -"Yes," she answered, after a moment's reflection, "you are right, the -world is so, people must first of all give their name and quality; -egotism is so thoroughly the master over the whole surface of the -globe, that even to do a person a service, you require a certificate -of honesty, for no one will admit disinterestedness of heart,--that -aberration of generous minds, which practical people brand as madness. -Unfortunately, you must take me for what I appear, at the risk of -seeing me go away, and hence any confidence on my part would be -superfluous. You will judge me by my acts, the only proof I can and -will give you of the purity of my intentions; you are free to accept or -decline my assistance, and after all is over, you can thank or curse me -at your choice." - -Black was more perplexed than ever; the stranger's explanations only -rendered the fog denser, instead of affording him light. Still, in -spite of himself, he felt himself attracted toward her. After a few -moments of serious reflection, he raised his head, struck his rifle -barrel smartly with his right hand, and looking his companion well in -the face, said in a firm voice,-- - -"Listen, I will no longer try to learn whether you come from God or the -devil; if you are a spy of our enemies, or our devoted friend--events, -as you said, will soon decide the question. But bear this in mind, I -will carefully watch your slightest gesture, your every word. At the -first suspicious word or movement, I will put a bullet through your -head, even if I am killed the moment after. Is that a bargain?" - -The stranger began laughing. - -"I accept," she said. "I recognise the Yankee in that proposition." - -After this, the conversation ceased, and their entire attention was -concentrated on the prairie. The most profound calm still continued -to brood over the desert; apparently, all was in the same state as at -sunset. Still the stranger's piercing eyes distinguished on the river -bank several wild beasts flying precipitately, and others escaping -across the river, instead of continuing to drink. One of the truest -axioms in the desert is:--there can be no effect without a cause. -Everything has a reason in the prairie, all is analysed or commented -on; a leaf does not fall from a tree, a bird fly away, without the -observer knowing or guessing why it has happened. - -After a few moments of profound examination, the stranger seized the -emigrant's arm, and bending down to his ear, said in a weak voice, like -the sighing of the breeze, one word which made him tremble, as she -stretched out her arm in the direction of the plain. - -"Look!" - -Black bent forward. - -"Oh!" he said a minute after, "what is the meaning of this?" - -The prairie, as we have already mentioned, was covered in several -places by blocks of granite and dead trees; singularly enough, these -black dots, at first a considerable distance from the camp, seemed -approaching insensibly, and now were only a short way from it. As it -was physically impossible for rocks and trees to move of their own -accord, there must be a cause for this, which the worthy emigrant, -whose mind was anything but subtle, cudgelled his brains in vain -to guess. This new Birnam Wood, which moved all alone, made him -excessively uncomfortable; his son and servants had also noticed the -same fact, though equally unable to account for it. Black remarked -specially that a tree he remembered perfectly well seeing that same -evening more than one hundred and fifty feet from the mound, had -suddenly come so close, that it was hardly thirty paces off. The -stranger, without evincing any emotion, whispered-- - -"They are the Indians!" - -"The Indians?" he said, "impossible!" - -She knelt behind the palisade, shouldered her rifle, and after taking a -careful aim, pulled the trigger. A flash traversed the darkness, and at -the same moment the pretended tree bounded like a deer. A terrible yell -was raised, and the Redskins appeared, rushing toward the camp like a -herd of wolves, brandishing their weapons, and howling like demons. -The Americans, very superstitious people, reassured by seeing that -they had only to deal with men, when they feared some spell, received -their enemies bravely with a rolling and well-directed fire. Still, -the Indians, probably knowing the small number of white men, did not -recoil, but pushed on boldly. The Redskins were hardly a few yards off, -and were preparing to carry the barricades, when a shot, fired by the -stranger, tolled over an Indian ahead of the rest, at the instant he -turned to his comrades to encourage them to follow him. - -The fall of this man produced an effect which the Americans, who -fancied themselves lost, were far from anticipating. As if by -enchantment, the Indians disappeared, the yells ceased, and the deepest -silence prevailed again. It might be supposed that all that had passed -was a dream. The Americans regarded each other with amazement, not -knowing to what they should attribute this sudden retreat. - -"That is incomprehensible," Black said, after assuring himself by a -hasty glance that none of his party were wounded; "can you explain -that, mistress, you, who seem to be our guardian angel, for it is to -your last shot we owe the rest we at present enjoy?" - -"Ah!" she said, with a sarcastic smile, "you are beginning to do me -justice, then." - -"Do not speak about that," the emigrant said, with an angry voice; "I -am a fool; pardon me, and forget my suspicions." - -"I have forgotten them," she replied. "As for that which astounds you, -it is very simple. The man I killed, or, at any rate, wounded, was an -Indian chief of great reputation; on seeing him fall, his warriors were -discouraged, and they ran to carry him off the field, lest his scalp -should fall into your hands." - -"Oh, oh!" Black said, with a gesture of disgust; "do these Pagans fancy -we are like themselves? No, no! I would kill them to the last man, in -self-defence, and no one could blame me for it; but as for scalping, -that is a different matter. I am an honest Virginian, without a drop of -red blood in my veins. My father's son does not commit such infamy." - -"I approve your remarks," the stranger said, in a sorrowful voice; -"scalping is a frightful torture; unfortunately, many white men on the -prairies do not think like you; they have adopted Indian fashions, and -scalp, without ceremony, the enemies they kill." - -"They are wrong." - -"Possibly; I am far from justifying them." - -"So that," the emigrant joyfully exclaimed, "we are free from these red -devils." - -"Do not rejoice yet; you will soon see them return." - -"What, again?" - -"They have only suspended their attack to carry off their killed and -wounded, and probably to invent some other plan, to get the better of -you." - -"Oh, that will not be difficult; in spite of all our efforts, it will -be impossible for us to resist that flock of birds of prey, who rush on -us from all sides, as on a carcass. What can five rifles effect against -that legion of demons?" - -"Much, if you do not despair." - -"Oh, as for that, you may be easy, we will not yield an inch; we are -resolved to die at our posts." - -"Your bravery pleases me," the stranger said, "perhaps all will end -better than you suppose." - -"May Heaven hear you, my worthy woman." - -"Let us lose no time; the Indians may return to the charge at any -moment, so let us try to be as successful this time as the first." - -"I will." - -"Good! Are you a man of resolution?" - -"I fancy I have proved it." - -"That is true. How many days' provisions have you here?" - -"Four, at the least." - -"That is to say, eight, if necessary." - -"Pretty nearly." - -"Good! Now, if you like, I will get rid of your enemies for a long -time." - -"I ask nothing better." - -Suddenly the war cry of the Redskins was again heard, but this time -more strident and unearthly than the first. - -"It is too late!" the stranger said, sorrowfully, "All that is left is -to die bravely." - -"Let us die, then; but first kill as many of these Pagans as we can," -John Black answered. "Hurrah! my boys, for Uncle Sam!" - -"Hurrah!" his comrades shouted, brandishing their weapons. - -The Indians responded to this challenge by yells of rage, and the -combat recommenced, though this time it was more serious. After rising -to utter their formidable war cry, the Indians scattered, and advanced -slowly toward the camp, by crawling on the ground. When they found -in their road the stump of a tree or a bush capable of offering them -shelter, they stopped to fire an arrow or a bullet. The new tactics -adopted by their enemies disconcerted the Americans, whose bullets were -too often wasted; for, unluckily, the Indians were almost invisible in -the gloom, and, with that cunning so characteristic of them, shook the -grass so cleverly, that the deceived emigrants did not know where to -aim. - -"We are lost," Black exclaimed despondingly. - -"The position is indeed becoming critical; but we must not despair -yet," the stranger remarked; "one chance is left us; a very poor one, -I grant; but which I shall employ when the moment arrives. Try to hold -out in a hand-to-hand fight." - -"Come," the emigrant said, shouldering his rifle, "there is one of the -devils who will not get any further." - -A Blackfoot warrior, whose head rose at this moment above the grass, -had his skull fractured by the American's bullet. The Redskins suddenly -rose, and rushed, howling, on the barricade, where the emigrants -awaited them firmly. A point-blank discharge received the Indians, and -a hand-to-hand fight began. The Americans, standing on the barricades -and clubbing their rifles, dashed down every one who came within their -reach. Suddenly, at the moment when the emigrants, overpowered by -numbers, fell back a step, the stranger rushed up the barricade, with a -torch in her hand, and uttering such a savage yell, that the combatants -stopped, with a shudder. The flame of the torch was reflected on the -stranger's face, and imparted to it a demoniac expression. She held her -head high, and stretched out her arm, with a magnificent gesture of -authority. - -"Back!" she shrieked. "Back, devils!" - -At this extraordinary apparition, the Redskins remained for a moment -motionless, as if petrified, but then they rushed headlong down the -slope, flying, with the utmost terror. The Americans, interested -witnesses of this incomprehensible scene, gave a sigh of relief. They -were saved! Saved by a miracle! They then rushed toward the stranger, -to express their gratitude to her. - -She had disappeared! - -In vain did the Americans look for her everywhere; they could not -imagine whither she was gone: she seemed to have suddenly become -invisible. The torch she held in her hand, when addressing the Indians, -lay on the ground, where it still smoked; it was the only trace she -left of her presence in the emigrants' camp. - -John Black and his companions lost themselves in conjectures on her -account, while dressing, as well as they could, the wounds they had -received in the engagement, when his wife and daughter suddenly -appeared in the camp. Black rushed toward them. - -"How imprudent of you!" he exclaimed. "Why have you left your hiding -place, in spite of the warnings given you?" - -His wife looked at him in amazement. - -"We left it," she replied, "by the directions of the strange woman to -whom we are all so deeply indebted this night." - -"What! have you seen her again?" - -"Certainly; a few moments back she came to us; we were half dead -with terror, for the sounds of the fighting reached us, and we were -completely ignorant of what was occurring. After reassuring us, she -told us that all was over, that we had nothing more to fear, and that, -if we liked, we could rejoin you." - -"But she--what did she do?" - -"She led us to this spot; then, in spite of our entreaties, she went -away, saying that as we no longer needed her, her presence was useless, -while important reasons compelled her departure." - -The emigrant then told the ladies all about the events of the night, -and the obligations they owed to this extraordinary female. They -listened to the narrative with the utmost attention, not knowing to -what they should attribute her strange conduct, and feeling their -curiosity aroused to the utmost pitch. Unfortunately, the peculiar -way in which the stranger had retired, did not appear to evince any -great desire on her part to establish more intimate relations with the -emigrants. - -In the desert, however, there is but little time to be given to -reflections and comments; action is before all; men must live and -defend themselves. Hence Black, without losing further time in -trying to solve the riddle, occupied himself actively in repairing -the breaches made in his entrenchments, and fortifying his camp more -strongly, were that possible, by piling up on the barricades all the -articles within reach. When these first duties for the common safety -were accomplished, the emigrant thought of his cattle. He had placed -them at a spot where the bullets could not reach them, close to the -tent, into which his wife and daughter had again withdrawn, and had -surrounded them by a quantity of interlaced branches. On entering this -corral, Black uttered a cry of amazement, which was soon changed into, -a yell of fury. His son and the men ran up; the horses and one-half the -cattle had disappeared. During the fight the Indians had carried them -off, and the noise had prevented their flight being heard. It seemed -probable that the stranger's interference, by striking the Indians with -terror, had alone prevented the robbery being completed, and the whole -of the cattle carried off. - -The loss was enormous to the emigrant; although all his cattle had not -disappeared, enough had been carried off to render further progress -impossible. His resolution was formed with that promptitude so -characteristic of the Northern Americans. - -"Our beasts are stolen," he said; "I must have them back." - -"Quite right," William answered; "at daybreak we will go on their -track." - -"I, but not you, my son," the emigrant said. "Sam will go with me." - -"What shall I do then?" - -"Stay in the camp, to guard your mother and sister. I will leave James -with you." - -The young man made no reply. - -"I will not let the Pagans boast of having eaten my oxen," Black said, -wrathfully. "By my father's soul, I will get them back, or lose my -scalp!" - -The night had passed away while the camp was being fortified. The sun, -though still invisible, was beginning to tinge the horizon with a -purple light. - -"Ah, look!" Black continued, "here's day; let us lose no time, but set -off. I recommend your mother and sister to your care, Will, as well as -all that is here." - -"You can go, father," the young man said. "I will keep good watch -during your absence; you may be easy." - -The emigrant pressed his son's hand, threw his rifle, over his -shoulder, made a sign to Sam to follow him, and walked towards the -entrenchment. - -"It is useless to wake your mother," he said, as he walked on; "when -she comes out of the tent, you will tell her what has occurred, and -what I have done; I am certain she will approve of it. So, good-bye, my -boy, and mind you are on the watch." - -"And you, father--good luck!" - -"May Heaven grant it, boy," the emigrant said, sorrowfully. "Such -splendid cattle!" - -"Stay!" the young man exclaimed, holding his father back, at the moment -the latter was preparing to climb over the barricades. "What is that I -see down there?" - -The emigrant turned quickly. - -"Do you see anything, Will---whereabouts?" - -"Look, father, in that direction. But what is the meaning of it? It -must be our cattle." - -The emigrant looked in the direction his son indicated. - -"What!" he exclaimed joyfully; "why, those are our cattle. Where on -earth do they come from? And who is bringing them back?" - -In fact, at a great distance on the prairie, the American's cattle were -visible, galloping rapidly in the direction of the camp, and raising a -cloud of dust behind them. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE INDIAN CHIEF. - - -The Count de Beaulieu was far from suspecting, as he carelessly -prepared to light a cigar, that the lucifer match he employed would at -once render him so important in the sight of the Indians. But, so soon -as he recognized the power of the weapon chance placed in his hands, -he resolved to employ it, and turn to his own profit the superstitious -ignorance of the Redskins. Enjoying, in his heart, the triumph he had -obtained, the Count frowned, and employing the language and emphatic -gestures of the Indians, when he saw they were sufficiently recovered -to listen to him, he addressed them with that commanding tone which -always imposes on the masses. - -"Let my brothers open their ears; the words my lips utter must be -heard and understood by all. My brothers are simple men, prone to -error; truth must enter their hearts like an iron wedge. My goodness -is great, because I am powerful; instead of chastising them when -they dared to lay hands on me, I am satisfied with displaying my -power before their eyes. I am a great physician of the pale faces; I -possess all the secrets of the most famous medicines. If I pleased, -the birds of the air and the fish of the river would come to do me -homage, because the Master of Life is within me, and has given me his -medicine rod. Listen to this, Redskins, and remember it: when the first -man was born, he walked on the banks of the Mecha-Chebe; there he met -the Master of Life: the Master of Life saluted him, and said to him, -'Thou art my son.' 'No,' the first man made answer, 'thou art my son, -and I will prove it to thee, if thou dost not believe me; we will sit -down and plant in the earth the medicine rod we hold in our hands; the -one who rises first will be the younger, and the son of the other.' -They sat down then, and looked at each other for a long time, until at -length the Master of Life turned pale, and the flesh left his bones; on -which the first man exclaimed, joyfully, 'At length thou art assuredly -dead.' And they regarded each other thus during ten times ten moons, -and ten times more; and as at the end of that time the bones of the -Master of Life were completely bleached, the first man rose and said, -'Yes, now there is no more doubt; he is certainly dead.' He then took -the medicine stick of the Master of Life, and drew it from the earth. -But then the Master of Life rose, and taking the stick from him, said -to him, 'Stop! here I am; I am thy father, and thou art my son.' And -the first man recognized him as his father. But the Master of Life -then added, 'Thou art my son, first man; thou can'st not die; take my -medicine staff; when I have to communicate with my Redskin sons, I -will send thee.' This is the medicine staff. Are you ready to execute -my orders?" - -These words were uttered with so profound an accent of truth, the -legend related by the Count was so true and so well known by all, that -the Indians, whom the miracle of the match had already disposed to -credulity, put complete faith in it, and answered respectfully-- - -"Let my father speak: what he wishes we wish. Are we not his children?" - -"Hence," the Count continued, "I wish to speak with you, chief, alone." - -Natah Otann had listened to the Count's discourse with the deepest -attention: at times, an observer might have noticed a flash of joy -cross his features, immediately followed, however, by a feeling of -pleasure, which lit up his intelligent eyes: he applauded, like his -warriors, perhaps more warmly than they, when the young man ceased -speaking; on hearing him say that he would speak with the sachem alone, -a smile played on his lips: he made the Indians a sign to retire, and -walked towards the Count with an ease and grace which the other could -not refrain from noticing. There was a native nobility in this young -chief, which pleased at the first glance, and attracted sympathy. - -After bowing respectfully, the Blackfeet warriors went down the hill, -and collected about one hundred yards from the camping place. - -There were two men whom the Count's eloquence had surprised quite as -much as the Indian warriors. These were Bright-eye and Ivon; neither -of them understood a syllable, and the young man's Indian science -completely threw them out; they awaited in the utmost anxiety the -denouement of this scene, whose meaning they could not decipher. - -When left alone (for the hunter and Ivon soon also withdrew), the -Frenchman and the Indian examined each other with extreme attention. -But whatever efforts the white man made to read the sentiments of the -man he had before him, he was obliged to allow that he had to deal -with one of those superior natives, on whose faces it is impossible to -read anything, and who, under all circumstances, are ever masters of -their impressions; furthermore, the fixity and metallic lustre of the -Indian's eye caused him to feel a secret uneasiness, which he hastened -to remove by speaking, as if that would break the charm. - -"Chief," he said, "now that your warriors have retired--" - -Natah Otann interrupted him by a sign, and bowed courteously. - -"Pardon me, Monsieur le Comte," he said, with an accent which a native -of the banks of the Seine would have envied: "I think the slight -practice you have had in speaking our language is wearisome to you; if -you would please to express yourself in French, I fancy I understand -that language well enough to follow you." - -"Eh?" the Count exclaimed, with a start of surprise, "what is that you -say?" - -Had a thunderbolt fallen at the Count's feet he would not have been -more surprised and terrified than on hearing this savage, who wore the -complete costume of the Blackfeet, and whose face was painted of four -different colours, express himself so purely in French. Natah Otann did -not seem to notice his companion's agitation, but continued coldly-- - -"Deign to pardon me, Monsieur le Comte, for employing terms which must -certainly have offended you by their triviality; but the few occasions -I have for speaking French in this desert must serve as an excuse." - -M. de Beaulieu was a prey to one of those surprises which grow -gradually greater. He no longer knew were he awake, or suffering -from a nightmare; what he heard seemed to him so incredible and -incomprehensible, that he could not find words to express his feelings. - -"Who on earth are you?" he exclaimed, when sufficiently master of -himself to speak. - -"I!" Natah Otann remarked carelessly; "why, you see I am a poor Indian, -and nothing more." - -"'Tis impossible," the young man said. - -"I assure you, sir, that I have told you the exact truth. Hang it," -he added with charming frankness, "if you find me a little less--what -shall I say?--coarse, you must not consider it a crime; that results -from considerations entirely independent of my will, which I will tell -you some day, if you wish to hear them." - -The Count, as we think we have said, was a man of great courage, whom -but few things could disturb; the first impression passed, he bravely -took his part; perfectly master of himself henceforth, he frankly -accepted the position which accident had so singularly made for him. - -"By Jove!" he said, with a laugh, "the meeting is a strange one, and -may reasonably surprise me; you will therefore pardon, my dear sir, -that astonishment--in extreme bad taste, I grant--which I at first -evidenced on hearing you address me as you did. I was so far from -expecting to meet, six hundred leagues from civilised countries, a man -so well bred as yourself, that I confess I at first hardly knew what -Saint to invoke." - -"You flatter me, sir; believe me that I feel highly grateful for the -good opinion you are good enough to have of me; now, if you permit, we -will go back to our business." - -"On my faith, I am so staggered by all that has happened, that I really -do not know what I am about." - -"Nonsense, that is nothing; I will lead you back to the right track; -after the charming address you made us, you seem to desire speech with -me alone." - -"Hum!" the Count said, with a smile, "I am afraid that I must have -appeared to you supremely ridiculous with my legend, especially my -remarks, but then I could not suspect that I had an auditor of your -stamp." - -Natah Otann shook his head sadly; a melancholy expression for a moment -darkened his face. - -"No," he said, "you acted as you were bound to do; but while you were -speaking, I was thinking of those poor Indians sunk so deeply in error, -and asking myself whether there was any hope of their regeneration -before the white men succeed in utterly destroying them." - -The chief uttered these words with such a marked accent of grief and -hatred, that the Count was moved by the thought how this man, with a -soul of fire, must suffer at the brutalization of his race. - -"Courage!" he said, holding out his hand to him. - -"Courage!" the Indian repeated, bitterly, though clasping the proffered -hand; "after each defeat I experienced in the struggle I have -undertaken, the man who has served as my father, and unfortunately made -me what I am, never ceases to say that to me." - -There was a moment of silence; each was busied with his own thoughts; -at length Natah Otann proceeded:-- - -"Listen, Monsieur le Comte; between men of a certain stamp there is a -species of undefinable feeling, which attaches them to each other in -spite of themselves; for the six months your have been traversing the -desert in every direction, I have never once lost sight of you; you -would have been dead long ere this, but I spread a secret aegis over -you. Oh, do not thank me," he said, quickly, as the young man made a -sign, "I have acted rather in my own interest than yours. What I say -surprises you, I daresay, but it is so. Allow me to tell you, that I -have views with reference to yourself, whose secrets I will unfold to -you in a few days, when we know each other better; as for the present, -I will obey you in whatever you wish; in the eyes of my countrymen, I -will keep up that miraculous halo which surrounds your brow. You wish -these American emigrants to be left at peace, very good; for your sake -I pardon this race of vipers; but I ask you one favour in return." - -"Speak!" - -"When you are certain the people you wish to save are in security, -accompany me to my village,--that is all I desire. That will not cost -you much, especially as my tribe is encamped not more than a day's -march from the spot where you now are." - -"I accept your proposition, chief. I will accompany you wherever you -please, though not till I am certain that my _proteges_ no longer -require my aid." - -"That is agreed. Stay, one word more." - -"Say it." - -"It is well understood that I am only an Indian like the rest, even to -the two white men who accompany you!" - -"You demand it?" - -"For our common welfare: a word spoken thoughtlessly, any indiscretion, -how trifling soever, would destroy us both. Ah! you do not know the -Redskins yet," he added, with that melancholy smile which had already -given the Count so much subject for thought. - -"Very good," he answered; "you may be easy; I am warned." - -"Now, if you think proper, I will recall my warriors; a longer -conference between us might arouse their jealousy." - -"Do so; I trust entirely to you." - -"You will have no reason to repent it," Natah Otann replied, graciously. - -While the chief went to join his companions, the Count walked up to the -two white men. - -"Well?" Bright-eye asked him, "have you obtained what you wanted from -that man?" - -"Perfectly," he answered; "I only wished to say a few words to him." - -The hunter looked at him cunningly. - -"I did not think him so easy," he said. - -"Why so, my friend?" - -"His reputation is great in the desert; I have known him for a very -long period." - -"Ah!" the young man said, not at all sorry to obtain some information -about the man who perplexed him so greatly; "what reputation has he -then?" - -Bright-eye seemed to hesitate for a moment. - -"Are you afraid to explain yourself clearly on that head?" the Count -asked. - -"I have no reason for that; on the contrary, with the exception of that -day on which he wished to flay me alive--a slight mistake, which I -pardon with my whole heart,--our relations have always been excellent." - -"The more so," the Count said, with a laugh, "because you never met -again, to my knowledge, till this day." - -"That is what I meant to say. Look you--Natah Otann, between ourselves, -is one of those Indians whom it is far more advantageous not to see: he -is like the owl--his presence always forebodes evil." - -"The deuce! You trouble me greatly by speaking so, Bright-eye." - -"Suppose I had said nothing, then," he answered, quickly; "for my part, -I should prefer to be silent." - -"That is possible; but the little you have allowed to escape has, I -confess, so awakened my curiosity, that I should not be sorry to learn -more." - -"Unfortunately, I know nothing." - -"Still you spoke of his reputation--is that bad?" - -"I did not say so," Bright-eye answered, with reserve. "You know, Mr. -Edward, that Indian manners are very different from ours: what is bad -to us is regarded very differently by Indians; and so--" - -"So, I suppose," the Count interrupted, "Natah Otann has an execrable -reputation." - -"No, I assure you; that depends upon the way in which you look at -matters." - -"Good; and what is your personal opinion?" - -"Oh, I, as you are aware, am only a poor fellow; still it seems to me -as if this demon of an Indian is more crafty than his whole tribe; -between ourselves, he is regarded as a sorcerer by his countrymen, who -are frightfully afraid of him." - -"Is that all?" - -"Nearly." - -"After that," the Count said, lightly, "as he has asked me to accompany -him to his village, the few days we spend with him will enable us to -study him at our ease." - -The hunter gave a start of surprise. - -"You will not do so, I trust, Sir?" - -"I do not see what can prevent me." - -"Yourself, Sir; who, I hope, will not walk, with your eyes open, into -the lion's jaws." - -"Will you explain--yes, or no?" the Count exclaimed with rising -impatience. - -"Oh, what is the use of explaining?--will what I say stop you? No, I -am persuaded of that. You see, therefore, it is useless for me to say -more; besides, it is too late--the chief is returning." - -The Count made a movement of ill-humour, at once suppressed; but this -movement did not escape Natah Otann, who at this moment appeared on the -plateau. The young man walked toward him. - -"Well?" he asked eagerly. - -"My young men consent to do what our Paleface father desires; if he -will mount his horse and follow us, he can convince himself that our -intentions are loyal." - -"I follow you, chief," the Count replied, making Ivon a sign to bring -up his horse. - -The Blackfeet welcomed the three hunters with unequivocal signs of joy. - -"Forward!" the young man said. - -Natah Otann raised his arm. At this signal the warriors drove in their -knees, and the horses started like a hurricane. No one, who has not -witnessed it, can form an idea of an Indian chase: nothing stops -the Redskins--no obstacle is powerful enough to make them deviate -from their course; they go in a straight line, rolling like a human -whirlwind across the prairie crossing gulleys, ravines, and rocks, with -dizzy rapidity. Natah Otann, the Count, and his two companions, were -at the head of the cavalcade, closely followed by the warriors. All at -once the chief checked his horse, shouting at the top of his voice-- - -"Halt!" - -All obeyed, as if by enchantment: the horses stopped dead, and remained -motionless, as if their feet were planted in the ground. - -"Why stop?" the Count asked; "we had better push on." - -"It is useless," the chief said, calmly; "let my Pale brother look -before him." - -The Count bent on his horse's neck. - -"I can see nothing," he said. - -"That is true," the Indian said; "I forgot that my brother has the eyes -of the Palefaces; in a few minutes he will see." - -The Blackfeet anxiously collected round their chief, whom they -questioned with their glances. The latter, apparently impassive, looked -straight ahead, distinguishing in the darkness objects invisible to -all but himself. The Indians, however, had not long to wait, for some -horsemen soon came up at full speed. When they arrived near Natah -Otann's party, they stopped. - -"What has happened?" the chief asked, sternly; "why are my sons running -away thus? They are not warriors I see, but timid women." - -The Indians bowed their heads with humility at this reproach, but -made no answer. The chief continued--"Will no one inform us of -what has happened--why my chosen warriors are flying like scattered -antelopes--where is Long Horn?" - -A warrior emerged from the ranks. - -"Long Horn is dead," he said, sorrowfully. - -"He was a wise and renowned warrior; he has gone to the happy hunting -grounds to hunt with the upright warriors. As he is dead, why did not -the Blackbird take the totem in his hand in his place?" - -"Because the Blackbird is dead," the warrior answered, in the same tone. - -Natah Otann frowned, and his brow was contracted by the effort he made -to suppress his passion. - -"Oh!" he said, bitterly, "the greathearts of the east have fought -well; their rifles carry truly. The two best chiefs of the nation have -fallen, but the Red Wolf still remained--why did he not avenge his -brothers?" - -"Because he has also fallen," the warrior said, in a mournful voice. - -A shudder of anger ran through the ranks. - -"Wah!" Natah Otann exclaimed, with grief, "what is he also dead?" - -"No; but he is dangerously wounded." - -After these words there was a silence. The chief looked around him, and -then said-- - -"So; four Palefaces have held at bay two hundred Blackfeet warriors; -killed and wounded their bravest chiefs, and those warriors have not -taken their revenge. Ah! ah! what will the White Buffalo say when he -hears that? He will give petticoats to my sons, and make them prepare -food for the more courageous warriors, instead of sending them on the -warpath." - -"The camp of the Long Knives was in our power," the Indian replied, -who had hitherto spoken for his comrades, "we already had them down -with our knees on their chests, a portion of their cattle was carried -off, and the scalps of the Palefaces were about to be attached to our -girdles, when the Evil Genius suddenly appeared in their midst, and, by -her mere appearance, changed the face of the combat." - -The chief's face became still severer at this news, which his warriors -received with unequivocal marks of terror. - -"The 'Evil Genius!'" he said; "of whom is my brother speaking?" - -"Of whom else can I speak to my father, save the _Lying She-wolf of the -Prairies?_?" the Indian said, in a low voice. - -"Oh! oh!" Natah Otann answered, "did my brother see the She-wolf?" - -"Yes; we assure our father," the Blackfeet shouted altogether, happy to -clear themselves from the accusation of cowardice that weighed on them. - -Natah Otann seemed to reflect for a moment. - -"At what place are the cattle my brothers carried off from the Long -Knives?" he asked. - -"We have brought them with us," a warrior answered, "they are here." - -"Good," Natah Otann continued, "let my brothers open their ears to -hear the words the Great Spirit breathes unto me:--the Long Knives are -protected by the She-wolf: our efforts would be useless, and my sons -would not succeed in conquering them; I will make a great medicine to -break the charm of the She-wolf when we return to our village, but till -then we must be very cunning to deceive the She-wolf, and prevent her -being on her guard. Will my sons follow the advice of an experienced -chief?" - -"Let my father utter his thoughts," a warrior answered, in the name of -all, "he is very wise: we will do what he wishes: he will deceive the -She-wolf better than we can." - -"Good; my sons have spoken well. This is what we will do:--We will -return to the camp of the Palefaces, and will restore them their -beasts; the Palefaces, deceived by this friendly conduct, will no -longer suspect us; when we have made the great medicine, we will then -seize their camp and all it contains, and the Lying She-wolf will be -unable to defend them. I have spoken; what do my sons think?" - -"My father is very crafty," the warrior replied; "what he has said is -very good, his sons will perform it." - -Natah Otann cast a glance of triumph at the Count de Beaulieu, who -admired the skill with which the chief, while appearing to reprimand -the Indians for the ill success of their enterprise, and evincing the -greatest wrath against the Americans, had succeeded in a few minutes in -inducing them to carry out his secret wishes. - -"Oh! oh!" the Count murmured, aside, "this Indian is no common man, he -deserves studying." - -Still, a moment of tumult had followed the chief's words. The -Blackfeet, recovered from the panic and terror which had made them fly -with the feet of gazelles, to escape speedily from the ruined camp, -where they had experienced so rude a defeat, had got off their horses, -and were engaged, some in laying on their wounds chewed leaves of the -oregano, others in collecting the cattle and horses which they had -stolen from the Palefaces, and which were scattered about. - -"Who is this Lying She-wolf of the Prairies, who inspires such horror -in these men?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"No one knows her," the hunter answered, in a low voice, "she is a -woman whose mysterious life has hitherto foiled the most careful -attempts at investigation: she does no harm to any but the Indians, -whose implacable foe she appears to be: the Redskins affirm that she is -invulnerable, that bullets and arrows rebound from her without doing -her any injury. I have often seen her, though I have had no opportunity -of speaking with her. I believe her to be mad, for I have seen her -perform some of the wildest freaks at some moments, though at others -she appears in full possession of her senses: in a word, she is an -incomprehensible being, who leads an extraordinary life in the heart of -the prairies." - -"Is she alone?" - -"Always." - -"You excite my curiosity to the highest degree," the Count said; "no -one, I suppose, could give me any information about this woman?" - -"One person could do so, if he cared to speak." - -"Who's that?" - -"Natah Otann," the hunter said, in a low voice. - -"That is strange," the Count muttered; "what can there be in common -between him and this woman?" - -Bright-eye only answered by a significant glance. - -The conversation was broken off, and at the chief's order the Blackfeet -remounted their horses. - -"Forwards!" Natah Otann said, taking the head of the column again with -the Count and his companions. - -The whole troop set out at a gallop in the direction of the American -camp, taking the cattle in their midst. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE EXILE. - - -We are compelled, for the proper comprehension of the facts that will -follow, to break off our story for a moment, in order to describe a -strange adventure which happened on the Western Prairies some thirty -odd years before our story opens. - -The Indians, whom people insist so wrongly, in our opinion, in -regarding as savages, have certain customs which display a thorough -knowledge of the human heart. The Comanches, who appear to remember -that in old times they enjoyed a far advanced civilization, have -retained the largest amount of those customs which are, certainly, -stamped with originality. - -One day in the month of February, which they call _the Moon of the -Arriving Eagles_, and in the year 1795 or 1796, a village of the Red -Cow tribe was in a state of extraordinary agitation. The hachesto, or -public speaker, mounted on the roof of a lodge, summoned the warriors -for the seventh hour of the day to the village square, near the ark -of the first man, where a grand council would be held. The warriors -asked each other in vain the purport of this unforeseen meeting, but no -one could tell them: the hachesto himself was ignorant, and they were -obliged to await the hour of assembling, although the comments and -suppositions still went on to a great extent. - -The Redskins, whom badly-informed authors represent to us as cold, -silent men, are, on the contrary, very gay, and remarkable gossips when -together. What has caused the contrary supposition is, that in their -relations with white men the Indians are, in the first place, checked -by the difficulties of the language--equally insurmountable, by the -way, for both parties--and next by the distrust which every American -native feels towards Europeans, whoever they may be, owing to the -inveterate hatred that separates the two races. - -During our lengthened residence among Indian tribes we often had -opportunities for noticing what mistakes are made with respect to the -Redskins. During their long evening gossips in the villages, or the -hunting expeditions, there was a rolling fire of jokes and witticisms, -often lasting whole hours, to the great delight of the audience, who -laughed that hearty Indian laugh, without care or afterthought, which -cleaves the mouth to the ears, and draws tears of delight,--a laugh -which, for metallic resonance, can only be compared with that of -negroes, though the former is far more spiritual than the latter, whose -notes have ever something bestial about them. - -Toward the decline of day, the hour selected for the meeting, the -village square presented a most animated appearance. The warriors, -women, children, and dogs, those inseparable guests of the Redskins, -pressed round a large circle left empty in the centre for the -council fire, near which the principal chiefs of the nation crouched -ceremoniously. At a sign from an old sachem whose hair, white as -silver, fell in a cloud on his shoulders, the pipe bearer brought in -the great calumet, the stem of which he presented to each chief in -turn, while holding the bowl in the palm of his hand. When all the -chiefs had smoked, the pipe bearer turned the calumet to the four -cardinal points, while murmuring mysterious words which no one heard; -then he emptied the ash into the fire, saying aloud,-- - -"Chiefs, warriors, women, and children of the Red Cow, your sachems are -assembled to judge a very grave question; pray to the Master of Life to -inspire them with wise words." - -Then the pipe bearer, after bowing respectfully to the chiefs, -withdrew, taking the calumet with him. The council began, and, at a -sign from the aged sachem, a chief rose, and bowing, took the word:-- - -"Venerated sachems, chiefs, and warriors of my nation," he said, in a -loud voice, "the mission with which I am entrusted is painful to my -heart: listen to me indulgently, be not governed by passion; but let -justice alone preside over the severe decree which you will, perhaps, -be compelled to pronounce. The mission which I am entrusted with is -painful, I repeat; it fills my heart with sadness: I am compelled to -accuse before you two renowned chiefs belonging to two illustrious -families, who have, with equal claims, deserved well of the nation on -many occasions by rendering it signal services; these chiefs, as I must -name them before you, are the Bounding Panther, and the Sparrow Hawk." - -On hearing these names, so well known and justly esteemed, pronounced, -a shudder of astonishment and pain ran though the crowd. But, at a sign -from the oldest chief, silence was almost immediately re-established, -and the chief continued-- - -"How is it that a cloud has suddenly passed over the mind of these two -warriors, and tarnished their intellect to such an extent, that these -two men, who so long loved one another as brothers, whose friendship -was cited among the nation, have suddenly become implacable enemies, -so that, when they see each other, their eyes flash lightning, and -their hands seek their weapons to commit murder? No one can say; -no one knows it; these chiefs, when interrogated by the sachems, -maintained an obstinate silence, instead of revealing the causes of -their cruel enmity, which brings trouble and desolation on the tribe. -Such a scandal must not last longer; tolerating it would be giving a -pernicious example to our children! Sachems, chiefs, and warriors, in -the name of justice, I demand that these irreconcilable enemies should -be eternally banished from the tribe this very evening at sunset. I -have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The chief sat down amid a mournful silence in this assembly of nearly -two thousand people; the beating of their sorrow-laden hearts might -almost be heard, such sustained attention did each one give to the -words pronounced in the council. - -"Has any chief any observation to offer on the accusation which has -just been brought?" the old sachem said, in a weak voice, which was, -however, perfectly heard in every part of the square. A member of the -council rose. - -"I take the word," he said, "not to refute Tiger Cat's accusation, -for unfortunately all he has said is most scrupulously correct; far -from exaggerating facts, he has, with that goodness and wisdom which -reside in him, weakened the odiousness of that hatred; I only wish to -offer a remark to my brothers. The chiefs are guilty, that is only too -fully proved; a longer discussion on that point would be tedious; but, -as Tiger Cat himself told us, with that loyalty which distinguishes -him, these two men are renowned chiefs, chosen warriors, and they have -rendered the nation signal services; we all love and cherish them for -different reasons; let us be severe, but not cruel; let us not drive -them from among us as unclean creatures; before striking, let us make -one more attempt to reconcile them; this last step, taken in the -presence of the whole nation, will, doubtlessly, touch their hearts, -and we shall have the happiness of keeping two illustrious chiefs. If -they remain deaf to our prayers, if our observations do not obtain the -success we desire, then, as the case will be without a remedy, let us -be implacable; put an end to this scandal which has lasted too long, -and, as Tiger Cat asked, drive them for ever from our nation, which -they dishonour. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -After bowing to the sachems, the chief resumed his seat in the midst -of a murmur of satisfaction, produced by his hearty language. Although -these two speeches were contained in the programme of the ceremony, -and everyone knew what the result of the meeting would be, the -unreconciled chiefs had so much sympathy among the nation, that many -persons still hoped they would be reconciled at the last moment, when -they saw themselves on the point of being banished. The strangest thing -connected with the hatred between the two men was, that the reason of -it was completely unknown, and no one knew how to account for it. When -silence was restored, the oldest sachem, after a consultation with his -colleagues in a low voice, took the word. - -"Let the Bounding Panther and the Sparrowhawk be introduced to our -presence." - -At the two opposite corners of the square, the crowd parted like -overripe fruit, and left a passage for a small band of warriors, in -the centre of which the two accused men walked. When they met, they -remained perfectly calm, a slight arching of the eyebrows being the -only sign of emotion they displayed. They were each about twenty-five -years of age, well built, and active, and of martial aspect. They wore -their grand costume and war paint, but their weapons were carried -by their respective friends. They presented themselves before the -council with great respect and modesty, which the assembly approved of -heartily. After looking at them with a glance at once sorrowful and -benevolent, the eldest sachem rose with an effort, and, supported by -two of his colleagues, who held him under the arms, he at length spoke -in a weak voice. - -"Warriors, my beloved children," he said, "from the spot where you -stood you heard the accusation brought against you; what have you to -say in your defence?--are those words true? do you really entertain -this irreconcilable hatred to each other? Speak." - -The two chiefs bowed their heads silently. The sachem continued-- - -"My cherished children, I was already very old, when your mother, a -child, whose birth I also saw, brought you into the world. I was the -first to teach you the use of those weapons, which later became so -terrible in your vigorous hands. Now that I am about to sleep the -eternal sleep, only to wake again in the happy hunting grounds, give -me a supreme consolation which will make me the happiest of men, and -repay me for all the sorrow you have caused me. Come, children, you are -young and adventurous, love alone ought to find a place in your hearts; -hatred is a passion belonging to a ripe age, it does not become youth; -offer one another those honest hands, embrace, like the two brothers -you are, and let all be eternally forgotten between you. I implore you, -my children; you cannot resist the prayers of an old man so near the -tomb as I am." - -There was a moment of supreme anxiety in the crowd; all waited with -panting hearts for what was about to happen. The two chiefs directed a -tender glance at the old sachem, who regarded them with tears in his -eyes, then turned towards each other; their lips trembled, as if they -wished to speak; a nervous tremor agitated their bodies, but no sound -passed their lips; their arms remained inert by their sides. - -"Answer," the old man continued, "yes or no. You must; I command it." - -"No," they replied together, in a hoarse though firm voice. - -The sachem drew himself up. - -"It is well," he said. "As no generous feeling remains in your hearts, -as hatred has eaten them up entirely, and you are no longer men but -monsters, listen to the irrevocable sentence which your sachems, your -equals, your relations, and friends pronounce upon you. The nation -rejects you from its bosom; you are no longer children of our tribe. -Fire and water are refused you on the hunting ground of your nation, -we no longer know you. Chiefs who answer for you with their heads -will lead you twenty-five leagues from the village; you, Bounding -Panther, in a southern, and you, Sparrowhawk, in a northern direction; -you are forbidden, under penalty of death, ever to set your foot again -on the territory of your nation; each of you will take one of these -arrows, painted of diverse colours, which will serve as a passport -with the tribes through which you pass. Seek a nation to adopt you, -for henceforth you have neither country nor family. Go, accursed ones! -these arrows are the last presents you will receive from your brothers. -Go, and may the Master of Life soften your tiger hearts! As for us, we -know you no more. I have spoken. Have I said well, powerful men?" - -The old man sat down again in the midst of general emotion; he veiled -his face with the skirt of his buffalo robe, and wept. The two chiefs -tottered away like drunken men, led to opposite corners of the square -by their friends. They passed through the ranks of their countrymen, -bowed down by the maledictions showered on them as they passed. - -At the extremity of the village, horses were awaiting them. They -galloped off, still followed by their escort. When each arrived at the -spot where he was to be left, the warriors dismounted, threw their arms -on the ground, and went off at full speed. Not a word had been uttered -during the long ride, which lasted fourteen hours. - -We will follow the Sparrowhawk: as for the Bounding Panther, no one -ever knew what became of him; his traces were so completely lost, that -it was impossible to find them again. The Sparrowhawk was a man of -tried courage and energy; still, finding himself alone, abandoned by -all those he had loved, a momentary feeling of discouragement and cold -rage almost turned him mad. But his pride soon revolted, he wrestled -with his sorrow, and after allowing his horse to take its necessary -rest, he set out boldly. - -He wandered about at hazard for many a month, following no precise -direction, living by the chase, caring very little where he stopped, or -the people with whom chance might bring him in contact. One day, after -a long and perilous chase after an elk, which by a species of fatality -he could not catch up, he suddenly found himself before a dead horse. -He looked around him: no great distance off lay a sword, near which was -a corpse, easily recognizable as that of a European by the dress. - -Sparrowhawk felt his curiosity excited; with that sagacity peculiar to -the Indians, he began ferreting about in every direction. His search -was almost immediately crowned with success; he saw, at the foot of a -tree, an old man with greyish hair and wild beard, dressed in tattered -clothes, and lying motionless. The Indian quickly went up to examine -the condition of the stranger, and try to restore him, if he were not -dead. The first thing Sparrowhawk did was to lay his hand on the heart -of the man he wished to succour. The heart beat, but so feebly, it -seemed as if it must soon stop. All the Indians are to a certain extent -doctors, that is to say, they possess a knowledge of certain plants, by -means of which they often effect really wonderful cures. - -While trying to restore the stranger, the Indian examined him -attentively. Though his hair was beginning to turn grey, the man was -still young, not more than forty to forty-five; he was tall and -well-built; his forehead was wide and high; his nose aquiline; his -mouth large, and his chin square. His clothes, though in rags, were -well cut and made of fine cloth, which plainly showed that he must -belong to a better class of society--the reader will understand that -these delicate distinctions escaped the notice of the Indian--he -only saw a man of intelligent appearance, and on the point of death; -and though he belonged to the white race, a race which, like all his -countrymen, he detested, and for good reasons--at the sight of such -distress, he forgot his antipathy, and only thought of helping him. - -Near the stranger there lay, in confusion on the grass, a surgeon's -pocketbook, a brace of pistols, a gun, a sabre, and an open book. -For a long time Sparrowhawk's efforts met with no success, and he -was despairing whether he could raise the dying man to life, when a -transient glow suffused his face, and his heart began beating more -quickly and strongly. Sparrowhawk made a gesture of delight at this -unexpected success. It was almost incredible! This warrior, whose whole -life had been hitherto spent in waging war of ambushes and surprises -with the whites, and committing the most refined cruelties on the -unhappy Spaniards who fell into his hands, now rejoiced at recalling to -life this individual, who, to him, was a natural enemy. - -In a few minutes the stranger slowly opened his eyes, but he closed -them again at once, as the light probably dazzled them. Sparrowhawk did -not lose heart, and resolved to carry out a good work so well begun. -His expectations were not deceived: the stranger presently opened his -eyes again; he made an effort to rise, but was too weak, his strength -failed him, and he fell back again. The Indian then gently supported -him, and seated him against the trunk of the catalpa, at whose foot he -had been hitherto lying. The stranger thanked him by a sign, muttering -one word, _beber_ (drink). - -The Comanches, whose life is passed in periodical excursions into the -Spanish territory, know a few words of that language. Sparrowhawk spoke -it rather fluently. He seized the gourd hanging to his saddle bow, and -which he had filled two hours before, and put it to the stranger's -lips; so soon as he had tasted the water, he began swallowing it in -heavy gulps. But the Indian, fearing an accident, soon took the gourd -from his lips. The stranger wished to drink again. - -"No," he said, "my father is too weak, he must eat something first." - -The patient smiled, and pressed his hand. The Indian rose joyfully; -took from his provision bag some fruit, and handed it to the man. -Through these attentions the stranger was sufficiently recovered, -within an hour, to get up. He then explained to Sparrowhawk, in bad -Spanish, that he and one of his friends were travelling together, that -their horses died of fatigue, while themselves could procure nothing to -eat or drink in the desert. The result was, that his friend died in his -arms only the previous day, after frightful suffering, and he should -have probably shared the same fate, had not his lucky star, or rather -Providence, sent him help. - -"Good," the Indian replied, when the stranger ended his narrative, "my -father is now strong, I will lasso a horse, and lead him to the first -habitation of the men of his own colour." - -At this proposition the stranger frowned; a look of hatred and haughty -contempt was legible on his face. - -"No," he said; "I will not return to the men of my colour, they have -rejected and persecuted me, I hate them; I wish to live henceforward in -the desert." - -"Wah!" the Indian exclaimed, in surprise, "has my father no nation?" - -"No," he answered, "I am alone, without country, relatives, or friends; -the sight of a man of my colour excites me to hatred and contempt; all -are ungrateful, I will live far from them." - -"Good," the Indian said; "I, too, am rejected by my nation; I, too, am -alone; I will remain with my father--I will be his son." - -"What?" the stranger ejaculated, fancying he had misunderstood him, "Is -it possible? Does banishment also exist among your wandering tribes? -You, like myself, are abandoned by those of your race and blood, and -condemned to remain alone--alone for ever?" - -"Yes," Sparrowhawk said, sorrowfully, bowing his head. - -"Oh!" the stranger said, directing a glance of strange meaning toward -heaven, "oh, men! they are the same everywhere, cruel, unnatural, and -heartless!" - -He walked about for a few moments, muttering certain words in a -language the Indian did not understand; then he returned quickly to -him, and pressing his hand, said, with feverish energy:-- - -"Well, then, I accept your proposition; our fate is the same, and we -ought not to separate again. Victims both of the spite of man, we will -live together; you have saved my life, Redskin; at the first impulse I -was vexed at it, but now I thank Providence, as I can still do good, -and force men to blush at their ingratitude." - -This speech was far too full of philosophic precepts for Sparrowhawk -thoroughly to understand it; still, he caught its sense, that was -enough for him, as he was too glad to find in his companion a man -afflicted by similar misfortunes to his own. - -"Let my father open his ears," he said; "he will remain here while I go -and find a horse for him; there are many manadas in the neighbourhood, -and I shall soon have what we want; my father will be patient during -Sparrowhawk's absence. I will leave him food and drink." - -"Go," the stranger said; and two hours later the Indian returned with a -magnificent steed. - -Several days were then spent in vagabond marches, though each took them -deeper into the desert. The stranger seemed afraid of meeting white -men; but with the exception of the story he had told of his narrow -escape from death, he maintained an obstinate silence as to his past -life. The Indian knew not then who he was, nor why he had ventured so -far into the desert at the risk of perishing. Each time Sparrowhawk -asked him any details about his life he turned the conversation, and -that so adroitly, that the Indian could never bring him back to the -starting point. One day, as they were rambling along side by side, -talking, Sparrowhawk, who was rather vexed at the slight confidence the -stranger placed in him, asked categorically-- - -"My father was a great chief in his nation?" - -The stranger smiled sorrowfully. - -"Perhaps," he answered; "but now I am nothing." - -"My father is mistaken," the Indian said, seriously; "the warriors of -his nation may not have valued him, but he still remains the same." - -"All that is smoke," the stranger replied. "The love of country is the -greatest and noblest passion the Master of Life has placed in the heart -of man--my father had a revered name among his people." - -The stranger frowned, and his face assumed an expression the Indian had -never seen before. - -"My name is a curse," he said, "no one will hear it uttered again; it -has been like a brand seared on my forehead by the partisans of the man -whom I, humble as I am, helped to overthrow." - -Sparrowhawk made a gesture of supreme disdain. - -"The chief of the nation must return to his warriors: if he betrays -them, they are masters of his scalp," he said, in a firm voice. - -The stranger, surprised at being so well understood by this primitive -man, smiled proudly. - -"In demanding his head," he said, "I staked my own; I wished to save my -country. Who can blame me?" - -"No one," Sparrowhawk replied, quickly; "every warrior must die." - -There was a lengthened silence; Sparrowhawk was the first to break it. - -"We are destined," he said, "to live long days together, my father -wishes his name to remain unknown, and I will not insist on knowing it; -still, we cannot wander about at hazard, we must find a tribe to adopt -us, men to recognize us as brothers." - -"For what purpose?" - -"To be strong and everywhere respected: we owe it to our brothers, as -they owe it to us; life is only a loan which the Master of Life makes -us, on the condition that it is profitable to those who surround us. By -what name shall I present my father to the men from whom we may ask -asylum and protection?" - -"By any you please, my son; as I am no longer to hear my own, any other -is a matter of indifference to me." - -Sparrowhawk reflected for an instant. - -"My father is strong," he said, "his scalp is beginning to resemble the -snows of winter, he will henceforth be called the White Buffalo." - -"The White Buffalo; be it so," the stranger answered, with a sigh; -"that name is as good as another; perhaps I shall thus escape the -weapons of those who have sworn my death." - -The Indian, charmed at knowing how henceforth to call his friend, then -said to him, joyfully-- - -"In a few days we shall reach a village of Blood Indians or Kenhas, -where we shall be received as if we were sons of the nation; my father -is wise, I am strong, the Kenhas will be happy to receive us; courage, -old father! this country of adoption will be, perhaps, worth your own." - -"France, farewell!" the stranger uttered, in a choking voice. - -Four days later they reached the village of the Kenhas, where a -friendly reception was given them. - -"Well," Sparrowhawk said to his companion, after they had been adopted -according to all the Indian rites, "what does my father think? Is he -happy?" - -"I fancy," the other said, with a melancholy air, "that nothing can -restore the exile the country he has lost." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE MASSACRE. - - -Days, months, years, passed away: the White Buffalo seemed to have -completely renounced that country which he was forbidden ever to see -again. He had completely adopted Indian customs, and, through his -wisdom, had so thoroughly acquired the esteem and respect of the Kenha -nation, that he was counted among the most revered sachems. - -Sparrowhawk, after giving on many occasions undeniable proofs of his -courage and military talents, had gained also a firm and honourable -place in the nation. If an experienced chief were required for a -dangerous expedition, he was ever selected by the council of the -sachems, for they knew that success constantly crowned his enterprises. -Sparrowhawk was a man of clear mind, who at once understood the -intellectual value of his European friend; obedient to the old man's -lessons, he never acted under any circumstances without having taken -his advice, and always followed his counsels: hence he speedily began -reaping the advantage of his skilful conduct. Thus, when he two years -later married a Kenha girl, and when his wife made him father of a boy, -he took him in his arms, and presented him to the old man, saying, with -great emotion: - -"The White Buffalo sees this warrior, he is his son, my father will -make a man of him." - -"I swear it," the old man replied, firmly. - -When the child was weaned, the father kept the promise he had made his -friend, and gave him his son, leaving him at liberty to educate the -boy as he thought fit. The old man, rejuvenated by the hope of this -education, which gave him the chance of making a man after his own -heart of this frail creature, joyfully accepted the difficult task. The -child received from its parents the name of Natah Otann, a significant -name, for it is that borne by the most dangerous animal of Northern -America, the grizzly bear. - -Natah Otann made rapid progress under the guidance of the White -Buffalo. The latter had a few books by him, which enabled him to give -his pupil a very extensive education, and make him very learned. Thence -resulted the strange circumstance of an Indian, who, while following -exactly the customs of his fathers, hunting and fighting like them, and -who was now leading his tribe, being at the same time a distinguished -man, who would not have been out of place in any European drawing room, -and whose great intellect had understood and appreciated everything. - -Singularly enough, Natah Otann, on attaining manhood, far from -despising his countrymen, brutalized and ignorant as they were, felt -an ardent love for them, and a violent desire to regenerate them. -From that moment his life had an object, which was the constant -preoccupation of his existence--to restore the Indians to the rank from -which they had fallen, by combining them into a great and powerful -nation. The White Buffalo, the confidant of all the young chief's -thoughts, at first accepted these projects with the sceptical smile -of old men, who, having grown weary of everything, have retained no -hope in the depths of their heart: he fancied that Natah Otann, under -the impression of youthful ardour, let himself be carried away by an -unreflecting movement, whose folly he would soon recognize. But when -able to appreciate how deeply these ideas were rooted in the young -man's heart, when he saw him set resolutely to work, the old man -trembled, and was afraid of his handiwork. He asked himself if he had -done well in acting as he had done, in developing so fully this chosen -intellect, which alone, and with no other support than its will, was -about to undertake a struggle in which it must inevitably succumb. - -He then sought to destroy with his own hands the edifice he had built -with so much labour: he wished to turn in another direction the ardour -that devoured his pupil, and give another object to his life, by -changing his plan. It was too late. The evil was irremediable. Natah -Otann, on seeing his master thus contradict himself, defeated him with -his own weapons, and obliged him to bow his head before the merciless -blows of that logic he had himself taught his pupil. - -Natah Otann was a strange composite of good and evil; in him all was -in extreme. At times, the most noble feelings seemed to reside in him; -he was good and generous; then, suddenly, his ferocity and cruelty -attained gigantic proportions, which terrified the Indians themselves. -Still, he was generally good and gentle toward his countrymen, who, -unaware of the cause, but subject to his influences, feared him, and -trembled at a word that fell from his lips, or a simple frown. - -The white men, and especially the Spaniards and Americans, were Natah -Otann's implacable enemies; he waged a merciless war on them, attacking -them wherever he could surprise them, and killing, under the most -horrible tortures, those who were so unhappy as to fall into his hands. -Hence his reputation on the prairies was great; the terror he inspired -was extreme; several times already the United States had tried to get -rid of this terrible and implacable foe; but all their plans failed, -and the Indian chief, bolder and more cruel than ever, drew nearer to -the American frontier, reigned uncontrolled in the desert, of which he -was absolute lord, and at times went, fire and sword in hand, to the -very cities of the Union to demand that tribute which he claimed even -from white men. - -We must not be taxed with exaggeration. All we here narrate is -scrupulously exact; and if we now and then alter facts, it is only to -weaken them. If we uncovered the incognito that veils our characters, -many of our readers would recognize them at the first glance, and -certify to the truth of our statements. - -A terrible scene of massacre, of which Natah Otann was the originator, -had aroused general indignation against him. The facts are as follow:-- - -An American family, consisting of father, mother, two sons of about -twelve, a little girl between three and four years of age, and five -servants, left the Western States with the intention of working a claim -they had bought on the Upper Mississippi. At the period we are writing -of, white men rarely traversed these districts, which were entirely -left to the Indians, who wandered over them in every direction, and, -with a few half-bred and Canadian hunters and trappers, were the sole -masters of these vast solitudes. On leaving the clearings, their -friends warned the emigrants to be on their guard. They had been -advised not to enter into the desert in so small a body, but await -other emigrants, who would soon proceed to the same spot; for a caravan -of fifty to sixty determined men might pass safe and sound through the -Indians. - -The head of the American family was an old soldier of the war of -independence, gifted with heroic courage, and thorough British -obstinacy. He answered coldly, to those who gave him this advice, -that his servants and himself could hold their own against all the -Prairie Indians; for they had good rifles and firm hearts, and would -reach their claim in the face of all opposition. Then he made his -preparations like a man whose mind, being made up, admits of no delay, -and he started against the judgment of his friends, who predicted -numberless misfortunes. The first few days, however, passed quietly -enough, and nothing happened to confirm these predictions. The -Americans advanced peacefully through a delicious country, and no -sign revealed the approach of the Indians, who seemed to have become -invisible. - -The Americans are men who pass most easily from extreme prudence to -the most foolish and rash confidence, and on this occasion were true -to their character. When they saw that all was quiet around them, and -no obstacle checked their progress, they began to laugh and deride -the apprehensions of their friends; they gradually relaxed in their -vigilance; neglected the precautions usual on the prairie; and at -last almost wished to be attacked by Indians, to make them feel the -weight of their arms. Things went on thus for nearly two months; the -emigrants were not more than ten days' march from their claim; they -no longer thought of the Indians: if at times they alluded to them in -the evening, before going to sleep, it was only to laugh at the absurd -fears of their friends, who fancied it impossible to take a step in the -desert without falling into an ambuscade of the Redskins. - -One night, after a fatiguing day, the emigrants went to bed, after -placing sentries round the camp, rather to keep wild beasts off than -through any other motive; the sentinels, accustomed not to be troubled, -and fatigued by their day's labours, watched for a few moments, then -their eyelids gradually sank, and they fell asleep. Their awakening was -destined to be terrible. - -About midnight, fifty Blackfeet, led by Natah Otann, glided like demons -in the darkness, clambered into the encampment, and ere the Americans -could seize their weapons, or even dream of defence, they were bound. -Then a horrible scene took place, the frightful interludes of which -the pen is impotent to describe. Natah Otann organised the massacre, -if we may be allowed to employ the term, with unexampled coolness and -cruelty. The chief of the party and his five servants were stripped -and attached to trees, flogged, and martyrized, while the two lads -were literally roasted alive in their presence. The mother, half mad -with terror, escaped, carrying off her little girl in her arms: but, -after running a long distance, her strength failed her, and she fell -senseless. The Indians caught her up; imagining her to be dead, they -disdained to scalp her; but they carried off the child, which she -pressed to her bosom with almost herculean strength. The child was -taken back to Natah Otann. - -"What shall we do with it?" the warrior asked, who presented it to him. - -"Into the fire!" he replied, laconically. - -The Blackfoot calmly prepared to execute the pitiless order he had -received. - -"Stop!" the father cried with a piercing shriek. "Do not kill an -innocent creature in that horrible manner. Are not the atrocious -tortures you inflict on us enough?" - -The Blackfoot hesitated, and looked at his chief; the latter reflected. - -"Stay," he said, raising his hand, and addressing the emigrant; "you -wish your child to live?" - -"Yes!" the father answered. - -"Good!" he answered, "I will sell you her life." - -The American shuddered at this proposition. "On what terms?" he asked. - -"Listen!" he said, laying a stress on every word, and darting at him a -glance which made him tremble to the marrow. "My conditions are these. -I am master of all your lives; they belong to me; I can prolong or cut -them short without the slightest opposition from you; but, I hardly -know why," he added, with a sardonic smile, "I feel merciful today; -your child shall live. Still, remember this; whatever the nature of the -torture I inflict on you, at the first cry you utter, your child shall -be strangled. You have it in your power to save her if you will." - -"I accept," the other answered. "What do I care for the most atrocious -torture, so long as my child lives?" - -A sinister smile played round the chief's lips. "It is well," he said. - -"One word more." - -"Speak." - -"Grant me a single favour; let me give a last kiss to this poor -creature." - -"Give him his child," the chief commanded. - -An Indian presented the little girl to the wretched man. The innocent, -as if comprehending what was taking place, put her arms round her -father's neck, and burst into tears. The latter, frightfully bound -as he was, could only bestow kisses on her, into which his whole -soul passed. The scene had something hideous about it; it resembled a -witches' Sabbath. The five men fastened naked to trees, the children -twisting on the burning charcoal, and uttering piercing cries, and -these stoical Indians, illumined by the ruddy glow of the fire, -completed the most fearful picture that the wildest imagination could -have invented. - -"Enough," Natah Otann said. - -"A last gift, a last remembrance." - -The chief shrugged his shoulders. "For what good?" he said. - -"To render the death you intend for me less cruel." - -"What is it you want?" - -"Hang round my daughter's neck this earring, suspended by a lock of my -hair." - -"Is that really all?" - -"It is." - -"Very good." - -The chief came up, took from the emigrant's ear a ring he wore in it, -and cut off with a scalping knife a lock of his hair; then, turning to -him with a sardonic laugh, he said-- - -"Listen carefully. Your companions and yourself are going to be flayed -alive; of a strip of your skin I will make a bag to hold the lock of -hair and ring. You see that I am generous, for I grant you more than -you ask; but remember the conditions." - -The emigrant looked at him disdainfully. - -"Keep your promises as well as I shall mine: and now begin the -torture--you will see a man die." - -Things were done as had been arranged; the emigrant and his servants -were flayed alive. The emigrant endured the torture with a courage -which even the chief admired. Not a cry, not a groan, issued from his -bleeding chest; he was made of granite. When his skin was entirely -stripped off, Natah Otann went up to him; the unhappy wretch was not -yet dead. - -"Thou art a man," he said to him. "Die satisfied. I will keep the -promise I made thee." - -And moved doubtlessly by a feeling of pity for so much firmness, he -blew out his brains. - -This horrible punishment lasted four hours. The Indians plundered all -the Americans possessed, and what they could not carry off they burned. -Natah Otann rigidly kept the oath he had made to his victim: as he -said, from a strip of his skin, imperfectly tanned, he made a bag, in -which he placed the lock of hair, and hung it round the child's neck -by a cord also made of his skin. On the homeward road to his village, -Natah Otann paid the most assiduous attention to the poor little -creature; and, on rejoining the tribe, the chief declared before all -that he adopted the girl, and gave her the name of Prairie Flower. - -At the period our story begins, Prairie Flower was fourteen years -of age; she was a charming creature, gentle and simple, lovely as -the princess of a fairy tale. Her large blue eyes, veiled by long -brown lashes, reflected the azure of the heaven, and she ran about, -careless and wild, through the forests and over the prairie, dreaming -at times beneath the shady recesses of the giant trees, living as -the birds live, forgetting the past, which was to her as yesterday, -caring nothing for the future, which to her had no existence, and only -thinking of the present to be happy. - -The charming girl had unconsciously become the idol of the tribe. The -old White Buffalo more especially felt an unbounded affection for her; -but the experiment he had made with Natah Otann disgusted him with a -second trial at education. He only watched over her with truly paternal -care, correcting any fault he might notice in her with a patience and -kindness nothing could weary. This old tribune, like all energetic and -implacable men, had the heart of a lamb; having entirely renounced the -world which mistook him, he had refreshed his soul in the desert, and -recovered the illusions and generous impulses of his youth. - -Prairie Flower had retained no remembrance of her early years; as -no one ever alluded in her presence to the terrible scenes which -introduced her to the tribe, fresher impressions had completely effaced -them. Loved and petted by all, Prairie Flower fancied herself a child -of the tribe. Her long tresses of light hair, gilded like ripe corn, -and the dazzling whiteness of her skin, could not enlighten her, for -in many Indian nations these anomalies are found; the Mandans, among -others, have many women and warriors who, if they put on European -clothes, might easily pass for whites. - -The Blackfeet, seduced by the charms of this gentle young creature, -attached the destinies of the tribe to her. They considered her -their tutelary genius, their palladium: their faith in her was -deep, serene, and simple. Prairie Flower was truly the Queen of the -Blackfeet; a sign from her rosy fingers, a word from her dainty lips, -was obeyed with unbounded promptitude and devotion. She could do -anything, say everything, demand everything, without fearing even a -second's hesitation to her will. She exercised this despotic authority -unsuspectingly; she alone was unaware of the immense power she -possessed over these brutal natives, who in her presence became gentle -and devoted. - -Natah Otann was attached to his adopted daughter, so far as -organizations like his are capable of yielding to any feeling. At -first he sported with the girl as with an unimportant plaything; but -gradually, as the child was transformed and became a woman, these -sports became more serious, and his heart was attracted. For the first -time in his life, this man, with his indomitable soul, felt a feeling -stir in him which he could not analyze, but which, through its force -and violence, astonished and terrified him. - -Then, a dumb struggle began between the chiefs head and heart. He -revolted against this influence which subjugated him: he, hitherto -accustomed to break through every obstacle, was now powerless before -a child, who disarmed him with a smile, when he tried to overpower -her. This struggle lasted a long time; at length, the terrible Indian -confessed himself vanquished, that is to say, he allowed the current to -carry him away, and without attempting a resistance, which he felt to -be useless, he began to love the young maiden madly. But this love at -times caused him sufferings so terrible, when he thought of the manner -in which Prairie Flower had become his adopted daughter, that he asked -himself with terror, whether this deep love which had seized on his -brain, and mastered him, was not a chastisement imposed by Heaven. - -Then, he fell back in his usual state of fury, redoubled his ferocity -with those unhappy beings whose plantations he surprised, and, all -reeking with blood, his girdle hung with scalps, he returned to the -village, and displayed the hideous trophies before the girl. Prairie -Flower, astonished at the state in which she saw a man whom she -believed to be--not her father, for he was too young--but a relative, -lavished on him all the consolations and simple caresses which her -attachment to him suggested to her: unfortunately, these caresses -heightened his suffering, and he would rush away half mad with grief, -leaving her sad and almost terrified by this conduct, which was so -incomprehensible to her. - -Matters reached such a pitch, that the White Buffalo, whose vigilant -eye was constantly fixed on his pupil, considered that he must, at -all risks, cut away the evil at the root, and withdraw the son of his -friend from the deadly fascination exercised over him by this innocent -enchantress. When he felt convinced of the chiefs love for Prairie -Flower, the old sachem asked for a private interview with his pupil: -the latter granted it, quite unsuspecting the reason which urged the -White Buffalo to take this step. - -One morning the chief presented himself at the entrance of his friend's -lodge. The White Buffalo was reading by the side of a fire kindled in -the middle of the hut. - -"You are welcome, my son," he said to the young man. "I have only a few -words to say to you, but I consider them sufficiently serious for you -to hear them without delay; sit down by my side." - -The young man obeyed. The White Buffalo then carefully changed his -tactics: he, who had so long combated the chief's views as to the -regeneration of the Indian race, entered completely into his views, -with an ardour and conviction carried so far, that the young man was -astonished, and could not refrain from asking what produced this sudden -change in his opinion? - -"The cause is very simple," the old man answered. "So long as I -considered that these views were only suggested by the impetuosity of -youth, I merely regarded them as the dreams of a generous heart, which -was deceiving itself, and not taking the trouble to weigh the chances -of success." - -"What now?" the young man asked, quickly. - -"Now, I recognize all the earnestness, nobility, and grandeur, -contained in your plans; and not only admit their possibility, but I -wish to aid you, so as to ensure success." - -"Is what you say quite true, my father?" the young man asked, with -exultation. - -"I swear it: still we must set to work immediately." The chief examined -him for a moment carefully, but the old man remained impassive. - -"I understand you," he at length said, slowly, and in a deep voice; -"you offer me your hand on the verge of an abyss. Thanks, my father, I -will not be unworthy of you; I swear to you by the Wacondah." - -"Good; believe me, my son, I recognize you," the old man said, shaking -his head mournfully. "One's country is often an ungrateful mistress; -but it is the only one which gives us true enjoyment of mind, if we -serve her disinterestedly for herself alone." - -The two men shook hands affectionately; the compact was sealed. We -shall soon see whether Natah Otann had really conquered his love as he -imagined. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE GREAT COUNCIL. - - -Natah Otann set to work immediately, with that feverish ardour that -distinguished him. He sent emissaries in every direction to the -principal chiefs of the western prairies, and convoked them to a -great plain in the valley of the Missouri, at a spot called "The Tree -of the Master of Life," on the fourth day of the moon of the hardened -snow. This spot was held in great veneration by the Missouri Indians, -who went there constantly to hang up presents. It was an immense sandy -plain, completely denuded of vegetation; in the centre of the desert -rose a gigantic tree, an oak, twenty feet in circumference at least, -the trunk being hollow, and the tufted branches covering an enormous -superficies. This tree, which was a hundred and twenty feet in height, -and which grew there by accident, necessarily was regarded by the -Indians as something miraculous; hence the name they gave it. - -On the appointed day, the Indians arrived from all sides, marching in -good order, and camping at a short distance from the spot selected for -the council. An immense fire had been kindled at the foot of the tree, -and at a signal given by the drummers, or _Chichikoues_, the chiefs -collected around it, a few paces behind the sachems. The Blackfeet, Nez -Perces, Assiniboins, Mandans, and other horsemen, formed a tremendous -cordon round the council fire; while scouts traversed the desert in -every direction, to keep off intruders, and insure the secrecy of the -deliberations. - -In the east the sun was pouring forth its beams; the desert, parched -and naked, was mingled with the boundless horizon; to the south, the -Rocky Mountains displayed the eternal snow of the summits; while in the -north-west, a silvery ribbon indicated the course of the old Missouri. -Such was the landscape, if we may call it so, where the barbarous -warriors, clothed in their strange costumes, were assembled near the -symbolic tree. This majestic sight involuntarily reminded the observer -of other times and climes, when, by the light of the incendiary fires -they kindled, the ferocious comrades of Attila rushed to conquer and -rejuvenate the Roman Empire. - -Generally the natives of America have a Divinity, or more correctly, a -Genius, at times beneficent, but more frequently hostile. The worship -of the savage is less veneration than fear. The Master of Life is an -evil genius, rather than kind; hence the Indians give his name to the -tree to which they attribute the same powers. Indian religions, being -all primitive, make no account of the moral being, and only dwell on -the accidents of nature, which they make into gods. These different -tribes strive to secure the favour of the deserts, where fatigue and -thirst entail death, and of the rivers, which may swallow them up. - -The chiefs, as we have said, were crouching round the fire, in a -state of contemplative immobility, from which it might be inferred -that they were preparing for an important ceremony of their worship. -Presently Natah Otann raised to his lips the long war pipe, made of a -human thighbone, which he wore hanging round his neck, and produced -a piercing and prolonged sound. At this signal, for it was one, the -chiefs rose, and forming in Indian file, marched twice round the tree, -singing, in a low voice, a hymn, to implore its assistance for the -success of their plans. At the third time of marching round, Natah -Otann took off a magnificent collar of grizzly bears' claws from his -neck, and hung it to the branches of the tree, saying,-- - -"Master of Life, look on us with a favourable eye. I offer thee this -present." - -The other chiefs imitated his example each in turn; then they resumed -their scats round the council fire. The pipe bearer then entered the -circle, and after the customary ceremonies, offered the calumet to the -chiefs, and when each had smoked, the oldest sachem invited Natah Otann -to take the word. - -The Indian chief's plan was probably the most daring ever formed -against the whites, and, as the White Buffalo said, mockingly, -must offer chances of success through its improbability, because -it flattered the superstitious ideas of the Indians, who, like all -primitive nations, place great faith in the marvellous. It is besides, -the quality of oppressed nations, to whom reality never offers aught -but disillusions and suffering, to take refuge in the supernatural, -which alone offers them consolation. Natah Otann had drawn the first -idea of his plan from one of the oldest and most inveterate traditions -of the Comanches, his ancestors. This tradition, by reciting which -his father often lulled him to sleep in his childhood, pleased his -adventurous mind; and when the hour arrived to put in execution the -projects which he had so long revolved, he invoked it, and resolved to -employ it, in order to collect the other Indian nations around him in -one common whole. - -When Motecuhzoma (whom Spanish writers improperly call Montezuma, a -name which has no meaning, while the first signifies the _stern lord_) -found himself imprisoned in his palace by that talented adventurer, -Cortez, who, a few days later, tore his kingdom from him, the Emperor, -who preferred to confide in greedy strangers than take refuge in the -midst of his people, had a presentiment of the fate reserved for him. A -few days prior to his death, he assembled the principal Mexican chiefs -who shared his prison, and addressed them thus:-- - -"Listen! My father, the Sun, has warned me that I shall soon return to -him. I know not how or when I am destined to die, but I am certain that -my last hour is close at hand." - -As the chiefs burst into tears at these words, for they held him in -great veneration, he consoled them by saying-- - -"My last hour is near on this earth, but I shall not die, as I am -returning to my father, the Sun, where I shall enjoy a felicity unknown -in this world; weep not, therefore, my faithful friends, but, on the -contrary, rejoice at the happiness which awaits me. The bearded white -men have treacherously seized the greater portion of my empire, and -they will soon be masters of the remainder. Who can stop them? Their -weapons render them invulnerable, and they dispose at their will of the -fire from heaven; but their power will end one day; they, too, will be -the victims of treachery; the penalty of retaliation will be inflicted -on them in all its rigour. Listen, then, attentively, to what I am -about to ask of you; the safety of our country depends on the fidelity -with which you execute my last orders. Each of you take a title of -the sacred fire which was formerly kindled by the Sun himself, and on -which the white men have not yet dared to lay a sacrilegious hand to -extinguish it. This fire burns before you in this golden censer; take -it unto you, not letting your enemies know what has become of it. You -will divide the fire among you, so that each may have a sufficiency; -preserve it religiously, ant never let it go out. Each morning, alter -adoring it mount on the roof of your house, at sunrise, and look -toward the east; one day you will see me appear, giving my right hand -to my father, the Sun; then you will rejoice, for the moment of your -deliverance will be at hand. My father and I will come to restore you -to liberty, and deliver you for ever from these enemies, who have come -from a perverse world, that rejected them from its bosom." - -The Mexican chiefs obeyed the orders of their well-beloved Emperor on -the spot, for time pressed. A few days later, Motecuhzoma mounted on -the roof of his palace, and prepared to address his mutinous people, -when he was struck by an arrow, it was never known by whom, and fell -into the arms of the Spanish soldiery who accompanied him. Before -breathing his last sigh, the Emperor sat up, and raising his hands to -heaven, said, with a supreme effort, to his friends assembled round -him--"The fire! the fire! think of the fire." - -These were his last words: ten minutes later he had ceased to breathe. -In vain did the Spaniards, whose curiosity was strongly aroused by -this mysterious recommendation, try by all the means in their power -to penetrate its meaning; but they did not succeed in making one of -the Mexicans they interrogated speak. All religiously preserved their -secret, and several, indeed, died of torture, rather than reveal it. - -The Comanches, and nearly all the nations of the Far West, have -kept this belief intact. In all the Indian villages, the fire of -Motecuhzoma, which burns eternally is guarded by two warriors, who -remain by it for twenty-four hours without eating or drinking, when -they are relieved by two others. Formerly the guardians remained -forty-eight hours instead of twenty-four. It frequently happened -that they were found dead when the reliefs came, either through the -mephitic gases of the fire, which had great effect on them, owing to -their long fast, or for some other reason. The bodies were taken away, -and placed in a cavern, where, as the Comanches say, a serpent devoured -them. - -This belief is so general, that it is not only found among the Red -Indians, but also among the Manzos. Many men, considered to be well -educated, keep up, in hidden corners, the fire of Motecuhzoma, visit -it every day, and do not fail at sunrise to mount on the roof of -their houses and look towards the east, in the hope of seeing their -well-beloved emperor coming to restore them that liberty for which they -have sighed during so many ages, and which the Mexican Republic is far -from having granted them. - -Natah Otann's idea was this:--To tell the Indians, after narrating -the legend to them, that the time had arrived when Motecuhzoma would -appear and act as their chief; to form a powerful band of warriors, -whom he would spread along the whole American frontier, so as to -attack his enemies at every point simultaneously, and not give them -the time to look about them. This project, mad as it was, especially -in having to be executed by Indians, or men the least capable of -forming alliances, which have ever caused them defeats; this project, -we say, was deficient neither in boldness nor in nobility, and Natah -Otann was really the only man capable of carrying it out, could he but -find, among the persons he wished to arouse, two or three docile and -intelligent instruments, that would understand his idea, and heartily -cooperate with him. - -The Comanches, Pawnees, and Sioux were of great utility to the chief, -as well as the majority of the Indians of the Far West, for they -shared in the belief on which Natah Otann based his plans, and not only -did not need to be persuaded, but would help him in persuading the -Missouri Indians by their assent to his assertions. But in so large -an assembly of nations, divided by a multitude of interests, speaking -different languages, generally hostile to each other, how would it -be possible to establish a tie sufficiently strong to attach them in -an indissoluble manner? How convince them to march together without -jealousy? Lastly, was it reasonable to suppose that there would not be -a traitor to sell his brothers, and reveal their plans to the Yankees, -whoever have an eye on the movements of the Indians, for they are so -anxious to be rid of them? - -Still, Natah Otann did not recoil; he did not conceal from himself the -difficulties which he should have to overcome; but his courage grew -with obstacles. His resolution was strengthened, if we may use the -term, in proportion to the responsibilities which must every moment -rise before him. When the sachems made him the signal to rise; Natah -Otann saw that the moment had arrived to begin the difficult game he -wished to play. He took the word resolutely, certain that, with the men -he had before him, all depended on the manner in which he handled the -question, and that, the first impression once made, success was almost -certain. - -"Chiefs of the Comanches, Osages, Sioux, Pawnees, Mandans, Assiniboins, -Missouris, and all you that listen to me. Redskin brothers," he said, -in a firm and deeply accentuated voice, "for many moons my spirit has -been sad. I see, with sorrow, our hunting grounds, invaded by the white -men, grow smaller every day. We, whose innumerable peoples covered, -scarce four centuries back, the immense extent of territory compassed -between the two seas, are now reduced to a small party of warriors who, -timid as antelopes, fly before our despoilers. Our sacred cities, the -last refuge of the civilization of our fathers, the Incas, will become -the prey of those monsters with human faces who have no other god but -gold. Our dispersed race will possibly soon disappear from that world -which it has so long possessed and governed alone. Tracked like wild -animals; brutalized by firewater, that corrosive poison invented by the -white men for our ruin; decimated by the sword and white diseases, our -wandering tribes are now but the shadow of a people. Our conquerors -despise our religion, and wish to bow us beneath the laws of the -crucified One. They outrage our wives; kill our children; burn our -villages; and will reduce us, if they can, to the state of wild beasts, -under the pretext of civilizing us. Indians, all you who hear me, is -our blood so impoverished in our veins, and have you all renounced your -independence! Reply, will you die as slaves, or live free?" - -At these words, pronounced in aloud tone, and heightened by an -energetic gesture, a tremor ran through the assembly; brows were bent -firmly, all eyes sparkled. - -"Speak, speak again, sachem of the Blackfeet," all the chiefs shouted -unanimously. - -Natah Otann smiled proudly, his power over the masses was revealed to -him. He continued:-- - -"The hour has at length arrived, after so many hesitations, to shake -off the shameful yoke that presses on us. Within a few days, if you -please, we will drive the whites far from our frontiers, and repay them -all the evil they have done us. For a long time I have watched the -Americans and Spaniards. I know their tactics, their resources: to -utterly destroy them, what do we need, my well-beloved brothers? two -things alone--skill and courage!" - -The Indians interrupted him with shouts of joy. - -"You shall be free," Natah Otann continued. "I will restore to you the -valleys of your ancestors, the fields where their bones are buried, -and which the sacrilegious plough disperses in every direction. This -project, ever since I became a man, has fermented in my heart, and -become my life. Far from me and from you the thought that I intend -to force myself on you as chief, especially since the prodigy of -which I have been witness, in the appearance of the great emperor! -No; after that supreme chief, who must guide you to liberty, you are -free to choose the man who will execute his orders, and communicate -them to you. When you have chosen him, you will obey him; follow him -everywhere; and pass with him through the most insurmountable dangers, -for he will be the elect of the Sun; the lieutenant of Motecuhzoma! Do -not deceive yourselves, warriors; our enemy is powerful, numerous, well -disciplined, warlike, and has, before all, the habit of conquering us, -which is a great advantage to him. Name, then, this lieutenant; let his -election be free; take the most worthy, and I will joyfully march under -his orders!" - -And, after saluting the sachems, Natah Otann disappeared in a crowd of -warriors, with calm brow, but with a heart devoured by restlessness. -His eloquence, so novel to the Indians, had seduced them, and thrown -them into a species of frenzy. They considered the daring Blackfoot -chief a genius superior to themselves, and almost bowed the knee to -him in adoration, so cleverly had he struck the chord which must -touch their hearts. For a long time the council gave way to a sort -of madness, and all spoke at once; when this emotion was calmed, the -wisest of the sachems discussed the opportunity for taking up arms, and -the chances of success. It was now that the tribes of the Far West, who -believed in the legend of the sacred fire, became so useful; at length, -after a protracted discussion, opinions were unanimous for a general -uprising. The ranks, momentarily broken, were reformed, and the White -Buffalo, invited by the chiefs to express the opinions of the council, -spoke as follows:-- - -"Chiefs of the allied Indian tribes, listen! This day it has been -resolved by the following chiefs:--Little Panther, Spotted Dog, White -Buffalo, Grizzly Bear, Red Wolf, White Fox, Tawny Vulture, Glistening -Snake, and others, each representing a nation and a tribe, that war has -been declared against the white men, our plunderers; and as this war -is holy, and has liberty for its object, all men, women, and children -must take part in it, each according to their strength. This very day -the _wampums_ will be sent by the chiefs to all the Indian tribes that, -owing to the distance of these hunting grounds, were unable to be -present at this great council, in spite of their great desire to be so. -I have spoken." - -A long cry of enthusiasm interrupted the White Buffalo, who continued, -soon after:-- - -"The chiefs, after ripe deliberation, assenting to the request made -to the council by Natah Otann, the first sachem of the Blackfeet, -that they should appoint a lieutenant to the Emperor Motecuhzoma, -sovereign-chief of the Indian warriors, have chosen, as supreme -leader under the sole orders of the said Emperor, the wisest, most -prudent, and most worthy to command us. That warrior is the sachem of -the Blackfoot Indians, of the tribe of the Kenhas, whose race is so -ancient, Natah Otann, the cousin of the Sun, that dazzling planet which -illumines us." - -A thunder of applause greeted the last words. Natah Otann saluted the -sachems, walked into the circle, and said, in a haughty voice,-- - -"I accept, sachems, my brothers; we agree, I shall be dead, or you will -be free." - -"May the Grizzly Bear live for ever!" the crowd shouted. - -"War to the white men!" Natah Otann continued, "a war without truce -or mercy. A slaughter of wild beasts, as they are accustomed to treat -us. Remember the law of the prairies:--eye for eye, tooth for tooth. -Let each chief send the wampum of war to his nation, for at the end of -this moon we will arouse our enemies by a thunderbolt. At the seventh -hour of this night we will meet again, to select the subaltern chiefs, -number our warriors, and choose the day and hour of attack." - -The chiefs bowed without replying, rejoined their escorts, and soon -disappeared in a cloud of dust. Natah Otann and the White Buffalo -remained alone, a detachment of Blackfeet warriors watching over them -at a distance. Natah Otann, with his arms crossed and head bowed, -seemed plunged in profound reflection. - -"Well," the old Indian said, with an almost imperceptible shade of -irony in his voice, "you have succeeded, my son; you are happy. Your -plans will, at length, be accomplished." - -"Yes," he replied, without noticing the sarcastic tone of voice; "war -is declared; my plans have succeeded; but now, friend, I tremble at -such a heavy task. Will these peculiar men thoroughly comprehend me? -Will they be able to read, in my heart, all the love and adoration -I feel for them? Are they ripe for liberty? perhaps they have not -suffered enough yet? Father, father, whose heart is so powerful and -soul so great: whose life was used up in numerous contests, counsel -me! help me! I am young and weak, and I only have a strong will and a -boundless devotion to support me." - -The old man smiled mournfully, and muttered, answering his own thoughts -more than his friend:-- - -"Yes; my life was used up in supreme struggles: the work I helped to -raise has been overthrown, but not destroyed; for a new society, full -of vitality, has risen from the ruins of a decrepit society; by our -efforts the furrow was ploughed too deeply for it ever to be filled up -again: progress marching onward, nothing can check or stop it! Do not -halt on the road you have chosen; it is the greatest and most noble a -great heart can follow." - -In uttering these words, the old man had allowed his enthusiasm to -carry him away; his head was raised; his brow glistened; the expiring -sun played on his face, and imparted to it an expression which Natah -Otann had never seen before, and which filled him with respect. But the -old man shook his head sorrowfully, and continued:-- - -"Child, how will you keep your promise? where will you find -Motecuhzoma?" - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"You will soon see, my father," he said. - -At the same moment, an Indian, whose panting horse seemed to breathe -fire through its nostrils, came up to the chiefs, where he stopped -suddenly, as if converted into marble; without dismounting, he bent -down to Natah Otann's ear. - -"Already!" the latter exclaimed, "Oh! heaven must be on my side! There -is not a moment to lose. My horse! quick." - -"What is the matter?" the White Buffalo asked. - -"Nothing that relates to you at present, my father; but you shall soon -know all." - -"You are going alone, then?" - -"I must for a short period. Farewell!" - -Natah Otann's horse uttered a snort of pain, and started at full -gallop. Ten minutes later all the Indians had disappeared, and solitude -and silence prevailed round the tree of the Master of Life. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AMERICAN HOSPITALITY. - - -Matters had reached this point at the moment when the story we -have undertaken to tell, begins: now that we have supplied these -indispensable explanations, we will take up our narrative again at the -point where we broke it off. - -John Black and his family, posted behind the barricade that surrounded -the camp, regarded with joy, mingled with alarm, the cavalcade coming -toward them like a tornado, raising clouds of dust in its passage. - -"Attention, boys!" the American said to his son and servants, with his -hand on his trigger. "You know the diabolical trickery of these apes of -the prairie; we must not let them surprise us a second time; at the -least suspicious sign, a bullet! We shall thus prove to them that we -are on our guard." - -The emigrant's wife and daughter, with their eyes fixed on the prairie, -attentively followed the movements of the Indians. - -"You are mistaken, my love," Mrs. Black said; "these men have no -hostile designs. The Indians rarely attack by day; when they do so, -they never come so openly as this." - -"The more so," the young lady added, "as, if I am not mistaken, I can -see Europeans galloping at the head of the party." - -"Oh!" Black said, "that really has no significance, my child. The -prairies swarm with scoundrels who join those demons of Redskins when -honest travellers are to be plundered. Who knows, indeed, whether white -men were not the instigators of last night's attack?" - -"Oh, father, I never could believe such a thing as that," Diana -remarked. - -Miss Black, of whom we have hitherto said but little, was a girl of -about seventeen, tall and slender; her large black eyes, bordered with -velvety lashes; the thick bandeaux of brown hair; her little mouth, -with its rosy lips and pearly teeth, made her a charming creature, who -would have been an ornament anywhere; but in the desert must naturally -attract attention. Religiously educated by her mother, a good and pious -Presbyterian, Diana still retained all the candour and innocence of -youth, combined with that experience of everyday life imparted by the -rude life of the clearings, where people begin early to think and act -for themselves. In the meanwhile the cavalcade rapidly approached, and -was now no great distance off. - -"Those are really our animals galloping down there," Will said; "I -recognise Sultan, my good horse." - -"And Dolly, my poor milch cow," Mrs. Black said, with a sigh. - -"Console yourselves," Diana said, "I'll answer for it these people are -bringing back our cattle." - -The emigrant shook his head in agitation. - -"The Indians never give up what they have once seized; but, by my soul, -I'll have it out with them, and not let myself be robbed without a -trial for it." - -"Wait a minute, father," said Will, stopping him, for the emigrant was -about to leap over the intrenchments, "we shall soon know what their -intentions are." - -"Hum! they are very clear, in my idea. The demons want to propose to us -some disgusting bargain." - -"Perhaps, father, you are mistaken," Diana said, quickly; "and see, -they are stopping, and apparently consulting." - -In fact, on arriving within gunshot, the Indians halted, and began -talking together. - -"Why shall we not go on?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"H'm, you don't know the Yankees, Mr. Edward. I am sure that, if we -were to go ten paces further, we should be saluted by a shower of -bullets." - -"Nonsense!" the young man said, with a shrug of his shoulder; "they are -not so mad as to act in that way." - -"It's possible; but they would do as I tell you. Look attentively, and -you will see from this spot the barrels of their rifles glistening -between the stakes of the barricades." - -"By Jove! it's true; then they want to be massacred." - -"They would have been so long ago, had not my brother interceded in -their favour," Natah Otann said, joining in the conversation. - -"And I thank you, chief. The desert is large; what harm can those poor -devils do you?" - -"They, none; but presently others will come and settle by their side, -and so on; so that in six months my brother would see a city at a spot -where there is now nothing but nature as it left the omnipotent hands -of the Master of Life." - -"That is true," Bright-eye said, "the Yankees respect nothing; the rage -for building cities renders them dangerous madmen." - -"Why have we stopped, chief?" the Count said, recurring to his first -question. - -"To negotiate." - -"Will you do me a kindness? Leave this business to me. I am curious -to see how these people understand the laws of war, and how they will -receive me." - -"My brother is free." - -"Wait for me here, then, and do not make a move during my absence." - -The young man took off his weapons, which he handed to his servant. - -"What?" Ivon remarked. "Are you going, my lord, in this state among -those heretics?" - -"How else should I go? You know very well that a flag of truce has -nothing to fear." - -"That is possible," the Breton said, very slightly convinced; "but if -your lordship will believe me, you will, at least, keep your pistols in -your belt; for an accident happens so easily, and you do not know among -what sort of people you are going." - -"You are mad!" the Count said, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Well, then, as you are going unarmed to speak with people who do not -inspire me with the slightest confidence, I must ask your lordship to -permit me to accompany you." - -"You, nonsense!" the young man said, laughing. "You know very well that -you are a wonderful coward; that's agreed on." - -"Perfectly true; but I feel capable of anything to defend my master." - -"There we have it; your cowardice need only come on you suddenly, and, -in your alarm, you will be ready to kill everybody. No, no, none of -that; I do not wish to get into trouble through you." - -And dismounting, he walked in the direction of the barricades. On -arriving a short distance from them, he took out a white handkerchief, -and waved it in the air. Black, still ready to fire, carefully watched -the Count's every movement, and when he saw his amicable demonstration, -he rose, and made him a signal to come on. The young man quietly -returned his handkerchief to his pocket, lit a cigar, stuck his glass -in his eye, and after drawing on his gloves, walked resolutely on. On -reaching the intrenchments, he found himself in front of Black, who was -waiting for him, leaning on his rifle. - -"What do you want of me?" the American said, roughly. "Make haste! I -have no time to lose in conversation." - -The Count surveyed him haughtily, assumed the most insolent posture he -could select, and puffing a cloud of smoke into his face, said dryly-- - -"You are not polite, my dear fellow." - -"Halloa!" the other said. "Have you come here to insult me?" - -"I have come to do you a service; and if you continue in that tone, I -am afraid I shall be obliged not to do it." - -"We'll see to that--do me a service! And what may it be?" the American -asked with a grin. - -"You are a low fellow," the Count remarked, "with whom it is offensive -to talk. I prefer to withdraw." - -"Withdraw--oh, nonsense! You are too valuable a hostage. I shall -keep you, my gentleman, and only give you up at a good figure,", the -American continued. - -"What! Is that the way you comprehend the law of nations? That's -curious," the Count said, still sarcastic. - -"There is no law of nations with bandits." - -"Thanks for your compliment, master. And what would you do to keep me, -if I did not think proper?" - -"Like this," the American said, laying his hand roughly on his shoulder. - -"What!" the Count said. "I really believe, Heaven forgive me! that you -dared to lay a hand on me!" - -And ere the emigrant had time to prevent it, he seized him round the -waist, lifted him from the ground, and hurled him over the barricade. -The giant fell all bruised in the middle of his camp. Instead of -withdrawing, as any other might have done in his place, the young man -crossed his arms, and waited, smoking peacefully. The emigrant, stunned -by his rough fall, rose, shaking himself like a wet dog, and feeling -his ribs, to assure himself that there was nothing broken. The ladies -uttered a cry of terror on seeing him re-enter the camp in such a -peculiar way, while his son and servants looked toward him, ready to -fire at the first signal. - -"Lower your guns," he said to them; and leaping once more over the -barricade, he walked towards the Count. The latter awaited him with -perfect calmness. - -"Ah! there you are," he said, "Well, how did you like that?" - -"Come, come," the American replied, holding out his hand; "I was in the -wrong; I am a brute beast; forgive me." - -"Very good; I like you better like that; we only need to understand -each other. You are now prepared to listen to me, I fancy?" - -"Quite." - -There are certain men, like John Black, with whom it is necessary to -employ extreme measures, and prove your superiority to them. With such -persons you do not argue, but smash them; after which it always happens -that these men, before so intractable, become gentle as lambs, and do -all you want. The American, possessed of great strength, and confiding -in it, thought he had a right to be insolent with a slight and weak -looking man; but so soon as this man had proved to him, in a peremptory -manner, that he was the more powerful of the two, the bull drew in his -horns, and recoiled all the distance he had advanced. - -"This night," the Count then said, "you were attacked by the Blackfeet; -I wished to come to your aid, but it was impossible, and, besides, I -should have arrived too late. As, however, for some reason or other; -the men who attacked you feel a certain amount of consideration for me, -I have profited by my influence to make them restore the cattle they -stole from you." - -"Thanks; believe that I sincerely regret what has passed between us; -but I was so annoyed by the loss I had experienced." - -"I understand all that, and willingly pardon you, the more so as I, -perhaps, gave you rather too rude a shock just now." - -"Oh, do not mention it, I beg." - -"As you please; it is all the same to me." - -"And my cattle?" - -"Are at your disposal. Will you have them at once?" - -"I will not conceal from you that--" - -"Very good," the Count interrupted him; "wait a minute, I will tell -them to bring them up." - -"Do you think I have nothing to fear from the Indians?" - -"Not if you know how to manage them." - -"Well, then, shall I wait for you?" - -"Only a few minutes." - -The Count went down the hill again with the same calm step he had gone -up it. So soon as he rejoined the Indians, his friends surrounded him; -they had seen all that passed, and were delighted at the way in which -he had ended the discussion. - -"Good heavens! how coarse those Americans are," the young man said. -"Pray give him his cattle, chief, and let us have done with him. The -animal all but put me in a passion." - -"He is coming toward us," Natah Otann replied, with an undefinable -smile. Black, indeed, soon came up. The worthy emigrant, having been -duly scolded by his wife and daughter, had recognized the full extent -of his stupidity, and was most anxious to repair it. - -"Really, gentlemen," he said, "we cannot part in this way. I owe you -great obligations, and am desirous to prove to you that I am not such a -brute as I probably seem to be. Be kind enough to stay with us, if only -for an hour, to show us that you bear no malice." - -This invitation was given in a hearty, but, at the same time, cordial -manner, and it was so evident that the good man was confused, that -the Count had not the heart to refuse him. The Indians camped where -they were. The chief and the three hunters followed the American into -his camp, where the cattle had already been restored. The reception -was as it should be in the desert; the ladies had hastily prepared -refreshments under the tent, while William and the two serving men made -a breach in the barricade, to give passage to his father's guests. Lucy -Black and Diana awaited the newcomers at the entrance of the camp. - -"You are welcome, gentlemen," the Americans wife said, with a graceful -bow; "we are all so much indebted to you, that we are only too happy to -receive you." - -The chief and the Count bowed politely to the lady, who was doing all -in her power to repair the clumsy brutality of her husband. The Count, -at the sight of Diana, felt an emotion which he could not, at the first -blush, understand; his heart beat on regarding this charming creature, -who was exposed to so many dangers through the life to which she was -condemned. Diana blushed at the ardent glance of the young man, and -timidly drew nearer her mother, with that instinct of modesty innate -in woman's heart, which makes her ever seek protection from her to whom -she owes existence. - -After the first compliments, Natah Otann, the Count, and Bright-eye, -entered the tent where Black and his son were awaiting them. When the -ice was broken, which does not take long among people accustomed to -prairie life, the conversation became more animated and intimate. - -"So," the Count asked, "you have left the clearings with the intention -of never returning?" - -"Oh, yes," the emigrant answered; "for a man having a family, -everything is becoming so dear on the frontier, that he must make up -his mind to enter the desert." - -"I can understand your doing so as a man, for you can always manage to -get out of difficulties; but your wife and daughter--you condemn them -to a very sorrowful and dangerous life." - -"It is a wife's duty to follow her husband," Mrs. Black said with a -slight accent of reproach. "I am happy wherever he is, provided I am by -his side." - -"Good, madam; I admire such sentiments; but permit me an observation." - -"Certainly, sir." - -"Was it necessary to come so far to find a suitable farm?" - -"Certainly not; but we should have run the risk of being someday -expelled from the new clearing by the owners of the land, and compelled -to begin a new plantation further away," she said. - -"While now," Black continued, "at the place where we are, we have -nothing of that sort to fear, as the land belongs to nobody." - -"My brother is mistaken," the chief said, who had not yet spoken a -word; "the country, for ten days' march in every direction, belongs to -me and my tribe; the Paleface is here on the hunting grounds of the -Kenhas." - -Black regarded Natah Otann with an air of embarrassment. - -"Well," he said, after a moment's pause, as if speaking against the -grain; "we will go further, wife." - -"Where can the Palefaces go to find land that belongs to nobody?" the -chief continued, severely. - -This time the American had not a word to say. Diana, who had never -before seen an Indian so close, regarded the chief with a mingled -feeling of curiosity and terror. The Count smiled. - -"The chief is right," Bright-eye said, "the prairies belong to the Red -men." - -Black had bowed his head on his chest, in perplexity. - -"What is to be done?" he muttered. - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Let my brother open his ears," he said to him; "a chief is about to -speak." - -The American fixed an inquiring glance on him. - -"Does this country suit my brother then?" the Indian continued. - -"Why should I deny it? This country is the finest I ever saw; close to -me I have the river, behind me, immense virgin forests. Oh yes, it is a -fine country, and I should have made a magnificent plantation." - -"I have told my Paleface brother," the chief went on, "that this -country belonged to me." - -"Yes, you told me so, chief, and it is true; I cannot deny it." - -"Well, if the Paleface desires it, he can obtain so much ground as he -wishes," Natah Otann said, concisely. - -At this proposition, which the American was far from suspecting, he -pricked up his ears; the squatter's nature was aroused in him. - -"How can I buy the land when I possess nothing?" he said. - -"That is of no consequence," the chief replied. - -The astonishment now became general; each looked at the Indian -curiously: for the conversation had suddenly acquired a grave -importance which no one expected. Black, however, was not deceived by -this apparent facility. - -"The chief has doubtless not understood me," he said. - -The Indian shook his head. - -"The Paleface cannot buy the land, because he has not wherewith to pay -for it; those were his words." - -"True; and the chief answered that it was of little matter." - -"I said so." - -There was no mistake, the two men had clearly understood one another. - -"There is some devilry behind that," Bright-eye muttered in his -moustache; "an Indian does not give an egg, unless he expects an ox in -return." - -"What do you want to arrive at, chief?" the Count asked Natah Otann, -frankly. - -"I will explain myself," the latter said; "my brother interests himself -in this family, I believe?" - -"I do," the young man answered, with some surprise, "and you know my -reasons." - -"Good; let my brother pledge himself to accompany me during two moons, -without asking any explanation of my actions, and give me his aid -whenever I require it, and I will give this man as much ground as he -needs to found a settlement, and he need never fear being annoyed by -the Redskins, or dispossessed by the Whites, for I am really the owner -of the land, and no other can lay claim to it." - -"A moment," Bright-eye said, as he rose; "in my presence, Mr. Edward -will not accept such a bargain; no one buys a pig in a poke, and it -would be madness to submit his will to the caprices of another man." - -Natah Otann frowned, his eye flashed fire, and he rose. - -"Dog of the Palefaces," he shouted, "take care of thy words--I have -once spared thy life." - -"Your menaces do not frighten me, Redskin," the Canadian replied, -resolutely; "you lie if you say that you were master of my life; it -only depends from the will of God; you cannot cause a hair of my head -to fall without His consent." - -Natah Otann laid his hand on his knife, a movement immediately imitated -by the hunter, and they stood opposite each other, ready for action. -The ladies uttered a shriek of terror, William and his father stood -before them, ready to interfere in the quarrel, if it were necessary. -But the Count had already, quick as thought, thrown himself between the -two men, shouting loudly-- - -"Stop! I insist on it!" - -Yielding to the ascendency of the speaker, the Blackfoot and the -Canadian each fell back a step, returned their knives to their girdles, -and waited. The Count looked at them for a moment, then, holding out -his hand to Bright-eye, said, affectionately-- - -"Thank you, my friend, but for the present I do not require your aid." - -"Good, good," the hunter said; "you know I am yours, body and soul. Mr. -Edward, it is only deferred." And the worthy Canadian sat down again -quietly. - -"As for you, chief," the young man continued, "the proposals are -unacceptable. I should be mad to agree to them, and I hope I am not -quite in that state yet. I wish to teach you this, that I have only -come on the prairie to hunt for a short time; that time has passed; -pressing business requires my presence in the United States, and -dispels my desire to be useful to these good people; so soon as I have -accompanied you to the village, according to my promise, I shall say -good-bye to you, and probably never return." - -"Which will be extremely agreeable to me," Bright-eye said, in -confirmation. - -The Indian did not stir. - -"Still," the Count went on, "there is, perhaps, a way of settling the -matter to the satisfaction of all parties; land is not so dear here; -tell me your price, and I will pay you at once, either in dollars, or -in bills on a New York banker." - -"All right," the hunter said; "there is still that way open." - -"Oh! I thank you, sir," Mrs. Black exclaimed, "but my husband cannot -and ought not to accept such a proposal." - -"Why not, my dear lady, if it suits me, and the chief accepts my offer?" - -Black, we must do him the justice to say, satisfied himself by -signifying his approval by a gesture; but the worthy squatter, like -a true American, was very careful not to say a word. As for Diana, -fascinated by such disinterestedness, she gazed on the Count with eyes -sparkling with gratitude, not daring to express aloud what her secret -thoughts were about this noble and generous gentleman. Natah Otann -raised his head. - -"I will prove to my brother," he said, in a gentle voice, and bowing -courteously, "that the Red men are as generous as the Palefaces. I sell -him eight hundred acres of land, to be chosen where he pleases along -the river, for one dollar." - -"A dollar?" the young man exclaimed, in surprise. - -"Yes," the chief said, smiling, "in that way I shall be paid, my -brother will owe me nothing; and if he consents to stay a little while -with me, it will be of his own accord, and because he likes to be with -a true friend." - -This unforeseen result to a scene which had for a moment threatened to -end in blood, filled all persons with surprise. Bright-eye alone was -not duped by the chief's courtesy. - -"There's something behind it," he muttered to himself, "but I will -watch, and that demon must be very cunning to cheat me." - -The Count was affected by this generosity, which he was far from -expecting. - -"There, chief," he said, handing him the stipulated dollar, "now we are -quits; but be assured that I will not be outdone by you." - -Natah Otann bowed courteously. - -"Now," the Count continued, "a last favour." - -"Let my brother speak, he has the right to ask everything of me." - -"Make peace with my old Bright-eye," - -"As my brother desires it," the chief said, "I will do so willingly; -and, as a sign of reconciliation, I beg him to accept the dollar you -have given me." - -The hunter's first impulse was to decline it; but he thought better of -it, took the dollar, and carefully placed it in his belt. Black knew -not how to express his gratitude to the Count, who had really made him -a landed proprietor; and the same day the American and his son chose -the land on which the plantation should be established. The Count drew -up on a leaf of his pocketbook a regular deed of sale, which was signed -by himself, Bright-eye, and Ivon, as witnesses, by Black as purchaser, -and at the foot of which Natah Otann drew the totem of his tribe, and -an animal intended to represent a bear, which formed his speaking but -most emblematical signature. The chief, had he pleased, could have -signed like the rest, but he wished to hide from all the instruction he -owed to the White Buffalo. Black preciously placed the deed between the -leaves of his family bible, and said to the Count, while squeezing his -hand hard enough to smash it-- - -"Remember that you have in John Black a man who will let his bones be -broken for you, whenever you think proper." - -Diana said nothing, but she gave the young man a look which paid him -amply for what he had done for the family. - -"Attention," Bright-eye said, in a whisper, the first time he found -himself alone with Ivon; "from this day watch carefully over your -master, for a terrible danger threatens him." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE SHE-WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES. - - -About four or five hours after the various events we have described -in the previous chapters, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, that is to say, bedizened with -feathers, and painted of glaring colours, crossed a streamlet, and -galloped over the prairies, proceeding in the direction of the Virgin -forest, to which we have several times alluded. The rider, dressed -in the war costume of the Blackfoot Indians, and whom it was easy to -recognize as a chief by the eagle feather fastened over his right ear, -incessantly bent over his horse's neck, and urged it to increased speed. - -It was night, but an American night, full of sharp odours and -mysterious sounds, with a dark blue sky, studded with an infinite -number of dazzling stars; the moon profusely spread her silvery rays -over the landscape, casting a deceitful brightness, which imparted a -fantastic appearance to objects. All seemed to sleep on the prairies; -the wind even hardly shook the umbrageous tops of the trees; the wild -beasts, after drinking at the river, had returned to their hidden dens. -The horseman alone moved on, gliding silently through the darkness; -at times he raised his head, as if consulting the sky, then, after a -seconds rest, he galloped onwards. - -Many hours passed ere the horseman thought of stopping. At length -he reached a spot where the trees were so interlaced by creepers -which enfolded them, that a species of insurmountable wall suddenly -prevented the rider's progress. After a moment's hesitation, and -looking attentively around to discover a hole by which he could pass, -seeing clearly that all attempts would be useless, he dismounted. He -saw that he had arrived at a canebrake, or spot where a passage can -only be made by fire or axe. The Indian chief fastened his horse to the -trunk of a tree; left within its reach a stock of grass and climbing -peas; then, certain that his horse would want for nothing during this -long night, he began thinking of himself. - -First he cut down with his bowie knife the bushes and plants which -interfered with the encampment he wished to form; then he prepared, -with all the stoicism of a prairie denizen, a fire of dry wood, in -order to cook his supper, and keep off wild beasts, if anyone took it -into his head to pay him a visit during his sleep. Among the wood he -collected was a large quantity of what the Mexicans call _palo mulato_, -or stinking wood; this he was careful to remove, for the pestiferous -smell of that tree would have denounced his presence for miles round, -and the Indian, judging from the precautions he took, seemed afraid of -being discovered; in fact, the care with which he had placed sand-bags -round his horse's hoofs, to dull the sound, sufficiently proved this. - -When the fire, so placed as not to be visible ten yards off, poured -its pleasant column of flame into the air, the Indian took from his -elk-skin pouch a little Indian wheat and pemmican, which he ate with -considerable appetite, looking round continually in the surrounding -gloom, and stopping to listen attentively to those noiseless sounds -which by night trouble the imposing calmness of the desert, without any -apparent cause. When his scanty meal was ended, the Indian filled his -pipe with kinne-kinnick, and began smoking. - -Still, in spite of his apparent calmness, the man was not easy; -at times he took the pipe from his lips, looked up, and anxiously -consulted the sky, through a break in the foliage above his head. At -length he appeared to form an energetic resolution, and raising his -fingers to his lips, imitated thrice, with rare perfection, the cry of -the blue jay, that privileged bird that sings in the night; then he -bent his body forward and listened, but nothing proved to him that his -signal had been heard. - -"Wait a while," he muttered. - -And crouching again before the fire, into which he threw a handful of -dry branches, he began smoking again. Several hours passed thus: at -length the moon disappeared from the horizon, the cold became sharper, -and the sky, in which the stars expired one after the other, was tinted -with a rosy hue. The Indian, who had been slumbering for a while, -suddenly shook himself, turned a suspicious glance around, and muttered -hoarsely,-- - -"She cannot be far off." - -And he again gave the signal. The last cry had scarce died out in the -distance, when a roar was heard close by. The Indian, instead of being -alarmed by this ill-omened sound, smiled, and said in a loud and firm -voice,-- - -"You are welcome, She-wolf; you know it is I who am awaiting you here." - -"Ah! you are there, then!" a voice answered. - -A rustling of leaves was now heard in the bushes opposite the spot -where the Indian was seated; the reeds and creepers were pulled back by -a vigorous hand, and a woman appeared in the space left free. Before -advancing, she thrust her head forward cautiously, and looked. - -"I am alone," the Indian said; "you can approach without fear." - -A smile played over the newcomer's lips at this answer, which she did -not expect. - -"I fear nothing," she said. - -Before going further, we will give some indispensable details about -this woman--vague, it is true, as we can only supply what the Indians -said about her, but which will be useful to the reader in comprehending -the facts that will follow. No one knew who she was, or whence she -came. The period when she was first seen on the prairie was equally -unknown. All was an inexplicable mystery connected with her. Though -she spoke fluently, and with extreme purity, most of the prairie -idioms, still certain words she at times used, and the colour of her -skin, not so brown as that of the natives, caused the supposition that -she belonged to another race from theirs. It was only a supposition, -however, for her hatred of the Indians was too well known for the -bravest among them ever to venture to see her sufficiently closely to -render themselves certain on that head. - -At times she disappeared for weeks, even for months, and it was -impossible to discover her trail. Then she was suddenly seen again -wandering about, talking to herself, marching nearly always by night, -frequently accompanied by an idiotic and dumb dwarf, who followed her -like a dog, and whom the Indians, in their credulous superstition, -suspected strongly of being her familiar. This woman, ever gloomy and -melancholy, with her wild looks and startling gestures, could not be -accused of doing anyone harm, in spite of the general terror she -inspired. Still, owing to the strange life she led, all the misfortunes -that happened to the Indians, in war or hunting, were imputed to her. -The Redskins considered her a wicked genius, and had given her the name -of the _Spirit of Evil_. Hence the man who had come so far to see her -must necessarily have been gifted with extraordinary courage, or some -powerful reason impelled him to act as he was doing. - -As this Blackfoot chief is destined to play a great part in this -narrative, we will give his portrait in a few words. He was a man who -had reached middle life, or about forty-five years. He was tall, well -built, and admirably proportioned. His muscles, standing out like -whipcord, denoted extraordinary vigour. He had an intelligent face; his -features expressed cunning, while his eyes were rarely fixed on any -object, but gave him an expression of craft and brutal cruelty, which -inspired an unenviable repugnance towards him, if you took the trouble -to study him carefully: but observers are rare in the desert, and with -the Indians this chief enjoyed a great reputation, and was equally -beloved for his tried courage and inexhaustible powers of speech, -qualities highly esteemed by the Redskins. - -"The night is still gloomy; my mother can approach," the Indian chief -said. - -"I am coming," the woman said, drily, as she advanced. - -"I have been waiting a long while." - -"I know it, but no matter." - -"The road was long to come." - -"I am here; speak!" - -And she leaned against the stem of a tree, crossing her arms on her -chest. - -"What can I say, if my mother does not first question me?" - -"That is true. Answer me then." - -There was a silence, only troubled by the wind sighing in the leaves; -after a few moments' reflection, the woman at length began,-- - -"Have you done what I ordered?" - -"I have." - -"Well?" - -"My mother guessed rightly." - -"Is it so?" - -"All is preparing for action," - -"You are sure?" - -"I was present at the council." - -She smiled triumphantly. - -"Where was the meeting place?" - -"At the tree of life." - -"Long ago?" - -"The sun has set eight hours since." - -"Good! What was resolved?" - -"What you already know." - -"The destruction of the whites?" - -"Yes." - -"When will the war signal be given?" - -"The day is not yet fixed." - -"Ah!" she said in a tone of regret. - -"But it cannot be long," he added quickly. - -"What makes you think so?" - -"The Grizzly Bear is eager to finish." - -"And I, too," the woman muttered in a low voice. - -The conversation was again broken off. The woman paced up and down the -clearing in thought. The chief followed her with his eyes, carefully -examining her. All at once she stopped before him, and looked him In -the face. - -"You are devoted to me, chief?" she said. - -"Do you doubt it?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Still, only a few hours ago, I gave you a decided proof of my -devotion." - -"What?" - -"This!" he said, pointing to his left arm, which was wrapped in strips -of bark. - -"I do not understand you." - -"You see I am wounded?" - -"Well! what then?" - -"The Redskins attacked the Palefaces some hours ago; they were scaling -the barricade which protected their camp, when they suddenly retired -on your appearance, by order of their chief, who was wounded, and -thirsting for revenge." - -"It is true." - -"Good. And the chief who commanded the Redskins--does my mother know -him?" - -"No." - -"It was I, the Red Wolf: does my mother still doubt?" - -"The path on which I am walking is so gloomy," she replied sorrowfully; -"the work I am accomplishing is so serious, and of such import to me, -that at times I feel fear enter my heart, and doubt contract my chest, -when I think I am alone, a poor weak woman, to wrestle with a giant. -For long years I have been ripening the plan I wish to accomplish -today; I have occupied my whole life to obtain the result I desire, and -I fear failure at the moment of succeeding. Then, if I have no longer -confidence in myself, can I trust a man whom self-interest may urge to -betray, or at any rate abandon me at a moment." - -The chief drew himself up on hearing these words; his eye flashed fire, -and, with a gesture of wounded pride, he said,-- - -"Silence! my mother must not add a word. She insults at this moment -a man who is most anxious to prove his truth to her: ingratitude is -a white vice, gratitude a red virtue. My mother was ever kind to me; -Red Wolf cannot count the occasions on which he owes his life to -her. My mother's heart is ulcered by misfortune; solitude is an evil -counsellor: my mother listens too much to the voices which whisper in -her ear through the silence of night; she forgets the services she has -rendered, only to remember the ingratitude she has sowed on her road. -Red Wolf is devoted to her, he loves her; the She-wolf can place entire -confidence in him, he is worthy of it." - -"Dare I believe in these protestations? Can I put faith in these -promises?" she muttered. - -The chief continued passionately,-- - -"If the gratitude I have vowed to my mother is not enough, another and -stronger tie attaches us, which must convince her of my sincerity." - -"What is it?" she asked, looking fixedly at him. - -"Hatred," he answered. - -"That is true," she said, with a sinister burst of laughter. "You hate -him too?" - -"Yes; I hate him with all the strength of my soul: I hate him, because -he has robbed me of the two things I held most to on earth,--the love -of the woman I adored, and the power I coveted." - -"But are you not a chief?" she said significantly. - -"Yes!" he exclaimed proudly, "I am a chief, but my father was a sachem -of the Kenhas; his son is brave, he is crafty, the scalps of numberless -Palefaces dry before his lodge. Why then is Red Wolf only an inferior -chief, instead of leading his men to battle as his father did?" - -The woman seemed to take a delight in exciting the anger of the Indian, -instead of calming it. - -"Because doubtlessly," she said, "a wiser man than the Red Wolf has -gained the votes of his brothers." - -"Let my mother say that a greater rogue stole them from him, and -her words will be true," he exclaimed violently. "Grizzly Bear is a -Comanche dog, the son of an exile, received through favour into my -tribe; his scalp will soon dry on the girdle of the Red Wolf." - -"Patience!" the woman said in a hoarse voice. "Vengeance is a fruit -which is only eaten ripe: the Red Wolf is a warrior; he can wait." - -"Let my mother order," the Indian said, suddenly calmed; "her son will -obey." - -"Has the Red Wolf succeeded in obtaining the medicine which -Prairie-Flower wears round her neck?" - -The Indian bowed his head in confusion. - -"No," he said hoarsely. "Prairie-Flower never leaves the White Buffalo; -it is impossible to approach her." - -The woman smiled ironically. - -"What! did Red Wolf ever keep a promise?" - -The Blackfoot shuddered with rage. - -"I will have it," he cried, "even if I must use force in obtaining it." - -"No," she replied; "cunning alone must be employed." - -"I will have it," he repeated. "Before two days I will give it to my -mother." - -"No," she said quickly; "in two days is too soon. Let my son give it me -on the fifth day of the new moon, which will begin within three days." - -"Good; I swear it! My mother shall have the great medicine of -Prairie-Flower." - -"My son will bring it to me at the tree of the bear, near the great -lodge of the Palefaces, two hours after sunset. I will await him there, -and give him my final instructions." - -"Red Wolf will be there." - -"Till then, my son will carefully watch every movement of the Grizzly -Bear; if he learns anything new, which appears to him important, my -son will form on this very spot a pyramid of seven buffalo heads, and -come back two hours after to wait for me. I shall have understood his -signal, and will reply to his summons." - -"_Oche_, my mother is powerful; it shall be done as she desires." - -"My son has quite understood?" - -"The words of my mother have fallen on the ears of a chief; his mind -has received them." - -"The sky on the horizon is covered with red bands, the sun will soon -appear: let my brother return to his tribe; he must not arouse the -suspicions of his enemy by his absence." - -"I go; but before leaving my mother, whose wisdom has discovered all -the schemes of the Palefaces, has she not made a great medicine to know -if our enterprise will succeed, and if we shall conquer our enemy?" - -At this moment a loud noise was heard in the canebrake, and a shrill -whistle traversed the air; the Indian's horse laid hack its ears, -made violent efforts to break the rope that fastened it, and trembled -all over. The woman seized the chiefs arm firmly, and said in a gloomy -voice,-- - -"Let my brother look!" - -Red Wolf stifled a cry of surprise, and gazed, motionless and -terrified, at the strange sight before him. A few paces off, a tiger -cat and a rattlesnake were preparing for a contest. Their metallic -eyeballs flashed, and seemed to emit flames. The tiger cat, crouching -on a branch, with hair erect, was meowing and spitting, while closely -following every move of its dangerous enemy, and awaiting the moment -to attack it advantageously. The Crotalus, coiled up, and forming -an enormous spiral, with its hideous head thrown back, whistled, as -it balanced itself to the right and left, with a movement full of -suppleness and grace, apparently trying to fascinate its enemy. But -the latter did not allow it a long rest; it suddenly bounded on the -serpent, which, however, moved nimbly on one side, and when the cat, -after missing its leap, returned to the charge, gave it a fearful sting -on the face. - -The tiger cat uttered a yell of rage, and buried its long and sharp -claws in the eyes of the serpent, which, however, wound round its -enemy with a convulsive movement. Then the two rolled on the ground, -hissing and howling, but unable to loose their hold. The struggle was -long; they fought with extraordinary fury; but at length, the rings of -the snake became unloosened, and its flaccid body lay motionless on -the ground. The tiger cat escaped, with a meow of triumph, from the -monster's terrible embrace, and bounded on a tree; but its strength -was unequal to its will, and it could not reach the branch on which -it wished to climb, but fell back exhausted on the ground. Then the -ferocious animal, struggling with death and overcoming its agony, -crouched back to the body of its enemy, and stood upon it. It then -uttered a final yell of triumph, and fell, itself a corpse, by the side -of the snake. The Indian had followed all the moving incidents of this -cruel contest with ever-increasing interest. - -"Well," he asked the unknown, "what does my mother say?" - -She shook her head. - -"Our triumph will cost us our life," she replied. - -"What matters," the Red Wolf said, "so long as we conquer our enemies?" - -And, drawing his knife, he began skinning the catamount. The woman -looked at his operations for a while; then making him a parting sign, -she re-entered the canebrake, where she was speedily lost to view. An -hour later, the Indian chief, laden with the cat's head and the snake's -skin, started off toward his village at full gallop. An ironical smile -played around his lips; he needed no excuse to explain his absence, for -the spoils he brought with him proved that he had spent the night in -hunting. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE INDIAN VILLAGE. - - -Now that the exigencies of our story compel us to enter into closer -relations with the Prairie Indians, we will introduce to the reader -the primitive population of that territory, generally called Blackfoot -Indians. The Blackfeet formed, at the period when this history -occurred, a powerful nation, divided into three tribes, speaking the -same language. First, the tribe of the Siksekai, or Blackfeet proper; -next, the Kenhas, or Blood Indians; and lastly, the Piekanns. This -nation, when the three tribes were united, could bring under arms -nearly eight thousand warriors, which enables us to estimate the -population at twenty-five thousand souls. But, at the present day, -smallpox has decimated these Indians, and reduced them to a very much -smaller number. The Blackfeet traverse the prairies adjoining the Rocky -Mountains, sometimes even scaling those mountains between the three -forks of the Missouri, called Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers. -The Piekanns, however, go as far as Marine river, to trade with the -American Fur Company; they also barter with the Hudson's Bay Society, -and even with the Mexicans of Santa Fe. This nation, continually at -war with the whites, whom they attack whenever they have the chance, -are very little known, but greatly feared, especially for their skill -in stealing horses, and, more than that, for their notorious cruelty -and bad faith. As we have to deal principally with the Kenhas, we will -occupy ourselves more particularly with that tribe. The following is -the origin of the name "Blood Indians," given to the Kenhas:-- - -Before the Blackfeet were divided, they happened one day to be encamped -a short distance from seven or eight tents of the Sassi Indians. A -quarrel arose between them about a woman carried off by the Sassis, -in spite of the opposition of the Piekanns, and the Kenhas resolved -to kill all their neighbours, a project which they carried out with -extraordinary ferocity and cruelty. In the middle of the night they -attacked the tents of the Sassis, and massacred them all during their -sleep, without sparing even women, children, or old men; they scalped -their victims, and regained their tents, after daubing their faces and -hands with blood. - -The Piekanns reproached them for this act of barbarity; a quarrel -ensued, which speedily degenerated into a combat, in consequence of -which the three Blackfoot tribes separated. The Kenhas then received -the name of Blood Indians, which they still retain, and feel a pride -in it, saying that no one insults them with impunity. The Kenhas are -the most active and indomitable of the Blackfeet: they have always -displayed more sanguinary and rapacious instincts than the other -members of their nation, especially than the Piekanns, who are justly -regarded as comparatively gentle and humane. - -As the three Blackfoot tribes generally live far apart, Natah Otann -must have acted with great skill, and displayed great patience, ere -he succeeded in making them join, and consent to march under the same -banner. At every moment he was constrained to employ all the resources -suggested by his fertile mind, and evince great diplomacy, in order to -prevent a rupture, which was always imminent between these men, whom -no tie attached, and whose pride revolted at the least appearance of -humiliation. - -After the events which occurred at the pioneer's camp, Natah Otann -resolved to lead the Count de Beaulieu and his comrades to the chief -summer village of the Kenhas, situated at no great distance from Fort -Mackenzie, one of the principal depots of the American Fur Company. -The Kenhas had constructed this village only a year previously, and -their vicinity at first alarmed the Americans; but the conduct of -the Indians had ever been so loyal--apparently, at least, in their -transactions with the white men--that the latter, at length, did not -trouble themselves about their Redskin neighbours, except to buy their -furs, sell them whisky, and visit their village when they wanted some -amusement. - -After selling Black an immense territory for a dollar, Natah Otann -reminded the young man of his promise to visit his tribe, and the -Count, though secretly vexed at the obligation he Was under of -accepting an invitation which bore a great likeness to a command, -still yielded, and followed the chief, after bidding farewell to the -pioneers. Black, with his hand resting on the trigger of his rifle, -looked after the Kenha horsemen, who, according to their custom, -galloped across the prairie, when a rider turned back, and came up -to the American's camp. The pioneer recognised, with some surprise, -Bright-eye, who stopped before him. - -"Have you forgotten anything?" the pioneer asked him. - -"Yes," the hunter answered. - -"What?" - -"To say a word to you." - -"Ah!" the other said, in surprise. "Go ahead, then." - -"I have no time to lose; answer me as plainly as I question you." - -"Very good! speak." - -"Are you grateful for what the Count has done for you?" - -"More than I can express." - -"In case of need, what would you do for him?" - -"Everything." - -"Hum! that is a heavy pledge." - -"It is even less than I would do; my family, my servants, all I -possess, are at his disposal." - -"Then you are devoted to him?" - -"For life and death! Under any circumstances, by day or night; whatever -may happen, at a word from him I am ready." - -"You swear it?" - -"I swear it." - -"I hold your promise." - -"I will keep it." - -"I expect so. Good bye." - -"Are you off already?" - -"I must rejoin my companions." - -"Then you have some suspicions about your Red friend?" - -"You must always be on your guard with Indians," the hunter said, -sententiously. - -"Then you are taking a precaution?" - -"Perhaps." - -"In any event, count on me." - -"Thanks, and good bye." - -"Good bye." - -The two men parted; they understood each other. - -"By heaven!" the pioneer muttered, as he threw his rifle over his -shoulder, and returned to the camp; "I would not be the Indian to touch -a hair of the head of a man to whom I owe so much." - -The Indians had stopped on the bank of a stream, which they were about -to ford, when Bright-eye rejoined them. Natah Otann, busy talking with -the Count, threw a side glance at the hunter, but did not say a word to -him. - -"Yes," the latter muttered, with a crafty smile, "my absence has -bothered you, my fine fellow; you would like to know why I turned -back so suddenly; but, unluckily, I am not disposed to satisfy your -curiosity." - -When the ford was crossed, the Canadian took his post by the -Frenchman's side, and, by his presence, prevented the Indian chief -renewing his conversation with the Count. An hour passed, and not a -word was exchanged. Natah Otann, wearied with the hunter's obstinacy, -and not knowing how to make him retire, resolved at last to give up to -him: and, digging his spurs into his horse's flank, galloped forward, -leaving the two white men together. The hunter watched him depart, with -that caustic laugh which was one of the characteristics of his face. - -"Poor horse!" he said, sarcastically, "he must suffer for his master's -ill temper." - -"What ill temper do you mean?" the Count said, absently. - -"Why, the chief's, who is flying along over there in a cloud of dust." - -"You do not seem to have any sympathy for each other." - -"Indeed, we are as friendly as the grizzly bear and the jaguar." - -"Which means?--" - -"That we have measured our claws; and, as we find them at present of -the same strength and length, so we stand on the defensive." - -"Do you feel any malice against him?" - -"I? not the least in the world. I do not fear him more than he does -me; we are only distrustful because we know each other." - -"Oh, oh!" the young man said, with a laugh; "that conceals, I can see, -something serious." - -Bright-eye frowned, and took a scrutinizing glance around. The Indians -were galloping on about twenty paces in the rear; Ivon alone, though -keeping at a respectful distance, could hear the conversation between -the two men. Bright-eye leant over to the Count, laid his hand on the -pommel of his saddle, and said, in a low voice--"I do not like tigers -covered with a fox's skin; each ought to follow the instincts of his -nature, and not try to assume others that are fictitious." - -"I must confess, my good fellow," the young man replied, "that you are -speaking in enigmas, and I cannot understand you at all." - -"Patience!" the hunter said, tossing his head; "I will be clear." - -"My faith! that will delight me, Bright-eye," the young man said, with -a smile; "for ever since we have again met the Indian chief, you have -affected an air of mystery, which bothers me so, that I should be -charmed to comprehend you for once." - -"Good! What do you think of Natah Otann - -"Ah! that is where you are galled still!" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I will reply that this man appears to me extraordinary; there is -something strange about him, which I cannot understand. In the first -place, is he an Indian?" - -"Yes." - -"But he has travelled; he has been in white society; he has been in the -interior of the United States?" - -The hunter shook his head. "No," he said, "he has never left his tribe." - -"Yet--" - -"Yet," Bright-eye quickly interrupted him, "he speaks English, French -and Spanish, as well as yourself, and perhaps better than I do, eh? -Before his warriors he feigns profound ignorance; like them, he -trembles at the sight of one of the results of civilization--a watch, -a musical box, or even a lucifer match, eh?" - -"It is true." - -"Then, when he finds himself with certain persons, like yourself, for -instance, sir, the Indian suddenly disappears, the savage vanishes, -and you find yourself in the presence of a man whose acquirements -are almost equal to your own, and who confounds you by his thorough -knowledge." - -"That is true." - -"Ah, ah! Well, as you consider that extraordinary as I do, you will -take your precautions, Mr. Edward." - -"What have I to fear from him?" - -"I do not know yet; but be at your ease; I shall soon know. He is -sharp, but I am not such a fool as he fancies, and am watching him. -For a long time this man has been playing a game, about which I have -hitherto troubled myself but little; now that he has drawn us into it, -he must be on his guard." - -"But where did he learn all he knows?" - -"Ah! that is a story too long to tell you at present; but you shall -hear it someday; suffice it to say, that in his tribe there is an old -chief called the White Buffalo; he is a European, and he it was who -educated the Grizzly Bear." - -"Ah!" - -"Is not that singular! a European of immense learning; a man who, in -his own country, must have held a high rank, and who thus becomes, of -his own accord, chief of the savages?" - -"Indeed, it is most extraordinary. Do you know this man?" - -"I have often seen him; he is very aged now; his beard and hair are -white; he is tall and majestic; his face is fine, his look profound; -there is something about him grand and imposing, which attracts you -against your will. Grizzly Bear holds him in great veneration, and -obeys him as if he were his son." - -"Who can this man be?" - -"No one knows. I am convinced that the Grizzly Bear shares the general -ignorance on this head." - -"But how did he join the tribe?" - -"It is not known." - -"He must have been long with it." - -"I told you so; he educated the Grizzly Bear, and made a European of -him instead of an Indian." - -"All that is really strange," the Count murmured, having suddenly grown -pensive. - -"Is it not so? But that is not all yet; you are entering a world you -do not know, accident throws you among interests you are unacquainted -with; take care; weigh well your words, calculate your slightest -gesture, Mr. Edward; for the Indians are very clever; the man you have -to deal with is cleverer than all of them, as he combines with Redskin -craft that European intelligence and corruption with which his teacher -has inculcated him. Natah Otann is a man with an incalculable depth of -calculation; his thoughts are an abyss; he must be revolving sinister -schemes; take care; his pressing you to promise a visit to his village; -his generosity to the American squatter, the secret protection with -which he surrounds you, while being the first to pretend to take you -for a superior being; all this makes me believe that he wishes to lead -you unconsciously into some dark enterprise, which will prove your -destruction. Believe me, Mr. Edward, beware of this man." - -"Thanks, my friend, I will watch," the Count said, pressing the -Canadian's honest hand. - -"You will watch," the latter said; "but do you know the way to do it?" - -"I confess--" - -"Listen to me," the hunter interrupted him; "you must first--" - -"Here is the chief," the young man exclaimed. - -"Confusion!" Bright-eye growled. "Why could he not stop a few minutes -longer? I am sure that red devil has some familiar spirit to warn him; -but no matter, I have told you enough to prevent your being trapped by -false friendliness; besides, I shall be there to support you." - -"Thanks. When the time comes--" - -"I will warn you; but it is urgent that you should now compose your -countenance, and pretend to know nothing." - -"Good; that's settled; here is our man. Silence." - -"On the contrary, let us talk; silence is ever interpreted either well -or ill, but generally in the latter sense. Be careful to reply in the -sense of my questions." - -"I will try." - -"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater." - -After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few paces -off at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,-- - -"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chief -will be happy to procure you that pleasure." - -"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter was -alluding to. - -Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rode -silently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks. - -"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, and -longs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief, -one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reserved -the scent." - -"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied, -bowing with Indian gravity. - -The Count thanked him. - -"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "we -shall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive my -friends." - -The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grew -together, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The little -party continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri, -which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osier -beds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pink -flamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formed -a bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for a -fight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loading -them; others preparing their bows and javelins. - -"Are the fellows afraid of an attack?" the Count asked Bright-eye. - -"Not the least in the world," the latter answered; "they are only a -few minutes' ride from their village, into which they wish to enter in -triumph, in order to do you honour." - -"Come, come!" the young man said; "all this is charming; I did not -expect, on coming to the prairies, to be present at such singular -scenes." - -"You have seen nothing yet," the hunter said, ironically: "wait, we are -only at the beginning." - -"All the better," the Count answered, joyfully. - -Natah Otann made a sign, and the warriors closed up again at the same -moment; although no one was visible, a noise of conchs, drums, and -chichikoues was heard a short distance off. The warriors uttered their -war yell, and replied by raising to their lips their war whistles. -Natah Otann then placed himself at the head of the party, having the -Count on his right, the hunter and Ivon on his left; and, turning -towards his men, he brandished his weapon several times over his head, -uttering two or three shrill whistles. At this signal the whole troop -rushed forward, and turned the corner like an avalanche. - -The Frenchman then witnessed a strange scene, which was not without a -certain amount of savage grandeur, A troop of warriors from the village -came up, like a tornado, to meet the newcomers, shouting, howling, -brandishing their arms, and firing their guns. The two parties charged -each other with extraordinary fury and at full speed; but when scarce -ten yards apart, the horses stopped, as if of their own impulse, and -began dancing, curvetting, and performing all the most difficult -tricks of the riding school. After these manoeuvres had lasted a -few moments, the two bands formed a semicircle opposite each other, -leaving a free space between them, in which the chiefs collected. -The presentations then began. Natah Otann made a long harangue to -the chiefs, in which he gave them an account of his expedition, and -the result he had obtained. The sachems listened to it with thorough -Indian decorum. When he spoke to them of his meeting with the white -men, and what had occurred, they bowed silently, without replying; but -one chief, of venerable aspect, who seemed older than the rest, and -appeared to be treated with great consideration by his companions, -turned a profound and inquiring glance at the Count, when Natah Otann -spoke of him. The young man, troubled, in spite of himself, by the -fixed glance, stooped down to Bright-eye's ear, and asked him, in a low -voice, who the man was. - -"That is White Buffalo," the hunter answered, "the European I spoke to -you about." - -"Ah, ah!" the Count said, regarding him, in his turn, attentively; "I -do not know why, but I believe I shall have a serious row with that -gentleman before I have done." - -The White Buffalo then took the word. - -"My brothers are welcome," he said; "their return to the tribe is a -festival; they are intrepid warriors; we are happy at hearing the way -in which they have performed the duties entrusted to them." Then he -turned to the white men, and, after bowing to them, continued,--"The -Kenhas are poor, but strangers are always well received by them: the -Palefaces are our guests, all we possess belongs to them." - -The Count and his companions thanked the chief, who so gracefully did -the honours of his tribe; then the two parties joined, and galloped -toward the village, which was built some five hundred paces from the -spot where they were, and at the entrance of which a multitude of women -and children could be seen assembled. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE RECEPTION. - - -Like all the centres of Indian population near the American clearings, -the Kenha village was more like a fort than an open town. As we said -before, the Kenhas had only a short time previously established -themselves there, by the advice of Natah Otann. The spot was -magnificently selected, and owing to the precautions taken, the hill -was completely protected from a sudden attack. The wigwams were built -without any order, on both sides a stream, and the fortifications -consisted of a sort of intrenchment formed of dead trees. These -fortifications formed an inclosure, having several angles, and the -gorge or open part rested on the spot where the stream fell into the -Missouri. A parapet of tree stems and piled up branches, built up -on the edge of a deep ditch, completed a very respectable defensive -system, which few would have expected to find in the heart of the -prairies. - -In the centre of the village, a wide, vacant spot served as the meeting -place for the chiefs. In the centre there was a wigwam of wood, in the -shape of a sugar loaf. On either side of the building, maize, wheat, -and other cereals kept for winter consumption were drying. A little in -advance of the village were two block houses, formed of arrow-shaped -intrenchments, covered with wickerwork, provided with loopholes, and -surrounded by an enclosure of palisades. They were intended for the -defence of the village, with which they communicated by a covered -way, and to command the river and the plain. To leeward of these -block houses, and about a mile to the east, might be seen a number of -_Machotle_, or scaffoldings, on which the Blood Indians lay their dead. -At regular distances on the road leading to the village, long poles -were planted in the ground, from which hung skins, scalps, and other -objects offered by the Indians to the Master of Life and the first man. - -The Indians made their entrance into the village amid the cheers of the -women and children, the barking of dogs, and the deafening clamour of -drums, shells, chichikoues, and war whistles. On reaching the square, -at a signal from Natah Otann, the band halted, and the noise ceased. An -immense fire had been prepared, before which stood an aged chief, still -robust and upright. A shade of melancholy was spread over his face. He -was in mourning, as was easily to be seen by the ragged clothes that -covered him, and his hair cut short and mingled with clay. He held in -his hand a Dacotah pipe, the stem of which was long and adorned with -yellow glistening beads. This man was Cloven Foot, the first and most -renowned sachem of the Kenhas. So soon as the band had halted, he -advanced two paces, and with a majestic gesture invited the chiefs to -dismount. - -"My sons are at home," he said, "let them take their seats on the -buffalo robes around the council fire." - -Each obeyed silently, and sat down, after bowing respectfully to the -sachem. Cloven Foot then allowed each to take a few puffs from his -pipe, still holding it in his hand. When it was returned to him, he -emptied the burning ash into the fire, and turning with a kind of smile -to the strangers, said:-- - -"The Palefaces are our guests. There are fire and water here." - -After these words, which ended the ceremony, all rose and retired -without uttering a word, according to the Indian custom. Natah Otann -then went up to the Count. - -"Let my brother follow me," he said. - -"Where to?" the young man asked. - -"To the cabin I have had prepared for him." - -"And my companions?" - -"Other wigwams await them." - -Bright-eye made a sign, immediately checked by the Count. - -"Pardon, chief," he said, "but with your permission my comrades will -live with me." - -The hunter smiled, as a shade of dissatisfaction crossed the Indian's -face. - -"The young Pale chief will be uncomfortable, for he is accustomed to -the immense huts of the whites." - -"That is possible; but I shall be more uncomfortable if my comrades do -not remain with me, in order to keep me company." - -"The hospitality of the Kenhas is great. They are rich, and could give -each a private cabin, even if their guests were more numerous." - -"I am convinced of it, and thank them for their attention, by which, -however, I decline to profit. Solitude frightens me. I should be -worried to death had I not with me someone to talk with." - -"Be it then as the young Pale chief desires. Guests have a right to -command. Their requests are orders." - -"I thank you for your condescension, and am ready to follow you." - -"Come." - -With that rapidity of resolution which the Indians possess in so -eminent a degree, Natah Otann shut up his vexation in his heart, and -not a trace of emotion again appeared on his stoical countenance. The -three men followed him, after exchanging a meaning glance. A handsome, -lofty cabin had been built in the square itself, near the hut of the -first man, a species of cylinder formed in the earth, and surrounded -with creeping plants. To this cabin the chief now led his guests. A -woman was standing silently in the doorway, fixing on the newcomers a -glance in which admiration and astonishment were blended. But was it a -woman? this angelic creature, with her vague outline, whose delicious -face, blushing with modesty and simple curiosity, turned towards the -Count with anxious timidity. The young man asked himself this very -question on contemplating this charming apparition, which resembled one -of those divine virgins in the mythology of the ancient Sclavons. On -seeing her, Natah Otann paused. - -"What is my sister doing here?" he asked her, roughly. - -The girl, startled from her silent contemplation by this brusque -address, shuddered, and let her eyes fall. - -"Prairie-Flower wishes to welcome her adopted father," she replied -gently, in a sweet melodious voice. - -"Prairie-Flower's place is not here, I will speak with her presently: -let her go and rejoin her companions, the young maidens of the tribe." - -Prairie-Flower blushed still deeper, her rosy lips pouted, and after -shaking her head petulantly twice, she flew away like a bird, casting -at the Count, as she fled, a parting glance, which caused him an -incomprehensible emotion. - -The young man laid his hand on his heart, to suppress its beating, and -followed the girl with his eyes till she disappeared behind a cabin. - -"Oh!" the chief muttered aside, "can she have suddenly recognized a -being of that accursed race to which she belongs?" - -Then turning to the white men, whose eyes he felt instinctively were -fixed on him,-- - -"Enter," he said, raising the buffalo skin, which served as a door to -the cabin. - -They went in. By Natah Otann's care the cabin had been cleaned, -and every comfort it was possible to find placed in it, that is to -say--piles of furs to serve as a bed, a rickety table, some wooden -clumsy benches, and a species of reed easy chair, with a large back. - -"The Paleface will excuse the poor Indians if they have not done more -to welcome him as he deserves," the chief said, with a mixture of irony -and humility. - -"It is all famous," the young man answered with a smile; "I certainly -did not expect so much; besides, I have been on the prairie long enough -to satisfy myself with what is strictly necessary." - -"Now I ask the Pale chiefs permission to retire." - -"Yes, go, my worthy host; do so: do not put yourself out of the way. -Attend to your business. For my part I intend taking that rest I need -so sadly." - -Natah Otann bowed in reply, and withdrew. So soon as he was gone, -Bright-eye made his comrades a sign to remain motionless, and began -inspecting the place, peering into every corner. When he had ended -this inspection, which produced no farther result than proving to him -they were really alone, and that no spy was on the watch, he returned -to the centre of the hut, and calling the Count and Ivon toward him, -said in a low voice:-- - -"Listen: we are now in the wolfs throat by our own fault, and we must -be prudent; in the prairies the leaves have eyes and the trees ears. -Natah Otann is a demon, who is planning some treachery, of which he -intends to make us the victims." - -"Bah!" the Count said, lightly. "How do you know it, Bright-eye?" - -"I do not know it, yet I feel sure of it; my instinct never deceives -me, Mr. Edward. I have known the Kenhas a long time; we must get out of -this as adroitly as we can." - -"Eh! what use are such suspicions, my friend? The poor devils, I am -convinced, only think of treating us properly; all this appears to me -admirable." - -The Canadian shook his head. - -"I should like to know the cause of the strange respect the Indians pay -you; that conceals something, I repeat." - -"Bah! they are afraid of me; that's all." - -"Hum! Natah Otann does not fear much in this world." - -"Why, Bright-eye, I never saw you in this state before. Did I not know -you so thoroughly, I should say you were afraid." - -"Hang me! if I'll try to conceal it," the hunter replied, quickly. "I -am afraid, and terribly so." - -"You?" - -"Yes; but not for myself; you know that during the time I have -journeyed on the prairies, if the Redskins could have killed me, they -would have done so. Hence, I am perfectly calm on my own account, and -were there only myself--" - -"Well?" - -"I should not be at all embarrassed." - -"Whom are you afraid for, then?" - -"For you." - -"Me!" the Count exclaimed, as he reclined carelessly in the easy chair. -"You do these scamps a deal of honour. With my whip I would put all -these hideous people to flight." - -The hunter shook his head. - -"You will not, Mr. Edward, persuade yourself thoroughly of one thing." - -"What?" - -"That the Indians are different men from the Europeans with whom you -have hitherto had dealings." - -"Nonsense, were a man to listen to you wood rangers, he would be, at -every two steps, in danger of death, and it would be impossible to -move, except by crawling on all fours, like the wild beasts; that is -all trash, my good fellow. I fancy I have already twenty times proved -to you that such precautions are useless, and that a man, who boldly -meets danger, will always get the best of the most warlike Redskins." - -"It is exactly the reason that makes them act toward you in that way, I -wish to discover." - -"You would do better to try and discover something else." - -"What is it?" - -"Who that charming girl is, of whom I only had a glance, and whom the -chief sent away so brutally." - -"Good! then I suppose you have fallen in love now; that's the last -thing wanting." - -"Why not? She is a charming girl." - -"Yes; she is charming, sir; but, believe me, do not trouble yourself -about her." - -"And why so, if you please?" - -"Because she is not what she seems to be." - -"Why, it's a perfect romance of the Anne Radcliffe school; we have been -advancing from mystery to mystery during the last few days." - -"Yes, and the further we go, the more gloomy matters will become around -us." - -"Bah, bah! I do not believe a word. Ivon, take off my boots." - -The man-servant obeyed. Since his entry into the village, the worthy -Breton had been in one continued trance, and trembled in all his -limbs. All he saw seemed to him so extraordinary and horrible, that he -expected every moment to be massacred. - -"Well," the Count asked him, "what do you think of it all, Ivon?" - -"Your lordship knows that I am a great coward," the Breton stammered. - -"Yes, yes, that is agreed; go on." - -"I am terribly afraid." - -"Naturally." - -"And if your lordship will allow me, I will carry my furs over there, -and sleep across the doorway." - -"Why so?" - -"Because, as I am very frightened, I shall not sleep soundly; and if -anyone comes in the night, with ill intentions, he will be obliged to -step over me; I shall hear him, and, in that way, be able to warn you, -which will give you time to defend yourself." - -The young man threw himself back, and burst into a Homeric laugh, in -which Bright-eye joined, in spite of his thoughtfulness. - -"By Jove!" the Count exclaimed, looking at his servant, who was in -amazement at this gaiety, which seemed to him unsuitable at so grave -a moment--"I must confess, Ivon, that you are the most extraordinary -poltroon I ever saw." - -"Ah, sir," he answered with contrition, "it is not my fault; for I do -all I can to gain courage, but it is impossible." - -"Good, good!" the young man went on, still laughing. "I am not angry -with you, my poor fellow; as it is stronger than yourself, you must put -up with it." - -"Alas!" the Breton said, uttering an enormous sigh. - -"Well, you can sleep how and where you like, Ivon; I leave it entirely -to you." - -The Breton, without further reply, began transferring the furs to the -place he had selected, while the Count went on talking with the hunter. - -"As for you, Bright-eye," he said, "I leave you at liberty to watch -over our safety as you may think proper, promising not to disarrange -your plans in any way, and even to promote them, if necessary--but on -one condition." - -"What?" - -"That you will arrange so that I may meet again that charming creature, -of whom I have already spoken to you." - -"Take care, Mr. Edward!" - -"I want to see her again, I tell you, even if I am obliged to go and -look for her myself." - -"You will not do so, Mr. Edward." - -"I will do so, on my soul! and at once, if you continue in that tone." - -"You will reflect." - -"I now reflect, and find it the best plan." - -"But do you know who that girl is?" - -"By Jove! you have just said it; she is a girl, and a charming one in -the bargain." - -"Granted; but I repeat, she is loved by Natah Otann." - -"What do I care?" - -"Take care!" - -"I will not: I must see her again." - -"At any risk?" - -"At all." - -"Well, listen to me, then." - -"I will, but be brief." - -"I will tell you this girl's history." - -"You know her then?" - -"I do." - -"Go on; I am all attention." - -Bright-eye drew up a bench, eat down with an air of dissatisfaction, -and, after a moment's reflection, began. - -"Just fifteen years ago, Natah Otann, who was hardly twenty years of -age, but already a renowned warrior, left his tribe, at the head of -some fifty picked warriors, to attempt a _coup de main_ on the Whites. -At that period, the Kenhas did not live where they now are; the Fur -Company had not advanced so far on the Missouri, and Fort Mackenzie did -not exist. The Blood Indians hunted freely on the vast territories from -which the Americans have since expelled them. Up to that moment, Natah -Otann had never been the commander in chief of an expedition; like all -young men of his age and circumstances, his brow shone with pride; he -burned to distinguish himself, and prove to the sachems of his nation -that he was worthy to command brave warriors. So soon as he entered -on the war trail, he scattered his spies in every direction, and even -forbade his men smoking, lest the light of their pipes might betray his -presence. In short, he took, with extreme wisdom, all the precautions -employed in similar cases. His expedition was brilliant; he surprised -several caravans, and plundered and burned the clearings; his men -returned laden with booty, and the bits of their horses garnished with -scalps. Natah Otann only brought back, as his share, a weak creature -of two or three years of age at the most, whom he bore tenderly in his -arms, or laid on the front of his saddle. That child was the tall and -lovely girl you saw today." - -"Ah! Is she white or red, American or Spanish?" - -"No one knows; no one will ever know. You are aware that many Indians -are born white, thus colour is of no avail in finding her relations -again. In short, the chief adopted her; but, strange to say, as she -grew up, she gained such an ascendency over Natah Otann's mind, -that the chief of the tribe grew alarmed; besides, the life led by -Prairie-Flower--that is her name--" - -"I knew it," the Count interrupted him. - -"Good," the hunter continued, "I say, then, that this girl's life is -extraordinary; instead of being sportive and laughing, like girls of -her age, she is gloomy, dreamy, and wild, wandering ever alone on the -prairie, flying over the dew-laden grass like a gazelle; or else, at -night, dreaming in the moonlight, and muttering words no one hears. At -times, from a distance (for no one ventures to approach her), another -shadow may be traced by the side of her's, and moving for hours at her -side: then she returns alone to the village; if questioned, only shakes -her head, and begins crying." - -"That is really strange." - -"Is it not? so much so, that the chiefs assembled in council, and -agreed that Prairie-Flower had cast a charm over her adopted father." - -"The asses!" the Count muttered. - -"Perhaps so," the hunter went on, turning his head; "at any rate, they -agreed that she should be left alone to perish in the desert." - -"Poor child! Well, what happened then?" - -"Natah Otann and White Buffalo, who were not summoned to the council, -went there on learning this decision, and succeeded by their deceitful -words in so thoroughly altering the chiefs' sentiments, that they not -only gave up all idea of deserting her, but she has since been regarded -as the tutelary genius of the tribe." - -"And Natah Otann?" - -"His condition is still the same." - -"Is that all?" - -"It is." - -"Well, then, Bright-eye, within two days I shall know whether that -girl is the enchantress you fancy her, and what I am to think on the -subject." - -The hunter only answered by an unintelligible grunt, and, saying no -more, lay down on his furs. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE WHITE BUFFALO. - - -So soon as Natah Otann emerged from the cabin into which he had -conducted the Count, he proceeded towards the hut inhabited by White -Buffalo. The night was beginning to fall; the Kenhas, collected round -fires kindled at the door of each wigwam, were conversing gaily while -smoking their long calumets. The chief replied by a nod of the head, as -a friendly sign to the affectionate salutations the warriors made him -whom he met; but he did not stop to talk with anyone, and continued his -walk with greater rapidity as the darkness grew denser. He at length -reached a cabin, situated at the extremity of the village, on the banks -of the Missouri. The chief, after taking a scrutinizing glance around, -stopped before this hut, and prepared to enter. Still in the act of -raising the buffalo curtain that served as a doorway, he hesitated for -a few seconds, and appeared to be collecting his courage. - -This dwelling, externally, had nothing to distinguish it from the -others forming the village; it was round, with a roof shaped like a -beehive, made of intertwined branches, with clay stuffed between them, -and covered with matting. Still, after a moment's reflection, Natah -Otann raised the curtain, walked in, and stopped at the threshold, -saying in French-- - -"Good evening, my father." - -"Good evening, child, I was awaiting you impatiently: come, sit down by -my side, we have to talk." - -These words were uttered in the same language, and in a gentle voice. - -Natah Otann took a few steps forward, and let the curtain fall behind -him. If, externally, the hut the Chief had just entered was not -distinguished from the others, that was not the case with the interior. -All that human industry can imagine, when reduced to its simplest -expressions, that is to say, when deprived of tools and matters of -primary necessity to express its thoughts, had been as it were invented -by the master of this house. Hence the interior of this hut was a sort -of strange pandemonium, in which were collected the most discordant -articles, apparently least suited to be side by side. Differing from -the other wigwams, this cabin had two windows, in which oiled paper -was substituted for glass; in one corner was a bed, in the centre a -table, a few scattered chairs, and armchair by the table, but all these -articles carved with an axe, and clumsily. Such was the furniture of -this singular room. - -On shelves, some forty volumes, for the most part out of their binding; -stuffed animals hanging by cords, insects, &c.; in a word, an infinite -number of things without name, but classified, arranged, and labelled, -completed this singular abode, which more resembled the cell of an -anchorite, or the secret den of a mediaeval alchemist, than the abode -of an Indian chief; and yet this hut belonged to White Buffalo, one -of the first Kenha chiefs. But, as we have said, this chief was a -European, and had, doubtlessly, kept up some reminiscences of his past -life, the last rays of a lost existence. - -At the moment when Natah Otann entered the hut, White Buffalo, seated -in the easy chair at the table, with his head resting on his hands, -was reading by the light of a lamp, whose smoky wick only spread a -flickering and uncertain light around, from a large folio, with yellow -and worn leaves. He raised his head, took off his spectacles, which -he placed in the book, and, turning the chair half round, the old man -smiled, and, pointing to a chair in a kindly way, said-- - -"Come, my child, sit down there." - -The Chief took a chair, drew it to the table, and sat down, without any -reply. The old man looked at him attentively for a few moments, and -then said:-- - -"Hem! you appear to me very thoughtful for a man who, as I suppose, has -just obtained a grand result so long expected. What can render you so -gloomy? Would you hesitate, now you are on the point of success? or are -you beginning to understand that the work which, in spite of me, you -wished to undertake, is beyond the strength of a man left to himself, -and who has only an old man to support him?" - -"Perhaps so," the Chief answered, in a hollow voice. "Oh why, my -father, did you let me taste the bitter fruit of that accursed -civilization, which was not made for me? Why have your lessons made -of me a man differing from those who surround me, and with whom I am -compelled to live and die?" - -"Blind man! when I showed you the sun, you allowed yourself to be -dazzled by the beams; your weak eyes could not endure the light; in -the place of that ignorance and brutalization in which you would have -vegetated all the days of your life, I developed in you the only -feeling which elevates man above the brute. I taught you to think, to -judge, and this is the way in which you recompense me. This is the -reward you give me for the pains I have taken, and the cares I have -never ceased to bestow on you." - -"My father!" - -"Do not attempt to exculpate yourself, child," the old man said, with -a shade of bitterness. "I should have expected what now happens, -ingratitude and egotism are deposited in man's heart by Providence, -as his safeguard. Without those two supreme virtues of humanity, no -society would be possible. I am not angry with you; I have no right to -be so; and, as the sage says, you are a man, and no human feeling must -be alien to you." - -"I make neither plaint nor recrimination, my father; I know that you -have acted towards me with good intentions," the Chief replied, "but, -unfortunately, your lessons have produced a very different result -from what you awaited: in developing my ideas, you have, without your -knowledge or mine, increased my wants; the life I lead preys upon -me: the men who surround me are a burden to me, because they cannot -understand me, and I can no longer understand them. As respects myself, -my mind rushes towards an unknown horizon. I dream wide awake of -strange and impossible things. I suffer from an incurable malady, and -cannot define it. I hopelessly love a woman, of whom I am jealous, -and who can never be mine, save by a crime. Oh, my father, I am very -wretched!" - -"Child!" the old man exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders in pity. "What, -you are unhappy! Your grief inclines me to laughter. Man has in himself -the germ of good and evil; if you suffer, you have only yourself -to blame. You are young, intelligent, powerful, the first of your -nation: what do you want for happiness? Nothing. If you wish to be so -permanently, stifle in your heart that insensate passion which devours -it, and follow, without looking to the right or left, the glorious -mission you have traced for yourself. What can be more noble or grander -than the deliverance and regeneration of a people?" - -"Alas! can I do it?" - -"What! you doubt?" the old man shouted, striking the table with his -fist and looking him in the face; "then you are lost: renounce your -plans, you will not succeed; on a road like that you follow, hesitation -or stoppage is ruin." - -"Father!" - -"Silence," he said, with redoubled energy, "and listen to me; when you -first revealed your plans to me, I tried by all arguments possible -to make you abandon them. I proved to you that your resolves were -premature. That the Indians, brutalized by a lengthened slavery, were -only the shadow of their former selves; and that to attempt to arouse -in them any noble or generous feeling was like galvanizing a corpse. -You resisted; you would hear nothing; you went Headlong into intrigues -and plots of every description--is it not so?" - -"It is true." - -"Well! now it is too late to return; you must go on at all risks. You -may fall, but you will do so with honour; and your name, cherished by -all, will swell the martyrology of the chosen men who have devoted -themselves to their country." - -"Things are not yet sufficiently advanced, I think, for me----" - -"Not to be able to withdraw--you mean?" he interrupted him. - -"Yes." - -"You are mistaken; while you were engaged in collecting your partisans, -and preparing to take up arms, do you fancy I remained inactive?" -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that your enemies suspect your plans; are watching you; and if -you do not prevent them, will lay a trap, into, which you will fall." - -"I?" the chief said, violently. "We shall see." - -"Then redouble your activity; do not let yourself be taken unawares; -and, above all, be prudent, for you are closely watched, I repeat." - -"How do you know it?" - -"That I know it, is sufficient, I imagine; trust to my prudence. I am -on the watch. Let the spies and traitors fall asleep in a doubtful -security; were we to unmask them, others would take their place, -and we are better off with those we know; in that way none of their -movements escape us, we know what they are doing and what they want, -and while they flatter themselves with the idea of knowing our plans, -and divulging them to their paymasters, we are their masters, and amuse -them with false information, which conceals our real plans. Believe me, -their confidence produces our security." - -"You are always right, my father. I trust entirely to you. But may I -not be permitted to know the names of the traitors?" - -"For what end, since I know them? When the time arrives, I will tell -you all." - -"Be it so." - -There was a lengthened silence; the two men, absorbed in thought, -did not notice a grinning head over the curtain in the doorway, and -which had for a long time been listening to their conversation. But -the man, whoever he might be, who indulged in this espial, every now -and then gave signs of ill temper and disappointment. In fact, while -listening to the two chiefs, he had forgotten one thing, that he could -not understand a word of what they said, for they spoke in French, and -that was a sad disappointment to the spy. Still he did not despair, but -continued to listen, in the hope that they might at any moment revert -to his idiom. - -"And now," the old man continued, "give me an account of your trip. -When you went away, you were happy, and hoped, as you told me, to bring -back with you the man you wanted to play the principal part in your -conspiracy." - -"Well, you saw him here today, my father. He is here. This evening he -entered the village by my side." - -"Oh! oh! explain that to me, my child," the old man said, with a -gentle smile, and settling himself in the easy chair to listen at his -ease. By an imperceptible movement, and while seeming to listen with -the greatest attention, he drew towards him the heavy pistol that lay -before him. - -"Go on," he said; "I am listening." - -"About six months ago, I do not know if I told you of it then, I -succeeded in capturing a Canadian hunter, to whom I owe an old grudge." - -"Wait a minute. I fancy I have a confused remembrance of it. A certain -Bright-eye, I think, eh?" - -"The very man. Well! I was furious with him, because he had mocked us -so long, and killed my warriors with extraordinary skill. So soon as he -was in my power I resolved he should die by violence." - -"Although, as you know, I do not approve of that barbarous custom, you -were in the right, and I cannot offer any opposition to it." - -"He, too, made no objection; on the contrary, he derided us; in a -word, he rendered us so mad with him, that I gave the order for the -punishment. At the moment that he was about to die, a man, or rather a -demon, appeared all at once, rushed among us, and careless as it seemed -of the risk he ran, unfastened the prisoner." - -"Hum! he was a brave man, do you know?" - -"Yes, but his daring action would have cost him dear; when suddenly, at -a signal from myself, all my warriors fell at his feet, with marks of -the most profound respect." - -"Oh! what are you telling me now?" - -"The strictest truth: on looking this man in the face, I perceived on -his face two extraordinary signs." - -"What?" - -"A scar over the right eyebrow, and a black mark under the eye, on the -same side of the face." - -"That is strange," the old man muttered, pensively. - -"But what is still more so, this man exactly resembles the portrait -which you drew, and which is in that book." - -"What did you do then?" - -"You know my coolness and rapidity of resolution. I let the man depart -with the prisoner." - -"Well! and afterwards?" - -"I pretended as if I did not wish to meet him." - -"Better and better still," the old man said, with a nod of his head, -and with a movement swift as thought, he cocked the pistol he held in -his hand, and fired. A cry of pain was heard from the door, and the -head disappeared suddenly under the curtain. The two men jumped up, and -rushed out, but saw nothing, except that a rather large pool of blood -clearly indicated that the shot had told. - -"What have you done, my father?" Natah Otann exclaimed, in astonishment. - -"Nothing. I have merely given a lesson, rather a rough one, to one of -those spies I mentioned to you just now." - -And he went back coolly, and eat down again. Natah Otann wished to -follow the bloody trail left by the fugitive, but the old man checked -him. - -"Stay! what I have done is sufficient; continue your story, which is -deeply interesting. Still you can see you have no time to lose, if you -wish to succeed." - -"I will lose none, father, you may be assured," the Chief exclaimed, -wrathfully, "but I swear that I will know the scoundrel." - -"You would do wrong to seek him. Come, proceed with your narrative." - -Natah Otann then described in full detail his meeting with the Count, -and in what way he had made him consent to follow him to his village. -This time no incident interrupted his story, and it seemed as if the -lesson read by White Buffalo to the listener was sufficient for the -present. The old man laughed heartily at the experiment with the -matches, and the Count's surprise when he perceived that the man he had -hitherto taken for a coarse and half-idiot savage was, on the contrary, -a man endowed with an intellect and education at least equal to his own. - -"And what shall I do now?" Natah Otann added, in conclusion. "He is -here; but with him is Bright-eye, in whom he places the greatest -confidence." - -"Hum!" the old man answered, "all this is very serious. In the first -place, my son, you did wrong to let him know you as you really are: you -were much stronger than he, so long as he merely fancied you a stupid -savage: you allowed your pride to carry you away through the desire to -shine in the eyes of a European. It is a great fault, for now he doubts -you, and keeps on his guard." - -The young man looked down, and made no reply. - -"However," the old man went on, "I will try to arrange matters; but I -must first see this Bright-eye and have a talk with him." - -"You will obtain nothing, my father; he is devoted to the Count." - -"The greater reason, child. In which hut have you lodged them?" - -"In the old council lodge." - -"Good! they will be convenient there, and it will be easy to hear all -they say." - -"That is what I thought." - -"Now, one last remark." - -"What is it?" - -"Why did you not kill the She-wolf of the Prairies?" - -"I did not see her. I was not in the camp; but I would not have done -so." - -The old man laid his hand on his shoulder. - -"Natah Otann, my son," he said to him, in a stern voice, "when a man -like yourself is intrusted with the fortunes of a people, he must -recoil before nothing. A dead enemy makes the living sleep quietly. The -She-wolf of the Prairies is your enemy. You know it; and her influence -is immense over the superstitious minds of the Redskins. Remember these -words, uttered by an old, experienced man:--As you would not kill her, -she will kill you." - -Natah Otann smiled contemptuously. - -"Oh!" he said, "a wretched, half-mad woman." - -"Ah!" White Buffalo replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "are you -ignorant that a woman lurks behind every great event? They kill men of -genius for futile interests, and paltry passions cause the finest and -boldest prospects to fail." - -"Yes; you are, perhaps, right," Natah Otann said; "but I feel I cannot -stain my hands with that woman's blood." - -"Scruples, poor child," White Buffalo said, with disdain; "well, I do -not insist; but be assured that scruples will ruin you. The man who -wishes to govern others must be made of marble, and have no feelings of -humanity, else his prospects will be nipped in the bud, and his foes -will ridicule him. That which has ever ruined the greatest geniuses -is, that they would not comprehend this fact; but worked for their -successors and not for themselves." - -In speaking thus, the old man had involuntarily let himself be carried -away by the tumultuous feelings that still agitated his mind. His eye -sparkled; his brow was unwrinkled; his glance had an irresistible -majesty; he had returned, in thought, to his old days of struggling -and triumph. Natah Otann listened to him, yielding to the dominating -ascendency of this prostrated giant, who was so great even after his -fall. - -"What am I saying? I am mad! pardon me, child," the old man continued, -sinking in his chair despondingly. "Go, leave me; tomorrow, at sunrise, -I may, perhaps, have some news for you." - -And he dismissed the Chief with a sign. The latter, accustomed to these -outbursts, bowed, and departed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE SPY. - - -The pistol shot fired by the White Buffalo had not quite produced the -result the latter expected from it. The man was wounded; but the haste -with which the chief had been obliged to fire, injured the precision -of his aim, and the listener escaped with a slight wound; the bullet -grazed his skull, and only produced a copious hemorrhage. Still this -hurt had been enough for the spy, who saw that he was unmasked, and -that a longer stay at the spot would inevitably produce a catastrophe; -hence he ran off at full speed. After running for several minutes, -feeling certain that he had thrown off any persons inclined to follow -him, he stopped to draw breath, and attend to his wound, which still -bled profusely. In consequence, he looked anxiously around him; but -all was silent and solitary. A dense snowstorm, which had been falling -for many an hour, had compelled the Indians to seek shelter in their -lodges The firing of the pistol had caused no panic, for the Redskins, -accustomed to nocturnal disputes in their villages, had not stirred. -No other noise could be heard but the barking of a few straying dogs, -and the hoarse cries of the wild beasts that wandered over the prairie -in search of prey. The spy, reassured by the calm prevailing in the -village, set about bandaging the wound, in his heart thanking the snow -for falling, as it effaced the traces of blood left in his flight. - -"Come," he muttered, in a low voice, "I shall know nothing this night; -the genius of evil protects those men; I will go into the cabin." - -He turned a parting glance around, and prepared to start; but, at the -same moment, a white shadow, gliding over the snow like a phantom, -passed a short distance from him. - -"What is that?" the Indian muttered, suddenly assailed by a -superstitious terror. "Is the 'Virgin of the dark hours' wandering -about the village? What terrible misfortune is menacing us then?" - -The Indian bent forward, and, as if attracted by a superior power, -followed with his eyes the strange apparition, whose white outline was -already blending with the distant gloom. - -"That creature is not walking," he said to himself, with terror; -"she leaves no footfall on the snow. Is she a Genius hostile to the -Blackfeet? There is a mystery about this which I must fathom." - -The instinct of the spy heightening the curiosity of the Indian, the -latter soon forgot his terror for a moment, and rushed boldly in -pursuit of the phantom. After an interval of a few minutes, the shadow -or spectre stopped, and looked around with evident indecision. The -Indian, lest he might be discovered, had just time to hide himself -behind the wall of a cabin; but a pale gleam of moonlight, emerging -between two clouds, had, for a second, lighted up the face of the -person he was pursuing. - -"Prairie-Flower!" he muttered, suppressing with difficulty a cry of -surprise. - -In fact, that was the person thus wandering about in the darkness. -After some hesitation, the maiden raised her head, and walked -resolutely toward a cabin, the buffalo skin of which she lifted with -a firm hand. She entered, and let the curtain fall behind her. The -Indian bounded up to the cabin, walked round it, thrust his knife up -to the hilt in the wall, turned it round twice or thrice, to enlarge -the hole, and, placing his ear to it, listened. The most complete quiet -continued to prevail in the village. - -At the first step the young girl took in the lodge, a shadow suddenly -rose before her, and a hand fell upon her shoulder; instinctively she -recoiled. - -"What do you want?" a menacing voice asked. This question was asked in -French, which rendered it doubly unintelligible by the Indian girl. - -"Answer! or I'll blow out your brains," the voice continued. - -And the sharp sound produced by cocking a pistol could be heard. - -"Wah!" the girl replied in her gentle, melodious voice, "I am a friend." - -"It is evidently a woman," the first speaker growled, "but no matter, -we must be prudent. What on earth does she want here?" - -"Halloh!" Bright-eye suddenly shouted, aroused by this short -altercation, "what's the matter there, what have you caught, Ivon?" - -"My faith, I don't know; I believe it is a woman." - -"Eh, eh," the hunter said, with a laugh, "let us have a look at that: -don't let her escape." - -"Don't be alarmed," the Breton replied, "I have hold of her." - -Prairie-Flower remained motionless, not making the slightest effort to -escape from the clutch of the man who held her. Bright-eye rose, felt -his way to the fire, and began blowing it up. In a few minutes a bright -flame burst forth, and illumined the interior of the lodge. - -"Stay, stay," the hunter said, with surprise, "you are welcome, girl; -what do you want here?" - -The Indian maid blushed, and replied:-- - -"Prairie-Flower has come to visit her friends, the Palefaces." - -"The hour is a strange one for a visit, my child," the Canadian -continued, with an ironical smile; "but no matter," he added, turning -to the Breton, "let her loose, Ivon; this enemy, if she is one, is not -very dangerous." - -The other obeyed with ill grace. - -"Come to the fire, girl," the hunter said, "your limbs are frozen; when -you have warmed yourself, you can tell us the cause of your presence -here at this late hour." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sadly, and sat down by the fire, Bright-eye -taking a place by her side. The girl had with one glance surveyed the -interior of the lodge, and perceived the Count sleeping tranquilly on a -pile of furs. Bright-eye's whole life had been spent in the desert; he -was thoroughly acquainted with the character of the Redskins, and knew -that circumspection and prudence are their two guiding principles. That -an Indian never attempts anything without having first calculated all -the consequences, and that he never decides on doing a thing contrary -to Indian habits, except from some pressing motive. The hunter, -therefore, suspected that the object of the young girl's visit was -important, though unable to read, beneath the mask of impassibility -that covered her face, the motive that caused her to act. - -The Redskins are not, like other men, easy to question; cunning and -finesse obtain no advantage over these doubtful natives. The most -skilful Old Bailey practitioner would get nothing out of them, but -confess himself vanquished, after making an Indian undergo the closest -cross-examination. If one of these shades of character were unknown to -the hunter; hence he was careful not to let the girl suppose that he -took any interest in her explanation. - -With a nod of the head, Bright-eye soon gave Ivon the order to go to -sleep again, which he did immediately. The girl was sitting by the -fire, warming herself mechanically, while every now and then taking a -side glance at the hunter. But the latter had lit his pipe, and, nearly -concealed by the dense cloud of smoke that surrounded him, appeared -completely absorbed in his agreeable occupation. The two remained -thus face to face nearly half an hour, and did not exchange a word; -at length Bright-eye shook out the ash on his left thumbnail, put his -pipe in his belt, and rose. Prairie-Flower followed his every movement, -without appearing to attach any importance to it; she saw him collect -furs, carry them to a dark corner of the lodge, where he spread them so -as to form a species of bed; then, when he fancied it was soft enough, -he threw a coverlid over it, and returned to the fire. - -"My Pale brother has prepared a bed," Prairie-Flower said, laying her -hand on his arm, just as he was about to draw out his pipe again. - -"Yes," he replied. - -"Why four beds for three persons?" - -Bright-eye looked at her with a perfectly natural amazement. - -"Are we not four?" he said. - -"I only see the two Pale hunters and my brother--for whom is the last -bed?" - -"For my sister, Prairie-Flower, I suppose; has she not come to ask -hospitality of her Pale brothers?" - -The girl shook her head. - -"The women of my tribe," she said, with an accent of wounded pride, -"have their cabins for sleeping, and do not pass the night in the -lodges of the warriors." - -Bright-eye bowed respectfully. - -"I am mistaken," he said; "I did not wish to vex my sister; but -on seeing her enter my lodge so late, I supposed she came to ask -hospitality." - -The girl smiled with finesse. - -"My brother is a great warrior of the Palefaces," she said; "his head -is grey; he is very cunning; why does he pretend not to know the reason -that brings Prairie-Flower to his lodge?" - -"Because I am really ignorant of it," he replied; "how should I know -it?" - -The Indian girl turned towards the place where the young man was -sleeping, and said, with a charming pout-- - -"Glass-eye knows all: he would have told my brother the hunter." - -"I cannot deny," the hunter said, boldly, "that Glass-eye knows many -things, but in this matter he has been dumb." - -"Is that true?" she asked, quickly. - -"Why should I deny it? Prairie-Flower is not an enemy to us." - -"No, I am a friend: let my brother open his ears." - -"Speak." - -"Glass-eye is powerful." - -"So it is said," the hunter replied, evasively, too honest to stoop to -a lie. - -"The elders of the tribe regard him as a genius superior to other men, -arranging events as he pleases, and able, if he will, to change the -course of the future." - -"Who says so?" - -"Everybody." - -The hunter shook his head, and pressing the girl's dainty hands in his -own, he said, simply-- - -"You are deceived, child; Glass-eye is only a man like the others; the -power you have been told of does not exist: I know not for what reason -the chiefs of your nation have spread this absurd report; but it is a -falsehood, which I must not allow to go further." - -"No, White Buffalo is the wisest sachem of the Blackfeet; he possesses -all the knowledge of his fathers on the other side of the Great -Saltlake, he cannot err. Did he not announce, long ago, Glass-eye's -arrival among us?" - -"That is possible; although I cannot guess how he knew it, as only -three days ago we were quite ignorant that we were coming to this -village." - -The maiden smiled triumphantly. - -"White Buffalo knows all," she said; "besides, for many thousand moons -the sorcerers of the nation have announced the coming of a man exactly -like Glass-eye: his apparition was so truly predicted, that his arrival -surprised nobody, as all expected him." - -The hunter recognized the inutility of contending any longer against a -conviction so deeply rooted in the young girl's heart. - -"Good," he replied; "White Buffalo is a very wise sachem. What is there -he does not know?" - -"Nothing! Did he not predict that Glass-eye would place himself at the -head of the Redskin warriors, and deliver them from the Palefaces of -the East?" - -"It is true," the hunter said, though he did not know a word of what -the girl was revealing to him; but he now began to suspect a vast -plot formed by the Indians, and he naturally desired to know more. -Prairie-Flower looked at him with an expression of simple joy. - -"My brother sees that I know all," she said. - -"That is true," he answered; "my sister is better informed than I -supposed; now she can explain to me, without fear, the service she -desires from Glass-eye." - -The girl took a long glance at the young man, who was still sleeping. - -"Prairie-Flower is suffering," she said, in a low and trembling voice; -"a cloud has passed over her mind and obscured it." - -"Prairie-Flower is sixteen," the old hunter answered, with a smile; "a -new feeling is awakened in her; a little bird is singing in her heart; -she listens unconsciously to the harmonious notes of those strains -which she does not yet understand." - -"It is true," the maiden murmured, suddenly growing pensive; "my heart -is sad. Is, then, love a suffering?" - -"Child," the hunter answered, with a melancholy accent, "creatures -are thus made by the Master of Life. All sensation is suffering. Joy, -carried to an excess, becomes pain; you love without knowing it; loving -is suffering." - -"No," she said, with a gesture of terror, "no, I do not love, at least -not; in the way you say. I have come, on the contrary, to seek your -protection from a man who loves me, whose love frightens me, and for -whom I shall never feel aught but gratitude." - -"You are quite certain, poor child, that such is the feeling you -experience for that man?" - -She bowed assent. Without saying anything further, Bright-eye rose. - -"Where are you going?" she asked, quickly. - -The hunter turned to her. - -"In all that you have told me, child," he answered, "there are things -so important, that I must without delay arouse my friend, that he may -listen to you in his turn, and, if it be possible, come to your aid." - -"Do so," she said, mournfully, and let her head sink on her breast. -The hunter went up to the young man, and bending over him, touched him -gently on the shoulder. The Count awoke at once. - -"What is it? What do you want?" he said, rising and seizing his -weapons, with the promptness that a man constantly exposed to danger so -soon acquires. - -"Nothing that need frighten you, Mr. Edward. That young girl wishes to -speak to you." - -The Count followed the direction in which the hunter pointed, and his -glance met that of the maiden. It was like an electric shock; she -tottered, laid her hand on her heart, and blushed. The Frenchman rushed -toward her. - -"What is the matter? What can I do to help you?" he asked. - -Just as she was about to reply, the curtain was lifted; a man bounded -suddenly over Ivon, and reached the centre of the hut. It was the spy; -the Breton suddenly aroused, flung himself on him, but the Indian held -him back with a firm hand. - -"Look out!" he said. - -"Red Wolf!" the girl exclaimed, joyfully, as she stepped before him; -"lower your weapons, it is a friend." - -"Speak!" the Count said, as he returned the pistol to his belt. - -The Indian had made no attempt to defend himself; he awaited stoically -the moment to explain himself. - -"Natah Otann is coming," he said to the maiden. - -"Oh! I am lost if he find me here." - -"What do I care for the fellow?" the Count said, haughtily. - -"Prudence," Bright-eye interposed; "are you a friend, Redskin?" - -"Ask Prairie-Flower," he answered, disdainfully. - -"Good; then you have come to save her?" - -"Yes." - -"You have a way?" - -"I have." - -"I don't understand anything about it," Ivon said to himself, aside, -quite confounded by all he saw; "what a night!" - -"Make haste!" said the Count. - -"Neither Prairie-Flower nor myself must be seen here," the Red Wolf -continued; "Natah Otann is my enemy; there is deadly war between us. -Throw all those furs on the girl." - -Prairie-Flower, crouching in a corner, soon disappeared beneath the -skins piled over her. - -"Hum! it is a good idea," Bright-eye muttered: "and what are you going -to do?" - -"Look!" - -Red Wolf leaned against the buffalo hides that acted as door, and -concealed himself amid their folds. Hardly had all this been done, ere -Natah Otann appeared on the threshold. - -"What! up already?" he said, in surprise, turning a suspicious glance -around him. - -Red Wolf profited by this movement to go out unseen by the Chief. - -"I am come to receive your orders for the hunt," Natah Otann resumed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -FORT MACKENZIE. - - -Fort Mackenzie, built in 1832 by Major Mitchell, Chief Agent to the -North American Fur Company, stands like a menacing sentry, about one -hundred and twenty paces from the north bank of the Missouri, and -seventy miles from the Rocky Mountains, in the midst of a level plain, -protected by a chain of hills running from north to south. The fort -is built on the system of all the outposts of civilization in the -western provinces; it forms a perfect square, each side being about -forty-five feet in length: a ditch, eight fathoms in depth and about -the same in width; two substantial blockhouses; and twenty guns--such -are the defensive elements of this fortress. The buildings contained -in the enceinte are low, with narrow windows, in which parchment is -substituted for glass. The roofs are flat, and covered with turf. The -gateways of the fort are solid, and lined with iron. In the middle of -a small square, in the centre of the fort, rises a mast, from which -floats the star-spangled banner of the United States, while two guns -are stationed at the foot of the mast. The plain surrounding Fort -Mackenzie is covered with grass, rarely more than three feet high. -This plain is almost constantly invaded by Indian tribes, that come -to traffic with the Americans, especially the Blackfeet, Assiniboins, -Mandans, Flatheads, Gros-ventres, Crows, and Koutnikes. - -The Indians displayed a repugnance in allowing the white men to settle -in their domains, and the first agent the Fur Company sent to them had -a narrow escape with life. It was only by dint of patience and cunning -that they succeeded in concluding with the tribes a treaty of peace -and barter, which the latter were disposed, indeed, to break, through -the slightest pretext. Thus the Americans were always on the watch, -considering themselves in a perpetual state of siege. It still happened -at times, in spite of the Indians' protestations of amity, that some -_engage_ or trapper of the Company was brought to the fort scalped and -murdered, and they were obliged, through policy, to refrain from taking -vengeance for such murders, which, however, were becoming rare. The -Indians, with their greedy instincts, at length understood that it was -better to live in good intelligence with the Palefaces, who supplied -them with abundant provisions, spirits, and money, in exchange for -their furs. - -In 1834, Fort Mackenzie was commanded by Major Melville, a man of -great experience, who had spent nearly his whole life among the -Indians, either fighting or trafficking with them, so that he was -thoroughly versed in all their habits and tricks. General Jackson, in -whose army he had served, put great reliance in his courage, skill, -and experience. Major Melville combined with uncommon moral energy -rare physical strength; he was the very man to keep in check the -fierce tribes with which he had to deal, and to command the trappers -and hunters in the Company's service, thorough ruffians, only -understanding the logic of the rifle and the bowie knife; he based -his authority on inflexible severity and an irreproachable justice, -which had contributed greatly to maintain the good relations between -the inhabitants of the fort and their crafty friends. Peace, with the -exception of the mutual distrust that was its basis, appeared for -some few years past to be solidly established between the Palefaces -and the Redskins. The Indians camped annually before the fort, and -generally exchanged their peltry for spirits, clothes, gunpowder, &c. -The seventy men who formed the garrison had gradually relaxed their -usual precautions, for they felt so confident of having induced the -Indians to renounce their plundering inclinations by kind treatment and -concessions. Such was the respective positions of the whites and the -Redskins on the day when the exigencies of our story take us to Fort -Mackenzie. - -The scenery round the fort is exquisite and charmingly varied. On the -day after that in which the events we have described took place in the -Kenha village, a leather canoe, manned by only one rower, descended -the Elk river, in the direction of the American fort. After following -the numerous bends of the stream, the canoe at length entered the -Missouri, and coasted the northern bank, studded with magnificent -prairies at least thirty miles in depth, on which countless herds of -buffaloes, antelopes, and bighorns were grazing, which, with ears -erect and startled eyes, watched the silent boat pass with gloomy -dissatisfaction. But the person, man or woman, in the boat seemed too -anxious to reach the destination, to waste any time in firing at these -animals, which it would have been easy to do. - -With his eyes imperturbably fixed ahead, and bowed over the paddles, -the rower redoubled his energy the nearer he approached the fort, -uttering at times hoarse exclamations of anger and impatience, -though never checking the speed of the boat. At length an "ah!" of -satisfaction escaped his lips on turning one of the numberless bends of -the river: a magnificent scene was suddenly displayed before him. - -Gentle slopes, with varied summits, some rounded, others flat, of a -pleasant green colour, occupied the centre of the picture. In the -foreground were tall forests of poplars of a vivid green, and willow -trees on the banks of the river, which meandered through a prairie to -which the twilight had given a deep olive hue. A little further on, on -the top of a grassy mound, stood Fort Mackenzie, where the handsome -flag of the United States floated in the breeze, gilded by the parting -beams of the setting sun; while on one side an Indian camp, on the -other, herds of horses, tranquilly grazing, animated the majestic -tranquillity of the scene. - -The canoe drew nearer and nearer to the bank, and at last, when -arrived under the protection of the guns, was run gently ashore. The -individual occupying it then leaped on the sand, and it was easy to see -that it was a woman. It was the mysterious being to whom the Indians -gave the name of the She-wolf of the Prairies, and who has already -appeared twice in this story. She had altered her dress. Although still -resembling that of the Indians in texture, as it was composed of elk -and buffalo skins sown together, it varied from it in shape; and if, at -the first glance, it was difficult to recognize the sex of the person -wearing it, it was easy to perceive that it was a white, through the -simplicity, cleanliness, and, above all, the amplitude of the folds -carefully draped round the strange being hidden in these garments. - -After leaving the canoe, the She-wolf fastened it securely to a large -stone, and without paying further attention to it, walked hastily in -the direction of the fort. It was about six in the evening; the barter -with the Indians was over, and they were returning, laughing and -singing, to their tents of buffalo hide; while the _engages_, after -collecting the horses, led them back slowly to the fort. The sun was -setting behind the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, casting a purple -gleam, over the heavens. Gradually, as the planet of day sank in the -distant horizon, gloom took possession of the earth. The songs of the -Indians, the shouts of the _engages_, the neighing of the horses, and -the barking of the dogs, formed one of those singular concerts which -in these remote regions impress on the mind a feeling of melancholy -reflection. The She-wolf reached the gate of the fort at the moment -when the last _engage_ had entered, after driving in the laggards of -his troop. - -At these frontier posts, where momentary vigilance is necessary to -foil the treachery constantly lurking in the shadows, sentinels -especially appointed to survey the gloomy and solitary prairies, that -stretch out for miles around their garrisons, stand watching day and -night with their eyes fixed on space, ready to signalize the least -unusual movement, either on the part of animals or of men, in the vast -solitudes they survey. The She-wolf's canoe had been detected more than -six hours before, all its movements carefully watched, and when the -She-wolf, after fastening her boat up, presented herself at the gate -of the fort, she found it closed and carefully bolted; not because she -personally caused the garrison any alarm, but because the order was -that no one should enter the fort after sunset, except for overpowering -reasons. - -The She-wolf repressed with difficulty a gesture of annoyance at -finding herself thus exposed to spend the night in the open air; not -that she feared the hardship, but because she knew the importance -of her news, and desired no delay. She did not allow herself to be -defeated, however, but stooped, picked up a stone, and struck the gate -twice. A wicket immediately opened, and two eyes glistened through the -opening it left. - -"Who's there?" a rough voice asked. - -"A friend," the She-wolf replied. - -"Hum; that's very vague at this hour of the night," the voice -continued, with a grin that augured ill for the success of the -mediation the She-wolf had commenced. - -"Who are you?" - -"A woman, and a white woman too, as you can see by my dress and accent." - -"It may be, but the night is dark, and it is impossible for me to see -you: so if you have no better reasons to give, good night, and go your -ways; tomorrow we will meet again at sunrise." - -And the speaker prepared to close the wicket, but the She-wolf checked -him with a firm hand. - -"One moment," she said. - -"What's up now?" the other remarked, ill-temperedly; "I cannot pass the -night in listening to you." - -"I only want to ask you one question, and one favour." - -"Plague take it!" the man went on; "well, you are going on at a fine -rate; that's nothing, eh? Well; let me hear it; that binds me to -nothing." - -"Is Major Melville in the fort at this moment?" - -"Perhaps." - -"Answer, yes or no." - -"Well, yes; what then?" - -The She-wolf gave a sigh of satisfaction, hurriedly drew a ring from -her right hand, and passing it through the wicket to the unknown -speaker, said-- - -"Carry that ring to the Major; I will wait for your answer here." - -"Mind what you are about; the Commandant does not like to be disturbed -for nothing." - -"Do as I tell you. I answer for the rest." - -"That's a poor bail," the other growled; "but no matter--I'll risk it. -Wait." - -The wicket closed. The She-wolf seated herself on the side of the -moat, and with elbows resting on her knees, buried her head in her -hands. By this time night had completely set in; in the distance, the -fires lighted up by the Indians on the prairies shone like lighthouses -through the gloom; the evening breeze soughed hoarsely through the -tops of the trees, and the howls of the wild beasts were mingled -at intervals with the strident laughter of the Indians. Not a star -sparkled in the sky, which was black as ink; nature seemed covered with -a cerecloth; all presaged an approaching storm. The She-wolf waited, -motionless, as one of those patient sphynxes which have watched for -thousands of years at the entrance of the Egyptian temples. A quarter -of an hour elapsed, then a sound of bolts was heard, and the gates of -the fort slightly opened. The She-wolf sprung up, as if moved by a -spring. - -"Come!" a voice said. - -She entered, and the door was immediately closed after her. An -_engage_--the same who had spoken to her through the wicket--stood -before her with a torch in his hand. - -"Follow me," he said to her. - -She walked after her guide, who crossed the entire length of the -courtyard, and then turning to the She-wolf, said-- - -"The Major is waiting for you here." - -"Rap," she said. - -"No, do so yourself; you no longer need me; I will return to my post." - -And, after bowing slightly, he withdrew carrying the torch with him. -The She-wolf remained alone in the darkness; she passed her hand over -her damp forehead, and making a supreme effort-- - -"I must," she muttered, hoarsely. - -She then struck the door. - -"Come in," a voice said from within. - -She turned the key, pushed open the door, and found herself in the -presence of an elderly man, dressed in uniform, and seated near a -table, who gazed fixedly at her. This man, by the position he occupied, -and the way in which the light was arranged, could see her perfectly; -while, on the other hand, the She-wolf could not distinguish his -features, hidden as they were by the gloom. The She-wolf walked -resolutely into the room. - -"Thanks for having received me," she said; "I was afraid you had -utterly forgotten." - -"If that is meant for a reproach, I do not understand you," the officer -said, sternly; "and I should feel obliged by a clear explanation." - -"Are you not Major Melville?" - -"I am." - -"The way in which I entered the fort proves to me that you recognised -the ring I sent you." - -"I recognized it; for it reminds me of a very dear person," he said, -with a suppressed sigh; "but how is it in your hands?" - -The She-wolf regarded the Major sadly for a moment, then walked up to -him, gently took his hand, which she pressed in hers, and replied, with -an accent full of tears-- - -"Harry, I must be changed by suffering, if you do not even recognise my -voice." - -At these words a livid pallor covered the officer's face; he rose with -a movement quick as lightning; his body was agitated by a convulsive -tremor, and seizing, in his turn, the woman's hands, he exclaimed -madly-- - -"Margaret! Margaret! my sister! Have the dead come from the tomb? Do I -find you again at last:" - -"Ah!" she said, with an expression of joy impossible to render, as she -sank in his arms, "I was certain he would recognise me." - -But the shock she had received was too strong for the poor woman, whose -organization was worn out by sorrow; accustomed to suffering, she could -not endure joy, and fell fainting into her brother's arms. The Major -carried her to a species of sofa that occupied one side of the room, -and, without calling anyone to his aid, paid her all that attention -her case required. The She-wolf remained for a long time insensible; -but she gradually came to herself again, opened her eyes, and, after -muttering a few incoherent words, burst into tears. Her brother did -not leave her for a moment, following, with an anxious glance, the -progress of her return to life. When he perceived that the height of -the crisis was past, he took chair, sat down by his sister's side, -and by gentle words sought to restore her courage. At length, the poor -woman raised her head, dried her eyes--reddened by tears, and hollowed -by fever--and turning to her brother, who watched her every movement, -said in a hoarse voice-- - -"Brother, for sixteen years I have been suffering an atrocious -martyrdom, which never ceased for an instant." - -The Major shuddered at this fearful revelation. - -"Poor sister!" he muttered. "What can I do for you?" - -"All, if you will." - -"Oh!" he exclaimed, with energy, as he struck the woodwork of the sofa -with his fist, "could you doubt me, Margaret?" - -"No, since I have come," she answered, smiling through her tears. - -"You will avenge yourself, I think?" he went on. - -"I will." - -"Who are your enemies?" - -"The Redskins." - -"Ah! ah!" he said, with a bitter smile; "I, too, have an old account to -settle with those demons. To what nation do your enemies belong?" - -"To the Blackfeet. They are the Kenha tribe." - -"Oh," the Major continued, "my old friends, the Blood Indians; I have -long been seeking a pretext to give them an exemplary punishment." - -"That pretext I now bring you, Harry," she answered, passionately; "and -do not fancy it a vain pretext invented by hatred. No, no! 'tis the -revelation of a plot formed by all the Missouri Indians against the -whites, which must break out within a few days, perhaps tomorrow." - -"Ah!" the Major observed, thoughtfully, "I do not know why, but, for -the last few days, suspicions have invaded, my mind; my presentiments -did not deceive me, then. Speak, sister, at once, I conjure you; and -since you have come to me, in order to appease your hatred of these red -devils, I promise you a vengeance, the memory of which will make their -grandsons shudder." - -"I thank you for your promise, brother, and will not forget it," she -answered. "Listen to me, then." - -"One word first." - -"Speak, brother." - -"Has the narrative of your sufferings any connexion with the conspiracy -you are about to reveal to me?" - -"An intimate one." - -"Well, it is scarce ten o'clock, we have the night before us; tell me -all that has happened to you since our separation." - -"You wish it?" - -"Yes, for it will be by your narrative that I shall regulate my -treatment of the Indians." - -"Listen, then, brother, and be indulgent to me, for I have suffered -bitterly, as you are about to hear." - -The Major pressed her hand; he took a chair, sat by her side, and after -bolting the door, to prevent any interruption of the story, he said-- - -"Speak, Margaret, and tell me everything; I do not wish to be ignorant -of any of the tortures you have endured during the long years that have -elapsed since our parting." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A MOTHER'S CONFESSION. - - -"It is just seventeen years ago, you will remember, Harry; you had -recently received your commission as lieutenant in the army; you were -young, enthusiastic; the future appeared to you to be drawn in the -brightest colours. One evening, during weather like the present, you -came to my husband's clearing, to tell us the news, and bid us an -affectionate farewell; for you hoped, like ourselves, not to be long -away from us. The next morning, in spite of our entreaties, after -embracing the children, pressing the hand of my poor husband, who -loved you so, and giving me a parting kiss, you galloped off, and soon -disappeared in a whirlwind of dust. Alas! who could have foretold that -we should not meet again till today, after seventeen years' separation, -upon Indian territory, and under terrible circumstances? However," -she added, with a sigh, "God has willed it so, may His holy name be -blessed! It has pleased Him to try His creatures, and let His hand fall -heavily on them." - -"It was with a strange contraction of the heart," the Major said, "that -six months after that parting, when I returned among you with a joyous -heart, I saw, on dismounting in front of your house, a stranger open -your door, and answer, that the white family had emigrated three months -before, and proceeded in a western direction, with the intention of -founding a new settlement on the Indian frontier. It was in vain that I -tried to gain any information about you from your neighbours; they had -forgotten you; no one could or would, perhaps, give me the slightest -news about you, and I was forced to retrace, heartbroken, the road I -had ridden along so joyfully a few days before. Since then, despite all -the efforts I have made, I never was able to learn anything about your -fate, or lift the mysterious veil that covered the sinister events to -which I was convinced you had fallen victims during your journey." - -"You are only half deceived, my brother, in your supposition," she went -on. "Two months after your visit, my husband, who had long desired to -leave our clearing, where he said the land was worth nothing, had a -grave dispute with one of his neighbours about the limits of a field -of which he believed, or pretended to believe, that neighbour had cut -off a corner: under any other circumstances, the difference would have -been easily settled, but my husband sought an excuse to go away, and -having found it, did not let it slip again. He would listen to nothing, -but quietly made all his arrangements for the expedition he had so long -meditated, and at length told us one day that he should start the next. -When my husband had once said a thing, all I could do was to obey, for -he never recalled a determination he had formed. On the appointed day -at sunrise, we left the clearing, our neighbours accompanying us for -the first day's journey, and at nightfall left us, after hearty wishes -for the success of our expedition. It was with inexpressible sorrow I -quitted the house where I was married, where my children were born, -and where I had been happy for so many years. My husband tried in -vain to console me, and restore me that courage which failed me; but -nothing could efface from my mind the gentle and pious recollections I -previously kept up: the deeper we buried ourselves in the desert, the -greater my sorrow became. My husband, on the other hand saw everything -in a bright light; the future belonged to him; he was about to be his -own master, and act as he thought proper. He detailed to me all his -plans, tried to interest me in them, and employed all the means in his -power to draw me from my gloomy thoughts, but could not succeed. Still -we went onwards without stopping. The distance became daily greater -between ourselves and the last settlements of our countrymen. In vain -did I show my husband how remote we were from all help in case of -danger, and the isolation in which we should find ourselves; he only -laughed at my apprehensions; repeated incessantly that the Indians -were far from being so dangerous as they were represented, and that we -had nothing to fear. My husband was so convinced of the truth of his -assertions, that he neglected the most simple precautions to defend -himself against a surprise, and said each morning, with a mocking air, -at the moment of starting, 'You see how foolish you are, Margaret; be -reasonable, the Indians will be careful not to insult us,' One night -the camp was attacked by the Redskins, we were surprised during our -sleep; my husband was flayed alive, while his children were burned at a -slow fire before his face." - -While uttering these words, the poor woman's voice became more and more -choked. At the last sentences, her emotion grew so profound, that she -could not continue. - -"Courage!" the Major said, as much moved as herself, but more master of -his feelings. - -She made an effort, and continued in a harsh, unmodulated voice,-- - -"By a refinement of cruelty, the barbarism of which I did not at first -understand, my youngest child, my daughter, was spared by the Pagans. -On seeing the punishment of my husband and children, at which I was -forced to be present, I felt such a laceration of the heart, that I -imagined I was dying. I uttered a shriek, and fell down. How long I -remained in that state, I know not: but when I regained my senses, -I was alone. The Indians, doubtlessly, fancied me dead, and left -me where I lay. I rose, and not conscious of what I was doing, but -impelled by a force superior to my will, I returned, tottering and -falling almost at every step, to the spot where this mournful tragedy -had been enacted. It took me three hours--how was I so far from the -camp?--at length I arrived, and a fearful sight presented itself to -my horror-struck eyes. I looked unconscious upon the disfigured and -half carbonized bodies of my children--my despair, however, restored -my failing strength. I dug a grave, and, half delirious with grief, -buried in it husband and children, all that I loved on earth. This -pious duty accomplished, I resolved to die at the spot where the -beings so dear to me had perished. But there are hours during the long -nights in which the shades of the dead address the living, and order -them to take vengeance! That terrific voice from the tomb I heard on a -sinister night, when the elements threatened to overthrow nature. From -that moment my resolution was formed. I consented to live for revenge. -From that hour I have walked firm and implacable on the path I traced, -requiting the Pagans, on every opportunity that presents itself, for -the evil they had done me. I have become the terror of the prairies. -The Indians fear me as an evil genius. They have a superstitious -invincible dread of me; in short, they have surnamed me the Lying -She-wolf of the Prairies; for each time a catastrophe menaces them, or -a frightful danger is hanging over their heads, they see me appear. For -seventeen years I have been nursing my revenge, without ever growing -discouraged, certain that the day will come when, in my turn, I shall -plant my knee on the heart of my enemies, and inflict on them the -atrocious torture they condemned me to suffer." - -The woman's face, while uttering these words, had assumed such an -expression of cruelty, that the Major brave as he was, felt himself -shudder. - -"And your enemies," he said, after a moment's delay, "do you know them, -have you learned their names?" - -"I know them all!" she said, in a piercing voice; "I have learned all -their names!" - -"And they are preparing to break the peace?" Mrs. Margaret smiled -ironically. - -"No, they will not break the peace, brother, but attack you suddenly. -They have formed among themselves a formidable league, which--at least -they fancy so--you will find it impossible to resist." - -"Sister!" the Major exclaimed energetically, "give me the name of -these wretched traitors, and I swear that, even were they concealed -in the depths of Hades, I will seek them, to inflict an exemplary -chastisement." - -"I cannot give you these names yet, brother; but be at ease, you shall -soon know them; you will not have to seek them far, for I will lead -them under the guns of your soldiers and hunters." - -"Take care, Margaret," the Major said, shaking his head, "hatred is -a bad counsellor in an affair like this; he who grasps at too much, -frequently risks the loss of all." - -"Oh," she replied, "my precautions have been taken for a long time: -I hold them, I can seize them whenever I please, or, to speak more -correctly, when the moment has arrived." - -"Do as you think proper, sister, and reckon on my devoted aid: this -vengeance affects me too closely for me to allow it to escape." - -"Thanks," she said. - -"Pardon me," he continued, after a few minutes' reflection, "if I -revert to the sad events you have just narrated; but you have, it -strikes me, forgotten an important detail in your story." - -"I do not understand you, Harry." - -"I will explain: you said, I think, if my memory serves me, that your -youngest daughter escaped from the frightful fate of her brothers, and -was saved by an Indian." - -"Yes, I did say so, brother," she replied in an oppressed voice. - -"Well, what has become of the unhappy child? Does she still live? Have -you any news of her? Have you seen her again?" - -"She lives, and I have seen her." - -"Ah!" - -"Yes; the man who saved her educated her, even adopted her," she said, -sarcastically. "Do you know what this wretch would do with the daughter -of the man he murdered, whom he flayed alive before my eyes?" - -"Speak; in Heaven's name! - -"What I have to say is very dreadful! it is so frightful, indeed, that -I hesitate to reveal it to you." - -"Good God!" the Major ejaculated, recoiling involuntarily before his -sister's flaming glance. - -"Well," she continued, with a strident laugh, "this girl has grown up, -the child has become a woman, as lovely as it is possible to be. This -man, this monster, this demon, has felt his tiger heart soften at the -sight of the angel; he loves her to distraction, he wishes to make her -his wife." - -"Horror!" the Major exclaimed. - -"Is that not truly hideous?" she continued, still with that nervous, -spasmodic laugh which it pains one to hear: "he has pardoned his -victim's daughter. Yes, he is generous, he forgets the atrocious -torture he inflicted on the father, and now covets the daughter." - -"Oh, that is frightful, Margaret; so much infamy and cynicism is -impossible, even among Indians!" - -"Do you believe, then, that I am deceiving you?" - -"Far from me be such a thought, sister; the man is a monster." - -"Yes, yes, so he is." - -"You have seen your daughter; you have talked with her?" - -"Yes; well, what then?" - -"You have, doubtless, turned her from this monstrous love?" - -"I!" she replied, with a grin, "I did not say a word to her about it." - -"What!" he said, in amazement. - -"By what right could I have spoken?" - -"How, by what right--Are you not her mother?" - -"She does not know it!" - -"Oh!" - -"And my vengeance?" she said, coldly. This word which so thoroughly -explained the character of the woman, had before struck the heart of -the old soldier with terror. - -"Unhappy woman!" he exclaimed. - -A smile of disdain curled the She-wolf's lip. - -"Yes, so you are," she said, with a bitter voice, "you men of cities, -with natures worn out by civilization. To understand a passion, it -must be kept within certain limits, traced beforehand. The grandeur of -hatred, with all its fury and excesses, terrifies you; you only admit -that legal and halting vengeance which the criminal code sanctions. -Brother, he who wishes the end, wishes the means. To arrive at my -object, what do I care, do you think, whether I walk over ruins or wade -through blood? No, I go straight before me, with the fatal impetuosity -of the torrent which breaks down and overthrows all the obstacles which -rise in its passage. My object is vengeance! blood for blood, eye -for eye; that is the law of the prairies. I have made it mine, and I -will obtain that vengeance, if for it I--. But," she added, suddenly -breaking off, "what need of this useless discussion between us, -brother? Reassure yourself my daughter has been better warned by her -instincts than all the advice I could have given her. She does not love -this man. I know it, she told me so; she will never love him." - -"Heaven be praised!" the Major exclaimed. - -"I have only one desire; only one," she continued with a melancholy -air; "it is after the accomplishment of my vengeance, to recover my -daughter, press her to my heart, and cover her with kisses, while at -length revealing to her that I am her mother." - -The Major shook his head sorrowfully. - -"Take care, sister," he said, in a stern voice; "God has said, -'Vengeance is mine!' take care, lest, after wishing to assume the -office of Providence, you may be cruelly chastised by it in some of -your dearest affections." - -"Oh, say not so, Harry!" she exclaimed with a sign of terror; "you -would turn me mad." - -The Major let his head sink on hid breast. For a while brother and -sister remained opposite each other, not uttering a word; they were -both reflecting. The She-wolf was the first to renew the conversation. - -"Now, brother," she said, "if you will permit me, we will leave this -mournful subject for a moment, and allude to what concerns you more -particularly, that is, the formidable conspiracy formed against you by -the Indians." - -"On my word," he replied, with a sigh of relief, "I confess, sister, -that I ask nothing better; my head is confused, and I believe that if -this went on much longer, I should be unable to re-collect my thoughts, -so much am I affected by what you have told me." - -"Thanks," - -"Night is drawing on, Margaret; indeed, it has almost entirely slipped -away, we have not a moment to lose, so pray continue." - -"Is the garrison complete?" - -"Yes." - -"How many men have you?" - -"Seventy, without counting some fifteen hunters and trappers occupied -without, but whom I will recall without delay." - -"Very good: do you require the whole of the garrison for the defence of -the fort?" - -"That is according. Why?" - -"Because I want to borrow twenty men of you." - -"Hum I for what object?" - -"You shall learn; you are alone here, without any hopes of help, and -for this reason: while the Indians are burning the fort, they will -intercept your communication with Fort Clarke, Fort Union, and the -other posts scattered along the Missouri." - -"I fear it, but what can I do?" - -"I will tell you; you have doubtless heard of an American squatter, who -settled hardly a week back about three or four leagues from you?" - -"I have; a certain John Black, I think." - -"That is the man; well, his clearing will naturally serve you as an -advanced post?" - -"Famously." - -"Profit by the short time left you; under pretence of a buffalo hunt, -send twenty men from the fort, and conceal them at John Black's, so -that when the moment for action arrives, they may make a demonstration -in your favour, which will place the enemies between two fires, and -make them suppose that reinforcements have reached you from other -posts." - -"That is a good idea," the Major said. "You must choose men on whom you -can count." - -"They are all devoted to me; you shall see them at work." - -"All the better; then that is settled!" - -"It is." - -"Now, as it is urgent that no one should know of our relations, as it -might compromise the success of our scheme, I must ask you to open the -gates of the fort for me. - -"What, so soon, in this frightful weather?" - -"I must, brother, it is of the utmost importance that I should start at -once." - -"You insist." - -"I beg it of you, Harry, for our common benefit." - -"Come, then, sister, I will detain you no longer." - -Two minutes later, in spite of the storm which still howled with the -same fury, the She-wolf was rowing from Fort Mackenzie at full speed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE CHASE. - - -When Natah Otann entered the lodge inhabited by the white men, under -pretext of warning them to prepare for the chase, his searching eye in -a few seconds had explored every corner of the building. The Indian -Chief was too clever to omit noticing the Count's constraint and -embarrassment: but he understood that it would be impolitic to show the -suspicions he had conceived. Hence he did not in the slightest degree -affect to notice the annoyance caused by his presence, and continued -the conversation with that politeness the Redskins can display when -they choose to take the trouble. On their side the Count and Bright-eye -at once regained their coolness. - -"I did not hope to find my White brother already risen," Natah Otann -said with a smile. - -"Why not?" the young man replied; "a desert life accustoms one to -little sleep." - -"Then the Palefaces will go and hunt with their red friends?" - -"Certainly, if you have no objection." - -"Did I not myself propose to Glass-eye to procure them a true chase?" - -"That is true," the young man said, with a laugh; "but take care, -Chief, I have become uncommonly fastidious since I have been in the -prairie; there is hardly any game I have not hunted, as it was the love -of sport alone that brought me into these unknown countries; hence, I -repeat, I shall expect choice game." - -Natah Otann smiled proudly. - -"My brother will be satisfied," he said. - -"And what is the animal we are about to follow?" the young man asked. - -"The ostrich." - -The Count made a sign of amazement. - -"What, the ostrich?" he exclaimed, "that is impossible, Chief--" - -"Because?" - -"Oh, simply because there are none." - -"The ostrich, it is true, is disappearing; it fled before the white -men, and becomes daily rare, but it is still numerous on the prairies; -in a few hours my brother will have a proof of it." - -"I desire nothing better." - -"Good, that is settled: I will soon come and fetch my brother." - -The Chief bowed courteously and retired, after taking a parting look -around. The curtain had scarcely fallen behind the Chief ere the pile -of furs that covered the young girl was thrown off, and Prairie-Flower -ran up to the Count. - -"Listen," she said to him, seizing his hand, which she pressed -tenderly, "I cannot explain to you now, for time fails me; still, -remember, you have a friend who watches over you." - -And before the Count could reply, or even think of replying, she fled -with the bound of an antelope. He passed his hand several times over -his brow, his eye being fixed on the place where the Indian girl had -disappeared. - -"Ah!" he at length murmured, "have I at last met with a true woman?" - -"She is an angel," the hunter said, replying to his thought. "Poor -child! she has suffered greatly." - -"Yes; but I am here now, and will protect her!" the Count exclaimed, -with exaltation. - -"Let us think of ourselves first, Mr. Edward, and try to get away from -here with whole skins; it will not be an easy task, I assure you." - -"What do you mean, my friend?" - -"It is enough that I understand it all," the hunter said, shaking his -head; "let us only think now of our preparations: our friends, the -Redskins, will soon arrive," he added, with that derisive smile which -caused the Count to feel increased embarrassment. - -But the impression caused by the Canadian's ambiguous language was -promptly dissipated, for love had suddenly nestled in this young, man's -heart; he only dreamed of one thing, of seeing the woman again whom he -adored with all his strength. - -In a man like the Count, who was gifted with a fiery organization, -every feeling must necessarily be carried to an excess; and it was the -case in the present instance. Love is born by a word, a sign, a look, -and scarcely born, suddenly becomes a giant. The Count was fated to -learn this at his own expense. - -Scarcely half an hour after Natah Otann's departure, the gallop of -several horses was heard, and a troop of horsemen stopped in front of -the cabin. The three men went out, and found Natah Otann awaiting them -at the head of sixty warriors, all dressed in their grand costume, and -armed to the teeth. - -"Let us go," he said. - -"Whenever you please," the Count answered. - -The Chief made a signal, and three magnificent horses, superbly -caparisoned in the Indian fashion, were led up by children. The whites -mounted, and the band set out in the direction of the prairie. - -It was about six in the morning, the night storm had completely swept -the sky, which was of a pale blue; the sun, fully risen in the horizon, -shot forth its warm beams, which drew out the sharp and odoriferous -vapours from the ground, The atmosphere was wondrously transparent, a -slight breeze refreshed the air, and flocks of birds, lustrous with a -thousand hues, flew around, uttering joyous cries. The troop marched -gaily through the tall prairie grass, raising a cloud of dust, and -undulating like a long serpent in the endless turnings of the road. - -The spot where the chase was to come off was nearly thirty miles -distant from the village. In the desert all places are alike, tall -grass, in the midst of which the horsemen entirely disappear; stunted -shrubs, and here and there clumps of trees, whose imposing crowns rise -to an enormous height;--such was the road the Indians had to follow up -to the spot where they would find the animals they proposed chasing. - -In the prairies of Arkansas and the Upper Missouri, at the time of -our story, ostriches were still numerous, and their chase one of the -numerous amusements of the Redskins and wood rangers. It is probable -that the successive invasions of the white men, and the immense -clearings effected by fire and the axe, have now compelled them to -abandon this territory, and retire to the inaccessible desert of the -Rocky Mountains, or the sands of the Far West. - -We will say here, without any pretence at a scientific description, a -few words about this singular animal, still but little known in Europe. -The ostrich generally lives in small families of from eight to ten, -scattered along the banks of marshes, pools, and streams. They live -on fresh grass. Faithful to their native soil, they never quit the -vicinity of the water, and in the month of November lay their eggs in -the wildest part of the plain, fifty to sixty at a time, which are -brooded, solely at night, by male and female in turn, with a touching -tenderness. When the incubation is terminated, the ostrich breaks the -barren eggs with its beak, which are at once covered with flies and -insects, supplying nourishment to the young birds. The ostrich of the -Western prairies differs slightly from the _Nandus_ of the Patagonian -prairies and the African species. It is about five feet high, and four -and a half long, from the stomach to the end of the tail; its beak is -very pointed, and measures a little over five inches. - -A characteristic trait of the ostriches is their extreme curiosity. -In the Indian villages, where they live in a tamed state, it is of -frequent occurrence to see them stalking through groups of talkers, -and regarding them with fixed attention. In the plain this curiosity -is often fatal to them, for it leads them to look unhesitatingly -at everything that seems strange or unusual to them. We will give a -capital Indian story here in proof of this. - -The jaguars are very fond of ostrich meat, but unfortunately, though -their speed is so great, it is almost impossible for them to run the -birds down; but the jaguars are cunning animals, and usually obtain -by craft what they cannot manage by force. They, therefore, employ -the following stratagem. They lie on the ground as if dead, and raise -their tails in the air, where they wave them in every direction; the -ostriches, attracted by this strange spectacle, approach with great -simplicity--the rest may be guessed; they fall a prey to the cunning -jaguars. - -The hunters after a hurried march of three hours, reached a barren -and sandy plain; during the journey, very few words were exchanged -between Natah Otann and his white guests, for he rode at the head of -the column, conversing in a low voice with White Buffalo. The Indians -dismounted by the side of a stream, and exchanged their horses for -racers, which the chief had sent to the spot during the night, and -which were naturally rested and able to run for miles. Natah Otann -divided the hunting party into two equal troops, keeping the command -of the first himself, and courteously offering that of the second to -the Count. As the Frenchman, however, had never been present at such -a chase, and was quite ignorant how it was conducted, he courteously -declined. Natah Otann reflected for a few moments, and then turned to -Bright-eye:-- - -"My brother knows the ostriches?" he asked him. "Eh!" the Canadian -replied, with a smile; "Natah Otann was not yet born when I hunted -them on the prairie." - -"Good," the chief said; "then my brother will command the second band?" - -"Be it so," the hunter said, bowing: "I accept with pleasure." - -On a given signal, the first band, under Natah Otann's command, -advanced into the plain, describing a semicircle, so as to drive the -game towards a ravine, situated between two moving downs. The second -band, with which the Count and Ivon remained, was echelonned so as -to form the other half of the circle. This circle, by the horsemen's -advance, was gradually being contracted, when a dozen ostriches showed -themselves; but the male bird, standing sentry, warned the family of -the danger by a sharp cry like a boatswain's whistle. At once the -ostriches fled in a straight line rapidly, and without looking back. -All the hunters galloped off in pursuit. - -The plain, till then silent and gloomy, grew animated, and offered the -strangest appearance. The horsemen pursued the luckless animals at full -speed, raising in their passage clouds of impalpable dust. Twelve to -fifteen paces behind the game, the Indians, still galloping and burying -their spurs in the flanks of their panting horses, bent forward, -twisted their formidable clubs round their heads, and hurled them -after the animals. If they missed their aim, they stooped down without -checking their pace, and picked up the weapon, which they cast again. - -Several flocks of ostriches had been put up, and the chase then assumed -the proportions of a mad revel. Cries and hurrahs rent the air; the -clubs hurtled through the space and struck the necks, wings, and legs -of the ostriches, which, startled and mad with terror, made a thousand -feints and zigzags to escape their implacable enemies, and buffeting -their wings, tried to prick the horses with, the species of spike -with which the end of their wings is armed. Several horses reared, -and, embarrassed by the ostriches between their legs, fell with their -riders. The ostriches, profiting by the disorder, fled on, and came -within reach of the other hunters, who received them with a shower of -clubs. - -Each hunter leaped from his horse, killed the victim he had felled, -cut off its wings as a sign of triumph, and renewed the chase with -increased ardour. Ostriches and hunters rushed onwards like the -_cordonazo_, that terrible wind of the Mexican deserts, and forty -ostriches speedily encumbered the plain. Natah Otann looked round him, -and then gave the signal for retreat; the birds which had not succumbed -to this rude aggression, ran off to seek shelter. The dead birds were -carefully collected, for the ostrich is, excellent eating, and the -Indians prepare, chiefly from the meat on the breast, a dish renowned -for its delicacy and exquisite savour. The warriors then proceeded to -collect eggs, also highly esteemed, and secured an ample crop. - -Although the chase had scarce lasted two hours, the horses panted and -wanted rest before they could return to the village; hence Natah Otann -gave orders to stop. The Count had never been present at so strange -a hunt before, although ever since he had been on the prairie he had -pursued the different animals that inhabit it; hence he entered into it -with all the excitement of youth, rushing on the ostriches and felling -them with childlike pleasure. When the signal for retreat was given by -the Chief, he reluctantly left off the amusement, which at the moment -caused him such delight, and returned slowly to his comrades. Suddenly -a loud cry was raised by the Indians, and each ran to his weapons. The -Count looked around him with surprise, and felt a slight tremor. The -ostrich hunt was over; but, as frequently happens in these countries, a -far more terrible one was about to begin--the chase of the cougar.[1] - -Two of these animals had suddenly made their appearance. The Count -recovered at once, and, cocking his rifle, prepared to follow this -new species of game. Natah Otann had also noticed the wild beasts; -he ordered a dozen warriors to surround Prairie-Flower, whom he had -obliged to accompany him, or who had insisted on being present; then, -certain that the girl was, temporarily at least, in safety, he turned -to a warrior standing at his side. - -"Uncouple the dogs," he said. - -A dozen mastiffs were let loose, which howled in chorus on seeing the -wild beasts. The Indians, accustomed to see the ostrich hunt disturbed -in this way, never fail, when they go out for their favourite exercise, -to take with them dogs trained to attack the lion. About two hundred -yards from the spots where the Indians had halted, two cougars were -now crouching, with their eyes fixed on the Redskin warriors. These -animals, still young, were about the size of a calf; their heads bore -a strong, likeness to a cat's, and their soft smooth hide of silvery -yellow was dotted with black spots. - -"After them!" Natah Otann shouted. - -Horsemen and dogs rushed on the ferocious beasts with yells, cries, -and barks, capable of terrifying lions unused to such a reception. -The noble animals, motionless and amazed, lashed their flanks with -their long tails, and drew in heavy draughts of air; for a moment they -remained stationary, then suddenly bounded away. A party of hunters -galloped in a straight line to intercept their retreat, while the -others bent over their saddles, and guiding their horses with their -knees, fired their arrows and rifles, without checking the cougars -which turned furiously on the dogs, and hurled them ten yards from -them, to howl with pain. Still the mastiffs, long habituated to this -chase, watched for a favourable moment, leaped on the lions' backs, -and dug their nails in their flesh; but the latter, with one stroke -of their deadly claws, swept them off like flies, and continued their -flight. - -One of them, pierced by several arrows, and surrounded by the dogs, -rolled on the ground, raising a cloud of dust under its claws, and -uttering a fearful yell. This one the Canadian finished by putting a -bullet through its eye, but the second lion remained still unwounded, -and its leaps foiled the attack and skill of the hunters. The dogs, -now wearied, did not dare assail it. Its flight had led it a few paces -from the spot where Prairie-Flower stood: it suddenly turned at right -angles, bounded among the Indians, two of whom it ripped up, and -crouched before the young girl, ere making its leap. Prairie-Flower, -pale as a corpse, clasped her hands instinctively, uttered a stifled -cry, and fainted. New cries replied to hers, and at the moment the lion -was about to leap on the maiden, two bullets were buried in its chest. -It turned to face its new adversary; it was the Count de Beaulieu. - -"Let no one stir!" he exclaimed, stopping by a sign Natah Otann and -Bright-eye, who ran up, "this game is mine--no other than I shall kill -it." - -The Count had dismounted, and with his feet firmly planted, his rifle -at his shoulder, and eyes fixed on the lion, he waited. The lion -hesitated, cast a final glance at the prey lying a few paces from it, -and then rushed on the young man with a roar. He fired again: the -animal bit the dust, and the Count, hunting knife in hand, ran up -to it. The man and the lion rolled together on the ground, but soon -one of the combatants rose again--it was the man. Prairie-Flower was -saved. The maiden opened her eyes again, looked timidly around her, and -holding out her hand to the Frenchman. - -"Thanks!" she exclaimed, and burst into tears. - -Natah Otann walked up to her. - -"Silence!" he said, harshly; "what the Paleface has done Natah Otann -could have achieved." - -The Count smiled contemptuously, but made no reply, for he had -recognized a rival. - - -[1] The _felis discolor_ of Linnaeus, or American lion. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -INDIAN DIPLOMACY. - - -Natah Otann feigned not to have perceived the Count's smile. - -"Now that you have recovered," he said to Prairie-Flower, in a gentler -tone than he at first assumed towards her, "mount your horse, and -return to the village. Red Wolf will accompany you; perhaps," he added, -with an Indian smile, "we may again come across cougars, and you are -so frightened at them, that I believe I am doing you a service in -begging you to withdraw." - -The young girl, still trembling, bowed and mounted her horse. Red Wolf -had involuntarily made a start of joy on hearing the order the chief -gave him, but the latter, occupied with his thoughts, had not surprised -it. - -"One moment," Natah Otann went on, "if living lions frighten you, I -know that in return you greatly value their furs; allow me to offer you -these." - -No one can equal the skill of Indians in flaying animals; in an instant -the two lions, over which the vultures were already hovering and -forming wide circles, were stripped of their rich hides, which were -thrown across Red Wolfs horse. That animal, terrified by the smell that -emanated from the skins, reared furiously, and almost unsaddled its -rider, who had great difficulty in restraining it. - -"Now go," the Chief said, drily, dismissing them with a haughty gesture. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf departed at a gallop; Natah Otann watched -them for a long time, then let his head fall on his breast, as he -uttered a deep sigh, and appeared plunged in gloomy thought. A moment -later he felt a hand pressing heavily on his chest; he raised his -head--White Buffalo was before him. - -"What do you want with me?" he asked, angrily. - -"Do you not know?" the old man said, looking at him fixedly. - -Natah Otann quivered. - -"It is true," he said, "the hour has arrived, you mean?" - -"Yes." - -"Are all precautions taken?" - -"All." - -"Come on then; but where are they?" - -"Look at them." - -While uttering these words, White Buffalo pointed to the Count and his -comrades lying on the grass, at the skirt of a wood, about two hundred -yards from the Indian encampment. - -"Ah, they keep aloof," the Chief observed, bitterly. - -"Is not that better for the conversation which we wish to have with -them?" - -"You are right." - -The two men then walked up to the hunters without speaking again. The -latter had really kept away, not through contempt for the Indians, but -in order to be more at liberty. What had occurred after the death of -the cougars, the brutal way in which the Chief spoke to Prairie-Flower, -had vexed the Count, and it needed all the power he possessed over -himself, and the entreaties of Bright-eye, to prevent him breaking out -in reproaches of the Chief, whose conduct appeared to him unjustifiably -coarse. - -"Hum," he said, "this man is decidedly a ruffian: I am beginning to be -of your opinion, Bright-eye." - -"Bah! that is nothing yet," the latter replied, with a shrug of his -shoulders; "we shall see plenty more, if we only remain a week with -these demons." - -While speaking, the Canadian had reloaded his rifle and pistols. - -"Do as I do," he continued; "no one knows what may happen." - -"What need of that precaution? are we not under the protection of the -Indians, whose guests we are?" - -"Possibly; but no matter, you had better follow my advice, for with -Indians you can never answer for the future." - -"There is considerable truth in what you say; what I have just seen -does not at all inspire me with confidence." - -The Count, therefore, began reloading his weapons; as for Ivon, he had -not used his. The two Indian Chiefs came up at the moment the Count -finished loading the last pistol. - -"Oh, oh!" Natah Otann said, in French, saluting the young man -with studied politeness, "have you scented any wild beast in the -neighbourhood?" - -"Perhaps so," the latter replied, as he returned his pistols to his -belt. - -"What do you mean, sir?" - -"Nothing but what I say." - -"Unfortunately for me, doubtlessly, that is so subtile, that I do not -understand it." - -"I am sorry for it, sir; but I can only reply to you by an old Latin -proverb." - -"Which is?" - -"What need to repeat it, as you do not understand Latin?" - -"Suppose I do understand it?" - -"Well, then, as you insist upon it, here it is--_si vis pacem para -bellum_." - -"Which means--" the Chief said, impertinently, while White Buffalo bit -his lips. - -"Which means--" the Count said. - -"If you wish for peace, prepare for war," White Buffalo hurriedly -interrupted. - -"It was you who said it," the Count remarked, bowing with a mocking -smile. - -The three men stood face to face, like skilful duellists, who feel -the adversary's sword before engaging, and who, having recognized -themselves to be of equal strength, redouble their prudence before -dealing a decisive thrust. - -Bright-eye, though not understanding much of this skirmish of words, -had still, through the distrust which was the basis of his character, -given Ivon a side-glance, and both, though apparently inattentive, -were ready for any event. After the Count's last remark there was a -lengthened silence, which Natah Otann was the first to break. - -"You believe yourself to be among enemies, then?" he asked, in a tone -of wounded pride. - -"I did not say so," he replied, "and such is not my thought; still, I -confess that all I have seen during the last few days is so strange to -me, that, in spite of all my attempts, I can form no settled opinion -either about men or things, and that causes me deep reflection." - -"Ah!" the Indian said, coldly, "and what is it so strange you see -around you? Would you be kind enough to inform me?" - -"I see no harm in doing so, if you wish it." - -"You will cause me intense pleasure by explaining yourself." - -"I am quite ready to do so; the more so, as I have ever been accustomed -to express my thoughts freely, and I see no reason for disguising them -today." - -The two Chiefs bowed, and said nothing; the Count rested his hands on -the muzzle of his gun, and continued, while regarding them fixedly-- - -"My faith, gentlemen, since you wish me to unveil my thoughts, you -shall have them in their entirety: we are here in the wilds of the -American prairies, that is, in the wildest countries of the new -Continent; you are always on hostile terms with the whites; you -Blackfeet are regarded as the most untameable, savage, and ferocious of -the Indians; or, in other words, the most devoid of the civilization of -all the aboriginal nations." - -"Well," Natah Otann remarked, "what do you find strange in that? Is -it our fault if our despoilers, since the discovery of the new world, -have tracked us like wild beasts, driven us back in the desert, and -regarded us as beings scarcely endowed with the instinct of the brute? -You must blame them, and not us. By what right do you reproach us with -a brutalization and barbarism, produced by our persecutors and not by -ourselves?" - -"You have not understood me, sir: if, instead of interrupting me, you -had listened patiently a few minutes longer, you would have seen that I -not merely do not reproach you for that brutalization, but pity it in -my heart; for, although I have been only a few months in the desert, -I have been on several occasions in a position to judge the unhappy -race to which you belong, and appreciate the good qualities it still -possesses, and which the odious tyranny of the whites has not succeeded -in eradicating, despite all the means employed to attain that end." - -The two Chiefs exchanged a glance of satisfaction; the generous words -uttered by the young man gave them hopes as to the success of their -negotiation. - -"Pardon me, and pray continue," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"I will do so:" the Count went on: "I repeat it, it was not that -barbarism which astonished me, for I supposed it to be greater than -it really is: what seemed strange to me was to find in the heart of -the desert, where we now are, amid the ferocious Indians who surround -us, two men, two Chiefs of these self-same Indians--I will not say -civilized, for the word is not strong enough--but utterly conversant -with all the secrets of the most advanced and refined civilization, -speaking my maternal tongue with the most extreme purity, and seeming, -in a word, to have nothing Indian about them, save the dress they -wear. It seemed strange to me that two men, for an object I know not, -changing in turn their manners and fashions, are at one moment savage -Indians, at another perfect gentlemen; but instead of trying to raise -their countrymen from the barbarism in which they pine, they wallow in -it with them, feigning to be as ignorant and cruel as themselves. I -confess to you, gentlemen, that all this not only appeared strange to -me, but even frightened me." - -"Frightened!" the two Chiefs exclaimed, simultaneously. - -"Yes, frightened!" the Count continued, quickly; "for a life of -continual feints, such as you lead, must conceal some dark plot. -Lastly, I am frightened, because your conduct towards me, the urgency -with which you sought to attract me amongst you, causes involuntary -suspicions to spring up in my heart as to your secret intentions." - -"And what are those suspicions, sir?" Natah Otann asked, haughtily. - -"I am afraid that you wish to make me your accomplice in some -scandalous deed." - -These words, pronounced vehemently, burst like a thunderbolt on the -ears of the two strange Chiefs; they were terrified by the perspicuity -of the young man, and for several moments knew not what to say, to -disculpate themselves. - -"Sir!" Natah Otann at length exclaimed, violently. - -White Buffalo checked him by a majestic gesture. - -"It is my duty," he said, "to reply to our guest's words: in his turn, -after the frank and loyal explanation he has given us, he has a right -to one equally frank on our side." - -"I am listening to you," the young man said, coolly. - -"Of the two men now standing before you, one is your fellow countryman." - -"Ah!" the Count muttered. - -"That countryman is myself." - -The young man bowed coldly. - -"I suspected it," he said, "and it is a further reason to heighten my -suspicions." - -Natah Otann made a gesture. - -"Let him speak," White Buffalo said, holding him back. - -"What I have to say will not be long, sir: it is my opinion that the -man who consents to exchange the blessings of European civilization for -a precarious life on the prairie; who breaks all the ties of family -and friendship which attached him to his country, in order to adopt an -Indian life--in my opinion that man must have many disgraceful actions -to reproach himself with, and his remorse forces him to offer society -expiation for them." - -The old man's brow contracted, and a livid pallor covered his face. - -"You are very young, sir," he said, "to have the right to bring such -accusations against an old man whose actions, life, and even name are -unknown to you." - -"That is true, sir," the Count answered, nobly. "Pardon any insult my -words may have conveyed." - -"Why should I be angry with you?" he continued, in a sad voice; "a -child born yesterday, whose eyes opened amid songs and fetes, whose -life, which counts but a few days, has been spent gently and calmly in -the peace and prosperity of that beloved France which I weep for every -day." - -"Who are you, sir?" he asked. - -"Who I am?" the old man said, bitterly. "I am one of those crushed -Titans who sat in the Convention of 1793." - -The Count fell back a pace, letting fall the hand he had taken. - -"Oh!" he said. - -The exile looked at him searchingly. - -"Enough of this," he said, raising his head and assuming a firm and -resolute tone; "you are in our hands, sir, any resistance will be -useless; so listen to our propositions." - -The Count shrugged his shoulders. - -"You throw off the mask," he said, "and I prefer that; but allow me one -remark before listening to you." - -"What is it?" - -"I am of noble birth, as you are aware, and hence we are old enemies; -on whatever ground we may meet, we can only stand face to face, never -side by side." - -"They are ever the same," the other muttered; "this haughty race may be -broken, but not bent." - -The Count bowed, and folded his arms on his breast. - -"I am waiting," he said. - -"Time presses," the exile continued; "any discussion between us would -be superfluous, as we cannot agree." - -"At least, that is clear," the Count remarked, with a smile; "now for -the rest." - -"It is this: in two days, all the Indian nations will rise as one man -to crush the American tyranny." - -"What do I care for that? Have I come so far to dabble in politics?" - -The exile repressed a movement of anger. - -"Unfortunately, your will is not free; you are here to obey our -conditions, and not to impose your own: you must accept or die." - -"Oh, oh, always your old means, as it seems, but I will be patient: -come, what is it you expect from me?" - -"We demand," he went on, laying a stress on every word, "that you -should take the command of all the warriors, and direct the expedition -in person." - -"Why I, rather than anyone else?" - -"Because you alone can play the part we give you." - -"Nonsense--you are mad." - -"You must be so, if, since your stay among the Indians, you have not -seen that you would have been killed long ago, had we not been careful -to spread reports about you, which gained you general respect, in spite -of your rashness and blind confidence in yourself." - -"Eh, then, this has been prepared a long time?" - -"For centuries." - -"Hang it!" the Count went on, still sarcastically, "what have I to do -in all this?" - -"Oh, sir, not much," the White Buffalo answered, with a sneer; "and -anyone else would have suited us just as well; unfortunately for you, -you have an extraordinary likeness to the man who can alone march at -our head; and as this man died long ago, it is not probable that he -will come from his grave expressly to guide us to battle; hence you -must take his place." - -"Very well; and would there be any indiscretion in asking you the name -of the man to whom I bear so wonderful a likeness?" - -"Not the slightest," the old man replied, coldly; "the more so, because -you have doubtlessly already heard his name; it is Motecuhzoma." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Come!" he said, "it is a capital joke; but I find it a little too -long. Now, a word in my turn." - -"Speak." - -"Whatever you may do, whatever means you may employ, I will never -consent to serve you in any way. Now, as I am your guest, placed under -the guarantee of your honour, I request you to let me pass." - -"That resolution is decided." - -"Yes." - -"You will not change it." - -"Whatever happens." - -"We shall see that," the old man remarked, coldly. - -The Count looked at him contemptuously. - -"Make way there," he said, resolutely. - -The two Chiefs shrugged their shoulders. - -"We are savages," Natah Otann said, gibingly. - -"Make way!" the Count repeated, as he cocked his rifle. - -Natah Otann whistled; in an instant, some fifteen Indians rushed from -the wood, and fell on the white men, who, however, though surprised, -endured the shock bravely. Standing instinctively back to back, with -shoulder supported against shoulder, they suddenly formed a tremendous -triangle, before which the Redskins were constrained to halt. - -"Oh, oh," Bright-eye said, "I fancy we are going to have some fun." - -"Yes," Ivon muttered, crossing himself piously; "but we shall be -killed." - -"Probably," the Canadian said. - -"Fall back!" the Count ordered. - -The three men then began to retire slowly toward the wood, the only -shelter that offered, without separating, and still pointing their -rifles at the Indians. The Redskins are brave, even rash; that question -cannot be disguised or doubted; but with them courage is calculated; -they never fight save to gain an object, and are not fond of risking -their lives unprofitably. They hesitated. - -"I fancy we did well to reload our arms," the Count said, ironically, -but with perfect calmness. - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin. - -"No matter, I am very frightened," Ivon groaned his eyes sparkling and -his lips quivering. - -"_Eha_, sons of blood!" Natah Otann shouted, as he cocked his gun. "Do -three Palefaces frighten you? Forward! Forward!" - -The Indians uttered their war yell, and rushed on the hunters. The -other Indians, warned of what was happening by the shouts of their -comrades, ran up hurriedly to take part in the fight. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. - - -We must leave our three valiant champions for a few moments in their -present critical position, to speak of one of the important persons of -this story, whom we have neglected too long. - -Immediately after the departure of the Indians, John Black, with -that American activity equalled in no other country, set to work, -beginning his clearing. The peril he had incurred, and which he had -only escaped by a miracle incomprehensible to him, had caused him to -make very earnest reflections. He understood that in the isolated spot -where he was, he could not expect assistance from anyone; that he -must alone confront the danger that would doubtlessly menace him; and -that, consequently, he must, before all else, think about defending -the settlement against a _coup de main_, Major Melville had heard, -through his _engages_ and trappers, of the colonist; but the latter was -perfectly ignorant that he was only ten miles from Fort Mackenzie. His -resolution once formed, John Black carried it out immediately. - -To those people who have not seen American clearings, the processes -employed by the squatters, and the skill with which they cut down -the largest trees in a few moments, would appear as prodigies. Black -considered that he had not a moment to lose, and, aided by his son -and servants, set to work. The temporary camp, as we have seen, was -situated on a rather high mound, which commanded the plain for a -long distance. It was here that the colonist determined to build his -house. He began by planting all round the platform of the hill a row -of enormous stakes, twelve feet high, and fastened together by large -bolts. This first enceinte finished, he dug behind it a trench about -eight feet wide and fifteen deep, throwing up the earth on the edge, -so as to form a second line of defence. Then, in the interior of this -improvised fortress, which, if defended by a resolute garrison, was -impregnable, unless cannon were brought up to form a breach--for the -abrupt slope of the hill rendered any assault impossible--he laid the -foundation of his family's future abode. The temporary arrangements -he had made allowed him to continue his further labours less hastily; -through his prodigious activity, he could defy the attacks of all the -prowlers on the prairie. - -His wife and daughter had actively helped him, for they understood, -better than the rest of the family, the utility of these defensive -works. The poor ladies, little used to the rude toil they had been -engaged in, needed rest. Black had not spared himself more than the -rest. He understood the justice of his wife and daughter's entreaties, -and as he had nothing to fear for the present, he generously granted a -whole day's rest to the little colony. - -The events that marked the squatter's arrival in the province had left -a profound impression on the hearts of Mrs. Black and her daughter. -Diana, especially, had maintained a recollection of the Count, which -time, far from weakening, rendered only the more vivid. The Count's -chivalrous character, the noble way in which he had acted, and--let us -speak the truth--his physical qualities, all combined to render him -dear to the young girl, whose life had hitherto passed away calmly, -nothing happening to cast a cloud over her heart. Many times since the -young man's departure she stopped in her work, raised her head, looked -anxiously around her, and then resumed her toil, while stifling a sigh. - -Mothers are quick-sighted, especially those who, like Mrs. Black, -really love their daughters. What her husband and son did not suspect, -then, she guessed merely by looking for a few minutes at the poor -girl's pale face, her eyes surrounded by a dark ring, her pensive look, -and inattention. - -Diana was in love. - -Mrs. Black looked around her. No one could be the object of that love. -So far back as she could remember, she called to mind no one her -daughter had appeared to distinguish before their departure from the -clearing, where she had passed her youth. Besides, when the little -party set out in search of a fresh home, Diana seemed joyful, she -prattled gaily as a bird, and appeared to trouble herself about none of -those she left behind. - -After these reflections, the mother sighed in her turn; for, if she had -divined her daughter's love, she had been unable to discover the man -who was the object of that love. Mrs. Black resolved to cross-question -her daughter as soon as she happened to be alone with her; till then -she feigned to be in perfect ignorance. The day of rest granted by John -Black to his family would probably offer her the favourable opportunity -she awaited so impatiently. Hence she joyfully received the news which -her husband gave her in the evening after prayers, which, according to -the custom of the family, were said in common before going to bed. - -The next morning, at sunrise, according to their daily habit, the two -ladies prepared the breakfast, while the servants led the cattle down -to the river. - -"Wife," the squatter said, at breakfast, "William and I intend, as -work is suspended for today, to mount our horses, and go and visit the -neighbourhood, which we have not seen yet." - -"Do not go too far, my friend, and be well armed; you know that in the -desert dangerous meetings are not rare." - -"Yes; so be at ease. Although I believe that we have nothing to fear -for the present, I will be prudent. Would you not feel inclined to -accompany us, as well as Diana, and take a look at your new domain?" - -The girl's eyes glistened with joy at this proposition; she opened her -lips to reply; but her mother laid her hand on her mouth, and spoke -instead of her. - -"You must excuse us, my dear," she said, with a certain degree of -vivacity, "but women, as you know, have always something to do. Diana -and I will put everything in order during your absence, which our busy -labours of the last few days have prevented us doing." - -"As you please, wife." - -"Besides," she continued, with a smile; "as we shall probably remain a -long time here--" - -"I fancy so," the squatter interrupted. - -"Well, I shall not lack opportunity of visiting our domains, as you -call them, another day." - -"Excellently argued, ma'am, and I am quite of your opinion; William -and I will therefore take our ride alone; I would ask you not to feel -alarmed if we do not come home till rather late." - -"No; but on condition that you return before night." - -"Agreed." - -They spoke of something else; still, towards the end of the meal, Sam, -without suspecting it, brought the conversation back nearly to the same -subject. - -"I am certain, James," he said to his comrade, "that the young man was -not a Canadian, as you fancy, but a Frenchman." - -"Who are you talking about?" the squatter asked. - -"The gentleman who accompanied the Redskins, and made them give us back -our cattle." - -"Yes, without counting the other obligations we are under to him, for -if I am now the owner of a clearing, it was through him." - -"He is a worthy gentleman," Mrs. Black said, with a purpose. - -"Yes, yes," Diana murmured, in an indistinct voice. - -"He is a Frenchman," Black asserted. "There cannot be a doubt of that: -those Canadian scoundrels are incapable of acting in the way he did to -us." - -Like all the North Americans, Black heartily detested the Canadians; -why he did so, he could not have said, but this hatred was innate in -his heart. - -"Bah!" William said, "what matter his country, he has a fine heart, -and is a true gentleman. For my part, father, I know a certain William -Black, who is ready to die for him." - -"By heaven!" the squatter exclaimed, as he struck the table with his -fist, "you would be only doing your duty, and discharging a sacred -debt: I would give anything to see him again, and prove to him that I -am not ungrateful." - -"Well spoken, father," William said joyously; "honest men are too rare -in the world for us not to cling to those we know; if we should meet -again, I will show him what sort of man I am." - -During this rapid interchange of words, Diana said nothing; she -listened, with outstretched neck, beaming face, and a smile on her -lips, happy to hear a man thus spoken of, whom she unconsciously loved -since she first saw him. Mrs. Black thought it prudent to turn the -conversation. - -"There is another person to whom we owe great obligations; for if -Heaven had not sent her at the right moment to our help, we should have -been pitilessly massacred by the Indians; have you already forgotten -that person?" - -"God forbid!" the squatter exclaimed, quickly, "the poor creature did -me too great a service for me to forget her." - -"But who on earth can she be?" William said. - -"I should be much puzzled to say; I believe even that the Indians and -trappers, who cross the prairies, could give us no information about -her." - -"She only appeared and disappeared," James observed. - -"Yes, but her passage, so rapid as it was, left deep traces," Mrs. -Black said. - -"Her mere presence was enough to terrify the Indians. That woman I -shall always regard as a good genius, whatever opinion may be expressed -about her in my presence." - -"We owe it to her that we did not suffer atrocious torture." - -"May God bless the worthy creature!" the squatter exclaimed; "if ever -she have need of us, she can come in all certainty; I and all I possess -are at her disposal." - -The meal was over, and they rose from the table. Sam had saddled two -horses. John Black and his son took their pistols, bowie knives, and -rifles, mounted their horses, and after promising once again not to be -late, they cautiously descended the winding path leading into the plain. - -Diana and her mother then began putting things to rights, as had been -arranged. When Mrs. Black had watched the couple out of sight on the -prairie, and assured herself that the two servants were engaged outside -in mending some harness, she took her needlework, and requested her -daughter to come and sit by her side. Diana obeyed with a certain -inward apprehension, for never had her mother behaved to her so -mysteriously. For a few minutes the two ladies worked silently opposite -each other. At length Mrs. Black stopped her needle, and looked at her -daughter; the latter continued her sewing, without appearing to notice -this intermission. - -"Diana," she asked her, "have you nothing to say to me?" - -"I, mother?" the young girl said, raising her head with amazement. - -"Yes, you, my child." - -"Pardon me, mother," she went on, with a certain tremor in her voice, -"but I do not understand you." - -Mrs. Black sighed. - -"Yes," she murmured, "and so it ever must be; a moment arrives when -young girls have unconsciously a secret from their mothers." - -The poor lady wiped away a tear; Diana rose quickly, and throwing her -arms tenderly round her mother-- - -"A secret? I, a secret from you, mother? Oh, how could you suppose such -a thing?" - -"Child!" Mrs. Black replied, with a smile of ineffable kindness, "a -mother's eye cannot be deceived;" and putting her finger on her -daughter's palpitating heart, she said, "your secret is there." - -Diana blushed, and drew back, confused. - -"Alas!" the good lady continued, "I do not address reproaches to you, -poor dear and well-beloved child. You unconsciously submit to the laws -of nature; I too, at your age, was as you are at this moment, and when -my mother asked my secret, like you, I replied that I had none, for I -was myself ignorant of that secret." - -The girl hid her face, all bathed in tears, in her mother's breast. The -latter gently moved the flowing locks of light hair which covered her -daughter's brow, and giving her a kiss, said, with that accent which -mothers alone possess-- - -"Come, my dear Diana, dry your tears, do not trouble yourself so; only -tell me your feelings during the last few days." - -"Alas! my kind mother," the girl replied, smiling through her tears, -"I understand nothing myself, and suffer without knowing why; I am -restless, languid; everything disgusts and wearies me, and yet I fancy -there has been no change in my life." - -"You are mistaken, child," Mrs. Black answered, gravely, "your heart -has spoken without your knowledge; thus, instead of the careless, -laughing girl you were, you have become a woman, you have thought, your -forehead has turned pale, and you suffer." - -"Alas!" Diana murmured. - -"Come, how long have you been so sad?" - -"I know not, mother." - -"Think again." - -"I fancy it is--." - -Mrs. Black, understanding her daughter's hesitation, finished the -sentence for her. - -"Since the day after our arrival here, is it not?" - -Diana raised to her mother her large blue eyes, in which profound -amazement could be read. - -"It is true," she murmured. - -"Your sorrow began at the moment when the strangers, who so nobly aided -us, took their leave?" - -"Yes," the girl said, in a low voice, with downcast eyes and blushing -forehead. - -Mrs. Black continued smilingly her interesting interrogatory. - -"On seeing them depart, your heart was contracted, your cheeks turned -pale, you shuddered involuntarily, and, if I had not held you--I who -watched you carefully, poor darling--you would have fallen. Is not all -this true?" - -"It is true, mother," the girl said, with a more assured voice. - -"Good; and the man from whom you regret being separated--he who causes -your present sorrow and suffering, is--?" - -"Mother!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into her arms, and hiding her -shamed face in her bosom. - -"It is--?" she continued. - -"Edward!" the girl said, in an inarticulate voice, and melting into -tears. - -Mrs. Black directed on her daughter a glance of supreme pity, embraced -her ardently several times, and said, in a soft voice,-- - -"You see that you had a secret, my child, since you love him." - -"Alas!" she murmured, naively, "I do not know it, mother." - -The good lady nodded her head with satisfaction, led her daughter back -to her chair, and herself sitting down, said to her,-- - -"And now that we have had a thorough explanation, and there is no -longer a secret between us, suppose we have a little talk, Diana." - -"I am quite willing, mother." - -"Listen to me, then; my age and experience, leaving out of sight the -position in which I stand to you, authorize me in giving you advice. -Will you hear it?" - -"Oh, mother! you know I respect and love you." - -"I know it, dear child; I know too, as I have never left you since your -birth, and have incessantly watched over you, how generous your mind -is, how noble your heart, and how capable of self-devotion. I must -cause you great pain, poor girl; but it is better to attend to the -green wound, than allow time to render the evil incurable." - -"Alas!" - -"This raging love, which has unconsciously entered your heart, cannot -be very great; it is rather the awakening of the mind to those -gentle feelings and noble instincts, which embellish existence and -characterize the woman, than a passion; your love is only in reality -a momentary exaltation of the brain's feverish imagination; like all -young girls, you aspire to the unknown, you seek an ideal, the reality -of which does not exist for you; but you do not love. Nay, more, you -cannot love; the feeling you experience at the moment is entirely in -the head, and the heart goes for nothing." - -"Mother!" the young girl interrupted. - -"Dear Diana," she continued, taking her hand, and pressing it, "let -me make you suffer a little now, to spare you at a later date the -horrible pangs which would produce the despair of your whole existence. -The man you fancy you love you will probably never see again; he is -ignorant of your attachment, and does not share it. I am speaking cold -and implacable reason; it is logical, and spares us much grief, while -passion is never so, and always produces pain; but supposing for a -moment that this young man loved you, you could never be his." - -"But if he love me, mother," she said, timidly. - -"Poor babe!" the mother continued, with an accent of sublime pity. -"Do you know even whether he be free? Who has told you that he is not -married? But I will allow it for a moment: this young man is noble; -he belongs to one of the oldest and proudest families in Europe; -his fortune is immense. Do you believe that he will ever consent to -abandon all the social advantages his position guarantees him?--that he -will bow his family pride to give his hand to the daughter of a poor -American squatter?" - -"It is true," she murmured, letting her head fall in her hands. - -"And even if he did so, though it is impossible, would you consent to -follow him, and leave in the desert a father and mother, who have only -you, and who would die of despair ere your departure? Come, Diana, -answer, would you consent?" - -"Oh, never, never, mother!" she exclaimed, madly "Oh, I love you most -of all!" - -"Good, my darling; that is how I wished to see you. I am happy that my -words have found the road to your heart. This man is kind; he has done -us immense service; we owe him gratitude, but nothing more." - -"Yes, yes, mother," she murmured, with a sob. - -"You must only see in him a friend, a brother," she continued, firmly. - -"I will try, mother." - -"You promise it me?" - -The girl hesitated for a moment. Suddenly she raised her head, and -said, bravely,-- - -"I thank you, mother. I swear to you not to forget him, that would -be impossible, but so thoroughly to conceal my love, that, with the -exception of yourself, no one shall suspect it." - -"Come to my arms, my child; you understand your duty; you are noble and -good." - -At this moment James entered. - -"Mistress," he said, "the master is coming back, but there are several -persons with him." - -"Wipe your eyes, and follow me, dear; let us go and see what has -happened." - -And, stooping down to her daughter's ear, she whispered,-- - -"When we are alone, we will speak of him." - -"Yes, mother," Diana said, almost joyfully, "Oh, how good you are, and -how I love you." - -They went out, and looked in the direction of the plain. At a -considerable distance from the fort, they noticed a party of four or -five persons, at the head of whom were John Black and his son William. - -"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs. Black said, anxiously. - -"We shall soon know, mother; calm yourself; they seem to be riding too -gently for us to feel any alarm." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -IVON. - - -The Count and his two companions, as we have seen, bravely awaited the -attack of the Indians; it was terrible. For an instant there was a -horrible melee hand to hand; then the Indians fell back to draw breath, -and begin again. Ten corpses lay at the feet of the three men, who were -motionless and firm as a block of granite. - -"By heavens!" the Count said, as he wiped away, with the back of his -hand, the perspiration mingled with blood that stood in large beads on -his forehead, "it is a glorious fight." - -"Yes," Bright-eye replied, carelessly; "but it is mortal." - -"What matter, if we die like men?" - -"Hum! I am not of that opinion. As long as there is a chance, we must -seize it." - -"But none is left us!" - -"Perhaps there is; but let me act." - -"I ask no better. Still I confess to you that I find this fight -glorious." - -"It is really very agreeable; but it would be much more so, if we lived -to recount it." - -"On my word, that is true. I did not think of that." - -"Yes, but I did." - -The Canadian stooped down to Ivon, and whispered some words in his ear. - -"Yes," the Breton replied, "provided I am not afraid." - -"Bravo!" the hunter said, with a smile; "you will do what you can. That -is agreed?" - -"Agreed." - -"Look out, comrades," the Count shouted; "here are the enemy!" - -In truth, the Indians were ready to renew the attack. Natah Otann and -White Buffalo were resolved on taking the Count alive, and without a -wound; they had consequently given their warriors orders not to employ -their firearms, content themselves with parrying the blows dealt them, -but take him at every risk. During the few moments' respite which the -Indians had allowed the white men, the other Indians had run up to take -part in the fight; so that the hunters, surrounded on all sides, had to -make head against at least forty Redskins. It would have been madness -or blind temerity to attempt opposing such a mass of enemies; and yet -the white men did not appear to dream of asking quarter. At the moment -Natah Otann was going to give the signal for attack, White Buffalo, who -had hitherto stood aloof, gloomy and thoughtful, interposed,-- - -"A moment!" he said. - -"For what good?" the Chief remarked. - -"Let me make the attempt. Perhaps they will recognize that a struggle -is impossible, and consent to accept our propositions." - -"I doubt it," Natah Otann muttered, shaking his head; "they appear very -resolute." - -"Let me try it. You know how necessary it is for the success of our -plans that we should seize this man?" - -"Unfortunately; if we do not take care, he will be killed." - -"That is what I wish to avoid." - -"Try it then; but I am convinced you will fail." - -"Who knows? I can try, at any rate." - -White Buffalo walked a few paces in advance, and was then about six -yards from the Count. - -"What do you want?" the young man said. "If I did not involuntarily -know that you are a Frenchman, I should have long ago put a bullet into -your chest." - -"Fire!--what stops you?" the exile replied, in a sad voice. "Do you -believe that I fear death?" - -"Enough talking. Retire! or I will fire." - -And he levelled his rifle at him. - -"I wish to say one word to you." - -"Speak quickly, and be off." - -"I offer you and your comrades your lives, if you will surrender." - -The Count burst into a laugh. - -"Nonsense," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders; "do you take us for -fools? We were the guests of your companions, and they have impudently -violated the law of nations." - -"That is your last word, then?" - -"The last, by Jove! You must have lived a long time among the Indians -to have forgotten that Frenchmen would sooner die than be cowards." - -"Your blood be on your own heads, then." - -"So be it, odious renegade, who fight with savages against your -brothers." - -This insult struck the old man to the heart; he bent a fearful glance -on the young man, turned pale as death and withdrew, tottering like a -drunkard, and muttering, in a low voice,-- - -"Oh, these nobles!" - -"Well?" Natah Otann asked him. - -"He refuses," he answered quickly. - -"I was sure of it. Now it is our turn." - -Raising to his lips his war whistle, he produced a shrill and -lengthened sound, to which the Indians responded with a frightful yell, -and rushed like a legion of demons on the three men, who received them -without yielding an inch. The melee recommenced in all its fury; the -three men clubbed their rifles, and dealt crushing blows around. Ivon -performed prodigies of valour, rising and sinking his rifle with the -regularity of a pendulum, smashing a man at every blow, and muttering,-- - -"Ouf, there's another: holy Virgin, I feel my terror coming upon me." - -Still the circle drew closer round the three men; others took the -places of the Indians who fell, and were in their turn pushed onward by -those behind. The hunters were weary of striking. Their arms did not -fall with the same vigour; their blows failed in regularity; the blood -rose to their heads; their eyes were injected with blood, and they had -a dizziness in their ears. - -"We are lost!" the Count muttered. - -"Courage!" Bright-eye yelled, as he smashed in the skull of an Indian. - -"It is not courage that fails me, but strength," the young man -answered, in a fainting voice. - -"Forward, forward!" Natah Otann repeated, bounding like a demon round -the three men. - -"Now, Ivon, now!" Bright-eye cried out. - -"Good bye," the Breton replied. - -And turning his terrible weapon round his head, he rushed into the -densest throng of the Indians. - -"Follow me, Count," Bright-eye went on. - -"Come on then," the latter shouted. - -The two men executed on the opposite side the manoeuvre attempted by -the Breton. Ivon, the coward you know, seemed to have at the moment -entirely forgotten his fear of being speared; he appeared, like -Briareus, to have a hundred arms to level the numerous assailants who -incessantly rose before him, and cleft his way through the throng. -Fortunately for the Breton, most of the Indians had rushed in pursuit -of game more valuable to them, that is, the Count and the Canadian, who -had redoubled their efforts, though already so prodigious. - -While still fighting, Ivon had reached the skirt of the wood, about -three or four yards from the spot where the horses were tied. This -was probably what the Breton wished for. So soon as he found himself -in a straight line with the horses, instead of pushing forward as he -had hitherto done, he began to fall back step to step, so as to arrive -close to them. Still, he always fought with that cold resolution which -distinguishes the Bretons, and renders them such terrible foemen. - -Suddenly, when he found himself near enough to the horses, Ivon gave a -parting blow to the nearest Indian, sent him staggering backwards with -a dashed-in skull, took a panther leap, and reached the Count's horse. -In a second he had mounted, dug his spurs into the flanks of the noble -animal, and galloped off, after knocking down two Indians who tried to -stop him. - -"Hurrah! saved! saved!" he shouted, in a voice of thunder, as he -disappeared in the forest, where the Blackfeet did not dare to follow -him. - -The Redskins stood stupefied by such a prodigious flight. The cry -uttered by Ivon was doubtlessly a signal agreed on between him and -Bright-eye; for, so soon as he heard it, the hunter, by a hurried -movement, seized the Count's arm as he was in the act of striking. - -"What on earth are you about?" the latter said, turning to him angrily. - -"I am saving you," the hunter replied, coolly; "throw down your -weapon!--We surrender," he then exclaimed. - -"You will explain your conduct, I presume?" the Count continued. - -"Be of good cheer; you will approve it." - -"Be it so." - -And he threw the gun down. The Indians, whom the hunters' heroic -defence kept at a distance, rushed upon them so soon as they saw they -were disarmed, Natah Otann and White Buffalo hurried up; the two men -already were thrown down on the sand, when the Chief interposed. - -"Sir," he said, "you are my prisoner; and you too, Bright-eye." - -The young man shrugged his shoulders with contempt. - -"Reckon up what your victory has already cost you," the hunter replied, -with a sardonic smile, and pointing to the numerous corpses that lay on -the plain. Natah Otann, however, pretended not to hear this remark. - -"If you will give me your word of honour not to escape, gentlemen," -White Buffalo said, "you will be unloosed, and your weapons restored to -you." - -"Is this another trap you are laying for us?" the Count asked, -haughtily. - -"Bah!" Bright-eye said, with a significant glance at his comrade, "we -will give our word for four-and-twenty hours; after that, we will -see." - -"You hear, gentlemen," the young man said; "this hunter and myself -pledge our words for four-and-twenty hours. Does that suit you? Of -course, at the end of that time, we are free to recall it." - -"Or to pledge it again," the Canadian added, with a smile; "what do we -risk by doing so?" - -The two Chiefs exchanged a few whispered words. - -"We accept," Natah Otann at length said. - -At a sign from him, the prisoners' bonds were cut, and they rose. - -"Hum!" Bright-eye said, stretching himself with delight, "it does one -good to have the use of his limbs. Bah! I knew they would not kill me -this time, either." - -"Here are your horses and arms, gentlemen," the Chief said. - -"Permit me," the Count remarked coolly, drawing his watch from his -pocket, "it is now half-after seven; you have our parole till the same -time tomorrow evening." - -"Very good," White Buffalo said, with a bow. - -"And now, where are you going to take us, if you please?" the hunter -asked, with a crafty look. - -"To the village!" - -"Thank you." - -The two men jumped into their saddles, and followed the Indians, who -only waited for them to start. Ten minutes later, this place, on which -so many events had occurred during the day, became again calm and -silent. - -We will leave the Count and the hunter returning to the village under -good escort, to follow the track of Ivon. - -After leaving the battlefield, the latter rode straight ahead, not -caring to lose precious time in looking for a path; for the moment all -were good, provided that they bore him from the enemies he had so -providentially escaped. Still, after galloping for about an hour across -the wood, reassured by the perfect silence that prevailed around him, -he gradually checked his horse's speed. It was high time for this idea -to occur to him, as the poor horse, so harshly treated, was beginning -to break down. The Breton profited by this slight truce to reload his -weapons. - -"I am not brave," he said in a low voice, "but by Jove! as my poor -master says, the first scamp that attempts to bar my way, I will blow -out his brains, so surely as my name is Ivon." - -And the worthy man would have done as he said, we feel assured. After -advancing a few hundred yards, Ivon looked around, stopped his horse, -and dismounted. - -"What is the use of going any farther?" he said, resuming his -soliloquy; "my horse wants rest, and I shall not be the worse for a -halt. As well here as elsewhere." - -On this, he took off his horse's saddle, carried his master's -portmanteau to the foot of a tree, and began lighting a fire. - -"How quickly night comes on in this confounded country," he muttered; -"it is hardly eight o'clock, and it is as black as in an oven." - -While discoursing thus all alone, he had collected a considerable -quantity of dry wood; he returned to the spot he had selected for -camping, piled up the wood, struck a light, knelt, and began blowing -with all the strength of his lungs to make it catch. In a moment he -raised his head to breathe; but uttered a yell of terror, and almost -fell backwards. He had seen, about three paces from the fire, two -persons silently watching him. The first moment of surprise past, the -Breton bounded on his feet, and cocked his pistols. - -"Confuse you," he shouted, "you gave me a pretty fright; but no matter, -we will see." - -"My brother may be at rest," a soft voice replied, in bad English, "we -do not wish to do him any harm." - -As a Breton, Ivon spoke nearly as good English as he did French. On -hearing these words, he bent forward, and looked. "Oh!" he said, "the -Indian girl." - -"Yes, it is I," Prairie-Flower answered, as she stepped forward. - -Her companion followed her, and Ivon recognized Red Wolf. - -"You are welcome," he remarked, "to my poor encampment." - -"Thanks," she answered. - -"How is it that you are here?" - -"And you?" she said, answering one question by another. - -"Oh, I!" he said, shaking his head, "that is a sad story." - -"What does my brother mean?" Red Wolf asked. - -"Good, good," the Breton said, turning his head; "that is my business, -and not yours. First, tell me what brings you to me, and I will then -see if I may confide to you what has happened to my master and myself." - -"My brother is prudent," Prairie-Flower answered, "he is right: -prudence is good on the prairie." - -"Hum! I wish my master had heard you make that remark, perhaps he would -not be where he now is." - -Prairie-Flower gave a start of terror. - -"Wah! has any misfortune happened to him?" she said, in an agonized -voice. - -Ivon looked at her. - -"You appear to take an interest in him?" - -"He is brave," she exclaimed, passionately; "this morning he killed -the cougars that threatened Prairie-Flower; she has a heart--she will -remember." - -"That is true; quite true, young lady," he said; "he saved your life. -Tell me first, though, how it is we should have met in this forest." - -"Listen, then, as you insist." - -The Breton bowed. To all his other qualities Ivon added that of being -as obstinate as an Andalusian mule. Once the worthy man had taken a -theory into his head, nothing could turn him from it. We must grant, -however, that he had at present excellent reason to distrust the -Indians. - -Prairie-Flower continued:-- - -"After Glass-eye had so bravely killed the cougars," she said, with -considerable emotion, "the great Chief, Natah Otann, was angry with -Prairie-Flower, and ordered her to return to the village with Red Wolf." - -"I know all that," Ivon interrupted, "I was there; and that is why it -seems to me so extraordinary to meet you here when you should have been -on the road to the village." - -The Indian girl gave one of those little pouts peculiar to her, and -which rendered her so seductive. - -"The pale man is as curious as an old squaw," she said, with an accent -of ill-humour; "why does he wish to know Prairie-Flower's secret? She -has in her heart a little bird which sings pleasant songs to her, and -attracts her in the footsteps of the Paleface who saved her." - -"Ah!" said the Breton, partly catching the girl's meaning; "that is -different." - -"Instead of returning to the village," Red Wolf interposed, -"Prairie-Flower wished to return to the side of Glass-eye." - -The Breton reflected for a long time; the two Indians watched him -silently, patiently waiting till he thought proper to explain himself. -Presently, he raised his head, and, fixing his cunning grey eye on the -girl, he asked her distinctly,-- - -"You love him, then?" - -"Yes," she answered, looking down on the ground. - -"Very good. Now listen attentively to what I am about to tell you; it -will interest you prodigiously, or I am greatly mistaken." - -The two hearers bent down toward him, and listened attentively. Ivon -then related most copiously his master's conversation with the two -Chiefs; the dispute that arose between them; the combat that ensued -from it, and the way in which he had escaped. - -"If I did run away," he said, in conclusion, "heaven is my witness that -it was not for the purpose of saving my life. Though I am a desperate -coward, I would never hesitate to sacrifice my life for him; but -Bright-eye advised me to act in this way, so that I may try and find -assistance for them both." - -"Good," the girl said, quickly; "the Paleface is brave. What does he -intend to do?" - -"I mean to save my master, by Jove!" the Breton said, resolutely. "The -only thing is, that I do not know how to set about it." - -"Prairie-Flower knows. She will help the Paleface." - -"Is what you promise really true, young girl?" - -The Indian maid smiled. - -"The Paleface will follow Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf," she said; -"they will lead him to a spot where he will find friends." - -"Good; and when will you do it, my good girl?" he asked, his heart -palpitating with joy. - -"So soon as the Paleface is ready to start." - -"At once, then, at once!" the Breton exclaimed, hurriedly rising, and -hurrying to his horse. - -Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf had concealed their steeds in the centre of -a clump of trees. Ten minutes later, and Ivon and his guides quitted -the clearing where they had met; it was about midnight when they -started. - -"My poor master!" the Breton muttered. "Shall I be permitted to save -him?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. - - -The night was black, gloomy, and storm-laden. The wind howled with a -mournful murmur through the branches; at each gust the trees shook -their damp crowns, and sent down showers, which pattered on the shrubs. -The sky was of a leaden hue; so great was the silence in the desert, -that the fall of a withered leaf, or the rustling of a branch touched -in its passage by some invisible animal, could be distinctly heard. - -Ivon and his guides advanced cautiously through the forest, seeking -their road in the darkness, half lying on their horses, so as to avoid -the branches that lashed their faces at every moment. Owing to the -endless turns they were compelled to take, nearly two hours elapsed -ere they left the forest. At length they debouched on the plain, and -found themselves almost simultaneously on the banks of the Missouri. -The river, swollen by rain and snow, rolled along its yellowish waters -noisily. The fugitives followed the bank in a south-western direction. -Now that they had struck the river, all uncertainty had ceased for -them; their road was so distinctly traced that they had no fear of -losing it. - -On arriving at a spot where a point of sand jutted out for several -yards into the bed of the river, and formed a species of cape, from -the end of which objects could be seen for some distance, owing to the -transparency of the water, Red Wolf made a sign to his companions to -halt, and himself dismounted. Prairie-Flower and Ivon imitated him. -Ivon was not sorry to take a few moments' rest, and, above all, make -some inquiries before proceeding further. At the first blush, carried -away by an unreflecting movement of the heart, which impelled him to -save his master by any means that offered, he had not hesitated to -follow his two strange guides; but, with reflection, distrust had -returned still more powerfully, and the Breton was unwilling to go -further with the persons he had met, until he possessed undoubted -proofs of their honesty. - -So soon as he had dismounted then, and taken off his horse's bridle, -so that it should crop the tender shoots, Ivon walked up boldly to the -Redskin, and struck him on the shoulder. The Indian, whose eyes were -eagerly fixed on the rider, turned to him. - -"What does the Paleface want?" he asked him. - -"To talk a little with you, Chief." - -"The moment is not good for talking," the Indian answered, -sententiously; "the Palefaces are like the mockingbird; their tongues -must be ever in motion; let my brother wait." - -Ivon did not understand the epigram. - -"No," he said, "we must talk at once." - -The Indian suppressed an impatient gesture. - -"The Red Wolf's ears are open," he said; "_the Chattering Jay_ can -explain himself." - -The Redskins, finding some difficulty in pronouncing the names of -people with whom the accidents of the chase or of trade bring them into -relation, are accustomed to substitute for these names others, derived -from the character or physical aspect of the individual they wish to -designate. Ivon was called by the Blackfoot Indians the Chattering -Jay, a name whose justice we will refrain from discussing. The Breton -did not seem annoyed by what Red Wolf said to him; absorbed by the -thought that troubled him, every other consideration was a matter of -indifference to him. - -"You promised me to save Glass-eye," he said. - -"Yes," the Chief answered, laconically. - -"I accepted your propositions without discussion; for three hours I -have followed you without saying anything; but, before going further, I -should not be sorry to know the means you intend to employ to take him -out of the hands of the enemy." - -"Is my brother deaf?" the Indian asked. - -"I do not think so," Ivon answered, rather wounded by the question. - -"Then let him listen." - -"I am doing so." - -"My brother hears nothing?" - -"Not the least, I am free to confess." - -Red Wolf shrugged his shoulders. - -"The Palefaces are foxes without tails," he said, with disdain; "weaker -than children in the desert. Let my brother look," he added, pointing -to the river. - -Ivon followed the direction indicated, winking, and placing his hands -over his eyes, to concentrate the visual rays. - -"Well," the Indian asked, after a moment, "has my brother seen?" - -"Nothing at all," the Breton said, violently. "May the evil one twist -my neck, if it is possible for me to distinguish anything." - -"Then my brother will wait a few minutes," the Indian said, perfectly -calm; "he will then see and hear." - -"Hum!" the Breton went on, but slightly satisfied with this -explanation. "What shall I see and hear?" - -"My brother will know." - -Ivon would have insisted, but the Chief took him by the arm, pushed him -back, and hid with him behind a clump of trees, where Prairie-Flower -was already ensconced. - -"Silence!" the Redskin muttered, in such an imperative tone that the -Breton, convinced of the gravity of the situation, deferred to a more -favourable moment the string of questions he proposed asking the Chief. - -A few minutes elapsed. Redskin and Prairie-Flower, with their bodies -bent forward, and carefully parting the leaves, looked eagerly in the -direction of the river, while holding their breath. Ivon, bothered in -spite of himself by this sort of conduct, imitated their example. A -sound soon struck on his ears, but so slight and weak, that at first -he fancied himself mistaken. Still the noise grew gradually louder, -resembling that of paddles cautiously dipped in the water; next, a -black dot, at first nearly imperceptible, but which grew larger by -degrees, appeared on the river. - -There was soon no doubt in the Breton's mind. The black dot was a -canoe. On arriving within a certain distance, the sound could be no -longer heard, and the canoe remained motionless about halfway between -the two banks. At this moment the cry of the jay broke the silence, -repeated thrice, with such perfection, that Ivon instinctively raised -his head to the upper branches of the tree that sheltered them. Upon -this signal, the canoe began drawing nearer the cape, where it soon ran -ashore; but upon landing, the person in it raised the paddle twice in -the air. The cry of the jay was heard again, thrice repeated. - -Upon this, the rower, perfectly reassured, as it seemed, leaped on the -sand, drew the canoe half out of the water, and walked boldly in the -direction of the clump of trees that served Ivon and his comrades as -an observatory. The latter, deeming it useless to wait longer, quitted -their shelter, and walked toward the newcomer, after recommending the -Breton not to show himself without their authority. This order he -obeyed; but, with that prudence which distinguished him, he cocked his -pistols, took one in each hand, and, reassured by this precaution, -waited what was about to happen. - -The new actor who had entered on the scene, and in whom the reader -will have recognised Mrs. Margaret, had left Major Melville only about -an hour previously, after having that conversation we have repeated. -Although she did not expect to meet Prairie-Flower at this spot, -she did not appear at all astonished at seeing her, and gave her a -friendly nod, to which the girl responded with a smile. - -"What is there new?" she asked the Indian. - -"Much," he replied. - -"Speak." - -The Red Wolf thereupon told her all that had happened during the chase; -in what way he had learned it, and how Ivon had escaped in order to -seek help for his master. Margaret listened to the long story without -letting a sign of emotion to be seen on her wrinkled, grief-worn face. -When Red Wolf had ceased speaking, she reflected for a few moments; -then raising her head, asked-- - -"Where is the Paleface?" - -"Here," the Indian answered, pointing to the clump of trees. - -"Let him come." - -The Chief turned to fetch him, but the Breton, who had heard the last -word spoken in English, and judged that it was intended for him, left -his hiding place, after returning the pistols to his belt, and joined -the party. At this moment the first gleam of day began to appear, -the darkness was rapidly dissipated, and a reddish hue, which formed -on the extreme limit of the horizon, indicated that the sun would -speedily rise. The She-wolf fixed on the Breton her cunning eye, as if -desirous to read the depths of his heart. Ivon had nothing to reproach -himself with, and hence he bravely withstood the glance. The She-wolf, -satisfied with the dumb interrogatory to which she had subjected the -Breton, softened down the harsh expression of her face, and at length -addressed him in a voice she attempted to render conciliatory. - -"Listen attentively," she said to him. - -"I am listening." - -"You are devoted to your master?" - -"To the death," Ivon answered, firmly. - -"Good: then I can reckon on you?" - -"Yes." - -"You understand, I suppose, that we four cannot save your master?" - -"That appears to me difficult, I allow." - -"But we wish to revenge ourselves on Natah Otann." - -"Very good." - -"For a long time our measures have been taken to gain this end at a -given moment; that moment has arrived; but we have allies we must warn." - -"It is true." - -She drew a ring from her finger. - -"Take this ring; you know how to use a paddle, I suppose?" - -"I am a Breton, that is to say, a sailor." - -"Get into the canoe lying there, and without losing a moment, go down -the river till you reach a fort." - -"Hum! is it far?" - -"You will reach it in less than an hour if you are diligent." - -"You may be sure of that." - -"So soon as you have arrived at the fort, you will ask speech with -Major Melville; give him that ring, and tell him all the events of -which you have been witness." - -"Is that all?" - -"No; the Major will give you a detachment of soldiers, with whom you -will join us at Black's clearing: can you find your way there again?" - -"I think so; especially as it is on the river bank." - -"Yes; and you will have to pass it before reaching the fort." - -"What shall I do with the canoe?" - -"Abandon it." - -"When must I start?" - -"At once; the sun has risen, we must make haste." - -"And what are you going to do?" - -"I told you we were going to Black's clearing, where we shall wait for -you." - -The Breton reflected for a minute. - -"Listen, in your turn," he said; "I am not in the habit of discussing -orders, when I think those given us are just; I do not think that you -intend, under such grave circumstances, to mock a poor devil, whom -grief renders half mad, and who would joyfully sacrifice his life to -save his master's." - -"You are right." - -"I am therefore going to obey you." - -"You should have done so already." - -"Maybe; but I have a last word to say." - -"I am listening." - -"If you deceive me, if you do not really help me, as you pledge -yourself, in saving my master--I am, a coward, that is notorious; but -on my word as a man, I will blow out your brains: even were you hidden -in the bowels of the earth, I would go and seek you to fulfil my oath. -You hear me?" - -"Perfectly! and now have you finished?" - -"Yes." - -"Then be off." - -"I am doing so." - -"Good-bye, till we meet again." - -The Breton bowed once more, pulled the boat into the water, jumped -in, and hurried off at a rate which showed he would soon reach his -destination. His ex-companions looked after him till he was hidden by a -bend in the river. - -"And now what are we going to do?" Prairie-Flower asked. - -"Go to the clearing, to arrange with John Black." - -Margaret mounted Ivon's horse, Prairie-Flower and Red Wolf each -took their own, and the three started at a gallop. By a fortunate -coincidence, it was a day chosen by the squatter to give his family a -rest, and, as we have said, he had gone out with William to take a look -at his property. After a long ride, during which the squatter had burst -into ecstasies only known to landed proprietors, they were preparing to -return to their fortress, when William pointed out to his father the -three mounted persons coming towards them at full gallop. - -"Hum!" Black said, "Indians, that is an unpleasant meeting! let us hide -behind this clump, and try to find out what they want." - -"Stay, father," the young man said, "I believe that precaution -unnecessary." - -"Why so, boy?" - -"Because of the party two are women." - -"That is no reason," the squatter said, who, since the attack, had -become excessively prudent; "you know that in these bad tribes the -women fight as well as the men." - -"That is true; but stay, they are unfolding a buffalo robe in sign of -peace." - -In fact, one of the riders at this moment fluttered a robe in the -breeze. - -"You are right, boy," the squatter observed, presently; "let us await -them; the more so, as, if I am not mistaken, I can recognize an old -acquaintance among them." - -"The woman who saved us, I believe." - -"Right; by Jove! the meeting is a strange one. Poor woman, I am -delighted to see her again." - -Ten minutes later the parties joined; after the first salutations, the -She-wolf took the word. - -"Do you recognize me, John Black?" - -"Of course I do, my worthy woman," he replied, with emotion; "although -I only saw you for a few moments, and under terrible circumstances, the -remembrance of you has never left my heart and mind; I have only one -wish, and that is, that you will give me the opportunity to prove it." - -A flash of joy shot from the She-wolfs eye. - -"Are you speaking seriously?" she asked, quickly. - -"Try me." - -"Good; I was not deceived in you. I am glad of what I did. I see that -the service I rendered you has not fallen on ungrateful soil." - -"Speak." - -"Not here: what I have to tell you is too lengthy and serious for us to -be able to discuss it properly at this place." - -"Will you come to my house? There you need not be afraid of being -disturbed." - -"If you permit it." - -"What, my good creature, permit it? Why, the house, all it contains, -and the owner in the bargain, all are yours, and you know it." - -Margaret smiled sadly. - -"Thanks!" she said, offering him her hand, which Black pressed gladly. - -"Come," he said, "as we have nothing more to do here, let us be off." - -They started in the direction of the house; but the return was silent; -each, absorbed in thought, rode on without thinking of addressing a -word to the other. They were but a short distance from the house, when -they suddenly saw some twenty horsemen debouch from a wood on the -right, dressed, as far as could be distinguished, as wood rangers. - -"What is this?" Black said, with astonishment, as he pulled his horse -up. - -"Eh!" the She-wolf said, not replying to the squatter. "The Frenchman -has been diligent." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I will explain all that presently; for the present you need only offer -your hospitality to these good people." - -"Hum!" Black said, doubtingly. "I shall be glad to do it, but must know -who they are, and what they want of me." - -"They are Americans; like yourself. I asked the commandant of the fort -where they are stationed to send them here." - -"What fort and what garrison are you talking of, my good woman? On my -soul! I do not know what you mean." - -"What! have you not learned to know your neighbours since you have been -here?" - -"What! have I neighbours?" he said, in an angry tone. - -"About ten miles off is Fort Mackenzie, commanded by a brave officer, -Major Melville." - -At this explanation the squatter's face was unwrinkled; it was not a -rival, but a defender he had as neighbour, hence all was for the best. - -"Oh, I will go and pay him my respects," he said; "the acquaintance of -a fort commandant is not to be neglected in the desert." - -Major Melville sent off at once the detachment asked by his sister; -but reflecting that soldiers could not execute so well as hunters -the meditated _coup de main_, he chose twenty hardened and resolute -trappers and _engages_ under the command of an officer who had been -a long time in the Fur Company's service, and was versed in all the -tricks of the crafty enemies he would have to fight. - -At the foot of the hill the two parties combined. Black, though still -ignorant for what purpose the detachment had come, received most -affably the reinforcement sent to him. Ivon was radiant; the worthy -Breton, now that he could dispose of such a number of good rifles, -believed in the certainty of saving his master; all his suspicions -had disappeared, and he burst forth into apologies and thanks to the -She-wolf and her two Indian friends. So soon as all were comfortably -lodged in the building, Black returned to his guests, and, after -offering them refreshments, said-- - -"Now, I am waiting for your explanation." - -As we shall soon see the development of the plans formed at this -meeting, it is useless to describe them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE CAMP OF THE BLACKFEET. - - -Two days have elapsed since the events of our last chapter. It is -evening in the Kenhas' village. The tumult is great; all are preparing -for an expedition. The night is clear and starlit; great fires, kindled -before each cabin, spread around immense reddish gleams, which light -up the whole village. There is something strange and striking in the -scene presented by the village, crowded with a motley population. The -Count de Beaulieu and Bright-eye, apparently free, are conversing in a -low tone, sitting on the bare ground, and leaning against the wall of a -cabin. - -The time fixed by the Count for his parole has long passed, still the -Indian Chiefs have satisfied themselves with taking away his weapons -and the hunter's, and pay no more attention to them. - -On the large village square two immense fires have been kindled. Round -the first, placed in front of the Council Lodge, are seated White -Buffalo, Natah Otann, Red Wolf, and three or four other chiefs of the -tribe; round the second some twenty warriors are silently smoking the -calumet. Such was the appearance offered by the Kenhas' village at -about nine in the evening of the day we return to it. - -"Why allow the Palefaces thus to wander about the village?" Red Wolf -asked. - -Natah Otann smiled. - -"Have the white men the eyes of the eagle and the feet of the gazelle, -to find again their trail lost in the desert?" - -"My father is right, if he speaks of Glass-eye," Red Wolf urged; "but -Bright-eye has a Redskin heart." - -"Yes; if he was alone he would try to escape, but he will not abandon -his friend." - -"The latter can follow him." - -"Glass-eye has a brave heart, but his feet are weak; he cannot walk in -the desert." - -Red Wolf looked down, with an air of conviction, and made no reply. - -"The hour has arrived to set out; the allied nations are proceeding to -the rendezvous," White Buffalo said, in a sombre voice. "It is nine -o'clock; the owl has twice given the signal, and the moon is rising." - -"Good," Natah Otann said, "we will have the horses smoked, so as to set -out immediately after." - -Red Wolf gave a shrill whistle. At this signal some twenty horsemen -galloped into the square, and went up to the second fire, round which -an equal number of warriors, naked to the waist, were crouching and -smoking silently. These men were warriors of the tribe who were -dismounted, either by accident or in action; the horsemen, at this -moment prancing round them, were their friends, and came up to make -each a present of a horse prior to the departure of the expedition. -While cantering round, the horsemen drew gradually nearer to the -smokers, who did not appear to notice them. Each horseman chose out the -man to whom he intended to give a horse, and a shower of lashes fell -on the naked shoulders of these stoical warriors. At each blow they -struck, the warrior shouted, each calling his friend by name. - -"So and so, you are a beggar and wretched man. You desire my horse, I -give it to you; but you will bear on your shoulders the bloody marks -of my whip." - -This performance lasted about a quarter of an hour, during which the -sufferers, although the blood ran down their backs, did not utter -a cry or a groan, but remained calm and motionless, as if they had -been metamorphosed into bronze statues. At length the Red Wolf gave a -second whistle, and the horsemen disappeared as rapidly as they came. -The patients then rose as if nothing had happened to them, and went -with radiant forehead and firm step, each to take possession of a -magnificent steed, held by the ex-scourgers, now become their friends -once more. This is what the Blackfeet call _smoking horses_. - -When the tumult occasioned by this semi-serious episode was appeased, -an _hachesto_, or public crier, mounted the roof of the council lodge. -All the population of the village was drawn up silently on the square. - -"The hour has struck! The hour has struck! The hour has struck!" the -hachesto cried. "Warriors, to your lances and guns! The horses are -neighing with impatience! Your chiefs are awaiting you, and your -enemies sleep. To arms! To arms! To arms!" - -"To arms!" all the warriors shouted simultaneously. - -Natah Otann, followed by his warriors, mounted like himself on -impetuous steeds, then appeared in the square, and uttered, in a -terrible voice, the war yell of the Blackfeet. At this cry every man -rushed on his weapons, mounted, and ranged under the respective chiefs, -who, within scarce ten minutes, found themselves at the head of five -hundred warriors, perfectly armed and equipped. - -Natah Otann cast a triumphant glance around him; his eye fell -immediately on the two prisoners, who had remained quietly seated, -talking together, and apparently indifferent to all that happened. At -the sight of them the Chiefs thick eyebrows were contracted, he leant -over to the White Buffalo, who rode by his side, and muttered a few -words in his ear. The old man gave a sign of assent, and walked towards -the prisoners, while Natah Otann, taking the head of the war party, -gave the signal for departure, and went off, only leaving ten warriors -on the square to aid White Buffalo, if required. - -"Gentlemen," the latter said, sharply, but courteously; "be good enough -to mount and follow me, if you please." - -"Is this an order you give us, sir?" the Count asked, haughtily. - -"What does that, question mean?" - -"Because I am not in the habit of obeying anybody." - -"Sir," the Chief answered, "any resistance would be insensate, and -rather injurious than useful to your interests: so to horse without -further delay." - -"The Chief is right," Bright-eye said, with a significant look at the -Count; "why any obstinacy? we cannot be the stronger." - -"But--" the young man remarked. - -"Here is your horse," the hunter interrupted him, sharply. - -"We obey the Chief," he added, aloud; then he added in a whisper,-- - -"Are you mad, Mr. Edward? Who knows the chances luck has in store for -us during the accursed expedition?" - -"Still--" - -"Mount! Mount!" - -At length the young man, partly convinced, obeyed the hunter. When the -prisoners had mounted, the warriors surrounded them, and led them off -at a gallop, till they caught up the column, of which they took the -lead. - -Despite the Count's resistance, Natah Otann and White Buffalo had not -given up their plan of making him pass for Motecuhzoma, and placing him -at the head of the Allied Nations. Still this plan had been modified, -in this sense, that, as the young Count refused his help, they would -force him to give it in spite of himself. The following is the way -in which they intended to act. They had succeeded in persuading the -Indians who accompanied them during the ostrich hunt, that the struggle -sustained by the Count, and which had struck them with stupor, owing -to the energetic resistance the two men had so long offered to fifty -warriors, was a ruse invented by them to display their strength and -power in the sight of all. - -The Redskins, owing to their ignorance, are stupidly credulous. Natah -Otann's clumsy falsehood, which any man but slightly civilized would -have regarded with contempt, obtained the greatest success with these -brutalized beings, and enhanced, in their eyes, the personal value -of the men whom they saw continuing to live on good terms with their -Chiefs, and remaining apparently free in the village. - -Matters were too far advanced, the day chosen for the outbreak of -the plot was too near, for the Chiefs to give counterorders to their -allies, and concoct some other scheme to replace the prophet they had -announced to the Missouri nations. If, on arriving at the rendezvous, -the man they had expected was not presented to them, it was evident -they would retire with their contingents, and that all would be broken -off with no hope of recombination; but a catastrophe must be guarded -against at all risks. - -The resolution formed by the two Chiefs, desperate as it was, they were -compelled to adopt through the suspicious nature of the circumstances, -and they trusted to chance to make it succeed. The Count and his -companion would march, so long as the expedition lasted, at the head -of the attacking columns, without weapons it is true, but apparently -free, while guarded by ten picked warriors, who would never leave -them, and kill them on the slightest suspicious gesture. The plan was -absurd, and, with other men than Indians, the impossibility would -have been recognized in less than an hour; but, through its very -impracticability, it offered chances of success, and this was chiefly -owing to the belief the Indians held that the Count had no friends to -attempt his rescue. - -Ivon's flight had troubled Natah Otann for a few moments: but the -discovery made in the forest, where he had sought shelter, of the body -of a man clothed in the servant's dress, and half devoured by wild -beasts, restored him all his serenity, by proving to him that he had -nought to fear from the poor fellow's devotion. - -Three hours prior to the departure of the column, the Chief had, -on White Buffalo's revelations, had five spies secretly strangled. -Red Wolf, on whom Natah Otann and White Buffalo placed unbounded -confidence, and whose courage could not be doubted, was appointed head -of the detachment to watch over the prisoners. Hence matters were in -the best possible state. The two Chiefs marched about fifty paces ahead -of their warriors, conversing in a low voice, and definitely arranging -their final plans. White Buffalo described in a few words the position -and their hopes. - -"Our prospect is desperate," he said, "chance may make it fail or -succeed: all depends upon the first attack. If, as I believe, we -surprise the American garrison, and seize Fort Mackenzie, we shall -have no further need of this Count, whose disappearance we can easily -account for, by saying that he has reascended to heaven, because we are -victors. However, we shall see; all will be decided in a few hours. -Till then, courage and prudence." - -Natah Otann made no reply; but cast a glance at Prairie-Flower, who -cantered along in apparent carelessness on the flank of the column, -which she had asked leave to accompany, and the Chief had gladly -granted it. The warriors advanced in a long line, silently following -one of those winding paths formed on the desert for centuries by the -feet of wild beasts. The night was transparent and calm; the sky, -embroidered with millions of stars, shed down on the landscape floods -of melancholy light, harmonizing with the grand and primitive nature of -the desert. About four in the morning, Natah Otann halted on the top of -a wooded dell, in the centre of an immense clearing, where the entire -detachment disappeared, without leaving a trace. - -Fort Mackenzie rose gloomy and majestic at about a gunshot off. The -Indians had effected their march with such prudence, that the American -garrison had given no sign of alarm. Natah Otann had a tent put up, -into which he courteously begged his prisoners to enter, and they -obeyed. - -"Why so much politeness?" the Count said. - -"Are you not my guests?" the Chief replied, with an ironical smile, and -then withdrew. - -The Count and his comrade, when left alone, lay down on a pile of furs -intended for their bed. - -"What is to be done?" the Count muttered, greatly discouraged. - -"Sleep," the hunter said, carelessly. "Unless I am mistaken, we shall -soon have some news." - -"Heaven grant it!" - -"Amen," Bright-eye continued, with a laugh. "Bah! we shall not die this -time either." - -"I hope so," the Count repeated, to say something. - -"And I am sure of it. It would be curious, on my word," the hunter -said, with a laugh, "were I, who have traversed the desert so long, to -be killed by these red brutes." - -The young man could not refrain from admiring, in his heart, the cool -certainty with which the Canadian uttered so monstrous an opinion; but -at this moment the prisoners heard a gentle sound near them. - -"Silence!" Bright-eye commanded. - -They listened attentively. A harmonious voice then sang to a melody, -full of gentleness and melancholy, the exquisite Blackfoot song -beginning with the verses:-- - -"I confide to you my heart, in the name of the Master of Life; I am -unhappy, and no one takes pity on me, yet the Master of Life is great -in my sight." - -"Oh!" the Count muttered joyously, "I recognise that voice, my friend." - -"And I too, by Jupiter! It is Prairie-Flower's." - -"What does she say?" - -"It is a warning she gives us." - -"Do you believe so?" - -"Prairie-Flower loves you, Mr. Edward." - -"Poor child! and I love her too; but alas!--" - -"Bah! after the storm comes fine weather." - -"If I could but see her." - -"For what good? She will contrive to make herself visible when it is -necessary. Come, wild or tame, all women are alike. But, look out, here -is somebody." - -They threw themselves on the furs, and pretended to be asleep. A man -had quietly lifted the curtain of the tent. By the moon's ray, that -passed through the opening, the prisoners recognized Red Wolf. The -Indian looked outside for a moment; then, probably reassured by the -calmness that prevailed around, he let the curtain of the tent fall, -and took a few paces in the interior. - -"The jaguar is strong and courageous," he said, in a loud voice, as if -talking to himself; "the fox is cunning; but the man whose heart is big -is stronger than the jaguar, and more cunning than the fox, when he -has in his hand weapons to defend himself. Who says that Glass-eye and -Bright-eye will allow their throats to be cut like tamed gazelles?" - -"And not looking at the prisoners, the Chief laid at their feet two -guns, from which hung powder flasks, bullet bags, and long knives; then -he left the tent again, as calmly as if he had done the simplest matter -in the world. The prisoners looked at each other in amazement. - -"What do you think of that?" Bright-eye muttered in stupefaction. - -"It is a trap," the Count answered. - -"Hum! trap or no, the weapons are there, and I shall take them." - -The hunter seized the guns and the knives, which he immediately hid -under the furs. The arms were hardly in security, ere the curtain of -the tent was again raised, and Natah Otann walked in. He bore in his -hand a branch of ocote, or candlewood, which lit up his thoughtful -face, and gave it a sinister expression. The Chief dug up the ground -with his knife, planted his torch in the ground, and walked toward the -prisoners, who looked on without giving any sign. - -"Gentlemen," the Chief then said, "I have come to ask for a moment's -interview with you." - -"Speak, sir; we are your prisoners, and as such compelled to hear -you, if not to listen to you," the Count said, drily, as he sat up on -the furs, while Bright-eye rose carelessly, and lit his pipe at the -candlewood torch. - -"Since you have been my prisoners, gentlemen," the Chief continued, -"you have not had, to my knowledge, any reason to complain of the way -in which I have treated you." - -"That depends. In the first place, I do not admit that I am legally -your prisoner." - -"Oh, sir," the Chief said, with a smile of mockery, "do you speak of -legality to a poor Indian? You know well that we are ignorant of that -word." - -"That is true; go on." - -"I have come to see you--" - -"Why?" the Count interrupted him, impatiently. "Explain!" - -"I have a bargain to propose to you." - -"Well, I will frankly confess that your way of bargaining does not -impress me with great confidence." - -The Indian made a move. - -"No matter," the Count continued, "let us hear it." - -"I should not like to be obliged, sir, to tie you again, as you were -when you were captured." - -"I am extremely obliged to you." - -"But; at this moment I absolutely need all my warriors, and I cannot -leave anybody to guard you two gentlemen." - -"Which means?" - -"That I ask your parole not to escape for the next twenty-four hours." - -"But that is not a bargain." - -"Wait; I am coming to it." - -"Good; I am waiting." - -"In return, I pledge myself--" - -"Ah!" the Count said, contemptuously, "let us see to what you pledge -yourself; that must be curious." - -"I pledge myself," the Chief continued, still cold and calm, "to give -you your liberty in twenty-four hours." - -"And my comrade?" - -The Indian bowed his head in affirmation; the Count burst into a loud -laugh. - -"And suppose we did not accept?" he asked. - -"But you will do so," he said, with an ironical smile. - -"Possibly; but suppose the contrary for a moment." - -"At daybreak you will both be attached to the stake, and tortured until -sunset." - -"Oh, oh! Is that your final word?" - -"The last; in half an hour I will come for your answer." - -And he turned to go out. The Count bounded like a jaguar, and stood -before the Chief, his gun in one hand, his knife in the other. - -"A moment," he shouted. - -"Wah!" the Chief said, crossing his hands on his wide chest, and gazing -at them sarcastically. "You had taken your precautions, it appears." - -"By Jove!" Bright-eye said, with a grin; "I rather fancy it is our turn -to make conditions." - -"Perhaps so," Natah Otann replied, coolly; "but I have no time to lose -in vain words; let me pass, gentlemen." - -Bright-eye threw himself quickly before the door. - -"Come, Chief," he said, "things cannot end like that; we are not old -women to be frightened. Before we are fastened to the stake, we will -kill you." - -The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully, - -"You are mad; let me pass, old hunter, and do not oblige me to use -force." - -"No, no, Chief," Bright-eye added, with an ironical laugh; "we shall -not part like that; all the worse for you; you should not have put your -head in the wolf's throat." - -Natah Otann made an impatient gesture. - -"You wish it; well, then, see!" - -Raising to his lips his war-whistle, made of a human thigh bone, he -produced a shrill sound. All at once, before the two Europeans could -comprehend what was happening, the sides of the tent were cut open, -and the Blackfeet bounded into the interior. The Count and Bright-eye -were seized and disarmed. The Sachem, with his arms still crossed on -his chest, looked like a stoic, while the Kenhas, with their eyes fixed -on the Chief, and uplifted tomahawks, seemed to await from him a final -signal. - -There was a moment of intense anxiety; though the two white men were -so brave, the attack had been so rapid and unexpected, that they -could not refrain from an inward shudder. For a few seconds the Chief -enjoyed his triumph; then, raising his hand, with a gesture of supreme -authority, he said,-- - -"Enough! Restore their weapons to these warriors. Are they not the -guests of Natah Otann?" - -The Blackfeet retired as suddenly as they had appeared. - -"Well," the Chief asked, with slight irony, "do you understand me at -last? Do you still fancy me in your power?" - -"Very good, sir," the Count replied, coldly, still suffering from the -struggle he had gone through; "I am forced to recognize the advantage -that chance gives you over me; any resistance would be useless. I -consent to submit for the present to your will; but only on two -conditions." - -"They are accepted beforehand, sir," Natah Otann said, with a bow. - -"Do not be too certain, sir; for you do not yet know what I mean to ask -from you." - -"I am awaiting your explanation." - -"As it must be so, I will march at the head of your tribes; but alone, -unarmed, and on condition, that under no pretext you impose on me any -other character in the gloomy tragedy you are preparing to act." - -The Chief frowned. - -"And supposing that I refuse?" he said, in a hoarse voice. - -"If you refuse," the young man answered, with his calmest air, "I will -employ sure means to compel you to assent." - -"They are?" - -"I will blow out my brains, sir, in the sight of all your warriors." - -The Chief cast a viper's glance at him. - -"Very good," he said, presently. "I accept; now let us have the other -condition." - -"It is simply this: conqueror or conquered; and I hope sincerely that -the latter may be the case--" - -"Thank you," the Chief interrupted him, with an ironical bow. - -"After the battle, whatever its issue may be," the Count continued, -"you will fight me honourably with equal weapons." - -"Why, Sir Count, you are proposing to me what white men call a duel!" - -"Yes. Does that displease you?" - -"Me? certainly not, and I accept gladly; the more so, as we Blood -Indians are accustomed to have such fights to settle our own personal -quarrels." - -"Then you accept my conditions?" - -"I do so." - -"But who will guarantee your good faith?" the young man asked. - -"I, Sir," a powerful voice said. - -The three men turned. White Buffalo was standing motionless in the -doorway of the tent. At the unexpected appearance of this strange man, -whose features revealed at the moment an imposing majesty, the young -Count felt subdued, and bowed respectfully. - -"Gentlemen," Natah Otann continued, "you are free within the limits of -the camp." - -"Thanks," Bright-eye said coarsely; "but I have made no promise." - -"You!" the Chief said carelessly; "go or stay, I care very little." - -And after bowing ceremoniously to the Count, the two Chiefs withdrew. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -BEFORE THE ATTACK. - - -After leaving the tent, the two Chiefs walked for some moments side by -side, and did not exchange a word; both seemed plunged in deep thought, -doubtlessly caused by the serious events that were preparing--events -whose success would decide the fate of the Indian tribes of this -part of the continent. While walking along, they reached a point on -the hillock, whence a most extensive view could be enjoyed in every -direction. - -The night was calm and balmy, there was not a breath in the air, not -a cloud on the sky, whose deep azure was enamelled with a profusion -of twinkling stars; an imposing silence reigned over this desert, -where, however, several thousand men were ambushed, only waiting a -word or a signal to out each other's throats. Mechanically the two men -stopped, and gazed at the grand landscape extended at their feet, in -the immediate foreground of which frowned Fort Mackenzie, throwing its -gloomy shadow far across the prairie. - -"By sunrise," Natah Otann muttered, answering his own thoughts, rather -than addressing his companion, "that haughty fortress will be mine. -The Redskins will command at the spot where their oppressors are still -reigning." - -"Yes," White Buffalo repeated, mechanically, "tomorrow you will be -master of the fort, but will you manage to keep it? Conquering is -nothing; the white men have been several times defeated by the -Redskins, and yet they have enslaved, decimated, and dispersed them -like the leaves the autumn breeze bears away." - -"That is only too true," the Chief said, with a sigh; "it has ever been -so, since the first day the white men set foot in this unhappy land. -What is the mysterious influence that has constantly predicted them -against us?" - -"Yourselves, my child," White Buffalo said, mournfully shaking his -head; "you are your own greatest enemies. You can only impute to -yourselves your continued defeats, for you are so obstinate for -internecine warfare; the whites have taken care to foster strongly your -headstrong passions, by which they have skilfully profited to conquer -you in detail." - -"Yes, you have told me that often, my father, so you see I have -profited by your advice; all the Missouri Indians are now united, they -obey the same chief, and march under one totem; thus, believe me, this -union will be fertile in good results, we shall drive these plundering -wolves from our frontiers, we shall send them back to the villages of -stone; and henceforth only the moccasin of the Redskins will tread our -native prairies, and the echoes will only be aroused by the joyous -laughter of the Redskins, or repeat the war cry of the Blackfeet." - -"No one will be happier than I at such a result; my most ardent -desire is to see men free, from whom I have received such paternal -hospitality; but, alas, who can foresee the future? These Sachems, -whom you have succeeded in combining by attention and patience, are -agitating darkly; they fear to obey you; they are jealous of the power -themselves gave you, so there is a chance they will abandon you." - -"I will not; give them the time, my father; for the last few days -I have known all their designs, and followed their plans; up to -the present, prudence has closed my mouth. I did not wish to risk -the success of my enterprise; but so soon as I am master of this -fortress below us, believe me, I shall speak loudly, for my voice -will have exercised an authority, my power a strength, which the most -turbulent will be compelled to recognize. Victory will render me -great and terrible: will trample under foot those who now conspire -in the darkness, and who would not hesitate to turn against me, if I -experienced a defeat. Go, my father, let all be ready for the attack so -soon as I give the signal, visit the outposts, watch the movements of -the enemy, for in two hours I shall utter my war cry." - -White Buffalo regarded him for a moment with a singular expression, in -which friendship, fear, and admiration struggled in turn; then laying -his hand on his shoulder he said, with much emotion,-- - -"Child, you are mad; but it is a sublime madness: the work of -reformation you meditate is impossible--but, whether you triumph or -succumb, your attempt will not be useless. Your passage on earth will -leave a long, luminous trace, which may one day serve as a beacon to -those who succeed in accomplishing the liberation of your race." - -After a few seconds of silence, more eloquent than vain words, the two -men fell into each other's arms, and held each other in a firm embrace; -they then separated, and Natah Otann remained alone. - -The young Chief did not conceal from himself in any way the -difficulties of his position. He recognized the justice of his adopted -father's observations; but now it was too late to recoil, he must push -onward at all risks. Now that the moment had arrived to descend into -the arena, all hesitation had ceased, all fear had died out in the -young Chief's bosom, to give way to a cold and invincible resolution, -that imparted to him the lucidity of mind required to play skilfully -the great part on which the fate of his race would depend. - -When White Buffalo left him alone, Natah Otann sat down on a rock, and, -resting his head on his hand, fixed his eyes on the place, and fell -into a serious contemplation. For a long time he had been dreaming, -with a vague consciousness of external objects, when a hand was gently -laid on his shoulder. The Chief quivered, as if he had received an -electric shock, and quickly raised his head. - -"_Ochtl?_" he said, with an emotion he could not master. -"Prairie-Flower here at this hour?" - -The young girl smiled sweetly. - -"Why is my brother astonished?" she replied, in her gentle and -melodious voice; "does not the Chief know that Prairie-Flower loves to -wander about at night, when nature is slumbering, and the voice of the -Great Spirit can be more easily heard? We girls love to dream at night, -by the melancholy light that comes from the stars, and seems to give -reality to our thoughts, at times, in the mist." - -The Chief sighed in reply. - -"You are suffering?" Prairie-Flower asked him, gently; "You, the first -Sachem of our nation, the most renowned warrior of our tribes--what -reason can be powerful enough to draw a sigh from you?" - -The Chief seised the dainty hand the girl yielded to him, and pressed -it gently between his own. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said at length, "you are ignorant why I suffer -when I am by your side?" - -"How should I know it? Although my brothers call me the _Virgin of -Sweet Love_, and suppose me to be in relation with the spirits of air -and water, alas! I am only an ignorant young girl. I should like to -know the cause of your grief; perhaps I could succeed in curing you." - -"No," the Chief answered, shaking his head, "it is not in your power, -child; to do that the beating of your heart ought to respond to mine, -and the little bird, which sings so melodiously in the hearts of -maidens, and murmurs such gentle words in their ears, should have flown -near you." - -The girl blushed and smiled; she let her eyes fall, and, making an -effort to disengage her hand, which Natah Otann still held in his,-- - -"The little bird, of which my brother speaks, I have seen: its song has -already been chanted near me." - -The Chief sprung up, and fixed a flashing glance on the maiden. - -"What!" he exclaimed, with agitation, "you love? Has one of the young -warriors of our tribe known how to touch your heart, and fill it with -love?" - -Prairie-Flower shook her charming head petulantly, while a sweet smile -parted her coral lips. - -"I know not if what I experience is what you call love," she said. - -Natah Otann had, by a painful effort, checked the emotion which made -his limbs tremble. - -"Why should it not be so?" he continued, thoughtfully. "The laws -of nature are immutable, no one can prevent it; the child's hour -was destined to arrive. By what right can I quarrel with what has -happened? Have I not in my heart a sacred feeling, which fills it, and -before which every other must be extinguished? A man in my position is -too far above vulgar passions; the object he proposes to himself is too -great for him to allow himself to be ruled by love of a woman. The man -who lays claim to become the saviour and regenerator of a people, no -longer belongs to humanity. Let me be worthy of the task I have taken -on myself, and forget, if possible, the mad and hopeless passion that -devours me. That girl can never be mine; everything separates us. I -will be to her what I ought never to have ceased to be--a father." - -He let his head hang despairingly on his chest, and remained for a few -moments absorbed in gloomy meditation. Prairie-Flower regarded him -with an expression of tender pity; she had only imperfectly caught the -words the Chief muttered, and understood but little of them. Still she -felt a deep friendship for him; she suffered in seeing him, and sought -vainly some consolation to afford. She waited anxiously till he should -remember her presence, and speak to her again. At length he raised his -head. - -"My sister has not told me which of our young warriors she prefers to -all the rest." - -"Has not the Sachem guessed it?" she asked, timidly. - -"Natah Otann is a chief. If he is the father of his warriors, he is no -spy on their deeds or thoughts." - -"The man of whom I speak to my brother is not a Kenha warrior," she -continued. - -"Ah!" he said in surprise, and looking scrutinizingly at her, "Can it -be one of the Palefaces who are Natah Otann's guests?" - -"My brother would say his prisoners," she murmured. - -"What mean these words, girl? Have you, born but yesterday, any right -to try and explain my actions? Ah!" he added, with a frown, "now I -understand how the Palefaced Chiefs had weapons when I visited them an -hour ago. It is useless for my daughter to tell me now the name of him -she loves, for I know it." - -The girl hung her head, with a blush. - -"_Achtsett_--it is good," he continued, in a rough voice, "my sister is -free to place her affections where she pleases; but her love must not -lead her to betray her friends for the Palefaces. She is a daughter of -the Kenhas. Was it to give me this news that Prairie-Flower came to me?" - -"No," she answered timidly; "another person ordered me to come here, -where she will also come herself, as she has an important secret to -reveal to me in the presence of the Sachem." - -"An important secret?" Natah Otann repeated. "What do you mean? Of what -woman is my sister speaking?" - -"I am speaking of her who is called the She-wolf of the prairies; she -has ever been gentle, good, and affectionate to me, in spite of the -hatred she bears to the Indians." - -"That is strange," the Chief muttered. "So you are waiting for her?" - -"I am." - -"But that woman is mad," the Chief exclaimed. "Do you not know it, my -poor child?" - -"Those whom the Great Spirit wishes to protect he deprives of reason, -that they may not feel grief," she replied, softly. - -For some minutes an almost imperceptible rustling had been going on -in the bushes; this sound, though so slight, the Chiefs practised -ear would have detected, had he not been entirely absorbed by his -conversation with the girl. All at once the branches were violently -torn asunder; several men, led by the She-wolf of the prairies, rushed -toward the Chief, and, before he had recovered from the surprise caused -by this sudden attack, he was thrown down, and securely pinioned. - -"The mad woman!" he exclaimed. - -"Yes, yes, the mad woman," she repeated, in a hoarse voice. "At length -I hold my vengeance! Thanks," she added, addressing the three men who -accompanied her; "I will now take his guard on myself, he shall not -escape." - -The men withdrew without replying. Although they wore the Indian -dress, a panther skin drawn over their faces rendered them perfectly -secure from detection. Only three persons remained on the top of the -hill--Prairie-Flower, Margaret, and Natah Otann, who tried to break -his bonds, while uttering hoarse and inarticulate sounds. The She-wolf -surveyed her enemy, prostrated at her feet, with a joy impossible to -describe, while Prairie-Flower, standing motionless by the Chief, gazed -on him sorrowfully and thoughtfully. - -"Yes," the She-wolf said, with a glance of satiated vengeance, "howl, -panther; bend the bonds you cannot break. I hold you at last; it is my -turn to torture you, to repay you all the suffering you lavished on -me. Oh! I can never be sufficiently avenged on you, the assassin of my -whole family. God is just: tooth for tooth, eye for eye, wretch!" - -She picked up a dagger that had fallen on the ground near her, and -began to prick him all over. - -"Answer me--do you not feel the cold steel piercing your flesh?" she -asked him. "Oh! I should like to make you suffer death a thousand -times, were it possible." - -A smile of contempt played over the Chief's lips. The She-wolf, -exasperated, raised the dagger to strike him; but Prairie-Flower held -her arm. Margaret turned like a tiger; but, recognizing the girl, she -let the weapon fall from her trembling hand, and her face assumed an -expression of infinite gentleness and tenderness. - -"You here?" she exclaimed. "Then you did not forget the meeting I -arranged with you? It is Heaven that sends you!" - -"Yes," the young girl replied, "the Great Spirit sees all. My mother -is good; Prairie-Flower loves her. Why thus torture the man who acted -as father to the abandoned child? The Chief has ever been kind to -Prairie-Flower; my mother will pardon him." - -Margaret gazed at the girl with an expression of mad stupor; then her -features were suddenly distorted, and she burst into a strident laugh. - -"What!" she exclaimed, in a piercing voice, "you, Prairie-Flower, -intercede for this man?" - -"He was a father to Prairie-Flower," the girl answered, simply. - -"But you do not know him then?" - -"He has been kind to me." - -"Silence, child! do not implore the She-wolf," the Chief said, in a -gloomy voice. "Natah Otann is a warrior; he knows how to die." - -"No, the Chief must not die," the Indian girl said, resolutely. - -Natah Otann laughed. - -"It is I who am avenged," he said. - -"Dog!" the She-wolf yelled, stamping her heel on his face, "silence! or -I will tear out your viper's tongue." - -The Indian smiled with contempt. - -"My mother will follow me," the girl said: "I will unfasten the Chief, -in order that he may rejoin his warriors, who are about to fight." - -She picked up the dagger, and knelt down near the prisoner; but the -She-wolf checked her. - -"Before cutting his bonds, listen to me, child," she said. - -"Afterwards," the girl objected. "A Chief must be with his warriors in -battle." - -"Listen to me for a few minutes," She-wolf continued, earnestly; "I -implore it of you, Prairie-Flower, by all I may have done for you; -then, when I have ceased speaking, if you still wish it, you shall -deliver that man. I swear to you that I will not prevent it." - -The girl looked at her fixedly. - -"Speak," she said, in her gentle and sympathizing voice. -"Prairie-Flower is listening." - -A sigh of relief escaped from the She-wolf's oppressed chest. There was -a moment's silence: nothing could be heard, save the panting of the -prisoner. - -"You are right, girl," the She-wolf at length said, in a mournful -voice, "that man took care of your infancy, was kind to you, and -brought you up tenderly; you see that I do him justice! But he never -told you how you fell into his hands." - -"Never," the maiden said, in a melancholy voice. - -"Well," the She-wolf continued, "that secret, which he has not dared to -reveal to you, I will tell you. On just such a night as this, at the -head of his ferocious warriors, the man you call your father attacked -your real father, and while your two brothers, by that monster's -orders, were burned alive, your father fastened to a tree, and there -was flayed alive." - -"Horror!" the young girl shrieked, as she sprang up. - -"And if you do not believe me," she continued, in a shrill voice, "tear -from your neck that bag made of your unhappy father's skin, and you -will find in it all that remains of him." - -With a feverish movement the young girl drew out the bag, which she -squeezed convulsively. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed, "no! no! it is impossible; such atrocities could -not be committed." - -Suddenly her tears ceased, she looked fixedly at the She-wolf, and -said, in a harsh voice-- - -"How do you know all this? The man who told it you lied." - -"I was present," the She-wolf said, coldly, - -"You were present? You witnessed this horrible scene?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"Why?" she asked, madly. "Answer, why? - -"Why?" she said, with an accent of supreme majesty; "because I am your -mother, child." - -At this unexpected revelation the girl's features were convulsed, her -voice failed her, her eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, -her body was agitated by a convulsive tremor; for an instant she tried -to utter a shriek, but then suddenly broke into sobs, and fell into -Margaret's arms, exclaiming, with a piercing accent,-- - -"My mother! My mother!" - -"At last," the She-wolf said, deliriously, "I have found you again, and -you are really mine." - -For some moments mother and daughter, yielding to their tenderness, -forgot the whole world. Natah Otann tried to profit by the opportunity, -and seize the chance of safety which accident offered him. He -noiselessly began rolling over to gain the top of the enclosure; but -the young girl suddenly noticed him, and sprang up as if a serpent had -stung her. - -"Stop, Natah Otann!" she said to him. - -The chief remained motionless: he imagined, from the girl's accent, -that he was lost, and he resigned himself to his fate with that -fatalism which forms the base of the Indian character. - -Still he was mistaken. - -Prairie-Flower, with burning eyes and pallid brow, turned a haggard -glance from her mother on the man extended at her feet, asking her -heart if she had a right, after all the kindness he had shown her, to -avenge her father's death upon him. She felt that her arm was too weak, -her heart too tender for such a deed. For several seconds the three -actors of this terrible scene remained plunged in a gloomy silence, -which was only interrupted by the dull and mysterious noises of the -night. - -Natah Otann did not fear death; but he trembled at leaving uncompleted -the glorious task he had taken on himself; he was ashamed at having -fallen into so clumsy a snare, set by a half insane woman. With his -head stretched out, and frowning brow, he anxiously read on the girl's -face the feelings in turn reflected on it as in a mirror, in order to -calculate the chances of saving a life so precious to those he wished -to render free. Though resigned to his fate, like all great men, he -did not despair, but struggled to the last moment. Prairie-Flower -at length raised her head; her lovely face had assumed a strange -expression her brow glistened, her gentle blue eyes seemed to flash -forth flames. - -"Mother," she said, in her melodious voice, "give me those pistols you -have in your hand." - -"What will you do with them?" the She-wolf asked. - -"Avenge my father! Was it not for that you summoned me here?" - -Without replying, the She-wolf gave her the weapons. The girl, at -first, threatened Natah Otann, and then, with a gesture as rapid as -thought, threw them down the hill. - -"Unhappy girl," Margaret yelled, "what have you done?" - -"I avenge my father," she answered, with an accent of supreme dignity. - -"Unhappy child, he is the assassin of your father." - -"I know it; you have told me so. This man, in spite of his crimes, has -been kind to me--he watched over my childhood. Although he obeyed the -feeling of hatred his race entertains for the Palefaces by murdering my -father, he took his place with me as far as was possible, and almost -changed his Indian nature to protect and support me. The Great Spirit -will judge us, He whose eye is eternally fixed on earth." - -"Woe is me! Woe is me!" the She-wolf yelled, wringing her hands in -despair. - -The girl bent over the Chief, and cut the bonds that fettered him. -Natah Otann sprang to his feet with the bound of a jaguar. The She-wolf -made a movement, as if to rush upon him, but she checked herself. - -"All is not over yet," she shrieked, "yes! yes! I will have my revenge, -no matter at what cost." - -And she rushed into the thicket, where she disappeared. - -"Natah Otann," the maiden continued, turning to the Chief, who stood -by her side, calmly and stoically, as if nothing extraordinary had -happened; "I leave vengeance to the Great Spirit--a woman can only -weep. Farewell! I loved you as that father you deprived me of. I do not -feel the strength to hate you, I will try to forget you." - -"Poor child," the Sachem replied, with much emotion; "I must appear -to you very culpable. Alas! it is only today that I understand the -atrocity of the deed of which I allowed myself to be guilty: perhaps, I -may succeed one day in obtaining your pardon." - -Prairie-Flower smiled sorrowfully. - -"Your pardon does not depend from me," she said, "Wacondah alone can -absolve you." - -And, after giving him a parting glance of sadness, she withdrew slowly, -and thoughtfully entered the wood. - -Natah Otann looked after her for a long while. - -"Can the Christians be right?" he muttered, when done; "do angels -really exist?" - -He shook his head several times, and, after attentively looking at the -sky, in which the stars were beginning to shine,-- - -"The hour has arrived," he said, hoarsely; "shall I be the victor?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -RED WOLF. - - -To understand the facts we are now about to narrate, we must retrace -our steps a short distance, and return to the tent which served as a -temporary abode to the Count and Bright-eye. - -The two white men were somewhat discontented by the way in which the -interview had terminated. Still the Count was too thorough a gentleman -not to allow, honourably, that on this occasion the Chief had been the -victor in magnanimity. As for Bright-eye, however, he could not see -so far. Furious at the check he had sustained, and especially at the -slight value the Chief appeared to set on his capture, he revolved the -most terrible schemes of vengeance while biting his nails savagely. - -The Count amused himself for a few minutes in watching his comrade's -manoeuvres, as he walked up and down the tent, growling, clenching his -fists, dashing the butt of his rifle on the ground, and looking up to -heaven with comic despair. At last the young man could stand it no -longer, but burst into a hearty laugh. The hunter stopped in amazement, -and looked around the tent, to discover the cause for such untimely -gaiety. - -"What has happened, Mr. Edward?" he at length asked, "Why do you laugh -so?" - -Naturally this question, asked with a startled air, had no other result -than to augment the Count's hilarity. - -"My good fellow," he said, "I am laughing at the singular faces you -cut, and the strange manoeuvres you have been indulging in during the -last twenty minutes." - -"Oh, Mr. Edward!" Bright-eye said, reproachfully; "how can you jest so?" - -"Why, my boy, you seem to take the affair seriously to heart, and -to have lost that magnificent confidence which made you despise all -dangers." - -"No, no, Mr. Edward! you are mistaken. My opinion has been formed a -long time. Look you, I am certain these red devils will never succeed -in killing me; but I am furious at having been so thoroughly duped by -them. It is humiliating, and I am now racking my brains to discover a -way to play them a trick." - -"Do so, my friend, and I would help you, were it possible; but, for the -present, at least, I am forced to remain neutral--my hands are tied." - -"What?" Bright-eye said, with astonishment; "you mean to remain here, -and serve their diabolical jugglery?" - -"I must, my good fellow; have I not pledged my word?" - -"You certainly pledged it, and I do not know why. Still, a pledge given -to an Indian counts for nothing. The Redskins are tribes who understand -nothing about honour; and, in a similar case, I am certain that Natah -Otann would consider himself in no way bound to you." - -"That is possible, although I am not of your opinion. The Chief is no -ordinary man. He is gifted with a great intellect." - -"What good is it to him? None. Except to be more cunning and -treacherous than his countrymen. Take my advice, and do not stand on -any ceremony with him. Take French leave, as they say in the South, and -leave them in the lurch. The Redskins will be the first to applaud your -conduct." - -"My good fellow," the Count said, seriously, "it is useless to discuss -the point; when a gentleman has once given his word, he is a slave to -it, no matter the person to whom he has given it, or the colour of his -skin." - -"Very good, then, Mr. Edward, pray act as you think proper. I have no -right to thrust my advice on you. You are a better judge than myself of -how you are bound to act. So, be easy. I will not mention it again." - -"Thank you." - -"All that is very good, but what are we going to do now?" - -"What we are going to do? I suppose you mean what are you going to do?" - -"No, Mr. Edward, I said exactly what I meant; you understand that I am -not going to leave you alone in this nest of serpents, I hope!" - -"On the contrary, you will do so directly." - -"I?" the hunter said, with a loud laugh. - -"Yes, you, my friend; you must." - -"Bah! why so, pray, if you remain?" - -"That is the very reason." - -The hunter reflected for a moment. - -"You know that I do not understand you at all," he said. - -"Yet it is very clear," the Count answered. - -"Hum! that is possible, but not to me." - -"What, you do not understand that we must avenge ourselves?" - -"Oh, of course, I understand that, Mr. Edward." - -"How can we hope to succeed, if you insist on remaining here?" - -"Because you remain," the hunter said, obstinately. - -"With me it is very different, my good fellow. I remain, because I have -given my word; while you are free to go and come, and must therefore -profit by it to leave the camp. Once in the prairie, nothing can be -easier for you than to join some of our friends. It is evident that -my worthy Ivon, coward as he fancies himself, is working actively at -this moment for my deliverance; so see him, come to an understanding -with him, for though it is true I cannot leave this place, I cannot, on -the other hand, prevent my friends liberating me; if they succeed, my -parole will be suspended, and nothing will hinder my following them. Do -you understand me now?" - -"Yes, Mr. Edward; but I confess that I cannot make up my mind to leave -you alone, among these red devils." - -"Do not trouble yourself about that, Bright-eye; I run no danger by -remaining with them; they have too much respect for me; besides, Natah -Otann well knows how to defend me, should it be needful. So, my friend, -start at once. You will serve me better by going, than by insisting on -remaining here, where your presence, in the event of danger, would be -more injurious than useful to me." - -"You are a better judge than I in such a matter, sir; as you insist on -it, I will go," the hunter said, with a mournful shake of his head. - -"Above all, be prudent, do not expose yourself to risk in quitting the -camp." - -The hunter smiled disdainfully. - -"You know," he said, "that the Redskins cannot harm me." - -"That is true; I forgot it," the young man said, laughingly; "so, -good-bye, my friend, stay no longer, but go, and joy be with you." - -"Good-bye, Mr. Edward; will you not give me a shake of the hand before -we part, not knowing whether we shall ever meet again?" - -"Most gladly, for are we not brothers?" - -"That is famous," the hunter said, joyfully, as he pressed the Count's -offered hand. - -The two men presently separated. The Count fell back on the pile of -furs that served as his bed, while the hunter, after assuring himself -that his arms were in good condition, quitted the tent. With his rifle -under his arm, and head erect, he crossed the camp. The Indians did not -seem at all to trouble themselves at the hunter's presence among them, -and allowed him to depart unimpeded. - -Bright-eye, when he had gone about two musket shots from the camp, -stopped, and began reflecting on what was best to be done to liberate -the Count; after a few moments' reflection, his mind was made up, and -he proceeded toward the squatter's settlement with that long trot -peculiar to the hunters. - -When he reached the clearing, the squatter was holding a conference -with Ivon and the party sent by Major Melville. His arrival was greeted -with a hurrah of delight. - -The North Americans were considerably embarrassed. Mrs. Margaret, in -spite of the exclusive details she had obtained about Natah Otann's -plans, and the movements of the Indians, had only made an incomplete -report to the Major, from the simple reason, that the old Sachems of -the Allied Nations kept their deliberations so secret, that Red Wolf, -despite all his cleverness and craft, had himself picked up but a -slight part of the plan the Chiefs proposed to follow. The scouts, -sent out in all directions, had brought in startling reports about the -movements of the Blackfeet; the Indians appeared resolved to strike -a grand blow this time; all the Missouri nations had responded to -Natah Otann's appeal; the tribes arrived one after the other, to join -the coalition, so that their number now attained four thousand, and -threatened not to stop then. - -Fort Mackenzie was surrounded on all sides by invisible enemies, who -had completely cut off the communication with the other settlements of -the Fur Company, and rendered the Major's position extremely critical. -Thus the hunters were greatly perplexed; and during the many hours -they had been deliberating, they had only hit on insufficient or -impracticable means to relieve the fortress. - -The White men have only succeeded in holding their own in Western -America by the divisions they have managed to sow among the aborigines -of the continent; whenever the latter have remained united, the -Europeans have failed, as witness the Araucanos of Chili, whose small -but valiant republic has maintained its independence to the present -day; or the Seminoles of Louisiana, who have only lately been conquered -after a desperate contest, carried on with all the rules of modern -warfare, and many other Indian nations, whose names we could easily -quote, if necessary, in support of our arguments. - -This time the Indians seemed to have understood the importance of open -and energetic action. The several Chiefs had, ostensibly at least, -forgotten all their hatred and jealousies, to destroy the common enemy. -Thus the Americans, in spite of their approved bravery, trembled at -the mere thought of the war of extermination they would have to sustain -against enemies exasperated by a long series of vexations, when they -counted their numbers, and saw how weak they were, compared to the -warriors preparing to crush them. The council, interrupted for a moment -by Bright-eye's arrival, immediately assembled again, and the debate -was continued. - -"By heaven!" John Black exclaimed, angrily, as he smote his thigh with -his fist, "I confess that I have no luck, everything turns against -me; hardly have I settled here, whither everything made me forebode a -prosperous future, than I am dragged, in spite of myself, into a war -with these vagabond savages. Who knows how it will end? It is plain to -me that we shall all lose our scalps. That is a pleasant prospect for a -man who is anxious to raise his family honourably by his labour." - -"That is not the question at this moment," Ivon said; "we have to save -my master at all risks. What! you are all afraid to fight when it is -almost your trade? and you have done hardly anything else during your -lives; while I, who am known to be a remarkable coward, do not hesitate -to risk my scalp to save my master." - -"You do not understand me, Master Ivon; I do not say that I am afraid -to fight the Indians; heaven guard me from fearing these Pagans, whom -I despise. Still, I believe that an honest and laborious man, like -myself, may be permitted to deplore the consequences of a war with -these demons. I know too well all I and my family owe to the Count, -to hesitate in hurrying to his help, whatever the result may be. The -little I possess was his gift, I have not forgotten it, and even were I -to fall, I would do my duty." - -"Bravo! that is what I call speaking," Ivon replied, joyously; "I was -certain you would not hang back." - -"Unfortunately," Bright-eye objected, "all this does not advance -matters much. I do not see how we can serve our friends. These red -devils fall upon us more numerous than locusts in June. We may kill -many of them, but in the end they will crush us by their weight." - -This sad truth, perfectly understood by the auditors, plunged them into -dull grief, A material impossibility cannot be discussed; it must be -submitted to. The Americans felt an imminent catastrophe coming on, and -their despair was augmented by the consciousness of their impotence. -Suddenly the cry "To arms!" several times repeated outside, made -them bound on their seats. Each seized his weapons, and ran out. The -cry, which had broken up the conference, was raised by William, the -squatter's son. - -All eyes were turned on the prairie, and the hunters perceived, with -secret terror, that William was not mistaken. A large band of Indian -warriors, dressed in their grand war paint, was galloping over the -plain, and rapidly approaching the clearing. - -"Hang it!" Bright-eye muttered, "matters are getting worse. I must -confess that these most accursed Pagans have made enormous progress in -military tactics. If they continue, they will soon give us a lesson." - -"Do you think so?" Black asked, anxiously. - -"Confound it!" the hunter replied, "it is evident to me that we -are about to be attacked, I now know the plan of the Redskins as -thoroughly as if they had explained it to me themselves." - -"Ah!" Ivon said, curiously. - -"Judge for yourselves," the hunter continued; "the Indians intend to -attack simultaneously all the posts occupied by white men, in order to -render it impossible for them to help one another. That is excessively -logical on their parts. In that way they will have a cheap bargain of -us, and massacre us in detail. Hum! the man who commands them is a -rough adversary for us. My lads, we must make up our minds gaily. We -are lost, that is as plain to me as if the scalping knife was already -in our hair. All left to us is to fall bravely." - -These words, pronounced in the cool and placid tone usual with the wood -ranger, caused all who heard them to shudder. - -"I alone, perhaps," Bright-eye added, carelessly, "shall escape the -common fate." - -"Bah!" Ivon said; "you, old hunter, why so?" - -"Why?" he said, with a sarcastic smile, "because, as you are perfectly -aware, the Indians cannot kill me." - -"Ah!" Ivon remarked, stupefied by this reason, and gazing on his friend -with admiration. - -"That is the state of the case," Bright-eye ended his address, and -stamped his rifle on the ground. - -In the meanwhile the Redskins advanced rapidly. The band was composed -of one hundred and fifty warriors at least, the majority armed with -guns, which proved they were picked men. At the head of the band, and -about ten yards in advance, galloped two horsemen, probably Chiefs. The -Indians stopped just out of range of the entrenchments; then, after -consulting together for a few minutes, a horseman left the group, and, -riding within pistol shot of the palisades, he waved a buffalo robe. - -"Eh! eh! Master Black," Bright-eye said, with a cunning smile, "that -is addressed to you as the chief of the garrison. The Redskins wish to -parley." - -"Ah!" the-American said, "I have a great mind to send a bullet after -that rascal parading down, as my sole answer," and he raised his rifle. - -"Mind what you are about," the hunter said, "you do not know the -Redskins. So long as the first shot is not fired, there is a chance of -treating with them." - -"Suppose, old hunter," Ivon said, "you were to do something?" - -"What is it, my prudent friend?" the Canadian asked. - -"Why, as you are not afraid of being killed by the Redskins, suppose -you go to them. Perhaps you could arrange matters with them." - -"Stay! that is a good idea. No one can say what may happen. I will go. -That will be the best, after all. Will you accompany me, Ivon?" - -"Why not?" the latter answered; "with you, I am not afraid." - -"Well, that is settled, then. Open the gate for us, Master Black; but -keep a good lookout during our absence, and, on the first suspicious -movement, fire on these heathens." - -"Do not alarm yourself, old hunter," the latter said, squeezing his -hand cordially; "I should not like any harm to happen to you, for you -are a man." - -"I believe so," the Canadian said, with a laugh; "but what I say to you -is more for this worthy fellow's sake than mine, for I assure you I am -quite easy on my own account." - -"No matter, I will watch these demons carefully." - -"That can do no harm." - -The gate was opened. Bright-eye and Ivon went down the hill, and went -toward the horseman, who was patiently awaiting them. - -"Ah! ah!" Bright-eye muttered, as soon as he drew near enough to -recognize the rider; "I fancy that our affairs are not quite so well as -I suspected." - -"Why so?" Ivon asked. - -"Look at that warrior. Do you not see it is Red Wolf?" - -"That is true. Well?" - -"Well, I have reasons for believing that he is not so great an enemy as -he appears to be." - -"Are you sure of it?" - -"Silence! we shall soon see." - -The three men saluted each other courteously in the Indian fashion, by -laying the right hand on the heart, and holding out the other open, -with the fingers apart and the palm turned outwards. - -"My brother is welcome among his Paleface brothers," Bright-eye said; -"does he come to sit at the council fire, and smoke the calumet in my -wigwam?" - -"The hunter will decide. Red Wolf comes as a friend," the Indian -answered. - -"Good," the Canadian remarked; "did Red Wolf then fear treachery from -his friend, that he brought so large a body of warriors with him?" - -The Blackfoot smiled cunningly. - -"Red Wolf is a chief among the Kenhas," he said, "his tongue is not -forked. The words that pass his lips come from his heart. The Chief -wishes to serve his Pale friends. - -"Wah!" Bright-eye said, "the Chief has spoken well. His words have -sounded pleasantly in my ears. What does my brother desire?" - -"To sit at the council fire of the Palefaces, and explain to them the -reasons that bring him here." - -"Good. Will my brother go alone among the white men?" - -"No! another person will accompany the Chief." - -"And who is this person in whom so great a Chief as my brother places -confidence?" - -"The She-Wolf of the prairies." - -Bright-eye suppressed a movement of joy. - -"Good," he went on, "my brother can come with the She-Wolf. The -Palefaces will receive them kindly." - -"My brother, the hunter, will announce the visit of his friends." - -"Yes, Chief, I will go at once and do so." - -The conference was over. The three men separated, after again saluting, -and Bright-eye and Ivon hurried back to the entrenchments. - -"Victory!" the hunter said, on arriving, "we are saved!" - -All pressed round him, greedy to learn the details of the conference, -and Bright-eye satisfied the general curiosity without a moment's delay. - -"Ah!" Black said, "if the old lady is with them we are, indeed, saved," -and he rubbed his hands joyfully. - -After having failed so unluckily in the snare she had laid for Natah -Otann, Mrs. Margaret, far from being discouraged, felt her desire of -revenge increased; and, without losing time in regretting the check she -had undergone, she immediately drew up her plans, for she had reached -that pitch of rage when a person is completely blinded by hatred, and -goes onward regardless of consequences. Ten minutes after leaving the -Sachem, she quitted the camp, accompanied by Red Wolf, who, by her -orders, led off the warriors he commanded and started for the clearing. - -Bright-eye had scarce given his friends the information they desired, -ere Margaret and Red Wolf entered the stockade, where they were -received with the greatest affability by the trappers, and especially -by Black, who was delighted to find that his clearing was not menaced, -and that the storm was turning from him to burst elsewhere. - -Let us now return to Fort Mackenzie, where, at this very moment, events -of the utmost importance were occurring. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE ATTACK. - - -White Buffalo and Natah Otann had drawn up their strategic arrangements -with remarkable skill. The two Chiefs had scarce formed their camp in -the clearing, ere they assembled the Sachems of the other tribes camped -not far from them, in order to combine their movement, so as to attack -the Americans simultaneously from all points. - -Though the Redskins are excessively cunning, the Americans had -succeeded in thoroughly deceiving them, in the gloom and silence that -prevailed through the fort, for not a single bayonet could be seen -glistening behind its parapets. Leaving their horses concealed in the -forest, the Indians lay down on the ground, and, crawling through the -tall grass like reptiles, began crossing the space that separated them -from the ramparts. - -All was still apparently gloomy and silent, and yet two thousand -intrepid warriors were crawling up in the shadow to attack a fortress -behind which forty resolute men only waited for the signal to be given, -and commence the attack. When all the orders had been given, and the -last warriors had quitted the hill, Natah Otann, whose perspicuous -eye had discovered a certain hesitation of evil omen in the minds of -the allied chiefs, resolved to make that final appeal to the Count to -secure his co-operation. We have already seen the result. When left -alone, Natah Otann gave the signal for attack; the Indians rushed like -a hurricane down the sides of the hill, and ran towards the fort, -brandishing their arms, and uttering their war yell. Suddenly a heavy -discharge was heard, and Fort Mackenzie was begirt with smoke and -dazzling flashes. The battle had commenced. - -The plain was invaded, as far as eye could trace, by powerful -detachments of Indian warriors, who, converging on one point, marched -resolutely toward the fort, incessantly discharging their bullets at -it; while new bands could be seen constantly arriving from the place -where the chain of hills abuts on the Missouri. They came up at a -gallop, in parties of from three to twenty men; their horses were -covered with foam, which led to the presumption that they had come a -long distance. The Blackfeet were in their war attire, loaded with all -sorts of ornaments and arms, with bow and quiver on their backs, and -musket in hand, while their heads were crowned with feathers, some -of which were the magnificent black and white eagle plumes. They were -seated on handsome saddle cloths of panther skin, lined with red; the -upper part of the body was naked, with the exception of a long strip -of wolf skin passing over the shoulder as a cross belt, while their -bucklers were adorned with feathers and cloth of various colours. - -These men, thus accoutred, had something imposing and majestic about -them, which affected the imagination, and inspired terror. - -The struggle seemed most obstinate in the environs of the fort, and on -the hill. The Blackfeet, sheltered by tall palisades planted during -the night, replied to the Americans' fire with an equally rapid fire, -exciting each other, with wild cries, courageously to resist the attack -of their implacable foes. The defence was, however, as vigorous as the -assault, and the combat did not appear destined to terminate so soon. -Already many corpses lay on the ground, startled horses galloped in -every direction, and the shrieks of the wounded mingled at intervals -with the defiant shouts of the assailants. - -Natah Otann, so soon as the signal had been given, ran off to the tent -where his prisoner was. - -"The moment has arrived," he said to him. - -"I am ready," the Count answered, "go on. I will keep constantly at -your side." - -"Come on, then!" - -They went out, and at once rushed into the thickest fight. The Count, -as he had said, was unarmed, raising his head fiercely at each bullet -that whistled past his ear, and smiling at the death which he, perhaps, -invoked in his heart. In spite of his contempt for the white race, -the Indian could not refrain from admiring this courage, which was so -frankly and nobly stoical. - -"You are a man," he said to the Count. - -"Did you ever doubt it?" the latter remarked, simply. - -Still the combat became, with each moment, more obstinate. The Indians -rushed forward, roaring like lions, against the palisades of the fort, -and were killed without flinching; their bodies almost filled up the -moat. The Americans, compelled to make a front on all sides, defended -themselves with the methodical and resolute impassiveness of men who -know they have no help to expect, and who have made up their minds to -sell their lives dearly. - -From the beginning of the fight, White Buffalo had, with a picked body -of men, held the hill that commanded Fort Mackenzie, which rendered -the position of the garrison still more precarious, for they were -thus exposed to a terrible and well-sustained fire, which caused them -irreparable loss, regard being had to the smallness of their numbers. -Major Melville, standing at the foot of the flagstaff, with his arms -crossed on his breast, a pallid brow and compressed lips, saw his men -fall one after the other, and he stamped his foot with rage at his -impotence to save them. - -Suddenly, a terrific shriek of agony rose from the interior of -the buildings, and the wives of the soldiers and _engages_ rushed -simultaneously into the square, flying, half mad with terror, from an -enemy still invisible. The Indians, guided by White Buffalo, had turned -the fortress, and discovered a secret entrance which the Major fancied -known to himself alone, and which, in case of a serious attack and -impossibility of defence, would serve the garrison in effecting its -retreat. From this moment the Americans saw that they were lost; it -was no longer a battle, but a massacre. The Major, followed by a few -resolute men, rushed into the buildings, and the Indians scaled on all -sides the palisades, now deprived of protection. - -The few surviving Americans collected round the flagstaff, from the top -of which floated the starry banner of the United States, and strove to -sell their lives as dearly as possible, for they feared most falling -alive into the bands of their implacable enemies. The Indians replied -to the hurrahs of their foes by their terrific war cry, and bounded -on them like coyotes, brandishing over their heads the blood-stained -weapons. - -"Down with your arms!" Natah Otann shouted, on reaching the scene of -action. - -"Never!" the Major replied, rushing on him at the head of the few -soldiers still left him. - -The melee recommenced, more ardently and implacable than before. The -Indians rushed about in every direction, throwing torches on the roofs, -which immediately caught fire. The Major saw that victory was hopeless, -and tried to effect his retreat. But that was not so easy; there was -no chance of climbing over the palisades; the only prospect was the -gate; but before that gate, the Blackfeet, skilfully posted, repulsed -with their lances those who tried to escape by it. Still there was no -alternative. The Major rallied his men for a final effort, and rushed -with incredible fury on the enemy, with the hope of cutting his way -through. - -The collision was horrible--it was not a battle, but a butchery; foot -to foot, chest against chest--in which the men seized each other -round the waist, killed each other with knives, or tore the foe with -teeth and nails: those who fell did not rise again--the wounded were -finished at once. This frightful carnage lasted about a quarter of an -hour; two-thirds of the Americans succumbed; the rest managed to force -a passage and fled, closely pursued by the Indians, who then commenced -a horrible manhunt. Never, until this day, had the Redskins fought the -Whites with such fury and tenacity. The presence among them of the -Count, disarmed and smiling, who, although rushing into the thickest -of the contest by the side of the Chief, appeared invulnerable, -electrified them, and they really believed that Natah Otann had told -them the truth--and that the Count was that Motecuhzoma they had waited -so long, and whose presence would restore them for ever that liberty -which the White men had torn from them. Thus they had kept their eyes -constantly fixed on the young man, saluting him with noisy shouts of -joy, and redoubling their efforts to secure the victory. Natah Otann -rushed toward the American flag, tore it down, and wound it over his -head. - -"Victory--victory!" he shouted, joyfully. - -The Blackfeet responded to this cry with yells, and spread in every -direction to begin plundering. A few men still remained in the fort, -among them being the Major, who did not wish to survive his defeat. -The Indians, rushed upon him with loud yells, to massacre him, but the -veteran remained calm, and did not offer to defend himself. - -"Stay!" the Count shouted; and turning to Natah Otann, said,--"Will you -let this brave soldier be assassinated in cold blood?" - -"No," the Sachem answered, "if he consents to surrender his sword to -me." - -"Never!" the old gentleman said, with energy, as he broke across his -knee his weapon, blood-stained to the hilt, threw the pieces at the -Chief's feet, and, crossing his arms, he regarded his victor with -supreme contempt, as he said-- - -"Kill me now; I can no longer defend myself." - -"Bravo!" the Count exclaimed; and, not calculating the consequences -of the deed, he went up to the Major, and cordially pressed his hand. -Natah Otann regarded the two for an instant with an indefinable -expression. - -"Oh!" he muttered to himself, with sorrow; "we may beat them, but we -shall never conquer them: these men are stronger than we; they are born -to be our masters." - -Then raising his hand above his head. - -"Enough!" he said, in a loud voice. - -"Enough!" the Count repeated, "respect the conquered." - -That which the Sachem could not have obtained, in spite of the respect -the Indians had for him, the Count obtained instantaneously, through -the superstitious veneration he inspired them with; they stopped, and -the carnage finally ceased; the Americans were disarmed in a second, -and the Redskins remained masters of the fort. - -Natah Otann then took his totem from the hands of the warrior who bore -it, and, after swinging it several times in the air, hoisted it in the -place of the American flag, in the midst of the frenzied shouts of the -Indians, who, intoxicated with joy, could hardly yet believe in their -victory. - -White Buffalo had not lost a moment in assuring himself of the -peaceful possession of a conquest which had cost the confederates so -much blood and toil. When the Sachems had restored some little order -among their warriors; when the fire, that threatened the destruction -of the fort, had been extinguished; and all precautions taken against -any renewal of the attack by the Americans--though that was very -improbable--Natah Otann and White Buffalo withdrew to the apartment -hitherto occupied by the Major, and the Count followed them. - -"At length," the young Count exclaimed, with delight, "we have proved -to these haughty Americans that they are not invincible." - -"Your weakness caused their strength," White Buffalo replied. "You have -made a good beginning, and now you must go on; it is not enough to -conquer; you must know how to profit by that victory." - -"Pardon my interrupting you, gentlemen," the Count said; "but I fancy -the hour has arrived to settle our accounts." - -"What do you mean, sir?" White Buffalo asked, haughtily. - -"I will explain myself, sir," the Count continued, and, turning to Natah -Otann, "you will do me the justice to allow that I have scrupulously -kept the promise I made you; in spite of the grief and disgust I felt, -I did not fail once; you ever found me cold and calm at your side. Is -this not so?--answer, sir." - -"It is true," Natah Otann replied, coldly. - -"Very good, sir; it is now my turn to ask from you the fulfilment of -the promises you made me." - -"Be a little more explicit, sir," the Chief said. "During the last -few hours I have been actor in and witness of so many extraordinary -things, that I may possibly have forgotten what I did promise you." - -The Count smiled with disdain. - -"I expected such trickery," he said, drily. - -"You misinterpret my words. I may have forgotten, but I do not refuse -to satisfy your just claims." - -"Very good; I admit that, so I will remind you of the stipulations made -between us." - -"I shall be glad to hear them." - -"I pledged myself to remain by yourself unarmed during the action, -to follow you everywhere, and ever to go in the first rank of the -combatants." - -"That is true, and it is my duty to allow that you have nobly performed -that perilous task." - -"Very well; but in doing so I only acted as my honour dictated; you, -on your part, pledged yourself whatever the issue of the battle might -be, to grant me my liberty, and give me an honourable satisfaction, -in reparation for the unworthy treachery of which you rendered me the -victim, and the odious part you forced me unconsciously to play." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said, frowning, and striking the table with his -fists. "Did you really make such a promise as that, child?" - -The Count turned to the old man with a gesture sovereign contempt. - -"I believe, sir," he said, "that you are doubting the honour of a -gentleman." - -"Nonsense, sir," the republican said, with a grin "How can you talk to -us of honour and nobility? You forget that we are in the desert, and -that you are addressing savage Indians, as you call us. Do we recognize -your foolish caste distinctions here? Have we adopted your laws and -absurd prejudices?" - -"What you treat so cavalierly," the Count sharply retorted, "has -hitherto been the safeguard of civilization, and the cause of -intellectual progress; but I have nothing to discuss with you; I am -addressing myself to your adopted son; let him answer me, yes or no, -and I shall then know what remains for me to do." - -"Be it so, sir," White Buffalo said, with a shrug of his shoulders. -"Let my son answer, and, according to his reply, I shall then know what -remains for me to do." - -"As this affair concerns me alone," Natah Otann interposed, "I should -feel mortally offended, my friend, if you interfered in any way in it." - -The White Buffalo smiled with contempt, but made no reply. Natah Otann -continued-- - -"I will employ no subterfuges with you, sir; you have spoken the truth; -I promised you liberty and satisfaction, and I am prepared to keep my -word." - -"Oh, oh!" White Buffalo said. - -"Silence!" the Chief ordered, peremptorily. "Listen, my friend; -prove to these Europeans, so vain and so proud of their so-called -civilization, that the Redskins are not the ferocious brutes they -imagine them, and that the code of honour is the same among nations -who are regarded as the most barbarous. You are free, sir, from this -moment, and, if you please, I will myself lead you in safety outside -the lines. As for the duel you desire, I am equally ready to satisfy -you in any way you may indicate." - -"Thank you, sir," the Count answered, with a bow, "I am happy to hear -your determination." - -"Now that affair is arranged between us, allow me to add a few words." - -"I am listening to you, sir." - -"Am I in the way?" White Buffalo asked, ironically. - -"On the contrary," Natah Otann said, with emphasis, "your presence is -at this moment more necessary than ever." - -"Ah, ah! what is going to happen?" the old man went on, in a sarcastic -tone. - -"You will learn," the Chief said, still cold and impassive; "if you -will take the trouble to listen to me for five minutes." - -"Be it so; speak." - -Natah Otann seemed to be collecting himself for a few moments, and -said, in a voice which, spite of all his efforts to conceal it, -trembled slightly, through some hidden emotion,-- - -"Owing to events too long to narrate here, and which I would probably -possess but slight interest for you, I became the guardian of a child, -who is now a charming maiden. This girl, to whom I have ever paid the -greatest attention, and whom I love as a father, is known to you; her -name is Prairie-Flower." - -The Count quivered, and made a gesture in affirmation, but no other -reply. Natah Otann continued,-- - -"As I am entering now on a hazardous expedition, in which I may meet -my death, it is impossible for me to watch longer over this girl; it -would be painful to me to leave her alone, and without support, among -my tribe, if destiny were to cause my plans to fail. I know that she -loves you, I entrust her to you frankly and honestly; I have full faith -in your honour--will you give to her protection? I know that you will -never abuse the trust I offer you; I am only a brutalized Indian, -a monster, perhaps, to your civilization; but, believe me, sir, the -lessons a great man has consented to give me have not been all lost, -and my heart is not so dead, as might be supposed, to finer feelings." - -"Good, Natah Otann," White Buffalo said, joyfully; "good, my son. Now I -recognize my pupil, and I am proud of you; the man who succeeds in each -a victory over self is really born to command others." - -"You are satisfied," the Chief answered; "all the better. And you, sir? -I await your answer." - -"I accept the sacred trust you offer me, sir. I will be worthy of your -confidence," the Count answered, with much emotion. "I have no right to -judge your actions; but, believe, sir, that whatever may happen, there -will be always one man to defend your memory, and proclaim aloud the -nobility of your heart." - -The Chief clapped his hands, the door opened, and Prairie-Flower -appeared, led by an Indian woman. - -"Child," Natah Otann said to her, nothing evincing the violence he did -to his feelings, "your presence among us is henceforth impossible; -this Chief of the Palefaces consents to watch over you for the future; -follow him, and if at times you are reminded of your stay with the -tribe of the Kenhas, do not curse them or their Chief, for all have -been kind to you." - -The maiden blushed, the tears rose to her eyes, a nervous tremor -agitated her limbs, and, without uttering a word, she took her place by -the Count's side. Natah Otann smiled sorrowfully. - -"Follow me," he said, "I will escort you out of the camp." - -And he went out, accompanied by the two young people. - -"We shall soon meet again, I presume, noble Count?" White Buffalo -called out, after his countryman. - -"I hope so," the latter answered, simply. - -Guided by Natah Otann, the Count and his companion left the fort, and -entered the prairie, passing through groups of Redskins, who stood back -respectfully to make room for them. Their walk was silent; it lasted -about half an hour, until the Chief stopped. - -"Here you have nothing more to fear," he said; and going to a dense -thicket, and pulling back the branches, "Here are two horses I had -prepared for you; take also these weapons, perhaps you will need them; -and now, if you wish to fight with me, I am ready." - -"No," the Count answered, nobly, "any combat is henceforth impossible -between us; I can no longer be the enemy of a man whom honour orders me -to esteem; here is my hand, I will never lift it against you; I offer -it you frankly, and without any afterthought; unfortunately, too deep -a hatred divides our two races to prevent us being ere long opposed to -each other, but if I fight your brothers, I shall not the less remain -personally your friend." - -"I ask no more of you," the Chief replied, as he pressed the hand -offered him; "farewell! be happy!" - -And without adding a word, he turned away, and hurried back by the road -he had come; he soon disappeared in the darkness. - -"Let us go," the Count said to the maiden, who was pensively watching -the departure of the man she had so long loved as a father, and whom -now she did not feel strong enough to hate. They mounted and went off, -after a parting glance at the scattered fire of the Blackfoot camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The night was gloomy, cold, and mournful; not a star shone in the sky, -and the young people only forced their way with extreme difficulty -through the shrubs and creepers, in which their horses' feet were -continually caught. They advanced very slowly, for both were too -absorbed by the strange situation in which they found themselves, and -the extraordinary events of which they had been actors or witnesses, to -break the silence they had maintained since leaving the fort. They went -on thus for about an hour, when a great noise was suddenly heard in the -bushes. Two men rushed to the horses' heads, and, seizing the bridles, -compelled them to stop. Prairie-Flower gave a shriek of terror. - -"Halloh, brigands!" the Count shouted, as he cocked his pistols, "back, -or I fire." - -"Do not do so, for goodness sake, sir, for you would run the risk of -killing a friend," a voice at once answered, which the Count recognized -as the hunter's. - -"Bright-eye?" he said, in amazement. - -"By Jove!" the latter said, "did you fancy, pray, that I had deserted -you?" - -"My master, my kind master!" the Breton shouted, leaving hold of -Prairie-Flower's bridle, and rushing toward the young man. - -"Halloh!" the Count continued, after the emotion caused by the first -surprise was slightly calmed, "what on earth are you doing here in -ambush, like pirates of the prairie?" - -"Come to our encampment, Mr. Edward, and we will tell you." - -"Very good; but lead the way." - -They soon reached the entrance of a natural cavern, where, by the -uncertain light of an expiring fire, they perceived a large number -of white and half-bred hunters, among whom the Count recognized John -Black, his son, his wife, and daughter. The worthy squatter had left -the clearing under the charge of his two servants, and fearing lest his -wife and daughter might not be in safety during his absence, he asked -them to accompany him; and though this offer was somewhat singular, -they gladly accepted it. Prairie-Flower immediately took her place by -the side of the two ladies. - -Bright-eye, the squatter, and above all Ivon, were impatient to learn -what had happened to the Count, and how he had succeeded in escaping -from the Redskin camp. The Count made no difficulty in satisfying their -curiosity; the more so, as he was eager to learn for what reason his -friends were ambuscaded so near the camp. - -What the hunter had foreseen had really happened; scarce victors -over the Americans, and masters of the fort, disunion had set in -among the Redskins. Several Chiefs had been dissatisfied at seeing, -to their prejudice, Natah Otann, one of the youngest Sachems of the -Confederates, claim the profits of the victory, by installing himself, -with his tribe, in the fort, which all had captured at such an effusion -of blood; a dull discontentment had begun to prevail among them; five -or six of the most powerful even spoke, hardly two hours after the -victory, of withdrawing with their warriors, and leaving Natah Otann to -continue the war as he thought proper with the Whites. - -Red Wolf had found but slight difficulty in commencing the work of -defection he meditated; thus, at nightfall, he entered the camp with -his warriors, and began fanning the flame which at present only -smouldered, but which must soon be a burning and devouring fire, owing -to the means of corruption the Chief had at his disposal. Of all -the destructive agents introduced by Europeans in America, the most -effective and terrible is, indubitably, spirits. With the exception of -the Comanches, whose sobriety is proverbial, and who have constantly -refused to drink anything but the water of their streams, all the -Indians are mad for strong liquors. Drunkenness among their primitive -race is terrible, and attains the proportions of a furious mania. - -Red Wolf, who burned to avenge himself on Natah Otann, and who, -besides, blindly obeyed the insinuations of Mrs. Margaret, had -conceived an atrocious plan, which only an Indian born was capable of -forming. John Black had brought with him into the desert a considerable -stock of whiskey. Red Wolf had asked for this, placed it on sledges, -and thus entered the camp. The Indians, when they knew the species of -merchandize he brought with him, did not hesitate to give him a hearty -reception. - -The Chief, while indoctrinating them, and representing Natah Otann to -them as a man who had only acted from personal motives, and with the -intention of satiating his own wild ambition, generously abandoned to -them the spirits he had brought with him. The Indians eagerly accepted -the present Red Wolf made them, and, without the loss of a moment, took -hearty draughts. When Red Wolf saw that the Indians had reached that -state of intoxication he desired, he hastened to warn his allies, so -that they might attempt a bold _coup de main_ on the spot. - -The hunters at once mounted their horses, and proceeded toward the -fortress, concealing themselves about two hundred paces from it, so as -to be ready for the first signal. - -Natah Otann, in crossing the camp after escorting the two young people, -perceived the effervescence prevailing among his allies, and several -unpleasant epithets struck his ear. Although he did not suppose that -the Americans, after the rude defeat they had suffered during the -day, were in a condition to assume the offensive immediately, still, -his thorough knowledge of his countrymen's character made him suspect -treachery, and he resolved to redouble his prudence, in order to avoid -a conflict, whose disastrous results would be incalculable for the -success of his career. Agitated by a gloomy foreboding, the young Chief -hurried on to reach the fort; but at the moment he prepared to enter, -after opening the gate, a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder, while a -rough voice hissed in his ear-- - -"Natah Otann is a traitor." - -The Chief turned, as if a serpent had stung him, and wheeling his heavy -axe round his head, dealt a terrible blow at this bold speaker; but the -latter avoided the stroke by springing on one side, and raising his -axe in his turn, he directed a blow, which the Sachem parried with the -handle of his weapon, and then the two men rushed on each other. There -was something singularly startling in this desperate combat between two -men dumb as shadows, and in whom their fury was only revealed by the -hissing of their breath. - -"Die, dog!" Natah Otann suddenly said, his axe crashing through the -skull of his adversary, who rolled on the ground, with a yell of agony. -The Chief bent over him. - -"Red Wolf," he shouted, "I suspected it." - -Suddenly an almost imperceptible sound in the grass reminded him of the -critical situation in which he was; he made a prodigious bound back, -entered the fort, and bolted the gate after him. It was high time; he -had scarce disappeared, ere some twenty warriors, rushing in pursuit -of him, ran their heads against the gate, stifling cries of rage -and deception. But the alarm had been given, the general combat was -evidently about to begin. - -Natah Otann, immediately on entering the fort, perceived, with a groan, -that this victory, which he had so dearly bought, was on the point of -slipping from him. The Kenhas had done within the fort what the other -Blackfeet, incited by Red Wolf, had effected on the prairie. - -After the capture of the fortress they spread in every direction, and -the spirits did not long escape their search; they had rolled the -barrels into the square, and tapped them, availing themselves of the -White Buffalo being asleep, and the absence of Natah Otann, the only -two men whose influence would have been great enough to have kept -them in subordination. A frightful orgy had then commenced--an Indian -orgy, with all its incidents of murder and massacre. As we have said, -drunkenness in the Redskins is madness carried to the last paroxysm of -fury and rage; there had been a frightful scene of carnage, at the end -of which the Indians had fallen on the top of one another, and gone to -sleep in the midst of the confusion. - -"Oh!" the Chief muttered, in despair. "What is to be done with such -men?" - -Natah Otann rushed, into the room where he had left White Buffalo; the -old Chief was quietly sleeping in an easy chair. - -"Woe! woe!" the young man yelled, as he rushed toward him, and shook -him vigorously, to rouse him. - -"What is the matter?" the old man asked, opening his eyes, and sitting -up. "What news have you?" - -"That we are lost!" the Chief replied. - -"Lost!" the White Buffalo said, "what is happening then?" - -"The six hundred men we had here are drunk, the rest of our -confederates are turning against us, and the only thing left to us is -to die." - -"Let us die then, but as brave men," the old man said, rising. - -He asked Natah Otann for details, which he soon gave him. - -"The situation is grave, but all is not lost, I hope," he said; "let us -collect the few men still capable of fighting, and make head against -the storm." - -At this moment a tremendous fusillade was heard, mingled with war cries -and shouts of defiance. - -"The final struggle has commenced!" Natah Otann exclaimed. - -"Forwards!" the old Chief said. - -They rushed out. The situation was most critical. Major Melville, -taking advantage of the intoxication of his keepers, had broken out of -his prison at the head of some twenty Americans, and boldly charged the -Redskins, while the hunters outside tried to scale the barricades. - -The Indians of the prairie, ignorant of Red Wolf's death, and believing -they were carrying out his plans, advanced, in a compact body, on the -fort, with the intention of carrying it. Natah Otann had to contend -against the enemies without and those within; but he did not despair; -his energy seemed to increase with peril; he was everywhere at once; -encouraging some, rebuking others, and imparting some of his own nerve -to all. At his voice, many of his warriors sprang up, and joined him; -then the battle was organized, and became regular. - -Still the hunters, excited by the Count and Bright-eye, redoubled their -efforts; climbing on each other's backs, they reached the top of the -palisades, which they wished to scale. The Americans, though themselves -surprised, when they expected to surprise their enemies, fought with -indescribable fury, returning instantly to the attack in spite of the -bullets that decimated them, and seemed resolved to fall to the last -man, rather than give way an inch. - -During the two hours that night still lasted, the fight was maintained -without any decided advantage on either side; but when the sun -appeared on the horizon, matters changed at once. In the darkness it -was impossible for the Indians to recognize the enemies against whom -they were fighting; but so soon as the gloom was dissipated, they saw, -combating in the first rank of their enemies, and pitilessly cutting -down the Redskins, the man on whom they counted most, whom their chiefs -and medicine men had announced to them as their leader to victory, who -would render them invincible. Then they hesitated, disorder broke out -among them, and, in spite of the efforts made by Chiefs, they gave way. - -The Count, having at his side Bright-eye, the squatter and his son, -and Ivon, made a frightful butchery of the Indians; he was avenging -himself for the treachery of which they had made him their victim, -and, at each stroke, cut them down like corn ripe for the sickle. The -Count at length reached the gate of the fort; but there he came in -contact with a band of picked warriors, commanded by White Buffalo, -who was effecting his retreat in good order, and without turning his -back, closely pursued by Major Melville, who was already almost master -of the interior of the fortress. There was a moment, we will not say -of hesitation, but of truce between the hostile bands; each of them -understood that the fate of the battle depended on the defeat of the -other. - -Suddenly Natah Otann made his appearance, mad with grief and rage; -brandishing in one hand his totem, he guided with his knees a -magnificent steed, with which he had already ridden several times into -the thickest of the enemies' ranks, in the vain hope of reanimating -the courage of his men, and turning the current of the action. Horse -and rider were bathed in blood and perspiration; the shadow of death -already brooded over the Chiefs contracted face; but his forehead -still shone with enthusiasm. His eyes seemed to flash forth lightning, -and his hand wielded an axe, the very handle of which dripped gore. -Some twenty devoted warriors followed him, wounded like himself, but -resolved, like him, not to survive defeat. - -On reaching the front of the American line, Natah Otann stopped; his -eyebrows were contracted, a nervous smile played round his lips; and, -rising in his stirrups, he bent a fascinating glance around. - -"Blackfeet, my brothers," he shouted, in a strident voice, "as you -know not how to conquer, learn at least from me how to die!" - -And burying his spurs in the flanks of his steed, which shrieked with -pain, he rushed on the Americans, followed by a few warriors who -had sworn not to abandon him. This weak band, devoted to death, was -engulfed in the ranks of the hunters, when it entirely disappeared; -for a few minutes there was a sullen contest, a horrible butchery, an -ebb and flow of courage impossible to describe, a Titanic struggle of -fifteen half naked men against three hundred; gradually the agitation -ceased, the calm returned, and the ranks of the hunters were reformed. -The Blackfeet heroes were dead, but they had a sanguinary funeral, for -one hundred and twenty Americans had fallen, burying their enemies -under their corpses. - -White Buffalo's band alone resisted; but, attacked in the rear by -Major Melville, and in front by the Count, its last hour had struck: -still the collision was rude, the Indians resisted obstinately, and -made the whites purchase their victory dearly; but, attacked on all -sides at once, and falling helplessly under the unerring bullets of the -white men, disorder entered their ranks, they disbanded, and the rout -commenced. - -One man alone remained calm and impassive on the field of battle. It -was White Buffalo, leaning on his long sword; with pallid brow and -haughty look, he still defied the enemies he could no longer combat. - -"Surrender!" Bright-eye shouted, as he rushed upon him; "surrender, or -I will shoot you like a dog." - -The Chief smiled disdainfully, and made no reply. The implacable hunter -seized his rifle by the barrel, and whirled it round his head. The -Count seized him sharply by the arm. - -"Stay, Bright-eye," he said. - -"Let the man alone," White Buffalo said, coldly. - -"I do not wish him to kill you," the young man replied. - -"I suppose you wish to kill me yourself, noble Count of Beaulieu," he -said, in a cutting voice. - -"No, sir," the young man said, with disdain; "throw down your weapons; -I spare your life." - -The exile gave him a withering glance. "Instead of telling me to throw -down my weapons," he said, ironically, "why do you not try to take them -from me." - -"Because I pity your age and your grey hair," - -"Pity? confess rather, O noble Count, that you are afraid." - -At this insult the young man trembled, and his face became livid. The -Americans formed a circle round the two men, and anxiously awaited what -was going to happen. - -"Put an end to this!" Major Melville exclaimed, "kill that mad brute." - -"One moment, sir, I beg; let me settle this affair," - -"As you wish it, air, act as you think proper." - -"You desire a duel then?" the Count said, addressing White Buffalo, who -still stood perfectly calm. - -"Yes," he answered, through his clenched teeth, "a duel to the death! -two principles, and not two men, will contend here. I hate your race, -and you hate mine." - -"Be it so." - -The Count took two sabres from the hands of the men nearest him, and -threw one at the exile's feet. The latter stooped to pick it up, but as -he rose again, Ivon aimed a pistol at him, and blew out his brains. - -The young man turned furiously on his servant. - -"Wretched fellow," he shouted, "what have you done?" - -"Kill me, if you will, sir," the Breton replied, simply, "but indeed it -was stronger than myself, I was so frightened." - -"Come, come," the Major said, interposing, "you must not be angry with -the poor fellow, he fancied he was acting for the best, and for my part -I think he was." - -The incident had no other result; the exile died on the spot, taking -with him the secret of his name. - -While this scene was taking place in the courtyard of the fort, John -Black, who was anxious to reassure his wife and daughter, went to look -for them; but though he went through all the rooms and outbuildings of -the fort, where he had concealed them for a few minutes previously, he -could not possibly find them anywhere. - -The poor squatter returned, with lengthened face and despair in his -soul, to announce to the Major the disappearance of his wife and -daughter, probably carried off by the Indians. Without losing a moment, -the Major ordered a dozen hunters to go in search of the ladies; but -just as the band was about to start, they arrived, accompanied by -Bright-eye and two American hunters. Margaret and her daughter were -with them. So soon as Prairie-Flower perceived the Count, she uttered a -cry of joy, and rushed toward him. - -"Saved!" she exclaimed. - -But all at once she blushed, trembled, and went in confusion to seek -refuge by her mother's side. The Count went up, took her hand, and -pressed it tenderly. - -"Prairie-Flower," he said to her, softly, "do you no longer love me now -that I am free?" - -The maiden raised her head, and looked at him for a moment with -tear-laden eyes. - -"Oh! ever, ever!" she answered. - -"Look, daughter," Mrs. Black said to poor Diana. - -"Mother," she replied, in a firm voice, "did I not tell you that I -should forget him?" - -The squatter's wife shook her head, but made no further remark. The -Indians had fled without leaving a man, and a few hours later the fort -returned to its old condition. - -The winter passed away without any fresh incident, for the rude lesson -given the Indians had done them good. Prairie-Flower, recognized by -her uncle, remained at Fort Mackenzie. The girl was sorrowful and -pensive; she often spent long hours leaning over the parapets, with -her eyes fixed on the prairie and the forests, which were beginning to -reassume their green dress. Her mother and the Major, who were so fond -of her, could not at all understand the gloomy melancholy that preyed -upon her. When pressed to explain what she suffered from, she replied, -invariably, that there was nothing the matter with her. - -One day, however, her face brightened up, and her joyous smile -reappeared. Three travellers arrived at the fort. They were the Count, -Bright-eye, and Ivon; they were returning from a long excursion in -the Rocky Mountains. As soon as he arrived, the Count went up to the -maiden, and took her hand, as he had done three months before. - -"Prairie-Flower," he asked her once again, "do you no longer love me?" - -"Oh! yes, and for ever!" the poor child answered, gently, for she had -grown timid since she gave up her desert life. - -"Thank you," he said to her; and, turning to the Major and his sister, -who were looking at each other anxiously, he added, without loosing -the hand he held,--"Major Melville, and you, Madam, I ask you for this -lady's hand." - -A week later the marriage was solemnized; the squatter and his family -were present. And a month previously, Diana had married James. Still, -when the "yes" was uttered, she could not suppress a sigh. - -"You see, Ivon, that you are never killed by the Indians--and here is a -proof of it," Bright-eye said to the Breton, on leaving the chapel. - -"I am beginning to believe it," the latter made answer, "but no matter, -my friend, I shall never get accustomed to this frightful country; it -makes me so afraid." - -"The old humbug!" the Canadian muttered; "he will never alter." - - * * * * * - -And now, to satisfy certain curious readers who like to know -everything, we will add the following in the shape of a postscript. - -A few months after the 9th Thermidor, several members of the -Convention, in spite of the part they played on that day, were not -the less transported to French Guyana. Two of them--Collot D'Herbois -and Billaud Varenne--succeeded in escaping from Sinnamori, and buried -themselves in the deserts, where they endured horrible sufferings. -Collot D'Herbois succumbed, and we have told his comrade's fate. - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prairie Flower, by Gustave Aimard - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRAIRIE FLOWER *** - -***** This file should be named 43925.txt or 43925.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/9/2/43925/ - -Produced by Camille Bernard and Marc D'Hooghe at -http://www.freeliterature.org (Scans generously made -available by the Bodleian Library at Oxford) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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