ttlements and trafficked with the
fur-traders on the Missouri, he did not love the "Pale-faces," whom he
regarded as intruders on the hunting grounds of his fathers, and the
peace that existed between them at that time was of a very fragile
character. Indeed, it was deemed by the traders impossible to travel
through the Indian country at that period except in strong force, and it
was the very boldness of the present attempt that secured to our hunters
anything like a civil reception.

Joe, who could speak the Pawnee tongue fluently, began by explaining the
object of his visit, and spoke of the presents which he had brought for
the great chief; but it was evident that his words made little
impression. As he discoursed to them the savages crowded round the
little party, and began to handle and examine their dresses and weapons
with a degree of rudeness that caused Joe considerable anxiety.

"Mahtawa believes that the heart of the Pale-face is true," said the
savage, when Joe paused, "but he does not choose to make peace. The
Pale-faces are grasping. They never rest. They turn their eyes to the
great mountains, and say, `There we will stop.' But even there they
will not stop. They are never satisfied, Mahtawa knows them well."

This speech sank like a death-knell into the hearts of the hunters, for
they knew that if the savages refused to make peace, they would scalp
them all and appropriate their goods. To make things worse, a
dark-visaged Indian suddenly caught hold of Henri's rifle, and, ere he
was aware, plucked it from his hand. The blood rushed to the gigantic
hunter's forehead, and he was on the point of springing at the man, when
Joe said in a deep, quiet voice--

"Be still, Henri. You will but hasten death."

At this moment there was a movement in the outskirts of the circle of
horsemen, and another chief rode into the midst of them. He was
evidently higher in rank than Mahtawa, for he spoke authoritatively to
the crowd, and stepped in before him. The hunters drew little comfort
from the appearance of his face, however, for it scowled upon them. He
was not so powerful a man as Mahtawa, but he was more gracefully formed,
and had a more noble and commanding countenance.

"Have the Pale-faces no wigwams on the great river that they should come
to spy out the lands of the Pawnee?" he demanded.

"We have not come to spy your country," answered Joe, raising himself
proudly as he spoke, and taking off