at that tall thin figure, the
stern face, the long white hair, told me it was the great war-chief of
the Pottawattomies, Gomo; and I sank back trembling from the reaction
of that moment's strain.

His words were calm, deliberate, commanding; but the angry roar with
which they were greeted made me fear the horde he faced so resolutely
was now beyond control. He smiled, his thin lips curling in derision
as he gazed with contempt into the threatening faces pressing closer
upon every side.

"Fear not," he murmured aside to the watchful woman, and resting one
hand upon her arm. "Cut loose the prisoner!"

She turned instantly to her task, while he spoke briefly the names of
his chiefs; and as each was called in turn, a warrior came from among
the mass and silently stood beside him. A dozen came forth thus,
stalwart, grim-faced braves, many with fresh scalps dangling at their
belts.

Gomo now spoke again, using the French tongue, that all present might
better grasp his meaning.

"Brothers," he said gravely, "this squaw is Pottawattomie. She was
adopted by our people and lives in our lodges. Pottawattomies are
friends to Frenchmen; there is no war between us. Why should Wyandots
and Sacs wish to burn a Frenchman?"

For a moment no one ventured to reply; the mob stood halted now, robbed
of its leaders and its courage, even the noisy medicine-man silenced
before this stern array of protecting chiefs. Loose as was Indian
discipline and tribal authority, even in drunkenness those desperate
warriors dared not openly disregard such a display of power.

"Have the Pottawattomies spoken well?" questioned the old chief,
sternly, "or have our words wronged our brothers?"

A giant of a fellow, whose broad face and huge head seemed
disproportionate even to his big body, his long coarse hair profusely
ornamented with shells and beads flashing gaudily in the firelight,
pushed his way out from among the silent mass.

"Gomo, the great war-chief of the Pottawattomies, has spoken well," he
said in a deep voice that rolled like distant thunder. "The Wyandots
did not know; they war not with Frenchmen, nor harm the women of the
Pottawattomies. The Great Spirit hath made us brothers, and we have
smoked together the pipe of peace."

Gomo moved forward with Indian dignity, and exchanged solemn greeting
with the new-comer.

"It makes the hearts of the Pottawattomies light to hear the words of
Sau-ga-nash," he said gravely. Then