s, it must
be in full keeping."

They did strip to the waist, as the savages always did when running
the buffalo--sternest of all savage sport or labor, and one of the
boldest games ever played by man, red or white. Clad only in leggings
and moccasins, their long hair tied in firm cues, when Weucha met them
he exclaimed in admiration. The village turned out in wonder to see
these two men whose skins were white, whose hair was not black, but
some strange new color--one whose hair was red.

The two young officers were not content with this. York, Captain
Clark's servant, rolling his eyes, showing his white teeth, was
ordered to strip up the sleeve of his shirt to show that his hide was
neither red nor white, but black--another wonder in that land!

"Now, York, you rascal," commanded William Clark, "do as I tell you!"

"Yessah, massa Captain, I suttinly will!"

"When I raise this flag, do you drop on the ground and knock your
forehead three times. Groan loud--groan as if you had religion, York!
Do you understand?"

"Yassah, massa Captain!"

York grinned his enjoyment; and when he had duly executed the
maneuver, the Sioux greeted the white men with much acclamation.

"I see that you are chiefs!" exclaimed Weucha. "You have many colors,
and your medicine is strong. Take, then, these two horses of
mine--they are good runners for buffalo--perhaps yours are not so
fast." Thus Dorion interpreted.

"Now," said Clark, "suppose I take the lance, Merne, and you handle
the bow. I never have tried the trick, but I believe I can handle this
tool."

He picked up and shook in his hand the short lance, steel-tipped,
which Weucha was carrying. The latter grinned and nodded his assent,
handing the weapon to the red-haired leader.

"Now we shall serve!" said Lewis an instant later; for they brought
out two handsome horses, one coal-black, the other piebald, both
mettlesome and high-strung.

That the young men were riders they now proved, for they mounted
alone, barebacked, and managed to control their mounts with nothing
but the twisted hide rope about the lower jaw--the only bridle known
among the tribes of the great plains.

The crier now passed down the village street, marshaling all the
riders for the chase. Weucha gave the signal to advance, himself
riding at the head of the cavalcade, with the two white captains at
his side--a picture such as any painter might have envied.

Others of the expedition followed on as mig