nk, has
been sit upon in its day by a great Spanish captain, who has lost it and
his life together, in some of the battles which this people often
fight against the southern provinces. I warrant me, I warrant me, the
youngster is the son of a great chief; may be of the mighty Hard-Heart
himself!"

During this rude interruption to the discourse, the young Pawnee
manifested neither impatience nor displeasure; but when he thought his
beast had been the subject of sufficient comment, he very coolly, and
with the air of one accustomed to have his will respected, relieved
Paul of the bridle, and throwing the reins on the neck of the animal, he
sprang upon his back, with the activity of a professor of the equestrian
art. Nothing could be finer or firmer than the seat of the savage. The
highly wrought and cumbrous saddle was evidently more for show than use.
Indeed it impeded rather than aided the action of limbs, which disdained
to seek assistance, or admit of restraint from so womanish inventions
as stirrups. The horse, which immediately began to prance, was, like
its rider, wild and untutored in all his motions, but while there was
so little of art, there was all the freedom and grace of nature in the
movements of both. The animal was probably indebted to the blood of
Araby for its excellence, through a long pedigree, that embraced the
steed of Mexico, the Spanish barb, and the Moorish charger. The rider,
in obtaining his steed from the provinces of Central-America, had also
obtained that spirit and grace in controlling him, which unite to form
the most intrepid and perhaps the most skilful horseman in the world.

Notwithstanding this sudden occupation of his animal, the Pawnee
discovered no hasty wish to depart. More at his ease, and possibly more
independent, now he found himself secure of the means of retreat, he
rode back and forth, eyeing the different individuals of the party with
far greater freedom than before. But, at each extremity of his ride,
just as the sagacious trapper expected to see him profit by his
advantage and fly, he would turn his horse, and pass over the same
ground, sometimes with the rapidity of the flying deer, and at others
more slowly, and with greater dignity of mien and attitude. Anxious to
ascertain such facts as might have an influence on his future movements,
the old man determined to invite him to a renewal of their conference.
He therefore made a gesture expressive at the same time of his