a movement. The old man summoned all
who were capable of bearing arms to his side, and demanded, in very
unequivocal terms, though in a voice that was suitably lowered, in order
to escape the ears of their dangerous neighbours, whether they were
disposed to make battle for their liberty, or whether they should try
the milder expedient of conciliation. As it was a subject in which all
had an equal interest, he put the question as to a council of war, and
not without some slight exhibition of the lingering vestiges of a nearly
extinct military pride. Paul and the Doctor were diametrically opposed
to each other in opinion; the former declaring for an immediate appeal
to arms, and the latter was warmly espousing the policy of pacific
measures. Middleton, who saw that there was great danger of a hot verbal
dispute between two men, who were governed by feelings so diametrically
opposed, saw fit to assume the office of arbiter; or rather to decide
the question, his situation making him a sort of umpire. He also leaned
to the side of peace, for he evidently saw that, in consequence of the
vast superiority of their enemies, violence would irretrievably lead to
their destruction.

The trapper listened to the reasons of the young soldier with great
attention; and, as they were given with the steadiness of one who did
not suffer apprehension to blind his judgment, they did not fail to
produce a suitable impression.

"It is rational," rejoined the trapper, when the other had delivered
his reasons; "it is very rational, for what man cannot move with his
strength he must circumvent with his wits. It is reason that makes him
stronger than the buffaloe, and swifter than the moose. Now stay you
here, and keep yourselves close. My life and my traps are but of little
value, when the welfare of so many human souls are concerned; and,
moreover, I may say that I know the windings of Indian cunning.
Therefore will I go alone upon the prairie. It may so happen, that I can
yet draw the eyes of a Sioux from this spot and give you time and room
to fly."

As if resolved to listen to no remonstrance, the old man quietly
shouldered his rifle, and moving leisurely through the thicket, he
issued on the plain, at a point whence he might first appear before the
eyes of the Siouxes, without exciting their suspicions that he came from
its cover.

The instant that the figure of a man dressed in the garb of a hunter,
and bearing the well known and much