on Weucha, as he answered--

"The Master of Life has made chiefs, and warriors, and women;"
conceiving that he thus embraced all the gradations of human excellence
from the highest to the lowest.

"And he has also made Pale-faces, who are wicked. Such are they whom my
brother sees yonder."

"Do they go on foot to do wrong?" demanded the Teton, with a wild gleam
from his eyes, that sufficiently betrayed how well he knew the reason
why they were reduced to so humble an expedient.

"Their beasts are gone. But their powder, and their lead, and their
blankets remain."

"Do they carry their riches in their hands, like miserable Konzas? or
are they brave, and leave them with the women, as men should do, who
know where to find what they lose?"

"My brother sees the spot of blue across the prairie; look, the sun has
touched it for the last time to-day."

"Mahtoree is not a mole."

"It is a rock; on it are the goods of the Big-knives."

An expression of savage joy shot into the dark countenance of the Teton
as he listened; turning to the old man he seemed to read his soul, as
if to assure himself he was not deceived. Then he bent his look on the
party of Ishmael, and counted its number.

"One warrior is wanting," he said.

"Does my brother see the buzzards? there is his grave. Did he find blood
on the prairie? It was his."

"Enough! Mahtoree is a wise chief. Put your women on the horses of the
Dahcotahs: we shall see, for our eyes are open very wide."

The trapper wasted no unnecessary words in explanation. Familiar with
the brevity and promptitude of the natives, he immediately communicated
the result to his companions. Paul was mounted in an instant, with Ellen
at his back. A few more moments were necessary to assure Middleton
of the security and ease of Inez. While he was thus engaged, Mahtoree
advanced to the side of the beast he had allotted to this service, which
was his own, and manifested an intention to occupy his customary place
on its back. The young soldier seized the reins of the animal, and
glances of sudden anger and lofty pride were exchanged between them.

"No man takes this seat but myself," said Middleton, sternly, in
English.

"Mahtoree is a great chief!" retorted the savage; neither comprehending
the meaning of the other's words.

"The Dahcotah will be too late," whispered the old man at his elbow;
"see; the Big-knives are afraid, and they will soon run."

The Teton chief instantly aband