re the round, full, patient
countenance of an infant might be found peeping from its comfortless
wrappers of bark, as, suspended by a deer-skin thong from the same post,
it rocked in the passing air. Children of a larger growth were tumbling
over each other in piles, the males, even at that early age, making
themselves distinguished for that species of domination which, in after
life, was to mark the vast distinction between the sexes. Youths were in
the bottom, essaying their juvenile powers in curbing the wild steeds
of their fathers, while here and there a truant girl was to be seen,
stealing from her labours to admire their fierce and impatient daring.

Thus far the picture was the daily exhibition of an encampment confident
in its security. But immediately in front of the lodges was a gathering,
that seemed to forbode some movements of more than usual interest. A
few of the withered and remorseless crones of the band were clustering
together, in readiness to lend their fell voices, if needed, to aid in
exciting their descendants to an exhibition, which their depraved tastes
coveted, as the luxurious Roman dame witnessed the struggles and the
agony of the gladiator. The men were subdivided into groups, assorted
according to the deeds and reputations of the several individuals of
whom they were composed.

They, who were of that equivocal age which admitted them to the hunts,
while their discretion was still too doubtful to permit them to be
trusted on the war-path, hung around the skirts of the whole, catching,
from the fierce models before them, that gravity of demeanour and
restraint of manner, which in time was to become so deeply ingrafted in
their own characters. A few of the still older class, and who had heard
the whoop in anger, were a little more presuming, pressing nigher to
the chiefs, though far from presuming to mingle in their councils,
sufficiently distinguished by being permitted to catch the wisdom which
fell from lips so venerated. The ordinary warriors of the band were
still less diffident, not hesitating to mingle among the chiefs
of lesser note, though far from assuming the right to dispute the
sentiments of any established brave, or to call in question the prudence
of measures, that were recommended by the more gifted counsellors of the
nation.

Among the chiefs themselves there was a singular compound of exterior.
They were divided into two classes; those who were mainly indebted for
their i