beheld his
personal dignity thus prostrated, and what was of far greater moment in
his eyes, himself led forth, as he firmly believed, to be the victim of
some heathenish sacrifice, the reader will find no difficulty in giving
credit to the sensation of awe, that was excited by his appearance in a
band already more than half-prepared to worship him, as a powerful agent
of the evil spirit.

Weucha led Asinus directly into the centre of the circle, and leaving
them together, (for the legs of the naturalist were attached to the
beast in such a manner, that the two animals might be said to be
incorporated, and to form a new order,) he withdrew to his proper place,
gazing at the conjuror, as he retired, with a wonder and admiration,
that were natural to the groveling dulness of his mind.

The astonishment seemed mutual, between the spectators and the subject
of this strange exhibition. If the Tetons contemplated the mysterious
attributes of the medicine, with awe and fear, the Doctor gazed on every
side of him, with a mixture of quite as many extraordinary emotions,
in which the latter sensation, however, formed no inconsiderable
ingredient. Every where his eyes, which just at that moment possessed a
secret magnifying quality, seemed to rest on several dark, savage, and
obdurate countenances at once, from none of which could he extract a
solitary gleam of sympathy or commiseration. At length his wandering
gaze fell on the grave and decent features of the trapper, who, with
Hector at his feet, stood in the edge of the circle, leaning on that
rifle which he had been permitted, as an acknowledged friend, to resume,
and apparently musing on the events that were likely to succeed a
council, marked by so many and such striking ceremonies.

"Venerable venator, or hunter, or trapper," said the disconsolate Obed,
"I rejoice greatly in meeting thee again. I fear that the precious time,
which had been allotted me, in order to complete a mighty labour, is
drawing to a premature close, and I would gladly unburden my mind to one
who, if not a pupil of science, has at least some of the knowledge which
civilisation imparts to its meanest subjects. Doubtless many and earnest
enquiries will be made after my fate, by the learned societies of the
world, and perhaps expeditions will be sent into these regions to remove
any doubts, which may arise on so important a subject. I esteem myself
happy that a man, who speaks the vernacular, is presen