ad of killing him, they
led him to their camp, as he supposed, that they might employ him to
negotiate with the garrison, and gain their object without the danger of
attacking the fort. They knew from experience that in such an exploit
many of them would lose their lives.

"I found that I was right in my conjectures," continued Jaques. "I was
at once carried before the Sioux leader, who was holding a council of
war with several other chiefs, and being placed in their midst, I was
asked whether I preferred torture and death to life and liberty. I
replied that if they chose to torture me they should see that I could
surfer like a man, and that the hunters of the prairies always carried
their lives in their hands; but as I had no wish to die, I should be
glad to hear on what terms they offered me freedom."

"`You choose wisely,' said the chief. `Tell us, then, what number of
men defend the fort. Are they well armed? Have they a good supply of
ammunition? Are there many women and children? And have they an
abundance of provisions?'"

"I smiled as the chief spoke. `You ask many questions,' I said, `but
they are not difficult to answer. The fort is strong, and there are men
enough within to defend it against twice the number of warriors I see
around me, whose bones will whiten the prairie if they make the attempt.
There are great guns which can send their shot nearly as far as this
camp, and each man has as many rifles as he can fire, while the women
and boys load them. As to provisions, the whites are not like the
improvident red-skins, who gorge themselves with food one day and starve
for many afterwards. I have spoken. What is it you would have me do?'"

"The chiefs, on hearing my reply, consulted together. `Listen,' said
their leader at length. `You will go back to the fort and persuade the
white-skins within that we are their friends. We want shelter and food
while the snow covers the ground; and if they give us that, we will go
forth and fish and hunt for them, and bring them more peltries than they
have ever before received in one season.'

"`But if I fail to persuade them, I asked, wishing to learn the designs
of the Sioux, what am I then to do?'

"`You will try to win some of the people with such promises as you well
know how to make. Tell them they will be received among us as friends,
and that we will give them all that their hearts desire. Then wait till
our warriors collect around the fort