fference in the aspect of
the slain Indians. Around the skulls of the Utahs, the thick black
tresses were still clustering; while upon the heads of the Arapahoes
there was neither hair nor skin. Every one of them had been already
scalped. Wounded men were sitting up, or propped against dead bodies--
each with two or three comrades bending over him. Horses were galloping
around, their lazos trailing at will; while weapons of every kind--
spears, shields, bows, quivers, and arrows--were strewed over the sward.

A group of about a dozen men appeared at some distance, clustered around
a particular object. It was the dead body of a man--a chief, no doubt?
Not without feelings of apprehension did I approach the spot. It might
be the noble Wa-ka-ra? I rode up, and looked over the shoulders of
those who encircled the corpse. A glance was sufficient to put an end
to my apprehensions. The body was covered with blood, and pierced with
many wounds. It was frightfully mutilated; but I was able to identify
the features as those of Red-Hand, the chief of the Arapahoes! Scarred
and gashed though it was, I could still trace those sinister lines that
in life had rendered that face so terrible to behold. It was even more
hideous in death; but the Utahs who stood around no longer regarded it
with fear. The terror, which their dread foeman had oft inspired within
them, was now being retaliated in the mockery of his mutilated remains!
The Mexican had ascertained that Wa-ka-ra was still unhurt, and heading
the pursuit. Having myself no further interest in the scene, I turned
away from it; and, with Wingrove by my side, rode back towards the
butte.

CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE.

TRAGIC AND COMIC.

Some words passed between us as we went. For my companion, I had news
that would make him supremely happy. Our conversation turned not on
that. "Soon enough," thought I, "when they shall come together. Let
both hearts be blessed at the same time." Ah! how my own was bleeding.
Little suspected the Spanish hunter how his tale had tortured me!

Wingrove, in brief detail, gave me the particulars of his escape. Like
myself, he had been captured without receiving any serious injury. They
would have killed him afterwards, but for the interference of the
Chicasaw, who, by some means, had gained an ascendancy over the
Red-Hand! In the breast of this desperate woman burned alternately the
passions of love and revenge. The former had be