es averted misgiving. Only those in the secret were in
dread. But the seed planted by Deerfoot began to bear fruit. Inquiries
came to him, and the excitement over the religion he brought, even
though subdued, spread among the warriors and women of the tribe.
Finally Mul-tal-la came to him with the surprising request that he
would address the Indians in the Big Lodge on the all-important
subject. In making the request, Mul-tal-la the Blackfoot spoke for
others. Without hesitation the Shawanoe replied that he would do as
desired. He felt it was his duty, and he was the last one to shrink.

Near the middle of the primitive settlement was a structure known as
the "Big Lodge." It was of the simplest build, being some forty feet in
length by about half that width. It consisted of upright poles at the
corners, with other supports along the sides, and a roof of boughs
similar to that of the royal lodge. All the sides were open; there were
no seats and no provisions for fire. Consequently the temperature was
always the same as that outdoors.

It was the custom of the Blackfeet to hold their councils in this
place, Taggarak being fond of summoning his chiefs and leading warriors
thither, while they smoked their pipes and settled questions of state.
Most of the time the barren structure was deserted.

On a bleak afternoon late in autumn, when a few inches of snow lay on
the ground and the wind moaned among the leafless branches, Deerfoot
the Shawanoe and the Shelton brothers wended their way to the Big
Lodge. The boys paused at the edge of the assemblage and silently took
their place among the listeners. They, as well as their friend, were
astonished to see the crowd that had gathered. Warriors and women, with
here and there a child, were seated everywhere on the bare ground, till
it was hard to find room for another person. No one could fail to be
impressed by the air of solemnity that shadowed each dusky face. Nearly
every male and female sat with a shawl wrapped around the shoulders,
for the air was biting, and no one had any protection from it except
clothing. Victor whispered to his brother:

"I never expected to see anything like this. Who would have thought
that the few words Deerfoot has spoken about our religion could have
stirred up such deep feeling?"

An Indian scorns to betray curiosity or excitement, and only a few of
the warriors and squaws looked up as the young Shawanoe picked his way
through and among the mu