on the war-path. With your aid I shall surely be
successful, and when we return in triumph, who shall deny to the friend
of Stonhawon a seat in the council? I know my brother's wish, and it
shall yet be gratified. Now, let us assemble our warriors and make ready
for departure, as I wish to start before sunrise to-morrow."

To this the renegade yielded a ready assent, adding that his party could
be ready to leave in an hour if necessary. He then said:

"I must ask my brother one favor, and that is that Tahteckadahair may
accompany our party."

"Why does Hissodecha ask this?" said the chief, looking at me in
surprise; for, on hearing my name mentioned, I had drawn nearer. "Does
my brother not know that no one but Wakometkla can grant his request?"

"Because," said Hissodecha, "if Stonhawon asks the medicine chief, he
will not refuse; but were I to make such a request, it would be in
vain."

Stonhawon reflected for a moment and then addressed me so abruptly that
for an instant I was confused and unable to make a reply.

"Tahteckadahair," said he, "why do you wish to join the war party which
I am about to take out?"

I was endeavoring to frame a reply when the renegade answered for me.

"The young man is tired," he said, "of being left in the village with
the squaws and old men while the other young braves are going to war or
to hunt and winning scalps and plunder. He thinks that he should be
given the same privileges as others since he has been regularly adopted
into the tribe, and I think his request is a reasonable one and should
be granted."

I now added my persuasions to those of Hissodecha, and Stonhawon finally
said that if Wakometkla's consent could be gained he would have no
objection to my forming one of his party. He also said that he would
speak to the medicine chief and use his influence to get his consent to
my making my first appearance as a warrior.

He was as good as his word, and a few hours later I saw him enter the
temple, evidently in search of the old man. Hissodecha was confident
that his request would be granted, and I accordingly busied myself,
under his direction, in preparing to make my _debut_ as a Camanche
brave on the war-path. The renegade easily supplied me with the
necessary weapons and equipments from his own stock, and I soon found
myself provided with a long steel-pointed lance, adorned with a crimson
pennon, and a sort of battle-axe of an ancient pattern, evidently the
spoil