aten gold,
on which was rudely engraved the figure of a tortoise, the symbol of
priesthood. Pendants of gold depended from either ear, and his arms were
encircled above the elbow with broad gold bands. The limbs were encased
in leggings of dressed fawn skin, ornamented along the seams with a
fringe of scalp-locks; a guarantee of his personal bravery. Moccasins
worked into grotesque designs with beads and porcupine quills covered
his feet. Pervading all like an intangible essence was that ever present
frank bearing and dignified courtesy, that at once marked him as a
chieftain and ruler among men. Such was the medicine man of the
Camanches and the high-priest of Quetzalcoatl, WAKOMETKLA.

With returning consciousness, I found myself extended along the sward,
the Indian kneeling by my side and holding in the palm of his hand some
crushed bark, of a peculiarly pungent and aromatic odor. Clustered
around me were a group of savages, who, judging by their menacing looks
and excited gestures were not wholly pleased with the new turn which
affairs had taken. One among them, emboldened perhaps by the unconcern
of the chief, approached more nearly, and unsheathing his knife, raised
the long, glittering, and murderous looking blade in mid air,
preparatory to burying it hilt deep in my unresisting body. In a moment
WAKOMETKLA was on his feet, his proud form dilating with wrath.
Grasping the culprit by the throat, he hurled him from him with
tremendous force, sending him reeling through the crowd and to the
ground; then turning to those that remained, he administered a sharp
rebuke and motioned them away; they dispersed without delay, leaving me
alone once more; the priest, meantime having entered the temple. I could
distinctly hear the crackling of the fagots and the agonizing wail of
some poor victim, as the greedy flames, leaping higher and higher
devoured his quivering flesh. Intermingling with the groans of the dying
captives could be heard the triumphant yells of the blood-thirsty
savages, which were echoed by the women that everywhere filled the
terraces of the lodges and temple; their bright-hued robes forming a
striking contrast with their dark complexions. Over this scene of
butchery shone the sun, which had now reached its zenith, in all its
unclouded brilliancy; the mountainous walls of milky quartz that
enclosed the valley, catching his beams and reflecting them in myriad
prismatic hues, that gave one the impression tha