with the Shoshones, but they
also trade with the Crows and the Umbiquas. The young chief, Owato
Wanisha, hath proposed a new path to our tribe; he is young, but he has
received his wisdom from the Black-gowns, who,--of all men, are the most
wise. I have heard, as our elders and ancient chiefs have also heard,
the means by which he thinks we can succeed; we have fasted, we have
prayed to the Master of Life to show unto us the path which we must
follow. Shoshones, we live in a strange time! Our great Manitou bids
us Red-skins obey the Pale-face, and follow him to conquer or die. I
have said! The chief of many winters will now address his warriors and
friends!"

A murmur ran through the whole assembly, who seemed evidently much moved
by this political speech from one whom they were accustomed to look upon
with dread, as the interpreter of the will of Heaven. The old chief,
who had already spoken in the former council, now rose and spoke with a
tremulous, yet distinct voice.

"I have fasted, I have prayed, I have dreamed. Old men, who have lived
almost all their life, have a keener perception to read the wishes of
the Master of Life concerning the future. I am a chief, and have been a
chief during sixty changes of the season. I am proud of my station, and
as I have struck deepest in the heart of our enemies, I am jealous of
that power which is mine, and would yield it to no one, if the great
Manitou did not order it. When this sun will have disappeared behind
the salt-water, I shall no longer be a chief! Owato Wanisha will guide
our warriors, he will preside in council, for two gods are with him--the
Manitou of the Pale-faces and the Manitou of the Red-skins.

"Hear my words, Shoshones! I shall soon join my father and grandfather
in the happy lands, for I am old. Yet, before my bones are buried at
the foot of the hills, it would brighten my heart to see the glory of
the Shoshones, which I know must be in a short time. Hear my words!
Long ages ago some of our children, not finding our hunting-grounds wide
enough for the range of their arrows, left us. They first wandered in
the south, and in the beautiful prairies of the east, under a climate
blessed by the good spirits. They grew and grew in number till their
families were as numerous as ours, and as they were warriors and their
hearts big, they spread themselves, and, soon crossing the big
mountains, their eagle glance saw on each side of their territor