ews was received by our seamen and their friends
was somewhat marred by the death of the poor girl who had unconsciously
been the means of their deliverance. During several days there was
profound grief in the Indian village, for Rising Sun had been a
favourite with every one.

About this time one or two scattered bands of the party, which had gone
to attack the paleface settlement, returned to the village, and when
they found what had occurred in their absence, their enmity was turned
into friendship, and general goodwill prevailed among all.

From the men just arrived Paul and his friends heard of the fate of poor
Swinton and Jim Heron, but at the same time were relieved to find that
none of the other seamen had been slain.

A grand council and palaver was held in front of Bearpaw's tent not long
afterwards. It was a very grave and orderly council--one which would
contrast favourably with many of our nineteenth century councils, for
those savages had not at that time acquired the civilised capacity for
open offhand misrepresentation, calumny, and personal abuse which is so
conspicuous in these days, and which must be so gratifying to those who
maintain that civilisation is the grand panacea for all the moral ills
that flesh is heir to. Whether the Bethucks ever improved in this
matter is not known, for history is silent on the point; but it is,
perhaps, of little consequence, the Bethuck race having become extinct.

"It is now a matter for our consideration, my friends and warriors,"
said Bearpaw, in opening the palaver, "whether the palefaces are to
spend the winter here and hunt with us, or to return to the Crooked Lake
to stay with our kinsman, the white hunter, and his wife, the sweet
singer. Of course, my warriors know well that we could keep the
palefaces by force just as easily as we could take their scalps, if we
were so disposed; but Bearpaw is not a tyrant. He will not inflict
kindness on his friends. His heart is great. It swells within him.
Something inside of him whispers, `Let them do as they please.' That
must be right, for if circumstances were reversed, it would be right to
let Bearpaw do as he pleases."

The chief paused and looked sternly round, as if to say, "Contradict
that if you dare!" Possibly he felt that the "something inside of him"
might have stated the golden rule more simply. Returning to the point,
he continued--

"Bearpaw is glad that Rising Sun came home before he kille