onsiderable elevation
for miles around; and the site of the camp was upon the plain that
stretched away from its base--apparently beyond limit!

The plain was what is termed a "pecan" prairie--that is, a prairie half
covered with groves, copses, and lists of woodland--in which the
predominating tree is the pecan--a species of hickory (_carya
olivaeformis_), bearing an oval, edible nut of commercial value.
Between the groves and _mottes_ of timber, single trees stood apart,
their heads fully developed by the free play given to their branches.
These park-looking trees, with the coppice-like groves of the pecan,
lent an air of high civilisation to the landscape; and a winding stream,
whose water, under the still lingering rays, glistened with the sheen of
silver, added to the deception. Withal, it was a wilderness--a
beautiful wilderness. Human hands had never planted those groves--human
agency had nought to do with the formation or adornment of that lovely
landscape.

Upon the bank of the stream, and about half a mile from the base of the
hill, stood the Indian camp. A glance at the position showed how well
it had been chosen--not so much for defence, as to protect it against a
surprise.

Assuming the lodge--there was but one--as the centre of the camp, it was
placed upon the edge of a small grove, and fronting the stream. From
the tent to the water's edge, the plain sloped gently downward, like the
glacis of a fortification. The smooth sward, that covered the space
between the trees and the water, was the ground of the camp. On this
could be seen the dusky warriors, some afoot, standing in listless
attitudes, or moving about; others reclining upon the grass, and still
others bending over the fires, as if engaged in the preparation of their
evening meal.

A line of spears, regularly placed, marked the allotment of each. The
slender shafts, nearly five yards in length, rose tall above the turf--
like masts of distant ships--displaying their profusion of pennons and
bannerets, of painted plumes and human hair. At the base of each could
be seen the gaudy shield, the bow and quiver, the embroidered pouch and
medicine-bag of the owner; and grouped around many of them appeared
objects of a far different character--objects that we could not
contemplate without acute emotion. They were women: enough of light
still ruled the sky to show us their faces; they were white women--the
captives.

Strange were my sensation