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The easy manners of the harum-scarum, reckless trappers at the rendezvous, and the simple, unsuspecting hearts of those nymphs of the mountains, the squaws, caused their husbands to be very jealous of the attentions bestowed upon them by strangers.
He heard the muffled sounds of barking dogs and chattering squaws, and he judged that he had been brought into the Indians' encampment. Presently he was turned over and his arms were set free, the tight bandage was taken from his eyes. He sat up and gazed about him wonderingly, with dim sight and aching forehead.
It was that of Gray Beaver, head chief of the Miamis, an old, old man, gray with years and wise like the beaver, from which he took his name. "My Shawnee brethren are welcome to the Council House," he said. "You have come far, and you shall rest, and the squaws shall bring you food before we talk." "It is sufficient to us to see the great and wise chief, Gray Beaver," said Henry.
The old man returned the grasp he received, and opened his mouth to the utmost, in his extraordinary, silent, laugh. "You couldn't have given such a squeeze, boy, when the Teton squaws were about you with their knives! Ah! you are in your prime, and in your vigour and happiness, if honesty lies in your path."
Some squaws, with papooses strapped upon their backs, stared vacantly at us as we passed, and one little barefooted Indian, with a lack of apparel which showed his finely moulded form to the best advantage, ran by the side of the coach for two or three miles, bribed by coppers which were occasionally thrown to him.
The fallen warrior was Tall Bull, one of the ablest chiefs the Sioux ever had. His death so disheartened his braves that they at once retreated. A union of General Carr's scattered forces followed, and a few days later an engagement took place in which three hundred warriors and a large number of ponies were captured. Some white captives were released, and several hundred squaws made prisoners.
"I have seen the squaws in their wigwams at work on these things, sitting cross-legged on their mats, some had the quilla in a little bark dish on their laps, while others held them in their mouths not a very safe nor delicate way; but Indians are not very nice in some of their habits," said Mrs. Frazer.
Soon he was discoursing to empty space, and to a line of squaws who threw him malignant glances and jeered at him. He left, surprised, saddened, but unshaken. Impudence, bold hatred, and defiance these were following the smoke from Medicine Mountain. They formed a cue that pointed to one fact: The prisoners were disappointed.
In a little space the quiet shore was all a-bustle and activity reigned where the silence of the spring morning had lain, dew-heavy. Among those most eager who peered at the gate, and who presently ventured forth to the better view the bustling concourse of braves and squaws, was Maren Le Moyne, her dark eyes wide, soft lips apart, and face all a-quiver with keen enjoyment of the scene.
They won't come straight back, bless ye; they'll go 'way in the opposite direction and make a sweep miles round. They may not be here for hours yet; not that there's much chance of their tracks being traced. It has not snowed for over a week, and the snow round the village must be trampled thick for a mile and more, with the squaws coming and going for wood and the hunters going out on the chase.
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