Do the Pawnees wish the wounds they give their game to
rankle?"
"It is good to be ready for the Sioux. Though not in sight, a bush may
hide him."
"The man is a living proof of the truth of his words," muttered the
trapper in English, "and a close-jointed and gallant looking lad he
is; but far too young for a chief of any importance. It is wise,
however, to speak him fair, for a single arm thrown into either party,
if we come to blows with the squatter and his brood, may turn the day.
You see my children are weary," he continued in the dialect of the
prairies, pointing, as he spoke, to the rest of the party, who, by
this time, were also approaching. "We wish to camp and eat. Does my
brother claim this spot?"
"The runners from the people on the Big-river, tell us that your
nation have traded with the Tawney-faces who live beyond the salt-
lake, and that the prairies are now the hunting grounds of the Big-
knives!"
"It is true, as I hear, also, from the hunters and trappers on La
Platte. Though it is with the Frenchers, and not with the men who
claim to own the Mexicos, that my people have bargained.
Pages:
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407