The uproar, which attended the passage of the herd, was now gone, or
rather it was heard rolling along the prairie, at the distance of a
mile. The clouds of dust were already blown away by the wind, and a
clear range was left to the eye, in that place where ten minutes
before there existed a scene of so much wildness and confusion.
The Siouxes had completed their conquest, and, apparently satisfied
with this addition to the numerous previous captures they had made,
they now seemed content to let the remainder of the herd escape. A
dozen remained around the carcass, over which a few buzzards were
balancing themselves with steady wings and greedy eyes, while the rest
were riding about, in quest of such further booty as might come in
their way, on the trail of so vast a drove. The trapper measured the
proportions, and scanned the equipments of such individuals as drew
nearer to the side of the thicket, with careful eyes. At length he
pointed out one among them, to Middleton, as Weucha.
"Now, know we not only who they are, but their errand," the old man
continued, deliberately shaking his head.
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