Their scrutiny
was long, and apparently not without distrust. At length they raised a
cry, that was scarcely less piteous and startling than that which the
hounds had before made over the same fatal signs, and which did not
fail to draw the whole band immediately around them, as the fell bark
of the jackal is said to gather his comrades to the chase.
CHAPTER XX
Welcome, ancient Pistol.
--Shakspeare.
It was not long before the trapper pointed out the commanding person
of Mahtoree, as the leader of the Siouxes. This chief, who had been
among the last to obey the vociferous summons of Weucha, no sooner
reached the spot where his whole party was now gathered, than he threw
himself from his horse, and proceeded to examine the marks of the
extraordinary trail, with that degree of dignity and attention which
became his high and responsible station. The warriors, for it was but
too evident that they were to a man of that fearless and ruthless
class, awaited the result of his investigation with patient reserve;
none but a few of the principal braves, presuming even to speak, while
their leader was thus gravely occupied.
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