They had made their halt at the distance of an arrow-flight
from the bushes; but when the stranger came sufficiently nigh to show
that the deep coating of red and brown, which time and exposure had
given to his features, was laid upon the original colour of a Pale-
face, they slowly receded from the spot, until they reached a distance
that might defeat the aim of fire-arms.
In the mean time the old man continued to advance, until he had got
nigh enough to make himself heard without difficulty. Here he stopped,
and dropping his rifle to the earth, he raised his hand with the palm
outward, in token of peace. After uttering a few words of reproach to
his hound, who watched the savage group with eyes that seemed to
recognise them, he spoke in the Sioux tongue--
"My brothers are welcome," he said, cunningly constituting himself the
master of the region in which they had met, and assuming the offices
of hospitality. "They are far from their villages, and are hungry.
Will they follow to my lodge, to eat and sleep?"
No sooner was his voice heard, than the yell of pleasure, which burst
from a dozen mouths, convinced the sagacious trapper, that he also was
recognised.
Pages:
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453