Their wagons were drawn about the lodges, in a sort of irregular
barrier, which at once manifested that their confidence was not
entirely restored, while, on the other hand, their policy or indolence
prevented any very positive exhibition of distrust. There was a
singular union of passive enjoyment and of dull curiosity slumbering
in every dull countenance, as each of the party stood leaning on his
rifle, regarding the movements of the Sioux conference. Still no sign
of expectation or interest escaped from the youngest among them, the
whole appearing to emulate the most phlegmatic of their savage allies,
in an exhibition of patience. They rarely spoke; and when they did it
was in some short and contemptuous remark, which served to put the
physical superiority of a white man, and that of an Indian, in a
sufficiently striking point of view. In short, the family of Ishmael
appeared now to be in the plenitude of an enjoyment, which depended on
inactivity, but which was not entirely free from certain confused
glimmerings of a perspective, in which their security stood in some
little danger of a rude interruption from Teton treachery.
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