It abounded in neither venison,
nor the wild-beef of the prairies; its crafty owner having well
understood that the liberality of a single individual would be
abundantly rewarded by the daily contributions of a band. Although as
pre-eminent in the chase as in war, a deer or a buffaloe was never
seen to enter whole into his lodge. In return, an animal was rarely
brought into the encampment, that did not contribute to support the
family of Mahtoree. But the policy of the chief seldom permitted more
to remain than sufficed for the wants of the day, perfectly assured
that all must suffer before hunger, the bane of savage life, could lay
its fell fangs on so important a victim.
Immediately beneath the favourite bow of the chief, and encircled in a
sort of magical ring of spears, shields, lances and arrows, all of
which had in their time done good service, was suspended the
mysterious and sacred medicine-bag. It was highly-wrought in wampum,
and profusely ornamented with beads and porcupine's quills, after the
most cunning devices of Indian ingenuity.
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