In the mean time the Tetons proceeded to the more regular business of
the hour. A fierce and savage joy had existed in the camp, from the
instant when it had been announced that their own chief was returning
with the long-dreaded and hated partisan of their enemies. For many
hours the crones of the tribe had been going from lodge to lodge, in
order to stimulate the tempers of the warriors to such a pass, as
might leave but little room for mercy. To one they spoke of a son,
whose scalp was drying in the smoke of a Pawnee lodge. To another,
they enumerated his own scars, his disgraces, and defeats; with a
third, they dwelt on his losses of skins and horses; and a fourth was
reminded of vengeance by a significant question, concerning some
flagrant adventure, in which he was known to have been a sufferer.
By these means the men had been so far excited as to have assembled,
in the manner already related, though it still remained a matter of
doubt how far they intended to carry their revenge. A variety of
opinions prevailed on the policy of executing their prisoners; and
Mahtoree had suspended the discussions, in order to ascertain how far
the measure might propitiate, or retard, his own particular views.
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