Weucha led Asinus directly into the centre of the circle, and leaving
them together, (for the legs of the naturalist were attached to the
beast in such a manner, that the two animals might be said to be
incorporated, and to form a new order,) he withdrew to his proper
place, gazing at the conjuror, as he retired, with a wonder and
admiration, that were natural to the groveling dulness of his mind.
The astonishment seemed mutual, between the spectators and the subject
of this strange exhibition. If the Tetons contemplated the mysterious
attributes of the medicine, with awe and fear, the Doctor gazed on
every side of him, with a mixture of quite as many extraordinary
emotions, in which the latter sensation, however, formed no
inconsiderable ingredient. Every where his eyes, which just at that
moment possessed a secret magnifying quality, seemed to rest on
several dark, savage, and obdurate countenances at once, from none of
which could he extract a solitary gleam of sympathy or commiseration.
At length his wandering gaze fell on the grave and decent features of
the trapper, who, with Hector at his feet, stood in the edge of the
circle, leaning on that rifle which he had been permitted, as an
acknowledged friend, to resume, and apparently musing on the events
that were likely to succeed a council, marked by so many and such
striking ceremonies.
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