"It is well," he said; "such are the words a brave should use, that
the warriors may see his heart. The day has been when the voice of Le
Balafre was loudest among the lodges of the Konzas. But the root of a
white hair is wisdom. My child will show the Tetons that he is brave,
by striking their enemies. Men of the Dahcotahs, this is my son!"
The Pawnee hesitated a moment, and then stepping in front of the
chief, he took his hard and wrinkled hand, and laid it with reverence
on his head, as if to acknowledge the extent of his obligation. Then
recoiling a step, he raised his person to its greatest elevation, and
looked upon the hostile band, by whom he was environed, with an air of
loftiness and disdain, as he spoke aloud, in the language of the
Siouxes--
"Hard-Heart has looked at himself, within and without. He has thought
of all he has done in the hunts and in the wars. Every where he is the
same. There is no change. He is in all things a Pawnee. He has struck
so many Tetons that he could never eat in their lodges.
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