In leading the hunters of
the band back to the encampment, their chief had neglected none of the
customary precautions of Indian prudence, in order that his trail
might escape the eyes of his enemies. It would seem, however, that the
Pawnees had not only made the dangerous discovery, but had managed
with great art to draw nigh the place, by the only side on which it
was thought unnecessary to guard the approaches with the usual line of
sentinels. The latter, who were scattered along the different little
eminences, which lay in the rear of the lodges, were among the last to
be apprized of the danger.
In such a crisis there was little time for deliberation. It was by
exhibiting the force of his character in scenes of similar difficulty,
that Mahtoree had obtained and strengthened his ascendency among his
people, nor did he seem likely to lose it by the manifestation of any
indecision on the present occasion. In the midst of the screams of the
young, the shrieks of the women, and the wild howlings of the crones,
which were sufficient of themselves to have created a chaos in the
thoughts of one less accustomed to act in emergencies, he promptly
asserted his authority, issuing his orders with the coolness of a
veteran.
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