Suddenly, one
of the oldest, and the most ferocious of them all, broke out of the
ring, and skirred away in the direction of her victims, like a
rapacious bird, that having wheeled on poised wings, for the time
necessary to ensure its object, makes the final dart upon its prey.
The others followed, a disorderly and screaming flock, fearful of
being too late to reap their portion of the sanguinary pleasure.
"Mighty medicine of my people!" shouted the old man, in the Teton
tongue; "lift your voice and speak, that the Sioux nation may hear."
Whether Asinus had acquired so much knowledge, by his recent
experience, as to know the value of his sonorous properties, or the
strange spectacle of a dozen hags flitting past him, filling the air
with such sounds as were even grating to the ears of an ass, most
moved his temper, it is certain that the animal did that which Obed
was requested to do, and probably with far greater effect than if the
naturalist had strove with his mightiest effort to be heard.
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