The experience of Hard-Heart had not deceived him. When his snorting
steed issued from the water, he found himself on a tremendous but damp
and compact bed of sand, that was admirably adapted to the exhibition
of the finest powers of the animal. The horse seemed conscious of the
advantage, and bore his warlike rider, with an elasticity of step and
a loftiness of air, that would have done no discredit to the highest
trained and most generous charger. The blood of the chief himself
quickened with the excitement of his situation. He sat the beast as if
conscious that the eyes of two tribes were on his movements; and as
nothing could be more acceptable and grateful to his own band, than
this display of native grace and courage, so nothing could be more
taunting and humiliating to their enemies.
The sudden appearance of the Pawnee on the sands was announced among
the Tetons, by a general yell of savage anger. A rush was made to the
shore, followed by a discharge of fifty arrows and a few fusees, and,
on the part of several braves, there was a plain manifestation of a
desire to plunge into the water, in order to punish the temerity of
their insolent foe.
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