In this manner the two parties continued their course to the town.
Middleton had time, during the remainder of the ride, to revolve in
his mind, all the probable reasons which his ingenuity could suggest
for this strange reception. Although he was accompanied by a regular
interpreter, the chiefs made their salutations in a manner that
dispensed with his services. Twenty times the Captain turned his
glance on his former friend, endeavouring to read the expression of
his rigid features. But every effort and all conjectures proved
equally futile. The eye of Hard-Heart was fixed, composed, and a
little anxious; but as to every other emotion, impenetrable. He
neither spoke himself, nor seemed willing to invite discourse in his
visiters; it was therefore necessary for Middleton to adopt the
patient manners of his companions, and to await the issue for the
explanation.
When they entered the town, its inhabitants were seen collected in an
open space, where they were arranged with the customary deference to
age and rank.
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