superior to himself in physical power, and consequently one that was
able, at any instant, to command his life, or control his personal
liberty. When he did approach nigh enough to converse with facility,
it was with a singular mixture of haughtiness and of distrust.

"It is far to the village of the Loups," he said, stretching his arm
in a direction contrary to that in which, the trapper well knew, the
tribe dwelt, "and the road is crooked. What has the Big-knife to say?"

"Ay, crooked enough!" muttered the old man in English, "if you are to
set out on your journey by that path, but not half so winding as the
cunning of an Indian's mind. Say, my brother; do the chiefs of the
Pawnees love to see strange faces in their lodges?"

The young warrior bent his body gracefully, though but slightly, over
the saddle-bow, as he replied--

"When have my people forgotten to give food to the stranger?"

"If I lead my daughters to the doors of the Loups, will the women take
them by the hand; and will the warriors smoke with my young men?"

"The country of the Pale-faces is behind them. Why do they journey so
far towards the setting sun? Have they lost the path, or are these the
women of the white warriors, that I hear are wading up the river of
'the troubled waters?'"

"Neither. They, who wade the Missouri, are the warriors of my great
father, who has sent them on his message; but we are peace-runners.
The white men and the red are neighbours, and they wish to be friends.