he replied, »considering the question in all
its bearings, and assuming that your theory is just, it will be the safest to
conclude that I am not prepared to make so hasty a departure, and that measures
of precaution should be, forthwith, resorted to.«
    »Being in that mind,« returned the deliberate trapper, »I will act for you
as I would for myself, though as time has begun to roll down the hill with you,
I will just advise that you look to your case, speedily, for it may so happen
that your name will be heard, when quite as little prepared to answer to it, as
now.«
    With this amicable understanding, the old man drew back, again, into the
ring, where he stood musing on the course he should now adopt, with the singular
mixture of decision and resignation, that proceeded from his habits and his
humility, and which united to form a character in which excessive energy and the
most meek submission to the will of Providence were oddly enough combined.
 

                                 Chapter XXVIII

 »The witch, in Smithfield, shall be burned to ashes,
 And you three shall be strangled on the gallows.«
                                                        2 Henry VI, II.iii. 7-8.
 
The Siouxes had awaited the issue of the foregoing dialogue with commendable
patience. Most of the band were restrained by the secret awe, with which they
regarded the mysterious character of Obed, while a few of the more intelligent
chiefs gladly profited by the opportunity to arrange their thoughts for the
struggle that was plainly foreseen. Mahtoree, influenced by neither of these
feelings, was content to show the trapper how much he conceded to his pleasure,
and when the old man discontinued the discourse, he received from the chief, a
glance, that was intended to remind him of the patience with which he had
awaited his movements. A profound and motionless silence succeeded the short
interruption. Then Mahtoree arose, evidently prepared to speak. First placing
himself in an attitude of dignity he turned a steady and severe look on the
whole assembly. The expression of his eye, however, changed as it glanced across
the different countenances of his supporters and of his opponents. To the former
the look, though stern was not threatening, while it seemed to tell the latter
all the hazards they incurred, in daring to brave the resentment of one so
powerful.
    Still, in the midst of so much hauteur and confidence, the sagacity and
cunning of the Teton did not desert him. When he had thrown the gauntlett as it
were, to the whole tribe, and sufficiently asserted his