lance, and a quiver, were thrown across the animal, which it had been intended
to immolate on the grave of the young brave, a species of care, that would have
superseded the necessity for the pious duty that the trapper had pledged himself
to perform.
    Though Hard-Heart was sensible of the kindness of his warriors, and believed
that a chief furnished with such appointments, might depart with credit, for the
distant hunting grounds of the Master of Life, he seemed equally disposed to
think that they might be rendered quite as useful, in the actual state of
things. His countenance lighted with stern pleasure, as he tried the elasticity
of the bow, and poised the well balanced spear. The glance he bestowed on the
shield was more cursory and indifferent, but the exultation with which he threw
himself on the back of his favored war-horse was so great, as to break through
the forms of Indian reserve. He rode, to and fro, among his scarcely less
delighted warriors, managing the animal with a grace and address that no
artificial rules can ever supply, at times flourishing his lance, as if to
assure himself of his seat, and at others examining critically into the
condition of the fusee with which he had also been furnished, with the fondness
of one, who was miraculously restored to the possession of treasures, that
constituted his pride and his happiness.
    At this particular moment, Mahtoree, having completed the necessary
arrangements, prepared to make a more decisive movement. The Teton had found no
little embarrassment in disposing of his captives. The tents of the squatter
were still in sight, and his wary cunning did not fail to apprise him, that it
was quite as necessary to guard against an attack from that quarter, as to watch
the motions of his more open and more active foes. His first impulse had been to
make the tomahawk suffice for the men, and to trust the females under the same
protection as the women of his band, but the manner in which so many of his
braves continued to regard the imaginary Medecine of the Long-knives, forewarned
him of the danger of so hazardous an experiment on the eve of a battle. It might
be deemed the omen of defeat. In this dilemma, he motioned to a superannuated
warrior, to whom he had confided the charge of the noncombatants, and leading
him apart he placed a finger significantly on his shoulder, as he said in a
tone, in which authority was tempered by confidence -
    »When my young men are striking the Pawnees, give the women knives. Enough;
my father is very