enemies were exhibited, as conquered standards are displayed in more
civilized regions. The deeds of former warriors were recounted by the aged men
and declared to be eclipsed by the glory of this victory. While, Hard-Heart,
himself, so distinguished for his exploits, from boy-hood to that hour, was
unanimously proclaimed and reproclaimed the worthiest chief and the stoutest
brave that the Wahcondah had ever bestowed on his most favored children, the
Pawnees of the Loup.
    Notwithstanding the comparative security in which Middleton found his
recovered treasure, he was not sorry to see his faithful and sturdy
artillerists, standing among the throng, as he entered in the wild train, and
lifting their voices, in a martial shout to greet his return. The presence of
this force, small as it was, removed every shadow of uneasiness from his mind.
It made him master of his movements, gave him dignity and importance in the eyes
of his new friends, and would enable him to overcome the difficulties of the
wide region which still lay between the village of the Pawnees and the nearest
fortress of his Countrymen. A lodge was yielded to the exclusive possession of
Inez and Ellen, and, even Paul when he saw an armed sentinel in the uniform of
the States, pacing before its entrance, was content to stray among the dwellings
of the redskins prying with but little reserve into their domestic economy,
commenting sometimes jocularly, sometimes gravely and always freely on their
different expedients, or endeavoring to make the wondering housewives comprehend
his quaint explanations of what he conceived to be the better customs of the
whites.
    This inquiring and troublesome temper found no imitators among the Indians.
The delicacy and reserve of Hard-Heart were communicated to his people. When
every attention, that could be suggested by their simple manners and narrow
wants, had been fulfilled no intrusive foot presumed to approach the cabins
devoted to the service of the strangers. They were left to seek their repose in
the manner which most comported with their habits and inclinations. The songs
and rejoicings of the tribe, however, ran far into the night, during the deepest
hours of which the voice of more than one warrior was heard, recounting from the
top of his lodge the deeds of his people and the glory of their triumphs.
    Every thing having life, notwithstanding the excesses of the night, was
abroad with the appearance of the sun. The expressions of exultation, which had
so lately been seen on every countenance, was now changed to one better suited
to the feeling of the moment. It was understood by all, that the Palefaces who
had befriended their Chief, were