advance of this party was slow and dignified. As it drew nigh
the Partisan of the Loups was seen at its head, followed by a dozen younger
warriors of his tribe. They were all unarmed, nor did they even wear any of
those ornaments or feathers, which are considered testimonials of respect to the
guest an Indian receives, as well as evidence of his own importance.
    The meeting was friendly though a little restrained on both sides.
Middleton, jealous of his own consideration no less than of the authority of his
government, suspected some undue influence on the part of the agents of the
Canadas, and, as he was determined to maintain the authority of which he was the
representative, he felt himself constrained to manifest an hauteur that he was
far from feeling. It was not so easy to penetrate the motives of the Pawnees.
Calm, dignified and yet far from repulsive, they set an example of courtesy
blended with reserve, that many a diplomatist of the most polished court might
have strove in vain to imitate.
    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 endeavoring 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, the whole of its inhabitants were seen collected
in an open space where they were arranged with the customary deference to age
and rank. The whole formed a large circle, in the centre of which were perhaps a
dozen of the principal chiefs. Hard-Heart waved his hand as he approached, and,
as the mass of bodies opened, he rode through, followed by his companions. Then
they dismounted, and as the beasts were led apart, the strangers found
themselves environed by a thousand, grave, composed but solicitous faces.
    Middleton gazed about him, in growing concern, for no cry, no song, no
shout, welcomed him among a people, from whom he had so lately parted