e attempt that had been made to shake his faith. While
he was yet talking Lisa entered the tent, under the pretext of coming
to borrow a towing line. High words instantly ensued between him and
Dorion, which ended by the half-breed's dealing him a blow. A quarrel
in the "Indian country", however, is not to be settled with fisticuffs.
Lisa immediately rushed to his boat for a weapon. Dorion snatched up
a pair of pistols belonging to Mr. Hunt, and placed himself in battle
array. The noise had roused the camp, and every one pressed to know
the cause. Lisa now reappeared upon the field with a knife stuck in
his girdle. Mr. Breckenridge, who had tried in vain to mollify his ire,
accompanied him to the scene of action. Pierre Dorion's pistols gave
him the advantage, and he maintained a most warlike attitude. In the
meantime, Crooks and M'Lellan had learnt the cause of the affray, and
were each eager to take the quarrel into their own hands. A scene of
uproar and hubbub ensued that defies description. M'Lellan would have
brought his rifle into play and settled all old and new grudges by
a pull of the trigger, had he not been restrained by Mr. Hunt. That
gentleman acted as moderator, endeavoring to prevent a general melee; in
the midst of the brawl, however, an expression was made use of by Lisa
derogatory to his own honor. In an instant the tranquil spirit of Mr.
Hunt was in a flame. He now became as eager for the fight as any one on
the ground, and challenged Lisa to settle the dispute on the spot with
pistols. Lisa repaired to his boat to arm himself for the deadly feud.
He was followed by Messrs. Bradbury and Breckenridge, who, novices in
Indian life and the "chivalry" of the frontier, had no relish for scenes
of blood and brawl. By their earnest mediation the quarrel was brought
to a close without bloodshed; but the two leaders of the rival camps
separated in anger, and all personal intercourse ceased between them.

CHAPTER XX.

Features of the Wilderness--Herds of Buffalo.--Antelopes--
Their Varieties and Habits.--John Day.--His Hunting
Strategy--Interview with Three Arickaras--Negotiations
Between the Rival Parties--The Left-Handed and the Big Man,
two Arickara Chiefs.--Arickara Village--Its Inhabitants--
Ceremonials on Landing--A Council Lodge.--Grand Conference--
Speech of Lisa.--Negotiation for Horses.--Shrewd Suggestion
of Gray Eyes, an Arickara Chief--Encampment of the