Warriors
hastened from the forests to defend the fort. The next day came the
elders of the Sioux in pomp. They were preceded by the young braves
bearing bows and arrows and buffalo-skin shields on which were drawn
figures portraying victories. Their hair was turned up in a stiff
crest surmounted by eagle feathers, and their bodies were painted
bright vermilion. Behind came the elders, with medicine-bags of
rattlesnake skin streaming from their shoulders and long strings of
bears' claws hanging from neck and wrist. They were dressed in
buckskin, garnished with porcupine quills, and wore moccasins of
buffalo hide, with the hair dangling from the heel. In the belt of
each was a skull-cracker--a sort of sling stone with a long handle--and
a war-hatchet. Each elder carried a peace pipe set with precious
stones, and stuck in the stem were the quills of the war eagle to
represent enemies slain. Women slaves followed, loaded with skins for
the elders' tents.

[Illustration: A parley on the Plains.]

A great fire had been kindled inside the court of the Cree stockades.
Round the pavilion the Sioux elders seated themselves. First, they
solemnly smoked the calumet of peace. Then the chief of the Sioux rose
and chanted a song, giving thanks for their safe journey. Setting
aside gifts of rare beaver pelts, he declared that the Sioux had come
to make friends with the French, who were masters of peace and war;
that the elders would conduct the white men back to the Sioux country;
that the mountains were levelled and the valleys cast up, and the way
made smooth, and branches strewn on the ground for the white men's
feet, and streams bridged, and the doors of the tepees open. Let the
French come to the Sioux! The Indians would die for the French. A
gift was presented to invoke the friendship of the Crees. Another rich
gift of furs let out the secret of the Sioux' anxiety: it was that the
French might give the Sioux "thunder weapons," meaning guns.

The speech being finished, the Crees set a feast before their guests.
To this feast Radisson and Groseillers came in a style that eclipsed
the Sioux. Cree warriors marched in front, carrying guns. Radisson
and Groseillers were dressed in armor.[7] At their belts they wore
pistol, sword, and dagger. On their heads were crowns of colored
porcupine quills. Two pages carried the dishes and spoons to be used
at the feast; and four Cree magicians followed with smoking calume