isfaction to San-it-sa-rish were the
veriest trifles. Penny looking-glasses in yellow gilt tin frames, beads
of various colours, needles, cheap scissors, and knives, vermilion
paint, and coarse scarlet cloth, etcetera. They were of priceless
value, however, in the estimation of the savages, who delighted to adorn
themselves with leggings made from the cloth, beautifully worked with
beads by their own ingenious women. They were thankful, too, for knives
even of the commonest description, having none but bone ones of their
own; and they gloried in daubing their faces with intermingled streaks
of charcoal and vermilion. To gaze at their visages, when thus treated,
in the little penny looking-glasses is their summit of delight!

Joe presented the chief with a portion of these coveted goods and tied
up the remainder. We may remark here, that the only thing which
prevented the savages from taking possession of the whole at once,
without asking permission, was the promise of the annual gifts, which
they knew would not be forthcoming were any evil to befall the deputies
of the Pale-faces. Nevertheless, it cost them a severe struggle to
restrain their hands on this occasion, and Joe and his companions felt
that they would have to play their part well in order to fulfil their
mission with safety and credit.

"The Pale-faces may go now and talk with the braves," said
San-it-sa-rish, after carefully examining everything that was given to
him; "a council will be called soon, and we will smoke the pipe of
peace."

Accepting this permission to retire, the hunters immediately left the
tent, and being now at liberty to do what they pleased, they amused
themselves by wandering about the village.

"He's a cute chap that," remarked Joe, with a sarcastic smile; "I don't
feel quite easy about gettin' away. He'll bother the life out o' us to
get all the goods we've got, and, ye see, as we've other tribes to
visit, we must give away as little as we can here."

"Ha! you is right," said Henri; "dat fellow's eyes twinkle at de knives
and tings like two stars."

"Fire-flies, ye should say. Stars are too soft an' beautiful to compare
to the eyes o' yon savage," said Dick, laughing. "I wish we were well
away from them. That rascal Mahtawa is an ugly customer."

"True, lad," returned Joe; "had _he_ bin the great chief our scalps had
bin dryin' in the smoke o' a Pawnee wigwam afore now. What now, lad?"

Joe's question was put in co