are-ree-kas do not cross the mountains but for
the purpose of making war."

"The chief speaks truth," returned Joe, "yet there are three men round
the council-fire who will go to the Blackfeet and the Peigans with
messages of peace from the Snakes if they wish it."

Joe pointed to himself, Henri, and Dick as he spoke, and added, "We
three do not belong to the camp of the fur-traders; we only lodge with
them for a time. The Great Chief of the white men has sent us to make
peace with the Red-men, and to tell them that he desires to trade with
them--to exchange hatchets, and guns, and blankets for furs."

This declaration interested the two chiefs greatly, and after a good
deal of discussion they agreed to take advantage of Joe Blunt's offer,
and appoint him as a deputy to the court of their enemies. Having
arranged these matters to their satisfaction, Cameron bestowed a red
flag and a blue surtout with brass buttons on each of the chiefs, and a
variety of smaller articles on the other members of the council, and
sent them away in a particularly amiable frame of mind.

Pee-eye-em burst the blue surtout at the shoulders and elbows in putting
it on, as it was much too small for his gigantic frame, but, never
having seen such an article of apparel before, he either regarded this
as the natural and proper consequence of putting it on, or was totally
indifferent to it, for he merely looked at the rents with a smile of
satisfaction, while his squaw surreptitiously cut off the two back
buttons and thrust them into her bosom.

By the time the council closed the night was far advanced, and a bright
moon was shedding a flood of soft light over the picturesque and busy
scene.

"I'll go to the Injun camp," said Joe to Walter Cameron, as the chiefs
rose to depart. "The season's far enough advanced already; it's time to
be off; and if I'm to speak for the Red-skins in the Blackfeet Council,
I'd need to know what to say."

"Please yourself, Master Blunt," answered Cameron. "I like your company
and that of your friends, and if it suited you I would be glad to take
you along with us to the coast of the Pacific; but your mission among
the Indians is a good one, and I'll help it on all I can. I suppose you
will go also?" he added, turning to Dick Varley, who was still seated
beside the council-fire caressing Crusoe.

"Wherever Joe goes, I go," answered Dick.

Crusoe's tail, ears and eyes demonstrated high approval of the senti