g man to him, showed him the arrow-mark, and
sent him back to see how many of the dead buffalo showed arrows with
similar marks.

In time the messenger came back carrying a sheaf of arrows. Grinning,
he held up the fingers of two hands.

"Tell him that is nothing, Dorion," said Lewis. "We could have killed
many more if we had wished. We see that the Sioux can ride. Now, let
us see if they can talk at the council fire!"

The two leaders hastened to their own encampment to remove all traces
of the hunt. An hour later they emerged from their tents clad as
officers of the army, each in cocked hat and full uniform, with sword
at side.

With the fall of the sun, the drums sounded in the Indian village. The
criers passed along the street summoning the people to the feast,
summoning also the chiefs to the council lodge. Here the head men of
the village gathered, sitting about the little fire, the peace pipe
resting on a forked stick before them, waiting for the arrival of the
white chiefs--who could make the thunder come, who could make a strong
chief of black skin beat his head upon the ground; and who, moreover,
could ride stripped and strike the buffalo even as the Sioux.

The white leaders were in no haste to show themselves. They demanded
the full dignity of their station; but they came at last, their own
drum beating as they marched at the head of their men, all of whom
were in the uniform of the frontier.

York, selected as standard-bearer, bore the flag at the head of the
little band. Meriwether Lewis took it from him as they reached the
door of the council lodge, and thrust the staff into the soil, so that
it stood erect beside the lance and shield of Weucha, chief of the
Yanktonnais. Then, leaving their own men on guard without, the two
white chiefs stepped into the lodge, and, with not too much attention
to the chiefs sitting and waiting for them, took their own places in
the seat of honor. They removed their hats, shook free their
hair--which had been loosened from the cues; and so, in dignified
silence, not looking about them, they sat, their long locks spread out
on their shoulders.

Exclamations of excitement broke even from the dignified Sioux chiefs.
Clearly the appearance and the conduct of the two officers had made a
good impression. The circle eyed them with respect.

At length Meriwether Lewis, holding in his hand the great peace pipe
that he had brought, arose.

"Weucha," said he, Dorion interp