asionally they would bring their tomahawks circling round
their heads as if to sink them in their skulls; and then with savage
gestures retreat and make the forest ring with their howls of rage. For
three days they were hurried on deeper and deeper into the wilderness,
now passing over broad level prairies, then plunging into swamps and
deep ravines; anon climbing precipices, rugged mountains, and then
passing over the deeply shaded valley, through which streamlets sung
year after year their sweet songs of peace and love.

The third day, towards night, as they were going through a thick
coppice that skirted a prairie they had just crossed, they were
surprised by a party of Pah-Utah Indians, and after a short but fierce
engagement, in which the Tabagauches were completely cut up, the
captives fell into the hands of the victors. They had eaten but very
little since they were captured, and faint and exhausted from their
sufferings, they hailed any change with joy. The Pah-Utahs treated them
with great kindness, washed and dressed their wounds, presented them
with parched corn and dried meat, and fitted them a bed of ferns and
dried leaves to sleep upon. They were congratulating themselves on
their happy change, when they saw with horror, the Indians roast and
devour with great avidity the dead Tabagauches: they were at the mercy
of cannibals! Late in the night the revolting feast was prolonged, and
then all was still, save the soft tread of their guard, as he hovered
around them. The next morning a deer was given them which had been just
killed, and they were shown a large fire, and given to understand they
were to cook and eat it. This they did with very good appetites, and,
together with the parched corn, made a savory repast. When this was
done, they were placed on horses and driven on, now taking a south-west
direction. Though treated very kindly, their wants anticipated, and
provided for, yet they were given to understand that an attempt to
escape would be punished with death by fire.

Whirlwind told his fellow captives that their safest way was to assume
an air of indifference, and even gaiety, in order to deceive their
captors, and impress them with the idea that they had no hope of
escaping. "There is a possibility that we may throw them off their
guard and slip away, if we are cunning, at stratagems; but, should we
fail, they will eat us without further delay."

Accordingly they rallied their drooping spirits, a