f land
including the clearing to which Ree had referred, and as much of the
river valley and adjacent hillsides as they reasonably needed, in
exchange for articles to be selected from their stock of goods.

By close attention Ree had been able to understand the matter fairly
well, but as the talk of the Indians had seemed so monotonous, John had
let his thoughts run to other subjects. He had been wondering what had
become of the scalp they had seen at Big Buffalo's belt the day before,
and whether Tom Fish really knew the person whose death it signified; and
if so, who that person might be. He did not know then, all that he came
to know afterward.

With hand-shaking all around the council was concluded, and Capt. Pipe
conducted the boys to the feast which the squaws had been preparing.
There was broiled venison (without salt) and a sort of soup containing
broken corn and beans cooked together in a large kettle.

Nearly all of the Indians who had been in the council partook of these
dainties and many others did likewise. Ree and John ate heartily though
they did not exactly relish the lack of cleanliness displayed by the
savages in their manner of cooking, and in their eating.

The squaws and Indian boys and girls, and many a young brave for that
matter, watched the young Palefaces curiously, and their eyes followed
the lads closely as Capt. Pipe led them away to his own bark cabin. It
was then that John first saw Gentle Maiden, Capt. Pipe's daughter. She
was truly handsome for one of her race, but she stepped behind a screen
of skins and was gone before Ree had even noticed her.

The chief of the Delawares told the boys to make themselves comfortable,
and a squaw, who seemed to be his wife, spread skins for them to sit upon
or lie upon, as they chose. Capt. Pipe then gave his guests to understand
that they might come and go as they chose and remain with him as long as
they wished. He then withdrew and presently the boys did go for a stroll
about the queer town of the Indians. Fortunately they met Fishing Bird
and he walked all about with them then, leading the way to a fire before
which a game like dice was being played.

The seeds of wild plums, colored black on one side and scraped white on
the other, were shaken up in a box made of bark and thrown out upon a
smooth spot on the ground. The Indians endeavored to throw as many as
possible of the seeds with the white sides up, and he who did the best at
this, won t