kees of all ages
that had gathered on the steep acclivities to overlook the game--some
ranged on the terrace or turfy ridge around the chungke-yard, formed by
the earth thrown out when the depressed area was delved down long ago,
others disposed beneath the spreading trees, others still, precariously
perched on clifty promontories beetling out from the sharp ascent. Above
all, Chilhowee Mountain, aflare with the scarlet glow of its autumnal
woods, touched the blue sky. The river, of a kindred blue, with a
transient steely change under the shadow of a cloud, showed flashes of
white foam, for the winds were rushing down from the Great Smoky
Mountains, which were revealed for an instant in a clear hard azure
against the pearl-tinted horizon--then again only a mirage, an illusion,
a dream of stupendous ranges in the shimmering mist.

In the idle, sylvan, tribal life of that date, one hundred and fifty
years ago, it might seem that there was scant duty recognized, imposing
serious occupation, to debar the population of Tennessee Town from
witnessing the long-drawn game, which was continued sometimes half the
day by the same hardy young warriors, indefatigable despite the hot sun
and the tense exercise, straining every muscle. A few old women, their
minds intent upon the preparation of dinner, a few of the very young
children, relishing their own pottering devices as of a finer flavor of
sport, a few old men, like other old men elsewhere, with thoughts of the
past so vivid that the present could show but a pallid aspect--these
were absent, and were not missed. For the most part, however, the little
dwellings were vacant. The usual groups of loungers had deserted the
public buildings, which consisted of a bark-and-log house of three
rooms, or divisions, at each angle of the "beloved square," and in which
were transacted the business affairs of the town;--one, painted red, was
the "war-cabin," whence arms, ammunition, etc., were distributed, the
divisions implying distinctions as to rank among the warriors; another,
painted white, was devoted to the priestcraft of the "beloved men"--head
men of note, conjurers, and prophets; the cabin of the aged councilors
faced the setting sun, as an intimation that their wars were ended and
their day done; and in the fourth cabin met the "second men," as the
traders called the subordinate authorities who conducted municipal
affairs, so to speak--the community labor of raising houses, and layi