conical shape. A
number of women were seated in front of the huts, while children were
playing about. On one side, the ground had been turned up, evidently
for the reception of Indian corn or other seed, while stretched between
poles were the skins of animals, the bodies of others being hung up over
fires to dry in the smoke. As soon as the chief was seen, the women
rose from their seats, and a number of men came out of the tents to
welcome him. He introduced Wenlock in a few words, which the latter did
not understand.

"Come," said the chief, "wigwam ready. You rest;" and leading him to an
unoccupied hut, he pointed to the interior, the floor of which was
covered with a number of handsomely-woven mats. On one side was a pile
of small twigs and leaves. This was spread out, and a mat placed on the
top of it. The chief then made signs to Wenlock that he should rest
there. He seemed well-pleased when Wenlock threw himself down on the
couch.

"There; you rest," he said. "No harm come to white skin;" and, covering
him with a mat, he retired, drawing a curtain across the entrance of the
wigwam. Wenlock slept soundly for some hours, feeling perfectly secure
under the protection of the chief. On awaking, he found that it was
already dark, but the sounds of voices outside the wigwam showed him
that the Indians had not yet retired to rest. On drawing aside the
curtain, he saw several fires lighted, over which women were presiding
with pots and spits, on which birds and small animals were being cooked.
Close to the entrance a warrior was seated on a mat, as if keeping
guard. No sooner did he observe Wenlock, than he rose up and ran off,
apparently to inform the chief that his guest was awake. Taminent soon
after appeared, and invited Wenlock to take his seat on the ground.
Immediately several women came up with various dishes of roast and
boiled food, with cakes of maize. Pure water, poured from a skin
bottle, was their only beverage. Happily the fire-water had not yet
been introduced among the red men,--that fearful poison which has
destroyed thousands and tens of thousands of their race. While the
chief and his guest were seated at their repast, an Indian came up to
them, and addressed the former, who, in return, apparently gave some
directions. Wenlock observed the Indians employed in making a couple of
rough litters, with which a party of them started away. In a short time
they returned, bearing between t