ends of Mul-tal-la and lived in the same primitive settlement with
him. After Mul-tal-la had made known the sad fate of his companion in
the East, an earnest talk took place and the decision was made that it
would not only be imprudent but dangerous to the last degree for the
Blackfoot to return home, taking with him the first announcement of the
deplorable accident that had robbed the tribe of one of its best
warriors.

Taggarak, the leading war chief, was a terrible sachem, who, on the
principle that has ruled for centuries in China, would put Mul-tal-la
to death, even though he was wholly blameless of neglect or wrongdoing.
It was agreed that our friends should push on to the westward, and then
come back to the Blackfoot settlement, where the Shawanoe and the
brothers would spend the winter, resuming their homeward journey with
the coming of spring.

This would defer the arrival of Mul-tal-la for two or three months,
which his two friends would utilize the best they could. Taggarak would
have time for the cooling of his resentful rage, and it was to be hoped
that he would appreciate the service of Mul-tal-la, who, young as he
was, had proved himself one of the bravest of warriors. The plan was a
wise one and it worked well.

The two messengers had a story of absorbing interest to tell. They
hinted at the remarkable experience of their comrade among his own race
and the white people, hundreds of miles toward the rising sun. They
said that when he came to the village he would bring with him a member
of the chief tribe of the East and two pale-faced youths, who would
honor the Blackfeet by accepting their hospitality for the winter.
There was something in this fact that appealed to that chivalric
feeling which is never wholly lacking in the most degraded and cruel
race. Taggarak had little to say, but the path to his magnanimity had
been paved.

One of the chief causes of this relaxation of sternness on his part was
the accounts which he heard of the Indian youth. His fleetness of foot,
his skill with bow and rifle, his personal daring and prowess, his
quickness and strength, his comeliness of face and form, were dwelt
upon and pictured in the most glowing language. The chieftain
Taggarak's question of the messengers was characteristic, as was their
reply.

"Are all the warriors of the Shawanoes like this youth of whom you tell
these strange stories?"

"The Shawanoes are no braver than the Blackfeet, but there i