depth of a broad valley, where there was a semblance to a
trail which had been made by bison or other animals on their way to
water, that Chief Amokeat drew up and awaited the approach of the
Shawanoe. The latter, as was his custom, made a half-military salute,
and, without any more preliminaries came to the point. He used the
Blackfoot tongue, which was familiar to the Nez Perce.

"Deerfoot seeks his horse. Where is he?"

Amokeat must have expected the question, for he shook his head and
answered in the language of the Blackfeet:

"Amokeat is grieved to tell Deerfoot he will never see the horse he
loves again. It saddens the heart of Amokeat, but he speaks with a
single tongue."

"Is my horse dead?"

"That Amokeat does not know. Yesterday the Assiniboines took him from
us, and they are now far on their way to their villages."

"Why did Amokeat take my horse from where Deerfoot had left him? Why
did he not wait until he could see Deerfoot and ask him. He has stolen
my horse."

This was a pointed charge, but Deerfoot could not wholly curb his
anger. The chief, however, did not seem to feel the sting of the words,
though more than one of his warriors, who had drawn up their horses and
were looking on and listening, showed resentment.

Amokeat now proceeded to tell in his own way what had befallen him and
his companions. He said they had started out for a hunt, though
expecting to have an encounter with some of their enemies before their
return. At a point about a hundred miles to the northeast, while riding
through a canyon, they were suddenly attacked by fully a hundred red
men, whom they recognized as Assiniboines that were a long way from
their hunting grounds.

While it is more than likely the Nez Perce leader exaggerated the
number of his assailants, no doubt they were superior to the smaller
company. The latter put up a brave fight, but before they could
extricate themselves from the trap five of their number were shot from
their horses. This statement showed that originally the Nez Perces
numbered more than a score.

Amokeat was on the back of Whirlwind, who carried him off with such
amazing speed that he was soon separated from his warriors. Deerfoot's
lips curled when he heard this statement, for to him it was a proof of
the cowardice of the chief. The party had no time to recover the bodies
of their fallen comrades, who were left to be scalped and despoiled by
the victors, the stray horses also pas