h I was
too far off to hear distinctly, though the sound of his voice reached my
ears. He was praying,--of that I could have no doubt,--and these
trumpery scarecrows were his idols. I could not have supposed that a man
of good sense, as he appeared to be, could be the victim of a
superstition so gross and contemptible.

He continued standing for some time, making various signs, and uttering
words as before.

Unwilling to be discovered, now that I was fully awake, I was on the
point of retreating, when the sound of my footfall reached his ears, and
turning round he saw me. I did not wish that he should fancy I was
afraid of encountering him, so I at once advanced, and told him frankly
how I came to follow him. I assured him, also, that I had had no
intention of acting as a spy on his movements. As he appeared to be in
no way displeased, I asked him, while we were walking back to the camp,
whether he had really been worshipping the figures I had seen.

"Why not?" he inquired in a serious tone. "The times are full of danger
and difficulty, and I wished to obtain the protection and support of the
guardian spirits of our people. If I did not ask them, how could I
expect them to grant me what I want? While I was staying at Roaring
Water, I heard your uncle pray to your gods; and I suppose that you
expected them to give you what you asked for."

I tried to explain to him that there is but one God, the Great Spirit of
whom his people knew, though they were sadly ignorant of his character;
and that we never prayed to inferior beings, as our God would not allow
us to do so. Much more I said, though at the time with little effect;
indeed, the chief was as deeply sunk in the grossest superstition as are
the Indian tribes among whom the gospel light has not yet shone.

[Illustration: WINNEMAK AND HIS IDOLS.]

On reaching his tent, he bade me lie down again, observing that he would
talk over the matter another day.

The next morning I was surprised to find that Maysotta had not returned.
Still, her father appeared to feel no anxiety about her.

The sun had been up a couple of hours or so when I heard shouts in the
camp, and the chief with all his braves hurried out. They went to
welcome the return of a party of their warriors, who marched in singing
and shouting,--the leading men having three or four scalps at the end of
their spears, while among them were dragged three or four unfortunate
Arrapahas, whom they had captured,