and who were, according to the Indian
custom, to be put to death. Among them, to my surprise and horror, was a
young squaw, who, if not beautiful according to my taste, was certainly
interesting-looking. She bore herself with as much fortitude,
apparently, as the men, although she knew that her fate would be the
same as theirs.

The chief had said nothing to me about Piomingo, and I now felt
satisfied that it was the intention of his people to sacrifice him with
the rest of the prisoners. I resolved, however, to plead for him, as
well as for them, and make special endeavours to save the life of the
young squaw. According to the savage Indian custom, she would be
barbarously tortured before being put to death. It seems strange that
human beings can take a pleasure in thus treating their
fellow-creatures; it shows how debased, how diabolically cruel, men can
become when they have once gone away from God. At present, however, the
braves were too much occupied in recounting their deeds of valour to
think of their prisoners, who were left bound, and guarded with
lynx-eyed watchfulness by some of the old squaws.

I found that this was only one of the parties of braves, and that
another was expected shortly with more prisoners. As far as I could
understand, these prisoners were said to be white men; but I concluded
that they were some of the Mexican outlaws who had accompanied the
Arrapahas on their marauding expedition.

While looking out for them, I saw a solitary figure, rifle in hand,
approaching the camp, whom I recognized as Maysotta, accompanied by her
dog Keokuk. I hastened to meet her, and told her of my anxiety at the
non-appearance of Clarice.

"If they do not come, I will go in search of them," she said.

She had killed a deer, so she sent off some of her people, under the
guidance of Keokuk, to bring it in. Her dog would, she said, lead them
to the spot.

Shortly afterwards, the second band, who were expected, made their
appearance in the distance, and, as before, the warriors hurried out to
meet them.

I was still talking to Maysotta, when I saw her look towards the
approaching party, and an expression of astonishment take possession of
her countenance.

"What have our braves been doing?" she said. "They have made a prisoner
of our friend the young white chief."

As she spoke, I looked in the same direction, and I too was greatly
astonished, and also much alarmed, at seeing Lieutenant Broadstreet,
wi