snow, with
little knowledge of the country, was not to be thought of. As the
savages advanced I retreated, resolving to make a stand at my tent door.
At the same time I tried to show by signs that I could, if I liked,
kill two or three of them, but that I was ready for peace if they were.
At last I lowered my rifle from my shoulder, and they unstrung their
bows and advanced with outstretched hands towards me. Knowing their
treacherous character, however, of course I could not depend on them. I
bethought me that the best way to win their friendship was to offer them
food, as is practised in civilised communities with some success; so I
showed them the birds I had just killed, and intimated that I was going
to dress them for their entertainment. I produced several other
dainties, and my dried wolf's flesh. I also brought out some of my
mixed tobacco, though it was with intense reluctance I parted with it.
They expressed their satisfaction by several loud grunts, and then
squatted round in a circle outside the door of my tent. I made up my
fire, and soon had the prairie-hens and several pieces of meat roasting
on sticks before it, and a savoury stew cooking in my pot. I trusted
that I might be able to replenish my scanty stock of provisions, but I
knew, that, had I not given them with a good grace, my guests would
probably have taken them by force. I had begun to serve the banquet, at
which the red-skins were smacking their lips, and they were casting
approving and kindly glances at me, when I remembered my cask of brandy.
I knew that this would completely cement our friendship, but I intended
to give them only a little at a time to run no risk of intoxicating
them. I retired, therefore, to the back of the tent for the purpose of
drawing off a little in a bottle. While I was thus employed, one of
them put his head into the tent to see what I was about. As he did so,
his eye fell on the star of arrows over the head of my couch. A loud
exclamation made me turn round. I saw where his glance was directed.
My folly and want of forethought in a moment flashed across my mind.
All was lost, I perceived. The savages sprang up, and seizing me,
pointed to the arrows. I had nothing to say. Perhaps the expression of
my countenance betrayed me. Several held me tight while the others
spoke. Though I did not understand a word of their language, I could
not fail to comprehend the tenor of their speeches. Their action, the