nry Ware,
Thomas floss, and Solomon Hyde had disappeared. In their places were Big
Fox, Brown Bear, and The Bat, Shawnee warriors who bore belts to the Miami
village, and who would talk about the war to be made upon the white
intruders far to the south of the Ohio.

Shortly before noon Big Fox, Brown Bear, and The Bat approached the Miami
village, pitched in a pleasant valley, where wood and water were in
plenty. Then they uttered the long whoop of the Shawnees, and it was
answered from the Miami village; but Big Fox, Brown Bear, and The Bat,
assured of a welcome, never stopped, keeping straight on for the village.
Squaws and children clustered around them, and openly spoke their
admiration of the three stalwart, splendidly proportioned warriors who had
come from the friendly tribe; but Big Fox, Brown Bear, and The Bat, in
accordance with the Indian nature, took no notice. It was only warriors
and chiefs to whom they would condescend to speak, and they were silent
and expressionless until the right moment should come. They passed
straight through the swarm of old men, women, children, and dogs, toward
the center of the village, where a long, low cabin of poles stood. An
ancient and reverend figure stood in the doorway to meet them. It was that
of Gray Beaver, head chief of the Miamis, an old, old man, gray with years
and wise like the beaver, from which he took his name.

"My Shawnee brethren are welcome to the Council House," he said. "You have
come far, and you shall rest, and the squaws shall bring you food before
we talk."

"It is sufficient to us to see the great and wise chief, Gray Beaver,"
said Henry. "Though we come from a long journey, it makes us strong and
brave again."

The old chief bowed, but his grave features did not relax. Nevertheless,
he was pleased in his secret soul at the gallant bearing and polite words
of the young warrior who addressed them. He led the way into the Council
House, and a half dozen underchiefs followed them, hiding their interest
beneath their painted masks of faces.

The Council House was large--fifty warriors could have sat in it--and
robes of the buffalo, beaver, and other animals were spread about. Big
Fox, Brown Bear, and The Bat sat down gravely, each upon a mat of skins,
and were served by the warriors with food and drink, which the squaws had
brought to the door, but beyond which they could not pass. The three
Shawnee belt bearers ate and drank in silence and dignity