omposing these tribes were as follows:--The Shoshones
amounting to about 60,000, independent of the mountain tribes, which we
might compute at 10,000 more; the Apaches, about 40,000; the Arrapahoes,
about 20,000; the Comanches and the tribes springing from them, at the
lowest computation, amounting to 60,000 more. Speaking the same
language, having the same religious formula, the same manners and
customs; nothing appeared to me to be more feasible. The Arrapahoes were
the only one tribe which was generally at variance with us, but they
were separated from the Shoshones much later than the other tribes, and
were therefore even more Shoshone than the Apaches and Comanches.

Shortly after my return, I acted upon my resolution. I summoned all the
chiefs of our nation to a great council, and in the month of August,
1839, we were all assembled outside of the walls of the settlement.
After the preliminary ceremonies, I addressed them:--

"Shoshones! brave children of the Grand Serpent! my wish is to render
you happy, rich, and powerful. During the day I think of it; I dream of
it in my sleep. At last, I have had great thoughts--thoughts proceeding
from the Manitou. Hear now the words of Owato Wanisha; he is young, very
young; his skin is that of a Pale-face, but his heart is a Shoshone's.

"When you refused to till the ground, you did well, for it was not in
your nature--the nature of man cannot be changed like that of a moth.
Yet, at that time, you understood well the means which give power to a
great people. Wealth alone can maintain the superiority that bravery has
asserted. Wealth and bravery make strength--strength which nothing can
break down, except the great Master of Life.

"The Shoshones knew this a long time ago; they are brave, but they have
no wealth; and if they still keep their superiority, it is because their
enemies are at this time awed by the strength and the cunning of their
warriors. But the Shoshones, to keep their ground, will some day be
obliged to sleep always on their borders, to repel their enemies. They
will be too busy to fish and to hunt. Their squaws and children will
starve! Even now the evil has begun. What hunting and what fishing have
you had this last year? None! As soon as the braves had arrived at their
hunting-ground, they were obliged to return back to defend their squaws
and to punish their enemies.

"Now, why should not the Shoshones put themselves at once above the
reach of such c