hom we had rescued
some days before, and it would be difficult to translate from their
glowing language their warm expressions of friendship and gratitude. We
learned from them, that before the return of the Cayugas from the
prairie they had concealed themselves in some crevices of the earth
until night, when they contrived to seize upon three of the horses, and
effect their escape. At the passage of the great chasm they had found
the old red sash of Roche, which they produced, asking at the same time
permission to keep it as a token from their Pale-face brothers. We shook
hands and exchanged pipes. How noble and warm is an Indian in
his feelings.

In the lodge we also perceived our friend of former days, "Opishka
Koaki" (the White Raven); but as he was about to address the assembly,
we restrained from renewing our acquaintance, and directed all our
attention to what was transacting. After the ordinary ceremonies,
Opishka Koaki commenced:--

"Warriors, I am glad you have so quickly understood my messages; but
when does a Comanche turn his back on receiving the vermilion from his
chief? Never! You know I called you for war, and you have come. 'Tis
well. Yet, though I am a chief, I am a man. I may mistake; I may now and
then strike a wrong path. I will do nothing, attempt nothing, without
knowing the thoughts of my brave warriors. Then hear me!

"There live under the sun a nation of Reds-kins, whose men are cowards,
never striking an enemy but when his back is turned, or when they number
a hundred to one. This nation crawls in the prairies about the great
chasms; they live upon carrion, and have no other horses but those they
can steal from the deer-hearted Watchinangoes. Do my warrior? know such
a people? Let them speak! I hear!"

At that moment a hundred voices shouted the name of Cayugas.

"I knew it!" exclaimed the chief, "there is but one such a people with a
red skin; my warriors are keen-sighted, they cannot be mistaken. Now, we
Comanches never take the scalp of a Cayuga any more than that of a
hedge-hog; we kick them out of our way when they cross our path; that's
all. Hear me, my braves, and believe me, though I will speak strange
words: these reptiles have thought that because we have not killed them
as toads and scorpions, it was because we were afraid of their poison.
One thousand Cayugas, among other prisoners, have taken eight Comanches;
they have eaten four of them, they would have eaten them all, but