have no father. All glad to come into good lodge. Have plenty
meat. Plenty nice blanket. Old warrior make 'em behave, too. Good
for squaw."

The notion of Many Bears was one that fitted him very well, for as
chief of the band it was his duty to keep an eye upon the fortunes of
its "orphans." There could be no better "asylum" for one of them than
the lodge of a wise old brave like Send Warning.

"No," said Murray, after a moment of silence. "Only one young squaw in
camp for me. The great chief must let me have Rita."

Many Bears was as nearly startled as an Indian chief could be by the
sudden and daring proposal, although it was not at all the same as if
Murray had spoken of Ni-ha-be. He pondered a moment, and then shook
his head.

"Rita will be the squaw of a great chief. He will bring me many
ponies. Heap give."

Any chief in want of a wife would expect to bring rich presents, all
the richer if he were to come for the daughter of a great man like Many
Bears. Something far beyond the power of a seemingly poor warrior like
Send Warning.

"Good," said Murray, calmly. "Heap give. Suppose you say what you
think? How big heap?"

There was a grim smile on the face of Many Bears as he turned and
looked in the face of his friend. "How much? Ugh! Suppose big chief
bring fifty ponies?"

"Good," said Murray. "Go on."

"Fifty new blanket?"

"Good. All right."

"Five new gun. Fifty knife. Much heap powder. Big roll cloth for
squaws. What say?"

"Good. All right."

"Much pistol, too. Suppose chief think of something more?"

"All right. Send Warning give it all."

"Ugh! No got 'em. No find 'em. Send Warning laugh at chief. Bad."

There was an offended look in his eyes, but Murray laid his hand on his
arm, saying,

"Listen! Send Warning is white. He is a great man among his own
people. He can give heap to chief. Can't find all here. Out on
plains. Up in mountains. Go to fort. See blue-coat chief. See
traders. Get all he wants there."

"Ugh! Good. Make talking leaf. Send it to fort. Young brave carry
it. All things come back."

Many Bears had seen something of that kind done, and had never ceased
envying the white man's power to obtain presents by means of a little
piece of paper. Murray replied,

"No. Send Warning in no hurry. Wait till we get to fort."

That would not be for many days; and the more Many Bears thought of all
the good things he had mentioned