mountains. Since that the leaves of the oaks have grown and died eighty
times. It is a long while for a man, but for a nation it is but as
yesterday.

"They are our children,--it would be good to have them with us; they
would share our hunts; we would divide our wealth with them. Then we
would be strong. Owato Wanisha has spoken well; he hath learned many
mysteries with the _Macota Conaya_ (black robes, priests); he is wise.
Yet, as I have said, the red-skin chiefs must ask wisdom from the Great
Master. He will let us know what is good and what is bad. At the next
moon we will return to the council. I have said."

All the chiefs departed, to prepare for their fasting and ceremonies,
while Gabriel, Roche, my old servant, and myself, concerted our measures
so as to insure the success of my enterprise. My servant I despatched to
Monterey, Gabriel to the nearest village of the Apaches, and as it was
proper, according to Indian ideas, that I should be out of the way
during the ceremonies, so as not to influence any chief, I retired with
Roche to the boat-house, to pass the time until the new moon.

Upon the day agreed upon, we were all once more assembled at the
council-ground on the shores of the Buona Ventura, The chiefs and elders
of the tribe had assumed a solemn demeanour, and even the men of dark
deeds (the Médecins) and the keepers of the sacred lodges had made their
appearance, in their professional dresses, so as to impress upon the
beholders the importance of the present transaction. One of the sacred
lodge first arose, and making a signal with his hand, prepared
to speak:--

"Shoshones," said he, "now has come the time in which out nation must