the group of anxious and expectant chiefs.

This individual, a man of tall stature, was powerfully
made. He wore a jerkin, or hunting-coat, of leather; and
his arms were, a rifle which had every appearance of
having just been discharged, a tomahawk reeking with
blood, and a scalping-knife, which, in the hurry of some
recent service it had been made to perform, had missed
its sheath, and was thrust naked into the belt that
encircled his loins. His countenance wore an expression
of malignant triumph; and as his eye fell on the assembled
throng, its self-satisfied and exulting glance seemed to
give them to understand he came not without credentials
to recommend him to their notice. Captain de Haldimar
was particularly struck by the air of bold daring and
almost insolent recklessness pervading every movement of
this man; and it was difficult to say whether the
haughtiness of bearing peculiar to Ponteac himself, was
not exceeded by that of this herculean warrior.

By the body of chiefs his appearance had been greeted
with a mere general grunt of approbation; but the
countenance of the leader expressed a more personal
interest. All seemed to expect he had something of moment
to communicate; but as it was not consistent with the
dignity of Indian etiquette to enquire, they waited calmly
until it should please their new associate to enter on
the history of his exploits. In pursuance of an invitation
from Ponteac, he now took his seat on the right hand of
that chief, and immediately facing the tree, from which