and the other chiefs are kings of all their tribes. The
head of one great people should be received only by the
head of another great people!"

"Our father sits in the council-hall," returned the major.
"He has taken his seat, that he may receive the warriors
with becoming honour. But I am the second chief, and our
father has sent me to receive them."

To the proud spirit of the Indian this explanation scarcely
sufficed. For a moment he seemed to struggle, as if
endeavouring to stifle his keen sense of an affront put
upon him. At length he nodded his head haughtily and
condescendingly, in token of assent; and gathering up
his noble form, and swelling out his chest, as if with
a view to strike terror as well as admiration into the
hearts of those by whom he expected to be surrounded,
stalked majestically forward at the head of his
confederates.

An indifferent observer, or one ignorant of these people,
would have been at fault; but those who understood the
workings of an Indian's spirit could not have been deceived
by the tranquil exterior of these men. The rapid, keen,
and lively glance--the suppressed sneer of exultation--the
half start of surprise--the low, guttural, and almost
inaudible "Ugh!"--all these indicated the eagerness with
which, at one sly but compendious view, they embraced
the whole interior of a fort which it was of such vital
importance to their future interests they should become