members of the council, and sent them away in a particularly amiable frame of mind.
Pee-eye-em burst the blue surtout at the shoulders and elbows in putting it on, as it was much too small for his gigantic frame; but never having seen such an article of apparel before, he either regarded this as the natural and proper consequence of putting it on, or was totally indifferent to it, for he merely looked at the rents with a smile of satisfaction, while his squaw surreptitiously cut off the two back buttons and thrust them into her bosom.
By the time the council closed night was far advanced, and a bright moon was shedding a flood of soft light over the picturesque and busy scene.
“I’ll go to the Injun camp,” said Joe to Walter Cameron, as the chiefs rose to depart. “The season’s far enough advanced already. It’s time to be off; and if I’m to speak for the Redskins in the Blackfeet Council, I’d need to know what to say.”
“Please yourself. Master Blunt,” answered Cameron. “I like your company and that of your friends, and if it suited you I would be glad to take you along with us to the coast of the Pacific; but your mission among the Indians is a good one, and I’ll help it on all I can. I suppose you will go also?” he added, turning to Dick Varley, who was still seated beside the council fire.
“Wherever Joe goes, I go,” answered Dick.
Crusoe’s tail, ears, and eyes demonstrated high approval of the sentiment involved in this speech.
“And your friend Henri?”
“He goes too,” answered Joe. “It’s as well that the Redskins should see the three o’ us before we start for the east side o’ the mountains. Ho, Henri, come here, lad.”
Henri obeyed, and in a few seconds the three friends crossed the brook to the Indian camp, and were guided to the principal lodge by Pee-eye-em. Here a great council was held, and the proposed attempt at negotiations for peace with their ancient enemies fully discussed. While they were thus engaged, and just as Pee-eye-em had, in the energy of an enthusiastic peroration, burst the blue surtout almost up to the collar, a distant rushing sound was heard, which caused every man to spring to his feet, run out of the tent, and seize his weapons.
“What can it be, Joe?” whispered Dick, as they stood at the tent door leaning on their rifles and listening intently.
