Chapter 28

The witch, in Smithfield, shall be burned to ashes, And you three
shall be strangled on the gallows.
--Shakspeare.

The Siouxes had awaited the issue of the foregoing dialogue with
commendable patience. Most of the band were restrained, by the secret
awe with which they regarded the mysterious character of Obed; while a
few of the more intelligent chiefs gladly profited by the opportunity,
to arrange their thoughts for the struggle that was plainly foreseen.
Mahtoree, influenced by neither of these feelings, was content to show
the trapper how much he conceded to his pleasure; and when the old man
discontinued the discourse, he received from the chief a glance, that
was intended to remind him of the patience, with which he had awaited
his movements. A profound and motionless silence succeeded the short
interruption. Then Mahtoree arose, evidently prepared to speak. First
placing himself in an attitude of dignity, he turned a steady and
severe look on the whole assembly. The expression of his eye, however,
changed as it glanced across the different countenances of his
supporters and of his opponents. To the former the look, though stern,
was not threatening, while it seemed to tell the latter all the
hazards they incurred, in daring to brave the resentment of one so
powerful.

Still, in the midst of so much hauteur and confidence, the sagacity
and cunning of the Teton did not desert him. When he had thrown the
gauntlet, as it were, to the whole tribe, and sufficiently asserted
his claim to superiority, his mien became more affable and his eye
less angry. Then it was that he raised his voice, in the midst of a
death-like stillness, varying its tones to suit the changing character
of his images, and of his eloquence.

"What is a Sioux?" the chief sagaciously began; "he is ruler of the
prairies, and master of its beasts. The fishes in the 'river of
troubled waters' know him, and come at his call. He is a fox in
counsel; an eagle in sight; a grizzly bear in combat. A Dahcotah is a
man!" After waiting for the low murmur of approbation, which followed
this flattering portrait of his people, to subside, the Teton
continued--"What is a Pawnee? A thief, who only steals from women; a
Red-skin, who is not brave; a hunter, that begs for his venison. In
counsel he is a squirrel, hopping from place to place; he is an owl,
that goes on the prairies at night; in battle he is an elk, whose legs
are long. A Pawnee is a woman." Another pause succeeded, during which
a yell of delight broke from several mouths, and a demand was made,
that the taunting words should be translated to the unconscious
subject of their biting contempt. The old man took his cue from the
eyes of