Chapter 18 - Page 2

there, if you wish to live any longer as a

people."

Kosato took him at his word; for he knew the character of his

native tribe. Hastening back with his band to the Nez Perces

village, he told all that he had seen and heard, and urged the

most prompt and strenuous measures for defence. The Nez Perces,

however, heard him with their accustomed phlegm; the threat of

the Blackfeet had been often made, and as often had proved a mere

bravado; such they pronounced it to be at present, and, of

course, took no precautions.

They were soon convinced that it was no empty menace. In a few

days a band of three hundred Blackfeet warriors appeared upon the

hills. All now was consternation in the village. The force of

the Nez Perces was too small to cope with the enemy in open

fight; many of the young men having gone to their relatives on

the Columbia to procure horses. The sages met in hurried council.

What was to be done to ward off a blow which threatened

annihilation? In this moment of imminent peril, a Pierced-nose

chief, named Blue John by the whites, offered to approach

secretly with a small, but chosen band, through a defile which

led to the encampment of the enemy, and, by a sudden onset, to

drive off the horses. Should this blow be successful, the spirit

and strength of the invaders would be broken, and the Nez Perces,

having horses, would be more than a match for them. Should it

fail, the village would not be worse off than at present, when

destruction appeared inevitable.

Twenty-nine of the choicest warriors instantly volunteered to

follow Blue John in this hazardous enterprise. They prepared for

it with the solemnity and devotion peculiar to the tribe. Blue

John consulted his medicine, or talismanic charm, such as every

chief keeps in his lodge as a supernatural protection. The oracle

assured him that his enterprise would be completely successful,

provided no rain should fall before he had passed through the

defile; but should it rain, his band would be utterly cut off.

The day was clear and bright; and Blue John anticipated that the

skies would be propitious. He departed in high spirits with his

forlorn hope; and never did band of braves make a more gallant

display-horsemen and horses being decorated and equipped in the

fiercest and most glaring style - glittering with arms and

ornaments, and fluttering with feathers.

The weather continued serene until they reached the defile; but

just as they were entering it a black cloud rose over the

mountain crest, and there was a sudden shower. The warriors