Just before the sailors and soldiers commenced their march to the river a strange and curious thing occurred.
There came emissaries from the hill tribes of the Wild West seeking an interview with Colonel Fraser.
The men, who were as wild-looking as any savages ever seen, and armed with spears and strong shields, looked nevertheless far from unpleasant.
The colonel was found after a little delay, and then the interpreter.
The first thing these strange men did was to lay their spears and their shields at the colonel's feet, then they grovelled, head down, in the dust, which, as they muttered some strange words, they mingled with their bushy heads of hair.
"Tell them to rise," said Colonel Fraser. "I cannot spare long time in ceremony."
The savage emissaries arose at once and stood before him.
"What can I do for you, my men?" said the commandant.
Their answer was so voluble that even the interpreter could not for a time understand it.