The Indians, and especially the Apaches, have a frenzied passion for strong liquors; the Comanches alone are teetotallers. Hitherto, they have succeeded in refraining from that mournful tendency to intoxication, which decimates and brutalizes their brothers.
Lanzi followed with a cunning look the evolutions of the Redskins, who crowded round the tables, drank deeply, and emptied the botas placed before them; their eyes were beginning to sparkle, their features were animated; they spoke loudly all at once, no longer knowing what they said, and only thinking about becoming intoxicated.
Suddenly the half-breed felt a hand laid on his shoulder.
He turned.
An Indian was standing with folded arms in front of him.
"What do you want?" he asked him.
"Blue-fox is a Chief," the Indian answered, "and has to speak with the Paleface."
"Is not Blue-fox satisfied with the way in which I have received him and his companions?"
"It is not that; the warriors are drinking, and the Chief wants something else."
"Ah," the half-breed said, "I am vexed, for I have given you all I had."