"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater."
After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few paces off at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,—
"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chief will be happy to procure you that pleasure."
"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter was alluding to.
Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rode silently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks.
"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, and longs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief, one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reserved the scent."
"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied, bowing with Indian gravity.
The Count thanked him.
"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "we shall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive my friends."
The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grew together, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The little party continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri, which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osier beds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pink flamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formed a bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for a fight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loading them; others preparing their bows and javelins.