Bright-eye did not consider it advisable to reply to this insinuation, and continued smoking philosophically, while casting a side-glance at his questioner.
"The Blackfeet have the eye of the eagle," Natah Otann continued, "their piercing eyes see all that happens on the prairie."
The Canadian made a sign of assent, but did not yet reply; the chief continued:—
"Natah Otann has seen the trail of his friends the palefaces, his heart quivered with pleasure in his breast, and he has come to meet them."
Bright-eye slowly removed his pipe from his lips, and turning towards the Indian, examined him carefully for an instant, and then answered—
"I repeat to my brother that he is welcome: I know that he is a great chief, and am happy to see him."
"Wah!" the Indian said, with a cunning smile: "is my brother so satisfied as he says at my presence?"
"Why not, chief?"
"My brother is angry still that the Blackfeet fastened him to the stake of torture."
The Canadian shrugged his shoulders contemptuously, and coldly answered:—