The gold fillet adorned with two buffalo horns, placed on the Black Bear's brow, caused him to be recognised by all, and the liveliest joy was evinced on his passage. He at length reached the river's bank. On arriving there he made a sign to a man fishing a short distance off in a canoe; the latter hastened up, and the chief passed over to the island. A hut of branches had been prepared for him. It is probable that invisible sentinels were watching for his arrival, for the moment he set foot on land, a chief called the Little Panther presented himself before him.
"The great chief is welcome among his brothers," he said, bowing courteously before the Black Bear. "Has my father had a good journey?"
"I have had a good journey, I thank my brother."
"If my father consents I will lead him to jacal built to receive him."
"Let us go," the chief said.
The Little Panther bowed a second time, and guided the chief along a path formed through the shrubs. They soon arrived at a jacal, which, in the mind of the Indians, offered the ideal of what was comfortable, through its size, the brilliancy of the colours with which it was painted, and its cleanliness.
"My father is at home," the Little Panther said, respectfully raising the fresada (blanket) which closed the jacal, and falling back to let the Black Bear pass. The latter entered.
"My brother will follow me," he said.
The Little Panther walked in behind him, and let the curtain fall. This abode did not in any way differ from that of the other Indians. A fire burned in the centre. The Black Bear made a sign to the other chief to sit down on a buffalo skull. He then chose one for himself, and sat down near the fire. After a moment's silence, employed by the two chiefs in smoking gravely, the Black Bear addressed the Little Panther:—
"Are the chiefs of all the tribes of our nation collected on the island as I ordered?"