"Well, then, let him close his ears as regards those the Great Spirit has set above him, and deliver the message I give him in the sachem's name."
While the Comanche was exchanging these few words with the sentry, several persons, drawn out of the palace by the unusual disturbance they heard, mingled with the crowd. Among them were several officers, one of whom advanced to the Indian horseman.
"What does my brother want?" he asked him.
The warrior saw at the first glance that this time he had to do with a chief. He bowed courteously, and answered.
"A deputation of the great Comanche nation desires to be introduced to my great white father."
"Good! But all the warriors cannot enter the palace," the officer said.
"My brother is right. Their chiefs alone will go in: their young men will await them here."
"Let my brother be patient. I will go and deliver his message in all haste."
"Good! My brother is a chief. The Spider will await him."
The officer disappeared in the interior, while the Spider planted the end of his long lance in the ground, and remained with his eye fixed on the gate of the palace, not evincing the slightest impatience.