Nathan bowed respectfully.
"I understand," he said, "my brother is one of the wise men, whom the redskins call allanus."
"I am also a sorcerer," the Nez-Percé said.
"Oh, oh! What, is my brother one of the Ministers of the Great Turtle?"
"Yes," he answered, "we command the caciques and warriors; they only act on our orders."
"I know it; my father has great learning, his power extends over the whole earth."
The Nez-Percé smiled condescendingly at this praise, and holding up a small staff decorated with gay feathers and bells which he held in his right hand, he said:
"This mulbache is a more tremendous weapon than the thunder of the palefaces; everywhere it makes me feared and respected."
A sinister smile for the second time curled the American's lips.
"Is my brother returning to his nation?" he asked.