"Blackbird must not hastily judge his friend; I am ordered by Black-deer to pay for Bounding Fawn such a ransom as few Chiefs have ever before received."
"What is the ransom? Where is it?"
"The warriors who accompany me have brought it with them; but before delivering it to my father, I will remark, that he has not invited me to sit down by his fire, or offered me the calumet."
"My son will sit down by my fire, and I will share the calumet with him when the mission he is intrusted with is finished."
"Be it so; my father shall be immediately satisfied."
Loyal Heart, turning to the warriors, who during this conversation, which was sternly demanded by the laws of Indian etiquette, had stood silent and motionless, raised his hand. At once several horsemen left the procession and pranced up to him, brandishing their weapons.
"The ransom!" he merely said.
"One moment," Blackbird objected; "of what does this ransom consist?"
"You shall see," Loyal Heart replied.
"I know that, but should prefer being informed beforehand."