We gazed at him in astonishment, when, seeing our amazement, he said:—
“Brother warriors, you wondered at my misfortune and hard luck when we last visited the Crow country; you wondered at my sorrowful condition among the killed just now, but you will be more astonished to know that I now stand among you having what I had lost. Would you also like to know how I procured the scalps of two of the enemy?
“Three times has the full moon turned her face upon us Sioux since at this very spot I met an enemy. We rushed at each other for the attack, when he cried:—
“Are we not both braves? Why should we fight? When our warriors meet in the heat of the battle, then we may join them—until then let us have a truce.
“To this I answered, Says the Crow peace?
“This said, we shook hands and sat down by the fountain. To amuse my enemy I proposed a game of ‘hand.’[46] He accepted my challenge, and we first played for an arrow against an arrow, then bow for bow, robe for robe, and scalp for scalp. I was out of luck and lost everything. I handed to him all the things, but with a promise from him that I should have another chance when we met again.
“We did meet again. The Great Spirit smiled upon me and
I won back everything. Then I said, Crow, scalp for scalp.
He accepted the challenge and we played. He lost, and I with
my winnings arose to leave.
“Sioux warrior, said he, meet me in the fight that we may try
the game of arms.
“That pleases me, I replied; will the Crow name the place?
“A valley lies beyond this hill, said he; there my people await their enemies; let me hope to see you with them.