At first some of the men were inclined to jeer, but they were soon all listening attentively, although it was plain that many of them strongly disagreed with what was being said.
A long consultation ensued between the Indians, ten or twelve of them speaking in turn, slowly and seemingly without passion. Only by an occasional gleam in their eyes could the white men guess how powerfully they were moved.
The chief remained silent until all who wished to speak had finished. Doubtless he wanted to allow time for the effect of Black Panther’s vigorous speech to abate.
At last he arose, with much dignity, and spoke for about five minutes in a slow but earnest way, with not a little emphasis and many gestures.
There were some nods of approval at his remarks, but no other manifestations of applause or agreement were made.
When he had finished, he turned toward Buffalo Bill and shook his head dubiously.
“What will they do?” asked the border king and Meinhold, in the same breath.
“Bad—bad!” replied the chief. “They must go with Black Panther. So it look. But we see soon. They count how many one side—how many other.”