moment Henri was making preparation to sell his life

as dearly as possible. Before another word could be

uttered, they were surrounded by a troop of about

twenty yelling Blackfeet Indians. They were, fortunately,

not a war party, and, still more fortunately, they

were peaceably disposed, and listened to the preliminary

address of Joe Blunt with exemplary patience; after

which the two parties encamped on the spot, the council fire was

lighted,

and every preparation made for a long palaver.