White–Bull and his father accepted the offered presents with every demonstration of satisfaction. The latter, again addressing Besha, desired him thus to speak:
“Mahéga forgets that all his goods are in the hands of his enemies—does he keep nothing for himself?”
The Osage made no reply, but, drawing the recent scalp from his belt, and pointing to it, the knife still red with human blood, he smiled scornfully, and strode through the camp back to his own lodge. His purpose was effected; he had succeeded in his daring exploit, and, although uncertain of the result of the shot fired at Reginald, he had regained some of his influence over the Upsaroka chief and his intractable son. Mahéga pondered over these things in his lodge, as he mechanically attached the scalp of his last–killed foe to a thong, on which were already fastened many similar trophies of his former prowess.
His musings were soon disturbed by the voice of Besha, who entered the lodge, bearing a sack of considerable dimensions, which he deposited upon the ground. “Mahéga is a great warrior,” said he, greeting the Osage with something of the reluctant courtesy which a terrier shows to a mastiff: “his name will be heard far among the tribes of the Upsaroka nation. The Great Chief wishes to make his Washashee brother a present: three horses stand without the lodge to carry the followers of Mahéga on the path of the bison, or of the Lenapé.”
The eye of the chief brightened with fierce pleasure at this announcement, as two of his few remaining men were unhorsed; and he satisfied himself, by going to the door of the lodge, that the horses now presented to him were good and fit for service.
“That is not all,” continued the horse–dealer; “White–Bull knows that the Medicine–weapon cannot live without food, he has sent me to offer this bag to Mahéga.”
As he spoke, Besha opened the sack, and exposed to the view of the Osage powder and lead sufficient for fifty or sixty shots, and half–a–dozen pair of strong mocassins, such as are made by the Crow women for their lords.
“The hand of the Upsaroka is open,” said Mahéga; “tell him that his gifts shall not fall upon the ground; the lead shall be buried in the hearts of his enemies.”
Besha, having given to the chief a few brief explanations of the hour and the arrangements fixed for the night–march, withdrew, and left him to communicate with his followers.