“Wingenund’s spring and summer are both gone! but he does not complain: it is the will of the Great Spirit, and Wingenund knows that what He does is right.”
As he said these words they reached the tent, and the day being extremely fine, the poles of that compartment were taken up, and the canvass folded back, at the request of the chief, that he might once more look upon the sun, and feel the fresh mountain breeze upon his cheek.
Lita had retired into the inner tent, and Prairie–bird was seated at his side, a cup of water being the only source of relief to which she from time to time had recourse to cool his lips and recruit his ebbing strength.
The whole party being gathered round him, Wingenund, Reginald, and Ethelston somewhat in advance of the rest, he addressed the former in a low but distinct voice, saying, “War–Eagle is going on the dark path, from which he will not return; Wingenund will be chief of the Lenapé band; has he any thing to say while War–Eagle is yet chief?”
“He has,” replied the youth, in a voice tremulous from emotion; “a treaty has been made with the Upsaroka, does War–Eagle think it good?” He then proceeded to enumerate its several terms and conditions.
“It is good,” said the chief, after a few moments’ reflection: “only let Netis and Wingenund remember that the Upsaroka are double–tongued; they hate the Black–feet, and will be glad to spend my brother’s powder and blood in destroying their enemies. Let my brothers keep near the home–path, and not wander from it to please the Upsaroka. Is there more that my brother wishes to say?”
“There is more, my brother. Here are the four Osage captives taken among the Upsaroka. Their deeds of blood are known to War–Eagle. Let him say what shall be done with them.”
“Let them stand forward,” said the chief, raising himself with difficulty from the blanket–cushion against which he had been reclining.
They were accordingly brought to the front of the circle, and stood awaiting their doom with the fierce determined air of warriors who knew and feared it not. The eldest among them was a fine powerful man, who bore about him the marks of many a fray, and had been one of the leading braves who followed the fortunes of Mahéga. He it was who acted as spokesman in the dialogue that ensued.
War–Eagle. “Have the Washashee any thing to say that their lives should not be given to the slow fire?”