She felt that all hope was over, and retiring
into the hut passed the time in prayer and in preparation for the
fearful ordeal which was at hand.
After the council had met there was a pause of expectation, and the
Stag then rose.
"My brothers, my heart is very glad. The Great Spirit has ceased to
frown upon his children. Twice we went out, and twice returned
empty-handed, while many of our lodges were empty. The guns which
shoot without loading were too strong for us, and we returned
sorrowful. Last year we did not go out; the hearts of our braves
were heavy. This year we said perhaps the Great Spirit will no
longer be angry with his children, and we went out. This time we
have not returned empty-handed. The lowing of cattle is in my ear,
and I see many sheep. The white men have felt the strength of our
arms; and of the young men who went out with me there is not one
missing. Best of all, we have brought back a captive, the daughter
of the white chief of the flying fires and the guns which load
themselves. Let me hand her over to our women; they will know how
to make her cry; and we will send her head to the white chief, to
show that his guns cannot reach to the Indian country. Have I
spoken well?"
A murmur of assent followed the chief's speech; and supposing that
no more would be said upon the matter, the Stag was about to
declare the council closed, when an Indian sitting in the inner
circle rose.
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