CHAPTER XIII.
THE INDIAN VILLAGE.
Now that the exigencies of our story compel us to enter into closerrelations with the Prairie Indians, we will introduce to the readerthe primitive population of that territory, generally called BlackfootIndians. The Blackfeet formed, at the period when this historyoccurred, a powerful nation, divided into three tribes, speaking thesame language. First, the tribe of the Siksekai, or Blackfeet proper;next, the Kenhas, or Blood Indians; and lastly, the Piekanns. Thisnation, when the three tribes were united, could bring under armsnearly eight thousand warriors, which enables us to estimate thepopulation at twenty-five thousand souls. But, at the present day,smallpox has decimated these Indians, and reduced them to a very muchsmaller number. The Blackfeet traverse the prairies adjoining the RockyMountains, sometimes even scaling those mountains between the threeforks of the Missouri, called Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers.The Piekanns, however, go as far as Marine river, to trade with theAmerican Fur Company; they also barter with the Hudson's Bay Society,and even with the Mexicans of Santa Fe. This nation, continually atwar with the whites, whom they attack whenever they have the chance,are very little known, but greatly feared, especially for their skillin stealing horses, and, more than that, for their notorious crueltyand bad faith. As we have to deal principally with the Kenhas, we willoccupy ourselves more particularly with that tribe. The following isthe origin of the name "Blood Indians," given to the Kenhas:--
Before the Blackfeet were divided, they happened one day to be encampeda short distance from seven or eight tents of the Sassi Indians. Aquarrel arose between them about a woman carried off by the Sassis,in spite of the opposition of the Piekanns, and the Kenhas resolvedto kill all their neighbours, a project which they carried out withextraordinary ferocity and cruelty. In the middle of the night theyattacked the tents of the Sassis, and massacred them all during theirsleep, without sparing even women, children, or old men; they scalpedtheir victims, and regained their tents, after daubing their faces andhands with blood.
The Piekanns reproached them for this act of barbarity; a quarrelensued, which speedily degenerated into a combat, in consequence ofwhich the three Blackfoot tribes separated. The Kenhas then receivedthe name of Blood Indians, which they still retain, and feel a pridein it, saying that no one insults them with impunity. The Kenhas arethe most active and indomitable of the Blackfeet: they have alwaysdisplayed more sanguinary and rapacious instincts than the othermembers of their nation, especially than the Piekanns, who are justlyregarded as comparatively gentle and humane.
As the three Blackfoot tribes generally live far apart, Natah Otannmust have acted with great skill, and displayed great patience, erehe succeeded in making them join, and consent to march under the samebanner. At every moment he was constrained to employ all the resourcessuggested by his fertile mind, and evince great diplomacy, in order toprevent a rupture, which was always imminent between these men, whomno tie attached, and whose pride revolted at the least appearance ofhumiliation.
After the events which occurred at the pioneer's camp, Natah Otannresolved to lead the Count de Beaulieu and his comrades to the chiefsummer village of the Kenhas, situated at no great distance from FortMackenzie, one of the principal depots of the American Fur Company.The Kenhas had constructed this village only a year previously, andtheir vicinity at first alarmed the Americans; but the conduct ofthe Indians had ever been so loyal--apparently, at least, in theirtransactions with the white men--that the latter, at length, did nottrouble themselves about their Redskin neighbours, except to buy theirfurs, sell them whisky, and visit their village when they wanted someamusement.
After selling Black an immense territory for a dollar, Natah Otannreminded the young man of his promise to visit his tribe, and theCount, though secretly vexed at the obligation he Was under ofaccepting an invitation which bore a great likeness to a command,still yielded, and followed the chief, after bidding farewell to thepioneers. Black, with his hand resting on the trigger of his rifle,looked after the Kenha horsemen, who, according to their custom,galloped across the prairie, when a rider turned back, and came upto the American's camp. The pioneer recognised, with some surprise,Bright-eye, who stopped before him.
"Have you forgotten anything?" the pioneer asked him.
"Yes," the hunter answered.
"What?"
"To say a word to you."
"Ah!" the other said, in surprise. "Go ahead, then."
"I have no time to lose; answer me as plainly as I question you."
"Very good! speak."
"Are you grateful for what the Count has done for you?"
"More than I can express."
"In case of need, what would you do for him?"
"Everything."
"Hum! that is a heavy pledge."
"It is even less than I would do; my family, my servants, all Ipossess, are at his disposal."
"Then you are devoted to him?"
"For life and death! Under any circumstances, by day or night; whatevermay happen, at a word from him I am ready."
"You swear it?"
"I swear it."
"I hold your promise."
"I will keep it."
"I expect so. Good bye."
"Are you off already?"
"I must rejoin my companions."
"Then you have some suspicions about your Red friend?"
"You must always be on your guard with Indians," the hunter said,sententiously.
"Then you are taking a precaution?"
"Perhaps."
"In any event, count on me."
"Thanks, and good bye."
"Good bye."
The two men parted; they understood each other.
"By heaven!" the pioneer muttered, as he threw his rifle over hisshoulder, and returned to the camp; "I would not be the Indian to toucha hair of the head of a man to whom I owe so much."
The Indians had stopped on the bank of a stream, which they were aboutto ford, when Bright-eye rejoined them. Natah Otann, busy talking withthe Count, threw a side glance at the hunter, but did not say a word tohim.
"Yes," the latter muttered, with a crafty smile, "my absence hasbothered you, my fine fellow; you would like to know why I turnedback so suddenly; but, unluckily, I am not disposed to satisfy yourcuriosity."
When the ford was crossed, the Canadian took his post by theFrenchman's side, and, by his presence, prevented the Indian chiefrenewing his conversation with the Count. An hour passed, and not aword was exchanged. Natah Otann, wearied with the hunter's obstinacy,and not knowing how to make him retire, resolved at last to give up tohim: and, digging his spurs into his horse's flank, galloped forward,leaving the two white men together. The hunter watched him depart, withthat caustic laugh which was one of the characteristics of his face.
"Poor horse!" he said, sarcastically, "he must suffer for his master'sill temper."
"What ill temper do you mean?" the Count said, absently.
"Why, the chief's, who is flying along over there in a cloud of dust."
"You do not seem to have any sympathy for each other."
"Indeed, we are as friendly as the grizzly bear and the jaguar."
"Which means?--"
"That we have measured our claws; and, as we find them at present ofthe same strength and length, so we stand on the defensive."
"Do you feel any malice against him?"
"I? not the least in the world. I do not fear him more than he doesme; we are only distrustful because we know each other."
"Oh, oh!" the young man said, with a laugh; "that conceals, I can see,something serious."
Bright-eye frowned, and took a scrutinizing glance around. The Indianswere galloping on about twenty paces in the rear; Ivon alone, thoughkeeping at a respectful distance, could hear the conversation betweenthe two men. Bright-eye leant over to the Count, laid his hand on thepommel of his saddle, and said, in a low voice--"I do not like tigerscovered with a fox's skin; each ought to follow the in
stincts of hisnature, and not try to assume others that are fictitious."
"I must confess, my good fellow," the young man replied, "that you arespeaking in enigmas, and I cannot understand you at all."
"Patience!" the hunter said, tossing his head; "I will be clear."
"My faith! that will delight me, Bright-eye," the young man said, witha smile; "for ever since we have again met the Indian chief, you haveaffected an air of mystery, which bothers me so, that I should becharmed to comprehend you for once."
"Good! What do you think of Natah Otann
"Ah! that is where you are galled still!"
"Yes."
"Well, I will reply that this man appears to me extraordinary; there issomething strange about him, which I cannot understand. In the firstplace, is he an Indian?"
"Yes."
"But he has travelled; he has been in white society; he has been in theinterior of the United States?"
The hunter shook his head. "No," he said, "he has never left his tribe."
"Yet--"
"Yet," Bright-eye quickly interrupted him, "he speaks English, Frenchand Spanish, as well as yourself, and perhaps better than I do, eh?Before his warriors he feigns profound ignorance; like them, hetrembles at the sight of one of the results of civilization--a watch,a musical box, or even a lucifer match, eh?"
"It is true."
"Then, when he finds himself with certain persons, like yourself, forinstance, sir, the Indian suddenly disappears, the savage vanishes,and you find yourself in the presence of a man whose acquirementsare almost equal to your own, and who confounds you by his thoroughknowledge."
"That is true."
"Ah, ah! Well, as you consider that extraordinary as I do, you willtake your precautions, Mr. Edward."
"What have I to fear from him?"
"I do not know yet; but be at your ease; I shall soon know. He issharp, but I am not such a fool as he fancies, and am watching him.For a long time this man has been playing a game, about which I havehitherto troubled myself but little; now that he has drawn us into it,he must be on his guard."
"But where did he learn all he knows?"
"Ah! that is a story too long to tell you at present; but you shallhear it someday; suffice it to say, that in his tribe there is an oldchief called the White Buffalo; he is a European, and he it was whoeducated the Grizzly Bear."
"Ah!"
"Is not that singular! a European of immense learning; a man who, inhis own country, must have held a high rank, and who thus becomes, ofhis own accord, chief of the savages?"
"Indeed, it is most extraordinary. Do you know this man?"
"I have often seen him; he is very aged now; his beard and hair arewhite; he is tall and majestic; his face is fine, his look profound;there is something about him grand and imposing, which attracts youagainst your will. Grizzly Bear holds him in great veneration, andobeys him as if he were his son."
"Who can this man be?"
"No one knows. I am convinced that the Grizzly Bear shares the generalignorance on this head."
"But how did he join the tribe?"
"It is not known."
"He must have been long with it."
"I told you so; he educated the Grizzly Bear, and made a European ofhim instead of an Indian."
"All that is really strange," the Count murmured, having suddenly grownpensive.
"Is it not so? But that is not all yet; you are entering a world youdo not know, accident throws you among interests you are unacquaintedwith; take care; weigh well your words, calculate your slightestgesture, Mr. Edward; for the Indians are very clever; the man you haveto deal with is cleverer than all of them, as he combines with Redskincraft that European intelligence and corruption with which his teacherhas inculcated him. Natah Otann is a man with an incalculable depth ofcalculation; his thoughts are an abyss; he must be revolving sinisterschemes; take care; his pressing you to promise a visit to his village;his generosity to the American squatter, the secret protection withwhich he surrounds you, while being the first to pretend to take youfor a superior being; all this makes me believe that he wishes to leadyou unconsciously into some dark enterprise, which will prove yourdestruction. Believe me, Mr. Edward, beware of this man."
"Thanks, my friend, I will watch," the Count said, pressing theCanadian's honest hand.
"You will watch," the latter said; "but do you know the way to do it?"
"I confess--"
"Listen to me," the hunter interrupted him; "you must first--"
"Here is the chief," the young man exclaimed.
"Confusion!" Bright-eye growled. "Why could he not stop a few minuteslonger? I am sure that red devil has some familiar spirit to warn him;but no matter, I have told you enough to prevent your being trapped byfalse friendliness; besides, I shall be there to support you."
"Thanks. When the time comes--"
"I will warn you; but it is urgent that you should now compose yourcountenance, and pretend to know nothing."
"Good; that's settled; here is our man. Silence."
"On the contrary, let us talk; silence is ever interpreted either wellor ill, but generally in the latter sense. Be careful to reply in thesense of my questions."
"I will try."
"Here is our man. Let us cheat the cheater."
After casting a cunning glance at the chief, who was only a few pacesoff at the moment, he continued aloud, and changing his tone,--
"What you ask, Mr. Edward, is most simple. I am certain that the chiefwill be happy to procure you that pleasure."
"Do you think so?" the young man asked, not knowing what the hunter wasalluding to.
Bright-eye turned to Natah Otann, who arrived at the moment, and rodesilently by their side, though he had heard the two men's last remarks.
"My companion," he said to the chief, "has heard a great deal of, andlongs to see, a caribou hunt. I have offered him in your name, chief,one of those magnificent battues, of which you Redskins have reservedthe scent."
"Natah Otann will be happy to satisfy his guest," the sachem replied,bowing with Indian gravity.
The Count thanked him.
"We are approaching the village of my tribe," the chief continued; "weshall be there in an hour; the Palefaces will see how I receive myfriends."
The Blackfeet, who had hitherto galloped without order, gradually grewtogether, and formed a compact squadron round their chief. The littleparty continued to advance, approaching more and more the Missouri,which rolled on majestically between two high banks, covered with osierbeds, whence, on the approach of the horsemen, startled flocks of pinkflamingoes rose in alarm. On reaching a spot where the path formeda bend, the Indians stopped, and prepared their weapons as if for afight; some taking their guns out of their leathern cases, and loadingthem; others preparing their bows and javelins.
"Are the fellows afraid of an attack?" the Count asked Bright-eye.
"Not the least in the world," the latter answered; "they are only afew minutes' ride from their village, into which they wish to enter intriumph, in order to do you honour."
"Come, come!" the young man said; "all this is charming; I did notexpect, on coming to the prairies, to be present at such singularscenes."
"You have seen nothing yet," the hunter said, ironically: "wait, we areonly at the beginning."
"All the better," the Count answered, joyfully.
Natah Otann made a sign, and the warriors closed up again at the samemoment; although no one was visible, a noise of conchs, drums, andchichikoues was heard a short distance off. The warriors uttered theirwar yell, and replied by raising to their lips their war whistles.Natah Otann then placed himself at the head of the party, having theCount on his right, the hunter and Ivon on his left; and, turningtowards his men, he brandished his weapon several times over his head,uttering two or three shrill whistles. At this signal the whole trooprushed forward, and turned the corner like an avalanche.
The Frenchman then witnessed a strange scene, which was not withou
t acertain amount of savage grandeur, A troop of warriors from the villagecame up, like a tornado, to meet the newcomers, shouting, howling,brandishing their arms, and firing their guns. The two parties chargedeach other with extraordinary fury and at full speed; but when scarceten yards apart, the horses stopped, as if of their own impulse, andbegan dancing, curvetting, and performing all the most difficulttricks of the riding school. After these manoeuvres had lasted afew moments, the two bands formed a semicircle opposite each other,leaving a free space between them, in which the chiefs collected.The presentations then began. Natah Otann made a long harangue tothe chiefs, in which he gave them an account of his expedition, andthe result he had obtained. The sachems listened to it with thoroughIndian decorum. When he spoke to them of his meeting with the whitemen, and what had occurred, they bowed silently, without replying; butone chief, of venerable aspect, who seemed older than the rest, andappeared to be treated with great consideration by his companions,turned a profound and inquiring glance at the Count, when Natah Otannspoke of him. The young man, troubled, in spite of himself, by thefixed glance, stooped down to Bright-eye's ear, and asked him, in a lowvoice, who the man was.
"That is White Buffalo," the hunter answered, "the European I spoke toyou about."
"Ah, ah!" the Count said, regarding him, in his turn, attentively; "Ido not know why, but I believe I shall have a serious row with thatgentleman before I have done."
The White Buffalo then took the word.
"My brothers are welcome," he said; "their return to the tribe is afestival; they are intrepid warriors; we are happy at hearing the wayin which they have performed the duties entrusted to them." Then heturned to the white men, and, after bowing to them, continued,--"TheKenhas are poor, but strangers are always well received by them: thePalefaces are our guests, all we possess belongs to them."
The Count and his companions thanked the chief, who so gracefully didthe honours of his tribe; then the two parties joined, and gallopedtoward the village, which was built some five hundred paces from thespot where they were, and at the entrance of which a multitude of womenand children could be seen assembled.