Somewhat apart from the maidens was a group, on which the Osage girls gazed curiously and enviously.  Three Indian youths, all under twenty, nowise related by blood, but connected only by the bonds of friendship, stood on a rising bank in deep abstraction.  Nah-com-e-shee, Koha-tunha, and Mun-ne-pushee—­for such were the names of the young men—­had at an early age contracted for one another one of those peculiar affections which inexplicably arise sometimes between persons of the same sex, and which often are more sincere and durable even than love.  So wedded were they to this feeling, as to have publicly declared their intention of never marrying, in order that their amity might suffer no division.  Their hearts, they said, were so occupied by friendship, that love could not find the remotest corner to creep into.  How many smiling faces were clouded by this strange announcement, we cannot say; but sure we are, if any had before suffered them to occupy their thoughts, this resolution increased the number of their admirers manifold.  Indian girls have ways and means of setting their caps at young men, as the phrase is, as well as more civilised damsels, and the Osage maidens were not idle on this occasion.  Besides, that many really loved the youths, the honour of the sex was concerned.  It was not to be borne that friendship should triumph over love, and it may therefore be readily conceived what an artillery of bright eyes was reproachfully opened upon the three friends.  They, however, remained insensible to all the attractions of female society; they joined not in the dance, nor told nor listened to the tale of love or war by the evening fire; but rode together, hunted together, trapped together, and earned the highest renown as indefatigable and bold huntsmen.

The ambition of the three friends, however, reached to higher flights than emulating the first hunters of their tribe.  They wished to equal in renown the greatest warriors of the Osage nation; and it was a knowledge of the fact, that they were about to start on a marauding expedition, which created so great a sensation in the throng of maidens.  The three youths had been deeply engaged in discussing their plans, and were, at the moment we speak of, uttering a silent prayer to the great Manitou for success in their undertaking.  Tall, erect, and admirably proportioned, they presented an excellent group for a statuary.  While their shaven heads were adorned with the helmet crest and eagle plume, they bore round their necks ornaments of the gayest kind.  A magnificent cloak of buffalo-skin adorned their shoulders, while a spear, shield, tomahawk, bow and quiver, formed their arms.  Leggings, moccasins, with wampum garters tied below the knee, completed, with the waist-cloth, their attire.  Three fine horses were tied to an adjoining tree, showing that they were in every way ready for the expedition.  It was still morning, and many miles of ground were to be crossed before night, the youths having signified their intention of making an excursion into the Pawnee Pict territory.