The spot selected was admirably adapted for the purpose, being an open glade in the forest, surrounded on all sides by trees.  Here they turned their horses loose once more, and lay down upon the grass, weary and faint.  To find herbs, and with them to form a kind of poultice, fastened on with bark by means of ligatures of grass, was their first duty, and then the inner man was considered.  None of them had tasted food since the previous night, and there was none in their possession.  Nah-com-e-shee, being the warrior who was least severely wounded, and having picked up several Pawnee arrows, started into the forest in search of game.  With the keen perception of an Indian, he selected that side which appeared a little inclined to descend, as it naturally excited his suspicion that a stream lay in that direction.  This was the more probable, that a little purling spring that bubbled up in the green open glade tended thither.  Nor was the warrior’s sagacity at fault, for a smart walk brought him to the banks of a narrow and slowly-running river.  Within, sight of this Nah-com-e-shee concealed himself, and prepared to wait even for hours the passage of a deer or elk.  His patience was not, however, put to so severe a test, as, ere long, a rustling in the bushes opposite attracted his attention.  Raising his eyes from their fixed position, he saw the antlers of a buck rearing themselves over a thicket of brush, and next moment a noble deer bounded to the bank to drink.  An arrow pierced its heart from the Indian’s unerring bow ere its lips had touched the water, and Nah-com-e-shee rushed eagerly towards the spot.  Three mounted warriors were before him, and while he sought cover, captured and bore away the prize.

The Osage knew that it was useless to remain on the watch any longer, and, pursuit being madness, turned back and sought his companions, who were more indignant than ever at this new outrage.  Repose was, however, absolutely necessary, and was now sought, all trusting to the keenness of their senses to awake ere they could be surprised.  It was dark night ere they awoke, and then the three friends groaned with rage that was absolutely frightful.  Each felt himself ornamented by a squaw’s petticoat, thrown loosely over him.  Burning with passion, they grasped one another’s hands, and vowed terrible vengeance.

At this instant a dim light was seen through the trees, blazing up at a considerable distance in the forest.  It was the fire of a camp, and the hearts of the Osage warriors were at last glad.  They had been so often outwitted, that the utmost caution was used.  Each divested himself of every unnecessary article of clothing, while their tomahawks were the only arms they preserved.  Clutching these, they crept stealthily, and with a serpent’s tread, into the forest.  As they advanced, the glare of the fire grew brighter; and at length, when within a couple of hundred yards, they could plainly hear the green wood crackling in the full stillness of evening.  A faint odour of broiled venison came pleasingly to their nostrils, and then three figures were plainly discerned round the fire.