“Our traditions do say this:  once our tribes did not see the face of the Manitou looking dark upon them, as it now does.  That was before the pale-faces came in their big canoes, across the great salt lake, to drive the Indians from their hunting-grounds.  It was when the small-pox had not found the path to their villages.  When fire-water was unknown to them, and no Indian had ever burned his throat with it.”

“Oh, but I speak of a time much more distant than that.  Of a time when your prophets stood face to face with God, and talked with the Creator.  Since that day a great change has come over your people.  Then your color was light, like that of the fairest and handsomest of the Circassian race; now, it has become red.  When even the color is changed, it is not wonderful that men should no longer be the same in other particulars.  Yes; once all the races of men were of the same color and origin.”

“This is not what our traditions say.  We have heard from our fathers that the Great Spirit made men of different colors; some he made light, like the pale-faces; some red, like the Injins; some black, like the pale-faces’ slaves.  To some he gave high noses; to some low noses:  to some flat noses.  To the pale-faces he gave eyes of many colors.  This is the reason why they see so many things, and in so many different ways.  To the red men he gave eyes of the same color, and they always see things of the same color.  To a red man there is no change.  Our fathers have always been red.  This we know.  If them Jews, of whom my brother speaks, were ever white, they have not been our fathers.  We tell this to the medicine-man, that he may know it, too.  We do not wish to lead him on a crooked path, or to speak to him with a forked tongue.  What we have said, is so.  Now, the road is open to the wigwam of the pale-faces, and we wish them safe on their journey home.  We Injins have a council to hold around this fire, and will stay longer.”

At this plain intimation that their presence was no longer desirable, it became necessary for them to depart.  The missionary, filled with zeal, was reluctant to go, for, in his eyes, the present communications with the savages promised him not only the conversion of pagans, but the restoration of the Jews!  Nevertheless, he was compelled to comply; and when le Bourdon and the corporal took their departure, he turned, and pronounced in solemn tone the Christian benediction on the assembly.  The meaning of this last impressive office was understood by most of the chiefs, and they rose as one man, in acknowledgment.

The three white men, on retiring from the circle, held their way toward Castle Meal.  Hive followed his master, having come out of the combat but little injured.  As they got to a point where a last look could be had of the bottom-land of the council, each turned to see what was now in the course of proceeding.  The fire glimmered just enough to show the circlet of dark faces, but not an Indian spoke or moved.  There they all sat, patiently waiting for the moment when the “strangers” might “withdraw” to a sufficient distance, to permit them to proceed with their own private affairs without fear of interruption.