Who was to undertake the task?  It was full of peril, as the envoy might be shot down at the threshold.

“The leader of a party,” said Miller, “always takes the advance.”

“Good!” replied Stuart; “I am ready.”  He immediately went forth; one of the Canadians followed him; the rest of the party remained in garrison, to keep the savages in check.

Stuart advanced, holding his rifle in one hand and extending the other to the savage who appeared to be the chief.  The latter stepped forward and took it; his men followed his example, and all shook hands with Stuart, in token of friendship.  They now explained their errand.  They were a war-party of Arapahoe braves.  Their village lay on a stream several days’ journey to the eastward.  It had been attacked and ravaged during their absence by a band of Crows, who had carried off several of their women and most of their horses.  They were in quest of vengeance.  For sixteen days they had been tracking the Crows about the mountains, but had not yet come upon them.  In the meantime they had met with scarcely any game, and were half famished.  About two days previously they had heard the report of firearms among the mountains, and on searching in the direction of the sound, had come to a place where a deer had been killed.  They had followed the trail and it had brought them to the cabin.

Mr. Stuart now invited the chief and another, who appeared to be his lieutenant, into the cabin, but made signs that no one else was to enter.  The rest halted at the door and others came straggling up, until the whole party, to the number of twenty-three, were gathered in front.  They were armed with bows and arrows, tomahawks, scalping-knives, and a few had guns.  All were painted and dressed for war, having a savage and fierce appearance.  Mr. Miller recognized among them some of the very fellows who had robbed him the preceding year, and put his comrades on their guard.  Every man stood ready to resist the first act of hostility, but the savages conducted themselves peaceably, and showed none of that swaggering arrogance which a war-party is apt to assume.

On entering the cabin, the chief and his lieutenant cast a wistful look at the rafters, hung with venison and buffalo meat.  Mr. Stuart made a merit of necessity, and invited them to help themselves.  They did not wait to be pressed.  The beams were soon eased of their burden; venison and beef were passed out to the crew before the door, and a scene of gormandizing commenced which few can imagine who have not witnessed the gastronomical powers of an Indian after an interval of fasting.  This was kept up throughout the day; they paused now and then, it is true, for a brief interval, but only to renew the charge with fresh ardour.  The chief and the lieutenant surpassed all the rest in the vigour and perseverance of their attacks; as if, from their station, they were bound to signalize themselves in