The bullet had no sooner glided from the barrel than a tremor seized the hands of the trapper, which, had it occurred a moment sooner, would have utterly disqualified him for so hazardous an experiment.

A frightful silence succeeded the report, during which he expected to hear the shrieks of the females, and then, as the smoke whirled away in the wind, he caught a view of the fluttering bark, and felt assured that all his former skill was not entirely departed from him.

Dropping the piece to the earth, he turned again to his companion with an air of the utmost composure, and demanded-- "Is my brother satisfied ?" "Mahtoree is a chief of the Dahcotahs," returned the cunning Teton, laying his hand on his chest, in acknowledgment of the other's sincerity.

"He knows that a warrior, who has smoked at so many council-fires, until his head has grown white, would not be found in wicked company.

But did not my father once ride on a horse, like a rich chief of the Pale-faces, instead of travelling on foot like a hungry Konza ?" "Never! The Wahcondah has given me legs, and he has given me resolution to use them.