It was not easy to detect the real character of the trapper, through the mask which the hardships of so many years had laid upon his features, especially when aided by his wild and peculiar attire.

Some moments elapsed before the Teton spoke, and then it was in doubt whether he addressed one like himself, or some wanderer of that race who, he had heard, were spreading themselves, like hungry locusts, throughout the land.
"The head of my brother is very white," he said; "but the eye of Le Balafre is no longer like the eagle's.

Of what colour is his skin ?" "The Wahcondah made me like these you see waiting for a Dahcotah judgment; but fair and foul has coloured me darker than the skin of a fox.

What of that! Though the bark is ragged and riven, the heart of the tree is sound." "My brother is a Big-knife! Let him turn his face towards the setting sun, and open his eyes.

Does he see the salt lake beyond the mountains ?" "The time has been, Teton, when few could see the white on the eagle's head farther than I; but the glare of fourscore and seven winters has dimmed my eyes, and but little can I boast of sight in my latter days.
Does the Sioux think a Pale-face is a god, that he can look through hills ?" "Then let my brother look at me.