His superior size and age, no doubt, obtained him that preference.

He was rudely seized by a pair of Indians and dragged up to the stake, where the savages commenced stripping him--by way of making a better mark of his naked body! As soon as they had loosened his arms and pulled off his hunting-shirt, the embroidered pouch attracted their attention.

One of them seized it, and drew forth its contents--which proved to be _a pipe-head of the red clay-stone_--the celebrated steatite.

As soon as the savage set his eyes upon it, he uttered a strange exclamation, and handed it to his companion.

The latter took it into his hands, uttered a similar ejaculation, and carrying it with him, ran back to the crowd.