In these signs the Colonel had instructed Basil, and we have already witnessed their effect.

The Indian who had best understood them, and in whom they had produced the strongest emotions, happened to be a Shawano himself--one of that very tribe to which both the Prophet and Tecumseh belonged; and which is now but a remnant--most of its warlike sons being either dead, or scattered among the nomad bands that roam over the great western prairies.

Such, then, was the history of the red calumet, which had proved the protector of our adventurous hunters.
In a short time they were enabled to communicate with the Indians by signs; for no people can understand such language better than Indians.
The boys informed the Shawano who they were, and for what purpose they had ventured upon the prairies.

On learning the nature of their expedition, the Indians were filled with astonishment as well as admiration for the courage of these young hunters.

They told the latter, in return, that they themselves were out hunting the buffaloes-- that they were now on the skirts of the great herd, and they believed that one or two _white_ buffaloes had been seen.