CHAPTER XV.

During my long absence and captivity among the Arrapahoes, I had often reflected upon the great advantages which would accrue if, by any possibility, the various tribes which were of Shoshone origin could be induced to unite with them in one confederacy; and the more I reflected upon the subject, the more resolved I became, that if ever I returned to the settlement, I would make the proposition to our chiefs in council.

The numbers composing these tribes were as follows:—­The Shoshones amounting to about 60,000, independent of the mountain tribes, which we might compute at 10,000 more; the Apaches, about 40,000; the Arrapahoes, about 20,000; the Comanches and the tribes springing from them, at the lowest computation, amounting to 60,000 more.  Speaking the same language, having the same religious formula, the same manners and customs; nothing appeared to me to be more feasible.  The Arrapahoes were the only one tribe which was generally at variance with us, but they were separated from the Shoshones much later than the other tribes, and were therefore even more Shoshone than the Apaches and Comanches.

Shortly after my return, I acted upon my resolution.  I summoned all the chiefs of our nation to a great council, and in the month of August, 1839, we were all assembled outside of the walls of the settlement.  After the preliminary ceremonies, I addressed them:—­

“Shoshones! brave children of the Grand Serpent! my wish is to render you happy, rich, and powerful.  During the day I think of it; I dream of it in my sleep.  At last, I have had great thoughts—­thoughts proceeding from the Manitou.  Hear now the words of Owato Wanisha; he is young, very young; his skin is that of a Pale-face, but his heart is a Shoshone’s.

“When you refused to till the ground, you did well, for it was not in your nature—­the nature of man cannot be changed like that of a moth.  Yet, at that time, you understood well the means which give power to a great people.  Wealth alone can maintain the superiority that bravery has asserted.  Wealth and bravery make strength—­strength which nothing can break down, except the great Master of Life.

“The Shoshones knew this a long time ago; they are brave, but they have no wealth; and if they still keep their superiority, it is because their enemies are at this time awed by the strength and the cunning of their warriors.  But the Shoshones, to keep their ground, will some day be obliged to sleep always on their borders, to repel their enemies.  They will be too busy to fish and to hunt.  Their squaws and children will starve!  Even now the evil has begun.  What hunting and what fishing have you had this last year?  None!  As soon as the braves had arrived at their hunting-ground, they were obliged to return back to defend their squaws and to punish their enemies.

“Now, why should not the Shoshones put themselves at once above the reach of such chances? why should they not get rich?  They object to planting grain and tobacco.  They do well, as other people can do that for them; but there are many other means of getting strength and wealth.  These I will teach to my tribe!