“I knew it!” exclaimed the chief, “there is but one such a people with a red skin; my warriors are keen-sighted, they cannot be mistaken.  Now, we Comanches never take the scalp of a Cayuga any more than that of a hedge-hog; we kick them out of our way when they cross our path; that’s all.  Hear me, my braves, and believe me, though I will speak strange words:  these reptiles have thought that because we have not killed them as toads and scorpions, it was because we were afraid of their poison.  One thousand Cayugas, among other prisoners, have taken eight Comanches; they have eaten four of them, they would have eaten them all, but the braves escaped; they are here.  Now, is an impure Cayuga a fit tomb for the body of a Comanche warrior?  No!  I read the answer in your burning eyes.  What then shall we do?  Shall we chastise them and give their carcases to the crows and wolves?  What say my warriors; let them speak? speak?  I hear?”

All were silent, though it was evident that their feelings had been violently agitated.  At last, an old chief rose and addressed Opishka:—­

“Great chief,” said he, “why askest thou?  Can a Comanche and warrior think in any way but one?  Look at them!  See you not into their hearts?  Perceive you not how fast the blood runs into their veins?  Why ask?  I say; thou knowest well their hearts’ voice is but the echo of thine own.  Say but a word, say, ‘Let us go the Cayugas!’ Thy warriors will answer:  ‘We are ready, show us the path!’ Chief of a mighty nation, thou hast heard my voice, and in my voice are heard the thousand voices of thy thousand warriors.”

Opishka Koaki rose again.  “I knew it, but I wanted to hear it, for it does my heart good; it makes me proud to command so many brave warriors.  Then to-morrow we start, and we will hunt the Cayugas even to the deepest of their burrows.  I have said!”

Then the four rescued prisoners recounted how they had been taken, and what sufferings they had undergone.  They spoke of their unfortunate companions and of their horrible fate, which they should have also shared had it not been for the courage of the three Pale-face brothers, who killed five Cayugas, and cut their bonds; they themselves killed five more of their cowardly foes and escaped, but till to-day they had had no occasion of telling to their tribe the bravery and generosity of the three Pale-faces.

At this narrative all the warriors, young and old, looked as though they were personally indebted to us, and would have come, one and all, to shake our hands, had it not been for the inviolable rules of the council lodge, which forbids any kind of disorder.  It is probable that the scene had been prepared beforehand by the excellent chief, who wished to introduce us to his warriors under advantageous circumstances.  He waved his hand to claim attention, and spoke again.