“When he went out to hunt, or to war, who aided to equip him, but I?  When he returned, I met him at the door; I took his gun; and he entered without further thought.  While he sat and smoked, I unloaded his horses; tied them to the stakes, brought in their loads, and was quickly at his feet.  If his moccasins were wet I took them off and put on others which were dry and warm.  I dressed all the skins he had taken in the chase.  He could never say to me, why is it not done?  He hunted the deer, the antelope, and the buffalo, and he watched for the enemy.  Everything else was done by me.  When our people moved their camp, he mounted his horse and rode away; free as though he had fallen from the skies.  He had nothing to do with the labor of the camp; it was I that packed the horses and led them on the journey.  When we halted in the evening, and he sat with the other braves and smoked, it was I that pitched his lodge; and when he came to eat and sleep, his supper and his bed were ready.

“I served him faithfully; and what was my reward?  A cloud was always on his brow, and sharp lightning on his tongue.  I was his dog; and not his wife.

“Who was it that scarred and bruised me?  It was he.  My brother saw how I was treated.  His heart was big for me.  He begged me to leave my tyrant and fly.  Where could I go?  If retaken, who would protect me?  My brother was not a chief; he could not save me from blows and wounds, perhaps death.  At length I was persuaded.  I followed my brother from the village.  He pointed away to the Nez Perces, and bade me go and live in peace among them.  We parted.  On the third day I saw the lodges of the Nez Perces before me.  I paused for a moment, and had no heart to go on; but my horse neighed, and I took it as a good sign, and suffered him to gallop forward.  In a little while I was in the midst of the lodges.  As I sat silent on my horse, the people gathered round me, and inquired whence I came.  I told my story.  A chief now wrapped his blanket close around him, and bade me dismount.  I obeyed.  He took my horse to lead him away.  My heart grew small within me.  I felt, on parting with my horse, as if my last friend was gone.  I had no words, and my eyes were dry.  As he led off my horse a young brave stepped forward.  ’Are you a chief of the people?’ cried he.  ’Do we listen to you in council, and follow you in battle?  Behold! a stranger flies to our camp from the dogs of Blackfeet, and asks protection.  Let shame cover your face!  The stranger is a woman, and alone.  If she were a warrior, or had a warrior at her side, your heart would not be big enough to take her horse.  But he is yours.  By right of war you may claim him; but look!’—­his bow was drawn, and the arrow ready!—­’you never shall cross his back!’ The arrow pierced the heart of the horse, and he fell dead.

“An old woman said she would be my mother.  She led me to her lodge; my heart was thawed by her kindness, and my eyes burst forth with tears; like the frozen fountains in springtime.  She never changed; but as the days passed away, was still a mother to me.  The people were loud in praise of the young brave, and the chief was ashamed.  I lived in peace.