364 A SIOUX CHIEF. 



tious wisdom of Rahm-o-j-or, as translated by Duquesne, 

 our sworn interpreter, to restrain our heedless impetuosity. 

 " The Pale-faces," he said, " are too easily excited ; they 

 must learn the patience which only is successful, and the 

 stratagems which their brothers of the great desert will 

 teach them, if they would prevail over the bison. Listen 

 to my resolve : Our troop is about to march, divided into 

 two bodies. The one will advance towards the west, the 

 other towards the north, along the brook, to surprise the 

 quadrupeds against the wind, and immediately surround 

 them. This is the sole means by which success can be 

 ensured; and before two hours are over the Pale-faces 

 shall have the pleasure of finding themselves in front of 

 the bisons." 



Rahm-o-j-or had scarcely finished speaking" before he 

 sprang on the back of his black horse ; a noble beast, 

 whose obedience was so complete that his master's word 

 had more effect than bit or spur. 



To see this warrior-chief, his shoulders half covered by 

 a panther's skin, his legs enveloped in leggings and mocca- 

 sins, his head bristling with rough and unkempt locks, 

 his weapons a short, flexible bow and a quiverful of 

 arrows, you would have taken him for a resuscitation of 

 Nimrod, the mighty hunter of antediluvian times. 



After recommending us to observe the greatest silence, 

 he gave the signal of departure ; and we Europeans being 

 placed in the centre of the Sioux picked out for the chase, 

 we advanced in good order, following Rahm-o-j-or, who 

 had assigned us the post of honour on each side of him. 

 With a gesture he pointed out to the troop who were to 

 march westward the route they would have to follow ; 



