384 THE MUSICIAN'S PRELUDE. 



surrounding Redskins, who followed every movement 

 with the curiosity of a child. 



" Now, my dear friend," said he, addressing me, " now 

 is the time to display your talents. The audience before 

 you will infallibly be astonished and delighted. Play 

 your best, and I guarantee you will excite an enthusiasm 

 of which the well-bred salons of London or Paris would 

 be incapable." 



I PRELUDED A FEW NOTES." 



These words, uttered in French, were understood by 

 myself alone. I preluded a few notes, examining most 

 attentively the expression of countenance of each of my 

 hearers. The very first sounds produced a magical effect ; 

 the Indians listened, with glittering eyes, and necks 



