278 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



his young grandchildren, about fourteen years old, 

 remained in camp. The Indians were hospitably 

 received, and regaled with a smoke, after which they 

 began to evince their curiosity by examining every 

 article lying about, and signifying their wishes that it 

 should be given to them. Finding their hints were not 

 taken, they laid hold of several things which took 

 their fancies, and, amongst others, of the pot which was 

 boiling on the fire, and with which one of them was 

 about very coolly to walk off, when old Brand, who up 

 to this moment had retained possession of his temper, 

 seized it out of the Indian's hand and knocked him 

 down. One of the others instantly began to draw the 

 buckskin cover from his gun, and would no doubt have 

 taken summary vengeance for the insult offered to his 

 companion, when Mary Brand courageously stepped up 

 to him, and, placing her left hand upon the gun which 

 he was in the act of uncovering, with the other pointed 

 a pistol at his breast. 



Whether daunted by the bold act of the girl, or 

 admiring her devotion to her father, the Indian drew 

 himself back, exclaimed " Howgh ! " and drew the cover 

 again on his piece, went up to old Brand, who all this 

 time looked him sternly in the face, and, shaking him 

 by the hand, motioned at the same time to the other to 

 be peaceable. 



The other whites presently coming into camp, the 

 Indians sat quietly down by the fire, and, when the 

 supper was ready, joined in the repast, after which 

 they gathered their buffalo robes about them, and 



