222 ON THE FRONTIER. 



peace with him and his friends (wished them all beyond 

 Jordan). That we were far from our homes, going a long 

 journey, and were obliged to cross their country because it 

 was so big we could not go round it (oh !). That we had 

 been trapped by the snow, and detained until we had eaten 

 our provisions, and feeling we were their brothers (hadn't 

 recognised the feeling before) we had not hesitated at 

 killing their game and using their wood and grass. Should 

 they ever come to our country, they must consider it theirs 

 and do the same (foundation for bucksheesh knocked into 

 a cocked-hat). When the roads became good we should 

 leave. We were going into a country full of bad Indians 

 at war with them and us the Comanches, and we wanted 

 more powder and lead (a head-off, we had plenty) ; we were 

 sure that if their store of ammunition was as big as their 

 hearts (figurative, very) they would give us some (knew they 

 wouldn't). We had very little salt, matches, or anything 

 else, but we would divide with our brothers because we 

 knew they would do so with us (euphemism of " How are 

 you on for a trade ? ") 



Our spokesman subsided. Awfully long pause. 



His silver medalship on his legs again ! Rejoining : He 

 was very sorry we were so badly off for everything 

 especially powder and lead, as they, too, wanted some more 

 very much (knew they would) but that if we would 

 come to his camp, and bring such things as we could spare, 

 everybody would be glad, and we could " all do some swop " 

 (straight talk at last). Then he sat down. 



After a few moments' silence, one of us announced we 

 wished to show our friendship by a small present of 



